The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 01, 1990
Filed:
Mar. 20, 1989
Harold A Conklin, Jr, Dunedin, FL (US);
Other;
Abstract
Tuning pins that provide adjustable torque, mount directly onto the string plate of a piano, and require no wrest plank. The pins have threaded cores that resemble conventional tuning pins except for coarser threads, and have coaxial collars intermediate their length. Torque is adjusted with a locknut that is also used to mount the pin. Torque is developed by lubricated friction interfaces. Each lubricated friction interface comprises a stationary friction element, a friction element that turns with the pin, and a film of lubricant material between the two. The lubricant material may be hydrodynamic fluid or solid. One or more compliance elements, assembled onto the core, provide compensation for wear and vernier adjustment of torque. In the preferred embodiments the compliance elements are Belleville type spring washers that also act as friction elements. Cores can be made with integral collars, or the collars can be separate parts that are secured to the core. Cores can be made by re-threading conventional tuning pins.