US3899871A - Clock with dial illumination - Google Patents

Clock with dial illumination Download PDF

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Publication number
US3899871A
US3899871A US467748A US46774874A US3899871A US 3899871 A US3899871 A US 3899871A US 467748 A US467748 A US 467748A US 46774874 A US46774874 A US 46774874A US 3899871 A US3899871 A US 3899871A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
dial
reflector
tubular element
socket
face
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US467748A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Kiyoshi Kitai
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Seiko Koki KK
Original Assignee
Seiko Koki KK
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP5357173U external-priority patent/JPS504770U/ja
Priority claimed from JP5357073U external-priority patent/JPS504769U/ja
Application filed by Seiko Koki KK filed Critical Seiko Koki KK
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3899871A publication Critical patent/US3899871A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
    • G04B19/30—Illumination of dials or hands

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A clock with a dial having time-indicating indicia illuminated by rays of light as shafts of light from a central electric bulb mounted coaxial with the dial on the face of the dial.
  • a reflector having inner surfaces that [30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 1973 if: 48-53570 reflect the light on to the face of the dial is mounted p enclosing the light source or bulb. It has openings circumferentially spaced individually in registry with a May 9, 1973 521 US. 58/50R I 511 Int. Cl. G04b 19/30 Correspondmg tmemdlcdtmg mdlcmm for thereon respective shafts of light rays.
  • the electrical h c r a e 50 A leads to the electric bulb are connected to a socket receiving the bulb and extend through a tubular element [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS coaxial with the dial.
  • the electrical leads extend through this tube to the backside of the dial and 666,381 l/l90l 58/50 R through substantially the of the clock free of in- 2,212,359 8/1940 58/50 R terference i Clock movemem
  • This invention relates generally to clocks and more particularly to illumination devices therefor.
  • Another object is to provide illumination of a clock dial with provisions for using electrical connections thereto without impeding by the clock movement.
  • Still another object of the present invention is to provide a clock illumination device in which the clock is illuminated aesthetically.
  • a feature of the invention is the provision of a dial with time indicia thereon in which a cylindrical tubular member is mounted coaxially with the dial for leading out electrical leads from a clock which according to the invention comprises a case in which a dial is mounted internally thereof.
  • a tubular element coaxial with the dial extends axially toward the backside of the dial and has provision on a front side of the dial for mounting an electric bulb socket for receiving a bulb.
  • the tubular element holds the electrical lead connections to the electrical bulb socket and these extend outwardly behind the dial or backside thereof for easy electrical connection to a power source internally of the case or externally thereof as the case may be.
  • the bulb coacts with a reflector that is constructed essentially conical or hemispherical enclosing the bulb with openings or notches on the periphery of a base thereon for directing rays of light to corresponding time indicia.
  • the time-indicating hand shafts are mounted coaxially with the above-mentioned tubular element and nested thereon so that the illumination device construction and the hands for the indicating time are compactly and easily mounted.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevation section view of a clock and illumination device according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a side elevation section view of a second embodiment of a clock embodying an illumination device according to the invention
  • FIG. 3 is a section view taken along section line 33 of FIG. 2.
  • a clock embodying an illumination device constructed according to the invention comprises a case 1 internally of which is mounted a dial or dial plate having a face with time-indicating indicia thereon disposed angularly spaced.
  • the face of the dial is viewable through a transparent plate 3 made of glass or some suitable material.
  • the backside of the dial is provided with angularly spaced projections 4 which are internally threaded for mounting a base plate 5 with screws 6.
  • the dial and backplate are provided with a central aperture in which is mounted a tubular element 7 extending axially forwardly of the dial and toward the backside thereof terminating at the base plate.
  • a socket 8 for an electric bulb 9 is mounted coaxially with a tubular element and is secured therein.
  • Electrical leads 10 for energizing the bulb are connected to the socket and extend axially through the tubular element 7. These leads extend outwardly from the case for electrical connection to an outside power source or may be mounted within the clock for energizing from an internal battery, not shown.
  • a transparent bulb holder 11 is mounted around the bulb and a reflector 12 which is substantially conical or frustro-conical in cross section is fitted over the bulb holder and removably mounted thereon.
  • the reflector has inner reflective surfaces which reflect the light from the bulb 9 back toward the clock glass and the dial 2.
  • the reflector may be made of any suitable reflector material metal, for example or some suitable plastic. It is provided with peripheral openings or notches 13 on a base thereof which is open toward the dial. The openings 13 are aligned in registry with the time indicia so that light rays emitted therethrough impinge on the time indicia on the dial face. This provides an artistic and well lighted face of the dial in which opening illuminates a corresponding time indicium.
  • a minute-hand tubular shaft 15 is rotatably mounted on the cylindrical open ended shaft 7.
  • a tubular hourhand shaft 16 is rotatably mounted on the minute-hand tubular shaft 15.
  • a minute-hand 17 is fixed on the forward end of the minute-hand shaft 15 and an hourhand 18 is fixed on the hour-hand shaft 16 for indicating the minutes and hours in cooperation with the indicia on the face of the dial 2.
  • the hands are driven from a clock mechanism, not shown, such as a synchronous motor geared to a gear 19 fixed on the minute-hand tubular shaft 15 to rotate the minute-hand 17 with a definite speed and at the same time the rotation of the minute-hand shaft 15 is transferred to the hour-hand tubular shaft 16 through a small gear 20 on the minutehand tubular shaft 15 meshing with a large gear 22 supported on a shaft 21 on the back plate.
  • the large gear 22 has fixed thereto a small gear 23 which meshes with another large gear 24 fixed to the hour-hand shaft 16 whereby the hour-hand 18 likewise rotates at a definite speed.
  • FIG. 2 A second embodiment of a clock embodying an illumination device according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • the clock comprises a case 1" in which is fitted a dial 2 having a face with the time-indicating indicia thereon viewable through a transparent plate 3 made of glass or acryl resin. for example, or any suitable synthetic material.
  • the dial is provided with tubular projections 4'. on a backside thereof. which are internally threaded and on which are mounted a back plate 5' with screws 6.
  • An open ended tubular element 7' is mounted coaxially with the dial plate and the back plate. It extends forwardly of the dial 2.
  • a bulb holder 8 is formed integrally with the glass 3 and supports an electric bulb 9' having leads 10' extending through the tubular element 7' in the manner described of the first embodiment.
  • a reflector I2 is formed as a dome or hemispherical element and reflects the light from the light bulb back toward the glass 3 and dial 2. It is provided with the twelve protusions 11 arranged on the face thereof equally spaced with spaces 13' therebetween. Notches 14' around the periphery of the reflector or shade 12 are provided and these correspond to the spaces 13' and direct light rays from the bulb radially from the spaces 13 illuminating the indicia on the dial 2 aesthetically.
  • the reflector or shade 12 may be made transparent or semitransparent with applied coloring and embossing so that the illumination effect is enhanced.
  • the clock movement parts l524' are constructed in this embodiment similarly to that of the first embodiment described. Thus the drive gears and hands driven thereby are the same or similar to those before described.
  • the single light source positioned at the center of the dial can illuminate the dial completely and the clock can be miniaturized. Moreover. since the light source is located at the center of the dial and the tubular elements are provided for leading out the leads to the light source the light source is independent of the watch works. Furthermore the exchange of light bulbs is quite easy and it is possible to highlight the illumination effect presenting an extremely practical and aesthetic effect.
  • a clock comprising, a case. a dial internally thereof having time indicia on a face thereof, a tubular element coaxial with the dial and extending axially rearwardly of the backside of the dial, an electric bulb socket mounted coaxial with said tubular element forwardly of the face of the dial for receiving an electric bulb therein. electrical lead connections to said socket extending through said tubular element to said socket and out of a rear end of said tubular element.
  • a reflector spaced from said socket and having inner surfaces for reflecting light from said bulb rearwardly of the reflector onto said face of the dial and over said time indicia. means mounting said reflector. said reflector comprising angularly spaced peripheral notches on the base thereof for passing rays of light in registry with a corresponding time indicium.
  • a clock comprising, a case. a dial internally thereof having time indicia on a face thereof, a tubular element coaxial with the dial and extending axially rearwardly of the backside of the dial. an electric bulb socket mounted coaxial with said tubular element forwardly of the face of the dial for receiving an electric bulb therein, electrical lead connections to said socket extending through said tubular element to said socket and out of a rear end of said tubular element. a reflector spaced from said socket and having inner surfaces for reflecting light from said bulb rearwardly of the reflector onto said face of the dial and over said time indicia. means mounting said reflector.
  • said reflector being substantially hemispherical in configuration and having a base open toward the face of the dial, and said reflector comprising angularly spaced peripheral openings on the base thereof for passing rays of light in registry with a corresponding time indicium.
  • a clock comprising, a case. a dial internally thereof having time indicia on a face thereof, a tubular element coaxial with the dial and extending axially rearwardly of the backside of the dial. an electric bulb socket mounted coaxial with said tubular element for wardly of the face of the dial for receiving an electric bulb therein.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Details Of Measuring And Other Instruments (AREA)
US467748A 1973-05-09 1974-05-07 Clock with dial illumination Expired - Lifetime US3899871A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP5357173U JPS504770U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-05-09 1973-05-09
JP5357073U JPS504769U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-05-09 1973-05-09

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3899871A true US3899871A (en) 1975-08-19

Family

ID=26394281

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US467748A Expired - Lifetime US3899871A (en) 1973-05-09 1974-05-07 Clock with dial illumination

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3899871A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2422067A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2229089B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1435422A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4115994A (en) * 1976-07-13 1978-09-26 Tomlinson James N Dial illumination means
EP0050267A3 (de) * 1980-10-18 1982-09-22 Paul Albrecht Vorrichtung zum Hinterleuchten grossflächiger Anzeigetafeln
US5883862A (en) * 1998-06-04 1999-03-16 Wang; Shui-Ho Clock having emergency lighting device
US6486561B1 (en) 2000-09-12 2002-11-26 Luminary Logic, Ltd. Semiconductor light emitting element formed on a clear or translucent substrate
US20090109801A1 (en) * 2004-12-02 2009-04-30 Asulab S.A. Timepiece including optical guide which performs the function of a crystal
US20230359148A1 (en) * 2022-05-05 2023-11-09 John Paul Leimone Timepiece with light-amplifying design

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102019103417B3 (de) * 2019-02-12 2020-02-20 Stefan Schlor Uhr

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US666381A (en) * 1899-12-18 1901-01-22 Roch R Gareau Illuminated clock.
US2212359A (en) * 1938-10-28 1940-08-20 Wilcox Roy Milton Illuminated clock
US3430433A (en) * 1967-03-31 1969-03-04 Bela I Sandor Clock with an illuminated dial
US3490226A (en) * 1967-11-20 1970-01-20 Gen Time Corp Clock face assembly having illuminated indicating elements

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE569873C (de) * 1931-01-30 1933-02-09 Zeiss Carl Fa Einrichtung zur Beleuchtung von Zifferblaettern an Uhren
FR771689A (fr) * 1933-07-13 1934-10-13 Dispositifs d'éclairage notamment pour cadrans de grande dimension
FR787854A (fr) * 1934-04-05 1935-09-30 Perfectionnements à l'éclairage des cadrans d'instruments
FR999617A (fr) * 1949-11-15 1952-02-04 Angelus Electro Automatique L Dispositif d'entraînement de minuterie pour horloge

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US666381A (en) * 1899-12-18 1901-01-22 Roch R Gareau Illuminated clock.
US2212359A (en) * 1938-10-28 1940-08-20 Wilcox Roy Milton Illuminated clock
US3430433A (en) * 1967-03-31 1969-03-04 Bela I Sandor Clock with an illuminated dial
US3490226A (en) * 1967-11-20 1970-01-20 Gen Time Corp Clock face assembly having illuminated indicating elements

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4115994A (en) * 1976-07-13 1978-09-26 Tomlinson James N Dial illumination means
EP0050267A3 (de) * 1980-10-18 1982-09-22 Paul Albrecht Vorrichtung zum Hinterleuchten grossflächiger Anzeigetafeln
US5883862A (en) * 1998-06-04 1999-03-16 Wang; Shui-Ho Clock having emergency lighting device
US6486561B1 (en) 2000-09-12 2002-11-26 Luminary Logic, Ltd. Semiconductor light emitting element formed on a clear or translucent substrate
US20090109801A1 (en) * 2004-12-02 2009-04-30 Asulab S.A. Timepiece including optical guide which performs the function of a crystal
US20090109651A1 (en) * 2004-12-02 2009-04-30 Asulab S.A. Electronic device including optical guide provided with at least two groups of interlaced optical extractors
US20090109650A1 (en) * 2004-12-02 2009-04-30 Asulab S.A. Electronic device including optical guide provided with sequentially illuminated optical extractors
US7839726B2 (en) * 2004-12-02 2010-11-23 Asulab S.A. Timepiece including optical guide which performs the function of a crystal
US7883255B2 (en) 2004-12-02 2011-02-08 Asulab S.A. Electronic device including optical guide provided with sequentially illuminated optical extractors
US7883256B2 (en) 2004-12-02 2011-02-08 Asulab S.A. Electronic device including optical guide provided with at least two groups of interlaced optical extractors
US20230359148A1 (en) * 2022-05-05 2023-11-09 John Paul Leimone Timepiece with light-amplifying design
US12013665B2 (en) * 2022-05-05 2024-06-18 John Paul Leimone Timepiece with light-amplifying design

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2229089B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1978-11-17
FR2229089A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-12-06
GB1435422A (en) 1976-05-12
DE2422067A1 (de) 1974-11-28

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