Pitch adjustment device for a brass instrument and a brass instrument

Abstract

This invention relates to a pitch adjustment device for a brass instrument. A second aspect of the invention is aimed at a brass instrument. A pitch adjustment device, also known as a trigger or trigger mechanism, is a slidable tube positioned in the main body tube of a brass instrument. The pitch adjustment device according to this document is configured to vary a tube length of the brass instrument relative to a starting tube length by means of manual operation by sliding at least one first tube relative to at least one second tube of the pitch adjustment device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a pitch adjustment device for a brass instrument. A second aspect of the invention is aimed at a brass instrument.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A pitch adjustment device, also known as a trigger or trigger mechanism, is a slidable tube positioned in the main body tube of a brass instrument. This device enables a player of the brass instrument to accurately adjust the pitch while playing. This is essential for tuning with other musicians and correcting intonation problems, but can also be used to add embellishments to the played note.

[0003] Traditional pitch adjustment devices with which the tube length of the brass instrument can be adjusted often experience friction and wear, as a result of which the playability and durability of such devices do not meet the demands of contemporary musicians.

[0004] This is because pitch adjustment devices must have a tight construction to minimize air loss; however, this often deteriorates the smoothness of the trigger action, which in turn reduces the ease of use. With smooth pitch adjustment devices, the construction is often too loose, which causes air loss, which in turn negatively affects the sound and efficiency of the wind instrument.Summary

[0005] It is therefore the object of the present disclosure to provide an improved pitch adjustment device. For example, an improved pitch adjustment device with which the player experiences reduced friction and which wears out less quickly.

[0006] In this document, the term "brass instrument" is used, which can be understood as an instrument from a certain group including at least bugles, cornets, horns, saxhorns, trombones, trumpets, and tubas. These are wind instruments that were traditionally made of brass, but which can nowadays also be made from other materials, such as plastic and the like. The prefix "brass" is therefore not intended to be limiting in the sense that "brass" prescribes the material of the wind instrument, but is used to clearly indicate the category of music instruments at which the current invention is aimed.

[0007] The pitch adjustment device according to this document is configured to vary a tube length of the brass instrument relative to a starting tube length by means of manual operation by sliding at least one first tube relative to at least one second tube of the pitch adjustment device, wherein the pitch adjustment device is provided with a spring mechanism that is configured to hold the tube length at the starting tube length without manual operation, wherein the at least one second tube is made of a fiber-reinforced material, such as, for example, carbon fiber material and / or glass fiber material.

[0008] The pitch adjustment device is therefore provided with at least one second tube or inner tube that is made of a fiber-reinforced material, such as, for example, carbon fiber material and / or glass fiber material. The fiber-reinforced material is also referred to as a fiber-reinforced plastic. Such a second tube in the pitch adjustment device results in a synergistic integration of tribological principles and acoustic engineering. By drastically reducing friction during sliding in and out, wear and / or maintenance is minimized, which promotes the durability of the brass instrument. Further, the internal resistance during sliding in and out is minimized, which ensures a smooth trigger action of the pitch adjustment device according to this document. In addition, this reduction of friction by means of the second tube made of a fiber-reinforced material contributes to an improvement in the sound quality, in particular, it ensures a relatively low intermodulation distortion because the fiber-reinforced material has a relatively high damping capacity that can reduce unwanted vibrations and resonances, which leads to a sound with no or very limited intermodulation distortion. In other words, by eliminating unwanted vibrations and resonances that are normally caused by frictional phenomena between metal components, such as brass components from which a brass instrument is normally made, the purity of the sound produced by a wind instrument is optimized. This results in an improved auditory experience that can be produced with a brass instrument. Finally, a second tube made of fiber-reinforced material provides a pitch adjustment device with a relatively low weight. Furthermore, the second tube made of fiber-reinforced material prevents other parts of the pitch adjustment device from undesirably resonating.

[0009] The at least one first tube may be an outer tube and the at least one second tube may be an inner tube. The tube length of the brass instrument can be varied relative to the starting tube length by sliding the at least one outer tube over the at least one inner tube of the pitch adjustment device. By sliding the at least one outer tube over the at least one inner tube by means of the pitch adjustment device, a player of the brass instrument is enabled to accurately adjust the pitch while playing.

[0010] The invention further relates to a brass instrument that is provided with: a mouthpiece; a leadpipe configured for (detachably) receiving the mouthpiece; a bell; a main body, comprising a main body tube that connects the leadpipe to the bell, wherein the main body further comprises a pitch adjustment device according to this document. Optionally, the main body may further comprise at least one valve. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 schematically shows a brass instrument with a pitch adjustment device in a retracted position which can be a starting tube length. Figure 2 schematically shows a brass instrument with a pitch adjustment device in an extended position relative to the position shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 schematically shows a detail view of a pitch adjustment device of the brass instrument as shown in Figures 1 and 2 in an extended position. Figure 4 schematically shows a perspective detail view of a spring adjustment mechanism of a pitch adjustment lever of the pitch adjustment device shown in Figures 1-3. Figure 5 schematically shows another brass instrument with a pitch adjustment device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The figures schematically show different brass instruments 1000; 1000' and parts thereof to be discussed in more detail below, in particular a euphonium 1000 and a straight valveless bugle 1000' shown in Figure 5. The euphonium 1000 and aspects thereof are shown in Figures 1-4. The brass instruments shown are only shown for explaining the invention. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described hereinafter. Many more variants and modifications are possible, which also make use of the concept of the invention and therefore fall within the scope of protection. In particular, the possibility is mentioned of combining the features / aspects that are only mentioned in the description and / or shown in the figures with the features of the claims or features shown in other figures, insofar as they are compatible.

