Chime Patents (Class 116/141)
  • Publication number: 20120240840
    Abstract: An alert system allows a dog to ring chimes that has been specially made for dogs, although the alert system can be used for other household pets as well. A beautiful sound resonates throughout the home to inform individuals that the dog needs to go out. The alert system may include a plurality of chimes arranged on a base that is either attached to a door hinge pin or mounted on a wall. Unlike conventional wind chimes, the dog door chimes does not include a wind catcher to cause the chimes to ring. Instead, the chimes are configured to sound when nudged by a dog's paw, body, head or nose, for example. The dog door chimes may include a relatively large ringer to prevent chewing thereupon by dogs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: MARK DAVID DEROUCHIE
  • Patent number: 7084743
    Abstract: A machine for automated generation of movement of chimes with a base, an power source in the base electromagnetically connected to a post, chimes disposed about the post for receiving electromagnetic energy, a control circuit for generating intermittent electric power to said source for creating magnetic forces on said chimes. The chimes may also be moved by electric power, water movement, wind generated by the power source or ionic wind movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Inventor: James D. Petruzzi
  • Patent number: 6768416
    Abstract: A machine for automated generation of movement of chimes with a base, an power source in the base electromagnetically connected to a post, chimes disposed about the post for receiving electromagnetic energy, a control circuit for generating intermittent electric power to said source for creating magnetic forces on said chimes. The chimes may also be moved by electric power, water movement, wind generated by the power source or ionic wind movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Inventor: James D. Petruzzi
  • Patent number: 6417763
    Abstract: A machine for automated generation of movement of chimes with a base, an power source in the base electromagnetically connected to a post, chimes disposed about the post for receiving electromagnetic energy, a control circuit for generating intermittent electric power to said source for creating magnetic forces on said chimes. The chimes may also be moved by electric power, water movement, wind generated by the power source or ionic wind movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Inventor: James D. Petruzzi
  • Patent number: 6167832
    Abstract: In a chime tube suupported by a coaxial hanger cord, a resilient clip element connecting the cord and the interior of the chime tube having two or more legs which have a straight line length longer than the inside radius of the chime tube before insertion and which bend to grip the inside of the chime tube upon insertion and hold the clip element at the desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Franklyn P. Vooris
  • Patent number: 6166310
    Abstract: A water activated chiming device wherein a clapper floats on a stream of water spiraling upwardly out of an open upper end of a vertical pipe so that the clapper is randomly turned and moved laterally by the water to strike adjacent chime elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: Raymond M. Carter
  • Patent number: 5831516
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electromechanical wind chime. The chime includes a disk from which a hammer assembly is suspended. Additionally, a plurality of tubular chimes are suspended from the disk and surround the hammer assembly. The hammer assembly houses an internal electric motor, and an associated eccentric rotor. The motor serves to move the assembly about a central axis. In this manner, the hammer assembly comes into contact with the chimes to produce a pleasing sound. A control unit is coupled to the hammer assembly by way of an electric cord. The control unit includes means to control the current being delivered to the electric motor. Through the control unit the current can be shut off after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed. Additionally, the unit can alternate the frequency with which the current is delivered to produce a more random motion. An embodiment employing a solenoid in place of an electric motor is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventor: David Jennings
  • Patent number: 5816186
    Abstract: A whistle is provided which will create two frequencies when blown to produce a beat. The whistle has a mouthpiece defining an inlet opening and an inlet passageway extending axially from the inlet opening to a main body which has two similar chambers extending generally axially. Air from the passageway engages two splitter edges associated one with each of the chambers. A lanyard receiver extends axially from the main body remote from the mouthpiece and defines a transverse cavity connected to one of the axial chambers. The whistle is made from first and second parts having mating peripheral surfaces where a joint is made. The arrangement of the whistle is such that two resonant frequencies are created each having a different audible frequency to create a beat. This is achieved in a simple, light and compact structure which is simple to assemble resulting in a relatively inexpensive whistle having good sound characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Fox 40 International Inc.
    Inventor: Charles G. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 5744736
    Abstract: An improvement to windchimes is provided which comprises a supporting bracket. A cluster of chimes with different notes are hanged under the peripheral edge of the supporting bracket. Characterized in that an electric powered main pendulum is hanged under the center of the supporting bracket to play a preset melody or song. An auxiliary pendulum is hanged under the main pendulum. When the auxiliary pendulum is blown by the wind, a natural notes can be heard by the tinkling to the chimes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventor: Ching-Ho Chang
  • Patent number: 5648624
    Abstract: A wind chime having a rotating striker. A rotating member is suspended from the striker. The rotating member is actuated by air currents or wind, which in turn, effect rotation of the striker. The striker strikes a multiplicity of chimes, producing musical tones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: The Yancy Company
    Inventor: Richard L. Smith
  • Patent number: 5612500
    Abstract: A music bell has a dangling member surrounded by a plurality of bell plates. The upper end of the dangling member links an annular chain, and the lower end of the dangling member connects a bob vane. All the bell plates have various thickness. The upper ends of the bell plates and the upper end of the dangling member are connected together. A striking device is disposed in the middle of the dangling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Inventor: Fu-Chern Liang
  • Patent number: 5587697
    Abstract: A chime alarm apparatus having a housing having an axis and adapted to be suspended from rigid support. A first elongate annular member having upper and lower ends is suspended at its upper end from the housing and is substantially coaxial therewith, whereby the member may swing laterally relative to the housing. A disc-shaped contact member is supported by the first elongate member intermediate the ends thereof and the lower end of the first elongate member includes a pendant whereby the first elongate member may be caused to move laterally by an external force contacting the pendant. A plurality of second elongate members are suspended from the housing peripherally outwardly of and spaced a selected distance from the first elongate member and the contact member. Each second member has an area of contact between its ends, the pendant being normally below the lower ends of the second members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventor: Michael P. Rent
  • Patent number: 5452638
    Abstract: A wind chime having a striker which is comprised of multiple materials, each of which produces a different tone as the striker strikes the individual chimes of the wind chime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventor: Bill Yancy
  • Patent number: 5450779
    Abstract: A wind chime having a plurality of tubes which produce musical tones and which are suspended from a frame to allow movement of the tubes. The tubes produce a musical tone when the tubes contact a striker which is in the form of one or more loops through which the tubes extend, and in which the individual tubes are retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Inventor: Bill Yancy
  • Patent number: 5420564
    Abstract: Door chime assembly includes a chime base having a rear plate and at least one resonance chamber secured to said rear plate, a tone bar within the chamber and a striking means mounted on the plate for striking the tone bar. The chime base is molded in a single piece and employs at least one living hinge which permits folding of parts of the assembly to form the resonance chamber. The tone bar is mounted on dowels in the chamber of a length which prevents the tone bar from falling off the dowels during transit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Fred M. Schildwachter & Sons, Inc.
    Inventor: Duncan Remington
  • Patent number: 5369391
    Abstract: An electrically operated chime apparatus is provided and consists of a plurality of resonating members for producing audible sounds, attached to a suspended mounting plate and freely hanging therefrom. A mechanism, operated by electrical power which may be optionally produced by a solar collector, is provided for randomly striking the resonating members, thereby causing the resonating members to produce the audible sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Inventor: David E. Gadsby
  • Patent number: 5341762
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transmitter and methods for making the same. A plurality of blocks are provided and are formed such that, when they are coupled together, they form at least one ultrasonic whistle in fluid communication with a manifold and an acoustic horn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Viprotec
    Inventor: Robert L. Petersen
  • Patent number: 5315909
    Abstract: A musical wind chime especially to one which generates music according to the appearance of the wind chime includes a wind chime body and a sound control circuit. A power source is used to supply the required electrical power to the sound control circuit. A wind control switch connected between the power source and the sound control circuit for responding to any wind to intermittently connect the power source to the sound control circuit and generating music therefrom. The wind control switch includes a circular conductor formed inside the wind chime body, a conductive rod hung therein but not contact with the circular conductor, and a conductive ball attached to the conductive rod such that when some wind occurs it causes the conductive ball to swing and contact with the circular conductor. A wind plate is suspended under the conductive ball for receiving wind force thereby driving the conductive ball to contact with the circular conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Inventor: Yang-Wen Hsu
  • Patent number: 5275080
    Abstract: A windchime that generates musical tones in response to very low wind speeds includes chime members that are grouped in pairs. The chime members of each pair of chime members include a massive chime member and a less massive chime member that are closely spaced apart from one another. In very low winds, the less massive chime members begin swinging and impinge against their adjacent more massive chime members. Thus, a musical tone is produced even before the more massive chime members begin swinging. This arrangement of parts reduces the sensitivity threshold of the windchime so that it performs its intended function in breezes moving at less than one-half a mile per hour. In a preferred embodiment, three sets of chimes are suspended from a tripod-like mounting member that includes aesthetically pleasing support legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Inventor: John Stannard
  • Patent number: 5251569
    Abstract: A whistle having a whistle body (10) including two distinct resonating chambers (20), each with an opening (34) to the exterior of the whistle body (10) and a mouthpiece (14) in fluid communication with both of the chambers (20). At least one of the chambers (20) is provided with at least one additional opening (36) to the interior thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Seron Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Suren V. Seron
  • Patent number: 5225616
    Abstract: Apparatus and processes to generate random musical notes at random intervals over a relatively long period of time without intervention by a musician by causing a plurality of chime beads to fall under the force of gravity from an elevated adhesive strip onto a plurality of chime bars positioned in a stepped, chevron-shaped configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Inventor: Charles K. Bakeman
  • Patent number: 5208578
    Abstract: A light powered chime for indoor use specifically designed to be random, approximating a windchime. In one embodiment a solar cell provides current to a timing circuit and to a storage capacitor. The timing circuit intermittently fires a silicon controlled rectifier causing current to flow from the capacitor through a motor. A striker is connected to the motor shaft by way of a string and clip. Rotation of the motor causes the striker to contact one or more suspended chimes. Randomness is achieved by virtue of sunlight variability and by the mechanical and electrical design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Inventors: Jon M. Tury, Edward L. Tury
  • Patent number: 5113784
    Abstract: A simple toy whistle includes a mouthpiece and multiple resonant chambers. In order to permit single notes to be played by one resonant chamber, while preventing the other chambers from producing audible tones when the whistle is played, each such chamber is provided an additional opening. This opening is provided with an annular boss so that it can be sealed by the pad of the user's thumb or finger when the corresponding chamber is to resonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Inventor: Randall A. Forselius
  • Patent number: 5086726
    Abstract: A referees sports whistle of mandolin shape is provided which has three rectangular whistle chamber elements of the same order of length contained within the mandolin shape of the whistle and arranged side-by-side in a common plane. An exhaust port is provided on the top surface of the whistle to exhaust air, blown into the whistle chamber elements, entirely through the top of the whistle. The whistle is manufactured from two separately moulded parts comprising a first top cover portion including the exhaust port and a second part comprising a main body part including a bulbous portion to be gripped at the sides thereof by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: J. Hudson & Co. (Whistles) Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael C. Sharp
  • Patent number: 5072208
    Abstract: An electromechanical chaotic chiming mechanism, analogous to the classical wind or water powered chime, includes a body or framework suspending a series of chimes with a pendulum suspended centrally among the chimes. A drive mechanism for the pendulum includes a permanent magnet on the pendulum and a drive electromagnet in a base positioned just below a centered rest position of the pendulum. With the electromagnet switched on and off, in a regular linear pattern, the electromagnetic drive causes a chime hammer on the pendulum to behave in a chaotic manner, sounding the chimes in a fashion virtually indistinguishable from natural meteorological forces acting on conventional windchimes. Variations can be made to the pattern or period of the drive electromagnet to vary the pattern of sound produced by the chimes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Inventor: John J. Christensen
  • Patent number: 4709651
    Abstract: A whistle having two chambers of different size so that each is capable of generating a sound different to that generated by the other. Each chamber is elongate and has an open mouth located at the same end of the whistle body. A mouthpiece extends angularly from that end of the body and has two open-ended passages extending therethrough, each of which has an open inner end located adjacent a respective one of the chamber mouths. The two passages are located in close side by side relationship and are arranged so that a stream of air emerging from their respective inner ends passes across a respective one of the two chamber mouths so that the two chambers generate sound simultaneously. The two chambers generate relatively high and low frequency sound respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Assignee: W.A. Deutsher Proprietary Limited
    Inventor: Mark A. Lance
  • Patent number: 4686878
    Abstract: A tubular ornamental plastic holder for supporting and holding in place a series of descending ornamental materials. The load carrying portion is at the ends of the tubular plastic holder and a pressure slit designed to hold in place any items that are perpendicular to the load carrying tubular ornamental plastic holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Inventor: Barbara A. Hebert
  • Patent number: 4606295
    Abstract: A mechanical door chime powered by movement of a pivoting door in a frame includes means for mechanically storing energy, means for producing sound operatively coupled to the output of the energy storing means, a rigid inclined surface coupled to the door or its frame, a base mounted proximate the pivoting junction between the door and its frame opposite the surface with a rigid plunger having a rotating contact arbored at one end, where the plunger is restrained to slide rectilinearly in said base, the rotating contact at it's end abutting against the rigid surface coupled to the door as the door pivots open causing linear movem ent of the plunger relative to the base as the door is opened, and means coupling the plunger to the energy storing means for energizing the energy storing means responsive to the liner movement of the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Inventor: Kam Y. Tang
  • Patent number: 4567846
    Abstract: A magnetically operated door chime adapted for mounting on a door and door frame. The door chime includes a casing adapted for mounting on the door frame and having a plunger assembly mounted for reciprocation along a horizontal path perpendicular to the plane of the door when the door is closed. The plunger assembly includes a first magnetic unit on its outer end arranged in face-to-face contact with a second magnetic unit on the door, when the door is closed. A chime bar extends across the path of movement of the other end of the plunger assembly and a spring yieldably biases the plunger assembly in a direction toward the chime bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Inventor: Thomas D. Kurtz
  • Patent number: D317419
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Inventor: Sandra L. Ronzheimer
  • Patent number: D341789
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Inventor: John Stannard