US3811990A - Thermally actuated mobile - Google Patents

Thermally actuated mobile Download PDF

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Publication number
US3811990A
US3811990A US00298787A US29878772A US3811990A US 3811990 A US3811990 A US 3811990A US 00298787 A US00298787 A US 00298787A US 29878772 A US29878772 A US 29878772A US 3811990 A US3811990 A US 3811990A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
arms
sleeve
tube
mobile
heat source
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00298787A
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English (en)
Inventor
W Stoff
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GE NA GESCHENKE Gebr NAGEL KG
GE NA GESCHENKE Gebr NAGEL KG DT
Original Assignee
GE NA GESCHENKE Gebr NAGEL KG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by GE NA GESCHENKE Gebr NAGEL KG filed Critical GE NA GESCHENKE Gebr NAGEL KG
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3811990A publication Critical patent/US3811990A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S10/00—Lighting devices or systems producing a varying lighting effect
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S13/00—Non-electric lighting devices or systems employing a point-like light source; Non-electric lighting devices or systems employing a light source of unspecified shape
    • F21S13/12—Devices intended to be free-standing, e.g. table lamp, floor lamp

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a mobile, and more particularly to a thermally actuated mobile.
  • Mobiles of the type here in question are intended for decorative purposes, in that the movement of the movable component thereof provides a steady pressure for the user.
  • Mobiles are known from the prior art in which elognated flexible arms are provided one end of which is anchored in a base and the other end of which is provided with a weight. The arms swing gently when vibrations of any type are transmitted to the base, and in some instances also under the influence of even a relatively mild flow of air.
  • Still a more particular object of the invention is to provide such a thermally actuated mobile in which the swinging movements of the very sensitive arms can always remain identical independently of fluctuations in the supply of thermal energy from the heat source.
  • a thermally actuated mobile which, briefly stated, comprises a holder for a heat source, and a plurality of flexible arms which bend when heated and are arranged circumferentially about the holder.
  • Mounting means engages first ends of the respective arms and connects the latter, the mounting means surrounding the holder.
  • Weight means is provided on the respective second ends of the arms remote from the holder, and adjusting means is provided for raising and lowering the mounting means relative to the holder and for arresting it in respective se lected positions.
  • an upright tubular member having an upper open end bounded by an inwardly extending shoulder, in
  • the arms are constructed as bimetallic strips and the tubular member is surrounded by a sleeve which is upwardly open, with the first ends of the arms being mounted within the sleeve in the space between the same and the tubular member, so that they can extend out of the upper open end of the sleeve and swing radially with respect to the tubular member and thus to the heat source.
  • the arms are springily supported with respect to the inner circumference at the upper open end of the sleeve, for which purpose a damping element of elastomeric material may be inserted which engages the inner side of the sleeve at the upper open end thereof and against which the arms ean abut when they swing.
  • a similar interception of the arms during swinging can be achieved with respect to the tubular member by having the outer side thereof in the region of the upper open end made slightly convex in direction towards the opening at the upper open end of the tubular member.
  • the sleeve can be made height-adjustable with reference to the stationary holder, or the holder can be made height-adjustable with reference to the sleeve in which case the latter would be stationary.
  • the adjustability can be achieved in accordance with the present invention by making the respective movable element turnable and associating it with a helical guide arrangement so that turning of the movable element will cause it to move upwardly or downwardly, depending upon the direction in which it is being turned.
  • the height adjustability assures that the arms can perform a lesser or a greater swinging movement, depending upon the adjusted position which is selected, before they abut against the upper circumference of the sleeve.
  • FIG. 1 is a vertical section of an embodiment of the present invention, showing one height-adjusted position at the left-hand side and another height-adjusted position at the right-hand side;
  • FIG. 2 is a section taken on line 11-11 of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a developed view of the elements which cooperate to achieve the height adjustability in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • the heat source is a candle one which of course also provides light.
  • a plurality of arms in form of bimetallic strips 2, which are outwardly swingable within a chimney or globe 3.
  • a base 4 is provided having a centrally upwardly extending tubular section 5 into which a tubular member 6 is inserted, for instance by means of a bayonet closure or the like, so that it can be removed.
  • the tubular member 6 has an upper end portion 7 which is slightly outwardly convex in direction towards the central opening through which the flame of the candle 1 can pass.
  • the candle 1 is constantly urged upwardly under the pressure of a helical spring 8, so that it will always abut against the upper edge 7 of the tubular member 6 even as it burns away.
  • tubular section 5 of the base 4 which section is slightly stepped in diameter, are outwardly extending surfaces 9 which are distributed with spacing over the circumference of the tubular section 5 and are inclined in a helical manner, as is shown most clearly in FIG. 3.
  • the surfaces 9 are contacted by correspondingly inclined surfaces 10 provided on the inner side of a tube 11 which can be turned with reference to the base 4 about the axis of the tubular section 5 to a limited extent (which may be determined by abutments), so that it can be raised or lowered by for instance 5-6 millimeters in the direction of the double-headed arrow 21 in FIGS.
  • Abutments 12 are provided in the illustrated embodiment at the two ends of one of the surfaces 10, which delimit the extent to which the tube 11 can turn by cooperating with a projection 13 which also serves for securing the tubular member 6 with the base 4.
  • the upper end of the tube 11 is provided with a sleeve which is inserted into this upper end, an annulus 14 of elastomeric material being interposed.
  • the sleeve 15 is tightly fitted into the lower opening of the globe 3 and serves to mount the lower end portions of the arms 2.
  • a slotted ring 16 or the like is inserted under pretension into an appropriate annular recess of the sleeve 15, and the lower ends of the arms 2 are connected to the ring. Upwardly of their connection with the ring 16 the arms 2 are slightly bent in direction towards the upper rounded or convex portion 7 of the tubular member 6, and then are slightly bent outwardly. Due to this configuration, the arms can swing between the sleeve 15 and the tubular member 6.
  • a damping element 17 of elastomeric material which is interposed between the inner circumference of the sleeve 15 and the lower bent ends of the arms 2.
  • the element 17 will be a ring of rubber or the like with an appropriate rectangular or quadratic cross section.
  • the swinging movement of the arms in the other direction, that is inwardly towards the heat source, is dampened by contact with the upper rounded portion of the tubular member 6.
  • the outer free ends of the arms 2 carry weights 18, such as spheres or the like of metal, heat-resistant synthetic plastic, glass or the like.
  • FIG. 1 shows the tube 11 in its uppermost position.
  • the amplitude of the swinging movements of the arms 2 can be precisely adjusted to a desired extent, and this extent can be selected in dependence upon the personal preference of the user, and taking into account the amount of heat energy supplied by the heat source. Very small vibratory movements at low amplitude can be obtained for the arms, as well as very slow swinging movements with a correspondingly larger amplitude, and in any case such movements can be maintained constant over the entire lifetime of the heat source.
  • a thermally actuated mobile comprising a holder for a heat source; a plurality of flexible arms which flex when heated and are arranged circumferentially about said holder; mounting means engaging first ends of the respective arms and connecting the latter, said mounting means surrounding said holder; weight means on the respective second ends of said arms remote from said holder; and adjusting means for raising and lowering said mounting means relative to said holder and for arresting it in respective selected positions.
  • said mounting means comprising a sleeve slidably surrounding said upright tube, and said arms being bimetallic strips mounted on said sleeve and closely surrounding said tube with freedom of swinging movement radially of the latter.
  • said adjusting means comprising screw thread means associated with at least one of said tube and sleeve for permitting movement of the same relative to the other in response to requisite turning.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Arrangement Of Elements, Cooling, Sealing, Or The Like Of Lighting Devices (AREA)
US00298787A 1972-04-01 1972-10-18 Thermally actuated mobile Expired - Lifetime US3811990A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE7212519 1972-04-01

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3811990A true US3811990A (en) 1974-05-21

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00298787A Expired - Lifetime US3811990A (en) 1972-04-01 1972-10-18 Thermally actuated mobile

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3811990A (OSRAM)
FR (1) FR2178967B3 (OSRAM)
GB (1) GB1363057A (OSRAM)
IT (1) IT957987B (OSRAM)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3978608A (en) * 1975-08-20 1976-09-07 Thomas Kovachevich Method of effecting a continuous movement of a fibrous material
US3998005A (en) * 1975-04-17 1976-12-21 Way Lee V Device with movable parts made from material and sensitive to moist gas
US5860725A (en) * 1996-05-01 1999-01-19 Zer; Eliezer Heat operated rotatable device
US6196895B1 (en) * 1998-03-20 2001-03-06 Larry Elkins Heat-activated toy
US20030232299A1 (en) * 2002-06-14 2003-12-18 Paul Chang Candle or light holder with rotary ornament
US20070143903A1 (en) * 2005-12-15 2007-06-21 Peter Marlow Animated artificial flower
US20080311316A1 (en) * 2007-06-16 2008-12-18 Peter Marlow Animated artificial flower
US20080311315A1 (en) * 2007-06-13 2008-12-18 Peter Marlow Animated artificial flower

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2613459A1 (fr) * 1987-04-03 1988-10-07 Gitton Bernard Appareil d'eclairage a obturateur automatique

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3998005A (en) * 1975-04-17 1976-12-21 Way Lee V Device with movable parts made from material and sensitive to moist gas
US3978608A (en) * 1975-08-20 1976-09-07 Thomas Kovachevich Method of effecting a continuous movement of a fibrous material
US5860725A (en) * 1996-05-01 1999-01-19 Zer; Eliezer Heat operated rotatable device
US6196895B1 (en) * 1998-03-20 2001-03-06 Larry Elkins Heat-activated toy
US20030232299A1 (en) * 2002-06-14 2003-12-18 Paul Chang Candle or light holder with rotary ornament
US20070143903A1 (en) * 2005-12-15 2007-06-21 Peter Marlow Animated artificial flower
US7842359B2 (en) 2005-12-15 2010-11-30 Peter Marlow Animated artificial flower
US20080311315A1 (en) * 2007-06-13 2008-12-18 Peter Marlow Animated artificial flower
US20080311316A1 (en) * 2007-06-16 2008-12-18 Peter Marlow Animated artificial flower
US7861444B2 (en) * 2007-06-16 2011-01-04 Peter Marlow Animated artificial flower

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT957987B (it) 1973-10-20
GB1363057A (en) 1974-08-14
FR2178967A1 (OSRAM) 1973-11-16
FR2178967B3 (OSRAM) 1976-03-26

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