GB2146162A

GB2146162A - Foot pedal apparatus for a drum

Info

Publication number: GB2146162A
Application number: GB08420896A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter John Mckay
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-08-16
Filing date: 1984-08-16
Publication date: 1985-04-11
Also published as: GB8322060D0; GB8420896D0

Abstract

In foot pedal apparatus 1 for connection with two beaters 2 and 3 of a drum and operable by a single foot of a drummer to operate one or other or both beaters as desired, there is provided a two-part foot pedal the parts being aligned with one part 4 substantially overlying the other part 5, both parts being pivotally mounted and each part being connected to a respective beater 2 or 3. Part 4 is operated by the toe part of the drummer's foot and an extension 9 of part 5 is operated by the heel part of the drummer's foot. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Foot pedal apparatus for a drum The invention relates to foot pedal apparatus for a drum, particularly a bass drum.

In proposed bass drum foot pedal apparatus there is a single pedal operated by a fore part or toe of a drummer. If the bass line is required to be augmented, a second pedal has to be utilized so that both feet of the drummer are employed in drumming the bass drum so that it is virtually impossible to operate with the usual foot pedal a cymbal, known as a 'top-hat' .

It is an object of the invention to seek to overcome this disadvantage of the prior apparatus.

According to the invention there is provided a foot pedal apparatus for connection with two beaters of a drum or other timpani and operable by a single foot of a drummer to operate one or other or both beaters as desired.

The apparatus may comprise a multi-part pedal in which the parts may be aligned for operation by a fore part and a heel part of the foot of a drummer. This provides for enhanced drumming action using a single foot, by a "heel and toe" action.

There may be two pedal parts which may be pivotal in opposite senses and each of which may be connected with a mechanism for operating a respective one of the beaters to strike the drum or timpani.

One part of the pedal may be pivoted at one end for movement in one sense and the other part may be pivoted intermediate its length for movement in the opposite sense.

The one part may generally overlay the second part except for an extension of the second part which may project beyond the pivot of the first part.

Each pedal part may be pivotally connected with a rigid elongate member which may be part of the mechanism for operating the beaters, and the elongate members may each be connected to a mount for a respective beater.

The mechanism may include means biassing each beater to a position out of engagement with the drum which biassing means may be overcome on operation of the pedal.

The drum or timpani may be a bass drum.

The invention extends, it will be understood, to a bass drum or the like in combination with apparatus as herein defined.

A foot pedal apparatus embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows in perspective view a schematic arrangement of the apparatus, and Figs.

2 and 3 show a perspective view of particular embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention.

Referring to the drawings, in which like parts are indicated by like reference numerals, there is shown foot pedal apparatus 1 for connection with two beaters 2 and 3 of a bass drum (not shown) and operable by a single foot of a drummer to operate one or other or both beaters 2 and 3 as desired.

The apparatus 1 comprises a two-part foot pedal the parts being aligned with one part 4 substantially overlying the other part 5, both parts 4 and 5 being pivotably mounted. The one part 4 is pivoted at or adjacent one end 6 for pivotal movement about the pivot 7 in one sense (anti-clockwise as viewed). The other part 5 is pivoted intermediate its length for pivotal movement about a pivot 8 in the opposite sense (clockwise as viewed). The other part 5 has an extension or heel piece 9 which projects beyond the part 4, to the right as viewed in the Figures, so that the extension 9 is not overlain by the one part 4. In practice the parts 4 and 5 are pivoted to a base 10, which can be locked in position against a floor or the drum by a turn screw (Fig. 2).The apparatus 1 includes a frame 11 in which is rotatably mounted a rod 1 2 carrying a connector 1 3 for the beater 2 and a rod 1 4 carrying a connector 1 5 for the beater 3, the rod 1 2 being rotatable independently of the rod 1 4. The connector 1 5 for the beater 3 is connected via an elongate member such as flexible tape, band or chain 1 6 with the one part 4 at the end opposite the pivot mounting 7 thereof. The other part 5 is connected via a rigid push rod 1 7 to which it is pivotably connected, to the connector 1 3 for the beater 2.

