Percussion noisemaker toy with bouncing hard objects

Abstract

A noisemaking toy with hard objects attached to terminal ends of a U-shaped handle. The hard objects can be steel ball bearings (e.g. ¾″ diameter), and the U-shaped handle can comprise a U-shaped piece of resilient spring steel wire. The legs of the handle can be pressed together by hand so that the hard objects can be contacted. The objects are shaped so that they make point contact. When the hard objects are pressed together by pressing on the legs of the handle, the objects bounce many times, producing an unusual sound. The sound is initially a rapid series of clicks, and, as energy is dissipated, the sound changes to a buzz and then a high-pitched squeak. The objects must have a hardness of at least 30, 40, or 50 Rockwell C. High hardness is preferred.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to noisemaking toys. More specifically, the present invention relates to a noisemaking toy having hard objects (e.g. spheres) attached to terminal ends of a U-shaped handle with resilient legs. When the spheres are forced into contact by pressing on the sides of the handle, the spheres repeatedly bounce and produce unusual clicking and squeaking noises.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Noisemaking toys are fun and annoying. Children and adults alike are amused by toys that make interesting and annoying sounds. Toys that can make a variety of sounds are particularly appealing.

A popular, well known toy are the buzz magnets or singing magnets. These magnets are made of ferrite or other hard ceramic magnet material, and are highly magnetized. When two magnets thrown in the air in close proximity, the magnets attract and bounce together repeatedly, thereby producing a bizarre buzzing and squeaking sound. The sound persists for as long as the magnets vibrate and remain suspended in the air; typically, the magnets produce sound for a second or so. The magnets are thrown over and over again to produce the uniquely irritating and fascinating sound. Using the magnets requires two hands, since the magnets must be pulled apart before each throw. Also, the magnets must be thrown in close proximity to one another so that they stick together immediately after they are released, but this can be difficult to do.

The present invention aims to provide a novel and fun toy that allows a user to easily and repeatedly create buzzing and squeaking sounds having a relatively long duration, and without throwing objects in the air. The present invention is simple to use, and can produce a variety of sounds. The present invention can be used as a musical instrument since it is simple to use and can be used with a single hand.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a noisemaking toy having a U-shaped handle with first and second legs. Each leg has a terminal end, and an object is attached to each terminal end. The handle is bendable by hand such that the objects can be contacted. At least a part of each leg is resilient. The objects are shaped so that they contact each other at a point. The objects must have a hardness of at least 30 Rockwell C at the point of contact. The objects resist deformation at the point of impact due to the high hardness. Consequently, the objects bounce repeatedly and make unusual clicking and buzzing noises.

The objects can be steel spheres (preferably hardened by heat treatment). Preferably the objects have a hardness of at least 40 or 50 Rockwell C. High hardness is preferred. The hardness can be 50, 60, 65 or 70 Rockwell C, for example.

The U-shaped handle can be made from a continuous length of resilient wire, such as spring steel.

Preferably, the legs are resilient in an upper half closest to the objects. Preferably the legs are resilient in a portion between the objects and where the legs are gripped by the hand. Resiliency near the objects facilitates bouncing.

The objects can be nonspherical shapes that contact each other at a point, such as ellipsoids, spheroids or the like. The objects can be attached to the terminal ends with solder or other adhesives or mechanical connectors. The objects can have holes, and the terminal ends can be disposed in the holes.

Finger grips can be disposed on the legs. Preferably the resilient legs are resilient in a portion between the finger grip and terminal end.

Also, a third object can be added in the invention. The third object must also be hard and make point contact with the other objects.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the noisemaking toy of the present invention.

FIG. 2A illustrates the toy of FIG. 1 in operation.

FIG. 2B shows an embodiment in which the legs are largely nonresilient except for a coiled spring section 31.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The toy of FIG. 2 has finger grips and sphere attachment loops.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment where the spheres have holes; and the wire ends are attached to the spheres by insertion into the holes.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment having hemispherical objects.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment having a single length of wire, without a bottom loop, for the U-shaped handle.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment having a base.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment having 3 objects that collide and bounce.

FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment having sound coupling sheets for increasing the volume of the sound.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment where the spheres are attached to the resilient legs by molded material (e.g. plastics).

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment where the resilient legs are made of molded material (e.g. rubber or silicone), and the spheres are attached to the resilient legs by molded material.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment having a guide wire and guide loop for preventing twisting of the handle, and thereby assuring that the objects collide in a direct, non-glancing fashion.

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment having a block with a cut out clot for assuring coplanarity of the legs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a noisemaking toy. The toy has a U-shaped handle with two legs. Hard spheres (e.g. made of hardened steel) are attached to terminal ends of the legs. At least a part of each leg is resilient (e.g. made of spring steel). The spheres are aligned such that when the legs are squeezed together by the hand, the spheres come into contact. When the spheres are pressed together in this way, they bounce repeatedly, thereby producing unusual clicking and squeaking sounds. The resilient nature of the legs results in a restoring force that forces the spheres together between bounces. Finger grips and other features can be provided to make the wire easy to grasp. If finger grips are provided, then the resilient portion of the legs should be located between the finger grips and the spheres. In the present invention, the spheres must be hard. For example, the spheres must have a hardness of at least 30, 35, 40, 50, 55, or 60 on the Rockwell C hardness scale; high hardness is preferred. The combination of spheres with high hardness, and resiliency of the legs results in prolonged bouncing and unusual clicking and buzzing noises.

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment of FIG. 1 has a U-shaped handle with two legs 20 and a bottom loop 22. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the legs 20 and loop 22 comprise a continuous length of wire that is resilient along its entire length. The resilient wire can be round wire with a diameter of about 0.070 inch and can be made of spring-temper steel. The wire has two terminal ends 24. Attached (e.g. soldered) to the terminal ends 24 are hard spheres 26. Preferably, the spheres 26 are made of hardened steel (e.g. case hardened steel, or through hardened steel), ceramics (e.g. ferrite) or the like. The spheres must have a hardness of at least 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, or 60 on the Rockwell C hardness scale. High hardness is preferred, provided that the spheres resist cracking and chipping. A particularly preferred material for the spheres is hardened chrome steel (e.g. containing about 1.5% chrome), having a hardness in the range of about 60-70 on the Rockwell C scale. The hardness can be in the range of about 40-70 Rockwell C, but can be even higher than 70. The spheres do not need to be hardened throughout (only on contacting surfaces), so case hardened spheres can be used.

The bottom loop can comprise a single loop of wire, or multiple loops. The bottom loop 22 is essentially a torsion spring that in a resting state holds the spheres apart. The bottom loop 22 tends to make the wire more easily bendable (compared to a U-band), so that the spheres can be easily brought together with a hand-applied force.

Preferably, the legs 20 each have a finger grip 25. The finger grips allow the toy to be grasped easily and the legs to be squeezed together with the fingers. The finger grips 25 can comprise small plastic pads, wire loops or other pads (i.e. wider than the resilient wire) that can be comfortably pressed between the fingers. The finger grips 25 also help to reduce the coupling of vibrations into the users fingers. Reduction of vibration coupling tends to prolong and increase the volume of the sound. Finger grips 25 made of foam or other very soft materials are particularly effective for reducing the coupling of vibrations to the users fingers.

FIG. 2 illustrates the toy in operation. In operation, the U-shaped handle is grasped by the hand at the finger grips 25. The finger grips 25 are pressed together such that the legs 20 move closer until the spheres 26 collide. When the spheres collide they bounce many times while the finger grips and legs 20 are pressed together. The spheres bounce many times (e.g. dozens or hundreds of times) for each squeeze applied to the finger grips 25. The bouncing of the spheres produces an unusual noise. The noise is a rapid clicking sound at first. As energy is dissipated, the noise changes to a buzzing sound and finally ends with a surprising, high-pitched squeak. The sound typically persists for about 1-2 second for each squeeze. When squeezed together, the resilient legs absorb and store the kinetic energy of the spheres between bounces, and provide a restoring force constantly biasing the spheres together.

Although the present invention has been described as having spheres 26, the invention is not so limited. The spheres 26 can be replaced with any other objects that make point contact and have a high hardness at the point of contact.

In order to bounce and produce the desired clicking and squeaking sound, the spheres 26 must be hard. Hard materials resist deformation, and resistance to deformation results in repeated bouncing. Hardness is absolutely critical in the invention, and produces unexpected results. High hardness is essential for creating persistent bouncing and generating the unusual noises that can be created by the present invention. By comparison, objects that are relatively soft (e.g. made of aluminum, copper, brass, cast iron, or unhardened or annealed stainless steel commonly used in spoons) will tend to deform at the point of impact, thereby absorbing mechanical energy, and deadening the sound. The deformation at the point of contact will create a generally flat spot that will preclude point contact, which is important in the invention. Soft objects produce an uninteresting thud-type sound. Hence, a high hardness is critical and soft objects (e.g. with hardness less than 30 Rockwell C) are specifically excluded from the invention and the scope of the appended claims. The spheres must have hardness higher than 30 Rockwell C, and higher hardness is preferred. High hardness tends to result in longer and louder clicking and buzzing noises. Preferably, the hardness of the spheres is at least 40 or 50 Rockwell C. Steel spheres with harnesses in the range of about 55-70 Rockwell C are particularly preferred. Such spheres are commonly used as ball bearings. Spheres made from hardened 52100 chrome steel or hardened 440C stainless steel can be used in the invention.

Also, it is preferred for the spheres to have a high yield strength, for example above 100,000, 150,000 or 200,000 psi. Yield strength is a well-known measurement of a materials resistance to permanent deformation. 52100 chrome steel material (commonly used in ball bearings) is well suited for use in the present invention, and has a yield strength of about 295,000 psi.

Also, it is noted that the objects can also be made of amorphous metals, or have an amorphous metal coating. Amorphous metals are known to have very high hardness and yield strength and to efficiently store and release elastic energy when deformed. Amorphous metals are perhaps the ideal materials to use for the objects, though they can be prohibitively expensive.

Resilience in the legs 20 is also essential in the invention. Resilience is understood to be a mechanical property of a material or structure that allows it to deform with applied force, resist permanent deformation, and return to its original shape when the applied force is removed. Spring-tempered steel, phosphor bronze and rubber are resilient materials that can be used in the present invention. The resilience in the legs is important in the invention because it facilitates bouncing of the spheres by absorbing kinetic energy of the spheres between bounces. In order to perform this function, the legs 20 should be resilient in at least a part of the legs between where the user grasps the legs (e.g. the finger grips 25), and the spheres. For example, the legs 20 can be resilient in at least a part of an upper half or upper third (the half or third closest to the spheres 26). If finger grips 25 are present, then the legs 20 are preferably resilient in at least a portion between the finger grips 25 and the spheres 26.

It is preferred in the invention for a region 27 of the legs 20 between the fingergrips 25 and terminal ends 24 to be resilient. Preferably, but optionally, the region 27 is resilient all the way to a point of attachment to the spheres 26. Resilience in at least a part of the region 27 is desired because it facilitates prolonged bouncing of the spheres. However, it is noted that a fraction of the region 27 can be rigid or nonresilient in the invention. The entire region 27 does not need to be resilient, and it may include a rigid portion. Also, it is noted that the legs 20 in a region 29 between the finger grips 25 and bottom loop 22 can be rigid or nonresilient. In the present invention, resiliency is essential in a region between where the users fingers (not shown) grasp the legs 20 and the spheres 26.

For example, FIG. 2B shows an embodiment of the invention in which the legs 20 are resilient only in a coil spring section 31. In the specific example of FIG. 2B, the section 31 is a coil spring. Other parts of the legs 20 are non-resilient. The toy of FIG. 2B is an example in which the legs are resilient in at least a portion between the finger grips and objects only a part of the legs 20 is resilient. Of course, the resilient section 31 can comprise many resilient materials and structures such as spring steel wire or rubber.

