Abstract:
An accessory for attachment to a stringed musical instrument that mechanically limits depth of picking action by providing interference to the finger, fingernail, or pick. A plate or “anvil” either flexible or rigid, is adjustably positioned beneath the strings to intercept and arrest a picking element. In a first embodiment, picking depth is roughly controlled my manually forcing the anvil up and down on a flanged support post. In a second embodiment, picking depth may be finely controlled by a knurled thumbwheel or similar mechanism on the anvil support posts. The flexibility of the plate provides a shock absorber, thereby creating a realistic feel to the player. The flexible plate assures both limitation of depth of picking action, and also renders picking action consistent as to depth.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention pertains to stringed musical instruments and, more particularly, to an accessory for controlling picking depth of stringed instruments. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Stringed musical instruments, for example guitars and mandolins, etc. may be played by picking or plucking the strings by hand. Individual strings or groups of strings may be engaged by a finger, by a fingernail, or by a hand held pick. It will be appreciated that picking can be performed at a fairly fast pace, in terms of how many times per second a string, either one string or alternatively several different strings are to be plucked. Control over picking, where this applies to how any one string is engaged, moved, and released, has a significant influence over sounds resulting from the plucked string or strings as well as the amount of force required to move the picking finger, fingernail, or pick, from one string and on to the next. 
     Alternatively stated, quality of picking can result in desirable auditory results or in impaired auditory results. 
     One relatively significant variable in picking or plucking a string is the depth relative to the outer surface of the string being picked or plucked. As used herein, the term depth is used to denote that direction extending from above the face of an instrument, moving towards the strings and then past the strings towards the body of the instrument. This direction is typically substantially perpendicular to the planar face of the instrument, (i.e., the planar face located immediately beneath and facing the strings). 
     Lack of effective control of depth of picking can introduce distortions to the flow of the picking motion itself consequently altering the intended auditory result of playing. Timing and variation in lateral movement, (i.e., the mechanics) of the plucking element can all adversely affect the auditory result of playing. Consequently, a musician plucking a stringed instrument must concentrate on his or her picking action. If the musician is distracted by variations in the amount of force required to effectively/optimally strike the string, the auditory result of the picking may become less than satisfactory. 
     Therefore, there exists a need for assisting a musician in controlling picking action when picking strings of a musical instrument, particularly as control relates to depth of picking. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention there is provided an accessory for attachment to a stringed musical instrument that mechanically limits depth of picking action by providing interference to the finger, fingernail, or pick. A flexible plate or “anvil” is adjustably positioned beneath the strings to intercept and arrest a picking element. 
     In a first embodiment, picking depth is roughly controlled my manually forcing the anvil up and down on a flanged support post. 
     In a second embodiment, picking depth may be finely controlled by a knurled thumbwheel or similar mechanism on the anvil support posts. 
     The flexibility of the plate provides a shock absorber, thereby creating a realistic feel to the player. The flexible plate assures both limitation of depth of picking action, and also renders picking action consistent as to depth. However, it is possible that some players may prefer an inflexible, rigid plate. 
     Limiting depth of picking action overcomes the necessity of concentrating on consciously limiting picking depth, which in turn allows for more concentration on other aspects of playing the instrument. Also, reducing the travel of the picking element in the direction of depth causes more consistent controllable action in picking. In addition, unintended contact of the hand of the musician with the strings or other parts of the instrument is reduced when picking depth is limited. 
     A certain measure of psychological reassurance is provided as the problem of excessively deep picking is substantially overcome. Both accuracy and speed of picking may then be increased by either conscious or unconscious effort. The musician&#39;s ability is thereby enhanced. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the plate may be either roughly or finely adjustable as to its location between the strings and the face of the body of the instrument in that it may be positioned closer to the strings or closer to the face of the instrument as desired. This allows a user to selectively control both sonic and tactile elements of his or her playing. 
     Other benefits arising from the invention include safety, especially for children or others with slender fingers. Steel strings often utilized on musical instruments are typically thin and under high tension. Consequently, they may present a hazard. The invention limits the depth that a child&#39;s finger may travel below the plane of the strings thereby eliminating or minimizing cuts, scrapes, and/or blisters on the fingers of the picking hand caused by the taut steel strings. 
     Another benefit of the invention is that it provides a mechanical version of a compressor/limiter by facilitating constant attacks upon the instrument&#39;s strings. This may reduce the need for electronic compression or limiting and thereby reduce the electronic artifacts typically associated therewith. 
