Embedded Patch Cord for Effects Pedalboard Signal Routing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing music effects pedalboards face issues with patch cords extending between opposite sides of the board, leading to tangling, tripping hazards, and interference with sound quality due to slack or misconnection between effects pedals in different rows.
Innovation Solution
A music pedalboard with a built-in, shielded patch cord embedded or adhered to the bottom face, connecting the output of the last effects pedal in one row to the input of the first effects pedal in the next row, preventing external interference and tangling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a patch cord is used to connect the last effects pedal in one row to the first effects pedal in the next row on a pedalboard, then the connection between pedals is established, but the patch cord extends above the top of the pedalboard and creates tangling, tripping hazards, and interference with sound quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds the patch cord within the pedalboard structure itself, transitioning the cord from an external element extending above the board to an integrated element within the board's thickness. This dimensional change eliminates the cord's exposure to the environment where it could cause tangling and interference, while maintaining its electrical connection function between pedals in different rows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patch cord is nested within the pedalboard's internal structure, with the cord housed inside the board's body rather than extending externally. This nesting approach allows the cord to remain accessible for connections while being protected from external interference and eliminating the harmful effects of exposed cords.
2Ease of operation
If a patch cord extends above the top of the pedalboard to connect pedals on opposite sides, then connectivity is achieved, but the cord can get stuck on pedals, tangled with other cords, or collect on the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic portion of the patch cord from the external environment and repositions it within the pedalboard's internal structure. By removing the cord from the space above the board where it could interact with pedals and other cords, the invention eliminates the mechanical interference issues while preserving the electrical connection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedalboard itself acts as an intermediary structure that houses and protects the patch cord. Rather than allowing the cord to freely extend through the environment, the board provides a protected pathway within its structure, mediating between the need for connection and the need to avoid interference.
3Productivity
If patch cords are used to connect effects pedals in multiple rows, then signal transmission is enabled, but the cords create tripping hazards and interfere with proper pedal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention relocates the patch cord from the vertical space above the pedalboard to the horizontal plane within the board's thickness. This dimensional repositioning eliminates the cord's presence in the tripping hazard zone while maintaining its signal transmission function between pedals.
Data Source
AI summary
A music pedalboard having a built-in patch cord and designed for use with a plurality of effects pedals is provided. The pedalboard includes a board designed to receive a first set of effects pedals arranged along a first row on the board and a second set of effects pedals arranged along a second row on the board, and a patch cord coupled to the bottom face of the board and having a first end coupled to a first side face of the board and a second end coupled to a second opposing side face of the board. The first end of the patch cord operably connects to an output of a last effects pedal in the first set of effects pedals and the second end of the patch cord operably connects to an input of a first effects pedal in the second set of effects pedals.