Moon phase indicator

Abstract

A lunar age indicator, comprising: A display surface that shows the current moon age, a display element having a strip-shaped first side depicting an illuminated portion of the moon and a strip-shaped second side depicting no illuminated portion of the moon; each of the display elements has a first rotational position in which a first side is disposed on the display surface and a second rotational position in which a second side is disposed on the display surface; each first side includes a plurality of display elements that collectively represent a full moon in a full moon position with all of the display elements disposed in their first rotational positions; a drive capable of rotating each individual display element about its longitudinal axis; a controller configured to operate the drive such that from a full moon position, each one of the display elements is rotated in successive steps to the second rotational position until all of the display elements are disposed in the second rotational position, thereby displaying a gradually waning moon.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lunar phase indicator (lunar phase display) with a movable display element. Such lunar phase indicators are known in particular from timepieces with mechanical movements.

[0002] A frequently seen design uses a circular disk that rotates once every 59 days. Two circles, each symbolizing a moon, are represented symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation at the front of the disk. An opening is constructed in the dial placed in front of the disk, through which sectors of the disk extending approximately 180 degrees are visible. This opening has a special shape in that an almost arc-shaped section forms an opening edge extending in the radial direction of the sector. In both cases, as the disk is rotated, one of the two representations of the moon is pushed out from under one of these opening edges, so that a crescent moon becomes visible, which is further expanded until it is hidden by the other opening edge in a crescent shape, completing a full circle. A second representation of the moon is then displayed under the first opening edge. An example of such a lunar age indicator is described in EP 3098671.

[0003] The age of the moon can be displayed in the same way by moving a disk with a certain opening in front of a fixed moon representation. To represent moons with a smaller diameter, the disk can be configured with a circular opening, which can be moved relative to a moon representation with a slightly smaller diameter. For this purpose, three or more moon representations can be distributed around the circumference, and the rotation speed can be reduced accordingly.

[0004] In yet another variant, one disc has a number of apertures and the moon is represented on a further disc, both discs moving at different rotational speeds, this variant being known from EP 2 853 957.

[0005] A common feature of all the above described moon phase indicators is that each of the movable display elements is larger in size compared to the resulting moon phase indicator. Therefore, as a general rule, the known moon phase indicators make a small and creative addition to the dial of the watch.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a moon phase indicator that is simple in design and capable of depicting the moon phase over an attractive large area.

[0007] This object is achieved by a moon phase indicator having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0008] The moon phase indicator A display surface that shows the current moon age, a plurality of display elements, each supported for rotation about its longitudinal axis, each having a first strip-shaped side depicting an illuminated portion of the moon and a second strip-shaped side depicting no illuminated portion of the moon; each of the display elements has a first rotational position in which a first side is disposed on the display surface and a second rotational position in which a second side is disposed on the display surface; each first side includes a plurality of display elements that collectively represent a full moon in a full moon position with all of the display elements disposed in a first rotational position; a drive capable of rotating each individual display element about its longitudinal axis independently of the remaining display elements; a controller configured to operate the drive such that, from the full moon position, each one of the display elements is rotated in successive steps to the second rotational position until all of the display elements are disposed in the second rotational position, thereby displaying a gradually waning moon.

[0009] The display element has a basically elongated shape with a vertical axis (longitudinal axis). The display element may be cylindrical, i.e. with a constant cross section over its length. In this case, the two side surfaces have a constant distance from the vertical axis. The two side surfaces are strip-shaped, each forming a longitudinal side of the display element. As an example, the display element may have a rectangular cross section, in which case the two side surfaces are on the long sides of the rectangle and opposite each other. The first and second rotational positions therefore differ by 180 degrees. If the cross section of the display element is triangular, in particular in the shape of an equilateral triangle, the angle between the two rotational positions is 120 degrees, or respectively 240 degrees. The shape and dimensions of both side surfaces may be the same. In particular, they may be rectangular. In the first rotational position, the first side surface is located on the display surface, and in the second rotational position, the second side surface is located on the display surface, and therefore in particular the second side surface is located in the same position as the first side surface is located in the first rotational position.

[0010] The display elements may be arranged side by side. They may be arranged with their longitudinal axes parallel to one another. In the full moon position, the first sides of adjacent display elements may be close or nearly so close to one another, so that the first sides form a substantially closed area. However, the first sides may also be arranged at a visible distance from one another, which may be open or may be blocked or nearly blocked by another element. Such distances may be used as creative tools to enhance the depiction of a multi-part moon.

[0011] A drive can rotate each display element individually about its longitudinal axis, so that in particular a first rotational position and a second rotational position can be set. A smooth or stepwise rotation is possible, for example using a stepper motor or servo motor or a rotary magnet. In particular, each display element may have its own drive, for example with its own stepper motor or servo motor or rotary magnet. However, a central drive with a suitable coupling mechanism is also conceivable.

[0012] The controller can be an electronic controller which activates stepper motors, servo motors etc. which are assigned to the display elements. However, a purely mechanical controller is also conceivable. The drives are controlled by the controller so that all the sides which are located at a certain time on the display surface display the current moon age. In the full moon position, all the display elements are located in a first rotational position, so that all the first sides are located on the display surface. Each of these sides shows the part of the moon which is illuminated (illuminated moon part) and, as a whole, shows the full moon.

[0013] To supply the drive and the controller with energy, for example, batteries or accumulators can be provided. A connection to a power supply is likewise possible.

[0014] At each step, one of the display elements is rotated from a first rotational position to a second rotational position such that the corresponding first side and the illuminated portion of the moon depicted therein are no longer positioned on the display surface, thus causing the moon to gradually wane. After the final step, all display elements are in the second rotational position such that the illuminated portion of the moon is no longer visible, which corresponds to a new moon.

[0015] Of course, the controller is preferably configured to reset the individual display elements in further steps by rotating further (in the same or opposite direction) from the second rotational position back to the first rotational position, so that the Moon gradually fills until it again reaches the full moon position.

[0016] This step can be performed at fixed, predefined time intervals, determined so that the represented image of the moon corresponds in the best possible way to the current age of the moon at any given time, the length of the time interval depending inter alia on the number of steps / display elements required.

[0017] In one embodiment, the number of display elements is an even number, ranging from 4 to 60. The even number allows for optimal depiction of a half moon, with the moon being drawn on half of the existing display elements forming a semicircle as a whole. As few as four display elements are sufficient to meaningfully depict the phase of the moon, since it is possible to distinguish between a new moon, a quarter moon, a half moon, a waning moon, and a full moon. To depict more distinct phases, a larger number of display elements is required. A larger number of display elements also contributes to a smaller moon phase indicator, since a shallower footprint is required to accommodate the display elements and their respective rotational movements.

[0018] In one embodiment, the number of display elements is 14. This number is sufficient to depict the lunar age in a distinct way. Furthermore, since a complete lunar cycle lasting about 29.5 days is represented by 28 steps, the time interval between successive steps is about 24 hours, i.e. may be considered as 24 hours. As a result, the depiction changes once a day at or approximately at a fixed time, making it possible to display the lunar age in a particularly attractive way to the viewer.

[0019] When the drive starts up, the controller can execute successive steps at fixed intervals, so that the displayed age of the moon corresponds in the best way to the current age of the moon. Alternatively, it is possible to take into account the current time, for example to ensure that steps are executed at the same time every day, or to avoid steps being executed during a predefined break (for example overnight between 10 pm and 8 am). In the latter case, pending steps can be executed early, before 10 pm, or caught up at some time after 8 am.

[0020] In one embodiment, the vertical axis of the display element extends perpendicular to the field of view of a person viewing the moon phase indicator in the position of use. In the case where the moon phase indicator is integrated into a clock, this means that the vertical axis is arranged parallel to the line connecting the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions of a conventional 12-hour clock face. In the case of a moon phase indicator incorporated into a grandfather clock or wall clock, or a separate moon phase indicator that stands or hangs on a wall, the vertical axis extends vertically accordingly. Such an arrangement of the vertical axis generally results in a depiction of the moon that better corresponds to the moon as observed in the sky than would a horizontal arrangement of the vertical axis.

[0021] In one embodiment, the controller is set so that the number of consecutive steps (from full moon to new moon) and the number of display elements match. At the first end The placed display element is rotated in the first step, the display element placed immediately next to it is rotated in the second step, and so on, until the final step. 1st end and the moon phase indicator on the opposite side. 2nd end Repeat until you rotate the display elements placed in .

