EP2458453B1 - Dial of a clock - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a dial of a clock.

Dials that are used in watches or jewelry elements can have a variety of shapes. In addition to the classic circular version of watches, oval or angular designs are also possible. Apart from the external shape, the dials and thus the watches can be visually improved, in which they can be designed or decorated in various ways. This is especially true for jewelry elements.

For example, a dial can be provided with apertures or recesses which are backed by a colored base, as in the DE 20 2005 009 779 U1 , In this solution, the openings were generated by laser cuts. Next, as in the DE 103 15 757 B4 described, used for the preparation of the dial a multilayer system. In this design, individual areas of this multilayer system can be exposed by means of pulsed laser ablation and thus certain representations can be achieved. In the DE 101 41 751 A1 a solution for the production of a dial is described, in which the main body of the dial is provided with a varnish layer. With the help of a laser beam, the lacquer layer is partially removed, so that markings, symbols and / or numbers can be introduced into the surface. Likewise is from the DE 699 17 744 T2 known to provide the dial with decorative elements. For this purpose, openings, preferably by means of a laser beam, are introduced beforehand into the dial, which serve as a receiving seat for the decorative elements. The decorative elements, which are fixed on a plate by means of an adhesive tape, which is mounted under the dial, can penetrate the openings designed as a receiving seat from below and thus be visible in the receiving seats.

In publication US Pat. No. 5,966,344 is a dial named, which has openings, which are filled with translucent materials. Due to the breakthroughs, however, the dials have a lower rigidity and no longer protect the underlying elements at the broken points. For closing the openings therefore solid materials such as ceramics or resins are used. Out US Pat. No. 6,208,591 B1 is a dial known, which is transparent or Translucent and contains a phosphor It does not have recesses in which different materials can be incorporated. Furthermore, an ablation of the dial and a redesign is not provided. JP 10 206560 A describes a three-layer element, wherein a first transmissive element whose surface is formed in an uneven shape as a metal layer and having recesses. Behind the transmissive element is a projection surface and an electric plate (EL panel), which has a light that is emitted by the projection surface, without the metal layer obscuring the light. Due to the recesses of the metal, external light can be reflected. However, said application does not describe the subsequent processing of a dial. It is also not possible to produce any individual shapes in as recesses or ablate the surface and redesign.

In all of these design variants, a continuous or multilayer surface element forms the starting point for the dial.

Therefore, the object of the invention is, in contrast to these, show other possibilities for the optical design of a dial or a decorative element that are simple and inexpensive to produce.

This object is achieved with a dial of a clock, with the features of the first claim. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

According to the invention, the dial for watches is provided with recesses which are filled with a material, which visually stands out from the surface element, in the form of hardenable ceramic. The depressions are introduced or punched in particular with a laser.

This makes it possible in a simple manner to attach a visually contrasting material to the surface element, which sits securely in the wells.

Advantageously, an inventive dial of a clock can be formed from a single or multi-part basic element, wherein the Basic element is a conventional, worn on its upper face dial. The worn dial can now be provided with new individual design features and it is possible, if necessary, to provide the base element with at least one attachment element and / or frame, which is placed on the base element or surrounds the base element.

In particular, the one- or multi-part surface element is provided with recesses which are filled in color.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the dial is composed of a one-part or multi-part base element and at least one attached thereto attachment or frame. In this case, in the case of a multi-part base element, the individual elements can have very different shapes, wherein the outer shape of the at least one attachment element or frame can be adapted to that of the correspondingly associated base element and ends with the contour of the base element or is otherwise arranged on the base element. Thus, in a circular dial, the attachment members / frames may be in the form of segmented (e.g., pie-like) segments, or as nested rings.

Moreover, it is advantageous that the surface of the surface element is provided with symbols that simplify the reading of the time when used as a dial and in this case preferably distributed over the circumference.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the width of the at least one attachment element / frame covers the size of the symbols and has recesses in the region of these symbols which are adapted to the size of the symbols. Alternatively, however, the icons may also protrude beyond the frame.

Further, it is advantageous that the underside of the attachment element / frame with Locking elements or fasteners may be provided which can be brought into operative connection with provided on the base member at the appropriate location recordings. In this way, the attachment element / the frame is fixed in position or connected to the base element.

Further, it is advantageous that in the recesses of the base member and / or the attachment element / frame or in both parts, elements made of metal, precious metal, minerals or plastic can be inserted into corresponding recesses.

