IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT DESIGNATED THE FLUTE
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Collard Augustus Drake, of No. 3, Bedford Square, in
the County of Middlesex, Professor of the Flute, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT DESIGNATED THE FLUTE."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Collard Augustus Drake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th August 1880.
COLLARD AUGUSTUS DRAKE, of No. 3, Bedford Square, in the County of
Middlesex, Professor of the Flute. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
5 DESIGNATED THE FLUTE."
My Invention consists of a mode of improving the tone of the lower Ex
(E natural), D (D sharp), D (D natural), and C (C sharp) notes. This is
effected by opening one or more additional holes to those now in use at the side of
or below the hole producing the note required.
O SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Collard Augustus Drake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th
February 1881.
COLLARD AUGUSTUS DRAKE, of No. 3, Bedford Square, in the County of
Middlesex, Professor of the Flute. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
DESIGNATED THE FLUTE."
My Invention consists in a mode of improving the tone of the lower Ex
(E natural), D (D sharp), D (D natural), and C (C sharp) notes. This is
effected by opening one or more additional holes to those now in use at the side of
or below the hole producing the note required. The additional holes are covered
by keys which by their own springs stand open (except as in the case of D
(D sharp) keys which are kept closed), and are closed and opened by any of the
well known mechanical means when required. In order to illustrate my
improvements I will proceed to describe one of such mechanical means by reference
to the Drawing accompanying this Specification.

page_text: The Drawing represents the lower part of a flute constructed according to my
principle. A is the key which covers the hole which when open produces Ex
(E natural), and when pressed down by the third finger of the right hand will
produce D (D natural). There is a corresponding hole in the tube covered by the
key B, which is closed when the key A is pressed down, the two keys A and B
acting simultaneously. This is effected by the lever X attached to the tube of or
centre on which the key A revolves, working under the lever attaclied to the
key B marked X. The key B revolves on a centre between X³ and X³. A and B
stand open by their own springs.
C is the D key, which is kept shut by its own spring (and all the holes above
being closed) by pressing the lever CI with the little finger of the right hand D
(D sharp) will be produced. D is the key covering the duplicate hole, which is
opened or closed simultaneously with the hole under key C. This is effected by a
tooth or cog attached to the tube or centre of the key C, marked C, which works
on the top of a corresponding tooth or cog, marked D", attached to the tube or
centre of the key D. The key C and the next two E2 and H2 revolve upon the
centre F, F; their duplicate corresponding keys D, E, and H, revolve on the
centre G, G.
E is the key covering the hole, which when closed produces C# (C sharp) by
pressure of the little finger of the right hand on the lever E¹. E is the key
covering the duplicate hole, which is closed or opened simultaneously with the hole
under E. This is effected by a tooth or cog attached to the tube or centre of the
key E, marked E³, working underneath a similar tooth or cog attached to the tube
or centre of the key E marked E. The keys E and E² stand open by their own
springs.
His the key covering the hole which when closed will produce C (C natural)
by pressure of the little finger of the left hand on the levers H' and E. The
lever Hand the key H are both securely fastened to the centre rod lying
between G and G, which rod revolves upon the two centres O, O. The pin Z
placed through a hole in the tube on which the key H is fastened, and through a
corresponding hole in the centre rod fastens the key securely to the centre rod; the
lever H can be fastened to the other end of the centre rod in a similar manner.
The intermediate key E and the lever E¹ are fixed to a tube which revolves upon
the centre rod in question. He is the key covering the duplicate hole, which is
closed or opened simultaneously with the key G. This is effected in manner before
described for the preceding key. The keys H and H² stand open by their own
springs.
In order to make these different parts clear, the Drawing represents the part of
the instrument double the ordinary size.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and in what manner it can
be effected, I desire it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the
mechanical means of opening or closing the holes by the keys, as above described,
as the same results can be obtained by various means, nor do I claim such
mechanical means as a part of my Invention, but what I do claim as my Invention
is, the use of one or more duplicate holes for the purpose and substantially in manner
above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Collard Augustus Drake, hath hereunto set
my hand and seal this Fourth day of February, One thousand eight
hundred and eighty one.
COLLARD AUGUSTUS DRAKE. (L.S.)