[0022] In one embodiment, the controller has a northern hemisphere mode of operation and a southern hemisphere mode of operation, in which the rightmost positioned display element rotates in a first step based on a viewer's perspective, and in which the leftmost positioned display element rotates in a first step based on a viewer's perspective, such that the resulting representation corresponds to the appearance of the moon as it would appear to a human in the sky in each hemisphere.

[0023] In one embodiment, the first side forms a square area on the display surface at the full moon position, which is optimal for depicting a format-filling circular full moon.

[0024] In one embodiment, a sub-area of ​​the first side adjacent to the depiction of the illuminated portion of the moon has a background color, which can be chosen to be dark to match the night sky, so that when the moon is full, the moon is depicted on a uniform background.

[0025] In one embodiment, the second side has this background color, so that the portions of the moon that are illuminated are also depicted on a uniform background for each depiction of the partial moon.

[0026] In one embodiment, each of the second sides depicts a portion of the moon that is not illuminated, so that portions of the moon that are not directly illuminated by the sun are actually visible, a special design feature that is not possible with the conventional moon phase indicators described above.

[0027] In one embodiment, a portion of the second side adjacent the rendering of the non-illuminated moon portion has the background color, so that the entire moon is depicted at each partial moon position against a uniform background.

[0028] In one embodiment, the moon phase indicator has a frame disposed on the display surface and framing the display elements, the frame providing an aesthetic finish to the area formed by the display elements, and at the same time helping to protect the moveable display elements from damage and may serve to receive suitable bearings and / or drives and / or controllers.

[0029] This frame is preferably left in the background color, so that a uniform look for the moon phase indicator can be achieved, and furthermore, awareness of its structural design can be totally or partially hidden by the movable display element.

[0030] In one embodiment, the display elements each have a strip-shaped third side which is arranged in a third rotational position of the display surface. In this case, the cross section of the display elements may in particular be triangular. Further states of the phase of the moon can be displayed with the aid of the third side. By way of example, the second side may remain entirely in the background color, while the third side may have a representation of a non-illuminated part of the moon. Thus, it is possible to switch between the two described representation variants.

[0031] In one embodiment, the drive of each display element has its own drive unit with a stepping motor, servo motor or rotary magnet. As a result, the rotational position of each display element can be set with the same precision. The drive unit can be screwed via slots into the bearing structure of the moon phase indicator, so that the position of the display elements can be finely adjusted. The slots can in particular be arranged so that the position of the display elements can be adjusted in the direction of the display surface (i.e. perpendicular to the normal direction of the display surface). At the opposite end of the drive unit, the display elements can each be supported on a support element, the position of which can likewise be determined via the connections of the slots in a finely adjustable manner. This makes it possible to simply adjust the positions of the display elements so that the distances between adjacent display elements are equal.

[0032] In one embodiment, the drive unit of one of the display elements is located at the top end, and the drive unit of the adjacently located display element is located at the bottom end of the display element. This is applicable for each pair of adjacent display elements. In other words, the drive units are always alternately located at both ends of the display elements. Thus, installation space is available for each drive unit, which is approximately twice as large as the free space above or below the display element. As a result, the moon phase indicator can be made compact.

[0033] In one embodiment, a safety coupling is arranged between one of the display elements and the drive, which releases the telescopic connection or pressure fit between the drive and the display element when a predefined torque is exceeded. In particular, such a safety coupling can be assigned to each of the display elements. The safety coupling prevents overload and / or other damage to the drive if the rotational movement is impeded or blocked.

[0034] In one embodiment, the safety coupling has a resilient coupling element that interacts with a flat spot on a shaft that is rigidly connected to the drive or indicator element, such that in the event of an obstruction or jamming, the resilient coupling element can deform and disengage from the flat spot.

[0035] In one embodiment, the drive can have play, and the display element is assigned to a spring element and a control that interacts with the spring element. This control is for each of the sides of the control and has a flat spot on which the spring element rests in a plane if the display element is correctly positioned in the relevant rotational position. Together, this spring element and the control form a mechanism that ensures the correct alignment of the display element in its intended rest position. The fact that the drive can have play means that the rest position when the drive is at rest is fixed only within certain limits, for example with a possible deviation of + / - 0.5 degrees to + / - 5 degrees. When connected with the already mentioned safety coupling, such rotational play can be realized, for example, by a gap between the elastic coupling element and a flat point of the shaft of the drive element. The spring element is important for the correct alignment and exerts a spring force on the flat spot depending on the relative rotational position of the spring element and the control. If the spring element rests in a plane on the flat spot, the force acts symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation and no torque acts. The control element is arranged concentrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the display element. The flat spots may be arranged distributed over the periphery of the control element. The control element may be connected to the display element in a non-rotating manner, i.e. it may rotate together with the control element. In this case, the control element may be arranged in a fixed manner, e.g. fixed to the frame of the moon phase indicator. In particular, the flat spots can be arranged parallel to the respective associated side, e.g. on the "back side" of the display element opposite the associated side with respect to the axis of rotation. The reverse arrangement is also possible, i.e. the spring element is connected to the display element in a non-rotating manner and the control element is arranged in a fixed manner, e.g. on the frame. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0036] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. [Figure 1] Three lunar phase indicators placed next to each other at different times. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic view of a portion of the moon age indicator of FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the moon phase indicator of FIG. 1; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the drive of the moon phase indicator of FIG. 1; [Diagram 5] Schematic diagram of the drive for the display element with a safety coupling. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the display element of FIG. 5, with a spring element and a control for fixing it in a rest position.

[0037] 1 shows a moon phase indicator having 14 display elements 10-36 and a frame 38 surrounding the display elements 10-36. Each of the display elements 10-36 is strip-shaped and has rectangular first and second sides. The display elements 10-36 are supported so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis.

[0038] In the state shown on the left side of FIG. 1, all of the display elements 10-36 are arranged in a first rotational position. In the first rotational position, the first sides are in each case arranged on the display surface corresponding to the drawing. The first sides of the display elements 10-36 as a whole almost completely fill the square area of ​​the display surface. The front part of the frame 38 is similarly arranged on the display surface. Its front part is square in shape and has a square compartment in which the display elements 10-36 are arranged, so that the display elements almost completely fill this compartment.

[0039] An illuminated portion of the moon, shown in white in Fig. 1, is depicted on each of the 14 first sides. Each first side generally depicts a full moon, i.e., the full moon position is shown on the left of Fig. 1. Parts of the first side areas adjacent to each illuminated portion of the moon remain black and form the background. Frame 38 is also black so that the full moon appears against a consistent background overall.

[0040] Starting from the full moon position shown on the left side of FIG. 1, the display elements 10-36 are each brought to a second rotational position in successive steps. This occurs in a first step with the leftmost display element 10, then with the adjacent display element 12, and so on. After four steps, this results in the position shown in the center of FIG. 1, where the moon is missing by about a quarter (more precisely 4 / 14). The four display elements 10, 12, 14 and 16 arranged on the left are now arranged in their second rotational position, where both second sides are arranged on the display surface. The second sides do not depict illuminated parts of the moon, but depict respectively non-illuminated parts of the moon in grey. The partial areas of the second sides adjacent to the non-illuminated parts of the moon remain in the background color black. Since the diameter of the depiction of the moon is adapted to the size of the first side, the area filled by the display elements 10-36 is almost completely or completely utilized.

[0041] After three more steps, display elements 18, 20, and 22 are also positioned in their second rotational position, i.e., the half-moon position, which is shown on the right of Fig. 1. The trajectory in Fig. 1 corresponds to a southern hemisphere mode of operation, since it represents the state observed in the southern hemisphere night sky, where the moon is waning "from the left". In a northern hemisphere mode of operation (not shown), starting from the full moon position, the rightmost display element 36 is rotated first to the second rotational position.

[0042] In FIG. 2, the display elements 10, 12, 14 are shown diagrammatically in cross section. They each have the shape of an equilateral triangle. A first side 40 is arranged on one side of the triangle, and a second side 42 on the second side of the triangle. In the position shown, the first side 40 is arranged on the display surface indicated by the dotted line 44. Adjacent to the first side 40 of the display element 10, a piece of the frame 38 is visible, the front of which is likewise on the display surface. A vertically arranged holder 46 forms part of the bearing structure, but is arranged at the rear of the frame 38. A support element 50 for each of the display elements 10-36 is arranged on a horizontal holder, which is a further element of the bearing structure, but is not shown in FIG. 2, although it is only diagrammatically shown. A vertical axis 48, about which each of the display elements 10-36 is rotatably supported on the support element 50, is also shown.

[0043] A controller 66 is arranged to control the respective rotational positions of the display elements 10-36, but is likewise only indicated diagrammatically. To this end, the controller is connected to a drive unit 60 (see FIG. 4). The electronic controller 66 and the drive unit 60 are supplied with electrical energy by an accumulator, not shown.

[0044] In Figure 3 the moon phase indicator is seen from behind with the back wall (not shown) removed. The back of the frame 38 is visible as well as two of the vertical retainers 46 and two horizontal retainers 52, 54 which form a bearing structure for the display elements 10-36. The frame 38 is clamped to this bearing structure.

[0045] Each of the display elements 10-36 (reference numbers only partially shown in FIG. 3) is adjacent at its upper and lower end to one of the horizontal holders 52, 54. A support device 56 for receiving a drive unit is arranged at the upper end of each display element 10-36 above the horizontal holder 52, one for every third display element 10-36. For the remaining display elements 10-36, such a support device 56 is arranged below another horizontal holder 54 at the lower end of the display element 10-36. The drive unit itself is not shown in detail in FIG. 3.

[0046] 4 is a schematic front view of a portion of the moon phase indicator. Several of the display elements 10-36 are visible, as well as the horizontal holders 52 arranged above them. Above the horizontal holders 52, drive units 60 with support devices 56 are arranged for every third display element 10-36.

[0047] One of the drive units 60 is shown enlarged and comprises a two-part support device 56 with four oblong holes in each of which a screw 58 is guided and screwed into the holder 52, and a servo motor 62 connected to a shaft 64 which supports and drives the associated display element 10-36.

[0048] 5 shows a part of a display element 10 at the bottom, which is supported for rotation about the rotation axis 48 by means of a plain bearing surface 74 and is driven by a drive unit 60. The drive unit 60 comprises a rotating plate 68 to which an elastic coupling element 70 is fastened and which has a laterally deformable end extending parallel to the rotation axis 48. In the rest position shown, this end is arranged at a distance from a flat spot 72, which is arranged on another circular shaft part 76 arranged concentrically with the rotation axis 48. When the rotating plate 68 rotates, its end comes into contact with the flat spot 72 and receives the display element 10 together during the further rotational movement.

[0049] If the display element 10 is prevented from rotating, the end will be deformed outwards and move away from the flat spot 72 so that it rests on the remaining side of the axle 76. The flat spot 72 and the elastic coupling element 70 thus form a safety coupling. Once the fault has been rectified, the display element 10 can be repositioned so that the flat spot 72 is located on the end. This can easily be done manually, especially if the friction between the axle 76 and the elastic coupling element is less than if the drive unit 60 itself were to be obstructed.

[0050] In FIG. 6, the lower part of the display element 10 of FIG. 6 is shown. It is supported on the frame part 78 so as to be rotatable about the axis of rotation 48. The control part 80 is arranged below the display element 10 concentrically with respect to the axis of rotation 48 and is non-rotatably connected to the display element 10. It has three flat spots 82, each of which is assigned to a side of the display element 10. The free end of a spring element 84 is fastened to the frame element 78 and rests flat on one of these flat spots 82. When the display element 10 rotates, the free end of the spring element 84 deforms outwardly away from the axis of rotation 48. This results in a torque on the control part 80 that is sufficient to bring the display element 10 exactly into the desired rotational position within the play. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 10~36 display elements 38 Frames 40 First Aspect 42 The Second Aspect 44 lines (display surface) 46 Holder (vertical) 48 Rotational Axis 50 Supporting Elements 52, 54 Holder (horizontal) 56 Support device 58 Screw 60 Drive Unit 62 Servo motor 64 Shaft 66 Controller 68 Rotating Plate 70 Elastic Coupling Element 72 Flat Spot 74 Plain bearing surface 76 Shaft 78 Frame section 80 Control section 82 Flat Spot 84 Spring elements

Claims

1. A lunar age indicator, comprising: - A display surface that displays the current moon age; a plurality of display elements (10-36), each supported for rotation about its longitudinal axis, each having a strip-shaped first side (40) depicting an illuminated portion of the moon and a strip-shaped second side (42) depicting no illuminated portion of the moon; Each of the display elements (10-36) has a first rotational position in which the first side (40) is disposed on the display surface and a second rotational position in which the second side (42) is disposed on the display surface; the first side (40) includes a plurality of display elements (10-36) that collectively represent a full moon in a full moon position in which all of the display elements (10-36) are disposed in their first rotational position; a drive capable of rotating each individual display element (10-36) about its longitudinal axis independently of the remaining display elements (10-36); a controller (66) configured to operate the drive such that, from a full moon position, each one of the display elements (10-36) is rotated in successive steps to the second rotational position until all of the display elements (10-36) are positioned in the second rotational position, thereby displaying a gradually waning moon.

2. 2. A moon age indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the number of said display elements (10-36) is even and lies within the range of 4 to 30.

3. 2. A moon phase indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the number of said display elements (10-36) is fourteen.

4. A moon phase indicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the longitudinal axis of the display elements (10-36) extends perpendicular to the field of view of a person looking at the moon phase indicator in the position of use.

5. A moon phase indicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the controller (66) is set so that the number of successive steps matches the number of display elements (10-36), and the controller (66) rotates the display element (10-36) located at a first end of the moon phase indicator in a first step, rotates the display element (10-36) located immediately adjacent thereto in a second step, and so on until, in a final step, the display element (10-36) located at a second end of the moon phase indicator opposite the first end is rotated.

6. 6. The moon phase indicator of claim 5, wherein the controller (66) has a northern hemisphere operation mode and a southern hemisphere operation mode, and in the northern hemisphere operation mode, a display element (36) located at the rightmost position based on a viewer's field of view rotates in the first step, and in the southern hemisphere operation mode, a display element (10) located at the leftmost position based on a viewer's field of view rotates in the first step.

7. 7. A moon phase indicator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first side (40) forms a square area on the display surface at the full moon position.

8. 8. A moon phase indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that a partial area of ​​the first side (40) adjacent to the representation of the illuminated portion of the moon has a background color.

9. 9. The moon phase indicator of claim 8, wherein said second side (42) has said background color.

10. 10. A moon phase indicator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that on each of said second sides (42) there is depicted a non-illuminated portion of the moon.

11. 11. The moon phase indicator of claim 10, wherein a portion of the second side (42) adjacent the representation of the non-illuminated moon portion has a background color.

12. The moon phase indicator according to claim 8 or 11, characterized in that the moon phase indicator has a frame (38) arranged on the display surface and framing the display elements (10-36), the frame (38) desirably remaining the background color.

13. A lunar age indicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the display elements (10 to 36) each have a band-shaped third side that is arranged in a third rotational position of the display surface.

14. A moon phase indicator according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the drive of each of the display elements (10 to 36) has its own drive unit (60) equipped with a stepper motor or servo motor (62) or a rotary magnet.

15. 15. The moon age indicator according to claim 14, characterized in that the drive unit (60) of one of the display elements (10-36) is arranged at an upper end and the drive unit (60) of the adjacently arranged display element (10-36) is arranged at a lower end of that display element (10-36).

16. 16. A moon age indicator according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that a safety coupling is arranged between one of the display elements (10) and the drive, which releases the snap-on connection or pressure fit between the drive and the display element (10) when a predetermined torque is exceeded.

17. 17. The moon phase indicator according to claim 16, characterized in that the safety coupling comprises an elastic coupling element (70) which interacts with a flat spot (72) of a shaft rigidly connected to the drive and to the display element (10).

18. 18. A moon age indicator according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the drive is capable of producing play, the display element (10) is assigned to a spring element (84) and a control (80) which interacts with the spring element (84), the control (80) being for each of the sides of the display element (10), and which has a flat spot (82) on which the spring element (84) rests in a plane when the display element (10) is correctly positioned in the associated rotational position.

Images