HK1068445B - Bass drum pedal - Google Patents

Description

Drum pedal

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of drum pedals, and more particularly to drum pedals that are substantially friction free.

Background

The drummer strikes the bass drum by means of the bass drum pedal. In order to facilitate playing of a bass drum, it is important that the drum pedal have good overall performance, including adequate response and reaction time. For many years, the bass drum pedal is continuously developed to improve the responsiveness and the reaction time of the pedal and the overall feeling of the bass drum pedal to a drummer, and to exert the level of playing a bass drum by the drummer to the maximum extent. The present inventors believe that it is important to minimize frictional engagement of the moving parts of the bass drum pedal to enhance or improve the performance of the bass drum pedal.

Disclosure of Invention

The main object of the present invention is to propose a device and a method to improve the bass drum pedal. The improved bass drum pedal of the present invention has:

(a) a base plate;

(b) a foot pedal having first and second ends;

(c) a hinge connected between the base plate and the first end of the footboard to allow rotation;

(d) first and second rod-like struts or brackets, each bracket being mounted at one end to the base plate and at the other end being a free end;

(e) an axle is mounted to extend between the opposing upper portions of the first and second brackets. In this pedal device, the present invention provides:

(f) a cylindrical hub mounted for axial rotation on a central portion of a shaft, wherein said hub is rotatable independently of shaft rotation, said shaft rotating with said hub if, during such rotation, the hub is in frictional contact with said shaft to some extent;

(g) rotation means comprising a flexible connection between the second end of the footboard and an exterior of the hub for rotating the hub relative to the footboard when the footboard is depressed;

(h) a striker stem having a first end and a second end, the first end being secured to the exterior of the hub;

(i) a striking member secured to a second end of said striking member shank; and

(j) spring means for spring-biasing the hub in a rest position of the bass drum pedal to maintain the second end portion of the foot pedal at a high position with respect to the base plate and to maintain the striking member at a predetermined distance from the bass drum membrane, wherein when the pedal is depressed, the second end portion thereof is rotated toward the base plate, causing the rotating means to rotate the hub in a direction to move the striking member into contact with the bass drum membrane.

Additional features include: a second support spaced from the one support, the spring means being located between the supports; spring means in the form of a tension spring is provided, one end of which is rotatably connected to the hub; a rotational connection is provided between the opposite end of the spring and a bracket; providing a band-like flexible connection member having an end portion thereof partially surrounding said hub; providing a ball bearing assembly with the hub mounted for rotation on the shaft; a rotational connection is provided between the hub and the frame, wherein the one end of the spring is rotationally connected to the hub, the flexible connection defines a vertical plane, the spring rotational connection is located on one side of the plane, and the striker shank is located on an opposite side of the plane.

Drawings

These and other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings and to the non-limiting examples. The attached drawings are as follows:

FIGS. 1.1A, 1.1B and 1.1C are top plan, partial rear and left side views, respectively, of a portion of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 1.2A, 1.2B and 1.2C are bottom plan, rear elevation and left side elevation with the left bracket removed, respectively, of a portion of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1.1A, 1.1B and 1.1C;

FIG. 2A is a top plan view of a base plate of a stand of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a front view of the bracket base shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a side view of a right bracket;

FIG. 3B is a side view of the right bracket shown in FIG. 3A rotated 90;

FIG. 3C is a bottom plan view of the right bracket shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3.1A is a side view of a left brace of the present invention;

FIG. 3.1B is a side view of the left bracket shown in FIG. 3.1A rotated 90;

FIG. 3.1C is a bottom plan view of the left brace shown in FIG. 3.1A;

FIG. 4A is a front view of a lever locking hinge bracket of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a side view of the lever-type locking hinge bracket shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a top plan view of the lever-locking hinge bracket shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a stand spring return support bar of the present invention;

fig. 6A is a side view of one locking tab of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a top plan view of the locking tab shown in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a side view of a lever locking hinge pin of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a top plan view of the lever-type locking hinge pin shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A is a right side view of a hub according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8B is a left side view of the hub shown in FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8C is a rear view of the hub shown in FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8D is a front view of the hub shown in FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a hub axle of the present invention;

fig. 10A is a front view, the same as the rear view, of a spring return wheel of the present invention;

fig. 10B is a side view of the spring return wheel shown in fig. 10A, the other side being the same;

fig. 11A is a top plan view of a shoulder bolt for the spring return pulley 20;

FIG. 11B is a side view of the shoulder bolt shown in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 12A is a side view of a spring tension disc nut of the present invention, the other side being the same;

FIG. 12B is a top plan view, identical to the bottom view, of the spring tension disc nut shown in FIG. 12A;

FIG. 13 is a side view of a spring tension adjustment lever of the present invention;

fig. 14A is a side view of a lever lock housing of the present invention;

fig. 14B is a bottom plan view of the lever lock housing shown in fig. 14A;

FIG. 15A is a side view of a bar lock of the present invention;

fig. 15B is an end view of the lever lock lever shown in fig. 15A;

FIG. 16 is a side view of a lever locking hinge pin of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a step;

FIG. 18A is a plan view of a hinge portion;

FIG. 18B is a side view of the hinge portion shown in FIG. 18A;

FIG. 19A is a plan view of a bearing;

FIG. 19B is a side view of the bearing shown in FIG. 19A;

FIG. 20A is an end view of a hinge pin;

FIG. 20B is a side view of the hinge pin shown in FIG. 20A;

FIG. 20C is a plan view of a hinge portion;

FIG. 20D is a side view of the hinge portion shown in FIG. 20C;

fig. 20E is a plan view of the hinge subassembly shown in fig. 18A and 20C;

FIG. 21A is a top plan view of a heel pad of the present invention;

FIG. 21B is a side view of the heel pad of FIG. 21A, the other side being a mirror image;

FIG. 22 is a top plan view of the base plate of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a side view of a similar embodiment of the pedal apparatus shown in FIG. 1.1C;

FIG. 24 is a plan view taken along line 24-24 of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is an elevation view taken along line 25-25 of FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 is an enlarged elevational view taken along line 26-26 of FIG. 23;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 27-27 of FIG. 23;

FIG. 28 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 28-28 of FIG. 23;

FIG. 29 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG. 25;

FIG. 30 is an elevation view taken along line 30-30 of FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is an enlarged front view showing articulation of the foot rest;

FIG. 32 is a plan view taken along line 32-32 of FIG. 31;

fig. 33 is a front view of a variation of one embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

FIGS. 1.1A, 1.1B, 1.1C, 1.2A, 1.2B, and 1.2C illustrate various assembly aspects of one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2A to 22 are detailed views of the respective components of this embodiment of the present invention.

The present inventors have addressed the problems of the prior art by improving the design of a bass drum pedal in a number of different ways. In one embodiment of the invention, as shown in fig. 1.1A to 22, the bass drum pedal assembly includes a pedal 34, the pedal 34 being connected at one end by a flush hinge 36, 38 to a base plate 42, the other end of the pedal being connected to one end of a narrow flexible drive belt 19. The belt 19 is typically a relatively thin standard nylon cord belt, or any suitable flexible belt. The belt 19 is trained about a pulley or hub 16, the pulley or hub 16 being centrally mounted on a horizontal shaft 18 generally parallel to the base plate 42.

Pulley or hub 16 is a multi-segment device comprising an inner bearing 17, inner bearing 17 having inner and outer raceways for allowing pulley or hub 16 to rotate about shaft 18, and pulley or hub mounted on shaft 18. In one embodiment of the invention, the shaft 18 itself may be fixed, and in another preferred embodiment of the invention, the shaft 18 itself may also be rotatably mounted on bearings. The shaft 18 is mounted between the two vertical supports, namely the brackets 4 and 6. A rod 21 is connected to a pulley or hub 16 mechanism on the shaft 18 and the other end of the rod 21 is connected to a drum beater 23. The rod defines a striking member grip 21. The lower end of belt 19 on pulley or hub 16 is connected to the free end of pedal 34. A spring biasing mechanism 7, 10, 20, 24, 26 is connected at one end to the hub 16 and at the other end to a portion of the bracket 6 such that the pedal 34 is in the raised position at rest and the drum striking member, hammer 23, is located a predetermined distance from the bass drum membrane. When the pedal 34 is depressed, the hammer 23 is rotated to strike the bass drum with the maximum area of the hammer 23. A clamping mechanism 12, 28, 30 is secured to the front of the base plate 42 to secure the tread plate 34 to the frame of the bass drum.

Various embodiments of the present invention provide advantages over many prior art bass drum pedals. These advantages are as follows:

1. the striking element 23 contacts the eardrum at 90 deg. to the end face of the striking element for maximum contact, whereas prior art devices have the striking element contacting the eardrum at an angle.

