Abstract:
L'invention porte sur un instrument de musique à vent à anche libre, comprenant des moyens de guidage d'air vers un réservoir d'air (2) de l'instrument (1), au niveau duquel réservoir d'air (2) sont ménagées une pluralité d'ouvertures (3), chaque ouverture (3) pouvant être obturée par un organe d'obturation (4) de l'instrument (1) actionnable par l'instrumentiste et débouchant dans une cavité amont (5) associée qui débouche elle-même sur une lame (6) associée de l'instrument (1), chaque lame (6) étant faite d'une anche (7) montée sur un châssis (8) pour lui permettre de vibrer sous l'action du flux d'air (F), le réservoir d'air (2) s'étendant en regard des lames (6) sensiblement parallèlement au plan dans lequel s'étend chaque lame (6) et chaque ouverture (3) du réservoir d'air (2) fait face à la lame vibrante associée (6), afin de limiter les turbulences du flux d'air (F) circulant dans l'instrument (1).
Abstract:
Harmonica structures designed for enhancing harmonica play are disclosed. In one aspect, a reed comb (72) is provided with a common bridge (80) having reeds (74, 76, 78) formed integrally therewith. The reed plate (84) has a plurality of reed slots formed therein and is adapted to receive the reeds of the reed comb into corresponding slots formed in the reed plate. A stepped portion formed in the reed plate is adapted to receive a reed of the reed comb therein to permit substantial encasement of the reed within the reed slot. A key benefit of this arrangement is to resist leakage of air between the reed plate and the flanks of the reed during harmonica play.
Abstract:
A candle blowing apparatus (100) may have a main housing (102), a mouthpiece (108), at least one filter cartridge (110), and an ornamental endpiece (114). The main housing (102) may have a first end (104) and a second end (106). The mouthpiece (108) may be removably attached to the first end (104) of the main housing (102). The at least one filter cartridge (110) may include at least one filter (112). The filter cartridge (110) may be removably disposed within the main housing (102) between the first end (104) and the second end (106). The filter cartridge (110) may be in fluid communication with the mouthpiece (108). The ornamental endpiece (114) may be removably attached to the second end (106) of the main housing (102) and be in fluid communication with the filter cartridge (110). The ornamental endpiece (114) together with the mouthpiece (108) and the filter cartridge (110) may define an air flow path for hygienic delivery of an extinguishing gust of air to a candle.
Abstract:
An adjustable chromatic harmonica incorporating an adjustable mouthpiece where, for each mouth-hole, the player's breath may be selectively connected to one or more available reed cells. This is by means of a rotatable cup-shaped valve, with an opening or port in its side, being mounted in each mouth-hole such that the port can be registered by rotation with one of a group of surrounding air ducts, each of which is connected to one or more reed cells in the body of the harmonica. In some embodiments an apertured slide is interposed between the mouthpiece and the body. In some embodiments means are provided for rotating the valves in independent groups while the harmonica is being played. In embodiments where each group of mouth-holes can be independently adjusted, a large number of physical states is possible. Consequently, some embodiments have the capability of playing chromatic melodies and several common chord types in all twelve musical keys.
Abstract:
For preparing a harmonica in just intonation, a system is presented which favors intervals which may be expressed as ratios of small integers. This principle of combining frequencies is applied in a variety of scales which maximize the consonance of the instrument and the number of consecutive diatonic notes available in conjunction to chord octaves.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a comb for a harmonica including one or more check valves (19', 21') mounted within the comb for improving performance and tonality and simplifying construction. Air loss between various components is greatly decreased, and check valves are removed from close proximity with reeds thereby decreasing interference with the reeds, increasing volume and performance, and increasing the resonance of overtones.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a sound generating reed assembly (110) that includes a reed (112) made of a sheet material, preferably polycarbonate, of uniform thickness and a reed holder (114) including a reed bed (120) and a reed clamping mechanism constituted by a clamping wedge (116) and a complemental clamping socket (124) by means of which the reed (112) may be clamped to the reed bed (120). The reed assembly (110) is particularly suited for incorporation in a portable peak expiratory flow monitoring device.
Abstract:
The invention relates mainly to a wind instrument with free reeds comprising a frame onto which a blowing mouthpiece, opening into a reservoir, is mounted, and a plurality of keys, each key being linked with a valve, the movement of which valve, caused by the instrumentalist actuating the corresponding key, connects the reservoir with a first upstream cavity that opens out onto a blade formed by a reed mounted on a frame, allowing the blade to vibrate. The instrument is essentially characterised in that each blade (13,13a,13b) opens out, in the direction of the blown air flow, on an opening (20, 20a, 46b) through which the air flows outwards; in that the instrument thus has at least a first plurality of air flow openings (20, 20a, 46b) arranged in a single plane; in that it includes closure means (22, 22a, 44b) for closing said air flow openings (20, 20a, 46b), that can be actuated by the instrumentalist and that can move to a first, open position in which the air flowing through the air flow openings (20, 20a, 46b) is not subjected to any pressure, and a second, closed position in which the closure means (22, 22a, 44b) simultaneously cover all the air flow openings (20, 20a, 46b); and in that, from the first position to the second position, the closure means (22, 22a, 44b) are able to move to a plurality of positions that increase the air pressure in the vicinity of the blades (13,13a,13b), thereby lowering the sound frequency of the blades in question (13,13a,13b) .