GB2305267A

GB2305267A - Wheel trim clock

Info

Publication number: GB2305267A
Application number: GB9619045A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Suzanne Stephanie Harris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-09-16
Filing date: 1996-09-12
Publication date: 1997-04-02
Also published as: GB9519001D0; GB9619045D0

Abstract

A novelty clock 10 comprises a vehicle wheel trim 11 having front and rear faces 11a, 11b, a clock mechanism 12 and time display means 13. The combination is arranged such that when viewed from the front face 11a of the wheel trim the time display is visible and the clock mechanism is obscured from view.

Description

Title: NOVELTY CLOCK Description of Invention The invention relates to novelty clocks and in particular to such clocks incorporating vehicle wheel trims commonly known as hub caps.

Wheel trims that clip onto vehicle wheels come in a wide range of designs, both as original equipment and as accessories which can be purchased subsequently to enhance the appearance of a vehicle. In addition the central portion of such wheel trims, particularly if supplied by the vehicle manufacturer, often bear a logo relating to the make or model of the vehicle.

It is common for such wheel trims to become dislodged from vehicles, for example if the kerb of the road is clipped by the wheel, and for the wheel trims to be left lying in the road or the adjacent verge. Since to be of use on a vehicle four, preferably identical, wheel trims are required odd ones found lying on or by roads are rarely returned to use on a vehicle. Hence many wheel trims become, in effect, litter which is non-biodegradable and particularly unsightly.

It is an object of the invention to provide a use for single wheel trims no longer used on vehicles.

According to the invention there is provided a novelty clock comprising a vehicle wheel trim having front and rear faces, a clock mechanism and time display means, adapted and arranged such that when viewed from the front face of the wheel trim the time display means is visible and the clock mechanism is obscured from view.

Preferably the front face of the wheel trim bears a decorative design.

The design may be hand painted providing the advantage that each novelty clock bears a different design.

Alternatively the design may be applied by means of a transfer, screen printing or other more mass production technique, providing the advantage of quick and relatively cheap production.

Preferably the time display means comprise conventional clock hands, either hour and minute hands, or hour, minute and second hands. If so the decorative design applied to the wheel trim may include numerals, or other markings, with which the clock hands align to indicate the time.

Alternatively the time display means may take the form of a digital display.

The clock mechanism is preferably battery powered. Alternatively the clock mechanism may be clock work, or may be powered by mains electricity.

An embodiment of a novelty clock according to the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which: FIGURE 1 is a schematic front view of a novelty clock according to the invention, and FIGURE 2 is a schematic rear view of the clock of figure 1.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, a novelty clock 10 comprises a wheel trim 11 of the kind commonly known as a hub cap, having a front face 1 la and a rear face 1 1b. The clock 10 further comprises a clock mechanism 12 and time display means 13, in this example taking the form of conventional clock hands 13a and 13b to indicate the hours and minutes respectively. The clock mechanism 12 is powered by means of a battery 14.

The clock 10 also comprises a hanging means 15, in this example taking the form of a wire, by means of which it may be hung on a wall.

Wheel trims 11 may be obtained as a raw material for the manufacture of the clock from roads and verges in the road equivalent of beachcombing.

Hence a wide variety of designs of wheel trim 11 may be incorporated into clocks 10 according to the invention. Most such wheel trims include, usually around their outer portions some cutouts. However, since these vary widely in their form no attempt has been made to represent these in the Figures.

To make clocks 10 attractive a decorative design is applied to the front face lia of the wheel trim 11. This may be individually painted using motor vehicle paints applied by brush or spray, in which case each clock is a unique work of art and may be created to fulfil specific criteria of a customer.

Alternatively, for cheaper and more efficient production of a large number of clocks 10 to a particular design, the design may be applied by means of a transfer, screen printing or other more mass production technique.

Any design applied to the front face 1 lea of the wheel trim 11 will in general cover any existing logo present on the wheel trim 11, although if the logo is formed into the surface of the wheel trim 11 rather than simply applied to its surface, then it will to some extent still be visible. However, the design applied may be selected to refer to the make and/or model of vehicle from which the wheel trim 11 came.

Although the clock mechanism 12 has been described as being battery powered it may be powered in any other appropriate manner. For example the clock mechanism 12 may be clockwork, or may be powered by mains electricity.

Likewise, although the time display means 13, is described above as being conventional clock hands it may also take any appropriate from. For example it may comprise a digital display.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description the following claims or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A novelty clock comprising a vehicle wheel trim having front and rear faces, a clock mechanism and time display means, adapted and arranged such that when viewed from the front face of the wheel trim the time display means is visible and the clock mechanism is obscured from view.

2. A novelty clock according to claim 1 wherein the front face of the vehicle wheel trim bears a decorative design.

3. A novelty clock according to claim 2 wherein the decorative design is hand applied by brush and/or spray.

4. A novelty clock according to claim 2 wherein the decorative design is applied by a transfer, screen printing or other more mass production technique.

5. A novelty clock according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the time display means comprises conventional clock hands.

6. A novelty clock according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the time display means comprises a digital display.

7. A novelty clock according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the clock mechanism is a battery powered electric mechanism.

8. A novelty clock according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the clock mechanism is a mains powered electric mechanism.

9. A novelty clock according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the clock mechanism is a clockwork mechanism.

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

11. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.