GB2292819A

GB2292819A - Clock casing

Info

Publication number: GB2292819A
Application number: GB9417766A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Lionel Morgan
Original assignee: Grants of Dalvey Ltd
Current assignee: Grants of Dalvey Ltd
Priority date: 1994-09-02
Filing date: 1994-09-02
Publication date: 1996-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 2014-09-02
Also published as: GB9417766D0; GB2292819B

Abstract

A clock 12 includes, first and second casing parts 6, 7 movable between an open position (Fig. 1), in which the clock 12 is revealed, and a closed position (Fig. 2), in which the clock 12 is encased, a catch 18 for releasably retaining the casing parts 6, 7 in the closed position, and a frame comprising first and second frame parts 1, 2 hinged together about a hinging axis 5 for movement between a folded together first position and a hinged apart second position. The first and second casing parts 6, 7 are hingedly connected to the first and second frame parts 1, 2, respectively, about first and second hinge axes 9, 11, respectively, parallel to the hinging axis 5. <IMAGE>

Description

An Indications Device This invention relates to an indicating device of the kind comprising an indicating instrument, first and second casing parts movable between an open position in which the indicating instrument is revealed and a closed position in which the indicating instrument is encased, and catch means for releasably retaining the first and second casing parts in the closed position. In particular, but not exclusively, the indicating device comprises a clock, e.g. a travel clock or a pocket clock, and the indicating instrument comprises a clock mechanism.

A known travel clock in the form of an indicating device of the kind referred to has generally rectangular first and second casing parts with the first casing part hinged about a first axis to a rear edge of the second casing part and a clock mechanism, constituting the indicating instrument, hinged to a front edge of the second casing part about a second axis parallel to the first axis.

When the travel clock is intended to be viewed, the first and second casing parts are pivoted apart about the first axis into the open position with the second casing part resting flat upon a support surface. The clock mechanism is pivoted upwardly about the second axis into an inclined position with an upper part of the clock mechanism engaging with a part of the first casing part to retain the casing parts in the open position. If the clock is not intended to be viewed, the clock mechanism can be disengaged from the first casing part and pivoted downwardly about the second axis into the second casing part. The first casing part is then pivoted downwardly about the first axis and the catch means retain the casing parts in the closed position.

The present invention seeks to provide a novel indicating device of the kind referred to.

According to the present invention an indicating device comprising an indicating instrument, first and second casing parts movable between an open position in which the indicating instrument is revealed and a closed position in which the indicating instrument is encased, and catch means for releasably retaining the first and second casing parts in the closed position, is characterised in that the indicating device further comprises a frame carrying the indicating instrument and comprising first and second frame parts hinged together about a hinging axis for movement between a folded together first position and a hinged apart second position, and in that the first and second casing parts are hingedly connected to the first and second frame parts, respectively, about first and second hinge axes, respectively, parallel to the said hinging axis, the first and second frame parts being in said folded together first position when the first and second casing parts are in the said closed position.

Preferably the indicating instrument is pivotally mounted to the frame so as to be pivotally movable relative to the frame about a pivot axis. Conveniently, the pivot axis is coaxial with, or closely adjacent, the hinging axis.

Suitably the first and second frame parts surround the indicating instrument when in the first and second frame parts are in the second position.

Suitably the frame includes a foot which, together with the first and second casing parts, supports the indicating device on a support surface when the casing parts are in the open position.

Conveniently each of the first and second casing parts is generally circular in shape, although this is not essential and the casing parts may be of non-circular, e.g.

square or rectangular shape. The first and second frame parts are suitably of generally the same shape, being mirror images of each other about said hinging axis. Preferably, however, the first and second frame parts are of generally semi-circular, arcuate shape, the two opposite ends of the arcuate first frame part being hingedly connected at said hinging axis to respective opposite ends of the arcuate second frame part. Thus, when the first and second frame parts are in the said hinged apart second position, the frame is of annular form surrounding the indicating mechanism, and when the first and second frame parts are in the folded together first position, the frame is of semicircular, arcuate form.

Preferably the indicating instrument comprises a clock or clock mechanism which may be digital and/or analogue. However it will be appreciated that other indicating instruments, e.g. a barometer, compass or the like, could be carried by or mounted on the frame and the invention is not intended to be limited solely to a clock.

Suitably the casing parts are metallic, typically being made of polished stainless steel.

The inside of each casing part may be provided with, or include means for carrying, pictures or photographs.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with particular reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a view of an indicating device according to the present invention in a fully opened up condition; and Figure 2 is a sectional view of the indicating device shown in Figure 1 but in a closed condition.

Figure 1 shows a travel or pocket clock having an inner frame which comprises semi-circular first and second frame parts 1 and 2 hinged together by hinges 3 and 4 which share a common hinging axis 5, and outer first and second casing parts 6 and 7. The first casing part 6 is hinged to the first frame part 1 by means of a hinge 8 having a first hinge axis 9 and the second casing part 7 is hinged to the second frame part 2 by means of a hinge 10 having a second hinge axis 11. The first and second hinge axis 9 and 11 are both parallel to the hinging axis 5.

A clock or clock mechanism 12 is pivotally carried by the frame with the semi-circular frame parts 1 and 2, in a hinged apart open position shown in Figure 1, arranged jin an annular surrounding the clock mechanism 12. Conveniently mounting pins 13 are provided to pivotally mount the clock mechanism 12 on the frame for pivotal movement about a pivot axis which is preferably parallel to the hinge axes 9 and 11 and which is suitably either coaxial with, or closely adjacent, the hinging axis 5.

In order to move the casing parts 1 and 2 from the open position shown in Figure 1 to a closed position shown in Figure 2, the first frame part 1 is folded over in the counter-clockwise direction about the first hinge axis 9 through approximately 1800 so as to be positioned within the first casing part 6. The second frame part 2 is then folded back in the clockwise direction about hinging axis 5 through approximately 1800 so as to be positioned on top of the first frame part with the clock mechanism 12 being positioned within the first casing part 6. Finally the second casing part 7 is folded in the counter-clockwise direction about the second hinge axis 11 through approximately 1800 so as to be positioned on top of the first casing part 6 in the closed position shown in Figure 2. A releasable, spring-loaded catch 13 having the appearance of a clock winding knob is provided on the casing part 6 to releasably retain the casing parts 6 and 7 in the closed position. The clock can be opened by releasing the catch 13 and opening the various clock parts in the reverse order.

The frame is shown provided with a foot 14 which, in the closed position of the casing parts 6 and 7, is received in recesses 15a and 15b of the casing parts 6 and 7, respectively. In the open position of the casing parts 6 and 7, the clock can be supported on a support surface (not shown), in an upright position, in which the hinge and hinging axes are perpendicular to the support surface, by resting the foot 14 and the casing parts 6 and 7 (in the regions of the recesses 15a and 15b, respectively) on the support surface. The casing parts 6 and 7 will be angled forwards about the hinge axes 9 and 11 to ensure that the three points of contact of the clock on the support surface, provided by the foot 14 and casing parts 6 and 7, are arranged in a triangular configuration.Alternatively, the frame parts 1 and 2 can be folded together about the hinging axis 5 so that the casing parts 6 and 7 are positioned in generally the same vertical plane and the frame parts 1 and 2 project forwardly generally in planes substantially perpendicular to the common vertical plane of the casing parts 6 and 7.

The casing parts 6 and 7 are suitably recessed to receive the clock mechanism 12 when the casing parts are in the closed position. Suitably photographs or other pictures may be mounted on the insides of the casing parts and any suitable mounting means (not shown) may be provided to enable the detachable mounting of such photographs or pictures on the casing parts.

The frame and casing parts are conveniently made of metallic material, e.g. polished stainless steel.

The clock mechanism 12 may comprise an analogue and/or digital clock mechanism and may be combined with other indicating instruments, e.g. a barometer, thermometer, compass or the like. In other embodiments of the invention, an indicating device may be provided in which an indicating instrument other than a clock or clock mechanism, e.g. a barometer, thermometer and/or a compass or the like, is carried by the frame.

Claims

1. An indicating device comprising an indicating instrument, first and second casing parts movable between an open position in which the indicating instrument is revealed and a closed position in which the indicating instrument is encased, and catch means for releasably retaining the first and second casing parts in the closed position, characterised in that the indicating device further comprises a frame carrying the indicating instrument and comprising first and second frame parts hinged together about a hinging axis for movement between a folded together first position and a hinged apart second position, and in that the first and second casing parts are hingedly connected to the first and second frame parts, respectively, about first and second hinge axes, respectively, parallel to the said hinging axis, the first and second frame parts being in said folded together first position when the first and second casing parts are in the said closed position.

2. An indicating device according to claim 1, in which the indicating instrument is pivotally mounted to the frame so as to be pivotally movable relative to the frame about a pivot axis.

3. An indicating device according to claim 2, in which the pivot axis is coaxial with, or closely adjacent, the hinging axis.

4. An indicating device according to claim 2, in which the first and second frame parts surround the indicating instrument when the first and second frame parts are in the second position.

5. An indicating device according to any of the preceding claims, in which the frame includes a foot which, together with the first and second casing parts, supports the indicating device on a support surface when the casing parts are in the open position.

6. An indicating device according to any of the preceding claims, in which each of the first and second casing parts is generally circular in shape.

7. An indicating device according to any of the preceding claims, in which the first and second frame parts are of generally the same shape, being mirror images of each other about said hinging axis.

8. An indicating device according to claim 7, in which the first and second frame parts are of generally semi-circular, arcuate shape, the two opposite ends of the arcuate first frame part being hingedly connected at said hinging axis to respective opposite ends of the arcuate second frame part.

9. An indicating device according to any of the preceding claims, in which the indicating instrument comprises a clock or clock mechanism.

10. An indicating device according to any of the preceding claims, in which the casing parts are metallic.

11. An indicating device according to any of the preceding claims, in which the inside of each casing part either is adapted and arranged to carry, or includes means for carrying, pictures or photographs.

12. An indicating device constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.