Guitar string tuning device

Claim 1

A device for use in tuning the strings of a stringed musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a pinion gear connected with said shaft for rotation therewith about a common central axis, a rotatable worm gear disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, fixed surface means disposed in a predetermined position relative to the central axis of said worm gear for rotatably supporting one side portion of said pinion gear, movable surface means for rotatably supporting another side portion of said pinion gear, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft about their common central axis, and adjustment means for moving said movable surface means relative to said fixed surface means to move said pinion gear and vary the meshing relationship between said pinion and worm gears.

Claim 2

A device for use in tuning the strings of a stringed musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a pinion gear connected with said shaft for rotation therewith about a common central axis, a rotatable worm gear disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, fixed surface means disposed in a predetermined position relative to the central axis of said worm gear for rotatably supporting one side portion of said pinion gear, movable surface means for rotatably supporting another side portion of said pinion gear, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft about their common central axis, and adjustment means for moving said movable surface means relative to said fixed surface means to move said pinion gear and vary the meshing relationship between said pinion and worm gears.

Claim 6

A device for use in tuning the strings of a musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable pinion gear having a body with a circular array of teeth disposed thereon, a shaft extending outwardly from a first side of said pinion gear body and disposed in a coaxial relationship with said circular array of teeth, said shaft having an outer end portion adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a rotatable worm gear having a portion disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft, housing means for at least partially enclosing said worm and pinion gears, and bearing means for supporting said worm gear for rotation about its central axis, said bearing means including a first annular bearing surface connected with said worm gear for rotation therewith and a second annular bearing surface connected with said housing, said first and second annular bearing surfaces having different radial cross-sectional configurations to provide a circular line of contact between said bearing surfaces.

Claim 7

A device for use in tuning the strings of a musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable pinion gear having a body with a circular array of teeth disposed thereon, a shaft extending outwardly from a first side of said pinion gear body and disposed in a coaxial relationship with said circular array of teeth, said shaft having an outer end portion adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a rotatable worm gear having a portion disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft, housing means for at least partially enclosing said worm and pinion gears, and bearing means for supporting said worm gear for rotation about its central axis, said bearing means including a first annular bearing surface connected with said worm gear for rotation therewith and a second annular bearing surface connected with said housing, said first and second annular bearing surfaces having different radial cross-sectional configurations to provide a circular line of contact between said bearing surfaces.

Claim 9

A device for use in tuning the strings of a stringed musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a pinion gear connected with said shaft for rotation therewith about the central axis of said shaft, said shaft extending outwardly from one side of said pinion gear, a rotatable worm gear disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft about the central axis of the shaft, and adjustment means for moving one of said gears toward and away from the other of said gears to an operating position in which said gears have a desired meshing relationship and for holding said one gear in said operating position during rotation of said gears, said adjustment means being connected with a side of said pinion gear opposite from said one side and being operable to move said pinion gear toward and away from said worm gear.

Claim 10

A device for use in tuning the strings of a stringed musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a pinion gear connected with said shaft for rotation therewith about the central axis of said shaft, said shaft extending outwardly from one side of said pinion gear, a rotatable worm gear disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft about the central axis of the shaft, and adjustment means for moving one of said gears toward and away from the other of said gears to an operating position in which said gears have a desired meshing relationship and for holding said one gear in said operating position during rotation of said gears, said adjustment means being connected with a side of said pinion gear opposite from said one side and being operable to move said pinion gear toward and away from said worm gear.

Claim 11

A device for use in tuning the strings of a musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable pinion gear having a body with a circular array of teeth disposed thereon, said pinion gear teeth having arcuate crests each of which curves inwardly from axially outer end portions of a tooth to a point of minimum diameter, a shaft extending outwardly from a first side of said pinion gear body and disposed in a coaxial relationship with said circular array of teeth, said shaft having an outer end portion adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a bearing section extending outwardly from a second side of said pinion gear body opposite from said first side and disposed in a coaxial relationship with said shaft, said bearing section having a circular cross-sectional configuration, a rotatable worm gear having a portion disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, said points of minimum diameter of each of said pinion gear teeth disposed closer to one of said sides of said pinion gear body than the other in a common plane which contains the axis of rotation of said worm gear, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft, housing means for at least partially enclosing said worm and pinion gears, said housing means including wall means for defining a chamber circumscribing said pinion gear, said wall means defining a first chamber opening through which said shaft extends and a second chamber opening through which said pinion is inserted into said chamber, and cap means for closing said second chamber opening and for engaging said bearing section to at least partially support said pinion gear for rotation upon rotation of said worm gear, said cap means including surface means defining a recess for receiving said bearing section.

Claim 12

A device for use in tuning the strings of a musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable pinion gear having a body with a circular array of teeth disposed thereon, said pinion gear teeth having arcuate crests each of which curves inwardly from axially outer end portions of a tooth to a point of minimum diameter, a shaft extending outwardly from a first side of said pinion gear body and disposed in a coaxial relationship with said circular array of teeth, said shaft having an outer end portion adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a bearing section extending outwardly from a second side of said pinion gear body opposite from said first side and disposed in a coaxial relationship with said shaft, said bearing section having a circular cross-sectional configuration, a rotatable worm gear having a portion disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, said points of minimum diameter of each of said pinion gear teeth disposed closer to one of said sides of said pinion gear body than the other in a common plane which contains the axis of rotation of said worm gear, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft, housing means for at least partially enclosing said worm and pinion gears, said housing means including wall means for defining a chamber circumscribing said pinion gear, said wall means defining a first chamber opening through which said shaft extends and a second chamber opening through which said pinion is inserted into said chamber, and cap means for closing said second chamber opening and for engaging said bearing section to at least partially support said pinion gear for rotation upon rotation of said worm gear, said cap means including surface means defining a recess for receiving said bearing section.

Claim 14

A device for use in tuning the strings of a musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable pinion gear having a body with a circular array of teeth disposed thereon, a shaft extending outwardly from a first side of said pinion gear body and disposed in coaxial relationship with said circular array of teeth, said shaft having an outer end portion adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a bearing section extending outwardly from a second side of said pinion gear body opposite from said first side and disposed in a coaxial relationship with said shaft, said bearing section having a circular cross-sectional configuration, a rotatable worm gear having a portion disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft, housing means for at least partially enclosing said worm and pinion gears, said housing means including wall means for defining a chamber circumscribing said pinion gear, said wall means defining a first chamber opening through which said shaft extends and a second chamber opening through which said pinion is inserted into said chamber, and cap means for closing said second chamber opening and for engaging said bearing section to at least partially support said pinion gear for rotation upon rotation of said worm gear, said cap means including surface means defining a recess for receiving said bearing section, said surface means being movable toward and away from said worm gear to vary the meshing relationship between said worm and pinion gears.

Claim 15

A device for use in tuning the strings of a musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable pinion gear having a body with a circular array of teeth disposed thereon, a shaft extending outwardly from a first side of said pinion gear body and disposed in coaxial relationship with said circular array of teeth, said shaft having an outer end portion adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a bearing section extending outwardly from a second side of said pinion gear body opposite from said first side and disposed in a coaxial relationship with said shaft, said bearing section having a circular cross-sectional configuration, a rotatable worm gear having a portion disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft, housing means for at least partially enclosing said worm and pinion gears, said housing means including wall means for defining a chamber circumscribing said pinion gear, said wall means defining a first chamber opening through which said shaft extends and a second chamber opening through which said pinion is inserted into said chamber, and cap means for closing said second chamber opening and for engaging said bearing section to at least partially support said pinion gear for rotation upon rotation of said worm gear, said cap means including surface means defining a recess for receiving said bearing section, said surface means being movable toward and away from said worm gear to vary the meshing relationship between said worm and pinion gears.

Claim 16

A device for use in tuning the strings of a stringed musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a pinion gear connected with said shaft for rotation therewith about the central axis of said shaft, a rotatable worm gear having a central portion disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear and a pair of opposite end portions extending outwardly from said central portion, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft about the central axis of the shaft, and adjustment means for moving one of said gears toward and away from the other of said gears to an operating position in which said gears have a desired meshing relationship and for holding said one gear in said operating position during rotation of said gears, said adjustment means being connected with one of said end portions of said worm gear and being operable to move said one end portion of said worm gear relative to the other end portion of said worm gear to move the central portion of said worm gear toward and away from said pinion gear, said adjustment means including an eccentric having a surface which is offset from the axis of rotation of said one gear, said eccentric being rotatable in a first direction about the axis of rotation of said one gear to effect movement of said one gear toward said other gear, said eccentric being rotatable in a second direction about the axis of rotation of said one gear to effect movement of said one gear away from said other gear.

