EP0909409A1

EP0909409A1 - Time zone indicator device

Info

Publication number: EP0909409A1
Application number: EP97928097A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Edouard Pfister; Daniel Rochat
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-07-05
Filing date: 1997-07-03
Publication date: 1999-04-21
Anticipated expiration: 2017-07-03
Also published as: US6018503A; DE69702912T2; JP2000514186A; EP0909409B1; DE69702912D1; WO1998001795A1; HK1016705A1; AU3252397A

Abstract

A device comprising a spherical shell (1) supported on a shaft (2) powered by a motor (5) via a gear (4) such that it rotates once every 24 hours, is disclosed. The shell (1) encloses a circular flat screen (23) supported on on a cradle (22) via a horizontal pin perpendicular to the design. An eccentric (21) at the end of the shaft (19) and guided in a fixed shaft (20) swings the screen supporting a lamp (26) on either side of a central position aligned with the rotational axis of the shell (1), thereby showing the areas of night and day as well as the height of the sun above the equator in the different seasons. The shaft (20) is driven via the gear (17) of said motor (5). The graduated time indicator (10) has radial plates (14) with inner edges (15) opposite the meridians of the shell (1). The indicator is stationary and enables the local time to be determined at any point on the globe.

Description

Horometric device.

This invenuon proposes to meet a need that is born and grows in parallel with ^the intensification αes communications over the entire surface of the globe. The reception at home, whether by private means, such as fax or telephone, or by public means, such as television, of information coming from all over the world is more and more rapid and intense. . On the other hand, the ease of traveling at distances covering a significant proportion of the world tour is continuously increasing. These realities require today, on the part of an increasingly large number of people, the rapid knowledge of the conditions (hours of the day or the night, dates, seasons, distances) which characterize a determined place if ué at great distance relative to where the person is.

The invention aims to meet this need by creating a time measurement instrument which instantly gives, thanks to a synoptic display and in a practical and handy form, the required information. This horometric device can be produced in multiple different forms, for example as a clock, pendulum or pendulum, display device with screen, etc. To simplify, the general term "clock" will be used in the remainder of this description.

We already know several realauoπs of horometric devices comprising a substrate with a geographical representation of the surface of the globe, a time mark and a display means of a plot representing the moving line GU twilight, these components being animated, from a motor assembly, of relative movements simulating the movements of the earth relative to the sun.

Thus, German patent application DOS 2,018,727, published in 1971, suggests using a spherical shell supported by an arore coaxial at the pole line as substrate and as a means of visualizing the twilight trace a second, hemispherical, transparent shell. or tinted, partially surrounding the substrate, pivoting around an axis which is perpendicular to the pole line and passes through the center of the globe. The time reference is a fixed ring or capaole of a slight oscillating movement, which surrounds the substrate at the level of the equator or in the vicinity of the south pole.

However, the teachings of this publicononly only partially meet the needs mentioned above: on the one hand the clock is conceived mainly as a time instrument measuring sidereal time, and not the average solar time, on the other hand the conception of the time reference and its cooperation with the geographical representation carried by the substrate does not allow an easy reading of the local time at any time in all time zones. Finally, the drive mechanisms provided are reiauve ent comϋlexεs. 98/01795

Another previous document, the French patent FR M il 022 proposed, in 1965, a similar embodiment in which the substrate had the shape of a cylindrical body ponan _t a geographical representation of the terrestrial giooe of the Mercator type The means for visualizing the twilight jitters is a screen with: u 'uπe lamp, mounts pivotally inside the substrate.

In this case also the time reference is a simple ring located at the base of the substrate, which hinders an easy reading of the local time in n 'irπpor.e which point of the geographical representauon and the necessary motor means in the case where fully automatic and regulated drive must be provided, seem complicated

Patent application EP 0441 67S published in 1991 also relates to a terrestrial globe mounted so as to simulate the movements of the earth relative to the sun. However, this embodiment, which includes relatively complicated mechanisms, is mainly designed to indicate the sidereal time, and its time mark does not allow easy reading of local time.

It follows from this analysis that in order to meet the needs identified at the start, it is necessary to produce a horomechanical device which provides maximum quality from the following three points of view: ease of reading local time

^• clear simulation of real movements in the solar system

• simple construction.

