Tuning machine and method

Abstract

A tuning machine for mounting on a stringed instrument is disclosed. It comprises a peg elongated along an elongation axis. The peg is engageable with a string to allow winding thereof around the peg as the peg is rotated about the elongation axis to facilitate selective tensioning of the string. The peg defines a first opening, a second opening spaced apart from the first opening along the elongation axis, and a channel extending therebetween to allow passage of the string therein to allow engagement of the string with the channel. The channel is suitable to selectively receive the string through the first opening or the second opening to vary an engagement height of the string to facilitate tuning of the stringed instrument. A method of tuning a stringed instrument is also disclosed.

Description

TUNING MACHINE AND METHODTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The disclosure relates generally to stringed instruments, and more particularly to tuning machines suitable for such stringed instruments.BACKGROUND

[0002] T uning machines for stringed instruments, such as double basses, guitars, banjos, and mandolins, are also known as machine heads, tuners, or gear heads. Tuning machines are typically mounted on the head of the instrument such that strings of the instrument can be drawn along the instrument and then engaged with the tuning machine. Tuning machines may be mounted on the top of the head (top-mounted tuning machines) or may be mounted on the side of the head (side-mounted tuning machines).

[0003] Each string of the instrument may have associated therewith a dedicated tuning machine. Each string typically passes through a nut of the instrument. For example, each string may be received through hole(s) in a peg of the tuning machine and thereafter retained therein. Most commonly, the strings are retained by means of friction or knots. Once held fixed relative to their respective pegs, rotation of the pegs causes the strings to wind around their respective pegs to allow varying of tension in the strings. While such tuning machines commonly have gears for conferring mechanical advantage to allow a user to more easily tension a string engaged with the tuning machine, they do not always include such gears as the need for mechanical advantage or fine tuning of the instrument may not be desired.

[0004] The musical tone generated by a string depends on a variety of factors, including string tension and the pressure exerted by the string against the nut. For example, improper pressure exerted by the string against the nut may have a deleterious effect on tone and / or generate tonal interference or a buzz. It is desired to achieve greatermusicality. At the same time, especially since every stringed instrument may have several tuning machines, controlling manufacturing cost and complexity is important.SUMMARY

[0005] There is described a tuning machine for mounting on a stringed instrument to tune a string of the stringed instrument. The tuning machine also includes a peg elongated along an elongation axis and engageable with the string to allow winding of the string around the peg as the peg is rotated about the elongation axis to facilitate selective tensioning of the string, the peg defining a first opening, a second opening spaced apart from the first opening along the elongation axis, and a channel extending from the first opening to the second opening to allow passage of the string therebetween to allow engagement of the string with the channel, the channel suitable to selectively receive the string through the first opening or the second opening to vary an engagement height of the string to facilitate tuning of the stringed instrument.

[0006] Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The tuning machine may include: one or more gears rotatably coupled to the peg to allow rotation of the peg by the one or more gears to facilitate tuning; and a tuning button operably coupled to the one or more gears. The tuning machine may include: a housing supporting the peg and mountable on a head of the stringed instrument. The tuning machine where the channel is a first channel, and the first and second openings form a first pair of openings. The tuning machine may include: a second pair of openings; and a second channel extending between the second pair of openings to allow passage of the string therebetween to allow engagement of the string with the second channel, the string being selectively receivable in the first channel, through the first pair of openings, or the second channel, through the second pair of openings, to facilitate tuning of the stringed instrument. The first and second channels are centered along non-parallel planes. The second pair of openings are spaced apart from each other along the elongation axis. The tuning machine where the first channel is parallel to the second channel and spaced apart from the first channel along the elongation axis. The first channel is non-parallel to the second channel and does not intersect the second channel. The first and second channel are centred along a common plane. An instrument, may include one or more tuning machines as described herein.

[0007] There is also described a method of tuning a stringed instrument. The method also includes receiving a string in a first opening in a peg that is elongated along an elongation axis; receiving the string through a first opening to allow passage of the string through a channel extending between the first opening and a second opening in the peg, the second opening spaced apart from the first opening at least partially along the elongation axis; causing engagement of the string with the peg at an engagement height defined by the first opening; and rotating the peg around the elongation axis to wind the string around the peg to vary tension in the string.

[0008] Embodiments can include combinations of the above features.

[0009] Further details of these and other aspects of the subject matter of this application will be apparent from the detailed description included below and the drawings.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tuning machine, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a peg of a tuning machine, in accordance with another embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the peg of a tuning machine, in accordance with yet another embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a peg of a tuning machine, in accordance with a further embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 3C is a perspective view of a peg of a tuning machine, in accordance with yet another further embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a partial front elevation view of a stringed instrument, in accordance with an embodiment; and

[0017] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method of tuning a stringed instrument, in accordance with an embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] In what follows, there is described a tuning machine suitable for mounting on a stringed instrument to tune a string of the stringed instrument that is configured to engage with its string at an adjustable height so as to allow selective adjustments to the tone produced by the string on the instrument and to allow for greater flexibility in tuning. For example, lowering the height of the strings that are further away from the instruments nut may generate downward pressure of the string on the nut to reduce or mitigate buzzing or have tonal interference. In some cases, strings closer to the nut may be desirably positioned higher at the tuning machine to reduce pressure on the nut by reducing the string angle than strings further away from the nut. For example, the angle that the string approaches the nut (string angle) can influence the friction between the string and the nut, which may lead to tuning and retuning issues, such as from the string sticking in the nut. The angle a string approaches the instrument nut can also impact tuning stability and / or the tonality of instruments.

[0019] In various embodiments, the tuning machine comprises an elongated peg defining an elongation axis and engageable with the string to allow winding of the string around the peg as the peg is rotated about the elongation axis to facilitate selective tensioning of the string, the peg defining a lower opening, a higher opening spaced apart from the lower opening along the elongation axis, and a channel extending from the lower opening to the higher opening to allow passage of the string therebetween to allow engagement of the string with the channel, the channel suitable to selectively receive the string through the lower opening or the higher opening to vary an engagement height of the string to facilitate tuning of the stringed instrument. In various embodiments, the tuning machine comprises one or more gears rotatably coupled to the peg to allow rotation of the peg by the one or more gears to facilitate tuning; and a tuning button operably coupled to the one or more gears. In various embodiments, the tuning machine comprises a housing supporting the peg and mountable on a head of the stringed instrument.

[0020] In various embodiments, a method of tuning a stringed instrument comprises receiving a string in a first opening in an elongated peg defining an elongation axis; receiving the string through a first opening to allow passage of the string through achannel extending between the first opening and a second opening in the peg, the second opening spaced apart from the first opening at least partially along the elongation axis; causing engagement of the string with the peg at an engagement height defined by the first opening; and rotating the peg around the elongation axis to wind the string around the peg to vary tension in the string.

[0021] Aspects of various embodiments are now described in relation to the figures.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tuning machine 100 of a stringed instrument (not shown) that is suitable to tune a string of the stringed instrument, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the peg of the tuning machine of FIG. 1 .

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the tuning machine 100 includes a peg 102.

[0025] The peg 102 may be operable (rotatable) by rotation of a tuning button 104. The tuning button 104 may be operably coupled to one or more gears that are rotatably coupled to the peg 102 to allow rotation of the peg 102 by the one or more gears to facilitate tuning of the string. As shown in FIG. 1 , via construction lines illustrating parts otherwise hidden from view in FIG. 1 , the one or more gears may include a worm 106 and a worm wheel 108 that are both housed in a housing 110.

[0026] The housing 110 may support the peg 102 and may be mountable on a head of the stringed instrument to position the peg 102 to receive a string of the stringed instrument.

[0027] The worm 106 may be rotatable about its axis so as to rotate the worm wheel 108 to form a worm drive. In various embodiments, the axis of rotation of the tuning button 104 and the worm 106 may be substantially parallel and / or coincident.

[0028] The peg 102 is elongated along an elongation axis 112. The elongation axis 112 may be substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the worm wheel 108.

[0029] The peg 102 defines one or more first openings 114A, 114B and one or more second openings 116A, 116B. For example, the first openings 114A, 114B may belower openings and the second opening 116A, 116B may be higher openings. The first opening 114A and the second opening 116A form a first pair of openings, and the first opening 114B and the second opening 116B form a second pair of openings. The second openings 116A, 116B are spaced apart from the respective first openings 114A, 114B along the elongation axis 112, i.e. at least partially along the elongation axis 112. The first openings 114A, 114B and the second openings 116A, 116B may be spaced apart by respective distances 124A, 124B along the elongation axis 112. The openings 114A, 114B, 116A, 116B may be positioned along the peg 102 in such a manner so as to be spaced away from the stringed instrument by different distances along the elongation axis 112 (different engagement heights). The separation along the elongation axis 112 between openings may defined based on the distance between their lower ends, upper ends, centres, or other reference position.

[0030] A channel 122A extends from the first opening 114A to the second opening 116A to allow passage of the string therebetween to allow engagement of the string with the channel 122A. Similarly, a channel 122B extends from the first opening 114B to the second opening 116B to allow passage of the string therebetween to allow engagement of the string with the channel 122B.

[0031] In various embodiments, the channels 122A may be oriented in different directions around the elongation axis 112.

[0032] The peg 102 may further define a head 118 and a base 120. The head 118 and the base 120 may extend (radially, lateral to the longitudinal axis) outwardly so as to form respective ledges or flanges to mitigate mispositioning or slipping off of the string as it is wound around the peg 102.

[0033] In various embodiments, the peg 102 may be advantageously cylindrically shaped but it is understood that the peg 102, in some embodiments, may be non- cylindrical.

[0034] The peg 102 is engageable with a string of the stringed instrument to allow winding of the string around the peg 102 as the peg is rotated about the elongation axis 112 to facilitate selective tensioning of the string. Such engagement is achieved bypassing of the string through one of the channels 122A, 122B to cause frictional engagement of the string with the peg 102.

[0035] The channels 122A, 122B are suitable to selectively receive the string through either one of the first openings 114A, 114B or one of the second openings 116A, 116B to vary an engagement height of the string to facilitate tuning of the stringed instrument. The string may be selectively receivable in the first channel 122A, through the first pair of openings 114A, 116A, or second channel 122B, through the second pair of openings 114B, 116B, to facilitate tuning of the stringed instrument.

[0036] the second pair of openings are spaced apart from each other along the elongation axis.

[0037] For example, if the string is engaged with the peg 102 by passing it first through the opening 114A (and then the channel 122A), the height of the opening 114A from the stringed instrument defines the engagement height. Similarly, if the string is engaged with the peg 102 by passing it first through the opening 116A (and then the channel 122B), the height of the opening 116A from the stringed instrument defines the engagement height. Since each of the openings 114A, 114B, 116A, 116B is spaced away from the stringed instrument by a corresponding (unique or different) distance along the elongation axis 112, each of the 114A, 114B, 116A, 116B defines a respective (unique or different) engagement height. Thus, one of four engagement heights may be used to attach the string to the tuning machine. A user may select the one of four engagement heights to achieve a desired tone or musicality associated with the string.

[0038] It is found to be particularly advantageous for the channels 122A, 122B to be substantially linear, i.e. the channels 122A, 122B are inclined channels, as shown in FIGS. 1-2. For example, the channels 122A, 122B may be easily formed in a peg 102, such as by boring (by a drilling or boring machine) through existing pegs 102. However, it is understood that the channels 122A, 122B need not necessarily be linear. For example, in some embodiments, the channels 122B, 122B may be curved or spiral.

[0039] It is found to be particularly advantageous to have at least two channels 122A, 122B in order to provide a desired flexibility for a user to select the engagement height. However, it is understood that more or less than two channels 122A, 122B maybe formed in a peg 102. For example, in various embodiments, a peg 102 may have only one channel defining two openings spaced apart from each other along the elongation axis 112, or three or more channels defining six or more corresponding openings spaced apart from each other along the elongation axis 112.

[0040] It is understood that the normal distance between an opening of the peg 102 and the stringed instrument may not always be the same as the distance between the opening and the stringed instrument measured along the elongation axis 112. The engagement height may be defined by the normal distance between the opening of the peg 102 and the stringed instrument. Such an engagement height and the distance between the opening and stringed instrument along the elongation axis 112 may both be related to each based on substantially predetermined geometric relationships, e.g. a larger engagement height of an opening may necessarily imply a larger distance between the opening and stringed instrument along the elongation axis 112, and vice versa.

[0041] Drilling holes may be particularly cost-effective in manufacturing. Thus, drilling one hole at an angle in a tuning machine may be used to cost-effectively achieve two string positions (string heights or corresponding string angles to the nut), drilling one hole at an angle and drilling one straight hole may be used to cost-effectively achieve three string positions, and drilling two angled holes may be used to cost-effectively achieve four string positions.

[0042] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the peg 102 of a tuning machine, in accordance with yet another embodiment.

[0043] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a peg of a tuning machine, in accordance with a further embodiment.

[0044] FIG. 3C is a perspective view of a peg of a tuning machine, in accordance with yet another further embodiment.

[0045] Dashed lines in FIGS. 3A-3C indicate surfaces and lines hidden in the views in FIGS. 3A-3C, respectively.

[0046] In the embodiment of FIG. 3A, the channel 122A may be inclined while channel 122B is substantially non-inclined. As such, three engagement heights may beachieved by such a peg 102. The engagement height of a string engaged with the channel 122B may not substantially depend on which of the openings at the ends of the channel 122B that the string is engaged with first. Advantageously, the embodiment of FIG. 3A may facilitate easier engagement of the string at a “default” or “preferred” height defined by the openings at the ends of the channel 122B.

[0047] In the embodiment of FIG. 3B, both channels 122A, 122B are inclined, parallel to each other, and spaced apart from each other along the elongation axis 112. As such, four engagement heights may be achieved by such a peg 102. Each channel 122A, 122B defines a corresponding pair of engagement heights.

[0048] In the embodiment of FIG. 3C, both channels 122A, 122B are inclined with respect to each other. The channels 122A, 122B are non-parallel to each other, and do not intersect each other. As such, four engagement heights may be achieved by such a peg 102. Furthermore, unlike the embodiment of FIG. 3B, the openings at the ends of the channel 122A define engagement heights that are separated by distance that is larger than the distance separating the engagement heights defined by the openings at the ends of the channel 122B. For example, the sensitivity of the engagement height to the selection of openings to engage the string with may be varied to suit user requirements.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, the channels 122A, 122B are generally circular in cross-section and cylindrical. The centrelines defining the channels 122A, 122B are indicated in FIGS. 3A-3C using dash-dot lines. The centrelines may be defined based on centroids of the channels, e.g. the centres of circles defining circular cross-sections of the channels 122A, 122B. The centrelines define planes around which the channels 122A, 122B are defined.

[0050] In the embodiment of FIG. 3B, the channels 122A, 122B are parallel and centred along planes that are parallel to each other (parallel planes). In the embodiment of FIG. 3C, the channels 122A, 122B are non-parallel and centred along a common plane defined by the centrelines of the channels 122A, 122B.

[0051] FIG. 4 is a partial front elevation view of a stringed instrument 130, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0052] The stringed instrument 130 includes a plurality of string 132 that are engaged with tuning machines 100 of the stringed instrument 130.

[0053] In the stringed instrument 130, the pegs 102 are oriented laterally across a headstock of the stringed instrument 130, i.e. their elongation axes lie in a plane parallel to the headstock. In some embodiments, the pegs 102 may be oriented lateral to the headstock so that their elongation axes lie at least partially perpendicular to the headstock outwardly therefrom.

[0054] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method 500 of tuning a stringed instrument.

[0055] Step 502 of the method 500 includes receiving a string in a first opening in a peg that is elongated along an elongation axis.

[0056] Step 504 of the method 500 includes receiving the string through a first opening to allow passage of the string through a channel extending between the first opening and a second opening in the peg, the second opening spaced apart from the first opening at least partially along the elongation axis.

[0057] Step 506 of the method 500 includes causing engagement of the string with the peg at an engagement height defined by the first opening.

[0058] Step 508 of the method 500 includes rotating the peg around the elongation axis to wind the string around the peg to vary tension in the string.

[0059] The embodiments described in this document provide non-limiting examples of possible implementations of the present technology. Upon review of the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the present technology. Various modifications could be implemented by a person of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure, which modifications would be within the scope of the present technology.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:1 . A tuning machine for mounting on a stringed instrument to tune a string of the stringed instrument, comprising: a peg elongated along an elongation axis and engageable with the string to allow winding of the string around the peg as the peg is rotated about the elongation axis to facilitate selective tensioning of the string, the peg defining a first opening, a second opening spaced apart from the first opening along the elongation axis, and a channel extending from the first opening to the second opening to allow passage of the string therebetween to allow engagement of the string with the channel, the channel suitable to selectively receive the string through the first opening or the second opening to vary an engagement height of the string to facilitate tuning of the stringed instrument.

2. The tuning machine of Claim 1 , further comprising: one or more gears rotatably coupled to the peg to allow rotation of the peg by the one or more gears to facilitate tuning; and a tuning button operably coupled to the one or more gears.

3. The tuning machine of any one of Claims 1 and 2, further comprising: a housing supporting the peg and mountable on a head of the stringed instrument.

4. The tuning machine of any one of Claims 1 to 3, the channel is a first channel, and the first and second openings form a first pair of openings, the tuning machine comprising: a second pair of openings; anda second channel extending between the second pair of openings to allow passage of the string therebetween to allow engagement of the string with the second channel, the string being selectively receivable in the first channel, through the first pair of openings, or the second channel, through the second pair of openings, to facilitate tuning of the stringed instrument.

5. The tuning machine of Claim 4, wherein the first and second channels are centered along non-parallel planes.

6. The tuning machine of Claim 4, wherein the second pair of openings are spaced apart from each other along the elongation axis.7 The tuning machine of Claim 6, wherein the first channel is parallel to the second channel and spaced apart from the first channel along the elongation axis.

8. The tuning machine of Claim 6, wherein the first channel is non-parallel to the second channel and does not intersect the second channel.

9. The tuning machine of Claim 8, wherein the first and second channel are centred along a common plane.

10. An instrument, comprising a tuning machine as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 9.

11. A method of tuning a stringed instrument, comprising: receiving a string in a first opening in a peg that is elongated along an elongation axis; receiving the string through a first opening to allow passage of the string through a channel extending between the first opening and a second opening in the peg, the second opening spaced apart from the first opening at least partially along the elongation axis;causing engagement of the string with the peg at an engagement height defined by the first opening; and rotating the peg around the elongation axis to wind the string around the peg to vary tension in the string.

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