Analog clock

Abstract

To improve the division of time intervals on the dial of an analog clock. [Solution] The intersection of two adjacent line segments is used to represent specific time intervals on the dial 12.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an analog clock, and particularly to the delimitation of time intervals on the dial.

Background Art

[0002] The ways of displaying time on a clock are roughly classified into a "digital type" and an "analog type". The digital type, which displays time elements such as hours, minutes, and seconds as numbers, uniquely displays the current time. On the other hand, the analog type, in which the hands (hour hand, minute hand, and second hand) corresponding to each time element rotate according to the passage of time, is suitable not only for displaying the current time but also for displaying time (the interval between two points in the flow of time).

[0003] Most common analog clocks display mark lines and mark points indicating the delimitations of 1-hour intervals and 5-minute intervals respectively on virtual radiation lines extending at equal pitches at 30° intervals radially from the center of rotation of the hands. Also, mark lines and mark points indicating the delimitations of 1-minute intervals and 1-second intervals are displayed on virtual radiation lines extending at equal pitches at 6° intervals radially from the center of rotation of the hands (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to improve the delimitation of time intervals on the dial of an analog clock.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the analog clock according to the present invention is characterized in that a specific time interval is represented on the dial by the intersection of two adjacent line segments. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, by representing a specific time interval with the intersection of two adjacent line segments, it becomes possible to express not only the meaning of a "marker for a specific time interval" but also the literal meaning of the original analog clock, which is "the continuity of the flow of time." This makes it possible to improve the markers that serve as time interval divisions on the dial of an analog clock. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows a schematic configuration of an analog clock according to an embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the analog clock according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] The analog clock 10 according to this embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as "clock 10") can be applied not only to various types of clocks such as wristwatches, wall clocks, and desk clocks, but also to clocks displayed on the screens of smartphones, which are a type of computer, as well as to mobile information terminals such as smartwatches, tablets, and laptops, and to clocks displayed on electronic devices such as desktop computers, televisions, and digital signage.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the clock 10 has a circular dial 12. The dial 12 is equipped with an hour hand 14, a minute hand 16, and a second hand 18, which rotate around its center point. The hour hand 14, minute hand 16, and second hand 18 are pointers corresponding to the time elements of hours, minutes, and seconds. The hour hand 14 rotates clockwise once every 12 hours, just like a typical clock. Similarly, the minute hand 16 rotates clockwise once every 60 minutes, and the second hand 18 rotates clockwise once every 60 seconds. The current time is displayed by the rotation of these hour hand 14, minute hand 16, and second hand 18 as time progresses. The dial 12 also has the numbers 1 through 12 arranged at equal intervals of 30°, as one of the elements that assist in displaying the current time indicated by the pointers.

[0012] In the clock 10 having the above configuration, the form of the markers indicating "time interval divisions," which are other elements that assist in displaying the current time indicated by the hands, is configured differently from that of a typical clock. That is, in this embodiment, specific time interval divisions are represented on the dial 12 by the intersection of two adjacent line segments. Specifically, a polyline is displayed along the periphery of the dial 12, and there are 60 inflection points of this polyline. Each of these 60 inflection points is the intersection of two adjacent line segments that make up the polyline, and each of these 60 intersection points (inflection points) represents a division of one minute and one second. In this example, all intersection points are arranged on virtual radial lines that extend radially from the center point of the dial 12 at equal pitches of 6° intervals, similar to a typical clock.

[0013] Furthermore, in this embodiment, at the intersections representing hourly and five-minute intervals among the 60 intersections described above, two adjacent line segments intersect. That is, in this embodiment, the two line segments forming the intersections representing hourly and five-minute intervals intersect in an "X" shape, with both ends of the line segments positioned on either side of the intersection. By adopting this configuration, it becomes easy to distinguish between "one-minute and one-second intervals" and "one-hour and five-minute intervals," just like in a typical clock.

[0014] Thus, according to the clock 10 of this embodiment, by representing the division of a specific time interval with the intersection of two adjacent line segments, it becomes possible to express not only the meaning of "a marker for a specific time interval" but also the literal meaning of "the continuity of the flow of time," which is the original meaning of an analog clock. Furthermore, the fold lines drawn along the periphery of the dial 12 not only serve as markers to represent the division of a specific time interval but also become part of the design of the dial 12, thus contributing to the improvement of the design of the clock 10. In this way, an improvement has been made to the markers that serve as divisions of time intervals on the dial of an analog clock.

[0015] Although the analog clock according to the present invention has been described above based on embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described forms, and may be implemented in modified forms, for example, as follows.

[0016] <Variation> (1) In the above embodiment, a fold line forming an intersection representing a division of a specific time interval is drawn along the periphery of the dial 12, but this fold line may also be drawn on the central side of the dial (inside the numbers 1 to 12).

[0017] (2) In the above embodiment, the thickness of the line segments constituting the fold line and the angle between two adjacent line segments are not particularly limited. Also, although the above embodiment exemplified a dial 12 that is circular, the shape of the dial is not limited to this and may be a square, other polygon, or ellipse. These elements can be appropriately modified in design, taking into account the overall balance of the dial and the design of the hands.

[0018] (3) In the above embodiment, each of the 60 inflection points of the broken line displayed on the dial 12 represents the division at 1-minute intervals and 1-second intervals. Among these, the two line segments that form intersections representing the divisions at 1-hour intervals and 5-minute intervals show a form where they cross in an "X" shape. However, the reverse form may also be acceptable. That is, the divisions at 1-hour intervals and 5-minute intervals may be used as the inflection points of the broken line, and the divisions at 1-minute intervals and 1-second intervals may be used as the 60 intersections in the shape of an "X". Also, it is of course acceptable to implement in a form that does not have the divisions at 1-hour intervals and 5-minute intervals. Furthermore, the form of the marks representing the divisions at 1-hour intervals and 5-minute intervals is not limited to the "X" shape exemplified above. For example, it may be represented by the radial dividing lines (straight lines) or points or other shapes in a conventionally known clock.

[0019] (4) In the above embodiment, the numbers from 1 to 12 are displayed on the dial 12 as symbols for identifying time. However, for example, it is also acceptable to display 12 types of symbols. For example, characters representing the twelve zodiac animals, paintings, photos, or other images may be displayed on the dial as 12 types of symbols. Also, the form of the numbers displayed on the dial is not particularly limited. In the above embodiment, Arabic numerals are illustrated, but it is of course acceptable to display Roman numerals or Chinese numerals.

[0020] The present invention can also be implemented in various improved, modified, or deformed forms based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the gist thereof. Also, within the range where the same operation or effect is produced, it may be implemented in a form where any of the invention-specific matters is replaced with other technologies.

Explanation of Signs

[0021] 10: Clock 12: Dial 14: Hour hand 16: Minute hand 18: Second hand

Claims

1. An analog clock where specific time intervals are represented by the intersection of two adjacent line segments.

2. The analog clock according to claim 1, wherein the two line segments are drawn along the periphery of the dial.

3. The analog clock according to claim 2, wherein there are 60 intersections on the dial, and each of the intersections represents a division between one-minute and one-second intervals.

4. An analog clock where specific time intervals are represented by intersections where two adjacent line segments meet.

5. The analog clock according to claim 4, wherein the two line segments are drawn along the periphery of the dial.

6. The analog clock according to claim 5, wherein the clock face has 60 intersections, each of which represents a division between one-minute and one-second intervals.

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