Display device for a series of indications for displaying time variables for a timepiece

Abstract

The present invention relates to a display device (1) for a series of indications of time variables for a timepiece, the display device (1) comprising an indicator which bears a series of indications of the time variables to be displayed, the indicator being arranged to be driven by a timepiece movement so as to move from an initial position through a series of intermediate positions to a final position, at which series of intermediate positions the display of the time variables is effected from one indication to the next at a desired frequency, the display device (1) further comprising a positioning mechanism (22; 72) for positioning the indicator in a reference position and further comprising actuation means, the positioning mechanism (22; 72) for positioning the indicator in the reference position comprising a cam, the actuation means, when actuated, acting on the cam such that the positioning mechanism (22; 72) for positioning the indicator in the reference position returns the indicator to its predetermined reference position.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device for a series of indications for displaying time variables in a timepiece. More specifically, the present invention relates to such a display device for a series of indications for displaying time variables, equipped with correction means for correcting the display. Background Art

[0002] The present invention relates to a display device for a series of indications for displaying time variables, such as a device for displaying the lunar phase or even a device for displaying the number of weeks, which is included in a timepiece, in particular a timepiece of the watch type, and the correction of which requires a prior reset or is facilitated by a prior reset. For example, the correction of a lunar phase display device requires counting the number of days since the most recent full moon, and the number of weeks displayed by a device for displaying the number of weeks (also known as the week calendar) may vary from one year to the next, and the correction of this device is facilitated by a reset at the beginning of the year.

[0003] The lunar phase display device allows the display of the different lunar phases (new moon, crescent moon, first quarter moon, gibbous moon, full moon, waning gibbous moon, last quarter moon, and crescent moon) that occur one after another during the lunar month, where the duration between two consecutive new moons is 29 days 12 hours 44 minutes 2.8 seconds. In the field of mechanical timepieces, this duration (also known as the lunar month) is rounded to 29.5 days and usually advances 1 step per day. Therefore, the correction of the lunar phase display device is also carried out in steps of 1 day, and the correction method usually recommended to customers is to make the display in an easily recognizable reference position, such as the full moon position, by manipulating the day-by-day corrector, then count the number of days separating the full moon from the lunar age on a given date, and finally make the lunar phase display enter the appropriate position in steps of 1 day per step by means of the day-by-day corrector. Thus, it can be understood that the correction of the lunar phase display device may require 29 corrections to make the device enter the position of displaying the full moon, and then up to 29 further corrections to make the device enter the position corresponding to the lunar age on a given date.

[0004] The device for displaying the number of weeks - also known as the week calendar - displays the number of weeks elapsed during the year. Depending on the design, such a week calendar display device includes 1 - 53 hands or a single-hole display by means of a single disk, or a "large date" type display of 00 - 59 that uses a first disk to display the units digit (0 - 9) and a second disk to display the tens digit (0 - 5). Since each year does not always contain the same number of weeks, the correction method usually recommended to customers is to return the number of weeks display device to its initial position, i.e., position 1. For hand displays or single-hole displays, the correction is easily carried out. On the other hand, to the applicant's knowledge, in the case of a "large date" type display, there is no method to immediately return the display to position 01 without passing through positions 54 to 00.

[0005] These various types of devices for displaying a series of indications of time variables exist in multiple forms. Improvements thereto generally relate to the accuracy of the display or the aesthetics of the information displayed.

[0006] However, for some problems related to the use of these display devices, no completely satisfactory solution has been found. This is especially the case when these display devices must be set after the watch has stopped for a long time to make them provide correct indications again. More specifically, it should be understood that after a clock or watch incorporating certain display devices has stopped for a longer or shorter period of time, the operations for setting these display devices such as the moon phase display device or the week number display device may be long and cumbersome. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention aims to overcome the above problems and other problems by providing a display device for a clock or watch for displaying a series of indications of time variables, the display device having convenient display correction.

[0008] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a display device for a clock or watch for displaying a series of indications of time variables, the display device including an indicator that carries or points to a series of indications of the time variables to be displayed, the indicator being arranged to be driven by a clock movement so as to move from an initial position through a series of intermediate positions to a final position, at which series of intermediate positions the display of the time variables progresses from one indication to the next at a desired frequency, the display device further including a positioning mechanism for positioning the indicator in a reference position and also including actuating means, the positioning mechanism for positioning the indicator in the reference position including at least one cam, the actuating means, when actuated, acting on the cam such that the positioning mechanism for positioning the indicator in the reference position returns the indicator to its predetermined reference position.

[0009] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the cam is a heart-shaped or spiral-shaped member, the positioning of which relative to the indicator determines the predetermined reference position of the indicator.

[0010] According to another particular embodiment of the present invention, the positioning mechanism for positioning the indicator in the reference position includes a hammer arranged such that when actuated by means of the actuating means, it enters a working position in contact with the heart-shaped or spiral-shaped member so as to pivot the indicator and return it to its predetermined reference position.

[0011] According to yet another particular embodiment of the present invention, the heart-shaped or spiral-shaped member is mounted fixed to the indicator.

[0012] According to yet another particular embodiment of the present invention, the cam is a heart-shaped or spiral-shaped member fixedly mounted on the clock frame, and the positioning mechanism for positioning the indicator in the reference position includes a hammer mounted on the indicator.

[0013] According to yet another specific embodiment of the present invention, in order to actuate the hammer, the actuating device includes a button that acts against the elastic force of a spring, and the spring is arranged such that the hammer is away from the working position in contact with the heart-shaped or spiral member.

[0014] According to yet another specific embodiment of the present invention, the indicator is a moon phase wheel having 59 teeth, and the moon phase wheel carries two moon indicators and is driven by the watch movement at a rate of one step per day.

[0015] According to yet another specific embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined reference position of the moon phase wheel corresponds to the full moon display position.

[0016] According to yet another specific embodiment of the present invention, the indicator is a current week number display wheel having 53 teeth, and the current week number display wheel carries an indicator pointer that moves relative to a scale with week numbers from 1 to 53.

[0017] According to yet another specific embodiment of the present invention, the reference position of the current week number display wheel corresponds to the week number "1" display position.

[0018] According to yet another specific embodiment of the present invention, the display device for a series of indications for displaying time variables belongs to the "big date" type and includes a units display component for displaying the units digit of the week number and a tens display component for displaying the tens digit of the week number.

[0019] According to yet another specific embodiment of the present invention, the units display component includes a units dial on which the units digits 0 to 9 of the week number are engraved, the units dial is fixed to a units star wheel having 10 teeth, and the tens display component includes a tens dial on which the tens digits 0 to 5 of the week number are engraved, the tens dial is fixed to a tens star wheel having 6 teeth, the positioning mechanism for positioning the indicator at the reference position includes a heart-shaped or spiral member arranged to be fixedly mounted below each of the units star wheel and the tens star wheel, and the actuating device includes a hammer that falls on the heart-shaped or spiral member and pivots the units dial and the tens dial simultaneously so as to return them to their predetermined reference positions.

[0020] According to yet another specific embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined reference positions of the units dial and the tens dial correspond to the display indicating "01".

[0021] According to yet another specific embodiment of the present invention, positioning the indicator carrying a series of indications of the time variable to be displayed or pointing to a series of indications of the time variable to be displayed to the reference position can be controlled by the user, for example, by acting on a first button, and a second button is arranged to ensure step-by-step correction of the indicator independently of the first button.

[0022] According to yet another specific embodiment of the present invention, the positioning of an indicator carrying a series of indications of a time variable to be displayed or a series of indications pointing to a time variable to be displayed to a reference position is automatically performed when the button is actuated for the first time, the button being arranged to control the step-by-step correction of the indicator when actuated a second time on the same button.

[0023] According to yet another specific embodiment of the present invention, the driving, correction and return of an indicator carrying a series of indications of a time variable to be displayed or a series of indications pointing to a time variable to be displayed to a reference position are effected by a wolf-tooth rack, the driving and correction of the indicator being effected by driving the wolf-tooth rack by a tooth, its reverse movement being blocked by a pawl, and the return of the indicator to the reference position being ensured by actuating the pawl which releases the wolf-tooth rack which returns to its stop position under the action of a return spring, in which stop position the pawl engages with a tooth provided at the end of the wolf-tooth rack.

[0024] The present invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one display device for displaying a series of indications of a time variable to be displayed, the display device being equipped with a positioning mechanism for positioning an indicator carrying a series of indications of a time variable to be displayed or a series of indications pointing to a time variable to be displayed to a reference position.

[0025] In the case where the timepiece comprises a plurality of display devices, these display devices are arranged such that they can be simultaneously repositioned to the reference position by the same actuation of the user on a single button.

[0026] Due to these features, the present invention provides a display device for a series of indications of time variables for a timepiece, the display device including a positioning mechanism for automatically repositioning it immediately to a reference position when requested by the user or upon each first calibration. Thus, after the timepiece provided with the display device has stopped for a longer or shorter period of time, the display device can be returned to its initial position by simply actuating a hammer, which acts on a cam integral with the indicator so as to return the indicator to its initial position, wherein the indicator bears a series of indications of the time variables to be displayed or points to a series of indications of the time variables to be displayed. Thus, in the case of a display device according to the present invention for displaying the lunar phase, for example, there is no longer a need for the cumbersome operation of pressing a button 1 to 30 times according to the date when the timepiece stopped in order to return a conventional lunar phase display device to a position corresponding to the beginning of the lunar month. In the case where the positioning mechanism for positioning the indicator in the reference position includes a heart-shaped member, the calibration of the display device can be carried out in two rotational directions. However, in the case of using a scroll member, the calibration of the display device is always carried out in the same rotational direction, which is particularly significant in the case of a "large date" type week number display device that displays the units digit (0-9) through a first disk and the tens digit (0-5) through a second disk. More specifically, by forcing the calibration of the units digit display and the tens digit display in a rotational direction opposite to the normal display of the week number, the "large date" display device no longer briefly displays non-existent week numbers 54 to 59. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of an embodiment of the display device according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, in which:

[0028] - Figure 1 is a top view of a lunar phase display device according to the present invention equipped with a positioning mechanism for positioning an indicator in a reference position;

[0029] - Figure 2 is a bottom view of the lunar phase display device, showing that the positioning mechanism for positioning the indicator in the reference position is formed by a heart-shaped member and a hammer;

[0030] - Figure 3 is similar to Figure 2 and shows that the positioning mechanism for positioning the indicator in the reference position is formed by a scroll member and a hammer.

[0031] - Figure 4 is a top view of a current week number display device according to the present invention equipped with a positioning mechanism for positioning an indicator in a reference position;

[0032] -Figure 5 is a bottom view of the current week number display device of the year, showing that the positioning mechanism for positioning the indicator at the reference position is formed by a scroll member and a hammer member;

[0033] - Figure 6 is a top view of the current week number display device of the "large date" type;

[0034] - Figure 7 is similar to Figure 6 in view, wherein the "large date" current week number display device is supplemented with a correction lever controlled by a button;

[0035] - Figure 8 is similar to Figure 6 and Figure 7 in view, wherein the finger member for driving the tens digit fixed to the units star wheel is visible, and the tens digit display component is incremented one step every 10 weeks;

[0036] - Figure 9 is similar to Figures 6 to 8 in view, wherein the "large date" current week number display device of the year is supplemented with its positioning mechanism according to the present invention for positioning the indicator at the reference position;

[0037] - Figure 10 is a top view of the display device, wherein the driving, correction, and repositioning of the pointer pointing to a series of indications of the time variable to be displayed to the reference position are performed by a wolf-tooth rack. Detailed Description

[0038] The present invention is derived from the following general inventive concept, which includes: providing a display device for displaying a series of indications of a time variable such as the lunar phase or the current week number of the year with a positioning mechanism for positioning the indicator at the reference position, so as to allow the indicator carrying a series of indications or pointing to the series of indications to immediately return to its initial position when a simple action is applied to the hammer member acting on the cam integrated with the indicator. Therefore, in the case where the clock provided with the display device according to the present invention stops for a long or short period of time, it is very easy to return the indicator to its initial position, and then manually set the position of the indicator from this initial position according to the current day.

[0039] According to the appended herein Figure 1 and Figure 2A particular embodiment of the present invention as shown provides a display device for displaying a series of indications of a time variable to display the lunar phase. The display device for displaying a series of indications of a time variable, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, includes a lunar phase indicator 2. Preferably, but in a non-limiting manner, the lunar phase indicator 2 is a 59-tooth lunar phase wheel 3 which carries two moon indications 4a and 4b for displaying the lunar phase through a hole provided in the watch dial (not shown), wherein the watch is provided with the display device 1 for displaying a series of indications of a time variable according to the present invention. The lunar phase wheel 3 is driven at a rate of one step per day by a driving finger 6 fixedly mounted on a 24-hour wheel 8 which itself is driven at a rate of one full turn per day by an hour wheel 10. The lunar phase wheel 3 is held in place by a jumper 12 elastically loaded by a first spring 14. The display device 1 for displaying a series of indications of a time variable further includes a correction lever 16 which, under normal circumstances, is held away from the lunar phase wheel 3 by the action of a second spring 18. The correction lever 16 is arranged to progressively advance the lunar phase wheel 3 and allow the lunar phase display to be corrected when the user of the watch actuates a first button 20.

[0040] According to the present invention, the display device 1 for displaying a series of indications of a time variable is equipped with a positioning mechanism 22 for positioning the indicator in a reference position, the positioning mechanism 22 including a cam in the form of a heart-shaped member 24, for example, which is fixedly mounted on the lower surface 26 of the lunar phase wheel 3. The heart-shaped member 24 has an indexing face 28 which cooperates via this indexing face 28 with a hammer member 30 which is elastically held away from its working position in contact with the indexing face 28 of the heart-shaped member 24 by a third spring 32. When the user acts on the hammer member 30 using a second button 34 against the elastic force of the third spring 32, the hammer member 30 falls onto the heart-shaped member 24 and causes the heart-shaped member 24 to pivot until the hammer member 30 is stably supported on the indexing face 28 of the heart-shaped member 24. The position of the heart-shaped member 24 relative to the lunar phase wheel 3 is adjusted such that when the hammer member 30 falls onto the heart-shaped member 24, the lunar phase wheel 3 returns to its reference position, preferably to the full moon display position.

[0041] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the cam member 24 of the positioning mechanism 22 for positioning the indicator at the reference position is replaced by a scroll member 36. The positioning mechanism 22 for positioning the indicator at the reference position remains unchanged in other respects. In the case where the cam member 24 is used to return the moon phase wheel 3 to its reference position, depending on the position where the hammer member 30 lands on the contour of the cam member 24, the moon phase wheel 3 will rotate in one direction or the other until the hammer member 30 begins to bear on the positioning indicating surface 28. In the case where the scroll member 36 is used, the moon phase wheel 3 will always rotate in the same direction regardless of the position on the contour of the scroll member 36 where the hammer member 30 lands, and stops when the hammer member 30 begins to bear on the end 38 of the helix 40 of the scroll member 36.

[0042] Now, the case where the display device is intended to display the week number of the current year will be studied. Such a week number display device of the current year, generally denoted by the general reference numeral 42, includes an indicator for indicating the week number of the current year. Preferably but in a non-limiting manner, the indicator for indicating the week number of the current year is a 53-tooth week number display wheel 44 of the current year, and the week number display wheel 44 of the current year carries an indicator pointer 46, which moves relative to a scale with week numbers from 1 to 53 (see Figure 4 and Figure 5 ). The positioning mechanism 22 for positioning the week number display wheel 44 of the current year at the reference position remains unchanged in other respects. The week number display wheel 44 of the current year is driven at a rate of one step per week. When the week number display wheel 44 of the current year is returned to its reference position by actuating the hammer member 30, due to the use of the scroll member 36, the week number display wheel 44 of the current year always rotates in the same direction, and in this reference position, the indicator pointer 46 preferably points to the week number indication "1" of the current year.

[0043] In the case where the indicator pointer 46 does not make a full rotation to display the week number of the current year, the use of the scroll member 36 is particularly advantageous. More specifically, it can be envisaged that the display of the week numbers from 1 to 53 occurs, for example, only around a 270° angular sector between 1:30 and 10:30 to avoid overloading the dial at noon, when the indication "12" is usually emphasized by a larger or thicker display. In this case, by means of the scroll member 36, the indicator pointer 46 can be returned to its reference position, and the indicator pointer 46 can rotate in a direction opposite to the direction in which it rotates to display the week numbers from 1 to 53, so that there is no longer a risk that the indicator pointer 46 enters the sector of the dial displaying the indication "12".

[0044] According to Figures 6 to 9 Another particular embodiment of the present invention shown, the display device for displaying the week number of the current year belongs to the "big date" type. The "big date" display device, generally denoted by the general reference numeral 48, includes a units display assembly 50 and a tens display assembly 51.

[0045] The units display component 50 includes a units disk 52, on which the units digits 0 to 9 of the week number are engraved. The units disk 52 is fixed to a units star wheel 54 having 10 teeth. The position of the units star wheel 54 is indexed by a units jump member 56. The units star wheel 54 is driven by a units drive finger member 58 at a rate of one step per week. The units display component 50 further includes a tens drive finger member 60 fixed to the units star wheel 54, and the tens drive finger member 60 increments the tens display component 51 by one step at the end of every 9 weeks.

[0046] The tens display component 51 includes a tens disk 62, on which the tens digits 0 to 5 of the week number are engraved. The tens disk 62 is fixed to a tens star wheel 64 having 6 teeth. The position of the tens star wheel 64 is indexed by a tens jump member 66. When the units digit of the week number changes from "9" to "0", the units star wheel 54 drives the tens star wheel 64 via the tens drive finger member 60.

[0047] The "large date" display device 48 is supplemented with a calibration lever 68, and when the user acts on a button 70, the calibration lever 68 allows the units star wheel 54 to advance one step each time the button 70 is actuated.

[0048] According to the present invention, the "large date" display device 48 is equipped with a positioning mechanism 72 for positioning an indicator at a reference position. The positioning mechanism 72 includes, for example, two cams in the form of scroll members 74, which are respectively fixedly mounted below the units star wheel 54 and the tens star wheel 64. Each of these scroll members 74 has a spiral profile 76, and the scroll member 74 cooperates with one of the actuating surfaces 78 of a hammer member 80 by means of its spiral profile 76. The hammer member 80 is elastically held away from its working position in contact with these scroll members 74 by a spring 82. When the user acts on the hammer member 80 by using a button 84 to overcome the elastic force of the spring 82, the hammer member 80 falls onto the scroll member 74 and causes the scroll member 74 to pivot until the hammer member 80 is stably supported on the end 86 of the spiral profile 76 of the scroll member 74. The positions of the scroll members 74 relative to the units star wheel 54 and the tens star wheel 64 are adjusted such that when the hammer member 80 falls onto the scroll member 74, the units disk 52 and the tens disk 62 return to their reference positions, preferably to their positions indicating "01".

[0049] It must be understood that, due to the use of the scroll member 74, the units disk 52 and the tens disk 62 will always rotate in the same direction, regardless of the position on the contour of the scroll member 74 where the hammer member 80 lands, and stop when the hammer member 80 starts to bear on the end 86 of the spiral contour 76 of the scroll member 74. This is particularly advantageous because, by forcing the correction of the units display and the tens display in a rotational direction opposite to the normal rotational direction for displaying the week number, the "big date" display device 48 no longer briefly displays non-existent week numbers 54 to 59.

[0050] According to Figure 10 In a specific embodiment of the present invention as shown, the driving, correction, and return to the reference position of a series of indicators (such as an indicator of the type of indicator pointer 88 in this example) pointing to the time variable to be displayed - in this case, for 15 consecutive days - are performed by a toothed rack 90 with wolf teeth, which is held in place by a first return spring 92 and whose movement is controlled by a correction lever 94 held in place by a second return spring 96. By applying a force on the correction lever 94 as shown by the arrow F1, the driving and step-by-step correction of the indicator pointer 88 are performed by driving the toothed rack 90 with wolf teeth one tooth at a time by means of the correction lever 94. The backward movement of the toothed rack 90 with wolf teeth is prevented by a pawl 98 held in place by a third return spring 100. Returning the indicator pointer 88 to its reference position is controlled by the user, who actuates the pawl 98 as shown by the arrow F2, which has the effect of releasing the pawl 98 from the tooth portion of the toothed rack 90 with wolf teeth and thus releasing the toothed rack 90 with wolf teeth. Under the action of its return spring 92, the toothed rack 90 with wolf teeth will thus be able to return to its idle position, where the pawl 98 engages with a tooth 102 provided at the end of the toothed rack 90 with wolf teeth.

[0051] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art can consider various simple alternatives and modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims. It must be particularly noted that the clock can be equipped with multiple display devices for a series of indicators for displaying time variables, each display device being equipped with a positioning mechanism for positioning the indicator in the reference position according to the present invention, and all these display devices are simultaneously returned to the reference position by the same action of the user on a single button. It must also be noted that in the figures attached to this patent application, moving elements such as the correction lever are shown in dashed lines in their idle positions and in solid lines in their working positions.

[0052] The term

[0053] 1. Display device for a series of indicators for displaying time variables

[0054] 2. Lunar phase indicator

[0055] 3. Lunar phase wheel

[0056] 4a, 4b. Moon indicator

[0057] 6. Driving finger

[0058] 8. 24 - hour wheel

[0059] 10. Hour wheel

[0060] 12. Jumping piece

[0061] 14. First spring

[0062] 16. Calibration rod

[0063] 18. Second spring

[0064] 20. First button

[0065] 22. Positioning mechanism for positioning the indicator at the reference position

[0066] 24. Heart - shaped piece

[0067] 26. Lower surface

[0068] 28. Positioning indication surface

[0069] 30. Hammer piece

[0070] 32. Third spring

[0071] 34. Second button

[0072] 36. Spiral piece

[0073] 38. End part

[0074] 40. Helix

[0075] 42. Current week number display device

[0076] 44. Current week number display wheel

[0077] 46. Indicator pointer

[0078] 48. "Large date" display device

[0079] 50. Units digit display component

[0080] 51. Tens digit display component

[0081] 52. Units digit disk

[0082] 54. Units digit star wheel

[0083] 56. Units digit jumping piece

[0084] 58. Units digit driving finger

[0085] 60. Ten - digit driving finger - shaped part

[0086] 62. Ten - digit disk

[0087] 64. Ten - digit star wheel

[0088] 66. Ten - digit jumping part

[0089] 68. Calibration rod

[0090] 70. Button

[0091] 72. Positioning mechanism for positioning the indicator at the reference position

[0092] 74. Spiral part

[0093] 76. Spiral contour

[0094] 78. Actuating surface

[0095] 80. Hammer part

[0096] 82. Spring

[0097] 84. Button

[0098] 86. End part

[0099] 88. Indicator pointer

[0100] 90. Wolf - tooth shaped rack

[0101] 92. First reset spring

[0102] 94. Calibration rod

[0103] 96. Second reset spring

[0104] 98. Pawl

[0105] 100. Third reset spring

[0106] 102. Tooth

Claims

1. A display device (1) for a timepiece for displaying a series of indications of a time variable, the display device (1) comprising an indicator which bears or points to a series of indications of the time variable to be displayed, the indicator being arranged to be driven by a timepiece movement so as to move from an initial position through a series of intermediate positions to a final position, at which series of intermediate positions the display of the time variable is advanced from one indication to the next at a desired frequency, the display device (1) further comprising a positioning mechanism (22; 72) for positioning the indicator in a reference position and further comprising actuation means, the positioning mechanism (22; 72) for positioning the indicator in the reference position comprising at least one cam, the actuation means, when actuated, acting on the cam such that the positioning mechanism (22; 72) for positioning the indicator in the reference position returns the indicator to its predetermined reference position; the cam being a heart-shaped member (24) or a scroll member (36; 74) fixedly mounted in place on the timepiece frame, and the positioning mechanism for positioning the indicator in the reference position comprising a hammer member (30; 80) mounted on the indicator.

2. The display device (1) for a series of indications of a time variable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cam is a heart-shaped member (24) or a scroll member (36; 74), the positioning of the heart-shaped member (24) or the scroll member (36; 74) relative to the indicator determining the predetermined reference position of the indicator.

3. The display device (1) for a series of indications of a time variable according to claim 2, characterized in that, The positioning mechanism for positioning the indicator in the reference position comprises a hammer member (30; 80), the hammer member (30; 80) being arranged such that, when actuated by means of the actuation means, the hammer member (30; 80) enters a working position in contact with the heart-shaped member (24) or the scroll member (36; 74) so as to pivot the indicator and return the indicator to its predetermined reference position.

4. The display device (1) for a series of indications of a time variable according to claim 3, characterized in that, The heart-shaped member (24) or the scroll member (36; 74) is fixedly mounted on the indicator.

5. A display device (1) for a series of indications of a time variable according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, To actuate the hammer member (30; 80), the actuation means comprises a button (34; 84) which acts against the elastic force of a spring (32; 82), the spring (32; 82) being arranged to keep the hammer member (30; 80) away from the working position in contact with the heart-shaped member (24) or the scroll member (36; 74).

