GB2093251A

GB2093251A - Flute with fipple type mouthpiece assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2093251A
Application number: GB8105048A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: VOLPA ROCCO
Current assignee: VOLPA ROCCO
Priority date: 1981-02-18
Filing date: 1981-02-18
Publication date: 1982-08-25

Abstract

A flute employing a fipple type mouthpiece assembly permits the flute to be more easily mastered. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Flute with fipple type mouthpiece assembly This invention pertains to a flute with a fipple type mouthpiece assembly.

Typically flutes are played employing a cross blown mouthpiece which requires the flute to be supported by both hands of the musician so that the flute extends laterally from the plater's mouth.

This awkward positioning of the flute as well as the cross-blown mouthpiece causes the flute to appear to be difficult to play. Accordingly, these features have caused the flute to be one of the least popular musical instruments chosen by children and other beginners.

In general, as disclosed herein, a flute is provided with a mouthpiece assembly employing a fipple type mouthpiece element and an elongate, tubular member having an outside diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of the tubular playing end of the flute so as to permit the tubular member to be inserted into the flute with a sliding fit after removal of the usual cross-blown mouthpiece. A rib extends around the tubular member to engage the outer end edge of the flute at a position sufficiently displayed from the inserted end to permit the flute to support the assembly therefrom.

The other end of the tubular member is inserted and fixed within the fipple type mouthpiece.

In general, it is an object of the present invention to provide a flute with an improved mouthpiece arrangement to encourage beginners and others to play the flute. Also, this mouthpiece makes is considerably easier to learn to play the instrument.

it is another object of the present invention to provide an improved mouthpiece assembly which can be physicaliy interchanged with the usual cross-blown mouthpiece while at the same time providing a somewhat different tone.

The foregoing and other objects and features of the invention will become more readily evident from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of a flute equipped with a fipple style mouthpiece according to the invention; and Figure 2 shows an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of a fipple type mouthpiece assembly according to the invention.

Figure 3 shows an elevation, centerline section view of Figure 2.

As shown in Figure 1, an enlongate flute portion 11 with its usual keys and vents includes an open upper end 12 formed with a rolled edge 1 2a therearound. A mouthpiece assembly 13 as shown best in enlarged detail in Figure 2 includes a fipple type mouthpiece element 14 and an elongate, tubular member 1 6 having an outside diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of the playing end of flute portion 11 so as to permit the tubular member 1 6 to be inserted therein with a sliding fit upon removal of the usual cross-blown mouthpiece.

A rib 1 7 extending around tubular member 16 serves to engage the outer end edge 1 2a of flute portion 11 at a position sufficiently displaced along the inserted end to permit the inserted portion 1 6a to be engaged in the inner edge margin of flute portion 11 to support the assembly 1 3 therefrom.

The other end portion 1 6b is inserted and fixed within the fipple type mouthpiece 1 4 as by suitable means such as cement 1 8 or the like.

End portion 1 6b includes an elongate slot 1 9 disposed along the top surface of tubular member 1 6 for passing a portion 24 of the wind blown into mouthpiece 14 as shown best in Figure 3.

Accordingly, mouthpiece 14 includes an air blow hole 21 in which the top and bottom surfaces converge progressively inwardly of the blow hole 21. Accordingly, blow hole 21 is tapered progressively inwardly whereby the midplane of the discharge end 21 a lies substantially in the plane of the tip 22a of the air deflection wedge 22 so that the inward flow of air represented by phantom lines 23, 24 can be split by wedge 22 to bisect the incoming air flow for initiating the sound to be ultimately modulated by the playing of the keys of the flute.

The air flow 23 is discharged upwardly through the opening 26 while air flow 24 is similarly discharged downwardly through passage 1 9 to pass through the hollow interior of tubular member 1 6 having a uniform cross-section throughout.

From the foregoing it will be readily evident that there has been provided an improved flute and mouthpiece assembly which serves to provide more encouragement to young players and other beginners whereby it can be played in a more normal position in front of the players.

1. In a flute, a mouthpiece assembly comprising a fipple type mouthpiece element, an elongate, tubular member having an outside diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of the playing end of a flute to permit said tubular member to be inserted therein with a sliding fit upon removal of the usual cross-blown mouthpiece, a rib extending around said tubular member for engaging the outer end edge of the flute at a position sufficiently displaced along the inserted end to permit the flute to support said assembly therefrom, and a fipple type mouthpiece carried by the other end of said tubular member.

2. In a flute, a mouthpiece assembly according to Claim 1 in which said other end of said tubular member is inserted and fixed within said mouthpiece.

3. In combination that portion of a cross-blown flute exclusive of the cross-blown mouthpiece, a mouthpiece assembly comprising a fipple type mouthpiece element, an elongate, tubular member having an outside diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of the playing end of the flute portion to permit said tubular member to be

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Flute with fipple type mouthpiece assembly This invention pertains to a flute with a fipple type mouthpiece assembly. Typically flutes are played employing a cross blown mouthpiece which requires the flute to be supported by both hands of the musician so that the flute extends laterally from the plater's mouth. This awkward positioning of the flute as well as the cross-blown mouthpiece causes the flute to appear to be difficult to play. Accordingly, these features have caused the flute to be one of the least popular musical instruments chosen by children and other beginners. In general, as disclosed herein, a flute is provided with a mouthpiece assembly employing a fipple type mouthpiece element and an elongate, tubular member having an outside diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of the tubular playing end of the flute so as to permit the tubular member to be inserted into the flute with a sliding fit after removal of the usual cross-blown mouthpiece. A rib extends around the tubular member to engage the outer end edge of the flute at a position sufficiently displayed from the inserted end to permit the flute to support the assembly therefrom. The other end of the tubular member is inserted and fixed within the fipple type mouthpiece. In general, it is an object of the present invention to provide a flute with an improved mouthpiece arrangement to encourage beginners and others to play the flute. Also, this mouthpiece makes is considerably easier to learn to play the instrument. it is another object of the present invention to provide an improved mouthpiece assembly which can be physicaliy interchanged with the usual cross-blown mouthpiece while at the same time providing a somewhat different tone. The foregoing and other objects and features of the invention will become more readily evident from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when considered in conjunction with the drawings. Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of a flute equipped with a fipple style mouthpiece according to the invention; and Figure 2 shows an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of a fipple type mouthpiece assembly according to the invention. Figure 3 shows an elevation, centerline section view of Figure 2. As shown in Figure 1, an enlongate flute portion 11 with its usual keys and vents includes an open upper end 12 formed with a rolled edge 1 2a therearound. A mouthpiece assembly 13 as shown best in enlarged detail in Figure 2 includes a fipple type mouthpiece element 14 and an elongate, tubular member 1 6 having an outside diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of the playing end of flute portion 11 so as to permit the tubular member 1 6 to be inserted therein with a sliding fit upon removal of the usual cross-blown mouthpiece. A rib 1 7 extending around tubular member 16 serves to engage the outer end edge 1 2a of flute portion 11 at a position sufficiently displaced along the inserted end to permit the inserted portion 1 6a to be engaged in the inner edge margin of flute portion 11 to support the assembly 1 3 therefrom. The other end portion 1 6b is inserted and fixed within the fipple type mouthpiece 1 4 as by suitable means such as cement 1 8 or the like. End portion 1 6b includes an elongate slot 1 9 disposed along the top surface of tubular member 1 6 for passing a portion 24 of the wind blown into mouthpiece 14 as shown best in Figure 3. Accordingly, mouthpiece 14 includes an air blow hole 21 in which the top and bottom surfaces converge progressively inwardly of the blow hole 21. Accordingly, blow hole 21 is tapered progressively inwardly whereby the midplane of the discharge end 21 a lies substantially in the plane of the tip 22a of the air deflection wedge 22 so that the inward flow of air represented by phantom lines 23, 24 can be split by wedge 22 to bisect the incoming air flow for initiating the sound to be ultimately modulated by the playing of the keys of the flute. The air flow 23 is discharged upwardly through the opening 26 while air flow 24 is similarly discharged downwardly through passage 1 9 to pass through the hollow interior of tubular member 1 6 having a uniform cross-section throughout. From the foregoing it will be readily evident that there has been provided an improved flute and mouthpiece assembly which serves to provide more encouragement to young players and other beginners whereby it can be played in a more normal position in front of the players. CLAIMS

3. In combination that portion of a cross-blown flute exclusive of the cross-blown mouthpiece, a mouthpiece assembly comprising a fipple type mouthpiece element, an elongate, tubular member having an outside diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of the playing end of the flute portion to permit said tubular member to be inserted therein with a sliding fit upon removal of the usual cross-blown mouthpiece, a rib extending around said tubular member for engaging the outer end edge of the flute at a position sufficiently displaced along the inserted end to permit the flute portion to support said assembly therefrom, a fipple type mouthpiece, said other end of said tubular member being inserted and fixed within said mouthpiece.

4. In a flute, a mouthpiece assembly according to Claim 2 in which said other end includes an elongate air passage formed along the top of said other end, said mouthpiece including a tapered air passage converging from the outer to an inner end of the mouthpiece, an air deflection wedge disposed in confronting relation to the inner end of the air passage for deflecting a first portion of the air passage for deflecting a first portion of the entering air downwardly into the tubular member and for deflecting a second portion of the entering air to discharge upwardly and outwardly via an opening defined between said inner end and said wedge to initiate sound waves into the flute.

5. A flute incorporating a mouthpiece assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.