Patent Publication Number: US-10777182-B2

Title: Bell and a method of designing a bell

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a U.S. Application which claims priority to GB1817223.9, filed Oct. 23, 2018, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD 
     This specification discloses a bell and a method of designing a bell. The specification also discloses a plurality of such bells, a carillon including such bells, moulds for making such bells and a CAD file for storing the design of such a bell. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Bells have been made and used for millennia. They are often used in ceremonies; to mark times of the day; and are also used as musical instruments. One such musical instrument is called a carillon. A carillon is a musical instrument which is typically housed in a bell tower of a church or municipal building. A carillon typically includes at least 23 bells which are struck by clappers. The clappers are operated by a set of keys, called batons, which are connected to the clappers by a series of levers and wires. The bells in a carillon range in size to produce the different notes necessary to form a musical tune. A problem associated with this is that the smaller bells are not as loud as the larger bells and thus cannot be heard as clearly as the larger bells. 
     Bells produce more than one frequency when they are struck, five of which are the most dominant. A more pleasing sound profile for the bell can be achieved by ensuring that each of these frequencies can be heard. However, these frequencies are often out of tune with the dominant frequency and thus many bells are designed to prevent the other frequencies from sounding. By out of tune, we mean that the frequencies of the bell are not harmonically tuned meaning that the frequencies produced by the bell do not harmonise with each other. Thus, a problem associated with existing bells is making a bell which includes the five frequencies and which are harmonised and which can be heard. 
     It is a non-exclusive object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or both of these problems. 
     SUMMARY 
     There is provided a bell including:
         an outside surface which defines an exterior of the bell;   an inside surface which defines an interior of the bell;   a lip positioned at a bottom of the bell;   a sound bow positioned above the lip;   a waist positioned above the sound bow;   a shoulder positioned above the waist, having a shoulder diameter; and   a crown positioned at a top of the bell above the shoulder;   wherein a portion of the inside surface generally adjacent the shoulder has a first end at or near the crown; a second end at or near the waist and a point of inflection generally in-between the first and second ends;   wherein as the portion of the inside surface extends away from the first end towards the point of inflection the portion extends away from the crown more than it extends towards the outside surface;   wherein as the portion of the inside surface extends towards the second end from the point of inflection the portion extends towards the outside surface more than it extends away from the crown;   and wherein the shoulder diameter (SD) is equal to:
 
SD=0.55*LD ±5%.
       

     There is also provided a bell including:
         an outside surface which defines an exterior of the bell;   an inside surface which defines an interior of the bell;   a lip positioned at a bottom of the bell;   a sound bow positioned above the lip;   a waist positioned above the sound bow;   a shoulder positioned above the waist; and   a crown positioned at a top of the bell above the shoulder;   wherein a portion of the inside surface generally adjacent the shoulder has a first end at or near the crown; a second end at or near the waist and a point of inflection generally in-between the first and second ends;   wherein as the portion of the inside surface extends away from the first end towards the point of inflection the portion extends away from the crown more than it extends towards the outside surface;   wherein as the portion of the inside surface extends towards the second end from the point of inflection the portion extends towards the outside surface more than it extends away from the crown;   and wherein a thickness of the shoulder, measured on a horizontal axis from the outside surface to a central axis of the bell passing through the point of inflection is at least 10% of the shoulder diameter.       

     The point of inflection may be positioned substantially halfway between the first and second ends. 
     The portion between the first end and the point of inflection may extend curvilinearly away from the first end inwardly away from the outside surface. 
     The portion between the point of inflection and the second end may extend curvilinearly away from the point of inflection inwardly away from the outside surface. 
     The portion between the first end and the point of inflection may extend linearly away from the first end. 
     The portion between the point of inflection and the second end may extend linearly away from the point of inflection. 
     The shoulder may have a shoulder diameter; and
         wherein a thickness of the shoulder, measured on a horizontal axis from the outside surface to a central axis of the bell, may be at least:   10%;   12%;   14%;   16%;   18%;   20%;   22%; or   24% of the shoulder diameter; and/or at most:   30%;   28%;   26%; or   24% of the shoulder diameter.       

