Spring motor

• US 5,909,784 A
• Filed: 11/10/1997
• Issued: 06/08/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Theodore O. Best
• Original Assignee: Theodore O. Best
• Inventors: Best, Theodore O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jeffery, John A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Charles, Marcus
• Application Number:
  US08/966,795
• Time in Patent Office: 575 Days
• Field of Search: 185/10, 185/11, 185/39, 185/40 R, 185/40 H, 185/41 R
• US Class Current: 185/10
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 1/00 Spring motors spring-driven toys A63H; springs in general F16F; precision time mechanisms, e.g. for clocks or watches, G04B

Abstract

The present invention is a spring motor providing an efficient storage of mechanical energy, translating the potential energy of wound springs to mechanical rotation. The invention includes a frame supporting two gears having peripheral teeth. A first coil spring is positioned about a first shaft and is attached to the first gear and the frame. Similarly, a second coil spring is positioned about a second shaft and is attached to the second gear and the frame. The peripheral teeth of the two gears engage with each other so that rotation of the first gear causes rotation of the second gear. The first and second coil springs are opposingly wound so that potential energy stored in the first coil spring is mechanically transferred, in an oscillating manner, to the second coil spring through rotation of the gears. A chain is attached to the peripheral teeth of the gears so that the chain is linearly displaced as the gears oscillate. Means is provided for transforming the linear displacement of the chain to rotational displacement of the first or second gear.

Claims

1. A spring motor, comprising:

a frame;

a first gear having peripheral teeth, said first gear rotatably supported by a first shaft;

a second gear having peripheral teeth, said second gear rotatably supported by a second shaft, said first and second shafts being mounted to said frame;

a first coil spring positioned about said first shaft and attached to said first gear and said frame;

a second coil spring positioned about said second shaft and attached to said second gear and said frame;

said peripheral teeth of said first gear are connected to said peripheral teeth of said second gear so that rotation of said first gear causes rotation of said second gear;

said first and second coil springs being opposingly wound so that potential energy stored in said first coil spring is mechanically transferred to said second coil spring through rotation of said first and second gears, said transfer occurring in an oscillatory manner;

a chain attached to said peripheral teeth of said gears so that said chain is linearly displaced as said gears oscillate; and

means for transforming said linear displacement of said chain to rotational displacement of said first gear.