GB2430050A

GB2430050A - Timepiece with releasable hand assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2430050A
Application number: GB0617363A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Edington; Mark Barrymore Whitham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-09-06
Filing date: 2006-09-05
Publication date: 2007-03-14
Also published as: GB0518061D0; GB0617363D0

Abstract

A timepiece 10 with a hands sub-assembly 60 comprises a plurality of hands 65,67,69 that are connected together so as each to be capable of rotational movement about a common axis, and the hands sub-assembly 60 is releasably and operably engageable with a mechanism 20 for rotating the hands 65,67,69. The timepiece 10 may also have a removable face 50 thus allowing an alternative hand sub-assembly 60 and face 50 to be inserted into the timepiece 10. The hands 65,67,69 are connected together using a connecting member 64 which may be a conical or cylindrical shape.

Description

I

Title - Improvements relating to Timepieces This invention relates to timepieces, such as clocks and watches, and in particular to timepieces that have a face and hands that are readily replaceable.

Timepieces have been developed that have a face and hands that are readily replaceable. This feature enables the user to alter the appearance of the timepiece without incurring the expense of buying a new timepiece. However, timepieces that have been developed thus far have not been entirely satisfactory, and hence none are currently in widespread use. Problems associated with such timepieces include the face and hands being awkward to replace, and the timepiece being complex to reassemble once the face and hands have been replaced.

There has now been devised an improved hands sub-assembly for a timepiece, and an improved timepiece, which overcome or substantially mitigate the above-mentioned and/or other disadvantages associated with the

prior art.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a hands sub- assembly for a timepiece, the hands sub-assembly comprising a plurality of hands that are connected together so as each to be capable of rotational movement about a common axis, the hands sub-assembly being releasably and operably engageable with a mechanism for rotating the hands.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a timepiece comprising a hands sub-assembly having a plurality of hands that are connected together so as each to be capable of rotational movement about a common axis, and a mechanism for rotating the hands, wherein the hands sub-assembly is releasably and operably engageable with the mechanism.

The hands sub-assembly and timepiece according to the invention are advantageous principally because the hands are connected together so as to be capable of rotational movement about a common axis, and the hands subassembly is releasably and operably engageable with the mechanism. The hands are therefore less awkward to engage with the mechanism than prior art timepieces that require each individual hand to be engaged separately with the mechanism. The hands sub-assembly and timepiece according to the invention are therefore particularly suitable for use with a timepiece that has a face and hands that are readily replaceable.

The timepiece preferably includes a face that is releasably engageable with the remainder of the timepiece. Most preferably, the face is releasably engageable with a housing that accommodates the mechanism for rotating the hands, and includes an aperture through which the hands subassembly releasably and operably engages with the mechanism.

The hands sub-assembly and the face are interchangeable with alternative hands sub-assemblies and faces. A user is therefore able to alter the appearance of the timepiece by simply changing the hands sub-assembly and/or face of the timepiece. This feature enables a single mechanism to be used with many different hands sub-assemblies and/or faces, and hence a user can alter the appearance of the timepiece without incurring the expense of purchasing a new timepiece.

Alternative hands sub-assemblies and faces may be coloured differently, may include different decoration and pictures, may be different shapes, and/or may be formed from different materials. This enables a user to purchase a timepiece according to the invention, and then purchase alternative hands sub- assemblies and faces for the timepiece as desired. A user is then able to change the appearance of the timepiece according to the surrounding decor, the season, the users mood, etc. The timepiece according to the invention is particularly suitable for children because the appearance of the timepiece can be altered according to the child's current tastes in areas such as music, sport, films, and television.

The face may comprise a sheet, which may be rigid or flexible in form, that is releasably attached to a support. In this case, the support may form part of, or be releasably engageable with, the housing that accommodates the mechanism for rotating the hands. The timepiece may further comprise a protective casing that encloses the hands sub-assembly, the mechanism for rotating the hands, and the remaining components of the timepiece. The support and/or the protective casing may also be releasably engageable with the remainder of the timepiece so that these components may be replaced according to the user's current taste, as discussed above.

The hands sub-assembly preferably comprises an hour hand and a minute hand, and may also include a second hand. The hands preferably include connecting members that cooperate with one another such that the hands are connected together and capable of rotational movement relative to one another. In preferred embodiments, at least one of the connecting members has the form of a sleeve that is rotatably mounted co-axially about another connecting member. The connecting members are preferably generally cylindrical or conical in shape. Most preferably, each connecting member is disposed nearer to one end of its associated hand than the other. The connecting members preferably include means for releasably and operably engaging with the mechanism for rotating the hands.