     The horizontal axis may pass through the point of inflection. 
     There is also provided a method of designing a bell, the bell including:
         a lip having a lip diameter (LD) positioned at a bottom of the bell;   a shoulder having a shoulder diameter (SD); and   a crown positioned at a top of the bell having a crown height (CH);   the bell having a total perpendicular height (TPH) measured from the lip to the crown;   wherein the method includes the steps of:   choosing a strike frequency for the bell;   choosing the lip diameter for the bell based on the desired strike frequency; and   calculating the total perpendicular height (TPH) of the bell using the following formula:
 
TPH=0.8146*LD −26.124
       

     The method may further include the step of varying the total perpendicular height to optimise one or more of the following:-
         a hum frequency of the bell;   a strike frequency of the bell;   a tierce frequency of the bell;   a quint frequency of the bell;   a nominal frequency of the bell.       

     The total perpendicular height may be within ±5.00%; ±4.00%; ±3.00%; ±2.00%; or ±1.00% of the total perpendicular height calculated using the formula. 
     The method may further include the step of determining the crown height using the following formula:
 
CH=0.0807*TPH−0.0026
 
     The method may further include the step of varying the crown height to optimise one or more of the following:-
         a hum frequency of the bell;   a strike frequency of the bell;   a tierce frequency of the bell;   a quint frequency of the bell;   a nominal frequency of the bell.       

     The crown height may be within ±32.00%; ±29.00%; ±28.00%; ±20.00%; ±10.00%; ±5.00%; ±4.00%; or ±3.95% of the crown height determined using the formula. 
     The bell may have a mouth diameter which is substantially the same as the lip diameter. 
     The lip diameter may be at least:
         135 mm;   155 mm;   175 mm;   195 mm;   215 mm;   235 mm;   255 mm;   275 mm;   295 mm;   315 mm;   335 mm   355 mm;   375 mm;   395 mm;   415 mm; or   435 mm.       

     The lip diameter may be at most:
         420 mm;   400 mm; or   380 mm.       

     The method may further include the step of varying the shoulder diameter to optimise one or more of the following:-
         a hum frequency of the bell;   a strike frequency of the bell;   a tierce frequency of the bell;   a quint frequency of the bell;   a nominal frequency of the bell.       

     There is also provided a method of designing a bell, the bell including:
         a lip having a lip diameter (LD) positioned at a bottom of the bell;   a shoulder having a shoulder diameter (SD); and   a crown positioned at a top of the bell having a crown height (CH);   the bell having a total perpendicular height (TPH) measured from the lip to the crown;   wherein the method includes the steps of:-   choosing a strike frequency for the bell;   choosing the lip diameter for the bell based on the desired strike frequency wherein the lip diameter is at least 250 mm; and   calculating the shoulder diameter using the following formula:
 
SD=0.5490*LD−0.0024
       

     The shoulder diameter may be within ±5.00%; ±4.75%; ±3.00%; ±2.00%; ±1.15%; ±1.00%; ±0.50%; ±0.20%; or ±0.05% of the shoulder diameter determined using the formula. 
     This method may include one or more or all of the features of the other methods and bells. 
     There is also provided a bell including:
         a lip having a lip diameter (LD) positioned at a bottom of the bell;   a shoulder having a shoulder diameter (SD); and   a crown positioned at a top of the bell having a crown height (CH);   the bell having a total perpendicular height (TPH) measured from the lip to the crown;   wherein the lip diameter (LD) is at least 250 mm; and   the shoulder diameter (SD) is equal to:
 
SD=(0.5490*LD−0.0024)±1.00%
       

     This bell may include one or more or all of the features of the other methods and bells. 
     There is also provided a method of designing a bell, the bell including:
         a lip having a lip diameter (LD) positioned at a bottom of the bell;   a shoulder having a shoulder diameter (SD); and   a crown positioned at a top of the bell having a crown height (CH);   the bell having a total perpendicular height (TPH) measured from the lip to the crown;   wherein the method includes the steps of:-   choosing a strike frequency for the bell;   choosing the lip diameter for the bell based on the desired strike frequency; and   calculating the shoulder diameter (SD) of the bell using the following formula:
 
SD=0.5764*LD
       

     The shoulder diameter may be within ±5.00%; ±4.75%; ±3.00%; ±2.00%; ±1.15%; ±1.00%; ±0.50%; ±0.20%; or ±0.05% of the shoulder diameter determined using the formula. 
     The lip diameter may be at most 250 mm. 
     A waist of the bell may be positioned between the shoulder and the lip and a thickness of the waist, measured in a direction from an outside surface of the bell to a central axis of the bell, may be less than a thickness of the shoulder. 
     This method may include one or more or all of the features of the other methods and bells. 
     There is also provided a bell including:
         a lip having a lip diameter (LD) positioned at a bottom of the bell;   a shoulder having a shoulder diameter (SD);   a crown positioned at a top of the bell having a crown height (CH); and   a total perpendicular height (TPH) measured from the lip to the crown;   wherein the shoulder diameter (SD) is equal to:
 
SD=(0.5764*LD)±5.00%
       

     This bell may include one or more or all of the features of any of the other methods and bells. 
     There is also provided a bell including:
         an outside surface which defines an exterior of the bell;   an inside surface which defines an interior of the bell;   a lip positioned at a bottom of the bell;   a sound bow positioned above the lip;   a waist positioned above the sound bow;   a shoulder positioned above the waist; and   a crown positioned at a top of the bell above the shoulder;   wherein a portion of the inside surface generally adjacent the shoulder has a first end at or near the crown; a second end at or near the waist and a point of inflection or a midpoint generally in-between the first and second ends;   wherein as the portion of the inside surface extends away from the first end towards the point of inflection or midpoint the portion extends away from the crown more than it extends towards the outside surface; and   as the portion of the inside surface extends towards the second end from the point of inflection or midpoint the portion extends towards the outside surface more than it extends away from the crown.       

     The point of inflection or midpoint may be positioned substantially halfway between the first and second ends. 
     The portion between the first end and the point of inflection or midpoint may extend curvilinearly away from the first end inwardly away from the outside surface. 
     The portion between the point of inflection or midpoint and the second end may extend curvilinearly away from the point of inflection or midpoint inwardly away from the outside surface. 
     The portion between the first end and the point of inflection or midpoint may extend linearly away from the first end. 
     The portion between the point of inflection or midpoint and the second end may extend linearly away from the point of inflection or midpoint. 
     The shoulder may have a shoulder diameter; and a thickness of the shoulder, measured on a horizontal axis from the outside surface to a central axis of the bell, may be at least:
         10%;   12%;   14%;   16%;   18%;   20%;   22%; or   24% of the shoulder diameter; and/or at most:   30%;   28%;   26%; or   24% of the shoulder diameter.       

     This bell may include one or more or all of the features of any of the other methods and bells. 
     There is also provided a plurality of bells including a bell made in accordance with any one of the bells described. 
     There is also provided a carillon including one or more bells in accordance with any one of the bells described. 
     There is also provided a carillon including a plurality of bells in accordance with the bells described. 
     There is also provided a mould for a bell in accordance with the bells described. 
     There is also provided a CAD file for a bell in accordance with the bells described. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       These and other features of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures of which: 
         FIGS. 1 to 12  show profile cross-sectional views of a first set of bells in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 13 to 36  show profile cross-sectional views of a second set of bells in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 37  shows a profile cross-sectional view of a mould for casting a bell as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 36 ; and 
         FIG. 38  shows a carillon including bells as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 36 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the figures there is shown a cross-section profile of a first embodiment of a bell  10  in accordance with the present disclosure. For the sake of simplicity embodiments of the disclosure are described with reference to  FIG. 1 , though it should be appreciated that the description regarding  FIG. 1  applies to  FIGS. 2 to 36  unless expressly stated otherwise. 
     The bell  10  has an outside surface  12  which defines the overall shape of the bell  10  and an inside surface  14 . The inside surface  14  defines a recess  32  in which air resonates to transmit the sound characteristic of the bell  10 . 
     The bell  10  is split into various parts. At a bottom of the bell  10  is positioned a lip  16 . The lip  16  connects the outside and inside surfaces  12 ,  14 . A mouth  34  of the bell  10  is defined by the lip  16 . The bell  10  also includes a sound bow  18 , a waist  20 , a shoulder  22  and a crown  24 . 
     The sound bow  18  is positioned above the lip  16  and is defined between the outer and inner surfaces  12 ,  14 . The waist  20  is positioned above the sound bow  18  and is defined between the outer and inner surfaces  12 ,  14 . The shoulder  22  of the bell  10  is positioned above the waist  20  and is defined between the outer and inner surfaces  12 ,  14 . The crown  24  is positioned above the shoulder  22  and defines the top of the bell  10 . 
     The outer surface  12  of the bell  10  extends generally upwardly and inwardly from the lip  16  across the sound bow  18  to the waist  20 . In particular the outer surface  12  may extend convexly with respect to a central axis C of the bell  10  from the lip  16  across the sound bow  18  to the waist  20  in a direction away from the inner surface  14 . The inside surface  14  extends generally upwardly and inwardly from the lip  16  across the sound bow  18  to the waist  20  also. In particular, the inner surface  14  may extend convexly with respect to the central axis C from the lip  16  across the sound bow  18  to the waist  20  in a direction away from the outer surface  12 . 
     The outer surface  12  of the bell  10  extends generally upwardly and inwardly from the sound bow  18  across the waist  20  to the shoulder  22 . In particular, the outer surface  12  may extend concavely from the sound bow  18  across the waist  20  to the shoulder  22  towards the central axis C of the bell  10 . The inside surface  14  extends generally upwardly and inwardly from the sound bow  18  across the waist  20  to the shoulder  22  also. In particular, the inner surface  14  may extend concavely from the sound bow  18  across the waist  20  to the shoulder  22  with respect to the central axis C. 
     The outer surface  12  of the bell  10  extends generally upwardly and inwardly from the waist  20  across the shoulder  22  to the crown  24 . In particular, the outer surface  12  may extend concavely from the waist  20  across the shoulder  22  to the crown  24  with respect to the central axis C. The inside surface  14  extends generally upwardly and inwardly from the waist  20  across the shoulder  22  to the crown  24  also. In particular, the inner surface  14  may extend concavely from the waist  20  across the shoulder  22  to the crown  24  with respect to the central axis C. 
     The crown  24 , in use, may be attached to a canon (not shown), which may be, in turn, connected to a yoke (not shown) to enable the bell  10  to be swung and rung effectively. Alternatively, the crown may be attached to a frame in a fixed position. The outer surface  12  of the bell  10  extends generally inwardly from the shoulder  22  to the crown  24  to define a top  11  of the bell  10 . The inside surface  14  of the bell  10  also extends generally inwardly from the shoulder  22  to the crown  24 . 
     The lip  16  defines a lip diameter (LD), also referred to as the greatest diameter. The lip diameter is measured from a first point  44  on the lip  16  on the outer surface  12  to a second point  46  on the lip  16  on the outer surface  12  directly opposite the first point  44 . 
     The mouth  34  may have a mouth diameter (MD). The mouth diameter (MD) may be measured from a first point  48  on the lip  16  on the inner surface  14  to a second point  50  on the lip  16  on the inner surface  14  directly opposite the first point  48 . The lip diameter may be the same as a mouth diameter of the bell  10 . Alternatively the lip diameter and the mouth diameter may differ. 
     The shoulder  22  may have an external shoulder diameter (SD). The external shoulder diameter may be measured from a first point  52  on the outer surface  12  of the shoulder  22  to a second point  54  on the outer surface  12  of the shoulder  22  directly opposite the first point  52 . 
     The shoulder  22  may also have an internal shoulder diameter (ISD). The internal shoulder diameter may be measured from a first point  56  on the inner surface  14  of the shoulder  22  to a second point  58  on the inner surface  14  of the shoulder  22  directly opposite the first point  56 . 
     The bell  10  may have a total perpendicular height (TPH). The total perpendicular height may be measured by measuring the vertical distance between the top  11  of the bell  10  and a bottom  13  of the bell  10 . 
     The bell may have a total inner height (TIH). The total inner height (TIH) may be measured by measuring the vertical difference between the inner surface  14  at the crown  24  and the bottom  13  of the bell  10 . 
     The bell may have a crown height (CH). The crown height (CH) may be the difference between the total perpendicular height (TPH) and the total inner height (TIH). 
     The bell  10  is capable of producing various frequencies when it is struck. The bell  10  is tuned to a nominal, or strike, frequency which is the dominant frequency perceived by the human ear. The strike frequency is produced predominantly by the lip  16  and sound bow  18  of the bell  10 , with some minor involvement from the waist  20 . 
     The bell  10  produces a hum frequency which is two octaves below the strike frequency. The hum frequency is produced by the entire bell  10 , but is most dominant in the lip  16  and sound bow  18 . 
     The bell  10  produces a fundamental, or prime, frequency which is an octave above the hum frequency and an octave below the strike frequency. The fundamental frequency is produced predominantly by the waist  12  and the lip  16  oscillating about the top of the sound bow  18 . 
     The bell  10  produces a tierce frequency, which is a minor third above the fundamental frequency. The tierce frequency is produced predominantly by the lip  16  but there is also some minor involvement of the sound bow  18 . 
     The bell  10  produces a quint frequency which is a fifth above the fundamental frequency. The quint frequency is produced predominantly by the waist  20  of the bell  10  but there is also involvement of the lip  16 . 
     Bells are typically cast using a mould  200  in a sand bed, as shown in  FIG. 37 . The mould  200  is typically formed of two parts, an outer part  210  and an inner part  212 , made of cast iron. The inner and outer parts  210 ,  212  may be housed in cast iron cases  214 . The mould  200  defines an outer surface of the bell  10  and an inner surface of the bell  10 . Molten metal is poured into the mould  200  and is then allowed to set. The metal used is typically an alloy of copper and tin in a ratio of approximately  4 : 1  (commonly referred to as bell metal). The present disclosure includes a mould for a bell in accordance with the present disclosure and/or a mould for a bell designed in accordance with a method of the present disclosure. 
     Once the bell  10  has been cast it is tuned to try and optimise the frequencies produced by the bell  10 . This is done by removing small amounts of the bell metal from the inner surface  14 . Small amounts of the bell metal from the outer surface  12  may also be removed as part of the tuning process. 
     The applicant has found that there are various ways in which the frequencies produced by a bell  10  can be altered. The applicant has also found that there are ways to make particular frequencies produced by the bell  10  have a greater amplitude than was previously possible. The applicant has also found that it is possible to vary the time at which a frequency has the greatest amplitude. Further the applicant has found that it is possible to vary the rate at which the amplitude of these frequencies decays—known as the growth and decay profiles. This is advantageous because the overall frequency and amplitude characteristics of the bell  10  can be tailored to produce a more pleasing bell frequency characteristic, or to make smaller bells sound louder whilst maintaining their sound profile. 
     A method of designing a bell in accordance with the disclosure will now be described. The method includes the steps of choosing a strike frequency for the bell; choosing the lip diameter for the bell based on the desired strike frequency (in millimetres); and calculating the total perpendicular height (TPH) of the bell (in millimetres) using the following formula:
 
