Improvements in Mechanism for Stringing Pianofortes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Jan., 1892-Accepted, 12th Mar., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanism for Stringing Pianofortes.
I, WILLIAM HENRY IVERS, of Highland Street, Dedham, in the County of
Norfolk, and State of Massachusetts, in the United States of America, Piano
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
This invention relates to piano fortes and consists in an improved device for
stringing this class of musical instruments. In general terms stringing is applied
to such parts as are employed to hold the wires under tension, as well as those
devices which are adjustable and serve to regulate said tension upon the strings in
order to obtain the desired tone.
My invention is embodied primarily in a tuning-pin which is to be mounted in
the pin-block, and is adapted to move or rock in a plane in alignment or parallel
with the longitudinal axis of its string, in contra-distinction to a tuning-pin, which
rotates or is twisted axially to tighten or loosen the wire. Furthermore my
improvements relate to mechanism by which said tuning-pins are adjusted and by
means of which the said pins may be held in any desired position requisite for a
given tone or note. A third feature consists in slotting or recessing the pin-block
to permit proper movement of the loose or movable tuning-pins.
The drawings represent in Fig. 1 a plan in part of a piano-forte embodying a
tuning-pin under my invention.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the arms.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line a.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a tuning-pin.
In the accompanying drawings 2 represents a part of the metallic frame of a
piano-forte, upon which is cast or affixed a flange, lip or other suitable projection 3,
preferably at right angles thereto. The sounding board is shown at 5 with the
agraffe at 6 and a series of strings 7, 7, which are of the same pitch to create a
single note of much volume. These strings may be strung single, double, triple,
The pin-
or even more to produce an instrument of a certain volume in tone.
block is indicated at 8. As will be seen the strings are stretched in the usual manner
with fixed post 9, 9, at one end and with the tuning-pins 10, 10 at the other.
Moreover these pins preferably rectangular in shape are bored as usual to receive
the ends of a wire, and the latter may then be given one or more turns thereabouts
to hold it fast to the pin in order to obtain the proper tension.
The gist of my invention is embodied in the manner of mounting the tuning-pin
in the pin-block. The latter, in lieu of being bored and having the pins firmly
driven into the material composing, yet allowing of twisting or turning of said pins
axially therein, is provided with a series of holes 12 which receive the tuning-pins,
Fig. 1,
see Fig. 3. These holes are preferably rectangular in cross-section, see
with their longest dimension in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the strings.
These holes are not aligned one behind the other, but are so positioned as to give
the tuning-pins the usual position with reference to each other. Said pins, as before
premised, are inserted in the holes previously formed and are free to move in a
plane coincident with the longitudinal axis of the strings, thus they are able to rock,
and since the end of each wire is securely affixed to a pin, the tension of the indi-
vidual wires can be readily increased or diminished. The holes 12 are oblong
rectangles in cross-section and of a length equal to one half the perimeter of the
pin or thereabouts. Hence when the latter by the stretching of the wire has
reached the rear end of the hole the pin may be removed, a half turn of wire taken
about said pin, and when the latter is again put in place it will then stand at the
front end of the hole ready to have further tension exerted.

page_text: In order to provide ready means for adjustment of said pins to enable them to be
held in a fixed position, and at the same time to be capable of movement to regulate
the tension of the wire, I have slotted the projecting ends of the tuning-pins at 13
and provided an actuating rod 14, one extremity of which is upset or enlarged,
while the rod itself is of a size to enter the slot, or the rod may be reduced in size
to fit the slot. The other extremity is screw-threaded and passes through the
flange 3. the projecting portion being furnished with an adjusting nut 15, which is
capable of movement by means of a socket wrench.
Since the flange is a fixture and forms a part of the frame, in the piano-forte,
movement of the nut 15 will shorten or lengthen the connecting-rod 14, and in this
way rock the tuning-pin; the latter moving in a plane coincident with the longi-
tudinal axis of the wire will produce a strain upon said wire, and the tension can
thus be regulated to a nicety.
