Resettable sandglass-type timing device which provides selective

Details Resettable sandglass-type timing device which provides selective Resettable sandglass-type timing device which provides selective

1990-01-16

1991-11-26

Roskoski, Bernard

Horology: time measuring systems or devices

Time interval

Gravity actuated type

G04F 104

Patent

active

050688391

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a timing device of a type that is generally referred to as a "sandglass" but one which can be reset to commence a new timing operation without first completing an existing timing operation.


BACKGROUND ART

The conventional sandglass timer comprises two closed chambers that are interconnected by a narrow neck, and sand or other particulate material is located within the timer in such a way that it may flow from one chamber to the other, under the influence of gravity, by way of the neck. The timer is usually formed from glass or a transparent plastics material and a predetermined period of time is deemed to have passed when the entire quantity of sand is seen to pass from one chamber to the other.
A problem with the conventional sandglass timer is that the entire quantity of sand must pass from one chamber to the other before the timer can be inverted to commence a new timing operation, and this can be rather irritating under some conditions. For example, if the timer is being used to time-out the period allowed for a move in a board game and one participating player completes the move well before the sand transfer from one chamber to the other has been completed, then the players must wait patiently until the operation has been concluded before play may recommence.


DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a timing device which avoids this problem. The device is formed at least in part from a transparent material and it comprises a first chamber, a second chamber, a narrow neck which interconnects the first and second chambers, and a flowable material located within the device and flowable under the influence of gravity from the first chamber to the second chamber by way of the neck. The device is characterised in that at least one passageway is provided to interconnect the first and second chambers and to provide an unimpeded passage through which the flowable material may be directed as an alternative to passing it through the neck.
The timer in accordance with the present invention may be used in the conventional way, in the sense that a normal timing operation may be effected by locating all of the flowable material in the first chamber and by allowing it to trickle through the neck to enter the second chamber, the timing operation being completed when all of the material has transferred from the first to the second chamber. However, if it is required that a timing operation be curtailed and a new operation be commenced, the device may be inverted and be turned in such a way that the material will move in an unimpeded fashion between the chambers by way of the passageway.
It is preferred that the device be formed with just one passageway and that the device be formed with side wall portions which are constituted entirely by a transparent material. Also, it is preferred that the device be constructed in a manner such that the flowable material may be caused to flow in either direction, from the first to the second chamber or from the second to the first chamber, depending on the orientation of the device.
The timing device may be formed from glass or such other transparent material as a clear plastics material. The flowable material may be in the form of a particulate material, such as sand or ballotini, or, in certain circumstances, it may be constituted by a viscous liquid.
The timing device may be formed adjacent the neck with at least one port which interconnects the first chamber and the passageway, whereby a portion of the flowable material will transfer from the first chamber to the passageway at the same time that it is flowing from the first to the second chamber. Thus, with this construction, the timing device provides for the selection of one of two possible timing periods, depending upon the orientation of the device.
The invention will be more fully understood from the following description of three embodiments of the timing device. The description is provided by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying

REFERENCES:
patent: 4527905 (1985-07-01), Kohls
patent: 4813030 (1989-03-01), Johnson

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