THE WEBER COMMUTATOR.
FIG. 1.
Fig. 1 is end view. H is a wooden cylinder six inches in diameter and twelve inches long (length is optional according to number of lights), this, as well as all other bearings, run on bearings of curtain fixtures. G is pulley wheel connected with reducer in Fig. 3, D are projections of soft rubber ¼ inch thick placed on cylinder H, and work as follows:
When D reaches E it forces E to the left and forms a contact at F F, thus closing the line and causing lamp or lamps to burn. The position of D on cylinder, and length of same, must be determined by the length of time the lamp or lamps continue to burn and when they shall burn.
The distance from A B to B is 5¾ inches, from A C to C is 7¼ inches.
F F are made of spring copper cut in strips ⅜ of an inch wide and bent to shape, then fastened in base with screws and washer.
FIG. 2.
Fig. 2 shows front view of commutator and needs no explanation. The above can be operated with water, motor or electricity; but where electricity is used it becomes necessary to reduce speed of motor (which is 2,200 revolutions) to about 40 or 50 revolutions; this is done by building the reducer as shown in Fig. 3.
Fig. 3 shows machine made at an outlay of labor only. Procure six tobacco pail lids, join them face to face with screws and you have three grooved wheels. Make axles of curtain poles twelve inches long, then make frame, again using curtain fixtures as bearings.
FIG. 3.
Attach motor to No. 1, then from axle of No. 1 run belt to No. 2, from axle of No. 2 run belt to No. 3, then attach axle of No. 3 to pulley G on cylinder and you have a machine on which you can operate from 1 to 100 incandescent lamps alternately.
The Weber commutator is very inexpensive, and has been made by a decorator with an outlay of only fifty cents for the three parts.