US3796038A

US3796038A - Time correcting mechanism

Info

Publication number: US3796038A
Application number: US00269912A
Authority: US
Inventors: Y Ushiyama
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-07-09
Filing date: 1972-07-07
Publication date: 1974-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 1991-03-12
Also published as: JPS5226151B1

Abstract

An electric timepiece is provided with a time correcting mechanism having both movable and fixed parts for the manual resetting of the time display and a switching mechanism having a movable contact point and a fixed contact point for the selective stopping and starting of the driving of the time display. One of the movable parts of said time correcting mechanism serves as the movable contact point of the switching mechanism while one of the stationary parts thereof serves as the fixed contact point.

Description

United States Patent Ushiyama Mar. 12, 1974 [5 TIME CORRECTING MECHANISM 2,741,083 4/1956 Sullivan et al. 58/85.5 UX [76] Inventor: Yoshi) Ushiyama, 1 12, LChOme, 3,691,753 9/1972 Kurita 58/85.5 X

8 1 28? Nagano'ken Primary Examiner-George H. Miller, Jr.

5a a's apan Attorney, Agent, or FirmBlum, Moscovitz, Friedman [22] Filed: July 7, 1972 & Kaplan [21] Appl. No.: 269,912 [57] ABSTRACT An electric timepiece is provided with a time correctl Foreign Appllcahon pl'lorlty Data ing mechanism having both movable and fixed parts July 9,1971 Japan 46-50868 for the manual resetting of the time display and a switching mechanism having a movable contact point [52] U.S. Cl. 58/23 R, 58/85.5 and a fixed contact point for the selective stopping [51] Int. Cl. G04c 3/00, G04b 27/00 and starting of the driving of the time display. One of [58] Field of Search 58/63, 23 R, 85.5 the movable parts of said time correcting mechanism serves as the movable contact point of the switching [56] References Cited mechanism while one of the stationary parts thereof n STATES PATENTS serves as the fixed contact point.

3,745,758 7/1973 Kuritz 58/23 R 3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENIEBIAR 12 m4 3.796.038

' sum 2 BF 2 POWER SOURCE TIME CORRECTING MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a time correcting mechanism which corrects the time display of an electric timepiece. In particular, the invention relates to an electric timepiece wherein the time correcting mechanism, which corrects the time indication display mechanism of the watch from outside of the watch (i.e., sets the hands of the watch) also serves as a switching mechanism for starting and stopping the watch electrically, thereby increasing the reliability of the mechanism and decreasing the number of parts required.

In conventional electric timepieces, the time correcting mechanism which corrects the time indication display from outside of the watch and the switching mechanism which electrically starts and stops the time indication display are provided as separate mechanisms. This structure not only results in the requirement for a large number of parts, but also serves to lower the reliability of the arrangement. Further, since the switching mechanism and the time correcting mechanism are separate, the synchronization required in their operation is not assured. Thus, in most watches, at the initial position of a watch stem the time correcting mechanism is designed so that the time indication display cannot be adjusted from outside of the watch and the switching mechanism operates so that the time indication display is driven to provide a display of time. At the second displaced position of the stem, date and day are corrected, while at the third displaced position of the stem, the time indication display is adjusted while stopped (i.e., while the time indication display is not driven). In conventional watches where the time correcting mechanism and switching mechanism are separate, defective switching mechanisms frequently bring the time indication display, such as a second hand, to the stopped state at the first position of the stem while failing to stop said time indication display at the second or third position of the stem. This defect not only results in the failure of the time correction function, but also in the failure of the time keeping function of the watch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, an electric timepiece is provided having a time indication display means, means for driving said time indication display means, a time correcting mechanism having movable and stationary parts and a switching mechanism operatively coupled to said drive means for selectively stopping and starting said drive means. Said switching mechanism is formed with a movable contact point formed by one of the movable parts of said time correcting mechanism and a fixed contact point formed as a stationary part of said time correcting mechanism. The movable part serving as said movable contact point may be one of the stem, setting lever, yoke, setting wheel, clutch wheel or setting wheel stopper while the stationary part forming said fixed contact point may be one of an axle, a guide pin or a stopper of said time correcting mechanism.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a switching mechanism which operates coordinately with the time correcting mechanism to insure the stopping of the watch during time correction and the restarting thereof at the completion of time correction.

Another object of the invention is to form a time correcting and switching mechanism from a reduced number of parts.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification and drawings.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of the time correcting mechanism of an electric watch in accordance with the invention disposed in the first or winding position thereof; v

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the time correcting mechanism of FIG. 1 disposed in the second,- date correcting position thereof;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the time correcting mechanism of FIG. 2 disposed in the third,time correcting position thereof; and

FIG. 4 is a block daigram of an electric watch in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS.

Referring first to FIG.'4, a block diagram of an electric watch in accordance with the invention is depicted. Said watch includes a time standard oscillator for pro ducing a time standard signal having a frequency of several kHz. This time standard signal is divided into a timing signal of a frequency of several Hz by a divider circuit. The timing signal is shaped and amplified by a driving circuit to produce a driving signal which, in turn, is converted into mechanical movement by a transducer. The transducer serves to drive a time indication display or time indicator, which may consist of conventional minute, hour or second hands or the like for displaying time. A switch means or switching mechanism is coupled to the divider circuits for cutting off or permitting the transmission of the timing signals to start or stop the time indication display. Said switching mechanism is operated from outside of the watch as by a watch stem. In the embodiment depicted, when the contact point of the switching mechanism is open, the divider circuit continues to apply the timing signals to the driver and the time indication display is continuously driven. On the other hand, when said contact point is closed, the transmission of the timing signal by the divider is stopped, and said time indication display is stopped.

The time correcting mechanism or time adjusting mechanism corrects the time indication on the time indication display from outside of the watch, as by a stem. Thus, both the switching and time adjusting functions are performed by the pulling or turning of said stem. In the embodiment depicted in the drawings, the stem has three positions. The first of these positions is a free or usual carrying state, usually set aside for performing the winding function. The second position of the winding stem, displaced from the first position, is set aside for date correction. At the third position of the stern, displaced from the second position, the time indication display is stopped and said display may be manually corrected. Thus, at this position, for example, the hands may be set. When the stem is pushed in, the time indication display immediately starts, and the precise time is indicated.

Said first position of the time correcting mechanism is depicted in FIG. I. Said time correcting mechanism includes a stem 1 having a clutch wheel 2 mounted on a square portion thereof for axial displacement therealong. A setting lever 3 is pivotably mounted on watch plate 14 and has a projection which rides in a groove in stem 1 for pivotal displacement of said setting lever in response to the axial displacement of said stem. A yoke 4 is also pivotably mounted on the watch plate and engages in a circumferential groove in clutch wheel 2 for the axial positioning of said clutch wheel along said winding stem.

A notched setting lever spring 5 is provided, only a fragment thereof being shown in FIG. 1, for engaging a further projection mounted on setting lever 3 for the precise positioning of said setting lever. A setting wheel lever 6 is pivotably mounted on an axis 7 likewise mounted on the watch plate. Setting wheel lever 6 is biased in the clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1, by the force of setting wheel lever spring 8, so that said setting wheel lever engages setting lever 3 and is positioned thereby. A setting wheel 9 is rotatably mounted on setting wheeel lever 6. Said setting wheel lever is formed with an elliptical slot therethrough, said setting wheel lever also carrying a date correcting wheel pivotably mounted on an axle passing through said cliptical slot. Said slot is positioned so that date correcting wheel 11 operatively engages setting wheel 9. The watch includes a date wheel 11 and a minute wheel 12. A fixed contact point 13 which also serves as a stopper for setting wheel lever 6 is fixedly mounted on plate 14 and electrically insulated therefrom. Fixed contact point 13 forms a part of the switching mechanism in accordance with the invention. Said switching mechanism is closed by the engagement of fixed contact point 13 with the setting wheel lever 6, which is electrically coupled to plate 14. Thus, setting wheel lever 6, which forms a part of the time correcting mechanism is also the movable contact point of the switching mechanism, both functions being performed by the operation of stem 1.

At the first position of stem 1 depicted in FIG. 1, clutch wheel 2 is disconnected from setting wheel 9 and the setting wheel is also disconnected from minute wheel 12. At this position, the rotation of stem 1 is related to neither hand setting or date correction. Fixed contact point 13 is not engaged by the movable contact point (setting lever wheel 6) so that the time indication display is driven.

The second position of the winding stem is depicted in FIG. 2. When stem 1 is pulled to said second position, clutch wheel 2 is engaged with setting wheel 9 by yoke 4. In this position,the setting wheel lever 6 has not moved, the projecting portion of said setting lever still engaging and being positioned by setting lever 3. At this position, setting wheel 9 does not engage minute wheel 12.

When the watch is disposed in the position of FIG. 2, and stem 1 is turned in the clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2, the date correcting wheel 10 moves in elliptical slot 15 of setting wheel lever 6. Said elliptical slot is shaped so that the distance between the respective axes of rotation of date correcting wheel 10 and setting wheel 9 remains constant without regard to the position of said date correcting wheel in slot 15. In this manner, the date correcting wheel remains in engagement with the setting wheel and is positioned in engagement with date wheel 11 for displacing said date wheel to correct the date indication.

On the other hand, when stem 1 is turned in the counter clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2, date correcting wheel 10 moves in the elliptical groove 15 in the reverse direction, and is disconnected from date wheel 1. Thus, the counter clockwise rotation of stem 1 results in the rotation of correcting wheel 10 without real effect.

The gear pitch of the data correcting wheel 10 'is preferably an integer multiple of the gear pitch of the setting wheel. Further, the gear pitch of date correcting wheel 10 bears a ratio to the gear pitch of the data wheel represented by the gear pitch of said date wheel divided by an-integer. In one embodiment, the gear pitch of the date correcting wheel is two times that of the setting wheel and one half of that of the date wheel.

Setting wheel lever 6 does not move when the stem is displaced from its first to its second position as the projection on setting wheel lever '6 still engages setting lever 3, so that the switching mechanism is in the same state as it was at the first position of said stem and the time indication display continues to be driven.

On the other hand, when the winding stem is pulled to the third position thereof as depicted in FIG. 3, setting wheel lever 6 is disengaged from setting lever 3 due to the operation of the spring force of setting wheel lever spring 8 and setting sheel 9 engages minute wheel 12. Clutch wheel 2 is moved in the same direction as that of setting wheel 9 by yoke 4 to engage said setting wheel against minute wheel 12. By turning stem 1, the time indication display can be readily adjusted. At this position, date correcting wheel 10 is regulated by the elliptical slot 15 and is not engaged with the date wheel 1 1. At this position, date correcting wheel 10 freely rotates. Upon disconnection from setting lever 3, setting wheel lever 6 engages the fixed contact point 13 of the switching mechanism to close said switching mechanism, thereby curting off the timing signal from the divider circuit to stop the time indication display.

Fixed contact point 13 serves not only as an electrical contact point for the switching mechanism, but also as a stopper which regulates the operational range of setting wheel lever 6 to stop said setting wheel lever at a position where setting wheel lever at a position where setting wheel 9 engages minute wheel 12 precisely. Thus, fixed contact point 13 constitutes a part of the time correcting mechanism, is fixed to plate 14, and is one of the fixed parts which guide the movable portion of the time correcting mechanism or serves as a stopper therefor.

After time correction is completed, and stem 1 is pushed in to return it to its first position, the timing sig nals are immediately produced by the divider circuit and the time indication mechanism begins to work.

It is apparent from the foregoing that the arrangement in accordance with the invention insures the coordinate operation of the time correcting mechanism and the switching mechanism. This insures that the switch is always open at the winding and date correction positions of the stem while closing the switching mechanism at the third or time correcting position of said stem. Thus, not only can the watch be precisely set for the right time, but also, said watch can never be stopped by the operation of the switching mechanism while the watch is in normal operation.

Since the parts constituting the time correcting mechanism are also used as parts of the switching mechanism, the number of parts incorporated in the watch can be decreased, promoting simplification and reliability of the watch mechanism. Further, the space required for the time correcting mechanism is decreased, further contributing to the miniaturization of the size of the watch.

While in the embodiment depicted in the drawings, the setting wheel lever performs the function of the movable contact point, other movable parts of the time correcting mechanism may also be utilized for this purpose, such as the stem, setting lever, yoke, setting wheel, or clutch wheel. Not only stoppers, but other stationary portions of the time correcting mechanism such as an axle or guide pin may also serve as the fixed contact member of the switching mechanism.

Further, while in the embodiment depicted in the drawings, the switching mechanism performs the start and stop function by operating on a divider circuit, the arrangement in accordance with the invention can also be applied to an electric watch having a power switch which turns the supply of electrical energy from the power source.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed is:

1. An electric timepiece comprising a time indication display means for driving said time indication display;

a time correcting mechanism having movable and stationary parts selectably couplable to said time indication display for the resetting thereof; and a switching mechanism operatively coupled to said drive means for the selective turning on and turning off thereof, said switching mechanism including a movable contact point defined by one of said movable parts of said time correcting mechanism and a fixed contact point defined by a stationary part of said time correcting mechanism, said time correcting mechanism including a stem, a setting lever, a yoke, a setting wheel, a clutch wheel and a setting wheel lever, said movable part defining said movable contact point being one of said stem, setting lever, yoke, setting wheel, clutch wheel or setting wheel lever.

2. An electrical timepiece comprising a time indication display; means for driving said time indication display; a time correcting mechanism having movable and stationary parts selectably couplable to said time indication display for the resetting thereof; and a switching mechanism operatively coupled to said dirve means for the selective turning on and turning off thereof, said switching mechanism including a movable contact point defined by one of said movable parts of said time correcting mechanism and a fixed contact point defined by a stationary part of said time correcting mechanism, said time correcting mechanism including an axle, a guide pin or a stopper, said fixed contact point being defined by one of said axle, guide pin or stopper.

3. An electric timepiece comprising a time indication display; means for driving said time indication display; a time correcting mechanism having movable and stationary parts selectably couplable to said time indication display for the resetting thereof; and a switching mechanism operatively coupled to said drive means for the selective turning on and turning off thereof, said switching mechanism including a movable contact point defined by one of said movable parts of said time correcting mechanism and a fixed contact point defined by a stationary part of said time correcting mechanism, said time correcting mechanism including a setting wheel lever and a stopper for said setting wheel lever, said movable contact point being defined by said setting wheel lever, said fixed contact point being defined by said stopper.

Claims

1. An electric timepiece comprising a time indication display means for driving said time indication display; a time correcting mechanism having movable and stationary parts selectably couplable to said time indication display for the resetting thereof; and a switching mechanism operatively coupled to said drive means for the selective turning on and turning off thereof, said switching mechanism including a movable contact point defined by one of said movable parts of said time correcting mechanism and a fixed contact point defined by a stationary part of said time correcting mechanism, said time correcting mechanism including a stem, a setting lever, a yoke, a setting wheel, a clutch wheel and a setting wheel lever, said movable part defining said movable contact point being one of said stem, setting lever, yoke, setting wheel, clutch wheel or setting wheel lever.