WO2008148110A1 - Album with sound-playing feature - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides an album with a sound-playing feature that is activated when the album front cover is in the open position relative to an interior sheet containing the sound-playing device and that may be used as a photo album, scrapbook, memory book, journal, or any other type of album.

Description

ALBUM WITH SOUND-PLAYING FEATURE

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/940,287 filed on May 25, 2007, entitled "Album with Sound-Playing Feature," the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to albums such as photographic and scrapbook albums, as well as journals and memory books. More specifically, an album is disclosed having a musical feature that plays when the album is first opened but not for the entire period that a user is viewing the album.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of books and greeting cards with sound mechanisms are known in the art. For example, greeting cards exist that have a sound-playing feature that plays a pre-recorded song or sound effect when the card is opened. However, such devices continuously play the song or sound effect until the card is closed. This prevents a user from viewing the card without the music playing, which frequently leads to the user growing weary of the song or sound effect. Additionally, the continuously-playing sound effect significantly reduces battery life. Similarly, books have been designed with sound features, but such books also suffer from the same defect as the sound-playing cards. Consequently, there exists a need for a sound-playing book that avoids the user from growing tired of the audio effect while also offering improved battery life. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention presents, in one embodiment, an album comprising a front cover; a back cover; a spine engaged with the front and back covers; and a sound-playing device disposed on a sheet secured between the front and back covers, wherein the sound-playing device is activated when the sheet is in a first position and the sound-playing device is deactivated when the sheet is in a second position. In a preferred embodiment, the sheet is in a first position when an obtuse angle exists between the front cover and the sheet. The sound-playing device is preferably disposed in a pocket on the sheet. In certain embodiments, the album further comprises an opening in the front cover and a pocket on the inside of the front cover. The album preferably may be a photo album, scrap album, memory book, journal, or other type of album having one or more pages secured between the front and back covers. In preferred embodiments, the front cover, back cover, and spine may comprise any of various decorative features.

The sound-playing device of the instant invention preferably comprises a speaker and a driving circuit. Preferably, the sound-playing device further comprises an activating mechanism. The activating mechanism preferably comprises a sliding portion coupled to the driving circuit and engaged with the front cover such that the activating mechanism is responsive to movement of the front cover and the sheet.

In another embodiment, the invention presents an album comprising a front cover, the inside surface of the front cover comprising a first sheet; a back cover, the inside surface of the back cover comprising a second sheet; a spine engaged with the front and back covers; and a sound-playing device disposed on a third sheet, the third sheet being engaged with the first sheet and being secured in a position between the front and back covers, wherein the sound-playing device is activated when the third sheet is in a first position and the sound-playing device is deactivated when the sheet is in a second position.

The sound-playing device of this embodiment preferably comprises a speaker, a driving circuit, and an activating mechanism, the activating mechanism comprising a sliding portion coupled to the driving circuit and engaged with the first sheet. It is preferred that movement of the third sheet in relation to the first sheet causes movement of the sliding portion. When the third sheet is in the first position, the sliding portion is in a corresponding first position in which the driving circuit is activated; when the third sheet is in the second position, the sliding portion is in a corresponding second position in which the driving circuit is deactivated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective view of an album according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inside front cover of an album with a sheet of tipping paper according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inside front cover of an album with a sheet of tipping paper according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cut-away view exposing a sound mechanism and corresponding activating mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view the sound mechanism and corresponding activating mechanism of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an album 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The album 10 includes a front cover 12 having an opening 14.

The opening 14 may be any desirable shape and size depending on the size of the album and the design of the front cover. For example, an average size album may include an opening having dimensions of about 3.5 inches by 3.5 inches, although, as shown, the overall outline of the opening 14 need not be rectangular. In certain embodiments, covers 12 and 18 may measure from about 8 to 18 inches wide and about 8 to 18 inches tall and preferably from about 13 to 14 inches wide and about 12 to 13 inches high. Album 10 is preferably substantially rectangular in two-dimensional shape however any desirable shape may be used.

Front cover 12 is connected to a back cover 18 by way of a spine 16. It is generally desirable that front cover 12 and back cover 18 be substantially the same shape and size. Spine 16 will generally share its longitudinal dimension with front cover 12 and back cover 18. In a preferred embodiment, spine 16 is positioned on the left side of the album 10 when viewing front cover 12, but it is to be appreciated that spine 16 may be positioned on any side of the album 10. For example, where album 10 is square or rectangular, spine 16 may be on the left, right, top, or bottom when viewing the front cover 12.

Spine 16 may have any desirable width. In preferred embodiments, spine 16 will have a width of 1 inch, 1.5 inches, 2 inches, or 3 inches. FIG. 1 depicts spine 16 as a continuous structure, but any structure that fastens front cover 12 to back cover 18 may be employed. For example, spine 16 may be integral with front cover 12 and back cover 18, or it may be constructed separately and attached to front cover 12 and back cover 18, such as by stitching, glue, or any equivalent fastening means known in the art. In an alternative embodiment, spine 16 is not constructed from one continuous piece, but may comprise two or more pieces. For example, as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, if spine 16 comprises two pieces, one may be attached to or integral with front cover 12 and the other may be attached to or integral with back cover 18, in which case both pieces may be subsequently fastened together. In alternative embodiments, spine 16 comprises spiral binding or ring binding. One of skill in the art will appreciate that any known binding method may be employed to create spine 16. Spine 16 may comprise the same material as front cover 12 and back cover 18, or it may be constructed of a different material. Suitable materials for any or all of front cover 12, back cover 18, and spine 16 include fabric, leather, vinyl, canvas, wood, cardboard, paper, composite, plastic, rubber, wire mesh, and combinations of the above. In a preferred embodiment, front cover 12, back cover 18, and spine 16 are constructed of fabric, leather, vinyl, or other material that may incorporate stitching.

As shown in FIG. 1, a front side 13 of the front cover 12 may include any desirable ornamental features, including embroidery, coloring, letterings, and designs. In a preferred embodiment, front side 13 of front cover 12 includes a combination of embroidery designs. In another preferred embodiment, front side 13 includes screen printing. In an alternative embodiment, front side 13 is decorated with paint, dye, or other coloring in any desirable pattern. In another embodiment, front side 13 includes designs such as hearts, flowers, or paisley-shaped patches. In yet another embodiment, front side 13 is blank, but may be a solid color, and is able to be decorated by a user of the album. FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of one embodiment of the album 10 with the front cover 12 open. Front cover 12 additionally comprises a back side 22.

Back side 22 may incorporate any of the features described above for front side 13. In a preferred embodiment, back side 22 includes one or more pockets 24.

In a preferred embodiment, back side 22 includes one pocket 24 that is aligned opposite opening 14 such that any object placed in pocket 24 is visible through opening 14 when viewing the album 10 from the front side 13. Preferably, pocket 24 is sized to accept a photograph, clipping, or the like. For example, pocket 24 may be sized to accept a standard size photograph such as 4 inches by 4 inches, 4 inches by 6 inches, 5 inches by 7 inches, 8 inches by 10 inches, 9 centimeters by 13 centimeters, 10 centimeters by 15 centimeters, or 13 centimeters by 18 centimeters. A user may slot, for example, a favorite photograph into the pocket 24 so that the photograph is viewable through the opening 14 of the front cover 12.

In a preferred embodiment, back side 22 of front cover 12 comprises a first sheet 26, the inside surface (not shown) of back cover 18 comprises a second sheet 28, and the album 10 further includes a third sheet 30. Preferably sheets 26, 28, and 30 comprise tipping paper, although a suitable substitute may be used. In a preferred embodiment, the first sheet 26 comprises tipping paper and is adhered to the back side 22 of the front cover 12, and second sheet 28 comprises tipping paper and is adhered to the inside surface (not shown) of the back cover 18.

In a preferred embodiment, third sheet 30 comprises tipping paper having an end 32 that is adhered to the first sheet 26 and being folded so as to provide a crease 34. The crease 34 is formed just before an end 29 of the front cover 12 that attaches to the spine 16. The third sheet 30 thus preferably looks much like a page within the album 10.

Third sheet 30 preferably forms a pocket 36 that is adapted to hold a sound-playing device. The pocket 36 may be formed by disposing the sound-playing device between two sheets of tipping paper, which are then adhered together and to the front cover 12, or by a single sheet of tipping paper which is folded upon itself to cover the sound-playing device. The weight of paper used for the third sheet 30 may preferably be a relatively heavy stock to support the weight of the sound-playing device.

