O-Ring Tuning System For Wind Instruments

摘要

A method and apparatus of tuning a wind instrument which stabilizes the mating sections of a jointed instrument when the mating sections are pulled out or pushed in during tuning. At least one O-ring is inserted between the mating sections which seals the interface between the sections to create an air tight seal and firm support between sections. The O-rings may have differing thickness, and any number of O-rings may be used. During tuning, the O-rings may be compressed in order to seal the interface between segments when the segments are pulled out or pushed in with respect to each other.

主权项

1. A method of tuning and stabilizing mating sections of a jointed musical instrument comprising the steps of:
providing a wind instrument comprising a resonator for receiving air therethrough and having a first section coupleable to a second section, wherein a first end of the second section defines a first annular engagement surface and a second end of the first section defines a second annular engagement surface, wherein the first and second annular engagement surfaces face each other when the first end of the second section is connected to the second end of the first section, and one of the sections includes a neck portion and the other of the sections includes a passage within which the neck portion is received for coupling the first and second sections together; positioning at least one compressible O-ring about the neck portion such that the at least one compressible O-ring is located between the first and second annular engagement surfaces; applying an axial force on the first and second sections to advance the neck portion into the passage; continuing to apply the axial force on the first and second sections to move the first and second sections together, wherein movement of the first and second sections together is operable to bring the first and second annular engagement surfaces into contact with the at least one compressible O-ring, wherein the at least one compressible O-ring creates a seal between the first section and the second section at the first and second annular engagement surfaces; and varying the axial position of the first section with respect to the second section while maintaining contact between the at least one compressible O-ring and the first and second annular engagement surfaces, wherein varying the axial position of the first section with respect to the second section selectively compresses the at least one compressible O-ring and varies a width defined by the at least at least one compressible O-ring and thereby an overall length defined by the first and second sections to adjust tuning of the musical instrument, and wherein maintaining contact between the at least one compressible O-ring and the first and second engagement surfaces while varying the axial position of the first section relative to the second section maintains the seal between the first section and the second section.