US3736698A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Amusement device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-04-12
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Granted: 1973-06-05
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Expires: 1992-04-12
Abstract
Abstract An amusement device is disclosed that operates on a scientific principle of pressure differential produced by heat which causes a rotor to turn. The rotor is constructed of at least one elongated tubular member having a reservoir secured around each end thereof in a liquid tight relationship. The tubular member may be provided with a pair of pivot pins centrally located along its length with one pivot pin extending outwardly from opposite sides of the member to provide an axis of rotation. Likewise, one or more rotors may be surrounded by a rim with a rolling motion being imparted to the rim during rotation of the rotor or rotors. A liquid that exhibits a high vapor pressure is provided in the reservoirs and tubular member with the remaining space therein being filled with the vapor of the liquid. Each reservoir is provided with heat collection means, the heat collection means on one reservoir being positioned on the opposite side from the heat collection means of the other reservoir. One reservoir selectively receives heat from a source which increases the vapor pressure in the particular reservoir and displaces liquid to the opposite reservoir. Displacement of the liquid to the top reservoir produces imbalance in the rotor, causing the rotor to overturn around the pivot axis.
Inventors
- 👤 W Nesbitt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:49
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H29/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A rotatable device comprising: a. a tubular member; b. a reservoir secured around said tubular member at each end thereof, said reservoirs being sealed around said member to define a closed system; said reservoirs further containing a predetermined amount of a liquid exhibiting a high vapor pressure and the remainder of said system containing vapor of said liquid; said reservoirs further having preferential heat collectors on opposite sides thereof such that only one of said collector means is exposed to a fixed heat source at any one time; and c. rotatable support means associated with said tubular member and reservoirs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A rotatable device comprising: a. a tubular member; b. a reservoir secured around said tubular member at each end thereof, said reservoirs being sealed around said member to define a closed system; said reservoirs further containing a predetermined amount of a liquid exhibiting a high vapor pressure and the remainder of said system containing vapor of said liquid; said reservoirs further having preferential heat collectors on opposite sides thereof such that only one of said collector means is exposed to a fixed heat source at any one time; and c. rotatable support means associated with said tubular member and reservoirs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A rotatable device as defined in claim 1, wherein said tubular member is a capillary tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A rotatable device as defined in claim 1, wherein said support means are secured to said tubular member and extend outwardly from opposite sides thereof, and wherein said reservoirs are of like size and are secured along said tubular member at like locations on opposite ends thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A rotatable device as defined in claim 3, wherein support means comprise a pair of pivot pins, said pins being secured to said tubular member at approximately the mid point thereof, said pins having tapered outer ends for free rotational support.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A rotatable device as defined in claim 1, wherein preferential heat collector means comprise a heat absorptive surface on one side of each reservoir only, the absorptive surface on one reservoir being opposite the absorptive surface on one reservoir.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A rotatable device as defined in claim 5, wherein a heat reflective surface is present on an opposite side of the same reservoir to the heat absorptive surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A rotatable device as defined in claim 6, wherein each reservoir has said absorptive surface longitudinally along one side thereof and said reflective surface longitudinally along an opposite side thereof, the arrangement for one of said reservoirs being opposite to the other of said reservoirs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
An amusement device comprising a base, said base having a plurality of support secured thereto and extending upwardly therefrom and at least one rotatable device as defined in claim 1 rotatably suspended between said supports.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
An amusement device as defined in claim 8, wherein a plurality of independent rotatable devices are interconnected and suspended as a unit between said supports.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A rotatable device as defined in claim 1, wherein said rotatable support means comprises a circular rim extending around said reservoirs and being secured thereto.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A rotatable device as defined in claim 1, wherein said reservoirs further have a vane secured longitudinally therearound and extending outwardly therefrom.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A rotatable device as defined in claim 11, wherein said vanes further have preferential heat collector means on one side thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
144 words
An amusement device comprising: a. a tubular member; b. a reservoir received around each end of said tubular member, and secured thereto to define a liquid tight system, said reservoirs being in communication with each other through said tubular member; c. a predetermined amount of a liquid that exhibits a high vapor pressure being received within said liquid tight system; d. a predetermined amount of vapor Of said liquid being received in said system, liquid and vapor being present in both reservoirs; e. light reflective means being secured to each said reservoir around a portion thereof; f. light absorptive means being secured to each said reservoir around a portion thereof, said absorptive means on one of said reservoirs being placed in a location opposite the absorptive means on said other reservoirs; and g. rotatable support means associated with said tubular member and said reservoirs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
144 words
An amusement device comprising: a. a tubular member; b. a reservoir received around each end of said tubular member, and secured thereto to define a liquid tight system, said reservoirs being in communication with each other through said tubular member; c. a predetermined amount of a liquid that exhibits a high vapor pressure being received within said liquid tight system; d. a predetermined amount of vapor Of said liquid being received in said system, liquid and vapor being present in both reservoirs; e. light reflective means being secured to each said reservoir around a portion thereof; f. light absorptive means being secured to each said reservoir around a portion thereof, said absorptive means on one of said reservoirs being placed in a location opposite the absorptive means on said other reservoirs; and g. rotatable support means associated with said tubular member and said reservoirs.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
An amusement device as defined in claim 13, wherein said rotatable support means comprise a pair of pivot pins secured to said tubular member on opposite sides of the mid point thereof and a base freely and rotatingly receiving said pivot pins.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
An amusement device as defined in claim 12, wherein said base comprises a platform having a pair of vertical supports thereon, said pivot pins being received by said supports.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
An amusement device as defined in claim 15, wherein said supports form an arch at the upper ends thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-04 | 1976-12-04 | 1977-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-04 | 1980-12-04 | 1981-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-04 | 1984-12-04 | 1985-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |