US592732A

US592732A - mclean

Info

Publication number: US592732A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1897-10-26
Anticipated expiration: 1914-10-26

Description

(N0 Model.)

A. H. JARVIS & W. J. MQLEAN. BANJO BELL.

No. 592,732. Patented Oct. 26, 1897.

l/wmrom WITNESSES W ATTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT JARVIS AND \VILLIAM J. MOLEAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.; SAID JARVIS ASSIGNOR TO SAID MOLEAN.

BANJO-BELL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 592,732, dated October 26, 1897.

Application filed February 19,1897. Serial No- 624,1'75. (No model.)

2' 0 ctZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, ALBERT H. JARVIS and VVILLIAM J. MCLEAN, of New York city, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Banjo-Bell, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description. 7

Our invention relates to an improvement in banjos, consisting of a shallow bell formed of resonant material and adapted to be placed between the head of the banjo and the continuation of the neck. 'This bell has a comparatively large central opening in its small end and may also have the annular section forming the sides of the bell perforated, so as to assist in the emission of the sound-waves. This bell is placed, as indicated in the drawings, beneath the bridge of the banjo.

The invention consists in certain parts and details and combinations of the same, as will be fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the appended claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,

in which similar characters of reference indi cate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional View through the body of the banjo with our improvement attached,the neck not being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the banjo, showing the position of the bell in dotted lines; and Fig.3 is a top plan view of the bell separate.

In the drawings the neck of the banjo is represented by A, and the ring supporting the head by B. The head 0 is supported upon the banjo by any usual device. In applying our device to a banjo there is no necessity for changing any part of the banjo. Consequently we have shown these parts as in an ordinary banjo, and particular description thereof is not deemed necessary.

The bellD consists of a shallow bell, which is to be formed of some resonant material and is provided with a comparatively large hole E in the center of its smaller end. It is also provided with a series of small perforations 61, arranged upon its annular section. The

bell may be formed of wood or metal, as desired,and is made of such a height as to snugly fit between the continuation a of the neck and the head 0, so that when inserted it will be held in place by the pressure of the head upon it.

The bell D is inserted so that the bridge E will be located upon or just inside the edge of the bell. The result of applying this device to a banjo is to make the tones clearer and more distinct, there being less running together of the tones than without the device. The tone or timbre of the notes will vary according to the material used, as in any musical instrument.

This device may be readily attached to or detached from a banjo, as desired, and may be attached to any banjo without in the least degree changing the banjo itself. The'size of the attachment may be'varied according to the ideas of the user. A size which has been found desirable is indicated in the drawings. This is small compared to the entire surface of the banjo-head, but might be made larger, if desired. The relative position of the bell under the banjo-head may also be varied when desired. The position shown is the one which has seemed to give the best results.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as-new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A banjo, having a shallow bell adapted to fit between the head of the banjo and the continuation of the neck, and held in place by friction therebetween, substantially as described.

2. A banjo, having a shallow bell adapted to fit between the head of the banjo and the continuation of the neck beneath the head, and freely adjustable in position along said neck, substantially as described.

ALBERT H. JARVIS. IVILLIAM J. MCLEAN.

Witnesses:

SAMUEL W. ROMAIN, GEORGE W. LEE.