WO1999051314A1

WO1999051314A1 - A toy

Info

Publication number: WO1999051314A1
Application number: PCT/AU1999/000235
Authority: WO
Inventors: Glenn White
Original assignee: Glenn White
Priority date: 1998-04-03
Filing date: 1999-03-30
Publication date: 1999-10-14

Abstract

A toy (1) including a tubular elongate body (2) extending between a first open end (3) and a second open end (4) is fitted with actuation means, in the form of a button (7), mounted to wall (6) adjacent to end (3) for providing an actuation signal. Body (2) also includes an interior surface (5) and exterior surface (6). Sound generation means, in the form of a circuit (8), is mounted to wall (5). Circuit (8) is responsive to the actuation signal for providing one or more of a plurality of acoustic signals which simulate respective acoustic signals provided by a didgeridoo.

Description

- 1 -

A TOY Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a toy. The invention has been developed primarily for use as a toy didgeridoo and will be described hereinafter with reference to that application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to that particular field of use and is also applicable as a cultural learning tool.

Background Art The didgeridoo is a difficult instrument to play and requires the player to be able to inhale through the nose while exhaling through the mouth. Many people find this difficult to accomplish, in particular young children and older adults. This means that the ability to play the didgeridoo is limited to a reduced number of people.

In the art, toy devices are known which utilise microprocessor chips to produce songs in children's toys which merely produce the desired music without physical input from the user. However no such devices are known which contain an actuation means and sound generation means in which the acoustic signals so generated simulate the sounds of a didgeridoo, or where a new melody comprised of such sounds may be created.

US5540608 discloses an elongate toy which actuates due to an electrical contact arrangement which engages when bubbles are blown from a soap solution which is in contact with the device. This device is principally aimed for blowing bubbles and generating specific notes of a tune each time a bubble contacts the electrical circuit. The player thus has some control of the tempo of the melody. Tempo control is also described in US5135426 in which a toy stringed instrument is described wherein as the player touches two strings simultaneously a specific note of a pre-stored melody is actuated and output. Also in US4981457 toy musical instruments are described which comprise a part for manipulation by a player (eg violin bow, trombone handle, guitar string) , which allow the - 2 -

player to vary the sound length of specific notes of a pre- stored melody. None of these inventions have actuation means (bubbles, bows, handles or strings) which resemble buttons or depressive keys. Further, all of these devices describe means of actuating a series of specific notes of a pre-stored melody rather than a technology which allows a new melody or series of sounds to be created.

AU587101 discloses a sound producing device in the form of a talking book, which is neither elongate nor necessarily able to provide musical sounds. W085/ 04275 also discloses a toy which produces vocal sounds with speech-like qualities only for 'conversational' interaction with the user.

Summary of the Invention According to the invention there is provided a toy including: an elongate body; actuating means mounted to the body for providing an actuation signal; and a sound generation means mounted to the body and being responsive the actuation signal for selectively providing one or more of a plurality of acoustic signals which simulate respective acoustic signals provided by a didgeridoo . Preferably, the actuation means is disposed on the periphery of the body. More preferably, the actuation means includes: a first actuation unit mounted to the body; and a second actuation unit located remotely from the body for prompting the first unit to provide the actuation signal .

Preferably also, the sound generation means is also responsive to a further actuation signal for selectively providing the one or more acoustic signals, the further actuation signal being provided by a remote source. Preferably, a connection means is mounted to the body for conveying the first signal from the remote source - 3 - to the sound generation means .

Preferably also, the sound generation means includes storage means for selectively storing and reproducing the first signal. Preferably, the sound generation means includes circuit means for providing a second signal representative of the acoustic signal and speaker means being responsive to the second signal for providing the acoustic signal. Preferably also, the circuit means includes an output for selectively providing the second signal to a remote device.

In preference, a power source is mounted to the body for providing power to the sound generation means . More preferably, the power source provides a DC voltage. Even more preferably, the power source is a battery. Preferably too, the sound generation means is selectively connected to a remote power source. In a preferred form, the power source provides an AC voltage.

Preferably also, the external power source selectively replenishes that power source which is mounted to the body.

In a particularly preferred form, the body includes : a cavity for containing the sound generation means ; an aperture for allowing access to the cavity; and a closure for the aperture which is movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration.

Preferably, the closure is hingedly mounted to the body.

Preferably also, the body extends between a first end and a second end, the body including a second cavity having a second aperture disposed at or adjacent to the first end for simulating the mouthpiece of a didgeridoo. Preferably also, the second cavity includes a vent for the release of pressure applied at the second cavity.

Preferably also, the body includes decorative _ 4 _

indicia .

In a preferred embodiment the body includes indicia which is disposed adjacent the actuation means and which is indicative of respective selectable acoustic signals.

Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a toy according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an underside view of the toy of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a left-hand end view of the toy of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a right-hand view of the toy of

Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a front cross-section taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a cross-section taken along the line

6-6 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the toy of Figure 1; and

Figure 8 is a cross-section view of another embodiment of a toy according to the invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a toy 1 including a tubular elongate body 2 extending between a first open end 3 and a second open end 4. Body 2 also includes an interior surface 5 and exterior surface 6.

Actuation means, in the form of a button 7, is mounted to wall 6 adjacent to end 3 for providing an actuation signal. Sound generation means, in the form of a circuit 8, is mounted to wall 5. Circuit 8 is responsive to the actuation signal for providing one or more of a plurality of acoustic signals which simulate respective acoustic signals provided by a didgeridoo. - 5 -

Body 2 includes a cavity 15 which extends between ends 3 and 4. A generally rectangular aperture 9 is disposed intermediate those ends for allowing access to cavity 15. Aperture 9 includes a closure 10 which is releasably mountable to body 2 by two spaced apart spring clips 11. Clips 11 are received within and latch to complementary formations in body 2. In other embodiments, closure 10 is hingedly mounted to body 2 for movement between an open and a closed configuration. Toy 1 includes a battery 12 disposed within cavity 15 and which is releasably mounted to surface 5 diametrically opposite aperture 9. Battery 12, circuit 8 and button 7 are electrically interconnected such that upon depression of button 7, battery 12 provides power to circuit 8.

Circuit 8 includes a memory and preamplification circuit 20 for storing and selectively providing one of a plurality of stored signals representative of the respective desired acoustic signals. Circuit 8 also includes an amplifier 13 which is also disposed on surface 5 and which receives that stored signal and provides an output signal in response thereto. In this embodiment the output signal includes both a voltage and a current amplified representation of the stored signal. A speaker 14 is mounted to surface 5 adjacent to amplifier 13 for receiving the output signal and converting it to a respective acoustic signal. Speaker 14 projects the acoustic signals toward end 4 whereby the signals propagate outwardly. In other embodiments, amplifier 13 drives a plurality of speakers 14 which are disposed within body 2. In other embodiments, cavity 15 terminates distal from ends 3 and 4 and body 2 includes a second cavity 21 which extends from end 3 and toward cavity 15 for simulating a mouthpiece of a didgeridoo. Preferably, cavity 21 includes a hole 22 to vent pressure provided by a user to the mouthpiece .

In use, body 2 is grasped by the hands of a user - 6 - and end 3 manoeuvred adjacent to or into contact with a user's mouth. A first of a user's hands preferably grasps body 2 on surface 6 and in proximity to button 7. Preferably also, the user's other hand grasps surface 6 spaced apart from the first hand toward end 4 and thereby allowing toy 1 to be held in a stable position. The user then depresses button 7 to effect connection of circuit 8 and battery 12. This results in the actuation of circuit 20 to provide the stored signal, which is subsequently amplified by amplifier 13 and used to drive speaker 14.

Upon subsequent depressions of button 7, circuit 20 sequentially and cyclically provides stored signals representative of one of a plurality of distinct acoustic signals. In other embodiments the sequence of the provision of the stored signal is pseudo randomly achieved. In still further embodiments the sequence is entirely random.

In other preferred embodiments circuit 8 is powered from a remote DC source. Preferably, body 2 includes a peripherally mounted terminal for electrically connecting the remote DC source to circuit 8. In some embodiments, the remote source provides an AC voltage. In embodiments utilising a remote power source, circuit 8 is preferably directly connected to button 7 for providing the actuation signal to circuit 8.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 8 and where corresponding features are denoted by corresponding reference numerals . More particularly, body 2 includes a first actuation unit, in the form of an infra-red receptive switch 18 which is mounted to surface 6 for providing an electrical actuation signal to circuit 20. Switch 18 is responsive to an actuation signal provided by a second actuation unit 19 located remotely from the first. In other embodiments, the actuation signal is transmitted by electrically interconnecting units 18 and 19.

