US1649101A - Banjo - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 15, 1927. 1,649,l01

J. DoPYERA BANJO Patented Nov. 15, 1927.

UNITED ,srATEs Jonu *norynna or TAFT, CLIFQRNIA.

BANJO.

1./ i v, Application filed December 12, 1923. Serial No. 680,145.

This invention relates to banjos, and the main object is to `provide au improved type of musical instrument` in the form of a banjo having means for improving and substantially amplfying the tone produced by the instrument by the provision of a reso- `natorv suitably supported on the bottom of 'the instrument, so as to take up the vibrat`i`on,,together with means for enclosing the resonator in order to prevent the same corning in contact with other things while the 'instrument is being played.

, Another object is to provide a banjo comprising a band for supportingV a skin of usual` character, and a metallic covering on the opposite side of the band from the skin serving as a support for and enclosing a :metallic resonator adjustably mounted `for amplifying and substantially improving the tone of the instrument.

Still another object consists-in means pro- -vided for -supporting the resonator on the band/by the utilization of the usual skin holding devices whereby the ries'onatorand the cover may be detachably held in position.

. Other `objects will appear as the description progresses.l` g

` I have shown in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of my invention, subject to modification within the v scope of the appended claiins without departing from the spirit thereof, in which:

. Fig; ljis a composite plan view of my device, the upper portion of. which is a top plan, the lower portion a bottom plan, and ``the intermediate, portion a sectional plan.

j Fig. 2 is' aside view of the same, partly in section. 40j ,,Fig 3 is a perspective view of one of the iolding devices for detachably supporting ti the resonator and cover on the band.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section of the f cover, showing a modified structure.

In the consideration of this invention it will be understood that my improvements are adapted to be attached to a modern type of banjo, or the same may be built into new instruments as may be desired.

In the drawings I have shown a, well t known type of instrument which includes the usual supporting band B, usually made of wood and overV the upper edge of which a i. skin S is firmly attached and held taut by means of a plurality of adjusting screws A,

A, etc. The outer edges of the skin S are usually wrapped around an annular band b and are thence turned upwardly against the lnner' side of a substantially wider annular band b' whichencompasses the main band B. The bandb is thus held underneath the larger band b', and both of said bandsV are drawn downwardly with the edge portion of theskin S by means of the adjusting screws A, A, which have their upper ends e, e, etc., formed into hooks which'overlie the upper edge of the band b'.

The lower ends of the screws A, A carry adjusting nuts N, N, etc., by means of which the skin is adjusted over the edge of the band B. The screwsA, A, etc., are threaded at their lower ends to receive the nuts N, N, etc., andv above said nuts they extend through lugs p L, L, etc., which are supported on the outer side of the band B and are held against Vertical movement thereon by means of screws Z, Z, etc., which have their heads on the inner side of band B and Vare threaded at :their vouter ends into thel lugs.

Theparts hereinbefore Inentioned are ein- `Vbodied si'ibstantially in the relations stated in banjos now in Vogue, and tol said parts I apply my improvements in the manner hereinafter stated.

Said improvements consist of two main members, namely, a cover C which is of.

substantially greater diameter than the band B and which is adapt-ed to receive and adjustably support a resonator R. The cover C is of thin sheet metal and has its edge portions rolled as at 2 into a hollow head encompassinglthe lower portion of band B and terminat-ing in an annula-r portion 3,

the inner edge of which is spaced from the band B.

The central portion of the cover C under-` lies and is substantially spaced from the lower edge of the band B, and said cover is adapted to be detachably held on said band by means of a pluralit-y of clips 4, Li, etc., which are of Z cross section and have horizontal portions 5 with apertures 6 thcrein, through which the lower ends of the screws A` are adapted to be inserted at a point above the nuts N. Said clips also have continuing Vertical portions 7 and horizontal extensions 8 extended outwardly therefrom.

'The portions 8 are adapted to overlie the annular fiat portion 3 of cover C, and are provided with apertures therein similar to the apertures 6 in the portion 5, which are adapted to receive pins 9 riveted to the portion 3 of the cover. Portion 8 of the. clips 4 also carry on the upper sides thereof locking members 10 which are riveted at 11 to the clips and are adapted to be frictionally held in slots 11' formed in the peripheries of the pins 9 for retaining the cover in operative position on the banjo. The looking members 10 have Vertical extensions 10l on the outer ends thereof by means of which said members may be operated for looking and unlocking the cover. l

It will be noted that the cover C is provided with one or more series of a-pertures as at 12, 12, etc., which are arranged in ornamental and geometrieal form, and additionally serve to provide means whereby the vibrations from the interior of the instrument may have free egress.

The outer side of the cover C in the center is provided with a concave portion 13 which receives the head 14 of an adjust-ing screw 1.5. Said screw has a reduced extension 16 which is threaded into the head 14; and which is reversely threaded from the steni 15 of the screw. Intermediate the portions 15 and 16 said screw has an enlarged shoulder 17 which engages the central portion 18 of the cover and is also provided With a v portion 16' held in the opening of the cover.

On the interior of the portion 19 of the resonator a eoncave reinforcing member 20 is welded for providing additional thickness at this point to receive the screw 15.

The screw 15 carries a coil spring 22 therearound which is adapted to compress between the portion 17 of the screw and the portion 19 of the resonator, and the ends 23 and 24, respectively, of said spring are preferably held in openings in the portions 19 and 18 respectively of the resonator and the cover, so as to prevent the dislodgement of the spring.

The resonator is substantially of the same diameter of the body band B, or larger if desirable, and as shown in the drawngs, it will be noted thatthe resonator is at all times held in spaced relation from the band B and may be adjusted relative to the cover C. By means of the adjusting head 14,

the screw 15 may be turned for adjusting the resonator relative to the cover C, for the purpose of regulating the tone. The screw also serves to support the resonator resiliently in position and in such a manner that the same may be readily attached and detached at will.

Cover C is provided with an annular shoulder C' which underlies the outer portion of resonator R so that the edge of the resonator may rest upon said shoulder, as shown in Fig. 2. Thus, the adjusting screw 15 may be operated for adjusting the tension of the resonator against the cover for regulating the tone of the instrument, or if desirable the resonator may be adjusted so as to completely disengage from the cover. In either case the spring 23 serves as a cushon for the resonator so as to hold the same spaced from the cover to a desired extent, and thus prevents the rattling of the resonator against the cover due to the vibrations set up when the instrument is being played. The tone vibrations have free egress through the apertures 21 on the upper portion 3 of the cover. WVhen the instrument is assembled the clips are placed on the lugs L and underneath the nuts N, whereupon the skin S is tightened to a. sufficient extent, and thereafter the cover is snapped into position under the port-ions 8 of the clips and locked by means of the looking members 10.

It will be obvious that the number of the screws A is immaterial and that this number may be more or less than that shown, also that it is unnecessary to support the cover C on the band' B at a great number of points. Usually only three or four points of suspension Will be necessary for effectively holding the cover and resonator in position on the. band B, so that the clips 4 provided for holding the cover in position will necessarily be provided only for a desired number of screws A which are to be utilized.

lVhat I claim is:

1. A banjo having a eircular body portion, a skin closing one edge thereof, a metallic resonator supported in spaced relation from the opposite edge thereof, and a metallie cover forming a support for said resonator and detachably held on the exterior of said body portion, said cover having a diameter substantially larger than said body.

2. A banjo having a circular body portion, a skin closing one edge thereof, a metallie resonator adjustably and detachably supported on and spaced from the opposite edge thereof, and a metallic cove1` forming a support for said resonator and detachably held ou the exterior of said body portion, said resonator being substantially of the diameter of said body portion, and said cover being of greater diameter than said resonator and said body. i

3. A banjo comprising an annular, body member, a skin stretched over one side thereof, an integral metallic cover attached to and substantially larger in diameter than said body, forming a back spaced 'from said body, and a metallic resonator overlying the body and mounted at a single central point on said cover, as described.

4:. A banjo including an annular body portion, a membrane drawn over one side of said body, an integrally formed metallic cover closing the other side of and spaced from the' edge of said body, and a metallic resonator mounted on said cover at a central point and disconnected from said body.

5. A banjo including an annular body portion, a membrane drawn over one side of said body, an integrally formed metallic cover closing the other side of and spaced 5 from the edge of said body, a metallic resonator mounted on said. cover at a central point and disconnected from said body, and means for adjusting said resonator.

6. A banjo comprising an annular body 10 member, a membrane drawn over one edge thereof, an integrally formed metallic cover comprising a rini portion of arcuate cross section, detachably supported on and extending outwardly from and around said body, a central web portion forming a back spaced from said bodv portion. and a sheet mefal resonator adjustably mounted at a central point on said cover andnhaving its edge disconneeted from the body.

. JOHN DOPYERA.

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