Audible vibratory reed assembly

An audible vibratory biased reed assembly having the properties of being activated or commencing vibration upon being subjected to a predetermined energy level. This assembly utilizes a straight, flat, elongated, closed or clapping reed, to produce a clatter or buzzing sound, with the reed being biased through application of a bias force to one edge to distort its flatness adjacent its free extremity. The bias force is applied by an angular transverse bridge which substantially triples the frequency of the mechanical clatter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Vibrating reeds for the production of basic sonic tones have been used for 
centuries in organs, harmonics, and other sound producing applications. 
Such devices have been used as warning means wherein differentials in 
pressure created by a clogged filter exists such as are found in vacuum 
cleaners, furnaces, refrigeration systems and other systems where the 
passage of air requires a removal of particulates by means of a filter. 
The present invention was primarily designed for use with a household 
clothes dryer manufactured by a nationally known producer of such devices. 
While the present device has many other applications, it will be described 
as used with this particular clothes dryer. These units are unique in that 
the horizontal, rotating drum is open at both ends. The after end of the 
drum is supported by an enbossed bulkhead and two rubber tired wheels 
riding in a spun, recessed track. The position of the wheels are 
strategically located so as to compensate for the forces imposed by a 
driving belt. The front end of the drum, having an internal Teflon coated 
liner bearing, is supported by the front panel of the dryer. Thus, in 
practicality, the drum is an essentially open-ended cylinder, belt driven 
on its periphery, supported on one end by two idler rollers, and on the 
other end by a large diameter plastic bearing. 
The air system is a negative pressure system (vacuum) by which a motor 
driven fan (at the extremity of the system) draws ambient air through a 
heating duct (gas or electric) into the drum via a grill in the fixed rear 
bulkhead and then passes through a lint chute via an exit grill in the 
fixed rear bulkhead. The air then passes through the fan and is discharged 
through a four-inch internal diameter duct at the lower, rear center of 
the unit. 
The lint chute is a fabricated sheet metal duct connecting the exit grill 
of the drum area to the fan housing. The chute is fabricated to provide a 
track which allows the insertion of the lint screen which necessitates the 
filtering of all air from the drum area before it can exit through the fan 
and subsequent discharge tube. 
The present invention is directed to a biased reed assembly which provides 
an audible alarm to give a signal when the lint screen is approximately 
two-thirds full regardless of whether or not the unit is vented to a point 
remote from the dryer per se. The balance of the background summary is 
directed to the hydrodynamics which exist in clothes dryer systems. 
To have a vent consisting of an elongated, rigid or flexible duct or where 
the dryer is vented directly into the room where it is situated will 
affect back pressure and consequently the air velocity and volume of air 
being passed from the dryer. Two vacuum conditions exist and change in the 
dryer. Dynamic vaccum due to air flow (Venturi effect) diminishes as the 
screen in the filter fills and also with an increase of back pressure (the 
length of the venting system). Static vacuum (due to the inability of the 
fan to satisfy itself) increases as the lint screen fills, but decreases 
with an increase of back pressure. 
The condition of "vent versus no vent" presents the following problems: 
With "no vent" (zero back pressure), the dynamic vacuum factor is very 
high due to the high velocity of unimpeded air flow. Thus, with a clean 
screen, a manometer reading of 0.50 in./H.sub.2 O is read both upstream 
and downstream of the lint screen, with pulses as high as 0.75 in./H.sub.2 
O when clothes stick to or are in very close proximity to the exit grill 
work of the drum. This is one extreme, however, differential vacuum is 
zero; with extreme vent conditions (162H), velocity and volume are 
considerably lower. (162H is the symbolism in the trade for the use of two 
90.degree. elbows, 16 feet of 4-inch diameter duct, plus a hooded flap 
vent.) Under these conditions, with the lint screen being clogged to the 
desired level for audible alarm, average manometer readings are 0.67 
in./H.sub.2 O downstream of the lint screen and 0.17 in./H.sub.2 O 
upstream of the screen for a differential vacuum of 0.50 in./H.sub.2 O. 
This is the other extreme. Thus, it can be seen that the energy levels 
available to actuate the reed assembly are virtually overlapping, or more 
simply, the energy to operate the device under "vented" conditions is the 
same under "zero vented" conditions when the device should not operate. 
The following changes occur on an exponential curve: 
1. The dynamic vacuum level upstream of the lint screen which is shielded 
by the accumulating lint decreases due to lack of air flow and resultant 
decrease in Venturi effect. It must be explained here that although 
dynamic values decrease, they always remains as a factor due to the 
porosity of the lint deposition. 
