Abstract:
Methods, systems, and apparatus for a flatpick device is in the present application. The flatpick device includes a front face and a back face, the flatpick includes first and second bores through the flatpick extending from the front face to the back face. Also included is a band with a first distal end and a second distal end, the first distal end extending from the front face to the back face through a first bore and the second distal end extending from the front fact to the back face though the second bore.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/966,531, entitled “A device consisting of a rubber or elasticized band affixed to a flatpick to hold the pick in place on the thumb,” filed Feb. 26, 2014. The disclosure of the foregoing application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This specification relates to flatpick devices. 
     Flatpicks are generally used to play stringed instruments, for example, a guitar. Musicians using a flatpick to play stringed instruments may lose grasp of the flatpick while playing, or in some instances, the musician may desire to use the hand that is grasping the flatpick to adjust or perform another task (e.g., adjust the volume of a speaker). In such instances, the musician may desire to secure the flatpick to their finger or thumb in a manner that conveniently allows the musician to resume using the flatpick quickly and easily. 
     While some flatpicks allow for fastening to a digit, the fasteners are cumbersome. Furthermore, when playing the instrument, many musicians want to keep the feel and functionality of a common flatpick when using a flatpick that fastens to a digit. 
     SUMMARY 
     In general, one innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in an apparatus that includes a flatpick device. The flatpick device includes a front face and a back face, the flatpick includes first and second bores through the flatpick extending from the front face to the back face. Also included is a band with a first distal end and a second distal end, the first distal end extending from the front face to the back face through a first bore and the second distal end extending from the front fact to the back face though the second bore. 
     Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in an apparatus that includes a flatpick with a front face and a back face, the flatpick including at least one bore through the flatpick extending from the front face to the back face. Also included is a fastening device with a front end including a front face portion and a first fastening portion, and a back end including a back face portion and a second fastening portion, the second fastening portion connected with the first fastening portion and at least one of the first fastening portion and the second fastening portion extendable through the at least one bore of the flatpick. Additionally, a band connected to the back end and forming a loop is included. 
     Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in an apparatus that includes a flatpick with a front face and a back face, and a conformable elastic band connected to the back face of the flatpick. 
     The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of an implementation of a flatpick device. 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of the implementation in  FIG. 1  from the back with an elliptical band. 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of the implementation in  FIG. 1  from the front with the elliptical band. 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of the implementation in  FIG. 1  from the side with the elliptical band. 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of another implementation of a flatpick device. 
         FIG. 6  is an illustration of a fastening device and an elliptical band enabled used with the implementation in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration of the implementation in  FIG. 5  from the back with an elliptical band. 
         FIG. 8  is an illustration of the implementation in  FIG. 5  from the side with an elliptical band. 
         FIG. 9  is an illustration of an implementation of another fastening device enabled to be used with the implementation in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 10  is an illustration of an implementation of a locking mechanism enabled to be used with the implementation of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 11  is an illustration of another implementation of a flatpick device. 
         FIG. 12  is an illustration of the implementation in  FIG. 11  from the side with an elliptical band. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of an exemplary implementation of a flatpick device  100 . The flatpick device  100  includes a front face  110  and a back face  120  (the latter being illustrated in  FIG. 2 ). The shape of flatpick device  100  may vary, and may be of any appropriate shape for a chosen instrument. In the implementation of  FIG. 1 , the flatpick device  100  is of a traditional flatpick shape that is an acute isosceles triangle with the two equal corners rounded and the third corner less rounded. 
     Materials for flatpick device  100  can include one or more of plastic (e.g., nylon celluloid, etc.), rubber, felt, tortoiseshell, wood, metal, glass, tagua, or stone, among others. The implementation of  FIG. 1  includes two bores,  130   a  and  130   b ; however, other implementations may include more or fewer bores. Additionally, in the current implementation, bores  130   a  and  130   b  are circular shaped; however, and other shapes may be used, such as a rectangle or triangle, among others. The location of bores  130   a  and  130   b  are approximately symmetrical relative to the flatpick; however, such locations of the bores  130   a  and  130   b  may be located elsewhere, and asymmetric placement of the bores may be used. 
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of the implementation in  FIG. 1  from the back face  120  with an elliptical band  240 . Elliptical band  240  includes two distal ends  242  and  244 , which can be locations on opposite ends of the elliptical band  240 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the elliptical band  240  begins on the front face  110  side of the flatpick device  100 , and distal ends  242  and  244  are extended through bores  130   b  and  130   a , respectively, from the front face  110  to the back face  120  (or past the back face). 
     Upon extending distal ends  242  and  244  through bores  130   a  and  130   b , the distal ends  242  and  244  may be pulled or urged equally or unequally past the back face to create a gap between the back face  120  and distal ends  242  and  244 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the gaps are loops  241   a  and  241   b . An individual may then push or slide their finger or thumb through loops  241   a  and/or  241   b.    
     The elliptical band  240  enables the flatpick device  100  to adjust to different heights and angles relative to a flatpick user&#39;s thumb and/or index finger. For example, the user can move the flatpick device  100  up and down on their thumb relative to bores  130   a  and  130   b . Also, elliptical band  240  enables a user to rotate the flatpick device  100  at an angle with respect to the user&#39;s thumb, index finger, and/or musical instrument. 
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of the implementation in  FIG. 1  from the front face  110  with the elliptical band  240 , and  FIG. 4  is an illustration of the implementation in  FIG. 1  from the side of the flatpick device  100  with the elliptical band  240 . Elliptical band  240  in  FIG. 3 , is pulled across the front face  110 , and in the current implementation, elliptical band  240  is contacting front face  110  in one or more locations of the front face  110  between bores  130   a  and  130   b.    
       FIG. 4  is an illustration of the implementation in  FIG. 2  from the side of the flatpick device  100  with the elliptical band  240 . 
       FIG. 5  is an illustration of another implementation of a flatpick device  500 . Flatpick device  500  includes a front face  510 . The implementation of  FIG. 5  includes bore  530 ; however, other implementations may include more or fewer bores. Additionally, in the current implementation, bore  530  is circular shaped; however, this shape is not required and other shapes may be used, such as a rectangle or triangle, among others. The location of bore  530  is approximately symmetrically placed in terms of width relative to the flatpick, however, such a location of the bore  530  is not required, and asymmetric placement of the bores may be used. The bore  530  is placed to receive a fastening device, such as the fastening device of  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 6  is an illustration of a fastening device  650  and an elliptical band  640  configured to be used with the implementation in  FIG. 5 . Elliptical band  640  can be similar or identical to elliptical band  240 . Elliptical band includes distal ends  642  and  644  and loops  641   a  and  641   b , which are similar to previously described distal ends  242  and  244  and loops  241   a  and  241   b.    
     Fastening device  650  includes a front end  652  and a back end  655  that are configured to mate with each other through the bore  530 . The front end  652  includes a front facing portion  653  which, when assembled, is configured to be on the front face  510  side of the flatpick device  500 , and in some implementations front facing portion  653  may contact front face  510 . Front end  652  also includes a fastening portion  654 , which is configured to fasten with fastening portion  659  (shown in  FIG. 9 ). In some implementations, fastening portion  654  extends at least partially into bore  530 . 
     Fastening device  650  also includes back end  655 , which includes a back face portion  656  and fastening portion  659 . Back facing portion  656 , in some implementations, includes one or more slots  657  for connecting or fastening elliptical band  640  with fastening device  650 . However, such a configuration is not required, and in other implementations other configurations can be used for fastening. Slots  657  can receive one or more portions of elliptical band  640 , as described in further detail below. Other types of structures to connect the band to the back end  655  of the fastening device may be used including pins, clips, or adhesives, among others. Fastening portion  659  is configured to connect with fastening portion  654 . In the current implementation, fastening portion  659  is configured to connect with fastening portion  654  by fitting inside at least a portion of fastening portion  654 , and fastening portion  659 , in some implementations, extends at least partially into bore  530 . 
       FIG. 7  is an illustration of the implementation in  FIG. 5  from a back view with the fastening device  650  and an elliptical band  640 . In the current implementation, the back facing portion  656  of back end  655  is contacting back face  520 . Back facing portion  656  includes a greater width or length than that of bore  530  (or diameter). Also, front facing portion  653  may include a greater width or length than that of bore  530  in order to maintain at least a component of the fastening device  650  on each side, front face  510  and back face  520 , of the flatpick device  500 . As previously described, elliptical band  640  is connected to the back facing portion  656 . 
       FIG. 8  is an illustration of the implementation in  FIG. 5  from the side with the fastening device  650  and the elliptical band  640 . As seen in  FIG. 8 , front facing portion  653  is contacting front face  510  and back facing portion  656  is contacting back face  520 , but such a configuration is not required and other implementations may be used. Also, slot  657   a  receives a portion of elliptical band  640 , and a second slot can receive another portion of elliptical band  640 , as described below. 
       FIG. 9  is an illustration of an exemplary implementation of fastening device  650  enabled to be used with the implementation in  FIG. 5 . Fastening device  652  includes front facing portion  653  and fastening portion  654 . Fastening portion  654  in the current implementation is hollow with interior side  956   a  and  956   b  shown in  FIG. 9 . At one or more locations on the interior side  956   a  and  956   b  a cavity is included, which in the current implementation are cavities  957   a  and  957   b , respectively. Cavities  957   a  and  957   b  may be of any shape, and in some implementations are not symmetrically positioned. The one or more cavity may extend around the entirety of fastening portion  654 , or one or more cavity may extend around a portion of interior side  956   a  and/or  956   b.    
     Fastening device  655  includes back facing portion  656  and fastening portion  659 . Fastening portion  659  includes exterior sides  660   a  and  660   b . At one or more locations of the exterior sides  660   a  and  660   b , a protrusion is included, which in the current implementation are protrusions  661   a  and  661   b , respectively. Protrusions  661   a  and  661   b  may be of any shape and are not required to be symmetrical positioned; however, at least one protrusion is configured to fit within at least one cavity (e.g.,  957   a  and  957   b ). The one or more protrusion may extend around the entirety of fastening portion  659 , or one or more protrusion may extend around a portion of exterior side  960   a  and/or  960   b . In the current implementation, protrusion  961   a  is configured to be positioned within cavity  957   a , and protrusion  961   b  is configured to be positioned within cavity  957   b . Such a configuration is one implementation of fastening the fastening device  652  to fastening device  655 . 
       FIG. 10  is an illustration of an exemplary implementation of a locking mechanism enabled to be used with the implementation of  FIG. 5 . Locking mechanism  1010  is a component of fastening device  655  and specifically back facing portion  656  and is used to lock the band  640  in place to the back portion. Slots  657   a  and  657   b  are configured to receive at least a portion of the elliptical band  640 . Latch  1015  is configured to be opened (unlocked) and closed (locked), and when opened latch  1015  allows the at least a portion of the elliptical band  640  to be placed within the back facing portion  656  and through slots  657   a  and  657   b . Upon closing latch  1015 , the elliptical band  640  is hindered from moving away from the back facing portion  656 . In the current implementation, latch  1015  includes handles  1016   a  and  1016   b . An operator may open latch  1015  from its closed position by releasing a biasing mechanism (e.g., a lock, magnet, adhesive, among others) and pulling the handles  1016   a  and  1016   b  away from the back facing portion  656 . After inserting at least a portion of the elliptical band  640  in the open back facing portion  656 , the operator can replace latch  1015  to close (or lock) the elliptical band  640  within back facing portion  656 . In some implementations, only one handle is included and in other implementations more than two handles are included. Also, different mechanisms for latch  1015  and handles  1016   a  and  1016   b  may be included. 
       FIG. 11  is an illustration of a third implementation of a flatpick device  1100 . Elliptical band  1120  is connected to back face  1110 . Elliptical band  1120  can include the same or similar components to elliptical bands  240  and  640 . Elliptical band  1120  is connected at connection point  1130 . The connection point  1130  may include, for example, the locking mechanism of  FIG. 10  adhered to by an adhesive to the flatpick  1100 . Alternative, the connection point may be realized by directly connecting the band to the back of the pick, which may include one or more adhesives. 
       FIG. 12  is an illustration of the implementation in  FIG. 11  from the side. As seen in  FIG. 12 , elliptical band  1120  is secured to connection point  1130 , and connection point  1130  is secured to the back face  1110  of the flatpick device  1100 . 
     While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any inventions or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular implementations of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. Thus, particular implementations of the subject matter have been described. Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. In some cases, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. In addition, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In certain implementations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous.