Music – Instruments – Wind
Patent
1989-03-01
1991-03-12
Franklin, Lawrence R.
Music
Instruments
Wind
84452P, G10D 702
Patent
active
049984560
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention concerns a body construction of a wind instrument, applying which an elongated tube composed of one or several parts consisting of the body has been constructed, in which have been provided apertures openable and closable with separate keys as required for playing.
The tubular body parts of wind instruments, such as flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon, where in earlier times made of timber, wherefrom originates the common name of said instruments: woodwinds. Later however, other materials, in particular metals, have replaced wood. For instance, in the flute metal has since the 19th century been the dominant material even though the use of other materials, such as ceramics and glass has been known in the art.
The sound of a wind instrument within the tubular body of the instrument is generated by an oscillating air oclumn. The pitch of the sound depends on the length of the column, and for generating sounds of different pitches, apertures in the body are made, these bring openable and closable by the player with the aid of a separate key mechanism mounted on the body.
A significant matter regarding the playing properties of a wind instrument is the weight of said body, wherewith the blowing energy required for producing a sound is inversely proportional. Another equally significant matter is the rigidity of the body tube and the hardness of its inner surface; in a rigid tube it is easy to produce a sound while a soft tube generates a sound-absorbing effect. The optimal material of the body is such in which the ratio of rigidity and weight is most optimal, and in this respect, the metals have provided the best alternative up to date.
The object of the present invention is to provide a new design with which the playing properties of the instrument concerning the body structure of the instrument and the materials used therein can be made to be better than before. The invention is characterized in that the tube or its parts are made of plastic material reinforced with one or several fibre courses.
The instrument body of fibre-reinforced plastic of the invention can be made substantially lighter than the metal bodies used up to date, not to speak of the wooden bodies of old instruments. The fibre-reinforced plastic can be produced to be extremely rigid so that the ratio of body rigidity and weight essential from the point of view of the playing properties is provided to be on the whole more advantageous than in instrument bodies known in the art. The sound is therefore produced by using less blowing force, which facilitates the playing and therewith, also the learning to play.
An advantageous design of the invention is that the tube consisting of the body of the instrument or parts thereof, is/are made of epoxy plastic reinforced with carbon fibres, silicone carbide fibres, or boron fibers. For trying out the invention, a handmade flute has been produced from carbon fibres and epoxy plastic which in trial playing has entirely proved up to the expectations as to its playing properties and also tone quality. The body weight of the trial instrument was reduced to 26 g, which is a notable improvement over the conventional flute, the weight of its metal body being about 125 g, or with a flute made of wood, in which the body weight is about 250 g.
The present rigidity in the instrument body is gained by arranging the fibres to run in parallel with the body tube or its parts. However, it is moreover advantageous to arrange a second, transversal fibre course on the tube, with which the longitudinal cracking of said tube is prevented.
The present invention also concerns a procedure for making the body of a wind instrument comprising of the construction described above, in which procedure the body composed of one or several tubular parts is produced by making the tubular parts corresponding to said parts and providing them with apertures openable and closable with separate keys as required by playing. As taught by the invention, the tubular pieces are made of plastic material, with which are combined o
REFERENCES:
patent: 1455440 (1923-05-01), Hofinger
patent: 2219434 (1940-10-01), White
patent: 3308706 (1967-03-01), Brilhart
patent: 3880040 (1975-04-01), Kaman
patent: 4145948 (1979-03-01), Turner
patent: 4364990 (1982-12-01), Haines
patent: 4408516 (1983-10-01), John
LandOfFree
Body construction of a wind instrument and procedure for produci does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Body construction of a wind instrument and procedure for produci, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Body construction of a wind instrument and procedure for produci will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-442523