Circuit 20 includes an electrical output 23 in - 7 -

the form of a female outlet plug 24 which is mounted to surface 6. Plug 24 receives a complementary male plug which is in electrical communication with a device located remotely from body 2. Plug 24 is an interface between output 23 and a remotely located device for providing electrical signals indicative of distinct acoustic signals. Such devices include MIDI computer systems and amplifiers located remotely from body 2. In some embodiments , the electrical signal provided by circuit 20 to plug 24 is digital and in others analogue. In a preferred embodiment, plug 24 is an infra-red transmitter which converts the electrical output signal provided at output 23 into an infra-red signal indicative of the electrical signal for infra-red transmission of the signal to the remote device. Transmission of the signal is actuated by depressing at least one of a plurality of buttons 29 which are mounted to surface 6 and in electrical communication with circuit 20 and outlet plug 24. Buttons 29 in turn actuate circuit 20 for providing at least one of a distinct electrical output signal indicative of respective acoustic signals to plug 24.

Circuit 20 further includes random access memory to selectively receive and store signals representative of acoustic signals provided by a remote source. Circuit 20 includes an input 26 which is in electrical communication with a receiver 27 which is mounted to surface 6 to receive a signal representative of a distinct acoustic signal. Receiver 27 receives a source of the signals provided remotely by way of infra-red radiation. In a preferred embodiment, the remotely provided signal is relayed to receiver via wires. Circuit 20 is prompted to selectively store and reproduce the signals by an actuation panel, in the form of a plurality of buttons 28 which are mounted to surface 6 and in electrical communication to circuit 20 via wires.

In a preferred embodiment, body 2 includes indicia adjacent to buttons 28 and 29 which is indicative - 8 -

of the sound produced by speaker 14 upon depression of respective buttons. Preferably also, surface 6 includes indicia representative of the culture associated with the didgeridoo . In some embodiments battery 12 is selectively recharged from an external source of power. Most usually, that external source is an AC mains supply.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific example it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it may be embodied in many other forms .

Claims

- 9 -CLAIMS

1. A toy including:

(a) an elongate body;

(b) actuating means mounted to the body for providing an actuation signal; and

(c) a sound generation means mounted to the body and being responsive the actuation signal for selectively providing one or more of a plurality of acoustic signals which simulate respective acoustic signals provided by a didgeridoo.

2. A toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuation means is disposed on the periphery of the body.

3. A toy as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the actuation means includes: (a) a first actuation unit mounted to the body; and

(b) a second actuation unit located remotely from the body for prompting the first unit to provide the actuation signal .

4. A toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the sound generation means is also responsive to a further actuation signal for selectively providing the one or more acoustic signals, the further actuation signal being provided by a remote source .

5. A toy as claimed in claim 4 wherein a connection means is mounted to the body for conveying the first signal from the remote source to the sound generation means .

6. A toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the sound generation means includes storage means for selectively storing and reproducing the first signal.

7. A toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the sound generation means includes circuit means for providing a second signal representative of the acoustic signal and speaker means being responsive to the second signal for providing the acoustic signal.

8. A toy as claimed in claim 7 wherein the circuit means includes an output for selectively providing the second signal to a remote device . - 10 -

9. A toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a power source is mounted to the body for providing power to the sound generation means.

10. A toy as claimed in claim 9 wherein the power source provides a DC voltage.

11. A toy as claimed in claim 10 wherein the power source is a battery.

12. A toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the sound generation means is selectively connected to a remote power source.

13. A toy as claimed in claim 12 wherein the power source provides an AC voltage.

14. A toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the external power source selectively replenishes that power source which is mounted to the body.

15. A toy as claimed in claim 14 wherein the body includes :

(a) a cavity for containing the sound generation means ; (b) an aperture for allowing access to the cavity; and

(c) a closure for the aperture which is movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration.

16. A toy as claimed in claim 15 wherein the closure is hingedly mounted to the body.

17. A toy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the body extends between a first end and a second end, the body including a second cavity having a second aperture disposed at or adjacent to the first end for simulating the mouthpiece of a didgeridoo.

18. A toy as claimed in claim 17 wherein the second cavity includes a vent for the release of pressure applied at the second cavity.

19. A toy as claimed in any of the above claims wherein the body includes decorative indicia.

20. A toy as claimed in claim 19 wherein the body includes indicia which is disposed adjacent the actuation means and - 11 -

which is indicative of respective selectable acoustic signals .

21. A toy substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings .