US3039477A - Apparatus for cleaning musical instruments of the cup mouthpiece type - Google Patents

Description

Jun 1 19 2 A. F. HARBO 3,039,477

. APPARATUS FOR CLEANING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS OF THE CUP MOUTHPIECE TYPE Filed Dec. 2, 1957 FIE. E

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United States Patent 3,039,477 APPARATUS FOR CLEANING MUSICAL INSTRU- MENTS OF THE CUP MOUTHPIECE TYPE Alf F. Harbo, Taylor Ave., Fort Snelling, Minn. Filed Dec. 2, 1957, Ser. No. 700,157 3 Claims. (Cl. 134-169) This invention consists of an apparatus for cleaning the interior of musical wind instruments of the brass family.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for securing a flow of a liquid through a cup mouthpiece type musical wind instrument for the purpose of cleaning the interior of the instrument. A liquid (cleaning solution) in motion will clean a surface more effectively than a liquid not in motion.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for cleaning the interior of the instruments without wetting the exterior surface of the instruments. This is important because some cleaning solutions dissolve lacquer finishes.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for cleaning the interior of the instruments with a smaller quantity of liquid than that required by the immersion method. A container of considerable size is required to clean instruments such as French horns, baritones, and tubas by the immersion method.

The need for cleaning cup mouthpiece instruments is well known. A residue accumulates in the instruments because moist breath and saliva are forced into such instruments.

The need for desirable sanitary standards in connection with the playing of these instruments is indicated in one of the U8. Army publications which states the requirement that the inside of cup mouthpiece wind instruments should be cleaned with soap water once each week.

Professional performers on these instruments generally maintain their instruments according to their individual standards of cleanliness. However, serious sanitary and hygienic problems exist especially in connection with the use of school-owned instruments. School-owned instruments often are used by several students year after year without proper cleaning. Two or more students may be assigned to use the same instrument for the purpose of receiving instruction. Students who own their instruments often interchange instruments and are careless as to the proper care of their instruments.

The instruments are not properly cleaned because of the difficulty and inconvenience involved and because of the relatively high cost of having the instruments cleaned at instrument repair shops.

Present methods of cleaning instruments consist of:

(1) Running water or other liquid through the instrument, chiefly by gravity, or, if water is used, by holding the instrument under the faucet.

(2) Immersing the instrument in a cleaning liquid. The cleaning solutions used in instrument repair shops must be used with great care since they are usually very strong and permit the instrument to be immersed for only a short time, as little as or 30 seconds, depending on the strength of the solution. A cyanide solution that is commonly used is extremely poisonous.

' (3) Using a brush, often in connection with methods (1) and (2) above.

This invention provides the means to circulate suitable cleaning solutions and liquids through cup mouthpiece wind instruments. The method is convenient because a relatively small amount of liquid will be required and the apparatus can be easily manipulated. The method is effective because a continuous flow of liquid can be maintained. Another important advantage is that since imtubing of the musical instrument.

mersion is not necessary the appearance of the instruments will not be changed-subsequent polishing will not be necessary.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification,

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an apparatus made according to the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view disclosing a modification.

With respect to the drawing and the numerals of reference thereon, a vessel 10 is for containing a cleaning fluid of ordinary or preferred character suitable for the purpose of cleaning musical instruments of the cup mouthpiece type.

A first flexible hose 11 leads from a lower portion of the vessel 10 to a pump 12 to be actuated by a desirably electric motor 13.

A second flexible hose 14 leads from the pump 12 into the bell end of the musical instrument, denoted 15. Desirably, the end portion of the second hose 14 spaced from the pump 12 will be of configuration to be more or less closely fittable to the customary conical tube at the rear of the bell.

Any suitable and convenient means can be employed for removably retaining the end portion of the second hose remote from the pump in the bell end of the musical instrument while the apparatus is functioning to perform its intended service. In the disclosure as made, the mentioned end portions of said second hose is held in place both by friction and by the employment of elongated flexible members, each indicated at 16. A first end of each of the elongated flexible members is secured to a collar 17 fixed on the adjacent end portion of the second hose 14, and a second end of each of said elongated flexible members is secured to a collar 18 on a portion of the continuous tube of the musical instrument 15 adjacent to the bell thereof. The collar 17 can be detachably secured on the second hose 14 in any ordinary or preferred manner, as by employment of a set screw. The collar 18 can be detachably assembled with the tube of the musical instrument and desirably will be adjustable in circumference and kept in place by the flare of the bell of said musical instrument. The elongated flexible members 16 will be adjustable lengthwise to be capable of retaining the adjacent end portion of the second hose 14 firmly in place under tension.

