Analog clock with perpetual calendar

Abstract

An analog clock with a perpetual calendar comprising a case, a movement, a dial, a date display, a day-of-the-week display, and a calendar mechanism driven by the movement, wherein the calendar mechanism includes a rotatably mounted rocker switch, a 31-day wheel, a date ring, and a leap year cam carrying information on the length of the months in a leap year cycle, wherein the rocker switch can be engaged with the 31-day wheel such that the 31-day wheel is advanced at each change of day and completes one full revolution in a month, wherein the leap year cam and the 31-day wheel are arranged such that the movement of the 31-day wheel can be transferred to the leap year cam, and wherein the leap year cam interacts with the rocker switch such that the position of the rocker switch is adjusted according to the length of the month, and wherein the date ring is associated with the date display and configured to show the current calendar day.characterized in that the date ring has a date ring axis and the date ring axis is arranged coaxially to the central axis of the analog clock.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an analog clock with a perpetual calendar according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0002] An analog clock of this type comprises a case, a movement, a dial, a date display, a day-of-the-week display, and a calendar mechanism driven by the movement, wherein the calendar mechanism includes a rotatably mounted rocker switch, a 31-day wheel, a date ring, and a leap year cam carrying information on the length of the months in a leap year cycle, wherein the rocker switch can be engaged with the 31-day wheel such that the 31-day wheel is advanced at each change of day and completes one full revolution in a month, wherein the leap year cam and the 31-day wheel are arranged such that the movement of the 31-day wheel can be transferred to the leap year cam, and wherein the leap year cam interacts with the rocker switch such that the position of the rocker switch is adjusted according to the length of the month, and wherein the date ring is associated with the date display and configured to show the current calendar day.

[0003] Clocks with a perpetual calendar are analog clocks that, when displaying the current date, also take into account the extra day in February every four years, which is a leap year. The calendar of such clocks does not need to be manually adjusted, although the option for manual adjustment is often available.

[0004] A primary challenge for calendar mechanisms is that the months of a year have a different number of days, which must be taken into account when advancing the months. The information about the length of the months is stored within the mechanism, for example, in the form of a cam disc with sections of varying radii, each corresponding to a calendar month. This cam disc is then scanned along its circumference by a lever, which is deflected to varying degrees by the different radii of the cam discs. However, a correction must be made every four years at the end of February, because in a leap year, February has one more day than usual, namely 29.This usually involves the use of a correction element that adjusts the deflection of the lever scanning the cam disc once every four years, so that the month only advances after 29 days.

[0005] Despite the fact that such analog clocks function very similarly based on long-established principles, they differ enormously in their external appearance. The calendar information displayed on the dial and how this display is implemented is highly individual.

[0006] One possibility, for example, is to display the current date alongside the time on a watch. The positioning of the date display on the dial is primarily determined by design considerations and an appealing aesthetic. Furthermore, good legibility of the displayed date plays a crucial role, which can be influenced by factors such as the size of the date display and a clear layout. Ideally, the mechanism required for the date display should be integrated into the watch case in a space-saving manner, thus ensuring sufficient room and flexibility in the arrangement of other displays and their components within the calendar mechanism. This flexibility is extremely important when the wearer is to be provided with a wealth of information.It is therefore not uncommon to display not only the current date, but also the day of the week, the month, the leap year cycle, and the current moon phase, with the calendar mechanism allowing for the most flexible arrangement of displays on the dial side. Further complications, such as the small seconds subdial, can also be used to enhance the aesthetics of a watch.

[0007] An analog clock with a perpetual calendar is known, for example, from CH660440GA3. This clock features an analog display with a leap year indicator, a moon phase indicator, and displays for the day of the week, calendar month, and calendar day. With the exception of the moon phase indicator, the displays are all the same size and circular, and are essentially distributed at the positions "3 o'clock," "6 o'clock," "9 o'clock," and "12 o'clock." Since the drives for the individual displays are derived from the calendar mechanism, the arrangement of the calendar mechanism must be coordinated with the arrangement of the displays, and the corresponding gears of the calendar mechanism must be positioned as close as possible to the displays. This results in a certain limitation in the flexibility of the display arrangement.

[0008] This is where the present invention comes in, providing an analog clock with improved flexibility in the arrangement of the displays.

[0009] The problem is solved by the features of independent claim 1. Accordingly, a solution to the problem according to the invention exists if the date ring has a date ring axis and the date ring axis is arranged coaxially to the central axis of the analog clock.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the calendar mechanism includes a leap year indicator for displaying the leap year. This makes the leap year information stored within the calendar mechanism easily accessible to the user of the analog clock.

[0011] Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the calendar mechanism comprises a first gear which completes one full revolution every two years and is configured to transfer the movement of the 31-day wheel to the leap year cam.

