Abstract: A universal joint includes a spider operatively coupled to two pairs of trunnions, each pair of trunnions having an axis. The spider includes first and second portions that may substantially bisect the spider along a plane containing the axes. The joint further may include a pair of yokes, each yoke having a shaft and a pair of bosses, and each pair of bosses may receive the distal parts of a corresponding pair of trunnions. The spider further may include a plurality of openings, each opening receiving a ball bearing. Each opening in the spider may include a shoulder configured to abut the ball bearing in a radial direction, e.g., by extending radially inward from an outer surface of the spider. The trunnions may be press fit into the bearings and the bosses, and the bearings may be press fit into the spider openings, thereby eliminating backlash in the universal joint.

Abstract: A drum pedal sensing system may include a base, a foot board, a pedestal, a beater, beater stem, and beater holder operatively connected to the foot board, a sensor holder, and a sensor fixedly coupled to the sensor holder. The beater holder may include a sensing surface that may rotate as the foot board is depressed and that may remain a substantially constant distance from the sensor as the sensing surface rotates. Additionally, the system may include a microprocessor operatively coupled to the sensor that receives signals from the sensor corresponding to motion of the sensing surface. Based on sensed changes such as changes in position, velocity, or acceleration, the microprocessor may determine whether the beater has contacted a drum face and, if so, may send an output signal to a stomp box, drum brain or similar element, with the amplitude of this output signal proportional to strength of the hit.

Abstract: A drum pedal configured for cable-driven power transmission may include a base, a foot board, a shaft coupled to the base, a cam coupled to the shaft, and an opening extending generally horizontally from said base; the cam coupling to a cable and the cable extending through the opening, such that the cable departs in a generally horizontal direction from the pedal. The cam, which may be rotatably coupled to the shaft, may include an eccentric portion, and a groove may be disposed on the eccentric portion and configured to receive the cable. Additionally, a hi hat drum assembly may include a pedal, a hi hat stand, at least one cymbal, and a cable operatively connected to the pedal and the cymbal. The cable may depart from the pedal in a generally horizontal direction, and the pedal may not be connected to the hi hat stand. Instead, it may be separated from the stand and located anywhere the user desires, provided there is a path for the cable to travel between the pedal and the stand.

Abstract: A drum pedal sensing system may include a base, a foot board, a pedestal, a beater, beater stem, and beater holder operatively connected to the foot board, a sensor holder, and a sensor fixedly coupled to the sensor holder. The beater holder may include a sensing surface that may rotate as the foot board is depressed and that may remain a substantially constant distance from the sensor as the sensing surface rotates. Additionally, the system may include a microprocessor operatively coupled to the sensor that receives signals from the sensor corresponding to motion of the sensing surface. Based on sensed changes such as changes in position, velocity, or acceleration, the microprocessor may determine whether the beater has contacted a drum face and, if so, may send an output signal to a stomp box, drum brain or similar element, with the amplitude of this output signal proportional to strength of the hit.

Abstract: A drum pedal assembly for connecting a first pedal to a support holding a beater arm may include a telescoping transmission shaft having yokes attached to shaft ends, yokes having bosses, universal joints rotatably attached to bosses and using trunnions, second yokes having bosses attached to universal joints using additional trunnions. The second yokes may rotatably attach a drive assembly rotatably attached to first pedal and an attachment arbor attached to beater arm to facilitate rotation of beater arm when first pedal is depressed. Configuration of assembly, including that of universal joints, may help reduce backlash or vibration in assembly.

Abstract: A drum pedal, having a drive assembly supported by a pedestal, may include a drive shaft, a rotatably adjustable drive ring, and a rotatably adjustable beater ring. In another aspect, a drum pedal may have a drive assembly supported by a pedestal comprising a journaled drive shaft, a rotatable bearing mounted off center of the drive shaft, a spring, and a biasing arm pivotally mounted on the pedestal, wherein the bearing and the spring cooperate to bias the arm toward a predetermined rest position. A linkage may operatively connect a foot board and the drive ring and may have means for selectively defining a connection to the foot board from one of plurality of positions. A beater may have a stem affixed to the beater ring. The beater may be actuated to a forward position when the foot board is depressed. The foot board may be biased toward a raised position and the beater may be biased toward a rearward position.

