Tuning button
The tuning button design with a textured base and inwardly extending head improves ergonomic handling and reduces discomfort by enhancing friction and ease of use, addressing the challenges of high torque and overcrowding on stringed instruments.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- DUNWOODIE DAVID
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-08
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-30
AI Technical Summary
Tuning buttons on stringed instruments require significant torque for high tension strings, leading to discomfort and potential injury due to slippage, and overcrowding limits the size and type of knurling that can improve user experience.
A tuning button with a textured base extending axisymmetrically around a longitudinal axis and a head radially inwardly forming a planar shoulder to facilitate gripping, allowing for improved friction and ease of handling, even at high tension.
Enhances user comfort by reducing the need for excessive force and minimizing discomfort while maintaining ergonomic handling, even with crowded headstocks.
Smart Images
Figure CA2026050016_30072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
TUNING BUTTONTECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The disclosure relates generally to tuning machines for stringed instruments such as guitars, and more particularly to tuning buttons for such tuning machines.BACKGROUND
[0002] Tuning machines are mechanical devices of a stringed instrument, such as a guitar, bass, violin, or ukulele that are used to adjust the tension of strings thereof to achieve desired (or to correct) tuning of the stringed instrument. Tuning machines are typically attached to the headstock of the stringed instrument. Each string may have associated therewith a specific dedicated tuning machine. As a result, the headstock of a stringed instrument may become crowded with several tuning machines, depending on the size thereof.
[0003] In their simplest form, tuning machines comprise a tuning peg that can engage with a string of the stringed instrument and a tuning button that is coupled to the tuning peg to allow rotation of the tuning peg about its axis by operation of the tuning button by a user’s fingers, which then causes wrapping of the string around the tuning peg. This wrapping or unwrapping can respectively increase or decrease tension in the string. Tuning machines typically also include one or more gears, bushings, and / or other components to improve tunability, e.g. by allowing greater precision, and to make tuning easier for a user, e.g. by reducing the torque need to achieve tightening or positioning the tuning button in an ergonomic manner.
[0004] When a string is at high tension, considerable torque is required to make tightening (increasing tension) adjustments to the string. At such relatively high torques, slippage of a user’s finger against the tuning button is more likely. As such, in order to effectively increase tension in a high tension string, users may need or feel the need tosqueeze the tuning button tighter than they find comfortable. In some cases, excessive discomfort or even temporary, minor injuries may occur. Tuning buttons with knurled surface can improve frictional engagement between a user’s fingers and the tuning button, but overcrowding of the headstock limits the size and type of knurling that can be provided to improve user experience.
[0005] Improvement is desired.SUMMARY
[0006] In an aspect, there is disclosed a tuning button for a tuning machine of a stringed instrument. The tuning button also comprises a textured base proximal to the stringed instrument and extending axisymmetrically around a longitudinal axis to facilitate gripping; and a head formed on the textured base entirely radially inwardly of the textured base and extending away from the stringed instrument along the longitudinal axis to form a planar shoulder extending radially inwardly lateral to the longitudinal axis to facilitate pinching of the textured base. There is disclosed a stringed instrument comprising the tuning button.
[0007] In another aspect, there is described a tuning machine of a stringed instrument. The tuning machine also comprises a tuning peg defining a tuning axis and a channel to receive a string of the stringed instrument; and a tuning button coupled to the tuning peg to rotationally drive the tuning peg about the tuning axis by rotation of the tuning button about a longitudinal axis, the tuning button including a textured base proximal to the stringed instrument and extending axisymmetrically around a longitudinal axis to facilitate gripping; and a head formed on the textured base entirely radially inwardly of the textured base and extending away from the stringed instrument along the longitudinal axis to form a planar shoulder extending radially inwardly lateral to the longitudinal axis to facilitate pinching of the base. There is also described a musical instrument comprising the tuning machine.
[0008] In various embodiments, the head defines an arcuate surface extending at least partially parallel to the longitudinal axis radially inwardly from an outer surface of the base and arcing away from the longitudinal axis, the planar shoulder connecting the textured base radially inwardly to the arcuate surface. In various embodiments, oppositeedges of the arcuate surface taper inwardly towards the longitudinal axis. In various embodiments, the arcuate surface is a first arcuate surface and the planar shoulder is a first planar shoulder, the head defining a second arcuate surface extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, arcing away from the longitudinal axis, and positioned opposite to the arcuate surface relative to the longitudinal axis, a second planar shoulder extending radially inwardly lateral to the longitudinal axis to connect the textured base radially inwardly to the second arcuate surface. In various embodiments, an inter-shoulder surface extends continuously between the first and second planar shoulders to connect the first planar shoulder to the second planar shoulder. In various embodiments, the head defines surfaces extending continuously between the first and second arcuate surfaces to connect the first arcuate surface to the second arcuate surface. In various embodiments, the surfaces taper along the longitudinal axis radially inwardly towards the longitudinal axis. In various embodiments, the surfaces are of a solid of revolution section. In various embodiments, an outer surface of the base extends axisymmetrically around the longitudinal axis and is knurled. In various embodiments, the base is cylindrical.
[0009] Embodiments can include combinations of the above features.
[0010] 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
[0011] Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a tuning button, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 1B is a front elevation view of the tuning button of FIG. 1A;
[0014] FIG. 1C is a side elevation view of the tuning button of FIG. 1A;
[0015] FIG. 1D is a top view of the tuning button of FIG. 1A;
[0016] FIG. 1E is a bottom view of the tuning button of FIG. 1A;
[0017] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a tuning button, in accordance with another embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 2B is a front elevation view of the tuning button of FIG. 2A;
[0019] FIG. 2C is a side elevation view of the tuning button of FIG. 2A;
[0020] FIG. 2D is a top view of the tuning button of FIG. 2A;
[0021] FIG. 2E is a bottom view of the tuning button of FIG. 2A;
[0022] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a tuning machine, in accordance with another embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 3B is a side elevation view of the tuning machine of FIG. 3A;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a stringed instrument, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 5A is a side elevation view of a tuning button pinched between two fingers, in accordance with an embodiment; and
[0026] FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of FIG. 5A.DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The following disclosure relates to generally to tuning machines for stringed instruments such as guitars, and more particularly to tuning buttons for such tuning machines.
[0028] A tuning button for a tuning machine of a stringed instrument is disclosed. A base of the tuning button is proximal to the stringed instrument and extends axisymmetrically around a longitudinal axis of the tuning button to facilitate gripping. A head of the tuning button is formed on the textured base entirely radially inwardly of the textured base and extends away from the stringed instrument along the longitudinal axis to form a planar shoulder extending radially inwardly lateral to the longitudinal axis to facilitate pinching of the textured base. In some embodiments, a stringed instrument can include a plurality of tuning buttons that are textured to facilitate gripping and are tapered continuously between opposing axial ends.
[0029] Aspects of various embodiments are described in relation to the figures.
[0030] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a tuning button of a stringed instrument, in accordance with an embodiment. Stringed instruments may include stringed instruments such as guitars, ukeleles, and violins.
[0031] FIG. 1B is a front elevation view of the tuning button of FIG. 1A. The rear elevation view is identical to the front elevation view in FIG. 1A.
[0032] FIG. 1C is a side elevation view of the tuning button of FIG. 1A. The opposite side elevation view is identical to the side elevation view in FIG. 1C.
[0033] FIG. 1D is a top view of the tuning button of FIG. 1A.
[0034] FIG. 1E is a bottom view of the tuning button of FIG. 1A.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1A-1E, the tuning button 10 includes a textured base 12. The textured base 12 extends axisymmetrically around a longitudinal axis 14 to facilitate gripping.
[0036] Texturing may facilitate gripping of the tuning button 10 by a user. Texturing may include knurling, or other types of texturing to increase friction between a user’s finger and the tuning button 10.
[0037] In some embodiments, the textured base 12 may not be axisymmetric. Advantageously, axisymmetric shapes may facilitate ease of handling since rotational orientation of the tuning button 10 may not then impact user experience. As referred to herein, axisymmetry includes discrete axisymmetry.
[0038] An outer surface 16 of the textured base 12 may extend axisymmetrically around the longitudinal axis 14. The outer surface 16 may be knurled. As shown in FIGS.1A-1E, outer surfaces of the entire tuning button 10 may be textured, e.g. knurled.
[0039] The textured base 12 in FIGS. 1A-1E has a circular cylindrical shape. In various embodiments, the textured base 12 may have a different axisymmetric shape, e.g. a hexagonal or pentagonal cylindrical shape.