In FIG. 2, third sheet 30 is shown with a rip to expose the pocket 36; in preferred embodiments, however, the third sheet 30 is not ripped and pocket 36 cannot be seen directly. The sound-playing device is thus covered and not visible to the user. The pocket 36 in which the sound- playing device is disposed lies on an opposite side of the crease 34 from the pocket 24. The crease 34 preferentially runs immediately adjacent to and along the end 32 that is adhered to the first sheet 26. As shown in FIG. 2, the third sheet 30 is in a first position in which third sheet 30 forms an obtuse angle along the crease 34 with respect to the front cover 12. Typically, this means that when the album 10 is open, the third sheet 30 rests against the internal pages 40 of album 10. The album 10 may hold any desirable amount of pages dependent primarily on the size of the album and thickness of the pages 40. For example, album 10 may hold different quantities of pages depending upon whether pages 40 are scrapbook pages, journal pages, or photograph pages .

As shown in FIG. 3, the third sheet 30 may be moved to a second position in which the third sheet 30 forms an acute angle along the crease 34 with respect to the front cover 12. Typically, this means that when the album 10 is open, the third sheet 30 rests against the first sheet 26.

The sound-playing device, which is disposed within the pocket 36 of the third sheet 30, has an activating mechanism that causes the sound-playing device to play a song or other recording when the third sheet 30 is in the first position as shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, when front cover 12 of album 10 is opened, third sheet 30 will be in the first position as shown in FIG. 2 and the sound-playing device will be activated. Additionally, it is preferred that movement of the third sheet 30 to the second position, as depicted in FIG. 3, deactivates the sound- playing device. In this embodiment, because an acute angle is formed between the third sheet 30 and the front cover 12 when the album 10 is closed, thus placing the third sheet 30 in the second position, the sound-playing device is deactivated when the album 10 is closed. Therefore, when the front cover 12 is opened, the sound-playing device within the pocket 36 is activated to play a recording, such as a song. When the third sheet 30 is turned as one would a page in a book, the sound-playing device is deactivated and so immediately stops playing the recording.

It is to be appreciated that the sound capabilities of the instant invention may be customized based on the sound- playing device disposed in pocket 36. For example, a sound- playing device having any desirable recording may be used. Alternatively, a sound-playing device that plays multiple recordings in a predetermined or random order may be used. The recording played by the sound-playing device may be any prerecorded song or other soundtrack, or it may be custom sound recorded by a user. Any combination of recordings and sounds may be employed depending on the technology of the sound-playing device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the album 10 in which the pocket 36 of the third sheet 30 has been fully exposed to reveal a sound-playing device 50. The sound-playing device 50 includes a speaker 52 and a driving circuit 54 and is mechanically connected to an activating mechanism 60. The driving circuit 54 stores a recording, preferably in a digital format, and is electrically connected to the speaker 52 to drive the speaker 52 to play the recording.

Any suitable driving circuit 54 may be used. The driving circuit 54 preferably employs a power source 56, which is preferably a battery or other portable power source. The number of times the driving circuit 54 can play the recording will be dependent upon the power supply of the power source 56. Preferably, the power source 56 stores enough electricity for the driving circuit 54 to play the recording about 300 to 400 times. In certain embodiments, power source 56 is removable and may be replaced. The speaker 52 and driving circuit 54 preferably are both disposed within the pocket 36 on one side of the crease 34, preferably on the side opposite the pocket 24. The sound-playing device 50 may be adhered to a face of the third sheet 30 within the pocket 36. The activating mechanism 60 is preferably disposed across the crease 34 and mechanically interacts with the driving mechanism 54 to provide a switch 58 that turns the driving mechanism 54 on and off.

FIG. 5 provides a detailed view of the sound-playing device 50 and the activating mechanism 60. The activating mechanism 60 includes a sliding portion 62 that is disposed across the crease 34. The sliding portion 62 is preferably relatively stiff to prevent excess bending. In a preferred embodiment, a first end 64 of the sliding portion 62 is engaged with the front cover 12, either directly or by adhering to the first sheet 26. A second end 66 of the sliding portion 62 is coupled to the driving circuit 54. As the third sheet 30 moves between the first position and the second position (i.e., open and closed with respect to the front cover 12), the sliding portion 62 moves translationally as indicated by arrow 70 and, in particular, the second end 66 slides translationally with respect to the driving circuit 54.

