Horology: time measuring systems or devices – With calendar indicator – Movable ring or disk
Patent
1992-07-29
1994-02-22
Roskoski, Bernard
Horology: time measuring systems or devices
With calendar indicator
Movable ring or disk
G04B 1920
Patent
active
052894371
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention concerns an analog wristwatch with a window in the face and a rotatable disc or ring bearing information other than time indications, with the disc being designed to display information in the window.
Quartz analog time display watches, that is, watches using hands to show the time and a disc to show the date or day of the week, preferably have the same outward appearance as traditional mechanical watches.
For this type of product it is preferable to adapt and use an electronic movement rather than a mechanical one, as the electronic movement offers improved precision and longevity over the life expectancy of the battery, rather than for the limited number of hours of energy stored in the spring barrel of a mechanical watch. Using an electronic movement gives designers the same freedom as using a mechanical movement and allows a wide variety of product dress without affecting the basic function of time display (second, minute, hour, date, perhaps day of the week, month or year).
The following prior art solutions have been proposed to integrate one or more supplemental features into an electronic analog watch such as a timer, an alarm, or month, year, temperature display, etc.:
adding an electro-optical cell for numeric or alpha-numeric display next to the watch face or in a window formed in the face;
placing an electro-optical cell of the same shape as the watch face within the face, said cell having a hole in the center through which the axes of the watch hands may pass.
The disadvantages inherent in these embodiments impose serious limitations upon designers. Electro-optical cells are available in only a very limited number of colors, and their shape as well as the appearance of the display characters can make the product unattractive, particularly for the high fashion market.
To overcome these disadvantages, the watch according to the invention is characterized in that the disc has at least one opening located in the same place as a unit of information supplied thereon and makes supplemental information available when said opening corresponds with the window.
According to a preferred embodiment, the supplemental information is provided by a fixed electro-optical display means.
When the disc carries date information, the size of the opening in the disc preferably corresponds approximately to a 1/32nd rotation.
When the disc is for displaying days of the week, the disc opening size corresponds essentially to a 1/8th rotation.
According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the disc opening is essentially equivalent in size to the window in the watch face.
The watch according to the invention comprises control means for access to the supplemental information displayed in said opening.
When the watch has a time set stem, said control means preferably consists of the time set stem.
The time set stem on the watch is preferably designed so that specialized manipulations activate the command for displaying supplemental information in said opening.
The control means preferably consists of at least one button.
In another watch embodiment, the control means is automatic and is activated by applying tension when changing the battery.
The present invention will be better understood with reference to the description of one preferred embodiment and one variation thereof, and to the attached drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a partial view of the watch according to the invention in which the supplemental information accessible via the disc opening is concealed;
FIG. 2 shows the watch of FIG. 1 with the opening and the window superimposed;
FIG. 3 shows a view of another embodiment with the information concealed; and
FIG. 4 shows the watch of said other embodiment with the supplemental information displayed through the disc opening and the window superimposed thereon.
In the embodiments described below with reference to the drawings, a disc displaying the date and/or day of the week is shown, which in one position presents an opening revealing an electro-optical display device, said electro-optic
REFERENCES:
patent: 4218872 (1980-08-01), Ikegami
patent: 5128578 (1993-06-01), Perucchi
patent: 5202858 (1993-04-01), Kanzaki
Leuenberger Claude-Eric
Schweighauser Gaston
Montres Rolex S.A.
Roskoski Bernard
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