The present invention aims to achieve this goal. Its ooje: is generally defined by claim 1.

The idea of the invention consists in producing the movements in terrestrial giooe relative to the base of the device, in such a way that when viewed from a privileged side of the clock, they appear as they would appear to a fictitious observer. regaiαant earth αepuis a poirt on the ^'right hgne joining the center of the earth at the center in the sun, or a ticuf observer who would move into the lar perpendic plan in échptique containing this line.

It follows that the definition of the invention covers four types of embodiments which represent this way exhausave the possibilities this simulation cefmies c: -αessus.

However, before the enu εrεr, it is important to specify the design of the means provided on the geographic representation of the geo and on the time mark to allow immediate reading of the time, also constitutes an ιmoor_ant element of the invention.

The geographic representation will bear the limits to the time zones. These are often, at least on the continents, different ass traces a ^ m meπαiens delimiting the time zones. In addition, the meridian which, in each z: oπe timetable determines the time Local and whose αistance to éπdien ae Green icn is an integer multiple ae 15 degrees, carry one or more telltale signs, specially marked by exemp _s _e, s signs can be drawn with a colored coating or luminescent or leave apparaî _t re the suosirat where this: _ι-cι is transparent or translucent so had a Moven lighting in _te laughing the visioles make.

With regard to the time mark and its locating elements cooperating with the indicator signs, we will see below different possible forms of execution for this rigid member. Being αesanέ to cover, at least partially the geograomic representation. its overlapping appearances will preferably be transparent, only the normal elements proper being visible. At its base, this preference on a flange surrounding the arore, in cases where the substrate is a three-dimensional body, or on a longitudinal strip at the mark in the case of a flat or curved execution, a graαuaaon of 0 to 24 hours, with, if necessary, suoαivisions if the dimensions allow it. When their number is a sub-muiaolε this 24, the norary elements comprise at least the element of 12 hours which determines with the point centrai or giooe, the yaws which one called solar plan.

The arrangement of the engine assembly as defined in claim 1 encompasses the four types of embodiments which appear to ensure the comotπaison of advantages sought: readability of the synoptic display, clarity of the simulation these real movements, simplicity construcuve.

Two of these forms of execution are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the execution according to FIG. 1, as the hourly reference mark and the axis to the substrate are fixed and the twilight plane oscillates around a line passing through the center of the giooe and perpendicular to the earth-sun ray, the ïïafc operator which "sees" the axis of fixed rotauon and the oscillating twilight plane is supposed to move in the solar plane by deviating or approaching the plane of the ecliptic, while inclining more or less, alternately in both directions

A variant of this execution o pπncipe consists in providing that the twilight plane is fixed but that the assembly with the base, the time reference and the globe with its arorε performs an oscillating movement: around a parallel axis but which can be αέcaié with respect to the axis α oscillation eu p.an twilight c r. s the previous execution The fictitious oosεrvator then remains placed on the line tεrre-silkii, but s' inciine more or less so as to see the axis constantly straight aicrs that in reality it cέcπt a movement of circular translation in a position ooiιc _e, inclined αe 23 5 αegres because compared to the perpenc.cuiairε on the plan this ecliptic.

The third solution is that which is represented by the fis 2 the new oservator is constantly on the earth-sun line and consequently sees the twilight plane perpendicular to the angle of its gaze. The giooe axis is in the oolic position, a 8/01795

movement of rotaαoπ around a line passing through its center and perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic and the time reference mark whose solar plane is constantly oriented towards the ooservator describes a slow movement, oe oaJancement, simulating even better than the previous executions the actual movements of the earth.

Finally, the fourth solution consists in transposing the geograpπiquε representation of the globe on a flat or curved surface, this representauon moving from West to East under a grid which presents a network of lines forming oπent norary elements parallel to the meridians. On such a representation the twilight line is then a line having the appearance of a sinusoid which moves towards the North or towards the South according to the course of the seasons. In this case also, the mobile indicator signs that the geographical representation and the time elements of the fixed time marker will cooperate to allow easy reading of the local time.

According to the invention, the geographic representation of the terrestrial globe in fact constitutes a single indicating organ, which can have the shape of a sphere or any other body with axial symmetry, but which can also be a flat or curved surface.

