GB2235080A

GB2235080A - Teaching clock reading

Info

Publication number: GB2235080A
Application number: GB8915187A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Peters
Original assignee: Helix Group PLC
Current assignee: Helix Group PLC
Priority date: 1989-07-01
Filing date: 1989-07-01
Publication date: 1991-02-20
Also published as: GB8915187D0

Abstract

A clock 1 for teaching telling the time has a base portion 2 receiving clock numeral viewing portion 3, annular portion 4 carrying radial minutes finger pointer P and radially innermost disc portion 5 having integral hour pointer H. Portions 2, 3, 4 and 5 are relatively rotatable. Back-up or reinforcement information regarding the time set is viewable through the minutes pointer P and through the pointer H. The information may be carried by a selected one of several interchangeable, insertable discs, carrying different forms of information. <IMAGE>

Description

TEACHING AID This invention relates to a teaching aid in the form of a clock which can be used as an aid to help children tell the time.

Such aids usually take the form of a cardboard clock face with plastics fingers centrally pivotally mounted on the clock, the plastic fingers being independently rotatable to any angular position on the clock face to "set" a particular time on the clock for the child to read and be tested upon. However, it tends to be difficult that the child himself has no visual check on whether or not he has told the time correctly and has to rely upon the teacher for the answer. Equally, such clocks do not provide any back-up or reinforcement aid to memorising particular times on the clock and thus it is believed that the underlying principles of such aids for telling the time could be improved.Equally, the construction of such aids is relatively flimsy and there may be a tendency for the fingers themselves to break off or become too loose and the general construction of such clocks, though relatively inexpensively produced, may not be entirely satisfactory for use as a teaching aid, more particularly in a classroom environment. Additionally, it is believed that the general aesthetic appearance of the clock could be improved.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a teaching aid for 'telling the time, in the form of a clock, which at least alleviates one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages, or other disadvantages, or which is improved in at least some respect.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a teaching aid in a the form of a clock for telling the time, said clock being provided with back-up or reinforcement information to help in reading the time, which information is selectively displayable on the clock.

Preferably, the back-up or reinforcement information is displayed automatically as a particular time is set on the clock.

The back-up information provided may be complete information of the form, for example "half-past ten" or only partial, for example "half-past" leaving the "ten" to be supplied by a child learning to tell the time.

Preferably, the clock will be provided with different ways in presenting this information and may be provided with facility for selectively presenting either complete or partial (guide) information at different times.

The back-up information may be provided in words or any suitable format.

In one embodiment of the present invention the clock is analogue in format and has a minute pointer rotatable on a clock face such that associated information regarding the particular minute numeral of the clock pointed at by the indicator is automatically revealed.

Alternatively, or additionally, the clock may have an hours indicator pointer which is rotatable on the clock face and which automatically reveals associated information regarding the hour numeral as it points to a particular numeral on the clock. Preferably, the clock will be such that associated information regarding the minutes and the hour set is automatically revealed by the minutes and hours indicators so that the time can be directly read frbm two pieces of information respectively revealed by the hours and minutes indicators. The clock face may carry a ring of minutes information circles (or other convenient shape) which are respectively individually revealed one at a time through an aperture (preferably of matching shape) in the minutes pointer as different times are set.Also, similarly and preferably, the clock face carries an inner ring of hours information circles (or other suitable shape) which are revealed selectively as the hours pointer is rotated around the clock and which can be read-off through a suitable aperture in the hours indicator.

The clock is, preferably, provided with interchangeable clock faces to enable a different (preferably progressive) set of parameters or back-up or associated guide information to be presented to the child to help in learning to tell the time. For example, one clock face may carry Roman numerals, another clock face may carry only information regarding the minutes of the time set.

Another clock face may only carry information regarding the hours set and another may carry clock numerals only at the North, South, East and West positions of the clock face. Clearly, many possible variations in the clock face format and associated back-up or guidance information may be provided.

Preferably, the clock is constructed from a base part having a recess which receives an annular clock numeral viewing portion with a radially inner annular portion carrying a minutes pointer overlapping an innermost disc portion, said innermost disc portion carrying an hour pointer. The thicknesses of the base portion, numeral viewing portion, disc portion and annular portion carrying the minutes indicator pointer are, preferably, all the same and have a snug fit together such that frictional contact therebetween allows a particular time to easily be set on the clock in such manner that the pointers will remain in position until positively moved out of that position.

The clock is, preferably, provided with interchangeable paper clpck faces which lie in between the base part and said other parts.

The general design of the clock face is, preferably, robust with parts (other than possibly the clock face) being made of rigid plastics. Additionally, the clock is, preferably, brightly colour co-ordinated with all the information circles (or other shapes) relating to the minutes, for example being of a different colour to the information circles related to the hours, as an additional aid to memory and also to accentuate enjoyment of the teaching aid. The minutes pointer will usually be provided with two circular apertures so that the information circles carrying information associated with the minutes can always be read in conjunction with the information circle (if provided) corresponding to the hours.

Still further according to the present invention there is provided a teaching aid in the form of a clock having interchangeable clock faces of different design which carry different or varying information regarding the time to be read therefrom.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a method of teaching telling the time, comprising selecting a particular time on a clock and selecting on the lock (preferably simultaneously) backup or guidance information associated with the time to be read off in conjunction with reading of the time displayed.

An embodiment of a teaching aid in the form of a clock in accordance with the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 shows a front elevational view of the clock; FIGURE 2 shows an exploded sectional side elevation of the clock, and FIGURE 3 shows a front elevational view of a paper clock face utilizable with the clock and having Roman numerals rather than ordinary numbers for the clock face.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, the construction of the clock 1 should be generally evident.

The clock 1 is made up of four main rigid plastics components, namely:- a circular base portion 2 which receives an annular, clock numeral viewing portion 3 (arranged radially inwardly of annular flange 2a of base 2) having clock numeral, circular viewing apertures 3a; an annular portion 4 arranged radially inwardly of portion 3 and carrying a radial, minutes finger-pointer P (the head of the finger pointer overlaps portion 3 and said pointer also overlaps a radially innermost disc portion 5 having an integrally made hour pointer H).

Portions 3, 4 and 5 are all the same thickness (corresponding to inner axial dimension X of flange 2a) save for the additional thickness of the minutes pointer mounted on portion 4.

The portions 2,3,4 and 5 all fit snugly into one another and portions 3,4 and 5 are all rotatable relative to one another and relative to the base part 2. The clock 1 has a paper clock face f or dial of the general form as shown in FIGURE 3 except that the numbers of the clock in FIGURE 1 are ordinary numbers rather than the Roman numerals shown on the paper clock face f' in FIGURE 3. If desired the paper clock face f used in the clock in FIGURE 1 can be interchanged with the clock face f' as shown in FIGURE 3. The two clock faces f and f' are identical apart from the Roman numerals provided on clock face f'. Any other desired format for the clock face could be designed and uilized with the clock 1. Clearly clock face f' is an extension in teaching children to tell the time because it also teaches recognition of a Roman numeral clock.

The clock faces f,f' are all provided with additional back-up or reinforcement information (in the form of radially outer and inner rings of minutes and hours information circles il, i2 respectively), which, in this instance, enables the child to actually read any one of a number of selected time settings directly from a particular combination of two information circles (i1, i2). One of the two information circles relates to the hour of the clock and is displayed through a circular aperture 5a on the hours pointer H and the other (i1) of the two information circles relates to the minutes and is viewed through an aperture 4a in the minutes pointer P.

The apertures 4a and 5a are circular apertures corresponding to the diameters of the information circles i1,i2. The diameters of the information circles il, i2 are constant in this instance but any variation in size that may be suitable could be utilised instead. The minutes pointer P is also provided with a second radially innermost aperture 4b which allows an hours information circle i2 to be read in conjunction with the minutes information circle i1 when the minutes and hours indicator pointers P,H are in overlapping relationship as for example would occur at the time of twenty five past five. In such an instance the aperture 4b is aligned with the aperture 5a in the hours pointer H which is in turn aligned with the information circle i2 carrying the word "five".

In the described example the child is able to read the time completely from the two information circles (il,i2) by taking the information in a particular selected one of the minutes information circles first and reading it in conjunction with the information presented in one of the hours information circles. However, it is possible that the clock may be utilised with other designs of clock face presenting this back-up information differently and not necessarily completely. For example, the information shown in the example is complete and presented in words but the word "twenty" could be replaced by numerals "20" and/or the word "seven" could be replaced by the numeral "7".The information provided on the hours information circles i2 could be omitted from all or some of the circles so that with at least some selected times on the clock 1 only a guide "rather than a complete answer" is given to be read off at that particular time. For example with a clock reading of twenty to seven the back-up information provided may simply be "twenty to" leaving the child to supply the remainder of the information, the word "seven" not being provided in the hours information circle i2, that circle being blanked out. Equally it is possible to provide a clock face such that the back-up information "twenty two" is blanked out just leaving the information "seven" present on the hours information circle.Clearly, many ways of presenting complete or partial back-up information or hours information circles and minutes information circles is possible in order to progressively extend the boundaries of the child's knowledge. Of course the shape of the information circles (i1, i2 could be varied for example to squares or diamonds and it is quite possible that the areas in which the hours information is contained could be of a different shape entirely to the areas in which the minutes information is contained, for example the hours information could be contained on diamond shapes whereas the minutes information may be contained on circles. The numerals of the clock could be replaced by Roman numerals (see FIGURE 3) or indeed left blank or only some numerals may be provided.

In use, a particular clock face f is selected and positioned on the base 2 within the circular recess 2b.

The outer diameter of the paper clock face f matches the inner diameter of the recess 2b defined by the flange 2a.

The clock face f has an outer ring R of twelve circles each one carrying a different reference numeral from one to twelve in the normal manner of a clock. The clock face f carries a radially innermost ring i2 of hours information circles i2 which are of somewhat lesser diameter than the outer ring R carrying the reference numerals of the clock. The hours information circles i2 bear the words "one, two, .... and twelve". The clock face f also has an intermediate ring of minutes information circles i, which carry the minutes information as shown on the clock face f' in FIGURE 3.

The clock 1 is then assembled by introducing annular part 3 onto base 2 sandwiching the paper clock face f therebetween. Part 3 is rotated relative to part 2 until the circular apertures 3a (twelve in all) all align with associated circles in the outer ring R of the clock face f carrying the clock numerals. The frictional contact between the circular outer rim of the part 3 and the inner circular rim of the flange 2a on the base portion 2 is such that the part 3 will tend to stay in the annular position selected relative to portion 2 but can easily be moved from that position if required by inserting a finger in one of the circular apertures 3a and rotating the part 3 relative to part 2. Next, the innermost part 5 is introduced into portion 4 from the underside thereof and parts 4 and 5 are introduced onto the base 2 on top of the clock face f in a manner which should be apparent from the drawings. The hours pointer H may be rotated to point to any one of the reference numerals of the clock in the outer circle of the clock face f simply by introducing a finger into the aperture 5a and rotating the disc portion 5. As the hours pointer H points to a particular reference numeral also simultaneously a piece of information is displayed in an hours information circle i2 which will be relevant to the numeral pointed at by the hours indication pointer H.Similarly, the minutes pointer P can be moved to point to a selected one of the numerals of the clock 1 by inserting a finger in the aperture 4a and rotating the part 4 to the appropriate position. Information in one of the minutes information circles ii is simultaneously revealed when pointing to a particular numeral on the clock 1 in a manner which should be self evident. Therefore, in use the clock face f, base 2 and annular part 3 remain fixed relative to parts 4 and 5 while a particular time is being selected. Once again, the frictional contact between the parts 4,5 and 3 is such that once a particular time has been selected those parts will remain in the selected position, even when the clock is held vertically, but it is still a simple matter for a different time to be selected when desired.

The clock 1 as so far described is only provided with a facility for indicating the time in blocks of five minutes past or to the hour and there is no facility for indicating a time of, for example, twenty two minutes past the hour. However, it is quite possible, more particularly in larger versions of the clock 1, for this additional information to be provided if required although it is generally thought that this final step in the reading of time would in most cases not be necessary.

It is possible that the idea of providing back-up or time associated information in reading the clock could be utilised with a digital rather than analogue read-out such that, e.g., information in words is automatically presented which is associated with a time selected on the clock.

It is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be unduly limited by the particular choice of terminology and a specific term may be replaced by any equivalent or generic term where sensible.

Further it is to be understood that individual features, methods or functions related to the clock and/or clockface and/or combinations thereof might be patentably inventive.

Claims

1. A teaching aid in the form of a clock for telling the time, said clock being provided with back-up or reinforcement information to help in reading the time, which information is selectively displayable on the clock.

2. An aid as claimed in Claim 1 in which the back-up or reinforcement information is displayed automatically as a particular time is set on the clock.

3. An aid as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the back-up or reinforcement information provided is complete information on the time displayed.

4. An aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the clock is provided with different ways in presenting said back-up or reinforcement information.

5. An aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims provided with facility for selectively presenting either complete or partial (guide) information at different times.

6. An aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the back-up or reinforcement information is provided in words.

7. An aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the clock is analogue in format and has a minute pointer rotatable on a clock face such that associated information regarding a particular minute numeral of the clock pointed at by the pointer is automatically revealed.

8. An aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the clock has an hours indicator pointer which is rotatable on the clock face and which automatically reveals associated information regarding an hour numeral as it points to a particular hour numeral on the clock.

9. An aid as claimed in Claim 8 when dependant on Claim 7 in which the clock is such that associated information regarding the minutes and the hour set is automatically revealed by the minutes and hours pointers so that the time can be directly read from two pieces of information respectively revealed by the hours and minutes pointers.

10. An aid as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 9 in which the clock face carries a ring of minutes information circles (or other convenient shape) which are respectively individually revealed one at a time through an aperture (preferably of matching shape) in the minutes pointer as different times are set.

11. An aid as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 10 in which the clock face carries an inner ring of hours information circles (or other suitable shape) which are revealed selectively as the hours pointer is rotated around the clock and which can be read-off through a suitable aperture in the hours indicator.

12. An aid as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 11 in which the clock is provided with interchangeable clock faces to enable a different (preferably progressive) set of parameters or back-up or associated guide information to be presented.

13. An aid as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 12 constructed from a base part having a recess which receives an annular clock numeral viewing portion with a radially inner annular portion carrying a minutes pointer overlapping an innermost disc portion, said innermost disc portion carrying an hour pointer.

14. An aid as claimed in Claim 13 in which the thicknesses of the base portion, numeral viewing portion, disc portion and inner annular portion carrying the minutes indicator pointer are all the same and have a snug fit together such that frictional -contact therebetween allows a particular time to be set on the clock in such manner that the pointers will remain in position until positively moved out of that position.

15. An aid as claimed in Claim 13 or Claim 14 having interchangeable paper clock faces which lie in between the base part and said other parts.

16. An aid as claimed in any one of the Claims 7 to 15 in which the clock face is robust with parts (other than possibly the clock face) being made of rigid plastics.

17. An aid as claimed in any one of the Claims 7 to 16 in which the clock is brightly colour co-ordinated with all the information circles (or other shapes) relating to the minutes being of different colour to information circles (or other shapes) relating to the hours.

18. An aid as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 17 in which the minutes pointer is provided with two circular apertures so that the information circles carrying information associated with the minutes can always be read in conjunction with the information circle (if provided) corresponding to the hours.

19. A teaching aid in the form of a clock substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying FIGURES of the drawings.

20. A teaching aid in the form of a clock having interchangeable clock faces of different design which carry different or varying information regarding the time to be read therefrom.

21. A method of teaching telling the time comprising selecting a particular time on a clock and selecting on the clock (preferably simultaneously) back-up or guidance information associated with the time to be read off in conjunction with reading of the time displayed.

22. A method of teaching telling the time as claimed in Claim 20 with reference to the FIGURES of the accompanying drawings.