Abstract These magnetic kinetic amusement devices have plural magnetically coupled elements that exhibit intermittent, alternating motion as energy is interchanged between the elements. In one embodiment, plural vertically spaced arms are mounted for pivotal motion about a common vertical axis. Each arm has a pair of magnets at its extremities. As it rotates through a partial revolution, its kinetic energy is magnetically coupled to an adjacent arm. As a result, adjacent arms alternately rotate through fractional revolutions, providing quantized motion that is fascinating to watch. In other embodiments the magnetically coupled elements comprise pendulums each having at the pendulum end a design member containing a magnet. The plural pendulums may be disposed in three dimensional array, or may be suspended from a common support with the magnets aligned for mutual repulsion so that the pendulums assume a conical arrangement. Displacement or rotation of any pendulum design member causes energy exchange through magnetic coupling, resulting in an eye-appealing intermittently alternating motion of all design members.
A magnetic kinetic amusement device comprising, a frame, plural magnetic elements, and a plurality of mounting means supported by said frame, at least one magnetic element being mounted by each such means, said magnets thus being supported in spaced, magnetically coupled relationship so that motion of one mounting means intermittantly is interchanged magnetically with another such mounting means to produce intermittent alternating motion of the magnetically coupled means, and wherein; each mounting means comprises an arm supported for rotational motion about an axis common to all such arms, there being at least one magnet affixed to each arm at a distance spaced from said common axis, so that rotational motion of one arm intermittently is coupled magnetically to another arm to cause rotational oscillation thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A magnetic kinetic amusement device comprising, a frame, plural magnetic elements, and a plurality of mounting means supported by said frame, at least one magnetic element being mounted by each such means, said magnets thus being supported in spaced, magnetically coupled relationship so that motion of one mounting means intermittantly is interchanged magnetically with another such mounting means to produce intermittent alternating motion of the magnetically coupled means, and wherein; each mounting means comprises an arm supported for rotational motion about an axis common to all such arms, there being at least one magnet affixed to each arm at a distance spaced from said common axis, so that rotational motion of one arm intermittently is coupled magnetically to another arm to cause rotational oscillation thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of such arms mounted in vertically spaced relationship along a vertically disposed common axis, each of said arms having a pair of magnets mounted thereto at distances approximately equally spaced from said axis, the magnetic elements of immediately subjacent arms being poled for repulsion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 2 wherein all of said arms are attached to a thread disposed along said common axis, said thread imparting a torsional force to said arms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device according to claim 2 wherein said frame includes a rigid shaft disposed coaxially with said common axis, and wherein said arms are pivotally mounted to said shaft.