U.S. patent number 3,803,735 [Application Number 05/265,950] was granted by the patent office on 1974-04-16 for escapement mechanism.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Kohner Bros., Inc.. Invention is credited to Albert Stubbmann.
United States Patent |
3,803,735 |
Stubbmann |
* April 16, 1974 |
ESCAPEMENT MECHANISM
Abstract
A driven mobile having a plug secured to a first shaft with a
plurality of arms radially extending from the plug. Objects of
interest are secured to each arm and means is provided for allowing
each object to oscillate about the arm to which it is attached as
said first shaft is rotated. A spring motor is provided for
supplying energy for rotating the first shaft. An escapement
mechanism controls the rotation of the first shaft and includes a
tube that is rotatable in conjunction with the first shaft. The
tube is enclosed at its ends and has a pair of magnets therein. The
magnets have their south poles facing each other with the north
poles diametrically opposed to each other. The magnets can move
within the tube. A lever is positioned adjacent the tube bottom
when the tube is vertical, is rotatable about an axis to a vertical
position and includes a stop. The stop prevents rotation of the
tube when the lever is in the vertical position. A magnetic means
biases the lever to the vertical position. If the tube is in a
vertical position with the magnets therein at the top of the tube,
the lever will be in a vertical position as a result of the
magnetic biasing means and the stop will prevent rotation of the
tube. The magnets in the tube will descend to the bottom of the
tube under the influence of gravity and the bottommost magnet
overcomes the magnetic biasing means and any frictional forces and
causes the lever to be moved out of its vertical position.
Consequently, the tube and first shaft are free to rotate. After
the tube is rotated a few degrees, the magnetic biasing means then
moves the lever to a vertical position and the cycle is again
repeated after the tube has come to a vertical position.
Inventors: |
Stubbmann; Albert (Franklin
Lakes, NJ) |
Assignee: |
Kohner Bros., Inc. (East
Paterson, NJ)
|
[*] Notice: |
The portion of the term of this patent
subsequent to October 17, 1989 has been disclaimed. |
Family
ID: |
26820547 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/265,950 |
Filed: |
June 23, 1972 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
122471 |
Mar 9, 1971 |
3698252 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
40/414; 40/617;
446/236; 968/386; 40/473; 446/129; 446/484; 968/95 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F
19/12 (20130101); G04B 15/00 (20130101); G04B
45/0038 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G09F
19/12 (20060101); G04B 15/00 (20060101); G04B
45/00 (20060101); G09f 011/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;46/32,47,236-242,64-65
;40/33,34,54-55,68,71 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Michell; Robert W.
Assistant Examiner: Heinz; A. J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hubbard; C. Garman Struzzi; Bruno
P. Newby; Howard J.
Parent Case Text
This is a division of application Ser. No. 122,471 filed Mar. 9,
1971 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,698,252.
Claims
Having thus described the invention there is claimed as new and
desired to be secured by Letters Patent:
1. A driven mobile comprising:
1. an object of interest,
2. means rotatable about an axis, means mounting said object of
interest on said means for rotation therewith,
3. a motor,
4. means connecting said motor to said rotatable means to rotate
said rotatable means about said axis and
5. means for intermittently stopping said connecting means, said
means for intermittently stopping said connecting means
comprising;
a. a container drivenly rotatable with said rotatable means,
b. a pair of magnets received within said container with like poles
of each magnet facing the other magnet,
c. means for allowing said magnets to move together relative to
said container,
d. a stop movable to a first position where it prevents rotation of
said container and movable away from the first position,
e. means for moving said stop to the first position and away from
the first position after the container has been stopped for more
than a pre-determined amount of time, said stop moving means
including a third magnet fixed relative to said stop and for moving
said stop, said third magnet positioned so that if either magnet in
the container is adjacent said third magnet, said third magnet is
repelled, thereby moving said stop from the first position.
2. A driven mobile according to claim 1 wherein an L-shaped arm
extends from said rotatable means to said object of interest with
said object of interest mounted on the shorter segment of the
L-shaped arm and means for oscillating said object of interest
about the shorter segment, said oscillating means comprising:
a. a cylindrical bearing member freely rotatable about the shorter
segment of the L-shaped arm and passed through the object of
interest at a point in the object spaced from the center of gravity
of the object of interest,
b. an element rotatable with said object of interest, and
c. a locking link secured to said element whereby when said element
is rotated said locking link will contact the longer segment of
said L-shaped arm to prevent rotation of said object of
interest.
3. A driven mobile according to claim 1 further including a lever,
means about which said lever can rotate, said stop fixed to said
lever and said third magnet secured to said lever.
4. A driven mobile according to claim 1 whereinin said motor is
electrically operated.
