Configurable Foot Pedal Support Assembly for Keyboard Stands

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional foot pedal supports for musical instruments, such as synthesizers and keyboards, are prone to movement and sliding during performances, leading to missed inputs and performance errors.

Innovation Solution

A configurable foot pedal support assembly featuring a telescoping main body with adjustable clamps, each equipped with a pivotable clamp finger and a conically tapered depression, allowing secure attachment to keyboard stand foot tubes and providing a stable platform for foot pedals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If foot controllers are placed on the floor between the lower feet of the stand, then the setup is simple and accessible, but the foot controllers move or slide during performance leading to missed inputs

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccessibility of foot controllersVSAvoidStability of foot controllers during performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support assembly is divided into separate clamp units that can independently secure foot controllers at different positions, allowing each controller to be stabilized individually while maintaining overall system accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The foot controllers are pre-positioned and secured to the support assembly before performance begins, eliminating the movement and sliding issues that occur during high-energy performances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional square stands are used with adjustable height, then the support height is customizable, but the foot controllers still slide and move during use

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAdjustable height of supportVSAvoidSecurity of foot controller positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp fingers feature curved or rounded contact surfaces that conform to the shape of foot controllers, providing friction-based grip that prevents sliding while maintaining adjustable positioning capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The support assembly incorporates adjustable parameters including height, clamp pressure, and horizontal positioning, allowing optimization of both accessibility and security for different performance conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If foot controllers are secured with fixed positioning, then movement is prevented, but the ability to adjust for different performance needs is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveStability of foot controller positioningVSAvoidAdjustability for different performance conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support assembly features dynamically adjustable components including movable clamps, telescoping sections, and rotatable joints that allow the structure to adapt its configuration while maintaining secure footing during performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support assembly is designed with multi-functional capabilities to accommodate different foot controller types, positions, and performance requirements through a single adjustable system rather than fixed positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a stable, adjustable, and secure mechanism for positioning and retaining foot pedals, reducing the likelihood of performance errors by minimizing pedal movement during use.

Implementation Method 1

The rounded lower surface of the knob engages at least a portion of the conically tapered depression to cause the clamp finger to pivot about the pin in a first direction to exert a clamping force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 2

a torsion spring disposed about the pin and resisting the pivoting in the first direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250054467A1Configurable foot pedal support assembly

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 TWEEDIE DAVID R

AI summary

A foot pedal support assembly is provided for musical instrument stands such as keyboard stands. The foot pedal support assembly connects to the musical instrument stand and provides mounting for a foot pedal such as a musical instrument effects pedal, sustain pedal, or the like. The foot pedal support assembly is adjustable to accommodate different musical instrument stands with different dimensions and may be securely clamped to the musical instrument stand and unclamped from the musical instrument stand with integrated clamps that accommodate different sizes of musical instrument stands.