Patent ID: 7304226

Claim:
A stringed instrument tuning device comprising: a pinion gear; a tuning shaft having a first end and a second end and wherein a transverse aperture is situated near said first end for receiving a wire string; a worm gear adapted to engage said pinion gear; a bracket having a first aperture therein, and wherein said second end of said shaft is situated in said first aperture and said pinion gear is attached to said tuning shaft so that said bracket is rotatably captured between said gear and said shaft, said bracket further including worm gear mounting means for rotatably attaching said worm gear to said bracket in a position to engage said pinion gear; means for rotating said worm gear, said means for rotating attached to said worm gear, said means for rotating positively engaging said worm gear in a first mode of operation, and wherein said means for rotating freely rotates with respect to said worm gear in a second mode of operation; and a tuning knob attached to said means for rotating.