GB2355573A - Guitar plectrum - Google Patents

Abstract

A guitar plectrum, has an arrow shaped tip 11,which gives a range of varied flexibility by incorporating special grooves housed in one unit. This plectrum gives greater options to play more varied styles without having to change plectrums. The arrow tip shape 11 is secured by arrangement in the body 12 and by using sideways movement between thumb and forefinger on the thumb grip 10, can control and select the amount of desired flexibility, as the tip 11 slides in and out between the housing 12 to the desired groove 17. A co-operable means of a temporary stop are provided in the desired selection of flexibility by way of a hole 13 and nipples 14 arrangement, which acts also as a visual aid in the selection.

Description

2355573 A GMAR PLECTRUM This invention relates to a guitar plectrum.

Guitar plectrums have been around for many years and are well known and used throughout the music/guitar world and vary in many shapes, sizes, thicknesses and materials according to the type of play and sound a musician wishes to make. Thickness can range from. 5mm to 2mm which not only varies the amount of flexibility when struck across the strings but alter the tonal quality. The thin plectrum is normally associated with rhythmic play providing the need for greater flexibility which results in a very light pitch tone. The hard plectrum is generally associated with single note play for more pronounced individual notation sounds and has a very good tonal quality.The ranges of plectrums in-between try to fined the balance.One of the problems with these individual type plectrums is when playing with say a hard plectrum, although good tonal quality is produced on single stringed notes it is more difficult to incorporate rhythmic cords due to the hardness or stifffiess of the plectrum. Some players therefore refer to a tuc and hide whereby the plectrum is skilffilly held in the palm of the hand while playing with the fingers producing the rhythm, then skilMy appearing the plectrum from the palm of their hand for more individual pronounced notes.

The present invention covers a range of three main types of plectrum in one unit hard, medium and light and still retains the tonal quality of a hard plectrum.Using grooves for the various stages of flexibility gives the versatility of a hard, medium and light plectrum and an arrangement at the tip retains the tonal quality. With this unit by means of a simple sliding operation between thumb and forefinger, one can mix between rhythmic play and single note pronounced play, giving the guitarist greater options of style without having to change plectrums during performances. Thus not only giving a greater range of plectrum but a whole new range of musical expression. Thereby being more versatile than any other plectrum on the market today, and there at your fingertips.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings;- Morre - e=ee!L oVeQr ckoavc%a a almaw#N GLCV%30& 67%ze-. I 2 Figure I and figure I A shows a plan and side view of the plectrum in its closed position, Figure 2 and figure 2A shows a plan and side view of the main body or housing separated from the tip.

Figure 3 and figure 3 A shows a plan and side view of the tip separated from the housing.

Figure 4 shows an underside view of the thumb grip.

Figure 4A shows a plan view of the thumb grip.

Figure 4B shows a side view of the thumb grip.

Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of the securing sliding track arrangement and the thumb grip 10 and housing 12.

Figure 6 shows how the components are put together from a plan view perspective. The arrow shaped tip already in position showing the alignment of 15 and 16 of the slots.

Figure 6 A shows the underside view of the completed plectrum with raised moulded contour lines for grip and comfort of the forefinger when held in position between thumb and forefinger.

Figure 7 shows the three stages of operation and fle)dbility in sequence from the top to the bottom of the page, hard,medium and light positions of play.

Figure I shows a plan and Figure I a shows a side view of the plectrum in its start/closed position as a finished item. The arrows indicate the sideways movement of the thumb grip 10 when pressure would be applied when held between thumb and forefinger. Starting from the right sliding 10 towards the left would cause the tip I I to move out one or two clicks to whatever position is required indicated by the grooves Figure 3,17 or by the window Figure 1, 13 and back to the start/closed position when desired.

3 Figure 2 is the main body 12 which will house the tip I I Fig 3 which slides in and out through the slit 20 Fig 2A leaving the tip I I exposed to whatever position has been selected. To achieve this the horizontal slot Fig 2, 16 and the 60 degree angled slot Fig 3,15 become co-operable using a cylindrical lug Fig 4B,22 to fit through the two slots and when operated as explained in paragraph I would expose the tip 11, some 4mm. Solid sides within the body Fig 2,19 creates the channel for the tip I I to slide in and out restricting also any sideways movement making sure the tip runs straight and true. The cylindrical lug Fig 4B,22 as well as being co-operable with the movement of the components as explained abovesecures the tip I I from being removed all together. The rounded nipples Fig 3,14 coincide with the holed window 13 to act as a temporary stop, clicIdng into place with each movement of position. T his also acts as a visual indication of selected position. The whole unit is operated and secured by the thumb grip 10 which itself is secured and operated tracks Fig 2B & Fig 5,18 being the male connection and Fig 4,21 & 5,21 the female connection, enabling the thumb grip 10 to slide securely back and forth.

Fig:5 shows the body 12 and the thumb grip 10 in a much enlarged cut through section of the slide track connections. The male connectors 18 has been designed in such a way as to allow enough of an air space 23 for each of the connector to close towards each other to allowing entry into 21 springing back into position outwards when connection has been made. This arrangement of fix ture is suitable for both manufacture and assembly purposes.

Fig 3 shows the tongue tip I I plan and side view.The amount of flexibility required is dependent on the selection of groove 17. These are spaced equally apart reduced in thickness in the forrn of a " V " each one giving a certain amount of flexibility adding to the amount of flexibility as each groove is exposed outwards from the main body 12. The same spacing is applied with the nipples 14 as with the grooved 17 so as when in the start position or hard play status the lower nipple will be displayed in the window Fig 2, 13 co- excising with the lower groove. As the tip I I is exposed further outwards the middle nipple will co- excise with the middle groove, to its final position where the top nipple co- excises with the top groove. Fig 7 shows the positions of these changes.

Claims (1)

1. I/ A guitar plectrum, sliding/switchable comprising of half a tear drop shape body, an arrow tongue tip shape, rounded thumb impression sliding switch.All parts are co-operable whereby the arrow tip shape slides back and forth contained within the tear drop shaped bodywhere by the thumb switch operates the arrow tip movement.

   2/ A guitar plectrum as in claim 1 wherein a slot and guide means are provided on the body cooperable with the arrow tip shape to control the sliding movement the arrow tip shape within the body.

   3/ A guitar plectrum as in claim I & 2 wherein a slot arrangement is provided on the arrow shape co- operable with the body to control the sliding movement within the body.

   4/ A guitar plectrum as in claim 2 & 3 wherein a hole is provided within the body co-operable with three nipples on the arrow tip shape coinciding to act as temporary stops in three stages of movement over each nipple.

   5/ A guitar plectrum as in claim 4 wherein the nipples either be numbered or colour coded for identification as to the visual selection of a nipple through the provided hole.

   6/ A guitar plectrum as in claim 4 & 5 is provided on the arrow tip shape three grooves "V " Shaped channels of equal spacing for variable flexibility co-operable with that mentioned in claims 4 & 5.

   7/ A guitar plectrum as in any preceding claim wherein a sliding switch for means of operation for use in claims 2 & 3 is provided to run along tracks,attaching a cylindrical lug which is co-operable with those in claims 2 & 3.

   8/ A guitar plectrum as in claim 5 for the selection of required amount of flexibility that the grooves described in claim 6 be colour coded for visual identification co-operable with that in claim 5.

   9/ A guitar plectrum substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1- 7 of the accompanying drawings.