US86722A - Apparatus - Google Patents

Description

` tion on the line Si-taten vARTI-Inn c. ARMENGOL, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

Lette/rs Patent No. 86,722, dated February 9, 1869.

FIN GER-EXERCISIN G- APPARATUS.

To all whom, 4it 'ma/y conce/m:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR G. ARMENGOL, of the city, county, and State of Ne'wl York, have invented a new and improved Finger-Exercising Apparatus; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof', which will enable others skilled in the artto make and`use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for exercising the fingers, to fit them, by rendering the joints more flexible, for playing the piano with greater ease, and for attaining greater excellence therein.

It consists in the arrangement, upon a board or table, of a set of' pmctising-apparatns, by which the lingers may be exercised in the movements necessary togive them the requisite strength, elasticity, and pliability for attaining greater excellence in the said perfomance.

The said'apparatus may be thusdescribed: First, a.device for practising two lingers in alternate parallel and horizontal movements.

Second, va device for fitting the hands toassume the right positions on the piano.

Third, a. device for fitting the hands to assume the right position when the middle lingers alone are to perform.

Fourth, a device for imparting strength and agility zo either finger', asin the vertical movement of a single nger.

Fifth, a device for imparting strength to the fingers in the ends, and to measure the degree of the same.

Sixth, a device for preparing two lingers to perform v vertical movements 'alternatelyin opposite directions.

Y In the drawings- Figure l represents a plan view of' my improvements. Figure 2 represents a longitudinal sectional eleva- :z: of lig. 1.

Similar letters of' reference indicate parts.

A represents a table, which may be of any preferred corresponding v size and form, for the attachment of' my improved iing'er-exercising apparatus.

K represents a device for practising two fingers in alternate to-and-fro movements horizontally, consisting of a vibrating lever, K1, attached by springs, K1,

connected toeach end to any fixed support, and pro-- vided with rings, K3, into each of which a linger' is placed, and moved alternately in horizontal directions against the action of the springs, thereby exercising the muscles of the fingers inthat manner.

L represents a series of' six spring-touches, and L, a bridge in connection therewith, four of the said touches being arranged in a row, for the application of the four fingers of either hand, while the others, L2, are arl ranged sufiiciently in the rear for the application' of the thumbs, one for the right and 'the other for the left thumb. The bridge L, in front of the four touches L, serves to maintain the fingers at the proper degree of curvature, and thereby the hand suiiciently above the level of the key-board, as is .required for this practice, .while thc finger-exercise of pressing down the touches against the springs is taking place.

M represents a single similar touch, in connection with which is a bridge, M', and two linger-guards, M2. The object of this arrangement is to maintain the hand at the proper elevation, and in a stat/e` of rest, while one finger is performing vertical movements,

N represents a ring, or other device, suspended by a spring, for the practice of pressing down forcibly with one finger while the hand is in a state of rest...

O represents a slide, arranged in horizontal ways, attached'to a lixe'cl point by a spring, O, and arranged incombination with two finger-guards, Oi,- against which two fingers4 may rest. ,to hold the hand in position, while a third linger' performs a to-and-i'o horizontal practice with the slide O. The ways, in which the slide works, may be provided with ascale, on which the movement ofthe finger or the tension ofthe springs may be measured.

P represents two spring-touches, connected' by a lever, arranged to vibrate on a central axis, compelling one to rise while the other falls, for the purpose of practising vertical movements with two fingers alternately.'

It will be readily observed, without further description, that the above-described apparatus affords a systern for linger-practice whereby the learner may readily acquire skill in lingering the. keys, thereby greatly facilitating his progress.-

The order of arrangement of the several devices on the table may be varied, to suit taste or circumstances.

Having thus described my invention,

I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination, with the table A, of the vibrat- -ing lever' K, provided with t'nc rings K3 and ways, and connected by the springs K2 to fixed points, substan tially as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination, with the table A, of the springtouches L Li, and bridge L, substantially as and for the .purpose described.

3. The combination, with the table A, ofthe springtouch M, guards Mi, and bridge M, substantially as and for the purpose described.

4. The combination, with the table A, of the finger-` piece N, suspended from the bridge N by a spring, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. The combination, with the table A, of the slide O,

connected by a spring to a fixed pivot, and provided with ways and the guards Oi, substantially as and f'or the purpose described.

6. The combination, with the table A, of the springtouches P, arranged substantially as and for the purpose described. l

7. The combination, in one apparatus, of the several sets of finger-exercising devices, substantially as and for the purpose described.

8'. A system of linger-exercising apparatus, substantially such as herein shown and described, and for the purpose specified.

lThe above specification of my invention signed by me, this 26th day of September, 1868. ARTHUR O. ARMEN GOL.

Witnesses:

FRANK BLocKLEY, E. G. COLLINS.

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