Improvements in and relating to Cornets and similar Brass Wind Musical Instruments.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Nov., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 23rd June, 1893-Accepted, 29th July, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Cornets and similar Brass Wind
Musical Instruments.
I, DAVID JAMES BLAIKLEY, of 13 Elsworthy Terrace, Primrose Hill, in the
County of Middlesex, Musical Instrument Maker, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to cornets and other brass wind musical instruments in
which three or four piston-valves are employed for the purpose of producing the
chromatic scale.
In the Specification of former Letters Patent granted to me and dated
14th November 1878, No. 4618, I have described an invention which comprises the
use, in a cornet or similar instrument, of additional lengths of tubing connected with
the first and second pistons, for the purpose of compensating for the lowering of
the pitch of the instrument due to the pressing down of the third piston, so that,
when either the first or the second piston is pressed down together with the third
piston, and also when the three pistons are pressed down simultaneously, the length
of the air-passage will be increased in inverse proportion to the number of vibra-
tions of the notes to be produced.
My present invention comprises improvements whereby I am enabled to
accomplish the desired result in a more efficient and satisfactory manner than
heretofore.
In some instruments constructed as described in my said former Specification,
the length of air-passage added for compensation in connection with the second
piston, is not sufficient to permit of the same being formed so as to have its looped
portion or bend (which connects the valve-passages) entirely in a length of tubing
outside of the piston-valve; consequently such loop or bend has to be formed
partly in the pump of the piston-valve. This form of construction necessitates the
making of the additional air-passage with a very sharp or abrupt curve or bend,
and the contraction or restriction of the bore either of the said additional air-
passage at those parts thereof adjacent to the ordinary passages through the valve,
or of one or both of the said ordinary passages.
These undesirable features are
completely obviated by my present improvements.
One feature of my present invention is the use in connection with the second
piston, of an additional tube of such length in proportion to the half-tone tube
that the difference between the length of this additional tube and that of the half-
tone tube is equal to the length of air-passage which requires to be added when the
second piston is depressed together with the third piston, in order to compensate
In other
for the lowering of pitch due to the pressing down of the third piston.
words, the added length of tubing in connection with the second piston, in my
improved instrument, is equal to the half-tone tube plus the length of the added
air-passages used in connection with the second piston in instruments constructed
according to my said former Specification. The passages through the second
piston-valve are, moreover, so arranged that, when the second and third pistons
are pressed down together, the said additional tube or alternative air-passage will
be brought into the circuit and the half-tone tube simultaneously cut out of the
circuit, the additional tube then serving for both the half-tone air-passage and the
compensating air-passage. By these means I am enabled to provide in connection
with the second piston an unrestricted compensating air-passage free from sharp or
abrupt curves or bends, without employing more than five passages in either of
the valves.
Another feature of my said invention consists in providing a similar alternative

page_text: air-passage in connection with either the first or the third piston-valve, as the case
may be, whilst constructing and arranging the parts of the instrument in such a
manner as to avoid the use of more than five passages in either of the valves.
In applying this part of my invention to an instrument in which the alternative
air-passage is required in connection with the first valve, I find it advantageous to
construct the instrument as follows, viz. I provide in connection with the said
valve an additional length of tubing equal to the length of the one-tone tube plus
the length of the added air-passages used in connection with the first piston in
instruments constructed as described in my said former Specification. Moreover I
so arrange the passages through the first piston that, when the first and third
pistons are pressed down simultaneously, the said additional tube or alternative air-
passage will be brought into the circuit and the one-tone tube simultaneously cut
out of the circuit, the said additional tube then serving for both. the one-tone
air-passage and the compensating air-passage.
It will be seen from the foregoing statements, that, according to my present
invention, instead of adding to the half-tone tube or to the one-tone tube a
sufficient length of tubing to compensate for the aforesaid lowering of pitch of the
instrument, I provide an extra tube which is used in place of the half-tone tube
when the second and third pistons are depressed simultaneously, and also an extra
tube which is used in place of the one-tone tube when the first and third pistons
are depressed simultaneously.
To permit the required shunting of the air-current for the purposes above
mentioned, without the use of more than five passages through either of the
valves, I find it advantageous to so construct and arrange the parts of the instru-
ment that the air will pass from the third valve to the first valve in one direction
through a bridge or length of tubing connecting these valves; and in the reverse
direction through the three valves.
By this means the air-current, when the third piston is depressed, is carried
through the first and second valves in such a manner as to be brought into
connection with the alternative or compensating tubes connected with these
valves, and the ordinary tubing connected with these valves is cut out of the
circuit.
In some instances, instead of using the aforesaid extra tube in connection with
the first valve, I provide in connection. with the third valve an extra tube to be
used as above mentioned in place of the one-and-a-half-tone tube. In other words,
instead of compensating the first and second valves to agree with the third valve
when the latter is depressed, I compensate the second and third valves to agree
with the first valve when the first valve is depressed.
In the case of a four-valve instrument, I use extra tubes in connection with the
first, second and third valves to agree with or compensate for the alteration of
pitch caused by the depression of the fourth valve, substantially as extra tubes are
added to the first and second valves of a three-valve instrument.
In some instances, I so construct and arrange the parts of the instrument as to
provide for the use of the half-tone tube in a novel and peculiar manner, that is to
say, so that the air will pass through the said half-tone tube in one direction
when the second piston is up and the third piston is down, and in the reverse
direction when the second piston is down and the third piston up, and the said half-
tone tube will be cut out of the circuit as above mentioned when both the second
and third pistons are down. I also provide an additional length of tubing in con-
nection with the third piston, which tubing is so arranged that it will be cut out
of the circuit when the third piston is pressed down. This arrangement also facili-
tates the shunting or reversal of the air-current through the second valve-tubing.
Another feature of my said invention consists in making the passages through
the valves, of seamless tubes which are drawn to the requisite diameter and thick-
ness, and are then bent to the required shape by pressing them between suitable
dies in a manner similar to that described in the Specification of former Letters
Patent granted to me and dated 16th October 1891, No. 17728, or by hammering

page_text: them after they have been filled with lead, the bore of these tubes being after-
wards made true by forcing metal spheres through them.
My present invention further comprises improved means for preventing the
insertion of the pumps of the piston-valves in a wrong position, whilst permitting
their insertion in their proper position in relation to the air-passages of the valves;
and means for facilitating the insertion of the tripods in the stems or spring-boxes
of the pumps, in piston-valves in which tripods are used for supporting the springs.
Heretofore it has been usual to make the tripod with three projecting arms at
equal angles to each other and to form in the spring-box three straight slots to
receive the said arms. To prevent the insertion of the pump in any but the correct
position, one of the said arms has generally been made of somewhat greater width
than the other arms, the corresponding groove in the core-tube of the piston-valve
being likewise increased in width. This arrangement is objectionable because of
the difficulty of ascertaining when the pump is in the correct position, and the con-
sequent liability to jamming of the said pump in the case by attempting to force
it into the same with the wider arm of the tripod in line with one of the narrower
grooves.
To obviate this defect, I make all the arms of the tripod of equal width and I
so arrange them relatively to each other that the angle between two of the said
arms is less than that between either of these arms and the third arm; and I
arrange the grooves in the core-tube of the piston-valve in a similar manner. With
this arrangement, there is no liability to jamming of the pump in the case and the
correct position of the said pump can be very easily ascertained, as there is only
one position in which the three arms will be simultaneously in line with the three
grooves respectively.
It has hitherto been customary, in order to permit the introduction of the tripod
into the spring-box, to make the arms of the tripod with rounded corners and to
make the slots in the said spring-box of slightly greater width than is desirable for
the guidance of the said arms, so that the tripod can, when held by one of its arms,
be introduced edgewise through one of the slots into the spring-box and can then be
turned so as to bring the other arms into their slots.
Now to facilitate the insertion of the tripod into the spring-box, whilst pro-
viding more efficiently than heretofore for the guiding of the said tripod, I make
the slots in the spring-box of just sufficient width to permit the free movement of
the tripod, and I form a suitable aperture at the upper end of one or more of the
said slots, so that the tripod can be readily inserted and turned into its proper
position before its arms are introduced into the guiding portions of the said slots.
Or I accomplish the desired result by widening the upper portions of the said
slots. I am enabled, by these means, to make the arms of the tripod without the
usual rounded corners, and to fit them accurately into the aforesaid slots so that,
whilst they can slide freely up and down therein, they will have no lateral play in
the said slots.
Dated the 28th day of November 1892.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Cornets and similar Brass Wind
Musical Instruments.
