Abstract:
The mounting position of a winding shaft on a main body is changed, and a peg may be mounted in various stringed instruments by miniaturizing the main body or reducing the thickness thereof. The peg for the stringed instrument includes a main body mounted in the stringed instrument; a worm rotatably supported by the main body, the worm having a knob at an end thereof; a worm wheel engaging with the worm, the worm wheel rotatably supported by the main body; a winding shaft connecting to one side of the worm wheel in an axial direction, the winding shaft for winding a string of the stringed instrument; and bearing holes formed in at least two surfaces of the main body, the bearing holes supporting the winding shaft rotatably.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a peg for a stringed instrument such as a guitar, and particularly relates to a peg for a stringed instrument that can change the mounted position of a winding shaft on a main body. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    A stringed instrument, such as a guitar, has a peg for tuning a string. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the peg has a main body  110 , a worm  120 , a knob  130 , a winding shaft  140 , and a worm wheel  150 . The main body  110  supports the worm  120  rotatably. The knob  130  is secured at an end of the worm  120 . The main body  110  supports the winding shaft  140  rotatably. The worm wheel  150  connects to an end of the winding shaft  140  and engages with the worm  120 . 
         [0005]    In the above peg  100 , the winding shaft  140  penetrates a hole  200   a  formed in the head  200  of the stringed instrument. A winding surface  141  of the winding shaft  140  projects from the hole  200   a . The main body  110  is secured on a lower surface of the head  200  by a screw. As a result, the peg  100  is mounted in the head  200 . A string is wound around the winding shaft  140 . The string is wound therearound or released therefrom by rotating the knob  130 , so that tuning of the stringed instrument is performed. A guide bush  160  is inserted into the hole  200   a  from an upper surface of the head  200 . A screw on the outside of a small diameter portion in a front end of the guide bush  160  is tightened in the inside of a guide tube  110   a . As a result, the main body  110  and the guide bush  160  support the winding shaft  140  rotatably, and the main body is secured to the head  200 . For example, a peg having such a structure is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-154435. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In stringed instruments in which pegs are mounted, there are various kinds. Various pegs are manufactured depending on the shape and the space of the stringed instrument. For example, in the above peg  100 , the main body  110  must be secured to the lower surface of the head  200  of the stringed instrument according to the size thereof. In addition, in order for the winding shaft  140  to protrude from the upper surface of the head  200 , the winding shaft  140  must be mounted at the backside of the main body  110 , and the hole  200   a  must be provided in the head  200 . Furthermore, the guide bush  160  and the guide tube  110   a  for guiding the winding shaft  140  in the hole  200   a  is necessary. Therefore, stringed instruments in which the peg  100  of such a construction can be mounted are limited. 
         [0007]    An object of the present invention is to provide a peg for a stringed instrument that can change the mounted position of a winding shaft on a main body, and to provide the peg for the stringed instrument that can be mounted in various stringed instruments by miniaturizing the main body and by reducing the thickness thereof. 
         [0008]    The present invention is a peg for a stringed instrument including a main body mounted in the stringed instrument; a worm rotatably supported by the main body, the worm having a knob at an end thereof; a worm wheel engaging with the worm, the worm wheel rotatably supported by the main body; a winding shaft connecting to one side of the worm wheel in an axial direction, the winding shaft for winding a string of the stringed instrument; and bearing holes formed in at least two surfaces of the main body, the bearing holes supporting the winding shaft rotatably. 
         [0009]    According to the peg for the stringed instrument of the present invention, bearing holes are formed in at least two surfaces of the main body, and the bearing holes rotatably support the winding shaft. Therefore, the winding shaft can be mounted at any one of at least two surfaces. In particular, when the winding shaft is mounted at the upper surface of the main body, the main body of the peg can be mounted at the upper surface of the head of the stringed instrument. According to this aspect, in the head of the stringed instrument, a hole for inserting the winding shaft is not necessary. In addition, a guide bush and a guide tube that are inserted into this hole are also not necessary. Therefore, the number of parts, the number of manufacturing processes, and the costs of manufacturing can be decreased. 
         [0010]    As a means for supporting the winding shaft rotatably by the main body, various compositions can be adopted. For example, bearing holes that are formed in at least two surfaces of the main body can directly support the winding shaft. In addition, a second aspect of the present invention is the peg for the stringed instrument further including bearings connecting to these bearing holes. When the main body of the peg is small or thin, these bearings can supplement the strength of the main body. Furthermore, the winding shaft is supported rotatably by bearing holes or bearings that are formed in at least two surfaces of the main body. Therefore, the winding shaft is not easily inclined toward the head of the stringed instrument even if the tension of the string is strong. 
