GB2484558A

GB2484558A - Educational musical chimes suspended in a frame

Info

Publication number: GB2484558A
Application number: GB1105872.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Seamus Hassett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-10-11
Filing date: 2011-04-06
Publication date: 2012-04-18
Also published as: IES20100648A2; GB201105872D0

Abstract

An interactive musical educational learning apparatus comprises a frame 1, which is preferably made of several sections and assembled via a click-in or a ball in socket connection system. A plurality of tuned musical chimes 2 are suspended within the frame 1 by a cord like material 4 and other percussion instruments are fixed on brackets 7 on either side of the chimes 2, surrounded by subsidiary frames 12,13 for protection. Incorporated into the apparatus are items such as numbers, letters and shapes which may be applied and removed via a sticking mechanism for tuition purposes. The apparatus may be used indoors or outdoors; it may be stationery or may include lockable wheels for mobility. A book may be provided to accompany the apparatus, whereby the book outlines activities that may be carried out in conjunction with the apparatus.

Description

I

TITLE

INTERACTIVE CENTRE

DESCRIPTION

Accordingly, there is provided an interactive musical educational learning centre com-prising a main frame, protruding brackets from each side surrounded by independent sub-frames, a support assembly consisting of legs coming down from the bottom of the main frame into stabilising bases which in turn may be standing or as a mobile unit for ease of movement; a variety of percussion instruments fixed on the protruding brackets; four or more tubes suspended individually or in whole by suitable cord like material running horizontally through side holes in the tubing and back up to suspend through an eye in the top frame and back through the side holes of the next tube and so on and then secured at both ends.

The same applies at the bottom of the main frame with the cord to prevent the tubes from swaying or hitting each other in transporting; letters of the alphabet fixed via two-sided sticking mechanism to any part of the tubes for easy application and removal; same applies with numbers and shapes like animal figures.

The novel idea relates to musical instruments, letters, numbers and shapes like animal figures, all affixed on a designed frame. In particular the ideal relates to the fun tuition of music, maths, equations, colours and spellings to children of all ages and special needs. The product is adaptable for interior and exterior use.

Chimes are a musical instrument that can be found and played in orchestras. They are normally freestanding and vary in height and manufacturing composition.

Orchestral chimes are unique in that they are rarely played in everyday music settings but yet awkward because they are so tall and hard to move thanks to their dead weight.

They are most commonly played by a professional musician and can be very expensive to purchase 2.

Percussion instruments are vast and varied and can be used in many settings.

Children are rarely introduced to even the most basic of these instruments used in an orchestral setting or other. Accordingly there exists a need for a simpler design of chimes incorporating percussion that offer some of the advantages of more expensive chimes but can be used everyday in a more practical and educational way in mainstream and special needs schools.

The advantages of the interactive musical educational learning centre is that it acts as a mini orchestra and learning centre allowing kids to play instruments from different cultures and settings whilst making everyday educational requirements fun and easy for teacher and pupil alike.

The novel idea aims to enhance hand-eye co-ordination, interaction, focus, timing, stimulation and enjoyment and encourages use on both a leisurely and educational scale. Frame design may vary on different models while the overall principle will be the same. The product will be more clearly understood with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In one embodiment the main frame I can be assembled by a click in system comprising of sections or a ball-in-socket system whereby the end of one section fits into a slightly larger open ended other section and secured or by a bolting system. The top horizontal section has gradual rounded comets on both ends facing the same direction down-ward and has a number of lugs 3 fixed to the underside to carry the suspension cord 4 between each chime 2.

In one embodiment the bottom horizontal section II is a mirror type image of the top horizontal one I with the rounded corners facing upwards towards the top and the lugs 3 evenly spaced along the inside again to carry the suspension cord 4.

In one embodiment the bottom horizontal section II may be raised and adjustable or as a permanent fixture and the chimes 2 shortened to allow wheelchair access underneath. 3.

