WO1986004717A1

WO1986004717A1 - Improved mouthpiece for brass wind instruments

Info

Publication number: WO1986004717A1
Application number: PCT/HU1985/000005
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rudolf RÁCZ
Original assignee: Racz Rudolf
Priority date: 1985-02-08
Filing date: 1985-02-08
Publication date: 1986-08-14

Abstract

Improved mouthpiece for brass wind instruments that consists of a flare (1) and a shaft (4) that are slidably mounted together for relative axial movement against the action of a pre-compressed coil spring (3). The mouthpiece has a valve means for releasing at least part of the player's breath when too high pressure is applied to the flare (1) whereby in such cases no musical sound is produced. A means for releasably locking the valve means in its normally closed position is also provided. The mouthpiece according to the invention is in shape, size and sound-forming characteristics very similar to and interchangeable against the regular valveless mouthpieces and offers outstanding advantages in the quality of the sound, in teaching and also as to economy.

Description

Improved Mouthpiece for Brass Wind Instruments Technical Field

The invention relates to an improved mouthpiece for brass wind instruments which consists of a flare and a shaft that are slidably mounted together for relative axial movement against the action of a pre-compressed spring. The mouthpiece is provided with a built-in valve means for releasing at least part of the player's breath into the ambient atmosphere when said flare is moved in axial direction towards the shaft. Thus the mouthpiece concerned is capable of preventing the player from producing so called "pressed tones" that would result from the player's mouth being applied to the cup-shapeά mouthpiece under too high pressure for blowing air through the instrument.

Background Art

In a first known attempt to overcome the above indicated problem of producing pressed tones when sounding a brass wind instrument a mouthpiece having a telescopic shaft consisting of two slidably fitted tube sections has been proposed. Upon applying too high pressure to the flare of the mouthpiece by the player's mouth, the mouthpiece shaft would telescopically shorten against the action of a pre-compressed spring whereby the instrument body would come nearer to the player. Thus, the player may notice the fact of having applied an "overload" to the mouthpiece and he can correct his mistake. A drawback of this known mouthpiece lies however, in the fact that is does actually not exclude the possibility of sounding pressed tones on the instrument since no valve means for such purpose is included. Thus, the known mouthpiece having a telescopic shaft as mentioned above, serves for the sole purpose of detecting a failure i.e. for informing the player about his wrong manner of playing.

In another known embodiment of the mouthpiece concerned a multi-component device including a valve means for preventing the player from producing musical sounds when strongly pressing his mouth against the mouthpiece, is provided for. This prior art mouthpiece is a product developed, made and commercially marketed by the known factory for the production of musical instruments MIGMA of Markneukirchen, German Democratic Republic, and it incorporates a valve means for releasing part of the air blown through the instrument into the ambient atmosphere upon the application of too high pressure to the flare of the mouthpiece whereby as a result, no musical sound is produced. In particular, the mouthpiece shaft consists of two component parts that are along a cylindrical tubular area, telescopically fitted together for relative axial movement against each other. The lower end of the first, inner tubular part of the shaft opposite to the flare of the mouthpiece is removably fitted into a tubular receiving part of the brass wind instrument for which the mouthpiece is laid out, in a manner well known in the art .concerned. The second, outer part of the shaft that is slidably guided along the first, inner tubular part of the shaft, is constantly held in a normal position relative to the latter by means of two adjustable fixing screws, and a coil spring is arranged around the telescopic area of the shaft within a cylindrical housing that is secured to the tubular receiving part of the instrument. The relative position of the first and the second part of the shaft in which they are normally held, corresponds with the longest relative arrangement of the telescope formed by said shaft parts. Upon exerting pressure on the flare of the mouth-piece, the telescopic arrangement will tend to become shorter while the coil spring is compressed simultaneously. The telescopic fit between the tubular first and second part of the shaft is substantially airtight, though it enables them to slide easily against each other. Thus, the force needed for shortening their normal relative length is substantially determined by the characteristics of the coil spring applied . In their common, overlapping cylindrical tubular area each part of the shaft is provided with a pair of diametral facing holes arranged in a common diametral plane. With the telescopic arrangement of the mouthpiece staying in its longest normal position, said diametral holes of the respective shaft parts are in axially spaced relationship relative to each other. By applying substantial pressure against the flare of the mouthpiece and thus, by compressing the spring coil, the telescopic arrangement of the two shaft parts is shortened, and on a certain given displacement, said diametral holes arrive at a common overriding axial position whereby a free passage for Releasing at least part of the player's breath blown through the mouthpiece will be opened into the housing of the spring and, from here, through appropriate holes arranged in the bottom of said housing, into the ambient atmosphere. In this position however, no musical sound and thus,no pressed sound of the instrument concerned, can be produced. Upon reducing the pressure applied to the flare of the mouthpiece, the telescopic arrangement described above will return into its longest,, normal position, the valve means closes the passage of breath towards the atmosphere, and the instrument can be played with appropriate good musical tone quality.

The known prior art mouthpiece as described above shows some favourable features. First of all, it not only indicates to the player that the mouthpiece is applied under too hard pressure to the mouth but it practically prevents musical sound production when having done so. By a proper coil sping out of a set of spings of different characteristics the player may adjust the mouthpiece individually so as to comply with his own taste and style of performance.

However, a number of drawbacks and disadvantages are associated with the known multi-component mouthpiece. It cannot be used when the instrument is played in an orchestra. Due to the telescopic arrangement for providing a spring-biassed valve means, the length of the mouthpiece may vary slightly while being in use. The alterations of the shaft length result in the detuning of the instrument which can of course not be tolerated. Also because of the telescopic arrangement, the shaft must have an inner breath passage which is, at least in the area of the telescopically fitted tubular sections of the shaft parts, entirely cylindrical having a non-changing inner diameter over a substantial axial length. Thus, the inner breath passage cannot have the well known ideal smooth and continuous streamline-shape whereby the formation of good quality, artistic sounds is rendered more difficult. The lifetime and the function of the spring are negatively affected by the spring being directly exposed to the moisture content of the player's breath with the valve means open. The same applies to the well-fitted inner surface areas of the sliding tubular parts of the shaft that are also contacted by moist air and thus, show a tendency to early corrosion since they are usually made of stgel. Another drawback of the known device is that its shape and size, are quite different from those of the regular mouthpieces that are common in use. Its handling and adjusting are also difficult since at least a screw driver is needed for fixing them.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved mouthpiece for brass wind instruments which is, besides having a built-in valve means for preventing the production of "pressed tones" as indicated and defined above, very similar in shape, size and sound-forming and other handling characteristics to regular mouthpieces without such valve means as are widely in use. Another object of the present invention is to provide a mouthpiece having a built-in valve means, that would not detune the instrument when in normal operation.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved mouthpiece of the kind as indicated above that is suitable for both practisinαg and artistic performance by providing easy locking of the built-in valve means in its first, normally closed position. Disclosure of the Invention

The above and other objects have been achieved by an improved mouthpiece for brass wind instruments that consists as basic component parts of a flare and a shaft that are slidably mounted together for relative axial movement against the action of a pre-compressed spring. The mouthpiece according to the present invention is provided with a built-in valve means for releasing at least part of the player's breath into the ambient atmosphere when the flare is only slightly moved in axial direction towards the shaft. In order to perform this, the valve means comprises a hollow valve stem that is coaxial with and secured to the shaft and has an annular conical outer mantle area matching a conical valve seat surface provided within an inner mantle surface of the flare. The flare comprises at least one, preferably a number of bores leading from the conical valve seat surface outwardly to the ambient atmosphere. The annular conical outer mantle surface of the valve stem is urged and thus, pressed by means of the pre-compressed spring against the matching conical valve seat surface of the flare. Eence, in a normally closed, first position of the valve means an airtight seal between the matching conical surfaces and thus towards the ambient atmosphere is provided. The flare, the valve stem and the shaft form, when mounted together as described above, a hollow body of rotation provided with a thoroughfare inside passage that has, in said normally closed, first position of the valve means a substantially smooth, continuous inner surface whereby an easy, undisturbed flow path for the player's breath as common to all known regular mouthpieces for brass wind instruments is provided for.

In preferred embodiments of the mouthpiece according to the present invention the valve stem is at one end, preferably as a screw-type bush, removably connected to the shaft, and it is also provided with an outer cylindrical mantle area of substantial length that is fitted into a cylindrical bore of the flare for slidably guiding the flare in axial direction when the valve means is moved into an open, second position against the action of the pre-compressed spring. Such sliding movement that would result in opening the valve means and thus releasing at least part of the player's breath into the ambient atmosphere may only occur if the player's mouth is applied under two high pressure to the flare of the mouthpiece. Such application under too high pressure would prevent the necessary vibrations of the player's lips against the mouthpiece and as a result of this, non-artistic "pressed tones" could only ce produced. When using a mouthpiece having a built-in valve means, preferably an improved mouthpiece according to the present invention, the player is immediately warned of his playing the instrument improperly, since in such a case the valve means opens and despite continued blowing no musical sound is produced. According to the present invention, the improved mouthpiece performs the above function while keeping the shape, size and sound-forming characteristics very similar to regular common mouthpieces having no built-in valve means. In order to overcome other drawbacks of the known prior art mouthpiece as set forth earlier, in preferred embodiments of the mouthpiece according to the present invention the spring is shaped as a coil spring, and it is arranged with a diametrically loose fit around the outer cylindrical mantle area of the valve stem. Such a coil spring is held in a pre-compressed state by abutting, at one of its ends against an annular abutment surface of the flare and at its other end against another annular abutting that is formed as a stepped abutment in the shaft. As a result of this arrangement, the coiled spring is by no means exposed to the moisture content of the player's breath and it is not affected by corrosion. Out of a set of springs of different characteristics the player may choose one that suits him and enables him to achieve the best artistic sound effect.

Finally, in very advantageous embodiments, the mouthpiece according to the present invention may be provided with means for releasably locking the valve means in its normally closed, first position. With such a locking means engaged into locking position, the built-in valve means of the mouthpiece can be easily put out of function, and as a result of this, the player may use one and the same mouthpiece for both, practising and artistic performance with no risk involved. Said means fcr releasably locking the valve means in its normally closed, first position may comprise a rσtatable nut-like sleeve having a threaded inner section in engagement with a male thread on the outer surface of the shaft for axial movemenτ of said sleeve upon its rotation. The sleeve nay further have a substantially cylindrical mantle part extending axially over the pre-compressed coil spring and over a cylindrical outer mantle surface area of the flare. Thus, the annular endface of the sleeve is adjustable into pre-determined spaced relationship against an annular abutment in the outer surface of the flare. Also, the nut-like sleeve may have a knurled or nicked or grooved or otherwise indented outer mantle surface for easy manual adjusting. Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be more detailed and more particularly described by introducing, by way of example only, a preferred embodiment of the improved mouthpiece according to the present invention. For the sake of better understanding reference is made to the attached drawings in which

Fig.1 shows a longitudinal half-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the mouthpiece according to the invention with the built-in valve means in its normally closed and locked first position ready for use in any kind of artistic performance,

Fig.2 shows the mouthpiece as shown in Fig. 1. with the built-in valve means in its normally closed but unlocked first position, ready for use in practising, teaching, training etc. and

Fig. 3 shows the mouthpiece as shown in Fig. 1 and 2 in a state of activation wherein the built-in valve means is moved into its open, second position because of improper application of the mouthpiece to the player's lips.

Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

In Fig. 1 of the attached drawing a longitudinal haif-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a mouthpiece according to the invention is shown. Basically, the mouthpiece consists of a flare 1, and a shaft 4. At its lower end when seen in the drawing figure, a hollow valve stem 2 is, in a manner as a screw-type bush, removably connected to the shaft 4 . The valve stem 2 is provided with an outer cylindrical area of substantial length that is fitted intoacyIindrical bore of the flare 1 for slidably guiding the flare 1 in axial direction. The valve stem 2 has also an annular conical outer mantle surface area matching a conical valve seat surface within the inner mantle surface of the flare 1. The latter comprises a number of substantially radial bores 6 that lead from the conical valve seat surface outwardly to the ambient atmosphere. A coil spring 3 is arranged with a diametrically loose fit around the outer cylindrical mantle area of the valve stem 2. It is held in a pre-compressed state by abutting, at its upper end, against an annular abutment surface of the flare 1 and, at its other end, against another annular abutting that is formed as a stepped abutment in the shaft 4. The valve stem 2, the flare 1 and the coil spring 3 form together a valve means wherein the annular conical outer mantle surface of the valve stem 2 is being urged and pressed by means of the pre-compressed coil spring 3 against the matching conical valve seat surface of the flare 1. In this normally closed first position of the valve means an airtight seal between the matching conical valve surfaces and thus towards the ambient atmosphere is maintained. For locking this first, closed position of the valve means a rotatable nut-like sleeve 5 having a kn led or nicked or otherwise indented outer mantle surface, and a threaded inner section in engagement with a male thread on the outer surface of the shaft 4 for axial movement upon rotation is arranged substantially around the area where the coil spring 3 is held in position. The sleeve has a substantially cylindrical mantle part that extends axially over and around the pre-compressed coil spring 3, and also over and around a cylindrical outer mantle surface of the flare 1. The annular (upper) endface of the sleeve abuts, as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the attached drawing, against an annular abutment in the outer surface of the flare 1. The mouthpiece according to the invention as shown in Fig.1 and substantially described above, is in shape, size and sound-forming characteristics very similar to the regular commonly used mouthpieces. It can be seen very clearly that the flare 1, the valve stem 2, and the shaft 4 form, when mounted together as shown, a substantially integral hollow body of rotation that is provided with an axial thoroughfare inside passage. In the normally closed first position of the valve means as shown in both Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the axial inner passage ensures an undisturbed flow path for the player's breath since it has a substantially smooth, continuous inner surface with no sudden changes in the diameter or in the shape of the generatrix line. More particularly, the invention makes it possible to alter the shape of the longitudinal cross-section of this passage in accordance with individual requirements e.g. by changing the valve stem 2, the shaft 4, the flare 1 or any combinations of these component parts. Very advantageously the same basic structure is applicable to mouthpieces for all kinds of brass wind instruments ranging from small horns to tubas.

Referring now to Fig. 2 of the attached drawing in which the valve means of the mouthpiece is shown in its unlocked position, one will notice that the nut-like sleeve 5 has been adjusted by simple manual rotating into a pre-determined spaced relationship against the annular abutment in the outer surface of the flare 1. In this position an annular free space 7 between the upper endface of the sleeve 5 and said annular abutment is provided. Hence, the flare 1 is allowed to slide against the action of the pre-compressed coil spring 3 relative to the valve stem 2. As soon as the pressure applied by the player's mouth to the flare 1 exeeds the stored resistance of the coil spring 3 the valve means will be moved into its open second position as shown in Fig.3 whereby a valve gap 8 is opened between the annular conical valve seat surfaces and thus at least part of the player's breath is released through said valve gap 8 and bores 6 into the ambient atmosphere. As a result, no musical sound will be produced. Since the above occurs only when the player exerts much too high pressure on the mouthpiece that would inevitably result in non-artistic "pressed" tones, the mouthpiece according to the present invention successfully prevents him from doing so whereby its objects are achieved.

Obviously a very short movement is needed for the valve means to open. Neither the well-fitted guiding surfaces nor the spring are exposed to the moisture contained in the player's breath. Also they are well protected from being affected by dust and other sources of wear and tear. All component parts including the coil spring can be easily changed and thus the pressure value for causing the valve means to open is adaptable to the player's individual requirements in a very simple way. For locking the normally closed first position of the valve means as dealt with in detail above no special tool is required. Haturally the same applies to unlocking it. The mouthpiece according to the present invention is equally suitable for the purpose of artistic performance as well as that of practising and/or teaching. Its application does not need any alteration or modification of the instrument itself, any regular valveless mouthpiece can be replaced by the invented novel device. As already mentioned, all component parts of the mouthpiece according to the invention are easy to change i.e. to be replaced by another that is different in shape or size. Thus one single mouthpiece and a few appropriate spare component parts thereof are sufficient for the player to use it when playing e.g. the tenor, the alto or the bass trombone by changing the mouthpiece shaft that fits the particular instrument. This advantage is not only economical but also very convenient. The same applies to other related instruments.

Claims

Claims :

1. An improved mouthpiece for brass wind instruments, the mouthpiece consisting of a flare (1) and a shaft (4) that are slidably mounted together for relative axial movement against the action of a pre-compressed spring (3), said mouthpiece having a valve means for releasing at least part of the player's breath into the ambient atmosphere when said flare (1) is moved axially towards said shaft (4), the improvement in said mouthpiece being characterized in said valve means comprising a hollow valve stem (2) secured to said shaft (4), said valve stem (2) having an annular conical outer mantle surface area matching a conical valve seat surface within an inner mantle surface of said flare (1), said flare (1) comprising at least one bore (6) leading from the conical valve seat surface outwardly to the ambient atmσsphere, and said annular conical outer mantle surface of the valve stem (2) being urged and pressed by means of said pre-compressed spring (3) against said matching conical valve seat surface of said flare (1) whereby, in a normally closed, first position of said valve means an airtight seal between said matching conical surfaces and thus towards the ambient atmosphere is provided.

2. A mouthpiece as claimed in Claim 1 characterized in said flare (1), said valve stem (2) and said shaft (4) forming, when mounted together, a hollow body of rotation provided with a thoroughfare inside passage having in said normally closed, first position of said valve means a substantially smooth, continuous inner surface so as to ensure an undisturbed flow for the player's breath therethrough.

3. A mouthpiece as claimed in Claim 2 characterized in said valve stem (2) being at one end, preferably as a screw-type bush, removably connected to said shaft (4), and said valve stem (2) being also provided with an outer cylindrical mantle area of substantial length that is fitted into a cylindrical bore of said flare for slidably guiding the latter in axial direction when said valve means is moved into an open, second position against the action of said pre-compressed spring (3).

4. A mouthpiece as claimed in Claim 3 characterized in said spring (3) being shaped as a coil spring (3) that is arranged with a diametrically loose fit around said outer cylindrical mantle area of said valve stem (2), said coil spring (3) being held in a precompressed state by abutting, at one of its ends against an annular abutment surface of said flare (1) and at its other end against another annular abutting that is formed as a stepped abutment in said shaft (4).

5. A mouthpiece as claimed in Claim 4 characterized in having means for releasably locking said valve means in its normally closed, first position.

6. A mouthpiece as claimed in Claim 5 characterized in said means for releasably locking said valve means in its normally closed, first position comprising a rotatable nut-like sleeve (5) having a threaded inner section in engagement with a male thread on the outer surface of said shaft (4) for axial movement of said sleeve (5) upon its rotation, said sleeve (5) further having a substantially cylindrical mantle part extending axially over said pre-compressed coil spring (3) and over a cylindrical outer mantle surface area of said flare (1), the annular endface of said sleeve (5) thus being adjustable into pre-determined spaced relationship against an annular abutment in the outer surface of said flare (1).

7. A mouthpiece as claimed in Claim 6 characterized in said nut-like sleeve (5) having a knurled or nicked or grooved or otherwise indented outer mantle surface for easy manual adjusting.