Abstract: A drum pedal assembly for connecting a first pedal to a support holding a beater arm may include a telescoping transmission shaft having yokes attached to shaft ends, yokes having bosses, universal joints rotatably attached to bosses and using trunnions, second yokes having bosses attached to universal joints using additional trunnions. The second yokes may rotatably attach a drive assembly rotatably attached to first pedal and an attachment arbor attached to beater arm to facilitate rotation of beater arm when first pedal is depressed. Configuration of assembly, including that of universal joints, may help reduce backlash or vibration in assembly.

Abstract: A bass drum beater may include a shaft having a length, a beater head fixable to a selected position along the length, and a connector engageable to the beater head and to the shaft to secure the position. The beater head may form an angle with respect to the shaft and the angle may be adjustable along a range, which may be about 20 degrees to either side of perpendicular. A bass drum beater may also include a shaft, a beater head having a drumward side and a hole to engage the shaft, a beater face attachable to the drumward side, and a means for holding the beater head in a longitudinal position and an angular position with respect to the shaft, wherein the longitudinal position and the angular position are adjustable. The means may include a bushing around the hole and a screw engaging the bushing.

Abstract: A bass drum beater may include a shaft having a length, a beater head fixable to a selected position along the length, and a connector engageable to the beater head and to the shaft to secure the position. The beater head may form an angle with respect to the shaft and the angle may be adjustable along a range, which may be about 20 degrees to either side of perpendicular. A bass drum beater may also include a shaft, a beater head having a drumward side and a hole to engage the shaft, a beater face attachable to the drumward side, and a means for holding the beater head in a longitudinal position and an angular position with respect to the shaft, wherein the longitudinal position and the angular position are adjustable. The means may include a bushing around the hole and a screw engaging the bushing.

Abstract: A drum pedal, having a drive assembly supported by a pedestal, may include a drive shaft, a rotatably adjustable drive ring, and a rotatably adjustable beater ring. In another aspect, a drum pedal may have a drive assembly supported by a pedestal comprising a journaled drive shaft, a rotatable bearing mounted off center of the drive shaft, a spring, and a biasing arm pivotally mounted on the pedestal, wherein the bearing and the spring cooperate to bias the arm toward a predetermined rest position. A linkage may operatively connect a foot board and the drive ring and may have means for selectively defining a connection to the foot board from one of plurality of positions. A beater may have a stem affixed to the beater ring. The beater may be actuated to a forward position when the foot board is depressed. The foot board may be biased toward a raised position and the beater may be biased toward a rearward position.

Abstract: A snare drum strainer mountable to the shell of a drum comprises a piston and an actuator. The piston has an axis and a surface curved about an axis generally parallel to the piston axis, and the piston is operatively connected to snares. The actuator and the curved surface rotate one with respect to the other about an axis generally parallel to the piston axis to reciprocate the piston and to tension and untension the snares. In another embodiment, the piston includes a generally cylindrical surface with a generally helical groove, the piston is operatively connected to snares, and the actuator includes a follower insertable into the generally helical groove. The follower and the generally cylindrical surface rotate one with respect to the other to reciprocate the piston and tension and untension the snares.

Abstract: A snare drum strainer mountable to the shell of a drum comprises a piston and an actuator. The piston has an axis and a surface curved about an axis generally parallel to the piston axis, and the piston is operatively connected to snares. The actuator and the curved surface rotate one with respect to the other about an axis generally parallel to the piston axis to reciprocate the piston and to tension and untension the snares. In another embodiment, the piston includes a generally cylindrical surface with a generally helical groove, the piston is operatively connected to snares, and the actuator includes a follower insertable into the generally helical groove. The follower and the generally cylindrical surface rotate one with respect to the other to reciprocate the piston and tension and untension the snares.