Patent Publication Number: US-4224857-A

Title: Tunable string holder for musical instrument

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a string holder for a string instrument. More particularly, this invention concerns such a holder which is tunable and usable on a violin or the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In a string instrument the vibrations in the sound body are transmitted to the bridge supported thereon and therethrough to the end piece or connection part of each of the strings which extend between the bridge and the string holder or tailpiece of the instrument. Thus the vibrations of each of the strings are transmitted to the sound body of the instrument and then back through the bridge to the end pieces of the strings. For this reason a phase shift can exist between the sympathetic vibration of the end pieces of the strings and the vibration in the sound body, depending on the reaction frequency to which each of these string end pieces is tuned. This so-called reaction frequency is determined by the diameter, tension, and length of the string end piece. 
     The result is occasionally disturbing vibrations which combine with the desired vibrations or subtract from them to produce a sound which is occasionally far from the desired sound. 
     When this effect is excessively dominant a good musician will frequently tip or displace the bridge, or shorten the tail piece. It is also kown to mute the end pieces of the strings or otherwise damp vibrations thereof. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the instant invention to overcome the above-given disadvantageous musical and acoustic effect in a string instrument. 
     Another object is to provide an improved string holder for a string instrument. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These objects are attained in a string-instrument string holder which has a support adapted to be secured to the string instrument and formed with a plurality of generally parallel longitudinal guides in each of which a support block is displaceable through a relatively long longitudinal distance. Each of these blocks can be arrested at any of a multiplicity of longitudinally offset positions in the respective guide. String anchors secured to respective strings of the instrument are displaceable on the respective blocks through relatively short longitudinal distances and can be steplessly displaced and fixed on the respective block. 
     Thus, it is possible for the effective length of the end piece of each of the strings to be adjusted between the bridge and the anchor point for the string. The amount of adjustment is considerable so that the coarse adjustment can first be set and then the fine adjustment regulated to obtain the exact length desired. This system therefore allows the harmonic length of each of these end sections to be individually adjusted, so that variation in string diameter or tension can easily and rapidly be compensated for. 
     According to further features of this invention the displacement of the anchor for fine tune is effected by forming the anchor as a 2-arm lever pivoted on the respective support block. The string is secured to one end of this lever and a screw threaded through the respective support block bears on the other end, so that turning of the end on this screw by the fingers allows very accurate and fine adjustment by rocking or pivoting of the anchor. 
     The coarse turning is effected in accordance with one arrangement of this invention by mounting the slide blocks each on a respective threaded spindle extending longitudinally along the respective guide. Rotation of each of the spindles screws the respective block in the appropriate direction for coarse tunning. It is also within the scope of this invention to form each of the guides with a row of teeth engageable with a formation on the respective block. A screw can clamp each of the blocks in any desired position along this tooth guide for the coarse setting of the adjustment mechanism. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of a string holder according to this invention; 
     FIGS. 2 and 3 are sections taken respectively along lines II--II and III--III of FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing another arrangement in accordance with this invention. 
    
    
     SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in FIGS. 1-3 a string holder according to this invention has a support 1 which is normally secured to the body of a string musical instrument, here a violin, adjacent the bridge thereof. This support 1, which is formed of metal, is formed with four identical guide tracks or slots 2 in which respective support blocks 3 can be slid through relatively long distances L. The support 1 is formed underneath each of the tracks 2, which is a T-section slot, with a row of teeth 6 in which may engage a transversely projecting pin 5 of each of the blocks 3. A screw 4 is provided on each of the blocks with its head bearing against the upper side of the support 1 and its threaded portion engaged in a bore of the respective block 3. When one of the screws 4 is tightened the corresponding block 3 is clamped against the lips of the respective slot 2 and the respective pin 5 is engaged between the teeth of the respective row 6. 
     In addition, each of these blocks 3 carries an anchor element constituted as a two-arm lever 7 having one arm constituted as a fork 8 in which is engaged the end of the respective string 9 and another arm 11 against which bears a knurl-headed screw 10 threaded through the respective block 3. A pivot 12 is provided between the arms 8 and 11 for rocking of the portion 8 through a relatively short distance 1 equal here to approximately one-fifth of the distance L. 
     In use a string 9 is fitted in the respective end 8 and the respective block 3 is positioned at approximately the right distance from the bridge, then its screw 4 is tightened to lock it in place. Thereafter the instrument is tuned and the screw 10 is adjusted until the desired harmonic relationship is obtained. A skilled musician with a small amount of practice will be able readily and accurately to establish the right relationships. Normally the distance between bridge and attachment points is longer for the lower notes than for the higher notes. 
     FIG. 4 shows another arrangement wherein a screw 12 is threaded through a block 3&#39; and is axially fixed in a support 1&#39;. Thus rotation of the screw 12 moves the block 3&#39; along the respective track 2&#39; for coarse adjustment. Otherwise a screw 10 adjusts the anchor piece 7 in the manner described above.