Patent Grant
11749236
Research has shown that musical play is a key component of development in children. Music helps to build reasoning skills and cognitive development. It can increase the capacity of one's memory, refine time management and organizational skills, and teach perseverance. Playing music builds confidence, encourages creativity and self-expression. It can reduce anxiety, relieve symptoms of depression, and elevate one's mood. The Brain and Creativity Institute found that musical experiences in childhood can accelerate brain development, particularly in the areas of language acquisition and reading skills.
Research has also shown that being outside enhances a child's development. Nature is important to children's development in every major way—intellectually, emotionally, socially, spiritually and physically. Kellert, Stephen R., “Nature and Childhood Development”, In Building for Life: Designing and Understanding the Human-Nature Connection, Island Press, 2005. “Experience of the outdoors has the potential to confer a multitude of benefits on young people's physical development, emotional and mental health and well-being and societal development. Mental health and wellbeing benefits from play in natural settings appear to be long-term, realized in the form of emotional stability in young adulthood.” Travlou, Penny, “Wild Adventure Space For Young People”, OPENspace Individual Literature Reviews (2006).
As such, instruments placed in outdoor learning environments enable “children to explore natural sounds in the environment, make loud music, compose music individually and collaboratively, and move expressively.” Spencer, Karin H, et al., Quality Outdoor Play Spaces for Young Children, Young Children, pp 28-34 (2014).
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an outdoor musical instrument made up of at least a metal dish mounted to a support post, the outdoor musical instrument being configured to withstand prolonged exposure to the environment. The support post has a top end and a bottom end, the bottom end being configured for mounting to an outdoor surface. The metal dish has a top surface and a bottom surface. The metal dish is curved, preferably continuously, downward from a central region to a lower circumferential edge. The metal dish is mounted to the top of the support post, and the bottom surface of the metal dish is separated from the top end of the support post by a non-metal isolator. The outdoor musical instrument is configured to produce a note that sustains for at least five seconds when the top surface of the metal dish is struck by a mallet. In some embodiments, a mallet for striking the top surface of the metal dish may be attached to the musical instrument, e.g. to the support post, by a cable.
A clear conception of the advantages and features of one or more embodiments will become more readily apparent by reference to the exemplary, and therefore non-limiting, embodiments illustrated in the drawings:
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an outdoor instrument 10 and/or to a set of such instruments that may be mounted in close proximity to one another to provide a unique outdoor musical play experience. One such embodiment is shown, for example, in
The metal dish 11 has a top surface 21 and a bottom surface 22. The metal dish has a generally circular shape, and is curved downward, preferably continuously, from an upper central region 23 to a lower circumferential edge 24. In some embodiments, the metal dish 11 may have a radius of curvature (as measured from the top surface 21, i.e. an outer radius of curvature as opposed to an inner radius of curvature) between about 5 inches and about 60 inches, alternatively between about 5 inches and about 50 inches, alternatively between about 10 inches and about 60 inches, alternatively between about 10 inches and about 50 inches, alternatively between about 10 inches and about 45 inches, alternatively between about 10 inches and about 40 inches, alternatively between about 15 inches and about 35 inches, alternatively between about 20 inches and about 30 inches. In the embodiment shown in
By providing a metal dish 11 that is shaped and curved in this manner, the metal dish 11 may replicate the cap of a mushroom, particularly when mounted on the top end of a support post that is configured to extend from an outdoor surface.
Because the curvature of the metal dish affects the sound that is produced when struck by a mallet, the curvature of the metal dish 11 is configured to both (a) produce the desired sound when the dish is mounted to the top of support post 12 and struck by mallet 13 and (b) replicate the shape of a mushroom cap. In other (non-illustrated) embodiments, the metal dish 11 may be flat or substantially flat, although such embodiments would produce a different sound and fail to replicate the shape of a mushroom cap.
The curvature of the metal dish 11 is also closely related to the height of the dish (for a metal dish having a given diameter), i.e. the distance between the upper central portion 23 and the lower circumferential edge 24. In some embodiments the metal dish 11 may have a height between about 1 inches and about 15 inches, alternatively between about 2 inches and about 14 inches, alternatively between about 2 inches and about 12 inches, alternatively between about 2 inches and about 10 inches, alternatively between about 2 inches and about 8 inches, alternatively between about 2 inches and about 6 inches, alternatively between about 2 inches and about 5 inches. In most embodiments, the height of the metal dish 11 should not exceed the radius of curvature of the metal dish, otherwise the metal dish will start to curve inward toward the support post 12 (which will have negative effects on both the sound and appearance of the musical instrument).
In addition to the curvature of the metal dish 11, the sound produced by the metal dish 11 when struck by a mallet 13 depends on a variety of additional factors, including the diameter of the dish, the thickness of the dish, the material from which the dish is made, the manner in which the dish is mounted to the support post 12, etc. In some embodiments, the musical instrument 10 may be configured so that, when struck by mallet 13, the metal dish 11 produces a particular pitch, or note, having a full, round sound that resonates for a relatively long period of time.
The note that is produced by the metal dish 11 is controlled by the configuration of the dish itself, including the diameter of the dish, the thickness of the dish, and the curvature of the dish. In some embodiments, the metal dish 11 may have a diameter between 12 inches and 36 inches, alternatively between 16 inches and 32 inches, alternatively between 18 inches and 30 inches, alternatively between 20 and 28 inches. It has presently been found that dishes 11 having diameters and curvatures according to the above ranges provide an upper surface 21 of a desired size for being struck by a mallet and produce a desirable pitch when struck by a mallet. In some embodiments, the metal dish may have a thickness between 1/16 inch and 1 inch, alternatively between 1/16 inch and ¾ inch, alternatively between 1/16 inch and ½ inch.
In other embodiments, however, the metal dish 11 may have a diameter and/or curvature and/or thickness smaller than the above-recited ranges, though it is expected that the produced sound will differ from what would be produced by dishes falling within the above diameter and/or curvature ranges. Similarly, in other embodiments, the metal dish 11 may have a diameter and/or curvature and/or thickness larger than the above-recited ranges, though it is expected that the produced sound will differ from what would be produced by dishes falling within the above diameter and/or curvature ranges.
The metal dish may be produced from any of a variety of metals. In some preferred embodiments, the metal dish 11 may be aluminum or an aluminum alloy. It has been found that aluminum alloys, when formed into the shapes and general dimensions described above, can be tuned to consistently produce a pitch of a particular note when struck by a mallet and provide desirable properties for outdoor use. For instance, in some embodiments, the metal dish 11 may be produced from an aluminum-magnesium alloy. Additionally, the metal dish 11 may be treated to provide weather-resistance. For instance, where the metal dish 11 is an aluminum or an aluminum alloy, the surfaces of the metal dish may be anodized. Anodization of the metal dish increases corrosion resistance and also allows for dyeing with any of a variety of desirable colors, e.g. red, blue, green, yellow, orange, purple, brown, etc.
In some embodiments, the metal dish 11 may be free from surface patterns, e.g. may be a solid color such as red. In other embodiments, however, the upper surface 21 of the metal dish 11 may be etched to provide one or more surface patterns. In some embodiments, the upper surface 21 of the metal dish 11 may be etched to include a plurality of circular dots 26. The plurality of dots 26 may, for example, replicate the scales of a mushroom. Each of the plurality of dots 26 may be provided with a color than differs from the color of the rest of the upper surface 21.
An example of such a surface pattern is illustrated in
In some (non-illustrated) embodiments, the lower surface 22 of the metal dish 11 may also be etched to provide one or more surface patterns. For instance, in some embodiments, the lower surface 22 of the metal dish 11 may be etched to provide a plurality of radial lines, e.g. to replicate the gills of a mushroom. Moreover, in some embodiments, the lower surface 22 of the metal dish 11 may be dyed a different color than the upper surface 21.
In some embodiments, the circumferential edge 24 of the metal dish 11 may be rounded. An example of a metal dish 11 having a rounded circumferential edge 25 is shown, for example, in
The outdoor musical instrument 10 also comprises a support post 12 that supports the metal dish 11 in an elevated position relative to a ground surface. The support post comprises a top end 31 and a bottom end 32. As shown in the illustrated embodiments, the metal dish 11 may be mounted to the top end 31 of the support post and the bottom end 32 of the support post may be configured to be mounted to an outdoor surface.
The support post 12 may be made from any of a variety of materials, so long as the support post has the necessary strength and weather resistance to stand up to prolonged outdoor environmental exposure and use. In some embodiments, the support post 12 may comprise powder-coated steel pipe. The powder coating serves to protect the steel against corrosion and other environmental degradation. The powder coating can also provide the support post 12 with any of a variety of colors. As an alternative to powder coating, the steel pipe may be galvanized.
The support post 12 may have any of a variety of shapes. In some embodiments, the support post 12 may have one or more curved sections. In the illustrated embodiments, for example, the support post 12 is curved so that a front face of the support post has a convex portion 34 and a concave portion 35. By providing the support post 12 with curves in this manner, a desirable natural appearance may be produced. The curvature of the support post 12, however, is not limited to providing a desirable natural appearance. Rather, the curvature of the support post 12 may serve to place the top of the support post 31 at a desirable angle to provide an improved play experience.
In some embodiments, for example, the top surface of the support post 31 may form an angle between about 5 and about 30 degrees, alternatively between about 5 and about 25 degrees, alternatively between about 5 and about 20 degrees, alternatively between about 5 and about 15 degrees with respect to the ground surface to which the musical instrument 10 is mounted. This provides that the metal dish 11 may be placed at a small angle with the ground surface to which the musical instrument 10 is mounted, i.e. the metal dish being non-parallel with the ground surface or other than horizontal. Placing the metal dish 11 at an angle other than parallel with the ground surface makes the dish more visible and thus helps to prevent accidental contact, e.g. by a running child. It also provides a desirable angle for children of all heights to play the musical instrument 10 by striking the top surface 21 of the metal dish 11 with the mallet 13. In other embodiments, however, the top surface of the support post 12, and thus the metal dish 11, may be substantially parallel with the ground surface to which the musical instrument 10 is mounted (i.e. horizontal).
In other (non-illustrated) embodiments, the support post 12 may be straight. A straight support post 12 may be vertical, i.e. the longitudinal axis of the support post may be perpendicular (90 degrees) relative to the ground surface to which it is mounted. However, more desirably, a straight support post 12 may extend at a non-vertical angle with the ground surface. For example, the longitudinal axis of a straight support post 12 may form an angle between about 60 degrees and about 85 degrees with the ground surface, alternatively between about 70 degrees and about 85 degrees with the ground surface. By extending at an angle with respect to the ground surface, the top end 31 of the support post 12, and the dish 11 mounted to that top end, may be placed at an angle other than horizontal, which, as described above, provides an improved play experience.
In some (non-illustrated) embodiments, a plurality of support posts 12 may be connected or integrally formed to have a shared bottom end 32 but a plurality of top ends 31 that support a plurality of metal dishes 11. For instance, in some embodiments a plurality of support posts 12 may extend in different directions and/or at different angles from a common, or shared, bottom end portion 32. Or a second support post 12 may extend from an intermediate portion of a first support post such that the first and second support posts have a single bottom end portion 32, and metal dishes 11 may be mounted to the tops of each of the first and second support posts. While not illustrated, a variety of different integrated multi-post (and dish) arrangements are contemplated without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Desirably, one or more mallets 13 may be mounted to the support post 12. In other (non-illustrated) embodiments, an additional mallet-support structure may be provided in the vicinity of the musical instrument 10. In some embodiments, the one or more mallets 13 may be mounted directly to the support post 12, i.e. to the portion of the support post that extends between the upper and lower ends 31, 32. In other embodiments, including the illustrated embodiments, however, the support post 12 may comprise a plate 36 that extends radially below the metal dish 11 and the one or more mallets 13 may be mounted, via cable(s) 40, to the plate 36. In the illustrated embodiments, for example, the plate 36 extends from the concave 35 portion of the support post 12, which is positioned above the convex portion 34 and at or near the top end 31 of the support post.
By providing a plate 36, e.g. a metal plate, that extends radially below the metal dish 11, embodiments of the musical instrument 10 provide an attachment point 37 for a mallet cable 40 that is relatively close, at least in a radial dimension and desirably also vertically, to the circumferential edge 24 of the metal dish 11. It has presently been recognized that the attachment of the mallet cable 40 to the support post 12 itself (a) requires the use of a relatively long mallet cable and (b) can result in the mallet cable interfering with the resonance of the metal dish 11 during use, particularly in those embodiments in which the metal dish 11 has a relatively large diameter. The plate 36 positions the mallet attachment point 37 a radial distance away from the support post 12 itself, thereby allowing the use of a shorter mallet cable 40 and preventing interference between the mallet cable and the metal dish 11 during use.
In some embodiments, the mallet attachment point 37 may be close, in a radial dimension, to the outer circumferential edge 24 of the metal plate. For instance, the mallet attachment point 37 may be positioned radially within 12 inches of the outer circumferential edge 24 of the metal dish, alternatively within 10 inches, alternatively within 8 inches, alternatively within 6 inches, alternatively within 4 inches. Accordingly, the cable 40 may have a length (as measured between the mallet attachment point 37 and the point of attachment between the cable and the mallet 13 when fully extended) that is less than 24 inches, alternatively less than 23 inches, alternatively less than 22 inches, alternatively less than 21 inches, alternatively less than 20 inches. Shorter cables 40 are generally desirable, as they are less likely to get wrapped around or caught on users or other objects.
The term cable 40, as used herein, is intended to comprise any flexible element by which a mallet 13 may be suspended and yet allows a user to grab the mallet and use the mallet to strike the upper surface 21 of the metal dish, and includes for example chains, ropes, cords, and the like.
In some embodiments, including that illustrated for example, the plate 36 may also be positioned at or near the top 31 of the support post, such that the plate 36 is positioned close to the lower surface 22 of the metal dish 11. This may serve to prevent the metal dish 11 from being bent down to an undesirable angle that could cause damage to the dish and/or to the elements by which the dish is mounted to the support post 12. For instance, should a child press down or sit on the upper surface 21 of the metal dish 11 in the vicinity of the plate 36, the lower surface of the dish 22 would come into contact with the plate and thereby prevent further downward deflection.
The support post 12 may further comprise a base plate 38 at the lower end 32. As illustrated, the base plate 38 may have a larger radial dimension than the support post 12 itself and may be configured to mounting to an outdoor ground surface in any of a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the base plate 38 may comprise one or more, and preferably a plurality, of apertures 39, each of which is configured to receive one or more fasteners 50. The one or more fasteners 50 may comprise any conventional fasteners, including for example, screws, bolts, nuts, expansion anchors, and the like.
In some embodiments, the musical instrument 10 may comprise an in-ground post 51, such as that illustrated in
In some embodiments, the musical instrument 10 may comprise a portable stand 61 such as that illustrated in
In some embodiments, as illustrated in
By providing a base plate 38 having one or more, and preferably a plurality, or apertures 39, embodiments of the musical instrument disclosed herein may be mounted in an outdoor environment in any of the above-described manners.
The musical instrument 10 is desirably configured such that when the top surface 21 of the metal dish 11 is struck by a mallet 13, the metal dish with reverberate and produce a sound of a predetermined pitch (note) for a period of time. In other words, the sound or note will sustain for a period of time. In some embodiments, for example, the musical instrument may be configured so that the note sustains for at least 5 seconds, alternatively at least 8 seconds, alternatively at least 10 seconds, alternatively at least 12 seconds, alternatively at least 15 seconds, alternatively at least 18 seconds, alternatively at least 20 seconds. To provide for a note that sustains for a period of time, the metal dish 11 is mounted to the top of the support post 12 in a manner by which a non-metal isolator 70 separates the bottom surface 22 of the metal dish 11 from the top end 31 of the support post 12.
The isolator 70 may be made of any of a variety of materials, but is desirably made of a natural or synthetic rubber. In some embodiments, for instance, the isolator 70 may be made of neoprene. As shown in
As shown in
As shown in the illustrated embodiments, the metal dish 11 may be mounted to the support post 12 using a single, centrally-located fastener 71. In other embodiments, however, a plurality of fasteners 71 may be utilized in much the same was as is described above and shown in
Aspects of the present disclosure are also directed to an outdoor arrangement of the musical instruments 10 described herein. Examples of such an arrangement are shown in
In some embodiments, the outdoor arrangement of musical instruments further comprises a third musical instrument 130. The third musical instrument 130 may be configured to produce a different note when struck by a mallet than both the first musical instrument 110 and the second musical instrument 120. One way in which this may be achieved is by the metal dish of the third instrument 131 having a third diameter, with the third diameter being different from both the diameter of the metal dish of the first instrument, i.e. the first diameter 111, and the diameter of the metal dish of the second instrument, i.e. the second diameter 121. The first, second, and third instruments 110, 120, 130 may each have independent support posts 112, 122, 132 and independent mallets 113, 123, 133, as shown in
By providing an arrangement of musical instruments in this manner, children may play the plurality of musical instruments, e.g. 110, 120, 130, together to create various musical compositions.
It can be seen that the described embodiments provide unique and novel outdoor instruments 10 and arrangements of instruments that have a number of advantages over those in the art. While there is shown and described herein certain specific structures embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/105,957, filed on Oct. 27, 2020, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
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