US 4,232,304 A · Vibratory-rotary motion converters and display devices incorporating such converters

Abstract

The vibratory-rotary motion converter may comprise a vibratory member having a generally cylindrical external surface, supporting means for supporting the vibratory member for axial vibratory motion along the cylindrical axis of such surface, vibration producing means for causing such axial vibratory motion of such member, a rotary member slidably and rotatably mounted around such cylindrical surface for rotary motion relative thereto about the cylindrical axis thereof, a shoulder member on the vibratory member and having a shoulder facing toward said rotary member, and at least one flexible resilient arm on the rotary member and having an end portion extending toward said shoulder for engagement therewith, the arm being oriented for flexing motion in a direction such that the end portion of the arm has axial and circumferential components of motion relative to the cylindrical axis, the rotary member being biased toward the shoulder to produce a yieldable biasing force between the shoulder and the end portion of the arm so that axial vibration of the vibratory member produces flexure of the arm and consequent rotation of the rotary member. One display device comprises a rotary hub frictionally driven by such rotary member and rotatably mounted around the cylindrical surface of the vibratory member, at least one mobile display element positioned outwardly from the rotary hub, and a flexible resilient spoke-like connecting element extending between the rotary hub and the mobile display element for causing such element to rotate with the rotary hub while affording flexibility therebetween.

Claims52

Dependent claims

A device for converting vibratory motion into rotary motion,

said device comprising a vibratory member having a generally cylindrical external surface,
supporting means for supporting said vibratory member for axial vibratory motion along the cylindrical axis of said surface,
vibration producing means for causing such axial vibratory motion of said vibratory member,
a rotary member slidably and rotatably mounted around said cylindrical surface of said vibratory member for rotary motion relative thereto about the cylindrical axis of said cylindrical surface,
a shoulder member on said vibratory member and having a shoulder facing toward said rotary member,
and at least one flexible resilient arm on said rotary member and having an end portion extending toward said shoulder for engagement therewith,
said flexible resilient arm being oriented for flexing motion in a direction such that said end portion of said arm has axial and circumferential components of motion relative to said cylindrical axis,
said rotary member being biased toward said shoulder to produce a yieldable biasing force between said shoulder and said end portion of said flexible arm so that axial vibration of said vibratory member produces flexure of said arm and consequent rotation of said rotary member.

5 more elements

A mobile display device,

comprising a vibratory member having an external substantially cylindrical surface,
supporting means for mounting said vibratory member in a substantially vertical position for axial vibratory motion along the cylindrical axis of said cylindrical surface,
a transducer for translating electrical signals into such axial vibratory motion of said vibratory member,
a rotary member rotatably mounted around said cylindrical surface for rotary motion about said cylindrical axis therof,
a vibratory-rotary motion converting device connected between said vibratory member and said rotary member for imparting rotary motion to said rotary member in response to vibratory motion of said vibratory member,
at least one mobile display element positioned outwardly from said rotary member,
and a flexible resilient connecting element forming a flexible resilient connection between said rotary member and said mobile display element for causing said mobile display element to rotate with said rotary member while affording flexibility therebetween.

4 more elements

A device for producing a display of modulated light,

said device comprising a vibratory member having an external generally cylindrical surface,
supporting means for mounting said vibratory member in a generally vertical position for axial vibratory motion along the cylindrical axis of said surface,
at least one rotary member rotatably mounted around said cylindrical surface for rotary motion about said cylindrical axis,
vibratory-rotary conversion means connected between said vibratory member and said rotary member for imparting rotary motion to said rotary member in response to vibratory motion of said vibratory member,
a transducer for translating electrical signals into axial vibratory motion of said vibratory member and thereby producing rotary motion of said rotary member,
a light-modulating wheel rotatable with said rotary member,
at least one light source for directing light upon said wheel,
said wheel being variegated for producing modulation of such light,
a cell containing a light-transmitting liquid for receiving modulated light from said wheel,
a vibratory connection between said vibratory member and said cell for producing vibratory motion of said liquid in response to the vibratory motion of said vibratory member,
the vibratory motion of said liquid producing vibratory modulation of the light from said wheel,
and image producing means for receiving the light from said liquid and producing images which are modulated by the rotary motion of said wheel and the vibratory motion of said liquid.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vibratory-rotary motion converters and display devices incorporating such converters

Life of this patent

Vibratory-rotary motion converters and display devices incorporating such converters

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims52