US1341351A - Mute for cornets or the like - Google Patents

Description

F. A. BECKER. MUTE FOR CORNETS OR THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 14, 1919.

fatented May 25,1920.-

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MUTE FOR CORNETS OR THE LIKE.

Application filed July 14, 1919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FERDINAND A. Bremen, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Mutes for Cornets or the like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a mute and par ticularly to a mute which is adapted for use in conjunction with wind instruments such asa cornet, horn, trumpet, etc.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple and cheaply manufactured mute adapted for use in conjunction with instruments such as a cornet, horn, etc., and which is so constructed that it may be quickly inserted or removed with relation to the bell of the instrument employed when in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mute, one end of which is closed by a diaphragm and in conjunction therewith to provide means for adjusting the movement or vibrations of the diaphragm so as to produce novelty effects; for instance, 'a blaring or brazen sound as when playing syncopated music now popularly known as jazz.

Further objects will hereinafter appear.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction, combination and arrange ment of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a central, longitudinal section of one form of the mute.

Fig. 2 is a similar section of another form of the mute which is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with a so-called French horn. 4

Fig. 3 is an end View of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings in detail, particularly Fig. 1, A indicates a cone-shaped tubular member constructed of paper, metal or any other suitable material. The small end of the member is open as indicated at '2 and is adapted to be inserted in the mouth or bell-shaped end of a cornet or like wind instrument as indicated at 3, the tubular member being secured in this position by means of cork pads or like means 4: secured on the exterior surface of the tubular member. The opposite end is closed by means of a diaphragm 5 constructed of suitable material, the diaphragm being in this instance Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 25, 1920.

Serial No. 310,736.

secured in position by means of a retaining ring 6.

Secured to the central portion ofthe diaphragm is a striking plate 7 and extending crosswise of the tubular member are a pair of cross bars 8 and 9 disposed at right angles to each other and arranged one on each side of the diaphragm. Secured to the cross bar 9 is a stationary stop member 10 and adjustably mounted in the cross bar 8 is a screw 11 which may be secured, when adjusted, by means of a lock screw 12.

In operation, if it is desired to employ the mute, it is only necessary to insert it in the bell-shaped mouth of the wind instrument employed, as indicated in Fig. 1. The usual mute effect may be produced by tightening the set screw 11 so as to limit the vibrations of the diaphragm to a minimum. If, when playing what is now popularly known as jazz music, it is desired to ob tain novelty effects, it is only necessary to loosen the set screws 11 so as to permit increased vibration or movement of the diaphragln. Practically any effect from a blaring brazen tone to a bleat may thus be obtained. A small movement of the diaphragm limited by the set screw 11 produces a low or bleating tone while increased movement of the diaphragm by slacking up on the set screw 11 may produce anything from a brazen blaring tone to a roar, the different effects being produced by the striking plate 7 engaging the'stop members 10 and 11.

The form of mute shown in Fig. 2 is particularly constructed for use in conjunction with the so-called French horn. The main body of the mute is tubular and coneshaped, as shown at B, while the inner re duced end is partly closed by a head mem ber M through which extends a tubular member 15. The opposite or enlarged end of the mute is similar in construction to the mute shown in Fig. 1. That is, a diaphragm, preferably metallic, is employed, together with a striking plate and the ad justable stop members so as to permit novelty effects to be produced in conjunction with the French horn.

One particular feature of the form of mute shown in Fig. 2 is the provision of the head member 1a and the tube 15. By so (loin it is ossible to revent raisin or lowering of the natural tone played upon the instrument; for instance, the majority of mutes employed at the present day lower or raise the pitch at least a semitone, thereby rendering it necessary for the player to transpose when employing a mute. This effect is entirely overcome when employing the mute shown in Fig. 2, and as the mute is furthermore provided with the adjustable diaphragm shown, it is obvious that novelty effects may at the same time be produced.

Vhile a more or less specific construction is shown in both Fig. l and Fig. 2, I wish it understood that the design and proportions employed may be varied tosuit differ ent applications and instruments; similarly, that the materials and finish of the several parts employed may be such as the experi ence and judgment of the manufacturer may dictate.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. A mute comprising a tube-like member, a diaphragm forming a closure for one end of the member, and adjustable means for limiting the vibratory movement of the diaphragm.

2. A; mute comprising a tube-like member, a diaphragm forming a closure for one end of the member, and a stop member positioned adjacent the center of the diaphragm with which the diaphragm engages when vi hrating.

:3. A. mute comprising a tube-like member, a. diaphragm forming a closure for one end of the member, a striking plate secured to the center portion of the diaphragm, and an adjustable contact member with which the striking plate engages when the diaphragm -1S vibrating;

at. A mute comprising a cone-shapedtubular member, a diaphragm forming a closure for the large end of the tubular member, a

pair of cross bars extending across the large end of the tubular member, one 011 each side of the diaphragm, a striking plate secured to the center portion of the diaphragm, and

, a contact member carried by each cross bar with which the striking plate engages when the diaphragm is vibrating.

, lar member, a diaphragm forming a closure 5. A mute comprising a cone-shaped tubufor the large end of the tubular member, a

' pair ofcross bars extending across the large by each cross bar with which the striking plate engages when the diaphragm is vibrating, and means for adjusting the position of one of: the stop members.

6. A mute comprising a cone-shaped tubular member, a diaphragm forming a closure for the large end of the tubular member, a. cross bar extending across the large end of the tubular member, a striking plate secured to the center portion of the diaphragm, and an adjustable contact member carried by the cross bar with which the striking plate contacts when the diaphragm is vibrating.

T. A mute comprising a cone-shaped tubular member, a diaphragm forming a closure for the large end of the tubular member, a disk member forming a partial closure for the reduced end of the tubular member, a.

tube secured in the last-named member and extending into the cone-shaped tubular member, and a stop member with which the diaphragm contacts when vibrating.

S. A mute comprising a cone-shaped tubular member, a diaphragm forming a closure for the large end of the tubular member, a. disk member forming a partial closure for the reduced end of the tubular member, and a tube secured in the last-named head memher and extending into the cone-shaped tubular member, a striking plate secured to the center portion of the diaphragm, and a stop member with which the striking plate contacts when. the diaphragm vibrates.

9. mute comprising a cone-shaped tubular member, a diaphragm forming a closure for the large end of the tubular member, a disk member forming a partial closure for the reduced end of the tubular member, and a tube secured in the last-named disk member and extending into the cone-shaped tubular member, a striking plate secured to the center portion of the diaphragm, and a contact member with which the striking plate engages when the diaphragm vibrates,"and means for adjusting the position of the stop member to increase or decrease the vibrations of the diaphragm.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FERDINAND A. BECKER.

\Vitnesses \V. W. HEALY, M. E. EWING.

Images