Abstract: A rotary valve coupled into the principal sound path of a musical wind instrument for selectively inserting and removing one or more acoustic pipe segments from the sound path is disclosed. The valve includes a tapered housing enclosing a tapered lightweight rotor having at least one acoustic passage therethrough. The rotor is comprised of first and second axially coupled portions separated by a biasing spring tending to axially urge the portions apart. Each rotor acoustic passage is coupled inside the rotor to the rotor portions so as to permit the rotor portions to be axially separated from each other a predetermined distance while preserving the airtight seal between the rotor acoustic passage and each rotor portion. Hence, the rotor is axially self-adjusting in the valve housing, maintaining seal integrity of rotor apertures to housing apertures without periodic maintenance or adjustment.

Abstract: A rotary valve for selectively inserting and removing a slide loop from the sound path of a musical instrument is disclosed. The valve includes a rotor having an outer surface portion that is substantially conical and also includes a casing with a substantially conical inner surface portion that receives the outer surface portion of the rotor. Two sound passages entending through the rotor are no more than slightly curved. These passages align axially with the instrument's lead pipe, main bore, and slide loop ends so that a minimum of undesired harmonics are added to the tone of the instrument due to presence of the valve in the sound path.

Abstract: A rotary valve for selectively inserting and removing a slide loop from the sound path of a musical instrument is disclosed. The valve includes a rotor having two sound passages entending therethrough, which are no more than slightly curved. These passages align axially with the instrument's lead pipe, main bore, and slide loop ends so that a minimum of undesired harmonics are added to the tone of the instrument due to presence of the valve in the sound path.

Abstract: A rotary valve for selectively inserting and removing a slide loop from the sound path of a musical instrument is disclosed. The valve includes a rotor having two sound passages extending therethrough, one of the passages being straight and the other being only slightly curved. These passages align axially with the instrument's lead pipe, main bore, and slide loop ends so that a minimum of undesired harmonics are added to the tone of the instrument due to presence of the valve in the sound path.

Abstract: A musical instrument valve having two flexible, movable sound tubes in a casing is disclosed. By actuating a finger button, a musician can reposition the tubes to include a slide loop in the instrument's sound path.

Abstract: A grand piano hand truck comprising an elongated piano-receiving frame pivotally supportable on an A-frame jacking carriage is disclosed. A transport base positioned adjacent the carriage receives the piano and elongated frame so that the piano is supported on its side during transit.

Abstract: A rotary valve for selectively inserting and removing a slide loop from the sound path of a musical instrument is disclosed. The valve includes a rotor having two sound passages extending therethrough, one of the passages being straight and the other being only slightly curved. These passages align axially with the instrument's lead pipe, main bore, and slide loop ends so that a minimum of undesired harmonics are added to the tone of the instrument due to presence of the valve in the sound path.