2. The dynamic vacuum level downstream of the screen diminishes due to 
reduced air flow, however, the static value increases due to the reduced 
availability of air to satisfy the suction fan. 
To satisfy this need; it required the discovery of a vibratory reed which 
would produce an audible sound of sufficient sone value, and which could 
be mechanically controlled; namely, a closed-reed device, using a large 
area thin cross-section reed capable of being actuated at this very low 
energy level, namely, 0.40 in./H.sub.2 O, or converted to negative 
pressure -- 0.0142 P.S.I. The closed or "clapping" reed was selected to 
utilize the mechanical "clatter" (or buzzer sound) rather than the true 
musical tone, which for a reed of this size would be acoustically too low 
and hence inaudible. 
Such a basic device as described above is adaptable for any application of 
fixed vacuum transition where back pressures and loadings are constant, 
within a model range, such as H.V.A.C. systems, refrigeration systems, 
etc., but is inadequate for variable back pressure and loadings such as 
clothes dryers, vacuum cleaners, etc., where the variable pressures would 
inadvertently set off the reed clatter due to clothing being temporarily 
stuck on the grill work or other similar back pressure situations. 
The solution to the problem of making a definitive energy level for the 
commencement of vibration was accomplished in the following manner. First, 
the reed was made straight and clearance was provided over its mating 
aperture by mounting the reed at an angle, the preferable angle being of 
approximately 4.degree.. Secondly, to provide a definitie "take-off" or 
vibration point, the reed was "biased" by distorting its flatness and its 
normal state of rest or free position with an angular, transverse bridge 
at its free extremity. Thus, the reed will not vibrate until sufficient 
vacuum from below, and resultant pressure from above, which normally is 
ambient pressure depresses it from its biasing bridge against the mating 
apertured mounting. The spring of the reed returns it upward to repeat the 
cycle. The biasing bridge reaped an unforeseen result. The frequency of 
the mechanical clatter was tripled. As the reed slaps down against its 
apertured mounting, one impact occurs. As the spring characteristic 
returns its towards a normal position, the reed strikes the lower end of 
the angular, transverse bridge providing impact number two. The air flow 
then drives the reed further upwardly and impacts the reed against the 
upper end of the angular, transverse bridge. When viewed with a strobe 
light that is slightly out of synchronization, the reed vibrates in a 
wave-like motion both transversely and longitudinally. Without the biasing 
bridge, the reed will vibrate with an infinitesimally small amount of 
energy, with widely varying amplitudes. However, when the biasing bridge 
is utilized, a definite minimum energy level is established for vibration 
and the amplitude is fixed. 
While the devices contemplated herein have many other applications, its 
must be pointed out that the discussion herein is directed to a particular 
type of dryer in which the manometer readings and physical characteristics 
set forther herein prevail. The basic device provides a sharp take-off 
point (vibration) and sufficient audible sound (sone level); however, as 
described up to this point, it will provide a "beautiful sound" when the 
lint screen is clogged (162H venting) or a clean screen at zero venting. 
It can be adjusted for various applications other than the specific one 
described herein by varying the reed dimensions, angle of biasing, point 
of biasing and the size of aperture and through such adjustments 
compensate for these various factors. 
Because of the hostile environment in which such devices operate, it is 
desirable to provide as complete a total enclosure as possible as well as 
to satisfy the obvious need for a differential control. Thus, it is 
necessary to have a device that actuates at an energy requirement somewhat 
below the previous mentioned levels, in the instance 0.40 in./H.sub.2 O 
was selected. By doing this, one facet of back pressure effect is 
eliminated. Thus, it is necessary to design a control of this type that is 
responsive to the flow of air through the lint screen, but compensatory 
for the different and changing velocities of air under extremes of back 
pressure as evidenced by zero or long venting installations. 
At this point, it is necessary to explain the changing conditions within 
the air flow system of a dryer. While vacuum levels vary with back 
pressure, the following effects are essentially the same. When the screen 
is clean, a free air flow through the screen develops a vacuum level on 
both sides of the screen which is essentially equal. This vacuum being 
both dynamic and static. As lint begins to clog the screen, which in this 
embodiment is from the bottom up, the dynamic vacuum upstream of the 
screen diminishes due to the reduction of air flow through the screen. The 
air flow must move up and over the clogged portion of the screen. 
Downstream of the screen, the dynamic vacuum decreases slightly; however, 
the static vacuum increases rapidly due to the reduced availability of air 
through the screen. 
One solution to this problem is to provide a supply of ambient air at the 
"nose" of the reed. A large tube is connected opposite of the opening for 
ambient air and "plugged in" upstream of the filter, on the assumption 
that the upstream vacuum, where the screen is clean, will steal air from 
the nose of the reed. This approach is only moderately successful as the 
exponential characteristics of the dynamic vacuum upstream of the screen 
make it impossible to steal enough air from the reed to keep it from 
vibrating under "zero vent" conditions and het have it react under the 
162H vented conditions. Also this system was too slow in response to 
pulses caused by clothes sticking to or coming in close proximity to exit 
grill in the drum. A further disadvantage was to seriously reduce the 
efficiency of the entire airflow system of the dryer because of the large 
amount of ambient air being introduced after the heating element. It 
should be recognized, however, that such a system could be used with 
efficacy in other applications for an alarm device. 
In basic sonic devices using vibrating reeds, i.e. organs, harmonicas, 
etc., these instruments make use of systems of valving which require a 
multitude of hinging, seals, linkages and a host of moving parts which 
normally would be incompatible with the hostile environment of a clothes 
dryer. Such systems require the obstruction of access of the input energy. 
Since multiple part, trouble prone linkages could not be used in the 
hostile environment of a clothes dryer, a more direct approach evolved to 
use mechanical advantage which utilizes the exponential change in vacuum 
upstream of the screen to brake or dampen the reeds vibration. This is 
accomplished by attaching a flexible flap to the reed, providing an 
external suction tube to pneumatically hold the flap in place and thereby 
restrict the reed from vibrating. The best sensitivity of the assembly for 
the present embodiment was determined empirically by moving the location 
of the flap on the reed and varying its size. The best sensitivity is when 
the flap is located substantially at a general point midway from the 
transverse bridge and the "bend" point of the reed. 
The basis and accuracy of control by such a flap must take into account the 
following factors: (1) the reed in its preloaded condition, biased, has a 
given spring force; (2) this spring force must be able to overcome the 
holding force of the flexible flap when the upstream vacuum of the lint 
screen diminishes to the point that lint deposition level has been 
attained for purposes of demanding an audible alarm to the user; (3) 
because the bias or vibrating point of the reed is below the extremes of 
actuation, the reed under any conditions wants to vibrate and is drawn 
down away from the biasing bridge. If the screen is clean, regardless of 
back pressure, the Venturri effect drawing on the flap functionally locks 
the reed against vibration; and (4) although the reed is drawn down, under 
the conditions mentioned in (3), it has not lost contact with the lower 
end of the biasing bridge, and is still distorted. The initial surge, 
depending on back pressure, determines how close to being actually closed 
against its mating aperture in the plate. 
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an audible alarm 
device capable of producing an instantaneous, suitable, audible sound 
activated by the presence of predetermined pressure conditions. 
A further object of the invention is to provide an audible alarm device in 
the form of a clapping reed in which is biased by application of a force 
along one edge and captured within and under a transverse angularly 
disposed bridge to amplify the clatter caused by vibration of the reed. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide further means 
for controlling the vibrating point of said reed as it is subjected to 
intermittent extreme conditions which do not truly represent the 
conditions under which the alarm is to be sounded. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, economical alarm 
for use with home appliances to indicate the presence of clogged filter 
members which should be cleaned, thereby resulting in savings of energy 
necessary for operation of the appliance. 
Other objects will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the 
specification is read in conjunction with the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
Referring now to the drawings wherein similar parts are identified by 
similar numerals, FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of one form of 
clothes dryer to which the present invention, generally designated by the 
numeral 10, could be applied. The dryer 12 includes, in this particular 
model of dryer, a horizontal rotating drum, open at both ends, with the 
after end of the drum supported by an embossed bulkhead 16 and two rubber 
tired wheels 18 riding in a spun, recessed track. The front end of the 
drum, not shown, has an internal Teflon liner bearing supported by the 
front panel of the dryer. The air system is a negative pressure or vacuum 
system by which a motor driven fan 20 draws ambient air through a heating 
duct 22 into the drum via a grill or opening 24 in the fixed rear bulkhead 
16. After circulating around the drum 14 the air is then drawn through an 
exit grill 26 into the lint chute 28 with an elongated lint filter 30 
blocking the passage from grill 26 into the lint chute 28. The heated air 
is then drawn through the fan 20 and discharged through a duct 32 at the 
lower rear center of the unit. This duct can discharge into ambient or be 
conneted to additional duct work for discharge to the exterior of the 
building in which it is located, as previously described. 
Referring now to FIG. 2, one of the basic concepts of the present invention 
involves an elongated flat clapper reed 40 mounted by suitable means 42 in 
angular disposed relation to the plane of a reed plate 44 having an 
aperture 46 underlying the reed 40. The reed plate 44 forms one wall of a 
housing 48 having an internal chamber and end port 50 through which a 
negative pressure can be applied to the chamber of housing 48 to cause 
activation of the reed 40. Mounting means 52 are provided to secure the 
assembly to the vacuum or negative pressure source. 
At the free end of the reed 40 a bias is applied by means of an angularly 
disposed transverse bridge 54. The bias is accomplished by contacting and 
distorting the reed along one edge at a point designated 56. When a 
negative pressure is applied through the port 50, the reed is drawn 
downwardly toward the aperture 46 and when it returns by spring pressure, 
it first strikes the point 56 and thence angularly strikes the "high" 
point 58 of the angularly disposed transverse bridge 54. Thus, the clatter 
of the reed 40 is tripled over a normal clapper reed in that it strikes 
the reed plate 44 and thence on its upward motion away from the reed plate 
44 strikes the low point 56 and then the air flow further drives the reed 
upwardly impacting against the upper end 58 of the angular transverse 
bridge. Thus, the reed vibrates in a wave-like motion both transversely 
and longitudinally. Without the biasing bride the reed will vibrate with 
an infinitesimally small amount of energy with widely varying amplitudes. 
With the biasing bridge a definite minimum energy level is established 
vibration and the amplitude is fixed. 
The application of this invention can be best seen in relation to the 
preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3 through 16. 
The preferred embodiment of the audible alarm 10 includes a generally 
rectangularly shaped chamber case 60 which is open along one elongated 
wall and adapted to be associated with a combination reed plate and cover 
62 which divides the case into two chambers and closes the open wall. The 
chamber case 60 includes groove means 64 centrally disposed along its 
longitudinal axis to accept the reed plate, thereby forming a lower 
chamber 66 and an upper chamber 68, as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4. Lower 
chamber 66 communicates with a port 70 opening through one end of the 
chamber case and provided with suitable fastening means 72 for acceptance 
by angular rotation within a non-circular aperture located in lint chute 
28. Fastening means of this type are shown in the U.S. Pat. to Fisher No. 
3,443,783, however, it should be recognized that other suitable fastening 
means such as apertured flanges, screws, adhesives, etc., will be apparent 
to those skilled in the art. 
Upper chamber 68 communicates with two apertures or ports 74 in the back 
side wall of the case 60 to provide access to the pressure of ambient air. 
Also formed integrally in the back wall 73 and centrally disposed between 
the two ambient air ports 74 is a by-pass or vent port 75. The port 75 is 
formed by a generally cylindrical tubular extension 76 capable of 
accepting a flexible tube over its exterior surface. The port 75 
communicates with a smaller opening or vent 78 with the free extremity 80 
being angularly disposed relative to the axis of the vent 78 to form a 
relatively sharp projection or apex 82 for purposes best set forth 
hereinafter. Around the free open side of case 60 there is provided a 
set-off flange 84 forming a seat 86 having a plurality of ridge-like 
elements 88, in this instance triangular in cross section, extending 
upwardly from seat 86 for purposes best set forth hereinafter. 
The reed plate and cover 62 includes two integral portions, namely, the 
reed plate 90 and the cover 92. In FIG. 3 the cross section is taken 
through the central portion of the reed plate with the cover removed to 
permit the view into the chamber case whereas in FIG. 7 it will be 
apparent that the reed plate is inserted complementarily into the grooves 
64 with the cover 92 being brought into position above the seat 86 is 
contact with the projections 88. The two members, namely case 60 and reed 
plate cover 62, form two relatively sealed chambers with the cover 92 
sealing the open side of the case 60. The actual sealing of the cover 92 
relative to case 60 can be accomplished by sonic welding using the 
projections 88 as an energy concentrating means or the flange 84 can be 
formed inwardly to overlie the plate 92, as seen in phantom in FIG. 7 and 
identified by the numeral 94. 
Referring now to FIGS. 9 through 13, the cover 92 includes a plurality of 
transverse strengthening ribs 96 and a laterally extending flange 98 which 
serves to close and seal the open end of seat 86, port 70 and distortable 
offset flange 84, as seen in FIG. 4. 
