Abstract:
A tuning device for use with a guitar. The tuning device has a knob including a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion, which are cylindrical and have different diameters. The small and large diameter portions are coaxial with each other. The large diameter portion is located closer to the head of the guitar than the small diameter portion. The large diameter portion has a peripheral surface defining a fine adjustment portion. The small diameter portion has a peripheral surface defining a quick winding portion. The fine adjustment portion and the quick winding portion enable efficient and facilitated tuning.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a tuning device for a musical instrument, a musical instrument, a knob, and a winding tool.  
         [0002]     A winding type tuning device used to adjust the tension of a string for a musical instrument, such as a guitar, is known in the prior art. As shown in  FIG. 6 , a typical tuning device  41  includes a knob  42 , a housing  43  to which the knob  42  is attached, and a winding pin  44  projecting from the housing  43 . A worm (not shown), which is connected to the knob  42 , and a worm wheel (not shown), which is connected to the winding pin  44 , are arranged in the housing  43 . The worm and worm wheel are meshed with each other to form a known worm screw mechanism. The knob  42  is turned to rotate the winding pin  44  with the worm screw mechanism. The turning of the knob  42  adjusts the tension of a string.  
         [0003]     The knob  42  of the tuning device  41  is plate-shaped so that it can easily be held between one&#39;s fingers. However, the position of one&#39;s finger must be changed in accordance with the angular position of the knob  42  when performing daily tuning. Thus, the torque applied to the knob  42  changes depending on where the knob  42  is held by one&#39;s fingers. This makes it difficult to finely adjust the tension of the string.  
         [0004]     Further, when replacing a string with a new one, the new string is wound around the winding pin  44  a number of times. Thus, the knob  42  must be turned many times. However, with the plate-shaped knob  42 , each time the knob  42  is turned by about 180 degrees, the wrist must be turned back to re-grip the knob  42  with one&#39;s finger. Thus, the changing of strings is extremely burdensome.  
         [0005]     To solve these problems, U.S. Pat. No. 5,696,341 describes a cylindrical tuning device. The force applied to a knob of the tuning device remains almost the same when turned by fingers. Further, whenever the knob is turned by about 180 degrees, one&#39;s fingers do not have to re-grip the knob. Thus, the winding of a string for many times is not burdensome.  
         [0006]     However, the tuning device of the above patent has the shortcomings described below.  
         [0007]     Tuning is performed to adjust the key in an extremely fine manner. When the diameter of the knob is small, a great force is necessary to turn the knob. In addition, the wound amount of the string changes greatly just by slightly turning the knob. It is thus preferable that the knob have a sufficient size. To enable the tension of a string to be finely adjusted, a typical cylindrical knob has a diameter of approximately 15 to 18 mm.  
         [0008]     However, when the diameter of the knob is approximately 15 to 18 mm, the knob itself is large. This narrows the interval between knobs since knobs are arranged in a row on the head of a musical instrument.  
         [0009]     A guitar includes six strings and a tuning device for each string. A guitar may have three tuning devices arranged on each side of the head or six tuning devices arranged on one side of the head. The interval between tuning devices when there are six tuning devices on one side of the head is narrower compared to when there are three tuning devices on one side of the head. Thus, when the knob of the tuning device described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,696,341 is employed in a guitar having six tuning devices arranged on one side of the head, the large knob makes it difficult to perform tuning since one&#39;s fingers would be interfered with by a neighboring knob. This would lengthen the time required for tuning.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a tuning device for a musical instrument, a musical instrument, a knob for a tuning device of a musical instrument, and a winding tool for turning the knob that enable efficient and facilitated tuning.  
