US1701420A - Banjo-tone modifier - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 5, 1929.

W. H. PLACE, JR

BANJO TONE MODIFIER Filed oct, 27,i 1927 l ,ZO

INXZENTDE Patented` F eb. i, 1929.

UNITED) STATES WILLIAM HENRY PLACE, JR., OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

BANJO-TONE MODIFIER.

Application filed October 27, 1927. Serial No. 229,198.

My invention has reference to an improvemem` in banjos and more particularly to an improvement in tone modifiers for banjos.

In the usual modern construction ot banjos, the skin head ot the banjo is tightly stretch .d over the metal rim of the banjo. The n'ietai rim increases the volume of' sound and it also gives a metallic tone to the instrument.

The object of my invention to provide such a banjo with a tone modilier whereby the metallic or overtones are eliminated.

Another object of my invention is to provide the banjo tone modiiier with means for adjusting the tone modifier relative to the skin head oi the banjo, whereby the exact tone required may be easily and quickly obtained.

My invention consists in the peculiar and novel construction of a banjo tone modifier, said banjo tone modifier having details of construction as will be more fully set forth he 'einailiter and claimed.

Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view through the head of a banjo provided with my improved banjo tone modifier.

Figure 2 is a perspective View of the banjo tone modifier, showing the parts in the position they would assume in the head of the banjo.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view through the banjo head, rim and tone modifier with the greater portion ot the banjo head broken away, and

Figure 1 is a vertical perspective view oli one ot the adjusting screw sound deadening tubes, used to prevent metallic Vibrations of 'the screws.

In the drawing 5 ilniicates the head end ot a banjo and 6 mj.' improved banjo tone modilier Yfor baujos.

The banjo head, end 5 has a metal rim 7 coi'istiI l as will be hereinafter described, otherwis... i banjo head end 5 has the usual skin head 8 stretched over the metal rim 7 and tightly secured to the rim 7 by the usual hooi; rods construction 9, as shown in Figures 1 and 3.

In carrying my invention into practice I lform an internal annular recess 10, in the metal banjo rim adjacent the skin head 8. This recess l() forms an internal annular shoulder 11 and a comparatively thin rim portieri 12 over which the skin head S is stretched. A series of screw-tlnfeaded holes 13, 13, are termed in the rim an equal distance apart and at right angles to the skin head 8, the screw-threaded holes terminating outwardly into tubular enlargements 14, 14, as shown in Figures 1 and 3.

My improved banjo tone modifier 6 consists essentially of a U shaped circular ring 15 and a series ot' ring adjusting screws 16, 16. On the bottom ot' the ring 15 are a series ot screw end indentures 17, 17, coinciding with the screw- holes 13, 13, in the banjo rim 7, and the ring 15 forms a circular U shaped trough V18 in which is a ring 19 ot' felt or other resilient material.

The diameter ot the ring' 15 is less than the recess in the banjo rim 7 and it is held out oi" Contact with the banjo rim 7 by the ring adjusting screws 16, 16, in the screwthreaded holes 13, 13, in the banjo rim 7. The inner ends et' the screws 16, 16, enter the screw end indentures 17, 17 in the ring 15 and hold the ring trom turning in the banjo head. A sound deadening tube 20 surrounds that portion of each screw 16 in each tubular enlargement 14, 14, in the banjo rim 7, thereby preventing metallic sounds from the screws, caused by chattering or vibrations ol? the metal screws in the metal rim of the banjo. These sound deadening tubes 20, 20, may be made of felt or other sound deadening materials.

When the banjo is in use the tone of the banjo is modilied by pressing the feltring 19 more or against the inner face of the skin head 8, at the outer periphery of the skin head 8. This is accomplished by adjusting the pressure of the ring adjusting screws 16, 16, on the ring 15, so as to give the required pressure on the 'felt ring 19.

By this construction all oi' the tones and overtones of the banjo, caused by the vibrations o't' the skin head of the banjo, are controlled and modified by my improved banjo tone modifier, before they reach the metal rim of the banjo, thereby eliminating metallic tones or overtones from the metal rim of the banjo.

I do not contine myself to the construction shown, as the same could be modified so as to bring 'the Yfelt ring 19 into contact with the outer iace of the skin head 8 and accomplish the same result.

Having thus described my invention I claim as new 1. In a banjo having a. metal rim and a skin head, said metal rim having an annular recess on the inside of the rim, a banjo tone modifier including a circular ring having a circular groove, a feit ring in the oireuiar groove, said circular ring being` in the annular recess in the banjo rim, said feit ring Contacting Wih the skin head oi1 the banjo and means in the banjo rim for adjusting the banjo tone modifier relative to 'ne skin head of the banjo.

2. In a banjo having a metal riin and a skin head, said Inet-a1 rim having an inner annular recess forming` an annuiar ledge and an annular projecting lip over which

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