The mechanism for rotating the hands is preferably battery powered and motor driven, and preferably includes rotating members that are rotated by the motor.

Most preferably, the mechanism has the general form of conventional clock mechanisms which have rotating members that are cylindrical in form, and are arranged co-axially.

The connecting members of the hand sub-assembly are preferably engageable with the rotating members of the mechanism by means of an interference fit. In a preferred embodiment, the connecting members each include a recess that engages the external surface of the corresponding rotating member with an interference fit.

The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a partially exploded, perspective view of a clock according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a base unit that forms part of the clock; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the base unit along the line Ill-Ill in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a side view of a clock mechanism that forms part of the clock; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a first tubular connector that forms part of the clock; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a support that forms part of the clock; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the first tubular connector and a second tubular connector, in an engaged configuration; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a hands sub-assembly that forms part of the clock; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the hands sub-assembly with the hands omitted; Figure 10 is a diametric cross-sectional view of the hands sub-assembly (with the hands omitted); and Figure 11 is a diametric cross-sectional view of the hands sub-assembly (with the hands omitted) engaged with the shaft of the clock mechanism.

Figure 1 shows a clock according to the invention which is generally designated 10. The clock 10 comprises a clock mechanism 20 (not shown in Figure 1), a base unit 30 including a base plate 31 (not shown in Figure 1), a support 40, a replaceable clock face 50, a hands sub-assembly 60 (not shown in Figure 1), a transparent cover 70, and an outer casing 80. These components 20,30,40,50,60,70,80 of the clock 10 are all manufactured as distinct elements that are readily assembled to form the clock 10 according to the invention, and also readily disassembled so that components 40,50,60,70,80 can be replaced.

The components 20,30,40,50,60,70,80 of the clock 10 are preferably each formed of injection moulded plastics material. However, some components, such as the outer casing 80, may be formed from a metal of suitably low density, such as aluminium, and other components, such as the hands subassembly 60, may be formed from both injection moulded plastics material and a metal of suitably low density.

The clock 10 is fixed to a suitable substrate, such as a wall, in normal use. In this arrangement, the clock 10 has a front face that faces outwardly from the wall and hence is visible to a user, and a rear face that faces towards the wall and hence is hidden from the user. Each component 20,30,40,50,60,70,80 is described below with reference to its front face which faces outwardly from the wall in this arrangement, and its rear face which faces towards the wall in this arrangement. As depicted in Figure 1, the clock 10 is orientated such that the front face of each component 20,30,40,50,60,70,80 faces upwardly, and the rear face of each component 20,30,40,50,60,70,80 faces downwardly, in that Figure.

The base unit 30, which is also shown in Figures 2 and 3, is generally cylindrical in shape, and has a recess in its rear face for accommodating the clock mechanism 20. The recess 32 has a rectangular portion for receiving the clock mechanism 20 with an interference fit, and a semicircular portion that facilitates insertion of the clock mechanism 20 into, or its removal from, the recess. The front face of the base unit 30 is generally circular and flat, and a cylindrical bore 34 extends from the centre of this front face into the recess 32 that accommodates the clock mechanism 20. The cylindrical bore 34 includes an enlarged portion 35 that is situated immediately adjacent to the front face of the base unit 30.

The base unit 30 engages with the support 40 by means of a bayonet fixing.

Hence, the base unit 30 includes three lugs 36 that extend outwardly from the periphery of the front face. Each lug 36 includes a rearwardly extending end stop 37 at one end.

In addition, the base unit 30 includes a pair of diametrically opposed bores 38 for receiving screws (not shown in the Figures) that engage threaded recesses (not visible in Figures 2 and 3) in the front surface of the base plate 31, and hence fix the base plate 31 to the remainder of the base unit 30. The base plate 31 secures the clock mechanism 20 within the base unit 30, and includes a keyhole-shaped opening 33 that is situated over the semi- circular portion of the recess 32. In use, this opening 33 receives a projection (not shown in the Figures), such as a screw or the like, that has an enlarged head and projects from an appropriate substrate, such as a wall, so that the clock 10 is suspended from the projection. Each bore 38 includes an enlarged portion adjacent to the front face of the base unit 30. This enlarged portion accommodates the head of the screw such that the outer surface of the screw is flush with the front face of the base unit 30.

The clock mechanism 20, which is shown in Figure 4, is a conventional battery powered clock mechanism. The clock mechanism 20 comprises a casing 22 housing a battery, a PCB, and a motor. A removable panel 23 at the rear of the casing 22 enables access to the battery within the casing 22.

The clock mechanism 20 includes three co-axial cylinders 24,26,28 that extend perpendicularly through an aperture in the centre of the front face of the casing 22. The outer and intermediate cylinders 24,26 are tubular in form, and the inner cylinder 28 has the form of a solid rod, as shown most clearly in Figure 11. In addition, the front face of the clock mechanism 20 includes an annular recess (not visible in Figure 4) that extends co- axially around the base of the outer cylinder 24 and includes a threaded internal surface.

Conventionally, the outer cylinder 24 is fixed to a clock's hour hand, the intermediate cylinder 26 is fixed to a clock's minute hand, and the inner cylinder 28 is connected to a clock's second hand. The clock mechanism 20 rotates the outer cylinder 24 at a constant speed of one revolution every twelve hours, the intermediate cylinder 26 at a constant speed of one revolution every hour, and the inner cylinder 28 at a constant speed of one revolution every minute.

The clock mechanism 20 is fixed to the base unit 30 using a first tubular connector 12, which is shown in Figure 5. The first tubular connector 12 comprises a rear cylinder 13, an intermediate cylinder 14, and a front flange 15. The rear cylinder 14 has a threaded external surface, and is adapted to threadably engage the annular recess of the clock mechanism 20. The intermediate cylinder 14 is adapted to fit within the cylindrical bore 34 of the base unit 30, and includes a threaded internal surface defining an internal bore. The front flange 15 extends outwardly from the front edge of the intermediate cylinder 14, and is annular in form. The front flange 15 is dimensioned to fit within the enlarged portion 35 of the central bore 34 of the base unit 30 such that when the clock mechanism 20 and base unit 30 are fixed together the front surface of the first tubular connector 12 is flush with the front surface of the base unit 30. Finally, the front surface of the front flange includes three recessed channels. In use, a user passes the first tubular connector 12 through the central bore 34 of the base unit 30, and screws the first tubular connector 12 into engagement with the clock mechanism 20 using a special tool (not shown in the Figures) that locates within these recessed channels of the front flange 15.

The support 40 of the clock 10 is shown most clearly in Figure 6. The support comprises a circular disc that has a rearwardly turned rim 42 at its periphery, a central aperture 46, and indications 48 on its front face that facilitate location of the clock face 50 in the correct position, and with the correct orientation, relative to the support 40 on assembly of the clock 10.

The support 40 includes a central annular formation 43 on its rear face that has three inwardly extending projections 44 (only two of which are visible in Figure 6) adapted to engage with a lug 36 of the base unit 30. In particular, each projection 44, along with the rear face of the support 40 and the annular formation 43, defines an open ended channel that has an open inner face.

The base unit 30 is engaged with the support 40 by firstly locating the base unit 30 within the central annular formation 43 such that the front face of the base unit 30 is located alongside the rear face of the support 40. The base unit 30 is then rotated so that the lugs 36 of the base unit 30 are closely received within the channels defined by the projections 44 until each end stop 37 contacts an end of its associated projection 44. The central annular formation 43, and its associated projections 44, are positioned such that the central cylindrical bore 34 of the base unit 30 and the central aperture 46 of the support 40 are in registration when the base unit 30 and support 40 are engaged with each other.

The clock face 50 is a circular disc formed from a sheet of material, and includes a central aperture 52 that is aligned with the central aperture 46 of the support 40, and also the central cylindrical bore 34 of the base unit 30. The front face of the clock face 50 includes decoration, and typically also markings (not visible in Figure 1) that represent regular time intervals with respect to each hand of the hand unit 60. For example, the markings may represent hourly intervals with respect to the hour hand, five minute intervals with respect to the minute hand, and five second intervals with respect to the second hand.

The clock face 50 is laid centrally on the front face of the support 40, and is orientated appropriately with respect to the support 40 and associated indications 48. The clock face 50 and the support 40 are then fixed to the base unit 30, and hence the clock mechanism 20, using a second tubular connector 16, which is shown in Figure 7.

The second tubular connector 16 comprises a cylindrical portion 17 with a threaded external surface, and a front flange 18 that extends outwardly from the front edge of the cylindrical portion 17 and is identical to the front flange 15 of the first tubular connector 12. The cylindrical portion 17 is adapted to threadably engage the internal surface of the intermediate cylinder 14 of the first tubular connector 12, as shown in Figure 7, and includes an internal bore that is adapted to receive the hands sub-assembly 60 of the clock 10.

In order to secure the clock face 50 and support 40 to the base unit 30 and clock mechanism 20, the cylindrical portion 17 of the second tubular connector 16 is passed through the central apertures 46,52 of the support 40 and the clock face 50, and threadably engaged with the first tubular connector 12, such that the support 40 and clock face 50 are clamped between the front flange 15 of the first tubular connector 12 and the front flange 18 of the second tubular connector 16. In this configuration, the three cylinders 24,26,28 of the clock mechanism 20 project axially along the internal bore of the second tubular connector 16.

The hands sub-assembly 60 is shown in Figure 8, and comprises an inner pin 68, an intermediate sleeve 66, and an outer sleeve 64. The sleeves 64,66 are generally tubular in shape, and clock hands 65,67,69 are fixed to the tip of the inner pin 68 and each sleeve 64,66, so that the hands 65,67,69 extend perpendicularly therefrom.

Figures 9, 10 and 11 show the hands sub-assembly 60 with the hands 65,67,69 omitted. The outer sleeve 64 comprises an internal bore with a front portion of reduced diameter. This front end portion of reduced diameter forms a shoulder on the internal surface of the outer sleeve 64. The external surface of the outer sleeve 64 includes a pair of diametrically opposed depressions that form finger grips, and a front end portion of slightly reduced diameter to which the hour hand 6501 the clock 10 is fixed.

The intermediate sleeve 66 comprises an internal bore that reduces in diameter from its rear end to its front end in two steps, thereby forming two shoulders on the internal surface of the sleeve 66. The external surface of the intermediate sleeve 66 includes a rear portion that is mounted within the internal bore of the outer sleeve 64, an intermediate portion that extends out of the outer sleeve 64 through its front end, and a front end portion of reduced diameter to which the minute hand 67 of the clock 10 is fixed. The rear portion of the intermediate sleeve 66 is mounted within the internal bore of the outer sleeve 64 with a close but non-interference fit such that the intermediate sleeve 66 is able to rotate freely relative to the outer sleeve 64.

The inner pin 68 comprises a cylindrical rear part with a blind bore, and a rod part that extends co-axially from the front end of the cylindrical part. The rod part of the inner pin 68 has a front end portion of reduced diameter to which the second hand 69 of the clock 10 is fixed. The cylindrical part of the inner pin 68 is mounted within the intermediate portion of the internal bore of the intermediate sleeve 66 with a close but non-interference fit such that the inner pin 68 is able to rotate freely relative to the intermediate sleeve 66.

The intermediate sleeve 66 is capable of restricted movement along the longitudinal axis of the outer sleeve 64. This movement is restricted in one direction by contact between the hand 67 of the intermediate sleeve 66 and the front end of the outer sleeve 64, and in the other direction by contact between the rear portion of the intermediate sleeve 66 and the internal shoulder of the outer sleeve 64. Similarly, the inner pin 68 is capable of restricted movement along the longitudinal axis of the intermediate sleeve 66.

This movement is restricted in one direction by contact between the hand 69 of the inner pin 68 and the front end of the intermediate sleeve 66, and in the other direction by contact between the cylindrical part of the inner pin 68 and one of the internal shoulders of the intermediate sleeve 66. The outer and intermediate sleeves 64,66, and the inner pin 68 are therefore securely connected together.

The rear portions of the outer and intermediate sleeves 64,66, and of the inner pin 68, are adapted to fit within the internal bore of the second tubular connector 16, and receive the outer, intermediate and inner cylinders 24,26,28 of the clock mechanism 20, respectively, with an interference fit. Figure 8 shows the hand unit 60 engaged with the cylinders 24,26,28 of the clock mechanism 20.

The interference engagement between each corresponding pair of sleeves 64,66 and inner pin 68 on the one hand, and cylinders 24,26,28 of the clock mechanism 20 on the other hand, is sufficient for each sleeve 64,66, or inner pin 68, and its associated hand 65,67,69 to be rotated by its associated cylinder 24,26,28. Since the hands 65,67,69 of the hand unit 60 are connected to one another, the user is able to locate the hand unit 60 about the cylinders 24,26,28 of the clock mechanism 20 with one simple action.

The outer casing 80 comprises a ring with an annular flange extending perpendicularly inwards from its front end. The annular flange forms the front face of the outer casing 80, and a skirt 82 extends rearwardly from the innermost edge of this flange. The transparent cover 70 comprises a circular disc that has a skirt 72 extending rearwardly from its peripheral edge. This skirt 72 is formed with an outwardly-turned portion defining a channel that is adapted to receive an end portion of the skirt 82 of the outer casing 80.

