Clock with perceived gravity-defying time indicator
US7050359B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 30, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 23, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 30, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG09F1/10
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A clock with a seemingly gravity-defying time-indicating element adjacent a substantially vertically disposed dial comprises a magnetic guide element positioned behind the dial for movement around the dial as a function of time, and a magnetically responsive time-indicating element such as a metallic-appearing sphere positioned for viewer visibility in front of the dial. The time-indicating element is magnetically coupled to the guide element for movement therewith around the front of the dial in apparent defiance of gravity to indicate the time without becoming decoupled from the guide element. The time-indicating element is a generally hollow shell of non-magnetically responsive material, with an internal, generally tubular and generally space-enclosing member extending across its interior to capture and restrict the movement of a magnetically-responsive coupling element positioned within the generally tubularly enclosed space, and sized to move freely therewithin so that any surface of the coupling element can generally abut the interior wall of the time-indicating element at either end of the tubular enclosure, said coupling element being mechanically coupled to the time-indica…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.