Contoured Stringed Instrument Picks and Bodies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional instruments and instrument accessories are typically flat and one-dimensional, lacking anatomical contours and textures that could enhance grip, comfort, and acoustic properties, limiting their visual and tactile appeal and playability.
Innovation Solution
The development of contoured and textured instruments and accessories, such as guitar picks and instruments, with 3D anatomical shapes that provide varied curvature, angles, and thickness, allowing for improved grip, comfort, and acoustic enhancements, along with customization options through CAD/CAM technology for personalized designs and materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional flat and one-dimensional instrument designs are used, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but grip, comfort, and acoustic properties are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by transitioning from flat planar surfaces to contoured three-dimensional surfaces on instrument bodies and picks. The instrument body features curved contours including a rounded lower bout, arched top surface, and sculpted waist area, while picks feature contoured gripping surfaces with varying curvature radii. This curvature enhances ergonomic grip and comfort without fundamentally changing the manufacturing process, as it can be achieved through conventional molding or carving techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional flat surfaces to three-dimensional contoured surfaces by adding depth and volume variations. The instrument body incorporates a sculpted waist area with varying thickness, an arched top surface with relief carving, and a rounded lower bout that extends in the depth dimension. Similarly, picks transition from flat planar forms to three-dimensional contoured gripping surfaces with varying thickness and curvature, providing enhanced tactile feedback and grip.
2Ease of operation
If conventional stamped triangular guitar picks are used, then manufacturing is straightforward, but visual and tactile appeal is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct contoured features in specific regions of the instrument and picks. The instrument body has a sculpted waist area with localized curvature variations, an arched top surface with specific relief patterns, and a rounded lower bout with particular radius of curvature. The picks feature contoured gripping surfaces with varying curvature radii in different zones, allowing optimized tactile feedback and grip in the hand-contact region while maintaining structural integrity elsewhere.
3Reliability
If flat planar surfaces are used on instruments, then production is simple and consistent, but acoustic properties and visual appeal are enhanced by contoured designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating contoured and curved surface features into the initial mold design or template for instrument and pick manufacturing. Rather than adding complexity through secondary operations, the contoured waist area, arched top surface, and rounded lower bout are built-in to the primary forming process. Similarly, picks are molded or cut with contoured gripping surfaces from the beginning, ensuring production consistency while achieving the desired three-dimensional aesthetic and ergonomic properties.
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments described herein are directed at instruments and instrument accessories and their associated designs and methods of manufacture based on contoured surfaces and their acoustic properties. Exemplary embodiments may be used to broaden the basic design of stringed instruments or stringed instrument picks or the associated accessories to include forms in three dimensions or using and optimizing the acoustic and/or strength properties inherent in an infinite variety of shapes and sizes.