An Improved Wind Musical Instrument.
Year: 1893

page_text: [Date of Application, 5th Sept., 1893-Accepted, 16th Dec., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Wind Musical Instrument.
A communication by JOHN LAWRENCE MAHER, Musician, of No. 555, Essex
Street, Lynn, in the State of Massachusetts, one of the United States of
America.
I ALFRED GEORGE BROOKES of 55 & 56 Chancery Lane, in the County of
London, Chartered Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention has for its object the production of a novel wind instrument for
musicians by which the effect to the ear is that of two different series of tones, but
in harmony with each other, such a result being obtained in a single instrument.
The drawing shows the top or plan view of an instrument embodying my
invention.
I have herein shown two flutes a and b provided with a common mouth piece a',
and with openings in said flutes as indicated by dotted lines in the drawing.
The two flutes are rigidly held together in any suitable way, and if they are
made of metal they may be soldered together.
The common mouth piece a' as herein shown, secures the two flutes together at
one end, while at the other end a double collar a* is secured to the two flutes
respectively to hold them together at the other end.
I have secured standards or posts a² and to the flutes, supporting a rod or
bearing between them, upon which are pivoted the key levers c, c', c², c³, c, and e,
by sleeve like hubs d, one for each key lever, and each bearing supports three of the
key levers, as very clearly shown in the drawing.
A suitable projection d¹ on each hub is acted upon by a spring s to keep the key
levers normally raised to uncover the openings in the flutes, each lever having upon
its underside two stops or pads adapted to simultaneously open or close one opening
in each flute.
In the illustration of the invention I have shown the flute b in the key of C,
and the flute a is also in the key of C, beginning, however, on the third of the
scale, or E.
When the instrument is played, three key levers being operated by each hand of
the player, the melody will be produced on the flute b and the third above on the
One flute is modulated to accord with the other.
flute a.
By the described construction the effect produced on the ear is that of two
different instruments played in perfect time and harmony, as in a duet, so that by
the invention I am enabled to produce the same result in a single instrument.
The flutes may be constructed of wood or metal as desired. The invention is
not restricted to the use of flutes in any particular key.
Each of the two tones, however, controlled by a single key lever, must be
separated by the same interval as exists between any other two tones simultaneously
controlled.
The single mouth piece shown is adapted to be held between the lips of the
player, and if desired a cornet mouthpiece may be inserted in the tubular portion of
the mouthpiece a', and in that instance the lips are placed against the flaring or
bell-shaped end thereof.
Should it be desired to play one flute only, I have shown a convenient means for
stopping the other flute, composed of a sleeve e, shown as fitted over the flute a
adjacent to the mouth-piece, and having an opening e' to register with the opening
in the flute when it is desired that it shall be played.

page_text: By simply rotating said sleeve e until the opening in the flute is covered the said
flute will be stopped, and no sound will issue therefrom when the instrument is
played.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. A musical wind instrument, consisting of two flutes or like pipes, secured
together and each provided with the usual openings, and a series of key levers each
adapted to simultaneously control an opening in both flutes or pipes.
2. A musical wind instrument, consisting of two flutes or like pipes secured
together, and producing different series of tones in harmony, and a series of key
levers each adapted to control an opening in each flute or pipe to simultaneously
produce two different tones.
3. A musical instrument, consisting of two flutes or like pipes secured together,
and producing different series of tones in harmony, and a series of key levers each
adapted to control an opening in each flute or pipe to simultaneously produce two
different tones.
4. A musical wind instrument, consisting of two flutes or like pipes secured
together, having the usual openings therein, the scales of the flutes or pipes being
modulated to accord with each other, and give two different series of tones in
harmony, and a series of key levers each adapted to control an opening in both
flutes or pipes to produce two different tones simultaneously, the interval between
each two tones being the same.
5. In a musical wind instrument, two flutes or like pipes secured together,
and each provided with the usual openings, a common mouth piece therefor, a series
of key levers each adapted to simultaneously control an opening in both flutes or
pipes and a stop for one of said flutes or pipes.
6. In a musical wind instrument having substantially the usual openings therein,
a key lever adapted to simultaneously control a plurality of openings and thereby
produce different tones simultaneously.
Dated the 2nd day of September 1893.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.