Music – Instruments – Wind
Patent
1997-09-11
1999-05-04
Shoop, Jr., William M.
Music
Instruments
Wind
84380R, G10D 708
Patent
active
059005629
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a wind instrument, such as a saxophone, clarinet, flute, bassoon, oboe or instrument provided with closure members.
Such a wind instrument comprises a basic body in which extends at least one central duct which is bounded by a peripheral wall of the basic body. Formed in the peripheral wall is a number of holes which connect duct with the surrounding air. At least a number of these openings can be opened and closed by means of closure members mounted on the instrument. Particularly the pitch which is produce is determined by the open or closed position of the closure members during playing of the instrument, wherein generally the higher the position of the closure member which is opened, the higher the pitch obtained.
In known wind instruments of this type the closure members comprise in each case a cup-shaped holder which forms part of the control means and wherein a closure pad is fixed, for instance with sealing wax. This closure pad constitutes the closure member which can close and leave clear the associated opening in the peripheral wall. According to the prior art the closure pad is for instance composed of a felt cushion bounded by leather. In some cases a basic layer of cardboard is also used as well as a thin plate of metal or plastic riveted thereto.
For good operation of the wind instrument it is essential that the closure members do indeed close properly in the closed position. Even in the case of a minor leakage the desired tone or tones cannot be produced, or in any case not properly. Accurate arrangement of the closure members is therefore of great importance. This is particularly the case when a plurality of closure members is closed simultaneously with common control means.
The closure pads must be replaced regularly due to wear and/or deforming thereof. This is a time-consuming and costly process. The closure pads are usually secured in the cup-shaped holders with sealing wax and, when a complete engagement in the closed position is not already obtained initially, a precise adjustment of the closure pads is subsequently obtained by arranging small fillings, for instance of paper or cardboard, behind the cushions so that the closure members seal properly over the whole periphery and/or so that the simultaneously closing closure members are completely sealed.
The invention has for its object to provide a wind instrument of the type stated in the preamble wherein said drawbacks of known instruments occur to a lesser degree.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention this is achieved by applying the characterizing feature of claim 1. Due to the plate of stiff material the closure member will automatically make a good engagement on the whole periphery of the opening when it is pressed against the opening. Due to this engaging position of the closure member coupled to the control means, the correct position of the closure member relative to the opening is achieved at once. Due to the yieldable means the closing stroke and the height of lift of the closure member of the one opening can adapt yieldably, i.e. automatically, to the closing stroke respectively height of lift of the closure member of another opening, said two openings being controlled simultaneously by means of common control means. This prevents the one closure member leaking when the other closure member which is coupled thereto is already closed. By applying this inventive step the mutual adjustment of these mutually coupled closure member no longer requires an extremely precise adjustment. Replacement of closure members hereby becomes very simple. Adjustment operations are no longer necessary, or hardly so. The control mechanism is subjected to a lesser degree of wear and the stop corks of the control mechanism are trapped less frequently, resulting in a longer lifespan.
Particularly in a known saxophone wherein the closure members can have very large dimensions, the closure pad has a marked influence on the sound in that it functions as a muffing area. Particular
REFERENCES:
patent: 1401872 (1921-12-01), Buescher
patent: 2534660 (1950-12-01), Collis
patent: 3205752 (1965-09-01), Carruthers
patent: 3501991 (1970-03-01), Carruthers et al.
patent: 4704939 (1987-11-01), Straubinger
patent: 4729275 (1988-03-01), Elbaz
Hsieh Shih-yung
Shoop Jr. William M.
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