ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 3 -- United States Patent no. 12,542,119, issued on Feb. 3.
"Equilibrium piston valve for brass instruments" was invented by Kevin Toksoz Fairbairn (Newton, Mass.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "An improved piston valve for brass instruments facilitates adding a length of tube for playing in a lower range, while minimizing the overall air resistance as well as the air resistance differential between disengaged and engaged positions. The piston casing accommodates two input tubes on one side and two output tubes at the same level on the other side. The piston cylinder is comprised of one air passage in one position, and two parallel air passages in a second position. The s...