US2223144A - Adjustable tone volume control device for chime signals - Google Patents

Adjustable tone volume control device for chime signals Download PDF

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Publication number
US2223144A
US2223144A US176308A US17630837A US2223144A US 2223144 A US2223144 A US 2223144A US 176308 A US176308 A US 176308A US 17630837 A US17630837 A US 17630837A US 2223144 A US2223144 A US 2223144A
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Prior art keywords
plunger
striker
chime
bar
metallic
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US176308A
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John H Wheelock
Scherma Frank
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Signal Engineering & Manufacturing Co
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Signal Engineering & Manufacturing Co
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K1/00—Devices in which sound is produced by striking a resonating body, e.g. bells, chimes or gongs
    • G10K1/06—Devices in which sound is produced by striking a resonating body, e.g. bells, chimes or gongs the resonating devices having the shape of a bell, plate, rod, or tube
    • G10K1/08—Details or accessories of general applicability
    • G10K1/10—Sounding members; Mounting thereof; Clappers or other strikers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K1/00—Devices in which sound is produced by striking a resonating body, e.g. bells, chimes or gongs
    • G10K1/06—Devices in which sound is produced by striking a resonating body, e.g. bells, chimes or gongs the resonating devices having the shape of a bell, plate, rod, or tube
    • G10K1/062—Devices in which sound is produced by striking a resonating body, e.g. bells, chimes or gongs the resonating devices having the shape of a bell, plate, rod, or tube electrically operated
    • G10K1/066—Devices in which sound is produced by striking a resonating body, e.g. bells, chimes or gongs the resonating devices having the shape of a bell, plate, rod, or tube electrically operated the sounding member being a tube, plate or rod

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to audible signals of the type wherein a plunger is caused to strike a resonant metallic member, or chime bar.
  • improved means for adjustably controlling the volume of the sound given off when the resonant member is struck, so that only a pure tone will be heard, having the desired characteristics, as to loudness or softness.
  • Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of a chime signal provided with an adjustable tone control device embodying the invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a View, partially in side elevation and partially in section, of the device of Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional View along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, illustrating the adjusting device on an enlarged scale.
  • Fig. 4 is a plan view of the parts of Fig. 3.
  • the signal consists of a frame I partially of magnetic material, providing rods 2 for supporting a chime bar 3 above the top of the frame I.
  • the bar 3 is supported by cords 4 extending between the rods 2, with felt Washers 5 provided at the points of support, so that the bar 3 is entirely out of metallic contact with the rods 2 and frame I.
  • a hollow resonator 6 is mounted on the rods 2 above the bar 3.
  • the frame I provides a recess la, in which is received a solenoid I, and a plunger 8 of magnetic material is movable Within an insulating tube 9, extending centrally through the solenoid I.
  • a solenoid I With the solenoid I in deenergized condition, the plunger 8 rests at the bottom of the tube 9, with its upper end partially within the solenoid, so that when the solenoid I is energized, the plunger 8 is drawn upwardly within the solenoid with its upper end extending through an opening I0 in the frame I.
  • a striker II is interposed between the chime bar 3 and the opening Ill, and the striker II is mounted at the free end of a resilient member I2, here shown in the form of a leaf spring, having its other end secured to the top of the frame I at I3.
  • the spring member I2 is offset from the top of the frame I, so that the striker II is normally positioned out of engagement with both the chime bar 3 and the top of the frame I.
  • the striker II carries washers I4 of non-metallic material, such as felt, which are suitably secured, as by cement, to the metallic body of the striker II that is attached to the spring member I2. Consequently when, in response to energization of the solenoid I, the plunger 8 moves the striker II into engagement with the chime bar 3, there is no metal-to-metal contact between the parts, and the chime bar 3 gives off a clear fundamental note.
  • the present invention contemplates means for controlling the tonal characteristics of the sound given off by the chime bar, and a device for this purpose is shown in detail in Figs. 3 and 4.
  • a lever I5 is pivoted at I6 on a bracket IL with its free end bearing on the spring member I2 between the striker II and the fixed endof the member I2.
  • the lever I5 provides an upwardly extending arm I3 beyond its pivot I5, and a screw I9 threaded into an extension I'Ia of the bracket I1, bears on the lever arm I8.
  • the setting of the adjusting screw I9 is such that the lever I5 bears on the spring member l2 with sufiicient pressure to impart an initial downward deflection thereto, which tends to bias the striker II away from the chime bar 3, and towards the plunger opening I0.
  • the screw I9 When it is desired to decrease the volume, the screw I9 is turned so as to cause the free end of the lever I5 to move downwardly, and. thereby increase the initial flexure of the spring member I2. Consequently, the member I2 offers more resistance to upward movement of the striker II when hit by the plunger 8, and the chime bar 3 is struck a comparatively light blow. Turning the screw I9 in the opposite direction to relieve the initial flexure of the spring member I2 reduces the damping effect, thereby increasing the force of the blow of the striker II on the chime bar 3 for a given upward force developed by the plunger 8, with a resulting increase of sound volume. Thus, by manipulating the screw I9, a soft, medium or loud tone can be obtained from the signal. Furthermore, the lever I5 always functions to prevent rebound of the striker l l, which might otherwise occur were the spring I2 free to vibrate.
  • the strength of the blow imparted to the striker l I by the plunger 8, for a given excitation of the solenoid, is controllable by an adjusting screw 20 at the bottom of the plunger tube 9. lhe lower end of the plunger 8 rests on the screw 20 when the solenoid l is deenergized, and the setting of the screw 20 determines the degree to which the upper end of the lunger 8 extends within the solenoid I.
  • the screw 28 By means of the screw 28, the length of the plunger stroke, and consequently the force of the blow struck by the plunger 8, can be varied, to thereby obtain an additional control over the volume of sound given off by the chime bar 3 when hit by the striker I l.
  • the magnetic plunger 8 is surrounded by a thin sleeve 2
  • These eddy currents create a retarding effect on movement of the plunger in the solenoid, and make it necessary for the plunger to become thoroughly saturated, upon energisation of the solenoid, before the plunger 8 will move upwardly to hit the striker l l a single sharp blow, and such retardation of the plunger eliminates any tendency towards premature movement thereof to impart a light blow to the striker l 5.
  • makes the plunger 8 less liable to rattle in the tube 9 as it moves, due to the reduction of sidewise pull on the plunger by the magnetic frame I.
  • the damping of the plunger 8 insures that the plunger will give only a single quick stroke when the solenoid l is energized, and that there will be no noise made by movement of the plunger in the tube, to detract from the quality of the tone of the chime bar when hit by the striker l I.
  • a device of the class described comprising a resonant member, a plunger movable toward said resonant member, a striker interposed between said resonant member and said plunger for cushioning the striking force of the plunger, and means for adjusting the amount of cushioning effect for controlling the tone volume of the fundamental note emitted by said resonant member, when hit by said striker.
  • a device of the class described comprising a metallic resonant member, a metallic plunger movable toward said resonant member, a striker providing a non-metallic portion interposed between said resonant member and said plunger for cushioning the striking force of the plunger, and adjustable means cooperating with said striker to vary the volume of the sound given on" by said resonant member, when hit by said striker.
  • a device of the class described comprising a metallic resonant member, a metallic plunger movable toward said resonant member, a resiliently mounted striking member providing a nonmetallic cushioning portion between said resonant member and said plunger, and adjustable means for setting up a tension in said striking member to determine the tone volume of the sound given 011 by said resonant member, when hit by said striking member.
  • a device of the class described comprising a metallic chime bar, a metallic plunger movable toward said chime bar, a resilient member anchored at one end and carrying at its free end a non-metallic cushioning striker interposed between said bar and said plunger, and adjustable means for exerting a pressure on said resilient member intermediate its ends to exert a damping effect on said striker.
  • a device of the class described comprising a metallic chime bar, a metallic plunger movable toward said chime bar, a resilient member anchored at one end and carrying at its free end a non-metallic cushioned striker interposed between said bar and said plunger, 2. pivotally mounted member having one end bearing on said resilient member, and means for adjusting the degree of pressure exerted on saidresilient memher by said pivoted member to control the volume and duration of sound given off by said chime bar when hit by said striker.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)
  • Alarm Systems (AREA)
  • Adjustable Resistors (AREA)

Description

1940- J. H. WHEELOCK EI'AL 2,223,144
ADJUSTABLE TONE VOLUME CONTROL DEVICE FOR CHIME SIGNALS Filed Nov. 24, 1957 7755 77 fiMee/ac/f flan/1 a a W7 Patented Nov. 26, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE TONE VOLUME CONTROL DEVICE FOR CHIME SIGNALS I Application November 24, 1937, Serial No. 176,308
5 Claims.
The present invention relates to audible signals of the type wherein a plunger is caused to strike a resonant metallic member, or chime bar. According to the present invention, there is provided improved means for adjustably controlling the volume of the sound given off when the resonant member is struck, so that only a pure tone will be heard, having the desired characteristics, as to loudness or softness.
The above and other advantageous features of the invention will hereinafter more fully appear from the following description, considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:
Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of a chime signal provided with an adjustable tone control device embodying the invention.
Fig. 2 is a View, partially in side elevation and partially in section, of the device of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional View along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, illustrating the adjusting device on an enlarged scale.
Fig. 4 is a plan view of the parts of Fig. 3.
Referring to the drawing, the signal consists of a frame I partially of magnetic material, providing rods 2 for supporting a chime bar 3 above the top of the frame I. The bar 3 is supported by cords 4 extending between the rods 2, with felt Washers 5 provided at the points of support, so that the bar 3 is entirely out of metallic contact with the rods 2 and frame I. A hollow resonator 6 is mounted on the rods 2 above the bar 3.
The frame I provides a recess la, in which is received a solenoid I, and a plunger 8 of magnetic material is movable Within an insulating tube 9, extending centrally through the solenoid I. With the solenoid I in deenergized condition, the plunger 8 rests at the bottom of the tube 9, with its upper end partially within the solenoid, so that when the solenoid I is energized, the plunger 8 is drawn upwardly within the solenoid with its upper end extending through an opening I0 in the frame I. A striker II is interposed between the chime bar 3 and the opening Ill, and the striker II is mounted at the free end of a resilient member I2, here shown in the form of a leaf spring, having its other end secured to the top of the frame I at I3. The spring member I2 is offset from the top of the frame I, so that the striker II is normally positioned out of engagement with both the chime bar 3 and the top of the frame I.
The striker II carries washers I4 of non-metallic material, such as felt, which are suitably secured, as by cement, to the metallic body of the striker II that is attached to the spring member I2. Consequently when, in response to energization of the solenoid I, the plunger 8 moves the striker II into engagement with the chime bar 3, there is no metal-to-metal contact between the parts, and the chime bar 3 gives off a clear fundamental note. As previously pointed out, the present invention contemplates means for controlling the tonal characteristics of the sound given off by the chime bar, and a device for this purpose is shown in detail in Figs. 3 and 4.
A lever I5 is pivoted at I6 on a bracket IL with its free end bearing on the spring member I2 between the striker II and the fixed endof the member I2. The lever I5 provides an upwardly extending arm I3 beyond its pivot I5, and a screw I9 threaded into an extension I'Ia of the bracket I1, bears on the lever arm I8. With the parts in the position of Figs. 1 and 3, the setting of the adjusting screw I9 is such that the lever I5 bears on the spring member l2 with sufiicient pressure to impart an initial downward deflection thereto, which tends to bias the striker II away from the chime bar 3, and towards the plunger opening I0. Consequently, when the plunger 8 moves upwardly to hit the striker in response to energization of the solenoid I, the movement of the striker II at the end of the spring member I2 is damped, due to the restraining pressure of the lever I5. Therefore, when the striker II hits the chime bar 3, the volume and duration of the resulting sound have values determined by the setting of the adjusting screw I9.
When it is desired to decrease the volume, the screw I9 is turned so as to cause the free end of the lever I5 to move downwardly, and. thereby increase the initial flexure of the spring member I2. Consequently, the member I2 offers more resistance to upward movement of the striker II when hit by the plunger 8, and the chime bar 3 is struck a comparatively light blow. Turning the screw I9 in the opposite direction to relieve the initial flexure of the spring member I2 reduces the damping effect, thereby increasing the force of the blow of the striker II on the chime bar 3 for a given upward force developed by the plunger 8, with a resulting increase of sound volume. Thus, by manipulating the screw I9, a soft, medium or loud tone can be obtained from the signal. Furthermore, the lever I5 always functions to prevent rebound of the striker l l, which might otherwise occur were the spring I2 free to vibrate.
The strength of the blow imparted to the striker l I by the plunger 8, for a given excitation of the solenoid, is controllable by an adjusting screw 20 at the bottom of the plunger tube 9. lhe lower end of the plunger 8 rests on the screw 20 when the solenoid l is deenergized, and the setting of the screw 20 determines the degree to which the upper end of the lunger 8 extends within the solenoid I. By means of the screw 28, the length of the plunger stroke, and consequently the force of the blow struck by the plunger 8, can be varied, to thereby obtain an additional control over the volume of sound given off by the chime bar 3 when hit by the striker I l.
The magnetic plunger 8 is surrounded by a thin sleeve 2| of non-magnetic metallic material, such as brass, the function of which is to provide for a certain amount of damping, due to the generation of eddy currents in the sleeve. These eddy currents create a retarding effect on movement of the plunger in the solenoid, and make it necessary for the plunger to become thoroughly saturated, upon energisation of the solenoid, before the plunger 8 will move upwardly to hit the striker l l a single sharp blow, and such retardation of the plunger eliminates any tendency towards premature movement thereof to impart a light blow to the striker l 5. Furthermore, the non-magnetic sleeve 2| makes the plunger 8 less liable to rattle in the tube 9 as it moves, due to the reduction of sidewise pull on the plunger by the magnetic frame I. In other Words, the damping of the plunger 8 insures that the plunger will give only a single quick stroke when the solenoid l is energized, and that there will be no noise made by movement of the plunger in the tube, to detract from the quality of the tone of the chime bar when hit by the striker l I.
From the foregoing, it is apparent that by the present invention there is provided a signal of the chime type, that isreadily controllable as to tonal characteristics and is free from any disturbing influences that might tend to adversely affect the quality of the fundamental note sounded when the signal is operated.
We claim:
1. A device of the class described, comprising a resonant member, a plunger movable toward said resonant member, a striker interposed between said resonant member and said plunger for cushioning the striking force of the plunger, and means for adjusting the amount of cushioning effect for controlling the tone volume of the fundamental note emitted by said resonant member, when hit by said striker.
2. A device of the class described, comprising a metallic resonant member, a metallic plunger movable toward said resonant member, a striker providing a non-metallic portion interposed between said resonant member and said plunger for cushioning the striking force of the plunger, and adjustable means cooperating with said striker to vary the volume of the sound given on" by said resonant member, when hit by said striker.
3. A device of the class described, comprising a metallic resonant member, a metallic plunger movable toward said resonant member, a resiliently mounted striking member providing a nonmetallic cushioning portion between said resonant member and said plunger, and adjustable means for setting up a tension in said striking member to determine the tone volume of the sound given 011 by said resonant member, when hit by said striking member.
4. A device of the class described, comprising a metallic chime bar, a metallic plunger movable toward said chime bar, a resilient member anchored at one end and carrying at its free end a non-metallic cushioning striker interposed between said bar and said plunger, and adjustable means for exerting a pressure on said resilient member intermediate its ends to exert a damping effect on said striker.
5. A device of the class described, comprising a metallic chime bar, a metallic plunger movable toward said chime bar, a resilient member anchored at one end and carrying at its free end a non-metallic cushioned striker interposed between said bar and said plunger, 2. pivotally mounted member having one end bearing on said resilient member, and means for adjusting the degree of pressure exerted on saidresilient memher by said pivoted member to control the volume and duration of sound given off by said chime bar when hit by said striker.
JOHN H. WI-lEELOCK. FRANK SCHERMA.
US176308A 1937-11-24 1937-11-24 Adjustable tone volume control device for chime signals Expired - Lifetime US2223144A (en)

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2598994A (en) * 1949-07-28 1952-06-03 Russell A Gougeon Electromagnetically operated signal producing resonator device
US2749453A (en) * 1952-04-30 1956-06-05 Reeve Electrical Co Inc Electric bell motor
US2929883A (en) * 1954-05-28 1960-03-22 Nat Pneumatic Company Inc Field telephone hand set
US2932231A (en) * 1955-11-29 1960-04-12 Wurlitzer Co Tone generating apparatus
US3189705A (en) * 1961-05-09 1965-06-15 Texas Instruments Inc Relay with a central, coaxial core magnetizable with the relay coil conductor

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2598994A (en) * 1949-07-28 1952-06-03 Russell A Gougeon Electromagnetically operated signal producing resonator device
US2749453A (en) * 1952-04-30 1956-06-05 Reeve Electrical Co Inc Electric bell motor
US2929883A (en) * 1954-05-28 1960-03-22 Nat Pneumatic Company Inc Field telephone hand set
US2932231A (en) * 1955-11-29 1960-04-12 Wurlitzer Co Tone generating apparatus
US3189705A (en) * 1961-05-09 1965-06-15 Texas Instruments Inc Relay with a central, coaxial core magnetizable with the relay coil conductor

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