Of Rotatable Disk Type Patents (Class 368/233)
  • Patent number: 11687033
    Abstract: A self-winding mechanical horological movement including a pivotally oscillating weight, wherein the oscillating weight is provided with a decorative disc mounted on the oscillating weight and pivotally driven by the weight. The disc is fastened to a support that includes a stem inserted into a hole provided in the rotational shaft of the weight. The stem and the hole include non-circular section cylindrical portions corresponding with one another, so that the support and the disc are pivotally driven by the shaft. The disc forms a decoration that covers the entire surface of the movement, without requiring technical complexities. The disc can be free to undergo an axial movement in relation to the weight, so that the disc may be removed from the weight when the horological movement is dismantled from a watch case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Ivan Villar, Laurent Kaelin
  • Patent number: 11137722
    Abstract: A wristwatch (an example of a timepiece) includes a small dial (an example of a dial) and a rotary disk (an example of a rotary member). The small dial includes a sun mark for displaying the state of the sun. The rotary disk covers the small dial and rotates in a 24-hour period. The rotary disk includes the sun state indicator that changes the visibility of the sun mark in accordance with the rotational position of the rotary disk. One of the small dial and the rotary member includes a plurality of numbers (an example of indexes) for indicating time. The other of the small dial and the rotary member includes a time indicator that indicates a number in accordance with the rotational position of the rotary disk. The time indicator and the sun state indicator are disposed relative to each other in a positional relationship such that the visibility of the sun mark by the sun state indicator corresponds to the state of the sun corresponding to the number indicated by the time indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Noriaki Mitamura
  • Patent number: 10918027
    Abstract: The climbing palm tree trimmer may ascend and descend a tree trunk of a palm tree in order to trim the top of the palm tree. A cutting ring may rotate within a housing ring so that a plurality of blades projecting upwards from the cutting ring may cut trimmings from the palm tree. The cutting ring may separate such that the cutting ring may be placed around the tree trunk and reassembled. The housing ring may likewise separate such that the housing ring may be placed around the tree trunk and reassembled. A plurality of drive units may move the climbing palm tree trimmer up or down the tree trunk. Up and down movements and activation of the cutting ring may be controlled from the ground using the trimmer control box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Inventor: Santiago E. Noriega
  • Patent number: 10859979
    Abstract: A skeleton watch includes a case middle which defines an interior space, a crystal and a back cover fixed to the case middle on either side of the middle to enclose the interior space, and a movement. The movement includes an openworked frame having a front face and a back face, the frame including an outer perimeter formed by two side positions, a top bar that connects between upper ends of the side posts, and a lower platform connected to lower ends of the side posts. The frame includes a central island positioned within the outer perimeter. The movement also includes a minute hand and an hour hand mounted on a central arbor integral with the frame. The movement also includes a motor having an electromagnet that extends outside of the outer perimeter of the frame in a radial direction from the central arbor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Silvano Bonadei, Damien Goyet, Vittorio Zanesco, Laurent Mouche
  • Patent number: 9772606
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a watch type terminal including a body comprising a display unit and a band connected to the body and formed to be worn on a wrist, wherein the body includes a first disk configured to overlap with the display unit and comprise a first hand, a second disk disposed below the first disk to comprise a second hand, a first and a second pinion coupled to the edges of the first and the second disk, respectively, and a rotation drive unit configured to provide a rotational force to the pinions to rotate the first and the second disk so as to display visual information by the first and the second hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Changhyun Cho, Yonghee Lee, Byoungdoo Kim, Heeyong Kwon, Hyunseok Oh
  • Patent number: 9599962
    Abstract: A timepiece with alternating color rotating dial preferably includes a timepiece housing, at least one mounting plate, a hubbed spiral disc, a hubbed drive system, a geared spiral disc, an outside drive system, a clock module and a control module. The at least one mounting plate is attached to the timepiece housing. The hubbed drive system preferably includes a hubbed motor, a hubbed drive gear and a central gear. The hubbed drive system rotates the hubbed spiral disc. The outside drive system preferably includes an outside motor, at least one outside drive gear and an outside double-wide drive gear. The outside drive system rotates the geared spiral disc. The geared spiral disc rotates within the hubbed spiral disc. The control module controls the rotation of the geared spiral disc relative to the hubbed spiral disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: Nathan J. Erickson
  • Patent number: 9086683
    Abstract: The invention concerns a timepiece that has a single hand, which is movable into a plurality of hand positions. The timepiece has a clockwork for mechanically moving the hand so that the hand is located in a hand position which corresponds to a current time of day and an actuating element connected to the clockwork. The clockwork is designed to change, upon actuation of the actuating element, from a first operating state into a second operating state and to move the hand so that the hand position in the first operating state displays minute information and in the second operating state displays hour information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: BIEGERT & FUNK PRODUCT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Funk, Marco Biegert
  • Patent number: 9001627
    Abstract: The invention concerns a timepiece display module intended to display a series of alphanumerical characters and/or pictures at different moments. The display module includes a platform (3) arranged to be actuated in rotation about an axis and several wheel sets (5) arranged on the platform (3) so that each wheel set (5) turns on itself while orbiting about the axis of rotation of said platform (3) when the latter is actuated in rotation. The display module further includes several wings (1) which are arranged on each wheel set so (5) as to be positioned in turn at the center of the display module. Each wing (1) of each wheel set (5) is actuated such that the wings are oriented in a identical plane at the center of the display module and are adjacent to each other so as to form a central display unit (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Harry Winston S.A.
