Abstract:
A gravity actuated torque generator for generating torque to run a generator by continually adding weights to the apparatus. The gravity actuated torque generator includes a support assembly, a drive assembly being supported by the support assembly, and a weight assembly being engagable to the drive assembly while moving downwardly due to gravitational forces for generating torque.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to torque generators and more particularly pertains to a new gravity actuated torque generator for generating torque to run a generator by continually adding weights to the apparatus. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of torque generators is known in the prior art. More specifically, torque generators heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     The prior art includes shafts such as drive screws being threaded along the lengths thereof with cylindrical weights being dropped about the drive screws effecting rotation of the drive screws while the cylindrical weights having threaded bores do not rotate because of a retaining bar. While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new gravity actuated torque generator. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new gravity actuated torque generator which has many of the advantages of the torque generators mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new gravity actuated torque generator which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art torque generators, either alone or in any combination thereof. The present invention includes a support assembly, a drive assembly being supported by the support assembly, and a weight assembly being engagable to the drive assembly for generating torque. None of the prior art includes the combination of the elements of the present invention. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the gravity actuated torque generator in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a new gravity actuated torque generator which has many of the advantages of the torque generators mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new gravity actuated torque generator which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art torque generators, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new gravity actuated torque generator for generating torque to run a generator by continually adding weights to the apparatus. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new gravity actuated torque generator that powers a generator by the user continually putting weights upon the helical track and about the drive shaft which drives a gear. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new gravity actuated torque generator that generates usable torque by using gravity to move the weights which engage the drive shaft. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is top perspective view of a new gravity actuated torque generator according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom planar view of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 2  thereof, a new gravity actuated torque generator embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 2 , the gravity actuated torque generator  10  generally comprises a support assembly, a drive assembly being supported by the support assembly, and a weight assembly being engagable to the drive assembly for generating torque. The drive assembly includes a drive shaft  40  being rotatably and conventionally depending from the support assembly. The drive shaft  40  has at least one side  17  and includes upper, middle and lower portions  14 - 16 . The drive shaft  40  may be cylindrically-shaped or may have multiple sides with a triangular or polygonal cross-section. The middle portion  15  has a larger perimeter than that of either the upper or lower portions  14 ,  16 . The drive shaft  40  has a first tapered portion  18  interconnecting the upper and middle portions  14 , 15  and has a second tapered portion  19  interconnecting the middle and lower portions  15 , 16 . The drive assembly also includes a track  20  securely and conventionally depending from the support assembly and being spaced about the drive shaft  40 . The track  20  spirals downwardly about the drive shaft  40  and is helical shaped. The drive assembly further includes at least one torque transmitting member  38  such as a gear member being conventionally attached to the drive shaft  40  for powering a generator. 
     The weight assembly includes a plurality of weight members  21  being rollably, separately, and spatially placed upon the track  20  at a top thereof and being removably and securely disposed about the drive shaft  40  and being urged downwardly upon the track  20  by gravity. The weight assembly further includes a plurality of rollers  41 , 42  being conventionally mounted to the weight members  21  and being movably and removably positioned upon the track  20  at the top thereof, and also includes a plurality of wheels  43 , 44  being conventionally mounted to the weight members  21  and being engagable to the drive shaft  40  to rotate the drive shaft  40  as the weight members  21  move downwardly upon the track  20  and about the drive shaft  40  because of gravitational forces. The wheels  43 , 44  are not engagable to the upper and lower portions  14 , 16  of the drive shaft  40  but are engagable to the middle portion  15  of the drive shaft  40  so that the weight members  21  are rotating at or nearly at the speed of the drive shaft  40  upon the wheels  43 , 44  engaging the drive shaft  40  to substantially negate any disruption to the rotating of the drive shaft  40 . Each of the weight members  21  has a main body  22  and also has arm members  23 , 30  extending at an angle from the main body  22 . Each of the arm members  23 , 30  has one of the rollers  41 , 42  being rollably and conventionally mounted thereto and further having one of the wheels  43 , 44  being rotatably and conventionally mounted thereto. Each of the arm members  23 , 30  includes a main portion  24 , 31  and an end portion  25 , 32 . The main portion  24 , 32  of each arm member  23 , 30  has an opening  26 , 33  disposed therethrough and also has a first axle  28 , 35  being securely and integrally attached to the arm member  23 , 30  and traversing the opening  26 , 33  with one of the rollers  41 , 42  being rollaby mounted about the first axle  28 , 35 . The end portion  25 , 32  of each arm member  23 , 30  has a slot  27 , 34  being disposed in an end thereof and also has a second axle  29 , 36  being securely and conventionally attached to the arm member  23 , 30  and traversing the slot  27 , 34  with one of the wheels  43 , 44  being rotatably mounted about the second axle  29 , 36 . Each of the weight members  21  includes more than one section  45 , 46  being hingedly attached to one another and also being fastenable with fasteners  47 , 48  to each other about the drive shaft  40  to allow the weight member  21  to be movably positioned upon the track  20  and about the drive shaft  40 . 
     The support assembly includes a first support member  39  being conventionally attached to a building structure  12  and being disposed above a ground and also includes a bearing  37  being conventionally mounted to the first support member  39 . The drive shaft  40  has a top portion which is disposed through the bearing with the drive shaft  40  conventionally depending from the first support member  39 . The support assembly further includes a second support member  11  also being conventionally attached to a building structure  12  and being disposed above a ground with a top portion of the track  20  being securely and conventionally attacked thereto and the track  20  depending from the second support member  11  and being spaced above the ground to allow the weight members  21  to come off the track  20  at the bottom thereof. 
     In use, the user fastens the sections  45 , 46  of a particular weight member  21  together about the drive shaft  40  at the top of the track  20  with the rollers  41 , 42  being movably placed upon the track  20  with the wheels not engaging the upper portion  14  of the drive shaft  40 . Because of gravitational forces and the weight of the weight member  21 , the weight member  21  moves downwardly upon the track  20  and also rotates while doing so. The weight member  21  picks up rotational speed as it moves downwardly and upon the track  20  and matches nearly the rotational speed of the drive shaft  40  at which moment the wheels  43 , 44  engages the middle portion  15  of the drive shaft  40  to continue the rotation of the drive shaft  40  without impeding disruption. More weight members  21  are added one at a time to the top of the track  20  and about the drive shaft  40  to maintain the rotation of the drive shaft  40  thus generating torque. The weight members  21  move down the track  20  and eventually disengage from the drive shaft  40  at the lower portion  16  thereof and come off the track  20  at the bottom thereof. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the gravity actuated torque generator. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.