As will be appreciated, the relative movement of the second end 66 of the sliding portion 62 with respect to the driving circuit 54 provides a means for turning the driving circuit 54 on and off. For example, when the third sheet 30 is in the first position, as shown in FIG. 5, the second end 66 is in a corresponding first position of its own, which activates the driving circuit 54 and thus causes the speaker 52 to play the recording. Alternatively, when the third sheet 30 is in the second position, the second end 66 will be in a corresponding second position of its own, in which the second end 66 is displaced to the right along the direction indicated by arrow 70, which deactivates the driving circuit 54, thus stopping the speaker 52 from playing the recording.

As shown in FIG. 5, the second end 66 may include an opening or notch 69 adapted to accept a switching element 59 built into the driving circuit 54 to turn the driving circuit on and off; the movement of the second end 66 with respect to the driving circuit 54 may thus toggle the switch 59 and thus cause the speaker 52 to play and stop playing the recording. Alternatively, the second end 66 may slide out of and between two electrical contacts, thus making and breaking an electrical connection that turns the driving circuit 54 on and off.

Providing the sound-playing device 50 on a side of the crease 34 that is opposite that of the pocket 24 prevents the sound-playing device 50 from interfering with the pocket 24. Additionally, because the sound-playing device 50 plays the recording only when the third sheet 30 is in the first position, the user of the album 10 hears the recording only until the third sheet 30 is moved to the second position. Thus, when the third sheet 30 is turned to view the other pages 40 within the album 10, the sound-playing device 50 turns off. This prevents the user from growing weary of hearing the recording while browsing through the entire album 10 and conserves the power supply of the power source 56, thus extending the useful lifetime of the sound-playing circuit 50. Additionally, it is preferable to provide the crease 34 near the spine 16, for example within half an inch or one inch of the spine 16, so that shifting of the spine 16 does not cause inadvertent activation of the sound- playing device 50.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments and figures, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention.

It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. An album comprising: a front cover; a back cover; a spine engaged with the front and back covers; and a sound-playing device disposed on a sheet secured between the front and back covers, wherein the sound-playing device is activated when the sheet is in a first position and the sound-playing device is deactivated when the sheet is in a second position.

2. The album of claim 1 further comprising an opening in the front cover.

3. The album of claim 1 or 2 further comprising a pocket on the inside of the front cover.

4. The album of any of claims 1-3 wherein the sound- playing device is disposed in a pocket on the sheet.

5. The album of any of claims 1-4 further comprising one or more pages secured between the front and back covers.

6. The album of any of claims 1-5 wherein the sound- playing device comprises a speaker and a driving circuit.

7. The album of claim 6 wherein the sound-playing device further comprises an activating mechanism.

8. The album of claim 7 wherein the activating mechanism comprises a sliding portion coupled to the driving circuit and engaged with the front cover.

9. The album of claim 8 wherein the activating mechanism is responsive to movement of the front cover and the sheet.

10. The album of any of claims 1-9 wherein the sheet is in a first position when an obtuse angle exists between the front cover and the sheet.

11. The album of any of claims 1-10 wherein at least one of the front cover, back cover, and spine comprises decorative features .

12. An album comprising: a front cover, the inside surface of the front cover comprising a first sheet; a back cover, the inside surface of the back cover comprising a second sheet; a spine engaged with the front and back covers; and a sound-playing device disposed on a third sheet, the third sheet being engaged with the first sheet and being secured in a position between the front and back covers, wherein the sound-playing device is activated when the third sheet is in a first position and the sound-playing device is deactivated when the third sheet is in a second position.

13. The album of claim 12 wherein the sound-playing device comprises a speaker, a driving circuit, and an activating mechanism, the activating mechanism comprising a sliding portion coupled to the driving circuit and engaged with the first sheet.

14. The album of claim 13 wherein movement of the third sheet in relation to the first sheet causes movement of the sliding portion.

15. The album of claim 14 wherein when the third sheet is in the first position the sliding portion is in a corresponding first position in which the driving circuit is activated and when the third sheet is in the second position the sliding portion is in a corresponding second position in which the driving circuit is deactivated.