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    U.S. Patent 9,135,897, Magnetic Guitar Pick Ring, Issued 2015.

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    U.S. Patent 9,135,897, Magnetic Guitar Pick Ring, Issued 2015.

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    U.S. Patent 9,135,897, Magnetic Guitar Pick Ring, Issued 2015.

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    U.S. Patent 9,135,897, Magnetic Guitar Pick Ring, Issued 2015.

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    U.S. Patent 9,135,897, Magnetic Guitar Pick Ring, Issued 2015.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    91 views6 pages

    U.S. Patent 9,135,897, Magnetic Guitar Pick Ring, Issued 2015.

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    Anonymous a7S1qyX
    U.S. Patent 9,135,897, Magnetic Guitar Pick Ring, Issued 2015.

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    2) United States Patent MeDonald et al. (S4) MAGNETIC GUITAR PICK RING AND. MATERIAL FOR USE THEREWITH i Grant Kick MeDonald, Asheville, ); Stuart Joseph Benjamin, Candler, NC (US) Tain Grant Kiek MeDonald, Asheville, NC (US) Stuart Joseph Benjamin, Candler, NC (US) (72) Iaventors (*) Notice: Subject aay disclaimer, the term ofthis. patent is extended or adjusted under 35 USC, 154(b) by 0 days (21) Appl. Nos 144467,197 (22) Filed: Ang. 28,2014 ) Prior Publication Data US 2015/0075352 AI Mar, 19, 2015, Related U. plication Data (60) Provisional application No, 61/869,253, filed on Aug. 23, 2013, provisional application No, GU/S81,909, fled on Sep. 24,2013, (1) Int Cl G10 316 (2006.01), us.c., oe 100 37163 (2013.01) (58) Field of Classification Search cc Giop 3163 ‘See application file for complete serch istry 13 19 US009135897B2 (1) Patent No: US 9,135,897 B2 (4s) Date of Patent: Sep. 15, 2015 60) References Cited US, PATENT DOCUMENTS 4305932 Sis Sass GUIs058 A. £1988 Mis 1995 Reinecke i096. Singer 972000. Rowley 6225539 BI* $2001 Freeman aKO21 BLY 22002 due et 6835881 BI 122004 Jackson 6846977 B2* 12005 Oskorep 938430 B2* £2005 Oskoep 6977330 B2* 122008 Santa Cuz etal 5371990 B2* 52008 Benyahiactal 779997 B2* 92010 Sane 1986264 B2® 62011 Rola DoOMSI1 $* 122013 Houck, 8628716 BI 12014 McPherson eal 2002078891 AL* 122002 Atkin R0OHOLIS265 AL* 62004 Kate 200410237753 AL* 122004 Savage soosotassmp AL+ "72008 Delany 20090139384 AL* 62009 Brumoce DOIBODSIS30 AL 42013 Risola eal DOISOLSI76 AL¢ 62013 Alenoetal $1399 ao13010203 AL* 122013. Risolia 8 DoLAOIg7DI6 AL* 72014 Boruee 224267 sousnonsis2 AL* 42015 Mabon a 322 * cited by examiner Primary Examiner — Robert W Hom on ABSTRACT An improved apparatus for retaining a guitar pick provide, ‘which includes a riag with a magnetic component being tached, by a chain forexample, toa guitar pick also includ ing a magnetic component. The apparatus allows a performer toreleate or drop the guitar pick, either intentionally or unin tentionally, and have the gitar pick be maintained in the performeshandbyitsattracton othe magnetic eomponent ofthe rig, The guitar pick may be made from a magnetic ‘material, including for example stainless steel ora magnetic plas 10 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets es ‘7a US. Patent Sep. 15, 2015 Sheet 1 of 2 US 9,135,897 B2 18 19° 17b FIGURE 1 US. Patent Sep. 15, 2015 Sheet 2 of 2 US 9,135,897 B2 FIGURE 2 US 9,135,897 B2 1 MAGNETIC GUITAR PICK RING AND MATERIAL FOR USE THEREWITH (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED. APPLICATIONS, 5 “This aplication claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 6/869253 and 61/881, 509, led Aug. 23, 2013 and Sep. 24, 2013, which ae hereby incorporated by reference in ther eatrty w FIELD OF THE INVENTION ‘The present iention relates to @ new improvement and solution tothe guitar payer's traditional method of holding ‘and using a pick and te a magnetic plastic, more patculely toa compesiton of eon andor see o other suitable fer ‘magnetic particles embedded or mixed in a polymer based plastic that can then be magnetized. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Consistently hokding standard plastic ft picks while play ing a guitar has always been an issve lacing guitar players. Guitarpick manufactarershave sought many soltions to this 2 problem to no val, including: making picks larger, making picksin diferent shapes, making picks with waction ridges on them, making picks chalky for grip, adding holes in the back ofthe pick for grip, or making picks with varying thicknesses and pliability. Some manufacturers have devised a spring Todd pick holder that holds up to ten picks and has an adhesive that sticksrigit tothe edge ofthe guitar, otha when ‘pic falls out ofthe performer's hand heorshe can each up and slide another pick out ofthe holes. However, the ime thatittakes the performer to grab another pick interferes with, the execution of song in is pre-set ime signature, Some ‘musicians wil actually put the pick in between their teeth ‘while thoy play asong sos not to lose the pick while wlzing allof their fingers fora more intricate style of finger picking. ‘Aclaw pick s used primarily, but ot exclusively, forbanjo picking. Inthe claw pick, the thumb has a stationary pick, smaller than standard size, wom around the thumb ina loop. ‘The claw picks are also stationary, wor onthe tps of all of the fingers, and are shaped like claws, resembling nothing like flat pick, The preset invention solves these shortcomings in the art by providing a magnetic guitar pick ing. Inaddition, thes lack of materials inthe art that can be ‘magnetized yet have te feel ofa plastic material. There are plastic products with magnets embedded into them later Theres evena "magnetic rubber" mixture used for signs tht stickto veieles and refrigerators. However theres 0 mate ‘ial hat spastic itselbeing magnetic ‘There are several reasons for this deficiency in the at. In corderto have amagnetic material withthe touch, fel, and the ‘weight people are accustomed to ina plastic, metallic par- tices, preferably ofthe size of metallic dust, must be mixed ‘nto the paste prior to injection molding ofthe article, The ‘metallic particles must be mixed and distributed evenly ‘throughout the plastic proe to charging the mater, If one ‘cages the particles befor injetion molding, and thea adds the particles tothe plastic, the heat quired melt the plastic will de-magnetize the tiny particles. Even if this method could be performed, the particles would attract and repel ‘themselves into clumps i the plastic te particles are non-magnetic prior to being mixed in, then they are completely insulated from one another by the 8 s 2 plastic surrounding each particle. This means thatthe par- ticles cannot be magnetized by'aneletric current because the particles do not touch each ther, Therefor, the only other ‘option Would be to create a magnetic eld around the paste to charge the particles inside, but in this ease, che particles ‘would Be locked in place inthe hardened plastic, ot allowing the poles to be aligned with any continuity or consistent ‘magnetic fx, The present invention addresses these prob- lems facing the ar. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ‘The present iveation relates toa magnetic pick rng com- prising 1 guitar pick attached toa rng by a chain, so thatthe performer can execute a seamless transition betweea using the pick and finger picking the strings ofthe guitar or other istumeat.A small magaet i attached w a bezel housing oa the rng, Either the pick othe coupling attaching the ring to thepickis madeofa material havingmagnetic properties. The pick andor coupling attached to the pick would then retraet bck tothe magnet and be worn on te inside ofthe strum- ‘ming hand, ash with te inside ofthe fingers smal ole can he bared inta the back edge ofa standard plastic pick allowing fora clasp or coupling to attach to the pick from the bored hoe. The clasp tha attaches the cain to the ring, and te chain itself, are made of non-magnetic mate- al, so that the elasp and chain are not drawn back to the ‘magnet, However, ihe pick doesnot have magnetic proper- ties, the clasp attiched tothe pick has magnetic properties, “This allons the pick to be retracted back smoothly and not ‘become tangled up on the ring. The ring ean be formed from, ‘any appropriate material, such as gold, plastic or silver ‘This invention accomplishes atleast wo practical epplica- tions, Firs itallows musician to play the guitar witha pick ‘and never have he pick fl out ofthe musician's hand. Ifthe pick is dropped, intentionally or inadvertently, the pick will, bbe drawn to the magnet where it ean be easly grasped bythe performer when needed, Second the present invention would allow a performer to use the pick and then seamlessly tansi- ‘ion int finger picking, using all the fingers and thumb, by sliding the pick back tothe magnet affixed tothe riag. The fing can be worn on the thumb or aay finger, excluding the pinky. The magnet sideof the pick ing. including the pick and ‘magnet, are woen on the inside o palm side of the hand so as to allow the performer to pull the pick back off the magnet using the other digits ‘The preset invention further contemplates hard, ight- ‘weight and durable composition of basic substances that allows magnetic repulsion or adhesion with structural func tion which can be used in creating a pick having magnetic properties ‘The resent invention contemplates the method for making and using the magnetic plastic disclosed herein. Having summarized the present invention herein, the invention will now be desribed in further detail in reference to the accompanying Figures, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. illustrates the components of the magnetic pick ring according 1 an embodiment of the present invention; and IG. 2illustrates the assembled magnetic pick rng accord {ng toa embodiment ofthe peesent invention, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION ‘The magnetic pick ng according othe present invention is dosribed in reference io FIGS, Hand 2. US 9,135,897 B2 3 “The magnetic pick rng 10 includes a flexible ring or band ‘connected to or having a bezel housing 12at hebase ofthe ring 11. The bezel housing 12 comprises an opening to ceive a magnot 13 of equal or lessor size. The magnet 13 is secured tothe bezel housing 12 and ring 11 by soldering, alving or fiting the magnet 13 inside the bezel housing 12. ‘atch 16 is soldered toa side edge ofthe bezel housing 12 $0 tat a clasp 14 can be secured fo the ring 11. In a prefered embodiment, the clasp 14 isa lobster caw clasp, however, other suitable clasping means an be wilized w ‘A chain 1S is atachod tothe clasp 14 on one end ofthe chain IS. The opposing end ofthe chain 15 comprises aclasp Ta and colar 17b. Ina prefered embodiment, the chain 18 tas a length of approximately 116" to 114". On the end of the chain 18 opposing the ring M1 the chain 1s {Sis secured oa guitar pick 18 If the guitar pick 18is made fromamagnetic material, the chain 18 may secure tothe pick 18 by a rivet stud, Allerstvely, the chain 18 can be ‘attached 1 the guitar pick ISby a spring ing clasp 17a with, stainless stel collar 175, or by either ofthese compeneats. ‘alone, which may be preferred ifthe pick 18 is made of a ‘non-magnetic material. However, the present invention i not Timited to these means for attaching the chain 15 to the pick 18, Another alternative would be to create two holes on each side ofthe pick 18 and have studs anchored o a small base 2 plate and clamped with hinges to another smal hase pate ‘with eceivers clamped or clipped together. Aliematively. the pick 18 can be slid into a spring with teeth, like Vise grip or battery cables, ‘Tous the magnetic pick ing 10, tering M1 canbe placed ‘onthe thumb orsny finger except pinky inger Thering 11 is wom on the inside of the hand, so the magnet 13, bezel housing 12, and pick 18 are oriented onthe inside pal of the summing hand. Asa result, wheate pick 18is stationary or trapped magnetically tothe ring 11, te tomb or othe digits are reeto slide the pick I8ofTofheing 11 andbeing the pick 18 to a comfortable playing postion without creating too ‘much tension onthe chain 15. “The chain 15, which in a preferred embodiment has a length of approximately 114" wo 1" can be created ia vay ing sizes to accommodate varying hand sizes. The clasps 14 and 1a allow easy removal of the chai 18 from the ring LT ‘and pick 18 to replace the chain 1S with alternate chains ‘having different lengths. The chain may also be substituted foranother suitable means for attaching the rng 1 tothe pick 18,svchas acon, string or rope, for example. Preferably, the ring 1 isnot soldered together, but is open soa tobe flexible to fit al sizes and thicknesses of the player's fingers. How- ever, where preferred by the payer, a pried or size ing «ean be provided. ‘As a guitar player vigorously steums the iasteument, he or she will not have to hold ot the pick 18 very tightly: thus allowing the wrist to be more limber, ultimately offering a ‘more ytmie appeoach to given song, The pick 18 cannot be pulled out of the fingers due to added fietion, however, should the player drop the pick 18 or the pick 18 falls from the player's fingers simple cupping ofthe wrist will bring the pick 18 back to the fingertips. [a guitarplayerchoosest fee his fingers ofthe pik 18, the pick 18 canslde along the finger ‘and the magnet 13 will secute the pik 18 @ “The ring 1, the clasp 14 ad te clin 15 can be made of any relatively durable material Preferably, the material doos ‘not have magnetic properties, so thatthe magnet 1 s fee to pull either the magnetized pick 18 or the magnetized collar 1 Tbhack towards thering 11, One material thatcan be sed in creating the pick 18 andor collar 17b is stainless stel ‘because stainless stel has magnetic properis ads durable s 4 forse allowing the pick 18 andor collar 17h tobe riveted the chain 18 pemnanentl. In addition, stainless steel will not ‘ust and will rein its orginal aestheties and luster. tema tively, a magnetic plastic, as described below, can be used instead of stainless tel The rng 11 and te bezel housing 12 can be made from gold, silver, plastic or ay other suitable ‘material. The clasp 14 and chain 18 can be made of alumi ‘um silver, or any other suitable material, preferably a mate- ‘ial being durable enough for repeated use, isalo envisioned thatthe composition ofthe pick canbe ‘magnetic plastic material. This material includes magnetic particles inside of aplastic thereby making the pick 18 mag- netic with an opposite polarity to the ring Although stainless stool is suitable foruseas the pick 183s described shove, ceriin guitar players may prefer the touch and feel ofa standard paste pick to which they are accus- tomed, To accommodate this, sl-hardening polymer plas ticepoxy mixed with metal filings caa be used asthe material for the pick 18. The metallic particles are evenly disperse ad mixed inside the polymer material, which can be magne tized with a magnetic resonance imaging earth magnet ‘machine orusing any suitablemeans or apparatus now known, ‘or developed inthe fate Increating the magnetic plastic material, itis preferableto ‘use smaller sized panicles. This proves for more evenly dispersed and hidden particles within the plastic, s0 as to not ‘be noticed bythe naked eye. For example the particles can be categorized into four grades of decreasing size: “shavings”, “filings”, particles”, and “dust” none embodiment, the magnetic plastic composition has ‘prefered ratio of metallic particle (suc s ron oe steel t0 plastic material ranging from 10% metal and 90% plastic up {033% metal and 67% plastic, by Weight, Other ratios may be possible as determined by the properties of the metalic par- ticles and plastic. Acooeding to 2 second embodiment, another magnetic plastic composition and method for eeating the composition are provided. custom made tumbled barium ferrite dust that is in the shape of microscopic spheres, so a 1 not clog the injectors, is mixed with @ plastic. The plastic to metallic particlratioin the compositions sufficient allow gravity defying pull. Next, a device attaching two electrodes is cerbedde into the bottom ofthe stel die cast so when the plastic mixtures injected into the mold, a machine attached to the electodes with the specific amperage needed is billy turned on while the plastic is cooling but sill in a. semi- viscousstate, thus allows the aligning ofall the poles ofall the individual panicles in the plastic into a non-contraictory are Altenatively, 2 tumbled neodymium (NdFeB) powder no bigger than 3 microns could be usod asthe metalic particle. “According to an allemative method for creating the com- position, a two pigce die east machine tol made of see i ‘provided and then bath piees are permanently magnetized, ‘orth to north and south to south. The tw pieces areclamped together, as they would naturally repel cach oer The plastic is then injected with the particles and into the mold ereting all the poles to lineup, yet not Forcing the particles inside to bbe compressed into the center but browght andl dispersed «every to the very edges while simultaneously lowering the ‘temperature and freezing the tool itself with liquid niteogen, sot particles inside would lock themselves quicker ino the Jhardening plastic and note pulledall the way tone sidetoo fast. “The magnetic plastic material acording to this invention «ean be used in other pret beyond the pick 18 according to {his invention. For example, the magnetic plastic can be used in everyday household products, sueh as botles, and even be US 9,135,897 B2 5 ‘sed in mechanical enginering of lightweight magnetically charged components or taols and in any other technological fields. ‘While there have been shown and described and pointed ‘ut fundamental novel features ofthe invention as applied tos prefered embodiments thereof, it will be understood that ‘various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and detils of the devices and methods described may be ‘made by those skilled in the art without departing fom the spirit of the invention. For example, its expressly intended ‘hat all combinations of those elements andlor method steps ‘hich perform substantially the same fugction in substan- tilly the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope othe invention. Moreover it shouldbe recognize that structures and/or element andor method steps shawn ano

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