Improvements in Plectrums for Mandolines and similar Musical Instruments.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Aug., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 31st May, 1895-Accepted, 20th July, 1895-
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Plectrums for Mandolines and similar Musical
Instruments.
I, WILLIAM EVERSFIELD BLAKER of 37 Lausanne Road, Hornsey, London, N.
Musician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, to be as follows
My invention has for its object to enable the plectrum used in playing
mandolines and other similar musical instruments to be held more securely than
is at present possible, and to this end it consists in providing that portion of the
plectrum with which the finger and thumb are in contact either with a roughened
surface adapted to enable the device to be retained without any effort on the part
of the performer, or in any way interfering with the use of the device, or with.
equivalent means for ensuring a proper grip.
In carrying out my invention, I should preferably attach roughened plates to
the strip of tortoiseshell or other material of which the plectrum is made, the said
plates being preferably of metal of a more or less ornamental character or of
indiarubber or equivalent material secured to the plectrum by rivets or otherwise.
The metal plates may be slightly turned outwards at the striking end to give the
plectrum free vibration.
The plectrum is held in the usual manner and the roughened surface of metal
or rubber attachment adheres to the finger and thumb thus preventing the plectrum
from slipping in plucking the strings of the instrument.
Dated this 31st day of August 1894.
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Plectrums for Mandolines and similar Musical
Instruments.
I, WILLIAM EVERSFIELD BLAKER, formerly of 37, Lausanne Road, Hornsey,
London, N. and now of 59 St. John's Villas, Upper Holloway, London N.
Musician, 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:-
My invention has for its object to enable the plectrum used in playing
mandolines and other similarly played musical instruments, to be more securely
held between the finger and thumb in playing, and it consists in providing one or
both sides of the plectrum with a roughened surface adapted to prevent the plectrum
slipping and so enable it to be securely gripped with little effort.
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming part of this
Specification, which represents face and edge views of a plectrum drawn to a
magnified scale.
A is the plectrum made of tortoiseshell or other material generally used,
and B, B, are thin plates of indiarubber composition, silver, or other metal, having

page_text: a roughened surface.
In the case of metal, the roughness is formed by punching
up the metal so as to produce numerous minute protuberances forming a slightly
jagged surface somewhat similar to that of a nutmeg-grater, which takes a good
grip of the skin of the finger and thumb. Two such plates are used by preference,
one at each side and united to the plectrum by rivets at the upper parts of the
plates, the lower ends of which may diverge slightly from the plectrum so as not
to interefere with the necessary flexibility of the part of the plectrum which
acts on the strings. In the case of rubber or vulcanite, the roughened surface
would be formed by moulding and the rubber plates secured to the plectrum by
cement or by rivetting.
The plectrum provided with these non-slipping plates is held between the finger
and thumb in the usual manner, the roughened surfaces preventing the plectrum
from slipping in plucking the strings of the instrument.
Although I have shewn the plectrum provided with a plate on each side, it
might have the plate on one side only.
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 :-
A plectrum for a mandoline or similarly played instrument, having a roughened
grip plate affixed to one or both sides as and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 31st day of May 1895.
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.