Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Oct., 1887
Complete Left, 18th Feb., 1888
Complete Accepted, 11th May, 1888
RESERVE
I, JOHN CHRISTIAN DIETZ of 17 Rue de la Presse, Brussels, in the Kingdom of
Belgium, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The invention relates to the application to a harp of a novel arrangement and
combination of parts whereby the same may be played by means of a keyboard in
a similar manner to a piano and yet produce the sounds of the harp.
Its external form recalls that of the harp and all the cords or strings are similarly
visible.
The mechanism which produces the sound, is put into motion as soon as a key
is depressed, and acts in a similar manner to the fingers of a harpist.
The ordinary harp is very difficult to play, these difficulties combined with the
inherent inconveniences of the instrument limit its use; it is furnished with cat gut
strings which are affected by all the influences of temperature and require to be
frequently tuned. The necessity of playing the cords or strings with the fingers
renders it difficult to obtain equality in the sounds. It gives only the natural sounds
of the diatonic gamut, in order to obtain the various changes of tone it is necessary
to operate numerous pedals. Playing the harmonies and the execution of trills are
very difficult; finally is not provided with dampers.
The instrument constructed according to the present invention presents none of
these numerous inconveniences.
I employ metallic cords or strings covered with an insulating or muffling material
such as cotton, silk, linen, metallic wire or other material which has for its object
to give the sound of cat gut strings and to prevent their falling out of tune.
The keyboard, divided like that of a piano, permits of playing in all tones without
its being necessary to operate any pedal. Any person who can play the piano can
play upon my instrument.
My keyboard harp is provided with three pedals. The first is that which corre-
sponds with the dampers, it permits of playing forte or of damping the sound.
The second pedal puts in motion a slide (chevalet) which divides the strings or
cords into two equal parts to give the harmonic sounds to the octave. The third
pedal operates a slide (chevalet) analogous to the former, this latter divides the strings
or cords into three equal parts to produce harmonics to the fifth.
An ordinary keyboard being the intermediary between the movement of the

page_text: mechanical fingers which play the cords or strings and the artist, perfect equality is
obtained in the play.
My instrument is therefore more complete than the harp, easy to play and to tune
and it is more susceptible of producing special effects.
The cords or strings are placed vertically, they are hooked onto pins or pegs fixed
at the lower part of the case or frame and wound around wrest or tuning pins mounted
in the neck. A bridge (chevalet) glued upon a sound board, the plan of which is
parallel with that of the cords divides these at their lower part according to the
desired lengths to obtain the different tones of the gamut. The bridge (sillet) of the
neck limits their length at their upper part.
A column or pillar serves to support the neck on the bass side, and the neck rests
directly on the frame at the opposite side.
•
The mechanism or action consists of a key towards the middle of which is fixed a
wood pillar or upright at the upper end of which is a pin on which is placed the
finger mechanism, At or near the rear end of the key is placed a piece of lead, the
weight of which is calculated so as to ensure the recovery of the key after it has been
depressed by the pressure of the finger thereon. These lead weights might be
replaced by springs acting directly on the key or on the wood pillar or upright.
When the key is depressed, the wood pillar or upright moves forward and in this
motion it carries with it the mechanism which plays the cord or string. A flat pin
fixed in a cross bar holds the wood pillar or upright in its vertical position.
A cross bar limits the forward motion of the wood pillar or upright and prevents
the jumping of the key during playing.
This cross har could be placed behind the keys or replaced by buttons screwed on
the forward ends of the flat pins.
The entire finger mechanism rests on a cross bar.
The different parts of the mechanism which play the cords or strings serve to assure
and regulate its movements. This finger catches against the cords or strings when it
is drawn forward and is replaced in position when the sound has been produced and
the key retakes its normal position.
This mechanism consists of a block at the end of which is fixed a metallic hook or
finger. A connecting block provided with a hole so as to enable it to be placed on
the pin at the upper end of the pillar or upright of the key is connected with the
finger block by means of a rod or wire screwed in contrary directions at its ends. so
that by turning it the distance can be regulated between the two parts. An escape-
ment piece fixed to the finger connecting block by means of a spring serves to cause
the escape of the finger from the cord or string, the escapement being effected against
a fixed pin or other suitable abutment.
An inclined piece fixed to the finger block serves to replace the entire of the finger
in position, after the sound has been produced, in such manner that the finger shall
not touch the cord or string. Guide pieces, one on each side of the finger block,
serve to guide it in its motions.
In order to obtain sounds varying in intensity, a hole, pierced in the finger block or
in the inclined piece fixed thereto, receives a curved wire at the extremity of which is
a small weight, more or less heavy, according to the size of the fingers; the curved
wire passes through a hole formed in a bar or plate, fixed to the cross bar carrying
the fingers.
By these means the heavier the key is struck, the greater will be the resistance to
the finger offered by the inertia of the weight, it therefore results that the finger being
held firmly against one of its guides will escape with greater difficulty from the cord
or string and will give a stronger sound. This same weight acting in the contrary
direction, when the finger is returning to its position after having been drawn forward
will hold the finger block against the opposite guide, in this manner the finger will
retake its position without touching the cord or string. The curve of the wire is such
that it always presents itself square with its guide whatever may be the position of the
finger; in this manner the inertia alone operates and not the friction in the guide
holes which is reduced to almost nothing.

page_text: The fingers fixed to the ends of the finger blocks are covered with cloth, felt,
leather or other suitable material, so that their contact with the cords or strings shall
take place with all the softness and sweetness necessary to obtain the most beautiful
sound possible. All the holes and the pieces in motion susceptible of producing noise
are clothed in the most convenient manner.
In order to simplify the finger mechanism, the curved wire and its weight may be
dispensed with and the other parts of the finger apparatus may be so arranged, that
the inertia required to cause the intensity of the sound to be varied, may be obtained
by means of the mechanism itself.
A damper mounted on the pin above the finger connecting block, is composed of an
inclined piece connected to the damper carrying block by a wire or rod screwed at
both ends to enable the distance-between such parts to be regulated. In the inclined
piece or damper proper is a small pin passing through holes formed in a band of wood
which serves as support to the damper. The said wood band may receive a lateral
movement by means of a pedal. In this motion the dampers will be removed from
the cords or strings and the instrument can be played forte.
If, on the contrary, the pedal is not depressed, the dampers are drawn behind the
cords or strings and do not release them except when the keys are depressed.
As soon as the keys again rise the fingers retake their normal position and the
dampers press against the cords or strings in order to stop their vibrations.
A second damper is placed above or below the first named and differs from that
above described only in the way of furnishing the head.
The furniture is such that the damping acts only partially. When the key rises the
furniture touches the cord or string and damps it only partially, the motion continuing,
the cord or string again becomes free in place of remaining damped.
This damper has for its object only to damp the cords or strings which are nipped
whilst all the others can vibrate by influence.
In their normal condition these dampers do not act, it is by means of a pedal which
causes them to approach the cords or strings that they are caused to act.
Between the finger guides is placed a furniture of leather, felt or other suitable
material forming a small inclined plane which has for its object to facilitate the sideway
motion of the fingers.
Datoil this 18th day of October 1887
JOHN CHRISTIAN DIETZ.
By Harris & Mills,
23, Southampton Buildings,
Agents.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Harps.
I JOHN CHRISTIAN DIETZ of 17 Rue de la Presse Brussels in the Kingdom of
Belgium Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
The Invention relates to the application to a Harp of a novel arrangement and
combination of parts whereby the same may be played by means of a keyboard in a
similar manner to a piano and yet produce the sounds of the harp.
Its external form recalls that of the harp and all the cords or strings are similarly
visible.
The mechanism which produces the sound is put into motion as soon as a key is
depressed and acts in a similar manner to the fingers of a harpist.
The ordinary harp is very difficult to play, these difficulties combined with the
inherent inconveniences of the instrument limit, its use; it is furnished with cat-gut
strings which are affected by all the influences of temperature and require to be
frequently tuned. The necessity of playing the cords or strings with the fingers
renders it difficult to obtain equality in the sounds. It gives only the natural sounds
of the diatonic gamut in order to obtain the various changes of tone it is necessary
to operate numerous pedals. Playing the harmonics and the execution of trills are
very difficult; finally it is not provided with dampers.
The instrument constructed according to the present invention presents none of
these numerous inconveniences.
I employ metallic cords or strings covered with an insulating or muffling material
such as cotton, silk, linen, metallic wire or other material which has for its object to
give the sound of cat gut strings and to prevent their falling out of tune.
The keyboard divided like that of a piano, permits of playing in all tones without
its being necessary to operate any pedal. Any person who can play the piano can
play upon my instrument.
My keyboard harp is provided with three pedals. The first is that which corre-
sponds with the dampers, it permits of playing forte or of damping the sound.
The second pedal puts in motion a slide which divides the strings or cords into two
equal parts to give the harmonic sounds to the octave. The third pedal operates a
slide analogous to the former; this latter divides the strings or cords into three equal
parts to produce harmonics to the fifth.
An ordinary keyboard being the intermediary between the movement of the
mechanical fingers which play the cords or strings and the artist, perfect equality is
obtained in the play.
My instrument is therefore more complete than the harp, easy to play and to tune
and it is susceptible of producing special effects.
Figure 1 represents my instrument in perspective.
The cords or strings A are placed vertically-they are hooked on to pins or pegs

page_text: fixed at the lower part of the case or frame, and wound around wrest or tuning
pins B mounted in the neck C. A bridge glued upon a sound board, the plane of
which is parallel with that of the cords divides these at their lower part according to the
required lengths to obtain the different tones of the gamut. The bridge D of the
neck limits their length at their upper part. A moveable slide operated by the pedal G
divides the cords or strings into two equal parts. Another slide moved by the
pedal H divides them into three. The pedal I puts into motion the dampers properly
so called.
A column or pillar J serves to support the neck on the bass side and the tuning pin
neck Crests directly on the frame at the opposite side. The keyboard k is the
intermediary between the artist and the mechanism which plays the cords or strings.
The mechanism or action which is represented at Figures 2 consists of a key L
towards the middle of which is fixed a wood pillar or upright M at the upper end of
which is a pin N on which is placed the finger mechanism O. At or near the rear
end of the key L is placed a piece of lead P the weight of which is calculated so as to
ensure the recovery of the key after has been depressed by the pressure of the finger
thereon. These lead weights might be replaced by springs acting directly on the key
or on the wood pillar or upright M.
When the key is depressed the wood pillar or upright M moves forward as indicated
by the arrow and in this motion it carries with it the mechanism which plays the cord
or string. A flat pin Q fixed in a cross bar R holds the wood pillar or upright M in
its vertical position.
A cross bar S limits the forward motion of the wood pillar or upright M and prevents
the jumping of the key during the playing.
This cross bar could be placed behind the keys at U or replaced by buttons V
screwed on the forward ends of the flat pins Q.
The entire finger mechanism rests on a cross bar T.
Figures 3 show the details of the mechanism which plays the cords or strings.
The different parts of such mechanism serve to assure and regulate its movements.
The finger w catches against the cords or strings when it is drawn forward and is
replaced in position when the sound has been produced and the key retakes its normal
position.
This mechanism consists as shewn in plan and elevation in the various views of
Figures 3 of a block W at the end of which is fixed a metallic hook or finger w. A
connecting block X provided with a hole so as to enable it to be placed on the pin N
at the upper end of the pillar or upright M of the key is connected with the finger
block W by means of a rod or wire Y screwed in contrary directions at its ends so that
by turning it the distance can be regulated between the two parts W and X. An
escapement piece Z fixed to the finger connecting block X by means of a spring a
serves to cause the escape of the finger w from the cord or string A, the escapement
being effected against a fixed pin b or other suitable abutment.
An inclined piece e fixed to the finger block W serves to replace the entire finger
in position, after the sound has been produced, in such manner that the finger wo
shall not touch the cord or string A. Guide pieces d, d', one on each side of the
finger block W serve to guide it in its motions.
In order to obtain sounds varying in intensity, a hole 9 pierced in the finger
block W. or in the inclined piece c fixed thereto, receives a curved wire f, at the
extremity of which is a small weight e more or less heavy, according to the size of the
fingers; the curved wire f passes through a hole formed in a bar or plate / fixed to
the cross bar T.
It will be seen from the above described arrangement that if the key is struck
heavily and sharply, so as to draw the finger rapidly forward, the inertia of the
weight e will prevent it from at once following such motion and consequently a certain
compression will be put upon the spring causing it to press upon the finger in
opposition to the spring a and thus cause it to remain against the guide d¹ notwith-
standing that the incline c has passed out of contact with the guide d. By this means
the finger will be enabled to give a strong pull at the string A, giving a loud

page_text: .sound. As the forward motion of the finger continues after it has passed the string,
the inertia of the weight e will be overcome and it will move forward with the finger;
the spring now losing its compression will allow the spring a to press the finger
away from the string against the guide d, so that on the release of the finger key,
the finger will be moved back in this position, clear of the string A until the incline c
again comes in contact with the guide d, whereby the finger will be made to resume
its original position behind the string. During this return motion of the finger,
the inertia of the weight e will again come into play in exercising a pull on
the spring and thus assisting the spring a in keeping the finger away from
the string.
The spring is made to pass freely through the hole in the plate h, so that only
the inertia of the weight e will act upon it and the spring will move without any
appreciable frictional resistance.
If on the other hand the finger key is depressed gently and slowly, the finger w
. will be drawn forward so slowly that it has time to overcome the inertia of the
weight e without putting any appreciable compression on the spring f. The result
of this will be that so soon as the incline c is freed from the guide d, the spring
will at once begin to push the finger towards the latter so that the part w in passing
'the strings A will only come slightly in contact therewith giving a correspondingly
light tone.
:
"
The fingers w fixed to the ends of the finger blocks W are covered with cloth,
felt, leather or other suitable material, so that their contact with the cords or strings
: shall take place with all the softness and sweetness necessary to obtain the most
beautiful sound possible. All the holes and the pieces in motion susceptible of
producing noise are clothed in the most convenient manner.
In order to simplify the finger mechanism, the curved wire f and its weight e
may be dispensed with and the parts W, Y, Z, X, of the finger apparatus may be
so arranged, as represented at Figures 4, that the inertia required to cause the
intensity of the sound to be varied, may be obtained by means of the mechanism
.itself.
In this case the finger w is arranged somewhat to one side of its actuating block X,
so that when this is rapidly drawn forward by a heavy pressure on the finger key,
there will be a certain lateral pull exercised upon the finger in opposition to the action
of the spring b causing the string A to be sounded loudly, while if the key is only
gently depressed, such lateral pull will not have any appreciable action and the finger
being pushed away from the string by the spring 6 only a weak sound will be
produced.
A damper mounted on the pin N above the finger connecting block X is composed
of an inclined piece i connected to the damper carrying block K by a wire or rod
screwed at both ends to enable the distance between such parts i and K to be regulated.
In the inclined piece or damper proper i is a small pin m passing through holes
formed in a band of wood ; which serves as support to the damper. Tho said wood
band may receive a lateral movement by means of a pedal I see figure 1. In this
motion the dampers i will be removed from the cords or strings and the instrument can
be played forte.
If on the contrary, the pedal I is not depressed, the dampers are drawn behind the
cords or strings and do not release them except when the keys are depressed.
As soon as the keys again rise the fingers retake their normal position and the
dampers press against the cords or strings in order to stop their vibrations.
A second damper n is placed above or below the first named 1 and differs from that
above described only in the way of furnishing the head o.
The furniture p is such that the damping acts only partially. When the key
rises the furniture p touches the cord or string A and damps it only partially, the
motion continuing the cord or string again becomes free in place of remaining damped,
as shown in the drawing.
This damper has for its object only to damp the cords or strings which are played
whilst all the others can vibrate by sympathy.

page_text: In their normal condition these dampers do not act, it is by means of a pedal 9,
which causes them to approach the cords or strings, that they are caused to act.
Figure 5 shows the cross bar which supports the mechanism as seen from the back.
Between the finger guides d, d¹ is placed a furniture of leather, felt or other
suitable material forming a small inclined plane, which has for its object to facilitate
the sideway motion of the fingers.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. The use for playing on a harp, of a mechanical finger with angular pulling
part w fixed rigidly to a sliding block W and so arranged in combination with a key
that on the depression of the latter the said finger is made to pull the string of
the harp so as to sound it,, and is then pushed or pulled. to one side by the action
of a weight or spring so as to escape the string as it moves back again, the
part w being afterwards made to resume its original position behind the string by an
incline or equivalent device substantially as herein described.
2. In a mechanical finger, such as is referred to in the preceding claim, the use of
a weight such as e, connected by a spring to the finger and so arranged that on
drawing forward the finger sharply, the inertia of the weight will cause the spring to
exercise pressure upon the finger in order to produce a loud tone, while on drawing
this forward gently, the weight will move so as to reduce the pressure of the spring
and thereby produce a soft tone substantially as herein described.
3. In combination with a harp, a keyboard k, keys L, fingers w, escapement Z,
recovery mechanism c, d, d¹, sound regulating mechanism e. f. g. dampers 1, n and
damper operating pedals I, q, substantially as herein shown and described and for the
purpose stated.
a
4. In combination with a harp a keyboard k and keys L provided with mechanism
for sounding the cords or strings consisting of a pillar M fixed to the key L stops R, S,
pin N at the upper end of the pillar, a block X placed on the pin N said block X
being connected to the block W by a distance regulating pin Y, a cord-playing
finger w fixed to block W inclined recovery piece c fixed to block W and guides d, di
substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose stated.
5. In combination with a harp, a keyboard k and keys L provided with a pillar M
carrying a pin N at its upper end on which the cord-sounding apparatus and the
dampers are mounted substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose
stated.
DL: 1011
CL1000