An Improved Orrery for Use in Elementary Schools for Illustrating the Motions of the Earth and Moon.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Left. 8th May, 1889-Accepted. 29th June. 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Orrery for Use in Elementary Schools for Illustrating
the Motions of the Earth and Moon.
We WILLIAM PARKES of 34, Wood Street, Ladywood, Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, Engineer and Machinist, and THOMAS HADLEY, of 30, Talbot Street,
Oldbury, in the County of Worcester, Schoolmaster, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
Our Invention relates to an Improved Orrery, designed and constructed especially
for Elementary School Purposes. Knowing from experience, the need there is for a
Practical School Orrery for illustrating the movements of the earth, and moon, to the
children, and believing that much valuable time might be saved by means of a reliable
model, it has led to our present Invention, believing, that if an Orrery is to be useful
for school work it should fulfil the following conditions.
(a) It must be of such a size that it can be held in the hand, for class teaching.
(b) It must be well balanced, and not easily overturned when set down.
(c) Its parts should be strong, & reliable, and not likely to get out of order.
(d) That the motions of the earth upon its axis, the moon around the earth, and the
earth around the sun, should be simultaneous, and in varying ratios. The said com-
bination of movements being caused, by moving with the hand a suitable handle, or
other part of the machine, and dispensing with the ordinary worm, and worm-wheel
usually employed for transmitting the said motions.
(e) That all motions shall be transmitted by gear wheels, which preclude the
possibility of false positions, or faulty revolutions.
The absence of bands, cords, or chains.
That it shall be provided with a lamp, which may be used for illuminating the
earth &c.
The drawing of our improved Orrery accompanying this specification is an exact
copy to scale of the instrument we have in our possession, which we consider a suitable
size for the purposes set forth, and we hope to have succeeded in designing an
instrument, which we consider will oase the labour of Masters, and Teachers.
Our improved Orrery illustrates the Diurnal, and Annual motions of the earth; the
motions of its satellito the moon as she travels in her orbit, inclined to the vertical,
and also inclined to the earth's orbit, (illustrating the eclipse months) eclipses of the
sun, and moon, phases of the moon, day & night, the months, the seasons, equinoxes,
and solstices.
The movements of the earth, and moon, as to direction, and inclination, have been
obtained from reliable authors, and are included in our Invention. We will now
describe our invention by means of the drawings herewith. The letters.and figures
represent the same parts in the several drawings.
Fig. 1 Elevation. Fig. 2 Section, through lamp, and neck of stand. Fig. 3 plan.
Fig. 4 Plan of arm: bracket & wheels, with wheel A'not shown. Fig. 5 end view of
arm, bracket, & spindle. Fig. 6, Sectional Elevation of bracket, wheels, arm, spindle,
sleeve, and axis.
Our Improvement consists
(a) In the Mechanical Arrangement marked K. M. I. H. J. L. in Figs. 1 and 6, .
which causes the moon to travel in a path, inclined to the path or orbit of the
earth, as she travels round the sun. A sleeve with a wheel attached to it is carried
by a suitable bracket, and revolves freely, within it. This sleeve when in position
makes an angle of 23 degrees. A hole is bored through its centre, and a spindle
or axis, with a wheel attached, is made to turn easily within it, and upon the
upper portion of the said svindle or axis. the earth is suspended. The movements

page_text: of the sleeve on the one hand, & the axis on the other, are quite independent of
each other, therefore, by attaching a finger carrying the moon to the top of the
sleeve, and motion being imparted to the two wheels in different velocities, by a
combination of wheels hereafter described, we have for the revolution of the smaller
wheel, the Diurnal motion of the earth, & for the larger one, the Revolution of
the moon around the earth.
(b) In the combination of wheels marked on drawing, as 1. 2. & 3. in Figs. 1 and 6
which may be cast solid, & which work freely upon a spindle carrying the bracket G.
(c) In the employment of a large central, horizontal wheel, with teeth formed at its
outer edge, and upon its surface are representative letters, and divisions, showing the
Months, Seasons, and Cardinal Points.
(d) In the employment of the Intermediate wheel N, which is pivoted upon a
spindle, secured to a radial arm, which is free to travel around the Central Wheel,
the said Intermediate wheel, gearing first with the large central wheel, and from
thence to the combination of wheels, 1. 2. & 3, and from tence to wheels M. I.
Motion being imparted to the arm, will produce the Diurnal, and. Annual Motions
of the earth, and also the Moon's Revolution. Underneath the arm in Fig.
represented three geared wheels. Wheel O, is secured to the spindle, carrying
bracket, & wheel equal in size to O, is secured to the stand, and wheel P,
secured to the arm, and freely moving around its spindle connects the two.
are
We will now describe more fully our Improvement, by a full description of the
Drawings herewith.
A is the large central wheel bored to fit the neck of the stand B. Fig. 2, and fixed
by a suitable key or peg. An arm C. C. is bored to fit the shoulder Ď of the stand,
and moves freely around it, and carrying with it the earth, and moon. A suspension
saddle Y, is secured to the arm, and is bent so that its highest surface, rests upon the
surface of wheel A. This saddle takes the weight of the whole movement. A
bracket E, is secured to the end of the arm C, and the bracket, and arm
respectively, forming the bearings which support the spindle F, which is secured to
the bracket G. The said bracket is bored to receive the sleeve H, Fig. 6, and
secured to the wheel I. To this sleeve the finger J, carrying the moon 4, is
attached. This sleeve, & wheel has an internal hole bored through its entire length,
through which the axis K passes loosely, & is held in position by means of the collar L.
The wheel M, is secured to the end of the axis, and the earth suspended at the other.
Motion is then imparted to the earth, and moon, by carrying round the handle X
Fig. 1, in the direction of the arrows, in Fig. 3. Motion is then imparted to the
intermediate wheel N, and from thence, to wheel I, in the group numbered 1. 2. & 3.
Wheel 3 gears with wheel I, which gives motion to the moon, & wheel 2 with wheel M,
which transmits motion to the earth.
By the arrangement of the wheels, O, Q & P, as before described, the axis of the
earth always points in the same direction.
A lamp R containing an oil chamber S, with a projecting screwed end T, screws
into a tapped hole Z, (Fig. 4) in the stand, & binds the large wheel A, tightly against
the turned collar on the neck of the stand, and holds the said wheel, and arm in position.
By moving round the handle X, in the direction of the arrow, motion will be
imparted to the earth, and moon, in varying speeds, viz.: the earth will rotate upon its
axis, & the moon will revolve in her path around the earth, and at the same time,
the earth, and the moon are slowly making their annual journey around the sun. The
moon periodically crossing, and re-crossing the plane of the earth's orbit, illustrating
the eclipse months, &c.
Dated th: 101
WILLIAM PARKES.
THOMAS HADLEY,

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Orrery for Use in Elementary Schools for Illustrating
the Motions of the Earth and Moon.
We WILLIAM PARKES, of 34, Wood Street, Ladywood, Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, engineer & machinist, and THOMAS HADLEY, of 30, Talbot Street,
Oldbury, in the County of Worcester, Schoolmaster, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :--
Our Invention relates to an Improved Orrery designed and constructed especially
for Elementary School Purposes. Knowing from experience, the need there is for a
Practical School Orrery, for illustrating the movements of the earth, and Moon, to the
children, and believing that much valuable time might be saved, by means of a reliablo
model, it has led us to our present Invention, believing, that if an Orrery is to be
useful for School Work, it should fulfil the following conditions.
(a) It must be of such a size, that it can be held in the hand for class-teaching.
(b) It must be well balanced and not easily overturned when set down.
Its parts should be strong and reliable and not likely to get out of order.
(d) That the Motions of the Earth upon its axis, the Moon around the earth,
and the earth around the sun should be simultaneous, and in varying ratios. The
said combination of Movements, being caused by moving with the hand, a suitable
handle or other part of the Machine and dispensing with the ordinary worm, and
worm-wheel, usually employed for transmitting the said motions.
(e) That all motions shall be transmitted by gear wheels, which preclude the
possibility of falso positions, or faulty revolutions.
The absence of bands, cords, or chains.
(9) That it shall be provided with a lamp, which may be used for illuminating the
earth and moon.
The drawing of our Improved Orrery is an exact copy to scale of the Instrument we
have in our possession, which we consider a suitable size for the purposes set forth,
and we hope to have succeeded in designing an Instrument which we consider will
ease the labour of Masters and Teachers.
Our Improved Orrery illustrates the Diurnal and Annual Motions of the Earth, the
Motions of its satellite, the Moon, as she travels in her orbit, inclined to the vertical,
and also inclined to the Earth's Orbit (illustrating the Eclipse Months) Eclipses of the
sun, and moon, phases of the moon, day and night, the Months, the Seasons, Equinoxes,
and Solstices.
The movements of the earth and moon as to direction, and inclination, have been
obtained from reliable authors, and are included in our Invention.
We will now describe our Invention, by means of the drawings herewith. The
letters and figures represent the same parts in the several drawings.
Fig 1 Elevation. Fig. 2 Section through Lamp, and Neck of Stand. Fig. 3 Plan.
Fig. 4 Plan of Arm, Bracket, and Wheels, with wheel A not shown. Fig. 5 End
view of Arm, Bracket, and Spindle. Fig. 6 Sectional Elevation of Bracket, Wheels,
Arm, Spindle, Sleeve, and axis.
Our Improvement consists
(a) In the Mechanical Arrangement marked K. M. L. H. J. L. in Figs. 1 and 6.
which causes the moon to travel in a path, inclined to the path or orbit of the
earth, as she travels round the sun. A sleeve with a wheel attached to it is carried
by a suitable bracket and revolves freely within it. This sleeve when in position
makes an angle of 23 degrees. A hole is bored through its centre, and a spindle
or axis with a wheel attached, is made to turn easily within it, and upon the upper
portion of the said spindle or axis the earth is suspended. The Movements of the
sleeve on the one hand and the axis on the other are quite independent of each other:
therefore by attaching a finger carrying the moon to the top of the sleeve, and motion
being imparted to the two wheels in different velocities, by n combination of wheels

page_text: hereafter described we have for the revolution of the smaller wheel the Diurnal Motion
of the Earth, and for the larger one the revolution of the Moon around the earth.
(b) In the combination of wheels as 1. 2. and 3. in Figs. 1 and 6. which may be
cast solid and which work freely upon a spindle carrying the Bracket G.
(c) In the employment of a large central horizontal wheel, with teeth formed at its
outer edge, and upon its surfaco are representative letters and divisions showing the
months, seasons, and Cardinal Points.
(d) In the employment of the Intermediate wheel N, which is pivoted upon a
spindle, secured to a radial arin, which is free to travel around the Contral Wheel,
the said Intermediate Wheel gearing, first with the large Central Wheel, and from
thence, to the Combination of Wheels 1. 2. and 3 and from thence to wheels M. I.
Motion being imparted to the arm will produce the Diarnal, and Annual Motions
of the Earth, and also the Moon's Revolution. Underneath the arm in Fig. 1 are
represented three geared wheels. Wheel O, is secured to the spindle carrying
bracket and wheel Q equal in size to O is secured to the stand, and wheel P secured
to the arm, and freely moving around its spindle connects the two.
A is the large Central Wheel bored to fit the neck of the stand B Fig. 2 and
fixed by a suitable key or peg. An arm C. C. is bored to fit the shoulder D of
the stand and moves freely around it and carrying with it the earth, and moon.
A suspension saddle Y, is secured to the arm, and is bent so that its highest surface
rests upon the surface of wheel A. This saddle takes the weight of the whole
movement. A Bracket E is secured to the end of the arm C and the Bracket and
the arm respectively, forming the bearings which support the spindle F which is
secured to the Bracket G. The said bracket is bored to receive the sleeve H
Fig. 6 and secured to wheel I. To this sleeve the finger J. carrying the moon 4
is attached. This sleeve and wheel has an internal hole bored through its entire
length through which the axis K passes loosely, and is held in position by means
of the collar L. The wheel M is secured to the end of the axis and the earth suspended
at the other. Motion is imparted to the earth and moon by carrying round the
handle X Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 3. Motion is then imparted to
the intermediate wheel N, and from thence to wheel 1, in the group numbered
1. 2. and 3. Wheel 3 gears with wheel I which gives motion to the Moon and wheel 2
with wheel M. which transmits motion to the earth. By the arrangement of the
wheels O. Q and P as before described, the axis of the earth always points in the same
direction.
A Lamp R, containing an oil chamber S with a projecting screwed end T. screws
into a tapped hole Z (Fig. 4) in the stand and binds the large wheel A tightly against
the turned collar on the neck of the stand and holds the said wheel and arm in positiou.
By moving round the handle X in the direction of the arrow, motion will be imparted
to the earth and moon in varying speeds viz. the earth will rotate upon its axis and
alie moon will revolve in her path around the earth and at the same time the earth and
moon are slowly making their annual journey around the sun. The moon periodically
crossing, and recrossing the the Plane of the Earth's Orbit illustrating the Eclipse
Months.
The
The Instrument has been designed in such a manner that all its parts may bo
produced either in brass, malleable or cast iron the wheels being made of a suitable
pitch for leaving the sand, besides allowing ample strength for rough usage. This
reduces very materially the cost of Manufacture all its parts being interchangeable.
For a superior class of Orrery the wheels may be cut, and the instrument finished by
suitable decoration. The representation which appears on the surface of the central
wheel A, and the teeth at its circumference may be produced by casting.
Bracket E and the saddle Y Fig. 1 may be made a part of the arm itself which would
substitute the bracket and saddle here shown attached to the arm by screws.
Globe W which represents the earth, may be removed from the axis at pleasure for
illustrative purposes. The intermediate wheel N which gears with wheels A, and 1,
is used to transinit motion to the earth in the direction of the arrow viz. from West
to. East, as it revolves around the sun, as indicated by the arrows.
£ I.
The

page_text: We beg also to say that we do not confine ourselves to the exact detail here given.
It may be varied without departing from the nature of our improvement for instance
instead of employing gear wheels, we may use friction wheels with a slight alteration
in detail.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
(1) The Mechanical arrangement marked 1. 2. 3. G. M. I. H. K. L. for transmitting
motion to the earth, and moon in varying ratios, and consists in the combination of
the three wheels 1. 2. 3. The spindle F connected to the bracket G. The bracket G.
The sleeve H. The wheel I attached to the sleeve. The spindle or axis K. The
wheel M secured to axis. The collar L. The wheel O secured to spindle. The
intermediate wheel N. The central horizontal wheel A with teeth at its outer edge.
The wheel Q fixed to stand. The wheel P attached to the arm C and engaging
wheels Q and O.
(2) The drum C. The bracket E. The saddle Y and the spindle of the intermediate
wheel N. The handle X which by moving round in the direction of the arrows
produces all the motions simultaneously as described.
(3) The turned necks D and B on stand Fig. 2. The tapped hole Z in the stand, as
shown in Fig. 4.
(4) The lamp R with a projecting screwed end T. may be removed for refilling
with oil and holds when screwed down the several parts together. The oil chamber S.
The whole being constructed, arranged and worked substantially, as described and
illustrated for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 7th day of May 1889.
DID TEGA
WILLIAM PARKES.
THOMAS HADLEY.