[0013] The brass instrument 1000; 1000' shown in the figures comprises a mouthpiece 1100; 1100', a leadpipe 1150; 1150' configured for (detachably) receiving the mouthpiece, a bell 1300; 1300'; as well as a main body comprising a main body tube 1200; 1200' that connects the leadpipe to the bell. The main body tube 1200; 1200' in the shown brass instruments 1000; 1000' further comprises at least one first tube 120; 120' (or outer tube).

[0014] The main body of the shown brass instruments 1000; 1000' further comprises a pitch adjustment device 100; 100'.

[0015] The pitch adjustment device 100; 100' is configured to vary a tube length, which extends for example in the vertical direction of arrow P2, of the brass instrument 1000; 1000' relative to a starting tube length by means of manual operation by sliding at least one first tube 120; 120' (hereinafter outer tube) relative to at least one second tube 110; 110' (hereinafter inner tube) of the pitch adjustment device 100; 100'. The at least one inner tube 110; 110' is made of a fiber-reinforced material, such as, for example, carbon fiber material and / or glass fiber material. The main body with the main body tube 1200; 1200' and / or the first tube 120; 120' is made of a different material than the second inner tube 110; 110'. The first tube 120; 120' is for example made of a non-fiber reinforced material such as for example made of plastic or a coper alloy such as brass or nickel silver. The main body with the main body tube 1200; 1200' is normally made of a different material than the inner tube 110; 110'. The main body with the main body tube 1200; 1200' is for example made of plastic or a copper alloy such as brass or nickel silver. The first tube 120; 120' and the main body tube 1200; 1200' may be made of the same material. The pitch adjustment device 100; 100' is attached to the main body tube 1200; 1200'. The pitch adjustment device (not shown) may also be used for one of the valves 1250 of the wind instrument 1000. In the shown pitch adjustment device 100; 100', the tube length of the brass instrument 1000; 1000' may be varied relative to the starting tube length by sliding the at least one outer tube 120; 120' over the at least one inner tube 110; 110' of the pitch adjustment device 100; 100'. Without being bound by theory, the inventors have chosen to use an inner tube made from a carbon fiber composite with an epoxy matrix. Their research identified an effective composition ratio of 60-70% carbon fibers to 30-40% epoxy, with a specific example being 65% carbon fiber and 35% epoxy. However, they note that this composition is provided as an effective example, and other compositions as claimed are also possible.

[0016] The pitch adjustment device 100; 100' is further provided with a spring mechanism 150; 150' that is configured to hold the tube length at the starting tube length without manual operation. The starting tube length is, for example, as shown in Figure 1, where the starting tube length is a minimum starting tube length, which, as described in more detail below for wind instrument 1000, can also be an optimal starting tube length that deviates from the minimum starting tube length. For the wind instrument 1000, the starting tube length can only be increased by manual operation of the pitch adjustment device 100. Figure 5 shows that the starting tube length is a maximum starting tube length, whereby through manual operation of the pitch adjustment device 100', the tube length is only reduced and without manual operation, it will assume the starting tube length by means of the spring mechanism 150'. The shown pitch adjustment devices 100; 100' are integrated into the brass instrument 1000; 1000'.

[0017] The pitch adjustment device 100 comprises a pitch adjustment lever 160 configured for sliding the at least one outer tube 120 relative to the at least one inner tube 110.

[0018] The outer tube 120 is formed as a single bent or U-shaped tube. For such a designed tube 120, the pitch adjustment device 100 comprises two inner tubes 110, as shown, which are oriented parallel to each other. The outer tube 120 is adapted to slide over both inner tubes 110. For curved brass instruments, an improved and smoothly operable pitch adjustment device 100 can be provided by means of two inner tubes extending parallel to each other at the beginning and at the end of the crook or tuning slide.

[0019] The pitch adjustment lever 160 can be operated by a user by an operating end thereof located near a handgrip position of the brass instrument. By operating the pitch adjustment lever 160 in the pivoting movement shown by arrow P1 around a pivot axis 161 of the pitch adjustment lever 160, the outer tube 120 can be displaced relative to the inner tube 110 as well as relative to the main body tube 1200 in the (vertical) direction shown by arrow P2. Figure 1 shows the minimum starting tube length, while Figures 2 and 3 show a greater tube length obtained by extending the pitch adjustment device by means of the pitch adjustment lever 160 than the starting tube length. The pitch adjustment device 100 is provided with a spring mechanism 150 that ensures that releasing the lever, for example releasing the lever in the position shown in Figures 2 and 3, automatically returns the lever 160 to its starting position as shown in Figure 1, and correspondingly the tube length extending in the direction of arrow P2 is returned to the starting tube length. The spring mechanism 150 comprises, as shown in Figure 4, a torsion spring and a spring adjustment mechanism 163 with which a user can adjust the spring tension and / or the starting tube length. The pitch adjustment device 100 is provided with an adjustment mechanism 165 for setting the starting tube length. The adjustment mechanism 165 is an adjustment mechanism 165 rotatable around a (vertical) axis in the direction of arrow P3 for varying an arm length, whereby by rotation in the direction shown by arrow P3, the arm length and thus the starting tube length can be varied by means of the adjustment mechanism. It is possible, for example, to set a starting tube length that is greater than the minimum starting tube length (as shown in Figure 1) and that is smaller than the maximum starting tube length.

[0020] The pitch adjustment device 100' comprises a single inner tube 110' that is made of a fiber-reinforced material, such as, for example, carbon fiber material and / or glass fiber material. The outer tube 120' and main body tube 1200' are made of another material, such as a copper alloy like brass or nickel silver. The pitch adjustment device 100' also comprises an at least partially enclosed spring mechanism 150' that is configured to hold the tube length at the starting tube length without manual operation as shown in Figure 5. The spring of the spring mechanism 150' is enclosed in a chamber that can be part of an end of the outer tube 120'. The chamber is provided with a spring stop 151'. By manual operation, the mouthpiece 1100' can be moved against the spring force of the spring mechanism 150' in the direction of the outer tube 120' or vice versa, the outer tube 120' in the direction of the mouthpiece 1100'. Thus, the tube length of the brass instrument is varied or rather reduced relative to a starting tube length by means of the spring and the spring stop 151'. The inner tube 110' can be pushed at least partially into the chamber for varying the tube length. Without manual operation, the spring mechanism 150' will hold the tube length at the starting tube length.

[0021] The at least one inner tube 110; 110' made of fiber-reinforced material is connected to a main body of the brass instrument by means of adhesive, preferably epoxy adhesive or methacrylate adhesive, and / or a shrink fit connection. With epoxy adhesive or methacrylate adhesive and / or a shrink fit connection, excellent connection results have been achieved in tests by the inventors in terms of adhesion, resistance to high temperatures, and resistance to wear, shocks, and vibrations.REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0022] 100 / 100'pitch adjustment device 110 / 110'inner tube 120 / 120'outer tube 150 / 150'spring 151'spring stop 160pitch adjustment lever 161pivot axis of the pitch adjustment lever 163spring adjustment mechanism 165adjustment mechanism 1000 / 1000'brass instrument 1100 / 1100'mouthpiece 1150 / 1150'leadpipe 1200 / 1200'main body tube 1250valve 1300 / 1300'bell

Claims

1. A pitch adjustment device for a brass instrument which is configured to vary a tube length of the brass instrument relative to a starting tube length by means of manual operation by sliding at least one first tube relative to at least one second tube of the pitch adjustment device, wherein the pitch adjustment device is provided with a spring mechanism that is configured to hold the tube length at the starting tube length without manual operation, wherein the at least one second tube is made of a fiber-reinforced material, such as, for example, carbon fiber material and / or glass fiber material.

2. A pitch adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second tube comprises two second tubes that are oriented parallel to each other.

3. A pitch adjustment device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one first tube is formed as a single bent or U-shaped first tube that is adapted to slide over both second tubes.

4. A pitch adjustment device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a pitch adjustment lever configured for sliding the at least one first tube relative to the at least one second tube.

5. A pitch adjustment device according to claim 4, wherein the pitch adjustment lever can be operated by a user by an operating end thereof located near a handgrip position of the brass instrument.

6. A pitch adjustment device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring mechanism comprises a torsion spring and / or a spring adjustment mechanism.

7. A pitch adjustment device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pitch adjustment device is provided with an adjustment mechanism for setting the starting tube length.

8. A pitch adjustment device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one second tube made of fiber-reinforced material is connected to a main body of the brass instrument by means of adhesive, preferably epoxy adhesive or methacrylate adhesive, and / or a shrink fit connection.

9. A pitch adjustment device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first tube is an outer tube and the at least one second tube is an inner tube.

10. A pitch adjustment device according to claim 9, wherein the tube length of the brass instrument can be varied relative to the starting tube length by sliding the at least one outer tube over the at least one inner tube of the pitch adjustment device.

11. A brass instrument comprising: - a mouthpiece; - a leadpipe configured for (detachably) receiving the mouthpiece; - a bell; - a main body, comprising a main body tube that connects the leadpipe to the bell, wherein the main body further comprises a pitch adjustment device according to one or more of the preceding claims.

12. A brass instrument according to claim 11, wherein the main body further comprises at least one valve.

13. A brass instrument according to claim 11 or 12, preferably being a euphonium.

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