It is particularly advantageous that when using plastic or titanium as material for the surface element (base element and / or attachment element / frame) by introducing heat by means of laser processes, a color change is achieved.

Breakthroughs or trough-shaped depressions are preferably introduced into the base element and / or the attachment element / frame by means of a laser. Through the openings then the material of the underlying element is visible or the wells are preferably filled with optically hervorhebendem material.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment and associated drawings.

• Figur 1 eine Draufsicht auf ein auf einem Uhrwerk aufgesetztes Zifferblatt;
• Figur 2 eine Schnittdarstellung der Figur 1;
• Figur 3 einen vergrößerten Ausschnitt aus Figur 2,
• Figur 4 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführung eines Zifferblattes;
• Figur 5 eine Darstellung des Schnittes A-A gemäß Figur 4,
• Figur 6 ein Zifferblatt aus metallischem Werkstoff mit einem äußeren vollflächigen ringförmigen Bereich und mittigen Durchbrüchen in Form von Ornamenten.

Show it:

• FIG. 1 a plan view of a set on a clock face dial;
• FIG. 2 a sectional view of FIG. 1 ;
• FIG. 3 an enlarged section FIG. 2 .
• FIG. 4 a perspective view of another embodiment of a dial;
• FIG. 5 a representation of the section AA according to FIG. 4 .
• FIG. 6 a dial of metallic material with an outer full-surface annular area and central openings in the form of ornaments.

In FIG. 1 is a plan view of a connected to a clockwork 5 dial 1 is shown. From this figure it can be seen that the dial 1 composed of a base member 2 and a patch on this frame 3, wherein both parts can be designed in the same color or different. Furthermore, it can be seen from this figure that recesses 4 which are distributed over the circumference of the frame 3 are introduced, which allow the underlying area of the base element 2 to be visible. Thus, the color of the base member 2 by the cross-shaped in this example four recesses 4 of, for example, differently colored frame 3. Just as many (here twelve) recesses 4 can be introduced into the frame 3. In the recesses 4 also numbers, characters, symbols or numerically different stones or depressions can be visible, which are applied or introduced on or in the base member 2 in the region of the recesses 4. In the recesses 4 and inserts of metal or precious metal, such as gold, can be introduced, the metal can be treated by electroplating. The insertion of stones in the recesses 4 can be done by rubbing, notch or crab socket. Next, the attachment of the design elements by gluing, soldering, riveting or otherwise possible. Except metal or metal alloys, the recesses 4 may be designed with ceramic elements, colors or bulbs. In addition, the frame 3 itself can be either one or more colors and made of a variety of materials, such as metal, precious metal or plastic. As in FIG. 1 can be seen, the frame 3 is made in one piece, the size of its outer diameter is adapted to the size of the outer diameter of the base member 2. However, it is also possible to choose a shape deviating from the circular shape for the base element 2 and also for the frame 3. For example, polygonal shapes are also conceivable. Likewise, a plurality of color differently shaped frame 3 different size can be applied to the base member 2, that they are arranged concentrically to each other. In a further variant, the frame 3 can also be joined together from a plurality of segments, which are either joined directly to one another or have a spacing from one another. The basic element 2, which may likewise consist of different materials, such as metal, precious metal or plastic, may be embodied in one or more parts, ie it may consist of one or more layers arranged one above the other put together. If it has a multilayer structure, it can also have recesses with introduced patterns in the area of the recesses 4 of the frame or frames 3. The dial 1 may for example consist of silver, titanium, stainless steel, gold or another material. When using plastic or titanium for the surface element (base element 2 and / or frame 3) is carried out by an entry of heat by laser process, a color change. By means of this method, the surface element (base element 2 and / or frame 3) can have all color shades, similar to those of a rainbow.

FIG. 2 shows a section through the FIG. 1 , From this, the structure of the dial 1 is clearly visible, which is connected to the movement 5. As already in FIG. 1 described, is applied to the base member 2 of the frame 3, which is provided with recesses 4. To illustrate the attachment of the frame 3 on the base member 2 shows FIG. 3 an enlarged view of the view X from FIG. 2 , It can be seen that the frame 3 has at the bottom a plurality of locking elements 6, which are arranged distributed over the circumference. These locking elements 6 opposite 2 receptacles 7 are provided in the base element in which they lock, so that the frame 3 is connected to the base element 2 in a fixed position. According to further embodiments, not shown, it is also possible to use a support in the size of the basic element instead of a frame. In addition to the frame and the basic element of the dial can be made in several parts.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a dial 1. This designed as a disc dial 1 has a central opening 8 for the pointer, not shown, and has been processed by laser beam so that in the area of the here bar-shaped stitches for the time indentations or recesses 4 arise that are filled in color or designed with ceramic. There were introduced in the same way further motifs M, here sun, moon, stars, in the dial 1, which are colored in contrast to the stitches for the time indication.

There are of course other motifs, such as floral patterns and fancy drawings or logos or dates in the dial by colored or otherwise settling filling the introduced in the dial by means of laser wells 4 can be introduced. The characters for the time or the reading of the time, for example, by filling the wells 4 with color and the motifs M by filling the wells with particular colored ceramic be highlighted. As the ceramic, a curable material is preferably used.

Instead of a disc, one or more nested rings or a segment or several similar or different segments can be used as the dial 1, which are processed analogously to the disc by means of a laser beam and then further treated.

FIG. 5 shows the executed as a disc dial 1 off FIG. 4 in a representation along the section AA. From this, the wells 4 and the fasteners 9 and the opening 8 for the pointer, not shown, can be seen.

It is possible to use a conventional dial 1 of a watch, which already has fastening elements 9 (here pins, which also ensure the position positioning of the dial relative to the work of the clock, not shown) on its underside. In this case, this can be treated particularly easily by first removing it at its top, e.g. abraded or removed by laser. The now substantially smooth surface can then be designed individually, for example with elements according to the aforementioned embodiments.

The original dial can then also serve as a primitive on which e.g. a frame or other design elements can be arranged. These can have openings through which the material of the base element is optically distinctively visible and / or be provided with recesses into which optically highlighting materials have been introduced.

This makes it possible in a simple manner to customize a dial of a clock individually.

Particularly decorative is the use of a silver or other precious metal as a dial in the form of a basic element and / or attachment element, which has been provided with recesses which are filled with hardenable ceramic. FIG. 6 shows a round dial 1 a clock, which consists of a one-piece base element 2 made of metallic material (eg silver, gold, titanium, stainless steel, etc.). The base element 1 has an outer full-surface annular area 2.1 and central filigree openings in the form of ornaments 2.2, which were cut out by laser. In the middle, a breakthrough 8 is provided for the pointer.

By the ornaments 2.2, the work is visible in the assembled state (not shown). In the outer annular area 2.1 depressions 4 were introduced by laser, which are filled with eg colored ceramic and markings or digits for reading the time form. If the work is not visible, the ornaments or other patterns can be introduced only as wells in the primitive. Optionally, these can be highlighted in color.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

dial

2

basic element

2.1

annular area

2.2

Ornaments

3

frame

4

Recess / well

5

clockwork

6

Locking element / fastener

7

admission

8th

Breakthrough for pointer

9

fasteners

M

Motive

Claims (8)

1. A dial (1) of a watch, characterized in that it is provided with depressions (4), which are filled with a material, in the form of curable ceramic, which stands out visually in relation to the dial (1).
2. The dial (1) of a watch according to Claim 1, characterized in that it has a one-part or multipart base element (2), wherein the base element is a conventional dial worn on its upper side, which is provided with new elements of design, and at least one attachment element and/or frame (3) is placed on the base element (2) if needed, or the base element (2) is enclosed by a frame (3).
3. The dial (1) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the base element and/or the frame (3) have the depressions (4) which are filled with the material that stands out visually, and/or the frame has recesses through which the base element is visible.
4. The dial (1) according to any one of Claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the base element (2) can have various shapes, wherein the external shape of the at least one attachment element/frame (3) is adapted or is not adapted to that of the corresponding associated base element (2).
5. The dial (1) according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that base element (2) and attachment element/frame (3) differ from one another in the selection of the material and/or the color.
6. The dial (1) according to any one of Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the surface of the dial is provided with motifs and/or with symbols or characters for reading the time of day, and the motifs, symbols, or characters are formed by introducing and/or filling the recesses (4)/depressions.
7. The dial (1) according to any one of Claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the width of the attachment element/frame (3) at least partially overlaps the size of the symbols/characters arranged in the base element and has recesses (4) in the region of these symbols/characters which are adapted to the size of the symbols/characters.
8. The dial (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lower side of the attachment element/frame (3) is provided with one or more catch elements (6), which can be operationally connected to receptacles (7) provided on the base element (2) at corresponding points.

Images