Abstract: A musical instrument with vibrating rods to generate a sound is provided. The musical instrument includes an acoustic housing having a main body with a first opening and a second opening, a plurality of rods coupled to the acoustic housing and extending beyond the first opening in the main body of the acoustic housing, and a plurality of electromagnetic pickups coupled to the acoustic housing and extending beyond the first opening in the main body of the acoustic housing. The vibration of any one of the plurality of rods enables a corresponding one of the plurality of electromagnetic pickups to generate an electrical signal corresponding to the sound.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing tritium migration. In one aspect, the invention is a method of reducing tritium mitigation from a spent nuclear fuel pool containing a body of tritiated water having an exposed surface, the method comprising hermetically sealing the exposed surface of the body of tritiated water with a cover movable between an open-state and a close-state.

Abstract: A method for improving sound output level of a musical or striking timepiece including at least one vibration generator and vibrating at specific natural frequencies of the generator. The timepiece includes external parts which are modified by integration or addition of at least one acoustic radiator including at least one element vibrating-radiating at a natural frequency of the radiator tuned to at least one of the natural frequencies of the generator. The external parts include at least one acoustic radiator including at least one element vibrating at a natural frequency of the radiator tuned to at least one of the natural frequencies of the generator.

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: The invention relates to known signal appliances comprising chime tubes which are fixed in a circle and chime by means of a centrally mounted, motor-driven striking element. The aim of the invention is to use a novel arrangement that omits striking elements, whereby space is saved, and uses chime tubes of essentially different diameters for producing very big differences in tone levels, whereby said chimes have constant lengths. Five chimes are suspended from a carrier plate. The carrier plate is swivelled around a predetermined area by means of the drive motor and a pinion that engages with the gear ring. The carrier plate is mounted on an axle which is fixedly arranged in a stationary holding device that is fixed to a vertical wall by means of screws. The inventive arrangement is especially useful as door bell or a glockenspiel.

Abstract: A simultaneous toasting device comprising a pair of vertical support members each having an arm extending therefrom, the arms further extending towards one another, the arms each having a filament depending therefrom, and a sounding element, the sounding element being supported by the filaments and extending between the vertical support members such that the arms each extend toward the sounding element.

Abstract: A novelty item having extending appendages which are supported by springs so as to impart life-like movement thereto.

Abstract: A simultaneous toasting device comprising a vertical support member having depending therefrom a filament, the filament having attached thereto a sounding element.

Abstract: An improved control lever for generating a level sound which enables audible control of the control lever without looking at the control lever during the operation of a vehicle by generating a predetermined level sound in accordance with the position of the control lever, which includes a lever body hinged to a base and rotated within a predetermined operational range for controlling the operation of an apparatus, and a sound generating member for generating a predetermined different sound based on the position of the lever body within the operational range thereof.

Abstract: A multi-tone sounder system including the sounder and a method of controlling the sounder in which at least a pair of chime bars (3, 5), bells or gongs are spaced apart and arranged to be struck by a solenoid operated striker (26) positioned between the chime bars; the solenoid (24) is powered by a controller (FIG. 2) in one of several ways so that in one way by sudden application of power to the solenoid the striker strikes one bar but then the power is reduced gradually preventing the striker by means of a spring (28) hitting the other bar; in a second way by gradual application of power to the solenoid and sudden reduction the other bar only is struck; in a third way by sudden application and a sudden reduction of power to the solenoid both bars may be struck; by using a predetermined combination of strikes a particular push button in a house can easily be identified.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A doorbell base is made integrally and is provided with two resonators and a hollow housing located between said two resonators. Each of two resonators is provided respectively at two opposite side walls thereof with a locating projection for locating a soft plug of the chime bars. The housing is provided respectively at two opposite sides thereof with a frame hole having at a bottom end thereof an indentation formed integrally with the base. The housing is provided therein with a rectangular hole having two locating clamp bodies with a hooked portion for locating the diminishing neck of a striker. The striker is provided with a coil assembly which is fastened with a fastening piece of power source wires for generating a magnetic repulsion capable of actuating the striker rod of the striker to strike the chime bars to bring about a musical tone.

