GB2118744A

GB2118744A - Clock or watch

Info

Publication number: GB2118744A
Application number: GB08309071A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tak Yin James Lau
Original assignee: LEO ELECTRONICS
Current assignee: LEO ELECTRONICS
Priority date: 1982-04-01
Filing date: 1983-03-31
Publication date: 1983-11-02

Abstract

An electronic clock or watch has a casing (1) with one or more portions which are capable of flexure to operate a switch (7) within the casing to adjust the time settings, or display alternative functions, such as day and month, where the clock or watch has a digital display. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Clock or watch This invention relates to an electronic clock or watch.

The adjustment of electronic clocks or watches, or their switching to show alternatively time; data or a count of seconds, is carried out typically by pressing or moving externally accessible buttons or switches, or exceptionally by touching non-moving switches where the electrical characteristics of part of the switching device are altered by contact with the user's finger, thus providing a switching signal.

Externally accessible buttons and switches have two principal disadvantages. Firstly, they can suffer from mechanical failure through use, or abuse, and secondly particularly in watches, they make effective dust and moisture sealing of the case difficult or impossible. Dust and moisture can lead to deterioration of the electronic components or of the electrical cell powering the components. The non-moving switches are relatively costly and can be touch accidentally, especially in the case of a watch.

These problems are avoided in the clock or watch of the present invention, wherein flexure of at least a portion of the casing thereof operates a switch within the casing.

Portions of the casing may be arranged to flex relatively independently of each other, whereby switches controliing different functions of the clock or watch may be operated independently.

The or each switch within the casing may be mechanical, i.e. physically moving contact members into and out of engagement, or electronic in operation, wherein the movement is used to alter the electrical characteristics or properties of the switching device to cause switching to take piace.

The casing may be formed of conventional clock or watch casing materials, such as plastics and metal the portions of the casing which flex under finger pressure being made less rigid than the remainder of the casing by being formed thinner and/or by being free of reinforcing ridges or corrugations.

In addition to the mechanical and electrical advantages gained by the avoidance of protruding switches or buttons, the clock or watch of the invention is formed of casing components which are simpler to mould, or otherwise form, and which remain cleaner in use. Design advantages are also gained.

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a clock in accordance with the invention; Figures 2 and 3 are respectively a rear elevation and an underneath plan view corresponding to Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 in Figure 1.

The clock has a casing 1 formed of a plastics material and having on the front face 2 a multisegment digital display 3 which can be of the light-emitting diode type or of the liquid crystal type, and which can be adapted to indicate the time either by the 12- or 24-hour clock, and, if desired, the date and a seconds display.

At the rear 4 of the clock, a slidable cover 5 permits access to a battery compartment into which a dry cell 6 is inserted to power the clock.

The rear 4 of the clock is otherwise formed as a generally planar panel supported only at the edges thereof to allow a small degree of inward bowing or flexure when gently pressure is applied thereto. Three contact switches 7 are located within the casing adjacent to three separate corners of the rear panel 4. A pin 8 moulded on to the rear panel 4 projects inwardly towards each switch 7 so that each switch can be operated by the bowing or flexure of the portion of the panel 4 adjacent each switch. Pressing different portions of the panel 4 permits the clock to be set, and alternative functions to be displayed, for example hour and minutes, minutes and seconds, or possibly day and month. One switch 7 may permit a light to be operated to light up a liquid crystal display to enable it to be read in the dark.

As an alternative, a single switch may be employed, the switch being arranged to permit signalling according to a sequence of presses on the panel 4 to permit the display 3 to be controlled. For example, one press on the panel may change the display from time to date for a pre-determined period before reverting to a time display. Two successive presses may change the display to a count of seconds, a further press changing back to the standard time display. It will be appreciated, however, that the actual sequence of operations may readily be varied according to the type or watch or clock desired.

Claims (Filed on 26 April 83) 1. An electronic clock or watch having a casing, flexure of at least a portion of the casing being arranged to operate a switch within the casing.

2. A clock or watch according to Claim 1, wherein two or more portions of the casing are arranged to flex substantially independently of each other, to operate respective switches controlling different functions of the clock or watch.

3. A clock or watch according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each said switch comprises moving contact members, flexure of the casing causing the contact members to move into or out of engagement.

4. A clock or watch according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each said switch is electronically operated, the movement due to flexure of the casing being used to alter the electrical characteristics or properties of the switch to cause switching to take place.

5. A clock or watch according to any preceding claim, wherein the portion or portions of the casing which are capable of flexure are integral parts of a larger casing member having a reduced thickness of material at said portion or portions.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Clock or watch This invention relates to an electronic clock or watch. The adjustment of electronic clocks or watches, or their switching to show alternatively time; data or a count of seconds, is carried out typically by pressing or moving externally accessible buttons or switches, or exceptionally by touching non-moving switches where the electrical characteristics of part of the switching device are altered by contact with the user's finger, thus providing a switching signal. Externally accessible buttons and switches have two principal disadvantages. Firstly, they can suffer from mechanical failure through use, or abuse, and secondly particularly in watches, they make effective dust and moisture sealing of the case difficult or impossible. Dust and moisture can lead to deterioration of the electronic components or of the electrical cell powering the components. The non-moving switches are relatively costly and can be touch accidentally, especially in the case of a watch. These problems are avoided in the clock or watch of the present invention, wherein flexure of at least a portion of the casing thereof operates a switch within the casing. Portions of the casing may be arranged to flex relatively independently of each other, whereby switches controliing different functions of the clock or watch may be operated independently. The or each switch within the casing may be mechanical, i.e. physically moving contact members into and out of engagement, or electronic in operation, wherein the movement is used to alter the electrical characteristics or properties of the switching device to cause switching to take piace. The casing may be formed of conventional clock or watch casing materials, such as plastics and metal the portions of the casing which flex under finger pressure being made less rigid than the remainder of the casing by being formed thinner and/or by being free of reinforcing ridges or corrugations. In addition to the mechanical and electrical advantages gained by the avoidance of protruding switches or buttons, the clock or watch of the invention is formed of casing components which are simpler to mould, or otherwise form, and which remain cleaner in use. Design advantages are also gained. Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a clock in accordance with the invention; Figures 2 and 3 are respectively a rear elevation and an underneath plan view corresponding to Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 in Figure 1. The clock has a casing 1 formed of a plastics material and having on the front face 2 a multisegment digital display 3 which can be of the light-emitting diode type or of the liquid crystal type, and which can be adapted to indicate the time either by the 12- or 24-hour clock, and, if desired, the date and a seconds display. At the rear 4 of the clock, a slidable cover 5 permits access to a battery compartment into which a dry cell 6 is inserted to power the clock. The rear 4 of the clock is otherwise formed as a generally planar panel supported only at the edges thereof to allow a small degree of inward bowing or flexure when gently pressure is applied thereto. Three contact switches 7 are located within the casing adjacent to three separate corners of the rear panel 4. A pin 8 moulded on to the rear panel 4 projects inwardly towards each switch 7 so that each switch can be operated by the bowing or flexure of the portion of the panel 4 adjacent each switch. Pressing different portions of the panel 4 permits the clock to be set, and alternative functions to be displayed, for example hour and minutes, minutes and seconds, or possibly day and month. One switch 7 may permit a light to be operated to light up a liquid crystal display to enable it to be read in the dark. As an alternative, a single switch may be employed, the switch being arranged to permit signalling according to a sequence of presses on the panel 4 to permit the display 3 to be controlled. For example, one press on the panel may change the display from time to date for a pre-determined period before reverting to a time display. Two successive presses may change the display to a count of seconds, a further press changing back to the standard time display. It will be appreciated, however, that the actual sequence of operations may readily be varied according to the type or watch or clock desired. Claims (Filed on 26 April 83)

1. An electronic clock or watch having a casing, flexure of at least a portion of the casing being arranged to operate a switch within the casing.

6. A clock or watch according to any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the portion or portions of the casing which are capable of flexure are integral parts of a larger casing member having rigidifying formations thereon except at said portion or portions.

7. An electronic clock, substantially as described herein with reference to, or as shown in the drawings.