Patent Publication Number: US-2013239774-A1

Title: Mouthpiece for Woodwind Instrument with Improved Tenon

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TOR RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/611,945, filed Mar. 16, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to a musical instrument and, more particularly, to a mouthpiece of a single reed woodwind instrument. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Single reed woodwind instruments generally include a generally cylindrical, hollow mouthpiece upon which a reed is mounted. The reed typically has a flexible tapered, thin end that extends over an opening or window of the mouthpiece. Sound is produced within the body of the instrument by a vibrating column of air that is created by rapid movement of the reed. In essence, the vibrating reed interacts with the mouthpiece to act as a reed valve to periodically interrupt the flow of air from a musician&#39;s mouth. 
     The reed is held in place against a lower surface or table of the mouthpiece by a clamping structure known as a ligature. How the reed is clamped in place may significantly affect or impact the performance of the musical instrument. Accordingly, many different types of ligatures have been proposed. 
     The tone and performance characteristics of the musical instrument may also be influenced by the physical arrangement and geometry of various aspects of the mouthpiece. For example, the configuration of the interior surfaces of the mouthpiece adjacent the window such as the sidewalls and the upper wall or baffle connecting the sidewalls have a significant impact on the performance of the mouthpiece. A mouthpiece in which the baffle is generally close to the window is considered to be brighter, lighter or crisper while a baffle that is further from the window may be considered darker, heavier or fuller. Depending upon the style of the musician and the pieces being performed, one type of mouthpiece may be desirable over another. 
     In addition, the physical arrangement and geometry of the mouthpiece may also affect or impact how the mouthpiece is perceived by the musician. The configuration of the mouthpiece may impact the back pressure of the mouthpiece as well as the ease with which the musician may play certain notes. For example, brighter mouthpieces generally have less back pressure while darker mouthpieces generally have more back pressure. In addition, it may be more difficult to reach low notes with a brighter mouthpiece while higher notes may be more challenging with a darker mouthpiece. 
     As a result, choosing particular characteristics for a mouthpiece often results in trade-offs relative to other characteristics. It would be desirable for a mouthpiece to include certain desirable characteristics of each type of mouthpiece while minimizing the characteristics that are less desirable. 
     the foregoing background discussion is intended solely to aid the reader. It is not intended to limit the innovations described herein nor to limit or expand the prior art discussed. Thus the foregoing discussion should not be taken to indicate that any particular element of a prior system us unsuitable for use with the innovations described herein, nor is it intended to indicate any element, including solving the motivating problem, to be essential in implementing the innovations described herein. The implementations and application of the innovations described herein are defined by the appended claims. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a mouthpiece for a woodwind musical instrument includes a generally tapered front end, a rear end configured for mounting to the musical instrument, a generally cylindrical body between the front end and the rear end, and an elongated airflow passage extending along a path between the front end and the rear end. A window defines an opening of the passage generally adjacent the front end and the body includes a table upon which a reed may be mounted such that a mounted reed extends generally across at least a portion of the window. The rear end has an enlarged generally cylindrical tenon section integrally formed therewith and the tenon section is larger than the cylindrical body. 
     In another aspect, a mouthpiece for a woodwind musical instrument includes a generally tapered front end, a rear end configured for mounting to the musical instrument, and a generally cylindrical body between the front end and the rear end. The generally cylindrical body has a first body diameter. An elongated central airflow passage extends along a path between the front end and the rear end and the central airflow passage has a forward section and an adjacent tone chamber. The body includes a table configured for mounting a reed thereon such that a mounted reed extends across at least a portion of the passage. The rear end has an enlarged generally cylindrical tenon section with the tenon section having a second tenon diameter larger than the first body diameter and the tenon section further including a plurality of openings therein. 
