Harp construction

Claim 2

A lever mechanism for fretting a harp string extending between the harp''s neck and the sound box, comprising: a. a fret block secured to the harp neck beneath the string, b. fret means on said fret block for seating the string, c. lever means pivotable about an axis and having an actuator surface thereon, d. actuation of said lever means by pivoting it in one direction about said axis being effective to cause said actuator surface to force the string into seated relationship on said fret means, and e. stop means positioned in the path of movement of said lever means as it pivots in said one direction being engaged by said lever means and effective to stop (for stopping) pivotal movement of said lever means in said one direction after the point of engagement of said actuator surface with the string has passed dead center relative to said axis and said string has been seated in operational relationship on said fret means.

Claim 3

The lever mechanism of claim 1 further characterized in that: a. said actuator surface comprises a cam surface, b. said cam surface has a gradually decreasing radius of curvature while the surface moves progressively further from said axis until dead center is passed whereby the rate of displacement of said string toward the fret means accelerates as the lever is pivoted at a constant rate toward dead center.

Claim 4

The lever mechanism of claim 1 further characterized in that: a. said fret means comprises a generally Vee-shaped notch formed on said fret block in alignment with the harp string, b. the harp string being forced into seated relationship in the fret means against the side walls of said Vee-shaped notch substantially along their length.

Claim 5

The lever mechanism of claim 3 further characterized in that: a. said Vee-shaped notch has an apex inclined toward the harp neck, b. said actuator surface deflecting the string to seat in the fret means an angle to the neck corresponding substantially to the angle of inclination of said fret means apex.

Claim 6

The lever mechanism of claim 1 further characterized in that: a. said fret block includes leg means secured to the face of the harp neck substantially in longitudinal alignment with the string, and b. foot means extending perpendicularly to said surface of the neck, c. said fret means beIng formed on said foot means beneath the string, d. said lever means being pivotally mounted on said foot means.

Claim 7

The lever mechanism of claim 5 further characterized by and including: a. a fret bar formed on said foot means and extending transversely of the harp string, b. said fret means being formed on said fret bar in longitudinal alignment with the harp string.

Claim 8

The lever mechanism of claim 6 further characterized by and including: a. means securing said leg means to the face of the harp neck for longitudinal adjustment relative to the harp string.

Claim 9

A lever mechanism for fretting a harp string extending between the harp''s neck and its sound box, comprising: a. a first fret block secured to the harp mechanism under the string, b. said first fret block including generally vertically extending leg means and generally horizontally extending foot means protruding outwardly of the harp neck, c. first fret means on said first fret block for seating the harp string, d. lever means pivotally mounted on said foot means of said first fret block and effective to force the harp string into seated relationship on said first fret means, e. a second fret block secured to the harp mechanism beneath the harp string, f. said second fret block including generally vertically extending leg means and generally horizontally extending foot means protruding outwardly of the harp neck, g. second fret means on said second fret block for seating the harp string, and h. second lever means mounted on said second foot means and effective to force the harp string into seated relationship on said second fret means, i. said second fret block being seated on said first fret block with the leg means of said second fret block sandwiched over the leg means of said first fret block.

Claim 10

A lever mechanism for fretting a harp string extending between the harp''s neck and its sound box, comprising: a. a first fret block secured to the harp mechanism under the string, b. said first fret block including generally vertically extending leg means and generally horizontally extending foot means protruding outwardly of the harp neck, c. first fret means on said first fret block for seating the harp string, d. lever means pivotally mounted on said foot means of said first fret block and effective to force the harp string into seated relationship on said first fret means, e. a second fret block secured to the harp mechanism beneath the harp string, f. said second fret block including generally vertically extending leg means and generally horizontally extending foot means protruding outwardly of the harp neck, g. second fret means on said second fret block for seating the harp string, and h. second lever means mounted on said second foot means and effective to force the harp string into seated relationship on said second fret means, i. said second fret block being seated on said first fret block with the leg means of said second fret block sandwiched over the leg means of said first fret block.

Claim 11

The lever mechanism of claim 8 further characterized in that: a. said first fret block and said second fret block are longitudinally adjustable relative to the harp string and relative to each other.

Claim 12

The lever mechanism of claim 8 further characterized in that: a. each of said fret means comprises a generally V-shaped notch formed on a corresponding fret block in alignment with the harp string, b. the harp string being forced into seated relationship in the corresponding fret means against the side walls of its V-shaped notch substantially along the length of its side walls.