There are several important advantages obtained by my invention, prominent
among which are the following; when a tuning-pin breaks a new one can be
substituted without the least difficulty. A lighter pin can be used, since its longest
dimension in cross-section is in line with the strain exerted by the wire. Hence
they can be placed more closely together, while riding of the wires is obviated.
Again, there is no objection to the use of oil upon the tuning-pins and strings to
prevent rusting, as the pin-block cannot be injured since in my arrangement the
friction between the pin-block and the tuning-pin is not relied upon to oppose
the tension of the wire. Moreover the tuning-pin can be made lighter with less
liability to spring, since I have the advantages of a fulcrum point in wood for
the pin at one end and of the actuating rod as a support at the other end.
The operation of stringing is effected in the usual manner, when the end of the
wire is passed through the hole in the tuning-pin and made fast. The tuning-pin
is now inserted in the slot or hole 12, the connecting-rod is then thrust through
the flange 3, the headed end placed in engagement with the forked end of the
tuning-pin, and the adjusting nut screwed on until it bears against the outer face
of the flange. The socket-wrench is now applied and the nut turned until the
requisite pitch or tension on the wire is produced. The action of the parts is
readily understood; the lower end of the tuning-pin where it rests in the pin-block
being the point of fulcrum, while the rod 14 exercises the pull, being attached to
the upper end of the tuning-pin, which is free to move in the perforation 12
longitudinally of the latter, or in a plane coincident with the wire lengthwise.
Should a wire break, the nut is unscrewed, the headed end of the connecting-rod
is lifted from the end of the tuning-pin, when the latter is free to be drawn from
the pin-block. A new wire is substituted, the tuning-pin and the other operating
parts are restored to their former places and tension is then brought upon the new
string.
In the usual style of tuning with steel pius in wooden block, a very hard block
is of vital importance to keep pin from wearing the hole loose, but in this I have
choice of material on which to rest the fulcrum end of pin according to quality of
tone desired. Therefore I insert a small block or plate 16, of felt, soft wood, hard
wood, or of metal or agate, in fact any substance by which to produce varying
qualities of tone to suit any taste, at the bottom of the holes 12. Thus so far as
material at end of pin goes any quality of tone may be obtained, whereas the usual
methods limit the tones to those produced either by hard wood, or by metal.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inveu-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1st. A pin-block having a series of downwardly tapering recesses arranged as
shown, in combination with a series of tuning-pins set into said recesses, and
capable of rocking forward and backward but not revoluble upon their axes,
therein, and means for moving the upper ends of said pins backward in planes
aligned with the wires in order to tighten the latter, substantially as set forth.

page_text: 2nd. A tuning-pin rounded at its lower end, in combination with a pin-block
having a recess formed in it to receive the lower end of said pin, but not permit
the latter to turn upon its axis the said receşs being long enough at the top to
allow forward and backward motion of said pin-and tapering to the bottom to
afford a single pivotal point only, the said pin being also removable to permit the
axial motion of it for winding up slack, substantially as set forth.
3rd. A pin-block having a series of elongated holes, therein, a series of blocks or
plates of the same or different material from the pin-block at the bottom of said
holes, combined with a series of tuning-pins in said holes, and means for actuating
said pins in a plane coincident or parallel with the longitudinal axis of the wire,
substantially as and for purposes specified.
4th. The combination with a piano-forte frame, a flange thereupon, and a series
of rocking tuning-pins, of a series of wires one end of which is secured to a tuning-
pin, and a series of connecting rods, which unite the latter adjustably with respect
to the flange, substantially as specified.
5th. A flanged piano-forte frame, a pin-block having a series of tuning-pins
adapted to rock therein, combined with a series of wires, one end of each of which
is secured to a tuning-pin, and a series of connecting rods removably attached to
the tuning-pin heads at one end, but screw-threaded at the other to engage a series
of adjusting nuts, substantially as set forth.
6th. A removable tuning-pin to which the wire is attached and adapted to turn
axially to wind up the slack, combined with actuating mechanism by which said
pin caused to rock instead of turning and thus regulate the tension of the string,
and a pin-block having a recess receiving the lower end of said pin, there being no
connection between said pin and the instrument except the wires and tightening
devices, substantially as stated.
Dated, Boston, Mass., December 21st 1891.