US3854279A

US3854279A - Method and apparatus for indicating time in terms of color

Info

Publication number: US3854279A
Application number: US00439354A
Authority: US
Inventors: F Edmunds
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1974-02-04
Filing date: 1974-02-04
Publication date: 1974-12-17
Anticipated expiration: 1991-12-17

Abstract

Apparatus for indicating time including a plurality of electric lamps having different colors corresponding to different times of the day, and a switching device for effecting the illumination of the lamps to indicate the time of day in terms of color.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Edmunds 1 Dec. 17, 1974 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR 2,906,333 9/1959 Ritzenthaler 340/3094 INDICATING T IN TERMS OF O O 3,200,218 8/1965 Wagner 340/331 X 3,574,992 4/1971 Ladas 58/50 R Inventor: Frank m s, 5 3,613,352 /1971 Giersiepen t 58/50 R Onondaga St., Syracuse, NY. 3,775,964 12/1973 Fukumoto 58/50 R 13202 [22] Filed: Febi 4, 1974 Primary Iirmniner-Richard B. Wilkinson Assistant E.\'aminerU. Weldon 1 l, [2 1 App No 439,354 Attorney, Agent, or FirmD. Peter Hochberg .[52] US. Cl. 58/50 R, 58/125 R [51] Int. Cl. G04b 19/00 57 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search /28 R, 52 R, 53 R, 30,

I 40/130 N, 132 C; 340/3093, 3094, 331, Apparatus for indicating time including a plurality of 366, 378 R; 58/23 R, 50,. 125 R, 126 R, 127 electric lamps having different colors corresponding to R different times of the day, and a switching device for effecting the illumination of the lamps toindicate the [56] Reference Cited time of day in terms of color.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 1,160,461 11/1915 Swank 340/331 X l- 118 LE PATENTELBEEI 11914 3, 854.279

SHEET 10F 2 PATENTEUUECIYIHM 3,854.279

' sum 20F 2 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INDICATING TIME IN TERMS OF COLOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the indication of time, and in particular to apparatus and methods for indicating time in terms of color.

2. Description of the Prior Art The conventional watch or clock includes a mechanism for rotating a set of hands through a circle at a rate equal to the passage of time, the positions of the hands indicating the time of the day. A number of variations on these conventional devices are known wherein a display of color is included in the time indicating scheme. For example, US. Pat. No. 3,616,640 discloses a clock having on its face a circular band divided into segments corresponding in color to the hours of the day, and means are provided for illuminating the center of this band in a color identical to that color of the circular band which corresponds to the particular hour of the day. A conventional minute hand shows the particular minute of the hour. US. Pat. No. 3,439,492 describes a timepiece wherein the hour and minute hands of a conventional clock are replaced by transparent discs, each divided into vari-colored segments. The discs are rotated in a manner like the hands they have replaced, and light is projected from openings in the face of the clock through the segments of each disc covering the opening, whereby light beams are projected in colors corresponding to particular hours and minutes of the day. The foregoing devices do represent aesthetic departures from conventional timepieces, but they are nevertheless only modifications of standard timepieces. Each has the appearanceof a conventional clock, modified to the extent that the hands are replaced by rotating members carrying multi-colored light filters through which white light can be transmitted.

. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to indicate time purely in terms of color.

Another objectof the present invention is to provide an improved, aesthetic apparatus for indicating the time of day in terms of color.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the preceding type which is unique in construction and function.

Qt tatwjs sawi lt s me apparsntftq p t d scription to follow and from the appended claims.

The foregoing objects are achieved according to preferred embodiments of the invention by the provision of sets of four colored electric lamps, the colors of one set corresponding to particular hours of the day and the colors of another set corresponding to particular quarters of each hour of the day, and by the provision of a switching device for connecting the lamps to an electric power, supply during the time periods to which the colors of the lamps correspond.

vention wherein the hours and minutes of the day are I indicated at spaced locations from each other.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of an embodiment of the invention wherein the hours and minutes of the day are indicated at one location.

FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of an embodiment of the invention wherein time is indicated by projected beams of light.

' FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of a switching means and associated lamps for use in the inventive apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The embodiments of the invention described below include sets of differently colored electric lamps, the lamps of one set corresponding to particular hours of the day and the lamps of the other set corresponding to particular quarters of each hour, and switching means for igniting the lamps during the time periods to which they correspond. The apparatus are highly aesthetic in appearance and in operation, and are entirely dissimilar from conventional timepieces.

Referring now to the drawings, the exterior views of three forms of apparatus according to the invention are depicted in FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 1 shows an electrically operated time indicating device 1 comprising an hour indicator 3 and a quarter-hour indicator 5.

