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The disclosure relates to stretching devices and more particularly pertains to a new stretching device for stretching instrument strings during the manufacturing process. The device includes a curved panel that has a plurality of channels that extend longitudinally through the curved panel for receiving instrument strings. The device includes a stretching unit that is aligned with the curved panel and a clamping unit that is attached to the stretching unit. The clamping unit grips each of the instrument strings that have been extended through the channels in the curved panel. The stretching unit lifts the clamping unit to stretch the instrument strings in the channels.
The prior art relates to stretching devices including a racket stringing machine that includes a cam, a pivot arm attached to the cam and a gripping claw attached to the arm such that the gripping claw travels along an arc when the cam is rotated. The prior art discloses a method of conditioning a racquet string that includes spool that engages a length of string that is wound around a supply drum. The prior art discloses a restringing device that includes a guide chuck and a pair of mandrils. The prior art discloses a string stretching device that includes a pair of cylindrical members that are positionable between a instrument string and a fret board of a guitar. The prior art discloses a string stretching device that includes a clamp which engages a string and an actuator that engages the string to stretch the string between the actuator and the clamp. The prior art discloses a tension measuring device that includes a track, a clamp disposed in the track and a pulling unit movably disposed in the track for stretching a string between the clamp and the pulling unit.
An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a curved panel that has a plurality of channels each extending through the curved panel. A plurality of instrument strings can be inserted into a respective one of the channels having each of the instrument strings extending outwardly through the respective channel. A stretching unit is aligned with each of the plurality of channels in the curved panel and the stretching unit is actuatable into a lifting condition or a lowering condition. A clamping unit is attached to the stretching unit to grip each of the plurality of instrument strings. The stretching unit lifts the clamping unit upwardly thereby stretching the instrument strings along the plurality of channels in the curved panel.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.
The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to
As best illustrated in
The curved panel 12 has a first end 22, a second end 24 and an outer surface 26 extending between the first end 22 and the second end 24 and the outer surface 26 has a top side 28 and a bottom side 30. The top side 28 is concavely arcuate between the first end 22 and the second end 24 such that the curved panel 12 defines a U-shape. The bottom side 30 is co-arcuate with the top side 28 and each of the plurality of channels 14 is positioned between the top side 28 and the bottom side 30. The entry 16 of each of the channels 14 extends through the first end 22 of the panel and the exit 18 of each of the channels 14 extends through the second end 24 of the panel.
Each of the channels 14 has a bounding surface 32 and the bounding surface 32 of each of the channels 14 has a first section 34 and a second section 36. The first section 34 of the bounding surface 32 of each of the plurality of channels 14 extends from the first end 22 toward the second end 24. The second section 36 of the bounding surface 32 of each of the plurality of channels 14 extends between the first section 34 and the second end 24 of the curved panel 12. Furthermore, the first section 34 of the bounding surface 32 of each of the plurality of channels 14 tapers inwardly between the first end 22 of the curved panel 12 and the second section 36 of the bounding surface 32 of a respective one of the plurality of channels 14. Thus, the first section 34 associated with each of the channels 14 has a conical shape thereby enhancing a ball end 38 of each of the instrument strings 20 to pass into the entry 16 of the respective channel 14.
A pair of pivots 40 is each coupled to and extends downwardly from the bottom side 30 of the outer surface 26 of the curved panel 12. Each of the pivots 40 is centrally positioned between the first end 22 and the second end 24 of the curved panel 12. Additionally, each of the pivots 40 is aligned with a line extending between a first lateral side 42 and a second lateral side 44 of the curved panel 12.
A roller unit 46 is rotatably integrated into the curved panel 12 and the roller unit 46 is positioned adjacent to the entry 16 of the plurality of channels 14. The roller unit 46 engages each of the plurality of instrument strings 20 as each of the plurality of instrument strings 20 passes into the entry 16 of the respective channel 14. The roller unit 46 urges the plurality of instrument strings 20 to travel through the respective channel 14 and outwardly through the exit 18 of the respective channel 14. The roller unit 46 comprises a roller motor 48 that is mounted to the curved panel 12 and the roller motor 48 has an output shaft 50 extending laterally across the top side 28 of the outer surface 26 of the curved panel 12. Additionally, the output shaft 50 is located adjacent to the first end 22 of the curved panel 12 and the roller motor 48 may comprise an electric motor or the like.
The roller unit 46 includes a plurality of rollers 52 and each of the plurality of rollers 52 is attached to the output shaft 50. The rollers 52 are spaced apart from each other and are evenly distributed along the output shaft 50. Each of the rollers 52 extends through the top side 28 of the outer surface 26 of the curved panel 12 such that each of the rollers 52 extends into a respective one of the channels 14. Moreover, an outside surface 54 of each of the rollers 52 frictionally engages the instrument string 20 in the respective channel 14 such that each of the rollers 52 urges the instrument string 20 in the respective channel 14 to travel through the respective channel 14 when the roller motor 48 is turned on.
A base 56 is positioned on a support surface 58 in the instrument string manufacturing facility and the base 56 has a top side 28. A pivot unit 60 is attached to the base 56 and the curved panel 12 is attached to the pivot unit 60 such that the curved panel 12 is spaced from the base 56. The pivot unit 60 pivots the curved panel 12 between a first position and a second position. The pivot unit 60 comprises a member 62 that is coupled to and extends upwardly from the top side 28 of the base 56. The member 62 has an upper end 64 that is pivotally attached to a respective one of the pivots 40 on the bottom side 30 of the outer surface 26 of the curved panel 12 such that the curved panel 12 is pivotally attached to the member 62.
The pivot unit 60 includes a pivot housing 66 that is coupled to and extends upwardly from the top side 28 of the base 56. The pivot housing 66 has a top end 68 and the pivot housing 66 has a lobe 70 extending upwardly from the top end 68. The lobe 70 receives a respective one of the pivots 40 on the bottom side 30 of the outer surface 26 of the curved panel 12. The pivot unit 60 includes a pivot motor 72 that is positioned within the pivot housing 66. The pivot motor 72 rotates in a first direction or a second direction when the pivot motor 72 is turned on and the pivot motor 72 has an output shaft 73. The pivot motor 72 may comprise a two direction electric motor or the like.
The pivot unit 60 includes a series of gears 74 that is each rotatably disposed within the pivot housing 66. The output shaft 73 of the pivot motor 72 is engaged to a respective one of the series of gears 74 thereby facilitating the pivot motor 72 to rotate the series of gears 74 when the pivot motor 72 is turned on. A respective one of the series of gears 74 is positioned in the lobe 70 and the respective gear 74 that is positioned in the lobe 70 engages the pivot 40 associated with the curved panel 12 that is positioned in the lobe 70. The curved panel 12 is pivoted into the first position when the pivot motor 72 rotates in the first direction and the curved panel 12 is pivoted into the second position when the pivot motor 72 rotates in the second direction.
A stretching unit 76 is attached to the base 56 such that the stretching unit 76 is vertically oriented on the base 56. The stretching unit 76 is aligned with the exit 18 of each of the plurality of channels 14 in the curved panel 12. Additionally, the stretching unit 76 is actuatable into a lifting condition or a lowering condition. The stretching unit 76 comprises a pair of stanchions 78 that is each coupled to and extends upwardly from the top side 28 of the base 56. Each of the stanchions 78 is positioned on opposite sides of the curved panel 12 with respect to each other and each of the stanchions 78 is positioned adjacent to the second end 24 of the curved panel 12. The stretching unit 76 includes a top member 80 that is coupled to a top end 82 of each of the stanchions 78 such that the top member 80 extends between the pair of stanchions 78.
The stretching unit 76 includes a hydraulic reservoir 84 that is attached to the top member 80 and the hydraulic reservoir 84 contains a hydraulic fluid 86. The stretching unit 76 includes a hydraulic pump 88 that is attached to the top member 80. The hydraulic pump 88 is fluidly coupled to the hydraulic reservoir 84 such that the hydraulic pump 88 receives the hydraulic fluid 86 from the hydraulic reservoir 84. Furthermore, the hydraulic pump 88 may comprise an electric fluid pump commonly associated with hydraulic systems.
The stretching unit 76 includes a pair of hydraulic pistons 90 and each of the hydraulic pistons 90 is coupled to and extends downwardly from the top member 80. Each of the hydraulic pistons 90 is fluidly coupled to the hydraulic pump 88 such that each of the hydraulic pistons 90 receives the hydraulic fluid 86 from the hydraulic pump 88. Additionally, each of the hydraulic pistons 90 is lengthened when hydraulic pump 88 is actuated to pump the hydraulic fluid 86 into the hydraulic pistons 90. Each of the hydraulic pistons 90 is shortened when the hydraulic pump 88 is actuated to pump the hydraulic fluid 86 out of the hydraulic pistons 90.
A clamping unit 92 is attached to the stretching unit 76 such that the clamping unit 92 is aligned with the exit 18 of each of the channels 14 in the curved panel 12. The clamping unit 92 grips the ball end 38 of each of the plurality of instrument strings 20. The stretching unit 76 lifts the clamping unit 92 upwardly when the clamping unit 92 grips the ball end 38 of the instrument strings 20 and the stretching unit 76 is actuated into the lifting condition. In way the instrument strings 20 are stretched along the plurality of channels 14 in the curved panel 12. Furthermore, the curved panel 12 facilitates stretching force of the stretching unit 76 to be evenly distributed over a full length of the instrument strings 20 thereby increasing performance of the instrument strings 20 with respect to staying in tune when the instrument strings 20 are installed on a guitar. In this way the process of stretching instrument strings 20 is improved with respect to the current method of stretching guitar stings in a linear fashion which can often result in tension being unevenly distributed along the instrument strings 20.
The clamping unit 92 comprises a block 94 that has an upper side 96 and a lower side 98. The block 94 has a pair of pivots 100 each disposed on the upper side 96. Each of the pivots 100 on the upper side 96 is pivotally attached to a lower end 102 of a respective one of the hydraulic pistons 90. A plurality of clamps 104 is each disposed on the lower side 98 of the block 94 and each of the clamps 104 has a front surface 106, a back surface 108 and a distal end 110 with respect to the lower side 98 of the block 94. Each of the clamps 104 has a first hole 112 extending through the front surface 106 and the back surface 108 and each of the clamps 104 has a second hole 114 extending through the front surface 106 and the back surface 108. The first hole 112 in each of the clamps 104 is spaced from the lower side 98 of the block 94 and the second hole 114 in each of the clamps 104 is spaced from the first hole 112. Furthermore, the first hole 112 in each of the clamps 104 has a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the second hole 114 in each of the clamps 104.
Each of the clamps 104 has a slot 116 extending through the front surface 106 and the back surface 108 and the slot 116 in each of the clamps 104 extends through the first hole 112 and the second hole 114 and the distal end 110. In this way the first hole 112 in each of the clamps 104 can insertably receive the ball end 38 of a respective one of the instrument strings 20 having the respective instrument string 20 being positioned in the slot 116. Thus, the ball end 38 of the respective instrument string 20 can be secured in the respective clamp 104 when the hydraulic pistons 90 lift the block 94 to facilitate the instrument strings 20 to be stretched.
A control unit 118 is positioned in the pivot housing 66 and the control unit 118 is electrically coupled to the roller motor 48, the pivot motor 72 and the hydraulic pump 88. The control unit 118 is electrically coupled to a power source 120 comprising an electrical system of the instrument string manufacturing facility. Additionally, the control unit 118 is electrically coupled to the various machines in the instrument string manufacturing facility. In this way the roller motor 48, the pivot motor 72 and the hydraulic pump 88 can be operated in conjunction with the various machines in the instrument string manufacturing facility. Thus, the process of stretching the instrument strings 20 can be integrated into the automated process of manufacturing the instrument strings 20.
In use, the roller unit 46 is turned on the when plurality of instrument strings 20 are inserted into the entry 16 of the channels 14 thereby facilitating the instrument strings 20 to travel fully through the channels 14. The ball end 38 of each of the instrument strings 20 is positioned in the first hole 112 in each of the clamps 104 and the stretching unit 76 is actuated into the lifting condition to stretch the instrument strings 20. In this way the instrument strings 20 are stretched along the curvature of the channels 14 thereby facilitating the tension in the instrument strings 20 to be evenly distributed along the instrument strings 20. Furthermore, the stretching unit 76 applies a pre-determined force on the instrument strings 20 that has been determined to be the optimal force for stretching the instrument strings 20. The stretching 76 unit is actuated into the lowering condition to facilitate the ball end 38 of the instrument strings 20 to be released from the clamps 104 and the pivot unit 60 pivots the curved panel 12 in the second position to facilitate the instrument strings 20 to be removed from the curved panel 12 for packaging.
The process of hand stretching instrument strings 20 when they are installed on a stringed instrument generally involves pulling the instrument strings 20 upwardly along the neck of the stringed instrument. This process of manually lifting the instrument strings 20 can cause damage to parts of the stringed instrument, including but not being limited to, the bridge, the bridge plate, bridge pins and top braces. The process of stretching the instrument strings 20 during the manufacturing process as is described in the application eliminates the need for the instrument strings 20 to be hand stretched once they are installed on the stringed instrument. In this way the potential damage to the stringed instrument that can result from hand stretching the instrument strings 20 is eliminated. Furthermore, the instrument strings 20 can potentially vibrate approximately 25.0 percent more than they would otherwise, thereby enhancing the resonant performance of the stringed instrument as well as facilitating the instrument strings 20 to stay in tune. Furthermore, the manufacturing process might involve heating the instrument strings 20 prior to being stretched in the curved panel 12 to impart a memory into the instrument strings 20 thereby inhibiting the instrument strings 20 from shrinking prior to being installed on the stringed instrument.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.
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