GB2594462A

GB2594462A - Adaptable ligature assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2594462A
Application number: GB2006145.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Caruana Nicholas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-04-27
Filing date: 2020-04-27
Publication date: 2021-11-03
Also published as: GB202006145D0

Abstract

An adaptable ligature assembly 101 comprises: a frame 102, comprising first and second elongate frame members 104, 105, said frame members being fixed at their respective first and second remote ends to a preferably rectangular frame backplate 106; an adjustment assembly 103, comprising fixing members 107, 108 (for fixing the frame to the engagement means) and a first engagement member 109 (for engaging with a first side of the mouthpiece), said fixing members and first engagement member being releasably attached to one-another by way of the frame backplate; and a second engagement member 114 (for engaging with the reed and pressing it against a second side of the mouthpiece). The assembly provides a ligature, which can be adjusted at multiple points, to improve the ability to adjust the tensions at multiple points between a ligature, a reed and a mouthpiece of a wind instrument. Most particularly, providing an adjustable ligature that obviates the need for a musician to have multiple ligatures.

Description

ADAPTABLE LIGATURE ASSEMBLY

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an adaptable ligature assembly for use with wind instruments. More particularly, it relates to a ligature assembly, adapted to facilitate multi-point pressure adjustment for refinement of' reed-mouthpiece interactions

Background of the Invention

Ligatures are utilised by musicians who play wind instruments to secure a reed to the mouthpiece of said wind instrument, affecting the sound and response of the instrument. In principle, the ligature is secured about the mouthpiece and is tightened manually to secure the reed to the mouthpiece. The material of the ligature (metal or synthetic), its density, whether it is plated and the point of pressure on the reed all play large roles in affecting the sound produced by the instrument.

There are numerous designs of ligatures known in the art, all with their individual benefits and limitations. Perhaps the most common type of ligature being the "one-screw ligature". One-screw ligatures comprise an arched strip of material, profiled to wrap around the body of a wind instrument, the remote ends of the material having aligned screw channels for receiving a tightening screw. The screw runs parallelly to the strip of 2 0 material and transversely to the body of the wind instrument. The user of the instrument, turns the screw and in doing so, brings the two remote ends of the strip of material closer together, narrowing the circumference of the inner diameter of the strip of material. This process therefore tightens the material to the body of the wind instrument and allows the [1] user to secure a reed to the mouthpiece of said wind instrument. One key drawback of ligatures of this design is the issue of mouthpiece dampening, which comes as a result of poor control of the tightening effect. Another key issue is that the ligature does not allow the musician to adjust the pressure across the length of the reed. The result of mouthpiece dampening is severe on the resulting harmonics of the instrument and the notes which the musician may reasonably be able to achieve with the instrument.

An alternative design of ligature known as the "two-screw ligature" or "standard metal ligature", operates in largely an identical manner to the one-screw variant, albeit with one key improvement. Two-screw ligatures comprise an arched strip of material, 1 0 profiled to wrap around the body of a wind instrument, the remote ends of the material having two sets of aligned screw channels for receiving two tightening screws. The two screws allow the user to adjust tension about the top and bottom of the ligature, thereby allowing the ligature to more readily adapt to the varying profile of a wind instrument mouthpiece. However, this variant still presents with the key issue of mouthpiece dampening as a result of poor control of the tightening effect. Moreover, this variant still does not allow the musician to adjust the pressure across the entire length of the reed. One other notable issue which presents in existing ligatures is the need for the musician to have multiple ligatures for different types of instrument, said ligatures may also comprise different materials so as to facilitate the musicians harmonic requirements (fabric ligature vs metal ligature dependent on the size of the room to be played in and the brightness of the sound intended, as well as the two and one screw variants). The need for multiple ligatures is expensive, time consuming, and requires the musician to re-adjust the reed placement / holding each change of ligature so as to achieve the intended sound. [2]

