Clock with a holder

#The invention relates to a clock with a housing with quadratic or square cross-section in the plane of the dial plate and a holder for the detachable reception of the housing.

#A clock of this type is already known (German GM No. 74 39 428), in which the rearward part of the housing is formed like a ball and rests in a holder with a calotte-shaped receptor. The holder and the clock housing are connected with one another by means of a screw which passes through an elongated slot which is present in the receptor and ends in a corresponding threaded bore in the housing. After releasing the screw the clock can be swung in the holder in a plane by about 45 angular degrees and can be fixed by tightening the screw in the respective position at the time. Such a clock has the disadvantage that a change in the position of the housing in the holder is not possible without the help of a tool, namely a screwdriver. Moreover the position change of the housing in the holder is limited to the course or shape of the elongated slot, and consequently to a single plane of movement.

#With another known clock (German OS No. 25 31 747), the clock is seated in a holder which comprises two parts which are swingable relative to each other about a common axis. In the case of this known clock the holder also assumes the function of a housing. In such a clock, the inclination of the dial to the surface on which it rests can be changed and furthermore the clock, after removal of a viewing pane or glass, can be adapted to be turned through 90.degree. in the holder-housing unit of the dial plane, whereby the overall aesthetic impression given by the clock can be changed. To be sure, this clock permits a greater change in the position of the dial with respect to the surface on which the clock is placed, but this change in position is still very limited. Furthermore, for given changes in position of the dial with respect to the housing the clock must be partly taken apart and then assembled again, which is a rather cumbersome procedure.

#With the above and other objects and advantages in view, the present invention will become more clearly understood in connection with the detailed description of a preferred embodiment, when considered with the accompanying drawings, of which:

#FIG. 1 is a side view of a clock having a holder comprising a yoke and a clamp;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clock with the yoke detached from it; and

#The clock 1 comprises a housing 2 in which the time-keeping and time-indicating means of the clock are arranged and which is closed by a viewing glass in the region of the time-indicating means. The housing 2 is of square cross-section in the plane of the dial and is provided on its side surfaces as well as on the rear side (not visible) with hemispherical depressions 3 which are arranged in two parallel rows on the side parts. On the bottom side surface of the housing 2, in the region of the front corners, instead of the depressions, two elevations 4 and 5 are provided so that the clock, when placed on a flat surface, has its dial plate 6 facing slightly upward.

#The housing 2 of the clock 1 is seated in a holder or mount 7 which comprises a clamp 8 and a yoke 9. The clamp 8 and the yoke 9 are detachably connected to each other. For this purpose a projecting circular ring 10 with an undercut 11 is formed on the yoke 9, which ring is made of plastic. The ring is adapted to be placed rotatably for detent engagement over a complementary circular projection 12 having a protruding edge 13.

#Each of the two arms 14 and 15 of the V-shaped yoke 9 is bent at its free end in such a manner as to form two end pieces 16 and 17 of the arms, respectively. The end pieces 16 and 17 are parallel to each other. The housing 2 can be inserted and clamped between these end pieces 16 and 17. The two end pieces 16 and 17 of the arms are provided, on the sides thereof adjacent the housing 2, with calotte-shaped or hemispherical elevations 18 which engage into the corresponding calotte-shaped hemispherical depressions 3 in the side walls of the housing 2. Two holes 19 and 20 are provided through each of the two end pieces 16 and 17 of the arms through which there project the elevations 4 and 5 which are formed on the housing 2.