EP0365443B1 - Large capacity timer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the adaptation to a traditional analog watch of a mechanically simple system for timing long times.

The need is often felt for the owners of so-called "simple" watches (hours, minutes, seconds), of a process meeting this requirement.

The ideal solution is provided by the chronograph with hour counter, failing which by an ordinary watch, but fitted with a mobile ring rotating at the periphery of the glass, graduated in 60 minutes, carrying an index which can be placed opposite the hour hand or the minute hand depending on the duration envisaged.

The first solution has the disadvantage of being expensive, at least if one wishes an analog display, this type of product being mechanically complex.

The second solution, which is very simple, is too rudimentary in terms of reading accuracy, for a period exceeding the hour.

Systems known as "permanent running counters" have also been used, essentially on mechanical watches, giving an accuracy of the order of a minute, but suffering from too low a counting capacity: never more than an hour, or even less, due to the drive of a disc or a needle by the minute axis.

The system according to the invention achieves at a lower cost, without any particular draft and without increasing the thickness, a simplified chronograph system with a counting capacity of 12 hours, and a readability equal to the minute.

It uses the Vernier system, just like the processes described in patents GB-A-22067I2 of July 6, I987, and DE-A-3503672 of February 4, I985, processes which make it possible to obtain the indication of the minutes by means of a disc chased on the hour wheel; the indication of the hour being conventionally obtained by means of a hand drawn on the disc, and the minutes by searching for coincidence between a graduation of the fixed disc and a graduation of the movable disc, it follows that the reading of said minutes is not easy, the position of coincidence varying every hour from 32 ° 72 for 5 minutes (360 ° / II), and consistent with habits only from noon to 1 hour. At I hour 5 minutes, the position of coincidence runs the risk of reading I hour I0 minutes, at 2 hours 5 minutes, 2 hours I5 minutes, etc ...

Our system does not have this drawback, the position of coincidences designating the minutes being fixed, and almost analogous, for one of the variants, to traditional timers.

This advantage is obtained by the use of a digital time display, and not by hand, and by a particular layout of the fixed disc bearing the minute circle.

It should also be noted that, if this system in its variant preferred is used for the production of a chronograph, it can just as easily indicate the time, either only as such, or in addition to a usual system, with hands, for another local time for example.

In its basic version, the simplest, the system according to the invention, using a classic clockwork movement, consists of a disc (I) graduated in hours, but in a reverse sequence to that of a revolution d 'usual fixed hours, disc attached to the hour wheel, and a minute turn (3), plotted as follows: establishment of an interval (4) equal to one hourly division, i.e. 30 °, then division of the balance circumferential in I2, ie 27 ° 5, and finally redivision of these 27 ° 5 in 5. Each hourly division of the moving disc (I) is also divided into 5.

The information is entered in the following order: reading the time, numerically, opposite the division (4) of the fixed disk (3); reading "every five minutes" by assessment of the best coincidence between a mark (2) on the mobile disc (I) and a mark (6) around the minutes. Finally, read "by the minute" by appreciation of the closest coincidence. The addition of these last two readings makes the total count of minutes. For exemple; Figure I / 2 indicates 8 hours 42 minutes; a possible coincidence between two marks (2) and (6) of course makes this addition superfluous.

By using a movement turning anti-clockwise, it is possible to graduate rounds of hours and rounds of minutes in the conventional direction.

The use of a cache on the hour digits, cache fitted with a opening of equal value, angularly, to the division (4) and positioned opposite it is possible to facilitate the reading of the time. Other positions of the opening of this cache can be adopted, just as their number can be increased, for example in order to indicate several local times.

In its preferred variant, the small size of the system according to the invention and its simplicity are used to make a large capacity time counter (12 hours), with a readability equal to one minute, and offering the usual indications of civil time by hour, minute, second hands.

A traditional watch (Figure 2), equipped with a crown (7) similar to that of diving watches, which can be rotated under the effect of voluntary manipulation, excluding any random movement, is also provided with a transparent disc (9), revealing the line (I0), of the stylized dial (II). The glass (8) is fixed to the case between the two discs (7) and (9), in the annular housing (I2).

The disc (9), driven out on the hour wheel (I3), and under the hand, is at the same level as the outer ring (7); its position relative to the hour hand can be arbitrary, as shown in drawing 2; the graduation of the two discs (9 and 7) is identical in all respects to that in FIG. any possibility of minimal but untimely movement of the transparent disc (9).

To start timing, simply place the zero graduation of the crown (7), exactly opposite the graduation I of the transparent disc (9).

It should be noted here that the system according to the invention offers a possibility which conventional time counters cannot claim: that of starting a timing by displaying any duration beforehand.

The advantages of the system according to the invention, even in its simplified version, are appreciable: a single element, the movable disc performs the functions usually devolved to the hour and minute hands, thereby saving significant space in height; the positioning of this disc can be carried out without the usual constraints imposed by the needles (setting to the mark), finally, the mobile supporting this disc has a high torque (hour wheel).

The system according to the invention can also use one of the conventional processes (pushers, hammers, brakes, hearts), to allow the start, stop, reset of the mobile disc, and thus offers, provided with a second chronographic hand, identical to that of an hour counter chronograph, but at a lower price, given the reduction in the number of parts.

More recent methods, such as complete or partial enslavement of the chronograph mobile to an electronic control and electromechanical motor are also possible with the system according to the invention.

The system according to the invention is particularly intended for displaying information on time or chronographic instruments.

Claims (10)

1. An hourly or chronographic display system consisting of a moving disc ( I ) completing one revolution in I2 hours and a fixed section ( 3 ) concentric with said disc, the whole constituting a scale for hour and minute read-out, system which is characterized by the fact that the moving disc ( I ) comprises I2 equal and numbered divisions, each division also being divided into five parts, while the fixed section ( 3 ) comprises a circumferential section of 330° graduated into 60 equal divisions marked from five to five,
2. An hourly or chronographic display system as claimed in claim I, which is characterized by the fact that the direction of rotation of the moving disc ( I ) is conventional, i. e. clockwise, and the numbering sequence of the hours on the moving disc ( I ) and the five to five minute markings on the fixed section ( 3 ) are reversed.
3. An hourly or chronographic display system as claimed in claim I, which is characterized by the fact that the direction of rotation of the moving disc ( I ) is reversed, i. e. anticlockwise, and the sequence of the numbering of the hours on the moving disc ( I ) and the five to five minute markings on the fixed section ( 3 ) are conventional.
4. An hourly or chronographic display system as claimed in claim 2 or 3, which is characterized by the fact that the numerical hour display is provided opposite the break ( 4 ) in the line of the fixed section ( 3 ).
5. An hourly or chronographic display system as claimed in claim 2 or 3, which is characterized by the fact that one or more apertures are made in a mask on the hourly figures.
6. An hourly and chronographic instrument, as claimed in claim 2, which is characterized by the fact that it is fitted with hour and minute hands.
7. An hourly and chronographic instrument as claimed in claim 6, which is characterized by the fact it is fitted with a second hand.
8. An hourly and chronographic instrument as claimed in claims 4, 5, 6, or 7, which is characterized by the fact that the part ( 7 ) of the scale which is not integral with the movement can be rotated concentrically with the dial ( II ).
9. An hourly and chronographic instrument as claimed in claim 8, characterized by the fact it is fitted with one or more pushrods controlling the drive for, the stopping, and the return to the initial position of the moving disc ( 9 ).
10. An hourly and chronographic instrument as claimed in claim 9, characterized by the fact it is fitted with a chronographic second hand.

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