US3733720A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Orrery
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-01-22
•
Granted: 1973-05-22
•
Expires: 1991-01-22
Abstract
Abstract An orrery, being a mechanical model demonstrating movements of planets in their orbits around the sun, comprises a central suncarrying member, a plurality of annular planet-carrying members nested one within another and individually rotatable about the central member, and a driving mechanism for driving the annular members at different rotational speeds, which mechanism comprises three sets of friction wheels rotatable respectively about three axes which are radial to and spaced apart about the rotational axis of the annular members, wherein each set consists of a wheel for each annular member, each said wheel engages and supports a circular track on the associated annular member, a plurality of wheels in each set have differing diameters and the tracks for them are concentric and have differing diameters and are disposed at appropriately different levels, and at least one of the sets is driven.
Inventors
- 👤 E Byers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:40
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B27/00; G09B27/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
An orrery comprising a central sun-carrying member, a plurality of annular planet-carrying members concentrically nested one within another and individually rotatable about the central member, each of which has a circular track at its underside said track being concentric and having different diameters, and driving mechanism for driving the annular members about the central member at different rotational speeds which mechanism comprises three sets of friction wheels disposed below the annular members and rotatable respectively about three axes which are radial to and spaced apart in intervals of about 120* about the rotational axis of the annular members, wherein each set of friction wheels comprises a wheel for the sole support of each respective annular member which wheel is in frictional driving and supporting contact with the track of the respective member and wherein the wheels in each set have differing diameters, and means driving at least one of the three sets of wheels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
An orrery comprising a central sun-carrying member, a plurality of annular planet-carrying members concentrically nested one within another and individually rotatable about the central member, each of which has a circular track at its underside said track being concentric and having different diameters, and driving mechanism for driving the annular members about the central member at different rotational speeds which mechanism comprises three sets of friction wheels disposed below the annular members and rotatable respectively about three axes which are radial to and spaced apart in intervals of about 120* about the rotational axis of the annular members, wherein each set of friction wheels comprises a wheel for the sole support of each respective annular member which wheel is in frictional driving and supporting contact with the track of the respective member and wherein the wheels in each set have differing diameters, and means driving at least one of the three sets of wheels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An orrery according to claim 1, having means gearing the three sets of wheels to rotate in unison whereby all three sets take part in the drive to the annular members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
An orrery according to claim 2, having two gears connected one to each of two sets and a gear, connected to the other set, disposed between and meshing with said two gears.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
An orrery according to claim 1, having means for centering the annular members which means comprises circumferential faces on the annular members and flanges, associated with each set of wheels, having side faces engaging said circumferential faces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
An orrery according to claim 1 having, in combination with a planet carried by an annular member, a moon carried by that member and revolvable about the planet as the latter revolves about the sun-carrying member, and means for driving said moon to revolve about said planet which means comprises a stationary circumferential track coaxial with said member, a friction wheel carried by said member and in frictional driven engagement with said track to roll around the latter as said member revolves, and connections connecting the friction wheel to the moon to drive the latter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
An orrery according to claim 1, wherein one of the annular members has a visible surface carrying markings denoting asteroids or minor planets.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
An orrery according to claim 1, having each set of wheels mounted on a rotatable shaft, some of the wheels being fastened to the shaft and at least one other of the wheels being rotatable in relation to the shaft, and having a reduction gearing driving the last said wheel from the shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
An orrery according to claim 1, having a transparent dome above the annular members, which dome is marked with the celestial equator and a pole, the ecliptic, lines of latitude and longitude, and with the stellar constellations and their names.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US575735A
Cited
US1028355A
Cited
US1952024A
Cited
US3010224A
Cited
US3520073A
Cited
US3387393A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |