DE4213234C1 - - Google Patents

Description

With most known harps, such as Irish harps (= non-pedal harps), folk harps (= single pedal harp, farmers harp, Tyrolean harp) and concert harps (= double pedal harp), the strings are attached to one side of the harp neck. The strings (up to 47) have a total tensile strength of approx. 500 kg for Irish harps, approx. 600-700 kg for folk harps and up to 1500 kg for concert harps. By attaching to one side of the harp neck and the asymmetrical string pull, the strings want to twist = twist and twist the harp column ( Fig. 1).

For such harps without pedals, tuning devices are be knows (see. DE 22 41 679), in which operated by hand bar swivel lever and cams on it against the strings Frets can be pressed to shorten the freely swinging length.

Harps are also known in which the strings are not arranged "on one side", but "in the middle", ie the strings run through the middle of the neck ( Fig. 2). This results in a symmetrical distribution of forces. All asymmetrical forces, which want to twist, warp, warp, are eliminated. This harp is known as the "Paraguayan harp". It has the major disadvantage that the strings are not switchable to the semitones, so the harp can only be played in one key or has to be retuned with the tuning pegs.

Another symmetrical harp is from US 47 44 280 known. This instrument has pickups for each string; the change is done purely electronically.

The invention is based, for a harp with the task symmetrical structure and with "center", d. H. in the middle of Halses strings to construct a switching device with which halftones can be switched so that the Harp played in several keys - up to eight keys can be.

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1; advantageous developments are in the dependent claims pointed.  

Show it:

Fig. 1 the harp neck with asymmetrical string pull,

Fig. 2 the harp neck with symmetrical string tension,

Fig. 3 to 6, the switching device according to the invention.

The respective string is pressed against a stop pin by a slider running across the neck, which is arranged exactly at the previously calculated semitone spacing ( Fig. 3 and Fig. 4). The string is shortened and switched a semitone higher.

The slider made of metal or plastic consists of a base part (shaft) with an inserted or attached cam. The cam has rounded ends and, when moved, causes the string to be pressed against the stop pin ( Fig. 5 and Fig. 6).

The slider is button-like at both ends by a screwed plastic washers in different colors (ana lied the string colors in white, black and red) or from different the colored metal. Pushing with your finger is the push process easy to perform. With the button-like design The thrust is precisely limited on both sides of the shaft.

Claims (5)

1. harp with a tuning device for strings, with a neck and attached tuning pegs, to which the strings are attached approximately in the middle of the neck, viewed in the transverse direction thereof, characterized in that
that the purely mechanical retuning device can be operated by hand slide with button-like ends around,
that the sliders are mounted individually displaceable across the neck,
that the sliders each have a cam, with which the respective string can be pressed against a stop pin provided to shorten the vibrating string length at a predetermined distance from the tuning peg. 2. Harp according to claim 1, characterized in that the button like ends of the slider through colored plastic discs are marked in color analogous to the string color. 3. Harp according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in net, that the sliders are made of metal. 4. harp according to claim 1 to 2, characterized in that the sliders are made of plastic. 5. harp according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the slider each have a base part and an inserted one or attached cam with rounded ends.