Transducer apparatus responsive to external perturbation

• US 5,469,132 A
• Filed: 12/31/1992
• Issued: 11/21/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Peter A.-F. Lam
• Original Assignee: Peter A.-F. Lam
• Inventors: Lam, Peter A.-F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US07/999,291
• Time in Patent Office: 1,055 Days
• Field of Search: 340/392, 340/689, 340/691-693, 340/665, 340/566, 340/683, 340/467, 340/464, 340/429, 340/392.1, 340/392.4, 340/392.5, 340/395.1, 200/61.45 R, 200/61.52, 200/52 A, 84/404, 84/464 R, 362/253, 362/806
• US Class Current: 340/392.1
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/027 the light sources being a LED
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/04 characterised by the provision of a light source housing portion adjustably fixed to the remainder of the device
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2025/005 Message recorded in a memory device
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 25/00 Audible advertising sound recording or reproducing per se G11B; public address systems H04R27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 9/18 Details, e.g. bulbs, pumps, pistons, switches or casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/00 Switches operated by change of a physical condition operated by change of magnetic or electric field H01H36/00; thermally-actuated switches H01H37/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/14 Switches operated by change of acceleration, e.g. by shock or vibration, inertia switch wherein the liquid constitutes a contact of the switch H01H29/002
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/40 actuated by devices allowing continual flow of fluid, e.g. vane
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/806 Ornamental or decorative

Abstract

Transducer apparatus (10) responsive to external perturbations is disclosed having an electrically responsive transducer circuit (12) energized when a display member (18) and an elongate member (20) move from a gravity determined quiescent orientation (30A) therebetween to an external perturbation driven activate orientation (30B therebetween. In various embodiments, the members are respectively responsive to air movement and acceleration. In one embodiment, the elongate member carries a first electrical contact (21) to abut a second electrical contact (22) carried by the display member.

Claims

1. Display apparatus, comprising:

a first elongate member;

a display member;

means supporting said first elongate member and said display member for relative movement with respect to one another, in response to an external perturbation, from a stable substantially vertical orientation to an unstable activate orientation;

an electrically responsive sound transducer; and

circuit means, responsive to relative movement of said first elongate and display members to said unstable activate orientation, for energizing said transducer to produce audible sound.

2. The display apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stable substantially vertical orientation is gravity determined.

3. The display apparatus of claim 1 wherein said circuit means includes a pattern generator.

4. The display apparatus of claim 1 wherein said circuit means comprises:

a first electrical contact carried by said first elongate member;

a second electrical contact positioned to engage said first electrical contact when said first elongate member and said display member are in said activate orientation; and

means responsive to said first and second contacts, for activating said transducer.

5. The display apparatus of claim 1 wherein said supporting means comprises a first end of said first elongate member swingably mounted to said display member;

and further comprising an air motion sensitive member mounted proximate to a second end of said first elongate member.

6. The display apparatus of claim 1 wherein said supporting means comprises a first end of said first elongate member swingably mounted to said display member;

and further comprising an acceleration sensitive member mounted proximate to a second end of said first elongate member.

7. The display apparatus of claim 5 wherein said air motion sensitive member comprises a vane.

8. The display apparatus of claim 6 wherein said acceleration sensitive member comprises a bob.

9. The display apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for suspending said display member from an external support member.

10. The display apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for suspending said first elongate member from an external support member.

11. The display apparatus of claim 5 wherein said first electrical contact comprises a helical member.

12. The display apparatus of claim 5 wherein said second electrical contact is fixedly mounted on said display member.

13. The display apparatus of claim 5 including a second elongate member swingably mounted to said display member;

and wherein said second electrical contact is carried by said second elongate member.

14. A method of generating an audible sound in response to an external perturbation, comprising the steps of:

providing an elongate member;

providing a display member;

supporting said elongate member and said display member for relative movement with respect to one another, in response to an external perturbation, from a stable substantially vertical orientation to an unstable activate orientation;

providing an electrically responsive sound transducer; and

energizing said transducer in response to movement of said members to said unstable activate orientation to produce audible sound.

15. Method of claim 14 wherein said energizing step comprises the steps of:

carrying a first electrical contact with said elongate member;

positioning a second electrical contact to engage said first electrical contact when said members are in said activate orientation; and

activating said transducer through said first and second contacts.

16. Method of claim 14 wherein said supporting step comprises the step of mounting a first end of said elongate member swingably from said display member;

and further comprising the step of mounting an air motion sensitive member proximate to a second end of said elongate member.

17. Method of claim 14 wherein said supporting step comprises the step of mounting a first end of said elongate member swingably from said display member;

and further comprising the step of mounting an acceleration sensitive member proximate to a second end of said elongate member.

18. Display apparatus, comprising:

an elongate member;

a display member;

means supporting said elongate member and said display member for relative movement with respect to one another, in response to an external perturbation, from a stable orientation to an unstable orientation;

an electrically responsive heat transducer; and

circuit means, responsive to movement of said members to said unstable orientation, for energizing said transducer to produce heat output.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said first member comprises an elongate rod having a first end mounted for swingable movement relative to said second member.

20. Display apparatus, comprising:

an elongate member;

a display member;

means supporting said elongate member and said display member for relative movement with respect to one another, in response to an external perturbation, from a stable orientation to an unstable orientation;

an electrically responsive motion transducer; and

circuit means, responsive to relative movement of said members to said unstable orientation, for energizing said transducer to produce motion output.

21. Display apparatus, comprising:

an elongate member;

a display member;

means supporting said elongate member and said display member for relative movement with respect to one another, in response to an external perturbation, from a stable orientation to an unstable orientation;

an electrically responsive light transducer; and

circuit means responsive to movement of said elongate member to said unstable orientation for energizing said transducer to produce a light output, said circuit means including pattern generator means for controlling the energization of said transducer to produce a selected light pattern output.