In one embodiment the side frames 5 and 6 holding brackets 7 and 8 may be used as an option to swivel back and forth again to allow close proximity access.

In one embodiment the long vertical side section 5 has three protruding brackets 7 made up of a flat or tubular sturdy material with a hole at the end to allow for fixation of various instruments. This long section also has a sub frame 12 same in size as the main frame protruding out past the brackets 7 from each end of the long section with rounded corners to protect instruments.

In one embodiment the short section 6 again same composition is fixed into top horizontal end and bottom horizontal end and has three protruding brackets 8 round or flat, again to allow various instruments with different fixings to be put on. From both ends of that short section will the subsidiary framework 13 coming out past the aforementioned brackets as a protective baffler.

In one embodiment the legs 9 will be attached or snapped on or clicked into the underside of the lower horizontal section 11 and in turn attached by any of the means above to the leg bases 10 which will be made up from a heavy duty like material to keep a low centre of gravity for stability and transport purposes.

in one embodiment the mobile option may be sifting on braked wheels with all wheels and leg bases having the capability to swivel 3600. These wheels may be fixed securely.

In one embodiment the chimes 2 are made from various materials! drilled at both ends and suspended by the aforementioned cord 4 and are cut to various precise lengths to give it a scale and can number from four to twenty.

In one embodiment the main frames I & 11 and subsidiary frames 12 & 13 can be assernbledand disassembled easily for flat packing or can be in whole and may be single or multi-coloured.

In one embodiment the educational numbers, figures, shapes and letters can be ap- plied or removed by means of a double sided sticking mechanism or may be perma-nently stamped or engraved. They can be manufactured from a variety of materials.

In one embodiment there is attached a list of activities which can be used in conjunction with the interactive musical educational leaming centre i.e numerical rhymes, equations, spellings and songs.

In one embodimentthe main frames 1, 11, 12 and 13 my or may not have curves as an option for appearances purposes.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING$

The product will be more clearly understood with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a 3D drawing of the invention accompanied by some of the aforementioned chime and percussion instruments. Figure 2 is an elevation draw-ing of the product.

Referring to Figure 1 there is illustrated a main frame I comprised of a frame surrounding chimes 2. The main frame I has a number of Jugs 3 to which in turn carry a suitable cord like material 4 to suspend the chimes. The lugs may be attached individually to the main frame 1 as shown in Fig 1 or alternatively may be attached in whole form as shown in Fig 2.

Referring still to Fig I the sub frame 5 will have, attached to one side, protruding side brackets 7 made up of a flat or tubular sturdy like material with a hole at the end to allow fixation of various instruments, e.g. cymbals, bells, etc. Sub frame 6 also has protruding brackets 8 made up of a flat or tubular sturdy like material again to allow fixation of various instruments.

The legs 9 will be attached to the underside of the bottom section of the main frame I by the aforementioned means to which in turn are attached to the leg base 10 which may or may not have a mobile option.

Claims

CLAJM1. An interactive musical educational learning centre for the purpose of enter taming and educating children in mainstream and special needs schools; comprising musical chimes cut to precise lengths and tuned to scale sus-pended beside each other by cord like material with the addition of side in struments surrounding chimes all of which are hit by beaters on a specifi- cally designed frame aiming to enhance hand to eye co-ordination, stimula-tion, focus, timing and fun together with letters, numbers and shapes like animal figures incorporated onto chimes for ease of learning through music; the arrangement of the instruments, numbers, shapes and letters allow for easy interaction that assists children's development.
2. The interactive musical educational leaming centre of claim I comprising wherein the frame is assembled in sections by a click in or other system for ease of assembly and disassembly.
3. The interactive musical educational learning centre of any preceding claim wherein the frame can be a stationery or mobile option sifting on braked wheels for ease of movement.
4. The interactive musical educational learning centre of any preceding claim wherein provided is a book outlining activities that may be used in conjunction with the product.
5. An interactive musical educational learning centre as substantially hereinbe fore described with reference to the accompanying description and drawings.