Abstract: An astronomical time clock has a clock face divided into twelve segments representing the months of the year and a centrally positioned light which represents the sun. A globe representing the Earth rotates by a drive means around the light and is positioned in the segment representing the current month. The time of the day may be displayed by conventional clock hands or a digital display which is made clearly visible only in the segment corresponding to the current month. In a preferred embodiment, the globe rotates on its axis representing night and day and may be provided with tilt representing the seasons of the year.

Abstract: This invention concerns a timepiece of the mechanical and/or electromechanical type. Such piece comprises a first display mechanism (1), in particular a date display, a second display mechanism (2) such as a moon phase display, rapid correction means (4) for both display mechanisms (1, 2) and a driving organ (6) which controls such display mechanisms (1, 2) and which can absorb equally the displacement of one or the other of these mechanisms, such piece being characterized in that the rapid correction means (4) comprises meshing means (64) common to both mechanisms (1, 2), mounted for rotation and adapted to operate alternatively upon one or the other of such two mechanisms (1, 2) under the action of control means (72, 74). This invention is applicable to calendar and moon phase watches having a center date hand.

Abstract: The earth ring (8) bears the lunar disc (9) which pivots in a hollow of the surface (8a). On its outer periphery it possesses teeth (17) for driving it from the final wheel set (15) of the stepping transmission gear train (15,24,12). The driving wheel set (12) is activated one step per day from the date wheel. The pinion (20) of the lunar disc (9) is in mesh with the outer teeth (22), normally fixed but which may be displaced by means of the correction arrangement controlled by the stem (30) when it is turned in a predetermined sense. The same correction arrangement also enables one to act on the transmission train (12, 14,15,17). The stem (30) is then driven in a sense opposite to the above which displaces the sliding pinion (36) and enables correction of the position of the lunar disc (9) relative to the earth ring (8) this latter normally effecting a complete rotation in twelve months and the lunar disc (9 ) a complete rotation in about 29.5 days.

Abstract: A compass wherein positional information regarding a predetermined terrestrial location is stored; present time, corresponding to the terrestrial location whose positional information is stored, is measured and displayed; and constellation data is stored. A geomagnetism-detector is provided for detecting the direction of geomagnetism and for deriving azimuthal data therefrom. A constellation data display device is provided for reading out stored constellation data in accordance with the derived azimuthal data, the stored positional information, and the measured present time, and for displaying the readout constellation data.

Abstract: This invention concerns a compass watch as well as a bezel specifically intended to fit out such a watch. The invention comprises at least one time indicating element (4) kinematically driven in rotation by a mechanical or electromechanical horometric movement, and particularly intended to be pointed towards the sun, and direction indicating means (N, S, W, E) arranged on said watch enabling one to know, as a function of the orientation of said indicating means (4), the direction of at least one of the cardinal points, and is characterized in that it includes correction means (52; 16, M) for the positioning of the cardinal points, adapted to take into account the equation of time and to correct any variation between true solar time and the legal or local time of day. The invention is applied to a watch, preferably of the mechanically or electromechanically driven type.

Abstract: An astronomical data indicating device is provided with a memory for storing location data representing a location on the earth. In the present device, before calculation of astronomical data such as hour angle data of moon and moon phase data, at first hour angle data and moon phase data for Greenwich Mean Time are calculated regardless of the place where the present device is used, and then hour angle data and moon phase data at the place where the present device is used are calculated. Therefore, the calculation process is performed in a very simple manner.

Abstract: The invention concerns an astronomic timepiece enabling a simple display of the daily value of an astronomic magnitude having an annual cycle. The timepiece comprises a month disc (13), at least a portion of which is visible through an opening (19) provided in the dial (6). The development of the astronomic magnitude is represented in the form of a curve (25) in a frame of reference one coordinate of which indicates the date and the other indicates a value of the astronomic magnitude.

