EP0259649B1 - Time piece with a device to make a distinction between the hours of one half of the day and the hours of the other half of this day - Google Patents

Time piece with a device to make a distinction between the hours of one half of the day and the hours of the other half of this day Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0259649B1
EP0259649B1 EP87111858A EP87111858A EP0259649B1 EP 0259649 B1 EP0259649 B1 EP 0259649B1 EP 87111858 A EP87111858 A EP 87111858A EP 87111858 A EP87111858 A EP 87111858A EP 0259649 B1 EP0259649 B1 EP 0259649B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sign
day
signs
angle
rotatable element
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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EP87111858A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0259649A1 (en
Inventor
Pierre-André Noirjean
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ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
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Eta SA Fabriques dEbauches
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
    • G04B19/06—Dials
    • G04B19/16—Shiftable dials, e.g. indicating alternately from 1 to 12 and from 13 to 24
    • G04B19/163—Shiftable dials, e.g. indicating alternately from 1 to 12 and from 13 to 24 numbers which are visible alternately from 1 to 12 and from 13 to 24 on the same dial G04B19/085

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a timepiece of the kind comprising a timepiece movement, a dial, display means driven in rotation about an axis by said movement at the rate of one revolution in twelve hours and cooperating with said dial to indicate during a first round the hours of the first half of a day and during a second round consecutive to said first round the hours of the second half of the day, and means making it possible to distinguish said hours from a first half of a day of said hours of the second half of the day comprising a first transparent zone formed in said dial at a first angular position corresponding to the angular position occupied by said display means at a first hour determined during said first half of one day and at a second determined hour separated from said first hour determined by an interval of twelve hours, a movable element rotating around said axis and arranged under said dial, a first group of signs arranged on said movable element facing said dial at the same distance from said axis as said first transparent area and comprising a first sign representing the number of said first determined hour and a second
  • a device making it possible to know whether the time displayed by a timepiece is in the first or in the second half of a day is useful, for example, when this timepiece includes a calendar or an alarm clock whose The trigger time can be adjusted to any of the twenty-four hours of a day.
  • This device makes it possible to reset such a timepiece to the time, after it has stopped, without risking seeing its calendar indications change at noon instead of midnight, or hear its alarm go off twelve hours too early or too late.
  • a timepiece comprising such a device is described in patent DE-C 873 520. But this timepiece is of a different kind from that which has been defined above, because it is its dial which is mobile, the hour numbers 1 to 12 and 13 to 24 being carried by a fixed disc located under the dial and visible through openings in the latter. The mechanism of the timepiece drives the dial in successive 18 ° steps every twelve hours, the hour numbers on the fixed disc and the holes in the dial being arranged so that the numbers 1 to 12 and 13 to 24 are alternately visible for twelve consecutive hours.
  • Timepieces of the kind defined above that is to say in which the dial is fixed and a member bearing the hour numbers is movable behind this dial, are described in numerous documents such as, for example , patents CH-A 7,197, CH-A 18,199 and CH-A 22,282.
  • timepieces include hour and minute display hands which are rotated in front of the dial by a clockwork movement at the rate of one revolution in twelve hours and one revolution in one hour respectively.
  • the dial does not bear the traditional signs designating the hour numbers, but it is pierced with twelve counters arranged in the locations where these signs are normally found.
  • a mobile disc placed under the dial has numbers 1 to 12 regularly distributed around its periphery and numbers 13 to 24 also regularly arranged between the previous numbers.
  • a mechanism linked to the movement of the timepiece moves the disc alternately in one direction and in the other, so that each number 1 to 12 appears behind one of the dial windows between one in the morning and one in the afternoon, and that each number 13 to 24 appears between one o'clock in the afternoon and one o'clock in the morning
  • the mobile disc bears the numbers 0 to 11 which are visible from midnight to noon, and the numbers 12 to 23 which are visible from noon to midnight.
  • a second movable disc bearing the numbers 0, 12, 12 and 24 regularly distributed around its periphery is disposed between the reciprocating movement disc mentioned above and the dial, so that one of these last four numbers appears in the window located at the location where the numeral 12 is inscribed in conventional timepieces.
  • This second disc is driven so that the number 0 appears in this window between midnight and one in the morning, the first number 12 between one in the morning and noon, the second number 12 between noon and one in the afternoon , and number 24 between one o'clock in the afternoon and midnight.
  • the purpose of the present invention is to provide a timepiece of the kind defined above which does not have this drawback, that is to say in which the drive mechanism of the disc bearing the hour numbers is more simple to realize that in the known timepieces described above and makes it easier to guarantee that the movements of this disc are made at very precise times.
  • timepiece described in patent CH-B 453 216 which also includes a fixed dial pierced with twelve openings distributed regularly around its periphery, and a movable disc bearing signs and located at this dial. But this timepiece is also of a different kind from that which has been defined above because the signs carried by the movable disc and visible through the holes in the dial do not represent the hour numbers.
  • these signs consist of simple spots, all having the same shape, a first series of twelve spots, visible from 6 am to 6 pm, being spots of ordinary paint, black for example, and a second series of twelve spots, each placed between two of the previous spots and visible from 6 o'clock in the evening to 6 o'clock in the morning, being spots of luminescent paint comprising for example tritium.
  • the timepiece according to the invention comprises a timepiece movement 1 which drives the display hands for hours 2 and minutes 3 as well as, optionally, a second hand not shown rotating around a common axis 4 in front of a dial 5.
  • a disc 6 movable in rotation about the axis 4 is placed under the dial 5. It is driven by a mechanism 7 forming part of the movement 1, in a manner which will be specified from case to case. Movement 1 and its connection with hands 2 and 3 will not be described in detail, since they can be of any kind and have no direct relation to the present invention. It should simply be noted that movement 1 drives hands 2 and 3 at the traditional speeds of one revolution in twelve hours and one revolution in one hour.
  • the dial 5 is opaque, except in one or more zones where it is transparent.
  • these transparent areas consist, by way of nonlimiting example, of apertures drilled in the dial 5 whose arrangement will be specified from case to case.
  • timepieces according to the invention are obviously intended to be mounted in a box or cabinet.
  • the means for this assembly will not be shown or described, because they can also be of any kind and also have no direct connection with the present invention.
  • the position of one of these elements will be called the position of a point located substantially in the center of the space it occupies on the dial 5 or on the disc 6.
  • the two angles formed by the spokes joining the axis of rotation 4 to two elements of the dial 5 or the disc 6, that is to say according to the above convention, the two angles formed by the spokes joining the axis 4 at the points located at the centers of the spaces occupied by these elements, will be designated as the angles formed by these two elements on this dial 5 or on this disc 6.
  • one of these two angles will be distinguished from the 'other by specifying that it is measured in one direction, which will be indicated, from one of the elements, which will also be indicated.
  • the twelve angular positions to which the hour numbers are written on the dial of a traditional timepiece will be designated by the references P1 to P12, the position P1 being that where the number 1 is located, the position P2 that where the number 2 is located, etc., up to position P12 which is where the number 12 is located.
  • each group will include at least a first sign representing the number of the time it is in the first half of a day when the hand 2 occupies the same angular position as the corresponding window, and at least a second sign representing the number of the time it is in the second half of the day when the hand 2 again occupies the same angular position as the corresponding window.
  • the dial 5 has a single window, designated by the reference g1 and located at the angular position P12.
  • the disc 6 therefore carries a single group of signs, comprising in this example a single first sign s1 representing the number 12, and a single second sign s2 representing the number 24.
  • These signs s1 and s2 are arranged on the periphery of the face of the disc 6 which is turned towards the dial 5, and form between them two angles of 180 ° both designated by the reference A.
  • the dimensions of the signs s1 and s2, the distance chet g1 are chosen so that these signs s1 and s2 appear successively through this window g1 when the disc 6 rotates.
  • the mechanism 7 for driving the disc 6 is arranged so that, each day, the latter remains stationary between midnight and noon in the position where the sign s1 is visible through the window g1, that the disc 6 then spins very quickly, at noon just, at an angle equal to the angle A, that is 180 ° in this example, that the disc 6 remains stationary from noon to midnight in its new position, where the sign s2 appears in the window g1 and, finally that the disc 6 rotates again by an angle equal to the angle A, that is 180 °, at just midnight, so that the sign s1 appears in the window g1.
  • the number 12 appears in the counter g1 between midnight and midday, and the number 24 between midday and midnight.
  • the user of the timepiece therefore always knows in which half of the day the time displayed by hands 2 and 3 is found.
  • the disc 6 can always rotate in the same direction, which can be either the direction of rotation of the needles of a watch or the opposite direction.
  • the mechanism 7 for driving this disc 6 can therefore be produced in a simpler way than that which alternately drives in one direction and in the other the disc bearing the hour numbers in the timepieces described in the CH- patents. A-7197, CH-A-18199 and CH-A-59451 mentioned above.
  • the mechanism 7 for driving the disc 6 has not been shown in detail since its production does not pose any particular problem for those skilled in the art who have the choice between several possibilities for building it.
  • This mechanism 7 can, for example, be entirely mechanical and be connected to the gear train ensuring the rotation of the hour hand 2.
  • this mechanism 7 may for example include one of the well-known devices which drive the ring bearing the numbers of the days of the month in timepieces with a so-called jumping calendar.
  • the mechanism 7 must of course be connected to the clockwork movement 1 so that this device operates every twelve hours, and not every twenty-four hours as in timepieces with a calendar. In addition, the mechanism 7 must be arranged so that the disc 6 rotates 180 ° each time this device operates.
  • movement 1 comprises a stepping motor powered by a source of electrical energy, such as a battery, and driving hands 2 and 3 in response to periodic driving pulses supplied by a generator.
  • a source of electrical energy such as a battery
  • driving hands 2 and 3 in response to periodic driving pulses supplied by a generator.
  • a generator generally comprising an oscillator and a frequency divider circuit.
  • the mechanism 7 for driving the disc 6 can be entirely mechanical, like that which has been described above. It can also include a second stepping motor supplied by the same source of electrical energy as the first, and driving the disc 6 in response to other driving pulses supplied by the same electronic circuit.
  • This electronic circuit is arranged in this case so as to supply this second motor with a predetermined number of driving pulses successively rapidly at just midday and at midnight just.
  • the gear train connecting this second motor to the disc 6 is of course arranged so that the disc 6 rotates 180 ° in response to these driving pulses.
  • the timepiece according to the invention comprises a movement 1 and hands 2 and 3 similar to those of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. In order not to unnecessarily load the drawings, this movement 1 and these hands 2 and 3 have not been shown in the figures used to describe these other embodiments.
  • the dial 5 has three windows g2, g3 and g4 located respectively at positions P12, P4 and P8 and therefore forming, each with each of the other two, a 120 ° angle.
  • disc 6 carries three groups of signs.
  • the signs s3 and s4 forming the first group are intended to appear in the counter g2 and represent the numbers 12 and 24 respectively.
  • the signs s5 and s6 forming the second group are intended to appear in the counter g3 and respectively represent the number 4 and the number 16.
  • the signs s7 and s8 forming the third group are intended to appear in the window g4 and represent the number 8 and the number 20.
  • the first sign of each group forms with the first sign of each of the other groups an angle of 120 °.
  • first and second signs of each group form an angle of 180 ° between them, also designated by the reference A.
  • the drive mechanism 7 for the disc 6, which is not shown in FIG. 2, is arranged so that this disc 6 remains stationary between midnight and noon in the position shown in FIG. 2, which it rotates rapidly at just at noon, at an angle equal to angle A, or 180 ° , then it remains stationary until just midnight, and it turns again quickly from an angle equal to angle A, or 180 °, at this hour.
  • the numbers and digits 12, 4 and 8 appear respectively in the counters g2, g3 and g4 between midnight and noon. Between noon and midnight, the numbers 24, 16 and 20 appear respectively in these counters g2, g3 and g4. The user of the timepiece therefore always knows in which half of the day the time indicated by hands 2 and 3 is located.
  • the mechanism 7 for driving the disc 6 of the timepiece of FIG. 2 will not be described in detail, because it is similar to that which has been described in the case of FIG. 1 and can be produced in the same way way that the latter.
  • the direction of rotation of the disc 6 is also indifferent, since the angle A formed by the two signs of each group is equal to 180 °.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the timepiece according to the invention, in which six windows can be provided in the dial 5.
  • the dial 5 of the timepiece comprises a first set of three counters g5 to g7, arranged in the same way as the counters g2 to g4 of FIG. 2.
  • the dial 5 further comprises a second set of three windows g8 to g10 located respectively at the angular positions P2, P6 and P10, at a distance from the axis 4 less than the distance from the windows g5 to g7 from this same axis 4.
  • the dial 5 therefore has a total of six windows.
  • the disc 6 of this embodiment carries six groups of signs.
  • the first three of these groups are formed by the signs s9 to s14 which are respectively identical to the signs s3 to s8 in FIG. 2 and are arranged like the latter.
  • the fourth group is formed by the signs s15 and s16. These are arranged respectively at the same angular positions as the signs s14 and s13, at the same distance from the axis 4 as the counters g8 to g10. They respectively represent the number 2 and the number 14 and are intended to appear in the g8 window.
  • the fifth group is formed by the signs s17 and s18, which are arranged respectively at the same angular positions as the signs s10 and s9, at the same distance from the axis 4 as the counters g8 to g10. They respectively represent the number 6 and the number 18, and are intended to appear in the g9 window.
  • the sixth group is formed by the signs s19 and s20, which are arranged respectively at the same angular positions as the signs s12 and s11, at the same distance from the axis 4 as the counters g8 to g10. They represent the numbers 10 and 22 respectively, and are intended to appear in the g10 window.
  • the angle A formed by the first and the second sign of each group is therefore equal to 180 ° , as in the case of FIG. 2.
  • the drive mechanism 7 for the disc 6 is therefore identical to that of FIG. 2, that is to say that it rotates this disc 180 ° at just midday and at midnight just so that the numbers and numbers 12, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 appear respectively in the counters g5 to g10 between midnight and noon, and the numbers 24, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 appear respectively between noon and midnight.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates another form of execution of the timepiece according to the invention, in which the counters are higher in number than in the case of FIG. 2, while being regularly arranged at the periphery of the dial 5 and all at the same distance from axis 4.
  • the dial 5 comprises four apertures g11 to g14 respectively located at positions P12, P3, P6 and P9, all at the same distance from the axis 4 of hands 2 and 3.
  • Disc 6 carries four groups of signs.
  • the first of these groups comprises signs s21 and s22 respectively representing the numbers 12 and 24.
  • the second group comprises signs s23 and s24 representing respectively the number 3 and the number 15.
  • the third group comprises signs s25 and s26 representing respectively the number 6 and the number 18.
  • the fourth group includes signs s27 and s28 respectively representing the number 9 and the number 21.
  • the first signs of these four groups are arranged every 90 ° at the periphery of the disc 6, of so as to appear respectively in the windows g11, g12, g13 and g14 when the disc 6 is in the position shown in FIG. 5.
  • the first sign, s21, s23, s25 or s27, and the second sign, s22, s24, s26 or s28 form an angle A1 of 135 ° , this angle being measured clockwise from the first sign.
  • the drive mechanism 7 for the disc 6 arranged so that the disc 6 remains stationary in the position shown in FIG. 4 from midnight to noon, that it rotates rapidly by an angle equal to the angle A1, that is 135 ° , anti-clockwise at just midday, that it remains in this new position until just midnight, and that , at this hour, it turns rapidly by an angle A2 equal to (360 ° - A1), that is to say 225 ° , also in an anticlockwise direction.
  • Disc 6 therefore occupies from midnight to noon, the position represented in FIG. 4, where the numbers or numbers 12, 3, 6 and 9 appear respectively in the counters g11 to g14, and from noon to midnight a second position where the numbers 24, 15, 18 and 21 appear respectively in these counters.
  • the user of the timepiece therefore always knows whether the time displayed by hands 2 and 3 is located in the first or in the second half of the day.
  • the mechanism 7 for driving the disc 6 of the embodiment of FIG. 4 can be entirely mechanical. In this case, it may for example include a device similar to that which is shown in FIG. 5.
  • the device of FIG. 5 is derived from those which are well known under the name of Maltese cross devices and will not be described in detail.
  • the arms 8a to 8f of the driven wheel 8 do not form angles between them equal, but angles having alternately 45 ° and 75 ° , and the driving wheel 9 has two diametrically opposite drive fingers 9a and 9b.
  • the driven wheel 8 is connected to the disc 6 of FIG. 4 by a gear train, not shown, having a multiplication ratio of three.
  • the driving wheel 9 is connected to the clockwork movement 1 by a mechanism, also not shown, which makes it perform a very rapid U-turn every day at just midday and just midnight.
  • a mechanism can be similar to the mechanism 7 described above in the case of FIG. 1.
  • the gear train and the mechanism mentioned above are arranged so that the wheel 8 is stationary from midnight to noon of each day, that it rotates by 45 ° in response to the U-turn made by the wheel 9 at noon , that it then remains stationary from noon to midnight, and that it turns 75 ° in response to the U-turn made by the wheel 9 at midnight.
  • These 45 ° and 75 ° rotations of the wheel 8 respectively cause the 135 ° and 225 ° rotations of the disc 6 mentioned above.
  • the mechanism 7 for driving the disk 6 of the embodiment of FIG. 4 may comprise a stepping motor connected to the disk 6 by a gear train and receiving d an electronic circuit for controlling a first number of driving pulses at midday and a second number of driving pulses at midnight.
  • This gear train and these numbers of drive pulses are of course determined so that the disc 6 makes, at noon and midnight, the rotations of 135 ° and 225 ° mentioned above.
  • the number of these counters can only be a sub-multiple of 12, i.e. 1, 2 , 3, 4, 6 or 12.
  • A1 and A2 are respectively the angle of rotation of the disc 6 at noon and midnight, and AG ⁇ , j is the angle formed fapr any two wickets gi and gj.
  • Equation 1 expresses the fact that disk 6 must make one complete revolution per day.
  • the inequalities 2 and 3 express the fact that any sign normally appearing in a given window must never appear in another window except in a fleeting manner, during a rotation of the disc 6.
  • equation 1 and these inequalities 2 and 3 show, for example, that it is not possible to produce a timepiece according to the invention of the kind defined above in which the number of counters is even and the angles A1 and A2 are equal. Indeed, if A1 and A2 are equal, equation 1 implies that they are both 180 °. If in addition the number of apertures is even, there is always one or more angles AG ⁇ , j equal to 180 °. The inequalities 2 and 3 would therefore not be verified in such a case.
  • the dial 5 has three windows arranged like those of the embodiment of Figure 2 and designated by the same references g2 to g4.
  • the disc 6 carries three groups of signs, each comprising two first and two second signs.
  • the first and second signs of each group are respectively identical to the first and second signs of each of the groups of signs in FIG. 2, and are designated by the same references s3 to s8.
  • each first and each second sign of a group forms respectively with a first and a second sign of each of the other two groups an angle of 120 ° .
  • each first sign of each group forms with the two second signs of the same group angles A of 90 ° .
  • the drive mechanism 7 for driving the disc 6 of FIG. 6 is of course arranged so that the disc 6 rotates by an angle equal to the angle A below: sus, that is 90 °, at just midday and at midnight fair. This mechanism 7 will not be described in detail since it can be easily deduced from that which has been described in the case of FIG. 2.
  • the dial 5 has four windows arranged like those of the embodiment of Figure 4 and designated by the same references g11 to g14.
  • the disc 6 carries four groups of signs each comprising three first and three second signs.
  • the first and second signs of each group are respectively identical to the first and second signs of each of the groups of signs in FIG. 4, and are designated by the same references s21 to s28.
  • a first sign of each group forms with a first sign of two of the other three groups an angle of 90 ° , and with a first sign of the third of the other groups an angle of 180 ° , so that when a first sign s21 of the first group appears in the first window g11, a first sign s23 of the second group, a first sign s25 of the third group and a first sign s27 of the fourth group appear respectively in the counters g12, g13 and g14.
  • the drive mechanism 7 for driving the disk 6 of FIG. 7 is of course arranged so that this disk 6 rotates in an anticlockwise direction by an angle equal to the angle A1 above, either 45 ° , at midday just, and at an angle equal to the angle A2 above, or 75 °, at midnight just.
  • This mechanism 7 will not be described in detail, because it can be easily deduced from that which has been described in the case of FIG. 4.
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 are by far not the only ones which can be produced by placing several identical signs on the disc 6.
  • the number of counters can only be a sub-multiple of 12 if the counters are distributed regularly on the periphery of the dial 5.
  • A1 and A2 are respectively, as above, the angles of rotation of the disc 6 at noon and midnight, and AGi, j is the angle formed by any two wickets gi and gj .
  • N is the number of first signs, or second signs, of each group of signs
  • k is a first whole number such as 0 ⁇ k * N
  • j is a second whole number equal to k or kt1 and further such that 0 ⁇ j ⁇ N.
  • Equation 4 expresses the fact that the disc 6 must turn one full revolution every N days
  • equation 5 expresses the fact that any sign normally appearing in a given window must never appear in another window other than fleetingly during rotation of the disc 6.
  • Equation 4 and inequality 5 again show that if the windows are distributed regularly around the periphery of the dial 5 and their number is even, that is 2, 4, 6 or 12, it is not possible to choose equal values for angles A1 and A2.
  • an angle AGi, j at least is equal to 180 ° .
  • the inequality 5 can be written (k + j). 180 ° / N 180 °.
  • the counters provided in the dial 5 are distributed regularly around the periphery of the latter.
  • FIG. 8 represents, by way of nonlimiting example, a timepiece according to the invention in which the dial 5 is pierced by four apertures g15 to g18 respectively arranged in the angular positions P12, P2, P7 and P9.
  • the disc 6 carries four groups of signs each comprising three first signs s29, s31, s33 and s35 and three second signs s30, s32, s34 and s36. These signs s29 to s36 respectively represent the digits and numbers 12, 24, 2, 14, 7, 19, 9 and 21 and are arranged in the manner shown in FIG. 8.
  • the angles A1 and A2 formed respectively by each first sign with the two second signs which are adjacent to it have values of 45 ° and 75 ° .
  • the mechanism 7 for driving the disc 6 is therefore similar to that of FIG. 7.
  • the signs carried by the disc 6 must be chosen so as to represent the hour numbers indicated by the hand 2 when it is at the same angular position as the counters.
  • the angular position P12 is not necessarily occupied by a window.
  • the shape of the counters may be different from that which has been shown.
  • the windows can be replaced by openings made in an opaque layer disposed on one side of a dial 5 made of a transparent material such as glass.
  • the signs representing the number 24 may be replaced by signs representing the number 0.
  • the order of the signs on the disc 6 can be reversed, the mechanism 7 then being arranged so as to rotate this disc in the opposite direction to the one that was mentioned.
  • the mechanism 7 can be arranged so as to make turn the disc 6 in the opposite direction to that mentioned from an angle A2 at noon and an angle A1 at midnight, the order of the signs on the disc 6 remaining as shown in these figures.
  • the mechanism 7 can be arranged so as to rotate the disc 6 in the direction which has been mentioned, but also from an angle A2 at noon and an angle A1 at midnight, the order of the signs on the disc 6 then being inverted with respect to that which is represented.
  • the mechanism 7 can also be arranged so that the disc 6 rotates at other hours than noon and midnight, for example at six in the morning and at six in the evening. In this case, the signs carried by the disc 6 are of course modified accordingly.
  • the disc 6 itself can be replaced by a crown similar to that which bears the numbers of the days of the month in most calendar timepieces.
  • the hands 2 and 3 as well as the seconds hand if necessary, can be replaced by discs or other elements rotating around the axis 4 and bearing any index.
  • the signs representing the hour numbers can be arranged on the disc 6 so that, when the latter is stationary, they appear that, when the latter is stationary, they appear in all the windows in a normal vertical position, and not more or less inclined or even upside down as has been represented in FIGS. 2 to 4 and 6 to 8.

