This interesting variation on the Sousaphone was posted to Clipart, but I think it is worthy of being seen on the main list...
I found the patent drawing which has expired, and it looks like it would be pretty easy to make one!
1932 SOTTSAPHONE
- David Richoux
- 5 valves

- Posts: 1957
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 11:52 pm
- Location: San Francisco Bay Area, mostly. Also Greater Seattle at times.
- imperialbari
- 6 valves

- Posts: 7461
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 3:47 am
Re: 1932 SOTTSAPHONE
And the alleged purpose of this design would be what?
Klaus
Klaus
-
Ace
- 5 valves

- Posts: 1395
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 12:46 am
- Location: Berkeley, CA
Re: 1932 SOTTSAPHONE
The purpose is clearly stated in the ClipArt ad.imperialbari wrote:And the alleged purpose of this design would be what?
Klaus
- imperialbari
- 6 valves

- Posts: 7461
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 3:47 am
Re: 1932 SOTTSAPHONE
Ace wrote:The purpose is clearly stated in the ClipArt ad.imperialbari wrote:And the alleged purpose of this design would be what?
Klaus
I see no music related purpose stated for this design.ad wrote:May 24, 1932.
R. P. DOUGHERTY
SOUSAPHONE Filed Feb. 27, 1932
Des. 87,001
CXd*t
Patented May 24, 1932
Des. 87,001
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE
RALPH P. DOUGHERTY, OP PORTLAND, OREGON
DESIGN FOR A SOtTSAPHONE
Application filed February 27,1932. Serial Ha. 43,018. Term of patent 14 years.
To all whom -it may concern:
Be it known that I, Ealph P. Dougherty, a citizen of the United States, residing at Portland, in the county of Multnomah and State of Oregon, have invented a new, original, and ornamental Design for Sousaphone, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part thereof.
Fig. 1 is a side view of the article, showing my new design.
Fig. 2 is a rear view.
Fig. 3 is a front view.
I claim:
The ornamental design for a sousaphone, as shown.
EALPH P. DOUGHERTY
Klaus
- imperialbari
- 6 valves

- Posts: 7461
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 3:47 am
Re: 1932 SOTTSAPHONE
You read that from the patent specs, KillerTie?
Klaus
Klaus
- David Richoux
- 5 valves

- Posts: 1957
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 11:52 pm
- Location: San Francisco Bay Area, mostly. Also Greater Seattle at times.
Re: 1932 SOTTSAPHONE
That was not really an "Ad" - just a blurb with photo in a Popular Mechanics magazine of the day. Does anybody know if there was any production past the original prototype?GPT wrote:The purpose is stated in the ClipArt ad, not that patent drawing.
The wording in a typical Patent Application is very unusual - certain things cannot be said, and what IS said has very particular structure and rules to follow. There are specialists for both the text and drawings - I have worked with a few on some projects, but I never could figure out why so many of the drawings look so bad!
- imperialbari
- 6 valves

- Posts: 7461
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 3:47 am
Re: 1932 SOTTSAPHONE
David Richoux wrote:That was not really an "Ad" - just a blurb with photo in a Popular Mechanics magazine of the day. Does anybody know if there was any production past the original prototype?GPT wrote:The purpose is stated in the ClipArt ad, not that patent drawing.
The wording in a typical Patent Application is very unusual - certain things cannot be said, and what IS said has very particular structure and rules to follow. There are specialists for both the text and drawings - I have worked with a few on some projects, but I never could figure out why so many of the drawings look so bad!
The drawings hardly were by the likes of bloke’s mum (and I am not at all joking).
Klaus