June 17, 1952
Filed Sept. I, 1949
C. R. KILEY
STRINGED USICAL INSTRUMENT
2,600,545
2 SHEETS--SHEET i
June 17, 1952
Filed Sept. i, 1949
C. R. KILEY
STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
2,600,545
2 SHEETS--SHEET 2
Patented June 17, 1952 2,600,545
UNITED
STATES
PATENT
1
This invention relates fo stringed musical in-
struments, especially fo instruments of the type
of the eleetric steel guitar, and more particularly
fo an improved tuning mechanism for such in-
struments.
The utility of the conventional steel guitar, and
other similar stringed instruments used with elec-
trical amplification, fs seriously limited by the fact
that the strings must be adjusted fo a fixed chord
tuning whieh cannot be changed to any appreci-
able extent while the instrument fs being played.
Thus, with such an instrument there fs no satis-
factory means of playing chords or partial chords
other than those eorresponding fo the initial fixed
tuning of the strings. Obviously, the resultant
lack of fiexibiliy and musical range greatly re-
stricts the popularity and adaptability of such
instruments, espeeially for use in orchestras and
other musical groups.
Various tuning devices and tuning changers
have been suggested for use with instruments of
the foregoing character in order to permit rela-
tlvely rapld changes in the string tuning. How-
ever, such of these devices as bave been capable
of meeting musical and playing requirements bave
not been altogether satisfactory both for the
reason that they bave been unduly complicated
in structure and operation and also because they
are often inaccurate and unreliable in execution
of the required changes in tuning. For example,
certain of these prior art devices require elaborate
and bulky systems of interconnected cranks,
levers, and foot pedal arrangements. Further-
more, most of the prior art devices comprise
string-tensioning levers or rollers which are at-
tached fo the ends of the strings, the opposite
ends of the strings being anchored to the instru-
ment, whereby the string tension may be varied
by exerting a greater or lesser pull on the strings
longitudinally thereof. Such devices are gener-
ally unreliable because the levers or rollers which
are attached fo the ends of the strings tend to
wear or become misadjusted with the result that,
they do not always return fo their original posi-
tions and thus the initial fiXed tuning of the
strings is disturbed.
Accordingly, a primary object of my invention
is to provide, in a stringed musical instrument of
the above-mentioned type, novel means for read-
ily effecting frequent and rapid changes in the
tuning of the strings.
A further object of the invention is fo provide,
in a stringed musical instrument of the type de-
scribed, a novel tuning mechanism of relatively
compact and inexpensive construction which can
2,600,545
STRINGED IUSICAL INSTRUMENT
Carrol R. Kiley, Lisle, Ill., assignor to Valco
Ianufacturing Co., Chicago, Ill., a partner-
ship
Application September 1, 1949, Serial No. 113,501
8 Claims. (CI. 84--312)
OFFICE
2
be operated manually fo effect rapid changes
between a plurality of predetermined tuning pat-
terns.
Another object of the invention fs to provide,
5 in a stringed musical instrument of the character
described, a novel tuning mechanism for selec-
tively altering the tension of the strings or pre-
determined groups thereof which fs capable of
accurate adjustment and which, even with re-
] o peated use, does hot tend fo disturb the original
lïxed tuning of the strings.
Other objects and advantages of the invention
will become apparent upon reference fo the sub-
sequent detailed description and the accompany-
] 5 ing drawings, in which: "
lig. 1 is a top plan view of an electric steel
guitar provided with a tuning changer or string
tensioning device comprising one specific embodi-
ment of my invention;
20 Fig. 2 fs an enlarged fragmentary plan view of
the tuning changer ai the right end of the guitar,
as viewed in Fig. 1;
" Fig. 3 fs a fragmentary sectional view taken
along the line 3--3 of Fig. 2;
25 Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken
along the line 4--4 of Fig. 2;
Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are a series of fragmentary
sectional views similar fo Fig. 4 and showing the
positions of the several parts of the tuning
30 changer corresponding to three different prede-
termined tuning patterns; and
lig..8 fs a perspective view of a modiiled form
of an actuating element comprising part of the
tuning changer.