A third flexible hose 20 leads from the tube of the musical instrument at the location where the mouthpiece is inserted and enters the vessel 10. As disclosed, the end portion of the third hose 20 spaced from said vessel is detachably clamped on the musical instrument tube, as at 21.

When the apparatus of the invention is to be put to use all of the valves, such as 19, of the musical instrument will be depressed, thus to provide a continuous passageway from the bell end to the mouth end of the musical instrument. The valves can be held depressed in any suitable and convenient manner while the apparatus is operative, as by taping or clamping. Also, apertures, as at the bottom of valve casings, can be clsoed, as by taping or plugging.

In practical operation of the apparatus, the pump 12, driven by the motor 13, will be made operative to draw or suck cleaning fluid from the vessel 10, by way of the first hose 11, and force the cleaning fluid back to said vessel by way of the second hose 14, the tubing of the musical instrument and the third hose 20.

The speed of operation of the motor, such as 13, of the apparatus desirably will be such as to cause a moderately slow rate of flow of cleaning liquid through the Excessive fluid pressure could result in leakage, especially at the location 3,0 3 of the hell, or cause the musical instrument to be damaged.

It will be apparent that the direction of flow of the cleaning liquid could be reversed. In such an event the pump desirably would be situated between the third hose 20 and the mouth end of the tubing, or in said third hose, instead of between the first and second hoses 11 and 14. Preferably, however, the flow of cleaning fluid will be in the direction as disclosed, from the large part of the tubing to the small part thereof, thus to insure that the tubing will be completely full of cleaning fluid during substantially the whole of the cleansing operation.

Inasmuch as the cleaning fluid flows in a continuous circuit, from and back to the vessel 10, there is no waste with its attendant expense. In an instance when the cleaning fluid or material was of no appreciable value the third flexible hose 20 could be dispensed with. In such an event, the forced flow would be out of the mouth end of the musical instrument to atmosphere.

In FIG. 2 of the drawing there is disclosed a modified form of means which could be employed to retain a hose, such as 14, of the apparatus within the bell of a musical instrument, such as 15, to be cleansed. An elongated member 23, desirably adjustable lengthwise, includes longitudinally spaced flanges which adjustably support clamping elements 22 to be grasped on a hose, and on tubing of a musical instrument, respectively. The hose obviously can be fastened within the bell merely by decreasing the length of the elongated member 23.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus for cleaning a musical wind instrument having a flared, bell shaped outer end and a straight, cylindrical, tube shaped inner end, said apparatus including an open vessel for containing cleaning liquid, a motor driven pump located above said vessel, a first conduit open from said vessel below the level of the liquid therein to an intake side of said pump, a second conduit open from a discharge side of said pump and having a rigid, outwardly converging conical end portion open to said outer end of said instrument and being of a configuration to fit snugly in sealing relationship to an interior surface of said flared outer end, a third conduit open to and adapted for sealing relationship with said inner end of said instrument and open to said vessel, and means to hold said conical end portion of said second conduit in sealing relationship with said flared outer end of said instrument.

2. The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said holding means includes a first collar adjustably attached to and around said rigid end portion of said second conduit, a detachable second collar, adapted to be positioned around the exterior of said flared, bell shaped outer end of said instrument and in contact therewith, and means for urging said collars toward each other.

3. The combination as specified in claim 2 wherein said urging means is constituted as a plurality of flexible members extending between said collars and adjustable to tend to draw said collars together.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 635,961 Hasson Oct. 31, 1899 883,109 Gilman Mar. 24, 1908 1,799,105 Lasko Mar. 31, 1931 1,804,536 Ludwig May 12, 1931 2,056,304 Sweet Oct. 6, 1936 2,169,620 Spayd Aug. 15, 1939 2,204,900 Lowry June 18, 1940 2,453,669 Meneses Nov. 9, 1948 2,499,106 Metzkier Feb. 28, 1950 2,535,856 Luer-tzing Dec. 26, 1950 2,669,217 Pearson Feb. 16, 1954 2,714,079 Stodgell July 26, 1955 2,915,073 Merritt Dec. 1, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 79,016 Denmark Mar. 21, 1955

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