Toy bell

Abstract

The toy bell (1) comprises: - a bell-shaped body (2) having an internal cavity; - a clapper element (4) associated within the bell-shaped body (2); and - an anti-removal safety system (5) of the clapper element (4).

Description

[0001] TOY BELL

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a toy bell.

[0004] Background Art

[0005] In the field of musical instruments, bells are instruments of the idiophonic type with direct percussion, cylindrical or conical in shape, provided with a dangling clapper which, when swinging, produces a sound due to percussion caused on the bell walls.

[0006] Throughout their millennia of existence, bells have served a wide variety of functions: from simple tools used to pass the time to fundamental objects used to give various types of signals (e.g., marking time), from majestic decorations of places of worship to small trinkets designed to draw the attention of guests during a formal event.

[0007] Because of their relative simplicity, their ability to produce sound and their being objects that need to be handled and shaken in order to be used (when the size allows), bells throughout history have played another key role, namely that of a children’s play tool.

[0008] Indeed, it is not uncommon to see infants of various ages playing, often with great insistence and energy, with tiny bells designed especially for them.

[0009] In fact, the functional mode of toy bells is very effective in capturing the attention of this target audience, especially when combined with eye-catching shapes and colors that even more attract a child’s attention.

[0010] For example, you can choose bright, vivid colors (e.g., red, yellow, green) for the body of the bell, and a different color for the handle when this is provided, thus creating an interesting visual contrast that stimulates and intrigues the child.

[0011] Again, you can decorate the bell and shape the handle thereof using special shapes (e.g., a bird, an insect, a flower, an emblem in particular of some character from the animation aimed at young children) to further stimulate interest.

[0012] It is the very simple operation of this tool that makes it ideal as a children’s pastime; it is just a matter of grasping the bell and shaking it to produce a sound. This action causes curiosity and excitement in the child and tends, by positive reinforcement (i.e., associating a certain behavior with a pleasing outcome), to be repeated again and again, keeping infants engaged for even quite long periods of time and, at the same time, helping to develop their psycho-motor skills.

[0013] In spite of all these benefits, bells intended for playful use do have some fairly major problems; while their use and operation are simple, the necessary presence of a clapper to produce a sound can be a hazard, as there is a potential risk that it will be dislodged, for example as a result of several twists on itself, and ingested by the child.

[0014] As is well known, children, especially younger children, ethologically tend to use the oral cavity as a tool for tactile exploration, leading them to introduce into their mouths anything that looks potentially interesting to their eyes.

[0015] Swallowing a clapper can lead at best to its travel down the esophagus to the stomach, where surgery may even be required to remove it, and at worst to obstruction of the trachea, resulting in death by asphyxiation.

[0016] Even in the event that the clapper is spit out by the child, the health risk from putting something in the mouth that can harbor harmful germs and bacteria on its surface is not to be underestimated.

[0017] The mouthparts of humans are a dark, warm and humid environment, i.e., conditions that are ideal for not risking it from drying out but also perfect for the proliferation of microorganisms.

[0018] In this regard, it is pointed out that while most microorganisms in the human mouth are harmless, introducing new ones may carry the risk of bringing in harmful ones, resulting in infection and various diseases.

[0019] Another issue, although a minor one, is the risk that, in case the clapper is not swallowed but left on a floor, for example, it could potentially be a slipping element for anyone walking over it, the elderly in particular.

[0020] Description of the Invention

[0021] The main aim of the present invention is to devise a toy bell that protects the health of children and prevents them from ingesting one or more of its parts.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to devise a toy bell that not only offers a solution to potential hazards, but is at the same time appealing and interesting to the children using it.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to devise a toy bell which allows the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome within the framework of a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as affordable solution.

[0024] The aforementioned objects are achieved by this toy bell having the characteristics of claim 1.

