Patent Publication Number: US-6664456-B2

Title: Harmonic vibration damping device for musical instruments and firearms

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention concerns musical instruments and, more particularly, wind instruments. One type of wind instrument is mainly made of metal and uses a cup mouthpiece and convoluted, generally cylindrical or slightly tapering tubing terminating in a flared end or “bell”. This type of instrument is commonly referred to as a “brass” instrument, even though often constructed of other bright metals such as silver, nickel, etc. Another type of wind instrument, called a “woodwind”, uses a wooden reed caused to vibrate by the focusing of an air column from the mouth of the human player to create sound. The invention is also applicable to stringed instruments, in which the sound vibrations are produced by the relative movement of a bow against the strings of the instrument. The invention is also applicable to firearms. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In brass instruments, resonance of the air column occurs at various pitches of sounds produced by the musician&#39;s lips at the mouthpiece. In woodwinds, the sound is generally produced by the reed, as in the clarinet, or by the focusing of an air column into a hole at one end, as in the flute. Resonance is caused by the bell of the instrument. Resonance assists the musician in obtaining the tone he desires and also acts to amplify the sound the musician&#39;s lips generate at the mouthpiece. The pitches at which resonances will occur depend on the length of the tube defining the “air column” or the path along which the sound travels through the instrument. The tubing length is sufficiently long as to require forming the tubing in loops, as is done in the trumpet, French horn, tuba, and other brass instruments. In woodwinds, the distance the air travels through the instrument is varied by the opening and closing of various holes along the length of the instrument, thereby providing different resonance frequencies. In stringed instruments, the different resonance frequencies are produced by causing different lengths of strings to vibrate by action of the movement of the bow across them. 
     In addition, in a brass instrument such as the trumpet, three valves are used to allow the musician to selectively vary the length of the tubing in order to enable resonances to be achieved for each note of a complete musical scale. Each valve is received in one of a bank of valve casings located along the length of the main tubing. The valves allow one of respective U-shaped slide tubes of different lengths to be placed in communication with the tubing defining the air column of the instrument to, in effect, vary the length of the air column, shifting the pitches at which resonances will occur. 
     Resonance necessarily involves a reflection of sound at the bell back into the instrument, but reflection at other points in the bore of the tube is known to cause degeneration of tone. These unwanted reflections may be caused by irregularities along the tube. 
     Wind instruments act as “coupling” devices which amplify the tones produced by the musician&#39;s lips, and/or the reed, and this amplification is at its greatest efficiency at the resonant frequencies. Coupling efficiency affects instrument responsiveness (the ease in which the instrument produces a desired tone in response to the efforts of the musician). 
     It is well-known in the prior art to produce an improvement in tone quality and responsiveness in musical instruments by strategically placing damping material at specified positions on the instrument. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,095 to Davidson discloses an improvement to the tone and responsiveness of brass instruments achieved by holding preshaped pieces of damping material, preferably a waxy, hot-melt adhesive, pressed against surfaces of the instrument tubing sections such as valve casings and tubing sections at particular locations, to reduce sympathetic vibrations of the instrument structure. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 59,204 to Fiske discloses the interposing of rubber or another suitable elastic substance between the attachments of the main pipe with the bell of a wind instrument. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,635,117 to Nagao discloses a ring fixing structure for a woodwind musical instrument. Rings are fixed around the elongated hollow bodies of the woodwind musical instrument, such as their joints and bell edge for reinforcing and ornamental purposes, grooves are formed, respectively, in opposite portions of the elongated hollow bodies and rings, and an adhesive of hot-melt-type is inserted and disposed in the grooves. 
     After fitting the ring to the elongated hollow body with both grooves facing each other, the adhesive is heated into a melted state and solidified, and the ring and the elongated hollow body are firmly adhered to each other. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,238 to Ricci discloses a violin bow having a weight mounted on the rod section of the bow so that both the magnitude of the weight and the position of the weight relative to the tip of the bow are adjustable. This structure enables tuning of the bow with respect to its bounce characteristics so that the bow will bounce on the violin strings with a speed and force considered desirable by the artist handling the bow. 
     In regard to firearms, it is well-known to produce vibration damping devices for improving their accuracy. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,255 to Webb, III, discloses a weapon barrel oscillation reduction apparatus including a plurality of donut shaped rings or washers mounted on the muzzle end portion of a weapons barrel. The weapon barrel has breech and muzzle end portions and provides a machined ring carrying outer surface at the muzzle end portion. An annular shoulder at one end portion of the ring carrying portion acts as a stop for the plurality of rings mounted thereon. A retainer can be removably attached to the opposite end of the ring carrying surface. Upon assembly, the rings can move slightly in a longitudinal direction with respect to each other during a firing of a projectile from the weapons barrel, where the weight of the rings and the slight movement of the rings function to reduce barrel oscillation. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,031 to Bossard et al. discloses a vibration damping device for improving the hit accuracy of a firing weapon. In the case of weapon barrels, which are only secured at one of their ends at the weapon housing during firing of the weapon there occurs, particularly during series firing, bending vibrations or oscillations which impair the hit probability of the fired projectiles. In order to preclude or at least dampen such bending vibrations of the weapon barrel the invention contemplates securing a vibration damping device or damper at the muzzle of the weapon barrel. This vibration damper comprises an inertia body, which is resiliently connected with the weapon barrel muzzle. Also provided is a brake device, which dampens the movement of the inertia body relative to the weapon barrel. The inertia body preferably comprises two ring members which are pressed by springs against two disc members which are rigidly attached to the weapon barrel muzzle. Between the weapon barrel and the ring members of the inertia body there are arranged resilient elements, such as blade or leaf springs. 
     It has heretofore been recognized that factors which reduce coupling efficiencies include the incidence of “sympathetic” harmonic vibrations, i.e., mechanical vibration of the instrument parts, whether it be in musical instruments or firearms. 
     Thus, there is a need in the art to improve the responsiveness and tone of musical instruments by minimizing unwanted sympathetic harmonic vibrations. Such a reduction in sympathetic harmonic vibrations along the muzzle of a firearm is also desirable in order to reduce the audible report and to increase accuracy. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present inventor has discovered that the tone, responsiveness and frequency range of brass instruments can be greatly improved by providing localized damping at particular effective locations on the valve casings tubings and bracings of the instrument providing pieces of vibration absorbent damping material at the exterior surface at those locations. In woodwinds, the present inventor has discovered that the same type of audible improvement is produced by providing the pieces of vibration absorbent damping material at locations along the barrel of the instrument itself. In stringed instruments, the vibration absorbent damping material should preferably be placed at the tip and winding ends of the stick portion of the bow. 
     In firearms, the vibration absorbent damping material should preferably be placed at a specific location on the barrel. 
     The vibration absorbent damping material preferably consists of various numbers of elastic rubber O-rings placed at the various particular effective locations, the number and precise locations of the O-rings depending upon the type of instrument, the variations in the construction of different brands and models of instruments, and the desired amount or degree of vibration absorbent damping desired in order to subtly change timbre for a particular style of playing, such as jazz or classical. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIGS. 1-4 are plan views of various stringed instruments showing the preferred locations of the O-rings according to the present invention. 
     FIGS. 5-10 are plan views of various woodwind instruments showing the preferred locations of the O-rings according to the present invention. 
     FIGS. 11-14 are plan views of various brass instruments showing the preferred locations of the O-rings according to the present invention. 
     FIGS. 15-16 are plan views of alternate embodiments showing the preferred locations of the O-rings on a trumpet according to the present invention. 
     FIGS. 17-19 are plan views of various brass instruments showing the preferred locations of resilient material on the bracing structure according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 20 is a plan view of another alternate embodiment showing the preferred location of both resilient material on the bracing structure and O-rings on a trumpet according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 21 is a plan view of a revolver showing the preferred location of the O-rings according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 22 is a plan view of a revolver showing the preferred location of the resilient material according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present inventor has found that, as a professional musician, the placing of a plurality of rubber O-rings at certain locations on a musical instrument, for example, the trumpet, produces a change in the sound produced by the instrument. In particular, with appropriate placement of the rubber O-rings and with an appropriate number and tension (inside diameter) of rings, a “richer, crisper texture” of the sound may be obtained which is more pleasing to the ears. In addition, particularly for wind instruments, the player should find that all other things being equal, a quicker and more precise attack and an increased range of frequencies may be obtained by the player with reduced pressure and effort, resulting in greater endurance during a playing performance. 
