FR2778759A1 - TIME INDICATION DEVICE FOR MULTIPLE TIME ZONES - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for indicating the time (10), such as a watch, comprising a case (12) provided with a case-back (14) and a dial (18) provided with a window. , analog time display means (22, 24), motor means (34), and a gear train (36) for transmitting the movement of the motor means (34) to said display means (22) , 24). Said device (10) further comprises a ring (60) movable in rotation about a geometric axis (X0, X0 '), placed behind the dial (18) and bearing at least two marks spaced apart by a angle a which may appear through the window, and control means (70) able to drive in rotation, on the one hand, the crown (60) and, on the other hand, return means (86) for setting time connected to said gear train (36), said gear train (36) comprising a first mobile (50) forming a satellite whose axis is integral with the crown (60) and said gear train (36 ) being shaped so that the rotat ion of the crown (60) of said angle alpha generates a rotation of said display means (22, 24) corresponding to the time difference between the two time zones indicated by said marks.

Description

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  The invention relates to a device for indicating the time, such as a watch, comprising a housing provided with a bottom and a dial, analog time display means, motor means, and a gear train for transmitting the movement of the motor means to said display means. There are already known devices for indicating the time, such as a watch or a clock, digital and which directly display the time for different time zones, the time differences being programmed in these digital devices so that by the simple choice of country or

  particular time zone, the corresponding time is automatically displayed.

  Despite the existence of these devices of the prior art, there is a need for analog devices, for example with display by hands, allowing by the simple choice of a country or a time zone to directly obtain the display of the corresponding time without having to artificially recreate this offset by resetting the watch time. The invention therefore aims to provide a device for indicating the time of the type which has been indicated above, which can be adjusted over several time zones by a simple and safe maneuver, not risking affecting the setting of the setting. time of the device and allowing to display, by means of a marker, the time zone corresponding to the time

indicated by the device.

  According to the present invention, these objectives are achieved by the fact that the device for indicating the time is characterized in that said dial has a window and in that said device further comprises a crown movable in rotation around '' a geometric axis, placed behind the dial and carrying at least two marks separated by an angle a and positioned

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  radially so that each of said marks can appear through the window in an angular position of said crown corresponding to a time zone indicated by said associated mark, and control means capable of driving, on the one hand, the crown and , on the other hand, s time setting return means connected to said gear train, in that said gear train comprises a first mobile forming a satellite whose axis is integral with the crown and in this that said gear train is shaped so that the rotation of the crown of said angle ca generates, through said gear train, a rotation of said display means io corresponding to the time difference between the two reported time zones

by said benchmarks.

  In this way, the change in angular position of the crown modifies, on the one hand, by the gear train, the position of the analog time display means, that is to say the time indicated by i5 said device, and, on the other hand, by the appearance of another mark through the window, the time zone displayed on the dial, associated with this mark and

  corresponding to the new time indicated.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first mobile comprises a lower wheel and an upper wheel integral with the same axis and the gear train further comprises: - a lower stage comprising an input wheel connected to said motor means by a friction device and meshing with a roadway integral with the lower end of a material axis coaxial with said geometric axis, the upper end of said material axis projecting above the dial and being integral with a first needle, said roadway meshing with a lower wheel of a second mobile forming a satellite comprising a lower wheel and an upper wheel, said lower wheel also meshing

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  with said time setting return means, - an intermediate stage comprising the upper wheel of the second mobile, integral with said lower wheel of the second mobile and meshing with a link wheel mounted idly around the material axis, said wheel link meshing with the lower wheel of the first mobile, and - an upper stage comprising the upper wheel of the first mobile, integral in rotation with said lower wheel of the first mobile and meshing with a barrel wheel secured to the lower end of a bearing mounted idly around the material axis, the upper end of said bearing

  projecting above the dial and being secured to a second needle.

  Thanks to this compact arrangement of the gear train, the direct rotation of the first needle set in motion by the motor means is effectively ensured and, through the ratios of the gear train, the rotation of a second needle. In addition, thanks in particular to the first mobile connecting the crown to the gear train and to the friction device, placed between the gear train and the drive means, the rotation of the crown rotates the second needle which

  shifts by an angle corresponding to the desired time difference.

  According to an advantageous characteristic of the present invention, the control means comprise a control rod capable of being moved in longitudinal translation between a first position making it possible to rotate said time-setting return means

  and a second position allowing said crown to rotate.

  In this way, it is possible, by the operation of a single element, to control either the time-setting of the device, which then generates a rotation of the two hands, or, by the rotation of the

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  crown, a time difference only changing the angular position of the

second needle.