35 Referring now to Figs. 1 fo 4 of the drawings,
the invention fs illustrated by an electric steel
guitar comprising a wood or plastic body 11 which
is provided on its upper surface with a suitably
fretted linger board 12 extending longitudinally
40 thereof in the conventional manner. A plurality
of strings, six being shown in the present case
as indicated ai 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, are ten-
sioned along the body of the instrument extending
over a nut 19 at one end of the linger board 12
45 and connected to a plurality of conventional tun-
ing keys 2 I. The strings are anchored ai their
opposite ends in a tuning changer unit, indicated
generally at 22,-which fs mounted adjacent the
opposite end of the body 11. The unit 22 com-
50 prises a principal feature of the present invention
and-will be described hereinafter in greater de-
rail.
The instrument selected for illustration belng
an electric steel guitar, there fs shown in Fig. 1
55 a hand rest 25 beneath whch fs mounted a su'itable
60055
pickup device (not shown) of any well known
type adapted to transmit the sound vibrations of
the strings to an amplifier and loud speaker unit
which may be connected to the instrument
through an electrical connection 24 at che side
of the body . The pickup device is provided
with suitable volume and tone control means
(hot shown) which are inserted in the pickup cir-
cuit for modifying the volume and tone of the
string vibrations. These controls are adapted to
be operated manually by means of a pair of con-
trol knobs 26 and 27 which are disposed adjacen
the hand test 2. and are readily accessible to the
hand of the player.
Pursuant to the objects of the present invel-
tion, tuning changer or string tensioning means
of an auxiliary character is provided for selec-
tively varying at will the pitch of predetermined
groups or combinations of the strings - to 8.
Such variation in pitch is accomplished by means
of the string tensioning unit 22 which functions
independently of the tuning keys 2 and inde-
pendently of any other string tensioning mecha-
nism with which an instrument of this type may
be equipped.
The tuning changer or string tensioning mecha-
nism 22 comprises a cast one-piece base or frame
having a pair of spaced upright sides 28 and 28
rigidly fastened, as by a pluralitY of screws 3,
to the body of the instrument and having an
integral connecting portion or cross member 82
extending transversely between the sides 28 and
28 at the curer edge of the tuning changer 22.
A fixed bridge 3- extending transversely of thc
strings is detachably secured, as by a pair of
screws .4 (Fig. 3), to the inner ends of the sides
28 and 28. The strings extend across the fixed
bridge 33 in contact with a plurality of comple-
mentary notched portions 36 provided at the
upper edge thereof and thence slope downwardly
toward the rear or curer end of the tuning changer
unit where they are firmly anchored by means of
knotted end portions or suitable enlarged retain-
ing members, such es indicated at.3 (Fig. 4). In
the case of certnin strings, such as strings - and
, the retaining members are received and rigidly
held in a plurality of slots or recesses 38 (Fig. 2)
provided t the curer edge of the cross member 2.
In the cnse of other strings, such as strings , 8,
, and 8, the ends of the strings are anchored
to d]ustable or movable members comprising
part of the tuning changer mechanism and here-
inafter described in greater detail.
For deflecting the strings in order to vary the
tension thereof, a plurality of upright cYlindrical
members or plungers (each being indicated gen-
erally by the letter P and an appropriate sub-
script) are mounted for reciprocable sliding more-
ment relative to the .body , the upper-end of
each of the plungers ha/ing an aperture -8 ex-
tending diametrically therethrough and the lower
end of each plunger being slidably received in a
bore 4 extending downwardly in the body mem-
ber from the bottom of an elongated transverse
recess 42 provided below the tunin changer unit
22. The instrument shown in the drawings by
way oï illustration comprises four such plungers
designated generally as P, P, P, and P .(Fig.
