WO2017064135A1

WO2017064135A1 - Iris barometer clock

Info

Publication number: WO2017064135A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/074500
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rob LEIGH-BRAMWELL; Sarah LEIGH-BRAMWELL
Original assignee: Bramwell Brown Limited
Priority date: 2015-10-13
Filing date: 2016-10-12
Publication date: 2017-04-20
Also published as: GB201518107D0; GB2543293B; GB2543293A

Abstract

A barometer clock comprises a clock face, a clock mechanism comprising a spindle located in the face and driven by the mechanism and rotatable hands mounted on the spindle to provide a time display; and a barometer mechanism comprising, a barometric sensor, drive means, a drive shaft and a plurality of iris mechanisms located behind the clock face, each iris mechanism being engaged to the drive shaft by a retaining gear ring rotatable by the shaft in response to a signal from the barometric sensor; each iris mechanism including a plurality of radially moveable display members; the clock face including an aperture, each display member being extendable between a first visible location wherein the display member may be observed through the aperture and a second hidden location wherein the display member is wholly or partially concealed by the clock face; wherein the gear mechanisms are adapted to successively move the display members between hidden and visible locations as the drive shaft rotates to provide a display characteristic of weather conditions associated with pressure conditions measured by the barometric sensor.

Description

IRIS BAROMETER CLOCK

This invention relates to a barometer clock of the kind which combines the functions of a barometer and clock into an integral device.

Conventional barometer clock arrangements comprise separate barometer and clock mechanisms mounted in an integral case. Typically generally cylindrical clock and barometer mechanisms may be mounted side by side in a wooden case so that the two mechanisms operate entirely separately but can be viewed simultaneously.

According to the present invention a barometer clock comprises a clock face, a clock mechanism comprising, a spindle located in the face and driven by the mechanism and rotatable hands mounted on the spindle to provide a time display; and a barometer mechanism comprising, a barometric sensor, drive means, a drive shaft and a plurality of iris mechanisms located behind the clock face, each iris mechanism being engaged to the drive shaft by a retaining gear ring rotatable by the shaft in response to a signal from the barometric sensor;

each iris mechanism including a plurality of radially moveable display members;

the clock face including an aperture, each display member being extendable between a first visible location wherein the display member may be observed through the aperture and a second hidden location wherein the display member is wholly or partially concealed by the clock face;

wherein the gear mechanisms are adapted to successively move the display members between hidden and visible locations as the drive shaft rotates to provide a display characteristic of weather conditions associated with pressure conditions measured by the barometric sensor.

The initial angular location or starting point and rate and direction of motion of the display members during rotation of the shaft are preferably selected so that continuous rotation of the shaft between a minimum pressure orientation and a maximum pressure orientation causes movement of the display members between successive hidden, visible and optionally second hidden locations to provide a constantly variable display observable through the aperture in the clock face.

In preferred embodiments the aperture is annular. The aperture, may be defined by outer circumferential and an inner circular portions of the clock face, the display members being located behind the circular portion in their hidden locations.

Each display member may have a leading edge which is brought into view as the display moves from a hidden to a visible location.

The leading edge may be shaped to form a silhouette of a weather feature, for example a cloud, sun, lightning or rain feature. The display member may be perforated to allow a user to observe an underlying display.

In an advantageous embodiment one or more iris mechanisms are provided, a first iris mechanism comprising a fixed annular member;

a rotatable annular member rotatable in use relative to the fixed annular member;

a mounting disc;

a plurality of display members mounted on the mounting disc;

a plurality of arms, each arm being pivotally connected at one end to a display member and pivotally connected at another end to the rotatable member; arranged so that rotation of the member causes radial movement of the display member.

Preferably the mechanism further comprises a central disc or other circular member arranged so that the display members are hidden wholly or partially behind the circular member in their retracted positions.

The mechanism is preferably arranged so that rotation in one direction, for example, clockwise, causes radial extension of a display member away from the spindle axis and rotation in the reverse direction, for example anticlockwise causes radial retraction of the display member towards the spindle axis. In a preferred embodiment two iris mechanisms are provided with respective rotatable annular members arranged so that a first plurality of display members are extended by clockwise rotation of the first annular member, and the other plurality of display members are extended by anticlockwise rotation of the second annular member.

A multiplicity of iris displays may be arranged in overlying axially spaced relation on the drive shaft. A first display may overlie and partially or wholly conceal a second display. Preferably two or three displays are provided.

The displays members may be laminar and may comprise flat plates or sheets having a decorated surface facing towards the aperture, the decorated surface and configuration of the leading edge representing a weather condition.

Each iris mechanism may comprise a rotatable gear ring, a fixed cam track ring and a display comprising a retained blade member. The blade member may be fixed on one sided by a pivot to the rotatable gear ring and on a second side by a pin formation located within the cam track. Rotation of the gear ring in this formation causes the blade members to extend or retract radially with respect to the clock face.

The display blade members may be arranged to overlap with each other or alternatively may be arranged so that edges of adjacent blades abut at a fully extended position.

In a preferred embodiment two iris mechanisms each with five display blades are employed, each set of iris display blades representing a weather condition for example: clouds and sun. The iris mechanisms may be located in overlying axially spaced relation. The rotatable gear rings may be arranged so that the display blades of the first iris are fully exposed and the display blades of second iris are fully retracted at a minimum pressure orientation. As the drive shaft is rotated in response to increasing pressure conditions, the first and second display blades of the iris mechanisms are retracted and extended respectively. The face may include a second aperture or dial arranged to display wording, or other symbols for each of several weather conditions, for example: "dry" "stormy", "rain" or "fair". This wording may be provided on an appropriate portion of a foremost rotating gear ring arranged to be visible through the aperture when the display is rotated by a predetermined angle so that the wording corresponds to the visible display.

The drive mechanism may comprise a planetary or epicyclic gear arrangement for each display member. The gear arrangement may comprise a sun gear and one or two planetary gears engaging the gear ring. A single planetary gear may be provided to cause the respective iris mechanism to rotate anti-clockwise as the stepper motor moves from the rest position to the fully extended position. A chain of two planetary gears may be used to cause the iris member to rotate in an opposite direction, clockwise simultaneously with the anti-clockwise rotation of the other members.

A single electric motor may be provided to drive the barometric display, for example a stepper motor may be employed.

The barometric sensor may include a processor adapted to calculate the ratio of pressure change to pressure.

The barometric sensor is preferably adapted to measure air pressure and provide a signal after successive time periods, for example, once an hour. The sensor may include a memory to store data for a number of successive periods, for example, 48 hours. The sensor further includes a processor adapted to deter pressures over successive periods and to provide a signal indicating whether the pressure is stable or changing. Pressure at each time period is allocated to a pressure band. The pressure may be indicative of particular weather conditions, for example, fair, very dry, changeable, rainy and stormy.

The rate of change may be determined. If the pressure is determined to be changing, a signal is sent to the drive motor to display "change". If the pressure is changing rapidly the signal is sent to the motor to display "stormy" or if the pressure is rapidly rising a signal is sent to display "passing". Separation of the pressure in two bands, enabling each band as indicative of pressures for a particular weather condition, enables the rate of change of pressure to be conveniently measured.

In an alternative embodiment, when the pressure is determined to be changing, a signal is sent to the drive motor to display "fast increase". If the pressure is changing rapidly the signal is sent to the motor to display "fast decrease" or if the pressure is rapidly rising a signal is sent to display "passing". The pressure may be indicative of further conditions, for example, slow fall, slow raise and static. Separation of the pressure in two bands, enabling each band as indicative of pressures for a particular weather condition, enables the rate of change of pressure to be conveniently measured.

The barometer clock of the present invention confers numerous advantages. An integral display of time and weather conditions is provided in an efficient and attractive arrangement. The drive mechanism provides efficient and accurate means for controlling the motion of the display while affording an attractive appearance.

The measurement of pressure in bands allows simple manipulation of the rate of change of pressure, permitting the visual display to be controlled automatically in contrast to a conventional barometer.

The invention is further described with means of example but not in any limitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a barometer clock in accordance with this invention;

Figures 2 to 6 show different stages of the display;

Figure 7 is an exploded view of the display mechanism;

Figure 8 shows an exploded view of the iris mechanisms.

The barometer clock shown in Figures 1 to 8 comprises a casing (1), a clock face (2) and clock hands (3, 4). The time is shown by annular hours and minutes display (5). An annular aperture (6) in the clock face (2) allows a weather display to be observed. The display comprises a background (7) and radially extending display members (8, 9) representing weather conditions connected via pivots (10). Arcuate arms (1 1) connected to iris mechanisms (12, 13) extend and retract to rotate display members (8, 9) into the view through aperture (7).

Figure 2 shows the internal components of the barometer clock. The casing (1) receives clock face (2) and, iris mechanisms (12, 13), cover (23) and rear casing (20). A clock mechanism (21) and drive motor (22) are mounted on rear casing (20). A gear mechanism (24) connected to the drive motor (22) and iris mechanisms (12, 13) drives the iris mechanism to rotate to extend and retract display members (8, 9).

Figures 3 to 7 show the successive stages in movement of the barometer display. Figure 3 illustrates the rest position of the barometer display mechanism. In this position the iris mechanism (12) is fully rotated in a clockwise direction and display members (8) are fully exposed. Iris mechanism (13) is fully rotated in an anticlockwise direction and display members (9) are fully retracted. This configuration is indicative of "very dry" weather conditions.

In Figure 4 the first stage of rotation of the displays is shown, following a first incremental rotation of the drive gears by the stepper motor in response to a signal from the barometric sensor. The "sun" iris (12) is rotated anti-clockwise 10.45° so that the display members (8) are partially retracted. The "clouds" iris (13) is rotated clockwise 10.45° so that display members (9) are partially extended. This arrangement is indicative of "fair".

In Figure 5 the second stage of rotation of the displays is shown, following a second incremental rotation of the drive gears by the stepper motor in response to a signal from the barometric sensor. The "sun" iris (12) is rotated anti-clockwise 10.45° so that the display members (8) are almost fully retracted. The "clouds" iris (13) is rotated clockwise by 10.45° so that display members (9) are half extended. This arrangement is indicative of "change".

In Figure 6 the third stage of rotation of the displays is shown. The "sun" iris (12) is rotated anti-clockwise 10.45° so that the display members (8) are fully retracted from view. The "clouds" iris (13) is rotated clockwise by 10.45° so that display members (9) are almost fully extended. This arrangement is indicative of "rain".

In Figure 7 the forth and final stage of rotation of the displays is shown. The "sun" iris (12) is full rotated in an anti-clockwise direction so that the display members (8) are extended further into the central aperture (30). The "clouds" iris (13) is fully rotated in a clockwise direction so that display members (9) are fully extended. This arrangement is indicative of "stormy".

Figure 8 illustrates an exploded view of the iris mechanisms. Each mechanism comprises of rotatable gear ring (40), static CAM ring (41) and mounting disc (42). Display blades (8,9) are mounted onto disc (42) by pivots (43) that enable the blades to rotate both internally and externally of the display disc.

Arms (44) are connected at one end to display blades (8,9) by additional pivot points (45). Extrusions (46) on arms (44) are located within CAM slots (47) so that lateral motion is restricted. The arms are permanently connected to rotatable gear rings (40).

In such an arrangement as the gear rings 40 are rotated, the arms (44) are forced to extend thus rotating display blades (8,9) around pivots (43).

Claims

1. A barometer clock comprising a clock face, a clock mechanism comprising a spindle located in the face and driven by the mechanism and rotatable hands mounted on the spindle to provide a time display; and

a barometer mechanism comprising a barometric sensor, drive means, a drive shaft and a plurality of iris mechanisms located behind the clock face, each iris mechanism being engaged to the drive shaft by a retaining gear ring rotatable by the shaft in response to a signal from the barometric sensor;

each iris mechanism including a plurality of radially moveable display members;

2. A barometer clock as claimed in claim 1 wherein the initial location and rate and direction of motion of the display members during rotation of the shaft are selected so that continuous rotation of the shaft between a minimum pressure orientation and a maximum pressure orientation causes movement of the display members between successive hidden, visible and optionally second hidden locations to provide a constantly variable display observable through the aperture in the clock face.

3. A barometer clock as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the aperture is annular.

4. A barometer clock as claimed in claim 3 wherein the aperture is defined by outer circumferential and inner circular portions of the clock face, the display members being located behind the circular portion in their hidden locations.

5. A barometer clock as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each display member has a leading edge which is brought into view as the display moves from a hidden to a visible location.

6. A barometer clock as claimed in claim 5 wherein the leading edge is shaped to form a silhouette to form a weather feature.

7. A barometer clock as claimed in any preceding claim comprising one or more iris mechanisms, a first iris mechanism comprising a first fixed annular member;

a mounting disc;

a plurality of display members mounted on the mounting disc;

a plurality of arms, each arm being pivotally connected at one end to a display member and pivotally connected at another end to the rotatable member;

arranged so that rotation of the member causes radial movement of the display member.

8. A barometer clock as claimed in claim 7 wherein the mechanism further comprises a central circular member arranged so that display members are hidden wholly or partially behind the circular member in their retracted positions.

9. A barometer clock mechanism as claimed in claim 7 or 8 wherein rotation of the annular member in one direction causes radial extension of a display member, and rotation in the reverse direction causes radial retraction of the display member.

10. A barometer clock as claimed in claim 9 comprising two iris mechanisms with the respective rotatable annular members being arranged so that a first plurality of display members are extended by clockwise rotation of the first angular member and the other plurality of display members are extended by anticlockwise rotation of the second annular member.

1 1. A barometer clock as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a multiplicity of iris displays are arranged in overlying axially spaced relation.

12. A barometer clock as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each iris mechanism comprises a rotatable gear ring, a fixed cam track ring and a display comprising a retained blade member.

13. A barometer clock as claimed as claimed in claim 12 wherein the blade member is fixed on one side by a pivot connected to the rotatable gear ring and on a second side by a pin formation located within a cam track.

14. A barometer clock substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.