I, DAVID JAMES BLAIKLEY, of 13 Elsworthy Terrace, Primrose Hill, in the
County of Middlesex, Musical 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 :-
My invention relates to cornets and other brass wind musical instruments in

page_text: which three or four piston-valves are employed for the purpose of producing the
chromatic scale.
use,
In the Specification of former Letters Patent granted to me and dated
14th November 1878, No. 4618, I have described an invention which comprises the
in a cornet or similar musical instrument, of additional or supplementary lengths
of tubing in connection with the first and second piston-valves, for the purpose of
compensating for the lowering of the pitch of the instrument due to the pressing
down of the third piston, so that, when either the first or the second piston is
pressed down together with the third piston, and also when the three pistons are
pressed down simultaneously, the length of the air-passage will be increased in
inverse proportion to the number of vibrations of the notes to be produced.
My present invention comprises improvements whereby I am enabled to
accomplish the desired result in a more efficient and satisfactory manner than
heretofore.
In some instruments constructed as described in my said former Specification, the
length of the air-passage added for compensation in connection with the second
piston-valve, is not sufficient to permit of the same being formed so as to have its
looped portion or bend (which connects the valve-passages) entirely in a length of
tubing outside of the piston-valve; consequently such loop or bend has to be
formed partly in the piston or pump of the piston-valve. This form of construction
necessitates the making of the additional air-passage with a very sharp or abrupt
curve or bend, and also the contraction or restriction of the bore cither of the
said additional air-passage at those parts thereof adjacent to the passages through
the valve, or of one or both of the said passages through the valve.
These undesirable features are completely obviated by my present improvements, as,
according to one part of my present invention, instead of providing additional or
supplementary air-passages to be used, as described in my said former Specification,
in conjunction with the ordinary tubes which are brought into the circuit by the
depression of the pistons, I provide alternative tubes which are brought into the
circuit in place of the said ordinary tubes, when necessary, to compensate for
the lowering of the pitch of the instrument. By this means, not only do I avoid
the use of air-passages with very sharp or abrupt curves or bends or with a contracted
or restricted bore, but I accomplish the desired result without making any of the
valves with more than five passages.
One feature of my present invention is the use, in connection with the second
piston-valve, of an additional tube or alternative air-passage which is brought into
the circuit, when necessary, instead of the half-tone tube, for the purpose of
compensating for the lowering of pitch of the instrument when the first piston or
the third piston, as the case may be, is depressed together with the second piston.
Another feature of my said invention consists in providing a similar alternative
'air-passage in connection with either the first or the third piston-valve, as the case
may be, whilst constructing and arranging the parts of the instrument in such
a manner as to avoid the introduction of more than five passages in either of the
valves.
My said invention, moreover, comprises other improvements hereinafter set forth.
In the accompanying drawings, I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a view of the right hand side,
Figure 2 is a plan or top view, and
Figure 3 is a view of the left hand side of a cornet constructed in accordance
with my said invention.
Figure 4 is a side view showing the pistons or pumps detached.
Figure 5 is a view of the right hand side, and
Figure 6 a view of the left hand side of another cornet made according to my said
invention.
Figure 7 is a side view showing the pistons or pumps detached.
Figure 8 is a horizontal section, and

page_text: Figure 9 a side view, illustrating details of construction.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
a is the half-tone tube; the one-tone tube; c the one-and-a-half-tone tube.
In the instrument shown in Figures 1 to 4, there is provided, in combination with
the second piston-valve, an additional or alternative tube d of such length in
proportion to the half-tone tube a that the difference between the length of this
additional tube and that of the half-tone tube is equal to the length of air-passage
which requires to be added when the second piston is depressed together with the
first piston, in order to compensate for the lowering of pitch due to the pressing
down of the first piston. In other words, the alternative tube d used in connection
with the second piston is equal in length to the ordinary half-tone tube a plus the
additional length of air-passage required for compensation when the first piston is
depressed. The parts of the instrument are, moreover, constructed and arranged
as shown, so that, on pressing down the first piston while the second piston is down,
the half-tone tube a will be cut out of the circuit, and the alternative air-passage d
simultaneously brought into the circuit to serve in place thereof. By these means,
I am enabled to provide, in connection with the second piston, an unrestricted
compensating air-passage free from sharp or abrupt curves or bends, without making
either of the valves with more than five passages, and without necessitating the use
of more than two of such passages in each valve at any given time.
In the instrument shown in Figures 1 to 4, there is also provided in connection with
the third piston-valve, an extra or alternative tube e to be used as above mentioned
in place of the ordinary one-and-a-half-tone tube c. Moreover the parts of the
instrument are constructed and arranged as shown so that, on pressing down the
first piston while the third piston is down, the one-and-a-half-tone tube c will be cut
out of the circuit, and the alternative air-passage e simultaneously brought into the
circuit to serve in place thereof.
In some instances, instead of using an alternative air-passage in connection with
the third valve, I find it advantageous to provide in connection with the first valve,
an additional or alternative tube equal in length to the one-tone tube plus the
additional length of air-passage required for compensation when the third piston is
depressed, that is to say, plus the length of the added air-passage used in connection
with the first piston in instruments constructed as described in my said former
Specification. In other words, instead of compensating the second and third valves
to agree with the first valve when the latter is depressed, I compensate the
first and second valves to agree with the third valve when the third valve is
depressed.
It will be seen therefore that, as above stated, instead of providing for the
use, in addition to the ordinary tube connected with either piston-valve, of a
supplementary tube or air-passage of sufficient length to compensate for the
aforesaid lowering of the pitch of the instrument, I provide an extra tube or
alternative air-passage which is used in place of the half-tone tube or of the
one-tone tube or of the one-and-a-half-tone tube as the case may be, for the purpose
above specified.
To permit the required shunting of the air-current for the purpose above
mentioned, without the use of more than five passages through either of the valves,
I find it advantageous to provide the instrument with a bridge or length of tubing f
connecting the first and third piston-valves, and to construct and arrange the
parts of the instrument as shown, so that the air will, when the first piston is
up, pass from the first valve to the third valve in one direction through the
said bridge or length of tubing f, and in the reverse direction through the three
valves.
By this arrangement, when the first piston is depressed, the air-current is carried
through the second and third valves in such a manner that, on the depression of
either the second or the third piston, it passes through the alternative or compensating
tube connected with the corresponding valve, the ordinary tubing connected with
the said valve being cut out of the circuit.

page_text: In applying my improvements to a four-valve instrument, I use extra tubes or
alternative air-passages in connection with the first, second and third valves to agree
with or compensate for the alteration of pitch caused by the depression of the fourth
valve, substantially as extra tubes are added to the first and second valves of a
three-valve instrument.
In some instances, I find.it advantageous to provide an alternative compensating
half-tone valve tubing, such as that above described, in connection with a piston-
valve having only five air-passages, whilst preserving the use of a supplementary
compensating tubing for the first or one-tone valve as described in my said former
Specification. For this purpose, I so construct and arrange the parts of the
instrument as to provide for the use of the ordinary half-tone tube in a novel
and peculiar manner, that is to say, so that the air will pass through the said
half-tone tube in one direction when the second piston is up and the third
piston down, and in the reverse direction when the second piston is down and the
third piston up, and the said half-tone tube will be cut out of the circuit and the
alternative tube be put into the circuit when both the second and third pistons are
depressed.
The instrument shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7 is constructed in this manner,
that is to say :-An alternative tube d is, as above described, used in connection
with the second piston-valve, the length of which tube is equal to the length
of the half-tone tube a plus the length of the added air-passage used in connection
with the second piston in instruments constructed according to my said former
Specification.
An additional length of tubing y is also provided in connection with the third
valve, and the parts of the instrument are constructed and arranged as shown, so
that this length of tubing will be cut out of the circuit when the third piston
is pressed down. This arrangement provides for the shunting or reversal of the
air-current through the half-tone tube a in such a manner that the air will, as above
mentioned, pass through the said half-tone tube in one direction when the second
piston is up and the third piston down, and in the reverse direction when
the second piston is down and the third piston up; and, when these pistons
are depressed together, the half-tone tube a will be cut out of the circuit and the
alternative tube d simultaneously brought into the circuit to serve in place thereof.
h is the additional length of tubing for compensating the first valve to agree with
the third, as described in my said former Specification.
Another feature of my said invention consists in making the passages through
the valves, of seamless tubes which are drawn to the requisite diameter and
thickness, and are then bent to the required shape by pressing them between
suitable dies in a manner similar to that described in the Specification of former
Letters Patent granted to me and dated 16th October 1891, No. 17,728, or by
hammering them after they have been filled with lead, the bore of these tubes
being afterwards made true by forcing metal spheres through them. The tubes
thus made are greatly superior to those manufactured in the usual manner, as
they are not so injuriously affected by the breath as the soldered tubes usually
employed.
