Improvements in Trombones, Trumpets, and similar Brass Wind Instruments.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 12th June, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 16th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 24th Dec., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Trombones, Trumpets, and similar Brass Wind
Instruments.
I, DAVID JAMES BLAIKLEY, of 13 Elsworthy Terrace, Primrose Hill, London
N.W. Musical Instrument Maker do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
My invention consists in constructing the slides used for producing certain notes
of the scale on trombones & similar brass wind instruments, in such a manner that
the general pitch of the instrument can be slightly changed as required for tuning,
without the use either of "tuning bits" or "shanks" or of the extra slide generally
known as the "tuning slide."
In the trombone as ordinarily constructed the two outer slides are connected
together at their lower ends by a bent tube which forms part of the effective length
of the instrument & at their upper ends they are connected by a transverse stay or
bar which is soldered to two ferrules; these ferrules being themselves soldered to
the outer slides.
In my improved slides a second transverse stay or bar is fixed to the outer
slides just below the ferrules above named. These ferrules being connected
together by means of a transverse bar in the usual way, are fitted to slide over
the outer slides instead of being soldered to them the outer slides can
therefore be partly withdrawn from them within the limits ordinarily required
for tuning.
Dad LT101
T
1001
D. J. BLAIKLEY.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Trombones, Trumpets, and similar Brass' Wind
Instruments.
I, DAVID JAMES BLAIKLEY, of 13 Elsworthy Terrace, Primrose Hill, London'
Muscial Instrument Maker 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 :-
W
My invention relates to trombones and similar brass wind musical instruments.
The object of my said invention is to provide for tuning the instrument or
slightly changing the general pitch thereof without the use of the ordinary tuning-
bits or shanks, and without the use of the extra slide hitherto frequently employed,
and known as the "tuning-slide."
For this purpose, I so construct the instrument that the position occupied by the
main or shifting slide relatively to the part in or upon which it works, when the
said slide is in the first position, can be changed, for example, by altering the position
of a movable or adjustable stop which limits the upward movement of the said
slide, that is to say, I provide at the end of the main or shifting slide next the
mouth-piece, suitable means whereby the effective length of this slide can be
increased. The general pitch of the instrument can thus be varied as may be
required to tune the instrument, or to adapt it for use with another instrument of
lower, pitch.
"
I find it advantageous, for this purpose, to construct and arrange the ferrules,
which are usually soldered to the main slide to strengthen the same at its upper
end, in such a manner that the said ferrules are readily adjustable longitudinally

page_text: upon the said slide, and by this means the said slide can be lengthened or
shortened within certain limits. In this case, I provide the usual cross-bar or
stay for firmly connecting the two ferrules, and another cross-bar or stay for
connecting the two parts or limbs of the slide below the said ferrules.
In the accompanying drawing I have shewn two arrangements of this kind.
Figure 1 is a side view, partly in section, showing part of a trombone constructed
in accordance with my said invention.
Figure 2 is a similar view shewing the parts in a different position, and
Figure 3 is a similar view of part of a trumpet constructed according to my said
invention.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawing.
a is the main or shifting slide, which works upon the tubes, and the two
parts or limbs of which are firmly connected by means of a cross-bar or stay c.
d, d are the ferrules, which are firmly connected by the usual cross-bar or stay e,
but which are so fitted upon the slide a that they can be readily adjusted
longitudinally thereon to lengthen or shorten the slide, and thus increase or diminish
the effective length of the instrument.
Figure 1 shows the relative positions of the ferrules and slide when the instru-
ment is to be used at the pitch for which it was made; and Figure 2 shows the
relative positions of the said ferrules and slide when these parts have been adjusted
so as to considerably flatten or lower the pitch of the instrument.
It will be seen that, when the upper ends of the ferrules abut against the cork
washers or discs f, that is to say, when the main slide a is in the first position, the
effective length of the instrument will depend upon the position of the ferrules d
relatively to the said slide, and can be increased or diminished by adjusting the
said ferrules upon the slide in one or the other direction.
In some instances, I make one of the ferrules with one or more slits d¹ in its
lower end, and I provide this end with a slightly taper screw-threaded portion d³,
upon which is fitted a corresponding nut g, so that, by turning this nut in one or
the other direction, the slit end of the ferrule may be caused to grip more or less
tightly the part of the slide on which it is fitted. If desired, both ferrules may be
provided with similar devices for tightening them upon the slide. Other suitable
means may, moreover, be employed, if desired, for tightening one or both of the
ferrules upon the slide.
In operating the main or shifting slide to lengthen or shorten the instrument to
adapt it for the production of the different series of harmonics, the cross-bar or
stay e attached to the ferrules d is to be grasped by the player in the usual
manner. The cross-bar or stay c serves for rigidly connecting the two parts or
limbs of the slide, and also facilitates the relative adjustment of the ferrules
and slide.
It is not absolutely necessary to provide means for tightening the ferrules upon
the slide. In the trumpet shown in Figure 3, the ferrules d are simply made to fit
the slide with sufficient tightness to prevent their accidental displacement.
My invention is also applicable to instruments wherein the main or shifting
slide is made with one inner and one outer tube. In this modification of my said
invention, I employ a single adjustable ferrule on the outer tube, and provide the
said ferrule with a suitable bar or handle for operating the slide.
My invention affords considerable advantages over the devices hitherto employed
for tuning trombones and similar instruments. For instance, it obviates the
necessity for changing the positions of the shifts of the slide. It avoids the
formation of the objectionable extra cavities or breaks in the continuity of the bore,
which are necessitated by the use of the tuning-slides hitherto constructed, and it
also avoids the upsetting of the balance of the instrument due to the weight of the
tuning-slide when this is placed at the lower end of the main slide. Moreover,
when my improved instrument is constructed as above described with reference to
the accompanying drawing, the operation of lowering the pitch of the instrument
does not increase the distance between the mouth-piece and the rim of the bell, as
I'

page_text: is the case when the ordinary tuning-bits or shanks are employed, or when a single
slide is used between the bell and the part of the instrument in or upon which it is
fitted.
I have herein used the term "brass" not to indicate any particular metal of which
the instruments are made, but to distinguish the class of wind musical instruments
to which my invention relates, from "wood" wind musical instruments.
It is evident that the construction of the instrument can be somewhat modified
without departing from the nature of my said invention. For instance, instead of
making the ferrules adjustable as above described, I can, if desired, provide the
main slide with adjustable rings or with other suitable adjustable stops whereby its
effective length may be changed for the purpose above specified.
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 :-
First. A trombone or similar wind musical instrument provided at the upper end
of the main or shifting slide with suitable means for tuning the instrument or
lowering its pitch by increasing the effective length of the said slide, substantially
as hereinbefore described.
•
Second. A trombone or similar wind musical instrument, in which the main or
shifting slide is provided with longitudinally adjustable ferrules firmly connected
by a cross-bar or stay, and the two parts or limbs of the said slide are firmly con-
nected by means of another cross-bar or stay, substantially as, and for the purpose,
above specified.
Third. The modification of my invention wherein I employ a single movable or
adjustable ferrule on the main or shifting slide, substantially as, and for the purpose,
above specified.
Dated this Sixteenth day of November 1891
D. J. BLAIKLEY.
D. Young & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
D. J. BLAIKLEY.
D. Young & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.