GB2182191A

GB2182191A - Wind instrument cleaning device

Info

Publication number: GB2182191A
Application number: GB08526595A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Scull
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-10-29
Filing date: 1985-10-29
Publication date: 1987-05-07
Also published as: GB8526595D0

Abstract

A cleaning device for wind instruments, particularly instruments having a tapered bore, comprises a resilient spring member (1) covered with an outer absorbent coating (2) and wound into a preformed helix or spiral. The device is attachable at one end to a draw string by means of which the device can be pulled through the bore of the instrument. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Wind instrument cleaning device This invention relates to a wind instrument cleaning device.

Wind instruments such as flutes, clarinets, oboes and saxophones including brass instruments such as trumpets and trombones require regular cleaning.

This is not too much of a problem where the instrument comes apart, e.g. a flute or clarinet, but is more of a problem where the instrument is in one piece, such as a saxophone.

Cleaning devices for such instruments are known ranging from cleaning rods which can be used to push or pull a cleaning cloth through the bore of an instrument, to pull-throughs consisting of a flexible string or cord permanently ortemporarily attached to a cleaning cloth or pad which can bethreaded through the instrument and then pulled through to effect cleaning ofthe bore. With both types, however, problems arise in cleaning instruments such as saxophones which are in one piece and/orwhich have a tapering bore.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved cleaning device for such wind instruments.

The device ofthis invention consists of a resilient member covered with an outer absorbent coating and wound into a preformed spiral or helix and, attached or attachable to one end thereof, a member e.g. a draw string, by means of which the device may be passed through the instrument, usually, but not necessarily, from the bell to the mouthpiece. As will be appreciated, as the helix or spiral is passed through the instrument it will, within limits, contract or expand radially with the bore of the instrument thereby wiping clean the inside of the bore of the instrument.

A preferred form of the device, for cleaning a saxophone, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa general plan view of the device; Figure2 is a side view ofthe device, taken in the direction ofthe arrowA; Figure 3 is a section through the device at any given point on the spiral; and Figure 4 is a view of the inner end of the spiral with the draw string attached.

As shown, the device consists of a spiral spring member (1) of resilient material, e.g. plastics or metal, covered with an absorbent coating (2), e.g. a thin sleeve offabric material which can be threaded on tothe spiral from one end. Atthecentre ofthe spiral, the member is formed with means, in this case an end flange (3) and a pair of adjacent lugs (4), to which can be attached a draw string (5), see Figure 4.

As indicated,the draw string istied aroundthefabric sleeve between theflange (3) and the lugs (4), thereby keeping the sleeve securely in position on the spiral. Other methods of attaching the draw str ing will, of course, be possible. Thefree end ofthe draw string will usually, but not necessarily, be attached to a weight (6) which will enable the draw string to be dropped into and threaded through the saxophone from the bell to the mouthpiece.

As the draw string is pulled through the instru ment,the spiral will be drawn into the bell and gradually stretched into a helix as it passes through the progressively narrow bore of the instrument, thereby cleaning the bore on all sides as the device passes therethrough. Once it has been drawn through the instrument the inherent resilience ofthe spring member (1 ) will restore itto its original spiral configuration.

As will be appreciated, many variations and modifications can be made in the device without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, the spring member can be helical in form, rather than spiral. Also other means may be provided for attaching the draw string to the device, or indeed, other means, such as a resilient wire or rod, may be provided to draw or push the device through the instrument. Indeed a resilient wire or rod may be preferred in certain cases as a means of pulling or pushing the cleaning device around bends in the instrument. Also, the absorbent cover can be permanently affixed to the coil, or detachable to permit ready replacement when dirty.

1. A device for cleaning wind instruments comprising a cleaning memberwhich can be inserted into and pushed or drawn through the bore ofthe instrument, characterised in that the cleaning member is a resilient spring member covered with an outer absorbent coating and wound into a preformed helix or spiral, which as the device passes through the instrument resiliently engages the inner surfaces of the bore of the instrument, and expands and contracts therewith, thereby to effectthe clean ing ofthosesurfaces.

2. A device according to claim 1, having means at one end of the helix or spiral for attachment of means to push or draw the device through the instrument.

3. A device according to claim 2, which is in the form of a spiral and wherein the attachment means is formed atthe inner end ofthespiral.

4. Adevice according to claim 1,2 or3 including means for drawing the device through the instrument.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said means for drawing the device through the instru mentisa draw string.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the draw string is attached or attachable to the device at one end and weighted at the other.

7. A device according to claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Wind instrument cleaning device This invention relates to a wind instrument cleaning device. Wind instruments such as flutes, clarinets, oboes and saxophones including brass instruments such as trumpets and trombones require regular cleaning. This is not too much of a problem where the instrument comes apart, e.g. a flute or clarinet, but is more of a problem where the instrument is in one piece, such as a saxophone. Cleaning devices for such instruments are known ranging from cleaning rods which can be used to push or pull a cleaning cloth through the bore of an instrument, to pull-throughs consisting of a flexible string or cord permanently ortemporarily attached to a cleaning cloth or pad which can bethreaded through the instrument and then pulled through to effect cleaning ofthe bore. With both types, however, problems arise in cleaning instruments such as saxophones which are in one piece and/orwhich have a tapering bore. The object of the invention is to provide an improved cleaning device for such wind instruments. The device ofthis invention consists of a resilient member covered with an outer absorbent coating and wound into a preformed spiral or helix and, attached or attachable to one end thereof, a member e.g. a draw string, by means of which the device may be passed through the instrument, usually, but not necessarily, from the bell to the mouthpiece. As will be appreciated, as the helix or spiral is passed through the instrument it will, within limits, contract or expand radially with the bore of the instrument thereby wiping clean the inside of the bore of the instrument. A preferred form of the device, for cleaning a saxophone, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa general plan view of the device; Figure2 is a side view ofthe device, taken in the direction ofthe arrowA; Figure 3 is a section through the device at any given point on the spiral; and Figure 4 is a view of the inner end of the spiral with the draw string attached. As shown, the device consists of a spiral spring member (1) of resilient material, e.g. plastics or metal, covered with an absorbent coating (2), e.g. a thin sleeve offabric material which can be threaded on tothe spiral from one end. Atthecentre ofthe spiral, the member is formed with means, in this case an end flange (3) and a pair of adjacent lugs (4), to which can be attached a draw string (5), see Figure 4. As indicated,the draw string istied aroundthefabric sleeve between theflange (3) and the lugs (4), thereby keeping the sleeve securely in position on the spiral. Other methods of attaching the draw str ing will, of course, be possible. Thefree end ofthe draw string will usually, but not necessarily, be attached to a weight (6) which will enable the draw string to be dropped into and threaded through the saxophone from the bell to the mouthpiece. As the draw string is pulled through the instru ment,the spiral will be drawn into the bell and gradually stretched into a helix as it passes through the progressively narrow bore of the instrument, thereby cleaning the bore on all sides as the device passes therethrough. Once it has been drawn through the instrument the inherent resilience ofthe spring member (1 ) will restore itto its original spiral configuration. As will be appreciated, many variations and modifications can be made in the device without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, the spring member can be helical in form, rather than spiral. Also other means may be provided for attaching the draw string to the device, or indeed, other means, such as a resilient wire or rod, may be provided to draw or push the device through the instrument. Indeed a resilient wire or rod may be preferred in certain cases as a means of pulling or pushing the cleaning device around bends in the instrument. Also, the absorbent cover can be permanently affixed to the coil, or detachable to permit ready replacement when dirty. CLAIMS