Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
The present invention relates to devices adapted
to geographical clocks for facilitating the reading and the
re/setting thereof.
Whilst devices, charts or scales for calculating
the time relative to a selected geographical area for
giving a correlation of world time have been proposed in
the past they usually fail in clarity and ease of reading
the time by having too many markings, scales or displays.
All these devices have required some level of geographical
knowledge together with the execution of skilled operations
on the part of the user.
U.S. Patent No~ 557,173 (Thompson) discloses a
north and a south pole projection world map, rotated by a
24 hour clock mechanism. Rotatable means for partially
shadowing the map for showing the day or night hour are
provided, whlch worsen the reading. Only theoretical
geographical time zones are represented on the map, i.e.
the time zones are separated by longitude lines.
Other solutions for representing the geographical
time zones have been used in geographical clocks.
Moreover, various solutions for providing the clock
mechanism with 24 and 12, counter/clockwise hour movements
for rotating the map and the clock hands have been used by
prior devices. However, none of the prior art geographical
clocks uses a very simple, appealing colour codification
for the geographical time zones, combined with a reliable
mechanism for easy setting and resetting the local time
zone and the time as in the present invention.
It is an object of the present invention to
provide a device for determining the time anywhPre in the
world, comprising a south or north pole projection of the
world map wherein all geographical time zones are colour
coded, a clock mechanism designed for rotating the map and
the hour hand together or separately for reading the time
on the first time zone, ti.e. the clock scale), and a
circumferential second time zone ring fixed on the circular
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map, divided in 24 equal colour coded sectors, each
csrresponding to the colour of a geographical zone. In
this way, more geographical information may be represented
on the map, since it is not overcrowded with geometric
markings, separation lines or adjacent concentric scales as
in prior geographical clocks.
Another object of the present invention is to
provide a clock mechanism whereby the movement of the map
and hour hand could be separated for setting the
geographical clock in a specific location. The stcp
mechanism enables the hour hand to be rotated
counterclockwise for positioning it to show the time of the
user's location on the clock scale. The map will rotate
clockwise with the hour hand. Preferably, the device
includes additional visual coding means associated with
land areas of the map which are in half-hour time zones.
Accordingly, a device for determining the time in
any location in the world relative to a selected
geographical area, said device comprising: a frame; a clock
mechanism rotating a hour, minute and second hand; a
circular world map positioned over said frame and rotatable
relative to said frame, wherein said world map,
representing a modified south pole projection of the world,
is rotated clockwise about the centre point of said map
corresponding to the south pole and is divided into twenty-
four geographical time areas according to the local time,
wherein said geographical time areas are colour coded such
that adjacent areas colour differs; a first time zone
defined by an annular band located on said frame and
concentric with said map, said first time zone representing
a clock scale; a second time zone defined by a
circumferential ring located on and around the perimeter of
said rotatable circular map, said second time zone being
evenly divided into twenty-four segments distinguished by
a different adjacent colour, wherein every said second time
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zone segment is associated with a proximate geographical
time area having the same colour; and a stop mechanism;
whereby aligning a second time zone segment associated to
said selected geographical area to a first time zone
segment according to the known local time of said selected
geographical area, the local time of said any location in
the world can be identified by reading the hour indication
on the first time zone which is adjacent to a second time
zone sector associated to said any location in the world.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
operation of the device is automated by means of a twenty-
four-hour clock mechanism, the hour hand of the clock
mechanism advancing with the map (i.e. the map rotates
together with the hour hand).
For re/setting the zone, (i.e. when re/installing
the device in a selected geographical area) the hour hand
should be positioned into the middle of the second time
zone sector which is colour coded as the selected
geographical area (i.e. the area of re/location). A stop
mechanism enables the hour hand to be rotated
counterclockwise for re/positioning it. The map will not
rotate counterclockwise with the hour hand.
For setting the time, the hour, minute and second
hands should be positioned at will as for any known clock,
in accordance with the local time. The map will rotate
with the hour hand in the clockwise direction.
