Contoured pick and a method of multiple variations of 3D CAD models

Abstract

The original contoured thumb and finger pick for players of stringed instruments introduced an incredible innovation for guitar players and others. Improvements based on this unique concept have transformed a useful tool into an extremely comfortable and natural strumming aid. The pick saddle totally follows the thumb and finger contours for greater comfort and the band is secured to the pick with a low profile post.

Claims

1. A means of equal distribution of force exerted by a picking device upon a distal digit of a human finger or thumb, said picking device being worn on said distal digit of a player of a stringed musical instrument to aid in plucking said stringed instrument, said thumb or said finger having an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface having contours said means of equal distribution of force comprising a pick saddle constructed of a sheet of hard material, said pick saddle covering a substantial portion of said upper surface of said distal digit and said pick saddle covering a smaller portion of said lower surface of said distal digit, said pick saddle having a functional surface, said functional surface being derived from the distal digit of a human thumb or finger, or a model thereof, or a likeness thereof, said functional surface being an actual physical surface or a virtual surface existing in digital form within a computer, said functional surface having an upper portion, said upper portion having surface contours which mimic said upper surface contours of said distal digit, said inner surface of said pick saddle having a lower portion which gradually encroaches upon said lower surface of said finger or thumb, said lower portion providing a securing means of said pick saddle to said distal digit, said pick saddle having no functional symmetry, said pick saddle having no plane of symmetry, whereby said surface features of said inner surface of said saddle are held in close contact with said surface features of said distal digit, said picking device is very comfortable to the user, does not dislodge from said distal digit of said finger or thumb during use and does not interfere with a string traveling across said lower surface of said finger or thumb while playing the strings of a stringed musical instrument.

2. A means of equal distribution of force exerted by a picking device of claim 1, said picking device having a second securing means of said pick saddle upon the distal digit, said second securing means is an elastic band having a portion of minimum width and a portion of maximum width, said pick saddle having an upper part, said finger or said thumb having a lower part, said portion of minimum width of said elastic band being in contact with said upper part of said pick saddle, said portion of maximum width of said elastic band being in contact with said lower part of said finger or thumb, whereby said elastic band presents a low profile to the strings of a stringed musical instrument while being played and does not interfere with said instrument strings while they move across said lower part of said finger or thumb.

3. A means of equal distribution of force exerted by a picking device of claim 2 wherein the pick saddle having a fingertip region, said pick saddle incorporates a pick element at said fingertip region of said pick saddle, said pick saddle and said pick element, together having no functional symmetry, said pick saddle and said pick element, together having no plane of symmetry, whereby said pick element is in contact with a finger or thumb of a person plucking or strumming the strings of a stringed musical instrument at a place on said finger or thumb where said finger or thumb naturally contacts said strings to be plucked or strummed, and closely approximates the sound produced by a flat pick while plucking and strumming said strings of said stringed musical instrument.

4. A means of equal distribution of force exerted by a picking device of claim 3 wherein the pick element has an upper surface, said upper surface of said pick element having a pick element connecting edge, said pick saddle having an outer surface, said pick saddle outer surface having a pick element inset edge, said upper surface of said pick element being tangent to said pick saddle outer surface at the union of said pick element connecting edge with said pick element inset edge, whereby instrument strings pass smoothly across said upper surface of said pick element.

5. A means of equal distribution of force exerted by a picking device of claim 3 wherein the pick saddle incorporates a securing means of the elastic band to said pick saddle, said securing means comprising, in combination, a post and post inset, said post having two opposing post longitudinal walls, said post inset having two opposing post inset longitudinal walls, said pick saddle having an outer surface, said elastic band being threaded around said post and held tightly in place between said post longitudinal walls and said two opposing post inset longitudinal walls, said elastic band being in contact with a substantial portion of said outer surface of said pick saddle, whereby said elastic band holds said pick saddle securely in place while in use, said post presents a low profile to strings of a stringed instrument while being played, said post and post inset do not present a sharp surface upon which said elastic band will tear, whereby extending the useful life of said elastic band, and said post allows a quick means of replacing said elastic band when said elastic band becomes worn out.

6. A post, a post inset, a pick saddle, and an elastic band of claim 5, said post having a cross-sectional shape and a distal portion, said distal portion having a maximum width, said post inset having a minimum width, the pick saddle having an outer surface, the elastic band having a thickness, said maximum width of said distal portion of said post increased by twice said thickness of said elastic band being greater than said minimum width of said post inset, whereby said post cannot raise above said outer surface of said pick saddle while in use and therefore cannot interfere with instrument strings while the instrument is played.

7. A means of equal distribution of force exerted by a picking device upon a distal digit of a human finger or thumb, said picking device being worn on said distal digit of a player of a stringed musical instrument to aid in plucking said stringed instrument, said thumb or said finger having an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface having contours, said means of equal distribution of force comprising a pick saddle constructed of a sheet of hard material, said pick saddle covering a substantial portion of said upper surface of said distal digit and said pick saddle covering a smaller portion of said lower surface of said distal digit, said pick saddle having a functional surface, said functional surface being derived from the distal digit of a human thumb or finger, or a model thereof, or a likeness thereof, said functional surface being an actual physical surface or a virtual surface existing in digital form within a computer, said functional surface having an upper portion, said upper portion having surface contours which mimic said upper surface contours of said distal digit, said inner surface of said pick saddle having a lower portion which gradually encroaches upon said lower surface of said finger or thumb, said lower portion providing a securing means of said pick saddle to said distal digit, whereby said surface features of said inner surface of said saddle are held in close contact with said surface features of said distal digit, said picking device is very comfortable to the user, does not dislodge from said distal digit of said finger or thumb during use and does not interfere with a string traveling across said lower surface of said finger or thumb while playing the strings of a stringed musical instrument.

8. A means of equal distribution of force exerted by a picking device upon a distal digit of a human finger or thumb, said picking device being worn on said distal digit of a player of a stringed musical instrument to aid in plucking said stringed instrument, said thumb or said finger having an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface having contours, said means of equal distribution of force comprising a pick saddle constructed of a sheet of hard material, said pick saddle covering a substantial portion of said upper surface of said distal digit and said pick saddle covering a smaller portion of said lower surface of said distal digit, said pick saddle having a functional surface, said functional surface having an upper portion, said upper portion having surface contours which mimic said upper surface contours of said distal digit, said inner surface of said pick saddle having a lower portion which gradually encroaches upon said lower surface of said finger or thumb, said lower portion providing a securing means of said pick saddle to said distal digit, said pick saddle having no functional symmetry, said pick saddle having no plane of symmetry, whereby said surface features of said inner surface of said saddle are held in close contact with said surface features of said distal digit, said picking device is very comfortable to the user, does not dislodge from said distal digit of said finger or thumb during use and does not interfere with a string traveling across said lower surface of said finger or thumb while playing the strings of a stringed musical instrument.

Description

DRAWING FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 Top view of prior art contoured pick thumb pick with band.

(2) FIG. 2 Top view of thumb pick of this invention with band.

(3) FIG. 3 Same as FIG. 1 except the band has been omitted for clarity.

(4) FIG. 4 Top view of thumb pick of this invention shown without band.

(5) FIG. 5 Side view of thumb pick of prior art contoured pick with band.

(6) FIG. 6 Side view of a thumb pick of this invention shown with band.

(7) FIG. 7 Top view of an alternate embodiment of a finger pick of this invention.

(8) FIG. 8 Same as FIG. 7 but shown as a side view.

(9) FIG. 9 Top view of an alternate embodiment of a finger pick of this invention, shown without a band.

(10) FIG. 10 Top view of a finger pick of the prior art contoured pick, shown without a band.

(11) FIG. 11 Same as FIG. 9 but showing a side view.

(12) FIG. 12 Same as FIG. 10 but showing a side view.

(13) FIG. 13 Same as FIG. 11 and FIG. 9 but showing a front view.

(14) FIG. 14 Same as FIG. 12 and FIG. 10 but showing a front view.

(15) FIG. 15 Same as FIG. 13 but showing a partial underside view.

(16) FIG. 16 Same as FIG. 14 but showing a partial underside view.

(17) FIG. 17 Thumb pick of this invention for a right hand thumb, shown without a band.

(18) FIG. 18 Thumb pick of prior art contoured pick shown without a band.

(19) FIG. 19 Point cloud of a 3d scanned model of a right hand thumb, points displayed using 3D CAD software.

(20) FIG. 20 Thumb surface created from the point cloud of FIG. 19 comprising a network of intersecting mathematical curves.

(21) FIG. 21 Thumb surface created from the point cloud of FIG. 19 comprising a network of linked polygons.

(22) FIG. 22 Thumb surface of FIG. 20 upon which a contour surface has been drawn and through which an encroachment curve has been constructed.

(23) FIG. 23 Same as FIG. 22 but showing a front view.

