ACOUSTIC SIGNALING DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention relates to an acoustic signaling device for generating an acoustic signal is provided, which comprises an oscillating body for generating the acoustic signal in an oscillating state, an excitation means for manual excitation of an oscillation of the oscillating body, and a holding means for holding the oscillating body and for bearing the excitation means, wherein the oscillating body comprises an opening through which the actuation element is guided, in order to bring about a strike of the excitation means on the oscillating body upon actuation of the actuation element. The acoustic signaling device is characterized by a cover, which consists of a resilient material and covers the oscillating body on a side opposite the excitation means, preferably completely.

Claims

1. Acoustic signaling device for generating an acoustic signal, comprising: an oscillating body (5) for generating the acoustic signal in an oscillating state, excitation means (7, 8) for manual excitation of an oscillation of the oscillating body (5), holding means (6) for holding the oscillating body (5) and bearing the excitation means (7, 8), wherein the oscillating body (5) comprises an opening through which an actuation element (4) is guided such that, upon actuation of the actuation element (4), bringing about striking of the excitation means (7, 8) on the oscillating body (5), and a cover (1) of resilient material and covering the oscillating body (5) on a side opposite the excitation means (7, 8), preferably completely.

2. Signaling device according to claim 1, wherein the oscillating body (5) has a dome-like or shield-like shape, and the opening is preferably arranged centrally in the dome-like or shield-like shape.

3. Signaling device according to claim 1, wherein the cover (1) is designed in a hood-like manner and/or does not touch the outside of the oscillating body (5) that is remote from the excitation means (7, 8).

4. Signaling device according to claim 1, wherein the cover (1) is produced from a deformable plastics material which, following deformation, springs back into its original shape.

5. Signaling device according to claim 1, wherein the actuation element (4) arranged in the opening of the oscillating body (5) is movable back and forth along its longitudinal direction and, in a rest position, protrudes to the outside of the oscillating body (5), by interaction with the excitation means (7, 8).

6. Signaling device according to claim 1, wherein the actuation element (4) is provided, at the end thereof remote from the oscillating body (5), with a contact surface (3) which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the actuation element (4) and which, when the signaling device is actuated, prevents direct contact of the cover (1) with the oscillating body (5) by pushing in the cover (1).

7. Signaling device according to claim 6, wherein the contact surface (3) has the basic shape of a circular disc.

8. Signaling device according to claim 6, wherein a spring element (2), in particular a spiral spring, is provided on the side of the contact surface (3) remote from the oscillating body (5), which, upon actuation of the signaling device by the cover (1) being pushed in, contributes to returning the cover (1) to its original shape as quickly as possible.

9. Signaling device according to claim 1, wherein the holding means (6) comprises a base plate on which a holder is arranged, which serves to receive the oscillating body (5), preferably by a snap-in connection.

10. Signaling device according to claim 9, wherein the base plate of the holding device is circular and has a peripheral ridge portion which is located on the edge and extends out of the plane of the base plate.

11. Signaling device according to claim 10, wherein the cover (1) ends flush with the ridge portion, surrounds this peripherally on the outside, and/or is fastened thereon, preferably by using the resilient clamping force of the cover (1).

12. Signaling device according to claim 9, wherein the cover (1) extends as far as the underside of the base plate remote from the holder, and covers said underside in part or completely.

13. Board game, comprising an acoustic signaling device according to claim 1.

14. Signaling device according to claim 2, wherein the cover (1) is designed in a hood-like manner and/or does not touch the outside of the oscillating body (5) that is remote from the excitation means (7, 8).

15. Signaling device according to claim 14, wherein the cover (1) is produced from a deformable plastics material which, following deformation, springs back into its original shape.

16. Signaling device according to claim 3, wherein the cover (1) is produced from a deformable plastics material which, following deformation, springs back into its original shape.

17. Signaling device according to claim 2, wherein the cover (1) is produced from a deformable plastics material which, following deformation, springs back into its original shape.

