GB2216840A - Potters wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of, and an apparatus for, turning pots at a working location provides for the positioning of a working wheel (19) in the working location and the tilting the wheel towards an operators position at the location so that a working axis of rotation of the wheel is at an angle to the vertical and the wheel faces, at least partially, towards an operator at the working location. The working wheel can be located by way of a cantilever so as to provide for ready access to a clearance volume beneath the wheel at the working location typically for the legs of a person in a wheel chair and for the forward part of the wheelchair. <IMAGE>

Description

POTTERS P1EEEL This invention relates to a method of, and a potters wheel for, throwing or turning a pot. The term pot is intended here to cover any thrown or turned article of clay or comparable material including a relatively flat one with a height considerably less than its diameter such as a plate up to and including an article whose height is comparable to or greater than its diameter. Potters wheels have been in use in Europe for at least 2000 years and a variety of types exist. Broadly however they are characterised by a working wheel, on which the raw material, usually a clay, is mounted and manipulated. The wheel is mounted for driven rotation about a vertical axis.In view of the need for the potter to deposit, and thereafter manipulate, a charge of raw material on the wheel it has to be provided with bearings which will resist both transverse and vertical forces applied to the wheel by way of the charge. The means for rotating the wheel can vary from a purely manual input where the potter uses a stick to push the working wheel, a foot operated treadle or a drive powered by an electrical or other motor. In addition a wheel can be used in conjunction with a flywheel to increase the stored momentum available.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of turning pots at a working location comprising the steps of disposing a working wheel in the working location and tilting the wheel towards an operators position in the location so that a working axis of rotation of the wheel is at an angle to the vertical and the wheel faces, at least partially, towards an operator at the working location.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of turning pots at a working location comprising the steps of disposing a working wheel in the working location by way of a cantilever, and tilting the wheel towards an operators position in the location so that a working axis of rotation of the wheel is at an angle to the vertical and the wheel faces, at least partially, towards an operator at the working location.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a potters wheel operable from a working position comprising a working wheel carried by way of a support, enabling the wheel to project into the working position, the support serving to tilt the working wheel towards an operators position so that a working axis of the wheel is at an angle to the vertical and the wheel faces, at least partially, towards an operator located at the working position.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a potters wheel operable from a working position comprising a working wheel carried by way of a cantilever from a support, the cantilever enabling the wheel to project into the working position, the working wheel having a working axis of rotation inclined at an angle to the vertical, the wheel facing, at least partially, towards an operator located at the working position.

In a first preferred form of the fourth aspect of the present invention the support incorporates height controlling means whereby the working wheel can be adjusted in height relative to a datum height.

In a second preferred form of the fourth aspect the support incorporates an angle controlling means whereby the angle of the axis of rotation to the vertical can be adjusted relative to a datum angle. Typically the angle controlling means is incorporated in, or acts by way of, the cantilever.

In a third preferred form of the fourth aspect the support incorporates a prime mover and a speed control means therefor to provide for controlled rotation of the working wheel by way of a transmission system linking the prime mover to the wheel. Typically the transmission system includes a flywheel.

Typically the height controlling means and/or the angle controlling means and /or the speed controlling means can be operated by a person located in the working position.

Three exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of potters wheels wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the first embodiment; Figure 3 is a side elevation of a second embodiment; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment.

Figure 1 and 2 variously show a potters workstation located at a working position 10 generally indicated by a broken outline. The workstation is based on a support frame 11 comprising a floor mounted U-frame 12 with three mounting feet 13 from which extends upwardly a column 14. Head 15 of the workstation is clamped to the column 14 by way of clamp 16. A safety clamp 17 provides a backup stop to prevent the head 15 falling in the event of failure, or inadvertent release, of clamp 16.

The head 15 is a cantilever supporting working wheel 19 so as to provide unimpeded access to the workstation for lower trunk 20 and limbs 21 of user 22 at the workstation. The working wheel 19 is carried by bearings within shroud 23 of the head 15 to lie at an angle A to the vertical. The bearings carrying wheel 19 are mounted in a clamping arrangement allowing the angle A to be set as required. In this case the angle A is set at 15 degrees.

A D.C. electric motor 24 mounted within housing 25 on the head 15 is coupled to the working wheel 19 by way of a transmission 26 extending through the housing 25 and shroud 23. The driven speed of rotation of the wheel 19 is regulated by user 22 through lever 27 which is coupled to a conventional motor speed control unit 28 mounted within the housing 25.

Electrical power for the motor 24 is supplied to the workstation by way of a conventional flying lead.

With user 22 positioned as shown he can dump a clay charge on the wheel 19 and thereafter manipulate it to produce the required article. The speed of rotation of the wheel 19 is regulated by the user manipulating lever 24.

By providing unimpeded access to the workstation user 22 can either readily position himself or be positioned prior to making use of wheel 19.

A workstation allowing this ready access is particularly suitable for a user suffering from ailments causing a deterioration in physical action, infirmity or defects such as a spinal lesion. By inclining the working wheel 19 towards the user he can more readily comprehend the results of his manipulation of a clay workpiece without needing to manoeuvre himself continuously to check progress. In effect by using an inclined wheel a user is positioned so as to normally view the workpiece in plan view while working on it. This contrasts with a conventional wheel set vertically where the user is looking at an angle to the vertical axis of the workpiece. In the conventional arrangement the user has to periodically lean forward to view the work in plan or lean back to see it in true elevation.

Given that with the wheel of the embodiment the user has a continuous plan view he can avoid the need to change attitude by means of a mirror to provide a view in elevation of the workpiece. A direct plan view or a reflected elevation view are readily accommodated by eye movement alone.

The embodiment not only provides for a reduced amount of movement to be possible while enabling the workpiece to be viewed. It also enables a readier application of forming actions by the hands of the user while manipulating the workpiece. Typically the user is enabled to either apply thrust or pull in the direction of his line of sight or at right angles to it. This contrasts with the substantially off-set lines of action arising with a conventional vertically disposed workpiece. In this case if the potter is to be able to view the workpiece normally in plan there is a need for an angled seat and for the body to be positioned in a way which requires the potter to have no significant temporary or permanent physical handicaps or infirmity.

Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment. Here a support of tubular components is used having a generally Y-shaped base 31 with a stem 32 welded to the centre of a U-section 33 with its open ends directed towards user U. A vertical column 34 extends upwardly from stem 32 to joint 35 from which extends cantilever arm 36. The arm 36 supports at its outer end an open top shroud 37 which houses working wheel 38 in conventional bearings. The bearings serve to align axis of rotation R of working wheel 38 at an angle A to the vertical.

The base 31 supports a housing 39 in which is mounted by way of bearings a flywheel 40 and on which is mounted a motor 41. The motor drives the flywheel 40 by way of a concealed belt 42. The flywheel 40 transmits rotary motion to working wheel 38 by way of a drive shaft 43 from which the user U is protected by way of a light housing. The shaft 43 serves only to drive the working wheel 38 and does not serve to structurally support the working wheel 38. Hand wheel 44 mounted on the end of stem 32 enable the angle A, and the height of the working wheel above the floor, to be varied. It will be apparent that the centre of gravity of the workstation described in connection with Figure 3 is lower than that described in connection with Figures 1 and 2.

Many potters wheels are used which are caused to rotate by the physical action of the potter. Typically this can be by way of a foot operated treadle. In some cases the the wheel is caused to rotate by periodically pushing the outer edge of the wheel by way of a thrust rod. The embodiments of Figures 1 to 3 make use of an electric motor as a prime mover but alternative sources of power include pressurized hydraulic fluid or compressed air governed by appropriate speed regulating means. Apart from the momentum stored in the working wheel it is envisaged that a flywheel can be incorporated in the system.

Figure 1 to 3 relate to a user in a wheel chair. The workstations described can be readily used by anybody whether fully able bodied or not.

However the embodiments are particularly recommended for use in rehabilitating those suffering from spinal injuries.

Figures 1 to 3 embody workstations where the user faces a cantilevered wheel end on. However the invention makes it possible for a user to approach the wheel and/or operate it from the side so that in use the the cantilever is disposed transverse, rather than towards, a front facing users Such an arrangement would enable a bed-ridden person to make use of a potters wheel.

While Figures 1 to 3 show cantilevered arrangements it is possible for the inclined working wheel to be supported by either permanent or temporary means other than a cantilever as long as a user can gain readily gain access to the working wheel.

Figure 4 shows a working wheel 50 mounted in a shroud 51 and supported on tube T of a triangular frame 52 and on a mounting plate 53 extending between tubes U and V of the frame 52. The frame 52 has as its apices sleeves 54, 55, 56 serving to locate the frame on, respectively, legs 57, 58, 59 at heights which can be varied. Sleeve 56 supports by way of strut 60 a plate 61 om which is mounted a DC electric motor 62 which is used to drive wheel 50 by way of belt 63. The wheel 50 is supported in conventional bearings to lie with its axis of rotation A at an angle R to vertical axis V. The location of the wheel 50 by way of the frame 52 and legs 57, 58, 59 provide for substantial clearance beneath the wheel 50 and its shroud 51. This enables, for example, a user of the wheel to position themselves with their legs extending through the opening bounded by the tube T and the legs 57, 58. The mounting of motor 62 and its coupling to wheel 50 on the frame 52 provides for substantial access space beneath the frame 52. Once installed in position a user can take advantage of the inclined wheel 50 in a similar manner to that described in connection with the earlier embodiments.

Claims (10)

1A method of turning pots at a working location comprising the steps of disposing a working wheel in the working location and tilting the wheel towards an operators position in the location so that a working axis of rotation of the wheel is at an angle to the vertical and the wheel faces, at least partially, towards an operator at the working location.

2 A method of turning pots at a working location comprising the steps of disposing a working wheel in the working location by way of a cantilever, and tilting the wheel towards an operators position in the location so that a working axis of rotation of the wheel is at an angle to the vertical and the wheel faces, at least partially, towards an operator at the working location.

3 A potters wheel operable from a working position comprising a working wheel carried by way of a support, enabling the wheel to project into the working position, the support serving to tilt the working wheel towards an operators position so that a working axis of the wheel is at an angle to the vertical and the wheel faces, at least partially, towards an operator located at the working position.

4 A potters wheel operable from a working position comprising a working wheel carried by way of a cantilever from a support, the cantilever enabling the wheel to project into the working position, the working wheel having a working axis of rotation inclined at an angle to the vertical. the wheel facing, at least partially, towards an operator located at the working position.

5 A potters wheel as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the support incorporates height controlling means whereby the working wheel can be adjusted in height relative to a datum height.

6 A potters wheel as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the support incorporates an angle controlling means whereby the angle of the axis of rotation to the vertical can be adjusted relative to a datum angle.

7 A potters wheel as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the support incorporates an angle controlling means whereby the angle of the axis of rotation to the vertical can be adjusted relative to a datum angle the means being incorporated in, or acting by way of, the cantilever.

8 A potters wheel as claimed in any one of Claims 3 -7 incorporating a prime mover and a speed control means therefor to provide for controlled rotation of the working wheel by way of a transmission system linking the prime mover to the wheel.

9 A potters wheel as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the transmission system includes a flywheel.

10 A potters wheel as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 or Figure 3 or Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.