US 20150243265A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2015/0243265 A1 Laukat et al. (43) Pub. Date: Aug. 27, 2015

(54) MUSICAL INSTRUMENT VIBRATIONAL Publication Classification ENERGY MODIFICATION APPARATUS AND SYSTEM (51) Int. Cl. GOD 9/02 (2006.01) (71) Applicant: Cannonball Musical Instruments, GOD 9/00 (2006.01) Sandy, UT (US) (52) U.S. Cl. CPC. G10D 9/02 (2013.01); G10D 9/00 (2013.01) (72) Inventors: Sheryl Laukat, Sandy, UT (US); Tevis (57) ABSTRACT Laukat, Sandy, UT (US); Ryan Laukat, A musical wind instrument, comprising a mouthpiece, key Cottonwood Heights, UT (US); Ryan mechanism, body, and an alternative material bridge that is Lilywhite, Sandy, UT (US); Randal couple a first and second opposite facing tube. There is in an Clark, Herriman, UT (US); Howard alternative embodiment at least one coupling mechanism Summers, Lehi, UT (US) affixed to at least one of the opposite facing tubes designed to releasably hold the wood based material bridge against the (21) Appl. No.: 14/631,605 first and second tubes. Alternatively there is a musical wind instrument made of a predominantly first material, compris ing a mouthpiece, key mechanism, and body; at least a first (22) Filed: Feb. 25, 2015 and second tube having a portion thereof being spatially opposite to each other respectively, and a bridge, having a first and second end that are coupled to the first and second tube Related U.S. Application Data respectively, wherein the bridge is made of an alternative (60) Provisional application No. 61/944,423, filed on Feb. material that is different from the predominantly first material 25, 2014. of the instrument.

Patent Application Publication Aug. 27, 2015 Sheet 1 of 7 US 2015/0243265 A1

FIG. 1 Patent Application Publication Aug. 27, 2015 Sheet 2 of 7 US 2015/0243265 A1

108 Patent Application Publication Aug. 27, 2015 Sheet 3 of 7 US 2015/0243265 A1

104

108

152

FIG. 4 Patent Application Publication Aug. 27, 2015 Sheet 4 of 7 US 2015/0243265 A1

104

108 Patent Application Publication Aug. 27, 2015 Sheet 5 of 7 US 2015/0243265 A1

FIG. 6 Patent Application Publication Aug. 27, 2015 Sheet 6 of 7 US 2015/0243265 A1

104 140

122

1OO

108 n

FIG. 7 Patent Application Publication Aug. 27, 2015 Sheet 7 of 7 US 2015/0243265 A1