[0012] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the first gear is non-rotatably connected to a switching disk, the switching disk having two switching lugs spaced 180° apart around its circumference, and a leap year indicator drive connected to the leap year indicator interacts with the switching lugs of the switching disk in such a way that the leap year indicator is advanced at the end of each year. This allows for a particularly simple connection between the calendar mechanism and the leap year indicator.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the leap year indicator is designed as a disc and completes one full rotation every eight years. Advantageously, the leap year indicator can be integrally connected to the leap year indicator drive, with the leap year indicator and the leap year indicator drive sharing a common axis of rotation. On the disc-shaped leap year indicator, for example, the digits one to four can be arranged around the circumference to number the years of a leap year cycle. If the leap year indicator requires eight years for one full rotation, the digits one to four are applied twice to number the years of a leap year cycle. It is conceivable that the leap year indicator is arranged such that only the corresponding digit for the current year in the leap year cycle is visible on the dial.Alternatively, the leap year indicator, designed as a disc, could also be arranged to be fully visible, with the digit for the current year in the leap year cycle positioned, for example, at 12 o'clock on the disc.

[0014] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the calendar mechanism comprises a second gear which can be advanced by one-twelfth of its circumference at the end of each month and whose movement can be transmitted to the leap year mechanism, wherein the second gear completes one full revolution in a year. The second gear can, for example, be driven by the 31-day gear equipped with a switching finger and transmit its movement directly to the leap year mechanism. Since the second gear is moved in 12 steps, each occurring at the end of the month, it is also suitable, for example, as a carrier for a dial-side month display.

[0015] Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the second gear has exactly twelve teeth. It can therefore be designed to be very space-saving and is consequently advanced by only one tooth at the end of each month.

[0016] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the second gear is non-rotatably connected to a third gear, and the third gear meshes with the first gear. The axes of rotation of the second and third gears are aligned coaxially with each other. Thus, the third gear also completes one full revolution in one year and is advanced by one-twelfth of its circumference at the end of each month. Since the first gear requires two years for one full revolution, the third gear must be half the size of the first gear or have only half the number of teeth.

[0017] Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the leap year cam comprises a leap year disc, which completes one full revolution every four years, and a month disc, which completes one full revolution every year. The first gear engages with a month disc gear that is non-rotatably connected to the month disc in such a way that the month disc is advanced by one-twelfth of its circumference at the end of each month. The first gear thus transmits the motion directly to the leap year cam, with the month disc gear being arranged coaxially with the month disc and being half the size of the first gear, or having only half the number of teeth.

[0018] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first gear is non-rotatably connected to a fourth gear, wherein the fourth gear interacts with a leap year disc gear that is non-rotatably connected to the leap year disc such that the leap year disc completes one full revolution every four years. The fourth gear is aligned coaxially with the first gear and accordingly completes one full revolution every two years. For the leap year disc gear, which is aligned coaxially with the leap year disc, to complete one revolution every four years, it must be twice the size of the fourth gear or have twice as many teeth. Thanks to this arrangement, the first gear drives the leap year disc and the month disc simultaneously, thereby easily achieving the correct rotational speed.

[0019] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the third gear, the fourth gear and the month disc gear have the same number of teeth.

[0020] It is of course conceivable that the aforementioned gears are identical in design, thus reducing their manufacturing costs.

[0021] A particularly compact design of the leap year mechanism can be achieved if the axes of rotation of the month disc and the leap year disc are aligned coaxially. It is clear that the month disc and the leap year disc must be able to move independently of each other, and therefore must be rotatably arranged relative to one another. The interaction of the leap year disc and the month disc with the first and fourth gears can be designed to save space, since the first gear is arranged in the same plane as the month disc gear, and the fourth gear is arranged in the same plane as the leap year disc gear, with the month disc gear and the fourth gear being the same size, and the leap year disc gear and the first gear being the same size.

[0022] Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the first gear and the leap year disc gear also have the same number of teeth.

[0023] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the first gear has exactly twice as many teeth as the third gear.

[0024] Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the calendar mechanism includes a fifth gear which engages with the 31-day gear and has a switching finger configured to advance the second gear by one-twelfth of its circumference at the end of each month. For simplicity, the 31-day gear and the fifth gear can be of the same size and have the same number of teeth. This fifth gear, functioning as a kind of intermediate gear, allows for a flexible arrangement of the calendar mechanism, as it can bridge any gaps. Furthermore, it can serve to correct the direction of rotation of the gears and thus the direction of rotation of the display driven by the gears.

[0025] In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the second gear is aligned coaxially with the leap year indicator drive. Consequently, the axis of the second and third gears can be used to support the leap year indicator drive, resulting in a compact arrangement of the components.

[0026] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the calendar mechanism comprises a so-called 24-hour wheel, which is driven by a clockwork mechanism and completes one full revolution per day. The 24-hour wheel, for example, drives a rotatably mounted rocker arm via a pulley. Towards the end of each day, the pulley engages with the rocker arm and deflects it. The deflection of the rocker arm causes a switching element provided on the rocker arm to engage with teeth fixed to the 31-day wheel, advancing it by one tooth. The movement of the 31-day wheel can be transmitted via the fifth gear, by means of a switching finger, to the second gear, which has twelve teeth and then rotates clockwise.The motion of the second gear is transmitted to the first gear via the third gear, which is fixed to the second gear. The second and third gears complete one revolution in one year. The first gear has twice as many teeth as the third gear and therefore takes two years for a full revolution. The first gear is fixed to a fourth gear with only half as many teeth, which also completes one revolution in two years. The first gear transmits the motion to the month disc gear, which is fixed to the month disc. The month disc gear has half as many teeth as the first gear and consequently completes one revolution in one year together with the month disc.The fourth gear meshes with the leap year disc gear, which has twice as many teeth. Consequently, together with the fixed leap year disc, it completes one full rotation every four years. The month disc advances one-twelfth of its circumference at the end of each month, and the leap year disc advances one-quarter at the end of each year.