TPH=0.8146*LD−26.124
 
     This is advantageous because the use of this formula to calculate the total perpendicular height has been found to produce a bell  10  having more pleasing frequency characteristics than was previously possible. In particular, it has been found that the amplitude of the frequencies produced by a bell having a total perpendicular height calculated by the above formula seems to increase or “grow” before decreasing or “decaying”. This produces a more pleasing sound profile to the bell  10  than was previously possible. 
     The method may further include the step of varying the total perpendicular height of the bell  10 . In particular, the total perpendicular height may be varied within ±5.00%; ±4.00%; ±3.00%; ±2.00%; or ±1.00% of the total perpendicular height calculated using the formula. This is advantageous because it enables a user to optimise one or more of the frequencies produced by the bell  10 , such as the hum, fundamental, tierce, quint or nominal frequencies. 
     By optimise we mean that the frequencies may be more accurately matched to an ideal model and/or the growth and decay profile of the specific frequencies produced by the bell  10  to produce a desired sound profile for the bell  10 . 
     The method may further include the step of determining the crown height using the following formula:
 
CH=0.0807*TPH−0.0026
 
     This may be advantageous in helping to produce a more pleasing sound profile for the strike frequency and quint frequency as the thickness of the crown  24  alters how the waist  20  oscillates when the bell  10  is struck. 
     The method may further include the step of varying the crown height of the bell  10 . In particular, the crown height may be varied within ±32.00%; ±29.00%; ±28.00%; ±20.00%; ±10.00%; ±5.00%; ±4.00%; or ±3.95% of the crown height determined using the formula. This is advantageous because it enables a user to optimise one or more of the frequencies produced by the bell such as the hum, strike, tierce, quint and nominal frequencies. 
     The bell  10  may have a mouth diameter (MD) which is substantially the same as the lip diameter (LD). This has been found to produce a bell having a more pleasing hum frequency sound profile which enables the other frequencies of the bell to be better heard. 
     The lip diameter may be at least 135 mm; 150 mm; 155 mm; 160 mm; 170 mm; 175 mm; 180 mm; 190 mm; 195 mm; 200 mm; 210 mm; 215 mm; 220 mm; 230 mm; 235 mm; 240 mm; 250 mm; 255 mm; 275 mm; 295 mm; 315 mm; 335 mm; 355 mm; 375 mm; 395 mm; 415 mm; or 435 mm. The lip diameter may be at most: 420 mm; 400 mm; 380 mm; 250 mm; 245 mm; or 240 mm. 
     The method may further include the step of varying the shoulder diameter. This is advantageous because it enables a user to further optimise one or more of the hum, fundamental, tierce, quint and nominal frequencies of the bell  10 . 
     A further method of designing a bell in accordance with the disclosure will now be described. This method may be used in conjunction with the method described above. The method includes the steps of choosing a strike frequency for the bell; choosing the lip diameter for the bell based on the desired strike frequency wherein the lip diameter is at least 250 mm; and calculating the shoulder diameter using the following formula:
 
SD=0.5490*LD−0.0024
 
     The method may further include the step of varying the shoulder diameter of the bell  10 . In particular, the shoulder diameter may be varied within ±5.00%; ±4.75%; ±3.00%; ±2.00%; ±1.15%; ±1.00%; ±0.50%; ±0.20%; or ±0.05% of the shoulder diameter determined using the formula. 
     In particular, the bell  10  may have a shoulder diameter (SD) equal to:
 
SD=(0.5490*LD−0.0024)±1.00%
 
     The bell may also have a lip diameter (LD) of at least 250 mm. 
     It has been found that by designing a bell using the above formula to calculate the ideal shoulder diameter a better tuning of the frequencies of the bell can be achieved. 
     Another method of designing a bell in accordance with the disclosure will now be described. This method may be used in conjunction with the first method described above. The method includes the steps of choosing a strike frequency for the bell; choosing the lip diameter for the bell based on the desired strike frequency; and calculating the shoulder diameter (SD) of the bell using the following formula:
 
SD=0.5764*LD
 
     In particular, the lip diameter may be selected to be at most 250 mm. 
     The method may further include the step of varying the shoulder diameter of the bell  10 . In particular, the shoulder diameter may be varied within ±5.00%; ±4.75%; ±3.00%; ±2.00%; ±1.15%; ±1.00%; ±0.50%; ±0.20%; or ±0.05% of the shoulder diameter determined using the formula. 
     The method may include the step of selecting a thickness of the waist, measured from an outside surface  12  of the bell  10  to an inside surface  14  of the bell  10  in a direction generally perpendicular to the central axis C of the bell, to be less than a thickness of the shoulder measured in the same way. 
     The bell  10  may have a shoulder diameter (SD) equal to:
 
