US1161324A - Practice-triangle. - Google Patents

Description

T. MATTHAY.

PRACTICE TRIANGLE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1 a. 191s.

Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

TOBIAS MATTHAY, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO BOSTON BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF WEST IVIUSIC COMPANY, OF VIRGINIA.

PRACTICE-TRIANGLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

Application filed March 18, 1915. Serial No. 15,226.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, TOBIAS MATTHAY, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and resident of London, England, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Practice- Triangles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to practice triangles and its object is to provide a simple device whereby pianists may acquire rotative freedom of the forearm with the fingers evenly extended so as to enable them to overcome the undesirable forcing down of the arm which results in harsh tones and bad technique.

()ne embodiment of my invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of my practice triangle with the parts thereof in position for use. Fig. 2 is a plan View. Fig. 3 is a front elevation showing the triangle with its parts folded for transportation. Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4:. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken on the line 66 of Fig. 1.

In the particular drawings selected for more particularly disclosing the preferred form of my invention, 1 represents a base of wood or other suitable material, to one end of which the side member 2 is connected by the hinge 3, and to said side member a similar member 4 is connected by the hinge 5, which, as shown, is secured to the cleats 6 and 7 connected respectively with said side members. The lower end of the side member 4 is provided with a tenon 8 arranged to take into the mortise 9 at one end of the base. Means are provided for suitably securing the parts in erected position and in the present instance I accomplish this by the hook 10 pivotally attached to the inner face of the side member 4 and cooperating with the eye 11 secured to the top of the base, and also the hook l2 pivotally connected to the edge of the side member 4 and cooperating with the eye 13 in top of said base.

While the triangle obviously may have its parts permanently secured in operative position, I prefer to construct the same as shown so that it may be conveniently fold-v ed for transportation. When folded, the hook 12, as shown in Fig. 3 will be received by the eye 1% secured in the edge of the side member 2 near its point of attachment with the hinge 3.

The preferred cross-section of the side members is shown in Fig. 6, the outer face thereof being curved and tapering toward the front.

In operation the user will place the triangle on a table or support it upon his knees, holding the same with one hand near the top or the base to steady it and extending any two fingers of the other hand as widely as possible across the triangle, gently but firmly grasping the sides thereof with the said two fingers, and while continuing this grip, amply but freely rotating, twisting or rolling the forearm and hand a few times each way. It is desirable that this partial rotation each way should be accomplished with absolute freedom and without the slightest restraint in the movement, so that the wrist itself is rotated upon an aXis without any side-to-side movements or any displacement thereof. After having practised this exercise a few times. the user will substitute for the slow twisting action, a slight vibratory action, rotationally as rapid as in an ordinary trill. Generally the fingers should be held straight out, although occasionally it is well to practice with them in their bent position. Various combinations of fingerings will be used, for example, 1-2; 23; 3%; l5.

It will be understood of course that I do not limit myself to the use of my improved practice triangle in any particular manner and also that various modifications may be made in the device specifically described without departing from the principle of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A practice triangle comprising a base member and two side members, the outer face of each side member being curved and tapering toward the front.

2. A practice triangle comprising a base member, a side member hingedly connected thereto, a second side member hingedly connected to the first side member and means for locking the said members in erected po tion- 3. A practice triangle comprising a base subscribed my name this 19th day of Februmember, a side member hingedly connected ary, 1915. thereto, a second side member hingedly 0on nected with the first mentioned side mem- 5 ber, and means for locking said members in folded position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto TOBIAS MATTHAY.

Witnesses:

R. F. WILLIAMS, RIPLEY WILSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. C.

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