Fingertip protector for a person playing a stringed instrument
Inactive Publication Date: 2012-08-23
MCJUNKIN JAMES GRANT
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- Description
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Benefits of technology
[0015]Thus in one embodiment, the invention may be a fingertip covering device for allowing a player of a fingertip manipulated stringed musical instrument to continue to manipulate the stings with high dexterity, while minimizing fingertip damage caused by string-to-fingertip contact. The device will generally comprise a fingertip covering extending from at least the fingertip region of the finger to at most the distal interphlangeal joint region and the distal half of the middle phalanx of the player's finger. This covering will comprise a variable-thickness deformable polymer with a maximum thickness at the fingertip, and a minimum thickness at the sides of the finger. The maximum thickness of the covering device will generally be chosen to be sufficient to substantially protect the user's fingertip region from damage caused by string-to-fingertip contact, while at the same time allowing the user's fingertips to continue to sense the presence of said string. By contrast, the minimum thickness of the covering device will be chosen to minimize contact or interference with neighboring fingers and / or any similar coverings being worn by the neighboring fingers.
Problems solved by technology
However the increase in finger diameter caused by wearing multiple protectors increases the risk that the user's fingers and fingertip protectors will rub against each other.
This effect is unfortunate, because the users must be able to continue to manipulate their fingers with high dexterity.
If not, accidental contact between neighboring fingers can interfere with playing the musical instrument, leading to clumsy fingering and sour notes.
Method used
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Embodiment Construction
[0026]As previously discussed, although various prior art fingertip protectors are available for various applications, none have been proposed that can provide for the stringed musical instrument playing requirements met by this present invention: unencumbered freedom of finger movement, with fingertip-end-specific pressure protection, while maintaining sensitivity and minimizing adjacent finger movement interference.
[0027]For example, the previously discussed Field device (U.S. Pat. No. 4,908,881) does not place material specifically and only at the fingertip end, and would therefore obstruct the high level of dexterity required in the discrimination of, and depressing of, the strings of a musical instrument.
[0028]Similarly, the previously discussed Wanzenried device (U.S. Pat. No. 6,243,868) is constructed having a bulk of material extending along the fingertip's side surface, which greatly interferes with adjacent fingers and their required movement past one another when playing ...
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A fingertip covering device for allowing a player of a stringed musical instrument to manipulate the stings with high dexterity while minimizing fingertip damage. The device extends from the fingertip region of the finger to about the distal interphlangeal joint region of the player's finger. The covering is made from a variable-thickness deformable polymer with a maximum thickness at the fingertip, and a minimum thickness at the sides of the finger. The maximum thickness of the covering device is chosen to substantially protect the user's fingertip region from damage caused by string-to-fingertip contact (about 1 mm), while at the same time allowing the user's fingertips to continue to sense the presence of said string. The minimum thickness of the covering device (about 0.3 mm) minimizes contact or interference with neighboring fingers and / or any similar coverings being worn by the neighboring fingers.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This invention claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional patent 61 / 463,665, entitled “Fingertip protector for a person playing a stringed instrument”, Inventor James Grant McJunkin, filed Feb. 22, 2011.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to finger protection devices in general, and more particularly relates to a device used to provide protection from pain that is commonly experienced when depressing strings in the playing of a stringed musical instrument.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]In playing a stringed musical instrument, one typically depresses the instrument's strings against a rigid neck or fingerboard in order to create a specifically desired note or tonal sound. The inherent high string tension, combined with very small string diameter, causes considerable pressure to be exerted on very small, localized areas of the sensitive fingertip ends. Due to this...
Claims
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CPCA41D13/087A61F13/105G10D3/00A61F2013/00404A61F2013/00395
InventorMCJUNKIN, JAMES GRANT
OwnerMCJUNKIN JAMES GRANT