  In this case, it is provided that said time-setting return means have a vertical wheel movable in rotation about a horizontal axis, meshing with the lower wheel of the second mobile and being capable of meshing with a vertical toothed wheel. located at the distal end of said control rod, in said first position of the control rod. Advantageously, the lower surface of the periphery of said crown is provided with teeth turned opposite said bottom and able to cooperate with the teeth of a toothed wheel belonging to said control means. The following advantageous arrangements are also preferably adopted: the first hand is a large hand for indicating the minutes; - the second hand is a small hand for indicating the time; - The speed ratio between the first and second mobiles is equal to 1 and the speed ratio between the upper and lower stages is equal to 1/12; - if R1 is considered to be the speed ratio between the second moving part and the driving means and R2 as being the speed ratio between the connecting wheel of the intermediate stage and the second moving part, the following relationship is verified: a / 360 (1 - 1/12 x 1 / (R2 x R1)) + 1/12 = 0; - if we consider R3 as being the speed ratio between the first mobile and the connecting wheel of the intermediate stage and R4 as being the speed ratio between the gun wheel and the first mobile, the following relation is verified :

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  c / 360 (R4 x R3 - 1) - 1/12 = 0; - according to a preferred embodiment, R1 = 1/4, R2 = 1/5, R3 = 5,

R4 = 1/3 eta = 45.

  According to another advantageous configuration, the device further comprises a system for stabilizing the angular position of said crown comprising: - a series of depressions positioned on the internal surface of said crown in a regularly spaced fashion on a circle concentric with said crown, the said depressions being separated from each other by an angle substantially equal to said angle a, and - a vertical tube, disposed between said bottom and said crown, in which is housed a compression spring at the upper end of which rests a ball coming to bear on said inner surface of the crown opposite said circle, so that when said ball is aligned vertically

  with one of the depressions, a mark appears through said window.

  In this way, a stable and constant angular position of the crown is ensured outside of the periods in which the time indicated by the device is offset, by rotating the

  crown which corresponds to a time zone change.

  The invention will be better understood, and features

  side effects and their benefits will become apparent during the description of a

  embodiment given below by way of example.

  It is understood that the description and the drawings are given only

indicative and not limiting.

  Reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a partially transparent elevation of a device according to the present invention;

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  - Figure 2 is a sectional view along the direction II-II of Figure 1; - Figure 3 is a simplified view of Figure 1 in which the device is in a first position; - Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the kinematics of the device of Figure 3 s in a view identical to that of Figure 2; - Figures 5 and 6 respectively correspond to views identical to those of Figures 3 and 4 for a second position of the device according to the invention; and, - Figures 7 and 8 correspond to views identical to those of Figures 3

  1o and 4 for a third position of the device.

  The device for indicating the time shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 can be produced, depending on the dimensions used, in the form of a

  watch or a pendulum without modifying the description which goes

  to follow. This time indication device 10 comprises a box 12 enclosing the mechanism, this box 12 comprising a bottom 14, a cylindrical side wall 16 and being delimited in the upper part by a dial 18 on the upper surface of which there are all the inscriptions necessary for the reading of the time such as whole numbers in Roman numerals or in Arabic numerals (reference 20) as well as fancy names or

decoration patterns.

  In a conventional manner per se, the device 10 is provided with analog display means of the hour in the form of a large hand 22 for the indication of the minutes and a small hand 24 for the indication of the hours, these two needles 22, 24 being movable in rotation about the same geometric axis (XO, XO '). The large needle 22 is secured to the upper end of a material axis 26 whose lower end is secured to a center pinion or roadway 28. This roadway 28 meshes with a wheel

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  inlet 30 whose axis is connected, via a friction system 32, to means

  motors 34. These motor means 34 can be of various types.