5. A driven mobile according to claim 1 further including a lever,
said stop being positioned on said lever, siad third magnet on said
lever adjacent said stop and having its polarity arranged so as to
be repelled by either magnet in the container which is adjacent the
stop, a counterweight on said lever, said lever having a pivot
point with said counterweight urging said lever to a location with
the stop at the first position and the repulsion between either
magnet in the tube and the magnet on the lever sufficient to
overcome the counterweight and any frictional forces to move said
lever to a location with the stop away from the first position.
6. A driven mobile according to claim 1 wherein said stop moving
means further includes means for urging said stop to the first
position and keeping said stop in the first position except when
either of said pair of magnets is adjacent said third magnet at
which times said stop is urged away from the first position.
7. A driven mobile according to claim 6 wherein said urging means
includes a fourth magnet, said fourth magnet positioned and having
its polarity arranged so as to bias the third magnet in a direction
such that the stop will be in the first position.
8. A driven mobile according to claim 6 wherein said container is a
closed-end tube, said pair of magnets being in the interior of said
tube and said means for allowing said magnets to move together
relative to said container including a viscous liquid within said
tube, said magnets being of a slightly smaller cross-section than
the inside cross-section of said tube.
9. A driven mobile according to claim 8 further including means for
urging the magnets in the tube to a position adjacent the stop when
the stop halts rotation of the tube.
10. A driven mobile according to claim 8 further including a
housing, a first shaft journalled to said housing and said tube
rotatable therewith, a second shaft journalled to said housing,
first and second gears with said gears secured to said first and
second shafts respectively and in mesh with each other, a third
shaft, said rotatable means rotatable with said second shaft, a
third and fourth gear, said third gear rotatable with said third
shaft and said fourth gear rotatable with said second shaft with
said third and fourth gears in engagement with each other, said
third shaft connected to said motor.
11. A driven mobile according to claim 10 wherein the first shaft
journalled to said housing is normally inclined with respect to a
horizontal datum.
12. A driven mobile according to claim 10 wherein a plurality of
radial extensions are secured to said first shaft and at least one
object of interest secured to each radial extension and movable
with respect thereto.
13. A driven mobile according to claim 10 wherein the first shaft
is inclined with respect to a horizontal reference line and a
plurality of radial extensions are secured to said shaft and at
least one object of interest secured to each radial extension and
movable with respect thereto.
14. A driven mobile according to claim 13 wherein means are
provided for varying the angle the shaft makes with respect to the
horizontal reference line.
15. A driven mobile according to claim 13 further including means
for allowing each object of interest secured to a radial extension
to rotate about an axis parallel to said horizontal shaft.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
Mobile having novel drive means
2. Description of the Prior Art
Driven mobiles have been known and used for many years for
entertaining babies and young children. As an example, one type of
prior art mobile included a plurality of attention getting objects
which were suspended from a canopy. The canopy was secured to a
side of a crib by clamping means so as to be generally horizontal
and a driving means was provided for continually rotating the
canopy and the objects suspended therefrom. Usually the objects
were shaped to simulate different animals such as elephants,
tigers, etc. However, quite frequently the continued rotation of
the objects of interest about an axis of rotation did not maintain
the babies or young child's interest for longer than a few minutes
as the continued rotation rapidly became monotonous. Other types of
mobiles were of course known as will be apparent to those
knowledgeable in the art.
Many prior art driven mobiles included a spring wound motor for
supplying the driving force for the mobile. Typically, many of
these motors included a winding key which upon being rotated
supplied energy to a spring that in turn drove the mobile. However,
with most prior art driven mobiles the mobile was driven
continuously by the motor for only a very short period of time,
e.g., a few minutes, after which rewinding of the key was required
to continue operation of the mobile. This was undesireable since
one of the objects of a mobile is to maintain the child's interest
for a long period of time without the need for adult attention and
the few minutes most prior art mobiles were able to run
continuously for made the mobile unsuitable for this intended
purpose.
Still another disadvantage of many prior art driven mobiles of the
type hereinabove described was that once the mobile had been
attached to a crib or some other similar item of baby furniture at
a particular location thereon it was difficult to vary the
orientation of the mobile at the location in an attempt to obtain
the orientation which would maximize the interest of a baby or
young child in the mobile.
Some prior art mobiles had sound producing means which often was a
music box that was separate from the mobile. Usually the music box
had its own drive means which generally comprised a spring motor
that was wound and which, like the moible, ran for a few minutes
during which time music was provided and then stopped running. As
with the mobile itself, the limited amount of time which the music
box could be played for continuously upon a single winding
detracted from its ability to assist in entertaining a baby or
young child.
Many of the prior art mobiles that had a spring motor as the
driving means included some sort of governor to regulate the speed
of the mobile. However, the governor in no way protracted the
running of the mobile after the spring motor therefor had been
wound.
It is readily apparent that if a driven mobile could be provided
which upon receiving a given input of energy would operate for a
substantial period of time it would find widespread popularity.
Additionally, if audio means such a a music box, chime, bell etc.,
could intermittently play for the duration of the mobile running
time this would further enhance the value of the mobile.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an
improved driven mobile.
More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to
provide an improved driven mobile which can be run for a
substantial continuous period of time without the need for any
attention.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an
improved driven mobile having a plurality of attention getting
objects which are rotated about a common axis of rotation with each
object having an axis about which it can be oscillated.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a
driven mobile having at least one attention getting object and a
music box with there being means for rotating in increments the
object about an axis periodically throughout a substantial period
of time and for playing the music box intermittently during the
substantial period of time.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a
driven mobile which can be driven for discrete periods of time
throughout a substantial continuous total period of time and
intermittently produce a pleasing audio signal throughout said
total period of time.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a
driven mobile of the type herein described wherein the mobile can
be secured in a number of positions on an object such as a crib,
etc., and placed in a plurality of different orientations at each
position so that an orientation can be selected at each position
which will maximize the interest of an infant or young child in the
mobile.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an
escapement mechanism for a mobile wherein the escapement mechanism
insures that drive means for the mobile will drive the mobile
periodically during the substantial continuous period of time for
each input of energy to the drive means.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved
general utility escapement mechanism.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an
escapement mechanism which can be used in a driven mobile as
hereinabove set forth and which also has general utility.
Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, the foregoing
and other objects are achieved by a driven mobile having a
plurality of arms which are fixed relative to a first shaft and
rotatable therewith. The free ends of each of said arms are bent
perpendicularly to the rest of said arms and an object of interest
is secured to the bent end of each of said arms. The object of
interest can be a simulated elephant, a simulated tiger, a
simulated horse, etc. Means is provided for allowing each object of
interest to oscillate about the bent portion of the arm to which it
is secured as the arm is rotated with the shaft.
A drive means is provided for periodically rotating the shaft and
includes a spring driven motor. The spring driven motor rotates a
second shaft which is secured to a portion of the mobile housing. A
first pair of step up engaged gears are secured to the first and
second shafts to rotate the shafts together with the first shaft,
as a result of the step up gears rotating faster than the second
shaft. A second pair of step up engaged gears is provided and one
gear thereof is rotatable with a third shaft and the other with the
first shaft, with the third shaft, as a result of the step up
gears, rotating faster than the first shaft. An escapement
mechanism controls the rotation of said third shaft and hence that
of said first and second shafts.
The escapement mechanism includes a tube which is closed at opposed
ends and fixed to said third shaft. Located in said tube are a pair
of magnets which are separated from each other by a non-magnetic
spacer. The magnets are arranged so that identical poles such as
the south poles are positioned adjacent the spacer with the north
poles of said magnets being diametrically opposed to each other.
Preferably, the magnets and the spacer are all of the same
cross-section which is slightly smaller than the cross-section of
the inside of the tube. A low viscousity fluid such as water or
mineral oil is located in the tube for a purpose that will soon be
apparent.
Secured to the mobile housing in a position that is adjacent the
bottom of the tube when the tube is in a vertical position is a
lever which is rotatable about a horizontal axis to a vertical
position. The lever includes a stop and when the lever is vertical
the stop is in the path of rotation of the tube to prevent any
rotation thereof. The lever at its uppermost portion includes a
magnet having two faces with the face of the magnet closest to the
tube being the north pole and the other face of said magnet being
the south pole. Attached to the mobile housing is a further magnet
which is in registry with the magnet located on the lever when the
lever is vertical and has its south pole facing and adjacent the
south pole of the magnet located on the lever.
As a result of the above arrangement the lever is biased to pivot
about its rotational axis so that its magnet moves as far away from
the magnet on said housing and means is provided for limiting the
rotation of the lever to a vertical position.
In operation, when the spring motor is wound there will be a torque
applied to the second shaft which will tend to rotate the gear
secured thereto. This in turn will apply a driving force to the
gear on the first shaft which is in engagement with the gear on the
second shaft. However one of the gears on the first shaft is in
engagement with a gear on the third shaft. The third shaft cannot
rotate unless the tube which is rotatable therewith is free to
rotate. Assuming that the tube is in a vertical position with the
spaced apart magnets therein near the then top of the tube it can
be seen that the tube and hence the third shaft and other shafts
will not be able to rotate. This is because the magnet on the lever
will be urged away from the magnet on the housing so that the lever
will be in a vertical position and the stop thereon will prevent
the tube from rotating. The spaced-apart magnets within the tube
will slowly descend to the bottom of said tube under the force of
gravity with some of the fluid within the tube moving along the
sides of the magnets and the spacer upwardly during this downward
descent. The fluid within the tube controls the rate of descent of
the magnets and a dash pot effect is created.
When the downward descent is finished the north pole of the
bottommost magnet in the tube will be in contact with the bottom of
the tube and will repel the north pole of the magnet on the lever
and the lever will pivot in a direction away from the tube so that
the stop is no longer preventing the tube from rotating. It is to
be appreciated that the moment on the lever from the magnetic
repulsion between the south poles of the magnets on the lever and
on the housing and the frictional force between the stop and tube
is less than the moment on the lever from the repulsion between the
north pole of the magnet carried by the lever and the north pole of
the magnet in the tube that is at the then bottom of the tube and
which urges the lever away from the vertical position.
Consequently, as a result of the above described arrangement of
parts, the lever no longer is positioned so that its stop halts
rotation of the tube and the tube is free to rotate. The three
shafts can now rotate under the influence of the spring motor. This
results in the arms which are secured relative to said first shaft
rotating. Each of the objects of interest in turn oscillates about
the end of the arm to which it is attached with, as mentioned
above, means being attached to each object to prevent said object
from making a complete rotation about the end of the arm but merely
oscillating about said end. As soon as the tube is rotated a few
degrees as a result of the rotation of said shafts, the magnet
which was at the bottom of the tube previously will no longer be
positioned adjacent the lever and the repulsion between the magnet
on the housing and the magnet on the lever will move the lever to
the vertical position so that its stop will prevent the tube from
rotating further when the tube again comes to a vertical position
after it has rotated 180.degree.. At this time, rotation of the
three shafts will be stopped and the cycle again repeated.
If desired, means can be provided for intermittently sounding a
chime while the mobile is operating. This can be done by having
pins rotate in conjunction with the second shaft. Preferably four
pins are utilized, attached to the motor and are symmetrically
positioned about the axis of rotation of the second shaft. Guide
pins are secured to the mobile housing and a frame member having
internal slots is positioned with the guide pins extending through
said slots. Means is provided for elevating and lowering the frame
member for ninety degrees of rotation of the second shaft. Attached
to the frame member is a chime striker and positioned beneath said
chime striker and secured to said housing is a chime bar. Each time
the frame member is elevated and lowered, the chime striker hits
the chime bar to produce a sound.
In an alternate embodiment of the present invention a music box is
secured to the mobile housing. The music box has a lever which when
elevated allows said music box to play and which when horizontal or
in its normal position prevents the music box from being played.
Means is provided foor elevating and lowering a frame member for
ninety degrees of rotation of the second shaft and the music box
lever is actuated by the frame. Thus, when the frame is lifted the
music box plays and when the frame is in its lower position the
music box does not play.
These and various other objects and advantages of this invention
will become apparent to the reader in the following
description.
This invention accordingly consists in the features of
construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts
which will be exemplified in the device hereinafter described and
of which the scope of application will be indicated in the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a front plan view of an embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the structure shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a rear view of the structure shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a partially broken rear plan view showing the escapement
mechanism and chime structure of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a partially broken left view of the escapement mechanism
and spring motor drive;
FIG. 6 is a right side partially broken right view of a portion of
the escapement structure;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the spring motor and
winding means therefor;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged front view of the ratchet shown in FIG.
7;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the stop shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 10 is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the
present invention;
FIGS. 11 and 12 are front plan views showing the means for
preventing each sheave for the spring motor from being rotated when
nearly all the strip of spring material has been placed on other
sheave;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing how the embodiment of the
present invention can be utilized on a child's crib;
FIG. 14 is a side view of an alternate method of securing the
mobile to a crib;
FIG. 15 is a sectional view of an alternate intermittent motion
mechanism of the present invention; and
FIG. 16 is a side view of an alternate method of securing the
mobile to a crib.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings an embodiment of the present invention
is illustrated and includes a housing 10 having a front wall 10a
and a panel on wall 10a which while being shown as having a
particular shape could obviously be of any configuration. Secured
to rear wall 10b of housing 10 is cover 13 with the cover only
shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 and FIG. 16 so that the details of the
present invention are readily apparent. A hub 14 is secured for
rotation relative to panel 12 as will hereinafter be described and
arms 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 are radially secured to hub 14
symmetrically about the periphery of said hub. The hub may be made
of plastic or any other material as will be apparent to those
skilled in the art while the arms may be made of any ferrous
material or for that matter of any other material which has good
rigidity and a long service life. Arms 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 are
identical to each other and accordingly a description of one arm
will suffice for an understanding of the present invention.
Arm 18 is L-shaped and includes a longer leg 18a and a shorter leg
18b which extends perpendicularly from the free end of leg 18a in a
direction so as to be pointed away from panel 12 and perpendicular
thereto. Rotatable about leg 18b is a cylindrical bearing member 26
which is selected to be of a size so that it is freely rotatable
about leg 18b and means is provided for preventing said member from
sliding axially along the leg and off the free end thereof. These
means can be conventional as will be apparent to those skilled in
the art.
