US2314153A

US2314153A - Selective voice for toys

Info

Publication number: US2314153A
Application number: US422811A
Authority: US
Inventors: Marcus Samuel
Original assignee: VOICES Inc
Current assignee: VOICES Inc
Priority date: 1941-12-13
Filing date: 1941-12-13
Publication date: 1943-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 1960-03-16

Description

Mardi 16, 1943. s, MARUs .sELEcTrvE voIcE Fon ToYs Filed De. 13, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 |Nv}-:NToR .SAMUEL MARCUS K' C; ATTORNEYS s. MARCUS SELECTIVE VOICE FOR TOYS Filed nec. 1s, 1941 March 16, 1943.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 16, 1943 Vcuneo ori-ice 2,314,153 srrec'rrve voice ron 'rors Samuel Marcus, South Orange, N. J., assignor to Voices, Inc., Bayonne, N. J., a corporation of New York v21 Claims.

This invention relates to sound-producing devices or so-called voices for toys, particularly dolls.

The primary object of my invention is to Agenerally improve voices for toys. Another .object is to selectively produce either of two different sounds from .a single voice structure.

A more specific object is to Aprovide a .combined mama-and-papa voice for dolls, the voice being selective to repeatedly 'produce a mama sound,

Vor to Arepeatedly produce a fpapa sound, as desired. Still another object is tov apply the invention to .gravity-operated voices of known character, which include a known type of main valve for interrupting an otherwise continuous sound in order .to simulate the .articulation of syllables. From this viewpoint, my invention consists in .the addition of .an auxiliary valve, whichmay for convenience be called-a selector valve, lto change the voice to produce either the mama or .the papa sound, yas desired.

Still anotherobject Aof my invention 'is to 'make the selector valve gravity-operated, so that no mechanical controls'need "be brought out yof the body of the doll. The-direction of gravity operation of the selector valve is preferably made transverse to the direction of 'gravity operation of the bellowsof the voice, so that either may be operated independently of the other.

1n accordance with further features Yand objects of my invention, the desired difference in sound may 'be robtained 'either by changing the sharpness of `the Vcut-.olif or 'articulation of the sound, or by changing .the `pitch or tone of the sound, or preferably by changingboth.

To AtheV accomplishment of the foregoing and such other bjects Vas will hereinafter appear, my invention consists in the vvoice elements and their relation one to the other, `as hereinafter are more 4particularlyl described m the specification, and sought to be defined in the claims. The specification is accompanied by drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an end View of a voice embodying features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is -a longitudinal section'taken approximately in the Yplane of the line 2 -2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an inverted horizontal section taken approximately in the Vplane `of-the line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4. is apartially sectioned elevation taken approximately inthe plane of the line 4--4 .of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section 'taken approximately in the plane of the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

6 is a fragmentary section similar to a part of Fig. '2, "but drawn to enlargedscale;

Fig. 7 is a section through'the cap portion of `a weighty head having a modified form of selector valve, said section being taken appro-Ximately in the plane of lthe line l-l of Fig. 8;

Fig. 8 is a section taken approximately in the plane of the line 8 8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a partially sectioned end View of a preferred form of voice embodying my invention, said view being taken approximately in the plane of the line 9-9 of Fig. l0; l

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section through the voice taken approximately in the plane of the line lli- E9 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 11 is a transverse section taken approximately in the plane of the line I I-H .of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is ar fragmentary section taken longitudinally of the voice approximately in the plane of the line i2--E2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a section through the selector valve vsimilar t'o Fig. l2, but showing the movable element of the valve in opposite end position;

Fig. 14 is a section taken approximately in the plane of the line lli-lll .of Fig. 10;

Fig. 15 is a detail showing a cover plate used over each reed assembly;

Fig. 16 is a plan view of one main part of the weighty head;

Fig. 17 is an elevation thereof;

Fig. 18 is a bottom plan View thereof;

Fig. 19 schematically illustrates a doll having the selector Valve disposed horizontally when 'the 'doll is upright; and

Fig. 20 is a similar view having the selector valve disposed vertically.

Referring to the drawings and more particuiarly to Figs. 1 through 6, I there show vsome of the features of my invention applied to a known form of articulative voice. Specifically, the invention is shown applied to a voice of the type die iosed and claimed in my co-,pending applica on, Serial No. 339,651, filed June 10, 1940, and entitled Articulative voice.

The voice comprises a cylindrical casing l2 madeV of cardboard or like material, and closed by ends l-l and i 5 preferably made of sheet metal. vThe end it* is imperforate, While the end lli has large holes ll. (Fig. 1) for sound discharge. A weighty head is slidable within casing l2. This head comprises a weight or solid disc I8 and a sheet metal cap iii tted thereover. The cap has a relatively deeply drawn skirt 22 which acts to guide the weighty head during its sliding movement within casing l2.

The bellows comprises a slightly frusto-conical piece of thin flexible fabric 24. The fabric is preferably rubberized or otherwise treated to make the same non-porous without, however, stiliening the same. The lower 0r larger end of the bellowswis turned about casing :l2 and is locked in position by the compressed flanged edge it of end l. The upper or smaller end of the bellows is locked between the periphery of weight lil and the skirt 22.

The resulting airtight bellows is compressed when the weighty head moves gravitationally from the upper position shown in Fig. 2 to the lower position shown in Fig. 4.

Sound is produced by a reed assembly R. This comprises a thin, resilient, vibratile metal tongue or reed 28 (Fig. 2), disposed over the outwardly flanged edge of a metal channel 3U, the stationary end of the reed being secured to the channel by a metal clamp 32, The assembly of reed, channel and clamp is a standard product regularly used in these devices. The reed assembly is carried in a mating opening in weight E8, and leakage of air is prevented by applying a sealing fluid around the reed assembly at the opening through the weight. This sealing fluid may have a suitable wax base (using a volatile solvent, or heated wax), or it may have a rubber base (using latex, for example).

As so far described the voice would produce a continuous sound. However, it is further provided with a main valve for interrupting this sound in order to simulatedly articulate syllables. As is described in my co-pending application aforesaid, a p sound (for papa) may be produced by a very sharp cut-off. This requires a closely fitting gasket, but in order to minimize friction, the gasket is preferably made very thin and flexible.

In the present case the sheet metal end I4 of the housing carries a stationary valve tube 34. This is permanently closed at its upper end by the central imperforate part of end i4. It is permanently closed at its lower end by means of a disc 36. As is best shown in Fig. 6, the disc may be sealed against leakage by the application of a sealing fluid 38. The valve tube 34 is secured to end i4 by bent tongue and slot connections 4Q. It has a ring of large ports 42 cut therethrough. It is shorter than the travel of the weighty head, as will be clear from inspection of Fig. 4, in which the head has moved entirely below the valve tube.

The sheet metal cap 2li of the weighty head is drawn upwardly at 44 to form a gasket seat. A

thin flexible annular gasket 46 is carried on seat 44. This gasket may be stamped from rubberized fabric such as is used for the bellows. The basket i's held on seat 44 by means of a gasket retainer 43. The relation of the parts is such that the outer periphery only of the gasket is clamped between the seat and the retainer, the inner part of the gasket being freely flexible upwardly or downwardly as it moves along the valve tube. Although the gasket fits tightly it causes little friction because it is so thin and flexible. It may be made thin and eXible because it does not act as a guide for the weighty head, the latter being guided by the long skirt 22 slidably received within casing l2.

As so far described, the voice acts as a papa voice, because the sound is initially cut off sharpiy when the gasket is above the ports 42. The sound is freely discharged as the gasket moves past the ports 42. The sound is again sharply cut off when the gasket moves below the ports 42. The sound is again fully released when the gasket leaves the lower end of the valve tube. The result is articulation of the word papa.

In accordance with the present invention, the voice is provided with an auxiliary valve or selector valve which makes it possible to modify the sound produced by the voice. Specifically, the

selector valve may be used to convert the voice from a "papa voice to a mama voice. To produce the mama sound it is necessary to avoid the sharp total cut-off which simulates the consonant p, and to instead provide a certain amount of leakage so as to simulate the softener consonant m. For this purpose I provide a vent which bypasses the main valve, said vent being controlled by the selector valve. Specifically, I provide a cylindrical valve tube 5U, preferably extending transversely of the axis of the casing. This has a vent hole 52 communicating with the inside of cap 28. The valve tube may be secured to the cap in any desired fashion as, for example, by spot welding, and in the present case it is secured to the lower cylindrical portion of retainer 43. A weighty plug 54 (Figs. 4 and 5) is slidable in cylinder 50, and its movement is preferably limited by

appropriate stops

56 and 58. The plug 54 acts as the movable valve element, and when it is in the end position shown in Fig. 4, the vent 52 is uncovered; whereas, when it is in the end position shown in Fig. 5, the vent 52 is closed.

With the selector valve in the position shown in Fig. 5, the voice functions as a papa voice. However, when the vent is opened by changing the selector valve to the position shown in Fig. 4, there is a continuous leakage through the vent opening, thus softening the otherwise sharp cutoff of the main valve and resulting in a simulated mama sound.

A modication of the selector valve is illustrated in Figs. '7 and 8. In this construction, the movable element 60 of the selector valve is a spherical ball. It moves in a valve tube 62. When the ball is in the broken line position Gil of Fig. 8, the vent opening 64 is closed, but when the ball is in the solid line position the vent is opened and leakage takes place through vent 64 and slot 66. The valve tube 62 may, if desired, be curved somewhat as shown in Fig. 8, so that the ball will not move too freely between its end positions. It will be understood that the main structure of the voice is similar to that previously described, the only change being in the selector valve itself.

As so far described, a single reed assembly is used, the sound of which is modified by the use of a vent. It is possible, however, to cause the selector valve to select which of two reed assemblies will be used for sound production. The reeds of these assemblies ,may differ substantially in pitch or tone. Preferably the higher pitch is used for the mama sound, in order to better produce a hum or m sound when the sound discharge is restricted. The lower pitch is used for the papa sound, so as to obtain a more pronounced cut-off for the p sound. Moreover, a wider difference in sound adds to a childs enjoyment of the toy.

The two reed assemblies also preferably differ in the air current required for operation. More specifically, the reed assembly for the mama sound is preferably an easy blowing assembly, while the reed assembly for the papa sound is preferably a harder blowing assembly.

The reason is that for amama sound I preferably employ a reed assembly which will be blown even by the small air escaping through the vent. Such a reed assembly is not ideal for producing a papa sound, because the cut-off cf sound is not as instantaneous as may be desired. For the papa sound, the reed assembly is preferably made harder to blow, thereby preventing undesired vibration of the reed in response to any again. The selector valve may be changed from one end position to the other by turning the doll about the longitudinal axis |24. Thus, if the doll rests on its back and is rolled to one side and back again, one sound will be produced, for example the mama sound, and this may be done repeatedly. If, however, the doll is rolled tward the other side and back again, the other sound 0r papa sound will be produced. If the doll is preliminarily rolled toward one side and returned, in order to put the selector valve in desired end position, for example the mama position, the doll may then be turned about the axis" |26 t0 repeatedly produce a mamay sound. To change to the papa sound the doll may be preliminarily turned about the axis |24`in order to change the position of the selector valve, and the doll may thereafter be turned about the axis |25 in order to repeatedly produce the papa sound.

In Fig. the voice has been positioned in the doll with the selector valve tube |30 in vertical position when the doll is erect. With this arrangement the selector valve may be preliminarily put in one end position by tilting the doll with the head lower than the feet. Thereafter the doll may be' returned to horizontal position and then rolledtoward either side in order to repeatedly produce one type of sound, for example, the papa sound. If, however, the doll is turned with its head higher than'its feet, thev selector valve will be moved to the other end position. The doll may then be rolled toward either side in order to repeatedly produce a mama sound. Of course, the bellows may also be o-perated by turning the doll about the transverse axis |32. If the doll is turned between horizontal and upright positions, the mama sound is produced; whereas, if the doll is turned with the feet uppermost, the papa sound will be produced.

It will be understood that with the selector valve tube horizontal as in Fig. 19, the choice as between the mama and papa sound will de.

pend on the location of the vent, that is, the voice may be rotated 18) degrees to place the vent at either side of the longitudinal axis |24 when installing the voice in the doll. Similarly, with the selector valve tube vertical as in Fig. 20, the choice as between the mama and papa sound will depend on whether the vent is at the upper or lower end of the valve tube. In Fig. 19 the vent is at the left and in Fig. 20 the vent is at the top, but the opposite condition may be:

established. Moreover, the voice may be positioned in the doll in some wholly different manner, thus leading to corresponding differences in operation.

It is believed that the construction and operation, as well as the advantages of my improved sound producing device for toys, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description thereof. It will be apparent that, while I have shown and described my invention in several preferred forms, many changes and modiiications may be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention as sought to be defined in the following claims.

