Improvements in Tuning Pins for Piano-fortes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Dec., 1891-Accepted, 6th Feb., 1892
CODE LEIE DI ECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tuning Pins for Piano-fortes.
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 :-
My invention in brief consists in a removable tuning-pin, which in lieu of being
permanently inserted in the pin-block, and allowed to turn axially, when shortening
or lengthening the string, is adapted to slide or move bodily in the same general
direction in which the strings are stretched. Furthermore this tuning-pin is
shaped; that is formed of a single piece of metal bent at one point to create two
arms, one of which shall enter or rest upon the pin-block, while the other portion
above the pin-block is furnished with a device whereby the tension of the wire can
be adjusted; the string being attached at one end to the tuning-pin at or near the
point of flexure, which is here pierced to admit it.
The drawings herewith presented represent in
Fig. 1, a plan, and Fig. 2 a side elevation of a piano-forte embodying my
invention.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a tuning-pin showing its position in the pin-block
which is represented in section.
Fig. 4 is a modification.
The object of my invention is to provide mechanism which will render the tuning
of piano-fortes easy, keep them in tune longer and at the same time provide ready
means for the replacing of a string in the event of one breaking, while this act is
being accomplished. To this end I have constructed an L shaped tuning-pin, which
has sliding movement bodily in the same general direction in which the strings are
stretched, and one which can be readily removed and as easily replaced.
In the present instance I have shown the frame of a piano-forte at 2 formed with
an upraised or projecting flange 3. The strings are indicated at 4, the sounding-
board at 5, the bridge at 6 and the pin-block at 8. As usual the strings are
secured about the fixed posts or plate-pins 9, so called, at one end, and attached to the
tuning-pins at the opposite end. Said pins 10 (see Fig. 3) are made preferably from
a single piece or length of metal having any suitable cross-section, and bent at one
point to create an L shaped bar, preferably one unequally divided-having one
long and one short arm respectively 12, 13. Furthermore a hole is bored at or near
the point of flexure to receive one end of the wire which enters it. In connection
with this tuning-pin I have recessed the pin-block, whether iron or wood, forming
apertures 14 to admit the short part 13 of the tuning-pin, which is perpendicular
or approximately so to the surface of the pin-block, when the pin is properly
positioned, while the long part 12 parallel with or slightly inclined above said pin-
block and screw-threaded at its extremity, projects through the flange 3 of the frame
of the instrument.
A nut 15 or other equivalent serves to compel the tuning-pin to move or slide
bodily in planes nearly coincident with the strings.
By reference to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the construction of such a tuning-pin
permits them to be placed very closely together without causing the strings to ride,
or bear upon each other. Further they can readily be taken out by removing
the nut, lifting the front end of the pin, and then pulling it obliquely forward.
The same advantage accrues as in a tuning-pin driven firmly into the pin-block,
since the lower end of the short arm 13 rests in the pin-block and tones
resultant by contact therewith according to the substance used therefor are
Price 8d 1

page_text: consequently obtained. Frequently the pin-block is covered with the iron frame of
the piano, in which event the tuning-pins need not enter the wooden portion of the
pin-block but engage suitable slots in the iron frame which now steadies them, see
Fig. 4.
Furthermore it will be seen that the point where the strings emerge from beneath
the bridge is in a plane below the eye in the tuning-pin; hence the tension of the
string serves to hold said pin firmly pressed against its resting point in the pin-
block, while the side-walls of the recess 14 prevent the pin from turning and keep
it steady during the process of raising or lowering the pitch.
I do not desire to be limited to the precise form of the tuning-pin herein set
forth, since I consider my invention is embodied in the use of a single piece of
metal formed with an elbow or bend in order to create two parts or arms, angularly
disposed, one arm of which shall enter or rest upon the pin-block, the other above
but parallel with or slightly inclined to the pin-block while to the latter arm is
aflixed means for regulating the tension of the string to which it is removably
secured.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1. As a new article of manufacture, a tuning-pin formed or an integral length of
metal with suitable cross-section, and having a flexure or elbow, to create two arms,
one of which contacts with the pin-block, and the other sustains the tension of the
string, substantially as stated.
2. In a piano-forte, a tuning-pin composed of two portions or arms integrally
united, but angularly disposed, one to contact with the pin-block, the other parallel
with or obliquely disposed above said pin-block, and incans secured to the latter
arm to regulate the tension of the string, substantially as specified.
3. Anshaped tuning-pin, as described, in combination with a pin-block having
a recess formed in it to receive one arm of the tuning-pin, the said recess being
elongated to allow sliding movement of the tuning-pin bodily in a plane coincident,
or nearly so, with the longitudinal axis of the string, substantially as set forth.
4. The combination with a piano-forte frame, a flange thereupon, and a pin-
block having a series of recesses, of a series of strings, and a series of integral
removable tuning-pins formed with an elbow to create two arms, one of which
contacts with the pin-block, the other arm being parallel with or inclined to the
face of the pin-block and screw-threaded to engage a nut resting against the flange
of the frame, substantially as specified.
5. In combination with a piano-forte, a series of strings, and a pin-block having
a series of elongated recesses, a series of removable tuning-pins adapted to slide in
the recesses of the pin-block, said tuning-pins being bent to form two arms, one to
contact with the pin-block, and the other parallel with or inclined to the surface of
the pin-block, the string being secured at or near the point of flexure, and means
attached to the tuning-pin by which tension of the string is regulated, substantially
as stated.
Dated. Boston, Mass., December 8th 1891.
WILLIAM HENRY IVERS.