EP1282110A1 - Improvements to woodwind instruments - Google Patents

Abstract

The instrument (1) can have one or two bodies with holes for notes covered by keys (12) operated by a lever mechanism (16) with a rod (16) and links (20). The instrument (1) can have one or two bodies with holes for notes covered by keys (12) operated by a lever mechanism (16) with a rod (16) and links (20). The instrument comprises at least one key connected to the rod by a sectional assembly (19) which can be dismantled to adjust the key's angular and radial positions relative to the rod. The adjustable mechanism includes a split sleeve (24) receiving a pin (25) attached to the key, while the rod is in tubular sections (30) connected by stepped bushes (32) of metal or plastic.

Description

The invention relates to wind instruments of the family woods, even those usually made of metal (such as Boehm flutes or saxophones), and more particularly reed instruments, double or single, such as oboe, bassoons, English horns, clarinets, saxophones, taragots or others.

In this area, instruments - especially instruments quality - are usually manufactured in very limited and the share of labor in the cost price is extremely high.

One of the problems facing the factors of instruments is that in addition to the time required for its actual manufacture, each instrument must then to be settled and granted, which still requires many hours of highly qualified staff.

A paradoxical consequence of this situation is that innovations are very limited, the instrument factors tend to repeat proven patterns, with a little room for maneuver to comply with the requirements of users themselves: the musicians. These latter ask for instruments with beautiful sounds, robust, light and allowing precise fingering.

Another problem is the maintenance of instruments: their often delicate mechanisms do not fit well with clashes and various hazards to which they are subjected during their handling. But who says robustness says mechanisms heavy. A point at which many researchers have is the improvement of the tightness of the keys, either improved buffers (US-5,717,151), either by the addition of an improved cup joint the homogeneity of the contact (WO 98/38627). Some have sought to improve linkage (US-4,250,791) and its supports (EP 0 762 379).

We sought to endow the instruments with mechanisms facilitating the settings and the quality of the fingering without weigh down the instruments.

It has also been sought to take advantage of the relief of instruments and the improvement of the linkage for to design an instrument offering possibilities new acoustics, such as a double-body instrument as easy to handle as a single-body instrument traditional.

The known multi-body wind instruments are in Indeed, apart from the "aulos" of ancient Greece, simple combinations of single instruments together (see US-2,232,151, US-4,341,146) without a common linkage and do not allow you to obtain sounds or possibilities truly innovative interpretations.

The subject of the invention is a wind instrument comprising keys actuating keys via a linkage in which at least one of the keys is attached to the rod which actuates it by a removable fixing allowing its disassembly and its adjustment at least angular to at the said rod.

According to a preferred embodiment, a fixation dismountable comprises a fixed part consisting of two spaced pads secured in substance perpendicular to the corresponding rod.

The fixing of a key on a rod preferably allows also a radial adjustment of the key relative to the rod.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the moving part of the removable fastener comprises a split sleeve provided with a clamping means and a substantially cylindrical rod adapted to be immobilized by clamping in this split sleeve.

In a preferred embodiment, the linkage is consisting of hollow thin-walled rods of a material lightweight and rigid (such as stainless steel, carbon fiber, etc.) mounted on end caps made of a friction material; the hollow rods are preferably made of stainless steel or carbon fiber and the tips preferably in brass, bronze, nylon or PTFE.

The linkage may also include adjustable stops according to the same principle, which include a fixed part formed of two spaced plates, secured in substance perpendicularly to the rod, and a pivoting finger.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the linkage is pivotally mounted on supports formed of welded hollow sections in T, replacing the balls of traditional keying.

According to a preferred embodiment, the linkage includes needle return springs maintained on the keying balls by a clamping screw corresponding, which makes it easy to replace them in case of breakage and, the screw acting on the spring, adjust the tare of the latter.

Resonators are preferably arranged between the body of the instrument and at least one thumb support.

