US542157A

US542157A - Edward l

Info

Publication number: US542157A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1895-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 1912-07-02

Description

No Model.)

B. L. GOSSE.

STRINGING DEVICE FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

No. 542,157. Patented Ju @gmilm Z i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDIVARD Ii. GOSSE, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIG-NOR OF ONE-HALF TO I.. A. LAUGHLIN, OF SAME PLACE.

STRINGING DEVICE FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 5I2,157, dated July 2, 1895.

Application filed May 17, 1894. Serial No. 511,625. (No model.)

To [6 whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD L. GOSSE, of Kansas City, county of Jackson, State of Missouri, have, invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stringing Devices for Musical Instruments, of which the following, is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention comprehends improvements in stringing devices for the class of musical instruments represented, for example, by guitars, mandolins, and the like, and it has for its object to provide secure and certain means for fastening the strings to the headpiece of the instrument, whereby the strings may be fastened or unfastened more expeditiously than is possible with the old methods of stringing, and when in place all danger of Slipping is obviated.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I is a side elevation of a head-piece of a mandolin with my device attached. Fig. II is a central vertical section of my improved device, and Fig. III a section taken at right angles thereto. Fig. IV shows a modified form of clampingjaws, and Fig. V shows another modification of the same.

Referring to the figures on the drawings, 1 indicates the head-piece of a mandolin, which is taken asan illustrative example of any musical instrument of its class.

2 indicates the usual tuning-pin plate secured thereto and adapted to carry the assembled tuning mechanism.

3 indicates the ordinary worm-screw carried.

in journal-bearings 4., and designed to be rolated by a thumb-piece 5. The worm-screw meshes with the worm-pinion 6 of a tuning-' pin 7.

It is in the tuning-pin proper that my improvements are to be found, and the description and illustration of the foregoing parts are presented for the purpose of explanation. The tuning-pin is in its lower part 8, at least, preferably tubular, and is externally screwthreaded, as indicated at 9, to receive a limiting-nut 10. The nut 10 is provided at its outer end with an interior annular flange 11, that is designed to confine a movable clamping-jaw 12. This clamping-jaw is preferably made of well-tempered steel, and extending diametrically entirely acrossthe pin is revolubly fixed, but longitudinally movable, within a transverse kerf 13 in the end of the pin. It is designed to clamp against a fixed jaw 14, also preferably made of steel, and extending entirely across the pin. By reason of the extent of the jaws a broad clamping surface between them is provided, thereby facilitating their grip upon astring of the instrument without danger of breaking or cutting it. IVith the different kinds of strings employed different forms of opposite clamping edges upon the jaws may be employed. For example, corrugations 15, as shown in Figs. I and III, may be used, or in place thereof the smooth edges shown in Fig. IV, or the correlatively undulating edges shown in Fig.

V may be employed.

In addition to the mechanism described, suitable jaw-actuating mechanism must be employed. A preferable form of mechanism consists of a screw 16, having a bulbous nil) 17, that is adapted to laterally enter and freely revolve within a recess 18 of the movable jaw 12, but whose separation therefrom lengthwise of the screw is prevented by oppositelyextending lugs 19, which close in behind the bulbous head and unite the movable jaw to the screw. The screw operates within inter- 8o nal threads 21 in the nut 10, and by its movement causes the movable jaw to work as required within its kerf 13. The screw 16 is provided with a suitable head 22 for operating it, the head being susceptible of great varieties of ornamentation.

I am aware that it is not broadly new to employ a movable clamp within a tuning-pin for retaining a string. I am not aware, however, that the mechanism which embodies the go practical features of my device is old, and

\Vhat I therefore claim is- 1. The combination with a tuning pin, of a longitudinal kerf in the pin, a fixed jaw in the bottom thereof extending diametrically 5 across the pin, a coextensive movable jaw operating within the kerf, and actuating mechanism connected with the movable jaw to operate it in both directions, substantially as specified.

2. The combination with a tuning pin, of a kerf in the end of the pin, a fixed jaw in the ICC bottom of the kerf, a movable jaw working in the kerf, a limiting nut fastened to the end i of the pin, and limiting the movement of the movable jaw, and mechanism for actuating the movable jaw in both directions, substantially as specified 3. The combination with a tuning pin, a kerf in the end thereof and a fixed jaw in the bottom of the kert, of a movable jaw working within the kerf an exterior nut hav ing an internal limiting flange upon the end of the pin, and actuating mechanism connected with the movable jaw to operateit in both directions, substantially as specified.

4. The combination with a tuning pin, a

kerf in the end of the pin, and a fixed jaw in the bottom thereof, of a limiting nut on the 7 end of the pin, a movable jaw working in the kerf, a bulbous headed screw screwing into the nut, a recess in the movable jaw adapted to receive the bulbous end of the screw, and oppositely projecting lugs adapted to rotatably secure the bulbous head to the movable jaw, substantially as set forth.

\ In testimony of all which I have hereunto subscribed my name.

EDWARD L. GOSSE.

Witnesses:

MosEs H. LIVINGSTON, GRANT H. AUSTIN.