Apparatus for providing a continuous swinging motion

Abstract

The present invention is an automatic continuous swinging motion device that attaches easily to any existing swing, rocking chair, or hammock providing an operator variable control over speed and displacement, while also providing a rigid connection that eliminates overswing. To enable such a configuration, the automatic continuous swinging motion device of the present invention comprises a driving unit, an actuating unit, and a power unit. The driving unit provides the pushing pulling force for enabling the appropriate swing for the article that is attached to the present invention. The actuating unit is an adjustable rotating arm initiates and terminates the swinging process as desired by the operator. The power unit supplies power to the assembly, and the control unit provides variable adjustment means for the swinging speed of the adjustable rotating arm. The device is attached to an apparatus via a rigid pole that prevents overswing. Swing speed can be controlled by either adjusting the rotating arm length or turning the speed control knob of the control unit. Swing displacement is controlled by adjusting the rotating arm length.

1 . An automatic continuous swinging motion device comprising: 
 a case;    a power unit with on/off switch;    an electric motor;    said electric motor attached to a fixed rate pulley;    said electric motor and attached fixed rate pulley supported by a moveable shaft    said moveable shaft connected to a variable speed control module;    a variable rate pulley permanently affixed to an axle that is mounted: 
 on a first interior side of said case and rotates on a bearing, and  
 wherein said axle protrudes through a second internal side of the case  1  where said axle rests on a second bearing and said axle extends outside through the wall of said case and is permanently affixed to a adjustable rotating arm; and  
   said fixed rate pulley is connected to said variable rate pulley via a belt.    
   
   
       2 . The automatic continuous swinging motion device of  claim 1  wherein the power unit consists of a 12-volt rechargeable battery.  
   
   
       3 . The automatic continuous swinging motion device of  claim 1  wherein when said variable speed control module is controlled by a rotating knob: 
 rotating said knob in a clockwise, direction acts to raise the electric motor and fixed rate pulley with respect to the variable speed pulley;    thereby increasing the tension on the belt around the variable rate pulley thus forcing the belt deeper into the variable rate pulley, creating a reduction of the rotational ratio of the fixed rate pulley and the variable rate pulley, resulting in an increased rotational speed of the variable rate pulley, axle, and adjustable rotating arm.    
   
   
       4 . The automatic continuous swinging motion device of  claim 1  wherein when said variable speed control module is controlled by a rotating knob: 
 rotating said knob a counter-clockwise, direction acts to lower the electric motor and fixed rate pulley with respect to the variable speed pulley;    thereby decreasing the tension on the belt around the variable rate pulley allowing the belt to recede in the variable rate pulley, creating a increase in the rotational ratio of the fixed rate pulley and the variable rate pulley, resulting in a decreased rotational speed of the variable rate pulley, axle, and adjustable rotating arm.    
   
   
       5 . The automatic continuous swinging motion device of  claim 1  wherein said adjustable rotating arm is permanently affixed to the axle, which is further comprised of: 
 a fixed axle end portion; and    a slotted arm; 
 said slotted arm is connected to the fixed axle end portion by two adjusting bolts;  
 by loosening the adjusting bolts, the slotted arm may be moved to increase or decrease the stroke of the rotating arm and the corresponding displacement of any attached apparatus or to increase or decrease the swing speed.  
   
   
   
       6 . The automatic continuous swinging motion device of  claim 5  wherein the outer end portion of the slotted arm is further comprised of attachment means for securing a fixed rigid pole for connecting the device of the present invention to an apparatus via the fixed rigid pole.  
   
   
       7 . The automatic continuous swinging motion device of  claim 5  wherein; 
 on a first end, the fixed rigid pole is comprised of rod end, which provides an attachment means to the slotted arm;    said rod end is secured to the slotted arm by the use of a cotter pin;    on a second opposite end, the fixed rigid pole further comprises a clamp used to secure the device to an apparatus.