Patent US1649255A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4329904A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4329904A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two-speed tuning machine for musical instruments
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1980-05-16
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Granted: 1982-05-18
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Expires: 2000-05-16
Abstract
Abstract A two-speed tuning machine for mounting on a hand-held, stringed, musical instrument has a first, relatively fast, gearing for rotating a post upon which a string is reeled during initial tensioning to a rough approximation of the desired final pitch, and a second, relatively slow, gearing, with its own separate input shaft, for rotating the same post during the final, precision tensioning to final pitch. A planetary-gear train having a relatively low gear-reduction ratio is used during the initial tensioning by applying manual rotation to an input shaft attached to the sun gear of the planetary-gear train, the planet gears being gang-coupled to rotate the post. The ring gear of the planetary-gear train is restrained during the initial tensioning by means of a worm engaging a worm ring on the periphery of the ring gear. The worm is rotated by manual rotation applied to the second separate input shaft to cause the entire planetary-gear train to rotate at a relatively high gear-reduction ratio during the final, precision tensioning.
Inventors
- 👤 John Monteleone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:20
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10D; G10D3/00; G10D3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A two-speed tuning machine for a stringed-instrument, comprising: a first input shaft, a second input shaft, and an output shaft; first gear means for converting a first angular rotation of said first input shaft into a second angular rotation of said output shaft, said second angular rotation of a reduced angular arc with respect to said first angular rotation; and second gear means for converting a third angular rotation of said second input shaft into a fourth angular rotation of said output shaft, the rate of rotation of said output shaft being a predetermined fraction of the rate of rotation of said second input shaft while maintaining invariant the relative angular rotational relationship of said first input shaft and said output shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A two-speed tuning machine for a stringed-instrument, comprising: a first input shaft, a second input shaft, and an output shaft; first gear means for converting a first angular rotation of said first input shaft into a second angular rotation of said output shaft, said second angular rotation of a reduced angular arc with respect to said first angular rotation; and second gear means for converting a third angular rotation of said second input shaft into a fourth angular rotation of said output shaft, the rate of rotation of said output shaft being a predetermined fraction of the rate of rotation of said second input shaft while maintaining invariant the relative angular rotational relationship of said first input shaft and said output shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The tuning machine of claim 1 wherein, said first gear means has a first reduction-ratio and said second gear means has a second reduction-ratio, said second reduction-ratio being relatively high in comparison to said first reduction-ratio.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tuning machine of claim 2 wherein, said first reduction-ratio is no greater than about five and said second reduction-ratio is at least about ten.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The tuning machine of claim 3 wherein, said first gear means comprises a planetary-gear train including a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, and a ring gear.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The tuning machine of claim 4 wherein, said first input shaft is fixedly connected to said sun gear to rotate therewith and said output shaft is connected to a support means for mounting said plurality of planet gears in rotational engagement relationship with said sun gear and said ring gear.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tuning machine of claim 5 wherein, said second gear means is coupled to selectively rotate said ring gear.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The tuning machine of claim 6 wherein, said second gear means comprises a worm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The tuning machine of claim 7 wherein, said worm engages with a worm ring on the outer periphery of said ring gear.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The tuning machine of claim 8 wherein, said machine includes an enclosed housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
166 words
A two-speed tuning machine for a musical instrument of the type having a plurality of strings, comprising: post means for threadably engaging a one of said strings and for reeling said one of said strings thereon during tensioning; first gear means comprising a planetary-gear train including a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, and a ring gear, said ring gear including a worm ring on its outer periphery; support means for mounting said plurality of planet gears in rotationally engaged relationship with said sun gear and said ring gear, said support means fixedly connected to said post means; first manually-rotational shaft input means for rotating said sun gear; second manually-rotational shaft input means, including a worm engaged with said worm ring, for rotating said ring gear; housing means for sealably enclosing said first gear means and said worm; and, means for mounting said tuning machine on a said musical instrument whereby said post means is positioned for engagement with a selected one of said strings.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
166 words
A two-speed tuning machine for a musical instrument of the type having a plurality of strings, comprising: post means for threadably engaging a one of said strings and for reeling said one of said strings thereon during tensioning; first gear means comprising a planetary-gear train including a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, and a ring gear, said ring gear including a worm ring on its outer periphery; support means for mounting said plurality of planet gears in rotationally engaged relationship with said sun gear and said ring gear, said support means fixedly connected to said post means; first manually-rotational shaft input means for rotating said sun gear; second manually-rotational shaft input means, including a worm engaged with said worm ring, for rotating said ring gear; housing means for sealably enclosing said first gear means and said worm; and, means for mounting said tuning machine on a said musical instrument whereby said post means is positioned for engagement with a selected one of said strings.
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) | 1985-05-17 | 1985-11-16 | 1986-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-05-17 | 1989-11-16 | 1990-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-05-17 | 1993-11-16 | 1994-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |