Sound pickup and amplifier apparatus for vibrating strings

An apparatus to pick up and amplify sounds created by vibrations of a flexible member having a base which supports a sound pick up that transmits a signal to an amplifier. The apparatus is attached to the flexible member by an attachment assembly mounted on the base at an approximate center of gravity of the apparatus. The attachment assembly has two points of attachment such that when the flexible member is under tension a rotational force around the attachment assembly brings the sound pick up close to or in contact with the flexible member. The apparatus may also have the sound pick up mounted to a speaker that is mounted to the base. The apparatus may also have the sound pick up mounted to the base and transmit a signal to a separate amplifier.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The invention relates to the removable addition of sound pick up and 
amplification to strings and in particular kite strings that are under 
varying tensions and have varying vibrations. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
A number of devices exist for creating sound while flying a kite. In all of 
these devices sound is created by a feature added to the functional 
structure of the kite. U.S. Pat. No. 4,752,051, issued to Chang on Jun. 
21, 1988, discloses a rotating device that creates sound. The device is 
intended to be attached to a kite string. When the device is in operation, 
air flow causes a windsail to rotate, which in turn rotates a plucking 
device that strikes a spring to make a clicking sound. This device is 
attached to the kite string by cutting the string and tying either end to 
either side of the device, which makes attaching and removing the device 
inconvenient. Use of this device also requires that it be attached to the 
string prior to launching the kite. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,085, issued to Cuesta et al. on Jan. 6, 1987, discloses 
a kite structure that incorporates a device with the sole purpose of 
creating sound. This device mounted on the body of the kite uses a 
flexible strap that vibrates in the air to create a sound. This device is 
intended to be a permanent feature of the kite and thus would not be easy 
to remove or install. 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,800,293, issued to Kindelberger et al. on May 4, 1954, 
discloses a propeller to be mounted on a kite to help control the kite as 
well as create sound. Air passing through openings in the rotating 
propeller blades creates a buzzing sound. The propeller is intended to be 
a permanent feature of the kite and has to be mounted on the body of the 
kite before the kite is airborne. U.S. Pat. No. 4,336,915, issued to 
Stoecklin et al. on Jun. 29, 1982, also discloses a kite structure that 
incorporates a rotating device mounted on the body of the kite. In this 
patent whistles attached to the blades of the rotating device create 
sounds as air passes through them. 
Other devices intended to be attached to kite strings exist in the prior 
art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,222, issued to Baird on Jun. 27, 1989, discloses 
a device that enables kites to carry loads upwards for release. One part 
of this device is fixedly attached to a kite string. The device and the 
load must be attached to the string before the kite is airborne. U.S. Pat. 
No. 3,583,662, issued to Bury on Jun. 8, 1971, discloses another device 
that enables kites to carry loads upwards for release. All of the 
described embodiments of this device have at least one part that is 
fixedly attached to the kite string and must be attached before the kite 
is airborne. Neither of these two devices creates or amplifies sound. 
In the present invention, the sound to be picked up and amplified is that 
created by the vibrations of a string under tension. When used on a kite 
string, the apparatus picks up and amplifies the sound created by the 
vibrations of the kite string caused by the wind. 
The known devices for creating sound while flying a kite are either 
permanent features of the kite itself or attached to the string in a way 
that damages the string and makes removal difficult. None of the devices 
in the prior art are easily attached and removed. It would be an 
improvement on the current art to create an apparatus for the pick up and 
amplification of sounds created by the vibrations of a string that can be 
easily attached and removed from any string. The present invention 
discloses an apparatus that can be easily and quickly attached to a 
string, and just as easily and quickly removed. The apparatus can be 
attached to a string while it is under tension during kite flying or 
before the kite is airborne while the string is not under tension. 
None of the devices in the prior art allow the user to disable the sound 
creating function without removing the device from the kite or the string. 
It would be an improvement on the current art to create an apparatus that 
would allow a user to disable the sound creating function while the 
apparatus remains attached to a string under tension. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an aspect of the invention to provide an apparatus to pick up and 
amplify the sound created by vibrations of a string under tension. 
It is a further aspect of the invention to provide an apparatus to pick up 
and amplify the sound created by vibrations of a kite string under 
tension, where the vibrations are created by wind. 
It is a further aspect of the invention to provide an apparatus to pick up 
and amplify the sound created by vibrations of a string under tension that 
is easily attached and removed from any string. 
It is a further aspect of the invention to provide an apparatus to pick up 
and amplify the sound created by vibrations of a string under tension that 
can be attached and removed from a string while under tension and while 
not under tension. 
It is a further aspect of the invention to provide an apparatus to pick up 
and amplify the sound created by vibrations of a kite string under tension 
that can be attached and removed from the kite string while the kite is 
airborne and while the kite is not airborne. 
It is a final aspect of the invention to provide an apparatus to pick up 
and amplify the sound created by vibrations of a string under tension that 
allows the temporary disabling of the pick up and amplification of the 
sound while the string is under tension. 
The invention is an apparatus to pick up and amplify the sounds created by 
the vibrations of a flexible member. The apparatus comprises a base that 
supports a sound pick up that transmits a signal to an amplifier. The 
apparatus is attached to a flexible member by an attachment assembly that 
is mounted on the base at an approximate center of gravity of the 
apparatus. The attachment assembly comprises two points of attachment such 
that when the flexible member is under tension a rotational force is 
created around the attachment assembly and the sound pick up is brought 
close to or into contact with the flexible member. In one embodiment of 
the invention, the attachment assembly comprises two supports, each 
comprising a post and a pin. The two supports are oriented such that the 
pins are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the horizontal axis 
of the base. In another embodiment of the invention, the attachment 
assembly comprises one post and two pins. In another embodiment of the 
invention, the attachment assembly comprises one post and one pin having a 
recess shaped to provide the two points of attachment. In a further 
embodiment of the invention, the attachment assembly comprises one post, a 
link mounted to the post by a pin, and a second pin mounted on the link. 
In another embodiment of the invention the sound pick up is mounted to an 
amplifier in the form of a speaker mounted to the base. In another 
embodiment of the invention the sound pick up is mounted to the base and 
transmits a signal to a separate amplifier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring first to FIG. 1, the invention 11 consists of a base 2 in the 
shape of a fork. Base 2 supports a speaker 4 by means of multiple tabs 6 
and 8 staggered alternately and radially above and below the rim of the 
speaker 4. At least one upper tab 6 fits into a recess 9 which maintains 
the orientation of the speaker 4 and sound pick up 14, mounted on speaker 
4. The sound pick up 14 will then be kept parallel with a horizontal axis 
3 of the invention 11. 
The invention 11 is mounted on a string 24 by an attachment assembly, which 
comprises a pair of posts 10 each supporting a pin 12. The posts 10 are 
oriented to create a path for the string 24 when the string 24 is under 
tension, as shown. The pins 12 do not touch an opposite post 10 or each 
other. This attachment assembly of posts 10 and pins 12 is mounted on the 
base 2 at an approximate center of gravity of the invention 11. When 
attached to a string under tension, this arrangement creates a rotational 
force around the attachment assembly that tends to force the sound pick up 
14 on the speaker 4 into contact with the tense string 24. This contact 
creates an efficient transfer of vibrations from the string 24 to the 
sound pick up 14 and thus onto the speaker 4. 
The conical shape of the speaker 4 serves to amplify the vibrations of the 
string 24. Speakers made of different materials and different densities 
will change the characteristics of the amplified sound. Different speakers 
may be easily interchanged in this embodiment without the use of tools. 
The sound pick up and amplification may also be temporarily disabled 
without removing the invention 11 from a string simply by lifting the end 
of the fork so that the sound pick up 14 is not in contact with the 
string. This embodiment may also be easily manufactured in two parts: the 
base and the speaker with an integrally mounted sound pick up. This 
embodiment of the invention may be made of a light material, such as 
plastic, so that a kite string will support the invention during kite 
flying. However, other light materials well known in the art may be used 
Referring now to FIG. 2, an alternate embodiment of the invention 11 
consists of a base 22 with a horizontal axis 3. Base 22 supports a pick up 
holder 18, which in turn supports an electronic pick up 20. The invention 
11 is mounted on a string 24 by an attachment assembly, which comprises a 
pair of posts 10 each supporting a pin 12. The posts 10 are oriented to 
create a path for the string 24 when the string 24 is under tension, as 
shown. The pins 12 do not touch an opposite post 10 or each other. This 
attachment assembly of posts 10 and pins 12 is mounted on the base 2 at an 
approximate center of gravity of the invention 11. When attached to a 
string under tension, this arrangement creates a rotational force around 
the attachment assembly that tends to force the electronic pick up 20 
substantially close to the tense string 24. The electronic pick up 20 
transmits a signal to a separate electronic amplifier 23. 
A string guide 16 is mounted to the base between the pair of posts 10 and 
the electronic pick up 20 so as to maintain the tense string 24 
substantially close to the electronic pickup 20. The different positions 
of the string guide 16 along the horizontal axis 3 of the base 22 will 
result in different pitches transmitted to the electronic pick up 20. The 
sound pick up and amplification may be temporarily disabled simply by 
lifting the end of the base so that the electronic pick up is not 
substantially close to the string. This embodiment of the invention may be 
easily manufactured as one piece. This embodiment of the invention may be 
made of a light material, such as plastic, so that a kite string will 
support the invention during kite flying. However, other light materials 
well known in the art may be used. 
Referring now to FIG. 3, a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 
across section line 3--3 is shown attached to a string 24 that is not 
under tension. In this situation the sound pick up 14 is not in contact 
with the string 24. The string 24 is under the pin 12 closest to the 
speaker 4, and over the other pin 12. 
Referring now to FIG. 4, a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 
across section line 3--3 is shown mounted to a string 24 that is under 
tension. In this situation the sound pick up 14 is in contact with the 
string 24. The string 24 is in the same position relative to the pins 12 
as in FIG. 3. 
Referring now to FIG. 5, a further embodiment of the invention is shown 
featuring an alternate configuration of the attachment assembly. Post 10 
is mounted on the base 22 at an approximate center of gravity of the 
invention 11. Link 30 is mounted on post 10 by a threaded pin 32. Pin 32 
holds link 30 in place by tightening nut 33, and provides one point of 
attachment for string 24. A second pin 31 is mounted on link 30 to provide 
a second point of attachment for string 24. Rotating the link 30 around 
pin 32 changes the rotational force that is created around the attachment 
assembly when the invention is attached to a tense string. 
Referring now to FIG. 6, a further embodiment of the invention is shown 
featuring another alternate configuration of the attachment assembly. Post 
10 is mounted on base 22 at an approximate center of gravity of the 
invention 11. Two pins 34 are mounted on post 10 vertically to provide two 
points of attachment for the string 24. 
Referring now to FIG. 7, a further embodiment of the invention is shown 
featuring a further alternate configuration of the attachment assembly. 
The post 10 is mounted on base 22 at an approximate center of gravity of 
the invention 11. A threaded pin 36 is mounted on the post 10 and may be 
fixed into position by tightening nut 37. Pin 36 has a recess 38 providing 
two points of attachment 39 and 40. Rotating pin 36 changes the rotational 
force created around the attachment assembly when the invention is 
attached to a tense string 24. Rotating pin 36 towards the fork 2 will 
increase the rotational force and rotating pin 36 away from the fork 2 
will decrease the rotational force. 
While there have been described what are at present considered to be the 
preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to those 
skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made 
therein without departing from the invention and it is, therefore, aimed 
to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit 
and scope of the invention.