Patent Publication Number: US-5421235-A

Title: Multi-axle drum beater and pedal apparatus

Description:
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/035,065, filed Mar. 22, 1993; U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,670, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 07/783,864, filed Oct. 28, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,204,485, issued Apr. 20, 1993. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to drum beating apparatus having multiple beaters, and more particularly concerns the operation and mounting of such beaters. 
     There is need for drum beating apparatus in which two beaters are located close to one another to strike the same drum surface, but wherein the two beaters are independently operable by foot pedals located at different, separate positions. No prior apparatus meets this objective in the novel and unusually advantageous ways as now afforded by the present invention incorporating unusually advantageous structural combinations and modes of operation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a major object of the invention to provided improved drum beating apparatus meeting the above as well as other needs and objectives. Basically, the invention is embodied in a combination that includes: 
     a) a first frame including first pedestal means, 
     b) first, second and third bearings carried by the first pedestal means, in spaced coaxial relation, 
     c) a primary axle carried by the first and third bearings, and a primary drum beater carried by the primary axle, 
     d) a secondary axle carried by the second and third bearings, and a secondary drum beater carried by the secondary axle, 
     e) the primary and secondary axles being independently rotatable, there being a first pedal operatively connected to the primary axle to rotate the primary axle and primary drum beater in response to pedal pivoting, the secondary axle and secondary drum beater being rotatable by auxiliary means, 
     f) and a first base plate integrally supporting the first pedestal means, the first plate also supporting the first pedal for pivoting relative thereto. 
     As will appear, the third bearing typically may include two axially spaced bearing elements, there being a housing for those elements, and an arm carried by the first pedestal means and supporting the housing, the primary axle supported by one of the elements, and the secondary axle supported by the other of the elements. 
     Another object is to provide a primary rotor on the primary axle and a flexible coupling interconnecting the first pedal and primary rotor to rotate the rotor and primary axle when the pedal is pivotally displaced downwardly, and yieldable means operatively connected between the primary axle and first frame to yieldably resist pedal effected rotation of the primary axle. 
     A further object is to provide an elongated rotary link coupled to the secondary axle, the link consisting of relatively lightweight metal, the link defined by the auxiliary means. In this regard, and as regards such auxiliary means, the invention may provide a second frame including second pedestal means, and a second base plate, independent of the first frame; other bearing means on the second pedestal means; a tertiary axle carried by the other bearing means; the link operatively connecting the secondary and tertiary axles; there being a second pedal operatively connected to the tertiary axle to rotate the third axle, the link, the secondary axle, and the secondary drum beater; the second pedal and tertiary axle also defined by the auxiliary means; and a second base plate integrally supporting the second pedestal means, the second base plate also supporting the second pedal for pivoting relative thereto. 
     Yet another object is to provide a double drum pedal apparatus in which a first pedal frame is provided with rotatable first and second beaters and a first pedal for rotating the first beater when pushed down; a second pedal frame being provided with a second pedals the second beater having a supporting shaft operatively connected to the second pedal; and characterized in that the first pedal frame is provided with first, second and third bearing portions, the first beater having a supporting shaft supported by the first and second bearing portions, the shaft supporting the second beater being supported by the second and third bearing portions, whereby the second shaft is rotatable independently of the first shaft. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following specification and drawings, in which: 
    
    
     DRAWING DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus incorporating the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged section taken in elevation on lines 2--2 of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a section taken on lines 3--3 of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a section taken on lines 4--4 of FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing relative adjustability of two pedals on two base plates, in association with two drum beaters which have fixed relative positions. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the drawings, a first horizontal, longitudinally extending base plate 10 integrally supports a first frame that includes first pedestal means. Such pedestal means is shown to include laterally spaced, upright pedestals 11 and 12, the lower ends of which are carried by a bottom yoke 13 attached to a base plate forward portion. The upper ends of the pedestals carry first and second coaxial bearing sleeves 14 and 15, which are laterally spaced apart. The pedestal means also carries third bearing structure 16, and specifically, an arm 17 extends laterally rightwardly from pedestal 12, and upwardly, to support structure 16. The latter includes a bearing housing 16a, and two roller bearing parts 16b and 16c positioned in housing 16a, in laterally spaced relation. Arm 17 is elbow-shaped and is integral with 12 and 16a. A primary axle or shaft 18 is carried by the first and third bearings, and specifically, by bearing sleeve 14 and bearing part 16b; and a secondary axle or shaft 19 is carried by the second and third bearings, and specifically, by the bearing sleeve 15 and bearing part 16c, the axles 18 and 19 being independently rotatable, yet coaxial. 
     A primary drum beater 21 is carried by the primary axle 18, and a secondary drum beater 22 is carried by the secondary axle 19, whereby the two beaters are separately operable. Note that the beater 21 has a shaft 21a and a connector 21b to axle 18; and beater 22 has a shaft 22a and a connector 22b to axle 19, both connectors laterally spaced, and located between the bearing sleeves 14 and 15 on the pedestals. See also the beater heads 21c and 22c. Axles 18 and 19 are polygonal to rigidly connect to the elements 21b and 22b. 
     A first pedal 31 is operatively connected to the primary axle 18 to rotate that axle and the primary beater 21 in response to pedal pivoting effected by the foot of the drummer. 
     In the FIG. 3 example, the pedal is pivoted at 33 to a heel support 34 attached to plate 10. A flexible coupling, such as chain 35, is connected at 36 to the forward end of the pedal, and extends upwardly to mesh with and wrap on sprocket 37. The latter is fixedly mounted on axle 18, whereby, as the pedal is pushed down, the sprocket and axle 18 are rotated, and the beater 21 rotates forwardly, so that head 21c strikes the drum surface indicated at 40. Yieldable means, such as tension spring 41 is operatively connected between the primary axle and the frame, such as the lower end of pedestal 11, to yieldably resist axle rotation, and return the beater to FIG. 3 position. Note that spring 41 has its upper end connected to crank 42 on shaft or axle 18. 
     A similar spring 46 is operatively connected between secondary axle 19 and the frame, such as the lower end of pedestal 12, to yieldably resist axle 19 rotation, to return secondary drum beater 22 to retracted position, as indicated in FIG. 3. That spring has its upper end connected to a crank 49 on shaft 19. 
     Axles 18 and 19 may have square cross sections to enable positive connection of the sleeve-type connectors 21c and 22c to the axles, set screws 21d and 22d also being provided. Annular bearings receive the axles for reception in the bearing sleeves 14 and 15. 
     The surface portions, including teeth 53 on the sprocket 37, may be located at progressively increasing radii from an axis 54 defined by axle 18, and located angularly about that axis, whereby those surface portions extend eccentrically relative to axis 54, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,224. This causes the beater to travel progressively faster toward the drum surface, as the pedal is displaced downwardly at a fixed angular velocity. 
     The secondary axle 19 and secondary drum beater 22 may be rotatable by auxiliary means not mounted on plate 10. Such secondary means may, for example, include an elongated and elongatable rotary link 56 coupled to axle 19, as by coupling structure 57. The latter is shown to include universal Joint members 58a and 58b rotatably interconnected by cross pin 58c. Member 58a is connected to the end 19c of axle 19 projecting away from the bearing 15; and member 58b is connected to a square cross section sub-shaft 59, as by transverse pin 60. Shaft 59 is also received in and connected to link member 56a via a coupling set screw 61, allowing extension of 56a and 59. 
     Note that bearing 15 is coaxial with bearing 16, and carried by upper extension 12a of the pedestal. That upper extension 12a and arm 17 form a yoke, and between which beater 22 connector 22b is located. The two bearings 16b and 16c being separate may allow for some degree of axial mis-alignment of the axles 18 and 19, whereby each axle 18 and 19 is freely supported for rotation by only two bearings, yet the two beaters are located in close lateral relation, as seen in FIG. 2. Arm 17 is located above the pedal 31 so as not to interfere with it. 
     FIG. 1 shows the provision of a second frame, including second pedestal means, such as upright pedestals 71 and 72. The latter are integrally mounted via bottom yoke 73a on a second base plate 73 which is independent of plate 10 and can be adjustably positioned at different locations relative to plate 10, to suit the drummer. See FIG. 5. Other bearing means, such as bearing sleeves 74 and 75, are carried by the second pedestals 71 and 72, and a tertiary axle or shaft 76 extends laterally and is carried for rotation by the sleeves 74 and 75. Link 56 is connected to axle 76 as by structure 71 corresponding to structure 57. See for example universal Joint 78, square cross section sub-shaft 79, and elongatable coupling 81. Set screws 82 and 61 are associated with the couplings 61 and 56 to adjustably grip the sub-shafts, allow complete disassembly or disconnection of the two axles 19 and 76, and the two base plates 10 and 73. Elongated link member 56a advantageously consists of lightweight metal, such as aluminum. 
     A pedal 91 is pivotally mounted at 92 on second base plate 73, and a flexible coupling, such as a chain 95, couples the forward end of the pedal 91 to a sprocket 97 attached to axle 76. Accordingly, the pedal 91 is coupled to the second beater 22 to rotate same, as pedal 91 is pushed downwardly. Plate or sprocket 97 may be eccentric, as described above, as respects sprocket 37. Holder members 102 and 103 also support the pedestals on the base plates, as shown. 
     Accordingly, the invention provides a first pedal frame with rotatable first and second beaters and a first pedal for rotating the first beater when pushed down; a second pedal frame being provided with a second pedal; the second beater having a supporting shaft operatively connected to the second pedal; and characterized in that the first pedal frame is provided with first, second and third bearing portions, the first beater having a supporting shaft supported by the first and second bearing portions, the shaft supporting the second beater being supported by the second and third bearing portions, whereby the second shaft is rotatable independently of the first shaft. 
     Adjustable clamp means 110 on the forward end of the plate 10 clamps to drum structure 40a, as shown.