FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention is in the field of Mechanical Engineering. More particularly in “Theory of Machines” and relates to a mechanism which has provisions or means to operate its various inversions in a single embodiment by fixing and unfixing or loosening the respective links or elements of the mechanism. Thus, this invention is a mechanism whose various inversions can be operated in a single embodiment, by fixing and unfixing or releasing the respective links or elements of the mechanism using the means provided there on.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] “Theory of Machines” is one of the oldest and important subjects of mechanical engineering and is as old as mechanical engineering education, or teaching, that is more than 150 years now. The study of relative motion between the links (or elements, bars or components) of a machine is known as ‘kinematics’ and is an integral part of the subject, theory of machines. A machine or mechanism is also termed a ‘kinematic chain’ in theory of machines, and it is defined as a combination of ‘kinematic pairs’ in which each link, element or bar forms part of two pairs (of links/elements/bars) and in which the relative motion is completely constrained. Each part or component of a machine or mechanism, which has motion relative to some other part, is termed an element, link or bar and two such elements/bars/links which are connected together in such a way that their relative motion is completely constrained, form a ‘kinematic pair’. [0003] A kinematic chain shall functio lanism if any of its links or elements is fixed. Thus, if there are ‘L’ number of links in a kinematic chain, ‘L’ number of different mechanisms can generally be formed, by fixing each of its ‘L’ links or elements; these different mechanisms are ‘inversions’ of the original kinematic chain. Each inversion would generally be different in its working or operation, serving the same or different purpose, sometimes different in appearance also. Generally four kinematic links/bars or elements are minimum required to execute motion in a kinematic chain, which has four ‘kinematic pairs’, and by fixing each of the said links/elements/bars, four different mechanisms (which are termed ‘inversions’ of original kinematic chain) will be obtained.

[0004] The above statements are well known, and in use for more than one and a half century of the subject ‘theory of machines’ in mechanical engineering, but a mechanism having provisions to operate its different inversions in a single embodiment is not known, nor in use; different inversions of the same kinematic chain are accommodated, made or assembled in different embodiments. This way of accommodating or assembling different inversions of a mechanism in different embodiments calls for more materials, manpower and involves exorbitant cost, while basically it is the same kinematic chain, whose different links are fixed in different mechanisms to form different inversions of the same kinematic chain.

[0005] Thus, this invention aims at the development of a mechanism having provisions or means to operate its multiple inversions in a single embodiment. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism wherein means like bolt, pin, wing nut, clamp, latch and/or similar things are provided to fix and unfix or loosen respective links or elements of the mechanism or kinematic chain, so as to operate physically in real working mode the various inversions, of the said mechanism or kinematic chain, in a single embodiment.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide an unique frame or stand comprising a stationary circular inner part or member at the circumference of which is rotatably and annularly mounted an outer member or part; means like bolt, taper pin, latch or similar sort being provided to fix the said two members as a single unit or to unfix the said outer member to rotate around the said inner member, the said kinematic chain or mechanism being mounted on the said frame or stand, the arrangement being such that each of the inversions of said mechanism can be physically operated in working mode, by fixing and unfixing the respective links of the said mechanism by the means provided, in a single embodiment.

[0008] It is yet another object of this invention to provide indication or display to make the operator aware of the particular link or element of the mechanism or kinematic chain, that is fixed at that instant, and the corresponding inversion is thus activated or working at that particular instant. [0009] It is still another object of this to provide means like handle, ratchet, electrical/mechanical/man power or similar sort, depending on the nature and/or type of the mechanism or kinematic chain to operate, run or activate the said mechanism, so that one can physically operate the required inversion, in real working mode, in a single embodiment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention is a mechanism having means for operating the various inversions of the said mechanism or kinematic chain in a single embodiment. As there are innumerable kinematic chains or mechanisms in wide use, a four-bar slider crank mechanism or kinematic chain, which is very popular as reciprocating engine and also as pump, is taken as an example and adapted to provide with said means, and unique frame or body to mount it on, in such a way that each of the four inversions can be operated by fixing and unfixing the respective links of the said kinematic chain.

[0011] The various embodiments of the invention are as stated below:

[0012] Embodiment A relates to a mechanism having said means for operating the various inversions of the said mechanism in a single embodiment, comprising: a mechanism or kinematic chain mounted on a frame or stand, a stationary circular inner member supported on a base, a rotatably mounted outer member, wherein the said outer member is ro annularly mounted on the said inner member, wherein means like bolt, screw, clamp or that sort are provided to fix or mount the said mechanism or kinematic chain on the said frame or stand, and to fix the circular inner member and the outer member together as a single unit, or to unfix/release the said outer member to rotate about the said inner member, the arrangement being such that each of the inversions of the said kinematic chain is operable physically in working mode, by fixing and unfixing the respective links of the said mechanism.

[0013] Embodiment B relates to the frame or stand of embodiment A comprising a stationary circular inner member supported on a base and having a hole or bearing at its centre to accommodate rotatably the shaft portion of the element, crank of the said kinematic chain or mechanism, and

[0014] Embodiment C relates to the outer member of embodiment A which is rotatably and annularly mounted at the circumference of the said inner member, means like bolt, taper pin, latch or that sort being provided to fix together the said two members as a single unit, or to unfix/ release the said outer member to rotate about the said inner member.

[0015] Embodiment D relates to the means of previous embodiments like bolt, screw, wing nut, clamp, latch or similar sort which are provided to mount the said mechanism or kinematic chain on the said frame or stand in such a way that each of the various inversions of the said mechanism is operable by 1 nfixing the respective links of the said mechanism.

[0016] Embodiment E relates to the means of previous embodiments, like LED/LCD display, replaceable printed display or similar sort which are provided to indicate and display the particular link or element of the said mechanism, which is fixed at that instant to activate a particular inversion.

[0017] Embodiment F relates to the means such as rotating handle, ratchet, electrical/mechanical/manual power to start or turn the mechanism physically to operate the various inversions in working mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0018] Fig. I shows the kinematic diagram of a four bar slider crank mechanism or kinematic chain that represents a reciprocating engine/pump.

[0019] Fig. II shows the front elevation of a frame, body or stand on which the said slider crank mechanism is to be mounted; the said frame having said means to fix and unfix the respective links or elements of the said four bar mechanism while operating the corresponding inversions of the said kinematic chain or mechanism.

[0020] Fig. Ill shows the sectional end view of the frame or stand whose elevation is shown in Fig. II. [0021] Fig. IV shows this invention in cinematic chain is mounted on the said frame or body. In this figure one of the four inversions is shown, where in one of the four links or elements namely cylinder is fixed and all other three elements namely connecting rod, crank and piston are movable.

[0022] Fig. V shows another inversion of the same mechanism where in another element or link namely connecting rod is fixed, and all other three elements are movable.

[0023] Fig. VI shows the third inversion in which the third element namely crank is fixed and all three other elements or links are movable.

[0024] Fig. VII shows the fourth inversion where in the element namely piston is fixed, and all other three elements are movable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The present invention is a mechanism having said means for operating the various inversions, of the mechanism or kinematic chain in a single embodiment. As there are innumerable kinematic chains or mechanisms in wide use, a four-bar slider crank mechanism or kinematic chain, which is very popular as reciprocating engine and also as pump, is taken as an example and adapted to the said mechanism by mounting it on an unique frame or body in such a way that each of the four inversions can be operated by the means provided for fixing and unfixing the respective links of the said kinematic chain or mechanism. [0026] This four-bar slider crank mech dprocating engine comprises four links or elements which form four kinematic pairs, namely three turning pairs and one sliding pair. The four links, elements or bars of the said slider crank mechanism are cylinder, connecting rod, crank and the piston or sliding block; the cylinder and piston form the sliding pair, the connecting rod and crank form one set of turning pair, connecting rod and piston form second set of turning pair, and crank and the crank case or engine body (extension of cylinder) form the third set of turning pair. Thus, there are one sliding pair and three turning pairs in this four bar slider crank mechanism; the whole said mechanism or kinematic chain is mounted on the said unique frame or stand to form the said invention, in a single embodiment.

[0027] The above and other features of the invention including various novel details of construction, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It may be understood that the said mechanism for operating various inversions of the mechanism or kinematic chain, embodying the invention is shown by way of illustration only, not as a limitation of the invention. The principles and features of the invention can also be employed in various and numerous embodiments without departing from the ambit and scope of this invention. In the following description, like-reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several illustrations shown in figures. It is also understood that the terms “a”, “an”, “the” and the like are words for the sake of convenience of language and are not to be considered as limiting terms. [0028] Reference is made to the accoi rawings in which is shown one of the non-limiting illustrations of the embodiment of this invention and the novel features and advantages of the invention are apparent from this.

[0029] Fig. I refers to a four bar slider crank mechanism or kinematic chain which represents a reciprocating engine or pump. Referring to Fig. I of the drawings, (1) is the link or element, cylinder and (2) is the link, connecting rod, which is rotatably connected at one end to the link (3), the crank, and oscillatably connected at the other end to the link (4), the piston or sliding block. The said crank (3) is rotatably mounted in the frame or body of the mechanism which is an extension of the cylinder. Now, there are four links, bars or elements, each of these links is connected to two other links, so as to form four kinematic pairs, whose relative motion is completely constrained. As there are four links, four different mechanisms can be obtained by fixing each of the links and these different mechanisms are called the inversions.

[0030] Fig. II and Fig. Ill refer to a frame or stand comprising a circular inner member or part (5) and an outer annular member or part (6); said inner member (5) has a central hole (5A) and generally functions as a stationary stand having a base at its bottom and the said outer member (6) is rotatably mounted around the said member (5) having means (6A) like bolt, pin or that sort to fix them (5 and 6) together as a single unit as needed. The said slider crank chain referred and illustrated in Fig. I is to be mounted over the said frame in such a way that the shaft part of the crank (3) is rotatably mounted in the hole (5 A) of the said inner member (5) [0031] Fig. Ill is the sectional end vie d frame or stand shown in Fig. II. As explained it has an inner circular stationary member (5) with a central hole (5A) to rotatably accommodate the shaft part of the said crank (3); and outer annular member (6) rotatably mounted at the periphery of the said member (5) with means (6A) to fix them (5 and 6) together as a single unit or to unfix the said outer member (6) so that it becomes rotatable as and when needed.

[0032] Fig. IV shows the elevation of one embodiment of the invention namely a mechanism having means for operating the various inversions of the said mechanism in a single embodiment. In this arrangement the kinematic chain or mechanism is mounted appropriately on the said unique frame such that the shaft of the crank (3) is rotatably accommodated in the hole (5A) provided at the centre of the inner member (5) of the said frame or stand.

[0033] In Fig. IV the first inversion is shown by fixing the link (1) namely the cylinder, by the means like pin, screw or that sort provided (1 A and IB). Now, when the crank (3) is rotated, either manually or by suitable power input through the means provided like handle, pulley or the like, the link (4) namely piston will reciprocate in the cylinder (1) and the link (2) namely the connecting rod will oscillate. This is kinematically a typical reciprocating engine or pump mechanism.

[0034] Fig. V shows the second inversion, where in link (2), the connecting rod is fixed to the link (4), the piston and these two function as a single unit. The link (1) namely cylinder is unfixed and free to move or oscillati means (1A) provided. Thus, when the crank (3) is rotated, the cylinder (1) oscillates and the connecting rod together with piston (4) also slides and oscillates. The inversion is known as “oscillating cylinder” engine mechanism.

[0035] In Fig. VI is shown the third inversion, where in the link (3), the crank is fixed, by means like lockable pin or bolt (3 A) provided there on. Now, the outer member (6) of the said frame is unlocked from the inner member (5) by the means (6A) provided, so that member (6) along with the said kinematic chain or mechanism is free to rotate about the axis of crank shaft; all the three links (1,2 and 4) rotates along with said outer member (6), and link (3) namely crank is fixed. This inversion is known as “rotating cylinder, reciprocating engine” mechanism; it is also called “Gnome engine”.

[0036] Fig. VII shows the fourth inversion, where in the link (4) namely the piston is fixed by the means 4(A) like bolt, screw, clamp or that sort, and the crank (3) is unfixed. The connecting rod (2) is disconnected from the piston (4) and it is connected to the cylinder (1) by the means (IB) provided there on. Now, on rotating the crank (3) the cylinder (1) reciprocates through the connecting rod (2). This fourth inversion also functions as a reciprocating engine or pump mechanism, though the piston (4) is fixed.

[0037] All the four inversions of the four bar mechanism are operable in a single embodiment, by fixing and unfixing the respective links of the mechanism using the said means provided. Thus this invention is a mechanism having means for operating various inversions of a kinematic chain or meet jingle embodiment, comprising a frame or stand having a stationary inner member with a base and a rotatable outer member, means being provided to fix the said two members together or unfix the outer member to rotate, the said mechanism being mounted on the said frame, the arrangement being such that the various inversions of the said mechanism are operable physically in working mode, in a single embodiment.

[0038] While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equipments and alternatives falling with in the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.

[0039] It may also be noted that though all the inversions of the mechanism are operable in a single embodiment of the mechanism, only one inversion can be operated at a time.