IMPROVEMENTS IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Farmer, of Harrow, in the County of
Middlesex, Professor of Music, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.”.
Sealed the 31st December 1872, and dated the 13th November 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Farmer at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
18th November 1872.
I, JOHN FARMER; of Harrow, in the County of Middlesex, Professor
of Music, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "Im.
PROVEMENTS IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS," to be as follows:—
"
My Invention consists of an apparatus by means of which a "free
reed" is enabled to work outwards instead of inwards as has heretofore
been the case, and by this means I am enabled to connect the “reed”
with a string, wire, rod, band, or coil, thus forming a musical wind
instrument of an entirely new principle.
My Invention can be applied either to the construction of a keyed
instrument or an instrument played by the hand,

page_text: T
The apparatus consists of a rectangular box of certain interior
dimensions, namely, having an end of an area of about 24 inches by
inches. I do not confine myself to this precise area, but any con-
siderable deviation therefrom will not produce the effect I seek to obtain.
The length of the box is about twenty inches, but may vary slightly |
according to circumstances, but I find in practice that a length of
twenty inches is the most preferable. At one end of this box wind is
admitted. The reed is connected to the other end of the box, and is
either fixed to the box itself or joined to it by an air-tight com-
munication. To the "free" end of the reed I attach any string, wire, 1
rod, band, or coil, which is capable of producing sound by vibration.
The other end of the string, [wire, rod, band, or coil] is fixed to any
apparatus by which it may be tuned. On wind being admitted the reed
and string, [wire, rod, band, or coil] vibrate together producing a musical
tone. This sound can be controlled either by tuning the string or by:
stopping it as in stringed instruments.
In order to obtain the sound best suited for obtaining the fullest
number of notes the string, wire, rod, band, or coil should be in unison
with the reed which can be ascertained before connecting them.
In the construction of keyed instruments each reed and string, [wire,
rod, band, or coil] are used only to produce one note. The reed is fixed to
the outer surface of the box, taking care that it is at a sufficient
elevation from the surface of the rest of the box to allow the string,
[wire, rod, band, or coil] to vibrate freely. The string, [wire, rod, band,
or coil] is attached to any tuning apparatus at the other end of the box.
I can fix to the box as many reeds as will go side by side on one surface
parallel to the reed first fixed.
Several of such boxes placed side by side will form an uninterrupted
succession of notes which can be controlled by pallets and a key board
in the usual way.
In the construction of a hand instrument as before stated each reed
or string, [wire, rod, band, or coil] are used to produce a series of
notes.
It is obvious that the reed and string, [wire, rod, band, or coil] vibrate

page_text: more reeds at right angles to the surface of the box by means of any
air-tight communication.
The strings, [wires, rods, bands, or coils] are attached and tuned as
before, and played by stopping them upon the surface of the box as
upon a sounding board.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Farmer in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 12th May 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
FARMER, of Harrow, in the County of Middlesex, Professor of Music,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of November, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the
thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Farmer, Her special license,
that I, the said John Farmer, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said John Farmer, my executors
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said John Farmer, my executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the
same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Farmer, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, that is to say :—

page_text: "
My Invention consists of an apparatus by means of which a "free
reed" is enabled to work outwards instead of inwards as has heretofore
been the case, and by this means I am enabled to connect the "reed
with a string, wire, rod, band, or coil, thus forming a musical wind
instrument of an entirely new principle.
My Invention can be applied either to the construction of a keyed
instrument or an instrument played by the hand.
interior
by Zin.
E
The apparatus consists of a rectangular box of certain
dimensions, namely, having an end of an area of about 21
I do not confine myself to this precise area (as the dimensions may be 1
varied proportionately for higher or lower notes). The length of the
box is about 20 inches, but may vary slightly according to circumstances.
I find however in practice that a length of 20 inches is preferable. The
reed is attached near one end of the box, and is either fixed to the box
itself or joined to it by an air-tight communication. Wind is admitted 1
at any other convenient part of the box. To the "free" end of the reed I
attach one end of any string, wire, rod, band, or coil, which is capable of
producing sound by vibration.
In cases where a coil is used the section of the substance forming the
coil should be rectangular or elliptical, as the coil will thereby be 2
enabled to resist a greater amount of tension than if the section were
circular.
The other end of the string, wire, rod, band, or coil is fixed to any
apparatus by which it may be tuned. On wind being admitted the reed
and string, wire, rod, band, or coil vibrate together, producing a 2
musical sound. This sound can be controlled either by tuning the string
or by stopping it as in a stringed instrument.
In the construction of keyed instruments each reed and string, wire,
rod, coil, or band are used only to produce one note.
The reed is fixed
to the outer surface of the box taking care that it is at a sufficient 3
elevation from the surface of the rest of the box to allow the string,
wire, rod, band, or coil to vibrate freely. The string, wire, rod, band,
or coil is attached to any tuning apparatus at the end of the box. I
can fix to the box as many reeds as will go side by side on one surface
parallel to the reed first fixed.
Several of such boxes combined will afford an uninterrupted succession
3

page_text: of notes which can be controlled by pallets and a key board in the usual
way.
In the construction of a hand instrument as before stated, each reed
and string, wire, rod, band, or coil, is used to produce a series of notes.
In this case I fix one or more reeds sideways at right angles to the
surface of the box by means of any air-tight communication.
The strings, wires, rods, bands, or coils are attached and tuned as
before, and played by stopping them upon the surface of the box, or
upon an intervening sounding board.
I claim the apparatus for enabling a reed to sound outwards by
attaching a string, wire, rod, band, or coil to the free end of the reed,
constructed substantially in manner herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Farmer, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Tenth day of May One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-three..