[0025] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a toy bell illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example in the attached tables of drawings wherein:

[0027] Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a first embodiment of the bell according to the invention;

[0028] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the bell in Figure 1;

[0029] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the bell in Figure 1;

[0030] Figure 3 a is an axonometric view of the bell in Figure 1 in a configuration for use given as an example;

[0031] Figure 4 is an axonometric view of a second embodiment of the bell according to the invention;

[0032] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the bell in Figure 4.

[0033] Embodiments of the Invention

[0034] With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally denotes a toy bell.

[0035] Specifically, in Figures 1-3, a first embodiment of the bell 1 is shown, which comprises: at least one bell-shaped body 2 having an internal cavity 3 adapted to amplify sounds; at least one clapper element 4 associated within the bell-shaped body 2; and at least one anti-removal safety system 5 of the clapper element 4.

[0036] The bell-shaped body 2 comprises at least one external wall 6 extending around a substantially vertical central axis A between a lower opening 8 and a closed top 9, in the proximity of which the clapper element 4 is located.

[0037] In this regard, it is specified that, in the context of the present disclosure, the adjectives “vertical”, “horizontal”, “lower” and “higher”, as well as expressions such as “top”, “bottom”, “above”, “below” and the like, are all to be understood with respect to a reference position of the toy bell 1 shown in the figures, in which the central axis A of the bell-shaped body 2 is precisely vertically oriented, the opening 8 is placed at the bottom while the top 9 is placed at the top.

[0038] Conveniently, the external wall 6 has the classic bell shape, that is, with a lower portion in the proximity of the opening 8 which is wider than the top 9 and is axial- symmetric around the central axis A; alternative embodiment solutions wherein the external wall 6 has a different shape cannot, however, be ruled out. The external wall 6 bounds within it the internal cavity 3, which, as mentioned above, aids in the amplification of the sounds produced by the banging of the clapper element 4 on the external wall 6 as a result of an oscillatory motion of the toy bell 1; the sound produced escapes from the opening 8 and, once it begins to propagate, is heard by those in the vicinity.

[0039] Conveniently, in the embodiment shown in Figures 1-3, the anti-removal safety system 5 comprises rotational means 10 of the clapper element 4 around the central axis A.

[0040] Advantageously, the rotational means 10 are associated with the top 9 and, for example, hold the clapper element 4 within the bell-shaped body 2; in other words, the clapper element 4 is associated with the bell-shaped body 2, particularly with its top 9, by interposition of the rotational means 10.

[0041] In more detail, the rotational means 10 comprise: at least one substantially circular seat 11 formed into the top 9; at least one rotary element 12 which is housed within the seat 11 in a rotatable maimer; and at least one supporting element 13 of the clapper element 4, which is associated with the rotary element 12 and extends from the rotary element 12 towards the interior of the internal cavity 3 substantially along the central axis A, the clapper element 4 being associated with the supporting element 13. The seat 11 consists, e.g., of a through slot running through the top 9 from side to side and is provided with holding shelves 14, sized and configured to receive the rotary element 12 in support.

[0042] The rotary element 12, in turn, consists, e.g., of a discoidal body, substantially fitted to size in the through slot and provided with attaching bodies 27 sized and configured to receive the supporting element 13 in support.

[0043] The supporting element 13, on the other hand, consists, e.g., of a U-shaped bar, provided with: free ends 15, which are folded and configured to rest on the attaching bodies 27; a central stretch 16 extending from the free ends 15 and holding the clapper element 4 which, for this purpose, comprises a slotted portion 17 in which the central stretch 16 is inserted.

[0044] Advantageously, the rotational means 10 comprise at least one closure cap 18 configured to close the seat 11; in this regard, it can be seen that, once the clapper element 4 is joined to the supporting element 13, the free ends 15 are coupled to the supporting element 13 and the rotary element 12 is inserted within the seat 11, the latter can be closed by means of the closure cap 18, so as to prevent the rotary element 12 from coming out of the seat 11.

[0045] The rotational means 10, in actual facts, allow children using the toy bell 1 to grasp the clapper element 4 and to rotate it around the central axis A without twisting it to the point of causing it to break, as might happen in bells without the rotational means 10; in fact, it is noticed that, in the absence of the rotational means 10, the clapper element 4 might be forced by the child to twist on itself, with the risk of causing it to break and detach from the rest of the toy bell 1.

[0046] Advantageously, the clapper element 4 consists of a rattle, i.e., a small hollow carved sphere 7, in which a small ball 19 or other percussion body is enclosed that, when shaken in motion, bangs against the walls of the hollow sphere, giving a repeated and irregular sound, which is added to the sound caused by the collisions of the clapper element 4 with the bell-shaped body 2.

[0047] Conveniently, the toy bell 1 comprises at least one handle 20 associated with the bell-shaped body 2.

[0048] The handle 20 provides a preferred point for gripping the toy bell 1, allowing it to be grasped comfortably and waved conveniently and easily to trigger the sound.

[0049] Advantageously, the handle 20 is associated with the top 9 and extends upward from the latter; for example, in the particular embodiment shown in Figures 1-3, the handle 20 is fitted by interlocking and / or glued within a recess 21 made in the closure cap 18.

[0050] Different embodiments cannot however be ruled out wherein the handle 20 is associated with the top 9 in a different way, for example without being placed in a recess 21 and / or without being joined to the closure cap 18.

[0051] Conveniently, the handle 20 is shaped to reproduce the features of a character, animal or abstract figure for decorative purposes in order to capture the user’s attention and indulge his or her aesthetic taste.

[0052] In the particular embodiment shown in Figures 1-3, for example, the handle 20 is shaped with the abstract shape of a mouse, making the invention very suitable for children to enjoy.

[0053] Alternative embodiments of the present invention cannot however be ruled out in which the shape of the handle 20 may be different and, e.g., reproduce the features of a comic book hero, animated character or other subjects dear to children.

[0054] Conveniently, the handle 20 comprises a through hole 22 running through it from side to side and which, e.g., allows the toy bell 1 to be tied to a ligature and hung or attached to something, so that it can be used as a decoration or accessory tied to other objects and, thus, to increase the user’s possibilities for use and creative freedom.

[0055] For constructional convenience, the handle 20 is advantageously made in two pieces 28 e.g., substantially identical, which are placed side by side and joined to the bell-shaped body 2 side by side to form an individual gripping element; alterative embodiments cannot however be ruled out in which the handle 20 is made as a single body piece or in a different number of components that can be assembled together. Usefully, the handle 20 comprises a slit 29 that is substantially planar, extending on a substantially vertical plane and having such a thickness s to allow the insertion of a sheet or cardboard F by interlocking; in this way, the toy bell 1 can also be used as a card holder and / or placeholder as shown in Figure 3a, further increasing its possibilities for use.

[0056] The thickness s of the slit 29 is, for example, of between 0.05 and 1 mm, better still of between 0.1 and 0.7 mm, better still of between 0.2 and 0.5 mm, preferably equal to 0.3 mm.

[0057] Usefully, in the embodiment shown in Figures 1-3, in which, as mentioned above, the handle consists of two pieces 28, the slit 29 consists, e.g., of a separation space between one piece 28 and the other piece 28. Figures 4-5 show a second embodiment of the invention, comprising a bell-shaped body 2, a clapper element 4 and a handle 20 similar to those described above, and differing from the embodiment solution shown in Figures 1-3 in that it has a different anti -removal safety system 5, comprising at least one physical barrier 23 associated within the bell-shaped body 2 and arranged between the opening 8 and the top 9.

[0058] In other words, while in the first embodiment, the anti-removal safety system 5 is substantially defined by the rotational means 10, which allow the clapper element 4 to be rotated around the central axis A without the risk of twisting it to breakage, in the second embodiment, the anti-removal safety system 5 substantially consists of a real wall that is placed between the clapper element 4 and the opening 8, making it inaccessible and unreachable by the user.

[0059] In fact, it can be seen that the physical barrier 23 completely prevents access to the internal cavity 3 of the bell- shaped body 2 where the clapper element 4 is housed, thus preventing it from removing.

[0060] In order for the sound of the toy bell 1 to escape from the bell-shaped body 2, the physical barrier 23 is perforated, that is, it is provided with small holes 24 which are sized so as to ensure, on the one hand, that the sound exits and, on the other hand, that the internal cavity 3 is inaccessible to the user.

[0061] Usefully the small holes 24 have a diameter of a few millimeters, e.g., of between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, better still of between 0.5 and 2 mm and preferably equal to 1 mm.

[0062] In the embodiment shown in Figures 4-5, the clapper element 4 is attached to the top 9.

[0063] For this purpose, the bell-shaped body 2 comprises a housing 25 made in the top 9, in which a hook-shaped body 26 is housed from which the slotted portion 17 of the clapper element 4 is hung.

[0064] The hook-shaped body 26 is overlaid by the handle 20 which is usefully inserted by interlocking and / or glued within the housing 25; the presence of the handle 20 in the housing 25, in actual facts, prevents the hook-shaped body 26 from coming out of the housing 25 itself.

[0065] Even in the embodiment shown in Figures 4-5 the handle 20 has one or more of the following characteristics that make it similar to the embodiment in Figures 1- 3: the handle 20 is shaped to reproduce the features of a character, animal or abstract figure, such as the abstract shape of a mouse; the handle 20 comprises a through hole 22 running through it from side to side; the handle 20 is made of two substantially identical pieces 28 which are placed side by side and joined to the bell-shaped body 2 side by side to form an individual gripping element; the handle 20 comprises a substantially planar slit 29, extending in a substantially vertical plane and thick enough to allow the insertion of a sheet or cardboard F by interlocking. The thickness of the slit 29, for example, is of between 0.05 and 1 mm, better still of between 0.1 and 0.7 mm, better still of between 0.2 and 0.5 mm, preferably equal to 0.3 mm.

[0066] It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects.

[0067] In this regard, it is noted, in fact, that both embodiments shown in the figures make it possible to fulfill the task for which the toy bell according to the invention was designed, which is to safeguard the health of users equally effectively by preventing the clapper element from breaking and separating from the bell-shaped body.

Claims

CLAIMS1) Toy bell (1) comprising: at least one bell-shaped body (2) having an internal cavity; at least one clapper element (4) associated within said bell-shaped body (2); characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one anti-removal safety system (5) of said clapper element (4).2) Toy bell (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said bellshaped body (2) comprises at least one external wall extending around a substantially vertical central axis (A) between a lower opening (8) and a closed top (9), in the proximity of which said clapper element (4) is located.3) Toy bell (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said anti-removal safety system (5) comprises rotational means (10) of said clapper element (4) around said central axis (A).4) Toy bell (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said rotational means (10) are associated with said top (9).5) Toy bell (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said rotational means (10) comprise: at least one substantially circular seat (11) formed into said top (9); at least one rotary element (12), which is housed within said seat (11) in a rotatable maimer; and at least one supporting element of said clapper element (4), which is associated with said rotary element (12) and extends from said rotary element (12) towards the interior of said internal cavity (3) substantially along said central axis (A), said clapper element (4) being associated with said supporting element (13).6) Toy bell (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said rotational means (10) comprise at least one closure cap (18) of said seat (11).7) Toy bell (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said anti-removal safety system (5) comprises atleast one physical barrier (23) associated within said bell-shaped body (2) between said opening (8) and said top (9).8) Toy bell (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said physical barrier (23) is perforated. 9) Toy bell (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said clapper element (4) is a rattle.10) Toy bell (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one handle (20) associated with said bell-shaped body (2).

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