Abstract:
A rotation apparatus includes at least one magnet, and a flexible suspension coupled to the at least one magnet or to a moveable object. The at least one magnet is suspended from the suspension directly or via the moveable object. Moreover, when the flexible suspension causes rotation in a first direction via a force, the at least one magnet alternately rotates in the first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/368,706, filed Feb. 10, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to rotation apparatus for teaching principles of science, and for use as displays for commercial and non-commercial purposes. In particular, the present invention is directed toward displays that produce reverse-rotation motion or variable speed of rotating parts, or both. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A known, reverse-rotation motion display uses rare earth magnets, such as neodymium and samarium cobalt, to generate reverse-rotation motion. Nevertheless, such rare earth magnets are more expensive than magnets that are not rare earth magnets, which increases the cost of manufacturing the display. 
     Another known display uses a motor that alternates the direction of rotation at regular intervals to alternate the direction in which the display rotates. Nevertheless, a motor that alternates the direction of rotation is more expensive than a motor that rotates in a single direction, which increases the cost of manufacturing the display. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, a need has arisen for rotation apparatus for teaching principles of science, and for other purposes, which overcome these and other shortcomings of the related art. A technical advantage of the present invention is that rare earth magnets may not be included in a display. Another technical advantage of the present invention is that a motor may not be included in the display. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, a rotation apparatus for teaching principles of science comprises a motor, and a shaft coupled to the motor, in which the motor is configured to rotate the shaft in a first direction. The rotation apparatus also comprises a frame member, and means for coupling the frame member to the shaft, such that the frame member is suspended from the shaft, wherein the means for coupling comprises a flexible suspension. Moreover, the rotational apparatus comprises at least one non-rare earth magnet coupled to the frame member. When the motor rotates the shaft in the first direction the at least one non-rare earth magnet causes the frame member to alternately rotate in the first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, a rotation apparatus for teaching principles of science comprises a frame member, and a flexible suspension coupled to the frame member, in which the frame member is suspended from the flexible suspension. The rotational apparatus also comprises at least one magnet coupled to the frame member. When the flexible suspension rotates in a first direction via a force independent from a motor, the at least one magnet causes the frame member to alternately rotate in the first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a rotation apparatus for teaching principles of science comprises at least one magnet, and a flexible suspension coupled to the at least one magnet, in which the at least one magnet is suspended from the flexible suspension. When the flexible suspension rotates in a first direction via a force, the at least one magnet alternately rotates in the first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction. 
     According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a rotation apparatus for teaching principles of science comprises an object, and a flexible suspension coupled to the object, in which the object is suspended from the flexible suspension. The rotation apparatus also comprises at least one magnet coupled to the object. When the flexible suspension rotates in a first direction via a force, the at least one magnet causes the object to alternately rotate in the first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the needs satisfied thereby, and the features and technical advantage, thereof, reference now is made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an object suspended in a portable stand along with RIGHT and LEFT side stands, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of an object suspended in the portable stand, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  FIG. 1C  is an expanded view; and  FIG. 1D  is a detail view. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a motor assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are perspective views of displays that do not include a motor, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a view of a motor-operated display, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a view of a display with no motor, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective of a tree with several displays, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6B  is a perspective of a rotating tree that rotates several displays, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present invention and their features and technical advantages may be understood by referring to  FIGS. 1A-6B , like numerals being used for like corresponding portions in the various drawings. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A-2 , a rotation apparatus for teaching principles of science, according to an embodiment of the present invention, may comprise a motor  226 , and a shaft  222  which is coupled to motor  226 . In operation, motor  226  may be configured to rotate shaft  222  in a single, predetermined direction. The rotation apparatus also may comprise a frame member  104 , such as a non-magnetic frame member, e.g., a frame member comprising wood, or a magnetic frame member, e.g., a frame member comprising magnetic steel, and means for coupling frame member  104  to shaft  222 . For example, the means for coupling may comprise a flexible suspension  120 , a first hook  202  connected to each shaft  222  and flexible suspension  120 , and a second hook  116  coupled to each of flexible suspension  120  and frame member  104 , such that frame member  104  is suspended from shaft  222 . Moreover, the rotation apparatus may comprise at least one magnet  106 , e.g., a pair of magnets  106 , such as at least one non-rare earth magnet, e.g., a pair of non-rare earth magnets, or at least one rare earth magnet, coupled to frame member  104 . For example, each magnet  106  may be connected to a magnetic steel tube member  115  and may be disposed within an opening  114  formed in frame member  104 . In addition, each magnet  106  may have a north pole seeking end and a south pole seeking end, and magnets  106  may be positioned within opening  114 ; such that the north pole seeking end of each magnet  106  is aligned with the north pole seeking end of the other magnet  106 . 
     The rotation apparatus also may comprise an object coupled to frame member  104 . For example, the object may comprise a ball  102 , a flywheel (not shown), a crystal (not shown), an article of clothing (not shown), or the like. In an embodiment, frame member  104  may be positioned within the object, such that frame member  104  is not visible to a person viewing the object. Moreover, the rotation apparatus may comprise a stand  101 , and a support  234  connected to an upper portion of stand  101 . In operation, motor  226  may be coupled to shaft  222  and positioned through an opening formed in support  234 . At the bottom of shaft  222 , hook  202  may be connected to suspension  120 , which may enter ball  102  by way of hole  112 . At the bottom of suspension  120 , hook  116  may connect frame  104  to the suspension. The rotation apparatus further may comprise a pair of side stands, such as a pair of non-magnetic side stands, e.g., a pair of side stands constructed of wood and including pieces of non-magnetic material such as brass, which selectively may be positioned on opposite sides of stand  101 , such that stand  101  is positioned between the side stands. 
     In operation, when motor  226  is activated, motor  226  causes shaft  222  to rotate in the single, predetermined direction at a substantially constant speed. Frame member  104  initially may remain at rest, and subsequently may begin to rotate in the single, predetermined direction, and the rotation of frame member  104  causes the object to rotate in the single, predetermined direction. Nevertheless, subsequently, magnet(s)  106  cause frame  104  and the object to alternatively rotate in the predetermined direction, and a direction opposite the predetermined direction. Moreover, although shaft  222  rotates at a substantially constant speed, magnet(s)  106  cause the rotational speed of frame member  104  and the object to vary. 
     When the operation of the above-described rotation apparatus initially is shown to at least one viewer, the side stands may be positioned adjacent to stand  101 . Because the at least one viewer is not aware that frame  104  is positioned within the object, the at least one viewer may conclude that the side stands are causing the object to rotate in alternating directions. Nevertheless, the operator of the rotation apparatus subsequently may remove the side stands. The at least one viewer then may be confused as to why the object is rotating in alternating directions, and may become more open to learning about the principles governing the rotation of the object, which increases a likelihood of gaining an understanding of such principles. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art readily will understand that the rotating apparatus may comprise any number of frame members  104  and corresponding objects. For example, such a rotating apparatus may comprise multiple frame members  104  and multiply, corresponding objects. 
     Nevertheless, referring to  FIG. 3A , in an embodiment of the present invention, torsion may be applied to a suspension without a motor. For example, forces external to a display apparatus may be used. Examples of such external forces are magnetic fields other than the Earth&#39;s magnetic field, and air currents. One exemplary type of motion may be referred to as a magnetic cushion. Any display that is subjected to an opposing external magnet field that is comparable to or stronger than its own may result in its frame being abruptly kicked back. Moreover, displays having rectangular frames may provide more reverse-rotation motion from air currents than displays having frames with other shapes, such as frames having circular volumes, e.g., a sphere or a cylinder, because air currents slip around such surfaces. As such, in this embodiment, ball  102  may be eliminated, and an object having a shape substantially corresponding to the shape of frame  104  may be used. 
     In  FIG. 3A , frame  304  rotates by way of a bearing  302  and a support  300 . Three suspensions  120  and three magnets  106 ′ are shown in  FIG. 3A , and magnets  106 ′ produce torsion in suspensions  120 . Nevertheless, one or more magnets may be sufficient to cause reverse-rotation motion. A sail  306 , in cooperation with an AIR STREAM, may cause frame  304  to always move in the same direction. Nevertheless, magnet(s)  106 ′ may, periodically, rotate in a reverse direction owing to torsion(s) in suspension(s)  120 . 
       FIG. 3B  is substantially the same as  FIG. 3A , except that the manner in which frame  304  is attached is different. In  FIG. 3A , support  300  holds frame  304  from above, and in  FIG. 3B , a support  300 ′ holds frame  304  from below. Both the display of  FIG. 3A  and the display of  FIG. 3B  may produce similar results, and may comprise one or a plurality of magnets  106 ′. 
     Both the display of  FIG. 3A  and the display of  FIG. 3B  may produce similar results. For example, the following guidelines may be followed:
         a) when no air currents are present, a display may not rotate without motor power;   b) when sufficient air currents are available, e.g., forced air coming from a heating and air conditioning outlet or air coming from an open window, a display may not need a motor;   c) a display which operates without a motor may be suspended from an appropriate attachment point; and   d) strong air currents disturb a display&#39;s orderly rotation, and as such, should be avoided.       

     Referring to  FIG. 4 , in another embodiment of the present invention, a display may comprise a motor, a suspension, and a magnet. In this embodiment, no frame may be included, and the display may rotate in substantially a similar manner as a display which comprises frame  104 . The display of  FIG. 4  also may comprise a hook  402 , a motor  226 , a suspension  120 , and a magnet  106 ′. Motor  226  may be operated from a battery, or from an electrical outlet. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , in yet another embodiment of the present invention, the display may be further simplified and may comprise a suspension and a magnet, provided that, as set forth above, an alternative source of rotation is available. In this embodiment, the suspension may be positioned at a point midway between the pole surfaces of the magnet, such that the magnet serves as a frame.  FIG. 5 , shows hook  116 , suspension  120 , and magnet  106 ′. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6A , in yet another embodiment of the present invention, a display may comprise a stationary object, such as tree  600 , and one or more  FIG. 4  combinations. A movable object, such as star  604  may reverse rotate as a result of forces from motor  226 , suspension  120 , and magnet  106 ′. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6B , in yet another embodiment of the present invention, a display may comprise an object, such as tree  600  positioned on motor  610 , and one or more  FIG. 5  combinations. Snowman  606  may comprise a  FIG. 5  display. Multiple individual displays may reverse rotate using the approach of  FIG. 6B , and all of them may operate as a result of the rotation of motor  610 . Therefore, the individual displays, like  FIG. 5 , may not include a motor. 
     The embodiments of the present invention may produce rotational characteristics that result from the parameters selected. Several fundamental characteristics associated with these displays may comprise:
         Time required for a display, after being turned on, to complete the initial 360° of rotation.   Time required to reverse the direction of rotation.   Maximum speed in the forward, and reverse, directions.   Total time to repeat the motion that constitutes one display cycle.       

     Empirical results showed that displays may operate in a first and second direction at motor speeds which are less than 1 and up to motor speeds which are greater than 100 rpm. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other variations and modifications of the exemplary embodiments described above may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the specification or practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and the described examples are considered merely as exemplary of the invention, with the true scope of the invention being indicated by the flowing claims.