IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CASES FOR VIOLINS AND OTHER SIMILAR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Year: 1884

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I GEORGE ADOLPHUS CHANOT of 48 Great Ducie Strect Manchester in the
County of Lancaster Violin Maker do hereby declare the nature of my Invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CASES FOR VIOLINS AND OTHER
SIMILAR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
This Invention relates to the manufacture of cases for violins, violas, violoncellos,
guitars, mandolines, and other similar stringed musical instruments the object of
the said Invention-being to inanufacture a case affording the protection and
combining the strength of the wooden case now generally in use with the lightness
(or nearly so) of a bag, together with a reduction in size and complete protection
from rain or moisture.
The Invention consists principally in the combination of a skeleton frame either
of wood or lightly made of metal with an external bag or casing of waterproof
woven fabric leather, or any other suitable material.
The annexed Drawing illustrates (by way of example) the application of my
Invention to the manufacture of a case for a violin and it will be evident that
the same principle of construction is equally applicable to cases for other similar
stringed inusical instruments all that is necessary being to adapt the form of the
sides and arched ribs of the skeleton frame and the bag to the shape and size of
the instrument.
Fig. 1. in the annexed Drawing shows a plan view Fig. 2. a side view and Fig. 3.
an end view of the wooden skeleton frame the ribs a, a of which are cut bent or
arched to the desired form to enclose and protect the body of the instrument.
This skeleton frame is now to be lined with soft baize, Hannel, velvet, wool,
plush or other suitable material to prevent injury to the instrument.
I then make a bag b, b (the length of which will vary with that of the neck of
the instrunient) of waterproof woven fabric leather or other suitable material (see
Bide view Fig. 4. and plan view Fig. 5.) and I place the lined skeleton frame a, a
inside the same and attach it thereto by means of straps c, c nailed screwed or
rivetted to the two end ribs of the frame.
In the case of larger instruments I should add more 'straps and thereby gain
strength and solidity. The waterproof bag b, b is closed when the instrument is
.

page_text: in the case, by means of a draw cord passing through two metal eyes (or it may be
made to lap over and fasten with a button or a buckle).
The loop of the cord is then attached to a stud at the bottom of the case (as in
Fig. 4) or at the top (as in Fig. 5) and when drawn tight perfectly excludes the
rain or moisture; d, d is a handle for carrying the same and e, e are metal studs
or bosses to serve as fret to support the bag when placed on the ground.
For stringed instruments played by means of a bow I provide for the latter by
attaching externally to the instrument case a lightly constructed bow case either
permanently by straps or removably by means of spring catches rings or hooks.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of my
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I would here
remark that I do not intend to confine myself to the precise details of design or
construction as above set forth as the same will have to be varied to suit different
circumstances but what I claim as my Invention is The manufacture of cases for
violins and other similar stringed musical instruments by the combination of a
suitably lined wooden or lightly constructed metal skeleton case with a bag of
waterproof cloth leather or other suitable flexible material, substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated by the Drawings annexed.
Dated this 19th day of March 1884.
GEORGE DAVIES,
2
Agent for the Applicant.