Planet model with solar display

• US 4,761,138 A
• Filed: 12/31/1986
• Issued: 08/02/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Joseph Z. Niesyn
• Original Assignee: Joseph Z. Niesyn
• Inventors: Niesyn, Joseph Z.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US06/948,101
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 434/136, 434/143, 368/23, 368/24
• US Class Current: 434/143
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 19/26 Clocks or watches with indicators for tides, for the phases of the moon, or the like planetaria G09B27/00 - G09B27/06; arrangements for table reference, e.g. menstrual tables G06C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 27/02 Tellurions; Orreries

Abstract

A light source within a transparent hollow globe continually illuminates one half the globe to represent solar illumination. The light source is rotated about the north-south axis of the globe at the rate of one revolution per day and is concurrently oscillated about a second axis at the rate of one oscillation per orbit about the sun.

Claims

1. A device for displaying a representation of sun lit areas of a planet comprising

a globe of light transmitting material,

said globe having a surface representing the surface of the planet,

means within said globe for illuminating at least substantially one half of said surface,

a first drive device for causing relative rotation between said globe and said illuminating means about the polar axis of the globe at the rate of one revolution per day of the planet,

first pivot means on said first drive device supporting said illuminating means for an oscillating movement about a second axis at right angles to said polar axis,

said second axis intersecting said polar axis,

a motion translating member,

second pivot means pivotally connecting said member to said illuminating means for movement about a third axis coincident with the intersection of said polar axis and said second axis,

a second drive device movable about an axis coincident with said intersection,

third pivot means pivotally connecting said member to said second drive device eccentrically of the axis of rotation of said second drive device, and,

means for rotating said second drive device at a rate such that said illuminating means moves through a complete oscillation about said second axis during each orbit of the planet about the sun.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said illuminating means comprises means for illuminating a hemispherical area of said globe,

the center of said hemispherical area being located coincident with said third axis.

3. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said illuminating means comprises means for illuminating a hemispherical area of said globe,

the center of said hemispherical area being located coincident with said third axis, and

a line passing through said intersection and said third pivot means extending at right angles to said third axis.

4. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said illuminating means comprising a light shield extending across said globe,

a light source on one side of said light shield, and

means on the opposite side of said light shield forming a bearing having a bearing axis extending coincident with said intersection of said polar axis and said second axis,

said bearing constraining said motion translating member to pivot about said bearing axis.

5. A device as defined in claim 4 wherein said motion translating member comprises an L-shaped member having a pair of arms extending at right angles to each other,

one of said arms being journalled in said bearing and the other of said arms being connected to said third pivot means.

6. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said third pivot means comprise a universal joint.

7. A device as defined in claim 1 comprising motor means for driving said first and second drive devices.

8. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said first drive device comprises a first shaft rotatable about said polar axis,

said globe supporting means comprising a base,

an hour time scale connected to said first shaft, and

an index marker on said base cooperable with said time scale to indicate time.

9. A device as defined in claim 8 comprising means whereby said index marker may be located in different positions around said hour time scale whereby to indicate time at different longitudinal positions on the globe.

10. A device as defined in claim 9 wherein said second drive device comprises a second shaft rotatable about said polar axis,

a calendar scale connected to said second shaft, and

an index marker on said time scale and cooperable with said calendar scale whereby to indicate months.

11. A device for displaying a representation of sun illuminated areas of a planet, comprising

a hollow globe of light transmitting material,

said globe having a surface representing the surface of said planet,

said globe having a first axis representing the polar axis of the planet,

means within the globe for illuminating one half of said globe to represent sun-illuminated areas of the planet when viewed from the exterior of the globe,

means for causing relative rotation between said representing means and said globe about said axis at the rate of one revolution per day of the planet,

means for concurrently causing relative oscillation between said representing means and said globe about an axis at right angles to said polar axis through an angle equal to twice the angle of inclination between said polar axis and a line perpendicular to the plane of the orbit of said planet about the sun and at the rate of one oscillation per orbit of said planet about the sun,

said rotating means comprising a first rotatable drive member,

said oscillating means comprising a second rotatable drive member,

means for rotating said drive members at different rates of rotation, and

means controlled jointly by said first and second drive members for causing said oscillating means to oscillate through said angle.