GB2231274A

GB2231274A - Child's dummy

Info

Publication number: GB2231274A
Application number: GB8910931A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Dimitrios Poullos
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-05-12
Filing date: 1989-05-12
Publication date: 1990-11-14
Also published as: GB8910931D0

Abstract

A child's dummy incorporates an electronic arrangement 4 which is activated by a light sensitive means 9 which generates signals fed to a transducer 11 to cause the transducer to emit sound. The dummy may thus play a tune when a child using the dummy is going to sleep. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO A CHILD'S DUMMY The present invention relates to a child's dummy.

A child's dummy provides comfort to a child, but only provides comfort in a physical sense. The present invention seeks to provide an improved dummy.

According to this invention there is provided a child's dummy, said dummy comprising a first element supporting a flexible teat, there being encapsulated within the first element an electronic arrangement, the electronic arrangement comprising a transducer, means to generate signals to be fed to the transducer to cause the transducer to emit sound, and light sensitive means to activate the signal generating means.

Preferably the light sensitive means are sensitive to a change in ambient light.

Conveniently the light sensitive means are sensitive to a change from a relatively high light level to a relatively low light level.

Preferably the signal generating means comprise an integrated circuit and an associated battery.

Conveniently the signals to be fed to the transducer comprise signals causing the transducer to emit notes of different frequency in the form of a tune.

Advantageously the electronic arrangement incorporates a timer adapted to control the duration of operation of the electronic arrangement.

It is envisaged that such a dummy will not only provide physical comfort for a child, but will also provide aural comfort.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a dummy in accordance with the invention; FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of part of the dummy of Figure 1; and FIGURE 3 is a block diagrammatic view of an element contained within the dummy.

A child's dummy in accordance with the invention is, externally, of a conventional design. The dummy comprises a moulded plastics material disc 1 to one side of which is secured a bulbous hollow teat 2. A ring 3 is pivotally connected to the other side of the disc 1.

Moulded within the disc 1 is an electronic arrangement 4. As can be seen in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings the electronic arrangement 4 may be of encapsulated form and may be moulded to be totally within the plastics material of the disc 1. Part of the electronic arrangement 4, comprising the transducer which will be described below, may be in the ring 3, or in the pivotal connection of the ring to the disc 1. At least a region 5 of the plastics material of the disc 1 between the arrangement Ii and the exterior of the dummy is formed of transparent or translucent material.

Since the electronic arrangement 4 is totally encapsulated within the plastics material it will not be harmed if the dummy is wet, or even if the dummy is washer or is submerged in sterilizing fluid.

The electronic arrangement 4 contains a battery 6 adapted to provide power to an integrated circuit 7.

The circuit 7 is associated with a light sensor 9 such as a photo diode or some other arrangement which can provide an output in response to a change of ambient light. Also associated with the circuit 7 is a timing circuit 10 and a transducer 11.

The circuit 7 is arranged or pre-programmed to provide signals to the transducer such that the transducer emits sound waves comprising successive notes of different frequency in the form of a tune. The circuit 7 is adapted so that the arrangement will be activated, to cause the tune to be played, in response to a change of ambient light, such as, for example a change from a high light level to a low light level, although the apparatus may work in the opposite sense, so that the tune is effectively played when there is a change from a low light level to a high light level.

The timer 10 is provided to control the duration of the playing of the tune.

It will be appreciated that when a dummy as described is utilised, the child may utilise the dummy in the ordinary way. However, if a child is going to sleep, and the lights in the room are turned out, so that the child is then in a dark situation, the change in ambient light will be sensed by the sensor 9, thus activating the integrated circuit 7, to cause a tune to be played by the dummy. It is envisaged that a child will find this to be comforting. The tune will play for a pre-determined period of time, determined by the timer 10, and then the tune will no longer play, thus conserving the life of the battery. This is of some importance since the battery will be integrally moulded within the dummy.

In an alternative arrangement, in which the circuit 7 is activated in response to an increase in the ambient light, the child using the dummy, or a parent, may learn to cover the region 5 on the disc, so that the sensor senses a dark situation, and then uncover the region 5, so that the sensor senses a light situation, this action initiating the playing of the tune.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A child's dummy, said dummy comprising a first element supporting a flexible teat, there being encapsulated within the first element an electronic arrangement, the electronic arrangement comprising a transducer, means to generate signals to be fed to the transducer to cause the transducer to emit sound, and light sensitive means to activate the signal generating means.

2. A dummy according to Claim 1 wherein the light sensitive means are sensitive to a change in ambient light.

3. A dummy according to Claim 2 wherein the light sensitive means are sensitive to a change from a relatively high light level to a relatively low light level.

4. A dummy according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the signal generating means comprise an integrated circuit and an associated battery.

5. A dummy according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the signals to be fed to the transducer comprise signals causing the transducer to emit notes of different frequency in the form of a tune.

6. A dummy according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the electronic arrangement incorporates a timer adapted to control the duration of operation of the electronic arrangement.

7. A dummy substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

8. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.