EP1290674B1 - Supporting device for music instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

The handrest facilitates the supporting of musical instruments and similar objects. When the player supports a musical instrument over long periods of times, the tendon between his thumb and wrist will be susceptible to tenosynovitis and the edge of his thumb will grow a callus. A handrest consisting of the parts (1-6) shown in figure 1 shifts the weight of the object to be supported from the thumb to the area between the thumb and the index finger. The control members allow the handrest to be adapted to different hand sizes and playing styles. The use of a handrest allows longer practising periods and more rapid and sensitive fingering.

Description

• This invention relates to a handrest intended to facilitate the support of woodwind instruments and similar objects. Previously the weight of the instrument used to be supported by the tip of the thumb/the edge of the thumb tip. A belt passing behind the player's neck was used to carry heavier instruments, such as for instance a saxophone.
• In document DE 3 642 134 A1 is described a device for a flute. This device includes a holder that is attached around the flute and two support means, which are rotatably secured to the holder. These support means are resting on both sides of flautist's left hand.
• Due to the conventional manner of supporting without auxiliary means, the tendon between the thumb and the wrist was exposed to strain, resulting in tenosynovitis. The edge of the thumb tip tended to grow a callus and started developing a tumour in the rubbed area.
• When a handrest is used, the weight of the instrument is shifted from the thumb to the fold between the thumb and the index finger. This reduces the strain on the sheath of the tendon, and the thumb will no longer grow a callus. This allows longer practicing periods and more rapid achievements, while providing more sensitive fingering techniques.
• According to the invention there is provided a handrest as set out in claim 1.
• The handrest of the invention is characterised in having a turning joint at the point of the palm, allowing adjustment of the instrument position by means of adjusting members with a view to optimal hand trajectories for different playing styles and hands.
• The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

figure 1

shows the handrest viewed from the user's right-hand side

figure 2

shows the handrest from the user's view

• The handrest is fastened to the object to be supported by means of a fastening loop 1 which is tightened around the object. The fastening loop varies in size as a function of the diameter of the instrument. Attached to the fastening ring is a counterbalance support 2, which allows the balance to be maintained during open G fingering. This term is used here to describe the situation where all the musician's fingers are simultaneously off from the instrument. Attached to the fastening loop, there is also a cylindrical part 3, oriented downwardly in the axial direction of the fastening loop and having a typical length in the in the range from 8 to 10 cm, which allows vertical adjustment of the handrest by means of a slide rail, a telescopic member or similar, in order to provide optimal height for different hand sizes relative to the instrument. The instrument comprises a second, shorter cylindrical part 4, connected over a turning joint at angles of 90 ° to the previous part 3, so that the handrest distance can be adjusted by means of a slide rail, a telescopic member or the like, in order to provide the optimal distance for different finger lengths. Part 4 is connected over a turning joint to a spacer 5. With the turning joint is locked into different positions, the distance caused by rotation can be controlled. The spacer 5 fastens the part 4 to the handle part 6 of the handrest. The spacer 5 allows adjustment of the height and angle of the palm point 7 with a view to optimal trajectories for different playing styles and hands. The handle part 6 has been given a shape that fits into the hand, and it is typically made of plastic. It is supported in the fold between the player's thumb and index finger, shifting the weight of the instrument to this area.

Claims (5)

1. Handrest for musical instruments, comprising a fastening loop (1) attached to the instrument and a handrest handle (6), which is attached to the fastening loop and shifts the weight of the instrument from the thumb to the fold between the thumb and the index finger, wherein the relative position of the handrest handle (6) with respect to the fastening loop (1) is rotationally adjustable by means of a turning joint, characterized in that said relative position is further translationally adjustable by means of at least one distance control member (3,4,5).
2. A handrest as defined in claim 1, characterised in that a telescopic vertical control member (3), which allows vertical adjustment for different hand sizes, is provided between the fastening loop (1) and the handle part (6).
3. A handrest as defined in claim 1, characterised in that a telescopic distance control member (4), which allows distance control for different finger lengths, is provided between the fastening loop (1) and the handle part (6).
4. A handrest as defined in claim 1, characterised in that it allows for rotation control by means of a turning joint between the adjusting members (4, 5) with a view to distance control.
5. A handrest as defined in claim 1, characterised in that it allows for control of the height and the angle of the palm point (7) by means of the member (5) with a view to optimal trajectories for different playing styles and hands.

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