The reed plate 90 includes a peripheral rounded edge 98 that is tapered for 
a short distance to provide easy access when assembled with grooves 64 in 
the chamber case. This essentially provides a wedge-shape cooperation with 
the grooves 64 to insure a seal between the chamber 66 and 68 except for 
aperture 100 that extends longitudinally in the reed plate 90. The reed 
plate 90 includes an increased thickness portion 102, at the left end of 
FIGS. 9 and 10, and in the upper surface thereof is provided with an 
angularly disposed recess 104. On opposite edges of the recess 104 are 
orienting means in the form of a pair of reference posts 106 with the 
forward edges thereof, on the side facing aperture 100, falling on a plane 
passing through the center of the centrally disposed aperture 108 which is 
adapted to accept a fastening means such as a rivet 110. 
At the opposite end of the reed plate and overlying aperture 100 is the 
biasing bridge 112, which in this embodiment is integral with plate 90. 
Bridge 112 includes an angularly disposed undersurface 114 having a low 
point 116 and a high point 118. The aperture 100 is opened into a T-shape 
by the lateral extensions 120 which permit the integral two-plate molding 
of the undersurface 114, it being recognized, of course, that the reed 
must be wider than the width of aperture 100 in order for it to be 
operative and hence the bridge must be wide enough to accept the reed. 
The elongated flat metallic generally rectangular reed 130 as seen in FIGS. 
14 and 15, includes a pair of struck up fingers 132 extending along the 
longitudinal edges of reed 130 toward an orienting shoulder 134. The 
shoulders 134 lie in a plane falling on the center point of a central 
aperture 136. Midway along the extremity of reed 130 is a slot 138 which 
in the embodiment is cruciform in configuration. The reed 132 is first 
threaded under the bridge 112 and then the shoulders 134 are brought into 
engagement with the front face of posts 106 with the resilient fingers 132 
acting against the opposite face of post 106. The tapered ends 107 of post 
106 assist in the assembly operation. When the reed is bottomed in recess 
104, it is accurately positioned relative to the reference post 106 as 
well as being provided with the predetermined angular disposition over the 
reed plate. In the present instance it was found that recess 104 should be 
angularly disposed approximately 4.degree. relative to the upper surface 
of reed plate 90. A rivet 110 is then telescoped through the apertures 136 
in the reed and 108 in the reed plate and suitably headed to securely 
restrain the reed. By disposing the shoulders 134 against the reference 
post 106, a positive assembly in a predetermined relation or normal state 
of rest is obtained so that the reed is not canted or angularly disposed 
relative to aperture 100 in the reed plate. The bridge 112 and its lower 
point 116 of undersurface 114 establishes the predetermined bias that is 
desired in the reed. 
In order to restrain the reed against inadvertent vibrations due to surges 
caused by clothing or towels which would stick to grill 26 and thereby 
give an inadvertent sound warning, the reed is supplied with a flexible 
rubber-like flap 140 of the general configuration shown in FIG. 16. The 
flap 140 includes a large round portion 142, a central flexible portion 
144, laterally extending flanges 146 and an arrow-shaped head 148 having a 
centrally disposed aperture 150 therein. A suitable tool is placed through 
the cruciform slot 138, engages the aperture 150 and pulls the arrowhead 
148 through the slot the flanges 146 are seated on the upper surface and 
the arrowhead underlies the reed. This assembly generally takes place 
before the reed is assembled with the reed plate. 
Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 26 and 27, the audible alarm 10 is mounted in 
the side wall of lint chute 28 and has constant communication therewith 
through port 70. Port 75 is connected to an opening in the side passage 27 
on the opposite side of filter 30 by suitable tubing 150. As was 
previously explained, the passage of air through the grill 26, 
intermediate passage 27 and the lint chute 28, when the lint filter 30 is 
clean produces a Venturi effect across the opening in the passage 27 and 
thereby creates a partial vacuum or negative pressure in the vent 
passageway 78. This causes the flap 140 to bend over the surface 82 and be 
angularly disposed against surface 80, thereby at least partially sealing 
said vent port 78 as shown in phantom in FIG. 7. When the deposit of lint 
against filter 30 increases to a predetermined level, normally two-thirds 
of the filter surface, the fan 20 causes a partial vacuum on the under 
side of the reed in chamber 66 and due to the filter clogging the Venturi 
effect through vent 78 is minimized, thereby releasing its grip on flap 
140, at a predetermined level, and permits the passage of ambient air 
through port 74 to cause the reed to commence vibrating. This warns the 
user to then clean the filter 30 and thereby save energy and operation of 
the device. The configuration and size of the upper portion 142 of flap 
140 can be controlled to obtain the desired effect. For example, it will 
be noted that in FIG. 7 the flap 140 does not totally cover the vent port 
78 on the angular surface 80. A modification to the flap 140 and 
designated with the suffix "a " can be seen in FIG. 17 wherein the round 
portion 142a includes a centrally disposed aperture 152. The size and 
disposition of the aperture 152 can be determined emperically for 
different applications. 