Summary of the Invention

It is hence an object of the present invention to address the above shortfalls in the practicality and function of existing ligatures. Specifically, it is an object to provide a ligature, which can be adjusted at multiple points, to improve on the ability to adjust the tensions at multiple points between the ligature, the reed and the mouthpiece of a wind instrument. Most particularly, it is an object to provide an adjustable ligature that obviates the need for a musician to have multiple ligatures According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first adaptable ligature assembly, comprising; frame means, comprising first and second 1 0 elongate frame members, said frame members fixed at their respective first and second remote ends to a frame backplate; an adjustment assembly, comprising fixing means (for fixing the frame to the engagement means) and a first engagement means (for engaging with a first side of the mouthpiece), said fixing means and first engagement means being releasably attached to one-another by way of the frame backplate; and second engagement means (for engaging with the reed and pressing it against a second side of the mouthpiece) Preferably, the frame backplate is generally rectangular and is provided with first and second apertures.

More preferably, the first and second apertures are each adapted to receive fixing means of the adjustment assembly therethrough.

2 0 Most preferably, the first and second apertures are arranged so as to pass through the front and rear faces of the frame backplate and are provided with inner concentric [3] profiles, allowing for screws or other concentrically profiled members to be received therethrough.

Advantageously, fixing means comprises first and second fixing members, each having outer concentric profiles and being adapted to releasably engage with the inner concentric profile of the first and second apertures of the frame backplate, thereby allowing a user to screw each of the fixing members through the frame backplate More advantageously, the first and second fixing members are adapted to pass through the frame backplate by way of the first and second apertures and releasably attach to the first engagement member adjacent their respective second ends, thereby retaining the first engagement member within the frame of the assembly and ready for engagement with the mouthpiece of a wind instrument.

Most advantageously, the first and second fixing members can be adjusted independently to retract or protract the top edge or bottom edge of the first engagement member respectively, thereby allowing the user to adjust the interference fit between the 15 first engagement member and the mouthpiece of the wind instrument Preferably, the first and second apertures are spaced apart from one-another about a first axis and provide parallelly extending bores through the frame backplate about a second axis, thereby being aligned with one another and allowing a smoother function of the first and second Fixing members.

Preferably, the first engagement means comprises an engagement plate and an engagement pad. [4]

More preferably, the engagement plate is provided with first and second fixing member receiving apertures, mutually aligned with respect to the first and second apertures provided within the frame backplate, allowing for alignment and fixation with the first and second fixing members Most preferably, the engagement pad is releasably attached to the engagement plate about its first surface and is interchangeable with alternative engagement pads, allowing the user to replace worn pads or utilise pads of different materials for greater variability and tuning of the pad-reed interface.

Advantageously, the engagement pad comprises a strip of rubber for improved harmonics and reduced mouthpiece dampening upon overtightening.

Most advantageously, the second surface of the engagement pad has a concave profile so as to more closely align with the profile of the mouthpiece of wind instruments.

Preferably, the first and second frame members form generally U-shaped loops and are arranged adjacent the top two edges and bottom two edges of the frame backplate respectively so as to closely align with the profile of common wind instruments.

More preferably, the first and second frame members are arranged so as to project laterally away from the frame backplate and parallelly with respect to one-another about a horizontal axis so that they are aligned and interface equally with the wind instrument.

Most preferably, the first frame member is scaled to form a smaller internal looped 2 0 profile than the internal looped profile of the second frame member, thereby closely following the widening profile common within wind instrument mouthpieces. [5]

Advantageously, second engagement means is arranged to extend between the first and second frame members at the outermost point of their respective U-shaped profiles, providing frame rigidity and forming an interface for the reed.

More advantageously, second engagement means is provided with a generally concave inner profile to closely match the convex outer profile of a reed.

More advantageously, second engagement means comprises an elongate bar, having an engagement interface.

Most advantageously, the engagement interface of the elongate bar is configured to releasably engage with adaption means, for further manipulation of the ligature-reed 1 0 interface.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the second engagement means comprises an engagement plate.

Preferably, the first and second frame members are arranged so as to project laterally away from the frame backplate and parallelly with respect to one-another about a horizontal axis, each having a generally U-shaped inner profile so as to closely align with the profile of common wind instruments.

