Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Oct., 1886.
Complete Left, 2nd Apr., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 3rd May, 1887.
I, WALTER PFEFFER DANDO 38 Marquess Road Canonbury, in the County of
Middlesex, India Rubber Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to improvements in the method of holding concertinas which
up to the present invention has depended principally on the weight of the instrument
being sustained and supported by the hands with straps attached to the instrument
passing over the backs of the hands or by small straps for the thumbs, and a small
metal plate acting as a rest for the forth finger. Concertinas have also been suspended
by a cord attached at each end of the instrument, and passed round the neck of the
performer. Most players on account of the weight of the instrument rest the left
hand side of same upon their knee, which besides being an ungraceful position
deadens the tone of the instrument and only allows free play on one side of the
instrument and also prevents a perfect and proper manipulation of the bellows which
is absolutely necessary for artistic playing Straps greatly hinder and cramp the
action of the fingers which ought only to be used to manipulate the keys and bellows,
and not tired out by supporting the weight of the instrument.
My invention relates to improvements by which the aforesaid imperfections of
accurate execution in playing will be done away with and the concertina besides being
greatly improved as a playable instrument will have an artistic addition and consists
of an improved portable stand or holder for entirely supporting the weight of the
concertina. I propose making these holders on a light portable principal of hollow
metal tubing briefly described as follows The base of the holder will be of the usual
tripod form as in ordinary music stands from these legs will rise a metal rod of
suitable height with an adjustable sliding piece working thereon which can be set at
any height desirable by a set screw, from each of the two lateral edges of this sliding
piece will be hinged two arms projecting upwards which taken from a side view
would represent the form of the letter V, upon the top edges of these two V shaped
propose resting the two ends of the concertina, a front sectional view of the
stand or holder would represent the letter Y with the concertina resting upon the two
arms I

page_text: top edges. The tripod or other suitable base to support this holder being at the
bottom of the Y and readily understood.
By any simple contrivance these top edges of the holder could be made to fit into
two sockets attached to the concertina, and furnished with a hinge or knuckle joint.
It will be readily understood that the V shaped arms being hinged at the points
where they are attached to the concertina and also where they are junctioned to the
upright piece projecting from the stand, that the manipulation of the bellows will be
quite free, and allow the concertina to open and close without in any way affecting
the most delicate wind pressure on the contrary, this holder will always keep the
bellows in a horizontal position, a very essential feature in good playing. I do not
confine myself to this form of frame or holder, my application for a patent being for
an invention for a holder to support the entire weight of a concertina or similar
musical instrument entirely; adjustable to any height to suit a performer either in a
sitting or standing position at the same time allowing a free action of the bellows
as aforesaid, leaving the hands at the disposal of the performer to manipulate the
instrument.
The holder can also be attached to any ordinary music stand with very little
additional cost in fact can be made from the most simple or pocket form to an
elaborate piece of furniture tasteful and artistic in design, and the concertina will by
this invention have a stand of its own greatly adding to the appearance of the
instrument, a neat covering to keep the dust from the instrument can be added if
necessary.
By my invention the finger rests' can be dispensed with this will give an additional
finger at the entire disposal of the performer Baritone and Bass Concertinas which
are very large and heavy will be no more difficult to handle with the addition of this
invention than the usual tenor concertina. I propose also to greatly improve the
present form of thumb strap as used on the English Concertina. The weight of the
instrument being by my invention entirely supported at both ends, rests or guides
for the position of the hands is all that is now necessary the thumb need not be
entirely enveloped in a strap I find a vulcanite or wooden rest to take the form of
the thumb very comfortable and easy, or bent thin steel of a similar form covered in
leather allows the thumb to be readily withdrawn to turn over music.
A light India Rubber or metal spring can he fixed between the V shaped arms
which would have the effect of drawing the bellows togeather and continuing a sound
played upon the instrument during the tempory withdrawal of one of the thumbs for
any purpose.
Dated this 18th day of October 1886.

page_text: CUM LEID SIMULTIUATION.
Improvements in Connection with Concertinas.
I, WALTER PFEFFER DANDO of 38 Marquess Road Canonbury in the County of
Middlesex India Rubber Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of my invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH CONCERTINAS and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to improvements in the method of holding and sustaining the
weight of musical Instruments known as Concertinas which up to the present inven-
tion has depended principally on the weight of the instrument being sustained and
supported by the hands. Straps attached to the instrument passing over the backs
of the hands, or by small straps for the thumbs and a small metal plate acting as a
rest for the fourth finger, as generally used on the English Concertina Some
Amateurs & Professionals partly suspend the concertina by a cord attached to the
ends of the instrument and passed round the neck of the performer. Most players on
account of the weight of the instrument rest the left hand side of the concertina upon
their knee, which besides necessitating a sitting position during playing, is very
ungraceful and greatly deadens the tone of the instrument, and only allows a free
action of the one side of the concertina which is not resting as aforesaid, and also
prevents a proper and perfect manipulation of the bellows which is absolutely
necessary for artistic playing Straps greatly hinder and cramp the action of the
fingers which ought only to be used to manipulate the keys & bellows and not be
tired out by supporting the weight of the instrument.
My invention relates to improvements by which the aforesaid imperfections and
inaccurate execution in playing will be done away with, and consists of an improved
portable stand and holder, for entirely supporting the weight of the concertina
Straps will no longer be necessary to support the weight of the instrument
A con-
venient rest or guide for the thumb to keep the hands in position for fingering
the keys and working the bellows horizontally will be all that is required. The hands
of the performer will thus have free action over the instrument and the performers
attention will only be occupied by the piece of music he or she may be performing
I make these holders and stands in a variety of forms; from a light portable kind to
an elaborate piece of furniture as may be required One form is shown in Fig. 1
Sheet 1 of the accompanying drawings which I make of wood or metal as follows.
The base of the stand may be of the usual tripod form as in ordinary music stands or
as shown at A Fig. 1 which is of cast metal From this base A will rise a hollow
metal Rod B fitted into a socket A¹ of the Base A and of suitable height with an
adjustable sliding piece C, also of cast metel as shown in section in Fig. 2, working
thereon, which can be fixed at any desirable height by a set screw (From each of
the two lateral edges of this sliding piece will be hinged at the points C³ two arms D
about one quarter of an inch thick and of proportional width as shown projecting
upwards, and jointed at their top edges at by pins E which can be easily withdrawn
as required as shown in Fig. 3 Sheet 1 The pins E are for the purpose of readily
fastening the 2 arms D to the sockets E which are screwed to the concertina at each
C

page_text: end as shown. I also furnish the two arms D with stay rods or coupling guides D
jointed to a piece G which works freely on the rod B and also to a socket G' on the
arms D These stay rods D' are for giving a more even action to the arms D and
making them work equally and togeather It will be readily understood that the
arms and coupling D being hinged or jointed at all points as shown at (2 that
although the entire weight of the instrument will be supported, the stand or holder
will allow a perfect action of the bellows and permit them to be opened or shut to
their fullest extent without in any way affecting the most delicate wind pressure or
a rapid alternate staccato movement I do not however confine myself to the
particular sizes or shapes of the various parts of this form of stand or holder which
I vary to suit the public taste, and make as light or heavy as may be found desirable
for the weight of the concertina used Fig. 1 I find suitable for the usual size tenor
concertina F in Fig. 1 representing an English tenor Concertina, with thumb
straps H which are the only necessary rests required where using the instrument in
combination with the stand. F¹ is the outside edge of the Bellows and F2 the inside
edge, which bellows are generally hexagon and of five folds as shown.
Fig. 1 Sheet 2 & 3 represent another form of concertina holder and support which
will be inexpensive in manufacture yet allowing all the requirements of artistic mani-
pulation of the concertina for the finest playing as previously described and allowing
an absolutely free movement of the wrist and fingers for the most difficult execution,
at same time entirely supporting the weight of the instrument I make this form of
holder of metal which may be founded, shaped to the form of the bellows of concertina
as shown at A and A' the sectional form of which will be V shaped as shown at A.
Fig. 1 Sheet 3 This form of holder is made to grip or clasp one of the folds of the
bellows, (which by preference would be the centre one) at its outside edge or periphery,
shown at Fig. 1 Sheet 1, and the shape of the section of this holder fitting on the
bellows and being held in position by the fastening D & D¹ perfectly holds and
supports the weight of the Concertina. This holder is strengthened by a rib B at the
base A and top corners of A¹, and is also provided with a projecting piece shown by
the dotted lines E¹ and is made to fit into a socket in E shown at E. Working in
conjunction with this hexagon band or clip I make an improved adjustable arm or
bracket G G which can be readily fixed to Table Pianoforte or other piece of furniture
by being used in conjunction with a small portable clamp K, which can be readily
fixed to the table T. by the screw m. to which is attached a swiveled piece of metal N
provided with a piece of leather N to prevent damage to the furniture This clamp K
is provided with two socket holes shown by the dotted lines at g. & L. the hole
being shown in use when the clamp K is fixed upon a table T. shown in section, the
hole L being used in a like manner when the clamp is fixed in the reverse position
and is particularly adapted for use on a Pianoforte by being fixed on one of the
projecting ends at either side of the keyboard. To the pieces E & H are hinged by
screws as shown at F two arms G. G which are adjustable to any desired height by
the screw I. and enables the performer to adapt the Instrument for either a setting or
standing position, and a great feature in this adjustable bracket is that although it
can be used at any desired height the two arms G. G in conjunction with the
ends E&H as described will always keep the Clip or Holder A & A' in a vertical
position, which is absolutely necessary It will be readily understood by referring to
Fig. 1 Sheet 2 & 3 that the Hexagon Band or Clip that holds the bellows of
Concertina is made in two pieces A and A', the end C is a kind of double hook into
which the round end C¹ of the upper half of the Band A' fits, and forms a joint
allowing the free opening of the hexagon band, to enable the same to be placed on the
periphery of the bellows, and is then fastened by the simple contrivance D¹ hinged
upon the lower half of the band A, and passing over a small knob D fixed on A¹ such
a fastening as is found on albums &c. The clip or band being made in two pieces
readily taken apart, allows the band or holder to be packed in a small compass for
portability.
g
Fig. 2 Sheet 3 represents a metal clamp furnished with a socket hole E to take the
end of the adjustable arm or bracket provided at end of the piece H and fitting into

page_text: the socket hole J Fig. 1 Sheet 2 or the end of the Hexagon Holder E Fig. 1 Sheet 2
as shown. The clamp Fig. 2 Sheet 3 is made in two pieces the piece D being hinged
at D' to the piece B, and can be brought togeather and held on the tube A (which
represents a tube rising from a tripod music stand readily understood) by the screw
working into C as shown.
The hole A can be made any size to fit the rising tube or rod of the music stand
and by the aid of this clamp in conjunction with Fig. 1. Sheet 2 an ordinary Tripod
portable music Stand or other known form of music Desk, several forms of which are
purchasable at a very low price, an inexpensive music Stand and Concertina Support
can be produced especially adapted for portability and playing at concerts and where
a music Stand and Concertina holder are required-For extra cheapness and where a
very inexpensive form of concertina holder is required I make a similar Hexagon
holder of one piece of metal Spring wire of suitable strength and thickness as shown
at Fig. 3 Sheet 3 which will be readily understood. The parts marked A are twisted
as shown to form a spring and allows the wire framework to be readily opened by the
two projecting pieces B This form of holder will be placed on the bellows of the
concertina at its smallest diameter as at F2 Fig. 1. Sheet 1 and the springy nature of
this holder will be found sufficient to hold the concertina in place. This holder is
also furnished with a projecting piece C twisted from the same wire and being
equivalent to the projecting piece E Fig. 1 Sheet 1 can be used in combination with
the adjustable Bracket and clamp as shown at Fig. 1. Sheet 2 or in conjunction with
the adjustable clamp Fig. 2 Sheet 3 in combination with a music stand.
Concertinas and their bellows although generally Hexagon, are sometimes made of
a shape and size to the fancy of some particular maker, and to suit the instruinent,
and although I have shown my holders and described them as working with the
concertina and bellows as in general use I do not confine my invention to the
particular shape size or configuration herein set forth I can make my supports and
clips and brackets &c. of any size & shape to suit the Instrument The strength of
the metal and materials being in proportion to the weight and size of the instrument,
and I can use the Metal Clip or Holder A A¹ Fig. 1 Sheet 2 or the Wire Holder
Fig. 3 Sheet 3 either with the adjustable Bracket and Clamps as described or with
any other suitable stand support or bracket in general use.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is
1st. The supporting of a Concertina or similar instrument by two arms or more, in
combination with a Stand allowing of the free action of the bellows substantially as
described in Fig. 1 Sheet 1.
2nd. The supporting of a concertina or similar instrument by a metal Clip or Band
readily fitted upon the outside edge or periphery of the bellows of the instrument
substantially as described at A & A Fig. 1 Sheet 2.
3rd. The supporting of a concertina or similar Instrument by a metal wire spring
holder readily attached to the bellows of the instrument at its smallest diameter as
shown at Fig. 3 Sheet 3 substantially as described.
4th. The arm or Bracket, adjustable to any height, yet keeping the socket hole E²
always in the same position as shown at Fig. 1. Sheet 2 substantially as and for the
purpose described.
5th. The Clamp K Fig. 1 Sheet 2 fitted with the holes 9 & L one in a vertical
and the other in a horizontal position, and the clamp Fig. 2 Sheet 3 substantially as
and for the purpose described."