In order to engage the support 40 and clock face 50 with the transparent cover 70 and outer casing 80, the skirt 82 of the outer casing 80 is located within the channel defined by the transparent cover 70. In this arrangement, the circular disc of the transparent cover 70 is orientated in the same plane as the flange of the outer casing 80. The outer casing 80 is then located about the support with an interference fit such that the skirt 72 of the transparent cover 70 clamps the clock face 50 against the surface of the support 40.

In use, the clock mechanism 20 is fixed to the base unit 30 using the first tubular connector 12, the base plate 30 is secured to the rear face of the base unit 30 including the clock mechanism 20 with screws, and the support 40 and clock face 50 are engaged with the base unit 30 using the second tubular connector 16. The hands sub-assembly 60, the transparent cover 70 and the outer casing 80 are then engaged with the clock mechanism 20, base unit 30 and support 40, as described above. Finally, the clock 10 is suspended from a screw or the like projecting from the wall. Since all the engagements described above are readily releasable, the clock 10 may be disassembled so that components 40,50,60,70,80 can be replaced so as to alter the appearance of the clock 10.

Claims

Claims 1. A hands sub-assembly for a timepiece, the hands sub-assembly

comprising a plurality of hands that are connected together so as each to be capable of rotational movement about a common axis, the hands subassembly being releasably and operably engageable with a mechanism for rotating the hands.
2. A hands sub-assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the hands include connecting members that cooperate with one another such that the hands are connected together and capable of rotational movement relative to one another.
3. A hands sub-assembly as claimed in Claim 2, wherein at least one of the connecting members has the form of a sleeve that is rotatably mounted co-axially about another connecting member.
4. A hands sub-assembly as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the connecting members are generally cylindrical or conical in shape.
5. A hands sub-assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the connecting members include means for releasably and operably engaging with the mechanism for rotating the hands.
6. A hands sub-assembly as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the connecting members of the hand sub-assembly are engageable with rotating members of the mechanism by means of an interference fit.
7. A hands sub-assembly as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the connecting members each include a recess that engages an external surface of a corresponding rotating member with an interference fit.
8. A timepiece comprising a hands sub-assembly having a plurality of hands that are connected together so as each to be capable of rotational movement about a common axis, and a mechanism for rotating the hands, wherein the hands sub-assembly is releasably and operably engageable with the mechanism.
9. A timepiece as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the timepiece includes a face that is releasably engageable with the remainder of the timepiece.
10. A timepiece as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the face is releasably engageable with a housing that accommodates the mechanism for rotating the hands, and includes an aperture through which the hands sub-assembly releasably and operably engages with the mechanism.
11. A timepiece as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10, wherein the hands subassembly and the face are interchangeable with alternative hands subassemblies and faces.
12. A timepiece as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 11, wherein the face comprises a sheet that is releasably attached to a support.
13. A timepiece as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the support forms part of, or is releasably engageable with, the housing that accommodates the mechanism for rotating the hands.
14. A timepiece as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 13, wherein the timepiece further comprises a protective casing that encloses the hands sub-assembly, the mechanism for rotating the hands, and the remaining components of the timepiece.
15. A timepiece as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 14, wherein the hands include connecting members that cooperate with one another such that the hands are connected together and capable of rotational movement relative to one another.
16. A timepiece as claimed in Claim 15, wherein at least one of the connecting members has the form of a sleeve that is rotatably mounted coaxially about another connecting member.
17. A timepiece as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the connecting members are generally cylindrical or conical in shape.
18. A timepiece as claimed in any one of Claims 15 to 17, wherein the connecting members include means for releasably and operably engaging with the mechanism for rotating the hands.
19. A timepiece as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 18, wherein the mechanism for rotating the hands is battery powered and motor driven, and includes rotating members that are rotated by the motor.
20. A timepiece as claimed in Claim 19, wherein the rotating members are cylindrical in form and are arranged co-axially.
21. A timepiece as claimed in Claim 19 or Claim 20, wherein the hands include connecting members that cooperate with one another such that the hands are connected together and capable of rotational movement relative to one another, and the connecting members of the hand sub-assembly are engageable with the rotating members of the mechanism by means of an interference fit.
22. A timepiece as claimed in Claim 21, wherein the connecting members each include a recess that engages an external surface of the corresponding rotating member with an interference fit.
23. A hands sub-assembly substantially as hereinbefore described, and as illustrated by Figures 8 to 11.
24. A timepiece substantially as hereinbefore described, and as illustrated byFiguresltoll.