Patent Application
20090178536
1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to a folding bar chime apparatus having a mantle with a plurality of bar segments that are connected by one or more pivot mechanisms.
2. Description of Related Art
Traditional bar chimes are constructed with a horizontal mantle having a bar segment manufactured from a single piece. These bar chimes have limited pitch and tonal capabilities because there are only a few number of positions in which the bar chimes can be arranged. The traditional bar chimes are also cumbersome and difficult to transport.
Accordingly, there is a need for folding bar chimes that have a plurality of bar segments that are connected by one or more pivot mechanisms to provide a compact and portable musical apparatus. The folding bar chimes allow a user to vary the sequencing of the bar chimes to enhance the versatility of the pitch and tone that is produced by the apparatus.
The present disclosure provides a bar chime apparatus having a virtually horizontally positionable mantle with a plurality of bar chimes suspended therefrom. The mantle has a plurality of bar segments that are connected by one or more pivot mechanisms.
The present disclosure also provides a bar chime apparatus in which the plurality of bar segments can be folded using the one or more pivot mechanisms so that the bar segments have an angle therebetween. In another embodiment, the bar segments can be folded so that they are adjacent to or flush with one another.
The present disclosure further provides a bar chime apparatus having a gripping hole that allows a user to securely hold or position the apparatus. The bar chime apparatus also has an anti-twist mounting bracket that is connected to the mantle via a knurled head thumb screw and a flat washer.
The present disclosure still further provides a pivot mechanism having a male locking plate and a female locking plate that pivot on a pivoting axis. The pivoting axis has a pin, a spring and a lock nut therein.
The present disclosure yet further provides a pivot mechanism having a plurality of slots so that the mantle can be folded to a plurality of different angles.
These and other advantages and benefits of the present disclosure are provided by a bar chime apparatus having a virtually horizontally positionable mantle with one or more pivot mechanisms that connect a plurality of bar segments. A plurality of bar chimes are suspended from the mantle. The one or more pivot mechanisms have a plurality of slots therein. The plurality of bar segments can be folded and secured in the plurality of slots.
The above-described and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims.
Referring to the drawings and, in particular,
Bar chimes 110 have varying lengths that range from 3 inches to 8 inches. In an exemplary embodiment, the longest bar chimes 110 are suspended from a center of mantle 105 and the length of bar chimes 110 get gradually smaller in length as they move away from the center of mantle 105. The aforementioned arrangement of bar chimes 110 is advantageous because it is lightweight, portable, and it provides a sleeker and more aesthetically pleasing appearance. In another exemplary embodiment, the shortest bar chimes 110 are suspended from the center of mantle 105 and the length of bar chimes 110 get gradually longer in length as they move away from the center of mantle 105. Bar chimes 110 have a diameter that ranges from ¼ inches to ½ inches. The preferred diameter of bar chimes 110 is ⅜ inches.
In an exemplary embodiment, first and second bar segments 115, 120 can be folded using pivot mechanism 125 so that the bar segments have a one hundred thirty-five degree angle therebetween, as shown clearly in
In another exemplary embodiment, first and second bar segments 115, 120 can be folded using pivot mechanism 125 so that the bar segments are adjacent to one another, as shown clearly in
Bar chimes 110 are manufactured from a material that can be hollow brass, solid aluminum, glass, titanium alloy or any other material that is dense enough to produce sound waves when struck. In an exemplary embodiment, bar chimes 110 on first bar segment 115 and bar chimes 110 on second bar segment 120 are manufactured from different materials so that when first and second bar segments 115, 120 are folded to the point that they are adjacent to one another, adjacent bar chimes 110 are manufactured from different materials. Different combinations of materials for bar chimes 110, especially adjacent bar chimes, allows for new sounds. For example, folding a set of brass bar chimes 110 from second bar segment 120 over aluminum bar chimes 110 of first bar segment 115 adds complexity to the sound produced by bar chime apparatus 100. Similarly, folding a set of glass bar chimes 110 of second bar segment 120 over aluminum bar chimes 110 of first bar segment 115 also adds complexity to the sound that bar chime apparatus 100 produces.
Bar chime apparatus 100 can also produce new sounds by bar tuning. Bar chimes 110 can be arranged so that they produce a particular harmonic effect when bar chime apparatus 100 is in the open position and a different harmonic effect when bar chime apparatus 100 is in the closed position. The harmonic effects vary according to the nature of the bar tuning. For example, bar chimes 110 can be tuned in thirds, fifths, octaves or to atonal sound effects when chime apparatus 100 is in the closed position.
In virtually all embodiments, bar chime apparatus 100 has a gripping hole 130 that allows a user to securely hold or position the apparatus. In virtually all embodiments, bar chime apparatus 100 also has an anti-twist mounting bracket 135 that is connected to mantle 105 via a knurled head thumb screw 140 and a flat washer 145.
In another exemplary embodiment illustrated in
In an exemplary embodiment, first bar segment 215 and third bar segment 225 can be folded using first pivot mechanism 230 and second pivot mechanism 235, respectively, so that each bar segment has a one hundred thirty-five degree angle between it and second bar segment 220, as shown clearly in
In another exemplary embodiment, first bar segment 215 and third bar segment 225 can be folded using first pivot mechanism 230 and second pivot mechanism 235, respectively, so that first bar segment 215, second bar segment 220, and third bar segment 225 are adjacent to one another with second bar segment 220 positioned between first and third bar segments 215, 225, as shown clearly in
In virtually all embodiments, bar chime apparatus 200 has a gripping hole 240 that allows a user to securely hold or position the apparatus. In virtually all embodiments, bar chime apparatus 200 also has an anti-twist mounting bracket (not shown) that is connected to mantle 205 via a knurled head thumb screw (not shown) and a flat washer (not shown).
Referring to the drawings and, in particular,
The bar chime apparatus 100, 200, 300 of the present disclosure can be folded to simply allow a large number of bar chimes to be easily transported or stored in a small, compact space. Moreover, the present bar chime apparatus 100, 200, 300 can have as many segments and pivot mechanisms that are practical to achieve a range of tonal, chordal and atonal effects or sounds. In an exemplary embodiment, tonal reinforcement can be achieved by the bar chime apparatus of the present disclosure by folding over specific segments that duplicate either tonal or chordal sounds. This can give non-tonal chimes a pitch center. For example, a user can fold an A minor chord bar over a non-pitched bar chime and the non-pitched bars can now have a pitch.
In another exemplary embodiment, overlaying bars of different character can change tonal quality. For example, a user can fold a series of bar pitches that are in between the “Lu” scale and the original oriental feel will disappear. The “Lu” scale is based on a Chinese tonal pattern. In yet another exemplary embodiment, tonal quality can be changed from non-tonal chimes by folding over bars that are fixed intervals above the original bars. This changes the sound dramatically. In a further exemplary embodiment, drones, or reoccurring bars, can be added to anchor a single pitch or to add a tonal center in an otherwise atonal sound. Chords can also be created by having a single note on each arm that would only sound a chord when all arms are folded together.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
