US973846A - Tailpiece for violins, violas, and the like. - Google Patents

Description

J. BENDEL,

TAILPIEGE FOR VIOLINS, VIOLAS, AND THE LIKE APPLICATION FILED @2129, 1909.

973,846. Patented 001;. 25, 1910.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEF BENDEL, 0F KRONSTADT, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.

TAILPIECE FOR VIOLINS, VIOLAS, AND THE LIKE.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josnr BENDEL, a subject of the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, and resident of Kronstadt, Austria-Hungary, have invented Improvements in Tailpieces for Violins, Violas, and the Like, of which the following is a specification.

The subject of the present invention concerns improvements in tail pieces for violins, violas and the like.

The essential features of this invention consist in that the tail piece is provided with means for adjusting the pitch of the strings. It often happens that the strings of the violin, viola or the like, become a little too high or a little too low owing to the slackening or tightening of the strings caused by the difference of temperature between the place of tuning up and the concert hall or the like,

This device enables the player to adjust a particular string, during the first pause, without removing the violin from the position in which it is held while playing.

In order that this invention may be clearly understood reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure l is a plan of the improved tail piece, while Fig. 2 is a part sectional elevation of same. Fig. 3 is a vertical section at right angles to Fig. 2, on a larger scale.

The string is maintained in the tail piece 3 by means of the usual knot 2, and before it leaves the tail piece it passes through a slot 8. In front of and at the end of the slot 8 are metal strips 7 over which the string passes.

A set screw 5 meshes in a threaded recess in the slot 8, four slots being provided thereby separating the plates 4. The screw presses indirectly on the string by means of a suitably shaped piece 6, adapted to fit in the slot 8. The curved lower surface of the piece 6 is provided with a depression for the Specification of Letters Patent.

App1ication filed September 29, 1909.

Patented Oct. 25, 1910.

Serial No. 520,186.

reception of the string. This arrangement is provided for each string.

The screwing up of the strings is effected as follows :lVhen it is necessary to put on a new string, the screw 5 is taken right out and the knotted end of the string is inserted in the known way. The string is laid in the slot 8, the slidable piece is inserted so that the string rests in the depression therein, and the set screw 5 is screwed up for a quarter of its length. The string is then tightened up by means of the peg at the head of the violin or the like, in the known way, until the required tone is nearly at tained, the string being finally tuned to the exact pitch by screwing the set screw 5. Thus should a player hear that a certain string is flat, he has only to raise the bow hand at the first pause and tighten up the screw 5 a little, without having to remove the instrument from under the chin.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is Improvements in tail pieces for violins, violas and the like, comprising in combination, a tail piece, a plurality of metal plates carried on the latter, said plates being separated by slots, metal strips carried by said tail piece and over which the strings pass, a set screw in mesh with one of said slots, and a suitably shaped piece carried by said set screw, said piece being adapted to press down on a string, and so raise the tone of the latter when the set screw is screwed up, substantially as described and shown, and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEF BENDEL. itnesses FRANZ GRoss, FRITZ REIsER.

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