6. A display device (1) for a series of indications for displaying a time variable, according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The indicator is a lunar phase wheel (3) having 59 teeth which bears two moon indications (4a, 4b) and is driven by the timepiece movement at a rate of one step per day.

7. The display device (1) for a series of indications for displaying a time variable according to claim 6, characterized in that, The predetermined reference position of the lunar phase wheel (3) corresponds to the full moon display position.

8. A display device (1) for a series of indications of a time variable according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The indicator is a current week number display wheel (44) having 53 teeth which bears an indicator pointer (46), the indicator pointer (46) moving relative to a scale bearing the week numbers from 1 to 53.

9. The display device (1) for a series of indications for displaying a time variable according to claim 8, characterized in that, The predetermined reference position of the current week number display wheel (44) corresponds to the week number "1" display position.

10. A display device (1) for a series of indications of a time variable according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The display device (1) belongs to the "large date" type and the indicator of the display device (1) includes a units display assembly (50) for displaying the units digit of the week number and a tens display assembly (51) for displaying the tens digit of the week number.

11. The display device (1) for a series of indications for displaying a time variable according to claim 10, characterized in that, The units display assembly (50) includes a units disk (52) on which the units digits 0 to 9 of the week number are engraved. The units disk (52) is fixed to a units star wheel (54) having 10 teeth. And the tens display assembly (51) includes a tens disk (62) on which the tens digits 0 to 5 of the week number are engraved. The tens disk (62) is fixed to a tens star wheel (64) having 6 teeth. The positioning mechanism for positioning the indicator in a reference position includes a heart-shaped or scroll-shaped member (74) fixedly mounted below each of the units star wheel (54) and the tens star wheel (64). And the actuating device includes a hammer member (80) that falls on the heart-shaped or scroll-shaped member (74), thereby causing the units disk (52) and the tens disk (62) to pivot simultaneously so as to return the units disk (52) and the tens disk (62) to their predetermined reference positions.

12. The display device (1) for a series of indications of a time variable according to claim 11, characterized in that, The predetermined reference positions of the units disk (52) and the tens disk (62) correspond to the display indicating "01".

13. A display device (1) for a timepiece for displaying a series of indications of a time variable, the display device (1) including an indicator that bears or points to a series of indications of the time variable to be displayed. The indicator is arranged to be driven by a timepiece movement so as to move from an initial position through a series of intermediate positions to a final position. At the series of intermediate positions, the display of the time variable changes from one indication to the next at a desired frequency. The display device (1) further includes a positioning mechanism for positioning the indicator in a reference position and also includes an actuating device. The positioning mechanism for positioning the indicator in the reference position includes a wolf-tooth-shaped rack (90). The wolf-tooth-shaped rack (90) drives, corrects the indicator that bears or points to a series of indications of the time variable to be displayed and returns the indicator to the reference position. The driving and correction of the indicator are performed by driving the wolf-tooth-shaped rack (90) to move one tooth. The reverse movement of the wolf-tooth-shaped rack (90) is blocked by a pawl (98). And the positioning of the indicator in the reference position is ensured by actuating the pawl (98). Actuating the pawl (98) releases the wolf-tooth-shaped rack (90). The wolf-tooth-shaped rack (90) returns to its idle position under the action of a return spring (92). At the idle position, the pawl (98) engages with a tooth (102) provided at the end of the wolf-tooth-shaped rack (90).

14. The display device (1) for a series of indications of a time variable according to claim 1, characterized in that, Positioning the indicator carrying a series of indications of the time variable to be displayed or a series of indications pointing to the time variable to be displayed to a reference position can be controlled by the user by acting on a first button, while a second button is arranged to ensure a step-by-step correction of the indicator independently of the first button.

15. A display device (1) for a series of indications of a time variable according to claim 1, characterized in that, Positioning the indicator carrying a series of indications of the time variable to be displayed or a series of indications pointing to the time variable to be displayed to a reference position is automatically performed upon a first actuation of a button, the button being arranged to control a step-by-step correction of the indicator upon a second actuation of the same button.

16. A timepiece, the timepiece comprising at least one display device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. The clock according to claim 16, characterized in that, The timepiece comprises a plurality of display devices (1) arranged such that they can be simultaneously repositioned to the reference position by the same actuation of the user on a single button.

Images