US3677129A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for extracting mouthpieces from musical instruments
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-01-07
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Granted: 1972-07-18
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Expires: 1991-01-07
Abstract
Abstract A device for extracting differently sized mouthpieces, which have become stuck in brass type musical instruments, wherein the mouthpieces are characterized as having a mouth end portion and a reduced diameter stem end portion dimensioned to be slip-friction fitted into an end of the musical instrument. The device includes a pair of pivotally joined lever devices, each having jaw end portions and operating end portions, the latter when moved towards one another forcing the jaw end portions to move apart for the purpose of extracting the mouthpiece from the instrument. One of the jaw end portions is configured to freely receive the stem end portion and engage beneath the mouthpiece end portion, whereas the other jaw end portion carries a pair of spreader members, which serve to removably grip the stem end portion and bear against an end surface of the instrument. The spreader members are automatically adjustable relative to their associated jaw end portion in order to prevent binding of the stem end portion within the instrument during the extraction operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Archie L Lyon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:26
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10D; G10D7/00; G10D7/10; G10D9/00; G10D9/02; G10D9/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
266 words
A device for extracting differently sized mouthpieces from musical instruments, each said mouthpiece being characterized as having a mouth end portion and a reduced diameter stem end portion dimensioned to be slip-friction fitted into an end of said instrument, said device comprising in combination: a first lever device, said first lever device having a first jaw end portion having surface means for engaging beneath said mouth end portion radially of said stem end portion a first operating end portion and a first intermediate portion, said first jaw end portion being non-movably fixed to said first intermediate portion; a second lever device, said second lever device having a second jaw end portion having surface means for engaging a surface of said end of said instrument radially of said stem end portion, a second operating end portion and a second intermediate portion, said second jaw end portion being non-movably fixed to said second intermediate portion; and a single hinge pin for pivotally joining said intermediate portions whereby when said operating end portions are moved towards one another said jaw end portions are forced to move apart along an arcuate path to position said surface means thereof in engagement with said mouth end portion and said instrument surface and to subsequently pull said stem end portion from said end of said instrument, one of said jaw end portions being characterized as having said surface means thereof supported thereon for independent pivotal movement relative thereto and the other of said jaw end portions about an axis arranged substantially parallel to an axis about which said lever devices are pivotally joined.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
266 words
A device for extracting differently sized mouthpieces from musical instruments, each said mouthpiece being characterized as having a mouth end portion and a reduced diameter stem end portion dimensioned to be slip-friction fitted into an end of said instrument, said device comprising in combination: a first lever device, said first lever device having a first jaw end portion having surface means for engaging beneath said mouth end portion radially of said stem end portion a first operating end portion and a first intermediate portion, said first jaw end portion being non-movably fixed to said first intermediate portion; a second lever device, said second lever device having a second jaw end portion having surface means for engaging a surface of said end of said instrument radially of said stem end portion, a second operating end portion and a second intermediate portion, said second jaw end portion being non-movably fixed to said second intermediate portion; and a single hinge pin for pivotally joining said intermediate portions whereby when said operating end portions are moved towards one another said jaw end portions are forced to move apart along an arcuate path to position said surface means thereof in engagement with said mouth end portion and said instrument surface and to subsequently pull said stem end portion from said end of said instrument, one of said jaw end portions being characterized as having said surface means thereof supported thereon for independent pivotal movement relative thereto and the other of said jaw end portions about an axis arranged substantially parallel to an axis about which said lever devices are pivotally joined.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said movably supported surface means includes a pair of members and means to releasably maintain said members in engagement with said stem end portion.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
241 words
A device for extracting differently sized mouthpieces from musical instruments, each said mouthpiece being characterized as having a mouth end portion and a reduced diameter stem end portion dimensioned to be slip-friction fitted into an end of said instrument, said device comprising in combination: first and second lever devices each having a jaw end portion, and intermediate portion and an operating end portion; means for pivotally joining said intermediate portions whereby when said operating end portions are moved towards one another said jaw end portions are forced apart, one of said jaw end portions being of fork-like configuration and having spaced arm portions arranged to freely straddle said stem end portion and engage beneath said mouth end portion; spreader means carried by another of said jaw end portions for independent movement about an axis arranged substantially parallel to an axis about which said lever devices are pivotally joined; and means for releasably maintaining said spreader means in engagement with said stem end portion for engagement with an end surface of said end of said instrument, whereby when said arm portions are positioned to straddle and said spreader means are positioned to engage said stem end portion and said jaw end portions are forced apart, said arm portions and said spreader means are brought into engagement with said mouth end portion and said end surface of said instrument, respectively, and said stem end portion subsequently withdrawn from said end of said instrument.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
241 words
A device for extracting differently sized mouthpieces from musical instruments, each said mouthpiece being characterized as having a mouth end portion and a reduced diameter stem end portion dimensioned to be slip-friction fitted into an end of said instrument, said device comprising in combination: first and second lever devices each having a jaw end portion, and intermediate portion and an operating end portion; means for pivotally joining said intermediate portions whereby when said operating end portions are moved towards one another said jaw end portions are forced apart, one of said jaw end portions being of fork-like configuration and having spaced arm portions arranged to freely straddle said stem end portion and engage beneath said mouth end portion; spreader means carried by another of said jaw end portions for independent movement about an axis arranged substantially parallel to an axis about which said lever devices are pivotally joined; and means for releasably maintaining said spreader means in engagement with said stem end portion for engagement with an end surface of said end of said instrument, whereby when said arm portions are positioned to straddle and said spreader means are positioned to engage said stem end portion and said jaw end portions are forced apart, said arm portions and said spreader means are brought into engagement with said mouth end portion and said end surface of said instrument, respectively, and said stem end portion subsequently withdrawn from said end of said instrument.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said means for releasably maintaining said spreader means in engagement with said stem end portion includes spring means tending to bias said spReader means into engagement with said stem end portion and manually operated means for removing said spreader means from engagement with said stem end portion against the bias of said spring means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
84 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said spreader means includes a pair of relatively aligned members slideably and rotatably supported by said other jaw end portion, and said means for releasably maintaining said spreader means in engagement with said stem end portion includes spring means tending to bias facing ends of said members towards one another for engagement with said stem end portion when disposed therebetween and manually operated means for moving said facing ends apart against the bias of said spring means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
193 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said other jaw end portion is of fork-like configuration having arm members thereof spaced apart to freely accommodate said stem end portion therebetween, said arm members having axially aligned openings therethrough; said spreader means includes a pair of gripper members supported one within each of said arm member openings for both rotary and reciprocating movement therewithin, said gripper members having concave gripping surfaces on facing ends thereof and bearing surfaces arranged substantially normal to said gripping surfaces; and said means for releasably maintaining said spreader means in engagement with said stem end portion includes a pair of manual operating members pivotally supported one on each of said arm members and loosely connected one to each of said gripper members whereby said gripper members are forced to reciprocate in opposite directions when said operating members are relatively pivoted, and spring means tending to reciprocate said gripper members towards one another whereby to place said gripping surfaces in engagement with said stem end portion, said gripping surfaces when engaged tending to maintain said bearing surfaces in a coplanar relationship for engagement with said end surface of said instrument.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 6, wherein said spring means includes a pair of leaf springs carried one on each of said arm members for engagement with an associated operating member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 7, wherein said operating end portions include means adjustable to vary the distance through which said jaw end portions are forced apart when said operating end portions are moved towards one another.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
131 words
A device according to claim 8, wherein said operating end portion of said first lever device having said one jaw end portion includes a slot opening extending lengthwise thereof and a screw device threadably supported for movement lengthwise within said slot opening, and said operating end portion of said second lever device having said other jaw end portion includes a handle portion pivotally joined to said intermediate portion of said second lever device for movement about an axis arranged parallel to said pivot axis and a second link, said second link having one end portion supported by said handle portion for pivotal movement about an axis disposed parallel to said pivot axis and having a second end portion slidably received within said slot opening for positioning engagement by said screw device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device according to claim 9, wherein there is also provided in combination a tension spring device, said spring device having opposite ends thereof connected to said operating end portion of said first lever device and to said intermediate portion of said second lever device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |