IMPROVEMENT IN VALVE-CAPS OF BRASS MUSICAL WIND INSTRUMENTS
Year: 1884

page_text: I, DAVID JAMES BLAIKLEY of 103, Iverson Road, West Hampstead, London,
N.W. musical instrument maker do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for
IMPROVEMENT IN VALVE-CAPS OF BRASS MUSICAL WIND INSTRUMENTS to be as
follows:-
In such instruments the cases or cylinders in which the pistons of the valves
work, are closed with caps at their upper and lower ends, and in the lower caps
holes are bored, for the inlet and exit of air, as shown in Fig. 1. where A represents
the valve-piston, B the valve-case, and C the lower cap, with its air-vent D.-In
the course of playing, condensed moisture from the breath accumulates on the
interior of the cap, and drops through the air-vent D on to the performer's clothes.
The object of my invention is to introduce a valve into the lower cap of such a
nature as shall maintain an unimpeded air-vent constantly open, combined with a
vent for water which need be used only from time to time at the discretion of the
performer: by this means getting rid of the unpleasantness caused by the constant
leakage of water.
The arrangement by which I carry out this invention is shown in detail in
Figs 2 and 3.-I make the centre of the cap with a raised boss of sufficient
thickness to carry steadily a small tube which passes through it, and terminates
outside the cap in any suitable formn: this tube serves as the air-vent, and is
carried sufficiently high to be above the level of the condensed water: the tube
accurately fits the hole in the cap, and can be turned on its axis to any desired
extent, in the manner of an ordinary cock or tap.-One or more holes drilled
through the boss are closed by the tube when the latter is in its normal or shut
position (see Fig. 3.) but when the tube is turned on its axis a corresponding hole
or holes in it are brought opposite the holes in the boss, and thereby a vent is
opened for the condensed water.--(see Fig. 2.).-In Fig 3 the accumulated water is
shown prevented from escaping by the tube being turned into the position in which
it closes the orifices in the boss of the cap.
Dated this seventh d
1004

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I, DAVID JAMES BLAIKLEY, of 103, Iverson Road, West Hampstead, London,
N.W. musical instrument maker, do hereby declare the nature of my invention
for AN IMPROVEMENT IN VALVE-CAPS OF BRASS MUSICAL WIND INSTRUMENTS,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
In such instruments, as usually made, the cases or cylinders in which the pistons
of the valves work, are closed with caps at their upper and lower ends, and in the
lower caps holes are bored for the free inlet and exit of air, as shown in Fig. 1,
where A represents the piston of the valve, B the valve case, & C the lower cap,
with its air-vent D.-In the course of playing, condensed moisture from the breath
accumulates in the interior of the cap, and drops through the air-vent D on to the
performer's clothes.
The object of my invention is to introduce a valve into the lower cap of such a
nature as shall maintain an unimpeded air-vent combined with a vent for water
which need be used only from time to time at the discretion of the performer: by 1
this means getting rid of the unpleasantness caused by the constant leakage of
water.
The arrangement by which I carry out this invention is shown in detail in
Figs. 2 & 3.-I make the centre of the cap with a raised hollow boss or outer
tube (E), carrying within it a tubular spindle closed at its inner end (F), which
passes through the outer tube, and terminates outside the cap in any suitable form:
this tubular spindle can be turned on its axis to any desired extent in the manner
of an ordinary cock or tap.-One or more holes are drilled through the boss at its
lower, and also near its upper end: corresponding with these are holes in the
tubular spindle, but these latter are placed in such positions that when those at the
upper end are opposite the upper holes in the boss, affording air-ways from the
interior of the valve casing to the external air, those at the lower end are closed,
and the condensed moisture can accumulate at the bottom part of the valve.-By
turning the tubular spindle on its axis, the lower holes in the boss and spindle are
brought opposito each other, and an exit is thus made for the water.-The same
degree of turning which opens the water-ways, closes the air-ways in the upper
end of the spindle and boss, and therefore when the valve piston is pressed down,
the water is forcibly ejected.
In Fig. 3 the section of the boss & tubular spindle is taken partly through the
upper, and partly through the lower holes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. The addition of a raised hollow. boss or tube to the inside of the bottom valve
caps of brass instruments, of sufficient height to prevent any condensed water
escaping through the air-vent.
2. The addition of a tubular spindle as described.
3. The opening of air and water ways through the hollow boss & tubular spindle
in the manner and for the purposes described.
1004