IMPROVEMENTS IN BANJOS AND SIMILAR INSTRUMENTS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake,
and Co. Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BANJOS AND SIMILAR INSTRUMENTS A communication
to him from abroad by Frederick Howard Chase, of Boston, Massachusetts,
United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th December 1882.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE of tho firm of Haseltine Lake & Co, Patent
Agents Southampton Buildings London "IMPROVEMENTS IN BANJOS AND
SIMILAR INSTRUMENTS [a communication to him from abroad by Frederick
Howard Chase, of Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.]
"
This invention relates to improvements in banjos and similar musical
instruments, whereby the strength brilliancy and resonance of tone are greatly
increased.
According to the said invention I make the ring or rim of the instrument of any
suitable metal of any desirable thickness, with one or both edges curved inwardly
as hereinafter described.
In carrying the said invention into practico I make the rim or ring of a banjo
with both edges of the same diameter and both curved in the same degree on the
same are towards the centre of the instrument. This rim or ring is constructed in
one piece out of any suitable metal and of any desirable thickness. Over either
curved edge resting on its top the parchment head is stretched and held-in place by
a metal band or stretcher hoop and any usual clamp in the ordinary manner.
The handle or finger-board is secured to one side of the rim or ring only of the
banjo, by any clamp-device in the ordinary manner; this handle does not run
through the banjo to the opposite edge; such is the strength of the rim that the
usual strengthening bow common to all banjos and similar instruments is not
needed or used.
I prefer to make the diameter of both edges of the rim equal and curved alike
as described, but the same effect, in a less degree, can be obtained by constructing
D

page_text: one edge to curve inwardly as described and allowing the other edge to remain
straight or nearly straight; in this latter case the parchment head can be placed on
either the curved or uncurved edges. The special advantages of my invention
consist in the durability and beauty of the instrument on account of the simplicity
of its construction; in the strength of the rim or ring, whereby the use or need is
avoided of a strengthening bar, which I find to be a disturbing element in the
harmony of the instrument; and also in the peculiar curving of the edges of the
rim, whereby the strength of the rim is acquired and by which the sonorousness
and resonance of tone are greatly increased
The rim may be perforated with a series of openings or fancy devices, by which
the weight of the instrument is materially decreased. I do not confine myself to
any particular size of curves or diameter of rim; the lines of the curves may be
varied according to the diameter and depth of the rim whose edges can be curved
inwardly of equal or unequal diameters and curves, tuned in unison with each
other. When the diameters and curves of both edges are equal and tuned in
unison, the volume and brilliancy of sound, and richness of tone, are greatly
increased; the diameters of the edges of the rim may be unequal and their curves
unequal, or not, in proportion to the diameter, and tuned to a different pitch, and
the response thus obtained is of the thrumming or peculiar twang of the banjo.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th June
1883.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake; & Co, Patent
Agents, Southampton Buildings, London "IMPROVEMENTS IN BANJOS AND
SIMILAR INSTRUMENTS A communication to me from abroad by Frederick
Howard Chase of Boston, Massachusetts; United States of America
ני
This invention relates to banjos and similar musical instruments and it consists
essentially in constructing the ring or rim of the instrument of any suitable metal
of any desirable thickness, with one or both edges curved inwardly, as hereinafter
described, whereby the strength, brilliancy; and resonance of tone are greatly
increased.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a plan or top view of a 'banjo constructed according to this
invention.
Figure 2 is a vertical transverse section on the lino × × Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a detail view drawn to an enlarged scale, showing one edge of the
ring curved inwardly and the other edge only slightly bent in
Figure 4 is a similar view shewing both edges curved inwardly, and
Figure 5 is also a similar view shewing one edge curved inwardly and the other
edge straight.
In Figure 4, A indicates the rim or ring of a banjo with both edges of the
same diameter and both curved in the same degree towards the centre of the
instrument. This rim or ring is constructed in one piece out of any suitable metal
and may be of any desirable thickness. Over either of the curved edges is
stretched the parchment head B which is held in place by a metal band or
stretcher C and clamps D in the ordinary manner.
E indicates the handle or finger board secured to one side of the rim or ring
only of the banjo in the ordinary manner; this handle does not run through the
banjo to the opposite edge, the strength of the rim being such that the usual
strengthening bar common to all banjos and similar instruments, is not needed or
used in the present instance
F indicates the strings and G the bridge supported on the head in the ordinary
manner.
•
I prefer to make the diameter of both edges of the rim equal and curved aliko
as described, but the same effect in a less degree can be obtained by constructing
one edge to curve inwardly as described, the other edge being straight or nearly
straight as shewn in Figures 3 and 5, in the former case the parchment head may
be stretched on either edge as desired. The special advantages of this invention
are the durability and beauty of the instrument on account of the simplicity of its
construction, the strength of the rim or ring, whereby the use or need is avoided
of a strengthening bar, which I find to be a disturbing element in the harmony of
the instrument and also the peculiar curving,of the edges of the rim, whereby the
strength of the said rim is acquired and by which the sonorousness and resonance
of tone are greatly increased.
The rim may be provided with a series of openings or perforations by which the
weight of the instrument is materially decreased.
I do not confine myself to any particular size of curve or diameter of rim, for
the lines of the curves may be varied according to the diameter and depth of the
rim whoso edges can be curved inwardly of equal or unequal diameter and curves

page_text: tuned in unison with each other. When the diameters and curves of both edges
are equal and tuned in unison, the volume and brilliancy of sound and richness of
tone are greatly increased; the diameter of the edges of the rim may be unequal
and their curves unequal or not in proportion to the diameter and tuned to a
different pitch and the result thus obtained is the thrumming or peculiar twang of
the banjo.
Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim.
First. A banjo or similar musical instrument (having its rim formed wholly of
metal, with its edge or edges curved inwardly, substantially as, and for the purpose,
Bet forth.
Second. A banjo or similar musical instrument having the rim or ring thereof
formed from a single piece of metal, and one or both edges curved inwardly,
substantially as described and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof I the said William Robert Lake have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Twentieth day of June in the year of Our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty three