TIMING DEVICE WITH AUDIBLE INDICATION

Abstract

The invention provides a device (100) for timing that audibly provides an indication of elapsing time. The device being similar to an hourglass, having two containers connected by a central passage and filled with particulates. Wherein one of the containing halves of the device has a recessed portion and sounding surface positioned under the connecting passage, and is arranged to produce sound when its internal surface is struck by a falling particulate.

Claims

1. A timing device that audibly provides an indication of elapsing time, the device comprising: a container having walls defining first and second compartments connected by a passage; and particulates contained in the container; wherein, with the device positioned to have the compartment containing the particulates uppermost, particulates fall into the lowermost compartment through the passage which regulates their rate of fall such that the particulates accumulate in a base of the lowermost compartment in a set time, wherein a portion of the wall defining at least one compartment is recessed and has a sounding surface positioned under the passage that is arranged to produce sound when its internal surface is struck by falling particulate providing an externally audible indication of elapsing time, wherein the recessed portion of wall positions the sounding surface higher than the base of the compartment forming a well in which falling particulate accumulates after striking and rebounding from the sounding surface.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the recessed wall portion externally forms a channel and/or an acoustic horn surrounding the external face of the sounding surface, which amplifies and/or guides sounds produced by the sounding surface.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the recess is in the base of the device with the well extending circumferentially around the recessed portion.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of external feet are disposed on the base of the device circumferentially spaced around the recessed portion, such that, with the device placed on a surface, channels are formed between the feet and surface allowing sound to travel from the recessed portion.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of channels between the feet are shaped to amplify the sound created by a particulate colliding with the sounding surface.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the shape of the plurality of channels resembling a part of a horn for increasing the amount of air the sound waves acts upon.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the sounding surface is less thick than the rest of the recessed walls of the container.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the thickness of the sounding surface is proportional to the size and mass of the particulates designed/chosen to collide with it.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein the sounding surface is formed of a different material than the recessed portion it is affixed to.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the sounding surface is made of flexible elastic sheet material fixed under tension to a rigid frame provided by the rest of the recessed wall portion which vibrates when a particulate collides with it to produce a sound.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein the sounding surface is unitary with the rest of the recessed wall portion.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein the sounding surface is between 0.05 and 0.75 millimetres thick and/or the sounding surface is between 0.5 cm.sup.2 and 10 cm.sup.2 in area.

13. A device according to claim 1, wherein a portion or portions of the walls of the device are transparent providing a visual indication of the extent to which the particulate has accumulated in the lower compartment and so of elapsing time.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein there are identification markers on the interior walls of recessed portion that indicate how much time has passed as particulates build up and cover the identification markers.

15. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device is constructed from at least one unitary moulded plastics part providing the recessed portion of wall and sounding surface for a respective one or both base ends of the device, wherein the sounding surface has a thinner wall thickness than the surrounding recessed wall portion.

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein the or both unitary part is joined to at least one other part defining the circumferentially outer walls of the compartments and the passage therebetween.

17. A device according to claim 1, wherein the compartment is unitary and preferably made from glass.

18. A device according to claim 1, comprising end caps fixed to one or both ends of the compartment providing a protective shield over the opening of the recessed portion having one or more apertures therein to protect the sounding surface whilst allowing sound out of the recessed portion.

19. A device according to claim 1, wherein there are sounding surfaces in different compartments arranged to produce different sounds.

20. A device according to claim 1, comprising plural containers comprising interconnected compartments each with a sounding surface, wherein the containers are axially orthogonal such that depending on the orientation of the device, particulate is made to fall in one of the containers, wherein each container has a sounding surface that produces a different sound to another container and/or has a different set time.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0053] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a timing device according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0054] FIG. 2 is a side-on plan view of the device of FIG. 1;

[0055] FIG. 3 is a side-on view of another example of a timing device, showing particulate matter accumulated in the lower compartment in partial cut away to show visual time period markers; and

[0056] FIG. 4 is a side-on plan view of another example of a timing device, where the particulate matter is contained within a glass container with plastic end caps comprising feet attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a timing device 100. The timing device 100 comprises of a hollow central tubular piece 10 and symmetrical and diametrically opposed end caps 12, sometimes referred to as end cap 12A and end cap 12B, fitting over the ends of the tubular piece 10.

[0058] The sides 14 of the central tubular piece are cylindrical and extend axially away from the end caps 12 towards a central channel 16. As the sides 14 extend towards the central channel 16 they taper in becoming funnels 18 which meet at the central channel 16. In this embodiment there are a number of concentric rings 20 and struts 22 which provide support to the narrower section of the central tubular piece 10, where the funnels 18 meet and the central channel 16 resides.

[0059] Central tubular piece 10 is formed of a transparent material such as, but not limited to, plastic (e.g. Clear ABS), Acrylic or other resin, glass. It will be appreciated that when a visual indication of the elapsing time is not required, the material need not be transparent.

[0060] The end caps 12 are generally circular to fit the ends of the tubular piece 10 and may be attached to the hollow central piece 10 in a number of ways including, but not limited to, being glued, friction fit, screwed or any combination thereof, to the central tubular piece 10. The end caps 12 have a central portion where the walls forming the end cap are recessed inwards providing a recessed portion 24 with a sounding surface 26 at the end thereof, either formed with or attached to it. The sounding surface 26 is generally thinner than the surrounding wall portions such that it can be set to vibrate supported by the surrounding wall portions. When the end caps 12 are attached onto the central tubular piece 10, the recessed portions 24 and sounding surfaces extend within the central tubular piece 10, they reside diametrically opposite to the central channel 16 and face the opposing end cap 12. In this configuration the recessed portions 24 extend into the particulate chambers 28 of the central tubular piece 10. As the recessed portion 24 extends into the particulate chamber 28 it tapers inwards until forming a flattened portion where the sounding surface 26 resides. The tapered surfaces may be tapered in steps 30 or otherwise have transitions marking different time periods.

[0061] The central piece 10 and end caps 12 form a closed container with two compartments formed at either end connected by the central channel 16, in which particulate matter is contained, e.g. sand or the like. Thus, in the normal manner of an hourglass, inverting the device such that the particulates are in the uppermost compartment results in the particulates falling from the upper compartment to the lower compartment through the central channel, which is sized or otherwise adapted to regulate the rate of flow so that it takes a predictable time period for the particulate matter to fully transfer from the upper compartment to the base of the other lower compartment.

[0062] As particulates fall into the lower compartment, they collide with the sounding surface 26 which is caused to vibrate and produce a noise providing audible feedback of elapsing time. The end caps 12 and the sides 14 together form generally toroidal wells 34 around the recessed portions 24. These toroidal wells 34 provide space for particulates 36 to fall into after colliding with and rebounding from the sounding surface 26. This prevents particulates from building up on top of the sounding surface and dampening further vibration.

[0063] Viewed from the outside of the device 100, the recessed portions 24 of the end caps 12 resemble cavities 38 on the outer surface 32 of the timing device 100. These cavities 38 are hollow and allow for sound waves created by vibration of the sounding surface to externally propagate away from the device so as to be audible to listeners. In other words, the outside of the sounding surface forms an external wall of the device such that vibration caused by particulates falling on the internal side of the sounding surface give rise to sound waves that can freely propagate away from the device through the surrounding air. The cavities 38 are preferably shaped to help modulate the sound, i.e. having a flared or outwardly tapered provide to amplify or channel the sound in desired directions.

[0064] The end caps also have a plurality of feet 40 and, in between, a corresponding plurality of sound channels 42. The feet 40 are blade-like in a radial direction and situated on the bases of the end caps 12 circumferentially around the recess around the longitudinal axis that extends from one end cap 12A, through the central channel 16 to the other end cap 12B. The feet 40 are positioned such that when one end cap 12, of the timing device 100, is placed feet first onto a surface 46 (shown in FIG. 2) the sound channels 42 provide clear pathways for air and sound to travel into or out of the cavity 38. The sound channels 42 are preferably formed to resemble a horn when the device is placed on a surface. The opening of a sound channel 42 in combination with the sides of the feet 40 and the surface the device is placed upon resembling the opening of a horn. The end caps 12 are designed such that when the device is placed on a surface any sound produced in the cavity 38, when a particulate 36 collides with the sounding surface 26, propagates as a wave through the air out of the sound channels 42. The sound channels 42 causing any sound produced in the cavity 38 to emanate radially outwards from the timing device 100.

[0065] The device does not have its base placed on a surface to work however. It can be hand held or supported in a cradle in which it can rotate.

[0066] In the present example, the sounding surface 26 is formed of the same material as the rest of the end caps 12. Furthermore, the sounding surface 26 is formed integrally with the rest of the end caps 12. This may lend itself to using simple and inexpensive manufacturing techniques. In the present example, the end cap 12 is injection moulded and formed out of one piece of a material such as, but not limited to, plastics. The sounding surface 26 is formed more thinly than the surrounding material of the end cap 12 so that when a particulate 36 collides with it, it is able to vibrate and produce sound waves in cavity 38. Typically, if formed of injection moulded plastic, the sounding surface may be, for example, between 0.1 and 0.75 mm in thickness. It will be appreciated that the actual thickness used will depend on the particular application other factors such as the size and mass of the particulate matter, the size of the sounding surface, etc.

[0067] In other examples the sounding surface 26 may be formed of a separate thin material that is attached to the end cap 12, e.g. rubber, latex, silicone, thin metals, various plastics including PET & HIPS. If formed of a separate material from the rest of the end caps 12, it may be made of a flexible material stretched over the rigid walls of the recessed portion 24 like the skin of a drum. The thickness of the stretched material might typically be between 0.05 mm and 0.75 mm.

[0068] The external surface of the sounding surface 26, i.e. the inner most surface of cavity 38, has a plurality of annular ribs 44 formed into it. These ribs 44 are formed into the surface to reinforce the surface, e.g. to prevent shear or tearing, and may also be used to shape the sound produced in the cavity 38.

[0069] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of another example of a timing device 100. This is generally similar to the device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, except for a different arrangement of supports 22 around the central channel, and like reference numerals are used for like parts. FIG. 3 displays the particulates 36 as residing within the toroidal well 34 in the lower particulate chamber 28. The particulates 36 accumulation has been partially cutaway so that time markers 48 are visible through the transparent central tubular piece 10. These time markers 48 provide an indication of how much time has passed since the particulates were all in the upper particulate chamber 28. The steps 30 in the surface of the recessed portion indicate divisions between the time period indicated by the markers 48. As particulates fall from the upper particulate chamber 28 into the lower particulate chamber 28 they collide with the sounding surface 26 and rebound into the toroidal well 34. As the particulates 36 build-up in the toroidal well 34 they slowly, but in a consistent manner, cover up the time markers one by one, such that the level of the particulates provides the user with a regular indication that a portion of the total time measured by the device has passed.

[0070] Thus, as described above, a preferred timing device 100 with auditory feedback may be simply and inexpensively manufactured using identical moulded plastics end caps, with thinner walls of the moulded end caps providing the flexible sounding surface, which are attached to the ends of a transparent plastic, e.g. Perspex, sleeve after introducing particulate matter into the interior of the compartment, thus being formed by three main parts.

[0071] The device can be used to measure and record a period of time as follows. At rest the particulates 36 contained within the timing device 100, and its alternate embodiments in FIG. 3 (and FIG. 4 described below), can be spread across both particulate chambers 28. It is initially necessary to position the device such that all particulates 36 reside within only one of the particulate chambers 28, i.e. by turning the device so that one particulate chamber 28 is positioned above the other chamber so that the particulates 36 gradually fall through the central channel 16 into the lower particulate chamber 28.

[0072] Then, when it is desired to begin timing, the device is turned upside down and placed on a flat surface. Now the particulate chamber 28 containing all the particulates 36 is above the empty particulate chamber 28. The particulates 36 are now able to fall from the above particulate chamber 28 through the central channel 16 and into the other particulate chamber 28. In the process of falling, the central channel 16 directs the particulates 36 into colliding with the sounding surface 28. As the particulates 36 collide with the sounding surface 28 they cause it to vibrate which in turn produces sound waves in the cavity 38 that are able to propagate out, through the air, and to the user via the sound channels 42.

[0073] As the particulates 36 empty out of the above particulate chamber 28 a continual noise indicating the timer is still running can be heard. After colliding with the sounding surface 28 particulates 36 are scattered and fall into the toroidal well 34. In the alternate embodiment of FIG. 3, the particulates 36 that build up in the toroidal well 34 and over time cover up the time markers 48, indicating a known portion of the overall time of the timer has elapsed.

[0074] Finally as the last particulate 36 falls into the lower particulate chamber 28 the noise produced by any collisions stops. This indicates a full period of time the timing device 100 can measure has elapsed. It is possible to instantly restart the timer at this point in order to record any multiple of the period of time the timer has been designed to record.

[0075] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of another example of a timing device 100. This is generally similar to the devices shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 except in this example the particulates are contained within a glass main body 49 which forms the container for the particulates, but which also has end caps 12 attached onto each end. The glass main body 49 may be formed as a unitary part providing a completely closed container, with the particulates 36 being added to it during manufacture. As in the example of FIGS. 1 to 3, the glass main body 49 has a generally hourglass shape with a recessed portion providing a sounding surface 26 that generates sound when struck by the particulate falling from the upper compartment, and providing a well in which the particulate can accumulate after rebounding from the sounding surface.

[0076] In this example, the sounding surface 26 is formed of a locally thinner walled portion of the glass body 49. The end caps protect the ends of the glass body 49 from impacts, as well as providing feet on which the device 100 sits when placed on a surface which provide channels by which the sound generated in the glass cavity escapes. Thus, as in the example of FIGS. 1 to 3, the cavity under the sounding surface 26 and channels formed by the feet can be made to flare outwards to amplify or otherwise channel the sound to reach the listeners. If desired, the end caps may be made to extend further down the sides of the glass body to join up to provide protection and structural support to the glass body.

[0077] The end cap 40 also has a protective mesh 50, or other surface with apertures, extending across the cavity 38 so as to protect the delicate sounding surface 26 from any external objects accidentally coming into contact with it and damaging it. The holes in the mesh or other apertures allow the sound to emanate out from the cavity 38. The protective mesh 50 is preferably formed of the same material as the end caps 12 or formed as part of end caps 12, e.g. the end caps are formed by injection moulded plastics material. Although not illustrated, the examples of FIGS. 1 to 3 may also have a protective mesh extending across the opening to the cavity to protect the sounding surface.

[0078] In the examples given above, the device has two ends with identically formed end caps which give identical sounds. Other examples are contemplated. For instance, if desired, in some examples, the different sounding surfaces in the device may be arranged to give different sounds. Additionally or alternatively, more than one different compartment containing particulate matter can be provided in the same device. These compartments would each have opposed first and second ends having respective sounding surfaces as in the examples of FIGS. 1 to 4, and each compartment would have orthogonally orientated longitudinal axes, such that orientating the overall device with one of the longitudinal axes upright causes particulate to flow between the compartments in that container, but not the other containers. These may be arranged to measure different time periods and/or give different sounds by varying the sounding surface, i.e. its size, thickness, material or mounting and/or the particulate, i.e. its size or weight. For example, a cube shaped device may have three containers as described herein, each aligned between opposed faces of the cube, such that different flows can be produced by placing the cube on a different face. Other examples can have two containers or more than three containers. Alternatively or additionally, one or more container may have more than two compartments, with pairs of compartments linked by respective passages and having different orientations such that by appropriately orientating the overall device, particulate can be made to flow from one compartment to another.

[0079] Embodiments of the present invention have been described with particular reference to the examples illustrated. However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made to the examples described within the scope of the present invention.