In the claims the reference to reed assemblies of differing pitch is used for convenience, but is really meant more broadly to apply to differing characteristics in general, such as the different threshold air current referred to earlier .in the specification. 'l

I'claim:

1. A selective voice for a toy, said voice comprising a gravity-operated bellows, a reed responsive to operation of the bellows, a gravityoperated main valve having parts relatively moved as the bellows moves in order to so modulate the sound produced by the reed as to simulatedly articulate syllables, and a gravity-operatedselector valve arranged to additionally modify the flow of air in the voice in such a manner as to change the sound produced when the bellows and main valve are operated, the axis of operation of the selector valve being approximatelyl perpendicular to the axis of operation of the bellows and main valve, and therefore being independent of the operation of the bellows and main valve.

2. A vselective voice for a toy, said voice comprising a cylindrical casing, a bellows in said casing including a weighty head for gravitationally operating the bellows axially of the casing, a reed responsive to movement of the bellows, and a selector valve including a valve tube extending transversely of the axis of the casing, and a movable element gravitationally movable in said valve tube between end positions, said selector valve being arranged to modify the ow of air in the voice in such a manner as to change the sound produced when the bellows is operated, the transverse relation of the axes of the casing and the valve tube causing the operation of the bellows to be substantially independent of the operation of the selector valve.

`3. A selective voice for a toy, said voice comprising a cylindrical casing, a bellows in said casing including a weighty head for gravitationally operating the bellows axially of the casing, a reed responsive to movement of the bellows, a main valve having parts relatively moved by movement of the weighty head in order to interrupt or modify the sound of the reed so as to simulatedly articulate syllables, and a gravity-operated selector valve arranged to modify the flow of air in the voice in such a manner as to change the sound produced when the bellows and main valve are operated, the operation of said selector valve being independent of the operation of the bellows and main valve, the axis of operation of the bellows and main valve being substantially perpendicular to the axis of the operation of the selector valve, whereby said operations are independent of one another.

4. A selective voice for a toy, said voice comprising a cylindrical casing, a bello-ws in said casing including a weighty head for gravitationally operating the bellows axially of the casing, a reed responsive to movement of the bellows, a main valve having parts relatively moved by movement of the weighty head in order t0 modulate the sound of the reed so as to simulatedly articulate syllables, and a selector valve including a valve tube extending transversely 'of the axis of the casing, and a movable element gravitationally movable in said valve tube between end positions, said selector valve being arranged to modify the flow of air in the voice in such a manner as to change the sound produced when the bellows and main valve are operated.

5. The combination with a voice including a bellows, of two separate Valve mechanisms, one of which is operated in response to operation of the bellows, and the other of which is gravitationally operated independently of the operation of the bellows.

6. The combination with a voice including a ingv including a weighty head for gravitationallyvv operating the bellows axially of the casing, a reed responsive to movementl of the bellows, amain valve, the parts ofvsaid main valve being relatively moved by movement of thek weighty head in order to interrupt the sound of the reed so asto simulatedly articulate papa, a gravity-` operated selector valve, a vent kaiiording escapey of` aA small fraction of the sound produced by the reed independently of passage through the main valve, said vent being opened when the selector valve is in one position, and being closed when the selector valve is in opposite position, the vent,

when open serving to bypass the cut-off of the main valve and to thereby soften the articulation to simulatedly produce a mama sound instead,

of a papa sound, the axis of operation or the selector valve being substantially perpendicular to the axis of the casing, so that the operation of the bellows and main valve is independent ofl the operation of the selector valve.

8. A selective voice for a toy, said voice comprising a cylindrical casing, a bellows in said casing including a weighty head for gravitationally operating the bellows axially of the casing, a reed responsive to movement of the bellows, a main valve, the parts of said main valve being relatively moved by movement of the weighty headn in order to interrupt the sound of the reed so as to simulatedly articulate papa, and a selector valve including a valve tube extending transversely of the axis of the casing, and a movable element gravitationally movable in said valve tube between end positions, a vent aording escape of a small fraction of the sound produced by the reed independently of passage through the main valve, said vent being opened when the selector Valve is in one position, and being closed when the selector valve is in opposite position, the vent when open serving to bypass the cut-olf of` the main valve and to thereby soften the articulation to simulatedly produce a mama sound instead of a papa sound.