Claim 17

A device for use in tuning the strings of a stringed musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a pinion gear connected with said shaft for rotation therewith about the central axis of said shaft, a rotatable worm gear having a central portion disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear and a pair of opposite end portions extending outwardly from said central portion, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft about the central axis of the shaft, and adjustment means for moving one of said gears toward and away from the other of said gears to an operating position in which said gears have a desired meshing relationship and for holding said one gear in said operating position during rotation of said gears, said adjustment means being connected with one of said end portions of said worm gear and being operable to move said one end portion of said worm gear relative to the other end portion of said worm gear to move the central portion of said worm gear toward and away from said pinion gear, said adjustment means including an eccentric having a surface which is offset from the axis of rotation of said one gear, said eccentric being rotatable in a first direction about the axis of rotation of said one gear to effect movement of said one gear toward said other gear, said eccentric being rotatable in a second direction about the axis of rotation of said one gear to effect movement of said one gear away from said other gear.

Claim 19

A device for use in tuning the strings of a stringed musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a pinion gear connected with said shaft for rotation therewith about a common central axis, a rotatable worm gear having a portion disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, fixed surface means disposed in a predetermined position relative to the central axis of said pinion gear for rotatably supporting one end portion of said worm gear for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely to the central axis of said worm gear, movable surface means for rotatably supporting another end portion of said worm gear, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft about their common central axis, and adjustment means for moving said movable surface means relative to said fixed surface means and the central axis of said pinion gear to pivot said worm gear about said transverse axis and vary the meshing relationship between said pinion and worm gears, said adjustment means including an adjustment member having a circular outer surface, said movable surface means being disposed within said adjustment member and having a circular cross section with a center which is offset from the center of said circular outer surface, said adjustment member being rotatable relative to said worm gear to effect sidewise movement of said worm gear.

Claim 20

A device for use in tuning the strings of a stringed musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a pinion gear connected with said shaft for rotation therewith about a common central axis, a rotatable worm gear having a portion disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, fixed surface means disposed in a predetermined position relative to the central axis of said pinion gear for rotatably supporting one end portion of said worm gear for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely to the central axis of said worm gear, movable surface means for rotatably supporting another end portion of said worm gear, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft about their common central axis, and adjustment means for moving said movable surface means relative to said fixed surface means and the central axis of said pinion gear to pivot said worm gear about said transverse axis and vary the meshing relationship between said pinion and worm gears, said adjustment means including an adjustment member having a circular outer surface, said movable surface means being disposed within said adjustment member and having a circular cross section with a center which is offset from the center of said circular outer surface, said adjustment member being rotatable relative to said worm gear to effect sidewise movement of said worm gear.

Claim 23

A device for use in tuning the strings of a stringed musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a pinion gear connected with said shaft for rotation therewith about the central axis of said shaft, a rotatable worm gear disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft about the central axis of the shaft, bearing surface means for supporting one of said gears for pivotal movement about a pivot axis extending transversely to the axis of rotation of said one gear, and adjustment means for moving said one of said gears toward and away from the other of said gears to an operating position in which said gears have a desired meshing relationship and for holding said one gear in said operating position during rotation of said gears, said adjustment means including adjustment surface means for pivoting said one gear about said pivot axis to vary the meshing relationship between said gears, for locking said one gear against movement from said operating position in a direction toward said other gear, and for locking said one gear against movement from said operating position in a direction away from said other gear to positively maintain the spatial relationship between axes of rotation of said gears constant during rotation of said gears.

Claim 24

A device for use in tuning the strings of a stringed musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a pinion gear connected with said shaft for rotation therewith about the central axis of said shaft, a rotatable worm gear disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft about the central axis of the shaft, bearing surface means for supporting one of said gears for pivotal movement about a pivot axis extending transversely to the axis of rotation of said one gear, and adjustment means for moving said one of said gears toward and away from the other of said gears to an operating position in which said gears have a desired meshing relationship and for holding said one gear in said operating position during rotation of said gears, said adjustment means including adjustment surface means for pivoting said one gear about said pivot axis to vary the meshing relationship between said gears, for locking said one gear against movement from said operating position in a direction toward said other gear, and for locking said one gear against movement from said operating position in a direction away from said other gear to positively maintain the spatial relationship between axes of rotation of said gears constant during rotation of said gears.

Claim 26

A device for use in tuning the strings of a stringed musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a pinion gear connected with said shaft for rotation therewith about the central axis of said shaft, said shaft extending outwardly from one side of said pinion gear, a rotatable worm gear disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft about the central axis of the shaft, and adjustment means for moving one of said gears toward and away from the other of said gears to an operating position in which said gears have a desired meshing relationship and for holding said one gear in said operating position during rotation of said gears, said adjustment means including adjustment surface means for locking said one gear against movement from said operating position in a directiontoward said other gear and for locking said one gear against movement from said operating position in a direction away from said other gear to positively maintain the spatial relationship between axes of rotation of said gears constant during rotation of said gears, said adjustment surface means being connected with a side of said pinion gear opposite from said one side and being operable to move said pinion gear toward and away from said worm gear.

Claim 27

A device for use in tuning the strings of a stringed musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a pinion gear connected with said shaft for rotation therewith about the central axis of said shaft, said shaft extending outwardly from one side of said pinion gear, a rotatable worm gear disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft about the central axis of the shaft, and adjustment means for moving one of said gears toward and away from the other of said gears to an operating position in which said gears have a desired meshing relationship and for holding said one gear in said operating position during rotation of said gears, said adjustment means including adjustment surface means for locking said one gear against movement from said operating position in a directiontoward said other gear and for locking said one gear against movement from said operating position in a direction away from said other gear to positively maintain the spatial relationship between axes of rotation of said gears constant during rotation of said gears, said adjustment surface means being connected with a side of said pinion gear opposite from said one side and being operable to move said pinion gear toward and away from said worm gear.

Claim 28

A device for use in tuning the strings of a stringed musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a pinion gear connected with said shaft for rotation therewith about the central axis of said shaft, a rotatable worm gear disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, said worm gear including a central portion disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear and a pair of opposite end portions extending outwardly from said central portion, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft about the central axis of the shaft, and adjustment means for moving one of said gears toward and away from the other of said gears to an operating position in which said gears have a desired meshing relationship and for holding said one gear in said operating position during rotation of said gears, said adjustment means including adjustment surface means for locking said one gear against movement from said operating position in a direction toward said other gear and for locking said one gear against movement from said operating position in a direction away from said other gear to positively maintain the spatial relationship between axes of rotation of said gears constant during rotation of said gears, said adjustment surface means being connected with one of said end portions of said worm gear and being movable in opposite directions relative to said worm gear to move said one end portion of said worm gear relative to the other end portion of said worm gear and to move the central portion of said worm gear toward and away from said pinion gear.

Claim 29

A device for use in tuning the strings of a stringed musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a pinion gear connected with said shaft for rotation therewith about the central axis of said shaft, a rotatable worm gear disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, said worm gear including a central portion disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear and a pair of opposite end portions extending outwardly from said central portion, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft about the central axis of the shaft, and adjustment means for moving one of said gears toward and away from the other of said gears to an operating position in which said gears have a desired meshing relationship and for holding said one gear in said operating position during rotation of said gears, said adjustment means including adjustment surface means for locking said one gear against movement from said operating position in a direction toward said other gear and for locking said one gear against movement from said operating position in a direction away from said other gear to positively maintain the spatial relationship between axes of rotation of said gears constant during rotation of said gears, said adjustment surface means being connected with one of said end portions of said worm gear and being movable in opposite directions relative to said worm gear to move said one end portion of said worm gear relative to the other end portion of said worm gear and to move the central portion of said worm gear toward and away from said pinion gear.

Claim 31

A device for use in tuning the strings of a stringed musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a pinion gear connected with said shaft for rotation therewith about the central axis of said shaft, said shaft extending outwardly from one side of said pinion gear, a rotatable worm gear disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft about the central axis of the shaft, and adjustment means for moving one of said gears toward and away from the other of said gears to an operating position in which said gears have a desired meshing relationship and for holding said one gear in said operating position during rotation of said gears, said adjustment means including adjustment surface means connected with a side of said pinion gear opposite from said one side and movable in one direction to apply a force to said one gear in a direction toward said other gear, said adjustment surface means being movable in a direction opposite from said one direction to apply a force to said one gear in a direction away from said other gear.

Claim 32

A device for use in tuning the strings of a stringed musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a pinion gear connected with said shaft for rotation therewith about the central axis of said shaft, said shaft extending outwardly from one side of said pinion gear, a rotatable worm gear disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft about the central axis of the shaft, and adjustment means for moving one of said gears toward and away from the other of said gears to an operating position in which said gears have a desired meshing relationship and for holding said one gear in said operating position during rotation of said gears, said adjustment means including adjustment surface means connected with a side of said pinion gear opposite from said one side and movable in one direction to apply a force to said one gear in a direction toward said other gear, said adjustment surface means being movable in a direction opposite from said one direction to apply a force to said one gear in a direction away from said other gear.

Claim 34

A device for use in tuning the strings of a stringed musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a pinion gear connected with said shaft for rotation therewith about the central axis of said shaft, a rotatable worm gear disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, said worm gear having a central portion disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear and a pair of opposite end portions extending outwardly from said central portion, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft about the central axis of the shaft, and adjustment means for moving one of said gears toward and away from the other of said gears to an operating position in which said gears have a desired meshing relationship and for holding said one gear in said operating position during rotation of said gears, said adjustment means including adjustment surface means movable in one direction to apply a force to said one gear in a direction toward said other gear, said adjustment surface means being movable in a direction opposite from said one direction to apply a force to said one gear in a direction away from said other gear, said adjustment surface means being connected with one of said end portions of said worm gear and being movable to shift said one end portion of said worm gear relative to the other end portion of said worm gear to move the central portion of said worm gear relative to said pinion gear.

Claim 35

A device for use in tuning the strings of a stringed musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a pinion gear connected with said shaft for rotation therewith about the central axis of said shaft, a rotatable worm gear disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, said worm gear having a central portion disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear and a pair of opposite end portions extending outwardly from said central portion, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft about the central axis of the shaft, and adjustment means for moving one of said gears toward and away from the other of said gears to an operating position in which said gears have a desired meshing relationship and for holding said one gear in said operating position during rotation of said gears, said adjustment means including adjustment surface means movable in one direction to apply a force to said one gear in a direction toward said other gear, said adjustment surface means being movable in a direction opposite from said one direction to apply a force to said one gear in a direction away from said other gear, said adjustment surface means being connected with one of said end portions of said worm gear and being movable to shift said one end portion of said worm gear relative to the other end portion of said worm gear to move the central portion of said worm gear relative to said pinion gear.

Claim 36

A device for use in tuning the strings of a stringed musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a pinion gear connected with said shaft for rotation therewith about the central axis of said pinion gear, first bearing means having a circular cross sectional configuration for at least partially supporting said pinion gear for rotation about the central axis of said pinion gear, a rotatable worm gear disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, second bearing means having a circular cross sectional configuration for at least partially supporting said worm gear for rotation about its central axis, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft, and adjustment means for moving one of said bearing means and the associated one of said gears toward and away from the other of said gears to vary the angular relationship between the central axes of said gears and the meshing relationship between said gears.

Claim 37

A device for use in tuning the strings of a stringed musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a pinion gear connected with said shaft for rotation therewith about the central axis of said pinion gear, first bearing means having a circular cross sectional configuration for at least partially supporting said pinion gear for rotation about the central axis of said pinion gear, a rotatable worm gear disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, second bearing means having a circular cross sectional configuration for at least partially supporting said worm gear for rotation about its central axis, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft, and adjustment means for moving one of said bearing means and the associated one of said gears toward and away from the other of said gears to vary the angular relationship between the central axes of said gears and the meshing relationship between said gears.

Claim 38

A device for use in tuning the strings of a stringed musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a pinion gear connected with said shaft for rotation therewith about the central axis of said shaft, a rotatable worm gear disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft about the central axis of the shaft, surface means for supporting one of said gears for pivotal movement about a pivot axis extending transversely to the axis of rotation of said one gear, and adjustment means for moving one of said gears toward and away from the other of said gears to an operating position in which said gears have a desired meshing relationship and for holding said one gear in said operating position during rotation of said gears, said adjustment means including an eccentric having a surface which is offset from the axis of rotation of said one gear, said eccentric being rotatable in a first direction about the axis of rotation of said one gear to effect pivotal movement of said one gear about said pivot axis in a direction toward said other gear, said eccentric being rotatable in a second direction about the axis of rotation of said one gear to effect pivotal movement of said one gear about said pivot axis in a direction away from said other gear.

Claim 39

A device for use in tuning the strings of a stringed musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable shaft adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a pinion gear connected with said shaft for rotation therewith about the central axis of said shaft, a rotatable worm gear disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, means for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft about the central axis of the shaft, surface means for supporting one of said gears for pivotal movement about a pivot axis extending transversely to the axis of rotation of said one gear, and adjustment means for moving one of said gears toward and away from the other of said gears to an operating position in which said gears have a desired meshing relationship and for holding said one gear in said operating position during rotation of said gears, said adjustment means including an eccentric having a surface which is offset from the axis of rotation of said one gear, said eccentric being rotatable in a first direction about the axis of rotation of said one gear to effect pivotal movement of said one gear about said pivot axis in a direction toward said other gear, said eccentric being rotatable in a second direction about the axis of rotation of said one gear to effect pivotal movement of said one gear about said pivot axis in a direction away from said other gear.

Claim 42

A device for use in tuning the strings of a musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable pinion gear having a body with a circular array of teeth disposed thereon, a shaft extending outwardly from a first side of said pinion gear body and disposed in a coaxial relationship with said circular array of teeth, said shaft having an outer end portion adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a bearing section extending outwardly from a second side of said pinion gear body opposite from said first side and disposed in a coaxial relationship with said shaft, said bearing section having a circular cross-sectional configuration, a rotatable worm gear having a portion disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, means connected with one end of said worm gear for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft, a one-piece housing for at least partially enclosing said worm and pinion gears, said housing including wall means for defining a first chamber enclosing said pinion gear, said wall means defining a first chamber opening through which said shaft extends and a second chamber opening through which said pinion is inserted into said chamber, a circular cap connected with said wall means and closing said second chamber opening, said cap including surface means defining a recess in said cap for receiving said bearing section to at least partially support said pinion gear for rotation upon rotation of said worm gear, said cap being connected with said one-piece housing to hold said pinion gear against axial movement, said wall means of said one-piece housing defining a second chamber enclosing said worm gear, said first and second chambers being connected with each other at a third chamber opening formed in said wall means, at least one of said gears extending through said third chamber opening to provide for meshing engagement between said gears, said wall means defining a fourth chamber opening through which said means for rotating said worm gear extends and a fifth chamber opening disposed in a coaxial relationship with said fourth chamber opening, and a bearing end portion fixedly connected with an end of said worm gear opposite from said one end for rotatably supporting the opposite end of said worm gear, said bearing end portion of said worm gear extending across and completely blocking said fifth chamber opening.

Claim 43

A device for use in tuning the strings of a musical instrument, said device comprising a rotatable pinion gear having a body with a circular array of teeth disposed thereon, a shaft extending outwardly from a first side of said pinion gear body and disposed in a coaxial relationship with said circular array of teeth, said shaft having an outer end portion adapted to be connected with a string of the musical instrument, a bearing section extending outwardly from a second side of said pinion gear body opposite from said first side and disposed in a coaxial relationship with said shaft, said bearing section having a circular cross-sectional configuration, a rotatable worm gear having a portion disposed in meshing engagement with said pinion gear, means connected with one end of said worm gear for rotating said worm gear about its central axis to effect rotation of said pinion gear and shaft, a one-piece housing for at least partially enclosing said worm and pinion gears, said housing including wall means for defining a first chamber enclosing said pinion gear, said wall means defining a first chamber opening through which said shaft extends and a second chamber opening through which said pinion is inserted into said chamber, a circular cap connected with said wall means and closing said second chamber opening, said cap including surface means defining a recess in said cap for receiving said bearing section to at least partially support said pinion gear for rotation upon rotation of said worm gear, said cap being connected with said one-piece housing to hold said pinion gear against axial movement, said wall means of said one-piece housing defining a second chamber enclosing said worm gear, said first and second chambers being connected with each other at a third chamber opening formed in said wall means, at least one of said gears extending through said third chamber opening to provide for meshing engagement between said gears, said wall means defining a fourth chamber opening through which said means for rotating said worm gear extends and a fifth chamber opening disposed in a coaxial relationship with said fourth chamber opening, and a bearing end portion fixedly connected with an end of said worm gear opposite from said one end for rotatably supporting the opposite end of said worm gear, said bearing end portion of said worm gear extending across and completely blocking said fifth chamber opening.