US508543A - Lyro-guitar - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

W. HAY.

LYRO GUITAR.

Patented Nov: 14, 1893.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM HAY, OF SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

LYRO-GU ITAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 508,543, dated November 14, 1893.

Application filed July 24. 1893.. $erial No. 481,347- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM HAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Scranton, in the county of Lackawanna and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Lyro-Guitar, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to musical instruments and more particularly to an improved stringed instrument which I term a lyro-guitar.

The principal object of the invention is to construct and support the drum or sound chamber of such an instrument so that it shall be entirely free from any obstruction which would affect the reverberation of the sound waves.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an upper side or plan view of my improved instrument. Fig. 2 is an edge view thereof. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a partial section on the line 44 of Fig. 2.

In carrying out my invention I make the drum or body A of the instrument oval or e1- liptical in outline as shown instead of the usual reversely curved or convoluted form. The interior of the drum is perfectly free from obstructions, the block to which the string neck'is attached in ordinary instruments being dispensed with. The neck B is supported by a pair of posts 0, O, which are placed at equal distances on each side of it. These posts are attached to the outside of the drum and supported by it, and as shown they are united by a band D which encircles the drum. The band I) is preferably made of the same depth as the drum and integral with the posts 0. In other words the posts and bands may be made of a single piece of wood, the partbetween the posts being shaved into the form of a thin band as shown. Interposed between the band and the drum at suitable points are blocks d which prevent the band from coming in contact with the drum, the two being separated by spaces E. The outer ends of the posts 0 are connected by a yoke or cross piece F and the string neck is securely attached to and supported by the yoke. The spring neck may have a light connection with the drum to steady it but not sufficient to atfect the musical properties of the drum.

It will be seen that my improved instrument is strongly built and graceful in its out lines, while at the same time the drum is free from interior obstructions and only comes in contact with the frame-work of the instrument at a few points. The band D protects the drum from contact with the clothing or other articles which might aifect its vibrations. The drum is therefore very sensitive and it responds in soft sweet tones to the lightest fingering of the strings.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s V 1. A lyro-guitar having a drum, a pair of posts attached to the outside of and supported by the drum, a cross piece connecting the posts, and a string neck supported by the cross-piece, substantially as described.

2. A lyro-guitar having a drum, a pair of posts supported by the drum, a band connecting the posts and passing around the drum, blocks interposed between the band and drum, a cross-piece connecting the posts, and a string neck supported by the'cross-piece, substantially as described.

3. A lyro-guitar having an oval drum,posts upon opposite sides of the string neck, said posts being integral with and connected bya band surrounding the drum, blocks arranged at intervals between the band and drum, and a cross-piece connecting the outer ends of the posts, the string neck being supported by said cross-piece, substantially as described.

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

WILLIAM HAY.

Witnesses:

J NO. P. ALBRO, C. A. BATTENBERG.

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