The invention provides a detachable wind guard for a flute-type instrument comprising an elongate, arcuate cover configured to wrap over a flute barrel. The cover has a center section with a radius larger than the radius of the flute barrel and includes a tapered, recessed facing edge configured to leave an embouchure hole uncovered when the wind guard is attached to the flute barrel. End sections taper to a radius sized to conform to the flute barrel. An elongate, arcuate holder positioned opposite the cover has a radius sized to conform to the flute barrel. A connector pin passes through knuckles on both the cover and holder to form a hinge that allows the wind guard to open in a clamshell manner. Torsion springs around the connector pin bias the holder in a closed position.

The invention provides a detachable wind guard for a flute-type instrument comprising an elongate, arcuate cover configured to wrap over a flute barrel. The cover has a center section with a radius larger than the radius of the flute barrel and includes a tapered, recessed facing edge configured to leave an embouchure hole uncovered when the wind guard is attached to the flute barrel. End sections taper to a radius sized to conform to the flute barrel. An elongate, arcuate holder positioned opposite the cover has a radius sized to conform to the flute barrel. A connector pin passes through knuckles on both the cover and holder to form a hinge that allows the wind guard to open in a clamshell manner. Torsion springs around the connector pin bias the holder in a closed position.

A wind instrument includes: a tube body; and a plurality of tone hole tubes each having an outer open end formed at the outer periphery of the tube body and an inner open end formed through the outer opening end and opening to the inside of the tube body, wherein at least one of the tube body and the tone hole tube is curved such that the plurality of outer open ends of the plurality of tone hole tubes are disposed so as to be in positions corresponding to respective fingers of the performer, and the plurality of inner open ends are connected at positions that cause the tube body to produce a predetermined pitch.

A wind instrument includes: a tube body; and a plurality of tone hole tubes each having an outer open end formed at the outer periphery of the tube body and an inner open end formed through the outer opening end and opening to the inside of the tube body, wherein at least one of the tube body and the tone hole tube is curved such that the plurality of outer open ends of the plurality of tone hole tubes are disposed so as to be in positions corresponding to respective fingers of the performer, and the plurality of inner open ends are connected at positions that cause the tube body to produce a predetermined pitch.

The present invention relates to a flute key cap with an auxiliary key piece which allows even children with small hands to facilitate flute performance. In particular, the present invention relates to a flute key cap including: a key cover having a hollow interior with an open bottom corresponding to a shape of a flute key; and an auxiliary key piece formed on an upper surface of the key cover.

The invention relates to a flute headjoint comprising a cylindrical pipe section (2), an embouchure hole (3) bounded by a reinforcing element (4), a crown (6) adapted to terminate the pipe section (2) situated to the left of the embouchure hole (3), and a concave tuning plug (8) disposed in the pipe section (2) in a sonic chamber (5) situated under the embouchure hole (3). The flute headjoint according to the invention is characterised in that the cylindrical pipe section (2) is longer compared to conventional configurations, the crown (6) is configured to be open, the tuning plug (8, 12, 15, 23) being a cylindrical body with its face situated facing the embouchure hole (3) having a sunken three-dimensional configuration made as a combination of regular or irregular arcuate and flat faces, and has a balance weight (40) adapted to be placed in the resonator cavity (5a) between the tuning plug (8, 12, 15, 23) and the crown (6), and also has an additional extension piece (42, 43).

A keyed wind musical instrument (100, 101, 102) including an elongate tubular body (200) having a plurality of tone holes (201) extending through a surface of the elongate tubular body (200); at least one key member (202) attached to the elongate tubular body (200) adjacent at least one of said plurality of tone holes (201), the at least one key member (202) including: a closure portion (202B) movable between at least one of a closed configuration in which the closure portion (202B) substantially seals the tone hole (201), and, an opened configuration in which the closure portion (202B) is spaced apart from the tone hole (201) wherein the tone hole (201) is opened; and an attachment portion (202A) integrally formed with the closure portion (202B), the attachment portion (202A) being configured for attaching the key member (202) to the elongate tubular body (200); and wherein the integrally formed attachment portion (202A) and closure portion (202B) are configured to bias the closure portion (202B) towards the opened configuration.

A keyed wind musical instrument (100, 101, 102) including an elongate tubular body (200) having a plurality of tone holes (201) extending through a surface of the elongate tubular body (200); at least one key member (202) attached to the elongate tubular body (200) adjacent at least one of said plurality of tone holes (201), the at least one key member (202) including: a closure portion (202B) movable between at least one of a closed configuration in which the closure portion (202B) substantially seals the tone hole (201), and, an opened configuration in which the closure portion (202B) is spaced apart from the tone hole (201) wherein the tone hole (201) is opened; and an attachment portion (202A) integrally formed with the closure portion (202B), the attachment portion (202A) being configured for attaching the key member (202) to the elongate tubular body (200); and wherein the integrally formed attachment portion (202A) and closure portion (202B) are configured to bias the closure portion (202B) towards the opened configuration.

A wind instrument includes: a tube body; and a plurality of tone hole tubes each having an outer open end formed at the outer periphery of the tube body and an inner open end formed through the outer opening end and opening to the inside of the tube body, wherein at least one of the tube body and the tone hole tube is curved such that the plurality of outer open ends of the plurality of tone hole tubes are disposed so as to be in positions corresponding to respective fingers of the performer, and the plurality of inner open ends are connected at positions that cause the tube body to produce a predetermined pitch.

This invention relates to new designs of tubular body flutes both to facilitate more natural and more consistent placement and orientation of the flute player's hands and to enhance the flexibility of the player's lips so as to more perfectly play the flute by greatly increasing the stability of the flute in the player's hands by firmly connecting the flute to the player's finger (and/or thumb) by provision of a finger connecting part through which the flute player's left index finger is inserted, as like wearing a ring. It firmly fixes the flute to the player's left index finger (and/or thumb) so that the flute is stabilized without pressure on the player's mouth. Thus, it enhances the flexibility of the player's lips to more perfectly form the airstream sounding the flute while also more exactly and repeatedly locating the player's fingers on the flute by preventing inadvertent rotation of the flute. This is especially beneficial for the player's lower lip, which, under extant art, is forcibly pinned against the lower teeth and gums so as to stabilize the flute. This benefit is achieved by completely stabilizing the flute in the player's hands by firmly connecting the flute to the player's finger (and/or thumb) with a finger connecting means incorporating an opening in the invention through which the flute player's left index finger (and/or thumb) is inserted, as like wearing a ring.

In the preferred embodiment the finger connecting means is a ring-like structure built onto the flute and for economy this additional device is hereafter referred to as a ring. The use of a ring provides a firm connection between the player's fingers and the flute permitting the left index finger and right thumb to completely stabilize the instrument with no pressure on the player's lips whatsoever, while completely preventing inadvertent rotation of the flute.

A very substantial benefit of the instant invention over extant art is that it allows the flute to be safely played by growing children without disrupting the proper development of their gums and teeth. Many parents permit their children to start their music education only with a piano or a violin because wind instruments have a tendency to put severe stress and strain on the mouth, teeth and gums, which can distort their development. Because the instant invention permits, even encourages, the best use of the flute without strong, or even any, pressure on the teeth and gums, a flute so equipped can be used even by young children without orthodontial concerns.