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Abstract

The timepiece comprises a movement (1) that rotatably drives at least an hours-hand before a dial (5). The dial (5) is formed with at least one display aperture (g1). Signs (s1, s2), which respectively represents the numbers of the hours shown by the hours-hand when the latter is in the same angular position as the display aperture (g1) a.m. and p.m., are arranged on a disc (6) which is located beneath the dial (5) and which is driven by a mechanism (7) that is connected to the movement (1). This mechanism (7) is so designed that the first and second signs (s1, s2) appear in the display aperture (g1), one a.m. (ante meridiem), the other p.m. (post meridiem). To simplify its construction, the mechanism (7) is so designed that the disc (6) will always be rotated in the same direction.

Description

La présente invention a pour objet une pièce d'horlogerie du genre comportant un mouvement d'horlogerie, un cadran, des moyens d'affichage entraînés en rotation autour d'un axe par ledit mouvement à raison d'un tour en douze heures et coopérant avec ledit cadran pour indiquer pendant un premier tour les heures d'une première moitié d'un jour et pendant un deuxième tour consécutif audit premier tour les heures de la deuxième moitié du jour, et des moyens permettant de distinguer lesdites heures d'une première moitié d'un jour desdites heures de la deuxième moitié du jour comprenant une première zone transparente ménagée dans ledit cadran à une première position angulaire correspondant à la position angulaire occupée par lesdits moyens d'affichage à une première heure déterminée pendant ladite première moitié d'un jour et à une deuxième heure déterminée séparée de ladite première heure déterminée par un intervalle de douze heures, un élément mobile en rotation autour dudit axe et disposé sous ledit cadran, un premier groupe de signes disposés sur ledit élément mobile en regard dudit cadran à la même distance dudit axe que ladite première zone transparente et comportant un premier signe représentant le numéro de ladite première heure déterminée et un deuxième signe différent dudit premier signe et représentant le numéro de ladite deuxième heure déterminée, et de moyens d'entraînement dudit élément mobile reliés audit mouvement d'horlogerie et agencés de manière à amener ledit élément mobile, à un premier instant situé au début de ladite première moitié d'un jour, dans une première position où ledit premier signe est situé en regard de ladite première zone transparente et, à un deuxième instant situé au début de ladite deuxième moitié d'un jour, dans une deuxième position où ledit deuxième signe est situé en regard de ladite première zone transparente, et à maintenir ledit élément mobile dans ladite première position pendant ladite première moitié d'un jour et dans ladite deuxième position pendant ladite deuxième moitié du jour.The present invention relates to a timepiece of the kind comprising a timepiece movement, a dial, display means driven in rotation about an axis by said movement at the rate of one revolution in twelve hours and cooperating with said dial to indicate during a first round the hours of the first half of a day and during a second round consecutive to said first round the hours of the second half of the day, and means making it possible to distinguish said hours from a first half of a day of said hours of the second half of the day comprising a first transparent zone formed in said dial at a first angular position corresponding to the angular position occupied by said display means at a first hour determined during said first half of one day and at a second determined hour separated from said first hour determined by an interval of twelve hours, a movable element rotating around said axis and arranged under said dial, a first group of signs arranged on said movable element facing said dial at the same distance from said axis as said first transparent area and comprising a first sign representing the number of said first determined hour and a second sign different from said first sign and representing the number of said second determined time, and of means for driving said mobile element connected to said clock movement and arranged so as to bring said mobile element, at a first instant situated at the start of said first half of a day, in a first position where said first sign is located opposite said first transparent zone and, at a second instant situated at the start of said second half of a day, in a second position where said second sign is located opposite said first transparent area, and to maintain said element movable in said first position during said first half of a day and in said second position during said second half of day.

Un dispositif permettant de savoir si l'heure affichée par une pièce d'horlogerie se trouve dans la première ou dans la deuxième moitié d'un jour est utile, par exemple, lorsque cette pièce d'horlogerie comporte un calendrier ou un réveil dont l'heure de déclenchement peut être ajustée sur l'une quelconque des vingt-quatre heures d'un jour. Ce dispositif permet de remettre à l'heure une telle pièce d'horlogerie, après qu'elle se soit arrêtée, sans risquer de voir les indications de son calendrier changer à midi au lieu de minuit, ou d'entendre son réveil se déclencher douze heures trop tôt ou trop tard.A device making it possible to know whether the time displayed by a timepiece is in the first or in the second half of a day is useful, for example, when this timepiece includes a calendar or an alarm clock whose The trigger time can be adjusted to any of the twenty-four hours of a day. This device makes it possible to reset such a timepiece to the time, after it has stopped, without risking seeing its calendar indications change at noon instead of midnight, or hear its alarm go off twelve hours too early or too late.

Une pièce d'horlogerie comportant un tel dispositif est décrite dans le brevet DE-C 873 520. Mais cette pièce d'horlogerie est d'un genre différent de celui qui a été défini ci-dessus, car c'est son cadran qui est mobile, les numéros des heures de 1 à 12 et de 13 à 24 étant portés par un disque fixe situé sous le cadran et visibles à travers des ouvertures ménagées dans ce dernier. Le mécanisme de la pièce d'horlogerie entraîne le cadran par pas successifs de 18° toutes les douze heures, les numéros des heures sur le disque fixe et les trous du cadran étant disposés de manière que les numéros de 1 à 12 et de 13 à 24 soient alternativement visibles pendant douze heures consécutives.A timepiece comprising such a device is described in patent DE-C 873 520. But this timepiece is of a different kind from that which has been defined above, because it is its dial which is mobile, the hour numbers 1 to 12 and 13 to 24 being carried by a fixed disc located under the dial and visible through openings in the latter. The mechanism of the timepiece drives the dial in successive 18 ° steps every twelve hours, the hour numbers on the fixed disc and the holes in the dial being arranged so that the numbers 1 to 12 and 13 to 24 are alternately visible for twelve consecutive hours.

