JP2001042059A - Block clock - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a block clock where a user can select and change functions. SOLUTION: The block clock is provided with a clock block body 2 and block bodies 4 and 6 incorporating a function device that is operated by receiving time information from the clock block body 2. The block bodies 4 and 6 incorporating each function device are selected by a user and only those required are connected to the clock block body 2 for use, thus eliminating unneeded functions.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a block clock in which functions required by a user can be freely combined.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, there are many functions relating to a clock, such as an alarm (bell, melody, generation of electronic sound), snooze, and mechanism. Such a function is usually built into a movement or a watch circuit at the time of manufacture. For this reason, the current timepiece has been completed by enclosing a movement or a timepiece circuit incorporating a part of the above functions in a case.

[0003]

As described above, conventionally, since each function was incorporated at the time of manufacture, it was not possible to change, add, or delete the function after the timepiece was completed. Therefore, there is a problem that the user may need to purchase a clock that incorporates unnecessary functions.On the other hand, the manufacturer changes the function to be incorporated after examining user preferences in advance. In addition, there is a problem that it takes time and cost to change functions and the like.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides a block clock in which a user can select and change functions.

[0005]

A block timepiece according to the present invention comprises at least one block body having a built-in clock device and a built-in functional device which operates by receiving time information from the clock block body. It is a connection.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A block timepiece according to the present invention is provided with a timepiece block body and a block body containing a functional device which operates by receiving time information from the timepiece block body. The clock device has a timekeeping function and a time display function. Examples of the functional device that operates by obtaining time information include a power supply having a power supply function, an alarm having a function of setting / detecting an alarm time and an alarm notification function. There are a device, a snooze device having a function of stopping an alarm for a certain period of time, a mechanism that operates a mechanism when the hour comes, and the like. The user can select a block body that incorporates each of these functional devices, and connect only the necessary ones to the clock block body for use, thereby eliminating unnecessary functions.

[0007]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a block timepiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 2 denotes a clock block body, and reference numerals 4 and 6 denote block bodies, each of which incorporates a different functional device. The clock block 2 has a built-in clock device consisting of a movement for measuring and displaying time, a hand and a dial. On the other hand, the block body 4 contains a battery for supplying electric power. The block body 6 includes an alarm device for setting / detecting an alarm time and generating an alarm sound. The block body 8 is a dummy block body having no built-in functional device. For example, the block body 8 is used as a base on which the block body 4 is placed, so that the clock block body 2 and the block bodies 4 and 6 are assembled. Used when adjusting the external shape of

As shown in FIG. 1, the clock block 2 and the blocks 4 and 6 are connected to each other by electrical connection such as input of time information from the clock block 2.
a, 4a and 6a are provided. The clock block body 2 shown in FIG. 2 will be described as an example. The clock block body 2 is formed of a hexahedron such as a prism such as a cube or a rectangular parallelepiped, and one of the surfaces is used as a functional surface 2A provided with a time display unit and the like. The other surfaces are used as connection surfaces 2B to 2G for connection with another block body. This connection surface 2B-2G
Are provided with connecting portions 2a having the same arrangement. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the connection portion 2a includes a signal input contact 2c, a signal output contact 2d, and a power contact 2
e, ground contacts 2f, etc., and the arrangement is unified for all other planes and blocks.

The connection portions 2a to 6a are connected by using a connection pin 10 as shown in FIG. 1, a connection jack or a cord. When the connection pin 10 is used, as shown in FIG.
The connecting portions 2a, 4a are brought into contact with the conducting portions 2g, 4g in the line a, and the conducting portions 2g, 4g are conducted through the connecting pins 10.
Fit into. The connecting pins 10 fitted in the connecting portions 2a and 4a in this way not only electrically connect the connecting portions 2a and 4a, but also mechanically connect the timepiece block body 2 and the block body 4. .

The dummy block 8 also has a connecting portion 2a.
By providing the same dummy connection portion as that of 6a and connecting it to another block body with the connection pin 10 or the like, it can be connected to the other block body to prevent displacement.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another connection structure of the block body, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part thereof. The illustrated blocks 12 and 14 also form a hexahedron, and the connecting portions 12a and 1 are located at positions sandwiching the ridges 12b and 14b of adjacent surfaces.
Holes 12c, 14c as 4a are ridge portions 12b, 14b
Are provided along. In this embodiment, conductive portions 12e and 14e are formed on inner surfaces of the columnar portions 12d and 14d inside the ridge lines 12b and 14b.

The connection pins 20 for connecting the connection parts 12a and 14a are formed by a resin body 20c and holes 12c and 14a.
c, and has a substantially U-shape in plan view, having engaging portions 20a, 20b in the form of protrusions conforming to (c). A conductive portion 20d is formed on the inner surface side of the main body 20c of the connection pin 20 and the engagement portions 20a and 20b.

In order to connect the blocks 12, 14, the connecting portions 12a, 14a are brought close to each other by bringing their respective surfaces into contact with each other, and the engaging portions 2 of the connecting pins 20 are inserted into the holes 12c, 14c.
0a and 20b are fitted respectively. As a result, the connection pins 20 are connected to the columnar portions 12d, 14 of the block bodies 12, 14, respectively.
The block members 12 and 14 are connected while holding d, and at this time, the conductive portion 20d contacts and electrically connects to the conductive portions 12e and 14e of the block members 12 and 14. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the holes 12c and 14c are formed so as to sandwich the ridges 12b and 14b so that the holes 12c and 14c can be brought into contact with each other even when the other connecting surfaces are brought into contact with each other.
14c are arranged close to a connectable position and the connection pin 2
Can be linked with 0.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another connection structure of the block body, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views of main parts thereof. The blocks 22 and 24 also form a hexahedron, and the ridge 22
Connection parts 22a and 24a are provided near b and 24b. The connecting portions 22a, 24a are connected to the ridge portions 22b, 24.
b, connecting holes 22c, 24c provided on one surface
And connection holes 22d and 24d provided on the other surface sandwiching the ridge portions 22b and 24b.

A connection pin 30 made of resin is fitted into the connection holes 22c and 24c. That is, like the connection pin 20, the connection pin 30 includes a main body 30c and engagement portions 30a and 30b protruding from the body, and the engagement portions 30a and 30b are connected to the connection holes. 22c, 24c, the block 2
The pillar-shaped part 22 inside the ridge parts 22b and 24b of 2, 24
e and 24e are held together by the connection pin 30.

On the other hand, conductive portions 22f and 24f are provided in the connection holes 22d and 24d, respectively. The conductive portion 22f is made of a leaf spring or the like bent in a mountain shape, and is disposed such that one fixed end 22g is fixed in the connection hole 22c and the other open end 22h is accommodated in the connection hole 22d. I have. The conductive portion 24f is formed of a contact or a contact spring as illustrated. When the engaging portion 30a of the connection pin 30 is fitted into the connecting hole 22c, the bent portion is pushed by the engaging portion 30a, and the conductive portion 22f is released.
h is projected outside the connection hole 22d. At this time, since the engagement portion 30b of the connection pin 30 is fitted into the connection hole 24c, the connection hole 24d is opposed to and adjacent to the connection hole 22d, so that the open end 22h of the conductive portion 22f is connected to the connection hole 22d. It is inserted into 24d and comes into contact with the conductive portion 24f to conduct.

The contact continuity between the conductive portions 22f and 24f as described above is released when the conductive portion 22f is retracted into the connection hole 22d due to its elasticity by pulling out the connection pin 30 from the connection holes 22c and 24c. .

If the conductive portions 22f and 24f are housed in the connection holes 22d and 24d when the conductive portions 22f and 24f are not connected in this way, the protruding conductive portion does not bend during transportation or assembling. Connection is possible.

In this embodiment, the block 22
Although the conductive portion 22f protrudes from the side, the conductive portion 24f may also protrude from the block body 24 side.

In each of the embodiments described above,
Although the block body made of a hexahedron has been described as an example, the block body is not limited to a hexahedron or the like, and the connection surfaces where the block bodies contact each other need not be flat. That is, the connection surface 3 is formed of a flat surface so as to be easily connected to a spherical block body or a spherical block body 32 as shown in FIG.
2A, a block body 42 made of a tetrahedron as shown in FIG. 11, or a block body 52, 54 made of a curved connection surface 52A, 54A as shown in FIG.
The shape of the block body can be arbitrarily set.

Also, by combining such variously shaped blocks and further dummy blocks, it is possible to assemble into various shapes such as buildings, castles, cars, bridges, animals, etc. as shown in FIG. is there.

[0022]

According to the present invention, it is possible to freely select and combine blocks each having a different built-in functional device in the timepiece block, thereby providing a timepiece having only the functions that the user needs most. be able to.

Further, since the blocks are merely connected using connection pins or the like, assembly and separation are easy, the user can assemble by himself, and the functions can be interchanged as necessary. Instead, it can also incorporate toy-like play elements.

Further, by combining block bodies of various shapes, the outer shape of the assembled block clock can be made various shapes, and the appearance design of the clock can be set according to the user's preference, and the appearance can be changed. Can be changed freely.

Further, the production can be adjusted for each block body, so that the manufacturing time and the cost can be easily reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a block timepiece according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the timepiece block shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a connecting portion of the timepiece block body shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state of a connection portion when the block body shown in FIG. 1 is connected by a connection pin.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing another connection structure of the block body.

6 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state of a connecting portion when the block bodies shown in FIG. 5 are connected.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing another connection structure of the block body.

8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state of a connecting portion before connecting the block bodies shown in FIG. 7;

9 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state of a connecting portion when the block bodies shown in FIG. 7 are connected.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another example of the outer shape of the block body.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another example of the outer shape of the block body.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing another example of the outer shape of the block body and another example of the shape of the connecting portion.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an external appearance example of a block timepiece formed by combining block bodies.

[Explanation of symbols]

2,4,6,8,12,14,22,24,32,4
2,52,54 Block 2a, 4a, 6a, 12a, 14a, 22a, 24a
Connection part 10, 20, 30 Connection pin

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A clock block body incorporating a clock device,
A block timepiece comprising at least one block body having a built-in functional device that operates by receiving time information from the timepiece block body.