Clock with a device for setting a target time
The mechanical timepiece addresses the interference of timer display elements by hiding the target time display beneath the minute or hour display, allowing seamless integration of time and time difference display through incremental adjustment and reset, enhancing readability and usability.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-03-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-06
AI Technical Summary
Existing timepieces with timer functions interfere with normal time reading due to additional display elements that remain stationary and are not optimally integrated with the conventional time display, making it tedious and time-consuming to set and read time differences.
A mechanical timepiece with a target time display member that is hidden beneath the minute or hour display member during normal operation, allowing simultaneous display of time and time differences using push buttons to incrementally adjust the target time display member, which can be reset to align with the time display member for optimal readability.
Enables efficient and simple simultaneous display of normal time and time differences without interference, providing easy estimation and wide-ranging usability by hiding the target time display during non-use and aligning it for clear reading when needed.
Smart Images
Figure 2026507845000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a timepiece comprising a device for setting a target time that allows counting relative times.
[0002] Clocks and other time-indicating devices, in particular for counting down time, are known from the state of the art, in particular clocks which are provided with a timer which can be selectively triggered manually by the user. [Background technology]
[0003] For example, U.S. Patent No. 1,790,359 describes a device in which a wristwatch having a conventional time display using minute and hour hands can be equipped with additional minute and hour hands to display the time difference between the start of an event and the current time. In this case, the additional minute and hour hands are manually set, so that the positions of the additional minute and hour hands always remain static unless manually moved. Using such a manual device is obviously tedious and time-consuming, and interferes with normal time reading.
[0004] US Pat. No. 5,255,248 describes a wristwatch that is not a chronograph and allows both the normal display of time and the measurement of time differences, but integrates both functions in a single display.
[0005] The wristwatch proposed in this patent document has an additional minute hand arranged coaxially with the normal hour hand, which can be moved from its normal rest position to the current position of the normal minute hand by operating a push button, which remains stationary to mark the start of an event. According to this document, the step of positioning the additional hand at the current time can be performed by a conventional split hand mechanism.
[0006] Additionally, the described watch has a ring with markers and scales that rotates coaxially around the dial, for example to mark the end of an event and thus incorporates a "timer" function.
[0007] This watch allows both the normal display of time and the measurement of time differences, thanks to the proposed ratchet mechanism for moving the additional minute hand, but as mentioned above, as long as the additional minute hand only has a stationary position, the reading of the corresponding display is not optimal and therefore completely adversely affects the reading of the normal time display when its measuring or marking function is not in use. In fact, this hand remains in its last used position and is therefore permanently visible as a disturbing element on the dial.
[0008] EP 1491972 B1 discloses a watch including an analog time display and comprising at least one minute hand and one hour hand, and a split hand mechanism including at least one split minute hand and one split hour hand arranged coaxially with the normal time display hands. In the normal mode of the watch, the split hand or hands move synchronously with and overlap the normal time display hands, the split hand or hands are locked in stop mode to mark a desired time, and after a desired time interval has elapsed, move synchronously again with the normal time display hands in a position overlapping the normal time display hands. Summary of the Invention
[0009] The object of the present invention is to enable the normal display of time and the measurement of time differences simultaneously, in direct relation to each other, in an efficient and simple manner, without the presence of these additional display elements adversely affecting the normal time display when these additional display elements are not in use.
[0010] The invention therefore makes it possible to propose a solution that provides in a particularly simple way not only the display of the time remaining before the end of a set time of a timer or the like, but also the display of the time that has been counted beyond the set time, thus allowing for relative time counting.
[0011] The advantages of such a watch include the combination of a timer with a conventional chronograph with its second dial, providing novel functionality, ease of use, good estimation and readability of the duration of a certain movement, and a wide range of uses for the watch.
[0012] According to the present invention, a mechanical timepiece comprises: a movement arranged to drive the minute and hour display members; - first means for controlling the minute and hour display members, the first means being arranged to move the minute and hour display members on demand; a target time display member; at least one second control means arranged to move the target time display member on demand; - means for resetting the target time display member, During normal time display operation of the watch, the target time display member is positioned below the minute display member or the hour display member and is hidden by the minute display member or the hour display member, so that the minute display member and the hour display member display the time.
[0013] According to the invention, the second control means is arranged to move the target time display member relative to the minute display member or the hour display member each time the control means is depressed by an increment value in order to determine a target time to be reached by successive actuations of the control means.
[0014] Additionally, the means for resetting the target time display member is arranged so that, when activated, it moves the target time display member to be positioned in its normal time display position below the minute display member or the hour display member, so that the watch displays the time according to its normal operating state without displaying the target time.
[0015] In one embodiment, the further control means comprises a first push button for moving the target time display member by a fraction of an hour and a second push button for moving the target time display member by another different fraction of an hour, the target time display member moving relative to the time display member beneath which it is arranged.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the further control means comprises a first push button for moving the target time display member by 1 minute and a second push button for moving the target time display member by 5 minutes, the target time display member moving relative to the time display member below which it is arranged.
[0017] In one embodiment, the target time display member moves clockwise when activated, and when the reset means is activated, the target time display member moves clockwise or counterclockwise, i.e., to overlap above or below the minute display member or the hour display member, depending on the appropriate and more efficient rotation direction.
[0018] In one embodiment, the hour display member, minute display member and target time display member are hands or other hand-like time indicator members that rotate in front of a dial having a series of time indications.
[0019] In one embodiment, the hour display member, the minute display member, and the target time display member are disks or crowns.
[0020] The present invention relates to a timepiece in the form of a wristwatch, pocket watch, table clock or wall clock.
[0021] The characteristics of the invention will become clearer on reading the description of some embodiments, given by way of example only and in no way limiting, with reference to schematic drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0022] [Figure 1] The clock is depicted in normal operation, showing 8 o'clock with the target minute hand hidden under the minute hand. [Figure 2] 2 depicts the watch of FIG. 1 with the target minute hand visible and positioned 9 minutes behind the minute hand that displays the current time. [Figure 3] 2 depicts the watch of FIG. 1 with the target minute hand visible and positioned five minutes behind the minute hand that displays the current time. [Figure 4] 2 depicts the watch of FIG. 1 with the target minute hand visible and positioned two minutes behind the minute hand that displays the current time. [Figure 5] 1 depicts one embodiment of a mechanism for achieving and correcting the target time. [Figure 6] 6 illustrates one embodiment of the divider of the mechanism of FIG. 5; [Figure 7] 6 illustrates an embodiment of the display vehicle of the mechanism of FIG. 5; [Figure 8] 6 depicts one embodiment of the shift mover of the mechanism of FIG. 5; [Figure 9] 6 illustrates one embodiment of the arrangement of the display and minute movers according to the mechanism of FIG. 5; [Figure 10] 6 depicts a perspective view of the connection between the shifting body and the body according to the mechanism of FIG. 5; [Figure 11] 6 illustrates the minute correction mechanism of the mechanism of FIG. 5. [Figure 12] 6 illustrates the 5 minute correction mechanism of the mechanism of FIG. 5. [Figure 13] 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of the correction mechanism of the mechanism of FIG. 5; [Figure 14] 6 depicts a perspective view of the zero reset mechanism of the mechanism of FIG. 5; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] As illustrated in Figure 1, the mechanical timepiece comprises a movement arranged to drive minute and hour hands 1, 2, and means for controlling minute and hour hands 1, 2 in the form of a crown 3 arranged to move minute and hour hands 1, 2, and a target time hand 6 when aligned with minute hand 1, on demand.
[0024] The timepiece comprises a target time display hand 6 (overlapping with or positioned below the minute hand 1), two push buttons 4, 5 arranged to move the target time display hand 6 on demand, and reset means 7 in the form of a push button positioned on the crown 3 for resetting the target time display member 6.
[0025] In this example, during the watch's normal time display operation, the target time display hand 6 is placed above or below the minute display hand 1 and is therefore hidden, so that the minute display hand 1 and the hour display hand 2 display the time.
[0026] The push buttons 4, 5 are arranged to move the target time display hand 6 relative to the minute display hand 1 each time one of the two push buttons 4, 5 is pressed by an incremental value to determine the target time to be reached by successive actuation of each of the push buttons 4, 5.
[0027] The reset push button 7 for the target time display hand 6 is arranged so that when activated it moves the target time display hand 6 to rest above or below the minute display member 1 and switch the watch to its normal operating state for displaying the time.
[0028] In this example, the clock shows that it is 8 o'clock.
[0029] Figure 2 shows a watch with a different display. In this example, the target time hand 6 is positioned 9 minutes behind the minute hand 1. To achieve this, pressing the push button 4 positioned at 10 o'clock once moves the target time hand 6 by 5 minutes relative to the minute hand 1 underneath, and then pressing the push button 5 positioned at 8 o'clock four times in succession moves the target time hand 6 by 4 minutes relative to the minute hand 1.
[0030] Minute hand 1 and hour hand 2 indicate the current time, which in this example is 8 o'clock.
[0031] Therefore, the target time display hand 6 has moved by 9 minutes. During the normal advance of the minute hand 1, the target time hand 6 remains stationary. In this way, it is possible to see when the minute hand 1, through its normal advance, reaches the target time hand 6. It is also easy to see and measure how far the minute hand 1 has passed the target hand 6 during its normal advance over the position of the target hand 6.
[0032] Once the target time has been set, the reset push button 7 of the target time display hand 6, when activated, allows the target time display hand 6 to move into alignment with the minute display member 1 in its time display position, thus switching the watch to its normal operating state for displaying the time.
[0033] In the example illustrated in Figure 3, by pressing the push button 4 positioned at 10 o'clock, the target time display hand 6 moves by five minutes relative to the minute display hand 1 that was hidden below or above it, and is positioned five minutes behind the minute display hand 1.
[0034] Minute hand 1 and hour hand 2 indicate the current time, which in this example is 8 o'clock.
[0035] Therefore, the target time display hand 6 has moved by 5 minutes. During the normal advance of the minute hand 1, the target time hand 6 remains stationary. It is therefore possible to see when the minute hand 1 reaches the target time hand 6. It is also easy to see and measure how far the minute hand 1 has passed the target hand 6 during the normal advance of the minute hand 1 past the position of the target hand 6.
[0036] After the measurement has been taken, the reset push button 7 of the target time display hand 6 is arranged to, when activated, move the target time display hand 6 to rest above or below the minute display member 1 in its time display position, thus switching the watch to its normal operating state for displaying the time.
[0037] In the example of FIG. 4, the target time display hand 6 is positioned two minutes behind the minute display hand 1 by pressing the push button 5 positioned at 8 o'clock twice in succession.
[0038] Minute hand 1 and hour hand 2 indicate the current time, which in this example is 8 o'clock.
[0039] Therefore, the target time display hand 6 has moved by two minutes. During the normal advance of the minute hand 1, the target time hand 6 remains stationary. It is therefore possible to see when the minute hand 1 reaches the target time hand 6. It is also easy to see and measure how far the minute hand 1 has passed the target hand 6 during the normal advance of the minute hand 1 past the position of the target hand 6.
[0040] After the measurement has been taken, the reset push button 7 of the target time display hand 6 is arranged to, when activated, move the target time display hand 6 to position it below or above the minute display member 1 in its time display position, thus switching the watch to its normal operating state for displaying the time.
[0041] In one variant not illustrated, two target time display hands can be combined to indicate a timer having a duration of, for example, 1 hour 30 minutes.
[0042] In another variant not illustrated, it is possible to keep only one hand for displaying the target time, combined with the counter, visible through an opening on the dial, the opening having another primary function, for example displaying the date.
[0043] FIG. 5 illustrates a mechanism for realizing and resetting the target time display function, the mechanism comprising: a minute slider arranged to synchronize the target hour hand or split minute hand with a conventional minute hand that displays the current time; a display carrier arranged to display a split minute hand; a shifting mobile arranged to control the position of the split minute hand; - minute correction system; -A reset system.
[0044] 6, the minute slider rotates together with the cannon pinion of the movement 29, rotating once per hour. The minute slider is used to synchronize the split minute hand 6 with the conventional minute hand 1 that is press-fit into the cannon pinion of the movement 29.
[0045] 7 illustrates the display movable body into which the split minute hand 6 is press-fitted. The display movable body consists of a display wheel 11 and a zero reset heart cam 12, both of which are press-fitted into a pipe 13.
[0046] As illustrated in Figure 8, the shift moving body controls the position of the split minute hand 6. The shift moving body consists of a shift wheel 14 and a wolf tooth shift wheel 15 that is press-fitted onto a shift arbor 17, while a star wheel 16 is positioned on the arbor by three central springs integrated into the star wheel. When force is applied to the star wheel 16, the entire shift moving body starts to rotate. When force is applied to the wolf tooth shift wheel 15, the entire moving body starts to rotate except for the star wheel 6.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 9, the minute moving body and the display moving body are concentric, so that the conventional minute hand 1 and the target hour hand or split hand can be overlapped.
[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the display wheel 11 and the shift wheel 14 are permanently engaged, allowing the movement of the shift mover to be transmitted to the display mover.
[0049] 11, when the +1 minute button is first pressed, the first rocker 18 simultaneously pivots the 60-tooth star wheel 16 by one tooth and rotates the second rocker 19 in a counterclockwise direction. When pressed, the second rocker 19 releases the first jumper 20, which in turn positions the star wheel 16.
