Timepiece comprising a mechanism for displaying successive hours in a display zone

Abstract

The present invention relates to a timepiece comprising a time display mechanism comprising a support member rotatable about an axis of rotation arranged to perform one revolution in n hours, and carrying n satellites each rotatably mounted on its own axis of rotation, arranged uniformly distributed around the axis of rotation of the support member and carrying the digits of the hours, distributed over said satellites, at a rate of 12 / n or 24 / n digits per satellite, and a time display zone extending over a circular sector of at least 360 / n° centred on the axis of rotation of the support member, the assembly being arranged such that the hours digits move successively in order to appear in the display zone.

Description

[0001] TIMEPIECE COMPRISING A MECHANISM FOR DISPLAYING SUCCESSIVE HOURS IN A DISPLAY AREA

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a timepiece comprising a time display mechanism comprising a support member movable in rotation around an axis of rotation A and arranged to complete one revolution in n hours, n being an integer greater than 1, and carrying n satellites each mounted rotatably on its own axis of rotation, arranged regularly distributed around the axis of rotation A of the support member and carrying the hour numerals, distributed on the satellites, at a rate of 12 / n or 24 / n numerals per satellite, and a time display area extending over a circular sector of at least 360 / n° centered on the axis of rotation A of the support member, the assembly being arranged such that the hour numerals move successively to appear in the display area to display the hours.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Such a timepiece is described in patent CH 677575 filed by the applicant and is known under the name “Star wheel” which allows a display of a wandering hour.

[0006] This piece includes a dial that has a sector typically of 120° provided with a minute scale graduated from 0 to 60. Corresponding to this scale, an hour numeral moves in sixty minutes while traveling through this sector. Thus, the numeral indicates the hours and its position on the sector opposite the minute scale indicates the minutes of the current hour. With respect to the sector of the minute scale, the hour numeral moves in a strictly radial orientation. In other words, when the hour numeral moves along the sector of the minute scale, the orientation of this numeral is the same as the radius of the sector that connects the center of this sector to the minute indicated by this numeral on the minute scale.

[0007] The mechanism described in patent CH 677575 comprises three discs, each bearing 4 hour numerals, mounted to rotate at 120° from each other on the rim of a central wheel making one revolution in three hours. Thus, on a minute scale arced along a 120° sector, the hour numeral will rotate 120° between the start and end of the sector as it moves past the minute scale. In order to display the next hour numeral on a disc, the discs are driven punctually in rotation by a star associated with the center of each disc and which rotates a quarter of a turn when two fixed fingers or pins distributed over the dial pass over it. The angular position of the discs is secured by jumpers engaging with the stars.

[0008] When the hour numeral is oriented in a radial up-down direction, its inclination therefore varies by 120° between the start and the end of its display opposite the minute scale, so that reading the time can be considered as not being sufficiently ergonomic.

[0009] Furthermore, the system of driving the discs by a star actuated by a pin generates a force to rotate the discs which is not constant, since it is concentrated punctually at the moment when the stars meet the pins. This has the disadvantage of creating inopportune dynamic effects generating a disruptive torque.

[0010] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a timepiece allowing the time to be displayed by means of a mobile indicator while allowing ergonomic reading of the time.

[0011] Another aim of the present invention is to propose a timepiece allowing the time to be displayed by means of a moving indicator without generating disturbing torque.

[0012] Disclosure of the invention

[0013] To this end, the invention relates to a timepiece comprising a time display mechanism comprising a support member movable in rotation around an axis of rotation A and arranged to complete one revolution in n hours, n being an integer greater than 1, and carrying n satellites each mounted rotatably on its own axis of rotation, arranged regularly distributed around the axis of rotation A of the support member and carrying the hour numerals, distributed on said satellites, at a rate of 12 / n or 24 / n numerals per satellite, and a time display zone extending over a circular sector of at least 360 / n° centered on the axis of rotation A of the support member, the assembly being arranged in such a way that the hour numerals move successively to appear in the display zone.

[0014] According to the invention, the support member is constituted by a cage, the satellites are constituted by toothed wheels and are arranged to be continuously driven in rotation on themselves around their own axis of rotation in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the cage and at a rotation speed different from the rotation speed of the cage by means of gears carried by said cage and arranged to be kinematically linked to a wheel fixed relative to said cage and coaxial with the axis of rotation A of the cage, the rotation speed of each satellite around its own axis of rotation relative to the cage being chosen so as to minimize the apparent angular displacement of said satellite relative to its own center of rotation in the display zone during the displacement of said satellite carried by the cage between the start and the end of said display zone.

[0015] Thus, the apparent inclination of the hour digit in the display area varies very little between the start and end of its display, so that reading the time is made easier, although the hour digit is mobile.

[0016] In addition, since the meshing of the satellites is permanent, the effort to rotate them is continuous. As a result, the torque taken by the system is advantageously smoothed by being substantially constant.

[0017] Brief description of the drawings

[0018] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the following detailed description of different embodiments of the invention, given as non-limiting examples, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which: Figures 1 to 3 are schematic top views of a dial of a timepiece comprising a time display mechanism according to a first embodiment of the invention, said views showing in particular three positions of the hour numeral during its movement between the start and the end of the display zone;

[0019] - figure 4 represents a top view of a time display mechanism according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0020] - Figure 5 is an isometric view of the time display mechanism of Figure 4;

[0021] - figure 6 is a front view of figure 5;

[0022] - figure 7 is an isometric view of the support member, the satellites and the references according to the second embodiment of the invention of figures 4 to 6;

[0023] - figures 8 to 11 represent different positions of a movable revealer when moving an hour digit between the start and the end of the display area according to the first embodiment of the invention; and

[0024] - Figure 12 represents a time display mechanism according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0025] Embodiments of the invention

[0026] With reference to Figures 1 to 7, the present invention relates to a timepiece, such as a wristwatch, comprising a time display mechanism for displaying the hours on a dial 1, such as GMT time, and preferably also the minutes.

[0027] Such a time display mechanism comprises a support member mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation A (see figure 5) on a frame element of the timepiece, said support member being arranged to complete one revolution in n hours, n being an integer greater than 1. In the examples shown, n is equal to 3. The time display mechanism also comprises a time display area 2 provided on the dial 1, extending over a circular sector of at least 360 / n°, that is to say extending in the examples of the appended figures typically over a little more than 360 / n°, that is to say here over a little more than 120°, centered on the axis of rotation A of the support member, said mechanism being arranged such that the hour numerals move successively to appear in the display area 2 to display the hours.

[0028] According to the invention, said support member is constituted by a cage 3 intended to be mounted mobile in rotation around the axis A on a frame element of the watch movement (not shown) of the timepiece.

[0029] The axis of rotation A of the cage 3 can be centered on the dial 1, as shown here. It is obvious that the axis of rotation A of the cage 3 can be offset relative to the center of the dial of the timepiece in the case where the time display is not centered relative to said dial of the timepiece.

[0030] The cage 3 comprises an upper bridge 4 and preferably a lower bridge 6 which are parallel and integral in rotation. According to the preferred embodiment, the lower bridge 6 is integral with a drive shaft 8 supported by the frame, said drive shaft 8 itself being integral with a drive wheel 10.

[0031] In order to rotate the cage 3, the timepiece comprises in particular a timer (not shown) arranged to mesh with the drive wheel 10, which rotates the drive shaft 8, and therefore the lower and upper bridges 4.

[0032] The upper 4 and lower 6 bridges advantageously have a circular central shape with axis A in the center of which a cabochon (not shown) can be positioned. Advantageously, the upper 4 and lower 6 bridges can respectively comprise a first set of n arms 12 directed radially outwards, regularly distributed, and arranged to carry n satellites 14a, 14b, 14c.

[0033] Advantageously, the upper 4 and lower 6 bridges may also respectively comprise a second set of n arms 16 directed radially outwards, regularly distributed by being interposed between the arms 12, and on which are pivotally mounted at least n reversing gears 18, a reversing gear 18 being arranged to cooperate with two successive satellites 14a, 14b, 14c. These reversing gears 18 will be described in more detail below.

[0034] The dimensions of the cage 3, and in particular of the arms 12 and 16, are chosen according to the first or second embodiment of the display mechanism.

