Abstract:
The instant development relates to utilizing the sonic motion generated by a speaker to move objects in various directions in response to the variation in the frequency and amplitude of the sonic vibrations. This can be used to move objects in a linear and/or rotating manner. This is accomplished by the utilization of directionality oriented members.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device that brings about various types of motion to a multitude of toys or other products that are generated by the sonic movement of a membrane directly or indirectly created by a variable or steady sound system. 
     Variations in the amplitude and frequency of the sound will vary the speed and movement of the objects placed in a position to respond to the sonic variation. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It has been common practice to vary the movement and positioning of various toys or other products by making them responsive to the movement of gears, shafts, linkages, etc. all of which require a motor for operating them. 
     It has long been desired to operate toys and other products without the necessity of a motor. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to devices that utilize sound generated through the action of a microprocessor or other device that can be programmed to generate sounds through a speaker or other vibrating source having a varying or steady frequency or amplitude to vary the speed and/or movement of an object placed in direct or indirect contact with a speaker diaphragm or the like that is energized by sound waves. This can be accomplished by placing an object on a speaker diaphragm surface that directly moves the object placed thereon or by placing the object to be moved on a support plate that is connected to the speaker diaphragm to move in accordance therewith. Through the use of directional members located on the bottom of the item being moved or on a member adjacent to the item to be moved by direct or indirect contact with the speaker the item will respond to the sound waves to move in a rotary and/or forward direction. 
     A programmed microprocessor or a radio are two ways that the sonic motion can be accomplished. 
     An object to be moved in response to sound waves can, by way of example, in addition to a speaker diaphragm or plate connected thereto, be placed on the speaker of a cell phone, or at the outlet of a microphone or musical instrument. Essentially, in accordance with the invention, an object can be operated by the sonic motion created where sound waves are emitted. The particular movement of the object in question can, in one instance, be controlled by directional members located on the bottom of the object being moved and subjected to the sound waves imparted against the directional members or conversely the directional members can be located on the sound imparting element to act upon the object in question. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a cross-sectional view of a sonically operated assembly consisting of a speaker and its components for activating objects located on a tray moved by the speaker diaphragm; 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the underside of a disc containing directionally oriented members for rotating the disc when in contact with a vibrating tray surface and a spaced section of directionally oriented members; 
         FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional view showing a cube in position to be operated by the sonic actions of the speaker; 
         FIG. 2B  shows a second embodiment of a hollow cube containing a ball that is activated within the cube; 
         FIG. 2C  shows a hollow cube containing a plurality of spheres within a hollow cube energized by the sonic motion of a speaker. 
         FIG. 2D  is a hollow cube containing a sphere that is rotated within the cube; 
         FIG. 2E  is a hollow cube that contains a figure that is rotated within the cube by the sonic vibrations; 
         FIG. 2F  shows a hollow cube containing water that is moved within the cube by sonic vibrations; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates an open card or book which when opened will emit sounds and activate a vibrating disc; 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a detail of the speaker and disc interaction; 
         FIG. 4  shows a holiday ornament rotated by a vibrating speaker; 
         FIG. 5  shows a doll whose arms are moved up and down by the sonic assembly; 
         FIG. 6  is a mobile operated by a speaker; 
         FIG. 7A  is a plan view of a hot wheels vehicle assembly having eyes that are moved in response to the movements of a speaker diaphragm; 
         FIG. 7B  is a side view of the vehicle assembly of  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 7C  is plan view of a hot wheels vehicle assembly in which the engine is tilted from side to side in response to the movements of a speaker diaphragm; 
         FIG. 7D  is a side view of the vehicle assembly of  FIG. 7C   
         FIG. 8A  is a cross-sectional view of a giraffe in which the lower jaw of the giraffe is moved in response to the movement of a speaker diaphragm; 
         FIG. 8B  is a front view of the disc  64 . 
