Improvements in or relating to Stringed Musical Instruments.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Stringed Musical Instruments.
I. ANTON RICHARD BREINL, Musical Instrument Maker, of Graslitz, Böhmen,
in the Empire of Austria, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
The present invention relates to a musical instrument chiefly intended for
children, and is characterised by an arrangement according to which by touching
certain keys and bringing them in contact with a string or strings and simul-
taneously turning a crank or handle various tunes or notes can be played.
Within a case is arranged a platform or bar running through the whole length
of the case, the platform being provided on its upper surface with cross ribs or
bars opposite the ends of a series of keys for the purpose of engaging the string
or strings between the selected key and its corresponding rib or projection.
In the upper part of the case are arranged a series of cylindrical or other shaped
rods provided with heads the said rods being movable and provided at the end
next to the string with a striking head made preferably of some yielding material
(cork, leather). In order to return the keys after having been pressed down, to
their original positions, an elastic thread or string is passed through or engaged
with each of the keys, and fastened to the side walls of the case. The sounding
of the string is produced by turning a crank or handle operating a shaft provided
in the interior with a finger or fingers which strike at each revolution of the
crank against the string and thus producing the sound.
-
A plate may be fastened to the case and provided above each key with the
numbers or letters corresponding to the notes or sounds produced by pressing
down the corresponding key with the fingers of the left hand, while the right hand
turns the handle and thereby causes the string to sound..
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in or relating to Stringed Musical Instruments.
I, ANTON RICHARD BREINL, Musical Instrument Maker, of Graslitz, Böhmen,
in the Empire of Austria, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
-
The present invention relates to a musical instrument chiefly intended for
children and is characterised by an arrangement according to which by touching
[P Q17

page_text: certain keys and bringing them in contact with a string or strings and simul-
taneously turning a crank or handle various tunes or notes can be played.
In the accompanying drawing the musical instrument is represented in Figure 1
in longitudinal section, and in Figure 2. in front view.
Within a case
is arranged a platform or bar running through the whole
length of the case, the platform being provided on its upper surface with cross
ribs or bars a opposite the ends of a series of keys t, for the purpose of engaging
the string or strings between the selected key and its corresponding rib or
projection.
or
a
In the upper part of the case are arranged a series of cylindrical
other shaped rods provided with heads to. the said rods being
movable and provided at the end next to the string $ with
striking head 6 (Figure 1) made preferably of some yielding material
(cork, leather). In order to return the keys after having been pressed
down, to their original positions, an elastic thread or string is passed through
or engaged with each of the keys and fastened to the side walls of the case G
The sounding of the strings is produced by turning a crank or handle & operating
a shaft w provided in the interior with a finger or fingers f, which strike at each
revolution of the crank against the strings and thus producing the sound
(Figure 1).
k
Figure 2 illustrates the appearance of this instrument in a front view, and it
will be easily understood, that, arranged as this instrument is its handling is
rendered very easy.
A plate p'may be fastened to the case and provided above each key with the
numbers or letters corresponding to the motes or sounds produced by pressing
down the corresponding key with the fingers of the left hand, while the right
hand turns the handle and thereby causes the string to sound.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. A stringed musical instrument in which a string or strings arranged in the
interior of a casing is sounded by turning a shaft provided with a finger or
fingers adapted to strike against the string as the shaft is rotated, and a series
of keys arranged in the upper part of the casing above the string or strings, the
ends of which when the keys are pressed down are adapted to press upon the
string or strings and so produce variations as regards the pitch of the sound,
substantially as described.
'
2. In a stringed musical instrument of the kind described means for auto-
matically returning each key to its original position after having been pressed
down, consisting in an elastic thread or cord passing through or engaging with
the keys substantially as described.
3. The complete stringed musical instrument substantially as described or
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 15th day of February 1900
BOULT, WADE & KILBURN,
Agents for the Applicant.