WO2019011054A1

WO2019011054A1 - A mouthpiece for a musical instrument and method of manufacturing same

Info

Publication number: WO2019011054A1
Application number: PCT/CN2018/087512
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maximilian Spencer Clissold
Original assignee: Nuvo Instrumental (Asia) Limited
Priority date: 2017-07-14
Filing date: 2018-05-18
Publication date: 2019-01-17

Abstract

A mouthpiece for use with a musical instrument, the mouthpiece comprising: an outer member (100); and an inner member (200) that is configured for engagement with the outer member (100), wherein the inner member (200) is configured for positioning within the outer member (100) when engaged to the outer member (100); wherein a wall of the mouthpiece is cooperatively formed by a wall of the inner member (200) and a wall of the outer member (100) lying flush against each other when the inner member (200) is engaged with the outer member (100).

Description

A MOUTHPIECE FOR A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME

Technical Field

The present invention relates to mouthpieces for musical instruments such as woodwind instruments, and methods of manufacturing same.

Background of the Invention

Mouthpieces are used with certain types of musical instruments such as woodwind instruments whereby when air is blown between the reed and the mouthpiece, the reed causes the air column in the instrument to vibrate and produce its unique sound. Mouthpieces that are manufactured using conventional plastic injection moulding processes tend to be problematic due to resulting sinkage and distortion in critical regions on the surface of the mouthpiece typically arising when the walls of the injected molded mouthpiece are greater than 3 mm in thickness. For instance, sinkage and distortion will occur on the table surface of the mouthpiece where the reed is located and secured in place by a ligature whereby the reed cannot lie flat against the table. Sinkage and distortion will also occur on the curved rails of the mouthpiece whereby the tip gap between the curved rails and the tip of the reed will be inconsistent between mouthpieces. Consequently, the distortion in the table surface and rails of the mouthpiece compromises the sound quality and consistency of the musical instrument when played. One solution to this problem has been to subject the surface of the mouthpiece to further machining after injection molding the single-piece mouthpiece in order to form a perfectly flat table surface and a suitably curved rail. However, this machining step incurs additional manufacturing time and is relatively expensive, that is, it may typically contribute to over 50%of the overall manufacturing costs of such mouthpieces. Although it is possible to injection mold the mouthpieces to less than 3mm in wall thickness to alleviate occurrence of distortion and sinkage in the surface, a wall thickness of around 3mm would substantially compromise the geometry of the internal and external surfaces of the mouthpiece.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention seeks to alleviate at least one of the above-described problems.

The present invention may involve several broad forms. Embodiments of the present invention may include one or any combination of the different broad forms herein described.

In one broad form, the present invention provides a mouthpiece for use with a musical instrument, the mouthpiece comprising; an outer member; and an inner member that may be configured for engagement with the outer member, wherein the inner member may be configured for positioning within the outer member when engaged to the outer member; wherein a wall of the mouthpiece may be cooperatively formed by a wall of the inner member and a wall of the outer member lying flush against each other when the inner member is engaged with the outer member.

Preferably, the inner member may be removably engageable with the outer member.

Preferably, the wall of the outer member may be of relatively smaller thickness than the wall of the inner member.

Preferably, the wall of the outer member may be approximately 3mm or less in thickness.

Preferably, the outer member may define a substantially flat table portion for engagement with a reed, curved side rail portions and tip rail portion surrounding a window via which air is able to pass therethrough; the inner member including a window configured for alignment with the window of the outer member when the inner member is engaged with the outer member, and the inner member also including an internal shape configuration in fluid communication with the window of the inner member such that air passing through the window of the inner member is able to pass through the internal shape configuration.

Preferably, the outer member and the inner member may be formed separately by injection molding.

In another broad form, the present invention provides a mouthpiece for use with a musical instrument, the method including steps of: (i) forming an outer member of the mouthpiece; (ii) forming an inner member of the mouthpiece separately from the outer member; (iii) engaging the outer member and inner member together by inserting the inner member into the outer member, wherein a wall of the mouthpiece is cooperatively formed by a wall of the inner member and a wall of the outer member lying flush against each other when the inner member is engaged with the outer member.

Preferably, the inner member may be removably engageable with the outer member.

Preferably, the wall of the outer member may be formed of relatively smaller thickness than the wall of the inner member.

Preferably, the wall of the outer member may be formed of approximately 3mm or less in thickness.

Preferably, the outer member may define a substantially flat table portion for engagement with a reed, curved side rail portions and tip rail portion surrounding a window via which air is able to pass therethrough; the inner member may include a window configured for alignment with the window of the outer member when the inner member is engaged with the outer member, and the inner member may also include an internal shape configuration in fluid communication with the window of the inner member such that air passing through the window of the inner member is able to pass through the internal shape configuration.

In another broad form, the present invention provides a kit for forming a mouthpiece for use with a musical instrument, the kit comprising; an outer member of the mouthpiece; and an inner member of the mouthpiece that is configured for insertion into the outer member to effect engagement with the outer member; wherein a wall of the mouthpiece is cooperatively formed by a wall of the inner member and a wall of the outer member lying flush against each other when the inner member is engaged with the outer member.

Preferably, the inner member may be removably engageable with the outer member.

Preferably, the wall of the outer member is approximately 3mm or less in thickness.

Preferably, the present invention may include a plurality of inner members, each of said plurality of inner members defining different internal shape configurations and each of said plurality of inner members may be selectably interchangeable for engagement with the outer member so as to form the mouthpiece, and whereby a sound characteristic produced by the mouthpiece in use is able to be selectably varied based on the internal shape configuration of the inner member selected for engagement with the outer member.

Preferably, the present invention may include a plurality of outer members, each of said plurality of outer members may define different curvature of the side rail portions and each of said plurality of outer members may be selectably interchangeable for engagement with the inner member so as to form the mouthpiece, and whereby a sound characteristic produced by the mouthpiece in use is able to be selectably varied based on the curvature of the outer member selected for engagement with the inner member.

In another broad form, the present invention includes a musical instrument including a mouthpiece formed in accordance with any one of the broad forms described herein.

In another broad form, the present invention provides a musical instrument including: a tubular body having: an inner tube member; and at least one separately formed outer shell member configured for attachment to an outer surface of the inner tube member; wherein, a wall of the inner tube member is contoured to complement a wall of the at least one separately formed outer shell member so that they lie flush against each other when attached together and whereby the wall of the inner tube member and the wall of the at least one separately formed outer shell member cooperatively form a wall of the tubular body of the musical instrument.

Preferably, the present invention includes a pair of outer shell members configured for attachment together around the inner tube member whereby walls of the pair of outer shell members lie flush against the wall of the inner tube member.

Preferably, the musical instrument includes a woodwind-type musical instrument such as a clarinet or the like.

Preferably the inner tube member and the outer shell members are molded from at least one of an ABS type material and a suitable polymeric type material.

Preferably the wall thickness of the at least one outer shell member and the wall thickness of the inner tube member are each no greater than 3mm in thickness.

A method of manufacturing a tubular body of a musical instrument, the method including steps of:

(i) forming an inner member of the tubular body;

(ii) separately forming at least one outer member of the tubular body;

(iii) engaging the outer member and inner member together to form the tubular body wherein the inner member is configured for positioning within the outer member when the inner member and the outer member are engaged together, and whereby, a wall of the tubular body is cooperatively formed by a wall of the inner member and a wall of the outer member lying flush against each other when the inner member is engaged with the outer member.

