Jingle bracelet
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- LOVEVERY INC
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-03
AI Technical Summary
Existing noise-making toys for children do not effectively integrate audible feedback with gross motor control, limiting their developmental benefits.
A jingle bracelet featuring a continuous strap with multiple bells, each comprising a bell frame, a bell housing, and a ringer, designed to produce an audible tone when shaken, thereby associating sound with motor movements.
The jingle bracelet enhances child development by providing audible feedback that correlates with gross motor control, promoting motor skill development and sensory integration.
Smart Images
Figure US2023082713_30012025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] JINGLE BRACELET
[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] This invention relates to toys, and more particularly to a bracelet for children that makes noise when shaken.
[0004] BACKGROUND
[0005] Noise-making toys can be important for young child development. Toys that attach to a part of the body and make noise when moved can help associate audible feedback with gross motor control. Toys of this type have been known for a long time but improvements are always sought.
[0006] SUMMARY
[0007] Several aspects of the invention feature a jingle bracelet for children. The jingle bracelet includes a strap and multiple bells disposed about the strap. The strap is in a form of a continuous loop sized to fit about a wrist of a child. The multiple bells are disposed at spaced apart locations about the strap. Each bell has a bell frame, a bell housing, and a ringer. The bell frame has two opposite ends defining slots through which the strap passes, securing the bell to the strap. The bell frame also defines an aperture between the two opposite ends. The bell housing is secured to the bell frame and disposed within the aperture of the bell frame. The ringer is disposed within the bell housing and free to move around to strike the bell housing as the jingle bracelet is shaken. The bell housing is of an ovoid shape with a maximum lateral dimension aligned with the aperture of the bell frame and a minimum lateral dimension oriented perpendicular to the aperture.
[0008] In some embodiments, the bell housing has a metallic interior surface defining an internal chamber. In some cases, the ringer is disposed within the internal chamber.
[0009] In some examples, the bell housing may consist of a contiguous piece of metal forming both the metallic interior surface and a metallic outer surface of the bell housing and being of a constant thickness. The metallic inner surface can define an internal chamber.
[0010] In some embodiments, the bell housing defines an opening into the internal chamber defined by the interior surface. In some cases, the opening is sized to disallow passage of the ringer. The opening may include a slot extending across an outer surface of the bell housing.
[0011] The slot of the opening may have enlarged ends.
[0012] In some embodiments, the slot of the opening is aligned with the strap.
[0013] In some examples, the bell housing is permanently secured to the bell frame about an entire perimeter of the bell housing at the aperture.
[0014] In some cases, a perimeter of the bell housing at the aperture is round.
[0015] In some other examples, at the bell frame the strap is routed to an inside of the jingle bracelet with respect to the bell housing.
[0016] In some cases, the jingle bracelet has three bells evenly spaced about the strap.
[0017] In some embodiments, the bell housing has a protrusion extending outward about its perimeter at its maximum lateral dimension and disposed within a recess defined in the bell frame at the aperture. In some cases, the bell housing is unattached other than at the protrusion.
[0018] In some embodiments, the ringer consists of a spherical ball. In some cases, the spherical ball is metallic.
[0019] In some embodiments, in the minimum lateral dimension of the bell housing is between 55 and 75 percent of the maximum lateral dimension.
[0020] In some embodiments, the bell housing has a first shell portion and a second shell portion coupled to the first shell portion. In some cases, the first shell portion and the second shell portion extend opposite each other from a central plane by different heights.
[0021] In some cases, the bell housing is non-spherical.
[0022] In some examples, the bell housing is defined by a major axis parallel to a center plane of the strap and a minor axis perpendicular to the center plane of the strap.
[0023] In some embodiments, the strap is flexible.
[0024] The strap may be made of an elastic.
[0025] Another aspect of the invention features, in combination with the jingle bracelet, a wooden handle defining a channel sized to accept the strap of the jingle bracelet.
[0026] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. The present disclosure relates to a jingle bracelet for children. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0027] Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a jingle bracelet.
[0028] Fig. IB is a top view of the jingle bracelet of Fig. 1A.
[0029] Figs. 1C-1E is are side views of the jingle bracelet of Fig. 1A.