[0040] The textured base 12 may dimensioned to facilitate gripping by a user. A larger textured base 12 may improve tactility, allow a user to more easily engage theirfinger with the tuning button 10, and make rotating the tuning button 10 to tune the stringed instrument easier.
[0041] The tuning button further defines a head 18 formed on the textured base 12. The head 18 is formed substantially entirely radially inwardly of the textured base 12. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1E, the head 18 may radially extend to a diameter (or width) of the textured base 12 but not extend beyond the diameter (or width) of the textured base 12. For example, radially outer surfaces of the textured base 12 may be radially further away from the longitudinal axis 14 than any portion of the head 18. For example, no portion of the head 18 may be radially further away from the longitudinal axis 14 than a portion of the textured base 12 that is radially furthest away from the longitudinal axis 14.
[0042] The head 18 extends along the longitudinal axis to form planar shoulders 20 extending radially inwardly lateral to the longitudinal axis 14 to facilitate pinching of the textured base 12.
[0043] The narrowing of the head 18 facilitates grasping and handling of the tuning button 10 because it increases an effective gap between adjacent tuning buttons 10 positioned on a stringed instrument.
[0044] The head 18 may define arcuate surfaces 22 extending at least partially parallel to the longitudinal axis 14 radially inwardly from the outer surface 16 and arcing away from the longitudinal axis 14. The arcuate surfaces 22 may be positioned opposite to each other relative to the longitudinal axis 14. The planar shoulders 20 connect the textured base 12 radially inwardly to the arcuate surfaces 22. Advantageously, the arcuate surfaces may improve conformation with a user’s finger to thereby improving grasping and handling of the tuning button 10.
[0045] An inter-shoulder surface 24 may extend continuously between the planar shoulders 20 to connect the planar shoulders 20 to each other.
[0046] The head 18 may further define surfaces 26 extending continuously between the arcuate surfaces 22 to connect the arcuate surfaces 22 to each other.
[0047] As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1E, the surfaces 26 may be surfaces of a solid of revolution section. For example, the surfaces 26 may be outer surfaces of a circular cylinder, i.e. sections of an outer surface of a circular cylinder.
[0048] In various embodiments, the tuning button 10 may be of unitary construction. In various embodiments, the tuning button 10 may be substantially continuous and smooth, e.g. the head 18 and the texture base 12 may be smoothly connected to each other as a unitary piece.
[0049] In various embodiments, the tuning button 10 defines an aperture 34 for coupling with a portion of a tuning machine. For example, the aperture 34 may be suitable to engage with a shaft and / or drive of the tuning machine.
[0050] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a tuning button 10, in accordance with another embodiment.
[0051] FIG. 2B is a front elevation view of the tuning button 10 of FIG. 2A. The rear elevation view is identical to the front elevation view in FIG. 2B.
[0052] FIG. 2C is a side elevation view of the tuning button 10 of FIG. 2A. The opposite side elevation view is identical to the side elevation view in FIG. 2C.
[0053] FIG. 2D is a top view of the tuning button 10 of FIG. 2A.
[0054] FIG. 2E is a bottom view of the tuning button 10 of FIG. 2A.
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 2A-2E, surfaces 26 extending continuously between the arcuate surfaces 22 to connect the arcuate surfaces 22 to each other taper along the longitudinal axis 14 radially inwardly towards the longitudinal axis 14. In various embodiments, opposite edges 28 of each of the arcuate surfaces 22 taper inwardly towards the longitudinal axis 14. Advantageously, such tapering may improve conformation with a user’s finger to thereby improving grasping and handling of the tuning button 10 as shown in FIGS 5A-5B. As shown in FIGS. 2A-2E, in some embodiments, only the base 12 may be textured and the head 18 may remain substantially smooth. The planar shoulders 20 substantially may continuously taper radially inwardly towards the longitudinal axis 14. Advantageously, grasping may thereby be improved.
[0056] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a tuning machine 30, in accordance with another embodiment.
[0057] FIG. 3B is a side elevation view of the tuning machine 30 of FIG. 3A.
[0058] Referring to FIGS. 3A-3B, the tuning machine 30 includes a tuning peg 36 defining a tuning axis 32 and a channel 38 to receive a string of the stringed instrument. Rotating the tuning peg 36 about the tuning axis 32 causes the string to wrap around the tuning peg 36 to vary tension in the string. The tuning button 10 is coupled to the tuning peg 36 to rotationally drive the tuning peg 36 about the tuning axis 32 by rotation of the tuning button 10 about the longitudinal axis 14. The tuning axis 32 and the longitudinal axis 14 are perpendicular to each other. In various embodiments, the tuning axis and the longitudinal axis 14 may be parallel to each other, or form angles other than 0° and 90° with each other.
[0059] The tuning button 10 may be drivably coupled to a drive 42. The drive 42 may define a gear assembly, e.g. including a worm gear, to allow transmission of rotational driving around the longitudinal axis 14 provided by the tuning button 10 at an angle to the tuning peg 36 to rotate the tuning peg 36 about the tuning axis 32, which in some cases may be non-parallel to the longitudinal axis 14 (as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B). The drive 42 may be attached to a stringed instrument, e.g. anchored by means of a fastener, such as a threaded fastener or other type of fastener.
[0060] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a stringed instrument 40, in accordance with an embodiment.
[0061] The stringed instrument 40 includes a plurality of tuning machines 30 attached thereto. For example, the plurality of tuning machines 30 may be fixed on to a headstock of the stringed instrument 40. Each tuning machine 30 may be engaged with a corresponding string of the string instrument 40.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 4, the textured base is proximal to the stringed instrument 40, and the tuning button 10 extends away from the stringed instrument 40 along the longitudinal axis 14 to form the planar shoulder 20. Advantageously, the narrowing of the head 18 relative to the base 12 allows for a greater gap between adjacenttuning buttons 10 (and corresponding tuning machines 30). A user may then more easily position a finger between adjacent tuning buttons 10 to thereby tune the stringed instrument. A finger thus positioned may rely on the textured surface on the base 12 for grip (via friction) by contacting a tip portion of the finger with the base 12. Advantageously, such a construction may allow for a greater size of the textured base 12 without interfering with operation of the tuning button 10 (and tuning machine 30), since only the top portion of the finger may need to remain in contact with the textured base 12. It is understood that the tuning machine 30 may be operated by a user rotating the tuning button 10 by grasping only on to the head 18 of the tuning button 10, without contacting the textured base 12 thereof.
[0063] In various embodiments, a gap of 18 mm may be formed between adjacent tuning buttons 10. In various embodiment, a length of the textured base 12 along the longitudinal axis 14 may be between 3 and 4 mm or (in some embodiments) substantially 3.8 mm, and a length of the head 18 along the longitudinal axis 14 may be between 11 mm and 13 mm or (in some embodiments) about 12 mm. In various embodiments, a diameter (or width normal to the longitudinal axis 14) of the textured base 12 may be between 13 mm and 14 mm or about 13.8 mm.
[0064] In various embodiments, a diameter (or width normal to the longitudinal axis 14) of the textured base 12 may be between two and three times greater than a width, e.g. a smallest width, of the head 18 normal to the longitudinal axis 14. In various embodiments, each shoulder 20 of the tuning button 10 may have a width normal to the longitudinal axis 14 of between one-quarter and one-third of the width of the textured base 12 normal to the longitudinal axis 14.
[0065] FIG. 5A is a side elevation view of a tuning button 10 pinched between two fingers 44, in accordance with an embodiment.
[0066] FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of FIG. 5A. ‘
[0067] The fingers 44 in FIGS. 5A-5B are shown in an undeformed state and with a small amount of transparency to illustrate the interference between the fingers 44 and the tuning button 10.
[0068] As shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, opposite edges 28 of each of the arcuate surfaces 22 taper inwardly towards the longitudinal axis 14 to conform to the fingers 44 to thereby avoid interference of the head 18 with the fingers 44.
[0069] In FIGS. 5A-5B, the base 12 is shown to interfere with the fingers 44. As mentioned earlier, in operation, only a tip portion of the fingers 44 is typically expected to be engaged with the textured base 12. As such, interference of the fingers 44 with the textured base 12 may only cause minor discomfort to a user.
[0070] 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. For example, the planar shoulder may be substantially planar, only partially planar, or may be defined with respect to a generally planar reference surface (a virtual surface). Yet further 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:Any and all features of novelty or inventive step described, suggested, referred to, exemplified, or shown herein, including but not limited to system, devices, and methods.
1. A tuning button for a tuning machine of a stringed instrument, comprising:a textured base proximal to the stringed instrument and extending axisymmetrically around a longitudinal axis to facilitate gripping; and a head formed on the textured base entirely radially inwardly of the textured base and extending away from the stringed instrument along the longitudinal axis to form a planar shoulder extending radially inwardly lateral to the longitudinal axis to facilitate pinching of the textured base.
2. The tuning button of claim 1, wherein the head defines an arcuate surface extending at least partially parallel to the longitudinal axis radially inwardly from an outer surface of the base and arcing away from the longitudinal axis, the planar shoulder connecting the textured base radially inwardly to the arcuate surface.
3. The tuning button of any one of claim 1 or 2, wherein opposite edges of the arcuate surface taper inwardly towards the longitudinal axis.
4. The tuning button of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the arcuate surface is a first arcuate surface and the planar shoulder is a first planar shoulder, the head defining a second arcuate surface extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, arcing away from the longitudinal axis, and positioned opposite to the arcuate surface relative to the longitudinal axis, a second planar shoulder extending radially inwardly lateral to the longitudinal axis to connect the textured base radially inwardly to the second arcuate surface.
5. The tuning button of claim 4, wherein an inter-shoulder surface extends continuously between the first and second planar shoulders to connect the first planar shoulder to the second planar shoulder.
6. The tuning button of claim 4, wherein the head defines surfaces extending continuously between the first and second arcuate surfaces to connect the first arcuate surface to the second arcuate surface.
7. The tuning button of claim 6, wherein the surfaces taper along the longitudinal axis radially inwardly towards the longitudinal axis.
8. The tuning button of any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the surfaces are of a solid of revolution section.
9. The tuning button of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein an outer surface of the base extends axisymmetrically around the longitudinal axis and is knurled.
10. The tuning button of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the base is cylindrical.
11. A stringed instrument comprising a tuning button according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
12. A tuning machine of a stringed instrument, comprising:a tuning peg defining a tuning axis and a channel to receive a string of the stringed instrument; anda tuning button coupled to the tuning peg to rotationally drive the tuning peg about the tuning axis by rotation of the tuning button about a longitudinal axis, the tuning button includinga textured base proximal to the stringed instrument and extending axisymmetrically around a longitudinal axis to facilitate gripping; anda head formed on the textured base entirely radially inwardly of the textured base and extending away from the stringed instrument along the longitudinal axis to form a planar shoulder extending radially inwardly lateral to the longitudinal axis to facilitate pinching of the base.
13. The tuning machine of claim 12, wherein the head defines an arcuate surface extending at least partially parallel to the longitudinal axis radially inwardly from an outer surface of the base and arcing away from the longitudinal axis, the planar shoulder connecting the textured base radially inwardly to the arcuate surface.
14. The tuning machine of any one of claim 12 or 13, wherein opposite edges of the arcuate surface taper inwardly towards the longitudinal axis.
15. The tuning machine of any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the arcuate surface is a first arcuate surface and the planar shoulder is a first planar shoulder, the head defining a second arcuate surface extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, arcing away from the longitudinal axis, and positioned opposite to the arcuate surface relative to the longitudinal axis, a second planar shoulder extending radially inwardly lateral to the longitudinal axis to connect the textured base radially inwardly to the second arcuate surface.
16. The tuning machine of claim 15, wherein an inter-shoulder surface extends continuously between the first and second planar shoulders to connect the first planar shoulder to the second planar shoulder.
17. The tuning machine of claim 15, wherein the head defines surfaces extending continuously between the first and second arcuate surfaces to connect the first arcuate surface to the second arcuate surface.
18. The tuning machine of claim 17, wherein the surfaces taper along the longitudinal axis radially inwardly towards the longitudinal axis.
19. The tuning machine of any one of claims 17 or 18, wherein the surfaces are of a solid of revolution section.
20. The tuning machine of any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein an outer surface of the base extends axisymmetrically around the longitudinal axis and is knurled.
21. The tuning machine of any one of claims 12 to 20, wherein the base is cylindrical.
22. A musical instrument comprising a tuning machine according to any one of claims 12 to 21.