Connection system between footboard and heel plate of a foot pedal system

• US 7,626,107 B1
• Filed: 11/19/2008
• Issued: 12/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pearl Musical Instrument Company (Pearl Corporation of Australia Pty Limited)
• Original Assignee: Pearl Musical Instrument Company (Pearl Corporation of Australia Pty Limited)
• Inventors: Takegawa, Akito
• Primary Examiner(s): Donels; Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Horn; Robert W
• Application Number:
  US12/273,930
• Time in Patent Office: 377 Days
• Field of Search: 844/221, 844/223
• US Class Current: 84/422.1
• CPC Class Codes: G10D 13/065 Hi-hats
• CPC Class Codes: G10D 13/11 Pedals; Pedal mechanisms

Abstract

A foot pedal apparatus for operating a musical instrument, comprising an elongated footboard including a hinge plate fixed to the rear portion of the footboard and a stationary heel plate with a front portion. A hinge assembly couples the hinge plate at the footboard rear portion to the heel plate front portion and enables the footboard to pivot relative to the heel plate, wherein the hinge plate may be fixed at different positions on the footboard to adjust a length of the footboard relative to the axle. A portion of the heel plate may be repositioned between the hinge shaft and the footboard to define the extended footboard. As a result, the torque provided by the footboard can be adjusted to adjust the feel of the pedal and to accommodate feet of different sizes. Additionally, spherical bearings on the hinge shaft improve the function of the pedal assembly by compensating for a slightly misaligned axle.

Claims

1. A foot pedal apparatus for operating a musical instrument, the foot pedal apparatus comprising:

an elongated footboard with front and rear portions and a connection system at said front portion thereof for connection to the musical instrument;

a stationary heel section with a front portion;

an adjustable hinge plate fixed to one of said rear portion of said footboard and said front portion of said heel plate; and

a hinge assembly coupling said footboard rear portion to said heel plate front portion and enabling the footboard to pivot relative to the heel plate, said hinge assembly comprising a hinge shaft extending through said hinge plate and at least one extension of one of said rear portion of said footboard and said front portion of said heel plate,

wherein said hinge plate may be fixed at different positions relative to said footboard and said heel plate to adjust a length of said footboard relative to said axle.

2. The foot pedal assembly according to claim 1, wherein further comprising removal heel plate member selectively affixed to said heel section at a plurality of discrete locations.

3. The foot pedal assembly according to claim 2, wherein one of said discrete locations is between said heel section and said footboard.

4. The foot pedal assembly according to claim 3, wherein another of said discrete locations is opposite said footboard with respect to said hinge shaft.

5. The foot pedal assembly according to claim 1, wherein said hinge plate is securely affixed to said footboard.

6. The foot pedal assembly according to claim 5, wherein said hinge plate may be affixed to said footboard at two discrete positions relative to said footboard to make the footboard longer relative to said axle.

7. The foot pedal assembly according to claim 1, further comprising at least one spherical bearing disposed on said axle to compensate for misalignment between the footboard and the heel plate.

8. The foot pedal assembly according to claim 1, further comprising at least one set screw locking said hinge shaft against rotation with respect to said adjustable hinge plate.

9. The foot pedal assembly according to claim 7, further comprising at least one nut threaded onto said hinge shaft retained said bearing within said hinge assembly.

10. The foot pedal assembly according to claim 9, further comprising at least one end cap to further adjust and retained said bearing within said hinge assembly.

11. A foot pedal apparatus for operating a musical instrument, the foot pedal apparatus comprising:

an elongated footboard with front and rear portions and a connection system at said front portion thereof for connection to the musical instrument, said footboard further comprising an extension portion at said rear portion;

a stationary heel section with a front portion;

a hinge assembly coupling said footboard rear portion to said heel plate front portion and enabling the footboard to pivot relative to the heel plate, said hinge assembly comprising a hinge shaft extending through said extension portions on said rear portion of said footboard and said front portion of said heel plate; and

at least one spherical bearing disposed on said hinge shaft to compensate for misalignment between the footboard and the heel plate.

12. The foot pedal assembly according to claim 11, further comprising at least one set screw locking said hinge shaft against rotation with respect to said adjustable hinge plate.

13. The foot pedal assembly according to claim 12, further comprising at least one nut threaded onto said hinge shaft retained said bearing within said hinge assembly.

14. The foot pedal assembly according to claim 12, further comprising at least one end cap to further adjust and retained said bearing within said hinge assembly.

15. The foot pedal assembly according to claim 11, further comprising an adjustable hinge plate fixed to one of said rear portion of said footboard and said front portion of said heel plate, wherein said hinge plate may be fixed at different positions relative to said footboard and said heel plate to adjust a length of said footboard relative to said axle.

16. The foot pedal assembly according to claim 15, wherein further comprising removable heel plate member selectively affixed to said heel section at a plurality of discrete locations, wherein one of said discrete locations is between said heel section and said footboard and another of said discrete locations is opposite said footboard with respect to said hinge shaft.