Improvements in Cases for Holding Musical Instruments.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 24th May, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Feb., 1898-Accepted, 2nd Apr., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cases for Holding Musical Instruments.
I, GEORGE HOUGHTON, of Reliance Works, Heaton Street, in the City of Birming-
ham, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
folows:-
This invention relates to cases for holding musical instruments, such as banjos,
guitars, violins and the like, and has for one of its objects, the making of the
case easily accessible in introducing or removing an instrument, and for another
object, the jointing or hinging of the lid or cover of the same, and for a further
object, the making of the case perfectly water-proof upon the topside.
According to my improvements, I take a close sided case, open at top and with the
off, top or hinged side made perfectly straight from end to end, and within the
space enclosed between the said straight side, opposite side and ends and back,
the instrument comes, and the corner spaces not occupied by the instrument are
formed into pockets or compartments, for holding strings, music and other acces-
sories required.
To this straight edge, a like straight edge of the cover is jointed and such a
joint may be a long hinge joint covered by an apron or shield or the straight joint
may be made from leather or other material, so as to readily fold over upon the
open top of the case.
The boundary edges of the lid other than the straight edges are flanged so as to
overlap the edges of the case.
The leather joint uniting the straight edges of lid, break joint with the opposed
edges of the top and lid, and open outwardly from the said straight edge joint.
The shape of the body of the case may be varied according to the shape of the
instrument to be enclosed.
The lid may be secured by any approved fastening and I wish it to be under-
stood that the construction of the straight joint may be varied according to the
case to be made and instead of having the straight joint upon the one of the sides,
be upon one of the ends.
it may
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Improvements in Cases for Holding Musical Instruments.
I, GEORGE HOUGHTON, of Reliance Works, Heaton Street, in the City of Birming-
ham, Manufacturer, 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 cases for holding musical instruments, such as banjos,
guitars and the like, and has for one of its objects, to make the interior of such cases

page_text: easily accessible for introducing or removing an instrument thereinto or therefrom,
and for another object, to make the case perfectly waterproof upon the topside.
Figure 1 represents a front elevation of an improved case, adapted to contain
a banjo and constructed according to my invention. The case, in this view is shown
with the lid open.
Figure 2 is a plan of this case, also with the lid opened and turned back in order
to show the arrangement of the interior fittings.
Figure 3 represents, upon a smaller scale, a perspective view of the open case,
and
Figure 4 a perspective view of the same closed.
Figure 5 is a cross section of Figure 2, upon the dotted line.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures
of the drawing.
In carrying out this form of my invention, as applied to a banjo case, so con-
structed as to be shower proof and to admit of the instrument being placed flat
within it, I take a close sided case a, open at top a¹, and with the off, top or hinge
side a³, made perfectly straight from end to end, which within the interior space a³,
comprehended between the said straight side a², opposite side a*, and ends a³, which
latter are curved to the desired shape, the instrument comes and rests upon the
bottom a, whilst the corners and other parts not occupied by the instrument are
formed into boxes or compartments such as b, c, d and e, adapted to contain spare
strings, pegs, music and other accessories, and also to act as blocks for steadying
the instrument when in the case.
To the straight edge a³, of the case, a corresponding straight edge a³, of the
cover a, is hinged by a continuous leather joint a³, or such joint may be a long
metal hinge joint covered by an apron or shield of leather or cloth.
The boundary edges a¹0, of the lid other than the straight back edge are flanged
so as to overlap the edges of the sides and ends of the case, and so prevent damp,
rain and other moisture from gaining access to the interior.
The shape of the body of the case may be varied according to the shape of the
instrument to be enclosed.
A handle 9, is fitted or attached to the straight side of the case, in a convenient
position for carrying and the lid may be secured by fastenings h, h¹, h2, of any
approved construction, whilst the interior of the case is lined with swansdown or
other suitable material, and I wish it to be understood that the construction of the
straight joint may be varied according to the case to be made and instead of having
the straight joint upon the one of the sides, it may be upon one of the ends.
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:
First In cases for musical instruments, providing the body of the case with a
straight side to which a corresponding straight side of the hinged lid or cover is
jointed, substantially as described and set forth.
Secondly In cases for musical instruments, providing the body of the case with
a straight side, to which is jointed the corresponding straight side of a hinged lid
or cover, the ends and front side of which has flanged edges overlapping the.
front and end edges of the body of the case, substantially as and for the
purpose described and set forth.