(24) FIG. 24 Same as FIG. 23 but showing the front view from a slightly different perspective.

(25) FIG. 25 Same as FIG. 22 but showing a side view.

(26) FIG. 26 Transparent top view of the thumb surface of FIG. 22 shown with the longitudinal line of symmetry and the origin.

(27) FIG. 27 Inner perimeter curve shown at a side view, also shown with curve of thumb nail for perspective.

(28) FIG. 28 Inner perimeter curve and thumb nail curve shown at a front view.

(29) FIG. 29 Modified longitudinal curves and modified lateral curves which will form the network of curves that define the shape of the modified thumb surface.

(30) FIG. 30 Modified thumb surface showing the inner perimeter curve and the upper encroachment boundary, with the original lower longitudinal curve and several of the original lateral curves shown for comparison.

(31) FIG. 31 The inner saddle surface formed by cutting the modified thumb surface with the inner perimeter curve. Also shown is the upper encroachment boundary with the original lower longitudinal curve and several of the original lateral curves shown for comparison.

(32) FIG. 32 Front view of the inner saddle surface with the original lower longitudinal curve and several of the original lateral curves shown for comparison.

(33) FIG. 33 A top and rearward view of the inner saddle surface, also shown with the original lower longitudinal curve and several of the original lateral curves shown for comparison.

(34) FIG. 34 A rearward view of both the inner and outer saddle surfaces and the offset distance between the two surfaces.

(35) FIG. 35 Inner and outer perimeter curves are shown connected with perimeter connecting strip lateral curves to define the shape of the perimeter connecting strip (not shown).

(36) FIG. 36 The perimeter connecting strip formed from the network of curves of FIG. 35.

(37) FIG. 37 A fully enclosed pick saddle for a thumb pick of this invention.

(38) FIG. 38 A top view of the pick saddle of FIG. 37 shown with a circular area that will be enlarged for FIG. 39.

(39) FIG. 39 An enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 38 showing the inner and outer post inset curves.

(40) FIG. 40 An enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 38 showing the area of the pick saddle that has been cutout with the inner and outer post inset curves.

(41) FIG. 41 The post upper and post lower cutouts formed from cutting the inner and outer surfaces with the inner and outer post inset curves.

(42) FIG. 42 Upper and lower post perimeter curves shown with the inner and outer post inset curves but shown without the cutout surfaces for clarity.

(43) FIG. 43 Post upper and post lower formed by cutting the upper and lower post cutouts with the upper and lower post perimeter curves.

(44) FIG. 44 Rearward view of the post upper and post lower shown with the inner and outer post inset curves.

(45) FIG. 45 Post connecting strip shown with the post upper and post lower.

(46) FIG. 46 Rearward view of the inner and outer post inset curves.

(47) FIG. 47 Post connecting strip.

(48) FIG. 48 The post assembly formed by joining the post inset connecting strip, the post connecting strip, and the post upper and post.

(49) FIG. 49 Side view of the post assembly also showing an area where the post connecting strip overlaps with the post inset connecting strip.

(50) FIG. 50 Side view of the post assembly after the post has been rotated upward to avoid the overlap of FIG. 49 and to allow easy attachment of the band.

(51) FIG. 51 Rearward view of a portion of the pick saddle and the post assembly showing how the post assembly fits into the pick saddle.

(52) FIG. 52 Same view as FIG. 51 but with the post assembly in place on the pick saddle.

(53) FIG. 53 Rearward view of the modified pick saddle.

(54) FIG. 54 Lower rear view of modified pick saddle with pick element inset curve drawn on the surface.

(55) FIG. 55 Same view as FIG. 54 of modified pick saddle with the outer surface cut away by the pick element inset curve.

(56) FIG. 56 First embodiment of the pick element for a right hand thumb pick, shown at a view corresponding to the view of FIG. 54.

(57) FIG. 57 Pick element shown with view corresponding to view of FIG. 55.

(58) FIG. 58 2.sup.nd embodiment of modified pick saddle formed by combining modified pick saddle of FIG. 55 with pick element of FIG. 56.

(59) FIG. 59 Same 2.sup.nd embodiment of modified pick saddle of FIG. 58 shown in the same view as FIGS. 55 and 57.

(60) FIG. 60 Same modified pick saddle as FIG. 58 but shown as an underside view.

(61) FIG. 61 Side view of an elastic band of this invention.

(62) FIG. 62 Front view of an elastic band of this invention.