    Inventor: Denis Giguet
  • Patent number: 8917578
    Abstract: An information display device of the present invention includes an hour plate having an opening, a rotor which is rotatably placed below the hour plate and has a display section which is partially exposed corresponding to the opening of the hour plate, and a braking member which gives a load to the rotor when the rotation of the rotor is stopped, and reduces the load on the rotor when the rotor is rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Takenawa
  • Patent number: 8913467
    Abstract: A timepiece is equipped with a novel type of entertainment, that is a mechanical card game. The timepiece includes: a dial (10) provided with a plurality of windows (12); systems (14) for opening and closing at least some of the windows (12), actuated by control bodies; a plurality of display disks (16) carrying representations of cards to be played, to be visible via the windows (12), the disks being pivoted on axes that are perpendicular to the plane of the dial (10); and a system (18) for rotating the disks and stopping them at random.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Christophe Claret S.A.
    Inventors: Christophe Claret, Jan Dubois, Alain Schiesser
  • Patent number: 8787123
    Abstract: The present invention provides an information notifying device including an hour plate with a display opening, a vibrating motor which is placed on a lower side of the hour plate and causes vibration with eccentric rotation of an eccentric rotation section for information notification, and a rotary plate which rotates with the eccentric rotation of the eccentric rotation section of the vibrating motor and exposes a function display section from the display opening for information notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Takenawa
  • Publication number: 20140160905
    Abstract: Dial (1) for a timepiece, comprising a disc (2) intended to be positioned substantially parallel to a timepiece, and a skirt (3) extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the disc (2) of the dial, characterized in that the skirt (3) comprises at least one elastic element (10) which extends partially over the height of the skirt to retain the dial axially on a timepiece movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: ROLEX SA
    Inventor: Jean-Baptiste Robin
  • Patent number: 8730769
    Abstract: A dial plate structure includes first and second dial plates, a rotary indicator and a cover member. The first dial plate has a cutout portion. The second dial plate is arranged under the first dial plate and has a plurality of function display portions exposed through the cutout portion. The rotary indicator is arranged between the first and second dial plates and has a function indicator to selectively indicate one of the function display portions by rotation. A part of the rotary indicator is exposed through the cutout portion. The cover member is arranged on the second dial plate. The plurality of function display sections are arranged radially outward than the rotary indicator. The cover member is arranged to face the outer periphery of the rotary indicator and to prevent the outer periphery of the rotary indicator from visually contacted through the cutout portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Sato
  • Patent number: 8699303
    Abstract: A world timepiece dial comprising a first ring (2) for minutes, with a first series of digits marked thereon, a second ring (4) for hours, with a second series of digits marked thereon, a third ring (6) with a plurality of time-zone indicating geographical site markings, such markings being adapted to be angularly aligned with the numbers of the first and second series, for instant and simultaneous reading of the time in the geographical sites. The second ring (4) is divided into twelve angular sectors (8, 8?, 8?, . . . ) each bearing one digit of the second series marked thereon. The markings of the third ring (6) are arranged over at least two concentric circular areas (9, 10), each marking of one of the areas (9) being radially opposed to one marking of at least another area (10) to define respective pairs (11, 11?, 11?, . . . ). The geographical sites of each pair (11, 11?, 11?, . . . ) are selected for the time offset between their respective time zones to be twelve hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Voyager Watches di Francesco Caruso
    Inventor: Francesco Caruso
  • Patent number: 8687468
    Abstract: In a trick-action type clock, a part of an hour plate rotates along a plane parallel to a clock support plate. The trick-action type clock includes a first hour plate portion which is fixed to the clock support plate and has a circular shape, and a second hour plate portion which is rotated by a driving motor. The first hour plate portion includes an indicator needle shaft insertion portion which is provided at a position remote from a center of the first hour plate portion so as to insert an indicator needle shaft 101 therethrough. The second hour plate portion includes a circular notched hole which has a rotation center coincides with the center of the first hour plate portion with a circular shape and has the same shape as that of the first hour plate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Rhythm Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenju Nagatake, Koji Murasugi
