GB2029611A - Mirror image clock - Google Patents

Abstract

A clock is constructed to show the time in laterally reversed manner i.e. so that the time appears correctly indicated when the clock is viewed in a mirror. The hands are therefore driven in the opposite direction to the usual one and any indicia provided on the dial are laterally inverted. Advertising matter, also inverted, may be provided on the dial or, as shown, on a panel which also carries the clock dial. The panel and/or dial may be illuminated from the rear. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Mirror image clock This invention relates to clocks for indicating time.

The invention resides, in its broadest aspect, in a concept which gives a clock a peculiar appearance or behaviour. This peculiarity is likely to arrest viewers' attention. In virtue of this effect, a clock according to the invention is of potential value as an aid to advertising, for example the advertising of goods, services or events.

A clock according to the present invention is characterised in that time is indicated by the clock in laterally reversed manner i.e. so that the time appears correctly indicated when the clock is viewed in a mirror.

Preferably the clock is a dial clock the hand(s) of which rotate anticlockwise in face-on aspect. If the dial bears time numerals their sequence is anticlockwise in the normal face-on aspect and individual numerals are laterally reversed. It is of course not necessary for the dial to bear time numerals. It can for example bear simple time division dots or strokes.

The invention includes a digital clock with the characterising feature above specified. Such a clock operates to display the digits in reverse sequence to that of a normal digital clock and the digits are laterally reversed. However a clock of dial form is considered to be more beneficial for the purpose primarily in view.

A clock according to the invention can be of mechanical, electrical or electronic type. There is no technical problem in providing a clock with a mechanism of any of those kinds which operates time-indicating elements, i.e. hands or digit-bearing elements, in the reverse of the normal direction or sequence and there is therefore no need in this specification for technical information to enable the reverse operation characteristic of the invention to be achieved.

Advantageously the clock bears one or more words which is or are laterally reversed so as to read correctly when viewed in a mirror. Such word(s) may comprise a brand name or a slogan or any other matter for advertising purposes. The advertising effect can be enhanced by incorporating in or associating with the clock a source of iliumination for illuminating the advertising matter.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the clock is mounted as part of an advertising display including laterally reversed readable matter adjacent the clock. For example the clock can be mounted on or incorporated in a panel which bears laterally reversed readable matter adjacent the clock.

The accompanying drawings show in normal face-on view two dial clocks according to the invention.

The hands of the clock shown in Figure 1 are electrically driven anti-clockwise. The face of the clock bears a word which is laterally reversed. The time appears to be correctly indicated, and the word reads correctly, when the clock is viewed in a mirror.

The clock shown in Figure 2 has time numerals on its dial. These numerals are in anticlockwise sequence and each numeral is laterally reversed, so that in this case also the clock appears to read and function normally, when viewed in a mirror. The clock can be mounted on a display panel part of which is indicated in broken lines and such panel may bear laterally reversed reading matter adjacent the clock as shown. This reading matter can advantageously be illuminated by concealed lighting e.g.

by a light source behind the panel.

1. A clock for indicating time, characterised in that time is indicated by the clock in laterally reversed manner i.e. so that the time appears correctly indicated when the clock is viewed in a mirror.

2. A clock according to claim 1, the clock being a dial clock the hand(s) of which rotate anticlockwise in normal face-on aspect.

3. A clock according to claim 1, such clock being a dial clock the hand(s) of which rotate anticlockwise in normal face-on aspect, and bearing time numerals in anticlockwise sequence, individual numerals being laterally reversed.

4. A clock according to any preceding claim, and bearing one or more words which is or are laterally reversed so as to read correctly when viewed in a mirror.

5. A clock according to any preceding claim mounted as part of an advertising display including laterally reversed readable matter adjacent the clock.

6. A clock substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Mirror image clock This invention relates to clocks for indicating time. The invention resides, in its broadest aspect, in a concept which gives a clock a peculiar appearance or behaviour. This peculiarity is likely to arrest viewers' attention. In virtue of this effect, a clock according to the invention is of potential value as an aid to advertising, for example the advertising of goods, services or events. A clock according to the present invention is characterised in that time is indicated by the clock in laterally reversed manner i.e. so that the time appears correctly indicated when the clock is viewed in a mirror. Preferably the clock is a dial clock the hand(s) of which rotate anticlockwise in face-on aspect. If the dial bears time numerals their sequence is anticlockwise in the normal face-on aspect and individual numerals are laterally reversed. It is of course not necessary for the dial to bear time numerals. It can for example bear simple time division dots or strokes. The invention includes a digital clock with the characterising feature above specified. Such a clock operates to display the digits in reverse sequence to that of a normal digital clock and the digits are laterally reversed. However a clock of dial form is considered to be more beneficial for the purpose primarily in view. A clock according to the invention can be of mechanical, electrical or electronic type. There is no technical problem in providing a clock with a mechanism of any of those kinds which operates time-indicating elements, i.e. hands or digit-bearing elements, in the reverse of the normal direction or sequence and there is therefore no need in this specification for technical information to enable the reverse operation characteristic of the invention to be achieved. Advantageously the clock bears one or more words which is or are laterally reversed so as to read correctly when viewed in a mirror. Such word(s) may comprise a brand name or a slogan or any other matter for advertising purposes. The advertising effect can be enhanced by incorporating in or associating with the clock a source of iliumination for illuminating the advertising matter. In certain embodiments of the invention, the clock is mounted as part of an advertising display including laterally reversed readable matter adjacent the clock. For example the clock can be mounted on or incorporated in a panel which bears laterally reversed readable matter adjacent the clock. The accompanying drawings show in normal face-on view two dial clocks according to the invention. The hands of the clock shown in Figure 1 are electrically driven anti-clockwise. The face of the clock bears a word which is laterally reversed. The time appears to be correctly indicated, and the word reads correctly, when the clock is viewed in a mirror. The clock shown in Figure 2 has time numerals on its dial. These numerals are in anticlockwise sequence and each numeral is laterally reversed, so that in this case also the clock appears to read and function normally, when viewed in a mirror. The clock can be mounted on a display panel part of which is indicated in broken lines and such panel may bear laterally reversed reading matter adjacent the clock as shown. This reading matter can advantageously be illuminated by concealed lighting e.g. by a light source behind the panel. CLAIMS

1. A clock for indicating time, characterised in that time is indicated by the clock in laterally reversed manner i.e. so that the time appears correctly indicated when the clock is viewed in a mirror.

2. A clock according to claim 1, the clock being a dial clock the hand(s) of which rotate anticlockwise in normal face-on aspect.

3. A clock according to claim 1, such clock being a dial clock the hand(s) of which rotate anticlockwise in normal face-on aspect, and bearing time numerals in anticlockwise sequence, individual numerals being laterally reversed.

4. A clock according to any preceding claim, and bearing one or more words which is or are laterally reversed so as to read correctly when viewed in a mirror.

5. A clock according to any preceding claim mounted as part of an advertising display including laterally reversed readable matter adjacent the clock.

6. A clock substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.