An Improved Portable Geographical Globe.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 12th Dec., 1889-Accepted, 13th Mar., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Portable Geographical Globe.
A communication to me from abroad by ALOYSE THÉODORE DECKER, of Mondercange,
in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the firm of Edwards and Co., Patent Agents and Engineers,
of 35, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention consists in printing or otherwise applying geographical maps of the
earth to the surface of elastic or dilatable material such as india rubber, gold beaters'
skin, silk or other fabric of suitable kind which may be treated with india rubber, or
other varnish, to render it impermeable to air, the material being formed of such
shape that when inflated it forms a globe representing sufficiently perfectly the surface
of the earth.
One pole (representing the south) of the balloon or globe so formed is provided
with a small tube of wood or metal by which it can be inflated or the air expelled as
desired. This tube may be fitted with a cock or valve, or the inner end of the tube
may be closed by an india rubber valve opening inward and closed by the pressure of
the air in the globe, whilst it can be opened by a slight pressure from outside, to
empty the globe.
The different parts of the expanded globe upon which the map of the world is
printed or formed, may be coloured to represent continents, mountains, rivers, deserts,
and other geographical features.
To prevent the globe from bursting by too strong inflation it may be surrounded by
a coloured silk thread representing the equator, and attached to the globe by eyelets
or threads, the inflation of the globe being stopped when such thread is fully
stretched.
The globe, or balloon when empty, can be kept in a small wooden or other box, in
which may be fixed a small plug or stopper of india rubber which can be used to
prevent the air from escaping when the globe is inflated, whilst the box itself serves
as a stand to carry the latter upon a table or desk.
The globe may be of any desired size, and can be very cheaply made; whilst when
empty it occupies little room and can be easily carred in the pocket.
For elementary schools, or for exhibition, the globe may be made of very large
dimensions, so as to impress the mind of the pupil or spectator. In such case it may
be inflated by an air pump or elastic ball.
After every lesson or exhibition the air may be allowed to escape and the collapsed
globe packed safely away.
Dated this 12th day of March 1880
EDWARDS & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Portable Geographical Globe.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of 35 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention, (a communication to me from abroad by
Aloyse Théodore Decker, of Mondercange, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg), and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention consists in applying and impressing geographical maps of the earth

page_text: •
upon elastic materials such as india-rubber, gold beaters skin, silk impregnated with
caoutchouc and the like, capable of being inflated into a balloon by blowing air
therein in such a way as to perfectly represent after inflation, the terrestrial globe.
The geographical pocket balloon is made of a skin in thin india-rubber, gold beaters
skin or of thin silk or any other suitable material covered with caoutchouc, such as air
balloons. The end of the balloon (South Pole) terminates in a small wooden or metal
tube to permit air being blown into the balloon and for inflating and discharging the
latter at will. A tap can be applied to this tube in order to retain the air within. the
balloon, or again to prevent the balloon from discharging itself, the small tube
terminating with an india rubber valve which closes by the pressure of the air
. contained in the balloon itself. Upon the material of which the balloon is inade,
namely, caoutchouc, gold beaters skin, stuff or silk, the geographical map of the oarth
is printed in the usual way adopted for such purposes and by this moans when the
balloon is inflated it represents the terrestrial globe in a perfect manner. To the
different parts of this terrestrial globe, any colours may be imparted and the continent,
seas, hills, rivers, deserts and the like can be mule conspicuous thereon. The balloon
when discharged can be put into a small wooden, metal or like box, a small gudgeon
or stu: intended to receive the small tube when the balloon is inflated being fixed
inside the box. This stud will prevent the air from escaping from the balloon and the
box will thus serve as a stand for the globe which can be placed upon the table or
desk.
The following are the advantages of the geographical pocket balloon:-
1. Any kind of elastic material which expands by insuflation of air can be used.
2. These balloons may be of any desired size, the cost of making sate being very
slight and they will be within the reach of every school-boy and every one
generally.
3. The balloon when discharged takes up no room and is very convenient and
capable of being carried in a waist-coat pocket.
4. Being portable it affords invaluable advantages for long journeys and especially
sea voyages.
5. For elementary schools, as also public education, these balloons might be made
of gigantic sizes such as to strike the pupils' mind the shapes and proportions of the
different parts of the earth will remain impressed upon his memory.
The air can be
insufflated into these balloons by means of a small air pump or by pneumatic bulbs.
After each lesson the balloon can be discharged by letting out the air and is then
put back into the box so as to keep it intact. As above shewn these balloons will
, prove very useful in the study of geography and are bound to render great assistance
in the propagation of this science.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is ;-
The application of materials such as india-rubber gold beaters skin, silk impregnated
with caoutchouc and the like, capable of being inflated by insufflation of air, to the
manufacture of a geographical balloon representing the terrestrial globe, in such
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