In view of the above, it will be apparent that the broad forms of the present invention herein described may assist in providing at least one advantage over the existing art including for instance that the cost of manufacturing of a mouthpiece for use with a musical instrument may be substantially alleviated by obviating the relatively expensive process step of machining a surface of the injection molded mouthpiece to form a flat table surface and/or suitably curved side rail portions whilst at the same time achieving a suitably thick wall of the mouthpiece. Moreover, because the outer member of the mouthpiece is formed separately from the inner member having a wall thickness of approximately 3mm or less, the substantially flat table surface and suitably curved side rail portions may be accurately and repeatable achieved without the need for the machining step and this improves overall yield efficiency of mouthpieces during mass production. Furthermore, different sound characteristics may be produced by the mouthpiece in use by virtue of the ability to selectably engaged different outer members and/or different inner members of the mouthpiece with each other, whereby the outer members and/or inner members include different shape characteristics configured for producing different tonal qualities and playing characteristics suitable for different types of music.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description of a preferred but non-limiting embodiments thereof, described in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows exemplary first and second members of a mouthpiece in unassembled form in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows the first and second members of the mouthpiece in Fig. 1 in assembled form in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the first and second members of the mouthpiece in assembled form in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a top view of the first and second members of the mouthpiece in assembled form in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 shows a bottom view of the first and second members of the mouthpiece in assembled form in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 shows a front view of the first and second members of the mouthpiece in assembled form in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 shows a side view of the first and second members of the mouthpiece in assembled form in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described herein with reference to Figs. 1 to 7 of the drawings. Although embodiments of the present invention will be described in relation to use with a woodwind instrument, it would be appreciated that this is for illustrative purposes only and other embodiments of the present invention may be used in relation to other types of musical instruments not necessarily being restricted to woodwind type musical instruments.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 7 of the drawings, a novel mouthpiece embodiment of the present invention is shown which assists in alleviating at least one of the above-described problems. The mouthpiece includes an outer member (100) and an inner member (200) which are formed as separate parts by injection molding an ABS material or any other suitable polymeric material, and then are easily engaged together by insertion of the inner member (200) into the outer member (100) via an opening in one end of the outer member (100) so as to cooperatively form the mouthpiece.

The outer member (100) includes an outer surface (100A) which defines a substantially flat table surface (110) suitable for location of a reed thereon and securement in place by a ligature. The outer surface (100A) of the outer member (100) also defines suitably curved side rail portions (120A, 120B) of the mouthpiece, a tip rail portion (130) connecting the side rail portions (!20A, 120B) and a window (140) that is bounded between the substantially flat table surface (110) , the side rail portions (120A, 120B) and the tip rail potion (130) of the outer member (100) . Air is able to pass through the window (140) and into an internal chamber of the outer member (100) .

The inner member (200) includes an outer surface (200A) configured for being received into the chamber of the outer member (100) via the opening in the outer member (100) and the outer surface (200A) of the inner member (200) is contoured to complement an inner surface (100B) of the outer member (100) . The outer surface (200A) of the inner member (200) is shaped and dimensioned so that when the inner member (200) is received in the chamber of the outer member (100) , the outer surface (200A) of the inner member (200) and the inner surface (100B) of the outer member (100) lie flush against each other so that the overall wall thickness of the mouthpiece is cooperatively formed by the wall thickness of the outer member (100) and the wall thickness of the inner member (200) together. The inner member (200) also includes an inner surface (200B) defining an internal shape configuration, and, an opening in the inner member (200) to allow airflow into and out of the internal shape configuration (260) . The inner member (200) also includes a window (240) that extends between the outer and inner surfaces (200A, 200B) of the inner member (200) and when the inner member (200) is received in the chamber of the outer member (100) during engagement therewith, the windows (100, 200) of the outer member and the inner member are in alignment. The inner member (200) also includes a tenon (250) integrally formed with the inner member (200) that is configured for attaching the mouthpiece to the musical instrument.

The geometry of the outer member (100) will have a significant overall influence on the ease of playing and skill level required by the player to produce a sound when using the mouthpiece. For instance, a more pronounced curve in the side rail portions (120A, 120B) will produce a larger tip gap between the reed and the tip rail portion (130) which means that the player will need to blow harder but will have more control over the pitch and sound quality of the note. A less pronounced curvature in the side rail portions (120A, 120B) will produce a smaller tip gap which is easier to blow and considered preferable for a beginner player. The outer surface (100A) of the outer member (100) should generally be formed such that the tip gap is not too small otherwise the reed will close up against the side rail portions (120A, 120B) and shut down the vibration.

The geometry of the inner member (200) of the mouthpiece determines the volume and internal shape configuration (260) of the overall mouthpiece and this also has a significant influence on the timbre and playing characteristics of the mouthpiece. As shown in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 3, the internal shape configuration of the inner member is in fluid communication with a bore (270) of the inner member.

Differently shaped inner members may be provided for selectable engagement with the outer member of the mouthpiece in order for a player to conveniently match the sound quality of the instrument to the requirements of the music being played. For instance, to produce a more classical musical sound, the internal shape configuration defined by the inner member of the mouthpiece may generally be larger and more open in configuration. For a jazz piece, the internal shape configuration would be constrained and reduced in volume giving a brighter more projecting sound quality.

The invention also presents an opportunity to selectably vary different internal shape configurations of the mouthpiece which results in different tonal qualities and playing characteristics for different types of music. For example -a jazz mouthpiece would include an inner member having an internal shape configuration restricted by a “baffle” which creates more back pressure and a more intense and projecting sound characteristic. Classical style mouthpieces would include an inner having a more open internal shape configuration which gives the player more opportunity for subtle smoother tonal characteristics. Accordingly, the ability to selectably interchange inner members having different internal shape configurations of the mouthpiece enables a player to easily adjust the mouthpiece to suit his or her playing preferences. In certain embodiments, outer members may be supplied with a variety of different inner members having different internal shape configurations configured to produce different sound qualities as part of a kit. The inner members may be secured into placed within the outer member by a gluing process, or, may be engaged to the outer members by friction fitting engagement or snap fitting engagement by way of example.

It would be appreciated that the embodiments of the present invention need not be directed solely towards the provision of mouthpieces for musical instruments and could instead utilise a similar process and principles of construction as described above to mass produce wood-wind type instruments more cost-effectively having consistent internal and external surface geometries. For instance, a body of a clarinet-type musical instrument could be cooperatively formed from an inner tubular core and two outer shells that are configured for clipping together around the inner core and suitably contoured so that the walls of the outer shells and the wall of the tubular core lie flush against each other. The inner tubular core and the outer shells are injection molded from an ABS material or any other suitable polymeric material separately with individual wall thicknesses of no greater than 3mm so as to alleviate occurrence of distortion and sinkage in the individual component wall thicknesses. However, when the outer shells are clipped together around the inner tubular core, the combined wall thickness of the outer shell members and the inner tubular core lying flush against each other, provides a suitably strong composite wall of the musical instrument comparable to that of a single-piece musical instrument. In yet alternate embodiments, one or more outer shell members may form a tubular section configured for slidably receiving the inner tubular core into a hollow or recess of formed by the at least one of the outer shell members. The inner tubular core would be sized and dimensioned so as to slide snugly within the hollow or recess formed by the at least one outer shell member so that the wall of the inner tubular member lies substantially flush against an inward facing wall of the at least one outer shell member.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described without departing from the scope of the invention. All such variations and modification which become apparent to persons skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as broadly hereinbefore described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps and features, referred or indicated in the specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

Claims

A mouthpiece for use with a musical instrument, the mouthpiece comprising;

an outer member; and

an inner member that is configured for engagement with the outer member, wherein the inner member is configured for positioning within the outer member when engaged to the outer member; and

whereby, a wall of the mouthpiece is cooperatively formed by a wall of the inner member and a wall of the outer member lying flush against each other when the inner member is engaged with the outer member.
A mouthpiece as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inner member is removably engageable with the outer member.
A mouthpiece as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein the wall of the outer member is of relatively smaller thickness than the wall of the inner member.
A mouthpiece as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the wall of the outer member is approximately 3mm or less in thickness.
A mouthpiece as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the outer member defines a substantially flat table portion for engagement with a reed, curved side rail portions and tip rail portion surrounding a window via which air is able to pass therethrough; the inner member including a window configured for alignment with the window of the outer member when the inner member is engaged with the outer member, and the inner member also including an internal shape configuration in fluid communication with the window of the inner member such that air passing through the window of the inner member is able to pass through the internal shape configuration.
A mouthpiece as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the outer member and the inner member are formed separately by injection molding.
A method of manufacturing a mouthpiece for use with a musical instrument, the method including steps of:

(i) forming an outer member of the mouthpiece;

(ii) forming an inner member of the mouthpiece separately from the outer member;

