Music – Accessories – Tuning devices
Patent
1992-12-23
1995-02-21
Blankenship, Howard B.
Music
Accessories
Tuning devices
84DIG18, 84313, 84297R, G10G 702
Patent
active
053905792
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to apparatus for varying the pitch of a stretched string and to a musical instrument incorporating such apparatus.
It is known to provide tuning apparatus comprising a sensor for sensing the pitch of a vibrating stretched string, and an indicator for indicating whether the sensed pitch corresponds to a predetermined reference pitch. Where there is no correspondence, the tension of the string is adjusted manually until the indicator shows such a correspondence.
One object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for varying the pitch of a stretched string automatically.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for automatically varying the pitch of stretched string, said apparatus comprising detecting means arranged to produce a signal representative of the pitch produced by vibration of the stretched string, comparing means arranged to compare said representative signal with a predetermined reference and to produce an output dependent upon said comparison, and adjusting means arranged in response to said output to adjust said stretched string such that its pitch is varied.
The adjusting means may be arranged to vary the tension and/or the length of the stretched airing such that its pitch is varied.
Apparatus of the invention enables the pitch of the string to be precisely adjusted, or tuned, to the predetermined reference.
In an embodiment, said adjusting means comprises resilient means coupled to one end of the string to tension the string, said resilient means being maintained under strain opposing the tension of said stretched string, and means for adjusting the tension of said stretched string.
For example, said tension adjusting means may comprise drive means coupled to one end of the stretched string, and being actuable to adjust the tension applied in response to said output.
Said adjusting means may also comprise drive means arranged to apply a strain to one end of the string, and being actuable to adjust the strain applied in response to said output.
In an embodiment, said adjusting means comprises a member attachable to said end of the string and coupled to said drive means, for example, by way of gear means. Advantageously, the member carries a screw-thread arranged to co-operate with said gear means.
In an embodiment, said gear means comprises a gear, arranged to be rotated by said drive means, and co-operating with the screw-thread of said member whereby rotation of said gear causes movement of said member longitudinally of a string at%ached thereto. Said member attachable to the string may comprise a tubular member within which the string extends. The screw-thread may be provided externally of said tubular member and arranged for engagement with said gear means. Alternatively, the drive means may be directly coupled to said tubular member.
Preferably, said adjusting means has a null position in which said member is located intermediate extreme positions to which the member is movable longitudinally. This is advantageous when attaching a new string to the apparatus as it enables the member to be moved away from the null position in either direction. Preferably, null position switch means are provided and are arranged to signal when said adjusting means is in its null position.
The invention also extends to adjusting means for varying the strain of an elongate member, said adjusting means comprising resilient means coupled to one end of said member and arranged to apply strain thereto, said resilient means also being maintained under strain which opposes the strain of said elongate member, and further comprising separate means for adjusting the strain of said elongate member.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for varying the pitch of a stretched string comprising means maintaining a strain on said string, and separate means for adjusting the tension of said string to vary its pitch, wherein said adjusting means is arranged to vary the tension in said string in opposition to
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patent: 69259 (1867-09-01), Seehausen
patent: 4281577 (1981-08-01), Middleton
patent: 4608905 (1986-09-01), Takabayashi
patent: 4803908 (1989-02-01), Skinn et al.
patent: 4889029 (1989-12-01), St. Denis
patent: 4909126 (1990-03-01), Skinn et al.
patent: 5038657 (1991-08-01), Busley
Blankenship Howard B.
Spyrou Cassandra
Torque Talk Limited
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