More preferably, the first frame member is scaled to form a smaller internal looped profile than that of the second frame member thereby closely following the widening profile common within wind instrument mouthpieces More preferably, the engagement plate is arranged to extend between the first and second frame members at the outermost point of their respective U-shaped profiles providing frame rigidity and forming an interface for the reed. [6]

Most preferably, the engagement plate is provided with a generally concave inner profile to closely match the convex outer profile of a reed.

Advantageously, the engagement plate is profiled to give optimum surface-surface interaction with a reed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the second engagement means comprises first and second engagement rods.

More preferably, the first frame member is scaled to form a smaller internal looped profile than that of the second frame member thereby closely following the widening profile common within wind instrument mouthpieces More preferably, the first and second engagement rods are arranged to extend between the first and second frame members providing frame rigidity and forming an interface for the reed.

More preferably, the first and second engagement rods are arranged to be spaced apart equally from the outermost point of the respective U-shaped profiles of the first and second frame members so as to engage with the outer edges of the reed as opposed to its 2 0 centre for adjusted harmonics.

Most preferably, each of the first and second engagement rods are provided with a generally concave inner profile to closely match the convex outer profile of a reed [7] Alternatively, the second engagement means comprises an engagement plate.

Advantageously, the first and second engagement rods are spaced apart and dimensioned to interact with no more than 90% of the surface area of the reed.

More advantageously, the first and second engagement rods are spaced apart and dimensioned to interact with no more than 70% of the surface area of the reed.

Most advantageously, the first and second engagement rods are spaced apart and dimensioned to interact with no more than 50% of the surface area of the reed [8]

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example, specific embodiments according to the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure la is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an adjustable ligature assembly, isolated and not in use; Figure lb is a second perspective view of the adjustable ligature assembly of Figure la, from an alternative angle.

Figure lc is a plan view from above the adjustable ligature assembly shown in Figure la; Figure id is a plan view from a first side of the adjustable ligature assembly shown in Figure I a; Figure le is a plan view from a first end of the adjustable ligature assembly shown in Figure la; Figure If is a plan view from a second end of the adjustable ligature assembly shown in Figure I a; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the adjustable ligature assembly, isolated and not in use; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the adjustable ligature assembly, isolated and not in use. [9]

Detailed Description of the Embodiments

Figures la -if Referring now to the Figures, and to Figures la -If in particular, a first adaptable ligature assembly 101 is shown. The first adaptable ligature assembly 101 comprises a frame (indicated generally at 102) and an adjustment assembly (indicated generally at 103). The frame 102 of the assembly 101 comprises first and second elongate frame members (104 and 105 respectively) and a frame backplate 106. The frame backplate 106 is generally rectangular in shape and provides a key structural role to the assembly 101. In this regard, the first and second elongate frame members 104, 105 are fixed at their respective first and second ends to the frame backplate 106. The first frame member 104 is attached adjacent the top two edges of the frame backplate 106. The second frame member 105 is attached adjacent the bottom two edges of the frame backplate 106. In particular, the first and second frame members 104, 105 are attached to the frame backplate 106 in such a way that their first and second respective ends are attached to the side faces of the frame backplate 106. In doing so, this limits the surface interaction of said frame members 104 and 105 with the mouthpiece of the wind instrument which the assembly 101 is to fit to. The first and second frame members 104, 105 form generally U-shaped loops, each member 104,105 extending laterally away from the frame backplate 106 so as to form U-shaped loops that project away from and transverse to the body of the frame backplate 106.

