Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a sound generating apparatus, including an article adapted to be worn on a user&#39;s hand, and an electronic assembly attached to the article. It further includes structure for generating a sound within the electronic assembly. Still further, it includes an actuator for energizing the electronic assembly to emit the sound.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates to sound generating devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to sound generating devices to be used in connection with gloves, mittens and related accessories which are designed to produce sports-related sounds, such as applause, cheering and the like. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   People attend sporting events, such as football or baseball games, to support their favorite teams. Enthusiasm for such events is at an all time high, and such events usually draw large crowds. Part of the allure of attending such events in person involves the active participation of the fan. The louder the fan can cheer for their team, the more connected the fan feels to the game, almost as if the fan was participating in the game. The sound generated by these thousands of fans for their team can give their team a distinct advantage. This is part of what is commonly referred to as the “home field advantage.” 
   When attending outdoor sports events during inclement weather, fans often need to wear gloves or mittens to protect their extremities from the extreme weather conditions and bitter cold. However, the conventional gloves or mittens worn by sports fans have an inherent drawback; the nature of conventional gloves or mittens is such that clapping while wearing such gloves or mittens muffles or completely silences any clapping the sports fans may attempt. Therefore, the following useful and novel article has been developed to allow the wearer of gloves, mittens or the like to generate artificial clapping sounds or other sounds. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide for a sound generating device attached to a glove, mitten or the like. Toward these ends, the present invention comprises a sound generating apparatus comprising an article adapted to be worn on a user&#39;s hand; an electronic assembly attached to said article; structure for generating sound within said electronic assembly; and structure for allowing the user to actuate and de-actuate said means for generating sound within said electronic assembly. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a sound generating device for use with a wearer&#39;s existing gloves or mittens. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a sound generating device for use with a glove, mitten or the like, which can play a variety of sounds. 
   Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned from practice of the invention. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views. 
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  shows a second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  shows an third embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is an electrical diagram of an electronic assembly for use in the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is an electrical diagram of an alternative embodiment of the electronic assembly; 
       FIG. 6  is an electrical diagram of another alternative embodiment of the electronic assembly; 
       FIG. 7  shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 8  shows the invention from  FIG. 7  in application. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the present invention includes a glove body  10 , and a self-contained electronic assembly  12  secured to the glove body  10 . The electronic assembly  12  may be secured to the glove body by various methods, including, but not limited to, adhesives, hook and loop closure, stitching, or riveting. 
   Glove body  10  includes a plurality of finger sheaths  14  and a thumb sheath  16 . In the case of mittens, glove body  10  includes a single finger sheath large enough to accommodate four fingers and a thumb. 
   With reference to  FIG. 4 , the self-contained electronic sound assembly  12  includes a power source  18 , a sensor  20 , an electronic circuit  22  for sound storage and driving sound generation, and an audio speaker  24 . Power source  18  may be one or a plurality of batteries electrically connected with the sensor  20  and the audio speaker  24 , for powering the same. Sensor  20  is electrically connected to power source  18  and electronic circuit  22 . Sensor  20  detects that the desired action has occurred; for example, two hands have struck each other with the intent to make a clapping sound. This can be accomplished by a variety of structures, such as a mechanical shock pulse sensor (spring and conductive cylinder), a piezoelectric shock pulse sensor, a surface micro-machined silicon shock pulse sensor, and other shock pulse detecting technologies. An accelerometer, made with a variety of technologies, can be used in place of the shock pulse sensor. 
   Electronic circuit  22  is electrically connected to sensor  20  and the audio speaker  24 . Electronic circuit  22  has stored sounds, such as clapping or other sports-related sounds such as cheering, booing, whistling, and the like. The electronic circuit  22  drives the stored sound pulse or sound sequence into the audio speaker. The construction of electronic circuit  22  is of the type well-known in the art. Audio speaker  24  is electrically connected to, and driven by, electronic circuit  22 , and electrically connected to power source  18 . 
   With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , in a second embodiment, sensor  20  is replaced with a switch  26  to initiate the sound sequence. Switch  26  allows the user to initiate the sound sequence without performing or simulating the clapping action. Switch  26  may have a plurality of positions; one position would be “off,” the other positions would allow the user to determine a specific sports-related sound, such as clapping or cheering. This embodiment allows users to show their appreciation with little physical exertion. This embodiment would benefit users who are frail or have a prosthetic limb as well as users in a crowded venue. 
   A further alternative electronic assembly  12  is shown in FIG.  6 . In particular, this assembly utilizes both a sensor  20  and a switch  26 . This circuitry allows a user versatility in selecting sounds, turning the assembly “on” or “off,” manually actuating the assembly, and/or utilizing a sensor to actuate the assembly in response to a clapping motion. As is apparent, numerous other variations of assembly  12  are possible utilizing different configurations and some or all of the components of assembly  12 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 3 , in a third embodiment, a pocket  28  is formed on the glove body. Pocket  28  includes an opening  30  through which self-contained electronic assembly  12  may be inserted and removed. Preferably, the outer layer of the pocket is a mesh material  31  to enable the sound generated by electronic assembly  12  to emanate unhindered from pocket  28 . Pocket  28  may include a sealing device, such as a zipper or hook and loop closure  32 , to ensure securement of electronic assembly  12  within pocket  28 . 
   With reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , electronic assembly  12  is secured to strap  34  that may be fastened around the user&#39;s hand. This embodiment allows users to enjoy the invention while using existing gloves in their wardrobe or without gloves at all. 
   From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. 
   It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. 
   Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.