Improvements in Zither Rings.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 11th June, 1894-Accepted, 14th July, 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Zither Rings.
I, WALTER LEIGHTON SANDERSON, trading as The Parisian Diamond
Company of 85, New Bond Street, London, W. Jeweller 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 relates to Improvements in Zither Rings which in operation are
fixed or placed upon the thumb of the zither player and are used for striking the
melody strings, and has for object so to construct such rings that the disadvantages.
hitherto attending their use are entirely overcome.
In playing the zither by striking the strings with the thumb much inconvenience
and even pain was caused the operator, and again in some instances the moisture of
the flesh coming in contact with the strings had a disadvantageous effect upon the
tone of the instrument, hence it has been found desirable to make use of or employ
an auxiliary mechanical device of easy attachment to the hand of the operator for
striking the strings, and what is now known as the zither ring has been devised for
the purpose. By the use of the zither ring as hitherto constructed, however, a
disagreeable metallic sound has been given to the music produced, and a want of
mellowness has been experienced, which disadvantages by this invention are, as.
aforesaid, entirely overcome.
And in order that this my invention may be fully understood, and readily carried
into effect I will now proceed to describe same with reference to the accompanying
sheet of drawings upon which similar letters of reference indicate like parts in each
of the figures.
Fig. 1. is a plan of the zither ring as constructed in accordance with this
invention. Figure 2 is a front edge view of the same; and Figure 3. illustrates.
its application to the thumb of the zither-player.
Fig. 4. is another view in plan of the zither ring constructed with an internal
spring attachment for taking contact with the flesh of the performer and thereby
adding resonancy to the tone.
Now in accordance with this invention, I form the ring a of a strip of gold,.
silver, or other suitable metal, welded, soldered, or braized, together at the ends bc,.
and of such size and shape as readily to accommodate itself to the thumb of the
player when placed thereon, as shewn particularly in Figure 3. The junction of
the two ends be forms the striking portion of the ring, and to facilitate the striking
operation I form the end 6 of the ring of a peculiarly curved shape (see d) which
will allow of an easy striking of the string, and a full and powerful hold of same
whilst being struck, and yet permit of a smooth and facile release of the string at.
the end of the pull. The whole of the striking operation is thus performed
without any sudden jar or jerk and with a smooth and easy motion, obviating the
metallic ring or sound hitherto experienced with the use of a zither ring, as well.
as permitting of a fully resonant note.
To facilitate the formation of the curve d in the end 6 of the ring a I divide, or
make a slot e in the broad portion of the ring a for a portion of its length (see
particularly Figure 2) which will allow of a free manipulation of the end b and of
its ready formation to the curve desired. Said curve d whilst enabling the
advantages above described to be obtained, further facilitates the operation of
welding, or otherwise connecting the two ends b and c together, as the back of the
curve d adapts itself advantageously to the front of the end e which latter tapers to
almost a point from the broad part of the ring a f. Fig. 4, is the internal spring

page_text: attachment affixed to the ring a for the purpose of taking contact with the flesh of
the thumb.
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.
1st. The improvements in zither rings substantially as and for the purposes
herein before described, and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
2. Zither rings constructed with the curved shaped striking portion substantially
as, and for the purposes, hereinbefore described and illustrated in the drawings.
Dated this 11th day of June 1894.
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.