[0035] More particularly, in the first embodiment shown in figures 1 to 3 and 8 to 11, the dimensions of the cage 3 and its arms 12 and 16 are chosen to allow the satellites 14a, 14b, 14c to be arranged at regular intervals in a circle centered on the axis of rotation A on the same level, that is to say in the same plane, which corresponds to an extended configuration.

[0036] In the second embodiment shown in Figures 4 to 7, the dimensions of the cage 3 and its arms 12 and 16 are chosen to obtain a compact configuration by arranging the satellites 14a, 14b, 14c in a compact manner in diameter relative to the axis A, the satellites 14a, 14b, 14c then having to be arranged to be arranged in a partially superimposed manner relative to each other.

[0037] Each satellite 14a, 14b, 14c is rotatably mounted on its own rotation axis within the cage, in particular on a rotation axis mounted between an arm 12 of the upper bridge 4 and a corresponding arm 12 of the lower bridge 6 of the cage 3 by means of screws 17. Thus, the satellites 14a, 14b, 14c are arranged regularly distributed around the rotation axis A of the cage 3 while being coplanar according to the first embodiment, or partially superimposed in parallel planes according to the second embodiment.

[0038] Satellites 14a, 14b, 14c carry the hour digits, distributed over said satellites 14a, 14b, 14c, at a rate of 12 / n or 24 / n digits per satellite.

[0039] According to the invention, the n satellites 14a, 14b, 14c consist of toothed wheels.

[0040] Advantageously, the toothed wheels are transparent. In the examples shown, n being equal to 3, the toothed wheels are distributed regularly at intervals of 120° around the axis A. The satellites 14a, 14b, 14c bear the hour numerals distributed on the toothed wheels at a rate of four numerals per toothed wheel. Satellite 14a bears the numerals 1, 4, 7 and 10, satellite 14b bears the numerals 2, 5, 8 and 11 and satellite 14c bears the numerals 3, 6, 9 and 12, these numerals being distributed angularly on each satellite at intervals of 90°. As illustrated in the figures, it should be noted that the distribution of the hour figures on these satellites is such that all the hour figures can be read chronologically, one by one, when, in the same direction of rotation, one passes successively from one satellite to another after reading each figure.

[0041] According to the invention, the satellites 14a, 14b, 14c are arranged to be continuously driven in rotation on themselves, around their own axis of rotation, in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the cage 3 and at a speed of rotation relative to the cage 3 different from the speed of rotation of the cage 3 relative to the display zone 2 by means of return gears carried by said cage 3, such as at least the reversing return gears 18, said return gears being arranged to be kinematically connected to a wheel 20 fixed relative to said cage 3 and coaxial with the axis of rotation A of the cage 3.

[0042] Depending on the gear ratios chosen, said gears may comprise the n reversing gears 18 arranged to cooperate with two successive satellites 14a, 14b, 14c, as well as a peripheral gear 22 arranged to cooperate with the fixed wheel 20 and with one of the n reversing gears 18, as shown for example in FIG. 5. Thus, the peripheral gear 22 rotates the satellites 14a, 14b, 14c via the reversing gears 18.

[0043] In the case of the compact configuration, the reversing gears 18 have a sufficient height to be able to mesh with at least two successive satellites 14a, 14b, 14c arranged at different heights.

[0044] The gears may also comprise only the n reversing gears 18 arranged to cooperate respectively with two successive satellites 14a, 14b, 14c as well as directly with the fixed wheel 20, as shown for example in FIG. 1. The n reversing gears 18 then act directly as a peripheral gear. Each reversing gear 18 is pivotally mounted within the cage 3, in particular between an arm 16 of the upper bridge 4 and a corresponding arm 16 of the lower bridge 6 of the cage 3. Thus, the reversing gears 18 are arranged regularly distributed around the axis of rotation A of the cage 3, a reversing gear 18 being interposed between two of said satellites 14a, 14b, 14c.

[0045] Furthermore, when a peripheral return 22 is used, it is advantageously mounted integral in rotation with the reversing return 18 with which it is associated, under the lower bridge e of the cage 3, in particular under an arm 16.

[0046] The fixed wheel 20 is positioned under the cage 3, centered on the axis A of said cage 3. The fixed wheel 20 is secured to an element of the frame of the movement of the timepiece, and comprises external peripheral teeth arranged to mesh either with the peripheral return 22 or directly with the reversing return wheels 18.

[0047] Furthermore, in accordance with the invention, the rotation speed of each satellite 14a, 14b, 14c around its own axis of rotation relative to the support member, here the cage 3, is chosen so as to minimize the apparent angular displacement of said satellite 14a, 14b, 14c relative to its own center of rotation in the display zone 2 during the displacement, between the start and the end of the display zone 2, of said satellite carried by the cage 3 itself in rotation around the axis A. The adequate rotation speeds of the satellites 14a, 14b, 14c and of the cage 3 are obtained by choosing the appropriate gear ratios.

[0048] Thus, the display area 2 constitutes a first reference frame in which each satellite 14a, 14b, 14c has an apparent speed which is a function of the rotation speed of the cage 3 relative to this first reference frame and of the rotation speed of the satellite 14a, 14b, 14c on itself relative to the cage 3 which constitutes a second reference frame. The rotation speed of the cage 3 in the first reference frame and the rotation speed of the satellite 14a, 14b, 14c around its own axis in the second reference frame are chosen to give said satellite 14a, 14b, 14c in the first reference frame the apparent speed corresponding to said desired minimized angular displacement in the display area 2.Advantageously, the speed of rotation of the satellites 14a, 14b, 14c around their own axis of rotation relative to the cage 3 is chosen so that, during the movement of one of said satellites 14a, 14b, 14c, carried by the cage 3, between the start and the end of the display zone 2, the apparent speed of said satellite 14a, 14b, 14c in the first reference frame is such that said apparent angular displacement of the hour numeral carried by said satellite 14a, 14b, 14c in the display zone 2 is less than or equal to 30°.

[0049] Thus, by defining in the display zone 2 a vertical reading axis L, that is to say parallel to a traditional 12h-6h axis, and passing through the proper center of rotation of the satellite 14a, 14b, 14c which enters said display zone 2 (see figures 1 to 3), said apparent angular displacement corresponds to the apparent inclination of angle a, relative to said reading axis L, of the hour digit when it moves between the start and the end of said display zone 2. This inclination is maximum at the start and at the end of the display zone 2, whereas it is zero on the reading axis L. More specifically, it is thanks to an appropriate choice of the speed of rotation of the satellite 14a, 14b, 14c on itself in the second reference frame as a function of the speed of rotation of the cage 3 in the first reference frame that this maximum inclination can be minimized and in particular adjusted so that it does not exceed 30°.

[0050] For example, when n is equal to 3, the cage 3 makes one revolution in 3 hours in the clockwise direction, the rotation speed of the cage 3 being regulated by the timer. The reversing gears 18, and possibly the peripheral gear 22, carried by the cage 3, rotate in the clockwise direction driven by the fixed wheel 20. Each of the three planet gears 14a, 14b, 14c, bearing four numbers as described above, driven by the reversing gears 18, rotates on itself in the counterclockwise direction. The cage 3 and the planet gears 14a, 14b, 14c, in particular their dimensions and the number of teeth, are configured so that the gear ratio between the cage 3, the gears 18 and possibly 22, and the planet gears 14a, 14b, 14c, is equal to .Thus, each satellite 14a, 14b, 14c makes a rotation on itself in 4 hours in the anticlockwise direction in the second reference frame constituted by cage 3 but an hour figure carried by satellite 14a, 14b, 14c takes 12 hours to find itself in the same position by rotating simultaneously around the axis of rotation A and around its own axis of rotation. When moving the satellite 14a, 14b, 14c between the start and the end of the display zone 2, i.e. in one hour, the apparent angular displacement of the hour digit of said satellite 14a, 14b, 14c in the first frame of reference constituted by the display zone 2 is 30° in the clockwise direction due to the rotation of the cage 3 of 120° in the clockwise direction around the axis A in the first frame of reference and the rotation of the satellite on itself of 90° in the counterclockwise direction in the second frame of reference in one hour.

[0051] More specifically, with reference to Figure 1, the satellites 14a, 14b, 14c are positioned so that it is the hour digit 11 carried by the satellite 14b which enters the display zone 2 to display 11 a.m. The satellite 14b is positioned so that the number 11 is inclined at an angle a of 15° counterclockwise relative to the reading axis L. After 30 minutes, the cage 3 has rotated 60° around the axis A clockwise in the first frame of reference constituted by the display area 2 by moving the satellite 14b in the display area 2 as shown in FIG. 2, said satellite 14b having also rotated on itself by 45° in the second frame of reference constituted by the cage 3 counterclockwise thanks to the reversing gears 18 so that the apparent angular displacement of said satellite 14b relative to its own center of rotation in the display area 2 is 15° (60° - 45°) clockwise.The apparent inclination of the number 11 with the reading axis L becomes zero. After another 30 minutes, i.e. after one hour, the cage 3 has again rotated 60° around the axis A in the clockwise direction relative to the display area 2 by moving the satellite 14b in the display area 2 as shown in FIG. 3, said satellite 14b having also again rotated on itself by 45° in the counterclockwise direction relative to the cage 3 so that the apparent angular displacement of the hour numeral carried by said satellite 14b relative to its own center of rotation in the display area 2 is 15° in the clockwise direction. The apparent inclination of the hour numeral 11 with the reading axis L is then an angle a of 15° in the clockwise direction relative to the reading axis L.

[0052] Thus, the apparent angular displacement of the hour digit of the satellite 14b relative to its own center of rotation, in the display zone 2, is in total only 30° [-15; +15] clockwise in one hour while said satellite 14b, carried by the cage 3, moves 120° relative to the display zone 2 clockwise around the axis A, between the start and the end of the display zone 2.

[0053] The time can therefore be read along an up-down reading axis which remains substantially vertical, as shown in the figures, so that reading the time is particularly ergonomic.

[0054] In parallel, the other satellites 14a and 14c, carried by cage 3, have also moved 120° clockwise relative to display area 2 around axis A in 1 hour, rotating on themselves 90° counterclockwise relative to cage 3, so that when satellite 14b reaches the end of display area 2, the next satellite counterclockwise, here satellite 14c, enters display area 2 to bring the next hour digit, the digit 12 appearing in display area 2 inclined at an angle a of 15° counterclockwise relative to the reading axis L.

[0055] The cage 3 and the satellites 14a, 14b and 14c are arranged above the dial 1 comprising the display zone 2 arranged to be able to follow the trajectory of the hour digit to be displayed to indicate the time.

[0056] According to an alternative embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6, the display area 2 is arranged to constitute a fixed revealer 24 to reveal the hour digits as they move between the start and the end of said display area 2. For example, the fixed revealer 24 may be constituted by a white circular sector shown on the dial 1, the digits carried by the satellites 14a, 14b and 14c, then transparent, being of a contrasting color to appear as they move above said white sector.

[0057] According to another alternative embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 8 to 11, the timepiece may comprise at least one mobile revealer 26 arranged to follow and reveal the hour digit to be displayed during its movement between the start and the end of the display zone 2. The mobile revealer 26 may be placed under the satellites 14a, 14b and 14c which are then transparent or skeletonized. The mobile revealer 26 comprises, for example, a disc of a contrasting color relative to the color of the digits shown on said satellites 14a, 14b and 14c. The revealer 26 may also be arranged above the digits.

[0058] The mobile developer 26 is arranged to pivot on itself by an angle identical to the apparent angular displacement of the satellite 14a, 14b and 14c with which it is associated, while moving in the display zone 2 at the same speed as the cage 3. For example here, the mobile developer 26 rotates on itself by an angle of 30° in the clockwise direction while moving in the display zone 2 by an angle less than or equal to 120° relative to the axis A in the clockwise direction in one hour. The point of rotation of the mobile developer 26 is therefore variable, being off-center relative to the axis A of the cage 3, as shown in Figures 1 to 3. The mobile developer 26 is arranged to follow an hour digit for 1 hour, then once it reaches the sixtieth minute, move instantly to display the next hour digit.

