Trombone Hand Grip with Adjustable Bushing and Strap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Trombone players, especially those with smaller hands, experience hand strain due to the weight of the instrument, as traditional hand positions are not accommodating, leading to discomfort during long performances.
Innovation Solution
A trombone hand grip device with a customizable bushing system and adjustable hand grip that securely attaches to the trombone, providing support and comfort through a neoprene strap and adjustable clamp, allowing for longitudinal and rotational adjustments to fit various trombone styles and sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the trombone is supported with one hand in the traditional manner, then the instrument can be played, but hand strain and discomfort occur due to the weight of the instrument
Solution Approach 1:
The hand grip device is divided into separate components: a clamp that attaches to the trombone slide, a hand receiver with mounting holes for positioning, and a flexible strap that wraps around the player's hand. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to distribute the instrument's weight away from the player's hand.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand grip device acts as an intermediary between the player's hand and the trombone. Instead of the hand directly supporting the full weight of the instrument, the clamp attaches to the slide, the hand receiver provides a comfortable interface, and the strap distributes the load, creating a mechanical intermediary system that reduces direct hand strain.
2Adaptability or versatility
If players with smaller hands use traditional hand positions, then they can play the trombone, but they cannot reach across the top and bottom slide tubes, forcing them to use less than ideal hand hold positions
Solution Approach 1:
The hand receiver includes multiple mounting holes arranged in different positions, allowing the device to be dynamically adjusted to accommodate various hand sizes and player preferences. The clamp can be positioned at different locations on the slide, and the strap can be adjusted in length and tension, creating a dynamic system that adapts to different players rather than requiring players to adapt to a fixed design.
3Ease of operation
If a custom hand grip device is added to the trombone, then hand strain is reduced and playing comfort is improved, but the device must be easily removed for storing and transporting the instrument in a standard trombone case
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is designed with pre-drilled mounting holes and a attachment mechanism that allows for quick installation and removal before the actual playing or storage action. The preliminary design of the attachment system enables the player to quickly attach the device before playing and remove it before storage, without requiring complex tools or procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A trombone hand grip device comprising a bushing securable about the intersection of a trombone's first brace and slide tube with a hand grip removably attachable to the bushing. The bushing being comprised of two shells hingedly connected to each other. The hand grip includes a clamp that is adapted for removable attachment to the bushing and a hand receiver fastened to the clamp. The hand grip includes a flexible strap attached to the hand receiver for wrapping around a player's hand. The hand receiver includes a plurality of mounting holes through which the hand receiver is mounted to the clamp. The position of the hand grip is adjustable longitudinally along the direction of the trombone slide by selecting one of the mounting holes. The hand receiver includes radial arrays of rotational adjustment holes associated with each of the mounting holes, whereby the grip may be rotationally adjusted.