Patent Publication Number: US-8969695-B1

Title: System for controlling the tension and travel of a saxophone player&#39;s fingers

Description:
This is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 12/781,23 filed on May 17, 2010 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,168,872. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a device for controlling the tension and travel of a saxophone player&#39;s fingers. 
     2. Other Related Applications 
     The present application is based on the provisional U.S. patent application No. 61/216,153, filed on May 15, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     3. Description of the Related Art 
     Many musical instruments require the use of keys that are actuated by a user&#39;s fingers. Not infrequently playing these instruments requires the flexing and extending of fingers in a manner that can derive trauma, including tendonitis. This is particularly true with saxophones where a user&#39;s fingers have to selectively apply forces of a predetermined magnitude to actuate the keys. In doing this, a user&#39;s extension of his or her fingers (typically the index, middle, and ring fingers) travel (lifting) beyond the plane of the surface of the actuating keys. Extending a finger a beyond a certain distance is not necessary to actuate the keys and in fact results in wasted travel time, fatigue, and, more importantly, trauma. 
     Nonetheless, this excessive travel of the fingers is recurrent with novices and some experienced saxophone players, like the applicant herein, wherein the excessive travel of the fingers is unconscious and habit forming. The present invention resolves this problem by limiting the travel of the player&#39;s fingers to a distance corresponding with proper technique. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a device that will permit a user to limit the unnecessary travel (extension) of his or her fingers. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide such a device for a saxophone of the Boehm type that limits the travel of a user&#39;s fingers of both hands. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  represents an isometric view of a saxophone incorporating one of the embodiments of the device claimed herein. 
         FIG. 2  shows a top view of the device. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the device. 
         FIG. 4  shows a front view of the device showing the curvature of elongated member  60 , which allows for different travel distances needed by  168   
         FIG. 5  is a representation of a top view of device  10  mounted to saxophone S with a user&#39;s fingers partially represented in broken lines. 
         FIG. 6  shows an isometric side view of device  100  for left handed users mounted to saxophone S wherein the travel distance of a user&#39;s left hand fingers are limited by elongated stopper member  160 . 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an isometric side view for device  100 . 
         FIG. 8  represents an enlarged detail upper portion of device  100  shown in the previous figure, showing end tip  167  and coacting with rod member R″. 
         FIG. 9  shows a top view of device  100  shown in the previous figure in which through hole  165  can be seen. 
         FIG. 10  represents an isometric side view for device  100  for the left hand of a user mounted to saxophone S further showing bottom end  163 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention for the right hand fingers is generally referred to a system for controlling the tension and travel of a user&#39;s fingers of both hands. Device  10  is used for the right hand of a user and device  100  is used for his or her left hand. Device  10  basically includes a finger travel stopper elongated member  60  with a dividing longitudinal bend defining an anchorage assembly  40  and a fastening assembly  80  for removably mounting assembly  40  to a valve protector P in a saxophone S. The valve protector P is found in most saxophones and protects the valves from being accidentally damaged. Valve protectors P are rigidally mounted to the body of saxophone S and provide the necessary structure to mount anchorage assembly  40  thereon. 
     As seen in  FIG. 1 , finger travel stopper member  60  is made out of a rigid material, preferably transparent, to minimize any detracting effect to the aesthetics of the instrument. Finger stopper elongate member  60  is positioned at a substantially parallel and spaced apart relationship with respect to the actuating surfaces of keys K on saxophone S. Finger travel stopper member  60  includes an irregular curvature or slope  61  which functions to limit the different extension movements of a user&#39;s fingers. Users have fingers with different dimensions. Curvature or slope  61  is adapted to a user&#39;s finger dimensions. 
     Anchorage assembly  40  includes anchorage frame  46 , which is secured to a valve protector P in saxophone S, as seen in  FIG. 1 . Anchorage frame  46  is preferably mounted under (fastened) to valve protector P with screws  82 ;  82 ′ which are inserted through valve protector slots P; P′ and also through through-bores  81 ;  81 ′ respectively. Anchorage assembly  40  includes cutouts  42 ;  42 ′, which are adjacent to distal ends  45 ′;  45 ′ of anchorage frame  46 . Cutouts  42 ;  42 ′ have a cooperative shape to further engage anchorage frame  46  to valve protector P. Anchorage assembly  40  includes aperture  41  to minimize the possibility of obstructing structural elements of saxophone S. 
     As seen in  FIG. 2 , fastening assembly  80  is located on the distal ends of anchorage assembly  40 . Fastening assembly  80  includes through bores  81 ;  81 ′ which allow screws  82 ;  82 ′ to secure the present invention  10  to valve protector P. 
     Device  100  for the left hand of a user is shown in  FIGS. 6 through 10  and it can be seen to include travel stopper elongate member  160  and anchorage assemblies  140 ;  140 ′. Anchorage assembly  140  includes integrally extending plate  162 . 
     Plate  162  is mounted to rod R that extends substantially longitudinally and adjacent to the keys K, which is characteristic of the Boehm system in saxophone S as seen in  FIG. 6 . Screw  164  passes through through hole  165 . Rod R pertains to the G note. Screw  164  is tightened with sufficient strength to rod R to prevent a rotational movement of device  100  unless a force of a predetermined magnitude is applied. Support extension R″ of rod R is at a substantially perpendicular disposition and is anchored to the body of saxophone S. 
     Plate  162  includes tip  167  that limits the rotation upon contact with rod R″. As the user exerts a rotational force on elongate stopper member  160 , the rotation continues until stopped by tip  167  coming in contact with rod R″. When the user wants to pack his or her saxophone without removing device  100 , the latter is simply rotated. Device  100  is rotated enough to fit most carrying cases. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , bottom angular plate  143  of device  100  is rotatably mounted to stopper elongate member  160  with a fastening member, such as nut  169  and bolt  170 . Bolt  170  passes through through holes  148  and  148 ′. Bottom angular plate  143  is rotatably mounted to the end of stopper elongate member  160  to provide some adjustment flexibility in the installation of device  100 . The characteristic rods and other components of saxophone S require some adjustments in the mounting of device  100 . Rod R′ corresponds to the low natural B key.