     It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a device for facilitating control of the picking of a stringed musical instrument. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a device for facilitating control of the picking of a stringed musical instrument whereby picking depth may be controlled. 
     It is an additional object of the invention to provide a device for facilitating control of the picking of a stringed musical instrument by providing either a rigid or flexible plate or anvil that intercepts and arrests the travel of a pick in a direction substantially perpendicular to the upper face of the stringed instrument. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a device for facilitating control of the picking of a stringed musical instrument wherein an anvil is height adjustable with respect to the upper face and strings of the instrument. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top plan, schematic view of a stringed instrument having the picking depth control device in accordance with the invention installed thereupon; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational, schematic view of a first embodiment of a mounting leg forming a portion of the anvil in accordance with the invention; 
         FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  are top plan, schematic views of a first and a second embodiment, respectively, of a plate forming a portion of the anvil in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 3   c  is a side elevational, schematic view of a third embodiment of a plate forming a portion of the anvil in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged, detailed, side elevational, schematic view of a portion of the musical instrument of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  are side elevational and top plan schematic views, respectively, of a second embodiment of an adjustable support leg for the anvil in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention provides a plate or anvil, typically flexible, adapted for adjustable height mounting on the soundboard of a stringed musical instrument such as a guitar beneath the instrument&#39;s strings. As solid body instruments do not include a soundboard per se, as used herein the term soundboard is meant to include the upper surface of a solid body instrument. In alternate embodiments, a rigid plate may be substituted to suite tastes of certain players. As used herein, the term flexible plate may have the term rigid plate substituted therefor. The anvil of the invention serves to control the depth of a pick when picking one or more strings of the instrument. Let x represent an ideal amount of force required to optimally pluck a string. Without the anvil in accordance with the invention, a guitarist might haphazardly encounter X for the first note, then X+3 for the next note, then maybe X−2, then X+2, resulting in inconsistent and possibly impaired attack on the strings. However with the anvil providing a more consistent string resistance, the guitarist may pluck each string with optimal X, X, X, X, force. The consistency provided by the novel anvil makes the instrument easier to play. It may also create a natural “compressor/limiter” wherein sound levels produced are more consistent. Electronic compressors/limiters are commonly used to amplify soft notes and attenuate loud notes being played. 
     Referring first to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a top plan view of a typical musical instrument  100  having the flexible or rigid plate  110  forming an anvil  108  of the invention secured upon the soundboard thereof. While a guitar has been shown for purposes of disclosure, it will be recognized that anvil  108  may be sized and configured for use with any other stringed musical instrument. Consequently, the invention is not limited to the guitar chosen for purposes of disclosure. 
     Stringed musical instrument  100  has a body  102 , a neck  104 , and strings  106 , the combined length of body  102  and neck having a cumulative length sufficient to accommodate the length of strings  106 . Stringed musical instrument  100  has a major axis, not specifically identified, parallel to strings  106  and a width extending in a direction perpendicular to the major axis. Strings  106  are typically coplanar and lie in a plane spaced apart from and substantially parallel to soundboard  120 . 
     An anvil  108  is shown disposed on face surface (i.e., soundboard)  120 . Stringed musical instrument  100  is of the type wherein the strings  106  are attached thereto for generating musical tones. The stringed instrument  100  may be an electrically amplified guitar for example, wherein the strings  106  are fixed at one end to a saddle  112 , and at the other end to the headstock  114  of the stringed musical instrument  100 . The strings  106  typically extend from saddle  112  along a soundboard  120  of the body  102  and neck  104  to headstock  114  spaced apart from one another and from soundboard  120  and neck  104 . Strings  106  are typically coplanar. 
     The neck  104  is generally connected to and typically extends from the body  102 . The headstock  114  may have conventional apparatus, not specifically identified, (e.g., tuning pegs  116 , tuning keys, not shown, etc. for selectively tightening each one of the strings  106  for tuning purposes. 
     An electrical pickup, shown schematically at reference number  118 , optionally may be provided to acquire energy signals by strings  106 . Pickups  118  are believed to be well known, and are often affixed directly to the sound board  120  of a musical instrument such as musical instrument  100 . The pickup(s)  118  act as transducers that capture mechanical vibrations from strings  106  and convert them to an electrical signal, not shown, which can be amplified and/or recorded. 