FIG. 19 is a second embodiment of the chamber case that differs from the 
first embodiment solely in that the vent port 78b terminates in a camfered 
cone-shaped opening 160. This device is particularly adaptable for use 
with a flap of the configuration shown in FIG. 17 with the forces required 
to unseat the flap being dependent upon the size of aperture 152, as 
opposed to the angular disposition against surface 82 as shown in the 
first embodiment. 
A modification to the mounting means on the read plate can be seen in FIGS. 
20 and 21, wherein the suffix "c" is used with the appropriate numerals. 
In this device, rather than using a separate rivet 110, a central post 166 
is used with reference posts 106c. This plastic central post 166 can be 
deformed to the shape shown in phantom and designated 168 to retain the 
reed 130c, as shown in phantom. 
A further embodiment can be seen in FIG. 18, wherein similar parts are 
designated by similar numerals with the addition of the suffix "d." In 
this device the reed 130d is mounted over a central post 166d in recess 
104d and maintained in position by a sheet metal spring grip 170 which 
grippingly engages post 166 and has suitable take-up means for engagement 
of the reed and maintaining it in its angular disposition. The other 
modification in this embodiment is the presence of a rectangular aperture 
or port 74d in the back wall of the case 60d at a position adjacent the 
nose of the reed while the secondary port 172 is circular in 
configuration. A further modification is that the bridge 112d is not 
integral with the reed plate 90d. The bridge 112d is an independent member 
either sheet metal or plastic which is captured within a pair of spaced 
posts 174 located on opposite sides of the aperture 100d. In this 
embodiment it is possible to adjust the bias point of the reed 130d by 
moving the bridge 112d within the slot created by post 174. 
The last embodiment of this invention is shown in FIGS. 22 through 25 
wherein similar parts are designated by similar numerals with the addition 
of the suffix "e." This embodiment relates primarily to the reed plate and 
the method of assembly of the reed with the plate. In this device the reed 
plate 90e includes the central aperture 100e and has spaced posts 174e 
forming a slot for accepting a bridge, not shown. At the opposite end, the 
reed is provided with a central aperture, of the type generally designated 
136, but shown in phantom for purposes of illustration. The reed plate is 
provided with a pair of overhanging side elements 180 and an overhanging 
end element 182, all which orienting elements overhang or overlie the 
angularly disposed recess 104e. The central portion of recess 104e 
includes an upwardly extending locating 184 that has a tapered upper 
surface. The recess 104e is relieved by a U-shaped slot 186 that makes 
that portion of the reed plate 90e, surrounding the stud 184, resilient. A 
reed having a central aperture would be fed under the overhanging elements 
180, depressing the stud 184 and its resilient environs downwardly until 
the stud is accepted within aperture 136e of the reed. The fixed extremity 
of the reed 130e then underlies the rear overhang 182 for a positive 
retention. Suitable bridge means, not shown, is disposed within the groove 
formed by the spaced posts 174e. The operation of this device as well as 
all of the other devices is substantially indentical. Other variations in 
mounting means both for the reed and the bridge will be apparent to those 
skilled in the art. By varying the position of the bias bridge, the size 
of the apertures or ports, and the size and position of the flap, other 
audible alarms that will respond to various conditions can be made to suit 
the particular configurations and parameters of pressure conditions found 
in other apparatus with which the warning device is to be utilized. 
In the embodiments disclosed, the chamber case as well as the reed plate 
and cover subassembly are generally injected molded of thermo plastic 
materials suitable for the environment within which they are to be used. 
The reed is a sheet metal device which is preferably fabricated from 
tempered box spring steel with the differential flap being fabricated of a 
flexible material such as polyurethane having approximately a 90 
durometer. The choice of other materials which are available now on in the 
future will be apparent to those skilled in the art, of course, such 
choice being dependent upon the environment within which the audible alarm 
is to be used.