Quickly resettable timer

A quickly resettable timer is claimed which comprises a container having a base end and a reset end; a quantity of a flowing, particulate solid medium; a funnel-like receptacle having a loading orifice nearest the reset end and a metered orifice nearest the base end, the receptacle being mounted to and spaced from the interior wall sections of the container such that the particulate medium in the base end will flow over and around the receptacle and into the reset end upon inversion of the timer by rotation in any direction; and a ring fitted snugly against each interior wall section of the container intermediate the receptacle and the reset end, the ring having an aperture positioned above and sized smaller than the loading orifice of the receptacle. Preferably, the ring has inwardly protruding sides which taper toward each other to define the aperture. Most preferably, the receptacle and at least a portion of the container are made from a substantially transparent material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to timing devices. Particularly, the invention 
relates to a timer having a metered orifice through which a solid 
particulate medium flows for measurement of a time interval. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Hour glasses and timing devices which employ a quantity of a flowing, solid 
particulate medium have been known for centuries. Typically, these timers 
are constructed to have a particulate medium flow from a first chamber, 
through a metered orifice and into a second chamber. Once all of the 
particulate medium flows into the second chamber, the measurement of a 
time interval has been completed. 
The particulate medium employed by such timers is pulled through the 
metered orifice from one chamber to the other because of the influence of 
gravity. The rates of flow within such timers are determined jointly by 
the size of the orifice between the chambers and by the nature of the 
particulate medium employed. 
When the measurement of a time interval has been completed, most timers of 
this sort are typically inverted to start the flow of the particulate 
medium in the opposite direction. For the measurement of a second time 
interval, the particulate medium flows from the second chamber, through 
the metered orifice and back into the first chamber. 
A difficulty with timers of this sort is that the particular time interval 
must be completed before restarting another by inversion. For an accurate 
measurement of a subsequent time interval, all of the particulate medium 
must flow through the metered orifice and into one of the aforementioned 
chambers. There is no easy way to quickly reset these timers. 
It is known in the art that the metered orifice to such timers can be 
modified with moving parts for minimizing time loss due to resetting. For 
example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,125,849, the timer was provided with a valved 
orifice which could be rotatably switched to one of several positions. In 
a first position, the particulate medium could flow from a first chamber 
through the timing orifice and into a second chamber for measurement of a 
time interval. In a second position, the setting position, the particulate 
medium could flow through a larger orifice at a more rapid pace. Because 
of quicker flow through this second orifice, less time was lost to 
resetting of the timer. Lastly, in a third position, the two chambers of 
this timer were completely separated to stop the flow of the particulate 
medium therebetween. 
In a second, rapidly resettable timer, the two chambers were separated by a 
cup-shaped valve having a metered orifice or vent in the middle of one 
end. Exemplary of such a device is U.S. Pat. No. 2,144,857. The valve was 
attached to the base of one of the two chambers by a movable valve seat. 
When the valve was in its first position with the timer righted, a flowing 
medium passed through the vent and into a lower chamber for the 
measurement of a timing interval. When this timer was )inverted, the valve 
was pulled downward by gravity to open two (2) return passages for the 
flow of the particulate medium back to the original chamber. 
Both of the aforementioned timers required some sort of moving part. 
Additionally, both devices required that the particulate medium flow 
through at least one and preferably two orifices for resetting. Though the 
sizes of these orifices were larger than their respective metered 
orifices, time was still lost to the flow of the particulate medium 
through these passageways during the reset stage for each timer. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,408,894, a resettable timer was disclosed which did not 
employ some sort of moving part. The timer therein was resettable for 
selected time intervals depending upon the amount of particulate medium 
that was loaded into a measuring chamber. However, the resetting or 
loading of this timer required rotation of the device in a specific, 
selected direction. The only way to load the particulate medium was by a 
clockwise rotation of this timer. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A timer according to this invention comprises a container which defines a 
chamber having a base end and a reset end opposite the base end. A 
quantity of a flowing, solid particulate medium is contained within the 
chamber for the measurement of a time interval. The timer includes a 
funnel-like receptacle having a loading orifice nearest the reset end and 
a metered orifice nearest the base end for restricting flow of the 
particulate medium through the receptacle. This receptacle is mounted to 
and spaced from an interior wall section of the container intermediate the 
base end and the reset end such that the particulate medium in the base 
end can flow over and around the receptacle and into the reset end upon 
inversion of the container by rotation in any direction. Lastly, this 
timer includes a means for channeling the particulate medium from the 
reset end of the chamber, through the loading orifice and into the 
receptacle upon the righting of the container in any direction. The 
channeling means of the invention preferably comprises a substantially 
continuous ring positioned to fit snugly against each of the interior wall 
sections of the container intermediate the receptacle and the reset end of 
the chamber. The ring has an aperture positioned above and sized smaller 
than the loading orifice of the receptacle. Most preferably, the ring has 
inwardly protruding sides which taper towards each other to define the 
aperture. This shape allows for unrestricted flow of the particulate 
medium both into and out of the reset end of the chamber upon inversion 
and righting of the container. 
The timer according to this invention does not contain any moveable parts. 
It is less susceptible to disablement caused by the flow of particulate 
medium around and about moveable parts. Additionally, the timer does not 
contain a restricted orifice through which the particulate medium must 
flow prior to resetting the timer. Rather, the loading orifice of this 
timer is of a sufficient dimension to allow unrestricted flow of the 
particulate medium into the receptacle. Since the timer of this invention 
does not contain specific, lengthy passageways through which the 
particulate medium must flow for entry into the receptacle, it can be 
quickly reset upon inversion and righting by rotation in any direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
This invention relates to a timer which can be quickly reset at any time 
during the measurement of a time interval. Quite simply, the timer is 
reset upon inversion and righting by rotation in any direction. As shown 
in the perspective and sectional views of a particular embodiment of the 
invention, FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, respectively, the timer comprises a 
container 1 which defines a chamber having a base end 2 and a reset end 3 
opposite the base end. Preferably, the ends to the container 1 are 
protected and covered by a pair of container supports 4 mounted to each 
end. 
A portion of the wall sections to the container 1, nearest the base end 2, 
must be constructed of a material which is substantially transparent. This 
allows operators of the timer to see when the measurement of a time 
interval has been completed. Most preferably, all wall sections which 
comprise the container 1 are constructed of a well known transparent 
plastic or glass. 
A quantity of a flowing, particulate solid medium 10 is contained within 
the chamber defined by the container 1. This medium is comprised of sand 
or any other fine-grained powder which can flow readily under the 
influence of gravity through a metered orifice. 
A funnel-like receptacle 20 is mounted to and spaced from the interior of 
the wall sections which comprise the container 1. In the preferred 
embodiment, the receptacle is likewise constructed from a transparent 
material. This receptacle 20 has a loading orifice 21 nearest the reset 
end and a metered orifice 22 nearest the base end of the chamber. The 
metered orifice 22 is used to restrict the flow of the particulate medium 
10 through the receptacle 20 for the measurement of a time interval. In 
the invention, the receptacle 20 is mounted to the interior wall sections 
of the container 1 by at least one, and preferably four, supports 30. As 
shown in FIG. 1, the supports 30 are triangularly-shaped with an apex 31 
of the triangle directed toward the base end 2 of the chamber. The 
function behind the shape of these supports 30 is to enable the 
particulate medium 10 in the base end 2 to flow over and around the 
receptacle 20 and into the reset end 3 upon inversion of the container 1 
by rotation in any direction. None of the particulate medium should be 
retained when flowing over these supports 30. 
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a substantially continuous ring 40 is positioned 
intermediate the receptacle 20 and the reset end 3 of the chamber. The 
ring 40 must fit snugly against a surface to each of the interior wall 
sections which comprise the container 1. The ring 40 constitutes the means 
for channeling the particulate medium 10 from the reset end 3 of the 
chamber, through the loading orifice 21 and into the receptacle 20 upon 
the righting of the container by rotation in any direction. For this 
purpose, the ring 40 has an aperture 41 positioned above and sized smaller 
than the loading orifice 21 of the receptacle 20. To further facilitate 
the flow of the particulate medium 10 into the reset end 3 upon inversion 
of the container 1, the ring 40 is comprised of an inwardly protruding 
upper side 42 and lower side 43 which taper toward each other to define 
the aperture 41. The combination of the sides gives the ring 40 a 
triangularly-shaped cross-section. Alternatively, the ring may have a 
cross-section shaped as a trapezoid. Either shape allows for flow of the 
particulate medium 10 both into and out of the reset end 3 upon inversion 
and righting of the container 1. 
In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the 
container 1 is shaped as a circular cylinder. Therein, the ring 40 has a 
diameter less than the diameter of the container 1 with the aperture 41 of 
the ring 40 having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the 
circularly-shaped loading orifice 21 of the receptacle 20. 
An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5. 
In these views, the container 51 is shaped as an elongated, rectangular 
cylinder. The wall sections comprising the container 51 define a 
rectangular chamber having a base end 52 and a reset end 53 opposite the 
base end. As in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the ends to the container 51 of FIG. 2 
are preferably mounted to a pair of container supports 54. 
For the most part, the alternative embodiment operates in the same manner 
as the preferred mode shown in FIG. 1. The funnel-like receptacle 60 in 
FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 is depicted as correspondingly shaped to mount to and 
space from the interior wall sections of a container 51 having a 
rectangular cross-section. The receptacle 60 includes a rectangular 
loading orifice 61 nearest the reset end 53 and a metered orifice 62 
nearest the base end 52. Preferably, the loading orifice 61 is opposite 
the metered orifice 62. 
FIG. 2 also shows another means for mounting the receptacle 60 to the 
container 51. In this perspective view, preferably four (4) supports 70 
attach the receptacle 60 to the interior wall sections. These supports 70 
each have a diamond-shaped cross-section with a point 71 of the diamond 
directed towards the base end 52 of the chamber. The function behind this 
shape is to allow the particulate medium 10 in the base end 52 of the 
chamber to flow over and around the receptacle 60 and into the reset end 
53 upon inversion in any direction. None of the particulate medium 10 
should be retained when flowing over the diamond-shaped supports 70. 
In the timer comprised of a rectangular cylinder, the channeling means, or 
substantially continuous ring 80, is appropriately modified in shape as 
shown in FIG. 2. This ring 80, likewise, has an aperture 81 positioned 
above and sized smaller than the loading orifice 61 of the receptacle 60. 
Furthermore, the ring 80 should be sized and dimensioned to fit snugly 
against each of the interior wall sections of the container 51 
intermediate the receptacle 60 and the reset end 53 of the chamber. 
Preferably, the ring 80 has an inwardly protruding upper side 82 and lower 
side 83 which taper towards each other to define the aperture 81. The 
combinations of these sides gives the ring 80 a triangularly-shaped 
cross-section. Alternatively, the ring may be shaped as a trapezoid. 
Either shape allows for flow of the particulate medium 10 both into and 
out of the reset end 53 upon inversion and righting of the container 51. 
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment of this invention, 
taken along lines IV--IV of FIG. 1. It shows the circularly-shaped 
cross-section of the container 1 atop the lower container support 4. 
Within this container, the funnel-like receptacle 20 is mounted. The 
receptacle 20 includes a loading orifice 21 and metered orifice 22 through 
which the particulate medium will flow for measurement of a time interval. 
As depicted in FIG. 4, the receptacle is mounted to and spaced equally 
from the interior wall sections which comprise the circular container 1. 
Specifically, the receptacle 20 is mounted by four (4) triangularly-shaped 
container supports 30, each having an apex, not shown, pointing toward the 
base end. 
In FIG. 5, the corresponding view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 2 
taken along lines V--V, the receptacle 60 is mounted to and spaced from 
the interior wall sections of the rectangularly shaped container 51 by 
four (4) diamond-shaped supports 70. Each of these supports 70 has a 
point, not shown, directed toward the base end of the chamber. This point 
is opposite the other point 72 of the diamond and serves the 
aforementioned purpose. The receptacle 60 includes a rectangular loading 
orifice 61 nearest the reset end of the container 51. This loading orifice 
61 funnels downward to the metered orifice 62 of the receptacle 60. 
In a combination of the two previous embodiments (not shown), a 
circularly-shaped receptacle is fitted in a container whose cylinder has a 
square cross-section. Where the diameter of this loading orifice is sized 
smaller than the length of a side to the cylinder, the circularly-shaped 
receptacle can be attached directly to the interior wall sections at the 
four contact points without need of supports. In this combination of 
embodiments, the ring has a square perimeter for fitting snugly against 
each of the interior wall sections of the cylinder. However, the aperture 
extending through this ring is circularly-shaped and sized smaller than 
the loading orifice of the receptacle. 
The operation of the invention is shown with respect to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. 
Specifically, the particulate medium 10 contained within the chamber of 
the container 1 flows readily about the container 1. In order to reset the 
timer to measure an interval of time, the container 1 is inverted by 
rotation in any direction. This causes all of the particulate medium 10 in 
the base end 2 to flow over and about the receptacle 20 and receptacle 
supports 30, against the tapered lower side 43 of the ring 40 and into the 
reset end 3. 
Upon righting of the container 1 by further rotation in any direction, the 
particulate medium 10 passes against the tapered upper side 42 of the ring 
40, through the ring aperture 41 and the loading orifice 21, and into the 
funnel-like receptacle 20. Thereupon, the particulate medium 10 begins to 
immediately flow through the metered orifice 22 into the base end 2 for 
the measurement of a time interval. 
Having presently described the particular embodiments of the invention, it 
is to be understood that changes and modifications may be made herein 
without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.