Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to guitar picks and, more specifically, to a guitar pick which can be used both to strum or to pick a guitar string in a conventional way, as well as to achieve a legato effect. 
         [0003]    2. Related Art 
         [0004]    Certain musical instruments such as guitars, mandolins and banjos, are played either with the fingers or with a pick or plectrum, which is used to hit or strum the strings of the instrument. The shape and surfaces of the pick dictate, to some degree, the types of sounds that may be created from the instrument. For example, a sharp pick surface is desired to make rapid single string picking in sequence, whereas a smooth surface is desirable when strumming several strings. Other techniques have evolved that are performed by a finger, but which would be enhanced by use of a pick. For example, a technique called finger tapping or hammering involves attacking a string with one finger of the picking hand to slam the string onto the fret board or finger board of the guitar and then thereafter pulling the string off at a slight angle. The sound of the string at the front where it is tapped is created, followed by the sound of the string in an open condition when the string is released. This technique can be used to achieve a legato effect. This technique also can be used in conjunction with an arpeggio type of sound. 
         [0005]    Examples of existing picks are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,419,228 and 7,238,869. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0006]    This invention relates generally to a pick to be used with a stringed musical instrument. The pick can be used to either strum or pick the strings of the musical instrument, or it can be rotated into a position where a head projecting from one side of the pick is used to hammer or tap the strings of a stringed instrument on the fret board (or finger board) to produce a legato effect or an arpeggio type of sound. 
         [0007]    In one aspect, a pick for a stringed musical instrument is disclosed. In one embodiment, the pick has a generally triangular shape and includes a top edge and two side edges, the two side edges extending from the top edge and intersecting at a location spaced from the top edge to form a tip. In this embodiment, a projection extends from one of the two side edges in a direction generally parallel to at least a portion of the top edge. An enlarged head is disposed on an end of the projection spaced from the pick body. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the outer surface of the head may have a rounded configuration. In another embodiment, the outer surface of the head has a generally planar configuration. In yet another embodiment, the head has a shape of a disc. In another embodiment, the head has a generally semi-cylindrical shape. In other embodiments, the projection extends from one of the two side edges in a direction which is generally perpendicular to a line extending from the top edge to the tip. In other embodiments, the pick body may have been roughened to enhance an ability to grasp the pick. The pick body may be formed of a plastic material, and the projection may be formed of a metal material. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, a pick for a stringed musical instrument includes a pick body having a generally triangular shape. The pick body includes a top edge and first and second side edges, the first and second side edges extending from the top edge and converging toward one another at a tip. A projection extends from the first side edge away from the body, and a head is disposed on the distal end of the projection at a location spaced from the body. The body of the pick may be flexible relative to the projection and the head, and the top edge may be configured to be grasped by the hand of a musician to allow the musician to strum or pick the strings of a musical instrument. The pick may be rotatable through about 90° about an axis of rotation generally perpendicular to an outer surface of the pick body to allow the musician to grasp the pick along the second edge and to place the head into contact with strings on a musical instrument. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The objects, advantages and features of this invention will be more clearly appreciated from the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a front view of one embodiment of the pick of this invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a side, elevational view of the pick of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side, cross-sectional view taken along the lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a front, elevational view of another embodiment of the pick of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a side, cross-sectional view taken along the line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a front, elevational view of another embodiment of the pick of this invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a side, cross-sectional view taken along the line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the pick of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a front, elevational view of yet another embodiment of the pick of this invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a side, cross-sectional view taken along the line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 ; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the pick of  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
       [0022]    The present invention relates to a pick or plectrum for stringed instruments, particularly acoustic guitars and electric guitars. The pick of the invention includes a body which may have a conventional, generally triangular shape. The body includes a tip which may be used for conventional picking and/or strumming of a stringed instrument. A top edge is disposed opposite the tip and two side edges extend from the top edge and converge to form the tip. Extending from one side edge of the pick is a projection which may be used to tap or hammer the strings of the stringed instrument on the fret board to achieve a legato effect. The projection may have an enlarged shape at an outer end or head and may taper toward the body of the pick. Typically, this projection extends approximately parallel to at least a portion of the top edge and is spaced inwardly from the top edge. Different sized projections and heads may be used for different applications. In use, typically the top edge is gripped while strumming or picking the strings of the instrument while the other side edge is gripped when using the head to tap or hammer the strings. 