         [0011]     One aspect of the present invention is a tuning device for tuning a musical instrument having a string. The tuning device includes a winding pin for winding an end of the string. A knob is connected to the winding pin. The knob is turned to rotate the winding pin and tune the instrument. The knob includes a peripheral surface and an axis. A first operation portion is defined on the peripheral surface of the knob. A second operation portion is defined on the peripheral surface of the knob and arranged coaxial to the first operation portion. The first operation portion is arranged closer to the winding pin than the second operation portion. Distance between the first operation portion and the axis of the knob is greater than that between the second operation portion and the axis of the knob.  
         [0012]     Another aspect of the present invention is a musical instrument including at least one string and a tuning device. The tuning device includes a winding pin for winding an end of the string. A knob is connected to the winding pin. The knob is turned to rotate the winding pin for tuning. The knob includes a peripheral surface and an axis. A first operation portion is defined on the peripheral surface of the knob. A second operation portion is defined on the peripheral surface of the knob and arranged coaxial to the first operation portion. The first operation portion is arranged closer to the winding pin than the second operation portion. Distance between the first operation portion and the axis of the knob is greater than that between the second operation portion and the axis of the knob.  
         [0013]     A further aspect of the present invention is a knob for a tuning device for tuning a musical instrument having a string. The tuning device includes a winding pin for winding an end of the string. The knob is connectable to the winding pin for rotating the winding pin and adjusting string tension. The knob includes a peripheral surface and an axis. A first operation portion is defined on the peripheral surface of the knob. A second operation portion is defined on the peripheral surface and arranged coaxial to the first operation portion. The first operation portion is arranged closer to the winding pin than the second operation portion. Distance between the first operation portion and the axis is greater than that between the second operation portion and the axis.  
         [0014]     Another aspect of the present invention is a winding tool for use with a tuning device for tuning a musical instrument having at least one string. The tuning device includes a winding pin for winding an end of the string, and a knob, connected to the winding pin. The knob has an axis, in which the knob is turned to rotate the winding pin and adjust string tension. The tuning device includes a cylindrical large diameter portion arranged on the knob. The large diameter portion has a peripheral surface. A cylindrical small diameter portion is arranged on the knob and has a diameter that is smaller than that of the large diameter portion. The small diameter portion has a peripheral surface. A first operation portion is defined on the peripheral surface of the large diameter portion. A second operation portion is defined on the peripheral surface of the small diameter portion and arranged coaxial to the first operation portion. The first operation portion is arranged closer to the winding pin than the second operation portion. Distance between the first operation portion and the axis of the knob is greater than that between the second operation portion and the axis of the knob. A plurality of holes are formed in the large diameter portion and extend parallel to the axis of the knob. The winding tool includes a support having projections that are respectively insertable into the holes of the large diameter portion. The winding tool also includes a handle for manually grasping. A connector connects the projections and the handle for forming a crank. The handle is operated in a state in which the projections are inserted into the corresponding holes to rotate the support and the knob integrally with each other.  
         [0015]     Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     The invention, together with objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description of the presently preferred embodiments together with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a tuning device of a guitar according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the tuning device;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view showing a knob from above;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3   b  is a perspective view showing the knob from below;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is an exploded diagram showing an attachment structure of a knob;  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a winding tool; and  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing a tuning device of the prior art. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0024]     A tuning device of a guitar, which serves as a musical instrument, a knob, and a winding tool according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to FIGS.  1  to  5 .  
         [0025]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a guitar  1  has a head  2 , which extends from a neck  4  that is connected to a body (not shown). Six tuning devices  5 , each for winding the end of one of six strings  3 , are arranged in a row along the head  2 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , each tuning device  5 , which is referred to as a peg, includes a knob  6 , a housing  7  to which the knob  6  is attached, and a winding pin  8 . A sleeve  13  projects from the front surface of the housing  7 . The winding pin  8  projects frontward out of the sleeve  13 . A female thread  14  is formed in the sleeve  13 . A string hole  9  extends through the front end of the winding pin  8 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , the end of a string  3  is inserted through the string hole  9  and wound around the winding pin  8  a number of times.  
