US1257448A - Sounding toy. - Google Patents

Description

l. D. BELTON.

SOUND-INS TOY-- APPLICATION HLED APR. 19. I917.

1,257AQ. Patented Feb. 25,1918.

ATTORNEY onrrnn snares raran'r onions. A

JOHN D. BELTON, OF CROWLEY, LOUISIANA.

sonunnve TOY.

Application filed April 19, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN D. BEL'I'ON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Crowley, in the parish of Acadia and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sounding Toys, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to toys, and particularly to sounding toys.

The invention has for its primary object to provide a toy of that character wherein rotary movement delivered thereto will cause the body of the toy to emit a humming or croaking sound, and which is equipped with improved means for modulating the sound.

A further object of the invention is to provide a toy of that character wherein a hollow resonant body is employed, and to which is connected a string for creating vibrations within the body, which is of extremely simple construction, which may be manufactured at low cost, which is easy and simple of operation, and which has its sound modulating means so constructed as to be capable of being easily and quickly adjusted.

With these objects in view, together with others which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel formation, combination, and arrangement of parts, all as will be described more fully hereinafter, illustrated in the drawings, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a toy constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the toy; and

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional View taken through the body of the toy.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the body of the toy, indicated at 5, is in the form of a cylindrical drum, constructed of metal, wood, or composition, and is closed at one end by a top or diaphragm 6. The opposite end of the drum is open, and a cap 7 is provided for closing the said open end. Attached to the diaphragm or top 6 of the body is a cord 8, by means of which the body may be swung or rotated. The cord extends at one end through an opening provided in the diaphragm 6 and is knotted as at 9 upon the interior of the body, so as to prevent the cord slipping or becoming de- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 26,1918.

Serial No. 163,256.

tached from the said diaphragm. The opposite end of the cord is in a like manner attached to the diaphragm at a point slightly removed from the point of connection with the aforementioned end, and is also knotted as indicated at 9. The head or too 6 of the rated if desired or treated with a resinous substance so as to create friction between the cord loop and handle. It is obvious from this construction that when the looped end of the cord is engaged within the recess 12 of the handle, and the latter is grasped in the hand, the body may be rotated, and the frictional contact of the cord loops with the handle portion will cause the vibrations produced thereby to be transmitted to the diaphragm 6, and the rapidly vibrating diaphragm will create sound within the body When the cover or cap 7 is removed from the open end of the body, the sound waves confined within the body may escape, and thus produce a louder or more intense noise or tone than would be the case when the cover 7 is adjusted to the body.

In order that the sound created within the body may escape therefrom, the body is provided adjacent its outer end and in its side walls with a plurality of openings 14,, and the diaphragm 6 is also provided with a series of openings indicated at 15.

The cap or cover 7 for the open end of the body may be secured in position upon the latter in any preferred manner. In the present instance, the cap is illustrated as being constructed from a circular disk, the latter being bent so as to provide an inwardly projecting flange 16, adapted to engage with the edges of the open end of the body, and to frictionally contact the same. The frictional contact between this flange and the edge of the body opening will prove sufiicient to maintain the cap in proper position against centrifugal force imparted thereto by rotating the body.

Means is provided in connection with the cap or cover for modulating the sound emitted from the body. The cover is pros vided with a plurality of apertures 17, the

latter being preferably arranged in circular series in the cover. Pivoted upon the cover, and upon the interior face thereof preferably, is a disk or valve 18. lhis valve plate is provided with a pivot pin 19 which extends through the cap, and is provided with a finger grip 20 at its outer end. The disk is also equipped with spaced apertures 21, so arranged upon the plate as to be capable of being registered with the openings 17 in the top 7. \Vhen the disk 18 is rotated, however, the apertures 2117 will be disalined, and consequently the emission of sound through the cover will be prevented.

From the foregoing, it is obvious that I have provided a toy which is of extremely simple construction, and yet which may afford great amusement. The quality of tone emanating from the body may be regulated or controlled by turning the disk 18, or by removing or applying the cap '7. It is also obvious that the intensity of the sound emanating from the body may be regulated by opening or closing the openings, or by varying the rapidity of rotation the body.

In the foregoing i have stated that the body is in the shape of a hollow cylinder or drum, but it will be understood that the in vention is not necessarily confined to a body of such shape. T he materials of which this body is constructed are also mentioned in the specification, but it will he understood that these materials need not be followed in carrying the invention into practice. It is preferred, however, that materials of a resonant nature be used.

Vv hile the present disclosure is that of what I believe t be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but that various changes may be made in the construction, arrangement, and proportion of parts, without departing from the spirit of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

lVhat is claimed is 1. In a device of the class described, a drum having openings therein, a diaphragm in said drum, means for vibrating said diaphragm, and means for opening or closing said openings.

2. In a device of the clas. described, a hollow member open at one end, a cap for closing said end, the said cap having open-- ings therein, a valre for closing said openings, a vibratory diaphragm in the opposite end of said hollow member, and means for vibrating the said diaphragm.

3. In a device of the class descril'ied, a hollow member open at one end, a diaphragm in the other end of said member, means for vibrating said diaphragm, a cap for closing said open end, the said cap having openings therein, a plate rotatably mounted on said cap, the said plate having openings adapted to register with those of said cap, and means for controlling the movements of said plate.

In testimony whereof I. aiiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN D. B Elli. O N.

lVitnesses PAUL ECKELS, JOHN BETHANY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington,- D. 0.

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