Analog Clock

Abstract

To improve division of time intervals on the face of an analog clock. [Solution] The division of a specific time interval is represented on the dial 12 by the intersection of two adjacent line segments.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to analog timepieces, and in particular to the division of time intervals on the dial. [Background technology]

[0002] The methods used to display time on a clock can be broadly divided into "digital" and "analog". Digital clocks display the hours, minutes, and seconds as numbers, and uniquely display the current time. On the other hand, analog clocks, in which the hands corresponding to each time element (hour, minute, and second hands) rotate over time, are suitable for displaying not only the current time, but also the time between two points in the flow of time.

[0003] In many common analog clocks, marker lines or marks indicating one-hour intervals and five-minute intervals are displayed on imaginary radial lines extending radially from the center of rotation of the hands at equal intervals of 30°. Also, marker lines or marks indicating one-minute intervals and one-second intervals are displayed on imaginary radial lines extending radially from the center of rotation of the hands at equal intervals of 6° (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-148682 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention aims to improve the division of time intervals on the face of an analog clock. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, an analog timepiece according to the present invention is characterized in that divisions of specific time intervals are represented on the dial by the intersections of two adjacent line segments. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, by expressing the division of a specific time interval with the intersection of two adjacent line segments, it is possible to express the original literal meaning of an analog clock, that is, "the continuity of the flow of time," in addition to the meaning of a mark of "a division of a specific time interval." This makes it possible to improve the markings that divide time intervals on the dial face of an analog clock. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an analog timepiece according to an embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An analog timepiece according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] The analog clock 10 according to the embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as "clock 10") can be used in various clocks such as wristwatches, wall clocks, and table clocks, as well as clocks displayed on the displays of smartphones, which are a type of computer, as well as smartwatches, mobile information terminals such as tablets and laptops, or clocks displayed on electronic devices such as desktop computers, televisions, and digital signage.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, a clock 10 has a circular dial 12. The dial 12 is provided with an hour hand 14, a minute hand 16, and a second hand 18, each of which rotates around its center point. The hour hand 14, the minute hand 16, and the second hand 18 are pointers that correspond to the time elements corresponding to hours, minutes, and seconds. The hour hand 14 rotates once in a right-handed (clockwise) direction in 12 hours, as in a typical clock. Similarly, the minute hand 16 rotates once in a right-handed (clockwise) direction in 60 minutes, and the second hand 18 rotates once in a right-handed (clockwise) direction in 60 seconds. The hour hand 14, the minute hand 16, and the second hand 18 each rotate according to the passage of time, thereby displaying the current time. The dial 12 also has numbers from 1 to 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 shape of the mark indicating the "division of the time interval", which is another element that assists in displaying the current time indicated by the hands, is configured differently from that of a general clock. That is, in this embodiment, the division of a specific time interval is represented on the dial 12 by the intersection of two adjacent line segments. Specifically, a fold line is displayed along the periphery of the dial 12, and there are 60 inflection points of this fold line. All of these 60 inflection points are intersection points of two adjacent line segments that constitute the fold line, and each of these 60 intersection points (inflection points) represents a division of a one-minute interval and a one-second interval. In this example, all of the intersection points are arranged on a virtual radial line extending radially from the center point of the dial 12 at equal pitches of 6° intervals, as in a general clock.

[0013] In this embodiment, at the intersections representing the divisions of 1-hour intervals and 5-minute intervals among the 60 intersections, two adjacent line segments intersect with each other. That is, in this embodiment, the two line segments forming the intersections representing the divisions of 1-hour intervals and 5-minute intervals intersect with each other in an "X" shape, and both ends of the line segments are arranged on both sides of the intersection. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to easily distinguish between "divisions of 1-minute intervals and 1-second intervals" and "divisions of 1-hour intervals and 5-minute intervals" in the same way as with a general clock.

[0014] In this way, according to the clock 10 of this embodiment, by expressing the division of a specific time interval with the intersection of two adjacent line segments, it is possible to express the literal meaning of "continuity of the flow of time" that is inherent to analog clocks, in addition to the meaning of marking "the division of a specific time interval". Furthermore, the folded line drawn along the periphery of the dial 12 not only serves as a marking indicating the division of a specific time interval, but also becomes part of the design of the dial 12, thereby contributing to improving the design of the clock 10. This realizes an improvement in the markings that mark the division of time intervals on the dial of an analog clock.

[0015] While the analog timepiece according to the present invention has been described above based on an embodiment, the present invention is of course not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be embodied in the following modified forms, for example.

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

[0017] (2) In the above embodiment, the thickness of the line segments constituting the folding line and the angle between two adjacent line segments are not particularly limited. In addition, in the above embodiment, the dial 12 is circular, but the shape of the dial is not limited to this, and may be other shapes such as a rectangle, other polygons, or an ellipse. These elements can be appropriately changed in design, taking into consideration the overall balance of the dial, the design of the hands, and the like.

[0018] (3) In the above embodiment, each of the 60 bending points of the broken line displayed on the dial 12 represents a division of 1-minute intervals and 1-second intervals, and among these, the two line segments forming the intersection points representing the divisions of 1-hour intervals and 5-minute intervals are shown to cross in an "X" shape, but the opposite shape may be used. That is, the divisions of 1-hour intervals and 5-minute intervals may be the bending points of the broken line, and the divisions of 1-minute intervals and 1-second intervals may be 60 intersection points in an "X" shape. Of course, it is also possible to implement a form that does not have divisions of 1-hour intervals and 5-minute intervals. Furthermore, the shape of the mark representing the divisions of 1-hour intervals and 5-minute intervals is not limited to the "X" shape exemplified above, and may be represented, for example, by radial division lines (straight lines) in conventionally known watches, points, or other shapes.

[0019] (4) In the above embodiment, the numbers 1 to 12 are displayed on the dial 12 as symbols for identifying the time, but for example, 12 types of symbols may be displayed. For example, images such as letters, paintings, and photographs representing the 12 zodiac signs may be displayed on the dial as 12 types of symbols. In addition, 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 possible to display Roman numerals or Chinese numerals.

[0020] The present invention can be implemented in various forms that include improvements, modifications, or variations based on the knowledge of a person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, the present invention can be implemented in a form in which any of the invention-specific features are replaced with other technologies within the scope of the same action or effect. [Explanation of symbols]

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

Claims

[Claim 1] The intersection of two adjacent lines marks the division of a specific time interval on the dial, There are 60 intersections on the dial, each of which represents a division of a one-minute interval and a one-second interval; Each of the intersections is an inflection point of a bent line displayed on the dial, An analog clock, wherein the two adjacent line segments intersect at intersections representing divisions of one-hour intervals and five-minute intervals among the 60 intersections.

Images