GB2157050A - A globe of the world - Google Patents

Abstract

The globe (2) comprises an inner sphere (4) which carries a map of the world, a transparent outer sphere (6) fixed in spaced apart relation to the first sphere by at least one spacer member (8), and a plurality of data bearing tags (10) which are pivotally mounted in the space (16) between the inner and outer spheres, the data on the tags giving information on an area at which the tag is positioned, and each tag being constructed such that it automatically pivots about its pivot mounting to a normally readable position irrespective of the rotation of the globe. The tags, which are preferably mounted to the inside of the outer sphere, each have an elongate portion 20 for receiving a name and an upstanding portion 22 with an aperture for fitting over a pin 12. The globe may be positioned on a stand comprising a disc with a central depression. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A globe of the world This invention relates to a globe of the world.

Globes are well known and they are used in schools, colleges and universities to teach subjects such for example as geography and politics. The globes are printed with a map of the world, and the names of land areas, seas, rivers, towns and cities for example, are printed on the map. As the globe is rotated, the names rotate and they are often difficult to read when the globe is brought to rest because they are not horizontally positioned.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a globe in which the above mentioned problem is obviated or reduced.

Accordingly, this invention provides a globe of the world, which globe comprises an inner sphere which carries a map of the world, an outer sphere which is fixed in spaced apart relation to the first sphere by at least one spacer member, and plurality of data bearing tags which are pivotally mounted in the space between the inner and the outer spheres, the data on the tags giving information on an area of the world at which the tag is positioned, and each tag being constructed such that it automatically pivots about its pivot mounting to a normally readable position irrespective of the rotation of the globe.

Preferably, the tags are mounted to the inside of the outer sphere. However, if desired, the tags may be pivotally mounted to the outside of the inner sphere.

The tags can conveniently be pivotally mounted on pivot pins.

The inner sphere may carry a political map of the world. Alternatively, the inner sphere may carry a geographical map of the world or any other desired information.

The map of the world may be printed or otherwise provided on the inner sphere.

The inner sphere may be made of various materials such for example as a metal or a plastics material.

Preferably, the outer sphere is in two halves. The two halves may join along the equator. The outer sphere will normally be transparent and to this end it may be made of a transparent plastics material.

There may be two spacer members arranged, for example, one at each of the north and south poles.

The spacer members are preferably pegs.

The tags may be metal or plastics tags. The data on the tags may be names of land areas, seas, rivers, towns and cities. The data may be printed, engraved, embossed or otherwise provided on the tags.

Usually the globe will include a stand.

Preferably, the stand is a disc having a central depression for receiving the rest of the globe. The disc may be made of any suitable material such for example as wood, a ceramic material or a plastics material.

The globe can be produced in various sizes to suit specific requirements.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of the globe.

Figure 2 is a partiai section through the globe.

Figure 3 shows a data bearing tag; and Figure 4 shows a stand for the globe.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a globe 2 comprising an inner sphere 4 and an outer sphere 6. As shown in Figure 1, the inner sphere 4 carries a map of the world. The outer sphere 6 is fixed in spaced apart relation to the inner sphere 4 by two spacer members in the form of pegs 8.

Only one peg 8 is shown but the pegs 8 are arranged one at the north pole and one at the south poie.

The globe 2 also comprises a plurality of data bearing tags 10. Each tag 10 is pivotally mounted on a pin 12 (see Figure 2). Each pin 12 is secured to the inside 14 of the outer sphere 6. It will thus be apparant that the tags 10 are pivotally mounted in the space 16 between the inner and outer spheres 4, 6 respectively. The mounting of the pins 12 and the tags 10 to the inside 14 of the outer sphere 6 is facilitated by having the outer sphere 6 formed in two halves 6a, 6b which join along a line 18 which coincides with the equator. The two halves 6a, 6b may clip or otherwise be secured together.

The tags 10 are constructed as shown most clearly in Figure 3. Thus they have a central elongate portion 20 for receiving a name such as NEW YORK as shown in Figure 3, and a centrally positioned upstanding portion 22. The portion 22 is provided with an aperture (not shown) for fitting over the pin 12 as shown in Figure 2. The pin 12 may have a shoulder for precisely locating the portion 22 along the length of pin 12. The pin 12 may also be in two parts and provided with a head 24 to stop the portion 22 inadvertently falling off the pin 12 as the globe 2 is rotated.

The globe 2 may be positioned on stand 26 as shown in Figure 4. The stand 26 is provided with a central depression 28 for receiving the lowermost part of the globe 2. The stand 26 may be made of any suitable material such for example as wood, a ceramic material or a plastics material.

The outer sphere 6 is transparent and is advantageously made of perspex (RTM). The map on the inner sphere 4 can thus easily be seen. The globe 2 can be rotated to any desired map reading position and the map can then easily be read whilst the globe 2 is positioned on the stand 26. The tags 10 are made of a metal or a plastics material and because of their construction they pivot about their pin 12 to a normally readable position irrespective of the rotation of the globe 2. Thus it will be seen that the tag 10 shown in Figure 3 is hanging down in a vertical position about its pin 12 and the name NEW YORK is easily readable.The easy pivoting of the tags 10 about their pins 12 is permitted because the tags 10 are suspended in the space 16 and they do not touch the outer surface 30 of the inner sphere 4 or the inner surface 14 of the outer sphere 6, which would of course create friction and tend to stop the easy pivoting of the tags 10 so that they are always easily readable irrespective of the position of the globe 2.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above has been given by way of example only and that modifications may be made. Thus, for example, the tags 10 may be specifically weighted to ensure that they pivot as required. Also, the tags 10 can be shaped differently than as shown and they can be fiat or curved to conform to the curvature of the spheres 4, 6.

The pins 12 may be secured to the outer surface 30 of the inner sphere 4 and various other types of stand 24 may be employed.

Claims (13)

1. A globe of the world, which globe comprises an inner sphere which carries a map of the world, an outer sphere which is fixed in spaced apart relation to the first sphere by at least one spacer member, and a plurality of data bearing tags which are pivotally mounted in the space between the inner and outer spheres, the data on the tags giving information on an area of the world at which the tag is positioned, and each tag being constructed such that it automatically pivots about its pivot mounting to a normally readable position irrespective of the rotation of the globe.

2. A globe according to claim 1 in which the tags are pivotally mounted to the inside of the outer sphere.

3. A globe according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the tags are pivotally mounted on pivot pins.

4. A globe according to any one of the preceding claims in which the inner sphere carries a political map of the world or a geographical map of the world.

5. A globe according to any one of the preceding claims in which the outer sphere is in two halves,

6. A globe according to claim 5 in which the two halves join along the equator.

7. A globe according to any one of the preceding claims in which the outer sphere is made of a transparent plastics material.

8. A globe according to any one of the preceding claims in which there are two spacer members.

9. A globe according to claim 8 in which the spacer members are pegs.

10. A globe according to any one of the preceding claims in which the data on the tags are the names of land areas, seas, rivers, towns and cities.

11. A globe according to any one of the preceding claims and including a stand.

12. A globe according to claim 11 in which the stand is a disc having a central depression for receiving the rest of the globe.

13. A globe of the world, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.