Toy wind instrument

Abstract

A toy closed-tube wind instrument (100) includes a tube body (102), a mouthpiece (104), and a series of flexible ribbons (106, 108, 110, 112, 114) attached to the tube body (102). The tube body (102) defines multiple, spaced apart tube chambers (116, 118, 120, 122, 124) of different internal lengths (606, 608, 610, 612, 614). The mouthpiece (104) defines multiple, spaced apart passages(146, 148, 150, 152, 154) to direct blown air across an open end (126, 128, 130, 132, 134) of a respective one of the tube chambers (116, 118, 120, 122, 124) to sound a respective tone. Each ribbon (106, 108, 110, 112, 114) of the series of flexible ribbons (106, 108, 110, 112, 114) is positioned to be within a field of view of a child blowing into the mouthpiece to provide a visual indication of air flow.

Description

[0001] TOY WIND INSTRUMENT

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] This disclosure relates to toys and more particularly to musical toy wind instruments for children.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] A music rich environment can provide numerous developmental benefits for young children. For example, musical toys can be designed to facilitate 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 their components are continually sought.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] In general, this disclosure relates to a toy wind instrument that includes a tube body, a mouthpiece, and a series of ribbons to provide a visual indication of a child’s interaction with the toy wind instrument.

[0008] In one aspect, a toy closed-tube wind instrument includes a tube body, a mouthpiece, a series of flexible ribbons attached to the tube body. The tube body defines multiple, spaced apart tube chambers of different internal lengths. Each tube chamber is closed at one end of the tube body and has an open end. The mouthpiece defines multiple, spaced apart passages, each passage extending from an inlet to an outlet arranged to direct blown air across the open end of a respective one of the tube chambers to sound a respective tone. Each ribbon of the series of flexible ribbons extends beyond the open end of a respective one of the tube chambers to intercept a flow of blown air. The ribbons are positioned to be within a field of view of a child blowing into the mouthpiece to provide a visual indication of air flow.

[0009] In some embodiments, the ribbons are of different colors.

[0010] In some embodiments, the wind instrument is in combination with a music book with notes colored to match the colors of the ribbons.

[0011] In some embodiments, the wind instrument is in combination with a set of bells with notes colored to match the colors of the ribbons.

[0012] In some embodiments, the respective tones are all tones of a pentatonic scale. In some embodiments, the tube body defines five spaced apart tube chambers of different internal lengths.

[0013] In some embodiments, the open ends of the tube chambers lie in a common plane, and wherein the ribbons are positioned to cross the common plane.

[0014] In some embodiments, the series of flexible ribbons are attached to the tube body by a housing coupled to the tube body.

[0015] In some embodiments, the housing is sonic welded to a front face of the tube body.

[0016] In some embodiments, the housing is glued to a front face of the tube body.

[0017] In some embodiments, a first end of each ribbon is wrapped around an insert; a second end of each ribbon extends beyond the open end of the respective one of the tube chambers; and the housing is positioned over the first end of each ribbon and the insert.

[0018] In some embodiments, at least one of the tube chambers has a different inner diameter than the other tube chambers.

[0019] In some embodiments, the internal length of each of the tube chambers is in a range of 95 mm to 165 mm.

[0020] In some embodiments, an inner diameter of each of the tube chambers is in a range of 11.4 mm to 11.5 mm.

[0021] In some embodiments, the mouthpiece further includes a series of tone indicators positioned along an upper surface of the mouthpiece and aligned with a respective tube chamber to provide a visual indication of the tone sounded by the respective tube chamber.

[0022] In some embodiments, each tone indicator is raised above the upper surface of the mouthpiece.

[0023] In some embodiments, an upper surface of the mouthpiece is angled downwards towards the open ends of the tube chambers.

[0024] The details of one or more embodiments of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

[0025] DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy wind instrument.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a front view of the toy wind instrument of FIG. 1.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the toy wind instrument of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a top view of the toy wind instrument of FIG. 1.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the toy wind instrument of FIG. 1.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional, exploded view of the toy wind instrument of FIG. 1.

[0031] FIG. 7 is a right side view of the toy wind instrument of FIG. 1.

[0032] FIG. 8 is a left side view of the toy wind instrument of FIG. 1.

[0033] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the toy wind instrument of FIG. 1.

[0034] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

[0035] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates a toy wind instrument 100 that can be used by a young child (e.g., between 18 months and 6 years of age) 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 ribbons 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 attached to the tube body 102.

[0037] The tube body 102 defines multiple, spaced apart tube chambers 116. 118, 120. 122, 124 extending through the tube body 102. Referring to FIGS. 1 -6, each of the tube chambers 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 chamber 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. Each tube chamber 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 of the tube body 102 extends longitudinally between a respective open end 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 and a respective closed end 136, 138, 140, 142, 144. FIG. 6. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the open end 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 of each of the tube chambers 116, 118. 120, 122, 124 lies along a common plane 121. In some implementations, the tube body 102 is formed by injection molding.

[0038] As can be seen in FIGS. 6-8, each of the tube chambers 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 define 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 tube chamber 116, 118, 120, 122. 124. In some implementations, a first tube chamber 116 has an internal length 606 of approximately 95.8 millimeters, a second tube chamber 118 has an internal length 608 of approximately 107.2 millimeters, a third tube chamber 120 has an internal length 610 of approximately 128.2 millimeters, a fourth tube chamber 122 has an internal length 612 of approximately 145.6 millimeters, and a fifth tube chamber 124 has an internal length 614 of approximately 163.6 millimeters. Referring to FIG. 6, each of the respective tube chamber 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 defines a cylindrical chamber having a respective inner diameter 616. 618, 620, 622, 624. In some implementations, the inner diameter 616, 618, 620, 622, 624 of one or more of the tube chambers 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 is the same. In some implementations, the inner diameter 616, 618, 622 of the first tube chamber 116, the second tube chamber 118, and the fourth tube chamber 122 is approximately 11.48 millimeters, and the inner diameter 602, 604 of the third tube chamber 120 and the fifth tube chamber 124 is approximately 11.49 millimeters.

[0039] In some implementations, each tube chamber 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 produces a unique tone (also referred to herein as pitch) when air is directed over and into the respective tube chamber 116, 118. 120, 122. 124. The pitch produced by each tube chamber 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 is based on a combination of the internal length 606, 608, 610, 612, 614 of the respective tube chamber 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 and the inner diameter 616, 618, 620, 622, 624 of the respective tube chamber 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. In some implementations, each tube chamber 116. 118, 120, 122, 124 is configured to produce a particular note on a pentatonic scale when air is directed over and into the respective tube chamber 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. For example, the first tube chamber 116 produces a tone corresponding to an “A” note on the pentatonic scale when air is directed into the first tube chamber 116, the second tube chamber 118 produces a tone corresponding to a ”G note on the pentatonic scale when air is directed into the second tube chamber 118, the third tube chamber 120 produces a tone corresponding to a ‘"E” note on the pentatonic scale when air is directed into the third tube chamber 120, the fourth tube chamber 122 produces a tone corresponding to a “D” note on the pentatonic scale when air is directed into the fourth tube chamber 122, and the fifth tube chamber 124 produces a tone corresponding to a ’C” note on the pentatonic scale when air is directed into the fifth tube chamber 124.

[0040] The mouthpiece 104 of the toy wind instrument 100 can be used to direct air over and into the tube chambers 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 chambers 1 16, 118, 120, 122, 124. In some implementations, the mouthpiece 104 is sonic welded to the tube body 102. Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 6, the mouthpiece 104 defines multiple passages 146, 148, 150. 152, 154 that are spaced apart from one another. Each of the passages 146, 148, 150, 152. 154 extends through a body 105 of the mouthpiece 104 between a respective inlet 166, 168, 170, 172, 174 on a front surface 107 of mouthpiece 104 and a respective outlet 176, 178, 180, 182. 184 on a rear surface 109 of the mouthpiece 104. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 6, the passages 146, 148, 150, 152, 154 extend through the body 105 of the mouthpiece 104 along a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube chambers 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 and substantially parallel with the plane 121 along which the open ends 126, 128, 130. 132, 134 of the tube chambers 116, 118, 120. 122, 124 are positioned.

[0041] As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 6, each outlet 176, 178, 180, 182, 184 is positioned near an open end 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 of a respective tube chamber 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. As a result, a portion of the air exiting through an outlet 176. 178, 180, 182, 184 of a respective passage 146. 148, 150. 152, 154 is directed across and into the open end 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 of the respective tube chamber 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 that is proximate the outlet 176, 178, 180, 182, 184. In addition, an upper surface 111 of the mouthpiece 104 is angled downwards towards the front surface 107 of the mouthpiece 104 in order to further direct air flowing through the passages 146, 148, 150, 152, 154 of the mouthpiece 104 across and into the open ends of the respective tube chambers 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. For example, as user of the toy wind instrument 100 blows air through an inlet 166, 168, 170, 172, 174 of the mouthpiece 104, the air travels through the respective passage 146, 148, 150, 152. 154 and exits through the respective outlet 176, 178, 180. 182, 184 of the passage 146. 148, 150, 152, 154. As the air travels through the passage 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, the air is deflected downwards by an upper surface 111 of the mouthpiece and a portion of the air exiting through the outlet 176, 178, 180, 182, 184 passes over the open end 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 of the tube chamber 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 proximate the respective outlet 176, 178. 180, 182, 184. As the air passes over the open end 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 of the tube chamber 1 16, 118, 120, 122, 124, a portion of the air enters into and travels along the length of the tube chamber 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, which causes the tube chamber 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 to produce a tone.

[0042] 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. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, each of the tone indicators 186, 188, 190, 192, 194 is aligned with a respective tube chamber 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 in order to provide a visual indication of the tone that is produced by each tube chamber 116. 118, 120, 122, 124. For example, the tone indicators 186, 188. 190, 192, 194 are letters that indicate the musical note that is produced by air passing over the tube chamber 116, 1 18, 120, 122, 124 that is aligned with the respective tone indicator 186, 188, 190, 192, 194. In some implementations, the mouthpiece 104 is an injected molded polymer, and the tone indicators 186, 188. 190, 192, 194 are formed on the upper surface 111 of the mouthpiece 104 during the process of molding the mouthpiece 104 and are raised above the upper surface 111 of the mouthpiece 104.

[0043] A series of flexible ribbons 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 is fixed to the front surface 117 of the tube body 102 proximate an open end 126, 128, 130. 132, 134 of a respective tube chamber 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 9, a first end 626, 628, 630, 632, 634 of each ribbon 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 is w rapped around and coupled to an insert 646. In some implementations, after wrapping the first end 626, 628, 630, 632, 634 of each ribbon 106, 108. 110, 112. 114 to the insert 646, the first end 626, 628. 630, 632, 634 is heat sealed to another portion of the respective ribbon 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 to attach the ribbons 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 to the insert 646. Once the ribbons 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 are w rapped around and coupled to the insert 646, the insert 646 is positioned on the front surface 117 of the tube body 102 such that a centerline of each ribbon 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 is aligned with centerline of a respective tube chamber 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. Once the insert 646 is properly positioned on the front surface 117 the tube body 102, a front housing 119 is positioned over the insert 646 and a portion of each of the ribbons 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 inserts 646 and ribbons 106, 108. 110, 112, 114 to the tube body 102. In some implementations, the front housing 1 19 is glued and ultrasonically wielded to the front surface 117 of the tube body 102.

[0044] As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 6-8, a second end 636, 638, 640, 642, 644 of each ribbon 106. 108, 110, 112, 114 extends beyond the open end 126, 128, 130. 132, 134 of a respective tube chamber 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 and crosses the common plane 121 along which the open ends 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 of the tube chambers 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 lie. As a result, the ribbons 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 intercept a flow of air exiting the outlet 176, 178. 180, 182, 184 of the mouthpiece 104 that is positioned proximate the open end 126. 128, 130. 132, 134 of the corresponding tube chamber 116. 1 18, 120, 122, 124. In addition, the second end 636, 638, 640, 642, 644 of each of the ribbons 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 is in a field of view of a user when the user is blowing air through the mouthpiece 104 of the toy wind instrument 100. As a result, the ribbons 106, 108, 110. 112, 114 provide the user a visual indication of air flow into the respective tube chamber 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. For example, as a user blows air through a passage 146, 148, 150, 152, 154 in the mouthpiece 104, the air exits the mouthpiece 104 through the respective outlet 176. 178, 180, 182, 184 of the passage 146, 148. 150, 152. 154, and a first portion of the air exiting the mouthpiece 104 enters the respective tube chamber 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 and a second portion of the air passes across the open end 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 of the respective tube chamber 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 and is intercepted by the respective ribbon 106, 108, 110, 112, 114. As the air exiting the mouthpiece contacts the ribbon 106, 108. 110, 112, 114, the ribbon 106. 108, 110. 112, 114 waves forwards and backwards. This movement of the ribbon provides the user with a visual indication that air is being provided to the respective tube chamber 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. As a result, the user (e.g., a young child) is provided with a visual cue of the particular tone (e.g., pentatonic note) that is currently being played on the toy wind instrument 100.

[0045] In some implementations, each of the ribbons 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 is a different color. For example, in some implementations, the first ribbon 106 is dark blue, the second ribbon 108 is light blue, the third ribbon 110 is yellow, the fourth ribbon 112 is orange, and the fifth nbbon 114 is red. The toy wind instrument 100 can be used in conjunction with other musical toys, such as bells, and a book, and the musical notes that can be played on the musical instruments, including the toy wind instrument 100, and that are depicted in the books are identified using a common color scheme. For example, the color of each of the ribbons 106. 108, 110. 112, 114 can provide a visual indication of the notes produced by the respective tube chamber 1 16, 1 18, 120, 122, 124, and the same colors can be used on the other musical toys and the books to indicate the same notes. As a result, children can deepen their understanding of music while interacting with the toy wind instrument 100 and the other complimentary musical toys and books.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, 7, and 8, the toy wind instrument 100 includes a support bar 123 that is molded into the tube body 102 and wraps around the outer surface of the tube body 102. The support bar 123 can provide additional structural support to the tube body 102 by preventing flexion of the tube body 102 and prevent the tube chambers 116, 118, 120. 122, 124 from separating from one another. In addition, the support bar 123 can provide the user with additional grip when holding the toy wind instrument 100.

[0047] While certain embodiments have been described, other embodiments are possible. For example, while the toy wind instrument 100 has been depicted as having five tube chambers 116, 118, 120, 122. 124, other numbers of tube chambers are possible (e.g., 1, 2, 4, 6, etc.) In addition, while the toy wind instrument 100 has been described as being capable of producing tones of a pentatonic scale, the toy wind instrument 100 can be configured to produce other tones. For example, the internal length and / or the internal diameter of the tube chambers 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 can be adjusted to produce different tones.

[0048] Further, while the tone indicators 186, 188, 190, 192, 194 have been described as being molded into and raised 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 implementations, the tone indicators 186, 188, 190, 192, 194 are printed on the upper surface 111 of the mouthpiece 104. In some implementations, the tone indicators 186, 188, 190. 192, 194 are stickers that are attached to the upper surface 111 ofthe mouthpiece 104. In some implementations, the tone indicators 186, 188, 190, 192, 194 are embossed, debossed, or etched into the upper surface 111 of the mouthpiece.

[0049] In addition, while the tube chambers 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 have been depicted in as being arranged in a particular order, the tube chambers 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 can be arranged in a different order.

[0050] While a number of examples have been described for illustration purposes, the foregoing 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.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A toy closed-tube wind instrument (100), comprising a tube body (102) defining multiple, spaced apart tube chambers (116, 118, 120, 122, 124) of different internal lengths (606, 608, 610, 612, 614), each tube chamber (116, 118, 120. 122, 124) 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 multiple, spaced apart passages (146, 148, 150, 152, 154), each passage (146, 148, 150, 152, 154) extending from an inlet (166, 168, 170, 172, 174) to an outlet (176, 178, 180, 182, 184) arranged to direct blown air across the open end (126. 128, 130, 132. 134) of a respective one of the tube chambers (116, 118, 120. 122, 124) to sound a respective tone; and a series of flexible ribbons (106, 108, 110, 112, 114) attached to the tube body (102), each ribbon (106, 108, 110, 112, 114 ) extending beyond the open end (126, 128, 130, 132. 134) of a respective one of the tube chambers (116, 118, 120. 122, 124) to intercept a flow of blown air, the ribbons (106, 108, 110, 112, 114) positioned to be within a field of view of a child blowing into the mouthpiece to provide a visual indication of air flow.

2. The toy closed-tube wind instrument of claim 1. wherein the ribbons (106, 108, 110, 112, 114) are of different colors.

3. The toy closed-tube wind instrument of claim 2, in combination, the wind instrument (100) and a music book with notes colored to match the colors of the ribbons (106, 108, 110, 112, 114).

4. The toy closed-tube wind instrument of claim 2 or claim 3, in combination, the wind instrument (100) and a set of bells with notes colored to match the colors of the ribbons (106, 108, 110, 112, 114).

5. The toy closed-tube wind instrument of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the respective tones are all tones of a pentatonic scale.

6. The toy closed-tube wind instrument of any one of claims 1-5. wherein the tube body (102) defines five spaced apart tube chambers (116, 118. 120, 122. 124) of different internal lengths (606, 608, 610, 612, 614).

7. The toy closed-tube wind instrument of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the open ends (126, 128, 130, 132, 134) of the tube chambers (116, 118, 120. 122, 124) he in a common plane (121). and wherein the ribbons (106. 108, 110. 112, 114) are positioned to cross the common plane (121).

8. The toy closed-tube wind instrument of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the series of flexible ribbons (106. 108, 110. 112, 114) are attached to the tube body (102) by a housing (119) coupled to the tube body (102).

9. The toy closed-tube wind instrument of claim 8, wherein the housing (119) is sonic welded to a front face (117) of the tube body (102).

10. The toy closed-tube wind instrument of claim 8, wherein the housing (119) is glued to a front face (117) of the tube body (102).

11. The toy closed-tube wind instrument of any one of claims 8-10, wherein: a first end (626, 628, 630, 632, 634) of each ribbon (106, 108, 1 10, 112, 1 14) is wrapped around an insert (646); a second end (636, 638, 640, 642, 644 ) of each ribbon (106, 108, 110, 112, 114) extends beyond the open end (126, 128, 130, 132, 134) of the respective one of the tube chambers (116, 1 18, 120, 122, 124); and the housing (119) is positioned over the first end (626, 628, 630, 632, 634) of each ribbon (106, 108, 110, 112, 114) and the insert (646).

12. The toy closed-tube wind instrument of any one of claims 1-11, wherein at least one of the tube chambers (116, 118, 120, 122, 124) has a different inner diameter (616, 618, 620, 622, 624) than the other tube chambers (116, 118, 120, 122, 124).

13. The toy closed-tube wind instrument of any one of claims 1-12, wherein the internal length (606, 608, 610, 612, 614) of each of the tube chambers (116, 118, 120, 122, 124) is in a range of 95 mm to 165 mm.

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

15. The toy closed-tube wind instrument of any one of claims 1-14, wherein the mouthpiece (104) further comprises a series of tone indicators (186, 188, 190, 192, 194) positioned along an upper surface (111) of the mouthpiece (104) and aligned with a respective tube chamber (116, 118, 120, 122, 124) to provide a visual indication of the tone sounded by the respective tube chamber (116, 118, 120, 122, 124).

16. The toy closed-tube wind instrument of claim 15, wherein each tone indicator (186, 188, 190, 192, 194) is raised above the upper surface (111) of the mouthpiece (104).

17. The toy closed-tube wind instrument of any one of claims 1-16, wherein an upper surface (111) of the mouthpiece (104) is angled downwards towards the open ends (126, 128, 130, 132, 134) of the tube chambers ( 116, 1 1 , 120, 122, 124).

Images