Horology: time measuring systems or devices – Plural time zones
Patent
1993-05-10
1994-08-16
Miska, Vit W.
Horology: time measuring systems or devices
Plural time zones
368 28, 368 80, 368110, 368190, G04B 1922, G04B 1924, G04B 1904
Patent
active
053392930
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY
The present invention relates to a watch with an improved gear train structure which actuates hands for multiple time displays, and, in particular, to a watch with hands for multiple time displays for which a low price is possible because of reduced cost of the movement, which has superior design characteristics, and for which the hands in the sections displaying times in other time zones are set simultaneously with the setting of the hands for the current time.
BACKGROUND ART
Conventionally, there are multiple time zone display watches, such as a world-clock display found as a kind of digital watches, which can display different times in addition to the current time. As is commonly known, such a digital watch displays time other than the current time by switching the display by the operation of a push button or the like.
Recently, watches which can indicate multiple times using hands for display have also been developed. Specifically, these watches are provided with several display sections, in which the times for other time zones are directly displayed as local times, in addition to the current time display for the locality in which the watch is being used, or, these are watches which display times for other time zones, to which a different-time display function has been added, with the display being switched by the operation of a push button or the like.
The structure of the movement for a hands-display type of watch, on which a plurality of times is displayed in a multi-display section as outlined above, utilizes a plurality of small, finished movements, normally used on bracelet-type watches for women, or the like, which are secured to the watch case and housed at specified locations on a convex section provided on an inner frame of synthetic resin, with a face plate and hands mounted on the individual movements. Thus, multiple hands are used to indicate a plurality of time zones. A watch with this type of structure for displaying many time zones has, therefore, the same number of time display sections as the number of watch movements. The wearer can readily use both a current time display and other-zone time displays by optionally selecting the plurality of time display sections.
The times on this type of watch are adjusted using crowns on an extended line connected to the center section of the timepiece and the center of each of the various time display sections, as external operating means. The wearer can therefore set the various times by pulling out and operating the crown matching the respective time display section.
Further, among multi-time-zone watches with a plurality of crowns, a specially designed watch, which places the crowns close to the band clasp in the case of a watch in which the crowns overlap on the wrist band, either top side or under side, has been developed.
However, these multi-time-zone watches with hands-display-type have a difficulty in aligning a plurality of small movements mounted on the concave housing section of the inner frame, so that it tends to invite the occurrence of a temporary-stoppage phenomenon by interference or deviation of the clearance hole of a hour wheel for attaching an hour hand on the watch-face, or tends to give an awkward appearance.
In addition, because the multi-time display consists of a plurality of small movements, a large number of steps in the assembly process is required, and because the large number of parts the cost of the watch movement becomes rather high. It consequently leads to a high price wrist watch. Also, the watch becomes rather large in shape in comparison with other watches.
Further, the hands in the multi-time display sections must be independently adjusted. For example, when the above-mentioned time display sections are positioned right above or right below a part of the watch, the crowns are difficult to operate, making it extremely difficult for the wearer to set the hands. Also, because the various display sections are driven independently, reading errors may be caused from errors in operation the
REFERENCES:
patent: 1046246 (1912-12-01), Albrecht
patent: 2635414 (1953-04-01), Cottier
patent: 4674889 (1987-06-01), Klaus
patent: 5086416 (1992-02-01), Dubois et al.
patent: 5177712 (1993-01-01), Kakizawa
patent: 5235562 (1993-08-01), Vaucher
Kamiyama Yasuo
Mutou Takeo
Osa Takashi
Citizen Watch Co. Ltd.
Miska Vit W.
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