         [0011]    In addition, a third aspect of the present invention is the peg for the stringed instrument further including a wheel shaft provided at another side of the worm wheel in an axial direction, the wheel shaft rotating unitarily with the winding shaft. According to this aspect, since a rotational shaft of the worm wheel is composed of two portions of the winding shaft and the wheel shaft that are connecting to both ends in an axial direction, the winding shaft can be easily mounted or unmounted from the worm wheel. Therefore, the mounted position of the winding shaft on the main body can be easily changed. In addition, a fourth aspect of the present invention is the peg for the stringed instrument, in which the wheel shaft is caught at the edge of a small diameter hole that is formed at the inside of the worm wheel. According this aspect, since the winding shaft is united with the wheel shaft, the winding shaft can be prevented from coming off from the worm wheel. 
         [0012]    Furthermore, a fifth aspect of the present invention is the peg for the stringed instrument further including bearing holes that are formed in at least two surfaces of the main body, the bearing holes supporting the worm rotatably. Since the bearing holes supporting the worm rotatably are formed in at least two surfaces of the main body, the worm can be mounted at any one of the surfaces. Therefore, the mounted position of the worm on the main body can be changed depending on the shape and the space of the stringed instrument. 
         [0013]    As well as in the case of the above winding shaft, various compositions can be adopted as a means for supporting the worm rotatably by the main body. The bearing holes can directly support the worm. In addition, a sixth aspect of the present invention is the peg for the stringed instrument further including bearings connecting to these bearing holes. When the main body of the peg is small or thin, these bearings can supplement the strength of the main body. 
         [0014]    In addition, in the peg for the stringed instrument of the present invention, various compositions can be adopted as a method for mounting on the stringed instrument. For example, a seventh aspect of the present invention is the peg for the stringed instrument, wherein the winding shaft is mounted at the upper surface of the main body, and the main body is mounted at the upper surface of the head of the stringed instrument. According to this aspect, in the head of the stringed instrument, a hole for inserting the winding shaft is not necessary. In addition, a guide bush and a guide tube for inserting into this hole are also not necessary. Therefore, the number of parts, the number of manufacturing processes, and the costs of manufacturing can be decreased. 
         [0015]    Furthermore, an eighth aspect of the present invention is the peg for the stringed instrument, wherein the winding shaft is mounted at the lower surface of the main body, and the main body is mounted in an indentation that is formed on the lower surface of the head of the stringed instrument. According to this aspect, since there is no projection on the lower surface of the head of the stringed instrument, the stringed instrument can be played easily. In addition, if this indentation is concealed by a resin, etc., a beautiful stringed instrument can be provided. 
         [0016]    According to the present invention, the mounted position of the winding shaft on the main body can be changed, and the peg can be mounted in various stringed instruments by miniaturizing of the main body or reducing of the thickness thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a peg in a first embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a peg in a first embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of a peg in a first embodiment, the sectional view taken along line A-A in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of a peg in a first embodiment, the sectional view taken along line B-B in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a peg in a first embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a peg in which a winding shaft is mounted at the upper surface of a main body. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of a peg in which a winding shaft is mounted at the upper surface of a main body. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are explanatory views of a method for mounting a peg in a guitar. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are explanatory views of a method for mounting a peg on a violin. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view of a peg in a second embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view of a conventional peg. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     1. First Embodiment 
       [0028]    A peg in a first embodiment will be described hereinafter referring to  FIGS. 1 to 5 .  FIGS. 1 and 2  are a top view and a side view of a peg.  FIGS. 3 and 4  are sectional views of a peg, the sectional views taken along line A-A and along line B-B.  FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a peg. 
         [0029]    First, an outline of a composition of a peg  1  is described. A reference symbol  10  is a main body of the peg  1 . The main body  10  supports a worm  20  rotatably. A knob  30  for rotating the worm  20  is mounted on the worm  20 . A worm wheel  40  engages with the worm  20 . A winding shaft  50  is inserted into the worm wheel  40 . 
         [0030]    Next, each part of the peg  1  is described in detail. The main body  10  is composed of a base plate  11  and a cover  12 . The base plate  11  is formed by performing press-working on a metal plate such as SUS 304. For example, L 1  is a length of 21.2 mm, and W 1  is a width of 8.4 mm. Mounting holes  13   a  and  13   b  are formed at both ends of the base plate  11 . The mounting holes  13   a  and  13   b  are used for mounting the base plate  11  on a head of a stringed instrument (not shown in the figure) by a screw etc. A mounting hole  14   a  is formed near the mounting hole  13   b . The mounting hole  14   a  is used for mounting the cover  12  on the base plate  11 . In addition, projections  15   a  to  15   c  are formed at the base plate  11 . The projections  15   a  to  15   c  adjust the position of the cover  12 . 
         [0031]    In addition, a bearing hole  16   a  is formed in the center of the base plate  11 . The bearing hole  16   a  is used for supporting the winding shaft  50  rotatably. A bearing  70  is inserted into the bearing hole  16   a . The bearing  70  supports the winding shaft  50  rotatably. The bearing hole  16   a  is hexagonal and obstructs relative rotation of the bearing  70  for the base plate  11 . The bearing  70  is formed by a metal such as brass and is composed of a positioning portion  70   a  and a flange  70   b . The positioning portion  70   a  is hexagonal and is inserted into the bearing hole  16   a  of the base plate  11 . The flange  70   b  prevents the bearing  70  from coming off from the base plate  11  and supports the worm wheel  40  rotatably. 
         [0032]    The cover  12  is formed by performing bend-working on a cross-shaped metal plate such as SUS 304. For example, L 2  is a length of 11.5 mm, and W 2  is a width of 7.2 mm. A bearing hole  16   b  is formed in the center of the cover  12 . The bearing hole  16   b  is used for supporting a wheel shaft  41  rotatably. A bearing  71  is inserted into the bearing hole  16   b . The bearing  71  supports the wheel shaft  41  rotatably. The bearing hole  16   b  is hexagonal and obstructs relative rotation of the bearing  71  for the cover  12 . The bearing  71  is formed of a metal such as brass and is composed of a positioning portion  71   a  and a flange  71   b . The positioning portion  71   a  is hexagonal and is inserted into the bearing hole  16   b  of the cover  12 . The flange  71   b  prevents the bearing  71  from coming off from the cover  12  and supports the worm wheel  40  rotatably. 
         [0033]    Bearing holes  16   a  and  16   b  can be formed in at least two surfaces of the main body  10 . For example, bearing holes  16   a  and  16   b  can be formed in the side of the main body. In addition, since inside diameters of the bearings  70  and  71  are the same, the winding shaft  50  can be mounted at any surface of the main body  10 . 
         [0034]    In addition, bearing holes  18   a  and  18   b  are formed in at least two sides of the cover  12 . The bearing holes  18   a  and  18   b  are used for supporting the worm  20  rotatably. The bearing holes  18   a  and  18   b  are formed in a U-shape, and bearings  80  and  81  are inserted into bearing holes  18   a  and  18   b . The bearings  80  and  81  support the worm  20  rotatably. The bearings  80  and  81  are composed of mounting portions  80   a  and  81   a  and flanges  80   b  and  81   b . The mounting portions  80   a  and  81   a  are cylindrical, and flanges  80   b  and  81   b  are non-cylindrical (cubic). The cylindrical mounting portions  80   a  and  81   a  are inserted into bearing holes  18   a  and  18   b . The cubic flanges  80   b  and  81   b  are caught at an inside wall of the cover  12 . As a result, flanges  80   b  and  81   b  obstructs relative rotation of the bearings  80  and  81  for the cover  12 . 
         [0035]    Bearing holes  18   a  and  18   b  can be formed in at least two surfaces of the main body  10 . For example, bearing holes  18   a  and  18   b  can be formed in the upper surface (side of the cover  12 ) and the lower surface (side of the base plate  11 ) of the main body. In addition, since inside diameters of the bearings  80  and  81  are the same, the worm  20  can be mounted at any surface of the main body  10 . 
         [0036]    A worm shaft  21  is formed at both ends of the worm  20 . The worm shaft  21  is supported rotatably by the bearings  80  and  81 . In addition, a washer  22  is inserted into the worm shaft  21 . The washer  22  lessens friction at the side of the cover  12  of a knob shaft  31 . 
         [0037]    In addition, an end of the worm shaft  21  is hexagonal and is inserted in the knob shaft  31 . A notch  31   a  is formed at an end of the knob shaft  31  and obstructs relative rotation of the knob  30 . The knob  30  is mounted at the notch  31 . On the other hand, the knob  30  has a penetrating hole  32  for mounting the knob shaft  31 . A screw is inserted into the penetrating hole  32  and is tightened in the worm  20 . As a result, the knob  30  and the knob shaft  31  are united with the worm  20 . 
         [0038]    In addition, a projection  17  is formed on the side of the cover  12 . The projection  17  is inserted into the projection  15   c  of the base plate  11 . In addition, a mounting hole  14   b  is formed on the cover  12 . The mounting hole  14   b  is used for mounting the cover  12  on the base plate  11  by a screw. The screw is inserted into the mounting hole  14   b  of the cover  12  and is tightened in a mounting hole  14   a  of the base plate  11 . 
         [0039]    A winding surface  51  is formed at an end of the winding shaft  50 . The winding surface  51  diminishes a diameter thereof like an arc. A penetration hole  52  is formed in the winding surface  51 . An end of a string is inserted into the penetration hole  52 , and the string begins to be wound. A mounting shaft  53  is formed at the other end of the winding shaft. The mounting shaft  53  is composed of a large diameter shaft  53   a  and a small diameter shaft  53   b . A washer  58  is inserted into the large diameter shaft  53   a . The washer  58  decreases rotational resistance between a main body  10  and a winding shaft  50 . In addition, a small diameter shaft  53   b  has a columnar portion  54   a  and a hexagonal portion  54   b . The bearing  70  supports the columnar portion  54   a  rotatably. The hexagonal portion  54   b  is inserted into the worm wheel  40 . The hexagonal portion  54   b  obstructs relative rotation of the winding shaft  50  for the worm wheel  40 . 
         [0040]    An inside of the worm wheel  40  is composed of a large diameter hole  40   a  and a small diameter hole  40   b . The large diameter hole  40   a  is formed in a column at upper and lower ends of the inside of the worm wheel  40 . The small diameter hole  40   b  is formed in a hexagon at the middle of the inside of the worm wheel  40 . The winding shaft  50  is mounted at one side of the worm wheel  40  in the axial direction. A wheel shaft  41  is mounted at another side of the worm wheel  40  in the axial direction. The wheel shaft  41  rotates unitarily with the winding shaft  50 . A diameter of the wheel shaft  41  is the same as a diameter of the columnar portion  54   a  of the mounting shaft  53  of the winding shaft  50 . The bearing  71  supports the wheel shaft  41  rotatably, and the bearing  70  supports the columnar portion  54   a  of the mounting shaft  53  of the winding shaft  50  rotatably. 
         [0041]    A screw  55  for tightening a shaft is inserted into the wheel shaft  41  and is tightened to the winding shaft  50 . The screw  55  for tightening a shaft unites the worm wheel  40  and the winding shaft  50 . In addition, the wheel shaft  41  is caught at the edge of the small diameter hole  40   b  that is formed at the inside of the worm wheel  40 . As a result, the winding shaft  50  is united with the wheel shaft  41  and can be prevented from coming off from the worm wheel  40 . 
       Effects in the First Embodiment 
       [0042]    The effects of the peg structured as above are described hereinafter.  FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a peg in which a winding shaft is mounted at an upper surface of a main body, and  FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of a peg in which a winding shaft is mounted at an upper surface of a main body. In the peg of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the winding shaft  50  can be mounted at the lower surface (side of the base plate  11 ) of the main body  10 . In addition, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a winding shaft  56  can be mounted at the upper surface (side of the cover  12 ) of the main body  10 . 
         [0043]    In pegs  1  and  2  having such structures, the following effects are obtained.  FIGS. 8A and 8B  are explanatory views of a method for mounting a peg on a guitar. In  FIG. 8A , the peg  2  in which the winding shaft  56  is mounted at the upper surface of the main body  10  is mounted in a head  63  of a guitar. In this case, the main body  10  of the peg  2  is secured at a front surface  63   a  of the head  63  by a screw. As a result, since a hole for inserting the winding shaft  56  into the head  63  of a guitar and a guide bush are not necessary, the number of parts, the number of manufacturing processes, and the costs of manufacturing can be decreased. 
         [0044]    In addition, in  FIG. 8B , the peg  1  in which the winding shaft  50  is mounted at the lower surface of the main body  10  is mounted in a head  64  of a guitar. Since the main body  10  of the peg  1  is small and thin, the main body  10  can be embedded in an indentation  65  that is provided at the lower surface  64   a  of the head  64  of a guitar. Furthermore, if this indentation  65  is concealed, the external appearance is beautiful, and the stringed instrument can be played easily because there is no projection. Since the main body  10  of the peg  1  is small and thin, the strength of the head  64  can be maintained even if the indentation  65  is provided. 
         [0045]    Furthermore, as another method for mounting the peg, the main body  10  can be mounted at the side of the head as in a classic guitar because the main body  10  is small and thin. In particular, in an electric guitar or a folk guitar, this is effective because a space on the side of the head is small. 
         [0046]    In addition, in pegs  1  and  2  of the first embodiment, the winding shaft and knob can be easily exchanged for those of different shape. Therefore, by using the main body, of one kind, the peg can be mounted in a guitar, a violin, a ukulele, a mandolin, a banjo, a shamisen, and numerous other stringed instruments. A method for mounting the peg in a tailpiece of a violin is described hereinafter. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are explanatory views of a method for mounting a peg in a violin. In  FIGS. 9A and 9B , a front surface  66   a  and a back surface  66   b  of a tailpiece of a violin are shown. In a peg  3  shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the same parts as the peg  1  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 5  are used for the main body  10 . The winding shaft and knob is exchanged for a smaller winding shaft  57  and a smaller knob  33 . This winding shaft  57  is inserted into a hole  67  from the back surface  66   b  of the tailpiece  66  of the violin. The winding surface is projected on the front surface  66   a  of the tailpiece  66 . Then, the main body  10  is secured on the back surface  66   b  of the tailpiece  66  by a screw. As a result, since the peg can be mounted in numerous types of stringed instruments by the one kind of main body, the costs of manufacturing can be decreased. 
         [0048]    In addition, as shown  FIG. 4 , in a peg of the present invention, a rotational shaft of the worm wheel  40  is supported rotatably by two bearings  70  and  71  that are provided at both ends in an axial direction. As a result, the winding shaft  50  is not easily inclined toward the head. Therefore, tone quality that was tuned once does not change easily. 
       2. Second Embodiment 
       [0049]    A transformational example of the first embodiment will be described hereinafter. In a second embodiment, a bearing supporting the rotational shaft of the worm wheel is composed of only the main body of the peg. The same reference symbol as in the first embodiment is used to indicate the corresponding component, and explanation thereof is omitted. 
         [0050]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view of a peg in the second embodiment. A main body  90  of a peg  4  is composed of a base plate  91  and a cover  92 . The base plate  91  and the cover  92  are formed by performing press-working on a metal plate such as one of a steel. A bearing hole  93   a  is formed by performing bend-working at the center of the base plate  91 . A bearing hole  93   b  is formed by performing bend-working at the center of the cover  92 . The mounting shaft  53  of the winding shaft  50  is supported rotatably by the bearing hole  93   a . The wheel shaft  41  is supported rotatably by the bearing hole  93   b.    
         [0051]    Since the bearing hole  93   a  and the bearing hole  93   b  are circular with the same diameter, the winding shaft  50  can be mounted at a lower surface (side of the base plate  91 ) of the main body  90  and an upper surface (side of the cover  92 ) of the main body  90 . When the winding shaft  50  is mounted at the upper surface of the main body  90 , the winding shaft  50  is inserted into the worm wheel  40  from the side of the cover  92 , and the wheel shaft  41  is inserted into the worm wheel  40  from the side of the base plate  91 . The screw  55  for tightening a shaft is inserted from the side of the base plate  91  and is tightened to the mounting shaft  53  of the winding shaft  50 . As a result, the mounted position of the winding shaft  50  on the main body  90  can be changed. 
         [0052]    In addition, by the same method, bearings  80  and  81  shown in  FIG. 3  can be integrated with the cover  12  of the main body  10 . Furthermore, the wheel shaft  41  and the screw  55  for tightening a shaft can be integrated. According to these modes, the number of parts and the number of manufacturing processes can be decreased. 
       Effects in the Second Embodiment 
       [0053]    When the main body  90  of the peg  4  is not especially small and thin, the number of parts and the number of manufacturing processes can be decreased by integrating the main body  90  with bearings supporting the winding shaft  50  and the wheel shaft  41 . 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0054]    The present invention can be used for a peg that is mounted in an electric guitar, an acoustic guitar, a classic guitar, an electric bass, a violin, a ukulele, a mandolin, a banjo, a shamisen, and other stringed instruments.