     Anvil  108  comprises a thin, substantially rectangular plate  110  that is mounted on soundboard  120  of the body  102 , located between the soundboard  120  and the strings  106  spaced apart on legs in relation to both. Anvil  108  limits depth of picking action in the direction extending towards the body  102  of the stringed instrument  100 . That is, fingers, fingernails, or a hand held pick (not shown) which engage the strings  106  when picking are intercepted and prevented from moving past anvil  108  in the direction of soundboard by anvil  108  (i.e., vertically along the Z-axis). 
     It is conceivable that a guitarist could obtain a depth-limiting effect by deliberately or accidentally picking over the upper surface of a pickup  118 . However, pickups  118  typically have a width generally only slightly wider than the collective width of strings  106 . In addition, if the pick or finger nail of the player&#39;s hand were to contact the transducer, spurious noise could be generated that would interfere with the musical sounds being picked up. Additionally, many pickups don&#39;t have smooth topsides, and those that do are often plated with precious metals which players are loathe to rub off because so doing would decrease the resale value of the entire instrument. The width of anvil  108  is typically significantly wider than smooth top-surface pickups  118  of the prior art. The additional width of anvil  108  provides a “runway” for the finger or pick, thereby allowing a smooth takeoff of the picking stroke, particularly when picking the outer strings. 
     Referring now also to  FIGS. 2 ,  3   a,    3   b , and  4  there are shown detailed, side elevational, schematic views of a first embodiment of support leg  122  for the anvil  108 , top plan schematic views of two embodiments of plates  110 , mountings to fit contours of guitar surfaces, and pick guards however configured and an enlarged, detailed, side elevational, schematic view of a portion of the musical instrument  100  of  FIG. 1 . It will be recognized that the novel device for controlling a picking depth is equally useful when applied to acoustic instruments or to solid body instruments. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 2 , Legs  122  typically comprise headed fasteners  134  commonly bearing adhesive  124  on the head  130 . Fastener  134  typically has a plurality of outwardly projecting ribs or flanges  126  disposed on the shaft  128  thereof. Because fastener  134  is typically fabricated from a slightly flexible synthetic resin, the flanges  126  are generally bendable. Adhesive  124  is typically protected by a film or membrane  136  that protects an outer surface of adhesive  124  from contamination. Such headed fasteners  134  are believed to be well known in the automotive industry and may be utilized as the legs  122 . A catalog number 13454 nylon cowl vent retainer from Auto-Vehicle Parts Company (Au-Ve-Co Products) of Cold Spring, Ky. has been found satisfactory for the application. An alternate embodiment of leg  122  is discussed in detail hereinbelow. 
     With protective film or membrane  136  removed, legs  122  may be mounted on the soundboard or upper surface of a solid body electric instrument  120  without penetrating body  102  using adhesive  124 . Holes  132  disposed in plate  110  of anvil  108  allows plate  110  to be selectively positionable along shaft  128  of fastener  134 , plate  110  being retained between ribs or flanges  126  along fastener shaft  128 . By selecting discrete positions along shaft  128 , plate  110  may be crudely adjusted for height between soundboard  120  and the bottom of strings  106 . 
     As may be seen in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , a rectangular plate  110  and a trapezoidal plate  110 ′, respectively, are shown. While a rectangular plate  110  has been chosen for purposes of disclosure, it will be recognized that other shapes such as the trapezoidal plate  110 ′ of  FIG. 3   b  may be chosen to accommodate a particular operating environment or circumstance. For example, decorative plates having irregular shapes may be used. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to the rectangular plate  110  chosen for purposes of disclosure. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 3   c , plates  110 .  110 ′ may be provided as a substantially flat plate. In alternate embodiments, plate  110 ″ may be provided with a slight curvature or bow as viewed from a front or rear edge thereof, neither specifically identified. The front or rear edge of plate  110  are the edges disposed orthogonally to the major axis of instrument  100 . 
     Plates  110 ,  110 ′,  110 ″ may be fabricated from a flexible material such as a synthetic resin. For purposes of disclosure a nylon 6/6 material having a thickness of 0.062 inch has been chosen. It will be recognized that players may have a range of preferences regarding the degree of flexibility of plate  110 . Consequently, plates  110 ,  110 ′,  110 ″ may be provided in a range of materials and/or thicknesses to provide for such preferences. Stiffness of plates  110 ,  110 ′  110 ″ is chosen so as to retain its generally planar position, but preferably to deflect slightly in response to finger pressure during picking of the strings  106 . 
     Holes  132  are formed in plates  110 ,  110 ′, and  110 ″. Holes  132  are sized and configured to receive and retain shaft  128  and ribs  126  of fastener  134  in plate  110 . Holes  132  are typically disposed adjacent corners of plates  110 ,  110 ′, and  110 ″. 
     As used hereinafter, plate  110  is intended to include all disclosed variations (e.g., plate  110 ′,  110 ″). As may readily be seen in  FIG. 4 , plate  110  of anvil  108  is typically supported in place on a plurality of legs  122  which are coupled to soundboard top  120  of body  102 , typically by adhesive  124 . A leg  122  is disposed proximate each of the corners of the plate  110  in holes  132 . Legs  122  are disposed to hold the plate  110  at a selected height between soundboard  120  and a lower surface of strings  106 . While four legs  122  have been chosen for purposes of disclosure, it will be recognized that more or fewer legs  122  may be chosen. Consequently, the invention is not limited to four legs but includes fewer than or more than four legs. 
     As is typical of most stringed instruments  100 , the strings  106  are arrayed generally side-by-side and spaced apart from one another in a plane occupied thereby. It will be recognized that in some stringed instruments (not shown), the strings establish a slightly arcuate array rather than forming a purely planar array. However, in actual practice, this curvature typically does not substantially impair performance of anvil  108 . 
     A spanning distance is defined between two outside strings  106   a  and  106   b  that are maximally spaced apart from one another. The separation distance separating string  106   a  from string  106   b  is greater than a comparable separation distance between any other two of the intermediate ones of strings  106 . Plate  110  overlies the soundboard  120  of body  102  with a long axis of plate  110  perpendicularly aligned to the major axis of body  102 . This particular arrangement enables anvil  108  to function effectively, to be easily adjusted as to optimal position between soundboard  120  and strings  106 , while being minimally disruptive in other ways to the playing of stringed instrument  100 . 
     Referring now also to  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , there are shown side elevational and top plan schematic views, respectively, of an adjustable leg assembly  140  for use with anvil  108  of the invention. The embodiment of anvil  108  shown in  FIG. 4  allows only limited adjustability of the height of plate  110  above soundboard  120 . Such adjustability is determined by the pitch of ribs or flanges  126  onto which holes  132  in plate  110  are slid and retained, plate  110  typically being retained between adjacent ones of ribs or flanges  126 . For many applications this adjustability may be sufficient. However, other applications may require a mechanism for more finely adjusting the height of plate  110  above soundboard  120 . 
     Leg assembly  140  having a head  144  having a circumference containing knurls  148 . Head  144  is loosely retained within retaining cup  142  such that head  148  may rotate therein. A portion of the perimeter  152  having a width “d”  154  of cup  142  is open (i.e., cut away), thereby exposing knurls  148  of head  144 . Retaining cup  142  has adhesive  124  disposed on a lower surface, not specifically identified, to facilitate attachment of retaining cup  142  to soundboard  120  of stringed musical instrument  100 . 
     In this embodiment, shaft  150  having threads  146  may be threaded into holes  132  of plate  110  by rotating head  144  of adjustable leg  140  using knurls  148  exposed through opening  152 . 
     A shaft  150  extends from head  144  and has continuous threads  146  disposed on an outer surface thereof. 
     The invention also includes a method for limiting depth of penetration which plectrum (i.e., finger, finger nail, pick, etc.) can move when plucking the strings of a stringed instrument such as the stringed instrument  100 . The method comprises a step of mounting a plurality of legs such as the legs  122  on the body of the stringed instrument at locations outside the strings  106 , without penetrating the body of the stringed instrument. For example, adhesive mounting of the legs  122  avoids the necessity of drilling into or otherwise penetrating and permanently modifying and/or impairing body  102 . 
     The method may comprise a further step of coupling to the plurality of legs a generally planar member such as the plate  108  between the strings and the body of the stringed instrument  100  in spaced apart relationship from both the strings  106  and the body  102 , as described hereinabove. 
     The method may comprise a further step of incorporating into the legs  122  adjusters such as the ribs or flanges  124  which are disposed to hold the generally planar member  110  at a selected position with regard to distance from the body  102  and distance from the strings  106 , as also described hereinabove. 
     In alternate embodiments, the simple plate  110  may be replaced by a thin display that may be used to provide information to the player of the instrument. Such displays using technologies such as organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) are known to those of skill in the art and are not further described herein. The uses of such a display are virtually unlimited, ranging from presenting instructional information, music, analysis of technique, etc. 
     It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that one or more of the structural features of the present invention may conceivably be implemented as part of a pick guard or, alternately, as a feature in the top surface of a musical instrument itself. Such implementations of the novel concepts of the invention are seen to be included therein. 
     Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. 
     Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.