Music – Instruments – Stringed
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-30
2001-06-05
Nappi, Robert E. (Department: 2837)
Music
Instruments
Stringed
C084S318000, C084S319000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06242676
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field)
The present invention relates to a novel slide apparatus for stringed musical instruments, especially guitars.
2. Background Art
A popular method of playing stringed instruments, and guitars in particular, involves using a slide to create unique tonal qualities and chords. Many types of slides have been developed that were intended for overhead, or Hawaiian-style guitar playing. Examples of these include Smith-325; Smith-733; Clough-894; Smith-629; Mihalek-354; Meyer-884; and Marshall-766. Historically, players even used objects such as sockets (from socket wrenches) and surplus urine testing bottles. These inventions have the disadvantage of interfering with traditional fingering of the fretboard, which is of special concern with acoustic nylon, steel six string, electric six or seven string, or Spanish-style guitars.
To remedy the problems encountered with playing such guitars with a slide, others developed variations of the “Hawaiian slide.” Such inventions include Mauceri-188, disclosing a ring having a flat extended portion on part of the circumference; Jimenez 647 and 046, disclosing a slide comprising a finger ring having a rigid rail extension attached to and extending directly from the ring circumference; and Baker-891, disclosing a tapered bar having a rubber or felt damper, attached to a ring. These slides, however, rotate under the fingers excessively, thereby interfering with normal play and comfort. In addition, the motions required to place the slide in playing position, and remove Ht from playing position, are comparatively time- and labor-intensive, and result in the disruption of play.
Still other slides are designed to fit completely around one finger, covering substantially the entire length. These have been designed from bottlenecks, and more recently, from Pyrex, chrome, or brass. These have the obvious disadvantage of limiting the player to encumbered fingered, or pure slide play.
The present invention successfully addresses these problems with a novel construction that results in production of a wide variety of musical effects with no loss of timing or tonality.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION (DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION)
The present invention is of an apparatus for slide-play of a stringed instrument, comprising a finger ring, a bar support rail attached to side of the finger ring, a slide bar attached to the bar support rail, a bend extension rising upward from the slide bar and integral to the slide bar, and a finger tab adjacent to the finger ring and extending laterally from the finger ring. In the preferred embodiment, the finger ring comprises a sizably adjustable band, and more preferably an incomplete circumference. The bar support rail is preferably inherent with said finger ring, and preferably comprises a triangularly pointed slope at the end opposite the finger ring. The bar preferably comprises a solid cylindrical bar, and preferably is attached by at least 2 points to the bar support rail, and alternatively is attached along the entire length of the bar support rail. Preferably, attachment to the bar support rail comprises solder, bronzing or brazing. Preferably, the slide bar is integral with the bar support rail. In a preferred embodiment, the bend extension angles upward proximal to the finger ring, and the finger tab is integral with the bar support rail. Preferably, the finger tab is adjustable, and preferably extends at an angle of approximately 90° to the slide bar. The present invention preferably comprises at least one composition selected from steel, chrome, brass, sheet metal, glass, ceramics, compound plastics, or other metals.
The present invention is also of a method of playing a stringed instrument with a slide, comprising placing a slide comprising a finger tab and bend extension on a finger of the hand that utilizes the fretboard; engaging the slide on the fretboard; and disengaging the slide to allow for fingered playing. In the preferred embodiment, a slide attached to a finger ring, preferably an adjustable finger ring, is placed on a finger. Preferably, the finger ring is adjusted. The slide is preferably placed with the bend extension extending upward between the finger wearing the finger ring and the adjacent finger. The slide is engaged preferably by placing the finger adjacent to the finger wearing the finger ring atop the finger tab. Preferably, the slide is engaged by applying pressure on the finger tab to press the slide against the strings, and preferably is then moved along the fretboard. Preferably, disengaging the slide comprises lifting the finger off the finger tab.
A primary object of the present invention is to prevent over-rotation of the slide during play.
Another object of the present invention is to facilitate firm pressure across the slide when in playing position.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a slide that allows the player to switch between fingered play and slide play without loss in timing.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a slide that automatically moves out of the way of fingers when not in use.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a slide that allows the fingers to remain free for dampening vibrations.
A primary advantage of the present invention is the ability to position the slide into and remove the slide from playing position without loss of timing.
Another advantage of the present invention is the light weight of the slide.
A further advantage of the present invention is the ability to place the slide without causing unwanted string noise.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is the precise control afforded by the unique design of the slide.
Other objects, advantages and novel features, and further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 360647 (1995-07-01), Jimenez
patent: 1618884 (1927-02-01), Meyer
patent: 2026354 (1935-12-01), Mihalek
patent: 3386325 (1968-06-01), Smith
patent: 3822629 (1974-07-01), Smith
patent: 4092894 (1978-06-01), Clough, Jr.
patent: 4328733 (1982-05-01), Smith
patent: 5488891 (1996-02-01), Baker
patent: 5492046 (1996-02-01), Jimenez
patent: 104766 (1938-08-01), None
patent: 2596188 (1986-03-01), None
Lockett Kim
Nappi Robert E.
Peacock Myers & Adams
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