A musical toy

Abstract

The present invention is a musical toy. The musical toy has bell modules containing bells of varying length to generate different tones, with the bells being made of a non-ferromagnetic metal, track modules to connect the bell modules, and objects to run down the tracks and ring the bells in the bell modules. The musical toy also includes joint modules for redirecting the path of the objects. The invention is characterized in that portions of the musical toy have magnets so that musical toy can be magnetically connected to ferromagnetic surfaces.

Description

A MUSICAL TOYTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the toy industry and, more particularly to a musical instrument.BACKGROUND

[0002] Arendicom GmbH make a musical toy called XYLOBA. However, the XYLOBA is complicated to put together because it is three dimensional. Its design is fixed and not easily customizable. They are attuned for a particular melody, such as the birthday song. They do not easily allow for bespoke musical composition and creativity. Accordingly, these prior art musical toys are not an instrument, as such.

[0003] Habermaass Family GmbH make a musical toy which comprise a series of interlocking bridge tier with metal tongs which enable a marble to cascade down them and thereby generate notes. However, the problem with this musical toy is that it provides no scope for customizing the tune of the musical toy.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a musical toy which easily facilitates bespoke musical compositions and thereby encourages musical creativity.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to the present invention there is provided a musical toy comprising:(a) bell modules containing bells, wherein each bell is configured to have a different tone based on its length while having a standard diameter, and wherein the bells are made of a nonferromagnetic metal;(b) track modules to connect the bell modules;(c) objects to run down the tracks and ring the bells in the bell modules; and(d) at least one joint module to redirect the objects down the track; wherein portions of the musical toy have magnets so that musical toy can be magnetically connected to ferromagnetic surfaces.

[0006] The objects may be balls (such as marbles), or cascading cars (for example).

[0007] Preferably, the musical toy further includes a joint module to redirect the objects down the track.

[0008] The joint module preferably has one end open, and one end closed. The left side of the joint module may have the open end, and in other embodiments the right side of the joint module has the open end. This enables the objects to be redirected to the left or to the right as it moves down the musical toy.

[0009] The tracks may come in modules of varying length. This enables duration of different lengths to be customized.

[0010] Preferably, the bell modules contain magnets. More preferably, the joint modules also contain magnets. The tracks may also contain magnets.

[0011] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a user using a musical toy according to an embodiment of the present invention, magnetically connect to a fridge.

[0014] Figure 2 is a rear view of the musical toy of figure 1.

[0015] Figure 3 is a front view of the musical toy of figure 1.

[0016] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the bell module of the musical toy of figure 1.

[0017] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the bell module of the musical toy of figure 1.

[0018] Figure 6 is a front perspective view of a short track module of the musical toy of figure 1.

[0019] Figure 7 is a rear perspective view of a short track module of the musical toy of figure 1, showing the magnet.

[0020] Figure 8 is a front perspective view of a long track module of the musical toy of figure 1.

[0021] Figure 9 is a rear perspective view of a long track module of the musical toy of figure 1,showing the magnet.

[0022] Figure 10 is a rear perspective view of a left-handed joint module of the musical toy of figure 1 , showing its magnet.

[0023] Figure 11 is a front perspective view of the left-handed joint module of the musical toy of figure 1.

[0024] Figure 12 is a rear perspective view of a right-handed joint module of the musical toy of figure 1, showing its magnet.

[0025] Figure 13 is a front perspective view of the right-handed joint module of the musical toy of figure 1.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Figure 1 shows a musical toy 10 (according to an embodiment of the present invention) being used by a user 12. The musical toy 10 is magnetically attached to a fridge 14 (which is made of ferromagnetic metal).

[0027] Figure 2 shows a rear view of the musical toy 10 of figure 1. Figure 3 shows a front view of the musical toy of figure 1. The musical toy 10 has bell modules 16 (as shown in figure 4).

[0028] As shown in figures 4 and 5, the bell modules 16 contain a carriage 18 having a pocket 22 for a magnet 24 which is attached to the carriage 18 with screws 26 and covered with a cap 28. The carriage 18 has a bell 28 that swings on a hinge 30 formed by pins 32. The bell 28 is attached to the hinge 30 with a pin 34. The user 12 can insert different bell modules with different bells to create different notes. The musical toy 10 thereby allows the user 12 to form their own composition.

[0029] The musical toy 10 has different types of track modules, namely: a short track module 36 (shown in figures 6 and 7) and a long track module 38 (shown in figures 8 and 9).

[0030] As shown in figure 7, one side of the short track module 36 has a magnet 40 situated in a pocket 42 and secured with screws 44, which are covered with a cap 46.

[0031] As shown in figure 9, one side of the long track module 38 has magnets 48 and 50 situated in pockets 52 and 54 and secured with screws 56, which are covered with a cap 58.

[0032] The musical toy 10 has left-handed joint modules 60 shown in figures 10 and 11 andright-handed joint modules 62 shown in figures 12 and 13. The joint modules 60 and 62 enable the user 12 to change the path of object 64 on the musical toy 10 (see figure 6) to the left or right to utilize the space available on the magnetic surface. The user 12 can thereby customize the length of the music played on the toy 10.

[0033] The object 64 may be a marble, or a ball (made of metal or wood), or a cascading car (for example).

[0034] Referring to figures 10 and 11, the left-handed joint module 60 has pockets 66 and 68 for magnets 70 and 72 which are affixed with screws 74 that are covered with a cap 76.

[0035] Referring to figures 12 and 13, the right-handed joint module 62 has pockets 78 and 80 for magnets 82 and 84 which are affixed with screws 86 that are covered with a cap 88.

[0036] Each of the modules of the musical toy 10 abut each other and are held in place by the magnets.

[0037] Each of the bells 28 in the bell modules 16 of the musical toy 10 can have a different tone. Different tones are generated by having bells of a different length. Each bell has a standard diameter, but a different length. Each of the bells can be cast in the same die but filed down to the appropriate length for the appropriate musical note. Changing the width of the bell was not as effective at changing its tone. Making the bells too wide could affect their ability to swing and ding. It was found that brass was the most effective metal to use for the bells. Brass provides a nice resonance and with a good length of tone duration. Brass delivers clear and distinctive sounds. Brass is not ferromagnetic (magnets therefore do not attract brass). Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, which are both metals with diamagnetic properties. Ferromagnetic metals did not perform as well as non-ferromagnetic metals for the bell.

[0038] The invention thereby provides a musical toy which easily facilitates bespoke musical compositions and thereby encourages musical creativity.

[0039] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0040] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of thephrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0041] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A musical toy for facilitating bespoke musical compositions, comprising:(a) bell modules containing bells, wherein each bell is configured to have a different tone based on its length while having a standard diameter, and wherein the bells are made of a non-ferromagnetic metal;(b) track modules to connect the bell modules;(c) objects to run down the tracks and ring the bells in the bell modules; and(d) at least one joint module to redirect the objects down the track, the joint module having one end open and one end closed, thereby enabling the objects to be redirected to the left or to the right as it moves down the musical toy; wherein portions of the musical toy have magnets so that musical toy can be magnetically connected to ferromagnetic surfaces.

2. The musical toy of claim 1, wherein track modules come in modules of varying length.

3. The musical toy of claim 1, wherein the bell modules contain magnets.

4. The musical toy of claim 1, wherein the joint modules contain magnets.

5. The musical toy of claim 1, wherein the track modules contain magnets.

Images