Abstract: An electronic tone generation system including a plurality of separate, portable, handheld transmitters, or batons, that are provided as “instruments” to one or more players. Each baton can be activated to send a signal, preferably a wireless signal, to a single receiver which produces an output signal fed to a tone generator, preferably a MIDI tone generator, which produces audible sounds via an amplifier and speakers. For example, the batons can correspond to different musical notes as played by a selected musical instrument and the batons can be played in concert to produce a musical or other audible presentation. Alternatively, selected batons can be designated to play in one voice, while others batons are set to play other voices.

Abstract: An electronic tone generation system including a plurality of separate, portable, handheld transmitters, or batons, that are provided as “instruments” to one or more players. Each baton can be activated to send a signal, preferably a wireless signal, to a single receiver which produces an output signal fed to a tone generator, preferably a MIDI tone generator, which produces audible sounds via an amplifier and speakers. For example, the batons can correspond to different musical notes as played by a selected musical instrument and the batons can be played in concert to produce a musical or other audible presentation. Alternatively, selected batons can be designated to play in one voice, while others batons are set to play other voices.

Abstract: An electronic tone generation system including a plurality of separate, portable, handheld transmitters, or batons, that are provided as “instruments” to numerous players to form a choir. Each baton is activated by one of the players to send a signal, preferably a wireless signal, to a single receiver which produces an output signal fed to a tone generator, preferably a MIDI tone generator, which produces audible sounds via an amplifier and speakers. For example, the batons can correspond to different musical notes as played by a selected musical instrument and the batons can be played in concert by the choir to produce a musical or other audible presentation. Alternatively, selected batons can be designated to play in one voice, while others batons are set to play other voices.

Abstract: A handbell has a bell body with an inner surface engageable by a clapper to produce a sound corresponding to a note of the musical scale and an outer surface with a vapor deposited nitride layer that resists tarnish. Preferably, the vapor deposited nitrate layer has a thickness of less than about 5 microns and does not adversely affect the sound produced when the handbell is rung. In addition, preferably the vapor deposited nitrate layer is zirconium nitride or titanium nitride and has a Vickers hardness (HV) of at least 2300. A method of making and/or refurbishing a handbell is also disclosed.

Abstract: A handbell having an improved clapper assembly. The handbell includes a bell body in which the clapper assembly is mounted, and the clapper assembly has a compact construction including a yoke secured to a closed end of the bell body and a clapper mounted for swinging movement relative to the yoke along a path defining a forward swing direction and a back swing direction. The clapper has a head for striking the bell body and a pivot block pivotally mounted to the yoke. The pivot block carries at least one energy absorber that is engageable with the yoke during at least part of the swinging movement of the clapper for controlling the swinging movement of the clapper in one of the forward swing or back swing directions. Preferably, the clapper carries a pair of energy absorbers.

Abstract: A hand held musical instrument is capable of emitting sound through the combination of three elements: a hollow tube, a striking member, and a hinge to secure the striking member to the tube. The hollow tube is constructed of an ergonomic shape that allows easy and fatigue-free grasping. For low notes, the slots on the resonating end of the hollow tube are multi-sized to eliminate buzzing. The clapper is attached to the hollow tube through a combination of a stainless steel axle, polymer bearings and adjustable tensioning screws. This combination improves the durability of the instrument yet still allows the musician to adjust the strike feel. The invention also provides improvements in the clapper heads for both low note and middle and high note handchimes. For low notes, the clapper head is constructed of multiple layers that optimize sound quality. For middle or high notes, the rubber clapper head provides multiple settings which allows the musician to easily and precisely adjust the timbre setting.

Abstract: A DSP-based electronic carillon system is disclosed. The system comprises a digital signal processor (DSP), memory for storing program code for controlling the operation of the DSP in carrying out pre-programmed algorithms, and an output circuit for converting the output of the DSP into audible sound. DSP algorithms are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic carillon system comprising a sequencer module (10) programmed for receiving, storing and outputting timing data and sequence data representing a prescribed number of distinct bell strikes, a tone generator (12) for generating, in accordance with sequence and timing data, analog bell-strike signals, amplifiers (18, 20) for amplifying the bell-strike signals, and speakers (22, 24) for converting the bell-strike signals, after amplification, to audible bell sounds.

Abstract: An electronic bell-tone generating system selectively provides a plurality of bell tones having improved tonal quality includes a plurality of tone generators operated in preselected combinations by a microprocessor in response to inputs from a keyboard. Data representing characteristic bells, including a fundamental tone and associated partial tones, their initial amplitude, and decay rate, is stored within a random access memory, input periodically to the respective tone generators comprising double-buffered, digital-to-analog converters, and output simultaneously to produce the "strike" of a bell.

Abstract: A motor drive system and method for driving a cast bell or similar object, comprising a motor and cam switches driven by the motor which operate relays in accordance with a duration angle and a start angle respectively, the circuit of the drive system supplying power to normally provide drive energy to the bell when it is swinging through the duration angle, and to provide power to the bell following system initiation as long as the bell is within the start angle. The start angle is set to be greater than the duration angle so as to optimize steady state power delivery while ensuring power delivery at the time of initial system energization.

Abstract: An improved bell is disclosed which features a clapper continuously adjustable for hardness of strike. The clapper comprises a hard inner member and a resilient outer member. The periphery of the clapper is circular but the hard inner member is not circular about the same center as the periphery so that the amount of resilient material between the solid inner core member and the periphery varies circumferentially around the clapper. At the time of manufacture of the bell it is tested to locate the point on the bell body at which "wow and flutter" in the tone emitted by the bell is minimized. A single insulated pin serves to orient the handle of the bell, the bell body and the plane of swing of the clapper. The attachment of the handle, the bell body and the clapper is such as to minimize extraneous noise. An elastomer clapper shaft is employed, and its effective flexing length may be varied.

Abstract: A bell instrument for providing a true sound of cast bells, comprising a plurality of bell record modules, each such module being programmable by both automatic means and manual means and having a continuous tape, or other types of magnetic material (floppy disc or drum), encoding of bell music and control means for operating same, the control means for each tape comprising means for playing a predetermined programmed portion of such music and returning the tape to a start position. In a preferred embodiment, a tape module is employed having a multi-track continuous tape, each track having a respective predetermined portion thereof containing encoded signals representing bell music and a respective other portion thereof containing no encoded music, with accompanying means for selecting and playing the music from any one of said tracks and controlling the tape transport from sensed control information or the lack thereof on a given predetermined one of said tracks.

Abstract: A program control device is described having a rotatably driven program control body and a plurality of stationary actuatable programming members. These members are positioned adjacent a periphery of the body at different locations transverse to the direction of rotation of the body. One or more tabs each having a plurality of selectively removable contact segments are provided and demountable means support the tabs on the program control body adjacent its periphery for transport past and engagement of the programming members.

Abstract: A carillon keyboard instrument is provided for playing bells and auxiliary bell tones, with a pedal provided for allowing the player to adjust the relative intensities of the major and minor tones of the bells. The instrument utilizes two sets of vibrator bars, a first set for generating major tones, and a second set for generating minor tones. By mixing the derived signals from corresponding major and minor vibrator bars, and adjusting the relative intensity of the minor signal strength, a new flexibility is provided to the instrument player for generating desired Flemish bell tones.

Abstract: A handbell comprises a bell having a clapper bar pivotally mounted to a member which is attached within the bell by means extending through a handle secured to the bell. A clapper is attached to the clapper bar and elastomeric means is mounted on the clapper bar to restrain movement of the clapper bar with respect to the member.