US2146179A - Wind type musical instrument - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 7, 1939. E J- FITCHHORN .2,146,179

WIND TYPE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed May l5, 193'? Patented Feb. 7, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WIND TYPE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Elver J. Fitchhorn, Delaware, Ohio Application May 15, 1937, Serial No. 142,856 a claims (ci. :a4-lass) This invention relates to musical instruments and, more particularly, to instruments of the wind type such as the iiute, iiageolet or clarinet, the object of the invention being to provide a simple inexpensive musical instrument of the type indicated which is particularly adapted for use by children, or others, desiring or commencing instruction in the use o1' musical instruments and reading of simple musical scores.

For a further understanding of the invention,

reference is to be had to the following description and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the musical instrument comprising the present invention;

Fig. 21s a vertical sectional view taken through the same;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken through the mouth piece;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view on the line IV-IV of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the under side of the mouth piece.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral I designates the tubular body of the improved musical instrument comprising the present invention. This body is preferably formed from non-corrosive metallic tubing, terminating at its lower or outer end in an outwardly flaring enlargement constituting a bellshaped mouth 2. Intermediately of its length and on one side thereof, the body I is provided with a plurality of longitudinally aligned relatively spaced openings 3 of varying diameters, which openings may be opened or closed by the fingers of the player to control the internal resonance of the body in producing musical notes of different audible values.

On the opposite or under side of the body I with respect to the openings 3 and arranged adjacent to the mouth 2, is a single tone regulating opening 4. Also, on the under side of the body, there is formed a stationary thumb-receiving clip 5, which serves in effecting the convenient support of the instrument when it is being played so that the fingers are relieved of the task of supporting the instrument and may be used substantially solely for regulating the opening and closing oi' the openings 3. On the upper side of the body I and immediately below the lowermost 0 of the openings 3 is a socket 6 adapted for the reception of a removable lyre used in the support of music scores. i

An important feature of the present invention resides in the use and construction of the mouth u piece shown at 'I which is carried by the upper or to be sharp in its lower notes and fiat in its upper inner end of the body I. Preferably, this mouth piece is formed from a molded composition material and comprises a hollow member which ls frictionally tted on the upper end of the body I. At its upper end, the mouth piece l tapers to 5 a substantially :dat rectangular form so that it may be conveniently received between the lips of the player. Internally, the said mouth piece is formed to include a centrally disposed bailie 8, which is spaced from the under wall 9 of the 10 mouth piece to provide an air passage III, through which the breath of the player may be blown, the lower end of the air passage terminating in a restricted region II, carefully proportioned to provide for the desired velocity of travel of the 15 players breath forced through the passage I0 into `the resonating chamber I2 of the mouth piece and across an air outlet slot I3. The latter is formed in the under wall 9 of the mouth piece, and provides for the exit of a portion of the air o blown into the resonating chamber I2 through the air passage IIJ. The upper end of the resonating chamber I2 terminates in a reduced region I4 disposed between the baille 8 and the curved top wall I5 of the mouth piece. 25

By virtue of this construction, the instrument whenplayed possesses perfect octave intervals of the G scale, which intervals are entirely in tune, thereby contrasting with the well-known ilageolet which is tuned to the D scale and tends 30 register. In the playing of the instrument comprising the present invention, the same is operated by over-blowing and no special lip or mouth technique is required on the part of the player, the various notes being produced by finger control of the openings 3. A large part of the clear, soft flute-like tone of the present instrument is derived from the construction of the resonating chamber I2 of the mouth piece, the construction 40 of which makes possible the G" scale response of the instrument. So far as I am aware, the instrument comprising the present invention is the rst of its type providing for the G scale response. Such response is particularly adaptable for children, since G" scale notes fall within the staff and are natural to a childs voice.

What is claimed is:

1. In a flute-like musical instrument, a mouth piece comprising a body having a resonating chamber provided therein, said body being formed at its lower end for the reception of the upper end of the instrument and having an air outlet at one side thereof, an air receiving passage extending into said mouth piece from the upper end and terminating adjacent to said air outlet in an elongated restricted slot, the resonating chamber extending a substantial distance beyond the inner end of said air receiving passage.

2. In a ute-like musical instrument, a mouth piece comprising a body having a resonating chamber provided therein, said body being formed at its lower end for the reception of the upper end of the instrument and having an air outlet at one side thereof, an air admitting passage extending into said mouth piece from the upper end and terminatingadjacent to said air outlet in an elongated restricted slot, the resonating chamber extending upwardly into said mouth piece a substantial distance beyond the inner end of said air admitting passage, and a partition dividing the portion .of the resonating chamber above the inner end of said air admitting passage into a plurality of compartments.

3. In a flute-like musical instrument, a mouth piece comprising a hollow body formed at its lower end for the reception of the upper end of the instrument and having at least one fiat side in which is provided an opening, a baie wall formed in said body and extending substantially parallel to the at side, said wall being spaced from said flat side toprovide .an air admitting passage open at its upper end to the atmosphere and terminating at its lower end in a restricted slot disposed adjacent the opening in said at side, said baille wall also being spaced from the side of the body opposite said at side to provide a resonating Achamber extension above said air inlet slot.

ELVER J. FITCHHORN.

Images