An Improved Striker or Plectrum for Zithers and the like Stringed Musical Instruments.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Apr., 1895-Accepted, 8th June, 1895
An Improved Striker or Plectrum for Zithers and the like Stringed
Musical Instruments.
A communication by KARL RUDOLF ESSIG, of 34" Mökernschestrasse, Leipzig-
Gohlis, in the Empire of Germany, Draughtsman.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of The Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street,
Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, 118 New Street, Birmingham, in
the County of Warwick, and 31, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
This invention has for its object a striker or plectrum for stringed instruments
which admits of a soft and clastic plucking or striking of the strings and which
may also be passed over the strings so that an irregular plucking or sounding is
entirely prevented.
The invention is shown on the accompanying drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is a side elevation from the right hand side;
Figure 2, a rear elevation; and
Figure 3, a side elevation from the left hand side.
The constructive arrangement of this improved plectrum or striker is explained
as follows:-
:―
The holder or handle a of the plectrum is provided at its end with a hook like
projection having a curved face standing at an acute angle to its longitudinal axis.
This face is provided with a covering c of leather or felt, which latter also covers
a piece of the back of the plectrum holder, and this soft covering acts as a damper
on the strings, (which, by the repeated plucking, are in constant vibration) before
these strings are again plucked. In this manner the strings are prevented coming
in contact whilst vibrating with the striking plate b. On the rear of the plectrum
holder the plucking or striking plate or plectrum proper b which is formed of horn,
wood, vulcanite or the like is fastened by means of a screw e, an indiarubber disc d
being inserted however between the screw and the plate.
By the elastic layer c beneath the plectrum b and the arrangement of a washer d
of soft indiarubber an even and elastic plucking of the strings is rendered possible
both for the softest "piano" as well as in the loudest "forte" playing, so that soft
full ringing tones are obtained.
The evenness of striking is obtained by means of the face of the hook shaped
end of the plectrum or striker and the covering c thereon.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
An improved striker or plectrum for zithers and the like stringed musical
instruments, characterised by its end having a hooked-shaped projection, the
curved face of which is provided with a covering of leather, felt, or the like, whilst
the rear (back) of the striker bears an adjustable plucking plate or plectrum of
FD027

page_text: horn, wood or vulcanite, which is elastically held between two layers of leather,
felt or indiarubber, with the object of rendering possible an even and elastic
plucking of the strings substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 11th day of April 1895.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents.