GB2394112A

GB2394112A - Didgeridoo manufacturing method

Info

Publication number: GB2394112A
Application number: GB0223783A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew John Poole; Karl John Townsend
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-10-12
Filing date: 2002-10-12
Publication date: 2004-04-14
Also published as: GB0223783D0

Abstract

A method of making a didgeridoo includes the steps of selecting two identical pieces A,B of timber, machining a longitudinal semicircular groove along a matching face of each piece, gluing the pieces together to create a centralised cylindrical hole C, and then lathing the external surfaces of the joined pieces to create a substantially cylindrical instrument. The instrument may have two external grooves D for accepting a carrying strap, and may have a mouthpiece (E, fig 4) of a rubbery consistency.

Description

f) ' 2394112 DIDGERIDOO MANUFACTURE

The invention relates to the manufacturing process of a didgeridoo.

Didgeridoo manufacturing processes have evolved from the natural production of original didgeridoos to mass-produced metal and plastic didgeridoos that cater for the growing popularity of this alternative musical instrument. However, the didgeridoo has always suffered disadvantages as a result of these manufacturing processes.

Original didgeridoos, produced by a natural process have, by default, unpredictable manufacturing variables, hence, have an inconsistent sound and form, and can tend to be heavy in weight. Original styled didgeridoos, man-made from found timber branches suffer the same disadvantages and also are time consuming to produce.

Metal and plastic didgeridoos offer ease of manufacture and predictable manufacturing variables, providing uniformity of sound and form, but lack the sound and material quality. In addition, all these processes require the application of a WILY around the mouthpiece of the didgeridoo to aid playing, again a time consuming process. The invention, being a unique manufacturing process, allows for didgeridoos to be mass-produced to a high quality, benefiting from a consistent sound and form that is precisely predicted by altering manufacturing variables during production. The process also allows for the production of accessories to further aid playing and handhog of the instrument.

Accordingly, the unique manufacturing process incorporates two identical pieces o f pre-manufactured timber sections, machined with a semicircular groove along the length of one face of each piece. When glued together the two pieces form a square timber section, incorporating a hollow cylinder centralised along the length. The glued square timber is then lathed externally to create the cylindrical appearance of the didgeridoo and shaped to any desired form.

The precision of this process allows many manufacturing variables to be accurately altered, producing instruments that are consistent throughout, offering complete control over weight, form and sound of the didgeridoo.

Externally lathed into the cylinder wall are two bands, one being situated close to the mouthpiece the other being situated close to the opposite end, providing a unique, secure fixing of a carry strap, without causing any detriment to the overall sound and resonance of the didgeridoo. Two elasticated loops of material, fixed to opposite ends of a length-adjusting strap, slot around, and into, the hollow of the externally lathed bands. In providing uniform, internally cylindrical wall diameters, the manufacturing process allows for the production of standardised mouthpiece inserts, injection moulded from plastics of a rubbery consistency, to aid in the playing of the instrument.

Primarily, the manufacturing process is directed towards timber or plastic materials, but will actually lend itself to any material that can successfully produce didgeridoos with these characteristics in the finished instruments.

(a) 2 A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: FIGURE 1 shows a side view of the whole didgeridoo; FIGURE 2 is a section through the length of the didgeridoo; FIGURE 3 is a sectional slice across the middle of the didgeridoo; FIGURE 4 is a detailed section through the length of the didgeridoo, illustrating the I optional mouthpiece insert.

As shown in all figures, the didgeridoo is constructed from two identical pieces of pre-manufactured timber; (A) and (B). These two pieces each have a semicircular groove machined along the length of one face to create a complete cylindrical hole; (C), Figures 2, 3 and 4, once the two pieces of timber; (A) and (B), are glued together along their length.

The two glued pieces of timber; (A) and (B), are then lathed externally to create the cylindrical form of the didgeridoo; Figure 3.

Lathed into the external wall are two bands; (D), Figures 1, 2 and 4, situated close to each end of the didgeridoo. These bands are to accept a carry strap, fixed by means of an elasticated IOQP of material at each end of an adjustable carry strap.

Figure 4 specifically shows the mouth end of the didgeridoo, indicating the optional mouthpiece insert; (E), to aid in obtaining the correct vibrational frequency of the lips for maximum resonance of the didgeridoo.

Claims

) 3 CLAIMS

1. A didgeridoo produced utilising a unique and precise manufacturing process, allowing didgeridoos to be mass-produced to a high quality, benefiting from a consistency of material, construction, sound and form, predicted by precisely altering manufacturing variables during production. ;

2. A didgeridoo as claimed in Claim I where the manufacturing process consists

of two identical pieces of pre-manufactured timber sections, each with a semicircular groove machined along the length of one face and subsequently glued together along their length to create a centralised cylindrical hole within I a square timber section, which is then lathed externally to create the cylindrical appearance of the didgeridoo and shaped to any desired form.

3. A didgeridoo as claimed in Claim 2 where the lathing process includes two bands lathed into the external cylinder wall, one being situated close to the mouthpiece the other being situated close to the opposite end, for the purpose of accepting a carry strap fixing.

4. A didgeridoo as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 where the manufacturing process provides uniform, internally cylindrical walls, allowing for the manufacture of standardised mouthpiece inserts to aid in the playing of the instrument.

5. A didgeridoo as claimed in Claim 4 where the mouthpiece inserts are made from injection moulded plastics of a rubbery consistency or similar material of equal characteristics.

6. A didgeridoo as claimed in any preceding claim where the didgeridoo is made from any wooden or plastic material.

7. A didgeridoo substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

7. A didgeridoo substantially as herein described and illustrated in the Scum maying Owner 4. A didgeridoo as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 where the manufacturing process provides uniform, internally cylindrical walls, allowing for the manufacture of standardised mouthpiece inserts to aid in the playing of the instrument. 5. A didgeridoo as claimed in Claim 4 where the mouthpiece inserts are made from injection moulded plastics of a rubbery consistency or similar material of equal characteristics.