In another preferred embodiment, the map is
rotated by the clock mechanism to complete a rotation in 24
hours. The hour hand is rotated by a conventional twelve
hour movement. On the first time zone, markings for a 12
hour conventional clock are provided, inserted between
markings for the 24 hour scale. The two scales are
distinctively indicating the local time and the time in the
selected locations. In order to facilitate the reading in
this proposed variant, only markings for hours 12, 3, 6 and
9 are inscribed on the 12 hour scale. The remaining hours
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are mar~ed by dots or squares. All the markings on the 24
hour scale, for reading the position of the map are marked
on the same first time zone, using a different style, size
or colour for the figures in order to obtain a sufficient
visual distinctness between the two scales. In addition,
the 24 hour scales may be represented on two separate
circumferential rings. E.g. the 24 hour indications could
by represented i.e. by smaller numbering on an inside scale
whereas the 12 hour indications arranged around this scale,
could have distinctively large numbering. Thus, at a first
glance, the conventional clock is perceived for reading the
local time and at a closer observation, the indications of
the world time can be read. In another preferred
embodiment, the map illustrates a north pole projection of
the world. The clock mechanism rotates the hour hand
clockwise for effecting a full rotation in 12 hours, and
minute and second hands as for a conventional clock. The
time i9 read against a 12 hour scale provided on the first
time zone ring. As necessary with the north pole
projection is used, the disk with the map rotates
counterclockwise, effecting a full rotation in 24 hours.
The re/setting of the zone and of the time are
effected independently. The re/setting of the zone is
effected by rotating the map such that the middle of the
second time zone segment, which is colour coded as the
selected geographical area (i.e. the area of re/location),
will indicate the known local time. The time is set
subsequently, by positioning the hour, minute and second
hands as for a conventional clock, to indicate the local
time.
For both embodiments described above, after
re/setting the zone and the time, the local time of any
geographical area may be continuously read against the
first time zone annular band, using the visual
codification.
Furthermore, the possibility of- creating a
computer data base containing the south pole projection of
the world map in the form of a clock face, the first and
i the second time zones (using an adequate visual
codification), hour, minute and second hands is also
envisaged. The clock image may be retrieved from the
computer memory and displayed under supervision o~ a
program capable also of re/setting the zone and the time,
as described above.
Figure la illustrates a world time clock device
embodying the invention;
Fi~ure lb illustrates a world time clock device
embodying the invention having another type of clock scale;
Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the
stop mechanism for the hand hour-map re/setting (of the
zone);
Figure 3 is a lateral view illustrating the stop
mechanism for the hand hour-map re/setting when hour hand
and the map rotate together; and
Figure 4 is a lateral view of the device
illustrating the stop mechanism for the hand and hour hand
re/setting, when they rotate independently.
The invention is described in detail in the
following with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Each device
item will be further referred b~ same reference numeral in
all drawings. The embodiment of the invention of Figures
1 to 4 are selected for purposes of illustration only; it
is to be understood by the reader that other embodiments
might instead be selected if desired.
Referring to Figures 1, a world time clock device
10 is shown having a frame 15, a rotatable map S0
positioned thereover and a first time zone annular band 85.
The annular band 85 is evenly divided in twenty-four first
time zone sectors 45, and in twelve first time zone sectors
20. It is fixed to the frame 15 and arranged partly beyond
the outer boundary of the map 50. A second time zone
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circumferential ring 40, defined on and around the
perimeter of the map 50 is divided into twenty-four evenly
spaced second time zone sectors 30, 35.
The map 50 is a south pole projection of the world
and, rotates in a clockwise direction about the centre
point 150 which corresponds to the south pole. A
conventional twenty-four-hour clock mechanism 25 is
installed below the map 50 and within the frame 15. The
clock mechanism comprises an hour hand 60, a minute hand 70
and a second hand 80. In one embodiment, the hour hand 60
i5 fixed on a hour shaft 55 (Figure 3) together with the
rotatable map 50 so that they are rotated together by the
conventional (e.g. battery-operated) twenty-four hour clock
mechanism 25. A full circular rotation of the hour hand
60, and therefore the map 50, occurs once every twenty-
four-hour period. For a north pole projection map a
counter-clockwise rotation of the map would be required.
