US2175007A - Mute for stringed instruments - Google Patents

Description

Oct. .3, 1939. WARNER 2,175,007

MUTE FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS Filed March 4, 1938 INYENTOR MAURlCE A. WARNER ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 3, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

The invention relates to mutes for use on stringed instruments of the general type of the violin. The inconvenience of a mute which is separate from the instrument and frequently must be quickly attached to or detached therefrom has long been recognized. Various attempts have been made to cure this difficulty by permanently attaching the mute to the violin or other instrument, but thus far such attempts have been unsatisfactory. The principal objection is that such attachments interfere with the quality of tone, either when the mute is in use or when detached from the bridge but still attached to the instrument. Thus, as all parts of the instrument are in a state of vibration while it is being played, attachment means used for securing the mute is likely to create an objectionable noise or buzzing. A further objection is that such devices are usually unsightly and many players object to having them on their instruments.

It is the object of the present invention to obtain a construction of mute permanently attached to the instrument which does not in any way interfere with the tone quality, while it is in use, nor does it create any objectionable noise in its normal position. It is also an object to produce a construction which does not in any way detract from the appearance of the instrument, but on the contrary is of an ornamental nature. With these objects in view, the inven tion consists in the construction as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a portion of a violin or similar instrument, showing the bridge and a portion of the tailpiece thereof with my improved mute and attachment means in the position when not in use;

Figure 2 is a cross section on line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing the mute in elevation.

Mutes are made of various shapes, of various sizes and of various materials. While my invention is not limited to the use of any particular material, I have found a very satisfactory substance to be synthetic materials of the order of synthetic resins. These may be easily fashioned to the desired form and may be of different colors selected to match the tailpiece of the instrument. I have also discovered that very satisfactory muting may be produced by a relatively small mute if properly designed so that when not in use it will be comparatively inconspicuous.

The preferred form is as illustrated in the drawing including a top portion A and three sets of prongs B, C and C spaced to embrace the two central strings of the instrument, such as D and D, with the prongs of each pair adapted to embrace and clamp upon the bridge. The rear central prong B is longer than the others for convenience in guiding the mute into engagement with the bridge. The side pairs of prongs C and 5 C are separated from the central prongs by the spaces E and E which latter are rounded at their upper ends into the connecting top portion A with the strings D and D at the centers thereof. Each of the prongs is preferably of a curved contour enlarging from its upper end to the center of its length and then tapering to substantially a point. This form I have found to be entirely free from wolfing.

The mute as just described, is attached to the instrument through the medium of elastic cords F and F which are attached to the outer prongs C and C, preferably by loops or rings G and G. These are preferably formed of metal and passed through bores in the prongs, fitting the latter so snugly as to prevent any possibility of rattling. The cords F, F pass through these loops and have attached to their ends cushion members H, H, preferably formed of sponge rubber or other suitable material adapted to absorb vibrations of sound frequency. These loops and cushions are so positioned that when the mute is not in use it will be drawn by the tension of the elastic cords against the forward end of the tailpiece with the cushions in contact with the latter and the top portion A bearing against the strings D and D. In such position it will not in any way interfere with the normal use of the instrument or produce any sound. Whenever needed to mute the instrument the player can quickly draw it forward, at the same time slightly raising it so that the long prong B will come in contact with the bridge I. By then pressing it downward it will be ready for use.

What I claim as my invention is: 4

1. A mute for stringed musical instruments of the violin type comprising three pairs of prongs spaced to straddle the strings, loops attached to the rear prongs of the outer pair, elastic cords passing through said loops, and cushions of sound vibration absorbing material at the end of said cords held thereby against said loops, the rear center prong extending downward beyond the others to form a guide for engaging the mute with the bridge.

2. A mute for stringed musical instruments of the violin type comprising a plurality of pairs of prongs, loops attached to said prongs, elastic cords passing through said loops, and cushions of sponge rubber at the ends of said cords held thereby against said prongs.

MAURICE A. WARNER.

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