US706381A - Banjo attachment. - Google Patents

Description

No. 706,38I. Patented Aug. 5, |902.

H. M. BRONSON.

BANJO ATTACHMENT.

(Application l'ed Nov. 21, 1901.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED 'STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HOWARD M. BBONSON, OF BRANDON, VERMONT.

BANJO ATTACH lV! ENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 706,381, dated August 5, 1902.

' Application led November 21,1901. Serial No. 83,135. (No model.)

T0 @ZZ whom, t mag/concern:

Be it known that I, HOWARD M. BRoNsoN, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of Forestdale, town of Brandon, in the county of Rutland and StateofVermont, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Banjo Attachments, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of 'thefinvention is to provide a new and improved attachment forbanjos and like musical instruments, arranged 'for convenient application to any banjo, and more especially designed for removing all harshness of the banjo tone and rendering the mu sic produced soft and sweet.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations of the saine, as will be fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims.

A practical embodiment ofthe invention is represented in theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of'j reference indicate corresponding parts in all thefigures.

Figure l is a perspective view of the improvement as appliedypartsbeing-broken out. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the same, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the improvement.

The banjo A of ordinary construction is provided in its drumhead A' with the usual cross-brace B, on the top of which is located a longitudinally-extending lever C, terminating at one end in a loop G",from which eX- tends the return bent larmOz, terminating at its end in an upwardly-rising stein'OS, onA

which is held vertically adjustable the bridge or muffler D, normally standing with its felted top a short distance below the under side of the head A' of the banjo A, directly opposite the string-bridge A2, as plainly indicated in Fig. 2. At the sides of the loop C' are secured the upper ends of elastic bands F, extending on the sides of the cross-brace B and having their lower ends connected with each other by a ring F', abutting against the un.- der side of the-cross-brace. (See Fig. 2.) The bandsjF and ring F/ form a yieldable clamp for holding the lever O on the crossbrace B to allow the lever to swing upward to bring the muffler D in contact with the under side of the drumhead A/, the said bands F also serving to return the muffler to its resting position on the cross-brace B.

On the forward end of the lever C is formed a depending handle C4, carrying a knob O5, adapted to be engaged by the performer to impart an upward swinging motion to the lever O to move the muflier D in contact with y the drumhead with more or less force to mulllc the drumhead to any desired degree, and thereby remove all vharshness in the sound and render the music soft and sweet. vWhen the performer releases the pressure on the knob C5, then the spring-bands F return the mull'ler O to a normal position, so that the lever rests on the cross-brace B and the muffler D is then out of contact with the head A. A set-screw E serves to vertically adjust the mu'liier D on the stem C3 to bring the said muflier in proper position relative to the head A. The handle C"l of the lever O extends loosely through a guide G in the form of a staple or the like, secured to the side of the cross-brace B.

The attachment is very simple and durable in construction and can readily be applied to a banjo of ordinary construction, and the attachment can be readily moved into an active position by the performer whenever it is desired to muflie the instrument, as above eX- plained.

Having thus described my invention, claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. The combination with a cross-bar of a banjo, or similar musical instrument, of a lever resting on said bar, yieldable members connected to said lever, a coupling coperating with said members in holding said lever in operative position on said cross-bar, and a muffler carried by said lever.

2. A mulfling attachment for banjos and other musical instruments, comprising a lever provided with an offstanding arm, a muf- [ler adjustably fitted to said arm and shiftable to different positions lengthwise thereof, means for holding said mull'ler in dilferent positions on the arm, suitable attaching devices vfor the lever, and an operating device.

A banjo attachment, comprising a lever terminating at one end in an angular handle carrying a knob and terminating at its other end in a loop, a return bent arm having an IOO secured on the said stein, for engaging the head of the instrument, and a guide on the side of the cross-brace for the angular handle I5 to slide in, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HOWARD M. BRONSON.

Witnesses:

NAPOLEON B. HALE, CHARLES W. FOWLER.

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