Stepped sound producing module

• US 7,177,434 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2002
• Issued: 02/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sing-A-Tune Balloons LLC
• Original Assignee: Sing-A-Tune Balloons LLC
• Inventors: Tripoli, Melchiore
• Primary Examiner(s): Mei; Xu
• Application Number:
  US10/053,096
• Publication Number:
  US 20030138120A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,852 Days
• Field of Search: 340/384.6, 381/190, 381/173, 381/191, 367/155
• 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, the sound module comprising:

a piezo amplification device;

a piezoelectric element coupled to the piezo amplification device; and

an inflatable object attached to said piezo amplification device so as to form a cavity between an interior of the piezo amplification device and the inflatable object, the inflatable object having an interior bounded by walls;

an electrical circuit electrically coupled to the piezoelectric element and configured to generate audio signals, the piezoelectric element being configured to convert the audio signals into sound that resonates off the walls within the interior of the inflatable object.

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

3. The sound module according to claim 1 wherein the piezo amplification device has at least one hole therein in which is arranged the piezo electric element.

4. The sound module according to claim 1, wherein the inflatable object is a balloon.

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

a piezo amplification device;

a piezoelectric element coupled to the piezo amplification device

an inflatable object;

said piezo amplification device being attachable to the inflatable object to form a cavity between the piezo amplification device and the inflatable object;

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

6. The sound module according to claim 5 wherein the rings are stacked with the largest ring forming a bottom of the piezo amplification device and the smallest ring forming a top.

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

8. The sound module according to claim 5 further comprising:

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

the electrical circuit being coupled to the tail portion.

9. The sound module according to claim 5 wherein at least two of the rings are different shapes from each other.

10. A sound module comprising:

a speaker;

an amplification device arranged to space the speaker from an inflatable object so as to form a cavity between an interior of the amplification device and the inflatable object, the amplification device being attached to the inflatable object, the inflatable object having an interior bounded by walls; and

,

a circuit configured to generate audio signals and being electrically coupled to the speaker, the speaker being configured and arranged to convert the audio signals into sound that resonates off the walls within the interior of the inflatable object.

11. The sound module according to claim 10, wherein the amplification device has a hole in which is arranged the speaker.

12. The sound module according to claim 10, wherein the inflatable object is a balloon.

13. 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.

14. The sound module according to claim 13 wherein:

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

15. The sound module according to claim 13 further comprising:

a tail portion extending radially out from the piezo amplification device;

wherein the electrical circuit is coupled to the tail portion.

16. The sound module according to claim 13 wherein at least two of the rings are different shapes from each other.

17. The sound module according to claim 13 wherein the semi-rigid piezo amplification device comprises foam.

18. The sound module according to claim 13 wherein the semi-rigid piezo amplification device has at least one hole therein.

19. The sound module according to claim 13 wherein the inflatable object comprises a balloon.