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DESCRIPTION

Technical field

The present invention relates to a pedal assembly for the drums, in particular for beating the bass drum of the drum.

Background art

It is known in the musical field to use a pedal assembly for beating the bass drum of the drums, comprising a pedal that, when it is in an idle condition (i.e. not activated by a user) , is in a tilted position, so that the heel area is lower than the pedal tip. During use, therefore, the toe of the user's foot may be in a raised position relative to the heel. Such a situation creates some undesired effects, including tiredness of the pedal user, and the tendency to cause the pedal assembly to slide on a support surface, since a component of the force exerted on the pedal by the user is parallel to the support surface .

A partial remedy to such problems has been found in the device disclosed in patent US 6359205 Bl, wherein a plurality of plates are mountable in overlapping positions, so as to raise the heel support height; moreover, it is possible to adjust the angle of the pedal in the idle condition. The plates rest on one another and are secured by means of through screws. However, such a device suffers from a number of drawbacks . One drawback is due to the fact that assembling and disassembling the plates is uncomfortable, since it is necessary to screw and unscrew a plurality of screws, and this is a time-consuming task. In addition, depending on the final height of the heel support, screws of different length need to be unscrewed, so that the user is compelled to always have a set of screws available to be able to adjust the heel support height as desired. Finally, working on the screws requires lifting the device in order to be able to insert the screws from the bottom side of the support base.

Summary of the invention

It is one object of the present invention to provide a pedal assembly for the drums which can overcome this and other drawbacks of the prior art, while at the same time being simple and economical to manufacture.

In particular, the pedal assembly has a plate constrained to a rear region of the pedal, which can be fixed to the base or to additional plates through a sliding action, so as to removably constrain said plate to the base .

According to the present invention, this and other objects are achieved through a pedal assembly for the drums made in accordance with the appended independent claim.

It is to be understood that the appended claims are an integral part of the technical teachings provided in the following detailed description of the invention. In particular, the appended dependent claims define some preferred embodiments of the present invention, which include some optional technical features.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which is supplied by way of non-limiting example with reference to the annexed drawings, wherein:

Figures 1-4 are side views of a pedal assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

- Figure 5 is a perspective view of the drums in which a pedal assembly according to the present invention can be used;

- Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of a pedal assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a rear view of a pedal assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of an auxiliary plate according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention .

Detailed description of the invention

With reference to the annexed drawings, a pedal assembly 1 for the drums B is described, which comprises: a base 2 adapted to be laid onto a support surface, a pedal 4 adapted to be rotatably actuated by a foot of a user,

a support structure 6 constrained to base 2,

a beater 8 rotatably constrained to support structure 6, wherein beater 8 is also constrained to pedal 4 in such a way that the rotation of pedal 4 will cause beater 8 to rotate,

a plate 10, intended to be proximal to a heel of the user, which is rotatably constrained to a rear region of pedal 4, and which is also removably constrained to base 2.

Plate 10 is configured to be mounted on base 2, and to be mounted in an overlapping configuration on one or more auxiliary plates 12, 14, 16, in order to adjust the support height for the user's heel.

Plate 10 is configured to be constrained, through a sliding action, onto both base 2 and said one or more auxiliary plates 12, 14, 16, so that plate 10 and base 2 are constrained to each other at least along a vertical direction when pedal assembly 1 is lying on a horizontal support surface.

Pedal assembly 1 is, in particular, adapted to beat bass drum G of the drums B, conveniently an acoustic drums. Pedal assembly 1 illustrated herein is a single-pedal assembly, but according to an alternative variant said pedal assembly 1 may also be a double-pedal assembly.

The user's heel is intended to stay in proximity to plate 10 and the hinging area between plate 10 and pedal 4. Therefore, when the user wants to change the heel support height, he/she can easily remove plate 10 and reinstall it onto base 2 or one or more auxiliary plates 12, 14, 16. It will thus also be easy to modify the angle of pedal 4 when the latter is in an inoperative or idle condition, i.e. when the user is not acting upon said pedal 4. In fact, when the height of plate 10 relative to the support surface (e.g. a floor) is changed, the angle of pedal 4 in the inoperative condition will change as well. According to the present invention, auxiliary plates 12, 14, 16 can be removed from and reinstalled on pedal assembly 1 in a simple and quick manner. Support structure 6 is located in a front region of pedal 4. Pedal 4 can rotate in a vertical plane .

In the particular embodiment shown herein by way of example, there are a plurality of auxiliary plates 12, 14, 16 (in particular, three of them) that can be mounted in pedal assembly 1. In particular, the at least one auxiliary plate 12 is adapted to be interposed between plate 10 and base 2, and to be removably mounted to plate 10 and to base 2 (Fig. 2) . When a plurality of auxiliary plates 12, 14, 16 are present, they are adapted to be interposed between plate 10 and base 2, and to be removably mounted to plate 10, to base 2, and to each other 12, 14, 16. For example, in Fig. 2 there is one auxiliary plate 12 mounted to, and interposed between, base 2 and plate 10. In Fig. 3 there is a first auxiliary plate 12 mounted to, and interposed between, a second auxiliary plate 14 and plate 10; a second auxiliary plate 14 is mounted to, and interposed between, the first auxiliary plate 12 and base 2. In Fig. 4 there is a third auxiliary plate 16, and the second auxiliary plate 14 is mounted to, and interposed between, auxiliary plates 12 and 16. In Fig. 1, the plate is mounted directly to base 2, without any auxiliary plates interposed between them 2, 10. When the user wants to change the height of plate 10, switching between the different possible arrangements as shown in Figures 1-4, he/she will insert or remove, through a sliding action, one or more auxiliary plates 12, 14, 16.

Conveniently, pedal assembly 1 comprises fastening means for preventing plate 10 or one or more auxiliary plates 12, 14, 16 from sliding relative to base 2, in order to avoid that plate 10 and base 2 might become mutually unconstrained. It is thus prevented the risk that plate 10, and possibly the auxiliary plates 12, 14, 16, might accidentally be released from the base because of accidental sliding. Such fastening means are removable by a user. Preferably, the fastening means comprise a pin-shaped element 18 configured to go through plate 10 and base 2, or through plate 10 and auxiliary plate 12 constrained thereto 10. In particular, pin-shaped element 18 is at least partly threaded. For example, such thread is adapted to engage into a matching thread of plate 10, of base 2, or of an auxiliary plate 12, 14, 16. Preferably, the fastening means are adapted to prevent any mutual sliding between auxiliary plates 12, 14, 16. Conveniently, the fastening means for preventing any mutual sliding between base 2, plate 10 and auxiliary plates 12, 14, 16 are all identical, and preferably consist of pin-shaped element 18, in particular at least partially threaded.

In particular, pin-shaped element 18 is arranged substantially parallel to the plane of plate 10, 12, 14,

16, which is a prevalently two-dimensional element. The axis of pin-shaped element 18 is conveniently horizontal when pedal assembly 1 is lying on a horizontal support surface. For the purposes of the present description, unless otherwise specified, it will be assumed that the pedal assembly lies on a horizontal support surface, and the terms "vertical" and "horizontal" will take this assumption into account, without however limiting the inventive concept.

Preferably, plate 10 is configured to be mounted to base 2 or to one or more auxiliary plates 12, 14, 16 by sliding along a straight line. In particular, said straight line is coplanar to the longitudinal axis of pedal 4. Conveniently, said straight line is substantially horizontal when pedal assembly 1 is lying on a flat horizontal support surface. Therefore, the constraint between plates 10, 12, 14, 16 and base 2 is established at least along a direction substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction of plate 10, in particular said constraint being established along a vertical direction.

Furthermore, plate 10, base 2 and any auxiliary plates 12, 14, 16 are also constrained laterally, i.e. in the horizontal direction and transversally to the sliding direction of plate 10. Preferably, plate 10 comprises a recess 20 or a protrusion configured to engage, by sliding, with a complementary protrusion 22 or recess of base 2 or of said one or more auxiliary plates 12, 14, 16. In the preferred embodiment shown herein, plate 10 comprises a recess 20 located, in particular, on a bottom face of plate 10. Preferably, base 2 comprises a protrusion 22 that is complementary to recess 20 of plate 10. In particular, protrusions and recesses have a "T" shape.

