Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 7th May, 1887
Complete Left, 12th Jan., 1888
Complete Accepted, 9th Mar., 1888
I, FERDINAND AUGUST SERBSER, of Leipzig, in the Kingdom of Saxony Manu-
facturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:―
This invention relates principally to pianofortes, harps, and other stringed musical
instruments and consists in an improved device or collection of devices for holding
the strings while rendering them capable of adjustment in tension or strain.
In the usual method of stringing pianofortes, by coiling the end of wire around
a pin capable of being revolved by a key or suitable means to bring the string to a
suitable tension the power lying in the tension of the string acts as a leverage on the
pin and tends to turn the same and lower the musical pitch of the string.
The present invention consists in an improved device by which such tendency is
obviated by the removal of the said leverage the power being applied by means of a
screw spindle the mode of action of which is well understood.
The new device furthermore renders possible a very minute adjustment of the string
and therefore very accurate tuning-A suitably shaped flange attached to the string
frame is bored with the requisite number of perforations for the reception of the
hereinafter described devices, said perforation being preferably so bored as to be
axially directed onto the line of the bridge or equivalent rod or rail over which the
strings are stretched-In said perforations are lodged screw spindles having collars
or flanges preventing their passage through the perforations, and outwardly provided
with heads of convenient form for operation by a key or suitable tool. The spindles
being capable of revolving in their perforations without longitudinal movement, are
provided with nuts or threaded sleeves onto which are attached suitable forks termi-
nating below in hooks or convenient means for the attachment of the end of the string
the said nuts with their hooks are capable of longitudinal movement but not of
rotation so that revolution of the screw spindle causes said nuts and hooks to move
longitudinally and corresponding tension to be given to the respective string. The
flange holding the collars of the spindles may be of metal and lined with wood.
1
M
1007
•

page_text: An Improved Device for Holding and Adjusting the Strain of Strings
in Musical Instruments.
I FERDINAND AUGUST SERBSER, of Katharinenstrasse Leipzig, in the Kingdom of
Saxony Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be perforined, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
This invention relates principally to pianofortes, harps, and other stringed musical
instruments and consists in an improved device or collection of devices for holding the
strings while rendering them capable for adjustment in tension or strain.
In the usual method of stringing pianofortes by coiling the end of wire around a
pin capable of being revolved by a key or suitable means to bring the string to the
necessary tension, the power lying in the tension of the string acts as a leverage on
the pin and tends to turn the same and lower the musical pitch of the string.
The present invention consists in an improved device by which such tendency is
obviated by the removal of the said leverage, the power being applied by means of a
screw spindle the mode of action of which is well understood. The new device
furthermore renders possible a very minute adjustment of the tension of the string
and therefore very accurate tuning.
Referring to the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1. is a front elevation of a portion of pianoforte having strings tensioned and
held by the improved devices.
Fig. 2. is a section on line R S Fig. 1.
Fig. 3. is a plan view.
Fig. 4. is a section on an enlarged scale, showing one of the tension regulators or
holders.
Fig. 5. a similar section at right angles to that shown in Fig. 4.
Figs. 6 & 7. sectional and front elevation views, and Figs. 8. & 9 similar views of
two modifications in the arrangement of the parts.
A suitably shaped flange is attached to the string frame R and is bored with the
requisite number of perforations r for the reception of the hereafter described devices
said perforations being preferably so bored as to be axially directed onto the line of
the bridge or equivalent rod or rail over which the strings are stretched.-In said
perforations are lodged screw spindles & having collars or flanges preventing their
passage through the perforations and outwardly provided with heads of convenient
form for operation by a key or suitable tool. The spindles being capable of revolving
in their perforations without longitudinal movement, are provided with nuts or
threaded sleeves m. on to which are attached by noses z. suitable forks h. terminating
below, in hooks or convenient means for the attachment of the end of the string.
To deaden the vibration the under side of the flange A is lined with wood, the said
screw spindles passing through perforations g. in the wood, the said perforations are

page_text: formed as shown at the right of Fig. 3. that is to say with lateral grooves or slots,
and the forks of the string hooks h. are guided in said grooves so that the hooks are
prevented from revolving with the screw spindle. The nuts m. being attached to the
hooks h. by engagement of the noses z. of the hooks in recesses in their upper faces
are also held against revolution.
To avoid friction of the string on the bead or rail terminating the vibrating length
thereof under each string may be provided a roller A¹ capable of revolving when the
string is drawn, a glass roller B or one having a glazed surface may also be substituted
for said rollers.
Having now particularly described & ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The combination with flange A of screw spindles 8. nuts m. thereon, and hooks h.
connected to said nuts substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.
2. The combination of flange A, screw spindles s. and tension devices operated
thereby with rollers A. substantially and as for the purpose set forth.
3. The combination of flange A screw spindles s. and tension devices operated
thereby with glass or glazed rollers B. substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 11th day of January 1888.
HERBERT & Co.,
Agents for the said F. A. Serbser.