US2086697A - Reversible dial - Google Patents

Description

I. CAESAR July 13, 1937.

. REVERSIBLE DIAL Filed NOV, 19, 1954 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented July 13, 1937 one srarss rs'r flCiE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to dials and more particularly to reversible dials, used as faces for instruments and games.

It is frequently desirable in electrical or other fluid-measuring instruments to have an interchangeable dial or other means which will permit the instrument to indicate directly in various units. When more than one scale is provided on a single dial face however, the multiplicity tends toward confusion and increases the possibility of personal error in taking readings. When dial faces having separate, single scales, are used, the necessary substitution of dials to indicate different units entails considerable time and trouble. Thus for example if a pressure-measuring instrument indicates directly in pounds per square inch and it is desired to substitute a dial which indicates either kilograms per square centimeter, or directly in atmospheres, it is usually necessary to remove the original dial from the instrument and to effect the substitution of dials after the dial mounting means has been removed.

Similarly in game devices incorporating a rotating element, or disk, it is frequently desirable to have a plurality of single-scale dials, any of which may be instantly placed into operating position and without removing any of the dials from the disk.

The principal object of the present invention therefore, is to provide a dial having a plurality of faces, any of which may be exposed to view.

Another object is to provide a means for mounting the dial elements so that any desired face may be instantly placed in the operating position.

A further object is to provide a structure which will allow all of the dial elements to remain attached to the instrument or game, when they are not in use, without aifecting the operation of the device.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of various features of construction and arrangement of parts which will first be described in the accompanying specification, in conjunction with the appended drawing, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the reversible dial as used with a game, and the features forming a part of the invention will be distinctly pointed out in the claims.

Referring now to the drawing:

Fig. l is a plan View of a game device showing the present invention attached to a rotating element.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged Vertical cross-sectional View taken on the lines 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an isometric view showing the manner in which a plurality of the reversible dials may be attached to the fixed dial.

Referring again to the drawing and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the invention is shown adapted for use with a conventional game, comprising a casing or shell it, recessed at its central portion to receive a rotating disk H, preferably made of wood. 7

A post if, is shown frictionally engaging the mid-section of the disk El, and is cavitated to receive a Supporting pin (not shown) vertically mounted in the casing Iii. The disk is provided with a plurality of peripheral notches l3. against one of which a ball Ml, may come to rest, after the disk has been rotated.

Secured to the disk H, is a base element or fixed dial l5, which is preferably made of light sheet metal. The fixed dial l5 may be secured to the disk ii in any conventional manner, as by screws 56 extending thru countersunk openings ll formed in the fixed dial iii. If the fixed dial E5 is to be secured to an instrument, I may use flat-head machine screws or any other suitable means of attachment. The fixed dial [5 is shown in the drawing as having a circular contour, but it may be made as well in polygonal shape Without departing from the scope of the invention.

Fixed sleeve-shaped hinge elements iii, are formed on the fixed dial it, and are aligned diametrally, as shown in Fig. 1, or at the median when the dial is not circular. The fixed hinge elements iii are preferably struck-up from portions of the fixed dial.

The reversible dial 59 has one half of the fixed dial l5, as divided by the diameter. A hinge element 20 is formed at each end of the reversible dial l9, and is adapted to engage adjoining sections of the hinge elements it. elements it and 2t completes the hinge structure and allows the reversible dial to pivot about its axis, as represented by broken lines in Fig. 2.

The reversible dial I9 is constructed as a semiannulus in order to allow it to clear the post l2 during the reversing process. When no post or instrument pointer is employed at the axis, the reversible dial 59 may be made in the form of a full semi-circular disk.

the configuration of q A pin 24 extending between the respective 1 Two reversible dials may be used as are shown in partly raised position in Fig. 3. The number of dials which may thus be incorporated, is restricted only by practical limitations. It is recommended that thin sheet material be used for the reversible dials, and that the hinge elements which are located at the extremities of the reversible dials be formed slightly offset with respect to the thickness of the dial, in order to avoid interference between adjacent dials, and to allow them to lie flat. At least one hinge element 2|] is formed on each of the reversible dials l9 so as to coact with the hinge element or elements l8 formed on the fixed dial I5.

The dials in Figs. 1 and 3 are shown provided with radial divisions, Within which I propose to add suitable legends adapting them for use as a game, but letters or graduated scales may be used as well. The inscription may be made directly upon the dials by etching, or with pigmented material, or they may be formed on paper strips which may then be secured to the dials with an adhesive.

The structure shown in Fig. 3 incorporates three separate and complete dials or faces, formed in halves. The first is formed by one half 2! of the fixed dial I5, and one half 2! of the reversible dial IS. The second face comprises the two halves 22 and 22', of the reversible dials l9, and the third face incorporates the half 23 of the reversible dial i9 and the half 23' of the fixed dial [5.

In order to change from one exposed dial to another it is simply necessary to turn one or more of the segmented, reversible dials through an arc of The present preferred form discloses a specific construction of the invention as used in conjunction with a game, merely to comply with the patent statutes and is not to be construed in the limiting sense as I anticipate any structure properly within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An instrument dial, comprising a fixed dial, and a plurality of reversible dials pivotally secured to the fixed dial, any one of said reversible dials being adapted to lie closely adjacent to said fixed dial, the respective faces of said reversible V dials and said fixed dial being provided with portions of an inscription, each of the inscriptions being complete when the faces provided with the portions thereof are exposed to View.

2. The combination with a disc and axially disposed means for rotatably mounting said disc, of a fixed dial secured to said disc, and at least one reversible dial hinged to said fixed dial at opposite sides of said mounting means and adapted to lie fiat against said fixed dial.

3. The combination with a generally circular disc, and a post projecting from the face thereof and serving as a means for rotatably mounting said disc, of a fixed dial secured flat against said disc, and at least one reversible dial pivoted to said fixed dial substantially at a median line thereof and adapted to lie flat against said fixed dial, said reversible dial being provided with a cut away portion at a zone adjacent to said post so as to permit said reversible dial to clear said postwhen said reversible dial is pivoted from one position to another.

IRVING CAESAR.

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