Electrical signal mechanism actuated in response to rotation about any of three axes

• US 3,935,669 A
• Filed: 06/03/1974
• Issued: 02/03/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stanley G. Potrzuski, Walter John Potrzuski
• Original Assignee: Stanley G. Potrzuski, Walter John Potrzuski
• Inventors: Potrzuski, Stanley G., Potrzuski, Walter John
• Primary Examiner(s): Shay, F. Barry
• Application Number:
  US05/476,038
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 46/226, 46/227, 46/228, 46/229, 273/58 G, 273/213, 273/185 R, 273/183 C, 273/63 R, 200/184, 200/61.45 R, 200/187, 200/189, 200/80 A, 84/477 B, 240/6.42
• US Class Current: 446/485
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/26 Magnetic or electric toys electric drives A63H29/22 ; indoor games played with small balls using magnetic power A63F7/0088, A63F7/068
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 5/00 Musical or noise- producing devices for additional toy effects other than acoustical musical tops A63H1/28; sound-producing dolls A63H3/28; musical toy vehicles A63H17/268; acoustical vehicle-signalling devices A63H17/32; whistling toy locomotive arrangements A63H19/14; music, sound or noise production in general G10
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

An object (baton, ball, etc,) which generates a signal (visual audio, etc.) only when in rotation and when in rotation generates a continuous signal. A power source, a first switch which assumes its ON position in response to centrifugal force, a second switch which assumes its ON position in response to centrifugal force, and means for generating a signal, connected in series are carried in the object. The first and second switches are mounted so that both are ON when the object is in rotation about a first axis, but not when it is at rest. Third and fourth switches may be placed to be ON when the object is in rotation about second and third axes at right angles to said first axis and to each other. The switches may be closed by movement of a fluid or of sliding or rolling elements.

Claims

1. An object which generates a signal only when in rotation and when in rotation generates a continuous signal comprising:

a support structure,

circuitry mounted to said support structure comprising a power source,

switch means including a first switch which can assume its ON position in response to centrifugal force,

said switch means further including a second switch which assumes its ON position in response to centrifugal force,

means for generating a signal,

means connecting electrically in series said power source, said first switch, said second switch and said means for generating a signal,

said first switch being mounted to said support structure in a position such that it is in its ON position as a result of centrifugal force generated when said support structure is in rotation about a given axis,

said second switch being mounted to said support structure in a position such that it is in its ON position as a result of centrifugal force generated when said support structure is in rotation about said axis and so that it is in its OFF position when said support structure is not in rotation and when said first switch is in its ON position due to gravity rather than to rotation,

whereby said means for generating a signal is actuated only when said support structure is in rotation and whereby when said support structure is in rotation said means for generating a signal is actuated continuously,

said switch means further including a third switch and a fourth switch which can assume their ON positions in response to centrifugal rotation, means connecting said third and fourth switches in series with a power source and a signal generating means, said switches being mounted in positions in said support structure whereby rotation of said object about its X-axis causes said first and second switches to assume their ON positions, rotation of said object about its Y-axis causes said third and fourth switches to assume their ON positions and rotation of said object about its Z-axis causes said first, second, third and fourth switches to assume their ON positions.

2. An object in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first and second switches are mercury switches.

3. An object in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first and second switches are rolling ball switches.

4. An object in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first and second switches are sliding member switches.

5. An object in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for generating a signal generates a visual signal.

6. An object in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for generating a signal generates an audio signal.

7. An object in accordance with claim 1 wherein said object is a football.

8. An object in accordance with claim 1 wherein said object is a spherical ball.