Abstract: A non powered, canine barking suppression device that can rapidly altering a dog's behavior so as to visibly reduce anxiousness and unwanted barking. The device subjects the dog to random vibrations and audible tones generated by an enclosed tuning fork that is worn around the dog's neck. The tuning forks when struck, emit a selected frequency selected for a specific purpose and or specific breed of canine. This frequency lies between 0 and 200,000 Hz, which is the range of sound that has been shown that most canines can hear. Since it is non powered it is not prone to failure in wet or cold environments, is durable and inexpensive. The device has claims of additional therapeutic properties and the general physical structure has applications elsewhere, although the preferred embodiment and best mode are directed to stopping unnecessary barking.

Abstract: An idiophone comprising a first idiophonic member, a second idiophonic member, and, a means for swingably fastening said second idiophonic member within said first idiophonic member; and where the idiophone may take the form of a bell with a tuning fork for a clapper.

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: A keyboard instrument such as an electronic piano comprises a keyboard structure that is basically identical to the keyboard structure of an upright piano except hammer assemblies and a struck portion attached to an action bracket. Each of the hammer assemblies is constituted by a hammer shank and a pseudo hammer, one of which is used to strike the struck portion having a multilayer structure including an elastic member (e.g., a plate spring) sandwiched between buffer materials. The elastic member has a prescribed number of striking areas in correspondence with keys arranged on a keybed, wherein the striking areas are gradually increased in weights and bends (or deflections) in a pitch descending order from higher pitches to lower pitches. Thus, it is possible to simulate weight factors and bends (or deflections) of strings actually struck by hammer felts in an upright piano.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing sound, particularly unusual sound effects, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one diaphragm and a spring attached to the diaphragm, having a lowest resonance frequency less than 18 hertz. The apparatus includes a resonator affixed to the diaphragm.According to the method of the invention, sounds are produced on an instrument having a spring and a diaphragm connected to the spring by exciting an echophone frequency of the spring by either activating longitudinal motion of the spring, jerking at least one end of the spring in a longitudinal direction, longitudinally displacing and releasing a section of the spring, and moving at least one end of the spring longitudinally in a rhythmic motion to excite an echophone frequency.

Abstract: An electrically driven tuning fork of the piezoelectric type, electromagnetic type or the like for use in electrical and electronic equipment which includes a tuning fork vibrator and electrical elements for driving the tuning fork vibrator. The two-pronged tuning fork vibrator has a pair of rectangular projections integrally formed with the prongs on corresponding side edges of the said prongs at one side of the tuning fork, excepting opposite end portions of the prongs adjacent to the node and in same embodiments, both the mode and antinode of the fundamental harmonic oscillation of the tuning fork for suppressing undesirable oscillation other than the fundamental harmonic oscillation of the tuning fork. Electrical elements are affixed onto the outer or inner surfaces of the prongs.