GB2504964A - Hand mounted percussive sound making device - Google Patents

Abstract

A hand mounted percussive sound making device, for enhancing traditional clapping or applause activities, comprises: a base connectable or connected to an upper formed in a resiliently deformable material, to form a single unit. The upper is made from a resiliently deformable material such as silicone, rubber or elastomer, while the base may be formed of rigid ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). The connection is made about a flexible strap which may be elasticated and may comprise a hook and loop fastener. The base and upper sections may each include two through lacunae (apertures) to enhance the quality of sound produced. The base may include a screw thread and may be detachable from the upper section to enable the upper section to be inter-changed. The strap may include a logo, image or text and may also be replaceable.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Applicalion Nc,. (lB 1214531.4 RTM Dale.29 Nnvcrriher 2013 The following term is a registered trade mark and shouki he read as such wherever it occurs in this document: Velcro Inlelleclual Property Office is an operaling name of the Pateni Office www.ipo.gov.uk

PATENT APPLICATION

OF

KIM STANLEY

FOR

*A HAND MOUNTED PERCUSSIVE SOUND MAKING DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hand mounted percussive sound making device, more particularly a means of enhancing traditional clapping.

Background

in order to show support, enthusiasm and gratitude people often clap their hands to IS provide an audible sound. When a crowd of users do this an encouraging atmosphere may build, particularly valuably at sporting or entertainment events where encouragement helps others achieve their best.

However clapping loudly for a long period of time may hurt users' hands, particularly where users face disability.

People will also often cheer and chant to provide audible encouragement, but again after a period of time the voice may become strained.

Other items or means of audible encouragement such as whistles, clackers and halers are commonly available but may be discouraged in some situations for being too loud or the sound too piercing. Also the user must purchase and carry the items in order to use them, which items can frequently be cumbersome.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: Granted United States patent US7 572 966 (FRIGO et al) discloses a personal noisemaker comprising: a drum head, the drum head including an outwardly facing first striking surface spaced from and generally parallel with an outwardly facing opposing second striking surface with one or more sidewalls extending between the striking surfaces, at least one striking surface including indicia pertaining to a professional team or player that participates in a sport; at least one string having first and second ends, the first end being secured to a sidewall of the one or more sidewalls; at least one striker, the striker being secured to the at least one string proximate the second end, the striker comprising a miniature facsimile of a piece of equipment used in the play of the sport; and an elongated handle, the handle being secured to a sidewall of the one or more sidewalls; whereby oscillating pivotal movement of the handle by a hand of a user along a longitudinal axis of the handle causes the strikers to alternately impact the first and second striking surfaces and generate sound.

United States patent application US 2009 077 712 (POLUCHA et al) discloses a noisemaking device comprising: a) first and second holders, each of said first and second holders is adapted to receive a separate hand of a user; and b) first and second convex members, each of said first and second convex members formed from a rigid material and a separate one of each of said first and second convex members is secured to each of said holders and extending upwardly therefrom so that when said convex members are caused to be impacted against each other during hand clapping, an enhanced clapping noise is produced.

Granted United States patent US 7 001 238 (GONZALEZ) discloses a clapping apparatus comprising: a clapping plate comprising a planar striking surface and a planar back side; a planar area defined centrally in and recessed below said planar striking surface; at least one air hole disposed in said recessed planar area and completely penetrating orthogonally through said clapping plate; and a knob secured to said planar backside of said clapping plate.

French patent application FR 2 397 697 (ASSOUN) discloses a clapper for applause in the open air, intended to reinforce the noise of beat of palms. The clapper is consisted two independent, rigid, convex half-shells outside with each one an edge appreciably plane peripheral and a loop of gripping adaptable rubber band on a respective hand empaumant the half-shell. With the shock in the natural gesture of applause edges, are joined and half-shells form case of resonance, giving rise to an explosive noise. Application to the advertising accessories relating to the sporting events.

In contrast the present invention provides a comfortable to wear and easy to activate means of enhancing applause, useful for a plurality of ability users having a plurality of teams to support.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a hand mounted percussive sound making device comprising: a base connectable or connected to an upper formed in a resiliently deformable material, to form a single unit; said connection being about a flexible strap.

Preferably the upper is concave and formed in rubber, silicone or elastomer; wherein a pair of said devices are used in unison, the units being brought together rapidly to generate noise.

Preferably the unit forms a circular disc with relative depth to the strap, wherein the upper has an outwardly concave surface and flat or planar base so as to create a sound cavity that when the unit is hit against another or against a second surface the cavity serves to resonate and reflect sounds created.

