Abstract: A drinking container that can be used for various applications such as toasting for producing a sound for enjoyment at table, dinning or banquet, a bell, or further, determination of a beverage poured into the drinking container is used for producing a sound for enjoyment and comprises: a container-type resonator; and a handle connected to the resonator at a position of a node of vibration during resonance of the resonator.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a wearable movement alert system comprising an enclosure, a divider positioned within the enclosure, a quiet chamber positioned within one longitudinal end of the enclosure, a noise chamber positioned within the longitudinal end of the enclosure that is opposite from the quiet chamber, at least one chime fixed within the noise chamber, and an agitator free to move about within the enclosure.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a virtual engine sound is provided. The apparatus includes a rotating bracket member that is disposed within a wheel of a vehicle and includes movement space therein, and elastic bodies, each of which has a first end fixed to a substantial rotation center position of the rotating bracket member. In addition, the apparatus includes weight bodies which are fixed to a second end of the elastic body, and are configured to move within the movement space based on a rotation speed of the wheel of the vehicle, and selectively contact the rotating bracket member.

Abstract: A device and method is disclosed that provides an alerting bell that can be quickly and easily disabled when desired. The bell includes a knocker portion inside a cylindrical body that is spring loaded so that it can be pulled below the bottom rim of the cylindrical body of the bell. The knocker portion and the bottom rim of the bell are modified so that the bottom portion of the knocker portion can be securely affixed to the rim of the cylindrical main body as needed to turn off the alerting function of the bell as desired.

Abstract: A bell that rings when the entire rolling element bell is shaken, includes a base section having a recess, and a bell section that is supported directly or indirectly by the base section, a rolling element that is adapted to roll in the recess, the rolling element hitting the base section when the entire rolling element bell has been shaken, and the rolling element has rolled to reach an edge of the recess of the base section, and the rolling element bell being configured so that sound produced by the rolling element bell is adjusted by adjusting a contact angle or a contact height of the rolling element with an inner wall of the bell section.

Abstract: A bell includes a securing device for securing a bell member and a handle together, and a clapper device having an axle rotatably attached to the securing device for allowing the clapper device to be rotated relative to the securing device and to selectively strike onto the bell member in one direction, and a stop formed on the clapper device for engaging with the securing device and for limiting a rotational movement of the clapper device relative to the bell member and the securing device, and for preventing the clapper device from striking onto the bell member in an opposite direction and thus for allowing the sound generated by the clapper member and the bell member to be clearly heard by the users.

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 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 nitride 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 nitride 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 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 device for supporting an acoustical bell comprises a base member carrying a channel. The channel is formed to receive the handguard of the bell so that the bell can be pivoted about its handguard. An alternative embodiment comprises a T-shaped base with a recess formed therein for receiving the handguard. Rotating the bell handle downward elevates the bell a distance above a surface so that the bell can be rung by striking it. A strip of felt or rubber can be placed in the channel as a cushion for the handguard.

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: 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: 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 clapper body individually mounts two striker turrets on opposite ends. Each striker turret carries individual striker heads and is angularly movable on a turret platform tilted sufficiently in the swing plane so that only the head closest the bell mouth is operative.

Abstract: A bell and clapper assembly is provided comprising a transparent glass bell housing and hollow handle integral therewith wherein a clapper having an aesthetic appearance of selected design motif is removably mounted in the bell housing. A clapper of selected design may readily be suspended in the bell by the supplier, the retailer or at a subsequent time by the purchaser by virtue of the fact that the clapper is carried by a flexible chain having a sleeve at the upper end thereof which aligns with an opening at the top of the handle and removably receives the threaded post of a decorative rosette fastener engaging the top surface of the bell handle.

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.