US1417343A - Iojsical toy - Google Patents

Description

ICHALICEK, SICAL TOY. -A man MAR-121921.

attozmg Patented May 23, 1922.

MUSICAL TOY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 23, 1922.

Application filed March 12, 1921. Serial No. 451,682.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Fnnn Mrormmonn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ely, in the county of Linn and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Musical Toy, of which the following is a specification,

This invention relates to a musical instrument designed especially for use as a toy.

The object of the invention is to provide a wind instrument of this character capable of simulating the music of a violin, or clarinet.

Another object is to so construct the instrument that anyone can play a tune on it which they can sing or whistle.

Another object is to provide an mstrument of this character which can be very cheaply constructed and yet produce good results.

lVith these and other objects in view the invention consists of such novel features of construction as hereinafter shown and described and then specifically pointed out in the claims, and in the drawings illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of an instrument embodying this invention made in the form of a saxophone.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section thereof.

Fig. 3 is a section taken at right angles to Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is a side elevation showing the instrument embodied in the form of a megaphone.

In the form shown in Fig. 1 the instrument embodying this invention has the body portion 1 thereof shaped to represent a saxophone and is equipped with a mouth piece 2 having a bore 3 flaring toward its inner end with a block 4: mounted between the mouthpiece 2 and the inner end of the body 1. This block 4- may be constructed of wood, metal or other suitable material and is split transversely as shown at 5 with the walls of said split made concave to avoid contact therewith of the strip 6 which constitutes the sound producing element of the device corresponding to the strings of a violin. This strip 6 is constructed of celluloid, rubher or other suitable material and is secured at one end as shown at 7, to one side of the block l and extends transversely thereacross through the slit 5 therein out through the open end of the slit and is adjustably connected at 8 with a lever or key 9 fulcrumed at 10 on a bracket 11 carried by the block 4. This key 9 is longitudinally curved to conform to the shape of the block 4 which is cylindrical and has a finger grip 12 at its free end flared slightly outward to facilitate the manipulation of the key.

The block 4 may be of any desired size according to the size of the instrument being preferably about two inches in diameter and about three fourths of an inch thick.

In the use of this instrument air is blown through the mouth piece onto the strip 6 striking said strip edgewise and thereby producing sound. By pressing on the key 9 the tension of the strip will be varied so as to change the tone to any desired pitch.

It will be obvious that the body portion 1 may be made of any desired configuration, in F 1g. 1 it represents a saxophone, while in Figure 4 said body portion is shown at l in the form of a megaphone, the instrument otherwise being exactly the same as that shown in the figures above described.

The simplicity of the device renders it extremely cheap to manufacture so that it may be used as a toy and yet will afford entertainment for older persons. Any one musically inclined can play on this device tunes which they could sing or whistle, the air blown onto the strip being controlled as when whistling,

The preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the drawings and set forth in the specifications, but it will be understood that any modifications within the scope of the claims may be made in the construction without departing from the principle of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

What is claimed is 2-- 1. An instrument of the class described comprising a mouth piece having a longitudinally extended bore with a member at its outer end having a flexible vibratory strip arranged transversely thereof and disposed edgewise relatively to the bore of said mouth piece, and a key connected with the free end of said strip to vary the tension thereof for altering the tone of the instrument.

2. An instrument of the class described comprising a mouth piece having a longitudinally extended bore with a member at its outer end having a flexible vibratory strip arranged thereon and disposed edgewise relatively to the bore of said mouth piece, and a key fulcrumed midway its ends on said member and ZLdJHStilbly connected to one end of said strip for varying the tension to change the pitch of the tone.

3. An instrument of the class described comprising" a mouth piece having a longitudinally extending bore and equipped at its outer end with a solid member having an aperture therein registering with the bore 10 0f the mouth piece, a flexible vibratory strip extending across said aperture with its edge disposed toward the bore in the mouth piece, said strip having one end projecting through said member, and a key fulcrumed on said member and adjustably connected at one end 15 with said strip.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature hereto.

FRED MICHALICEK.

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