The suspension ring of the instrument is advantageously associated with the thumb hook, which avoids body deformities.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the linkage includes at least one key whose movement is transmitted to the corresponding key via a flexible wire equipped with a return system acting on levers.

The subject of the invention is also a wind instrument as described above, in the form of aulos which comprises two joined bodies, the linkage including a set of keys to operate simultaneously and / or distinctly the corresponding keys of each of the two body.

According to an advantageous embodiment, this instrument includes two mouths contiguous to allow blow simultaneously and / or distinctly in both body.

According to a preferred embodiment, the instrument includes at least one reed held in place on its beak by a ligature formed of metal wires provided with a power-on device, said wires pressing the nozzle through hollow metal tubes arranged longitudinally around the beak.

La Fig. 1 est une vue générale d'un instrument de musique suivant l'invention.

La Fig. 2 est une vue schématique en perspective et en éclaté d'un détail de réalisation de la tringlerie de l'invention.

La Fig. 3 est une vue en perspective d'un autre mode de réalisation des clés de l'instrument de l'invention.

La Fig. 4 est une vue en coupe d'une série de variantes des embouts de la tringlerie de l'invention.

La Fig. 5 est une vue générale en perspective d'un instrument double suivant l'invention.

La Fig. 6 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un jeu de touches.

La Fig. 7 est une vue schématique en coupe suivant le plan VII-VII de la Fig. 6.

La Fig. 8 est une vue du dessous du bec de l'instrument représenté à la Fig. 5.

La Fig. 9 est une vue schématique en perspective d'une transmission à câble de l'instrument de l'invention.

La Fig. 10 est une vue schématique en perspective du revers de l'instrument de la Fig. 5.

La Fig. 11 est une vue détaillée du repose-pouce gauche de l'instrument de la Fig. 10.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a general view of a musical instrument according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective and exploded view of a detail of embodiment of the linkage of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the keys of the instrument of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a series of variants of the ends of the linkage of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a general perspective view of a double instrument according to the invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a set of keys.

Fig. 7 is a schematic sectional view along the plane VII-VII of FIG. 6.

Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the mouthpiece of the instrument shown in FIG. 5.

Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a cable transmission of the instrument of the invention.

Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the back of the instrument of FIG. 5.

Fig. 11 is a detailed view of the left thumb rest of the instrument of FIG. 10.

Fig. 1 is a general view of a wind instrument 1 to which the improved mechanism of the invention is applied. This is a tenor saxophone which one distinguishes the body 2, the jar 3, the flag 4, the yoke 5, the spout 6 on which is mounted a reed 8 maintained by a ligature 10. For reasons of conciseness we will designate in the rest of the text the whole [jar - body-breech-flag] under the name general "body" 2.

The keys 12 (or cups) coming to apply on chimneys 14 allow the interpreter to produce the different notes and are operated either directly or by means of rods 16 actuated by 18. The keys 18 are grouped together to able to be operated in a coordinated way by the fingers of both hands of the performer.

The particularities of the instrument 1 appear better on the detailed view in FIG. 2. In this instrument 1, unlike a conventional linkage instrument, made of solid brass bars rigidly connected, the keys 12 are connected to the rods 16 removably, via a removable fastener 19 allowing a rapid detaching of the key 12 and the rod 16 as well as an adjustment of the relative position of these two parts.

The removable fastener 19 shown in FIG. 2 includes a fixed part 20 formed of two plates 28 integral with the rod 16 and a pivoting part 22, angularly adjustable. The fastener 19 shown in FIG. 2 offer of additionally a possibility of radial adjustment with respect to the rod 16: the pivoting part 22 comprises a sleeve split 24 in which a substantially cylindrical rod 25 (integral with the key 12) is inserted. A screw 26 is used for times of pivot axis to the pivoting part 22 and of clamping means for the split sleeve 24. Both platelets 28 are parallel and in essence perpendicular to the rod 16.

