Mechanical Timing Device and Method of Use

Abstract

The invention belongs to the field of mechanical timing devices and relates to a mechanical timing device and a method of using the same. The aim of the invention is to enable the measurement of time intervals of different durations by means of a simple and reliable mechanical construction without electrical components. The timing device comprises a base and a platform rotatably mounted on the base, the platform having a predefined zigzag-shaped path. For measuring a time interval, a ball moving along the path under the force of gravity is used. Tilting the platform into one of two opposite inclined positions causes the ball to move along the path until the ball exits through an opening at the end of the path, which defines the end of the measured time interval. The inclination angle of the platform can be limited by mechanical elements, whereby the speed of movement of the ball and, consequently, the duration of the measured time interval can be adjusted. The invention enables the measurement of time intervals in a repeatable and comparable manner by mechanical means.