US2195311A - Novelty pendulum mechanism - Google Patents

Description

March 26, 1940.

o. H. HURST 2,195,311

NOVELTY PENDULUM MECHAN I Sll Filed Nov. 27, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor: Orion H. Hurst,

Attorney.

Mqrch 26, 1940. Q H, HURST 2,195,311

NOVELTY PENDULUM MECHANI SM Filed Nov. 27, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.8.

Fig.5. Fig.6.

4 II I Elect r-Lc Toaster Pig/l.

Inventor: Orion H. HUT st i Att ornqy and methods of driving them. from a suitable gas source controlled by a valve It is an object of my invention to provide novel It. and improved toys, advertising devices, and tim- It will be seen that the suspended member or ing devices, particularly such devices with concanopy H consists of sheet material in the form cealed or unobvious driving force. of a cone generated by elements passing through Another object of the invention is to provide the apex of the cone. Since the cone is suspended temperature alarms. with the apex upward, the apex is above the cen- Still another object of my invention is to proter of gravity of the cone and is on the line passvide an improved ratchet device. ing through the center of gravity of the cone and Other and further objects and advantages will the point of suspension, that is, the portion of become apparent as the description proceeds. the knife edge l4 bearing the eye l3.

In accordance with my invention in its pre- It may be necessary to start the operation of Patented Mar. 26, 1940 2,195,311

UNITED'STATES PATENT OFFICE NOVELTY PENDULUM MECHANISM Orion H. Hurst, Morristown, N. J., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application November 27, 1936, Serial No. 113,047

6 Claims. v(c1. 60-9) My invention relates to pendulum mechanisms knife edge l4 above a gas burner l5 supplied ferred form I provide a canopy which is in the the device by deflecting the cone H to either side shape of a hell or an inverted cone and is freely of its equilibrium position by hand. Once the suspended in the air above a source of heat so cone is deflected, however, the upward forces exthat the convection currents strike the canopy. erted thereon by the rising current of air be- Upon starting the canopy in oscillation, the force come unbalanced and the cone is further deof the convection current becomes unbalanced flected with greater and greater force owing to the and causes the canopy to swing further one way fact that one side of the cone presents a greater or the other to a given limit, depending upon the and greater surface to the force of the air and force exerted and, thus, the canopy is maintained the other side presents a smaller and smaller in oscillation. surface. For example, when the cone is deflected The invention may be understood more readily to the left, the horizontal projection of the side from the following detailed description when conl1 becomes progressively greater and departs fursidered in connection with the accompanying ther and further from the pivot center l4 so that drawings, and the features of the invention which the deflecting force increases. The deflecting are believed to be novel and patentable will be force continues to increase until it is overcome pointed out in the claims appended hereto. In by the increasing effect of the force of gravity,

the drawings, Fig. 1 represents one embodiment whereupon the cone ll falls to its middle posiof my invention in which a gas flame-is used as a tion, is carried past the middle position by insource of heat; Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment ertia, and deflects in the other direction until it of my invention taking the form of a novelty deassumes the position Hi. If the gas flame I9 vice or toy and also illustrates the use of my inissuing from the burner I5 is turned up, the amvention as a temperature alarm; Fig. 3 illustrates plitude of the oscillations of the cone I l increases, 5

an embodiment of the invention taking the form whereas, if the gas flame I9 is turned down, the

of a timing device for an electric toaster; Fig. 4 amplitude decreases. The apparatus thus afillustrates another embodiment of the invention fords not merely a novel and somewhat mystifyserving as a clock; Figs. 5 and 6 are aside view ing arrangement for producing oscillations but and a front view, respectively, of a magnetic also provides an arrangement for controlling the (0 ratchet device which may be employed in conamplitude of the oscillations. It will be undernection with the embodiments of Figs. 3 and 4 stood that suitable sizes and arrangements of and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the pendent parts will suggest themselves to those skilled in cone shown in the other figures. Like reference the art according to the equipment at hand and characters are utilized throughout the drawing the purpose for which the apparatus is to be used.

to designate like parts. Although satisfactory operation may be obtained Referring now more in detail to Fig. 1 reprenotwithstanding substantial variations in proporsenting a simple form of the invention by way tion, for the sake of illustration, I shall state cerof illustration, there is a canopy or inverted cone tain specific values which I have found to proll (shown in perspective in Figure 7), open at duce successful operation. In the arrangement of 5 0. the bottom l2, and preferably composed of rela- Fig. 1 the canopy H may be conical in shape with tively light material, such as paper, parchment, an altitude of 2 inches and a base diameter of or other suitable material of sufficient lightness 4 inches and the gas burner I5 may be one of the and stiffness. The canopy l is pivotally sussize most commonly used in ordinary household pended by means of an eye l3, resting upon a gas ranges. When such a canopy was suspended i about a foot above the gas burner an amplitude of swing of at least 30 degrees was maintained with the gas turned down to the lowest point at which it would continue burning. Since a pendulum tends to oscillate with the same time period with small changes of amplitude, the device may also be used as a timing device or as the driving element of a clock.

In Fig. 2, I have illustrated the use of the oscillating canopy in connection with a toy or novelty advertising device in which a teeter 20, a swing, or other similar toy, carrying two figures 2| and 22 attached to the suspended canopy H, is kept in oscillation by a concealed heat source 23 which may take the form of an electric heater under a plate 24 flush with the floor 25 of a show case or counter. It will be understood, of course, that the teeter 28 and the figures 2| and 22 are preferably of extremely light construction such as Celluloid or other hollow ware.

In order to provide an alarm in case of overheating of the coil 23, a limit stop 26 is provided, which consists of a lever pivoted at 27 carrying a bell clapper 28 co-operating with an alarm bell 29. When the temperature of the heater 23 or the heat produced thereby exceeds a predetermined value, the arnplitude of oscillation of the cone it becomes so great that the limit stop 26 is struck by the teeter 20, causing the clapper 28 to strike the bell 29 and give the alarm. If desired, an electrical temperature or heat alarm may be utilized, in which case, a source of current 38 and a current-responsive device or relay iii are provided which are so connected to the clapper 28 and the bell 29 that an electrical circuit is closed through the relay 3! when the clapper 28 strikes the bell 29.

In Fig. 3, there is shown an electric toaster 32, which is energized by currentsource 33. A pivotally suspended cone H, similar to those illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, is hung above the toaster 32 so as to be caused to oscillate by the heat produced by the toaster. A ratchet 34 is attached to the cone ii and a ratchet wheel 35 co-operating therewith is provided so that the oscillation of the cone ii causes progressive rotation of the ratchet wheel 35. A switch 36 in series with the current source 33 and the toaster 32 is also provided, having a stationary contact 31 and a movable contact 38. The movable contact 38 is mechanically connected to the ratchet wheel 35 by suitable gearing so that the contact 38 is rotated in a clockwise direction at a uniform rate and, after a predetermined time interval, rides off the ends of the stationary contact 3'! so as to open the electrical circuit of the toaster 32. It will be understood that the apparatus is so adjusted that the current to the toaster '32 is cut off after a time interval corresponding to that required to toast bread in the toaster the desired amount. It will also be understood that the construction is made as light and as low in friction as possible. If desired, a relay may be employed for breaking the toaster circuit in order to lighten the construction of the switch 36.

In the arrangement of Fig. 4, an electric lamp 39 serves as the source of heat and may be energized by either alternating or direct current. The ratchet wheel 35, which is similar to that described in connection with Fig. 3, is connected by means of suitable clockwork gearing 40 to the hour hand 4| and the minute hand 42, respectively, of a clock. The apparatus of Fig. 4 thus serves as a simple clock which may be driven by either alternating current or direct current and,

while obviously not of a high degree of accuracy, will keep time with fair accuracy owing to the tendency of the pendulum cone H to oscillate with a uniform time period. The apparatus is also of interest for advertising purposes as it provides a timekeeping mechanism with a driving force which will not readily be apparent even to persons of some scientific knowledge. It thus serves to attract attention for advertising purposes.

Although I have shown mechanical ratchets in the embodiments of Figs. 3 and 4, it will be understood that my invention is not limited to the precise construction shown therein. For example, if desired, a magnetic ratchet may be employed for converting the oscillatory motion of the cone I I into rotary motion. The magnetic ratchet device of Figs. and 6 is relatively uncritical in amplitude factor so that it will cause the rotary element to advance one pitch at each swing of the cone even though the amplitude of the swing of the latter should vary within reasonable limits.

When employing the form of magnetic ratchet device shown, the cone H is mounted on a freely rotatable shaft 43, and the shaft 43 also carries a U-shaped permanent magnet 44 having pole pieces or polarized portions 45. Any suitable mounting arrangement may be employed for making the shaft 43 freely rotatable, that is, for obtaining relatively low friction. For example, the ends of the shaft 43 may be formed as hardened conical pivots cooperating with jewel bearings 43". A magnetic ratchet wheel 46 is provided, which is mounted on a rotatable shaft 4'! and includes a plurality of spokes or pole pieces 48. To avoid confusion in the drawings, eight pole pieces 48 are shown but preferably I employ a ratchet wheel with sixteen or more such pole pieces in order to obtain satisfactory operation with relatively small amplitude of swing of the cone H. The ratchet wheel 46 is composed of magnetizable material, such as soft iron, and is so mounted that the pole pieces 48 may rotate through the zone of influence of the pole pieces 45 of the permanent magnet 44 as the latter oscillates. There is also a stationary U-shaped permanent magnet 49 so mounted that the pole pieces 48 pass through the zone of influence of the magnet 49 as the ratchet wheel 46 rotates. However, the relative strengths and mounting positions of the magnets are such that the attraction of the magnet 49 is weaker than that of the magnet 44 when the magnet 44 is in the right-hand position 50 shown in full lines in Fig.

6 and is stronger than the attraction of the magnet 44 when the latter magnet is in the left-hand position 5| shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6.

As the cone II and the permanent magnet 44 oscillate, the pole portions 45 of magnet 44 intermittently approach one of the pole pieces 48 of the ratchet wheel 46. Upon reaching the position 5|] shown in Fig. 6, the magnet 44 attracts one of the pole pieces 48 and, during the return swing to the left, the ratchet wheel 46 is caused to rotate, the attraction of the stationary magnet 49 being overcome. However, after the magnet 44 has traveled through an angle corresponding to approximately a half pole pitch of the ratchet wheel 46, the attraction between the magnet 44 and the nearest pole piece 48 becomes relatively weak and further rotation of the ratchet wheel 46 is then produced by momentum and by the attraction of the permanent magnet 49 for one of the approaching pole pieces 48 until the approaching pole piece has reached its closest position to the stationary magnet 48. The ratchet wheel 48 then remains in the same position during the next right-hand swing of the permanent magnet 44 until after the extreme 0 certain embodiments of my invention and certain methods of operation embraced therein for the purpose of explaining its principle and showing its application, but it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations are possible and I aim, therefore, to {cover all such modifications and variations as tall within the scope of my invention which is delined in the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by 20 Letters Patent oi the United States is:

1. In a horologlcal device, a pendular mechanism including a hollow cone freely suspended to allow oscillation, a heating device below said cone for causing convection currents to flow upward against said cone and oscillate it, and mechanism a for converting oscillation of said pendular mechanism into rotary motion.

2. In combination an electrical heating device with a supply circuit including a movable switch normally continuously closed during operation of the device, a convection motor supported above the heating device so as to be actuated by convection currents rising Irom said device, and an operative connection between said motor and switch for moving the switch to an open position in response to operation of said motor.

3. A supply circuit for an electric heating device and a convection motor adapted to be supported above the position in which a device may 0 be electrically connected to the supply circuit so that the motor is actuated by convection currents rising from the device, said circuit including a movable switch normally continuosly closed during operation of a device connected to the circuit and having an operative connection to said motor for being moved to open position in response to operation 01 the motor.

4. A temperature alarm comprising in combination, a source of heat placed in the open so as to cause convection currents to rise therefrom, a pendular mechanism including a suspended hollow cone pivotally mounted above said source of heat and capable oi. being oscillated by such convection currents, and an alarm so located as to be operated by said pendular mechanism when oscil- I lation thereof exceeds a predetermined angle.

5. In combination a suspended member comprising sheet material in a form generated by elements passing through a point which is above the center of gravity of the member and is on a line through the point of suspension and the center oi. gravity of the member, said suspended member being capable of being oscillated by convection currents, a heat producing device located under said member for causing convection currents to flow upward against said member and a motion responsive device so located as to be operated by said suspended member when oscillation thereof exceeds a predetermined angle.

6. In combination a hollow suspended member comprising sheet material formed with a broad open base downward and a relatively narrow apex, said suspended member being capable of being oscillated by convection currents, a heat producing device located under said member causing convection currents to flow upward against said member and a motion responsive device so located as to be operatedby said suspended member when oscillation thereoi exceeds a predetermined angle.

ORION H. BURST.

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