EP0811896A1 - Watch with several windows - Google Patents

Abstract

The watch(1) has several windows(2) in which appear simultaneously signs(3). The sign changing frequency for each window can be varied in a set manner. The windows(2) are arranged in the watch face(1) on concentric circles whose centre correspond to the watch face centre. The windows may be aligned along a radial line from the centre of the watch face. The signs, symbols, etc.(3), appearing in the windows(2), are carried on co-axial concentric discs(4,24,31) whose central axis(23) corresponds to the watch timing movement axis. The discs are rotated at specific speeds by means of a mechanism coupled with the timing movement of the watch. The speed relationships between the discs(4,24,31) are defined by intermediate movements co-operating with each other and coupled to the timing movement of the watch.

Description

The subject of the invention is a watch with multiple windows, that is to say, a watch with a dial provided with a certain number of openings within the dial, capable of revealing signs, symbols, numbers, etc. ....

According to the invention, these signs, symbols and other figures are capable of appearing at the level of each of these dials according to their own frequency, so as to allow a certain number of combinations of these signs to be defined in the context of a fun activity, such as in particular games of chance, lotteries, but also for promotional operations, and for distribution, etc.

Watches with multiple windows are known per se. For example, document CH - A - 663 318 describes such a watch, comprising four apertures distributed substantially equidistant from each other within the dial, and at the level of which figures or numbers appear, each of these apertures allowing in fact ensuring a counting of events, such as points, strokes, goals, etc. . In fact, each of the counters serves to display a counter or adder, said display of the content of the counters being effected by means of control members to increment said content by one unit each time said organ is acted upon. Furthermore, the device also includes, for each of the counters, a reset member. In other words, it is by no means a random display, but rather a multiple counter, independent at the limit of the operating mechanism of the watch in which it is integrated, and making it possible to hold on to day for example a round of golf, etc.

In document FR-A-2 108 842, a device has been described for automatically calculating the periods of fertility and sterility of women, integrated within a watch. This device consists of the combination of a carrier disc, a plurality of arcs of circles, arranged concentrically with respect to each other, each of which corresponds to a menstrual cycle of a determined duration, and with a plurality of apertures arranged in the dial of a watch opposite each of the circumstances corresponding to various cycles.

In fact, the different information appearing at the windows changes at each of them with the same frequency, only the duration of each of the cycles varying. There is therefore in no case any variation in frequency of appearance of one of the signs with respect to the other, therefore any randomness by the appearance of these signs.

As already said, the object of the invention relates to the playful nature of the watch by giving it, in addition to the aspect of time indicator itself, the possibility of displaying a combination of signs, symbols, etc., likely to designate the winner among the wearers of a watch in question, by displaying at a given time, a specific combination.

This dial watch, comprising a plurality of windows at which signs are likely to appear simultaneously, the frequency of change of signs at each of the windows, being likely to vary from one window to another in a good way determined, is characterized in that. the windows are made within the dial in concentric circles, the center of which corresponds to the center of the dial.

In other words, the invention consists in that the frequency of the change of signs at each of the counters is different from one counter to another, and can be determined by construction as a function of the goal to be achieved and the frequency and of the number of possibly winning combinations that it is desired to obtain, these combinations appearing at the level of different concentric circles materialized at the level of the dial.

According to the invention, the windows can be aligned along a radial line starting from the center of the dial or be distributed randomly over the various concentric circles.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the materialized symbols appearing at the counters are carried on concentric discs driven by means of a mechanism coupled with the clockwork movement of the watch.

In another embodiment of the invention, the operation of the watch is carried out electronically and is managed by an integrated circuit associated with a quartz clock, and the appearance of symbols and other signs at the counters can also be done electronically, in the form of liquid crystals, for example managed by integrated circuit.

The manner in which the invention can be implemented and the advantages which ensue therefrom will emerge more clearly from the embodiment which follows, given by way of indication but not limiting in support of the appended figures.

Figures 1 and 2 are schematic representations of the dial of a watch according to two forms of representation and distribution of windows, according to the invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of the actuation mechanism of the various concentric discs carrying the signs or symbols appearing at the counters.