[0059] The mobile developer 26 can be arranged to jump in the same direction of rotation as that of the cage 3. In this case, it is possible to provide a mobile developer 26 with several revealing faces, that is to say comprising several revealing zones or surfaces, sequenced, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, in order to reduce the angle of movement of the mobile developer at each jump. Said mobile developer 26 has for example three revealing faces 26a, 26b, 26c, associated respectively with a satellite 14a, 14b, 14c. Here the face 26b of the mobile developer 26 follows the number 2 carried by the satellite 14b, the other faces 26a and 26c following the numbers 10 and 6 carried respectively by the other satellites 14a and 14c, when said satellites 14a, 14b, 14c move with the cage 3.After one hour, when the number 2 and the associated face 26b of the movable developer 26 have reached the end of the display area 2 as shown in Figure 10, the movable developer 26, having reached the sixtieth minute, is arranged to jump in rotation in the clockwise direction so that the next face in the counterclockwise direction, here the face 26c, instantly comes to reveal the next number to be displayed carried by the satellite entering the display area 2, here the number 3 carried by the satellite 14c, as shown in Figure 11.

[0060] The movable developer 26 may also be arranged to have a retrograde movement in the opposite direction of rotation to that of the cage 3, once the displayed digit and the movable developer 26 have reached the end of the display area 2. In this case, the movable developer 26 may be wider than the hour digit with a speed of movement in the display area 2 less rapid than the hour digit in order to reduce the angle of movement of the developer 26 in the display area 2.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment, the time display mechanism also allows the minutes to be displayed. For this purpose, the timepiece comprises on the dial 1 a scale 28 graduated in minutes, from 0 to 60, extending over an arc of a circle of 3607n, here 120°, centered on the axis of rotation A of the cage 3, and arranged above the hour display area 2, as shown in Figures 1 to 3.

[0062] The minutes can be indicated in several ways, using the difference in rotation speed between cage 3 and satellites 14a, 14b, 14c.

[0063] For example, taking the cage 3 as a reference, the cage 3 may comprise at least one indicator member arranged to indicate the minute on the scale graduated in minutes 28. Advantageously, n indicator members 30 are provided (see figures 1 to 3) regularly distributed on the cage 3 and associated respectively with one of the n satellites, said indicator members 30 being arranged to indicate the minute on the scale graduated in minutes 28. Thus, during rotation of the cage 3, the hour figure carried by a satellite 14a, 14b, 14c is displayed and moves in the display zone 2 to indicate the time and the corresponding indicator member 30 carried by the cage 3 moves successively opposite the graduations of the scale 28 to indicate the minutes.

[0064] Taking the movement of the satellites 14a, 14b, 14c as a reference, each satellite 14a, 14b, 14c may comprise an indicator member 32 associated with each hour digit and arranged to indicate the minute on a scale graduated in minutes 28' appropriate according to the apparent movement of the satellite 14a, 14b, 14c in the display area 2, as shown in Figure 12. The indicator member 32 has the same minimized apparent inclination as its hour digit during the movement of the satellite in the display area 2, so that the apparent inclination of the indicator member 32 relative to the minute scale 28' is also minimized. The embodiments described are of course susceptible of numerous variations. For example, the minute graduation could be on the crystal or on the bezel.

[0065] The rotation speed of the cage and the satellites, the number of satellites, the number of digits per satellite and the size of the display area could be different. However, these quantities are interdependent. Generally speaking, for a display of hours from 1 to 12, if cage 3 makes one revolution in n hours (n being an integer greater than 1), it will carry n satellites and the hour digits will be distributed on these satellites at the rate of 12 / n digits per satellite, and the minute scale will extend over an arc of 3607n. If the display of hours is from 1 to 24, the hour digits must be distributed at the rate of 24 / n digits per satellite. The gear ratios will be chosen according to the rotation speeds of the cage and the satellites in order to minimize the apparent inclination of the hour digits carried by the satellites when they move with the cage.The number of satellites is not limited to three, but the three-satellite configuration allows for maximizing the size of the hour digits on the satellites.

[0066] The invention makes it possible to obtain a timepiece comprising a dynamic time display while allowing ergonomic reading of the time, the apparent inclination of the hour numeral varying very little between the start and the end of its display. It also makes it possible not to generate disruptive torque and to smooth the torque absorption of the mechanism, the effort to rotate the satellites which mesh permanently being continuous.

[0067] The configuration of the time display mechanism according to the invention is not limited to the example described. It is obvious that any other suitable support member, other than a cage comprising two bridges, can be used. In particular, the support member can be an open cage, with only one bridge being used. For example, it is possible to provide only the upper bridge of the cage, with the satellites and the intermediate wheels being mounted suspended from the arms of this bridge. Similarly, the use of arms to carry the satellites and the intermediate wheels is a particularly advantageous embodiment if it is desired that the satellites be clearly visible, but any other suitable bridge configuration can be used.