By loosening the screw 26, one can at the same time correct the inclination of the key 12, its parallelism and its position radial with respect to the rod 16.

The advantage of the invention becomes apparent when refers to FIG. 1: the linkage of a saxophone is complex; the rods 16 and mechanisms actuating the different keys 12 are nested inside each other and must therefore be dismantled in a rigorous order. In therefore, the simplest repair or adjustment implies, especially if the problem lies in the notes serious, a long dismantling and the need for a careful readjustment of all the parts between them (including the relative position of the keys and keys that operate them).

In contrast, the linkage with removable attachment according to the invention allows for selective intervention and, where a adjustment is necessary (in particular after replacement of buffer of a key 12), to make this adjustment without changing the positions of the other parts. The platelets 28, as for them, provide, contrary to the conventional bent or welded rods, a light link, free of play and largely insensitive to torsion.

As the pressure of the keys on the perimeter of the chimneys can be easily balanced, tampons wear out more regular way and therefore need to be replaced less often.

What also differentiates the rods 16 of the invention of those of a classical instrument is that instead of doing call for brass bars (heavy metal and relatively ductile) the rods 16 consist of thin-walled metal profiles (in this case, stainless steel tubes) making it possible to obtain, for infinitely less material weight, qualities considerably increased mechanical torsion resistance). To preserve the facility machining and centering of these thin-walled tubes 30, one inserts at their ends cylindrical ends 32 made of a friction material such as brass, bronze or nylon or PTFE. The weight gain achieved, the reduced inertia of the mechanism, its increased rigidity and the reduced friction between the different parts in presence have an unexpected consequence for the users of the instrument: the accuracy of the game is improved, which opens up new opportunities for performers (especially virtuosos) who can develop a more precise touch or a faster game, and also to composers.

In addition, the hollow profiles 30 can be injected expandable foam of the polyurethane type, which improves impact resistance and avoids the possible appearance of parasitic vibrations.

Inserts 32 provide another advantage: when in the long run, the game appears in the linkage, it No more expensive re-machining parts, as in the prior art: it is sufficient to replace the tips 32, which are produced according to standardized dimensions (see Fig. 4) and whose reduced dimensions allow storage at low cost.

As seen in FIG. 4, different variants of these bits 32 can be used interchangeably for centering of the linkage 32a, as bearings 32b or for the butting of pieces 32c.

In order to further lighten the instrument, and to improve in addition its resonance faculties, the media of rods 36 or "keying balls", traditionally solid brass (see EP 0 762 379), are made of hollow tubes assembled in T. We use here preferably brass, whose resonant frequency is close to that of the body of the instrument; which is usually considered a hindrance to development the timbre of the instrument becomes here a harmonic contribution.

Detail of realization which is important, the spring 40 of the rod 16 which, as on the classical instruments, the shape of a needle 40 is not set in the keying ball 36, but held by a caliper 42 with clamping screw, which makes it possible to replace it easily in case of breakage, (which constitutes a fairly frequent) and, moreover, to adjust the calibration by acting on the clamping screw.

Fig. 3 illustrates another embodiment possible of the mobile part 22: the position of certain keys 12 putting them virtually immune to a disturbance radial due to shocks or clashes, the moving part 22 is formed on the arm of the key or consists of a simple ring 44 welded or soldered directly thereto.

As shown in FIG. 2, the stops 45 allowing set the position of the keys 12 at rest can also be equipped with an adjustable attachment on two plates 28 perpendicular to the rod 16, identical to those of key 12, which allows the musician to adjust, in a few screw turns, the instrument to his hand. This stop can be provided, as shown, with a leg of fixed length or a bush with an adjustable stop screw, mounted possibly itself on double plates 28.

Another peculiarity of the instrument of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 9. Some keys 12, basically those that are normally maintained closed, require only a reduced effort, provided by a spring. The linkage needed to operate them can to be, in view of their position, very long and also very cumbersome. In the improved mechanism of the invention, this linkage is replaced by a flexible cable 47 acting, via two return members 48, on levers 49 secured respectively to a key 18 and the key 12 corresponding. This provision is particularly advantageous for the keys 12 aside as well as for the alternative fingerings.

This cable 47 is advantageously constituted by a wire of nylon and provided with a tension device (no represent). The return members 48 are, for example, sliding contact hooks or pulleys 48.

A ligature 10, including an embodiment particular is shown in Fig. 8, consists of wires metal 56 stretched by a screw 58 on cylinders hollow metal 51. This ligature ensures, by through a pressure plate 60, a good maintaining the reed 8 on the beak 6, but also the development of harmonics and thus helps to develop the particular stamp of the instrument.

The lightening of the instrument of the invention and the opportunity to intervene without difficulty on the position of each key 12 allowed to develop a type of instrument fully new double body 52, an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 5.

It is a saxophone equipped, like an aulos, with a double body 2a, 2b. This instrument 52 is not heavier than a classical single-body instrument, and offers additional musical possibilities much more extensive. he allows, thanks to its double body, the production additional and / or differential sounds (by addition or subtraction of frequencies produced), which extends the register reached by each of the two bodies 2a, 2b.

This double instrument 52, unlike the known double instruments cited in the preamble, is with linkage linkage allowing the interpreter to operate with the same finger, as shown schematically in FIG. 5, the corresponding keys of each of the two bodies 2a, 2b.

In case of interval, the right-hand body 2a gives normally hear sounds more serious than that of left (2b) .This is a simple option and you can perfectly, without departing from the scope of the invention, choose the opposite option.

The bearing surfaces of the keys 18a, 18b are contiguous and their runs are adjusted so that the interpreter can operate them at the cost of a trip imperceptible fingers. We can also provide 18ab keys (not shown), operating simultaneously the homologous keys 12a, 12b on the two bodies 2a, 2b. These 18ab keys are grouped appropriately with the keys 18a, 18b distinctly actuating the keys 12a, 12b of each of the two bodies 2a, 2b. This particular mechanism allows the performer to play certain musical passages at in unison or in counterpoint, and throughout the whole of each of the two bodies of the instrument, unlike this that allows the instrument described in US 4,341,146.

The keys 18a, 18b or 18ab being arranged practically as on a classical instrument (simple body) it takes little time for an instrumentalist accustomed to a classic fingering to assimilate the peculiarities of the play of this instrument 52.

This instrument 52 allows associations of its unusual and opens the door to the creation of works new music.

The dual instrument 52 of the invention, as shown in FIG. FIG. 5, uses a double spout 53 (see Fig 8). This one includes two separate 8 reeds each the axis of one of the bodies 2a, 2b. The double beak 53 can be assimilated to two simple beaks 6a and 6b whose faces proximal 54 would have been trimmed so as to obtain a common plan.

The two beaks are keyed together; we leave a sufficient space between the planes of each of the two half-beaks to allow them to vibrate autonomously to different frequencies without mutual alterations; these two half-beaks form a single entity with two resonant cavities whose harmonization can be different.

It is found that, surprisingly, the double beak 53 allows the musician not only to blow so balanced in the two "half-instruments" but in besides, with a little practice, to direct his breath of selectively or proportionately in each of the half-instruments.

The problem that could be posed by the firm and balanced of the two reeds 8 on the double beak 53 is solved by the use of a ligature 10 consisting of threads metal 56 stretched by two separate screws 58 on hollow metal cylinders 51. This ligature 10 ensures not only, through platelets from separate pressure 60, an independent hold of each reeds 8 but still the development of harmonics and it thus contributes to developing the particular stamp of the instrument.

To simplify the linkage, the double instrument shown in FIG. 5 is formed of two bodies one of which is "reversed", that is to say that the body on the right is a left-handed instrument. It goes without saying that the principle of the invention applies equally well to straight bodies contiguous.

The stamp of the instrument of the invention is also improved by the addition of resonators 62 arranged between the body of the instrument and the thumb supports 64, 66, as shown in FIG. 10.

Right thumb hook 64 and thumb button left 66 are indeed attached to the body of the instrument via resonant cylinders 62.

Fig. 11 allows to see three resonant cylinders 62 fixed between the button itself 66 and a cylinder 68 which it serves as a support.

Note in FIG. 10, the special design of thumb hook 64. Thumb hook 64 is welded on two transversely arranged cylinder sections 62, screwed on longitudinal bars 70 welded to each of the two bodies 2a, 2b. In the case of the instrument double 52, these cylinders 62 contribute further, with the pins 63 (only one of which is visible in FIG. maintaining the two bodies together. Doubly design original, the suspension ring of the 72 instrument makes body with thumb hook 64.

This construction presents a series of advantages to the times for the sound quality and durability of the instrument. Indeed, the fulcrum that constitutes the suspension loop 72 also benefits from the interposition of resonators 62. In addition, the push-ups that certain musicians in a state of inspiration exert the ring 72 lead directly to the level of the hook of inch (which avoids deformations on the body of the instrument). Moreover, the solicitations are better distributed and, finally, in case of breakage, the replacement of the ring 72 is made in a few turns of screws.

Claims (15)

Wind instrument (1,52) comprising keys (18) actuating keys (12) via a linkage (16,36), characterized in that at least one of the keys (12) is fixed to the rod (16) which the actuates by a removable attachment (19) allowing its disassembly and its adjustment at least angular relative to said rod (16). Wind instrument (1,52) according to claim 1
characterized in that the removable fastener (19) comprises a fixed portion formed of two spaced plates (28), secured substantially perpendicularly to the corresponding rod (16). Wind instrument (1,52) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the removable attachment (19) also allows a radial adjustment of the key (12) relative to the rod (16). Wind instrument (1,52) according to claim 3
characterized in that the movable portion (22) of the removable fastener (19) comprises a split sleeve (24) provided with a clamping means and a substantially cylindrical rod (20) adapted to be immobilized by clamping in this split sleeve (24). Wind instrument (1,52) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the rods (16) consists of thin-walled hollow sections (20) mounted on endpieces (32) made in one friction material. Wind instrument (1,52) according to Claim 5
characterized in that the thin-walled hollow sections (20) are made of stainless steel and the end pieces (32, 34, 38) made of a material selected from brass, bronze, nylon, PTFE. Wind instrument (1,52) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the rods (16) comprise adjustable stop members (45) mounted on double plates (28). Wind instrument (1,52) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that rods (16) are pivotally mounted on supports (36) formed of T-welded hollow sections. Wind instrument (1,52) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the linkage (16, 36) comprises needle return springs (40) held on the corresponding keying balls by a stirrup (42) tightening screw. Wind instrument (1,52) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that resonators 62 are arranged between the body of the instrument and at least one thumb support (64, 66). Wind instrument (1,52) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suspension ring 72 of the instrument is secured to the thumb hook (64). Wind instrument (1,52) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the linkage (16, 36) comprises at least one key (18) whose movement is transmitted to at least one corresponding key (12) by via a flexible wire (47) provided with a return system (48) and acting on levers (49) secured respectively to said key (12) and said key (18). Wind instrument (52) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises two bodies (2a, 2b) contiguous, the linkage (16,36) comprising a set of keys (18) for operating simultaneously the corresponding keys (12) of each of the two bodies (2a, 2b). Wind instrument (52) according to claim 13
characterized in that it comprises two adjoining spouts (6) each provided with a reed (8) so as to allow blowing simultaneously or distinctly in the two bodies (2a, 2b). Wind instrument (1,52) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one reed (8) held in place on its spout (6) by a ligature (10) formed of metal wires ( 56) provided with a tensioning device (58), said wires (56) pressing on the spout (6) via hollow metal tubes (51) arranged longitudinally around the spout (6).

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