Portable sound-producing device

Abstract

A portable sound-producing device makes a unique sound likened to a deep, animal-like growl when used. The device comprises of a housing and a pull cord. The housing comprises of a hollow, polygonal- or tubular-shaped body with one of its two ends completely covered by a tautly stretched covering. The pull cord is securely attached to the center of the covering. The remainder of the cord hangs freely inside the housing. When the cord is pulled and quickly released, the sound the invention makes can be used to frighten those who hear it as a practical joke or as a hunter's tool to clear an area of people and animals.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates generally to sound-producing devices. More particularly, this invention relates to a portable sound-producing device that makes a sound very similar to a deep, animal-like growl when used.

2. Description of Related Art

Many devices are known in the prior art that make sounds when used either for amusement or for a practical purpose. These disclosed inventions range from relatively simple devices to the rather complex.

Anecdotal information exists regarding devices being built across the American countryside about 100 years ago that, when used, produced an unusual sound—a sound similar to an animal growling. These devices, built of hollowed logs, were made purely to provide amusement for children and adults alike.

However, neither the prior art nor the anecdote disclose an easily carried device that consistently produces a deep, animal-like growling sound that can be used either to frighten people as a practical joke or as a tool to clear an area of people and animals. It would be beneficial if a relatively easily portable device could be produced that consistently made a deep, animal-like sound. It would also be beneficial if the device could attract cows and bulls as ranchers could use it to help heard cattle.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention comprises of a housing with a hollow, polygonal- or tubular-shaped body. The body has a first end and a second end which are directly opposed to each other. A covering is stretched completely across the first end of the body and attached to the edge of the first end. The body's second end remains uncovered.

One end of a pull cord is securely attached to the center of the covering. The remainder of the cord hangs freely inside the housing. When the cord is pulled, the vibrations produced create a sound likened to a deep, animal-like growl. A ball of wax or some other similar material may be used when pulling on the cord to produce minute start and stops during the pull. The minute start and stops cause the covering to resonate.

The primary advantage of this portable sound-producing device is the unique sound it creates when used. It can be used to frighten people as a harmless practical joke or as a tool to safely clear an area of people and animals. The sound is easily repeatable and relatively consistently. In addition, the sound attracts cows and bulls because the cattle think the sound is coming from a bull.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable sound-producing device in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 present a preferred embodiment of the portable sound-producing device 10 that comprises of a housing 12 and a pull cord 20.

Housing 12, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises of a body 14 and a covering 16. Body 14 is hollow and has a first and second end, directly opposed to each other. Body 14 can be any polygonal shape, such as the rectangle shown in FIG. 1 and 2, or a tubular shape. If body 14 is comprised of multiple parts, as it is in FIG. 1 and 2, these parts are secured (screwed, glued, etc.) to each other. Body 14 is comprises of a solid, durable material, such as a wood, metal or plastic. To ensure that portable sound-producing device 10 makes its unique sound, the following physical characteristics of housing 12 must be maintained. For example, the length of housing should be about 1.25 ft. while maintaining the volume of resonance chamber 24 at about 0.2 ft³. Other lengths and volumes may be used to produce various unique sounds. Preferably, housing 12 is of a size and shape that is easily carried by its user.

Covering 16 comprises a pliable layer of animal skin, plastic, or some other relatively easily resonated material. Covering 16 is attached to first end of body 14 by screws, nails, tacks, adhesive, or some other similar securing material. Covering 16 is tautly stretched over the first end of body 14 to completely cover the first end. The amount covering 16 is stretched prior to attaching to body 14 determines the sound portable sound-producing device 10 makes. The less covering 16 is stretched, the deeper the sound device 10 will make. Covering 16 can be made of an animal skin, such as calfskin, or a synthetic skin similar to those used on percussion drums. The second end of body 14 remains uncovered.

Pull cord 20 comprises a slender length of flexible material, such as a heavy cotton twine, with a first and second end. Preferably, the length of cord 20 is not shorter than the length of housing 12. Pull cord 20 may have a waxy or sticky coating such that pull cord 20 cannot be pulled in a consistent smooth motion but rather the pulling motion consists of minute stops and starts. If pull cord 20 is pulled in a consistent smooth motion, then covering 16 may not resonate and may not produce any sound at all. The heavier or thicker the cotton twine, the deeper the sound as a relatively heavy pull cord 20 creates a stronger resonance of covering 16. Pull cord 20 may be made of any material that can be pulled in minute stops and starts and will resonate covering 16 when pulled.

The first end of cord 20 is attached to the underside of covering 16 at its center. Cord 20's second end remains unattached. Cord 20 is attached in such a manner that it hangs approximately down the center of resonance chamber 24, perpendicular to the underside of covering 16, and parallel to the inner surface of body 14. Preferably, the first end of cord 20 is attached to securing means 22 at the outer surface of covering 16, as shown in FIG. 2, preventing that end from being torn from covering 16 when cord 20 is pulled. Securing means 22 may be any means known to secure first end of cord 20 to covering 16.

Using portable sound-producing device 10 is relatively simple. If it is to be used as a practical joke, the user moves within hearing range of the intended target and pulls down on cord 22. A deep, animal-like, growling sound is produced that, when portable sound-producing device 10 was tested, frightened the vast majority of those who heard it. Hunters can also use portable sound-producing device 10 to clear an area by using the sound to scare away people and, possibly, some animals as well. In addition, ranchers may used sound-producing device 10 to attract cattle.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A portable sound-producing device comprising:

a housing having a body and a covering; and

a pull cord.

2. The device in claim 1 wherein the body is polygonal in shape.

3. The device in claim 1 wherein the body is tubular in shape.

4. The device in claim 1 wherein the body is hollow.

5. The device in claim 1 wherein the body is comprised of wood.

6. The device in claim 1 wherein the body is comprised of plastic.

7. The device in claim 1 wherein the covering comprises a pliable layer of animal skin.

8. The device in claim 1 wherein the pull cord comprises cotton twine.

9. A portable sound-producing device comprising:

a housing having a first end and a second end;

a covering comprising resonating material covering the first end of the housing; and

a pull cord having a first end and a second end wherein the first end is attached to the covering and the second end is proximate to the second end of the housing.

10. The device in claim 9 wherein the housing is polygonal in shape.

11. The device in claim 9 wherein the housing is tubular in shape.

12. The device in claim 10 wherein the housing is hollow.

13. The device in claim 10 wherein the housing is comprised of wood.

14. The device in claim 1 wherein the housing is comprised of plastic.

15. The device in claim 1 wherein the covering comprises a pliable layer of animal skin.

16. The device in claim 1 wherein the pull cord comprises cotton twine.

17. A method of producing a deep, animal-like growling sound, the method comprising the steps of:

grasping a pull cord wherein the pull cord has a first end and a second end and the first end is attached to a covering that comprises a resonating material and the covering covers a first end of a housing having the first end and a second end wherein the second end of the housing is proximate to the second end of the pull cord; and

pulling the pull cord in a direction away from the covering such that the covering begins to resonate.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the housing is comprised of wood.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the housing is hollow.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the pull cord comprises cotton twine.