Sound emitting device

Abstract

A sound emitting assembly that is inserted into a body or frame or handgrip of a personal transport means is provided. The assembly comprising a package comprising an electronically actuated sound generator, an electronic circuit to feed a signal to the sound generator and a source of stored electric power, and an actuating switch separated from the package and linked to the package by an electric pathway such that when the switch is activated by the user, a sound is emitted from said body or frame or handgrip distant from the switch.

1 . A sound emitting assembly inserted into a body or frame or handgrip of a personal transport means said assembly comprising: 
 (i) a package comprising an electronically actuated sound generator, an electronic circuit to feed a signal to the sound generator and a source of stored electric power, and    (ii) an actuating switch separated from the package and linked to the package by an electric pathway such that when the switch is activated by the user, a sound is emitted from said body or frame or handgrip distant from the switch.    
   
   
       2 . A handgrip including a sound emitting assembly according to  claim 1  and adapted to be slid over a tube end and into an end portion of a tubular handlebar, the handgrip having: 
 (i) a gripping portion adapted to be retained on the outside surface of said end portion of the handlebar, and having a proximal end at or closely adjacent the end of the tube and having a distal end along the outside of the tube away from the tube end,    (ii) said package of electronic components and electric power source adapted to be retained on the inside of the end portion of the handlebar, said package having a proximal end at or closely adjacent the end of the tube and having a distal end positioned within the end portion of tube but away from the tube end, and    (iii) said actuating switch located in said gripping portion distal of the tube end.    
   
   
       3 . A handgrip according to  claim 2  wherein the gripping portion comprises a flexible material which overlies the switch and the switch is actuated by digitally depressing the handgrip where it overlies the switch.  
   
   
       4 . A handgrip according to  claim 3  wherein the flexible material comprises a resilient foam.  
   
   
       5 . A handgrip according to  claim 2  wherein the electric pathway comprises conducting wires or strips which pass from inside to outside the tube at the end of the tube, and pass beneath the gripping portion to the switch.  
   
   
       6 . A handgrip according to  claim 5  wherein the gripping portion is slotted or grooved to accommodate therein conducting elements which provide the electric pathway between the switch and the package of electronic components.  
   
   
       7 . A handgrip according to  claim 2  wherein said package of electronic components and electric power source includes a piezoelectric sound generator at said proximal end whereby sound emanating from the sound generator is directed out through said tube end.  
   
   
       8 . A handgrip according to  claim 2  wherein said package of electronic components and electric power source comprises a package case closed at said distal end and having a releasable end cap at said proximal end, whereby releasing said end cap permits the stored electric power source to be replaced without removal of the remainder of the package from within the tube.  
   
   
       9 . A handgrip according to  claim 8  wherein said end cap includes the piezoelectric sound generator.  
   
   
       10 . A handgrip according to  claim 8  wherein the stored electric power source comprises one or more dry cell batteries held within a frame and, with the end cap removed, the frame may be at least substantially withdrawn from within the package and the batteries replaced while the package case remains in the tube and the frame remains electrically connected to the switch.  
   
   
       11 . A skateboard comprising a deck with a truck affixed thereto and a sound emitting assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said package electronic components and electric power source is retained in the truck and said actuating switch is actuated by pressing onto portion of the deck.  
   
   
       12 . A personal transport means including a body or frame or handgrip into which is inserted a sound emitting device, said device comprising: 
 (i) a package comprising an electronically actuated sound emitter, an electronic circuit to feed a signal to the sound emitter and a source of stored electric power, and    (ii) an actuating switch separated from the package and linked to the package by an electric pathway such that when the switch is activated by the user, a sound is emitted from said body distant from the switch.    
   
   
       13 . A personal transport means according to  claim 12  and including a tubular handlebar having an end portion terminating at a tube end rim and onto which a handgrip is fitted, said handgrip comprising: 
 (i) a gripping portion adapted to be retained on the outside surface of the handlebar tube,    (ii) a casing containing said package of electronic components and electric power source and retained on the inside of said end portion of the handlebar tube, said package having a proximal end at or closely adjacent the tube end and having a distal end positioned within the end portion away from the tube end, and    (iii) said actuating switch located in said gripping portion distal of the tube end.    
   
   
       14 . A personal transport means according to  claim 13 , further comprising a skateboard having wheels mounted on a truck, which is in turn attached to the lower side of a skateboard deck, and wherein: 
 (i) said package of electronic components and electric power source is at least partly contained within a housing in the truck, and    (ii) said actuating switch is located on the upper side of the deck.    
   
   
       15 . A personal transport means according to  claim 13 , further comprising a skateboard having wheels mounted on an axle frame, which is in turn resiliently attached to an axle support, which is in turn attached to the lower side of a skateboard deck, and wherein: 
 (i) said package of electronic components and electric power source is at least partly contained within a housing in the axle support, and    (ii) said actuating switch is located on the upper side of the deck.    
   
   
       16 . A skateboard according to  claim 15  wherein said package of electronic components and electric power source is accommodated partly within said housing in the axle support and partly within an adjoining recess formed into the lower side of the deck.  
   
   
       17 . A skateboard according to  claim 16  wherein said electronic components and electric power source are packaged within said housing in the axle support.  
   
   
       18 . A skateboard according to  claim 16  wherein the electric power source is a dry cell or dry cell battery which may be slid from within the housing upon removal of an access cap provided in a side of said housing.  
   
   
       19 . A skateboard according to  claim 16  wherein the sound emitting device is a piezoelectric sound generator mounted within said housing in the axle support.  
   
   
       20 . A skateboard according to  claim 19  wherein the piezoelectric sound generator is mounted to deliver most of its sound through an orifice or orifices substantially positioned directly above the axle's longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       21 . A skateboard according to  claim 17  wherein said electric pathway gains access to the housing in the axle support through a hole formed centrally between screws which affix the axial support to the deck.  
   
   
       22 . A handgrip including a sound emitting assembly and adapted to be slid onto an end portion of a handlebar, the handgrip comprising a body having contained therein a piezoelectric transducer, an electronic circuit which can generate a signal for causing the transducer to create a noise, a source of stored electric power, and an actuating switch to selectively feed said signal to the piezoelectric transducer.  
   
   
       23 . A rollerblade including a sound emitting assembly according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       24 - 29 . (Cancelled)