| Apparatus for producing simulated v-twin motorcycle sound in bicycles -> Monitor Keywords |
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Apparatus for producing simulated v-twin motorcycle sound in bicyclesRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Toys, Sounding, With Means Facilitating Combination With Diverse Art DeviceApparatus for producing simulated v-twin motorcycle sound in bicycles description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060105668, Apparatus for producing simulated v-twin motorcycle sound in bicycles. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit for priority purposes of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/622,452 filed Oct. 27, 2004, and entitled "APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SIMULATED V-TWIN MOTORCYCLE SOUND IN BICYCLES," which is incorporated by reference herein. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a balloon and balloon-holding device, which is attached to a bicycle to produce a simulated motorcycle engine sound by operation of the bicycle. The attachment of the device to any bicycle and operation of the bicycle wheel against the balloon results in a deep resonant sound and the bicycle sounds like a motorcycle with a V-twin engine. [0003] The motor-like sound is produced by the inflated balloon held in place by a balloon trap against the revolving spokes of the bicycle wheel, wherein contact of each spoke against the inflated trapped balloon produces a resonant sound. The repetition of the resonant boom-like sound produced by the repeated striking of the trapped balloon by the spokes of the bicycle wheel simulates the resonant sound of the exhaust of a motorcycle internal combustion engine. The invention relates to a method for conditioning the balloon for prolonged resistance to abrasion of the balloon and extending the life of the balloon. [0004] The present invention accordingly relates to bicycle accessories which can be attached to a bicycle to enhance the enjoyment of riding on the bicycle by the rider. Bicycle accessories frequently have a utilitarian purpose. The present invention promotes a healthful means of exercise for adults and children. [0005] This invention relates to a bicycle accessory, which can enhance a child's enjoyment of a bicycle. As such, the bicycle accessory is a device which provides a simulated sound of a motor driven vehicle without the danger of a motor driven vehicle. The device enhances the child's enjoyment of the bicycle and allows the child to pretend the bicycle is motor driven, similar to motorcycles driven by adults. [0006] As a child's play object, it is important that the device simulate significantly the sound of a motor driven vehicle, otherwise the child will lose interest in operation of the device. [0007] Another requirement of the device as a child's play object is that the produced sound by its device be sufficiently loud enough to satisfy the child's desire for a motor-like noise. A further requirement of the device as a child's play enhancer is that the device provide varying levels of simulated motorcycle exhaust sound from riding the bicycle slower or faster, just as a motorcycle does. A desirable feature of the device is that the components of its device permit its generated sound to become louder or softer by adjustment of the device. An additional requirement of the device as a bicycle accessory is that the device be easily attached to a bicycle without modification of the bicycle structure and that the attachment of the device not impede operation of the bicycle or compromise the safety of the bicycle. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0008] The present invention relates to a novel and enjoyable sound generating device for use with a spoked wheel such as on a bicycle. [0009] Many people, including children, enjoy riding a bicycle and imagining they are riding a motor-driven vehicle. Children enjoy playing "grown-up" and play "grown-up" activities in games and game activities. Children improvise adult activities by attaching objects to their bicycles, which suggest an adult activity such as riding a motorcycle. The problem with many of the objects heretofore attached is that many of the objects used do not realistically simulate closely the adult activity copied. The child copying the adult activity, accordingly, may lose interest quickly. [0010] For example, a playing card or a cardboard card can be attached to the fork of a bicycle by a clothes pin or other means of attachment so that the edge of the playing card or cardboard card engages spokes of the wheel on rotation. The sound of the playing card or cardboard card sequentially engaging the bicycle spokes is typically a series of separate sounds without depth of sound and is an attempt to simulate the sound of a motor. The sound produced by this procedure has the disadvantage of not greatly replicating the resonant sound produced by a motor exhaust pipe. [0011] Therefore, there is a need for a device to provide a faithful reproduction of a motor exhaust sound, which can be provided by a device easily attached to a bicycle which has not been provided to date to the inventor's knowledge. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART [0012] U.S. Pat. No. 2,748,532 to Gergovich et al. teaches a simulated motor sound producer, which comprises an inflated balloon, attached to the frame of a bicycle to engage the spokes of the bicycle wheel as the wheel is revolved. The body of the inflated balloon, as held by the forked ears or lugs at the ends of the mounting member, projects slightly into the path of the wheel spokes. Upon being engaged by each spoke, the balloon body is deflected laterally to the side by each spoke. The elasticity of the balloon body causes the balloon to "snap back" due to the tied ends secured to the mounting member. The lateral deflection of the balloon body to one side in a rolling motion produces a "bubbling" type of sound like a partially muffled exhaust of an internal combustion engine. The mounting for the balloon is made as a simple stamping with notched upturned ears or lugs at an angle of about 30.degree. from the plane of the longitudinal body portion of the mounting means or sufficient to permit the knotted ends of the balloon to be engaged. The main body portion of the mounting means is curved with its upper surface convex and the lower surface concave. The device is attached to the frame member in any suitable manner, including by electrical tape having a non-sticky outer surface or by means of rubber bands or other tying means to afford a firm frictional grip on both the mounting means and the frame bar. The balloon is preferably tubular so that the inflated balloon is elongate or ellipsoidal rather than spherical. The balloon is positioned lengthwise of the frame bar and extends laterally into the path of the rotating spokes. With each engagement of each spoke, the balloon is caused to bounce laterally away from the spoke and then snap back, producing a sound in rapid succession. In an embodiment of the invention, an inflated balloon is taught as a motor sound producer wherein the elongated balloon is mounted so that the closed end of the balloon projects axially as a nipple of a flat form. The balloon is mounted so that the nipple is engaged by the wheel spokes, the balloon being held by a circular clamp mounted on a bracket secured to the bicycle frame. The circular clamp 21 has a central portion 26 cut out so that the inflated balloon will bulge outward through the opening 26 and the balloon will not work endwise or axially in clamp 21. Thus the balloon nipple will be held in position to engage the moving spokes because clamp 21 has a firm grip on the balloon body. The motor sound noise is produced by the snapping action of the nipple as it returns to its normal axial position relative to the balloon body. Other embodiments of the device utilize a plastic resonator shell, which encases the inflated elastic body of the balloon wherein the engaged nipple of the elastic body projects through its sidewall of the resonator shell. In one embodiment, the elastic balloon is firmly attached to the resonator shell wall by a pair of flanges to intensify the sound by means of the resonator shell. [0013] U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,338 to Perea et al. teaches and claims a sound-generating device for a spoked wheel such as a bicycle wheel. The device comprising a flange utilizes a clamp 22, which allows attachment of the device to the frame of the bicycle. The clamp 22 is formed by two parts which fit together and are held in place by screws and nuts within recesses in the two parts of the clamp. The two parts of the clamp encompass a slot which has a large portion 48 and a small portion 50. The flange element 54 has an anchor portion 56 and a flap portion 58, which strike the spokes of the bicycle wheel when the wheel is turned. The anchor portion 56 is held within the slot at clamp 22. Each strike of a spoke produces a rapping noise such that when the bicycle wheel turns, successive rapping noises are generated. The flap portion 58 of the flange element is resilient. The device permits use of interchangeable strips as flanges and are durable. [0014] U.S. Pat. No. 6,565,107 to Hartman teaches and claims a device for attachment to a bicycle which includes a flat strap of semi-rigid plastic. The device comprises a strip of semi-rigid plastic, one end of which is bent back upon itself to form a loop of the strap, which allows the strap end to be encircled around a support member of the bicycle, such as a fork. The strap is provided with a number of holes spaced, one group of holes 12-18 being located near one end of the strap spaced at 3/8's of an inch from each other. A second group of holes 19-20 is located 4% to 5% of an inch from the same end of the strap. The strap is approximately 1/16 of an inch thick, 5/8-7/8 of an inch wide and 8 to 12 inches long. In application, the one end of the strap, with holes 12-18, is placed around the support member of the bicycle such that the strap with the group of holes 19-20 folds over to form an area of double thickness. Holes 19-20 and one of the holes 12-18 of the strap are located so that a fastener comprising a machine screw passes through holes 19-20 in the double thickness area of the strap, holes 19-20 being positioned over one another, and one of the 12-18 holes. Washers and a nut and the machine screw comprise the fastener. Polypropylene has been found to be an excellent material for the strap. In operation, the device is attached to the frame of a bicycle so that the semi-rigid plastic engages the spokes, the semi-rigid strap providing a simulated sound of a motor. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0015] This invention relates to a balloon-holding device which is attached to a bicycle to produce a simulated motorcycle engine sound on operation of the bicycle. The device comprises a balloon and balloon support structure such that the balloon is repetitively struck by rotating spokes of the bicycle wheel wherein the balloon is held in place by a balloon trap to trap the balloon in place and to prevent the balloon from twisting and rolling back from the wheel spokes, whereby the resonant sound produced by striking the balloon results. The balloon trap by pressing the balloon against spokes of the wheel provides a means of regulating the loudness of the sound of the simulated motorcycle engine. The balloon trap permits the operator to make the sound louder and softer by increasing or decreasing the balloon pressure against the spokes. [0016] The invention also relates to a balloon trap for obtaining a resonant effect from an inflated confined balloon. The confined balloon is struck repetitively in a regular sequence by the spokes of a rotating bicycle wheel, thereby producing a series of loud, resonant sounds. The balloon, being held securely in a confined space by the balloon trap, remains in place upon being struck by the spokes of the wheel and the resulting sound has a sonorous resonant quality similar to the sound from the sound box of a musical instrument. [0017] The repetitive blows in regular sequence upon the balloon within the confined space causes the balloon to vibrate in an audible frequency and enhance the loudness of the resulting sound by a resonant effect. [0018] The confined space results from the application of the balloon trap to the balloon. The balloon trap acts to hold the balloon in the confined space and cause the resonant effect. [0019] The invention also relates to a method for prolonging the useful life of a latex rubber balloon as an active component held by the balloon-holding device. The invented method causes the balloon to withstand to a great degree the striking and abrasion caused by continued striking of the balloon by spokes of a rotating bicycle wheel. The method comprises application of a material lubricant and conditioner from other than a hydrocarbon source. The method comprises wiping, spraying or coating the balloon in placement upon the bicycle with a solution of a material lubricant/conditioner comprising glycerol and water or a commercially available lubricant prior to use of the balloon to provide the motorcycle sound. Lubricant/conditioners for application to latex rubber balloons are available commercially. 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