US2390237A - Tuning apparatus for musical instruments - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 4, 1945. BRYANT 2,390,237

TUNING APPARATUS FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed May 21, 1943 Patented Dec. 4, 1945 TUNING APPARATUS FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Niles Bryant, Augusta, Mich. Application May 21, 1943, Serial No. 487,867 6 Claims. (01. 84-456) This invention relates to improvements in tuning apparatus for musical instruments.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a tuning device or apparatus employing reeds in which thereeds are accessible for individual tuning of the reed to the particular pitch or rate of vibration without moving the reed from the device or removing screws or other parts.

Second, to provide a tuning device in which the reeds vibrate at the proper rate or pitch under widely varying air pressures, without altering the pitch.

Third, to provide a device in which the reed is so mounted that varying pitch incident to choking cannot result.

Fourth, to provide a tuning device which is not subject to or affected by varying atmospheric conditions such as varying humidity.

Fifth, to provide a tuning device which may be variously positioned on an instrument to be tuned-for example, a piano, or may be manipulated to bring the reed thereof into close proximity to a vibrating string, thus enabling the workman to tune the string into exact unison with the vibratingreed.

Sixth, to provide a tuning apparatus comprising a plurality of individual units embracing an octave in chromatic sequence and which collectively constitute what is known as the equal temperament.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims,

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus embodying my invention, the series or complement of units being arranged within a casing; the cover of which is partially broken away, the induction'tube being shown within the casing1- Fig. 2 is a plan view'with the cover partially broken away.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse section on line 3-3 of Figs. 1 and 4.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the units, the induction tube being partially broken away.

In the accompanying drawing, l is a box of suitable dimensions adapted to receive a complete set of thirteen of the units 2 constituting a complete apparatus. The cover 3 is hinged at 4 Y and is provided with strips 5 on the inner side thereof which close against the tops of the units 2 when they are arranged in side by side relation within the box, as shown in Fig. 1.

These box-like members 2 are of such size as to provide air chambers or resilience chambers 6 of substantial size. They are preferably formed of wood and the tops 1 have slots 8 therein. The reed plates 9 are mounted on the outer sides of the tops by means of screws In. The reed plates have slots 1 I therein opening to the slots 8 of the chambers B.

The reeds [2 are mounted on the outer sides of the reed plates tovibrate within the slots thereof and consequentl are subject to the air pressure with the resilience chamber. The capacity of the resilience chamber is such as to permit free movement of the reed under substantially varying air pressures within the resilience chamber without altering the pitch.

The mounting of the reed plates on the top of the outer side ofthe resilience chamber units and the mounting of the reeds on the outer sides of the reed plates makes the reeds accessible so that they may be tuned to the proper pitch or to vibrate at the proper frequency without removing the reed plate from the resilience chamber unit, thus facilitating the exchange of reeds.

Each unit is provided with an air inlet opening 13 preferably at one end thereof which is adapted to receive the coupling nipple M of the induction tube l5. This induction tube is of flexible tubing and has a mouthpiece It at its outer end. The tube is preferably of substantial length, preferably at least in the neighborhood of twentyfour inches so that the unit may be positioned at a convenient place on a suitable support or part of the instrument being tuned permitting the tuner or user to move to different positions as may be required. The unit is also of such size that it may be. conveniently grasped and positioned relative to the string that is being tuned so-that the tuner 'or user can best determine when the vibrationsof the string are in unison or approach unison with those of the reed.

The complete apparatus consists of at least thirteen of the units which are tuned in chromatic sequence and collectively constitute what is known as the equal temperament.

The units are provided with a suitable musical scale indicia as is indicated in the drawing so that the operator or tuner merely selects the desired unit by means of the indicia thereon.

These devices are not subject to varying hu- My improved apparatus enables relatively unskilled persons to efiectively tune a piano, mal:-.

ing it possible for the average person to keep his own instrument properly tuned and also enabling persons to become qualified for the tuning of pianos, Without extended instruction or longape prenticeship.

I have illustrated and described my invention in very practical embodiments thereofi I have of said reed plate for vibration in the slot thereof, the said resilience chamber being of such relatively large capacity as to permit free vibration of the reed under substantiallyvarying air pressures Within the resilience chamber Without varying the pitch, the resilience chamber having an air inlet opening, and a flexible air tube of substantial length provided with a mouthpiece at its outer end and with a coupling nipple detachably engageable with said inlet opening of said resilience chamber, said body member being provided with a bottom adapted to support it in upright position and being of a size to permit connot attempted to illustrate certain structural modifications as itis believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A tuning device comprising a rectangular box-like resilience chamber unit formed of wood and having a one-piece top with a slot therein opening to the chamber, a slotted reed plate mounted on the top of said resilience chamber top, piece and having a reed mounted on the outer side thereof for vibration in the slot there-. of, the slot of the reed plate opening to the slot of said resilience chamber, the capacity of said resilience chamber being such as to permit free vibration of the reed under substantially varying air pressures without altering the pitch, the resilience chamber having an inlet opening on one end thereof, and a flexible air tube of substantial length provided with a mouthpiece at its outer end and with a coupling nipple detach.- ably engageable with said inlet opening of said resilience chamber.

2. A tuning device comprising a resilience chamber unit having a slot therein opening to the chamber, a slotted reed plate mounted on said resilience chamber and having a reed mounted on the outer side thereof for vibration in the slot thereof, the slot of the reed plate opening to the slot of said resilience chamber, the resilience chamber being of such relatively large capacity as to permit free vibration of the reed under substantially varying air pressures within the resilience chamber without varying the pitch, the resilience chamber having an opening, and an induction tube provided with a coupling nipple detachably engageable with said inlet opening of said resilience chamber.

3. A tuning device comprising a body member having a resilience chamber having an opening therein, a slotted reed plate mounted on said resilience chamber with its slot in communication with said resilience chamber through saidopeningrthereof, a reed mounted on the outer side venient grasping thereof in the hand of the operator and ready manipulation thereof closely adjacent an instrument string to be tuned.

- 4. A tuning device comprising a body member having a resilience chamber having an opening therein, a slotted reed plate mounted on said resilience chamber with its slot in communication with said resilience chamber through said opening thereof, a reed mounted on the outer side of said reed plate for vibration in the slot thereof, the said resilience chamber being of such relatively large capacity as to permit free vibration of the reed under substantially'varye ing air pressures Within the resilience chamber, the resilience chamber having an air inlet opening, and a flexible air tube of substantial length provided with a mouthpiece at its outer end and with a coupling nipple detachably engageable with said inlet opening of said resilience chame ber.

5,, A tuning device comprising a body member having a resilience chamber having an opening therein, a slotted'reed plate mounted on said resilience chamber with its slot in communica tion with said resilience chamber through said opening thereof, a reed mounted on the outer side of said reed plate for vibration in the slot thereof, the said resilience chamber being of such relatively large capacity as to permit free vibration of the reed under substantially varying air pressures Within the resilience chamber, the resilience chamber having an air inlet open- 7 ing, and an induction tube for said resilience chamber, said body member being provided with a bottom adapted to support it in upright position and being of a size to permit convenient grasping thereof in the hand of the operator and ready manipulation thereof closely adjacent an instrument string to be tuned.

6. A tuning device comprising a body member having a resilience chamber having an opening therein, a slotted reed plate mounted on said resilience chamber with its slot in communication with said resilience chamber through the opening thereof, a reed mounted on said reed plate, the said resilience chamber being of such relatively large capacity as to permit free vibration of the reed under substantially varying air pressures within the resilience chamber, the resilience chamber having an air inlet opening, and an induction tube for said resilience chamber.

' NILES, BRYANT.

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