(19)
(11) EP 0 447 147 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
16.06.1993 Bulletin 1993/24

(43) Date of publication A2:
18.09.1991 Bulletin 1991/38

(21) Application number: 91301986.5

(22) Date of filing: 11.03.1991
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)5G10B 3/14, H01H 3/14
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR GB IT NL SE

(30) Priority: 14.03.1990 US 494146
17.01.1991 US 643548

(71) Applicant: RODGERS INSTRUMENT CORPORATION
Hillsboro, Oregon 97214 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Rohde, Mark Waldo
    Scio, Oregon 97374 (US)
  • Kirkwood, George Thomas
    Hillsboro, Oregon 97214 (US)
  • Schalk, Dick Gerret
    Portland, Oregon 97206 (US)
  • Brown, Roger Thomas
    Hillsboro, Oregon 97123 (US)
  • Smythe, Robert Lewis
    Beaverton, Oregon 97005 (US)

(74) Representative: Yelland, William Alan et al
c/o H.N. & W.S. SKERRETT Charles House 148/9 Great Charles Street
Birmingham B3 3HT
Birmingham B3 3HT (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Pedal board for a musical instrument


    (57) A pedal board for musical instruments. Pedal mounting, guide, and electrical switch mechanisms are provided in a pedal board for an electronic organ. Each pedal (50) is mounted by a cylindrical pin (54) attached to the back end (56) of the pedal and to the base (52) of the pedal board by an interference fit. A similar, guide pin (60) is attached to the front end (62) of the pedal by an interference fit. The guide pin fits loosely in an aperture which limits lateral movement of the pin and, thence, of the pedal itself. The lower end of the guide pin actuates an elastomer electric switch (68) when the pedal is pressed down. The elastomeric electric switch is mounted on a printed circuit board (114), and includes a chamber (102) having a bell-shaped wall (104) attached to a support strip by weakened edges (126) and may be enclosed at the bottom by a diaphragm (124). The wall carries conductive elements (122). The conductive element shorts contacts (118) on the printed circuit board when the chamber is compressed by the guide pin. Pedal board tension and resiliency is providing by the mounting pin and/or by a bias spring (148).





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