Biassing means in the form of a spring 1 8 connected between the rod 1 2 and a base of the frame 11 normaily urges the rod 1 2 to be turned so that the beater 2 is out of contact with the drum. Likewise, there is biassing means in the form of a spring 1 9 biassing the beater 3 out of engagement with the drum (as shown in the Figures).

The elongate members 1 6 and 1 7 comprise part of mechanism for operating the respective beaters 2 and 3.

In use, the foot pedal apparatus 1 is secured adjacent a drum it is to be used to beat, the beaters 2 and 3 being in the position shown and both being arranged to strike the drum in the optimum area in the central region of the head.

The drummer then places a single foot on the pedal 1. If he wants to operate the beater 3, he strikes down with his toe or fore part of the foot on the pedal part 4. This action pulls the elongate member down 16, rotating the connector 1 5 against the force of the spring 1 9 and rotating the rod 14 and connector 1 5 so that the beater head 3' is accelerated and strikes the drum head. On release of the downward pressure. the spring 1 9 returns the beater 3 to the position shown. If on the other hand the beater 2 is to be used, the heel of the one foot is brought down on the extension 9 of the pedal part 5, so rotating it clockwise and forcing the rigid elongate member, or rod 1 7 upwardly.This is accommodated by the connector 1 3 and rod 1 2 rotating, as shown by the arrow, Fig. 1, and the beater head 2' is accelerated to strike the drum. The spring 1 8 returns the beater to the position shown when the heel pressure is released.

Referring to Fig. 3 there is shown a second embodiment 100 of apparatus according to the invention. This is similar to the embodiment of Fig. 2, the difference being that the second or heel operated pedal part 5 is connected to its beater 2 by a chain 101 which passes over a sprocket or cog wheel 102 mounted on an axle 103 so that when the extension 9 of the pedal part is pushed down by a heel of a drummer as shown by the arrow X the fore part 104 rises as shown by arrow Y the chain 101 is pulled down as the fore part to which it is connected rises the chain 101 being pulled round the pulley 102 which rotates. This pull on the chain 101 rotates the connector 1 3 and hence the beater 2,2' strikes the drum (not shown). Biassing means (not shown) urges the beater 2,2' to the initial position shown when heel pressure is released from part, so returning the pedal part 5 to the position shown ready for the next beat. It will be understood that the chain and pulley or sprocket may be replaced by a flexible strap or tape passing round a pulley of any suitable profile and being connected to the fore part of the pedal part 5 at one end and to the connector 1 3.

Both beaters 2 and 3 in all embodiments can be operated together by stamping down with the whole foot to operate the pedal parts 4 and 5 simultaneously or virtually so, or by using a "heel and toe" action the beaters 2 and 3 can be operated sequentially to produce a drum roll effect.

At all times the other foot of the drummer is free to operate a high-hat, or other drum.

Claims

1. A foot pedal apparatus for connection with two beaters of a drum or other timpani and operable by a single foot of a drummer to operate one or other or both beaters as desired.

2. A foot pedal apparatus according to Claim 1, comprising a multi-part pedal in which the parts are aligned for operation by a fore-part and a heel part of the foot of a drummer.

3. A foot pedal apparatus according to Claim 2, there being two pedal parts which are pivotable in opposite senses and each of which is connected with a mechanism for operating a respective one of the beaters to strike the drum or timpani.

4. A foot pedal apparatus according to Claim 3, one part of the pedal being pivoted at one end for movement in one sense and the other part of the pedal being pivoted intermediate its length for movement in the opposite sense.

5. A foot pedal according to Claim 4. the one part generally overlying the second part except for an extension of the second part which projects beyond the pivot of the first part.

6. A foot pedal apparatus according to Claim 5 or Claim 6. each pedal part being pivotally connected with a respective elongate member, the elongate members each being connected to a mount for a respective beater and comprising part of the mechanism.

7. A foot pedal apparatus according to Claim 6, including means biassing each beater to a position out of engagement with the drum which biassing means is or are overcome on operation of the pedal.

8. A foot pedal apparatus according to any preceding claim, for use with a bass drum.

9. A foot pedal apparatus according to any preceding claim, connected to two beaters.

1 0. A foot pedal apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A drum such as a bass drum or the like in connection with apparatus according to any preceding claim.