US1045700A - Attachment for cornets and the like. - Google Patents

Description

Jx J. GREENWOOD. I ATTACHMENT FOR GORNBTS AND THE LKKB.

APPLLOA'IION FILED MAR. 18, 1912,

Patented NW. 26,.

JOHN J. GREENWOOD, OF PHOEBUS, VIRGINIA.

ATTACHMENT FOR CORNETS AND THE LIKE,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 26, 19

Application filed March 13, 1912. Serial No. 683,559.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN J. GREENWOOD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Phoebus, in the county of Elizabeth City and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Attachments for Cornets and the Like, of which the following is a. specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in and relating to attachments for cornets, or other musical instruments, and more particularly relates to an attachment for producing French horn tones or effects from cornets or the like musical instruments; and the objects and nature of the invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art in the light of the following explanation of the accompanying illustration of what I now believe to be the preferred embodiment from among other formations, arrangements and constructions within the spirit and scope of my invention.

An object of the invention is to provide a comparatively simple, inexpensive attachment, that can be quickly applied to or removed from the bell of a comet or other wind instruu'ient even while the instrumentis in use and without the loss of a note, and that will change the tone of the cornet or like instrument into the tone. of a different instrument without merely subduing or n'mllling the comet tone; for instance, will ctliciently change the cornet tone into a French horn tone, and thereby enable a cornet to be instantaneously conyerted into a French horn or from a French horn back to a cor-net, by merely application of the attachment to the cornet or by removal thereof from the cornet ivhile the comet is being used. I

A furtl'ier object of the invention is to provide an attachment for a comet, 01' the like, whereby such instrument can be utilized for producing French horn tones or and to play the French horn part in orchestra or solo renditions.

The in vention consists in certain novel features in construction and in combinations and arrangements as more fully and particularly set forth hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying ,drawings;--Figure 1, is a sectional view showing the attachment applied to the hell or mouth of a. comet; or other wind instrument to which it might be adapted. Fig. 2, is a view showing the attachment reversed and nested .111 the cornet bell for packing, transportation, or carrying in a bag or satchel. Figs. 3, 4 and 5, are detail and perspective views.

The attachment consists of a bell-like or flaring hollow shell 1, open at its front and rear ends, and longitudinally open from front to rear except for certain transversely arranged obstructions. The shell has a reduced forwardly projecting front end termi-, hating in the comparatively small central outlet opening 10. The shell flares and enlarges rearwardly so that the diameter of its rear end is approximately equal to that ofthe front end of the bell or mouth 2, of a cornet or other instrument) for which the attachment is adapted. The shell is pro-- vided with means whereby it can be quickly and readily applied to and removed from the bell of a cornet even while the cornet is in use and without the loss of a note. This quick action is desirable in those instances where a comet is to play the parts of both the French horn and the comet, and the change from one to the other must be almost instantaneous.

In use, the rear edge of the large end or hell. of the attachment tits or rests against the front edge of the cornet bell and the attachment is arranged exteriorly thereof and projects and tapers forwardly therefrom in virtual. direct forward reducing continuation of the cornet. As a means whereby the attachment can be coupled to the comet bell, I providethe upper part of the rear edge portion of the attachment shell with one or more, usually two, downwardly and rearwardly projecting hooks or hangers 12, spaced a distance apart and fixed to the shell and usually each provided with a cash ioning lining. The arrangement of these hooks or hangers is such that the attachment can be moved down to proper position at the front of the comet hell with the hooks 12, fitting over the top portion of the comet bell and supporting or hanging the attachment in proper position on the bell with the lower portion of the rear edge of the attac iment bearing again the lower portion of the front of the cornet l .-ll. The attachment can be quickly lifted from the comet and as quickly dropped to position on the comet bell by one hand of the .cornetist while the instrument is in use performing its part.

The attachment is so formed at t-he lower portion of its rear or flared end as to provide a reduced outlet, vent, or relief opening from the lower portion of the chamber formed by and within the bell of the cornet and the rear end of the attachment. For instance, I show the lower portion of the rear edge ot the attaelnnent shell formed with a notch or cutaway portion 11, to form such air outlet or vent.

The attachment shell is interiorly closed, except for a reduced longitudinal side passage 14, by a transverse partition or diaphragm tor the purpose of forming a sound chamber in the bell of the comet and rear for the reduced lateral vent or relie'l' opening 11. and the reduced longitudinal air passage l t, usually arranged at thesame side of the shell as vent 11.

To convert the eornet tones delivered into said chamber, into the tall or deep French horn tones for issuance from said chamber through the vent 11. and passage 14, I provide said chamber with a so-called padded wall against which the sound waves from the comet. are directly delivered. To this end I show the hereinbetore mentioned trai'isverse partition composed of an impertorate "all or diaphragm lb, of so-called padding arranged behind and supported by a thin perforated metal plate 13. I usually employ a thin brass plate 13, having a numher of transverse perforations 15, uniformly distributed throughout the same and exposing the padding 1'"), behind the perforations, i ve attained advantageous results where the padding is termed by superimposed sheets one or more of which are of someuhat porus eushicning material. For instance, l can face the rear side of the plate '3 with a sheet of fabric caused to adhere the surface of the plate. For instance, :ulhesive cloth or t'abric might be used for this purpose. One or more layers of sheet is cotton can he tlu n placed over said secured s eet. of fabric and backed by a sheet of f u like properly glied or secured in the sheet cotton in place and to h rni th tr-ant surtace of the padded wall. to the pas an i l. can be formediby notehing the edge portion of the partition formed by the t 13. and padding l6, and in the spa ic example illustrated, this passage 14, is in a Jed immediately in advance of the 3:3 vezn and s formed by a curved cutaway portion n vhe lower edge of the partition. l1 rear of the reduced front end or nose of :h at .wiuaent hell and immediately in front oi" but spaced tron! the passage it,

so thr az parti ion 13. I provide the shell with int-anal lived transverse narrow baille p ate or xvall 17, having a central trans ver e prrt'oration or sound passage 18. This irausv-rs plate is arranged across the in- Ill:

end or" the attachment shell, closed except tudinal sound passage by providing comparatively narrow passages between the edges and Walls oat the shell.

The top of the shell intermediate the front and rear ends of the shell and in rear of the plate 13, is provided with a suitable lateral escape or outlet preferably formed by a group of adjacent approximately uniforn ly spaced or arranged transverse perfo- 'ations 19.

The battle plate 17, is of peculiar advantage in serving as a check in preventing so called split or jar of the tone of the instrument should the instrumentbe over-blown in rendering a fortissimo passage.

Furthermore, this baille plate is of advantage as an aid in the production of equal tones.

The formation and internal arrangement of the shell are such as to most elliciently convert or transform the cornet tones into the French horn tone, every note perfect. in tune from lower to upper register and viceversa. The attachment does not mute or subdue the cornet tone but produces the French horn effect, as though the performer laid aside the cornet and took up and performed on the French horn.

T he attachment shell approximates the shape of the comet bell, and'hence the attachment, when detached from the comet can be reversed and inserted or nested in the comet bell, when the instrument is to be placed in its case or satchel for packing or transportation.

It is evident that various changes, variations and modifications might be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact disclosure hereof.

hat I claim is 1. An attachment for cornets, and the like,- consisting of a bell-shaped shell having the edge portion of its large end notched, and having series of side perforations in its front portion, and internal obstructions with: in the shell.

2. An attachment for cornets and the like, consisting of a hollow shell tapering forwardly from an enlarged open receiving end to a front reduced open end, and having a side opening at its large end and side per- 'forations through its reduced forward'portion, a padded partition spanning the interim of the large end of the shell and having a passagethrough one edge portion, said partition inclined forwardly to said passage, and a transverse partiton within the shell in rear of said passage and having an opening therethrough and passages past its longitudinal edges.

3. A French horn attachment for cornets. and thelike, consisting of a hollow n w ,shell adapted to be removably hung on a tcrior or the shell so as the divide the tough 1 orner. bell and project forwardly therefrom,

Images