Abstract: A shower-mounted back-scrubber device is installed on the wall of a shower stall at a height approximating the height of the user's back. The device has a pair of scrub brushes that rotate and reciprocate vertically. The user stands comfortably with his or her back abutting the device. The brushes traverse and clean the entire surface of the user's back without awkward manual manipulation or translation relative to the device. The brushes are motor-driven by a drive shaft connecting the motor to a transmission. The transmission and drive shaft have a telescoping connection that permits positioning a housing of the device relative to the motor. A controller regulates rotational and reciprocal speed of the brushes.

Abstract: A bell ensemble includes individual bells affixed to one of two parallel rails of a support framework. In keyboard fashion, a series of bells representing natural-pitched notes of a musical scale (white piano keys) extends forwardly from the front rail while extending from a second rearward rail are those bells corresponding to the sharps or flats (black piano keys). In order to position the bells for greatest ease of striking by the musician, the rear framework support rail is offset upwardly relative to the front rail to place them closer to the musician. The framework is preferably held by a freestanding support such as a cymbal stand well-known in the percussion instrument arts.

Abstract: A handchime includes a main tube with a clapper assembly for striking one of two tines at the end of a tubular body. An elastomeric damper block is fitted in compression between the inside surfaces of the side walls of the tine which the clapper strikes. The damper block is located at a distance approximately one-third the length of the tine from its base. The damper block includes raised portions in contacting relation with the horizontal inside surface of the tine, and is preferably affixed by an adhesive.

Abstract: A clapper assembly includes circular strikers which can be individually rotated so that a new portion of the surface of the striker is presented in the direction of the clapper stroke. A pair of opposing plates located at the end of the clapper bar retain circular, donut-shaped striking elements. Each striker is secured between the plates by a retaining screw through the axis of the striking element. By loosening the screws, the individual strikers may be rotated. Thus, when a portion of the striker becomes worn, it may be loosened and manually rotated to a new position so that a fresh unused area is presented. In addition, the entire clapper assembly may be rotated so that strikers of different compressibility can be interchanged.

Abstract: A handbell table cover pad comprises inflatable cushions for providing a cushioned support for handbells resting on the top surface of the pad. The pads include valleys along their top surfaces which cradle the bells while placed on top of the cushions for locating and supporting the individual handbells. A plurality of internal ribs are joined between the inside surfaces of top and bottom panels to create the valleys. The material of the cushions is preferably a heavy-gauge PVC, cut into panels which are joined along airtight seams by ultrasonic welding. The inflatable pads may be spray coated with a self-adhering flock fiber which provides the look and feel of a soft fabric surface.

Abstract: A golf putter includes a rigid mid-section and two parallel, opposing tone-generating tines on either side. The tone generators are each held at the toe of the club head, being formed as an integral extension of a central member by cuts through the club head. Thus, a volume and quality of sound can be produced from a relatively thick striking face plate which has minimum flexure to produce accurate golf putting. Because the structure is symmetrical, it is reversible for use by both left and right-handed golfers. The sound-producing tines may alternately both be placed on the rear side of the club head away from the striking surface. In this case, the sound-producing tines may be of different lengths so each tine produces different tonal frequencies that are preferably mutual tonal harmonics.

Abstract: A tuned musical handbell has been devised which has a surprisingly excellent musical tone quality. A bell casting made from aluminum is sized and tuned by metalworking processes to frequencies below 196 Hertz. Aluminum alloys, such as numbers 319, 356, and Precedent 71 are suitable. The aluminum handbells are produced as individual elements of a complete set which include the use of aluminum for frequencies below 196 Hertz, and bronze for frequencies above 196 Hertz.

Abstract: A hand-held percussion musical instrument includes a swinging tone-generating plate, which is hinged and moved when being played. The tone plate is sounded by impact with the body of the instrument, which includes a resonator and impact member located at the point of contact with the tone plate. The tone plate swings on a hinge, which is a flexible elastomeric joint that secures the tone plate to the resonator. A pleated, accordion-type elastomeric member is affixed between the end of the tone plate and body of the instrument to control the lateral movement of the tone plate and limit its backswing.

Abstract: An anti-roll hand clip for handbells aids in the support of the handbell when resting on the playing table. The clip is a simple, wire device which attaches to the handle of the handbell and, more particularly, to the circular hand guard portion of the handle. The clip contains two feet which contact the table top providing a stable support. The clip is rotatable around the hand guards so that an angular position of the handbell handle with respect to the table top can be selected and maintained. The clip may be coated with an electrostatic powder coating of vinyl or the like to increase its non-slip quality and for abrasion resistence.

Abstract: This invention is directed to percussion musical instruments which incorporate striking elements for producing musical sound. The invention discloses a novel hand chime which contains a one-piece elastomeric clapper hinge which accurately controls the swing of the clapper yet is an accoustically "dead" element which does not transmit unwanted vibrations from the chime tines to the clapper. The invention further includes novel adjustable elements such as a clapper bar bumper and a damper which may be adjusted to vary the musical characteristics of the sound. Molded polypropylene has been used successfully as the material for the hinge.

Abstract: A handbell including an improved clapper assembly utilizing an adjustable clapper bearing whereby wear that may cause poor fidelity of tone may be eliminated through periodic adjustment of said bearing without disassembly of the bell or other disturbance of the "factory" assembly thereof.

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.

Abstract: A handbell including an improved clapper assembly that is adjustable with respect to the force required to cause it to swing into strike contact with the bell and is independently adjustable to vary the tonal quality of its strike, whereby a variety of affects, including raw and muted sounds, may be obtained from a given bell through manual adjustment of the clapper which is possible during the course of playing the bell. Additional improvements reside in the specific construction of the adjustments and the means for indexing the position of the bell handle with respect to the clapper assembly.