Fluid-launchable sound-generating article

• US 5,941,751 A
• Filed: 11/22/1996
• Issued: 08/24/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Johnson Researach and Development Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Johnson Researach and Development Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Alphonso-Gibbs, John A., Johnson, Lonnie G., Applewhite, John T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafer, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Carlson, Jeffrey D.
• Application Number:
  US08/755,293
• Time in Patent Office: 1,005 Days
• Field of Search: 446/213, 446/397, 446/47, 446/484, 446/485, 446/408, 446/409, 446/400
• US Class Current: 446/213
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/005 Rockets; Missiles
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 5/00 Musical or noise- producing devices for additional toy effects other than acoustical musical tops A63H1/28; sound-producing dolls A63H3/28; musical toy vehicles A63H17/268; acoustical vehicle-signalling devices A63H17/32; whistling toy locomotive arrangements A63H19/14; music, sound or noise production in general G10

Abstract

A sound-generating unit (30) is encased within the body (20) of an article (10) which is to be launched by a burst of compressed and/or pressurized fluid (15) from a fluid launching device (11). The sound-generating unit (30) has the three main elements of a piezoelectric electromechanical transducer (32), a sound-generator electronic circuit (40), and a speaker (42). The body (20) of the article to be launched has a bore to receive the burst of fluid (15). The piezoelectric element (32) is positioned within the bore in alignment for receiving the impact of the burst of fluid (15). The piezoelectric element (32), the speaker (42) and an electrical energizer (36) are connected to the sound-generator circuit (40). Upon being impinged by a burst of fluid (15) projected into the bore of the body (20), the piezoelectric element (32) minutely deforms and generates a voltage that is processed by the sound-generator circuit (40) into a desired sound-effect signal that drives the speaker (42). A resonance chamber (31) reinforces and enhances the generated sound.

Claims

1. A toy projectile launchable by a burst of fluid pressure comprising:

a projectile-shaped body including aerodynamic means for enhancing flight having means for being positioned relative to a source of the fluid pressure for receiving the burst of fluid pressure and causing said body to be propelled thereby;

an electromechanical transducer switch positioned with respect to said means for receiving the burst of fluid pressure such that said electromechanical transducer switch will be impinged by the burst of fluid pressure received as said body is initially propelled and will thereby trigger a signal in response thereto;

an electronic circuit triggerable by said electromechanical transducer switch including electronic elements for generating a predetermined sound effect when said signal is received; and

a loudspeaker for broadcasting said predetermined sound effect when said electronic circuit is triggered;

wherein when said body is propelled by the burst of fluid pressure said electronic circuit is triggered.

2. The toy projectile of claim 1, said means for being positioned relative to a source of the fluid pressure for receiving the burst of fluid pressure comprising a bore for being impaled upon a nozzle and wherein said electromechanical transducer switch is positioned within said bore in alignment with said nozzle to receive said burst of fluid pressure from said nozzle.

3. The toy projectile of claim 2, said electromechanical transducer switch comprising a piezoelectric element.

4. The toy projectile of claim 3, said piezoelectric element comprising a thin piezoelectric disk.

5. The toy projectile of claim 1, further comprising a resonance chamber disposed adjacent said loudspeaker.

6. The toy projectile of claim 1, wherein said body has at least one aperture extending therethrough proximate said loudspeaker.

7. A system for launching a toy projectile by a burst of fluid pressure comprising:

a launcher including means for projecting a burst of fluid under pressure and a port through which said fluid under pressure is projected;

a toy projectile including

a body having means for positioning the toy projectile in relation to said launcher such that the toy projectile may receive and be propelled by said burst of fluid pressure;

an electromechanical transducer switch positioned with respect to said means for receiving the burst of fluid pressure such that said electromechanical transducer switch will be impinged by the burst of fluid pressure received;

an electronic circuit triggerable by said electromechanical transducer switch including electronic elements for generating a predetermined sound effect; and

a loudspeaker for broadcasting said predetermined sound effect when said electronic circuit is triggered.

8. The system of claim 7, including a nozzle disposed in relation to said port and said toy projectile for projection of the burst of fluid through said nozzle, said means for receiving the burst of fluid pressure including a bore for being impaled upon said nozzle and wherein said electromechanical transducer switch is positioned within said bore in alignment with said nozzle to receive said burst of fluid pressure from said nozzle.

9. The system of claim 8, said electromechanical transducer switch comprising a piezoelectric element.

10. The system of claim 9, said piezoelectric element comprising a thin piezoelectric disk.

11. The system of claim 7, the toy projectile further including a resonance chamber disposed adjacent said loudspeaker.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein said body has at least one aperture extending therethrough proximate said loudspeaker.

13. A toy article comprising:

a body having an exterior surface in the configuration of a projectile including aerodynamic means for enhancing flight thereto, having means for receiving a launching mechanism and having a nose portion disposed such that when said body travels upon being launched said nose assumes an anterior-most position with respect to said body;

an electromechanical transducer switch mounted upon said nose portion at the anterior-most point thereof such that when said body is launched and said nose portion impacts a surface providing resistance said electromechanical transducer switch is impacted thereby and actuated; and

an electronic circuit triggerable by said electromechanical transducer switch including electronic elements for generating a predetermined sound effect; and

a loudspeaker for broadcasting said predetermined sound effect when said electronic circuit is triggered.

14. The toy article of claim 13, said electromechanical transducer switch comprising a piezoelectric element.

15. The toy article of claim 14, said piezoelectric element comprising a thin piezoelectric disk.