WO2001046760A1

WO2001046760A1 - Time indicating device having a magnetic mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO2001046760A1
Application number: PCT/CA2000/000958
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hamid Azghadi
Original assignee: Hamid Azghadi
Priority date: 1999-12-22
Filing date: 2000-08-22
Publication date: 2001-06-28
Also published as: AU6676800A

Abstract

A time indicating device (10) having a magnetic drive mechanism including at least two magnets (24, 36) that allow for the communication of a magnetic force which in turn allows for the rotation of a shaft assembly (30) that powers a series of gears (28, 34, 42). The rotation of a series of gears in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft assembly provides for accurate time keeping, while reducing the requirement for internal components and complex construction.

Description

TIME INDICATING DEVICE HAVING A MAGNETIC MECHANISM

Field of the Invention

This invention relates in general to clocks and more particularly to a time indicating device that has a drive mechanism that is motivated by a magnetic force. The invention also relates to a multiple time indicating device.

Background of the Invention

Conventional clocks have used a variety of drive mechanisms to move the various components of the clock. In general these mechanisms have relied on electromagnetic means for setting time and regulating the movement of the various components. As a result, the timepieces have required more complex construction, which required more space to accommodate the machinery required to operate the timepiece. These timepieces have also had visible or obvious power mechanisms for running the clock. Dual or multiple clock configurations have also been attempted, but have traditionally required extensive amounts of space for the mechanism.

In addressing the aforenoted problems, magnets have been used in clocks either as part of the design element or as part of the pendulum structure. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,442,601 issued August 15, 1995 to Chen and is for the structure of an ultra thin clock. This invention is characterized by the thickness of the housing, which is thinner than that of the prior art. The structure of the ultra thin clock includes a third chamber on the lower portion for pivoting a pendulum that has a magnet on the upper end directly under an electric coil located inside the second chamber. This causes the actuation of the pendulum to swing laterally upon the variations of the electromagnetic field between the coil and the magnet. U.S. Patent No. 4,827,642, which issued May 9, 1989 to Chatten, is for a drive mechanism. The mechanism uses the second, minute or hour stem of a conventional quartz clock movement to provide a motive force for continuous rotation, and is used in ornamental or advertising displays and the like. A system of counterpart magnets is used, one counterpart being attached to the stem of the clock movement within the base structure or frame, and the other counterpart magnet attached to the rotatable display structure. The magnets are situated sufficiently close to one another so that the rotation of the stem is communicated to the display structure.

U.S. Patent No. 5,680,372 issued October 21 , 1997 to Flores and is for a timepiece construction comprising of a hand assembly including a clock movement, a drive shaft assembly with hands, a magnet for affixing the hand assembly to a ferrous metal surface, and at least one movable magnetic ornamental indicator means attached to the ferrous metal surface and positioned proximately to the hand assembly for marking time, thereby allowing the size of said timepiece construction to be easily changed.

U.S. Patent No. 4, 179,633 issued December 18, 1979 to Kelly and is for a magnetic wheel drive. The permanent magnet wheel drive consists of two basic magnetic components, one large driven flat wheel containing a uniform series of identical magnet segments, and a second magnetic driving means comprising of multiple oscillating magnetic couples of opposite identical magnet segments. The magnetic mechanism simulates the action of a clock escapement mechanism in that the oscillating magnet couples uniformly oscillates between the wheel magnet segments to induce continuous wheel rotation.

U.S. Patent No. 5,025,428 issued June 18, 1991 to Jarochowski for mechanically driven clock, watch, or other timing device that has a mechanical energy generator supplying a driving force. A rotatable rotor engages with a driving force resulting in rotational force in a radial direction on the rotor. A magnetically permeable stator surrounds the rotor. The rotor has a permanent magnet supplying an attractive force on the stator at least as strong as the rotational force in order to retain or lock the rotor in position. A magnet field is electromagnetically induced in the stator to provide a rotational force in the rotor in the direction of the mechanical generator driving force sufficient to overcome the permanent magnetic force and allow the rotor to rotate, whereby rotation of the rotor will be regulated.

U.S. Patent 4,370,063 issued January 25, 1983 to Lee and discloses a clock having dual time-indicators. Each indicator is located on a transparent face at opposite ends of a clock casing, and requires an improved single movement without the need for a complex gear arrangement.

Thus a time indicating device or clock which includes a magnetic force that allows for improved construction of the clock, more accurate time keeping and the ability to provide multiple faces for the timepiece is desirable.

Summary of the Invention

An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide an improved timed-indicating device and more particularly a clock using a magnetic drive mechanism.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a time-indicating device comprising of a housing assembly having a base member that includes a clock movement. The clock movement may have a rotatable member.

Conveniently, the time-indicating device may include a gear means that may have at least one shaft assembly and at least one time-indicating means. At least two magnetic means may be associated with the time-indicating device. Preferably, the first magnetic means may associate with the rotatable member of the clock movement. The second magnetic means may associate with the shaft assembly of the gear means, so that when the first magnetic means rotates, the rotational movement may be communicated to the second magnetic means thereby causing the shaft assembly to rotate. Conveniently, the rotating shaft assembly may engage the gear means and therefore at least one time-indicating means.

