Patent Abstract:
A drum pedal configured for cable-driven power transmission may include a base, a foot board, a shaft coupled to the base, a cam coupled to the shaft, and an opening extending generally horizontally from said base; the cam coupling to a cable and the cable extending through the opening, such that the cable departs in a generally horizontal direction from the pedal. The cam, which may be rotatably coupled to the shaft, may include an eccentric portion, and a groove may be disposed on the eccentric portion and configured to receive the cable. Additionally, a hi hat drum assembly may include a pedal, a hi hat stand, at least one cymbal, and a cable operatively connected to the pedal and the cymbal. The cable may depart from the pedal in a generally horizontal direction, and the pedal may not be connected to the hi hat stand. Instead, it may be separated from the stand and located anywhere the user desires, provided there is a path for the cable to travel between the pedal and the stand.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to musical instruments, more specifically, the invention is directed to a drum pedal for driving a cable operated hi hat cymbal assembly. 
         [0003]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0004]    Traditional hi hat cymbal assemblies include a frame, a pedal, and a pair of cymbals through which a center rod extends. The frame may include a central tube through which the rod moves and a collapsible tripod-type set of feet for stabilizing the assembly. The heel portion of the pedal is pivotally mounted to a base, and the base is fixedly mounted to the frame, for example via a pair of arms extending upward from a toe portion of the base toward the rod. Alternatively, the base may be pivotally mounted to the frame to allow it to fold up against the frame. 
         [0005]    In these assemblies, the rod may be coupled to the pedal, usually via a chain assembly or one or more pulley-mounted cables, such that depressing the pedal causes the rod to move down, which in turn causes one of the cymbals to move toward and against the other cymbal. Additionally, the chain or cable often extends generally upward directly from the pedal to connect to the rod. This chain or cable may be pulled down under its own weight, which may create slack in the assembly or create a dampened feeling for the user. 
         [0006]    In other cable-driven subassemblies, the pedal may be separated from the hi hat, allowing the user to place the pedal wherever he or she desires. Although these systems provide greater flexibility for setup, they still leave the user with a slackened or dampened feeling when the pedal is depressed. 
         [0007]    What is needed is a drum pedal and/or pedal system that overcomes the drawbacks described above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In one aspect, a drum pedal configured for cable-driven power transmission, may include a base, a foot board, a shaft coupled to the base, a cam coupled to the shaft, and an opening extending generally horizontally from said base; wherein the cam couples to a cable and the cable extends through the opening. The pedal also may include a link operatively coupling the foot board to the cam. The cam, which may be rotatably coupled to the shaft, may include an eccentric portion and a groove configured to receive the cable, which may be disposed on the eccentric portion. In addition, the opening may protrude from a flange extending upward from the base. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, a drum pedal configured for cable-driven power transmission may include a base, a foot board rotatably coupled to the base, a link operatively coupled to the foot board, and a cam operatively coupled to the link. The cam may be configured to fixedly couple to a cable, and the pedal may be configured to create a departure angle for the cable, the departure angle being generally horizontal. The link may include a radius of curvature, the cam may include a body having a radius, and the radius of curvature may be substantially similar to the radius. 
         [0010]    The cam may include an eccentric portion, which may include a groove configured to receive the cable as the cam rotates. In addition, the eccentric portion may include an opening configured to receive a set screw, the set screw allowing the cable to releasable couple to the cam. Moreover, the base may include an opening configured to receive the cable, and the opening may include internal threading. The cable may be disposed in a cable assembly such as in a Bowden cable, and the cable assembly further may include a threaded shaft configured to be received by the internal threading. 
         [0011]    In still another aspect, a hi hat drum assembly may include a pedal, a hi hat stand, at least one cymbal, and a cable operatively connected to the pedal and the at least one cymbal. The cable may depart from the pedal in a generally horizontal direction, and the pedal may not be connected to the hi hat stand. Instead, the pedal may be separated from the stand and located anywhere the user desires, provided there is a path for the cable to travel between the pedal and the stand. The pedal may include a base and a foot board, where the cable is operatively coupled to the foot board and passes through an opening in the base, and a pedal including a rotatable cam to which a portion of the cable is fixed. In addition, the base may have an opening extending generally parallel to a plane including the base, with the cable passing through the opening. Moreover, the cam may include an eccentric portion having a groove configured to receive the cable as a foot board of the pedal is depressed. 
         [0012]    These and other features and advantages are evident from the following description of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a hi hat pedal with the foot board in a ready position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the hi hat pedal of  FIG. 1  with the foot board in a strike position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the pedal of  FIG. 1  coupled to a cable-driven hi hat system. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the pedal of  FIG. 2  coupled to a cable-driven hi hat system. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  view is a side view of the pedal of  FIG. 2 , with part of the base removed to illustrate details of the cam and cable cooperation. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    As shown generally in  FIG. 1 , a hi hat pedal assembly  10  may include a base  12 , foot board or pedal  14 , link  16 , and cam  18 . Assembly  10  may include a heel end  20  and toe end  22 . Base  12  may include one or more arms  24  extending generally laterally from proximate heel end  20  to proximate toe end  22 . 
         [0019]    Heel end portion  26  of arms  24  may include openings for pin  28  or another connection for operatively, pivotally connecting pedal  14  to base  12 . Additionally, each arm  24  may include a post  30  to which a shaft  32  may be fixedly or rotatably attached, where cam  18  is mounted on or operatively coupled to shaft  32 . For example, in one embodiment, cam  18  may be press fit onto shaft  32 , allowing cam  18  and shaft  32  to rotate together. In this embodiment, shaft  32  may be rotatably coupled to posts  30 , e.g., ends  34  of shafts may be sized to fit into openings in posts, either loosely or via bushings or bearings so as to allow for rotation. 
         [0020]    In a second, preferable, embodiment, shaft  32  may be press fit or otherwise fixedly coupled to posts  30 , and cam  18  may be rotatably coupled to shaft  32 . For example, shaft  32  may be journaled within cam  18 . A bearing pack  19  including ball, racer, needle, or other types of bearings may be positioned between cam  18  and shaft  32 , facilitating rotation of cam  18  with respect to shaft  32 . Cam  18  preferably is generally centrally mounted widthwise along shaft  32 . 
         [0021]    Pedal  14  may be pinned or otherwise rotatably coupled to base  12  proximate heel end  20 . Pedal  14  may be angled above base  12  so that toe portion of pedal operatively couples to link  16  at a height above shaft  32 . Pedal  14  and link  16  may be rotatably coupled at one end  36  of link  16 , e.g., via a pin  37  passing through pedal and link. As with cam  18  and shaft  32 , one or more bearings or bearing packs  17  may be disposed between pin  37  and link  16  to facilitate rotation. Link  16  may have a similar connection at an opposite end  38  from first end  36  to operatively couple link  16  to cam  18 . 
         [0022]    Cam  18  may include a body  40 , which may be generally cylindrical and have a predetermined radius. Cam  18  also may include a protrusion  42  extending outward from body, such as the forked protrusion or plurality of protrusions seen in  FIG. 1 . Protrusion(s) may include at least one opening  44  through which one or more pins  46  or other type of fasteners may operatively couple cam  18  to link  16 . In an initial position, such as the one shown in  FIG. 1 , protrusion  42  and/or opening  44  may extend generally upward from an axis of rotation of cam  18 . Preferably, in the initial position, protrusion  42  and/or opening  44  may be disposed angularly forward from a top-dead-center position, i.e., toward toe end  22 . For example, protrusion  42  and/or opening  44  may be between about 0 degrees and about 20 degrees forward, preferably between about 5 degrees and about 15 degrees forward. 
         [0023]    When the pedal is depressed fully so that pedal assembly  10  is in a second position such as the one seen in  FIG. 2 , protrusion  42  to which link  16  is coupled may rotate forward and downward, while protrusion  52  on the eccentric portion  48  (discussed below) may rotate rearward and upward. Pedal assembly  10  may be configured, e.g., link  16  may be sized, so that cam  18  rotates between about 30 degrees and about 135 degrees, preferably between about 45 degrees and about 90 degrees, and in one embodiment, about 60 degrees from the first position to the second position. 
         [0024]    Cam  18  may include an eccentric portion  48  extending around at least a portion of cam  18 . Like body  40  of cam  18 , eccentric portion  48  may include a generally radial perimeter  50  with a predetermined radius, although radius of eccentric portion  48  may be significantly larger than radius of cam body  40 . Eccentric portion  48  may have a circumferential extent between about 15 degrees and about 180 degrees, preferably between about 45 degrees and about 135 degrees, still more preferably between about 60 degrees and about 120 degrees and, in one embodiment, the circumferential extent is about 90 degrees. 
         [0025]    Eccentric portion  48  may include a protrusion  52  having an opening  54 . Opening  54  may be generally parallel to shaft  32  and may extend partially and, preferably, completely through a width of eccentric portion  48 , in order to receive a set screw  56  for holding an cable, wire, etc. Once the pedal system  10  is in a desired position, the cable may be adjusted to add tension and remove slack in the cable, and the set screw  56  may be rotated to lock the cable in place. In addition, set screw  56  may allow for releasable engagement between pedal  10  and cable assembly  70 , which may be beneficial for storage and transport and for replacing cable assembly  70 , if necessary. In addition, different setups may require placing pedal  10  differing distances away from hi hat subassembly  82 . As such, separability of cable assembly  70  may allow the user to switch between longer and/or shorter cables, if desired, to better customize the drum set setup. 
         [0026]    In the initial position discussed above, opening  54  may be angularly disposed proximate bottom-dead-center, e.g., between about −20 degrees and about 20 degrees from bottom-dead-center. Opening  54  also may be generally vertically aligned with a second, generally horizontal opening  64  in base  12 . Vertically aligning opening  54  with generally horizontal opening  64  may help in maintaining general horizontal alignment of the cable as it extends away from pedal assembly  10 . In addition, this alignment may maximize the spacing between the axis of rotation of cam  18  and the opening  54 , creating a longer moment arm that may assist in transmitting the force of pedal depression and allowing the user to maximize the force transferred to the hi hat cymbals with each pedal hit. 
         [0027]    Cam  18  may include a groove  60  or notch, which may extend inward from perimeter  50 . Groove  60  may be generally centrally spaced along a width of cam  18 . Alternatively, groove  60  may be offset along a width of cam  18 , provided that notch  18  may be generally aligned with a cable opening on base  12 , as discussed in greater detail below. 
         [0028]    Groove  60  may extend inward from perimeter in order to receive at least a portion of the movable cable as foot board  14  is depressed and cam  18  rotates. Groove  60  preferably extends generally along a circumferential extent of eccentric portion  48 , from a first end to protrusion  52  at a second end. Additionally, groove may extend completely through a portion of the wall  53  forming opening  54 , allowing passage of the cable from the exterior perimeter  50  into the opening  54 . 
         [0029]    Body  40  of cam  18  may be generally cylindrical, having a radius. Similarly, link  16  may be curved and have an inner radius of curvature substantially similar to cam body radius. As such, when pedal is depressed fully, link may rotate to the second position seen in  FIG. 2 , causing perimeter of link having inner radius to be disposed proximate perimeter of cam body having cam body radius. 
         [0030]    Returning to  FIGS. 1-2 , in addition to the movable components, pedal assembly  10  may include a flange  62  having a generally horizontal opening  64  that may be generally statically coupled to, or integrally formed in, base  12 . Opening  64  may extend forward from toe end  22  of base  12 . Axis of opening may be minimally spaced from base  12  and ground so that cable extending between pedal assembly  10  and hi hat stand may be disposed proximate the ground, which may minimize the chance the user or some other individual may trip over cable and/or pull one or more of the cable, pedal assembly  10  and hi hat stand out of place. In addition, opening  64  may include internal threads  66  so as to receive and couple cable assembly  70 . 
         [0031]    Opening  64  in base  12  may be generally centrally spaced width-wise on pedal assembly  10  and may be disposed generally perpendicular to shaft  32 , extending in a direction from heel end  20  to toe end  22 . Alternatively, opening  64  may be offset to one side or another, provided that groove  60  in cam  18  is generally aligned with opening  64 , i.e., center of groove  60  may be generally coplanar with a plane passing through center of opening  64 . 
         [0032]    Cable may extend past wall  53  forming opening  54 , translating back and forth as pedal  14  is depressed and released. As cam  18  rotates from the first position toward the second position, an increasing amount of the cable may be retained within groove  60 , as best seen in  FIG. 5 . Additionally, the cable may be generally horizontal as it exits opening  64  and heads toward hi hat stand, although cable may be wound, snaked, coiled, or otherwise disposed in between pedal and hi hat stand. Features of pedal  10 , including but not limited to cam  18  to pull cable, set screw  56  to hold cable, and opening  64  to minimize the amount cable falls under its own weight, individually or combined, may retain tension in the cable, minimize slack, and maximize the user&#39;s feel and the pedal&#39;s responsiveness. 