         [0023]    Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to  FIG. 1  thereof, there is shown a perspective view of one embodiment of the pick  10  of the present invention. Pick  10  includes a body  12  which may have a substantially triangular shape and substantially planar top and bottom or surfaces  11  and  13 . Body  12  typically has a very thin cross-sectional dimension to provide the flexibility desired for picking or strumming strings of a stringed instruments. Body  12  may include two side edges  14  and  16  and an upper edge  18 . Edges  14  and  16  typically converge to form tip  22 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , tip  22  has a generally rounded configuration, but in other embodiments, tip  22  could have a more sharply defined or pointed configuration. Tip  22  is typically used to strum or pick the strings of a stringed instrument. Edges  14 ,  16  and  18  may be linear or be slightly curved with a large radius of curvature. The embodiment of  FIG. 1  discloses edges with a large radius of curvature. 
         [0024]    Projection  20  may extend from edge  14 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , although projection  20  could alternatively extend from edge  16 . As shown more clearly in  FIG. 2 , projection  20  includes a base  23  and a head  24  at a distal end of base  23 , where head  24  is enlarged with respect to base  23 . Base  23  includes sides  26  and  28  on opposite sides of heads  24 . Sides  26  and  28  may taper to the respective opposed surfaces  11  and  13  of body  12 . While sides  26  and  28  are shown as being tapered, sides  26  and  28  instead may extend generally parallel to respective surfaces  11  and  13  of body  12 . In one embodiment, projection  20  extends from edge  14  in a direction generally parallel to portion  17  of edge  18  near its juncture with edge  16 . In another embodiment, projection  20  extends at an angle that is approximately 90 degrees with respect to a line  30  that is drawn from tip  22  to portion  17  and that intersects edge  18  at approximately a right angle with respect to portion  17 . 
         [0025]    It is to be understood, however, that the angle formed between projection  20  and line  30  need not be exactly 90 degrees, but could be between 60 degrees and 120 degrees. In addition, projection  20  need not extend from body  12  in a direction that is exactly parallel to portion  17  of edge  18 , but could extend at an angle with respect to portion  17  which may vary between +30 or −30 degrees. Projection  20  typically is spaced inwardly from edge  18 , particularly portion  17  of edge  18 . In another embodiment, projection  20  may extend from body  12  at about the location of the junction between edges  14  and  18 . 
         [0026]    Head  24  may have a rounded configuration along its outer surface  21  facing away from body  12  as shown in  FIG. 1 . In one embodiment, head  24  has a semi-cylindrical shape. However, in other embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 4-8 , the outer surface of head  40  or  50  may have a flat or planar configuration. For example, in the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , head  40  may have a disc shape with a flat or planar outer surface  41 . In yet another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6 , head  50  may have a disc shape with a flat or planar outer surface  51 . Head  50  may be thinner in cross-sectional thickness than head  40 . Heads  40  and  50  may be provided with a greatly enlarged diameter in other embodiments. Heads  40  and  50  are particularly suitable for use with instruments having larger strings, such as a bass guitar. 
         [0027]    As noted above with respect to  FIGS. 1-3 , in one embodiment, head  20  is provided with tapered sides  26  and  28  which extend from the outer surface  21  of head  24  and taper toward respective opposed surfaces  11  and  13  of body  12 . In another embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , head  40  may be provided with two legs  42  and  44  which extend along and generally parallel to respective opposed surfaces  11  and  13  of body  12 . Typically, legs  42  and  44  straddle body  12  of the pick. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , legs  42  and  44  typically have a rounded outer surface, but could have flattened outer surfaces, or could have any other suitable shape. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , legs  42  and  44  are exposed on the outer surface of the pick. 
         [0028]    In another embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 6-8 , head  50  includes a single leg  52 . Leg  52  extends from the underside of head  50  toward body  12  of pick  10 . Leg  52  includes an enlarged upper portion  54 , which tapers to a thinner portion  56 . Portion  56  typically is embedded within body  12  such that it is captured between opposed surfaces  11  and  13 . In this manner, no part of portion  56  of leg  52  is exposed or causes enlargement of the thickness of body  12 , providing uniformly smooth and uninterrupted outer surfaces  11  and  13  for body  12 . This configuration may be preferred by some musicians for ease of playing. 
         [0029]    In yet another embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 9-11 , head  60  may be provided with a single leg  62  which extends with a substantially uniform thickness from head  60  toward body  12  of pick  10 . The lower portion of leg  62  is embedded within body  12  such that it resides between surfaces  11  and  13  of body  12 . This embodiment again provides smooth, uniform outer surfaces  11  and  13 . It is also noted that head  60  of this embodiment is provided with a generally semi-cylindrical configuration with a rounded upper surface  61 , which extends to generally straight side surfaces  64  which extend generally parallel to stem  62 . It is to be appreciated, however, that head  60  may have any other configuration, such as those shown for heads  40  or  50 . 
         [0030]    Body  12  typically is formed of materials conventionally used for picks for stringed instruments, such as hardened plastic or nylon. The use of such materials allows tip  22  to be used in a conventional fashion to provide the desired strumming or picking effect and to provide the desired sound quality. In some embodiments, surfaces  11  and  13  may be roughened to facilitate grasping. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, heads  24 ,  40 ,  50  and  60  may be formed of a metal, such as anodized aluminum or steel to provide more durability and to provide the desired sound from the stringed instrument. However, heads  24 ,  40 ,  50  and  60  may be formed of other hardened materials depending on the effect desired. 
         [0032]    When being used, typically pick  10  of the present invention may be held between the thumb and the forefinger of the hand near top edge  18  such that projection  20  extends inwardly toward the palm of the hand and tip  22  extends downwardly towards the strings. In this fashion, tip  22  may be used to pick or to strum a stringed instrument, such as an electric guitar. When it is desired to use head  24 , pick  10  may be rotated clockwise about an axis of rotation generally perpendicular to surfaces  11  and  13  of body  12  through approximately 90 degrees such that head  24  now faces the guitar strings. Typically, although not necessarily, the pick continues to be held between the thumb and forefinger along edge  16 . With the pick in this position, the guitarist may press the head  24  against individual strings on the fret board (or finger board), or against multiple strings depending upon the technique desired for hammering and/or tapping. Head  24  may be used to provide the style of play called “finger tapping.” Head  24  may replace a finger, and may be used to attack one or more strings with the picking hand, slamming the string onto the fret board (or finger board) and pulling off head  24  at a slight angle. This action activates the sound of the string at the fret where it is tapped, and the sound of the same string is open when released. This may be used for the legato technique previously described. If this technique is quickly repeated, it can produce an arpeggio type of sound. 
         [0033]    This rotation of the pick from a position in which tip  22  faces the guitar strings to a position in which head  24  faces the guitar strings may be accomplished by pushing the middle finger of the hand holding the pick against projection  20  causing rotation of pick  10 . In this way, the guitarist may move the pick easily and quickly from a position in which the guitarist is strumming or picking with tip  22  to a position in which head  24  is being used, without loss of control of the guitar pick. 
         [0034]    In addition, pick  10  may be used to perform various slide techniques. These techniques may be performed by hitting one or more of the strings of the guitar with head  24 , similar to a tapping technique, and then sliding the head  24  either up or down the neck of the instrument to produce sounds similar to a standard style of a slide guitar. Use of pick  10  permits the guitarist to use the picking hand rather than the hand holding the fret board (or finger board) to perform the slide technique, a result which is particularly convenient when playing live for an audience. In addition, head  24  may be used to make chromatic rakes, whereby head  24  is used to hit a fret and glide past several frets and back again to generate sounds of chromatic scale progressions. 
         [0035]    Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following dimensions are given by way of example and not by way of limitation. Typically, the thickness of a body  12  is about the same as a typical medium thickness, plastic guitar pick. The thickness may be about 0.029 inch but range from about 0.01 to about 0.2 inch. The width of head  24  may range from about 0.1 to about 0.5 inch or more. The diameter of head  40  may range from about 0.1 to about 0.5 inch, while the diameter of head  50  may range from about 0.3 to about 0.7 inch. 
         [0036]    In one embodiment, heads  24 ,  40 ,  50  and  60  may be made separately from pick body  12  and joined thereto using conventional techniques such as glue, or by heat sealing or welding. Alternatively, the pick body  12  and heads  24 ,  40 ,  50  and  60  may be molded integrally as a unit. 
         [0037]    This invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as additional items. 
         [0038]    Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of this invention, it is to be appreciated that various alterations, modifications and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alternations, modifications and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following description and drawings are by way of example only.

Technology Category: 3