Year: 1888

page_text: WILLIAM TEMLETT, Banjo Manufacturer, 95 and 96 Union Street, Borough, S.E.
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
My invention consists in an improved method of forming the hoops of banjo's.
Hitherto banjo hoops have consisted of a plain wooden or metal band which is
fastened by rivetting or other similar means. Over this ring the parchment,
vellum, or other material employed is strained by means of a ring, bolts and nuts,
mounted in lugs placed radially round the outside of the hoop. My improvements
consist in forming the hoop from one piece of spun metal having no joint; this
hoop is made rather larger in diameter at the lower end, than at the upper; and
by forming suitable holes in the flange, I am enabled to so mount the bolts employed
for straining the vellum, or other material as that the nuts attached to them shall
have their seats upon the underside of the said flange formed by increasing the
diameter of the metal in the lower part of the hoop and within the same.
This gives a much more sightly appearance to the instrument, and the nuts being
within the body of the hoop, are less likely to injure the clothing of the performer,
or be lost, as is frequently the case when mounted outside in the usual manner.
I prefer to make my hoop with a broad flange, turned in on the top edge, which
gives the instrument a clear bell like tone.

page_text: Improvements in Banjos.
WILLIAM TEMLETT, Banjo Manufacturer, 95 and 96 Union Street Borough S.E.
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 consists in an improved method of forming the hoops of banjo's.
Hitherto banjo hoops have consisted of a plain wooden or metal band which is
fastened by rivetting or other similar means. Over this ring, the parchment,
vellum, or other material employed is strained by means of a ring, bolts & nuts,
mounted in lugs placed radially round the outside of the hoops. My improvements
consist in forming the hoop from one piece of spun metal having no joint; this
hoop is made rather larger in diameter at the lower end than at the upper; & by
forming suitable holes in the flange, I am enabled to so mount the bolts employed for
straining the vellum, or other material as that the nuts attached to them shall have
their seats upon the underside of the said flange formed by increasing the diameter
of the metal in the lower part of the hoop & within the same. This gives a much
more sightly appearance to the instrument, & the nuts being within the body of
the hoop are less likely to injure the clothing of the performer, or be lost, as is
frequently the case when mounted outside in the usual manner.
= =.
I prefer to make my hoop with a broad flange turned in on the top edge, which
gives the instrument a clear bell like tone.
->
To enable my invention to be better understood reference is made to annexed
drawing in which :-
Fig. 1. is a plan of the Improved hoop.
Fig. 2. an elevation partly in section.
The hoop A, is spun or otherwise fashioned from one piece of metal & has no
joint. A swell or flange B, is formed by increasing the diameter of the lower part of
the hoop, &. through this at suitable distances holes C, are drilled, or punched,
through which the bolts D, having nuts e, pass, which by means of ring E, strain the
vellum or parchment F, with which the hoop is covered. The nuts e, have their seats
upon the underside of flange B, within the hoop, thereby giving a much more
sightly appearance to the instrument preventing injury to the clothing of the
performer & diminishing risk of loss.:

page_text: I prefer to make the hoop with a broad flange turned inward, upon the top edge G.
which gives the instrument a clear bell like tone.
I claim.
1st. A banjo hoop spun or otherwise formed from one piece of metal having no
joint, substantially as set forth.
2nd. In a banjo hoop formed as described, the particular construction of flange or
swell, whereby, I am enabled to mount the nuts employed to strain the vellum or other
covering within the hoop, in the manner & for the purpose described.