9. A selective voice for a toy, said voice corri-4 prising a cylindrical casing, a bellows in said casing including a weighty head for gravitation,-` ally operating the bellows axially of the casing, said head having a cylindrical skirt of substane tial axial length to guide the head axially of the casing, a reed responsive to movement of the belf lows, a main Valve comprising a ported valve tube extending axially of thecasing, and cut-off means surrounding said valve tube, said cut-off means including an annular gasket made of thin flexible material in order to produce a sharp cut-oir without appreciable frictional resistance to move--V ment, the parts of said main valve being relatively moved by movement of the weighty head in order to interrupt the sound of the reed so as to simulatedly articulate papa, said valve tube acting solely as a valve tube and not as a guide for said head, a selector valve, a vent aording escape of a small fraction of the sound produced by the reed independently of passage through the main valve, said vent being opened when the selector valve is in one position, and being closed when the selector valve is in opposite position, the vent when open serving to bypass the cut-oi-'of the main valve andrto thereby soften the articulation to simulatedly produce a ma ma sound insteadof a papa sound.

10a A selective voice ioratoy, said'voice comprising a cylindricalr casing, a bellows Vin said casing including a-weighty head for gravitationally operating the bellows axially of the casing, a reedresponsive to movement of the bellows, a mainyalve comprising aA ported valve'tube extending axiallyoi the'casi'ng, and cut-off means surrounding said valve tube, said cut-ofi" means including an annular gasket made ofy thin flexiblematerial inv order to produce a sharp cutoff ywithout appreciable frictional resistance to movementsY the parts of vsaid main valve being relatively moved by movement of y the weighty head inl order to interrupt the soundof the reed so as tol simulatedly articulate papaj and a selector valve including a valve tube extendingl transversely ofthe axis of the'casing,` anda movl able element gravitationally movable in said valve tube between end positions, a vent affording escape of a small fraction of the sound produced by the reed independently of passageythrough the main valve, said vent being opened when the selector valve is in one position, and being closed when the selector valve is in opposite pd` sition, the vvent when open serving to bypass the cut-oir of the main valve'and to thereby soften the` articulation to simulatedly produce a mama sound instead ofva fpapaf sound 1 1. A selective voice for a toy, said voice oo mprising two reeds o f d-ilering pitch responsive to i movement of the bellows, and a selector valve arranged to guide the ilowl of air from the bellows to one ofthe reeds when said selector valve is in one position, and to the other of the reeds whensaid selector valve is in another position, the position of the selector valve being in'dependJ ent of the position ofthe bellows.

1'2. A selective voice for a toy, rsaid voice comprising abellows, two reeds of differing pitch responsive to movement oi the bellows, a main valve having parts vrelatively moved by movement Qiv the bellows in order to modulate the sound of either reed so vas to simulatedly articulateA syllables, and a selector valvev arranged to guide the flow of air from the bellows to one of the reeds when saidV selector valve is in one position, and to the other of the reeds when said selector valve is in another position.

13. A, selective voice f or a toy, saidvoice comprising acylindrical casing, a bellows in said casing including a weighty head for gravitationally operating the bellowsv axially of the casing, two reeds of differing pitch responsive to movement ofthe bellows, and a selector valve arranged to guide the flow of air trom the bellows to one oi the reeds when said selector valve is in one position, and to the other of the reeds when said selector v alve is in another position, the position of the selector lvalve being independent of the position of the bellows.

`14. A selective voice for a 11.05', said voice coinprising a cylindricalv casing, a bellows in said casing including a weighty head for gravitationally operating the bellows axially of the Casina two reeds of differing pitch responsive to movementY of the bellows, a main valve having, parts relatively moved by movement of the weighty head in order to 4modulate the sound of' either reed so as to simulatedly articulate syllables, and a selector valve arranged to guide the now of air from the bellows to one of the reeds when said selector valve is in one position, and to the other of the reeds when said selector valve is in another position.

15. A selective voice for a toy, said voice comprising a cylindrical casing, a bellows in said casing including a weighty head for gravitationally operating the bellows axially of the casing, two reeds of diiering pitch responsive to movement of the bellows, and a selector valve including a valve tube extending transversely of the axis of the casing, and a movable element gravitationally movable in said valve tube between end positions. sai-d selector valve being arranged to guide the flow of air from the bellows to one of the reeds when said selector valve is in one end position, and to the other of the reeds when said selector valve is in its opposite end position.

