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US 6,747,198 B1Granted
Reed and mouthpiece assembly
OwnerGeorge V. Sullivaninventor
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OwnerGeorge V. Sullivaninventor
Estimating the term…
The present invention provides a unique configuration for a reed and mouthpiece assembly for a woodwind instrument, such as a clarinet or saxophone, wherein the reed is formed with a special configuration having a mating shape defined therein which is engageable with respect to a protruding member or members extending outwardly from the generally planar reed mounting surface of the woodwind mouthpiece. A slot or other aperture can be defined in the non-vibrating clamped portion of the reed in order to facilitate alignment thereof during mounting with respect to a generally planar reed mounting area of the woodwind mouthpiece. A uniquely configured mouthpiece having a protruding member in combination with a uniquely shaped reed for engagement therewith provides a self-aligning and self-centering reed which is usable with any type of attachment mechanism including conventional or other ligatures as well as the unique securement device described herein. The engagement between the protruding member and the unique reed provides for faster and easier alignment during reed installation onto a woodwind mouthpiece despite what type of ligature is used. Preferably the protruding member or members are removable to facilitate use of the mouthpiece with a conventional reed configuration if desired.
A reed and mouthpiece assembly for a woodwind musical instrument comprising:
An improved reed for use with a mouthpiece assembly of a woodwind musical instrument having a mouthpiece body defining an air conduit extending therethrough for providing a supply of air to facilitate playing of a woodwind musical instrument and a reed placement surface defined on the mouthpiece body adjacent the air conduit to receive a reed detachably secured thereupon and a protruding member extending upwardly from the reed placement surface and a ligature attachable with respect to the mouthpiece to selectively retain the improved reed in position upon the reed placement surface, the improved reed including an engagement means thereon being engageable with respect to the protruding member of the mouthpiece responsive to said reed means being positioned in abutment with the reed placement surface of the mouthpiece body to facilitate alignment therebetween, said improved reed means being adapted to be detachably securable with respect to the reed placement surface adjacent the air conduit to control airflow therethrough.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.