US1116287A - Zither. - Google Patents

Description

J. JANSON.

ZITHER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.24, 1912.

1,1 16,287. Patented Nov. 3, 19m

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body 1 by means of the strips 8.

JULIUS JANSON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ZITHER.

T0 all-whomz't may concern:

Be it known that I, JULIUS JANsoN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Zithers, of which the fol owing is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates, to zithers and has for its object the production of an eflicient frame for a zither whereby the upper portion thereof will be efiiciently supported so as to constitute an efficient sounding board.

Another object of this invention is the production of an efficient bracing means for bracing the top of the body of the zither the point where the string tightening means is secured.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in general of certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and specifically claimed.

In the drawings :Figure l is a top plan view of the Zither. Fig. 2 is a central horizontal section showing the top of the zither in bottom plan. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section of the zither. Fig. A is a detail perspective of the bracing means for the wire or string tightening mechanism.

By referring to the drawings it will be seen that the zither comprises an elongated body 1 having a row of string hitch pins 2 formed upon each end. A string support ing bridge 3 is supported upon each end of the body 1 and a pair of string supporting bridges 4: are carried centrally of the body 1. The top board 5 which constitutes a sounding board is braced intermediate its ends by means of a substantially Z shaped bracing member 6 which bracing member is supported upon the bottom board 7 of the These strips 8 are provided with notched portions 9 in which notched portions 9 fit the ends 10 of the brace member 6. The brace mem- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 24, 1912.

Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

SerialNo. 716,888.

her 6 is so formed as to extend under the bridges i, as is clearly illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.

Vire tightening keys 11 pass through the sounding board 5 and supporting member 6 for facilitating the tightening of the wires or strings for tuning the instrument. A comparatively long primary supporting cleat is supported upon each side of the brace member 6 by means of the bottom 7 and these primary bracing cleats 12 taper toward their upper edges for engaging the sounding board 5 thereby presenting a very slight contact throughout its entire length, although at the same time constituting an efiicient brace for the top plate or sounding board.

An auxiliary bracing cleat 18 is carried by the bottom 7 near each end thereof and this auxiliary brace is slightly shorter than the primary brace 12 and is of the same shape as the brace 12 tapering toward the top edge thereof.

It will be seen that since the supporting cleats 12 and 13 taper toward their upper edge, a very narrow upper edge has been produced which engages the sounding board 5. In this manner the vibration of the sounding board 5 will be greatly reduced so as to deaden or soften the sound as the either is played. It will, of course, be seen that the narrow edge will eiiiciently support the sounding board while accomplishing the desired effect of softening the sound. By carefully referring to the drawing, it will further be seen that the supporting cleats 12 and 13 taper toward their ends so as to allow only a small portion of the tapering upper edge to engage the top sounding board 5'. In this manner no sharpened end will be presented, nor is there a broadened cleat which would deaden the sound altogether.

What is claimed is A zither comprising a body, said body provided with a top board and a bottom board, a bracing member between said top and bottom boards, strips carried by said bottom board and supporting said bracing top board for reducing the vibration of said member, spacing cleats carried by said bottom board, each spacing cleat constituting 'a substantially inverted V in cross-section and tapering downwardly upon the top edge thereof toward each end of said cleat, a portion of the upper edges of said cleats slightly engaging the under face of said Copies of this patent may be obtained for top board.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JULIUS JANSON. Witnesses:

M. ALEX SALONG, FRITsz. TATTER.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. G.

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