16. A selective voice for a toy, said voice comprising a cylindrical casing, a bellows in said casing including a weighty head for gravitational- 1y operating the bellows axially of the casing, two reeds of differing pitch responsive to movement of the bellows, a main valve having parts relatively moved by movement of the weighty head in order to modulate the sound of either reed so as to simulatedly articulate syllables, an-d a` selector valve including a valve tube extending transversely of the axis of the casing, and a movable element gravitationally movable in said valve tube between end positions, said selector valve being arranged to guide the flow of air from the bellows to one of the reeds when said selector valve is in one end position, and to the other of the reeds when said selector valve is in its opposite end position.

17. A selective voice for a toy, said voice comprising a cylindrical casing, a bellows in said casing, two reeds of differing pitch responsive to movement of the bellows, a main valve, the parts of said main valve being relatively moved by movement of the weighty head in order to modulate the sound of either reed, a selector valve, a vent affording escape of a small fraction of the sound produced by the one reed independently of passage through the main valve,' said selector valve being arranged to guide the flow of air from the bellows to the lower-pitched reed and to close the vent when the selector valve is in one position, and being arranged to guide the ilow of air from the bellows to the higher-pitched reed and to open the vent when the selector valve isin another position.

`18. A selective voice for a toy, said voice comprising a cylindrical casing, a bellows in said casing, two reeds of differing pitch responsive to movement of the bellows, a main valve, the parts of said main valve being relatively moved by movement of the weighty head in order to modulate the sound of either reed, a selector valve including a valve tube extending transversely of the axis of the casing, and a movable element gravitationally slidable in said valve tube between end positions, a vent affording escape of a small fraction of the sound produced by one reed independently of passage through the main valve, said selector valve being arranged to guide the flow of air from the bellows to one reed and to close the vent when the selector valve is in one end position, and being arranged to guide the flow of air from the bellows to the other reed and to open the vent when the selector valve is in its opposite end position.

19. A selective voice for a toy, said voice comprising a cylindrical casing, a bellows in said casing including a weighty head for gravitationally operating the bellows axially of the casing, two reeds of diering pitch responsive to movement of the bellows, a main valve, the parts of said main valve being relatively moved by movement of the weighty head in order to modulate the sound of either reed, a selector valve, a vent affording escape lof a small fraction of the sound produced by one reed independently of passage through the main valve, said selector valve being arranged to guide the flow of air from the bellows to the lower-pitched reed-and to close the vent when the selector valve is in one end position, and being arranged to gui-de the flow of air from the bellows to the higher-pitched reed and to open the vent when the selector valve is in its opposite end position.

20. A selective voice for a toy, said Voice comprising a cylindrical casing, a bellows in said casing including a weighty head for gravitationally operating the bellows axially of the casing, two reeds of differing pitch responsive to movement of the bellows, a main valve, the parts of said main valve being relatively moved by movement of the weighty head in order to modulate the sound of either reed, and a selector valve including a valve tube extending transversely of the axis of the casing, and a movable element gravitationally movable in said valve tube between end positions, a vent affording escape of a small fraction of the sound produced by one reed independently of passage through the main valve, said selector valve being arranged to guide the now of air from the bellows to one reed. and to close the vent when the selector valve is in one end position, and being Varranged to guide the flow of air from the bellows to the other reed and to open the vent when the selector valve is in its opposite end position.

2l. A selective voice for a toy, said voice comprising a cylindrical casing, a bellows in said casing including a weighty head for gravitationally operating the bellows axially of the casing, two reeds of differing pitch responsive to movement of the bellows, a main valve comprising a ported valve tube extending axially of the casing, and cut-olf means surrounding said valve tube, said cut-oli means including an annular -gasket made of thin flexible material in order to produce a sharp cut-oir without appreciable frictional resistance to movement, the parts of said main valve being relatively-moved by movement of the weighty head in order to modulate the sound of either reed, land a selector valve including a valve tube extending transversely of the axis of the casing, and a movable element gravitationally movable in said valve tube between end positions, a vent affording escape of a small fraction of the sound produced by one reed independently of passage through the main valve, said selector valve being arranged to guide the flow of air from the bellows to the lower-pitched reed and toclose the vent when the selector valve is in one end position in order to produce a papa sound, and being arranged to guide the iiow of air from the bellows to the higher-pitched reed and to open the vent when the selector valve isin its opposite end position n order to produce a mama sound.

SAMUEL MARCUS.