FR2646935A1 - Clock with luminescent background - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a clock whose hands can comprise light-emitting parts for indicating the time in a dark environment. This clock has, on its background 5, regions 7 of extensive area which are covered with a luminescent paint which absorbs and stores light when the clock is illuminated and which re-emits the stored light with an intensity which decreases over time when the clock is placed in a dark environment.

Description

LUMINESCEN CLOCK PENDULUM /
The present invention concerns pendulums, and more particularly pendulums on which one can temporarily read the time when they are placed in a dark environment.

 Clocks or watches are known comprising on their needles light-emitting parts made of phosphorescent material. The light is emitted in a pereavent way. Thus, the position of the hands can be detected in both an illuminated and a dark environment and the time can be read in both cases.

 In addition, to assist in reading the time, punctual parts also made of phosphorescent material can be added at the location of the numbers indicative of the time.

 However, such phosphorescent materials emit dangerous radioactive radiation. In particular, they can only be used in very small quantities. Pendulums using phosphorescent materials can only provide the time.

 Clocks or watches are also known, the bottom of which can be lit by an active light source such as an electric bulb. These devices have two drawbacks: they consume energy and they require an ignition command.

 The present invention provides a pendulum which presents absolutely no danger, which provides illumination in addition to an indication of the time without consuming energy, this illumination being inherently temporary.

 More specifically, the present invention provides a pendulum dcnt the hands are likely to include light emitting parts to indicate the time in a saber swelling. This pendulum has on its bottom large areas coated with a luminescent paint which absorbs and stores light when the pendulum is lit and which re-emits the stored light with decreasing intensity over time when the pendulum is placed in a dark environment . Thus, the pendulum provides lighting in a saber environment in addition to an indication of the time.

These objects, characteristics and advantages as well as others of the present invention will be explained in more detail in the following description of a particular embodiment made in relation to the attached figures, among which
Figure 1 shows a pendulum according to the present invention; and
Figures 2 to 6 illustrate different patterns that can be represented on the bottom of a pendulum according to the present invention.

 FIG. 1 represents an embodiment of a pendulum 1 according to the present invention. This pendulum is located inside a frame 2. It conventionally includes a small hand 3 to indicate the hours and a large hand 4 to indicate the minutes. A conventional mechanism, for example with batteries, tightening to drive the hands is hidden behind the pendulum, it is not shown.

 The fand 5 of the pendulum includes two types of first zanes 6 are green with a dark paint; second zones 7 are covered with a luminescent paint such as that distributed by the company SERIOOL under the reference EXPANTEX (EX 327).

 This luminescent paint has the following properties: when it is lit by daylight or an electric light, it absorbs and stores energy; when it is then placed in a dark errt, without any external light, it re-emits the energy stored in the form of light, the intensity gradually decreasing and vanishing at the end of a period on which the duration depends of the paint used and its thickness, for example 15 to 60 minutes.

 This paint presents absolutely no danger, in particular it does not emit radioactive radiation. It can thus be deposited on large surfaces.

 The two needles 3 and 4 also each comprise a part 3-1 and 4-1 covered with luminescent paint, respectively, the part 4-1 on the large needle being further from the point of rotation than is the part 3- 1 on the small needle. It is thus possible to read the time as long as the transparent paint re-emits light. For needles, it is also possible, conventionally, to use a phosphorescent paint.

 According to one aspect of the invention, the supports on which the luminescent paint is deposited are white in order to make the best possible use of the characteristics and performance of the luminescent paint used.

 The present invention can be applied in particular to the Oas of children's clocks. Indeed, many children and some adults find it hard to be brutally plunged into darkness. In the evening, when the light has just been turned off, the pendulum emits from the moonlight and serves as a pilot with gradual extinction, which contributes to securing and helps falling asleep.

 The dark areas 6 on the bottom of the pendulum of FIG. 1 form a design chosen to contribute to the feeling of security, for example an object or a pet. We can also plan to market clocks with a bottom completely $ covered with luminescent paint on which the user will want to stick the silhouette of their choice.

FIGS. 1 to 6 represent, by way of nonlimiting example, various patterns for children that can be provided on the bottom of a pendulum according to the invention:
FIG. 1 represents a dog's head surrounded by a set of twelve hearts each corresponding to a number indicating the time;
FIG. 2 represents an owl surrounded by a set of numbers from 1 to 12 each located at their usual location for indicating the time;
FIG. 3 represents a cat's head surrounded by a set of twelve hearts each corresponding to a number indicating the time; ;
FIG. 4 represents a bear head surrounded by a set of twelve hearts each corresponding to the hour indication figure
FIG. 5 represents a fish surrounded by a set of numbers from 1 to 12 each located at their usual location for indicating the time
FIG. 6 represents a rabbit head surrounded by a set of figures from 1 to 12 each located at their usual location for indicating the time.

 The present invention is susceptible of numerous variants which will appear to those skilled in the art. It is for example possible to produce luminescent backgrounds in portable watches on the wrist rather than in pendulums intended to be hung on walls.

Claims (4)

 1. Pendulum whose hands are capable of light-emitting parts to indicate the time in a dark environment, characterized in that it has on its bottom (5) areas (7) of extended surface coated with '' a luminescent paint which absorbs and stores light when the pendulum is lit and which re-emits the stored light with decreasing intensity over time when the pendulum is placed in a dark environment.  2. Pendulum according to claim 1, characterized in that its needles (3, 4) oooprnnnent cbacne at least a part (3-1, 4-1) covered with luminescent paint.  3. Pendulum according to claim 2, characterized in that the background which is covered with lumnoente paint is white.  4. Pendulum according to claim 1, characterized in that the potions not covered with luminescent paint are covered with dark paint and represent derorative patterns.