Improvements in and relating to Harps, Zithers, and other Stringed Instruments.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Aug., 1891-Accepted, 28th Nov., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Harps, Zithers, and other Stringed
Instruments.
I, IGNAZ LUTZ, of 29 Rothenthurmstrasse, Vienna, I, in the Empire of Austria,
Musical Instrument Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
scertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to harps, zithers, and other stringed instruments and com-
prises improved mechanism for playing the same in such a manner that the sound
and the delicacy of tone produced do not differ from those produced by instruments
as heretofore played.
In the accompany mě
Figure 1 is a side view,
Figure 2 a plan of the mechanism for upright strings.
Figures 3 and 4 show to an enlarged scale a side view and plan of the pressing
tongue.
Figure 5 represents the arrangement of the mechanism for horizontal strings.
The mechanism which produces this effect comprises chiefly a counter-lever b,
adapted to turn upon the fulcrum a, the pressing tongue with the pressing piece d,
acting directly upon the strings. The device for releasing the pressing tongue c
consists of the wedge shaped projection e, the pin f and the spring g.
The operation of this mechanism is as follows:-In the upward movement of the
rear part of the key T the counter lever, arranged to turn in the fulcrum a
together with the tongue pivoted to the said lever bare forced forward, against
the string; the pressing piece d which is fixed to the pressing tongue and may
consist of leather or other suitable material presses the string S towards the
sounding board R and causes the same to be vibrated by the subsequent release of
the string from the said pressing piece. When the key moves back the counter
lever band pressing tongue c return to their former position, such movement being
effected partly by the spring g, and partly by the pin with which the pressing
tongue provided with the wedge shaped projection e comes in contact, thereby
causing the said tongue to pass exactly to the position necessary for striking the
strings again.
The application of this mechanism to harps necessitates a peculiar construction
of the body of the harp, which is shown in Figure 6. In this instance the body of
the harp consists of a hollow sound box upon which the vertical strings are.
stretched. To secure a powerful sound the engagement of the mechanism with the
strings takes place approximately in the middle of the harp body along the line a a,
Figure 6.
In the case of strings stretched horizontally as for instance in a zither, the
mechanism is very simple, and the action is the same, with the exception that
the pressing tongue c operates vertically from above upon the horizontal string.
As will be seen from Figure 5 the pressing tongue e placed in this case in a
vertical position is directly attached to the under surface of the key lever T by
means of a fork h. By pressing down the key T, the pressing piece d attached to
the pressing tongue c, is forced against the string S causing the latter to vibrate;
upon the return of the key T and the pressing tongue c, effected by the
the spring g, the latter with its wedge shaped projection e passes the pin f and
returns to its former position.
power
of
In the employment of this mechanism shown in Figure 5 for instruments with
horizontally stretched strings, the counter lever b, pivoted in a fork a and shown in

page_text: Figures 1 and 2 is not needed as the pressing device is directly in connection with
the key lever T.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what 1
claim is
First. A mechanism for enabling stringed instruments of various kinds to be
played with the aid of keys, which is chiefly characterized by the strings not being
plucked but pressed or forced towards the sounding board and released and
comprises a counter lever adapted to turn in the fulcrum the pressing
tongue arranged to move in the nut or fork h, with the pressing piece d,
attached to the same, and the releasing device consisting of the pin the wedge-
shaped projection e and the spring g.
Second. In harps which are played by the mechanism characterized in the first
claim the peculiar form of the harp body or frame consisting of a hollow sounding
box Figure 6.
Dated this 6th dox of tum 1001
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.