g

3 US 2015/0243265 A1 Aug. 27, 2015

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT VIBRATIONAL 0012 U.S. Pat. No. 4,320,686, to Lewis, issued Mar. 23, ENERGY MODIFICATION APPARATUS AND 1982, is a wind instrument having a mouthpiece connected to SYSTEM the inner end of a tube forming an elongated resonating cham ber. CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED 0013 U.S. Pat. No. 1,555,986, to Keefer, issued Oct. 6, APPLICATIONS 1925, teaches of a tuning device for musical wind instrument. 0014 U.S. Pat. No. 2,033,774, to Loomis, issued 1936, 0001. This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional teaches of new saxophone design. Patent Application entitled “MUSICAL INSTRUMENT (0015 U.S. Pat. No. 2,474,336, to Gillespy, issued in 1945, VIBRATIONAL ENERGY MODIFICATIONAPPARATUS teaches of a new saxophone design. AND SYSTEM, Ser. No. 61/944,423, filed Feb. 25, 2014, 0016 U.S. Pat. No. 2.971,423, to LaBlanc, issued in 1961, now pending, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated teaches of a new saxophone bridge design. entirely herein by reference. 0017 U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,095, to Davidson, issued in 1997, teaches of a new dampening wedge material made of a BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION polymeric material used in wind musical instruments to 0002 1. Technical Field dampen the vibrational energy in the instrument by placing 0003. The present disclosure is directed to a musical the polymeric material between opposing tubes of the instru instrument and method for a personal to create music. More ment. specifically, there is an apparatus and method for modifying 0018 None of these prior art patents or applications the Sounds or Sound energy on known instruments, like a teaches the disclosed invention either singly or in combina saxophone, by replacing the Support connecting struts with tion. What is needed in the art of musical instruments is an different material, like wood, stone, plastic, polymers or any instrument or technique to modify, affect, alter, impact or other material not making up the majority of the Subject adjusta wind instrument's vibrational energy or sound energy instrument, in the instrument as disclosed in the specification for certain tones that are created by the instrument at the of the invention and related claims. manufacturing stage, after the initial manufacturing stage, by the musician, or in a time other than during the active playing 0004 2. State of the Art of the instrument, which is typically only controlled by the 0005. It is well known to in the art how to create sounds on keys and mouthpiece of the instrument. Additionally, there is wind instruments, like saxophones and such. It is also well a need for an instrument that has a design or a method for a known in the art to provide a mouth piece and instrument person to be able to affect, alter, modify or impact the perma body, with keys coupled thereto that are used to modify the nent sound or vibrational characteristics of the whole instru Sound energy to create various tones. The following patents ment musical range, or selected portions thereof are provided as examples of Such known art, and are herein incorporated by reference for their supporting teachings to SUMMARY the disclosed invention, whereby: 0006 U.S. Pat. No. 7,335,831 B2, by Laukat, issued in 0019. The present invention has been developed in 2008, teaches of placing hard material on selected spots out response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in side the tubing of wind instruments to affect the vibrational response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet energy of the musical instrument. been fully solved by currently available containers and lotions. Accordingly, the present invention has been devel 0007 U.S. Pat. No. 7,439,429, by Wood al., issued Oct. oped to provide a musical instrument and/or a manufacturing 21, 2008, is a wind instrument with improved tonal charac method or adjustment technique to modify, affect, alter, teristics by positioning an octave hole, an octave key mecha impact or adjust a wind instrument's vibrational energy or nism, and a water key on a surface of the wind instrument that Sound energy for certain tones that are created by the instru is not a tone rich region. mentator after the manufacturing stage or in a time other than 0008 US Patent App. 2004/0003702 to Ahrens, pub. Date during the active playing of the instrument, by the musician, of Jan. 8, 2004, is a flute comprising first and second cham which is typically only controlled by the keys and mouthpiece bers in which Sound is resonated and a tone hole disposed at of the instrument. Additionally, there is provided a device that and shared by the first and second chambers. has or method for a person to be able to affect, alter, modify or 0009 U.S. Pat. No. 4.341,146 to Massa, issued July 27, impact the permanent sound or vibrational characteristics of 1982, is a musical instrument combining a modified portion at least a portion of the instrument musical range. More of a tenor saxophone with a modified portion of a Soprano specifically, there is an apparatus and method for modifying saxophone joined together by means of a bracket whereby the Sounds or Sound energy on known instruments, like a one of the two instruments can be moved relative to the other saxophone, by replacing the Support connecting struts with to obtain proper alignment. different material, like wood, Stone, plastic, polymers or any 0010 U.S. Pat. No. 6,476,302, on Nov. 5, 2002, to Liu, is other material not making up the majority of the Subject a saxophone with a main body, a neck, a treble connection set, instrument, in the instrument as disclosed in the specification a connection rod, and a link set. of the invention. 0011 US Patent App. 2005/0217464, to Onozawa et al., 0020 Reference throughout this specification to features, pub. Data of Oct. 6, 2005, is a hybrid saxophone whit the advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the combination of an acoustic saxophone and an electronic sys features advantages that may be realized with the present tem, and the electronic system includes key sensors for moni invention should be or are in any single embodiment or the toring the keys and a tonguing sensor for detecting the posi invention. Rather, language referring to the features and tion of the tongue together with a breath sensor and a lip advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, SSO. advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an US 2015/0243265 A1 Aug. 27, 2015

embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the tube, the valve(s), the bell, the bow, and the like. For example, present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advan if the woodwind instrument is a saxophone, the body of the tages, and similar language, throughout this specification instrument includes the reed, neck, body tube, bow, bridge/ may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment. brace, and bell. 0021. The foregoing and other features and advantages of 0035. As used herein, “key mechanism' includes the key the present invention will be apparent from the following and the pieces that are coupled to, or function with the key to more detailed description of the particular embodiments of facilitate the opening and/or closing of a tone hole. the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 0036. As used herein, “water key” includes any water key Such as, for example, spit valves, amatos, and the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 0037. As used herein, “wind instrument includes any 0022. A more complete understanding of the present instrument in which column of air is put into vibration by a invention may be derived by referring to the detailed descrip player blowing into or over a mouthpiece. Wind instruments tion and claims when considered in connection with the Fig include, for example, woodwinds and brass instruments. ures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items 0038. As used herein, “woodwind instrument” is con throughout the Figures, and: served to be part of the wind instrument family, and includes 0023 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an alto saxophone: any instrument in which Sound is produced by blowing 0024 FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of an instrument through a mouthpiece againstan edge or a vibrating reed. The with a brace coupled thereto; pitch may be varied by opening or closing the holes in the 0025 FIG.3 is a top diagrammatical view of an instrument body of the instrument. “Woodwind instrument is a class with a brace coupled thereto; definition, and does not necessarily restrict the class to instru 0026 FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a brace; ments made of wood. As such, woodwind instruments may be 0027 FIG. 5 is diagrammatical view of another embodi constructed of any material suitable for construction of a wind ment of an instrument with a brace coupled thereto; instrument. Some examples of woodwind instruments 0028 FIG. 6 is a top diagrammatical view of another include: Single reed woodwinds such as arghul, aulochrome, basset horn, clarinet, E-flat clarinet, alto clarinet, bass clari embodiment of an instrument with a brace coupled thereto; net, contra-alto clarinet, contrabass clarinet, launeddas, 0029 FIG. 7 is a section view of the instrument and brace mijwiz, rothphone, Sarrusophone, saxophone, Soprillo, Sop of FIG. 6 taken along line 7-7; and ranino saxophone, Soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor 0030 FIG. 8 is a side view of an instrument with two saxophone, C melody saxophone, baritone saxophone, bass braces coupled between tube portions of the instrument. saxophone, contrabass saxophone, Subcontrabass saxo DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS phone, tubax, tarogato and the like; double-reed woodwinds Such as bassanelli, bassoon, contrabassoon, bombarde, OF THE INVENTION duduk, dulcian, dulzania, guan, heckelphone, piccolo heck 0031. For the purposes of promoting an understanding of elphone, hook, mizmar, nadaswaram, oboe, piccolo oboe, the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to oboe d'amore, English horn, oboe da caccia, racket, Shawm, the exemplary embodiment. Wherein, each statement of an shehnai, Suona, Surnay, tromboon, trompeta china, Zurna, embodiment is to be considered independent or any other bagpipes, cornamuse, crumhorn, hirtenschalmei, kortholt, embodiment, despite any use of similar or identical language. rauschpfeife, and the like; and flutes such as banSuri, flute, 0032 Reference throughout this specification to “one fife, piccolo, Western concert flute, alto flute, bass flute, con embodiment,” “an embodiment, or similar language means trabass flute, ryuteki, hocchiku, kaval, ney, quena, shakuha that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described chi, flageolet, gemshorn, ocarina, recorder, tin whistle, penny in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one whistle, tonette, and the like. embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of 0039. As used herein, “brass instrument” is considered the phrases “one embodiment,” “an embodiment, and simi part of the wind instrument family, and includes any instru lar language throughout this specification may, but do not ment in which sound is produced by vibration of the lips as the necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, different player blows into a resonator, and are thus also known as embodiments, or component parts of the same or different labroSones. Brass instruments have various general ways of illustrated invention. Additionally, reference to the wording varying the tone. In one class of brass instruments, the tone is “an embodiment, or the like, for two or more features, ele varied only by increasing or decreasing the rate of vibrations ments, etc. does not mean that the features are related, dis of the lips. In such instruments, the only available tones are similar, the same, etc. The use of the term “an embodiment.” those in the harmonic series of the instrument. On example of or similar wording, is merely a convenient phrase to indicate Such an instrument is the bugle. In a third class of brass optional features, which may or may not be part of the inven instruments, the tone may be varied by changing the length of tion as claimed. the tubing using a slide. One example of such an instrument is 0033. As used herein, “tonal characteristics’ includes any the trombone. In yet another class of brass instruments, the of the characteristics Such as timbre, pitch, tonal consistency, tone may be varied by covering and/or uncovering holes evenness, tone quality, focus, clarity, character, warmth, cen along the body of the instrument. One example of Such an tering, and/or depth of Sound. instrument is the cornetto. Brass instrument may also vary 0034. As used herein, “body' includes any part of the wind tone by using a combination of the above techniques. “Brass instrument used for the generation of Sound, or the Surface instrument is a class definition, and does not necessarily along which, or through which, the Sound resonates and/or restrict the class to instruments made of brass. As such, brass travels. That is, the body will include the structure through instruments may be constructed of any material Suitable for which the forced air and/or sound vibrations flow. The body construction of a wind instrument. Some examples of brass may include, for example, the mouthpiece, the neck, the body instruments include: trumpets, bass trumpets, flumpets, US 2015/0243265 A1 Aug. 27, 2015

French horns, tubas, Wagner tubas, trombones, Superbones, material that the majority of the instrument has been made of: bugles, Sousaphones, mellophones, euphoniums, flugelhorns, that being the previously referred to brass and its alloys. Such saxhorns, cornets, cornetto, serpents, Sackbuts, bazookas, metallic material bridges have certain vibrational energy horns, ophicleides, didgeridoos, shofars, conches, alphorns, rigidity as to cause certain restrictions in the acoustic energy cimbassos, keyed trumpets, and the like. created by the playing of the instrument. 0040. As used herein, “region' is interchangeable with 0045. Thereby, by replacing the traditional metallic based 'Surface' when indicating a concave surface, tone-rich material bridge with that of a different material, like a more region, convex surface, non tone-rich region, and the like. resilient soft absorbing wood based material, there would be 0041 Finally, the fact that the wording “an embodiment.” a notable affect to the overall tone of the wind instrument that or the like, does not appear at the beginning of every sentence is desirous to the listener. in the specification, such as is the practice of some practitio 0046. The following is a list of known softwoods and ners, is merely a convenience for the reader's clarity. How hardwoods that are considered included embodiments of the ever, it is the intention of this application to incorporate by wood based bridge/brace 122 that are intended to be incor reference the phrasing “an embodiment, and the like, at the porated in the design of the described wind instrument. In beginning of every sentence herein where logically possible particular, the woods intended to be used are as follows: and appropriate. 0047 Softwoods (coniferous) 0042 FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of a wood 0048 Araucaria wind instrument according to one embodiment of the present 0049 hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii) invention. In this illustration, the woodwind instrument is a 0050 Parana pine (Araucaria angustifolia) saxophone 100, specifically, an alto saxophone. The Wood 0051 monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana) Wind instrument includes a neck 102, a body tube 104, a bow 0.052 cedar (Cedrus) 106, and a bell 108. Along the body tube 104, bow 106 and 0.053 celery-top pine (Phyllocladus aspleniifolius) bell 108, there may be at least one tone hole 114. At least one 0054 cypress (Chamaecyparis, Cupressus, Taxodium) key 112 may also be provided. The key 112 may be config 0055 Arizona cypress (Cupressus arizonica) ured to control the opening and/or closing of the tone hole 114 0056 bald cypress, southern cypress (Taxodium dis when depressed. The keys 112 may be linked to tone hole tichum) covers through a key mechanism. In one embodiment, the 0057 alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides) tone holes 114 may be biased in the closed or open position, 0.058 hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) and the keys 112, when depressed, may be configured to open 0059 Lawson's cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoni the tone holes 114 that are biased in a closed position, and/or ana) close the tone holes 114 that are biased in an open position. 0060 Mediterranean cypress (Cupressus sempervi There may be a series of tone holes 114 and keys 112. The rens) series oftone holes 114 and keys 112 may be configured such 0061 Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) that the depressing of keys 112 opens certain of the tone hole 0062 coast Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. covers. For example, the low Band low B flat tone holes may menziesii) be biased in an open position. Conversely, the low C sharp 0063 Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga tone hole may be biased in a closed position. menziesii var. glauca) 0043. In FIGS. 2-5, there is an illustration of a saxophone 0.064 European yew (Taxus baccata) portion with the invention mounted thereto. This saxophone 0065 fir (Abies) 10 represent one embodiment of the wind instrument family, 0.066 balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and is used to illustrate the application of the invention as it is 0067 silver fir (Abies alba) applied to the representative saxophone. Wherein, it is under 0068 noble fir (Abies procera) stood by those skilled in the art of musical wind instrument 0069 Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis) design and fabrication that any wind instrument can used to 0070 hemlock (Tsuga) illustrate the embodiments of the invention as described 0071 eastern hemlock (Tsuga Canadensis) herein. Specifically, in this embodiment, there is illustrated 0072 mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana) the use of at lease one brace 122 coupled between tubes 104 0073 western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and 108 being spatially opposite each other, such as, but not 0.074 Huon pine, Macquarie pine (Lagarostrobos fran limited to, having relatively opposing parallel traversing posi Klinii) tions. Uniquely, the brace/bridge 122 may be made of any 0075 kauri (New Zealand) (Agathis australis) non-brass based material. Such as wood material or wood 0.076 Queensland kauri (Australia) (Agathis robusta) based, cellulose-based, fibrous-based, non-metallic material, 0.077 Japanese nutmeg-yew, kaya (Torreya nucifera) in addition it is contemplated to use: any plastic, all known 0078 larch (Larix) polymers, any synthetic, all composite materials, any stone, 0079 European larch (Larix decidua) all precious stone, or any other known material that does not 0080 Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) make up the largest portion of the musical instrument, typi I0081 tamarack (Larix laricina) cally being brass or brass alloys. However, in this embodi I0082 western larch (Larix Occidentalis) ment, any type of previously known musical wind instrument 0.083 pine (Pinus) material may be used for the tubes for the application of the I0084 European black pine (Pinus nigra) present invention. I0085 jack pine (Pinus banksiana) 0044) Referring now to construction of the bridge 122 of I0086 lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) the invention, it has been discovered by the present inventors, I0087 Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) that prior art designs of the bridge have been made of a I0088 ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) metallic material, which has typically matched the same I0089 red pine (North America) (Pinus resinosa) US 2015/0243265 A1 Aug. 27, 2015

0090 Scots pine, red pine (UK) (Pinus Sylvestris) (O153 European birches (0091 white pine 0154 silver birch (Betula pendula) 0092 eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) 0155 downy birch (Betula pubescens) 0.093 western white pine (Pinus monticola) 0156 blackbean (Castanospermum australe) 0094) sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana) 0157 black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) (0095 southern yellow pine 0158 blackwood (0.096 loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) 0159 Australian blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon) 0097 longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) 0160 African blackwood, mpingo (Dalbergia mel (0.098 pitch pine (Pinus rigida) anoxylon) 0099 shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) 0.161 boxelder (Acer negundo) 01.00 redcedar 0162 boxwood, common box (Buxus sempervirens) 0101 eastern redcedar, (Juniperus virginiana) 0.163 Brazilian walnut (Ocotea porosa) 0102) western redcedar (Thuja plicata) 0.164 Brazilwood (Caesalpinia echinata) 0103 coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) 0.165 bubinga (Guibourtia spp.)3 0104 rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum) 0166 buckeye (Aesculus) 0105 spruce (Picea) 0.167 horse-chestnut (Aesculus hippocastianum) 0106 Norway spruce (Picea abies) 0168 Ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra) 0107 black spruce (Picea mariana) 0169 yellow buckeye (Aesculus flava) 0.108 red spruce (Picea rubens) 0170 butternut (Juglans cinerea) 0109 Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) 0171 California bay laurel (Umbellularia Californica) 0110 white spruce (Picea glauca) 0172 camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora) 0111 Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) 0173 carapa (Carapa guianensis)4 0112 whitecedar 0.174 catalpa, catawba (Catalpa) 0113 northern whitecedar (Thuja occidentalis) 0.175 Ceylon satinwood (Chloroxylon Swietenia) 0114 Atlantic whitecedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) (0176 cherry (Prunus) 0115 Nootka cypress (Cupressus nootkatensis) (0177 black cherry (Prunus serotina) 0116. Hardwoods (angiosperms) 0.178 red cherry (Prunus pensylvanica) 0117 abachi (Triplochiton scleroxylon) (0179 wild cherry (Prunus avium) 0118 African padauk (Pterocarpus Soyauxii) 0180 Cape chestnut (Calodendrum capense) 0119 afzelia, doussi (Afzelia africana) 0181 coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum) I0120 agba, tola (Gossweilerodendron balsamiferum) 0182 cocobolo (Dalbergia retusa) I0121 alder (Alnus) 0183 corkwood (Leitneria floridana) I0122) black alder (Alnus glutinosa) 0.184 cottonwood I0123 red alder (Alnus rubra) 0185 balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) 0.124 American chestnut (Castanea dentata) 0186 eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) (0.125 ash (Fraxinus) 0187 swamp cottonwood (Populus heterophylla) 0.126 black ash (Fraxinus nigra) 0188 cucumbertree (Magnolia acuminata) I0127 blue ash (Fraxinus quadrangulata) 0189 dogwood (Cornus spp.) I0128 commonash (Fraxinus excelsior) 0.190 flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) I0129 green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) 0191 Pacific dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) 0.130 Oregon ash (Fraxinus latifolia)1 0.192 ebony (Diospyros) I0131 pumpkin ash (Fraxinus profinda) 1 0193 Andaman marblewood (Diospyros kurzii) I0132) white ash (Fraxinus americana) 0194 ebene marbre (Diospyros melanida) 0.133 aspen (Populus) 0.195 African ebony (Diospyros crassiflora).5 0.134 bigtooth aspen (Populus grandidentata) 0.196 elm 0.135 European aspen (Populus tremula) 0.197 American elm (Ulmus americana) 0.136 quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) 0198 English elm (Ulmus procera) 0.137 Australian red cedar (Toona ciliata) (0199 rock elm (Ulmus thomasii) 0.138 ayan, movingui (Distemonanthus benthamianus) 0200 slippery elm, red elm (Ulmus rubra) 2 0201 Wych elm (Ulmus glabra) 0.139 balsa (Ochroma pyramidale) 0202 eucalyptus 0140 basswood, linden 0203 Lyptus: flooded gum (Eucalyptus grandis) 0141 American basswood (Tilia americana)1 0204 white mahogany (Eucalyptus acmenoides) 0.142 white basswood (Tilia heterophylla)1 0205 brown mallet (Eucalyptus astringens)6 0.143 beech (Fagus) 0206 banglay, Southern mahogany (Eucalyptus bot 0144 European beech (Fagus Sylvatica) rvoides) 0145 American beech (Fagus grandifolia) 0207 river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) 014.6 birch (Betula) 0208 karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor) 0147 American birches 0209 blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) 0.148 gray birch (Betula populifolia) 0210 flooded gum, rose gum (Eucalyptus grandis) 0.149 blackbirch (Betula nigra) 0211 York gum (Eucalyptus loxophleba)6 0.150 paper birch (Betula papyrifera) 0212 jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) 0151 sweet birch (Betula lenta) 0213 tallowwood (Eucalyptus microcorys) 0152 yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) 0214 grey ironbark (Eucalyptus paniculata) US 2015/0243265 A1 Aug. 27, 2015