Indicators

3 and 5 are connected together for synchronous operation by an electrical wire 7, and to an electric power supply by a power cord Indicator 3 includes a decorative cap 11, a base 13 and a translucent globe 15. Similarly, indicator 5 includes a decorative cap 17, a base 19 and a translucent globe 21.

Indicators

3 and 5 are spaced from each other by any desired distance, although it would be desirable to locate them so that they could be viewed simultaneously.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 2 differs from that in FIG. 1 in that the hour and quarter hour indicators are mounted together in a common fixture. The construction and functioning of the indicators in this apparatus are similar to

indicators

3 and 5, and corresponding parts are given corresponding reference characters prefixed by the hundreds digit 1. Thus, FIG. 1- depicts an electrically operated time indicating device 101 comprising an hour indicator 103 and a quarter hour indicator 105, both being connected to an electric power supply by a power cord I09. Hour indicator 103 has a translucent globe 115 and quarter hour indicator has a translucent globe 121. Device 101 further in"- cludes a cap 117, a spacer and support member 118, and a base 113.

The apparatus in FIG. 3 is a time indicating device similar to device 101 in FIG. 2, and corresponding parts have corresponding reference numerals with the hundreds digit replaced by the numeral 2. Thus, there is shown in FIG. 3 an electrically operated time indicating device 201 having an hour indicator 203 and a quarter hour indicator 205. The unit has a decorative cap 217, a spacer and support member 218, a base 213 and a power cord 209. The translucent globes I15 and 121 of FIG. 2 are replaced by opaque globes 21S and 221 respectively. Indicators 203 and 205 further include

projection lens assemblies

225 and 227, respectively, fitted and sealed in openings in

globes

215 and 221. Light from within the respective globes 21S and 221 is projected through

projection lens assemblies

225 and 227 as

light beams

229 and 231 onto a display sur- 5 face 233.

Each

hour indicator

3, 103, and 203 includes a light source including means for generating a colored light corresponding to a particular hour of the day. The colors so displayed can include, for example, blue, yellow, red and white, each corresponding to 6 hours of the day spaced at four hour intervals. Blue can correspond to the first, fifth, ninth, thirteenth, seventeenth, and twenty-first hours of the day; yellow can correspond to the second, sixth, tenth, fourteenth, eighteenth, and twenty-second hours of the day; red can correspond to the third, seventh, eleventh, fifteenth, nineteenth, and twenty-third hours of the day; and white can correspond to the fourth, eighth, twelfth, sixteenth, twentieth, and twenty-fourth hours of the day. An electrically driven switching device located in

bases

13, 113 and 213 effects the generation of the colored light in sequence for one hour periods during the course of the day in correspondence with the time periods to which the various colors represent.

Hour indicators

3, 103 and 203 thus display the four colors in repetitive sequence to indicate the particular hours of the day.

In like fashion, each

quarter hour indicator

5, 105 and 205 includes a light source including means for generating a colored light corresponding to particular quarter hours of each hour of the day. These colors can be identical to, or different from, the colors associated with the hour indicators. When the same colors are used, blue can represent the first minutes of each hour; yellow can represent the second 15 minutes of each hour; red can represent the third '15 minutes of each hour, and white can represent the fourth l5 minutes of each hour. A second electrical switching device is located in base 19, and in spacer and

support members

118 and 218, for effecting the generation of the colored light in each respective quarter hour indicator, for fifteen minute periods corresponding to the particular quarter of an hour to which each color corresponds. The switching device effects the generation of the variously colored light in repetitive sequency. Alternatively, the first and second switching devices can be incorporated in a common mechanism housed within the apparatus depicted in FIGS. 1-3, or remotely therefrom. 8

When an observer of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-3 observes a red light emanating from any of the hour indicators and a white light from any of the quarter hour indicators, he knows that the time is between 3:45 am. and 4:00 am, 7:45 am. and 8:00 am, 11:45 am. and 12:00 am, etc. The observer would generally know the precise hour of the day baSed on his own activities or the nature of the outdoor light. The observance of other color schemes would indicate the other times of the day.

The preceding apparatus does not in any way resemble a conventional timepiece, and the time is indicated in a pleasing and aesthetic manner. The time indicators shown in the drawings are by way of example only, and any desired display apparatus could be used as well. For instance, the time indicating light can be generated from any sort of lamp, statue, light transmitting screen, chandelier, watch, etc. It would take but a minor effort to educate an observer as to the color codes involved. Such apparatus could be used advantageously to secretly indicate the time to one observer without alerting others in his presence, such as to a psychiatrist analyzing a patient without disturbing the latter. Moreover, the observer could designate himself which color in the repetitive sequence is to correspond to the first hour of the day. Also, the apparatus can be used as a timer, since the observer can determine time periods according to when the various colors are changed and when particular colors reappear.

FIG. 4 shows a time indicating device having switching means for connecting hour and quarter hour lamps to an electric power source to ignite the lamps in proper sequence. In the embodiment shown, switching means for each set of lamps are combined in a common mechanism, although separate mechanisms could be use. Thus, FIG. 4 depicts a time indicating devic 251 with its cover members removed to reveal the internal components thereof. The device comprises a first source of colored light 253 for indicating the hours of the day, a second source of colored light 255 for indicating the quarters of each hour, a switching device 257, and a power cord 259. Light source 253 includes a mounting plate 261 having sockets for receiving a set of vari-colored

electric lamps

262, 263, 264, and 265, which can be colored blue, yellow, red and white, respectively. .Lamps 262-265 are connected in parallel by electric leads 267 to an electric coupling 269 which is in turn connected to power cord 259. Device 255 is identical in construction to device 253, and includes a mounting plate 271 having sockets for receiving varicolored

electric lamps

272, 273, 274 and 275. The foregoing lamps are colored blue, yellow, red and white, respectively. The lamps are connected in parallel and are connected by electric leads 277 to electric coupling 269 and thence to power cord 259. Switching device 257 is a mechanism for connecting lamps 262-265 to an electric power supply in a repetitive sequence wherein each lamp is ignited in turn for onehour periods, and for igniting lamps 272275 in repetitive sequence for one-quarter hour periods. Considering first the portion of mechanism 257 for igniting the hour lamps, there is provided an electric motor M having a shaft 279 which is rotatable at a constant speed of one revolution per twelve hours. A non-conducting arm 281 is fastened to shaft 279 and is rotatable therewith. An electrically conductive disc 283 is mounted concentrically with shaft 279 and is connectable with an electric power supply by means of an electric lead 285 attached to the disc at solder joint 310 and forming part of power cord 259. A set of twelveconductive posts 287 are equally spaced around disc 283 and are concentric with shaft 279. A set of electrically conductive support members 289, insulated from disc 283, are equally spaced from each other and are concentric with shaft 279. A set of electrically conductive fingers 291-302 are mounted on the respective support members 289 and extend radially inwardly from the support members to that they are slightly spaced from posts 287 on disc 283. The fingers are resilient and, with the exertion of a small force thereon, are engageable with posts 287. Posts 287 and the fingers attached thereto are electrically connected to the electric lamps on light source 253. Accordingly,

finger

294, 298, and 302, which are joined together by electrical leads, are connected to lamp 262 by a lead 303. ln like fashion,

fingers

291, 295, and 299 are joined together by electrical leads and are connected to lamp 263 by a lead 305.

Fingers

292, 296 and 300 are connected by electrical leads and are electrically connected to lamp 264 by an electrical lead 307.

Fingers

293, 297 and 301 are also joined together by electrical leads and are connected by a lead 309 to lamp 265. Whenever a finger 291-302 is moved into engagement with a post 287, an electrical circuit is completed (provided the plug on power cord 259 has been inserted into an electrical outlet), and the lamp connected to that post ignites. The groups of fingers joined together by electrical leads effect the ignition of the same lamp when any one of them is urged into engagement with the post 287.

Arm 281 is constructed such that as it rotates, it engages one of fingers 291-302 for one-twelfth of each revolution, and at the end of such period, the arm slips off that finger and engages the next finger in its path. Thus, when arm 281 rotates in a clockwise direction, it engages each finger in turn, holding that finger against the post 287 associated therewith, to effect the ignition of the lamp connected to that finger for a 1- hour period. Since consecutive fingers are connected to different lamps, lamps 262-265 are ignited in turn as arm 281 rotates each shaft 279.

The switching means associated with device 255 is similarin construction and operation to that just described. A second shaft 31 1, concentric with shaft 279, is rotated by motor M at a constant speed of one revolution per hour. Shaft 311 is longer than shaft 279 and extends above the fingers, posts, and support members associated with the first switching means described above. An arm 313 is fastened to shaft 311 near the outermost portion thereof and isrotatable with the shaft A second electrically conductive disc 315 is mounted in device 257 concentric with shaft 311. Disc 315 is electrically insulated from disc 283, fingers 291-302, and support members 289. A set of electrically conductive posts 317 extend upwardly from disc 315 and are equally spaced thereon and concentric about shaft 311. A set of twelve electrically conductive support members 319 are outwardly and radially spaced from posts 317. The foregoing support members have attached thereto a set of electrically conductive, resilient fingers 321-332. Consecutive groups of three of the latter fingers are connected to lamps in device 255. Thus, fingers 321-323 are connected together by electricalleads andby a lead 333 to lamp 272. Fingers 324-326 are connected together by electrical leads and by a lead 335 to lamp 273. Fingers 327-329 are similarly connected together, and are connected to lamp 274 by a lead 337. Finally, fingers 330-332 are similarly joined together and are connected to lamp 275 by a lead 339. Support members 319 have a length coextensive with that of shaft 311, and fingers 321-332 are mounted thereon so as to be above the components of the first switching means located in the central portion of device 257. Disc 315 is connectable to an electric power source by means of electric lead 285 attached thereto at solder joint 341.

When the apparatus is electrically energized, the engagement of any finger 321-332 with a post 317 effects the ignition of the lamp connected to that finger. Arm 313 is so constructed as to engage each finger 321-332 in turn as the arm completes its rotational path, holding each arm against the post associated therewith until the arm slips off that finger and engages the subsequent finger. As arm 313 rotates, it passes over the components of the first switching means and causes the ignition of each lamp in device 255 for a IS-minute interval. Since adjacent groups of three fingers are connected together, the consecutive engagement thereof by finger 313 causes the foregoing occurrence.

Referring now to the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4, the unit first must be electrically energized by inserting the plug on power cord 259 into an appropriate electrical outlet. When motor M is energized, arm 281 rotates at a speed of one-twelfth of a revolution per hour. Arm 281 engages each finger 291-302 for a 1-hour period in turn, thuseffecting the repetitive ignition of lamps 262-265. At the same time. arm 313, rotating at a speed of one hour per' revolution, engages each finger 321-332 for a 5-minute period. By virtue of the electrical connection between adjacent groups of three fingers, arm 313 effects the consecutive ignition of lamps 372-375 for one-quarter hour periods each. The apparatus in F IG. 4 can be adapted for incorporation in any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-3. Devices 253 and 255 would, in such instance, be associated with the hour and quarter hour portions of each apparatus, respectively.

The foregoing embodiments achieve the objects of this invention. The time indicating device according to the invention indicates time purely in terms of color, there being no resort to a clock face and/or observable rotatable hands. There is, furthermore, no necessity for resorting to any display of numerical indicia. The apparatus is highly aesthetic, and can be incorporated in a great variety of modes. The absence of indicia make calibration of the apparatus according to changes in time zones unnecessary, this being particularly useful to travelers. Although the embodiment described above relates to the indication of hours and quarter hours, it is within the scope of the invention to indicate other time periods in terms of color as well. Other features, such as a visually observable alarm for indicating the arrival of a particular time of the day, can easily be incorporated into apparatus according to the invention. The inventive method of indicating time in terms of color can be used to indicate the time of day or to indicate time periods.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it is to be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for indicating time in terms of color, said apparatus comprising:

a first plurality of differently colored electric lamps,

each lamp having a color corresponding to particular hours of the day;

a first container having a chamber for holding said first plurality of electric lamps, said container transmitting light from the colored lamps when the lamps are ignited; 1

first switching means for connecting said lamps to an electric power source in hourly sequence to ignite each lamp in turn according to the hour of the day to which the color of each lamp corresponds;

a second plurality of differently colored electric lamps, each lamp having a color corresponding to a particular part of each hour of the day;

a second container having a chamber for holding said second plurality of electric lamps, sald container transmitting light from the colored lamps when the lamps are ignited; and

second switching means for connecting said second 7 plurality of lamps to an electric power supply in timed sequence to ignite each lamp in turn for the period of the hour of the day to which the color of each lamp corresponds.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising means for projecting the light from said first and second pluralities of lamps to locations spaced from the lamps. 1

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first plurality of lamps comprises four lamps, the color of each lamp corresponding to six equally spaced hours of 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said second plurality of lamps comprises four differently colored lamps, the color of each lamp corresponding to a particular quarter of each hour.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first and second pluralities of lamps are each the same in number and color.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first and second containers are translucent, said containers being illuminated in the color of lamps ignited in the respective containers.

Claims

1. Apparatus for indicating time in terms of color, said apparatus comprising: a first plurality of differently colored electric lamps, each lamp having a color corresponding to particular hours of the day; a first container having a chamber for holding said first plurality of electric lamps, said container transmitting light from the colored lamps when the lamps are ignited; first switching means for connecting said lamps to an electric power source in hourly sequence to ignite each lamp in turn according to the hour of the day to which the color of each lamp corresponds; a second plurality of differently colored electric lamps, each lamp having a color corresponding to a particular part of each hour of the day; a second container having a chamber for holding said second plurality of electric lamps, saId container transmitting light from the colored lamps when the lamps are ignited; and second switching means for connecting said second plurality of lamps to an electric power supply in timed sequence to ignite each lamp in turn for the period of the hour of the day to which the color of each lamp corresponds.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising means for projecting the light from said first and second pluralities of lamps to locations spaced from the lamps.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first plurality of lamps comprises four lamps, the color of each lamp corresponding to six equally spaced hours of the day.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said second plurality of lamps comprises four differently colored lamps, the color of each lamp corresponding to a particular quarter of each hour.