US3286396A - Toy sound device adapted to actuate a resonator by a cyclic series of impulses - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 22, 1966 J. w. RYAN r 3 286,396 TOY SOUND DEVICE ADAPTED TO ACTUATE A RESONATOR, BY A CYCLIC SERIES OF IMPULSES Filed March 26, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l Auml-u Nov. 22, 1966 .J w RYAN 3,286,396

TOY SOUND DEVICE ADAPTD TO AGTUATE A RESONATOR BY A CYCLIC SERIES OF IMPULSES Filed March 26, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7/Zo. I

V/z 750 /74 'I3 United States Patent O 3,286,396 TY SOUND DEVICE ADAPTED T ACTUATE A RESUNATOR BY A CYCLIC SERIES 0F IM- PULSES John W. Ryan, Bel Air, Calif., assignor to Mattel, Inc., Hawthorne, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Mar. 26, 1965, Ser. No. 443,051 16 Claims. (Cl. 46-232) This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Serial No. 340,002 now abandoned which was led January 24, 1964, by the applicant herein.

In general, the present invention relates to a simply constructed and operated toy sound device adapted to actuate a resonator by a cyclic series of blows thereto.

In said copending application Serial No. 340,002 now abandoned it was noted that, in the past, there have been a wide variety of toy sound devices, particularly sound devices which are adapted to simulate a motor sound or siren sound. For example, a common toy sound device which has been employed involves a reed iixed at one end and the other end extending free and engaged with a rotating gear wheel so that the reed is vibrated to yadmit sounds. However, such prior .art sound devices, particularly motor sound devices, customarily were limited to a single, relatively high-pitched uniform sound which was far removed from the desired sound, such as the sound of a truck or Icar mot-0r which is customarily 10W- pitched and usually includes a cyclic variation in sound. On the other hand, such sound was usually not suciently high-pitched to reproduce the shrill sound of a siren or the rise and falling siren sound of a vehicle, such as an ambulance. Furthermore, the usual prior art sound device involved a substantial period of contact between the portion of the device emitting the sound and portion of the device actuating the sound emitter. Thus, a considera-ble portion of the vibrational energy was lost and the resulting sound device was relatively ineicient. Also, prior -art sound devices usually utilized direct contact between the sound emitter and the actuator for the sound emitter, so that the stresses and strains were put on the sound emitter which did not contribute to the volume of sound being emitted. Consequently, the usual prior art devices had a relatively short life because of the intense strains and stresses put on the sound emitter apart from the `function of the emitting sound. Finally, the usual prior art sound devices normally required a change in the rate of operation of the actuator in order to change the intensity of the sound and was normally strictly limited to a specific sound.

As also noted in said copending application Serial No. 340,002, now abandoned, some of these prior art shortcomings have been effectively solved by applicants earlier invention entitled, Motor Sounds, and led as application, Serial No. 313,285, tiled October 2, 1963, now Patent No. 3,236,008. However, applicants motor sounds invention ywas specifically designed to reproduce a specic range of sounds i.e., motor sounds. Hence, such earlier device is not adapted to change the range of sounds or the type of sounds, as is possible in the present invention. For example, applicants earlier device could not vary the particular motor sound cycle without substantially changing the structure of the device and could only vary the impulse tby varying the speed of the turntable means. Moreover, applicants earlier device was not adapted to simply change the sound emitted, as in the devices of copending application Serial No. 340,002 now abandoned and o-f the present application.

Consequently, an object of the present invention is a toy sound device wherein the intensity of the sound or other variation in the sound may be simply achieved.

Another object of the present invention is a toy sound ice device adapted to vary the intensity of the sound emitted, but not requiring a variation in the rate of operation of the actuating portion of the sound device.

Still another object of the present invention is a toy sound device which is adapted to vary the sound emitted simply -by regulating the relative positions of the various portions of the sound device.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following description and drawings which illustrate a preferred exemplary ernbodiment of the presentinvention, as well as alternative embodiments of the present invention.

As pointed out in copending application Serial No. 419,270, now Patent No. 3,190,034, which was tiled December 9, 1964, and which is a continuation-in-part of said application Serial No. 313,285, now Patent No. 3,236,008, the spectral analysis of the sound produced by a typical automobile engine indicates that, for optimum reproduction, the maximum energy contained in the spectrum should be below approximately 2500 c.p.s. However, in an automobile engine and in a system lfor simulating motor sounds, the frequency of the sound alone is insuticient to dene a reasonable simulation of a motor sound. The spectrum should be one in which a broad sweep of frequencies is indiscriminately produced without sharply defined and Well-separated peaks. Sharply defined and `Well separated peaks produce a musical sound like a low-pitched horn or bell. When such peaks do not exist, a noise results and, if the noise is in a relatively low frequency range, it simulates a motor sound.

The devices `for simulating motor sounds of the present invention include systems which are shock-excited with a lot of resonance. This shockaexciting is done repetitively, without necessarily having a iixed period. The exciting of the system is done in a free mode. This means the system is simply shocked; it is not rigidly coupled to a driving means. Thus, the present invention relates only to vibratile systems in which there is not a rigid coupling and direct drive of the resonator.

Vibratile systems which are capable of producing sound within the frequency ranges which characterize the noise produced by internal combustion engines may, within broad limits, lbe made of many different types of materials whether a single compound, such as polyethylene, or an extremely complex mixture of compounds, such as cardboard. The material may be homogeneous, laminate, or rrandomly discontinuous, such as chipboard. Also, the material may be solid, porous or of varying density and cross section, such as a woven or pressed ber structure like berboard.

Such vibratile systems may also be made lwith almost any geometry. For example, a cone, a plane disc and a cup with nearly cylindrical side walls may be employed. These changes in geometry have a marked eiiect on the resonance characteristics of the system. The same mass of the same material reacts differently acoustically if it is shaped as a cone or cup rather than as a at disc.

Similarly, the same object will react quite differently acoustically if it is mounted differently. A complaint mounting, in which the object is held loosely and ilexibly, will cause it to have different resonance characteristics from a mounting in which it is held rigidly at some one point.

The natural or resonant frequency of a vibratile system is the basic frequency at which it resonates in response to shock excitation. Although it is dicult to measure this with great precision, it is a characteristic of the system and usually can be discerned on a spectral analysis of the sound produced by the system as the lowest-frequency substantial peak produced by the system. For example, the spectral analysis of certain toy motor unit cones show a number of peaks, with the last major peak in the vicinity of 2,500 c.p.s. Thus :the bulk of the acoustic energy produced in simulation of a motor sound should be below 2,500 c.p.s. The natural or resonant fre- Investigation of these matters has resulted in the conclusion that a stiffness between 104 and 108 dynes per centimeter is the range within which a practical toy device to simulate motor sounds can be made. These limits of quency of that same cone, however, is about 250 or 350 5 stiffness, applied to systems weighing between 1A@ gram cycles. Repeated shock excitation of a vibratile system and 100 grams, produced natural frequencies (within the thus may produce the bulk of the energy `at frequencies limits of practically discussed above) which are in the well above .the natural or resonant frequency of the parrange necessary to produce a motor sound. The more ticular resonator employed. extreme combinations of high mass and low stiffness, and The characteristics of vibratile systems which are capalow mass with high stiffness, have to be omitted. For ble of producing motor sounds may be defined in terms example, a 100 gram system with a stiffness of 101 (which of the stiffness of the system. The natural or resonant would be something like a very heavy, floppy, loose piece frequency of the system is defined by the equation of rubber) is quite impractical, producing a natural fre- 1 T quency of about 11/2 cycles per second. The extreme fr= w combination of a stiffness of 108 and a weight of 1/10 2"' mass gram, which would be something like a very tiny disc of Stiifness is measured in dynes per centimeter, hard plastic or soft metal, produces a frequency which This equation reflects the obvious fact that the same iS far tOO high-well above 5,000 cycles per second. Takmaterial with the same geometry produces different resoing the more rsasonabls COInbinaliOns, @Ven at the Outer nances, as its mass is varied. A small brass bell has a high limits of the ranges, such as a stiffness of 104 and a weight pitch; a heavy brass bell may have an extremely low 0f lo gram (prOdnCing a natural ICSOnanCC Of 50 Cycles pitch. This formula makes it possible to define a physical per second), or a stiffness of 108 and a weight of 100 characteristic of the vibratile systems-their stiffnessgrarns (Producing a natural frequency 0f 155 Cycles) the which is a necessary condition for any system within a range of l04 to 108 stiffness demonstrates that by using range of weights that is practical for toy use (eg, 1/10 25 the more stiff systems with greater masses or the less stiff gram to 100 grams) which is capable of producing a reasystems with lesser masses within the ranges of mass and sonable simulation of a motor sound. However, this stiffness, that 104 to 108 dynes per centimeter are the outer necessary condition is not in and of itself a suicient conlimits Of stiffness Which may be UtiliZed elleClVelY in iOYS dition; it still must be qualified-i.e., the system must be t0 simulate mOtOr SOundS- of a size and nature normal and practical for a toy. With The fOllOWing Chart iS a listing 0f 2l different Sorts 0f such a limitation, the more extreme combinations of charvibratile systems, ranging from biCYCle bells '0 OY nlOOr acteristics are eliminated (e.g., an extremely tiny disc of SOund Cones and flat plates of polyethylene, paper, card- Very small mass and very high stiffness, which will proboard, styrene, brass, steel and rubber:

Type oi resonator Dia., Material fr Mass Stillness inches (c.p.s.) (gm.) (dynes/cm.)

1,850 47 5.4 10D 2,050 9. 1 100 1,700 23 2. 6x10 1, 400 64 5. 0 10D 250 1.6 4. 0X10 Racer cone 555 1. 1 l. 4 107 Voice unit enne 230 0. 9 1.9X1()e .5 mil flat plate, free 3 25 0. l 2. 5X1()3 .5 mil flat plate, tight 3 200 .l 1,'6X1O5 9 mil nat plate, free-.- 3 145 1. 0 s. 3 105 24 mil flat plate, free 3 360 2. 8 1 4 107 6 mil nat plate, tight. 3 150 o. s 7 1 105 D0 s 41 4.2 213x105 24 mil fiat plate, free 8 60 13. 8 1. 9 1Os 15 mil flat plate, free 3 180 2. 5 3. 2X10 5 mil flat plate, free 3 500 6.7 6. 6Xl07 2 mil flat plate, free 3 160 l. 2 1. 2Xl0 8 mil nat plate, tight 3 12o 1. 5 s. 5 10 m11 nat plate, fre 3 48o 10.2 9.3 107 Do 8 120 53.8 3.1 101 1 Polyethylene.

duce sounds within the proper frequencies but which will be inaudible or nearly inaudible and may have a more nearly musical distribution of peaks rather than the noiselike distribution which is necessary to simulate a motor sound).

A sound limiting factor is that the impedance of the vibratile system is defined by the equation:

Z0=\/ (mass) (stiffness) The impedance is a measure of the efficiency of the system; i.e., the effort required to produce sound from it. If the impedance is very high, the system is impractically inefficient. This equation supports the fact that the use of an extremely stiff system (e.g., an ordinary metal bell) which is so heavy that its natural frequency is within the desired range, is impractical for a toy because of the great weight required to attain this and the energy required to excite the system. It is also eliminated because of the necessary condition that the spectrum produced by such a system be one in which there are not clearly defined and well-separated peaks, producing a musical sound rather than a noise.

For each of the above systems, some of which were mounted freely and others of which were mounted rather tightly, the mass was determined and the natural frequency was determined. The stiffnesses were then computed and, as can be seen, all the practical simulations of a motor sound fell within the stiffnesses between approximately 104 and 108. The measurements of the frequencies recorded in the table are approximations which are accurate to the first digit. The list shows that practical weights of very stiff metals (such as bicycle bells with stiffnesses in the range of 109), produced natural resonarices above 1,000 cycles per second. In order to obtain a system where repetitive shock-excitation produces a noise wherein the bulk of the noise is below 2,500 c.p.s., the natural frequency of the resonator should be below 1,000 c.p.s. Thus, steel bells were not satisfactory. An extremely light and thin disc of polyethylene, with a stiffness below 104 did produce a natural frequency of 25 cycles per second (which might con-ceivably simulate a motor sound), but such a tiny disc is much too fragile to be practical for a toy.

In general, the present invent-ion involves a device for simulating si-ren sounds .and motor sounds. The device has a vibratile system including resonator means which is adapted to produce a noise simulating `the noise produced by .a siren and by an internal combustion engine when subjected to repetitive shock-excitation in different operating modes. Rotatably mounted adjacent lthe resonator means are turntable means for subjecting the resonator means `to the repetitive shock-excitation. The turntable means includes axially-extending striker means or obstructions. Operatively mounted Ibetween the resonator means `and the turntable means are transfer means which are adapted to be actuated by the striker means and to conduct the impulses imparted thereby to the resonator means in such a manner that it is subjected to repetitive shock-excitation. The turntable means is driven with sufficient angular velocity to shock-excite the resonator means with a lot of resonance.

The resonator means may have a conical shape and may have a stiffness between approximately 104 to l08 dynes per centimeter for a mass of from /lo to 100 grams. The cone is suspended within a frame in such a manner as to produce its desired low `frequency resonance with the mass of the cone used. The cone :has an amplitude capability within the stress limits of the material used, thereby permitting production of a high 'level of low-frequency energy.

The mass of and the types of material employed in both the turntable means and the resonator means is such that nndamped resonances are minimized and so that the output from the 4resonator means has :a spectrum containing a maxi-mum of energy in frequencies below approximately 2500 c.p.s.

In order to facilitate understanding of the present inventi-on, reference will now be made to the appended drawings of a preferred speci-fic embodiment of the present invention, as well as alternative embodiments of the present invention. Such drawings should not be construed as limiting the invention which is properly set for-th in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a semi-schematic side elevation partially in cross-section of the :toy sound device of the present invention;

FIGURIE 2 -is a perspective view partially broken away of the [toy sound device of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 isa cross-sectional view of FIGURE l taken ,along line 3 3 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the toy sound device of the present invention;

FIGURE 5 is a partially broken-away side elevation of still another embodiment of the toy sound device of the present invention;

lFIGURES I6, 7, 8 and 9 show various embodiments of the disc portion of the turntable means of the present invention which may be employed lin any of the alternate embodiments shown in FIGURES 1-5;

FIGURE l() is a semi-schematic elevational view partially in cross-section of a further embodiment of the toy sound device of the present invention;

FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12e-12 of FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 13 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG- URE 12 showing a modified form of the turntable portion thereof;

FIGURES 14-17 show various embodiments of the turntable means of the present invention which may be employed lin the embodiment shown in FIGURES -12; land FIGURE 18 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view 'taken Kalong line 18-18 of FIGURE 15.

As illustrated in FIGURES 1-3, the toy sound device 10 of the present invention comprises a resonator means 11 adapted to emit a sound when struck, a rotatably mounted turntable means 20 having at least one radially extending obstruction 22 Iand transfer means 30 operatively mounted between the resonator means 11 and the turntable means 2t) and adapted to be actuated by movement across the turntable obstruction 22 and to conduct the impulse imparted thereby to the resonator means 11. The resonator mea-ns 11 comprises a flexible cone 12 held securely about its circumference (cone holding means not shown) with its apex 13 adjoining the transfer means 30. The apex 13 of the cone 12 is preferably formed with a first tubular member 14 .attached to the cone 12 and a second tubular member 15 slidably mounted therein with a spring means 16 biasing the second tubular member 15 into contact with the 4transfer means 30. Between .the first and second tubular members 14 and 15 is a grease means 17 adapted to transmit vibrations in the sonic frequency from the transfer means to the cone 12. Such cone apex is described in greater detail in applicants United States Patent No. 3,095,201 issued on June 25, 19613. However, other means, such `as a rigid apex, may be used to transmit the vibrations of the transfer means to the resonator means 11.

The rotatably mounted turntable means 20 comprises a disc 21 having at least one radially extending obstruction 22. As shown in FIGURES 1-3, the obstruction 22 is formed kout of radial-ly extending grooves 23. The disc 21 -is mounted on a rota-table platform 24 which is preferably formed of a heavy material, such as metal, so that when the rotation of the platform 24 is initiated and when it is stopped, such process is prolonged because of the large inertia of the platform 24. Thus, the platform 24 produces a ily-wheel effect which achieves a start-up sound and slowing-down sound of the sound device which is particularly desirable if a motor sound is being reproduced. The platform 24 is rotated by a mot-or 25 through the connection -o-f the shaft 27. The rate of rotati-on lof `the motor 25 is controlled by a control circuit 26 so that t-he motor 25 is adapted to Vary its speed over a wide range.

Operatively mounted between the resonator means 11 and the turntable means 20 is :a transfer means 30 which is adapted to be actuated by movement across the turntable obstruction 22 and to conduct the impulse imparted thereby to the resonator means 11. The transfer means 30 comprises a tone arm 31 with its first end 32 mounted on 1a separate support means 33. The support means 33 comprises a housing 34 on which .is fixed a column 35 with a post 36 mounted on the column 35 and extending upwardly therefrom. The first end 32 of the tone arm 31 has a bore 37 therethrough and the post 36 is slidably received in the bore 37 so that the tone arm 31 is pivotally mounted thereon. A spring means 38 biases the first end 32 of the tone arm 31 into contact with the column 35. The free end 40 of the tone `a-rm 31 has a needle 41 mounted thereon which is adapted to contact the turntable means 20. Also, the free end 40 of the tone arm 31 has a cross arm 42 which is in sliding contact with the second tubular member 15 of the resonator means 11.

The transfer means 30 is adapted to have its radial position relative to the turntable means 20 adjustable whereby the impulse of the blows to the transfer means 30 caused by the obstructions 22 of the turntable means 20 may be varied over a wide range. As shown, the Iadjustment means 4S comprises a slide clamp 46 slidably mounted on the housing 34 by means of a pin 47 extending through a slot 48 in the slide clamp 46 and having an enlarged -head l49 to hold the slide clamp 46 in place. Mounted on the side clamp 46 is a bar 50 having upwardly extending yoke arms 51 which receive the tone arm 31 therebetween. The bar 50 has an exten-sion 52 extending out to its side by which it may be manipulated. By moving the extension 52 inwardly or outwardly, the position of the needle 41 of the transfer means 30 is effectively varied over the radius of the disc 21, while the cross arm 42 of the tone arm 31 maintains contact with the resonator means 11.

As can 4be seen from FIGURES l-3, the operation of the toy sound device of the present invention is very simple. The disc 21 .is initially mounted on the platform 24 and the needle 41 is positioned the desired radial distance from the center of the disc 21. The motor 25 is then started, but due to the inertia `of the platform 24, the disc 21 starts its rotation slowly and then builds up to the desired speed of rotation. As the disc 21 rotates, the needle 41 traverses a circumferential path determined by its radial position. During such movement, the needle 41 moves across the radially extending grooves 23. Such movement imparts an impulse to the needle 41 which is conducted to the cone 12 of the resonator means 11 to cause a sound. For example, the -sound may be that of an internal combustion motor. Such sound may be conveniently varied for the disc shown in FIGURES 1-3 by speeding up or slowing down the motor 25 through the control circuit by varying the resistance in the control circuit 26. Alternatively, by varying the position of the needle 41, the number of impulses .per complete rotation of the disc 21 is unchanged, :but the individual impulses are changed. For example, if the needle 41 is moved radially outwardly, the velocity at which the needle 41 strikes the grooves 23 is increased proportionately so that a sharper -impulse is caused and thus a sharper sound. Similarly, if the needle 41 is moved radially inwardly, the resulting impulse is softer and the resulting sound is softer.

As shown in FIGURE 4, the toy sound device 110 includes a resonator means 111 of which only the apex 113 is shown, but which is of a similar construction to that shown in FIGURES l-3. Thus, the apex 113 has a rst tubular member 116, with a second tubular member 115 slidably mounted therein. The turntable means 120 includes a disc 121 having a series of radially extending grooves 123 and is connected to a series of gears 124 by which the disc 121 is .rotated at a substantially constant speed. The disc 121 is rotatably mounted on a table 125. The transfer means 130 comprise a tone arm 131 which is pivotally mounted on the table 125 by means of a post 132 extending upwardly from the table 125 and through a bore 133 in the central portion of the tone arm 131. The tone arm 131 is maintained in its pivoted mounting on the post 132 by means of a spring 134 which is biased against a stop 135. At its free end 140 the tone arm 131 has a needle 141 which is in slidable contact with the surface of the disc 121 and a cross arm 142 which is in slidable contact `with the first member 115 of the resonator means 111. The position of the tone arm 131 is varied by means of an angle -arm 136 which extends outwardly adjacent the pivot post 132.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGURE 5, wherein the resonator means 211 comprises a cone 212 with the apex 213 joining the transfer means 230. The apex 213 includes a first member 214 mounted on the cone 212 and a second member 215 slidably received within the first tubular member 214 with a spring means 216 'biasing the second tubular member 215 and transfer means 230 into contact with the turntable means 220. Between the first and second tubular members 214- and 215 in a grease 217 adapted to transmit sonic vibrations. Extending outwardly from the apex 213 of the resonator means 211 is a slide clamp 21S which extends through a slot 219 in a support platform 219. Extending outwardly from the slide clamp 213 is an 'extension 218 by which the position of the resonator means 211 with reference to the turntable means 220 may be varied. The turntable means 22@ comprises a disc 221 having a 4plurality of radially extending grooves 223. The disc 221 is rotated by means of a shaft 224 connected to a series of gears 225. The shaft 224 extends through an aperture 226 in a support table 227 and is separated therefrom by a sleeve bearing 228. The transfer means 230 comprises simply a needle 232 mounted on a clamp 231 which is in turn mounted on the resonator means 211 by being affixed to the bottom of the second tubular member 215. The needle 232 is thereby adapted to contact the disc 221 of the turntable means 220.

As shown in FIGURES 6-9, a plurality of discs 321, 421, 521 and 621 may be utilized in the various embodiments of the present invention shown in yFIGURES 1-5. T he disc 321 shown in FIGURE 6 has five radially extending grooves 232 which are spaced in irregular intervals about the circumference of the disc 321. The disc 421 shown in FIGURE 7 has a plurality of radially eX- tending grooves 423 wherein the number of said grooves is varied relative to their radial location. Thus, adjacent the center of the disc 421 are a large number of radially extending grooves 423 which are adapted to produce a siren sound, while the remaining grooves 423 are adapted to produce a varied motor sounds. As shown in FIGURE 8, the disc 521 has a plurality of radially extending ridges 523 and the number of ridges is varied relative to the radial location. In addition, the size and the shape of the various ridges are varied to produce a variety of motor sounds. As shown in FIG- URE 9, the disc 621 is split in equal halves separated by a step 623 which produces its own particular motor sound.

A further embodiment of the present invention, generally designated 710, includes a frame 733 in which a resonator means 711 may be mounted. A turntable means 720 is also mounted in the frame 733 adjacent the resonator means 711 and a transfer means 730 is swingably mounted in the frame 733 between the resonator means 711 and the turntable means 720.

The resonator means 711 includes a speaker cone 712 which may be affixed to a ring member 712a provided in the frame 733 and which includes an apexplug portion 713 having a closed bottom wall 713:1. A bar 742 is affixed to the underside of the bottom wall 713e and is of suflicient length to extend over first, second and third sets of axially-extending striker means or obstructions 722a, 722b and 722C provided on the turntable means '720.

The transfer means 730 includes a T-shaped lever or tone arm 731 having a first end 752 extending to the exterior of the frame 733 for manipulation by a user of the device 710. The lever 731 also has a second end 731a which is pivotally connected to the frame 733 by a pin '731b and a third end 732. The end '732 has a first bulbus portion 741 which engages the turntable means 720 and a second bulbus portion 741a which engages the bar 742 to transfer vibrations to the resonator means 711 for subjecting it to the repetitive shock-excitation.

The turntable means 720 comprises a hollow cylindrical member 721 having open ends 721e and 721b in which hub members, such as the one shown at 721C in FIGURE 12, are mounted. The hub members 721C are affixed to a shaft 727 for rotation therewith and the shaft 727 is, in turn, rotatably mounted in the frame 733 and includes an end 727a to which a friction wheel 727b is affixed. The friction Iwheel 727b is adapted to be driven by a vehicle Wheel A adjacent which the device 711) may be mounted. The wheel A may constitute a wheel of any suitable vehicle (not shown), such as a childs coaster wagon, a bicycle, a tricycle or the like so that rotation of the wheel A through moti-on of the vehicle will operate the device 711) to produce simulated motor sounds or simulated siren sounds, as will be hereinafter described.

The first set of striker means 722a include a plurality of closely-spaced parallel axially-extending ridges 723:1 which may be engaged by the end 732 of the transfer means 73) when it is swung to the left, as viewed in FIGURES l0 and 11, by manipulating the end 752. The

ridges 723a cause the transfer means 730 to subject the resonator means 711 to repetitive shock-excitation when the turntable means 720 is rotated about its major axis by wheel A. This produces a noise simulating the noise produced by a siren.

The striker means 722b comprises a plurality of axiallyextending ridges 723b which are spaced further apart than the ridges 722a so that they will subject the resonator means 711 to repetitive shock-excitation in such a manner that it will produce a noise simulating the noise produced by an internal combustion engine when it is operating at full speed.

The striker means 722C comprise a plurality of axiallyextending ridges 723C which are spaced even further apart than the ridges 723b so that they will excite the resonator 711 in such a manner that it produces a noise simulating the noise produced by an internal combustion engine at low speeds.

Although a number of different types and sizes of cones 712 will manifest themseves, a cone approximately 2% inches in diameter and 1/2 inch deep, which has a wall thickness of approximately 15 millimeters and which is made from a cellulose acetate butyral having a mass of 1.6 grains and a stiffness of 4.0)(i dynes per centimeter has been found to be satisfactory. Such a cone has a natural frequency of approximately 250 c.p.s. which is low enough to permit it to respond with a lot of resonance to shock-excitation by the striker means 72211, 722b and 722C. The support of the cone 712 in ring member 712a is such that low frequency resonance is obtainable with the mass Iof the cone used. In addition, the cone 712 has satisfactory amplitude capabilities with material stress limits which permit producton of a high level of low-frequency energy, When excited by the striker means 722b and 722e, the output from the cone 712 has an acoustical spectrum containing a maximum of energy in the lower frequencies, i.e., below approximately 2500 c.p.s. However, when the cone 712 is excited by the striker means 722a, the output from the cone has an acoustical spectrum containing sufficient energy in the higher frequencies to produce a high-pitched siren sound.

The turntable means 720 may be made from any suitable material such as an acetal-resin.

A child user of the device 710 may grasp the end 752 of the lever 731 and selectively position it on any one of the ridges 723a, 723b or 723C to produce noises ranging from a simulated siren noise to a simulated internal combustion engine idling or operating at full throttle.

Referring now to FIGURE 13, the turntable means 720 may be modified, as indicated generally at 720a, by providing modified striker means 722d in the form of grooves 723d instead of the ridges shown in FIGURE 12.

As shown in FIGURES 14-17, a plurality of turntable means 820, 920, 1020 and 1120 may be utilized in the embodiment shown in FIGURES 10 and 11. The turntable means 820 shown in FIGURE 14 is barrel shaped and has first, second and third sets of axially-extending grooves 82311, 823b and 823C, respectively.

