US 12,331,841 B2
Valve guide with external return spring for musical instrument
Jacob Hoskins, Portland, MI (US)
Assigned to Bajoc Music Enterprises, LLC, Portland, MI (US)
Filed by Bajoc Music Enterprises, LLC, Portland, MI (US)
Filed on Apr. 10, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/298,112.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/330,544, filed on Apr. 13, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0332693 A1, Oct. 19, 2023
Int. Cl. F16K 3/24 (2006.01); F16K 27/04 (2006.01); G10D 7/10 (2006.01); G10D 9/04 (2020.01)
CPC F16K 3/24 (2013.01) [F16K 27/041 (2013.01); G10D 7/10 (2013.01); G10D 9/04 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A piston valve for a brass-wind musical instrument comprising:
a generally cylindrical valve body having a top end and a bottom end, said valve body defining a central longitudinal axis along which reciprocating actuation of said piston valve occurs,
a generally cylindrical spring barrel extending between a base and a neck, said base in direct abutting contact with said top end of said valve body, a first keyway disposed in said spring barrel, a second keyway disposed in said spring barrel diametrically opposite said first keyway, each of said first and second keyways extending from said base axially toward respective terminal ends adjacent said neck,
a valve stem extending axially from said neck of said spring barrel,
a bottom ring slidably disposed around said spring barrel, said bottom ring having an annular rim,
a return spring disposed around said spring barrel, said return spring extending between upper and lower ends, said lower end seated against said annular rim of said bottom ring, and
a loose key extending transversely through said first and second keyways of said spring barrel, said loose key being in direct contact with and selectively moveable relative to said annular rim of said bottom ring.