GB743157A - A sand or the like operated power unit for a toy - Google Patents

Abstract

743,157. Gravity operated motors. LOW, A. M. Sept. 22, 1954 [Sept. 22, 1953], No. 26078/53. Class 10 [Also in Group XV] A power unit operated by the action of gravity or sand comprises a sand hopper discharging san( into one or other o: two sand receivers arran ged for movement to gether between a first stable position in which one sand receiver is positioned below the dis charge opening of the hopper and a seconc stable position in which the other sand receive] is positioned below the discharge opening on receipt of a predeterminec quantity of sand in one receiver which discharges sand in the second position so that continual oscillation of the receivers takes place. A hopper 2 in a casing 1 has a discharge opening vertically above a pivot shaft 5 on which is mounted an oscillator unit comprising two triangular side members 8; one of which carries a, T-shaped extension piece 12. The side members are connected by trays 9, 10 which are separated by a vane 13. A balance weight 15 below the trays is such that the oscillator rests in either of the stable positions defined by the engagement of the T-piece 12 with the walls of the casing 1. In each position one of the tray members 9, 10 rests beneath the discharge opening of the hopper with a slight slope to its open end. The side members 8 provide sides for the trays 9, 10, which. may have lips at their free edges. Sand falling from the hopper 2 on to the tray builds up until the oscillator is overbalanced and moves to its second position with the tray 10 below the hopper 2, the sand from the tray 9 falling to the bottom of the casing 1. Baffles 16 guide the sand back to the hopper 2 when the casing is inverted. In a modification, sand from the trays 9, 10 falls into a pivoted container 20, Fig. 5, provided with an opening 24 and a horizontal lip 23 on which the sand piles up at its angle of rest. The container 20 may be so arranged that as the hopper 2 is emptied, the container 20 is overbalanced so that lip 23 is directed vertically downwards and the sand is discharged. The discharge of sand from container 20 may operate a second power unit similar to that operated by sand from the hopper 2. The shaft 5 of the power unit is provided with rounded ends rotably supported in recesses in the casing walls. The T- piece extension 12 may carry the eyes of a toy cat in which the unit is mounted, the container 20 being connected to another part of the cat, e.g. its front paws, and the second power unit being connected to the cat's tail.