US 12,254,856 B1Granted

Electronic hi-hat cymbal

AssigneeGuitar Center, Inc.

InventorsDavid Simmons, Jeffrey R. Laity

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Abstract

There is disclosed an electronic hi-hat system having a movable upper housing separated from a stationary lower housing by a spring, with the upper housing having a simulated cymbal attached thereto. The upper housing and simulated cymbal connect through a central vertical rod to a lower foot pedal, with the entire structure being supported by a stand on which the lower housing mounts. The lower housing has a Hall effect sensor mounted thereon, and the upper housing has a permanent magnet aligned with and arranged to reciprocate vertically alongside the Hall effect sensor. The position of the magnet on the movable upper housing, and thus the simulated cymbal, is detected by Hall effect sensor which generates signals that can be transmitted, processed, and amplified into simulated high-hat cymbal sounds.

Claims23

Dependent claims

An electronic hi-hat cymbal, comprising:

a vertical cymbal stand;
a stationary housing mounted at an upper end of the stand;
a foot pedal mounted to a lower end of the stand configured to be depressed by a user's foot and having a return spring, the foot pedal being connected to a vertical rod that extends up through a bore in the stand to an upper portion positioned above the stationary housing;
a movable housing mounted to the upper portion of the rod wherein vertical movement of the rod causes the movable housing to move adjacent to the stationary housing, and the movable housing moves upward from a down position limited by impact between the movable housing and the stationary housing;
wherein one of the movable housing and stationary housing has a permanent magnet thereon with opposite poles vertically spaced apart and the other of the movable housing and stationary housing has a Hall effect sensor thereon configured to generate an electronic signal, with the magnet and Hall effect sensor being aligned so as to reciprocate vertically alongside each other when the foot pedal is depressed;
a return spring positioned to bias the movable housing upward;
a simulated cymbal mounted to a top end of the rod that moves vertically with the movable housing;
and
at least one additional electronic positioning sensor that generates an electronic signal upon impact between the movable housing and the stationary housing.

6 more elements

An electronic hi-hat cymbal, comprising:

a vertical cymbal stand;
a stationary housing mounted at an upper end of the stand having a tubular main body and a lower bulkhead at a bottom end of and extending radially outward from the tubular main body;
a foot pedal mounted to a lower end of the stand configured to be depressed by a user's foot and having a return spring, the foot pedal being connected to a vertical rod that extends up through a bore in the stand to an upper portion positioned above the stationary housing;
a movable housing mounted to the upper portion of the rod having a lower flange at a bottom end of and extending radially outward from a tubular cup having a downward cavity that surrounds the tubular main body, wherein vertical movement of the rod causes the tubular cup to move adjacent to the tubular main body, and the movable housing moves upward from a down position limited by impact between the movable housing and the stationary housing;
wherein one of the tubular cup and tubular main body has a permanent magnet thereon with opposite poles vertically spaced apart and the other of the tubular cup and tubular main body has a Hall effect sensor thereon configured to generate an electronic signal, with the magnet and Hall effect sensor being aligned so as to reciprocate vertically alongside each other when the foot pedal is depressed;
a return spring positioned to bias the movable housing upward;
and
a simulated cymbal mounted to a top end of the rod that moves vertically with the movable housing.

5 more elements

An electronic hi-hat cymbal, comprising:

a vertical cymbal stand;
a stationary housing mounted at an upper end of the stand;
a foot pedal mounted to a lower end of the stand configured to be depressed by a user's foot and having a return spring, the foot pedal being connected to a vertical rod that extends up through a bore in the stand to an upper portion positioned above the stationary housing;
a movable housing mounted to the upper portion of the rod wherein vertical movement of the rod causes the movable housing to move adjacent to the stationary housing, and the movable housing moves upward from a down position limited by impact between the movable housing and the stationary housing;
wherein one of the movable housing and stationary housing has a permanent magnet thereon with opposite poles vertically spaced apart and the other of the movable housing and stationary housing has a Hall effect sensor thereon configured to generate an electronic signal, with the magnet and Hall effect sensor being aligned so as to reciprocate vertically alongside each other when the foot pedal is depressed;
wherein the stationary housing has a tubular main body and the Hall effect sensor is mounted in a sidewall thereof, and the movable housing has a tubular cup that surrounds the tubular main body, wherein the magnet is mounted in a sidewall of the tubular cup radially outward from the Hall effect sensor;
a return spring positioned to bias the movable housing upward;
and
a simulated cymbal mounted to a top end of the rod that moves vertically with the movable housing.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/887,796Filed 17 Sep 2024 · us provisional application
Priority: 11 Mar 2024
Granted: 18 Mar 2025
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

G10H 3/146
Using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means: using a membrane, e.g. a drum; Pick-up means for vibrating surfaces, e.g. housing of an…
G10H 3/26
Incorporating feedback means, e.g. acoustic: using electric feedback
G10H 1/0008
Details of electrophonic musical instruments: associated control or indicating means
G10H 1/348
Structural association with individual keys: switches actuated by parts of the body other than fingers