US1550079A - Violin mute - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 18, 1925. 1,550,079

F. KUBA VIOLIN MUTE Filed Dec. 19. 1924 l@ f www @n311/i4 @brow/vm;

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Patented Aug. 18, 1925.

FRANK KUBA, F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

VIOLIN MUTE.

Application filed December 19, 1924.

To all 'whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, F RANK KUBA, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Violin Mutes, of which the following is a specilication.

This invention relates to musical instruments. More particularly this invention relates to improvements in mutes for use on violins, violas, cellos and like stringed instruments.

The objects of the invention is to provide a generally improved mute adapted to be firmly attached to the tail piece of the instrument in operative relation to the bridge which supports the strings. Means are provided whereby the mute is moved automatically into contact with the bridge to mute or dampen the vibration of the bridge and strings in a well known manner.

Accordingly, my invention is embodied in a mute arranged and operated as hereinafter set forth and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a plan view showing my improved mute attached to a violin, the device being shown in mute position.

Fig. 2 is a side vie-w of Figure 1.

Fig. 3 is a section view of the mute showing the same in non operative position.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of one of the parts.

Fig. 5 is a detail view of another part.

The mute is shown attached to a violin as a typical instance of the use and advantages of my invention. The violin is identified by the body 1, the bridge 2, the tail piece 3 and the strings 4, 4. y

The mute comprises the mute body 5 in the form of a flat piece adapted to be placed against the bridge 2 as in Figures 1 and2to dampen the vibrations, and adapted to be moved away from the bridge as in Figure 3 which shows the normal position of the mute. The mute has an operating stem 6 which is mounted to slide upon a base 7 On the latter there is pivoted at` 8 a rotary cam 9 having a thumb piece 10. When the cam is turned as in Figure 3 it engages the mute stem 6 and moves the mute away from the bridge. When the cam is turned as in Figures 1 and 2, the mute is automatically moved into mute or contact position with the bridge by means of a spring 11 secured to the base 7 at 8. The other end of said spring is secured to a .screw 12 which is fast Serial No. 756,866.

in the mute stem and slides in a slot 13 in the base 7. The mute stem is further guided on the base by means of a screw 14 fast in the base and which passes through a slot 15 in the stem 6.

The base is firmly secured to the tail piece ,as follows: The numeral 16 denotes a sleeper which rests on the forward end of the tail piece and is provided with notches 17 adapted to fit over the ridge 18 always formed on the tail piece. Thus longitudinal movement of the sleeper relative to the base is prevented. The sleeper has an upstanding lug 19 and the base 7 has a slot 20 which fits over said lug, so that the base 7 may be adjusted lengthwise of the sleeper. The parts are clamped to the tail piece by means of a clamping hook 21 which ts in under and engaging the front edge of the tail piece and which passes through a slot 9.2 in the sleeper 16 and also through the aforesaid slot 20 in the base. A screw stem 23 on the hook receives a clamping nut 24. When the latter is screwed down, the base, sleeper and hook 21 are firmly clamped to the tail piece. A spring washer 25 may be used to hold the cam in position as is obvious.

From the foregoing it will be clear that I have provided a neat compact mute including clamping means for securing it in operative position to the instrument. Longitudinal adjustment is also provided to place the mute in proper relation to the bridge, and means are provided for manually operating the mute away from the bridge, but, when needed, the mute is instantly brought into muting position by the spring after the cam has been operated.

Inasmuch as all the operating parts are located between the bridge and the ftail piece, it follows that the device presents no obstruction to the. playing of the instrument.

The invention possesses several advantages. It is always in position, ready for use and the annoying hunting for detached mutes is eliminated. It is instantly operable by a mere touch of the linger and the playing is not interrupted. It is also of great advantage in practicing. For cello playing the thumb piece 10 will project in the opposite direction to that shown because on a cello, the tail piece is lowermost or farthest from the player.

Whle l have shown my invention in its preferred form, nevertheless it will be understood that l do not Wish to-beflimited thereto otherwise than as required by the scope of the appended claims.

l claim l. The combination with a string instrument having a bridge and a tail piece of the character described, of a mute for sai'd instrument comprising a base, means for adjustably clamping said base to the said' tail piece in exposed position between" said tail piece and said bridge, a mute member slid'- ably supported on said base, a hand operated cam on the base 'for moving the mute member away rom the said bridge and means on said base for automatically moving said mute member into muting relation with the said bridge.

2. rlhe combination With a string instrument. having a bridge and a tail piece ol? the character described, oit' a mute Ylfor said instrument*comprising a base, olaniping means for adjustably clamping said base to the said tail piece in exposed position above and 'forwardly thereof, said clamping means consisting of ay clamping member adapted to engage the edge of the tail piece and provided with an upwardly projecting screw and a guide lug, said. base having a slot to receive said screw and guide lng7 a nut for securing-the base to the clamping member, a mute member slidabl7 supported on said base, a hand `operated cam on the base for movingsaidv mute member into normal nonmnting position and a spring for automatically moving said mute into muting position.

FRANK KUBA.

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