     In still another aspect, a mouthpiece assembly for a woodwind musical instrument includes a front end, a rear end configured for mounting to the musical instrument, and a generally cylindrical body between the front end and the rear rnd. The generally cylindrical body has a first body diameter. An elongated airflow passage extends along a path between the front end and the rear end and the airflow passage has a forward section and an adjacent tone chamber. The body includes a table configured for mounting a reed thereon such that a mounted reed extends across at least a portion of the airflow passage. The rear end has an enlarged tenon section with the tenon section having a generally cylindrical section and a tapered section extending between the cylindrical body and the generally cylindrical section of the tenon section. The generally cylindrical section of the tenon section has a second tenon diameter larger than the first body diameter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mouthpiece and ligature assembly according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a partially exploded perspective view of the mouthpiece and ligature assembly of  FIG. 1  with the assembly rotated and upside down; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the mouthpiece depicted in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the mouthpiece of  FIG. 3  but rotated 180°; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a section taken generally along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the mouthpiece in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view taken generally along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the mouthpiece of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged, fragmented perspective view taken generally along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged, fragmented perspective view taken generally along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an end view of the mouthpiece showing still another alternate embodiment of the rear section; 
         FIG. 12  is a fragmented side view of a portion of  FIG. 6  depicting an alternate embodiment of the rear section of the mouthpiece; 
         FIG. 13  is a fragmented side view similar to  FIG. 12  but showing another alternate embodiment of the rear section of the mouthpiece; 
         FIG. 14  is an exploded perspective view of a ligature according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 15  is a section taken generally along line  15 - 15  of the mouthpiece and ligature assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of the mouthpiece with a pair of ligatures positioned according to a first configuration; 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of the mouthpiece with the pair of ligatures positioned according to a second configuration; 
         FIG. 18  is a side view of the mouthpiece with a pair of ligatures positioned according to another configuration; 
         FIG. 19  is a side view of the mouthpiece with a pair of ligatures positioned according to still another configuration; and 
         FIG. 20  is a side view of the mouthpiece with the pair of ligatures positioned according to still another configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a mouthpiece  20  for use with a single reed woodwind musical instrument, for example, a saxophone, is depicted. The mouthpiece  20  has a generally elongated, somewhat cylindrical shape with a central airflow passage  21  ( FIG. 5 ) extending therethrough. The mouthpiece  20  may be formed of any suitable material including metal such as brass or stainless steel, plastic, rubber or a combination of materials. One or more ligatures  80  may be provided to engage and secure a reed  100  to a lower surface or table  71  of the mouthpiece  20 . 
     Mouthpiece  20  has a tapered front end or beak  23  that ends rearwardly from the front tip  24  of the mouthpiece and is configured to be inserted into a musician&#39;s mouth when playing the musical instrument. A generally cylindrical main body or barrel  25  extends rearwardly from the tapered front end  23 . The mouthpiece  20  may include an enlarged rear section or tenon  26  adjacent the rear end  27  of the mouthpiece. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5-8 , airflow passage  21  has a forward section  30  extending rearwardly from the front tip  24  and generally within the tapered front end  23 . A tone chamber  50  extends rearwardly from an exit or rear end  31  of forward section  30 . A rear bore  55  extends rearwardly from the rear end  51  of the tone chamber  50 . The bore  55  is configured to receive a neck portion of the musical instrument (not shown) therein. 
     Forward section  30  of airflow passage  21  includes a generally planar entrance or window  32  that generally defines the front opening of the airflow passage  21 . The forward section  30  of the airflow passage  21  is further defined by a pair of generally vertical, generally opposed sidewalls  33  that may be somewhat triangular in shape. The upper (lower as viewed in  FIGS. 5-8 ) edges  34  of sidewalls  33  are connected by an upper surface or baffle  35 . As best seen in the cross-section of  FIG. 6 , the forward section  30  generally expands from the front to rear of the section. 
     In many mouthpieces, the shape of the baffle is used to control or alter the tone and performance characteristics of the mouthpiece. A mouthpiece in which the baffle extends in a manner generally close to the window  32  is considered a high baffle and a mouthpiece in which the baffle is farther from the window is considered a low baffle. In general, a high baffle will produce a brighter tone while a low baffle will produce a darker tone. Many factors affect the brightness or darkness and other sound characteristics of a mouthpiece and the configuration or design of the baffle is just one factor. 
     In one aspect of the mouthpiece  20 , the baffle  35  has three generally parallel sections or paths that are generally parallel to the path of the airflow passage  21 . More specifically, the baffle  35  has a central section  36  along a lateral centerline of the baffle  35 . An outer section  38  extends between the central section  36  and each of the sidewalls  33  to define a pair of generally parallel, spaced apart outer sections  38 . As best seen in  FIGS. 7-9 , the central section  36  and the outer sections  38  are approximately the same distance from the window  32  generally adjacent the front tip  24  of the mouthpiece  20 . Moving along baffle  35  towards tone chamber  50 , the central section  36  of baffle  35  is closer to the window  32  than are the outer sections  38  as depicted in  FIG. 8 . In other words, the distance between the central section  36  and the window  32  is less than the distance between the outer sections  38  and the window at generally equal distances along a path through the airflow passage  21 . The central section  36  and the outer sections  38  then generally converge and are approximately the same distance from the window at the rear end  31  of forward section  30 . As such, the baffle  35  is generally stepped or has a hump laterally relative to mouthpiece  20  to define a first high path that is closer to window  32  and a pair of second low paths that are farther from window  32 . 
     Comparing  FIGS. 5-6  to  FIGS. 7-8 , it may be seen that center portion  39  of the outer wall  40  adjacent the central section  36  of baffle  35  is thicker than the outer portions  41  of the outer wall  40  adjacent the outer sections  38  of baffle  35 . Still further, it may be seen that the central section  36  of baffle  35  has a smaller radius than the outer sections  38  of baffle  35 . As such, baffle  35  has a central section  36  that is portion of a high baffle and assists in producing relatively bright tones. The outer sections  38  of baffle  35  are a portion of a low baffle and thus assist in producing relatively dark tones. The performance characteristics of the mouthpiece  20  may be adjusted by controlling the dimensions and relationships between the central section  36  and the outer sections  38  as well as the positioning of the window  32  and sidewalls  33 . 
     The baffle  35  may also be characterized as defining three generally parallel paths through the forward section  30  of airflow passage  21 . A central path  42  is aligned with the central section  36  and an outer path  43  is aligned with each of the outer sections  38  to define a pair of spaced apart, generally parallel outer paths. By adjusting the width and the radius of the central section  36  and the thickness of the center portion  39  of outer wall  40  relative to the outer portions  41  of outer wall  40 , the brightness or darkness of the mouthpiece  20  may be enhanced or adjusted as desired. It is believed that providing a first brighter path along central path  42  and at least one darker path along outer paths  42  will allow a player to realize the benefits of both a brighter mouthpiece and a darker mouthpiece, all within the same mouthpiece. 
     In some mouthpieces, the main body or barrel  25  may be generally thin and the mouthpiece may be viewed as being brighter or harsher than desired. In another aspect of the depicted mouthpiece  20 , an enlarged rear section or tenon  26  may be provided to dampen or darken the tone of the mouthpiece. The enlarged rear section  26  may be provided adjacent rear edge  27  and may be integrally formed with the mouthpiece  20 . The rear section  26  is believed to capture additional vibrations to enhance the sound characteristics of the mouthpiece  20 . The rear section  26  may have a generally cylindrical portion  61  and a tapered portion  62  that extends from the outer surface  28  of main body  25  to the cylindrical portion  61 . As such, tapered portion  62  may be a generally semi-frusto conical shape. 
     The sound characteristics of the rear section  26  may be varied by changing the size or diameter of the cylindrical portion  61  and the tapered portion  62 . In addition, the sound characteristics may be further varied by providing openings or bores in the rear section  26 . In one example depicted in  FIGS. 5-8 , cylindrical bores  63  may extend through the cylindrical portion  61  and the tapered portion  62 . In other embodiments, the openings may be configured as arcuate slots  64  ( FIG. 11 ) and/or may be holes  65  ( FIG. 12 ) that do not extend all of the way through the cylindrical portion  61  and the tapered portion  62 . As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the bores  63  may be positioned along a generally circular path around the rear bore  55  of the mouthpiece  20 . 
     In order to further enhance or adjust the tone of the mouthpiece  20 , the openings or bores  63  may have material therein that is different from the material from which the mouthpiece  20  is formed. For example, if mouthpiece  20  is formed of brass, the bores  63  may have an epoxy  66  or other filler material therein having characteristics different from the mouthpiece  20 . In still other embodiments, the bores  63  may be filled with a metal material such as copper or stainless steel. Still further, the bores  63  may be filled with a plastic material. The material may be press fit into the bores  63  and held in place with an interference fit or held in place with an adhesive such as epoxy. In still another embodiment, the bores  67  may be threaded and the material  68  to be inserted may be formed with similarly shaped threads and the additional material screwed into the bores. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , mouthpiece  20  has a generally planar table  71  with a lower surface  73  upon which the reed  100  is positioned. Side rails  74  extend forward from opposite sides of table  71  and extend forwardly around window  32 . Table  71  is wider than the main body  25  at the lower edge  29  ( FIG. 15 ) of the main body so as to create a pair of outwardly extending generally parallel rails  75 . In other words, the rails  75  are an extension of the table  71  and interact with ligatures  80  to secure reed  100  to the table. If desired, the rails  75  may be spaced vertically from the table  71  so as not to be aligned with the table. Each rail  75  has a side edge  76  and an upwardly facing engagement surface  77 . A stop in the form of a projection or ramp  78  may be provided along the upwardly facing engagement surface  77  at the forward end of each rail  75 . 
     A pair of ligatures  80  may be provided for clamping or securing the reed  100  to the table  71 . Referring to  FIG. 14 , one embodiment of a ligature is depicted. Ligatures having other configurations are contemplated. In addition, structures other than rails  75  are contemplated for securing a ligature to the mouthpiece. However, one aspect of the disclosure contemplates a pair of ligatures, regardless of the structure, that are independently movable about mouthpiece  20  for mounting reed  100  to the mouthpiece 
     Each ligature  80  has a generally U-shaped main body  81 , a moveable plate  90  and a thumb screw  95 . The components (main body  81 , moveable plate  90  and thumb screw  95 ) of the ligature  80  may be formed of any suitable material including metal such as brass or stainless steel. Main body  81  has a pair of spaced apart legs  82  and a central connecting section or bright  83  connecting the spaced apart legs  82 . Legs  82  have enlarged rail engagement sections or fingers  84  for engaging the upwardly facing engagement surface  77  of the rails  75 . Connecting section  83  may have a generally arcuate inner surface  85  for positioning adjacent the reed  100 . A threaded central bore  86  may extend between the arcuate inner surface  85  and the lower surface  87  at the center of connecting section  83 . A pair of outer bores  88 , each on opposite sides of central bore  86 , extend between the arcuate inner surface  85  and the lower surface  87  of connecting section  83 . 
     A pair of reed engagement posts or members  91  extend upwardly (as viewed in  FIG. 15 ) from moveable plate  90 . The upper ends  92  of the reed engagement posts  91  are configured to engage the lower or ligature engaging surface  101  of the reed  100 . In the depicted embodiment, the lower surface  101  of the reed  100  has a generally arcuate shape and thus the upper ends  92  of the reed engagement posts  91  are somewhat arcuate and at an angle so that generally the entire surface of the upper ends  92  of the reed engagement posts  91  engage the lower surface  101  of the reed  100 . This configuration distributes the forces applied through the ligature  80  by reducing the likelihood of any point concentration of the reed clamping forces. 
     The reed engagement posts  91  may be fixed to moveable plate  90  in any appropriate manner. For example, screws (not shown) may extend through moveable plate  90  and into threaded holes (not shown) in reed engagement posts  91 . In another alternative, the reed engagement posts  91  may have threaded ends (not shown) that are threaded into the moveable plate  90 . The reed engagement posts  91  are dimensioned so as to be slidable through outer bores  88  in the main body  81  of ligature  80 . 
     Moveable plate  90  has a central bore  93  positioned between reed engagement posts  91 . A threaded thumb screw  95  has an enlarged head  96  for manual manipulation and a threaded shaft  97  for operative engagement with threaded central bore  86  of main body  81  of ligature  80 . Central bore  93  is dimensioned so that the threaded shaft  97  of thumb screw  95  may pass through the central bore  93  without interference. Upon rotating the thumb screw  95  to raise the thumb screw relative to the main body  81 , the upper surface  98  of the head  96  of the thumb screw will engage the lower surface  94  of the connecting plate  90  and force the connecting plate upward. Movement of the connecting plate  90  upward causes the reed engagement pins  91  to move upward and into contact with the lower surface  101  of reed  100  to secure the reed in place against table  71 . Continued rotation of thumb screw  95  will force the rail engagement sections  84  on the legs  82  of the ligature  80  against the upwardly facing engagement surface  77  of each rail  75 . Friction between the threads of the shaft  97  of the thumb screw  95  and the central bore  86  of the main body  81  will secure the ligature  80  in place against mouthpiece  20 . 
     During assembly of a ligature  80 , movable plate  90  is positioned so that the reed engagement posts  91  extend through the outer bores  88  of the connecting section  83  of main body  81 . The thumb screw  95  is then inserted through the central bore  93  in the movable plate  90  and threaded into threaded central bore  86  of the connecting section  83 . 
     When mounting a reed  100  on mouthpiece  20 , the mouthpiece is typically oriented upside down as depicted in  FIG. 2 . The flat or upper surface  102  of the reed  100  is placed against the table  71  of the mouthpiece with the reed positioned longitudinally relative to the mouthpiece as desired. A first or forward ligature  80   a  is positioned adjacent a rear edge  72  of table  71  adjacent the rear section  26  with the legs  82  of the ligature positioned on opposite sides of the rails  75  and the rail engagement sections  84  of the legs  82  positioned below (as depicted in  FIG. 2 ) the upwardly facing engagement surface  77  of the rails. The forward ligature  80   a  is then slid forwards toward the front tip  24  of the mouthpiece  20  to a desired position while maintaining the reed  100  in place. The forward ligature  80   a  may then be tightened as desired to secure the reed  100 . The process is then repeated for the second or rear ligature  80   b  so that two ligatures  80  may be mounted on the mouthpiece  20 . 
