GB2276735A - Clock - Google Patents

Abstract

A novelty electric clock comprising at least two hands each free to rotate on a shaft, an individual clock movement mounted on each hand each driving an orbiting weight 11 and if necessary a trimming weight 6 mounted on the opposite end of each hand. The movement of the orbiting weight 11 causes movement of the hand which is partially compensated by the weight 6 but which causes the hand to rotate in the required manner. <IMAGE>

Description

A NOVELTY CLOCK This invention is concerned with the provision of a novelty clock.

For many years most clocks were mechanical and were operated either by weights or by a spring. More recently electric clocks have become popular using a quartz controlled movement. Generally clocks are designed to give an accurate indication of the time but one object of this invention is to provide a novelty clock that can give a general indication of the time without providing a closely accurate reading.

In one embodiment of the invention a clock in accordance with this invention may be constructed in the form of what is called a mobile, the hands being arranged to turn in a substantially vertical plane while the clock is suspended in space. In another embodiment a clock in accordance with this invention may be supported from below in the form of what is usually called an executive toy or may be constructed as a child's toy or even as an aid to teaching children how to tell the time. Obviously the clock may be of any size with long or short hands.

Therefore in accordance with the present invention there is provided a novelty electric clock comprising at least two hands each free to rotate on a shaft, an individual clock movement mounted on each hand each driving an orbiting weight and if necessary a trimming weight mounted on the opposite end of each hand.

One of the two hands referred to above is the hour hand which will rotate once in twelve hours and the other hand is the minute hand which will rotate once every hour. If desired it would be possible to provide a third or second hand which would rotate once per minute, the second hand also being provided with an individual clock movement and orbiting weight.

It is an unique feature of this invention that the hands are free to rotate in space if touched or swung, the hands always returning to their correct position under the influence of the orbiting weight on an arm driven by each of the clock movements.

When in the form of a mobile, a clock in accordance with this invention can only readily be appreciated from one side and therefore the suspension system may be provided with means to restrain rotation of the clock as a whole.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood reference is now directed to the accompanying drawings given by way of example in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a clock mobile in accordance with this invention and Figure 2 is a plan thereof, Figure 3 is a view of the back of the minute hand of the clock shown in Figure 1 when removed from the clock and turned through 90- as compared with Figure 2, Figure 4 is a section on the line A - A of Figure 3, Figures 5, 6 and 7 are views of clock mobile suspension systems.

Figure 8 is a front view of a clock in the form of an executive toy, and Figure 9 is a side view of Figure 8.

Referring now in more detail to the drawings and especially to Figures 1 and 2, the clock has an hour hand 1 and a minute hand 2, each free to rotate on a pivot bolt 17 about a cross shaft 27. The hour hand 1 has a clock movement e.g. a battery operated quartz controlled movement 3 at the rear end driving an orbiting weight 11 attached to its 'hour' shaft 9 and a trimming weight 4 at the front end.

The minute hand 2 has a clock movement e.g. another battery operated quartz controlled movement 5 at the rear end driving an orbiting weight 14 attached to its 'minute' shaft 12 and a trimming weight 6 at the pointer end. The clock is suspended from a wire 7 connected to the suspension or balance point 8 and as described the suspension system is preferably arranged so as to restrain rotation on the wire 7. Preferably therefore, a minimum of two wires should be used to suspend the clock to facilitate restraint of rotation. The clock may simply hang in space and time indicators may be provided e.g. for 12 and 6 o'clock or 12, 3, 6 and 9 or other suitable indication as required. Such indicators may be suspended behind the clock or may be wall mounted or may be indicators supported by the suspension wires.

Naturally the hands 1 and 2 may be made of any suitable material and may be coloured, shaped and otherwise treated as desired.

It is important that each hand 1 and 2 is properly balanced. The main weight of the clock is in the movements 3 and 5 each of which has a battery or batteries together with its orbiting weight. As standard clock movements, due to their construction are not symmetrically balanced a counterbalance weight, not shown, is therefore likely to be required to generally counterbalance each hand about its longitudinal axis. Final adjustment of the balance can be made by moving the trimming weights 4 and 6 as described hereinafter. Any adjustment made should preferably take place along the longitudinal axis of each hand 1 and/or 2 because any eccentricity may and probably will upset the setting of the clock. This adjustment can be effected in the following way. The orbiting balance weight 11 on the hand 1 is connected to a movement hour hand shaft 9 by means of an hour hand arm 10.During adjustment the orbiting weight 11 on arm 10 may be rotated to 'a quarter to' or 'a quarter past' the hour position and the hand allowed to settle. The position of the trimming weight 4 may then be adjusted along the hand, until the hand 1 takes up a substantially horizontal position or line, and is locked in this position. The orbiting weight 11 may then be rotated so that when settled the hand 1 points to approximately the correct hour on the dial of a conventional clock. The minute hand 2 has a movement minute shaft 12, a minute hand arm 13 and a minute hand orbiting weight 14. It is adjusted in a similar way by means of trimming weight 6 so that it points to approximately the'correct minute on the dial.

In more detail it may be explained that any suitable form of trimming weight may be used but preferably the trimming weights are in the form of weights adjustable longitudinally of the hands.

Constructional details shown in Figures 1 and 2 include the pivot bolt 17 and pivot 16 for each hand 1 and 2 provided with the balance point 8 by which the whole clock can be either suspended from above or supported from below by being balanced on a pylon 18. The hands are free to rotate around the pivot bolts 16 but are restrained against sliding movement.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 show various views of clock mobile suspension systems in possible elaboration of the wire suspension 7. Figure 5 indicates a two wire suspension 19 and 20- with indicators 21 and 22 to show 12 0'clock and a single wire 23 hanging from the balance point 8 supporting an indicator 24 for 6 O'clock. Figure 6 includes an option for suspending indicators 25, 26 for 3 and 9 O'clock. The indicators may e.g. be small brass balls.

Figure 7 indicates an option for suspending the clock from the pivot bolts 16 on the shaft 27 by wires 28, 29.

As much of the weight and size of the clock is dictated by the commercially available clock movements, the system could be made much smaller if an analog watch movement be used on each hand 1 and 2. In addition, by taking advantage of the fact that the clock whatever the time indicated, is always in balance, the whole may as described be mounted on the top of a vertical pylon 18 as shown in Figures 8 and 9 instead of being suspended. In such an embodiment, e.g.

using solar cells charging a rechargeable battery, the clock could be envisaged as an executive toy within reach of 'idle hands' so that the free movement and self-righting effects can be demonstrated.

Having regard to the smallness and the delicacy of such an executive toy it is preferable to enclose the movement and orbiting weight for each hand in e.g. a clear capsule for protection, the movement minute shaft 12 being allowed to protrude for adjustment purposes.

In the mode in which the clock is supported from below the centre of gravity of the clock may be lowered below the fulcrum, such an arrangement may be used for example in Figure 1. A hole may be formed almost through the cross shaft 27 so that the main part of the shaft, below the centre of gravity will resist any side effects likely to detach the clock from the pylon 18 should the 'idle hands' of e.g. an executive be over exuberant. A similar system may be used with a suspended clock in accordance with this invention see e.g. Figure 1 and if desired other means may be used to lower the position of the fulcrum as required.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the following: (a) the bearing length of the pivot bolts 16 should be sufficient to restrain the hands to movement in a substantially vertical plane.

(b) the shaft 27 is bored to allow the point of suspension or balance to be above the centre of gravity of the clock, (c) the hands 1, 2 are each free to revolve on the shaft 27 but are restrained from sliding along the shaft and the pivot action should be as friction free as possible, (d) having regard to the unequal size of the two hands 1, 2 it is unlikely that the point of balance or suspension 8 will be in the middle of the shaft 27. Allowance is therefore required to compensate for the difference in weight of the hands 1 and 2. The shaft 27 may therefore be made in two connectable parts to facilitate adjustment or other steps may be taken.

(e) although each hand 1 and 2 makes a complete revolution in the manner of a conventional clock hand to give an indication of the time the orbiting weights 11 and 14, due to their counterbalancing action, remain at the lowest point of their orbits. This effect can be used to advantage by attaching an annulus to each weight to display printed matter, logos or other matter to be observed from the front.

CONCLUSION It will be seen therefore that the hands 1,2 are placed in a state of balance by adjustment of the trimming weights 4 and 6 but the action of the orbiting weights 11 and 14 driven by the appropriate shaft of the movements, constantly upsets the balance. When set up as stated above the hands will describe circles similar to a conventional clock.

Consequently, if the position of a hand be moved or even removed from the clock altogether the hand will return to its correct attitude when allowed to settle or is set back on its pivot. The orbiting weights 11 and 14 will continue to orbit and will provide a memory for when the hand is returned to the clock.

To clarify the operation of the clock let it be assumed that the minute hand 2 is in the position shown in Figure 1 with the hand in balance. As the clock movement operates the weight 14 turns clockwise relative to the minute shaft 12 which throws the minute hand 2 out of balance so that to restore the balance the pointer end of the hand 2 has to move clockwise to keep the hand in the correct time position. This movement of the hand 2 relatively to the shaft 27 brings the orbiting weight back to its lowest position.

Claims (7)

1. A novelty electric clock comprising at least two hands (an hour hand 1 and a minute hand 2) each free to rotate on a shaft (27) and an individual clock movement (3,5) mounted adjacent to one end of each hand (1,2) to drive an orbiting weight (11,14) respectively relative to an hour shaft (9) and a minute shaft (12).

2. A novelty clock according to claim 1, characterised by the provision of a trimming weight (4,6) mounted on each hand (1,2) adjacent to the other end of each hand.

3. A novelty clock according to claim 1 or 2 characterised in that each hand (1,2) is free to rotate on a pivot bolt (16) on the shaft (27) so arranged that the hands are restrained against sliding movement on the shaft (27).

4. A novelty clock according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that in operation the orbiting weights (11,14) remain substantially at the lowest part of their orbit relative to shafts (9,12) due to the movement of hands (1,2) relative to shaft (27).

5. A clock according to any of the preceding claims arranged to be suspended from above and/or supported from below.

6. A novelty electric clock provided with at least two hands (an hour hand 1 and a minute hand 2) characterised in that each hand has a clock movement (3,5) at one end and a trimming weight (4,6) at the other end adjustable to balance the hand and further characterised in that each hand (1,2) has an orbiting weight positioned closely in association with the clock movements (3,5) and operable by the clock movements to unbalance the hands thereby causing the hands to move in a rebalancing direction to give a correct indication of the time.

7. A novelty electric clock substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.