IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,354,577
Granted Patent B1
US 12,354,577 · App. 18/439,398 · Granted Jul 8, 2025

System and method for universal auxiliary footswitch

Inventors: Ryan Keller (Palmerton, PA); Thomas Anthony Murtaugh (Jim Thorpe, PA); Garrett Glen Hoskins (Bath, PA)
G10H1/348G10H2220/265
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,354,577
App. No.
18/439,398
Granted
Jul 8, 2025
Kind
B1
Abstract

A system and method for a universal aux footswitch for controlling digital guitar pedals. The footswitch has multiple internal control circuits which are selectable. The footswitch is compatible with diode based switching, Strymon, Meris, and Boss style digital guitar pedals. The footswitch has a mounting bracket with breakaway panels so that its size may be tailored to various size pedals.

Claims (11)

1. A universal auxiliary footswitch compatible with a diode based switching selection, a Strymon selection, a Meris selection, and a Boss style selection, wherein when on a specific selection, the universal auxiliary footswitch is compatible with that type of guitar pedal, wherein the universal auxiliary footswitch has a selector switch configured to select between four distinct circuit configurations corresponding to: a diode-based switching circuit, a first resistor-based switching circuit, a second resistor-based switching circuit with different resistance values from the first resistor-based switching circuit, and a normally-closed switching circuit.

2. The universal auxiliary footswitch of claim 1 , further comprising a TRS input from a secondary auxiliary footswitch or power input for the Boss style selection.

3. The universal auxiliary footswitch of claim 2 , further comprising a TRS output to a main effects pedal.

4. The universal auxiliary footswitch of claim 1 , further comprising a 9 volt power jack.

5. The universal auxiliary footswitch of claim 4 , further comprising a TRS output to a main effects pedal.

6. The universal auxiliary footswitch of claim 1 , further comprising one or more pressure plate switches activatable by pressing of a foot.

7. A universal auxiliary footswitch compatible with a plurality of different style guitar pedals combining circuitry for the plurality of different style guitar pedals into one housing wherein when on a specific selection, the circuitry is altered to provide compatibility for a main effects pedal corresponding to the specific selection, the universal auxiliary footswitch having a four way selector switch to route an electronic signal, the universal auxiliary footswitch having a two way selector switch to toggle circuitry between a passive circuit for a first selection and a second selection and a third selection and a powered circuit for enabling a fourth selection, wherein the universal auxiliary footswitch uses analog switches that open and runs the analog switches through integrated circuits such that the analog switches act as closed switches.

8. The universal auxiliary footswitch of claim 7 , further comprising a TRS input from a secondary auxiliary footswitch or power input for Boss style switching.

9. The universal auxiliary footswitch of claim 8 , further comprising a TRS output to the main effects pedal.

10. The universal auxiliary footswitch of claim 7 , further comprising a 9 volt power jack.

11. The universal auxiliary footswitch of claim 10 , further comprising a TRS output to the main effects pedal.

References Cited (21)
US 7754956B2 · Gain · 2010 [cited by examiner]
US 8138406B2 · Vinciguerra · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8609973B2 · D'Amours · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8802961B2 · Juszkiewicz · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 9012748B2 · Vumbaco et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9274745B2 · Clements et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 10192536B1 · Jin · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10515617B2 · Canivell Grifols et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10546568B2 · Packouz · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10923093B1 · Micek · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 20040144241A1 · Juskiewicz · 2004 [cited by examiner]
US 20040182230A1 · Vlant et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20050056142A1 · Mapleston et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20130327201A1 · Urry · 2013 [cited by examiner]
US 20160314772A1 · Alstad · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20180254030A1 · Mayo · 2018 [cited by examiner]
US 20200202828A1 · Scherbacovsky · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20230032698A1 · Aviv et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
GB 2456307A · 2009 [cited by applicant]
“GFI System Triple Switch—Universal Auxiliary Switches,” visionguitar.com. https://www.visionguitar.com/products/gfi-systems-triple-switch-universal-auxiliary-switches [Date accessed: Nov. 7, 2023]. [cited by applicant]
“One Control Aux-Switch,” reverb.com. https://reverb.com/p/one-control-aux-switch?ended_listing=67697791 [Date accessed: Nov. 7, 2023]. [cited by applicant]