US886591A - Finger-spreading apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

" PATENTED MAY 5, 1908.

I i TE W Jib/ 7 R FINGER FINGER SPREADING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8 190'! \kwissas- RUDOLF FINGER, OF PRAGUE, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.

FINGER-SPREADING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 5, 1908.

Application filed June 6, 1907. Serial No. 377,538.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Runorr FINGER, a subject of the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, residing in Prague, Kingdom of Bohemia, Empire of Austria-Hungary, have invented a new and useful Finger-Spreading Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in finger spreading machines for violinists, pianists and the like future or present musical performers, whose art requires a large spreading of fingers on one or on both hands, to be performed. without the least difliculty nor any stress. Such an ability can in the usual way be acquired more or less only by long continual and tedious practicing, and by younger persons, whose muscles, sinews and bands are yet forming. And even then the result of such thoroughly natural proceedings is not yet sure.

The object of my present improvements is a machine by means of which said difllculties will. either completely or for a great part disappear, and by the use of which the player can in a short time acquire great facility in spreading the fingers of his hand or hands at his convenience. The anatomy of the hand teaches that other free movements of the fingers may also be facilitated if the spreading of them is made easier. I attain these objects by the apparatus illustrated as an example in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure l is a plan view of the apparatus; Fig. 2 is a cross section of same, showing the guiding and fixing arrangements.

1 is a plate of wood or the like, which on its upper side is provided with a dove-tailed or the like semicircular groove 2. Keys or wedges 8, 9, 10, 11, which on their underside are provided with dovetailed or the like parts 12, fitting into the groove 2, are ar,

ranged so, that they can be pulled upon said plate 1, being guided by the groove 2, and fastened in any point of it by pins or screws 13, or the like. Said keys or wedges are shaped so as to approximately fit into the free space between each two fingers 34, 56, 4-5, 67 of the players hand as it reposes upon said plate 1 in its normal position, with the lingers spread out. It may be observed, that the center of the circle of the groove 2 is very nearly the point in which meet the directions of the extended fingers of the hand of the player, and the fingers can bear upon them on their whole length.

Fig. 1 shows the left hand of the player, For the right hand there will be one piece more, a piece which is symmetrical to the piece 11.

It will be understood that by pulling said wedge-pieces further from each other and fastening them for a while in such forced position, as much and as long as the hand can bearit, and finally, after having T6? peated this exercise systematically and steadily and with the necessary hygienic precautions for a certain time, the fingers will soon acquire a facility in being spread from each other only by the will of their owner, without any help or machine.

What I claim is- 1. In a finger stretcher, the combination with a plate for supporting the hand with its fingers extended upon it, said plate being provided with a semi circular groove, of substantially wedge-shaped keys, each provided with a downwardly extending projection'movably and adjustably arranged in said groove, each key being adapted to fit between two adjacent fingers, and means for securing said keys in any position in which they are adjusted, substantially as described.

2. In a finger stretcher, the combination with a plate for supporting the hand with its fingers extended upon it, said plate being provided with a semi-circular groove, dovetailed in cross section, of substantially wedgeshaped keys, each having a dovetailed d0wn wardly extending projection movably arranged in the semi-circular groove, and a screw for securing said keys in their adjusted position, substantially as described.

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

RUDOLF FINGER. IVitnesses:

ADOLPIT Fiscnnn, LADISLAV VOJAIEK.

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