WO2015012860A1 - Système de sonnerie portable - Google Patents

Système de sonnerie portable Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2015012860A1
WO2015012860A1 PCT/US2013/052265 US2013052265W WO2015012860A1 WO 2015012860 A1 WO2015012860 A1 WO 2015012860A1 US 2013052265 W US2013052265 W US 2013052265W WO 2015012860 A1 WO2015012860 A1 WO 2015012860A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bell
shell
bells
support structure
unit
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2013/052265
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
William Meeks
Richard Watson
Original Assignee
AMOS, Anthony
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by AMOS, Anthony filed Critical AMOS, Anthony
Priority to PCT/US2013/052265 priority Critical patent/WO2015012860A1/fr
Publication of WO2015012860A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015012860A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10F—AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
    • G10F1/00—Automatic musical instruments
    • G10F1/08—Percussion musical instruments
    • G10F1/10—Carillons
    • 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
    • G10K1/28—Bells for towers or the like
    • G10K1/30—Details or accessories
    • G10K1/38—Supports; Mountings

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a portable bell system. More specifically, it relates to a portable bell system that has a displaceable bell shell for easy storage and transportation.
  • Bell systems having a chime of bells are used in many festival, celebrative and ceremonial occasions. Many such systems are installed in churches, and are fixed in place in bell towers, thus seriously limiting their usage to a few possible venues.
  • bell systems that may be used in many places. These bell systems will greatly expand the ways in which celebrations may be performed, and are advantageous as compared to conventional bell systems in terms of both convenience and cost. Such bell systems can bring to a celebration, wherever it may be, the same grandeur and majesty of the bell music previously only available at church venues.
  • a bell system typically has a chime of bells, and it is beneficial to have a bell system that is esthetically pleasing, easy to store and transport, and easy to use.
  • a bell unit of a portable bell system may include a support structure, bells mounted on the support structure, a bell shell having a number of segments, at least one of which is displaceable to allow a change in the size of the bell unit.
  • the bell shell is in a first position when the segments form a shell that is of a shape of a bell and hangs over and partially encloses the support structure and the bells, and is in a second position when the at least one segment is displaced to effectuate the size change.
  • a portable bell system may include a bell trailer and a bell unit mounted on the bell trailer.
  • Such a bell unit may include a support structure configured to be fixed on the bell trailer, bells mounted on the support structure, and a bell shell including a number of segments, at least one of which is displaceable to allow a change in the size of the bell unit.
  • the bell shell is in a first position when the segments form a shell that is of a shape of a bell and hangs over and partially encloses the support structure and the bells, and in a second position when the at least one segment is displaced to effectuate the size change.
  • a portable bell system may include a computer for controlling the bell system, an interface for converting a control signal from the computer to a DC pulse, a pneumatic power source for bell striking, and a bell unit.
  • a bell unit may include a support structure, bells mounted on the support structure, and a bell shell including a number of segments configured to form a shell that is of a shape of a bell, and to hang over and partially enclose the support structure and the plurality of bells, at least one of the shell segments being displaceable to allow a change in the size of the bell unit.
  • Each bell has a clapper for ringing the bell, a pneumatic actuator for activating the clapper, and a control valve that, responsive to the DC pulse, controls pneumatic power passing therethrough from the pneumatic power source, so as to drive the pneumatic actuator to activate the clapper of the bell.
  • Fig. 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of the invention in which a bell unit of a bell system is set up for performance
  • Fig. 2 is a diagram that shows the arrangement of the bells of the embodiment of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 is a plan view of a bell trailer with a mounted bell unit in one embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 4 shows a bell trailer with the bell unit mounted in a first position, with the top of the bell shell in place;
  • Fig. 5 shows a bell trailer with the bell unit mounted in a second position, with the top of the bell shell removed to permit storage in a standard garage;
  • Fig. 6 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a portable bell system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • FIG. 1 is an illustration of the bell unit set up for a performance.
  • Fig. 2 is a diagram that shows the arrangement of the bells of the bell unit.
  • a bell unit 101 of a portable bell system has a plurality of bells 1-12 (see Fig. 2) that are mounted on a support structure 120.
  • the support structure 120 is made of a rolled steel plate 121 that is securely attached to a plurality of supports 122.
  • the support 122 may be vertical members attached to a bell trailer 140 (see Figs. 3-5) provided to carry the chime.
  • Bells 1-12 are isolated from the support structure 120 by Neoprene pads or similar isolation.
  • other configurations and/or materials may also be used for the support structure 120, as long as the so-formed support structure has enough strength and durability to support the bells.
  • the bells 1-12 are hung from the support structure 120 in a circular arrangement, with the lip (or lower rim) of each bell being of a height hi above a surface on which the supports 122 are placed.
  • the bells 1-12 since the bells 1-12 have different sizes to produce different sounds, they are mounted to the support structure 120 in a spiral arrangement.
  • the bells 1-12 can be hung with equal spaces between neighboring bells, or in another acoustically- proper manner.
  • the bell unit 101 includes twelve bells 1- 12, which may be, for example, cast bronze bells or other bells of suitable acoustic characteristics.
  • the bells 1-12 may be made of appropriate materials, weights and diameters so as to produce proper musical notes.
  • the bells 1-12 may have a bright, sanded finish showing the color of bell bronze.
  • the approximate weights and diameters of the cast bronze bells 1-12 may be as follows:
  • the approximate total weight of the bells is 822 lbs.
  • These bells may be of the standard Meeks, Watson & Company carillon and chime bell design and scaling. Such a configuration of notes may provide a great versatility of use for this range.
  • both the bells 1-12 and the support structure 120 are covered by a bell shell 130 that may be in the shape of a big bell.
  • the bell shell 130 may be made of fiberglass or a similar material.
  • the bell shell 130 may include a decorative "crown" 123, which may be detachable if desired, for replacement with other appropriate ornaments, as for instance a spire or other symbolic decoration in other embodiments of the invention.
  • the bell shell 130 in the embodiment of Fig. l may be of approximately 6 feet in diameter and 6 feet in height including the crown thereof.
  • the bell shell 130 when in a display position or is set up for a performance, hangs over and partially encloses the bells 1-12 and the support structure 120, with the lip (or lower rim) of the bell shell 130 being of a height h2 above the surface that the supports 122 are placed on.
  • hi e.g. 12 inches
  • h2 e.g. 17.625 inches
  • the support structure 120 is also arranged to carry the large bell shell 130.
  • the bell shell 130 may be formed of a number of segments.
  • the bell shell in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 has separable first and second half shells 130a and 130b.
  • a separable bell shell 130 facilitates the storage and transportation of the bell system 100, which in various embodiments may be of a large height or a large volume.
  • the first and second half-shells are respectively top and bottom half shells, although in other embodiments the bell shell 130 may also be properly divided in another fashion.
  • the top half shell 130a has a height Ha that is roughly half of that of the bell shell 130, and is designed to be dismountable to permit its mounting elsewhere on the bell trailer 140 (see Fig. 5) for travel, and to limit the height of the unit to allow storage in a standard garage.
  • the bell unit 101 optionally may be installed on a bell trailer 140.
  • the bell trailer 140 in one embodiment illustrated in Figs. 3-5, includes a platform 141 and wheels 142 that support the platform 141.
  • the bell unit 101 is installed on the platform 141.
  • a auxiliary support structure 143 is fixed onto the bell trailer 140.
  • the first half shell 130a may be coupled to the second half shell 130b.
  • a second position P2 which may be a storage position to facilitate the storage and transportation
  • the first half shell 130a may be separated from the second half-shell 130b, and may be mounted on the auxiliary support structure 143.
  • the auxiliary support structure 143 may be securely installed on the platform 141, or at another position of the bell trailer 140 that is not on the platform 141 (as illustrated in Fig. 5).
  • the auxiliary support structure 143 may optionally include storage compartments 144, which may be used to store small objects such as air bottles and skirting.
  • the portable bell unit 101 when in the first position PI is of a height H (e.g. 113.25 inches) above the ground, it will be of a height (H-Ha) (i.e. 78.1875 inches) above the ground when in the second position P2.
  • H-Ha height (i.e. 78.1875 inches) above the ground when in the second position P2.
  • the portable bell unit 101 installed on the bell trailer 140 may be successfully lead into the garage when it is put in the second position P2 (because 78.1874 ⁇ 84), although it cannot be stored in the garage when in the first position PI (because 113.25 > 84).
  • a hoist driven by mechanical force, electrical force or otherwise, may optionally be used to displace the first half shell 130a when the position of the bell unit 101 is switched from the display position PI to the storage position P2, or vice versa.
  • the bell system 100 may include a plurality of control elements, including an interface 201, a keyboard controller 202 and/or a computer 203, and power sources such as a battery 204, compressed gas cylinder 205, pressure regulator 206 that are common for all bells in the portable chime 100.
  • Fig. 6 also shows the structure of one of the bells 1-12 in the portable chime 100, including a clapper 301, a pneumatic cylinder actuator 302, and an electrically operated control valves 303.
  • a portable bell system 100 that has a bell unit 101 as shown in Fig. 2, there are 12 such bells.
  • each bell (1-12) is fitted with an internal clapper 301, so pivoted as to strike the correct internal strike point of the bell when actuated by an associated pneumatic cylinder 302.
  • Each bell is equipped with a pneumatic cylinder 302, so mounted and arranged to operate the clapper 301 of the bell.
  • an electrically-operated valve 303 will be furnished.
  • a suitable interface 201 will be provided to deliver decoded pulses derived from the computer 203 (e.g. a PC type computer) used to control the system, or from the keyboard controller 202 directly.
  • a data stream or signals from the computer 203 pass into the interface 201, which sorts out the data and converts the data to discrete DC pulses to operate pneumatic control valves 303.
  • a low-voltage output from the interface 201 will open the corresponding pneumatic valve 303, operating the associated cylinder 302 and causing the clapper 301 to strike that bell.
  • Musical selections will be stored in the control computer 203 in the form of MIDI files (or in other format)— these may be compiled into a continuous program of selections for a desired period of time, and either manually started, or automatically initiated at a specific time or times. The operation may be controlled by software.
  • the system is capable of performing traditional bell functions, such as time striking (for instance, Riverside quarter chimes and hour strike), wedding peals, and the like, as desired.
  • time striking for instance, Riverside quarter chimes and hour strike
  • wedding peals and the like
  • the MIDI keyboard controller 202 can also be directly connected to a control interface 201 without using a standalone computer 203.
  • Primary power for striking the bells 1-12 of this portable chime may be furnished by onboard container(s) 205 (e.g. storage cylinder or cylinders) of compressed air, nitrogen, or argon or similar inert gasses.
  • These cylinders 205 are furnished with pressure regulators 206 to step down the storage cylinder pressure to that required to operate the bell-striking pneumatic cylinders 302.
  • Gas air or other appropriate compressed gaseous medium flows from a storage cylinder 205, through a pressure regulator 206 (allowing control of playing volume), to electrically operated control valves 303.
  • valves 303 open and deliver regulated gas pressure to the pneumatic actuating cylinders 302 at the bells, which in turn physically activate the bell clappers 301, striking the bells and thus creating sound as musical output.
  • the final operating pressure is variable, to allow control of the overall sound volume of the chime as appropriate to different performance venues.
  • External electric power 204 may be provided via power cords, plugs or sockets. Or alternatively, electrical requirements may be furnished by an on-board rechargeable battery or batteries 204, and accordingly, the entire chime playing system is independent of connection with any fixed power source, building or vehicle, and does not require the use of an engine operated compressor or generator, thus insuring quiet operation.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une unité de sonnerie d'un système de sonnerie portable, comprenant une structure de support, une pluralité de sonneries montées sur la structure de support, un carter de sonnerie comportant une pluralité de segments, dont au moins un peut être déplacé pour permettre un changement de taille de l'unité de sonnerie. Le carter de sonnerie est configuré pour être dans une première position lorsque la pluralité de segments forment un carter qui a la forme d'une cloche, et recouvre et enferme partiellement la structure de support et la pluralité de sonneries, et est dans une deuxième position lorsque ledit segment est déplacé pour effectuer le changement de taille.
PCT/US2013/052265 2013-07-26 2013-07-26 Système de sonnerie portable WO2015012860A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2013/052265 WO2015012860A1 (fr) 2013-07-26 2013-07-26 Système de sonnerie portable

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2013/052265 WO2015012860A1 (fr) 2013-07-26 2013-07-26 Système de sonnerie portable

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2015012860A1 true WO2015012860A1 (fr) 2015-01-29

Family

ID=52393714

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2013/052265 WO2015012860A1 (fr) 2013-07-26 2013-07-26 Système de sonnerie portable

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2015012860A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2626216C1 (ru) * 2016-07-15 2017-07-24 Вячеслав Александрович Коровин Тренажер для обучения колокольному звону

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2649826A (en) * 1951-05-22 1953-08-25 Harmannus T Van Bergen Electrically operated carillon
US6750388B2 (en) * 2002-03-14 2004-06-15 Wedding Bells Australia Pty Ltd Transportable bell arrangement
US20120318116A1 (en) * 2011-06-17 2012-12-20 William Meeks Portable bell system

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2649826A (en) * 1951-05-22 1953-08-25 Harmannus T Van Bergen Electrically operated carillon
US6750388B2 (en) * 2002-03-14 2004-06-15 Wedding Bells Australia Pty Ltd Transportable bell arrangement
US20120318116A1 (en) * 2011-06-17 2012-12-20 William Meeks Portable bell system

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2626216C1 (ru) * 2016-07-15 2017-07-24 Вячеслав Александрович Коровин Тренажер для обучения колокольному звону

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