US1625811A

US1625811A - Banjo

Info

Publication number: US1625811A
Application number: US600379A
Authority: US
Inventors: William L Lange
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1922-11-11
Filing date: 1922-11-11
Publication date: 1927-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 1944-04-26

Description

April 26,1927. 1,625,811 W. L. LANGE BANJO .Filed Nov. 11. 1922 Patented Apr. 2S, 1927.

UNITED S'liTlS` PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM L. LANGE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

BANJO.

Application filed November 11, 1922. Serial 1\1'o.f600,379.v

This invention relates to banjos and similar musical instruments, the main object oit which is to provide a device oi this kind which will give a, loud, clear tone ot excellent quality.

Another object ot the invention to provide a. inr'struiueiit having` ii'ieaiis, adjustable at the will ot the player, tor modi ing the tone as desired, sl'iarpening its quality thereby to give an increased carrying quality or increasing the sonority to 'full tone quality, thereby qualifying the instrument to meet the requirements ot large or small auditoriums, the character of the music played, and to lill its part in orchestral work.

Another object otl the invention is to provide a. device of this kind having an improved means for tensioning the diaphragm.

Other objects of the invention are to improve generally the simplicity and etliciency ot' such devices` and to provide a device or apparatus of this kind which is durable, economical to manufacture, and which will not get out ot order.

The inventive features Yfor the accomplislr ment of these and other objects are shown in connection with an improved musical instrument which, brietiy stated, comprises a frame having upper and lower spaced rims and a transverse member secured. across the center thereof'. ,A sound reflector having a base portion mounted on the lower rim has an upturned outer tiange for reflecting sound issuing between said rims. Between said vbase portion and upper rim hooks are provided for tensioning a diaphragm which is mounted over a tensioning ring supported by said upper rim. Downwardly disposed springs mounted on the inner part ot the frame have their lower ends contacting with a disleshaped back plate movable up and down in said lower rim against said springs and adjusted by a screw stud having engagement with said bach plate and transverse member.

@ther objects ot the invention will appear as the description proceeds; and while here in details o't' the invention are described, the invention is not limited to these, since many and various changes may be made without departing from the scope oi' the invention as claimed.

ln the accompanying drawing, showing by way ot example two of many possible embodiments ot the invention, n

F l is a plan of the instrument;

Fig. 2 is a bottom view ot the instrument showing one -t'orin oi the invention;

Fig. 5:3 is a sectional view oi the :torin oit Fig.' 2, taken on the line BAS ot Fig. l, .looking in the direction ot the arrow of said line; and

Fig. it a similar sectional view, part-ly in elevation, ot another form ot the invention.

fis shown in Figs. l to 3, one 'form of my invention cinnprises a frame having ank upper rim ll and ak lower rim l2 spaced apart to 'torni therebetween a sound outlet opening 13. A neck lf-l (Fig. 2) is .secured tosaid rims il and l2 and has a dowel eX- tcnsion lo extending transversely across the frame above the level of the lower rim 12 and having a central vertical bore 18, Fig. 3. An aniiulai."resonator reflector, generally denoted by '20, has a vertical outer flange 2l cut-away, as at 2Q, Fig. 2, to receive the neclr lll and a substantially horizontal base portion 25 provided between its peripl'ieral portioiis with hook-receiving openings QG and havingits inner peripheral portion resting on top of the lower rim 12. Studs or uprights 27 `passing through said base portion 25 and mounted in and connecting said rims ll and l2, receive thereon nuts 28 engaging said upperrim ll and base portion 25 to hold the parts locked. Thestuds 27' and nuts 2S divide the opening 13 into a plurality of ii'itern'iediate lateral sound outlets.

Vertical rods or supports 30 in the top ot the upper rim ll. 'support a tone ring 32, holding the ring slightly spaced above the upper rim ll. A diaphragm or vellum 33, tensioned over said tone ring 32, is drawn down at the edges and terminates with a lesh hoop 34, and a tension `ring 3G is mounted on said flesh hoop 34 and provided with an upper groove 38 into which the hooked upper ends ottensioning rods i0 engage, the lower ends of said rods t0 being threaded and passing through said hookreceiving openings 26 ot said base portion 25k with nuts 42 on said ends for tensioning the diaphragm 33.

Downwardly and inwardly disposed springs 44 are mounted on the inner part of the uppe rim ll, their free ends in Contact with a disk-shaped downwardly convened upwardly -eoneaved tone moditier, sound damper or regulator 45 having a thickened peri Jheral elge, as 46, to engage the inner tace ot' the lower rim l2, whereby the pla-te may.' be adjustably pressed inwardly against the springs 44 or outwardly by said springs.

A bos plate 48 having a central threaded opening 49, eoaial with said bore 18, is suitably secured on the lower aee of said extension l5. and a threaded adjusting stud 50, having lrnurlefl head 54, passes through the Central perforation 51 ot tone modifier 45 and into said bore 18 and threaded openings 49, whereby as the stud 50 is screwed home the tone modifier 45 may be adjusted to the upper edge ot the lower riin l2 for providing a sharp, iiar-oarrying tone, while as the adjusting stud 50 is withdrawn, the tone modiher 45 edge ot the lower rim by means ot' the si ings and thus provide full sonorous tone, intermediate positions oit the tone modiier providing ii'itermediate tones.

ln Fig. 4 there is shown another form ot sound-board adjusting means, in which the upper rim ll is provided with inwardly projecting lugs GO having downwardlyv opening recesses 6l therein, while tone moditior 5 is prorided *ith upwardly opening rece ses Between top rim ll and back plate 45 there are mounted a. plurality ol' helical springs 63, retained in position by having their :opposite ends projecting in said ref-esses Si and 62, and serving a purpose similar to the springs 44.

The sound from the interior ot the instrument passes over the upper edge of the rim ll (Fig. 4) through the upper lateral sound outlets formed between the tone ring and said upper edge and thence down- 'ardlyv eilteriorly ot' the rim ll between said rim ll and the ring 3G, to the resonator redeetor 20 Ytor emission to the atmosphere. The spaee within the trarne constitutes a tone chamber communicating through the intermediate sound outlet lil with the resonator reflector 20. V

By upward or downward movement of the tone modilier the volume ot this chamber is reduced er increased. the tone ot the insti-unioni being modified accordingly as previously stated. and un instrument is qualified to meet the requirements as to tone ot a large or small auditorium, the character ot music played, and for appropriately lilling the part ot the instrument in orchestral work.

For the purposes ot description in this specification and claims, the part of the instrument toward the diaphragm is Considered the upper part.

will be moved to the lower Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. A sound instrument comprising a trame provided with lateral sound outlets above the lower edge; and establishing tree communication between the interior ol the instrument and the exterior atmosphere; a diaphragm tensioned over said trame; and a sound deilector secured around said frame' below said outlets and having an upwardly extended outer portion.

2. A sound instrument comprising a trame provided with lateral sound outlets between the upper and lower edge/a; and establishing free oomrnunifation between the interior of the instrument and the exterior atmosphere; a diaphragm tensioned over said frame; and a sound detleetor having a base secured around said trame as lov,v as the lower part oit said outlets and having an upwardly extended outer flange.

3. A sound instrument conunisinga trame provided with upper lateral sound outlets near the upper edge oit the traine and intermediate sound outlets` about midway between the upper and lower edv' i; and cstablishing free communication btaveen the interior oie the instrument and the exterior atmosphere; a diaphragm tensioni-zd over said trame; and a sound detleeor havingl a base secured around said traine at the lower part oi said intermediate outlets and havingan upwardly extended outer 'flange extending to about to the top plane ot the instrument.

4. A sound instrument comprising a trame provided with upper lateral sound outlets near the upper edge ot the traine; and establishing tree communication between the interior of the instrument and the exterior atmosphere; a diaphragm tensioned over said trame and terminating in a tension ring spaced troni said outlets and cis tending below the outlets; and a sound dctlector having a base secured around said 'fra-me and having an upwardlyv extended outer flange spaced trom and extending above the lower part ot said tension ring.

5. A sound instrument comprising a tame provided with upper lateral sound outlets near the upper edge ot the traine and intermediate sound outlets about midway between the upper and lower edges; and establishing tree communication between the interior of the instrument and the exterior atmosphere; a diaphragm tensioned over said vtrame and terminating in a fiesh hoop; a tension ring on said hoop spaced trom said upper outlets and extending below said upper outlets; and a sound detleotor having a base secured around said trame at the lower part of said intermediate outlets and having an upwardly extended outer flange spaced from and extending above the lower part of said tension ring.

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6. A sound instrument comprising a frame; a`-diaphragm over said trame; a resonator; and means for adjusting the reso* nator adjustable to different operative positions toward and from the diaphragm and holding it operatively steady in said positions.

7. A sound instrument Comprising a frame; a diaphragm over said trame; a resonator' within said frame; and means for adjusting` the resonator toward and vfrom the diaphragm and holding it operativeljrv steady in the different adjustedA positions.

8. A sound instrument comprising a trame provided with lateral sound outlets above the flower edge; a diaphragm tensioned over said iframe; and a resonator' adjustable within said trame between the sound outlets and the lower edge.

9. A sound instrument Comprising a trame; a diaplu'agm over said trame; a resoinator at the lower part ot said trame adjustable to diii'ereut positions toward and from said diaphragm; and means for steadying the edge of the resonator in said dii ferent positions.

10. A sound instrument comprising a vtrame provided with lateral sound outlets; a diaphragm over said frame; an adjustable resonator at the lower part ot said traine; and springs pressing on the resonator :for steadying the resonator.

ll. A sound instrument Comprising a iframe jinovided with intermediate sound outlets; a diaphragm over said frame; a resonator adjustable within said trame between the sound outlet and the lower edge; means lor adjustably drawing the resonator toward the diaphragm; and springs pressing on the resonator for moving it away :lirom said diaphragm and tor steadying the resonator.

l2. A sound instrument comprising a iframe provided with lateral sound outlets; a diaphragm over said trame; and a reso` nator adjustable within said trame while remote trom said outlets.

i3. A sound instrument comprising a. trame provided with lateral sound outlets; a diaphragm over said traine; a resonator at the lower part ot said traine; and means .tor adjusting the resonator toward and .trom the. diaphragm while the size ot the outlets remains constant.

li. A sound instrun'ient comprising a frame provided with lateral sound outlets; a diaphragm over said trame; a sound deleotor secured around said 'trame as low the lower part olf said sound outlets and having an upwardly extending outer flange; and a resonator at the lower part ot said' Ytrame adjustable independentlvv of said detleetor.

l5. A sound instrument comprising a frame provided with lateral sound outlets;

a diaphragm over said trame; a ixed sound deleetor secured aroundsaid trame at the lower part ot' said sound outlets and having an upwardly extended outer portion; and a resonator adjustable at the lower part of the trame.

1G. A sound instrument comprising a trame provided with lateral sound outlets between the upper and lower edges; a diaphragm over said trame; tensioning means tor said diaphragm; a sound deiieetor se- Cured around said trame at the lower part ot said setuid outlets and having an upwartlly extended outer portion; and a resonator adjustable within said trame independently ot the tensioning means.

i7. A sound instrument Comprising a frame provided with lateral sound outlets between the upper and lower edges; a diaphragm over said trame; a sound detlector secured around said trame at the lower part ot said soumil outlets and having an upwardly extending outer portion; and a resonator adjustable within and independentljT oit said traine.

18. A sound instrument comprising a frame comprising upper and lower spaced rims providing sound outlets therebetween; a diaphragm tensioned over said upper rim; and a sound deflector secured on the upper face oi said lower rim and having an up-` wardly extended outer liange spaced trom the upper rim.

19. A sound instrument comprising a iframe; a diaphragm over said iframe; a tension ring tensioning said diaphragm; an annular member secured exteriorly around said traine; and tension rods tensioned between said tension ring and member and passing between parts of said member.

Q0. A sound instrument Comprising a trame; a diaph agm over said trame; a tension ring tensioningl said diaphragm; an annular member secured around said frame; tension hooks engaging said tension ring and having threaded lower yends extendingthrough said member; and nuts on said lower ends.

21. A sound instrument comprising a trame providedk with intermediate lateral sound outlets; a diaphragm over said trame; a tension ring ior said diaphragm; a sound detleotor having a base secured around said trame at the lower part of said outlets and. having an upwardly extended outer portion; tension hooks engaging said tension ring and having threaded lower ends extending through said base; and nuts on said lower ends.

22. In combination; a banjo trame eom prising upper and lower spaced rims and having a transverse member; downwardly disposed springs mounted on the inner part ot the fra-me; a. disk-shaped concave-convex member having a thickened peripheral edge tif;

lili) 'engaging the inner face ot the lewe' rim,

of the frame, a sound delleetor hav a base portion mounted on the lower rnn and an upturned outer Hangs: a diaphragm drawn over the upper rim and having a peripheral tension ring; hooks ten tween said base portion and ring; downwardl)v disposed springs mounted on the inner part ol" the iframe; a d i shaped meniber movable up and down in l lower 'im against said springs: and an adjusting; stud having engagement with said iovnble .wlber and transverse member.

In Combination. a banjo prising upper and lower sperm rims` a sound deftleetor having a base portion mounted on the lower riin and an upturned outer flange: a diaphragm drawn over the upper ring; and having a peripheral tension ring; and liooizs tensioned between said base portion and ring.

25. ln combination, a banjo frame e01nprising upper and lower spaced rims, a transverse member secured across the center oi the iframe: a plnralit \v ot' inwardljyv and downwardly pointing` 'fiat springs secured at their upper yends to the inner 'face of the uppe" ring;- provided with downwardly horizont: lv and upwardly curved lower ends; a diei shaped eoneavo-eonvex member having a thickened rieripheral edge provided with a eushion to engage the inner tace ol the lower rim and pressed upon b v said lower ends ot said springs. whereby said member may be adjustably pressed inwardly: against the springs or outwardly by the spring.; a diaphragm drawn over the upper rim: and an adjusting stud having engagement with the eoneaVo-eonvex meniber and transverse member.

VILLIAM L. LANGE.