The first time zone sectors 45 are marked to
identify each hour of a 12 hour time period. The twenty-
four first time zone sectors 45 are marked to identify eachhour of a twenty-four-hour time period from 12 a.m. to 11
p.m. For clarity and improved readability, these hourly
markings may also include the marking "NOON" in association
with the first time zone sector marked 12 p.m. and
"MIDNIGHT" in association with 12 a.m. first time zone
sector. The hour hand 60 traverses a first time zone
sector 45 in one hour. The minute hand 70 rotates once
every hour (the same as for conventional twelve hour
clocks) and, therefore, traverse each first time zone
sector 45 in two and a half minutes. Similar to the
operation of the minute hand 70, the second hand 80
traverses each first time zone sector 45 in two and a half
seconds. Accordingly, the time of the day indicated by the
clock hands 60, 70, 80 shown in Figure 1 for all land areas
corresponding to second time zone sector 30 is
approximately 4:26:58.5 p.m. This is the time e.g. in
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Vancouver, Seattle and Los Angeles. The time in the place
of location is 2:26:50:5 p.m. and is read against first
time zone scale made by sectors ~5.
All land areas of the world are portrayed on the
map 50 in a single plane relative to the south pole. The
time zones, corresponding to geographical time areas of the
map 50 are visually distinguished by means of colour
coding. For example, with reference to Figure 1, the
colour coding selected fox the geographical time area 180,
comprising the Canadian province of Manitoba, the United
States state of Minnesota downwards through to Louisiana,
Me~ico and Central America is red (shown in Fiyure 1 by
dark shading) and, as can be seen from the map 50, this
area crosses over the longitudinal lines 175 and 185. The
second time zone sector 35 is also colour-coded with the
colour red such that all ~eographical time areas 180, which
are colour-coded with the colour red correspond to the red
colour-coded second time zone sector 35. The centre of the
second time zone sector 35 indicate approximate 6:26:58.5
p.m., being positioned between the first time zone sector
45 indicating, in Figure 1, 6 p.m. and a first time sector
indicating 7 p.m. For any given geographical area, the
time can be read in a similar way. In any quadrant of the
map 50, the colour selected for the visual coding of land
areas within a geographical time area is not duplicated, to
avoid confusion in identifying land areas. The colours may
be duplicated in the opposite quadrants without risk of
confusion. Thus, in the embodiment of Figure 1, it was
elected to also use the colour red for a second time zone
and its associated land areas diametrically opposed to
second time zone 35 and time areas 180. The time for that
geographical time area is approximate 5:26:58.5 a.m.
To install the device 10 for use in the particular
geographical area in which the user is located, two types
of settings are required.
s~
A first step consists of setting of the zone. To
this end, the hour hand should be rotated counterclockwise
while the map is held immobile, towards a position where
the hour hand lays in the middle of a second time zone of
interest (i.e. having same colour with the geographical
area of the new location). The hour hand should be aligned
with that respective longitudinal line. This is obtained
by the use of a stop mechanism as illustrated in Figures 2
and 3. An hour shaft 55 has such length as to receive over
it the disc with the map 50 and the hour hand 60. On the
back face of the map, a disc 65 is attached. Its diameter
is smaller than the map diameter. The assembly consisting
of the map 50 and the disc 65 is mounted in such a way that
it can slide over the hour shaft. Disc 65 has a flexible
tab 75. The disc is rotated with the map 50 and with the
hour hand ~0 by the hour shaft 55 of the clock mechanism 25
in a clockwise direction. At the base of the frame, along
the circumference of a central bottom concavity 200, a
circular row of ratchet teeth 95 is arranged. When the map
moves with the hour shaft 55 in the clockwise direction,
the tab 75 slides over the ratchet teeth of the circular
row of ratchet teeth 95. When re/setting of the zone is
requested, the hour hand 60 should be gently rotated
counterclockwise toward the new desired position in the
middle of the respective second time zone sector aligned
with the central longitudinal line of the new zone. The
tab 75 would oppose the rotation of the map 50, because it
will be locked between two ratchet teeth.
