GB2384063A - Revolving watches - Google Patents

Abstract

A watch 1 is in the shape of a bracelet or ring and the time display is moving around the watch's periphery. The display could either be any sort of indicator (11) that is moving adjacently to a fixed surface with hourly numbers (8), or instead, the actual surface with the hourly numbers can move and the current time is indicated by referring to a fixed pointer (4, 5). A complete cycle of the time display would take 12 or 24 hours. The entire watch is considered as a display unit (without a strap) and could be in any closed shape that allows it to be wearable. The movement may be mechanical with cog and teeth (Fig 2) or electronic (Figs 5-8).

Description

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REVOLVING WATCHES This invention relates to watches.

The invention is a basic idea for the appearance and mechanism of watches. This basic idea could be implemented in different ways as well as from different materials.

This description is supported by two examples which are both in common with the basic idea.

Watches are well known instruments for telling the time (timepiece) and could also be used as a personal adornment. They comprise of two main elements : 1. Display unit-an outer case enclosing the display, dials and mechanism of the watch.

2. Strap-for fastening the main unite to the wrist or finger.

The essential feature of this invention is a bracelet or ring shaped watch with a time display that moves around the watch's periphery. A complete cycle of the time display would take 12 or 24 hours. The entire watch is considered as a display unit (as described above), without a strap and could be in any closed shape that allows it to be wearable.

The two preferred examples for this invention in this description will now be described with references to the accompanying drawings: Example 1 (page 1, figures 1 to 4) - A mechanical revolving wristwatch Figure 1 shows a plan view of the watch.

Figure 2 shows a section through the watch explaining the principal and location of the mechanism.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the watch.

Figure 4 shows an enlarged detail of the indicator at the top part of the watch.

Referring to the first example drawn on page 1, the watch comprises two main elements: 1. A rotating cogwheel (1) with the hourly numbers displayed on its external surface, 2. Two fixed rims (2 and 3) supporting the cogwheel from both sides. Both rims include a pointer (4 and 5) at the top part for indicating the current time.

The cogwheel with the numbers on it revolves and would complete a 360 degrees cycle during a period of twelve hours. Indication of the minute is made by reference to lines (6) which are also displayed on the external surface of the cogwheel (1), in intervals of quarter hour. The time shown in this example is about 9: 40.

The mechanism of the watch (7) is located at the bottom part in order to form a weight which aims to prevent the rotation of the entire watch around the wrist.

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Example 2 (page 2, figures 5 to 8)-An electronic revolving wristwatch Figure 5 shows a plan view of the watch.

Figure 6 shows a side view of the watch.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the watch.

Figure 8 shows an enlarged detail of a current time indication.

Referring to the second example drawn on page 2, the watch comprises two main elements: 1. A circular fixed surface (8) on which the hourly numbers are displayed, 2. Two circular'chains'of electronic display screens (9 and 10) on either sides of the circular surface. One'chain' (9) representing the hours (each display screen represents five minutes) and the other'chain' (10) representing the minutes (each display screen represents thirty seconds).

The operation of the watch is achieved by an electronic mechanism, switching on and off the display screens. Each display screen would be active for the period of time it represents (e. g. five minutes on the hour chain or thirty seconds in the minute's chain). By the end of that period the active display screen would switch off and its adjacent display screen would start activating. In this manner, a complete cycle of all the display screens on the hours chain would by made during a period of twelve hours and a complete cycle of all the display screens on the minutes chain would by made during a period of sixty minutes.

In this example the active'hours'display screen (11) on'chain' (9) indicates twelve hours, and the active minutes display screen (12) is indicating five minutes. The time shown in this example therefore, is 12: 05.

Claims (4)

1. CLAIMS 1. Any watch in a shape of a bracelet or ring, with a time display that moves around the watch's periphery.
2. 2. A watch as claimed in Claim 1 where the hours, minutes or seconds are displayed on a rotating surface and the current time is indicated by referring to a fixed pointer.
3. 3. A watch as claimed in Claim 1 where the hours, minutes or seconds are displayed on a fixed surface and the current time is indicated by referring to a moving indicator.
4. 4. A watch as claimed in Claim 1 which is in any closed shape or form which makes the watch wearable like a bracelet or a ring e.