GB2169521A - Clacker - Google Patents

Abstract

The clacker which includes a handle 42 and a rotatable flapper 44. Mounted inside the flapper is a tape mechanism 60 which has recorded on it a message which is audibly reproduced when the flapper is rotated. Also incorporated is a centrifugal switch 66 and a speaker 54. A speech synthesiser may be employed. Alternatively, one or more prongs may operate in one or more tracks to reproduce audible words and a whistle or hooter may be included in the handle.

Description

SPECIFICATION Clacker This invention relates to a clacker; that is to a device of the kind often encountered at sporting events such as soccer matches. Such a device is held by a user who with a rotary arm movement causes a flapper on the device to rotate and in so doing an internal ratchet is actuated to cause the device to emit its characteristic clack sound.

Variations of this basic concept have been proposed, and those known to the application are disclosed in the specifications of UK Patent No.

1 247 088, German Patents Nos. 80684 and 327039, Swiss Patent No. 601884 and United States Patent No. 705 819.

The invention is concerned with an improved clacker.

According to the invention there is provided a clacker which includes a handle, a flapper which is rotatable relatively to the handle, and means which is mounted at least partly in or on the flapper, for reproducing audible words at least when the flapper is rotated.

In one form of the invention the reproduction means includes a device on which the words are recorded and means for actuating the recording device so that the words are audibly reproduced.

Thus the reproduction means may include a device such as a disc which is used in talking dolls which is caused to move relatively to actuation means upon rotation of the flapper.

Alternatively, the reproduction means may include a recorder, for example a tape or disc based device on which a message is recorded, and switch means which is responsive to rotation of the flapper and which, on rotation of the flapper, actuates the recorder.

The reproduction means may otherwise include a speech synthesiser.

In a variation of the invention the reproduction means includes at least a first component mounted on the handle and a second component mounted on the flapper, the two components being arranged so that on rotation of the flapper audible words are generated through the interaction of the two components.

The first component may include one or more recording elements such as discs or rings which are mounted on the handle. These recording elements may include formations such as recording grooves or alternatively recessed or raised formations, which co-act with the second component.

The second component may include means which are responsive to the relative passage of the formations on the recording elements thereby to cause the generation of the audible words.

The nature of the said means on the second component is determined by the nature of the formations on the recording elements. Thus if the recording elements include one or more sound tracks recorded substantially in the manner in which a sound track is recorded on a conventional record then the said means may include devices in the nature of a record needle which co-act with the recording elements. Alternatively if the formations on the recording elements are raised or recessed discreet formations then the said means may comprise resilient picks or prongs which co-act with the formations. These picks or prongs or the like may extend from resonant plate.

Where use is made of a disc as a recording element then the formations may be located on one or both surfaces of the disc. If use is made of rings, drums or the like then the formations are preferably carried on a peripheral surface thereof.

The clacker may be made of any suitable material and it may be suitably coloured so that it can be identified with a sporting team.

Preferably, the clacker is made of a plastics material. The plastics material may, where appropriate, be transparent thereby to make visible the equipment held inside the clacker.

The invention is further described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 to 4, which illustrate different embodiments of the invention respectively.

Figure 1 illustrates a clacker according to a first form of the invention. The clacker includes a handle 10 and a flapper 12 which is mounted for rotation relatively to the handle.

The flapper includes a frame 14 which circumscribes a blade 16. At an end of the blade closest to the handle a number of downwardly extending prongs 18 are formed, integrally with the blade. The frame 14 is made from any suitable material for example a plastics material and the blade 16 is made from a resonant material e.g.

thin steel plate.

Mounted on the handle, coaxially with it, is a flat disc 20. The disc includes on its upper surface a number of discreet raised formations 22. These formations are arranged on distinct circular tracks which extend around the disc, the prongs 18 respectively being aligned with one of the tracks each.

The manner in which the formations are positioned, and the physical properties of each of the prongs 18, are known to those in the art and in this case these parameters are so chosen that as the flapper 12 is rotated around the axis of the handle 10 the interaction of the formations 22 with the resilient prongs 18 causes the generation of audible words. For example if the flapper is intended for use at a soccer match or the like then a team slogan or the name of the team or any other suitable phrase can be generated.

Clearly the actual sound which issues from the clacker is dependent upon the speed at which the flapper is rotated. The speed can be controlled in any suitable way, for example use can be made of a centrifugal governor, or alternatively it may be ieft to the user to regulate the speed manually i.e.

by turning the flapper faster or slower to vary the pitch of the words.

A simple governor can be constructed by including in a journal 24 of the frame 14, i.e. in the portion of the frame which surrounds the handle 10, one or more spring biased brake shoes which brake the speed of the flapper when a critical rotational speed is reached.

The flapper may also include a ratchet which prevents it from being rotated in the reverse direction i.e. in the direction in which sound will be generated. The inclusion of a ratchet or other direction controlling device is of course not essential.

The handle 10 can be shaped to provide a comfortable hand grip and if desired can include an integral whistle or hooter with which the user can make more noise.

In the embodiments of the clackershown in Figures 2 and 3 like reference numerals are used to designate like components to those found in the clacker of Figure 1. Moreover all the features described in connection with the Figure 1 clacker can be incorporated in these embodiments.

Consequently the following description relates mainly to the points of difference.

In the clacker of Figure 2 the disc 20 is replaced by a drum 26 which includes a plurality of peripheral tracks 28 stacked one above the other Each of the tracks 28 includes formations of the kind referred to in connection with the Figure 1 clacker. The prongs 18 which extend from the steel plate 16 are respectively engaged with the tracks 28. The reproduction of audible words is achieved in the manner described in connection with the Figure 1 clacker.

The Figure 2 clacker has the advantage that it is more compact and as the outwardly extending disc 20 is dispensed with the likelihood of damage to the clacker is much reduced. It should be pointed out that the discs and drums on the clackers have been shown exposed but these components would normally be encased by a suitable cover for protective purposes.

In the Figure 3 clackera singie ring 30 is mounted on the handle. The ring is fairly thick and has a peripheral groove 34 which is analogous to the type of groove cut into records. The steel plate 16, in this example, has a single prong 36 extending from it and in register with the groove 34. The prong has a needle on its underside, much in the manner of a record needle, and the arrangement is such that when the flapper is rotated aboutthe handle the recording is audibly reproduced and through the action of the resonant plate 16 a fair volume level is reached.

Figure 4 illustrates a clacker 40 which includes a handle 42 on which is mounted a flapper 44.

The handle 42 includes a socket 46 which forms a journal for a spigot 48 extending from a body 50 of the flapper. The spigot is rotatably secured inside the socket 46 by means of a retaining pin 52 atthe lower end of the handle 42.

The body 50 contains a miniature loudspeaker 54 at its upper end and a battery 56 at its lower end.

The speaker and battery can be accessed by removing the retaining pin 52 so that the spigot 48 can be withdrawn from the socket 46.

The flapper 44 has a blade 58 which contains a miniature prerecorded tape mounted on a tape mechanism 60. This mechanism is of the type encountered in talking dolls and the like. The mechanism 60 is connected to the speaker 54 by means of leads 62 and to the battery 56 via leads 64.

A centrifugal switch 66 is connected between the battery 56 and the mechanism 60.

The clacker40 is moulded from a suitable plastics material in any suitable colour or colours or alternatively is made transparent.

The tape mechanism 60 carries a prerecorded message of short duration, for example the name of a soccer team or any other appropriate message.

The clacker of the invention is held by a user in the conventional way.

However, when the blade 58 is caused to rotate about the handle 42 the centrifugal switch 66 detects the motion of the blade and the recorder mechanism 60 is connected to the battery 56 and is thereby actuated. The recorded message is therefore made audible via the speaker 54.

The clacker of the invention is of relatively inexpensive construction and consequently the sound emitted by the speaker 54 is not at a high level. However, if a pluraiity of the clackers are used, and this will normally be the case at a soccer match or the like, then the volume of the sound emitted by the combined clackers can be substantial.

The invention can be implemented in other forms.

For example, the blade 58 can contain a disc of the kind used in talking dolls. The disc, which may be removable, rotates with the blade 58 relatively to the handle 42. The handle 42 then contains an actuating device which coacts with the disc and causes audible words to be generated. The frequency of the words may be variable and this may not be acceptable. This disadvantage can, in the manner already described, be overcome by incorporating in the clacker a governor which determines the maximum speed at which the blade 58 can be rotated relatively to the handle. Any other suitable governing mechanism can be employed to regulate the frequency at which the audible words are generated.

In yet another variation of the invention a solid state speech synthesizer is incorporated in the blade or even in the body 50. Rotation of the blade is sensed by any suitable means and the synthesizer is then actuated to cause the emission of audible words.

Claims (5)

1. A clacker which includes a handle, a flapper which is rotatable relatively to the handle, and means which is mounted at least partly in or on the flapper, for reproducing audible words at least when the flapper is rotated.

2. A clacker according to Claim 1 wherein the reproduction means includes a device on which the words are recorded, and means for actuating the recording device so that the words are audibly reproduced.

3. A clacker according to Claim 2 wherein the actuating means includes switch means which is responsive to rotation ofthe flapper and which, on rotation of the flapper, actuates the recording device.

4. A clacker according to Claim 1 wherein the reproduction means includes at least a first component mounted on the handle and a second component mounted on the flapper, the two components being arranged so that on rotation of the flapper audible words are generated through the interaction of the two compónents.

5. A clacker substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings,