Abstract:
A textured surface for improving grip on plectra and other hand-held implements. A series of parallel ridges serve to frictionally engage thumb and forefinger surfaces and “lock” the grip in place.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to the field of handheld implements, particularly plectra. 
     2. Background 
     Many implements are held in a thumb-forefinger grip, such as plectra, tools, writing instruments, and medical instruments. The force to hold the implement is provided by the pressure of the thumb and forefinger, as well as the frictional interaction between the skin and the implement surface. Sometimes it is desirable to be able to maintain a firm grip without applying excessive pressure. Also, it may be difficult to maintain a firm grip under certain conditions, such as when moisture is present. 
     In the case of plectra, or picks, a musician typically holds a pick such that the planar surface rests between the pad of the thumb and the pad or edge of the index finger. It is important to hold the pick firmly enough so that it does not fall out of the hand while playing. However, the hand holding the pick (the “strumming” hand) must also remain relaxed enough in order to effectively pluck the strings with the pick. 
     When playing, perspiration or other factors can diminish a musician&#39;s grip on a pick. Current picks use a variety of techniques to increase the friction between the pick and the fingers. For example, some picks have textured or adhesive surfaces in the region where the pick is held. Although these modifications can be effective, a musician can still easily lose a pick while playing. 
     Likewise maintaining a secure grip on other types of tools can also be important. For example, surgeons must be able to handle precision instruments while wearing gloves. An improved gripping surface on a writing implement can reduce the pressure required to hold it and alleviate hand fatigue while writing. 
     What is needed is a surface capable of frictionally engaging a thumb and forefinger to improve grip quality. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a planar view of one embodiment of the present device. 
         FIG. 1   a  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the present device. 
         FIG. 1   b  depicts a detail perspective view of one embodiment of the present device applied to a surface of a plectrum. 
         FIG. 1   c  depicts a top edge view of one embodiment of the present device applied to a surface of a plectrum. 
         FIG. 1   d  depicts a side edge view of one embodiment of the present device applied to a surface of a plectrum. 
         FIG. 1   e  depicts a bottom edge view of one embodiment of the present device applied to a surface of a plectrum. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a planar view of another embodiment of the present device applied to a surface of a plectrum. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a planar view of another embodiment of the present device applied to a hand-held implement. 
         FIG. 3   a  depicts a detail view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a textured surface can include a series of parallel ridges  102 , which can be oriented angularly to a linear path transversing said ridges  102 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 1   a  and  1   b , ridges  102  can have a prismoidal geometry, with a substantially triangular cross-section and a substantially rectangular base. Other ridges  102  in the pattern can have a substantially pyramidal, square-based geometry. However, in other embodiments ridges  102  can have a cross-section and base shape of any known and/or convenient geometry. 
     The angle of inclination of the sides of ridges can be within the range of 30-45 degrees, or any specified angle in this range with a tolerance of ±3-4 degrees, such as substantially 41.5 degrees, or any other known and/or convenient angle. Further, each ridge  102  can be linearly sloped at each end. In some embodiments, the angle of this slope can be within the range of approximately 30-45 degrees, or any specified angle in this range with a tolerance of ±3-4 degrees, such as substantially 45 degrees, but in other embodiments can be sloped at any other known and/or convenient angle. 
     In some embodiments, ridges  102  can each have a length in the range of approximately 0.015 in. to 0.050 in, or any specified length in this range with a tolerance of ±0.005 in., such as substantially 0.045 in. Ridges  102  can each have a width in the range of approximately 0.010 in. to 0.020 in., or any specified length in this range with a tolerance of ±0.005 in., such as substantially 0.015 in. Ridges  102  can have a height in the range of approximately 0.004 to 0.014 in, or any specified length in this range with a tolerance of ±0.005 in., such as substantially 0.007 in. In other embodiments, ridges  102  can have lengths, widths, and heights of any other known and/or convenient amount. As shown in  FIG. 1 , most or all of ridges  102  can be of uniform dimensions, but in other embodiments ridges  102  can have varying dimensions. 
     In some embodiments, ridges  102  can be spaced horizontally in the range of approximately 0.040 in. to 0.070 in., or any specified length in this range with a tolerance of ±0.005 in., such as substantially 0.056 in, and spaced vertically in the range of approximately 0.040 in to 0.070 in., or any specified length in this range with a tolerance of ±0.005 in., such as substantially 0.048 in., or and any known and/or convenient horizontal or vertical spacing distance. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a linear path can be divided into segments that can form a plurality of substantially concentric polygons  104  which can be substantially quadrilateral or substantially circular in shape. In other embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a linear path can follow a spiral pattern, which can also form a plurality of substantially concentric polygons  104 . Ridges  102  in adjacent polygons  104  can be angled in a substantially opposite orientation relative to each other. The angle of this opposite orientation between ridges  102  can be in the range of approximately 60 degrees to 90 degrees, or any specified angle in this range with a tolerance of ±3-4 degrees, such as substantially 70 degrees, or any other known and/or convenient angle. 
     Each ridge  102  can be oriented at an angle in the range of approximately 30-45 degrees, or any specified angle in this range with a tolerance of ±3-4 degrees such as substantially 35 degrees, or at any other known and/or convenient angle, relative to either a horizontal or vertical reference line. In some embodiments, ridges  102  can be aligned such that a longitudinal midline of a ridge  102  can substantially coincide with the end of another ridge  102  in an adjacent polygon  104 . However, in other embodiments, ridges  102  in adjacent polygons  104  can be aligned in any known and/or convenient geometry. 
     In some embodiments, the present surface can be integrated with or affixed to a plectrum to improve grip. In such embodiments, the present surface can be located in the region of the plectrum that would be held between a thumb and forefinger, and can be on either one or both surfaces of a plectrum. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the present surface can have a substantially rectangular area, which can be truncated to conform to the shape of a plectrum. In other embodiments, the present surface can have an area of any other known and/or convenient geometry. Further, a logo, text, or any other known and/or convenient graphic can be located substantially in the center of the present surface or ant any other known and/or convenient location. 
     In other embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the present surface can be affixed to or integrated with a variety of devices, such as, but not limited to, writing implements, hand tools, cooking tools, and surgical instruments. The present surface can also be integrated with an adhesive layer so that it can be affixed to other surfaces. 
     In use, such as with a plectrum, a user grasps a plectrum between a thumb and forefinger such that the pad of a thumb contacts one surface, and the pad or edge of a forefinger contacts the opposite surface. As a user applies pressure, ridges  102  engage the surfaces of a thumb and forefinger. A first ridge  102  that is substantially aligned with a force applied to the parallel to a surface of a plectrum can slide a thumb or forefinger such that a thumb or forefinger applies a lateral force to the side of a ridge  102  in an adjoining polygon  104  that is oriented at an angle relative to the first ridge  102  to hold the plectrum in place. A plurality of ridges  102  can create several multi-directional lateral forces on the sides of ridges  102  that “lock” a plectrum into a thumb/forefinger grasp. 
     Although the method has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the method as described and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.