CA2100129A1 - World time indicator and clock face - Google Patents
World time indicator and clock faceInfo
- Publication number
- CA2100129A1 CA2100129A1 CA002100129A CA2100129A CA2100129A1 CA 2100129 A1 CA2100129 A1 CA 2100129A1 CA 002100129 A CA002100129 A CA 002100129A CA 2100129 A CA2100129 A CA 2100129A CA 2100129 A1 CA2100129 A1 CA 2100129A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- time
- indicia
- hour
- clock
- world
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
- G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
- G04B19/22—Arrangements for indicating different local apparent times; Universal time pieces
- G04B19/223—Arrangements for indicating different local apparent times; Universal time pieces with rotary disc, rotary bezel, or rotary dial
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electric Clocks (AREA)
Abstract
A time indicator system, particularly a clock and graphic device for indicating the contemporaneous local time in time zones around the world. This invention provides an improved means for indicating the correlation between local world time zones and the actual local time.
Description
Title: WORLD TIME INDICATOR AND CLOCR FACE
Field of the Invention This invention relates to time indicator systems, and particularly clock and graphic devices for 05 indicating the contemporaneous local time in time zones around the world. More particularly, this invention provides an improved means for indicating the ' correlation between local world time zones and the actual local time.
.
~ 10 Backaround to the Invention This invention is directed to an improvement to the invention described in U.S. patent 5,054,008 the contents of which are adopted herein by reference.
Another relevant prior art reference is U.S. patent 4,502,789 to Heath.
The first prior referenced patent describes a modified south polar projection map of the world which is rotatable within a surrounding 24 hour clock scale which is printed on a surrounding frame. The individual time zones of the world are colour-coded on the geographical portion of the map. Colour is limited to . land masses for simplification. Around the outer border of the map itself, the circumference is divided into ~ :
:t
Field of the Invention This invention relates to time indicator systems, and particularly clock and graphic devices for 05 indicating the contemporaneous local time in time zones around the world. More particularly, this invention provides an improved means for indicating the ' correlation between local world time zones and the actual local time.
.
~ 10 Backaround to the Invention This invention is directed to an improvement to the invention described in U.S. patent 5,054,008 the contents of which are adopted herein by reference.
Another relevant prior art reference is U.S. patent 4,502,789 to Heath.
The first prior referenced patent describes a modified south polar projection map of the world which is rotatable within a surrounding 24 hour clock scale which is printed on a surrounding frame. The individual time zones of the world are colour-coded on the geographical portion of the map. Colour is limited to . land masses for simplification. Around the outer border of the map itself, the circumference is divided into ~ :
:t
2~00129 twenty-four annular segments or bands that are colour-coded with adjacently distinguishable colours that correspond with the geographic coloured territories.
This earlier time indicator operates by aligning 05 an annular coloured band for an appropriate geographic ' region with the local time for that region, as indicated Z by the 24 hour clock scale.
A deficiency in that process arises because the , act of alignment of the coloured band (constituting a '! 10 1/24th portion of the circle) with an hour on the outertime scale produces an uncertainty in positioning the world map. This is because the coloured band has a distinct width which is equivalent to 15 degrees of a circle, and the user may choose to place any portion of this band adjacent the hour indicator on the outer time scale. Alternately, knowing that the actual time is part way through an hour, say for example at 1330 hours, the user may position a portion of the coloured band opposite a point on the time scale that is intermediate the hour marks on the time scale, e.g. around 1330 hours. However, since the coloured band has a distinct width, there is still some uncertainty as to which portion of the band should be aligned with the correct time.
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This invention corrects this ambiguity. It also facilitates use of such a time presentation on a clock that lacks an hour hand.
The invention in its general form will first be ` 05 described, and then its implementation in terms of !
~ specific embodiments will be detailed with reference to i~ the drawings following hereafter. These embodiments are 3j intended to demonstrate the principle of the invention, and the manner of its implementation. The invention in its broadest and more specific forms will then be further
This earlier time indicator operates by aligning 05 an annular coloured band for an appropriate geographic ' region with the local time for that region, as indicated Z by the 24 hour clock scale.
A deficiency in that process arises because the , act of alignment of the coloured band (constituting a '! 10 1/24th portion of the circle) with an hour on the outertime scale produces an uncertainty in positioning the world map. This is because the coloured band has a distinct width which is equivalent to 15 degrees of a circle, and the user may choose to place any portion of this band adjacent the hour indicator on the outer time scale. Alternately, knowing that the actual time is part way through an hour, say for example at 1330 hours, the user may position a portion of the coloured band opposite a point on the time scale that is intermediate the hour marks on the time scale, e.g. around 1330 hours. However, since the coloured band has a distinct width, there is still some uncertainty as to which portion of the band should be aligned with the correct time.
., , ., -, . ., , , ~ , ............................. .
. '.'~ .' i ' i~ ' . ~' ' ' ~.`.~.
This invention corrects this ambiguity. It also facilitates use of such a time presentation on a clock that lacks an hour hand.
The invention in its general form will first be ` 05 described, and then its implementation in terms of !
~ specific embodiments will be detailed with reference to i~ the drawings following hereafter. These embodiments are 3j intended to demonstrate the principle of the invention, and the manner of its implementation. The invention in its broadest and more specific forms will then be further
3 described, and defined, in each of the individual claims which conclude this Specification.
Summary of the Invention The invention is based upon rotatably mounting a circular, south polar map projection of the world within an encircling 24 hour clock scale, the geographic time zones of the world being colour-coded with adjacently distinguishable colours, the circular map projection being provided around its outer circumference with a series of 24 indicia, each indicia having:
3 (1) a coloured region that corresponds in colour with an associated time zone; and (2) an outwardly pointing indicator portion that is spaced from adjacent indicia by 15 degrees of the circumference; each indicator portion being .
2~ 0~129 positioned within the limits of the coloured region with which it is associated;
whereby a user may align the indicia with the precise local time for a geographic region on the map and 05 thereby establish the precise local time around the world for other geographic regions on the map.
A preferred form for this indicia is that approximating a triangle having its apex as its pointing indicator portion. Other possible forms include wedge-shapes having curved outer edges, so long as thepointing indicator portion is positioned within the limits of the coloured region, and all such pointing ¦ indicator portions are spaced 15 degrees from each other around the circumference of the map.
The foregoing summarizes the principal features of the invention and some of its optional aspects. The invention may be further understood by the description of the preferred embodiments, in conjunction with the drawings, which now follow.
: ~
Summary of the Fiaures Figure 1 is a plan view of the map of the invention rotatably overlaid upon a 24 hour time scale.
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 1 showing the detail of an indicia overlying a portion of the 24 hour clock scale.
: .. : . :: . , . - .. . .
'~ 1 2 9 Figure 3 is a side view of a clock mechanism carrying the time zone system of the invention.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment In Figure 1 a world map 1 is printed on a 05 rotatable disk 2 positioned above a background surface 3 ¦ carrying a 24 hour clock scale 4. If composed of ,~ cardboard, a rivet 5 may permit rotation of the map.
Alternately~ the disk 2 can be coupled to the hour shaft 18 of a 24 hour clock mechanism 6 and the 24 hour clock scale may be placed on the face 7 of the clock mechanism 6.
~ The map is preferably a modified south polar ¦ projection wherein the continental shapes 8 of the southern hemisphere are compressed to provide for a greater visibility for the continental shapes 9 of the northern hemisphere.
Within each continent various geographic time zones are colour coded as taught by the prior art. At the circumference of the disk 2 are carried a series of 24 indicia 10.
The indicia 10 are preferably substantially '#, triangular in shape, each spanning a 15 degree portion of the circumference. The apex 11 of each triangle is shown as being located at the clockwise extremity of each 15 degree portion. This is optional, and the appex - 6 _ 21~0~23 11 could be positioned elsewhere across the indicia, so long as all such apex 11 are evenly spaced, i.e. at 15 degree intervals. To the left of the apex 11 of the preferred form of triangles, as depicted extends the 05 coloured portion of the triangular indicia 10 to which it corresponds.
As shown in Figure 3, the apex 11, which serves as a pointing indicator is aligned to the true local time, e.g. 1330 hours for a specific geographic region.
This time corresponds to a position that is intermediate the time marker 12 for the present hour, e.g. 1 pm (or 1300 hours), and the time marker 13, e.g. 2 pm (or 1400 hours) for the next hour to come. The spacing between these markers 12, 13 may be divided by submarkers 14, as to indicate quarter hours. For a large device, finer gradings of submarkers 14 may be employed.
¦ Once the correct time is set for one of the 24 3 indicia, all remaining indicia will also give the correct local time.
The invention may be used in a cardboard form wherein a user manually sets the time.
Alternately, it may be utilized in association with a mechanical clock 16. In this latter case, a clock mechanism is used to rotate the disk 2 by mounting the disk 2 on the hour shaft 18 of the clock mechanism.
, , ", : . : . . :. - :
s~
--` 2100129 No hour hand need be employed as the pointer portion each of the indicia 10 serves as an hour hand for each local region.
A minute hand or second hand (not shown) may be 05 optionally provided. However, subdivisions of an hour can be read from the position of the pointer portion of each indicia 10 against the submarkers 14.
! ConclusiOn The foregoing has constituted a description of specific embodiments showing how the invention may be applied and put into use. These embodiments are only exemplary. The invention in its broadest, and more specific aspects, is further described and defined in the claims which now follow.
These claims, and the language used therein, are to be understood in terms of the variants of the invention which have been described. They are not to be restricted to such variants, but are to be read as covering the full scope of the invention as is implicit within the invention and the disclosure that has been ~I provided herein.
,, .
.~
Summary of the Invention The invention is based upon rotatably mounting a circular, south polar map projection of the world within an encircling 24 hour clock scale, the geographic time zones of the world being colour-coded with adjacently distinguishable colours, the circular map projection being provided around its outer circumference with a series of 24 indicia, each indicia having:
3 (1) a coloured region that corresponds in colour with an associated time zone; and (2) an outwardly pointing indicator portion that is spaced from adjacent indicia by 15 degrees of the circumference; each indicator portion being .
2~ 0~129 positioned within the limits of the coloured region with which it is associated;
whereby a user may align the indicia with the precise local time for a geographic region on the map and 05 thereby establish the precise local time around the world for other geographic regions on the map.
A preferred form for this indicia is that approximating a triangle having its apex as its pointing indicator portion. Other possible forms include wedge-shapes having curved outer edges, so long as thepointing indicator portion is positioned within the limits of the coloured region, and all such pointing ¦ indicator portions are spaced 15 degrees from each other around the circumference of the map.
The foregoing summarizes the principal features of the invention and some of its optional aspects. The invention may be further understood by the description of the preferred embodiments, in conjunction with the drawings, which now follow.
: ~
Summary of the Fiaures Figure 1 is a plan view of the map of the invention rotatably overlaid upon a 24 hour time scale.
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 1 showing the detail of an indicia overlying a portion of the 24 hour clock scale.
: .. : . :: . , . - .. . .
'~ 1 2 9 Figure 3 is a side view of a clock mechanism carrying the time zone system of the invention.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment In Figure 1 a world map 1 is printed on a 05 rotatable disk 2 positioned above a background surface 3 ¦ carrying a 24 hour clock scale 4. If composed of ,~ cardboard, a rivet 5 may permit rotation of the map.
Alternately~ the disk 2 can be coupled to the hour shaft 18 of a 24 hour clock mechanism 6 and the 24 hour clock scale may be placed on the face 7 of the clock mechanism 6.
~ The map is preferably a modified south polar ¦ projection wherein the continental shapes 8 of the southern hemisphere are compressed to provide for a greater visibility for the continental shapes 9 of the northern hemisphere.
Within each continent various geographic time zones are colour coded as taught by the prior art. At the circumference of the disk 2 are carried a series of 24 indicia 10.
The indicia 10 are preferably substantially '#, triangular in shape, each spanning a 15 degree portion of the circumference. The apex 11 of each triangle is shown as being located at the clockwise extremity of each 15 degree portion. This is optional, and the appex - 6 _ 21~0~23 11 could be positioned elsewhere across the indicia, so long as all such apex 11 are evenly spaced, i.e. at 15 degree intervals. To the left of the apex 11 of the preferred form of triangles, as depicted extends the 05 coloured portion of the triangular indicia 10 to which it corresponds.
As shown in Figure 3, the apex 11, which serves as a pointing indicator is aligned to the true local time, e.g. 1330 hours for a specific geographic region.
This time corresponds to a position that is intermediate the time marker 12 for the present hour, e.g. 1 pm (or 1300 hours), and the time marker 13, e.g. 2 pm (or 1400 hours) for the next hour to come. The spacing between these markers 12, 13 may be divided by submarkers 14, as to indicate quarter hours. For a large device, finer gradings of submarkers 14 may be employed.
¦ Once the correct time is set for one of the 24 3 indicia, all remaining indicia will also give the correct local time.
The invention may be used in a cardboard form wherein a user manually sets the time.
Alternately, it may be utilized in association with a mechanical clock 16. In this latter case, a clock mechanism is used to rotate the disk 2 by mounting the disk 2 on the hour shaft 18 of the clock mechanism.
, , ", : . : . . :. - :
s~
--` 2100129 No hour hand need be employed as the pointer portion each of the indicia 10 serves as an hour hand for each local region.
A minute hand or second hand (not shown) may be 05 optionally provided. However, subdivisions of an hour can be read from the position of the pointer portion of each indicia 10 against the submarkers 14.
! ConclusiOn The foregoing has constituted a description of specific embodiments showing how the invention may be applied and put into use. These embodiments are only exemplary. The invention in its broadest, and more specific aspects, is further described and defined in the claims which now follow.
These claims, and the language used therein, are to be understood in terms of the variants of the invention which have been described. They are not to be restricted to such variants, but are to be read as covering the full scope of the invention as is implicit within the invention and the disclosure that has been ~I provided herein.
,, .
.~
Claims (4)
PROPERTY IS CLAIMED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A time indicator comprising a circular, south-polar map projection of the world, rotatably mounted over an encircling 24 hour clock scale, the geographic time zones of the land masses of the world being colour-coded with adjacently distinguishable colours, the circular map projection being provided around its outer circumference with a series of 24 indicia, each indicia having:
(1) a coloured region that corresponds in colour with an associated time zone; and (2) an outwardly pointing indicator portion that is spaced from adjacent indicia by 15 degrees of the circumference and is positioned within the limits of the coloured region with which it is associated;
whereby a user may align the indicia with the precise local time for a geographic region on the map and thereby establish the precise local time around the world for other geographic regions on the map.
(1) a coloured region that corresponds in colour with an associated time zone; and (2) an outwardly pointing indicator portion that is spaced from adjacent indicia by 15 degrees of the circumference and is positioned within the limits of the coloured region with which it is associated;
whereby a user may align the indicia with the precise local time for a geographic region on the map and thereby establish the precise local time around the world for other geographic regions on the map.
2. A time indicator as in Claim 1 where the indicia are in the approximate form of a triangle having its apex as its pointing indicator portion.
3. A time indicator as in Claim 2 wherein the apex of the triangle is positioned at the clockwise limit of the coloured region with which it is associated
4. The time indicator of Claim 1 drive shaft and an hour having a face with a 24 hour clock in combination wherein the clock scale is mounted on the clock face, and the circular map projection is mounted on a disc carried by the hour drive shaft of the clock.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002100129A CA2100129A1 (en) | 1993-07-08 | 1993-07-08 | World time indicator and clock face |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002100129A CA2100129A1 (en) | 1993-07-08 | 1993-07-08 | World time indicator and clock face |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2100129A1 true CA2100129A1 (en) | 1995-01-09 |
Family
ID=4151905
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002100129A Abandoned CA2100129A1 (en) | 1993-07-08 | 1993-07-08 | World time indicator and clock face |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2100129A1 (en) |
-
1993
- 1993-07-08 CA CA002100129A patent/CA2100129A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |