Wind instrument swabs

Abstract

To provide a swab for a wind instrument, which has higher water absorption and more stable quality than a feather and can sufficiently wipe away moisture from the inside of even a wind instrument having a small inner diameter. [Solution] The swab (100) for a wind instrument comprises a cross portion (11) having a trapezoidal or triangular shape that narrows from the lower end (11b) to the upper end (11a), and a shaft portion (12) attached to the cross portion (11) so as to be perpendicular to the lower end (11b) of the cross portion (11).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to swabs for use with wind instruments such as oboes and clarinets.

[0002] Conventionally, a swab, which is a piece of fabric with a string and weight attached to the end, has been known as a tool for wiping off moisture adhering to the inside of a wind instrument (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Also, natural feathers are sometimes used as a tool for scraping off moisture and the like adhering to the inside of a wind instrument (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-026037 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-50277 [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] Nagae Musical Instruments Co., Ltd., “Oboe Cleaning Blades, Small (for Reeds), Set of 3,” [online], [Searched September 6, 2022], Internet<URL:https: / / www.nagae-g.co.jp / fs / inst / swb_xt_hanes> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When using a swab such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, the swab is inserted into the interior of a wind instrument. However, there is a problem in that it is difficult to insert the swab into a part with a particularly small inner diameter, such as the reed insertion port of an oboe. On the other hand, while the feathers disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 can be inserted into a part with a particularly small inner diameter, they do not have the same water absorbency as the fabric of the swab and there is variation in shape and quality.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide a swab for wind instruments that has higher water absorption and more stable quality than feathers, and can sufficiently wipe away moisture from the inside of even wind instruments with small inner diameters. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The swab for a wind instrument of the present disclosure comprises a cross portion having a trapezoidal or triangular shape that narrows from the bottom end to the top end, and a shaft portion attached to the cross portion so as to be perpendicular to the bottom end of the cross portion.

[0008] With this configuration, even in wind instruments with small internal diameters, the upper end of the cross section can be inserted into the interior of the wind instrument, allowing for sufficient wiping of moisture adhering to the interior of the wind instrument. Furthermore, because the overall shape of the wind instrument swab is feather-like, it is possible to realize a wind instrument swab that is easily accepted by users who use natural feathers to clean wind instruments. Furthermore, compared to natural feathers, the quality of the swab can be ensured to be more stable. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, the blade has higher water absorption and more stable quality than feathers, and can sufficiently wipe away moisture from the inside of even wind instruments with small inner diameters. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a swab according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a development view of the cross portion shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the first shaft member shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the second shaft member shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a first modification of the swab according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second modified example of a swab according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a third modified example of a swab according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Specific examples of the swab for wind instruments (hereinafter simply referred to as "swab") of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the scope of the utility model registration claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the utility model registration claims.

[0012] (Overall configuration of the swab) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a swab 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Fig. 1, the swab 100 includes a cross portion 11 and a shaft portion 12. Hereinafter, the direction indicated by arrow X in Fig. 1 will be referred to as the width direction, and the direction indicated by arrow Y in Fig. 1 will be referred to as the height direction. The width direction and the height direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0013] The cross portion 11 is formed from a material that has a certain degree of rigidity, flexibility, and water absorption, such as nylon, cotton, silk, nonwoven fabric, paper, linen, rayon, or polyester fiber. The cross portion 11 has an upper end 11a and a lower end 11b, and is trapezoidal in shape, with its width narrowing from the lower end 11b toward the upper end 11a. For example, the width L11 of the upper end 11a of the cross portion 11 is 7.0 mm, and the width of the lower end 11b is 28 mm. The height H11 of the cross portion 11 is 140 mm.

[0014] Shank 12 is a rod-shaped member made of resin or the like. Shank 12 is attached to cross portion 11 so as to be perpendicular to lower end 11b of cross portion 11, i.e., so as to extend along the height direction. The overall height H12 of swab 100 including shaft 12 is, for example, 330.5 mm.

[0015] (Details of the cross section) Fig. 2 is a development view of the cross portion 11 shown in Fig. 1. Referring to Fig. 2, the cross portion 11 is formed by folding and adhering a single piece of fabric that is an isosceles trapezoid having an upper end 11a, a lower end 11b, and legs 11c and 11d along a center line C in the width direction.

[0016] More specifically, before the cross portion 11 is folded, an adhesive is applied to the portion other than the outer periphery. Specifically, for example, a double-sided tape 13 is applied to the cross portion 11 as an adhesive.

