US3594964A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Planetarium projection dome
Assignee: OBSERVA DOME LAB Inc
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Filing: 1969-06-17
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Granted: 1971-07-27
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Expires: 1989-06-17
Abstract
Abstract A self-supporting planetarium projection dome constructed of a plurality of segments connected together to form a hemispherical dome. The segments include oppositely disposed marginal flanges which are connected together to form circumferentially extending joints. Arcuate cover strips in the form of T-shaped members are clamped between the marginal flanges of the joints to cover the joints and present a continuous interior dome surface for realistically reflecting projected celestial images.
Inventors
- 👤 William T Clark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 15:12
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H3/00; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/32; E04B1/3211; E04B2001/327; E04B2001/3276; E04B2001/3288
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A substantially hemispherical projection dome comprising a plurality of adjacently positioned segments having a plurality of small apertures, each segment having exteriorly disposed upstanding marginal flanges, each marginal flange disposed in parallel-spaced relation to a flange of an adjacent segment to form a joint, an elongated cover strip serving to form a continuous interior surface across the joints thereby enhancing the reflecting characteristics of the interior dome surface, each cover strip having a web portion clamped between mating parallel flanges of each joint, each cover strip also having a thin head portion for bridging the joint and including a plurality of apertures the same size as the apertures in the segments to effect formation of the continuous interior dome surface which is virtually seamless in appearance under low lighting conditions when a projector projects an image onto the inner surface of the dome, and means for fastening the web portion between associated marginal flanges.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A substantially hemispherical projection dome comprising a plurality of adjacently positioned segments having a plurality of small apertures, each segment having exteriorly disposed upstanding marginal flanges, each marginal flange disposed in parallel-spaced relation to a flange of an adjacent segment to form a joint, an elongated cover strip serving to form a continuous interior surface across the joints thereby enhancing the reflecting characteristics of the interior dome surface, each cover strip having a web portion clamped between mating parallel flanges of each joint, each cover strip also having a thin head portion for bridging the joint and including a plurality of apertures the same size as the apertures in the segments to effect formation of the continuous interior dome surface which is virtually seamless in appearance under low lighting conditions when a projector projects an image onto the inner surface of the dome, and means for fastening the web portion between associated marginal flanges.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for fastening the web portion includes plate means attached to the exterior surface of each marginal flange at each joint, the plate members being disposed in spaced parallel relation, and fastener means connected between associated plate members for effecting the clamping of the web portion of the cover strip between the marginal flanges.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein the plate members having outwardly disposed edges, defining a void therebetween and shim means in the void to retain the outer edges of the plates spaced apart.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said fastener means includes a plurality of fasteners extending through the flanges and web portion of the cover strip thereby retaining the interior surface of the dome free of fasteners.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A planetarium dome comprising a plurality of interconnected panels forming a substantially hemispherical dome, and cover strips overlying and concealing the joints between adjacent panels, said panels and cover strips having a plurality of small apertures distributed throughout the area thereof to provide a virtually seamless appearance on the interior surface of the dome.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
A planetarium dome comprising a plurality of interconnected panels forming a substantially hemispherical dome, and cover strips overlying and concealing the joints between adjacent panels, said panels and cover strips having a plurality of small apertures distributed throughout the area thereof to provide a virtually seamless appearance on the interior surface of the dome.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
126 words
The planetarium dome defined in claim 5 wherein the inner surface of each of said panels and the inner surface of the cover strip is provided with a flat pain coating to diffuse incident light while retaining a high reflectance capacity to facilitate observation of an image projected onto the interior surface by a projector, each of said panels and cover strips being perforated in the same pattern with the perforations being small whereby they do not become visually apparent when observing an image projected onto the inner surface of the dome by a projector thereby providing an inner surface for the dome which appears to be virtually seamless when observing an image projected onto the inner surface of the dome by under low lighting conditions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-26 | 1975-01-25 | 1975-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-26 | 1979-01-25 | 1979-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-26 | 1983-01-25 | 1983-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |