Globe reversibly convertible to a map

• US 7,686,616 B1
• Filed: 01/24/2006
• Issued: 03/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: William Larry Cloud
• Original Assignee: William Larry Cloud
• Inventors: Cloud, William Larry
• Primary Examiner(s): Fernstrom; Kurt
• Application Number:
  US11/338,194
• Time in Patent Office: 1,526 Days
• Field of Search: 434/130, 434/131, 434/133, 434/134, 434/135, 434/137, 434/147, 434/150, 434/152, 273/157.R
• US Class Current: 434/147
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 27/08 Globes celestial globes G09B27/06
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/02 sectional

Abstract

A cartographic device which can be converted from a globe to a map and vice versa. The marked surface layer of a globe is made removable and usable as a corresponding map. Conversion between the globe and map configurations is reversible and can be repeated indefinitely.

Claims

1. A cartographic device comprising

A. a substantially rigid globe support form having a convex and approximately spherical and substantially monolithic exterior surface,

B. a plurality of flexible and elastic flat map panels of predetermined thickness each having an obverse and a reverse surface,

C. a map portrayed on the obverse surfaces of said flat map panels, and

D. means for conformably and removably attaching the reverse surface of each flexible and elastic flat map panel to the convex exterior surface of said globe support form,

whereby in combination said map portrayed on said map panels conformably attached to said globe support form constitutes a globe, and

whereby said map panels can be conveniently removed from said globe support form.

2. A cartographic device as defined in claim 1 further comprising

E. a substantially flat and substantially rigid and substantially monolithic flat map support panel having an obverse and a reverse surface, and

F. means for conformably and removably attaching the reverse surface of each flat map panel to the obverse surface of said flat map support panel,

whereby in combination said map portrayed on said map panels conformably attached to said globe support form constitutes a globe, and

whereby said map panels can be conveniently removed from said globe support form, and

whereby in combination said map portrayed on said map panels attached to said flat map support panel constitutes a flat map, and

whereby said map panels can be conveniently removed from said flat map support panel.

3. A new article of manufacture comprising

A. a substantially rigid inner form having a convex and approximately spherical and substantially monolithic exterior surface,

B. a plurality of flexible and elastic flat outer panels of predetermined thickness each having an obverse and a reverse surface,

C. a plurality of symbolic markings of predetermined significance on said obverse surfaces of said flat outer panels, and

D. means for conformably and removably attaching the reverse surface of each flexible and elastic flat outer panel to the convex exterior surface of said inner form,

whereby in combination said symbolic markings on said outer panels attached to said inner form constitute a marked three-dimensional article of predetermined interest, and

whereby said outer panels can be conveniently removed from said inner form.

4. A new article of manufacture as defined in claim 3 further comprising

E. a substantially flat and substantially rigid and substantially monolithic flat support panel having an obverse and a reverse surface, and

F. means for conformably and removably attaching the reverse surface of each flat outer panel to the obverse surface of said flat support panel,

whereby in combination said symbolic markings on said outer panels attached to said inner form constitute a marked three-dimensional article of predetermined interest, and

whereby said outer panels can be conveniently removed from said inner form, and

whereby in combination said symbolic markings on said outer panels attached to said flat support panel constitute a two-dimensional article of predetermined interest, and

whereby said outer panels can be conveniently removed from said flat support panel.