     In relation to firearms, the proper placement of the O-rings at appropriate locations on the barrel, preferably near the muzzle of any firearm, increases the shooting accuracy, produces a tighter grouping of firings, and a reduction in flash, report, and recoil. 
     The O-rings are the preferred vibration-absorbent material because they are light enough and flexible enough not to interfere with the essential harmonic signature of each particular instrument, and may be strategically placed at particular locations such that unwanted resonances, i.e., “sympathetic vibrations”, may be reduced and/or eliminated. The present inventor has particularly found that completely covering the braces connecting the tubing carrying the sound vibration with vibration-absorbent material is particularly desirable, although if O-rings are used in this manner they would have to be placed on the instrument during assembly. 
     The O-rings are preferably made of Nitrile Butadiene Rubber, which can be compounded for particular applications. The amount of O-ring tension and the number of O-rings required for a particular instrument or firearm are proportional to the amount of vibrational energy to be absorbed. 
     FIGS. 1-4 show the preferred locations of the O-rings  10  on the bows for the violin, viola, cello and double bass stringed instruments, respectively. As can be seen from the drawings, the O-rings  10  are preferably arranged at the tip  12  and outside winding  14  along stick  16 . Preferably, three O-rings  10  are arranged adjacent to one another at each location, for each instrument. The outside diameter, inside diameter, and thickness of the O-rings  10  are preferably {fraction (7/16)}″, {fraction (5/16)}″, and {fraction (1/16)}″, respectively, for both the violin and the viola. For the cello, the outside diameter, inside diameter, and thickness of the O-rings  10  are preferably ½″, ⅜″, and {fraction (1/16)}″, respectively. For the double bass, the outside diameter, inside diameter and thickness of the O-rings  10  are preferably ⅝″, ½″ and {fraction (1/16)}″, respectively. For these instruments, the damping provided by the O-rings at these locations provides more precise intonation due to damping of extraneous vibrations, thereby affecting the shifting and expressiveness of vibrato for easier control. This, thereby, imparts more freedom in virtuoso performance. Also, because intonation and shifting ability are improved, the variety and quality of tone colors are greatly improved. 
     FIGS. 5-10 show the preferred location of the O-rings  10  on woodwind instruments, i.e., piccolo, flute, oboe, the upper section of the English horn, clarinet and bassoon, respectively. 
     In FIG. 5, preferably three O-rings  10  are arranged at the end of head joint  18  and preferably three O-rings  10  are arranged at the end of the connecting portion  20  of the body joint  22 . The O-rings at the end of the head joint  18  preferably have an outside diameter, inside diameter and thickness of ½″, ⅜″, and {fraction (1/16)}″, respectively. The O-rings at the end of the connecting portion  20  of the body joint  22  preferably have an outside diameter, inside diameter, and thickness of {fraction (9/16)}″, {fraction (7/16)}″, and {fraction (1/16)}″, respectively. 
     In FIG. 6, preferably four O-rings arranged at the end of head joint  24  and preferably four O-rings  10  are arranged at the end of the connecting portion  20  of middle joint  28 . The O-rings  10  arranged at the end of head joint  24 , preferably have an outside diameter, inside diameter, and thickness of {fraction (13/16)}″, {fraction (11/16)}″, and {fraction (1/16)}″, respectively. The O-rings  10  at the end of the connecting portion  20  of the middle joint  28  preferably have an outside diameter, inside diameter and thickness of {fraction (15/16)}″, {fraction (13/16)}″, and {fraction (1/16)}″, respectively. 
