US644669A - Musical instrument. - Google Patents

Description

-No. 644,669. Patented Mar. 6, I900. C. H. FBOELICH.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

(Application filed Sept. 25, 1899.)

(No Model.)

Th3 A UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. FROELICII, OF WEST CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MUSICAL'INSTRUIMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 644,669, dated March 6, 1900.

Application filed September 25, 1899 Serial Nil-731,649. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES H. FROELIGH, a citizen of the United States, residing at West Chicago, in the county of Du Page and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of musical instruments in which a series of vibratory reeds is so. arranged as to be set in motion by the breath of the performer, especially in the form commonly known as the harmonica5 and the object thereof is to increase the volume and richness of the tone given out as well as to permit the direction thereof to be controlled.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top view of my improved musical instrument. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-section of the same on the line 2 2, the flaring portion of the horn being broken away. v

Like letters of reference denote the same part throughout both views.

A represents a resonan ce-chamber formed of metal or othersuitable material and fitted at its broader end for the reception of an ordinary harmonica B, if desired, to be placed therein or for such other set or arrangement of vibratory reeds b as may be desired.

Z) represents a thumb-screw or other suitable arrangement for keeping the bank of reeds in place. 0 is a lid arranged to close down upon the said reeds and form an airtight joint to prevent the escape of air from the resonance-chamber. It is represented as being controlled and held in position by the coiled springs c.

O represents a horn, of anysuitable or convenient shape or material, attached to the resonance-chamber A by the screw-joint d. Such attachment may be permanent or not, however, as desired.

The instrument so constructed is found to add greatly to the richness and volume of sound which may be given forth by the ordinary harmonica or by a series of vibrating reeds arranged and set in vibration substantially in the same manner.

All parts of the instrument may be constructed with reference to each other and to the instrument formed as a whole, or the horn and resonance-chamber portions may be provided and so arranged that any ordinary harmonica may be inserted in the seating por-- tion of the resonance-chamber.

WVhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is the following:

1. In combination with a harmonica, a holder therefor comprising a resonance-chamber, means for clamping the harmonica therein, an adjustable lid to said chamber and means for attaching the latter to a soundmodifying horn, substantially as shown and described.

2. In combination with. a harmonica, a holder therefor comprising a resonance-cham ber, means for adjustably clamping the harmonica therein, and means for attaching the said chamber to a sound-modifying horn,substantially as shown and described.

3. I11 combination with a harmonica, a holder therefor comprising a resonance-chamber, means for clamping the harmonica therein, an adjustable lid to said chamber, and a sound-modifying horn attached thereto, substantially as shown and described.

4. A combined holderand resonance-chamber for a harmonica comprising means for holding the latter securely seated therein, an adjustable lid to prevent the egress of airbetween the edges of the resonance-chamber and the harmonica, the said chamber being provided with a sound-controlling horn and having an opening for permitting the egress of sound thereinto, substantially as shown and described.

5. Acombined holderand resonance-chamber for a harmonica comprising means for holding the latter securely seated therein, a spring-controlled adjustable lid to prevent the egress of air between the edges of said resonance-chamber and the harmonica, and means for attaching the said resonance-chamber to a sound-controlling horn, the said chamber provided with an aperture through which the sound and air are conducted into said horn, substantially as shown and described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES H. FROELIOH.

Witnesses:

M. H. OAZIER, LUCILE W. FoLLnrr.

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