Des pièces d'horlogerie du genre défini ci-dessus, c'est-à-dire dans lesquelles le cadran est fixe et un organe portant les numéros des heures est mobile derrière ce cadran, sont décrites dans de nombreux documents tels que, par exemple, les brevets CH-A 7 197, CH-A 18 199 et CH-A 22 282.Timepieces of the kind defined above, that is to say in which the dial is fixed and a member bearing the hour numbers is movable behind this dial, are described in numerous documents such as, for example , patents CH-A 7,197, CH-A 18,199 and CH-A 22,282.

Ces pièces d'horlogerie comportent des aiguilles d'affichage des heures et des minutes qui sont entraînées en rotation devant le cadran par un mouvement d'horlogerie à raison d'un tour en douze heures et d'un tour en une heure respectivement. Le cadran ne porte pas les signes traditionnels désignant les numéros des heures, mais il est percé de douze guichets disposés aux emplacements ou se trouvent normalement ces signes.These timepieces include hour and minute display hands which are rotated in front of the dial by a clockwork movement at the rate of one revolution in twelve hours and one revolution in one hour respectively. The dial does not bear the traditional signs designating the hour numbers, but it is pierced with twelve counters arranged in the locations where these signs are normally found.

Un disque mobile disposé sous le cadran porte des numéros 1 à 12 répartis régulièrement à sa périphérie et des numéros 13 à 24 disposés également régulièrement entre les précédents numéros.A mobile disc placed under the dial has numbers 1 to 12 regularly distributed around its periphery and numbers 13 to 24 also regularly arranged between the previous numbers.

Un mécanisme lié au mouvement de la pièce d'horlogerie déplace le disque alternativement dans un sens et dans l'autre, de manière que chaque numéro 1 à 12 apparaisse derrière un des guichets du cadran entre une heure du matin et une heure de l'après-midi, et que chaque numéro 13 à 24 apparaisse entre une heure de l'après-midi et une heure du matin suivantA mechanism linked to the movement of the timepiece moves the disc alternately in one direction and in the other, so that each number 1 to 12 appears behind one of the dial windows between one in the morning and one in the afternoon, and that each number 13 to 24 appears between one o'clock in the afternoon and one o'clock in the morning

Dans une variante de ce genre de pièces d'horlogerie, décrite par exemple dans le brevet CH-A 59 451, le disque mobile porte des numéros 0 à 11 qui sont visibles de minuit à midi, et des numéros 12 à 23 qui sont visibles de midi à minuit.In a variant of this type of timepiece, described for example in patent CH-A 59,451, the mobile disc bears the numbers 0 to 11 which are visible from midnight to noon, and the numbers 12 to 23 which are visible from noon to midnight.

Dans une autre variante de ce genre de pièce d'horlogerie, décrite dans le modele d'utilité DE-U 1 478 890, un deuxième disque mobile portant les numéros 0, 12, 12 et 24 regulièrement répartis à sa périphérie est disposé entre le disque à mouvement alternatif mentionné ci-dessus et le cadran, de manière que l'un de ces quatre derniers numéros apparaisse dans le guichet situé à l'emplacement où est inscrit le chiffe 12 dans les pièces d'horlogerie classiques. Ce deuxième disque est entraîné de manière que le numéro 0 apparaisse dans ce guichet entre minuit et une heure du matin, le premier numéro 12 entre une heure du matin et midi, le deuxième numéro 12 entre midi et une heure de l'après-midi, et le numéro 24 entre une heure de l'apres-midi et minuit.In another variant of this kind of timepiece, described in the utility model DE-U 1 478 890, a second movable disc bearing the numbers 0, 12, 12 and 24 regularly distributed around its periphery is disposed between the reciprocating movement disc mentioned above and the dial, so that one of these last four numbers appears in the window located at the location where the numeral 12 is inscribed in conventional timepieces. This second disc is driven so that the number 0 appears in this window between midnight and one in the morning, the first number 12 between one in the morning and noon, the second number 12 between noon and one in the afternoon , and number 24 between one o'clock in the afternoon and midnight.

Dans les pièces d'horlogerie de ce genre, le fait que le disque portant les numéros doit être déplacé alternativement dans un sens et dans l'autre complique la construction et la réalisation du mécanisme provoquant ce déplacement. En outre, les erreurs dans les dimensions des pièces de ce mécanisme et dans leur disposition relative, qui ne peuvent pas être évitées, ont pour effet qu'il n'est pratiquement pas possible de garantir que le passage du disque de l'une à l'autre de ses positions s'effectue exactement aux instants où il devrait théoriquement s'effectuer.In timepieces of this kind, the fact that the disc bearing the numbers must be moved alternately in one direction and in the other complicates the construction and the realization of the mechanism causing this displacement. In addition, errors in the dimensions of the parts of this mechanism and in their relative arrangement, which cannot be avoided, have the effect that it is practically impossible to guarantee that the passage of the disc from one to the other of its positions takes place exactly at the moments when it should theoretically take place.

Le but de la présente invention est de proposer une pièce d'horlogerie du genre défini ci-dessus qui ne présente pas cet inconvénient, c'est-à-dire dans laquelle le mécanisme d'entrainement du disque portant les numéros des heures est plus simple a réaliser que dans les pièces d'horlogerie connues décrites ci-dessus et permet plus facilement de garantir que les déplacements de ce disque s'effectuent à des instants très précis.The purpose of the present invention is to provide a timepiece of the kind defined above which does not have this drawback, that is to say in which the drive mechanism of the disc bearing the hour numbers is more simple to realize that in the known timepieces described above and makes it easier to guarantee that the movements of this disc are made at very precise times.

Ce but est atteint par la pièce d'horlogerie revendiquée.This object is achieved by the claimed timepiece.

Avant de décrire la présente invention, on mentionnera encore la pièce d'horlogerie décrite dans le brevet CH-B 453 216 qui comporte également un cadran fixe percé de douze ouvertures réparties régulièrement à sa périphérie, et un disque mobile portant des signes et situé sour ce cadran. Mais cette pièce d'horlogerie est également d'un genre différent de celui qui a été défini ci-dessus car les signes portés par le disque mobile et visibles à travers les trous du cadran ne représentent pas les numéros des heures. En effet, ces signes sont constitués de simples taches, ayant toutes la même forme, une première série de douze taches, visibles de 6 heures du matin à 6 heures du soir, étant des taches de peinture ordinaire, noire par exemple, et une deuxieme série de douze taches, disposées chacune entre deux des taches précédentes et visibles de 6 heures du soir à 6 heures du matin, étant des taches de peinture luminescente comportant par exemple du tritium.Before describing the present invention, mention will also be made of the timepiece described in patent CH-B 453 216 which also includes a fixed dial pierced with twelve openings distributed regularly around its periphery, and a movable disc bearing signs and located at this dial. But this timepiece is also of a different kind from that which has been defined above because the signs carried by the movable disc and visible through the holes in the dial do not represent the hour numbers. Indeed, these signs consist of simple spots, all having the same shape, a first series of twelve spots, visible from 6 am to 6 pm, being spots of ordinary paint, black for example, and a second series of twelve spots, each placed between two of the previous spots and visible from 6 o'clock in the evening to 6 o'clock in the morning, being spots of luminescent paint comprising for example tritium.

L'invention va être décrite maintenant a l'aide du dessin dans lequel:

  • - la figure 1 représente schématiquement une pre- miere forme d'exécution de la pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention, vue en plan et en coupe;
  • - les figures 2 à 4 et 6 à 8 représentent schématiquement d'autres formes d'exécution de la pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention vues en plan, et
  • - la figure 5 représente en plan et à plus grande échelle un détail du mouvement de la pièce d'horlogerie de la figure 4.
The invention will now be described using the drawing in which:
  • FIG. 1 schematically represents a first embodiment of the timepiece according to the invention, seen in plan and in section;
  • FIGS. 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 schematically represent other embodiments of the timepiece according to the invention seen in plan, and
  • FIG. 5 shows in plan and on a larger scale a detail of the movement of the timepiece of FIG. 4.

Dans toutes les formes d'exécution qui vont être décrites ci-dessous, la pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention comporte un mouvement d'horlogerie 1 qui entraîne des aiguilles d'affichage des heures 2 et des minutes 3 ainsi que, éventuellement, une aiguille des secondes non représentée en rotation autour d'un axe commun 4 devant un cadran 5.In all of the embodiments which will be described below, the timepiece according to the invention comprises a timepiece movement 1 which drives the display hands for hours 2 and minutes 3 as well as, optionally, a second hand not shown rotating around a common axis 4 in front of a dial 5.

En outre, un disque 6 mobile en rotation autour de l'axe 4 est disposé sous le cadran 5. Il est entraîné par un mécanisme 7 faisant partie du mouvement 1, d'une manière qui sera précisée de cas en cas. Le mouvement 1 et sa liaison avec les aiguilles 2 et 3 ne seront pas décrits en détail, car ils peuvent être de n'importe quel genre et n'ont pas de rapport direct avec la présente invention. Il faut simplement noter que le mouvement 1 entraîne les aiguilles 2 et 3 aux vitesses traditionnelles de un tour en douze heures et de un tour en une heure.In addition, a disc 6 movable in rotation about the axis 4 is placed under the dial 5. It is driven by a mechanism 7 forming part of the movement 1, in a manner which will be specified from case to case. Movement 1 and its connection with hands 2 and 3 will not be described in detail, since they can be of any kind and have no direct relation to the present invention. It should simply be noted that movement 1 drives hands 2 and 3 at the traditional speeds of one revolution in twelve hours and one revolution in one hour.

Le cadran 5 est opaque, sauf dans une ou plusieurs zones où il est transparent.The dial 5 is opaque, except in one or more zones where it is transparent.

Dans les formes d'exécution qui vont être décrites, ces zones transparentes sont constituées, à titre d'exemple non limitatif, par des guichets percés dans le cadran 5 dont la disposition sera précisée de cas en cas.In the embodiments which will be described, these transparent areas consist, by way of nonlimiting example, of apertures drilled in the dial 5 whose arrangement will be specified from case to case.

Les pièces d'horlogerie selon l'invention sont évidemment destinées à être montées dans une boîte ou un cabinet. Les moyens destinés à ce montage ne seront ni représentés ni décrits, car ils peuvent également être de n'importe quel genre et n'ont pas non plus de rapport direct avec la présente invention.The timepieces according to the invention are obviously intended to be mounted in a box or cabinet. The means for this assembly will not be shown or described, because they can also be of any kind and also have no direct connection with the present invention.

Les divers éléments du cadran 5 et du disque 6 qui vont être mentionnés ci-dessous occupent chacun, sur ce cadran 5 ou sur ce disque 6, un espace dont les dimensions ne sont pas nulles.The various elements of the dial 5 and of the disc 6 which will be mentioned below each occupy, on this dial 5 or on this disc 6, a space whose dimensions are not zero.

Pour simplifier la description, on appellera position d'un de ces éléments la position d'un point situé sensiblement au centre de l'espace qu'il occupe sur le cadran 5 ou sur le disque 6.To simplify the description, the position of one of these elements will be called the position of a point located substantially in the center of the space it occupies on the dial 5 or on the disc 6.

De même, les deux angles formés par les rayons joignant l'axe de rotation 4 à deux éléments du cadran 5 ou la disque 6, c'est-à-dire selon la convention ci-dessus les deux angles formés par les rayons joignant l'axe 4 aux points situés aux centres des espaces occupés par ces éléments, seront désignés comme étant les angles formés par ces deux éléments sur ce cadran 5 ou sur ce disque 6. Lorsque cela sera nécessaire, un de ces deux angles sera distingué de l'autre en précisant qu'il est mesuré dans un sens, qui sera indiqué, à partir d'un des éléments, qui sera également indiqué.Similarly, the two angles formed by the spokes joining the axis of rotation 4 to two elements of the dial 5 or the disc 6, that is to say according to the above convention, the two angles formed by the spokes joining the axis 4 at the points located at the centers of the spaces occupied by these elements, will be designated as the angles formed by these two elements on this dial 5 or on this disc 6. When necessary, one of these two angles will be distinguished from the 'other by specifying that it is measured in one direction, which will be indicated, from one of the elements, which will also be indicated.

De même, les douze positions angulaires auxquelles sont inscrits les numéros des heures sur le cadran d'une pièce d'horlogerie traditionnelle seront désignées par les références P1 à P12, la position P1 étant celle où est situé le chiffre 1, la position P2 celle où est situé le chiffre 2, etc., jusqu'à la position P12 qui est celle où est situé le nombre 12.Similarly, the twelve angular positions to which the hour numbers are written on the dial of a traditional timepiece will be designated by the references P1 to P12, the position P1 being that where the number 1 is located, the position P2 that where the number 2 is located, etc., up to position P12 which is where the number 12 is located.

Enfin, on appellera groupe de signes l'ensemble de tous les signes destinés à apparaître, de manière non fugitive, dans un des guichets percés dans le cadran. Le nombre de groupes de signes sera donc toujours égal au nombre de guichets. En outre, chaque groupe comprendra au moins un premier signe représentant le numéro de l'heure qu'il est dans une première moitié d'un jour lorsque l'aiguille 2 occupe la même position angulaire que le guichet correspondant, et au moins un deuxième signe représentant le numéro de l'heure qu'il est dans la deuxième moitié du jour lorsque l'aiguille 2 occupe à nouveau la même position angulaire que le guichet correspondant. Ces deux heures sont bien entendu séparées par un intervalle de temps de douze heures.Finally, a group of signs will be called the set of all the signs intended to appear, in a non-fleeting manner, in one of the counters pierced in the dial. The number of groups of signs will therefore always be equal to the number of counters. In addition, each group will include at least a first sign representing the number of the time it is in the first half of a day when the hand 2 occupies the same angular position as the corresponding window, and at least a second sign representing the number of the time it is in the second half of the day when the hand 2 again occupies the same angular position as the corresponding window. These two hours are of course separated by a time interval of twelve hours.

Dans la forme d'exécution représentée à la figure 1, le cadran 5 comporte un seul guichet, désigné par la référence g1 et situé à la position angulaire P12.In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the dial 5 has a single window, designated by the reference g1 and located at the angular position P12.

Le disque 6 porte par conséquent un seul groupe de signes, comportant dans cet exemple un seul premier signe s1 représentant le nombre 12, et un seul deuxième signe s2 représentant le nombre 24. Ces signes s1 et s2 sont disposés à la périphérie de la face du disque 6 qui est tournée vers le cadran 5, et forment entre eux deux angles de 180° désignés tous deux par la référence A.The disc 6 therefore carries a single group of signs, comprising in this example a single first sign s1 representing the number 12, and a single second sign s2 representing the number 24. These signs s1 and s2 are arranged on the periphery of the face of the disc 6 which is turned towards the dial 5, and form between them two angles of 180 ° both designated by the reference A.

Les dimensions des signes s1 et s2, la distance chet g1 sont choisies de manière que ces signes s1 et s2 apparaissent successivement à travers ce guichet g1 lorsque le disque 6 tourne.The dimensions of the signs s1 and s2, the distance chet g1 are chosen so that these signs s1 and s2 appear successively through this window g1 when the disc 6 rotates.

Dans l'état représenté à la figure 1, le signe s1 est visible à travers le guichet g1. Le signe s2 a été dessiné en pointillé puisqu'il est caché par le cadran 5 et donc normalement invisible.In the state shown in Figure 1, the sign s1 is visible through the window g1. The sign s2 has been drawn in dotted lines since it is hidden by the dial 5 and therefore normally invisible.

Le mécanisme 7 d'entraînement du disque 6 est agencé de manière que, chaque jour, ce dernier reste immobile entre minuit et midi dans la position où le signe s1 est visible à travers le guichet g1, que le disque 6 tourne ensuite très rapidement, à midi juste, d'un angle égal à l'angle A, soit 180° dans cet exemple, que le disque 6 reste immobile de midi à minuit dans sa nouvelle position, où le signe s2 apparaît dans le guichet g1 et, enfin, que le disque 6 tourne à nouveau d'un angle égal à l'angle A, soit 180°, à minuit juste, de manière que le signe s1 apparaisse dans le guichet g1.The mechanism 7 for driving the disc 6 is arranged so that, each day, the latter remains stationary between midnight and noon in the position where the sign s1 is visible through the window g1, that the disc 6 then spins very quickly, at noon just, at an angle equal to the angle A, that is 180 ° in this example, that the disc 6 remains stationary from noon to midnight in its new position, where the sign s2 appears in the window g1 and, finally that the disc 6 rotates again by an angle equal to the angle A, that is 180 °, at just midnight, so that the sign s1 appears in the window g1.

Ainsi, le nombre 12 apparaît dans le guichet g1 entre minuit et midi, et le nombre 24 entre midi et minuit. L'utilisateur de la pièce d'horlogerie sait donc toujours dans quelle moitié du jour se trouve l'heure affichée par les aiguilles 2 et 3.Thus, the number 12 appears in the counter g1 between midnight and midday, and the number 24 between midday and midnight. The user of the timepiece therefore always knows in which half of the day the time displayed by hands 2 and 3 is found.

On voit que le disque 6 peut tourner toujours dans le même sens, qui peut être indiféremment le sens de rotation des aiguilles d'une montre ou le sens inverse. Le mécanisme 7 d'entraînement de ce disque 6 peut donc être réalisé de manière plus simple que celui qui entraîne alternativement dans un sens et dans l'autre le disque portant les numéros des heures dans les pièces d'horlogerie décrites dans les brevets CH-A-7197, CH-A-18199 et CH-A-59451 mentionnés ci-desus.It is seen that the disc 6 can always rotate in the same direction, which can be either the direction of rotation of the needles of a watch or the opposite direction. The mechanism 7 for driving this disc 6 can therefore be produced in a simpler way than that which alternately drives in one direction and in the other the disc bearing the hour numbers in the timepieces described in the CH- patents. A-7197, CH-A-18199 and CH-A-59451 mentioned above.

Notamment, il est beaucoup plus simple de réaliser le mécanisme 7 de manière que les rotations du disque 6 s'effectuent toujours exactement à midi et à minuit.In particular, it is much simpler to make the mechanism 7 so that the rotations of the disc 6 are always carried out exactly at noon and at midnight.

Le mécanisme 7 d'entraînement du disque 6 n'a pas été représenté en détail car sa réalisation ne pose pas de problème particulier à l'homme du métier qui a le choix entre plusieurs possibilités pour le construire.The mechanism 7 for driving the disc 6 has not been shown in detail since its production does not pose any particular problem for those skilled in the art who have the choice between several possibilities for building it.

Ce mécanisme 7 peut, par exemple, être entièrement mécanique et être relié au train d'engrenages assurant la rotation de l'aiguille des heures 2.This mechanism 7 can, for example, be entirely mechanical and be connected to the gear train ensuring the rotation of the hour hand 2.

Dans un tel cas, ce mécanisme 7 peut par exemple comporter un des dispositifs bien connus qui entraînent l'anneau portant les numéros des jours du mois dans les pièces d'horlogerie à calendrier dit sautant. Plusieurs dispositifs de ce genre sont décrits, par exemple, dans l'article de M. Th. Kühl intitulé "Konstruktionssystematik bei Datumuhren" (Analyse systématique des constructions des montres quantièmes) paru dans la revue "Jahrbuch der deutschen Gesellschaft für Chronometrie" (Annales de la société allemande de chronométrie), volume 27 (1976), pages 121 à 172.In such a case, this mechanism 7 may for example include one of the well-known devices which drive the ring bearing the numbers of the days of the month in timepieces with a so-called jumping calendar. Several devices of this kind are described, for example, in the article by M. Th. Kühl entitled "Konstruktionssystematik bei Datumuhren" (Systematic analysis of constructions of date watches) published in the review "Jahrbuch der deutschen Gesellschaft für Chronometrie" (Annals of the German Chronometry Society), volume 27 (1976), pages 121 to 172.

Le mécanisme 7 doit bien entendu être relié au mouvement d'horlogerie 1 de manière que ce dispositif fonctionne toutes les douze heures, et non toutes les vingt-quatre heures comme dans les pièces d'horlogerie à calendrier. En outre, le mécanisme 7 doit être agencé de manière que le disque 6 tourne de 180° chaque fois que ce dispositif fonctionne.The mechanism 7 must of course be connected to the clockwork movement 1 so that this device operates every twelve hours, and not every twenty-four hours as in timepieces with a calendar. In addition, the mechanism 7 must be arranged so that the disc 6 rotates 180 ° each time this device operates.

Dans de nombreuses pièces d'horlogerie, le mouvement 1 comporte un moteur pas à pas alimenté par une source d'énergie électrique, telle qu'une pile, et entraînant les aiguilles 2 et 3 en réponse à des impulsions motrices périodiques fournies par un générateur comprenant généralement un oscillateur et un circuit diviseur de fréquence.In many timepieces, movement 1 comprises a stepping motor powered by a source of electrical energy, such as a battery, and driving hands 2 and 3 in response to periodic driving pulses supplied by a generator. generally comprising an oscillator and a frequency divider circuit.

Dans ces pièces d'horlogerie, le mécanisme 7 d'entraînement du disque 6 peut être entièrement mécanique, comme celui qui a été décrit ci-dessus. Il peut également comprendre un deuxième moteur pas à pas alimenté par la même source d'énergie électrique que le premier, et entraînant le disque 6 en réponse à d'autres impulsions motrices fournies par le même circuit électronique.In these timepieces, the mechanism 7 for driving the disc 6 can be entirely mechanical, like that which has been described above. It can also include a second stepping motor supplied by the same source of electrical energy as the first, and driving the disc 6 in response to other driving pulses supplied by the same electronic circuit.

Ce circuit électronique est agencé dans ce cas de manière à fournir à ce deuxième moteur un nombre prédéterminé d'impulsions motrices se succédant rapidement à midi juste et à minuit juste. Le train d'engrenages reliant ce deuxième moteur au disque 6 est bien entendu agencé de manière que le disque 6 tourne de 180° en réponse à ces impulsions motrices.This electronic circuit is arranged in this case so as to supply this second motor with a predetermined number of driving pulses successively rapidly at just midday and at midnight just. The gear train connecting this second motor to the disc 6 is of course arranged so that the disc 6 rotates 180 ° in response to these driving pulses.

Dans toutes ses autres formes d'exécution qui vont être décrites ci-dessous, la pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention comporte un mouvement 1 et des aiguilles 2 et 3 semblables à celles de la forme d'exécution représentée à la figure 1. Pour ne pas charger inutilement le dessins, ce mouvement 1 et ces aiguilles 2 et 3 n'ont pas été représentés dans les figures utilisées pour décrire ces autres formes d'exécution.In all of its other embodiments which will be described below, the timepiece according to the invention comprises a movement 1 and hands 2 and 3 similar to those of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. In order not to unnecessarily load the drawings, this movement 1 and these hands 2 and 3 have not been shown in the figures used to describe these other embodiments.

Dans la forme d'exécution de la pièce d'horlogerie représentée à la figure 2, le cadran 5 comporte trois guichets g2, g3 et g4 situés respectivement aux positions P12, P4 et P8 et formant donc, chacun avec chacun des deux autres, un angle de 120°.In the embodiment of the timepiece shown in Figure 2, the dial 5 has three windows g2, g3 and g4 located respectively at positions P12, P4 and P8 and therefore forming, each with each of the other two, a 120 ° angle.

En concordance avec le nombre de guichets, le disque 6 porte trois groupes de signes. Les signes s3 et s4 formant le premier groupe sont destinés à apparaître dans le guichet g2 et représentent respectivement les nombres 12 et 24. Les signes s5 et s6 formant le deuxième groupe sont destinés à apparaître dans le guichet g3 et représentent respectivement le chiffre 4 et le nombre 16. Enfin, les signes s7 et s8 formant le troisième groupe sont destinés à apparaître dans le guichet g4 et représentent le chiffre 8 et le nombre 20.In accordance with the number of counters, disc 6 carries three groups of signs. The signs s3 and s4 forming the first group are intended to appear in the counter g2 and represent the numbers 12 and 24 respectively. The signs s5 and s6 forming the second group are intended to appear in the counter g3 and respectively represent the number 4 and the number 16. Finally, the signs s7 and s8 forming the third group are intended to appear in the window g4 and represent the number 8 and the number 20.

En concordance avec la disposition des guichets g2 à g4, le premier signe de chaque groupe forme avec le premier signe de chacun des autres groupe un angle de 120°.In accordance with the layout of the counters g2 to g4, the first sign of each group forms with the first sign of each of the other groups an angle of 120 °.

Enfin, le premier et le deuxième signe de chaque groupe forment entre eux un angle de 180°, également désigné par la référence A.Finally, the first and second signs of each group form an angle of 180 ° between them, also designated by the reference A.

Le mécanisme 7 d'entraînement du disque 6, qui n'est pas représenté à la figure 2, est agencé de manière que ce disque 6 reste immobile entre minuit et midi dans la position représentée à la figure 2, qu'il tourne rapidement à midi juste, d'un angle égal à l'angle A, soit 180°, qu'il reste ensuite immobile jusqu'à minuit juste, et qu'il tourne à nouveau rapidement d'un angle égal à l'angle A, soit 180°, à cette heure.The drive mechanism 7 for the disc 6, which is not shown in FIG. 2, is arranged so that this disc 6 remains stationary between midnight and noon in the position shown in FIG. 2, which it rotates rapidly at just at noon, at an angle equal to angle A, or 180 ° , then it remains stationary until just midnight, and it turns again quickly from an angle equal to angle A, or 180 °, at this hour.

Ainsi, les nombres et chiffres 12, 4 et 8 apparaissent respectivement dans les guichets g2, g3 et g4 entre minuit et midi. Entre midi et minuit, ce sont les nombres 24, 16 et 20 qui apparaissent respectivement dans ces guichets g2, g3 et g4. L'utilisateur de la pièce d'horlogerie sait donc toujours dans quelle moitié de la journée est située l'heure indiquée par les aiguilles 2 et 3.Thus, the numbers and digits 12, 4 and 8 appear respectively in the counters g2, g3 and g4 between midnight and noon. Between noon and midnight, the numbers 24, 16 and 20 appear respectively in these counters g2, g3 and g4. The user of the timepiece therefore always knows in which half of the day the time indicated by hands 2 and 3 is located.

Il est évident que, pendant chaque rotation du disque 6, des signes autres que ceux qui sont normalement visibles dans les guichets g2 à g4 apparaissent dans ces derniers. Si le mécanisme 7 est agencé de manière que la vitesse de rotation du disque 6 soit élevée, cette apparition fugitive de signes dans des guichets où ils ne doivent normalement pas apparaître ne gêne pas l'utilisateur de la pièce d'horlogerie.It is obvious that, during each rotation of the disc 6, signs other than those which are normally visible in the windows g2 to g4 appear in the latter. If the mechanism 7 is arranged so that the speed of rotation of the disc 6 is high, this fleeting appearance of signs in windows where they should not normally appear does not bother the user of the timepiece.

Le mécanisme 7 d'entraînement du disque 6 de la pièce d'horlogerie de la figure 2 ne sera pas décrit en détail, car il est similaire à celui qui a été décrit dans le cas de la figure 1 et peut être réalisé de la même manière que ce dernier.The mechanism 7 for driving the disc 6 of the timepiece of FIG. 2 will not be described in detail, because it is similar to that which has been described in the case of FIG. 1 and can be produced in the same way way that the latter.

Comme dans le cas de la figure 1, le sens de rotation du disque 6 est en outre indifférent, puisque l'angle A formé par les deux signes de chaque groupe est égal à 180°.As in the case of FIG. 1, the direction of rotation of the disc 6 is also indifferent, since the angle A formed by the two signs of each group is equal to 180 °.

On voit qu'il n'est pas possible de réaliser une pièce d'horlogerie semblable à celles qui viennent d'être décrites dans laquelle le nombre de guichets serait pair. En effet, si ce nombre de guichets était pair, chaque guichet formerait avec un autre guichet un angle de 180°. Le premier signe d'un groupe de signes et le deuxième signe d'un autre groupe de signes devraient donc être situés au même endroit sur le disque 6, ce qui n'est évidemment pas possible.We see that it is not possible to produce a timepiece similar to those which have just been described in which the number of counters would be even. Indeed, if this number of windows was even, each window would form with another window an angle of 180 °. The first sign of a group of signs and the second sign of another group of signs should therefore be located in the same place on the disc 6, which is obviously not possible.

La figure 3 illustre une autre forme d'exécution de la pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention, dans laquelle six guichets peuvent être ménagés dans le cadran 5.FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the timepiece according to the invention, in which six windows can be provided in the dial 5.

Dans cette forme d'exécution, le cadran 5 de la pièce d'horlogerie comporte un premier ensemble de trois guichets g5 à g7, disposés de la même manière que les guichets g2 à g4 de la figure 2. Le cadran 5 comporte en outre un deuxième ensemble de trois guichets g8 à g10 situés respectivement aux positions angulaires P2, P6 et P10, à une distance de l'axe 4 inférieure à la distance des guichets g5 à g7 de ce même axe 4.In this embodiment, the dial 5 of the timepiece comprises a first set of three counters g5 to g7, arranged in the same way as the counters g2 to g4 of FIG. 2. The dial 5 further comprises a second set of three windows g8 to g10 located respectively at the angular positions P2, P6 and P10, at a distance from the axis 4 less than the distance from the windows g5 to g7 from this same axis 4.

Le cadran 5 comporte donc en tout six guichets.The dial 5 therefore has a total of six windows.

En concordance avec ce nombre de guichets, le disque 6 de cette forme d'exécution porte six groupes de signes.In accordance with this number of counters, the disc 6 of this embodiment carries six groups of signs.

Les trois premiers de ces groupes sont formés par les signes s9 à s14 qui sont respectivement identiques aux signes s3 à s8 de la figure 2 et sont disposés comme ces derniers.The first three of these groups are formed by the signs s9 to s14 which are respectively identical to the signs s3 to s8 in FIG. 2 and are arranged like the latter.

Le quatrième groupe est formé par les signes s15 et s16. Ceux-ci sont disposés respectivement aux mêmes positions angulaires que les signes s14 et s13, à la même distance de l'axe 4 que les guichets g8 à g10. Ils représentent respectivement le chiffre 2 et le nombre 14 et sont destinés à apparaître dans le guichet g8.The fourth group is formed by the signs s15 and s16. These are arranged respectively at the same angular positions as the signs s14 and s13, at the same distance from the axis 4 as the counters g8 to g10. They respectively represent the number 2 and the number 14 and are intended to appear in the g8 window.

Le cinquième groupe est formés des signes s17 et s18, qui sont disposés respectivement aux mêmes positions angulaires que les signes s10 et s9, à la même distance de l'axe 4 que les guichets g8 à g10. Ils représentent respectivement le chiffre 6 et le nombre 18, et sont destinés à apparaître dans le guichet g9.The fifth group is formed by the signs s17 and s18, which are arranged respectively at the same angular positions as the signs s10 and s9, at the same distance from the axis 4 as the counters g8 to g10. They respectively represent the number 6 and the number 18, and are intended to appear in the g9 window.

Le sixième groupe est formé des signes s19 et s20, qui sont disposés respectivement aux mêmes positions angulaires que les signes s12 et s11, à la même distance de l'axe 4 que les guichets g8 à g10. Ils représentent respectivement les nombres 10 et 22, et sont destinés à apparaître dans le guichet g10.The sixth group is formed by the signs s19 and s20, which are arranged respectively at the same angular positions as the signs s12 and s11, at the same distance from the axis 4 as the counters g8 to g10. They represent the numbers 10 and 22 respectively, and are intended to appear in the g10 window.

L'angle A formé par le premier et le deuxième signe de chaque groupe est donc égal à 180°, comme dans le cas de la figure 2.The angle A formed by the first and the second sign of each group is therefore equal to 180 ° , as in the case of FIG. 2.

Le mécanisme 7 d'entraînement du disque 6 est donc identique à celui de la figure 2, c'est-à-dire qu'il fait tourner ce disque de 180° à midi juste et à minuit juste de manière que les chiffres et nombres 12, 2, 4, 6, 8 et 10 apparaissent respectivement dans les guichets g5 à g10 entre minuit et midi, et les nombres 24, 14, 16, 18, 20 et 22 apparaissent respectivement entre midi et minuit.The drive mechanism 7 for the disc 6 is therefore identical to that of FIG. 2, that is to say that it rotates this disc 180 ° at just midday and at midnight just so that the numbers and numbers 12, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 appear respectively in the counters g5 to g10 between midnight and noon, and the numbers 24, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 appear respectively between noon and midnight.

La réalisation pratique d'une pièce d'horlogerie de petites dimensions, telle qu'une montre-bracelet, dans la forme d'exécution de la figure 3 peut poser des problèmes à cause de la présence des guichets g8 à g10 0 et des signes s15 à s20 à une distance relativement faible de l'axe de rotation 4 des aiguilles 2 et 3.The practical production of a timepiece of small dimensions, such as a wristwatch, in the embodiment of FIG. 3 can pose problems because of the presence of the counters g8 to g10 0 and the signs s15 to s20 at a relatively small distance from the axis of rotation 4 of hands 2 and 3.

La figure 4 illustre une autre forme d'exécutioin de la pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention, dans laquelle les guichets sont en nombre plus élevé que dans le cas de la figure 2, tout en étant disposés régulièrement à la périphérie du cadran 5 et tous à la même distance de l'axe 4.FIG. 4 illustrates another form of execution of the timepiece according to the invention, in which the counters are higher in number than in the case of FIG. 2, while being regularly arranged at the periphery of the dial 5 and all at the same distance from axis 4.

Dans la pièce d'horlogerie de cette figure 4, le cadran 5 comporte quatre guichets g11 à g14 respectivement situés aux positions P12, P3, P6 et P9, tous à la même distance de l'axe 4 des aiguilles 2 et 3.In the timepiece of this FIG. 4, the dial 5 comprises four apertures g11 to g14 respectively located at positions P12, P3, P6 and P9, all at the same distance from the axis 4 of hands 2 and 3.

Le disque 6 porte quatre groupes de signes. Le premier de ces groupes comprend des signes s21 et s22 représentant respectivement les nombres 12 et 24. Le deuxième groupe comprend des signes s23 et s24 représentant respectivement le chiffre 3 et le nombre 15. Le troisième groupe comprend des signes s25 et s26 représentant respectivement le chiffre 6 et le nombre 18. Enfin, le quatrième groupe comprend des signes s27 et s28 représentant res- pectivément le chiffre 9 et le nombre 21.Disc 6 carries four groups of signs. The first of these groups comprises signs s21 and s22 respectively representing the numbers 12 and 24. The second group comprises signs s23 and s24 representing respectively the number 3 and the number 15. The third group comprises signs s25 and s26 representing respectively the number 6 and the number 18. Finally, the fourth group includes signs s27 and s28 respectively representing the number 9 and the number 21.

En concordance avec la disposition des guichets g11 à g14, les premiers signes de ces quatre groupes, c'est-à-dire les signes s21, s23, s25 et s27, sont disposés tous les 90° à la périphérie du disque 6, de manière à apparaître respectivement dans les guichets g11, g12, g13 et g14 lorsque le disque 6 est dans la position représentée à la figure 5.In accordance with the arrangement of the counters g11 to g14, the first signs of these four groups, that is to say the signs s21, s23, s25 and s27, are arranged every 90 ° at the periphery of the disc 6, of so as to appear respectively in the windows g11, g12, g13 and g14 when the disc 6 is in the position shown in FIG. 5.

Dans chaque groupe, le premier signe, s21, s23, s25 ou s27, et le deuxième signe, s22, s24, s26 ou s28, forment un angle A1 de 135°, cet angle étant mesuré dans le sens des aiguilles d'une montre à partir du premier signe.In each group, the first sign, s21, s23, s25 or s27, and the second sign, s22, s24, s26 or s28, form an angle A1 of 135 ° , this angle being measured clockwise from the first sign.

Le mécanisme 7 d'entraînement du disque 6 agencé de manière que le disque 6 reste immobile dans la position représentée à la figure 4 de minuit à midi, qu'il tourne rapidement d'un angle égal à l'angle A1, soit 135°, dans le sens inverse des aiguilles d'une montre à midi juste, qu'il reste dans cette nouvelle position jusqu'à minuit juste, et que, à cette heure, il tourne rapidement d'un angle A2 égal à (360°- A1), soit 225°, également dans le sens inverse des aiguilles d'une montre.The drive mechanism 7 for the disc 6 arranged so that the disc 6 remains stationary in the position shown in FIG. 4 from midnight to noon, that it rotates rapidly by an angle equal to the angle A1, that is 135 ° , anti-clockwise at just midday, that it remains in this new position until just midnight, and that , at this hour, it turns rapidly by an angle A2 equal to (360 ° - A1), that is to say 225 ° , also in an anticlockwise direction.

Le disque 6 occupe donc de minuit à midi, la position représentée à la figure 4, où les chiffres ou nombres 12, 3, 6 et 9 apparaissent respectivement dans les guichets g11 à g14, et de midi à minuit une deuxième position où les nombres 24, 15, 18 et 21 apparaissent respectivement dans ces guichets.Disc 6 therefore occupies from midnight to noon, the position represented in FIG. 4, where the numbers or numbers 12, 3, 6 and 9 appear respectively in the counters g11 to g14, and from noon to midnight a second position where the numbers 24, 15, 18 and 21 appear respectively in these counters.

L'utilisateur de la pièce d'horlogerie sait donc toujours si l'heure affichée par les aiguilles 2 et 3 est située dans la première ou dans la deuxième moitié de la journée.The user of the timepiece therefore always knows whether the time displayed by hands 2 and 3 is located in the first or in the second half of the day.

Comme dans les formes d'exécution décrites précédemment, le mécanisme 7 d'entraînement du disque 6 de la forme d'exécution de la figure 4 peut être entièrement mécanique. Dans ce cas, il peut par exemple comporter un dispositif semblable à celui qui est représenté à la figure 5.As in the embodiments described above, the mechanism 7 for driving the disc 6 of the embodiment of FIG. 4 can be entirely mechanical. In this case, it may for example include a device similar to that which is shown in FIG. 5.

Le dispositif de la figure 5 est dérivé de ceux qui sont bien connus sous le nom de dispositifs à croix de Malte et ne sera pas décrit en détail.The device of FIG. 5 is derived from those which are well known under the name of Maltese cross devices and will not be described in detail.

Il faut simplement noter que, dans le dispositif de la figure 5, et à la différence de ce qui est généralement prévu dans les dispositifs à croix de Malte connus, les bras 8a à 8f de la roue entraînée 8 ne forment pas entre eux des angles égaux, mais des angles ayant alternativement 45° et 75°, et la roue entraîneuse 9 comporte deux doigts d'entraînement 9a et 9b diamètralement opposés.It should simply be noted that, in the device of FIG. 5, and unlike what is generally provided for in known Maltese cross devices, the arms 8a to 8f of the driven wheel 8 do not form angles between them equal, but angles having alternately 45 ° and 75 ° , and the driving wheel 9 has two diametrically opposite drive fingers 9a and 9b.

La roue entraînée 8 est reliée au disque 6 de la figure 4 par un train d'engrenages non représenté ayant un rapport de multiplication de trois.The driven wheel 8 is connected to the disc 6 of FIG. 4 by a gear train, not shown, having a multiplication ratio of three.

La roue entraîneuse 9 est reliée au mouvement d'horlogerie 1 par un mécanisme, également non représenté, qui lui fait accomplir chaque jour un demi-tour très rapide à midi juste et à minuit juste. Un tel mécanisme peut être semblable au mécanisme 7 décrit ci-dessus dans le cas de la figure 1.The driving wheel 9 is connected to the clockwork movement 1 by a mechanism, also not shown, which makes it perform a very rapid U-turn every day at just midday and just midnight. Such a mechanism can be similar to the mechanism 7 described above in the case of FIG. 1.

Le train d'engrenages et le mécanisme mentionnés ci-dessus sont agencés de manière que la roue 8 soit immobile de minuit à midi de chaque jour, qu'elle tourne de 45° en réponse au demi-tour que fait la roue 9 à midi, qu'elle reste ensuite immobile de midi à minuit, et qu'elle tourne de 75° en réponse au demi-tour que fait le roue 9 à minuit. Ces rotations de 45° et de 75° de la roue 8 entraînent respectivement les rotations de 135° et de 225° du disque 6 mentionnées ci-dessus.The gear train and the mechanism mentioned above are arranged so that the wheel 8 is stationary from midnight to noon of each day, that it rotates by 45 ° in response to the U-turn made by the wheel 9 at noon , that it then remains stationary from noon to midnight, and that it turns 75 ° in response to the U-turn made by the wheel 9 at midnight. These 45 ° and 75 ° rotations of the wheel 8 respectively cause the 135 ° and 225 ° rotations of the disc 6 mentioned above.

Egalement comme dans les formes d'exécution décrites précédemment, le mécanisme 7 d'entraînement du disque 6 de la forme d'exécution de la figure 4 peut comporter un moteur pas à pas relié au disque 6 par un train d'engrenages et recevant d'un circuit électronique de commande un premier nombre d'impulsions motrices à midi et un deuxième nombre d'impulsions motrices à minuit. Ce train d'engrenages et ces nombres d'impulsions motrices sont bien entendu déterminés de manière que le disque 6 fasse, à midi et à minuit, les rotations de 135° et de 225° mentionnés ci-dessus.Also as in the embodiments described above, the mechanism 7 for driving the disk 6 of the embodiment of FIG. 4 may comprise a stepping motor connected to the disk 6 by a gear train and receiving d an electronic circuit for controlling a first number of driving pulses at midday and a second number of driving pulses at midnight. This gear train and these numbers of drive pulses are of course determined so that the disc 6 makes, at noon and midnight, the rotations of 135 ° and 225 ° mentioned above.

D'autres formed d'exécution de la pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention du même genre que celle de la figure 4 sont réalisables.Other forms of execution of the timepiece according to the invention of the same kind as that of Figure 4 are achievable.

Ces autres formes d'exécution doivent cependant remplir certaines conditions.These other forms of execution must however meet certain conditions.

Tout d'abord, si leurs guichets sont répartis régulièrement à la périphérie du cadran 5 et tous à la même distance de l'axe 4, le nombre de ces guichets ne peut être qu'un sous-multiple de 12, soit 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 ou 12.First of all, if their counters are distributed regularly on the periphery of the dial 5 and all at the same distance from the axis 4, the number of these counters can only be a sub-multiple of 12, i.e. 1, 2 , 3, 4, 6 or 12.

Si en outre chaque groupe de signes ne comporte qu'un seul premier signe et un seul deuxième signe, comme dans les formes d'exécution décrites ci-dessus, l'équation et les inéquations suivantes doivent être vérifiées:

  • 1 ) A1 + A2 = 360°
  • 2) A1 ≠ AGi,j
  • 3) A2 ≠ AGi,j
If, in addition, each group of signs has only one first sign and only one second sign, as in the embodiments described above, the following equation and inequalities must be checked:
  • 1) A1 + A2 = 360 °
  • 2) A1 ≠ AGi, j
  • 3) A2 ≠ AGi, j

dans lesquelles A1 et A2 sont respectivement l'angle de rotation du disque 6 à midi et à minuit, et AG¡,j est l'angle formé fapr deux guichets quelconques gi et gj.in which A1 and A2 are respectively the angle of rotation of the disc 6 at noon and midnight, and AG¡, j is the angle formed fapr any two wickets gi and gj.

L'équation 1 exprime le fait que le disque 6 doit faire un tour complet par jour. Les inéquations 2 et 3 expriment le fait que un signe quelconque apparaissant normalement dans un guichet déterminé ne doit jamais apparaître dans un autre guichet autrement que de manière fugitive, pendant une rotation du disque 6.Equation 1 expresses the fact that disk 6 must make one complete revolution per day. The inequalities 2 and 3 express the fact that any sign normally appearing in a given window must never appear in another window except in a fleeting manner, during a rotation of the disc 6.

Cette équation 1 et ces inéquations 2 et 3 montrent, par exemple, qu'il n'est pas possible de réaliser une pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention du genre défini ci-dessus dans laquelle le nombre de guichets est pair et les angles A1 et A2 sont égaux. En effet, si A1 et A2 sont égaux, l'équation 1 implique qu'ils valent tous deux 180°. Si en outre le nombre de guichets est pair, il existe toujours un ou plusieurs angles AG¡,j égaux à 180°. Les inéquations 2 et 3 ne seraient donc pas vérifiées dans un tel cas.This equation 1 and these inequalities 2 and 3 show, for example, that it is not possible to produce a timepiece according to the invention of the kind defined above in which the number of counters is even and the angles A1 and A2 are equal. Indeed, if A1 and A2 are equal, equation 1 implies that they are both 180 °. If in addition the number of apertures is even, there is always one or more angles AG¡, j equal to 180 °. The inequalities 2 and 3 would therefore not be verified in such a case.

Si le nombre de guichets est pair, il faut donc choisir des valeurs inégales pour A1 et A2. C'est ce qui a été fait dans le cas de la figure 4. Ces valeurs des angles A1 et A2 peuvent être choisies assez librement, les valeurs de 135° et 225° mentionnées ci-dessus n'étant que des exemples particuliers.If the number of counters is even, it is therefore necessary to choose unequal values for A1 and A2. This is what has been done in the case of FIG. 4. These values of the angles A1 and A2 can be chosen fairly freely, the values of 135 ° and 225 ° mentioned above being only particular examples.

Si on choisit pour A1 et A2 des valeurs égales, soit 180° pour chacun, il faut choisir un nombre impair de guichets, soit un, comme dans le cas de la figure 1, ou trois, comme dans le cas de la figure 2.If we choose equal values for A1 and A2, i.e. 180 ° for each, we must choose an odd number of counters, either one, as in the case of figure 1, or three, as in the case of figure 2.

Dans des cas semblables à celui de la figure 3, où le cadran 5 comporte deux ensembles de guichets situés à des distances différentes de l'axe 4, l'équation 1 et les inéquations 2 et 3 ci-dessus doivent bien entendu être vérifiées pour chaque ensemble de guichets.In cases similar to that of FIG. 3, where the dial 5 comprises two sets of apertures located at different distances from the axis 4, the equation 1 and the inequalities 2 and 3 above must of course be checked for each set of counters.

Les formes d'exécution mentionnées ci-dessus dans lesquelles le cadran 5 comporte 2, 6 ou 12 guichets ne seront pas décrites car leur réalisation découle sans difficulté des explications données également ci-dessus.The embodiments mentioned above in which the dial 5 has 2, 6 or 12 counters will not be described since their realization follows without difficulty from the explanations also given above.

Les formes d'exécution de la pièce d'horlogerie qui vont être décrites maintenant à l'aide des figures 6 et 7 sont respectivement des variantes de celles qui ont été décrites à l'aide des figures 2 et 4. Elles ne diffèrent de ces dernières que par le fait que chaque signe est répété plusieurs fois sur le disque 6, et que le mécanisme 7 d'entraînement de ce disque 6 est agencé en conséquence.The embodiments of the timepiece which will now be described using the figures res 6 and 7 are respectively variants of those which have been described with the aid of FIGS. 2 and 4. They differ from the latter only by the fact that each sign is repeated several times on the disk 6, and that the mechanism 7 for driving this disc 6 is arranged accordingly.

Ainsi, dans la forme d'exécution de la figure 6, le cadran 5 comporte trois guichets disposés comme ceux de la forme d'exécution de la figure 2 et désignés par les mêmes références g2 à g4.Thus, in the embodiment of Figure 6, the dial 5 has three windows arranged like those of the embodiment of Figure 2 and designated by the same references g2 to g4.

En concordance avec ce nombre de guichets, le disque 6 porte trois groupes de signes, comportant chacun deux premiers et deux deuxièmes signes. Les premiers et les deuxièmes signes de chaque groupe sont respectivement identiques au premier et au deuxième signe de chacun des groupes de signes de la figure 2, et sont désignés par les mêmes références s3 à s8.In accordance with this number of counters, the disc 6 carries three groups of signs, each comprising two first and two second signs. The first and second signs of each group are respectively identical to the first and second signs of each of the groups of signs in FIG. 2, and are designated by the same references s3 to s8.

En concordance avec la disposition des guichets g2 à g4, chaque premier et chaque deuxième signe d'un groupe forme respectivement avec un premier et un deuxième signe de chacun des deux autres groupes un angle de 120°. En outre, chaque premier signe de chaque groupe forme avec les deux deuxièmes signes du même groupe des angles A de 90°.In accordance with the arrangement of the counters g2 to g4, each first and each second sign of a group forms respectively with a first and a second sign of each of the other two groups an angle of 120 ° . In addition, each first sign of each group forms with the two second signs of the same group angles A of 90 ° .

Le mécanisme 7 d'entraînement du disque 6 de la figure 6 est bien entendu agencé de manière que le disque 6 tourne d'un angle égal à l'angle A ci-des: sus, soit 90°, à midi juste et à minuit juste. Ce mécanisme 7 ne sera pas décrit en détail car il peut être facilement déduit de celui qui a été décrit dans le cas de la figure 2.The drive mechanism 7 for driving the disc 6 of FIG. 6 is of course arranged so that the disc 6 rotates by an angle equal to the angle A below: sus, that is 90 °, at just midday and at midnight fair. This mechanism 7 will not be described in detail since it can be easily deduced from that which has been described in the case of FIG. 2.

Dans la forme d'exécution de la figure 7, le cadran 5 comporte quatre guichets disposés comme ceux de la forme d'exécution de la figure 4 et désignés par les mêmes références g11 à g14.In the embodiment of Figure 7, the dial 5 has four windows arranged like those of the embodiment of Figure 4 and designated by the same references g11 to g14.

En concordance avec ce nombre de guichets, le disque 6 porte quatre groupes de signes comportant chacun trois premiers et trois deuxièmes signes. Les premiers et les deuxièmes signes de chaque groupe sont respectivement identiques au premier et au deuxième signe de chacun des groupes de signes de la figure 4, et sont désignés par les mêmes références s21 à s28.In accordance with this number of counters, the disc 6 carries four groups of signs each comprising three first and three second signs. The first and second signs of each group are respectively identical to the first and second signs of each of the groups of signs in FIG. 4, and are designated by the same references s21 to s28.

En concordance avec la disposition des guichets g11 à g 14, un premier signe de chaque groupe forme avec un premier signe de deux des trois autres groupes un angle de 90°, et avec un premier signe du troisième des autres groupes un angle de 180°, de manière que lorsqu'un premier signe s21 du premier groupe apparaît dans le premier guichet g11, un premier signe s23 du deuxième groupe, un premier signe s25 du troisième groupe et un premier signe s27 du quatrième groupe apparaissent respectivement dans les guichets g12, g13 et g14.In accordance with the layout of the counters g11 to g 14, a first sign of each group forms with a first sign of two of the other three groups an angle of 90 ° , and with a first sign of the third of the other groups an angle of 180 ° , so that when a first sign s21 of the first group appears in the first window g11, a first sign s23 of the second group, a first sign s25 of the third group and a first sign s27 of the fourth group appear respectively in the counters g12, g13 and g14.

Chaque premier signe, s21, s23, s25 ou s27, forme avec les deux deuxièmes signes du même groupe, s22, s24, s26 ou s28, qui lui sont adjacents, un premier angle A1 égal à 45° et un deuxième angle A2 égal à 75°, ces angles étant mesurés dans le sens inverse des aiguilles d'une montre à partir du premier signe et du deuxième signe respectivement.Each first sign, s21, s23, s25 or s27, forms with the two second signs of the same group, s22, s24, s26 or s28, which are adjacent to it, a first angle A1 equal to 45 ° and a second angle A2 equal to 75 ° , these angles being measured counterclockwise from the first sign and the second sign respectively.

Le mécanisme 7 d'entraînement du disque 6 de la figure 7 est bien entendu agencé de manière que ce disque 6 tourne dans le sens inverse de celui des aiguilles d'une montre d'un angle égal à l'angle A1 ci-dessus, soit 45°, à midi juste, et d'un angle égal à l'angle A2 ci-dessus, soit 75°, à minuit juste. Ce mécanisme 7 ne sera pas décrit en détail, car il peut être facilement déduit de celui qui a été décrit dans le cas de la figure 4.The drive mechanism 7 for driving the disk 6 of FIG. 7 is of course arranged so that this disk 6 rotates in an anticlockwise direction by an angle equal to the angle A1 above, either 45 ° , at midday just, and at an angle equal to the angle A2 above, or 75 °, at midnight just. This mechanism 7 will not be described in detail, because it can be easily deduced from that which has been described in the case of FIG. 4.

Les formes d'exécution des figures 6 et 7 ne sont de loin pas les seules qui peuvent être réalisées en disposant plusieurs signes identiques sur le disque 6.The embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7 are by far not the only ones which can be produced by placing several identical signs on the disc 6.

Pour être réalisables, ces pièces d'horlogerie doivent cependant remplir certaines conditions.To be feasible, these timepieces must, however, meet certain conditions.

Comme dans le cas des figures 2 et 4, le nombre de guichets ne peut être qu'un sous-multiple de 12 si les guichets sont répartis régulièrement à la périphérie du cadran 5.As in the case of FIGS. 2 and 4, the number of counters can only be a sub-multiple of 12 if the counters are distributed regularly on the periphery of the dial 5.

En outre, l'équation et l'inéquation suivantes doivent être vérifiées:

  • 4) N.(A1 + A2) = 360°
  • 5) k.A1 +j.A2 AGi,j
In addition, the following equation and inequality must be checked:
  • 4) N. (A1 + A2) = 360 °
  • 5) k.A1 + j.A2 AGi, j

Dans cette équation 4 et dans cette inéquation 5, A1 et A2 sont respectivement, comme ci-dessus, les angles de rotation du disque 6 à midi et à minuit, et AGi,j est l'angle formé par deux guichets quelconques gi et gj. En outre, N est le nombre de premiers signes, ou de deuxièmes signes, de chaque groupe de signes, k est un premier nombre entier tel que 0 ≦ k * N, et j est un deuxième nombre entier égal à k ou à kt1 et en outre tel que 0 ≦ j ≦N.In this equation 4 and in this inequality 5, A1 and A2 are respectively, as above, the angles of rotation of the disc 6 at noon and midnight, and AGi, j is the angle formed by any two wickets gi and gj . Furthermore, N is the number of first signs, or second signs, of each group of signs, k is a first whole number such as 0 ≦ k * N, and j is a second whole number equal to k or kt1 and further such that 0 ≦ j ≦ N.

L'équation 4 exprime le fait que le disque 6 doit tourner d'un tour complet tous les N jours, et l'inéquation 5 exprime le fait qu'un signe quelconque apparaissant normalement dans un guichet déterminé ne doit jamais apparaître dans un autre guichet autrement que de manière fugitive pendant une rotation du disque 6.Equation 4 expresses the fact that the disc 6 must turn one full revolution every N days, and equation 5 expresses the fact that any sign normally appearing in a given window must never appear in another window other than fleetingly during rotation of the disc 6.

On voit que l'équation 4 et l'inéquation 5 constituent respectivement une généralisation de l'équation 1 et des inéquations 2 et 3 ci-dessus, puisque si N = 1, l'équation 4 devient identique à l'équation 1, que si k = 1 et j = 0 l'inéquation 5 devient identique à l'inéquation 2, et que si k = 0 et j = 1, cette inéquation 5 devient identique à l'inéquation 3.We see that equation 4 and inequality 5 constitute respectively a generalization of equation 1 and of inequalities 2 and 3 above, since if N = 1, equation 4 becomes identical to equation 1, that if k = 1 and j = 0 the inequality 5 becomes identical to the inequality 2, and if k = 0 and j = 1, this inequality 5 becomes identical to the inequality 3.

L'équation 4 et l'inéquation 5 montrent à nouveau que si les guichets sont répartis régulièrement à la périphérie du cadran 5 et que leur nombre est pair, soit 2, 4, 6 ou 12, il n'est pas possible de choisir des valeurs égales pour les angles A1 et A2.Equation 4 and inequality 5 again show that if the windows are distributed regularly around the periphery of the dial 5 and their number is even, that is 2, 4, 6 or 12, it is not possible to choose equal values for angles A1 and A2.

En effet, dans ces conditions, un angle AGi,j au moins est égal à 180°. En outre, si A1 = A2 = A, l'équation 4 peut s'écrire N.2.A = 360°, ou A = 180°/ N. Pour l'angle AGi,j égal à 180°, l'inéquation 5 peut s'écrire (k + j).180°/ N 180°. On voit qu'il est toujours possible de trouver un nombre k et un nombre j situés dans les domaines définis ci-dessus pour lesquels (k + j) = N, c'est-à-dire pour lesquels l'inéquation 5 n'est pas vérifiée.In fact, under these conditions, an angle AGi, j at least is equal to 180 ° . Furthermore, if A1 = A2 = A, equation 4 can be written N.2.A = 360 °, or A = 180 ° / N. For the angle AGi, j equal to 180 ° , the inequality 5 can be written (k + j). 180 ° / N 180 °. We see that it is always possible to find a number k and a number j located in the domains defined above for which (k + j) = N, that is to say for which the inequality 5 n ' is not verified.

Si le nombre de guichets est pair, les angles A1 et A2 doivent donc être inégaux.If the number of windows is even, the angles A1 and A2 must therefore be unequal.

L'équation 4 et l'inéquation 5 ci-dessus montrent également que si le nombre de guichets est égal à trois, comme dans le cas des figures 2 et 6, le nombre N de premiers ou de seconds signes ne peut pas être égal à trois ou à un multiple de trois. En effet, dans ces conditions, trois des angles AG¡,j sont égaux à 120°. Si en outre N est égal à trois ou à un multiple de trois, on peut écrire N = 3.M avec M entier quelconque égal ou supérieur à 1, et l'équation 4 peut s'écrire 3.M.(A1 + A2) = 360°, ou A1 + A2 = 120°/ M. Si en outre on choisit k = j, l'inéquation 5 peut s'écrire pour les angles AG¡,j égaux à 120° mentionnés ci-dessus, k.(A1 + A2) 120°, ou, en remplaçant (A1 + A2) par la valeur tirée ci-dessus de l'équation 4, k.120°/ M 120°. On voit que si k = M, l'inéquation 5 n'est pas vérifiée.Equation 4 and inequality 5 above also show that if the number of counters is three, as in the case of Figures 2 and 6, the name bre N of first or second signs cannot be equal to three or a multiple of three. In fact, under these conditions, three of the angles AG¡, j are equal to 120 ° . If in addition N is equal to three or a multiple of three, we can write N = 3.M with any arbitrary integer equal to or greater than 1, and equation 4 can be written 3.M. (A1 + A2 ) = 360 °, or A1 + A2 = 120 ° / M. If in addition we choose k = j, the inequality 5 can be written for the angles AG¡, j equal to 120 ° mentioned above, k. (A1 + A2) 120 ° , or, by replacing (A1 + A2) by the value taken from equation 4 above, k.120 ° / M 120 °. We see that if k = M, the inequality 5 is not verified.

Si le nombre de guichets est égal à trois, comme dans le cas des figures 2 et 6, le nombre N de premiers ou de deuxièmes signes de chaque groupe doit donc être différent de trois ou d'un multiple de trois, indépendamment des valeurs choisies pour A1 et A2.If the number of wickets is equal to three, as in the case of Figures 2 and 6, the number N of first or second signs of each group must therefore be different from three or a multiple of three, regardless of the values chosen. for A1 and A2.

Dans des cas semblables à celui de la figure 3, où le cadran 5 comporte deux ensembles de guichets situés à des distances différentes de l'axe 4, les divers groupes de signes peuvent évidemment comporter chacun plusieurs premiers signes et plusieurs deuxièmes signes. L'équation 4 et l'inéquation 5 ci-dessus doivent alors être vérifiées pour chacun des ensembles de guichets.In cases similar to that of FIG. 3, where the dial 5 comprises two sets of apertures located at different distances from the axis 4, the various groups of signs can obviously each comprise several first signs and several second signs. Equation 4 and inequation 5 above must then be checked for each of the sets of counters.

Dans les formes d'exécution représentées par les figures 2 à 7 et dans leurs variantes décrites ci-dessus mais non représentées, les guichets ménagés dans le cadran 5 sont répartis régulièrement à la périphérie de celui-ci.In the embodiments represented by FIGS. 2 to 7 and in their variants described above but not shown, the counters provided in the dial 5 are distributed regularly around the periphery of the latter.

Il peut exister un grand nombre d'autres formes d'exécution de la pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention dans lesquelles ces guichets ne sont pas répartis régulièrement à la périphérie du cadran 5.There may be a large number of other embodiments of the timepiece according to the invention in which these apertures are not regularly distributed around the periphery of the dial 5.

La figure 8 représente, à titre d'exemple non limitatif, une pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention dans laquelle le cadran 5 est percé de quatre guichets g15 à g18 respectivement disposés aux positions angulaires P12, P2, P7 et P9.FIG. 8 represents, by way of nonlimiting example, a timepiece according to the invention in which the dial 5 is pierced by four apertures g15 to g18 respectively arranged in the angular positions P12, P2, P7 and P9.

Le disque 6 porte quatre groupes de signes comprenant chacun trois premiers signes s29, s31, s33 et s35 et trois deuxièmes signes s30, s32, s34 et s36. Ces signes s29 à s36 représentent respectivement les chiffres et nombres 12, 24, 2, 14, 7, 19, 9 et 21 et sont disposés de la manière représentée à la figure 8. Les angles A1 et A2 formés respectivement par chaque premier signe avec les deux deuxièmes signes qui lui sont adjacents ont des valeurs de 45° et de 75°.The disc 6 carries four groups of signs each comprising three first signs s29, s31, s33 and s35 and three second signs s30, s32, s34 and s36. These signs s29 to s36 respectively represent the digits and numbers 12, 24, 2, 14, 7, 19, 9 and 21 and are arranged in the manner shown in FIG. 8. The angles A1 and A2 formed respectively by each first sign with the two second signs which are adjacent to it have values of 45 ° and 75 ° .

Le mécanisme 7 d'entraînement du disque 6 est donc semblable à celui de la figure 7.The mechanism 7 for driving the disc 6 is therefore similar to that of FIG. 7.

On voit que dans les formes d'exécution du même genre que celle de la figure 8, c'est-à-dire dans lesquelles les guichets ménagés dans le cadran 5 ne sont pas disposés régulièrement, l'équation 4 et l'inéquation 5 ci-dessus doivent également être vérifiées.It can be seen that in the embodiments of the same kind as that of FIG. 8, that is to say in which the counters provided in the dial 5 are not regularly arranged, equation 4 and inequality 5 above should also be checked.

On peut noter que si chaque signe n'est reporté qu'une fois sur le disque 6, c'est-à-dire si N = 1 dans l'équation 4 ci-dessus, il est toujours possible de réaliser une pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention, quels que soient le nombre et la disposition des guichets. Ces derniers étant toujours disposés à l'une des positions angulaires P1 à P12, les angles AG¡,j qu'ils forment sont forcément tous multiples de 30°. Il suffit donc de choisir pour l'angle A1 une valeur égale à 15°.(2n + 1), avec n entier tel que 0 ≦ n % 11 et pour l'angle A2 une valeur égale à (360° - A1) pour que l'équation 4 et l'inéquation 5 soient vérifiées.It can be noted that if each sign is only reported once on disk 6, that is to say if N = 1 in equation 4 above, it is always possible to make a piece of timepieces according to the invention, regardless of the number and arrangement of the counters. The latter being always arranged at one of the angular positions P1 to P12, the angles AG¡, j which they form are necessarily all multiples of 30 ° . It suffices therefore to choose for the angle A1 a value equal to 15 °. (2n + 1), with n integer such as 0 ≦ n% 11 and for the angle A2 a value equal to (360 ° - A1) for that equation 4 and inequality 5 are verified.

Il est évident que dans tous les cas, les signes portés par le disque 6 doivent être choisis de manière à représenter les numéros des heures indiquées par l'aiguille 2 lorsqu'elle se trouve à la même position angulaire que les guichets.It is obvious that in all cases, the signs carried by the disc 6 must be chosen so as to represent the hour numbers indicated by the hand 2 when it is at the same angular position as the counters.

De nombreuses modifications peuvent être apportées aux pièces d'horlogerie selon l'invention sans pour autant sortir du cadre de celle-ci. Ces modifications n'ont pas été illustrées et une partie d'entre elles est énumérée ci-dessous.Many modifications can be made to the timepieces according to the invention without going beyond the scope of the latter. These modifications have not been illustrated and some of them are listed below.

Ainsi, par exemple, la position angulaire P12 n'est pas forcément occupée par un guichet.Thus, for example, the angular position P12 is not necessarily occupied by a window.

La forme des guichets peut être différente de celle qui a été représentée.The shape of the counters may be different from that which has been shown.

Les guichets peuvent être remplacés par des ouvertures ménagées dans une couche opaque disposée sur une face d'un cadran 5 réalisé en un matériau transparent tel que du verre.The windows can be replaced by openings made in an opaque layer disposed on one side of a dial 5 made of a transparent material such as glass.

Les signes représentant le nombre 24 peuvent être remplacés par des signes représentant le chiffre 0.The signs representing the number 24 may be replaced by signs representing the number 0.

Dans des formes d'exécution telles que celles des figures 2 à 4 et 6 à 8, l'ordre des signes sur le disque 6 peut être inversé, le mécanisme 7 étant alors agencé de manière à faire tourner ce disque dans le sens inverse de celui qui a été mentionné.In embodiments such as those of FIGS. 2 to 4 and 6 to 8, the order of the signs on the disc 6 can be reversed, the mechanism 7 then being arranged so as to rotate this disc in the opposite direction to the one that was mentioned.

De même, dans des formes d'exécution telles que celles des figures 4, 7 et 8 où les angles A1 et A2 de rotation du disque 6 à midi et à minuit ne sont pas égaux, le mécanisme 7 peut être agencé de manière à faire tourner le disque 6 dans le sens inverse de celui qui a été mentionné d'un angle A2 à midi et d'un angle A1 à minuit, l'ordre des signes sur le disque 6 restant tel qu'il est représenté dans ces figures. Ou bien le mécanisme 7 peut être agencé de manière à faire tourner le disque 6 dans le sens qui a été mentionné, mais aussi d'un angle A2 à midi et d'un angle A1 à minuit, l'ordre des signes sur le disque 6 étant alors inversé par rapport à celui qui est représenté.Similarly, in embodiments such as those of FIGS. 4, 7 and 8 where the angles A1 and A2 of rotation of the disc 6 at noon and at midnight are not equal, the mechanism 7 can be arranged so as to make turn the disc 6 in the opposite direction to that mentioned from an angle A2 at noon and an angle A1 at midnight, the order of the signs on the disc 6 remaining as shown in these figures. Or the mechanism 7 can be arranged so as to rotate the disc 6 in the direction which has been mentioned, but also from an angle A2 at noon and an angle A1 at midnight, the order of the signs on the disc 6 then being inverted with respect to that which is represented.

Le mécanisme 7 peut également être agencé de manière que le disque 6 tourne à d'autres heures qu'à midi et à minuit, par exemple à six heures du matin et à six heures du soir. Dans ce cas, les signes portés par le disque 6 sont bien entendu modifiés en conséquence.The mechanism 7 can also be arranged so that the disc 6 rotates at other hours than noon and midnight, for example at six in the morning and at six in the evening. In this case, the signs carried by the disc 6 are of course modified accordingly.

Le disque 6 lui-même peut être remplacé par une couronne semblable à celle qui porte les numéros des jours du mois dans la plupart des pièces d'horlogerie à calendrier.The disc 6 itself can be replaced by a crown similar to that which bears the numbers of the days of the month in most calendar timepieces.

Les aiguilles 2 et 3, ainsi que le cas échéant l'aiguille des secondes, peuvent être remplacées par des disques ou d'autres éléments tournant autour de l'axe 4 et portant un index quelconque.The hands 2 and 3, as well as the seconds hand if necessary, can be replaced by discs or other elements rotating around the axis 4 and bearing any index.

Les signes représentant les numéros des heures peuvent être disposés sur le disque 6 de manière que, lorsque ce dernier est immobile, ils apparais- que, lorsque ce dernier est immobile, ils apparaissent dans tous les guichets dans une position verticale normale, et non pas plus ou moins inclinés ou même à l'envers comme cela a été représenté dans les figures 2 à 4 et 6 à 8.The signs representing the hour numbers can be arranged on the disc 6 so that, when the latter is stationary, they appear that, when the latter is stationary, they appear in all the windows in a normal vertical position, and not more or less inclined or even upside down as has been represented in FIGS. 2 to 4 and 6 to 8.

Claims (5)

1. A timepiece comprising a clockwork-movement (1), a stationary dial (5), indicator means (2) that are rotatably driven about an axis (4) by said movement (1) at the rate of one revolution every twelve hours and which cooperate with said dial (5) to indicate during a first revolution the hours of a first half of a day and during a second revolution consecutive to said first revolution the hours of the second half of the day, and means for differentiating said hours of a first half of a day from said hours of the second half of the day and which include a first transparent region (g1; g2; g5; gi 1; g15) in said dial (5) in a first angular position corresponding to the angular position occupied by said indicator means (2) at a first set hour during said first half of a day and at a second set hour distant from said first set hour by a time interval of twelve hours, an element (6) rotatable about said axis (4) and disposed beneath said dial (5), a first group of signs disposed on said rotatable element (6) in facing relationship with said dial (5) the same distance away from said axis (4) as said first transparent region and which include a first sign (s1; s3; s9; s21; s29) representing the number of said first set hour and a second sign (s2; s4; s10; s22; s30) different from said first sign and representing the number of said second set hour, and means (7) for driving said rotatable element (6) that are connected to said clockwork-movement (1) and which are arranged to move said rotatable element (6) at a first instant at the start of said first half of a day into a first position in which said first sign faces said first transparent region and at a second instant at the start of said second half of the day into a second position in which said second sign faces said first transparent region, and to maintain said rotatable element (6) in said first position during said first half of a day and in said second position during said second half of the day, characterized in that said first group of signs includes a single first sign (s1; s3 Figure 2; s9; s21 Figure 4) and a single second sign (s2; s4 Figure 2; s10; s22 Figure 4) that form therebetween on said rotatable element a first angle (A; A1) and a second angle (A; A2) measured in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said rotatable element (6) from said first and second signs respectively, and in that said driving means (7) are arranged to cause said rotatable element (6) to rotate, still in the same direction, through an angle that is equal to said first angle (A; A1) at said first instant and through an angle that is equal to said second angle (A; A2) at said second instant.
2. A timepiece comprising a clockwork-movement (1), a stationary dial (5), indicator means (2) that are rotatably driven about an axis (4) by said movement (1) at the rate of one revolution every twelve hours and which cooperate with said dial (5) to indicate during a first revolution the hours of a first half of a day and during a second revolution consecutive to said first revolution the hours of the second half of the day, and means for differentiating said hours of a first half of a day from said hours of the second half of the day and which include a first transparent region (g1; g2; g5; g11; g15) in said dial (5) in a first angular position corresponding to the angular position occupied by said indicator means (2) at a first set hour during said first half of a day and at a second set hour distant from said first set hour by a time interval of twelve hours, an element (6) rotatable about said axis (4) and disposed beneath said dial (5), a first group of signs disposed on said rotatable element (6) in facing relationship with said dial (5) the same distance away from said axis (4) as said first transparent region and which include a first sign (s1; s3; s9; s21; s29) representing the number of said first set hour and a second sign (s2; s4; s10; s22; s30) different from said first sign and representing the number of said second set hour, and means (7) for driving said rotatable element (6) that are connected to said clockwork-movement (1) and which are arranged to move said rotatable element (6) at a first instant at the start of said first half of a day into a first position in which said first sign faces said first transparent region and at a second instant at the start of said second half of the day into a second position in which said second sign faces said first transparent region, and to maintain said rotatable element (6) in said first position during said first half of a day and in said second position during said second half of the day, characterized in that:
- said first group of signs includes a plurality of first signs that are identical to said first sign (s3 Figure 6; s21 Figure 7; s29) and a plurality of second signs that are identical to said second sign (s4 Figure 6; s22 Figure 7; s30) and which are each disposed between two adjacent first signs;
- each first sign forms on said rotatable element (6) a first angle (A; A1) with the second sign that is closest thereto in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said rotatable element and a second angle (A; A2) with the second sign that is closest thereto in the same direction as the direction of rotation of said rotatable element, the product of the number of first signs times the sum of said first and second angles amounting to 360°; and
- said driving means (7) are arranged to cause said rotatable element (6) to rotate still in the same direction, through an angle that is equal to said first angle (A; A1) at said first instant and through an angle that is equal to said second angle (A; A2) at said second instant.
3. A timepiece comprising a clockwork-movement (1), a stationary dial (5), indicator means (2) that are rotatably driven about an axis (4) by said movement (1) at the rate of one revolution every twelve hours and which cooperate with said dial (5) to indicate during a first revolution the hours of a first half of a day and during a second revolution consecutive to said first revolution the hours of the second half of the day, and means for differentiating said hours of a first half of a day from said hours of the second half of the day and which include a first transparent region (g1; g2; g5; g1 1; g15) in said dial (5) in a first angular position corresponding to the angular position occupied by said indicator means (2) at a first set hour during said first half of a day and at a second set hour distant from said first set hour by a time interval of twelve hours, an element (6) rotatable about said axis (4) and disposed beneath said dial (5), a first group of signs disposed on said rotatable element (6) in facing relationship with said dial (5) the same distance away from said axis (4) as said first transparent region and which include a first sign (s1; s3; s9; s21; s29) representing the number of said first set hour and a second sign (s2; s4; s10; s22; s30) different from said first sign and representing the number of said second set hour, and means (7) for driving said rotatable element (6) that are connected to said clockwork-movement (1) and which are arranged to move said rotatable element (6) at a first instant at the start of said first half of a day into a first position in which said first sign faces said first transparent region and at a second instant at the start of said second half of the day into a second position in which said second sign faces said first transparent region, and to maintain said rotatable element (6) in said first position during said first half of a day and in said second position during said second half of the day, characterized in that:
- said means for differentiating the hours of the first half of a day from the hours of the second half of the day include a second transparent region (g3, g4; g6, g7; g12 to g14; g16 to g18) in said dial (5) equally spaced from said axis (4) as said first transparent region (g1; g2; g5; g11; g15) and in a second angular position corresponding to the angular position occupied by said indicator means (2) at a third set hour during said first half of a day and at a fourth set hour distant from said third set hour by a time interval of twelve hours, said first and second transparent regions forming on said dial (5) a first angle measured in a predetermined direction from said first transparent region, and a second group of signs disposed on said rotatable element (6) in facing relationship with said dial (5) the same distance away from said axis (4) as said first transparent region;
- said first group of signs includes a single first sign (s3 Figure 2; s9; s21 Figure 4) and a single second sign (s4 Figure 2; s 10; s22 Figure 4);
- said second group of signs includes a single third sign (s5; s7 Figure 7; s11, s13; s23, s25, s27 Figure 4) that differs from the other signs and which represents the number of said third set hour and a single fourth sign (s6, s8 Figure 2; s12, s14; s24, s26, s28 Figure 4) that differs from the other signs and which represents the number of said fourth set hour;
- said first and third signs form therebetween on said rotatable element (6) an angle which, when measured in said predetermined direction from said first sign, is equal to said first angle;
- said first and second signs form therebetween on said rotatable element a second angle (A; A1) and a third angle (A; A2) measured in a direction opposite to said direction of rotation of said rotatable element (6) from said first sign and from said second sign respectively, the sum of said second and third angles amounting to 360° and each of said second and third angles being different from said first angle;
- said third and fourth signs form therebetween on said rotatable element (6) two angles, measured in said direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said rotatable element from said third sign and from said fourth sign, which are respectively equal to said second and third angles; and
- said driving means (7) are arranged to cause said rotatable element (6) to rotate, still in the same direction, through an angle equal to said second angle (A; A1) at said first instant and through an angle equal to said third angle (A; A2) at said second instant.
4. A timepiece comprising a clockwork-movement (1), a stationary dial (5), indicator means (2) that are rotatably driven about an axis (4) by said movement (1) at the rate of one revolution every twelve hours and which cooperate with said dial (5) to indicate during a first revolution the hours of a first half of a day and during a second revolution consecutive to said first revolution the hours of the second half of the day, and means for differentiating said hours of a first half of a day from said hours of the second half of the day and which include a first transparent region (g1; g2; g5; g11; g15) in said dial (5) in a first angular position corresponding to the angular position occupied by said indicator means (2) at a first set hour during said first half of a day and at a second set hour distant from said first set hour by a time interval of twelve hours, an element (6) rotatable about said axis (4) and disPosed beneath said dial (5), a first group of signs disposed on said rotatable element (6) in facing relationship with said dial (5) the same distance away from said axis (4) as said first transparent region and which include a first sign (s1; s3; s9; s21; s29) representing the number of said first set hour and a second sign (s2; s4; s10; s22; s30) different from said first sign and representing the number of said second set hour, and means (7) for driving said rotatable element (6) that are connected to said clockwork-movement (1) and which are arranged to move said rotatable element (6) at a first instant at the start of said first half of a day into a first position in which said first sign faces said first transparent region and at a second instant at the start of said second half of the day into a second position in which said second sign faces said first transparent region, and to maintain said rotatable element (6) in said first position during said first half of a day and in said second position during said second half of the day, characterized in that:
- said means for differentiating the hours of the first half of a day from the hours of the second half of the day include a second transparent region (g3, g4 Figure 6; g12 to g14 Figure 7; g16 to g18) in said dial (5) equally spaced from said axis (4) as said first transparent region (g2 Figure 6; g11 Figure 7; g15) and in a second angular position corresponding to the angular position occupied by said indicator means (2) at a third set hour during said first half of a day and at a fourth set hour distant from said third set hour by a time interval of twelve hours, said first and second transparent regions forming on said dial (5) a first angle measured in a predetermined direction from said first transparent region, and a second group of signs disposed on said rotatable element (6) in facing relationship with said dial (5) the same distance away from said axis (4) as said first transparent region;
- said first group of signs includes a plurality of first signs that are identical to said first sign (s3 Figure 6; s21 Figure 7; s29) and a plurality of second signs that are identical to said second sign (s4 Figure 6; s22 Figure 7; s30) and which are each disposed between two adjacent first signs;
- each first sign forms on said rotatable element (6) a second angle (A; A1) with the second sign that is closest thereto in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said rotatable element (6) and a third angle (A; A2) with the second sign that is closest thereto in the same direction as the direction of rotation of said rotatable element (6), the product of the number of first signs times the sum of said second and third angles amounting to 360°, and the sum of the product of the second angle times a first integer greater than or equal to zero and less than or equal to the number of first signs and of the product of the third angle times a second integer greater than or equal to zero, less than or equal to the number of first signs and equal to the first number or to the first number plus or minus one being different from said first angle;
- said second group of signs includes a plurality of third signs (s5, s7 Figure 6; s23, s25, s27 Figure 7; s31, s33, s35) that are identical to one another, which are different from the other signs and which represent the number of said third set hour, and a plurality of fourth signs (s6, s8 Figure 6; s24, s26, s28, Figure 7; s32, s34, s36) that are identical to one another, which are different from the other signs, which represent the number of said fourth set hour and which are each disposed between two adjacent third signs, the numbers of said third and fourth signs being equal to the number of said first signs;
- each third sign forms on said rotatable element (6), with the fourth sign that is closest thereto in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said rotatable element (6), an angle equal to said second angle (A; A1) and, with the fourth sign that is closest thereto in the same direction as said direction of rotation of the rotatable element, an angle equal to said third angle (A; A2);
- each first sign forms on said rotatable element (6), with a third sign, an angle which, when measured in said predetermined direction, is equal to said first angle; and
- said driving means (7) are arranged to cause said rotatable element (6) to rotate, still in the same direction, through an angle equal to said second angle (A; A1) at said first instant and through an angle equal to said third angle (A; A2) at said second instant.
5. A timepiece comprising a clockwork-movement (1), a stationary dial (5), indicator means (2) that are rotatably driven about an axis (4) by said movement (1) at the rate of one revolution every twelve hours and which cooperate with said dial (5) to indicate during a first revolution the hours of a first half of a day and during a second revolution consecutive to said first revolution the hours of the second half of the day, and means for differentiating said hours of a first half of a day from said hours of the second half of the day and which include a first transparent region (g1; g2; g5; g11; g15) in said dial (5) in a first angular position corresponding to the angular position occupied by said indicator means (2) at a first set hour during said first half of a day and at a second set hour distant from said first set hour by a time interval of twelve hours, an element (6) rotatable about said axis (4) and disposed beneath said dial (5), a first group of signs disposed on said rotatable element (6) in facing relationship with said dial (5) the same distance away from said axis (4) as said first transparent region and which include a first sign (s1; s3; s9; s21; s29) representing the number of said first set hour and a second sign (s2; s4; s10; s22; s30) different from said first sign and representing the number of said second set hour, and means (7) for driving said rotatable element (6) that are connected to said clockwork-movement (1) and which are arranged to move said rotatable element (6) at a first instant at the start of said first half of a day into a first position in which said first sign faces said first transparent region and at a second instant at the start of said second half of the day into a second position in which said second sign faces said first transparent region, and to maintain said rotatable element (6) in said first position during said first half of a day and in said second position during said second half of the day, characterized in that:
- said means for differentiating the hours of the first half of a day from the hours of the second half of the day include a second transparent region (g8 to g10) in said dial at a distance from said axis (4) different from the distance between said first transparent region (g5) and said axis (4) and in a second angular position corresponding to the angular position occupied by said indicator means (2) at a third set hour during said first half of a day and at a fourth set hour distant from said third set hour by a time interval of twelve hours, said first and second transparent regions forming on said dial (5) a first angle measured in a predetermined direction from said first transparent region, and a second group of signs disposed on said rotatable element (6) in facing relationship with said dial (5) the same distance away from said axis (4) as said second transparent region and including a third sign (s15, s17, s19) that is different from the other signs and which represents the number of said third set hour and a fourth sign (s16, s18, s20) which is different from the other signs and which represents the number of said fourth set hour;
- said first and third signs form therebetween on said rotatable element (6) an angle which, when measured in said predetermined direction from said first sign, is equal to said first angle;
- said first and second signs form therebetween on said rotatable element (6) second and third angles, measured in a direction opposite to said direction of rotation of said rotatable element from said first sign and said second sign respectively;
- said third and fourth signs form therebetween on said rotatable element two angles which, when measured in said direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said rotatable element from said third sign and said fourth sign, are respectively equal to said second and third angles; and
- said driving means (7) are arranged to cause said rotatable element (6) to rotate still in the same direction through an angle equal to said second angle at said first instant and through an angle equal to said third angle at said second instant.
EP87111858A 1986-09-09 1987-08-17 Time piece with a device to make a distinction between the hours of one half of the day and the hours of the other half of this day Expired - Lifetime EP0259649B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH3623/86 1986-09-09
CH362386A CH665326GA3 (en) 1986-09-09 1986-09-09

Publications (2)

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EP0259649A1 EP0259649A1 (en) 1988-03-16
EP0259649B1 true EP0259649B1 (en) 1990-10-24

Family

ID=4259959

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP87111858A Expired - Lifetime EP0259649B1 (en) 1986-09-09 1987-08-17 Time piece with a device to make a distinction between the hours of one half of the day and the hours of the other half of this day

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Country Link
US (1) US4740934A (en)
EP (1) EP0259649B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS6370189A (en)
CH (1) CH665326GA3 (en)
DE (1) DE3765729D1 (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ATE86038T1 (en) * 1989-03-30 1993-03-15 Pinko Srl DIGITAL-ANALOG DISPLAY FOR WATCHES.
CH681265B5 (en) * 1989-08-29 1993-08-31 Stefano Gori
US5349572A (en) * 1993-05-10 1994-09-20 Jaroslay Belik Clock dial
DE19833595C2 (en) * 1998-07-25 1999-11-11 Iacov Grinberg Mechanical watch
DE10050557C1 (en) * 2000-10-12 2001-11-08 Walter Haselberger Time display device for wrist watch or pocket watch, has two display windows and two hour-discs for separate indication of day-time and night-time hours
US20060268666A1 (en) * 2005-05-31 2006-11-30 Lizzi Ronald S Electronic device with view-inhibitable display
US9459590B1 (en) 2013-04-22 2016-10-04 Donald J. Lecher Methods and devices using a series of sequential timekeeping periods
US9612577B2 (en) 2013-04-22 2017-04-04 Donald J. Lecher Device displaying a series of sequential timekeeping periods
EP3800513B1 (en) * 2019-10-04 2023-08-09 ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse Timepiece including a means for indicating am-pm

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE556026C (en) * 1932-09-16 Johann Maly Clock with changeable dial
CH7197A (en) * 1893-10-27 1894-02-15 Couleru Meuri Chs New 24 hour watch
CH18199A (en) * 1898-12-13 1899-11-15 Camille Robert Watch at twenty-four o'clock
CH22282A (en) * 1900-08-25 1902-01-15 Laurent Roux device with timepieces whose hour hand makes one revolution in 12 hours, allowing reading from 1 to 24 hours
CH59451A (en) * 1912-04-09 1913-05-16 Gaspar Roth & Cie Mechanism adaptable to a timepiece to automatically and alternately indicate the hours from midnight to noon, then from noon to midnight
GB510739A (en) * 1938-01-17 1939-08-08 Peter Guenther Wachtel Improvements in or relating to clocks and watches
DE1478890U (en) * 1939-03-04 1939-12-21
DE873520C (en) * 1950-12-08 1953-04-16 Heinrich Rumpel Clock with 24-hour display
CH453216A (en) * 1966-03-24 1968-06-14 Gruen Watch Mfg Co S A Timepiece
DE2132540A1 (en) * 1971-06-30 1973-01-11 Karl Ehredt 24 HOUR CLOCK IN THE PREVIOUS 12 PARTITION

Also Published As

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CH665326GA3 (en) 1988-05-13
DE3765729D1 (en) 1990-11-29
JPS6370189A (en) 1988-03-30
EP0259649A1 (en) 1988-03-16
US4740934A (en) 1988-04-26

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