IMPROVEMENTS IN STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Henry Percival, of Westbourne Villas, Bayswater,
in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STRINGED
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS."
Sealed the 9th March 1880, and dated the 10th September 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Henry Percival at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th September 1879.
WILLIAM HENRY PERCIVAL, of Westbourne Villas, Bayswater, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS."
This Invention relates to improvements in stringed musical instruments.
According to my Invention I construct the instrument with a loose belly or
sounding board, i.e., it is attached only at the ends. The strings pass over a bridge,
and beneath and between the sounding board and the bottom of the instrument is
a sound or vibration post connecting the two. Above the belly or sounding board,
and out of contact with it and beneath the strings, is mounted a fret setting out the
musical scale for indicating the notes required on the strings. Holes may be made
as required in either the sounding board or the bottom of the instrument.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Henry Percival in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th
March 1880.
WILLIAM HENRY PERCIVAL, of Westbourne Villas, Bayswater, in the County of
Middlesex. 'IMPROVEMENTS IN STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS."
"
This Invention relates to improvements in stringed musical instruments.
According to my Invention I construct the instrument with a loose or suspended
belly or sounding board, that is, it is attached only at the ends. By this construction
I obtain a very superior tone.

page_text: And in order that my Invention may be clearly understood and readily carried
into effect I will proceed to describe it with the aid of the accompanying Drawings,
reference being had to the letters and figures marked thereon. Fig. 1 is a side
elevation of a stringed musical instrument constructed according to my Invention,
and Fig. 2 is a plan of same. A, A, are the sides of the instrument, constructed of
wood and attached to a bottom of similar thickness and material, and to end blocks.
B is the loose belly or sounding board, that is, it is attached at its extremities to
the end blocks, and for a short distance from its extremities touches sides A ; for
the rest of its length it clears sides A and is not in contact with any part of the
instrument, and is thus free to vibrate throughout its whole length. It is placed
a short distance below the upper edges of the sides A, so that the sides may
support above the belly, and out of contact therewith, a fret C setting out the
musical scale for indicating and obtaining the notes required on the strings D
(preferably of wire) which a short distance above it traverse the whole length of the
instrument. These strings are attached at their extremities to the end blocks of
the instrument and rest on a bridge E supported by the belly or sounding board.
Beneath the said bridge E and between the belly and bottom of the instrument is
an ordinary sound or vibration post connecting the two. To obtain any required
note on the strings the string to be acted upon should be pressed down on to the
note required, as indicated by the fret, which is constructed with raised notes to
stop the string at the exact point necessary to give the required. note. The instru-
ment is designed to be played with a violin bow, but the strings may of course be
plucked if desired. I do not confine myself to two strings or to any particular
number. Holes may be made as required in the sounding board or in any other
part of the instrument. Fig. 3 is a plan on an enlarged scale, partly in section, of
the rear portion of the instrument.
Figs. 4 & 5 show a key-board applied to the instrument to press down the strings
at the proper points to get the required notes, Fig. 4 being a plan, and Fig. 5 a view
in perspective on an enlarged scale of the fore part of the instrument, the section
being taken at the line a, b, Fig. 4, and looking on to the line of section. A frame
F is mounted above the instrument, and through this pass ordinary cylindrical keys
Gabove the various points where the strings to be depressed cross the raised notes
'on the fret. The lower ends of these notes are covered with some soft material,
such as flannel, so as not to jar on the strings. When depressed the notes are raised
by spiral or other springs confined within box F, as shown.
:
Fig. 6 shows inside elevation, on an enlarged scale, another form of key H for
depressing the wires on plan somewhat like a piano key. In this case all the strings
(three are shown) are depressed at once, though any one only desired may be sounded
with the bow, as near the bridge, owing to the curve thereof, the strings may easily
be got at separately. H is the key; I, the spring to raise after being depressed; J,
the guide pin; K, the damper; C, the fret.
I do not confine myself to any special method of depressing the keys, as any
suitable mechanical means may be adopted.
I claim as my Invention, to be secured by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters
Patent, constructing musical inetruments with loose or suspended bellies or sounding
boards, substantially as hereinbefore set forth and described and illustrated in the
accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Henry Percival, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.