FR2790564A1 - Mechanical device for displaying realistic moon phases on a watch or clock - Google Patents

Abstract

A round cutout is made in the watch face (1). A twin black mask pivots on an axis (4) and an existing rotating system co-operates with a moon phase simulator. The twin black mask pivots on its axis between the cutout (2) and a white or luminescent background, and has a rotating system which operates in the sense opposite to time hand movement

Description

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DESCRIPTION

  The moon phases clearly illustrate the respective places occupied by the Earth, the Moon and the Sun throughout a

  year. From these configurations result physical and other phenomena that interest us, such as lunar calendars, ephemeris, tidal coefficients, religious festivals and other medical and personal concerns.

  The current moon phase display system has been used for several decades and these are illus-

  trées by moving in a landscape, the image of a "full moon" between two hills. It comes out from behind the side of the hill on the left, showing an increasingly growing moon in this way, becomes "full" in the middle of its course, then begins to regress by hiding behind the other slope to disappear completely, it then became what is known as the "new moon". This way of imaging the phases gives a rather poor illustration of a show

  captivating. In the system I recommend, the watch moon is a true reflection of that of the sky, in all its aspects.

  In the dial of a watch, at a chosen location, a round cut is made. (fig.l / l) Behind this

  here the background is white or luminescent in order to give a good contrasting image in all circumstances. So that the moon remains in all its phases, always clearly visible, even on a white dial background, a black circumference surrounds it. (3) Between the cutout and the background, turns around its axis (4) a double cover black (5) with a diameter slightly smaller than the opening (6) so that the moon even obstructed to the maximum by the cover (11) and giving the image of a black "new moon", remains visible even on a background of the night sky, because surrounded by a white halo. (11) When the two covers are in a horizontal alignment (7) none of them is visible in the opening and this then illustrates the " full moon". (8) Driven by the rotation system currently in use, but counterclockwise -2- at the speed of one full rotation for two lunar cycles of twenty-nine and a half days , it is the cover on the right, which first appears in the opening (9) then gradually draws all the phases of a waning moon (9 and 10). After the "new moon" (ll) begins the growth phase until the "full moon" (12,13 and 14)

  From this moment the other cache takes over, to offer the same spectacle. Figure 1 shows a watch face with the device

  phase display. The part of the double mask located under the dial is dotted (4) the part already visible in the opening (9) illustrates the beginning of the waning moon. Fig. 2 schematically illustrates the succession

  phases of a full lunar cycle. (from 8 to 14).

  One of the advantages of this new way of showing the moon on watches is that without disrupting the technique

  of current manufacture, it grants a saving of space on the dial, a greater clarity of reading and an infinite possibility20 of diurnal or nocturnal decorations.

  The year 2000 and this new century seem to want to encourage innovation and renewal in watchmaking.

  Now to recognize at first glance which phase the moon is in, you simply need to know in the northern hemisphere that when it writes the letter C on the sky to grow, or D to decrease it is not

  not true, because the moon is lying on the other hand in the southern hemisphere the moon never lies.

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Claims (3)

  1- Mechanical device enabling analog and realistic visualization of the moon phases on watches and   clocks (fig.l) characterized in that a round cutout, made in the dial (1), a double black cover pivoting 5 on its axis (4) and an already existing rotation system cooperate in an illustration of the moon phases, who becomes   are as true as those in heaven. fig.2 2- Device according to claim 1 characterized in that between the opening thus made and a white or luminescent background, rotates around its axis (4) counterclockwise, a double black cover (7) with a diameter slightly smaller than the opening (6) so that the "new moon" is clearly visible, as if surrounded by a halo, even against a background of the night sky. (Ll)   3- Device according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the round cut is surrounded by a discrete   black circumference (6) so that the image of the moon in all its phases is always clearly visible, even on a white background.   4- Device according to claims 1,2 and 3 characterized in that the axis of the black double cover is placed such   so that in a horizontal alignment none of them is visible in the opening and in a vertical alignment, one of them obstructs the opening to the maximum. fig. 2 (from 8 to 14).