Conveniently, there is at least one auxiliary plate 12, 14, 16 configured to be removably mounted, by sliding, to plate 10, to base 2, and to any further auxiliary plates 12, 14, 16. In particular, the at least one auxiliary plate 12, 14, 16 comprises a recess 120, 140, 160 on its top or bottom face, and a protrusion 122, 142, 162 on its bottom or top face, respectively. Such protrusion 122, 142, 162 and recess 120, 140, 160 are configured to match, by sliding, a complementary recess 20 or protrusion 22 of base 2 and of plate 10. Moreover, such protrusions 122, 142, 162 and recesses 120, 140, 160 are configured to engage with each other. In particular, such protrusions 122, 142, 162 and recesses 120, 140, 160 are located on the top faces and, respectively, on the bottom faces of the auxiliary plates 12, 14, 16. In particular, the above-mentioned protrusions and recesses are conveniently located in a central region of the respective base 2, plate 10 or auxiliary plate 12, 14, 16. Preferably, said protrusions and recesses are aligned along a straight line parallel to the plane of rotation of pedal 4.

In particular, plate 10 is adapted to create a support portion for the user's heel, and the recess or the protrusion is located on a bottom face of plate 10. On the contrary, the top face of plate 10 is substantially flat, so as to provide a firm support for the user's foot or heel. In particular, the top face of plate 10 is not suitable for engaging with any further auxiliary plates.

With reference to Figures 4 and 6, when pedal assembly 1 is in an inoperative condition, pedal 4 is substantially parallel to the support surface whereon pedal assembly 1 is lying; in the example, pedal 4 is arranged horizontally.

In particular, base 2 is substantially a two- dimensional element, e.g. a plate, which in particular extends from the heel area to support structure 6. In particular, all or most of the bottom surface of base 2 is in contact with the support surface. In the particular variant illustrated herein, support structure 6 has two columns 24, in particular arranged vertically, whereon a shaft 26 is rotatably mounted, which in particular is arranged horizontally. A means of transmission, e.g. a chain 28, connects a front end of pedal 4 to shaft 26, so that the actuation of pedal 4 will cause the rotation of shaft 26. Beater 8 is rotatably connected to shaft 26, e.g. by clamping means. There are also return means, conveniently consisting of springs 30, for bringing shaft 26 towards an inoperative or idle position, which corresponds to a particular position of pedal 4 and of beater 8. In particular, a first end of spring 30 is fixed to support structure 6, in particular to columns 24, and a second end of spring 30 is fixed to a dedicated cam 32 rotatably constrained to shaft 26. Support structure 6 is conveniently fastened in a removable manner to base 2; as an alternative, support structure 6 and base 2 may be manufactured as one piece. Conveniently, adjustment means are included for adjusting the force exerted by the return means, in particular springs 30.

Preferably, and with reference to Figure 7, beater 8 and pedal 4 are laterally offset relative to each other, so that beater 8 will not hit the user's leg or foot during use. In other words, the plane in which beater 8 is intended to rotate is so arranged as to not intersect the user's leg or foot during the normal use of pedal assembly 1. This aspect is particularly advantageous in the illustrated variant, wherein pedal assembly 1 is a single pedal assembly. In fact, when plate 10 is at a raised level, the user's foot or leg are closer to the beater, resulting in the risk of shocks; this aspect limits the available travel of beater 8 and makes the pedal less practical to use. In particular, the longitudinal axis of pedal 4 is offset relative to the plane in which beater 8 is intended to rotate, e.g. by a few cm, conveniently more than 3 cm, preferably more than 5 cm, e.g. 5 to 15 cm. The longitudinal axis of pedal 4 can be referred to as the center axis of pedal 4, and substantially coincides with an axis connecting a heel region to a toe region of pedal 4. Therefore, this offset between pedal 4 and beater 8 allows the foot to avoid hitting beater 8 during its momentum, resulting in considerable advantages for the musical execution. The offset between pedal 4 and beater 8 can provide an independent inventive concept, in particular independent of the heel height adjustment by means of auxiliary plates 12, 14, 16. Therefore, also a pedal assembly comprising the following may be regarded as an invention :

a pedal 4 adapted to be rotatably actuated by a foot of a user,

a support structure 6, - a beater 8 rotatably constrained to support structure 6, wherein beater 8 is also constrained to pedal 4 in such a way that the rotation of pedal 4 will cause beater 8 to rotate,

a plate 10, intended to be proximal to a heel of the user, which is rotatably constrained to a rear region of pedal 4, and which is also constrained to support structure

6;

wherein beater 8 and pedal 4 are laterally offset relative to each other, so that beater 8 will not hit the user's leg or foot during use.

With reference to Figure 8, there is shown an auxiliary plate 12 according to a particular embodiment. It 12 has protrusion 122 on its top face, and recess 120 on its bottom face, which 120, 122 have a "T" shape. Advantageously, in the preferred embodiment all protrusions 22, 122, 142, 162 and recesses 20, 120, 140, 160 of plate 10, base 2 and auxiliary plates 12, 14, 16 have the same shape and are complementary. Preferably, plate 10 and auxiliary plates 12, 14, 16 have a prevalently two- dimensional shape, and in particular a substantially planar shape .

In particular, plate 10 and base 2 have a respective through hole into which pin-shaped element 18 can be inserted to prevent their mutual sliding, as shown by way of example in Fig. 1. Therefore, when plate 10 is mounted on base 2 in the correct position, the through holes are aligned and it is possible to insert into them pin-shaped element 18. In particular, a through hole crosses protrusion 22 of base 2, and another through hole is located on a lateral part of plate 10 and has an axis that goes through recess 20 of said plate 10. The at least one auxiliary plate 12 comprises a first through hole 124 and a second through hole 126, into which pin-shaped element 18 can be inserted. The pin-shaped element 18 is adapted to go through the first through hole 124 of a first auxiliary plate 12 and the second through hole of a second auxiliary plate 14 to prevent any mutual sliding of said auxiliary plates 12 and 14. In particular, the second through hole 126 crosses protrusion 122 of auxiliary plate 12. The first through hole 124 develops along an axis, in particular a straight one, that crosses recess 120 of auxiliary plate 12. The same applies to the other auxiliary plates 14, 16. Thus, when pin-shaped element 18 is inserted in said through holes 124, 126, any undesired sliding can be prevented, so as to avoid the separation of auxiliary plate 12 from an additional auxiliary plate 14, 16. For example, in order to secure the auxiliary plates 12 and 14, the user inserts protrusion 142 of auxiliary plate 14 into recess 120 of auxiliary plate 12; then the user inserts pin-shaped element 18 into the first through hole 124 of auxiliary plate 12 and the second through hole of auxiliary plate 14. In this situation, pin shaped element 18 prevents protrusion 142 from sliding along recess 120. In particular, a pair of first through holes 124 are located laterally in the respective auxiliary plate 12 and are aligned with each other. The same pair of through holes is comprised in plate 10.

In general, pin-shaped element 18 is configured to be inserted into through holes 124, 126 of the at least one auxiliary plate 12, 14, 16 and into the through holes of base 2 and of plate 10, for the purpose of preventing any mutual sliding between said auxiliary plate 12, 14, 16, base 2 and plate 10. Optionally, one through hole, e.g. the first through hole 124, comprises a threaded portion 128 to be engaged with the complementary thread of pin-shaped element 18.

The invention also relates to a kit comprising at least one auxiliary plate 12, 14, 16 configured to be mounted to a pedal assembly 1 according to the invention. The features of auxiliary plate 12, 14, 16 will not be repeated for brevity's sake.

Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the forms of embodiment and the implementation details may be extensively varied from those described and illustrated herein by way of non-limiting example, without however departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims .

Barzano & Zanardo Milano S.p.A.

/GV/LT