SD=(0.5764*LD)±5.00%
 
     By providing a shoulder diameter on a bell using the above formula the frequencies produced by the bell may be better tuned. This is, in particular, because more metal can be introduced into the top of the bell which improves the oscillation modes of the bell, and in particular the shoulder and waist of the bell. Providing a shoulder diameter on a bell using the above formula may also improve the ability to successfully tune the hum, fundamental, tierce, quint and nominal frequencies of the bell  10 . The introduction of more metal to the top of the bell also improves the amplitude characteristics of the individual frequencies within the bell and enables a user to control when the particular frequencies will “grow” and “decay” when the bell is struck. 
     A second embodiment of a bell in accordance with the disclosure will now be described with reference to  FIG. 13 . Like referenced numerals are the same as for  FIG. 1  with the addition of  100 .  FIG. 13  shows a bell  110  having the same features as described for bell  10 . A portion  136  of the inside surface  114  generally adjacent the shoulder  122  has a first end  138  at or near the crown  124 ; a second end  140  at or near the waist  120  and a point of inflection or a midpoint  142  generally in-between the first and second ends  138 ,  140 . As the portion  136  extends away from the first end  138  towards the point of inflection or midpoint  142  the portion  136  extends away from the crown  124  more than it extends towards the outside surface  112 . Also as the portion  136  of the inside surface  114  extends towards the second end  140  from the point of inflection or midpoint  142  the portion  136  extends towards the outside surface  112  more than it extends away from the crown  124 . 
     The inside surface  114  having the above described profile is advantageous. In particular, the above profile enables more metal to be introduced at the shoulder  122  of the bell  110 . This has been found to improve the oscillation modes of the bell, and in particular the oscillation modes at the shoulder and waist of the bell. The introduction of more metal to the top of the bell also improves the amplitude characteristics of the individual frequencies within the bell and enables a user to control the growth and decay profiles of the frequencies produced by the bell  110 . 
     The bell  110  described above may also incorporate any of the features described above. 
     In the present embodiment the point of inflection or midpoint  142  may be positioned substantially halfway between the first and second ends  138 ,  140 . In particular, the portion  136  between the first end  138  and the point of inflection or midpoint  142  may extend curvilinearly away from the first end  138  inwardly away from the outside surface  112 . Further, the portion  136  between the point of inflection or midpoint  142  and the second end  140  may extend curvilinearly away from the point of inflection or midpoint  142  inwardly away from the outside surface  112 . Alternatively, the portion  136  between the first end  138  and the point of inflection or midpoint  142  may extend linearly away from the first end  138 . The portion  136  may also between the point of inflection or midpoint  142  and the second end  140  extend linearly away from the point of inflection or midpoint  142 , in an alternative embodiment. 
     The point of inflection or midpoint  142  may form a convex inside surface  114 . The inside surface may be convex about the point of inflection or midpoint  142 . Including such shape features can be used to control the fundamental frequency to provide a particularly pleasant sounding bell. 
     A thickness of the shoulder  124 , measured on a horizontal axis from the outside surface  112  to the inside surface  114  in a direction generally perpendicular to the central axis C of the bell  110 , may be at least: 10%; 12%; 14%; 16%; 18%; 20%; 22%; or 24% of the shoulder diameter; and/or at most: 30%; 28%; 26%; or 24% of the shoulder diameter. 
     In bells having the portion  136  it has been found that it can be additionally advantageous for the shoulder diameter (SD) to be equal to SD=0.55*LD ±5% (measurements in mm). In particular, including such amounts of metal in such shapes can control the fundamental frequency to provide a particularly pleasant sounding bell. 
     In bells having the portion  136  it has also been found that it can be additionally advantageous for a thickness of the shoulder, measured on a horizontal axis from the outside surface to a central axis of the bell passing through the point of inflection to be at least 10% of the shoulder diameter. The thickness may alternatively be at least 12%; 14%; 16%; 18%; 20%; 22%; or 24% of the shoulder diameter. In particular, including such amounts of metal in such shapes can control the fundamental frequency to provide a particularly pleasant sounding bell. 
     Further, including amounts of metal in such shapes and thicknesses in combination with the portion  136  may be particularly advantageous in the production of smaller bells. For example, in bells having a lip diameter of at most: 420 mm; 400 mm; 380 mm; 250 mm; 245 mm; or 240 mm. In particular, such features can be used to control of the fundamental frequency to provide a particularly pleasant sounding small bell. 
     Below we provide dimensions for a first set of bells in accordance with the present disclosure: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Shoulder 
               
               
                 Lip diameter 
                 TPH 
                 TPH − crown 
                 Crown height 
                 diameter 
               
               
                 (mm) 
                 (mm) 
                 height (mm) 
                 (mm) 
                 (mm) 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 266.70 
                 191.00 
                 175.60 
                 15.40 
                 146.41 
               
               
                 279.40 
                 201.00 
                 184.79 
                 16.21 
                 153.38 
               
               
                 285.75 
                 207.00 
                 190.30 
                 16.70 
                 156.86 
               
               
                 292.10 
                 212.00 
                 194.90 
                 17.10 
                 160.35 
               
               
                 304.80 
                 222.00 
                 204.09 
                 17.91 
                 167.32 
               
               
                 317.50 
                 233.00 
                 214.20 
                 18.80 
                 174.29 
               
               
                 330.20 
                 243.00 
                 223.40 
                 19.60 
                 181.26 
               
               
                 342.90 
                 253.00 
                 232.59 
                 20.41 
                 188.24 
               
               
                 355.60 
                 264.00 
                 242.71 
                 21.29 
                 195.21 
               
               
                 368.30 
                 274.00 
                 251.90 
                 22.10 
                 202.18 
               
               
                 387.35 
                 289.00 
                 265.69 
                 23.31 
                 212.64 
               
               
                 400.05 
                 300.00 
                 275.80 
                 24.20 
                 219.61 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Below we provide dimensions for a second set of bells in accordance with the disclosure: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Lip diameter 
                   
                 TPH − crown height 
                   
               
               
                 (mm) 
                 TPH (mm) 
                 (mm) 
                 Shoulder diameter (mm) 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 184.15 
                 131.23 
                 120.20 
                 106.14 
               
               
                 190.50 
                 129.00 
                 118.16 
                 109.80 
               
               
                 196.85 
                 134.00 
                 122.75 
                 113.46 
               
               
                 203.20 
                 139.00 
                 127.32 
                 117.12 
               
               
                 209.55 
                 145.00 
                 132.82 
                 120.78 
               
               
                 215.90 
                 150.00 
                 137.40 
                 124.44 
               
               
                 222.25 
                 155.00 
                 141.98 
                 128.10 
               
               
                 228.60 
                 160.00 
                 146.56 
                 131.76 
               
               
                 234.95 
                 165.00 
                 151.14 
                 135.42 
               
               
                 241.30 
                 170.00 
                 155.72 
                 139.08 
               
               
                 254.00 
                 181.00 
                 160.56 
                 139.43 
               
               
                 266.70 
                 190.00 
                 168.55 
                 146.41 
               
               
                 260.35 
                 186.00 
                 164.99 
                 142.92 
               
               
                 273.05 
                 197.00 
                 174.75 
                 149.89 
               
               
                 279.40 
                 206.00 
                 182.74 
                 153.38 
               
               
                 292.10 
                 218.00 
                 193.40 
                 160.35 
               
               
                 298.45 
                 225.00 
                 198.53 
                 163.83 
               
               
                 304.80 
                 232.00 
                 205.83 
                 167.32 
               
               
                 311.15 
                 240.00 
                 212.90 
                 170.81 
               
               
                 317.50 
                 247.00 
                 219.10 
                 174.29 
               
               
                 330.20 
                 260.00 
                 230.64 
                 181.26 
               
               
                 342.90 
                 272.00 
                 241.28 
                 188.24 
               
               
                 349.25 
                 279.99 
                 248.38 
                 191.72 
               
               
                 366.47 
                 296.66 
                 264.02 
                 201.18 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The bells may be designed using CAD software, such as SolidWorks. A design for a bell may be stored as a CAD file. Alternatively, or in addition, a design for a bell may be stored as a PDF file. 
     We also provide a plurality of bells where each of the bells is in accordance with the disclosure. 
     A carillon  1000  may be made in accordance with the present disclosure, as shown in  FIG. 38 . The carillon may include a body  1100  for supporting bells therefrom. The carillon  1000  may include at least one bell in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     The carillon  1000  may also be made in accordance with the present disclosure by including a plurality of bells in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     When used in this specification and claims, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components. 
     The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof. 
     Although certain example embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the appended claims is not intended to be limited solely to these embodiments. The claims are to be construed literally, purposively, and/or to encompass equivalents.