(63) FIG. 63 1.sup.st step in the installation of the elastic band onto the pick saddleband is threaded under the post.

(64) FIG. 64 2.sup.nd step in the installation of the elastic bandpost is twisted as shown in the drawing.

(65) FIG. 65 3.sup.rd step in the installation of the elastic bandpost is pushed below the surface of the pick saddle.

(66) FIG. 66 4.sup.th step in the installation of the elastic bandpost is rotated back from its twisted position and rests with the band beneath the surface of the saddle.

(67) FIG. 67 2.sup.nd embodiment of a thumb pick of this invention as it would be worn on a thumb.

(68) FIG. 76 Cross-sectional front view of a right hand thumb pick at the point on the longitudinal axis of the maximum width of the post, showing the unique shape of the post and post inset.

(69) FIG. 77 Same view as FIG. 76 showing how the wall thickness of a pick of this invention can be varied to enhance or reduce flexibility of the pick.

(70) FIG. 78 Enlargement of the circular area of FIG. 76 showing the unique design of the post longitudinal walls and the post inset longitudinal walls.

(71) FIG. 79 Top view of a thumb pick showing the longitudinal axis and three of any number of cross-sectional planes which can exist along the longitudinal axis that would also intersect the longitudinal walls of the post.

(72) FIG. 80 Front view of a cross-sectional slice of a right hand thumb pick, also showing the longitudinal axis and the longitudinal plane of symmetry.

(73) FIG. 81 Front view of right hand thumb pick showing three cross-sectional slices that intersect the longitudinal walls of the post.

(74) FIG. 82 Enlarged view of FIG. 81 showing the most distal of the three cross sections of FIG. 81, also showing the contribution of the thickness of the elastic band in preventing the band from pulling the post upward during use.

(75) FIG. 83 Side view of the preferred embodiment of a finger pick of this invention, showing the open area of the saddle near the fingertip, the lower extent of the encroachment surface, and the semi-oval ring shape of the pick element.

(76) FIG. 84 Side view of prior art contoured finger pick as a comparison to FIG. 83.

(77) FIG. 85 Lower and somewhat front view of the finger pick of FIG. 83.

(78) FIG. 86 Lower and frontal view of prior art contoured pick as a comparison to FIG. 85.

(79) FIG. 87 Underside view of the finger pick of FIG. 83 showing the asymmetry of the shape of the ring of the pick element from one side of the longitudinal axis to the other.

(80) FIG. 88 Front and lower view of the finger pick of FIG. 83 showing that the asymmetrical design of the ring shape is due to the direction of travel of the string as it is being plucked.

(81) FIG. 89 Side view of 2.sup.nd alternate embodiment of a thumb pick of this invention, showing a pick element where a substantial portion of the upper surface has been removed to reveal the thumb.

(82) FIG. 90 Top view of FIG. 89.

(83) FIG. 91 3.sup.rd alternate embodiment of a thumb pick of this invention, showing that a substantial portion of the striking surface of the pick element has been removed, leaving a perimeter of material in a somewhat ring-like shape.

(84) FIG. 92 4.sup.th alternate embodiment of a thumb pick of this invention, showing that the thickness of the striking portion of the pick element has been increased and formed into a wedge shape.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(85) 1. Preferred securing means of the elastic band to the pick saddle of prior art contoured pick. An eyelet is used to secure the band to the saddle.

(86) 2. Securing means of this invention of the elastic band to the pick saddle. This U shaped cavity in the surface of the saddle creates the securing post.

(87) 3. The pick flange for a thumb pick of prior art contoured pick. It is the part which strikes the string of the stringed musical instrument.

(88) 4. The pick element of a thumb pick of this invention. It has a lower surface for downstrokes, and a smooth upper surface for backstrokes.

(89) 5. The elastic band of prior art contoured pick.

(90) 6. The elastic band of the improvement.

(91) 7. Alternate embodiment of a pick element of this invention for a finger pick, showing curvature in the lateral direction.

(92) 8. The pick flange for a finger pick of prior art contoured pick.

(93) 9. (Intentionally omitted)

(94) 10. Encroachment surface

(95) 11. (Intentionally omitted)

(96) 12. A virtual 3D surface of a thumb constructed of a network of intersecting longitudinal and lateral curves which define the surface of the thumb.

(97) 13. Longitudinal curves of a 3D CAD model constructed of a network of curves.

(98) 14. Lateral curves of a 3D CAD model constructed of a network of curves.

(99) 15. The contour curve which defines the shape and perimeter of the pick saddle on the upper (upper) side of the thumb.

(100) 16. The lower encroachment curve which defines the perimeter of the pick saddle on the lower side of the thumb. It is named such because it encroaches past the surface of the thumb.

(101) 17. The outline of the thumb nail is only for clarity of the drawing.

(102) 18. The inner perimeter curve formed by joining the contour curve with the lower encroachment curve.

(103) 19. Modified longitudinal curve defining the modified thumb surface in the longitudinal direction.

(104) 20. Modified lateral curve defining the modified thumb surface in the lateral direction.

(105) 21. Modified thumb surface which will define the inner surface of the pick saddle.

(106) 22. The inner saddle surface formed by trimming the modified thumb surface with the inner perimeter curve.

(107) 23. Outer saddle surface formed by offsetting the inner saddle surface in an outward direction at an offset distance which determines the wall thickness of the pick saddle.

(108) 24. Offset distance is the distance at which the outer saddle surface is separated from the inner saddle surface.

(109) 25. Outer perimeter curve is the perimeter of the saddle outer surface.

(110) 26. Lateral curves of the perimeter connecting strip.

(111) 27. Perimeter connecting strip joining the saddle inner and outer shells to form a closed volume.

(112) 28. Inner post inset curve forms the edge of cavity known as the inner post inset.

(113) 29. Outer post inset curve borders the cavity called the outer post inset.

(114) 30. Post upper cutout is the part of the saddle outer shell cut out by the outer post inset curve.

(115) 31. Post lower cutout is that part cut out by the lower post inset curve.

(116) 32. Upper post perimeter curve.

(117) 33. Lower post perimeter curve.

(118) 34. Post upper surface.

(119) 35. Post lower surface.

(120) 36. Post connecting strip joins the post upper and post lower to form the post.

(121) 37. The postused to secure the band to the pick saddle.

(122) 38. Post inset connecting strip.

(123) 39. Post assembly.

(124) 40. Overlap area of the post with the post inset connecting strip.

(125) 41. Pick element inset curve.

(126) 42. Zero angle or very small profile angle from side view of thumb

(127) 43. Small profile angle of thumb

(128) 44. Medium profile angle of thumb

(129) 45. High profile angle of thumb

(130) 46. Upper encroachment boundary

(131) 47. Right hand thumb pick, top view

(132) 48. Mirror

(133) 49. Left hand pick is the mirror image of a right hand pick.

(134) 50. Minimum width between the two opposing post inset longitudinal wall at the point of the maximum width of the post.

(135) 51. Maximum width of the post.

(136) 52. Wall thickness of pick saddle

(137) 53. Flexibility of pick saddle

(138) 54. Pick element connecting edge is where the pick element attaches to the pick element inset edge on the outer surface of the pick saddle.

(139) 55. Pick element inset edge where the pick element will attach to the saddle outer surface.

(140) 56. The two post longitudinal walls determines the width of the post.

(141) 57. Opposing post inset longitudinal walls form the opening of the post inset along the length of the post.

(142) 58. Pick element upper surface.

(143) 59. Pick element lower surface.

(144) 60. Origin point

(145) 61. Longitudinal line or longitudinal axis, also called the line of symmetry and used to locate the longitudinal plane of symmetry

(146) 62. Proximal post boundary points mark the proximal boundary of the post longitudinal walls which are part of the post connecting strip.

(147) 63. Proximal post inset boundary points mark the proximal boundary of the post inset longitudinal walls and are part of the post inset connecting strip.

(148) 64. Distal post boundary points mark the distal boundary of the post longitudinal walls.

(149) 65. Distal post inset boundary points mark the distal boundary of the post inset longitudinal walls.

(150) 66. Planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, also called cross-sectional planes.

(151) 67. Cross-sectional slice; the result of the intersection of a cross-sectional plane with the pick saddle.

(152) 68. Longitudinal plane of symmetry

(153) 69. Elastic band

(154) 70. Portion of minimum width of elastic band.

(155) 71. Portion of maximum width of elastic band.

(156) 72. Thickness of the elastic band

(157) 73. Width of the post plus twice the thickness of the elastic band

(158) 74. Pick element of the finger pick of this invention.

(159) 75. Wider portion of pick element for a right hand finger on the lateral side of the finger.

(160) 76. Narrower portion of pick element for a right hand finger on the medial side of the finger.

(161) 77. Direction of travel of a string of a stringed musical instrument across the pick element of a right hand finger pick of this invention.

(162) 78. String of a stringed musical instrument.