         [0026]     A worm  7   a,  which is connected to the knob  6 , and a worm wheel  7   b,  which is connected to the winding pin  8 , are arranged in each housing  7 . The worm  7   a  and worm wheel  7   b  mesh with each other to form a worm screw mechanism  7   c,  which is known in the art. Thus, when the knob  6  is turned in the forward direction or the reverse direction, the worm screw mechanism  7   c  rotates the winding pin  8 . Accordingly, the tuning device  5  tightens or loosens the string  3  wound to the winding pin  8  when the knob  6  is turned.  
         [0027]     A plate  11  extends diagonally downward from the front surface of the housing  7 . The plate  11  includes a hole  12  for restricting rotation of the housing  7 . The sleeve  13  of the housing  7  is inserted through the head  2  so that the winding pin  8  extends frontward from the head  2 . Thus, each winding pin  8  is arranged on the front surface of the head  2 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , each tuning device  5  is fixed to the head  2  by fastening a hexagonal nut  10 , which is fitted to the associated winding pin  8  from the front side, with the female thread  14  of the sleeve  13 . Further, a screw (not shown) is inserted in the hole  12  of each plate  11  from the rear side and fastened to the rear surface of the head  2  in order to restrict rotation of the tuning device  5  with respect to the head  2 .  
         [0028]     As shown in FIGS.  1  to  4 , each knob  6  includes a large diameter portion  15  and a small diameter portion  16 , which are cylindrical. The small diameter portion  16  is coaxial with the large diameter portion  15  and the worm  7   a.  A plurality of tool holes  18  are formed in the large diameter portion  15  at predetermined angular intervals around the small diameter portion  16 . Each tool hole  18  extends parallel to the rotation axis c of the knob  6  and through the large diameter portion  15 . In the preferred embodiment, eight equally spaced tool holes  18  are formed in the large diameter portion  15 . A fitting hole  19  is formed in the central portion of the knob  6 . The fitting hole  19  vertically extends through the small diameter portion  16  and the large diameter portion  15 .  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , an attachment shaft  21 , which is connected to the worm  7   a,  is rotatably supported in the housing  7 . The attachment shaft  21  projects upward from the housing  7  in a direction perpendicular to the winding pin  8 .  
         [0030]     A plurality of (four in the present embodiment) washers  22 ,  23 ,  24 , and  25  are fitted in the fitting hole  19  of the knob  6  from the side of the large diameter portion  15 . A screw  26  is inserted in the fitting hole  19  from the side of the small diameter portion  16 . The screw  26  is extended through the washers  22 ,  23 ,  24 , and  25  and fastened to a female thread formed in the attachment shaft  21 . In this manner, the screw  26  fixes the knob  6  to the attachment shaft  21  so that the knob  6  does not fall off from the attachment shaft  21 .  
         [0031]     The attachment shaft  21  and the fitting hole  19  in the large diameter portion  15  have a generally elliptic cross-section. Accordingly, when the attachment shaft  21  is fitted in the fitting hole  19 , independent rotation of the knob  6  relative to the attachment shaft  21  is restricted. Thus, the attachment shaft  21  rotates integrally with the knob  6 .  
         [0032]     The peripheral surface of the large diameter portion  15  and the small diameter portion  16  are gripped by one&#39;s fingers for turning. The peripheral surface of the large diameter portion  15  defines a first operation portion  15   a,  and the peripheral surface of the small diameter portion  16  defines a second operation portion  16   a.  In the preferred embodiment, the large diameter portion  15  has a radius D 1  of 10 mm (a diameter of 20 mm) and a thickness of 6 mm. The small diameter portion  16  has a radius D 2  of 5 mm (a diameter of 10 mm) and a thickness of 10 mm. Thus, the large diameter portion  15  has an outer diameter that is slightly larger than the diameter of a typical knob in the prior art (15 to 18 mm), and the small diameter portion  16  has an outer diameter that is slightly smaller than the diameter of a typical knob in the prior art. The distance between the rotation axis c of the knob  6  and the peripheral surface of the large diameter portion  15  is greater than the distance between the rotation axis c of the knob  6  and the peripheral surface of the small diameter portion  16 . In other words, the distance between the first operation portion  15   a  and the rotation axis c of the knob  6  is greater than the distance between the second operation portion  16   a  and the rotation axis c.  
         [0033]     In the tuning device  5 , when the knob  6  is gripped and turned by one&#39;s fingers, the turning of the knob  6  rotates the attachment shaft  21 . This, in turn, rotates the winding pin  8  by means of the worm screw mechanism  7   c.  Thus, the tuning device  5  is used to change the winding amount of the string  3  on the winding pin  8  and adjust the tension of the string  3 .  
         [0034]     The rotational movement amount of the small diameter portion  16  required to complete one rotation of the winding pin  8  is less than that of the large diameter portion  15 . That is, the circumference of the small diameter portion  16  is shorter than that of the large diameter portion  15 . Thus, if the small diameter portion  16  and the large diameter portion  15  were to be turned to rotate the winding pin  8  by the same amount when tightening (or loosening) the string  3 , the rotational angle of the winding pin  8  would be changed more by turning the small diameter portion  16 , of which rotational movement amount is small. Thus, the small diameter portion  16  is turned to efficiently perform tightening (or loosening). For example, when the string  3  is loose and rough adjustment of the key is still necessary, tension should be quickly applied to the string  3 . In such a case, the small diameter portion  16  is gripped with one&#39;s fingers and rotated to wind the string  3  and efficiently perform tuning.  
         [0035]     The outer diameter of the large diameter portion  15  is two times greater than that of the small diameter portion  16 . Thus, if the small diameter portion  16  and the large diameter portion  15  were to be turned to rotate the winding pin  8  by the same amount, the rotational movement amount of the large diameter portion  15  would be two times greater than that of the small diameter portion  16 . If the rotational movement amount of the large diameter portion  15  and the small diameter portion  16  were to be the same, the rotation of the winding pin  8  relative to the rotational movement amount of the large diameter portion  15  would be less than the rotation of the winding pin  8  relative to the rotational movement amount of the small diameter portion  16 . Thus, when finely adjusting the pitch during the final tuning stage, the first operation portion  15   a  is rotated to accurately and easily perform tuning.  
         [0036]     An exclusive winding tool  31  is used when, for example, changing the string  3 , to turn the knob  6  many times and wind or unwind the string  3 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the winding tool  31 , which is referred to as a winder, includes a plurality of projections  32 , a cylindrical handle  33 , and a connector  34 . The connector  34  connects the projections  32  and the handle  33  in a crank-like manner. A cylindrical support  35  is formed on the distal end of the connector  34 . The projections  32  extend from the distal end of the support  35  parallel to the axis of the support  35 . The projections  32  are slightly smaller than the tool holes  18  of the knob  6  so that the projections  32  are insertable in the tool holes  18 . In the present invention, eight projections  32  are formed at equal angular intervals in the same manner as the tool holes  18 . A screw  36  is inserted in the basal end of the connector  34  and fastened with the handle  33  to connect the connector  34  and the handle  33  in a manner enabling relative rotation.  
         [0037]     The handle  33  is turned about the support  35  with the projections  32  fitted in the corresponding tool holes  18  to turn the knob  6 . Further, when winding or unwinding the string  3 , the winding pin  8  is rotated more quickly and efficiently by gripping and turning the handle  33  with one&#39;s hand than when gripping and directly turning the knob  6  with one&#39;s fingers.  
         [0038]     The preferred embodiment has the advantages described below.  
         [0039]     (1) The knob  6  includes the large diameter portion  15  and the small diameter portion  16 , which are coaxial. The peripheral surface of the large diameter portion  15  defines a first operation portion  15   a,  and the peripheral surface of the small diameter portion  16  defines a second operation portion  16   a.  Thus, when, for example, changing the string  3 , the second operation portion  16   a  is used to quickly tighten or loosen the string  3 . The first operation portion  15   a  is used to finely adjust the tension of the string  3 . In this manner, the operation portions  15   a  and  16   a  are used in a different manner to perform tuning efficiently and easily.  
         [0040]     (2) The large diameter portion  15  and the small diameter portion  16  are cylindrical. Thus, when gripping and turning the operation portions  15   a  and  16   a,  the wrist does not have to be turned back and may constantly be held at the same angle. Thus, with the tuning device  5 , the string  3  is finely adjusted without the torque applied to the knob  6  being changed depending on the angular position of the knob  6 .  
         [0041]     (3) Each operation portion  15   a  and  16   a  has a circular cross-section. Thus, the torque applied to the knob  6  is constant regardless of the angular position of the knob  6 . This enables the tuning device  5  to accurately and finely adjust the tension of the string  3 .  
         [0042]     (4) The knob  6  is fitted to the attachment shaft  21 , and the screw  26  prevents the knob  6  from falling off from the attachment shaft  21 . In other words, each knob  6  may be attached to or detached from the associated attachment shaft  21  by fastening or unfastening a single screw, and the knob  6  may be used compatibly with other knobs  6 . Thus, the knob of a conventional tuning device may easily be replaced by the knob  6  of the preferred embodiment.  
         [0043]     (5) The diameter of the small diameter portion  16  is slightly smaller than the diameter of a typical knob in the prior art. Thus, there is more space between neighboring small diameter portions  16  than between typical knobs in the prior art. Thus, when performing tuning with the second operation portion  16   a,  the tuning device  5  prevents one&#39;s fingers from being interfered with by the small diameter portion  16  of other knobs  6 . This improves operability.  
         [0044]     (6) The large diameter portion  15  includes the tool holes  18 , into which the projections  32  of the winding tool  31  are inserted. Thus, tuning is efficiently performed with the tuning device  5  by using the winding tool  31 . Further, insertion of the projections  32  into the tool holes  18  easily connects the knob  6  and the winding tool  31 .  
         [0045]     (7) When using the winding tool  31 , the peripheral surface of the knob  6  is not held by the tool. This prevents abrasion of the peripheral surface of the knob  6  that may be caused by continuous usage of the winding tool and also prevents accidental scratching of the peripheral surface of the knob  6 .  
         [0046]     It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Particularly, it should be understood that the present invention may be embodied in the following forms.  
         [0047]     The large diameter portion  15  and the small diameter portion  16  may have a polygonal or equilaterally polygonal shape and may be, for example, hexagonal or octagonal. In such a case, the distance between the rotation axis c and the first operation portion  15   a,  which is defined by the polygonal and peripheral surface of the large diameter portion  15 , must be greater than the distance between the rotation axis c and the second operation portion  16   a,  which is defined by the polygonal and peripheral surface of the small diameter portion  16 . In the same manner as the preferred embodiment, the first operation portion  15   a,  which is located closer to the winding pin  8  than the second operation portion  16   a,  is used for fine adjustment.  
         [0048]     The tool holes  18  may be eliminated. In such a case, advantages (1) to (5) are still obtained. Further, the winding tool  31  may be changed to any type of a known winding tool that holds, for example, the large diameter portion  15 .  
         [0049]     The large diameter portion  15  and the small diameter portion  16  of the knob  6  may be knurled. In such a case, the knurled large and small diameter portions  15  and  16  prevent one&#39;s fingers from slipping when the knob  6  is gripped.  
         [0050]     Any type of musical instrument having a winding tuning device may be used in lieu of the guitar  1 . Further, the tuning device  5  may be a direct winding device. That is, the worm screw mechanism  7   c  and the housing  7  may be eliminated, and each knob  6  may be attached to the rear end of the winding pin  8 .  
         [0051]     The present examples and embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalence of the appended claims.