US2170179A

US2170179A - Pick or plectrum

Info

Publication number: US2170179A
Application number: US200783A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hollis W Wolcott
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1938-04-07
Filing date: 1938-04-07
Publication date: 1939-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 1956-08-22

Description

Aug; 22, 1939. Hl w WOLCOTT 2,170,179

PICK OR 'PLECTRUM Filed April 7, 1938 /4 Syvum HWWOZMZ Patented Aug. 22, 1939 PATENT OFFICE PICK OR PLECTRUM Hollis W. Wolcott,

Mount Vernon, Ohio Application April 7, 1938, Serial No. 200,783

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a pick or plectrum to be used for setting or imparting motion to the strings of certain musical instruments and by way of example, of the guitar.

It is particularly aimed to provide such a pick as' will practically eliminate noise now occasioned by contact of the usual pick with the strings, and more particularly to provide a pick with the use of which, the tone and quality of the music will be enhanced, and in which the picking may be effected more rapidly and efliciently, and in which the pick does not require breaking in and is less subject to fracture or damage.

A very important object of the invention is to provide a pick of rubber or rubber composition which is flexible and yieldable although relatively stili.

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawing:-

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of one form of pick constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a front elevation of a modied form of pick;

Figure 5 is a section taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a section taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 4;

Figure '7 is a front elevation of another form of pick; and

Figure 8 is a section taken on the line 8 8 of Figure '7.

Referring specifically to the drawing, wherein like reference characters designate like or similar parts, one embodiment of the pick is disclosed in Figures l, 2 and 3, being designated I0 as a whole and generally triangular in shape so as to provide three points or corners, all of which are preferably rounded. One edge of such pick I0 may be blunt if desired as at I I While the pick is chamfered or reduced toward its other edges as at I2, if desired.

The said pick is made of a resilient or yieldable material, usually rubber or a rubber composition and the exterior or string engaging surface of the pick is yieldable or elastic, although the pick is relatively stiff.

Various modications may be resorted to, for instance the form of

FiguresI

4, 5 and 6 being employed, this form being of the same material as Figure 1 and substantially triangular so as to have three points. This pick or body generally designated Illa, is chamfered from the center to all of the edges and to facilitate gripping and manipulation preferably has central depressions at I3, extending inwardly from opposite sides or faces.

Still another modification as in Figures '7 and 8 is suggested, the same being of like material as the other forms. This pick or body is generally designated Ib, having for instance a single picking point or portion as at I 4, the pick being generally round and enlarged to provide said portion I4. The upper edge portion of the pick IIlb` may be relatively blunt or rounded as at I5 and chamfered toward the point or portion I4. In opposite surfaces, depressions I 3a, like those at I3, may be provided.

Such a pick as is alforded by the various forms, is highly advantageous when made of the relatively stili though elastic rubber, since a hard surface will not contact the strings of the musical instrument, and the contact of the pick with the strings will be practically noiseless, thus enhancing the tone and quality and harmony of the resulting music. In addition, I find that picking of the strings may be eifected more rapidly with less danger of breakage in View of the toughness of the rubber or rubber composition, and may be used without a breaking in process, will wear longer and indenitely and is generally more advantageous and emcient.

This pick or plectrum has an advantage over the picks now in use in that it has or oifers added protection to the instrument used, in that it will not scratch or mar the surface of the instrument, as do those in common use now.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

l. A pick of the class described, having a body of relatively stili elastic material having a plurality of picking points, the body being chamfered toward all of said points.

2. A pick of the class described, having a body of relatively stiff elastic material having a plurality of picking points, the body having a depression in one side thereof positioned to facilitate ringer engagement and manipulation of either point, the body being chamfered toward all of the points.

3. A pick of the class described, having a substantially triangular body of relatively stiff elastic rubber, the body having depressions in opposite sides thereof positioned for linger engagement to facilitate manipulation of either point, the body being chamfered toward all of the points.

HOLLIS W. WOLCOTT.