US1411563A - Mouthpiece for clarinets and saxophones - Google Patents

Description

D. R. CLARK.

MOUTHPI EGE FOR CLARINETS AND SAXOPHONES. APPLICATION FILED DBL-8,1919- 1 ,41 1 ,563. Patented-Apr. 4, 1922.

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DUNCAN R. CLARK, OF FOREST CITY, IOWA.

MOUTHPIECE FOR CLARINETS AND SAXOIHONES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 4, 1922.

Application filed December 8, 1919. Serial 110,343,170.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, DUNCAN R. Cnnnma citizen of the United States, residing at Forest City, in the county of Winnebago and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mouthpieces for Clarinets and Saxophones, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to mouthpieces for musical instruments, such as clarinets and Saxophones, and the primary object of the invention is to provide an improved mouth piece, in which the vibration of the upper wall thereof is reduced, and in which the vibration is prevented from being transmitted to the teeth of the musician playing the instrument.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mouth piece for musical instruments having an inlay of soft shock absorbing material, so that the vibration of the reed will not be transmitted to the teeth of the user and to permit of a better grip being obtained on the mouth piece, so as to facilitate the playing thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved mouth piece having a thickened upper wall, which'will reduce the vibration thereof and permit a larger opening to be made of the front part of the mouthpiece where the tones first enter the instrument, thereby making the tones more mellow and flute like and preventing the choking or pinching of the same.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved mouth piece for musical instruments of the above character which is durable and eflicient in use, one that is simple and easy to manufacture, and one which can be placed upon the market at a reasonable cost. 1

Other objects of the invention will appear in the following detailed description, taken in connection with the drawings, and in which drawings:

-Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved mouthpiece, showing the inlay in the upper wall thereof.

Figure 2 is a central longitudinal section through the same, and

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A indicates the improved mouth piece having the shock absorbing pad B.

The mouth piece A includes the usual tubular body 5 having the reduced shank 6 provided with thefriction pad 7.

The upper wall 8 of the body is formed relatively thick, so as to prevent vibration of the same, when the mouth piece is in use. This'wall 8 is formed preferably twice as thick as in the ordinary mouth piece, so that tie shock absorbing pad B may be placed therein and arranged flush with the outer surface of the wall 8.

The shock absorbing pad B includes a flat body formed of the rubber, cork or other flexible shock absorbing material and has the outer edges thereof bevelled as at 1 1.

The outer surface of the upper wall 8 is recessed as at 15. The end walls of the recess 15 are undercut as at 16 for the recep tion of the bevelled ends of the pad. In placing the pad in position, the same is slightly bent or compressed so as to force the bevelled ends thereof in the undercut walls 16 of the recess 15. If so desired, the walls however may be formed smooth and the insert glued into position.

The relatively thick wall 8 not only forms means for permitting a seat to be made for the pad, but also allows the inner upper wall to be cut away and hollowed at the very front part of the mouthpiece as at 17, which makes a much larger opening at the point where the tones first enter into the instrument, thus making all tones more mellow and flute like, and eliminates the pinching or choking of the tones. The thickened top wall also makes the mouthpiece more of an even thickness throughout, which causes all tones to resound more evenly, eliminating the vibration so disagreeable and plainly felt by the upper front teeth of clarinet and saxophone players. This thickness of the mouthpiece allows all tones to be produced withoutinserting the mouth piece so far into the mouth and bringing the point of the reed nearer the tip of the tongue which makes all tongued and staccato notes more clear and distinct, and permits the body of the instrument to be played closer to the body of the player which throws the point of the reed up further which allows a still freer use of the tongue and makes possible double and triple tonguing, as distinct and as clear as on the cornet.

Further the pad 13 absolutely prevents the transmission of any vibrations from the front teeth of the user, and permits a firm grip being obtained on the mouth piece and thus prevents slipping ot the mouth piece in the mouth oi. the user.

From the foregoing description it can be seen that an improved mouth piece has been provided oi exceptionally simple and durable construction which will permit the better playing of the instrument and prevent vibration from being transferred to the teeth of the user.

Reed trouble is largely eliminated due to the enlargement of the extreme front or inner upper wall. A much softer reed can be used to obtain the extreme upper tones, which eliminates the hard biting of the upper lip and the harsh tones caused by a stiff reed.

Changes in details may be made Without departing from the spirit of my invention; but

I claim:

1. A mouth piece for musical instruments including a tubular body having an inclined upper Wall, said upper Wall being formed thicker than that portion of the Wall of the body opposite to the same, the inner surface of the inclined upper Wall being hollowed out, as and for the purpose specified.

2. A mouth piece for musical instruments comprising a body provided with a recess, the upper and lower Walls of the recess being uinlercut, and a flexible shock absorbing pad fitted in said recess having its upper and lower ends bevelled and fitted under said DUNCAN R. CLARK.

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