Figure 4 is a cross section along the line IV - IV of Figure 3 and passing through the central axis of the watch.

FIG. 5 is a cross section along the line V - V of FIG. 3.

The following description is more particularly linked to a multi-window watch operating mechanically and not electronically. However, it is understood that the invention cannot be limited to this single embodiment and that the various functions fulfilled by the mechanical elements can be by an electronic device, in particular an integrated electronic circuit.

In the example described, the watch comprises a dial (1) provided with three apertures (2) distributed over concentric circles with respect to the central axis (23) of said dial.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the windows (2) are aligned, but in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, these windows can be distributed quite randomly within the dial, although positioned in concentric circles. Likewise, the counters can adopt a traditional square or rectangular shape, or even as shown in FIG. 1, any other shape, in particular triangular, circular, etc.

The symbols (3) which are likely to appear at the counters (2) have been represented by the reference (3).

In the embodiment which follows, we will assume that we distribute a certain number of watches provided with the mechanism described below, and of which only a certain number is capable of displaying a winning combination at the level of the three windows ( 2), this winning combination being constituted for example by the same three symbols appearing simultaneously at the counters (2).

To do this, the symbols (3) are materialized on coaxial discs (4, 24, 31) with the same central axis (23). In fact, the outer disc (4) may have more symbols or signs than the intermediate disc (24) or the central disc (31). In practice, it actually has more so as not to leave the corresponding external window empty of any symbol.

These different discs are positioned under the dial (1) as can be seen in particular in FIG. 4.

The outer or peripheral disc (4) is rotated by means of a circular mobile (5), with an axis of rotation (9) parallel to the axis (23), and provided on its upper surface with a pin (6), intended to cooperate with the lateral face (8) of the teeth (7) formed at the level of the internal circumference of the disc (4), as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5.

This mobile (5) is itself driven in rotation by means of a mobile (11), with an axis of rotation (12) parallel to the axis (5). The mobile (11) is provided with a finger (13) surmounting it, the end (14) of which cooperates with the teeth (15) formed at the periphery of the mobile (5).

The mobile (11) is in turn driven in rotation by a mobile multiplier (18), with an axis of rotation (19) parallel to the axes (5) and (12). The reduction gear (18) is provided with a toothed pinion (17), in which the external toothed periphery of the mobile (11) meshes. Given the respective dimensions of the circumference of the pinion (17) and of the mobile (11), said mobile (18) effectively has a multiplying role in the speed of rotation of the mobile (11).

In turn, the mobile (18) is rotated by the central wheel (20), integral with the axle (23), the axle (23) + central wheel (20) assembly constituting in known manner the roadway of the clock mechanism, to which the minute hand of the watch in which the device object of the invention is integrated is attached.

It is therefore observed that the rotation of the external peripheral disk (4) is directly linked to the actuation mechanism of the watch.

Taking into account the different intermediate mobiles, the peripheral disc (4) rotates anticlockwise.

Furthermore, and in order to allow centering of the image, sign or symbol carried by the peripheral disk (4) at the corresponding window (2), the device comprises a jumper positioning spring (21), the l the end (22) is inserted between two consecutive teeth (15) of the mobile (5), as can be seen in FIG. 3.

The actuation of the intermediate disc (24) takes place in a substantially similar manner. More precisely, it is actuated in rotation by means of a mobile (25) with an axis of rotation (29) parallel to the axis (23), said mobile (25) being provided with teeth (36) which mesh with the teeth (15) of the mobile (5). In fact, the two mobiles (25) and (5) are located in the same horizontal plane, as can also be seen in FIG. 5. This toothed mobile (25) is provided with two pins (26) positioned in diametrically opposite positions relative to each other, as can be seen in Figure 3, and cooperating in turn on the one hand, with one of the side faces (28) of teeth (27) formed at the internal circumference of the intermediate disc (24), and on the other hand, with the teeth (32) of a central mobile (30), to which the internal disc (31) is secured as can see it in figure 5.

In the present case, the two mobiles (5) and (25) are identical and have the same number of external teeth of equally identical dimensions. In this way, these two mobiles rotate at the same speed, simply in opposite directions of rotation, taking into account the gear thus materialized. The intermediate disc (24), taking into account the assembly thus produced, rotates clockwise.

The device according to the invention comprises another jumper positioning spring (33), fixed to the frame of the watch, one of the ends (34) of which co-operates with the internal toothed crown (27) of the intermediate disc (24), in order to allow, in the same way as previously, the centering of the symbols or other signs which it comprises at the level of the corresponding aperture, and the other end of which (35) cooperates with the toothed central mobile (30), to achieve the same result , namely the centering of the signs or symbols carried by the internal disc (31) at the corresponding window.

The latter also rotates like the external disc (4) anticlockwise.

It is therefore observed that the various external (4), intermediate (24) and central (31) discs are directly dependent on the mechanism of rotation of the watch hands, within which they are integrated. In this regard, the actual mechanism of the operation of the watch has not been shown, apart from the roadway. Such a mechanism is known per se and does not form part of the invention.

It will also be understood that, as a function of the number of teeth, distributed on the one hand on the internal peripheral rings respectively of the external (4) and intermediate (24) disc, on the other hand on the periphery of the mobiles (5), ( 25) and (30), and the respective diameters of these different elements, it is possible to play on the frequency of scrolling of the symbols, signs and other figures appearing at the different counters.

In the example described, the number of teeth of the internal crown of the external disc (4) is 31, that of the internal crown of the intermediate disc (24) is 19, and that of the central mobile (30) associated with the disc. central (31) is 9. Given the fact that these mechanisms are directly dependent on the pavement of the watch, a full turn of the external disc (4) requires sixty two (62) days, of the intermediate disc (24) nineteen (19) days, and the central disc (31), nine (9) days.

We therefore observe that the frequency of variations of the information appearing at the counters, varies from one counter to another. In this way, and depending on the distribution of the symbols, the number of possible combinations appearing at the counters can be multiplied almost infinitely.

Likewise, it is possible to provide a larger number of counters, the only limit being the size then generated of the housing incorporating such a mechanism.

In order to avoid any attempt at fraud, the dial can be irreversibly sealed at the level of the mechanism, so that any attempt goes towards the destruction of the watch, and in any event, towards the stopping of its operation.

In addition, once the desired combination has appeared on the dial, a simple pull on the time adjustment rod is enough to block the mechanism and hence keeps the combination as it is. It is nevertheless conceivable to install a device which, when the said combination appears, automatically blocks the mechanism and therefore the combination.

Advantageously, in order to impart a certain lightness to the device thus produced, the discs and other mobiles are made, for example, of synthetic plastic.

Such a device therefore proves to be particularly suitable in the context of the production of playful products with a random connotation.

Claims (7)

Dial watch (1), comprising a plurality of counters (2) at the level of which signs (3) may appear simultaneously, the frequency of change of the signs (3) at each of the counters (2) being likely to vary from one window to another in a well-defined manner, characterized in that the windows (2) are produced within the dial (1) according to concentric circles, the center of which corresponds to the center of the dial. Dial watch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the apertures (2) are aligned along a radial line starting from the center of the dial. Dial watch according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the materialized symbols, signs and the like (3) appearing at the counters (2) are carried on concentric coaxial discs (4, 24, 31) , of central axis (23) corresponding to the axis of the clockwork movement of the watch, driven in rotation at specific speeds by means of a mechanism coupled with the clockwork movement of the watch. Dial watch according to claim 3, characterized in that the speed ratios between the different discs (4, 24, 31) are defined by intermediate mobiles cooperating with each other, and coupled with the clockwork movement of the watch. Dial watch according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the operation of the watch takes place electronically and is managed by an integrated circuit associated with a quartz clock, and in that the scrolling of the symbols and other signs (3) at the counters (2) also taking place electronically, in particular in the form of liquid crystals. Dial watch according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the blocking of the desired combination at the counters is effected by pulling the clock reset rod from the watch. Dial watch according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the dial (1) is irreversibly sealed at the level of the scrolling mechanism for symbols and other signs (3) at the windows (2), so that any attempt to defraud or to open the said mechanism leads to the destruction of the watch or to the cessation of its operation.

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