[0027] A major advantage of this arrangement is that the drive for the leap year indicator is integrated directly into the correction gear's transmission via the leap year indicator pinion. The switching disc, which has two switching lugs spaced 180° apart, is thus rotationally fixed to the first gear, which is part of the correction gear. At the end of each year, the switching lugs alternately advance the eight-tooth leap year indicator pinion by one tooth, thereby rotating the disc-shaped leap year indicator by one-eighth of its circumference.

[0028] Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the leap year disc has, over its circumference, a first section with a first radius which carries the information of a leap year, and a second section with a second radius different from the first radius which carries the information of a non-leap year.

[0029] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the first section of the leap year disc has the largest circumference. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for transmitting the leap year information to the calendar mechanism for correction. If the leap year information is also transmitted to the calendar mechanism by scanning the circumference of the leap year disc, it can be advantageous that the same subsection is not simultaneously in contact with the transmission element. For example, the scanning for correcting the calendar mechanism can be arranged offset by 180° from the transmission element. Consequently, the transmission element for indicating a leap year does not necessarily have to engage with the subsection of the leap year disc that carries the leap year information.

[0030] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the calendar mechanism comprises a rotatably mounted rocker switch which is arranged in a known manner to advance the calendar mechanism at each change of day, wherein the rocker switch can be brought into engagement with the edge of the leap year disc and thus the position of the rocker switch can be corrected according to the leap year cycle.

[0031] Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the rocker switch is arranged in a known manner to advance the calendar mechanism at each change of day, wherein the rocker switch can be brought into engagement with the edge of the month disc and thus the position of the rocker switch can be adjusted according to the number of days of the current month.

[0032] The rocker switch, for example, has a push button that rests on the circumference of the month disc, which has sections with different radii. The sections with the largest radius are always engaged by the push button in months with 31 days. In months with 30 days, the push button engages one of the next smaller radius sections. The resulting different position of the rocker switch relative to the 31-day wheel ensures that in months with 30 days, the 31-day wheel is rotated far enough to trigger the month change. The calendar mechanism is thus designed and configured so that the month change occurs on the correct day.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the calendar mechanism is designed as a module and can be mounted as a whole onto a base clockwork.

[0034] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the movement of the 31-day wheel can be transferred to the date ring in such a way that the date ring is moved forward at each change of day.

[0035] The date ring is particularly advantageous for this purpose, featuring internal teeth.

[0036] Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the calendar mechanism has a first intermediate wheel configured to transmit the movement of the 31-day wheel to the date ring. This allows for a particularly flexible arrangement of the components of the calendar mechanism.

[0037] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the calendar mechanism has a second intermediate wheel, wherein the first intermediate wheel transmits the movement of the 31-day wheel to the second intermediate wheel, and the second intermediate wheel engages with the date ring. The use of two intermediate wheels allows for a particularly simple bridging of a certain distance between the 31-day wheel and the date ring. Furthermore, it enables the date ring to be arranged in a different plane than the 31-day wheel. The provision of two intermediate wheels can also be used to reverse the direction of rotation.

[0038] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the numbers 1 to 31 are arranged substantially evenly distributed around the circumference of the dial, each number representing the corresponding calendar day. The arrangement is positioned as close as possible to the edge of the dial to allow space for other possible displays. Advantageously, the number 31 is positioned at the 12 o'clock position, and the number 1 is arranged clockwise next to the number 31. Analogous to the arrangement of the numbers one to twelve for displaying the time, the numbers one to 31 are arranged clockwise at equal intervals around the circumference of the dial.

[0039] In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the date ring has a display element.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the display element is visible on the dial side and highlights the number representing the current calendar day.

[0041] Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the display element for highlighting the number representing the current calendar day surrounds said number on at least two sides. This allows the current calendar day to be displayed discreetly and in a space-saving manner. It is also conceivable that the display element completely surrounds the number.

[0042] It is particularly advantageous if the date ring is designed as a circular ring, with its outer diameter having essentially the same circumference as the dial and positioned below it. The inner diameter, which carries the internal teeth, is designed to maximize space within the watch case for the calendar mechanism and to simplify the drive mechanism via the second intermediate wheel. The indicator element is positioned so that it is visible on the dial side. For example, it can extend from the date ring around the outside of the dial's outer diameter and then, as a frame, above the dial towards the center of the watch.The date display, which moves with the date ring, rotates relative to the stationary dial, advancing by one number on the dial each day, thus framing the corresponding calendar day. At the end of each month, depending on the number of days in the month, the display jumps either from 31 to 1, from 30 to 1, from 28 to 1, or, in a leap year, from 29 to 1.

[0043] According to a particularly aesthetically pleasing embodiment of the present invention, the analog clock has a small seconds display which is designed as a circular seconds indicator.

[0044] Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the small seconds hand is arranged symmetrically to the vertical axis running through the central axis of the analog clock.

[0045] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the small seconds hand is arranged below the horizontal axis running through the central axis of the analog clock. The symmetrical arrangement at the "6 o'clock" position does not take up too much space on the dial and allows for the arrangement of additional displays.

[0046] Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the day of the week display is circular.

[0047] In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the day of the week display is arranged next to the vertical axis running through the central axis of the analog clock and is intersected by the horizontal axis running through the central axis.

[0048] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the day-of-the-week display comprises a day-of-the-week pointer, and the axis of rotation of the day-of-the-week pointer is arranged below the horizontal axis running through the central axis. The day-of-the-week display can nevertheless be intersected by the horizontal axis running through the central axis of the analog clock and is essentially positioned at "3 o'clock" or "9 o'clock".

[0049] Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the weekday display has a weekday scale distributed over its circumference.

[0050] Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the weekday display includes a weekday pointer which, in conjunction with the weekday scale, indicates the current weekday. The weekday pointer is preferably moved about its axis of rotation and can be positioned in seven locations, each of the seven locations corresponding to a weekday on the weekday scale, and the weekday pointer accordingly points to the current weekday.

[0051] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the day-of-the-week pointer completes one full rotation in a week. The day-of-the-week scale then includes all days of the week exactly once, with the days of the week being uniformly distributed across the entire circumference of the day-of-the-week display. The day-of-the-week pointer thus completes one full rotation in seven steps, advancing at each change of day.

[0052] In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the analog clock has a month display.

[0053] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the month indicator is circular.

[0054] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the month display is arranged next to the vertical axis running through the central axis of the analog clock and is intersected by the horizontal axis running through the central axis of the analog clock.

[0055] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the month display has a month pointer, and the axis of rotation of the month pointer is arranged below the horizontal axis running through the central axis of the analog clock. The month display can nevertheless be intersected by the horizontal axis running through the central axis of the analog clock and is essentially positioned at "3 o'clock" or "9 o'clock".

[0056] In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the month indicator has a month scale distributed over its circumference.

[0057] Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the month display includes a month pointer which, in conjunction with the month scale, indicates the current month. The month pointer is preferably moved about its axis of rotation and can be positioned in twelve locations, each of the twelve locations corresponding to a month on the month scale, and the month pointer accordingly points to the current month.

[0058] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the month display comprises a month pointer that completes one full rotation in a month. The month scale then includes all months exactly once, with the months being uniformly represented across the entire circumference of the month display. The month pointer thus completes one full rotation in twelve steps, advancing at each change of month.

[0059] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the month display and the day-of-the-week display are arranged symmetrically to the vertical axis running through the central axis of the analog clock. A particularly appealing appearance is achieved when the circular month display and day-of-the-week display are of the same size. Preferably, the small seconds hand is essentially the same size as the month display and day-of-the-week display, wherein the circular area of ​​the small seconds hand differs from the circular area of ​​the day-of-the-week and month display by no more than 10%, and particularly preferably by no more than 5%.

[0060] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the analog clock has a moon phase display.

[0061] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the moon phase display is arranged above the horizontal axis passing through the central axis of the analog clock.

[0062] Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the moon phase display is arranged symmetrically to the vertical axis running through the central axis of the analog clock. Preferably, the moon phase display is designed as a semicircle, with the two corners of the semicircle pointing downwards and oriented symmetrically to the vertical axis running through the central axis of the analog clock.

[0063] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the leap year indicator displays the digits 1 to 3 and the letter L to indicate the current year within the leap year cycle. The letter L, for example, represents a leap year, and the digits 1 to 3 then indicate the year since the last leap year.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the leap year indicator is arranged within the month indicator. This arrangement of the indicators is particularly space-saving.

[0065] A further advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the month display has a first recess through which the leap year indicator and the corresponding symbol for the current year of the leap year cycle are visible. The leap year indicator is then arranged below the dial and is only partially visible, in the form of the corresponding symbol for the current year within the leap year cycle. This allows for a particularly space-saving and clear display of the leap year.

[0066] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first recess is circular.

[0067] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first recess is arranged symmetrically to the vertical axis of the month indicator. The first recess is therefore arranged on the same vertical axis as the month pointer, which is particularly aesthetically pleasing.

[0068] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the first recess is arranged above the horizontal axis of the month display.

[0069] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the analog clock includes a day-night indicator.

[0070] Another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides that the weekday display has a second recess through which the day / night indicator is visible.

[0071] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the second recess is circular in shape.

[0072] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second recess is arranged symmetrically to the vertical axis of the day-of-the-week indicator. The second recess is therefore arranged on the same vertical axis as the day-of-the-week pointer, which is particularly aesthetically pleasing.

[0073] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the second recess is arranged above the horizontal axis of the day-of-the-week display.

[0074] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the first recess is symmetrical to the second recess relative to the vertical axis running through the central axis of the analog clock. Preferably, the first and second recesses are of the same size.

[0075] An embodiment of the present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0076] In the following explanations, identical parts are designated by the same reference numerals. If a figure contains reference numerals that are not further explained in the corresponding figure description, reference is made to preceding or subsequent figure descriptions. Fig. Figure 1 shows the calendar mechanism of an embodiment of an analog clock according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows an alternative view of the calendar mechanism. Fig. 1, Fig. Figure 3 shows a dial-side view of the embodiment from Fig. 1, Fig. 4 shows a detailed view of the calendar mechanism. Fig. 1 and Fig. 5 shows another view of the calendar mechanism. Fig. 1.

[0077] Fig. 1 shows how Fig. 5, the calendar mechanism 7 of an analog clock 1 according to the invention, comprising a 24-hour wheel 46, which is driven by a clockwork 6 and completes one full revolution per day. The 24-hour wheel 46 drives, via a switching roller 47, the switching rocker 8, which is rotatably mounted about point A. Towards the end of each day, the switching roller 47 engages with the switching rocker 8 and deflects it. The deflection of the switching rocker 8 causes the switching element 48 to engage with the teeth 49 of the 31-day wheel 9 and to rotate it by one tooth 49. The movement of the 31-day wheel 9 is transmitted via the fifth gear 19, which has the same number of teeth, to the second gear 16, which has twelve teeth and advantageously rotates clockwise, by means of a switching finger 29.The movement of the second gear 16 is transmitted to the first gear 15 via the third gear 17, which is rigidly connected to the second gear 16. The second gear 16 and the third gear 17 each complete one revolution in one year. The first gear 15 has twice as many teeth as the third gear 17 and therefore takes two years for one complete revolution. As in . Fig. As can be clearly seen in Figure 4, the first gear 15 is fixedly connected to a fourth gear 18, which has only half as many teeth and therefore completes one full revolution every two years. The first gear 15 transmits the motion to the month disc gear 28, which is fixedly connected to the month disc 27. The month disc gear 28 has half as many teeth as the first gear 15 and consequently completes one full revolution per year together with the month disc 27. The fourth gear 18, in turn, meshes with the leap year disc gear 26, which has twice as many teeth and consequently completes one full revolution every four years together with the fixed leap year disc 25. The month disc 27 advances one-twelfth of its circumference at the end of each month, and the leap year disc 25 advances one-quarter at the end of each year.

[0078] The switch 50 of the rocker switch 8 rests on the circumference of the month disc 27, which has sections with different radii. The sections with the largest radius are always engaged by the switch 50 in months with 31 days. In months with 30 days, the switch 50 engages with one of the next smaller radius sections. The switching element 48 is then moved away from the 31-day wheel 9 compared to months with 31 days. A month screw 51 is fixedly mounted on the 31-day wheel 9 and is scanned by a slide 52. The slide 52 is rotatably mounted on the switching element 48. When the switching element 48 is moved away from the 31-day wheel 9, the slide 52 moves counterclockwise along the month screw 51. The monthly screw 51 is designed such that in months with 31 days and the corresponding position of the rocker switch 8, it only engages with the slide 52 on the 31st day.In months with 30 days, and with the position of the rocker switch 8 adjusted accordingly, the slide 52 engages with the month worm 51 on the 30th day of the month, advancing the 31-day wheel 9 by one tooth 49 before the switching element 48 engages with the teeth 49 and advances them by one tooth 49. This triggers the month change one day earlier. In February, the button 50 engages with the smallest radius of the month disc 27. This causes the switching element 48, and with it the slide 52, to move even further away from the 31-day wheel 9. The slide 52 engages with the month worm 51 on the 28th day, advancing it by three teeth 49, thus ensuring the correct month change or advancement.

[0079] The month disc 27 is arranged coaxially to the leap year disc 25, wherein the month disc 27 and the leap year disc 25 are aligned to each other such that in February of a leap year the smallest radius of the month disc 27 and the first section 30, which is designed as the largest radius of the leap year disc 25, lie on top of each other, so that the button 50 does not rest on the month disc 27, but on the leap year disc 25, whereby the position of the switching rocker 8 is adjusted so that the slide 52 only engages with the month screw 51 on the 29th day of the month.

[0080] The 31-day wheel 9 passes its movement at the end of the day to the first intermediate wheel 20, with the first intermediate wheel 20 engaging with the second intermediate wheel 21, which passes the movement to the date ring 10.

[0081] Fig. Figure 2 shows another level of the calendar mechanism 7, in which the date ring 10 with internal toothing 32 is shown in engagement with the second intermediate wheel 21. The date ring 10 includes a display element 33. While the date ring 10 itself is located below the dial 3, the display element 33 is visible from the front of the dial 3, see also Fig. 3. These can be seen in Fig. 2 further a moon phase indicator 42 designed with two moons, a day-night indicator 45 which is divided into two equal parts, one of which is colored white to indicate day and the other part which can be dark or black to indicate night, and the leap year indicator 14. From Fig. 2 also shows that the date ring axis 12 and the central axis 13 of the analog clock 1 are designed to be coaxial with each other.

[0082] Fig. Figure 3 shows the front of the analog clock 1 according to the invention, including its case 2. The date display 4 is arranged around the outer circumference of the dial 3, with the numbers 1 to 31 uniformly spaced around the entire circumference. To indicate the current calendar day, the date ring 10, and with it the display element 33, advances by one day each day, except for the end of some months, thereby framing the number of the current calendar day. Naturally, the analog clock 1 according to the invention, as shown here, can also have a time display in the form of hours and minutes, which are arranged as lines within the date display 4 and indicated by hour and minute hands. The illustrated embodiment of the analog clock 1 according to the invention further features a small seconds hand 34, which is round and arranged at the "6 o'clock" position and symmetrically to the vertical axis 35 of the analog clock 1.The day-of-the-week display 5 is also round and features a day-of-the-week scale 38 in addition to the day-of-the-week hand 37. The day-of-the-week display 5 is positioned at approximately "9 o'clock", with the center of its circular area, i.e., the axis of rotation of the day-of-the-week hand 37, located slightly below the horizontal axis 36 of the analog clock 1.

[0083] Within the day-of-the-week display 5, the day / night indicator 45 is provided, which indicates whether it is currently day or night by means of the second recess 44. The second recess 44 is arranged on the same vertical line as the axis of rotation of the day-of-the-week pointer 37.

[0084] The month display 39 is arranged symmetrically, relative to the vertical axis 35 of the analog clock 1, to the day-of-the-week display 5. The month display 39 has a month hand 40 and a month scale 41, the month scale 41 being arranged uniformly over the entire circumference of the circular month display 39.

[0085] Within the month display 39 is the leap year display 14, which is visible through the first recess 43. It is also clearly visible that the first recess 43 is arranged symmetrically to the second recess 44. In other words, the day / night display 45 and the leap year display 14 are also arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical axis 35 of the analog clock 1.

[0086] The moon phase display 42 is still located at "12 o'clock".

[0087] The day of the week display 5, month display 39 and small seconds 34 are of the same size and together with the moon phase display 42 form a particularly symmetrical and harmonious arrangement.

[0088] Fig. 4 shows a detailed view of the in Fig. Figure 1 shows the calendar mechanism 7, which primarily depicts the leap year cam 11 and the transmission of the movement of the 31-day wheel 9 to the switching cam 11. The month disc 27 is arranged coaxially with the leap year disc 25. The leap year disc 25 has a first section 30 with a radius larger than the radius of the second section 31. The month disc 27 and the leap year disc 25 are aligned with each other such that in February of a leap year, the smallest radius of the month disc 27 and the first section 30 of the leap year disc 25 overlap, so that the push button 50 rests not on the month disc 27 but on the leap year disc 25. This adjusts the position of the switching rocker 8 so that the slide 52 engages with the month screw 51 only on the 29th day of the month.In the version shown, the second section 31 of the leap year disk 25 comprises three subsections, each with different radii compared to the first section 30.

[0089] Like the 31-day wheel 9, the fifth gear 19 completes a full revolution in one month. At the end of each month, precisely at the turn of the month, the shift finger 29 of the fifth gear 19 ensures that the second gear 16 is advanced by one of its twelve teeth. The second gear 16 completes a full revolution in one year. Via the third gear 17, which is rigidly connected to the second gear 16, the motion is transmitted to the first gear 15, which, having twice as many teeth as the third gear 17, completes one revolution every two years. (With reference to...) Fig.The switching disc 22 is fixedly connected to the first gear 15, so that the switching disc 22 also requires two years for a full revolution. At the end of each year, precisely at the turn of the year, the switching disc 22 advances the leap year indicator 14. For this purpose, two switching lugs 23, offset by 180°, are arranged on the switching disc 22. These lugs are alternately brought into contact with the leap year indicator drive 24, advancing it by one of its eight teeth at the end of each year. This also advances the leap year indicator 14, which is designed as a disc, by one-eighth of its circumference at the end of each year. The leap year indicator 14 is rotatably mounted on the axis of the second gear 16 and the third gear 17.Each of the eight positions of the leap year indicator 14 is assigned a marking to display the current year in relation to the 4-year leap year cycle. In the version shown, this marking consists of the digits 1 to 3 and the letter L, each appearing twice. The marking, comprising a total of eight characters, is evenly distributed around the circumference of the disc. The letter L, for example, stands for a leap year, and the digits 1 to 3 then indicate the year since the last leap year. The leap year indicator 14 is located below the dial 3, which has a first recess 43 through which the marking of the current year can be seen. Reference character list 1 analog clock 2 cases 3 Dial 4 Date display 5 Weekday Display 6 o'clock 7 Calendar mechanism 8 rocker switch 9 31-day bike 10 date ring 11 Leap year backdrop 12 Date ring axis 13 Central axis of the analog clock 14 Leap Year Indicator 15 first gear 16 second gear 17 third gear 18 fourth gear 19 fifth gear 20 first intermediate wheel 21 second intermediate wheel 22 Switch disc 23 Switch nose 24 leap year indicator drive 25 Leap Year Disc 26 Leap Year Disc Gear 27 Month disc 28 Month disc gear 29 Shift fingers of the fifth gear 30 first section of the leap year disc 31 second section of the leap year disc 32 Internal teeth of the date ring 33 Display element of the date ring 34 Small Second 35 vertical axis of the analog clock 36 horizontal axis of the analog clock 37 weekday hands 38-day week scale 39 Monthly Display 40 month hands 41-month scale 42 Moon Phase Display 43 first exception 44 second exception 45 day-night display 46 24-hour bike 47 Shifting roller 48 switching element 49 teeth of the 31-day wheel 50 rocker switch buttons 51 Month snail 52 sliders A pivot point of the rocker switch QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] CH 660440

[0007]

Claims

[1] An analog clock with a perpetual calendar comprising a case, a movement, a dial, a date display, a day-of-the-week display, and a calendar mechanism driven by the movement, wherein the calendar mechanism comprises a rotatably mounted rocker switch, a 31-day wheel, a date ring, and a leap year cam bearing the information of the month lengths in a leap year cycle, wherein the rocker switch can be engaged with the 31-day wheel such that the 31-day wheel is advanced at each change of day and the 31-day wheel completes one full revolution in a month, wherein the leap year cam and the 31-day wheel are arranged such that the movement of the 31-day wheel can be transferred to the leap year cam, and wherein the leap year cam interacts with the rocker switch such that the position of the rocker switch is adjusted according to the month length, wherein the date ring is associated with and configured for the date display.to display the current calendar day, , characterized by that the date ring has a date ring axis and that the date ring axis is arranged coaxially to the central axis of the analog clock. [2] Analog clock according to claim 1, characterized by that the calendar mechanism includes a leap year indicator to show the leap year. [3] Analog clock according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by , that the calendar mechanism includes a first gear which completes a full revolution in two years and is designed to transfer the movement of the 31-day wheel to the leap year backdrop. [4] Analog clock according to claim 3, characterized by, that the first gear is non-rotatably connected to a switching disc, wherein the switching disc has two switching lugs spaced 180° apart around its circumference, and wherein a leap year indicator drive connected to the leap year indicator interacts with the switching lugs of the switching disc in such a way that the leap year indicator is advanced at the end of each year. [5] Analog clock according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by , that the leap year indicator is designed as a disc and completes a full rotation every eight years. [6] Analog clock according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the calendar mechanism has a second gear which can be moved one-twelfth of its circumference at the end of each month and whose movement can be transferred to the leap year backdrop, with the second gear completing one full revolution in a year. [7] Analog clock according to claim 6, characterized bythat the second gear has exactly twelve teeth. [8] Analog clock according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized by that the second gear is non-rotatably connected to a third gear and the third gear is in mesh with the first gear. [9] Analog clock according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized by , that the leap year mechanism comprises a leap year disc which completes a full revolution in four years and a month disc which completes a full revolution in one year, wherein the first gear engages with a month disc gear which is non-rotatably connected to the month disc in such a way that the month disc is advanced by one twelfth of its circumference at the end of each month. [10] Analog clock according to claim 9, characterized by, that the first gear is non-rotatably connected to a fourth gear, wherein the fourth gear interacts with a leap year disc gear non-rotatably connected to the leap year disc in such a way that the leap year disc completes a full revolution in four years. [11] Analog clock according to claim 10, characterized by that the third gear, the fourth gear and the month disc gear have the same number of teeth. [12] Analog clock according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized by that the axes of rotation of the month disc and the year disc are aligned coaxially with each other. [13] Analog clock according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by that the first gear and the leap year disc gear have the same number of teeth. [14] Analog clock according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized by that the first gear has exactly twice as many teeth as the third gear. [15] Analog clock according to any one of claims 6 to 14, characterized by that the calendar mechanism has a fifth gear which engages with the 31-day gear and has a switching finger which is set up to advance the second gear by one twelfth of its circumference at the end of each month. [16] Analog clock according to any one of claims 6 to 15, characterized by that the second gear is aligned coaxially with the leap year indicator drive. [17] Analog clock according to any one of claims 9 to 16, characterized by , that the leap year disk has, over its circumference, a first section with a first radius that carries the information of a leap year, and a second section with a second radius different from the first radius that carries the information of a non-leap year. [18] Analog clock according to claim 17, characterized by , that the first section of the leap year disk has the largest circumference. [19] Analog clock according to any one of claims 9 to 18, characterized by , that the rocker switch is arranged in a known manner to advance the calendar mechanism at each change of day, wherein the rocker switch can be engaged with the edge of the leap year disc and thus the position of the rocker switch can be corrected according to the leap year cycle. [20] Analog clock according to any one of claims 9 to 19, characterized by , that the rocker switch is arranged in a known manner to advance the calendar mechanism at each change of day, wherein the rocker switch can be engaged with the edge of the month disc and thus the position of the rocker switch can be adjusted according to the number of days of the current month. [21] Analog clock according to any one of claims 1 to 20, characterized by , that the movement of the 31-day wheel can be transferred to the date ring in such a way that the date ring is advanced at each change of day. [22] Analog clock according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized by that the date ring has internal teeth. [23] Analog clock according to any one of claims 1 to 22, characterized by that the calendar mechanism has a first intermediate wheel which is set up to transfer the movement of the 31-day wheel to the date ring. [24] Analog clock according to claim 23, characterized by , that the calendar mechanism has a second intermediate wheel, wherein the first intermediate wheel transmits the movement of the 31-day wheel to