The first and second frame members 104, 105 are parallelly aligned with respect to a first axis (the horizontal axis) and arranged to substantially overlap on top of one-another (with respect to a second (vertical) axis). [10]

The first and second frame members 104, 105, having a U-shaped profile, form an internal U-shaped looped profile for surface interaction with the mouthpiece of a wind instrument. In particular, the first frame member 104 is slightly smaller in scale than the second frame member 105, thereby providing an internal U-shaped looped profile with a smaller circumference. Accordingly, the first and second frame members 104, 105 are arranged spaced apart from one another, extend parallelly from the backplate 106 and have selectively different internal circumferences so as to accommodate typical mouthpieces utilised with wind instruments. In this regard, the user slides the assembly 101 over the mouthpiece of a wind instrument, whereupon the first frame member 104 will abut a first 1 0 section of the mouthpiece (towards the top of said mouthpiece) whilst the second frame member 105 will simultaneously abut a second section of said mouthpiece (further down from the first). When in this state, the sides of said mouthpiece are in contact with the first and second frame member 104, 105, whilst the back of the mouthpiece is loosely in contact with the adjustment assembly 103 ready for the user to attach a reed.

The adjustment assembly 103 comprises first and second fixing members (107, 108 respectively) and a first engagement member (indicated generally at 109). The first and second fixing members 107, 108 are threaded screws which pass through the backplate 106 and are releasably attached to the first engagement member 109. In this regard, the backplate 106 is provided with first and second apertures (110 and 111 respectively), centrally aligned about the longitudinal axis of the elongate backplate 106, and spaced apart from one another, The first arid second apertures 110, 1 1 1 each pass through the backplate 106, from its front face to its rear face, providing parallelly extending bores therethrough. The first and second apertures 110, 111 are each provided with an inner [11] concentric profile so as to facilitate screwing of the first and second fixing members 107, 108 therethrough respectively and retention therein. In particular, the outer concentric profile of each of the first and second fixing members 107, 108 is engineered so as to releasably engage with the inner concentric profile of the first and second apertures 110, 111. The first and second fixing members 107, 108 are elongate and are arranged through the backplate 106 so that they may releasably engage with the first engagement member 109 adjacent their distal ends.

The first engagement member 109 comprises an engagement plate 112 and an engagement pad 113. The engagement plate 112 is engineered so as to allow attachment to the first and second fixing members 107, 108 by way of first and second fixing member receiving apertures (not shown in figures). The first and second fixing member receiving apertures also have an inner concentric profile to allow a screwing interaction with the outer concentric profile of the first and second fixing members 107, 108. The first and second fixing member receiving apertures are mutually aligned with respect to the first and second apertures 110, 111 of the backpl ate 106, allowing for alignment and fixation of the engagement plate 112 to the first and second fixing members 107, 108 by way of the back plate 106. The engagement plate 112 is a generally rectangular body of material (typically metals or plastics) that is releasably attached at its first face to the first face of the engagement pad 113. The engagement pad 113 is also a generally rectangular body of material (typically rubber), having a second face with a concave profile. The engagement pad 113 is therefore designed to abut the back of the mouthpiece of a wind instrument and its profile is designed to follow the convex outer profile of said mouthpiece, providing a good surface-surface fit. Releasable attachment of the engagement pad 113 to the [12] engagement plate 112 allows the user to interchange the pad 113 in the event that it is worn out, or if the user wishes to further amend the interaction of the assembly 101 with the mouthpiece of the wind instrument (possibly for a better fit or even for altered harmonics). In this regard, the first and second fixing members 107, 108 may be adjusted independently of one-another, thereby allowing the user to adjust the overall tension provided by the engagement pad 113 on the mouthpiece. Moreover, the user can adjust the tension either across the entire pad 113 by applying equal pressure from both fixing members 107, 108, or the user can adjust either member 107, 108 to selectively increase or reduce pressure adjacent the top or bottom of the pad 113. This is done by protracting or retracting the top or bottom of the pad 113 through screwing or unscrewing the first (top) or second (bottom) fixing members 107, 108 respectively. Moreover, the user can change the pad 113 for a pad comprising different materials for further alteration of the sound produced by the instrument.

With regard to adjusting the interface of the assembly 101 with the mouthpiece and significantly adjusting harmonics, a key interaction is between the assembly 101 and the reed utilised in conjunction with the mouthpiece. In this regard, the front of the mouthpiece is in contact with the reed, which in turn is in contact with a second engagement member 114 of the present invention 101. The second engagement member 114 is arranged to extend laterally between the first and second frame members 104, 105. In particular, the second engagement member 114 is positioned to extend between the first and second frame members 104, 105 at the outermost point of their respective U-shaped profiles. This point is also the farthest point away from the frame backplate 106 on each frame member 104, 105. The second engagement member 114 is aligned centrally with the longitudinal [13] axis of the frame backplate 106 and runs parallelly with the frame backplate 106. The second engagement member 114 is designed to press against the reed and hold it against the mouthpiece of the wind instrument. Through adjusting the pressure across the engagement pad 113, so too the pressure is adjusted across the reed with respect to the second engagement member 114. The user can therefore independently adjust the first and second fixing members 107, 108 to adjust the pressure across the reed by way of the second engagement member 114 so as to adjust the harmonics produced by the beating of the reed with the mouthpiece of the instrument. The second engagement member 114 may also be provided with a concave inner profile so as to provide a better interface with the reed. The second engagement member 114 in the present embodiment comprises an elongate bar (comprising metals or plastics) having an engagement interface. In this regard, for further tuneability, the engagement interface of the second engagement member 114 is adapted to facilitate releasable attachment of an adaptor (not shown). Said adaptor comprises two elongate cylinders running parallelly to one-another, spaced either side of the second engagement member 114 and held in place by a central spacer. The purpose of the adaptor is to allow the user to quickly and easily increase the amount of interaction between the assembly 101 and the reed so as to further amend the subsequent harmonics.

Figure 2 A second embodiment of the present invention, a second adaptable ligature assembly 201, comprising all of the features of the first ligature assembly 101, in addition to the following. [14]

The second assembly 201 comprises a third engagement member 202 as a replacement for the second engagement member 114 and its adaptor. In this regard, the third engagement member 202 is arranged to extend laterally between the first and second frame members 104, 105. In particular, the third engagement member 202 is positioned to extend between the first and second frame members 104, 105 at the outennost point of their respective U-shaped profiles. The third engagement member 202 is aligned centrally with the longitudinal axis of the frame backplate 106 and runs parallelly with the frame backplate 106. The third engagement member 202 is designed to press against the reed and hold it against the mouthpiece of the wind instrument. Through adjusting the pressure across the engagement pad 113 so too the pressure is adjusted across the reed with respect to the third engagement member 202. The user can therefore independently adjust the first and second fixing members 107, 108 to adjust the pressure across the reed by way of the third engagement member 202 so as to adjust the harmonics produced by the beating of the reed with the mouthpiece of the instrument.

The third engagement member 202 comprises a reed engagement plate (comprising metals or plastics). The reed engagement plate 202 has a concave inner profile so as to provide a better interface with the reed, a larger surface area for much increased assembly-reed interface and so as to further amend the subsequent harmonics. The engagement plate 202 being generally rectangular in shape and profiled to give optimum interaction with reeds common in the art. [15]

Figure 3 A third embodiment of the present invention, a third adaptable ligature assembly 301, comprising all of the features of the first ligature assembly 101, in addition to the following.

The third assembly 301 comprises a fourth engagement member 302 as a replacement for the second engagement member 114 and its adaptor. In this regard, the fourth engagement member 302 is arranged to extend laterally between the first and second frame members 104, 105. In particular, the fourth engagement member 302 comprises a pair of elongate rods, said rods running parallelly with respect to one another and transversely with respect to the first and second frame members 107, 108.

Accordingly, the rods of the fourth engagement member 302 are spaced apart equally from the outermost point of their respective U-shaped profiles of the first and second frame members 107, 108. The rods of the fourth engagement member 302 are designed to press against the reed and hold it against the mouthpiece of the wind instrument. Through adjusting the pressure across the engagement pad 113 so too the pressure is adjusted across the reed with respect to the rods of the fourth engagement member 302. The user can therefore independently adjust the first and second fixing members 107, 108 to adjust the pressure across the reed by way of the rods so as to adjust the harmonics produced by the beating of the reed with the mouthpiece of the instrument. The rods of the fourth engagement member 302 each have a generally concave inner profile so as to provide a better interface with the reed and so as to further amend the subsequent harmonics. The rods 302 are spaced apart and dimensioned to give reduced surface-surface interaction with the reed than that of the engagement plate 202, whilst giving more surface -surface [16] interaction with the reed than that of the elongate bar 114. The rods can be of different sizes, but typically are dimensioned to cover anything between 30% and 90% of the reed surface. Preferably, the surface coverage of the reed will be between 50% and 70%, so as to give the intermediate option between the elongate bar 114 interaction interface and the engagement plate 202 interface. [17]

Claims

Claims An adaptable ligature assembly for holding a reed to the mouthpiece of an instrument, comprising; frame means, comprising first and second elongate frame members, said frame members fixed at their respective first and second remote ends to a frame backplate; an adjustment assembly, comprising fixing means and first engagement means, said fixing means and first engagement means being releasably attached to one-another by way of the frame backplate; and second engagement means.
2. The ligature assembly of claim I, wherein the frame backplate is generally rectangular and is provided with first and second apertures, each of said apertures being adapted to receive fixing means of the adjustment assembly therethrough 3. The ligature assembly of claim 2, wherein the first and second apertures are arranged so as to pass through the front and rear faces of the frame backplate and are provided with inner concentric profiles.4 The ligature assembly of claim 3, wherein fixing means comprises first and second fixing members, each having outer concentric profiles and being adapted to releasably engage with the inner concentric profile of the first and second apertures of the frame backplate 5, The ligature assembly of claim 4, wherein the first and second fixing members are adapted to pass through the frame backplate by way of the first and second apertures and releasably attach to the first engagement means. [18]6. The ligature assembly of either claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the first and second fixing members can be adjusted independently to retract or protract the top edge or bottom edge of the first engagement means respectively.The ligature assembly of any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the first and second apertures are spaced apart from one-another along a first axis and provide parallelly extending bores through the frame backplate along a second axis.The ligature assembly of any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the first engagement means comprises an engagement plate and an engagement pad.9. The ligature assembly of claim 8, wherein the engagement plate is provided with first and second fixing member receiving apertures, mutually aligned with respect to the first and second apertures provided within the frame backplate.10. The ligature assembly of either claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the engagement pad is releasably attached to the engagement plate about its first surface and is interchangeable with alternative engagement pads.1 1. The ligature assembly of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein a second surface of the engagement pad has a concave profile.12. The ligature assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second frame members form generally U-shaped loops and are arranged adjacent the top two edges and bottom two edges of the frame backplate respectively.13. The ligature assembly of claim 12, wherein the first and second frame members are arranged so as to project laterally away from the frame backplate and parallelly with respect to one-another. [19]14. The ligature assembly of either claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the first frame member is scaled to form a smaller internal looped profile than the internal looped profile of the second frame member.15. The ligature assembly of any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein second engagement means is arranged to extend between the first and second frame members at the outermost point of their respective U-shaped profiles.16. The ligature assembly of any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein second engagement means is provided with a generally concave inner profile.17. The ligature assembly of any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein second engagement 1 0 means comprises an elongate bar, having an engagement interface.18. The ligature assembly of claim 17, wherein the engagement interface of the elongate bar is configured to releasably engage with adaption means.19. The ligature assembly of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the second engagement means comprises an engagement plate.20. The ligature assembly of claim 19, wherein the engagement plate is profiled to give optimum surface-surface interaction with a reed.21. The ligature assembly of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the second engagement means comprises first and second engagement rods.22. The ligature assembly of claim 21, wherein the first and second engagement rods 2 0 are arranged to be spaced apart equally from the outermost point of the respective U-shaped profiles of the first and second frame members and extend therebetween. [20]23. The ligature assembly of claim 22, wherein the first and second engagement rods are spaced apart and dimensioned to interact with no more than 90% of the surface area of the reed.24. The ligature assembly of claim 22, wherein the first and second engagement rods are spaced apart and dimensioned to interact with no more than 70% of the surface area of the reed.25. The ligature assembly of claim 22, wherein the first and second engagement rods are spaced apart and dimensioned to interact with no more than 50% of the surface area of the reed. [21]