Toy wind instrument

Abstract

A toy closed tube wind instrument (100) includes a tube body (102), a mouthpiece (104), and a series of flexible straps (106, 108, 110, 112, 114) attached to the tube body (102). The tube body (102) defines a plurality of spaced apart lumens (116, 118, 120, 122, 124) having different internal lengths (606, 608, 610, 612, 614). The mouthpiece (104) defines a plurality of spaced apart channels (146, 148, 150, 152, 154) to direct blowing air through the open end (126, 128, 130, 132, 134) of a respective one of the lumens (116, 118, 120, 122, 124) to emit a respective tone. Each of a series of flexible belts (106, 108, 110, 112, 114) is positioned within the field of view of the child blowing towards the mouthpiece to provide a visual indication of the airflow.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to toys, and more particularly to musical toy wind instruments for children. BACKGROUND

[0002] Music-rich environments can provide many developmental benefits to young children. For example, musical toys can be designed to promote the development of children's creativity and independence while building hand-eye coordination and critical thinking skills. Improvements in the design, configuration, and safety of such musical toys and components thereof are continually sought. SUMMARY

[0003] Generally described, the present disclosure relates to a toy wind instrument that includes a tube, a mouthpiece, and a series of bands to provide visual indications of a child's interaction with the toy wind instrument.

[0004] In one aspect, a toy closed tube wind instrument includes a tube, a mouthpiece, and a series of flexible bands attached to the tube. The tube defines a plurality of spaced-apart tube cavities having different internal lengths. Each tube cavity is closed at one end of the tube and has an open end. The mouthpiece defines a plurality of spaced-apart passages each extending from an inlet to an outlet arranged to direct blown air through the open end of a respective one of the tube cavities to emit a respective tone. Each band of the series of flexible bands extends beyond the open end of a respective one of the tube cavities to intercept the flow of blown air. The bands are positioned within a child's field of view when blowing into the mouthpiece to provide visual indications of the flow of air.

[0005] In some embodiments, the bands have different colors.

[0006] In some embodiments, the wind instrument is combined with a music book, the notes of the music book being colored to match the colors of the bands.

[0007] In some embodiments, the wind instrument is combined with a set of bells, the notes of the set of bells being colored to match the colors of the bands.

[0008] In some embodiments, the respective tones are all the tones of a pentatonic scale.

[0009] In some embodiments, the tube defines five spaced-apart tube cavities having different internal lengths.

[0010] In some embodiments, the open ends of the tube cavities lie in a common plane, and wherein the bands are positioned to pass through the common plane.

[0011] In some embodiments, the series of flexible bands are attached to the tube by a housing coupled to the tube.

[0012] In some embodiments, the housing is sonic welded to a front surface of the tube.

[0013] In some embodiments, the housing is glued to the front surface of the tube.

[0014] In some embodiments, a first end of each band is wrapped around the insert; a second end of each band extends beyond the opening end of a corresponding lumen; and a housing is positioned above the first end of each band and the insert.

[0015] In some embodiments, at least one of the lumens has an inner diameter different from the other lumens.

[0016] In some embodiments, the internal length of each lumen is in the range of 95 mm to 165 mm.

[0017] In some embodiments, the inner diameter of each lumen is in the range of 11.4 mm to 11.5 mm.

[0018] In some embodiments, the mouthpiece also includes a series of tone indicators positioned along the upper surface of the mouthpiece and aligned with the corresponding cavities to provide a visual indication of the tone emitted by the respective cavities.

[0019] In some embodiments, each tone indicator protrudes above the upper surface of the mouthpiece.

[0020] In some embodiments, the upper surface of the mouthpiece is angled downward toward the opening end of the cavity.

[0021] Details of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the specification, drawings, and claims. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a toy wind instrument.

[0023] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Front view of a toy wind instrument.

[0024] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Rear view of a toy wind instrument.

[0025] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A top view of a toy wind instrument.

[0026] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A bottom view of a toy wind instrument.

[0027] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 An exploded cross-section of a toy wind instrument.

[0028] Figure 7 is a right side view of the toy wind instrument of Figure 1

[0029] Figure 8 is a left side view of the toy wind instrument of Figure 1

[0030] Figure 9 is an exploded view of the toy wind instrument of Figure 1

[0031] The same reference numbers in the various drawings represent the same elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Figure 1 A toy wind instrument 100 is shown, which can be used by a young child (e.g., 18 months to 6 years old) for play and / or educational purposes. The toy wind instrument 100 includes a tube body 102, a mouthpiece 104 attached to the tube body 102, and a series of flexible bands 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 attached to the tube body 102.

[0033] The tube body 102 defines a plurality of spaced-apart tube lumens 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 extending through the tube body 102. Referring to Figures 1 to 6 , each of the tube lumens 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 has an open end 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 proximate the mouthpiece 104, and a closed end 136, 138, 140, 142, 144 opposite the open end 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 of the respective tube lumen 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. Each tube lumen 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 of the tube body 102 extends longitudinally between the respective open end 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 and the respective closed end 136, 138, 140, 142, 144. As can be seen in Figure 1 , the open ends 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 of each tube lumen 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 are positioned along a common plane 121. In some embodiments, the tube body 102 is formed by injection molding.

[0034] From Figures 6 to 8 ​​​As can be seen, each of the lumens 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 defines a different respective internal length 606, 608, 610, 612, 614 measured between the open end 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 and the closed end 136, 138, 140, 142, 144 of the respective lumen 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. In some embodiments, the first lumen 116 has an internal length 606 of about 95.8 millimeters, the second lumen 118 has an internal length 608 of about 107.2 millimeters, the third lumen 120 has an internal length 610 of about 128.2 millimeters, the fourth lumen 122 has an internal length 612 of about 145.6 millimeters, and the fifth lumen 124 has an internal length 614 of about 163.6 millimeters.

[0035] Referring to Figure 6 Each of the respective lumens 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 defines a cylindrical cavity having a respective inner diameter 616, 618, 620, 622, 624. In some embodiments, the inner diameter 616, 618, 620, 622, 624 of one or more of the lumens 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 is the same. In some embodiments, the inner diameter 616, 618, 622 of the first lumen 116, the second lumen 118, and the fourth lumen 122 is about 11.48 millimeters, and the inner diameter 602, 604 of the third lumen 120 and the fifth lumen 124 is about 11.49 millimeters.

[0036] In some embodiments, each tube lumen 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 produces a unique tone (also referred to herein as a pitch) when air is directed over and into the respective tube lumen 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. The pitch produced by each tube lumen 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 is based on a combination of the internal length 606, 608, 610, 612, 614 of the respective tube lumen 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 and the internal diameter 616, 618, 620, 622, 624 of the respective tube lumen 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. In some embodiments, each tube lumen 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 is configured to produce a specific note of the five sound scale when air is directed over and into the respective tube lumen 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. For example, when air is directed into the first tube lumen 116, the first tube lumen 116 produces a tone corresponding to the “A” note on the five sound scale, when air is directed into the second tube lumen 118, the second tube lumen 118 produces a tone corresponding to the “G” note on the five sound scale, when air is directed into the third tube lumen 120, the third tube lumen 120 produces a tone corresponding to the “E” note on the five sound scale, when air is directed into the fourth tube lumen 122, the fourth tube lumen 122 produces a tone corresponding to the “D” note on the five sound scale, and when air is directed into the fifth tube lumen 124, the fifth tube lumen 124 produces a tone corresponding to the “C” note on the five sound scale.

[0037] The mouthpiece 104 of the toy wind instrument 100 can be used to direct air over and into the tube lumens 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. The mouthpiece 104 is coupled to the tube body 102 along a top surface of the tube body 102 proximate the open ends 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 of the tube lumens 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 104 is sonic welded to the tube body 102. Referring to Figure 1 、 Figure 3 and Figure 6 The mouthpiece 104 defines a plurality of passages 146, 148, 150, 152, 154 spaced apart from one another. Each of the passages 146, 148, 150, 152, 154 extends through the body 105 of the mouthpiece 104 between a respective inlet 166, 168, 170, 172, 174 on the front surface 107 of the mouthpiece 104 and a respective outlet 176, 178, 180, 182, 184 on the back surface 109 of the mouthpiece 104. From Figure 1 and Figure 6As can be seen, the passages 146, 148, 150, 152, 154 extend through the body 105 of the mouthpiece 104 in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lumens 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 and substantially parallel to the plane 121, the open ends 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 of the lumens 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 being positioned along the plane 121.

[0038] As can be seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the toy musical instrument 100 includes a mouthpiece 104 that is configured to be held by a user of the toy musical instrument 100 and to be placed in the user's mouth. The mouthpiece 104 includes a body 105 that is configured to be held by the user of the toy musical instrument 100 and to be placed in the user's mouth. The body 105 includes a front surface 107 that is configured to be placed in the user's mouth. The body 105 also includes an upper surface 111 that is configured to be placed in the user's mouth. The body 105 further includes a lower surface 113 that is configured to be placed in the user's mouth. The body 105 also includes a first inlet 166, a second inlet 168, a third inlet 170, a fourth inlet 172, and a fifth inlet 174 that are configured to be placed in the user's mouth. The first inlet 166 is positioned on the front surface 107 of the body 105. The second inlet 168 is positioned on the front surface 107 of the body 105. The third inlet 170 is positioned on the front surface 107 of the body 105. The fourth inlet 172 is positioned on the front surface 107 of the body 105. The fifth inlet 174 is positioned on the front surface 107 of the body 105. The first inlet 166 is configured to be placed in the user's mouth. The second inlet 168 is configured to be placed in the user's mouth. The third inlet 170 is configured to be placed in the user's mouth. The fourth inlet 172 is configured to be placed in the user's mouth. The fifth inlet 174 is configured to be placed in the user's mouth. Figure 1 Figure 6 As can be seen, each of the outlets 176, 178, 180, 182, 184 is positioned proximate to the open end 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 of the respective lumen 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. As a result, a portion of the air that exits through the outlets 176, 178, 180, 182, 184 of the respective passages 146, 148, 150, 152, 154 is directed through and into the respective lumen 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 proximate to the open end 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 of the outlet 176, 178, 180, 182, 184. In addition, the upper surface 111 of the mouthpiece 104 is angled downward toward the front surface 107 of the mouthpiece 104 in order to further direct the air that flows through the passages 146, 148, 150, 152, 154 of the mouthpiece 104 through and into the open ends of the respective lumens 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. For example, when a user of the toy musical instrument 100 blows through the inlets 166, 168, 170, 172, 174 of the mouthpiece 104, the air travels through the respective passages 146, 148, 150, 152, 154 and exits through the respective outlets 176, 178, 180, 182, 184 of the passages 146, 148, 150, 152, 154. As the air travels through the passages 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, the air is deflected downward by the upper surface 111 of the mouthpiece and a portion of the air that exits through the outlets 176, 178, 180, 182, 184 passes proximate to the open ends 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 of the lumens 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 proximate to the respective outlets 176, 178, 180, 182, 184. As the air passes proximate to the open ends 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 of the lumens 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, a portion of the air enters the lumens 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 and travels along the length of the lumens 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, which causes the lumens 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 to produce a tone.

[0039] ​The mouthpiece 104 also includes a series of pitch indicators 186, 188, 190, 192, 194 positioned along the upper surface 111 of the mouthpiece 104. From Figure 1 and Figure 4 It can be seen that each of the pitch indicators 186, 188, 190, 192, 194 is aligned with a respective one of the tube lumens 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 so as to provide a visual indication of the pitch produced by each of the tube lumens 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. For example, the pitch indicators 186, 188, 190, 192, 194 are letters that indicate the musical note produced by air passing through the tube lumens 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 aligned with the respective pitch indicators 186, 188, 190, 192, 194. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 104 is injection molded polymer, and the pitch indicators 186, 188, 190, 192, 194 are formed on the upper surface 111 of the mouthpiece 104 during molding of the mouthpiece 104, and protrude above the upper surface 111 of the mouthpiece 104.

[0040] A series of flexible bands 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 are secured to the front surface 117 of the tube body 102 proximate the open ends 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 of the respective tube lumens 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. Referring to Figure 6 and Figure 9The first end 626, 628, 630, 632, 634 of each band 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 is wrapped around and coupled to the insert 646. In some embodiments, after the first end 626, 628, 630, 632, 634 of each band 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 is wrapped around the insert 646, the first end 626, 628, 630, 632, 634 is heat sealed to another portion of the respective band 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 to attach the band 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 to the insert 646. Once the bands 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 are wrapped around and coupled to the insert 646, the insert 646 is positioned on the front surface 117 of the tube body 102 such that the centerline of each band 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 is aligned with the centerline of the respective lumen 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. Once the insert 646 is properly positioned on the front surface 117 of the tube body 102, the front housing 119 is positioned over the insert 646 and a portion of each band 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, and the front housing 119 is coupled to the front surface 117 of the tube body 102 to attach the insert 646 and the bands 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 to the tube body 102. In some embodiments, the front housing 119 is glued and ultrasonically welded to the front surface 117 of the tube body 102.