Abstract: An underwater communication device that is simple in design, is simple to operate, is powered solely by a user's wrist action, has only one moving part, is maintenance free, can offer multiple modes of operation, can be made resistant to accidental sound generation, can be made neutrally buoyant, offers a wide margin of safety and reliability, and enables underwater communication up to 100 feet between scuba divers. The underwater communication device including a striker rod, a tubular housing and a support and guide member. The support and guide member supporting the rod in the housing. Communicating underwater with the underwater communication device by the steps of grasping the device approximately along its midpoint, and rapidly rocking or shaking the device from side to side or end to end, causing the endpoints of the striker rod to strike an inner surface of the housing, creating a sound that is readily propagated through the water.

Abstract: In construction of a supporting mechanism for mounting a tubular tone generator to a stand of a percussive musical instrument, a holder shaft insertable into the sound generator is provided at its lower end with a pivotal lock bar of a biased mass distribution and a slidable coupled stopper to hold the lock bar at a prescribed angular position. When inserted into the sound generator, the lock bar turns automatically to assume the proscribed angular position due to the biased mass distribution and locks the holder shaft to the tone generator. Absence of the conventional tension wire binding system allows free choice in sound characteristics, simplified easy mounting operation and high mechanical durability even under vibratory conditions during performance.

Abstract: A central support tube includes an annular array of tonal tubes positioned thereabout, with each of the tubes suspended by an associated support line, that in turn is secured to a plurality of support pins directed into the central support tube. A cylindrical tuning disc is suspended below the central support tube for communication by the tonal tubes.

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.

Abstract: A fireplace log holder and alarm system is designed for placement within the firebox of fireplaces. The log holder is comprised of parallel log supports having a very rough top surfaces so as to minimize rolling and slippage of the logs. Attached to the front of the log supports is the alarm mechanism which includes metal uprights having eyes in their upper ends. An elongated hollow metal tube spans the eyes of the uprights and is loosely received within them. During the course of combustion as logs shift and are partially consumed, any forwardly shifting log will precipitously contact the metal uprights or the metal tube and cause the tube and uprights to strike together. This rapid striking action generates a loud noise which serves to notify the occupants of the dwelling that log shifting has occurred and that a dangerous repositioning of burning logs demands their attention.

Abstract: A harp is provided for mounting on a swinging door. The harp includes a centrally disposed opening and a plurality of musical strings stretched over the opening. A plurality of mallets is provided for striking the strings when the door undergoes swinging motion, thereby emitting musical tones. Each mallet includes a stiff rod having a mallet head at one end, bearings mounted in tandem on a stiff on a shaft are provided into which the rods insert for oscillatory movement of the mallet heads about the shaft. In contrast to door harp of the prior art, the harp can be mounted on a door with its strings tilted away from horizontal.

Abstract: A chime assembly is provided which includes an elongated chime support bar, a multiplicity of chimes, suspended from the support bar, and a damper bar pivotably secured to the support bar. The damper bar is movable between an engaged and non-engaged position relative to the chimes suspended from the support bar so as to produce dampened and non-dampened sounds, respectively, upon one striking the chimes.

Abstract: An improved device for generating an ultrasonic signal for use in an area protected by an alarm actuated by an ultrasonic signal. The device includes a tuned, acoustic rod within a cylinder typically about the size of a pen adapted to be worn in a shirt pocket. The device has a spring-actuated hammer which is movable, when triggered, into engagement with the rod to generate an acoustic signal. When the hammer is cocked, it is held in a cocked position by two spaced triggers which must be actuated simultaneously to release the hammer to cause it to move toward and to strike the rod. The cylinder has an opening for indicating the fact that the hammer has been triggered. The device is made so that it cannot be re-cocked without special equipment not available to the public.

Abstract: A chiming clock having tube chimes for sounding the quarter hours and striking the hours contains a striking, quarter chiming and timing mechanism wherein the music barrel or rotary element of the chiming train may be located substantially in any position with respect to the chimes by reason of the use of cords which are extended over pulleys so as to define the desired path for translation of the rotary movement of the music barrel or striking train rotary elements into percussive movement of plungers against the chimes.