# US 2016/0249697 A1 · Method Of Gripping A Striking Apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0249697 A1 - Document ID: US20160249697A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/634,151 - Filed: 2015-02-27 - Published: 2016-09-01 - Earliest claimed: 2015-02-27 - Inventors: Daniel Paul Racine; Thomas Richard Racine, II - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160249697A1 ## CPC - G10G 5/005: {while playing, e.g. cord, strap or harness (rests or guards as part of the instruments, see the particular instruments, e.g. G10D3/18)} - A41D 13/087: {especially for fingers} - A44C 9/0076: {worn on several fingers or between fingers} - G10D 13/12: Drumsticks; Mallets (pedals for beaters G10D13/11) - G10G: REPRESENTATION OF MUSIC; RECORDING MUSIC IN NOTATION FORM; ACCESSORIES FOR MUSIC OR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. SUPPORTS (music stands A47B; non-musical aspects of musical toy instruments A63H5/00; metronomes G04F5/02; teaching music G09B15/00) - A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES - A44C: PERSONAL ADORNMENTS, e.g. JEWELLERY; COINS - G10D: STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACCORDIONS OR CONCERTINAS; PERCUSSION MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; AEOLIAN HARPS; SINGING-FLAME MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (organs, harmoniums or similar wind musical instruments with associated blowing apparatus G10B; pianos, harpsichords, spinets or similar stringed musical instruments with one or more keyboards G10C; automatic musical instruments G10F; electrophonic musical instruments in which tones are generated by electromechanical means G10H) ## Abstract This application for patent discloses is a method of improving the grip on a striking apparatus, including the step of: providing a plurality of elastomer bands having a size suitable to fit snugly on the fingers, said elastomer bands being characterized in that: (a) they exhibit a first substantially linear force constant through an initial range of stretch and a second substantially linear force constant through a subsequent range of stretch; and (b) the first substantially linear force constant is less than the second substantially linear force constant. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of improving the grip on a striking apparatus comprising: providing a plurality of elastomer bands having a size suitable to fit snugly on the fingers, said elastomer bands being characterized in that: a. they exhibit a first substantially linear force constant through an initial range of stretch and a second substantially linear force constant through a subsequent range of stretch; b. the first substantially linear force constant is less than the second substantially linear force constant. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of elastomer bands is sized so that, when in use, its perimeter elongation is no more than about 50% of its original perimeter. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising placing the plurality of elastomer bands on each of a plurality of a percussionist's fingers. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first substantially linear force constant is between about 10 N/m and about 70 N/m. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the first substantially linear force constant is between about 20 N/m and about 60 N/m. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the first substantially linear force constant to the second substantially linear force constant is between about 2.0 and about 20.0. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the first substantially linear force constant to the second substantially linear force constant is between about 5.0 and about 15. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the second substantially linear force constant is between about 150 N/m and about 400 N/m. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the elastomer band comprises a polymer chosen from polyvinyl chloride, poly alkyl (meth)acrylate, wherein alkyl is a C1-C18 linear, or branched hydrocarbon group, a vinyl ether polymer, a vinyl ester polymer, a modified alkyd polymer, an allyl diglycol carbonate polymer, a polybutadiene or substituted polybutadiene polymer, an unsaturated polyester, a polyimide, a silicone polymer, a silicone polyimide copolymer, or a combination comprising any of the foregoing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the elastomer band comprises a polymer or copolymer comprising vinyl chloride monomer repeat units. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the elastomer band is substantially free of phthalate plasticizers. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the unstretched elastomer bands have cross sectional dimensions of from about 2 mm to about 7 mm. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the unstretched elastomer bands have a generally rectangular cross section with dimensions of about 1 mm to about 7 mm in a side. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the unstretched elastomer bands have a generally rectangular cross section with a height of about 1 mm to about 5 cm.