Saxophones Patents (Class 84/385R)
  • Patent number: 6143969
    Abstract: A mouth-pipe of a saxophone is disclosed. A mouth-pipe is covered on a top of a saxophone wind tube. A high pitch hole is installed on the upper end of the mouth-pipe which is pivotally installed with an octave key. A key cover is installed at the inner surface of the upper end of the octave key, and the key cover presses against the high pitch hole of the mouth-pipe. A ring is formed at the lower end of the octave key. A push rod connected to a high pitch key is installed above the saxophone wind tube. If the high pitch key does not press the high pitch hole, a high pitch is emitted; while if the high pitch key is released, a low pitch is emitted; Two long ear seats facing with one another are installed at the pivotal position of the octave key, and a convex point is formed at a lower end of each long ear seat. Two opposite long pivotal seats are placed at the pivotal positions of the mouth-pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventor: Wei-Fu Lin
  • Patent number: 6080924
    Abstract: An acoustical reflector (10) formed by a pair of assembled panels (17, 18), each of which including one or more mouths (45) spaced from one another in ring-like fashion about a centrally disposed opening (27) for the reflector (10), the panels (17, 18) rotatably adjustable independently of one another. Each pair of mouths (45) between the panels (17, 18) cooperate to provide a channel (47) through the panels (17, 18) in the adjustability of the panels. Channel (47) is variable in its capacity for transmitting sound through the reflector (10) and for reflecting sound by utilizing the reflecting surface of one of the outer panel faces (either 21 or 22) with a portion of a facing surface (either 23 or 24) of the alternate panel to reflect back the sound to its source or instrument player's ear(s) for a determination of tonal blend, accurate pitch, or volume balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventors: Norman Cowen, Christopher Weik
  • Patent number: 6037533
    Abstract: A set of attachments for securing to the thumb rest of a saxophone and its adjacent octave key which helps the beginning student and professional players alike to maintain a more natural and proper left hand placement relative to the instrument. The attachments include a polymeric, saddle shaped pad adapted to fit over the left hand thumb rest of the saxophone and a curved, polymeric pad attachable to the adjacent octave key, both attachments adhered to the instrument by an adhesive, the attachments maintaining proper alignment of the left thumb perpendicularly to the octave key and the left hand in a proper, relaxed playing and holding position, the curved octave key pad being of sufficient height and shape to allow a smooth, sliding transition, thus allowing the left thumb to depress the octave key without leaving the thumb rest or changing relative angle position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Clinton A. Runyon
  • Patent number: 5990399
    Abstract: A removable key attachment has been developed which when adjustably attached to the low C-sharp spatula of a saxophone, having an articulated C-sharp, enables the player to depress the low C-sharp lever with the heal of the left hand. Thereby, leaving the little finger of the left hand free to press the low B or B-flat key without sliding from key to key, producing a much smother passage with much greater speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Inventor: Clinton A. Runyon
  • Patent number: 5990398
    Abstract: A key-pad operating mechanism of the saxophone for forcibly separating a normally closed key-pad from the tone hole seat via an arm using the leverage principle by pressing the operating lever for the normally closed key-pad even if the normally closed key-pad is stuck to the tone hole seat. The mechanism can easily open the normally closed key-pad without affecting any traditional maneuverability of the instrument and prevents key-pads from becoming inoperable during a play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Nonaka Boeki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideki Nonaka
  • Patent number: 5949007
    Abstract: Ready movement of a thumb between positional placement locations on a woodwind musical instrument is provided by incorporating a roller within a thumb transfer device. The thumb transfer device comprises a thumb position combination having a thumb rest, a thumb key and a roller situated between the thumb rest and the thumb key. The thumb enjoys a rolling contact with the roller during the transfer. Height adjustment means allow the musician to adjusted the relative height of the various components to ensure a comfortable orientation during play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Dick J. Rumore
  • Patent number: 5898116
    Abstract: An improved plate assembly of woodwinds comprising a body being longitudinally provided with a plurality of tone holes is provided. Each of the tone holes is provided with a pair of posts at both sides. A copper shaft is pivotally mounted within the posts. A plate which may cover the tone hole is pivotally mounted onto the copper shaft. The lower portion of one of the posts is disposed with a resilient pin. The copper shaft is disposed with a projected pin shaft and a depressing key rod. The resilient pin is disposed such that the projected pin shaft is biased. When the depressing key rod is depressed, the copper shaft is rotated and the tone hole can be opened or closed by the plate to generate a special tone. The upper portion of the post is provided with a ball socket and both ends of the copper shaft are provided with a mounting hole respectively. One of the mounting hole of the pipe is provided with a groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Wei-Fu Lin
  • Patent number: 5796022
    Abstract: A wind instrument is described which includes an elongated tubular body and a helical member in the tubular body extending longitudinally therein for inducing a helical airflow in the tubular body from air blown into the mouthpiece. A helical member is also described for insertion within a wind instrument to induce helical airflow through at least part of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventor: Robert W. Miller
  • Patent number: 5736662
    Abstract: A hybrid electronic and acoustic musical instrument whose main section has an animal-like form, such as that of a cat or dog. Extending from the rear of the main section is a hollow tail section terminating in a mouthpiece and provided with a series of finger holes whereby the tail section functions as a recorder instrument. A series of push-button switches mounted on the animal-like body of the main section is connected to a Read-Only-Memory (ROM) housed in this body. Digitally stored in the ROM is a series of different recorded sounds similar to those which the animal represented by the main section is capable of producing, such as barks or meows but in quasi-musical form. When a particular push-button switch is depressed, the related digitally-stored sounds are read out of the ROM and converted to an analog signal which is amplified and reproduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Inventor: Donald Spector
  • Patent number: 5299486
    Abstract: A mounting arrangement for the key shaft of a musical instrument which has a finger pad and a key attached to the shaft for operating a valve on the instrument when the finger pad is moved is herein disclosed. The mounting arrangement includes a bearing at each end of the shaft, a blind hole in each end of the shaft, an elongated tapered pin in each blind hole, a spring in each blind hole urging the respective pin outwardly, and a tapered bore in each bearing receiving the respective pin. Also, each bearing has an extension to the bore, forming a lubrication passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Weril Instrumentos Musicais Ltd.
    Inventor: Roberto Weingrill
  • Patent number: 5208411
    Abstract: A saxophone comprises a tube member having one end portion gradually decreased in diameter toward a mouth piece, and a plurality of tone holes and an octave hole are formed in the tube member and the mouth piece, respectively, in association with a key mechanism and an octave key, wherein an enlarged portion is formed in one end portion of the tube member and larger in the inner diameter than adjacent portions thereof so that the depressed octave key allows the tube member to exactly produce a tone exactly twice as large in pitch as the previous tone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Fusao Satoh
  • Patent number: 5192821
    Abstract: A mouthpiece is disclosed for use with a single-reed woodwind instrument such as a clarinet or saxophone. The mouthpiece has a unique reed holding assembly which includes a slot for constraining lateral movement of a reed and facilitating its longitudinal positioning. The reed is held in place by a holding device that includes at least one resilient band seated in at least one locating groove formed about the circumference and disposed in a central region along the mouthpiece. In a preferred embodiment, the mouthpiece includes a chamber and proximal portion which are constructed of two distinct materials with different acoustical resonance properties, thereby providing improved tonal and acoustic performance. In the embodiment for use with a clarinet, the chamber portion includes clarinet sealing rings for forming a durable and tight seal with the barrel of the clarinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Inventors: Bradley Goldstein, Martin Goldstein
  • Patent number: 4825742
    Abstract: A system for the detachable fluidtight assembly of two interengaging elements of the acoustic tube of a wind instrument. The system comprises two half-collars which at one end are connected together in the assembled position by a connection means, while at their other end they are detachably connected together by at least one screw or the like, said half-collars gripping around the interengaged parts of said acoustic tube elements with the interposition of at least one seal between said half-collars and at least one of said elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Societe Anonyme dite: Henri Selmer & Cie
    Inventor: Jean Selmer
  • Patent number: 4798122
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Assignee: Walter Wretschitsch
    Inventors: Barbara Gisler, Werner Tomasi
  • Patent number: 4516463
    Abstract: In the construction of a key mechanism for wind instruments such as woodwind pad cups for two different tone holes are mounted to separate hinge rods by different keys which are separately spring biased for easy construction and adjustment of the mechanism with reliable protection of air leak at closing of the tone holes by the pad cups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fusao Satoh
  • Patent number: 4479413