18. Signaling device according to claim 15, wherein the actuation element (4) arranged in the opening of the oscillating body (5) is movable back and forth along its longitudinal direction and, in a rest position, protrudes to the outside of the oscillating body (5), by interaction with the excitation means (7, 8).

19. Signaling device according to claim 16, wherein the actuation element (4) arranged in the opening of the oscillating body (5) is movable back and forth along its longitudinal direction and, in a rest position, protrudes to the outside of the oscillating body (5), by interaction with the excitation means (7, 8).

20. Signaling device according to claim 17, wherein the actuation element (4) arranged in the opening of the oscillating body (5) is movable back and forth along its longitudinal direction and, in a rest position, protrudes to the outside of the oscillating body (5), by interaction with the excitation means (7, 8).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0031] Further features, details and advantages of the invention are evident from the following description of the FIGURE, in which:

[0032] FIG. 1: is an exploded view of an acoustic signaling device according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0033] In the exploded view shown in FIG. 1, the structure of the acoustic signaling device according to the invention can be seen.

[0034] In this case, the holding device 6 extends proceeding from a base plate which comprises a ridge-like elevation on the circular outer periphery thereof. The receptacle for the excitation means 7, 8 is visible, which receptacle allows for a pivot movement in order for the excitation means 7, 8 to strike the oscillating body 5. A snap-in locking device is provided at the end of the holding device 6 remote from the base plate, which snap-in locking device serves to fix the opening of the oscillating body 5 such that the oscillating body 5 is held only in the region of the opening, which typically simultaneously corresponds to a node of oscillation of the fundamental oscillation of the oscillating body. In this case, the snap-in locking device is designed so as to be hollow, such that an actuation element 4, which is designed as a tappet, can interact with a region of the excitation means 7, 8. If the actuation element 4 is then pushed in, this thus leads to an upwards movement of the region of the excitation means 7, 8 which comes into contact with the oscillating body 5, such that this leads to the generation of an acoustic signal. In order to now enlarge the region of the actuation element 4, which leads to actuation of the acoustic signaling device, a discoid contact surface 3 is provided on the end of the actuation element 4 that protrudes outwards from the oscillating body 5, which contact surface furthermore is also associated with the positive effect that the cover, to be pushed in upon actuation of the signaling device, cannot come into direct contact with the region of the oscillating body 5 located below the contact surface 3.

[0035] A spring element 2 can be arranged on the side of the contact surface 3 remote from the oscillating body 5, which spring element serves to urge the cover 1 into its original shape. The spring element 2 may be a spiral spring and has a positive effect on the return of the cover 1 from its deformed state.

[0036] As is shown in the FIGURE, the spring element 2 can be a spiral spring, the diameter of which increases with distance from the oscillating body 5. As a result, the contact region for contact with the underside of the cover is enlarged, as a result of which the surface of the cover which acts on the actuation element is enlarged.

[0037] The cover 1 is formed of a resilient material and of course also covers the spring element 2 and the contact surface 3, in addition to the oscillating body 5. The cover 1 can be designed in a hood-like manner, wherein the edge region thereof facing the base plate or the holding device has a circular course and can have a diameter which is identical to that of the base plate or the upper ridge region of the base plate. Thus, the edge region of the cover can end flush with the ridge region or the base plate. Furthermore, however, the diameter can also be greater than that of the base plate or of the ridge region, such that the cover 1 peripherally surrounds the ridge region. In this case, the resiliency of the resilient material of the cover 1 can be used to bring about a clamped collection between the cover 1 and a base plate or the ridge region proceeding therefrom. Said clamped connection has the advantage that it simplifies the manufacture of the acoustic signaling device and does not require any further fastening means. Finally, the individual components of the signaling device can thus be connected to one another or snapped into one another, wherein in a final work step the cover 1 then only has to be pulled on.

[0038] Separate fastening, for example by an adhesive connection, is not essential, but can be provided.