The second step consists of setting the time and
this takes place after the first step has been
accomplished. To this end, the use of a classic twenty-
four hour clock mechanism will allow the hour and minute
hand to be rotated clockwise and positioned to show the
correct time. The hour hand 60, the minute hand 70 and the
second hand 80 will be positioned so as to indicate on the
first time zone the hour, the minutes and seconds of that
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area (bearing in mind that each first time zone position
corresponds only to two and a half minutes or seconds,
respectively).
To account for land areas which are situated in
half hour time zones, a different or a supplementary visual
coding means is used to identify such areas. In the
embodiment of Figure 1, vertical lines are used to indicate
an area for which the time is one-half hour prior to the
neighbouring land areas having the same colour code.
Therefore, India is colour-coded to be the same colour as
Pakistan and is also coded by vertical lines to identify
that the time in India is one-half hour prior to that in
Pakistan. It can be assumed that embodiments where the
base colour of half time zones is selected so that their
time will be read by adding one half hour to the time of
the neighbouring land areas having the same colour are also
conceivable.
Furthermore, on the front face of the frame 15,
three Gircular concentric concavities may be included; i.e.
a bottom, a middle and an upper concavity. As shown in
Figures 2 and 3, in the bottom concavity 200, the circular
row of ratchet teeth 95 is fixed along the circumference,
as described above for the stop mechanism. The middle
concavity 210 includes the circular map 50 so that it may
freely rotate (i.e. without touching the concavity walls).
The upper concavity 220 is created for fixing the first
time zone annular band 85. The annular band 85 preferably
will partially obturate the second time circumferential
ring on the map 50, for creating a guide for the map into
the frame 15. For the automated embodiments of the device,
the clock mechanism is arranged under the face of the frame
15. The hour, minute and second shafts traverse the front
face of the frame for engaging the hour hand and the map,
the minute hand and the second hand respectively. A cover
may be provided as a back and front face of the frame for
protecting the clock mechanism.
2 ~
The embodiment illustrated in Figure 4c shows a
variant wherein the hour hand 60 is rotated clockwise by a
conventional twelve hour clock mechanism. Simultaneously,
the map 50 completes a clockwise rotation in 24 hours. The
clock hands are driven by a twelve hour conventional clock
mechanism. The time is indicated in Figure 1 on a 12 hour
scale formed on the first time zone 85 by the large figures
86 (i.e. 12, 3, 6 and 9) and the indicating squares 87.
The time in any selected location in the world is read
against a 24 hour scale formed also on the first time zone
85 by the small figures 88 followed by the abbreviation pm
or am. In proposed variant "B" both scales are shown
independently.
For setting the device, in the case of the
embodiment of Figure 4c, the local time should be
; separately set for the conventional twelve hour clock, by
correspondingly rotating the clock hands to indicate the
known local time, against the 12 hour scale. The map
should be rotated for aligning the centre of the second
time zone, associated to the selected geographical area
(i.e. where the person is located), to indicate the known
local time, against the 24 hour scale.
While the foregoing specific description is
directed to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the invention
is not limited to the described embodiment. Many
variations of the specific features described above might
be made while still falling within the scope of the
invention. For example, as stated previously, the clock
mechanism need not be included if, say, a manually operable
pocket device, according to the invention, were to be
instead desired. In the case of a hand-operated device,
the user may prefer to rotate the frame in counter-
clockwise direction relative to the map to set the time
zone sectors for a pre-selected land area, rather than to
rotate the map, the two manners of operation being
equivalent.
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11
Furthermore, the conventional incorporation of a
particular geographical area in a time zone may vary,
because of political or economical reasons, without
altering the scope of the present invention as claimed in
the following claims.