    Abstract: A saxophone neck grease plug for use in storing a saxophone after use which comprises a body defined by an upper portion and a lower portion with the upper portion defining a hollow cavity which is charged with grease and closed with a cap, the lower portion having a smaller diameter than the upper portion consisting of flexible fingers for telescopic insertion into varied sized saxophone neck sockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1984
    Inventor: Juan Novo
  • Patent number: 4453445
    Abstract: A new right-hand, low register C-sharp key is provided for a saxophone, in addition to the conventional left-hand, low register C-sharp key. The saxophone may have the usual key shaft partially rotated by the conventional left-hand C-sharp key in order to open the low register C-sharp key on the saxophone. A new key is provided to be actuated by the little finger of the right-hand, which when actuated will open the same low register C-sharp valve, so that such valve may be actuated alternatively by either the right-hand or left-hand little finger. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Inventor: John H. Todd
  • Patent number: 4341146
    Abstract: A musical instrument combining a modified portion of a tenor saxophone with a modified portion of a soprano saxophone joined together by means of a bracket whereby one of the two instruments can be moved relative to the other to obtain proper alignment whereby the two instruments can be played simultaneously. Each of the two instruments is provided with its own mouthpiece whereby a musician may play two notes simultaneously. Each instrument is also fitted with a trumpet bell outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Inventor: Louis B. Massa
  • Patent number: 4328734
    Abstract: A wind instrument key in which the arm and foot portions are stabilized. The post supporting the hinge rod is also stabilized and the hinge rod is prevented from lateral movement in the post hole. A novel pad construction prevents air leaks due to shrinking of the pad cover. A means for resiliently contacting a tone hole cover prevents air leaks in combination type keys. A means for modulating energy radiated from the tone hole is included in the key structure. A spring containing means allows adjustable and removable mounting of springs on the key. A cluster of finger contact points includes a rigid plate containing the contact points with each contact point operatively associated with one or more tone hole covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1982
    Inventor: James M. Gebler
  • Patent number: 4296668
    Abstract: A reed protector for a woodwind instrument supported by a sleeve separate from the ligature which is used to hold the reed in place. A sleeve is provided with a pair of parallel protrusions extending from it, which protrusions have inner surfaces which face each other. A cap is pivotably mounted at one end on the protrusions and is held in a protective position by one set of lugs on the pivot member and in a playing position by a second set of lugs. The cap contains a foam material at its free end which aids in keeping the reed moist when the cap is in the protective position. Additionally, the cap may be used to carry an extra reed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1981
    Inventor: Robert A. Lorenzini
  • Patent number: 4250791
    Abstract: A key mechanism for musical wind instruments such as a saxophone is comprised of a plurality of, generally four sets of, collectively arranged flat finger pieces at least one of which is provided with a sinking incline in a rim portion adjacent to neighboring finger piece or pieces in order to enable smooth shifting of the little finger point on the key mechanism. More preferable, at least one of the finger pieces is provided with a rising incline in a rim portion remote from neighboring finger piece or pieces in order to block excessive finger point shifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1981
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsutoshi Tairadate
  • Patent number: 4148242
    Abstract: In a saxophone, a key located adjacent the thumb rest and linked to the B flat key for playing the B.music-flat. note in the lower register with the thumb of the left hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1979
    Assignee: Brass and Woodwind Shop, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore P. Woehr, Richard K. Kresic, James S. Sheppard
  • Patent number: 4145950
    Abstract: A peg stand for wind musical instruments. The peg has a solid base, a supporting shaft and a button-shaped top. The instrument rests on the base and is held in a vertical position by the button-shaped top. The peg has a weakened point which will fail if the instrument is subjected to excessive force, thereby protecting the instrument from being damaged. The button-shaped top has specially tapered corners which facilitate placement on and removal from the stand of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1979
    Inventor: Fred Glantz
  • Patent number: D339601
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Inventor: Edwin J. Diefes
  • Patent number: D374027
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Inventor: Kuo-Chung Lee
  • Patent number: D411565
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Inventor: Kuo-Chung Lee
  • Patent number: D419586
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventor: Chu-Rong Kuo