US1784934A - Plectrum holder - Google Patents

Description

Patented Dec. 16, 1930 UNITED STATES PER, WILI-IELM JOHANSSON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

rLnc'rnUM HOLDER Application filed August 9, 1927. Serial No. 211,694.

The present invention has reference to ap pliances for holding picks employed in striking upon the strings of certain kinds of musical instruments. 5 Primarily the invention has for its object to produce an improved device of the type specified by means of which a plectrum of ordinary or standard shape can be firmly and conveniently held.

A secondary object is so to construct a device for the purpose set forth that the plectrum held in the same may be quickly adjusted to vary the amplitude of the sound produced thereby and as readily detached 15 when worn out or damaged, without the use of any tools whatsoever.

' Thirdly, the invention contemplates making a device of the nature referred to, that not only can be held steadily but which will 0 also enable protracted use thereof without fatiguing the players hand.

Fourthly, the invention aims to provide a device of the kind mentioned, including a imity to the plectrum and adapted for use in tapping or knocking on the head or face of the instruments sounding box or board. A fifth object is to supply a device of the character described, composed of few, simple 0 and strong parts, not likely to become disarranged, besides'capable of economical manufacture and assembling. I

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be obvious and more fully f brought out in the detailed description here e0 Referring to the said drawing? hard and enlarged portion disposed in prox- Figure I is a top plan view of this improved holder;

Figure II, a front elevation of the same;

Figure III, a bottom or underside plan view;

Figure IV is a side elevation, lopking from the left towards the right of Figure II; and

Figure V, a similar elevation, but looking from the right towards the left of Figure II.

Succintly outlined, the invention forming the subject matter hereof, comprises a handle provided at one end thereofwith a pair of jaws capable of receiving intermediately thereof, the flat sides of an ordinary plectrum or string pick. Means in the nature of a screw may be employed to draw the aforesaid aws together in order to clamp between them the pick hereinbefore referred to. The head of the screw mentioned is preferably hard and relatively heavy so as to afford an auxiliary implement wherewith to tap or drum on the strings or sounding board of the instrument being played.

While the accompanying drawing illustrates the preferred and what is now considered to be the best form of the invention, it will be observed that the same is shown or described herein by way of example only, and that other serviceable embodiments of this improved holder are within the range of practical achievement, whether containing the totality or a less number of the novel features of construction herein disclosed.

Before commencing the detailed description of the invention, it will be stated, in order to convey a clearer idea of the scope thereof, that such parts of the improved device as are indicated by letters of the alphabet throughout the present specification and accompanying drawing, appertain, strictly U speaking, to a known species of musical string pick. On the other hand, those parts of the device, which are designated by numerals, may be considered as entirely belonging to the invention. It is understood that no claim is made to any of the known parts aforesaid as possessed of actual originality, save that thru their association with the various elements of the improved plectrum holder, they form a number of combinations serving to accomplish several new and useful purposes.

Having now particular reference to Figures I and III of the annexed drawing, the letter A denotes an ordinary plectrum or string pick of substantially pyriform outline, consisting of celluloid, hard rubber or other suitable material, about or slightly less in thickness. As is common in these kinds of implements. one end of the plectruin made more pointed than the other, as indicated at B.

The peculiar construction and arrangement of the elements of which the holder forming the subject matter of this invention is composed, will now be described with particularity. Referring first to Figure II, it will be perceived that the holder in question comprises an extended handle portion 11 of approximately uniform thickness thruout, as represented at 13, but which is tapered widthwise or in the direction of the depth thereof. Thus it will. be noticed, that the free or outer extremity 15 of this handle is wider or broader than the inner or opposite terminal 17 thereof. Beyond the latter projects a tenon. shaped shank 19 which, as will be observed, is slightly offset from 01' stands in angular relation to both the top and bottom edges 11a and 11?), of the handle portion proper.

It will be seen that the shank spoken of, stands at right angles, or nearly so, to the smaller transverse end 17 of the handle 11, being besides, somewhat narrower and thinner than the said end. The object hereof will be hereinafter pointed out. A short distance inwardly from the reduced extremity 17, the said handle is furnished with a kerf 21, which may be in the nature of a chamfer of limited length cut into the upper rear edge 11a of said handle 11. The purpose of the aforementioned kerf is for the convenience of the operator, to place the point of his or her index finger therein in order to afiord a firm and steady grip on the handle portion and avoid fatigue in prolonged use of the same. For the handle 11, horn, fibre. wood or other appropriate substances may be employed.

The before named shank 19 fits in and is adapted to be entered into a socket-like recess 23 formed in the adjacent terminal of a tang part 25, constituting a continuation or extension to the handle portion 11. It will be noted that a small pin or rivet 27 is represented as being driven thru the walls of the socket l3 and the hand les shank 19 so as to prevent disassoeiation therebetween. The tang which may be made of metal if desired, has its outer extremity bifurcated as shown at 29, thus providing upper and lower jaws separated by a space or slot 31. The latter reaches inwardly of the said tang, a predetermined distance, as seen most clearly at 33, Figure II. Intermediately of the jaws 29, either or both whereof may be flexible, is received the plectrum A, and said pick, by virtue of the length and open sides of the slot 31, is capable of adjustment therein, both angularly and longitudinally as well as laterally. It will be understood, that the quality of tone produced in picking on the strings of the instrument being played, varies with the freedom of vibration allowed the plectrum, which in turn is dependent upon the projection and location of said pick in or beyond the aws 29.

