US643497A - Convertible tellurian and lunarian. - Google Patents

Description

No. 643,497; Pate nted Feb. l3, I909. n. E. GRINSTEAD.

CONVERTIBLE TELLURIAN AND LUNARIAN.

(Application filed July 22, 1899.) (No Model.) 3'Sh00ts-Shuet I.

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No. 643,497. Patented Feb. 13, 1900.

R. E. GRINSTEAD.

CONVERTIBLE TELLURIAN AND LUNARIAN.

(Applicatibn filed. Ju ly 22, 1899.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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Patented Feb. l3, I900.

R. E. GRINSTEAD. CONVERTIBLE TELLURIAN AND LUNABIAN.

(Application filed. July 22, 1899.]

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT E. GRINSTEAD, OF LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO PHILLIP W. GRINSTEAD, OF SAME'PLAOE.

CONVERTIBLE TELLURIAN AND LUNARIAN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 643,497, dated February 13, 1900.

Application filed July 22, 1899.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, ROBERT E. GRINSTEAD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lexington, in the county of Fayette and State of Kentucky, have invented new and useful Improvements in Convertible Tellurians and Lunarians, of which the following is a specification.

One object of my invention is to provide a convertible tellurian and lunarian, by means of which an instrument may be produced for showing in the one case how the causes operate to produce the changes of the seasons and the like and in the other case how the causes operate to produce the different phases of the moon.

A further object of the invention is to provide certain improvements in the method of mounting a terrestrial globe, by means of which a mechanical demonstration may be effected of the constant parallelism of the earths axis, and whereby the angle of the earths axis may be changed for the purpose of demonstrating the fact that the widths of the zones of a planet are dependent upon the inclination of the axis thereof.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and the novel features thereof will be set forth in the claims.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device when used as a tellurian, showing the mechanical plane of the ea'rths ecliptic applied. Fig. 2 is a planview of the same. Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 1 with theplane representing the earths ecliptic removed and the arms representing tangent and vertical rays of sunlight in place. Fig. 4. is a side elevation of the device when used as a lunarian, and Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 represent details.

The base 1 of the instrument has upon the upper surface thereof a series of twelve graduations which are radially arranged and represent, respectively, the arc traversed by the earth in its revolution about the sun for each month of the year, the difierent months being printed thereon in succession and the different spaces occupied by the different months being divided up into smaller divisions representing the number of days in each. Extending upwardly from the base are 'isfree to turn thereon.

Serial No. 724,849. (No model.)

a number of converging curved arms 2 2, which terminate at their meeting-points in a boss 3, in which is secured against rotary or longitudinal movement a rod or standard 4,

having screw-threads 5 upon its upper end.

Secured to said rod or standard at a point adjacent to the boss 3 is a stationary drum or spool 6, having a groove 7 in its periphery. Mounted to rotate on the rod or standard 4 and supported upon the arms 2 2 is a bracket 8, the same being preferably constructed of wire bent to form an upper horizontal bar 9,end vertical bars 10 11, a horizontal bar 12, leading inwardly from the vertical bar 11 and resting upon the upper end of the arms 2, a horizontal bar 13, leading inwardly from the end vertical bar 10, a diagonally-arranged bracing bar 14, leading upwardly and outwardly from the bottom horizontal bar 12, a horizontal bar 15,1eadin g outwardly from the upper end of the diagonal bracing-bar 14 and lying in contact with the upper bar 9, and a vertical bar 16, connecting the outer end of the horizontal bar 15 and the inner end of the horizontal bar 13. As shown 'in the drawings, the rod or standard 4 extends through openings in the horizontal bars 12 and 9 of the bracket, and said bracket The stationary drum or spool 6 is located between the horizontal bars 12 and 9, and the outer or free end of the bar 9 is supported and braced by the diagonally arranged bar 11. In this way a bracket is provided which is extremely light in weight, in which friction is reduced by providing but two narrow bearing-points, and which is extremely strong by providing a substantial brace for the outer end thereof,which receives the greatest leverage. Loosely mounted in the outer end of the bracket 8 is a vertical shaft 17 of the'same diameter as the rod or standard tand provided with screwthreads 18 upon its upper end of the same pitch as the screw-threads 5. To this shaft is secured a drum or spool 19, having a groove 20 in its periphery, the said spool lying in the same horizontal plane with the drum or spool 6 and connected thereto by means of an endless cord or belt 21, which fits within the grooves 20 and 7 at opposite ends.

When the device is to be used as a tellurian, I secure the terrestrial globe 22 to the shaft 17 in the outer end of the bracket 8, the axis of the sun, about which the earth revolves, being represented by a vertically-arranged rod 23 upon the upper end of the rod or standard 4% I may, if I desire, place upon the rod 23 a sphere or globe to represent the sun. This, however, is not essential. The lower end of the rod 23 has an internallythreaded sleeve 2st thereon, which is adapted to fit and screw upon the threaded upper end 5 of the rod or standard 4. The terrestrial sphere 22 is mounted to rotate upon its axis 25, which is secured at its lower end to a segmental graduated arm 26, extending through a slot or opening 27 in a cap 28, provided with an internally-threaded socket at its lower end for receiving the upper threaded end 18 of the shaft 17. By means of the cap 28 the terrestrial sphere 22 maybe secured to either the shaft 17 or the rod or standard 4. The socket in the lower end of the cap 28 intersects the slot or opening 27 therein, so that when said cap is screwed down upon the shaft 17 the upper end of said shaft engages the lower edge of the segmental arm 26 and holds said arm and said cap in fixed relation to each other. By the construction described it will be seen that the inclination of the earths axis may be varied by loosening the cap 28 and swinging the segmental arm 26 in the slot or opening 27 in one direction or the other. The angle of inclination may be determined by the graduations on said segmental arm. Vhen the proper position has been reached, the cap is returned to its locking position on the shaft 17 and further accidental movement of the axis 25 is prevented. By means of this adjustment an ocular demonstration may be made of the fact that the zones are dependent upon the inclination of the axis of the earth or any other planet. It should be stated in this connection that the lower horizontal bar 12 of the bracket 8 carries an index hand or pointer 29, which moves with said bracket in front of the chart or graduations upon the upper surface of the base 1.

By turning the bracket 8 the terrestrial sphere 22 may be revolved about the sun, or rather the mechanical representation thereof, and during the revolution the parallelism of the earths axis 25 will be maintained at all times. This result is effected by the cooperation of the drums or spools 6 and 19 and the cord 21, which connects the same. The drum or spool 6 being fixed in position and the drum or spool 19 being rotatable by reason of the loose connection of the shaft 17 with the outer end of the bracket 8, the rotation of the bracket 8 will cause the cord 21 to be wound on and off of the fixed spool U and to turn the rotatable spool 19. The degree of rotation is just enough to compensate for the natural change in the inclination of the axis 25 which would take place were no means provided for preventing it. By this construction also the exact position of the earth can be determined for any day of the year, the

hand or pointer 29 indicating the day on the chart or scale on the base 1.

In connection with the foregoing parts I provide a mechanical representation of the earths ecliptic, the same beinga flat sheet or plane 30, removably secured to a sleeve 31, which surrounds the vertical rod 23 and is provided with spring clips or arms 32 at its lower end which embrace and clamp the up per bar9 of the bracket 8, so as to turn therewith. The plane 30, representing the earths ecliptic, is so mounted as to pass geometrically through the center of the earth and is supported at one end by a spider secured to the under side thereof and provided with a sleeve or collar 34, which frictionally engages the sleeve 31 heretofore referred to. At an intermediate point, but nearer its opposite end, said plane 30 has pivoted to it a leg 35, having a bifurcated lower end 36, which straddles and is supported by the upper bar 9 of the bracket 8. The said plane has a circular opening 37 therein of the same diameter as that of the terrestrial globe 22, and in said opening said globe is received, the said plane being in line with the center thereof. Around the outer edge of the opening 37 is a series of twenty-four graduations, the one which is in line with the center of the earth and the rod 23 on which said plane is mounted being marked Zero for longitude and 12 noon for time of day, this graduation-mark being opposite the noonday meridian. The different graduations leading to the right are marked 15 and l P. M., 30 and 2 P. M., &c., and those to the left are marked 15 and 11 A. ll/ 30 and 10 A. M., &c., this arrangement being for the purpose of determining the numberof degrees of east or west longitude any point on the earth is from that which is opposite the noonday meridian and the time of day of any particular point on the earths surface when it is noon at the point lying opposite the 12 M. graduation.

Adapted to be secured to the sleeve 31 are two substantially parallel arms 38 39, respectively, the arm 38 being so located on said sleeve that it lies tangent to the globe 22 on the noonday meridian and the arm 39 being so located on said sleeve that it extends toward the center of the globe 22 opposite the noonday meridian. These arms are to represent tangent and vertical or direct rays of sunlight, so that it may be demonstrated what points on the earths surface receive the tangential and vertical rays at any time of the year. Said arms are frictionally secured to the sleeve 31 by means of clips or collars 40 40, secured to the inner ends of said arms and embracing said sleeve. By this construction it will be observed that said arms may be removed when desired.

The index hand or pointer 29 heretofore referred to is secured to the bracket 8 at a point directly beneath the same and between its point of pivotal connection with the rod "or standard 4 and the outer end thereof, on

which the globe 22 is mounted. In this way said hand or pointer is protected by the bracket and more clearly illustrates calendartime than if it were upon the opposite side of the rod or standard 4, as is usually the case with other tellurians with which I am familiar.

The construction heretofore described relates to the means of mounting the terrestrial globe and to certain attachments to be used in connection therewith, whereby certain movements of the earth both independently and with respect to the sun may be demonstrated. In order to use the device as a lu narian, the rod 23, together with the sleeve 31 and the parts connected thereto, is removed from the rod or standard 4 and said rod 23, with the sleeve 31, is screwed upon the upper end of the shaft 17, the cap 2.8 having been previously removed from said shaft 17. The said cap, with the globe 22, is then screwed upon the upper end of the rod or standard 4 and a sphere ll, representing the moon, is located upon the sleeve 31. The rotation of the bracket 8 when the parts are arranged as above described will then cause a complete revolution of the sphere 41, representing the moon, upon the shaft 17 for each complete rotation of said bracket around the rod orstandard 4, on which the earth 22 is mounted;

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The combination with an upright or standard, a bracket rotatable thereon and a globe representing the earth carried by said bracket, of a plane representing the earths ecliptic surrounding said globe, a frictionsleeve on said plane embracing said upright and serving to support said plane at one end, and means engaging said bracket forsupporting said plane intermediate its ends.

2. The combination with a rotatable bracket and a globe representing the earth mounted thereon, of a plane representing the earths ecliptic surrounding said globe, having a longitudinal and time chart thereon, and mounted to turn on the axis of said bracket, and a support for said plane intermediate its ends, the said support engaging said bracket.

3. The combination with a vertical rod or upright, a bracket extending outwardly therefrom and a globe representing the earth mounted on said bracket at a distance from said upright, of a plane representing the earths ecliptic having an opening therein through which said globe passes, the said plane being frictionally secured at one point to said upright and having a leg pivoted there to at a point intermediate its ends and adapted to engage said bracket to support said plane.

4. The combination with a vertical rod or upright, abracket extending outwardly therefrom and a globe representing the earth mounted on said bracket at a distance from said upright, of a plane representing the earths ecliptic having an opening therein through which said globe passes, a sleeve secured to said plane for frictionally supporting the same at one point on said upright, and a leg pivoted to said plane having a bifurcated lower end which straddles said bracket for supporting said plane at another point.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with the base and a rod or standard thereon, of a bracket pivotally connected to said rod or standard for supporting a globe at its outer end, said bracket being made in the form of a continuous, endless, open frame, and comprising upper and lower bars through both of which said rod or standard passes, and a diagonally-arranged bracing-bar extending from the lower to the up per of said bars intermediate their ends, whereby weight is economized, strength is secured and friction is reduced.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination with the base and a rod or standard thereon, of a bracket pivotally connected to said rod or standard for supporting a globe at its outer end, said bracket being made in the form of a open frame, and constructed of a rod or wire bent to form a horizontal upper bar, vertical end. bars, horizontal bottom bars leading inwardly and outwardly from said vertical bars, respectively,

1 through one of which and said upper bar said standard passes, a horizontal lower bar lying in contact with the under side of. said upper bar and a diagonally-arranged bracing-bar leading from the lower bar through which said rod or standard passes to the horizontal bar which lies in contact with said upper bar, as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In a convertible tellurian and lunarian, the combination with the base, of a rod or standard thereon having screwthreads upon its upper end, a bracket pivotally mounted on said rod or standard, a rotatable shaft in the outer end of said bracket parallel to said standard and provided with screw-threads upon its upper end of the same mesh as the screw-threads on said standard, drums or spools secured, respectively, to said shaft and to said rod or standard, a cord or belt connecting said drums, a cap carrying a terrestrial globe having a threaded socket therein adapted to screw upon the upper end of said shaft or said standard, and a rod carrying a lunarian-globe having a screw-threaded sleeve upon its lower end adapted to screw upon the upper end of said standard or said shaft, as and for the purpose set forth.

8. The combination with a globe representing the earth, or another planet, and a rod extending therethrough representing the axis of the earth, of a segmental arm secured to the lower end of said rod and a slotted support through which said arm passes, whereby the inclination of the axis may be varied, as and for the purpose set forth.

9. The combination with a vertical supporting rod or upright having a screw-threaded upper end, of a globe representing the IIO ro right for supporting the globe, and the upper end of said upright adapted to engage said segmental arm for locking the latter in adjusted position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing wit- 15 nesses.

ROBERT E. GRINSTEAD; Witnesses:

J. J. W001), J. EMBRY ALLEN.

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