  Conventionally, the motor means 34 consist of a stepping motor controlled by an integrated circuit, itself electrically supplied by means of a battery and subjected to the pulses of an oscillator or quartz. The small hand 24, which makes a full revolution of the dial in twelve hours, is driven indirectly, by the same motor means 34 with a speed ratio of 1/12 relative to the large hand 22. This is achieved by means of a train gear 36 composed of three stages 36a, 36b and 36c and connecting the roadway 28 to a cannon wheel 38. The cannon wheel is integral with the lower end of a bearing 39 mounted idly around the central axis 26 and whose upper end, projecting above the dial 18, is integral with the small hand 24 which is placed under the large hand 22. The operation of the device 10, apart from the time setting phases or time difference is as follows: at the level of the lower stage 36a of the gear train 36, the motor means 34 rotate the input wheel 30 meshing with the roadway 28, or center pinion, according to a speed ratio equal to 1, the roadway 28 and the r inlet hatch with the same diameter. In addition to the input wheel 30, the roadway 28 meshes with another toothed wheel 41 of larger diameter forming the lower wheel of a second mobile 40 in rotation about an axis (X1, X1 ') fixed relative to the 'central axis (XO, X0'). The material axis 44, integrally carrying the lower 41 and upper 42 wheels of the second mobile

  , is rotatably mounted at the bottom 14 of the housing.

  The second mobile 40 also includes an upper wheel 42 surmounting the lower wheel 41 and belonging to an intermediate stage 36b of the gear train 36. This upper wheel 42 meshes with a wheel

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  link 46 mounted madly around the central axis 26 and meshing with a pinion 51 forming the lower wheel of a first mobile 50 whose axis

  support material 54 is integral with a crown 60.

  At the upper stage 36c of the gear train 36, the upper wheel 52 of the first mobile 50 meshes with the barrel wheel 38 so that the rotational movement of the motor means 34 is transmitted to the small needle 24 with a ratio of 1/12 between the cannon wheel and the roadway 28, that is to say between the upper stage 36c and the lower stage

36a of gear train 36.

  The first mobile 50 is mounted in rotation about a geometric axis (X2, X2 ') which is, like the axis (X1, X1') of the second mobile, parallel to the axis (X0, X0 '). However, unlike the axis (X1, Xi '), the axis (X2, X2') is not fixed relative to the axis (X0, X0 ') but is movable in rotation around the axis (X0, X0 ') because it follows the angular displacement of the

crown 60.

  The time indication device 10 also comprises control means 70 enabling the device 10 to be set to the time or its time difference. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, these control means 70 are unique and comprise a horizontal control rod 72, the proximal end of which projects out of the housing through an opening arranged at the side wall 16, a gripping head 74 being attached to this proximal end. The distal end of the control rod 72 carries a toothed wheel 76 with an axis (Y0, Y0 ') horizontal and perpendicular to the axis (X0, X0'). The control rod 72 is carried by a U-shaped bracket 80 whose ends form a bearing for the rod 72, two compression springs 82 each extending between the internal face of one of the branches of the bracket 80 and a stop rib 84

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  annular placed around the control rod 72. These springs 82 are identical and tend to bring the control rod 72 into a rest position in which the stop rib 84 is centered relative to the two

stirrup arms 80.

  If the user pushes the control rod 72, the latter comes into abutment in a first extreme position or advanced position in which the toothed wheel 76 cooperates with time-setting return means constituted by a return wheel 86 vertical mobile in rotation about a horizontal axis (Y1, Y1 '). The return wheel 86 has a double system i0 of teeth for meshing with, on the one hand, the toothed wheel 76 and, on the other hand, the lower wheel 41 of the second mobile 40. Thus, in the advanced position of the control rod 72, by rotating the gripping head 74 about the axis (Y0, Y0 '), the user can thus, by means of the gear train 36, simultaneously rotate the large needle 22 and the small hand 24 for resetting the device 10, the resistant torque developed by the roadway 28 being sufficient to disengage the input wheel 30 from the motor means 34 by eliminating the effect of the friction system 32. In a second extreme stop position, corresponding to a withdrawal position, the control rod 72 kept pulled by the traction exerted by the user on the gripping head 74, allows the toothed wheel 76 to mesh with a toothing 61 arranged at the bottom surface of the p riphery of the crown 60, facing the bottom 14 of the housing 12. It is in this retracted position that the control rod 72 makes it possible to effect an angular offset of the crown 60 resulting in a time difference, that is to say -tell the rotation of the only small needle 24, as it is

described below.

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  Contrary to what happens in the case of setting the time, when the crown 60 is rotated, the friction system 32 remains active so that the drive means 34 remain coupled to the input wheel 30,

  which immobilizes the central axis 26 and the large needle 22.

  If the user rotates the crown 60 by an angle a, the axis (X2, X2) and the first mobile 50 also rotate by an angle a relative to the central axis (XO, X0 '), the small needle 24 then moving by an offset angle D verifying the following formula: D = a (1 - R4 x R3) o R4 is the ratio of the upper stage, that is to say the ratio between the wheel with cannon 38 and the first mobile 50 and R3 is the ratio between the first

mobile 50 and the connecting wheel 46.

  At the end of this time-shifting operation, the control rod 72 returns to its illustrated rest position, the gear train 36 then operating normally between the motor means 34 and the small hand 24, the first mobile 50 staying in his new

angular position.

  In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, provision is made for obtaining a time difference of one hour from the small hand 24 when

  a = 45, a being the angle of rotation of the crown 60.

  The position of the crown 60 is identified by the display of marks 62 carried on the upper surface of the crown 60, one of these marks 62 can be viewed through a window 19 cut out from the dial 18 at the same distance of the axis (X0, X0 ') as the marks 62. The

  marks 62 (A, B, C ...) are spaced from each other by the same angle a.

  In the initial position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the mark B visible through the window 19 corresponds to a time difference il 2778759 zero. We will take as the starting position of hands 22 and 24, that illustrated in Figure 3, position in which the device 10 indicates eight

quarter past eight (8.15 a.m.).

  To move to the position illustrated in FIG. 5, from the starting position in FIG. 3, the user has maneuvered the control means 70 so as to rotate the crown 60 by an angle equal to - ca (- 45), which caused, through the gear train, a rotation of the small needle 24 by an angle equal to D, that is to say 1/12 turns or 30, so that in FIG. 5, the device 10 displays a quarter past nine (9.15 a.m.) and it is the mark C, corresponding to a time difference of +1 hour, which

appears in window 19.

  By cons, if from the initial position of Figure 3, the user rotates the crown 60 by an angle equal to + 45 (+ ac or 1/8 of a turn), it is the reference A which appears in window 19, this mark i5 corresponding to a time difference of - 1 hour, and the small hand 24 has turned by an angle equal to - 30, that is to say - 1/12 turn, so that the

  device displays a quarter past seven (7.15 a.m.).

  Thus, thanks to this arrangement, it is possible, at any time, to achieve a time difference in the display of the device 10, by acting only on the small hand 24, this time difference can be effected in both directions and for any number of hours desired. Indeed, the number of marks 62 is not limited to 3 as in the figures but can be greater: up to 8 for a = 45. In addition, you can rotate the crown more than one turn to obtain the time difference

wish.

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  It is of course possible to design other devices having the value of the angle at a value other than 45, such as 60, by recalculating the

  adequate gear ratio 36.

  The example illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8 presents three references 62 (A, B and C) each corresponding to three adjacent time zones which can correspond to the three time zones present within Europe so that the device illustrated can constitute a watch that can be used throughout Europe, each of the 62 marks (A, B, C) corresponding to one of these time zones and which can be replaced by the initials of a country in the

l0 corresponding time zone.

  So that the crown 60 remains in a stable position between two time difference maneuvers, it is provided that the device 10 comprises a stabilization system 90 cooperating reversibly with the crown, in the positions of the crown 60 corresponding to the display of 'one of the marks 62 through the window 19. Preferably, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 8, this stabilization system 90 comprises a ball 92 mounted on a spring 94 placed vertically in a tube 96 whose opening is oriented towards the crown. A series of depressions 98 is located on the lower surface of the crown 60 along a circle concentric with the crown 60, the

  depressions being regularly spaced at an angle equal to the angle a.

  The compression spring 94 keeps the ball in abutment against the crown 60 so that when the ball is opposite a depression 98, the ball 92 is partially housed in this depression 98. The crown then remains stable in this angular position as long that the user does not exercise a

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  sufficient torque on control rod 72 to overcome the

  spring compressive strength 94.

  Advantageously, it is provided that when the ball arrives opposite one of the depressions 98, one of the marks 62, appears through the window 19. The device 10 which has just been presented can also be used to perform a time difference which, instead of coming from a time zone change, comes from the time difference between the time

summer and winter time.

  It is understood that other gear trains having a

  arrangement different from that of the gear train 36 described and illustrated below

  before can allow the same type of jet lag to be obtained.

  Without departing from the scope of the present invention, the control means 70 can have a shape other than that of the control rod 72 and can also be in the form of two separate control systems, one for setting on time and the other

  for the time difference created by the angular movement of the crown 60.

  The device described above can also be adapted for incorporating an additional hand for indicating the seconds by means of an additional gear stage, preferably

  placed above the upper stage of the gear train 36.

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Claims (10)

  1. Device for indicating the time (10), such as a watch, comprising: a- a case (12) provided with a bottom (14) and a dial (18), s b- analog time display means (22, 24), c- motor means (34), and d- a gear train (36) for transmitting the movement of the motor means (34) to said display means (22, 24), characterized in that said dial (18) has a window (19) and in that i0 said device (10) further comprises: e- a crown (60) movable in rotation about an axis geometric (X0, X0 '), placed behind the dial (18) and carrying at least two marks (62) spaced by an angle a and positioned radially so that each of said marks (62) can appear through the window (19 ) in an angular position of said crown (60) corresponding to a time zone indicated by said associated marker (62), and f- control means (70) capable of driving in rotation, on the one hand, the crown (60 ) and, from on the other hand, time-setting return means (86) connected to said gear train (36), in that said gear train (36) comprises a first mobile (50) forming a satellite whose axis is integral with the crown (60) and in that said gear train (36) is shaped so that the rotation of the crown (60) of said angle generates, by means of said gear train (36), a rotation of said display means (22, 24) corresponding to the time difference between the two time zones indicated by said marks (62). 2778759   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said first mobile (50) comprises a lower wheel (51) and an upper wheel (52) integral with the same axis (54) and in that said gear train (36 ) further comprises: - a lower stage (36a) comprising an input wheel (30) connected to said motor means (34) by a friction device (32) and meshing with an integral roadway (28) of the lower end a material axis (26) coaxial with said geometric axis (X0, X0 '), the upper end of said material axis (26) projecting above the dial (18) and being integral with a first needle (22) , said roadway (28) meshing with a lower wheel (41) of a second mobile (40) forming a satellite comprising a lower wheel (41) and an upper wheel (42), said lower wheel (42) also meshing with said means time setting (86), - an intermediate stage (36b) comprising the wheel upper (42) of the second mobile (40), integral with said lower wheel (41) of the second mobile (40) and meshing with a connecting wheel (46) mounted loosely around the material axis (26), said wheel link (46) meshing with the lower wheel (51) of the first mobile, and - an upper stage (36c) comprising the upper wheel (52) of the first mobile (50), integral in rotation with said lower wheel (51) of the first mobile (50) and meshing with a cannon wheel (38) integral with the lower end of a bearing (39) mounted idly around the material axis (26), the upper end of said bearing (39) projecting above the dial   (18) and being integral with a second needle (24).   3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that said control means (70) comprise a control rod (72) capable of being moved in translation 16 2778759   longitudinal between a first position making it possible to rotate said time setting return means (86) and a second position   allowing to rotate said crown (60).   4. Device according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that   s said time-setting return means have a vertical wheel (86) mobile in rotation around a horizontal axis (Y0, Y0 '), meshing with the lower wheel (41) of the second mobile (40) and being able to mesh with a vertical toothed wheel (76) located at the distal end of said rod   control (72), in said first position of the control rod (72).   5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the lower surface of the periphery of said crown (60) is provided with teeth (61) turned opposite said bottom (14) and able to cooperate with the teeth of a toothed wheel (76) belonging to said means control (70).   6. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 5,   characterized in that said first hand is a large hand (22) for indication of the minutes, in that said second hand is a small hand (24) for indication of the hour, in that the speed ratio between the first and second mobiles (40, 50) is equal to 1 and in that the speed ratio between the upper (36c) and lower (36a) stages is equal to 1/12.   7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that, if we consider Rl as being the speed ratio between the second mobile (40) and the motor means (34) and R2 as being the speed ratio between the wheel connecting (46) of the intermediate stage (36b) and the second 17 2778759   mobile (40), the following relation is verified cc / 360 (1-1 / 12x 1 / (R2xR1)) + 1/12 = 0.   8. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that, if we consider R3 as being the speed ratio between the first mobile (50) and the connecting wheel (46) of the intermediate stage (36b) and R4 as being the speed ratio between the cannon wheel (48) and the first mobile (50), the following relation is verified: ac / 360 (R4xR3-1) - 1/12 = 0.   9. Device according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that   R1 = 1/4, R2 = 1/5, R3 = 5, R4 = 1/3 and a = 45.   10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that it further comprises a system for stabilizing (90) the angular position of said crown (60) comprising: - a series of depressions (98) positioned on the internal surface of said crown (60) regularly spaced on a circle concentric with said crown (60), said depressions (98) being separated from each other by an angle substantially equal to said angle ct, and - a vertical tube (96), disposed between said bottom (14) and said crown (60), in which is housed a compression spring (94) at the upper end of which rests a ball (92) coming to bear on said internal surface of the crown (60) opposite said circle, so that when said ball (92) is aligned vertically with one of the depressions (98), a   mark (62) appears through said window (19).