Pedal apparatus for percussion instrument

Abstract

A percussion instrument pedal apparatus includes a footboard and a transmission mechanism connectable to the footboard. A beater, which is mountable to a pivot shaft, strikes a bass drum in response to pivoting of the pivot shaft. The transmission mechanism includes two adjusting mechanisms for adjusting the motion characteristics of the footboard and for adjusting the footboard angle. The transmission mechanism can be interchanged with different types, such as a chain-drive transmission mechanism and a direct-drive transmission mechanism.

Claims

1. A pedal apparatus for a percussion instrument comprising: a striking mechanism including a rocker member mounted on a pivot shaft and configured to mount a beater for striking a striking surface of the percussion instrument in response to pivoting of the pivot shaft; a footboard adapted for a depressing operation; a connection member pivotably mounted to a distal end of the footboard; a first transmission mechanism that transmits, to the pivot shaft, a pivoting motion responsive to depression of the footboard, and including: a first transmission member; a first position adjusting mechanism detachably and adjustably attached to the rocker member and that adjusts footboard depression characteristics, and including: an upper adjusting member consisting essentially of an elongated rigid member that: attaches to the rocker member from a proximal end side of the elongated rigid member so that a distal end side thereof extends outwardly to function as a lever that exclusively controls a pivoting-motion transmission path of the first transmission member; is attached to an upper end of the first transmission member; is movable relative to the rocker member to substantially linearly move an effective leveraging point between the first transmission member and the elongated rigid member at a resting position of the footboard to adjust the pivoting-motion transmission path of the first transmission member and adjust the footboard depression characteristics; is lockable to any one of a first plurality of discrete positions relative to the rocker member; and  exclusively controls the pivoting-motion transmission path of the first transmission member by disposing the effective leveraging point at a terminal distal end portion disposed at the distal end side of the elongated rigid member; and a second position adjusting mechanism detachably and adjustably attached to the connection member and pivotably attached to a lower end of the first transmission member and that adjusts an angle of the footboard at a resting position of the footboard.

2. The pedal apparatus for a percussion instrument according to claim 1, wherein: changing the elongated rigid member to different positions among the first plurality of discrete positions changes the angle of the footboard at the footboard resting position, and the second position adjusting mechanism includes a lower adjusting member where a position thereof is adjustable relative to the connection member to compensate for the change in the angle of the footboard at the footboard resting position caused by the elongated rigid member changing to the different positions.

3. The pedal apparatus for a percussion instrument according to claim 1, wherein the first transmission mechanism is replaceable with a second transmission mechanism that includes a second transmission member of a different type.

4. The pedal apparatus for a percussion instrument according to claim 1, wherein: the rocker member includes a first surface, the elongated rigid member includes a second surface that abuts the first surface, and the first and second surfaces are complementarily configured to position the elongated rigid member to be positioned to any one of the first plurality of discrete positions.

5. The pedal apparatus for a percussion instrument according to claim 4, wherein the first and second surfaces include complementary protrusions and recesses that allow the elongated rigid member to move stepwise along the rocker member among the first plurality of discrete positions.

6. The pedal apparatus for a percussion instrument according to claim 4, further including: a pivot extending in a general horizontal direction; wherein the connection member includes: one end pivotably mounted to the distal end of the footboard via the pivot; and a coupling section that extends from the one end generally perpendicularly to the pivot.

7. The pedal apparatus for a percussion instrument according to claim 6, wherein: the second position adjusting mechanism includes a lower adjusting member provided with a third surface, the coupling section includes a fourth surface that abuts with the third surface, and the third and fourth surfaces are complementarily configured to position the lower adjusting member to be positioned to any one of a second plurality of discrete positions.

8. The pedal apparatus for a percussion instrument according to claim 7, wherein the third and fourth surfaces include complementary protrusions and recesses that allow the lower adjusting member to move stepwise along the coupling section, among the second plurality of discrete positions, to adjust the footboard angle of the footboard at the resting position.

9. The pedal apparatus for a percussion instrument according to claim 1, wherein the first transmission member includes a flexible transmission member or a linkage.

10. The pedal apparatus for a percussion instrument according to claim 9, wherein: the first transmission member is the flexible transmission member, and the flexible transmission member is attached to the proximal side of the elongated rigid member.

11. The pedal apparatus for a percussion instrument according to claim 9, wherein: the first plurality of discrete positions include at least a first position and a second position, the first transmission member is the linkage, an upper end of the linkage is pivotably attached to the distal end side of the elongated rigid member via a pivot, and the terminal distal end portion is disposed at the pivot.

12. The pedal apparatus for a percussion instrument according to claim 11, wherein: at the pivot is disposed closer to the rocker member at the first position than at the second position, at the footboard resting position and at each of the first plurality of discrete positions, the elongated rigid member and the linkage form an angle not greater than 90 degrees, and at a footboard fully depressed position, the elongated rigid member and the linkage form an angle not less than 180 degrees, while the pivot shaft pivots substantially about 70 degrees from the footboard resting position to the footboard fully depression position.

13. The pedal apparatus for a percussion instrument according to claim 9, wherein: the transmission member is the flexible transmission member, the pivot shaft pivots substantially about 70 degrees between the footboard resting position and a footboard fully depressed position, and footboard depression force to pivot the pivot shaft substantially about 70 degrees is substantially linear for each of the plurality of positions.

14. The pedal apparatus for a percussion instrument according to claim 1, wherein: the transmission member is a flexible transmission member; the elongated rigid member includes a curved section provided with a curved supporting surface that contacts, at each of the first plurality of discrete positions and at the footboard resting position, at least one-half a length of the flexible transmission member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the following accompanying drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 is a side view, partly in section, showing an overall construction of a pedal apparatus for a percussion instrument installed with a first embodiment of a transmission mechanism, which is a “chain-drive” type while a footboard is at a resting position.

(3) FIGS. 1A-1C are side views showing an upper adjusting member of a first (upper) adjusting mechanism for the chain-drive transmission mechanism, respectively at position C3, C2, and C1, at the footboard resting position.

(4) FIG. 1D is a side view of the upper adjusting member of FIGS. 1A-1C, respectively at positions C3-C1 superimposed, at the footboard resting position.

(5) FIGS. 1E-1G are side views showing the upper adjusting member of the chain-drive transmission mechanism, respectively at positions C3-C1, while the footboard is at a fully depressed position.

(6) FIG. 2 is a front view of the pedal apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

(7) FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a connection member taken along a general direction of arrow A of FIG. 1.

(8) FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the connection member taken along a direction of arrow B of FIG. 3.

(9) FIG. 5 is a side view of the connection member taken along a direction of arrow C of FIG. 4.

(10) FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a chain member taken along the general direction of arrow A of FIG. 1, and FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the chain member taken in a direction of arrow D of FIG. 6A.

(11) FIG. 6C-6D are perspective views showing another embodiment of an upper adjusting member, similar to the one shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, but with the chain removed to better illustrate the upper side and a lower side thereof.

(12) FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a rocker member taken along the general direction of arrow A of FIG. 1.

(13) FIG. 8 is a side view of the pedal apparatus of FIG. 1 installed with a direct-drive transmission mechanism, instead of the chain-drive transmission mechanism, at the footboard resting position.

(14) FIGS. 8A-8C are side views of an upper adjusting member of a first (upper) adjusting mechanism of the direct-drive transmission mechanism respectively at position D3, D2, and D1, at the footboard resting position.

(15) FIG. 8D is a side view of the upper adjusting member of FIGS. 8A-8C, respectively at positions D3-D1 superimposed, at the footboard resting position.

(16) FIG. 8E-8G are side views showing the upper adjusting member of the direct-drive transmission mechanism, respectively at positions D3-D1, while the footboard is at the fully depressed position.

(17) FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the link mechanism taken along a general direction of arrow E of FIG. 8, and FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the link mechanism taken along a direction of arrow F of FIG. 9A.

(18) FIG. 10 schematically illustrates how a position adjusting mechanism can provide discrete positions using complementary protrusions and recesses (teeth) between the connection member and the lower adjusting member.

(19) FIG. 11 is a graph obtained from Table 1, showing the absolute footboard pedal force applied to move the beater, from the footboard resting position to the footboard fully depressed position, at respective positions C1-C3 and D1-D3 of the upper adjusting member.

(20) FIG. 12 is a graph obtained from Table 2, showing the relative footboard pedal force to move 10 degrees of the beater at respective positions C1-C3 and D1-D3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(21) FIG. 1 is a side view, partly in section, showing an overall construction of a pedal apparatus 10 for a percussion instrument (“percussion instrument pedal apparatus 10” or “pedal apparatus 10”) according to the present invention, where the same pedal apparatus 10 can be installed with each of at least with a chain-drive transmission mechanism 8 illustrated in FIG. 1, a direct-drive transmission mechanism 80 illustrated in FIG. 8, or a belt-drive transmission mechanism (not illustrated).

(22) FIG. 2 is a front view of the pedal apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1. The pedal apparatus 10 is used, for example, to play or perform a bass drum of a drum set. In the following description, terms “forward,” “rearward,” “upward,” “upper”, “lower,” and “downward” are used to refer to directions as viewed with the pedal apparatus 10 resting on a horizontal surface. For example, “leftward” in FIG. 1 corresponds to a “forward” direction of the pedal apparatus 10, and “upward” in FIG. 1 corresponds to an “upward” direction of the pedal apparatus 10.

(23) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pedal apparatus 10 includes a footboard 2 configured to be depressed by a foot of a performer (depressing operation by a human player), a pivot shaft 4 pivotably supported on and between the respective upper ends of a pair of left and right struts 3, a striking mechanism including a beater shaft 7 mounted to a rocker member 5 fixedly mounted on an axially middle portion of the pivot shaft 4, and a beater 6 mounted to the distal end of the beater shaft 7, the chain-drive transmission mechanism 8 that uses a chain 8a (transmission member) for transmitting pivoting force to the pivot shaft 4, and a connection member 20 pivotably mounted to the distal end of the footboard 2.

(24) As more clearly illustrated in FIG. 6A, the chain-drive transmission mechanism includes a pivot-shaft connecting member (hereafter upper or first adjusting member) 82 at its first (upper) end connecting to the pivot shaft 4 (via a rocker member 5) and a footboard connecting member (hereafter lower or second adjusting member) 81 at its second (lower) end connecting to the connection member 20, so that pivoting motion responsive to a depressing operation on the footboard 2 is transmitted to the pivot shaft 4 via the chain 8a.

(25) The footboard 2 is formed of a flat plate with a size large enough for the human player to place thereon his or her foot, and the footboard 2 is pivotably connected at its rear (proximal) end, via a hinge section 13, to a heel section 12 provided on an under or base plate 11. The connection member 20 is pivotably connected to the front or distal end of the footboard 2. Further, the chain-drive transmission mechanism 8 is detachably connected to the pivot shaft 4, more specifically, to the rocker member 5, via the upper connecting member 82 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B) provided on the upper (first) end of the chain 8a. Also, the chain-drive transmission mechanism 8 is detachably connected to the connection member 20 via the lower adjusting member 81 provided on the lower (second) end of the chain 8a.

(26) The rocker member 5 is mounted on the pivot shaft 4 to pivot together with the pivot shaft 4, with no relative rotational movement therebetween. The rocker member 5 includes a shaft fixing section 51 that mounts the beater shaft 7. The striking mechanism, including the beater shaft 7 and the beater 6, is thus connected to the pivot shaft 4 by the beater shaft 7 being fixed to the shaft fixing section 51, which in turn is fixed to the rocker member 5, which in turn is fixed to the pivot shaft 4. Further, the pedal apparatus 10 can be mounted to a bass drum (not shown) using, for example, a hoop clamp 14, provided on a front end portion of the under plate 11, so that a striking surface of the bass drum is located in front of the pedal apparatus 10.

(27) Next, an example construction of the connection member 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3-5. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the connection member 20 taken along the general direction of arrow A of FIG. 1, with the transmission mechanism detached for clarity. FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the connection member 20 taken along the direction of arrow B of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a side view of the connection member 20 taken along the direction of arrow C of FIG. 4. The connection member 20 has a through-hole 24 formed in one (proximal) end portion 22 thereof. The connection member 20 is connected to a front (distal) end portion 23 of the footboard 2 via a mounting shaft 25 passing through the through-hole 24. The front end portion 23 has a generally U shape as viewed from the top. The mounting shaft 25 constitutes a pivot of the connection member 20 and extends along a generally horizontal direction substantially parallel to the pivot shaft 4. The one end portion 22 of the connection member 20 can have a shape and size so that the reverse side (underside) 22a (see FIG. 5) of the one end portion 22 projects as little as possible from the reverse side 2a (see FIG. 1) of the footboard 2 with the connection member 20 assembled to the pedal apparatus 10. Further, because the only part of the connection member 20 connected to the distal end portion of the footboard 2 is the mounting shaft (pivot) 25 located on the one (proximal) end portion 22 of the connection member 20 and because the mounting shaft (pivot) 25 extends in a generally horizontal direction, the connection member 20 can be easily configured to project as little as possible from the reverse side 2a (FIG. 1) of the footboard 2.

(28) The connection member 20 preferably is mounted to the front end portion 23 of the footboard 2 via a bearing (not shown). For example, the bearing (not shown) for pivotably supporting the mounting shaft 25 can be incorporated in the through-hole 24 of the connection member 20. In this case, the mounting shaft 25 is fixed at its opposite ends to opposed legs of the front end portion 23 of the footboard 2, while the connection member 20 is pivotable relative to the mounting shaft 25. As another example, bearings for pivotably supporting the opposite ends of the mounting shaft 25 can be incorporated in the legs of the front end portion 23 of the footboard 2. Namely, in such a case, the mounting shaft 25 would be pivotably mounted to the front end portion 23 of the footboard 2, and the connection member 20 would be pivotable relative to the footboard 2 together with the mounting shaft 25. Mounting the connection member 20 to the front end portion 23 of the footboard 2 via the bearing as noted above permits smoother pivoting movement of the connection member 20 relative to the footboard 2 and can thereby achieve an enhanced operability of the pedal apparatus 10.

(29) Further, the connection member 20 includes a coupling section 26 for coupling or connecting to the lower adjusting member 81 of the chain-drive transmission mechanism 8. The coupling section 26, which extends from the one end portion 22 generally perpendicularly to the mounting shaft 25, has an upper surface 26a, left and right side wall portions projecting from the left and right side edges of the upper surface 26a, a rear wall portion projecting from the rear end edge of the upper surface 26a, and a screw hole 26b, which is an elongated slot, formed in a substantial central region of the upper surface 26a.

(30) Further, FIGS. 6A and 6B show in detail an example construction of the chain-drive transmission mechanism 8, where FIG. 6A is a perspective view thereof taken along the general direction of arrow A of FIG. 1 and FIG. 6B is a perspective view thereof taken along the direction of arrow D of FIG. 6A. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the chain-drive transmission mechanism 8 comprises the chain 8a, the lower adjusting member 81 pivotally connected to the lower end (second end) of the chain 8a, and the upper adjusting member 82 pivotally connected to the upper end (first end) 8b of the chain 8a.

(31) FIG. 6C-6D are perspective views showing another embodiment of an upper adjusting member 82, similar to the one shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, but with the chain removed to better illustrate the upper side and a lower side thereof. In the embodiment of FIGS. 6C-6D, similar to coupling section 26, the upper adjusting member 82 has left and right side wall portions 82f projecting from the left and right side edges of the upper surface to retain the chain 8a in place, namely to prevent the chain 8a from sliding laterally when the tension in the chain 8a becomes slack. Otherwise, the upper adjusting member of FIGS. 6C-6D is substantially similar and replaceable with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6A-6B.

(32) The lower adjusting member 81 has a complementary shape to fit the coupling section 26 of the connection member 20, i.e., fitting in the interior of the coupling section 26 located between the left and right side wall portions of the coupling section 26 and providing discrete mating positions. The lower adjusting member 81 also has a screw hole 81b formed in a substantial central region of the upper surface 81a thereof. To connect the chain-drive transmission mechanism 8 to the connection member 20, the upper surface 81a of the lower adjusting member 81 is abutted against the upper surface 26a (FIGS. 3 and 4) of the coupling section 26, and a screw 27 (see FIG. 1) is screwed in (engaged in) both the screw hole 81b and the slot 26b (see FIGS. 3 and 4) to thereby fasten the lower adjusting member 81 adjustably to the coupling section 26.

(33) The coupling section 26 of the connection section 20 includes a lower (second) position adjusting mechanism that adjusts the position where the coupling section 26 connects to the lower adjusting member, i.e., connected between the coupling section 26 and the chain 8a. The second position adjusting mechanism includes the screw hole 26b of the connection member 20 formed as an elongated hole, namely a slot as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, and complementary positioning projections and recesses 26c, 81c engageable with each other are provided respectively on the mating surface 26a of the coupling section 26 of the connection member 20 and the mating surface 81a of the lower adjusting member 81 of the chain-drive transmission mechanism 8. The elongated hole 26b extends (i.e., slot) in a pivoting-force (pivoting-motion) transmitting direction, or along the length of a pivoting-force (pivoting-motion) transmitting path from the first end to the second end, of the chain 8a. The connected position of the chain 8a relative to the connection member 20 is adjustable within a range permitted by the length of the elongated hole 26b. The connected position of the lower adjusting member 81 relative to the connection member 20 can be determined and adjusted (adjustably determined) stepwise among a plurality of positions defined by the two sets of positioning projections 26c and 81c formed respectively on the upper surface 26a of the coupling section 26 and the upper surface 81a of the lower adjusting member 81.

(34) Such a simple adjusting mechanism constructed to adjust the connected position of the lower adjusting member 81 relative to the connection member 20 permits adjustment of a relative mounted position of the footboard 2 to the chain member 8. Thus, it is possible to adjust the angle of the footboard 2 relative to the floor surface without changing a pivotal position of the rocker member 5 (i.e., angle of the beater 6). More specifically, as the connected position of the lower adjusting member 81 relative to the connection member 20 is brought closer to the front end portion 23 of the footboard 2, the angle of the footboard 2 relative to the under plate 11 increases (namely, the front end portion 23 of the footboard 2 rises in position). Conversely, as the connected position of the lower adjusting member 81 is brought farther from the front end portion 23 of the footboard 2, the angle of the footboard 2 relative to the under plate 11 decreases (namely, the front end portion 23 of the footboard 2 lowers in position). Namely, the angle of the footboard 2 relative to the floor surface is made adjustable by the second position adjusting mechanism that adjusts the connected position of the lower adjusting member 81 relative to the connection member 20. This is particularly important, as it can compensate for the change in the footboard angle caused by the first position adjusting mechanism.

(35) The upper end link of the chain 8a is pivotally mounted to the upper end bracket 8b, which is mounted to the upper adjusting member 82 and secured to the rocker member 5 using a screw/bolt 90 (schematically shown in FIG. 6A) secured to the threaded hole 52b (see FIG. 7). Specifically, the screw/bolt extends through a through hole formed in the bracket 8b and through the slot formed in the upper adjusting member 82 and threaded into the rocker member 5. The screw/bolt 90 can be secured to the bracket 8b to retain it together with the bracket 8b. Further, the upper adjusting member 82 has a concave portion 82b formed in the reverse side (underneath) 82a for engaging with the rocker member 5, and a screw hole 82d is formed in the concave portion 82b.

(36) Referring to FIGS. 6A-6D, the upper adjusting member 82 includes an arcuate section 82A with an arcuately curved shape, corresponding to a pivoting trajectory of the pivot shaft 4, and is configured so that movement or motion of the chain 8a responsive to a depressing operation on the footboard 2 can be transmitted smoothly to the pivot shaft 4 via the upper adjusting member 82. Specifically, the arcuate section 82A includes a curved supporting surface 82e that can support substantial portion, namely majority of the chain 8a when the footboard is at the resting position shown in FIGS. 1A-1C. At each of the upper adjusting member positions C3-C1 at the footboard resting position shown in FIG. 1A-1C, the curved supporting surface can contact and support at least one-half the length of the chain 8a between two connection points thereof or at least three full chain links, between the upper end connection to the upper adjusting member and the lower end connection to the lower adjusting member 81.

(37) At the footboard resting position and at the positions C1-C3, a terminal distal end 82te, which is the farthest point at which the upper adjusting member 82 can support the chain 8a, corresponds to an effective leveraging point between the chain 8a and the upper adjusting member 82. At the position C3, which is illustrated in FIG. 1A, the terminal end 82te is farthest away from the pivot shaft 4. Since the chain is supported until the terminal end 82te, when the footpedal is at the resting position, the effective length of the chain becomes reduced at the position C3 in relation to the position C2 and C1. At the position C2, which is illustrated in FIG. 1B, the terminal end 82te is closer to the pivot shaft 4 than at the position C3. At the position C1, which is illustrate in FIG. 10, the terminal end 82te is closest to the pivot shaft 4 among the three positions. FIG. 1D is a side view of the upper adjusting member 82 superimposed at positions C1-C3, while the footboard 2 is at its resting position, illustrating the relative positions of the terminal end 82te between the positions C1-C3. Changing the position of the terminal end 82te, in the positions C1-C3 of the upper adjusting member 82, changes the pedal feel characteristics due to the change in the distance between the terminal end 82te and the pivot shaft 4, changing the force required to push the footpedal 2 at different positions C1-C3 for the same footpedal position. See FIGS. 11-12 and Tables 1-2 below.

(38) FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the rocker member 5 taken along the general direction of arrow A of FIG. 1, with the transmission mechanism 8, 80 removed to more clearly show the rocker member 5. The rocker member 5 has an engaging portion 52 for engaging with the concave portion 82b of the upper adjusting member 82, and the screw hole 52b formed in the upper mating surface 52a thereof for receiving the screw/bolt 90. To connect the upper adjusting member 8 to the rocker 5, the concave portion 82b of the upper adjusting member 82 is brought into engagement with the engaging portion 52 of the rocker member 5, and the screw/bolt 90 inserted through the bracket 8b, which pivotally connects the upper end link of the chain 8a, is screwed in, or engaged in, both the screw hole 82d of the concave portion 82b and the screw hole 52b of the engaging portion 52 to thereby fasten the upper adjusting member 82 to the engaging portion 52 of the rocker member 5. In this manner, the upper adjusting member 82 has structure matching or complementary to the rocker member 5 that pivots together with the pivot shaft 4.

(39) The chain-drive transmission mechanism 8 includes the first position adjusting mechanism that adjusts the connected position of the chain 8a at its upper end relative to the rocker member 5. The first position adjusting mechanism includes the screw hole 82d of the concave portion 82b of the upper adjusting member 82 that is formed as an elongated hole (slot). The elongated hole of the concave portion 82b extends (is elongated) along the length of the pivoting-force (pivoting-motion) transmitting path of the chain 8a. The connected position of the upper adjusting member 82 relative to the rocker member 5, in other words, the connected position between the upper adjusting member 82 and the pivot shaft 4, is adjustable within a range permitted by the length of the elongated hole of the concave portion 82b. Further, two sets of complementary positioning projections 82c and 52c are formed respectively on mutually-abutting surfaces of the concave portion 82b of the upper adjusting member 82 and the engaging portion 52 of the rocker member 5, so that the connected position of the upper adjusting member 82 relative to the rocker member 5 can be determined and adjusted (adjustably determined) stepwise among a plurality of positions, e.g., C3-C1 (see FIG. 1A-1D) defined by the two sets of complementary positioning projections 82c and 52c, and lockable to one of the plurality of positions C3-C1 using the fastener 90.

(40) By changing the connected position between the upper adjusting member 82 and the rocker member 5, it is possible to adjust the relative mounted position therebetween as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D. Namely, the first position adjusting mechanism for adjusting the connected position of the upper adjusting member 82 relative to the rocker member 5 allows adjusting a relative mounted position between the chain 8a and the beater 6. By adjusting the relative mounted position between the chain 8a and the beater 6, it is possible to adjust the motion characteristics of the beater 6 responsive to a depressing operation performed on the footboard 2, i.e., depressing feel of the pedal apparatus 10.

(41) The following describe behavior of the pedal apparatus 10 with the chain-drive transmission mechanism shown in FIGS. 1-6D. As the user depresses the footboard 2 with his or her foot, from the positions shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, the footboard 2 pivots about the hinge section 13 in an up-to-down direction to drive the front end of the footboard 2 downward. Thus, the chain 8a is driven downward, via the connection member 20 connected to the front end of the footboard 2, pivoting the pivot shaft 4 counterclockwise, to the positions shown in FIGS. 1E-1G. Namely, pivoting force responsive to the depressing operation on the footboard 2 is transmitted via the connection member 20 to the chain 8a and thus causes the rocker member 5, essentially fixed to the chain 8a, to pivot about the pivot shaft 4, so that the pivoting force is transmitted to the pivot shaft 4. Then, by the shaft fixing section 51, fixed to the pivot shaft 4, pivoting forward (in the counterclockwise direction) in response to the pivoting movement of the pivot shaft 4, the beater 6 mounted to the distal end of the beater shaft 7 strikes the head of the bass drum (not shown) in the position illustrated in FIGS. 1E-1G disposed in front of the pedal apparatus 10. As the user removes the depressing force from the footboard 2, the footboard 2 returns to the initial non-depressed (resting) position shown in FIGS. 1A-1C by the upward returning force of a returning spring 9 (see FIG. 2) connected to one end of the pivot shaft 4.

(42) Because the chain 8a is connected to the footboard 2 via the connection member 20, the pedal apparatus 10 constructed in the aforementioned manner can eliminate the need for any component part, such as an engaging member like a screw, that is needed in the conventionally-known pedal apparatus to connect one end portion of the chain directly to the footboard but undesirably projects from the reverse side of the footboard. Thus, as compared to the conventionally-known pedal apparatus where the one end portion of the chain is connected directly to the reverse side of the footboard, the embodiment of the pedal apparatus 10 can provide a longer pedal stroke. Besides, the pedal apparatus 10 can effectively prevent inconveniences, such as damage and noise, from occurring due to collision, against the under plate 11, of a screw etc., projecting from the reverse side of the footboard 2.

(43) FIG. 8 is a side view is similar to FIG. 1, but with the direct-drive transmission mechanism mounted. The same pedal apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 can mount the direct-drive transmission mechanism 80 instead of the chain-drive transmission mechanism 8. In the direct-drive pedal apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 8, the direct-drive transmission mechanism 80 is connected at its lower end (second end) to the connection mechanism 20 connected to the front end of the footboard 2, and the direct-drive transmission mechanism 80 is connected at its upper end (first end) to the pivot shaft 4 via the upper adjusting member 84 provided on the upper end (first end) and the rocker member 5. Pivoting force responsive to the depressing operation performed on the footboard 2 is transmitted via the connection member 20 to the direct-drive mechanism 80, so that the direct-drive transmission mechanism 80 transmits the pivoting force to the pivot shaft 4.

(44) FIGS. 9A and 9B are fragmentary enlarged perspective views of the direct-drive mechanism 80, where FIG. 9A shows the direct-drive transmission mechanism 80 taken along the general direction of arrow E of FIG. 8, and FIG. 9B shows the direct-drive transmission mechanism 80 taken along the direction of arrow F of FIG. 9A. The direct-drive transmission mechanism 80 includes a transmission rod 83 (transmission member), which can be made of die-cast of metal, such as aluminum, and the upper adjusting member 84 (corresponding to the upper adjusting member 82 of the chain-drive transmission mechanism 8) for connection to the rocker member 5, and an upper end portion of the transmission rod 83 and a lower end portion of the upper adjusting member 84 are pivotably interconnected using a pivot shaft 85. The connection arrangement can be made similar to the connection between the connection member 20 and the front end portion 23 of the footboard 2.

(45) The transmission rod 83 includes a lower adjusting portion (member) 83a formed on its lower end for connecting to the connection member 20. The lower adjusting member 83a has a shape fitting (complementary with) the coupling section 26 (see FIG. 3) of the connection member 20, similar to the lower adjusting member 81 of the chain-type transmission mechanism 8, and the lower adjusting member 83a has a screw hole 83b similar to the screw hole 81b of the lower adjusting member 81. To connect the direct-drive transmission mechanism 80 to the connection member 20, the upper surface of the lower adjusting member 83a is abutted against the upper surface 26a (see FIGS. 3 and 4) of the coupling section 26, and a screw 28 (see FIG. 8) is screwed in, or engaged in, both the screw hole 83b and the screw hole 26b (see FIGS. 3 and 4) to thereby fasten the transmission rod 83 to the connection member 20.

(46) The second position adjusting mechanism adjust the connected position between the connection member 20 and the transmission rod 83 within a range permitted by the length of the elongated hole 26b extending (or elongated) along the length of the pivoting-force (pivoting-motion) transmitting path from the first end to the second end of the link mechanism 80. Further, similar to the arrangement in the chain-drive transmission mechanism, a plurality of engaging or positioning projections 83c are also formed on the lower adjusting member 83a, so that the connected position between the connection member 20 and the lower adjusting member 83a can be determined and adjusted stepwise among a plurality of positions defined by the two sets of engaging projections 26c and 83c of the coupling section 26 and the lower adjusting member 83a. With the conventionally-known direct-drive type pedal apparatus, where a link mechanism is connected directly to the footboard, adjustment of the connected position between the link mechanism and the footboard cannot be achieved with a simple mechanism. In contrast, in the present direct-drive type pedal apparatus 10 provided with the direct-drive transmission mechanism 80, it is also possible to adjust the mounted position of the footboard relative thereto with a simple mechanism of adjusting the connected position thereof.

(47) Further, similar to the arrangement of the upper adjusting member 82, the upper adjusting member 84 is provided at the upper end of the direct-drive transmission mechanism 80 and includes a concave portion 84b formed in its underside 84a and engageable with the engaging portion 52 (see FIG. 7) of the rocker member 5. To connect the adjusting member 84 to the rocker member 5, the concave portion 84b is mounted to the engaging portion 52, and the screw 90 (see FIG. 6) is screwed in, or engaged in, both the screw hole 84c of the concave portion 84b and the screw hole 52b of the engaging portion 52. Namely, in the direct-drive type pedal apparatus 10, the first end (upper adjusting member 84) has structure matching the rocker 5 that is pivotable together with the pivot shaft 4.

(48) The direct-drive transmission mechanism 80 also includes the first position adjusting mechanism for adjusting the connected position of the transmission rod 83 relative to the rocker member 5. Namely, the screw hole 84d of the concave portion 84b is formed as an elongated hole extending along the length of the pivoting-force transmitting path, and the connected position of the transmission rod 83 relative to the rocker member 5 can be adjusted within a range permitted by the length of the elongated hole 84c. Further, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, a plurality of engaging projections 84c are also formed on the concave portion 84b, so that the connected position of the transmission rod relative to the rocker member 5 can be determined and adjusted stepwise among a plurality of positions (e.g., D3-D1 illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8D) defined by the two sets of engaging projections 84c and 52c, like the chain-drive transmission mechanism 8.

(49) The connection member 20 employed in the present invention can interchangeably connect thereto different types of transmission mechanisms, more specifically the aforementioned chain-drive transmission mechanism 8 and the direct-drive transmission mechanism 80. Namely, the coupling section 26 of the connection member 20 is configured to match both the lower adjusting member/portion 81 and 83a provided at the end portions of the chain 8a and the transmission rod 83. Thus, the user can selectively create either the chain-drive pedal apparatus or the direct-drive pedal apparatus by merely changing the transmission mechanism. Attachment and detachment of the transmission mechanisms 8 and 80 to and from the connection member 20 can be effected with utmost ease by attaching and detaching the screw 27, 28 to and from a desired position of the coupling section 26 located forward of the front end of the footboard 2. Thus, the user can easily attach and detach the transmission mechanisms 8 and 80 to and from the connection member 20 without performing cumbersome operation, such as extending a hand under the footboard 2 to attach and detach the screw.

(50) As known in the art, the chain-drive type pedal apparatus and the direct-drive type pedal apparatus differ from each other in operating feel, such as characteristics of striking motion of the beater 6, such as a moved amount of the beater responsive user's depressing operation. Allowing the user to select any one of different types of transmission mechanisms is very convenient to the user in that any one of different types of pedal apparatus, differing from each other in operating feel, can be used easily without involving cumbersome labor, such as preparing in advance different types of pedal apparatus and then replacing one type of pedal apparatus with another as needed.

(51) FIGS. 1E-1G are side views of the upper adjusting member 82 of the chain-drive transmission mechanism respectively at positions C3-C1 while the footboard is at a fully depressed position. When the footpedal 2 is fully depressed from the resting position, the rocker member 5 pivots substantially about 70° to the impact position where the beater is disposed to engage the percussion instrument. In this position, the chain 8a no longer is supported by the curved supporting surface 82e at the positions C1-C3.

(52) Similarly, FIGS. 8E-8G are side views of the corresponding upper adjusting member 84 of the direct-drive transmission mechanism respectively at positions D3-D2 at the footboard fully depressed position.

(53) FIGS. 8A-8C are side views of the corresponding upper adjusting member 84 of the direct-drive transmission mechanism respectively at position D3, D2, and D1, while the footboard is at the resting position. FIG. 8D, like FIG. 1D, is a side view of the upper adjusting member at positions D1-D3 superimposed at the footboard resting position show the positional differences between the positions D1-D3. At the footpedal at its rest position, the beater is positioned to pivot substantially about 70° to impact with the drum head.

(54) At the footboard resting position and at the positions D1-D3, the pivot shaft 85, which is the connection point of the upper adjusting member 84 and the transmission rod 83, corresponds to the effective leveraging point between the transmission rod 83 and the upper adjusting member 84. Unlike the upper adjusting member 82 of the chain-drive transmission mechanism, the pivot shaft always remain be in contact with the transmission rod 83. That is, as the pivot shaft 4 is pivoted, the effective point of leverage will substantially remain at the pivot shaft 85 instead of changing along the curved surface 82e of the chain-drive transmission mechanism. The location of the pivot shaft 85 thus controls the pedal feel characteristics.

(55) At the position D3, which is illustrated in FIG. 8A, the pivot shaft 85 or the connection point between the upper adjusting member 84 and the transmission rod 83 is farthest away from the pivot shaft 4. At the position D2, which is illustrated in FIG. 8B, the pivot shaft 85 is closer to the pivot shaft 4 than at the position D3. At the position D1, which is illustrate in FIG. 8C, the pivot shaft 85 is closest to the pivot shaft 4 among the three positions. FIG. 8D is a side view of the upper adjusting member 84 superimposed at positions D1-D3, while the footboard is at its resting position, illustrating the relative positions of the pivot shaft between the positions D1-D3. Changing the position of the pivot shaft 85 in the positions D1-D3 of the upper adjusting member 84 change the pedal feel characteristics due to the change in the distance between the pivot shaft 85 and the pivot shaft 4, changing the force required to push the footpedal 2 at different positions D1-D3 for the same footpedal position. See FIGS. 11-12 and Tables 1-2 below.

(56) At the footpedal rest position, the upper adjusting member 84 is almost horizontally extending, but not quite horizontal. The upper adjusting member 84 and the transmission rod (linkage) 83 pivotally connecting to the upper adjusting member 84 form an angle α that is not greater than 90° as shown in FIGS. 8A-8C. At the footboard fully depressed position, where the beater has pivoted substantially about 70° (see FIGS. 8E-8G) from the rest position (see FIGS. 8A-8C), the upper adjusting member 84 and the transmission rod 83 are almost straight. Specifically, the upper adjusting member 84 and the transmission rod 83 form an angle β greater than 180° (not less than 180°). Since the transmission rod 83 is pivotally mounted to the upper adjusting member 84, it can pivot more than the pivot angle) (70°) of the pivot shaft 4. Note that during the footpedal depression from the rest position to the fully depressed position, the pivot shaft rotates substantially about 70 degrees.

(57) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Beater Absolute FootPedal Force (kgf) Travel to Displace Beater by 10° Angle C1 C2 C3 D1 D2 D3 0 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 10 0.429 0.374 0.331 0.561 0.486 0.429 20 0.882 0.774 0.687 1.034 0.906 0.804 30 1.376 1.221 1.093 1.496 1.326 1.187 40 1.914 1.727 1.568 2.003 1.800 1.629 50 2.481 2.287 2.115 2.598 2.379 2.187 60 3.053 2.883 2.727 3.343 3.136 2.950 70 3.590 3.481 3.378 4.338 4.211 4.095

(58) Table 1 and FIG. 11, which is a graph of the data in Table 1, show the absolute footboard pedal force applied to move from the footboard resting position to the footboard fully depressed position at respective positions C1-C3 and D1-D3. The data contained in Table 1 measured the absolute amount of force (in kgf) needed to move the pedal from its rest position to fully depressed (this angle being changeable with the second adjusting mechanism) when the spring 9 has a predetermined spring (tension) rate. Referring to FIGS. 1D and 8D, changing the positions between C1-C3 or D1-D3 alters the footboard angle due to the upper adjusting member 82, 84 changing the leverage amount. Specifically, at the position C1 and D1, the footboard 2, at its rest position, is at the most elevated position, while at the position C3 and D3, the footboard 2, at its rest position, is at the lowest position. Using the second adjusting mechanism, the footboard angle can be elevated or lowered to compensate for the elevation change caused by changing the positions C1-C3 or D1-D3, to allow the footboard angle to be set at a desired angle. By providing first and second adjusting mechanisms, the desired pedal characteristic can be obtained while maintaining the desired footboard angle.

(59) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Beater Relative FootPedal Force (kgf) to Displace Beater by 10° Travel Angle C1 C2 C3 D1 D2 D3 10 0.429 0.374 0.331 0.561 0.486 0.429 20 0.453 0.400 0.356 0.473 0.419 0.375 30 0.493 0.447 0.406 0.462 0.421 0.383 40 0.538 0.506 0.475 0.506 0.474 0.443 50 0.568 0.560 0.546 0.595 0.579 0.558 60 0.572 0.595 0.612 0.745 0.757 0.762 70 0.537 0.598 0.651 0.995 1.074 1.145

(60) Table 2 and FIG. 12, which is a graph obtained from the data in Table 2, show the relative footboard pedal force in kgf to move 10 degrees of the beater 6 (i.e., pivot the shaft 4 by 10 degrees) at respective positions C1-C3 and D1-D3. As illustrated in FIGS. 11-12, the positions C1-C3 exhibit substantial linear progression (pedal feel) between the beater travel angle of 10-40°. That is, at position C1, the pedal feel is heavier than at position C2 and C3 for the chain-drive transmission mechanism 8 since the terminal end 82te is closest to the pivot shaft 4. Between the beater travel angle of 40-70°, the footpedal feel becomes substantially constant for the chain-drive transmission mechanism 8. Overall, the chain transmission exhibits a substantial linear pedal feel throughout the beater travel at each of positions C1-C3.

(61) The Tables 1-2 reveal that the direct-drive transmission mechanism exhibits a heavier pedal feel than the chain-drive transmission mechanism when comparing respective positions C1 to D1, C2 to D2, and C3 to D3. FIGS. 11-12 and Tables 1-2 illustrate differences in pedal feel between the two different transmission types, at respective corresponding positions C1-D1, C2-D2, and C3-D3. The chain-drive transmission mechanism 8 exhibits a more linear pedal feel in relation to the direct-drive transmission mechanism. The direct-drive transmission mechanism 80 exhibits a heavier pedal feel toward the impact point (during 50-70 degree of pivot shaft travel) than the chain-drive transmission, and exhibits progressively heavier pedal feel from 30-70 degrees.

(62) Further, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments and may be modified variously within the scope of the technical idea disclosed in the claims, specification and drawings.

(63) For example, the connection of the transmission mechanism 8 or 80 to the connection member 20 are not limited to the screw and screw hole as set forth above and may be any conventionally-known engagement means as long as they can appropriately connect the transmission mechanism 8 or 80 to the connection member 20. Further, the coupling section 26 of the connection member 20 can have any other shape than illustrated in the drawings.

(64) Further, the lower or second adjusting mechanism for adjusting the connected position between the connection member 20 and each of the transmission mechanisms 8 and 80 is not necessarily limited to the one where the screw hole 26b is formed as an elongated hole extending along the length of the pivoting-force transmitting path, and can be one where the screw hole 81b or 83b of each of the transmission mechanisms 8 and 80 rather than the screw hole 26b is formed as an elongated hole. As another example, the respective abutting surfaces of the coupling section 26 of the connection member 20 and the lower adjusting member/portion 81 or 83a of each of the transmission mechanisms 8 and 80 can be formed as fitting surfaces having mutually-engageable projections and recesses (concavities and convexities) and either the screw hole 26b of the connection member 20 or the screw hole 81b or 83b of each of the transmission mechanisms can be formed as an elongated hole extending along the length of the pivoting-force transmitting path so that the connected position between the connection member 20 and the transmission mechanism 8 or 80 can be determined and adjusted (adjustably determined) stepwise among a plurality of fitting positions on the fitting surface. As still another example, at least one of the connection member 20 or the transmission mechanism 8 or 80 can include a plurality of screw holes formed therein in a row extending in a connected-position adjusting direction (i.e., along the length of the pivoting-force transmitting path) so that the connected position between the connection member 20 and the transmission mechanism 8 or 80 is adjustable stepwise by engagement means, such as a screw, engaging any one of the screw holes.

(65) Furthermore, the upper or first position adjusting mechanism for adjusting the connected position between each of the transmission mechanisms 8 and 80 and the pivot shaft 4 also can be modified variously similarly to the aforementioned various modifications of the position adjusting mechanism for adjusting the connected position between the connection member 20 and each of the transmission mechanisms 8 and 80.

(66) Furthermore, whereas the foregoing have described the positioning mechanism where the connected position between the connection member 20 and the transmission mechanism 8 or 80 is adjustably determined by the projections 26c and the projections 81c or 83c, each having a saw tooth shape for example, that are complementary in shape, the positioning mechanism can be constructed in any other manner. For example, the positioning mechanism may comprise a combination of other forms of projections and recesses (convexities and concavities) having desired shapes and yet fittingly engageable with each other, as long as it permits engagement between the connection mechanism 20 and the transmission mechanism 8 or 80 selectively at any one of predetermined positions.

(67) Furthermore, whereas the foregoing have described the positioning mechanism where the connected position between the transmission mechanism 8 or 80 and the rocker member 5 is adjustably determined by the projections 82c or 84c, each having a saw tooth shape for example, that are complementary in shape, the positioning mechanism can be constructed in any other manner. For example, the positioning mechanism can comprise a combination of other forms of projections and recesses (convexities and concavities) having desired shapes and yet fittingly engageable with each other, as long as it permits engagement between the transmission mechanism 8 or 80 and the rocker member 5 selectively at any one of predetermined positions.

(68) Furthermore, the coupling section 26 employed in the present invention need not necessarily be a single coupling section capable of interchangeably connecting thereto different types of transmission mechanisms. Namely, in the present invention, separate coupling sections, differing in shape and construction from one another, can be employed for the individual types of transmission mechanisms, with each of the coupling sections having a shape and construction unique to any one of the types of transmission mechanisms.

(69) Furthermore, the transmission mechanisms employed in the present invention are not limited to the chain-drive type and the direct-drive type and can be any other conventionally-known types, such as a belt-drive type that uses a belt formed of a rubber material, nylon material, leather material or the like.

(70) This application is based on, and claims priority to, JP PA 2015-206379 filed on 20 Oct. 2015. The disclosure of the priority application, in its entirety, including the drawings, claims, and the specification thereof, are incorporated herein by reference.