US1799696A - Harp - Google Patents

Description

April 7, 1931. J. MlLLER 1,799,696

HARP

Filed May 10, 1926 INVEN TOR. JuA N/TA /L 1. 2.

' BY ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 7, 1931 PATENT OFFICE J' UANITA MILLER, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA HARP Application filed May 10, 1926.

My invention relates to improvements in harps, and it consists in the combinations, constructions, and arrangements, hereinafter described and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide a harp which has the frame thereof fashioned in the shape of a heart.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type described which is smaller than the usual harp, so that the harp can be readily carried by the player, and

which is preferably provided with eight strings, these strings being tightened to give forth the desired tone when vibrated.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type described which is extremely simple in construction and which provides a playing instrument of novel shape, the shape of the instrument permitting the instrument to be played in much the same manner as an ordinary harp, and without the necessity of using foot pedals as is the case in standard harps.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this aplication, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of the dev1ce Figure 2 is a section along the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

In carrying out my invention I provide a harp consisting of a heart-shaped frame 1. This frame may be of any desired size, but I prefer to make it small enough to permit the heart to be readily supported by the player. A reinforcing bar 2 preferably made of metal extends between the points 3 and 4 in the frame 1. The bar 2 not only reinforces the frame 1, but it is positioned close to the strings 5 where it will be set into vibration by the vibrating strings, thus materially aiding the tone quality given off by the strings. It will be obvious, of course, that the bar 2 may be suspended as by wires between the v points 3 and 4 if so desired, though I prefer Serial N'o. 107,981.

to secure the bar to the frame as above described in order to brace the frame.

In the present form of the device I show eight strings, four of these strings bein disposed on each side of the bar 2. hese strings are secured at their opposite endsrespectively to stationar pegs 6 and screw pegs 9, being interme iately supported by metal bridges 7 and 8. The pegs 9 are provided with non-circular ends 10 which are adapted to receive the tuning keys when the player wishes to tighten or loosen one of the strings.

A metal plate 11 carries the bridge 8 and also carries the metal housings 12 in which the pegs 9 are threaded by forming the harp in the shape of a heart the lower or pointed end will act as a pivotal point when placed upon a table or other support, thus greatly facilitating the turning or tilting of the instrument as may be required when being played thereupon.

From the foregoing description of the various part-s of the device, the operation thereof may be readily understood.

The device is primarily designed for a hand harp and for use in accompanying work only. It is obvious, however, that the size of the harp may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I have shown the harp as being provided with eight strings, these strings being tuned as desired by means of the screw pegs 9. In the center of the harp, and at the top thereof, I provide an ornament 13 which is preferably heart-shaped.

The peculiar shape of the heart lends itself admirably to the proper positioning of the top and bottom of the frame for providing suflicient length to the strings 5 for permitting these strings to be tuned as desired. Moreover, the device does not contemplate using foot pedals for changing the key of the harp, but the strings are tuned by merely turning the screw pegs 9, whereupon the harp may be played for accompaniment purposes.

The device is extremely simple in construction, and makes use of a novel reinforcing bar for augmenting the tones given off by the strings.

I claim 1. A harp, in combination with a plurality of strings; a heart-shaped frame having one face covered by sheet metal flanged over the inner and outer edges thereof, oppositely disposed bridges formed integral with said sheet metal facing, and tuning pegs in line with each pair of bridges.

2. A harp, in combination with 'a plurality of strings; a heart-shaped frame having one face covered by sheet metal flanged over the inner and outer edges thereof, bridges integral with said sheet metal facing and oppositely disposed in parallel relation to a median line through said frame, a metal strut fixed interiorly of said frame and disposed on the median line thereofand tuning pegs projecting from said sheet metal facing and disposed outwardly and parallel to said bridges.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JUANITA MILLER.

Images