Patent Publication Number: US-2009229444-A1

Title: Pedal operated snare drum stand

Description:
SUMMARY OF THE THE INVENTION 
     The basic object of the present invention is to improve the operability of the snare drum and snare drum stand. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a mechanism used to raise and lower the snare ribbon is placed within the stand&#39;s center post and operated by a pedal conveniently positioned under the stand. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1 . Is a perspective plan view of one embodiment of a snare drum stand with the pedal operated snare drum lever. 
         FIG. 2 . Is a sectional view of the stand&#39;s center post ( 5 ) connected to the slidable unit ( 1   a ) 
         FIG. 3 . Is a sectional view of the push button member ( 4   a ), its internal spring ( 4   e ) and the lug member ( 4   b ) 
         FIG. 4 . Is a perspective view of the throw-off plate ( 2 ) to which the unit arm connects. 
         FIG. 5 . Is a perspective view of the operating pedal, its base ( 3   a ), foot switch ( 3   b ), push button connector ( 3   d ) and “mouse trap” spring ( 3   c ). 
         FIG. 6 . Show the “mouse trap” spring mechanism ( 3   c ) used to keep the foot switch ( 3   b ) in the raised position. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     In  FIG. 1 . a snare drum stand complete with the pedal operated snare drum level in accordance with the present invention includes a hollow upright center post( 5 ) holding the protract-retract mechanism and the slidable arm unit ( 1   a ) which exits through a slot in the side of the post. The slidable arm unit is separated in parts by adjustable collars ( 1   b ),( 1   c ),( 1   d ),( 1   e ),( 1   f ) which allow the unit arm to be adjusted to fit properly with any application. Adjustment collar  1   b  sits in back of the adjustable throw-off plate ( 2 ) preventing the plate from sliding free from the arm unit. ( 1   c ) allows for the horizontal adjustment of the unit arm in proximity to the throw-off plate( 2 ). ( 1   d ) allows the for horizontal rotation adjustment at the top of the unit arm, also allowing for vertical adjustment in proximity to the throw off plate ( 2 ). ( 1   e ) allows for further vertical adjustment and rotational adjustment towards the base of the unit. ( 1   f ) allows the unit arm to be easily connected and disconnected from the internal protract-retract mechanism, while also allowing for vertical rotation adjustment as well as addition horizontal adjustment. The unit arm ( 1   a ), formed in such a way to avoid any and all clearance issues, connects to a n adjustable throw-off plate ( 2 ) that is used to replace the small factory plate, which holds the snare ribbon to the snare throw-off lever. The throw-off plate ( 2 ) comprises of two parts ( 2   a ) and ( 2   b ). Also in FIG.  1 ., in accordance with the present invention includes the push button member ( 4   a ) exiting through the bottom of the stand&#39;s hollow center post( 5 ) connected to the push button connector ( 3   d ) part of the operating pedal( 3 ). The pedal is comprised of pieces: ( 3   b ) the foot switch incorporated with a “mouse trap” spring ( 3   c ) as to keep the foot switch ( 3   b ) in the raised position, and ( 3   a ) the pedal base. 
       FIG. 2 . shows a sectional view of the hollow center post ( 5 ) and it&#39;s components. Firstly, the protract-retract mechanism ( 4 ) which incorporates the push button member (  4   a ) comprising of a hollow base portion having  8  teeth extending from the end thereof and a stem extending from the opposite end thereof. Four stub projections ( 4   f ) are formed on the periphery of the base portion, spaced from, yet longitudinally aligned with the respective teeth, which fit into grooves cut into the mechanism&#39;s ( 4 ) casement. The push button mechanism, the lug member ( 4   b ) including the spring ( 4   d ) the casement slots etc. work in a known manner identical to a retractable pen. The unit arm ( 1   a ) when activated by the protract-retract mechanism ( 4 ) either protracts or retracts inside the hollow center post ( 5 ) and allowed an exit from the post at a 90 degree angle through a slot cut into the side of the post. When the unit arm ( 1   a ) is moved either up or down by the mechanism the snare ribbon will move either up or down in conjunction. 
       FIG. 3 . is a sectional view of the push button member ( 4   a ), and the lug member ( 4   b ), and shows how the lug member&#39;s stem slides into the hollow stem of the push button member where fitted inside is a spring ( 4   e ) that allows the push button member to remain in the down position and connected to the push button connector whether the unit is protracted or retracted. 
       FIG. 4 . is a drawing of the throw-off plate ( 2 ), that replaces the plate found of factory snare throw-offs used to hold the snare ribbon in place by means of squeezing it against the throw-off lever. This plate plate works in the same fashion with exception to its adjustability. The throw-off plate comprises of two piece  2   a  and  2   b . Part  2   a  contains three holes one round hole cut into an extension at the button of the plate whereby the slidable unit arm ( 1   a ) connects, a universally slotted hole at top whereby the plate connects to any factory snare throw-off, and a long slot in the center, which allows horizontal adjustment by a set screw in conjunction with part  2   b . Part  2   b  contains 2 holes, 1 universally slotted hole at top whereby the plate connects to any factory snare throw-off and a round hole near the center whereby it connects to part  2   a  via the universal slot and set screw. 
       FIG. 5 . is a perspective drawing of the pedal used to actuate the protract-retract mechanism. This part is comprised of four pieces: the pedal base ( 3   a ), which ( 3   a ) by way of the uprights arms is attached the foot switch ( 3   b ) fitted with a small cup complete with a set screw here called the push button connector ( 3   d ) used to push the push button member ( 4   a ) upward to activate the protract-retract mechanism ( 4 ). The foot switch ( 3   b ) is connected to the base by a pin enclosed in a “mouse trap” spring ( 3   c ) which connects to each upright arm of the pedal base. 
       FIG. 6 . shows a common “mouse trap” spring ( 3   c ). The spring here will be used to keep the foot switch in the raised position, regardless if the unit is protracted or retracted. This allows the user to have immediate control of the pedal&#39;s functions.