Device for indicating direction of barometric pressure trends

Direction of barometric pressure trend is portrayed by my invention. Changes in barometric pressure are amplified by a linkage member and converted into a signal by trend means to discern an increase or decrease in trend. Motor means receives the signal from trend means and activates display means to show the direction of barometric pressure trend.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
1. Field of Invention 
This invention discloses a novel device for indicating direction of 
barometric pressure trends. My invention may also be used to indicate 
actual barometric pressure. 
Barometric pressure relates to the measurement of atmospheric pressure. 
When the barometric pressure changes, there is a corresponding 
relationship between that change and the type of weather approaching. 
Generally as the barometric pressure falls from a high pressure to a low 
pressure, it becomes evident that poor weather is approaching. Likewise, 
as barometric pressure increases from the low pressure to a high pressure, 
usually better weather is approaching. My invention specifically relates 
to the art of indicating to a casual viewer whether the barometric 
pressure trend is increasing or decreasing. 
2. Description of Prior Art 
Many people look at a barometer to follow its trend. One difficulty of 
following conventional barometer is that one must remember what the 
previous pressure was in order to determine the barometric pressure trend. 
The most widely used prior art trend indicating barometric device provides 
a pointer or index in connection with an aneroid barometer. The index is 
adapted to travel over a dial or scale plate with which is associated a 
reference pointer. The reference pointer is arranged to be set by hand to 
register or coincide with the indicating pointed when desired. The 
reference pointer remains stationary while the index pointer travels. Thus 
when set, one can observe the scale. The reference pointer indicates the 
initial starting point. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 1,632.736. 
The prior art devices disclose generally hand operated indexes that remain 
stationary. These type of prior art devices are not very advantageous to 
the general public because they require the user to constantly change the 
reference pointer and then wait for the index pointer to move. Once 
movement took place, then the user could notice the trend by 
differentiating whether the travelling pointer went above or below the 
stationary index on the scale. A great disadvantage of this mechanically 
hand operated system is the requirement to constantly move the stationary 
index. If one would forget to move it, any subsequent viewing for 
determining trend lacks accuracy, since trend changes corresponding to 
passage of time. 
My invention is distinguishable over the prior art in that my invention 
indicates the direction of barometric pressure trend automatically. My 
invention may indicate changes at least as low as 1/100th of an inch of 
mercury. Further, my invention readily indicates to the casual observer 
the direction of the barometric pressure trend. 
SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
My invention relates to a device for indicating direction of barometric 
pressure trends. This invention indicates the direction of barometric 
pressure trend to the casual observer. By viewing my invention, the 
observer determines whether increasing or decreasing barometric pressure 
trend is in progress. 
My invention provides for measuring barometric pressure by using barometric 
measuring means such as metallic bellows for sensing barometric pressure 
changes. In the preferred embodiment, the metallic bellows has a spring 
placed inside a sealed internal portion while an external portion is 
exposed to the atmosphere. 
Changes in barometric pressure are then amplified by a linkage member such 
as a combination of a first link connected to the means for measuring 
barometric pressure, second link pivotly attached to one end of the first 
link and connected to a fixed pivot point, and a third link. The three 
link system with a fixed pivot point on the second link provides a 
sufficient amplification of the change in length of the metallic bellows 
to adequately operate my invention. 
Trend means for determing barometric pressure trend is controlled by the 
linkage to create a signal every time barometric pressure changes to 
indicate the direction of the trend. The trend means is connected to the 
third link and translates the amplified change in barometric pressure to 
an increase or decrease in barometric pressure trend. The trend means may 
also indicate the exact barometric pressure. 
In the preferred embodiment, the trend means comprises a rocker bar having 
a pivotal point at its center and a first and second arm member to either 
side of the center. The rocker bar is connected to the linkage member and 
connectable to an electrical power source. The pivotal point rests upon a 
sliding surface to permit relatively friction free movement about the 
pivotal point. A first contact panel and a second contact panel are 
provided, each divided into contact points. It is preferable that each 
point represents 1/100th of an inch of mercury increase in barometric 
pressure between 29.5 inches and 30.5 inches of mercury. Generally, 
barometric pressure when adjusted to sea level reads between the above 
described points. 