The means for causing the jaws to clamp the said plectruni in its assigned position, may advantageously consist of a screw 35. threaded into a tapped aperture provided therefor, preferably in the lower one of these jaws, and passing thru a clearance opening 35", in the upper or companion aw. T ightening or loosening of the screw 35, which as depicted in dotted lines, can have a head 37 of the thumb or wing type, will obviously squeeze the plectrum A interadjar-ent the said jaws or release it therefrom.

Both to enhance the gripping power of the operatofs fingers on the head 37 for manipulation of the screw 35, and also provide a cap. knocker or button 39 by means of which the strings or head of a banjo, mandolin or similar instrument may be beaten or tapped upon, to produce sounds occurring in so-called jazz music. Said cap 39 is preferably made of some hard substance, such as vulcanite or the like, and is formed with a cavity 39 (see Figure II) taking over the said screw head 37 and secured thereto by cementing, crimping, or in any other suitable manner.

Notwithstanding, that the tang 25 and the handle 11 are shownas composed of conjoined but separate parts. no limitation is intended in this respect, .as they can equally as well be made of one or integral piece of material. Altho Figures I and III of the accompanying drawing indicate that the sides of the aforementioned parts are flush or situated in the same parallel planes, it will be comprehended, this aspect or disposition of the parts may be varied one way or the other. to suit the design or appearance of the holder. \Vhile it has been shown that the parts referred to are to a certain extent offset or detlected from being in a straight alignment, it is obvious that this relation can also be modified to fit other conditions.

In its broader aspects. the invention is not limited to the precise features of construction and arrangementof elements herein shown and described. nor to any particular means by which it can be carried into effect, as many changes may be made in the details without departing from the principles of the invention or sacrificing its chief advantages.

hat Idesire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States. and claim is 1. A plectrum holder for stringed musical instruments including an extended handle portion, and a pair of rigidly connected fiexible spaced jaws extending therefrom and having flat faces for frictionally seizing the plectrum there'be'tween, and means for releasably drawing the jaws positively together to clamp the plectrum firmly in its assigned po sition; v w

2. A plectrum holder including an elongate handle of greater depth than width, opposed flexible spaced jaws projecting from one end of said handle to receive between them a plectrum lying in a plane substantially parallel with the width of the handle, and means operable in a plane approximately at right angles to the plane of said plectrum for positively drawing the said jaws together upon the latter.

3; A plectrum holder for stringed musical instruments including a longitudinally extended fiat handle, a pair of rigidly fixed flexible jaws at one extremity of the latter, said aws being formed with approximately parallel iaces spaced to have inserted between them a plectrum disposed at substantially right angles to the widthwise dimension of said handle, and means for positively and releasably drawing the aws together to frictionally seize said plectrum therebetween.

&. A plectrum holder for stringed musical instruments including an elongate handle portion, a pair of rigidly connected, resilient, spaced jaws extending from one end of the same and having parallel adjacent faces for adjustably receiving the plectrum flatwise between them, and means for positively and releasably drawing said jaws together to retain said plectrum in adjusted position.

.5. A plectrum holder for stringed musical instruments including an extended handle portion, rigidly connected flexible spaced jaws extending endwise therefrom and separated by an intervening gap, the latter having straight opposed faces for receiving a fiat plectrum therebetween, and a screw operatively connected with said jaws to releasably clamp the plectrum between the jaws to retain the plectrum firmly in adjusted position.

6. A plectrum holder for stringed musical instruments including an elongate handle, rigidly connected, flexible spaced jaws extending in offset alignment from one end thereof, said jaws being provided with com paratively large areas shaped when the jaws are tightly closed to lie upon and firmly hold a fiat plectrum therebetween, said handle having a substantially flat side, and a screw engaging the jaws and having its axis substantially parallel to said flat side to exert a clamping action to draw the said jaws positively but releasably together.

7. A plectrum holder including an extended handle, relatively movable spaced jaws at one extremity thereof adapted to receive a plectrum between them, said jaws being closable to grip said plectrum therebetween, a screw controlling the said jaws, and a knocker carried by said screw.

8. A plectrum holder for stringed musical instruments including an elongate handle, an extension connected to said handle and provided with opposed spaced jaws flexible to a predetermined degree for receiving a plectrum flatwise between them, means for releasably and positively drawing said jaws together to clamp the plectrum frictionally therebetween, and socket means connecting said handle and said extension.

9. A plectrum holder for stringed musical instruments including an extended handle provided with flexible spaced jaws tor receiving when closed a plectrum therebetween, one of said jaws having a threaded opening therethru while the other aw is provided with a plain bore thru it, and a screw formed with a threaded portion engaging the corresponding threads of said opening, the shank part of said screw extending thru said bore, the said screw serving to draw the jaws together upon opposite sides of the plectrum to clamp the same in its assigned position.

10. A plectrum holder for stringed musical instruments comprising an elongate handle, spaced jaws carried at one end of the same, one of said jaws being flexible toward the other, the said jaws including opposed faces for frictionally seizing the opposite sides of a flat plectrum therebetween when the flexible aw is brought against the latter, and a screw passing thru both jaws having threaded engagement with one thereof. rotation of said screw forcing the jaws together to clamp them upon said plectrum, the aws holding the plectrum suiiiciently tight in any one of several adjustments relative to said handle.

11. A plectrum holder including relatively movable spaced jaws adapted to close upon a plectrum received fiatwise between them, an elongate handle extending from one end of said aws, a knocker disposed to one side of the jaws outwardly beyond the latter, and a screw secured to said knocker in position to clampingly control the said aws.

PER WILHELM JOHANSSON.

Images