Abstract: A novel wind chime, whereby deficiencies in the prior art, for example, it is necessary to drill holes in the wind chime tubes and grind the holes, which consumes time and manpower, affects beauty of the wind chime, deteriorates tone quality thereof and is liable to cause safety hazards, are addressed, and the wind chime, including a connection ring, a plurality of suspension cords passing the connection ring, a hanger connected at upper ends of the plurality of suspension cords, a striker connected at lower ends of the plurality of suspension cord and a plurality of wind chime tubes, jump rings are connected respectively at the lower ends of the plurality of suspension cords, limiting and connection structures are respectively provided between central positions of the jump rings and the plurality of suspension cords, and the jump rings are connected at inner sides of the plurality of wind chime tubes.

Abstract: A tone bar of a percussion instrument and an associated connecting element are presented. A percussion instrument having at least one tone bar and at least one connecting element are also presented.

Abstract: This product is a new invention designed to make four- and multi-mallet percussion both easier and more ergonomically safe. It incorporates various drawings of the invention and its revisions as well techniques and methods for use by percussionists. The mallet device includes various models of the design—all basically including the shaft for holding, holders to place mallets in, and an apparatus for widening and decreasing intervals between the mallets.

Abstract: A microphone and a method of manufacturing the microphone are provided. The method includes; preparing a substrate and forming a vibrating membrane having an oxide film and a plurality of slots onto the substrate. A sacrificial layer and a fixed membrane is formed over the vibrating membrane and air intake apertures are formed through the fixed membrane. A first pad is connected to the fixed membrane, a second pad is connected to the vibrating membrane, and a phase delay unit is bonded to the bonding pad. A penetration aperture may be formed by etching the rear side of the substrate and bonding the phase delay unit on the bonding pad. A sound passage, is formed by connecting passage patterns, and sound apertures with the sound passages by sequentially stacking phase delay layers on the bonding pad and simultaneously forming the passage patterns in the phase delay layers.

Abstract: A toy piano including one or both an enlarged sound plate intermediate the sound bar of the toy piano and its sound board, and a sound box into which the sound board is incorporated. Preferably, the sound plate extends beyond the normal edges of the sound bar in which the longitudinal tines of the toy piano are mounted so as to lie adjacent to the sound board over a larger area. Likewise, the sound box should preferably be shaped so as to be somewhat wider (measured in the longitudinal direction of the tines) towards the end where the tines are longest (and produce lower tones) and somewhat narrower towards the end where the shorter tines (producing higher tones) are located. It preferred shape is characterized by somewhat convex curves at the more treble and bass ends, respectively, of the sound box with a somewhat concave curve intermediate these two ends. The backboard of the sound box can be bowed outward for enhance acoustics.

Abstract: Musical toy building elements to make a plurality of combination of sounds comprising of a plurality of walls, a top lid and a bottom cap to make an inner space between them, wherein at least two of said walls, said lid and said cap having releasable couplers, and wherein said releasable couplers selected from a group of male and female couplers, hook and loop couplers or magnetic connectors, and wherein said block having percussion musical instruments to produce sounds, said musical instrument being installed on the lid, or on the walls or in the inner space of the block and said musical instrument being detachably mounted on the block or being an integral element of the building block.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for a gaseous liquid to audibly deform the shape of a closed container. One embodiment includes pushing inward to depress a plurality of deformations integral with an exterior of the plastic container having a bottom, a top, the exterior, and an interior, wherein the top is at least partially opened. Further, the method includes sealing, subsequent to the depressing, the top to close the plastic container. Further still, the method includes pushing outward, subsequent to the sealing, by carbonation from a carbonated liquid contained within the interior, on the plurality of deformations. Yet further, the method includes deforming, by the pushing outward, at least two of the plurality of deformations to displaced positions. The method also includes creating two or more sounds and/or movement by the deforming.

Abstract: A pitched percussion idiophone instrument comprising first and second support members (12, 14) which interconnected, a plurality of hollow tubes (20), the tubes being parallel and having a pair of apertures (26, 28) towards each end (22, 24), first and second strings (34, 36) extending through the apertures (26, 28), pins (30) located on each of the first and second support members (12, 14) intermediate the hollow tubes (20) such that the strings (34, 36) are supported by pins (30), the arrangement being such that the hollow tubes (20) are suspended above said support members (12, 14) by the first and second strings (34, 36).

Abstract: The invention provides a modular wind chime system having a plurality of modules which can be readily connected and disconnected, based on user preference. A supporting platform includes a plurality of receptacles which enable the coupling of various modules through the use of releasable fasteners.

Abstract: A mechanically activated musical instrument mainly for public use is preferably installed in open areas such as parks, plazas, cultural centers and the like. The mechanically activated musical instrument has similarities with a carillon, but having a mechanical activation system handled directly by one or more persons. The mechanically activated musical instrument has a sustentation structure (2), multiple sound tubes (3), multiple support structures (4) and multiple actuation mechanisms (5). The mechanically activated musical instrument (1) has a configuration in which the multiple sound tubes (3), the multiple support structures (4) and the multiple actuation mechanisms (5) are arranged on one face of the sustentation structure with the multiple sound tubes (3) disposed parallel to the face of the sustentation structure (2).

Abstract: A board includes a board body having a striking face and first and second symmetric axes defined in the striking face and perpendicular to each other and intersect with each other at a center of the striking face. The body includes first and second edges symmetric to each other relative to the first symmetric axis. The body further includes first and second wavy edges symmetric to each other relative to the second symmetric axis. The striking face is surrounded by the first and second edges and the first and second wavy edges. When an area around the center of the striking face is stricken, a plurality of natural frequencies is generated. The overtones of the natural frequencies are approximately integer multiple of the fundamental frequency, providing a harmonic sound and enhancing the sweetness of the sound.

Abstract: A turkey game call includes a housing assembly and a striker assembly to generate fighting purr sounds. The housing assembly may include a base, a wall surrounding the periphery of the base, and a beam extending across the base. The striker assembly may include a control handle, a central hub connected to said handle, and a pair of striker plates connected to said central hub. Two posts are connected to the base proximate said striker plates, with each striker plate engaging one of said corresponding posts to generate the fighting purr sounds.

Abstract: A scented article manufactured from a sintered metal powder. The metal powder may be one or more metals, one or more alloys, or any combination or mixture thereof. The scented article is of a weight sufficient to sink to a depth in the water and shaped such that, when urged through the water, the lure moves in a substantially oscillating motion. The scented article is impregnated with a scent, such as a fish attractant, that is slowly diffused in the water as the scented article is urged through the water. A method of manufacturing a scented article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sound generating instrument having at least three resonant struts, each resonant strut having a length, terminal ends, longitudinal axis along said length and cross section. At least nine tension elements are provided causing the resonant struts to be compressively connected to other resonant struts by attachment of the tension elements at at least two points along the longitudinal axis of each resonant strut. A striker element is provided for selectively contacting the resonant struts for generating sound.

Abstract: A triangle musical instrument that may be played using a single hand. The triangle is formed such that a percussionist is able to grasp the triangle in one hand and shake it in a back-and-forth motion to produce the familiar triangle musical instrument sound. Openings formed in the sides of the instrument allow the percussionist to mute the sounds.

Abstract: A tone plate which makes it easy to reduce the entire length and width thereof, thus increasing the degree of freedom in design. The tone plate includes an antinode portion, front and rear ends, and first and second supporting holes which are located closer to the front and rear ends than to the antinode portion and at which a vibration node can be formed. There are provided first and second mass concentrating portions extending toward the front and rear ends from locations on a side close to the first and rear ends with respect to the supporting holes. First and second thinner portions are respectively provided between the antinode portion and the supporting holes. The tone plate vibrates to generate a musical tone of a specific tone pitch when struck with being supported at the supporting holes.

Abstract: A keyboard-type tone plate percussion instrument which is simple in construction and light in weight and capable of easily unifying key-operation feelings and efficiently outputting well-balanced sounds. Percussion units are arranged to respectively correspond to keys and tone plates and each strike a corresponding tone plate when driven by a key depressing operation. A resonance box has resonance chambers corresponding to the tone plates and each having an opening side thereof close to a corresponding tone plate. The tone plates are constructed into a single-stage structure where they are arranged in an order of tone pitch in a direction of array of the keys so that tone plates neighboring in specific tone pitch are arranged adjacent to each other. The percussion units are constructed into a single-stage structure where they are arranged to correspond to array of the tone plates.

Abstract: A musical instrument having a displacement member that is operable to vary sounds, thereby offering a wide variety of musical performances. A box-shaped sound generation unit accommodated in the inside of a musical instrument body generates a sound in response to any one of performance operators being operated. At least part of a displacement member provided for displacement relative to the musical instrument body is always disposed within the inside of the musical instrument body. When an operating section is operated to cause the displacement member to be displaced as a sound is generated from the sound generation unit, the sound varies according to the displacement of the displacement member.

Abstract: A keyboard-type tone plate percussion instrument that permits a player to make an operation to select percussion unit's striking a tone plate with or without intervention of a displacement member between percussion units and tone plates, making it possible to change, with a simple construction, tone color produced by a struck tone plate. In response to key depression, a corresponding percussion unit (24) is driven. The percussion unit directly strikes a corresponding tone plate when a displacement member (78, 178, 278, 378), which is different in material and hardness from percussion units, is extracted from between keys and the percussion units, but indirectly strikes the tone plate via the displacement member when the displacement member is interposed therebetween.

Abstract: A chime bar assembly includes a hollow body with a resonation space defined therein and a top opening is defined in a top of the hollow body. A metal plate is located above the top opening and supported by two rubber plates. A hitting device is connected to the rear end of the hollow body and includes a case which includes lugs to which a pivotal end of a rod is pivotably connected. An operation unit is connected to the case and pushes the pivotal end of the rod so that the sphere is lowered to hit the metal plate.

Abstract: A xylophone has a frame, multiple spacers, multiple bars, multiple sleeves and multiple fasteners. The frame has two panels and multiple supports. Each support is attached between the two panels and has a top surface and a trough. The trough is longitudinally formed in the top surface of the support. The spacer is mounted in the trough of the support and has multiple protruding mounts. Each bar is mounted between two supports and has two through holes. The sleeves are respectively mounted through the through holes of the bars. Each fastener is mounted through the sleeves and in the protruding mounts of the spacers to fasten the bars on the supports of the frame. Therefore, the spacers are not moved during production for improved production consistency.

Abstract: A chime bar assembly includes a hollow body with a resonation space defined therein and a top opening is defined in a top of the hollow body. A metal plate is located above the top opening and supported by two rubber plates. A hitting device is connected to the rear end of the hollow body and includes a case which includes lugs to which a pivotal end of a rod is pivotably connected. An operation unit is connected to the case and pushes the pivotal end of the rod so that the sphere is lowered to hit the metal plate.

Abstract: A tone plate which makes it easy to reduce the entire length and width thereof, thus increasing the degree of freedom in design. The tone plate includes an antinode portion, front and rear ends, and first and second supporting holes which are located closer to the front and rear ends than to the antinode portion and at which a vibration node can be formed. There are provided first and second mass concentrating portions extending toward the front and rear ends from locations on a side close to the first and rear ends with respect to the supporting holes. First and second thinner portions are respectively provided between the antinode portion and the supporting holes. The tone plate vibrates to generate a musical tone of a specific tone pitch when struck with being supported at the supporting holes.

Abstract: A musical instrument that having a shaker that is adapted to house a plurality of impact particles. The instrument employs a spring mass system where the mean mass of the impact particles provide a force due to the accelerations as the impact the lower portion of the inner surface of the shaker member. Where the force of impact of the impact particles causes a compression of a shaker spring which provides an opposite force upon the impact particles while the spring is expanding and hence raises the mean mass of the impact particles away from the lower portion of the inner surface of the shaker. Thereby, the impact particles repeat the cycle of falling upon the lower surface and a damping oscillation motion is created. Where the impacts of the impact particles causes a desirable musical sound.

Abstract: An acoustic sculpture 10 having a main frame structure 12 including an upper support member 14 and a lower support member 16, and a plurality of tube assemblies 24 of varied mass. A tube assembly 24 includes a vertical chime tube 20 acoustically suspended from a coaxial mounting rod 28 mounted to a tube frame. The tube frame can include transverse straps (30, 32) mounted to vertical stiles (34, 34?) which are attached to the upper and lower members (14, 16). A striker assembly (48, 48?) is attached to the tube frame, for example, the stile portion (34,34?; 34?,34??), and includes a housing (60, 60?) and an actuator button (50, 50?), accessible through a first aperture (64, 64?), operatively connected to transmit motion to a hammer head (54, 54?) to strike a chime tube (20, 20?) through a second aperture (65, 65?) in the back plate (63, 63?).

Abstract: A keyboard-type percussion instrument capable of outputting, with high quality, a musical tone to outside the instrument. In an upper part of the instrument, there is provided a tone generator unit including sounding members disposed to respectively correspond to keys of a keyboard and a resonance box in which musical tones generated by sounding members resonate. Action mechanisms each having a hammer felt for striking a corresponding sounding member are disposed below the tone generator unit. Reflection plates and a keybed formed with tone output ports are disposed below the action mechanisms. A musical tone generated by a sounding member struck by a corresponding hammer felt resonates in the resonance box, is output therefrom, passes through the tone output ports, is reflected by the reflection plates, and is output toward rearward of the instrument.

Abstract: The present invention combines a classic chimes system with message bars having a faith building message imprinted on the message bars in keeping with the multi-tone chimes. In the preferred system the chimes and message bars hang vertically from a main support member. The message bars are spaced between the chimes so that a striker is free to contact each chime. The striker may have a wind or clapper vane hanging from the striker to move the striker in contact with the chimes. In one embodiment the message bars provide the clapper vane. Inspirational words and biblical phrases are also imprinted on the main support member and the wind vane. A faith bar, having a faith for healing and love message imprinted thereon, may also be added above the main support member bar to convey an overall faith building message for the system.

Abstract: An event activated wind chime system and method of use are disclosed. In one form, an event activated wind chime system includes a wind chime assembly including at least one wind chime element proximally located to a striker operable to contact the wind chime element to output a wind chime sound. The system further includes an event detector operably coupled to a striker activation processor provided in association with the striker. The event detector is operable to detect an event and provide an input to the striker activation processor to produce the wind chime sound using the striker in response to the detected event.

Abstract: A keyboard-type percussion instrument capable of outputting, with high quality, a musical tone to outside the instrument. In an upper part of the instrument, there is provided a tone generator unit including sounding members disposed to respectively correspond to keys of a keyboard and a resonance box in which musical tones generated by sounding members resonate. Action mechanisms each having a hammer felt for striking a corresponding sounding member are disposed below the tone generator unit. Reflection plates and a keybed formed with tone output ports are disposed below the action mechanisms. A musical tone generated by a sounding member struck by a corresponding hammer felt resonates in the resonance box, is output therefrom, passes through the tone output ports, is reflected by the reflection plates, and is output toward rearward of the instrument.

Abstract: A clapper for a bell is hollow on the inside for receiving objects, such as a personal dedication. The clapper may also be provided with a coating for damping the volume of the bell strike, or at least change the sound.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a bass mallet percussion instrument which is physically compact as compared to previous instruments, where percussion bars are removeably fixed above a resonance box that is divided into a plurality of resonance spaces, and the resonance s spaces are delineated from each other by separating walls.

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.

Abstract: A frictional-type game calling apparatus, wherein a striking plate is adapted to be frictionally contacted by a striker for reproducing the mating, gathering, and feeding calls of wild turkeys. The present apparatus and method allows for easy, one-handed operation, wherein the striker is held in constant contact with the striking plate, thereby allowing unrestricted use of the game call in any physical orientation.

Abstract: A prescribed number of bars are arranged in a percussion instrument such as a xylophone and marimba, wherein each bar is formed by a base layer, a fiber reinforced plastic layer, and a surface layer that are combined together using an epoxy adhesive therebetween. Both the base layer and surface layer is made of the prescribed hardwood material such as rosewood, hard birch, padauk, and Chinese quince, while the fiber reinforced plastic layer is formed by laminating one or more fiber reinforced plastic sheets, each of which is formed by impregnating and hardening thermosetting epoxy resin with fibers. All fibers can be aligned in a single direction slanted to the longitudinal direction of the bar. Alternatively, fibers are woven in two directions rectangularly crossing each other in a cloth form. Thus, it is possible to improve bars in striking durability as well as in sound quality and design.

Abstract: A wind chime constructed according to the invention includes a rotating wind bell apparatus having a downwardly opening bell that is adapted to be suspended from a separate support structure. A bell-striking mechanism in the form of a striker is suspended movably from the bell in a position to strike the bell. A striker-moving mechanism in the form of an impeller connected to the striker causes the striker to move in response to a wind moving past the striker-moving mechanism and to strike the bell so that the bell produces a tone. A bell-rotating mechanism in the form of another impeller connected to the bell causes the bell to rotate in response to the wind moving past the bell-rotating mechanism in order to thereby vary the tone and produce tremolo or Doppler-like effects. In one embodiment, the bell-rotating mechanism includes a Savonius type impeller attached to the upwardly facing surface of a circularly shaped impeller base.

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.

Abstract: The present invention, a percussion instrument aid is useful to aid in the creation of acoustic vibrations, or more generally, music. The subject instrument includes a striking pad and a striking tip, positioned distally on a lever arm. Further, the lever arm is pivotally attached at a pivot joint to a brace, the brace having a percussion device attached distally from where the lever arm is pivotally attached. The instrument aid is used by displacing the striking pad with a force conveyed by a hand. As the striking pad is displaced, the pivotally attached lever arm is also displaced thereby causing a complementary displacement of the striking tip. The displacement of the striking tip eventually impacts upon the percussive device causing the characteristic vibrations of the percussive device.

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: There is provided a musical instrument according to the present invention having body wall with a single welded seam on the underside opposite the striking or playing side. This construction method allows for a vibrating surface of continuing proportions producing a sound that is very articulate, yet retains a nice balance of overtones. In addition, there is a cost savings in manufacturing musical instruments according to the present invention. The musical instruments of the present invention are also more durable.

Abstract: A powered random chiming mechanism, related to the traditional outdoor wind chime that includes a body (10) by which a pendulum (20) is suspended centrally to a plurality of chimes (11a). A fan (14), integral to the device, generates a vertically rising column of air that emits from a point beneath the center rest position of the pendulum. A concave sail (20c) at the termination of the pendulum is then agitated, pulling the pendulum into random lateral motion. A striker (20a) located along the pendulum axis impacts the surrounding chimes to create tones of random sequence and degree for the purpose of enjoyment.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a musical and/or toy shaker made with a thermoplastic material. The shaker is injection or blow molded in the form of a substantially continuous body that defines an internal, hollow portion. In addition, the body defines a hole or vent that communicates with the hollow portion, thus allowing a fill material to be passed through the vent and deposited in the hollow portion. Significantly, the body in formed with a duct surrounding the vent. Upon filling the hollow portion, the duct is melted in order to seal the vent.