0215 blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis) 0274 mahogany 0216 mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) 0275 true mahogany (Swietenia)7 0217 Australian oak (Eucalyptus obliqua) 0276 West Indies mahogany (Swietenia 0218 alpine ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis) mahagoni) 0219 red mahogany (Eucalyptus resinifera) 0277 bigleaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) 0220 Swamp mahogany, Swamp messmate (Euca 0278 Pacific Coast mahogany (Swietenia humilis) lyptus robusta) 0279 other mahogany 0221 Sydney blue gum (Eucalyptus saligna) 0280 African mahogany (Khaya spp.) 0222 mugga, red ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon) 0281 Chinese mahogany (Toona sinensis) 0223 redwood (Eucalyptus transcontinentalis)6 0224 wandoo (Eucalyptus wandoo)6 0282 Australian red cedar, Indian mahogany 0225 European crabapple (Malus Sylvestris) (Toona ciliata) 0226 European pear (Pyrus communis) 0283 Philippine mahogany (Toona calantas) 0227 goncalo alves (Astronium spp.) 0284 maple (Acer) 0228 greenheart (Chlorocardium rodiei) (0285) hard maple 0229 grenadilla, mpingo (Dalbergia melanoxylon) 0286 Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) 0230 guanandi (Calophyllum brasiliense) 0287 black maple (Acer nigrum) 0231 gum (Eucalyptus) (0288 soft maple 0232 hackberry (Celtis Occidentalis) 0289 boxelder (Acer negundo) 0233 hickory (Carya) 0290 red maple (Acer rubrum) 0234 pecan (Carya illinoinensis) 0291 silver maple (Acer saccharinum) 0235 pignut hickory (Carya glabra) 0292 European maple 0236 shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) 0293 Sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) 0237 shellbark hickory (Carya laciniosa) 0294 marblewood (Marmaroxylon racemosum) 0238 hornbeam (Carpinus spp.) 0295 marri, red gum (Corymbia calophylla) 0239 American hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) 0296 meranti (Shorea spp.) 0240 iroko, African teak (Milicia excelsa) 0297 merbau, ipil (Intsia bijuga) 0241 ironwood 0298 oak (Quercus) 0242 balau (Shorea spp.) 0299 white oak 0243 American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) 0300 white oak (Quercus alba) 0244 sheoak, Polynesian ironwood (Casuarina 0301 bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) equisetifolia) 0302 post oak (Quercus stellata) 0245 giant ironwood (Choricarpia subargentea) 0303 swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) 0246 diesel tree (Copaifera langsdorffii) 0304 southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) 0247 Borneo ironwood (Eusideroxylon zwageri) 0305 swamp chestnut oak (Quercus michauxii) 0248 Lignum vitae 0306 chestnut oak (Quercus prinus) 0249 guaiacwood (Guaiacum officinale) 0307 chinkapin oak (Quercus muhlenbergii) 0250) holywood (Guaiacum sanctum) 0308 canyon live oak (Quercus chrysolepis) 0251 takian (Hopea odorata) 0309 overcup oak (Quercus lyrata) 0252) ipe (Handroanthus spp.) 0310 English oak (Quercus robur) 0253 black ironwood (Krugiodendron ferreum) 0311 red oak 0254 Lebombo ironwood Androstachys johnsonii 0312 northern red oak (Quercus rubra) 0255 Catalina ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribun 0313 eastern black oak (Quercus velutina) dus) 0314 laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia) 0256 Ceylon ironwood (Mesua ferrea) 0315 southern red oak (Quercus falcata) (0257) olive (Olea spp.) 0316 water oak (Quercus nigra) 0258 desert ironwood (Olneya tesota) 0317 willow oak (Quercus phellos) 0259 Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica) 0318 Nuttalls oak (Quercus texana) 0260 Brazilian ironwood, pau ferro (Caesalpinia 0319 okoumé (Aucoumea klaineana) ferrea) 0261 yellow lapacho (Tabebuia serratifolia) 0320 olive (Olea europaea) 0262 jacarandá-boca-de-Sapo (Jacaranda brasiliana) 0321 pink ivory (Berchemia zeyheri) 0263 jacarandá de Brasil (Dalbergia nigra) 0322 poplar 0264 jatobá (Hymenaea courbaril) 0323 balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) 0265 kingwood (Dalbergia cearensis) 0324 black poplar (Populus nigra) 0266 lacewood 0325 hybrid black poplar (PopulusXCanadensis) 0267 northern silky oak (Cardwellia sublimis) 0326 tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) 0268 American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) 0327 purpleheart (Peltogyne spp.) 0269 London plane (Platanusxacerifolia) 0328 Queensland maple (Flindersia brayleyana) 0270 limba (Terminalia superba) 0329 Queensland walnut (Endiandra palmerstonii) 0271 locust 0330 ramin (Gonystylus spp.) 0272 black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) 0331 redheart, chakté-coc (Erythroxylon mexicanum) 0273 honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) 0332 Sal (Shorea robusta) US 2015/0243265 A1 Aug. 27, 2015

0333 Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) trated, and the second coupling 124 may have a hole 126 0334 sandalwood (Santalum spp.) positioned therein. Thus, in operation, this design allows for 0335 Indian sandalwood (Santalum album) one end of the bridge 122 to be placed in the hole 126, and 0336 sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum) then allowing the opposite end of the bridge 122 to be rota 0337 Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) tively slid 123 along slot 129 in coupling 125 and fit therebe 0338 southern Sassafras (Atherosperma moschatum) tween the two tubes 104 and 108, as illustrated. In this 0339 satiné, satinwood (Brosimum rubescens)8] embodiment, the bridge 222 will be slightly longer than the 0340 silky oak (Grevillea robusta) distance between the two couplings 124 surfaces so that there 0341 silver wattle (Acacia dealbata) will be a pressure fit therein between. But, any other known 0342 sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) retaining system is contemplated in this invention, like a pin 0343 Spanish-cedar (Cedrella odorata) inserted through the coupling and end of bridge 222, or a 0344 Spanish elm (Cordia alliodora) gripping or retaining piece that holds the bridge in place, or 0345 tamboti (Spirostachys africana) any other known retaining system found in the prior art of 0346 teak (Tectona grandis) retaining devices. 0347 Thailand rosewood (Dalbergia cochinchinensis) 0365 Alternatively, there may be only one coupling 0348 tupelo (Nyssa spp.) mechanisms 124 used herein, (not shown) where one cou 0349 turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera) pling 124 is located on only one tube 104, to releasably hold 0350 walnut (Juglans) that end of the bridge 122 in place and allowing the other end 0351 eastern black walnut (Juglans nigra) to also rotatively be placed against the surface of tube 108 and 0352 common walnut (Juglans regia) also have a pressure fit design without the use of a coupling 0353 wenge (Millettia laurentii) mechanism against tube 108, and having a more intimate 0354 panga-panga (Millettia stuhlmannii) contact with the surface of the instrument 100. 0355 willow (Salix) 0366 Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is illustrated an 0356) black willow (Salix nigra) alternative design where the bridge 122 has no coupling 0357 cricket-bat willow (Salix alba 'Caerulea) mechanism attached to the instrument 100. In particular, the 0358 white willow (Salix alba) bridge 122 may be pressure fit against the surfaces of the 0359 weeping willow (Salix babylonica) adjacent tubes 104 and 108. It is noted, that there is illustrated 0360 Zingana, African Zebrawood (Microberlinia braz a curved surface 130 that may be matched in the bridge 122 to zavillensis) effect a more conformal fit between the bridge 122 and the 0361. In addition to the list of woods currently know, other instrument Surface. material are included, like polymers, plastics, Stones and pre 0367. In either design, the coupling mechanisms would cious stones, etc. are contemplated herein, wherein a list of all allow for the removal of a first bridge 122 and replace it with those materials will not be provided in this specification, as a second bridge (not illustrated), whereby the first and second they are commonly found in many reference books, which are bridges would be of different material from each other. Spe herein incorporated by reference for their supportive teach cifically, the different materials will provide the instrumen 1ngS. talist to affect or change the tonal qualities created by the 0362. In an additional embodiments of the disclosure, different materials and their different harness of material or FIGS. 2-5 illustrate a portion of the saxophone 100 showing vibrational transmission qualities. In particular, the qualities the positioning of the alternative material brace 122. In par know from the different materials would be the harnesses, ticular, in reference to FIG.3, in this embodiment, the bridge vibration ability, rigidity, density, and other qualities known 122 may be removably coupled between the tubes 104 and by those skilled in the art of wood science. 108. To attach the removable bridge 122, in one embodiment, 0368. In an alternative embodiment, the bridge 122 is there may be an attached coupling mechanism 124, 125. envisioned in one embodiment to be formed partially hollow which may be permanently coupled to the saxophone 100, yet 140 and partially solid along its longitudinal length. Wherein, designed to removably hold the bridge 122. Each coupling the solid and hollow 140 portions may be located in any mechanism 124,125 may be coupled to removable bridge 122 region of the bridge 122. with a bolt through corresponding apertures and/or recesses. 0369 Additionally, although a single bridge 122 is illus 0363 As shown, coupling mechanism 125 may include a trated in the wind instrument, it is also contemplated to utilize slot 130 that forms a first side 134 and a second side 136, and more than one bridge 122 on the instrument 100. In fact, the an aperture 132 extending through the first side 134 and the use of multiple bridges 122 is common on Some instruments second side 136, wherein the aperture extends through the 100 like a flugelhorn as shown in FIG. 8 that have at least two slot 130. A first end 150 of the bridge 122 may include a first tubes 104 and 108. Similarly, multiple bridges 122 may be aperture 160, wherein the first end 150 of bridge 122 may used on other types of instruments. Such as, but not limited to, slide into slot 130 such that the aperture 132 of the coupling trumpets, trombones, French horns, etc. mechanism 125 aligns with the aperture 160 of the first end 0370. It is also contemplated to replace known bridges in 150 of bridge 122. A coupling device 154 may then engage their known locations with the new alternative material. It is the apertures 132 and 160. A second end 152 of bridge 122 also contemplated to place additional alternative material may include a second aperture 162 that aligns with a recess based braces 122 in locations not previously taught by the 138 of coupling mechanism 124. A coupling device 154 may prior art or traditionally known. then engage second aperture 162 and recess 138. In some 0371. It is also contemplated that the dimensions of the embodiment, there may be more than one second aperture bridge does not have to be a single uniform dimension. For 162 through second end 142 of bridge 122. example, the bridge 12 may contemplate a straight shape, but 0364. In another embodiment, depicted in FIGS. 5-7 one may be replaced with most any known shape, including fig coupling 125 may have a slot 129 positioned therein as illus ures of animals, buildings, figurines, artistic designs, or any US 2015/0243265 A1 Aug. 27, 2015

