Universal sundial
OwnerJohn S. Singletoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sundial has a scale 3 on the inner face of a single-turn helix 1, and a gnomon 2 which is a rod or wire lying along its axis. The scale is linear and the instrument can be used at substantially any location, regardless of latitude or longitude. It can be advanced for statutory Summer Time, and adjusted to compensate for non-linearity in the sun's apparent movement (`Equation of Time`).
Claims11
A sundial comprising a relieved cylinder in the form of at least a partial turn of a helix, a gnomon, and means for supporting said relieved cylinder and said gnomon such that the gnomon is disposed axially of the relieved cylinder.
A sundial comprising a base, a support member mounted on the base for movement relative to the base, a gnomon mounted on the support member, and a relieved cylinder in the form of at least a partial turn of a helix, the relieved cylinder being fixedly mounted on the gnomon so that the gnomon extends axially of the relieved cylinder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.