Stepped sound producing module

• US 20030138120A1
• Filed: 01/18/2002
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sing-A-Tune Balloons LLC
• Original Assignee: Sing-A-Tune Balloons LLC
• Inventors: Tripoli, Melchiore III
• Granted Patent: US 7,177,434 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/190
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/34 by using a single transducer with sound reflecting, diffracting, directing or guiding means specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/402

Abstract

A generally pyramid shaped sound module is provided that is attachable to a balloon for producing hi-fidelity sound effects. The sound module includes a piezoelectric element connected at the top of the pyramid shaped piezo amplification device. An electric circuit is connected to the piezoelectric element by wires. The electric circuit includes a power supply, such as one or more batteries, and the circuitry necessary for producing or reproducing a desired sound (e.g. musical notes, voices, sounds, prerecorded sound, a combination of the aforementioned, etc.). The pyramid shape allows the piezoelectric element to be coupled to the balloon without physically touching the balloon surface. Thus, even when the balloon begins to deflate, the sound quality of the sound module can be maintained.

Claims

1. A sound module attachable to an object, the sound module comprising:

a piezo amplification device having a top and a bottom and an interior;

a piezoelectric element coupled to the piezo amplification device substantially at the top of the piezo amplification device;

said piezo amplification device being attachable to the object at the bottom of the piezo amplification device;

wherein when the piezo amplification device is attached to the object, the interior of the piezo amplification device and the object form a cavity.

2. The sound module according to claim 1 further comprising:

an electrical circuit electrically coupled to the piezoelectric element;

the electrical circuit being configured to generate audio signals; and

,

the piezoelectric element being configured to convert the audio signals into sound that resonates within the object.

3. The sound module according to claim 2 wherein:

the piezo amplification device includes a plurality of concentrically stacked rings.

4. The sound module according to claim 3 wherein the rings are stacked with the largest ring forming the bottom of the piezo amplification device and the smallest ring forming the top.

5. The sound module according to claim 3 wherein the stack of rings comprises an integral unit.

6. The sound module according to claim 3 further comprising:

a tail portion extending radially out from one of the rings;

wherein the electrical circuit is coupled to the tail portion.

7. The sound module according to claim 3 wherein at least two of the rings are different shapes from each other.

8. The sound module according to claim 1 wherein the piezo amplification device comprises semi-rigid foam.

9. The sound module according to claim 1 wherein the piezo amplification device has at least one hole therein.

10. The sound module according to claim 1 wherein the object comprises an inflatable object.

11. A sound module attachable to an object, the sound module comprising:

a piezoelectric element;

piezo amplification means for housing the piezoelectric element and for attaching the piezoelectric element to the object; and

,

circuit means electrically coupled to the piezoelectric element for generating audio signals;

wherein the piezoelectric element is configured to convert the audio signals generated by the circuit means into sound that resonates within the object.

12. A method of producing sound comprising:

housing a piezoelectric element at substantially the top of a piezo amplification means;

electrically coupling a circuit designed to produce audio signals to the piezoelectric element;

coupling the piezo amplification means to an object to form a cavity between the piezo amplification means and the object.

13. The method according to claim 12 further comprising:

attaching a tail to the piezo amplification means; and

,

housing the circuit on the tail.

14. A sound module attachable to an inflatable object, the sound module comprising:

a semi-rigid pyramid shaped piezo amplification device having a top, a bottom and an interior, the pyramid shape being formed by concentrically stacking rings such that a ring stacked closer to the top of the piezo amplification device is smaller than a ring stacked closer to the bottom of the piezo amplification device;

the piezo amplification device being attachable to the inflatable object at a bottom most ring of the piezo amplification device;

wherein when the piezo amplification device is attached to the inflatable object, the interior of the piezo amplification device and the inflatable object form a cavity;

a piezoelectric element coupled to one of the rings at the top of the piezo amplification device;

an electrical circuit electrically coupled to the piezoelectric element;

the electrical circuit being configured to generate audio signals; and

,

the piezoelectric element being configured to convert the audio signals into sound that resonates within the inflatable object.

15. The sound module according to claim 14 wherein:

the semi-rigid piezo amplification device comprises an integral unit.

16. The sound module according to claim 14 further comprising:

a tail portion extending radially out from piezo amplification device;

wherein the electrical circuit is coupled to the tail portion.

17. The sound module according to claim 14 wherein at least two of the rings are different shapes from each other.

18. The sound module according to claim 14 wherein the semi-rigid piezo amplification device comprises foam.

19. The sound module according to claim 14 wherein the semi-rigid piezo amplification device has at least one hole therein.

20. The sound module according to claim 14 wherein the inflatable object comprises a balloon.