WO1997006650A1

WO1997006650A1 - Plate with audio apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1997006650A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/012982
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Keith
Original assignee: The Edwin M. Knowles China Company
Priority date: 1995-08-10
Filing date: 1996-08-09
Publication date: 1997-02-20
Also published as: AU7007396A

Abstract

A plate (20) with audio apparatus has a top decorated surface and a bottom support surface. The audio apparatus consists of a switch (24) used in combination with a solid state audio playback circuit, a power supply (31) and a speaker (27). The switch (24) is placed on the top surface of the plate, and can be substantially levelled with or raised above the top decorated surface. The switch (24), when activated, sends a signal to the solid state audio playback circuit. The solid state audio playback circuit sends the output audio signal to the speaker (27). The audio apparatus is housed within a shroud (23) which is connected to the bottom surface of the plate (21). The lower portion of the shroud (23) contains at least one leg (37) that allows the plate (20) with audio apparatus to be positioned upright.

Description

PLATE WITH AUDIO APPARATUS Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a novelty item, and more particularly, to a plate with an audio apparatus.

Background of the Invention Plates are often used as novelty or collectible items whereby visual material is placed on the surface of the plate. The visual material may represent a notable moment in history, a scene from a motion picture, a landscape or other subject for a painting, and the like. Such plates have been combined with a source of sound; however, prior existing plates with music cannot provide sufficient clarity to provide a melody with words, as in a song, or allow the recitation of words, as in a speech, newscast or sportscast excerpt. Moreover, the prior existing plates require support derived from a plateholder in order to stand upright or in order to be hung from a vertical surface.

Summary of the Invention

It is a general object of the invention to provide a plate with audio apparatus whereby the audio apparatus can be activated easily and the sound quality accurately reflects the original performance or recital.

It is a related object of the invention to provide a plate with audio apparatus whereby the means for activating the audio apparatus is inconspicuous or minimally conspicuous. It is a further related object of the invention to provide a plate with audio apparatus that has a back covering which protects the audio apparatus and allows the plate to stand upright or to be hung on a wall.

It is also a related object of the invention to provide a plate with audio apparatus that has a back covering which is easily placed on the plate. It is also a further related object of the invention to provide a plate with audio apparatus that has a button assembly which is placed through the plate.

The present invention accomplishes these objectives by providing a plate with audio apparatus. First, the present invention uses a contact switch in combination with a battery. Activation of the audio apparatus requires only the push of a button, thereby decreasing the likelihood of damage to the plate. Further, the switch can be set close to the front of the plate to make the switch less conspicuous or the contact switch can be raised and decorated to give a three-dimensional effect to the surface of the plate, thereby making the audio apparatus more aesthetically pleasing. Moreover, the button or switch may be composed of two pieces which hinge or snap to one another. The button may then be placed through the plate, thereby facilitating manufacture.

Second, the plate with audio apparatus may be assembled with a shroud that is attached to the backside of the plate. The shroud contains all the equipment necessary for the audio apparatus so that the plate is more aesthetically pleasing. The shroud is attached to the plate by using anchors, which are affixed to the backside of the plate.

Screws are then used to attach the shroud to the anchors, and in turn, the plate. Further, the shroud contains a battery casing and a battery cover. Attached to the battery cover are a pair of legs which provide stability to the plate. The plate may then be displayed vertically, sitting upright on a flat surface or hanging on a wall. The shroud also incorporates a mechanism to hold the speaker for good sound projection and easy assembly.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be more readily apparent upon reading the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and upon reference to the accompanying drawings provided herein. Brief Description of the Drawings

FIGURE 1 A is a right front perspective view of a plate with audio apparatus:

FIG. 1 B is a right rear perspective view of a plate with audio apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the plate with audio apparatus; FIG. 3 is a back view of the plate with audio apparatus; FIG. 4 is a top view of the plate with audio apparatus; FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the plate with audio apparatus; FIG. 6 is a side view of the plate with audio apparatus with a cut away showing the switch;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the shroud; FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the plate with audio apparatus; FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view along line 9-9 in Fig. 7 of the plate with audio apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a back view of the plate with the anchors attached and without the shroud; and

FIG. 1 1 is a block diagram of the audio apparatus.

Description of a Preferred Embodiment

The inventions may best be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein an illustrated embodiment is shown and in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment. Illustrated in Figures 1 A and 1 B are perspective views of the plate with audio apparatus 20. Further, Figs. 2-6 illustrate the front, back, top, bottom, and side, respectively. The plate with audio apparatus 20 consists primarily of a plate 21 , a button 22, voice chip with on/off switch, speaker 27, associated wiring and a shroud 23.

The plate 21 in Fig. 1 A and 2 are shown without a front decoration. The plate 21 can depict any scene in history, popular culture, or the like. Also, the plate 21 may be made of a ceramic, resin, plastic or metal material. On the surface of the plate 21 is a suitable means for activating the audio apparatus such as a button 22 that is a component or is connected with or adjacent to a momentary contact switch 41 , as shown in Fig. 1 1 . The momentary contact switch 41 is a component of the voice chip 28 whereby, in the center of the voice chip 28, there is a rubber pad which when pressed by the button 22 makes the electrical contact to play the voice mechanism.

The means for activating the audio apparatus may be located anywhere on the plate, although, as further discussed hereinbelow, a preferred location for the means is at or toward the edge of the plate. Suitable means for activating the audio apparatus, in addition to a traditional contact switch, include a heat sensitive switch, an infrared light sensitive switch which may be operated by a remote control, an on/off switch, and a sound-activated switch, as examples.

In an alternative embodiment, the switch to activate the voice chip 28 may be activated by the push of a button. The button 22 is wired directly to the voice chip so that, when pressed, makes the electrical contact necessary to activate the voice mechanism on the voice chip 28. The button 22 may operate in a continuous play mode or operate in a single cycle mode. Further, the button 22 can be composed of a single part or the button 22 can be composed of two separate pieces. When the button 22 is composed of two pieces, the first piece 24 is situated on the surface of the plate. The second piece 25 is situated below the surface of the face and interfaces with the electronics. The first and second pieces 24 and 25, as shown in Fig. 9, are connected by suitable means, such as by fitting together in a ball and socket arrangement whereby the first piece 24 contains the ball and the second piece 25 contains the socket or other recessed portion. In this manner, the button may be assembled by snapping the first piece 24 into the second piece 25. In an alternative embodiment, the first piece 24 may contain a socket or a recessed portion and the second piece 25 may contain a protruding portion. Alternatively, if the switch 22 is temperature sensitive, the switch 22 may be activated by the change in temperature effected by a brief contact between one's finger and the switch. The button 22 may be positioned in any suitable manner to enhance optimally both the overall aesthetics of the plate and ease of access to a user for turning the device on or off. For example, the button may be raised above the surface of the plate 21 , flush with that surface, or recessed below that surface, and constructed from a suitable material to allow for the transmission of pressure, heat, electromagnetic wave, or any other suitable signal or switching transmitter. Further, in certain instances, the button 22 may be integrated with the scene on the surface of the plate. For example, if the designer intends to have a three dimensional effect on the surface of the plate, a raised button 22 can be incorporated into the three dimensional effect. The button 22 may also be placed flushed against the plate 21 when the designer of the plate wishes to have the button 22 be less conspicuous. Of course, the switch 22 may also be placed behind the scene depicted on the front face of the plate 21 , on the shroud 23, or any other suitable location.

Lights may be used in conjunction with sounds to enhance the plate as a novelty item. For example, light emanating from behind the plate, within the shroud 23 thereof, can be used to simulate a sun, for example, in a scene depicted on the surface of the plate. Means for activating the audio apparatus, such as the switch 22, not only can activate the audio apparatus but also activate the lights on the plate 21 as well. Thus, when the button 22 is pressed, the entire scene may be activated whereby both lights and sounds are generated. Alternatively, the light and sound aspects of the plate may be separately controlled, on separate electrical circuits having separate switches, such that one may choose to use the light function only, the sound function only, or both.

Moreover, novelty plates may have moveable parts on the surface of the plate to enhance their attractiveness. For example, a carousel can be emulated on the surface of the plate whereby a horse moves up and down on a center pole on the plate. When the button 22 is pressed to activate the audio apparatus, the moveable parts on the plate may be activated as well, or, again, separate functions may be separately controlled by separate buttons or switches.

Figs. 1 A and 2 show an embodiment of the present invention wherein the button or switch 22 is placed at the Iower part of the plate 21 . This placement is often less conspicuous and allows for added stability in operation. For example, when the button 22 is pressed, the torque which tends to tip the plate over is significantly Iower if the button is placed in the Iower half rather than the upper half of the plate 21 .

Illustrated in Fig. 8 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the plate with audio apparatus 20. The button 22, in this embodiment, extends beyond the surface of the plate. Affixed to the backside of the plate 21 are two anchors 26, further shown in Figs. 9 and 1 0, which are affixed by any suitable means, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, as further described below. The speaker 27, voice chip 28 and audio playback circuitry 29 are next shown. The shroud 23, which covers the backside of the plate and the electronics, contains the power source, which is one or more batteries 31 , and contains a cover 32. In the most preferred embodiment, the power source contains three batteries 31 .

Illustrated in Fig. 7 is a front elevational view of the shroud 23. The shroud 23 is attached to the backside of the plate 21 via screws 33. The screws 33 are inserted through two holes 34 and engage two anchors 26 which are affixed to the backside of the plate 21 , as described subsequently.

The shroud 23 contains the electronics necessary to operate the audio apparatus. In particular, the speaker 27 is placed adjacent to the inner portion of the shroud 23 facing outward so that the sound emanates through the shroud 23. For better sound quality, the speaker 27 is offset from the shroud 23 by a series of clips 35 arranged symmetrically, as shown in Fig. 7. The speaker, as shown in Fig. 8, is placed within the shroud over the sound holes 30 by the series of the internal clips 35. The speakers 27 may be situated such that the sounds emanate from a variety of places on the plate 21 (i.e. from different areas on the surface of the plate or on the back of the plate) . For example, if the scene on the front of the plate 21 is that of a singer, the speaker 27 may be situated such that the sounds emanate from the part of the plate 21 where the singer's mouth is. To further simulate that the sounds are coming from the singer, a small opening on the surface of the plate 21 may be placed around the mouth and the speaker 27 may be placed to abut the opening. Such an embodiment of the present invention would optimize simulated singing of a song, for example. Thus, the sound may seem to emanate from within the plate. The voice chip 28 and audio playback circuitry 29 are housed in the Iower portion of the shroud 23. The shroud 23 also contains a section which holds the batteries 31 to operate the device. The battery section 36 is located in the Iower half of the shroud 23. Accordingly, the batteries 31 , contained within the battery section 36, provide additional stability to the device by acting as a ballast. The battery section 36 within the shroud is further composed of a battery door 32, as shown in Figs. 3-8. The battery door 32 contains a pair of legs or feet 37 which flank each side of the battery door 32. The legs 37 provide stability for the device in a variety of configurations. First, the legs 37 provide stability for the plate and audio apparatus 20 when the shroud 23 is the sole means of support for the device. Depending on the placement of the shroud 23 on the backside of the plate 21 , the shroud 23 may be the only section of the device 20 in contact with the surface when the plate is placed in the upright position (i.e. the bottom rim of the plate is not in contact with the surface). Second, the legs 37 provide additional stability when the shroud 23 and the bottom rim of the plate are both in contact with the surface when the plate 21 is placed in the upright position.

In an alternative embodiment, the legs 37 may be placed in any position in the Iower part of the shroud 23. For example, rather than placing the legs 37 on the battery door 32 of the shroud 23, the legs 37 may be placed at each of the far ends of the shroud 23. Further, in another embodiment, different numbers of legs may be used. For example, a single leg 37 can be used, being placed in the center of the battery cover 32, or approximately thereto. Further, as shown in Figs. 3 and 8, the shroud 23 contains a ring portion 38 which is attached to the upper half of the shroud 23. The ring portion 38 enables the plate with audio apparatus 20 to be attached to a hook or other obtrusion from a vertical surface, such as a pin or nail, as in the instance of hanging the plate on a wall. An alternative embodiment includes providing for any sort of hanging mechanism, such as a hook or a clamp whereby the device may be hung on a wall.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate the apparatus which attaches the shroud 23 to the device 20. The shroud 23 attaches to the plate 21 via anchors 26. The anchors 26 have openings 39 into which screws 33 may be placed. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the backside of the shroud 23 has two holes 34 through which screws 33 may be fit. The screws 33 may then hold the shroud 23 to the backside of the plate 21 via the anchors 26.

The anchors 26 are affixed to the back of the plate using pressure sensitive tape, glue, or any other adhesive 40 known to those skilled in the art. Other means of affixing include drilling holes and using screws to affix the anchor to the plate. The pressure sensitive tape 40 is placed in the correct position by means of a jig or by means of markings on the backside of the plate 21 . The anchors 26 are then placed on top of the pressure sensitive tape 40 and pressure is applied to hold the anchors 26 in place. In an alternative embodiment, the anchors 26 or means for engaging the screws 33 are molded into the backside of the plate 21 when creating the plate in the kiln. In this manner, the anchors 26 are already affixed to the backside of the plate 21 .

The block diagram of the components, as shown in Fig. 1 1 , is intended merely as one embodiment of a suitable audio apparatus and should not be considered a limitation of suitable alternative designs. As described above, the button 22 activates a momentary contact switch

41 contained within the voice chip 28 thereby activating the voice chip circuitry 42. A suitable voice chip 28 may be a Winbond W 52875401

42 second chip, an ISD DAST™ 1020AP or a TOSHIBA TC8802 AF/BF. Subsequent to activating the voice chip 28, audio playback circuitry 29 sends the output to the speaker 1 7. As shown in Fig. 8, the voice chip 28 and audio playback circuitry 29 are located at the bottom within the shroud 23. The speakers 27 are of suitable impedance, such as an impedance of 8 to 1 6 Ω. Within the voice chip 28 is additional circuitry, such as the circuitry required to drive the speaker 27. In an alternative embodiment, the additional circuitry is placed outside of the voice chip. For example, an amplifier, required to drive the speaker 27, is place outside of the voice chip.

The voice chip 28 requires connection to the power source, such as that supplied in the form of batteries 31 . Such batteries 31 are any suitable power cells, e.g., standard alkaline batteries manufactured by DuraCell and others. The power can also be produced from a standard electrical outlet of house current (1 10 V). A power supply or transformer suitably designed to convert the power output of such an outlet to that required for operation of the aforementioned audio apparatus is interposed between the outlet and the audio apparatus.

All of the components for the audio apparatus have a suitable size so that they fit within the confines of the shroud 13. For example, the button 22 is preferably 5/8 in. X 5/8 in. X 7/8 in. The circuitry is preferably 2 in. X 2-3/8 in. X 3/8 in. The speaker 27 is preferably 2-1 /8 in. diameter X 3/4 in. The batteries 31 are preferably 2-3/4 in. X 2-3/4 in. X 3/4 in. Any other dimensions that permit assemblage within a shroud 23 are contemplated as part of the present invention as well.

In an alternative embodiment, the plate with audio apparatus 20 can be displayed in a horizontal position with the frontside of the plate facing upward. Often times, it is desirable to display a novelty item, such as a plate, in a variety of positions. One such position is to display the plate in a horizontal position. In order to achieve this, the shroud 23 is designed, in one embodiment, to be parallel with the backside of the plate. The shroud 23, which contains the electronics, contains legs 37 at the bottom part of the shroud. The legs 37 can be removable or retractable so that the shroud 23 can lie parallel to the backside of the plate 21 .

All of the references, including patents, products and literature, are hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference. While this invention has been described with an emphasis upon preferred embodiments, it will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that variations of the preferred embodiments may be used and that it is intended that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1 . A plate with audio apparatus comprising in combination a plate; a switch; an audio output; and circuitry connecting said switch and said audio output.

2. The plate with audio apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said switch operates by a physical push or pull.

3. The plate with audio apparatus as of claim 2, wherein said switch is in contact with a button.

4. The plate with audio apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a power source.

5. The plate with audio apparatus of claim 4, wherein said power source is a battery.

6. The plate with audio apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said audio output is a speaker.

7. The plate with audio apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said audio apparatus is housed within a shroud.

8. The plate with audio apparatus of claim 7, wherein said shroud is affixed to said plate.

9. The plate with audio apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said switch also activates a light source that emanates light from or through the surface of said plate.

10. The plate with audio apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said switch also activates at least one moveable part on the surface of said plate.

1 1 . A plate with audio apparatus wherein said plate has a top surface and a bottom surface, said plate with audio apparatus comprising in combination a plate, a switch for activating said audio apparatus; a power source; an audio output; circuit connecting said switch, said power source, and said audio output; and a shroud attached to said bottom surface of said plate wherein said shroud encloses said audio apparatus.

1 2. The plate with audio apparatus of claim 1 1 , wherein said switch is affixed to said top surface of said plate.

1 3. The plate with audio apparatus of claim 1 1 , wherein said shroud further comprises at least one leg.

14. The plate with audio apparatus of claim 1 1 , wherein said shroud is attached to said bottom surface of said plate via at least one anchor, wherein said anchor is in contact with said bottom surface of said plate and a screw which attaches said shroud with said anchor.

1 5. The plate with audio apparatus of claim 14, wherein said anchor is affixed to said bottom surface of said plate by means of pressure sensitive tape.

1 6. The plate with audio apparatus of claim 1 1 , wherein said switch also activates a light source that emanates light from or through said top surface of said plate.

1 7. The plate with audio apparatus of claim 1 1 , wherein said switch also activates at least one moveable part attached to said top surface.

1 8. A plate with audio apparatus having a top surface and a bottom surface, said plate with audio apparatus comprising in combination a switch for activating said audio apparatus; a power source; an audio output; circuitry connecting said switch, said power source, and said audio output at least one anchor attached to said bottom surface of the plate and a shroud attached to said at least one anchor; wherein said shroud encloses said audio apparatus and has at least one leg.

1 9. A shroud for enclosing an audio apparatus and for supporting a plate comprising a concave region; a flat bottom surface and at least one leg.

20. The shroud of claim 1 9, where said concave region encloses said audio apparatus.