Vertical draft random chiming mechanism

• US 6,441,284 B1
• Filed: 06/11/2001
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Greene, Roger L.
• Original Assignee: Greene, Roger L.
• Inventors: Greene, Roger L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nappi, Robert E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOCKETT, KIMBERLY R
• Application Number:
  US09/878,510
• Time in Patent Office: 442 Days
• Field of Search: 340/392.1, 340/392.2, 340/393.1, 340/393.2, 844/02, 844/03, 844/04, 844/05
• US Class Current: 84/402
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 1/072 Operating or striking mechanisms therefor

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.

Claims

1. A vertical draft random chiming mechanism to produce tones of random sequence and degree, comprising,

at least one resonating means capable of producing a tone or sound when impacted,

at least one striking means along the vertical axis of a free-hanging pendulum adjacent to said resonating means and within a proximity whereby impact can occur,

a sail means affixed to said free-hanging pendulum capable of acting upon a vertically rising airflow with random lateral action to induce proportionate lateral motion to said striking means,

a means of producing an airflow,

a means to control the production of airflow,

a means to support and align the elements,

whereby, airflow is produced and delivered in an upward and vertical fashion to a sail, which acts in a random lateral motion to impel a pendulum striker, resulting in impacts with the resonating means to produce tones of random sequence and degree.

2. The resonating means of claim 1, wherein said resonating means include configurations of chimes for the production of tones.

3. The striking means of claim 1, wherein said striking means will include at least one striker along the vertical axis of a free hanging pendulum.

4. The sail means of claim 1, wherein said sail will be of a configuration capable of receiving an upward airflow and reacting with a random lateral motion and said sail being affixed to said vertical axis of said pendulum in such manner as to urge proportionate lateral movement of said striking means along vertical axis of said pendulum.

5. The means of producing an airflow of claim 1, wherein said means includes a fan to generate an airflow and said airflow exits in an upward and vertical fashion beneath the center rest position of said pendulum sail.

6. The means of control of the production of airflow of claim 1, wherein said means includes an electrical control to regulate electrical current to said fan.

7. The means of support and alignment of claim 1, wherein a body or framework supports and unifies the elements in a proper working relationship.