Sound-Activated 5-Second Timer

Exact dimensions: 13.0 × 3.5 × 3.5 cm. Material composition: crystal-clear rigid plastic for upper/lower chambers; matte-finish iron base with rubberised underside for slip resistance. Sand volume and tube geometry are factory-set to achieve 5.0 ± 0.2 seconds per cycle — verified under ambient UK room temperatures (15–22°C). Buzzer tone frequency: 2.8 kHz — optimised for audibility without harshness in typical living room or café acoustics. The hourglass profile is not merely aesthetic: its symmetry ensures equal sand volume in both bulbs, enabling reliable bidirectional use — flip either way and timing remains identical. Base width matches standard UK game box thicknesses (e.g., Wingspan, Catan), allowing stable upright storage inside lids or on narrow shelves. Used by UK-based game designers for playtesting timed mechanics and by speech therapists for articulation drills — proof of its adaptability beyond entertainment into structured learning and communication practice.