Rotationally symmetric timepiece
US5640372A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 19, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 19, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG04B19/082
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A rotationally symmetric timepiece wherein time information is displayed along an axis that is marked in 13 locations with axially symmetric markers. The 13 markers divide the axis into 12 sections of preferably equal length as well as mark the ends of the axis. Time information is displayed by one or more indicators which move along the axis at controlled rates. To display hour information, an indicator, which encircles the axis, is moved along the axis at a speed such that it travels the full length of the axis in a 12-hour period. At the end of this period, the indicator is preferably reset back to the first indicator. To display minute and second information, two additional indicators are used. The minute indicator is made to travel the length of the axis every hour before being reset, while the second indicator travels the length of the axis over a period of one minute before it is reset. The indicators are of different diameters so they do not interfere with each other as they travel along the axis.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.