Posted by Jay Bertolet on August 17, 2001 at 15:09:50:
In Reply to: Re: Re: valve extensions or other remedies posted by Joe Baker on August 17, 2001 at 10:02:08:
Yeah, isn't that called a Vienna Valve? Let's see, rotary style spatula, push rod connected to a two piston valve mounted horizontally, spring is on the top of the valve instead of the bottom, and you pull the valve up against the spring by pressing the spatula down. Only difference between the two models is that Vienna Valves are mounted sideways and incorporate two valves per spatula. It is essentially what you're talking about, I think. Since your finger comes into contact with the spatula rather than the valve, there is no way to activate the valve in a way that produces off-axis force vectors. Sorry, but I don't think you'll want to call the patent office just yet. ;-) Here is an auction on the unmentionable website for a three Vienna valved tuba in a state of extreme disrepair: