WO2001050202A1 - Timepiece with novel hands - Google Patents

Timepiece with novel hands Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001050202A1
WO2001050202A1 PCT/IL2001/000010 IL0100010W WO0150202A1 WO 2001050202 A1 WO2001050202 A1 WO 2001050202A1 IL 0100010 W IL0100010 W IL 0100010W WO 0150202 A1 WO0150202 A1 WO 0150202A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
hands
dial
timepiece according
timepiece
hand
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL2001/000010
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Yael Vons Jarzen
Original Assignee
Yael Vons Jarzen
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
Application filed by Yael Vons Jarzen filed Critical Yael Vons Jarzen
Priority to AU22176/01A priority Critical patent/AU2217601A/en
Publication of WO2001050202A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001050202A1/en

Links

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
    • G04B19/04—Hands; Discs with a single mark or the like
    • G04B19/042—Construction and manufacture of the hands; arrangements for increasing reading accuracy
    • 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
    • G04B45/00—Time pieces of which the indicating means or cases provoke special effects, e.g. aesthetic effects
    • G04B45/04—Time pieces with invisible drive, e.g. with hands attached to a rotating glass disc

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to timepieces and particularly to a timepiece that has hands below a dial of the timepiece, wherein only the tips of the hands are above the dial.
  • timepieces Many kinds of timepieces are known that have an analog display, that is, hands are used to indicate hours, minutes and seconds. In the prior art, these hands are generally mounted on a common central shaft, although many kinds of pocket watches have the minute or second hand mounted on a separate shaft.
  • the timepiece is provided with a dial that has markings and numerals, to which the tips of the hands point for indicating the hour, minute or second.
  • the hands are mounted on the outer side of the dial, i.e., the side of the dial visible to a viewer of the timepiece, such that the entire length of each hand is visible as it sweeps around the dial.
  • the present invention seeks to provide a novel timepiece that has hands below a dial, wherein only the tips of the hands are above the dial.
  • the timepiece of the present invention besides providing an aesthetically pleasing and appealing dial, allows marking the dial with graphics heretofore not possible or impractical with the prior art. Since in the prior art, the hands are entirely above the dial, the hands periodically block certain portions of the dial, making it inconvenient to see certain designs on the dial. With the present invention, it is possible to mark the dial with virtually any kind of graphics, because most of the dial surface is visible at all times. Other advantages of the invention will be readily apparent to the skilled artisan.
  • timepiece refers to any kind of clock, watch or chronometer.
  • a timepiece including a time mechanism that provides a periodic process usable as a basis for measuring time, a dial with markings for indication of time, a linkage connected to the time mechanism for moving a hand to indicate time, and at least one hand connected to the linkage, the at least one hand including a body portion and a tip portion, the body portion being below the dial and the tip portion being above an outer face of the dial.
  • the tip portion extends from the body portion and is bent relative thereto.
  • the tip portion may be shorter than the body portion.
  • a plurality of the hands one of the hands indicating hours and another of the hands indicating minutes.
  • One of the hands may indicate seconds.
  • one of the hands has a different size, color or shape than another of the hands.
  • the hands are mounted on a common shaft of the linkage, and one of the hands extends radially from the shaft further than another of the hands.
  • At least one hand is connected to the linkage and disposed above the dial.
  • FIGs. 1 and 2 are simplified pictorial and side-view illustrations, respectively, of a timepiece constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 3 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a timepiece constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Timepiece 10 preferably includes a time mechanism 12 that provides a periodic process usable as a basis for measuring time.
  • time mechanism 12 may be the familiar mainspring, balance wheel, hairspring, pallet and escape wheel mechanism.
  • time mechanism 12 may be a tuning fork mechanism, quartz or oscillating crystal mechanism, or any electronic or atomic timing system.
  • a dial 14 is provided with markings for indication of time.
  • a linkage 16 preferably connects time mechanism 12 to one or more hands 18 to indicate time, linkage 16 moving hand 18 in accordance with the periodic process of time mechanism 12.
  • Hand 18 preferably includes a body portion 20 and a tip portion 22. It is a particular feature of the present invention that body portion 20 is below dial 14 and tip portion 22 is above an outer face of dial 14. Tip portion 22 preferably extends from body portion 20 and is bent relative thereto. Tip portion 22 is preferably shorter than body portion 20.
  • the hands may be differently sized, colored or shaped.
  • the hands are preferably mounted on a common shaft 30 of linkage 16, wherein the hands extend radially from shaft 30. It is seen that the hands can "overlap" each other in their travel around dial 14.
  • hand 28 extends radially from shaft 30 further than hand 26, which in turn extends further than hand 24.
  • this is just one example of an arrangement of the hands, and many other arrangements are possible in the scope of the invention.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention, wherein a body portion 34 of a hand 36 has a shape similar to that of dial 14, whereas a tip portion 38 is thinner and shorter. It is appreciated that any size and shape of hands are in the scope of the invention.
  • Fig. 3 also illustrates another feature of the present invention, namely, that in addition to the hands below the dial, one or more hands 39 may also be provided above the dial, as in conventional timepieces. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the features described hereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereof which would occur to a person of skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not in the prior art.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)

Abstract

A timepiece including a time mechanism (12) that provides a periodic process usable as a basis for measuring time, dial (14) for indication of time, a linkage (16) connected to the time mechanism for moving a hand (18) to indicate time and at least one hand (18) connected to the linkage, the at least one hand including a body portion (20) and a tip portion (22), the body portion being below the dial (14) and the tip portion being above an outer face of the dial.

Description

TIMEPIECE WITH NOVEL HANDS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to timepieces and particularly to a timepiece that has hands below a dial of the timepiece, wherein only the tips of the hands are above the dial.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many kinds of timepieces are known that have an analog display, that is, hands are used to indicate hours, minutes and seconds. In the prior art, these hands are generally mounted on a common central shaft, although many kinds of pocket watches have the minute or second hand mounted on a separate shaft. The timepiece is provided with a dial that has markings and numerals, to which the tips of the hands point for indicating the hour, minute or second. The hands are mounted on the outer side of the dial, i.e., the side of the dial visible to a viewer of the timepiece, such that the entire length of each hand is visible as it sweeps around the dial.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide a novel timepiece that has hands below a dial, wherein only the tips of the hands are above the dial. The timepiece of the present invention, besides providing an aesthetically pleasing and appealing dial, allows marking the dial with graphics heretofore not possible or impractical with the prior art. Since in the prior art, the hands are entirely above the dial, the hands periodically block certain portions of the dial, making it inconvenient to see certain designs on the dial. With the present invention, it is possible to mark the dial with virtually any kind of graphics, because most of the dial surface is visible at all times. Other advantages of the invention will be readily apparent to the skilled artisan.
It is noted that the term "timepiece" refers to any kind of clock, watch or chronometer. There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a timepiece including a time mechanism that provides a periodic process usable as a basis for measuring time, a dial with markings for indication of time, a linkage connected to the time mechanism for moving a hand to indicate time, and at least one hand connected to the linkage, the at least one hand including a body portion and a tip portion, the body portion being below the dial and the tip portion being above an outer face of the dial.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the tip portion extends from the body portion and is bent relative thereto. The tip portion may be shorter than the body portion.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a plurality of the hands, one of the hands indicating hours and another of the hands indicating minutes. One of the hands may indicate seconds.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention one of the hands has a different size, color or shape than another of the hands.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the hands are mounted on a common shaft of the linkage, and one of the hands extends radially from the shaft further than another of the hands.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention at least one hand is connected to the linkage and disposed above the dial.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:
Figs. 1 and 2 are simplified pictorial and side-view illustrations, respectively, of a timepiece constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
Fig. 3 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a timepiece constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference is now made to Figs. 1 and 2, which illustrate a timepiece 10 constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Timepiece 10 preferably includes a time mechanism 12 that provides a periodic process usable as a basis for measuring time. For example, in the case of a mechanical timepiece, time mechanism 12 may be the familiar mainspring, balance wheel, hairspring, pallet and escape wheel mechanism. Alternatively, time mechanism 12 may be a tuning fork mechanism, quartz or oscillating crystal mechanism, or any electronic or atomic timing system.
A dial 14 is provided with markings for indication of time. A linkage 16 preferably connects time mechanism 12 to one or more hands 18 to indicate time, linkage 16 moving hand 18 in accordance with the periodic process of time mechanism 12. Hand 18 preferably includes a body portion 20 and a tip portion 22. It is a particular feature of the present invention that body portion 20 is below dial 14 and tip portion 22 is above an outer face of dial 14. Tip portion 22 preferably extends from body portion 20 and is bent relative thereto. Tip portion 22 is preferably shorter than body portion 20.
In one preferred embodiment, there are a plurality of hands 18, one hand 24 indicating hours, another hand 26 indicating minutes, and yet another hand 28 indicating seconds. The hands may be differently sized, colored or shaped. The hands are preferably mounted on a common shaft 30 of linkage 16, wherein the hands extend radially from shaft 30. It is seen that the hands can "overlap" each other in their travel around dial 14. For example, hand 28 extends radially from shaft 30 further than hand 26, which in turn extends further than hand 24. The skilled artisan will readily appreciate that this is just one example of an arrangement of the hands, and many other arrangements are possible in the scope of the invention.
Fig. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention, wherein a body portion 34 of a hand 36 has a shape similar to that of dial 14, whereas a tip portion 38 is thinner and shorter. It is appreciated that any size and shape of hands are in the scope of the invention.
Fig. 3 also illustrates another feature of the present invention, namely, that in addition to the hands below the dial, one or more hands 39 may also be provided above the dial, as in conventional timepieces. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the features described hereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereof which would occur to a person of skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not in the prior art.

Claims

C L A I M S What is claimed is:
1. A timepiece comprising: a time mechanism that provides a periodic process usable as a basis for measuring time; a dial with markings for indication of time; a linkage connected to said time mechanism for moving a hand to indicate time; and at least one hand connected to said linkage, said at least one hand comprising a body portion and a tip portion, said body portion being below said dial and said tip portion being above an outer face of said dial.
2. The timepiece according to claim 1 wherein said tip portion extends from said body portion and is bent relative thereto.
3. The timepiece according to claim 1 or claim 2 and further comprising a plurality of said hands, one of the hands indicating hours and another of the hands indicating minutes.
4. The timepiece according to claim 3 wherein one of the hands indicates seconds.
5. The timepiece according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein one of the hands has a different size than another of the hands.
6. The timepiece according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein one of the hands has a different color than another of the hands.
7. The timepiece according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein one of the hands has a different shape than another of the hands.
8. The timepiece according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein said hands are mounted on a common shaft of said linkage, and one of said hands extends radially from said shaft further than another of the hands.
9. The timepiece according to any of the preceding claims wherein said tip portion is shorter than said body portion.
10. The timepiece according to any of the preceding claims and further comprising at least one hand connected to said linkage and disposed above said dial.
PCT/IL2001/000010 2000-01-03 2001-01-03 Timepiece with novel hands WO2001050202A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU22176/01A AU2217601A (en) 2000-01-03 2001-01-03 Timepiece with novel hands

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IL13386700A IL133867A0 (en) 2000-01-03 2000-01-03 Timepiece with novel hands
IL133867 2000-01-03

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001050202A1 true WO2001050202A1 (en) 2001-07-12

Family

ID=11073672

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IL2001/000010 WO2001050202A1 (en) 2000-01-03 2001-01-03 Timepiece with novel hands

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2217601A (en)
IL (1) IL133867A0 (en)
WO (1) WO2001050202A1 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002046846A2 (en) * 2000-12-06 2002-06-13 Yuval Shomroni Analog timepiece having hands-free dial area
US7170994B2 (en) 2003-10-15 2007-01-30 Motorola, Inc. Method and apparatus for selecting an alert mode based on user biometrics
US20170075317A1 (en) * 2015-09-15 2017-03-16 Samsung Display Co., Ltd. Smart watch
DE102012005263B4 (en) 2011-03-16 2019-05-09 Ziya Yilmazer Clock
DE102019103417B3 (en) * 2019-02-12 2020-02-20 Stefan Schlor Clock

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002046846A2 (en) * 2000-12-06 2002-06-13 Yuval Shomroni Analog timepiece having hands-free dial area
WO2002046846A3 (en) * 2000-12-06 2002-08-01 Yuval Shomroni Analog timepiece having hands-free dial area
US7170994B2 (en) 2003-10-15 2007-01-30 Motorola, Inc. Method and apparatus for selecting an alert mode based on user biometrics
DE102012005263B4 (en) 2011-03-16 2019-05-09 Ziya Yilmazer Clock
US20170075317A1 (en) * 2015-09-15 2017-03-16 Samsung Display Co., Ltd. Smart watch
DE102019103417B3 (en) * 2019-02-12 2020-02-20 Stefan Schlor Clock

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IL133867A0 (en) 2001-04-30
AU2217601A (en) 2001-07-16

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