Pedal Board with Segmented Compartments and Cable Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pedal boards for electric guitars and electronic instruments face challenges in managing and organizing pedal devices, connectors, and cords, leading to disarray and misconnections, especially when using multiple devices, which complicates real-time operation and increases the risk of errors.

Innovation Solution

A pedal board system with a planar, single-piece housing featuring fenestrations and side trusses that allow for customizable positioning and management of devices, along with a semi-rigid pedal device cover for secure engagement, providing easy access and visibility while preventing accidental disconnections, and optionally incorporating an illumination display for enhanced visibility and aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple pedal devices are placed on the pedal board to expand functionality, then the quantity of equipment increases, but the arrangement and management of devices and cords becomes disorganized and difficult to control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequantity of pedal devicesVSAvoidcomplexity of arrangement and management

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pedal board is divided into multiple compartments that segment the board surface into distinct zones. Each compartment can hold one or more pedal devices, creating natural organizational groups. This segmentation allows musicians to manage multiple devices systematically rather than having them scattered randomly across the board surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Cable management channels serve as intermediary structures that guide and route cords between compartments and along the board edges. These channels act as mediators between the pedal devices and the external environment, organizing cable paths and preventing cords from creating disarray across the board surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If fenestrations are added to the pedal board to improve accessibility of pedal devices, then the ease of operation improves, but the visibility and organization of equipment becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of pedal devicesVSAvoidvisibility of equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The pedal board employs different panel types in different locations: transparent panels in areas where visibility is needed (such as front viewing areas) and opaque panels in areas where device placement and cable management are priorities. This local differentiation of material properties allows the board to simultaneously provide visibility where needed and organized device placement where required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid structure is used for the pedal board to provide stability, then the stability of the board improves, but the flexibility in positioning and customization of devices is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of pedal boardVSAvoidflexibility in positioning devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pedal board incorporates adjustable components such as movable compartments, repositionable cable management channels, and adjustable panel configurations. These dynamic elements allow the board's structure to be modified and reconfigured based on the specific needs of different pedal setups, providing both stability during use and flexibility during setup and customization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If cords and connectors are managed at floor level to simplify connections, then the ease of connection improves, but the risk of misconnections and disarray increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of connectionVSAvoidrisk of misconnections

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Cable management channels and designated cable pathways serve as intermediary structures that guide cords between compartments and along the board edges. These channels organize cable routing and prevent cords from creating disarray across the board surface, reducing the risk of misconnections while maintaining ease of connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The board provides pre-planned cable routing paths and designated connection areas that are prepared in advance. This preliminary organization of cable pathways and connection zones guides users through the connection process systematically, reducing the likelihood of misconnections before they occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11417301B2Pedal board and system

Publication Date: 2022.08.16 STANLEY ALICIA HARVEY

AI summary

The embodiments described herein relates to the field of musical instrumentation and associated equipment. More specifically, the embodiments pertain to a pedal board and system that manages equipment associated with electric guitars as well as other musical instruments, namely foot-controlled and floor-located devices, such as special effect devices and foot pedals. The pedal board of the embodiments provides external viewability of the equipment and can include an illuminated display assembly.