Gyroscopic novelty devices have heretofore been provided. One such device is shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,726,146. Such prior device employs a rotor positioned in a support having an internal circular portion provided with an internal race or groove. The rotor is secured to a shaft extending diametrically across the circular portion with its ends received in the race. A guide ring is positioned in the race so as to be rotatable circumferentially of the race. The guide ring has diametrically spaced notches in its inner periphery that receive the ends of the rotor shaft for maintaining them centered and 180 degrees apart in the race. The rotor can thus rotate about the axis of the rotor shaft as a first or spin axis and also about the axis of rotation of the ring which comprises a second axis at right angles to and intersecting the spin axis. By giving the rotor an initial spin and then holding its support in the hand and manually applying a torque to the support at a third axis at right angles to both the spin and second axes, the rotor will precess about the second axis. By manually gyrating the axis of the applied torque about the second axis at the same rate and in the same direction as the precession of the rotor, the opposite and in the same direction as the precession of the rotor, the opposite ends of the rotor shaft are continuously

SUBSTITUTESHEET

pressed against the opposite sides of the race. The precession is continuous and causes the ends of the rotor shaft to roll on the upper and lower surfaces of the race in a manner which increases or decreases the rate of rotor spin in proportion to the amount of torque applied by the operator. A skillful operator can cause the rotor to attain high speeds of rotation about its spin axis.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention and forming a primary objective thereof, a gyroscopic device is provided that possesses valuable improvements over structures such as that shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,726,146.

More particular objects are to provide a gyroscopic device of the type described that due to improved race bearing surfaces will operate more efficiently and quietly; that is enclosed in a housing that normally is closed but that can be opened up to gain access to the interior for periodic cleaning and maintenance; and that includes electrically operated audio and/or visual display means powered by electrical generating and control means associated with the rotor.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved gyroscope rotor structure and process of making it.

In carrying out the objectives of the invention the gyroscopic device comprises a housing with a balanced rotor therein. A shaft is integrated with the rotor and provides a spin axis for the rotor. The ends of the shaft are supported in a race or groove for rotation about a second axis at right angles to the spin axis. This race provides a track for

rolling contact by the ends of the shaft when a torque is applied to the housing on a third axis at right angles to both the spin axis and the second axis. The race has opposed friction surfaces that provide efficient rolling contact 5 thereon by the end portions of the shaft. The shaft ends are engaged in notches of a low friction guide ring that moves with the shaft and rotor, the low friction material providing free sliding movement of the guide ring in the race. The housing is formed of a pair of sections that are detachable at Q the race whereby to permit access to internal parts for repair and maintenance. It is within the concept of the present invention to include permanent magnet and coil means in the housing and rotor that are capable of generating electricity upon rotation of the rotor for powering audio and/or visual 5 means in the housing. Also, according to the invention, a rotor is arranged to be precisely balanced by providing a circumferential cavity therein adjacent its outer rim and using a plurality of weighted members and locking means therefor arranged to lock the weighted members adjacent an o outer circumferential surface of the cavity after the weighted members are centrifugally forced outwardly to a rotor balanced position.

The invention will be better understood and additional objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of the present gyroscopic

SUBSTITUTESHEET

device taken from one end.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the device showing primary structural elements of the gyroscope.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view 5 showing a joint portion of the device and also detailing an improved bearing surface that contributes to more efficiency of rotation and quiet operation.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3. 0 Figure 5 is a sectional view taken similar to Figure 3 illustrating means associated with the device for generating electricity and energizing exteriorly visible display means on the housing.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of the device taken on 5 the line 6-6 of Figure 3 but showing a second form of electric generating means that can be associated with the device;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing types of visual Q and audio electrical components that can be used in combination with the present device.

Figure 9 is a central sectional view of an improved rotor structure and process.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the rotor of Figure 9 in an initial step of construction.

Figure 11 is a central sectional view of another form of rotor structure and process, and

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken on the line 12-12 of

SUBSTITUTESHEET

Figure 11.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION With reference to Figures 1-4, the gyroscopic device of the invention comprises a hollow housing structure 10 with a pair of halves 10a and 10b respectively. The device assumes an overall shape of a sphere and is preferably of a size that can be grasped in the hand over one end, preferably over end 10a.The housing supports a rotor 12 mounted on a shaft 14 that provides a spin axis for the rotor, referred to herein as the first axis. The housing has an opening 16 at the end of section 10b serving as an engagement area for the rotor to initiate rotation thereof. The sides 18 of the housing adjacent the middle of the housing are thickened and include a stepped joint 20 between the housing sections. Stepped joint 20 includes a horizontal circular race or groove 22 between the sections that receives a guide ring 24 with sufficient clearance so that the ring can rotate circumferentially in the race 22. The ring 24 has diametrically spaced notches 26 which receive reduced ends 28 of the shaft 14 in a free fit so that these shaft ends can make rolling contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the race.

Opposed lining portions 32 and 34 of race 22 are adhesively secured in place and comprise linings of preselected required characteristics. It is required that such material be long wearing and have a .coefficient of friction and an abrasion resistance such that it will contribute efficiently to rolling precession of the shaft

SUBSTITUTE SHEET

ends. An elastomeric urethane, or other material having a static coefficient of friction of from 1.3 to .73 and a dynamic coefficient of friction of from .69 to .54, is satisfactory and desired. With this friction surface engagement for the reduced shaft portions, an efficient rolling drive of shaft ends 28 around the race 22 will be provided, as will be more apparent hereinafter; Also, guide ring 24 is constructed of a material that will slide circumferentially in a substantially friction free and efficient manner in the race 22, as will also be more apparent hereinafter, whereby the rotor and guide ring can rotate about the central axis of the ring, i.e. a second axis. Any suitable material of low or medium friction characteristics can be used for the guide ring since it is of light weight and merely slides in the race 22.

To activate the gyroscope, the rotor is given an initial spin such as by hand engagement thereof through open end 16 or by running the device along a surface. The device is then grasped in the hand over the closed end of the housing, preferably with the shaft 14, namely, a first or spin axis of the rotor, designated by the numeral 36 in Figure 2, being in a substantially horizontal plane. The device is then given a manual gyrating motion in either direction so that movement of a second axis 38, namely, the axis of rotation of the rotor circumferentially in the race 22, follows approximately the surface of a cone having its apex above the device. This gyrating movement by the operator results in torque placed at right angles to both the first or spin axis 36 of the rotor

SUBSTITUTESHEET

and the second or precession axis 38 of the rotor. This manually applied torque about the third axis 40 is resisted by the spinning rotor in accordance with the physical laws governing gyroscopic motion. This resistance of the rotor 12 to move about the third axis 40, will be felt by the operator who is trying to, in effect, force the spinning rotor to precess about the second axis 38. The operator feels the resistance of the spinning rotor and soon learns to respond by applying an appropriate torque in a gyrating fashion about the third axis 40. The operator can, by varying the amount of applied torque, attain and maintain a wide range of rotor speeds on both the first and second axes 36 and 38, respectively.

The cone-like action by the operator to produce precession of the rotor causes forced engagement of the shaft ends 28 against the groove layers 32 and 34 as these ends roll thereon. The substantially friction free circumferential rotation of the guide ring 24 in the race 22 against these layers as well as the friction rolling contact of the shaft ends 28 against these layers provides efficient operation of the rotor. That is, the engagement of the ends of the shaft against the friction producing urethane rings 32 and 34 and the low friction engagement of guide ring 24 in the race groove 22 contribute to the efficiency of operation of the device in precessing movement. Also, less energy is required to start and to operate it. The engagement of the shaft ends with the urethane layers 32 and 34, although providing good precessing movement of the rotor, is of a sufficiently low

rolling friction of the shaft on its axis 36 such that there will be no appreciable drag on free spinning of the shaft on its axis 36. Another important feature of the housing construction comprises the separation of the halves 10a and 10b at the groove 22 wherein by lifting off one half, the half which contains the rotor allows for repair, maintenance and replacement of parts.

Another concept of the invention is to use the rotary motion of the rotor 12 to generate electricity for operating various electrical visual and/or audio devices. One concept of generating electricity is to mount one or more permanent magnets 41, Figure 5, in the outer periphery of the rotor 12' and to embed a coil 42 in the housing 10'. Coil 42 is in a circuit which in one illustration of the invention may comprise a main circuit wire 44 leading from one end of the coil 42 and extending through visual and/or audio devices 46, to be described. Circuit wire 44 and devices 46 are suitably embedded in the housing for completing the circuit to opposite ends of the coil. As the rotor develops speed, electricity will be generated in the coil and the visual and/or audio device 46 will be energized. • The devices if visual will be located in the housing such that they will be visible when the hand is grasped on the housing.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a reversal of the electrical generating means. More particularly, permanent magnets 41' are embedded in the housing parts 10a" and/or 10b" and the coil 42' of the generator is mounted on the rotor 12". One side surface of the rotor has an electrically conducting flat

^S UBSTITUTESHEET

ring or surface 52 insulated from the rotor by an insulating layer 54 and connected at 55 to one end of coil 42'. The other side of rotor 12" has an electrically conducting flat ring or surface 56 insulated from the rotor by an insulating layer 58 and connected at 59 to the other end of coil 42'. The electrically conducting rings 52 and 56 are associated with respective brushes 60 and 62 supported on a plate-like extension 66 of ring 24' which in addition to supporting the brushes serves the same function of engagement of opposite ends of the shaft 14 as the ring 24 described in connection with Figure 1. This plate-like member has slot portions 68 on opposite sides of the rotor for receiving the rotor and its shaft. Electrically conducting brushes 60 and 62 are slidably mounted in housings 70 and have spring biased movement toward the rotor 12" by springs 72 in the housings, whereby to maintain the brushes in constant contact with the rings 52 and 56.

Housings 70 for brushes 60 and 62 also carry second brushes 74 and 76, respectively, on their other ends which are also biased outwardly by the springs 72. Brush 74 is in electrical contact with a ring 78 of electrically conducting material mounted in the inwardly facing surface of the housing part 10b". Ring 78 is connected in circuit with a main circuit wire 44 through a connecting wire segment 80 leading from the ring to an electrically conducting disconnect 82 between the two housing sections. Brush 76 is in electrical contact with a ring 84 of electrically conducting material mounted in the inwardly facing surface of the housing part

SUBSTITUTESHEET

10a" and connected to the circuit wire 44. Wire 44 serves the same purpose as wire 44 in Figure 5, namely, to provide a power circuit for visual and/or audio devices 46. As the rotor 12" rotates, electricity is generated, the rings 78 and 84 being arranged to maintain a circuit from the brushes as precessing occurs.

Figure 8 illustrates various visual and/or audio devices 46 that can be incorporated in the circuit 44. As an example, these devices can include lights a of various forms such as LED's in selected patterns, a counter or counters b such as a digital means for designating total number of revolutions of the rotor or rp 's thereof, a beam light c that may serve as a flashlight, and sound producing means d. Other devices can also be powered for entertainment or functional purposes. The circuit may also include an on/off switch 86 that can be manually operated or can comprise an automatic cut-in and cut¬ out switch. Such switch can be used to maintain the visual and audio devices in off condition until the rotor has developed a selected speed whereby to prevent a magnetic drag on the rotor in its initial starting revolutions, thus allowing for easier starting of the rotor.

In order to provide an efficiently operating rotor, it must be precisely balanced. A preferred rotor structure and process of making it are illustrated in Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12. With reference first to Figure 9, which comprises a central sectional view, a rotor 100 is constructed of two parts 100a and 100b. These two parts have smooth opposed surfaces that are arranged to be secured together. The

S _U BSTITUTESHEET

XL opposed surfaces have matching semi-circular grooves 104 cut or molded therein which form a cavity and are arranged to receive a load of small weights such as lead balls 106. In constructing a rotor, the two halves 100a and 100b are secured integrally to the shaft 108 and then a plurality of lead balls 106 are inserted, as by an inlet bore 110, into this cavity. A matrix of liquid plastic material, preferably a thermosetting resin is also admitted into the cavity. Bore 110 is then plugged and the rotor body is placed in a lathe or other fixture and spun until the matrix material has set up or hardened sufficiently to hold the lead balls securely in place. Spinning is provided at an rpm that will force the balls centrifugally to the outer periphery of the cavity and at the same time precisely distribute this ballast circumferentially around the cavity so that the rotor is perfectly balanced all the way around. The rotor thus needs little, if any further or secondary balancing.

With reference to Figure 10, the ballast 106 and a matrix can be inserted in one of the grooves 104 prior to securing the two parts together since the cavity does not have to be completely full to obtain balancing by the spinning process. In such a structure, a filler bore 110 is not required.

With reference to Figures 11 and 12, this spinning and balancing method can also be utilized in constructing a balanced rotor in a mold apparatus of the type that can be opened and closed. That is, two identical mold parts 120 and 122 can be used, the cavity 124 therein assuming a suitable shape for the rotor 100' such as an enlarged rim 126 and a

3.2 hub portion 128. In filling the mold cavity 124, not only is it filled with the mold material but also receives ballast 106 of the type referred to in Figures 9 and 10. The mold is associated with a shaft 130 which may comprise the shaft with which the rotor is to be used or a removable shaft and then the assembly spun at the desired speed and time to centrifugally force the ballast to the outer edge of the enlarged rim portion 126 for precise balancing. This spinning process is continued until the mold material has set up whereby upon removal of the device from the mold, it will be suitably balanced.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herein shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention.