GB2205193A

GB2205193A - Discotheque

Info

Publication number: GB2205193A
Application number: GB08712698A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Robert Perkins
Original assignee: POLLY PERKINS PRODUCT S Ltd
Current assignee: POLLY PERKINS PRODUCT S Ltd
Priority date: 1987-05-29
Filing date: 1987-05-29
Publication date: 1988-11-30
Also published as: GB8712698D0

Abstract

A discotheque comprises a playing desk 1 supported by a collapsible base unit 2, which consists of a front panel 11 and two side panels 12. The playing desk is rectangular and carries two 12-volt turntable units 3 with associated pick-up arms 4. A collapsible microphone stand 5 is mounted between the turntable units 3. Three flashing lights (9) are mounted in the front face of the playing desk, various amplifier controls are located on the rear face of the playing desk, and one or more loudspeakers 13 are mounted behind an aperture in the front panel 11. The panels 11 and 12 are detachably connected at points 15 to a flange 14 along the bottom edges of the unit 1. The side panels 12 are hinged on the front panel 11. <IMAGE>

Description

DISCOTHEQUE The present invention relates to apparatus which is colloquially known as a discotheque or "disco" and more particularly to such an apparatus which is simple, portables, compact and inexpensive so that it is especially suitable for use by children.

According to the present invention, a discotheque comprises a playing desk including at least one turntable and amplifier and a base unit for supporting said playing desk, said base unit consisting of a collapsible structure defining at least a front and two side members when erected and supporting at least one loudspeaker connectible to the output from said amplifier.

Advantageously the base unit comprises a front panel and two side panels which are hinged to it, the upper edge of the panels fitting against a flange provided at the front and sides of the playing desk and being secured thereto by bolts, screws or the like.

The playing desk may also incorporate one or more flashing lights and according to a preferred arrangement a plurality of flashing lights are mounted along the front surface of the playing desk and the amplifier controls are mounted along the rear surface of the playing desk.

Additionally, the playing desk may also carry a microphone stand which is arranged to fold down on to the playing desk when not in use.

According to a feature of the invention, the turntable(s), amplifier(s) and flashing light(s) are all designed to work off low voltage supplies derived from the output of a transformer connectible to the supply means. Thus the discotheque is inherently safe for use by children since all the operative parts are only at a low voltage.

The invention will now be further described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of discotheque according to the invention; Figure 2 is a rear perspective view; and Figure 3 shows the components in the collapsed condition.

Referring to the drawings, the embodiment of discotheque illustrated comprises a playing desk 1 supported by a collapsible base unit 2. The playing desk is rectangular and carries two 12 volt turntable units 3 with associated pick-up arms 4. A collapsible microphone stand 5 is mounted between the turntable units 3 and includes an arm 6 pivoted at its lower end and having a microphone support 7 at its other end.

The pivot 8 for the arm may be a bolt and wing-nut arrangement enabling adjustment and clamping of the arm, and hence of a microphone which it is supporting, in a chosen adjusted position.

Three flashing lights 9 are mounted in the front face of the playing desk and may be of different colours, for example yellow, blue and orange. An amplifier is associated with each turntable unit and is housed within the playing desk. The various amplifier controls 10 are located on the rear face of the playing desk. The amplifiers and turntables operate from a 12 volt supply and the flashing lights form a 4.5 volt supply and these low voltages are derived from outputs of a mains transformer housed within the playing desk 1.

The base unit 2 consists of a front panel 11 and two side panels 12 which are hinged to the side edges of the front panel. One or more loudspeakers 13 are mounted behind an aperture in the front panel. The upper edge of the panels of the base unit fit against a flange 14 depending from the lower surface of the playing desk and the panels are secured to this flange by means of suitable fasteners 15, such as bolts and wing nuts.

The playing desk 1 and base unit 2 may be constructed in any suitable material, for example of plywood, finished in any desired decorative manner.

Thus the exterior surface may be painted, or covered in a plastics or cloth material. In one embodiment, the playing desk has dimensions of 27" x 12" with a depth of 4" and the base unit is composed of panels 20" high and of the same length as the front and sides of the playing desk.

When the discotheque is disassembled for storage or transportation, as shown in Figure 3, the base unit folds to a size of 27" x 12" x3" with the two side panels folded over the rear of the loudspeaker 13.

Thus in the disassembled state the whole of the discotheque only occupies a space of approximately 27" x 12" x 9".

It will be noted that although the discotheque operates from the supply mains, all of the operative components and user controls are only at a safe low voltage. The present invention thus provides a discotheque which is emminently suitable for use by children.

Whilst a particular embodiment has been described, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular the number and arrangements of the various major components of the discotheque may be varied and other forms of collapsible base unit may be provided.

If desired the amplifier circuitry and controls may include a facility for mixing the playing desk and microphone outputs and/or for receiving an input from an external source such as a tape recorder.

A headphone socket may also be provided enabling use of the disco with the loudspeaker switched off and the sound fed to headphones only.

Claims

1. A discotheque comprising a playing desk including at least one turntable and amplifier and a base unit for supporting said playing desk, said base unit consisting of a collapsible structure defining at least a front and two side members when erected and supporting at least one loudspeaker connectible to the output from said amplifier.

2. A discotheque as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base unit comprises a front panel and two side panels which are hinged to the front panel.

3. A discotheque as claimed in claim 2, wherein the upper edge of the panels fit against a flange provided at the front and sides of the playing desk and are secured thereto by bolts, screws or the like.

4. A discotheque as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the playing desk incorporates one or more flashing lights.

5. A discotheque as claimed in claim 4, wherein a plurality of flashing lights are mounted along the front surface of the playing desk.

6. A discotheque as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein controls for the amplifier are mounted along the rear surface of the playing desk.

7. A discotheque as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the playing desk carries a microphone stand which is arranged to fold down on to the playing desk when not in use.

8. A discotheque as claimed in claim 4, 5, 6 or 7, wherein the turntable(si, amplifier(s) and flashing light(s) are all designed to work off low voltage supplies derived from the output of a transformer connectible to the supply means.

9. A discotheque constructed substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.