2. The central hub 16 provides all of the interconnection from the drive belt 19 to the striker shank 21, eliminates the more complex designs of the prior art, provides good responsiveness over the dynamic range, reduces mechanical noise, and therefore, the present invention is virtually noise-free and frictionless during operation.

3. The horizontal shaft 18 is mounted between the upper ends of the brackets by bearings which turn the shaft 18 itself. The centrally located hub 16 is mounted on bearings 35 on the shaft 18 so that the hub 16 itself can rotate about the shaft 18. The hub 16 has a striker shank 21 fixed thereto, the other end of which is fixed to a striker 23. A belt 19 surrounds the hub 16 and is secured at one end to the hub 16 and at the other end to the pedal 34. The hub 16 is spring-biased by the spring 7 to hold the striker 23 in a predetermined position in a stationary state and the pedal 34 in a vertically high position. When the drummer depresses the pedal 34, the hub 16 uniquely rotates about the shaft 18, causing the striking members 23 to rotate into striking contact with the eardrum. If excessive friction sometimes occurs at the bearing 35 between the hub and the shaft, the shaft itself will rotate within the bracket about its bearing 37, and the combination of the belt 19 and its transmission will operate smoothly and noiselessly.

4. The spring bias of the hub 16 is provided by a spring 7, one end of the spring 7 being connected to a rotatable spring wheel or spring member 20, the spring wheel or spring member 20 being secured to the base of the hub 16, the other end of the spring 7 being connected to one end of a spring return adjustment support rod 26, the other end of the spring return adjustment support rod 26 being secured to one support rod 10 of the associated support 6 so as to be rotatable as necessary. The spring return wheel 20 fixed to the hub 16 comprises an inner double bearing which is fixed to the hub 16 by means of a shoulder bolt 22 so as to rotate, if necessary, with respect to the spring 7 and move the hub 16. A rotatable bearing on the bracket 6, connected to the other end of the spring 7 by a spring return support rod 10, provides smoother operation. The spring tension adjustment is made by the threaded portion 26.

5. In another embodiment, a relatively thin and lightweight pedal 34 is used, which is lighter than prior art pedals, so that striking member 23 is quickly returned to its rest position, and the force applied to pedal 34 itself is relatively small, so that the drummer does not quickly become fatigued. Alternatively, a standard pedal may be used which is thicker than the pedal of the previous embodiment.

6. The heel pad 40 at the bottom of the pedal 34 is a flush hinge 36, 38 design, whereas the prior art uses a conventional door hinge design.

Fig. 23 to 30 show further details of the invention as shown in fig. 1 to 22, corresponding parts being given the same reference numerals.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 23-30, a bracket structure 110 includes a generally horizontal floor or footboard 111 with a footboard 112 extending forwardly and upwardly above the floor or footboard 111. The step has a rotary support 112a at its rear end. Such a bearing may be provided by one or more roller bearings, as described in US5627332, which is incorporated herein by reference. The pinned hinge portions 108 and 109 are connected to the foot board, and a heel plate 109a is disposed on the foot board. When a retainer 200 is released and moved in a slot 201 in the base 111, the members 109 and 109a can be displaced forward or backward (see fig. 31). Other connectors may be provided.

The first and second brackets 114 and 115 are supported by the base plate 111, generally with their lower ends 114a and 115a connected to the base plate, as shown in fig. 23 and 25. The upper end of the bracket freely protrudes upwards. A shaft or shaft structure 116 is mounted to project laterally between the two brackets as shown in fig. 25 and 28. Both brackets have apertures 114b and 115b in their upper end portions for receiving the ends 116a and 116b of the shaft. These opposite ends may be supported by supports 118 and 119 received by counterbores 120 and 121 at the upper end of the bracket. Retainers 122 and 123 position the opposite ends of the shaft on the supports and allow axial movement toward the ends of the shaft for quick disassembly. The number and/or thickness of shim supports 118 and 119 may be varied to allow axial end positioning adjustment of a hub 130 on the shaft relative to the carrier. The shaft is thus held stationary relative to the bracket, but may be rotated relative to the bracket if desired. To this end, the supports 118 and 119 may be provided with bearings to allow the shaft to rotate about its axis 116a, as described above.

The hub 130 may rotate with the shaft 116 or may rotate independently on the shaft about the shaft axis. The hub is supported between the two brackets by a central portion of the shaft. As shown, two roller bearings 135 and 136 are supported on the shaft, supporting the hub for rotation. As shown, bearing inner races 135a and 136a are mounted on shaft portions 116b and 116c, and bearing outer races 135b and 136b are retained in hub bores 140 and 141. The bearing balls are positioned between the two raceways. Thus, if the shaft end is fixed to the bracket upper end, the hub can rotate relative to the bracket and the shaft, or if the shaft end can rotate relative to the bracket upper end, the hub can also rotate relative to the bracket and the shaft. If the hub is fixed to the central portion of the shaft, for example at 116d, and if the opposite end of the shaft can be rotated relative to the brackets as described above, the hub and shaft can be rotated together relative to the two brackets.

A hub rotation device configured to act between the front of the footboard 112 and the hub may include a flexible connection 146, the flexible connection 146 being connected to the footboard at 147 and to an outer curved portion 149 of the hub at 148. The outer curved portion 149 may extend in a cylindrical shape about the axis of the shaft or may extend eccentrically with respect to this axis to vary the rotational speed of a hub-supported striking member or hammer 153a relative to a tympanic membrane 154 to be struck. The spring means or spring structure is configured to spring bias the hub to the rest position of the footrest as shown in fig. 23 and 25. The spring 156 is shown with its upper end 156a fixed to an eccentric 157 on the hub and its lower end 156b fixed to a swivel 158. This keeps the striking piece 153a on the shaft 153 at a predetermined distance from the bass drum film 154. Thus, upon depression of the foot pedal, the second end thereof rotates toward the base plate 111, causing the drive belt 146 to rotate the hub in a direction to move the striking member into striking contact with the eardrum (see arrow 160 in FIG. 1).

As shown in fig. 25, the eccentric 157, the spring 156 and the swivel or pivot 158 are all protectively located in the area 161 between the brackets 114 and 115, with the spring acting substantially directly on the hub. The rotation of the lower end of the spring by the swivel 158 enhances the minimal friction rotation of the hub 130, making the striker react faster to the up and down movement of the pedal 112. The eccentric 157 may comprise a rotor or wheel that is rotatable about a transverse axis 157a that is eccentric to the hub rotation axis.

As shown in fig. 29, the swivel 158 is supported by a rotor 170, the rotor 170 rotating within a bearing 171 in a bore 172 in the bracket 115. A threaded fastener 173 secures the rotor 170 to the swivel 158 as shown. A vertical fastener 175 is secured to the lower end of the spring and projects through an aperture 176 in the swivel. An adjustment nut 177 is threaded onto the fastener 175 and can be tightened onto the swivel as shown. Adjustment of the nut and fastener 175 relative to the swivel 158 vertically positions the fastener 175 to adjust the spring tension of the spring 156 if downward rotation of the foot pedal 112 is prevented.

Fig. 27 shows a clamping lever 180 pivotally secured at 181 to the bracket 114. When the rear end 180b of the clamp arm is raised by a lift rod 186, the front end 180a of the clamp rod clamps onto the bass drum rim 183. The lift bar extends laterally (see fig. 26) and is rotated at 187 to a device 188 connected to the base plate. An adjustment screw 189 may be rotated to press against the end 186a of the lifting rod, which lifting end 186b lifts the rod 180b of the clamp arm. Screw 189 is tightened at 190 on device 188 a. See fig. 26 and 27.

The device 200 shown in fig. 33 is substantially the same as the device shown in fig. 23 to 32 described above. Such devices incorporate or incorporate:

(1) a second tension spring 201 like the spring 156 connected between a second eccentric member 202 on the opposite side of the hub 130 and a second horizontally rotatable rotary member 203 rotatably supported by the bracket 114;

(2) a driving arm 204 having a vertical section 204a fixed to the eccentric member 202, a horizontal section 204b, and a vertical section 204c extending outside the bracket 114;

(3) a linkage 206 driven by the drive arm 204;

(4) a second striking device 207, similar to device 200, drives linkage 206, linkage 206 driving striker grip 208 and hammer 208a to strike the eardrum. Striking device 207 includes a base plate 209, two vertical supports 210 and 211, a shaft 212, a hub 213 rotatably mounted on the shaft, and a U-shaped link 214 (like drive arm 204) connecting the right end of linkage 206 to hub 213. Thus, when the striking device 207 is operated, the hub 213 is rotated by the linkage 206, thereby rotating the striker shank 208 and the hammer 208 a. A foot pedal 210, such as foot pedal 112, is also provided, and a belt 211 connects the foot pedal to the hub 213, as shown in fig. 23. In addition, a tension spring 214 is provided to resist downward rotation of the foot pedal 210, as is spring 156. By stepping on either or both of the pedals, the striking member and hammer are rotated to strike a common eardrum.

