US234642A - Keys for tuning string -instrum ents - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

J. SINGER. Keys for Tuning String Instruments.

No. 234,642. Patented Nov. 16,1880.

Figzli'.

INVENTOH.

UNITED STATES PATENT @rricn.

JOSEPH SINGER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

KEYS FOR TUNING STRING-INSTRUMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 234,642, dated November 16, 1880.

Application filed March 12, 1880.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatI, JOSEPH SINGER, of Ghicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented an Improvement in Tuning- Keys for Stringed Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

The nature of my invention relates to new and useful improvements in that class of keys around which the end of the strings or wires of stringed musical instruments are secured, and by which said strings are brought by turning such keys to the desired musical tone.

The invention consists in the peculiar construction of the parts and their various combinations, as more fully hereinafterdescribed.

Figure 1 is a view of the shaft or key proper and the head, both of which may be made in one piece, or, if desired, in two pieces, which are afterward secured together. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of a violin-head with my key in position. Fig. 3 shows a key slightly differing from that in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detached view of the washer.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, D represents a key of the ordinary description commonly employed in violins, (consisting ofa head or thumb-piece, by means of which the key is turned, and a tapered shaft,) excepting that adjacent to the hole in the key through which the string passes there is turned or cut the groove 0, upon which to wind the string. This groove allows of a greater delicacy of movement, requires less effort in turning, and prevents the string from bending or chafing against the inner faces of the recessed head of the instrument by causing the string to sink into the groove. The shaft of the key tapers from the thumb-piece, and is to be inserted as in the ordinary way in the key-holes in the ribs which form the sides of the recess of the violin-head, so that the recess and groove will be within such reoess. The smaller end of the shaft D is threaded, and has a longitudinal groove, E, cut the length of the threaded portion, and a washer, F, slides over this part, a tongue on said washer engaging with said last-mentioned groove, and a thumb-nut, G, is provided to engage with the thread on the shaft, for the purpose hereinafter described. The shaft (N0 model.)

should be tapered sufliciently to enable it to be used by pressing it endwise into its bearings in the manner of the ordinary tapered key.

The shaft is made of metal, and preferably much smaller in diameter than the wooden key usually employed, and as all stringed instruments are provided with key-holes to receive such wooden keys my shaft would not fit such key-holes, consequently I employ the bushings H or small cylindrical boxes shown in Fig. 2. These are flanged at one end, as shown, so that they may be pressed into the key-holes only so far as the flange will permit without any other mode of fastening. These bushings perform a twofold officeto wit, that of providing a more perfect frictional surface for the shaft and that of preventing all wear to the instrument itself.

The bushing or box fitting the larger end of the key may be made long enough to produce all'necessary friction to support the tension of the string, thus dispensing with the necessity of the internal taper of the smaller bushing. By so doing the adjustment of the key in its bearings is much simplified.

In practice the'bushin gs are tightly pressed to place in their respective key-holes. The shaft is then inserted and the washer and thumb-nut adjusted to place. By crowding the key into the tapered bushing it is made stationary at a point of friction sufficient to hold the string at the highest tension ever demanded. The thumb nut is then screwed tightly against the washer. In turning the key the washer and thumb-nut rotate with it, (the groove in the shaft and tongue on the washer, or other known mechanical means, being employed for this purpose,) and the necessary friction before secured can be thus maintained.

I make no claim in this case to the flanged bushings, as I have claimed them in another application now pending.

lVhat I claim as my invention is 1. A tapered key for tuning stringed instruments, whereby the required tension is obtained, in the ordinary manner, by the friction of the key within its bearings, provided with a nut and washer on its smaller end, for

the purpose of retaining the friction t us obupon the key, said hole and groove being, tained, substantially as described. where the key is in use, within the recessed r0 2. In a tapered key for tuning stringed inhead of the instrument, substantially as specistruments, the ends of which are supported fied.

5 in bearings inthe ribs which form the recessed JOSEPH SINGER.

head of the instrument, a hole through which Witnesses: the end of the string passes, and adjacent ERWIN MAAOK,

thereto a groove to receive the string wound AUGUSTUS WEIHE.

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