Concert harps

Claim 2

A concert harp comprising a frame, a plurality of strings carried by said frame, and means for shortening the vibrating length of said strings in order to set up the tuned note of said string, said means comprising for each string two jaws movable in a direction transverse to the string toward and away from the string to clamp the string between the jaws, a hydraulic pressure actuated micro-jack having means operable on said jaws, and means mechanically connected with said two jaws for moving said two jaws in said direction by said operable means.

Claim 3

A harp as claimed in claim 1, and a source of hydraulic pressure, a conduit that extends through said frame from said source to said hydraulic micro-jack for transmitting the hydraulic pressure, and control means to control the transmission of the hydraulic pressure from said source to said micro-jack.

Claim 4

A harp as claimed in claim 2, in which said conduit and said control means are common to a plurality of said micro-jacks for moving the jaws associated with the strings of a same note of a musical scale.

Claim 5

A harp as claimed in claim 3, in which said control means are performer-actuated pedals carried by the frame.

Claim 6

A harp as claimed in claim 3, comprising a distributor acting as said control means for controlling the transmission of the hydraulic pressure from said source to said micro-jacks and a plurality of selectively manipulable actuators for said distributor.

Claim 7

A harp as claimed in claim 3, comprising a distributor acting as said control means for controlling the transmission of the hydraulic pressure from said source to said micro-jacks, and a programmable computer that controls said distributor and control means operable by a performer to program said computer.

Claim 8

A concert harp comprising a frame, a plurality of strings carried by said frame, and means for shortening the vibrating length of said strings in order to set up the tuned note of said string, said means comprising for each string two jaws movable in a direction transverse to the string toward and away from the string to clamp the string between the jaws, a hydraulic pressure actuated microjack, means mechanically connected with said two jaws for moving said two jaws in said direction, and means mounting said jaws for pivotal movement about their ends remote from the string, said hydraulic micro-jacks comprising a piston rod pivotally and slidingly connected with the jaws at a point intermediate the ends of the jaws and movable toward and away from the string to open and close the jaws.

Claim 9

A concert harp comprising a frame, a plurality of strings carried by said frame, and means for shortening the vibrating length of said strings in order to set up the tuned note of said string, said means comprising for each string two jaws movable in a direction transverse to the string toward and away from the string to clamp the string between the jaws, a hydraulic pressure actuated microjack, means mechanically connected with said two jaws for moving said two jaws in said direction, and means mounting said jaws for pivotal movement about their ends remote from the string, said hydraulic micro-jacks comprising a piston rod pivotally and slidingly connected with the jaws at a point intermediate the ends of the jaws and movable toward and away from the string to open and close the jaws.

Claim 10

A harp as claimed in claim 7, in which the piston rod is pivotally and slidingly connected with the jaws through each jaw having an oblong opening therein, the piston rod carrying a pin disposed in both of said oblong openings of said two jaws for simultaneously oppositely swinging said jaws.

Claim 11

A harp as claimed in claim 7, and a source of hydraulic pressure, a conduit that extends through said frame from said source to said hydraulic micro-jack for transmitting the hydraulic pressure, and control means to control the transmission of the hydraulic pressure from said source to said micro-jack.

Claim 12

A harp as claimed in claim 9, in which said conduit and said control means are common to a plurality of said micro-jacks for moving the jaws associated with the strings of a same note of a musical scale.

Claim 13

A harp as claimed in claim 10, in which said control means are performer-actuated pedals carried by the frame.

Claim 14

A harp as claimed in claim 10, comprising a distributor acting as said control means for controlling the transmission of the hydraulic pressure from said source to said micro-jacks and a plurality of selectively manipulable actuators for said distributor.

Claim 15

A harp as claimed in claim 10, comprising a distributor acting as said control means for controlling the transmission of the hydraulic pressure from said source to said micro-jacks, and a programmable computer that controls said distributor and control means operable by a performer to program said computer.

Claim 16

A harp as claimed in claim 1, said means mechanically connected with said two jaws comprising a shaft perpendicular to the strings, said jaws being rigidly mounted on said shaft, means mounting said shaft for axial spiral movement toward and away from the strings, and fluid pressure means for effecting said spiral movement of the shaft.