     Due to the configuration of the rails  75  and the ligatures  80 , the ligatures are independently moveable along the rails to create a significant amount of flexibility in ligature placement. More specifically, the forward ligature  80   a  may be moved forward until it reaches the ramp  78 . The rear ligature  80   b  may be moved as far back as the rear edge or end  72  of table  71 . Referring to  FIGS. 16-20 , it may be seen that the ligatures  80  are independently moveable and thus permit the reed  100  to be secured or engaged at many different positions. It should be noted that the ligatures  80  are relatively narrow in a longitudinal direction relative to the mouthpiece  20  so as to maximize the number different positions at which the ligatures may be located. For example, with a mouthpiece having a length of approximately 4¼ inches and a distance between the rear edge  72  of table  71  and the ramp  78  of approximately 1½ inches, the ligatures may have a depth of approximately ¼ inch relative to a longitudinal axis of the mouthpiece  20 . In another configuration, the ligatures  80  may have a depth of between approximately ¼ inch and ⅜ inch along the longitudinal axis of the mouthpiece. In another example, a mouthpiece  20  may only be approximately 2½ in length in which case smaller ligatures are likely to be especially desirable. 
     The manner in which the reed  100  is secured to the mouthpiece  100  may have a significant impact on the tone generated by the mouthpiece. The position of the reed  100  relative to the table  71  as well as the force used to secure the reed will both affect the generated tone. In addition, the position of the ligatures  80  will affect the generated tone. By adjusting the position of the forward ligature  80   a  and the rear ligature  80   b  relative to table  71 , the tone generated by the mouthpiece  20  may be adjusted. The two ligatures will also hold the reed in place with two areas of engagement against table  71 . In some situations, it may be desirable to hold the reed  100  relatively loosely against table  71 . In such case, the second ligature may permit a musician to secure the reed  100  in place with less concern that it will loosen during use of the musical instrument. 
       FIGS. 16-20  depict examples of some of the many possible different ligature configurations that may be used with the mouthpiece  20 . In such figures, the reed  100  is not depicted. In a first example,  FIG. 16  depicts a mouthpiece  20  with the forward ligature  80   a  adjacent the ramp  78  and the rear ligature  80   b  adjacent the forward ligature. It is believed that such a configuration will secure the reed  100  so as to have a relatively short vibrating forward section, which will then create a relatively high pitched tone. The portion of the reed  100  rearward of the rear ligature  80   b  may affect the generated tones. 
       FIG. 17  depicts an alternate reed securing configuration with the forward ligature  80   a  adjacent the ramp  78  and the rear ligature approximately at the midpoint of table  71 . It is believed that this configuration will produce a relatively short initial vibrating portion of the reed  100  and permit some additional vibration of the reed between the forward ligature  80   a  and the rear ligature  80   b.  In addition, the portion of the reed  100  rearward of the rear ligature  80   b  may further affect the generated tones. 
       FIG. 18  depicts another alternate reed securing configuration with the ligatures  80  spaced apart by a maximum amount. The forward ligature  80   a  is positioned adjacent the ramp  78  and the rear ligature  80   b  is positioned adjacent the rear edge  72  of table  71 . It is believed that the forward ligature  80   a  will secure the front portion of the reed  100  so as to create a relatively short vibrating forward section and thus a relatively high pitched tone. By engaging the rear portion of the reed  100  adjacent the rear edge  72  of table  71  with the rear ligature  80   b,  additional vibration of the reed may occur between the forward ligature  80   a  and the rear ligature  80   b.    
       FIG. 19  depicts still another alternate reed securing configuration with the rear ligature  80   b  adjacent the rear edge  72  of table  71  and the forward ligature  80   a  positioned at approximately the midpoint of the table  71 . This configuration will constrain the reed  100  generally adjacent the midpoint of the table  71  to mid-length initial vibrating portion of the reed and may permit some additional vibration of the reed between the forward ligature  80   a  and the rear ligature  80   b.    
       FIG. 20  depicts another alternate reed securing configuration with the rear ligature  80   b  at its rear most position adjacent the rear edge  72  of table  71  and the forward ligature  80   a  adjacent the rear ligature. Such configuration will secure the reed  100  with a relatively long vibrating section and thus produce a relatively lower pitched tone. 
     It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed system and technique. However, it is contemplated that other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure more generally. All language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from the scope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated. 
     Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 
     Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. For example, the present disclosure describes an enlarged rear section or tenon, a baffle, and independently moveable ligatures. Each of these features may be implemented individually or in combination with any or all of the other features.