IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS IN BRASS OR OTHER METAL, TO WHICH PISTONS ARE APPLICABLE
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Pierre Jean De Rette, Trombonist Solo to His
Majesty the King of the Belgians, and formerly Bandmaster of the
9th Regiment of the Line, in Belgium, residing at 9, Rue Guimard, in
Bruxelles, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS IN BRASS OR OTHER METAL, TO WHICH
PISTONS ARE APPLICABLE."
Sealed the 19th November 1861, and dated the 13th July 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Pierre Jean De Rette
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 13th July 1861.
I, PIERRE JEAN DE RETTE, Trombonist Solo to His Majesty the King of
the Belgians, and formerly Bandmaster of the 9th Regiment of the Line in
Belgium, residing at 9, Rue Guimard, in Bruxelles, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS IN BRASS
OR OTHER METAL, TO WHICH PISTONS ARE APPLICABLE."
My Invention consists in the adaptation to wind musical instruments con-
structed of brass or other metal, and to which pistons are applied, of a new
piston which I call a "jumelle." This jumelle is so arranged as to allow tho
piston attached to it to play at the same time, and by the same action.
Before I proceed to describe the accompanying Drawing, I must state that
I do not confine my improvements to any particular description of wind musical
instruments, their shape, size, or kind, or to the material of which they are to be

page_text: made, as my improvements are applicable to every description of instruments,
and can be connected with or used separate from any other kind of piston.
The Drawing will be more easily understood by noticing that those portions
of the mechanism of a wind musical instrument which are drawn in black
ink, represent the mechanism now in use, and that portion of the red ink
consists of my improvements.
I will now proceed to describe the Drawing more in detail. Number 1 is
an ordinary piston, which is not at all connected with my improvements;
Numbers 2 & 3, are the ordinary pistons now in use, and to which I have
connected my jumelles in the manner in which I shall hereafter describe;
Numbers 4 & 5, are my new jumelles.
The Drawing lettered A is the interior tube of my jumelle Number 5;
through this tube. are 4 perforated holes similar to Numbers 5b, 5b, through
which the air passes.
Numbers 2, 2, in Drawing lettered A are perforated holes to correspond
with the tube 2ª, 2, which is connected with the outer case of the piston.
In the interior of the jumelle are the usual springs as in all other pistons.
These-springs may be modified as occasion may require.
Drawing lettered B is the tube of jumelle numbered 4, and constructed in
the same manner as the one before described.
Drawing lettered. C is the reverse side of tube of the jumelle, and
lettered b;
the holes numbered 4, 4b, in Drawing lettered C, are used for the
tubes numbered 3b, 3b, on account of Drawing lettered C being reversed;
and in the same manner the holes numbered 3b, 3b, in Drawing lettered C,
are used for tubes numbered 4, 4.
The pipes 3º, 3º, are connected with the outer case of piston number 3,
and through which the air passes when played. The pipes are connected
with the outer case of the pistons in the usual way. 4, 4ª, are the new pipes
introduced by me, and which are also connected with the outer case of the
jumelle Number 4; 5, 5%, are the new pipes introduced by me, and also
affixed to the outer case of jumelle Number 5.
Having now described the different parts of the accompanying Drawing,
I will now proceed to describe its working.
Hitherto in making instruments of more than 3 or 4 pistons, so as to
facilitate their use and intonation, and at the same time to give them more com-
pass, it has hitherto been necessary to have two mechanisms, and to use both
hands when playing, which is a serious inconvenience. But there is another
and a more serious objection, which is, that the double set of mechanism
absorbs the sound, which renders it more difficult to play, and also more

page_text: difficult to hold the mouth-piece so as to give the notes with certainty, and
descend or ascend with facility.
The jumelle Number 4 is connected with the piston Number 3, so that when
I play jumelle Number 4 the same action also plays Number 3 by reason of
the projecting notch E, E, in Drawing b and c being let into piston Number 3.
And in the place of such notch or catch I can employ a ring or other suitable
contrivance, ornamental or otherwise, which will affect the same object; and
I also claim the right of using this arrangement to any kind of piston or
other mechanism, of whatever form or number, without being also compelled to
apply at the same time my other improvements, namely, my jumelle and my
improved mechanism. And jumelle Number 5 acts in a similar manner upon
that of Number 2, but this arrangement does not prevent the pistons num-
bered 2 and 3 being played by themselves in the usual manner, so that by this
simple arrangement I can play with greater facility 5 or more pistons with one
hand.
I also claim an improved arrangement of fixing my said jumelles in order to.*
give greater facility in playing. Hitherto in instruments of 4 pistons the
4th piston has been so placed as to make the playing most difficult, parti-
cularly for the little finger, in consequence of its being on the same level as '
the others. Now, I propose to remedy this by placing one or more pistons
and jumelles either behind, before, above or below each other, by which
arrangement I am enabled to facilitate the use of the little finger and of
the whole hand; and by placing my jumelles by the side, front, behind, above,.
or below the other pistons, to which I connect them, I am enabled to play.
several pistons with the same finger, and in this manner 5 or more pistons.
can be easily played with one hand, and by placing a third jumelle upon the.
other piston, I should thus be enabled to play 6 pistons with only the.
mechanism of 3 pistons, and without absorbing the tone of the instrument.
In instruments of 4 pistons the jumelle would be best placed as the 4th
piston, so that it can be played with the little finger, which is in itself a great-
advantage, because it can then be placed within its reach, and so full play is
given to the whole hand. It will be understood that the fingering of the present
scale is not changed, and the tubes can be placed as usual or according to the
taste of the maker or player. Also the form of the tubes depend entirely on
the form and size of the instrument. I can also place my said jumelle in
any form and position, according to the description of instrument required;
these jumelles can also be placed separately or at a distance from the piston
with which it communicates by using two fingers at once, and the size of
the piston jumelle as well as that of the corresponding holes follows the same.

page_text: rules, according to the size of the instrument and the volume of sound which it
is wished to produce.
My Invention therefore is a great improvement to all instruments to which
pistons are applied, as it can be placed upon any tube or piston whatever, by
which means the mechanism is simplified and consequently greatly improving
the instrument, as each jumelle adds a piston without complicating the
mechanism.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Pierre Jean De Rette in the Great Seal Patent Office 'on
the 26th December 1861.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, PIERRE
JEAN DE RETTE, Trombonist Solo to His Majesty the King of the Belgians,
and formerly Bandmaster of the 9th Regiment of the Line in Belgium,
residing at 9, Rue Guimard, in Bruxelles, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fifth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Pierre Jean De Rette, Her special licence that I, the said Pierre Jean
De Rette, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Pierre Jean De Rette, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter, during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS IN BRASS OR OTHER
METAL, TO WHICH PISTONS ARE APPLICABLE," upon the condition (amongst others)
that. I, the said Pierre Jean De Rette, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Pierre Jean De Rette, do hereby.
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the fol-

page_text: lowing statement, reference being had to the Drawing hereunto annexed, and to
the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
My Invention of, improvements in wind musical instruments in brass or
other metal, and to which pistons are applicable, consist, 1stly, in the
adaptation to such instruments of a new piston, which I call a "jumelle," and
2ndly, in grouping or otherwise arranging the pistons (whether my jumelle or
other mechanism be added or not) of such instruments so as to facilitate the
playing of the same.
I must premise my description of the accompanying Drawing by stating
that that portion of it in red ink indicates the improvements introduced by me,
and that I do not confine myself to the particular kind of mechanism or mode
of arranging the several pistons or jumelles as shewn in such Drawing, nor
do I confine myself to any particular kind of wind musical instrument, their
shape, size, or kind, or the material to be used in their manufacture, as my
improvements are applicable to all instruments which have pistons.
Drawing number 1 represents the mechanism of an instrument to which
I have applied my jumelle in the manner herein-after explained.
Figure 1 represents an ordinary piston to which I have not adapted my
jumelle; Figure 2 represents an ordinary piston to which I have adapted my
jumelle No. 5; Figure 3 represents an ordinary piston to which I have
adapted my jumelle No. 4; Figures 2, 2, represents the pipe from which the.
air passes through jumelle No. 5, and is connected to piston No. 2; Figures 3, 3,
represents the pipe which is connected to piston No. 3 in the same way;
Figures 4, 4, represent the new pipe which is connected with jumelle No. 4';
Figures 5, 5, also represents a like tube of jumelle No. 5.
.
"Letter a represents onė description of screw or pin used in connecting or
hooking my jumelle to the other piston; letter 6 represents one of the above-
mentioned screws or pins; letter c represents a loop at the end of inner
portion of jumelle No. 4, as shewn in Drawing lettered A, through which
the screw or pin a passes and lodges in part lettered d'; lettere represents a
front view of the above-mentioned screw or pin which connects jumelle No. 5
to piston No. 2 in the same way as that shewn in letters b, c, d, of jumelle
No. 4.
.
Drawing number 2, represents a similar description of mechanism as that
before explained, but shewing the action of the jumelle on the piston with
which it is connected. Figure 1ª represents a piston to which I have not
adapted my jumelle; Figure 2ª represents a piston to which jumelle No. 5" is
connected; Figure 3ª represents a piston to which I have adapted jumelle
No. 4; Figures 2, 2ª, represent the pipes from which the air passes through

page_text: jumelle No. 5, and are attached to piston No. 2; Figures 3ª, 3ª, represent
the tubes which are attached to piston No. 3°; Figures 4*, 4ª, represent in
like manner the tubes. which belong to jumelle No. 4; and Figures 5º, 5º,
the tubes belonging to jumelle No. 5"..
Letter represents the screw or pin which is screwed into loop c, and
lodges in catch d.. Piston 3, and jumelle No. 4, are represented as being
pressed down by the action of the finger on jumelle No. 4, which has by
means of the screw or pin above referred to, hooked into and carried down
with it piston No. 3ª.
Drawing d, of piston No. 2, shows that piston No. 2ª can be played inde-
pendent of its connection to jumelle No. 5, and piston No. 3º can be played in a
similar manner. .
Drawing Number 3 represents a similar description of mechanism of an
instrument, the only difference being that I have connected or otherwise hooked
the jumelle to the piston at top instead of at bottom as shown in the other
Drawings; the Figures there marked are connected to the several pistons and
jumelles bearing similar numbers as shown in the other Drawings..
Drawing Number 4 consists first, A, which represents the interior of jumelle
No. 4 of Drawing No. 1; and, letter B represents that of piston Number 3;
letter C represents the spring inside of my jumelle No. 4, which is used
to keep it up; and letter D represents the springs used in ordinary pistons.
Having now described the different parts of the accompanying Drawing, I.
will now proceed to describe more fully the mode of connecting and playing
the same.
As I have before stated, Nos. 1, 2, and 3 are the old pistons, and that they
can be played in the usual way as if the jumelles. had not been adapted to
them; and that Nos. 4 and 5 are my new jumelles; No. 3 being connected
to jumelle No. 4, and No. 2 to jumelle No. 5, in the following manner :-
The screw or pin lettered a and b passes through loop lettered c, and lodges
in d, so that when I play jumelle No. 4, it, by means of the screw or pin
resting in the catch.d, which is connected with piston No. 3, plays that piston
also, and jumelle No. 5 acts upon piston No. 2 in a similar manner.
My second improvement consists in an improved arrangement of the pistons
or other mechanism.by grouping or otherwise so arranging them as to give
greater facility of playing. -
Hitherto instruments of 4 pistons have been difficult to play in consequence
of the 4 pistons being on the same line, and the little finger being shorter
than the other fingers. Now I propose to remedy this defect by placing the
pistons or jumelles either behind, before, higher, or lower each other, so as to

page_text: adapt the pistons and jumelles to the shortness of the little finger. And in
instruments which they want to play with 4 pistons they place the jumelle
in preference as a fourth piston, in order to use it with the little finger, which
is in itself a great advantage, as it can be placed so as to give facility to the
whole hand. And by placing my jumelle in a similar manner I am enabled
to play several pistons with one finger, and in that manner 5 pistons can be
played with one hand with greater facility than has hitherto been done by
both hands, and by placing an addition jumelle to the other piston you will
then have 6 pistons without stifling the sound of the instrument.
The shape or the kind of mechanism of these instruments are indifferent, as
it is enough to apply my system to the pistons, springs, and generally to all
that can replace them, whatever be their shape, and the number of pistons
which are required; and in instruments of 2 pistons it is a great advantage in
using my jumelle as a third piston.
Another important advantage in the introduction of my jumelle is that the
notes produced are more true and clear on account of the great facility of the
circulation of the air.
It must be born in mind that my improvements does not necessitate a
change in the scale now in use for musical instruments.
The peculiar manner of placing the jumelles and of connecting them to
the pistons, as well as regulating their action with the other pistons, must
depend equally on the kind of instrument and the mechanism to which they
are to be applied as well as the taste of the manufacturer or player; but it
is not necessary to place my jumelle by the side of a piston, as they can be
placed at a distance from the piston to which it is connected, and be played
with two fingers at the same time, and the hooks can change shape according
to the kind of mechanism to which they are applied. The jumelle is applicable
to every system of piston which are in use, but the mode of connecting such
jumelle must depend on the kind of instrument to which my jumelle is to be
applied.
As it is impossible to show in Drawing every system of mechanism adapted
to wind musical instruments to which my Invention is applicable, I have
therefore given Drawings of one description of mechanism most in use, to
which I have adapted my jumelle, but they can be adapted to every kind of
instrument which is played by means of pistons.
Having now described my Invention of improvements in the manufacture of
wind musical instruments in brass or other metal, to which pistons are appli-
cable, by the introduction of a new piston which I call a "jumelle," and an
improved arrangement of grouping or otherwise arranging the pistons of such

page_text: instrument so as to give the hand greater facility in playing, I claim as the
Invention secured to me by Letters Patent as aforesaid the principles herein
set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Pierre Jean De Rette, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of December, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.
Witness,
H. ALLERNEY.
PIERRE JEAN DE RETTE. (L.S.)