Patent Application
20140290461
This disclosure relates generally to a musical instrument, and more particularly to a musical instrument that uses a liquid to assist in generating various musical notes or tones.
Musical instruments, such as percussion instruments, wind instruments, and string instruments, are well known. In particular, musical instruments operate by producing a vibration that can be perceived by a human ear as an audible sound and interpreted as a musical note or composition. In order to produce a musical note, the musical instrument must be able to produce a vibration and sometimes amplify the vibration. All musical instruments have a sound generating mechanism that is capable of producing musical notes. For example, a drum head may be struck to produce a vibration or a string may be plucked to produce a vibration. Although such instruments are known, learning how to play and master such instruments can be a time consuming and frustrating endeavor. Further, some musical instruments are very large and are difficult to move from location to location. This may reduce the ability of a musician to practice the instrument. Other musical instruments are very expensive and may not be rented due to their expense. The expense of the instrument may hinder a musician from learning to play the instrument. In view of this, there is always a need to develop a musical instrument that is easy to learn how to play, inexpensive, and of a compact design.
The present disclosure is designed to obviate and overcome many of the disadvantages and shortcomings experienced with prior musical instruments. Moreover, the present disclosure is related to a musical instrument that can be easily manipulated or played to produce various musical notes. The musical instrument of the present disclosure is also simple to learn how to play due to the size of the musical instrument and the nature of the musical instrument.
In one form of the present disclosure, a musical instrument is disclosed which comprises a first tubular member having an inlet end and an outlet end, an interior surface, and an exterior surface, and a second tubular member having an inlet end and a closed end, the second tubular member adapted for receiving the first tubular member for moving the first tubular member relative to the second tubular member, and the second tubular member for receiving and holding a liquid.
In another form of the present disclosure, a musical instrument comprises a first tubular section having an inlet end and an outlet end, an interior surface, and an exterior surface, and a first tubular member having an inlet end and a closed end portion, the first tubular member adapted for receiving the first tubular section for moving the first tubular section relative to the first tubular member, and the first tubular member for receiving and holding a liquid.
In still another form of the present disclosure, a musical instrument comprises a first tubular member having an inlet end, an outlet end, and a first length, a second tubular member having an inlet end, an outlet end, and a second length with the second length being different than the first length, and a third tubular member having an inlet end and a closed end, the third tubular member adapted for receiving the first tubular member or the second tubular member for moving the first tubular member or the second tubular member relative to the third tubular member, and the third tubular member for receiving and holding a liquid.
In light of the foregoing comments, it will be recognized that the musical instrument of the present disclosure is of simple construction and design and which can be easily employed with highly reliable results.
The present disclosure provides a musical instrument that has an inner tubular member that can be displaced relative to an outer tubular member that is operable to produce various musical notes or sounds.
The present disclosure provides a musical instrument that is capable of generating various musical sounds to provide a wide variety of musical notes or compositions.
The present disclosure provides a musical instrument that is lightweight and compact.
The present disclosure also provides a musical instrument that has one moving part which is used to generate musical notes.
The present disclosure further provides a musical instrument that is compact and may easily be carried, stored, transported, inventoried, and operated.
The present disclosure provides a musical instrument that can be constructed using readily available materials.
The present disclosure also provides a musical instrument that is inexpensive.
These and other advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent after considering the following detailed specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numbers refer to like items, number 10 identifies a preferred embodiment of a musical instrument constructed according to the present disclosure. Referring now to
The first tubular member 12 has a length and the second tubular member 14 has a length. Typically, the length of the first tubular member 12 is longer or greater than the length of the second tubular member 14. This allows the first tubular member 12 to extend out of the inlet end 24 of the second tubular member 14. This also provides for easy grasping or handling of the first tubular member 12 relative to the second tubular member 14. It is also possible and contemplated that the length of the first tubular member 12 is smaller or less than the length of the second tubular member 14.
Referring now to
With reference now to
With reference to
The closed end 130 allows the third tubular member 126 to hold or store a liquid, such as water, when the first tubular member 102 or the second tubular member 114 is inserted therein. When a liquid is placed in the third tubular member 126 and the first tubular member 102 or the second tubular member 114 is inserted therein, the musical instrument 100 may be operated or played. In particular, the first tubular member 102 or the second tubular member 114 may be moved relative to the third tubular member 126 by sliding the first tubular member 102 or the second tubular member 114 up and down and by a player blowing air by or into the inlet end 104 or 116 to produce a musical note. By moving the first tubular member 102 or the second tubular member 114 relative to the third tubular member 126 various other musical notes may be generated or produced. The first tubular member 102 or the second tubular member 114 are also centered within the third tubular member 126. A liquid inserted into the third tubular member 126 functions as a lubricant to facilitate movement of the first tubular member 102 or the second tubular member 114 relative to the third tubular member 126. The exterior surface 110 of the first tubular member 102 and the second tubular member 114 are adapted to frictionally engage the interior surface 132 of the third tubular member 126.
The length 112 of the first tubular member 102 may be longer or greater than the length 136 of the third tubular member 126. This allows the first tubular member 102 to extend out of the inlet end 126 of the third tubular member 126. By way of example only, the length 112 may be a half inch greater than the length 136. Also, the length 124 of the second tubular member 114 may be shorter or less than the length 136 of the third tubular member 126. It is also possible that the length 124 may be equal to the length 136. The first tubular member 102 has a diameter and the third tubular member 126 has a diameter. As can be appreciated, the diameter of the first tubular member 102 is less than the diameter of the third tubular member 126. This allows the first tubular member 102 to fit within the third tubular member 126. The second tubular member 114 also has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the third tubular member 126. The diameters of the first tubular member 102, the second tubular member 114, and the third tubular member 126 are shown to be circular in shape or cross-section. Although not shown, it is also possible that the third tubular member 126 may be constructed having the centering nubs 58, 60, 62, and 64. Further, the closed end 130 may take on any form such as a concave end, a convex end, or a flat end, as has been previously described with reference to the closed end 26.
Preferably, the musical instruments 10 and 100 will be constructed of a relatively lightweight material so that it can be easily handled and played. By way of example only, the musical instrument 10 and 100 may be constructed of a tubing such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) tubing, wood, metal, polymer clay, plastic, glass, carbon fiber, or ceramic. The first tubular member 12 and the second tubular member 14 and the first tubular member 102, the second tubular member 114, and the third tubular member 126 may be straight to facilitate a smooth motion when moving the first tubular member 12 relative to the second tubular member 14 or the first tubular member 102 or the second tubular member 114 relative to the third tubular member 126. Although the tubular members 12, 14, 102, 114, and 126 have been depicted having a circular cross-section, it is also possible that the cross-sections may take on other shapes. Again, by way of example only, an oval cross-section, an egg shaped cross-section, or a rectangular cross-section may be used. It is also contemplated that the tubular members 12, 14, 102, 114, and 126 may be clear, colored, or have a pattern or a logo printed thereon or incorporated therein.
From all that has been said, it will be clear that there has thus been shown and described herein a musical instrument which fulfills the various objects and advantages sought therefor. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the subject musical instrument are possible and contemplated. All changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure are deemed to be covered by the disclosure, which is limited only by the claims which follow.
