String instrument playing aid

Abstract

An apparatus to aid in playing a string musical instrument comprising a support member having a member body to receive a portion of a distal end of a limb of a user and a sleeve configured to receive a proximal end of the limb. The sleeve is connected to the member body through a first coupling. A first bow adapter affixed to a first end of a bow enables a coupling of the first end to the support member. A second bow adapter is affixed to the second end of the bow for coupling of the first end of a second biasing member to the distal end of the bow. Rotations at the first and second couplings enable the user to draw the bow between first and second positions across the strings while the biasing members urge the bow to return to the first position.

Description

DescriptionTitle of Invention: STRING INSTRUMENT PLAYING AID FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to prosthetic devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to prosthetic devices for aiding in playing of string instruments. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] String instruments, such as violin and cello etc., require precise finger movements and hand control to play. Individuals with hand deformities, including the absence of fingers, face significant challenges in using these instruments. Existing solutions do not adequately address the need for such individuals to play string instruments, resulting in a lack of accessibility and inclusivity in music for this segment of the population.

[0003] Thus, there exists a need for a device which can overcome the above-mentioned problems associated with playing of string instruments by persons with hand deformities.OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a prosthetic device to aid in playing string instruments.

[0005] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a string instrument playing aid that can be used with multiple types of string instruments.

[0006] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device to aid in playing string instrument that does not need any modifications of the instrument being played.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cost-effective prosthetic device to aid in playing of string instruments.

[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an easy to wear prosthetic device to aid in playing of string instruments.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a prosthetic device to aid in playing of string instruments that does not damage the string instruments after use.

[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a re-usable prosthetic device to aid in playing of string instruments.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed invention. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key / critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0012] Present invention is directed to a prosthetic device which enables individuals with hand deformities to play string musical instruments such as a cello or a violin etc. without any difficulties. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a sleeve, a support member, a first bow adapter, a second bow adapter, a fist biasing member, a second biasing member and a clamp assembly. The sleeve is configured to receive a proximal end of a limb of the player / user and it is pivotally coupled to a member body of the support member. This first coupling occurs between a sleeve pivot point disposed on the sleeve and pivot point of the member body positioned in pivotal operative relationship with each other. The member body is configured to receive at least a portion of a distal end of the limb of the player.

[0013] A first bow adapter is removably affixed to a first end of a bow and is configured to enable a second coupling of the first end of the bow to the support member so that the bow can rotate relative to the support member. For this second coupling, a bow anchoring member of the support member body is positioned, preferably in the palm portion of the member body, in pivotal operative relationship with a first coupling element disposed on the first bow adapter. The support member further comprises a first fastening point disposed on the member body which is spaced apart from the palm portion. It is configured to enable coupling of a first end of a first biasing member. A second fastening point disposed on the first bow adapter is configured to enable coupling of a second end of the first biasing member to the first bow adapter. The first biasing member is configured to urge the first end of the bow toward the first fastening point of the member body. It gets stretched and resiliently elongated to allow the first end of the bow to move away from the first fastening point when a player draws the bow.

[0014] The present invention further comprises a second biasing member having a first end and a second end distally opposite to the first end. The first end of the second biasing member is coupled to a second end of the bow. In one embodiment, a second bow adapter is removably affixed to the second end of the bow for enabling this coupling of the first end of the second biasing member to the second end of the bow. The other end i.e., second end, of the second biasing member is configured for a removable engagement at a first location close to the body of the string musical instrument away from the tensioned strings. In another embodiment, a clamp assembly is removably attached to the body of the string musical instrument for enabling the removable engagement of the second end of the second biasing member to a first location.The clamp assembly comprises a first member, a second member and one or more fasteners, the first and second members being configured to be removably attachable to each side of the body of the musical instrument with the one more fasteners being configured to hold the first and second members in place with regard to the body. Thefirst member comprises an anchoring point configured for the removable engagement of the second end of the second biasing member.

[0015] The second biasing member is configured to urge the second end of the bow toward the first location close to the body of the string musical instrument to be in the first position. It can be stretched and resiliently elongated to allow the second end to move toward the second position away from the first position across the one or more tensioned strings as the user plays the musical instrument with the bow.Brief Description of Drawings

[0016] In order to describe the manner in which features and other aspects of the present disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description of certain subject matter will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting in scope, nor drawn to scale for all embodiments, various embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the string instrument playing aid in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of a prosthetic device of the string instrument playing aid in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 2B is a front view of the prosthetic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 2C is a side view of the prosthetic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 3 A illustrates a user wearing the prosthetic device;

[0022] FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of the portion of the prosthetic device as illustrated in FIG. 3A and identified as detail 3B in FIG. 3A;

[0023] FIG.4A is a side view of a first bow adapter and top view of a second bow adapter of the present invention affixed to a bow used for playing a string instrument;

[0024] FIG.4B is a top view of the first bow adapter and a side view of the second bow adapter of the present invention affixed to a bow used for playing a string instrument;

[0025] FIG.5A is a bottom perspective view of a clamp assembly of the present invention that can be affixed to a string instrument;

[0026] FIG.5B is a side view of a clamp assembly of the present invention that can be affixed to a string instrument;

[0027] FIG.5C is a front view of a clamp assembly of the present invention affixed to a string instrument;

[0028] FIG.5D is a side view of a clamp assembly of the present invention affixed to a string instrument;

[0029] FIG.6A illustrates the string instrument playing aid being used by a user for playing a cello;

[0030] FIG.6B is an enlarged view of the portion of the string instrument playing aid as illustrated in FIG.6A and identified as detail 6B in FIG.6A;

[0031] FIG.6C is an enlarged view of the portion of the string instrument playing aid as illustrated in FIG.6A and identified as detail 6C in FIG.6A;

[0032] FIG.7A illustrates another view of the string instrument playing aid being used by a user for playing a cello;

[0033] FIG.7B is an enlarged view of the portion of the string instrument playing aid as illustrated in FIG.7A and identified as detail 7B in FIG.7A;

[0034] FIG.7C is an enlarged view of the portion of the string instrument playing aid as illustrated in FIG.7A and identified as detail 7C in FIG.7A;

[0035] FIG. 8A is a top perspective view of the string instrument playing aid with a cello in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 8B is a bottom perspective view of the string instrument playing aid with a cello in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0037] FIGs.9A-9E illustrate different views of the string instrument playing aid in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0038] The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of particular applications of the invention and their requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0039] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

[0040] Specific embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the figures, wherein like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. The terms “distal” and “proximal” are used in the following description with respect to a position or direction. “Distal” or “distally” are a position distant from or in a direction away from a reference point. “Proximal” and “proximally” are a position near or in a direction toward the reference point. In addition, as used herein, the terms “outward” or “outwardly” refer to a position radially away from a longitudinal axis of a reference body and the terms “inward” or “inwardly” refer to a position radially toward a longitudinal axis of the reference body.

[0041] The string musical instrument playing aid apparatus 100 of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1, comprises a prosthetic device 102 and a first bow adapter 104. Optionally, the apparatus 100 may further comprise a first biasing member 108, a second biasing member 110 and a clamp assembly 106.

[0042] Reference to FIGs. 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A and 3B, the prosthetic device 102 is configured to be wearable by a person on a limb such as on an arm or on a leg which may or may not have deformities (extra fingers and thumbs, fused fingers, undergrowth or overgrowth of the hand and fingers, and missing fingers and thumbs, for example). In the present example, for ease of description, the apparatus 100 is shown worn by a user on an arm having such a hand deformity. The prosthetic device 102 comprises a sleeve 202 and a support member 204. The sleeve 202 is configured to receive a proximal end of a limb. In the present example, the limb over which the prosthetic device is worn is the arm 303 of the user 301 and the proximal end 305 is the forearm with wrist 307 and the distal end 309 is the hand having a palm side and a dorsal side. In one embodiment, a fastener such as a strap 206 is provided to help a user secure the sleeve 202 over the proximal end 305. Whereas a sleeve pivot point 217 is disposed on a distal end 209 of the sleeve 202, the proximal end 207 holds on to the forearm area of the user.

[0043] As shown in FIGs.2A-2C, 3A-3B, the support member 204 comprises a member body 221, a bow anchoring member 210 and a first fastening point 212. The member body 221 having a palm portion 223 is configured to receive at least a portion of the distal end 307 i.e., the hand of the user when the sleeve 202 is worn over the wrist 307 portion of the proximal end 305 of the arm 303. The member body 221 is dimensioned to extend at least over the palm portion of the user’s hand. The bow anchoring member 210, which is a body projecting outwardly in the present example, is preferably disposed on the palm portion 223. But, the first fastening point 212 is located away from the palm portion 223, preferably on one side of it. Optionally, a digit space 214 configured to accommodate at least a portion of a digit 319 of the user’s hand is disposed on the 204 support member spaced apart from the first fastening point 212 (preferably opposite to it) and also from the palm portion 223.

[0044] The sleeve 202 is rotatively coupled to the member body 221 through a first coupling 208. This first coupling 208 occurs between the sleeve pivot point 217 of the sleeve 202 and a support member pivot point 219 disposed on the proximal end 213 of the member body 221, both positioned in pivotal operative relationship with each other so that the user 301 can rotate the support member 204 with the movement of distal end 309 (hand in the present example) along the wrist 307.

[0045] In the context of the present invention, string musical instruments are those musical instruments that produce sound by the vibration of stretched strings on being rubbed by a bow. As illustrated in FIGs. 5C and 5D, cello 500 is such an exemplary string musical instrument used herein to describe the working of the present invention. The conventional string musical instrument 500 comprises a body 510, a neck 512, a bridge 520 and one or more tensioned strings 514. The bow 105, as shown in FIGs.4A & 4B, is any bow used for playing a string musical instrument (cello or violin etc.). A standard bow 105 comprises a stick 403 having a first end 404 (close to where the frog is located and where a user holds the bow) and a second end 406 i.e., the tip of the stick spaced apart from and opposite to the first end 404. Two bow adapters, a first bow adapter 104 and a second bow adapter 107 are removably affixed to the first end 404 and the second end 406 of the bow 105 respectively. This bow assembly 402 is used with the prosthetic device 102 for playing the musical instrument 500 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Reference to FIGs.4A & 4B, the first bow adapter 104 comprises a first coupling element 408 and, optionally, a second fastening point 410. In a preferred embodiment, the first bow adapter 104 is so configured that it can be removably but firmly affixed to the first end 404 near the frog of the bow 105 with the help of one or more fasteners. The first coupling element 408 is made compatible with the bow anchoring member 210 of the support member 204. In the present example, as the bow anchoring member 210 is a projected body, the first coupling element 408 is configured to receive it in a pivotal operative relationship which forms the second coupling such that the first end 404 can rotate relative to the support member 204. In a preferred embodiment, the bow anchoring member 210 is disposed on the palm portion 223 of the member body 221. The second fastening point 410 is configured to be a fastening / anchoring point.

[0047] Similar to the first bow adapter 104, the second bow adapter 107 is also so configured that it can be removably but firmly affixed to the second end 406 near the tip of the bow 105 with the help of one or more fasteners. It is dimensioned and shaped to serve as a fastening / anchoring point. In the present example, reference to FIG.4A, a third fastening point 414 is disposed on the second bow adapter 107 to serve as a fastening / anchoring point.

[0048] Both the first biasing member 108 and the second biasing member 110 are elongated bodies and can be stretched resiliently with application of force. One example of the biasing member is an elastic band. Reference to FIG.6C, whereas the first end 604 of the first biasing member 108 is secured to the first fastening point 212 of the support member 204, the other end i.e., the second end 606 is secured to the second fastening point 410 disposed on the first bow adapter 104. The length of the first biasing member 108 is such that if the bow 105 tends to move away from the first fastening point 212 while rotating around the second coupling, the first biasing member 108 urges / pulls the first end 404 of the bow back towards the first fastening point 212.

[0049] In one embodiment, the first end 608 of the second biasing member 110 is configured to be secured directly to the second end 406 of the bow 105. In some other embodiments, as illustrated in FIGs.4A, 5C, 5D, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7C, 8A, 8B and 9A-9E, the first end 608 is secured / tied to the third fastening point 414 disposed on the second bow adapter 107. The other end i.e., the second end 610 of the second biasing member 110 is configured to be removably secured to a first location close to the body 510 of the string musical instrument 500 away from the tensioned strings 514. The first location can be a location on either side (first side 516A or second side 516B) or on the back 518 of the body 510.

[0050] As shown in FIGs.5A-5D, in one embodiment, a clamp assembly 106 configured for enabling the removable engagement of the second end 610 of the second biasing member 110 to the first location is provided. The clamp assembly 106 comprises a first member 502, a second member 504 and one or more fasteners 506. The first and second members 502 & 504 are configured to be removably attachable to each side 516A and 516B of the body 510 with the fasteners 506 firmly holding them in place with regard to the body 510. The first member 502 comprises an anchoring point 508 to which the second end 610 of the second biasing member 110 can be coupled for the removable engagement.

[0051] In the present example, user / player 301 uses the apparatus 100 of the present invention with her right arm which has hand deformities. First step would be to put on the prosthetic device 102 with the sleeve 202 secured around the wrist 307. When it is done, the support member 204 sits over the hand 309 of the user as shown in FIG.3B. The bow 105, coupled to the support member 204 at the first end 404, can now be rotatably moved by the user 301 as it follows the movement of the hand 309. In the present example, the second end 406 of the bow 105 is secured to the side 516A of the body 510 of the cello 500 as shown in FIG. 9E by the second biasing member 110.

[0052] For the present description, the position of the bow 105 with its second end 406 at the first location close to the side 516A of the string musical instrument 500 away from the tensioned strings 514, as shown in FIG.9A, is termed as the first position ofthe bow 105. When the bow 105 is at this first position, the second biasing member 110 urges / pulls the second end 406 of the bow 105 toward the first location close to the side 516A thereby keeping the bow 105 in contact with the strings 514. As the player 301 tries to move the bow 105 across the strings 514 in the direction 904 as shown in FIG.9C, the support member 204 rotates with respect to the sleeve 202 at the first coupling and the first end 404 of the bow 105 rotates at the second coupling with respect to the sleeve 202. These rotations enable the player 301 to draw the bow 105 in the desired direction and orientation. As the bow 105 is drawn completely across the strings 514 to the second position as in FIG. 9E, the first biasing member 108 tries to pull the first end 404 toward the sleeve 202 while the second biasing member 110 tries to pull the second end 406 toward the first position in the direction 902. The length of the second biasing member 110 is dimensioned in such a way that, when the bow 105 lies at the first position, the tension in the second biasing member 110 keeps the bow in contact with the strings 514 and, when the bow 105 moves away from the first position, it pulls the second end 406 of the bow 105 toward the side 516A. These forces help the player 301 to conveniently and effortlessly draw the bow 105 in both directions across the stings 514 between the first position and the second position while keeping the bow 105 in contact with the strings 514 all the time.

[0053] It would be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be used for playing some other string musical instruments such as a violin or a viola etc. also.

Claims

Claims

1. An apparatus to aid in playing a string musical instrument having a neck and a body supporting one or more tensioned strings, comprising:a support member having a member body configured to receive at least a portion of a distal end of a limb of a user, said member body comprising a palm portion;a sleeve configured to receive a proximal end of said limb, said sleeve being connected to said member body through a first coupling; anda first bow adapter removably affixed to a first end of a bow, said first bow adapter being configured to enable a second coupling of said first end of said bow to said support member; wherein, a rotation at said first coupling and at said second coupling enable said user to draw said bow between a first position and a second position across said one or more tensioned strings.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first coupling comprising a sleeve pivot point of said sleeve positioned in pivotal operative relationship with a support member pivot point of said member body.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second coupling comprising a bow anchoring member of said member body positioned in pivotal operative relationship with a first coupling element of said first bow adapter.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said bow anchoring member is disposed on said palm portion.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said support member further comprising a first fastening point disposed on said member body spaced apart from said palm portion, said first fastening point being configured to enable coupling with a first end of a first biasing member.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein a second fastening point disposed on said first bow adapter is configured to enable coupling of a second end of said first biasing member to said first bow adapter.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said first biasing member is configured to urge said first end of said bow toward said first fastening point.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said first biasing member is configured to be stretched and resiliently elongated to allow said first end of said bow to move away from said first fastening point.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second biasing member having a first end and a second end distally opposite to said first end, said first end of second biasing member being coupled to a second end of said bow.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein a second bow adapter is removably affixed to said second end of said bow for enabling said coupling of said first end of said second biasing member to said second end of said bow.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said second end of said second biasing member is configured for a removable engagement at a first location close to said body of said string musical instrument away from said one or more tensioned strings.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein a clamp assembly is removably attached to said body of said string musical instrument, said clamp assembly being configured for enabling said removable engagement of said second end of said second biasing member.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said second biasing member is configured to urge said second end of said bow toward said first location close to said body of said string musical instrument to be in said first position.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said clamp assembly comprises a first member, a second member and one or more fasteners, said first and second members being configured to be removably attachable to each side of said body with said one more fasteners being configured to hold said first and second members in place with regard to said body.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said first member comprises an anchoring point configured for said removable engagement of said second end of said second biasing member.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said second biasing member is further configured to be stretched and resiliently elongated toallow said second end to move toward said second position away from said first position across said one or more tensioned strings.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a strap provided on said sleeve is configured to secure said proximal end of said limb.

18. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein a digit space configured to accommodate at least a portion of a digit of said distal end of said limb is disposed on said support member spaced apart from said first fastening point and from said palm portion.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said proximal end of said limb is a forearm with wrist and said distal end of said limb is a hand of said user having a palm side and a dorsal side, said member body receiving said distal end extends at least over said palm portion.

Images