         [0033]    Adjusting length of link  16  or distance of opening  54  on cam  18  from axis of rotation may change distance cable travels when pedal  14  is depressed. This may allow the hi hat cymbals to be separated a greater or smaller distance, which may allow for manipulating the timing of hi hat hits and/or the force with which a drummer can cause the cymbals to be brought together. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment, cable assembly  70  may be a single cable, e.g., a single strand metal wire or multiple braided or wound wires. Preferably, however, cable assembly  70  may be a Bowden cable or a similar cable. In this embodiment, e.g., in the embodiment of  FIGS. 3-5 , cable assembly  70 , may comprise an inner cable  72 , a hollow inner sleeve disposed around the inner cable and having an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the inner cable so as to permit easy sliding movement of inner cable relative to the inner sleeve, a hollow outer cable or housing disposed around inner cable and inner housing, and an outer protective sheathing  74  disposed around outer cable or housing. Various types of Bowden cables exist, and a cable for this application may be selected, at least in part, based on its ability to minimize sliding friction between the inner cable  72  and the inner sleeve. 
         [0035]    As seen in  FIGS. 3-5 , cable assembly may include a threaded shaft  76  extending from at least one end of outer sheathing  74 . As discussed above, opening  64  on pedal may have internal threads  66 , and threads  66  may be configured to receive threading of shaft  76 , so as to releasably couple pedal  10  to cable assembly  70 . This connection further may include a washer  78 , such as a spring washer, and/or a nut  80 . Additionally, cable assembly  70  may include a strain relief  81  proximate threaded shaft  76  to protect cable assembly  70  from damage that may otherwise occur over time as inner cable  72  is pulled and released, as cable assembly  70  is moved, and/or as pedal  10 /base  12  moves during playing, either intentionally or inadvertently. 
         [0036]    Staying with  FIGS. 3-4 , in another embodiment, pedal  10  may be part of a larger hi hat assembly, which may also include cable assembly  70  and hi hat subassembly  82 . Hi hat subassembly  82  may include a first cymbal  84 , a second cymbal  86 , and a rod  88  passing through openings in both cymbals. First cymbal  84  may be generally fixedly mounted or generally stationary during use, and second cymbal  86  and rod  88  may translate together during use. 
         [0037]    Whereas one end of cable  70  operatively couples to pedal  10 , a second end may feed into and operatively couple to hi hat subassembly  82 . For example, hi hat subassembly  82  may include a collar  92  having a cap  90  at one end through and into which cable  70  extends. Conversely, rod  88  may extend away from a second end of collar  92 . 
         [0038]    The inner workings of hi hat subassemblies are understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, but one version of a hi hat assembly may include an element disposed within collar  92  to which both inner cable  72  and rod  88  are operatively coupled. This coupling element also may include a spring element such as a compression spring. When foot board  14  of pedal  10  is in a ready position, the spring element may be extended, keeping rod  88  pushed upward and causing second cymbal  86  to be spaced from first cymbal  84 . 
         [0039]    Upon depressing foot board  14 , link  16  may cause cam  18  to rotate, pulling inner cable  72  relative to outer sheathing Inner cable  72  may pull the coupling element within collar  92 , compressing its spring and, in turn, pulling down rod  88  and second cymbal  86 . Upon releasing food board  14 , the spring may release its stored potential energy, forcing rod  88  and second cymbal  86  back up. 
         [0040]    Because pedal assembly  10  is detached from hi hat stand, the pedal assembly may be placed anywhere around a drum set that offers an unobstructed path to the hi hat stand. Additionally, because of the flexibility present in the cable assembly, the path between the pedal assembly  10  and hi hat stand may not necessarily be line of sight. Instead, the cable may wind or snake around obstructions. For example, the pedal may be placed proximate the drummer&#39;s dominant foot, opposite the traditional hi hat location. Ordinarily, one or more floor toms and/or snare drums may be placed in this position, preventing placement of a traditional hi hat pedal and stand. However, pedal assembly  10  may be placed below or next to the floor tom with the cable running under the tom and towards a hi hat stand. In addition to the slack-diminishing benefits discussed above, this configuration may allow for greater flexibility for the drummer and create new options for drum kit setup. 
         [0041]    While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific exemplary embodiments and methods herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiments and methods, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6