GB2454949A

GB2454949A - Watch with moon phase indicator

Info

Publication number: GB2454949A
Application number: GB0804969A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Pierce Jones
Original assignee: Squid Inc
Current assignee: Squid Inc
Priority date: 2007-11-22
Filing date: 2008-03-17
Publication date: 2009-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 2028-03-17
Also published as: EP2223190B1; WO2009066091A1; EP2223190A1; GB2454949B; GB0804969D0; WO2009066091A8; GB0722927D0; GB2454905A

Abstract

A watch comprises a time display means having at least one hand for pointing to time indicia (11) to indicate the time, a first area (113) of marking indicating time indicia corresponding to night, a second area (112) of marking indicating time indicia corresponding to phases of the moon, and varying means (17, 18) for varying the first and/or second areas of marking such that the correspondence of time indicia to night and day can be varied.

Description

The present invention relates to a watch. In particular, the present invention relates to an analogue watch which can show the time around the world, and/or show the phases of the moon.

Analogue watches which can show the time at locations around the world are known. A known watch may indicate whether a particular time is in the day or night. However, this is done by considering the day to extend from 0600 to 1800, and night from 1800 to 0600. This has the disadvantage that these times may not reflect the actual times of dusk or dawn, which can vary throughout the year.

The present invention provides, in a first aspect, a watch according to claim 1.

Thus, the relative lengths of the day and night indicated can alter to reflect the actual situation.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a watch face forming part

of the prior art;

Figure 2 is a front view of a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a front view of a further aspect of the present invention; Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a further embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a further aspect of the present invention; Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of a further aspect of the present invention; Figure 7 is a front view of a further aspect of the present invention; Figure 8 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a front view of a further embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 is a front view of a further aspect of the present invention; and Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of a further embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows an example analogue watch 100 able to show world time, forming part of the prior art. A fixed bezel 101 is provided with a dial showing numbers 102, ranging from 1 to 24 to indicate the time in a 24 hour period. A rotating disk 105 is provided with city names 108.

The disk 105 completes one revolution every 24 hours. The time at a particular city is read by looking at the adjacent number 102 to the city name 108.

An area 104 between numbers 6 to 18 passing through 24 (midnight) is coloured black to indicate night. An area 106 between numbers 6 to 18 passing through 12 (midday) is coloured white to indicate day. This has the disadvantage that an equal amount of night and dark is only accurate at vernal and autumn equinox.

Figure 2 shows a first aspect of the invention. The watch 10 comprises a casing housing a watch mechanism connected to a time display. The time display is analogue, and preferably has one hand to indicate the hour, and a separate hand to indicate the number of minutes. A stationary bezel 11 is provided with numbers ha ranging from 1 to 24 to indicate the hour over a 24-hour period. A rotating disk llb is located within the numbers ha and is provided with identification marks to identify a city, country or part of the world. The rotating disk lIb rotates so that the identification marks for the city, country or part of the world for which time is required completes a full revolution every 24 hours. The time at the indicated place is read by looking at the number ha adjacent to the place identification mark.

The numbers ha are formed on or adjacent to an annulus 18. A first area 12 of the annulus 18 between numbers 4 and passing through 24 (midnight) is coloured black to indicate night-time. A second area 13 of the annulus 18 between numbers 8 to 16 passing through 12 (midday) is coloured white to indicate day-time.

A third area 14a of the annulus 18 between numbers 4 and 8, and a third area 14b between numbers 16 and 20 is coloured grey. This scheme indicates to a user that dawn and dusk may occur at times other than 0600 or 1800 hours.

The first area of marking 12 of black, the second area of marking 13 of white and third areas of marking l4a,14b of grey are arranged in an annulus, with the grey areas separating the black area from the white area. Each of the first area of marking, second area of marking 13 and third areas of marking 14a,14b are segments of the annulus and subtend an angle.

Figure 3 shows an alternate scheme for the coloured markings indicating day-time and night-time. An area 112 between numbers 18 and 6 through midnight is coloured black to indicate night-time. An area 113 between numbers 6 and 18 through 12 (midday) is coloured white to indicate day-time. The areas 112, 113 are provided with a minimum number of time markings in order to more efficiently and easily show the times of interest. The numbers lila shown are: 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22. In particular, there are no numbers lila between 22 (22.00 hours) and 6 (06.00 hours).

This is because the exact time in this period is rarely of interest. There are therefore no odd numbers lila in this embodiment. Furthermore, certain times are indicated with a line but no numeral. For example, 9.00 a.rn. is indicated by a line 115 equally spaced between the numbers 8 and 10 although no numeral "9" is present. Similarly, lines without numbers are located for 11.00, 15.00, 17.00, 19.00.

Certain areas are not marked by either a line or a reference numeral, in particular 07.00, 13.00, 21.00, 23.00 or 01.00 to 05.00.

This embodiment of the display allows the important times, for e.g. arranging a meeting, to be efficiently read; with a minimum of unnecessary details which would inhibit the use of the clock.

With reference to Figure 4, the watch 10 includes means for varying the apparent size of first area 12 of black on the annulus 18, and/or changing the size of second area 13 of white.

The annulus 18 defines a first area 12 of black between numbers 4 and 20, and a second area 13 of white between numbers 8 to 16, as described for Figure 2.

At least one window is formed in the annulus 18.

Preferably, a first window 15a is formed between the numbers 4 and 8 and a second window 15b is formed between the numbers 16 and 20. The windows 15a, 15b are transparent, and may be formed by an aperture in the annulus 18 or an aperture covered with a transparent material, e.g. glass.

The or each window may subtend an angle of 60°, and in particular may be located between the numbers 4 and 8, and/or 16 and 20.

Underneath the windows 15a, 15b are background segments 19. The background segments 19 are aligned with the windows 15a, 15b, such that they are visible through the windows 15a, 15b. The background segments 19 are preferably coloured white. The background segments 19 are spaced apart from the annulus 18.

At least one movable cover is provided, which can move between a window and a background segment. Preferably, there are two movable covers 17, 18. The covers 17, 18 are rotatable about a common pivot point 16, which is aligned with a central axis of the annulus 18. The covers 17, 18 have an upper surface facing the windows 15a, 15b which is a different colour to the colour of the background segments 19. In particular, the upper surface of the moveable covers 17, 18 is coloured black.

The covers 17, 18 are continuously rotatable between a position in which no part of the covers 17, 18 is visible through a window 15a, 15b and a position in which the whole of a window 15a, 15b is filled with a view of a cover 17, 18.

U

The movable covers 17, 18 are located between the

annulus 18 and background segments 19, in a plane

substantially parallel to the annulus 18.

The covers 17, 18 may be formed as circular sectors, as shown. Alternatively, the movable covers 17, 18 may be any shape to perform the function above.

When the movable covers 17,18 are not visible in the windows l5a, 15b, the annulus 18 has the appearance of being white between the times indicated by the numbers 4 to 20.

The movable covers 17, 18 are located underneath the black area 12 in this position. The movable cover 17 may be rotated clockwise underneath the window 15a in order to increase the apparent size of the black area 12. Similarly, the cover 18 can be rotated anticlockwise underneath the window 15b to further increase the apparent size of the black area 12. Preferably, the covers 17, 18 are connected together such that equal amounts of each cover 17, 18 are visible through the windows 15a, l5b. Alternatively, the position of the covers 17, 18 may be asymmetric, in order to take into account summertime or the time of true noon when the sun is directly overhead at that location. During summer, the movable cover 17 occupies half or less of the windows 15a, 15b, to reflect the larger number of hours of daylight than in winter.

Alternatively, the movable covers 17, 18 may have an upper surface wholly or partially coloured grey to indicate an intermediate time between day and night.

The first and second movable covers 17, 18 may be moved manually by a connection to a wheel extending from the casing of the watch 10. Alternatively, the first and second movable covers 17, 18 may be moved automatically by the watch mechanism.

Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. A watch has black and white coloured areas as described above to indicate daytime and night-time.

The watch also has day display means to indicate the day of the week to the user. The day display means may display an abbreviated form or code of the name of the day, i.e. SUN is displayed on a Sunday, MON displayed on a Monday etc. The day display means comprises day markings 21 indicating the day of the week provided on a rotatable disk or annulus 23. The day markings 21 are visible through a day aperture 22 on a fixed cover 20 located above the disk 23.

One day code is visible at once through the day aperture 22.

The day aperture 22 is formed on the annulus 18 having a black area 12 and a white area 13. The aperture 22 preferably extends over three hours, i.e. between the numbers 6 to 9.

Each day marking 21 is in the form of a sector of an annulus, which can fill the aperture 22 when aligned.

Indicia on each day marking 21 indicating the day of the week (i.e. NON) covers only approximately one-third of the area of each day marking 21. The remainder of the day marking 21 is coloured depending upon the day of the week.

Weekday day markings 21, i.e MONDI\Y to FRIDAY, comprise a day identifying indicia on a white background. The large area of white visible through the aperture 22 matches the white area 13, to give the appearance that day time is longer on weekdays. This corresponds with the earlier start to the day for many people on weekdays. On the day markings 21 corresponding to the weekend, i.e SATURDAY and SUNDAY, the day indicia is on a black background. The black background matches with the black area 12 on the annulus 18, indicating a larger period of night-time, when it is not appropriate to make contact with people.

The day markings 21 may be provided with one or more lines corresponding to the hours of the day. In Figure 5, the day marking 21 for MONDAY has two lines at the location expected for 7 and 8 (i.e. 07.00 and 08.00). TUESDAY to FRIDAY has one line corresponding with the position of number 8 (i.e. 08.00).

The day markings 21 may include both white and black areas. For example, on the day marking 21 marked "SAT" the area between 6 and 8 is black, and the area between 8 and 9 is white. This indicates that day- time on the SATURDAY could be considered to start at 8.00 a.m.

Alternatively, the day aperture 22 may only cover a sector extending over two hours. In this case, the area of each day marking 21 can be correspondingly smaller to fill the day aperture 22. The day markings 21 described are only examples and any combination of black, white or grey is possible. The day aperture 22 also may be located at a differei-it location on the annulus 20.

Figure 6 shows an exploded view of a moon phase display for a watch. A rotatable cover 30 is in the form of an annulus, and is provided with an aperture 31. The remainder of the cover 30 is opaque. Alternatively, the cover 30 may be a disk.

A stationary annulus or disk 32 is located directly underneath the annulus 31. The disk 32 is provided with a plurality of images 33 of the moon in different phases. In particular, the disk 32 may show 8, 30 or 59 images of the moon, although any other number may be provided. The images are equally spaced and arranged to be located under the cover 30. The images 33 illustrate the phases of the moon when viewed successively, in particular, in a clockwise direction. A lens may be provided over the aperture 31 to magnify the visible image 33.

The rotatable cover 30 is driven to rotate by a rotating means (not shown) . The aperture 31 and cover 30 completes a full rotation in approximately 29.5 days, to correspond with the period of the phases of the moon. The -10 -cover 30 rotates such that one image 33 of the moon is visible through the aperture 31 at once. For example, if 59 images are provided, each image 33 will be visible for 12 hours. The position of the current visible image 33 therefore moves around the watch. A display of the current phase of the moon is thus provided.

Alternatively, the disk 32 may rotate in an opposite sense to the rotation of the rotatable cover 30. The angle of rotation of the rotating disk 32 at each step would he half that if only the cover 30 were rotating.

The watch may be marked with a sun symbol 34. The sun symbol 34 remains fixed in place and does not rotate with the cover 30. The sun symbol 34 may surround a display of the date and/or day, as is conventionally known or as described above.

The phases of the Moon are caused by the reflected light off the Moon from the Sun. The half of the Moon in the direction of the Sun is illuminated. An observer on Earth can only view the half of the Moon facing the Earth. The orbit of the Moon around the Earth causes a variation in the illumination of the visible half of the Moon.

The images 33 of the moon phases may be arranged to correspond to the celestial arrangement which causes the phases. The expected shape of the moon is illustrated as if the Sun were located in the direction of the sun symbol 34, at an effectively infinite distance. An observer is considered to view the Moon from the centre of the disk 32.

The Moon is taken as located at the viewed moon image.

Therefore, the image 33 of the moon on the opposite side to the sun symbol 34 will be a full moon 37, indicated by a solid white circle. This corresponds to the illuminated half of the moon facing towards the Earth. The image 33 of the moon adjacent to the sun symbol 34 will be a new moon 38, indicated by a solid black circle. This corresponds to the illuminated half of the moon facing away from the Earth.

The intermediate shapes are well known, and some examples ae illustrated in Figurc 6.

This arrangement of a moveable cover with a transparent portion and a stationary series of images means that the visible moon image moves around the watch face. The arrangement of the sun symbol 34 with the location of the visible image 33 provides an accurate image of the moon, that illustrates the physical causes of the phases of the moon.

The watch 10 may also comprise means for displaying the current tide. In a similar arrangement to the display of the moon phase, a series of images or markings indicating high tide, low tide and other tides may be located on an annulus. A movable cover with an aperture allowing viewing of one tide marking at a time may rotate to indicate the correct tidal situation. Alternatively, the cover with aperture may remain stationary and the tide markings rotate.

Alternatively both cover with aperture and annulus with tide markings may both rotate in opposite senses.

A further aspect of the invention will now be described with reference to Figure 7. A conventional world time clock -12 -is known to have a face showing a map of the World centred on the North Pole. In order for the face to move to reflect the rotation of the Earth, the face rotates anti-clockwise.

This has been found to be counter-intuitive for a user.

Figure 7 shows part of a watch according to a further aspect of the present invention. A face 40 is provided with a map of the World centred on the South Pole. In order to advance the map to reflect the rotation of the Earth, the face is turned clockwise. Thus, the ease of use of the wor.1.d time watch is improved. A ratchet mechanism may be connected to the face to only allow clockwise rotation.

The watch may be provided with a semi-transparent layer 42 covering approximately one half of the map on the face 40. Preferably, the layer covers the top half of the map.

The layer 42 effectively darkens half of the map to indicate night over that half of the World.

This arrangement is more than a different image on the face of a watch. The alternate perspective of the World requires the opposite sense of rotation in order for the watch to function. The operation of the watch is improved by this arrangement.

Figure 8 shows a modification to the face shown in Figure 7. Instead of a fixed semi-transparent layer 42, the darkened half of the world is indicated by two movable covers 45, 46. The movable covers 45, 46 are semi-transparent, and rotatable around a common pivot point aligned with a central axis of the face 40. The movable covers 45,46 are preferably connected, such that they move -13 -symmetrically with respect to a vertical line through the central axis of the face 40. The movable covers 45, 46 are preferably manually movable by means of a wheel extending through the casing of the watch, or may move automatically.

In summer, the movable covers 45, 46 may be rotated to an upward position in which there is a high degree of overlap between the covers 45,46. This will appear as a relatively small amount of darkness, corresponding with the longer length of day light in summer. In winter, the cover 46 can be rotated clockwise and the cover 45 rotated anti-clockwise such that there is relatively little overlap between the covers 45, 46. In this position, the covers 45, 46 will darken more than half of the world, indicating the shorter length of day light in winter.

Figure 9 shows a further aspect of the present invention. A face 50 of the watch is provided with a map of the World in a Mercator projection or other known projection in which the equator extends across the width of the face. A flexible semi-transparent layer 52 is located over the face, and supported between rollers 54 at either side of the face 50. The semi-transparent layer 52 is shaped to cover those parts of the map corresponding to night in the World.

One or both rollers 54 can be turned by a user and/or by an automatic mechanism to move the semi-transparent layer 52 linearly across the face. The semi-transparent layer 52 can therefore be moved to illustrate where in the World is in night at any time.

A further aspect of the present invention is described with reference to Figure 10. The conventional face of a -14 -world time watch 100, as shown in Figure 1, indicates the part of the world using the name of the city e.g. London' or New York', shown as name 108. This has the disadvantage that the words require a large amount of space on the watch face, leading to a large face or a reduced font size which may be difficult to read.

Figure 10 illustrates a watch 60 according to a sixth embodiment of the invention. The watch 60 is a world time watch substantially as described above or as known from Figure 1. Instead of the names of cities, the world location is indicated by an image of a flag 62 belonging to a key country. Each flag 62 is preferably in the form of a triangular pennant. A plurality of flag images 62 are provided to indicate important countries. For example, the United Kingdom may be indicated by a Union Jack flag or the United States by a Stars and Stripes flag. This has the advantage that the flag images 62 take up a reduced amount of space compared to names of cities, allowing the watch to be smaller or the world location clearer.

Figure 11 shows an alternate moon phase indicator for a watch, different to that shown in Figure 6. A stationary cover 130 is generally opaque. The cover 130 has a plurality of apertures 133 located in a circle on the cover 130. The apertures 133 have an outline corresponding to the visible part of the moon in different phases. In particular, the apertures 133 may be in the form of 8, 30 or 59 visible parts of the moon, although any other number may be provided. The apertures 133 are equally spaced around the cover 130.

-15 -An adjacent part of the upper surface of the cover 130 to the apertures 133 has a colour, preferably a dark colour such as black or dark blue. The adjacent part of the cover may be complementary to each aperture 133, and form a circle with each aperture 133, as shown in Figure 11.

Alternatively, the adjacent part may be taken to mean a larger part of the upper surface cover 130.

A rotatable base 132 in the form of a disc or annulus is located directly underneath the cover 130, and is driven to rotate by a rotating means (not shown). The base 132 is provided with an indicating portion 131 comprising an area having a colour contrasting with the colour of the adjacent part of the cover to the apertures 133. The indicating portion 131 is preferably a light colour, such as white, or may be phosphorescent or radioluminescent. The indicating portion 131 has an area which is the same as, or larger than, an area of a largest one of the apertures 133, such that the visible area seen through the apertures 133 is successively filled by the indicating portion 131.

The indicating portion 131 is arranged to be visible through each of the apertures 133 in sequence, as the base rotates. The portion of the indicating portion 131 visible through the apertures 133 illustrates the phase of the moon.

The remainder of the base 132 (other than the indicating portion) is coloured in the same colour as the cover 130 adjacent to the apertures 133, such that when an aperture 133 is not directly over the indicating portion 131 there is no contrast between the cover 130 and base 132, and so no moon phase is indicated. The cover 130 and base 132 -16 - (other than the indicating portion) are preferably coloured a dark colour, preferably black or dark blue.

The base 132 completes a rotation in approximately 29.5 days, to correspond with the period of phases of the moon.

The base 132 moves in steps corresponding to the spacing of the apertures 133, and is stationary for a pre-determined time between movements such that the base rotates in approximately 29.5 days. A display of the current phase of the moon is tiius provided. This embodiment may also be used in combination with a sun symbol 34 displaying the date as is described with reference to Figure 6.

Alternatively, the apertures 133 may have an outline corresponding to the invisible (i.e. dark) part of the moon in different phases. The indicating portion may be a dark colour (e.g. black), and the remainder of the base and appearance of the cover adjacent to the apertures is a contrasting colour, in particular, a light colour such as white. This alternative embodiment thus produces the same effect, using complementary shaped apertures 133 and inversed colours.

Figure 2 describes a third area 14a and a third area 14b coloured grey to indicate the time between night and day. Figure 2 illustrates that the third area 14a is between 0400 and 0800 hours, and the third area 14b between 1600 and 2000. Alternatively, the third area l4a may extend between different times. In particular, the third area of grey may extend between times of 0600 and 0800, and the third area 14b may extend between times of 1700 and 2100.

-17 -Any of the apertures described above may include a transparent material, e.g. glass.

Any of the features from any of the embodiments may be used in conjunction with another feature or combined together. In particular, a watch according to the present invention may have a plurality of the above described functions and features. lU

The areas of marking day, night and intermediary periods have been described as an annulus. Alternatively, the areas of marking may be an arc. The annulus or arc may be in the form of a circle or an ellipse.

Claims

-18 -Claims 1. A watch comprising a moon phase indicator, the moon phase indicator comprising: a cover having a plurality of transparent portions each having an outline corresponding to a visible area of the moon in different phases, or each having an outline corresponding to an invisible area of the moon in different phases; a rotatable base arranged underneath the cover and having an indicating portion with an appearance contrasting with an appearance of the cover adjacent to the apertures; rotating means to rotate the base such that successive images of the moon are formed by the indicating portion being visible through successive apertures.
2. The watch as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the transparent portions has an outline corresponding to a visible area of the moon in different phases, an upper surface of the cover adjacent to the apertures is coloured a dark colour, and the indicating portion is coloured a lighter colour, and the base, apart from the indicator portion, which is visible through the apertures is the same dark colour as the cover adjacent to the apertures.
3. The watch as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the rotating means is arranged to rotate the base in a series of steps such that the indicating portion is coincident with a transparent portion, and between the steps the base is stationary for a pre-determined period.
4. A watch comprising: -19 -a time display means having at least one hand for pointing to time indicia to indicate time; a first area of marking subtending a first angle and indicating time indicia corresponding to night; a second area of marking subtending a second angle and indicating time indicia corresponding to day; a third area of marking subtending a third angle and indicating time indicia corresponding to an intermediate period between the first area of marking and the second area of marking corresponding to a transition time proceeding from night into day.
5. The watch as claimed in claim 4, wherein the third area of marking subtends an angle between time indicia indicating 4.00 a.m. and 8.00 a.m, and more preferably, between 6.00 a.m. and 8.00 a.m.
6. The watch as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the watch comprises a fourth area of marking subtending a fourth angle and indicating time indicia corresponding to an intermediate period between the second area of marking and the first area of marking corresponding to a transition time proceeding from day into night.
7. A watch according to claim 6 wherein the fourth area of marking subtends an angle between time indicia indicating 4.00 p.m. and 8.00 p.m, and more preferably, between 5.00 p.m. and 9.00 p.m.
8. A watch as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing Figure 11.

905384; P.9MB; P.9MB