As I wrote before, I wanted the gag design for the story "The Return of the Paramour" to be realistic ("plausible" is the word I used earlier). Realistic in the sense that: 1) I think that it can be made and 2) that it functions well. Two persons wrote me that I should try to patent it. I do not intend to do so, but for fun, I started drafting a mock patent. And for that, I did a bit of research (with Google Patent search).
What I found is intriguing...
These are Chinese patents (translated by Google); the above list is probably not exhaustive. For a quick impression, see the images below.
In describing the background for the invention, all cite that the goal is to avoid disturbing the neighbors in densely populated areas (or in public areas). Those potential disturbances would manifest themselves as loud talking or even yelling or screaming (cited twice), performing singing exercises (cited three times) and training speaking in public (cited once). Additional purposes cited (apart from not disturbing the neighbors) are eliminating shyness, resolving depressions and soothing stress.
Hypothesis 1) It is for BDSM play, but references to sex games wouldn't get past the patent examiners (so you just make up another reason). Counter to this hypothesis is that while I have seen quite a few Chinese bondage pictures, never did I see one of these gags.
Hypotheses 2) To silence a person who just does not want to shut up (or talk at a lower voice). Counter to this hypothesis is that these gag designs do nothing to make speech unintelligible. You will want that too, for a true gag.
Hypothesis 3) The patents are actually truthful. They may be patents for devices with little or no use, but foolish ideas get patented. Counter to this argument is that I don't think these voice muffling masks are very effective. Only one of these patents cites a number: 50% reduction. I have no idea whether that means "half as loud" (a reduction of 10 dB) or halving the amplitude (a reduction of 3 dB). The latter feels more likely (in view of its construction). That's not enough.
What I found is intriguing...
Gags from China
I found two US patents for gags for BDSM play, a long list of patents for medical gags and an equally long list of patents for devices that have nothing to do with voice muffling, but also happen to be called gags, and then this list:- CN203015899 U, Sound-reduction mask
- CN201515711 U, Closed muffling mask
- CN204169113 U, Singing practice sound insulation mask
- CN200959218 Y, Silencing mask
- CN101266787 A, A muffler for eliminating high speaking (singing) voice
These are Chinese patents (translated by Google); the above list is probably not exhaustive. For a quick impression, see the images below.
In describing the background for the invention, all cite that the goal is to avoid disturbing the neighbors in densely populated areas (or in public areas). Those potential disturbances would manifest themselves as loud talking or even yelling or screaming (cited twice), performing singing exercises (cited three times) and training speaking in public (cited once). Additional purposes cited (apart from not disturbing the neighbors) are eliminating shyness, resolving depressions and soothing stress.
Come again?
I was dumbfounded by these rationales. They don't make sense. If you don't want to disturb your neighbors with loud talking (or even yelling or screaming), then... just stop screaming. If you want to practice speaking in public, it is ridiculous to imply that you would naturally need to do so at a high voice in a public area. Then signing... people who sing don't just want to exercise pitch and volume, but tone, clarity, projection. You have to be able to hear your voice, unmuffled, undistorted. Singing with a muffler on? Seriously?The actual motive
Because the given rationales lack credibility, one quickly reasons that the true motive for these inventions is something that you'd rather not put in print. But what would that be?Hypothesis 1) It is for BDSM play, but references to sex games wouldn't get past the patent examiners (so you just make up another reason). Counter to this hypothesis is that while I have seen quite a few Chinese bondage pictures, never did I see one of these gags.
Hypotheses 2) To silence a person who just does not want to shut up (or talk at a lower voice). Counter to this hypothesis is that these gag designs do nothing to make speech unintelligible. You will want that too, for a true gag.
Hypothesis 3) The patents are actually truthful. They may be patents for devices with little or no use, but foolish ideas get patented. Counter to this argument is that I don't think these voice muffling masks are very effective. Only one of these patents cites a number: 50% reduction. I have no idea whether that means "half as loud" (a reduction of 10 dB) or halving the amplitude (a reduction of 3 dB). The latter feels more likely (in view of its construction). That's not enough.
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