An Improved Musical Instrument.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd May, 1889
Complete Specification Left 21st Feb. 1890-Accented. 29th Mar.. 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Musical Instrument.
I RICHARD PILKINGTON, M.A., of 1 Ham Terrace, West Ham Lane, West Ham,
London, E., Clerk in Holy Orders, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
I obtain the musical notes of a harp or violin, from one chord, by increasing or
lessening the tension of the chord, by means of an upright lever handle, around a
groove in or on which, one end of the chord is wound, the other end being fixed to the
farther end of the sounding board. This handle is kept in position by its spindle being
inserted into a socket on, or passing through, the sounding board. In this socket the
handle is turned freely, to obtain the correct tensions of the chord for the different
notes, which are sounded, for "The Monochord Harp," by sweeping or plucking the
chord with a finger, or, for "The Monochord Violin," by the use of a violin bow.
I employ generally a moveable bridge for the chord..
Dated this 32nd do. of M. 1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Musical Instrument.
I, RICHARD PILKINGTON, M.A., of 1 Ham Terrace, West Ham Lane, West Ham,
London, E., 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 :-
I obtain the musical notes of a harp or violin from one chord, by increasing or
lessening the tension of the chord, by means of an upright lever handle, around a
groove in or on which, one end of the chord is wound, the other end being fixed to
the farther end of the sounding board or sounding box. This handle is kept in position,
by its spindle, which is inserted into a hole or socket of metal placed in the hole which
passes into the sounding board or sounding box. In this hole or socket placed in the
hole, the handle is turned freely, since its spindle fits the hole or socket loosely, to
secure the correct tensions of the chord for the different notes which are sounded
for the "Monochord Harp," by sweeping or plucking the chord with a finger, or
for the "Monochord Violin" by using a violin bow.
The accompanying Drawings will illustrate the construction of the lever handle and
socket, and explain the action of the Monochord.
Fig. I represents the lever handle, A, with its groove of metal, B, through which a
hole, D, is pierced for one end of the chord, E, to pass through, to be bound on or tied
to the groove, B; and with its spindle, C.
Fig. II only differs from Fig. I in having a wooden groove B.
Figs. III and IV represent a side view and a top view of the metal socket, F, in
which the spindle, C, is turned freely, when it (the socket) is placed in one of the
holes, H.
Figs. V and VI show how the chord, E, passes from the groove, B, over the
moveable bridge, G₁, and the bridge G³, which may be either moveable or fixed,
to the end, where it is fastened, of the sounding box or sounding board, J, a side
view of which is shown in Fig. V, and a top view in Fig. VI. The bridge, G¹, may
be however dispensed with at pleasure.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is
1. The lever handle A, Figs. I and II, with its metal or wooden groove, B, in which
is pierced the hole, D, and with its spindle, C.
2. The metal socket, F, Figs. III and IV.
3. The holes, H, of which, there may be several pierced into or through the sounding
board or sounding box, into any one of which the metal socket, F, can be placed for
the spindle, C, to be freely turned in, backwards and forwards, or in which the
spindle, C, can be thus turned without the metal socket, F,-Figs. V and VI-
being inserted.
4. The application generally of the whole for producing the notes of a
Harp," or a "Monochord Violin."
Dated this 20th day of February 1890
" Monochord
RICHARD PILKINGTON.