US872589A

US872589A - Harmonica.

Info

Publication number: US872589A
Application number: US38974707A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ferdinand Strauss
Original assignee: Ferdinand Strauss
Priority date: 1907-08-22
Filing date: 1907-08-22
Publication date: 1907-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 1924-12-03

Description

No. 872,589. PATENTBD'DEC. 3, 1907.

F. STRAUSS. HARMONICA.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 22, 1907.

7 V WU mboz W fiwdinarzd Strauss j 131 1 Quiet/nu FERDINAND STRAUSS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

HARMONICA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 3, 1907.

Application filed August 22. 1907. Serial No. 389.747-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FERDINAND STRAUSS, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, Manhattan, county and State of New York, have invented an Improved Harmonica, of which the following is a specification. i

This invention relates to a harmonica which is adapted to produce soft and very pleasing notes possessing an organ-like tim- In the accompanying drawing Figure 1. is a side elevation of my improved harmonica. Fig. 2. is a front view thereof. Fig. 3. is a longitudinal central section, and Fig. 1. a

' cross section on line 4-4 Fig. 3.

The body 10 of a harmonica of the usual or suitable construction projects into the side of an ovoid shell 11 forming the resonating chamber. This ovoid shell has pointed, coniform ends 12, 13, that extend beyond the ends of body 10 and are entirely closed. The shell is gradually increased in diameter from right to left, corresponding to the gradual increase in the length of the reeds 14. In this way the sound waves generated by the treble reeds will flow into a narrower portion of the shell than those generated by the bass reeds, so that uniformity in the quality of the tone is obtained.

,W'ithin the body of shell 11 are formed two sets of sound holes 15 and 16. Of these, holes 15 on the left or bass side of the shell extend parallel to the axis thereof, while the holes 16 011 the right or treble side of the shell extend at right angles to such axis. These holes permit the volume, or intensity of sound to be regulated, and tremolo effects to be obtained. By their peculiar arrangement they enable the hands to securely grasp the shell, while the fingers are free to manipulate the holes without interfering with the playing of the instrument.

Shell 11 is preferably attached to harmonica body 10 by a grooved flange 17 on the shell that engages a corresponding flange 18 on body 10, and thus permits the shell to be removed if desired.

By my invention the sound obtains a very pleasing mellow timbre, resembling that produced by an organ.

I claim:

1. A harmonica provided with a communicating ovoid resonating chamber, having closed tapering ends, that extend beyond the ends of the harmonica body, substantially as specified. a:

2. A harmonica provided with a communicating ovoid resonating chamber that increases in diameter from the treble towards the bass of the harmonica and has closed tapering ends substantially as specified.

3. A harmonica provided with a communicating ovoid resonating chamber having closed tapering ends, and two sets of air holes that extend at right angles to each other, substantially as specified.

Signed by me at New York city, New York this 15th day of August 1907.

FERDINAND STRAUSS.

W'itnesses:

FRANK V. BRIESEN, AnoLPH MINER.