[0017] The double-sided tape 13 is, for example, an isosceles trapezoid having an upper end 13a, a lower end 13b, and legs 13c and 13d, similar to the cross portion 11 before being folded. Before the cross portion 11 is folded, the lengths of the sides of the upper end 13a, the lower end 13b, and the legs 13c and 13d of the double-sided tape 13 are shorter than the lengths of the sides of the upper end 11a, the lower end 11b, and the legs 11c and 11d of the cross portion 11, respectively. Specifically, the width of the lower end 13b of the double-sided tape 13 is approximately 4 mm shorter than the width of the lower end 11b of the cross portion 11 before being folded.

[0018] The double-sided tape 13 is attached to the cross portion 11 so that its center in the width direction overlaps with the center line C of the cross portion 11 and the upper end 13a of the double-sided tape 13 is positioned away from the upper end 11a toward the lower end 11b of the cross portion 11. For example, the distance from the upper end 11a of the cross portion 11 to the upper end 13a of the double-sided tape 13 is approximately 10 mm.

[0019] 1 is placed on the center of the width of the double-sided tape 13, i.e., the center line C of the cross portion 11, and the cross portion 11 is then folded to form the swab 100 shown in FIG. 1. At this time, the upper end (first end) of the shaft portion 12 is positioned at the upper end 13a of the double-sided tape 13.

[0020] Cross portion 11 also has one or more protrusions on the hypotenuse connecting upper end 11a and lower end 11b, i.e., legs 11c and 11d. Figures 1 and 2 show, as an example, cross portion 11 having two protrusions 21 and 22 in a bent state. Protrusions 21 and 22 protrude, for example, in an arc shape.

[0021] The protrusions 21, 22 are preferably provided at positions that correspond to the tone holes of the wind instrument when the cross portion 11 is inserted into the wind instrument. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, if the distance in the height direction from the upper end 11a of the cross portion 11 to the upper end 21a of the protrusion 21 is H31, the distance H31 is, for example, 20 mm. Also, if the distance in the height direction from the upper end 11a of the cross portion 11 to the upper end 22a of the protrusion 22 is H32, the distance H32 is, for example, 80 mm.

[0022] The cross portion 11 is not limited to a configuration in which one piece of fabric is folded as described above, but may be formed by overlapping and adhering multiple pieces of fabric. Also, the cross portion 11 is not limited to a configuration in which adhesive is not applied to the entire periphery of the cross portion 11, but adhesive may be applied to part or all of the periphery of the cross portion 11.

[0023] Furthermore, the cross portion 11 is not limited to having the protrusions 21 and 22. For example, instead of having the protrusions 21 and 22, the cross portion 11 may have a configuration in which the cross portion 11 has a plurality of cuts with a depth of about 10 mm on the outer periphery.

[0024] Furthermore, the cross portion 11 is not limited to a trapezoid but may be a triangle. In this case, the width L11 of the upper end 11a of the cross portion 11 shown in FIG. 1 is zero. Similarly, the double-sided tape 13 shown in FIG. 2 is not limited to a trapezoid but may be a triangle. In this case, the width of the upper end 13a of the double-sided tape 13 is zero.

[0025] Furthermore, each side of the cross portion 11 is not limited to being strictly straight, and may be configured to include a curved or wavy shape in part, for example.

[0026] (Details of the shaft) 1, the shaft portion 12 is configured to be separable into a plurality of members. Here, as an example, the shaft portion 12 includes a first shaft member 41 and a second shaft member 42 that can be separated from the first shaft member 41.

[0027] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the first shaft member 41 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the second shaft member 42 shown in Fig. 1. With reference to Figs. 3 and 4, the shaft portion 12 includes the first shaft member 41 having a first end 41a and a second end 41b. The second shaft member 42 has a first end 42a and a second end 42b.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 4, the first end 42a of the second shaft member 42 has, for example, a cylindrical shape extending along the height direction, and a screw groove is formed on the outer circumferential surface. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, the second end 41b of the first shaft member 41 has, for example, a hole formed therein that can be fitted with the first end 42a of the second shaft member 42. Then, a screw groove is formed on the outer periphery of the hole for threadedly engaging with the first end 42a of the second shaft member 42.

[0029] When using the swab 100, the worker connects the second end 41b of the first shaft member 41 to the first end 42a of the second shaft member 42. This lengthens the shaft portion 12, making it easier to wipe away moisture from the inside of the wind instrument. After using the swab 100, the worker can disassemble the first shaft member 41 and the second shaft member 42 and store them in an instrument case or the like.

