Abstract:
A wind chime assembly with traditional chiming functions actuated by outside wind currents knocking a striker into an array of metal pipes but additionally incorporating bubble making acquisition through a coupling of a bubble making apparatus with integrated wind vanes joined to a plurality of bubble producing apertures rotatablely dipped into a supply of contained bubble solution to simultaneously manifest a flotilla of entrancing bubbles drifting airily about to the soothing tones of the wind chimes actuated by the same outside wind currents. Disengagement of the primary components also allow for each be operated separately.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to wind chimes and more particularly to wind chimes being adapted with bubble producing means. 
         [0003]    Description of Prior Art 
         [0004]    Bubble producing devices often take the form of toys primarily for the amusement of children. However their iridescent quality and myriad shapes fascinate and entertain both old and young alike. Wind chimes are used mainly to adorn areas of the patio or garden and provide pleasing sounds to those relaxing there. To date these items have been separately constructed. 
         [0005]    Wind chimes have been enjoyed by people throughout the world from one generation to the next for centuries. While various types of wind chimes have incorporate noble and innovative features, I&#39;m not aware of any such device incorporating bubble generating apparatus. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,124,782 disclose a highly technical wind chime assembly which electronically produces an audio effect such as birds, rain, music, etc. in addition to the usual musical chiming; however electronics can be prohibitively expensive to manufacture and problematic when left outside expose to the elements over time. 
         [0007]    But on the other hand, a rather simple innovation in the wind chime category is proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,485,788 where there are message bars placed among the chimes imprinted with faith building words. A clever feature, but the average person will be unaccustomed and inconvenienced to read words from wind chimes moving about in brisk winds. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,518,253 B2 features a solar powered wind chime apparatus having a rechargeable electrical power source that is recharged by the solar energy system. The draw back to this idea is the ever changing weather. There can be many days when there will be obstruction to the solar energy source. 
         [0009]    While these innovations in wind chimes range from the simple to the sophisticated, none however contemplate a contrivance of chimes and bubbles making mechanisms in a single interconnected assembly. A bubble producing wind chime apparatus is both clever and innovative and would be a cherished addition to those that value the neoteric in this genre. I therefore conclude a functional bubble producing wind chime apparatus is both producible and would be highly desirable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention relates to a wind chime assembly constructed and operated in the traditional since but is interconnected with a bubble producing apparatus assembled as a single device to both chime and expel bubbles simultaneously when actuated by the same outside air currents. The present invention primary components can be disengaged and operated independently as well. 
         [0011]    It is the object of the present invention to provide the pleasing sound of wind chimes and the visual amusement of bubbles paired in a single apparatus. 
         [0012]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide a wind chime assembly and bubble producing apparatus which can be operated as separate devices. 
         [0013]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a wind chime bubble blower apparatus with means to orient into the wind and lock in generally a stable position. 
         [0014]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a wind chime bubble blower apparatus that is aesthetically pleasing. 
         [0015]    It is still a further object and advantage of the present invention to provide a wind chime bubble blower which is easy to manufacture, easy to install, and relatively inexpensive. 
         [0016]    It is another object of the invention to successfully adapt wind chimes as a functional bubble producing apparatus. 
         [0017]    The primary object of the present invention is the provision of wind chimes adapted with bubble producing apparatus to simultaneously produce pleasing melodic tunes with the playful hypnotic sight of drafting bubbles dancing in the wind. 
         [0018]    These and other objects and features of the present invention would be better understood in view of the descriptions below, made in connection with the following drawings. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the wind chime bubble blower apparatus of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of coupling components of the wind chime assembly of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a side view of invention which present an array of drainage holes along one curvature wall of the bubble solution housing. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a partial view of connecting parts of the rotatable bubble producing component engage to the bubble solution housing of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a view of the present invention held up on prongs of an elongated arm connected to a pivot and lock bracing device to permit stationary orientation into the wind. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  features a rim wheel component with a contiguous inner array of bubble forming rings encircling wind vane elements with wind chimes in a substantially lateral arrangement. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein the vanes operate outside one wall of the bubble solution housing. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  alternate embodiment shows a pair of vanes one set on each end of a single shaft outside opposite walls of solution housing. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  embodiment presents an unconventional wind chime design and wherein the bubble wands make only partial turns in an oscillating to and fro fashion. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  perspective view illustrate an embodiment of the present invention wherein the vanes take the form a pinwheel modified to rotate the shaft with attached bubble disk. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0029]    In referring to the drawing of  FIG. 1 , a wind chime bubble blower apparatus  10  having an assembly of wind chimes  11  integrally hinged to a bubble producing mechanism  28 . 
         [0030]    Wind chimes  14  of the preferred embodiment are a plurality of elongated metal tubes suspended with a plurality of cords  16  or similar material. A clapper  18  and a pendulum  20  are suspended vertically from similar cord  16  material centrally hung among said wind chimes. When the pendulum  20  is moved about in the outdoor wind currents, it cause the clapper  18  to strike against the wind chimes  14  producing musical tones. 
         [0031]    The present invention takes this general design as the preferred embodiment, that is, hollow tubes suspended equidistant from each other in primarily a circular arrangement around the clapper and pendulum. Other formations maybe used, such as a side by side alignment of the tubes as shown in  FIG. 6 , which feature chimes without clapper and pendulum. The wind chime element can also take on an extremely eccentric non-traditional design as shown in  FIG. 9  alternate embodiment wherein kitchen utensils  14   a  are used instead of tubes for chimes. 
         [0032]    A circular disk serves as a base  22  by which the cords  16  of the wind chime assembly  12  hang from as shown in  FIG. 2 . The base  22  has a central passageway  24  in the form of a small hole. Said passageway  24  allow a path for the interconnection between a large knurled head knob screw  70 , the wind chime base  22 , and a coupling element  30 . An elongated cylindrical coupling hole  32  protrude vertically from coupling element engages a threaded shaft  72  of the large knurled head knob screw  70  in a screw like fashion. The large knurled head of the knob screw  70  effectively covers the passage way  24  of the wind chime base  22  when engaged into the coupling hole  32  of the coupling element  30  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 10 . This coupling of the base  22  between the knob screw  70  and coupling element  30  creates a secure link and facilitate a bonding of the two systems. 
         [0033]    As clearly illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 10 , the coupling element  30  attaches wind chime assembly  11  to the bottom surface of a bubble solution housing unit  34 . The coupling element  30  is sized and shaped in a curvature manner for efficient abutment underneath of bubble producing mechanism  28 . Attachment of coupling element  30  can be achieved by adhesive bonding, screw on, and or manufactured integrally as part of the bubble solution housing. 
         [0034]    The entire wind chime assembly  11  freely droops beneath the bubble producing mechanism  28 . 
         [0035]    The bubble solution housing  34  is where the bubble solution is contained to supply the covering film to generate bubbles. A number of intersperse bubble wands  54  like that of  FIG. 1 , or a plurality of bubble rings Ma like that of  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 10 , are covered in a film of bubble solution to be exposed to the wind by means of rotational movement of the bubble making apertures. 
         [0036]      FIG. 1  illustrates a pair of stilts  12 , vertically extending upwards from broad side of planar walls which form the rectangular opening of the bubble solution housing  34 . Suspended between orifices of stilts is a rim wheel frame work  50  on a shaft  60 . This wind actuated frame work comprises of a circular rim  52 , a disperse number of bubble wands  54  extending from the outer perimeter of rim  52 , and a plurality of vanes  56  connected to rim radically about a hub  58 , all being interconnected to the inner perimeter of the circular rim  52 . The rim wheel framework  50  is rotatably mounted on shaft  60  between stilts  12  as to rotate bubble wands  54  into bubble solution housing  34  to make close proximity to bottom floor. The rim wheel with bubble wands  54  serves as a rotatable dipper submerging and emerging the apertures of the bubble wands into the bubble solution to capture a thin film of solution by which bubbles are formed when contacted by air currents. 
         [0037]    The stilts  12  of the planer walls are made of semi-stiff material or flexible plastic that can be flexed to allow the rotatable shaft  60  with the entire rim wheel framework  50  to be manipulated between each orifice for support therein. Shaft  60  is secured with plugs  62  recessed into hollow ends of shaft  60  to eliminate any possibility of shaft disengaging from supports as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Removal of plugs from shaft to disengage rim wheel framework  50  will allow easy cleaning of bubble solution housing  34 . 
         [0038]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , one side wall of bubble solution housing is perforated with a series of drain holes  76 . These drain holes will drain excess fluids, such as exposure to rain, from housing above preferred level. 
         [0039]    The shaft  60  component has a collar  64  element that frictionally links to hub  58  of conjoined vanes  56  in a snap fit fashion as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The vanes  56  are meant to function in much the same way as the blades of a pinwheel. The material of choice for vane elements is semi-flexible plastic having blunt edges. Since this rotatable free-wheeling framework  50  maybe driven at high speeds in strong winds, a material such as this is generally suitable for a safety point of view. 
         [0040]    Horizontally protruding from opposite ends of the bubble solution housing  34  are a pair of flange elements  44  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 9 . A handle  42  of a semi-circular design with a set corresponding flange elements  44   a  mate together with that of the bubble solution housing by any suitable means such as bonding, rivets, screws, etc. The sturdy semi-circular handle  42 , with a centrally located eyelet  65 , is of adequate strength to support the whole wind chime bubble producing mechanism  28  including a filled bubble solution receptacle. The handle  42  is sufficiently wide in radius so as not to impede circular rotation of the bubble producing apertures. The handle is a very efficient way to carry entire apparatus to desired location to be hung from central eyelet by chain, rope, or cord and will accommodate a wide range of vertical height positioning from most overhead support. 
         [0041]    In addition to handle with eyelet for means of suspension in use with rope, cord, chain etc., a pivot and lock brace device  33  as seen in  FIG. 5  can also be effectively utilized to revolve and orient the entire wind chime bubble blower mechanism  28  into the wind. One exterior wall of the bubble solution housing  34  is equipped with a pair of sleeve-like support elements  35 . These support elements  35  slidably connect with a pair of prongs  37  on an arm of the pivot and lock brace device  33 . A bracket with slots  82  receives a pin  84  there through into a pinhole of arm element to lock revolving arm in position. The brace device can be attached to any suitable vertical support such as a post, column, or tree for example. The brace device  33  swivel and orient wind chime bubble blower mechanism  10  into the wind and lock it in a generally stable position even in brisk wind. 
         [0042]    The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6  shows a plurality of bubble rings Ma joined side by side to form a circular formation around the wind vanes  56  rotatablely connected to a hub disposed on a shaft. The wind chimes of  FIG. 6  embodiment has a substantially lateral arrangement attached by cords to a rectangular base  21  and base tethered to bubble solution housing with cords tied to eyelets  65   a.    
         [0043]    The embodiment of  FIG. 7  has the vanes  56   a  disposed outside the walls of the bubble solution housing  34  and rim wheel framework. Vanes function to rotate shaft connected bubble wands M or rings Ma into and out of bubble solution. 
         [0044]    The embodiment of  FIG. 8  is similar to that of  FIG. 7  however, a pair of vanes  56   a  and  56   b  are Vanes work in unison to rotate bubble wands  54  through bubble solution. 
         [0045]      FIG. 9  illustrate yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein the vanes make only partial turns of the shaft and connected bubble wands  54 . A rotational stop  74  protrude from the bottom floor of bubble solution housing  34  to impede full rotation of bubble wands  54 . This oscillating effect of the bubble wand will expose it intermittently longer to the air currents to prolong the materialization of bubbles. 
         [0046]      FIG. 10  embodiment is similar that of  FIG. 7  however the vanes are in the form of a pinwheel  72 . The pinwheel is modified to embrace and rotate shaft with its bubble making orifices, which in this illustration take the form of a bubble disk  54   b , into bubble solution. The bubble disk  54   b  is a correlation of a multitude of bubble rings of various diameters capable of producing an abundance of bubbles of assorted sizes. 
         [0047]    Various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein this specification will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Such modifications are intend to fall within the scope of the appended claims.