Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Jan., 1896-Accepted, 16th May, 1896
Fig. 8 shows the hook for striking the strings on a larger scale in a front and
side-view and explains the various positions of the same; when the instrument is
being played;
Fig. 9 finally shows the hook with a contrivance for preventing the resonance of
the strings.
The zither is composed of the sound-box A with the wires strung in the zither-
fashion, of the mechanism for striking the strings, enclosed in a case B on the
finger-board side of the instrument and in the sound-box and the mute-mechanism
actuated by a pedal.
In the case above the strings a there is a plate b, which can be pushed upwards
by means of plates c; arranged on the two narrow sides between the guide-ledges d
of a further plate e situated on the body of the zither or sound-box. At the
further end (from the player's stand point) of the plate b there is the ledge f, to
which the keys, upper and lower keys g g₁ are fastened by means of binges i. The
keys have on the back a hole, in which there is a spring h.
This spring serves to prevent the keys from getting jammed, when the string is
struck quickly and repeatedly. At the front end of the lower side of the keys
there is a boring k, into which there enters a pin, fixed in the plate b, by which the.
key is prevented from being pressed too far downwards. The plate 6 is provided
with a number of perforations, corresponding to the number of the strings. These
perforations are arranged in two parallel rows opposite each other corresponding
to the division of the keyboard.
Each of these perforations is intended for the reception of the striking-mechanism
of one string.
This strike-mechanism consists of a bent finger 1 situated on the lower side of
the plate b.
The finger is moveably connected by means of a hinge with the pin m, which is
carried through the perforations of the plate.
When it is not in use, the finger lies directly under the plate b as shown in
Prine &1

page_text: Fig. 4. The pin m is provided at the top with a head n, against which rests a
little plate o on the lower side of the key.
The part of the pin m, which is above the plate b, when the key is at rest, is
surrounded by a spiral-spring p, which is kept position on the one hand by the
in
plate and on the other hand by the head n or the key g 91
Below the sound-box there is a rod g, which in the middle takes the form of a
lever-arm 91. The somewhat bent back ends of the rod are shaped like a plate
and serve as points of supports for pins r, which are loosely situated in perforations
of the sides & of the sound-box.
On these pins r in turn rest the pins t screwed into the already mentioned
plates c.
By means of the arrangements just described one can slightly raise the plate b
with the key and the strike-mechanism; as on account of this, on the key being
pressed down, the fingers / do not strike their respective strings fully but only touch
them slightly, a low subdued sound is the result.
ν
This mute mechanism is actuated by the pedal u, which preferably is connected
by means of a chain v hanging from a leather keeper w of the lever arm g₁ to this
lever arm.
The pedal and chain can be detached from the instrument and when
the instrument is laid on the table, they are hung in position and the chain adjusted
to the height of the table.
As already mentioned, there is a contrivance, shown in Fig. 9, which prevents
the resonance of the strings after the key has been let go. This contrivance
consists in a tuft of soft material being attached to the hook-shaped part of the
finger, which touches the vibrating string and thereby causes the vibrations to
stop.
The working of the mechanism is as follows:
When the key g is pressed down, the pin m is pushed into the hole of the plate b,
when the spring p is pressed together. During this motion downwards the pin m
carries along the finger 1 from its position of rest, Fig. 8 (pos. I) until its point has
come directly alongside of the string (Fig. 8
pos. II).
At this moment however the finger lays itself on the lower cross-piece of mi
and as it can no longer continue to follow the downward motion of the pin, it
makes a turn round the hinge. At the same time the string is pushed somewhat
downwards and to one side by the point of the finger, and on the finger turning
still more, suddenly let go again.
By being pulled in this manner, it is made to vibrate and sounds, while the finger
remains in the position III. On the key being now let go, the spring p begins to
act. It expands and pushes back the key and the pin into the position of rest.
At the same time the finger l, going upwards, strikes with the vertex of its angle,
position IV, against the under side of the plate b and since it can no longer follow
the upward movement of the pin m it turns downwards about its point of attachment
in the hinge until it again lies in its whole length alongside of the plate b, i.e. in its
position of rest.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1.) A finger-board zither, consisting of the sound-box A, bearing the strings a
and formed as a zither, of the finger-board g g₁, arranged above it, the strike
mechanism l, m, m p for the strings, of the case B enclosing the latter and the
mute-mechanism.
2.) In the finger-board zither as in Claim 1) the arrangement of the strike-
mechanism, consisting of the finger 1 and the pin m with head n, connected with
the finger and surrounded by the spiral spring p as well as of the keys g g
3.) In the finger-board zither as in Claim 1.) the arrangement of the keys g gi
with the hinges i, for attaching them, as well as of the spring h in the holes of
the keys.

page_text: 4.) In the finger-board zither according to Claim 1) the arrangement of the
mute-mechanism, consisting of the plate b capable of sliding upwards and bearing
the finger l, the pins on the sides of the sound-box, supporting the finger 1, the
bar g on the flat-shaped ends of which the pins r rest with the lever-arm qi for
holding the chain v bearing the pedal u.
Dated this 23rd day of January 1896.
For ANDREAS MINDER,
Bernh. Brockhues.