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US 2026/0212842 A1Published application
Flute key with improved flute key cup and stabilizing disc
AssigneeEastman Wind Instruments, Inc.
InventorsDavid Shipani, Thomas Otto, Joy Roberts
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Described is a two-component system of a computer numerical control (CNC) machined flute key cup and a CNC machined, screw-in flute pad stabilizing disc which screws into a central threaded post machined as part of the machined key cup. The screw-in stabilizing disc bottoms out and locks into place inside the key cup to provide a stable and consistent foundation for the installation of the flute pad that is affixed with a pad screw to the post.
Claims9
A flute key, comprising:
- a machined flute key cup having an integral, centered, externally threaded post;
- a machined flute stabilizing disc having an internally threaded hole, the stabilizing disc being selectively threadable around the post;
- a flute pad positioned within the key cup;
- a washer attached with the flute pad;
- and
- a pad screw passing through the washer, flute pad, and stabilizing disc and affixed to the post.
3 more elements
A flute having an improved flute key, comprising:
- a flute body having a plurality of tone holes;
- a plurality of flute keys, each flute key being hingedly connected to the flute body adjacent a tone hole such that each flute key seals against a tone hole, wherein each flute key includes:
- a machined flute key cup having an integral, centered, externally threaded post;
- a machined flute stabilizing disc having an internally threaded hole, the stabilizing disc being selectively threadable around the post;
- a flute pad positioned within the key cup;
- a washer attached with the flute pad;
- and
- a pad screw passing through the washer and flute pad and affixed to the post.
5 more elements
A method for forming a flute key, comprising acts of:
- machining a flute key cup to have an integral, centered, externally threaded post;
- machining a flute stabilizing disc having an internally threaded hole, the stabilizing disc being machined to be selectively threadable around the post;
- positioning a flute pad within the key cup;
- attaching a washer to the flute pad;
- and
- screwing a pad screw through the washer, flute pad and stabilizing disc and into the post.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.