GB2590109A

GB2590109A - A watch assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2590109A
Application number: GB2013596.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Elliot Ian; Alexander Lawson Brown John
Original assignee: Elliot Brown Ltd
Current assignee: Elliot Brown Ltd
Priority date: 2020-08-28
Filing date: 2020-08-28
Publication date: 2021-06-23
Anticipated expiration: 2040-08-28
Also published as: GB2590109B; GB202013596D0

Abstract

A watch assembly 2 for a wristwatch 1 is provided. The watch assembly 2 comprises: a watch display 4 providing a first display 6 comprising at least a first time scale 8; a watch movement 12 located adjacent the watch display 4; a first watch hand 14 in communication with the watch movement 12 to indicate a time or period of time in hours; a second watch hand 16 in communication with the watch movement 12 to indicate a time or period of time in minutes; and a third watch hand 18 in communication with the watch movement 12 to indicate a time or period of time in seconds. The watch assembly further comprises a fourth watch hand 20 in communication with the watch movement 12 to indicate a time or period of time in a 24-hour format. The watch assembly 2 further comprises a first rotatable bezel 22 extending around the periphery of and rotatable relative to the watch display 4. The first rotatable bezel 22 provides a first marker 24 and a second display 26; and a second rotatable bezel (28, Figure 1B) extending around the periphery of the first rotatable bezel 22. The second rotatable bezel is independently rotatable relative to the first rotatable bezel 22 and the watch display 4; and the second rotatable bezel provides a second marker (30, Figure 1B) and a third display (32, Figure 1B).

Description

A WATCH ASSEMBLY

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a watch assembly and in particular to a watch assembly for a wristwatch. The present invention relates to a watch assembly capable of simultaneously displaying the current time and/or the time in a second time zone plus the elapsed and/or remaining times for events in the past and/or in the future without requiring a chronograph or stopwatch function.

Background of the Invention

It is important to be able to accurately identify and monitor time periods before events and/or after events take place. This commonly requires the use of a chronograph or stopwatch function on a watch. There are however limitations to conventional chronographs and stopwatches.

There is a need for a versatile watch which can be manually adjusted by the user to count up to and/or count down from one or more, preferably a plurality of events both past and future, whilst also providing a clear indication of the current time Existing watches only count down or display elapsed times; not both.

The present invention addresses these needs. Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a watch assembly comprising: a watch display providing a first display comprising at least a first time scale; a watch movement located adjacent the watch display; a first watch hand in communication with the watch movement and rotatable by the watch movement relative to the watch display to indicate a time or period of time in hours; a second watch hand in communication with the watch movement and rotatable by the watch movement relative to the watch display to indicate a time or period of time in minutes; a third watch hand in communication with the watch movement and rotatable by the watch movement relative to the watch display to indicate a time or period of time in seconds; a fourth watch hand in communication with the watch movement and rotatable by the watch movement relative to the watch display to indicate a time or period of time in a 24-hour format; a first rotatable bezel located adjacent to and extending around the periphery of and rotatable relative to the watch display, in which the first rotatable bezel provides a first marker and a second display; and a second rotatable bezel located adjacent to and extending around the periphery of the first rotatable bezel, and in which the second rotatable bezel is independently rotatable relative to the first rotatable bezel and the watch display, in which the second rotatable bezel provides a second marker and a third display.

The watch assembly of the present invention provides a versatile watch assembly which can be used to simultaneously display the elapsed and/or remaining time for one or more events in the past and/or future, whilst concurrently providing a clear display of the current time in one or two time zones. The watch assembly of the present invention enables the user to independently rotate either one or both of the first and/or second rotatable bezels independently in order to adjust the watch assembly to present the required displays.

The watch assembly may be for any suitable watch or clock, for example a wristwatch.

In one embodiment, the first display comprises a first time scale in a 12-hour format and a second time scale in a 24-hour format. The first time scale is preferably located at or adjacent the periphery of the first display. The second time scale is preferably located adjacent the centre of the first display. It is however to be understood that in some embodiments, the first time scale may be located adjacent the centre of the first display and the second time scale may be located at or adjacent the periphery of the first display.

In one embodiment, one of the second display or third display comprises a time scale indicative of a time or period of time measured in minutes. Preferably, one of the second display or third display comprises a time scale in a 60-minute format.

Preferably, one of the second display or third display comprises a time scale, in for example a 60-minute format, in which the time scale is a descending scale in a clockwise direction. In one embodiment, the second display comprises a time scale indicative of a time or period of time measured in minutes.

In one embodiment, one of the second display or third display comprises a time scale indicative of a time or period of time measured in hours. Preferably, one of the second or third display comprises a time scale, preferably measured in hours, comprising a first time scale portion with an ascending scale of time measurements, and a second time scale portion with a descending scale of time measurements.

Preferably, the first time scale portion and second time scale portion are configured to provide a continuous time scale. In one embodiment, the third display comprises a time scale indicative of a time or period of time measured in hours.

In one embodiment, the position of the fourth watch hand relative to the watch display and/or first display may be adjustable independently from the first, second and/or third watch hands. The position of the fourth watch hand relative to the watch display or first display may for example be adjusted to be set to local time, or to a second time zone, independently from the first, second or third watch hands.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wristwatch comprising a watch assembly as herein described.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a watch assembly as herein described, the method comprising: obtaining a watch display providing a first display comprising at least a first time scale; obtaining a watch movement and positioning the watch movement adjacent the watch display; obtaining a first watch hand and placing the first watch hand in communication with the watch movement such that the first watch hand is rotatable by the watch movement relative to the watch display to indicate a time or period of time in hours; obtaining a second watch hand and placing the second watch hand in communication with the watch movement such that the second watch hand is rotatable by the watch movement relative to the watch display to indicate a time or period of time in minutes; obtaining a third watch hand and placing the third watch hand in communication with the watch movement such that the third watch hand is rotatable by the watch movement relative to the watch display to indicate a time or period of time in seconds; obtaining a fourth watch hand and placing the fourth watch hand in communication with the watch movement such that the fourth watch hand is rotatable by the watch movement relative to the watch display to indicate a time or period of time in a 24-hour format; obtaining a first rotatable bezel providing a first marker and a second display, and rotatably mounting the first rotatable bezel adjacent to and extending around the periphery of the watch display, in which the first rotatable bezel is rotatable relative to the watch display; and obtaining a second rotatable bezel providing a second marker and a third display, and rotatably mounting the second rotatable bezel adjacent to and extending around the periphery of the first rotatable bezel, in which the second rotatable bezel is independently rotatable relative to the first rotatable bezel and the watch display.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following Figures:

Brief Description of Figures

Figures 1A and 1B are schematic illustrations of views from above of a wristwatch comprising a watch assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which the watch assembly is configured to count down to an event less than 12 hours in the future whilst simultaneously counting down to a separate event less than 60 minutes in the future, as well as displaying the current time in one or two time zones; Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a view from above of the wristwatch of Figure 1 in which the watch assembly is configured to count up for a period of up to 24 hours from an event starting immediately, as well as displaying the current time in one or two time zones; Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a view from above of the wristwatch of Figure 1 in which the watch assembly is configured to count down to an event less than 60 seconds in the future, as well as displaying the current time in one or two time zones; Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a view from above of the wristwatch of Figure 1 in which the watch assembly is configured to count down to an event less than 60 minutes in the future, as well as displaying the current time in one or two time zones; Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a view from above of the wristwatch of Figure 1 in which the watch assembly is configured to count down to an event less than 12 hours in the future, and as well as displaying the current time in one or two time zones; Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of a view from above of the wristwatch of Figure 1 in which the watch assembly is configured to count up for a period of up to 12 hours from an event starting immediately, as well as displaying the current time in one or two time zones; and Figure 7 shows an example of a wristwatch showing a 24-hour hand dotted at start time and at 8 on the count down side of the inner bezel.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention With reference to the Figures, the wristwatch 1 comprises a watch assembly 2 having a watch display 4 providing a first display 6 comprising a first time scale 8 and a second time scale 10.

The first time scale 8 provides an indication of time in the form of a 12-hour format. The first time scale 8 is adjacent to and extends substantially around the periphery of the first display 6. The first time scale 8 provides a continuous scale.

The second time scale 10 provides an indication of time in the form of a 24-hour format. The second time scale 10 is located and extends around the centre of the first display 6. The second time scale 10 provides a continuous scale. This can indicate local time in 24hr format or the approximate time in a second time zone.

The watch assembly 2 further comprises a watch movement 12 located adjacent the watch display 4.

The watch assembly 2 further comprises a first watch hand 14 in communication with the watch movement 12. The first watch hand 14 is rotatable by the watch movement 12 relative to the watch display 4 to indicate a time or period of time in hours. For example, the user may be able to read the time On hours) by identifying the location of the first watch hand 14 relative to the first time scale 8.

The watch assembly 2 further comprises a second watch hand 16 in communication with the watch movement 12. The second watch hand 16 is rotatable by the watch movement relative to the watch display 4 to indicate a time or period of time in minutes. The user may be able to read the time (in minutes) by identifying the location of the second watch hand 14 relative to the first time scale 8.

The watch assembly 2 further comprises a third watch hand 18 in communication with the watch movement 12. The third watch hand 18 is rotatable by the watch movement 12 relative to the watch display 4 to indicate a time or period of time in seconds.

The watch assembly 2 further comprises a fourth watch hand 20 in communication with the watch movement 12. The fourth watch hand 20 is rotatable by the watch movement 12 relative to the watch display 4 to indicate a time or period of time in a 24-hour format. For example, the user may be able to read the time or period of time by identifying the location of the fourth watch hand 20 relative to the second time scale 10.

The watch assembly 2 further comprises a first rotatable bezel 22 located adjacent to and extending around the periphery of and rotatable relative to the watch display 4. The first rotatable bezel 22 provides a first marker 24 in the form of a "H" mark and a second display 26. The second display 26 provides a time scale in the form of a first time scale portion 26a which ascends (in hours) from 0 to 12, and a second time scale portion 26b which descends On hours) from 12 to 0. The time scale is continuous between the first and second time scale portions 26a, 26b.

As illustrated in Fig 1B, the watch assembly 2 further comprises a second rotatable bezel 28 located adjacent to and extending around the periphery of the first rotatable bezel 22. The second rotatable bezel 28 is independently rotatable relative to the first rotatable bezel 22 and the watch display 4. The second rotatable bezel 28 provides a second marker 30 in the form of a triangle and a third display 32.

With reference to Figures 1A and 1B, the wristwatch may be configured to enable the user to count down to a first event less than or equal to 12 hours in the future, whilst also simultaneously counting down to a separate event less than 60 minutes in the future.

For this arrangement, the user rotates the first rotatable bezel 22 such that the marker "H" 24 is aligned with the start time of the first event using the second time scale (24 hour format) 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the start time for the first event is midnight. The user may then be able to read the number of hours left until the start of the first event by identifying the location of the fourth watch hand 20 relative to the second display 26, and in particular relative to the second time scale portion 26b. In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 1A, the time left until the start of the first event as indicated by the position of the fourth watch hand 20B relative to second time scale portion 26b is approximately 9 hours.

The user can rotate the second rotatable bezel 28 such that the triangle marker 30 on the third display 32 is aligned with the start time of the second event using the first time scale 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the start time in minutes for the second event is "0" minutes on the first time scale 8. It can be seen that the third display 32, providing a time scale for 60 minutes or seconds, descends from 60 to 0 in a clockwise direction. The user may read the number of minutes left until the start of the second event by identifying the location of the second watch hand 16 relative to the third display 32 on the second rotatable bevel 28. In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 1B, the time left until the start of the second event as indicated by the second watch hand 16 is 51 minutes.

The watch assembly 1 of the present invention is versatile and can be used to count up to or count down from a plurality of events, over time periods of seconds, minutes or hours, simultaneously or independently. Figures 2 to 6 are illustrations of other configurations of the watch assembly and will each be described in detail in turn.

In Figure 2, the wristwatch is configured to count up to an event starting within the next 24 hour period starting immediately. The user sets the fourth watch hand 20 (the "24 hour hand") to a point vertically upwards (that is pointing to midnight or "12" on the first time scale 8). As time passes, the fourth watch hand 20 moves in a clockwise direction relative to the watch display 4. The user can identify the time period elapsed by noting the position of the fourth watch hand 20 relative to the second time scale 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the fourth watch hand 20 has a first end 20a located adjacent the centre of the watch display 4 and a free end 20b.

The fourth watch hand 20 extends across the first and second time scales 8, 10. The fourth watch hand 20 comprises a pair of spaced apart pointers 21a, 21b. The first pointer 21a is located between the first and second ends 20a, 20b and towards the central region of the hand 20. The second pointer 21b is located at the free end 20b of the hand 20. The first pointer 21a is located to be positioned adjacent the second time scale 10. The first pointer 21a therefore aids the user in reading the position of the fourth watch hand 20 relative to the second time scale 10.

In Figure 3, the wristwatch 1 is configured to count down to an event less than 60 seconds in the future. The user rotates the second rotatable bezel 28 to align the triangle marker 30 to the second at which the event starts (in the illustrated embodiment, this is at "0" seconds). The user may be able to read the number of seconds remaining from the watch assembly 2 by the position of the third watch hand 18 relative to the third display 32. It can be seen in Figure 3 that the third display 32, providing markers for a 60 second or minute period, descends from 60 to 0 in the clockwise direction. It can be seen in Figure 3 that there are 26 seconds until the start of the event.

In Figure 4, the wristwatch 1 is configured to count down to an event less than 60 minutes in the future. The user rotates the second rotatable bezel 28 to align the triangle marker 30 to the minute at which the event starts (in the illustrated embodiment, this is at "0" minutes). The user may be able to read the number of minutes remaining from the watch assembly 2 by the position of the second watch hand 16 relative to the third display 28. It can be seen in Figure 4 that the third display 28, providing markers for a 60 second or minute period, descends from 60 to 0 in the clockwise direction It can be seen from Figure 4 that there are 51 minutes until the start of the event.

In Figure 5, the wristwatch is configured to count down to an event up to 12 hours in the future. For this arrangement, the user rotates the first rotatable bezel 22 such that the marker "H" 24 is aligned with the start time of the first event using the second time scale (24 hour format) 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the start time for the first event is midnight. The user may then be able to read the number of hours left until the start of the first event by identifying the location of the fourth watch hand 20 relative to the second display 26, and in particular relative to the second time scale portion 26b. In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 5, the time left until the start of the first event as indicated by the position of the fourth watch hand 20 relative to second time scale portion 26b is approximately 9 hours.

It is to be understood that the fourth watch hand may be set to a local time, or to a second time zone independent of the first, second or third watch hands.

In Figure 6, the wristwatch is configured to count up to 12 hours from an event starting immediately. For this arrangement, the user rotates the first rotatable bezel 22 such that the marker "H" 30 is aligned with the current time as indicated by the fourth watch hand 20. As time passes, the number of hours since the event began can be read directly from the position of the fourth watch hand 20 relative to the second display 26, in particular relative to the ascending second display portion 26a.

Referring to Figure 7, there is shown an example of a wristwatch showing a 24-hour hand dotted at start time and at 8 on a count down side of the inner bezel.

Referring again to Figure 6 and assuming there were 8 hours still to elapse (or count down until commencement of a mission); the inner bezel is rotated such that the number figure 8, on the count down side of the inner bezel, is positioned adjacent to the 24 hour hand 20. The 24 hour hand 20 is then used as a datum to count from around the bezel, thereby indicating the need to 'count down' 8 hours until commencement time (H) shown as 30. The 24 hour hand 20 and bezel are then used to 'count up' to time the mission, using the ascending side of the inner bezel for up to 12 hours. The 12 hour, minute and seconds hands can also be used for progressively shorter timing duties, counting down to and counting up from mission start H (30). Figure 7 illustrates how to set the inner bezel at a pre-determined time, for example in advance of an event or start hour 'H'; and then how it is possible to count 'up in time' once the event has commenced.

The invention has been described by way of example only and variation may be made to the aforementioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A watch assembly comprising a watch display providing a first display comprising at least a first time scale; a watch movement located adjacent the watch display; a first watch hand in communication with the watch movement and rotatable by the watch movement relative to the watch display to indicate a time or period of time in hours; a second watch hand in communication with the watch movement and rotatable by the watch movement relative to the watch display to indicate a time or period of time in minutes; a third watch hand in communication with the watch movement and rotatable by the watch movement relative to the watch display to indicate a time or period of time in seconds; fourth watch hand in communication with the watch movement and rotatable by the watch movement relative to the watch display to indicate a time or period of time in a 24-hour format; a first rotatable bezel located adjacent to and extending around the periphery of and rotatable relative to the watch display, in which the first rotatable bezel provides a first marker and a second display; and a second rotatable bezel located adjacent to and extending around the periphery of the first rotatable bezel, and in which the second rotatable bezel is independently rotatable relative to the first rotatable bezel and the watch display, in which the second rotatable bezel provides a second marker and a third display.
2. A watch assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the first display comprises a first time scale in a 12-hour format and a second time scale in a 24-hour format.
3. A watch assembly as claimed in claim 2, in which the first time scale is located at or adjacent the periphery of the first display, and in which the second time scale is located adjacent the centre of the first display.
4. A watch assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which one of the second display or third display comprises a time scale indicative of a time or period of time measured in minutes.
5. A watch assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, in which one of the second display or third display comprises a time scale indicative of a time or period of time measured in hours.
6. A watch assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, in which one of the second display or third display comprises a time scale indicative of a time or period of time measured in seconds.
7. A watch assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the fourth watch hand is adjustable relative to the watch display and/or first display independently from the first, second and/or third watch hands.
8. A wristwatch comprising a watch assembly as claimed in any preceding claim.
9. A method for manufacturing a watch assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, the method comprising: obtaining a watch display providing a first display comprising at least a first time scale; obtaining a watch movement and positioning the watch movement adjacent the watch display; obtaining a first watch hand and placing the first watch hand in communication with the watch movement such that the first watch hand is rotatable by the watch movement relative to the watch display to indicate a time or period of time in hours; obtaining a second watch hand and placing the second watch hand in communication with the watch movement such that the second watch hand is rotatable by the watch movement relative to the watch display to indicate a time or period of time in minutes; obtaining a third watch hand and placing the third watch hand in communication with the watch movement such that the third watch hand is rotatable by the watch movement relative to the watch display to indicate a time or period of time in seconds; obtaining a fourth watch hand and placing the fourth watch hand in communication with the watch movement such that the fourth watch hand is rotatable by the watch movement relative to the watch display to indicate a time or period of time in a 24-hour format; obtaining a first rotatable bezel providing a first marker and a second display, and rotatably mounting the first rotatable bezel adjacent to and extending around the periphery of the watch display, in which the first rotatable bezel is rotatable relative to the watch display; and obtaining a second rotatable bezel providing a second marker and a third display, and rotatably mounting the second rotatable bezel adjacent to and extending around the periphery of the first rotatable bezel, in which the second rotatable bezel is independently rotatable relative to the first rotatable bezel and the watch display.