Method and device for attaching a musical instrument string to a musical instrument tuning peg

#The present invention relates generally to stringed musical instruments, and more particularly to a method and device for attaching a musical instrument string to a musical instrument tuning peg.

#The usual mechanism incorporated on a guitar or other similar stringed musical instrument used to adjust string tension and bring a musical instrument into correct tune is referred to as a tuning machine. This tuning machine usually consists of a hand operated mechanism that rotates a tuning peg which is an integral part of the tuning machine. There is one tuning machine for each string and they are an integral part of the musical instrument. Normally the string to be tuned is threaded through a hole in the tuning peg and the tuning peg is rotated several times by means of a arm driven gear assembly to wrap the string at least several times around the tuning peg. The musician then continues to rotate the peg to tighten the string, and by this means achieves a correct pitch for each string. On other types of stringed musical instruments such as an autoharp, piano or harp, the tuning peg is usually not a part of a tuning machine, but simply the tuning peg set in the wood or other material of the musical instrument and the tuning peg is turned by a special tool made for this purpose.

#This method of wrapping the string around the tuning peg is considered to have many problems including, but not limited to, the following: To install a new string properly according to standard accepted practice requires wrapping the string around the tuning peg by turning the knob on the tuning machine. This wrapping of the string around the tuning peg requires skill, dexterity and is very time consuming. It is difficult to get the string to wrap around the tuning peg evenly, which results in slack or loose windings that adversely affects tuning efficiency. The part of the string that is wrapped around the tuning peg stretches and or slips and the string goes out of tune. When turning the tuning machine to tune the string, not only is the musical or vibrating portion of the string being affected, but the windings or string wraps around the tuning peg are also affected. This is inefficient. After the string is wrapped around the tuning peg and brought to the correct pitch there is a lag time when the musical instrument string has to be stretched quite a few times to equalize or remove slack or looseness in the wraps of the string around the tuning peg, and then the guitar has to be tuned to pitch again. On guitars a special hand driven tuning machine knob winding tool is usually considered necessary to turn the tuning machine knob. Otherwise it takes a long time to wrap the string around the tuning peg by just turning the tuning peg by hand. Using this tool does not ensure that the string will be wrapped evenly and tightly.

#FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary string instrument with the string tuning apparatus of the claimed subject matter in an unsecured position on a string.

#FIG. 2 is an illustration of the string attachment mechanism and tuning peg of FIG. 1 in more detail.

#FIG. 3 is an illustration of the string attachment mechanism and tuning peg of FIGS. 1-2 from a different perspective.

#The following description illustrates the claimed subject matter but, of course, should not be construed as in any way limiting its scope. Although described with particular reference to a guitar, the claimed subject matter can be implemented on any device in which a precise tension is required on a string. Those with skill in the musical and mechanical arts will recognize that the disclosed embodiments have relevance to a wide variety of musical instruments in addition to those described below.

#The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

#The following reference numerals are employed throughout the figures. Like numerals in different figures refer to the same object, often from different perspectives.