Claims

Claims 1. Timepiece comprising a time display mechanism comprising a support member movable in rotation around an axis of rotation A and arranged to complete one revolution in n hours, n being an integer greater than 1, and carrying n satellites (14a, 14b, 14c) each mounted rotatably on its own axis of rotation, arranged regularly distributed around the axis of rotation A of the support member and carrying the hour numerals, distributed on said satellites (14a, 14b, 14c), at a rate of 12 / n or 24 / n numerals per satellite (14a, 14b, 14c), and a time display zone (2) extending over a circular sector of at least 360 / n° centered on the axis of rotation A of the support member, the assembly being arranged in such a way that the hour numerals move successively to appear in the display area (2), characterized in that the support member is constituted by a cage (3), in that the satellites (14a, 14b,14c) consist of toothed wheels and are arranged to be continuously driven in rotation on themselves around their own axis of rotation in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the cage (3) and at a rotation speed different from the rotation speed of the cage (3) by means of return gears (18, 22) carried by said cage (3) and arranged to be kinematically connected to a wheel (20) fixed relative to said cage (3) and coaxial with the axis of rotation A of the cage (3), the rotation speed of each satellite (14a, 14b, 14c) around its own axis of rotation relative to the cage (3) being chosen so as to minimize the apparent angular displacement of said satellite (14a, 14b, 14c) relative to its own center of rotation in the display zone (2) during the displacement of said satellite (14a, 14b, 14c) carried by the cage (3) between the start and the end of said display area (2)., 2. Timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that the speed of rotation of the satellites (14a, 14b, 14c) around their own axis of rotation relative to the cage (3) is chosen so that, during the movement of a satellite (14a, 14b, 14c) carried by the cage (3) between the start and the end of the display area (2), the apparent angular displacement of said satellite (14a, 14b, 14c) relative to its own center of rotation in the display area (2) is less than or equal to 30°.

3. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a timer arranged to drive the cage (3).

4. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the satellites (14a, 14b, 14c) are arranged in a partially superimposed manner relative to each other.

5. Timepiece according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the satellites (14a, 14b, 14c) are arranged on the same level.

6. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gears comprise n reversing gears (18) respectively arranged to cooperate with two successive satellites (14a, 14b, 14c) and a peripheral gear (22) arranged to cooperate with the fixed wheel (20) and with one of the n reversing gears (18).

7. Timepiece according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the gears comprise n reversing gears (18) respectively arranged to cooperate with two successive satellites (14a, 14b, 14c) as well as with the fixed wheel (20).

8. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that n is equal to 3, each of the three satellites (14a, 14b, 14c) carrying four digits, the gear ratio between the cage (3) and the satellites (14a, 14b, 14c) being equal to !, so that, during the movement of a satellite (14a, 14b, 14c) carried by the cage (3) between the start and the end of the display zone (2), the apparent angular movement of said satellite (14a, 14b, 14c) around its own center of rotation in the display zone (2), is 30°.

9. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a scale graduated in minutes (28) extending over an arc of a circle of 360 / n° centered on the axis of rotation A of the cage (3).

10. Timepiece according to claim 9, characterized in that the cage (3) comprises at least one indicator member (30) arranged to indicate the minute on the graduated scale in minutes (28).

11. Timepiece according to claim 9, characterized in that each satellite (14a, 14b, 14c) comprises an indicator member (32) associated with each hour numeral and arranged to indicate the minute on the scale graduated in minutes (28').

12. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display area (2) is arranged to constitute a fixed indicator for revealing the hour digits when it moves between the start and the end of said display area (2).

13. Timepiece according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises at least one mobile revealer (26) arranged to follow and reveal the hour digit to be displayed during its movement between the start and the end of the display zone (2).

14. Timepiece according to claim 13, characterized in that the mobile indicator (26) is arranged to jump in the same direction of rotation as that of the cage (3).

15. Timepiece according to claim 13, characterized in that the movable indicator (26) is arranged to have a retrograde movement in the direction of rotation opposite to that of the cage (3).

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