the second intermediate wheel and the second intermediate wheel engages with the date ring. [25] Analog clock according to any one of claims 1 to 24, characterized by , that the numbers from 1 to 31 are arranged in a substantially even distribution around the circumference of the dial, with each number representing the corresponding calendar day. [26] Analog clock according to any one of claims 1 to 25, characterized bythat the date ring has a display element. [27] Analog clock according to claim 26, characterized by , that the display element is visible on the dial side and highlights the number representing the current calendar day. [28] Analog clock according to claim 27, characterized by , that the display element for highlighting the number representing the current calendar day surrounds said number on at least two sides. [29] Analog clock according to any one of claims 1 to 28, characterized by , that the analog clock has a small seconds hand, which is designed as a circular seconds display. [30] Analog clock according to claim 29, characterized by , that the small seconds hand is arranged symmetrically to the vertical axis running through the central axis of the analog clock. [31] Analog clock according to one of claims 29 or 30, characterized by, that the small seconds hand is located below the horizontal axis running through the central axis of the analog clock. [32] Analog clock according to any one of claims 1 to 31, characterized by that the day of the week display is circular. [33] Analog clock according to any one of claims 1 to 32, characterized by , that the day of the week display is arranged next to the vertical axis running through the central axis of the analog clock and is intersected by the horizontal axis running through the central axis. [34] Analog clock according to any one of claims 1 to 33, characterized by , that the day of the week display includes a day of the week pointer and the axis of rotation of the day of the week pointer is arranged below the horizontal axis running through the central axis. [35] Analog clock according to claim 34, characterized by that the weekday display has a weekday scale distributed across its surface. [36] Analog clock according to any one of claims 32 to 35, characterized by , that the day of the week display includes a day of the week pointer which, in conjunction with the day of the week scale, indicates the current day of the week. [37] Analog clock according to claim 36, characterized by , that the day-of-the-week hand completes a full rotation in one week. [38] Analog clock according to any one of claims 1 to 37, characterized by that the analog clock has a month display. [39] Analog clock according to claim 38, characterized by that the month display is circular. [40] Analog clock according to one of claims 38 or 39, characterized by , that the month display is arranged next to the vertical axis running through the central axis and is intersected by the horizontal axis running through the central axis of the analog clock. [41] Analog clock according to any one of claims 38 to 40, characterized by, that the month display has a month hand and the axis of rotation of the month hand is located below the horizontal axis running through the central axis of the analog clock. [42] Analog clock according to any one of claims 38 to 41, characterized by that the month display has a month scale distributed across its circumference. [43] Analog clock according to any one of claims 38 to 42, characterized by , that the month display includes a month pointer which, in conjunction with the month scale, indicates the current month. [44] Analog clock according to any one of claims 38 to 43, characterized by , that the month display includes a month hand which completes one full rotation in a month. [45] Analog clock according to one of claims 32 to 37 in combination with one of claims 38 to 44, characterized by , that the month display and the day of the week display are arranged symmetrically to the vertical axis running through the central axis of the analog clock. [46] Analog clock according to any one of claims 1 to 45, characterized by that the analog clock has a moon phase display. [47] Analog clock according to claim 46, characterized by , that the moon phase display is located above the horizontal axis running through the central axis of the analog clock. [48] ​​Analog clock according to one of claims 46 or 47, characterized by , that the moon phase display is arranged symmetrically to the vertical axis running through the central axis of the analog clock. [49] Analog clock according to any one of claims 1 to 48, characterized by , that the leap year indicator displays the digits 1 to 3 and the letter L to show the current year within the leap year cycle. [50] Analog clock according to any one of claims 38 to 49, characterized by that the leap year indicator is located within the month indicator. [51] Analog clock according to claim 50, characterized by, that the month display has a first cutout through which the leap year indicator and the corresponding symbol for the current year of the leap year cycle are visible. [52] Analog clock according to claim 51, characterized by that the first recess is circular. [53] Analog clock according to one of claims 51 or 52, characterized by that the first recess is arranged symmetrically to the vertical axis of the month display. [54] Analog clock according to any one of claims 51 to 53, characterized by , that the first notch is located above the horizontal axis of the month display. [55] Analog clock according to any one of claims 1 to 54, characterized by that the analog clock includes a day / night indicator. [56] Analog clock according to claim 55, characterized by , that the day of the week display has a second cutout through which the day / night display is visible. [57] Analog clock according to claim 56, characterized bythat the second recess is circular. [58] Analog clock according to one of claims 56 or 57, characterized by that the second recess is arranged symmetrically to the vertical axis of the day-of-the-week display. [59] Analog clock according to any one of claims 56 to 58, characterized by that the second recess is located above the horizontal axis of the day-of-the-week display. [60] Analog clock according to one of claims 51 to 54 in combination with one of claims 56 to 59, characterized by , that the first recess is symmetrical to the second recess relative to the vertical axis running through the central axis of the analog clock.

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