Abstract
The present invention provides a trombone finger positioner, comprising a cylindrical structure, wherein said cylindrical structure having a pointer finger cut-out, a middle finger cut-out ,and a thumb cut-out; said cylindrical structure also incorporates a vertical cut and an opening along its full length; the pointer finger cut-out and middle finger cut-out have a major axis aligned along the Y-axis and the minor axis aligned along the X-axis, and the center of both the grooves are in the Y-axis; and said thumb cut-out is opposite to the middle finger cut-out and their centers are on the same axis.
Claims
1. A trombone finger positioner 12, comprising a cylindrical structure, wherein said cylindrical structure having a pointer finger cut-out 24, a middle finger cut-out 26, and a thumb cut-out 30; said cylindrical structure also incorporates an axial cut 28 and an opening 32 along its full length; the pointer finger cut-out 24 and middle finger cut-out 26 have a major axis aligned along the Y-axis and the minor axis aligned along the X-axis, and the center of both the grooves are in the Y-axis; and said thumb cut-out 30 is opposite to the middle finger cut-out 26 and their centers are on the same axis.
2. A trombone finger positioner 12 as claimed in claim 1, wherein placing fingers/thumbs over the said cut-outs correctly aligns the fingers and thumb to allow adopting correct slide technique.
3. A trombone finger positioner 12 as claimed in claim 1, wherein placing fingers and thumbs over the said grooves/cut-outs allow the trombonist fingers and thumb extremities to directly contact with the slide brace to develop and adopt a precise muscle memory for positioning and applying pressure.
4. A trombone finger positioner 12 as claimed in claim 1, wherein an axial cut and an opening allowing it to be snapped onto the slide brace.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0023] The object of the invention may be understood in more detail and a more particular description of the invention is briefly summarized above by reference to certain embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings, which drawings form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective equivalent embodiments.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a side view of the trombone finger positioner mounted on the slide brace of a trombone;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a cropped view of the trombone finger positioner mounted on the slide brace of a trombone;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines A-A of FIG. 2 showing finger grooves/cut-outs of trombone finger positioner mounted on the slide brace of a trombone;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines B-B of FIG. 2 showing thumb grooves/cut-outs of trombone finger positioner mounted on the slide brace of a trombone;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the trombone finger positioner;
[0029] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the trombone finger positioner;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a front view of the trombone finger positioner; and
[0031] FIG. 8 is a back view of the trombone finger positioner.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, the embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 1 illustrates a trombone 10 having a trombone finger positioner 12 as the main embodiment of the present invention. The trombone finger positioner 12 can be snapped fitted. The trombone 10 comprises a slide assembly 14 attached to a bell assembly 16. The slide assembly 14 includes an outer slide member 18 and a slide brace 20. The outer slide member 18 is movable relative to the stationary slide member 22 in a known manner. The slide brace 20 is gripped by the hand of a player and moved relative to the stationary slide 22 to affect the movement of the movable slide member 18. Many new players tend to hold their trombone slide brace 20 incorrectly because of the shape of the trombone slide brace 20, which is essentially a narrow cylinder that can be held in multiple ways. Holding the slide brace 20 incorrectly may result in several undesirable effects. The player may not be at their full playing capacity and playing speed when they incorrectly hold the slide brace 20. In addition, they may apply undue pressure and forces on the slide, which may result in damage to the instrument in the long run.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 2 which illustrates a cropped view of the trombone finger positioner 12 mounted on the slide brace 20 of a trombone. The trombone finger positioner 12 is a new invention designed to train trombone players, new and experienced, to hold the trombone slide brace 20 as recommended. The design of the trombone finger positioner 12 is such that it does not interfere with operating the trombone 10 without altering the quality of sound and it does not add excess weight to the instrument. The trombone finger positioner 12 ergonomic shapes helps new players learn the right way to hold a trombone 10, and experienced players to stop using the wrong way to hold the trombone 10.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 3 is a sectional viewtaken along lines A-A of FIG. 2 illustrating the location of the pointer finger groove/cut-out 24 and middle finger groove/cut-out 26 of trombone finger positioner 12 mounted on the slide brace 20 of a trombone. The grooves/cut-outs 24, 26 are elliptical with their major axis aligned along Y-axis and minor axis aligned along the X-axis. Further, the center of both the grooves/cut-outs 24, 26 are on the Y-axis. Further, an axial cut 28 and an opening 32 are provided to allow it to be snapped on the slide brace 20 of the trombone's slide assembly.
[0036] In the present embodiment, the axial cut 28 is shown running through the center of the finger's grooves/cut-outs 24, 26, however, other variations of the current design are possible wherein the axial cut 28 can be positioned away in any direction i.e. clockwise or anti-clockwise from the center axis of grooves/cut-outs 24, 26 without affecting the functionality of trombone finger positioner 12.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 4 is a sectional viewtaken along lines B-B of FIG. 2 showing thumb groove/cut-out 30 of trombone finger positioner 12 mounted on the slide brace 20 of a trombone. The thumb groove/cut-out 30 is elliptical with its major axis aligned along Y-axis and minor axis aligned along the X-axis. Furthermore, the center of the thumb groove/cut-out 30 and middle finger groove/cut-out 26 are aligned on the X-axis.
[0038] In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the shape and characteristics of a plurality of groove/cut-outs are described. One key feature of the grooves/cut-outs is to allow the trombonist fingers and thumb extremities to directly contact the slide brace when the trombone finger positioner 12 is applied. The trombone finger positioner 12 helps in developing and adopting a precise muscle memory over some time for correctly placing and gripping the trombone by applying the right amount of pressure. Once the muscle memory is developed, the trombonist can exclude the use of the trombone finger positioner and can practice or play on a variety of trombones irrespective of their sizes.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 5 is a perspective view of trombone finger positioner 12 made up of flexible materials such as but not limited to silicone, reinforced leather, rubber, plastic, etc, and has a cylindrical structure. The trombone finger positioner 12 facilitates the correct holding of a slide brace by providing a plurality of finger grooves/cut-outs 24, 26 where the players hold their slide accurately and help in developing a habit on how to hold a slide brace accurately and properly. In an embodiment, the trombone finger positioner 12 is approximately two inches high, ¾ inch in diameter, and about ⅛ inch thick. Further, it incorporates an axial cut 28 and an opening 32 running along full length to allow it to be snapped onto the slide brace. The opening 32 has a set circumference for releasably receiving a portion of a trombone slide.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the trombone finger positioner 12 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The trombone finger positioner 12 facilitates the correct holding of a slide brace by providing a thumb groove/cut-out 30 where the players hold their slide accurately and help in developing a habit on how to hold the slide brace accurately and properly.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 shows a front and back view of the trombone finger positioner 12 according to the embodiment of the present invention. It can be figured out from the figures that the finger's groove/cut-out will be the same and their center will be on the same Y-axis. Further, the thumb's groove/cut-out is provided opposite the middle finger's groove/cut-out and their centers are on the same X-axis.
[0042] While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of, and not restrictive on, the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other changes, combinations, omissions, modifications, and substitutions, in addition to those outlined in the above paragraphs, are possible. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just described embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
