Automated Singing Bowl
Patent Number: US 10839783 Grant Date: 2020-11-17 Filing Date: 2019-07-23
Overview
This patented system captures a sophisticated electromechanical approach to automated bowl performance, emphasizing precise control of strike position, force, and rotation. Filed July 23, 2019 and granted November 17, 2020, the application—by applicants and inventors based in Houston, TX—discloses a modular device that secures a bowl, positions a mallet tip at the rim, and rotates that tip through a full 360-degree path while optionally operating an intermittent striker. The specification details layered assemblies (base, rotating layer, top plate, and adjustable neck/horizontal assemblies) plus drive and servo components, counterweights, and user controls. The result is a tunable slip-stick excitation system that can reproduce sustained tones, percussive gongs, or continuously varied dynamics, with fine mechanical adjustments for bowl diameter, height, striking radius, and downward force.
This portfolio reflects careful claim drafting around interchangeable embodiments (belt or gear drives, weighted-nut force tuning, variable radius/height), demonstrating the firm’s technical depth in combining precision mechanics with control electronics and acoustical design.
Key Features
- 360° rotating mallet assembly with adjustable radius and height
- Intermittent striker for selective gongs and strikes
- Drive assembly options (gear, belt) and low-friction bearings
- Tunable striking force via weighted nuts and servo control
By protecting a broadly adaptable platform for automated musical bowls, this patent bridges acoustics, automation, and productization—relevant to instrument manufacturers, therapeutic sound devices, and robotic performance systems.
Invention Details
Abstract: A singing bowl player for selectively striking, turning and playing a bowl. The singing bowl player comprises a central axis, a mallet assembly, a rotating layer, and a base. The base supports the singing bowl player. The mallet assembly attaches to the rotating layer. The rotating layer is configured to rotate about the central axis relative to the base in a 360-degree pattern. The base supports and secures the bowl. The mallet assembly comprises a mallet having a striking tip. The mallet assembly selectively holds the striking tip of the mallet at a rim of the bowl as the rotating layer rotates the striking tip around the rim.
Summary of the Invention: A singing bowl player for selectively striking, turning and playing a bowl. Said singing bowl player comprises a central axis, a mallet assembly, a rotating layer, and a base. Said base supports said singing bowl player. Said mallet assembly attaches to said rotating layer. Said rotating layer is configured to rotate about said central axis relative to said base in a 360-degree pattern. Said base supports and secures said bowl. Said mallet assembly comprises a mallet having a striking tip. Said mallet assembly selectively holds said striking tip of said mallet at a rim of said bowl as said rotating layer rotates said striking tip around said rim.
A singing bowl player for selectively striking, turning and playing said bowl. Said singing bowl player comprises a base assembly, a vertical assembly, a neck assembly, a horizontal assembly, a striker adjustment assembly, and a bowl seat. Said base assembly supports said singing bowl player. Said vertical assembly connects said base assembly to said neck assembly. Said neck assembly connects said vertical assembly to said horizontal assembly. Said striker adjustment assembly is attached to a portion of 108. Said neck assembly comprises variable height. Said horizontal assembly comprises a variable radius. Said striker adjustment assembly comprises striker. Said striker comprises a tip. Said singing bowl player is configured to place said tip at a striking circumference. Said striking circumference comprises said variable radius and a variable height. Said singing bowl player comprises a rotary motor assembly for turning said horizontal assembly. turning said horizontal assembly causes said tip to rotate through said striking circumference. Said bowl seat holds a portion of said bowl.
Patent Document
Related: Mechanical Engineering | Robotics & Automation | Acoustics | Electrical Engineering | Robotics | Houston, Texas | Shannon Warren, Patent Attorney