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US 3,941,026 AGranted
Clarinet key mechanism
OwnerKarl H. Hildebrandtinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spring break mechanism is disclosed wherein a key is operatively connected to a key pad cup by means of a needle spring. The motion of the key is transmitted by the spring to the cup. The cup may be moved to open the associated tone hole, even with the key depressed, by means of another key mechanism acting on a lever integral with the cup by overcoming the tension of the spring.
Claims7
On a clarinet, a spring-break clarinet key mechanism comprising:
- a first pad for covering a first tonal opening in a clarinet body, said first pad being mounted on a first arm and said first arm being pivotable about a first axis for moving said first pad into and out of closed position with respect to said first tonal opening, a ring key pivotally mounted on said first axis, said first arm and said first axis being free to rotate relative to each other, a spring having one end connected to said ring key and the other end bearing against said first arm to urge said first pad into closed position when said ring key is depressed;
- a second pad for moving out of and into closed position over a second tonal opening in the clarinet body, and interengaging means between said second pad and said first pad so that, when said second pad is in the open position, said first pad is urged into the open position against the tension of said spring if said ring key is depressed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.