My present invention also comprises improved means for preventing the insertion
of the pumps of the piston-valves in a wrong position, whilst permitting their
insertion in their proper position in relation to the air-passages of the valves; and
it further comprises improved means for facilitating the introduction of the tripods
into the stems or spring-boxes of the pumps, in piston-valves in which tripods are
used for supporting the springs,
Heretofore it has been usual to make the tripod with three projecting arms at
equal angles to each other, and to form in the spring-box three equidistant straight
slots to receive the said arms. To prevent the insertion of the pump in the pump-
case in any but the correct position, one of the said arms has generally been made
of somewhat greater width than the other arms, the corresponding groove in the
core-tube or pump-case of the piston-valve being likewise increased in width.

page_text: This arrangement is objectionable because of the difficulty of ascertaining when
the pump is in the correct position, and the consequent liability to jamming of the
said pump in the case by attempting to force it into the same with the wider arm
of the tripod in line with one of the narrower grooves.
To obviate this defect, I make all the arms of the tripod k, Figures 8 and 9,
of equal width, and I so arrange them relatively to each other that the angle
between two of the said arms k¹, k2 is less than that between either of these arms
and the third arm k³; and I make the slots in the spring-box and the grooves
in the core-tube m of the piston-valve, all of equal width and arrange them in a
similar manner. With this arrangement, there is no liability to jamming of the
pump in the case, and the correct position of the said pump can be very easily
ascertained, as there is only one position in which the three arms will be simul-
taneously in line with the three grooves respectively.
It has hitherto been customary, in order to permit the introduction of the tripod
into the spring-box, to make the arms of the tripod with rounded corners and to
make the slots in the said spring-box of slightly greater width than is desirable for
the guidance of the said arms, so that the tripod can, when held by one of its arms,
be introduced edgewise through one of the slots into the spring-box and can then
be turned so as to bring the other arms into their slots.
Now to facilitate the insertion of the tripod into the spring-box, whilst providing
more efficiently than heretofore for the guiding of the said tripod, I make the slots
in the spring-box 1 of just sufficient width to permit the free movement of the
tripod, and at the upper end of one or more of the said slots, I form a suitable
enlarged opening or widening of the slot, as at 12, Figure 9, so that the tripod can
be readily inserted and turned into its proper position before its arms are introduced
into the guiding portions of the said slots. I am cuabled, by these means, to make
the arms of the tripod without the usual rounded corners, and to fit the said arms
accurately into the aforesaid slots, so that, whilst they can slide freely up and down
therein, they will have no lateral play in the said slots.
My improvements are applicable to cornets, trumpets, saxhorns and similar wind
musical instruments.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it understood
that I do not claim broadly or independently of my improvements herein set forth,
the employment of alternative air-passages in cornets and other valved wind
musical instruments, as I am aware that, in order to obtain a more correct
chromatic scale, it has been proposed to make instruments of this kind or class
with two distinct internal sets of air-passages, and consequently with more than
five passages through some of the valves; but what I claim is :-
First. A cornet or similar wind musical instrument in which one or more of the
valves are provided with alternative air-tubes and which is so constructed that,
whilst neither of the valves has more than five air-passages, the required com-
pensation for the lowering of the pitch of the instrument due to the pressing down
of one of the pistons, will be automatically effected on the depression of another
piston, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Second. The modification of my invention in which an alternative compensating
tube is used in connection with one piston-valve, whilst a supplementary com-
pensating tube is used in connection with another of the piston-valves, substantially
as hereinbefore described.
Third. A cornet or similar wind musical instrument which is provided with a
bridge or length of tubing connecting the outer piston-valves, and the parts of
which are so constructed and arranged that the air will pass in one direction
through the said bridge and in the reverse direction through all the valves,
substantially as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Fourth. The manufacture of the air-passages through the valves of seamless
tubes as above described.

page_text: Fifth. The pump-case and tripod constructed in the improved manner above
described so as to prevent the insertion of the pump in any but its correct position
in the pump-case.
Sixth. The spring-box constructed with the slots of equal width and with an
enlargement or opening at the upper end of one or more of the said slots, as, and
for the purpose, above specified.
Seventh. The improved wind musical instrument constructed substantially as
described with reference to Figures 1, 2 3 and 4, or to Figures 5, 6 and 7 of the
drawings, and for the purposes specified.
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.