(iii) engaging the outer member and inner member together by positioning the inner member within the outer member, wherein a wall of the mouthpiece is cooperatively formed by a wall of the inner member and a wall of the outer member lying flush against each other when the inner member is engaged with the outer member.
A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the inner member is removably engageable with the outer member.
A method as claimed in claims 7 or 8 wherein the wall of the outer member is formed of relatively smaller thickness than the wall of the inner member.
A method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein the wall of the outer member is formed of approximately 3mm or less in thickness.
A method as claimed in any one of the claims 7 to 10 wherein the outer member defines a substantially flat table portion for engagement with a reed, curved side rail portions and tip rail portion surrounding a window via which air is able to pass therethrough; the inner member including a window configured for alignment with the window of the outer member when the inner member is engaged with the outer member, and the inner member also including an internal shape configuration in fluid communication with the window of the inner member such that air passing through the window of the inner member is able to pass through the internal shape configuration.
A method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11 wherein the outer member and the inner member are formed separately by injection molding.
A kit for forming a mouthpiece for use with a musical instrument, the kit comprising;

an outer member of the mouthpiece; and

an inner member of the mouthpiece that is configured for insertion into the outer member to effect engagement with the outer member;

wherein a wall of the mouthpiece is cooperatively formed by a wall of the inner member and a wall of the outer member lying flush against each other when the inner member is engaged with the outer member.
A kit as claimed in claim 13 wherein the inner member is removably engageable with the outer member.
A kit as claimed in claims 13 or 14 wherein the wall of the outer member is of relatively smaller thickness than the wall of the inner member.
A kit as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein the wall of the outer member is approximately 3mm or less in thickness.
A kit as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 16 wherein the outer member defines a substantially flat table portion for engagement with a reed, curved side rail portions and tip rail portion surrounding a window via which air is able to pass therethrough; the inner member including a window configured for alignment with the window of the outer member when the inner member is engaged with the outer member, and the inner member also including an internal shape configuration in fluid communication with the window of the inner member such that air passing through the window of the inner member is able to pass through the internal shape configuration.
A kit as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 17 wherein the outer member and the inner member are formed separately by injection molding.
A kit as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 18 including a plurality of inner members, each of said plurality of inner members defining different internal shape configurations and each of said plurality of inner members being selectably interchangeable for engagement with the outer member so as to form the mouthpiece, and whereby a sound characteristic produced by the mouthpiece in use is able to be selectably varied based on the internal shape configuration of the inner member selected for engagement with the outer member.
A kit as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 19 including a plurality of outer members, each of said plurality of outer members defining different curvature of the side rail portions and each of said plurality of outer members being selectably interchangeable for engagement with the inner member so as to form the mouthpiece, and whereby a sound characteristic produced by the mouthpiece in use is able to be selectably varied based on the curvature of the outer member selected for engagement with the inner member.
A musical instrument including a mouthpiece in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 20.
A musical instrument including:

a tubular body having:

an inner tube member; and

at least one separately formed outer shell member configured for attachment to an outer surface of the inner tube member;

wherein, a wall of the inner tube member is contoured to complement a wall of the at least one separately formed outer shell member so that they lie flush against each other when attached together and whereby the wall of the inner tube member and the wall of the at least one separately formed outer shell member cooperatively form a wall of the tubular body of the musical instrument.
A musical instrument as claimed in claim 22 including a pair of outer shell members configured for attachment together around the inner tube member whereby walls of the pair of outer shell members lie flush against the wall of the inner tube member.
A musical instrument including a woodwind-type musical instrument such as a clarinet.
A musical instrument as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 24 wherein the inner tube member and the at least one outer shell member are molded separately from at least one of an ABS type material and a suitable polymeric-type material.
A musical instrument as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 25 wherein the wall thickness of the at least one outer shell member and the wall thickness of the inner tube member are each no greater than approximately 3mm in thickness.
A method of manufacturing a tubular body of a musical instrument, the method including steps of:

(i) forming an inner member of the tubular body;

(ii) separately forming at least one outer member of the tubular body;

(iii) engaging the outer member and inner member together to form the tubular body wherein the inner member is configured for positioning within the outer member when the inner member and the outer member are engaged together, and whereby, a wall of the tubular body is cooperatively formed by a wall of the inner member and a wall of the outer member lying flush against each other when the inner member is engaged with the outer member.