The legs 20 and portion 27 are preferably made of spring steel (e.g. galvanized or stainless), but can also be made of other resilient materials such as rubber, polymers, phosphor bronze, coil springs, or the like. If rubber or other relatively soft materials are used, then the legs should have a greater thickness.

The total length of the toy, from the spheres 26 to the bottom of loop 22, can be about 4-8 inches, for example. Larger toys are also contemplated, with lengths of a foot or more. Such large toys can be operated by two hands, and will tend to make louder, more obnoxious sounds, which is preferred in the invention. However, small toys with a total length of an inch or so are also contemplated in the invention.

The spheres have a diameter 28. The diameter 28, for example, can be in the range of about ⅛ to 2 inches. Larger spheres can be used on larger toys. Typically, the spheres will have a diameter of about ½-1.25inches. Conventional hardened steel ball bearings with a diameter of about ½ or ¾ inch are particularly useful in the invention. Also, the use of spheres with dissimilar diameters in contemplated in the invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

The spheres 26 can be attached to the terminal ends 24 in many ways. Soldering with a soft solder (e.g. tin-silver solder) is particularly preferred. However, other techniques and materials can also be used such as spot welding, welding, brazing, epoxy, polymeric glues and adhesives. Some attachment techniques may work best if a flat side (not shown) is ground into the sphere at the point of attachment with the terminal end 24. Such a ground flat will provide a rough surface facilitating bonding of a glue or metal weld. The sphere can also be attached by an insert molding process in which a polymeric mold material (e.g. nylon, polypropylene) is molded around the sphere and the terminal end 24. In this case, the mold material must have an opening such that the spheres can contact one another directly. There are many ways to attach the spheres in the present invention. The scope of the present invention and appended claims is not limited in the method or material used for attachment of the spheres.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment having ball attachment loops 30. The loops 30 are formed from the wire comprising the two legs 20. Attachment between the ball attachment loops 30 and spheres 26 can be provided by solder, brazing or glue, for example. The toy of FIG. 3 also has finger grips 25 formed from the resilient wire comprising the legs and loop 22. The finger grips 25 comprise U-shaped bends in the wire. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the legs 20, loops 30, finger grips 25 and loop 22 can comprise a continuous length of spring-temper steel shaped by a wirebending machine. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the portion 27 between the fingergrips 25 and ball attachment loops 30 is resilient, as preferred in the invention. Optionally, only the finger grips 25 are resilient. It is important to note that in the present invention, only a part of the legs 20 needs to be resilient.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative way to attach the spheres 26 onto the terminal ends 24. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the spheres have holes 34, and terminal ends 24 of the wire are inserted in the holes 34. The terminal ends 24 can comprise a straight wire. The terminal ends 24 can be secured in the holes 34 with glue or adhesive (e.g. epoxy). The spheres 26 with holes 34 can be molded or cast from a ceramic material such as ferrite, with the holes formed by the molding or casting process. Alternatively, if steel spheres are used, the holes 34 can be formed (e.g. drilled) in the steel spheres before the steel is hardened by heat treatment.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment in which the spheres 26 are replaced by hemispheres 36. Although spheres are preferred in the invention, the spheres can be replaced with objects having nonspherical shapes. In the present invention, it is essential for interior contacting surfaces 38 of the objects to have point contact when they are brought together. Hence, at least one of the objects must have a convex shape (the other object can be flat or possibly even concave). If one of the objects has a flat surface, then the other object must have a convex surface such that they have point contact. Nonspherical shapes such as spheroids, ellipsoids or other shapes with only convex or flat surfaces can be used. Shapes such as cup shapes or spoon shapes can also be used, provided they have surfaces 38 that contact at a point (e.g. convex surfaces), and a high hardness at the point of contact.

Preferably, the objects have a thickness 40 in the movement direction (i.e. the direction of movement when the objects are bouncing) that is at least about 1/16 inch, or, more preferably, ⅛, ¼ or ½ inch. A relatively large thickness tends to prevent permanent deformation of the objects, which can result in deadening of the sound.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment in which the U-shaped handle comprises a U-shaped wire 42 without a bottom loop 22. Alternatively, the U-shaped handle can include a bottom loop 22, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment in which the U-shaped handle has a base 44 with the legs 20 fixedly attached to the base 44. In this case, the legs 20 can comprise two separate lengths of resilient wire or lengths of rubber, for example. The base can be made of molded plastic, wood, or soft foam. Alternatively, the legs 20 can comprise a single length of wire, and the base 44 can cover the single wire comprising the legs 20. The base 44 can function as a handle, making the toy easier to hold and manipulate.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment having 2 spheres 26, and a post 45 supporting a third object or sphere 47. The third sphere 47 can be identical to the spheres 26. The post 45 can be resilient or rigid. Finger grips 25 can be provided on the legs 20, and, optionally, on the post 45. In operation, all three of the spheres 2647 can be colliding and bouncing. Also, the spheres 26 can be pressed into the third sphere 47 in an alternating fashion, so that a nearly continuous clicking and buzzing noise is created. The legs 20 and middle post 45 can comprise three separate lengths of resilient spring steel wire. The base 44 can comprise wood, molded plastic or the like. Like the spheres 26, the third sphere 47 must be hard (at least 35 Rockwell C, preferably at least 40 or 50 Rockwell C), and must have convex or flat surfaces where it contacts the spheres 26 such that spheres 26 and sphere 47 have make contact at a point. The present invention and appended claims includes embodiments having 3, 4 or more colliding and bouncing objects.

In another alternative embodiment, the post 45 and third sphere 47 are moved alternatively side to side to alternately bounce against the spheres 26. In this case, a fingergrip (not shown) can be provided on the post 45).

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment in which the toy includes sound emitting plates 50 for coupling sound to the air. The plates 50 can be attached anywhere along the legs 20, to the spheres 26, to the bottom loop 22, or to the base 44 (not shown). The plates should be rigid and can be made of plastic or metal, for example. The plates 50 can have a cup or cone shape (e.g. such as the plates attached to the bottom loop 22). The plates 50 tend to increase the volume of sound emitted by the toy. When in use, vibrations from the bouncing spheres travels through the legs and handle generally. This sound is coupled to the air due to the high surface area of the plates 50.

FIG. 10 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention in which the spheres are attached to the legs 20 by a molded material 52. The molded material 52 can be plastic such as nylon or polypropylene. The molded material 52 is attached to the legs 20. Specifically, the legs 20 may have an S-curve portion that mechanically locks with the molded material 52. The molded material 52 must have open portions 54 where the spheres 26 are exposed such that the spheres 26 can contact each other directly.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11, the molded material 52 is resilient (e.g. made of rubber or silicone), and the legs 20 are made of the molded material. In this case, the molded material 52 can be considered to be the terminal end of the legs 20 where it is in contact with the spheres 26. The molded material 52 and legs 20 can be made of a single, monolithic piece of molded plastic or rubber. Finger grips (not shown) may be molded into the legs 20 of the toy of FIG. 11. In this case, the finger grips can comprise flat areas on the legs 20. The embodiment of FIG. 11 is within the scope of the present invention and appended claims.

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment in which a guide is provided to assure that the legs 20 do not twist when the handle is squeezed. The guide in the specific embodiment of FIG. 12 has a guide wire 60 on one leg 20a. The guide wire 60 passes through the guide loop 62. The other leg 20b has a guide loop 62 (seen edge-on) for receiving the guide wire 60. When the legs 20 are pressed together, the guide wire 60 travels through the guide loop 62, thereby assuring that the legs 20 do not twist and that the objects 26 remain aligned and do not miss each other. Without the guide wire 60 and guide loop 62, sometimes the objects to not collide, or to collide in a glancing fashion. Glancing collisions between the objects are undesirable.

FIG. 13 illustrates another mechanism for maintaining alignment between the legs 20 and preventing twisting. FIG. 13 includes a cross-sectional view. The mechanism has a block 70 with a cut-out slot 72. The slot accommodates the legs 20. The slot maintains coplanarity of the legs 20 and thereby prevents glancing collisions of the objects 26.

Also, it is noted that colorful foam rubber or other soft, comfortable materials can be used for the handle. For example, foam rubber can be coated over the wire to make it more comfortable to grip.

It will be clear to one skilled in the art that the above embodiment may be altered in many ways without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A noisemaking toy, comprising: a) a U-shaped handle, with first and second legs, and each leg having a terminal end; b) two objects, with one object attached to each terminal end, wherein at least a part of each of the legs is resilient; wherein the U-shaped handle is bendable by hand to cause the objects to contact each other, wherein the objects are shaped to contact each other at a point; and wherein the objects have a hardness of at least 35 Rockwell C at the point of contact.

2. The noisemaking toy of claim 1 wherein the objects are steel spheres.

3. The noisemaking toy of claim 1 wherein the objects have hardness at the point of contact of at least 45 Rockwell C.

4. The noisemaking toy of claim 1 wherein the U-shaped handle comprises a continuous length of resilient wire.

5. The noisemaking toy of claim 1 wherein each of the legs is resilient in at least a part of an upper half closest to the objects.

6. The noisemaking toy of claim 1 wherein the U-shaped handle comprises a U-shaped spring steel wire, and wherein the objects are hardened steel spheres.

7. The noisemaking toy of claim 1 wherein the objects have a thickness in a direction of movement of at least 0.125 inches.

8. The noisemaking toy of claim 1 wherein each object has a hole, and the terminal ends are disposed in the holes.

9. The noisemaking toy of claim 1 further comprising finger grips located on the legs, and wherein the legs are resilient in at least a portion between the finger grips and objects.

10. The noisemaking toy of claim 1 wherein the objects have a yield strength of at least 100,000 psi.

11. The noisemaking toy of claim 1 further comprising a middle post and third object disposed on the middle post, wherein the third object makes point contact with each of the two objects, and wherein the third object has a hardness of at least 35 Rockwell C and a yield strength of at least 100,000 psi.

12. A noisemaking toy, comprising: a) a U-shaped handle, with first and second legs, and each leg having a terminal end; b) two objects, with one object disposed on each terminal end; and wherein the U-shaped handle is bendable by hand to cause the objects to contact each other, wherein the legs are each resilient in at least a part of an upper half closest to the objects; wherein the objects are shaped to contact each other at a point; and wherein the objects have a hardness of at least 35 Rockwell C at the point of contact; and

13. The noisemaking toy of claim 12 wherein the objects are steel spheres.

14. The noisemaking toy of claim 12 wherein the objects have hardness at the point of contact of at least 45 Rockwell C.

15. The noisemaking toy of claim 12 wherein the U-shaped handle comprises a continuous length of resilient wire.

16. The noisemaking toy of claim 12 wherein the U-shaped handle comprises a U-shaped spring steel wire, and wherein the objects are hardened steel spheres.

17. The noisemaking toy of claim 12 wherein the objects have a thickness in the direction of movement of at least 0.125 inches.

18. The noisemaking toy of claim 12 wherein each object has a hole, and the terminal ends are disposed in the holes.

19. The noisemaking toy of claim 12 further comprising finger grips located on the legs, and wherein the legs are resilient in at least a portion between the finger grips and objects.

20. The noisemaking toy of claim 12 wherein the objects have a yield strength of at least 150,000 psi.

21. A noisemaking toy, comprising: a) a U-shaped handle, with first and second legs, and each leg having a terminal end; b) two spheres, with one sphere attached to each terminal end, c) finger grips located on the legs; wherein the legs are bendable by squeezing together the finger grips to cause the spheres to contact each other at a point, wherein the spheres have a hardness of at least 40 Rockwell C at the point of contact; and wherein at least a portion of the legs between the finger grips and the spheres is resilient.

22. The noisemaking toy of claim 21 wherein the spheres have hardness at the point of contact of at least 50 Rockwell C.

23. The noisemaking toy of claim 21 wherein the spheres have a yield strength of at least 150,000 psi.