You have it....

[iacob alex]

.....as an easy starting point,for not difficult experiments,if you take a look at the mechanical counter weighted metronome.There are quite enough data on net...

     All that you need :

    -to make it greater and greater

    -to settle it turning(so,not swinging...)

    -to imagine a procedure,so the counter weight moves to and fro

    -to adjust the arrangement for a self-turning motion,due to gravity

   I wish you success!



        All the Bests!  /  Alex

[AB Hammer]

@iacob alex

That is an interesting thought.

[iacob alex]

    ...at   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railroad_switch   ...this time,a simple suggestion  for the point regarding,as I said in the first message..."to imagine a procedure,so the counter weight moves to and fro".

       Alan,if "with out a dream,there can be no vision",as you post ...in my opinion,with this railroad switching animation( a pendular interplay,easy imaginable in gravity),anybody can "dream" so to have a "vision".

       So,you have a possible step,the next is yours.

       Mechanical switching(the "classical " long arm -short arm) of a mass ,seems to be the only one problem of this topic.

       Remind that the railroad mechanics is the best human experience regarding mechanical switching.

       I favor to explain and sketch my design,with the help of existing things,so to open a large gate for yours...



               All the Bests!  /  Alex

[iacob alex]

...as a suggestion , so to play variable leverage ( short arm switching as a long arm ) , if  you take into consideration a trebuchet :
      www.tutelman.com/golf/design/pix/swing_trebanim.gif
...playing as a self-running counterweight gravity machine.
    In this manner , you can name it as you like...if you keep the throwing motion "inside"...
         Al_ex

[iacob alex]

.....a simple manner to a possible continuous motion , due to gravity unbalance , if we start with :
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/metronome-granger.html
...and we "reshape" the swinging motion of a metronome , into a turning movement , as at :
http://www.geocities.ws/iacob_alex/Some_Drafts/text047.jpg
As a matter of fact , we play variable leverage , with :
  -fulcrum
  -lever ( C / two-spokes "wheel" )
  -stabile/fixed mass ( A / yellow bob )
  -mobile/sliding , rotating mass ( A / red bob )
   You can make a connection with the starting message of this topic ( August , 16 ,2008 ).
         Al_ex