Typically, the second hub is fixed to the second shaft such that rotation of the second hub rotates the linkage 206. The linkage 206 is equipped with universal couplings at 206a and 206 b.

Fig. 2A, 3B, 3C, 3.1A, 3.1B show the lower end portions of the supports 4 and 6, which are movable and adjustable relative to the base plate 42. For example, the lower end of the bracket has an independently adjustable connection with the support. The threads of the lower end portion of the bracket may be adjustably threaded with the support member by suitable fasteners. Fig. 2A illustrates a method of attachment whereby the brackets may be attached to the support members to vary the lateral spacing between the brackets. In this way, the brackets have an adjustable lateral spacing between them, the lower end portions of the brackets have alternative means of attachment to the support members, which may be provided with attachment means to provide such lateral attachment to the support members. Examples of such connections are shown at 42a, 42b and 42c, all threaded. Suitable fasteners may attach 42a and 42b to the lower threaded ends of the two brackets or 42a and 42b to the lower ends of the two brackets, thereby changing the lateral spacing between the brackets. Such threaded connections are shown at 4a and 6 a.

As shown in fig. 25, 28, 29 and 30, a "swing" structure is provided. The swinging structure includes a spring return for a bass drum pedal device including:

(a) a support structure;

(b) a drummer foot stand on the step plate, the rear part of the step plate is supported by the supporting structure;

(c) the support structure comprises at least one vertical support, preferably two supports;

(d) a rotating structure supported by said frame and including a drum beater, said rotating structure defining a first axis of rotation;

the spring return includes:

(e) a spring means having opposite ends;

(f) one of the opposite ends is operatively connected to the rotary structure eccentrically from the first axis so that the drum striking member is urged toward the rest position;

(g) the other of the opposite ends is operatively connected to the support structure in rotation, said other end also rotating as said one end rotates relative to said axis, relative to the first axis and relative to said rest position.

The spring return typically includes a pivot supported by the bracket for rotation about a second axis parallel to the first axis, the other end of the spring being connected to the pivot. The rotary structure also typically includes a rotor operatively connected to the front of the footboard, the rotor causing the striker to rotate as the front of the footboard moves downwardly; one end of the spring is operatively connected to the rotor offset from the first axis, and the other end of the spring rotates as the one end of the spring moves due to rotation of the rotor and as the tension of the spring changes.

Furthermore, the pedal device usually has a flexible connection between the swivel structure and the front of the footboard, the spring being laterally spaced from the flexible connection.

Claims (43)

1. A bass drum pedal comprising, in combination:

(a) a bottom support for supporting the upper and lower parts of the frame,

(b) a foot pedal having first and second ends,

(c) a hinge connected between said base support and said first end of said footboard to allow rotation,

(d) first and second upright supports, each support being mounted at one end to the base support and at the other end being a free end,

(e) a shaft mounted for axial rotation between opposite upper portions of said first and second upright supports,

(f) a hub mounted for axial rotation on a central portion of said shaft, said hub being rotatable independently of said shaft, said shaft rotating with said hub by frictional engagement of said hub with said shaft,

(g) a rotation device connected between the second end of the footboard and an outer portion of the hub for rotating the hub away from the footboard when the footboard is depressed,

(h) a beater stem having a first end and a second end, the first end of which is secured to an outer portion of the hub,

(i) a striking member secured to said second end of said striking member shank,

(j) spring means for spring-biasing said hub in a rest position of the bass drum pedal to maintain the second end of said foot pedal at a high position relative to said base support and to maintain said striker at a predetermined distance from the tympanic membrane of said bass drum, said second end of said foot pedal rotating toward said base support when said foot pedal is depressed, causing said rotating means to rotate said hub in a direction to move said striker into contact with the tympanic membrane of the bass drum.

2. The bass drum pedal of claim 1, comprising a second upright bracket mounted at one end of the base support spaced apart from the first upright bracket, the spring being positioned between the first and second upright brackets.

3. The bass drum pedal of claim 1, wherein the spring device is a tension spring having one end rotatably connected to the hub.

4. The bass drum pedal of claim 3, wherein the tension spring has an opposite end with a rotational connection between the opposite end and one of the first and second upright supports.

5. A bass drum pedal according to claim 3, wherein a rotational connection is provided between the hub and the bracket.

6. The bass drum pedal of claim 5, wherein the rotation device defines a vertical plane, the spring rotational coupling is located on one side of the plane, and the striker stem is located on an opposite side of the plane.

7. The bass drum pedal of claim 1, wherein the rotation device is one of:

(a) a strap or chain having one end partially surrounding the hub,

(b) a non-flexible connection.

8. The bass drum pedal of claim 1, wherein the shaft is a shaft mounted for rotation relative to the bracket.

9. The bass drum pedal of claim 8, comprising a ball bearing assembly with the hub mounted for rotation on the shaft.

10. A bass drum pedal comprising, in combination:

(a) a support member for supporting the movable member to be moved,

(b) a foot pedal having first and second ends,

(c) a hinge member connected between said support member and said first end of said footboard to allow rotation,

(d) at least one upright support having one end mounted to the support member and the other end being a free end,

(e) an axle extending laterally from an upper portion of the at least one upright support,

(f) a hub mounted for axial rotation on a portion of the shaft, the hub being rotatable independently of the shaft,

(g) a flexible connection connected between the second end of the footboard and an outer portion of the hub for rotating the hub when the footboard is depressed,

(h) a beater stem having a first end and a second end, the first end of which is secured to an outer portion of the hub,

(i) a striking member secured to said second end of said striking member shank,

(j) a spring biasing said hub in a rest position of the bass drum pedal to maintain the second end of said foot pedal at a high position relative to said support and to maintain said striker at a predetermined distance from the drumhead, said second end rotating when said foot pedal is depressed causing said flexible coupling to rotate said hub in a direction to move said striker into contact with the drumhead of the bass drum,

(k) a horizontally rotatable swivel rotatably supported by the at least one upright support, the spring being connected to the swivel.

11. The bass drum pedal of claim 10, comprising a second bracket mounted at one end of the support member spaced from the one bracket, the spring being located between the brackets.

12. The bass drum pedal of claim 10, wherein the spring is a tension spring having one end rotatably connected to the hub.

13. The bass drum pedal of claim 12, wherein the spring has an opposite end with a rotational connection provided between the opposite end and one of the at least one upright supports.

14. A bass drum pedal according to claim 10 wherein the flexible connection is a strap with one end partially surrounding the hub.

15. The bass drum pedal of claim 10, wherein the shaft is an axle mounted for rotation relative to the at least one upright support.

16. The bass drum pedal of claim 15, comprising a ball bearing assembly with the hub mounted for rotation on the shaft.

17. The bass drum pedal of claim 12, wherein a rotational connection is provided between the hub and the at least one upright support.

18. A bass drum pedal comprising, in combination:

(a) a support member for supporting the movable member to be moved,

(b) a foot pedal having first and second ends,

(c) a hinge member connected between said support member and said first end of said footboard to allow rotation,

(d) at least one rod-like support having one end mounted to the support member and the other end being a free end,

(e) a shaft extending laterally from an upper portion of the rod holder,

(f) a cylindrical hub mounted for axial rotation on a portion of said shaft, said hub being rotatable independently of said shaft,

(g) a flexible connection connected between the second end of the footboard and an outer portion of the hub for rotating the hub relative to the rod shaped support when the footboard is stepped on,

(h) a beater stem having a first end and a second end, the first end of which is secured to an outer portion of the hub,

(i) a striking member secured to said second end of said striking member shank,

(j) a spring biasing said hub in a rest position of the bass drum pedal to maintain the second end of said foot pedal at a high position relative to said support and to maintain said striker at a predetermined distance from the drumhead, the second end of said foot pedal rotating when depressed causing said flexible coupling to rotate said hub in a direction to move said striker into contact with the drumhead of the bass drum,

(k) the spring is a tension spring having one end rotatably connected to the hub,

(l) There is a rotational connection between the hub and the rod-shaped support,

(m) said flexible linkage defines a vertical plane, said spring pivot linkage being located on one side of said plane and said striker shank being located on an opposite side of said plane.

19. The bass drum pedal of claim 18, wherein the flexible striking member first end and the spring rotational connection are located on diametrically opposite sides of an axis defined by the shaft.

20. A bass drum pedal comprising, in combination:

(a) a support member for supporting the movable member to be moved,

(b) a foot pedal having first and second ends,

(c) a hinge member connected between said support member and said first end of said footboard to allow rotation,

(d) at least one rod-like support having one end mounted to the support member and the other end being a free end,

(e) a shaft extending laterally from an upper portion of the rod holder,

(f) a cylindrical hub mounted for axial rotation on a portion of the shaft, the cylindrical hub being rotatable independently of the shaft,

(g) a flexible connection member connected between a second end of the footboard and an outer portion of the cylindrical hub for rotating the cylindrical hub relative to the rod-shaped bracket when the footboard is stepped on,

(h) a striker shank having a first end and a second end, the first end of the striker shank being secured to an outer portion of the cylindrical hub,

(i) a striking member secured to said second end of said striking member shank,

(j) a spring biasing said cylindrical hub in a rest position of the bass drum pedal to maintain the second end of said footboard at a high position relative to said support and to maintain said striking member at a predetermined distance from the eardrum of said bass drum, said second end of said footboard rotating when said footboard is depressed, causing said flexible connection member to rotate said cylindrical hub in a direction to move said striking member into contact with the eardrum of the bass drum,

(k) a second support member for supporting the second support member,

(l) A second foot pedal having first and second ends,

(m) a hinge member connected between said second support member and said first end of said second foot board to allow rotation,

(n) at least one rod-like second bracket mounted at one end to the second support member and having a free end at the other end thereof,

(o) a second shaft laterally protruding from an upper portion of said rod-like second holder,

(p) a second cylindrical hub mounted for axial rotation on a portion of said second shaft, said second cylindrical hub being rotatable independently of said second shaft,

(q) a second flexible connection member connected between the second end of the footboard and an outer portion of the second cylindrical hub for rotating the second cylindrical hub relative to the rod-like second bracket when the second footboard is depressed,

(r) a second striker shank rotationally driven in response to rotation of said second cylindrical hub,

(s) a striking element secured to said second end of said striking element shank.

21. The bass drum pedal of claim 20, comprising a spring for biasing the second cylindrical hub in a rest position of the second striker to maintain the second end of the second foot plate in an elevated position relative to the second support and to maintain the second striker at a predetermined distance from a tympanic membrane of the bass drum, wherein depression of the second foot plate rotates the second end thereof, causing the second flexible coupling to rotate the second cylindrical hub in a direction to move the second striker into contact with the tympanic membrane.

22. The bass drum pedal of claim 21, wherein the second spring has a rotational connection with the rod-like second bracket.

23. The bass drum pedal of claim 20, comprising a rotational linkage for transmitting drive to the second striker stem for the second cylindrical hub.

24. The bass drum pedal of claim 23, wherein the linkage comprises at least one arm extending opposite one another at an end portion of one of the brackets.

25. A bass drum pedal comprising, in combination:

(a) a support member for supporting the movable member to be moved,

(b) a foot board supported for rotation relative to the support member,

(c) at least one bracket extending upwardly relative to the support member,

(d) a shaft extending laterally with respect to the bracket above the support and the footboard,

(e) a hub rotatable about a lateral axis defined by the shaft,

(f) a flexible connection connected to rotate the hub when the foot pedal is rotated downwardly,

(g) a drum striking member supported by the hub of the rotary striking member,

(h) a spring for biasing the hub against rotation of the hub in response to downward rotation of the foot pedal,

(i) a horizontally rotatable swivel rotatably supported by the at least one bracket, a spring connected to the horizontally rotatable swivel.

26. The bass drum pedal of claim 25, wherein the spring is a tension spring having one end operatively and rotationally coupled to the hub.

27. The bass drum pedal of claim 25, wherein the spring is a tension spring having one end portion thereof pivotally connected to the bracket.

28. A drum pedal device comprising, in combination:

(a) a support member for supporting the movable member to be moved,

(b) a foot-actuated foot pedal of a drummer above the support,

(c) two vertical supports connected to the support element,

(d) the vertical support has a lower end portion adjustable with respect to the support,

(e) the vertical support has an upper end portion provided with a rotary structure supported by the upper end portion of the support and a drum striking member rotatable together with the structure to strike a drum,

(f) a linkage structure operatively connected with the foot pedal and the rotational structure to rotate the rotational structure in response to movement of the foot pedal by a drummer,

(g) a tension spring biasing the rotating structure and having a rotational connection to a vertical bracket on an underside of the vertical bracket.

29. A drum pedal device according to claim 28 wherein the lower end portion of the vertical support stand alone has an adjustable connection to a support.

30. A drum pedal device according to claim 28 wherein the brackets have adjustable lateral spacing therebetween.

31. A drum pedal device according to claim 30 wherein the lower end portion of the bracket has multiple selectable lateral connections to the support member.

32. A drum pedal device according to claim 31 wherein the support member has a connecting structure for making said multiple selectable lateral connections to the support member.

33. A drum pedal device according to claim 32 wherein the attachment formation is threaded.

34. A spring return device for a drum pedal device, the drum pedal device comprising:

(a) the support structure is provided with a plurality of support structures,

(b) a drummer foot actuated footrest having a rear portion supported by a support structure,

(c) the support structure comprises at least one vertical support,

(d) a pivot structure supported by said at least one bracket and including a drum striking member, said pivot structure defining a first axis of rotation, said spring return apparatus further comprising:

(e) a spring means having opposite ends and a spring means,

(f) one of said opposite end portions being operatively connected to said rotary structure eccentrically with respect to said axis, so that the drum beating members are urged to a rest position,

(g) there is a horizontally rotatable swivel rotatably supported by the bracket, the other of the opposite ends of the spring means being operatively connected to the swivel such that when the one end is rotated relative to the axis and the rest position, the other end of the spring means is rotated.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 including a pivot supported by said frame for rotation about a second axis parallel to said first axis, the other end of said spring being connected to said pivot.

36. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the rotating structure includes a rotor operatively connected to a front portion of the footrest such that when the footrest front portion moves downward, the rotor rotates the striker, one end of the spring operatively connected to the rotor offset from the first axis, the other end of the spring rotating when the one end of the spring moves as the rotor rotates and when the spring is variably tensioned.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 including a pivot supported by said frame for rotation about a second axis parallel to said first axis, the other end of said spring being connected to said pivot.

38. The device of claim 34 wherein said pedal means includes a flexible connection between said pivot structure and a front portion of said foot pedal, said spring being laterally spaced from said flexible connection.

39. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said pedal means includes a flexible connection between said pivot structure and a front portion of said foot pedal, said spring being laterally spaced from said flexible connection.

40. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said rotary structure includes a shaft supporting said drum strikes, one of said opposite ends being operatively connected to said shaft.

41. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said rotary structure includes a cam, said cam being connected to the drum beater, one of said opposite ends being operatively connected to said cam.

42. A spring return device for a drum pedal device, the drum pedal device comprising:

(a) the support structure is provided with a plurality of support structures,

(b) a drummer foot actuated footrest having a rear portion supported by a support structure,

(c) the support structure comprises at least one vertical support,

(d) a rotary structure supported by the at least one bracket and including a drum striking member, the rotary structure defining a first axis of rotation, the rotary structure including a cam rotatable independently of a support shaft, the spring return device including:

(e) a spring means having opposite ends and a spring means,

(f) one of the opposite ends is operatively connected to the cam eccentrically with respect to the axis, so that the drum beating member is urged toward a rest position,

(g) a horizontally rotatable swivel rotatably supported by the support structure, the other of the opposite ends of the spring being connected to the swivel.

43. A bass drum pedal comprising, in combination:

(a) a bottom support for supporting the upper and lower parts of the frame,

(b) a foot pedal having first and second ends,

(c) a hinge connected between said base support and said first end of said footboard to allow rotation,

(d) at least one upright support mounted at one end to said base support and having a free end at its opposite end,

(e) a shaft mounted by the bracket for axial rotation,

(f) a hub mounted for axial rotation on a central portion of said shaft, said hub being rotatable independently of said shaft, said shaft rotating with said hub by frictional engagement of said hub with said shaft,

(g) a rotation device connected between the second end of the footboard and an outer portion of the hub for rotating the hub away from the footboard when the footboard is depressed,

(h) a beater stem having a first end and a second end, the first end of which is secured to an outer portion of the hub,

(i) a striking member secured to said second end of said striking member shank,

(j) spring means for spring biasing said hub in a rest position of the bass drum pedal to maintain the second end of said foot pedal at a high position relative to said base support and to maintain said striking member at a predetermined distance from the tympanic membrane of said bass drum, said second end rotating toward said base support when said foot pedal is depressed, causing said rotating means to rotate said hub in a direction to move said striking member into contact with the tympanic membrane of the bass drum.