The rocker bar slides about the pivotal point and responds to the action of 
the third link. During decreasing barometric pressure the second arm rests 
on the second contact panel while during increasing barometric pressure 
the first arm rests on the first contact panel. The rocker bar is 
connectible to a motor and is manufactured out of an electrically 
conductible material. When an arm rests upon a contact point, an electric 
current is free to pass from the contact point to the arm and through the 
rocker bar to send a signal to the arm and through the rocker bar to send 
a signal to the motor indicating the direction of trend of barometric 
pressure as well as indicating the actual barometric pressure. 
The direction of barometric pressure trend is shown to the casual viewer by 
display means. In the preferred embodiment, the display means is a 
cylinder situated behind a rectangular window. The cylinder is divided 
into two equally horizontally portions. The first portion has two color 
bars to represent increased trend while the second portion has two color 
bars to represent decreased trend. The first portion has preferably a blue 
bottom portion separated from a white top portion by a first slant line 
running from the lower end to the upper end of one portion of the 
cylinder. The second portion has a white bottom portion separated from a 
red top portion by second slant line running from the lower end to the 
upper end. A shaft is secured to the cylinder in order that it may be 
rotated. When viewing through the window, if the top of the window shows 
red and bottom white a falling barometric pressure trend is in progress. 
When the top portion of the window shows white and bottom blue an 
increasing barometric pressure trend is in progress. One side of the 
window may be calibrated so that the first slant line and second slant 
line reflect the actual barometric pressure at the intersection with the 
calibrated side of the rectangular window. 
Motor means translates the signal from the trend means to energize display 
means so that the display means indicates the direction of trend of 
barometric pressure. In the preferred embodiment, a motor is connected to 
the shaft in order to rotate the shaft with cylinder, connectable to a 
power source, and electrically connected to the rocker arm. A slide switch 
rotor is mounted on the shaft to direct the operation of the motor. A 
rotatable disc is attached to the shaft and connectable to the power 
source. Stationary spring loaded electrical contacts are placed on a mount 
surrounding the disc and placed in contact with the disc. Each spring 
loaded electrical contact is connected to a contact point on the first 
contact panel or the second contact panel. 
An insulator is placed on the disc in a manner to break the circuit between 
the disc and that spring loaded electrical contact energized when an arm 
of the rocker bar rests on the contact point connected to such spring 
loaded electrical contact. 
In operation, when the arm of the rocker bar moves to a new contact point, 
current passes from the power source through the disc, then that spring 
loaded electrical contact connected to the contact point upon which the 
rocker bar arm rests, through the rocker arm to the motor means whereupon 
the motor rotates the shaft with cylinder. The insulator on a disc moves 
until it comes in contact with such spring loaded electrical contact 
whereupon, the circuit is broken and motor is stopped. Inasmuch as the 
cylinder is connected to the shaft, it stops to indicate the trend of 
barometric pressure corresponding to the contact point upon which an arm 
of the rocker bar rests. 
To prevent inertial drift of the motor when it is stopped, a ground contact 
is placed on top of the insulator and electrically connected to a collar 
mounted on the shaft. The collar rotates along with the shaft. The collar 
is electrically connected to stationary arm. Stationary arm is 
electrically connected to motor such that when circuit is completed with 
an energized stationary spring loaded electrical contacts, the motor is 
shorted out to stop suddenly. 
It is thus an object of my invention to provide for a method of indicating 
the direction of barometric pressure trends wherein changes in barometric 
pressure are first amplified and then differentiated to reflect whether 
the barometric pressure is falling or rising and signalling the same. The 
signal is then translated to reflect the direction of trends and displayed 
to indicate the direction of trend of barometric pressure. 
It is another object of my invention to provide for a device that 
automatically displays the direction of barometric pressure trend to a 
casual observer. 
It is an additional object of my invention to provide display means for 
indicating direction of barometric pressure trend that is readily 
understandable to the casual viewer. 
It is a further object of my invention to indicate barometric pressure 
trend in a simple, and economical manner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 discloses a preferred embodiment of a 
device for indicating barometric pressure trends with housing 10. Means 
for measuring barometric pressure 11 is attached to the housing 10 in any 
conventional manner. Preferably the means for measuring barometric 
pressure is a bellows 12 containing spring 13 placed in a sealed internal 
portion 14 while the external portion 15 is exposed to the atmosphere. 
Altitude adjuster 16 adjusts the movement of the bellows 12 to adjust for 
changes in altitude. If the altitude increases, ordinarily the atmospheric 
pressure decreases. The altitude adjustor 16 permits the adjustment of 
bellows 12 to sea level. 
Linkage member 20 amplifies and translates the motion from means for 
measuring barometric pressure 11 to trend means 40. In the preferred 
embodiment, linkage member 20 includes link one 21 attached to the bellows 
12. Link two 22 is pivotly connected to link one and has a fixed pivot 
point 24. Link three 23 is pivotly connected to the remaining end of link 
two 22 and attached to trend means 40. The small amount of motion from 
bellows 12 is amplified when link two moves across the fixed pivot point 
24. 
Trend means 40 signals the direction of barometric pressure trend. Trend 
means 40 is mounted on the housing 10 and controlled by linkage member 20 
to send a signal whenever barometric pressure changes. 
In the preferred embodiment, trend means 40 includes rocker bar 41 having a 
pivotal point 42 at its center, a first arm 43A to one side and a second 
arm 43B to the other side. First contact panel 44A placed below first arm 
43A and second contact panel 44B, placed below second arm 43B contain 
numerous contact points 45. Each contact point reflects an amount of 
change in barometric pressure. 
When bellows 12 increases in size due to decrease in barometric pressure, 
linkage member 20 forces rocker bar 41 to place first arm 43A at some 
contact point such as 45A situated on first contact panel 44A. When 
bellows 12 decreases in size 12 due to increase in barometric pressure, 
rocker bar 41 forces second arm 43B onto a contact point such as 45B on 
second contact panel 44B. 
It is appropriate that contact points 45 and rocker bar 41 be manufactured 
out of an electrical conducting material in order to create and conduct an 
electrical signal whenever the rocker bar 41 touches any contact points 
45, such as 45A or 45B. 
For ease in use, pivotal point 42 is placed on a sliding surface 43 to 
permit relatively friction free movement about the pivotal point 42. An 
adjustable spring 46 is attached to housing 10 and pivotal point 42 to 
permit the appropriate amount of tension to be selected to adjust the 
movement about the pivotal point 42. 
Motor means 50 energizes display means 30 in such a manner that the signal 
received by motor means 50 from trend means 40 is translated to energize 
the display means 30 so that the direction of trend of barometric pressure 
is indicated. 
Display means 30 visually indicates the trend of barometric pressure and 
may also indicate actual barometric pressure. In the display means 30, a 
rectangular window 31 is mounted on housing 10. Cylinder 33 is situated 
behind the window 31 in a manner to permit its rotation. Referring to 
FIGS. 2 and 3, cylinder 33 is divided into first horizontal portion 35A to 
show increases in barometric pressure and second horizontal portion 35B to 
show decrease in barometric pressure. 
FIG. 2 shows an increasing barometric pressure trend in progress. 
Horizontal portion 35A is divided into a bottom portion 36A preferably of 
a blue color and top portion 37A preferably of a white color, divided by 
first slant line 38A running from the lower end to the opposite upper end 
of first horizontal portion 35A. One side of window 31 is calibrated 32 to 
show actual barometric pressure at the intersection of first slant line 
38A and calibration 32. When an observer views window 31 and sees blue, an 
increasing barometric pressure trend is indicated. 
FIG. 3 shows a decreasing barometric pressure trend in progress. Horizontal 
portion 35B is divided into a bottom portion 36B preferably of a white 
color and top portion 37B preferably of a red color divided by second 
slant line 38B running from the lower end to the opposite upper end of the 
horizontal portion 35B. One side of window 31 is calibrated 32 to show 
actual barometric pressure at the intersection of second slant line 38B 
and calibration 32. When an observer views window 31 and sees red, a 
decreasing barometric pressure trend is indicated. 
