US4402499A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tunnel with off-center shaft therein having further shafts slideable therethrough
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1982-02-18
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Granted: 1983-09-06
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Expires: 2002-02-18
Abstract
Abstract A mechanical device includes a block of material having a hollow tunnel formed therein. An elongated rotary shaft is floatingly mounted in the tunnel, generally parallel to but off-set from the longitudinal center thereof. A number of holes are diametrically formed through and more or less evenly distributed along the length of the shaft, perpendicular to the axis thereof. Each hole is angularly offset from the other holes, by a predetermined angular distance. A sliding shaft, which slides freely through each of these diametrical holes, has a wheel on each of its opposite ends. The contour of the tunnel wall is unique and is defined by the paths followed by the wheels on the ends of the sliding shafts, as the shaft rotates and as the sliding shafts slide freely through the holes.
Inventors
- 👤 Rodney P. Galyean
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:52
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/06; A63F9/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
An attention getting device comprising a block having a tunnel extending through at least a part thereof, a floating shaft in an off-center position within said tunnel, at least one wall means in said tunnel for precluding a centering of said shaft in said tunnel, a plurality of holes formed diametrically through said shaft, the axis of each of said holes being angularly off-set with respect to the axis of each of the other holes in order to uniformly distribute the directions of said holes around the periphery of said shaft, a sliding shaft slidably positioned in each of said shaft holes, the contour of the wall of said tunnel conforming to the paths followed by the ends of said sliding shafts as said floating shaft rotates, and means for applying a pressure upon said floating shaft at a longitudinal location which is peripherally offset from the cross-sectional center of said floating shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
An attention getting device comprising a block having a tunnel extending through at least a part thereof, a floating shaft in an off-center position within said tunnel, at least one wall means in said tunnel for precluding a centering of said shaft in said tunnel, a plurality of holes formed diametrically through said shaft, the axis of each of said holes being angularly off-set with respect to the axis of each of the other holes in order to uniformly distribute the directions of said holes around the periphery of said shaft, a sliding shaft slidably positioned in each of said shaft holes, the contour of the wall of said tunnel conforming to the paths followed by the ends of said sliding shafts as said floating shaft rotates, and means for applying a pressure upon said floating shaft at a longitudinal location which is peripherally offset from the cross-sectional center of said floating shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the centers of said sliding shafts follow a locus which is a closed path having one point which coincides with the center of the tunnel and another diametrically opposed point which is approximately one half of the distance between said center and a wall of said tunnel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the closed path is a circle with radius which is equal to approximately one-eighth of the length of said sliding shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
124 words
A combination floating shaft and roadway wherein said floating shaft has a plurality of holes distributed along the length of said shaft, each of said holes having a cross-section centered upon a longitudinal axis of said shaft, said holes being oriented to radiate uniformly around the periphery of said shaft, a sliding shaft passing freely through each of said holes, rotary means on each end of each of said sliding shafts, said rotary means being oriented to roll as said floating shaft rotates, means defining said endless roadway around said floating shaft for said wheels to roll on as said floating shaft rotates, and means for restraining motion of said floating shaft in one direction while enabling it to move freely in other directions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
124 words
A combination floating shaft and roadway wherein said floating shaft has a plurality of holes distributed along the length of said shaft, each of said holes having a cross-section centered upon a longitudinal axis of said shaft, said holes being oriented to radiate uniformly around the periphery of said shaft, a sliding shaft passing freely through each of said holes, rotary means on each end of each of said sliding shafts, said rotary means being oriented to roll as said floating shaft rotates, means defining said endless roadway around said floating shaft for said wheels to roll on as said floating shaft rotates, and means for restraining motion of said floating shaft in one direction while enabling it to move freely in other directions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The floating shaft of claim 4 and means for applying pressure on the pheriphery of said floating shaft in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of said floating shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The floating shaft of claim 5 wherein said means for restraining motion of said floating shaft is at least one vertical bearing extending outwardly from said roadway toward a geometrical center of said roadway.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The floating shaft of any one of the claims 4-6 wherein a line drawn smoothly through the centers of opposite ends of said shaft holes forms two spiral lines along the surface of said shaft, the two spirals being offset 180° from each other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The floating shaft of any one of claims 4-6 wherein said shaft holes are distributed along the length of said shaft to provide a balanced mechanical support 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) | 1986-09-05 | 1987-03-07 | 1987-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-05 | 1991-03-07 | 1991-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-05 | 1995-03-07 | 1995-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |