US1852749A - Mouthpiece for wind musical instruments - Google Patents

Description

April 5, 1932. E. M. HINER MOUTHPIECE FOR WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Nov 18 1929 Patented Apr. 5, 1932 PATENT OFFICE EDWIN MORRISON HINER, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA MOU'IHPIECE FOR WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Application filed November 18, 1929.

This invention belongs in the general class of musical instruments, and in that particular group technically designated as brass wind instruments: which includes trumpets,

cornets, tubas, trombones, and all others in which notes are produced by lip vibration as distinguished from those which produce sounds by reed vibrations, or direct vibrations of air columns having no mouthpiece,

tonal production, e. g., flutes, fifes and the like.

The objects of the invention are to provide a mouthpiece for the class of instruments specified, which, fundamentally, distribute the total lip pressure, thereby reducing the unit pressures between the activating human lip and the metal mouthpiece, which will provide an annulus around themouthpiece against which the inactive portion of the human lip may rest and steady itself. From these conditions proceed important improvements and results, to-wit, reduction or elimination of the so-called lip paralysis of performers on brass wind instruments; the enabling of playing of wind instruments by persons having no front teeth, the prevention of tooth injury, and other beneficial effects which will be made manifest as this description proceeds.

In playing brass wind instruments the humanlips vibrate thereby setting in vibration the air column in the instrument. Fundamental Variations in the pitch of notes are produced by variation in the vibration of the outer, mid-zone of the players lips, the upper lip being the principal and the important element in effecting tonal changes. Asis well known in physics, the time period of vibration of any member, substance, or cord, increases with the tension to which it maybe subjected. In accordance with this general law, the higher notes, corresponding to more rapid vibrations, are produced by increasing the pressure on the lips. herefrom, follows the practice of pressing the lip forcibly against the mouthpieces of brass instruments when. higher notes are to be played. In every branch of musical note production the ability to produce a clear sustained note of high pitch is regarded as the Serial No. 408,107.

most desirable quality for any performer and one which is the mark of a superior technique and musical attainment, and so it is also in playing brass wind instruments. For these reasons, performers on brass wind instruments, and especially those of a higher general range or pitch, e. g., the cornet, learn early to press hard with the lips against the border of the mouthpiece and this pressure of a comparatively narrow metal annulus against the outer mid-zone of the lip, combined with the rapid vibration of the small free end of the lip, causes a lip paralysis which frequently terminates the ability of the performer to produce music and the necessity of turning to some other vocation. Furthermore, this paralysis often comes early in the career of wind brass instrument players so that it is particularly harsh in its results on the life and fortunes of those musicians who have adopted this class of instruments for their usual performances.

A second important condition is that of the essential requirement of front teeth, for any performer on this group of brass wind instruments. The lips are clamped between the metal annulus and the teeth. Obviously, clamping the upper part of the upper lip between the annulus and the teeth leaves the lower end of the lip free to vibrate, and it is this condition which produces the initial vibration of the air column in the instrument. The rapidity of lip vibration, combined with severe pressure of the exterior member, or mouthpiece, makes the use of any form of removable false teeth impossible as a backing, or pressure member, cooperating with the annulus to compress the lips. False teeth are jarred or pushed from position, and performers who lose front teeth can no longer play brass wind instruments. Furthermore, the combined pressure and vibratory action to which the teeth are subjected in playing these instruments, tend to cause serious tooth diseases and corresponding losses even in early years.

Obviously, other troubles are engendered by the foregoing conditions which it is needless here to catalogue, and it is towards the elimination of these various difficulties, diseases and conditions that this invention is directed and the mouthpiece of this invention corrects these evils and also permits a far better lip disposition or embouchure.

With the foregoing, and other objects in View, the invention consists in the novel and useful formation, construction, interrelation and combination of parts, members and features, as well as mode and methods of use thereof, and steps and performances taken and had, all as hereinafter described, shown in the drawings and finally pointed out in claims.

In the drawings: 7 v

Fig. 1 is an elevation of an improved mouthpiece made in accordance with this invention and showing a fragmentary portion of the entrant end of an instrument into which the mouthpiece tube is fitted;

Fig. 2 is a plan of same;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of same, omitting the fragment of the horn;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of a modification of the same; and

Fig. 5 is an elevation of a modification of Fig. 1.

In the figures, A represents the entire device, B is the entrant end of any kind of horn or brass instrument, the end 10 of the connecting tube forming part of the mouthpiece, and cooperating end of B, belng ground, or otherwise formed, to fit together, making an ordinary taper, slip-joint as is customary in all musical instruments of this type, the tube end 10 fitting into entrant end of the instrument, B.

The standard form of mouthpiece is indicated by that portion of each figure which terminates at the upper end in the rounded anannulus and cutting into the lips.

nulus 11. This invention contemplates the provision of two annuli, each with its projecting rounded portion in substitution for the standard mouthpiece, thereby producing an inner annulus 11 and an outer annulus 12, both whereof are somewhat raised. The outor annulus 12 extends, radially, a comparatively large distance outward from the edge of the orifice, thereby presenting a relatively wide flanged member encircling the mouthpiece opening with an inner raised annulus around and adjacent the opening, and a second raised annulus outside of and adjacent the said first named annulus, as shown by the figures.

Obviously, this construction permits the lips to contact with both of the annuli so that they are pressed against the inner ring of the orifice tightly enough to make a high note, while the rest of the lip is pressed against the outer annulus so that the total area over which the pressure is distributed is much greater than that of the narrow inner annulus, which thereby prevents the pressure frombeing concentrated around the single Due to the increased area of contact, the unit pressure of lip against metal can never be very great. Hence, there can be no forcing the narrow mouthpiece rim against the lips to the detriment of both lips and teeth before mentioned, but the pressure, being distributed over two concentric rounded rings forming a wide flange, can be nowhere very great or injurious.

Therefore, the extension of the area of pressure prevents the several ills before mentioned which arise from the severe, cutting effects of a narrow, single annulus and its small area. Further, by reason of the greater area of the mouthpiece end, persons without front teeth can playwind brass instruments just as prior to removal of their teeth. The wider mouthpiece presses the lips against the gums thereby holding the lips in compression so that they can vibrate similarly to the action when the lips are pressed between mouthpiece and the teeth. Also, the pressure on any single tooth is less than in the case of the narrow, single annulus and its much smaller area. Hence, it is obvious that the double ring mouthpiece, having the far greater area, saves the lips and the teeth and enables performers who have lost their front teeth to continue to play brass band instruments.

A modification of this structure is shown in Fig. 4, whereby the outer annulus is adjustable relativeto the inner one by threading the exterior of the mouthpiece, which is made cylindrical over a short distance, 14, just under the annulus 11 to receive the threads. The outer annulus is made as a separate member and bored and threaded to fit the threaded cylindrical portion of the exterior of the mouthpiece. The outer edge of the inner annulus 11 is also made cylindrical, at 17, the outer member being dimensioned to fit around the short cylindrical lengths 14 and 17 of the mouthpiece exterior.

Obviously, by turning the outer member 12 around mouthpiece exterior 11, member 12 is caused to move axially along mouthpiece 11 over a narrow range so that the relative projection of the two annuli may be slightly varied to suit the personal preferences of the player.

The dotted outline indicates the changed position of the exterior annulus when screwed upward as far as the parts permit.

A second modification is shown in Fig. 5. In this form the upper surface is curved in elevation, when viewed from one direction, so that the mouthpiece tends to follow the contour of the mouth, somewhat like the mouthpiece of a trumpet, as shown.

Having described my invention, in connection with illustrative embodiments, forms and arrangements of parts, it will be understood that many variants thereof are possible to those skilled in the art, and my invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the particular construction or application herein shown and described, as changes in the size, proportions, configurations, arrangements, assemblage, interaction, juxtaposition and mechanical relations, as well as additions, omissions, substitutions, combinations and a1- terations of forms, parts, members, features and in the kind and order of operations and successive steps may be made without departing from the broad spirit of'this invention.

Having thus disclosed my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A mouthpiece for wind musical instruments having a member with two projecting portions for lip reception between which said member extends.

2. A mouthpiece for wind musical instruments having inner and outer projecting annuli for lip reception and a web between and connecting same.

3. A mouthpiece for wind musical instruments having inner and outer portions of projection for lip reception, the relative positions of the said portions being adjustable; and means connecting and extending between same.

4. A mouthpiece for wind musical instruments adapted for lip application including an inner annular portion, and an outer annular portion, the two said portions being united to form a continuous member.

5. A mouthpiece for wind musical instruments adapted for lip application including an inner annular portion, and an outer annular portion, the two said portions being united to form a continuous member and means whereby the two said portions may be adjusted relatively to each other.

6. A mouthpiece for wind musical instruments adapted for lip application including an inner annular portion, and an outer annular portion, the two said portions being united to form a continuous member and means whereby the projection of the said outer portion is adjustable with respect to the said inner portion.

7. A mouthpiece for wind musical instruments, comprising a projecting portion surrounding the opening of the mouthpiece, and a second projecting portion concentric therewith and slightly below the said first portion and extending radially outward a considerable distance relatively beyond the said first portion, the two said projecting portions being united by a web thereby providing a continuous surface for the reception of lips.

8. A mouthpiece for brass wind musical instruments including a cupped opening whereof the border is a rounded annulus, said opening being contracted to a comparatively small tapered tube adapted to make a slipjoint connection with an instrument, a radially continuous flange having a raised annulus adjacent its periphery and encircling the said border annulus, thereby providing

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