An Improved Device for Holding Violins in Position.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Apr., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 7th Jan., 1892-Accepted, 13th Feb., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Device for Holding Violins in Position.
I, JOHN KENSETT, of 124, Crawford Street, in the County of Middlesex,
Decorative Artist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
In playing the violin it is usually held under the chin of the player, and in
shifting the left hand for the purpose of fingering the strings, the instrument is
liable to shift or become dislodged from its proper position.
My present invention has for its object a device by which such shifting is prevented,
and the violin is securely and conveniently held exactly in the position required by the
player.
In order to put my invention in operation, I take a clip or holder consisting
preferably of an elastic metal wire covered with leather or other suitable soft
material, and fitted against the lower side of the inner rib or side recess of the body
of the violin (on the right hand side when viewing the front of or belly of the
instrument) the wire lying in the angle formned by such inner rib and the projecting
edge of the back of the violin. I preferably turn the ends of the wire slightly up,
so as to facilitate its introduction and removal, and it remains in its position by its
own elasticity, without in any way injuring the appearance or tone of the violin.
Round the lower end or curve of the wire I fit a hook or loop, preferably of wire,
which projects sufficiently beyond the back of the violin, and to this hook or loop I
attach a corresponding hook at the end of a ribbon, tape, or string, of any suitable
material, the other end of which after passing under the violin and over the shoulder
of the player is fastened to a button or other fastening at or near the back of his
neck.
If the length of this ribbon or tape is properly adjusted the violin is safely,
steadily, and effectually held in its proper position during all the movements of the
left hand of the player upon the finger board, and great comfort and convenience
in playing are thus afforded.
Where the violin is played by a lady, I prefer to carry the ribbon or tape com-
pletely round the neck, its end being brought down and hooked or attached to a
suitable point near the other end.
The improved device is very simple, cheap, and effective, and is not conspicuous
when in use.
'
It may be made of covered metal wire as described, or of other suitable and
sufficiently elastic material.
D
JL 1001
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Device for Holding Violins in Position.
I, JOHN KENSETT, of 124 Crawford Street, in the County of Middlesex,
Decorative Artist, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the
following statement and accompanying drawing, that is to say :-
In playing the violin it is usually held under the chin of the player, and in
shifting the left hand for the purpose of fingering the strings, the instrument is
liable to shift or become dislodged from its proper position.

page_text: My present invention has for its object a device by which such shifting is
prevented, and the violin is securely and conveniently held, exactly in the position
required by the player. In order to put my invention in operation, I take a clip
or holder, consisting preferably of an elastic metal wire, covered with leather or
other suitable soft material, and fitted against the lower side of the inner rib or side
recess of the body of the violin, (or the right hand side, when viewing the front or
belly of the instrument), the wire lying in the angle. formed by such inner rib and
the projecting edge of the back of the violin. I preferably turn the ends of the
wire up slightly, so as to facilitate its introduction and removal, and it remains in
its position by its own elasticity, without in any way injuring the appearance or tone
of the violin. Upon, or round, the lower end or curve of the wire I fit à hook or
loop, preferably of wire, which projects sufficiently beyond the back of the violin,
and to this hook or loop I attach a corresponding hook at the end of a ribbon, tape,
or string, of any suitable material, the other end of which after passing under the
violin and over the shoulder of the player is fastened to a button or other fastening
at or near the back of the neck.
In some cases, especially when the violin is played by a lady, the ribbon, tape, or
string, may pass completely round the neck of the person using it, and the ends may
be tied or fastened together by an adjustable fastening or buckle, and the centre of
its length inserted into the wire hook upon the clip, or its end brought down and
hooked or attached to a suitable point near the end.
In the accompanying drawing, which is in illustration of my invention, this
arrangement is shewn.
Figure 1 is a view of a violin with the clip or hook fixed in place, and
Figure 2 is a separate view upon a larger scale of the clip.
a is the elastic clip curved to fit the recess in the side of the instrument, and bis
the hook attached to it. is a cord or ribbon which is adjusted in the hook b, one
of its ends being carried back under the violin and over the left shoulder of the
player, whilst its other end is brought back along the side of the violin and over
the right shoulder of the player, the two ends being attached together as
described at the back of the neck, or other convenient position. Instead of the
⚫arrangement shewn, both ends may be passed under the violin.
The improved device is very simple, cheap, and effective, and is not conspicuous
when in use. It may be made of a covered metal wire as described, or of other
suitable and sufficiently elastic material.
My invention may be applied to violins, violas, or other such instruments which
are held in a similar position when being played upon, and I do not confine myself to
the precise shape, proportions, and method of using the device, which may be varied
more or less as may be found desirable, but
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. For holding violins in position whilst being played upon, the elastic clip a
having a hook or eye b, fitting into the recess at the side of the instrument, in
combination with a cord, tape, or ribbon, by which the clip is attached to the
player, substantially as described, and illustrated.
Dated this 7th day of January 1892.