US3510564A - Amplifying system for wind instruments - Google Patents

Description

y 1970 H. o. WETSELL ErrAL 3,510,564

AMPLIFYING SYSTEM FOR WIND INSTRUMENTS Filed Aug. 8, 1966 FIG.

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INVENTORS H. 0. WETSELL D. W ST/LES BY Q a ATTORNEY States Patent U.S. Cl. 841.04 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An amplifier for wind instruments having a pickup hood containing a microphone and a support member connected externally to the bell of the instrument at a point remote from the bell opening, for mounting the hood within the annular confines of the bell opening and out of contact therewith, so as to minimize undesirable noise pickup resulting from movement of the keys of the instrument.

This invention relates to a sound amplifier for wind instruments, and while the principle involved may be employed with various types of wind instruments, the invention was primarily designed for use in connection with the bells of saxophOnes.

We are familiar with a number of known amplifying systems for different types of wind instruments, such, for example, as that illustrated and described in the US. patent to Rudd, No. 2,574,591, wherein the pickup device is combined with a mute member which fits into the bell of a trumpet in direct contact therewith. Others involve a pickup device built into the instrument itself which usually requires expensive alteration of the instrument.

The main disadvantage with these known structures resides in the fact that the pickup devices not only transmit the musical vibrations, but also many undesirable noises, such as those resulting from the movement of the instrument keys. This disadvantage is especially noticeable when a saxophone is involved, because of the many moving keys employed in a conventional saxophone.

It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide an amplifying system especially adaptable for use with saxophones which will reduce to a minimum the pickup of undesirable noises which, when amplified, are extremely objectionable.

Another object of the invention is to provide an amplifying device which, as distinguished from a conventional mute, only partially fills the bell opening of the instrument and is so mounted with respect to the bell as to avoid any actual contact therewith.

A further object of the invention is to provide an amplifying device of this character which is suspended within the bell opening by only one contact point which facilitates the elimination of undesirable noise pickup.

A still further object is to provide a novel and effective means for mounting the pickup cartridge or microphone in an inverted cone assembly with a maximum of insulation to eliminate undesirable noises.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel features herein set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings in which numerals of like character designate similar parts throughout both views:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the 3,510,564 Patented May 5, 1970 amplifying device of the present invention mounted on the bell of a saxophone; and

FIG. 2 is a sectional view, illustrating the pickup cone assembly and its supporting means.

In the drawings, referring first to FIG. 1 the numeral 3 represents the bell of a conventional saxophone which terminates in the usual flaring, annular edge 4. It has been found that the sound vibrations in saxophones emanate in great volume from the edge of the bell. Therefore, in order to minimize the pickup of undesirable noises, such as movement of the keys, the pickup assembly of the present invention, generally indicated by the numeral 5, is suspended within the annular boundaries of the bell opening and completely out of contact with the bell. This pickup assembly comprises a hood or cone 6 of any suitable material which is inverted so that its mouth 7 is directed into the bell of the saxo phone. As previously indicated, the circumference of the pickup opening 7 is smaller than that of the saxophone bell opening, and its only point of support is completely free of the bell edge 4.

The cone 6 is supported as at 8 on one extremity of a support wire, generally indicated at 9, the opposite end of which is fixed by any suitable means as at 10 to a bell strap 11. The support wire 9 extends in spaced relation alongside of the hell 3 for a distance and is then outwardly looped as at 12 so as to accommodate varying sizes of saxophone bells, suspending the pickup assembly 5 centrally of the bell opening as shown in FIG. 1.

The support wire 9 is preferably constructed of 10- gauge steel or brass wire which provides suflicient rigidity to afford adequate support for the pickup assembly. It has also been found that the most practical mounting point for the bell strap 11 is from 4" to 5" below the edge 4 of the saxophone bell 3. Preferably, a cork band 13 lines the bell strap 11 which is adjustably secured in place on the bell 3 by any suitable clamping screw arrangement, such as at 14.

Returning to the pickup assembly, a microphone or pickup cartridge 15 is supported within the mouth of cone 6, and, preferably, this is accomplished by the use of a substance known as silicone silastic rubber, a product of Dow-Corning. This is applied in the form of a heavy paste as shown at 16 in FIG. 2, which, after having set and cured, becomes rubber-like and provides an excellent adhesive quality. The microphone cartridge 15 is embedded in this material within the cone, which not only secures the microphone in place, but provides efiicient insulation for the microphone. While the silicone silastic rubber of Dow-Corning is specifically mentioned above for supporting the microphone in the cone 6, it will be understood that any suitable material may be employed which has the properties of adhesiveness, and, when cured, forms a tough rubbery solid with insulating characteristics. If desired, an epoxy material may be used.

The usual connections 17 lead from the microphone to a jack 18 which may be connected to a conventional amplifier (not shown) by a cable 19 on the end of which a plug 20 is provided for insertion in the jack 18. The leads 17 are suitably insulated and may also be covered with a material similar to that in which the microphone is embedded, thus completely sealing the wiring connections and pickup from moisture and dust.

A conventional on-and-oif switch 21 is provided for controlling the amplifier, and, if desired, a volume control may also be employed. Also, the control switch may be foot controlled by a conventional foot actuated switch.

It may be noted that this amplifying system in no way affects the normal use of a saxophone and is especially adaptable for use where a saxophone soloist is playing in the saxophone section of an orchestra and is required to render a solo. By simply actuating the control switch 21 or, if desired, a foot operated switch (not shown), the solo can be amplified. In other words, the pickup device may remain installed on a saxophone at all times and used only when desired.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the invention may be readily understood by those skilled in the art Without further description, it being borne in mind that numerous changes may be made in the details disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

We claim:

1. An amplifying system for wind instruments, comprising a pickup hood consisting of an inverted cone of less diameter than the bell opening of said instrument, a microphone in said hood, leads from said microphone to an amplifier, and a support member connected externally to the bell of said instrument at a point remote from the bell opening, comprising the sole means for supporting said hood within the annular confines of said bell opening, with the bounding edges of said hood spaced radially inwardly from and out of contact with said bell opening, said support member consisting of a supporting wire externally secured at one end to said bell with its opposite end secured to said hood by a one-point contact.

2. An amplifying system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said microphone is secured within said hood by means of a mass of adhesive material in which the boundary of said microphone is embedded.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,249,409 12/1917 Jones 841.04

WARREN E. RAY, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

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