[0041] From Figure 1 And Figures 6-8As can be seen, the second end 636, 638, 640, 642, 644 of each band 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 extends beyond the open end 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 of the corresponding lumen 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 and across the common plane 121 along which the open ends 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 of the lumens 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 are positioned. As a result, the bands 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 intercept the flow of air exiting the outlets 176, 178, 180, 182, 184 of the blowpiece 104 that are located near the open ends 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 of the corresponding lumens 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. In addition, the second end 636, 638, 640, 642, 644 of each band 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 is in the user’s field of view when the user blows through the blowpiece 104 of the toy wind instrument 100. As a result, the bands 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 provide a visual indication to the user of the flow of air into the corresponding lumen 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. For example, when the user blows through the passageway 146, 148, 150, 152, 154 in the blowpiece 104, air exits the blowpiece 104 through the corresponding outlet 176, 178, 180, 182, 184 of the passageway 146, 148, 150, 152, 154 and a first portion of the air that exits the blowpiece 104 enters the corresponding lumen 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 and a second portion of the air passes through the open end 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 of the corresponding lumen 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 and is intercepted by the corresponding band 106, 108, 110, 112, 114. When the air that exits the blowpiece contacts the bands 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, the bands 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 oscillate forward and backward. This movement of the bands provides a visual indication to the user that air is being provided to the corresponding lumen 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. As a result, a visual cue is provided to the user (e.g., a young child) of the particular note (e.g., a pentatonic scale) that is currently being played on the toy wind instrument 100.

[0042] In some implementations, each of the bands 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 is a different color. For example, in some implementations, the first band 106 is dark blue, the second band 108 is light blue, the third band 110 is yellow, the fourth band 112 is orange, and the fifth band 114 is red. The toy wind instrument 100 can be used in conjunction with other musical toys (e.g., bells) and books, and the notes played on the instruments comprising the toy wind instrument 100 and the notes depicted in the books can be identified using a common color scheme. For example, the color of each band 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 can provide a visual indication of the note produced by the corresponding tube cavity 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, and the same color can be used on the other musical toys and books to indicate the same note. As a result, children can deepen their understanding of music while interacting with the toy wind instrument 100 and the other included musical toys and books.

[0043] Referring to Figures 1-3 , 7, and 8, the toy wind instrument 100 includes a support rod 123 molded into the tube body 102 and wrapped around the outer surface of the tube body 102. The support rod 123 can provide additional structural support for the tube body 102 by preventing bending of the tube body 102, and preventing the tube cavities 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 from separating from one another. Additionally, the support rod 123 can provide additional grip for the user when holding the toy wind instrument 100.

[0044] While certain embodiments have been described, other embodiments are possible.

[0045] For example, while the toy wind instrument 100 has been depicted as having five tube cavities 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, other numbers of tube cavities are possible (e.g., 1, 2, 4, 6, etc.).

[0046] Additionally, while the toy wind instrument 100 has been described as being capable of producing notes of a five-note scale, the toy wind instrument 100 can be configured to produce other notes. For example, the internal length and / or internal diameter of the tube cavities 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 can be adjusted to produce different notes.

[0047] Furthermore, while the tone indicators 186, 188, 190, 192, 194 have been described as being molded into and protruding above the upper surface 111 of the mouthpiece 104, other types of tone indicators 186, 188, 190, 192, 194 can be used. For example, in some embodiments, the tone indicators 186, 188, 190, 192, 194 are printed on the upper surface 111 of the mouthpiece 104. In some embodiments, the tone indicators 186, 188, 190, 192, 194 are stickers that are attached to the upper surface 111 of the mouthpiece 104. In some embodiments, the tone indicators 186, 188, 190, 192, 194 are embossed, debossed, or etched into the upper surface 111 of the mouthpiece.

[0048] Additionally, while the tube lumens 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 have been depicted as being arranged in a particular order, the tube lumens 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 can be arranged in a different order.

