Door knocker with audio playback

• US 9,269,238 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2014
• Issued: 02/23/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Beverly Means
• Original Assignee: Beverly Means
• Inventors: Means, Beverly
• Primary Examiner(s): Lau, Hoi
• Application Number:
  US14/479,294
• Publication Number:
  US 20150070143A1
• Time in Patent Office: 535 Days
• Field of Search: 340/384.73, 340/691.1, 340/384.1, 340/692, 340/545.1, 340/328, 340/571, 340/545.3, 116/148
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 7/28 Other arrangements on doors or windows, e.g. door-plates, windows adapted to carry plants, hooks for window cleaners edge protecting devices for door leaves E06B3/88; special glazing; emergency glazing; double glazing E06B3/66
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 3/00 Rattles or like noise-producing devices , e.g. door-knockers

Abstract

A novelty door knocker having an electronic sound effect or effects, the door knocker with mechanical arm, plate, switch or proximity sensor enabled to trigger a sound effect, and a battery-powered circuit for controlling and coordinating the acoustics with the trigger. The door knocker may be decorated with or shaped as a cartoon figure for use on a child'"'"'s bedroom door, for example.

Claims

1. A door knocker apparatus, which comprises:

(a) a body member enabled to be mounted on a door, said body member having a circuit board enclosed therein, said circuit board with processor, battery, clock, speaker driver, volatile and non-volatile memory, wherein said body member is attachable to a generally planar outside surface of a door;

(b) an acoustic speaker having an attachment to said body member and having an electronic connection to said speaker driver;

(c) a swingplate or swingarm having a first aspect with hinged mechanical connection to said body member and a second aspect having a permanent magnet disposed so as to electromagnetically actuate said processor by a repetitive knocking action defined by a movement of said swingplate or swingarm from a magnetically contacted to a non-contacted position relative to a Hall Effect sensor mounted on said body member, said Hall Effect sensor having an electronic connection for delivering an electrical signal to said processor; and

,

further wherein said processor is programmed to actuate and modulate an output from said speaker driver so as to play a sound effect on said acoustic speaker when activated by said knocking action.

2. The door knocker apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to play said sound effect in response to an encoded sequential knocking action of said swingplate or swingarm and a default sound effect when said encoded sequential knocking action is incorrectly entered.

3. The door knocker apparatus of claim 1, wherein said non-volatile memory comprises one or more waveforms operatively transmittable to said speaker driver for emitting one or more sound effects in response to a knocking action.

4. The door knocker apparatus of claim 1, wherein said body member is shaped and colored in the likeness of a cartoon character.

5. The door knocker apparatus of claim 4, wherein said swingarm or swingplate is molded and colored in the shape of a door knocker, a clothing article, a toilet paper roll, a toilet seat, a cartoon character, or a decorative figure.

6. The door knocker apparatus of claim 1, wherein said battery is replaceable through a reattachable panel closure in said body member.

7. The door knocker apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a visual effect.