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 Patent
Application of
Joseph S. Giamportone and Walter G.W. Booker
for PLATE TECTONIC EARTH PLANET MODEL
Table of Contents
Abstract
Background-Field of Invention
Background-Description of Prior
Art
Objects and Advantages
Summary, Ramifications, and Scope
CLAIMS
 Abstract
An Earth planet model based on the science of plate
tectonics. Accordingly, the model (10) includes a plurality
of curved members (12), each curved member representing
one of Earth's crustal tectonic plates. Each plate member
(12) is formed of a durable, lightweight plastic material
and molded in raised and indented relief to illustrate
such tectonic features as subduction zones, collision
zones, mid-ocean ridges, island chains, island arcs,
continental shelves, terrestrial and ocean floor topography,
and the like. Plates (12) are attached to the exterior
of a base globe (14) forming, as a whole, the surface
layer of Earth, or lithosphere. The base globe itself
consists of a plurality of spheroidal members, an inner
core (22), an outer core (20), and a mantle (18), representing
Earth's internal strata. The assembled model is positioned
on a supporting pedestal (11) for display or demonstration.
The pedestal includes a simple rotary mechanism which
allows rotation of the model.
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Background-Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to a model
construction, specifically to an innovative Earth planet
model based on the principles of plate tectonics.
As used herein, the term "plate tectonics",
or "tectonics", refers to the science engaged
in the study of Earth's crustal structure and those
forces, within the planet, responsible for producing
changes in it.
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Background-Description of Prior Art
Earth planet models have been utilized as research
and educational aids, games, toys, amusement devices,
and objects of display or reference for decades. Hence,
the prior art in this field is diverse and abundant.
Examples of such models include, but are not limited
to, those disclosed in U.S. patent nos. 3,016,629 (Case,
1962); 3,055,124 (Gilmer, Jr, et al, 1962); 3,618,955
(Barnes, 1971); 4,494,935 (Miller, 1985); 4,595,367
(Forsyth, 1986); 5,217,226 (Christopher,1993); and 5,226,724
(Trusiani, 1993).
The Case patent describes various sets of transparent
globe overlays which are mounted over a geographical
globe. These overlays are geometrically identical segments
designed to illustrate changes in political or national
boundaries, geological changes of land masses, plotting
of navigational routes, and the like.
In the Gilmer, Jr, et al patent, a base globe is randomly
contoured and colored blue to represent the ocean floor.
Land mass segments, also contoured in relief and colored
to illustrate significant geographical features, are
adhered to this base globe. Certain portions of the
ocean floor are inscribed to denote continental shelves
and subterranean mountain ranges.
The Barnes patent describes a method of making a jig-saw
magnetic Earth puzzle, while the Christopher patent
includes an atmosphere in its three dimensional, jig-saw
puzzle rendition of Earth.
In the Miller patent countries, continents, and other
land masses are molded in relief to depict topological
features and snapped into place on a globe surface.
The areas of the globe surface not covered by land mass
segments apparently represent Earth's oceans and seas.
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The Forsyth patent describes an instructional globe
with numerous embodiments. As with those patents aforementioned,
this globe is primarily geographical in design and function.
Also, as with other prior art, continents and other
land masses are erroneously depicted as separate from
and structurally independent of oceans, seas, and each
other. Land masses are incorrectly presented as terrestrial
segments that lie atop oceans and seas.
In one Forsyth embodiment an attempt is made to present
the internal strata of Earth. A portion of the inner
core, outer core, and mantle are illustrated on a flat
"quarter disc" mounted inside a transparent
globe apparatus. Other Earth globe models also attempt
to convey the essence of Earth's internal strata through
the use of labelled illustrations on flat surfaces as
in books, magazines, and other such printed publications.
Unfortunately, these two dimensional representations
are erroneous in design and, therefore, misleading and
confusing. Firstly, Earth's internal strata are three
dimensional structures and should be represented as
such. Secondly, the significance of these strata (that
they are the structures responsible for all crustal
activity), is ignored or disregarded. Consequently,
there are no connections drawn between the dynamics
of the surface layer of Earth and the internal forces
driving tectonic plate movement and crustal activity.
These deficiencies, flaws, and disadvantages of the
prior art, herein described, render previous Earth globe
models inaccurate, incomplete, and, therefore, inferior
to the present invention as will become apparent in
the following descriptions.
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Objects and Advantages
The science of plate tectonics has revealed the true
nature of Earth's crustal structure and internal strata.
Contrary to what has been described in the above prior
art, Earth's crust is neither a jig-saw puzzle nor a
set of geometrically identical segments. Continents
are neither separate from nor structurally independent
of oceans, seas, and each other. Also, land masses do
not sit atop oceans and seas.
According to the principles of plate tectonics Earth's
crust is a fluid mosaic of many irregular rigid segments,
or plates. These plates drift about slowly, yet steadily,
in different directions atop a much hotter and softer
layer of Earth's mantle, the athenosphere. These enormous
blocks of Earth's crust vary in size and shape, and
have definite borders that cut through continents and
oceans alike. Where plates converge mountains and volcanos
are often found. Oceans are born and grow wider where
plates pull apart. Earthquakes are the result of plates
grinding and slipping past each other. The energy responsible
for these tectonic plate shifts, drifts, collisions,
and interactions originate deep in Earth's inner core
and is manifest in the outer core/mantle dynamics. These
and all other plate tectonic principles are the foundation
of the present invention.
Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention
to provide an innovative scale construction model of
Earth which includes as part of its ensemble a number
of three dimensional spheroidal members representing
Earth's internal strata including, but not limited to,
an inner core, an outer core, and a mantle. When assembled
these members form a polyspheroidal, concentric, globe
shaped body, or base globe.
It is another object of the present invention to provide
a plurality of curved members, each member representing
one of Earth's crustal tectonic plates. When all of
these curved members are fastened, attached, adhered,
or mounted to the exterior of the base globe they represent,
as a whole, the surface layer of Earth, or lithosphere.
It is a further object of this invention to design
and mold each curved member in striking raised and indented
relief to depict and illustrate clearly such tectonic
features as: terrestrial and ocean floor topography;
continental shelves; mid-ocean ridges; island chains;
island arcs; subduction zones; collision zones; the
relative thickness of ocean floor and continental crust;
common boundaries between plates; and the like.
It is a further object of the present invention to
provide a supporting pedestal upon which the Earth model
can be mounted securely but not permanently attached.
This portability will allow for the model to be easily
removed from the pedestal or positioned in a variety
of ways on the pedestal to facilitate examination or
study of the model. The pedestal can also be used as
a means of support for the model during assemblage.
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It is another object of the present invention to provide
the pedestal with a simple rotary mechanism in its design.
This would allow either battery powered or manual rotation
of the Earth model about Earth's polar axis. Furthermore,
the pedestal can be designed so that its rotating surface
is inclined so as to simulate the traditional 23 degree
tilt of Earth's polar axis with respect to the solar
ecliptic plane.
The science of plate tectonics has brought a sweeping
revolution in our understanding of Earth, and a new
grasp of the forces that shape it. The present invention,
because of its unique design and novel construction,
is an ideal vehicle for transforming the complexities
of plate tectonics into an enjoyable, tactile educational
experience for the general public.
It is, therefore, another outstanding object of the
present invention to provide an affordable, durable,
informative, attractive, and enduring plate tectonic
Earth planet model suitable for assembly by children,
adults, families, students, hobbyists, etc.
Plate tectonics is quickly becoming the unifying, or
central, theme of Earth science and geology school curriculum
across the nation and, indeed, around the world.
A further object of this invention, therefore, is to
provide an outstanding hands-on, minds-on, plate tectonic
Earth planet model educational aid and reference tool
for teachers and students at all levels of instruction.
These and other objects, advantages, and features of
the present invention will become apparent from a consideration
of the drawings and descriptions that follow.
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Summary, Ramifications, and Scope
Thus, the reader will see that the plate tectonic Earth
planet model of this invention provides an outstanding
tool, device, or instrument for conveying, or teaching,
the principles of plate tectonics to children and parents,
students and educators, or hobbyists of all ages.
Outstanding Advantages and features of the present
invention are: (1) Earth's outer crust is represented
by a plurality of curved members, or pieces, which are
molded to illustrate the actual shape, or configuration,
of Earth's tectonic plates according to current scientific
knowledge in the field; (2) The comprehensive, elaborate,
three dimensional relief architecture of each tectonic
plate member is a common feature and distinguishing
advantage of this invention over the prior art; (3)
Earth's internal strata are represented as three dimensional
concentric structures, underscoring the significance
of Earth's internal structures as well as Earth's external
topography; (4) The tactility of the model is a clear
and qualified advantage. Tectonic plate members and
inner strata members can be tactually inspected as individual
structures, in sub-assembly form, in relation to each
other, etc.; (5) Decals or other such indicia can be
utilized to identify individual plates, land masses,
oceans, seas, cities, lines of latitude and longitude,
significant tectonic zones, geographical features, and
the like; (6) An illustrated guide to plate tectonics
can be provided to assist in the construction of the
model and serve as a roadmap to an understanding of
the dynamics of plate tectonics.
Also, it should be understood, as stated herein, that
as of the writing of this application, plate tectonics
is a relatively new science. Therefore, any future discoveries
or conclusions drawn from data analysis related to plate
boundaries, plate configuration, plate dynamics, plate
relief, internal strata, and the like, would be incorporated
into the design and construction of the present invention,
and inherently embodied in the scope of this invention.
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While our above description contains many specificities,
these should not be construed as limitations on the
scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification
of two preferred embodiments, thereof. Numerous other
variations are possible. For example, plates can be
formed of any appropriate durable material including
plastic, rubber, etc. Plates can be manufactured in
any color, painted or tinted in any color, etc. The
pedestal can include a simple battery powered mechanism
to provide internal illumination. With transparent plates,
this will illuminate the interior of the model. With
opaque or painted plates, illumination would be visible
only through the plate interfaces. The model could be
made part of a geology or geography game, or other such
activity.
The foregoing embodiments of the present invention
have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes
of making a complete disclosure of the invention. It
may be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art
that numerous changes may be made in such details without
departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.
The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms
or modifications within the proper scope of the appended
claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with
the doctrine of equivalents.
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CLAIMS:
9. An earth planet model, comprising:
a. a globe shaped body having a convex outer surface;
b. a plurality of curved members representing earth's
crustal tectonic plates, the outer edge of each of said
plurality of curved members being in the shape of the
tectonic plate represented thereby, each of said plurality
of curved members having a convex outer surface and
a concave inner surface, the inside radius of curvature
of each curved member equals an outside radius of curvature
of said globe shaped body to allow conformance of said
concave inner surface of each curved member to said
convex outer surface of the globe shaped body;
c. adhering means for enabling attachment of each of
said plurality of curved members to said convex outer
surface of said globe shaped body at pre-established
positions;
d. a supporting pedestal including cradling means for
enabling said globe shaped body with attached said plurality
of curved members to be positioned on said supporting
pedestal.
e. a plurality of three dimensional spheroidal members
of varying pre-determined diameters, said spheroidal
members representing earth's internal strata, connecting
means for enabling said spheroidal members to be concentrically
joined together in a pre-established manner, thereby
forming a three dimensional, concentric, polyspheroidal
structure.
10. The earth planet model as defined in claim 9, wherein
said plurality of curved members are formed of a durable
material, each curved member is molded in raised and
indented relief to depict earth's numerous tectonic
features, whereby, as a whole, the curved members, when
attached to the globe shaped body, form an accurate,
three dimensional representation of earth's outer crust.
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11. The earth planet model as defined in claim 10,
wherein said durable material is transparent and selected
from the group consisting of plastic polymer compounds,
each of said plurality of curved members and the outer
surface of said globe shaped body are treated with an
adhesive agent, said means for enabling attachment of
each curved member comprising an adhering bond formed
between said curved members and said globe shaped body,
whereby the curved members are permanently attached
to the globe shaped body.
12. The earth planet model as defined in claim 10,
wherein said durable material is opaque and selected
from the group consisting of plastic polymer compounds,
each of said plurality of curved members have a ferromagnetic
element attached to their concave inner surface and
said outer surface of said globe shaped body is formed
of a ferrous material, said adhering means for attaching
each curved member comprising the magnetic attraction
between said ferromagnetic elements attached to curved
members and said ferrous material of the globe shaped
body, whereby said plurality of curved members can be
removably attached to said globe shaped body.
13. The earth planet model as defined in claim 9, wherein
said plurality of spheroidal members are hollow and
formed of a durable, transparent material selected from
the group consisting of plastic polymer compounds, said
connecting means enabling said plurality of spheroidal
members to be non-detachably joined together.
14. The earth planet model as defined in claim 9, wherein
said plurality of spheroidal members are formed of a
durable material selected from the group consisting
of plastic polymer compounds, said connecting means
enabling said plurality of spheroidal members to be
detachably joined together.
15. An earth planet model as defined in claim 9, wherein
said supporting pedestal is formed of a durable material
selected from the group consisting of plastic polymer
compounds, said pedestal comprises a lower base and
an upper concave seat, said cradling means consists
of said upper concave seat, said pedestal further includes
a revolving means for enabling said upper concave seat
to rotate in relation to said base.
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