GB2262168A

GB2262168A - Dials for clocks

Info

Publication number: GB2262168A
Application number: GB9225287A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Darren Mark Pope
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-12-05
Filing date: 1992-12-03
Publication date: 1993-06-09
Also published as: GB9225287D0; GB9125906D0

Abstract

An analogue clock 10 comprising a display face 12 with two time indication hands 16 operable to indicate time in the conventional way. Recesses 22 are provided in the face 12, at the conventional twelve hourly locations. A panel 20 in the form of a disc, is removably locatable within a corresponding recess 22. Each panel 20 depicting a character from a set of characters such as members of a sports team. When desired, a panel 20 may be selectively removed from the recess in which it is located, to be replaced by a further panel. A transparent cover 26 extends over the face 12 of the panels 20 to retain the panels 20 in the recesses 22. A resilient border 28 extends around the circumference of the face and the cover 26 to releasably clip the cover and the base member 23 together. <IMAGE>

Description

Clocks The present invention relates to clocks, and particularly but -not exclusively to analogue clock faces.

Clocks, and in particular analogue clocks often have illustrations or other decoration provided thereon, often on the clock face. Often, such illustrations comprise a part that is susceptible to become outdated and therefore eventually become an undesirable part of that illustration. In such cases, the clock itself becomes outdated and therefore undesirable.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate this disadvantage.

In the foregoing specification, the term "analogue clock" is intended to refer to any time keeping means in which the time is indicated by at least one hand movable around a central axis, between markings indicating predetermined times.

According to the present invention there is provided an analogue clock face comprising one or more selectively removable decorative sections.

Preferably there is provided a plurality of removable sections. The removable sections are preferably locatable on the face at positions corresponding to predetermined time periods. Some or all of the sections may be interlocking.

The face is preferably provided on a base member upon which the sections are removably mountable. The base member preferably comprises recesses in which the removable sections are locatable. Preferably the shape of each of the removable sections corresponds to the shape of the recess in which it is to be retained. Each section preferably substantially fills the corresponding recess when retained therein.

Preferably there is provided a set of removable sections. The set may comprise a jigsaw puzzle. The shape of some or each of the sections in a set is preferably the same. Preferably each section of a set depicts a character which may be viewed when the section is mounted on the base member.

Each section of a set preferably depicts a character from a set of characters. The set of characters may comprise members of a sports team, characters in a television or cinema production, musical group or any other related group of characters.

Preferably the set of characters comprises members of a sports team wherein the sections are arrangeable in recesses located in the base member such that the number referring to the position of the character in the relevant team corresponds to the respective time period reference on an conventional analogue clock.

Further sections may be provided to supplement a set of sections such that a character which no longer belongs as a member of the set, may be replaced by another section depicting a character that does belong to the set.

Preferably a cover is provided to cover the face to retain the sections in the respective recesses, whilst permitting the characters on the sections to be viewed.

The cover may be a sheet, preferably a transparent sheet, such as glass or a clear plastics material.

Preferably means are provided to removably secure the cover to the base member. The securing means may be so formed as to clip the base member and the cover together. The securing means may be resilient to permit removal thereof from the member and sheet. The securing means may comprise a channel section, to accommodate an edge of both the base member and the cover. Alterna tively or additionally the securing means may comprise a plurality of partially or fully disconnectable parts.

The securing means may comprise a frame which extends around the outer edge or edges of the base member and sheet.

Preferably an illustration is provided in a generally central position on the face of the clock, which may be related to the characters within a set of characters. The illustration may be provided on a removable section.

Further according to the present invention there is provided an analogue clock having a face according to any of the preceding ten paragraphs.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a clock according to the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a cross section along the line II-II of Fig. 1.

An analogue clock 10 comprises a display face 12 and a time keeping mechanism 14 having two time indicating hands 16 operable to move around a central axis 18 to indicate time by reference to indications provided on the display face 12 to indicate predetermined time periods. The predetermined time periods are the conventional twelve time periods of an analogue clock.

The display face 12 comprises a set of twelve removable panels 20 arranged in a circular formation with each panel 20 located at a position corresponding to the positions at which numbers are conventionally marked on an analogue clock. Each panel 20 is in the form of a disc and is removably located within a corresponding circular recess 22 formed in a base member 23. The depth of each recess 22 is sufficient to permit the relevant panel 20 to be wholly located therein, without protruding above the surface 12. Ideally, the outer surface of each panel 20, when positioned in a recess, lies generally flush with the face 12.

A transparent cover 26, such as a sheet of glass or clear plastics material, is removably located over the base member 23, to retain the panels 20 in the recesses 22. A frame 28 extends around the outer circumference of the member 23 and the cover 26 to clip and hold the member 23 and the cover 26 together, and hence the panels 20 in the recesses 22. The frame 28 is sufficiently pliable to allow the cover 26 to be removed from its position on the member 23, to allow replacement of panels 20 as will be described. Alternatively, the frame 28 comprises two or more parts which are fully or partially disconnectable to allow the frame 28 to be removed from around the member 23 and cover 26.

Each panel 20 depicts a character 24 from a set of characters. In one particular example, each panel 20 depicts a different member of a football team. The panels 20 are arranged in the recesses 22 such that the number conventionally used to refer to a playing position of a player on a football field corresponds to the numeral conventionally used to refer to a time period on an analogue clock. For example, the goalkeeper is conventionally wearing a shirt bearing the numeral one, which indicates his position on the football field, and therefore the panel 20 depicting the goal keeper is located at the position on the face 12 corresponding to the position of numeral one on an analogue clock face.

Since there are only eleven players in a football team (ignoring substitutes), at the position of numeral twelve on a clock, a panel 20 depicting the manager, coach, substitute or other character related to the football team, may be located in this position.

It is to be appreciated that the characters depicted on the respective panels 20 may be members of any football team or other sports team. Indeed, a set of panels 20 may depict any selection of characters, whether or not related. For example, a set of panels 20 may depict members of a musical group, cast from a T.V.

programme etc.

Replacement panels may also be provided which depict characters possibly not present initially in a set of panels 20. The characters depicted on the replacement panels may be members of a team or otherwise which, for example, have joined the relevant team subsequent to the assembly of the clock 10 or compilation of the initial set of panels 20. For instance in respect of a set of panels 20 depicting members of a football team, the replacement panel or panels may depict newly appointed member(s) of that team, possibly transferred from other clubs.

A logo or other sign used to represent or often used to indicate the association between a particular group of characters depicted on the panels 20, is provided generally centrally on the clock face, at 30, and may be on a replaceable panel. If so, appropriate provision for the mechanism 14 to be connected to the hands 16 would be required.

In use, a clock 10 according to the present invention, is assembled by placing panels 20 depicting certain characters in the recesses 22 formed in the base member 23. The locations at which the respective panels 20 are placed in may be determined according to a number conventionally used to refer to the particular character or the role that character plays as part of a group or team. Further, the location of the relevant panels may be determined by the shape of the recess to which it is locatable. Once all the panels 20 are in position in the base member 23, the cover 26 is placed over the base member 23 and the panels 20, thereby retaining the panels 20 in the recesses 22. The frame 28 is then located around the base 23 and the cover 26 to hold the clock together.

If, subsequent to assembly of the clock, one or more of the panels 20 needs to be removed, for example when the character 24 depicted on the panel 20 no longer correctly belongs to the initial set, then the clock may be disassembled, by removing the frame 28 from around the base 23 and the cover 26, allowing removal of the cover 26 and hence removal of the relevant panel or panels 20 from the respective recesses. The removed panels 20 may be replaced by replacement panels, which depict characters that possibly did not initially belong to that particular set but had subsequently become a member. The clock can then be reassembled as described before.

It is to be appreciated that the locations of the recesses, and hence panels 20 are not limited to the positions of the conventional time periods on an analogue clock, and can be anywhere on the clock. Further, a set of panels, and hence recesses into which the panels are locatable, may comprise any number of panels. The shapes of the panels and recesses may also be varied, for example the shape of the character may determine the shape of the panel and hence the respective recess.

Still further, some or all of the panels may be interlocking such that for example there is provided a jigsaw puzzle comprising the panels from which the whole or part of the face is made.

It is further to be appreciated that the means for removably retaining the panels 20 may be any convenient means, for example a releasable adhesive or fastener such as a hook and fleece fastener either within a recess or otherwise.

In the example described, the clock face is a planar surface across which the hands sweep. It is to be understood that in an alternative, the panels could be arranged around the circumference of the region swept by the hands, and a conventional planar face behind the hands is not essential. The term "face" is used herein to encompass these and any other alternatives analogous to a conventional clock face.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. An analogue clock face comprising one or more selectively removable decorative sections.

2. A clock face according to claim 1, in which there is provided a plurality of removable sections.

3. A clock face according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the removable sections are locatable on the face at positions corresponding to predetermined time periods.

4. A clock face according to any preceding claim, in which some or all of the sections are interlocking.

5. A clock face according to any preceding claim, in which the face is provided on a base member upon which the sections are removably mountable.

6. A clock face according to claim 5, in which the base member comprises recesses in which the removable sections are locatable.

7. A clock face according to claim 6, in which the shape of each of the removable sections corresponds to the shape of the recess in which it is to be retained.

8. A clock face according to claim 6 or claim 7, in which each section substantially fills the corresponding recess when retained therein.

9. A clock face according to any preceding claim, in which there is provided a set of removable sections.

10. A clock face according to claim 9, in which the set comprises a jigsaw puzzle.

11. A clock face according to claim 9 or claim 10, in which the shape of some or each of the sections in a set is the same.

12. A clock face according to any of claims 9 to 11, in which each section of a set depicts a character which may be viewed when the section is mounted on the base member.

13. A clock face according to any of claims 9 to 12, in which each section of a set depicts a character from a set of characters.

14. A clock face according to claim 13, in which the set of characters comprises members of a sports team, characters in a television or cinema production, musical group or any other related group of characters.

15. A clock face according to claim 13 or claim 14, in which the set of characters comprises members of a sports team wherein the sections are arrangeable in recesses located in the base member such that the number referring to the position of the character in the relevant team corresponds to the respective time period reference on an conventional analogue clock.

16. A clock face according to any of claims 9 to 15, in which further sections are provided to supplement a set of sections such that a character which no longer belongs as a member of the set, may be replaced by another section depicting a character that does belong to the set.

17. A clock face according to any of claims 12 to 16, in which a cover is provided to cover the face to retain the sections in the respective recesses, whilst permitting the characters on the sections to be viewed.

18. A clock face according to claim 17, in which the cover is a sheet.

19. A clock face according to claim 17 or claim 18, in which the cover is a transparent sheet.

20. A clock face according to any of claims 17 to 19, in which the cover comprises glass or a clear plastics material.

21. A clock face according to any of claims 17 to 20, in which means are provided to removably secure the cover to the base member.

22. A clock face according to claim 21, in which the securing means is so formed as to clip the base member and the cover together.

23. A clock face according to claim 21 or claim 22, in which the securing means is resilient to permit removal thereof from the member and sheet.

24. A clock face according to any of claims 21 to 23, in which the securing means comprises a channel section, to accommodate an edge of both the base member and the cover.

25. A clock face according to any of claims 21 to 24, in which the securing means comprises a plurality of partially or fully disconnectable parts.

26. A clock face according to any of claims 21 to 25, in which the securing means comprises a frame which extends around the outer edge or edges of the base member and sheet.

27. A clock face according to any preceding claim, in which an illustration is provided in a generally central position on the face of the clock.

28. A clock face according to claim 27, in which the illustration may be related to the characters within a set of characters.

29. A clock face according to claim 27 or claim 28, in which the illustration is provided on a removable section.

30. An analogue clock having a face as defined in any of the preceding claims.

31. A clock face substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

32. A clock substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

33. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.