Attachment for wind instrument

Claim 2

A cuplike attachment, for a wind instrument that has a valve housing, which comprises a bottom wall, an end wall, a second end wall, a side wall and a second side wall which coact to defiNe an open-top recess that can intercept and hold oil, saliva and other liquids, a plurality of grippers which are disposed inwardly of said side walls and which extend upwardly from said bottom wall in columnar fashion, said grippers having housing-engaging portions at the inner faces thereof, said grippers being spaced apart and said housing-engaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart so each gripper and its housing-engaging portion can move independently of the rest of said grippers and of the rest of said housing-engaging portions, said grippers being spaced apart to define a space into which the lower end of a valve housing of said wind instrument can be telescoped, said housingengaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart to define a space which must be enlarged to accommodate the lower end of said valve housing, said housing-engaging portions having upper surfaces that respond to said lower end of said valve housing to move said housing-engaging portions far enough apart to enable said valve housing to move downwardly between said housingengaging portions, said housing-engaging portions being formed and dimensioned to engage said valve housing without scratching or marring the finish on said valve housing.

Claim 3

A cuplike attachment, for a wind instrument that has a valve housing, which comprises a bottom wall, an end wall, a second end wall, a sidewall and a second sidewall which coact to define an open-top recess that can intercept and hold oil, saliva and other liquids, a plurality of grippers which are disposed inwardly of said sidewalls and which extend upwardly from said bottom wall in columnar fashion, said grippers having housing-engaging portions at the inner faces thereof, said grippers being spaced apart and said housing-engaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart so each gripper and its housing-engaging portion can move independently of the rest of said grippers and of the rest of said housing-engaging portions, said grippers being spaced apart to define a space into which the lower end of a valve housing of said wind instrument can be telescoped, said housing-engaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart to define a space which must be enlarged to accommodate the lower end of said valve housing, said housing-engaging portions having upper surfaces that respond to said lower end of said valve housing to move said housing-engaging portions far enough apart to enable said valve housing to move downwardly between said housing-engaging portions, said housing-engaging portions being formed and dimensioned to engage said valve housing without scratching or marring the finish on said valve housing, said upper surfaces of said housing-engaging portions inclining downwardly and inwardly to act as inclined planes, and the inner faces of said housing-engaging portions being smoothly rounded.

Claim 4

A cuplike attachment, for a wind instrument that has a valve housing, which comprises a bottom wall, an end wall, a second end wall, a sidewall and a second sidewall which coact to define an open-top recess that can intercept and hold oil, saliva and other liquids, a plurality of grippers which are disposed inwardly of said sidewalls and which extend upwardly from said bottom wall in columnar fashion, said grippers having housing-engaging portions at the inner faces thereof, said grippers being spaced apart and said housing-engaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart so each gripper and its housing-engaging portion can move independently of the rest of said grippers and of the rest of said housing-engaging portions, said grippers being spaced apart to define a space into which the lower end of a valve housing of said wind instrument can be telescoped, said housing-engaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart to define a space which must be enlarged to accommodate the lower end of said valve housing, said housing-engaging portions having upper surfaces that respond to said lower end of said valve housing to move said housing-engaging portions far enough apart to enable said valve housing to move downwardly between said housing-engaging portions, said housing-engaging portions being formed and dimensioned to engage said valve housing without scratching or marring the finish on said valve housing, said upper surfaces of said housing-engaging portions inclining downwardly and inwardly to act as inclined planes, and the inner faces of said housing-engaging portions being smoothly rounded.

Claim 5

A cuplike attachment, for a wind instrument that has a valve housing, which comprises a bottom wall, an end wall, a second end wall, a sidewall and a second sidewall which coact to define an open-top recess that can intercept and hold oil, saliva and other liquids, a plurality of grippers which are disposed inwardly of said sidewalls and which extend upwardly from said bottom wall in columnar fashion, said grippers having housing-engaging portions at the inner faces thereof, said grippers being spaced apart and said housing-engaging portions at the inner faces thereof; said grippers being spaced apart and said housing-engaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart so each gripper and its housing-engaging portion can move independently of the rest of said grippers and of the rest of said housing-engaging portions, said grippers being spaced apart to define a space into which the lower end of a valve housing of said wind instrument can be telescoped, said housing-engaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart to define a space which must be enlarged to accommodate the lower end of said valve housing, said housing-engaging portions Having upper surfaces that respond to said lower end of said valve housing to move said housing-engaging portions far enough apart to enable said valve housing to move downwardly between said housing-engaging portions, said housing-engaging portions being formed and dimensioned to engage said valve housing without scratching or marring the finish on said valve housing, said grippers and said housing-engaging portions thereof being made from a readily yieldable plastic material so said grippers can bend outwardly and so the inner faces of said housing-engaging portions can yield as said valve housing is moved downwardly into position between said housing-engaging portions.

Claim 6

A cuplike attachment, for a wind instrument that has a valve housing, which comprises a bottom wall, an end wall, a second end wall, a sidewall and a second sidewall which coact to define an open-top recess that can intercept and hold oil, saliva and other liquids, a plurality of grippers which are disposed inwardly of said sidewalls and which extend upwardly from said bottom wall in columnar fashion, said grippers having housing-engaging portions at the inner faces thereof, said grippers being spaced apart and said housing-engaging portions at the inner faces thereof; said grippers being spaced apart and said housing-engaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart so each gripper and its housing-engaging portion can move independently of the rest of said grippers and of the rest of said housing-engaging portions, said grippers being spaced apart to define a space into which the lower end of a valve housing of said wind instrument can be telescoped, said housing-engaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart to define a space which must be enlarged to accommodate the lower end of said valve housing, said housing-engaging portions Having upper surfaces that respond to said lower end of said valve housing to move said housing-engaging portions far enough apart to enable said valve housing to move downwardly between said housing-engaging portions, said housing-engaging portions being formed and dimensioned to engage said valve housing without scratching or marring the finish on said valve housing, said grippers and said housing-engaging portions thereof being made from a readily yieldable plastic material so said grippers can bend outwardly and so the inner faces of said housing-engaging portions can yield as said valve housing is moved downwardly into position between said housing-engaging portions.

Claim 7

A cuplike attachment, for a wind instrument that has a valve housing, which comprises a bottom wall, an end wall, a second end wall, a sidewall and a second sidewall which coact to define an open-top recess that can intercept and hold oil, saliva and other liquids, a plurality of grippers which are disposed inwardly of said sidewalls and which extend upwardly from said bottom wall in columnar fashion, said grippers having housing-engaging portions at the inner faces thereof, said grippers being spaced apart and said housing-engaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart so each gripper and its housing-engaging portion can move independently of the rest of said grippers and of the rest of said housing-engaging portions, said grippers being spaced apart to define a space into which the lower end of a valve housing of said wind instrument can be telescoped, said housing-engaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart to define a space which must be enlarged to accommodate the lower end of said valve housing, said housing-engaging portions having upper surfaces that respond to said lower end of said valve housing to move said housing-engaging portions far enough apart to enable said valve housing to move downwardly between said housing-engaging portions, said housing-engaging portions being formed and dimensioned to engage said valve housing without scratching or marring the finish on said valve housing, said grippers and said housing-engaging portions being disposed below the level of, and being normally concealed by, said end walls and said sidewalls.

Claim 8

A cuplike attachment, for a wind instrument that has a valve housing, which comprises a bottom wall, an end wall, a second end wall, a sidewall and a second sidewall which coact to define an open-top recess that can intercept and hold oil, saliva and other liquids, a plurality of grippers which are disposed inwardly of said sidewalls and which extend upwardly from said bottom wall in columnar fashion, said grippers having housing-engaging portions at the inner faces thereof, said grippers being spaced apart and said housing-engaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart so each gripper and its housing-engaging portion can move independently of the rest of said grippers and of the rest of said housing-engaging portions, said grippers being spaced apart to define a space into which the lower end of a valve housing of said wind instrument can be telescoped, said housing-engaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart to define a space which must be enlarged to accommodate the lower end of said valve housing, said housing-engaging portions having upper surfaces that respond to said lower end of said valve housing to move said housing-engaging portions far enough apart to enable said valve housing to move downwardly between said housing-engaging portions, said housing-engaging portions being formed and dimensioned to engage said valve housing without scratching or marring the finish on said valve housing, said grippers and said housing-engaging portions being disposed below the level of, and being normally concealed by, said end walls and said sidewalls.

Claim 9

A cuplike attachment, for a wind instrument that has a valve housing, which comprises a bottom wall, an end wall, a second end wall, a sidewall and a second sidewall which coact to define an open-top recess that can intercept and hold oil, saliva and other liquids, a plurality of grippers which are disposed inwardly of said sidewalls and which extend upwardly from said bottom wall in columnar fashion, said grippers having housing-engaging portions at the inner faces thereof, said grippers being spaced apart and said housing-engaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart so each gripper and its housing-engaging portion can move independently of the rest of said grippers and of the rest of said housing-engaging portions, said grippers being spaced apart to define a space into which the lower end of a valve housing of said wind instrument can be telescoped, said housing-engaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart to define a space which must be enlarged to accommodate the lower end of said valve housing, said housing-engaging portions having upper surfaces that respond to said lower end of said valve housing to move said housing-engaging portions far enough apart to enable said valve housing to move downwardly between said housing-engaging portions, said housing-engaging portions being formed and dimensioned to engage said valve housing without scratching or marring the finish on said valve housing, said sidewalls having outwardly-bowed portions in register with said valve housing.

Claim 10

A cuplike attachment, for a wind instrument that has a valve housing, which comprises a bottom wall, an end wall, a second end wall, a sidewall and a second sidewall which coact to define an open-top recess that can intercept and hold oil, saliva and other liquids, a plurality of grippers which are disposed inwardly of said sidewalls and which extend upwardly from said bottom wall in columnar fashion, said grippers having housing-engaging portions at the inner faces thereof, said grippers being spaced apart and said housing-engaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart so each gripper and its housing-engaging portion can move independently of the rest of said grippers and of the rest of said housing-engaging portions, said grippers being spaced apart to define a space into which the lower end of a valve housing of said wind instrument can be telescoped, said housing-engaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart to define a space which must be enlarged to accommodate the lower end of said valve housing, said housing-engaging portions having upper surfaces that respond to said lower end of said valve housing to move said housing-engaging portions far enough apart to enable said valve housing to move downwardly between said housing-engaging portions, said housing-engaging portions being formed and dimensioned to engage said valve housing without scratching or marring the finish on said valve housing, said sidewalls having outwardly-bowed portions in register with said valve housing.

Claim 11

A cuplike attachment, for a wind instrument that has a valve housing, which comprises a bottom wall, an end wall, a second end wall, a sidewall and a second sidewall which coact to define an open-top recess that can intercept and hold oil, Saliva and other liquids, a plurality of grippers which are disposed inwardly of said sidewalls and which extend upwardly from said bottom wall in columnar fashion, said grippers having housing-engaging portions at the inner faces thereof, said grippers being spaced apart and said housing-engaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart so each gripper and its housing-engaging portion can move independently of the rest of said grippers and of the rest of said housing-engaging portions, said grippers being spaced apart to define a space into which the lower end of a valve housing of said wind instrument can be telescoped, said housing-engaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart to define a space which must be enlarged to accommodate the lower end of said valve housing, said housing-engaging portions having upper surfaces that respond to said lower end of said valve housing to move said housing-engaging portions far enough apart to enable said valve housing to move downwardly between said housing-engaging portions, said housing-engaging portions being formed and dimensioned to engage said valve housing without scratching or marring the finish on said valve housing, said end walls being arcuate and being disposed outwardly of valve housings at the front and rear of said wind instrument.

Claim 12

A cuplike attachment, for a wind instrument that has a valve housing, which comprises a bottom wall, an end wall, a second end wall, a sidewall and a second sidewall which coact to define an open-top recess that can intercept and hold oil, Saliva and other liquids, a plurality of grippers which are disposed inwardly of said sidewalls and which extend upwardly from said bottom wall in columnar fashion, said grippers having housing-engaging portions at the inner faces thereof, said grippers being spaced apart and said housing-engaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart so each gripper and its housing-engaging portion can move independently of the rest of said grippers and of the rest of said housing-engaging portions, said grippers being spaced apart to define a space into which the lower end of a valve housing of said wind instrument can be telescoped, said housing-engaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart to define a space which must be enlarged to accommodate the lower end of said valve housing, said housing-engaging portions having upper surfaces that respond to said lower end of said valve housing to move said housing-engaging portions far enough apart to enable said valve housing to move downwardly between said housing-engaging portions, said housing-engaging portions being formed and dimensioned to engage said valve housing without scratching or marring the finish on said valve housing, said end walls being arcuate and being disposed outwardly of valve housings at the front and rear of said wind instrument.

Claim 13

A cuplike attachment, for a wind instrument that has a valve housing, which comprises a bottom wall, an end wall, a second end wall, a sidewall and a second sidewall which coact to define an open-top recess that can intercept and hold oil, saliva and other liquids, a plurality of grippers which are disposed inwardly of said sidewalls and which extend upwardly from said bottom wall in columnar fashion, said grippers having housing-engaging portions at the inner faces thereof, said grippers being spaced apart and said housing-engaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart so each gripper and its housing-engaging portion can move independently of the rest of said grippers and of the rest of said housing-engaging portions, said grippers being spaced apart to define a space into which the lower end of a valve housing of said wind instrument can be telescoped, said housing-engaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart to define a space which must be enlarged to accommodate the lower end of said valve housing, said housing-engaging portions having upper surfaces that respond to said lower end of said valve housing to move said housing-engaging portions far enough apart to enable said valve housing to move downwardly between said housing-engaging portions, said housing-engaging portions being formed and dimensioned to engage said valve housing without scratching or marring the finish on said valve housing, said grippers being arcuate in plan and defining an incomplete circle, and said housing-engaging portions also being arcuate in plan.

Claim 14

A cuplike attachment, for a wind instrument that has a valve housing, which comprises a bottom wall, an end wall, a second end wall, a sidewall and a second sidewall which coact to define an open-top recess that can intercept and hold oil, saliva and other liquids, a plurality of grippers which are disposed inwardly of said sidewalls and which extend upwardly from said bottom wall in columnar fashion, said grippers having housing-engaging portions at the inner faces thereof, said grippers being spaced apart and said housing-engaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart so each gripper and its housing-engaging portion can move independently of the rest of said grippers and of the rest of said housing-engaging portions, said grippers being spaced apart to define a space into which the lower end of a valve housing of said wind instrument can be telescoped, said housing-engaging portions of said grippers being spaced apart to define a space which must be enlarged to accommodate the lower end of said valve housing, said housing-engaging portions having upper surfaces that respond to said lower end of said valve housing to move said housing-engaging portions far enough apart to enable said valve housing to move downwardly between said housing-engaging portions, said housing-engaging portions being formed and dimensioned to engage said valve housing without scratching or marring the finish on said valve housing, said grippers being arcuate in plan and defining an incomplete circle, and said housing-engaging portions also being arcuate in plan.