Manual timing hourglass for debate
By designing a debate hourglass with switchable spools and automatic prompts, the problem of fixed timing in traditional hourglasses is solved, enabling flexible adjustment of timing speed and reducing misjudgments, thereby improving the fairness and fluency of the debate.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- 赵凤玲
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
Traditional debates use hourglasses for fixed-duration time that cannot be adjusted, requiring frequent replacement of hourglasses or the use of other timers. This affects the rhythm of the debate and the fairness of the judgment, and manual observation can easily miss key moments.
An hourglass with switchable plates was designed. Different timing speeds can be switched through a rotating shaft and a flexible retaining ring. The timing is automatically indicated by a trigger component and an indicator light to avoid misjudgment by manual observation.
It enables flexible adjustment of the hourglass timing speed, reduces the risk of misjudging time, and ensures the pace of the debate and the fairness of the judgment.
Smart Images
Figure CN224248043U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of hourglass technology, and in particular to a manual timekeeping hourglass for debate. Background Technology
[0002] In highly competitive debate competitions, timing tools, as the core carriers of rule enforcement, directly affect the fairness, competitiveness, and smoothness of the competition with their accuracy and functionality. As one of the classic timing tools, the hourglass occupies a place in the debate arena due to its intuitiveness and ease of operation.
[0003] Traditional manual hourglasses mainly consist of two glass funnels, a narrow neck connecting the two funnels, and sand filling. When in use, the hourglass is inverted to start timing. The time required for the sand to run out is the hourglass's timing duration. This duration is determined by the amount of sand, the size of the sand particles, and the diameter of the neck opening. Once manufactured, the timing duration is fixed.
[0004] However, traditional hourglasses used for debates are usually equipped with only a single type of sieve, with a fixed sand flow rate and no adjustable timing. Since the time requirements vary significantly in different debate sessions, debaters and judges need to frequently change hourglasses of different sizes or use mobile phones or electronic timers as an aid. This is not only cumbersome to operate but also easily distracts the user, affecting the debate rhythm and the judges' focus. Existing hourglasses rely on the user to observe when the sand runs out as a time marker. However, in a debate setting, the environment is noisy and people's attention is scattered, making it easy to miss the moment when the sand runs out. Debaters may then speak beyond the time limit, violating the debate rules; and judges may fail to record the time in time, affecting the fairness of their judgment.
[0005] Therefore, a manual timekeeping hourglass for debate is provided to solve the problems mentioned in the background art above. Utility Model Content
[0006] To overcome the above shortcomings, this utility model provides a manual timekeeping hourglass for debate, aiming to improve the problems of the single timekeeping specification of the hourglass in the prior art and the need for manual observation of the sand running out, which may lead to misjudgment.
[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a manual timekeeping hourglass for debate, comprising an upper base, an upper funnel fixedly connected to the lower side of the upper base, a lower funnel disposed below the upper funnel, a lower base fixedly connected to the lower side of the lower funnel, a fixing plate fixedly connected to the outer walls of the upper and lower funnels, a rotating shaft rotatably connected to the inner side of the fixing plate, a connecting plate fixedly connected to the outer side of the rotating shaft, a first hourglass plate fixedly connected to the left side of the connecting plate, a second hourglass plate fixedly connected to the side of the connecting plate away from the first hourglass plate, an elastic retaining ring disposed between the upper and lower funnels, and trigger components disposed on both the upper and lower bases.
[0008] Furthermore, the triggering component includes a fixed base, which is fixedly connected to the upper chassis and the lower chassis. A slide rod is provided inside the fixed base, a trigger plate is fixedly connected to the upper side of the slide rod, a trigger block is fixedly connected to the lower side of the trigger plate, a trigger switch is fixedly installed at the inner bottom of the fixed base, and indicator lights are fixedly installed on the outer walls of both the upper chassis and the lower chassis.
[0009] Furthermore, the fixed base has a sliding groove inside, and the slide rod is slidably connected inside the sliding groove.
[0010] Furthermore, both the first and second leak plates have leak holes inside, and the diameter of the leak hole in the first leak plate is larger than the diameter of the leak hole in the second leak plate.
[0011] Furthermore, the upper chassis and the lower chassis are fixedly connected by a fixing rod, and a textured grip is fixedly connected to the outer side of the fixing rod.
[0012] Furthermore, the trigger block is slidably connected to the upper side of the trigger switch.
[0013] Furthermore, the elastic retaining ring is sleeved on the outer side of the first sprue plate.
[0014] Furthermore, a controller is fixedly connected to the lower chassis, and the controller is electrically connected to the indicator light and the trigger switch.
[0015] This utility model has the following beneficial effects:
[0016] 1. In this utility model, by setting up a first and a second hourglass with different apertures, the hourglass is switched using a rotating shaft and a connecting plate and fixed by an elastic retaining ring. This allows the hourglass to flexibly switch the timing speed between different stages of the debate, breaking away from the limitation of the traditional hourglass's single timing specification and improving the applicability of the device in complex debate processes.
[0017] 2. In this utility model, by using a trigger reminder consisting of a slide bar, a trigger plate, a trigger block, a trigger switch and controller, and an indicator light, the physical state of the sand running out is accurately converted into an electronic signal. The timer is then visually indicated by a bright light. Compared with the traditional hourglass method that requires manual observation of the sand running out, this significantly reduces the risk of misjudging the time. Especially in noisy debate settings, it can effectively ensure the rhythm of the debate and the fairness of the judgment. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Figure 1 A perspective view of a manual timekeeping hourglass for debate proposed in this utility model;
[0019] Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram of a manual timekeeping hourglass for debate proposed in this utility model;
[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the rotating structure of a manual timekeeping hourglass for debate proposed in this utility model;
[0021] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the triggering component structure for a manual timekeeping hourglass for debate proposed in this utility model;
[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the elastic retaining ring structure of a manual timekeeping hourglass for debate proposed in this utility model.
[0023] Legend:
[0024] 1. Upper chassis; 2. Lower chassis; 3. Upper funnel; 4. Lower funnel; 5. Fixing plate; 6. Rotating shaft; 7. Funnel plate one; 8. Funnel plate two; 9. Connecting plate; 10. Funnel hole; 11. Elastic retaining ring; 12. Trigger assembly; 121. Fixing base; 122. Sliding groove; 123. Sliding rod; 124. Trigger plate; 125. Trigger block; 126. Trigger switch; 127. Indicator light; 13. Controller; 14. Fixing rod; 15. Textured grip. Detailed Implementation
[0025] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.
[0026] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 This utility model provides an embodiment of a manual timekeeping hourglass for debate, comprising an upper base 1, an upper funnel 3 fixedly connected to the lower side of the upper base 1, a lower funnel 4 disposed below the upper funnel 3, a lower base 2 fixedly connected to the lower side of the lower funnel 4, a fixing plate 5 fixedly connected to the outer walls of the upper funnel 3 and the lower funnel 4, a rotating shaft 6 rotatably connected to the inner side of the fixing plate 5, a connecting plate 9 fixedly connected to the outer side of the rotating shaft 6, and a drain fixedly connected to the left side of the connecting plate 9. A second drain plate 8 is fixedly connected to the side of the first drain plate 7 and the connecting plate 9 away from the first drain plate 7. Both the first drain plate 7 and the second drain plate 8 have drain holes 10 inside. The diameter of the drain hole 10 of the first drain plate 7 is larger than the diameter of the drain hole 10 of the second drain plate 8. An elastic retaining ring 11 is provided between the upper funnel 3 and the lower funnel 4. The elastic retaining ring 11 is sleeved on the outside of the first drain plate 7. The upper base plate 1 and the lower base plate 2 are fixedly connected by a fixing rod 14. A textured handle 15 is fixedly connected to the outside of the fixing rod 14.
[0027] Specifically, first, hold the textured grip 15 of the fixed rod 14 and place the upper base 1 or lower base 2 stably on the table or other designated positions. By rotating the first and second hourglasses 7 and 8, the connecting plate 9 between them drives the rotating shaft 6 to rotate inside the fixed plate 5, thereby switching the working state of different hourglasses. Since the diameter of the hole 10 of the first hourglass is larger than that of the second hourglass 8, according to the principle of fluid flow, the timing of different flow rates can be switched. After switching, use the elastic retaining ring 11 to fit in the outer groove of the selected hourglass. The deformation of the elastic retaining ring 11 fixes the position of the hourglass and prevents rotation during use. This allows the hourglass to switch between different timing specifications to meet the time requirements of the opening statement, free debate and other stages in the debate.
[0028] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 Both the upper chassis 1 and the lower chassis 2 are equipped with trigger components 12. The trigger components 12 include a fixed base 121, which is fixedly connected to the upper chassis 1 and the lower chassis 2. A slide rod 123 is provided inside the fixed base 121. A trigger plate 124 is fixedly connected to the upper side of the slide rod 123. A trigger block 125 is fixedly connected to the lower side of the trigger plate 124. A trigger switch 126 is fixedly installed at the bottom of the fixed base 121. Indicator lights 127 are fixedly installed on the outer walls of both the upper chassis 1 and the lower chassis 2. A sliding groove 122 is provided inside the fixed base 121. The slide rod 123 is slidably connected inside the sliding groove 122. The trigger block 125 is slidably connected to the upper side of the trigger switch 126. A controller 13 is fixedly connected to the lower chassis 2. The controller 13 is electrically connected to the indicator lights 127 and the trigger switch 126.
[0029] Specifically, after the timing begins, when the sand fills the upper funnel 3, the lower end of the slide rod 123 contacts the sand surface. Under the action of the sand's gravity, the slide rod slides downward along the sliding groove 122 inside the fixed base 121, simultaneously driving the trigger plate 124 to move downward in sync. When all the sand flows into the lower funnel 4 through the drain hole 10, the slide rod 123 reaches the lowest position of the sliding groove 122. At this time, the trigger block 125 on the trigger plate 124 contacts the trigger switch 126 at the bottom of the fixed base. After the trigger switch 126 is pressed, it sends an electrical signal to the controller 13. The controller drives the indicator lights 127 on the outer walls of the upper and lower chassis to light up red. The indicator lights use LED light sources, which have low power consumption and high brightness. In the debate environment, they can clearly indicate to the staff that the timing has ended, avoiding misjudgment of time due to manual observation of the sand flowing out.
[0030] Working principle: When using this device, hold the upper base plate 1 or lower base plate 2 in the designated position by holding the textured grip 15 of the fixed rod 14. By rotating the first sprue plate 7 and the second sprue plate 8, the connecting plate 9 between the first sprue plate 7 and the second sprue plate 8 rotates inside the fixed plate 5 through the rotating shaft 6. Because the diameter of the sprue hole 10 of the first sprue plate 7 is larger than the diameter of the sprue hole 10 of the second sprue plate 8, multiple timing speeds can be switched. Then, use the elastic retaining ring 11 to fix it on the outside of the selected sprue plate. Different timing speeds can be switched according to different needs.
[0031] After the timer starts, when the sand is in the upper funnel 3, the slide bar 123 moves down with the sand, and at the same time drives the trigger plate 124 to slide in the sliding groove 122 in the fixed seat 121. When all the sand has entered the lower funnel 4, the slide bar 123 reaches the lowest point. At the same time, the trigger block 125 on the trigger plate 124 contacts the trigger switch 126. The trigger switch 126 sends a signal to the controller 13, and the controller 13 causes the indicator light 127 to light up, reminding the staff that the time has ended.
[0032] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Although the present utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A manual timekeeping hourglass for debate, comprising an upper base (1), characterized in that: An upper funnel (3) is fixedly connected to the lower side of the upper chassis (1), a lower funnel (4) is provided on the lower side of the upper funnel (3), a lower chassis (2) is fixedly connected to the lower side of the lower funnel (4), a fixing plate (5) is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the upper funnel (3) and the lower funnel (4), a rotating shaft (6) is rotatably connected to the inner side of the fixing plate (5), a connecting plate (9) is fixedly connected to the outer side of the rotating shaft (6), a first funnel plate (7) is fixedly connected to the left side of the connecting plate (9), a second funnel plate (8) is fixedly connected to the side of the connecting plate (9) away from the first funnel plate (7), an elastic retaining ring (11) is provided between the upper funnel (3) and the lower funnel (4), and a triggering component (12) is provided on both the upper chassis (1) and the lower chassis (2).
2. The manual timekeeping hourglass for debate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The trigger assembly (12) includes a fixed base (121), which is fixedly connected to the upper chassis (1) and the lower chassis (2). A slide rod (123) is provided inside the fixed base (121). A trigger plate (124) is fixedly connected to the upper side of the slide rod (123), and a trigger block (125) is fixedly connected to the lower side of the trigger plate (124). A trigger switch (126) is fixedly installed at the bottom of the fixed base (121). Indicator lights (127) are fixedly installed on the outer walls of both the upper chassis (1) and the lower chassis (2).
3. The manual timekeeping hourglass for debate according to claim 2, characterized in that: The fixed base (121) has a sliding groove (122) inside, and the slide rod (123) is slidably connected inside the sliding groove (122).
4. The manual timekeeping hourglass for debate according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the first leak plate (7) and the second leak plate (8) have leak holes (10) inside. The diameter of the leak hole (10) of the first leak plate (7) is larger than the diameter of the leak hole (10) of the second leak plate (8).
5. A manual timekeeping hourglass for debate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper chassis (1) and the lower chassis (2) are fixedly connected by a fixing rod (14), and a textured handle (15) is fixedly connected to the outside of the fixing rod (14).
6. A manual timekeeping hourglass for debate according to claim 2, characterized in that: The trigger block (125) is slidably connected to the upper side of the trigger switch (126).
7. A manual timekeeping hourglass for debate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic retaining ring (11) is sleeved on the outside of the sprue plate (7).
8. A manual timekeeping hourglass for debate according to claim 2, characterized in that: A controller (13) is fixedly connected to the lower chassis (2), and the controller (13) is electrically connected to the indicator light (127) and the trigger switch (126).