  • Patent number: 8406087
    Abstract: A watch with a drive by which a gear train of a digital display having one or more number disks driven in rotation in cyclical steps and a manually actuatable disk adjusting mechanism. A drive wheel is advanced rotationally in steps by the drive of the watch and rotationally blocked between the steps. A unit wheel of a unit number disk can be rotationally advanced at ten steps per revolution. A stepping device, driven by the unit wheel drives a tens number disk rotationally at six steps per revolution. An hours number disk, is rotationally advanced directly or indirectly by the tens number disk at twelve steps per revolution during one revolution of the tens number disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: Jens Schneider
  • Patent number: 8379491
    Abstract: A timepiece with a dynamic, analogue display of the time. The timepiece has a first hand which rotates at a first speed and a second hand which rotates at a second speed, wherein the time is displayed with respect to a time unit when the two hands coincide in that the angular position of the coincidence indicates the current time of the time unit viewed on a dial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventor: Hannes Bonhoff
  • Publication number: 20120287762
    Abstract: Dial module for a clock provided with several pointers whose shafts can be driven by the clock mechanism, characterised in that the dial module (1) consists of a casing (10), at least two separate pointers, whereby each pointer (2,3) is provided with its own separate concentric dial (6,7), and whereby at least a pointer (3), together with its shaft (5) and dial (7), can move with respect to another first pointer (3), such that the two pointers (2,3) never overlap one another, and that the mobile dial(s) (7) always maintain a fixed orientation with respect to the casing (10), whereby the upper visible part of the pointers (2,3) and the dials (6,7) are arranged on a single continuous surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventor: Benoit Mintiens
  • Patent number: 8218400
    Abstract: A clock comprising concentric rings of slots slits for indicating time by fully illuminating an appropriate one of the slots. Full illumination is propagated from one slot to an adjacent slot by causing all of the slots in a ring of slots to briefly light up sequentially, thus causing a flash of light to propagate around the ring of slots, thus more clearly showing passage of a second, a minute etc as the illumination was switched from the one slot to the adjacent slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Fromanteel Limited
    Inventors: John Crawshaw Taylor, Stewart Leonard Huxley
  • Patent number: 8040759
    Abstract: Device that assists in maintaining the position of a date indicator disc (2; 3) for a timepiece, the position of the date indicator disc (2; 3) being indexed by a jumper spring (50; 50?), said device being characterized in that it includes a locking member (52; 52?) which, outside the date indication correction phases, keeps the jumper spring (50; 50?) locked, said locking member (52; 52?) moving away in the date indication correction phase to release the jumper spring (50; 50?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventor: Julien Chaignat
  • Patent number: 8004936
    Abstract: Watch movement having a display mechanism with: several rotating indicators (12, 15), for displaying a two-digit number in an aperture, cams (5, 6) arranged to control the angular position of the rotating indicator or indicators (12), selection means actuated by the crown (34) for selecting the cam acting on each indicator (12, 15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Ruchonnet
  • Patent number: 7889602
    Abstract: Watch provided with a multifunctional aperture display capable of displaying symbols corresponding to one or several special functions and to the date. The movement of the display discs is ensure by bidirectional motors and the display discs or mobiles have several series of digits of different colour for differentiating the display of the different functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: LVMH Swiss Manufactures SA
    Inventors: Christoph Behling, Gregoire Renoux, Thomas Houlon
  • Patent number: 7859950
    Abstract: The large date mechanism comprises three superposed indicator discs (1, 2, 3). The lower disc (3) bears eleven numerals (8) and the upper (1) and intermediate (2) discs each bear ten numerals (4, 6) and a window (5, 7). Each of the discs is integral to a star wheel (12, 13, 14) with cannon pinions (9, 10, 11). The cannon pinion star wheels are selectively driven by a control movement (15) comprising three toothed sectors (19, 18, 17) integral to a calendar day wheel (16) that advances one step per day. The mechanism can be supplemented by a safety device ensuring blocking of the star wheels when they should be stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: BlancPain S.A.
    Inventor: Vincent Calabrese
  • Patent number: 7839727
    Abstract: The inventive mechanism comprises a series of toothed wheels meshing each with other or by groups and driven by a mobile which is connected to a basic timepiece movement by means of a mobile, wherein each toothed wheel is superimposed by a plate or disc carrying figures or signs and rotating in a corresponding bore of the timepiece dial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: BNB Concept SA
    Inventors: Mathias Buttet, Enrico Barbasini, Michel Navas
  • Patent number: 7821879
    Abstract: The inventive mechanism comprises a series of toothed wheels meshing each with other or by groups and driven by a mobile which is connected to a basic timepiece movement by means of a mobile, wherein each toothed wheel is superimposed by a disc carrying pictures, figures or signs and rotating in a corresponding bore of the timepiece dial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: BNB Concept SA
    Inventors: Mathias Buttet, Enrico Barbasini, Michel Navas
  • Patent number: 7791983
    Abstract: The invention concerns a timepiece movement of the type including a fixed support (23), fitted with a display module (24) including a central bridge (26) secured to said support (22) and an annular display member (28) with an axis AA, mounted to rotate freely substantially around the bridge (26), abutting on the support (22). The display member (28) includes a contact surface (37) and the bridge (26) includes at least one positioning surface (40) cooperating with the contact surface (37) so as to position the display member (28) axially on the support (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventor: Loïc Pellaton
  • Publication number: 20100165800
    Abstract: Apparatus for the display of time with a distinctive aesthetic character that includes clear, rigid rings rotating about a common axis which hang on wheels driven by a clockwork. The rigid rings each have demarcations that indicate the time of day. The time of day is interpreted using traditional clock interpretation means. A demarcation ring is added to assist in the interpretation of the indicated time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventor: Karl Allen Dierenbach
  • Patent number: 7738324
    Abstract: A display device and a timepiece calendar device capable of large display of letters and numbers is provided, which can be simplified and reduced in size. The display device comprises a first display wheel having a denotation portion for showing information about a part of a period and a toothed portion including a plurality of teeth to be driven. The device also has a second display wheel having a denotation portion for showing a part of the period other than the part of the period shown by the first display wheel, an opening via which the first display wheel is exposed, and a toothed portion including a plurality of teeth to be driven, and placed overlapping the first display wheel. The device also has a driving finger for driving the first display wheel and the second display wheel to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Noguchi
  • Patent number: 7580324
    Abstract: A drive wheel for integration into a clock movement, in particular into the clock movement of wristwatches, with at least a dented section by whose teeth a downstream wheel is rotatably drivable and at least a non-dented section which has a diameter chosen in such a manner that the part-circular circumference of the drive wheel in the non-dented section blocks the downstream wheel against rotation while the teeth of the downstream wheel face this section. The non-dented section of the drive wheel includes at least a flexible element that is arranged, seen in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the drive wheel, immediately after the dented section and that includes an elasticity essentially directed in radial direction of the drive wheel for the change of the diameter of the non-dented section of the drive wheel in the range of the flexible element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Richemont International SA
    Inventors: Laszlo Dancsecs, Pascal Schweizer, Denis Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 7551522
    Abstract: A watch module comprising a rotary dial (1) possessing an opening (2) for displaying a complication or an image. This rotary dial (1) is mounted rotatably on a base dial (3) via an annular low-friction member (4). This rotary dial (1) can be pivoted through a certain angle by the action of a pusher (9, 9?) to display another complication or image through the opening (2). This watch module, which comprises various parts (8, 13, 19, 21) for arresting and coupling the rotary dial (1) to the base dial (3), is arranged on the one hand in such a way as to decouple the rotary dial (1) from the base dial (3) when the pusher (9, 9?) is pushed, and on the other hand to drive the rotary dial (1) when the pusher (9, 9?) is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: De Grisogono SA
    Inventor: Fawaz Gruosi
  • Publication number: 20090154296
    Abstract: Watch provided with a multifunctional aperture display capable of displaying symbols corresponding to one or several special functions and to the date. The movement of the display discs is ensure by bidirectional motors and the display discs or mobiles have several series of digits of different colour for differentiating the display of the different functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: TAG HEUER SA
    Inventors: Christophe Behling, Grégoire Renoux, Thomas Houlon
  • Patent number: 7502280
    Abstract: A position indicator comprises: a first indicator pattern composed of a plurality of substantially identical first partial patterns periodically arranged in a direction of extension, and a second indicator pattern composed of a plurality of substantially identical second partial patterns periodically arranged in the direction of extension. The first partial patterns may extend, along a first line extending transversely to the direction of extension, and the second partial patterns may extend along a second line extending transversely to the first line and the direction of extension The first and second partial patterns may be each composed of plural sub-patterns disposed adjacent to one another in the direction of extension. The sub-patterns of each pair of sub-patterns of the respective partial pattern are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Inventor: Stephan Johannes Mueller
  • Publication number: 20090040880
    Abstract: Watch movement having a display mechanism with: several rotating indicators (12, 15), for displaying a two-digit number in an aperture, cams (5, 6) arranged to control the angular position of the rotating indicator or indicators (12), selection means actuated by the crown (34) for selecting the cam acting on each indicator (12, 15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Ruchonnet, Albert Kaufmann, Richard Lepeu
  • Patent number: 7394725
    Abstract: A method and device for representing the passage of time, in which a day is divided into long time periods and short time periods; the large time periods are indicated using a graphic representation and the small time periods are represented by coloring at least a portion of the graphic representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Ludoviq Ltd.
    Inventor: Louis Bloch
  • Patent number: 7075860
    Abstract: This hour and minute display device comprises four disks, two for displaying, respectively, the tens and units of hours, two for displaying, respectively, the tens and units of minutes, each disk being fixedly connected to a toothed wheel linked to a jumper, said toothed wheels, fixedly connected to the two disks for displaying, respectively, the units of hours and of minutes, being linked to respective yoke mechanisms pressed by elastic members against respective instantaneous-jump cam elements, and further comprises, between said cam elements and the toothed wheels fixedly connected, respectively, to said tens of minutes and of hours disks, mechanisms for connecting these latter toothed wheels to said respective instantaneous-jump cam elements with each change of tens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Manufacture Roger Dubuis S.A.
    Inventor: Carlos Dias
  • Patent number: 7061833
    Abstract: Apparatus for the display of time with a distinctive aesthetic character that includes clear, rigid rotating indicator rings (22) and (24) which are externally driven by a clockwork (30). The clockwork (30) rotates drive wheels (26) and (28) so that the rigid rotating members (22) and (24) indicate the current time and the time is interpreted using traditional clock interpretation means. A demarcation ring (20) is added to assist in the interpretation of the indicated time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventor: Karl Allen Dierenbach
  • Patent number: 7023762
    Abstract: A date display assembly for a timepiece, wherein the timepiece comprises a casing, an hour wheel that is rotationally engaged with a meshing wheel, and a display window for displaying a date, the date display assembly comprising an outer date ring having a plurality of digits thereon and aligned in the casing such that each of the plurality of digits is appearable in the display window; an inner date ring having a plurality of digits thereon and also aligned in the casing such that each of the plurality of digits is appearable in the display window; a date wheel, rotatably engageable with the meshing wheel, for driving the outer date ring in a first direction; and an inner date ring driving wheel, rotatably engageable with the outer date ring, for driving the inner date ring in a direction opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Timex Group B.V.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Burkhardt, Paul Grand-Chavin
  • Patent number: 6813222
    Abstract: A watch comprising a motor driving in rotation a first rotary hour indicator at a period of 1/N revolution per day, and a second rotary minute indicator driven by a concentric axis. The invention is characterized in that the minute indicator (13, 23) is driven at a speed (N+1)/N revolutions per day, N being a whole number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Inventor: Marc De Salivet De Fouchecour
  • Patent number: 6754139
    Abstract: A timepiece includes a plurality of coaxially mounted disks which are driven with different periods, at least some of the disks having a time indicator area which is visible through one or more transmissive areas on one or more disks which lie over it. In a preferred embodiment, one of the disks is provided with three concentric annular zones and is driven with a period of sixty seconds. The outermost zone has discrete reflective areas which are visible through discrete transmissive areas in an overlying annular zone. The inner zones have discrete transmissive areas through which discrete reflective areas in two concentric annular zones on two respective lower disks are visible. The lowermost disk is driven with a period of twelve hours and is visible through a central transparent area of an intermediate disk which is driven with a period of sixty minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Timefoundry, LLC
    Inventors: David F. Herbstman, Marco Prieschl
  • Patent number: 6683821
    Abstract: A day and night depicting clock device for demonstrating daytime and nighttime on a clock. The device includes a clock having a clock face wall and an hour drive shaft rotating once every twelve hours. A first disk is mounted on the hour drive shaft for rotation with the hour drive shaft, has a radially extending first slot, is formed of a resiliently flexible material to permit flexing of a portion of the first disk, and has a relatively light color to identify a daytime period. A second disk is positioned behind the first disk, is fixed against rotation with respect to the clock face wall, has a radially-extending second slot, is formed from a resiliently flexible material to permit flexing of a portion of the second disk, and has a relatively dark color to identify a night-time period. The first disk is movable through the second slot of the second disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: Hassan Emtyazi
  • Publication number: 20030169644
    Abstract: A data synchronizer (210) transfers data from a data sending circuit (120) to a data receiving circuit (130). The data sending circuit is synchronous with a first clock (SCLK), and a data receiving circuit is synchronous with a second clock (RCLK). The two clocks have equal frequencies but may be out of phase. The synchronizer includes a circular FIFO. The FIFO entries (FF0-FF3) are written synchronously with the first clock (SCLK). The entries' outputs are connected to a multiplexer (230) whose select signals (RSEL0-RSEL3) are generated synchronously with the second clock (RCLK). Multiple entries make their data items available to the multiplexer at the same time. The sender (120) writes a data item and a data valid flag to the FIFO in each cycle of the first clock. The receiver (130) reads the FIFO in each cycle of the second clock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventor: William Liao
  • Publication number: 20030112711
    Abstract: A timing device for visually indicating the passage of a duration of time is disclosed. The timing device comprises a lens, a base and an optical medium therebetween. The optical medium preferably comprises one or more materials, layers or components that chemically or electrochemically change the duration of time. The timing device preferably comprises an opaque layer positioned between the lens and the base, wherein the opaque layer is dissolved over the duration of time, thereby making the base visible through the lens. The timing device is preferably fabricated i parts with reactive regions which are configured to couple together to form an activated device. In further embodiments of the invention, the device comprises means to generate an audible signal when the duration of time has passed and/or thermosensor for actuating the device within a range of temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: Vision Works, LLC
    Inventor: Alfred S. Braunberger
  • Patent number: 6430112
    Abstract: From various traditional medical teachings, it is known that humans have a life rhythm which depends upon the time. As one example, there are the traditional Indian medical teachings of the “Ayurveda”. In the present invention, in order to display which time period of the Ayurveda corresponds to the present time, a character panel of a watch has been separated according to color into three wedge-shaped regions. The respective color-separated regions correspond to the Vata (V), the Kapha (K), and the Pitta (P) of the Ayurveda. The Ayurveda time is indicated by an hour hand which points to one of these regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Amano
  • Patent number: 6229768
    Abstract: A trick action type clock, wherein a dial plate which is arranged in front of ornaments is made of left and right side dial plates mating along a line passing through a center of rotation of the hands. A planetary gear mechanism actuates the left and right side dial plates so as to make them rotate and revolve around the center of rotation of the hands to produce an opening and closing motion. Therefore, the dial plate made of the two mating parts performs an opening and closing motion which produces a strong impression due to the surprising dynamic change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Rhythm Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nakazawa, Hiroshi Ito
  • Patent number: 5943300
    Abstract: A timepiece that uses disks having sharp zones of contrast of visual design density to indicate time intervals when the sharp zone of contrast is aligned with time interval indicator markings or traditional time indicator positions on a non-rotatable frame. The disks of the chronograph are continuously graduated in visual design density from an area of greatest density to an area of least density to form a sharp zone or line of contrast. The disks are located so that when the sharp zone or line of contrast is aligned with the time indicator markings or positions on the frame, thus displaying the time in an accurate fashion that is easily and quickly discernable even for individuals that are poor sighted. In addition, the timepiece presents such a strikingly novel design that it makes an aesthetic statement that is desirable for use by individuals with no sight problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Inventor: Peter R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5878003
    Abstract: A clock, called a "mystery" clock because of its almost totally transparent nature, comprising a transparent dial bearing reference markers (11), a minute indicator, transparent except in the area of a reading pointer (28') and an hour indicator, also transparent except in the area of a reading pointer (26'), indicators and dial having a common geometric axis (Y) and being carried by a frame or surround (20) and at least part of these indicators and dial having teeth at their periphery, masked by the surround (20), for driving them in rotation, in relation to the surround (20), about said axis (Y).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Van Cleef & Arpels
    Inventor: Gerard Gantet
  • Patent number: 5751663
    Abstract: A timepiece that uses disks having sharp zones of contrast of visual design density to indicate time intervals when the sharp zone of contrast is aligned with time interval indicator markings or traditional time indicator positions on a non-rotatable frame. The disks of the chronograph are continuously graduated in visual design density from an area of greatest density to an area of least density to form a sharp zone or line of contrast. The disks are located so that when the sharp zone or line of contrast is aligned with the time indicator markings or positions on the frame, thus displaying the time in an accurate fashion that is easily and quickly discernable even for individuals that are poor sighted. In addition, the timepiece presents such a strikingly novel design that it makes an aesthetic statement that is desirable for use by individuals with no sight problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Inventor: Peter R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5694378
    Abstract: The invention relates to a time display apparatus consisting of at least two partly transparent discs (A, B, C) which are arranged concentrically and axially displaced with respect to one another, with each of the discs (A, B, C) being rotationally driven about the central axle with separately preselectable period duration and being provided with a visible marking for the display of hours, minutes and seconds, with one freely rotating disc (D, E) which carries a graphical representation being concentrically arranged axially adjacent to at least one of the rotationally driven discs (C). The invention is based on the object of displaying not only the time by means of the time display apparatus, but also of enabling special optical effects. This is achieved in such a way that the rotationally driven disc (C) is provided with a (first) entrainment means (X.sub.1) on its side facing the freely rotatable disc, which means cooperates with a (first) actuating means (X.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Taiyo Musikinstrumente GmbH
    Inventor: Ryoichi Totsuka
  • Patent number: 5638341
    Abstract: From various traditional medical teachings, it is known that humans have a life rhythm which depends upon the time. As one example, there are the traditional Indian medical teachings of the "Ayurveda". In the present invention, in order to display which time period of the Ayurveda corresponds to the present time, a character panel of a watch has been separated according to color into three wedge-shaped regions. The respective color-separated regions correspond to the Vata (V), the Kapha (K), and the Pitta (P) of the Ayurveda. The Ayurveda time is indicated by an hour hand which points to one of these regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Amano
  • Patent number: 5586089
    Abstract: A timepiece having a plurality of plates (12, 14, 16) in place of the standard hour, minute and second's hands, printed with patterns of open and opaque areas (52). As these plates rotate, novel and stimulating visual effects in the form of multiple moire images (54) are produced. Optional internal illumination (38) enhances the moire images. Some patterns consist primarily of a series of angular linear shapes, that have an alternating sequence of approximately.360.degree./N=Y and L+Y=X,where N represents the desired number of concentric ring segments, which may be any integer, Y represents the resulting rotation angle, L represents the selected initial angled line pattern which may be any angle from 0.degree. to 360.degree. and X represents a rotated angled line pattern for a contiguous segment, this contiguous segment is located counter-clockwise contiguously to the selected segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Inventor: John D. McGarvey