As shown in in FIG. 1, motor means 49 comprises a motor 50 attached to 
shaft 34 in order to rotate the shaft, and slide switch rotor 51 
connectable to power source 17 in order to activate the motor. Slide 
switch rotor 51 includes a rotatable disc 52 mounted on shaft 34. The 
rotatable disc 52 is manufactured of an electrical conducting material and 
connected to any conventional power source 17 at power connection 60. 
Stationary spring loaded electrical contacts 53 are placed on mount 54 
surrounding rotatable disc 52. 
Referring to FIG. 4 as well as 1, the stationary spring loaded electrical 
contacts 53 have a stationary arm 59 and tension member 55. The tension 
member 55 touches the rotatable disc 52 in a manner to retain electrical 
contact with the disc 52 during rotation. Stationary arm 59 is attached 
mount 54 by any conventional fastening means such as nuts and bolts 63. 
Insulator 56 is placed on rotatable disc 52 to break the circuit between 
the disc 52 and a selected stationary spring loaded electrical contact 
such as 61. Ground contact 57 is placed on top of insulator 56 and is made 
of a conductible material. Collar 58 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 34 
and electrically connected to ground contact 57 and the shaft 34. Member 
61 is connected to mount 54 in order to receive pick-up arm 49. Pick-up 
arm 49 is associated with shaft 34 and electrically connected to motor 50 
in such a manner that when ground contact 57 hits selected stationary 
spring loaded electrical contact 61, motor 50 is short circuited to stop 
suddenly. 
Referring to FIG. 1, when the barometric pressure drops, the bellows 12 
increases in size. Linkage member 20 amplifies the change of size and 
forces rocker arm 41 to move about pivotal point 42 placing second arm 43B 
onto second contact panel 44B at contact point 45B. A circuit is then 
completed from point 60 which is connected to the power source 17, through 
disc 52, through stationary spring loaded electrical contact 61 which is 
connected to contact point 45B, through rocker bar 41 and finally to motor 
50. Upon completion of the circuit, motor 50 is activated to rotate the 
shaft 34 along with disc 52 and cylinder 33. The rotation continues until 
insulator 56 comes in contact with stationary spring loaded electrical 
contact 61. Insulator 56 breaks the circuit between disc 52 and contact 
point 45B. The motor 50 is then shorted out between terminals because 
ground contact 57 completes the circuit between the motor 50, pick-up arm 
49, collar 58, ground contact 57, selected spring loaded electrical 
contact 61, contact point 45B, rocker bar 41 and back to the motor 50 
again. The short circuiting of the motor causes the motor to stop quickly 
without having an inertial drift. 
Cylinder 33 is placed on the shaft 34 in such a manner that the rectangular 
window 31 when viewed by an observer shows a decreasing (red) barometric 
pressure trend whenever the second arm 43B touches second contact panel, 
as in FIG. 3. The amount of red shown in rectangular window 31 would be 
reflected by the top portion 37B above the second slant line 38B. The 
actual barometric pressure could be read by looking at the intersection 39 
between second slant line 38B and calibration side of window 32. When an 
increase in barometric pressure trend is in progress, bellows 12 decreases 
in size, causing rocker bar 41 with first arm 43A to rest on a contact 
point such as 45A situated on first contact panel 44A. The contact point 
45A would be connected to one of the stationary spring loaded electrical 
contacts 53 in a manner to rotate the cylinder to portray increasing 
barometric pressure trend by operation as previously described. 
Increasing barometric pressure trend is indicated as in FIG. 2 wherein an 
observer would notice a blue color in rectangular calibration side of 
window 32 at the intersection with first slant line 38A. The amount of 
blue shown in rectangular window 31 would be reflected by bottom portion 
36A below first slant line 38A. 
As it may readily appear to those skilled in the art, various changes may 
be made in relative locations and arrangements of the several parts 
without departing from the sphere and scope of this invention. It is not 
meant to limit the invention except by the following claims: