CH707275A2 - Wristwatch or pocket watch for indicating astral information. - Google Patents

Abstract

The wristwatch or pocket watch comprises a planispheric astrolabe intended to indicate astral information, the planispherical astrolabe comprising the following components centered around an axis (9), namely, a hollow stationary disk called mother (1), surrounded by a so-called limb-shaped annular portion (2) bearing graduations on its periphery, a piece of substantially circular shape called tympanum (3) standing stationary in said mother (1) on its upper part, surrounded by said limb (2), said tympanum (3) bearing a representation of the azimuthal coordinates of the sky, a substantially circular and perforated piece known as the spider (4), rotatably mounted about the axis (9) of said mother (1), and positioning on the mother (1) on its upper part, said spider having a representation of certain stars and the race of the sun along the zodiac, indicated by an eccentric circle, a piece sup Longitudinally referred to as the ostensor (5), pivotally mounted by its center in rotation about the axis (9), and a long piece called the alidade (6), pivotally mounted by its center in rotation about the axis (9), positioned on the rear part of the mother (1). These components are arranged to indicate the astral information by the rotation of the alidade (6), targeting a star, by the rotation of the spider (4) on the eardrum (3) and by the positioning of the ostensor (5) on the spider (4), characterized in that the planispherical astrolabe is integrated in a case of the wristwatch or pocket watch and that said ostensor (5) is arranged to be rotated around the axis (9) by the actuation of a first control member of the case of the wristwatch or pocket watch, and said spider (4) is arranged to be driven by the actuation of a second body control member of the wristwatch or pocket watch.

Description

The present invention relates to a wristwatch or pocket watch for indicating astral information.

It is already known from the state of the art of watches intended to indicate astral information. We can list among the astral information, in a non-exhaustive way, determining the time of day and night, determining the time of sunrise and sunset, measuring inaccessible distances, orienting oneself according to the position of the sun, determine a date, or determine the astrological ascendancy. CH658763 describes a watch intended for the display of several astronomical quantities, in particular the indication of the local time or the signs of the zodiac. The disadvantage of such a timepiece is that it requires a movement of great complexity.

[0003] An astrolabe is a mechanical tool that can be used to perform calculations relating to the positions of the sun, stars and other objects in the sky. In particular, it is useful for determining the local time from the positions of celestial objects. The principles of the astrolabe were known in 150 BC (see Hipparchus, Greek astronomer). The text of Ptolemy "Planisphaerium" can be connected to a kind of astrolabe. The first description of the construction and use of the instrument (see Joh Philoponos) occurs in the 6th century AD. The oldest existing astrolabes date back to the 10th century and were produced by Persian astronomers. In the Middle Ages, the instrument was much developed by Muslim scientists (see AI-Sarraj astrolabe) and reached Latin Europe in the 11th century by Spain (see Gothic astrolabe). The classic planispheric astrolabe consists of a round disk, called a matrix, with a rim (limb), divided in twenty-four hours, and a suspension (throne / armilla). Within the matrix (mater) are several disks (tympanum) with horizontal coordinates in the stereographic projection for different geographical latitudes. Above these discs, a celestial card (spider), a stereographic projection with stellar pointers and the eccentric ring of the ecliptic turn. The backside of the astrolabe (dorsum) shows circular scales of degrees, the calendar and the ecliptic, a square of shadows (for terrestrial measurements), and a pattern of unequal hours. Above the celestial chart turns a ruler (alidade) with diopters for altitude measurements.

[0004] The universal astrolabe (saphea, azarchel) does not need a spider or discs. It is useful for all latitudes, but it lacks the intuitive notion of the planispheric astrolabe. It shows a stereographic projection of the celestial sphere from "side" (that is to say from the vernal point). The poles are at the top and bottom of the instrument, and the rotation of the sphere is imaginative. The astrolabe of Al-Sarraj is a combination of the planispheric instrument (Equinox version) and the universal instrument.

[0005] The most common design of the astrolabe is the planispheric astrolabe. Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional astrolabe. A classic planispheric astrolabe has two main parts, the tympanum 3 and the spider 4. The astrolabe also consists of a bottom (matrix or mater) 1 having a raised circumference (limb) 2 on which is engraved a scale of degrees , and a ladder of hours. At the top of the astrolabe is provided a triangular or kursi-shaped 14 which carries a stirrup 15, which is traversed by a suspension ring 16. The eardrum and the spider face a ruler 5 and are fixed from the rear, on an alidade 6 which can be rotated to perform calculations. The assembly is held by a pin 17 and an axis 9. The eardrum 3 is inscribed with the coordinate system and the spider 4 indicates the positions of certain stars. The spider turns through the eardrum 3, simulating the movement of stars in the sky. The stars and the coordinate system are projected onto the astrolabe using a stereographic projection on a plane parallel to the Earth's equator. This puts the celestial pole in the center, around which the spider turns.

Figs. 8A shows the spider 4 and FIGS. 8B and 8C provide a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of stereographic projection with respect to spider 4, and FIGS. 9A-9C provide a diagram that illustrates the principle of stereographic projection with respect to the tympanum (see Ptomlemy, Planispaerium (1143) for a more detailed description of stereographic projection).

In stereographic projection (FIG 8B-8C), the eye of the observer is designed to be placed on the surface of the celestial sphere at one of the poles P. From this point, the visual rays (represented dotted) go from the eye to the circles on the sphere. These rays intersect the equinox plane WXYZ on which they locate the points necessary for the projection. From the pole P, the visual ray is projected through the two points g and h on the sphere where the ecliptic touches the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn at points G and H. These coincide with points A and F (fig 9A-9C). J is the projection of the pole G on the sphere) of the ecliptic. Fig. 8C shows the configuration obtained when the ecliptic is added to circles projected in FIG. 2C. The actual arrangement of the spider 4 is indicated in FIG. 8A.

As regards the tympanum 3 (FIGS 9A-9C), the eye of the observer is designed to be placed on the surface of the celestial sphere at one of the poles P. From this point, the visual rays (represented in dotted lines) pass from the eye to the circles on the sphere. These rays intersect the equinox plane WXYZ on which they locate the points necessary for the projection. A and B are projections on point a and b of the Tropic of Capricorn; C and D of the equator, and E and F of the Tropic of Cancer. The projection thus formed results in the diagram of FIG. 9B, while the circles as they appear on the tympanum of the astrolabe are shown in fig. 9A. The horizon-zenith coordinate system for a given latitude on the earth is projected in a similar equinoctial way and appears on the tympanum of the astrolabe (See Geoffrey Chaucer, Astrolabe Treaty (1391) for a description of the use of the classical astrolabe See A Turner J., The Time Museum, Vol 1, ISBN 0-912947-02-0 (1985) for a description of the more modern developments of the astrolabe).

Even if the astrolabes are very old, they continue to fascinate and changes or improvements are still relevant as evidenced by the documents US 6 339 885 or US 5 450 674.

The object of the present invention is to provide a wristwatch or pocket watch for indicating astral information.

According to the invention, this object is achieved through a wristwatch or pocket watch comprising a planispherical astrolabe intended to indicate astral information, the planispherical astrolabe comprising the following components centered around an axis, to namely, a hollow stationary disc said mother, surrounded by a so-called limb-shaped annular portion bearing graduations on its periphery, a substantially circular-shaped piece called a tympanum standing stationary in said mother on its upper part, surrounded by said limb, said tympanum bearing a representation of the azimuthal coordinates of the sky, a piece of essentially circular and openwork shape called the spider, mounted in rotation about the axis of said mother, and positioned on said mother on its upper part, said spider comprising a representation of some stars and the sun's course along the zodiac, indicated by a eccentric circle, an elongated upper piece called the ostensor, pivotally mounted by its center in rotation about the axis, and a long piece called the alidade, pivotally mounted by its center in rotation about the axis, positioned on the rear part of said mother. These components are arranged to indicate astral information by the rotation of the alidade, targeting a star, the rotation of the spider on the eardrum and the positioning of the ostensor on the spider. The watch according to the invention is characterized in that the planispherical astrolabe is integrated in a case of the wristwatch or pocket watch and that the said ostensor is arranged to be driven in rotation about the axis by the actuation of a first control member of the case of the wristwatch or pocket watch, and said spider is arranged to be driven by the actuation of a second control member of the case of the wristwatch or pocket watch. The alidade is normally operated manually but could in a variant be actuated by another control member. Said control members may for example be push buttons or knobs.

The characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading several embodiments given solely by way of example, in no way limiting with reference to the schematic figures, in which: <tb> Fig. 1 <SEP> represents a partial exploded view of a pocket watch with its movement, <tb> Fig. 2 <SEP> represents a front view of the mother, <tb> Fig. 3 <SEP> represents a back view of the mother, <tb> Fig. 4 <SEP> represents a front view of the eardrum, <tb> Fig. 5 <SEP> represents a front view of the spider, <tb> Fig. 6 <SEP> represents a front view of a wristwatch according to the invention, <tb> Fig. 7 <SEP> represents an exploded view of a planispheric astrolabe, <tb> Fig. 8A <SEP> represents a spider and figs. 8B and 8C show a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of stereographic projection with respect to the spider, and <tb> Figs. 9A-9C <SEP> provide a diagram that illustrates the principle of stereographic projection with respect to the eardrum.

According to the preferred form of the invention, the wristwatch or pocket watch comprising a planispherical astrolabe intended to indicate astral information, the planispherical astrolabe comprising the following components centered around an axis 9: a hollow stationary disc called mother 1, surrounded by an annular portion called limb 2 bearing graduations on its periphery, a piece of substantially circular shape called eardrum 3 standing stationary in said mother 1 on its upper part, surrounded by said limb 2, said eardrum 3 usually carrying a representation of the azimuthal coordinates of the sky, a piece of substantially circular and perforated form called the spider 4, mounted in rotation about the axis 9 of said mother 1, and positioned on the mother 1 on its upper part, the spider 4 having a representation of certain stars and the running of the sun along the zodiac, indicated by an eccentric circle, a lanky upper part called the ostensor 5, pivotally mounted by its center in rotation about the axis 9, and an elongate piece called the alidade 6, pivotally mounted by its center in rotation about the axis 9, positioned on the rear part of the mother 1.

These components are arranged to indicate the astral information by the rotation of the alidade 6, aiming a star, by the rotation of the spider 4 on the eardrum 3 and by the positioning of the ostensor 5 on the spider 4.

The wristwatch or pocket watch according to the invention is characterized in that the planispherical astrolabe is integrated with a housing 20 of the wristwatch or pocket watch and as we can see in FIG. 6, the limb 2 corresponds to the middle part of the watch. In addition, the ostensor 5 is arranged to be rotated about the axis 9 by the actuation of a first control member, for example a push-button 7 of the housing 20 of the wristwatch or pocket watch , and the spider 4 is arranged to be driven by the actuation of a second control member, for example a push button 8 of the housing 20 of the wristwatch or pocket watch.

In FIG. 2, we can see the mother 1, or matrix, which is in fact the support of the other pieces of the astrolabe. From the front, his limb is graduated, back (Figure 3), the limb 2 is also graduated and the mother 1 can carry among others a calendar, signs of the zodiac or a square of the shadows 11.

The eardrum 3 (FIG 4) is fixed on the front face of the mother 1, it represents the local sky. Indeed, it is the projection on a plane of the half-sphere that an observer observes above his head. The tympanum 3 contains different circles, circles of altitudes, circles of azimuths 13, the horizon, the tropics and the equator. A plurality of tympans 3, stackable or interchangeable, can be integrated into the astrolabe using, in particular, the services of a watchmaker.

The spider 4 (Figure 5) is a perforated piece and movable around the axis of the astrolabe. It represents the sphere of the stars. It has spikes symbolizing the location of certain stars, including the brightest stars.

The alidade 6 has at its ends at least two lugs 10 perpendicular to the alidade 6 and optionally foldable, for better ergonomics, so as to be plans with the alidade 6 and it is used to perform a measurement of angle, said alidade 6 is equipped with a sighting system which can be a telescope or a pinnule 10 of sight at each end.

The exploded view (FIG 1) of the astrolabe watch part makes it possible to distinguish the components of the astrolabe on the one hand but also a watch movement 19 and the hour and minute hands 18.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the movement 19, optionally extra-flat, is placed between the eardrum 3 and the bottom of said mother 1. The needles 18 can be placed either above or below the ostensor 5 and are driven by the movement 19. We can also consider placing the movement 19 between said mother 1 and a watch bottom, not shown. In this case, said mother 1 is not the case of the watch but it is integrated in a watch case. The inscriptions that could appear on the back of said mother would then be carried on the back part of the bottom of the watch.

The ostensor 5 and the spider 4 are individually driven by two gear trains (not shown) of the movement 19 actuated by the push buttons or other control members 7 and 8.

To perform the aim of a star by the alidade 6, the astrolabe, defined by the position of the eardrum 3, must be essentially vertical. The alidade 6 is external to the case 20 of the watch (FIG 1) or, alternatively, internal.

For this purpose, the astrolabe may optionally include fastening means, in particular a bracelet 21, for wearing the timepiece around the wrist or to maintain a vertical position when aiming a star. The astrolabe can be suspended by the throne 14 whether it is a pocket watch or a wristwatch.

