Analog diving watch

Abstract

The invention relates to an analog diving watch with two concentric rotary bezels (12, 13) that allow immersion time and ascent time to be controlled independently and simultaneously. The first bezel (13) includes a mark (13') for setting the time from the start of immersion up to the expected moment of the start of the ascent; the second bezel (12) has a mark (12') to indicate the minimum time needed to complete the ascent safely. Both bezels are preferably regressive (move anticlockwise), allowing the remaining time to be seen at each stage. Optionally, the watch includes a chronograph with an additional minute hand (8). The invention improves safety by keeping the diver informed, without needing underwater manipulation or mental calculations.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] ANALOGUE DIVING WATCH

[0003] TECHNICAL SECTOR

[0004] The present invention relates to an analog watch that has been specially designed to allow the safe practice of the sport of diving.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a watch that allows its user to control both dive time and ascent time independently.

[0006] The object of the invention is therefore to offer a clock that allows the control of two time periods in order to carry out the maneuvers of remaining at the bottom and ascending safely.

[0007] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In the practical application of the invention, that of analog watches, current analog watches used for diving use a simple system to control dive time, in which a rotating bezel participates.

[0009] These types of systems can be divided into three:

[0010] In a first, more standardized system, a rotating, numbered bezel is used. At the start of the dive, the zero-minute mark on the bezel can be manually aligned with the minute hand of the watch. This transforms the watch into a chronograph, allowing the diver to check the elapsed time.

[0011] There are other types of watches with regressive bezels, in which the minute markings around the bezel are reversed, so that at the start of the dive, the minute hand aligns with the number of minutes the dive is expected to last. With this system, the diver cannot check how much time has elapsed, but rather how much time remains until surfacing.

[0012] Finally, the third type of watch includes a chronograph, with its own hand separate from the main watch hand, which allows for the measurement of split times. In none of the three cases does the watch provide the minimum information necessary to prevent an accident during diving.

[0013] Specifically, for the dive to be safe, the diver needs to know when the bottom time ends and the ascent should begin, and how long the ascent process should last at a minimum until reaching the surface.

[0014] In other words, to dive safely, the diver must control two distinct time periods, since, as is known, the bottom time must not exceed a certain time and the ascent time must last at least a certain time (you cannot ascend abruptly) since this would produce the well-known danger of decompression.

[0015] In this sense, the period from the start of the dive until the moment the ascent to the surface begins is known as bottom time.

[0016] More specifically, the longer the subject remains underwater, the more nitrogen their body will assimilate. This is true as long as the ambient pressure is constant or increases. That is, if the pressure begins to decrease (because the diver is ascending), the increase in nitrogen saturation in the body stops. The diver is still underwater, but, physiologically speaking, we could say that their dive has ended.

[0017] This is done using decompression tables based on bottom time, which determine ascent times for each case.

[0018] Thus, the time that elapses from when the diver begins the journey to the surface, until the moment he takes his head out of the water is the ascent time.

[0019] Depending on the depth reached and the time spent at the bottom, the ascent time will be longer or shorter. To calculate this time, we must consider the meters that can be ascended per minute, plus any periods the diver must remain stationary (stops) if necessary.

[0020] The aforementioned data results in a specific maximum ascent rate. This rate is part of the decompression process and must not be exceeded under any circumstances. Ascending faster than the limits set by the tables could lead to a decompression accident. In short, since current analog watches only allow for monitoring one time interval, divers must memorize the other interval based on the time they started the dive, with the inherent risks involved.

[0021] EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The analog diving watch of the invention fully and satisfactorily solves the aforementioned problem, based on a simple but effective solution, allowing the control of two time periods and consequently making diving much safer.

[0023] To this end, starting from the conventional structure of an analog watch, the watch of the invention focuses its characteristics on the fact that it includes two rotating bezels, providing the diver with all the information necessary to control the dive, all through a quick and clear reading of the information, simple use of the system, which does not require any action during the dive, which does not force the diver to remember data or perform mathematical operations during the dive, being suitable for all levels and standardized to all countries and organizations.

[0024] More specifically, starting with a conventional dial system, two concentric, rotating bezels are placed around the dial. One bezel displays the minutes from the start of the dive until the beginning of the ascent (first mark), and the second bezel displays the time the diver needs from the start of the ascent until reaching the surface (second mark). Thus, when the minute hand reaches the first mark on the first bezel, the diver must begin ascending, and when the minute hand reaches the second mark on the second bezel, the diver must reach the surface.

[0025] These times are calculated using the corresponding dive tables, so the data can be entered into the watch just before starting the dive.

[0026] According to another feature of the invention, the two bezels will be regressive, so that in both time sections it will be possible to check how many minutes remain until the marked limits are reached. The watch that is the subject of the invention preferably incorporates a chronograph, that is, an additional hand to those of a standard watch. The chronograph hand preferably indicates minutes and not seconds, as is conventional.

[0027] Thanks to this additional hand, the diver can tell how long he has been submerged by observing the position of this additional hand compared to the numbering of the hours on the main dial.

[0028] In short, the clock that is the subject of the invention is an extremely safe, accurate, easy-to-use device, suitable for recreational use, efficient in its operation, totally innovative and compatible with all international tables and legislation.

[0029] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] To complement the description and to aid in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, a drawing is included as an integral part of said description, in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

[0031] Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of an analog diving watch made in accordance with the object of the present invention.

[0032] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0033] In view of the figure described, it can be observed how the clock of the invention is based on the conventional structure of an analog clock comprising a main dial (3) on which at least one hand moves, indicating the time.

[0034] The invention proposes that the watch comprises, concentrically to the main dial (3), two rotating bezels (12-13);

[0035] • a first rotating bezel (13) with a first mark (13') that allows the time to be entered in relation to a reference point, from the beginning of the dive until the moment of starting the planned ascent, and a second rotating bezel (12) with a second mark (12') that allows the time to be entered in relation to the time marked by the first mark (13'), which the diver needs from the start of the ascent until reaching the surface, in such a way that the needle advances from the reference point towards the first mark (13') indicating the time the diver has until starting the ascent and subsequently advances towards the second mark (12') indicating the minimum time that the ascent must last to be safe.

[0036] These bezels are preferably of the regressive type, meaning that the distribution of the 60 minutes that appear represented on them is distributed in a counter-clockwise direction.

[0037] Thanks to the characteristics of the watch that is the subject of the invention and preferably with the tables and the organized diving program, the diver can:

[0038] • turn the first rotating bezel (13) so that the first mark (13') indicates the time from the start of the dive until the planned start of the ascent, and

[0039] • Turn the second rotating bezel (12) so that the second mark (12') indicates the minimum time the diver needs from the start of the ascent until reaching the surface.

[0040] The minimum time a diver needs from the start of the ascent to the surface depends on the depth and the time spent at the bottom and is preferably calculated using tables and the organized diving program.

[0041] As shown in Figure 1, the analog clock of the invention may comprise a watertight case (1), preferably with its corresponding bracelet (2), a case in which a main dial (3) is established with markings (4) valid for telling the time, indicated by the corresponding hour (5), minute (6) and second (7) hands, the case having the classic crown (9) for setting the time.

[0042] Optionally, the watch may also include a chronograph, which incorporates a chronograph minute hand (8) controlled by a chronograph activation button (10) that also serves as a reset button (11). This eliminates the need for the user to use the standard watch hand to indicate the time. Figure 1 shows a watch, as described in the invention, where the chronograph minute hand (8) indicates that the diver has been submerged for 43 minutes. Thanks to the two rotating bezels (12-13), the diver knows that the time from the start of the dive until the start of the ascent (bottom time) is 40 minutes, that the ascent should have begun 3 minutes ago, and that at least 7 minutes remain to complete the ascent maneuvers.

[0043] Thanks to the invention's watch, the diver is provided with all the necessary information to control the dive times (bottom time, start of ascent and end of ascent) through a quick and clear reading of the information, without having to manipulate the watch once submerged, and without having to remember data or perform mathematical operations during said dive, thus increasing the safety of said diver.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- Analog diving watch comprising a main dial (3) on which at least one hand moves indicating the time, characterized by comprising, concentrically to the main dial (3), two rotating bezels (12-13); • a first rotating bezel (13) with a first mark (13') that allows the entry of time relative to a reference point, from the start of the dive until the moment of starting the planned ascent, and • a second rotating bezel (12) with a second mark (12') which allows the time to be entered in relation to the time marked by the first mark (13'), which the diver needs from the start of the ascent until reaching the surface, in such a way that the needle advances from the reference point towards the first mark (13') indicating the time the diver has until starting the ascent and subsequently advances towards the second mark (12') indicating the minimum time the ascent must last to be safe.

2. Analog diving watch, according to claim 1, characterized in that the time markings of the two concentric rotating bezels (12-13) are of a regressive type, such that they are distributed in a counter-clockwise direction.

3. Analog diving watch, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a chronograph, in which a minute hand (8) participates, controlled by a chronograph activation button (10) which indicates on the concentric rotating bezels (12-13) the time the diver has until starting the ascent and secondly the time the ascent should last 4.- Analog diving watch, according to claim 4, characterized in that the chronograph mechanism has a reset button (11) such that when pressed, the minute hand (8) is placed in a specific position.

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