Music – Instruments – Stringed
Patent
1991-03-28
1994-02-15
Gellner, Michael L.
Music
Instruments
Stringed
84306, G10D 300, G10D 314
Patent
active
052857093
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a machine head for tuning a stringed instrument especially a guitar or the like. Traditionally the guitar string is tensioned and tuned using a `machine head` which consists of a vertical spindle which can be rotated by means of a worm gear-cog assembly. The `machine head` is fixed to the head of the guitar and the string is fed through a hole in the spindle and is wound onto it using the worm gear-cog system. The string is thus tensioned as the other end is fixed immovably at the body end of the guitar. Tensioning continues until the right musical note is sounded.
The drawback of the traditional system is that slackness between the cog and the worm can cause tuning slip and unprecise tuning. It has been accepted without question that a worm drive is required to provide sufficient adjustment and consequently the above system has become universally accepted for guitars or the like despite the short comings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an aim of the present invention to provide a machine head which overcomes the short comings of the prior art.
According to one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a machine head for a stringed instrument, such as a guitar which can be fitted to a guitar for purposes of tensioning and so tuning up a guitar string. The string is passed round and secured to a spindle (preferably vertical). The spindle can be rotated by means of a screw which pushes on a curved arm that is attached to the spindle.
The lateral (relative to a guitar head) movement of the screw is converted to rotational movement by means of this arm so that it is possible to rotate the spindle through about a quarter of a turn (90 degrees arc of rotation). The section of the spindle that the string goes round is of sufficient circumference (in the order of 25 mm-35 mm) so that the slack can be taken out of the string and stretch allowed for so that the string can attain the required tension within the adjustment allowed. A number of machine head assemblies can be mounted on a common carrier.
Accordingly, the present invention also provides a machine head for a multi stringed instrument comprising for each string a rotatable spindle and screw threaded adjusting means therefor acting between an arm of the spindle and an abutment therefor, and wherein the abutment for two or more adjusting means is carried by a common carrier adapted to be secured to the instrument head.
Contrary to the accepted understanding, a quarter of a turn provides quite sufficient adjustment facility so enabling the worm-cog system to be dispensed with. Of course, it would be feasible to incorporate a one way ratchet over into the arm/spindle drive train to allow for take up of excess slack, although I have found this to be completely unnecessary.
This turning system permits more precise tuning than the traditional system and the tuning is more stable as the device is unable to detune as it is stopped against the tuning screw. Tension in the string urges the arm against the adjusting screw to maintain the setting. A lock nut or other locking system could be incorporated if desired. The screw action provides much finer tuning as four turns of the screw is equivalent to one of the traditional system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the tuning system of the present invention (one string only shown by way of example);
FIG. 2 shows a top view of the system (backplate shown in dotted line) demonstrating the adjusting screw pushing on the curved arm;
FIG. 3 shows the bottom view as in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 demonstrate how the sleeve (with curved arm) moves by the action of the adjusting screw;
FIG. 6 shows a guitar with the tuning system thereon (one string only shown); and
FIG. 7 is a bottom view illustrating six machine head assemblies mounted on a common carrier.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF
REFERENCES:
patent: 2304597 (1942-08-01), Proelsdorfer
patent: 2356766 (1943-04-01), Kluson
patent: 3407696 (1968-10-01), Smith et al.
patent: 3596552 (1971-08-01), Lager
Gellner Michael L.
Spyrou Cassandra
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