US1702643A

US1702643A - Musical instrument

Info

Publication number: US1702643A
Application number: US194878A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert W Claiborne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1927-05-28
Filing date: 1927-05-28
Publication date: 1929-02-19
Anticipated expiration: 1946-02-19

Description

Feb. 19, 1929.

R. W. CLABORNE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT F119@ nay 2e, 1927 ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 19, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,702,643 PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT W. CLAIBORNE, OF NEW CANAAN, CONNECTICUT.

MUSICAL I TSTRUMENT.

Application filed May 28,

The present invention relates to an improved musical instrument more particularly of the harp type, one object being to provide a harp of relatively simple and inexpensive construction to be used in connection with musical instruction. There are certain musical qualities characteristic of the harp which make it very pleasing and highly desirable but the complexity of its construction and its consequent relatively high cost make it impractical for general or extended. use particularly by pupils or students of moderate means. One of my objects in connection with this invention has been to prof'ide a construction which will not only have the characteristic musical qualities of the harp but which will also be so simple and rugged that students can easily make it and so inexpensive that practically any one can afford to have it. It is contemplated that this ture will tend to bring harp music into a wider field of use.

One embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the drawings accompanying the presentspeciiication and in which Figure 1 is a. side elevation;

Figure 2, a transverse section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3, a top plan view illustrating th, construction of the top or cross member; ant

Figure 4, a vertical section on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, a harp embodying my invention comprises a base or pedestal 1, a sound box 2, an upright 3, and a cross member 4. A block 5 projects upwardly from the upper surface of base 1 and serves as a means by which the sound box 2 is secured to said base. It will be noted that the bottom and side panels of sound box 2 are fastened to block 5 by any suitable means such as screws 6, while the sound board 7 or top wall of the sound box 2 does not touch said block. The base 1 has a recess 8 into which the lower end of upright 3 is fastened, as by glue or other suitable means, the upper end of said upright being preferably of tapered or pointed shape and adapted to extend into and through a square or other suitably sh ped channel extending through the forward end of cross member 4. The rear end of cross member 4 is provided with a block 10 to which upper end portions of the sides and bottoni of sound box 2 are secured by means of screws or other suitable connecting` devices i1. Here again, the sound board 7 is spaced away from 1927. Serial No. 194,878.

the forward face of said block 1l. A pin or detent 12 is mounted with its ends extending beyond opposec faces of upright 3 and in position to engage and limit downward movement of cross member 4, so that, when the parts are assembled, they will occupy substantially the relative positions indicated in Figure 1.

A longitudinal rib 13 is secured to the upper exposed face ol sound board 7 and is provided with a plurality of openings 14 by means of which the lower ends of strings, 15 are secured in operative position. Openings 16 in the cross member 4 receive friction deps 17 adapted to retain the upper ends of pegs being also adapted to i rrings 15, sait. Ke turned by band to tighten or loosen the strings for purposes of tuning or otherwise. iis indicated more clearly in Fifrure 3, the cross member 4 is provided with a longitudinal slot 9 within which the string retaining portions of the pegs 17 are exposed. This arrangement aflords a simple and inexpensive device for effectively securing the strings and adjusting their tension in tuning.

As indicated in Figure 1, the sound box 2 in side elevation tapers from a slightly wider lower portion to a. narrower upper portion. As indicated in Figure 4, the sound box in front elevation also tapers from a relatively greater dimension at its lower end to a smaller dimension at its upper end and is of angular cross sectional contour in all parts. One or more holes as 13 permit passage of sound waves through the sound board 7 In assembling the parts hereinabove described, the base 1 and sound box 2 are secured together by means of screws 6 cooperating with the block o; the upright 3 is inserted in socket 8 of the base 1; and cross member 4 is positioned with the outer end channel engaging the upper end of the upright 3 fitting down thereon until stopped by the pin detent 12. The rear end of cross member 4 is secured to the upper end of sound b 11: 2 by means of screws 11 engaging bloeit 10. Properly selected strings are provided positioned with their lower ends tied to the rib 13 and with their upper ends secured to the friction pegs 1'?. Vhen the strings are tightened, they serve to hold the cross member 4 in operative position with respect to upright 3 and detent 12.

In mi a. sound box suitable for the harp constriction hereinabove described, I have found that the proportions of the several parts thereof are important in the production of sounds of musical Value. For example, in a small harp, the depth of the sound box increases gradually from 11/2 inches at a top portion to 2 inches at a lower portion distant 25 inches therefrom. In other Words, there will be a taper of l@ inch in 25 inches. Also, the width of the interior of the sound box increases from 31/2 inches to 45/8 inches in the same length. In larger instruments similar proportions will be found desirable.

As indicated in Figures 3 and 4, the cross member t is provided with a longitudinal slot across which extend intermediate portions of the pegs 1'? to which the upper ends of the strings l5 are secured, This arrangement aiords a sufficiently rigid anchoring for the strings to effectively maintain any desired tension thereon. At the same time, it avoids the necessity 'for using metal string tensioning parts which would unduly add to the cost and complicate the construction of an instrument for the uses contemplated as will be apparent from an examination of well known forms of harp construction.

I claim as my invention:

l. A musical instrument of the harp type comprising a base, a sound box, an upright, a cross member having one end secured to Said sound box and the other Iend slidably engaging said upright, a detent on said upright to limit downward movement of said other end ot the cross member, and strings stretched between said cross member and said sound box.

Q. A musical instrun'icnt of the harp type comprising a sound box having a sound board, a rib secured to a portion or' the outer surface of said board and extending longitudinally thereof, a cross member haring one end secured to the upper end or said sound box and provided with a longitudinal slot, 'friction pegs extending across said slot, and a plurality of strings each having one end secured to one of said pegs and the other end secured to said rib.

3. A musical instrument of the harp type comprising a base, a sound box secured thereto, a cross member having one end secured to the sound box and a channel extending through the other enc., an upright having its lower `end engaging said base and its upper end extending through and engaging the channel in said cross member, and strings positioned between the said sound box and said cross member.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 24th day of May, 1927.

ROBERT `W. CLAIBORNE.