EP0373981A1 - Megaphone and sheet for its construction - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to megaphones. It relates to a megaphone formed by folding a sheet (10), made of for example card, having two substantially straight edges which are brought together and held in an interacting position. Slots define tongues (19) which become crushed when force is applied along the axis. A handle (18) determines the orientation of a message (16) which can be put on the megaphone to give this message its position of maximum legibility. Application to running of sports meetings. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to loudspeakers, as well as blanks intended for a particular embodiment.

More specifically, the invention relates to a particular type of loudspeaker, intended to be used essentially in sports or other mass meetings. In this case, the megaphone function is important for supporters to convey their encouragement to the players. However, given the atmosphere of these meetings, it is essential that these megaphones cannot be used as weapons and cannot injure their users. They must therefore be very light and flexible so that they cannot harm users in any way. They must therefore be weak articles, usually disposable after use. It is therefore desirable that these articles be used for an additional function of advertising medium.

Loudspeakers are light and relatively flexible objects when forces are exerted laterally on their sides. However, they have a significant rigidity in the longitudinal direction, that is to say along their axis from the mouth to the opening of the pavilion. Consequently, in the lively atmosphere of a stadium, it may happen that shocks are applied to the opening of the pavilion and are transmitted almost without damping at the mouth and consequently to the mouth of the user. It is desirable to reduce the force thus transmitted so that the user's mouth is not injured, even in the event of blows applied to the megaphone in its longitudinal direction.

We already know megaphone formed by blanks cut and rolled. Thus, the United States Patents ^No. 4,613,012, 1,332,789 and 2,517,665 and Australian Patent ^No. 562,339 describe mouthpiece provided with a handle. The US Patents ^No. 4,613,012, 1,332,789 and 2,346,818 describe megaphone carrying at least one advertising inscription, encouragement or documentary.

The invention relates to a megaphone which comprises a damping device formed between the mouth and the opening of the horn and allowing a reduction in the length of the megaphone, between the mouth and the opening of the horn, when this is subjected to a sufficient force in its longitudinal direction.

Preferably, the damping device is formed by a series of cutouts which constitute lines of weakness of the megaphone and allow the folding of the parts included between the adjacent cutouts, so that the length of the megaphone decreases. The series of cutouts is advantageously arranged in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the megaphone.

Preferably, the damping device comprises a device for adjusting the minimum force which causes a shortening of the megaphone. This force adjustment device can consist of an uncut bridge, of adjustable length, placed between two aligned cuts, or by a wire placed around lines of cuts or perforations.

When the megaphone is of the molded type, the damping device advantageously consists of a series of accordion undulations which can be crushed under the action of a shock. In this case, the megaphone remains usable after such a shock.

The invention also relates to a blank for molded type megaphone, which comprises several cutouts each having a component in the direction of a radius of the ring sector which intersects it, and arranged one near the other practically along a arc of a circle centered on the center of the ring sector. Preferably, each cutout is formed by two aligned cutouts separated by a non-cut trigger guard. In a variant, the blank further comprises a wire glued to the blank so that it intersects the cuts practically in an arc centered on the ring sector.

In the present specification, the terms "perforations" and "cutouts" are used in an equivalent manner to designate both elongated cutouts and lines formed by a series of small punctual or elongated holes.

A megaphone has generally a rotational symmetry about a central axis and, in the absence of a relatively restrictive orientation device, advertising or other inscriptions carried by the megaphone risk having any orientation and rarely the one that gives the best readability of the message. It is therefore desirable that the megaphones which are very light, essentially disposable after use, intended to constitute a support for an inscription, for example advertising, include an orientation device ensuring the optimal positioning of the inscription so that it has its maximum readability. Preferably, this device which imposes an optimal orientation is a handle intended to be held in the hand during the use of the megaphone.

It is therefore advantageous that a megaphone, of the type which includes a hollow flared body in the form of a surface trunk generated by a generator which has, at its ends, a mouth and a pavilion opening, the centers of the mouth and the horn being arranged on a central axis of the body, this central axis being substantially horizontal when the megaphone is in its normal position of use, and at least one inscription carried by the body, the direction of maximum legibility of the inscription being parallel to a generator of the surface of the body at the location of the inscription, also comprises an orientation device which, when the body is in the position of use, is intended to position this body in rotation around its central axis so that the inscription has substantially its position of maximum legibility and is located on at least one of the parts of the body which are substantially tangent to a vertical plane .

Preferably, the orientation device is consisting of at least one handle, the relative arrangement of the handle at least and the inscription at least being such that, in the position of use, when the handle is held in the hand, the inscription has its optimal orientation.

The body may have a section of any desired configuration, for example circular, of convex or polygonal curvature. The opening of the roof is advantageously inclined relative to the central axis so that the body is a little shorter at its upper part than at its lower part, in the position of use.

In one embodiment of a molded megaphone, the body is formed from a molded material and has a handle molded in the mass.

In another embodiment of a rolled megaphone, the body is formed using a blank cut from a thin material. The blank advantageously comprises an edge alignment device intended to be connected, a blank retention device in the form of a megaphone body and a handle. This can be formed either by cutting the blank, or by a separable part of the blank, or by a separate member.

It is advantageous for the mouth of the body to have cutouts or perforations allowing successive cutting of the end. In a particular embodiment, a member for protecting the mouthpiece can be added, in the form of a ring covering the edge of the mouthpiece or a ring of a flexible material bonded to the mouthpiece.

It is also advantageous for the opening of the roof to include at least one line of perforations allowing the end of the body to be cut so that the configuration or the length thereof is modified.

The megaphone may include several inscriptions placed outside, for example one on each side, and possibly one or more inscriptions placed inside and intended to be seen conveniently by observation by opening the roof when the megaphone is in the use position.

Since some people are right-handed and others are left-handed, and it is convenient for the handle to be turned slightly towards the side of the hand which carries the megaphone, this latter comprises, in one embodiment, two handles slightly spaced to be held each by one hand. The shape of each handle may be such that it is conveniently grasped only by the suitable hand, right or left.

In a variant, a sound amplification device is mounted on the mouth of the megaphone.

The invention also relates to a blank intended for the manufacture of a rolled-type megaphone, this blank comprising a flat body having substantially the shape of a sector of an angle ring between approximately 60 and 110 ° and delimited by two radial edges, a connection device disposed along at least one of the radial edges, at least one inscription whose direction of maximum legibility is substantially coincident with a radius of the ring sector, and a device for orientation formed in the body and placed in such a way that, when the body is put into a flared form by bringing the two radial edges together and is arranged in a horizontal direction, the inscription has its position of maximum legibility and is located on one at less body parts that are substantially tangent to a vertical plane.

In one embodiment, the orientation device consists of at least one opening, and preferably by two openings, intended to form a handle by passing a hand through the openings.

In another embodiment, the orientation device is formed by a handle produced by partial pre-cutting of the blank after folding.

In another embodiment, the blank has slots close to the two radial edges and intended for the passage of a handle member.

Preferably, this handle member is cut from the blank and is fixed to the latter by a pre-cut line.

In one embodiment, the blank has inscriptions on its two faces.

The blank material is advantageously cardboard or plasticized paper.

• la figure 1 est une perspective d'un exemple de porte-voix réalisé selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 représente le flan utilisé pour la réalisation du porte-voix de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 représente un flan utilisé dans un autre mode de réalisation de porte-voix selon l'invention ;
• la figure 4 représente un flan utilisé dans un autre mode de réalisation de porte-voix selon l'invention ;
• la figure 5 représente l'embouchure du porte-voix formé à partir du flan de la figure 4 ;
• la figure 6 représente une variante de porte-voix de section polygonale ;
• la figure 7 représente un exemple de porte-voix de matière plastique moulée ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en plan d'un autre flan utilisé pour la réalisation d'un porte-voix selon l'in­vention ;
• la figure 9 représente le porte-voix réalisé avec le flan de la figure 8, après qu'il a été soumis à une force excessive dans la direction de sa longueur ;
• la figure 10 représente plus en détail une partie du flan de la figure 2, 3 ou 8, destinée à former un disposi­tif d'amortissement ; et
• la figure 11 représente une variante de réalisation de dispositif d'amortissement selon l'invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly from the description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective of an example of megaphone made according to the invention;
• 2 shows the blank used for the realization of the megaphone of Figure 1;
• FIG. 3 represents a blank used in another embodiment of megaphone according to the invention;
• FIG. 4 represents a blank used in another embodiment of megaphone according to the invention;
• Figure 5 shows the mouthpiece of the megaphone formed from the blank of Figure 4;
• FIG. 6 represents a variant of the megaphone of polygonal section;
• Figure 7 shows an example of a molded plastic megaphone;
• Figure 8 is a plan view of another blank used for making a megaphone according to the invention;
• Figure 9 shows the megaphone made with the blank of Figure 8, after it has been subjected to excessive force in the direction of its length;
• Figure 10 shows in more detail a part of the blank of Figure 2, 3 or 8, intended to form a damping device; and
• FIG. 11 represents an alternative embodiment of a damping device according to the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective of a megaphone according to the invention. It comprises a body 10 having a mouth 12 intended to be in contact with the mouth of a user and a roof opening 14. The body has an inscription 16 and it is held by a handle 18 passing through slots 20 formed in the body. A damping device 19 according to the invention is close to the mouth.

