WO2013056303A1

WO2013056303A1 - Dial assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2013056303A1
Application number: PCT/AU2012/001260
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tomislav ZAJA
Original assignee: Zaja Tomislav
Priority date: 2011-10-17
Filing date: 2012-10-17
Publication date: 2013-04-25

Abstract

In a first aspect the invention relates to a dial assembly (10). The dial assembly comprises a dial (12) having a number of graduations (14). The dial is further adapted for angular movement about a central axis (20). The dial assembly includes an indicator (18) which is pivotally movable about the central axis of the dial to indicate a measured quantity on the dial. The dial assembly further includes an actuator (34) operatively associated with the indicator and adapted to move responsive to movement of the indicator, the actuator in use causes the dial to undergo angular movement about the central axis. The dial is adapted that upon angular movement of the dial, graduations that are located in a display position where they are visible to sight are moveable to a hidden position where they are not visible to sight, and graduations that are located in the hidden position where they are not visible to sight are movable to the display position where they are visible to sight.

Description

DIAL ASSEMBLY

Field of the Invention

[0001 ] The invention concerns a dial assembly, particularly but not exclusively, a dial assembly for a measuring apparatus such as a timepiece.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Despite a revolution in digital timepiece technology, clocks and chronometers to a large extent continue to employ an analogue 12-hour display format. Although a number of analogue timepieces are available which employ a 24-hour display format, such timepieces generally only tend to be of interest to collectors, persons seeking novelty timepieces and a limited field of persons employed as scientists, astronomers, astronauts, pilots and military personnel.

[0003] One example of an existing timepiece with a 24-hour display is described in Chinese Utility Model No. 2745090. That timepiece comprises two layers of dial plates wherein an outer dial plate has 12 hatches fixed on a moving bracket. The timepiece further includes an inner dial plate, located beneath the outer dial plate, movably connected to an inner portion of the outer dial plate. The inner dial plate includes two groups of graduations, namely 1 to 12 and 13 to 24. Those are arranged in a crosswise manner and respectively correspond with the 12 hatches on the outer dial plate. A gear assembly is provided for causing the inner dial plate to undergo clockwise rotation for a period of 12 hours and then to undergo counter-clockwise rotation for a further 12 hours. During the course of a day, 12 hatches on the outer dial plate will display the hours of I to 12 and thereafter the hours 13 to 24.

[0004] Another example of an analogue clock with a 24-hour display format is discussed in US Patent No. 6,809,992. In that clock a first conchoid is provided which includes an outer loop for indicating the hours 6 to 18 and an inner loop for the hours 18 to 6. A crossing point of the inner and outer loop is established at the hours 6 and 18. At least one hour indicating element is provided with guiding means for guiding the indicating element along the conchoid.

[0005] Yet a further example of an existing 24-hour display format is disclosed in

International (PCT) Published Patent Application No. WO 2010/108947. That document discusses a timepiece having a first dial for providing a 12-hour display format as well as a second dial providing a 24-hour display format.

Object of the Invention

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a useful alternative to existing timepieces having a 24-hour analogue display format

Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is disclosed herein a dial assembly comprising: a dial having a number of graduations, the dial being adapted for angular movement about a central axis; an indicator pivotally movable about the central axis of the dial to indicate a measured quantity on the dial; and an actuator operatively associated with the indicator and adapted to move responsive to movement of the indicator, in use movement of the actuator causing the dial to undergo angular movement about the central axis, wherein the dial is adapted so that upon angular movement of the dial, graduations that are located in a display position where they are visible to sight, are moveable to a hidden position where they are not visible to sight, and graduations that are located in the hidden position where they are hidden from sight are movable to the display position where they are visible to sight.

[0008] Preferably the dial comprises an annular dial body.

[0009] Preferably the annular dial body comprises a first and a second dial loop.

[0010] Preferably the first and second dial loops are attached to one another and overlie one another. [0011 ] Preferably the indicator is attached to a central drive body which, in use, is adapted to drive the indicator.

[0012] Preferably the central body is configured so as to extend co-axially with the central axis.

[0013] Preferably the actuator includes a dial engaging formation adapted to engage a complimentary dial track on the dial.

[0014] Preferably the dial track comprises a plurality of teeth.

[0015] Preferably the actuator comprises an actuator arm that is attached to the central body.

[0 1 ] In one embodiment the actuator includes a pinion assembly that is attached to the actuator arm.

[0017] Preferably the pinion assembly comprises two pinions that are adapted to mesh with the teeth of the dial track.

[0018] Preferably the dial assembly includes a stationary track having teeth.

[0019] Preferably the stationary track is provided on a bottom surface of a protective cover of the dial assembly.

[0020] In an embodiment the pinions define a dial engaging formation, adapted to mesh with the teeth of the dial track, and a stationary track engaging formation adapted to mesh with the teeth of the stationary track, wherein pivotal movement of the central body causes the actuator arm to undergo an amount of angular movement about the stationary track, such movement simultaneously causing the pinions of the pinion assembly to undergo an amount of pivotal movement, in turn causing the dial to undergo an amount of angular movement.

[0021] Preferably the dial assembly includes a support assembly for supporting the dial loops of the dial. [0022] Preferably the support assembly comprises a support arm which extends radially outwardly from the central axis, the support arm including at an end distal from the central axis a support pinion adapted to mesh with the dial track. f

[0023] In a second embodiment the dial includes a plurality of support recesses adapted to mesh with apexes of the support pinion of the support assembly.

[0024] In a third embodiment the support pinion of the support assembly includes a teeth engaging portion adapted to mesh with teeth of the dial track and a recess engaging portion adapted to mesh with the recesses of the dial.

[0025] Preferably the dial assembly is employed in a timepiece wherein the dial includes graduations for providing a 24-hour display format.

[0026] Preferably the dial displays whole numbers 1 to 24 to indicate the hours of a day.

[0027] Preferably the indicator is an hour hand of the timepiece and the central body in use drives pivotal movement of the hour hand, such pivotal movement of the hour hand causing the actuator and, as a result, the dial to undergo an amount of movement.

[0028] In a further embodiment the dial track comprises spaced-apart dial holes.

[0029] Preferably the dial track comprises two rows of spaced-apart dial holes, wherein the two rows co-extend about the central axis of the dial.

[0030] Preferably the dial engaging formation of the actuator comprises a plurality of spaced apart dial engaging protrusions that are adapted to mesh with corresponding dial holes in the dial.

[0031 ] Preferably the dial engaging formation of the actuator comprises a plurality of spaced apart dial engaging protrusions that are adapted to mesh with corresponding dial holes in the dial.

[0032] Preferably the dial engaging formation of the actuator comprises two rows of spaced apart dial engaging protrusions that are adapted to mesh with the two rows of dial holes. [0033] Preferably the dial engaging formation is provided on a pinion, wherein teeth of the pinion are adapted to mesh with the teeth of the stationary track.

[0034] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is disclosed herein a dial adapted for use in the dial assembly of the first aspect, the dial comprising two flexible dial members which overlie one another, each member having graduations for indicating a measured quantity.

[0035] Preferably each dial member comprises an annular loop.

[0036] Preferably opposing faces of the overlying loops include teeth which define a dial track, the dial track being adapted to mesh with a dial engaging formation of the actuator, in use movement of the actuator causes the dial to undergo angular movement, thereby to move the graduations between the display position and the hidden position.

[0037] Preferably the dial includes graduations for providing a 24-hour display format. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0038] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompany drawings, in which:

[0039] Figure 1 is a schematic top perspective view of a first embodiment dial assembly;

[0040] Figure 2 is a schematic bottom perspective view of a cover for use in the first embodiment dial assembly;

[0041] Figure 3 is an enlarged schematic perspective view of a portion of a support assembly engaging a dial track of the first embodiment dial assembly;

[0042] Figure 4 is an enlarged schematic perspective view of a support assembly engaging a dial track of a second embodiment dial assembly;

[0043] Figure 5 is an enlarged schematic perspective view of a portion of a support assembly engaging a dial track of a third embodiment dial assembly; [0044] Figure 6 is a schematic top view of a fourth embodiment dial assembly;

[0045] Figure 7 is a schematic side view of the fourth embodiment dial assembly;

[0046] Figure 8 is a schematic top view of a fifth embodiment dial assembly with a protective cover removed;

[0047] Figure 9 is a schematic side view of Figure 8;

[0048] Figure 10 is a schematic side view of a portion of an actuator of the dial assembly of Figure 8;

[0049] Figure 11 is a schematic side view of a portion of support assembly of a sixth embodiment dial assembly; and

[0050] Figure 12 is a schematic side view of a portion of a support assembly of a seventh embodiment dial assembly.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0051] Figure 1 shows a dial assembly in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, generally indicated with the reference numeral 10. The dial assembly 10 includes a flexible dial 12 having a number of graduations 14 spaced radially about a surface thereof. The embodiment dial assembly 10 is employed in a timepiece 16 and the graduations 14 of the dial provide a 24-hour display format as will be discussed below. Specifically, the graduations comprise the whole numbers 1 to 24 for indicating the hours of a day.

[0052] An aspect of the embodiment dial 12 is that in use it is adapted to move in order to locate the graduations 14 respectively iii a display position and a hidden position. In the display position the graduation is visible so that a user of the timepiece 16 will be able to read the time by referring to the graduations in the display position while those graduations located in the hidden position, shown in broken lines, will be hidden from sight and not visible.

[0053] An indicator 18, here in the form of an hour-hand of the timepiece 16, is pivotally located at a central axis 20 of the dial 12 in order to indicate a measured quantity on the dial, here of course the measured quantity being time. As shown, the hour-hand is attached to a central body 22 which, in turn, is connected to a time-mechanism (not shown) for controlling movement of the hour-hand 18. In this embodiment the central body 22 is an elongate shaft that extends co-axially with the central axis 20.

[0054] The dial 12 is provided in the form of an annular body folded to form two annular members, here in the form of a first and a second dial loop 24.1 and 24.2 which overlie one another and are attached to one another. As shown, opposing faces of the overlying dial loops 24.1 and 24.2 include rows of teeth 30.1 and 30.2 which define between them a dial track 32.

[0055] The dial assembly 10 comprises an actuator 34 adapted to cause the dial 12 to undergo angular movement about the central axis 20. The actuator 34 includes an actuator arm 36 which is secured to the central body 22 at an angle of preferably 180° to the indicator 18. The actuator arm 36, in turn, supports a pinion assembly 38 having two pinions 40. The pinions 40 each include a dial engaging portion 42 sized for meshing with the dial track 32 of the dial 12 and a stationary track engaging formation 44 adapted to meshing with teeth of a stationary track 46 which is provided, in this embodiment, on a bottom surface of a protective cover 48 of the dial assembly, shown in Figure 2, when the protective cover is fitted to the dial 12. It is pointed out that the number of teeth that defines the dial track 32 and the number of teeth defining the stationary track 46 of the cover 48. As shown, the pinion assembly 38 of the actuator 34 engages the dial loops 24.1 and 24.2 towards a gap 28 between end portions 26 of the dial 12.

[0056] In use, a time-mechanism (not shown) of the time piece 16 will cause the central body 22 to rotate, in turn causing the hour-hand 18 to undergo an amount of pivotal movement. As the actuator arm 36 is attached to the central body 22, the actuator arm also will undergo an amount of pivotal movement about the central axis 20, the stationary track formations 44 of the pinions 40 moving along the stationary track 46. Movement of the stationary track formation 44 along the stationary track 46 will cause the pinions 40 and, as a result, also the dial engaging formation 42 to rotate. This in turn will cause the dial 12 to undergo an amount of angular movement about the central axis 20, thus causing graduations of the dial respectively to move from a display position, here the top surface 50 of the dial 12, to a hidden position at the bottom surface 52 of the dial. [0057] It will be appreciated that the actuator 34 revolves at the same rate as the hour-hand 18. Accordingly the dial 12 will display the 12 most relevant hours and by causing the hour- hand 18, and the actuator 36, to move through 720° the dial will have displayed all 24 hour graduations.

[0058] As mentioned, the dial 12 is preferably flexible. The dial assembly 10, therefore, includes a support assembly 54 for supporting the dial loops 24.1 and 24.2 of the dial 12. The support assembly 54 comprises two support arms 56 which extend radially from the central axis 20 and are secured to the shaft 22. Each support arm 56; at its end spaced from the central axis, includes at least one support pinion 58 for meshing with the track 32, shown in Figure 3. The longitudinal axes of the support arms 56 are spaced at 120° relative to the longitudinal axis of the actuator arm 36 whereby pivotal movement of the shaft 22 will cause the arms to undergo pivotal movement relative to the central axis 20 at the same rate as the hour-hand 18 and the actuator arm 36.

[0059] Referring to Figure 2, it is pointed out that the protective cover 48 includes a transparent portion 45, through which the graduations 14 can be viewed, as well as an opaque central portion 47. Also, the protective cover 48 includes attachment pins 49 that are located on the outer perimeter of the protective cover to ensure that the pins 4 do not interfere with the movement of the actuator arm 36 and the support arms 56.

[0060] Figure 4 shows a support assembly 54 of a second embodiment dial assembly 60. Here the dial 12 includes recesses 62 sized for meshing with apexes of a support pinion 58.

[0061] Figure 5 shows a third embodiment dial assembly 65 having an alternative pinion 66. for the support assembly 54. Specifically, the pinion 66 is sized such that its teeth 68 can in use mesh with the stationary track 46 on the protective cover 48.

[0062] Figures 6 and 7 show a fourth embodiment dial assembly 70. The dial assembly 70 comprises two actuator arms 36 and two support arms 56. The longitudinal axes of the actuator arms 36 are orientated an angle of 16.2° relative to one another whereas the longitudinal axes of an adjacent actuator arm 36 and support arm 56 is orientated at 114.6° relative to one another.

[0063] Figures 8 and 9 show a fifth embodiment dial assembly 80. The dial assembly 80 comprises two actuator arms 36 and two support arms 56. The longitudinal axes of the actuator arms 36 are orientated an angle of 24° relative to one another, whereas the longitudinal axes of an adjacent actuator arm 36 and support arm 56 is orientated at 112° relative to one another. The dial track 12 of the dial assembly 80 comprises two rows 82 of spaced-apart dial holes 84. The two rows 82 co-extend about the central axis 20 of the dial 12. The dial assembly 80 includes an actuator 34 which includes two pinions 40. A side view of a pinion 40 is provided on Figure 10. The dial assembly 80 further includes two support pinions 58 held by the support arms 56. In this embodiment the pinions 40 and support pinions 58 are of similar construction and operate in a similar manner.

[0064] The pinions 40 define the dial engaging formation 42 of the actuator 34 by being provided with two rows of spaced apart dial engaging protrusions 88 that are adapted to mesh with the two rows 82 of dial holes 82. Teeth 90 of the pinion 40 are adapted to mesh with teeth of the stationary track (not shown).

[0065] Figure 11 shows a portion of a support assembly 54 of a sixth embodiment dial assembly 100. The dial assembly includes a transparent cover 102 adapted to sit flush with the dial 12.

[0066] Figure 12 shows a portion of a support assembly 54 of a seventh embodiment dial assembly 110. The support arm 56 is bent at an angle so as ensure that the transparent cover 102 is orientated at a substantially horizontal angle. Note the difference with the sixth embodiment.

[0067] In an eighth non-illustrated embodiment the dial includes colour-coded numbers for indicating the difference between morning and afternoon.

[0068] In a ninth non-illustrated embodiment the dial includes colour gradient transitions corresponding to time-of-day lighting.

[0069] In a tenth non-illustrated embodiment the dial comprises more than two dial loops.

[0070] In an eleventh non-illustrated embodiment the actuator comprises one or more gear trains for transmitting angular movement from the central body to the dial.

[0071 ] In a twelfth non-illustrated embodiment the dial comprises disc-shaped dial members, each dial member having an aperture at its centre. [0072] Although not illustrated, persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate, that the above dial assembly can be employed in a range of measuring apparatus.

[0073] Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the invention can be embodied in other forms.

Claims

1. A dial assembly comprising: a dial having a number of graduations, the dial being adapted for angular movement about a central axis; an indicator pivotally movable about the central axis of the dial to indicate a measured quantity on the dial; and an actuator operatively associated with the indicator and adapted to move responsive to movement of the indicator, in use movement of the actuator causing the dial to undergo angular movement about the central axis, wherein the dial is adapted so that upon angular movement of the dial, graduations that are located in a display position where they are visible to sight, are moveable to a hidden position where they are not visible to sight, and graduations that are located in the hidden position where they are not visible to sight are movable to the display position where they are visible to sight,

2. A dial assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the dial comprises an annular dial body.

3. A dial assembly according to claim 2, wherein the annular dial body comprises a first and a second dial loop.

4. A dial assembly according to claim 3, wherein the first and second dial loops are attached to one another and overlie one another.

5. A dial assembly according to claim 1, wherein the indicator is attached to a central drive body which, in use, is adapted to drive the indicator.

6. A dial assembly according to claim 5, wherein the central drive body is configured so as to extend co-axially with the central axis.

7. A dial assembly according to claim 3, wherein the actuator includes a dial engaging formation adapted to engage a complimentary dial track on the dial.

8. A dial assembly according to claim 7, wherein the dial track comprises a plurality of teeth.

9. A dial assembly according to claim 5, wherein the actuator comprises an actuator arm that is attached to the central body.

10. A dial assembly according to claim 7, including a stationary track having teeth.

11. A dial assembly according to claim 10, wherein the stationary track is provided on a bottom surface of a protective cover of the dial assembly.

12. A dial assembly according to claim 11, including a support assembly adapted to supporting the first and second dial loop. ^'

13. A dial assembly according to claim 12, wherein the support assembly comprises a support arm which extends radially outwardly from the central axis, the support arm including at an end distal from the central axis a support pinion adapted to mesh with the dial track.

14. A dial assembly according to claim 1, wherein the dial displays whole numbers 1 to 24 to indicate the hours of a day.

15. A dial assembly according to claim 1, wherein the dial defines a dial track, the dial track comprising spaced-apart dial holes.

16. A dial assembly according to claim 15, wherein the dial holes are spaced about the central axis of the dial.

17. A dial assembly according to claim 16, wherein the actuator includes a dial engaging formation, wherein the dial engaging formation comprises spaced apart dial engaging protrusions that are adapted to mesh with the dial holes.

18. A dial adapted for use in a dial assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the dial comprising two flexible dial members which overlie one another, each member having graduations for indicating a measured quantity.

19. A dial according to claim 18, wherein each dial member comprises an annular loop.