Keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer

Abstract

The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer is for use with a keyboard sustain foot pedal. The stabilizer comprises a stabilizer base, a pedal-retention area for retaining the keyboard sustain foot pedal, a pair of sidewalls and an end-wall. The stabilizer base, the pair of sidewalls, the end-wall, and the pedal-retention area are made of one-piece of material. The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer may be made of one-piece of material, the one-piece of material being a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, or a blend of one or natural rubbers and one or more synthetic rubbers. The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer has no moving parts. The top surface of the keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer has non-slipping properties and the underside of the device has non-skid properties. An opening for positioning a foot pedal cord is disposed in either an end-wall, a sidewall, or between the end-wall and a sidewall.

Claims

1. A keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer for use with a keyboard sustain pedal, said keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer having an underside, said keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer comprising: a stabilizer base; and a pedal-retention area for securely retaining said keyboard sustain foot pedal; a pair of sidewalls and an end-wall, said pair of sidewalls and said end-wall abutting said pedal-retention area; and whereby said stabilizer base, said pair of sidewalls, said end-wall, and said pedal-retention area are made of a single piece of material.

2. The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of claim 1, further comprising a neck section disposed between a ballast section and said area for retaining said keyboard sustain foot pedal.

3. The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of claim 1, wherein said keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer is made of a natural rubber material, a synthetic rubber material, or a blend of one or more natural rubber materials and one or more synthetic rubber materials.

4. The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of claim 1, wherein said keyboard sustain pedal includes a pedal cord, further comprising an opening being disposed in either said end-wall, one of said sidewalls, or between said end-wall and one of said sidewalls for positioning said pedal cord.

5. The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of claim 1, wherein said keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer is made of a polymer, said polymer having a non-slip top surface and a non-slip underside.

6. The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of claim 1, wherein said top surface has non-slipping properties, and said underside has non-skid properties.

7. The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of claim 1, wherein said keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer is made by a 3D-printing process.

8. A keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer for use with a keyboard sustain foot pedal, said keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer having an underside, said keyboard sustain pedal including a pedal cord, said keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer comprising: a stabilizer base having a top surface; and a pedal-retention area for securely retaining said keyboard sustain foot pedal; a pair of sidewalls and an end-wall, said pair of sidewalls and said end-wall abutting said pedal-retention area; and whereby an opening is disposed in either said end-wall, one of said sidewalls, or between said end-wall and one of said sidewalls for positioning said pedal cord.

9. The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of claim 8, further comprising a neck section disposed between a ballast section and said area for retaining said keyboard sustain foot pedal.

10. The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of claim 8, wherein said keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer is made of a natural rubber material, a synthetic rubber material, or a blend of one or more natural rubber materials and one or more synthetic rubber materials.

11. The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of claim 8, wherein said stabilizer base, said pair of sidewalls, said end-wall, and said pedal-retention area are made of a single piece of material.

12. The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of claim 8, wherein said keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer is made of a polymer, said polymer having a non-slip top surface and a non-slip underside.

13. The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of claim 8, wherein said top surface has non-slipping properties, and said underside has non-skid properties.

14. A keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer for use with a keyboard sustain foot pedal, said keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer having an underside, said keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer comprising: a stabilizer base having a top surface; and a pedal-retention area for securely retaining said keyboard sustain foot pedal; a pair of sidewalls and an end-wall, said pair of sidewalls and said end-wall abutting said pedal-retention area; and whereby said top surface has non-slipping properties, and said underside has non-skid properties.

15. The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of claim 14, further comprising a neck section disposed between a ballast section and said area for retaining said keyboard sustain foot pedal.

16. The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of claim 14, wherein said keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer is made of a natural rubber material, a synthetic rubber material, or a blend of one or more natural rubber materials and one or more synthetic rubber materials.

17. The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of claim 14, wherein said keyboard sustain pedal includes a pedal cord, further comprising an opening being disposed in either said end-wall, one of said sidewalls, or between said end-wall and one of said sidewalls for positioning said pedal cord.

18. The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of claim 14, wherein said keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer is made of a polymer, said polymer having a non-slip top surface and a non-slip underside.

19. The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of claim 14, wherein said stabilizer base, said pair of sidewalls, said end-wall, and said pedal-retention area are made of a single piece of material.

20. The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of claim 14, wherein said keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer is made by a 3D-printing process.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is an assembly view depicting a keyboard sustain pedal mounted upon a first preferred embodiment the keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 4 is a top view of the keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 5 is a front side view of the keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 6 is a left end view of the keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of FIG. 1.

(7) FIG. 7 is a right end view of the keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of FIG. 1.

(8) FIG. 8 is an assembly view depicting a keyboard sustain pedal mounted upon a second preferred embodiment the keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of the present invention.

(9) FIG. 9 is an assembly view depicting a keyboard sustain pedal mounted upon a third preferred embodiment the keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(10) Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a keyboard instrument sustain foot pedal [32] (in dotted lines) positioned atop a first preferred embodiment of the keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of the present invention [10].

(11) The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of the present invention is for use with a keyboard sustain foot pedal. The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer [10] comprises a stabilizer base [12], and a pedal-retention frame area [13] for retaining the keyboard sustain foot pedal [32]. The pedal-retention frame area [13] is abutted by a pair of sidewalls [16], and an end-wall [22]. The stabilizer base [12], the pedal-retention frame area [13] the pair of sidewalls [16], and the end-walls [22] are preferably made of a single piece of material, a polymer having a non-slip top surface, which are preferably a plurality of rows of aligned nodules [21] protruding upwardly. Also, the keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of the present invention [10] preferably has a non-slip underside [19].

(12) The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of the present invention [10] preferably also includes a neck section [14], the neck section [14] being disposed between the stabilizer base [12] and the pedal retention frame area [13]. The keyboard sustain foot pedal [32] preferably includes a cord [36] for securing to a keyboard. A notch [24] is disposed in the end-wall [22] for retaining and positioning the cord [36].

(13) In one preferred embodiment, the keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer [10] is one-piece construction and made of a darkened or black rigid polypropylene material, such as an oriented polyethylene terephthalate, or a simulated polypropylene material and preferably having a fairly non-aggressive tread pattern.

(14) In another preferred embodiment, the under-layer that contacts with a floor is made of a wear-resistant, anti-skid polymer such as a polyurethane, a styrene butadiene copolymer, or a polycarbonate. Other materials suitable for forming the bottom layer include acrylic terminated aromatic polyurethanes and epoxides. The bottom layer could generally be cross-linked highly (e.g., 10-50 mole percent), and its glass transition temperature, when measurable, could be below 5 degrees C. and in any case below 10 degrees C. The bottom layer could be formed so as to have a high surface energy, so that it does not lose all affinity to a floor surface even in the presence of a film of water on the floor surface.

(15) In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer is made deploying conventional 3D print technology. There are different 3D printing technologies and materials that can be used, but all are based on the principle that a digital model is turned into a solid three-dimensional physical object by adding material layer by layer. In addition, 3D printing does not require tools and molds.

(16) Such processes are well-known in the art as shown on-line at 3D Printing Tutorial: 3D Printing from SketchUp (https://all3dp.com/best-3d-printing-tutorial/). See also U.S. Pat. No. 10,005,126 (Page), U.S. Pat. No. 9,977,840 (Makeig); U.S. Pat. No. 9,498,902 (Bodet et al.); and U.S. Pat. No. 9,393,724 (Olaru).

(17) U.S. Pat. No. 9,498,902 (Bodet et al.) discloses a press for manufacturing a one-piece object and method for using said press. A press for manufacturing a one-piece object includes two rotary plates which are parallel but offset, each carrying a mold having two portions. Each mold portion can be placed above or below, so that the mold portion of the first mold situated above faces the mold portion of the second mold situated below. First parts of the object, for example skirts, are inserted in the press in an insertion zone. In parallel, second parts, for example caps, are introduced into an introduction zone. In a common zone, third parts, for example dispensing heads, are over-molded on the first and second parts brought close in the common zone in the same position as in the finished object. After opening the press, the plates are turned so that the finished objects are in the portion of the second mold.

(18) U.S. Pat. No. 9,393,724 (Olaru) discloses a multi shot injection molding apparatus. The multi shot injection molding apparatus comprises a stationary machine platen, a first mold plate, a first injection unit connected to a first mold plate for delivering a first molding material to a plurality of first molding cavities, a movable machine frame, a carrier coupled to a movable machine platen, a second mold plate, a second injection unit for delivering a second molding material to a plurality of second molding cavities, a rotary handling unit having a first plurality of rotary handling unit mold cavity portions n and a second plurality of rotary handling unit mold cavity portions, wherein the rotary handling unit is positionable in a first position and is configured to remove the first portions of the molded parts, a first locking mechanism, a second locking mechanism, a processing station and an ejection station.

(19) FIG. 8 is an assembly view depicting a keyboard sustain pedal mounted upon a second preferred embodiment the keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of the present invention [110].

(20) The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of the present invention is for use with a keyboard sustain foot pedal. The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer [110] comprises a stabilizer base [12], and a pedal-retention frame area [13] for retaining the keyboard sustain foot pedal [32]. The pedal-retention frame area [13] is abutted by a pair of sidewalls [16], and an end-wall [22]. The stabilizer base [12], the pedal-retention frame area [13] the pair of sidewalls [16], and the end-walls [22] are preferably made of a single piece of material, a polymer having a non-slip top surface, which are preferably a plurality of rows of aligned nodules [21] protruding upwardly. Also, the keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of the present invention [110] preferably has a non-slip underside [19].

(21) The keyboard sustain foot pedal [32] preferably includes a cord [36] for securing to a keyboard. A notch [124] is disposed in a sidewall [116] for retaining and positioning the cord [36].

(22) FIG. 9 is an assembly view depicting a keyboard sustain pedal mounted upon a third preferred embodiment the keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of the present invention [210].

(23) The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of the present invention is for use with a keyboard sustain foot pedal. The keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer [210] comprises a stabilizer base [212], and a pedal-retention frame area [13] for retaining the keyboard sustain foot pedal [32]. The pedal-retention frame area [13] is abutted by a pair of sidewalls [216], and an end-wall [222]. The stabilizer base [212], the pedal-retention frame area [13] the pair of sidewalls [216], and the end-wall [222] are preferably made of a single piece of material, a polymer having a non-slip top surface, which are preferably a plurality of rows of aligned nodules [21] protruding upwardly. Also, the keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of the present invention [210] preferably has a non-slip underside [19].

(24) The keyboard sustain foot pedal [32] preferably includes a cord [36] for securing to a keyboard. A notch [224] is disposed between a sidewall [216] and the end-wall [222] for retaining and positioning the cord [36].

(25) Throughout this application, various patents and applications are referenced by number and inventor. The disclosures of these documents in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this specification in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains.

(26) It is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations of the keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the disclosure herein. It is intended that the metes and bounds of the present invention be determined by the appended claims rather than by the language of the above specification, and that all such alternatives, modifications, and variations which form a conjointly cooperative equivalent are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of these claims.

PARTS LIST

(27) 10. Keyboard Sustain Pedal Stabilizer1st Embodiment 12. Stabilizer Base 13. Pedal Retention Area 14. Neck Section 16. Stabilizer Support Sidewall 18. Top Surface 19. Underside 21. Nodules on Top Surface 22. Stabilizer Support End-Wall 24. Stabilizer End-Wall Notch 32. Keyboard Sustain Pedal Frame 34. Keyboard Sustain Pedal 36. Pedal Cord 38. Pedal Ballast 110. Keyboard Sustain Pedal Stabilizer2.sup.nd Embodiment 112. Stabilizer Base 116. Stabilizer Support Sidewall 122. Stabilizer Support End-Wall 124. Stabilizer Sidewall Notch 132. Keyboard Sustain Pedal Frame 210. Keyboard Sustain Pedal Stabilizer3.sup.rd Embodiment 212. Stabilizer Base 216. Stabilizer Support Sidewall 222. Stabilizer Support End-Wall 224. Stabilizer Sidewall Notch 232. Keyboard Sustain Pedal Frame