EP1103872A1 - Montre lunaire - Google Patents

Montre lunaire Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1103872A1
EP1103872A1 EP00309898A EP00309898A EP1103872A1 EP 1103872 A1 EP1103872 A1 EP 1103872A1 EP 00309898 A EP00309898 A EP 00309898A EP 00309898 A EP00309898 A EP 00309898A EP 1103872 A1 EP1103872 A1 EP 1103872A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
lunar
clock
aperture
image means
screen
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00309898A
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German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Richard Keatch
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1103872A1 publication Critical patent/EP1103872A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • G04B19/26—Clocks or watches with indicators for tides, for the phases of the moon, or the like
    • G04B19/268—Clocks or watches with indicators for tides, for the phases of the moon, or the like with indicators for the phases of the moon

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a lunar clock capable of mimicking the illumination of the moon as it passes through the phases of the lunar cycle.
  • the Moon has a significant physical influence on life on our planet due to its large size and its close proximity. At full moon it can reflect sufficient sunlight to light up the night. Its mass is great enough to distort the Earths shape and to produce tides in oceans and lakes. It also provides the main force that moves the poles of the Earth in the precession of the equinoxes. Its shadow on the earth at occasional times and places may obscure light from the Sun to produce solar eclipses. Though these influences on Earth may be subject to simple laws of physics and dynamics, we are only just beginning to understand how the Moon may influence the biology of life on our planet.
  • the calendar month is equivalent approximately to the period of revolution of the Moon around the Earth. This period (29 days 12 hours 44 minutes 2.8 seconds) is the synodic month and represents the time it takes for the Moon to pass through the sequence of phases from new to first quarter to full to third quarter to new again and make a complete revolution about the Earth with respect to the Sun.
  • the relative positions of the Sun, Earth and Moon affect the illuminated lunar image that is seen by an observer.
  • the "New” phase occurs when the moon surface is in full shade and all three bodies are linearly aligned with the Moon positioned centrally.
  • the phase "First Quarter” occurs when the half moon surface is in sunlight forming a semi-circular shape. This occurs as the moon revolves around the Earth with the Sun Earth Moon angle describing an approximate right angle.
  • the phase "Full” occurs when the observed surface of the moon is fully illuminated by the Sun and again all bodies are linearly aligned but with the Earth centrally positioned.
  • the phase “Third or last quarter” relates to a "half moon” but this time the moon position is between the new moon and full moon (i.e.
  • the left hand side of the Moon is illuminated as observed from Earth whereas it is the right hand side which is illuminated at the first quarter. In between these points, the shape of the moon appears as illuminated crescents or is gibbous and various angles of tilt can be observed.
  • Conventional moon dials may comprise a single disc printed with two circular moon shapes positioned at 180 degrees to one another rotating behind a shaped window whose shape masks the visible or partly visible moon as it rotates to give an impression of the lunar phase.
  • the window shape is similar to an axehead positioned with the crescent "cutting edge" uppermost and semicircular convex and concave sides which represent shadow as the moon disc rotates clockwise west to east.
  • a disadvantage of this mechanism is that, as the moon goes from the third quarter to full phase, the shape of the shadow does not accurately represent the shadow which is observed on a near spherical object such as the Moon.
  • a moon phase dial mechanism is described in EP-A-869411. This device mimics the lunar cycle using overlapping, rotatable discs with appropriate shading.
  • a further mechanism utilises a rotating globe, half of which is painted white and the other half black. As this rotates, an accurate impression of the lunar cycle is displayed but the size of the sphere is a significant disadvantage.
  • the various phases of the moon are separately displayed around the circumference of a clock and a pointer indicates the particular phase at a given time. Since many separate moons have to be represented on the same dial, the size of this clock is disadvantageous.
  • the present invention seeks to overcome certain disadvantages of the prior art by providing an improved lunar clock which mimics the phases of the moon in the lunar cycle.
  • the present invention provides a lunar clock capable of mimicking the phases of the moon in at least a part of the lunar cycle, said clock comprising:
  • the clock may mimic a part or the whole of the lunar cycle. Preferably the clock mimics the whole lunar cycle.
  • the lunar image means comprises a substantially flat, disc-shaped member.
  • the disc-shaped member is substantially circular.
  • the lunar image means is made from transparent material such as glass or perspex which may be patterned.
  • transparent material such as glass or perspex which may be patterned.
  • patterns representing lunar craters may be etched, sandblasted or printed on the surface of the lunar image means.
  • the masking means may take the form of a substantially flat screen with an elongate aperture.
  • the shape of the aperture will be compatible with the chosen size and shape of the lunar image means.
  • the lunar image means may be conveniently mounted to the rear or front of the flat screen.
  • the unmasked portion of the lunar image means is visible through the aperture and the masked portion of the lunar image means is hidden behind the surface of the screen in order to simulate a phase in the lunar cycle.
  • a transparent lunar image means is mounted to the front of the screen
  • light passing through the aperture in the screen and through the lunar image means defines the unmasked portion thereof and light prevented from passing through the lunar image means by the screen defines the masked portion thereof in order to simulate a phase in the lunar cycle.
  • the elongate aperture is a wave-like aperture.
  • the wave-like aperture comprises a substantially S-shaped aperture. This would normally be used with a lunar image means in the form of a disc-shaped member.
  • the substantially S-shaped aperture has rotational symmetry.
  • the tips of the S lie in a common, substantially vertical plane with the middle of the S having a lateral width which is the maximum lateral width of the aperture and which is approximately equivalent to the diameter of the lunar image means.
  • the aperture of the flat screen may take the form of approximately half of a substantially S-shaped aperture in a horn-like configuration.
  • the clock may be rotated through 180° by the drive means and the direction of movement of the lunar image means is effectively reversed. The action is repeated every half a lunar cycle.
  • the masking means may take the form of a ring so that the ends of a wavelike aperture may be joined. This enables the lunar image means to be rotated continuously and uni-directionally by the drive means.
  • the elongate aperture may be fronted by a white, silver or transparent material which may be back lit by a fixed illuminating means (eg a light source).
  • the illuminating means may be fixed to the rear of the screen. Preferably, it is fixed to part of the lunar image means. This advantageously ensures that the lunar image means is selectively illuminated as it moves relative to the masking means.
  • the surface of the masking means is generally of a contrasting colour to the lunar image means (eg black or dark blue) to simulate the night sky.
  • the lunar image means may be movably attached to the rear of the screen whereby the drive means causes the lunar image means to traverse the path of the aperture (eg the wave-like aperture).
  • the drive means eg a suitable motor, gears and tooth belt.
  • the lunar image means is driven by the drive means so that its movement complements the shape of the aperture.
  • the lunar clock may be provided with a guiding means such as an elongate passage or flange.
  • the rear of the flat screen is fitted with two substantially parallel and substantially vertically mounted guide rods. These may be conveniently located outside the maximum lateral extent of the aperture, preferably at the outer edges of the rear of the screen.
  • a substantially horizontal bar may be loosely coupled to the pair of guide rods at each end by coupling means so as to move vertically thereon and permit vertical movement of the horizontal bar across the rear of the face of the screen.
  • the horizontal bar is provided with a free sliding sleeve.
  • the sleeve is adapted so as to be attached to the rear of the lunar image means ( eg disc).
  • the sleeve may be provided with an integral perpendicular rod attached to the rear of the lunar image means.
  • the perpendicular rod may be dependent from about the central point of the sleeve ( ie to form a substantially T-shaped arrangement).
  • the horizontal rod may be driven up and down the guide rods by means of an appropriate drive means eg motor, gears or tooth belt.
  • the speed of movement is such to allow the lunar image means to traverse positions which mimic the phases of the moon in at least a part of the lunar cycle.
  • the perpendicular rod may pass through a suitably shaped elongate passage in the screen which fulfils the function of a guiding means.
  • the movement imparted to the lunar image means will therefore follow the shape of the elongate passage.
  • the elongate passage may be complementarily, substantially wave-like in shape.
  • the clock may be rotated by 180° to restart the lunar cycle.
  • the drive means may be arranged so as to return the lunar image means to its starting position or to drive the lunar image means in the reverse direction.
  • a preferred embodiment of the lunar clock of the invention is designated generally by reference numeral 1 in which the masking means takes the form of a screen 2 having an elongate, wavelike aperture 3.
  • the lunar image means in the form of a transparent disc shaped member 4 is driven by driving means (not shown) along the wavelike path 5 in front of the flat screen 2.
  • flat screen 2 is dark in colour to simulate the night sky. It is provided with an elongate passage 6 which serves to guide the movement of the lunar image means 4 complementarily to the wavelike, S-shaped aperture 3.
  • Figure 3 illustrates in perspective view the rear of the screen and the mode of attachment of lunar image means 4 (shown in dotted lines).
  • the rear of the flat screen 2 is fitted with two substantially parallel and substantially vertically mounted guide rods 7a and 7b.
  • a substantially horizontal bar 8 is coupled to the guide rods 7a, 7b by coupling means 9a, 9b in a loose manner.
  • Appropriate driving means may be used to permit vertical movement of the coupling means 9a, 9b along guide rods 7a, 7b so as to permit vertical movement of the horizontal bar 8 across the rear of the face of the screen 2.
  • the horizontal bar 8 is provided with a free sliding sleeve 10 which takes the form of a T-shaped arrangement which is attached to the rear of the lunar image means 4 through the elongate passage 6. It will be apparent that the vertical movement of the horizontal bar 8 across the rear of the screen permits the free sliding sleeve 10 to follow the path of the elongate passage 6 which thereby causes the lunar image means 4 to follow the wavelike S-shaped path of aperture 3.
EP00309898A 1999-11-24 2000-11-07 Montre lunaire Withdrawn EP1103872A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9927642.0A GB9927642D0 (en) 1999-11-24 1999-11-24 Lunar clock
GB9927642 1999-11-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1103872A1 true EP1103872A1 (fr) 2001-05-30

Family

ID=10864968

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00309898A Withdrawn EP1103872A1 (fr) 1999-11-24 2000-11-07 Montre lunaire

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1103872A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB9927642D0 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6885614B2 (en) 2003-05-05 2005-04-26 Asulab S.A. Moon phase display device, particularly for a timepiece

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3105243A1 (de) * 1981-02-13 1982-09-02 Gebr. Staiger GmbH Fabrik für Feinmechanik und Elektrotechnik, 7742 St. Georgen "zeitmessgeraet"
EP0107177A1 (fr) * 1982-10-27 1984-05-02 Raoul-Henri Erard Pièce d'horlogerie
DE8610323U1 (de) * 1986-04-16 1986-05-28 Weber GmbH, 7214 Zimmern Ekliptisches Mondphasenzifferblatt, insbesondere für Großuhren
JPS62263490A (ja) * 1986-05-09 1987-11-16 Citizen Watch Co Ltd 月齢・簡易潮汐表示付時計
FR2629607A1 (fr) * 1988-03-31 1989-10-06 Bourquin Francis Mecanisme d'horlogerie a indicateur de maree
EP0869411A2 (fr) * 1997-04-01 1998-10-07 Richard Keatch Dispositif pour l'indication des phases de la lune
FR2790564A1 (fr) * 1999-03-01 2000-09-08 Adolphe Richard Dziulko Dispositif mecanique de visualisation realiste des phases de lune sur les montres et horloges

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3105243A1 (de) * 1981-02-13 1982-09-02 Gebr. Staiger GmbH Fabrik für Feinmechanik und Elektrotechnik, 7742 St. Georgen "zeitmessgeraet"
EP0107177A1 (fr) * 1982-10-27 1984-05-02 Raoul-Henri Erard Pièce d'horlogerie
DE8610323U1 (de) * 1986-04-16 1986-05-28 Weber GmbH, 7214 Zimmern Ekliptisches Mondphasenzifferblatt, insbesondere für Großuhren
JPS62263490A (ja) * 1986-05-09 1987-11-16 Citizen Watch Co Ltd 月齢・簡易潮汐表示付時計
FR2629607A1 (fr) * 1988-03-31 1989-10-06 Bourquin Francis Mecanisme d'horlogerie a indicateur de maree
EP0869411A2 (fr) * 1997-04-01 1998-10-07 Richard Keatch Dispositif pour l'indication des phases de la lune
FR2790564A1 (fr) * 1999-03-01 2000-09-08 Adolphe Richard Dziulko Dispositif mecanique de visualisation realiste des phases de lune sur les montres et horloges

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 12, no. 144 (P - 697)<2991> 6 May 1988 (1988-05-06) *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6885614B2 (en) 2003-05-05 2005-04-26 Asulab S.A. Moon phase display device, particularly for a timepiece

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Publication number Publication date
GB9927642D0 (en) 2000-01-19

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