The grooves 823a are closely spaced for producing siren sounds; the grooves 823b spaced somewhat further apart to imitate the sound -of an internal combustion engine operating at full speed and the grooves 823C are spaced still further apart to imitate the sound of an internal combustion engine which .is idling. An arcuate bar 842 is attached to the apex-plug portion 713 for maintaining the transfer means 730 in engagement with the turntable means 820 in all operating' positions of the transfer means 730. The turntable means 820 may be mounted on the shaft 727 for rotation thereby.

The turntable means 920 shown in FIGURE 15 is rotated by the shaft 727 and has a concave surface which is provided with first, second `and third sets of axiallyextending grooves 923a, 923b and 923C for producing siren sounds, accelerated motor sounds and idling motor sounds, respectively. A concave bar 942 is attached to the apex-plug portion 713 for maintaining the transfer means 730 in engagement with the turntable means 920.

The turntable means 1020 shown in FIGURE 16 is rotated by the shaft 727 and has a frusto-conical shape. The turntable means 1020 is provided with first, second and third sets of axially extending grooves 1023a, 1023b and 1023c for producing siren sounds, accelerated motor sounds and idling motor sounds, respectively. A bar 1042 is attached to the apex-plug portion 713 in spaced, parallel relation with the surface of turntable means 1020 for maintaining the transfer means 730 in engagement therewith.

The turntable means 1120 shown in FIGURE 17 is rotated by the shaft 727 and is hemispherically shaped. The turntable means 1120 is provided with first, second and third sets of radially-extending grooves 1123a, 1123b and 1123t` for producing siren sounds, accelerated motor sounds and idling motor sounds, respectively. An arcuate bar 1142 is attached to the apex-plug portion 713 for maintaining the transfer means 730 in engagement with the turntable means 1120.

Many other specific embodiments of the present invention will be obvious to one skilled in the art in view of this disclosure. For example, as illustrated, a variety of turntable means and transfer means may be utilized in the top sound device. Also, the variation in radial and axial positions of the transfer means may be achieved by movement of the transfer means, either by itself or by the movement of the cone of the resonator means when the transfer means is mounted thereon or by movement of the turntable means with reference to the transfer means. In addition, the obstructions on the turntable means may be formed either by ridges, grooves or steps. Also, in place of the flat disc means illustrated in FIGURES 1-9, the turntable means may dispense with disc means by shaping the turntable means as shown in FIGURES 10-17.

There are many features of the present invention which clearly show the significant Iadvance it represents over the prior ait. Consequently, only a few of the more outstanding features will be pointed out to illustrate the unexpected and unusual results obtained by the present invention. One feature of the present invention is that the impulse which may be imparted to the resonator means by the transfer means may be simply varied over a wide range Without varying the speed of the turntable means. Thus, by adjusting the position of the transfer means, the impulse imparted thereto by the obstructions on the turntable means is varied, since the speed of contact between the transfer means and the obstructions is varied. Another feature of the present invention is the variation in the cycle of the sound produced by the toy sound device by varying the position of the transfer means. Thus, by varying the number of ridges or grooves, a wide variety of sounds may be achieved from various motor sounds to even a siren sound. Still another feature of the present invention is the utilization of changeable discs on the turntable means so that the sound produced by the toy sound -device may be varied as desired.

It will be understood that the foregoing description and examples are only illustrative of the present invention and it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto. All substitutions, alterations and modifications of the present invention which come withinpthe scope of the following claims or to which the present invention is readily susceptible, without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure are considered part of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A simply constructed and operated toy sound device adapted to actuate a resonator by a repetitive series of shock-exciting impulses thereto, comprising:

a resonator means ladapted to emit a sound when shockexcited;

a rotatably .mounted turntable means having at least one abrupt obstruction, said turntable means cornprising a disc having a plurality of discrete radially extending elements comprising said abrupt obstruction; and

transfer means operatively mounted between said resonator means and said turntable means and adapted to be actuated only by engagement with said turntable obstructions t conduct the shock impulse imparted by said obstruction to said resonator means, said resonator means and said transfer means being free of securement to each other whereby said resonator means may vibrate independently of movement of said transfer means.

2. A simply constructed and operated toy sound device adapted to actuate a resonator by a repetitive series of shock-exciting impulses thereto, comprising:

a resonator means adapted to emit a sound when shockexcited;

a rotatably mounted turntable means having at least one abrupt obstruction, said turntable means comprising a cylindrical member and having thereon a plurality of discrete axially extending elements dening abrupt obstructions; and

transfer means operatively mounted between said resonator means and said turntable means and adapted to be actuated only by engagement with said turntable obstruction to conduct the shock impulse imparted by said obstructions to said resonator means, said resonator means and said transfer means being free of securement to each other whereby said resonator means may vibrate independently of movement of said transfer means.

3. A toy sound device adapted to actuate a resonator by a cyclic series of blows thereto, comprising:

a resonator means adapted to emit a sound when struck;

a rotatably mounted turntable means having at least one abrupt obstruction, said obstruction extending radially on said turntable means;

transfer means operatively mounted between said resonator means and said turntable means and adapted to be actuated only by said turntable obstruction and to conduct impulses to said resonator means, means for adjusting the radial position of said transfer means relative to said turntable means to engage said obstruction at a different radial position thereof, whereby the sharpness of said impulses may be varied over a wide range, means for relatively moving said turntable and transfer means so that said transfer means moves across said obstruction in a direction transverse to its longitudinal axis.

4. A sound device as stated in claim 3 wherein said :urntable means comprises a disc and wherein said ob- ;truction comprises a plurality of radially extending grooves thereon.

S. A sound device as stated in claim 4 wherein the lumber of said grooves is varied relative to their radial ocation.

6. A sound device as stated in claim 3 wherein said `urntable means comprises Va disc and wherein said ob- ;truction comprises a plurality of radially extending ridges.

7. A sound device as stated in claim 6 wherein the lumber of said ridges is varied relative to their radial ocation.

8. A sound device as stated in claim 3 wherein said ransfer means comprises a separately mounted and iivoted tone arm, the free end of said tone arm having a reedle mounted thereon adapted to contact said obstrucions.

onator means and said turntable means and adaptedl to be actuated only by engagement with said turntable obstruction and to conduct the shock impulses imparted by said obstruction to said resonator means, said obstruction extending transversely to the path of relative movement between said obstruction and said transfer means, said resonator means and said transfer means being free of securement to each other whereby said resonator means may vibrate independently of movement of said transfer means; and means for relatively moving said turntable and transfer means so that said transfer means moves across said obstruction in a direction transverse to its longitudinal axis. 10. A device as stated in claim 9 wherein said resonator means has a mass within a range of 4approximately 0.l gram to approximately grams and a stiffness within a range of approximately 104 to 108 dynes per centimeter.

11. A device `as stated in claim 9 wherein said turntable means has a concave surface on which said obstruction is positioned.

12. A device as stated in claim 9 wherein said turntable means is frusto-conically shaped.

13. A device as stated in claim 9 wherein said turntable means is hemispherically shaped.

14. A sound device as stated in claim 9 wherein the radial position of said transfer means relative to said turntable means is adjustable, whereby the frequency of said impulses is varied over a wide range.

15. A sound device as stated in claim 9 which includes motor means for rotating said turntable and control means connected to said motor means for varying its speed over fa wide range.

16. A sound device as stated in claim 9 wherein said transfer means comprises a separately mounted and pivoted tone arm, the free end of said tone arm having a needle mounted thereon adapted to be engaged by said obstruction.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 503,610 8/1893 Mackintosh. 1,180,524 4/1916 Overholt 116-143 1,245,568 11/1917 Collins. 1,732,036 10/1929 Arthur. 1,753,127 4/1930 Machln 46-232 1,998,149 4/1935 Warner. 3,073,060 1/1963 Veris 46-177 3,078,618 2/1963 Hough et al. 46-177 3,095,201 6/1963 Ryan 274-26 3,121,293 2/1964 Sperry et al. 46-192 X 3,132,864 5/1964 Glass et al. 46-232 X 3,165,860 1/1965 Glass et al. 4.6-192 X RICHARD P. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner. LOUIS J. BOVASSO, Examiner,

Claims (1)

1. A SIMPLY CONSTRUCTED AND OPERATED TOY SOUND DEVICE ADAPTED TO ACTUATE A RESONATOR BY A REPETITIVE SERIES OF SHOCK-EXCITING INPULSES THERETO, COMPRISING: A RESONATOR MEANS ADAPTED TO EMIT A SOUND WHEN SHOCKEXCITED; A ROTATABLY MOUNTED TURNTABLE MEANS HAVING AT LEAST ONE ABRUPT OBSTRUCTION, SAID TURNTABLE MEANS COMPRISING A DISC HAVING A PLURALITY OF DISCRETE RADIALLY EXTENDING ELEMENTS COMPRISING SAID ABRUPT OBSTRUCTION; AND TRANSFER MEANS OPERATIVELY MOUNTED BETWEEN SAID RESONATOR MEANS AND SAID TURNTABLE MEANS AND ADAPTED TO BE ACTUATED ONLY BY ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID TURNTABLE OBSTRUCTIONS TO CONDUCT THE SHOCK IMPULSE IMPARTED BY SAID OBSTRUCTION TO SAID RESONATOR MEANS, SAID RESONATOR MEANS AND SAID TRANSFER MEANS BEING FREE OF SECUREMENT TO EACH OTHER WHEREBY SAID RESONATOR MEANS MAY VIBRATE INDEPENDENTLY OF MOVEMENT OF SAID TRANSFER MEANS.

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