[0049] While a number of examples have been described, the foregoing description is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. The scope of the present application is defined by the scope of the following claims. Other examples and modifications, which will become apparent to the skilled artisan once the present disclosure is available, are intended to fall within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A toy enclosed wind instrument (100), comprising: A tube body (102) defining a plurality of spaced-apart lumens (116, 118, 120, 122, 124) having different internal lengths (606, 608, 610, 612, 614), each lumen (116, 118, 120, 122, 124) being closed at one end (136, 138, 140, 142, 144) of the tube body (102) and having an open end (126, 128, 130, 132, 134). A mouthpiece (104) defining a plurality of spaced-apart channels (146, 148, 150, 152, 154), each channel (146, 148, 150, 152, 154) extending from an inlet (166, 168, 170, 172, 174) to an outlet (176, 178, 180, 182, 184), arranged to guide blown air through the open end (126, 128, 130, 132, 134) of a corresponding cavity (116, 118, 120, 122, 124) to produce a corresponding tone; and A series of flexible bands (106, 108, 110, 112, 114) are attached to the tube body (102), each band (106, 108, 110, 112, 114) extending beyond the open end (126, 128, 130, 132, 134) of a corresponding cavity (116, 118, 120, 122, 124) to intercept the flow of blown air. The bands (106, 108, 110, 112, 114) are positioned within the field of vision of a child blowing air into the mouthpiece to provide a visual indication of the airflow.

2. The toy enclosed tube wind instrument according to claim 1, wherein, The bands (106, 108, 110, 112, 114) have different colors.

3. The toy enclosed wind instrument according to claim 2, wherein the wind instrument (100) and the music book are combined, the music book having notes colored to match the colors of the bands (106, 108, 110, 112, 114).

4. The toy enclosed wind instrument according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the wind instrument (100) and a set of bells are combined, the set of bells having notes colored to match the colors of the bands (106, 108, 110, 112, 114).

5. The toy enclosed wind instrument according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The corresponding pitches are all the pitches of the pentatonic scale.

6. The toy enclosed wind instrument according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein, The tube (102) defines five spaced lumens (116, 118, 120, 122, 124) with different internal lengths (606, 608, 610, 612, 614).

7. The toy enclosed wind instrument according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein, The open ends (126, 128, 130, 132, 134) of the lumens (116, 118, 120, 122, 124) are located in a common plane (121), and the bands (106, 108, 110, 112, 114) are positioned to pass through the common plane (121).

8. The toy enclosed wind instrument according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein, The series of flexible strips (106, 108, 110, 112, 114) are attached to the tube body (102) via a housing (119) connected to the tube body (102).

9. The toy enclosed tube wind instrument according to claim 8, wherein, The housing (119) is acoustically welded to the front surface (117) of the tube (102).

10. The toy enclosed tube wind instrument according to claim 8, wherein, The housing (119) is glued to the front surface (117) of the tube (102).

11. The toy enclosed wind instrument according to any one of claims 8-10, wherein: The first end (626, 628, 630, 632, 634) of each band (106, 108, 110, 112, 114) is wrapped around the insert (646); The second end (636, 638, 640, 642, 644) of each band (106, 108, 110, 112, 114) extends beyond the opening end (126, 128, 130, 132, 134) of the corresponding lumen (116, 118, 120, 122, 124); and The housing (119) is positioned above the first end (626, 628, 630, 632, 634) of each band (106, 108, 110, 112, 114) and the insert (646).

12. The toy enclosed wind instrument according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein, At least one of the lumens (116, 118, 120, 122, 124) has an inner diameter (616, 618, 620, 622, 624) that is different from the other lumens (116, 118, 120, 122, 124).

13. The toy enclosed wind instrument according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein, The internal lengths (606, 608, 610, 612, 614) of each of the lumens (116, 118, 120, 122, 124) are in the range of 95 mm to 165 mm.

14. The toy enclosed wind instrument according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein, The inner diameter (616, 618, 620, 622, 624) of each of the lumens (116, 118, 120, 122, 124) is in the range of 11.4 mm to 11.5 mm.

15. The toy enclosed tubular wind instrument according to any one of claims 1-14, wherein, The mouthpiece (104) also includes a series of tone indicators (186, 188, 190, 192, 194) positioned along the upper surface (111) of the mouthpiece (104) and aligned with the corresponding cavities (116, 118, 120, 122, 124) to provide a visual indication of the tone emitted by the corresponding cavities (116, 118, 120, 122, 124).

16. The toy enclosed tube wind instrument according to claim 15, wherein, Each tone indicator (186, 188, 190, 192, 194) protrudes above the upper surface (111) of the mouthpiece (104).

17. The toy enclosed wind instrument according to any one of claims 1-16, wherein, The upper surface (111) of the mouthpiece (104) is angled downward toward the opening end (126, 128, 130, 132, 134) of the cavity (116, 118, 120, 122, 124).

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