Patent ID: 8492627
Filing Date: 2013-07-23
Classification: G10D

Abstract:
1. An automatic string musical instrument pick system comprising: (a) an instrument body having a fretboard comprising a plurality of electrically common and electrically conductive frets spaced along said fretboard; (b) one or more electrically isolated and electrically conductive vibratory strings disposed on said instrument body in a laterally spaced relationship and held in tension over and in close proximity to said plurality of said frets; (c) a picking means for each of said strings, said picking means comprising an actuating assembly powered by a power supply with a current restricted to a level safe for human contact, wherein said actuating assembly and said power supply are electrically connected to said one or more electrically isolated and electrically conductive vibratory strings; (d) a solenoid having a core and a return spring, wherein when said solenoid is energized, said core is disposed in a retracted position and when said solenoid is de-energized, said return spring returns said core to an extended position; (e) a plectrum wheel having a plurality of teeth symmetrically and angularly disposed about a periphery of said plectrum wheel, wherein each tooth comprises a tip; (f) a shuttle fixedly attached to said core; (g) a striker having a elongated tip; and (h) a plectrum wheel support, wherein said plectrum wheel support is fixedly disposed with respect to said solenoid, said plectrum wheel is configured to rotate about said plectrum wheel support and wherein when said solenoid is energized, said elongated tip of said striker comes in contacting engagement with a tooth of said plectrum wheel, thereby causing said plectrum wheel to rotate by an angle of rotation corresponding to one tooth and when said solenoid is de-energized, said shuttle extends such that said elongated tip of said striker contacts an adjacent tooth of said tooth of said plectrum wheel and deflects to clear said adjacent tooth and one of said plurality of plectrum wheel teeth contacts, pulls and releases a vibratory string as said plectrum wheel completes an angle of rotation corresponding to one tooth, thereby causing said vibratory string to vibrate.