An Improved Gimbal or Suspension Bearing.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Dec., 1891-Accepted, 19th Mar., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Gimbal or Suspension Bearing.
I WILLIAM JEFFREY HOPKINS Architect F.R.I.B.A. of Sansome Lodge
Worcester do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :--
The nature of my invention to be an improved gimbal or suspension bearing for
steadying any matter whether liquid or solid whilst subject to any undulatory or
oscillatory motion and the manner in which the same is to be performed consists
of a peculiar arrangement combination application adaptation and use of balls so
that by means of their intervention or interaction any such matter becomes relieved
from the effects of undulatory or oscillatory motion of surrounding or adjacent
matter and maintains its position whether vertical horizontal or otherwise notwith-
standing any such motion of any such surrounding or adjacent matter.
Four balls are so arranged that three of them when combined with framework
of any suitable shape or size can be brought simultaneously to ride or glide over a
fourth or central ball or vice versa. The matter to be kept steady is then attached
or caused to be borne by either the outer framework containing the three balls or
the central ball itself.
If the matter to be kept steady is connected with the outer framework then the
central ball is to be placed below those connected with the ring, but if the matter
to be kept in a quiescent state is connected with the central ball then the central
ball is placed above the balls connected with the ring.
:
There are three adjustments of the minor balls either of which may be adopted
according to the nicety of the action required.
C
The first (delineated by Fig. No. 5) shows the balls as being firmly attached to
an outer ring or as substitutes for such balls points such as P" shown upon the
same Fig. 5.
The second (Fig. 6) shows the balls mounted so as to move upon an axis.
The third (No. 6) shows the balls as partly enclosed in a circular cavity or
socket.
The first two adjustments are intended to be used where great nicety is not
required. The third, where the balls are shown to move in sockets as in all cases
where great nicety is essential as in cases of mounting compasses or chronometers
and for many other purposes.
Should the matter to be retained in a quiescent state be found insufficient to
allow the power of gravity to overcome the friction at the points of contact extra
weight is to be attached.
Two arrangements suited for my method of using the balls for the proposed
purpose are shown by the Figs. Nos. and 2.
Fig. No. 1 shows an arrangement and application of the method suitable for
carrying any kind of liquid matter by hand whether on board vessels or otherwise,
without spilling it.
As represented in this fig. "A" is the central ball held by the handle G upon
which the balls B, B, B, shown in Figs. 3 and 4 rest whilst the matter is being
conveyed by hand. E represents a metal framework connected with the ring Č
and to the lower portion of which framework is attached the tray F.
"X" repre-
sents a glass filled with any kind of liquid matter required to be carried without
spilling. In this figure the larger ball would partake of the oscillatory motion of
the body and glide over the three supporting points of the balls fixed or adjusted
to the ring C.
Fig. No. 2 shows the action reversed or inverted. In this case the matter

page_text: supported is attached to the central ball A which rests upon the moveable
balls B, B, B, and these points when the oscillatory motion affects the framework
move over the spherical surface of the ball A, which is held in position by the
power of gravity.
In this figure A represents the central ball, B, B, those working in a circular
cavity or socket attached to the ring C. X is any matter, such for instance as a
compass or chronometer, suspended to the ball A. by means of a connecting rod J.
E, E, represent a portion of a tripod to be firmly attached to the vessel or
otherwise.
EXPLANATION OF FIGURES.
Fig. No. 1 represents a central ball. A. B. B. minor balls. C frame surrounding
them. E. E. E. any suitable supporting framework. F. tray. X. any matter
requiring to be kept steady. W. weight.
Fig. No. 2. showing the action inverted, in which A represents the central ball.
B. B. B. minor balls, working in a circular cavity. C. the circular or other frame-
work to which they are to be attached. E. E. portions of a tripod or other
framework. X any matter to be kept steady. W. a weight to be attached if
necessary. J. a connecting rod.
In
Fig. No. 3. shows the upper portion of the apparatus to a larger scale.
which A represents the central ball. B. B. minor balls. C. frame. G. handle.
Fig. No. 4. in which A. represents central ball to larger scale. B. B. B. minor
balls. C. ring.
Fig. Nos. 5, 6 and 7. In these figures B. B. B. represents the minor balls.
C. C. C. portions of ring or frame. In No. 5 the ball B. or point P. (if the latter
is preferred instead of a ball) is firmly fixed to the frame. "In No. 6, the ball is
shown to roll upon an axis. In No. 7 to move freely in a circular cavity.
The scales marked on the accompanying drawing are not intended to limit the
sizes of the balls or framework, which, will require to be adapted to the various
purposes to which the Patent is intended to apply.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1: The invention of a peculiar arrangement combination application adaptation
and use of balls, so that by means of their interaction or intervention any matter
may be relieved from the effects of undulatory or oscillatory motion of surrounding
or adjacent matter and maintain its position whether vertical horizontal or other-
wise notwithstanding any such motion of any such surrounding or adjacent matter.
Dated this 30th day of November 1891.
WILLIAM JEFFREY HOPKINS.