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US 7,061,833 B2Granted
Clocks with unique time displays which are interpreted by the use of traditional clock interpretation means
OwnerKarl Allen Dierenbachinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for the display of time with a distinctive aesthetic character that includes clear, rigid rotating indicator rings (22) and (24) which are externally driven by a clockwork (30). The clockwork (30) rotates drive wheels (26) and (28) so that the rigid rotating members (22) and (24) indicate the current time and the time is interpreted using traditional clock interpretation means. A demarcation ring (20) is added to assist in the interpretation of the indicated time.
Claims15
An apparatus for the display of time, comprising:
- (a) a clockwork;
- (b) said clockwork having two coaxial output shafts driven at different angular rates
- (c) two drive wheels, one drive wheel attached to each of said drive shafts
- (d) a first rigid member with an inner annular surface which is suspended by the first of said drive wheels and has a demarcation to represent the hour, said first rigid member with hour demarcation in contact with said first drive wheel so as to rotate said first rigid member with hour demarcation at a different angular rate than said first drive wheel so that said first rigid member rotates through one complete revolution once every twelve hours allowing the hour to be interpreted using traditional clock interpretation means, said first rigid member being held in contact with said first drive wheel by the force of gravity;
- (e) a second rigid member with an inner annular surface which is suspended by the second of said drive wheels and has a demarcation to represent the minute of the hour, said second rigid member with minute demarcation in contact with said second drive wheel so as to rotate said second rigid member with minute demarcation at a different angular rate than said second drive wheel so that said second rigid member rotates through one complete revolution once every hour allowing the minute of the hour to be interpreted using traditional clock interpretation means, said second rigid member being held in contact with said first drive wheel by the force of gravity, wherein said second rigid member rotates about substantially the same rotational axis as said first rigid member.
2 more elements
An apparatus for the display of time, comprising:
- (a) a support frame;
- (b) a clockwork mounted to said support frame;
- (c) said clockwork having two coaxial output shafts driven at different angular rates
- (d) two drive wheels, one drive wheel attached to each of said drive shafts
- (e) a first rigid member with an outer annular surface which rests on the first of said drive wheels and has a demarcation to represent the hour, said first rigid member with hour demarcation in contact with said first drive wheel so as to rotate said first rigid member with hour demarcation at a different angular rate than said first drive wheel so that said first rigid member rotates through one complete revolution once every twelve hours allowing the hour to be interpreted using traditional clock interpretation means, said first rigid member being held in contact with said first drive wheel by the force of gravity;
- (f) a second rigid member with an outer annular surface which rests on the second of said drive wheels and has a demarcation to represent the minute of the hour, said second rigid member with minute demarcation in contact with said second drive wheel so as to rotate said second rigid member with minute demarcation at a different angular rate than said second drive wheel so that said second rigid member rotates through one complete revolution once every hour allowing the minute of the hour to be interpreted using traditional clock interpretation means, said second rigid member being held in contact with said second drive wheel by the force of gravity, wherein said second rigid member rotates about substantially the same rotational axis as said first rigid member.
3 more elements
An apparatus for the display of time,comprising:
- (a) a first rigid annular member having an inner radius at least ten percent as large as the outer radius of said first rigid annular member, said first rigid annular member having a demarcation;
- (b) a second rigid annular member having an inner radius at least ten percent as large as the outer radius of said second rigid annular member, said second rigid annular member having a demarcation;
- (c) a means for rotating said first and second rigid members about substantially the same rotational axis, said first rigid member being rotated through one complete revolution once every twelve hours and said second rigid member being rotated through one complete revolution once every hour, allowing the time of day to be interpreted using traditional clock interpretation means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.