EP2977831B1 - Single-handed watch - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a single-hand watch for the analog display of the time - at least in hours and minutes - according to claim 1.

Clocks with analogue time display in which an hour hand, a minute hand and possibly a second hand rotate about a common center on a dial, are generally known as quartz watches or mechanical watches. The dial is usually provided with an hour, minute and possibly seconds division. Based on the position of the pointer, the respective time is readable.

In the present invention is a so-called "one-hand watch", so a clock that has only a single pointer, namely an hour hand (which performs a full turn in 12 or 24 hours). Exemplary single-hand clocks are about sundials or older tower clocks that were previously equipped due to their low accuracy only with the hour hand. But also in the wristwatch industry clocks are well-known with only one pointer, for example, under the brand "MeisterSinger" whose eponymous watch manufacturer has specialized in the production of mechanical single-hand watches. In such watches, the hand moves in 12 hours by 360 ° above a dial with a 5-minute subdivision, so a dial, which is divided radially into 144 stroke interval divisions.

A solution for a single-hand watch with a greater display accuracy is for example from the DE 10 2011 114 466 known. This one-hand watch has a stationary minute dial, a minute hand, that is, a hand that makes a full turn in one hour, and an hour ring rotating concentrically with the minute hand. By means of a mechanical movement of the minute hand and the hour ring are driven in a certain ratio to each other. Due to the rotating hour dial, the orientation on the clock is difficult because it is based on clocks usually based on the uppermost standing number of hours 12 and 24 respectively. This makes reading the time much more difficult.

A one-hand watch is also in the EP 2 520 985 discloses: said document discloses a watch with a pointer which is movable relative to a hour dial and a minute dial. The pointer performs a full turn in twelve hours.

Another solution of a 12-hour single-hand watch is in the CH 701 830 discloses: The one-hand watch has on a half of an outer annulus a stationary hour-dial and a concentrically arranged about a center rotating circular disc-shaped minute dial and a rotating about the center pointer. The hour hand performs half a turn in 12 hours and then jumps 180 ° back to its starting position.

Furthermore, in a youtube video by Blancier Lottermann & Sons One Glance entitled "Single-hand watch that tells the time to the minute" a one-hand watch is revealed. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an alternative single-hand watch which allows the time to be displayed as precisely and intuitively as possible with only a single pointer.

The above object is achieved by the single-hand watch according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The single-hand watch according to the invention serves to display the time analogously, at least in hours and minutes, and has a stationary hour-hand dial, a minute dial turning at least approximately continuously around a center and an hour hand rotating at least approximately continuously clockwise about the center. The term "at least approximately continuous" in this context means that the movement is perceived by the human eye as a uniformly flowing movement.

The one-hand watch can be designed either as a 12- or 24-hour clock. In the case of a 12-hour clock, the hour hand turns one full turn clockwise in 12 hours, and the minute dial turns clockwise 13 or counterclockwise 11 times faster than the hour hand. If the one-hand watch according to the invention is designed as a 24-hour clock, it takes 24 hours until the hour hand has made a complete clockwise turn around the center and the minute dial turns 23 times clockwise or counterclockwise 23 times faster in this case the hour hand.

The use of a rotating minute dial allows the time to be read only on the basis of a single pointer in the single-hand watch according to the invention and enables both a clear and precise time display. Unlike conventional watches, the user does not need to focus on multiple pointer elements, but can quickly and easily read the time by looking at the hour hand's position relative to the hour hand and minute dial. In particular, the exact time can be read only by looking at the hour hand, which indicates the hour on the hour dial and on the minute dial the minute (and possibly on a second dial the second). Furthermore, the at least approximately continuous movement of the hour hand and the minute dial leaves a calm, harmonious overall impression.

To display the time, the hour, minute and / or second dial is preferably divided into equal sections (intervals). Usually becomes the Display of the hours the hour dial divided twelve times and the minute or second dial to display the minutes or seconds 60 times. Indices, numbers or numbers are placed on the dial to represent the division, 1 to 12 or 24 for the hours, 0 to 60, often in steps of 5 or 10, for the minutes and seconds.

In a 12-hour clock is the hour dial to indicate the time therefore preferably in clockwise ascending labeled with numbers 1 to 12 and preferably has a dial scale with circularly arranged, radially aligned numbers or interval divisions on. It is of course also possible to specify only the numbers 3, 6, 9 and 12 on the hour hand and, if appropriate, the other hour digits by interval divisions - e.g. Dot or bar marks - to replace. For 24-hour clocks, the hour-hand dial is preferably provided with a time scale of 1 to 24 (or 0 to 23).

The minute dial also has to display the time preferably also a number in the circumferential direction of the dial evenly spaced numbers arranged (eg, luminescent numerals), number symbols and / or interval divisions, which are available for example radially outward on the dial. As a rule, at least four interval divisions with associated minute numbers - in particular 15, 30, 45 and 60 (or 0) - are given. Preferably, at least 4 minute numbers and at least 12 interval divisions, preferably 12, 15, 30 or 60 interval divisions are provided. For example, with 60 interval divisions, each interval division is one minute. Next, the Interval divisions, such as in the form of radial line markings, which stand for the quarter hour or half hour, each be drawn more powerful to facilitate the reading of the minute dial.

The numbers, numbers or symbols are preferably printed or engraved on the respective dials and can each be displayed in the circumferential direction next to (clockwise forward or trailing), radially inside or radially outside of an associated interval division. In addition, they are preferably aligned in the radial direction, wherein the hour digits can optionally also be aligned in the circumferential direction.

According to a preferred embodiment, the hour hand moves clockwise and the minute dial counterclockwise. With such counterclockwise rotation of the hour hand and the minute dial, a smaller translation from the minute dial with respect to the hour hand, namely 11: 1 (at 12 o'clock) and 23: 1 (at 24 o'clock) is necessary than with the rotational movement of the minute dial moving clockwise with the hour hand, where the minute dial relative to the hour hand must be driven 13 or 25 times faster. Smaller translations are advantageous in watch technology because the size of a translation often increases the inaccuracy of a mechanical watch.

If desired, of course, the clock can still be designed so that the hour hand and the minute dial (and possibly the seconds dial) run clockwise. As you are For watches, clockwise moving elements are used to, this has the advantage that the reading of the clock requires no major change in reading habits.

The hour, minute and / or second dial is preferably made of plastic, metal or a metal alloy. To give the watch a high-quality appearance, the dials are preferably made of stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, gold, silver, copper or brass.

According to an embodiment, which is not part of the invention, the hour-hand dial and the minute dial are each annular or disk-shaped, in particular as a circular ring or disk. For example, the single-hand watch may have an annular, radially outer hour-hand dial with a polygonal or annular outer edge and an annular inner edge and a circular or circular disk-shaped, radially inner minute dial. The moving minute dial is framed in this embodiment of the standing hour dial.

In a preferred embodiment, the single-hand watch comprises a radially inner, circular disc-shaped hour dial and a preferably annular, radially outer minute dial. The minute dial thus moves in the circumferential direction about the stationary hour dial - or in other words, in such a dial construction, the pointer moves over the disc-shaped stationary hour-dial while the outer minute dial formed as a circular ring moves coaxially with the hour hand.

The hour dial and the minute dial can either be arranged in one plane, ie adjacent to one another, or one above the other or overlapping. Preferably, the dials are in a plane, which allows a flat design of the clock as possible.

If the hour-hand dial and the minute-hand dial are arranged in one plane, then there is preferably a minimum gap between the rotating minute dial and the stationary hour-end, so that the dials do not touch and the minute dial can rotate substantially without friction. Between the two dials, an intermediate ring can be arranged, which creates a visible to the eye spatial separation between the two dials and the better readability of the clock benefits. To allow a clearer distinction of the two dials, they may also be differently colored or made of different materials, e.g. Gold and silver, to be made.

• 12-Stunden-Uhr, wobei StdZ, MinZ und SekZ im Uhrzeigersinn drehen: Übersetzungsverhältnis StdZ:MinZ:SekZ = 1:13:721.

According to a preferred embodiment, the single-hand watch has an additional second dial rotating about the center. The four possible ratios of the hour hand "StdZ" to the minute hand "MinZ" or to the second hand "SekZ" are as follows:

• 12-hour clock, with StdZ, MinZ and SekZ turning clockwise: Gear ratio StdZ: MinZ: SekZ = 1: 13: 721.

12-hour clock, with StdZ turning clockwise and turning MinZ and SekZ counterclockwise: Gear Ratio StdZ: MinZ: SekZ = 1: 11: 719.

24-hour clock, with StdZ, MinZ and SekZ turning clockwise: Gear ratio StdZ: MinZ: SekZ = 1: 25: 1441.

24-hour clock, with StdZ turning clockwise and turning MinZ and SekZ counterclockwise: Gear Ratio StdZ: MinZ: SekZ = 1: 23: 1439.

For example, in the 12-hour clock, the hour hand makes 1 turn (clockwise) in 12 hours. At the same time, the minute dial turns clockwise 13 times and the second dial - also clockwise - 721 times.

Preferably, there are interval divisions on the second dial 60, e.g. Points that mark one second each. Alternatively, it is also possible to provide only a smaller number of interval divisions on the second dial. For example, with six interval divisions, time intervals of 10 seconds can be marked on the secondary dial.

The second dial usually rotates in the same direction as the minute dial, allowing it to rotate either clockwise or counterclockwise with the latter. Preferably, the minute dial and the secondary dial rotate counterclockwise, which requires smaller ratios than clockwise rotation.

In analogy to the embodiments shown above, the second dial is preferably circular disk-shaped or annular. Particularly preferably, the second dial forms a radially outward on the hour and / or minute dial arranged circular ring or a radially inside of the hour and / or minute dial arranged circular disc.

According to a preferred embodiment, the single-hand watch has a mechanical or electric movement which serves to drive an hour wheel connected to the hour hand over an hourly wave and a minute wheel connected to the minute dial.

In the case of a mechanical movement, for example, it is driven by a spring in a housing (so-called barrel). The spring causes the entire barrel to rotate and drive a series of gears (so-called gear train, also called gears) that ultimately move the hour hand and the minute dial (and possibly the seconds dial) of the watch so that the time on the watch can be read. The spring of the movement is usually constantly re-tensioned by a self-winding mechanism. This self-winding mechanism consists of a vibrating mass which, due to gravity and inertia, drives a structure to the elevator of the spring when the watch is moved. So that the movement does not run too fast, but rather as accurately as possible, the gear train is also braked by an escapement, which in turn is controlled by a wheel that swings on a smaller spring (so-called balance) and an anchor fork.

When the one-hand watch is a 12-hour clock, the hour wheel is driven clockwise at a rotational speed of 30 ° per hour, and the minute wheel is driven at a rotational speed of 330 ° per hour counterclockwise or 390 ° per hour clockwise.

Similarly, for a 24-hour clock, the hour wheel is driven at a rotational speed of 15 degrees per hour and the minute wheel rotates counterclockwise at a speed of 345 degrees per hour or clockwise at 375 degrees per hour.

The hour wheel, for example, driven by the movement directly or via another gear from the clockwork. At the hour wheel, the hour shaft is fixed, at which the hour hand is fixed at an end opposite the hour wheel and displays the respective hour on the hour dial.

The "drive" of the hour and minute wheel through the movement here is understood to mean both a direct transmission of a driving force to the hour or minute wheel and a drive which, starting from the movement, takes place via intermediate elements of a wheel train. The drive of the hour wheel and the minute wheel can on the one hand be done independently of each other, or in that the one wheel driven by the clockwork rotates and the rotational movement is transmitted by means of a transmission or reduction gear to the other wheel. In particular, the minute wheel can be driven via a transmission gear through the hour wheel. Alternatively, it is possible to drive the hour wheel via a reduction gear through the minute wheel, which is driven by the movement with the desired rotational speed of 330 ° or 345 ° counterclockwise or 390 ° or 375 ° clockwise per hour.

