US 9,852,657 B2Granted

Solar educational monument

OwnerCharles Folkinventor

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Abstract

An educational monument, comprising a designated geographical area accessible to a general public, a first structure having a first face positioned to receive a solar light beam, an aperture formed through the first structure for projecting the light beam at predetermined times and, a second structure positioned to receive the light beam at a first predetermined time. A third structure positioned to receive the light beam at a second predetermined time. Wherein a transition of the light beam reflects a change in the seasons and an alignment of Earth illustrating a physical representation of the transition at a plurality of successive predetermined times, each respective predetermined time being the same hour on a different day. Wherein a plurality of ellipses are scaled from the receiving wall, accurately representing the scaled orbit of the planets.

Claims15

Dependent claims

An educational monument system, for positioning at a geographical area comprising:

a central location defining:
a first structure defining an aperture, through a first face for allowing a solar light beam to traverse the first structure and through a second, opposing face of the first structure, wherein the first structure represents Sol;
a second spaced structure aligned with the first structure to define forming a receiving wall for the solar light beam and having a tracking pattern formed, thereonto the receiving wall;
a plurality of planet structures positioned at respective predetermined locations, wherein each respective planet structure represents a respective individual planet;
a plurality of astro-structures located at respective predetermined locations, wherein each respective astro-structure represents a celestial phenomena;
wherein the positions of the respective planet structures and the positions of the respective astro-structures are scaled relative the position of the first structure to represent respective planets and respective astro-structures as they naturally occur relative to Sol;
wherein translation of the solar light beam generates a path on the receiving wall of the second face representing movement of planet Earth around Sol;
wherein daily translation of the solar light beam appears at a different predetermined point along the tracking pattern of the receiving wall at a predetermined time each sequential day;
wherein a plurality of respective ellipses are scaled at a predetermined distance from the central location to represent a respective orbit of a respective planet;
wherein the educational monument system is constructed with a uniform scale;
and,
wherein a user engages the education monument system by traversing within and around the education monument system.

9 more elements

A method of teaching celestial phenomena scale and information, comprising:

a) defining a central wall representing Sol with an aperture for projecting a solar light beam onto a second wall structure aligned with the central wall;
wherein the central wall is scaled to a predetermined scale;
b) defining a first elliptical path around the central structure, scaled to a size and an orbit of Mercury;
c) defining a second structure and a second elliptical path around the central structure scaled to a size and an orbit of Venus;
d) defining a third elliptical path around the central structure scaled to a size and an orbit of Earth;
e) defining a fourth elliptical path around the central structure scaled to a size and an orbit of Mars;
f) defining a fifth elliptical path around the central structure scaled to a size and an orbit of Jupiter;
g) defining a sixth elliptical path around the central structure scaled to a size and an orbit of Saturn;
h) defining a seventh elliptical path around the central structure scaled to a size and an orbit of Uranus;
i) defining an eighth elliptical path around the central structure scaled to a size and an orbit of Neptune;
wherein the central wall demonstrates a scale comparison of a scaled representation and an actual representation;
wherein each elliptical orbit teaches the scale comparison as a user traverses the elliptical orbit, wherein the scaled representation is displayed on one side and the actual representation is displayed on the other side of the elliptical orbit;
wherein the scale of each respective structure corresponds to the scaled representation of the elliptical orbits and the central wall;
and,
wherein the second structure has a reflectivity below 0.18 on an Albedos Scale;
thereby teaching the corresponding scale as the user traverses a scaled distance between each respective elliptical orbit.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.