US860484A - Pipe-harmonica support. - Google Patents

Description

No. 860,484- PATENTED JULY 16,1907. S. KEELER.

PIPE HARMONICA SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED SEPTJB. 1906.

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PATENTED JULY 16, 1907.

S. KEELBR. PIPE HARMONICA SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.13. 1906.

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311mm l'o-c A g Mia atkozmug/f I/vi in @9020 UNITED STATES SMITH KEELER, OF MIAMI, FLORIDA,

PIPE-HARMONICA. SUPPORT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 16, 1907.

Application filed September 13, 1906. Serial No. 334,477.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SMITH KEELER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Miami, in the county of Dade, State of Florida, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pipe-Harmonica Supports; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention consists of pipe-harmonicas and means for supporting the same, from the shoulders, below the mouth and the upper ends of the pipes arranged on a curve, so that as the player turns his head irom side to side, the mouth of each pipe shall be at the same distance from his lips, leaving his hands iree to play an accompaniment on another instrument, such as a piano, harp, guitar or banjo.

The invention also consists in connecting three different sets of pipes to be played in three different keys, the pipes of each set being arranged on a curve, as stated and made rotary on the support so that any set desired may be brought into position to be played upon and when brought into position to be held with suiiicient force against accidental movement out oi proper position.

The invention is clearly represented in the annexed drawing, forming a part of this specification, in view of which it will first be described with respect to its construction and manner of use, and then be pointed out in the subjoined claims.

Of the said drawings :Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse section showing the manner of supporting the three series of pipes at the bottom. Fig. 3 is a plan showing the manner 01' supporting the pipes on the top of the spindle so that they may be rotated thereon. Fig. 4 isa perspective view oi a modified form of supporting means for a single series of pipes. I

Similar numerals oi reference designate similar parts or features, as the case may be, wherever they occur.

In the drawings referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the numerals l0 designate three sets of pipes each contrived to be played in a different key, each set of pipes'are connected by solder or otherwise with their mouths ll, in the same horizontal plane and arranged on a curved line for a purpose to be presently explained. 12 designates two lengths of Wire curved at their upper ends to extend over the shoulders of the player upon the said mu sical device, which wires are of such length as to bring the tips ll of the pipes within reach of his lips. 13 des ignates a breast-plate extending between the vertical portions of the wires, the lower portions of which are curved outwardly as at 14', and then turned inwardly meeting each other at 15, whence together they are turned vertically upward lorining a supporting means ior a spindle 16 on which the three series of pipes 10 are adapted to turn. The upper part oi the spindle i6 is provided with a collar 17, having a hole in its center through which projects the upper end of the spindle. An approximately triangular frame 18 connected on its outer side to the pipes by solder or other means, not only keeps the pipes of each series in proper position but maintains the proper relationship of the three series to each other, as well. 19 designates a light spring secured at its lower end to the wire 14 and curved upward and given a bend 20 of a form that adapts it to fit about the largest pipe 01' each series, so that as the connected series of pipes are turned 011 the spindle 16, (as they may be, the spring 20 yielding to slight force exerted upon it) the largest pipe of the outer series will be caught in the bend 20 and lock the entire series in place, with the upper ends oi the inner series in position to be reached by the lips of the person upon whose shoulders the support is adjusted, so that he can play upon the said inner series.

As the player moves his head around from side to side to bring his lips in contact with the mouth 01' the pipe he wishes to sound, his lips will naturally in their movement, with his head describe an arc of a circle, hence the mouths of the pipes are arranged on a circular line, as explained. When a series of pipes of a different key from those being played upon are desired to be brought into place, the player can by his lips or by hand turn the set on the spindle 16, bringing such desired set into position. There can be additional sets of pipes tuned in other keys that can be instantly substituted for those in place on the spindle.

In Fig. l a modiiied l'orm oi support is employed [or use with a single series 01' pipes, which have their mouths arranged circularly as belore explained, but which united series are sustained on the vertical portions of the wires 12, the said vertical portions being in this case separated as shown. The shoulder hooks oi the wires 12 can be readily bent to adjust the mouths of the pipes to suit the position vertically oi the lips oi the player.

What is claimed as the invention, is'.--

1. A pipeharmonicztholder consisting of curved lengths of wire adapted, to extend over the shoulders and curving down to the breast in front, combined with a series of vcr tically arranged pipes 01' different lengths and diameters connected and having their mouths arranged in the same horizontal plane 011 a curved line and supported by the said holder in front and in proximity to the players lips.

z. A pipe-harmonicaholder comprising curved lengths of wires adapted to extend over the shoulders and curving down to the breast in front, combined with a plural series of pipes each series attuned in :1 different key from the others and the several series rotatubly supported on the holder in front of and in proximity to the lips of the player and a light spring locking wire arranged to engage one of the pipes of a set and hold the several sets from being accidentally rotated on their support.

3. A series of vertically arranged harmonica pipes hav- 1() ing" their mouths disposed in the same horizontal plane,

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