Improvements in Apparatus for Determining the Laws of Falling Bodies, commonly called "Atwood's" Machine.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Jan., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 12th Oct., 1893-Accepted, 23rd Dec., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Determining the Laws of Falling
Bodies, commonly called "Atwood's" Machine.
GEORGE CUSSONS, Model Maker, 104, Great Clowes Street, Lower Broughton,
Salford, Manchester, Lancashire, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
The machine consists of a vertical post to which is attached a bracket-bearing
for a light balanced wheel, grooved at its outer circumference, and which requires
to rotate with as little friction as possible. This wheel carries weights on either
side of it, connected together by means of a light flexible cord. On the vertical
post aforesaid are arranged suitably shaped tables the top table allows the weight
to pass through, but detaches a smaller impulse weight or rider which was placed
loosely upon the above weight for the purpose of starting it. The bottom table
finally arrests the movement of the weights.
The distances between the starting point and the first and second tables are
accurately measured, on a scale attached to the machine; the time of passage
between each being determined by any suitable means.
The weights are usually started indirectly by means of a trap door on which
the upper weight and rider rests, the trap door being controlled either by a spring
catch or an electro magnet.
The improvement in my apparatus consists in
(1). Supporting the above mentioned grooved wheel in correctly designed ball
bearings forming part of riged metal bracket which is bolted to the post.
(2). The release of the weight is direct and without the intervention of a trap
door, being determined by the demagnitization of a hollow electro magnet through
which the cord supporting the weight and rider passes. The electro magnet holds
both weight and rider to its bottom surface during the passage of the electric
current through it. The electro-magnet need only be strong enough to support
the rider, the other working weights balancing each other; but it may be made
strong enough to attract both weight and rider.
(3). The moving weights or masses are increased or diminished by screwing
or unscrewing others into or from the bottom surfaces of the first weights, this
does away with the liability of their flying apart when several weights moving
together are brought to rest by striking the bottom table.
January 12th 1898
Improvements in Apparatus for Determining the Laws of Falling
Bodies, commonly called "Atwood's" Machine.
GEORGE CUSSONS, Model Maker, 104, Great Clowes Street, Lower Broughton,
Salford, Manchester, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
[Price 8d.

page_text: manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:―
The machine consists of a vertical post to which is attached a bracket bearing
for a light balanced wheel grooved at the outer circumference and which requires
to rotate with as little friction as possible. This wheel carries a weight (C) on
either side of it connected together by means of a light flexible cord. On the
vertical post aforesaid are arranged suitably shaped striking tables. The top table
allows the weight to pass through but detaches a smaller impulse weight or
rider (D) which was placed loosely upon the above weight for the purpose of
starting it. The bottom table finally arrests the movement of the weights. The
distances between the starting point and the first and second tables are accurately
measured on a scale attached to the machine. The time of passage between each
being determined by any suitable means. The weights are usually started
indirectly by means of a trap door on which the upper weight & rider rests. The
trap door being controlled either by a spring latch or an electro magnet.
The improvement in my apparatus consists of:-
(1). Supporting the above mentioned grooved wheel on correctly designed ball
bearings A A', forming part of a rigid metal bracket, which is bolted to the post,
see Fig. 1 & 2.
(2). The release of the weights is direct & without the intervention of a trap
door, being determined by the de-magnetisation of the hollow electro-magnet (B)
through which the cord supporting the weight (C) & rider (D) passes. The electro
magnet holds both the weight & rider to its bottom surface during the passage of
the electric current through it. The electro magnet need only be strong enough
to support the rider, the other working weights balancing each other, but it
may be made strong enough to attract both weights & rider.
3. The moving weights or masses (C) are increased or diminished by screwing
or unscrewing others into or from the bottom surfaces of the first weights (see
Fig. 4). This does away with the liability of their flying apart when several
weights moving together are brought to rest by striking the bottom table.
Having now particularly described & ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion & in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
-
1. Ball bearing for head or bracket as shown at A A Fig. 1 & 2 & shown in
detail at Fig. 3.
2. Direct release by a hollow electro magnet B (Fig. (1 & 2).
3. The screwing of the weights together to prevent their flying apart when
brought suddenly to rest, Fig. 4.