3) to indicate their association and coaction with
strings 4, 8, , .and 8, respectively, the end
portions of the strings extending through the
apertures 39 adjacent the upper ends of the
plungers whereby the strings may be deflected
transversely for varying the tension thereof upon
downward movement or depression of the plung-
4
ers. In the present embodiment of the inven-
tion, plungers are hot provided for the strings
. and 6 and the latter, therefore, retain their
original tension as determined by the tuning
5 keys 2.
For actuating the plungers, a rotatable cam
barrel 4- extends transversely between the up-
right sides 28 and 28 of the tuning changer 22,
one end of the barrel 43 having a shaft portion
l0 44 of reduced diameter journaled in the side
member 28 and the opposite end of the barrel 4-
having a similar shaft portion 4 of reduced
diameter journaled in a bearing sleeve 47 which
is.frictionally retained in .an aperture 48 in the
i5 opposite side member 29. The curer end of the
bearing sleeve 4 is formed with an annular
fiange 48 extending into contact with the side
member 29. An operating handle is secured,
as by a screw 2, to a fiattened end portion -
20 on the shaft portion 48, the fiattened end 3
being received within a corresponding socket 4
in the handle . The exterior of the cam barrel
4. is formed with u plurality of recesses or cut-
away portions and a plurality of integral radially
25 proecting cam surfaces, such as indicated at 8
in Fig. 3, the cam surfaces being selectivelY dis-
tributed over different portions of the barrel 43
for coacting with the upper ends of the plungers
P whereby to depress the latter upon rotation of
0 the handle to engage the cam surfaces with
the plungers. A radially extending pin ? is de-
tachably aflixed to the cam barrel 4- adjacent
the side member 28 for engaging a pair of oppo-
sitely disposed stop members in the form of re-
5 taining pins 8 extending inwardly from the side
wall 29 whereby to limit rotary movement of the
barrel 43 as elïected by the handle .
If will be seen that the tuning changer mecha-
nism may be readily disassembled by removing
0 the screw 2 to detach the handle from the
shaft portion 4, removing the pin from the
barrel 43, and then withdrawing the bearing
sleeve 4 outwardly from the aperture 48. The
cam barrel - may then be withdrawn endwise
5 from the tuning changer through the enlarged
aperture 48.
Because the plungers P are mounted for free
sliding up-and-down movement within the bores
4, it will be seen that the plungers are normally
5O retained in their upper or elevated positions, as
seen for example at P, P, and P, in Fig. 3,
merely by the normal tension of the undeflected
strings. However, when the cam barrel 43 is so
rotated as to bring one or more of the cam sur-
5 faces into coacting engagement with the upper
end of one or more cooperating plungers, for ex-
ample as shown in Fig. 3 where the cam surface
6 is in engagement with the upper end of the
Plunger P, the respective plungers are then de-
60 pressed downwardly thereby deflecting the cor-
responding strings at their defiectable end por-
tions in order to vary the tension threof. Upon
subsequent rotation of the cam barrel.4 to a dif-
ferent rotait position, the cam surface is dis-
65 engaged from the plunger P and the plunger
is then restored to its normal elewated position
by the original flxed tension of the string 4 as
determined by its associated tuning key 2.
For adjusting the normal elevated positions of
7O the plungers relative to the cam barrel 4- and
for retaining the ends of the defiectable strings
4, , , and 8, an elongated pivoted member
or lever, indicated generally at 9, is provided
for each of the plungers P, P, P, .and P8. The
75 levers 9 are formed with generally horizontal
nà portions 81 (Fig. 4) each having an up-
standing projection or bridge portion 8 and an
enlarged aperturë or opening 8 therein through
which the corresponding plungC extends verti-
cally. The ends of the levers 59 are bent up-
wardly and outwardly on either side of the cen-
tral portions 84» as indicated ,a.t 84 and 88 (Fig.
the innermost end 84 of each of the levers 59 be-
ing bifurcated, as ai 87 (Fig. 2). The extremities
of the bifurcated end portions are provided with a
pair of pivot points in the form of knife edges 88
(Fig. 4) which are received in a cooperatini
elongated groove 89 af the upper inner edge of
the fixed bridge 35 whereby the levers 59 are
mounted for pivotal or rocking movernent rela-
tive fo the bridge 55. The strings 94, 95, 7, and
98 extend across the corresponding notches 58 'at
the upper edge of the bridge 55, through the
furcated ends 87 of the levers 59 and through
the apertures 5 in the plungers, and tence
across the upright bridge portions 8 on the cen-
tral portions 8 of the levers 59. The retaining
rnembers 7 at the ends of the strings are each
firmly secured in a keyhole slot 79 provided in
the upwardly bent outer ends 88 of the levers 59. 25
By the above described construction if wfll be
seen that each of the defiectable strings extends
through an aperture 59 in a plunger P which
upon downward movement is adapted fo exert
a vertical pull on the string thereby defiecting 3o
the saine downwardly fo increase the string ten-
sion. As the plunger pis depressed downwardly
in ifs cm'responding bore 4, the associated string
is defiected downwardly by engagement with the
interior of the aperture 59, the string being re- 35
tained af opposite sides of the plunger by means
of the fixed bridge 55 and the bridge portion 82
on the corresponding pivotally mounted lever 59.
An important feature of my invention is the
provision of adjusting means for regulating the
extent of movernent of the plungers by the rotat-
able cam rneans whereby fo vary the tuning
effected by the carns without altering the original
fixed tuning of the strings. To this end, the rear
or outer end 88 of each of the levers 59 is provided 45
with a horizontally extending portion 72 for
actuating the lever 59 fo effect pivotal movement
thereof about the groove 89 in the fixed bridge 55.
An upright adjusting screw, indicated generally
af 75, is provided adjacent the actuating end 72 50
of each of the levers 59 and is threaded into the
cross member $2 for vertical movement relativi
thereto, the lower end of the screw 75 extending
downwardly into an enlarged bore 74 provided
in the body member II below the cross member 55
52. The upper portion of each screw 75 is formed
with a pair of spaced upper and lower shoulders
78 and 77, respectively, with the actuating end
72 of the lever 59 being received between the
shoulders 78 and 77. Above the shoulder 78 is 60
a knurled head or cap 78 for manually moving
the screw 75 upwardly or downwardly whereby
the shoulders 78 or 77 engage the actuating end
72 of the lever 59 fo effect pivotal movement of
the latter. By manipulation of the screw 75, if 65
wfll be seen that the elevation of the outer end
of the lever 59 having the corresponding string
anchored in the keyhole slot 79 therein can bi
reEulated fo more the defiectable portion of the
string upwardly or downwardly, as desired, for 70
coaction of the plunger P carried thereon with
the actuating cam barrel 4, the enlarged aper-
ture 85 providing sufficient clearance to permit
the lever 59 fo pivot relative to the plunger P.
Inasmuch as both the strings and the levers 9
pivot about substantially the same poînt on the
fixed bridge 55, as will be clear from ig. 4, it will
be apparent that such pivotal adjustment of the
levers '59 cannot change or otherwise .effect the
tension of the strings attached
Thus, my invention provides for altering the
tension of the strings by exerting a localized
transverse downward pull on the saine interme-
diate their anchored or rigidly held ends. By
avoiding any change in the positions of the flxed
ends of the strings during operation of the tuning
changer rnechanism, there is no tendency for the
initial fixed tuning of the strings fo be disturbed.
When a plunger Pis restored fo ifs normal ele-
vated position, thi tinsion of the associated
string is uniformly restored fo ifs initial value as
determined by the setting of the appropriate tun-
ing key 2.
Dependent upon the particular arrangement
of the cam surfaces on the cam. barrel 4, the
normal elevated positions of the plungers P may
be adjusted for coaction with the particular cam
surfaces by rnanipu]ation of the screws fo
effect pivotal movement of the levers 59. As
hereinbefore described, pivotal movement of the
levers 59 will also effect pivotal rnovement of the
end portions of the strings anchored therein
without changing the original fixed tension of
the strings as determined by the tuning keys 29
because of the common pivot points of the knife
edges 88 and the strings on the fixed bridge 55.
As the defiectable end portions of the strings ari
thus pivoted upwardly or downwardly upon ad-
justrnent of the screws 75, the plungers P carried
on the strings will be moved away from or toward
the cam surfaces on the barrel 45 by the tension
of the strings. Thus, the extent of movement
of the respective plungers by the cams may be
adjusted fo vary the tuning effected by the cams
without altering the original tuning of the
strings.
In the form of the invention shown in the
drawings, the tuning changer may bi opirated
fo obtain any one of three different tuning pat-
terns corresponding fo three predeterrnined posi-
tions of the cam barrel 4 and the plungers P
actuated thereby.
Referring now fo Figs. 5, 6, and 7, a series of
fragmentary sectiona.1 views are shown to illus-
trate the positions on each of the plungers Px,
P», P, and P8 in the three different tuning
patterns corresponding fo the three positions of
the handle. Thus, in Fig. 5 with the handle
in ifs upright or center position, if will be seen
that plunger P is depressed by engagement at
ifs upper end with a coacting cam surface on the
barrel 45 whereby fo deflect and increase the
tension of the string 4, the string being retained
on one side of the plunger P by the fixed bridge
55 and on the other side thereof by the upright
bridge portion 82 on the lever 59. In this posi-
tion of the handle 5 the cutaway or recessed por-
tions on the.cam barrel 45 are so oriented that
each of the plungers P», P, and P8 remain in
their normal undepressed positions. In Fig. 6,
the handle 59 is in ifs rearward or extreme
right-hand position and the cam surfaces on the
barrel 45 are so positioned as fo depress the
plungers P, p5, and P8 whereby fo increase
tension of the corresponding strings 4, 95, and
99. The plunger P remains in ifs normal ele-
vated position with the string
original fixed tension. In ig. 7 the opposite or
forward position of the handle 59 is illustrated
and in this case only the plunger P is depressed
2,600;545
7
by means of a coacting cam surface on the
barrel 43.
It will be understood that numerous variations
of the above described tuning patterns may be
obtained by means of the tuning changer com-
prising my invention. For example, by varying
the extent, the distribution, and the number of
radially projecting cam surfaces on the cam
barrel 4a, different combinations or predeter-
mined groups of strings may be subjected to
creased tension corresponding to certain angular
or rotary positions of the barrel 43. Further-
more, the number of plungers P employed in
any given instrument may be varied in order .to
increase or decrease the number of possible
changes in the tuning pattern. In addition, it
will be evident that the normal elevated posi-
tions of the plungers P may be individually ad-
justed by means of the adjusting screws 73 and
the pivotally mounted levers 59 in order to con-
trol the extent of the camming action between
the cam.surïaces and the plungers and thereby
regulating the degree of deflection imparted to
the strings.
In Fig. 8 there is shown amodifled form of the
cam barrel comprising a multiple-part construc-
tion rather than the integral one-piece construc-
tion illustrated at 43 in Figs. 1 to 7. In this
form of the cam barrel, a shaft or axle, indicated
generally at 8, is provided having a central por-
tion 82 of square cross-section and end portions
83 and 84 of circular cross section ïor journaling
the shaft 8! in the tuning changer mechanism.
A plurality of separate cam elements and spacer
members having square openings corresponding
to the cross-sectional shape of the central portion
82 .of the shaft 8! are fitted on the shaft and
arranged thereon in any desired distribution.
For example, in the arrangement shown in Fig.
3, the shaft 8! is provided with two single throw
cam elements 88 and 87 extending in diametri-
cally opposite directions ïrom the shaft 8!. In
addition, there is provided a double throw cam
elementSS adapted fo effect camming action in
directly opposite rotary positions of the shaft 8!.
A modifled double throw cam element $9 of seg-
mental configuration is also disposed on the
shaft_8! for effecting camming action in succes-
sive or adjacent rotary positions of the shaft 8!.
A plurality of square spacer elements 9! are dis-
_osed between the several cam elements as re-
quired to obtain the desired spacing thereoï and
to retain the same in assembled position. It will
be seen that this modification of the cam barrel
construction permits even greater flexibility in
thenumber of available cam actions for effecting
different changes of the tuning pattern of the
instrument.
The string-tensioning mechanism herein de-
scribed is a compact device of relàtively simple
construction which is adapted tobe installed on
existing stringed instruments as well as in new
and specially designed instruments. Because
the string-defiecting members or plungers en-
gage the strings transversely intermediate the
anchored ends thereof, the disadvantages in-
herent in certain oï the prior art devices are
completely avoided. By means of my device the
end portions of the strings are retained in fixed
position at all rimes, once the basic or initial
tuning of the strings is established and there is,
therefore, no tendency for the initial fixed tun-
ing of the strings tobe disturbed by use of the
tuning changer. Furthermore, all cumbersome
ïoot pedal arrangements and the like bave been
eliminated in my invention and rapid tuning
changes may be executed by means of a simple
hand lever located conveniently to the playing
area and readily accessible to the hand of the
5 player. The nature of my string-tensioning
mechanism is such that innumerable variations
in range and flexibility of the device may be
achieved dependent upon the design of the cam
barrel and also dependent upon the individual
10 adjustments of each of the plungers relative te
the actuating portions of the cam barrel.
Although the invention bas been described in
cormection with one particular embodiment
thereof, it will be understood that various modi-
15 flcations and equivalent structures maY be re-
sorted to without departing from the scope of the
invention.as defined in the appended claires.
I claire:
1. In a stringed musical instrument having a
20 plurality of strings tensioned thereon, means for
selectively varying the pitch of said strings com-
prising a plurality of reciprocable string-deflect-
ing members operatively attached to the strings
intermediate the ends thereof, cam means for
25 actuating said members to vary the tension of
the strings by transversely deflecting the saine in
response to movement of said cam means, lever
means pivotally mounted adjacent each of said
members and having the end portions of the
30 strings anchored thereon, and means for ad-
justing the pivotal positions of said lever means
whereby fo more the end portions of the strings
and their attached string-deflecting members
away from and toward said cam means.
35 2. In a stringed musical instrument having a
plurality of strings tensioned thereon, a fixed
bridge having the strings extending across and
beyond the bridge, a plurality of members
tached fo the respective strings beyond the
40 bridge and movable transversely of the strings,
the tension of the strings tending to hold said
membeïs in a predetermined position, cam
means for moving sMd members away from said
position to vary the tension of the strings, and
5 a plurality oï levers swingable about said bridge
to vary the position of the portions of the strings
beyond said bridge and the predetermined po-
sitions of sad members, the tension oï the
strings remaining constant during the swinging
5O movement of said levers.
3. In a stringed muMcal instrmnent having a
i:luïali,y of sl.ring's tensioned thereon, means for
selecçiveiy vrying tte pitch of said strings com-
>ïising a :.:eà br*dge having the s.r!ngs extend-
55 h'_,g th.rea.rcse, a plurality of elongated levers
extending !ongituàinally of the strings, each of
naid !evers 1:eing pivota)ly engaged at one end
theï'eof with said fixed bridge and eaeh having
a string anehm'ed to the lever at the other end
60 thereof, a plurality of serJng-defiecting members
each being slidably mounted adjacent one of said
levers and operably connected to the associated
string ai a defiectable portion thereof interme-
diate the ends of the lever, and cam means di-
65 rectly engageable with said stïing-deflecting
members for moving the latter transversely of
t.he strings whereby to alter the string tension,
said levers being _iiot!ly adjustable for moving
the defiectsb!e portions of the strings and the
70 sçring-defiecting, members connected .thereto
',way from and toward said cam means.
4.-In a s[ringed musical instrument having a
plura!ity, oî stïings tensioned thereon, means for
selectively varying the pitch of said strings com-
a5 prising a fixed bridge havin the strings extend-
9,600,45
9
ing thereacross, a plurality of elongated levers
extending longitudinally of the strings and each
pivotally engaged atone end thereof on said
fixed bridge and having end portions of the
strings anchored thereon, a purality of recipro-
,able upright string-deflecting members each
slidably disposed adjacent one of said levers and
having op.erably attached thereto the associated
strmg Intermediate the ends thereof, rotatable
cam means directly engageable with said string-
deflecting members fer depressing the latter
whereby te alter the tension of the strings, and
means for adjusting the pivetal positions of said
levers whereby te more the end portions of the
strinis and their attached string-defiecting mem-
bers away fiera and toward said cam means, eactl
of said levers and its asseciated string pivoting
about substantially the same point on said flxed
bridge whereby the tension
mains unchanged during pivetal adjustment of
the levers.
5. In a stringed musical instrument having a
plurality of strings tensioned thereon, means for
selectively varying the pitch of said strings com-
prsing a fixed bridge having the strings ex-
tending thereacross, a plurality of elongated
levers extending longitudinally of the strings
each being pivotally engaged atone end on said
flxed bridge and each having one of said strings
anchored thereon beyond said fixed bridge, each
of said levers having an enlarged aperture inter-
mediate the ends thereof, a plurality of upright
reciprocable string-defiecting members each ex-
tending through the aperture in one of said levers
and being operably cmmected adjacent ifs upper
end te the associated string, and rotatable cam
means directly engageable with the upper ends of
said string-deflecting members for depressing the
latter whereby fo alter the tension of the strings,
the enlarged apertures in said ]eveis permitting
pivotal movement of said levers relative to said
fixed bridge whereby fo more the end portions of
the strings and the string-deflecting members
connected thereto away from and teward said
cam means.
6. In a stringed musical instrument having a
plurality of strings tensioned thereon, means for
selectively varying the pitch of said strings com-
prising a plurality of reciprocable tpright string-
10
deflecting members' operably attached to the
strings intermediate the ends of the latter, rotat-
able cam means dilectiy engageable with said
string-defiecting members for depressing the lat-
5 ter whereby fo alter the tension of t»e strings, a
plurality of e!ongated levers each being pivogally
mounted adjacent one of said string-deflecting
members and having an end portion of one of
said strings anchored thereon, said levers each
10 having a rearwardiy extending actuating por-
tion for effecing pivotal movement of the lever,
and a plura]ity of adjusting screws in operative
engagement with the rearwardly extending por-
tions of said levers for adjusting the pivotal posi-
]5 tion of the latter.
7. In a strged musical instrument having a
plurality of strings tensioned theçeon, means for
selectively varying the pitch of the strings com-
prising a fixed bridge having the strings extend-
2o ing thereacross, a plurality of movable an,hot
members each having the end portion of a string
anchored thereon beyond said bridge, a plurality
of string-defiecting members operbly connected
to the strings intermediate said bridge and said
25 anchor membeis and movable transversely of the
strings, cam means or actuating said string-
defiecting members to vary the tensim] of the
strings by transversely defiecting the saine, and
adjusting means coacting with each of said
30 chor members for moving the anchored end por-
tions of the strings pivotally about the bridge
away from and toward said cam means.
8. ïhe device of claire 7 furth.er characterized
in that said cam means comprises a rotatable
5 cam shaft extending across the strings and a plu-
rality of radial cam members detachably mount-
ed on said shaft for engagement with said string-
deflecting members.
CAIIOL R.. KILEY.
40
REFERENCES CITED
The following references are of record in the
file of this patent:
UNITED STATES PATENTS
Number Naine Date
2,323,969 Biederman ......... July 13, 1943
2,459,103 Adair .............. Jan. 11, 1949
2,519,824 Cousineau ......... Aug. 22, 1950
