I did an initial experiment on gag effectiveness. These are ballpark measures.
This layered design is basically what I imagined for the "paramour gag", see for example:
Update 2: see also the experimental mouthpiece for this gag design.
1. mouth stuffing
I used a flexible sponge in the mouth and a ballgag to seal it. It manages to drop the sound volume by 10 dB. I think that this effect (better than I expected) is solely due to the mouth stuffing, as it reduces the resonance chamber of the mouth/nose cavity and blocks air flow through the mouth. Since the path through the nose is narrower than through an open mouth, there is also less sound waves that can travel through that same path.2. nose tubes
The same setup as as above, but with a cap over the mouth and nose and tubes for breathing. In the experiment, it dropped the volume by 2 dB. This is to be expected. High frequencies may be subdued because they cannot take the bend in the tubes, but low frequencies are not hindered by bends. The slight reduction is probably due to reduction of air flow. However, for a realistic (safe) gag, I should have used wider tubing. So I am expecting the net effect of nose tubes to be zero.3. shutter valves
Same setup as the preceding one, but now with valves in the tube that (supposedly) close on the detection of sound. This drops the sound level by another 10 dB (so 20 dB relative to being ungagged). This is actually quite good. I didn't made the circuit to detect voice sound and close the valves, I just closed them manually, but I am confident this circuit can be made.This layered design is basically what I imagined for the "paramour gag", see for example:
Update: the effect of a padded collar
With the valves shut, sound must come through the skin. With a close-range microphone, I scanned that the sound leak is probably the throat (not the cheeks). I did the same test as with #3, but added a wide collar with soft padding on the inside. As a ballpark measure, it appeared to reduce the sound volume by 2 or 3 dB.Update 2: see also the experimental mouthpiece for this gag design.
We're can I purchase one of these gags please.
ReplyDeleteWe're can I purchase one of these gags please.
ReplyDeleteI never made a fully functional gag. These are just tests to see how well such a gag would function, if it were made.
DeleteAll I have made, is an experimental mouthpiece, by bending and cutting plastic sheet. To go further, I think I would need a 3D printer.
Possibly consider making molds of the face and mouth using wax based clay (ie: "monster clay"), then a mold of that from plaster. Wax based clay melts out of the mold when heated and is reusable when it cools/re-solidifies. Medical grade silicone than then be poured into the mold and cured, you may also add pigment powder to the silicone before pouring it into the mold to tint it in various skin colors as you like. When the silicone has fully cured, you should have a single piece that can then have permanent color applied to the molded cosmetic "lips" on the exterior, but retain the internal dental structures as well. The soft and yielding nature of the dental structures formed from silicone shouldn't have an adverse effect on long term use, while the silicone itself should also not pit or wear due to salivary bacteria with long term use.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip. I have not had the time to follow up on this early experiment. My plan was to first make prototypes with a 3D printer and then make molds. Using wax based clay for the prototype is a better idea, however.
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