[0030] 3, the first shaft member 41 has a tapered shape in which the diameter decreases from the second end 41b to the first end 41a. The diameter R41a of the first end 41a of the first shaft member 41 is 3.0 mm or less, and more preferably 2.5 mm or less. The corners of the first end 41a of the first shaft member 41 are rounded to prevent scratches on the inside of the wind instrument when the first shaft member 41 is inserted into the wind instrument. The diameter R41b of the second end 41b of the first shaft member 41 is, for example, 4.0 mm.

[0031] The second shaft member 42 may have a thickness that is easy to hold and has sufficient strength, as shown in Fig. 4. The second shaft member 42 has a diameter R42 of 4.0 mm over the entire height direction, for example.

[0032] It should be noted that the shaft portion 12 is not limited to a configuration that can be separated. Furthermore, the first shaft member 41 of the shaft portion 12 is not limited to a tapered shape, and may have a uniform diameter throughout the height direction, for example.

[0033] As described above, in swab 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, cross portion 11 has a configuration in which the width narrows from bottom end 11b to top end 11a. This prevents the thickness of cross portion 11 from making insertion difficult, even when swab 100 is used on a wind instrument with a small inside diameter, and allows top end 11a of cross portion 11 to be inserted into the wind instrument. This allows moisture adhering to the inside of the wind instrument to be sufficiently wiped away.

[0034] Furthermore, since the overall shape of swab 100 is feather-like, it is possible to realize a swab that is easily accepted by users who use natural feathers to clean wind instruments. Furthermore, compared to natural feathers, it is possible to ensure stable quality.

[0035] Furthermore, in the swab 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the protrusions 21, 22 are provided on the oblique side connecting the upper end 11a and the lower end 11b of the cross portion 11. This allows the protrusions 21, 22 to be placed against the inside of the tone hole of the wind instrument, where moisture tends to accumulate, when the cross portion 11 is inserted inside the wind instrument. This allows for more reliable wiping of moisture from the inside of the tone hole. Furthermore, the cloth surface area is increased by the amount of the protrusions 21, 22, resulting in a high wiping effect.

[0036] Furthermore, in the swab 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the diameter of the first end 41a of the shaft 12 is 3.0 mm or less, so that the first end 41a of the shaft 12 and the cross portion 11 can be inserted into a location with a particularly small inner diameter, such as the reed insertion port of an oboe, which has an inner diameter of approximately 4.0 mm.

[0037] Furthermore, in the swab 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, as described above, the cross portion 11 includes a portion where multiple overlapping fabrics are not bonded together, i.e., a portion that is thinner and more flexible than the other portions. This configuration allows this portion to be used to easily scrape away moisture and other substances adhering to the inside of the wind instrument. Furthermore, the portion of the cross portion 11 to which the double-sided tape 13 is attached has a certain degree of strength, allowing this portion to be easily attached to the inside of the wind instrument. In particular, in a swab 100 used for a wind instrument with a small inner diameter, the cross portion 11 has a small area, making it more difficult to attach the cross portion 11 to the inside of the wind instrument compared to other swabs with a large cross portion area. For this reason, the above configuration is more effective.

[0038] Furthermore, in the swab 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, as described above, the double-sided tape 13 is not attached to the upper end 11a of the cross portion 11, and the upper end of the shaft portion 12 is positioned away from the upper end 11a of the cross portion 11 toward the lower end 11b. This configuration increases the flexibility of the upper end 11a of the cross portion 11, making it easier to scrape away moisture and the like adhering to the inside of the wind instrument by using the portion near the upper end 11a. Furthermore, when the cross portion 11 is inserted from the inside to the outside of the wind instrument, the portion of the cross portion 11 near the upper end 11a expands slightly around the outer periphery of the end of the wind instrument, making it possible to wipe away moisture and the like from the outer periphery.

[0039] Furthermore, in swab 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, first shaft member 41 has a tapered shape, so that first end 41a of first shaft member 41 is thin enough to be inserted into a wind instrument with a small inside diameter, and second end 42b of second shaft member 42 is thick enough to be easily held and have sufficient strength, thereby realizing shaft portion 12. Furthermore, because first shaft member 41 has a tapered shape without any steps, scratching the inside of the wind instrument can be avoided when shaft portion 12 is inserted into the wind instrument.

[0040] Furthermore, in swab 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, first shaft member 41 and second shaft member 42 are separable, thereby realizing a shaft portion that is easy to store and carry.

[0041] Furthermore, in the swab 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the cross portion 11 is folded, the stem 12 is located at the end in the width direction of the cross portion 11, and therefore a long length can be ensured from the stem 12 to the end in the width direction of the cross portion 11. This makes it easier to bring the cross portion 11 into close contact with the inside of the wind instrument, improving the operability of the task of removing moisture adhering to the inside of the wind instrument.

[0042] (Variation 1) FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a first variation of a swab according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 5, in swab 200 according to the first variation, cross portion 211 is formed by overlapping two isosceles trapezoidal pieces of fabric and bonding them together with an adhesive. The width of upper end 211a of cross portion 211 is the same as width L11 of upper end 11a of cross portion 11 shown in FIG. 1. The width of lower end 211b of cross portion 211 is the same as width L12 of lower end 11b of cross portion 11 shown in FIG. 1. Shank 212 has the same configuration as shaft 12 shown in FIG. 1.

[0043] In this way, swab 200, which is made of two overlapping isosceles trapezoidal pieces of fabric, has higher absorbency and more stable quality than a feather, just like swab 100 shown in Figure 1, and can sufficiently wipe away moisture even from narrow parts inside a wind instrument.

[0044] (Variation 2) FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second modification of a swab according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 6, a swab 300 according to the second modification has two cross portions 311, 313. One cross portion 311 of the two cross portions 311, 313 has a configuration similar to that of cross portion 11 shown in FIG. 1. The other cross portion 313 of the two cross portions 311, 313 has a shape in which the length of each side of cross portion 11 shown in FIG. 1 is shortened. The two cross portions 311, 313 are arranged so that the lower ends of each cross portion form a continuous straight line. A shaft portion 312 has a configuration similar to that of shaft portion 12 shown in FIG. 1.

[0045] In this way, even in swab 300 having multiple cross sections 311, 313, the width of cross sections 311, 313 as a whole narrows from the bottom to the top, providing higher water absorption and more stable quality than feathers, and allowing for sufficient wiping of moisture even in narrow areas inside a wind instrument. Furthermore, by ensuring a large overall surface area for cross sections 311, 313, water absorption can be enhanced.

[0046] (Variation 3) Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a third variation of a swab according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Fig. 7, in swab 400 according to the third variation, cross portion 411 has a shape that is longer in the height direction than cross portion 11 shown in Fig. 1. Shank 412 is not divided.

[0047] In this way, even swab 400 with cross portion 411 that is long in the height direction has higher water absorption and stable quality than a feather, and can sufficiently wipe away moisture even from narrow parts inside a wind instrument, just like swab 100 shown in Figure 1. In addition, the overall area of ​​cross portion 411 can be made large, thereby increasing water absorption.

[0048] Although the present invention has been described above based on specific embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the scope of the utility model registration claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the utility model registration claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 11,211,311,313,411 Cross section 11a Top end 11b Bottom edge 11c,11d legs 12,212,312,412 Shaft 13 double-sided tape 13a top end 13b Bottom edge 13c,13d legs 21,22 Protrusion 21a,22a Upper end 41 First shaft member 41a 1st end 41b 2nd end 42 2nd shaft member 42a 1st end 42b 2nd end 100, 200, 300, 400 swabs

Claims

1. a cross portion having a trapezoidal or triangular shape that narrows from the bottom to the top; A swab for a wind instrument comprising: a shaft portion attached to the cross portion so as to be perpendicular to the lower end of the cross portion.

2. The swab for a wind instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the cross portion has one or more protrusions on an oblique side connecting the upper end and the lower end of the cross portion.

3. 3. The swab for a wind instrument according to claim 1, wherein the shaft portion has a first end located on the upper end side of the cross portion and a second end opposite the first end, and the diameter of the first end is 3.0 mm or less.

4. The cross portion is formed by folding and adhering one piece of fabric together or by overlapping and adhering a plurality of pieces of fabric together, 3. The swab for a wind instrument according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the outer periphery of the cross portion is provided with no adhesive.

5. The adhesive is not attached to the upper end of the cross portion, the shaft portion has a first end located on the upper end side of the cross portion and a second end opposite to the first end, The swab for a wind instrument according to claim 4 , wherein the first end of the shaft portion is provided at a position spaced apart from the upper end of the cross portion toward the lower end.

6. 3. The swab for a wind instrument according to claim 1, wherein the shaft portion has a tapered shape with a diameter decreasing toward the upper end.

7. 3. The swab for a wind instrument according to claim 1, wherein the shaft portion includes a first shaft member and a second shaft member separable from the first shaft member.

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