John Molineux box dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
It's hard to imagine what aspect of that dulcimer would be patented.
As a professional patent illustrator for a living over the past 25 years and counting, i can maybe shed some light on that.
There are utility patents and design patents. Utility patents cover the creation of a new or improved product, process, or machine- patenting its function -how it's used and how it works. (example: a new type of braking system for a bicycle or train) Design patents protect how an article looks - its shape, configuration or surface ornamentation. (example, a new designer backpack or lamp)
If a new invention contains both unique function/use AND unique shape, appearance, or decoration, one can apply for both utility and design patents for that article.
We'd have to see the 'prospectus' or description accompanying that 1880s patent in order to see what aspects were being applied for. Perhaps it was the first US patent for a double fretboard box zither to be played by two people (utility patent). OR, perhaps it was for having those shape-note like indicators for each note right on the fretboard, as a music reading aid system (design patent). Could be any combination of a number of things both functional and design-wise being applied for. The official Patent Office description accompanying the drawings would explain what exactly was being patented.
updated by @strumelia: 02/01/24 10:42:54AM