other crafted shape. Thus, any change of dimension, of any 4. The musical wind instrument of claim 1, wherein the kind—not just diameter, is contemplated. alternative material consists essentially of a hardwood mate 0372. It is contemplated that any type of material may be rial. used herein, including manmade material, like cement, plas 5. The musical wind instrument of claim 1, wherein the ter, ceramic, porcelain, etc. or any other known materials alternative material consists essentially of a soft wood mate other than those that make up the predominant amount of rial. material that is currently being used in making instruments, 6. The musical wind instrument of claim 1, includes wood like brass and its allows. The main feature of the invention winds and brass instruments. being that the instrument material has a certain vibrational 7. The musical wind instrument of claim 1, wherein the transmission, and the invention contemplates having a mate alternative material consists essentially of a material selected rial that provides a different vibrational energy transmission from the group of plastic, polymer, Stone, precious stone, quality that affects the produced Sounds from that instrument. fibrous material, porcelain, ceramic, cement, cellulose-based 0373. It is also contemplated that when an instrument is material, and composite material. made of a non-brass material, like silver and the like, the 8. A method of modifying a wind instrument's vibrational bridge will be made of a non-silver based material. Thus, the energy for certain tones that are created by the instrument invention is not limited to just brass-based instruments, which made of a predominantly first material, the method compris brass was used as discussion and teaching purposes for the ing: disclosure of the main advantages of the illustrated invention. coupling a brace between a first and second tube having a 0374. The embodiments and examples set forth herein portion thereof being spatially opposite to each other were presented in order to best explain the present invention respectively, wherein the brace is made of an alternative and its practical application and to thereby enable those of material that is different from the predominantly first ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. How material; ever, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising playing the foregoing description and examples have been presented for instrument to produce a vibrational energy. the purposes of illustration and example only. The description 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the vibrational energy as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the is modified by use of the brace made of an alternative material invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications that is different from the predominately first material. and variations are possible in light of the teachings above 11. The method of claim 8, further comprising using a first without departing from the spirit and scope of the forthcom releasably coupling mechanism coupled to the first tube to ing claims. releasably couple a first end of the brace to the first tube and 1. A musical wind instrument made of a predominantly first positioning a second end of the brace against the second tube. material, comprising: 12. The method claim 8, further comprising using a first a mouthpiece, key mechanism, and body; and second releasably coupling mechanism coupled respec at least a first and second tube having a portion thereof tively to the first and second tube to releasably couple a first being spatially opposite to each other respectively; and and second end of the brace to the first and second tube. a brace, having a first and second end that are coupled to the 13. The method of claim8, wherein the alternative material first and second tube respectively, wherein the brace is of the brace consists essentially of a hard wood material. made of an alternative material that is different from the 14. The method of claim8, wherein the alternative material predominantly first material. of the brace consists essentially of a soft wood material. 2. The musical wind instrument of claim 1, wherein the first 15. The method of claim 8, wherein the wind instrument tube has a first releasably coupling mechanism for releasably includes woodwinds and brass instruments. coupling a first end of the brace to the first tube and position 16. The method of claim8, wherein the alternative material ing a second end of the brace against the second tube. of the brace consists essentially of a material selected from 3. The musical wind instrument of claim 1, wherein the first the group of plastic, polymer, Stone, precious Stone, fibrous and second tube has a first and second releasably coupling material, porcelain, ceramic, cement, cellulose-based mate mechanism for releasably coupling a first and second end of rial, and composite material. the brace to the first and second tube. k k k k k