Patent US4088052A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4088052A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
String instrument tuning apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-11-02
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Granted: 1978-05-09
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Expires: 1996-11-02
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure pertains to an apparatus utilized to detect the pitch in a string instrument, comparing it with a known standard, and providing an output error signal to an audio amplifier which drives a motor and gear train. The output shaft of the gear train is removably attached to the string tensioning pin. A timer activates the correcting motor in short bursts facilitating the manual striking of the string so as to produce a tone that may be measured. When the motor successfully adjusts the pitch produced by the string, the error signal is reduced sufficiently to prevent further motorized adjustments of the string tension. A meter is provided to indicate the relative pitch produced by the string by displaying the amplitude of the error signal. Locking means prevents the output shaft from being rotated by the motor, thereby enabling the user to manually adjust the pin when desired.
Inventors
- 👤 W. David Hedrick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:59
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10G; G10G7/00; G10G7/02; G10D; G10D3/00; G10D3/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A string instrument tuning apparatus comprising a handheld tuning apparatus, a musical string instrument, string tensioning pin receiving receptacle, said pin receiving receptacle rotatably journalled to said tuning apparatus, a motor, said motor for rotating said pin receiving receptacle, audible detection means for receiving tones produced by said musical string instrument, voltage generating means for selectively producing one of a plurality of standard frequency voltages, selector switch means for separately electrically selecting said one of said plurality of standard frequency voltages, comparator means for providing an error signal voltage whose amplitude is proportioned to the difference in frequency of said tones and said one of said plurality of standard frequency voltages, motor energizing means for energizing said motor from said error signal voltage, timing means for intermittently controlling the timed duration of energization of said motor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A string instrument tuning apparatus comprising a handheld tuning apparatus, a musical string instrument, string tensioning pin receiving receptacle, said pin receiving receptacle rotatably journalled to said tuning apparatus, a motor, said motor for rotating said pin receiving receptacle, audible detection means for receiving tones produced by said musical string instrument, voltage generating means for selectively producing one of a plurality of standard frequency voltages, selector switch means for separately electrically selecting said one of said plurality of standard frequency voltages, comparator means for providing an error signal voltage whose amplitude is proportioned to the difference in frequency of said tones and said one of said plurality of standard frequency voltages, motor energizing means for energizing said motor from said error signal voltage, timing means for intermittently controlling the timed duration of energization of said motor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The string instrument tuning apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a gear train, said gear train rotatably operable intermediate the output shaft of said motor and said pin receiving receptacle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The string instrument tuning apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a flexible shaft, said flexible shaft rotatably coupling the output shaft of said motor and said pin receiving receptacle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The string instrument tuning apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said audible detection means comprises a microphone, an audio amplifier, said microphone being disposed adjacent said musical string instrument for the detection of said tones, said audio amplifier for the electrical amplification of said tones.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The string instrument tuning apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said voltage generating means comprises a plurality of voltage producing audio oscillators, said plurality of voltage producing audio oscillators arranged to produce a chromatic musical scale.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
The string instrument tuning apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said selector switch means comprises a selector switch, said selector switch having terminals electrically connected to said plurality of voltage producing audio oscillators, an operating knob, said operating knob permitting the manual selection of each of said plurality of standard frequency voltages in repeated sequential order by the operation of said operating knob in one direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The string instrument tuning apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said motor energizing means comprises a direct current amplifier whose input terminals are energized by said error signal voltage, the output terminals of said direct current amplifier providing operating power for said motor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
66 words
The string instrument tuning apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said timing means comprises a timing motor, a cam, said cam rotatably affixed to the output shaft of said timing motor, a timing switch, a protrusion extending radially outwardly from said cam, said protrusion periodically operating said timing switch, the contacts of said timing switch controlling said timed duration of said energization of said motor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The string instrument tuning apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a meter, said meter operated by said error signal voltage for indicating said amplitude.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The string instrument tuning apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising locking means for preventing rotation of said pin receiving receptacle relative to said handheld tuning apparatus.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-05-08 | 1981-11-07 | 1982-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-08 | 1985-11-07 | 1986-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-08 | 1989-11-07 | 1990-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |