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The eyes spin constantly, one faster than the other. Periodically, the eyebrows arch up and down 3 times). Next the ears wiggle back and forth. Very slowly, the tongue sticks out to the side. Watch closely and you will see the moustache wiggle from side to side. Less frequently the hat will slowly tip up to one side, revealing a little mouse sitting on the clown's head. Watch the mouse and it will wave its arms at you before the hat goes back down. A single 115-VAC motor supplies all the action The matching small ticket booth to the side contains a motion sensor. When you come close, the face begins to move. When you leave, it stops. The clown's union says it doesn't have to perform when no one is there to appreciate it. Circus Time was built as a personal challenge to see how far I could take the idea of Animated Woodcraft. It was fun but it took a long time to design and build. For now it is one-of-a-kind. It would need some mechanical redesign if I should decide to make more of them efficiently enough to sell and make a profit. It most likely would be too expensive for the average child's bedroom. But it might be great in the office of a pediatrician or dentist. Or, of course, in the homes of someone who just happen to own a circus. Circus Time won First Honorable Mention in the clock category of the Design in Wood show at the Del Mar Fair (California) in 2001. |
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Circus Time is a very
unusual product! It's the only one in the world as a matter of fact. From a functional standpoint, it is a clock. In terms of
action, it has the cuckoo clock beat all to heck. Circus Time is a table-top
22 inch high stylized zebra wood circus tent. The marquee above the tent is a
cocobolo Westminster chime
clock. The open entry to the tent reveals a lighted clown face made of various
woods. The face has 11 moving parts! They start and stop in different
time sequences and move at different speeds. In addition, the nose is a red light
which periodically blinks.