Patent Application
20200324396
Brass musical instruments typically include valves that are manipulated by a musician to change the tone of the sound produced by the instrument. Valves, e.g. pistons, are typically secured within valve casings of the instrument by threaded top and bottom caps. The valves accumulate moisture, including moisture in the valves, due to water vapor in the musician's breath that is expelled into the instrument. Bottom caps catch the moisture that drains from the valves.
The accumulated moisture often causes corrosion in the instrument that impairs the valve function. As a result, the instrument will require maintenance and repair from time to time, which typically involves removing the valves from the instrument. However, the corrosion can also make valve cap removal difficult and often requires the application of significant force to the valve cap to remove it from the instrument. The position of the valve cap relative to other parts of the instrument can inhibit the application of the adequate force to a valve cap, e.g. valve bottom cap, to remove it from the instrument.
It is with respect to these and other considerations that the disclosure made herein is presented.
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for removing valve caps from an instrument. The apparatus is a tool, such as a socket, with a chamber formed along a longitudinal axis of the tool, where the chamber includes an opening formed in a first end of the tool for receiving a bottom cap of a valve. An inner wall surface of the chamber is tapered from the opening of the tool so that a cross sectional radius of the chamber reduces with respect to the longitudinal axis. The internal wall surface has grooves formed therein for engaging knurls on the bottom cap of the valve.
The tool is applied to the bottom cap of the valve such that the bottom cap is inserted into the chamber until the knurls of the bottom cap engage the grooves of the inner wall surface. Rotational torque is applied to the tool, which transfers the torque to the bottom cap of the valve in order to remove the bottom cap.
One example of the disclosed technology includes an apparatus for removing valve caps from an instrument. The apparatus has a rigid tool body and a chamber is formed along a longitudinal axis of the tool body that has an opening formed in a first end of the tool body for receiving a bottom cap of a valve. An inner wall surface of the chamber tapers from the opening of the tool body such that a cross sectional radius of the chamber reduces with respect to the longitudinal axis. Splines are formed in the internal wall surface for engaging knurls on a bottom cap of the valve.
In some examples, the splines are formed with a V shaped cross section. In other examples, the splines are formed with a semi-circular or scalloped cross section.
In certain examples, the tool body includes a shank formed in a second end of the tool body that is opposite the first end, where the shank is configured to receive a driver for applying torque to the tool body. In yet other examples, the tool body openings formed in a second end of the tool body that is opposite the first end, where the openings are configured to receive a driver for applying torque to the tool body. In particular examples, the apparatus has at least twenty-four splines.
Another example of the disclosed technology involves a method for removing valve caps from an instrument that includes providing an apparatus having a rigid tool body with a chamber formed therein along a longitudinal axis of the tool body. The chamber includes an opening formed in a first end of the tool body for receiving a bottom cap of a valve. An inner wall surface of the chamber is tapered from the opening of the tool body such that a cross sectional radius of the chamber reduces with respect to the longitudinal axis. Splines are formed in the internal wall surface for engaging knurls on a bottom cap of a valve. The method also involves applying the apparatus to the bottom cap of the valve such that the knurls of the bottom cap are engaged by the plurality of splines and applying rotational torque to the tool body to remove the bottom cap.
In some examples, the method involves forming one or more holes in a second end of the tool body that is opposite the first end of the tool body. In these examples, applying rotational torque to the tool body to remove the bottom cap involves inserting a bit of a driver into at least one of the holes in the second end of the tool body and applying force to the driver to provide rotational torque to the tool body. In particular examples, the driver can be a ratchet driver, an impact driver, a spanner wrench or a knockout punch.
In other examples, the method involves forming a shank in a second end of the tool body that is opposite the first end. In these examples, applying rotational torque to the tool body to remove the bottom cap involves applying a wrench to the shank and applying force to the wrench to provide rotational torque to the tool body.
Various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, in which:
a schematic drawing illustrating one example of the relative size, position and dimensions for features and each end of tool 300 with respect to a body 310
Note that the same or similar numbers are used throughout the disclosure and figures to reference like components and features.
The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular arrangement or configuration of the elements except when the arrangement or configuration is explicitly described.
Examples are discussed herein of an apparatus and method for valve cap removal from an instrument, such as a musical instrument. The apparatus is a tool, such as a socket, with a chamber formed along a longitudinal axis of the tool, where the chamber includes an opening formed in a first end of the tool for receiving a bottom cap of a valve, such as a knurled bottom cap of a trumpet valve.
An inner wall surface of the chamber is tapered from the opening of the tool so that a cross sectional radius of the chamber reduces with respect to the longitudinal axis. The taper of the inner wall surface can provide for the tool to accommodate different sizes and configurations of valve bottom caps.
The internal wall surface has splines formed therein for frictionally engaging knurls on the bottom cap of the valve. The splines can have different cross-sectional profiles, such as V shaped, semi-circular or scalloped.
The tool is applied to the bottom cap of the valve such that the bottom cap is inserted into the chamber until the knurls of the bottom cap engage the splines of the inner wall surface. Rotational torque is applied to the tool, such as using a ratchet drive, square shank L wrench, hex key, impact driver, spanner wrench or knock out punch coupled to the tool, which transfers the torque to the bottom cap of the valve in order to remove the bottom cap.
Using the apparatus, a bottom cap of a valve can be removed even when there is significant corrosion in the valve or the valve is difficult to access due to its position on the instrument.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of certain examples of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with references to the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific configurations or examples.
An inner wall surface 114 of the chamber 112 is tapered from the opening 116 of the chamber 112 toward a second end of tool 100 having a shank 120 of the tool 100 so that a cross sectional radius of the chamber 112 reduces with respect to the longitudinal axis. The taper of the inner wall surface 114 can provide for the tool 100 to accommodate different sizes and configurations of valve bottom caps.
The internal wall surface 114 has a plurality splines 118 formed longitudinally therein for engaging knurls on the bottom cap of the valve. The splines can have different cross-sectional profiles, such as V shaped, rounded or scalloped, which is illustrated in further detail below.
The perspective view also illustrates tapered inner wall surface 114 within which splines 118A, 118B and 118C are formed for engaging a bottom cap. Splines 118 are formed in inner surface wall 114 along the inner circumference of chamber 112. The number of splines can be different for differing implementations. For example, more splines in a tool 100 configured to engage a bottom cap having more knurls. This example also includes a spare opening formed at the second end of tool 100 for receiving a driving tool, such as a ratchet drive.
Tool 100 can be applied to valve cap 200 such that the valve cap is inserted into opening 116 in tool 100 until knurls 202 on valve cap 200 engage splines 118 formed in tool 100. The tool 100 can be rotated, such as using shank 120, such that the splines 118 grip knurls 202 and rotate the cap 200, which permits cap 200 to be removed from valve 204.
The cutaway perspective of
Tool 300 has a body 310, which can be metal or another durable material, with a chamber 312 formed therein along a longitudinal axis 302 of the tool, where the chamber 312 includes at an opening 316 formed in a first end of the tool 300 for receiving a bottom cap of a valve, such as a knurled bottom cap of a trumpet valve.
An inner wall surface 314 of the chamber 312 is tapered from the opening 316 of the chamber 312 toward a second end 304 of tool 300 so that a cross sectional radius of the chamber 312 reduces with respect to the longitudinal axis. The taper of the inner wall surface 314 can provide for the tool 300 to accommodate different sizes and configurations of valve bottom caps.
The perspective view of
The end view also illustrates tapered inner wall surface 314 within which splines 318 are formed for engaging a bottom cap. Splines 318 are formed in inner surface wall 314 along the inner circumference of chamber 312. The number of splines can be different for differing implementations. For example, more splines in a tool 300 configured to engage a bottom cap having more knurls. This example also includes an opening 322 formed at a second end 304 of tool 300 for receiving a bit of a driving tool, such as a ratchet drive or wrench. In this example, there are twenty-four splines 318, formed on the inner wall 314 of the apparatus 300 and the number of splines can vary.
In one example, tool 300 has a quarter inch end opening 322 to receive a driver and splines 318 formed with a depth of 0.03 inches. In this example, the inner surface 314 is formed with a maximum diameter of 0.775 inches, from which the inner surface tapers, with splines formed to a maximum diameter of 0.835 inches, e.g. the depth of each of the V shaped splines is 0.03 inches from inner surface 314. A socket preferably has a minimum wall thickness of 0.020 inches to maintain structural integrity.
Similar to the example of
An inner wall surface 414 of the chamber 412 is tapered from the opening 416 of the chamber 412 toward a second end 404 of tool 400 so that a cross sectional radius of the chamber 412 reduces with respect to the longitudinal axis. The taper of the inner wall surface 414 can provide for the tool 400 to accommodate different sizes and configurations of valve bottom caps.
In this example, twenty-four splines 418 are formed in the inner surface 414 of the apparatus that are set apart from one another and have a V shaped cross section. The angle of the V shaped cross section of splines 418 can vary without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.
The perspective view of
Tool 400 can be applied to a valve cap inserted into opening 416 in tool 400 until the knurls of a valve cap engage splines 418 formed in tool 400. The tool 400 can be rotated, such as using an impact wrench engaged with opening 422 or a spanner or knockout punch engaged with holes 424A and 424B formed in a drive end 404 of the apparatus in order to rotate the apparatus 400, such that the splines 418 grip the knurls of a valve cap and rotate the cap to remove it from a valve.
The end view also illustrates tapered inner wall surface 414 within which splines 418 are formed for engaging a bottom cap. Splines 418 are formed in inner surface wall 414 along the inner circumference of chamber 412. The number of splines can be different for differing implementations. For example, more splines in a tool 400 configured to engage a bottom cap having more knurls. This example also includes an opening 422 formed at a second end 404 of tool 400 and holes 424A and 424B for receiving bits of a driving tool, such as an impact driver. In this example, there are twenty-four splines 418, formed on the inner wall 414 of the apparatus 400.
The apparatus 400 can have a square-broached hole 422 formed therein to accommodate a hex-to-square drive adaptor for impact wrench 550 and can include holes 424A and 424B. In the example of
Activation of impact driver 550 applies rotational force to socket 400, which transfers the force to bottom cap of valve 500A via splines 418 engaged with knurls of the bottom cap. The rotational force and the impact provided by driver 550 can loosen and rotate the bottom cap in order to remove the bottom cap from valve 500A. Bottom caps 502B and 502C can be similarly removed using socket 400 and driver 550.
Similar to the example of
An inner wall surface 614 of the chamber 612 is tapered from the opening 616 of the chamber 612 toward a second end 604 of tool 600 so that a cross sectional radius of the chamber 612 reduces with respect to the longitudinal axis. The taper of the inner wall surface 614 can provide for the tool 600 to accommodate different sizes and configurations of valve bottom caps.
In this example, twenty-four splines 618 are formed in the inner surface 614 of the apparatus that are set apart from one another and have a C shaped, semi-circular or scalloped cross section. The shape and size of the C shaped cross section of splines 618 can vary without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.
The perspective view of
The view also illustrates tapered inner wall surface 614 within which shaped splines 618 are formed for engaging a bottom cap. Splines 618 are formed in inner surface wall 614 along the inner circumference of chamber 612. The number of splines can be different for differing implementations. For example, more splines in a tool 600 configured to engage a bottom cap having more knurls. This example also includes an opening 622 formed at a second end 604 of tool 600 and holes 624A and 624B for receiving bits of a driving tool, such as an impact driver. In this example, there are twenty-four C shaped splines 618, formed on the inner wall 614 of the apparatus 600.
In the table, the numbers one through eight, in the column marked #, are ordinal numbers designating a series of sockets increasing in cap diameter capacity. The first entry (#1) accommodates the smallest cap. The last entry (#8) accommodates the largest cap in this series.
Column D represents a nominal outer diameter of each numbered socket, an outer diameter of a tool body. Socket numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 can be made from rod stock one inch in diameter. Socket number 6 can be made from rod stock 1 and 3/16 inches in diameter, socket number 7 can be made from rod stock 1 and ¼ inches in diameter, and number 8 can be made from rod stock 1 and 5/16 inches in diameter.
The numbers under columns ID2 and Spline Radial Depth are dimensions in decimal inches. ID2 represents an inner diameter of the inner surface of the chamber formed in the tool body at the opening to the chamber through which a valve cap is inserted. ID2 sizes are the larger of two internal diameters, the other diameter being ID1, which are not shown in this example, are generally determined by the bored taper angle of the chamber formed in the tool body. As the inner surface wall of the chamber tapers, the internal diameters become smaller corresponding to the depth into the chamber of the socket. The radial depth numbers can be useful for fabrication. The radial depth dimensions are examples of maximum penetration dimensions from first contact of the tapered end mill with the taper-bored raw material, moving radially outward from center.
Note that other sockets can have different dimensions without departing from the disclosed technology.
All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and/or were set forth in its entirety herein.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the specification and in the following claims are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “having,” “including,” “containing” and similar referents in the specification and in the following claims are to be construed as open-ended terms (e.g., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value inclusively falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation to the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to each embodiment of the present invention.
Different arrangements and configurations of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. For example, a user with access to an ordinary bench lathe could shorten the over-all length of the apparatus or reduce the diameter near the opening of the apparatus in order to clear other instrument features, such as cross bracing elements or adjacent tubing, or to clear closely-spaced adjacent valve caps.
Similarly, some features and subcombinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. No. 62/832,194 for “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VALVE CAP REMOVAL” filed Apr. 10, 2019, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62832194 | Apr 2019 | US |
