US PATENT SUBCLASS 74 / 5 R
GYROSCOPES

Current as of: June, 1999
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74 /   HD   MACHINE ELEMENT OR MECHANISM

5 RGYROSCOPES {10}
5.1  DF  .~> With caging or parking means {2}
5.2  DF  .~> With gimbal lock preventing means
5.22  DF  .~> Combined
5.34  DF  .~> Multiple gyroscopes {1}
5.4  DF  .~> Gyroscope control {2}
5.6 R  DF  .~> With pick off {5}
5.7  DF  .~> With rotor drive
5.8  DF  .~> Vertical gyroscopes
5.9  DF  .~> Horizontal gyroscopes
5 F  DF  .~> Flexure hinges for gyros

Unofficial Alpha Subclasses: R F

DEFINITION

Classification: 74/5

(under the class definition) Devices defined in (1) Note, below and known as gyroscopes.

(1) Note. A conventional gyroscope is a mechanism comprising a rotor journaled to spin about one axis, the journals of the rotor being mounted in an inner gimbal or ring, the inner gimbal being journaled for oscillation in an outer gimbal which in turn is journaled for oscillation relative to a support. The outer gimbal or ring is mounted so as to pivot about an axis in its own plane determined by the support. Hence the outer gimbal possesses one degree of rotational freedom and its axis possesses none. The inner gimbal is mounted in the outer gimbal so as to pivot about an axis in its own plane which axis is always normal to the pivotal axis of the outer gimbal. Hence the inner gimbal possesses two degrees of rotational freedom and its axis possesses one. The rotor is journaled to spin about an axis which is always normal to the axis of the inner gimbal. Hence the rotor possesses three degrees of rotational freedom and its axis possesses two. The center of gravity of the rotor is thus in a fixed position. The rotor simultaneously spins about one axis and is capable of oscillating about the two other axes, and thus except for its inherent resistance due to rotor spin, it is free to turn in any direction about the fixed

point.

Some gyroscopes have mechanical equivalents substituted for one or more of the elements, e.g., the spinning rotor may be suspended in a fluid, instead of being pivotally mounted in gimbals. In some special cases, the outer gimbal (or its equivalent) may be omitted so that the rotor has only two degrees of freedom. In other cases, the center of gravity of the rotor may be offset from the axis of oscillation, and thus the center of gravity of the rotor and the center of suspension of the rotor may not coincide.

(2) Note. This is the generic locus for gyroscopes. Every rotating body has gyroscopic action, but such devices are not placed here unless at least one axis of oscillation is present.

(3) Note. For combinations of gyroscopes with other devices see indented subclass 5.22 and the notes thereto appended.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 5.22, and the notes thereto and see (2) Note supra.

572+, for rotors, per se.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS

248, Supports,

182.1, for gimbals, per se.

446, Amusement Devices: Toys,

233+, for gyroscopic toys, including gyroscopic tops.