The inventive single-hand watch is a clock with an analog time display and is for example as a table clock, wall clock, diver's watch, pocket watch or as a wristwatch usable. As a physical clock, the single-hand watch usually has a watch case in which the electrical or mechanical movement, the hour hand and the rotating minute dial and preferably also the stationary hour dial of the inventive single-hand watch is included. The watch case preferably has a transparent cover on the pointer side, which is made, for example, of glass, sapphire or another transparent material and preferably closes the housing tightly against the outside in order to prevent ingress of moisture or dirt. However, the stationary hour dial can also be arranged outside the watch case, namely as a preferably circular dial ring, which is arranged radially outside of the transparent cover on the watch case.

The movement can be of any type and generally has a main plate, above which the stationary hour dial and / or the moving minute dial (and / or optionally the second dial) are arranged on the pointer side. The hour wheel and / or minute wheel driven directly by the movement is usually arranged on the other side (ie, the side facing away from the cover) of the main plate and the hour shaft with the hour hand attached thereto and / or the minute shaft with the minute wheel attached thereto protrude through the main plate existing through holes in the direction of covering the clock.

The minute dial (and / or possibly the seconds dial) can be directly from the movement or, alternatively, indirectly from outside the movement be stored, with the hourly shaft and the minute dial engages gearbox driven. In the latter case, a pinion with external teeth is usually attached to the hourly shaft, in which engages a first gear of the transmission gear. The minute dial is freely rotatably mounted on the hourly wave. To drive the minute dial, for example, this on the clockwork facing (ie lower) side fixed to the minute dial connected, annular minute wheel with an internal toothing. In said internal teeth can engage a second gear of the transmission gear, said second gear is either directly or via other intermediate gears with the first gear of the transmission gear in conjunction. The rotation of the hour shaft caused by the movement is transmitted from the pinion via the first gear directly or indirectly to the second gear of the transmission gear and the second gear causes the rotational movement of the minute dial. In an analogous manner, an optionally existing second dial can be driven by a transmission gear through the hourly shaft or the minute shaft.

Overall, the movement is preferably of the type that is used by default for mechanically operated watches and therefore need not be further explained. In addition, in order to set the movement, it usually has a gear mechanism, which is normally operated via a switching device and a lever. The lever protrudes out of the clock and there has a crown, so that it can be turned by hand.

It is clear to a person skilled in the art that instead of a mechanical movement, an electric movement can also be used. In electric movements, a partial function, or the entire function of the movement is realized electrically. Known examples of electric movements are, for example, quartz watches or battery-powered movements.

According to a preferred embodiment, the single-hand watch is not a physical watch but a digital watch display that is displayed as part of a graphical user interface (GUI) as a 12 or 24 hour analog clock on a display. For example, on mobile devices such as tablets or smartphones, the watch may appear on the display as a "widget" (a window-like component on the graphical user interface). The movement of the hour hand as well as the minute dial and optionally the seconds dial is controlled in this embodiment via a computer program.

The present invention thus also relates to a single-hand watch which is displayed as a 12- or 24-hour clock according to the invention by executing a computer program on a computer unit as part of a graphical user interface on a display connected to the computer unit.

The single-hand watch according to the invention can also be displayed on some display insofar as it is connected to a computer unit on which the clock computer program can be executed. Preferably, the computer unit is in a desktop, laptop or tablet computer, a smartphone or a smartwatch integrated, so that the inventive single-hand watch is displayed on the computer screen or the smartphone or smartwatch display.

The present invention therefore does not only encompass physical single-hand watches, but in particular also relates to a computer program that can be executed to display an inventive single-hand watch as part of a graphical user interface on a display on a computer unit connected to the display. The computer program for displaying the clock is preferably compatible with various operating systems such as Microsoft Windows, Android or iOS.

• Fig. 1 eine Draufsicht auf eine Ausführungsform die nicht Teil der Erfindung ist, einer erfindungsgemässen 12-Stunden-Einzeigeruhr mit einem kreisringförmigen, radial äusseren, stationären Stundenzifferblatt, einem im Uhrzeigersinn drehenden Stundenzeiger und einem kreisscheibenförmigen, ebenfalls im Uhrzeigersinn drehenden, radial inneren Minutenzifferblatt;
• Fig. 2 einen Querschnitt durch die in Fig. 1 gezeigte Einzeigeruhr;
• Fig. 3 eine Draufsicht auf eine erfindungsgemässe alternative Ausführungsform 12-Stunden-Einzeigeruhr mit einem im Uhrzeigersinn drehenden Stundenzeiger, einem kreisringförmigen, im die nicht Teil der Erfindung ist, Uhrzeigersinn drehenden, radial äusseren Minutenzifferblatt und einem stationären, kreisscheibenförmigen, radial inneren Stundenzifferblatt;
• Fig. 4 einen Querschnitt durch die in Fig. 3 gezeigte Einzeigeruhr;
• Fig. 5 eine Draufsicht auf eine Ausführungsform einer 12-Stunden-Einzeigeruhr , die nicht Teil der Erfindung ist, mit einem stationären, kreisringförmigen, radial äusseren Stundenzifferblatt, einem im Uhrzeigersinn drehenden Stundenzeiger und einem kreisscheibenförmigen, im Gegenuhrzeigersinn drehenden, radial inneren Minutenzifferblatt;
• Fig. 6 einen Querschnitt durch die in Fig. 5 gezeigte Einzeigeruhr;
• Fig. 7 eine Draufsicht auf eine Ausführungsform einer 24-Stunden-Einzeigeruhr, die nicht Teil der Erfindung ist, mit einem im Uhrzeigersinn drehenden Stundenzeiger, einem stationären, kreisringförmigen, radial äusseren Stundenzifferblatt und einem kreisscheibenförmigen, im Uhrzeigersinn drehenden, radial inneren Minutenzifferblatt;
• Fig. 8 einen Querschnitt durch die in Fig. 7 gezeigte Einzeigeruhr;
• Fig. 9 eine Draufsicht auf eine 24-Stunden-Einzeigeruhr die nicht Teil der Erfindung ist, mit einem im Uhrzeigersinn drehenden Stundenzeiger, einem stationären, kreisringförmigen, radial äusseren im Uhrzeigersinn Uhrzeigersinn drehenden, radial inneren Sekundenzifferblatt und einem kreisringförmigen, zwischen dem Stunden- und dem Sekundenzifferblatt angeordneten, im Uhrzeigersinn drehenden Minutenzifferblatt;
• Fig. 10 einen Querschnitt durch die in Fig. 9 gezeigte Einzeigeruhr;
• Fig. 11 eine Draufsicht auf eine Ausführungsform einer 24-Stunden-Einzeigeruhr, die nicht Teil der Erfindung ist, mit einem stationären, kreisringförmigen, radial äusseren Stundenzifferblatt, einem im Uhrzeigersinn drehenden Stundenzeiger und einem kreisscheibenförmigen, im Gegenuhrzeigersinn drehenden, radial inneren Minutenzifferblatt;
• Fig. 12 einen Querschnitt durch die in Fig. 11 gezeigte Einzeigeruhr;
• Fig. 13 eine Draufsicht auf eine alternative Ausführungsform einer 24-Stunden-Einzeigeruhr, die nicht Teil der Erfindung ist, mit einem stationären, kreisringförmigen radial äusseren Stundenzifferblatt, einem im Uhrzeigersinn drehenden, speziell geformten Stundenzeiger und einem kreisringförmigen, im Gegenuhrzeigersinn drehenden, radial inneren Minutenzifferblatt;
• Fig. 14 einen Querschnitt durch die in Fig. 13 gezeigte Einzeigeruhr;
• Fig. 15 eine Draufsicht auf eine Ausführungsform einer digitalen 24-Stunden-Einzeigeruhr, die auf einem Display einer Smartwatch angezeigt ist; und
• Fig. 16 einen Querschnitt durch die in Fig. 15 gezeigte Smartwatch.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to two embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying figures. It shows purely schematically:

• Fig. 1 a plan view of an embodiment which is not part of the invention, a 12-hour single-hand watch according to the invention with an annular, radially outer stationary hour dial, a clockwise rotating hour hand and a circular disc-shaped, also rotating clockwise, radially inner minute dial;
• Fig. 2 a cross section through the in Fig. 1 one-hand watch shown;
• Fig. 3 a plan view of an inventive alternative embodiment 12-hour hand watch with a clockwise rotating hour hand, an annular, in which is not part of the invention, clockwise rotating, radially outer minute dial and a stationary, circular disc-shaped, radially inner hour-dial;
• Fig. 4 a cross section through the in Fig. 3 one-hand watch shown;
• Fig. 5 a plan view of an embodiment of a 12-hour hand watch, which is not part of the invention, with a stationary, annular, radially outer hour dial, a clockwise rotating hour hand and a circular disc-shaped, counterclockwise rotating, radially inner minute dial;
• Fig. 6 a cross section through the in Fig. 5 one-hand watch shown;
• Fig. 7 a plan view of an embodiment of a 24-hour hand watch, which is not part of the invention, with a clockwise rotating hour hand, a stationary, annular, radially outer hour dial and a circular disk-shaped, clockwise rotating, radially inner minute dial;
• Fig. 8 a cross section through the in Fig. 7 one-hand watch shown;
• Fig. 9 a plan view of a 24-hour hand watch is not part of the invention, with a clockwise rotating hour hand, a stationary, annular, radially outer a clockwise clockwise rotating, radially inner second dial and an annular, arranged between the hour and the second dial, clockwise rotating minute dial;
• Fig. 10 a cross section through the in Fig. 9 one-hand watch shown;
• Fig. 11 a plan view of an embodiment of a 24-hour hand watch, which is not part of the invention, with a stationary, annular, radially outer hour dial, a clockwise rotating hour hand and a circular disk-shaped, counterclockwise rotating, radially inner minute dial;
• Fig. 12 a cross section through the in Fig. 11 one-hand watch shown;
• Fig. 13 a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a 24-hour hand watch, which is not part of the invention, with a stationary, annular radially outer hour dial, a clockwise rotating, specially shaped hour hand and a circular, counterclockwise rotating, radially inner minute dial;
• Fig. 14 a cross section through the in Fig. 13 one-hand watch shown;
• Fig. 15 a plan view of an embodiment of a 24-hour digital single-hand watch, which is displayed on a display of a smartwatch; and
• Fig. 16 a cross section through the in Fig. 15 shown smartwatch.

The in the Fig. 1 to 14 shown one-hand watches (shown here as wristwatches) have a mechanical movement 1, an hour hand 3, a stationary hour dial 5 and a moving minute dial 7 and optionally a moving seconds dial 15 (FIG. Fig. 9 ) on. Time information is thus displayed on the one hand by the hour hand 3 and on the other hand by the minute dial 7 (and optionally by the second dial 15).

Furthermore, the in the FIGS. 1 to 14 One-hand watches shown in each case a round housing 19 which is covered by a transparent cover 21, for example of glass, sapphire or plastic, and in which the mechanical movement 1 and the other associated clock components (such as hour hand 3 and dials 5, 7, 15 ) are arranged. The transparent cover 21 seals the interior of the housing from the outside, so that the clock components arranged in the housing 19 are protected from external influences, eg moisture and dirt.

The cut Figures 2 . 4 . 6 . 8th . 10 . 12 and 14 each show a cross section perpendicular to the dial plane, through the center 27 of the one-hand watch. In these figures the movement 1 and the respective drive means for the hour hand 3 and the minute dial 7 (and optionally the seconds dial 15) are visible.

The movement 1 has a main plate 23 in a known manner. The hour hand 3 is carried by an hourly shaft 9, which is driven by a clockwork 1 stored and thus not visible hour wheel of the movement 1. The hour shaft 9 protrudes from the movement 1 through a central through hole 25 in the main plate 23 in the direction of cover 21. The movement 1 is thus positioned on one side of the main plate 23, while fixed to the hourly shaft 9 hour hand 3 on the other side of the Main plate 23 is located.

Between the main plate 23 and the transparent cover 21 of the hour hand 3, the stationary hour dial 5 and the rotating minute dial 7 are arranged. In this case, the hour hand 3 is positioned between the transparent cover 21 and the minute dial 7. The minute dial 7 rotates concentrically with the hour hand 3 about a common center of rotation 27, wherein the common axis of rotation coincides with the longitudinal axis of the hour shaft 9. The minute dial 7 is thus freely rotatably mounted on the hourly shaft 9.

In the case of the mechanically driven single-hand watches shown, the minute dial 7 is connected either to a minute shaft 29 which is driven directly by the movement 1 ( Fig. 6 ), or it is indirectly driven by the hourly shaft 9 by the rotation of the hourly shaft 9 via an interposed Transmission gear 13 is transmitted to the minute dial 7 - as in the Fig. 2 . 4 . 8th . 10 . 12 and 14 shown.

The transmission gear 13 is only indicated schematically and therefore the individual gears of the transmission 13 are not shown. In general, a pinion 10 is attached to the hour shaft 9 with an external toothing, with which a first gear of the transmission gear 13 meshes. The minute dial is fixedly connected to an inner ring-shaped minute wheel 11 on the side facing the movement 1 (i.e., lower). In said internal teeth engages a second gear of the transmission gear 13, which is either directly or via more intermediate gears with the first gear of the transmission gear 13 in conjunction. The clockwork 1 caused by the rotation of the hour shaft 9 is passed from the pinion 10 via the first gear directly or indirectly to the second gear of the transmission gear 13 and the second gear causes the rotational movement of the minute dial. 7

The structure and operation of such transmission gears are well known.

The movement 1 is designed so that the hourly wave 9 (and thus the hour hand 3) and the minute dial 7 at least approximately continuously, that is not the human eye leaps and bounds (as in a date display), but evenly and without interruption.

The rotational speed of the hour hand 3 is in so-called 12-hour clocks, in which the Clockwise clockwise in twelve hours a full revolution, twice as large as 24-hour clocks, in which the hour hand 3 for a full turn 24 hours needed. The rotational speed of the minute dial 7 (and optionally the seconds dial 15), however, depends on whether it moves together with the hour hand 3 in a clockwise direction or counterclockwise its direction of rotation. The exact ratios of hour hand 3 to minute dial 7 will be discussed in more detail below. For time display in hours, minutes and possibly seconds, the dials of the one-hand watch usually have digits or symbols. For 12-hour clocks, the hour-hand dial 5 normally has twelve hour digits 33 (from 1 to 12) on the hand side and twenty-four hour digits 33 (from 1 to 24 or 0 to 23) for 24-hour clocks. Like in Fig. 1 4, in a variant which is not part of the invention, the hour digits 33 may be arranged in a radially outer, peripheral section of the hour-piece 5. In all embodiments shown, the hour numerals 33 are arranged uniformly spaced in the circumferential direction of the dial 5. Since the hour hand 3 always moves in a clockwise direction, the hour digits 33 are arranged on the hour dial 5 each ascending clockwise.

In analogy to the hour dial 5, the minute dial 7 has usually minute digits 35. These are arranged depending on the direction of rotation of the minute dial 7 ascending either clockwise or counterclockwise.

Regardless of the embodiments shown, the hour or minute digits 33, 35 on the hour or minute dial 5, 7 Arabic or Roman numerals (or number symbols) or other symbols and can be parallel (ie in the radial direction) or orthogonal be aligned to the arc.

• Bei der in Fig. 1 gezeigten 12-Stunden-Uhr zeigt der strichförmige, im Uhrzeigersinn bewegte Stundenzeiger 3 auf dem äusseren, kreisringförmigen, stationären Stundenzifferblatt 5 die Stunde und gleichzeitig auf dem inneren, kreisscheibenförmigen, im Uhrzeigersinn bewegten Minutenzifferblatt 7 die Minute an. Die Stundenwelle 9 mit dem Stundenzeiger 3 dreht bei diesem Beispiel im Uhrzeigersinn mit einer Rotationsgeschwindigkeit von 30° pro Stunde, während das Minutenzifferblatt 7 mittels Übersetzungsgetriebe 13 wenigstens annähernd kontinuierlich mit einer Drehgeschwindigkeit von 390° pro Stunde - ebenfalls im Uhrzeigersinn - angetrieben ist. Das Minutenzifferblatt 7 dreht bei der gezeigten Ausführungsform insofern 13 mal schneller als die Stundenwelle 9 mit dem daran befestigten Stundenzeiger 3. In dem vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispiel wird die Uhrzeit von 9 Uhr und 0 Minuten, also "punkt 9 Uhr" angezeigt.

The individual embodiments are explained in detail below:

• At the in Fig. 1 shown 12-hour clock shows the line-shaped, clockwise moving hour hand 3 on the outer, annular, stationary hour dial 5 the hour and simultaneously on the inner, circular disc-shaped, clockwise moving minute dial 7 the minute. The hour shaft 9 with the hour hand 3 rotates in this example clockwise at a rotational speed of 30 ° per hour, while the minute dial 7 by means of transmission gear 13 at least approximately continuously with a rotational speed of 390 ° per hour - also clockwise - is driven. The minute dial 7 rotates in the embodiment shown so far 13 times faster than the hourly shaft 9 with the attached hour hand 3. In the present embodiment, the time of 9 o'clock and 0 minutes, that is "point 9 o'clock" displayed.

Fig. 2 shows that when the one-hand watch off Fig. 1 the minute dial 7 is driven via the transmission gear 13 of the hour shaft 9. The transmission gear 13 engages with the first gear in the outer toothing of the fixed to the hour shaft 9 pinion 10 and the rotation of the hour shaft 9 is so transmitted to the first gear of the transmission gear 13. The hour wheel driven by the movement 1 thus rotates the hourly shaft 9 with the hour hand 3 attached thereto in the clockwise direction and through the hourly shaft 9, the first gear of the transmission gear 13 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction. Since at the in Fig. 1 respectively. Fig. 2 shown embodiment of the hour hand and the minute dial rotate both clockwise, the rotation of the counterclockwise rotating first gear so far at least a second gear must be passed to the rotational movement of the hour shaft 9 - with a translation of 1:13 - on the minute dial 7 transfer.

The transmission gears shown in the figures are each only indicated schematically. As is well known in the watch industry, such transmission gears normally include pins with a respective pinion with which a respective gear meshes. Two meshing gears may also be arranged coaxially over one another by pins coupled.

In Fig. 3 the moving, annular minute dial 7 is arranged radially outward with respect to the inner circular disc-shaped hour dial 5. The drive of the hour hand 3 is carried out as above for Fig. 1 set forth, via the directly driven by the clockwork 1 hour shaft 9 and the minute dial 7 is driven via the transmission gear 13 of the hour shaft 9.

The hour hand 3 extends in the in Fig. 3 The radially outer minute dial 7 has in the region of a radially inner edge portion also radial bar marks 39 as minute-interval divisions and minute digits 35 to the minute number indication on the hour dial. Each bar mark 39 stands for one minute each and for better readability of the minute display, every fifth bar mark 40 is extended in the radial direction in the direction of the outer edge of the minute dial 7. Clockwise preceded by a 5-minute line marks 40 an associated number of minutes 35 is indicated. The hourly numbers 33, however, each clockwise trailing a respective hour interval division (or hourly stroke) 41 indicated on the radially inner circular disc-shaped hour dial 5. This has the advantage that the hour or minute digits 33, 35 are not obscured by the hour hand 3 and thus are freely readable when the hour hand 3 is on an associated minute or hour mark 39, 41.

In Fig. 5 For example, a 12-hour, one-hand watch is shown with a clockwise rotating hour hand 3 and a counterclockwise rotating minute dial 7. In this embodiment, the minute dial 7 thus rotates counter to the direction of rotation of the hour hand 3. Accordingly, the hour hand 3 is driven directly from the movement 1 clockwise at a rotational speed of 30 ° per hour and the minute dial 7 moves, also driven directly by the movement 1, with a rotational speed of 330 ° per hour counterclockwise. The Gear ratio of hour shaft 9 to minute dial 7 is thus 1:11 in the embodiment shown.

Unlike the one in the Fig. 1 to 4 In the embodiments shown, the drive of the minute dial 7 takes place at the in Fig. 5 or 6 one-hand watch shown so far not from the hourly shaft 9 via an outside mounted on the movement 1 gearbox 13 but the minute dial 7 is also driven directly by the movement 1. The minute dial 7 is freely rotatably supported in this embodiment on the hour shaft 9 and by a minute shaft 29 - here a minute tube - worn. The minute tube 29 is driven via a arranged in the movement 1 and therefore not visible minute wheel. The hour shaft 9 is arranged inside the minute tube 29 and protrudes beyond the minute tube 29 in the direction of the transparent cover, so that the hour hand 3 can rotate over the minute dial 7 carried by the minute tube 29. The translation of hourly wave 9 to minute shaft 29 (or alternatively a reduction of minute wave to hour shaft) happens insofar in the movement 1 itself, by means of a transmission gear arranged therein (or reduction gear).

According to an embodiment not shown, the hour hand 3 or the hour shaft 9 can of course also be rotated via a reduction gear of the minute shaft. Such embodiments in which the minute dial or the minute shaft is directly driven by driving a minute wheel mounted in the movement of the clockwork and the hour hand indirectly via an intermediate reduction gear of the Minute shaft rotates, are advantageous in that reductions are generally simpler and more accurate to produce than translations, especially in the case of large ratios, such as in a translation of hour hand on second dial.

In the Fig. 7 to 14 each a 24-hour clock is shown. The structure of the are in the Fig. 1-2 and those in the Fig. 7-8 11, with the difference that the hour dial 5 is divided into 24 instead of 12 hours and the hour hand 3 thus requires 24 hours for a full turn. At the in Fig. 7-10 In the embodiments shown, the hour hand 3 and the minute dial 7 rotate clockwise in the same direction of rotation. Accordingly, the hour shaft 9, driven directly by the movement 1, rotates clockwise at a rotational speed of 15 ° per hour, while the minute wheel 11 is driven via the transmission gear 13 from the hour shaft 9 at a rotational speed of 375 ° per hour in the clockwise direction. Thus, in the embodiment shown, the minute dial 7 rotates 25 times faster than the hourly shaft 9 with the hour hand 3 attached thereto Fig. 9 shown, the one-hand watch in addition to hour and minute dial 5, 7 also have a second dial 15. Opposite about the in Fig. 1 shown clock in the embodiment according to Fig. 9 therefore, additional time information is displayed in units of seconds. In the embodiment shown, which is not part of the invention, all three dials 5, 7, 15 are annular and concentrically arranged. The stationary hour dial 5 is radially zuäusserst and the secondary dial 15 is positioned radially inwardly while the minute dial 7 is interposed therebetween. The minute dial 7 and the second dial 15 rotate - as well as the hour hand 3 - in a clockwise direction; So rotate all rotating time display components in the same direction. The time is in the illustrated position 21 hours, 33 minutes and 45 seconds.

At the in Fig. 9 In the embodiment shown, the hour, minute and seconds dial 5, 7, 15 is subdivided into uniform sections (intervals) for indicating the time by means of radial hour, minute or second line markings 41, 39, 43. The hour dial 5 is divided to display the hours 24 times, the minute dial 7 and the second dial 15 to display the minutes and seconds 60 times. On the hour dial 5 also hour digits 33 are given in numbers 0 to 23. Minute numbers 35 in 5-step increments from 0 to 55 or 47-second increments in increments of 10 from 0 to 50 are indicated on the minute and / or second dial 7, 15. Each fifth-second interval divide (ie, every 5-second stroke mark 44) is drawn radially slightly longer and extends from the outer edge to about half the width of the second dial 15. Every fifth minute interval mark (ie, every 5-minute stroke mark 40) and every tenth second interval line (ie, every 10 seconds bar mark 45) extends radially across the entire width of the minute and / or second dial 7, 15. Also, at the radially inner edge of the minute and seconds dials 7, 15, respectively in the circumferential direction to the left of each 5-minute interval bar 40 or 10-second interval bar 45 an associated minute or second number 35, 47 is displayed.

The seconds dial 15 can either be driven via a second shaft driven directly by the movement 1 or indirectly via a transmission gear meshing with the hour shaft 9 (or the minute shaft 29) and the secondary dial. An indirect drive of the secondary dial 15 via a transmission gear 14 is in Fig. 10 shown here, the minute dial 7 is driven via the minute transmission gear 13 and the second dial 15 via the second transmission gear 14 of the hour shaft 9. The second dial 15 has on its lower - ie clockwork side - an annular second wheel 17 with an internal toothing, which is fixedly connected to the second dial 15. The second transmission gear 14 for the translation of the hour shaft 9 to the second dial 15 includes at least two meshing gears, wherein one of the gears engages the internal toothing of the second wheel 17 and the other gear with the hour shaft 9 fixed to the pinion 10 is engaged , The hourly shaft 9 is rotated directly from the movement 1. The minute dial 7 is driven in the embodiment shown on the transmission gear 13 through the hour shaft 9. Since hour hand 3 and minute dial 7 both rotate clockwise, the gear ratio of hour shaft 9 to minute dial 7 is 1:25 in the embodiment shown. The transmission ratio of hour shaft 9 to second dial 15 is 1: 1441.

According to an embodiment, not shown, it would of course also possible to drive the second dial 15 via a transmission gear through the minute wheel 11 and the minute shaft 29. This would have the advantage that the transmission ratio of minute wheel 11 or minute shaft 29 to second dial 15 would be much smaller. For a 24-hour clock, in which the hour hand, the minute dial and the seconds dial all rotate clockwise, the ratio of the minute dial to the second dial would be 1 to 57.64.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show an embodiment, which is not part of the invention, the purely from the dial assembly and dial movement of that Fig. 5 but is designed as a 24-hour clock: The minute dial 7 is circular disc-shaped, arranged radially inward and the stationary hour dial 5 is formed as an annular, radially outer dial. The hour hand 3 is fixed to the hour shaft 9 and rotates clockwise with the clock shaft 1 directly driven by the clockwork 1. The minute dial 7 is driven via the transmission gear 13 of the hour shaft 9 and moves in the counterclockwise direction. Since the hour hand 3 rotates clockwise once in 24 hours around the center 27, it is driven at a rotational speed of 15 ° per hour and the minute dial 7 moves counterclockwise at a rotational speed of 345 ° per hour. The transmission ratio of hour shaft 9 to minute dial 7 is thus 1:23 in the embodiment shown.

In the Fig. 1-12 the embodiments shown is the Hour hand 3 formed in the well-known needle-shaped slim type. Fig. 13 shows an embodiment, which is not part of the invention, with a particular embodiment of an hour hand 53. This includes a plurality of flower-like arranged circular elements 55a-e. In the interior of the largest circular ring 55a, the number of minutes 35 is displayed on the radially inner minute dial 7 and the number of hours 33 on the radially outer hour dial 5. The displayed time is 15 hours 12 minutes. In the two adjacent to the large circular ring 55a central annulus 55b, 55c two more rotatable dials 57, 58 are arranged. In a central small circle 55e one digit each of the two dials is displayed, the two digits together form a date. In the embodiment shown, the 26th day of the month is displayed.

Unlike the other embodiments shown, which are not part of the invention, the hour dial 5 in FIG Fig. 13 shown clock no additional interval divisions 37 but only hour numerals 33 from 0 to 23. The radially inner minute dial 7 has a minute scale with minute digits 35 and minute interval divisions 39. The minute intervals 39 are indicated as 60 points arranged on a circle in the periphery. Every fifth minute (corresponding to a 1/12 turn, or 30 °) is drawn more strongly and provided radially inward with an associated number of minutes 35. The hour hand 3 rotates clockwise, while the minute dial 7 moves in the opposite direction of rotation, ie counterclockwise. In the case of the 24-hour clock shown, the hour hand 3 moves clockwise by 1/24 revolution per hour, ie by 15 °. A21218EP / 07.23.2014

• Bei den in den Fig. 1, 3, 7 und 9 gezeigten Ausführungsbeispielen läuft das Minutenzifferblatt 7 gemeinsam mit dem Stundenzeiger 3 im Uhrzeigersinn. Bei diesen Beispielen sind die Minutenziffern 35 im Gegenuhrzeigersinn aufsteigend angeordnet. Dreht sich das Minutenzifferblatt 7 hingegen, wie etwa in Fig. 5, 11 oder 13 gezeigt, im Gegenuhrzeigersinn, so ist die Anordnung der Minutenziffern 35 im Uhrzeigersinn aufsteigend.

The single-hand watch according to the invention thus permits various design possibilities with regard to the arrangement and design of the dials, the design of hour hands and the drive of the hour hand and the minute dial (and optionally the seconds dial). In the following, this will be summarized by means of some technical features:

• In the in the Fig. 1 . 3 . 7 and 9 shown embodiments, the minute dial 7 runs together with the hour hand 3 in a clockwise direction. In these examples, the minute digits 35 are arranged ascending counterclockwise. Turns the minute dial 7, however, such as in Fig. 5 . 11 or 13 shown, in the counterclockwise direction, the arrangement of the minute digits 35 is ascending clockwise.

As described for the individual figures, in the exemplary embodiments shown, in addition to the hour or minute digits 33, 35, further hourly and / or minute-interval divisions 39, 41 in the form of line markings or dot markings ( Fig. 13 ) present, which are also arranged uniformly spaced in the direction of rotation. In Fig. 1 and 7 For example, the hourly interval divisions 41 are arranged radially inward as bar marks with respect to the hour digits 33, while they are in Fig. 3 . 5 . 9 and 11 each clockwise trailing of the respective hour digits 33 are positioned. The hourly and / or minute scalings (and / or optionally secondscaling) with the hour, minute or second digits 33, 35, 47 and the corresponding interval divisions 41, 39, 43 can be printed on the dials 5, 7, 15 or plastically formed (for example, as a separate construction elements attached or engraved in the material of the respective dial).

An inventive single-hand watch with a mechanical movement can be adjusted in a known manner: The in the FIGS. 1 to 14 One-hand watches shown each have a crown 51 to adjust the position of the minute dial 7 and the hour hand 3 in a known manner. To set the time, the crown 51 can be brought from a rest position to an adjustment position in which the minute dial 7 and thereby also the hour hand 3 can be rotated manually. In this way, the time can be set in relation to the hour and minute. One revolution of the minute dial 7 corresponds to 1/11 or 1/13 revolution (12-hour clock) or 1/23 or 1/25 revolution (24-hour clock) of the hour hand 3. As an illustrative example, the following may be considered the minute dial 7 with respect to the hour hand 3 to 0 (or 60) minutes (full hour), the hour hand must point 3 at the same time exactly to a number 33 or the associated hour interval mark41 on the hour dial 5.

When positioning the dial or the pointer, the movement 1 is usually shut down. The wheel mechanism actuating mechanism, which can be actuated in a known manner via the crown for setting the movement 1, will not be explained further here, since it is generally known to the person skilled in the art.

Regarding the drive, it should be mentioned again here that instead of the mechanical one described above Drive also an electric drive can be used.

In the FIGS. 15 and 16 a further embodiment of a single-hand watch is shown. This one-hand watch is displayed on a display 61 of a smartwatch 63 as part of a graphical user interface of a 24-hour digital clock. The displayed time is 9 o'clock and 12 minutes (09:12). It should be noted that even if the clock is defined as "part of" a graphical user interface, it can fill the entire clock display. The clock display as well as the movement of the hour hand 3 and the minute dial 7 is controlled in a smartwatch not by a mechanical drive but via a computer program which is executed on a computer unit 65 of the smartwatch 63 connected to the display 61. The computer unit 65 and the display 61 are housed in the embodiment shown in the watch case 19 and covered by the transparent cover 21. Of course, the covering 21 can also be omitted, so that the display 61 itself connects directly to the housing 19 as an outer covering.

Instead of on the display of a smart watch, a digital single-hand watch according to the invention can of course also be displayed on any other displays, provided that they are connected to a computer unit on which the computer program for displaying and animating the one-hand watch is executable. For example, the one-hand watch may be displayed on a smartphone or laptop display in the user interface.

Although the watch shown in the figures has a circular watch case with a circular cover, can be easily used also oval or rectangular watch case with correspondingly shaped covers. Likewise, for example, the radially outer dial have a polygonal contour with an annular inner edge adjacent to an annular outer edge of the radially inner circular disk or annular dial.

Claims (11)

1. One-hand watch for the analogue display of the time, at least in hours and minutes, having a stationary hour dial (5),
   a minute dial (7) that rotates about a centre (27) at least approximately in a continuous manner, and an hour hand (3) that rotates about the centre (27) at least approximately in a continuous manner in the clockwise direction,
   wherein the hour hand (3) executes a complete revolution in 12 or 24 hours and the minute dial (7) rotates 13 or 25 times more quickly than the hour hand (3) in the clockwise direction or 11 or 23 times more quickly than the hour hand (3) in the anticlockwise direction,
   characterized in that the hour dial (5) is configured as a radially inner dial in the form of a circular disc and the minute dial (7) is configured as an annular, radially outer dial.
2. One-hand watch according to Claim 1, characterized in that the minute dial (7) is configured as a circular ring.
3. One-hand watch according to either of Claims 1 or 2, characterized by an additional second dial (15) that rotates about the centre (27).
4. One-hand watch according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized by a mechanical or electrical movement (1) for driving an hour wheel connected to the hour hand (3) via an hour shaft (9), and for driving a minute wheel (11) connected to the minute dial (7).
5. One-hand watch according to Claim 4, characterized in that the one-hand watch is a 12-hour watch, in which the hour wheel or the hour shaft (9) is driven at a rotation speed of 30° per hour, and the minute wheel (11) is driven at a rotation speed of 330° per hour in the anticlockwise direction or 390° per hour in the clockwise direction.
6. One-hand watch according to Claim 4, characterized in that the one-hand watch is a 24-hour watch, in which the hour wheel or the hour shaft (9) is driven at a rotation speed of 15° per hour, and the minute wheel (11) is driven at a rotation speed of 345° per hour in the anticlockwise direction or 375° per hour in the clockwise direction.
7. One-hand watch according to one of Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the minute wheel (11) is driven by the hour wheel or the hour shaft (9) via a step-up gear unit (13).
8. One-hand watch according to one of Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the hour wheel or the hour shaft (9) is driven by the minute wheel (11) via a step-down gear unit.
9. One-hand watch according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is displayed as a 12- or 24-hour watch as part of a graphical user interface on a display (61) connected to a computer unit (65) by executing a computer program on the computer unit (65), and the movement of the hour hand (3) and of the minute dial (7) and optionally of the second dial (15) is controlled via the computer program.
10. Computer program product for displaying a one-hand watch according to one of Claims 1 to 3 as part of a graphical user interface on a display (61), wherein the one-hand watch is able to be displayed on the display (61) by executing a computer program on a computer unit (65) connected to the display (61), and the movement of the hour hand (3) and of the minute dial (7) and optionally of the second dial (15) is controllable via the computer unit (65).
11. One-hand watch according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the computer unit (65) is integrated in a device, in particular a desktop, laptop or tablet computer, in a smartphone or a smartwatch (63), and the display (61) is likewise part of the device.

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