Combination strumming pick and percussion device

A combination strumming pick and percussion device (10) that consists of a hollow enclosed container (12) into which is inserted a multiplicity of free-flowing particles (14) that may be selected from sand (14A), wooden beads (14B), plastic beads (14C), steel pellets (14D) and lead pellets (14E). On at least one side of the container (12) is embedded a selectable guitar pick (16). The device (10) is designed to be easily and comfortably held in the hand while the pick is oscillated when a stringed instrument such as a guitar is strummed. The device (10) produces a rhythmic sound emitted by the strumming of the guitar strings and a percussion sound produced by the particles (14) impinging on the internal walls of the container. Either sound may be produced individually or the sounds may be combined. The container (12) can be made in several shapes including cylindrical, elliptical, spherical, cubic and conic. Likewise, the pick (16) can be selected with a shape that is conducive to the type of music that is being played by a musician.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The invention pertains to the combined general fields of guitar 
picking/strumming devices and percussion instruments and more particularly 
to a hand-held, combination strumming pick and percussion device that 
allows a guitar or the like to be strummed in compliment with a percussive 
sound. 
BACKGROUND ART 
Stringed instruments such as guitars, banjos, and autoharps have long been 
used as a source of entertainment. These stringed instruments are most 
often played by strumming the strings with a small, substantially pointed 
flat device referred to as a pick. The grasping or holding of a pick is 
sometimes difficult because of its relatively small size. The holding of 
these small picks is especially difficult for persons who lack the 
small-motor coordination skill that is required to grasp, and manipulate 
or orient a pick for use with the stringed instruments. These persons also 
encounter difficulties in establishing the consistent rhythmic, strumming 
motions that are necessary to produce a pleasant musical sound. 
The applicant's device utilizes a pick that projects from a hollow enclosed 
container that is ergonomically designed to allow it to be easily and 
comfortably held in one's hand. Thus, the problems associated with the 
holding of a small pick are eliminated or at least minimized. In the the 
above discussion, a pick is used to produce a sound that emanates from the 
strumming of the strings. In the applicant's combination strumming pick 
and percussion device, a strumming sound as well as a percussive sound, 
can be produced. The percussive sound is produced by a multiplicity of 
particles, consisting of beads and/or pellets that are inserted into the 
container. When the container is oscillated, the particles impinge on the 
internal wall of the container to produce the percussive sound. Thus, a 
musician is able to selectively produce a strumming sound and/or a 
percussive sound. By practicing, a musician can learn to manipulate the 
pick to produce wide tonal variations and various combinations of 
strumming and percussive sounds. 
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read on the 
claims of the instant invention which cover a device that selectively 
produces both a strumming and a percussive sound. However, the following 
U.S. patents are considered related and indicative of the 
state-of-the-art: 
______________________________________ 
U.S. PAT. NO. INVENTOR ISSUED 
______________________________________ 
4,320,689 Pogoda 23 March 1982 
4,306,485 Rudkin 23 December 
1981 
4,179,973 White 25 December 
1979 
______________________________________ 
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,320,689 Pogoda patent discloses a combined pick and 
stringed instrument tuning device. The device includes a relatively flat, 
rectangularly shaped housing having a pick attached thereto and is small 
enough to be held in one's hand. A momentary 0N push-button switch, which 
is mounted on top of the housing, controls an electronic tuning circuit by 
selecting one of several predetermined frequencies from a frequency 
generator. The tuning circuit is mounted in the housing so that the tuning 
device is totally self-contained. Alternatively, the tuning circuit is 
remotely located and is controlled by a cable connected to the housing or 
by radio signals. 
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,306,485 Rudkin patent discloses a hand-held percussion 
instrument. The instrument consists of a hollow, elongate cylindrical 
member having a plurality of sound producing beads disposed therein. The 
beads are in free-flowing disposition so that oscillation or other 
movement of the member causes the beads to impinge upon the internal walls 
of the cylindrical member, thereby producing the sound. A pair of 
symmetrically positioned convex walls are positioned mid-length in the 
interior of the instrument to define a convex-shaped volume therebetween. 
A plurality of circumferentially spaced ports open the volume defined by 
the walls to the atmosphere so that the sounds generated by the impinging 
of the beads against the convex walls flows to the listener through the 
ports. 
The U.S. Pat. No.4,179,973 White patent discloses a musical instrument 
consisting of a generally tubular hollow casing having a reduced geometry 
at one end. The casing is filled with popcorn kernels or other sound 
generating kernels, pellets or the like When the casing is shook by a 
user, the casing generates musical or other tones. 
For background purposes and as indicative of the art to which the invention 
relates, reference may be made to the following remaining patents found in 
the search: 
______________________________________ 
U.S. PAT. NO. 
INVENTOR ISSUED 
______________________________________ 
5,261,307 Domanski 16 November 
1993 
4,794,839 Adler 3 January 1989 
______________________________________ 
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
The combination strumming pick and percussion device pick in its most basic 
design configuration consists of: 
a) a hollow enclosed container, 
b) a multiplicity of particles located within the container, and 
c) a guitar pick that is attached to one side of the container. 
The container which is disclosed in several designs, is ergonomically 
shaped to allow it to be easily and comfortably held in one's hand. When 
the container is oscillated, the particles impinge on the internal walls 
of the container to produce a percussive sound. Likewise, when the pick 
portion of the invention is used to strike and vibrate the strings of a 
guitar, a strumming sound is heard. The sounds made are controlled by the 
musician and can be produced either individually, in sequence, or as a 
combination rhythmic sound that includes both the strummed and percussive 
sounds. 
The hollow enclosed container disclosed can be made in several shapes which 
include cylindrical, elliptical, spherical, cubed and conic shapes. The 
container is constructed of a rigid material such as wood, metal, rawhide 
or preferably a plastic material. In all the designs, the container is 
partially filled with particles that can consist of sand, plastic beads, 
wood beads, steel pellets and/or lead pellets. 
The cylindrically shaped container includes at least one removable cap and 
in a sub-embodiment, a baffle divides the cylinder into two cavities. Into 
each cavity is inserted particles preferably having different sizes and 
densities to allow a composite percussive sound to be produced. 
The elliptically shaped container may be made with one of the longitudinal 
sides having a substantially flat section which facilitates the grasping 
of the container. Also, one end of the elliptical container may be 
truncated to allow the container to be placed upright upon a flat surface. 
The flat and truncated section may also be included with the spherically 
shaped container. 
The guitar pick used with the inventive container has a longer length than 
conventional picks to allow the lower or inward section of the pick to be 
inserted into a container. Any type and shape of pick can be used and in 
some cases a pick is used that has the picking section located normal to 
the longitudinal axis of the container. With this pick arrangement, a mope 
natural position is achieved when picking a guitar other stringed 
instrument. The pick is attached to the container by an attachment means 
that preferable consists of a container having a slot or cavity that 
includes a pair of male or female detents that interface with respective 
female and male detents located on the pick. 
To further add utility to the inventive device, an audio amplifying circuit 
is disclosed. This circuit includes a transducer that is attached to the 
surface of the container. The transducer converts the mechanical energy 
produced by the oscillating container to an electrical signal. This signal 
is applied to a signal conditioner and amplifier from where the amplified 
signal is applied to an audio speaker that reproduces the audio signal. 
In view of the above disclosure, it is the primary object of the invention 
to produce a device that is utilized by a musician to produce a strumming 
sound when a guitar is picked and to produced a complimentary percussive 
sound, either separately or in combination with the strumming sound, when 
the device is oscillated. 
In addition to the primary object of the invention, it is also an object of 
the invention to produce a combination strumming pick and percussion 
device that: 
can be designed to produce various types and levels of percussive sounds by 
selecting the size, type and quantity of the sound-producing particles, 
produces musically-pleasing sounds in response to the movement imparted by 
a musician on the musical percussion pick, 
produces sounds without limiting the creative expression of a musician, 
can be easily and comfortably held in one's hand, 
prevents or at least minimizes the problem of losing and/or misplacing 
conventional picks, 
allows physically challenged persons that have difficulty grasping or 
holding a conventional pick to hold the inventive musical percussion pick, 
requires no additional training to use the device, 
produces a sound that is useful in encouraging people to dance by creating 
and establishing a percussive rhythm or beat that is conducive for 
dancing, 
is durable and reliable, and 
is cost effective from both a manufacturing and consumer points of view. 
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become 
apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred 
embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the 
accompanying drawings.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of a 
preferred embodiment that is disclosed in several design configurations. 
The combination strumming pick and percussion device 10 is designed to 
provide a musician with a device that allows rhythmic musical sounds to be 
emitted that include the strumming of a guitar and a complimentary 
percussion sound. The sounds may be individually produced or a composite 
sound that includes both the strumming and the percussion sounds may be 
produced. The preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-16 is comprised of 
three major elements: a hollow enclosed container a multiplicity of 
particles 14 and a pick 16. The preferred embodiment also can be used with 
an audio amplifying circuit that amplifies the combination rhythmic sound. 
The basic design of the combination strumming pick and percussion device 10 
is illustrated in FIG. 1 which shows the hollow enclosed container 12 
partially filled with a multiplicity of particles 14 and a pick 16 
extending from one end of the container 12. 
Several design configurations are disclosed for the container 12 which can 
be made of wood, metal, rawhide or plastic, with a plastic preferred. In 
FIG. 2 is shown a hollow enclosed container 12 having an elongated 
cylindrical shape 18. In this first design, the elongated cylinder 18 has 
an open end 20 that includes a threaded section 22. Into the cylinder is 
inserted the multiplicity of particles 14 after which a threaded cap 24 
that includes an embedded pick 16 is threaded into the cylinder 18 to 
complete the first design of the device 10. To permanently secure the cap 
to the container, a small amount of cement can be applied to the cap 
before it is threaded. Also, a threaded cap can be utilized in any of the 
other designs that are described infra. 
In FIG. 3 is illustrated a modified design for a cylindrical container 12 
having an elongated cylindrical shape 18. In this design, an internal 
dividing baffle 26 is located substantially at the midpoint of the 
elongated cylinder 18. The baffle 26 divides the cylinder into a first 
cavity 28 and a second cavity 30. Into these cavities is inserted a 
multiplicity of particle 14 are also shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, the 
particles inserted into the first cavity 28 differ in size and density 
from the particles 14 inserted into the second cavity 30. This difference 
allows a combination rhythmic sound to be produced. The cylinder 18 
includes a first threaded end 32 and a second threaded end 34. Into these 
ends is threaded respectfully a first threaded cap 36 and a second 
threaded cap 38 where into each cap is located an embedded pick 16. 
Another design configuration as shown in FIG. 5, employs a container 12 
having a modified elliptical shape that has on one longitudinal side a 
substantially flat bottom section 40A. The elliptical shape 40 may have a 
truncated end 42 on one end as shown in FIG. 6. This truncated end 42 
allows the container to be placed upright upon a flat surface as also 
shown in FIG. 6. 
In FIG. 7 is shown a container 12 having a spherical shape 44. This Shape 
can also include a truncated end 42 that allows the container to be placed 
in an upright position as shown in FIG. 8. 
In FIG. 9 is shown a container having a rectangular or cubic shape 46. This 
cubic design has a plurality of flat surfaces 46A that allow the container 
46 to be placed upon a flat surface. 
The final design configuration for the hollow enclosed container 12 
utilizes a conic shape 48 as shown in FIG. 10. Since the bottom end of the 
conic shape is flat, it also can be placed in an upright position upon a 
flat surface. 
The particles 14 shown throughout the figures, can consist of sand 14A, 
plastic beads 14B, wood beads 14C, steel pellets 14D, and/or lead pellets 
14E. A typical container 12 having sand 14A is shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 3, 
a combination of plastic beads 14B and steel pellets 14D are used. The use 
of wood beads 14C and lead pellets 14E are typically shown in FIGS. 6 and 
FIG. 7 respectively. Although specific pellets are shown in the above 
figures, any single or combination of particles 14 can be used in any of 
the designs. In the elongated cylindrically shaped design 18 that use a 
cap 24, the size and density provided by the various particles 14 are 
especially easily interchanged to suit the requirements of a particular 
musician. 
The picks that are employed in the inventive device 10 are also varied. For 
example, as shown in FIG. 1, the basic design is shown with a dugain type 
pick 16A. A stainless steel pick 16B or copper pick 16C is shown in FIG. 