In this way the connecting of two units or a single unit against a second surface replicates, reinforces andtor augments the mechanism of clapping so as to generate a similar but typically louder or more distinctive noise, with minimal effort from a user.

Ideally the base may be a flat plate that accepts said upper. In sortie embodiments the base may be formed of a rigid or less deformable material than the upper, so as to provide a rigid surface against which the upper is activated, so as to maximise effectiveness.

In this way for example the user may be able to dispose the device on curved surfaces, such as a smaller user hand or contractedpalm, wrist or around a leg; and be still enabled to hit against the unit effectively with a second device.

In further embodiments the base may include a channel into or through which the strap passes, in order that the upper may be connected to the base above the strap, so as to ensure a solid, unbroken and more effective sound-generating cavity. -In some preferred embodiments the base is shaped so as to fit comfortably into the user's palm, and/or solely rigid at a central core.

For example the base may be domed so as to fit comfortably in the palm of the user's hand. Ideally the unit has round edges so as to be comfortable in the hand so the user.

Typically the base joins to the upper forming the unit by means of a clip, detent mechanism or screw thread. In further embodiments mating male and female parts may be included, for example wherein the resiliently deformable material of the upper provides projecting male parts, which deform to be received by female parts on the base.

It is envisaged that the upper may be displaced from the base and/or interchangeable so as to be available in various colours and patterns and so that the user can readily change the appearance of the sound maker, for example to represent colours or strip of a team or flag of a particular country.

Preferably the unit is adapted to accept the strap, wherein either the base and the upper or both have a cut out slot to allow the strap to pass through and out of the unit.

In preferred embodiments the strap is a band of elasticated fabric which passes through the unit.

It may be envisaged that the strap is stretched in use to fit over the user's hand, wherein the unit is typically situated on or at the user's palm and the strap passed around the back of the hand. Advantageously such elastication of the strap enables the sound maker to suit all sizes of hands and also to be filled over gloves.

In further embodiments however the strap may be discontinuous and may have a clip, buckle, push fastening to connect the strap together to form a loop with two fastened ends around the user's hand-Alternatively in or in the alternative the two ends of the strap or a loose end may fasten, connect or by held down by hook and loop means such as Velcro (Trade Mark) enabling the ends and the strap to be fully adjustable without problematic and/or untidy looseness. Typically the strap is adjustable so as to be able to fit different users -In some embodiments the strap may not be elasticated but may be adjustable.

The strap may be available in various colours and materials and preferably the strap may be interchangeable so as to allow the strap to be changed if broken or if to create a different colour combination. It is envisaged that the strap may include a logo, image or text.

In some embodiments or uses the unit may be positioned on a back of the user's hand, with the strap passing through or across the user's palm so that the user is free to use their hand, for example to pick up a glass.

In some further embodiments the device may include a quick release mechanism so that the unit may be moved around the hand with minimal movements.

In preferred embodiments the unit is formed from a polymer, preferably an injection moulded polymer so as to be lightweight, durable and easy to manufacture.

In some embodiments the base is formed of rigid abs (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) with the upper formed in silicone, rubber or elastomer.

According to a second aspect of the present invention the base and/or upper may include apertures that allow the noise generated and air displaced when the upper is hit to be passed through the unit, so as to enhance quality of sound, belier transmit the sound and allow a balanced relationship of ease of deformation versus sound quality.

It is envisaged the regions that have apertures may be reinforced, for example by thickening of the polymer or an extra layer of another material in the region of the aperture so as to tolerate repeating hitting where the unit has reduced structural support due to the apertures.

Iii further embodiments the sound maker may include at least one ball bearing within the unit that rattles in use, so to enhance the noise created thus created further noise with minimal effort.

Yet further embodiments may include a resilient deformable clacker, for example an elongate strip of metal fixed to the base at distal ends, internal to the unit, wherein a weakened upper with apertures may be used to depress and/or deform the clacker.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawinqs and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

*Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the hand mounted percussive sound making device; and Figure 2 shows a view from above of the embodiment of Figure 1.

The pictured and preferred embodiment includes injection moulded upper and base pieces that attach using snap fittings eliminating the need for additional fixtures.

The two injection rnoulded components fasten around the strap and can slide to suit the user.

A sustainable upper material could be used such as bamboo or alternatively a recycled plastic.

Some embodiments may be incorporated into gloves so that the upper could be removed for when not in use so that gloves can be work normal with central hole missing.

The upper may be shaped as a football or rugby football ball.