Abstract: There is provided a shaker instrument having a single, contiguous body with a sounding chamber that is in communication with an elongated hollow neck or handle. The hollow handle has an opening or aperture through which a fill material may be introduced to, or removed from, the sounding chamber. The fill material is restricted to the sounding chamber by a plug or insert that is placed through the opening and extends into the elongated hollow neck. In addition, there is provided a method of making such a shaker instrument. The method is simplified compared to prior art methods and eliminates any relatively weak and possibly unsafe seams on the instrument.

Abstract: Knockdown hand bell including two casings, a ram body and a hook member. The ram body serves to hit the casings and create a sound. The hook member serves to hook the ram body. The casings have multiple patterns and are replaceably mated with each other to form various types of hand bells to achieve a decorative effect.

Abstract: A game call having a striking member and a body member, the body member forming an enclosure about a central cavity and having a pair of opposing edges defining a longitudinal opening that is contiguous with the central cavity. The body member has an inner surface and an outer surface, with a scalloped surface extending from the outer surface adjacent each of the opposing edges. The striking member is engaged against the body member in combinations of striking actions and sliding actions along one or both of the scalloped surfaces to create sounds similar to rattling antlers of antlered game.

Abstract: There is provided a musical instrument having a tubular body and a handle. The tubular body has an annular wall that defines a sound chamber. The handle is designed to shelter the hand of the player or serve as a mounting for use with a mounting cradle. The thickness of the tubular wall and the dimensions of the sound chamber may be modified to produce various sound qualities and pitches. Preferably, the musical instrument produces the characteristic sound of the traditional “clave.

Abstract: A scratch board musical instrument (1) and playing implement (2) having a playing surface (5) with a plurality of horizontal ripples, ridges and valleys (8, 6, 7), a border (9) surrounding the playing surface and a handle (4) on one side for holding the musical instrument by hand. The playing implement (2) has a handle (12) with a metal rod (13) extending therefrom which is bent or curved at a distal end to provide a surface on each side for running the rod transversely across the horizontal ridges to produce a “bluegrass” musical effect.

Abstract: A combination lawn/garden ornament and cremation container comprises a decorative structure adapted to be displayed outdoors on a lawn or in a garden of a loved one of a deceased and an openable and closable compartment adapted to contain cremated remains of the deceased. In one embodiment the combination comprises a hollow pedestal upon which is mounted a sundial, and a tube positioned within the pedestal with a cap removably secured on an end thereof. In another embodiment the combination comprises a stepping stone, a portion of which is adapted to be displayed above a ground surface, and a container, integral with the stepping stone, extending downwardly from a lower surface thereof, and a cover removably secured to the container. In yet another embodiment the combination comprises a planter box and a container forming a part of the planter box and a cover removably secured to the container.

Abstract: A wind chime, which includes an annular array of chimes, a superior horizontal wind baffle positioned above the chime array, a striker, positioned below the wind baffle. The wind baffle is positioned beneath a commercially available hummingbird feeder. Hummingbirds landing, leaving, and hovering at the feeder produce air currents which act on the wind baffle. This action moves the striker into the chimes, which give a tonal response.

Abstract: The ribbon harp is a mouth-blown musical instrument consisting of a thin ribbon-like textile or polymeric object. When held between the thumbs and blown on by mouth, the ribbon harp vibrates in the audible frequency range and produces a musical note. The player may vary the tension in the ribbon in order to vary the fundamental frequency with which the ribbon harp vibrates, thus producing higher or lower pitches. Various methods may be used to provide lengthwise strength. Dampening properties can be tuned by varying properties in the crosswise direction. Aerodynamic surface treatments are provided so that the ribbon harp commences to vibrate immediately on being blown across. A wrist harness or gauntlet and a thumb cot are described as aids to the player.

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.