Patent ID: 7632997

Claim:
A tuning machine for a musical instrument, the tuning machine comprising: a base configured to engage a headstock of the musical instrument; an actuator rotatably connected to the base; a shaft rotatably connected to the base, the shaft providing a first aperture sized to receive a string of the musical instrument, the shaft being connected to the actuator such that actuation of the actuator causes rotation of the shaft about an axis of the shaft; a clamp member slidably connected to the shaft and configured to engage the string, wherein the clamp member is slidably connected to the shaft to slide parallel to the axis of the shaft, wherein the clamp member provides a second aperture sized to receive the string and wherein the clamp member is connected to the shaft to slide between the closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the first and second apertures are disposed relative to each other to inhibit receipt of the string by the first and second apertures concurrently and in the open position the first and second apertures are disposed relative to each other to receive the string by the first and second apertures concurrently; and a bias member connected to the clamp member and the shaft to bias the clamp member toward a closed position to engage the string when received by the shaft; wherein the clamp member and the shaft cooperate to inhibit removal of the string received by the shaft with the clamp member engaging the string.