GB2461562A - Musical wind instrument fluid receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

A metal or plastic container 1, into which is inserted porous material 3, is attached to the tubing of a metal wind instrument. One end of the porous material 3 is preferably held against the drain hole of the musical instrument by a sprung mounted water tap 4 to draw fluid, such as spittle and condensation, into the container 1. The container 1 may be fixed to the wind instrument tubing by a hook and loop type fastening strap or by plastic clips.

Description

Metal musical instrument Fluid receiver.

Back ground information.

Metal musical instruments, trumpet or Comet etc, are played by the player blowing into the instrument mouth piece and vibrating their lips, during this process, fluid, spittle and or condensation is transferred into the instrument. All musical brass instruments have as part of their design sprung mounted water taps which allow the accumulated fluid to be drained away.

Accumulations of spittle/water within the tubing of a brass instrument detrimentally interfere with the sound produced, so it is important the tubing is kept clear. During practice or performances, the musician will open the water taps and drain away their spittle or condensation several times. This results in many pools of spittle on the stage or carpet or floor where the band have been playing.

This accumulation of spittle fluid on the floor results in two issues; firstly there is the health and safety issue of fluid on the floor leading to persons slipping and resultant injury. Secondly there is the perceived and real matter of passing on infections etc. The result of emptying water taps onto the floor is an indirect way of spitting on the floor.

Statement of invention.

To prevent the two above health issues, the musicians spittle and condensation should be prevented from being emptied onto the floor. My invention draws or wicks' the fluids away into a container which can be emptied after practice or performance. It achieves this by a wick, a porous material [drawing 3], being trapped within the tap mechanism [drawing 4] to direct the water into a small plastic or metal container [drawing I] that is clippedlstrapped to the tubing of the instrument [drawing 2].

Advantages of the invention.

1. As stated, accumulated spittle interferes with good tone so the player must remember to empty the spittle away before it becomes a problem during a performance. To have a device that wicks the spittle or fluid away into a receiving container / tank removes the need for the performer to remember to use the water taps and concentrate entirely on the performance.

2. The health and safety issues of people slipping on spittle or transfer of infections are effectively dealt with.

3. To use such a device shows observers the musician takes health and safety of others seriously which is good PR.

4. The need to clean up spittle after a performance [not always done] will be removed.

Claims (4)

1. Claims.1. A plastic or metal collection container for fluid collection into which a porous material is inserted.
2. 2. The end of the porous material referred to in claim 1 is held against the drain hole of a musical instrument by the sprung mounted water tap which is built onto the instrument at time of manufacture.
3. 3. The porous material referred to in claim 1 enables the accumulation of fluid to be drawn into the container via the porous material.
4. 4. A collection container for fluid as described in claim I which is held to the tubing of a metal musical instrument by means of Velcro strap or plastic clips of a compatible diameter for the tubing of the instrument concerned.