Improvements in Reeds for Musical Instruments, Toys, and the like.
Year: 1893

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Reeds for Musical Instruments, Toys, and the like.
I, HERMANN METZGER, of 1222 Seminary Place, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois,
United States of America, 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 :-
My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in reeds for musical
instruments, of which the following is a specification.
The object of my invention is to provide a simple, efficient and economical
reed, formed of elastic material, and of such construction that it can be used in
musical instruments or toys; and the invention consists in the details and
combinations hereinafter described and claimed.
In the drawings,
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of my improved reed;
Fig. 2 an elevation, partly in section, showing my reed in connection with a
trumpet;
Figs. 3 and 4 views of different forms of reeds; and
Fig. 5 illustrates the invention with applied means for working a puppet from a
distance.
In constructing my improved reed, I preferably make the reed A, of rubber, but
it is evident that it can be made of any other yielding material, and in shape the
reed is made of a rubber tube, a, with the upper portion, B, moulded or formed
into that shape which resembles, in a general manner, the windpipe of living
animals, or the upper portion can be slit downward to any suitable depth, forming
two lips b, particularly shown in Figs. 1 and 3.
In using my improved reed, the tubular portion a can be slipped over a tube or
pipe C, shown particularly in Fig. 2, and this tube in turn is secured or fixed to a
main portion of a trumpet. Surrounding the reed is a mouth piece, D, of the usual
form and construction. In other respects, as shown in Fig. 2, the trumpet resembles
the ordinary trumpets now in use. In Fig. 1, I have shown a form of construction
adapted more especially for use in connection with rubber toys. The reed is
slipped over the tube, as in Fig. 2, and this in turn fixed to a main portion E,
having a threaded portion e. This threaded portion is adapted to enter and be
securely held in place in any kind of a rubber toy, so that the compressing of the
toy in the usual manner will cause the reed to emit a noise or sound.
In Figs. 3 and 4 I have shown two different forms in which my reed can be
constructed. In Fig. 3 the upper portion, having the lips b, can be slit downwards
to any desired depth, thereby obtaining any desired intensity of tone. It is of
course well known that the deeper it is slit, the deeper will be the tone obtained.
In Fig. 4 the reed at the upper portion is nearly compressed, making the hole
elongated and resembling more nearly the windpipe of living animals. It will also
be understood in this case that this opening can be of any desired form to obtain
any desired Bound. By varying the shape of this upper portion of the reed, and
attaching a rubber ball to the threaded portion of my improvement, and inserting
the main portion E into a rubber tube which may be inclosed in a metal receptacle
of any desired shape, almost any sound can be obtained that will closely resemble
the call or cry of a large number of living animals and birds.
In Fig. 5 I have shown my device applied to a puppet F and means for operating
the reed from a distance. By connecting the reed in the interior of the puppet
(shown in dotted lines) with a flexible tube G terminating in an air chamber H, the
air chamber when quickly compressed will force the air out through the tube to

page_text: the reed in the puppet and thus cause it to emit, any required sound to which the
reed is adapted.
Thus it will be seen that any number of puppets or images of men, women and
children or of various animals can be exhibited and operated when connected by
means of tubes and each can be operated separately from a distance. Each puppet
will emit the particular cry characteristic of its class at the will of the operator,
thus producing an amusing exhibition.
In addition to the advantages which I have enumerated in using my improved
reed, I get rid of a number of disadvantages existing in reeds as now constructed.
Those now in use are generally formed of metallic substances, which are liable to
corrosion or oxidation from the effect of the atmosphere or elements, as well as
becoming crystallized from constant use and breaking off. It will be seen that in
using my reed, these disadvantages are obviated, and I have provided a reed of
such construction that will, in a great measure, withstand contact with the elements,
and thereby last a much longer period of time.
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. In reeds for musical instruments, a reed consisting of an elastic tube having
an approximate cylindrical portion, and one end provided with a compressed or
irregular opening, substantially as described.
2. In reeds for musical instruments, a reed consisting of an elastic tube-having
an approximate cylindrical portion, and one end provided with a slitted opening,
substantially as described.
3. In reeds for musical instruments, the combination of an elastic tube adapted
to be slipped over a rigid tube, and a tube of rigid material, substantially as
described.
4. In reeds for musical instruments, the combination of an elastic tube adapted
to be slipped over a rigid tube, a tube of rigid material affixed to a main portion
adapted to enter an opening in a musical instrument or toy, and a main portion,
substantially as described.
Dated this 9th day of May 1893.
AMBROSE MYALL,
21, Cockspur Street, London, S.W., Agent for the Applicant.