Secured to the rear of bearing member 26 is an arm 26b which is
perpendicular to the bearing member. A locking link 26c extends
from the end of arm 26b which is not attached to bearing member 26,
is perpendicular to arm 26b and extends rearwardly away therefrom
for a reason which will soon be apparent. Secured to and rotatable
with bearing member 26 is an object of interest 28 which could be a
simulation of an animal, of a person, etc. It is to be appreciated
while certain objects of interest are shown in the drawings and
while five arms are shown to which said objects are attached that
any number of arms could be utilized and any different objects of
interest could be attached to said arms. The means of securing the
object of interest to the bearing member includes passing the
bearing member through the object of interest at a point in the
object spaced from its center of gravity.
As can be seen in FIG. 2 clamping means 32 is attached to the rear
of housing 10 at the bottom thereof for attaching the housing to a
crib footboard (see FIG. 13) or some other furniture item. The
clamping structure is shown and designed so as to be able to clamp
the mobile to a piece of furniture at a given location and at
different orientations at the location. The clamping means may be
conventional as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Preferably the clamping means is arranged in a manner such that the
axis of rotation of the hub tilts downward at a slight angle, e.g.,
30.degree. to the vertical, whereby the toy squarely faces an
infant lying in the crib.
As can be seen in the FIGS. a spring motor 34 is provided for
rotating the mobile of the present invention. Spring motor 34 can
be conventional and preferably is a constant torque motor such as
the HUNTER NEGATOR produced by Hunter Spring of Hatfield,
Pennsylvania which is described herein. Of course, other types
could be used if desired. Spring motor 34 includes an upper sheave
36 and a lower sheave 38 with both sheaves adjacent wall 10b and
outside housing 10. Sheave 36 is rotatable about a shaft 40 which
is suitably journalled between opposed side walls 10a and 10b of
housing 10. Sheave 38 is rotatable counter-clockwise (as viewed in
FIG. 4) with a shaft 41 which is suitably journalled between the
opposed walls of housing 10. The manner of rotating sheave 38 in a
clockwise direction about the shaft 41 will hereinafter be
described. A thin strip of material 44, such as a strip of steel,
is stressed to the form of a tight spiral coil with its end secured
in reverse curvature to sheaves 36 and 38. Rotatable with sheave 38
are pins 46, 48, 50 and 52 at 90.degree. increments about the
periphery of the sheave on the back thereof. The pins all have
one-way cammed ends for a reason soon to be apparent. Sheave 38
includes a notch 38a in its base and a pawl 53 is pivotable about
an axis defined by a pin 56 which is secured to housing 10. The
pawl is biased toward the sheave by a hair pin spring 58. The notch
and pawl are arranged so that when the pawl contacts the base of
the sheave and engages the notch therein which occurs when only the
terminal portion of the stressed strip is wound thereon the sheeve
38 cannot rotate in a counter-clockwise direction. In a similar
fashion a pawl 60 is pivotable about a pin 62 which is secured to
housing 10 and a hair pin spring 64 biases pawl 62 into contact
with a notch in the base of sheave 36 so that when the pawl 62 is
engaged in the notch the sheave cannot rotate counter-clockwise.
Material 44 is stressed so that if both sheaves are free to rotate
the material will wind itself about sheave 36 and in so doing will
drive the sheave 38 in a counter-clockwise direction.
A gear 66 is keyed to shaft 41 or is otherwise secured to the shaft
so as to be rotatable therewith and spacer 68, prevents the gear
from moving axially. A shaft 70 is journalled between walls 10a and
10b of housing 10 and secured thereto is a gear 72 which has a
smaller diameter than gear 66 and is in engagement therewith. Also
rotatable with shaft 70 is a gear 80 and spacers 82 and 83 prevent
gears 72 and 80 from moving axially. If desired, gears 72 and 80
may be made integral with each other. Another shaft 84 is
journalled between walls 10a and 10b and a gear 86 is secured
thereto. Gear 86 is smaller than gear 80 and is in mesh therewith
and spacers 88 are provided on shaft 84 to prevent gear 86 from
moving axially.
The means for energizing motor 34 can best be seen in FIG. 7 and
includes a key 90. Key 90 may be made of plastic, metal or any
other material and includes a hollow central portion 90a. Portion
41a of shaft 41 extends partway through the hollow central portion
of key 90 and is joined to a smaller diameter shaft 92. A sleeve
100 is secured to key 90 at the hollow central portion 90a and
includes an annular wall 100a with shaft 92 extending therethrough
and slightly past key 90. A washer 94 surrounds the rightmost end
of shaft 92 as viewed in FIG. 7 and a nut 96 is placed in
engagement with the threaded end of shaft 92 to hold said washer in
place. The washer is large enough to prevent a spring 98, which
contacts annular wall 100a, from expanding through the right end of
hollow central portion 90a.
Secured to sleeve 100 is sheave 38 as well as a stop 102. As can be
seen in FIG. 9 stop 102 has an S configuration, is made of spring
steel and has bent fingers 102a and 102b at the ends thereof. The
fingers are for a purpose that will soon be readily apparent.
Secured to shaft 41 is a ratchet 104 which includes a series of
raised teeth for a reason that will soon be apparent. Shaft 70
extends through panel 12 and hub 14 is rotatable therewith.
Rotatable with shaft 84 is a tube 106 which may be made of any
suitable non-magnetic material such as plastic. The means for
securing tube 106 to shaft 84 can be conventional such as the
cradle shown in the drawings. Tube 106 is closed at its opposite
ends and located therein are magnets 108 and 110 which are attached
to a non-magnetic spacer 112 and jointly constitute a plunger.
Magnets 108 and 110 are arranged to have their south poles facing
each other and their north poles facing toward the ends of tube
106. The magnets preferably are of equal strength. Magnets 108, 110
and spacer 112 are of the same cross-section which is slightly
smaller than the cross-section defined by the inside surface of
tube 106. Located within tube 106 is a viscous fluid such as water,
mineral oil, etc., and the spacer and magnets can slide from one
end of the tube to the other as will hereinafter be described.
Secured to housing wall 10b is a magnet 114 which has its south
pole facing tube 106. Magnet 114 as well as magnets 106 and 108 and
the other magnets which will hereinafter be described may be
conventional ceramic magnets or other types of magnets as will be
apparent to those who are skilled in the art. Extending from wall
10b and flanking magnet 114 are triangularly shaped supports 116
and 118 (FIGS. 5 and 6). Secured to the free end of the base of
supports 116 and 118 is a pin 120. Rotatable about pin 120 is a
lever 122 which includes a stop 124 at one edge thereof. A magnet
126 is positioned on lever 122 and extends therethrough and has its
south pole facing the south pole of magnet 114. A pin 127 is
provided on support 116 for limiting the rotation of lever 122 away
from wall 10b to a vertical position. Lever 122 is positioned such
that when the lever is in the vertical position shown in FIG. 5 the
stop thereon will prevent rotation of tube 106 with said tube
vertical and the magnet 126 will be positioned adjacent the bottom
of said tube and in registry with magnet 114. The strength of the
magnets is selected so that when the magnets within tube 106 are in
the position shown in FIG. 6 the moment resulting from the
repulsion between the south pole of magnet 114 and the south pole
of magnet 126 and the frictional force between tube 106 and stop
124 with the tube urged to rotate by the action of the spring motor
which biases the lever to a vertical position is less than the
moment from the repulsion between the bottom face of the bottom
magnet within tube 106 and the north pole of magnet 126 which urges
the lever away from the vertical position.
The operation of the embodiment of the invention as just described
is as follows. Key 90 is wound in a clockwise direction and as the
key is rotated sleeve 100 rotates therewith rotating stop 102 in
unison therewith. The ends of the stop slide over the raised teeth
of ratchet 104. The ratchet teeth and the ends of the stop mutually
shaped so that the stop may move clockwise relative to the ratchet
but not counter-clockwise relative thereto. Thus it can be seen
that the ratchet and stop prevent the key from being unwound unless
shaft 41 rotates.
Rotation of the key results in sheave 38 rotating in a clockwise
direction viewing the sheave from the back as seen in FIG. 4. This
results in the stressed material 44 being unwound from sheave 36
which rotates in a counter-clockwise direction and wound about
sheave 38. Continued rotation of the key 90 results in greater
quantities of material 44 being wound about sheave 38. When the
strip of material 44 has been almost entirely unwound from sheave
36 and placed about sheave 38 pawl 60 engages with the notch on the
periphery of the base of sheave 36 (FIG. 12) to prevent further
rotation of sheave 36. This insures that strip of material 44 will
not be pulled loose from sheave 36 under the influence of key 90
rotating sheave 38.
The spring motor is now supplied with energy and it is assumed for
purposes of illustration that tube 106 is in a vertical position
with magnets 108 and 110 at the then top of the tube and lever 122
positioned so stop 124 prevents rotation of the tube with magnet
126 maintaining lever 122 in the position where the stop prevents
rotation of the tube. The magnets in tube 106 slowly descend under
the influence of gravity with some of the liquid therein moving
from the bottom to the top of the tube until the bottommost magnet
reaches the bottom of tube 106. The moment on the lever urging it
away from the vertical position resulting from the repulsion
between the magnet at the bottom of tube 106 and magnet 126 is
greater than the moment on the lever urging it to a vertical
position resulting from the repulsion between magnet 126 and 114
and the frictional force between tube 106 and stop 124. As a
result, lever 122 is pivoted about its pivot point to the position
seen in FIG. 6 so that stop 124 is no longer impeding rotation of
tube 106. Consequently, tube 106 is free to rotate as are shafts
84, 70, 41 and 40 which results in hub 14 rotating. The rotation of
hub 14 rotates arms 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24.
As hub 14 rotates each object of interest remains vertical (erect)
so that locking link 26c rotates relative to the leg 18b until link
26c strikes leg 18b at which time the object stops turning relative
to leg 18b. The object loses its erect stance when its center of
gravity passes over the axis of leg 18b and swings to an erect
position and while so doing oscillates a few times to the enjoyment
of an observer. The other objects of interest operate in a similar
manner.
When tube 106 rotates out of its vertical position the repulsive
forces between magnets 126 and 114 bring the lever 122 to a
vertical position ready to stop tube 106 at the end of the next
180.degree. of rotation. Thus continued rotation of tube 106 to a
vertical position brings the tube in contact with stop 124 with the
magnets at the top of the tube and the cycle can again be
repeated.
If desired, the stop arrangement could be shifted from the position
shown in the FIGS. to another location for stopping the tube from
rotating at a different orientation of the tube.
If desired, means can be provided for intermittently striking a
chime during the operation of the mobile. The means can best be
seen in FIG. 4 and includes a frame member 144 which is a generally
elongated member. Frame member 144 includes a vertical slot 144a at
its upper portion and a vertical slot 144b at its lower portion.
Pins 140 and 142 are fixed to housing wall 10b and extend
perpendicularly outward therefrom. Pin 140 is received in slot 144a
whereas pin 142 is received in slot 144b. The upper portion of
frame member 144 includes a toothed end which is positioned as
shown in FIG. 4 so as to be in the path of travel of the pins 46,
48, 50 and 52 which are attached to sheave 38. Secured to the
lowermost portion of frame member 144 is one end of a light helical
spring 146 and a striker member 148 is secured to the other end of
the spring. Striker member 148 is received within a stationary
sleeve 150 and a damping means 152 is located within the sleeve and
in contact with the striker member. The damping means may comprise
a felt washer in contact with the striker member and guides it in
its movement. A chime bar 154 is positioned beneath sleeve 152 and
posts 156 and 158 extend through said chime bar. The posts are
secured to housing 10. Rubber grommets 160 and 162 acoustically
isolate the chime bar from the respective posts. A spring 166
secured to housing 10 biases frame member 144 in a downwards
direction.
The intermittent 180.degree. rotation of tube 106 results in a
substantially lesser degree of rotation of shaft 41 as a result of
the gear ratios of the different gears which interconnect shafts
41, 70 and 84. A sufficient amount of rotation of sheave 38 results
in one of the pins secured to the back of said sheave (FIG. 4)
lifting the toothed end of frame member 144 in an upwards direction
and moving to the left relative to said frame member until the then
operative pin clears the toothed end and permits the frame member
to descend to the position shown in FIG. 4 with pins 140 and 142
preventing further descent. Spring 166 and gravity brings frame
member 144 rapidly to its downward position and the downward
momentum of striker member 148 stretches spring 146. Striker member
148 strikes chime bar 154 producing a chime and returns under the
bias of spring 146 to the position shown in FIG. 4. It should be
noted that by having the ends of pins 46, 48, 50 and 52 cammed in
one direction and by use of spring 98 the spring can be compressed
as the pins slide over the hooked end of member 144 and member 206
when key 90 is rotated. For all other operating conditions the pins
cannot slide over members 144 and 206 but move said members for a
purpose that will soon be apparent. A description of the operation
of member 206 is hereinafter set forth.
The present invention may include a music box 200 which can
intermittently play. The music box 200 may be conventional and is
secured to housing 10 as shown in FIG. 14. The music box includes a
lever 202 which when elevated allows the music box to operate and
which when in the position shown in FIG. 14 prevents operation of
the music box. A key 203 is provided for winding up the music box.
A frame member 206 having an upright section 206a with slots 206b
and 206c located respectively at the upper and lower portions
thereof is provided for controlling the operation of the music box.
Frame member 206 includes a tooth 207 at its uppermost portion and
pins 210 and 212 are secured to the housing and respectively
received in the slots 206b and 206c. The tooth 207 is positioned
adjacent sheave 38 in the path of the pins 46, 48, 50 and 52. A
cross piece 206d extends perpendicularly from the approximate
midsection of portion 206a and an actuating arm 206e depends from
the leftmost portion thereof with the structure as shown in FIG.
14. Lever 202 of music box 200 is received within an opening at the
lowermost portion of portion 206e and thus moves with said portion.
A spring 210 secured to housing 10 biases frame member 206 in a
downwards direction.
In operation a sufficient unwinding rotation of sheave 38 results
in frame member 206 being elevated by one of the pins 46, 48, 50
and 52 secured to the back of the sheave raising the toothed end of
the frame member. This results in arm 206e elevating lever 202 with
the result that music box 200 will play. Further rotation of the
sheave results in the pin which elevated the toothed end of frame
206 moving to the left relative to the toothed end of the frame so
the frame descends under the influence of gravity and spring 210.
When this occurs the music box no longer plays since lever 202 will
be in the position seen in FIG. 14 in which position the music box
is idle.
In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 10 a modification
is made in the escapement mechanism and like parts throughout the
FIGS. are identified by the same reference numerals. In FIG. 10 a
lever 240 is positioned so that one end will be beneath liquid
filled tube 106 when the tube is in a vertical position. A
horizontal transverse pivot 242 is provided for the lever. Located
on lever 240 at the end beneath the tube is a magnet 244 having its
north pole facing tube 106. Located at the same end of lever 240
adjacent the magnet is a stop 246 and a counterweight 248 is
located on the other end of the lever. A magnet 250 is located
directly above tube 106 when the tube is in a vertical position and
has its north pole facing the tube for a reason that will soon be
apparent.
In operation, if the tube is in the vertical position shown in FIG.
10 with the magnets in the middle of the tube descending toward the
bottom under the influence of gravity counterweight 248 will
maintain lever 240 in a position so that stop 246 will prevent
rotation of tube 106. However, when the magnets within the tube
descend to the bottom of the tube the moment resulting from the
repulsion of the bottom magnet in the tube and magnet 244 about
pivot point 242 is greater than the combined restraining moments
about said pivot point as a result of the static frictional force
between stop 246 and the tube and the force exerted by
counterweight 248 so that the lever will pivot in a clockwise
direction as seen in FIG. 10, causing the stop to clear the tube so
that the tube can rotate. As soon as tube 106 has rotated a few
degrees there will be no magnetic force urging lever 240 to rotate
in a clockwise direction and the weight of counterweight 248 will
move the lever to a horizontal position against fixed pin 249 so
that stop 246 prevents further rotation of tube 106 near the end of
its next 180.degree. movement.
Magnet 250 serves to accelerate initial downward movement of the
magnets within the tube from a position when the magnets are at the
top of the tube since magnet 250 is arranged so as to apply a
repulsive force to the then top magnet in the tube. If desired, a
similarly positioned magnet can be utilized in the embodiment of
the invention hereinbefore described.
When using the mobile of the invention housing 10 can be adjusted
to a crib so that the objects of interest will be in a position of
maximum interest for a baby lying on the bottom of the crib. It is
to be noted that in normal use the mobile will be tilted so as to
be inclined towards a baby in the crib and this allows the baby to
have maximum exposure to the objects as they rotate.
If desired, tube 106 may be pellucid and a pellucid housing may be
placed about the escapement mechanism and drive therefore with key
90 extending therethrough so that a person may rotate the key to
supply energy to the spring motor. The reason for having a pellucid
housing is that the movement of the escapement mechanism, to wit,
tube 106, and the stop therefore, as well as the drive, provides
entertainment and will maintain a young child's interest who is
looking at the back of the mobile as it is operating.
While clamping means have been described in conjunction with the
mobile of the present invention the mobile could be mounted on a
stand with means being provided to vary the inclination of the
mobile to different orientations. These different orientations can
provide different perspectives to a person looking at the mobile to
maintain his interest longer than if only one orientation was
obtainable.
As can be seen in FIG. 14 a clamp 320 can be attached to a crib and
the driven mobile of the present invention is secured to the clamp
by wing nut 322. The wing nut can be loosened and the angle of
inclination of the driven mobile varied with the wing nut securing
the driven mobile at any desired inclination. By varying the
inclination of the driven mobile the enjoyment of the infant or
young child can be further increased.
It is to be noted that while an intermittently sounded music box
and chime have been described in conjunction with the present
invention a bell or any other similar audible means could be
utilized therewith also.
While the escapement mechanism present invention has been disclosed
in conjunction with a driven mobile the escapement could be used in
other environments, as an example, the escapement could be used in
controlling rotation of a sign, a plaque, etc. Additionally, the
escapement instead of having a spring motor could be driven by a
power pulley having a weight attached thereto which urges the
pulley to rotate.
If desired, a battery driven motor 300 may be utilized to rotate
shaft 41 with a battery 301 for motor 30 secured to the housing
(FIG. 15).
As a result of the step-up gearing between shafts 41 and 70 and
shafts 70 and 84 and the escapement mechanism, motor 34 will
intermittently unwind in small increments which results in larger
increments of rotation of shaft 70 and the objects which are
rotatable therewith. Consequently, it takes a long period of time
for the motor to unwind in this manner and the mobile is operative
for this time overcoming one of the drawbacks of prior art mobiles
A typical running time for a toy such as illustrated is fifteen
minutes with a single full windup of the motor.
While a plurality of arms are shown extending from hub 14, a disc
could be rotatable therewith or without objects of interest
supported by the disc.
It is thus apparent that devices are provided which achieve the
objects of the invention as well as other objects not specifically
herein set forth, and that are well adapted to meet the conditions
of practical use.
As various possible embodiments might be made of the above
invention, and as various changes may be made in the embodiments
set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein described
or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
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