US2045571A - Pick for stringed musical instruments - Google Patents

Description

June 30, 1936. DQPYERA I 2,045,571

PICK FOR STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed May 15, 1954 Ej;. E 1 13' 65 54 53 INVENTOR.

ATI'O EY.

Patented June 30, 1936 UNITED STATES ATEN T OFF I C E .PIGK .FOR STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS '10 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in picks for playing stringed musical instruments, such as guitars, banjos, .etc.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved finger pick .for playing stringed musical instruments.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel finger pick which is shaped to conform to the configuration of the finger on which it is worn.

A further object of the invention is to provide a finger pick which may be adjusted to fit Various sizes of fingers.

Other objects and the-advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing myimproved thumb finger pick;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged end View of the pick shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3--'3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation showing .a modified form of thumb pick;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a section taken on line 66 offFig. 5;

Fig. "7 is a side elevation of an index finger pick;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a section taken on'line 99 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. '7 showing a modified form of index finger pick;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged section taken on line I|ll of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view showing a modified gripping means; and

Fig. 13 is an enlarged section taken on line l3l3 of Fig. 12.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters I have indicated my improved pick generally at Ill. The pick I0 is a thumb pick and includes a substantially elliptical body portion I2 having a pick portion I3 extending therefrom, adjacent one end of the ellipse, .and at right angles to the axis of the ellipse.

As shown the device 10 is made of two pieces of sheet metal I4 and I5 such as German silver. The sections l4 and I5 each include flat sections 16 which are triangular in shape as indicated at I! and are secured together as by soldering to form the pick portion l3. The section I 5 curves outwardly and upwardly from the pick portion as indicated at l8 and extends a predetermined distance thereabove where it is bent outwardly at anangle-to form a flange IS.

The section I4 like the section I5 curves outwardly-and upwardly from the pick .por'tion as indicated at 20 butin a more flattened curve. The section [4 then-curves inward towards the section l5 and then curves downward as .indicated at :21 and engages the inner face of the curved portion l-8 of the section I5. 'On the curved portion 2| of the section I l I provide an outstruck lip .22 on which anut 23 is secured as by soldering it thereto.

Both the flange l9 and the flange 22 are suitably apertured to receive a bo'ltmember 24 which includes an enlargedIhead 25. The head 25 of the bolt engages the face of the flange l9 opposite the flange 22 and the threaded shank of the 'bolt engages the threadsof the nut 23. Thus it willbe seen .that'by rotating the bolt 24 in the correct direction vthe portion '21 of the section 14 will be moved either towards or away from the portion I8 of the section 15 thereby either increasing or decreasing the size of the elliptical body portion I2.

The device Ill is adapted to be worn with the curved portion 20 engaging the pad of the thumb and .as clearly shown in Figj3 the sides of the body portion converge towards the end 26 to conform to the taper of the thumb. Furthermore, the curved-side 20 of the body is transversely curved as indicated at 21 in Fig. 3 to conform to the shape of the pad of the wearers thumb. Furthermore, the edge of the portion 2| at the large side of the 'body is preferably flared outwardly. as indicated at 21".

Secured tothe inner face "of the section I 4 in the body portion I'have shown a lining member .28 which is preferably'sheet cork. In Fig. 3, I have shown the inner face of thelining provided with a plurality of .rows of V-shaped grooves or knurling 29 .for forming .a friction grip. 'If the linin'g 28 is omitted 'the .knurIing29 maybe provi'ded on 'the'inner face of thesection l4.

In'Figs. 4, '5 and 6, I have indicated a modified "form 'of thumb pick generally at 30. The device 30 like the device 10 includes an elliptical bodyportion 31 having a pick portion 32 extending therefrom adjacent one end of the ellipse and at right angles to the axis of the ellipse.

"The device 30 is shown as made of two pieces "of celluloid '32" and 33 each of which include indicated at 35 a predetermined distance where it terminates in an outwardly extending flange 3'! having an aperture 317' therein. Intermediate the width of the section 33 I provide a recess 38 in the inner face thereof one end of which opens through the end adjacent the flange 31.

The section 32 like the section 33 curves outward and upward as indicated at 39 from the pick portion but in a more flattened curve. The section 32 then curves inward towards the section 33 and then curves downward as indicated at 40. The downwardly curved section 40 includes a reduced tongue 4! which is positioned in the recess 38 of the section 33. Extending outwardly from the curved portion 40 I provide an integral lug 42 having a square recess 53 therein which opens through the face of the lug 42, opposite the flange 31. The lug 42 further includes an aperture 44 which opens through the bottom of the recess 43. Positioned in the recess 43 I provide square nut 45 which is preferably cemented therein.

Positioned in the aperture 31' of the flange 3'l I provide a bolt member 46 which includes an enlarged head 41. The head 41 of the bolt engages the face of the flange 31 opposite the lug 42 and the shank of the bolt extends through the lug aperture 44 and engages the threads of the nut 41. Thus it will be seen that by rotating the bolt 46 in the correct direction the portion 43 of the section 32 will be moved either towards or away from the portion 36 of the section 33 thereby either increasing or decreasing the size of the elliptical body portion 31.

As clearly shown in Fig. 6 the sides of the body portion 3| converge towards the end 48 to conform to the taper of a persons thumb similar to the sides of the body l2 of the device In. Furthermore, the curved side 39 of the body is transversely curved as indicated at 49 in Fig. 6 to conform to the shape of the pad of a persons thumb and the edge of the portions 33 and 40 at the large side of the body are preferably flared outwardly as indicated at 49'.

In Fig. 6, I have shown the inner face of the section 32 provided with a plurality of rows of V-shaped groove 49" for forming a friction grip.

In Figs. 7, 8 and 9, I have indicated an index finger pick generally at 50 which embodies the features of my invention. As shown the device 50 is made of celluloid and includes an elliptical body portion 5| having an integral pick portion 52 extending therefrom intermediate the ends of the ellipse and parallel to the major axis of the ellipse. The sides of the pick portion convergently curve towards the end thereof and the pick portion curves towards the opposite side of the body.

Opposite the pick portion 52 the body portion 5| terminates in spaced ends 53 and 54 (see Fig. 9). Adjacent the end 53, the body includes an outwardly extending integral flange 55 having an aperture 56 therein. In the inner face of the body adjacent the end 53 I provide a recess 51 one end of which opens through the end 53 of the body.

Adjacent the end 54 of the body I provide an outwardly extending integral lug 58 which includes a square recess 59 which opens through the face of the lug opposite the flange 55. Furthermore, the lug 58 includes an aperture 59 which opens through the bottom of the recess 59. Extending from the end 54 of the body on the same curvature as the adjacent portion. of the body I provide an integral reduced tongue member 60 which is positioned in the body recess 51.

Positioned in the flange aperture 56 I provide a bolt 3! which includes an enlarged head 62. The head 32 engages the face of the flange 55 and the shank of the bolt 6! extends through the aperture 59 in the lug 58 and engages the threads of a square nut 62 positioned in the recess 59. Thus it will be apparent that when the bolt 6! is rotated in the correct direction the end 54 of the body will be either moved towards or away from the end 53 of the body thereby either increasing or decreasing the size of the body portion 5!.

The sides of the body converge towards the pick portion 52 to conform to the taper of a persons finger and the ends of the body 5| opposite the ,pick are preferably flared outward as indicated The device 55 like the device I3 is shown as including a cork lining 54 which is cemented thereto and the lining is shown as including in its inner face a plurality of rows of V-shaped grooves or knurling 55 to form a friction grip. If desired the lining 54 may be omitted and the knurling 55 provided on the inner face of the celluloid.

In Figs. 10 and 11, I have indicated a slightly modified form of finger pick generally at 55. As shown the device 66 is similar to the device 53 and the like portions thereof are indicated by similarly primed reference numerals. In the device 55 I provide an outstruck up lip 61 in the body opposite the end 63' instead of the flange 55 and in the body adjacent the end 63' I provide a similar outstruck lip 68 instead of the lug 58.

For resiliently retaining the body portion 5! in a contracted position I provide a coiled spring 39 having loops it at the opposite ends. One of the loops E0 is positioned around the lip 31 and the other loop is positioned around the lip 68. Thus the spring 59 normally retains the body portion 5! in a contracted position but allows it to expand to fit various sized fingers.

In Figs. 12 and 13, I show a fragmentary view of a modified form of gripping means. Instead of the V-shaped knurling 29 I provide a plurality of annular recesses 33 on the inner face of the device which forms suction cup grips when the device is worn on a persons finger. Extending outward from the bottom of each of the recesses 53 I provide a reduced frusto-conical boss portion 99 which terminates flush with the inner face of the device. These bosses 99 prevent the portions of a persons finger adjacent the recesses 93 from entering the recesses to a degree where it would. be uncomfortable for the person wearing the device. The edge of the recess 98 and the edge of the boss 39 are preferably rounded to prevent them from cutting into a persons finger.

The recesses 98 may be provided on the inner faces of any of the previously described devices to form suction cup grips instead of the V-shaped knurling shown or similar recesses may be provided on the inner faces of the previously described cork lining.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provided a novel pick for stringed musical instruments which is adjustable to various sizes of fingers, which is comfortable to wear and which is highly efllcient in use.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a pick for a stringed musical instrument, a body portion adapted to encompass a persons finger, a pick portion extending from said body portion, said body portion terminating in end portions, there being a recess in the inner face of said body adjacent one of said body end portions and a portion of said body adjacent the other of said body end portions being positioned in said recess, and means to enlarge or decrease the diameter of said body portion and to retain said body in the position to which it is adjusted.

2. In a pick for a stringed musical instrument, a body portion adapted to encompass a persons thumb, a pick portion extending from said body, said body terminating in end portions with said end portions longitudinally overlapping, the side walls of said body being slightly convergently tapered towards one end and along the axis of said body to conform substantially to the taper of a persons thumb, the side wall of said body which engages the pad of a persons thumb being transversely curved to approximately conform to the shape of said thumb pad.

3. In a pick device for stringed musical instruments, a body portion adapted to encompass a persons finger, a pick portion extending from said body portion, said body terminating in overlapping end portions engaging each other and longitudinally movable relative one to the other, a nut member on said body adjacent one of said end portions, an outwardly projecting flange on said body adjacent the other of said end portions, said flange having an aperture, a bolt positioned in said flange aperture, the shank of said bolt having threads engaging the threads of said nut member.

4. In a pick for a stringed musical instrument, a body portion adapted to encompass a persons finger, a pick portion extending from said body portion, said body portion terminating in end portions, there being a recess in the inner face of said body adjacent one of said body end portions and a portion of said body adjacent the other of said body end portions being positioned in said recess.

5. In a pick for a stringed musical instrument, a body portion adapted to encompass a persons finger, a pick portion extending from said body portion, said body terminating in end portions with said end portions longitudinally overlapping, said body being flexible to allow expansion or contraction thereof to increase or decrease the diameter of said body, and resilient means to retain said body in a contracted position.

6. In a pick for a stringed musical instrument, a body portion adapted to encompass a persons finger, a pick portion extending from said body, said body having a plurality of inwardly facing recesses in the inner face thereof, said recesses being closed to the outer face of the body whereby they form suction cups.

7. In a pick for a stringed musical instrument,

a substantially elliptical body portion, said body portion being made of two pieces of sheet metal, one of said portions at one end being triangular in shape and plane and having the other end bent to form a curved substantially elliptical part, the other portion including a plane triangular portion at one end welded to the first mentioned triangular end and having at the other end thereof a curved part overlapping and movable along the other end of the said first mentioned portions, and means on said curved portions to hold them in engagement with each other.

8. In a pick for a stringed musical instrument, a substantially elliptical body portion, said body portion being made of two pieces of sheet metal, one of said portions at one end being triangular in shape and plane and having the other end bent to form a curved substantially elliptical part, the other portion including a plane triangular portion at one end welded to the first mentioned triangular end and having at the other end thereof a curved part overlapping and movable along the other end of the said first mentioned portion, said first curved portion having an outstruck lip thereon, a nut on said lip, a flange on the end of the said second curved part, said flange having an aperture therein and a bolt passing through said aperture and engaging said nut.

9. In a pick for a stringed musical instrument, a substantially elliptical body portion, said body portion being made of two pieces of sheet metal, one of said portions at one end being triangular in shape and plane and having the other end bent to form a curved, substantially elliptical, part, the other portion including a plane triangular portion at one end welded to the first mentioned triangular end and having at the other end thereof a curved part overlapping and movable along the other end of the said first mentioned portion, said first curved portion having an outstruck lip thereon, said lip being apertured and a nut welded to said lip with the lip aperture aligned With the aperture in the nut, a flange on the end of the said second curved part, said flange having an aperture therein and a bolt passing through said apertures and engaging said nut, the inner surface of said pick having a V-shaped knurling thereon.

10. In a pick for a stringed musical instrument, a body portion adapted to encompass a persons finger, a pick portion extending from said body, said body having a plurality of substantially annular recesses in the inner surface thereof to form suction cups, each of said recesses having a reduced frusto-conical boss extending outward from the bottom thereof and terminating approximately flush with the inner surface of said body.

RUDOLPH DOPYERA.

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