Abstract: Pad assemblies are described having novel backing disks, a cushion layer in contact with a surface of the backing disk, and a skin covering the cushion and at least one surface to the backing disk. The novel backing disks have a flexible outer collar that in conjunction with the cushion provides support for the pad's sealing surface and maintains an even tension on the pad's skin. Preferred embodiments providing additional support for the pad's sealing surface further utilize a backing disk having an inner collar, coaxial to the flexible outer collar, and have a cushion extending between the collars and over the inner collar. As a result of the improved support, fewer tears in the pad's skin result from repeated contacts with the tone hole and from fluctuations in the skin's moisture content.

Abstract: A woodwind instrument changes the pitch of sound by selectively closing and opening tone holes by means of a key mechanism, and a player manipulates the key mechanism so as to bring tampons respectively received in key cups into contact with edges defining the tone holes; when a manufacturer shapes the key cups, he forms grooves in the bottom portions of the key cups for regulating the key cup to appropriate weight, and the player feels the key-touch light and comfortable.

Abstract: A wind instrument is provided having a basic body in which extends a central duct which is bounded by a peripheral wall of the basic body, a plurality of openings in the peripheral wall which connect the duct with the surrounding air, a plurality of valves mounted on the basic body and each having a closure member co-acting with an opening and having a control assembly connected to the valves. The control assembly guides the closure member for movement between a closed position in which the opening is closed by the closure assembly and an open position in which the opening is left clear. The closure assembly has a plate of stiff material which is provided on the side facing toward the opening with sealing material and which in the closed position engages sealingly around the opening. The closure member is connected to the control assembly by a yieldable member.

Abstract: A bassoon equipped with a key mechanism is constructed by a tube which consists of a tenor joint, a double joint, a long joint and a bell joint. Herein, three sound holes corresponding to sounds of E, B.music-flat. and F.music-sharp. are located in the double joint. Three keys corresponding to E, B.music-flat., F.music-sharp. are provided to open or close the three sound holes respectively and are all manipulated by the fingering using only a thumb of a right hand of a performer. Herein, an E key which is the center of the three keys is specialized in construction. That is, the E key which is located to cover the E sound hole is constructed by a pad cup and a key body whose size is reduced as compared with the conventional one. Two recesses are formed at both sides of the key body respectively. In addition, two rollers are held by the two recesses above the pad cup.

Abstract: Novel stabilizing and adjusting disks are described in addition to a method utilizing the disks for aligning or seating the pad assembly of a woodwind instrument within its pad cup. The novel disks have flexible outer regions which can be made to conform to the contour of a tone hole surface or interface by applying an appropriate force against the stabilizing and adjusting disk combination. The stabilizing disk is held within the pad cup in an adjusted position by an adhesive or other material capable of being transformed from a liquid to a solid under the conditions utilized for adjustment of the pad assembly. Examples illustrate the method utilizing forces derived from magnetic fields and pressure differentials to cause the stabilizing and adjusting disks to conform to the tone hole surface. After adjustment, the adjusting disk is replaced with a pad assembly having an appropriate thickness.

Abstract: A pad to be mounted in a cup for closing a tone hole in a musical instrument, includes a rigid back plate having a generally planar base and a central raised collar; and a compliant cushion disposed on the back plate and around the collar and extending laterally at least to the edge of the back plate.

Abstract: A sealing pad assembly for closure of a wind instrument's tone hole and device for containing and securing the pad assembly. The pad's felt backing provides a soft support over the sealing surface of the tone hole to minimize noise but has a firm outer and central regions to minimize deformation of the pad surface and damage from abrasive contacts and to optimize the instrument's tone. The pad cup and retainer are designed to allow the retainer to pivot when the pad is leveled. As a result, stress is relieved which could otherwise damage the pad's surface or cause the pad nut to break away from the pad cup.

Abstract: A process for evenly seating a woodwind instrument tone hole sealing pad in the pad cup includes placing the pad on the tone hole rim, placing an at least partially magnetic element between the pad and cup; placing a solidifiable substance between the element and cup, and applying a magnetic force to the element to move the pad against the tone hole rim; the pad can be secured to the cup using a screw or other fastener or a solidifiable substance introduced before, during or after applying the magnetic force.

Abstract: A process for evenly seating a woodwind instrument tone hole sealing pad in the pad cup, and the tone hole sealing pad for accomplishing this even seating. The process contemplates placing the pad on the tone hole rim, applying a force to the rim to pull it against the tone hole rim, providing a substance between the pad and the cup for positioning the pad in the cup, and contacting the cup to the pad to position the pad in the cup while the pad is seated against the tone hole rim to provide an even seating cup pad assembly.

Abstract: A process for evenly seating a woodwind instrument tone hole sealing pad in the pad cup, and the pad assembly itself. The process contemplates placing the pad on the tone hole rim, applying a magnetic force to the pad to pull it against the tone hole rim, providing a substance between the pad and the cup for positioning the pad in the cup, and contacting the cup to the pad to position the pad in the cup while the pad is seated against the tone hole rim to provide an even seating cup pad assembly.

Abstract: A pad cushion for a pad for closing a tone hole of a musical instrument includes a base member including at least one recess; and a damping medium in the recess for increasing the axial conformability of the pad with the tone holes of the insrument while maintaining the lateral firmness of the pad potion contacting the tone hole.

Abstract: A simple form of woodwind instrument of the clarinet-type and flute-type is shown. Each instrument utilizes the same body made of PCV pipe and different sound generators of clarinet-type mouth pieces or flute-type head joints designed to fit the body. The instrument is intended for beginners in a general music classroom setting grades 1 through 6, possibly complementing the "Orff instrumentarium" of percussion instruments. The simplified instrument may be used along to provide "hands-on" introduction to the legitimate woodwind instruments (clarinets and flutes) in a step-by-step preparation for playing these instruments.

Abstract: A pad for use in a pad cup positioned over an opening in a musical instrument, the pad having a seal element which initially forms an impression of the rim of the opening and fixes the impression. The pad further includes a support member which carries the seal element to securely position the impression relative to the rim to seal the opening when the pad is brought to bear against the rim. The support element also damps vibrations generated when the seal element contacts the rim.

Abstract: In the construction of a bass range clarinet having a tubular body with an axial hole for air column vibration and tone holes for sound wave emanation, an additional radial hole is provided in communication with the axial hole to reduce sound wave reflection by an open pad for controlling the condition of each tone hole, thereby assuring generation of a brilliant and clarion tones.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of a wind instrument which, for varying the pitch, is provided with keys (6), which in turn are provided with compliant seal inlays (7), and wind instrument constructed in this manner, e.g., transverse flute, saxophone, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, piccolo. The seal inlays of the keys of the wind instrument, which are applied against the rim (5) of the holes (3) determining the pitch, are fitted to the rim of the holes to be closed by means of a nonrigid elastic plastic which is solidified in situ. During the molding, the keys are braced in the position corresponding to their closed position in the finished instrument by a brace which is removed after the molding or by a flexible covering which remains after the molding on the nonrigid elastic solidified plastic.

Abstract: The invention provides a pad fitting device for a wind musical instrument key. In this device, the center of the pad (2) is connected to the center of the bottom of the cup (3) by a spherical hinge (5, 6) allowing a free universal angular movement of pad (2) without rotation, so that the pad may assume any slanted position with respect to the cup (3) so as to be applied freely and uniformly at all points of the chimney (1) which it is to close, thus ensuring sealing even in the case of deformation of the key or of the pad (2). Furthermore, since the pad (2) is resiliently snap fitted, it may be replaced instantaneously.

Abstract: In construction of a pad for a pad cup of a woodwind, the outermost skin bag is internally provided, at least in the region where the pad cup contacts an associated sound hole in the woodwind, with an air impervious layer such as a bladder sheet to ensure that the sound hole will be closed with a high degree of airtightness and which will ensure that the desired pad configuration is maintained over a long period of time.

Abstract: A tone hole pad comprises a rigid backing disc but having a bendable margin and has at one face a recess between inner and outer coaxial collars to accommodate a cushion ring. Stretched across the radial faces of the collars and backed by the cushion ring is a membrane or skin as a sealing surface means that folds around the periphery of the rigid backing disc and is secured at the opposite face and is limited to a ringlike area. The support of the skin in a limited ringlike area on concentric collars effects a stability to resist and minimizes shrinkage or expansion, under ambient conditions, of the sealing surface that causes leakage. The periphery of the backing disc in one form of the invention is grooved to accommodate a tool for bending or marginally deforming one side of the disc to close leakage gaps caused by uneven contact on the rim of a tone hole. In a preferred form of the invention a similar but grooveless disc is backed by a non-bendable rigid disc.

Abstract: Woodwind or like musical instruments comprise a hollow body (2) pierced by tone holes (3) which are closable by means of respective finger-actuated keys (1). The keys may themselves optionally be pierced by further respective holes or orifices (11). A sealing pad (20) for such a key comprises a fixed annular portion (21) for fixing to the key, and a movable annular lip (23) suitable for being pinched between the fixed annular portion of the pad and the rim (4) of a tone hole when the tone hole is closed by the pad.

Abstract: A pad for the key cups of wind musical instruments for use in selectively sealing tone holes and spit holes, comprising a plastic disc made up of two layers, one of which is suited for sealing the hole and the other of which is less stiff and carries a layer of contact adhesive and a release paper. The invention is used by forcing the disc into the key cup which causes the paper to take a set on the inside concavity of the key cup thus exposing an annulus of adhesive coated surface. This annulus sticks to the sides of the key cup to securely hold the pad in place while automatically correcting for minor misalignments and the like. The pad is preferably made slightly oversized with respect to the key cup diameter.

Abstract: A piece of pad for use with a key cup of a woodwind musical instrument. The pad is made of either a silicone rubber only or a felt containing therein a silicone rubber, and has a flat and smooth bottom surface. The pad is fitted in the key cup with the bottom surface thereof facing a tone hole of the instrument. The silicone rubber assures desirable physical properties of the pad such as an appropriate elasticity or flexibility, and the tone hole of the instrument can be positively closed with the flat and smooth bottom surface of the pad upon pushing of the key cup by the instrument player.

Abstract: A pad for closing the tone hole of a woodwind instrument is formed of a disc of silicone rubber having a compression set at room temperature after 22 hours no greater than about 5%.The edge surfaces of the disc are tapered, and a backing disc of sheet material is provided to facilitate installation of the elastomer disc in many instruments.

Abstract: A musical horn has tubing with a flat interior side defining a side opening; a stopper plugs that opening and is flush with the interior side in closed position; and the stopper moves linearly toward and away from the side opening. Also, a tapered seat for the stopper flares toward multiple tone holes.

Abstract: A horn incorporates improvements in tubing support and sealing, water bleed control, valve stoppers, tone holes, tubing cross section, switch valve construction, finger key supports and connections, flexible valve elements, mouthpiece receiver and lead pipes.

Abstract: Improvement in sealing means for wind instruments wherein pads are mounted on the cups of keys which are actuated to open one or more tone holes on such instruments which holes are normally closed by the pads. The improvement resides in the pads being comprised of a first layer of a relatively soft, closed-cell, cross-linked polyethylene foam material which is adapted to enter the tone hole of such instruments and seal it off from the atmosphere thus preventing air leaks through such holes and a second layer, bonded to the first layer, of a greater rigidity than the first layer, of a closed-cell polyethylene foam material which is adapted to be secured to the key cup thus forming a pad having a long life and one which is unaffected by moisture.