Cam mechanism for converting rotary motion to oscillating motion

Claim 2

A mechanism for oscillating a pivot shaft in opposite directions at substantially uniform speed about a longitudinal axis comprising: a) a music box including a rotating output shaft; b) a single cam operatively connected to the output shaft so as to rotate about a rotational axis, the cam comprising a cam body having a cam surface of generally cardioid shape having a first point of minimum distance from the rotational axis and a second point of maximum distance from the rotational axis such that an angle measured from a line connecting the axis and the first point to a line connecting the axis and the second point is less than 180° measured in the direction of rotation of the cam body; c) a rocker arm operatively connected to the pivot shaft; and, d) cam follower means associated with the rocker arm and engaging the cam surface such that rotation of the cam causes substantially uniform speed oscillation of the pivot shaft in both directions.

Claim 3

The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the cam body is generally planar having opposite faces and wherein the cam surface is defined by a groove formed in one of the faces.

Claim 4

The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the rotational axis of the cam is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft.

Claim 5

A mechanism for oscillating a rocker arm in opposite directions at a substantially uniform speed comprising: a) a music box including a rotating output shaft; b) a single cam operatively connected to the output shaft so as to rotate about a rotational axis, the cam comprising a cam body having a cam surface of generally cardioid shape having a first point of minimum distance from the rotational axis and a second point of maximum distance from the rotational axis such that an angle measured from a line connecting the axis and the first point to a line connecting the axis and the second point is less than 180° measured in the direction of rotation of the cam body; c) a rocker arm; d) means pivotally supporting the rocker arm such that the arm may oscillate in opposite directions about a pivot axis; e) cam follower means operatively associated with the rocker arm and engaging the cam surface such that rotation of the cam causes the rocker arm to oscillate about the pivot axis at a substantially uniform speed in both directions; f) a rod; and, g) a follower member attached to the rod and operatively associated with the rocker arm such that uniform movement of the rocker arm causes uniform movement of the rod.

Claim 6

A mechanism for oscillating a rocker arm in opposite directions at a substantially uniform speed comprising: a) a music box including a rotating output shaft; b) a single cam operatively connected to the output shaft so as to rotate about a rotational axis, the cam comprising a cam body having a cam surface of generally cardioid shape having a first point of minimum distance from the rotational axis and a second point of maximum distance from the rotational axis such that an angle measured from a line connecting the axis and the first point to a line connecting the axis and the second point is less than 180° measured in the direction of rotation of the cam body; c) a rocker arm; d) means pivotally supporting the rocker arm such that the arm may oscillate in opposite directions about a pivot axis; e) cam follower means operatively associated with the rocker arm and engaging the cam surface such that rotation of the cam causes the rocker arm to oscillate about the pivot axis at a substantially uniform speed in both directions; f) a rod; and, g) a follower member attached to the rod and operatively associated with the rocker arm such that uniform movement of the rocker arm causes uniform movement of the rod.

Claim 7

The mechanism according to claim 4 wherein the cam body is generally planar having opposite faces and wherein the cam surface is defined by a groove formed in one of the faces.

Claim 8

The mechanism according to claim 4 wherein the rotational axis of the cam is generally parallel to the pivot axis of the rocker arm.

Claim 9

The mechanism according to claim 4 further comprising: a base to which the music box and the means pivotally supporting the rocker arm are attached.

Claim 10

The mechanism according to claim 7 further comprising guide means associated with the rod such that the rod undergoes only translational movement at substantially uniform speed.

Claim 11

The mechanism according to claim 8 wherein the guide means comprises: guide post means extending from the base operatively associated with the follower member such that it slides along the guide post means.

Claim 12

The mechanism according to claim 9 further comprising a cover located on the base so as to enclose the music box, the cam, the rocker arm, the cam follower means, the guide post and the follower member, the cover defining an opening to allow at least a portion of the rod to extend therethrough to an exterior of the cover.

Claim 13

The mechanism according to claim 10 further comprising a decorative article attached to the rod exteriorly of the cover so as to translate with the rod at substantially uniform speed.

Claim 14

The mechanism according to claim 11 wherein the cam body is generally planar having opposite faces and wherein the cam surface is defined by a groove formed in one of the faces.

Claim 15

The mechanism according to claim 12 wherein the rotational axis of the cam is generally parallel to the pivot axis of the rocker arm.

Claim 16

The mechanism according to claim 4 wherein the rocker arm has end portions extending from opposite sides of the pivot axis.

Claim 17

The mechanism according to claim 14 further comprising: a) a base to which the music box and the means pivotally supporting the rocker arm are attached; and, b) a rod operatively associated with each end portion of the rocker arm such that oscillating movement of the rocker arm causes movement of the rods.

Claim 18

The mechanism according to claim 15 further comprising guide means operatively associated with each rod such that each rod undergoes only translational movement at substantially uniform speed.

Claim 19

The mechanism according to claim 16 wherein each guide means comprises: guide post means extending from the base operatively associated with the follower member such that it slides along the guide post means.

Claim 20

The mechanism according to claim 17 further comprising a cover located on the base so as to enclose the music box, the cam, the rocker arm, the cam follower means, the guide post and the follower member, the cover defining an opening to allow at least a portion of the rod to extend therethrough to an exterior of the cover.

Claim 21

The mechanism according to claim 18 further comprising a decorative article attached to each of the rods exteriorly of the cover so as to translate with the rods at substantially uniform speed.

Claim 22

The mechanism according to claim 19 wherein the cam body is generally planar having opposite faces and wherein the cam surface is defined by a groove formed in one of the faces.

Claim 23

The mechanism according to claim 20 wherein the rotational axis of the cam is generally parallel to the pivot axis of the rocker arm.

Claim 24

A mechanism for imparting uniform reciprocating movement in opposite directions to an ornamental object comprising: a) a music box including a rotatable output shaft; b) a cam operatively connected to the output shaft so as to rotate about a rotational axis, the cam comprising a cam body having a cam surface of generally cardoid shape having a first point of minimum distance from the rotational axis and a second point of maximum distance from the rotational axis such that an angle measured from a line connecting the axis and the first point to a line connecting the axis and the second point is less than 180° measured in the direction of rotation of the cam body; c) a rod operatively associated with an ornamental object; d) guide means operatively associated with the rod such that the rod is constrained to move in opposite directions along a linear path of travel; and, e) a cam follower operatively associated with the rod and the cam surface such that rotation of the cam causes reciprocation of the rod at a substantially uniform speed in both directions along its linear path of travel.

Claim 25

A mechanism for imparting uniform reciprocating movement in opposite directions to an ornamental object comprising: a) a music box including a rotatable output shaft; b) a cam operatively connected to the output shaft so as to rotate about a rotational axis, the cam comprising a cam body having a cam surface of generally cardoid shape having a first point of minimum distance from the rotational axis and a second point of maximum distance from the rotational axis such that an angle measured from a line connecting the axis and the first point to a line connecting the axis and the second point is less than 180° measured in the direction of rotation of the cam body; c) a rod operatively associated with an ornamental object; d) guide means operatively associated with the rod such that the rod is constrained to move in opposite directions along a linear path of travel; and, e) a cam follower operatively associated with the rod and the cam surface such that rotation of the cam causes reciprocation of the rod at a substantially uniform speed in both directions along its linear path of travel.

Claim 26

The mechanism of claim 22 wherein the guide means comprises a stationary guide element in sliding contact with the rod.

Claim 27

The mechanism of claim 23 wherein the guide element has a hollow, substantially cylindrical configuration and slidably contacts a portion of an exterior surface of the rod.

Claim 28

The mechanism of claim 24 wherein the cam follower extends from the rod and slidably contacts the cam surface.

Claim 29

The mechanism of claim 25 further comprising a slot defined by the substantially cylindrical guide element and located so as to allow the cam follower to extend through the slot.

Claim 30

The mechanism of claim 23 further comprising a base to which the music box and the stationary guide element are attached.

Claim 31

The mechanism of claim 27 further comprising a cover located on the base so as to enclose the music box and the guide element, the cover defining an opening to allow at least a portion of the rod to extend therethrough to an exterior of the cover.

Claim 32

The mechanism of claim 22 wherein the cam body is generally planar having opposite faces and wherein the cam surface is defined by a groove defined by one of the faces.