Abstract:
A bachi for playing a shamisen, comprising a handle portion having a first end and a second end, a blade portion removably disposed on the first end of the handle portion, and an attachment assembly that removably secures the blade portion to the first end of the handle portion.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/291,945, filed Feb. 5, 2016, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by referenced herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to stringed instruments. More particularly, the present invention relates to a bachi for use in playing a shamisen. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a shamisen  10  is a three-stringed Japanese musical instrument that is played with a bachi  12 . A bachi  12  is similar to a traditional guitar-style pick and that is used to manipulate the strings of the shamisen. Note, however, a traditional bachi  12  is substantially larger than a guitar pick and is held in the entire hand of the user rather than between the thumb and forefinger. As shown, known bachis  12  include a handle  14  and a blade  16  that are unitarily formed, and are symmetric about a longitudinal center axis of the bachi. Known bachis tend to have handles  14  that are square or rectangular in cross-section, meaning they can cause discomfort when used for long periods of time. This is especially true among elderly persons, people with arthritis or similar issues, etc., that may incur discomfort or find it impossible to properly hold a traditional bachi. As well, those that are new to playing a shamisen and are in the learning stages may prefer a bachi that is easier to grasp. Moreover, when learning to play a shamisen  10 , it is preferable to have a bachi  12  that includes a slightly flexible blade  16 , or whereas more experienced players prefer a bachi with a rigid blade  16 . In that known bachis include handles  14  and blades  16  that are unitarily formed, one must have multiple bachis  12  on hand to allow persons with varying levels of experience to play a shamisen  10 . 
         [0004]    The present invention recognizes and addresses considerations of prior art constructions and methods. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    One embodiment of the present invention provides a bachi for playing a shamisen including a handle portion having a first end and a second end, a blade portion removably disposed on the first end of the handle portion, and an attachment assembly that removably secures the blade portion to the first end of the handle portion. 
         [0006]    Another embodiment of the present invention provides a bachi for playing a shamisen including a handle portion having an arched body with a first end and a second end, and a blade portion disposed on the first end of the handle portion. 
         [0007]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended drawings, in which; 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a shamisen and prior art bachi; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 2A through 2E  are perspective views of an embodiment of a bachi in accordance with the present disclosure, showing the removal of a blade from the corresponding handle  14 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a bachi in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the bachi as shown in  FIG. 3 , being gripped by a user; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a bachi in accordance with the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0014]    Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention according to the disclosure. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0015]    Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation, not limitation, of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
         [0016]    Referring now to the figures, an embodiment of a bachi  100  in accordance with the present disclosure is shown. Bachi  100  includes a handle portion  102  and a blade portion  106  that is removably secured to a first end of handle portion  102  with a connector assembly  110 . As shown, connection assembly  110  includes a threaded stem  112  disposed on the first end of handle portion  102 , threaded stem  112  being rotatably engagable with a corresponding threaded recess  130  formed in the base of blade portion  106 , as best seen in  FIGS. 2C and 2D . A thumb wheel  114  is non-rotatably fixed to threaded stem  112  so that rotation of thumb wheel  114  causes threaded stem  112  to rotate as well. A recess  108  formed in handle portion  102  allows access to thumb wheel  114  so that blade portions  106  may be attached and released from handle portion  102  as desired. 
         [0017]    As best seen in  FIGS. 2D and 2E , connection assembly  110  also includes a first projection  116  and a second projection  118  that extend axially-outwardly from the first end of handle portion  102 . Additionally, a first slot  132  and a second slot  134  are formed in the base portion of blade portion  106  and are configured to slidably receive first projection  116  and second projection  118 , respectively. As shown, second projection  118  has a stem  122  and a head portion  120  at its end that has a greater circumference than the stem. Correspondingly, second slot  134  has an enlarged aperture  136  that allows head portion  120  to pass therethrough, whereas the remainder of the slot is more narrow than head portion  120  so that second projection  118  can only be removed from second slot  134  when head portion  120  is aligned with enlarged aperture  136 . The engagement of the first and second projections with the first and second slots helps insure blade portion  106  is properly aligned with handle portion  102  prior to engaging threaded recess  130  with threaded stem  112 . 
         [0018]    Still referring to  FIGS. 2A through 2E , securing a blade portion  106  to handle portion  102  is now addressed. As best seen in  FIG. 2D , to secure blade portion  106  to handle portion  102 , head portion  120  of second projection  118  is axially aligned with enlarged aperture  136  of second slot  134 . Once head portion  120  passes through enlarged aperture  136 , blade portion  106  is moved downwardly so that the remainder of second slot  134  passes over the stem  122  of second projection  118 . The interaction of head portion  120  with slot  134  prevents inadvertent axial movement of blade  106  away from handle portion  102  prior to it being secured thereto. Note also, first projection  116  is now disposed in first slot  132 . Referring now to  FIG. 2B , engagement of the first and second projections with the first and second slots insures that threaded stem  112  of connector assembly  110  is axially aligned with threaded recess  130  on blade portion  106 . Once aligned, thumb wheel  114  is rotated in the clockwise direction. Subsequent rotation of threaded stem  112  in the clockwise direction causes the threaded stem to engage threaded recess  130  as the threaded stem and thumb wheel move axially toward blade portion  106 . As best seen in  FIG. 2A , thumb wheel  114  moves forward with respect to the handle until threaded stem  112  is fully seated in threaded recess  130 . To remove blade portion  106  from handle portion  102 , the above described steps are merely performed in a reverse sequence. Because blade portions  106  are interchangeable, handle portion  102  may be used with any number of different blade portions. As such, a blade portion  106  can be matched to the desires of the user (i.e., a rigid blade, a flexible blade, etc.). 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an alternate embodiment of a bachi  200  in accordance with the present disclosure is shown. Similarly to the previously discussed embodiment, bachi  200  includes both a handle portion  202  and a blade portion  206 . Additionally, bachi  200  includes a ring  204  disposed on the second end of handle portion  202  opposite blade portion  206 . Referring additionally to  FIG. 4 , ring  204  is configured to allow a user&#39;s finger to be inserted therein to assist in comfortably holding the bachi. This can be especially advantageous to those users wither arthritis or other similar maladies. Further, handle portion  202  defines an arched body extending from blade portion  206  to ring  204 . The arched body of handle portion  202  also facilitates comfortably gripping the bachi, as shown in  FIG. 4 . This is especially true when a thumb rest  208  is provided on the upper surface of bachi  200  at the base of blade portion  206 . Preferably, thumb rest  208  is formed by an insert of a material that is softer than handle portion  202  of the bachi, such as rubber. As well, the handle portion  202  of bachi  200  may be weighted with an insert of a material like lead, bismuth, etc. 
         [0020]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , yet another embodiment of a bachi  300  in accordance with the present disclosure is shown. Similarly to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , bachi  300  includes an arch-shaped body portion  302 , a ring  304  disposed at one end of handle portion  302 , and a blade portion disposed opposite ring  304  at the other end of body portion  302 . Bachi  300  differs primarily from the previously discussed embodiments in that a cross-sectional shape of handle portion  302  taken transverse to a longitudinal center axis of the bachi is substantially oval-shaped, rather than rectangular or square-shaped. The cross-sectional shape having rounded edges is intended to provide a more comfortable grip for beginning players that is not found in existing bachis. 
         [0021]    While one or more preferred embodiments of the invention are described above, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. It is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope and spirit of the appended claims and their equivalents.