FR2637993A1 - HIGH CAPACITY TIME COUNTER - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method allowing, by its use on an analog watch, timing of twelve hours, with a reading fineness equal to the minute. It consists of a circular watch, provided with an adjustable ring 7 and a disc 9, performing one revolution per hour, and bearing the usual indexes (full hour and minute graduations). The graduation of the ring 7 is carried out by tracing a first part 4, equal to the angular value of an hourly division of the disc 9, the balance of the circumference into 12 equal parts, themselves subdivided into five. The system according to the invention is particularly intended for the display of information on time and chronographic instruments.

Description

- I -

  The present invention relates to the adaptation to a traditional watch

  of a mechanically simple timekeeping system for

long time.

  The need is often felt, for the owners of watches called "simple" (hours, minutes, seconds,) and analogous

  of a process that meets this requirement.

  The ideal solution is provided by the chronograph with hours counter, if not by an ordinary watch, but provided with a rotating ring at the periphery of the glass, graduated in 60 minutes, carrying an index which can be placed in front of the needle

  hours or minutes depending on the planned duration.

  The first solution has the disadvantage of being expensive, at least if an analog display is desired, this type of product

being mechanically complex.

  The second solution, of great simplicity, is too much

  rudimentary of the accuracy of reading, for a duration exceeding

hour.

  Systems, known as "permanent-running counters", have also been used, mainly on mechanical watches, giving an accuracy of the order of a minute, but suffering from the handicap of a counting capacity that is too low: never more than one hour, or even less, because of the driving of a disc or a needle by the minute axis; the reset being effected by means of a heart,

hammer and pusher.

  The system according to the invention provides cheaper, without special roughing and without increasing the thickness, a simplified chronograph system with a counting capacity of 12 hours, and

  a reading fineness equal to the minute.

  This system also has the particularity of not belonging to

  neither of the two classic watch displays: analogue or digital

  America. It should also be noted that if this system, in its preferred variant, is used for the production of a chronograph, it may be limited to indicating the time, or only as such, or in addition to a usual system, needles, in which case it can then indicate another local time for example. Like the possibilities of an hour counter chronograph, but infinitely easier.

  In its basic version, the simplest, the system according to the

  vention, using a classical watchmaking movement, is

  killed by a dial of the usual type (figure I, in I), every hour

  being clearly marked (2), as well as the five international subdivisions

  I0 minutes mediators; all the hours figures are figured.

  A second disc (3) is driven on the hour wheel ("barrel" '), which remains attached to it; the plot of this disc - hereinafter designated by the term "sp = cific" - is performed as follows: a first part (4) of the circumference is delimited by the transfer of an angle at the center equal to the value of a time division of the dial (I), ie. The balance of the circumference is divided into 12 sectors,

  equal (27 5). themselves subdivided into 5 equal parts; the indica-

  minutes of 5 in 5, clearly marked (6).

  The information is entered in the following order: reading the time on the dial (I), by assessing the number of hours next to the non-graduated part (4) of the mobile and specific disk ( 3); reading the time "every five minutes", by assessing the best coincidence between a time mark of the dial (2), and a marker (6) of the specific disc. Finally, reading "by the minute", by appreciating the best coincidence between two of the 8 benchmarks

  following purposes, depending on the direction of rotation.

  The addition of these last two readings makes the total count

minutes.

  An exact coincidence between two markers (2) and (6) makes of course this last addition superfluous

  By way of example, FIG. 1 indicates 12 hours 18 minutes.

  Naturally, it is possible to use in rotation the disk (I) graduated in hours, the specific disk (3) bearing the timer being fixed, without any modification other than a change of direction in the order -3 - of printing numbers from both discs. (Figure 2, where

  can read the indication 8 hours 48 minutes).

  In the preferred variant, the small size of the system according to the invention and its simplicity are used to achieve a high capacity time counter (I2 hours), with a reading fineness equal to the minute, and offering the usual indications. time

  civil, by hour hands, minutes, seconds.

  A traditional watch (figure 4), equipped with a crown

  logue to that fitted to the diving watches (7), which can be rotated around the glass under the effect of a deliberate manipulation, excluding any random displacement, is also provided with a transparent disc (9), allowing to perceive the trace (10I) of the dial (II); drawn here stylized. The glass (8) is fixed to the housing between the two

  discs (7) and (9) in the annular housing (I2).

  The disc (9) driven on the hour wheel (I3), and under the needle, is at the same level as the outer ring (7): its position relative to the hour hand can be any, as shown in drawing 3, but the superimposition of this needle at mark I2 of the hour circle of the transparent disk (9) is not

without interest.

  The graduation of the two discs (9 and 7), and in all respects identical

to that of Figures I and 2.

  Gearing between the roadway and the timer, then between the timer gear and the gun, will be reduced as much as possible to eliminate any possibility of minimal movement but

  inadvertent transparent disk (9).

  To start a timing, it is sufficient to place the zero scale of the crown (7), exactly opposite the graduation 12 of the transparent disk (9 '; operation made easier by the fact that the time reference II of the same disk will correspond so too

  exactly at 60 of the crown.

  It should be noted here that the system according to the invention offers a possibility to which the conventional time counters can not claim: that of starting a timing by displaying at

26379Q93

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prior to any duration.

  The advantages derived from the system according to the invention, even in its simplified version, are appreciable: a single element the mobile device carries out the functions usually devolved to the hour and minute hands, o important space saving in height, under glass; the installation of this disc can be done without the usual constraints or'impose the needles (setting benchmark);

  finally, reading can be done regardless of the position of the instru-

  time, against those equipped with needles, or numerical, Io0 very difficult to consult when this position differs too much

from the usual one.

  The system according to the invention can also use one of the conventional methods (pushers, hammers, brakes, hearts) to allow the start, stop, reset-to-zero of the mobile disk, and thus offers, I5 equipped with a chronograph second hand, identical to those of an hour-meter chronograph, but at a lower price, given the reduction in the number of pieces and without prejudice to the aesthetic aspect which, although new,

  stays in the mind of this kind of hourly devices.

  More recent procedures, such as full or partial servicing of the chronograph mobile with a: electronic control and electromechanical motor are also possible with the system.

according to the invention.

  The system according to the invention is particularly intended for the af-

  recording of information on time and chronographic instruments.

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Claims (6)

Claims.   I) Hourly or chronographic display system, characterized in that it consists of a usual dial - I2 index hours, minutes and a disk (3, Figure I) attached to the gear, performing a revolution per hour, the circumference of which is divided into I3 parts, one of which (4) is equal to the angular value of an hour division of the dial, and the balance in I2 equal parts   (5), themselves subdivided into 5.   2) Time or chronographic display system, characterized in that it consists of a disk (I, Figure 2), graduated as a usual dial, rotating one hour, and a fixed disk (3). ) whose circumference is divided into I3 parts, one (4) of which is equal to the angular value of a time division of the moving disk (I), the balance in I2 equal parts (5), themselves subdivided I5 in five.   3) time instrument according to claim I, or claim 2, characterized in that it is provided with hour hands, minutes and seconds.   4) time instrument according to any one of claims I to 3,   characterized in that the non-integral disc of the gear train (7) can   be moved in rotation concentrically to the dial.   5) time instrument according to any one of claims I to 3,   characterized in that it is equipped with one or more buttons   mandating the training of the mobile disc, its stop, its return to the initial position.   6) time instrument according to claim 5, characterized in that   that it is equipped with a chronograph second hand.