         FIG. 9  discloses another embodiment of a sonically operated lolly pop holder similar in operation to the stand alone sonic motion device in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 10A  illustrates a figure directed game spinner device using sonic motion generated by a speaker; and 
         FIG. 10B  illustrates a game spinner device similar to  FIG. 10A  in which an arrow is used in place of the figure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1A  there is illustrated a cross sectional view of a sonic motion mechanism  10 . A microprocessor electronics package  12  is utilized that is supplied current from a battery pack  14 . Current from the battery pack  14  for the microprocessor electronics package  12  can be controlled by an on/off switch  15  or a momentary contact switch  17 . The microprocessor electronics package  12  sends a signal to the speaker  16  that causes the speaker diaphragm  16 A to create vibrations in the tray  18  and produce sound for the enjoyment of the user as well as a mechanical movement of the tray that acts to move various items in direct or indirect contact with the diaphragm surface  16 A. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1A  the speaker  16  is connected by a speaker tray connector  20  to the tray such as a high chair tray  18  that vibrates in response to the sonic waves created by the speaker  16 . A child can place various items on the high chair vibrating tray surface  18 A to observe the actions of the items placed on the vibrating tray  18  such as a rotating disc  24  or a lateral action cube  26 . These are but a few of the examples of objects that when placed on the tray can spin and/or move laterally in response to the sonic motion imparted by the speaker  16 . The rotating disc  24  can impart rotation to a shaft connected thereto that alone or through a gear mechanism can drive a wide variety of items. Other examples, some of which will be described later include juvenile merchandise, talking books, greeting cards, sound action dolls, christmas ornaments, game spinner or a fan blade to dispense air freshener scents. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1A , the cube  26  will move in accordance with the frequency and amplitude of the speaker diaphragm  16 A acting on the vibrating tray  18 . The disc  24  located on the tray  18  for movement with respect thereto is shown in its upside down position in  FIG. 1B . The disc  24  is provided with circumferentially spaced sections  27  of directional members that are oriented to transmit the sonic motion of the speaker to rotate the disc  24  relative to the tray  18 . In this particular embodiment there is shown secured angled bristles  28  of a velour type material secured to the bottom of the disc  24 . Specifically, there is shown a circumferentially spaced group of directional members  28  that are oriented to rotate the disc  24  when disposed adjacent the vibrating tray  18 . The speaker  16  can be operated at subsonic frequencies on the order of 20-120 hertz all the way up to 400 hertz which allows the speaker diaphragm  16 A to vibrate in such a way to cause the cube  26  to move relative to the tray  18  and the disc  24  to rotate when in contact with the vibrating tray  18 . These are but preferred frequencies and the invention is not limited thereto. The sound will control the speed at which the items are moved and if the movement of the items are to be restricted they can be tethered to the surface on which they are placed. 
     In essence, depending on the signal the speaker  16  receives from the microprocessor  12  or other input the speaker  16  will create vibrations in the speaker diaphragm  16 A that will produce sound for the enjoyment of the user as well as a mechanical movement to move various items relative thereto. The items will move to the rhythm of the sound. 
     We turn now to  FIGS. 2A-2F  that illustrate a variety of other objects positioned on a vibrating tray  30 . These are but representative of numerous objects that can be moved in response to the vibrations emanating from a speaker. All of those illustrated receive a signal from a microprocessor  12  powered by current from a battery pack  14 . 
     Referring first to  FIG. 2A  we see a system similar to  FIG. 1A  in which there is shown a vibrating tray  30  on which is located cube  26 . Also illustrated are speaker  16 , speaker diaphragm  16 A, speaker tray connector  20 , battery pack  14  and the microprocessor electronics package  12 . 
       FIGS. 2B through 2F  show a number of different iterations of the cube  26  shown on  FIG. 2A . 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates an isometric view of a lateral action cube  26  that includes outwardly oriented directional members  28  attached to the four angled blocks  32  secured to the inner surface of the bottom wall of the lateral action cube  26 . A large sphere  34  is supported on the outwardly extending directional members  28  secured to the angled surface of the blocks  32 . When current from battery pack  14  for the microprocessor electronics package  12  is supplied from an on/off switch  15  or a momentary contact switch (not shown) the microprocessor  12  sends a signal to the speaker  16  that causes the speaker  16  to create vibrations in the speaker diaphragm  16 A. This vibration is transmitted from the speaker diaphragm  16 A through the speaker tray connector  20  and vibration tray  30 . When lateral action cube  26  is placed on the vibrating tray surface  30  the vibrations are imposed on the outwardly oriented directional members  28  on the inclined surfaces of the blocks  32  to move the large sphere  34  towards the inside of the walls of lateral action cube  26  and/or rotate the sphere  34  relative to the cube  26 . 
     In  FIG. 2C  there is shown a large hollow cube  36  that contains various sized spheres  38  that interact with each other and with plate  40  that is secured to the inward bottom surface of the cube  36 . On the upper surface of plate  40  are directional members  28  that in response to the frequency and amplitude of the vibrating plate  40  on which the spheres  38  are located moves the spheres  38  around within the cube walls. 
       FIG. 2D  illustrates a cube  42  that contains a large sphere  34  and circumferentially oriented directional members  44  located on the inside surface of the ring  46  secured to the inside bottom wall of cube  42 . When the cube  42  is placed on the vibrating tray surface  30  the large sphere  38  is rotated inside the cube  42  by the circumferentially directed members  44 . 
       FIG. 2E  discloses a cube  48  that contains an animal  FIG. 50  that is secured to plates  52  having outwardly disposed surfaces containing directional members  28 . The directional members are oriented as shown in  FIG. 2E   1  and when exposed to a vibrating surface the outwardly extending directional members rotate the  FIG. 50  inside the cube  48 . 
     The embodiment shown in  FIG. 2F  discloses a partially liquid filled cube  54 . The water or other liquid  56  located therein will move relative thereto in a wave pattern when the cube is placed on a vibrating surface  30 . 
     The  FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate an open and closed greeting card or book respectively embodying applicants invention.  FIG. 3A  is an isometric view of the card  58  in the open position whereas  FIG. 3B  is a view showing the detail of the speaker and disc interaction. 
     The speaker  16  that creates the sonic motion is attached to the back cover of the card  58  and the speaker  16  is activated by the electronic package  12  using current from battery pack  14 . In  FIG. 3B  the speaker surface  16 A is connected to a speaker connector  60  that is in turn connected to the vibration disc  62 . Mounted directly above vibration disc  62  is a rotating disc  64  that has on its bottom surface circumferentially oriented directional members  66 . The disc  64  is held in place by pin  63  and could contain graphics if desired. When the card  58  is opened a momentary contact switch  17  allows current to flow from battery pack  14  to electronics package  12  to send a signal to speaker  16 . The activation of the speaker  16  to emit a selected message causes the speaker diaphragm surface to vibrate and move the speaker connector  60  and vibration disc  62  which results in the circumferentially oriented members  66  rotating the disc  64 . 
     In  FIG. 4  there is shown a cross-sectional view of a stand alone sonic motion ornament  68  located within a dome  69 . Power for the sonic motion ornament  68  is either supplied from battery pack  14  or from a low voltage Christmas light connection (not shown). The ornament can be turned on by the on-off switch  15  or a momentary switch  17  could be used. 
     When current is supplied to the microprocessor electronics package  12 , a signal is supplied to speaker  16 . The speaker surface  16 A vibrates the speaker connector  60  and associated vibration disc  62 . The vibration disc  62  transmits the sonic movement to the circumferentially oriented material-members  66  and attached disc  64  to rotate. Connected to disc  64  is a pin  70  that rotates along with disc  64 . Pin  70  transmits rotary motion up to figure disc  72 . Secured to the figure disc  72  is the  FIG. 74  which is inside dome  69 . The user of the Christmas ornament can see the  FIG. 74  rotate and enjoy the sound from the speaker  16 . 
     While in this embodiment there is shown a rotating plate  72  with an ornament  74  placed thereon there can be a plurality of strategically placed figures having directional members connected thereto responding to the speaker vibrations. This could include bumper cars on plates having depending directional fibers that would be designed to rotate and/or move laterally over a vibrating surface as well as figures that in response to sonic vibrations will spar with each other such as in a star wars type fight. The variations are essentially limitless and only restricted by the imagination of the creator. 
       FIG. 5  shows the utilization of sonic motion to operate the arms of a character  80 . The isometric view of character  80  includes a speaker  16 , battery pack  14  and microprocessor electronics package  12 . An on-off switch  15  is used to turn the character on or off. The sonic motion from the speaker  16  drives the vibration disc  82 . The vibration disc  82  imparts sonic motion to the circumferentially oriented members  84  connected to disc  86  to rotate the disc  86 . Connected to the disc  86  is centrally oriented pin  88  that extends through the crank mechanism support structure  89 . The pin  88  connects to the drive pinion  90  that in turn drives crown gear  92 . The crown gear  92  rotates crown shaft  94  that drives arm crank  96 . When current is supplied from battery pack  14  to microprocessor electronics package  12  to supply a signal to speaker  16  the speaker diaphragm surface  16 A vibrates speaker connector (not shown) and vibration disc  82 . This causes the rotation of the circumferentially oriented material members  84  along with rotating disc  86  and centrally oriented pin  88 . The motion is transferred through crank action support structure  89  to pinion  90 . Pinion  90  in turn interacts with crown gear  92  to rotate crown shaft  94  which is connected to arm crank  96  which has an offset pin  100  that rides in a slot (not shown) in arm  110  to cause arm  110  to swing in an arc about arm pivot pin  98 . 
     In  FIG. 6  there is shown a crib mobile  111  that is powered by sonic motion from a speaker  16  through a speaker connector  20  to a vibrating disc  112 . The sonic motion of the vibrating disc  112  is imposed on the angled directional fibers  114  secured to a rotating disc  116 . Depending from the disc  116  is a rod  118  from which hangs three arms  120 ,  122  and  124 . Depending from the ends of arms  120 ,  122 ,  124  are three attractive members  126 ,  128 ,  130  that provides entertainment to someone lying in the crib. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 7A and 7B  there is illustrated the plan and side views of a toy vehicle  150 . Centrally located within the vehicle  150  is a speaker  16  that has a speaker surface  16 A that vibrates and transmits vibration to circumferentially oriented members  66  depending from the crank plate  152  on which is located the upwardly extending crank pin  154  that is eccentrically located relative to the axis of crank plate  152 . The vibrations to the member  66  act to rotate the crank plate  152 . The crank pin  154  rides in a slot  156  in crank follower  158 . The crank follower  158  is pivotally connected to a pivot pin  160  extending upwardly from a member  162  connected to the toy vehicle  150 . Connected to the free end of the crank follower  158  are a pair of eyes  164 . The crank follower  158  rotates around the follower pivot  160 . When the speaker is activated the crank plate  152  is rotated and carries with it the crank pin  154  that moves in the slot  156  and engages the crank follower  158  to pivot it about pin  160 . The crank follower oscillates back and forth to move eyes  164  on the end of the crank follower from side to side. To complete the description of the assembly in  FIG. 7A  it is noted that the power therefore is provided by the batteries  14  located in the vehicle which powers the sound electronics that could be a microprocessor  12  or a radio to provide signals for the vibration generating device which in the illustrated embodiment is a speaker  16 . 
       FIGS. 7C and 7D  are similar to  FIGS. 7A and 7B  but instead of the eyes  164  being moved the engine  166  is tilted from side to side as the crank follower  158  is oscillated by the crank pin  154 . 
     In  FIG. 8A  there is shown a profile view of an animal  170  which in this case is a giraffe that has a vibration generating member shown here as a speaker  16  located in the abdomen of the giraffe  170 . The speaker  16  has a speaker surface  16 A that has a speaker connector  20  that transfers the vibration from vibration generating members to the vibration disc  62 . The disc  64  contains, extending circumferentially oriented members  66  disposed adjacent vibration disc  62  that transfers the circular motion to disc  64  to move link  172 . Link  172  is connected to lower jaw  174  which pivots around jaw pivot  176 .  FIG. 8B  is a front view of the disc  64  showing an opening for link  172 . 
     In  FIG. 9  there is illustrated a sonic motion pop holder assembly  200  that includes a vibration generating arrangement including a speaker  16  located in the handle  202  thereof. The speaker has a speaker surface  16 A and a speaker connector  60  which transfers the vibration from vibration generating member shown here as speaker  16  to the vibration disc  62 . The circumferentially oriented material members  66  is disposed adjacent disc  62  and transfers the circular motion to rotation plate  64  to which is connected the lolly pop holder  204  that rotates therewith. The holder  204  has a receptacle for the lolly pop stick handle  206  to which the candy portion  208  of the pop is connected. 
     To rotate the lolly pop the child presses the momentary switch  17  and the battery  14  supplies current to the sound electronics  12  which provides a signal to speaker  16 . The lolly pop is rotated by the action of the circumferentially oriented members  66  interaction with the disc  64 . When the child places the pop in their mouth the rotation may slow down or stop but the child can still hear the sound being produced by the speaker  16 . 
       FIG. 10A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a game spinner  220  that is activated by a vibration generating member consisting of a speaker  16  by the action of a speaker surface  16 A. The vibration of the speaker surface  16 A is transferred to the vibration disk  62  through a speaker connector  60 . Located above the vibration disk  62  is the circumferentially oriented member  66  which transfers the circular motion of the member  66  to the rotation plate  58 . The rotation plate  58  is connected to the figure plate  222  through a shaft  224 . The spinner  figure 226  is connected to the rotation plate  58  and has a pointer  228  that rotates above spinner graphics  230  to indicate game play. 
     A momentary switch  17  for battery  14  when pressed supplies current to sound electronics  12  which provides a signal to speaker  16 . Thus, the spinner  figure 226  is rotated by the action of the circumferentially oriented member  66  with the disk  58 . 
     In  FIG. 10B  there is illustrated an embodiment similar to the one shown in  FIG. 10A  in which the spinner  figure 226  is replaced with the arrow type pointer  228  that is connected to the shaft  224 . 
     It is intended to cover by the appended claims all embodiments that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.