Abstract: A pottery holding device and method for securely holding a workpiece during rotation and working of the workpiece on a wheelhead of a pottery wheel. The pottery holding device includes a wheelhead member and at least three holding members. The wheelhead member configured for attachment to the wheelhead of a pottery wheel. The at least three holding members and wheelhead member configured to allow selective locking of the at least three holding members in positions about the periphery of a workpiece. The device adapted to securely hold circular, non-circular symmetric and irregular, asymmetric or organic shaped workpieces. The device further adapted to securely hold workpieces in positions and orientations such that the center of the workpieces is aligned with the axis of rotation of the device, and positions and orientations such that the center of the workpieces is spaced from the axis of rotation of the device.

Abstract: A splash pan of a pottery wheel arranged to cover bottom and side areas of a turntable, includes a plurality of split dish members split in a circumferential direction and provided with a clay-storing concave portion, the split dish members being separably connectable to each other through substantially horizontal movement thereof. The split dish members are two in number and include a first split dish member having boss portions formed on an outer surface thereof and a second split dish member having engagement portions engageable with the boss portions. The engagement portions are formed on an outer surface of the second split dish member in radial positions corresponding to the boss portions and opened toward the boss portions. The engagement portions of the second split dish member are elastically deformable when engaging with the boss portions of the first split dish member.

Abstract: A system and method for centering a clay plug on a potter's wheel before rotation of the potter's wheel includes a rotatable adapter having a central axis aligned with the central axis of the potter's wheel, a rotatable toroidal disk bat whose central axis is aligned with central axis of the rotatable adapter, and a clay plug having a central axis aligned with the central axis of the rotatable toroidal disk bat.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a molded foam sports board made by steps: molding a foam core having a molded contour surface; laminating an extruded adhesive resin layer to a polyolefin foam sheet layer forming a film foam laminate; and thermoforming and heat laminating the film foam laminate to the molded foam core by pressing the molded foam core towards the film side of the film foam laminate and mating against the profile of a thermoforming bottom die surface. The board has a thermoformed polyolefin foam skin having an outer surface and an inner surface, a molded foam core having a molded contour surface, an extruded adhesive resin layer bonding the inner surface of polyolefin foam skin layer to the molded contour surface of the molded foam core. The molded foam core may comprise homopolymer or copolymer of expanded polystyrene foam, expanded polyethylene foam, expanded polypropylene foam and polyurethane foam.

Abstract: A potter's wheel for forming an oval pottery, such as dish, bowl or the like, has a die (26) for positioning clay to be formed and a revolution-rotation device (24). The revolution-rotation device (24) provides the revolution of the die about a first axis and the rotation of the die about a second axis. A tool is held at a predetermined position with respect to the first axis. While the direction of the rotation is same as that of the revolution, the speed of the rotation is a half of that of the revolution.

Abstract: A porous bat may be used on a pottery wheel including a locating pin at a nominal location. The porous bat includes an elongated hole at a location corresponding to the nominal location. The elongated hole is adapted to slidably fit over the locating pin. The hole has a first axis with a dimension sized to fit over the locating pin and a second axis with a dimension larger than the first dimension to compensate for variations in the location of the locating pin on the pottery wheel.

Abstract: A system for removably mounting an accessory on a pottery wheel. The system includes a locating pin which is attached to the pottery wheel at a nominal location. The location of the locating pin may be adjusted. The system also includes a hole fabricated in an accessory at a location corresponding to the nominal location. The location of the locating pin is adjusted to align with the location of the hole and the hole is slid onto the locating pin, thereby mounting the accessory on the pottery wheel.

Abstract: An articulated potter's wheel assembly in which the height and angle of the potter's wheel is adjustable relative to the user. A motor-driven wheel is mounted to an upper frame assembly that is adjustable for height, with the wheel being mounted at the front of the frame so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis. The wheel is mounted to a pivotable table assembly that includes the motor and drive mechanism for the wheel. The height of the upper frame assembly is adjusted relative to a second, lower frame assembly by a motor driven jackscrew. A tank is also mounted on the upper frame assembly for dispensing water to aid in working the clay. A strap attaches proximate the pivot points of the table so as to pass across and support the user's back. The assembly may be configured as a free-standing unit or for wall-mount installation. The assembly accommodates wheelchairs, and can be used in standing or sitting positions.

Abstract: A potter's wheel for working clay and other pottery material on a turntable driven by a DC brushless motor. In order that driving speed is not affected by the load due to user's access to the work of clay, the speed of the motor detected by a speed detector is fed back to a speed control signal generator and a motor driving control signal is generated as a function of the difference between the detected motor speed and a directed speed inputted through a speed setter in response to the operation to a manipulation member. Then, a motor control generates such a motor driving signal as to make the motor driving control signal zero, with the motor driving signal being fed to the motor, thereby controlling the rotational speed of the turntable to be a directed value regardless of the load applied to the turntable via the work.

Abstract: A portable, table-top apparatus for throwing a pot has an exoskeletal housing having a first recess in an underside thereof. A pottery wheel having a diameter of from about two to fifteen inches and having a wheel-head height of less than about 6 inches above the table-top has an upwardly facing flat surface adapted to support a clay mass of up to about 50 pounds. The pottery wheel is supported by the housing to be rotatable about a vertical axis. A reversible motor of greater than about ⅛ horsepower is disposed in the first recess and coupled to the wheel to rotate the wheel about the axis at an adjustable rotational speed from 0 to about 350 rpm in each of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. A further recess in a top side of the exoskeletal housing is adapted to hold a bucket, such as a water bucket or a tool bucket.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for forming a pot or miniature pot. A pottery wheel has a diameter of from 2 to 14 inches and rotates about a vertical axis. The wheel has a facing flat surface for supporting the pot or miniature pot. A motor is coupled to the wheel for rotation about the axis at an adjustable rotational speed of between 200 and 10,000 rpm. A support base contains the motor and further includes a power source. The wheel extends above the base, and preferably includes the rotor portion of the motor. The wheel further includes a disk shaped platform and a support shaft. The platform is disengagable from the shaft so that a replacement platform may be engaged with the shaft. The platform further includes a clay preform attached to the surface of the platform. The apparatus is preferably small and light weight so that it may be supported by a hand and easily carried therein.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for forming a pot or miniature pot. A pottery wheel has a diameter of from 2 to 15 inches and rotates about a vertical axis. The wheel has a facing flat surface for supporting the pot or miniature pot. A motor is coupled to the wheel for rotation about the axis at an adjustable rotational speed of between 0 and 350 rpm. A support base contains the motor and further includes a power source. The wheel extends above the base, and preferably includes the rotor portion of the motor. The wheel further includes a disk shaped platform and a support shaft. The platform is disengagable from the shaft so that a replacement platform may be engaged with the shaft. The platform further includes a clay preform attached to the surface of the platform. The apparatus is preferably small and light weight so that it may be supported by a hand and easily carried therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising a high-molecular-weight thermoplastic elastomer, a low-molecular-weight thermoplastic elastomer affinitive for the high-molecular-weight thermoplastic elastomer, and a rubber component. The ratio of the number-average molecular weight (Mn1) of the high-molecular-weight thermoplastic elastomer to the number-average molecular weight (Mn2) of the low-molecular-weight thermoplastic elastomer is not less than 1.2 nor more than 500. The rubber is dynamically cross-linked and dispersed in the thermoplastic elastomers.

Abstract: A banding wheel comprising a turntable and a tilting mechanism. The turntable is (i) rotatable, and (ii) adapted for releasable attachment to a pottery article support plate. The plate is adapted for releasably securing a pottery article to the banding wheel. The tilting mechanism is operatively connected to the turntable and adapted for tilting the turntable so that when the mechanism is in its closed position the turntable is horizontally disposed and when the mechanism is in its open position, the turntable is angularly disposed.

Abstract: Pockets for clay jars are made without adding clay after throwing the shape of the jar by cutting an arcuate slot into the jar; pushing the inside wall of the jar to open the slot, pressing the outside surface of the jar above the slot inward, rounding the ends of the slot, smoothing the lower edge of the slot, holding a pocket mold against the jar, pressing the inside wall of the jar located below the slot into the mold, and removing the mold.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for forming a miniature pot. A pottery wheel has a diameter no larger than two inches and rotates about a vertical axis. The wheel has a facing flat surface for supporting the miniature pot. A motor is coupled to the wheel for rotating the wheel about the axis at an adjustable rotational speed of between 200 and 10,000 revolutions per minute. A support base contains the motor and further includes a power source. The wheel extends above the base, and preferably includes the rotor portion of the motor. The wheel further includes a disk shaped platform and a support shaft. The platform is disengagable from the shaft so that a replacement platform may be engaged with the shaft. The platform further includes a clay preform attached to the surface of the platform. The apparatus is preferably small and light weight enough so that it may be supported by a hand and easily carried therein.

Abstract: A wheelhead assembly for use upon a vertical rotary power drive shaft of a potter's wheel includes a top plate, a drive shaft coupler, and a locking arrangement for releasably securing and adjustably relocating the top plate relative to the drive shaft coupler. The top plate has a planar upper surface for supporting a mass of clay to be molded into a composite article of pottery. The drive shaft coupler has a fixed axis of rotation and is capable of supporting the top plate upon the rotary drive shaft of the potter's wheel for rotation with the coupler about its axis of rotation.

Abstract: A pottery bowl with an integral catch tray. The process of forming the pottery bowl includes molding a bowl with a thickened sidewall adjacent to the bottom thereof. The bowl is then placed on a potter's wheel and a shaping tool is inserted into the thickened portion to form an integral catch tray. The shaping tool for forming the catch tray preferably has a rounded tip from which a stream of water is emitted.

Abstract: A dough working device includes a rectangular body with a recess in the top surface thereof for receiving dough to be rolled; a plurality of thin plates for insertion into the recess for changing the depth thereof and consequently the thickness of the dough; a second, circular recess in the bottom surface of the body for carrying a turntable; a plug normally carried in a well in one side of the body for insertion into a well in the circular recess when the body is inverted for rotatably supporting the turntable; and a rubber pad supporting the body in either the dough rolling or turntable position.

Abstract: A bat for the wheelhead of a potters wheel is formed entirely from plastic and has opposing flat faces, one of which is smooth and other of which is textured.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for centrally mounting one circular plate relative to another circular plate. The use of such method and apparatus in conjunction with a device for centering and holding a piece of pottery in a central position relative a potter's wheel axis is described.

Abstract: An improved mold is provided having an abrasion-resistant reinforcing means disposed at the junction between the mold and a rotating means for resisting wear occurring therebetween as a result of the installation of the mold on a rotating wheel. Preferably, the reinforcing means comprises a hardened plastic ring having a smooth surface facing the drive wheel, and the ring is partially embedded into the mold to attach it to said mold.

Abstract: Device for constructing a crust along the side and/or bottom walls of a container from a mass of crust material placed in the container. The device includes a forming head having a bottom wall and an upstanding side wall, with means for supporting the forming head for rotation generally about the center of the container with the bottom and side walls of the forming head in facing relationship with the corresponding walls of the container. Some embodiments include means for introducing material and/or filling material into the container.

Abstract: The centering and holding device of the invention is a relatively simple but practical piece of equipment for attachment to a potter's wheelhead for centering and holding the pot such as a vase, bowl, plate or the like on the said wheelhead. The top plate of the device is provided with sliding arms for engaging and holding the pot and the body portion of each arm extends through the top plate to project below for co-action with spiral grooves formed in the surface of the bottom plate. When the plates are rotated relatively to each other the arms move radially and to a like extent.

Abstract: A clay centering device for a potter's wheel consists of a flat slab mounted on an arm which has at one end a handle and at the other end is releasably engaged rotatably and in universally pivotal manner to a mounting clamp secured to the rim of the tray of the potter's wheel. By means of the handle, the slab may be moved across the potter's wheel, its normally lower edge against the top of the wheel, to contact and center a piece of clay on the revolving wheel. The slab is adjustably fixed on the arm, which is telescopically adjustable.

Abstract: A device for use in making hand formed pottery which includes an electric motor having a high speed flywheel connected to said motor and coupled through a speed reduction system to a slow turning table for working of the clay with the added provision of electric braking.