POTTER'S WHEEL

Abstract

A potter's wheel has a shaft supporting a lower rotatable disc for a pedal and an upper rotatable disc supporting clay to be molded. The shaft connects the two discs. The shaft and discs are supported in a support structure made from a peripheral frame. The support structure supports a top platform through which the shaft supporting the upper rotatable disc passes. The upper rotatable disc is substantially elevated above the top platform to avoid the possibility of an operator's hand being caught and injured between the upper rotatable disc and the top platform.

Description

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1, which is the only drawing, shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the potter's wheel.

DESCRIPTION

The characteristic details of the potter's wheel here described are clearly shown in the following description and the illustrative drawings which are annexed, and in which the same reference numbers refer to the same parts.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a potter's wheel operated with a pedal. (In this disclosure, “potter's wheel” is used to refer to the entire assembly.) In FIG. 1, the wheel comprises a support structure (1) defined by a peripheral frame made up of vertical posts (2) joined at the top and bottom by peripheral struts (3), A top platform (4) rests on top of structure (1); various horizontal struts (5) project out from the inside ends of the vertical posts (2), meeting at a central point at which there is an axle box (not shown) that houses the bottom end of a rotating shall (6). A first disc (7), preferably made of metal, is affixed to the rotating shaft; the disc acting as a pedal. The shaft (6) projects vertically out passing through a second axle box (not shown) attached at the opening (8) made in the top platform (4). At the top end of the rotating shaft (6), which is projects above the upper platform (4), a second rotatable disc (9), preferably made of metal, of smaller diameter than the first disc (7), is affixed. The upper disc (9) is used to hold the clay to molded on. The second disc (9) is mounted on the shaft (6) substantially elevated above the upper surface of the platform (4) at a distance “d,” where “substantially elevated” refers to a distance that will avoid the possibility of the operator's hands becoming entrapped between the second disc (9) and the top platform (4).

The upper platform (4) preferably comprises a sealing means (17), such as plastic washers or O-rings on the edge as well as on the opening for the shaft (6), to prevent water from filtering into the structure (1).

It may also be observed that internally to structure (1), there may be two supporting cross bars (10, 11) on which the operator may place his or her feet, so that the operator can freely move his or her feet to brake the lower rotatable disc (7).

The frame also preferably comprises a support projection (not shown) on the back side (as shown in FIG. 1) that is vertically placed so that a threaded means (not shown) thereon into which a second threaded means (not shown) may be screwed is affixed to the under side of a seat (12), the seat (12) being adjustable in height depending on the needs of the operator.

The support structure (1) preferably further comprises moveable wheels (13) with brakes (14) on its lower face in order to facilitate moving it around. The front, side and part of the back faces of the structure (1) are covered by covering panels (16) on which diverse publicity may be placed.

The lower (7) and upper (9) rotatable discs preferably have a plastic coating (15) with a rough surface, at least on the lower rotatable disc (7), to promote the grip of the foot to spin and brake the wheel.

Since those skilled in the art can modify the specific embodiments described above, I intend that the claims be interpreted to cover such modifications and equivalents.

Claims

1. A potter's wheel comprising: a shaft; the shaft having upper and lower ends;a first rotatable disc for acting as a pedal;a second rotatable disc for supporting clay to be molded;the first rotatable disc connected to the lower end of the shaft;the second rotatable disc connected to the upper end of the shaft;a support structure comprising: a peripheral frame; the frame comprising: a plurality of vertical posts joined at the top and bottom by peripheral struts;a lower axle box for housing the lower end of the shaft;a plurality of horizontal struts; the horizontal struts projecting out from the bottoms of the vertical posts; the horizontal struts connected to the lower axle box;a top platform supported by the vertical struts; the top platform comprising:an opening for the shaft, and,a second axle box for housing the upper end of the shaft;the upper end of the shaft being further exposed for the attachment of the second rotatable disc; and,the second rotatable disc being substantially elevated above the top platform.

2. The potter's wheel of claim 1 where: the upper and lower rotatable discs are made of a metal; and,at least the lower rotatable disc has a covering with a rough surface.

3. The potter's wheel of claim 1, where the support structure further comprises wheels to assist moving the potter's wheel.

4. The potter's wheel of claim 1 where the support structure further comprises covering panels.

5. The potter's wheel of claim 1 where the support structure is curved from front to back.

6. The potter's wheel of claim 1 where the top platform has a means for sealing the opening in the top platform to prevent water from entering the support structure.

7. The potter's wheel of claim 1 further comprising an adjustable seat connected to the support structure.