U.S. patent number 3,908,307 [Application Number 05/492,042] was granted by the patent office on 1975-09-30 for magnetic kinetic amusement devices.
Invention is credited to Sava W. Jacobson.
United States Patent |
3,908,307 |
Jacobson |
September 30, 1975 |
Magnetic kinetic amusement devices
Abstract
These magnetic kinetic amusement devices have plural
magnetically coupled elements that exhibit intermittent,
alternating motion as energy is interchanged between the elements.
In one embodiment, plural vertically spaced arms are mounted for
pivotal motion about a common vertical axis. Each arm has a pair of
magnets at its extremities. As it rotates through a partial
revolution, its kinetic energy is magnetically coupled to an
adjacent arm. As a result, adjacent arms alternately rotate through
fractional revolutions, providing quantized motion that is
fascinating to watch. In other embodiments the magnetically coupled
elements comprise pendulums each having at the pendulum end a
design member containing a magnet. The plural pendulums may be
disposed in three dimensional array, or may be suspended from a
common support with the magnets aligned for mutual repulsion so
that the pendulums assume a conical arrangement. Displacement or
rotation of any pendulum design member causes energy exchange
through magnetic coupling, resulting in an eye-appealing
intermittently alternating motion of all design members.
Inventors: |
Jacobson; Sava W. (Sherman
Oaks, CA) |
Family
ID: |
23954699 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/492,042 |
Filed: |
July 26, 1974 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/133; 40/426;
40/613; 273/456; 428/18; 428/542.2; 428/900 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H
33/26 (20130101); Y10S 428/90 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63H
33/26 (20060101); A63H 033/26 () |
Field of
Search: |
;272/1R,8R,8N ;273/1M
;40/138,139,106.45 ;46/236,238,47,239 ;35/19A ;335/209,336 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
"Molecular Magnet Model," Catalogue Scientific Instruments, L. E.
Knott Apparatus Co., Mass., January, 1917, p. 279..
|
Primary Examiner: Oechsle; Anton O.
Assistant Examiner: Stouffer; R. T.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Silber; Howard A.
Claims
Intending to claim all novel, useful and unobvious features shown
or described, the applicant claims:
1. A magnetic kinetic amusement device comprising,
a frame,
plural magnetic elements, and
a plurality of mounting means supported by said frame, at least one
magnetic element being mounted by each such means, said magnets
thus being supported in spaced, magnetically coupled relationship
so that motion of one mounting means intermittantly is interchanged
magnetically with another such mounting means to produce
intermittent alternating motion of the magnetically coupled means,
and wherein;
each mounting means comprises an arm supported for rotational
motion about an axis common to all such arms, there being at least
one magnet affixed to each arm at a distance spaced from said
common axis, so that rotational motion of one arm intermittently is
coupled magnetically to another arm to cause rotational oscillation
thereof.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of
such arms mounted in vertically spaced relationship along a
vertically disposed common axis, each of said arms having a pair of
magnets mounted thereto at distances approximately equally spaced
from said axis, the magnetic elements of immediately subjacent arms
being poled for repulsion.
3. A device according to claim 2 wherein all of said arms are
attached to a thread disposed along said common axis, said thread
imparting a torsional force to said arms.
4. A device according to claim 2 wherein said frame includes a
rigid shaft disposed coaxially with said common axis, and wherein
said arms are pivotally mounted to said shaft.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to magnetic kinetic amusement devices
wherein there is an intermittent interchange of motional energy
between dynamic components by magnetic coupling.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A variety of magnetic amusement devices and kinetic sculptures are
known. In such devices, movable members are magnetically attracted
or repelled by magnets on adjacent units to provide suspensory or
motion effects. Often the objective is eye appeal, as for display
purposes. For example, in the display apparatus of the Littlefield
U.S. Pat. No. 3,196,566 a model airplane is suspended in air by
magnetic repulsion between a magnet in the model and two spaced
magnets in an underlying stationary base.
Other devices are characterized by magnetically imparted motion.
Thus in the U.S. Pat. No. 2,220,049 to Dunmore, a
pendulum-suspended figure is provided with a magnet that coacts
with another magnet mounted below a platform. The sub-platform
magnet may be fixed at a location offset from the pendulum rest
axis, or may be driven through a circular or irregular path in a
plane parallel to but beneath the platform. The suspended figure
swings and rotates in some more or less random pattern under
magnetic influence.
The magnetic amusement device of MacPherson (U.S. Pat. No.
3,550,316) uses a pair of pivotally supported, balanced rods each
having a magnet at one end and a counterweight at the other end.
Due to magnetic interaction, when one rotor is spun gently,
rotation is imparted in the opposite direction to the other
balanced rod. Depending on the speed of rotation, the interaction
of the magnetic fields may effect the transfer of enertial energy
as the magnet ends pass adjacent to each other causing changes in
speed and sometimes reversal of direction of rotation.
In the Podesto kinetic sculpture of U.S. Pat. No. 3,609,606 a pair
of magnets are attached to the free ends of a pair of artistically
shaped spring wires that extend from a base. Repulsion between the
magnetics imparts random, tremor-like motion to the springs.
An object of the present invention is to provide magnetic kinetic
amusement devices in which there is a continuing, but intermittant
exchange of motional energy between dynamic members, accomplished
by magnetic coupling. In certain embodiments, the energy
interchange is between a plurality of oscillating members. The
resultant motional effects are fascinating to the viewer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This object is achieved by providing a kinetic amusement device
having a plurality of movably mounted members each provided with a
magnet. The members are spatially disposed to effectuate magnetic
coupling that produces intermittant energy interchange between
members.
In one embodiment, the members comprise vertically separated arms
all mounted for rotation about a common axis. A magnet is affixed
to each end of every arm. These are poled so that rotational energy
from one arm is magnetically coupled to the arm immediately above
or below during each partial revolution of each arm. As a result,
the arms seem to exhibit quantized motion.
In another embodiment, each member is suspended like a pendulum
with a magnet at its lower end. The plural magnet-equipped
pendulums are arranged in a three-dimensional array in which both
rotational and swinging motion of each pendulum is intermittently
exchanged by magnetic coupling with other nearby members. In a
further configuration, a plurality of adjacent pendulum-suspended
elements are provided with magnets poled for mutual repulsion.
Torsional oscillatory motion of each such suspended element
intermittently is interchanged magnetically with the adjacent
pendulum elements. Eye-appealing, irregular motion is achieved by
each of these embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A detailed description of the invention will be made with reference
to the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals designate
corresponding elements in the several figures. These drawings,
unless described as diagrammatic or unless otherwise indicated, are
to scale.
FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a magnetic kinetic sculpture in
accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary schematic view of the sculpture of FIG. 1,
as viewed along the line 2--2 thereof, indicating the magnetic
alignment within the various dynamic members of the sculpture.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention
employing plural, magnetically coupled rotary arms.
FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the device of FIG. 3 as
viewed along the line 4--4 thereof.
FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of a magnetic amusement device employing
plural suspended rotational members having mutually repulsive
magnetic elements.
FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view of the device of FIG. 5 as
viewed along the line 6--6 thereof.
FIG. 7 is a pictorial view of an alternative configuration for the
suspended, magnet containing member of the device of FIG. 5.
FIG. 8 is a pictorial view of a kinetic sculpture having an
operational mode like that of the device of FIG. 3.
FIG. 9 is a pictorial view of a toy combining several embodiments
of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The following detailed description is of the best presently
contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description
is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the
purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention
since the scope of the invention best is defined by the appended
claims.
Operational characteristics attributed to forms of the invention
first described also shall be attributed to forms later described,
unless such characteristics obviously are inapplicable or unless
specific exception is made.
The kinetic sculpture 10 of FIG. 1 has the general appearance of a
stylized Christmas tree. The tree trunk 11 is attached to a
weighted base 12. A plurality of light weight balls or other
decorative elements 13 are suspended by individual strings 14 from
the various branches 15 of the tree 10. Each suspended element 13
contains a small permanent magnet 16 (FIG. 2) that may be aligned
in a horizontal plane. By way of example, each element 13 may
comprise a ball of polyurethane foam with the magnets 16 press fit
into a recess formed in the ball. Preferably the ends of each
magnet 16 are not exposed, but are covered by some non-magnetic
material that will provide a barrier to prevent latching of the
magnets in adjacent elements 13. Such linking together of the
elements 13 also is minimized by arranging these elements in a
three dimensional array such that nearby elements are in different
horizontal planes.
Swinging or rotational motion imparted to one or more of the
elements 13 intermittently will be transferred by magnetic coupling
to other nearby elements. The result is that all of the elements
will oscillate torsionally through a partial revolution. However,
as the kinetic energy of one element is transferred, causing an
adjacent element to rotate, the one element may slow or stop its
motion while the recipient element begins or increases its motion.
The result is a fascinating display characterized by intermittent,
primarily torsional motion of all elements.
To impart the initial motion to the elements 13, the base 12 may be
equipped with a device for producing a changing magnetic field. For
example, a motor 17 may be used to rotate a permanent magnet 18
through a circular path. Alternatively, an electromagnet may be
energized from time to time to provide a changing magnetic field
that will impart motion to the elements 13.
The magnet amusement device 20 of FIG. 3 has a generally
rectangular frame 21 that may be made of plastic rod. The frame 21
is held upright by feet 22. A plurality of rigid arms 23 are
supported within the frame 21 for independent rotation about a
common vertical axis 24. For example, the arms 23 may be suspended
along a thread 25 that is stretched between the upper and lower
frame members 21a and 21b. The thread 25 may extend through, and be
attached to a central tubular member 26 connected to each arm 23.
In this manner, appropriate vertical spacing is maintained between
adjacent arms 23.
A pair of permanent magnets 27 is attached vertically to the ends
of each arm 23. The magnets of subjacent arms are aligned
repulsively. Thus the magnets 27a on the arm 23a have their north
poles at the bottom, and the magnets 27b of the subjacent arm 23b
have their north poles at the top. Similarly, the magnets 27c of
the next lower arm 23c have their south poles at the top.
A very unique motion is exhibited by the device 20. If one of the
arms 23 is rotated gently, its rotational energy will be imparted
by the magnets 27 to the arm immediately above or below. As a
result of this energy interchange, the first arm may stop rotating
with the rotation being continued by the adjacent arm. For example,
if the initial motion is imparted to the arm 23b in a
counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4, the arm 23 will
rotate through approximately one-half revolution. The repulsion
between the magnets 27b and 27c will impart a rotational energy in
the same direction to the arm 23c, as indicated by the arrows 28.
The arm 23b they acutally stop, while the arm 23c commences
rotation in the same direction. When it has gone through about
one-half turn, the magnets 27c will again reach proximity to the
magnets 27b, and yet another energy interchange will take place.
The arm 23c will slow down or stop, and the arm 23b will be
impelled through another partial revolution. Of course, this
exchange of energy is taking place between all of the arms 23 in
the device 20.
If the string 25 is attached to the members 26, rotation of the
various arms 23 will twist the string 25, leading to a torsional
oscillation. That is, after some period of time the various arms
will stop their intermittent rotation in the first direction, and
will be impelled in the reverse direction by the torsional action
of the twisted string 25. The same energy interchange will occur in
the reverse direction for some duration of time. Thus the motion of
the device 20 not only is an alternating partial revolution of
adjacent arms, but will include rotation in both directions over
some long term period. The motion is sufficiently complex so as to
hold the viewer's attention for a long time.
The device 30 of FIG. 8 operates in a manner like that of device
20, but without the torsional oscillation provided by the string
25. In the device 30, the supporting frame consists of a planar
base 31 to which is affixed a rigid, vertical shaft 32. Each
horizontal arm 33 extends from an attached vertical rod 34 that
loosely surrounds the shaft 32. A pair of magnets 35 is mounted
vertically at the ends of each arm 33. As in the device 20, the
magnet poles for subjacent arms are aligned repulsively. A planar
disc 36 of rigid, non-magnetic material is mounted to the shaft 32
between each pair of arms 33, to serve as a physical barrier
therebetween. Advantageously the disc 36 consists of a sheet of
transparent plastic.
When gentle rotational motion is imparted to one of the arms 33,
some of the rotational energy will be imparted magnetically to the
other arm 33. In a manner like that described above, each arm 33
typically will undergo half turn revolution, whereupon it will slow
down or stop, imparting its energy into rotation of the next arm 33
which likewise will rotate for about one-half turn. Since there is
no torsional return force, the alternating rotation will continue
in the same direction.
In another configuration of the present invention is embodied in
the magnetic amusement device 40 of FIGS. 5 and 6. Here the frame
includes a weighted base 41 that carries a generally
inverted-L-shaped support 42. Suspended therefrom are a plurality
of pendulum-like members 43 each consisting of a ball 44 attached
to the lower end of a thread 45. The upper ends of all the threads
45 pass through holes 46 that are circularly disposed in a disc 47.
The thread ends then are tied together and suspended from the
support 42 by a common leader 48. Each thread 45 may be guided
through a lightweight tube 49 that limits bending of the individual
threads 45. An individual, thin bar magnet 50 is attached to each
ball 44 in generally vertical alignment with the associated thread
45 and tube 49. The magnets 50 are poled for mutual repulsion. For
example, all of the magnets 50 may have their south pole at the top
end. As a result of this mutual repulsion, the balls will spread
apart as shown in FIG. 5, so that the plural threads 45 and tubes
49 lie in a conical section.
If any ball 44 is displaced radially from this conic section, as
indicated by the arrow 51 of FIG. 6, the remaining balls 44 all
will move radially inward or outward as a result of the magnetic
coupling. Similarly, the displacement of one ball 44 about the
periphery of the cone, as indicated by the arrows 52, will cause
displacement of the other balls.
Note that the magnets 51 are offset laterally from the axis of the
associated thread 45. As a result, if one of the balls is rotated
about the thread, as indicated by the arrow 53 of FIG. 6, this
rotational motion also will be imparted to adjacent balls. In all
of these modes of displacement, the energy coupling between
adjacent members 43 typically will be intermittent, so that an
irregular, "dancing" motion is produced that is interesting to
watch.
The base 41 may be provided with a magnetic device, such as the
motor 17 and magnet 18 of FIG. 1, to impart motion to the device
40. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, the base 41 may be provided
with one or more small light bulbs 54. The heat generated by these
lamps will rise through louvers 55 in the base 41, and will be
sufficient to cause motion of the balls 44, if these are made of
some light weight material such as polyurethane foam.
The configuration of the pendulum end element is totally arbitrary.
Thus each ball 44 may be replaced with an object of a different
shape, such as the design 56 of FIG. 7. This element consists of
plural short sections 57 of plastic tubing that are bent outward at
the top. The magnet 50 is completely surrounded by these rod
sections.
The device 60 of FIG. 9 is useful as a crib toy for very young
children, and combines two versions of the present invention. The
frame of the device 60 consists of an elongate, planar base 61 that
carries a rigid, inverted U-shaped support 62 that may be formed of
plastic tubing. Suspended between the base 61 and the upper section
62a of the support 62 is a rotational kinetic magnetic amusement
device 20A of the type described in connection with FIG. 3. Also
suspended from the support section 62a are a plurality of pendulums
63 each having a different length. A fanciful item such as a bell
64 is situated at the bottom of each pendulum 63. Each such item
contains a magnet, so that there is an interchange of energy
between the pendulums 63 of the sort described in conjunction with
the device 10 of FIG. 1. When placed near a child's crib, the
device 60 will not only occupy the child for some period of time,
but will provide valuable exercise in eye coordination as the child
follows the magnetically coupled motion of the pendulums 63 and the
device 20A.
* * * * *