US1802236A - Banjo rest - Google Patents

Description

April 21. 193 F. J. CARROLL ET AL BANJO REST Filed April 1, 1929 INVENTORS Patented Apr. 21, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK J'. CARROLL AND OSBURND E. REID, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA BANJO REST Application filed April 1, 1929.

This invention relates to improvements in a banjo rest and has particular reference to means for correctly positioning the banjo upon the knee of the user and to further secure greater volume from the banjo.

The principal object of he invention to provide means whereby a simple attachment may be secured to the banjo in such a maor as it is inconspicuous and yet one which will cause the user of the banjo to correctly position the same while playing upon it,

Another object is to produce a device which is economical to manufacture.

A further object is to produce a device which may be readily folded against the banjo so that the device may be enclosed in the case while the banjo is placed therein.

A still further object is to provide means whereby the vibrant tones of the banjo are greatly increased.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 shows a fragmentary view of a banjo having our invention applied thereto, and showing the position the same would assume upon the knee of the user, and

Figure 2 is across'section taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Unless the banjo is properly held against the body, the arm will soon become tired and it will be exceedingly diflicult for the mus1- cian to continue playing. There is a correct position for the banjo and it 180111 endeavor to provide means whereby it is necessary for the user to correctly position his banjo before playing, and in order to secure the greatest volume from the banjo, I provide a tone chamber as will be hereinafter described.

'In the accompanying drawings wherein ii for the purpose of illustration is shown a pre ferred embodiment of our invention, the numeral 5 designates the neck of the ban o, which carries the usual frets. The numerals 6 designate the strings of the banjo which are secured to a plate 7 in the usual manner.

I nary clamps 18.

Serial No. 351,651.

A bridge 9 rests upon the head 11, which head is carried upon the customary ring 12 and tensioned through the medium of the ordi- The construction thus far described is found in the ordinary banjo and" forms no part of our invention.

We prefer to form the ring 12 by bending the same upon itself as shown at 14 so as to provide an internal spaced ring 16. The res iii; of this construction is that the tone chamber 17 is provided within the head of the banjo. This tone chamber will add greatly to the volume of the instrument At 18 we have shown a plate which is secured to the banjo through the medium of the clamps 13 and carries a member hing-edly secured thereto as shown at 19, which member is curved and designated by the numeral 21. This curved member 21 is adapted to rest upon the knee of the user and due to its curvature prevents side movement of the instrument.

It will thus be seen that we have produced a device which will accomplish all the objects above set forth.

It is to be understood that the form of our invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes relative to the material, size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described our invention, we claim A knee rest for a stringed musical instrument having a curved outer periphery, comprising a plate pivotally secured thereto, the axis of the pivotal point being tangential to the outer curvature of the musical instrument, said rest having a curvature equal to the curvature of the musical instrument, and adapted to coincide therewith when said rest is folded about its pivot, the center of curvature being oppositely disposed to the center of curvature to the musical instrument with said rest in its operative position.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures.

FRANK J. CARROLL. OSBURND E. REID.

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