[0050] On subsequent depressions, the second rocker 19 is held in the depressed position by the second jumper 21, so that the first rocker 18 is used only to rotate the star wheel 16, which drives the entire shifting mechanism.
[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 12, when the +5 minute button is pressed first, the third rocker 22 simultaneously rotates the wolf tooth shift wheel 15 and rotates the second rocker 19 in a counterclockwise direction.
[0052] When pressed, the second rocker 19 releases the first jumper 20 which in turn positions the star wheel 16 .
[0053] On subsequent depressions, the second rocker 19 is held in the depressed position by the second jumper 21, so that the third rocker 22 is only used to rotate the wolf tooth shift wheel 15.
[0054] Wolf tooth shift wheel 15 rotates shift arbor 17, while star wheel 16 remains stationary due to the shape of arbor 17 and a central spring machined into star wheel 16. These geometries allow the arbor to rotate exactly 30°, which corresponds to 5 minutes.
[0055] FIG. 13 depicts a perspective view of the minute correction system.
[0056] As illustrated in FIG. 14, when the zero reset button is pressed, the fourth rocker 23 first pushes the second rocker 19 to pivot in a clockwise direction, thus disengaging the first jumper 10 from the teeth of the 60-tooth star wheel 16.
[0057] Subsequently, the fourth rocker 23 engages with the wolf tooth wheel 24, causing it to rotate. Because the pin 26 is press-fit into the wolf tooth wheel 24, the wolf tooth wheel 24 also begins to rotate.
[0058] The pin 26 contacts the hammer 25, which tilts and rests on the zero reset heart cam 12, thus synchronizing the display mover with the minute mover.
[0059] In summary, the watch according to the invention allows the display of normal time and the measurement and display of a time difference or target time simultaneously, in direct relation to each other, in an efficient and simple manner. In a particularly simple manner, the watch according to the invention also provides, like a timer, an indication of the time remaining before the end of a given time, and an indication of the time that has counted beyond a given displayed time.
[0060] Naturally, such a timepiece is driven by a mechanism for driving the target time-display members, in particular a mechanical watch movement including a split-minute mechanism as known in the state of the art.
Claims
1. A mechanical watch, a movement arranged to drive the minute display element (1) and the hour display element (2), - first means (3) for controlling said minute display member (1) and said hour display member (2), arranged to move said minute display member (1) and said hour display member (2) on demand; a target time display member (6) arranged to be moved by the first control means (3) when the target time display member (6) and the minute display member (1) or the hour display member (2) are aligned; - second control means (4, 5) arranged to move said target time display member (6) on demand; - means (7) for resetting said target time display member (6), During normal time display operation of the timepiece, the target time display member (6) is disposed below or above the minute display member (1) or the hour display member (2) and is hidden by the minute display member (1) or the hour display member (2), so that the minute display member (1) and the hour display member (2) display the time; - the second control means (4, 5) is arranged to move the target time display member relative to the minute display member (1) or the hour display member (2) each time the control means (4, 5) is depressed by an increment in order to determine a target time to be reached by successive actuations of the control means (4, 5); - a mechanical timepiece, characterized in that the means (7) for resetting the target time display member (6) is arranged so that, when activated, it moves the target time display member (6) so that the target time display member (6) is placed in its normal time display position above or below the minute display member (1) or the hour display member (2), so that the timepiece displays the time according to its normal operating state without displaying the target time.
2. 2. The timepiece of claim 1, wherein the second control means comprises a first push button (4) for moving the target time display member by a fraction of an hour and a second push button (5) for moving the target time display member (6) by another different fraction of an hour, and the target time display member (6) moves relative to the time display member (1, 2) above or below which the target time display member (6) is disposed.
3. 3. A timepiece as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the second control means comprises a first push button (4) for moving the target time display member (6) by one minute and a second push button (5) for moving the target time display member (6) by five minutes, and the target time display member moves relative to the time display member (1, 2) under which it is arranged.
4. The timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the target time display member (6) is disposed below the minute display member (1).
5. A timepiece as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the target time display member (6) moves clockwise when activated, and when the reset means (7) is activated, the target time display member (6) moves clockwise or counterclockwise so as to overlap above or below the minute display member (1) or the hour display member (2).
6. 6. A timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hour display member (2), the minute display member (1), and the target time display member (6) are each hands that are driven to rotate in front of a dial (8) having a series of time indications, or are other hand-like time indicator members similar to the hands.
7. The timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hour display member (2), the minute display member (1), and the target time display member (6) are each a disk or a crown.
8. The timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which is in the form of a wristwatch, a pocket watch, a table clock or a wall clock.