Device on a string tightener for stringed instruments

Claim 2

A rotatable tuning mechanism for a stringed musical instrument of the type having a fingerboard, a string supporting ledge, and strings, said tuning mechanism comprising: a tuning peg; a means for rotating said tuning peg to tension a string connected thereto; said tuning peg comprising a first portion rotatably coupled to said rotating means, a threaded portion, a second portion adjustably connected to said first portion by said threaded portion, and a ring portion surrounding said threaded portion intermediate said first and second portions; said first, second, threaded, and ring portions having a common axis which extends outwardly from said rotating means; said second portion and said ring portion having mating planar, parallel surfaces for gripping said connected string, whereby the height of said ring portion is selectable to vary the angle of incidence of said connected string from said string supporting ledge to said tuning peg.

Claim 3

In combination with a musical instrument having a plurality of tunable strings, apparatus for fixing a string to a rotatable string tightener, comprising: a first element having a longitudinal axis, a planar string-supporting end surface disposed substantially normal to said longitudinal axis, and a threaded portion disposed concentric with said axis, said first element being supported by, and for rotation with, said string tightener; and a second element having a longitudinal axis, a planar string-pressing end surface disposed substantially normal to said longitudinal axis, and a threaded portion disposed concentric with said axis and configured for mating threaded engagement with said first element threaded portion, said second element end surface being movable toward said first element end surface to firmly clamp therebetween a string placed between said two end surfaces, said string being wound about said threaded portion such that tensioning of said string will cause self-tightening of said first and second elements, whereby when said string is firmly clamped between said opposed end surfaces, and after said tightener is rotated to place said string under tension, said string extends from between said opposed end surfaces without engaging any surfaces along the periphery of said elements normal to said opposed end surfaces.

Claim 4

In combination with a musical instrument having a plurality of tunable strings, apparatus for fixing a string to a rotatable string tightener, comprising: a first element having a longitudinal axis, a planar string-supporting end surface disposed substantially normal to said longitudinal axis, and a threaded portion disposed concentric with said axis, said first element being supported by, and for rotation with, said string tightener; and a second element having a longitudinal axis, a planar string-pressing end surface disposed substantially normal to said longitudinal axis, and a threaded portion disposed concentric with said axis and configured for mating threaded engagement with said first element threaded portion, said second element end surface being movable toward said first element end surface to firmly clamp therebetween a string placed between said two end surfaces, said string being wound about said threaded portion such that tensioning of said string will cause self-tightening of said first and second elements, whereby when said string is firmly clamped between said opposed end surfaces, and after said tightener is rotated to place said string under tension, said string extends from between said opposed end surfaces without engaging any surfaces along the periphery of said elements normal to said opposed end surfaces.

Claim 5

A rotatable tuning peg mechanism for tuning a string of a musical instrument, comprising: a first peg portion having a longitudinal axis and a first planar portion at one end thereof; a second peg portion having a longitudinal axis and a second planar portion at one end thereof, said first and second peg portions being coaxially juxtaposed such that said first and second planar surfaces are adjacent one another; means for causing rotation of said second planar surface of said second peg portion in a first rotational direction relative to said first planar surface of said first peg portion to move said second planar surface from a first position in which there is a predetermined distance between said surfaces to a second position at which both said surfaces engage the string to prevent slippage of the string relative to said surfaces; and rotating means for first causing said first peg portion to rotate about the longitudinal axis thereof in a second direction opposite to said first direction, and then causing both said first and second peg portions to rotate about said longitudinal axis in said second direction when both said surfaces firmly engage said string, whereby a string placed between said surfaces can be clamped therebetween upon activation of said clamping means, and wound about said peg portions by turning of said rotating means, wherein said peg portions include no axially extending segments along the periphery of the planar surfaces thereof against which a string would be stressed upon turning of said rotating means.

Claim 6

A rotatable tuning peg mechanism for tuning a string of a musical instrument, comprising: a first peg portion having a longitudinal axis and a first planar portion at one end thereof; a second peg portion having a longitudinal axis and a second planar portion at one end thereof, said first and second peg portions being coaxially juxtaposed such that said first and second planar surfaces are adjacent one another; means for causing rotation of said second planar surface of said second peg portion in a first rotational direction relative to said first planar surface of said first peg portion to move said second planar surface from a first position in which there is a predetermined distance between said surfaces to a second position at which both said surfaces engage the string to prevent slippage of the string relative to said surfaces; and rotating means for first causing said first peg portion to rotate about the longitudinal axis thereof in a second direction opposite to said first direction, and then causing both said first and second peg portions to rotate about said longitudinal axis in said second direction when both said surfaces firmly engage said string, whereby a string placed between said surfaces can be clamped therebetween upon activation of said clamping means, and wound about said peg portions by turning of said rotating means, wherein said peg portions include no axially extending segments along the periphery of the planar surfaces thereof against which a string would be stressed upon turning of said rotating means.

Claim 7

A tuning peg mechanism in accordance with claim 3, wherein said first and second planar surfaces include means thereon for retaining a good grip on the string when in use.

Claim 8

A tuning peg mechanism in accordance with claim 4, wherein said grip retaining means comprise roughened surfaces.

Claim 9

A tuning peg mechanism in accordance with claim 4, wherein said means for causing rotation of said second planar surface of said second peg portion relative to said first planar surface of said first peg portion comprises a threaded bolt connected to one of said peg portions and a corresponding female threaded section on the other of said peg portions, whereby said peg portions may be clamped together by screwing one of said peg portions with respect to the other of said peg portions.