[0030] Fig. IF is a cross section view of the jingle bracelet of Fig. 1A.
[0031] Figs. 1G-1M are views of a bell housing of the jingle bracelet of Fig. 1A.
[0032] Figs. 1N-1T are views of the bell housing positioned in a bell frame of the jingle bracelet of Fig. 1 A.
[0033] Fig. 2A is a front view of the jingle bracelet of the Fig. 1A installed on a wooden handle.
[0034] Fig. 2B is a perspective view of the wooden handle of Fig. 2A.
[0035] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the jingle bracelet of FIG. 1A showing the bell housing inserted into a test device.
[0036] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
[0037] DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] This description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. There are and will be other examples and modifications within the scope of the following claims.
[0039] A jingle bracelet is a toy designed to produce an audible tone when moved or shaken by a person. The jingle bracelet has a strap and multiple bells attached to and spaced apart about the strap. Each bell includes a bell frame having an aperture with the bell frame attached to the strap, a bell housing secured in the aperture, and a ringer within the bell housing. The ringer is free to move around to strike the bell housing as the jingle bracelet is shaken. The bell housing has an ovoid shape with a maximum lateral dimension aligned with the aperture of the bell frame and a minimum lateral dimension oriented perpendicular to the aperture.
[0040] Figs. 1A-1G show a jingle bracelet 100 for children. The jingle bracelet 100 has a strap 102 multiple bells 104a-c spaced apart about the strap 102. The jingle bracelet 100 has three bells 104a-c evenly spaced about the strap 102. For example, the three bells 104a- c can be placed at approximately 120° from each other around the strap 102. Alternatively, the jingle bracelet 100 can have one, two, four, five, or more bells 104a-c.
[0041] The strap 102 forms a continuous loop. The strap 102 is sized to fit about a wrist of a child (not shown). The strap 102 is configured to receive and retain the bells 104a-c. In some cases, the strap 102 is flexible. In some cases, the strap 102 is elastic. The strap 102 can be flexible and elastic to fit over the child’s fist and onto the child’s wrist and still be comfortable to the child.
[0042] The strap 102 can be constructed from a textile including organic or inorganic fibers. In some cases, the textile includes an elastic material. Sometimes, the strap 102 can be constructed from a material such as a rubber or a polymer.
[0043] The strap 102 is formed of multiple strap portions 106a-c. Each strap portion 106a- c has a strap portion-first end 108 and a strap portion-second end 110. The strap portion- first ends 108 and the strap portion-second ends 110 are generally similar. The strap portions 106a-c are coupled together end to end, that is, each of the strap portions 106a-c are coupled together by the strap portion-first ends 108 and the strap portion-second ends 110. For example, the ends 108, 110 can be stitched, sewn, or heat pressed together.
[0044] Alternatively, the strap 102 can be formed in a single loop. For example, the strap 102 can be formed by extrusion and slicing. The bells 104a-c can be placed on the strap 102 and opposing ends of the strap 102 can be coupled by heat and / or pressure to form the single loop.
[0045] Sometimes, the strap 102 can be decorated. For example, the strap 102 can have artwork or designs which can be pleasing to the child. The strap 102 can be of one or many colors or covered partially or completely in artwork.
[0046] The bells 104a-c are disposed at spaced apart at different locations 112a-c about the strap 102. The bells 104a-c are coupled to the strap 102. The strap 102 engages the bells 104a-c to generally retain the bells 104a-c spaced apart at the different locations 112a-c. Sometimes, the bells 104a-c can slide relative to the strap 102 and along the strap 102 when an external force is applied to the bells.
[0047] Fig. IB is a top view of the jingle bracelet of Fig. 1 A. Figs. 1C-1E is are side views of the jingle bracelet of Fig. 1A. Fig. IF is a cross section view of the jingle bracelet of Fig. 1A. Figs. 1G-1M are views of a bell housing of the jingle bracelet of Fig. 1A. Figs. 1N-1T are views of the bell housing positioned in a bell frame of the jingle bracelet of Fig. 1A. Referring to Figs. 1A-1T, each bell 104a-c has a bell frame 114 (shown in Figs. 1A- 1E and 1N-1T), a bell housing 116 (shown in Figs. 1A-1T), and a ringer 118 (shown in Fig. IF and 1G).
[0048] Referring to Figs. 1A-1E and 1N-1T, the bell frame 114 is coupled to the strap 102. The bell frame 114 has two opposite ends 120 defining slots 122 through which the strap 102 passes. The strap 102 passing through the slots 122 of the bell frame 114 secures the bell frame 114 (i.e., the bell 104a-c) to the strap 102. The slots 122 are sized and shaped to pass the strap 102 and generally maintain different locations 112a-c of the bells 104a-c spaced apart. The slots 122 are generally rectangular. In some cases, the slots 122 are rectangular-shaped or rounded rectangle-shaped. At the bell frame 114, the strap 102 is routed to an inside 124 (shown in Figs. 1 A-B and IF) of the jingle bracelet 100 with respect to the bell housing 116.
[0049] The bell frame 114 has a rounded profile 126. In some cases, the rounded profile 126 generally conforms to the wrist of the child.
[0050] The bell frame 114 defines an aperture 128 between the two opposite ends 120. The aperture 128 is evenly spaced from the two opposite ends 120. Alternatively, the aperture 128 can be offset toward one of the opposite ends 120. The aperture 128 is round, that is, circular shaped (shown in Figs. IQ and IS). The aperture 128 is sized to receive the bell housing 116 and couple to the bell housing 116 to permanently secure the bell housing 116 to the bell frame 114 about an entire perimeter 130 of the aperture 128.
[0051] The bell frame 114 defines a recess 162 in contact with the aperture 128. The recess 162 is sized and shaped to receive a portion of the bell housing 1 16. The recess 162 captures and holds the bell housing 116 in the aperture 128. In some cases, the recess 162 is further defined by a ring 164, which can be also referred to as a retaining ring. The ring 164 can couple with the bell housing 116 to secure the bell housing 116 to the bell frame 114. For example, the ring 164 can be ultrasonically welded to the bell frame 114. Alternatively, the bell housing 116 can be snapped, screwed, glued, or forced (force fit) into the bell frame 114.
[0052] The bell housing 116 is secured to the bell frame 114 and disposed within the aperture 128 of the bell frame 114. Referring to Figs. 1G-1M, the bell housing 116 has a first shell portion 132 and a second shell portion 134 coupled to the first shell portion 132. For example, the first shell portion 132 and the second shell portion 134 can be folded or welded together. The first shell portion 132 and the second shell portion 134, that is, the bell housing 116 defines an internal chamber 136 having an interior surface 138. The ringer 118 is disposed in the internal chamber 136 and is free to move around to strike the interior surface 138 of the bell housing 116 as the jingle bracelet 100 is shaken.
[0053] In some cases, the interior surface 138 is metal. For example, the bell housing 116 can be metal. Alternatively, the interior surface 138 can include a metallic coating or metal layer coupled to the first shell portion 132 and the second shell portion 134. Referring to FIG. 1 L, in other cases, the bell housing 116 consists of a contiguous piece of metal forming both the metallic interior surface 138 and a metallic outer surface 154 of the bell housing 116 and has a constant thickness 156.
[0054] The bell housing 116 is non-spherical, that is, the bell housing 116 is of an ovoid shape. Referring to Figs. 1H, 1J, and 1L-1M, the first shell portion 132 has a first shell portion-height 140. The second shell portion 134 has a second shell portion-height 142. The first shell portion-height 140 is greater than the second shell portion-height 142. The first shell portion 132 and the second shell portion 134 extend opposite each other from a center plane 144 by different heights 140, 142.
[0055] Referring to Fig. II (a middle cross section view of the bell housing 116), the bell housing 116 has a maximum lateral dimension 146. In the case of a circular bell profile like the one shown, the maximum lateral dimension 146 is the outer diameter of the bell housing 116. Thus, a perimeter 158 of the bell housing 116 at the aperture 128 is round. The maximum lateral diameter 146 is the maximum linear dimension of the bell housing and is aligned with the aperture 128 of the bell frame 114 when the bell housing 116 is positioned in the aperture 128. Referring to FIG., the bell housing 116 has minimum lateral dimension 148, that is, a height oriented perpendicular to the aperture 128. Minimum lateral dimension 148 is a minimum linear dimension of the bell housing 116. Thus, the bell housing has an overall ovoid shape, or the shape of a ‘flattened’ sphere.
[0056] Referring to Figs. 1J-1J, the bell housing 116 is defined by the maximum lateral dimension 146 which is a major axis of the bell housing 116 and parallel to the center plane 144 of the strap 102. The bell housing 116 is define by the minimum lateral dimension 148 which is a minor axis and is perpendicular to the center plane 144 of the strap 102. In some cases, the maximum lateral diameter 146 is 36.2 millimeter ± 0.5 millimeters. In some cases, the minimum lateral dimension 148 is 23.9 millimeters ± 0.5 millimeters. In some cases, the minimum lateral dimension 148 (the minor axis) of the bell housing 116 is between 55 and 75 percent of the maximum lateral dimension 146 (the major axis).
[0057] Referring to Figs. IF, 1G-1H, 1 J, and 1L-1M, the bell housing 116 has a protrusion 160 extending outward about its perimeter 158 at its maximum lateral dimension (i.e., the center plane 144). As shown in FIG. IF, the protrusion 160 is sized and shaped to be disposed within the recess 162 defined in the bell frame 114 at the aperture 128. In some cases, the bell housing 116 is unattached other than at the protrusion 160 to the bell frame 114. Referring to Figs. 1A, 1C-1H, IK, IM, and 10-1R, the bell housing 116 defines an opening 166 into the internal chamber 136 defined by the interior surface 138. The opening 166 is sized to disallow passage of the ringer 118 from the internal chamber 136.
[0058] The opening 166 is defined by a slot 168 extending across the outer surface 154 of the bell housing 116. The opening 166 has enlarged ends 170. The slot 168 and the enlarged ends 170 are sized to prevent the ringer 118 from exiting the internal chamber 136 as the jingle bracelet is shaken.
[0059] Referring to Figs. 1 A and 1C-1E, the slot 168 of the opening 166 is aligned with the strap 102. As shown in reference to Fig. ID, the slot 168 has a center axis 172 aligned to a center axis 174 of the strap 102.
[0060] Referring to Figs. 1F-1G, the ringer 118 is disposed within the bell housing 116 and free to move around to strike the bell housing 116 as the jingle bracelet 100 is shaken. In some cases, the ringer 118 is a spherical ball. In some cases, the ringer 118 is metallic.
[0061] Fig. 2A is a front view of the jingle bracelet of the Fig. 1A installed on a wooden handle. Fig. 2B is a perspective view of the wooden handle of Fig. 2 A a wooden handle defining a channel sized to accept the strap. Referring to Figs. 2A-2B, the jingle bracelet 100 is positioned on a wooden handle 200. The wooden handle 200 approximates the size and shape of the child’s wrist. Referring to Fig. 2B, the wooden handle 200 has a shaft 202 and a head portion 204 attached to the shaft 202. The shaft 202 has a ridge 206 on an opposite end of the shaft 202 from the head portion 204. The head portion 204 has a channel 208 recess in an outer surface 210. The channel 208 is sized to accept the jingle bracelet 100.
[0062] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the jingle bracelet 100 of Fig. 1A showing the bell housing 116 positioned in the bell frame 114, both inserted into a test device 300. Sometimes, when the minimum lateral dimension 148 the bell housing 1 16 perpendicular to the center plane 144 of the strap 102 exceeds a predetermined threshold safety dimension, beyond which safety of the child while playing with the jingle bracelet 100 may be decreased. The the bell housing 116 of the jingle bracelets 100 of various minimum lateral dimensions 148 can be inserted into the test device 300 to test the bell housing 116 relative to the predetermined threshold safety dimension.
[0063] The test device 300 has a body 302 having a cavity 304 extending from a top surface 306. The cavity 304 is defined by a depth 308 extending form the top surface 306 and a width 310. The width 310 corresponds to the predetermined threshold safety dimension. The bell housing 116 can be inserted into the cavity 304 of the test device 300 to verify that the bell housing 116 does not protrude too far from the bell frame 114 and the strap 102.
Claims
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. Ajingle bracelet (100) for children, comprising a strap (102) in a form of a continuous loop sized to fit about a wrist of a child; multiple bells (104a-c) disposed at spaced apart locations (112a-c) about the strap (102), each bell (104a-c) comprising a bell frame (114) having two opposite ends (120) defining slots (122) through which the strap (102) passes, thereby securing the bell (104a-c) to the strap (102), the bell frame (114) also defining an aperture (128) between the two opposite ends (120); a bell housing (116) secured to the bell frame (114) and disposed within the aperture (128) of the bell frame (1 14); and a ringer (118) disposed within the bell housing (116) and free to move around to strike the bell housing (116) as the jingle bracelet (100) is shaken, wherein the bell housing (116) is of an ovoid shape with a maximum lateral dimension (146) aligned with the aperture (128) of the bell frame (114) and a minimum lateral dimension (148) oriented perpendicular to the aperture (128).
2. The jingle bracelet (100) according to claim 1, wherein the bell housing (116) has a metallic interior surface (138) defining an internal chamber (136), and wherein the ringer (118) is disposed within the internal chamber (136).
3. The jingle bracelet (100) according to claim 2, wherein the bell housing (116) consists of a contiguous piece of metal forming both the metallic interior surface (138) and a metallic outer surface (154) of the bell housing (116) and being of a constant thickness, the metallic inner surface (154) defining an internal chamber (136).
4. The jingle bracelet (100) according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the bell housing (116) defines an opening (166) into the internal chamber (136) defined by the interior surface (138), the opening (166) sized to disallow passage of the ringer (118).
5. The jingle bracelet (100) according to claim 4, wherein the opening (166) comprises a slot (168) extending across an outer surface (154) of the bell housing (116).
6. The jingle bracelet (100) according to claim 5, wherein the slot (168) of the opening (166) has enlarged ends (170).
7. The jingle bracelet (100) according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the slot (168) of the opening (166) is aligned with the strap (102).
8. The jingle bracelet (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the bell housing (116) is permanently secured to the bell frame (114) about an entire perimeter of the bell housing (116) at the aperture (128).
9. The jingle bracelet (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a perimeter (158) of the bell housing (116) at the aperture (128) is round.
10. The jingle bracelet (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at the bell frame (114) the strap (102) is routed to an inside of the jingle bracelet (100) with respect to the bell housing (116).
11. The jingle bracelet (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the jingle bracelet (100) comprises three bells (104a-c) evenly spaced about the strap (102).
12. The jingle bracelet (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the bell housing (116) has a protrusion (160) extending outward about its perimeter (158) at its maximum lateral dimension (146) and disposed within a recess (162) defined in the bell frame (114) at the aperture (128).
13. The jingle bracelet (100) according to claim 12, wherein the bell housing (116) is unattached other than at the protrusion (160).
14. The jingle bracelet (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the ringer (118) consists of a spherical ball.
15. The jingle bracelet (100) according to claim 14, wherein the spherical ball is metallic.
16. The jingle bracelet (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the minimum lateral dimension (148) of the bell housing (116) is between 55 and 75 percent of the maximum lateral dimension (146).
17. The jingle bracelet (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the bell housing (116) comprises a first shell portion (132) and a second shell portion (134) coupled to the first shell portion (132).
18. The jingle bracelet (100) according to claim 17, wherein the first shell portion (132) and the second shell portion (132) extend opposite each other from a central plane (144) by different heights (140, 142).
19. The jingle bracelet (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the bell housing (116) is non-spherical.
20. The jingle bracelet (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the bell housing (116) is defined by a major axis (146) parallel to a center plane (144) of the strap (102) and a minor axis (148) perpendicular to the center plane (144) of the strap (102).
21. The jingle bracelet (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the strap (102) is flexible.
22. The jingle bracelet (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the strap (102) comprises an elastic.
23. The jingle bracelet (100) according to any one of claim 1 to 22, further comprising a wooden handle (200) defining a channel (208) sized to accept the strap (102).