US1792608A

US1792608A - Violin-string tightener

Info

Publication number: US1792608A
Application number: US398771A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frederick H Schulenberg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1929-10-10
Filing date: 1929-10-10
Publication date: 1931-02-17
Anticipated expiration: 1948-02-17

Description

1931- F. H. SCHULENBERG VIOLIN STRING TIGHTENER Filed Oct. 10, 1929 Fig.1

I I Iv structions is that they interfere with the tone Patented Feb. 17, 1931 PAT EN'T OFF ICE FREDERICK H. SCHULENBER(vr, F LIMA, OHIO.

VIOLIN-STRING TIGHTENER Application filed October 10, 1929.

This invention relates to musical instruments, but more particularly to a tightener for the metal E string of musical instruments.

It has been found difiicult to tune the metal E strings of violins to the proper degree of accuracy by the usual adjusting pegs. A finer adjustment is desirable, and for this purpose adjustable anchors have been pro- 1a vided for the end of this string in association with the tail piece. These anchors or adjusters are equipped with means for effecting a fine and delicate adjustment of the string tension, but heretofore these devices have been found to be impractical, because they interfere with the proper sympathetic vibration of the instrument, cause displacement of the tail piece, and for other reasons. an outstanding objection to these prior conquality of the instrument, and consequently are unsatisfactory.

An object of this invention is to overcome the above difficulties, and to provide a tightcner for violin E strings, which enables substantially the full length of the string to be us d, which may be readily and conveniently attached to the tail piece of the violin in such manner as not to interfere with the,

in anal vibration thereof, and which is effcctive for obtaining fine and ready adjustment. Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

The invention is shown by way of illus- 111' tration in the accompanying drawing, in

the line 11- 1 of Fig. 2.

The illustrated embodiment of the invenion comprises a violin 1 having the usual '5 the metallic E string 4:. All the strings, with the exception of the E string, are atnating adjacent the inner end.

.2111 piece 2, bridge 3, and strings, including,

Serial No. 398,771.

tached in the usual manner .to the tail piece through openings 5 provided therein.

vslit '7 extending a substantial distance therein. The under surface of the base 6 is slightly curved to conform to thenormal curvature ofthe tail piece 2. Disposed within the slit 7 is a lever 8, which is pivoted intermediate its ends at 9a to the base 6. It will be observed that the pivot pin 9a is positioned closer to the outer than the inner end of the lever. Having screw threaded engagement with the base 6 is a tubular post 9, a portion of which extends above the upper surface, of the base 6, but the greater portion thereof depends from the base 6 and extends through one of the openings 5 provided in the tail piece. The outer endof the post 6 is "provided with screw threads 10 to receive a nut 11, which may be screwed against the underside of the tail piece in order to clamp the tightener securely in position and prevent rattling thereof with respect to the tail piece. The post 9 is provided with a hollow bore to receive a screw threaded stem 12, which has .a knurled head 13 to facilitate adjustment n thereof. The lower end 14 of the stem 12 is rounded, and is engageable with the inner end portion of the lever 8. In this instance the post 9 is provided with a longitudinal-slit 15 extending from the outer end and termi- The inner end of the lever 8 disposed in the slit .15, and

may swing in a vertical plane therein.

The outer end portion of the lever 8 is provided with a hook 16 to receive the looped A end ofthe E string 4. From the above it is apparent that by turning down on the stem 12 the lever 8 is moved in a clockwise direction in order to draw the string 1 toward the tail piece, and thereby effect a delicate adjustment of the string. String-tightening adjustment may be made until the inner end of the lever engages the nut 11, which acts as a stop for this direction of movement. The base 6 provides a stopfor limiting the movement of the that the full and natural vibration of the instrument may be obtained. It will be ap- I parent that delicate and fine adjustment of the E string may be effected by a simple turning of the knurled head 13.

While the invention has been described in connection with the metallic E string of a' violin, it is to be understood that this tight ener may be used to advantage with other string instruments, and the above description is given by way of illustration, and not of limitation. Numerous changesin details of construction, arrangement and operation may "be effected without departing from the spirit of the invention, especially as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a tail piece ofa musical instrument, of a string tightener therefor, said tightener comprising a base mounted on the upper side of said tail piece, a member depending from said base and extending through sa1d tall piece, means 1 onthe outer end portion of said member and 5 engaging the underside of said tail piece for holding the tightener in place, the depending portion of said member having an elongate slit, an element pivoted intermediate its ends to said base and having its inner end disposed in saidslit, a stem screwed in said member for engaging the inner end of said pivoted element, and a hook on the outer end of said element to receive a string to be tightened.

2. A string tightener for musical instruments having tail pieces comprising a base 7 adapted to be mounted on the upper side of the tail piece, a post projecting downwardly from said base and adapted to extend through the tail piece, a stem longitudinally adjustablein said post, said post having a longitudinally elongate slit, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends to said base, a hook on the outer,

end of said lever to receive a string to be tightened, the inner end of said lever extending into said elongate slit and being directly engageable by said stem whereby adjustment of said'stem in one direction effects movement of said lever for tightening the string, the pivotal connection for said lever being closer to the outer end than the inner end, and means on said post for holding said base against movement. 7

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name to this specification.

FREDERICK H. SCHULENBERG.