Small *LOUD* Air Horn / Membranophone

A small but VERY LOUD air horn/membranophone that uses a balloon as the diaphragm. Great at sporting events, but don't point it at others when you're too close - that would be a good way to "start a conversation" (it is VERY loud).

I tried a few of the other air horns/membranophones out there, but they tended to hurt my ears too much as there was no rearward protection for the user. So. I designed a system that incorporates a deflector on the ring that holds the membrane/balloon on to the body - it deflects the vibration from the rear of the diaphragm back toward the front of the horn. Still just as loud out the front, but much easier on my ears at the back.

Assembly is very easy:

Cut a piece of balloon and stretch it over the back end of the chamber (fully open end). Hold it in place while you place the deflector cap on to hold it in place. The tighter you stretch the balloon, the higher the pitch. I get louder results with a tighter stretch and with thicker balloons.

Fit the horn into the other end of the chamber. Point it in a safe direction and blow into the mouthpiece.

There are four different sized horns here. The smaller ones are handier, but the larger you go, the louder it is out front. The largest one is a full mega-horn shape, and definitely loudest.

There are two different sized chambers - the long one may be a little louder (hard to tell), but the short one is a bit more convenient, especially with the shorter horns. The chamber will work without the horn fitted if you want a very small and handy version. The large chamber works better than the small in the standalone configuration and, of course, will give a slightly lower tone than the short one.

Designed so all parts will print without supports, but the large mega-phone horn can benefit from support just inside the rim.