Abstract: The sidereal clock comprises a digital clock portion having a 60-Hz pulse source operating at line frequency of 60-Hz. It contains a means for periodically changing logic state at the 50/60-Hz select input of the prescale counter so that the digital clock portion is periodically changed during a period equal to 2922 clock pulses from the 60 Hz operation mode to the 50 Hz operation mode for a time interval equal to 40 clock pulses. During this time interval the prescale counter actually registers 6 counts for every 5 pulses received so that the digital clock portion runs fast by a factor of 2930/2922 and measures sidereal time. The means for changing logic state at the 50/60-Hz select input may comprise a ripple counter connected electrically to a plurality of gating circuits of first and second gating integrated circuits and a monostable multivibrator all of which are energized by the DC of the digital clock portion.

Abstract: A helichron having a box-like housing to which a cover is pivotally hinged. A magnetic compass is positioned in the box-like housing at a predetermined directional orientation. A 360 degree spirit level is also positioned within the box-like housing. The top surface of the cover has an hour scale recess having a semi-circular wall portion and a planar surface portion. An Arabic numbers hour scale is imprinted on the semi-circular wall to denote hours for the northern hemisphere and a Roman numeral hour scale is imprinted on the horizontal planar surface to denote hours for the southern hemisphere. There is a gnomon and structure for mounting its bottom end in the horizontal planar surface of the hour scale recess. There is also a latitude scale member attached to the bottom surface of the cover whose index is set to the users latitude by varying the angle of the cover.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing the appearance of heavenly bodies including a cover having an opaque wall defining a substantially circular opening, and a disc-like or spherical part representative of a heavenly body sized to substantially fill the opening in the cover. The part and cover are relatively rotatable about an axis which passes through the center of the opening in the cover and along a diameter of the part. The opaque wall of the cover may be hemispherical, planar, or tubular. The part may represent the moon or a celestial vault. The apparatus may include a base which supports the cover and part and houses a mechanism for rotating one of the cover and part with respect to the other.

Abstract: A watch movement has indicators for the date and the phases of the moon, these two indicators being automatically driven by the same intermediate revolving wheel member effecting one revolution every 24 hours, the one indicator by one tooth longer than the others and the other indicator by a pin which acts on a wheel having fifty-nine teeth integral with the indicator of the phases of the moon. A satisfactory engagement of the driving members in the corresponding teeth is ensured by a transverse displacement of the revolving wheel member resulting from the fact that a resilient arm of this revolving wheel member holds the edges thereof resting permanently against a fixed cylindrical stud having a flat surface.

Abstract: A timing mechanism having a tide indicator including a window in its dial. Under the dial is placed a flat annular wheel fitted with two signs or indicator markings which appear in turn in the window. Around the edge of the window are additional indicator markings which enable one to estimate the time until the next tide. High tide is shown when one of the appropriate signs is situated at the top of the window, and low tide when it is at the left or right thereof. The annular wheel is guided by a semicircular plate around which it slides. It is driven by a toothed wheel fixed on a motion work of the watch movement. The toothed wheel activates a gearing fitted around the internal circumferentce of the annular wheel.

Abstract: In the arrangement of this invention the position of the planets is displayed by means of a disc and rings concentric thereto, the display surfaces of which are arranged substantially in the same plane.

Abstract: A solar clock utilizes the sun's radiant energy to illuminate a digital display in accordance with the solar time. An opaque mask member, preferably in the form of a right circular cylinder, is provided with a series of sunlight-transmitting apertures which cooperate with a plurality of strategically positioned fiber optic arrays, operatively coupled to a light-responsive digital display, to provide an indication of the solar time. During the course of travel of the sun across the sky, the sun illuminates different fiber optic arrays through the mask. The fiber optics serve to couple the sun's energy to the digital display.

Abstract: A basic clockwork, initially arranged in such a way as to comprise two supplementary indicators, of the date and of the days of the week, which have been removed, is provided with an additional module carrying supplementary indicators, which can number two, three or even four. These indicators being separate from the basic clockwork, their position can be chosen very freely by a constructor. In order to prevent having to provide the clockwork with one or several supplementary control members, for the correction of said indicators, a correcting mechanism of the basic clockwork, comprising a control stem operating a sliding pinion is used. A shaft of the sliding pinion has been extended up to a frame of the additional module and carries a pinion meshing, according to the sense in which the control stem is operated, either with a wheel belonging to a correcting gear train of one of the supplementary indicators, or with a pinion belonging to a correcting gear train of another supplementary indicator.

Abstract: A clock having a housing which contains two internal disks and a motor for rotation of those disks on a shaft is disclosed. An hour disk is provided having a shaded region representing night and an unshaded region representing day. The hour disk is positioned to appear through a opening in the clock face. The face of the clock may have one or more openings to expose the minute and hour disks. One of the openings has a numerical representation of hours provided on the clock face there around. The clock is arranged so that the line separating the dark and light regions of the hour disk indicates the hour of day by pointing to a number on the face, and also graphically represents the amount of time from and to the previous and next sunrise or sunset.

Abstract: A wristwatch with a star map disk rotatably mounted in a caser and a gear train for rotating the star map disk at a speed of one revolution per one sidereal day. A star map is provided on the star map disk. The star map includes bright and constellation figures in a part of the celestial sphere which are selected from visible stars. The dial of the wristwatch has an opening for defining a range of the star map which is visible when observing.

Abstract: A watch having a crown for setting the motion work and having a device, which can be driven by the hour wheel of the movement of the watch, for the automatic display of the months and the days of the month in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. In this connection, the display of the day of the month can be driven by a date wheel 13 and the display of the month by a month wheel 22 of the device. A year wheel of a year display and a decade wheel 26 of a decade display and possibly a century drive of a century display form together with the wheelwork of the month display and the day of the month display a closed coupling-less calendar wheelwork train whose date wheel 13 can be set by a correction device.

Abstract: Means are provided for inputting to an electronic computing device the latitude and longitude of a spot on the surface of the Earth, and also for inputting a date, and the computing device then calculates the proper Islamic prayer times at said spot on said date, via determining the position of the sun in the heavens, according to said date and said latitude and longitude information. Then an outputting means outputs from said electronic computation means said appropriate times for Islamic prayer on said date at said spot on the surface of the Earth. Optionally a clock/date circuit and an audible indicator are provided, so that the electronic computing device can automatically know the time and the date, and can sound a call for prayer for the operator at each of the Islamic prayer times on the current day.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sundial arrangement comprising a screen portion provided with several slits allowing the passage of a narrow flat beam of solar rays and angularly spaced from one another to be successively traversed by the beam; a dial with several hour graduations; and a control circuit for bringing into operation a system of devices for filling containers, each representing a predetermined elapsed duration when filled up with water every time a slit is traversed by the beam of solar rays at a precise hour.

Abstract: A heliochronometer (10) for providing accurate clock time readouts at any known latitude and longitude location on the earth including, a base (15) to effect precision orientation and level mounting and having an unpstanding post (40), a latitude member (45) adjustably angularly positionable relative to the post for selecting a particular latitude, a gnomon assembly (65) extending upwardly from the latitude member, a longitude correction member (75) adjustably pivotally mounted about the gnomon assembly for effecting a longitude correction, a time dial support (20) pivotally mounted about said gnomon assembly and having an arcuate time dial (150) on which the shadow of the gnomon assembly is projected, and assemblies (90, 130) interconnecting the longitude correction member and the time dial support for adjusting the angular position of the time dial for daylight savings time and the equation of time.

Abstract: A device for determining the time of solar passage of the horizon. The device includes a clock face having hour and minute indications arranged circumferentially thereof and a disc rotatably mounted in overlying relation with the clock face. Solar passage information on the disc is aligned by reference to a selected longitude so that a line from the center of the disc through a selected portion of the solar passage information intercepts hour and minute indications of the clock face at a time of solar passage for the selected portion of the solar passage information at the selected longitude.

Abstract: Watch with moon phases indicator constituted by a moon phases indicating member (14) partly appearing through the moon wicket (13A) of a moon phases indicating member (13) in such a way that it represents the shape of the moon as a function of the quarter which it occupies relative to the time displayed by the hour indicating members.

Abstract: A sundial comprising a transparent hollow globe marked with latitude and longitude lines and including a map of the world is mounted on a stationary base. The globe is adjustable with respect to the base to enable the polar axis to be inclined toward a geographic pole of the earth and to permit alignment of a desired geographic location on the map with an index point. A reflector is mounted at the center of the globe and focuses an image of the sun onto the interior surface of the globe. The image traverses the globe as the earth rotates, thereby tracking the actual path of the sun with respect to the earth on the globe surface.

Abstract: A hemispherical dome of opaque thin material is pierced with small openings in patterns conforming to the appearance of constellations in the sky. Mounted on a rotating cylinder, the dome is turned by an electric motor at adjustable speeds. A light source within the dome casts patterns of the constellations about the room. The control for the motor is wired into an alarm clock so that the speed of rotation may simulate the earths rotation. Turning the alarm on may activate the planetarium upon awakening the user. A "sleep cycle" on the alarm may operate the planetarium for a specified period before turning off automatically allowing the user to fall asleep with the planetarium activated. Opaque mask hemispheres which fit snugly over the planetarium dome are each provided with a single cut-out portion shaped to expose only one constellation at a time for projection. Light bulbs with variously shaped filaments will project the shape of each filament into the room.

Abstract: A watch adapted for use as a compass in addition to indicating local and remote times. The watch is provided with a dial, supplemental pointer, a microprocessor, and a keyboard for introducing selected data and operations into the microprocessor. The watch-compass and method is used for time and space orientation, in navigation such as for checking a magnetic compass or gyroscope, for calculation of azimuth angles, and for orientation of the user in unfamiliar locations.

Abstract: A time keeping clock that includes a kinetic clock sculpture arrangement in which the clock comprises the usual minute and hour hands journalled for rotation in clockwise directions about a common axis, and a time keeping mechanism for driving said minute and hour hands to keep time, with the clock including a kinetic sculpture arrangement comprising a relatively large, medially located, kinetic sculpture drive gear wheel that is vertically disposed and has its axis of rotation disposed horizontally and paralleling that of the common axis of the clock minute and hour hands, one or more driven gear wheels that are of a diameter which is relatively small as compared to that of the drive wheel gear, and which are disposed in coupled rotation to the drive gear wheel at spaced locations thereabout, with several of said driven gear wheels each driving a separate crank about a horizontal axis, and a drive gear wheel actuated mechanical linkage of miniature stick figure form articulated to each of the said cranks, wi

Abstract: A salat time alarm electronic timepiece is implemented with a one chip microcomputer. An outer read only memory is installed in the electronic timepiece for storing the sunrise time data and the sunset time data at various cities in world. The system reads out sunrise time and sunset time data from the outer read only memory and calculates five salat times of the present day. The thus calculated salat time data is stored in a storage means and compared with the current time data to provide an alarm sound when the current time reaches one of the five salat times.

Abstract: An electronic sundial apparatus which signals the passage of each hour by a chime, bell or other audible indication and which requires no external source of power other than the sun. Inner and outer concentric hemispheres with vertically extending apertures, specifically slits, configured so as to diverge at their uppermost ends and having a location, length and shape corresponding to the azimuths and distance between the maximum and minimum altitudes of the sun in the sky at each hour throughout the year at predetermined latitudes collimate the sunlight once each hour. The collimated sunlight is detected by a photoelectric cell coupled to a signaling circuit powered by a photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a globe clock which includes an earth sphere rotating at a rate of 1 revolution per minute, a moon sphere orbiting the earth sphere at a rate of one revolution per 12 hours and a satellite sphere orbiting the earth sphere at a rate of one revolution per hour, all mounting in a black housing and immersed in "black light".

Abstract: An electronic watch with circuitry to calculate and display time under the Moslem calendar.