Gyroscopic device and process of generating electricity thereby

• US 5,353,655 A
• Filed: 09/15/1992
• Issued: 10/11/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dynaflex International (Johnson Electric Holdings Limited), Variety Plastic Products
• Original Assignee: Frederick H. Mishler
• Inventors: Mishler, Frederick H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bonck, Rodney H.
• Application Number:
  US07/945,811
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 74/5 R, 74/5.22, 74/5.6 E, 446/233, 446/234, 446/235, 446/258, 482/110, 310/74, 310/75 B
• US Class Current: 74/5.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0053 using alternators or dynamos
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/22 Resisting devices with rotary bodies A63B21/0608 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/222 by overcoming gyroscopic forces, e.g. by turning the spin axis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4043 Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/36 Speed measurement by electric or magnetic parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/30 Maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03508 For a single arm or leg, A63B21/0726 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/12 for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles bench press exercises A63B21/078; for teaching music G09B15/06
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/12 Gyroscopes

Abstract

A gyroscopic rotor has a shaft with opposite ends rotatably supported in a housing on a first or spin axis and capable of rotating around the housing at right angles to the spin axis, comprising a second axis. The support of the shaft in the housing is a circular track concentric with the second axis and positioned on opposite sides of and adjacent the ends of the shaft for rolling contact by end portions of the shaft when a torque is applied to the housing about a third axis at right angles to both the spin and second axis whereby to cause precession of the shaft and rotor about the second axis. The track comprises a circumferential groove with opposed surfaces of a type having a friction engagement with the end of the shaft to provide an improved rolling precessional movement of the shaft and rotor. A ring is supported in the circumferential groove and has notches receiving end portions of the shaft for establishing a drive connection between the shaft and the guide ring. This guide ring has free sliding movement against the opposed surfaces of the groove. The housing is formed of a pair of sections which permit access to the track for repair and maintenance. The device includes electrical generating portions capable of supplying power to visual and/or audio devices forming a part of the housing.

Claims

1. A hand-operated gyroscopic device comprising:

a housing,

a balanced gyroscopic rotor in said housing,

shaft means integrated with said rotor providing a spin axis for said rotor,

support means in said housing receiving opposite ends of said shaft means for rotation of said shaft means and rotor about said spin access and providing for rotation of said shaft means and rotor relative to said housing about a second axis at right angles to said spin axis,

said support means including circumferential slot means in said housing concentric with said second housing and positioned on opposite sides and adjacent the ends of said shaft means for rolling contact in said circumferential slot means by end portions of said shaft means when the device is held in the hand of a person and said device is manipulated selectively to produce driving power for the rotor by applying a torque to said housing about a third axis at right angles to both said spin axis and second axis wherein to cause precession of said shaft means and rotor about said second axis,

and cooperating permanent magnet and coil means in said housing and rotor capable of generating electricity in an output circuit therefor by means of rotation of said shaft means and rotor about said spin axis due to said precessional movement of said shaft means and rotor in said slot means about said second axis upon the hand-held and manipulated driving precessed rotation of said rotor in said housing.

2. The gyroscopic device of claim 1 including an automatic cut-in and cut-out switch in said output circuit arranged to close said circuit only upon the development of a selected voltage in said output circuit.

3. A gyroscopic device comprising:

a housing,

a balanced gyroscopic rotor in said housing,

shaft means integrated with said rotor providing a spin axis for said rotor,

support means in said housing receiving opposite ends of said shaft means for rotation of said shaft means and rotor about said spin axis and providing for rotation of said shaft means and rotor relative to said housing about a second axis at right angles to said spin axis,

said support means including continuous circular track means in said housing concentric with said second axis and positioned on opposite sides of and adjacent the ends of said shaft means for rolling contact by end portions of said shaft means when the device is held in the hand of a person and said device is manipulated selectively to apply a torque to said housing about a third axis at right angles to both said spin axis and second axis to cause precession of said shaft means and rotor about said second axis,

said track means comprising a circumferential race in said housing with opposed lining portions of a type having a friction surface engagement with said end portions of said shaft means to provide an improved non-slipping, rolling movement of said shaft means and rotor,

guide ring means in said race having notches receiving end portions of said shaft means and establishing a drive connection between said shaft means and said guide ring means in the rotation of said shaft means and rotor about said second axis, said guide ring means having free sliding movement against said opposed surfaces of said groove,

and permanent magnet and coil means in said housing and rotor capable of generating electricity in an output circuit therefor by means of rotation of said shaft means and rotor about said spin axis due to said precessional movement of said shaft means and rotor about said second axis upon the hand held and manipulated precessed rotation of said rotor in said housing.

4. A process of generating electricity comprising:

providing a housing that can be held in a person'"'"'s hand with a balanced gyroscopic rotor therein capable of rotary precessing movement with rolling contact of shaft means thereof in circumferential slot means in said housing to produce driving power for the rotor,

combining with said housing rotary electrical generating means arranged to be operated by rotation of said rotor,

combining with said generating means electrical operating means,

and driving said generating means by manually moving said housing with the hand in a selected twisting pattern of operation to provide rotation of said shaft means and rotor about said spin axis due to precessing motion of said rotor and shaft means to drive said generating means.