GB2376089A

GB2376089A - Moving dial clock

Info

Publication number: GB2376089A
Application number: GB0113458A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Ernest Dunning
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-01
Filing date: 2001-06-01
Publication date: 2002-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 2021-06-01
Also published as: GB0113458D0; GB2376089B

Abstract

An analogue arrangement for indicating time which does not rely on the movement of hands representing the hours and minutes, comprises two circular discs of different colour, each disc having a radial slit 2. The discs are arranged coaxially, one of the discs remaining stationary while the other disc is free to rotate. The radial slit of the stationary disc is set at the 12 o'clock position so that the display gives a representation of either AM or PM. At the 12 noon or midnight position, the radial slits of both the stationary and the rotating discs share a common alignment. At this point, the leading edge of the rotating disc passes either downwards or upwards through the radial slit in the stationary disc depending on whether the rotating disc is currently above or below the stationary disc. If the leading edge moves downwards under the stationary disc, the movement of the trailing edge of the rotating disc would reveal an increasingly large segment of the stationary disc until, at the noon or midnight position, the whole of the stationary disc would be revealed and the whole of the rotating disc would be hidden. Ramps 5 on the stationary disc and raised bumps 3 on the rotating disc cause the alternate up-down movement. Minutes may be represented by a coloured spot on a transparent disc.

Description

ACTIVE DIAL ANALOGUE CLOCK This invention relates to a novel form of analogue clock.

By using two moving hands within a stationary dial the analogue clock displays the daily passing of time in a graphical manner.

In an analogous way elapsed time may be displayed by means of an advancing segment of a circle, the radius of which sweeps round from a fixed vertical cursor until the entire dial is filled.

If when the entire circle was complete a new segment of a contrasting colour could be made to emerge, then the radius would appear to sweep on unabated.

This elapsed-time feature could then be used to replace the hour hand of the analogue clock and so form a new hybrid clock which would be much more distinctive to read and moreover provide an inherent indication of am. or pm.

In addition the minute hand could be replaced by a transparent disc equal in size to the dial and with a large coloured spot positioned near to the circumference.

According to the present invention there is provided a rotating split disc of contrasting colour to a stationary panel and about which it is caused to interweave both above and below alternatively.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which :Figure 1 shows a plan view of the split disc mounted on the hour shaft.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of a contrasting stationary panel surrounding the hour shaft.

Figure 3 shows a view of the assembled display with half the disc weaving above the stationary panel and the minute spot of the transparent disc over the vertical cursor.

Figure 4 shows a view similar to Fig. 3 with the disc weaving below the stationary panel, thus indicating pm.

Referring to Fif i. The split disc is secured to the rotating hour shaft solely by the lu\ .. Note that at the tip the leading edge of the split is inclined forward and also note a raised spot 3 in the surface There is a similar bump on the reverse side.

The stationary panel shown in Fig, 2 has a central circular area which corresponds to that of the rotating disc and round the circumference at the left hand side of a narrow vertical slit, (which forms the cursor) the slit continues as a radial cut 4. Thus forming a flap which allows slight movement relative to the right hand side of the panel. Also note the spot 5 indicating a ramp at that point. There is a corresponding ramp sited on the reverse side.

In operation the annular space at the centre of the fixed panel is centred around the hour shaft 6 and the lug 1 is connected with the shaft so that it lies within the annular space. Since the disc and the panel cannot occupy the same space at the same time, this causes a situation whereby the rotating disc will be slightly flexed either above or below the fixed panel. This flexing pressure is relieved in the radial section 4 and as the leading edge of the split disc 2 approaches the flap the tip is warped to the opposite side of the fixed panel and immediately before passing the cursor the raised bump 3 of the rotating disc moving across the ramp of the stationery panel accentuates the warping to the left of the lug 1 thus steering the leading edge to the reverse side of the panel.

Once the leading edge has passed over the rest will follow suit.

Referring to Fig. 3. This illustrates the face of the hybrid clock with the central circular area covered by an opaque disc within the transparent disc and a coloured spot to indicate the minute.

The rotating disc is of contrasting colour to the stationary panel and made from material which is very thin, rigid and slightly springy.

Claims

CLAIMS ! A rotating split disc of contrasting colour to a stationary panel and about which it is caused to interweave above and below alternatively.
2 A rotating split disc as claimed in Claim 1 arranged so as to display an advancing segment of a circle the radius of which sweeps round from a fixed vertical cursor,
3. A rotating split disc as claimed in Claim 2 arranged to provide a new segment that emerges whenever a full circle is completed.
4 A rotating split disc as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 and Claim 3 which replaces the hour-hand and the dial of an analogue clock.
5. An analogue clock as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a transparent disc with a coloured spot for indicating minutes.

5 A rotating split disc as claimed in Claim 4 under the cover of a transparent disc with a large coloured spot positioned near to its circumference and replacing the second-hand of an analogue clock.

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Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. An analogue clock comprising a rotating disc having a first radial slot, and a stationary panel having a second radial slot wherein said rotating disc alternatively interweaves above and below said stationary panel, said rocating disc having a raised bump on each face; said stationary panel having a ramp on each face ; wherein said raised bump is arranged to engage with said ramp to steer the leading edge of the rotating disc to the reverse side of the stationary panel.

2. An analogue clock according to claim 1, wherein the stationary disc further comprises a slit extending around the circumference.

3. An analogue clock according to claim 2, wherein said second radial slot and said slit forms a flap.

4. An analogue clock as claimed in any of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the tip of the leading edge of the first radial slot of said rotating disc is extended forward.