     In FIG. 7, preferably three O-rings  10  are arranged at the end of upper section  30  adjacent reed holder portion  32  and preferably eight O-rings  10  are arranged at the mid-portion of bell  34 . The three O-rings  10  near the reed holder portion  32  preferably have an outside diameter, inside diameter, and thickness of {fraction (13/16)}″, {fraction (11/16)}″ and {fraction (1/16)}″, respectively, and the eight O-rings  10  on the bell  34  preferably have an outside diameter, inside diameter and thickness of 1⅛″, 1″ and {fraction (1/16)}″, respectively. 
     In FIG. 8, preferably five O-rings  10  are arranged at the end of upper section  36  nearest reed-holder portion  38 , each O-ring  10  preferably having an outside diameter, inside diameter and thickness of {fraction (13/16)}″, {fraction (11/16)}″, and {fraction (1/16)}″, respectively. 
     In FIG. 9, preferably three O-rings  10  are arranged at the upper portion of bell  40 , each O-ring  10  preferably having an outside diameter, inside diameter and thickness of 1{fraction (3/16)}″, 1{fraction (1/16)}″, and {fraction (1/16)}″, respectively. 
     In FIG. 10, preferably eight O-rings  10  are arranged on the reed-holder portion  42  at the end farthest from the reed  44 . Each O-ring  10  preferably having an outside diameter, inside diameter and thickness of {fraction (7/16)}″, {fraction (5/16)}″, and {fraction (1/16)}″, respectively. 
     The O-rings  10  at these locations provide the woodwind instruments with a quicker response time for the attack of each note, along with an improvement in flexibility, more control of tone and pitch, more precise note “lock in”, and extended range into the upper and lower registers. 
     FIGS. 11-14 disclose preferred embodiments of O-ring placement for brass instruments such as the trumpet, French horn, trombone and tuba, respectively. The respective numbers of O-rings, and dimensions (outside diameter, inside diameter and thickness, in inches) and locations on each instrument are as follows: 
     Trumpet (FIG.  11 ) 
     1 O-ring, {fraction (13/16)}×{fraction (11/16)}×{fraction (1/16)}, at top of 1 st  valve casing  46 ( a ). 
     1 O-ring, {fraction (13/16)}×{fraction (11/16)}×{fraction (1/16)}, at top of 3 rd  valve casing  46 ( c ). 
     1 O-ring, {fraction (13/16)}×{fraction (11/16)}×{fraction (1/16)}, at bottom of 1 st  valve casing  46 ( a ). 
     6 O-rings, {fraction (13/16)}×{fraction (11/16)}×{fraction (1/16)}, at bottom of 2 nd  valve casing  46 ( b ). 
     1 O-ring, {fraction (13/16)}×{fraction (11/16)}×{fraction (1/16)}, at bottom of 3 rd  valve casing  46 ( c ). 
     French Horn (FIG.  12 ) 
     2 O-rings, 1⅛×1×{fraction (1/16)}, below 1 st  valve casing cap  48 ( a ). 
     4 O-rings, 1⅛×1×{fraction (1/16)}, below 2 nd  valve casing cap  48 ( b ). 
     2 O-rings, 1⅛×1×{fraction (1/16)}, below 3 rd  valve casing cap  48 ( c ). 
     1 O-ring, 1⅛×1×{fraction (1/16)}, below B b  valve casing cap  48 ( d ). 
     Trombone (FIG.  13 ) 
     3 O-rings, ⅝×½×{fraction (1/16)}, at beginning of leadpipe  50 . 
     8 O-rings, {fraction (13/16)}×{fraction (11/16)}×{fraction (1/16)}, at end of bell  52  behind second brace  54 . 
     Tuba (FIG.  14 ) 
     2 O-rings, 1⅛×1×{fraction (1/16)}, at top of 1 st  valve casing  56 ( a ). 
     4 O-rings, 1⅛×1×{fraction (1/16)}, at top of 2 nd  valve casing  56 ( b ). 
     2 O-rings, 1⅛×1×{fraction (1/16)}, at top of 3 rd  valve casing  56 ( c ). 
     FIGS. 15-16 disclose alternate embodiments of O-ring placement for the trumpet. The respective numbers of O-rings, dimension (outside diameter, inside diameter and thickness, in inches) and locations on the trumpet for this embodiment are as follows: 
     Trumpet (FIG.  15 ) 
     On 1 st  valve casing  46 ( a )—1 O-ring, {fraction (13/16)}×{fraction (11/16)}×{fraction (1/16)}, below top valve cap  60 ; 2 O-rings, {fraction (13/16)}×{fraction (11/16)}×{fraction (1/16)}, above bottom valve cap  62 . 
     On 2 nd  valve casing  46 ( b )—1 O-ring, {fraction (13/16)}×{fraction (11/16)}×{fraction (1/16)}, below top valve cap  60 ; 2 O-rings, {fraction (13/16)}×{fraction (11/16)}×{fraction (1/16)}, above bottom valve cap  62 . 
     On 3 rd  valve casing  46 ( c )—1 O-ring, {fraction (13/16)}×{fraction (11/16)}×{fraction (1/16)}, below top valve cap  60 ; 2 O-rings, {fraction (13/16)}×{fraction (11/16)}×{fraction (1/16)}, above bottom valve cap  62 . 
     Trumpet (FIG.  16 ) 
     On 1 st  valve casing  46 ( a ): 2 O-rings below brace  64 , each {fraction (13/16)}×{fraction (11/16)}×{fraction (1/16)}. 
     On 2 nd  valve casing  46 ( b ): 2 O-rings below brace  64 , each {fraction (13/16)}×{fraction (11/16)}×{fraction (1/16)}. 
     On 3 rd  valve casing  46 ( c ): 2 O-rings below brace  64 , each {fraction (13/16)}×{fraction (11/16)}×{fraction (1/16)}. 
     FIGS. 17-19 disclose preferred embodiments of locations of resilient material  100  at various locations on braces  102  appearing on the trumpet, French horn, and trombone, respectively. The resilient material  100  is preferably vibration absorbent such as neoprene rubber, and should be applied under tension during assembly of the instruments prior to attachment of the braces  102 . Otherwise, the braces  102  would have to be removed from an assembled instrument in order to have the resilient material  100  applied to the braces  102  while under tension. 
     The preferred locations of the resilient material  100  on the braces  102  for these instruments are as follows: 
     Trumpet (FIG.  17 ) 
     Resilient material  100  on brace  102  connecting leadpipe  104  and bell tubing  106 . 
     Resilient material  100  on brace  102  connecting end of leadpipe and bell flare  108 . 
     French Horn (FIG.  18 ) 
     Resilient material  100  on brace  102  connecting leadpipe  110  and bell tubing  112 . 
     Resilient material  100  on brace  102  connecting bell tubing  112  to bell flare  114 . 
     Trombone (FIG.  19 ) 
     Resilient material  100  on brace  102  connecting tuning slide tubes  116 . 
     Resilient material  100  on brace  102  connecting tube  118  to bell flare  120 . 
     Trumpet (FIG.  20 ) 
     FIG. 20 shows an alternate embodiment of the preferred location of both the resilient material  100  on the bracing structure and O-rings on a trumpet. 
     The resilient material  100  is preferably arranged on brace  102  connecting leadpipe  104  and bell tubing  106 . Preferably eight O-rings  10  are arranged at the bottom of 2 nd  valve casing  46 ( b ) and preferably have an outside diameter, inside diameter and thickness of {fraction (13/16)}×{fraction (11/16)}×{fraction (1/16)} inches, respectively. 
     The aforementioned preferred embodiments regarding O-rings and/or resilient material placement for brass instruments have been found by the inventor to reduce the blowing resistance of the horn, providing a quicker response time for the attack of each note, along with an improvement in flexibility, more control of tone and pitch, more precise note “lock-in” and extended range into the upper and lower registers. 
     The present invention can also be applied to firearms. The inventor has found that placement of a plurality of O-rings on the barrel near the muzzle of any firearm increases the shooting accuracy, produces a tighter grouping of firings and reduces flash, report and recoil. FIG. 21 shows placement of a plurality of O-rings  10  along the barrel  200  on the muzzle  202  of a revolver  204  behind the sight  206 . Alternatively, the O-rings may be replaced by resilient material  100 , as shown in FIG.  22 .