Improvements relating to Harmonicas or Mouth Organs.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Sept., 1887
Specification Accepted, 1st Nov., 1887
[Communicated from abroad by JOHN TURPIN SMITH, of Rockfall, Connecticut,
United States of America.]
Improvements relating to Harmonicas or Mouth Organs.
1 HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 an improvement in the instrument commonly called
Harmonica, that is, an instrument consisting of a block having a series of reeds to
which a corresponding series of openings in the edge of the block lead, so that the
edge of the block applied to the mouth, permits the reeds to be sounded either by
drawing in or discharging the breath through the passages leading to the reeds.
These instruments although usually formed with a wood body, are provided with a
metal casing upon opposite sides, upon which the lips of the person using the instrument
must rest, and so that these metal surfaces drag upon the lips as the instrument is
moved to the right or left between the lips.
This frequently injures the lips. Several reeds are exposed to the mouth, with no
degree of certainty, as to how many are so exposed, so that if for example three reeds
are desired to be used, great care must be exercised that a fourth, or even more,
are not embraced within the lips so as to permit air to enter or escape through
the said several reeds, thus interfering with the proper working of the instrument.
The object of my invention is to provide a mouthpiece for the instrument which will
rest stationary between the lips, while the instrument is moved from right to left,
which mouth-piece is adapted to embrace a predetermined number of reeds only.
Referring to the accompanying drawing,
Figure I represents a perspective view of the mouth-piece detached.
Figure 2, perspective view of an instrument with the mouth-piece applied.
Figure 3, transverse section through the instrument and mouth-piece.
Figure 4 modification of the mouth-piece showing the opening as
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page_text: A represents the mouth-piece, see Figure 1, which is best made from sheet metal,
and is bent into shape corresponding to the shape of the instrument in transverse
section, and so as to set over the edge of the instrument, but slide freely thereon from
right to left. Through the top of the mouth piece, that is, that portion which lies
directly over the reed openings, an opening B is made, in length corresponding to the
number of reeds desired to be embraced in a single action, the mouth-piece is applied
to the instrument as seen in Figures 2 and 3. The person using the instrument holds
it in the usual manner, placing the lips upon the mouth piece; the lips embrace the
mouth-piece so as to hold it firm with the lips, and when so held the instrument is
free to be moved through the mouth-piece to the right or left with perfect freedom.
Under this arrangement only a certain number of reeds are embraced within the
limits of the mouth-piece, and the difficulty of accidentally including other reeds is
avoided, and the friction of the instrument upon the lips which produces disagreeable
results, is also avoided.
In some cases it may be desirable to make the opening through the mouth-piece
adjustable so as to embrace a greater or less number of reeds. To do this I apply
over the mouth-piece an auxiliary cap C, see figure 4, the mouth-piece having a
maximum sized opening through it, while the cap over the mouth-piece has a
corresponding opening, so that the maximum opening may be utilized by bringing the
two holes to register one with the other, but by sliding the cap upon the mouth-piece,
as indicated in broken lines Figure 4, the opening may be contracted to any desirable
extent.
The particular shape of the wings or sides of the mouth-piece which extend down
upon the side of the instrument, may be varied to suit different mouths, it only being
essential to the invention that the mouth-piece shall be adapted to be applied to the
edge of the instrument and slide freely thereon, so as to prevent the contact of the
lips with the instrument.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign Correspondent, I declare that what I claim is ;—
First. The herein described attachment for harmonicas or mouth organs consisting
of a mouth-piece shaped to embrace the edge of the instrument and overlap its sides,
and so as to slide freely upon the edge of the instrument, the face of the mouth-piece
constructed with an opening to expose a predetermined number of reed openings in the
instrument, substantially as described.
Second. A mouth-piece for harmonicas, or mouth organs consisting of a plate
adapted to embrace and slide upon the edge of the instrument, with an opening of
maximum size through it to expose a certain number of reed openings in the edge of
the instrument, combined with an overlapping cap adjustable on said plate to vary the
size of opening to the openings in the instrument, substantially as described.
Dated this 2nd day of September 1887.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.