Pitch Adjusters for Musical Wind Instruments.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 22nd May, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Pitch Adjusters for Musical Wind Instruments.
I, GEORGE EDWARD VAUGHAN, of No. 57, Chancery Lane, in the County of
London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communi-
cation to me from abroad by Gioseppe Oliveri, a member of the United States
Marine Band, now stationed at the U.S. Marine Barracks, Washington, in the
District of Columbia, in the United States of America) and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
The invention has for its object to insert into the bore or tube of a musical wind
instrument, a part or parts which will so reduce or modify the dimensions or
dimension of said bore or tube as to effectively alter the pitch of the instrument, so
that not only can the instrument be changed from one key to another but it can he
tuned into harmony with another instrument for playing in concert.
I may carry out my invention in different ways and shall describe herein two
systems, differing from each other principally in that one seeks to change the bore
or tube of the instrument by providing a lining or tubular filling while the other
seeks to produce the desired effect by introducing a rod or equivalent device which
will coufine the chamber of vibration to the annular space between the rod or
equivalent device and the wall of the instrument.
The first part of my invention is illustrated by Sheet 1 of the accompanying
drawings wherein Figure 1 represents a longitudinal section of a clarionet, with the
keys omitted, having my improvement attached, and Figures 2 to 7 inclusive repre-
sent, on an enlarged scale, the separate pieces of the lining tube in their regular
order from the mouth-piece to the bell of the instrument.
On Sheet 1 of the drawings A represents a tube with a mouth-piece for a clarionet,
without the usual keys and other requirements necessary to form a complete instru-
ment. In the interior side of this tube is placed, what I term the lining B, made
of metal. It is composed of the pieces c and d for the upper part with the mouth-
piece D, the next piece e for the part E, after which come the pieces f and g, for
the parts
F and G, and finally the lower piece h, which is of a elight tapering
shape for the bottom. part H. These pieces are cut longitudinally, as shown at a,
so that they can be slightly compressed, when they are to be placed in position,
and then are allowed to spring against the interior side of the tube. The holes
made in the different pieces of the lining must be made to correspond with the
openings in the tube itself, and this applies to all instruments such as flutes,
hautboys, etc. These pieces can be introduced very quickly whenever it is desired
to change the pitch of the instrument, from a higher to a lower pitch, and ordinarily
can be carried in a box or pocket.
The lining may be made of one or more pieces as desired, although I prefer to
make it out of several pieces on account of the facility of transportation, as
well as the manufacture.
с
The lining can be made of sheet brass, steel bell-metal, or any other suitable
metal or material, having a springy or expansible as well as of a resonant
material, and that it will readily and easily accommodate itself to any unevenness
in the interior of the tube whether it is made of wood, metal or other material.
The lining can be easily applied or removed by the hand, without other appliances,
although it must fit closely in the tube.

page_text: If desired, all the pieces of the lining may be provided with small flanges i. as
shown, to prevent the pieces from being pushed in too far, and they can also be
withdrawn easier by them.
On introducing them into the tube of the instrument they should be inserted in
the direction as indicated by the arrows.
The second part of my invention is illustrated in Sheets 2, 3 and 4 of the
accompanying drawings wherein
Fig. 1 represents a longitudinal section of the upper half and Fig. 2 a similar
section of the lower half of a clarionet which is selected for the purpose of
illustrating my invention, such instrument having one form of my invention
applied to it.
Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view illustrating the form of attachment which is
used in Figs. 1 and 2 and
Fig. 4 is an end view of the instrument showing the support which is employed
for the form of attachment shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.
Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.
Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively an axial section and an end view of the lower
portion of an instrument having the attachment applied in slightly modified form.
Figs. 8 and 9 are axial sections of the upper and lower parts of an instrument
having applied thereto an attachment embodying my present invention and
having means for adjusting the ends of the core or rod simultaneously and
symmetrically.
Figs. 8 and 9 are detail views on an enlarged scale showing respectively the
detachable connection or joint in the core or filling piece and the manner of sup-
porting the lower end' of the same and rendering it adjustable without removal
from the instrument as well as readily removable in case of necessity.
Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view of the upper and lower ends showing a still
further modification of the construction.
1 represents a musical instrument, which, for purpose of illustration is shown to
be in the form of a clarionet, jointed at 2, 3 and 4. Mounted axially in the
instrument is a core or rod 5 which has at its upper or lower or both ends, exten-
sion pieces 6 and 7. The upper extension piece 6 is carried adjacent to the
mouth-piece while the lower extension piece 7 is preferably located at the point
where the bore of the instrument begins to swell to form the bell. To render
these pieces 6 and 7 evenly extensible, they may be provided with telescoping
sleeves 8 and 9 and axial screw threaded pins 10 and 11 entering respectively into
correspondingly threaded sockets 12 and 13 formed in the core or rod as shown.
14 represents a disk or spider mounted in the lower end of the instrument and
adapted to receive a stud 16, which projects from the lower extension piece 7.
17 represents spring centering arms carried at a point on the core or rod sufficiently
,above the supporting spider 14 to center the core in the instrument and yet
sufficiently low down in the instrument to avoid interference with the sound waves
which determine the tone of the instrument.
From Figs. 6 and 7 it will be observed that the disk or spider 14 may be formed
integrally with the lower extension piece 7, and, if desired suitable means may be
provided to enable it to be removed with the core from the instrument.
core.
In Figs. 8 and 9 I have shown a shaft 20 running through the core and having
at its upper end a right-handed thread 21 which engages in the extension 6 and
near its lower end a left-handed thread 22 working in a nut 23 which projects
inwardly from the lower, extension 7 through a slot 24 formed in the tube of the
The tube 5 of the core is extended and has a reduced neck 26 which passes
through brackets 27 having curved ends 28 which pass down over and grip the
lower edge of the bell 29 of the instrument. The shaft 20 carries a turning
head 30 on its lower end and by turning this head, the extensions 6 and 7 are
moved on the core 5 simultaneously and symmetrically in opposite directions. T
provide for separating the instrument, the shaft 20 is divided at the joint midway
of the instrument and one portion carries a socket 31 while the other has a squared

page_text: pin 32 which fits in said socket and establishes turning connection between the
parts of a shaft when the instrument is put together. The parts of the core, are
secured together by an ordinary screw joint 32 and in order to prevent displace-
ment of the shaft 20, its parts may be provided with the heads 34 fitting in
an enlargement in the cavity of the core.
As will be seen by reference to Fig. 9 the brackets 27 are made separate and
are adapted to be secured together by a nut 35 which screws on the extension 26
after the brackets have been passed over said extension. The parts are so con-
structed that when the brackets 27 are arranged symmetrically around the bell of
the instrument, they will form a rigid support for the whole attachment, but they
may readily be slid around until they come together, at which time their hooks will
be all on one side of the bell and they will readily disengage and permit the whole
attachment to be removed from the instrument.
According to Fig. 10 simultaneous movement of the extension pieces 6 and 7 is
effected through the medium of a rocking lever 38 having its respective ends con-
nected through straps 37 of rigid metal to the respective extensions 6 and 7. By
applying the finger to the rocking lever 38 it may be moved in either direction
and cause a corresponding simultaneous and uniform adjustment of the extensions 6
and 7.
As will be observed, in all the forms of my invention the object is to change the
cavity in the instrument so as to alter its period of vibration and consequently its
tone. The attachment is found in practice to be effective in changing the
instrument from one key to another, as for instance from B flat to A. This may
be done by moving the extensions, or one of them to a sufficient degree, or the
parts may be so adjusted that changes in the key may be effected by inserting and
removing the entire attachment, on the other hand by more gradual changes in the
length of the attachment, it is very convenient to change the tone of the instrument
in such slight degrees as to bring it into harmony with other instruments of slightly
different pitch.
While I have described and prefer to use the double extension, I desire it
understood that my invention is not thus limited as it is possible to obtain the
desired results by extending at one end only or by any other method of changing
the length of the core. Furthermore I desire it understood that my invention is.
not limited in scope to an extensible core for the reason that, as previously explained,
the desired ends may be obtained in changing from one key to another by inserting
and removing the attachment.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. A lining inserted in clarionets, etc., provided with a longitudinal cut, which
forms a space when in place, and having the proper apertures, required for the
instruments, and serving to change the one from a high to a low pitch, as
specified.
a
2. In musical instruments such as clarionets and the like, lining made of
resonant material, in one or more pieces, provided with a longitudinal cut forming
a space when in place, and having the proper apertures to correspond with those in
the tube, required for said instruments, as set forth.
3. As a new article of manufacture a removable and adjustable lining of resonant
material provided with proper apertures, as required for the instrument, and having
a longitudinal cut to form a space as and for the purpose specified.
4. An adjustable lining, having a longitudinal cut a and sprung in place and
provided with proper apertures to correspond with those in the tube of the instru-
ment, and made of light resonant material, and held in place by its own elasticity,
as set forth.
5. An adjustable and removable lining for instruments made of resonant material,
and provided with the proper apertures required, having a longitudinal cut to form

page_text: a space between the adjacent edges, and sprung in its place by its own elasticity,
as shown and specified.
6. In combination with a tubular wind instrument; a core or filling piece of
smaller diameter than the internal diameter of the instrument, and having means
for supporting it within the instrument as and for the purpose explained.
7. In combination with a musical instrument, the herein-described removable
core or filling piece mounted axially in the instrument in substantially the manner
and for the purposes set forth.
8. In conibination with a musical instrument, the herein-described filling piece or
core, mounted axially within the instrument and provided with means for changing
its dimensions, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
9. In combination with a musical instrument, the herein-described filling piece or
core, having means for mounting it axially within the instrument, and having an
extensible end, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
10. In combination with a musical instrument, the herein-described filling piece
or core provided with means for mounting it axially within the instrument, and
having both its ends extensible substantially in the manner and for the purpose set
forth.
11. As a means for changing the pitch or changing the key of a musical instru-
ment, a part which is adapted to be introduced into the bore of the instrument,
for changing the dimension or dimensions thereof, substantially in the manner as
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
12. The means for accomplishing changes in pitch, substantially as shown in the
various drawings forming a part of the foregoing specification.
Dated this 7th day of November 1896.
VAUGHAN & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.