The astrolabe can determine the time (astral) at any time of a day, provided we know the date. The principle is simple: we measure the height of the sun or a star with the alidade 6 of the back of the timepiece. We find on the limb 2, on the lower part of the astrolabe the value of the angle between the star and the horizon. By turning over the timepiece, the spider 4 is rotated until the star identified on the spider 4 is placed on an almucantarat 12 with the value of the angle noted above. The ostensor, brought to the point A by the actuation of the pushbutton 7 or other control member, point of intersection between the almucantarat 12 and the star concerned on the spider 4, can read on the limb 2, on its upper part solar time at the moment of measurement. Finally, we must take into account the winter time (+1 hour in winter, +2 hours in summer) because the time displayed is the astral time.

In another embodiment, the astrolabe can include a square of the shadows 11 on the lower part of the mother 1. The square of the shadows 11 can be used for example to measure the height of a building whose foot we are accessible. In this case, the astrolabe must be held vertically, and we must aim the top of the building through the pinnules 10 of the alidade 6. On the back of the astrolabe, the alidade 6 then indicates on the square shadows 11 the ratio between the vertical distance and the horizontal distance. For example 12/6 if the alidade 6 falls on the graduation 6 of the square of shadows 11 (whose side is 12). In this example, the alidade 6 is in the middle of the lower side of the square of the shadows 11. Then, it is necessary to measure on the ground the horizontal distance (accessible) between the place where one observes and the foot of the building, then multiply then by the ratio given by the astrolabe. Finally, do not forget to add the distance between the ground and the eye of the person taking the measure to obtain the height (inaccessible) of the building.

[0027] Alternatively, the lower part of the mother 1 has a zodiacal calendar. A zodiacal calendar can for example be used to give the position of the sun on the ecliptic according to the date in the year.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments but can integrate all the known functions of the planispheric astrolabe.

Claims (12)

1. A wristwatch or pocket watch having a planispherical astrolabe for indicating astral information, the planispherical astrolabe comprising the following components centered around an axis (9) A hollow stationary disc called mother (1), surrounded by an annular portion called limb (2) bearing graduations on its periphery, A piece of essentially circular shape called the tympanum (3) standing stationary in said mother (1) on its upper part, surrounded by said limb (2), said tympanum (3) bearing a representation of the azimuthal coordinates of the sky, A piece of essentially circular and perforated shape called the spider (4), mounted in rotation about the axis (9) of said mother (1), and positioned on said mother (1) on its upper part, said spider with a representation of certain stars and the race of the sun along the zodiac, indicated by an eccentric circle, An elongated upper piece called the ostensor (5) pivotally mounted by its center in rotation about the axis (9), and An elongated piece known as the alidade (6) pivotally mounted by its center in rotation about the axis (9), positioned on the rear part of said mother (1), arranged to indicate the astral information by rotation of the alidade (6), aiming a star, rotation of the spider (4) on the eardrum (3) and positioning of the ostensor (5) on the spider (4), characterized in that the planispherical astrolabe is integrated into a case (20) of the wristwatch or pocket watch and that: Said ostensor (5) is arranged to be rotated about the axis (9) by the actuation of a first control member (7) of the case of the wristwatch or pocket watch, and - Said spider (4) is arranged to be driven by the actuation of a second control member (8) of the case of the wristwatch or pocket watch. 2. wristwatch according to claim 1, wherein said alidade (6) has at its ends at least two lugs (10) perpendicular to the alidade (6) and folding so as to be plane with the alidade (6). 3. Wristwatch according to claim 1 or 2, comprising fastening means for wearing the wristwatch around the wrist or to maintain it in a vertical position when aiming a star. 4. Watch according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said mother (1) constitutes the bottom of the housing (20) of the watch. 5. Watch according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a movement (19) driving hour and minute hands arranged on the upper part of the planispherical astrolabe. 6. Watch according to claim 5, wherein the movement (19) is housed between the upper part of said mother (1) and the eardrum (3), 7. Watch according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of superposable or interchangeable spandrels (3), each tympanum (3) having the azimuthal coordinates of the sky corresponding to the latitude of different places of observation. 8. Watch according to one of the preceding claims, the lower part of the mother (1) comprises a zodiacal calendar. 9. Watch according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower part of said mother (1) comprises a square of the shadows (12). 10. Watch according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first control member (7) is a push-button or a wheel. 11. Watch according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second control member (8) is a push-button or a wheel. 12. Pocket watch according to one of claims 1, 2, 4 to 11, whose mother (1) is surmounted by a throne (14) for suspending the pocket watch so that it is in vertical position when aiming a star.