More precisely, as shown in FIG. 2, the body 10 is produced from a blank 22. It is noted in FIG. 2 that the blank 22 has a connection device comprising slots 4 arranged near a radial edge and tongues 26 formed on the other radial edge, the tongues 26 being intended to penetrate into the slots 24 as indicated in FIG. 1. In addition, the handle 18 is formed of two pieces of the blank 22 which are superimposed and which are each end with harpoon-shaped ends 28; when these ends have entered the aligned slots 20 of the two edges of the blank, the handle is retained on the body. Note that another inscription 30 is arranged on the face of the blank 22 which must constitute the external face.

FIG. 8 indicates that the damping device 19 is formed by cutouts 66. These cutouts are shown in more detail in FIG. 9 which indicates that each cutout 66 in fact comprises two cutouts placed in the extension of one of the other and separated by a small trigger guard or part not cut 68. Preferably, these cuts are not parallel to the axis of the megaphone or to the radius of the ring sector forming the blank, but they have a component in the direction of this longitudinal axis or this radius.

When the megaphone, as shown in Figure 9, undergoes a significant shock in its longitudinal direction, the small bridges 68 placed between the cutouts tear so that the tabs formed between the adjacent cutouts 66 of each pair of cutouts can s 'crush as shown in Figure 9. Of course, the megaphone no longer fulfills its function properly since large spaces are formed between the folded tabs. However, the desired goal, that is to say the absence of injuries to the user, is achieved without difficulty.

The minimum force required to crush the damping device in the state shown in FIG. 9 can be adjusted by determining the length of the trigger guard or non-cut part 68 between the two parts of the cut 66. In this way , the crushing force of the megaphone, in the longitudinal direction, can be adjusted to a value of the order of a few tens of newtons.

FIG. 11 represents a variant of the damping device 19. In this case, it comprises cutouts 70 formed without discontinuity. However, roughly in the middle of each cut, a wire 72 cuts through all the cutouts 70 and is fixed to the blank either by dots of glue 74 or by sticky washers. In this way, the tabs formed between the cutouts must either break the wire 72 or tear it out before they can flex outwards. The selection of the mechanical resistance of the wire 72 or of its fixings 74 therefore allows adjustment of the minimum crushing force of the megaphone.

In another embodiment, the damping device comprises cutouts of elongated shape, similar to that of the cutout 70 of FIG. 4, but formed by a line of perforations, that is to say that the cutout comprises several successive bridges similar to the bridge 68 of FIG. 3. The length and the arrangement of the bridges allow the determination of the minimum crushing force.

Thus, the megaphone according to the invention is provided with a damping device constituting a safety. Although only three embodiments of the damping device have been described, any device allowing a reduction in the length of the megaphone under the action of a longitudinal force is within the scope of the invention. In particular, although the two embodiments described are placed near the mouthpiece, this is not essential because the device can be placed anywhere along the length of the megaphone.

Another important characteristic is the relative arrangement of the handle (materialized by the slots 20 in FIG. 2) and of the inscriptions (16 and 30). Indeed, for an advertising message to reach its object, it is essential that its meaning is well understood. Consequently, it is essential that the messages to be transmitted are presented in their position of maximum readability. This position is a horizontal position in which the message can be read in its normal direction, as shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 shows how two different messages 16, 30 must be arranged in order to be read most conveniently when the blank forms the megaphone shown in Figure 1. These messages can be of various forms, alphanumeric and / or graphic.

Thus, as indicated in the preceding description, the messages must have a particular arrangement, this particular arrangement can be obtained by use of an orientation device, and the orientation device can be a particularly useful organ during the use of such a megaphone, that is to say a handle.

Figure 3 shows a variant of the blank of Figure 2, in which the handle is made in another way. More specifically, one radial edge is provided with an elongated slot 32 and the other radial edge is provided with a handle 34 which, when it has been folded back on itself so that its two openings are aligned, is introduced into the slot 32 and thus prevents the unwinding of the blank. Consequently, in this embodiment, not only the handle has a different configuration, but also the device for connecting the two radial edges is produced differently. Indeed, in the blank of Figure 2, the connection device is constituted by the slots 20 into which the ends 28 constituting harpoon-shaped tongues penetrate, while, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the connection device is formed by the handle 34 which, after folding, is introduced into the slot 32 .

Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the invention. In it, the connection device is very simple and has not been shown because, when the two radial edges have been brought together, they are simply connected by applying an adhesive tape (not shown). The handle is formed by two flaps of the blank, each delimited by a curved cutting line 38 and a curved folding line 40. When the blank has been rolled up so that its radial edges are brought together, the flaps are pushed back inwards and constitute , with the part arranged between them, a very robust handle.

It is noted, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, that the mouthpiece which is cut with a particular profile intended to give a configuration which adapts well to the mouth after formation of the megaphone, comprises several lines of perforations 42 substantially parallel to the edge of the mouth. The megaphone is intended to be cut successively at the level of the lines 42 of perforations. This feature can be useful in two cases. First, it allows the adaptation of the mouthpiece to the size of the user's mouth and allows a good distribution of the forces which can be applied in the event of longitudinal impact. Then, when a user has used the megaphone and has therefore soiled the mouthpiece, cutting the soiled part leaves a clean edge for another user.

Note also that the blank of Figure 4 has a line of perforations 44 placed near the part forming the opening of the roof. When the blank is cut along line 44, the opening of the roof is inclined, as shown in FIG. 1 for the opening 14. In a variant, several lines of perforations 44 can be formed in a direction substantially parallel to the outer edge so that the megaphone can be cut to the desired length.

Figure 5 shows in perspective the configuration of the mouthpiece of the megaphone formed using the blank 36 of Figure 4. It should be noted that when the edge of the mouthpiece is considered too thin, too fragile or potentially dangerous, it is possible to stick a tape to it which widens the edge (i.e. makes it thicker) and avoids possible injuries to the mouth of the user. In particular, it is very convenient for an elastic foam ring to be bonded to the mouthpiece.

FIG. 6 represents a variant in which the body has a polygonal, rectangular section in the example considered. More specifically, the megaphone 46 is delimited by four flat faces, and a handle 48 is formed for example by two cutouts adjacent to an edge. The advantage of such a megaphone is that it can be folded by lateral crushing, and it occupies very little space. However, keeping it in the open position can cause problems. It may in particular be necessary to introduce at the mouth a portion of rectangular shape intended to hold the megaphone 46 in unfolded form. We also note the presence of a damping device 19 similar to that of the previous figures.

Preferably, the material used for the manufacture of the blanks in the previous embodiments is a cardboard or plasticized paper. The length of the megaphone is of the order of 30 to 40 cm, the diameter or the maximum dimension of the outlet opening is of the order of 15 to 20 cm or has a perimeter corresponding substantially to the average head size of a user, and the cardboard or plasticized paper used has a basis weight of approximately 300 g / m². In this case, a megaphone has a weight of the order of a few tens of grams.

Although there have been described so far megaphones formed only from blanks, it is possible to add other elements. For example, the handle 18 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be replaced by a molded plastic handle, supplied at the same time as the blank. In a variant, a sound amplifier can be associated with the mouthpiece of the megaphone, so that it initially amplifies the voice of the user.

The loudspeakers according to the invention are not necessarily formed from a rolled blank, as described with reference to the following embodiment. Thus, Figure 7 shows a molded megaphone, formed of thin plastic.

The molded body 50 of thin plastic material has a mouth 52, advantageously bordered by a flange 54 giving it rigidity. The part 56 adjacent to the mouth advantageously has a wavy shape and constitutes the damping device 19, while optionally allowing an articulation of the mouth relative to the axis of the body 50. The opening 58 of the pavilion has it also preferably a bead 60 intended to increase its rigidity. A handle is formed by molding and, in the case considered, it is represented in the form of two openings 62 allowing the passage of the hand. The body 50 carries an inscription 54 arranged so that it is clearly legible.

The megaphone of FIG. 7 is advantageously formed by producing a cylindrical blank on which the inscription 64 is printed, and which is then enlarged in a mold by blowing after reheating. This technique makes it possible to obtain a shape which is not a simple truncated cone or pyramid and which can be better adapted to sound propagation and to the formation of the damping device. The whole megaphone also has a weight of the order of a few tens of grams.

In a variant not shown, a handle can be mounted at the mouth so that it is connected to the body by a line of weakness. It can be separated from the mouth, then hung in formed holes on the side of the body to be used as a handle. The same organ therefore provides hygienic protection for the mouthpiece and orientation of the body.

Thus, the invention relates to loudspeakers which are very inexpensive and which do not present any danger in meetings gathering a large number of people, for example sports meetings, neither for the users, nor for other people. They are a non-dangerous object useful for the encouragement of players and which can be used in many ways by supporters. For example, they can wear it in the form of a hat, can throw it, shake it, etc., without risking injury to their neighbors. The presence of inscriptions, which can be commercial messages or simply messages of encouragement, increases the attractiveness of the megaphones and facilitates their financing.

Of course, it is possible to combine the various features described above in various ways, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

1. Megaphone, of the type which comprises a flared hollow body (10) which has, at its ends, a mouth (12) and a roof opening (14), the centers of the mouth and of the roof being arranged on a central axis of the body, characterized in that it further comprises a damping device (19) placed between the mouth (12) and the roof opening (14) and intended to allow a reduction in the length of the megaphone, in the direction of its length when a force greater than a minimum value is applied to the megaphone in its longitudinal direction. 2. Megaphone according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping device comprises a series of cutouts arranged in a plane substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the megaphone. 3. Megaphone according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it further comprises a device for adjusting the minimum force beyond which the damping device comes into action. 4. A megaphone according to claim 3, characterized in that the damping device comprises a series of groups of aligned cutouts having a component in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the megaphone and separated by one or more non-removable bridges cut, the minimum force being determined by the lengths and positions of the bridges. 5. A megaphone according to claim 3, characterized in that the damping device comprises a series of cutouts each having a component in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the megaphone, and the device for adjusting the minimum force has a wire arranged so that it intersects at least as many of the cutouts, the wire being attached to the megaphone. 6. A megaphone according to claim 1, characterized in that the body is formed by molding, and the damping device comprises a series of undulations (56) in accordion. 7. Megaphone, according to any one of the preceding claims, of the type whose flared hollow body (10) has the shape of a surface trunk generated by a generator and whose central axis is substantially horizontal when the carrier -voice is in its normal position of use, characterized in that it further comprises:
- at least one inscription (16) formed on the body, the direction of maximum legibility of the inscription being parallel to a generatrix of the surface of the body at the location of the inscription, and
- An orientation device (18) which, when the body is in the position of use, is intended to position it in rotation about its central axis so that the inscription has substantially its position of maximum legibility and is located on at least one of the parts of the body which are substantially tangent to a vertical plane. 8. Blank for megaphone, of the type which comprises a body (22) having substantially the shape of a sector of an angle ring of between approximately 60 and 70 ° and delimited by two radial edges, and a connection device (24 , 26) arranged along at least one of the radial edges,
characterized in that it comprises several cutouts (66, 70) each having a component in the direction of a radius of the ring sector which intersects the cutout, and arranged one near the other in an arc centered on the center of the ring area. 9. Blank according to claim 8, characterized in that each cut is formed by two aligned cuts separated by a non-cut trigger guard (68). 10. Blank according to claim 8, characterized in that it further comprises a wire (72) glued to the blank so that it intersects the cuts practically in an arc centered on the ring sector.

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