2. In FIG. 3, is shown a first pick 16D having three blades that is 
attached to the first threaded cap 36. To the second threaded cap 38 as 
also shown in FIG. 3 is a second pick 16 having a picking section 16F that 
is located normal to the longitudinal axis of the container 18. In FIG. 4 
is shown a strum rose pick 16E that allows a six-string guitar to simulate 
a twelve-string guitar. In FIG. 5 is shown a double pick that includes a 
first picking section 16G that is in alignment with the longitudinal axis 
of the container 4O and a second picking section 16F that is normal to the 
container's longitudinal axis. In FIG. 6, is shown a pick 16 having a 
centered indented section 16H that allows the pick 16 to be divided into 
two picking areas. Several other types of picks 16 can also be used in the 
inventive design, these other designs which are not shown but well known 
in the art, include a teckpick, stubby picks, and a speedpick 16M that is 
shown in FIG. 10. The speedpick 16M has a twisted lip angled at 10.degree. 
to facilitate a more natural upright angle and to facilitate speed 
playing. Also depending on the type of music being played and the 
preference of the musician, the picks 16 can be selected with various 
thickness, gauges, shape and sizes. The shapes, which are also well known 
in the art, include small and large teardrops, triangle, rounded triangle 
and wedge shapes, 
The combination strumming pick and percussion device 10 is designed to 
allow the various picks to be attached by various pick attachment means; 
three pick attachment means are disclosed. In the preferred pick 
attachment means, the hollow enclosed container 12 is manufactured with a 
slot 50 that includes at least one aligned pair of male detents 64 that 
protrude from the sides of the slot as shown in FIG. 11. With this 
attachment means, a pick 16 is used that has a complimentary detent bore 
16I on the pick's lower section 16J. When the pick is inserted into the 
slot 50, the detent bore 16I interfaces with the male detent 64 to 
securely hold the pick 16 in place. 
An alternative detent design is shown in FIG. 12 In this second attachment 
means, the container includes a cavity 51 having across its bottom surface 
54 a pair of female detents 66. The pick 16 used with this attachment 
means includes on its lower edge of pair of male detents 16D. When the 
male detents are inserted into the female detents 66, the pick 16 is 
secured. With the attachment means that utilize detents, picks can be 
easily interchanged as desired by the musician. 
The third pick attachment means which is shown in FIG. 13 consist of 
manufacturing the enclosed container 12 with a cavity 51 that has a 
serrated bottom surface 52. With this attachment means, a pick 16 is used 
that has a corresponding serrated lower edge 16K as also shown in FIG. 13, 
that positionally maintains the pick when the two serrated surfaces 
interface. After placement of the pick, on adhesive 58 may be spread 
around the two outer interfacing surfaces to form reinforcing gussets that 
further secure the pick to the container. 
The fourth pick attachment means disclosed is shown in FIG. 14. This 
attachment means is accomplished by shaping the surface of the lower 
section 16J of the pick 16 to conform to the shape of the attachment 
section 56 of the container 12. Thereafter, the pick is attached by means 
of an adhesive 58 that forms reinforcing gussets around the interfacing 
surfaces. 
To facilitate the manufacturing of the device 10, the hollow enclosed 
container 12 is constructed in two halves, a first half 60 and a second 
half 62 as shown in FIG. 15. Although not shown, the two halves may also 
consist of longitudinal cuts. The direction of the cut used is dependent 
upon the design of the container 12. 
The final element of the invention disclosed is the audio amplifying 
circuit 70 as shown in FIG. 17. This circuit amplifies and reproduces the 
rhythmic sounds procured by the device 10. As also shown in FIG. 17, one 
implementation of the circuit 70 comprises a ceramic of piezoelectric 
transducer 72 that is attached to a surface of the hollow enclosed 
container 12. The transducer converts the mechanical energy produced by 
the guitar strings and particles to a proportional electrical signal. The 
signal from the transducer 72 is applied via a first cable assembly 80 to 
a signal conditioner 70 that constitutes an element of the audio 
amplifying circuit 70. From the signal conditioner 74, the signal is 
amplified by an amplifier 76. The output of the amplifier is an amplified 
audio signal that is applied via a second cable assembly 82 to an audio 
speaker 78 from where the rhythmic sound is heard. 
While the invention has been described in complete detail and pictorially 
shown in the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limited to such 
details since many changes and modifications may be made to the invention 
without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, the 
utility of the invention is also applicable to other devices, one such 
device as shown in FIG. 16, is a drumstick 90. In this design, the forward 
section 92 of the drumstick 90 includes a cavity 94 into which is inserted 
a multiplicity of the particles 14. Hence, the invention is described to 
cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the 
language and scope of the claims.