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(11) | EP 0 784 310 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Amusement device |
| (57) An inflatable noise maker (10) has a substantially cylindrical hollow member (12),
made of a flexible, substantially non-stretchable material. The member (12) is sealable
at both ends (14) and houses a column of gas. The gas is at a pressure such that,
when the member (12) is transversely folded, the gas reaches a pressure above atmospheric
pressure, thereby tensioning both distal ends (14) of the folded member (12) such
that the distal ends (14) of the noise maker (19) vibrate at at least one audible
frequency when struck. |
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to amusement devices for making audible sounds in general. In particular it concerns an inflatable device which makes an audible sound when struck.
[0002] It is well known that supporters at football games and like sporting events generally exhibit a desire to express themselves audibly. The human voice is conventionally supplemented by use of a rotating rattle. Such rattles, however, in order to produce the required sound level must be large and are therefore inconvenient to carry. The production costs of such a rattle from durable materials is also relatively high resulting in high prices. A cheap, easily portable alternative sound producing device would be highly desirable.
[0003] In the field of inflatable devices, a wide variety of recreational products are available including rubber balloons of various shapes and sizes. Many of these exhibit slight resonant properties but, due to the elastic properties of the rubber, inflation is achieved without sufficient increase in pressure and corresponding surface tension for the balloon to become highly resonant.
[0004] It would be desirable to produce an inflatable or gas-filled device sufficiently resonant to be used for making sound, which would be easily portable and could be produced at low-cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Hence, there is provided according to the teachings of the present invention, an amusement device for producing audible sound, the amusement device comprising a substantially cylindrical hollow member, the member having a first sealable end and a second sealable end, the member being made of a flexible, substantially non-stretchable material, the member housing a column of gas at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure so as to tension the member such that the device vibrates at at least one audible frequency when struck.
[0007] According to a further feature of the present invention the member is sufficiently flexible that it can be folded transversely, thereby raising the pressure of the gas.
[0009] According to a further feature of the present invention one of the sealable ends is substantially conical.
[0010] According to a further feature of the present invention the material is a heat-sealable polymer.
[0011] According to a further feature of the present invention there is also provided an openable sealing element connected to one of the sealable ends.
[0012] According to a further feature of the present invention the openable sealing element is a valve element normally preventing the escape of gas.
[0013] According to a further feature of the present invention the valve element is substantially planar.
[0014] According to a further feature of the present invention there is also provided a plurality of fins attached to the member.
[0015] There is also provided according to the teachings of the present invention, an amusement device for producing audible sound, the amusement device comprising: (a) an inflatable cylinder made of a flexible, substantially non-stretchable material, the inflatable cylinder having a first sealable end and a second sealable end, the inflatable cylinder being transversely foldable when inflated to provide a first portion and a second portion, the first portion initiating vibration of at least one audible frequency when struck against the second portion; and (b) a valve element mounted within the first sealable end.
[0016] According to a further feature of the present invention the inflatable cylinder displays information.
[0017] According to a further feature of the present invention one of the sealable ends is substantially conical.
[0018] According to a further feature of the present invention the material is a heat-sealable polymer.
[0019] According to a further feature of the present invention the valve element is substantially planar.
[0020] According to a further feature of the present invention there is also provided a plurality of fins attached to the inflatable cylinder.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an amusement device, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention for producing sound;
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an amusement device which includes a valve element, the amusement device being constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention, shown packaged compactly;
FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the amusement device of Figure 2A in its inflated state;
FIG. 3A is an exploded view of the valve element of Figure 2A;
FIG. 3B is a side elevational cross section through the valve element of Figure 2A;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of part of an amusement device having an alternative openable sealing element;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an amusement device which has additional fins, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention; and
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the use of the amusement device of Figure 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] The principles of an amusement device according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.
[0024] Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows an amusement device, generally designated 10, having a hollow cylindrical member 12 and sealable ends 14. Cylindrical member 12 is formed from a flexible, substantially non-stretchable material, preferably polyethylene or a similar plastic. This choice of material enables extremely simple and cheap production of the invention through heat sealing the ends of a length of polyethylene tubing.
[0025] Amusement device 10 is a ready-to-use device in which cylindrical member 12 is filled during manufacture with a gas or gases, for example air, forming a column of gas at above atmospheric pressure. The prevailing pressure of this column of gas acts radially outward on cylindrical member 12 causing it to be under tension. Cylindrical member 12 under tension together with the enclosed column of gas forms a system which vibrates resonantly when struck. The one or more frequencies at which resonance occurs vary in relation to the pressure of the gas in cylindrical member 12. Typically, the resonance produced is not a pure resonance at a single frequency. Instead, device 10 resonates at some combination of frequencies corresponding to a metallic ringing sound.
[0026] An important feature in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention is that cylindrical member 12 is sufficiently flexible to enable it to be folded transversely during use, substantially perpendicular to its length, as will be further described in reference to Figure 6 below. When cylindrical member 12 is folded the column of gas is restricted thereby raising the pressure of the contained air above the initial inflation pressure. This feature is particularly significant in a user-inflated embodiment of the invention, described below, in which inflation may be performed orally. Although the invention functions effectively at pressures commonly achievable by oral inflation, its performance may be significantly improved by further increasing the pressure.
[0027] It is an important additional feature of an embodiment of this invention that cylindrical member 12 carries a design on a part or all of its surface. The design may include information for the purposes of advertising, or to express the support of the user for a particular sports team or other organization.
[0028] With reference now to Figures 2A and 2B, there is shown a user-inflated embodiment of an amusement device, generally designated 11, according to the teachings of the present invention. In its deflated state, device 11 may be folded compactly for ease of storage as shown in Figure 2A. Figure 2B shows device 11 in its inflated state. Device 11 is similar to device 10, and equivalent elements are labelled similarly. Device 11 has a valve element 16 included in end 14 of cylindrical member 12.
[0029] A preferred structure of valve element 16 is illustrated in Figures 3A and 3B. Valve element 16 is preferably of planar design, allowing device 11 to be folded and stored extremely compactly in its deflated state. This embodiment of the invention also allows simple and cost-effective production through heat-sealing end 14 with valve element 16 in position.
[0030] Valve element 16 has an upper valve sheet 18, and a lower valve sheet 20, both made of a flexible heat-sealable material. Upper valve sheet 18 and lower valve sheet 20 are connected along two substantially parallel sealed lines 22, thereby forming a flattened tube 23. Sealed lines 22 extend from one end of valve element 16 towards the opposite end, but leave openable flaps 21. Lower valve sheet 20 is slightly longer than upper valve sheet 18, thereby facilitating manual separation of flaps 21. One or more pairs of sealed ribs 24 partially transverse valve element 16. Valve element 16 is positioned within end 14 of cylindrical member 12 such that flaps 21 extend outward from cylindrical member 12.
[0031] To inflate device 11, flaps 21 are separated, exposing an opening formed by the ends of sealed lines 22 and the intermediate parts of valve sheets 18 and 20. Device 11 can then be inflated by application of air pressure orally or by other means. The air pressure separates upper valve sheet 18 from lower valve sheet 20 between sealed lines 22 allowing passage of air through tube 23. When the source of air pressure is removed, valve sheets 18 and 20 return to their initial flat shape, aided by sealed ribs 24, thereby closing valve element 16. In the inflated state, illustrated in Figure 3B, reverse pressure on valve element 16 further tends to maintain closure between valve sheets 18 and 20. Deflation can be performed by insertion of any long thin, preferably hollow, item such as a drinking straw between flaps 21 through valve element 16, thereby manually separating upper valve sheet 18 from lower valve sheet 20 permitting air to escape.
[0032] As was mentioned, valve element 16 as herein described is particularly advantageous. However, openable sealing elements of other types may also be used. These could be alternative designs of valve or stopper. In reference to Figure 4, one such possibility is shown, in which an aperture piece 26 is incorporated into end 14 of cylindrical member 12, and in which a stopper 28 is provided to seal aperture piece 26.
[0033] With reference now to Figure 5, a further embodiment of the invention generally designated 13 is shown, in which cylindrical member 12 has additional fins 30 and may be used in conjunction with a target 32. Fins 30 may be of solid flat construction, made from cardboard or like material, or they may be further inflatable additions to cylindrical member 12. Amusement device 13 has a shaped end 34 specially shaped to be suited for throwing use of device 13. Shaped end 34 may be conical or in the shape of a spearhead, or any other appropriate shape. Shaped end 34 may be combined with any of the herein described embodiments of the invention.
[0034] With reference now to Figure 6, in the preferred mode of use, device 11 is folded transversely as described above. Cylindrical member 12 is held near the fold on both sides of the fold, and one portion 40 of cylindrical member 12 is made to strike against another portion 42 of cylindrical member 12 to initiate vibrations. Portions 40 and 42 may be the ends or other intermediate parts of cylindrical member 12. Sound may also be produced without folding cylindrical member 12 by striking it against any non-sharp hard object to initiate vibrations. The invention may additionally be used for throwing.
1. An inflatable noise maker comprising a substantially cylindrical hollow member, said
member having a first sealable end and a second sealable end, said member being made
of a flexible, substantially non-stretchable material, said member housing a column
of gas, said column of gas being at a pressure such that when said member is transversely
folded, said gas is at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure so as to tension
both distal ends of said folded member such that said distal ends of the noise maker
vibrate at at least one audible frequency when struck.
2. The inflatable noise maker as in claim 1, wherein said member is sufficiently flexible
that it can be folded transversely, thereby raising the pressure of said gas.
3. The inflatable noise maker as in claim 1, wherein said member displays information.
4. The inflatable noise maker as in claim 1, wherein one of said sealable ends is substantially
conical.
5. The inflatable noise maker as in claim 1, wherein said material is a heat-sealable
polymer.
6. The inflatable noise maker as in claim 1, further comprising an openable sealing element
connected to one of said sealable ends.
7. The inflatable noise maker as in claim 6, wherein said openable sealing element is
a valve element normally preventing the escape of gas.
8. The inflatable noise maker as in claim 7, wherein said valve element is substantially
planar.
9. The inflatabie noise maker as in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fins attached
to said member.
10. An alternately inflatable and deflatable noise maker system comprising:
(a) an inflatable cylinder made of a flexible, substantially non-stretchable material, said inflatable cylinder having a first sealable end and a second sealable end, said cylinder being inflatable to a tension such that it vibrates at at least one audible frequency when struck;
(b) a valve element mounted within said first sealable end made up of two sheets connected along two substantially parallel sealed lines to form a flattened tube; and
(c) a rigid member for insertion into said flattened tube to deflate said cylinder.
11. The noise maker system as in claim 10, wherein said inflatable cylinder displays information.
12. The noise maker system as in claim 10, wherein one of said sealable ends is substantially
conical.
13. The noise maker system as in claim 10, wherein said material is a heat-sealable polymer.
14. The noise maker system as in claim 10, further comprising a plurality of fins attached
to said inflatable cylinder.
15. The noise maker system as in claim 10, wherein said rigid member is hollow.
16. A method for producing audible sound, the method comprising:
(a) providing a device made up of a substantially cylindrical hollow member, said member having a first sealable end and a second sealable end, said member being made of a flexible, substantially non-stretchable material, said member housing a column of gas at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure so as to tension said member such that the said device vibrates at at least one audible frequency when struck; and,
(b) striking said device.
17. The method as in claim 16, further comprising transversely folding said member to
provide a first portion and a second portion, thereby raising the pressure of said
gas.
18. The method as in claim 17, wherein said striking of said device is effected by contacting
said first portion and said second portion together.
19. An inflatable noise maker comprising:
(a) a substantially cylindrical hollow member, said member having a first sealable end and a second sealable end, said member being made of a flexible, substantially non-stretchable material, said member housing a column of gas, and
(b) a valve element connected to one of said sealable ends and extending outwardly from said sealable end, made up of two sheets connected along two substantially parallel sealed lines to form a flattened tube.
20. The noise maker of claim 19, wherein said sheets form separable flaps at their outwardly
remote end.
21. The noise maker of claim 20, wherein one of said flaps extends beyond the other.