Preferably, the first and second magnetic means provide enough power to allow the gear means to be engaged thereby engaging the time-indicating means. Conveniently, the power provided allows the shaft assembly to rotate one revolution per hour.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multiple time-indicating device having multiple time-indicating means that may be powered by one source.

Advantages of the present invention are the simplified construction of the time-indicating device; reduction in the number of working parts thereby indicating or giving the appearance that the device operates without assistance from any mechanical aids; and accurate time-indicating; specifically quartz accuracy. An advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is the ability to have multiple time indicating means or faces that are powered by a single movement.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A detailed description of the preferred embodiments are provided herein below by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1, in a perspective view, illustrates a time indicating device in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2, in a side view, illustrates the time indicating device of Figure 1 along cross section 2-2.

Figure 3, in a perspective view, illustrates a time indicating device having multiple time-indicating means in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4, in a side view, illustrates the time indicating device of Figure 3 along the cross-section 4-4.

Figure 5, in a top view, illustrates the time indicating device of Figure 3.

In the drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustration and as aid to understanding, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 there is illustrated in a perspective and side views, a time indicating device 10 in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The time indicating device 10 includes a housing assembly 12 that includes a base member 14. The base member 14 has associated with it a clock movement 16. The clock movement 16 is a conventional quartz movement that is commercially available. As the clock movement 16 is a quartz movement, this allows for the time indicating device 10 to be quartz accurate. The clock movement 16 which is battery operated includes a rotatable member 18 and provides the source of power for the rotational movement of the rotatable member 18. The rotatable member 18 may be further defined to include a stem 20 that can accommodate an arm 22.

The first magnetic means 24 may be associated with the rotatable member 18 such that the rotational movement of the rotatable member 18 results in the rotational movement of the first magnetic means 24. More specifically, the first magnetic means 24 may be situated on an arm 22.

The housing assembly 12 may also include a member 26 that can engage a gear means 28 located within the housing assembly 12. A second magnetic means 36 may be associated with the member 26 so that the magnetic force asserted by the first magnetic means 24 is communicated to the second magnetic means 36. More specifically, as the rotatable member 18 rotates the first magnetic means 24, the rotational movement is communicated to the second magnetic means 36, and the second magnetic means 36 rotates thereby rotating the member 26. More specifically, the first magnetic means 24 may include six magnets and the second magnetic means 36 may include six magnets.

The magnetic power communicated to the second magnetic means 36 must be sufficient to rotate the member 26, which in turn must be sufficient to rotate the gear means 28. In general, the greater the distance between the first and second magnetic means, 24 and 36 respectively, the more magnetic force required to communicate between the first and second magnetic means, 24 and 36, so as to turn the member 26.

The member 26 may be further defined as a shaft assembly 30 that may depend down from the top 32 of the housing assembly 12. The shaft assembly 30 may also include a screw 31 located at the top 32 of the housing assembly 12. The screw 31 provides additional support for the rotation of the shaft assembly 30 about a centre axis. A bushing 33 seated on a cross brace 37 located near the bottom end 35 of the shaft assembly 30, allows for the shaft assembly 30 and more specifically a shoulder 39 of the shaft assembly 30 to rotate relatively friction free against the bushing 33. The screw 31 allows for the adjustment or tightening of the shaft assembly 30 against the bushing 33. The positioning of the shaft assembly 30 is important for the friction free rotation of the second magnetic means 36 and therefore the accurate time keeping of the device 10. The gear means 28 may include a first gear 34 that may be adhered to the shaft assembly 30 in such a way so that when the shaft assembly 30 rotates, the first gear 34 turns. The gear means 28 may further include a series of gears 42 that interact with the first gear 34.

The time indicating device 10 includes at least one time-indicating means 38. The time indicating means 38 may be further defined as a clock face 40 having an hour hand 46, a minute hand 48 and/or a second hand (not shown) for reading the time. The time indicating means 38 associates with the gear means 28 and more specifically the series of gears 42. Furthermore, multiple time indicating means 38 or faces 40 may associate with the series of gears 42 thereby providing more than one face from which to view the time, as shown in Figure 3. The clock face 40 may also be hollow therefore providing an effective shield for the series of gears 42 as well as a pleasing look.

In operation, the time indicating device 10 allows for the accurate keeping of time by using a magnetic force to turn the gear means 28 and therefore the time indicating means 38. How this is achieved is explained herein below with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The clock movement 16 may be located in the base member 14 of the housing assembly 12. The rotatably member 18 of the clock movement can rotate about a central axis as the clock movement 16 is powered by a conventional battery source. The first magnetic means 24 may be adhered to the rotatable member 18, so that the first magnetic means 24 rotates along with the rotatable member.

As the first magnetic means 24 rotates about the central axis of the clock movement 16, the first magnetic means 24 communicates a magnetic force to the second magnetic means 36, adhered to the member 26. The magnetic force communicated to the second magnetic means 38 may be sufficient to turn or rotate the member 26. The member 26 will therefore engage the gear means 28, which in turn will engage the time indicating means 38. Preferably, the first and second magnetic means, 24 and 36 respectively, will be at a distance from one another so as to sufficiently demonstrate the simplicity of the construction of the time indicating device 10, and more specifically that the gear means 28 and the member 26 in no way are attached to the base member 14 or the clock movement 16. Therefore, the power source of the clock movement 16 remains hidden or invisible to the observer.

The rotation of the member 26 will coincide with the rotation of the rotatable member 18 or stem 20. In general the member 26 or shaft assembly 30 will rotate one turn per hour, as dictated by the clock movement 16. More specifically, the first gear 34 may be adhered to the member 26 or shaft assembly 30, and will engage the series of gears 42 as the shaft assembly 30 rotates. The series of gears 42 will in turn cause the engagement of the time indicating means 38 and therefore the movement of hour, minute and/or second hands (46 and 48, respectively). The time indicating device 10 as described above therefore keeps accurate time having the gear means 28 move while using an invisible or hidden power mechanism the quartz clock movement 16.

Referring to Figures 3 to 5, in a second preferred embodiment, the time indicating device 10 may include multiple time indicating means 38 or faces 40 that would engage the gear means 28 yet be powered by a single clock movement 16. Each face 40 includes appropriate gearing to ensure that each face 40 has clockwise movement. Therefore, the multiple time indicating device 10 and more specifically the time indicating means 38 or faces 40, may be viewed from a variety of angles by a user without requiring additional clock movements 16 or internal mechanisms.

In summary, a time indicating device is provided with a magnetic drive mechanism for improved construction and time keeping.

Other variations and modifications of the invention are possible. All such modifications or variations are believed to be within the sphere and scope of the inventions defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

ClaimsI claim:

1. A time-indicating device comprising: a) a housing assembly having a base member, said base member having a clock movement with a rotatable member; b) gear means having at least one member and at least one time-indicating means; and c) at least two magnetic means; wherein said first magnetic means associates with said rotatable member of said clock movement, and said second magnetic means associates with said member of said gear means; whereby said clock movement rotates said rotatable member thereby translating said movement to said first magnetic means which communicates said rotational movement to said second magnetic means thereby causing said member to rotate and engage said gear means and at least one time-indicating means in said housing assembly.

2. A time-indicating device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said clock movement has a central axis and is a conventional quartz movement for accurate time keeping.

3. A time-indicating device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rotatable member further comprises a stem having an arm having the ability to rotate about said central axis of said clock movement.

4. A time-indicating device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said first and second magnetic means each comprises six magnets.

5. A time-indicating device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said magnets of said first magnetic means are adhered to said arm, thereby rotating about said central axis of said stem by said clock movement.

6. A time indicating device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the distance between said first and second magnetic means is sufficient so as to communicate the rotational magnetic force between said first and second magnetic means.

7. A time-indicating device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said distance between said first and second magnetic means is sufficient so as to appears not connected to one another.

8. A time-indicating device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said member of said gear means is a shaft assembly depending down from said housing assembly to which said magnets of said second magnetic means are attached.

9. A time-indicating device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said gear means is further comprised a first gear and a series of gears whereby said first gear is adhered to said shaft assembly and said series of gears interact with said first gear.

10. A time-indicating device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said series of gears rotate and engage said time-indicating means.

11. A time-indicating device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said time-indicating means further comprises at least one clock face having the ability to indicate time.

12. A time-indicating device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said shaft assembly will complete one full rotation as dictated by said rotation of said stem of said clock movement.

13. A time-indicating device as claimed in claim 12 wherein said shaft assembly would rotate one turn every hour.

14. A time-indicating device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said clock face further comprises an hour hand, and a minute hand for reading time.

15. A time-indicating device as claimed in claim 14 wherein said conventional clock movement is powered by a conventional battery source.

16. A time-indicating device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said housing assembly is made from aluminum and said gear means is made from brass.

17. A time- indicating device comprising: a) a housing assembly having a base member, said base member having a clock movement with a rotatable stem having an arm; b) gear means having at least one shaft assembly and two time-indicating means; and c) at least two magnetic means; wherein said first magnetic means is adhered to said arm of said stem of said clock movement, and said second magnetic means associates with said shaft assembly of said gear means; whereby said clock movement rotates said stem thereby translating said movement to said arm and said first magnetic means which communicates said rotational movement to said second magnetic means thereby causing said shaft assembly to rotate and engage said gear means and both time-indicating means in said housing assembly.

18. A time-indicating device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said first and second magnetic means each comprises six magnets.

19. A time- indicating device as claimed in claim 18 herein the distance between said first and second magnetic means is sufficient so as to communicate the rotational magnetic force between said first and second magnetic means.

0. A time-indicating device is claimed in claim 19 wherein said housing assembly is made from aluminum and said gear means is made from brass.