Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    Generations of children have used a clothespin to attach a baseball or playing card to a wheel of a bicycle to generated an “engine” sound as the card contacts the spokes of the wheel. 
         [0003]    Unfortunately, after even a small amount of use, the card would eventually wear out, or become bent or wet, such that it would no longer generate the desired sound. The constant need to replace used cards is a distraction from the overall enjoyment of the noise making produced by fresh cards. In addition, in many cases, the clothespin may not firmly grip the fork or wheel support. During use, an inadequate grip could allow the clothespin to slide relative to the support thereby moving the card away from the spokes such that no sound is generated. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Over the years, different attempts have been made to create sound generators for spoked wheel vehicles. One apparatus includes a flap portion that is inserted into the spokes to generate the engine sound, and an attachment mechanism having a cylindrical interior having a gap along one side. The gap allows the cylindrical portion to clip over a rounded bicycle fork. However, such devices are limited to use with bicycles and other vehicles having rounded forks, and may not provide a firm grip especially on forks having other cross-sectional shapes (e.g. oval). Attaching and detaching the clip may also damage the paint on the fork. 
         [0006]    A different sound maker for use on a bicycle is disclosed in U.S. Patent D644550 which illustrates a one-piece unit having two flaps that extend out tangentially from a partially cylindrical interior mounting area, and related tabs for opening/closing the interior area. However, this sound maker is also designed for use with cylindrical forks, and the large gap may not firmly grip the fork allowing the flaps to move away from the spokes during use, stopping the generation of sound. 
         [0007]    Another sound generating apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,694,488 comprises a thin, deformable plastic piece that is wrapped around an attachment location such as a bicycle fork leaving a free end that protrudes into the spokes of the adjacent wheel for noise generation, the plastic piece being secured to the fork using a fastener. However, the free end of the plastic piece is easily moved and therefore may not always extend fully into the spokes. In addition, the free end may be broken after use, requiring replacement of the entire assembly instead of simply swapping for a new card. 
         [0008]    It is therefore desirable to provide a sound-generating device for use with a wide variety of spoked-wheel vehicles that is durable so that it lasts longer between replacements, reliable so that it tends to stay engaged with the spokes, and easily repaired or made functional in the event of a failure. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention includes methods and apparatus for generating sounds using the spokes of a wide variety of vehicles by providing sound-generating devices that are durable, reliable, and easily repaired or replaced. Embodiments of the invention include a base member for engagement with a fork or support for a wheel of a spoked vehicle, and a separate card or flap that is engaged with the base member. The base is preferably made of sturdy, rigid material. The card may be made of the same material as the base, but with a thinner cross-section in order to deform slightly and flap between the spokes of a wheel; or the card may be made of less rigid material. It is to be appreciated that the rigidity of the card will depend on the loudness of the sound desired to be generated by the card in the spokes, that such sound may be increased by using a more rigid material, or decreased by using a more flexible material. 
         [0010]    In embodiments of the invention, the base member is elongated, and in some embodiments an elongated side of the base member may be specially shaped or contoured to conform to the shape of the edge of the fork or wheel support to which the base will be engaged. It is to be appreciated that the shaping of this side may be different in different embodiments in accordance with the shape of the fork/wheel support to which it is to be attached in order to provide a more snug fit. For example, and without limitation, this side may have a concave shape (that may be varied in arc) to accept a rounded or oval fork, or the side may have one or more angles or corners to receive corresponding corner(s) of a triangular, square, hexagonal, octagonal or other shaped fork, etc. 
         [0011]    Embodiments of the invention provide a specially-shaped slot on the base member for receiving a corresponding edge of the card to hold the card securely in place. In embodiments of the invention, the slot extends partway along an elongated side of the base member, on a side that is different from the optionally contoured side, the slot being open at one end of the base (to receive an edge of card), but closed at the opposite end (to prevent the card from dropping out of the slot). In some embodiments of the invention, one or more holes are provided through the base member for receiving attachment devices to secure the base member to a vehicle fork or wheel support. It is to be appreciated that alternative embodiments may include different combinations or permutations of the features disclosed herein. 
         [0012]    In use, one of the elongated sides of a base member of an embodiment of the invention may be formed or contoured to conform to the shape of the vehicle fork to which it will be engaged. An elongated side of the base is engaged to a vehicle fork or wheel support, preferably with such contoured side against the fork, using one or more attachment devices that are wrapped around the fork, and passed through the one or more holes in the base. For example and without limitation, the engagement devices may be nylon straps, or ties with one-way tightening mechanisms. This allows the base to be securely attached to the vehicle fork without slipping out of place during use. The base is mounted on the fork such that a side having a vertical slot therein is generally vertically oriented, and faces toward the spokes of the wheel, with the open end of the slot at the top, and the closed end at the bottom. The slot is formed such that it has an elongated narrow opening or slit along the side of the base, but a wider interior area to receive an enlarged edge of a card. 
         [0013]    A card having an enlarged edge is placed into the slot by inserting the enlarged edge of the card into the (upper) end opening on the base, and sliding the card (down) into the slot. The closed end of the slot (at the bottom) prevents the card from falling out of the slot, thereby retaining the card in the slot. By inserting the card into the slot in this manner, the body of the card extends into the spoke area of the wheel where it can make contact with the spokes as the wheel turns, generating the desired sound. It is to be appreciated that the enlarged interior area of the slot should closely match the enlarged edge of the card so as to provide a snug and secure engagement between card and slot. This allows the card to resist the lateral forces imparted by the spokes of the wheel without becoming dislodged, thereby creating the desired sound, while also making it possible to easily remove and replace the card by sliding it longitudinally through the (top) end opening of the slot. 
         [0014]    It is to be appreciated that cards having different shapes may be used with a base of the present invention, so long as such cards have at least one edge having a shape that conforms to the shape of the receiving slot in the base. It is also to be appreciated that cards may be provided in different colors, and/or with different logos, advertising, or other graphic displays. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a noise making device for use with a wheel with spokes, the device having a removable base for attachment adjacent to a wheel with spokes, the base having a narrow slot extending part way down one side for receiving a removable card to be inserted into said spokes to generate noise, the slot being open at the top but closed at the bottom of the base to prevent the card from falling out, the slot and card both having corresponding enlarged areas for preventing the card from being pulled through the slot during use. 
         [0015]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide methods of generating noise from wheels having spokes using a slotted base and corresponding removable cards as described herein. 
         [0016]    Additional objects of the invention will be apparent from the detailed descriptions and the claims herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The invention is further illustrated by the following drawings. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a base of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a different front perspective view of an embodiment of a base of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of a base and card of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a card of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a top view of an embodiment of a card of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a card of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is an end elevational view of an embodiment of a card of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a card inserted into an embodiment of a base of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a card inserted into an embodiment of a base of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a card inserted into an embodiment of a base of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the present invention showing how a card fits into a slot in a base. 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a side view of an embodiment of the invention installed on a bicycle. 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is an end view of the embodiment of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is a set of views of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or equivalent structure throughout the several views, and referring particularly to  FIGS. 1-3  and  14 , it is seen that the illustrated embodiments of the invention include a base  11  having an elongated shape with opposite ends  13  and  15 . One side  17  of base  11  may preferably be contoured in order to conform to a wheel support or fork, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . An elongated slot  19  is provided part way along a side  14  of base  11 . Slot  19  is open along much of side  14 , and is also open at the (top) end  13  of base  11 . However slot  19  is closed at the opposite (bottom) end  15  of base  11  at  18 . An elongated, enlarged area  21  is provided inside slot  19  for receiving a similarly-shaped edge  33  of a card  31 . One or more openings  22 ,  23  are provided in base  11  for receiving attachment devices to hold base  11  against a support  37  for a wheel  38  having spokes  39 . Openings  22 ,  23  extend completely through base  11 , from a proximal side  14  to distal side  20 . In the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 14 , an opening  24  is provided in side  17 . 
         [0034]    A separate removable card  31  is provided for insertion into slot  19 . An edge  33  of card  31  is enlarged to correspond to the enlarged area  21  in slot  19 . Although enlarged area  21  is illustrated as being having a rounded cross section, it is to be appreciated that the enlarged area  21  and corresponding card edge  33  may be of any suitable shape including without limitation rounded, oval, triangular, square, rectangular, diamond, trapezoidal, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, T-shaped (see  FIG. 8A ), and the like, so long as edge  33  and area  21  have the same shape, or at least a complementary shape, for snug engagement. For example and without limiting the claims herein, card  31  may have a thickness of 0.75 mm, and edge  33  and enlarged area  21  may have a thickness of 2.25 mm (the rounded area having a radius of 1.5 mm), as shown in  FIG. 4 . For example and without limiting the claims herein, card  31  may have a height of 45 mm and a width of 66.5 mm, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . It is to be appreciated that edge  33  and enlarged area  21  may be of any suitable size, so long as that size is larger than the thickness of card  33  and slot  19 ; and that the thickness, height and width of card  33  may be varied over broad ranges. 
         [0035]    Card  31  may be inserted into slot  19  by aligning the enlarged edge  33  of card  31  with the enlarged area  21  of the slot opening at the end  13  of base  11 . Edge  33  slides into enlarged area  21  such that the body  35  of the card  31  protrudes out from the slot  19  as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  (and thereafter into the spokes  39  of a wheel  38 , as shown in  FIG. 13 ). Area  18  at the opposite end  15  of base  11  prevents card  31  from sliding out of slot  19 . The corresponding enlarged areas  21  and  33  of slot  19  and card  31 , respectively, prevent card  31  from being pulled through the elongated portion of slot  19  located on side  14 , preventing lateral dislodgement when card  31  contacts the spokes  39  of the wheel  38 . However, card  31  may be easily removed by sliding it longitudinally through the opening in end  13  of base  19 . A replacement card  31   a  may be easily inserted by aligning it as above, and using an inserting sliding force. 
         [0036]    In an alternative embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the enlarged area  33  of card  31  does not extend along an entire edge of the card, but is provided at one end thereof. As with other embodiments, the enlarged area  33  of card  31  fits into the enlarged area  21  of slot  19  as to prevent dislodgement, as shown in  FIG. 8A . As with other embodiments, card  31  may be easily removed by sliding it longitudinally through the opening in end  13  of base  19 . A replacement card  31  a may be easily inserted by aligning it as above, and using an inserting sliding force. 
         [0037]    It is to be appreciated that in other embodiments, other forms of enlargement of some or all of a side edge of card  31  may be provided so long as the enlarged portion of the edge of card  31  corresponds to an enlarged area  21  of slot  19  to prevent the card  31  from being pulled through slot  19  while in use. 
         [0038]    To install the illustrated embodiment of the invention, a base  11  which may have a desired contoured edge  17  is placed against vehicle wheel support  37 , with slot  19  facing the spokes  39  of the wheel  38 , and the open end  13  of slot  19  facing upwardly. One or more attachment straps  36  (such as, without limitation, nylon or other ties which may have one-way tightening mechanisms) are inserted through openings  22 ,  23  and around support  37 , and tightened to hold base  11  firmly against support  37 , as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0039]    A card  31  may then be aligned with the opening of slot  19  in the end  13  of base  11  such that an enlarged area  33  on an edge of card  31  aligns with a corresponding enlarged area  21  in slot  19 . The card  31  is then inserted into slot  19  by downwardly sliding enlarged edge  33  into corresponding area  21 . The bottom  18  of slot  19  prevents the card  31  from exiting slot  19  through the bottom, and the narrow portion of slot  19  prevents the enlarged edge  33  of card  31  from being pulled out through slot  19  by the action of the spokes  39  against the card  31 . The body  35  of the card protrudes into the spokes  39  of the wheel  38  as shown in  FIG. 13 , allowing a sound to be generated as the spokes encounter the card as the wheel turns. The card  31  may be easily removed by pulling it upward through the opening in end  13  of base  11 . A replacement card  31  a may be easily inserted in the same manner as above, by aligning the enlarged edge of the card with the enlarged opening in the slot, and sliding the card into the slot. Cards  31 ,  31   a  may be provided in different thicknesses and/or lengths in order to provide different resistance to spokes  39  thereby generating different sounds. Cards  31 ,  31   a  may also be provided in different shapes, such as, without limitation, square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, polyagonal, and the like so long as each card has at least one elongated side having the enlarged area  33  for insertion into slot  19  and opening  21 . Cards  31 ,  31   a  may be provided in different colors which may be used, for example, to match or coordinate with the color of the vehicle with which the card is used, to indicate the thickness or length of the card, etc. Cards  31 ,  31   a  may also be used to display advertising, slogans, logos, insignias, or other messages. Such displays may be etched or molded into the cards, or affixed thereto using such things as stickers, paint and/or decals. 
         [0040]    It is to be understood that variations, permutations, and modifications of the present invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof. One or more features of an exemplary embodiment as described above may be practiced in conjunction with other exemplary embodiments as described above. It is also to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited by the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but only in accordance with the appended claims when read in light of the foregoing specification.

Technology Category: b