IMPROVEMENTS IN THE KEYS OR PEGS OF VIOLINS, HARPS, AND LIKE STRINGED INSTRUMENTS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Stuttaford of Richmond Villa, Somerset Road,
New Barnet in the County of Herts for an invention of IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE KEYS OR PEGS OF VIOLINS, HARPS, AND LIKE STRINGED INSTRUMENTS
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Stuttaford in the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th March 1882.
JOHN STUTTAFORD of Richmond Villa Somerset Road New Barnet in the
county of Herts
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE KEYS OR PEGS OF VIOLINS, HARPS,
AND LIKE STRINGED INSTRUMENTS
"
The object of this invention is to facilitate the fixing of the strings or wires in
the keys or pegs of violins, harps, guitars and other like stringed instruments in
which such keys or pegs are used
For the purpose of my Invention I bore or drill a hole lengthwise from the top
button or wing portion down to and terminating at the cross hole of the key or
peg into which a string or wire can be pushed. I form a screw thread in the first
named hole and use a threaded rod of a corresponding length so that its lower end
may pinch or nip the string or wire into contact with the bottom surface of the
cross hole which is plain. The threaded rod is preferably provided with a button
or a nicked head to enable it to be turned
By my Invention a greater security or fixture of the string or wire is produced,
shorter strings can be used and all fear of the string or wire slipping on the peg is
avoided

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Stuttaford in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd September
1882.
JOHN STUTTAFORD of Richmond Villa, Somerset Road, New Barnet in the
County of Herts IMPROVEMENTS IN THE KEYS OR PEGS OF VIOLINS, HARPS,
«
AND LIKE STRINGED INSTRUMENTS
The object of this Invention is to facilitate the fixing of the strings or wires in
the keys or pegs of Violins, guitars, banjos, Harps and other stringed instruments
in which such keys or pegs are used.
For the purpose of my Invention, I bore or drill a hole lengthwise from the
thumb-hold or top button or wing portion down to and terminating at the cross
hole of the key or peg into which a string or wire can be pushed. I form a screw
thread in the first named hole and use a threaded rod of a corresponding or of
greater length so that its lower end may pinch or nip the string or wire into
contact with the bottom surface of the cross hole which is plain. The threaded
rod is preferably provided with a button or a nicked head to enable it to be
turned.
By my Invention a greater security or fixture of the string or wire is produced,
shorter strings can be used and all fear of the string or wire slipping on the peg
is avoided.
My Invention is clearly shown in the annexed sheet of drawings Figures 1, 2
and 3 which are an elevation and sections respectively of a key or peg A for a
Violin (as represented at Figure 4) or other like instruments. B is the screw pin
which can be turned round in the peg this being screw threaded for the purpose
until its inner end bites upon the string or wire C after being pushed into and
through the hole bored or drilled transversely through the peg.
The button head D of the pin B has a milled edge to enable it to be readily
turned to nip the string or wire which is passed through it, the key or peg being
then turned in the usual manner to put the required tension on the string.
Figure 5 shows a part sectional view of a key or peg suitable also for Violins,
Violincellos, Guitars, Banjoes or the like, the screw pin being inserted from the
tail end of the peg after being fitted in the hole of the instrument in the manner
well known, this method of fitting the screw pin is also applicable with what are
known as "mounted pegs." Figure 6 is an elevation of a modified peg or key A,
the screw pin being shorter and the wire or string hole E closer to the end to
adapt it for Guitars or Banjoes as represented at Figure 7 where four of my
improved keys or pegs A are in position.
The difficulty, time, waste, etcetera experienced in fitting a string (especially to
Bow instruments where secure threading of the second string is-by reason of the
cramped position of the peg in the peg-box F-a matter of some trouble) are
obviated, as also the necessity of over-lapping the string C by means of a screw
working longitudinally through an ordinary peg, the end of which meets the
string in its string-hole, and there grips it firmly.
In connection with my keys or pegs, I sometimes notch the front or bridge
end G of the tail piece H as at Figures 8 and 9 to facilitate stringing and to lessen
the strain on the knot of the string C which is lodged under the tail piece and
then brought over and twisted round a metal stud J as shown.
My system of securing the wire or string in and to the peg or key can be
adopted with or without the notched and studded tail piece, but I prefer that it be
used in conjunction therewith, and in some cases the longitudinal hole in the key
or peg may be continued beyond the transverse hole so that the pin shall kink the
string or wire as shown at Figure 10.

page_text: Having now described the nature of my said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed I declare that I claim as novel and as of my Invention:
The improved keys or pegs A shown respectively at Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
and 10 of the annexed drawings; the principal feature being the threaded rod or
pin B inserted from the end to nip or pinch the wire or string C after being passed
through the transverse hole E as and for the object or purpose set forth.
Secondly I claim :-Notching the bridge end G of the tail piece H and fitting
studs J on said tail piece as shown at Figures 4, 8 and 9 of the annexed drawings,
when used in conjunction with my improved keys or pegs on or to stringed
musical instruments such as Violins, Violincellos, Guitars, Banjoes and the like as
herebefore set forth.
In witness whereof I the said John Stuttaford have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Second day of September in the year of our Lord, one
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
JOHN STUTTAFORD. (L.S.)