THE MECHANICAL STAR.
First build a large star, six, eight or ten points, according to number of articles to be displayed, which can be twice as many as the number of points on large star. To the center of this star fasten a round shaft or axle, allowing it to extend on back of star only, and be flush with front of star (see B, fig. 2). On this shaft, and about 3 inches from the star fasten a wheel with a groove in edge to receive a round belt (A, fig. 2). Then build upright (C, figs. 2 and 3). On top of this upright fasten two bearings (D, figs. 2 and 3). Through these bearings pass the shaft (B) and fasten in place with pins (E, E, fig. 2), these to prevent shaft pan coming out when in motion.
Next make twice as many small 5-pointed stars as points on large star. On back, and exactly in center of these, glue some small pieces of heavy cardboard, about the size of a penny, and in center of back of same star, at bottom, fasten some lead or other weights. See fig. 1.
Next decorate face of large star by pleating the points in cheesecloth, or any other way desired, and after having lettered the face of each of the small stars pass a large pin through the re-enforcement in center of them and fasten one to each of the points of the large star, as shown in fig. 1. The large star, shown in center of fig. 1 should be treated the same as the small ones. If you take hold of the grooved wheel or shaft and turn it now, it should cause the large star to revolve carrying the small ones with it; but the small weights on back of small stars will cause them to remain right side up, as will also the star in center, and if not run too fast will produce a very pretty effect.
Figure 3 shows rear view and fig. 2 side view.
The dotted line shown in fig. 2 shows the background of window, which should pass immediately in back of large star, and front of grooved wheel, thereby concealing all other mechanism.
This design may be varied by removing the small stars and in their place substituting small swinging shelves.
Should these shelves be used instead of stars, almost any kind of articles (not too heavy or large) can be displayed, as could also slippers or shoes hung in the same manner. In fact, this contrivance can be used in many ways.
Now that the effect is all ready it becomes necessary to cause it to revolve and it is imperative to in some way reduce the speed of the motor.
A practical speed reducer is shown in fig. 4. It is made as follows:
Two cast iron side frames, between which I run a worm gear. Against this gear is run a worm. On the end of the worm shaft I have a pulley with two different sized grooves in the edge. To this pulley I run my motor belt, on the shaft which runs through the worm gear and is allowed to extend outside of frames. I fasten another pulley wheel with different size grooves in edge and by running my power belt from this wheel to my display I get whatever speed I desire, depending on which groove I run the belt from. I do not expect many window dressers will be able to construct these gears themselves, but any good machinist can make it and once secured it will always be ready for use, take up very little room in window and pay for itself many times over.