US1846454A - Saxophone - Google Patents

Description

SAXOPHONE Filed Aug, 21, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ID ID 3 ,9. \(Jlllll 17108771 02": 7 6 Edward VPoweZZ,

' y M\mx w-Wob Feb. 23, 1932. E v POWELL 1,846,454

SAXOPHONE Filed Aug. 21, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Imam/ion: EduJaWd-VPoweZZ,

w -zysi Patented Feb. 23, 1932 PATENT OFFICE EDWARD V. POWELL, F ARLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS SAXOPHONE Application filed August 21, 1929.

This invention relates to a novel B and B flat mechanism for saxophones. There are five ways of getting B flat on a saxophone, all of them requiring the use of two fingers engaging two keys or one finger engaging two keys. That with which this invention is concerned is the one which is accomplished by the forefinger of the left hand operating the C and B stoppers. The ditliculty of 0 the former way of doing this is that it is difficult to be sure of closingi both stoppers tightly with the forefinger ecause the tip of the finger is pressing on the B key which is secured to the B stopper while the C key,

which is likewise secured to its stopper, is pressed byanother part of the forefinger. This is awkward and inconvenient and the result is apt to be more or less uncertain. This invention is concerned with means for accomplishing this result with one finger pressing on one key. This key is in the same position as the B key heretofore used and enables the musician to play the instrument in the manner in which he has been accus- I tomed to play heretofore, except that he finds it unnecessary to flatten his forefinger to depress the C key, because that function is being taken care of by the use of the tip only of his forefinger. I

The invention will be best understood by reference to the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of one specific embodiment thereof, while its scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is an elevation of a portion of a saxophone embodying the invention, omitting all parts not essential to an understanding of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a developed elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are views partly in elevation and partly in section illustrating the operation of the mechanism;

- Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line 88 of Fig. 1;

Serial No. 387,363.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on line 99 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on line 10-10 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings and to the embodiment of the invention which is illustrated therein, there is shown a portion of a saxophone comprising a horn or body 11 (see Fig. 41) having a C opening 12 controlled by a C stopper 13 and a B opening 14 controlled by a B stopper 15. Referring now to Fig. 2, the stopper 13 is secured to an arm 16 having a hub 17 which is loosely mounted on a shaft 18, the latter being supported by posts 19, 20, 21 and 22 on the body. A spring 23 secured to the post 20 engages a lug 24 on the arm 16 and constantly tends to lift the stopper 13 from the opening 12. The opening movement is limited by an arm 25 (see Fig. 8), which normally engages the body 11.

Referring again to Fig. 2, the stopper 15 is secured to an arm 26 having a hub 27 which is loosely mounted on the shaft 18. This arm is connected by a crank 28 to a hub 29, and all of these parts constitute a rigid and, in effect, one-piece member mounted to rock on the shaft. A spring 30 (see Fig. 3) secured to the post 22 engages a lug 31 on the hub 29 and constantly tends to lift the stopper 15 from the opening 14. This movement is limited by engagement of the top of the stopper 15 with the under side of an A key 32 (see Fig. 2), which overlies the stopper and is secured to an arm 33 having a hub 84 loosely mounted on the shaft 18. This hub also has secured to it an arm 35, to which a B flat stopper 36 is secured. A spring 37 (see Fig. 3) secured to the post 21 and engaging a lug 38 on the hub 34 constantly tends to lift the B flat stopper 36 and its key 32. This movement is limited by engagement of an arm 39 (see Fig. 10) with the body 11. This arm when lifted engages a projection 40 presented by a crank 41 (now see Fig. 2) having a hub 42 and a hub 43 loosely mounted on the shaft 18, the latter hub having secured to it an arm 44 to which there is also secured a C sharp stopper 45. A spring 46 (see Fig. 3) secured to the post 19 and engaging a lug 47 on the hub 43 constantly tends to lift the C sharp stopper 45. The

crank 41 is engaged by the arm 25 (see Fig. 8) which it will be remembered is a prolongation of the arm 16 which carries the C stopper 13. The latter has secured to it a C key 48.

The instrument, as thus far described, is of usual and well known construction except that heretofore the B key has been secured to the B stopper. According to my invention I employ a B key 49 (see Fig. 2), which, instead of being secured to the B stopper, is a separate and distinct element and herein is a part of an arm 50 which is provided with a hub 51 coaxial with the hubs of the B and B flat stoppers. This hub 51 is loosely mounted on the shaft 18 and requires no spring because it has means, herein arms 52 and 53, which overlie the C stopper 13 and the B stopper 15 respectively. It follows that, when either of these stoppers is lifted by its associated spring, the B key is also lifted. This movement is limited by an arm 54 (see Fig. 9), which normally engages the body 11. This arm 54 is also engageable with the crank 41, as a result of which the depression of the B key 49 is accompanied by depression of the C sharp stopper 45. Inasmuch as the arms 52 and 53 overlie the G stopper l3 and B stopper 15 respectively, depression of the B stopper is also accompanied by depression of said stoppers. In other words, depression of the B key by the tip of the finger depresses both stoppers and therefore does not require pressure of another part of the finger on the C key 48 as heretofore. Yet the arrangement is such that it leaves the C and B stoppers free for independent operation.

The operation will be clearly understood from an examination of Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7. In Fig. 4, the parts are shown in normal position, both stoppers 13 and 15, as well as the keys 32'and 49, being elevated. Fig. 5

shows the C stopper 13 depressed as it will be by pressure of the finger on the key 48, but the B key 49 is held in its normal elevated position by the B stopper 15. In Fig. 6, the B stopper 49 has been depressed by the tip of the finger and has caused the C stopper 13 and B stopper 15 to be depressed and to close the openings 12 and 14 respectively, while the A key 32 remains elevated. Fig. 7 shows the B stopper depressed by the depression of the A key 32, while the C stopper 13 remains elevated and holds the B stopper 49 elevated.

Thus it is evident that I have provided means for accomplishing the operation of the C and B stoppers with one finger on one key and with-the certainty that both stoppers will be depressed and will close their respective openings without danger of playing a false note. r

In playing the instrument, the forefinger of the left hand changes its position to depress either the C key or the B key, depending upon whether the scale or chord being played contains the notes B natural, B flat (or A sharp). Consecutive notes, one of which is B flat (or A sharp) maybe played with greater ease, and hence with greater rapidity and clearness of articulation, when using an instrument embodying my invention.

V In referring to a B opening or the like and to the corresponding stopper, I designate an openingwhich when closed by its stopper enables the note to be sounded on the instrument.

Having thus described one embodiment of the invention but without limiting myself thereto, what I claim and desire by Letters Patent to secure is:

1. In a saxophone, the combination of a body provided with a C opening, a B opening, a C stopper, a B stopper, and a single key for causing both stoppers to close both holes simultaneously.

2. In a saxophone, the combination of a body provided with a 0 opening, a'B opening, a C stopper, a B stopper, and a single key having means overlying both stoppers and adapted to depress them simultaneously.

3. In a saxophone, the combination of a body provided with a C opening, a B opening, a C stopper, a B stopper, means for depressing both stoppers simultaneously, and means for depressing said stoppers independently of each other and independently ofthe firstmentioned means.

4. In a saxophone, the combination of a body provided with a C opening, a B opening, a C stopper, a B stopper, spring means tending to elevate said stoppers, and a single means for depressing both stoppers in opposition to said spring means.

5. In a saxophone, the combination of a body provided with a O opening, a B opening, a C stopper, a B stopper, spring-means tending to elevate said stoppers, and means unconnected with said stoppers for depressing them simultaneously in opposition to said spring means.

6. In a saxophone, the combination of a body provided with a C opening, a B opening, a C stopper, a B stopper, spring meanstending to elevatesaid stoppers, and a key pivoted coaxially with said stoppers and having means to depress both. 7 r

7. In a saxophone, the combination of a body provided with a C opening,a B opening, a C stopper, a B stopper, a key adapted to depress both stoppers, and spring .means to elevate said stoppers and to act through said stop'pers'to elevate said key.

8. In a saxophone, the combination of-a body provided with a 0 opening, a B opening, a O stopper, a B stopper, a key between said stoppers and capable of movement independently of said stoppers, said key having means engageable with both stoppers to depress them, and means for elevating said stoppers.

9. In a saxophone, the combination of a body provided with a C opening, a B opening, a C stopper, a B stopper, means for depressing said stoppers conjointly, said C stopper having a key by means of which it may be depressed independently of said means, and an A key adapted to depress said B stopper independently of said means.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

EDWARD V. POWELL.

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