IP Library Granted Patent US 10,380,979
Granted Patent B2
US 10,380,979 · App. 15/724,878 · Granted Aug 13, 2019

Twin valve attachment for musical instruments

Inventor: Stephen Shires (Waterbury Center, VT)
Assignee: EASTMAN BRASS INSTRUMENTS, LLC
G10D9/04G10D7/10G10D9/005
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,380,979
App. No.
15/724,878
Granted
Aug 13, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

Described is a twin valve attachment for musical instruments, such as a trombone. The attachment includes a lever that is rotatable between a B-Flat configuration and an F note configuration. Also included are first and second rotary valves. The first rotary valve is operably connected with the F lever, while the second rotary valve is operably connected with the first rotary valve. F-attachment piping is fluidly connected with both the first and second rotary valves. Thus, a user may rotate the F lever to selectively direct air flow through the F-attachment piping (for the F note configuration) or bypass the F-attachment piping (for the B-Flat configuration).

Claims (48)

1. A twin valve attachment for musical instruments, comprising:

an actuator, the actuator positionable between at least two configurations;

a first rotary valve operably connected with the actuator, the first rotary valve having a first rotary valve port passing therethrough;

a second rotary valve operably connected with the first rotary valve, the secondary rotary valve having a second rotary valve port passing therethrough;

attachment piping fluidly connected with both the first and second rotary valves, whereby a user may move the actuator to selectively direct air flow through the attachment piping or bypass the attachment piping; and

wherein the first rotary valve is rotatable between a first configuration and a second configuration, such that when in the first configuration, the first rotary valve port is directed to fluidly bypass the attachment piping and, when in the second configuration, the first rotary valve port is directed to fluidly connect with the attachment piping.

2. The twin valve attachment as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the second rotary valve is rotatable between a first configuration and a second configuration, such that when in the first configuration, the second rotary valve port is directed to fluidly bypass the attachment piping and, when in the second configuration, the second rotary valve port is directed to fluidly connect with the attachment piping.

3. The twin valve attachment as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the first and second rotary valves are operably connected with the actuator via linkages such that actuation of the actuator causes the first and secondary rotary valves to rotate in opposite rotational directions.

4. The twin valve attachment as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the first and second rotary valves are operably connected with the actuator via linkages such that actuation of the actuator causes the first and secondary rotary valves to each rotate approximately 120 degrees.

5. The twin valve attachment as set forth in claim 4 , wherein the first and second rotary valve ports are curved ports that curve approximately 120 degrees.

6. The twin valve attachment as set forth in claim 5 , wherein the first configuration is a B-Flat configuration and wherein the second configuration is an F note configuration, with the attachment piping being an F-attachment piping.

7. The twin valve attachment as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the actuator is a spring-loaded F-lever biased in the B-Flat configuration.

8. A twin valve attachment for musical instruments, comprising:

an actuator, the actuator positionable between at least two configurations;

a first rotary valve operably connected with the actuator, the first rotary valve having a first rotary valve port passing therethrough;

a second rotary valve operably connected with the first rotary valve, the secondary rotary valve having a second rotary valve port passing therethrough;

attachment piping fluidly connected with both the first and second rotary valves, whereby a user may move the actuator to selectively direct air flow through the attachment piping or bypass the attachment piping; and

wherein the second rotary valve is rotatable between a first configuration and a second configuration, such that when in the first configuration, the second rotary valve port is directed to fluidly bypass the attachment piping and, when in the second configuration, the second rotary valve port is directed to fluidly connect with the attachment piping.

9. A twin valve attachment for musical instruments, comprising:

an actuator, the actuator positionable between at least two configurations;

a first rotary valve operably connected with the actuator, the first rotary valve having a first rotary valve port passing therethrough;

a second rotary valve operably connected with the first rotary valve, the secondary rotary valve having a second rotary valve port passing therethrough;

attachment piping fluidly connected with both the first and second rotary valves, whereby a user may move the actuator to selectively direct air flow through the attachment piping or bypass the attachment piping; and

wherein the first and second rotary valves are operably connected with the actuator via linkages such that actuation of the actuator causes the first and secondary rotary valves to rotate in opposite rotational directions.

10. A twin valve attachment for musical instruments, comprising:

an actuator, the actuator positionable between at least two configurations;

a first rotary valve operably connected with the actuator, the first rotary valve having a first rotary valve port passing therethrough;

a second rotary valve operably connected with the first rotary valve, the secondary rotary valve having a second rotary valve port passing therethrough;

attachment piping fluidly connected with both the first and second rotary valves, whereby a user may move the actuator to selectively direct air flow through the attachment piping or bypass the attachment piping; and

wherein the first and second rotary valves are operably connected with the actuator via linkages such that actuation of the actuator causes the first and secondary rotary valves to each rotate approximately 120 degrees.

11. A twin valve attachment for musical instruments, comprising:

an actuator, the actuator positionable between at least two configurations;

a first rotary valve operably connected with the actuator, the first rotary valve having a first rotary valve port passing therethrough;

a second rotary valve operably connected with the first rotary valve, the secondary rotary valve having a second rotary valve port passing therethrough;

attachment piping fluidly connected with both the first and second rotary valves, whereby a user may move the actuator to selectively direct air flow through the attachment piping or bypass the attachment piping; and

wherein the first and second rotary valve ports are curved ports that curve approximately 120 degrees.

12. A twin valve attachment for musical instruments, comprising:

an actuator, the actuator positionable between at least two configurations;

a first rotary valve operably connected with the actuator, the first rotary valve having a first rotary valve port passing therethrough;

a second rotary valve operably connected with the first rotary valve, the secondary rotary valve having a second rotary valve port passing therethrough;

attachment piping fluidly connected with both the first and second rotary valves, whereby a user may move the actuator to selectively direct air flow through the attachment piping or bypass the attachment piping; and

wherein the first configuration is a B-Flat configuration and wherein the second configuration is an F note configuration, with the attachment piping being an F-attachment piping.

13. A twin valve attachment for musical instruments, comprising:

an actuator, the actuator positionable between at least two configurations;

a first rotary valve operably connected with the actuator, the first rotary valve having a first rotary valve port passing therethrough;

a second rotary valve operably connected with the first rotary valve, the secondary rotary valve having a second rotary valve port passing therethrough;

attachment piping fluidly connected with both the first and second rotary valves, whereby a user may move the actuator to selectively direct air flow through the attachment piping or bypass the attachment piping; and

wherein the actuator is a spring-loaded F-lever biased in the B-Flat configuration.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 15, 2024
From: EAST WEST BANK
To: EASTMAN BRASS INSTRUMENTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 068303/0923 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 17, 2021
From: EASTMAN BRASS INSTRUMENTS, LLC
To: EAST WEST BANK
Reel/Frame 058144/0040 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 4, 2017
From: SHIRES, STEPHEN
To: EASTMAN BRASS INSTRUMENTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 044126/0981 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20190103077A1 · Apr 4, 2019