This indicator member cooperates with a time marker and the display device operates so as to create a periodic relative movement between the standard marker and the indicator member, which implies that one or the other of the two members can be fixed. , while the other is mobile, or that those organs are mobile relative to the same base which is fixed. As will be seen, the embodiments which appear to be more advantageous comprise an indicator member having a periodic movement at 24 hour period relative to the emoase, and an hourly mark which is fixed or which, at least, retains permanently a fixed oπeπtauon relative to the base.

However, αes realizations in which the geographical surface is fixed and the hourly reference mark moves, are also possible One notes however that the auxiliary indicatejr means which has the function of marking the line of twilight on the indicating organ will have to include an absolute movement more comphαué if the indicator organ is fixed, only if it makes a periodic displacement with a penode of 2 hours, e: in particular a displacement in rocaαon around an axis

To mark permanently the route ae to ae dusk line on the surface of giooe the average incicaceur αoit be designed ae auxiliary ^r 2con to share the surface had giooe terrεstre two per my according to a large Cercie cont the plan is consistently moving towards the sun, and therefore is perpendicular to the plane of the Etchptioue Given that in astronomical reality the earth performs relative to the sun in space, in such a way that its axis of rotaαoπ describes a translauoπ movement circular around the sun, while remaining inclined by 23.5 ° with respect to a perpendicular to the plane αe the ecupαque, the transposiαon αe this movement and the proper rotauon movement of the earth, on a model capable of being built in the form of a clock presents a certain number of difficulties These difficulties are solved in the norlo ^σ es deents below by providing, between the time reference and the indicating member, a displacement relaαf periodic having a penod ae 24 o'clock, and between the _means in icateur auxihaire and the time guide-mark, a displacement relauf pénodique which has a normal penod of

365 days and can be corrected during leap years so as to be extended to

366 days. Thus, the decent clock operates on the basis of a time count referred to the second. It constantly indicates the true mean solar day, and the evolution of the usual calendar can be displayed permanently, the increase of the annual penode to 366 days in leap years that can be done automatically on the basis of a program incorporated into the time base or at will by means of a corrector accessible to the user

One possible embodiment for the auxiliary indicator means consists of a circular screen carrying a lamp on one side of its faces. This screen is mounted on the inside of the spherical-shaped indicator member and cooperates with the drive means which impose on it the movement corresponding to the required function. If the giooe is fixed, which means that the time mark rotates with a penooe of 24 hours around the axis of the pins, then the interior screen must be driven on the one hand according to a rotation movement identical to that at the mark hourly, so as to be constantly aligned according to the plane in which the mendians are found whose local time is 6:00 am and 6:00 pm, and on the other hand according to a movement of oscillation, of amplitude ± _ 23.5 ° around d 'an axis which is perpendicular to the previous In the opposite case, where it is the giooe which rotates around the axis of the poles and the coaxial time reference to the giooe which remains onent in a fixed direction, then the hour sign of 12h00 remains constantly onentent towards the sun and to simulate this sπuauon, the interior screen is animated only by a single movement, which is the oscillating movement deent above. From a constructive point of view, this realization is therefore simple, and it is this which will serve as the first decent example in detail below.

The hourly clock constitutes in most forms of execution a ngide organ which has certain general characteristics which should be mentioned before going on to the detailed description. Thus this ngide organ will be arranged according to the shape of a hollow body of which some publications may be in a transparent color and in which the indicating organ representing the surface of the terrestrial giooe will be partially or slightly involved. The standard coordinate system will be a body with an axial symmetry, coaxial with the indicating member. It will bear on one or more visible zones, radial lines representing the hours marked from 1 to 24. For example, this hourly mark can be designed in the form of a cap in portion of sphere partially surrounding the southern hemisphere of the geographic representation. of the earth. This cap will be a transparent material and its shape is adapted to that of SUBSTRA _t so the recouvnr closely. At its base a circular flange of flat, or frustoconical or even curved shape, will carry the hourly graduauon 0 hour - 24 hours, while on the cap itself, engraved lines will form the hourly elements.

However, an achievement which seems both aesthetic and particularly effective consists in giving the time mark the shape of a flat u-onconic body placed under the terrestrial globe and provided with a certain number of transparent plates, arranged in a star song. around the axis. These plates will each have a curved edge extending opposite the surface of the globe according to the layout of the meridians. It is thus possible to provide four or eight plates, representing the hours of 6 in 6 or 3 in 3 hours. These plates can for example extend to the height of the earth's equator or even higher. They will be transparent enough not to hinder the vision of the geographic surface of the globe.

In the case where the relative penodic displacements defined above are real displacements of solid organs in movement with respect to each other, the clock will include one or more motors. In fact, all the required movements can be produced from a single motor, to which a speed reducer with a two output shafts will be incorporated. This motor can be of any type, for example a stepping motor or a synchronous drive motor. Preferably it will be driven by a time base, for example of the quartz type, although an electric motor driven by the frequency of the network can also, depending on the case, be sufficiently reliable. In another vein, if fully mechanical designs are desired, a spring motor, of the conventional type, capable of being wound by hand or, if necessary, automatically depending on variations in temperature or pressure vaπauons, can also be expected.

It follows from the concept of the present invention that the counting of these days by adding up the elapsed hours, as well as the display of the quanueme and of the month, will be derived directly from the time base, and that the display of these parameters will be dissociated from the auxiliary indicator whose function is strictly limited to marking the twilight line and indicating the direction in which the sun is located, in particular the height of the sun above the line of the equator and its vaπauoπs during the seasons. Thus, for the display of the data of caiendπer, the base or the base of the clock will include these display means preferably of digital type allowing to read conveniently the quanuème, the month, the case starting from the year, the day of the week or any other interesting indication. The clock caoïnet can also wear a classic dial with hour and minute hands on 12 o'clock, adjustable on a preferred time zone. The study foπcuons that ^it was interesting to see showed that a means _of icateur in the dε cate change could help. It is known, that with the exception of the ins _t ant where the meridian of cnange εnt αate is L-ove local time 2 hours *, the cifférents points of the surface of giooe not all on the same date. Those who are so ESU _t between énαien αate this change and one that is local time 24 hours (or 0 hour) and situated west u date change meridian, have a date that is at the new calendar in progress, while the other points of the globe, located east of the menidi this change this cate, still have the old quanuème. It therefore _does little to provide a device displaying this feature. It can be electronic. It will then include, for example, 24 cells of the luminescent dioαe type .or-LCD LCD distributed over the periphery of the globe. Preferably, these cells will be found on the one of the two indicator / time marker organs which is fixed, while a sliding contact mounted on the rotary member and rotating with it will successively excite these cells as the rotation progresses, so that the excited cells designate the globes having the new calendar. The passage of the meridian this arrangement this date at the local time 24 hours will enuraîπεra the immediate dέsεxcitaαon of all the cells. A device having exactly the same effect, but constructed entirely mechanically, can easily be designed, and this is the case with different models. We will return to this point later.

It should also be mentioned in these general considerations two additional improvements which may still be foreseen. Thus, on the surface which represents the terrestrial surface, one can determine a certain number of particular points which are nodes of iunaires, for example the locations of certain important aέropoπs. These many schedules will be provided with electronic identification means and saved in a program memory with the necessary data. The program in cuεsuon will include a calculation and research instrucuon to determine the ser.es this route nodes corresponding to certain initial coπαiuons that can be chosen at will. Thus, for example, if a first route node designated as the starting point is determined, then a second monetary node designated as the amvέε point, the program could determine, for example, the fastest route, subject to certain general conditions, between the starting point and the starting point, passing through a minimum no more of route nodes, and reveal the route thus determined, by exciting these different route nodes concerned. It is easy to see that this detraction rrc .. ation of routes is particularly simple to achieve s; ^the indicator member and the norairε mark are these flat surfaces, and more specifically the surfaces of α screen a Conscious to visuaiisauon electronics.

Finally, in the execution farms αans' in which the suostrate of ia geograpnic representation is a body with axial symmetry and the 12 o'clock time element of the time reference frame remains constantly on the side where the clock is desuπed to be regarαée , it may be advantageous to provide a means making it possible to easily see, if desired, a poπion du globe in which the local time is very different from noon. Thus, in all these realisauons, one can provide an additional assembly according to which the base is still supported by a console, or a foot, and a manual drive or by auxiliary motor makes it possible to turn it quickly in a direction or αans the other. This movement can be limited to 180 degrees. A control means mounted on the console makes it possible to control this rotauon at will. Such a console also makes it possible, for example, to house control means for the function which has just been deformed, showing signs of light, or these means exciting on the geographical representation, the outline of the time zone which is thus brought in the favorable observation position.

At the same time, the indicator signs corresponding to the mendian of the local time in this time zone may have been excited. This first function can also finally be used to show the local time shifted in the time zones (winter time - summer time), Thus, for example, in the Central European zone, the time winter is the mean solar time of the mendian - 15 degrees (passing a little east of Berlin) and summer time is the mean solar time of the mendian - 30 degrees (passing near St.Peersburg).

We will now describe by way of example the two particular embodiments which appear, under the present conditions, the most realistic and which are shown respectively in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The clock of FIG. 1 comprises an indicator member 1 in the form of a spherical shell in semi-transparent material, bearing a decoration which represents the surface of the terrestrial globe with its menαiens. This shell (1) is integral with a tubular arore (2) which is attached to it at the location representing the south pole and which is aligned along the axis to the globe. At its lower end. this shaft (2) carries a toothed road (3) which meshes in a pinion (4) mounted on an arore αe output from a motor (5). The arore (2) and the globe (1) are guided and supported by a fixed tounllon (6) which crosses the arore (2) over its entire length and extends inside the sphere (1) on a certain distance. It is provided with extender bearings (7) which guide the arore (2). This tounllon which is itself hollow, appears from the frame of a base (8) integral with the base (9) of 1 clock. The base (8) has a cylindrical shape, with a vertical axis, but its ≤upenior face is inclined, the shaft (6) perpendicular to said upper face being itself inclined by 23.5 ° with respect to the vertical. The axis c ^ giooe (1) therefore has the same inclination, which corresponds to the inclination oe the terrestrial axis with respect to a perpendicular to the plane of the eclipuch.

It should however be noted that in the reaction shown in Figure 1, this 23.5 ° inclination of the axis of the giooe with respect to the vertical is purely conventional. The same realization could also be planned with a vertical axis of the globe. We will see below the minor modifications that this would entail. The globe (1) is therefore driven in rotation from the engine (5) by the wheel (3) at the rate of one revolution in 24 hours. It cooperates with an hour mark (10) which is fixed and integral with the base (8). This time reference consists of a tapered cone-shaped oase (II) with a flat upper face (12) and an inferior surface used to fix the reference to the base (8) The body (1 1) is therefore coaxial with the shaft (2 ), the upper face (12) being pierced with an opening allowing the passage of this arore. On the lateral frustoconical surface of the body (1 1), are marked with signs (13), in the form of radial lines, cutting the penphene of the hour mark in 24 divisions which correspond to the 24 hours of the mean solar day Furthermore, to facilitate the reading the time, the face (12) of the time marker (10) pore a number of radial plates (14) which are placed singing on regularly spaced hourly divisions. Thus, in the case where uuhse 8 plates (14), they will be aligned at 45 ° from each other and will fix the position of the hours 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24 As we see in Figure 1, the inner boros (15) of the plates (14) are curved according to arcs whose radius corresponds to that of the globe (1) so as to facilitate the appreciation of local time in any point of any menioid of giooe (1). In Figure 1, the plates (l ^ώ ) extend to the height of the equator, but it is obvious that they could, if necessary, have a different height

The motor (5) driven by a time base (16), and whose frame is fixed to the company (8) causes the different zones of the terrestrial globe to scroll in front of the norary signs (13) and the plates (14) in going east, that is to say a turn in the opposite direction to that of the hands of the watch, when we look at it from above, in the direction north pole, south pole. To show the day zones and the night zones, the clock includes an auxiliary indicator means which plays, so to speak, the role of the sun. As the time reference is fixed, and that the direction of 12 hours corresponds approximately to the direction of the sun, we will choose for example the plate (14) appearing on the left in figure 1, as plate representing the hour sign 12 hours. Under these conditions, the auxiliary indicator means will comprise the following elements first of all the motor (5) is equipped with a second arore this output which, in FIG. 1, is coaxial with that carrying the pinion (4), and which itself pores a pinion (17). This pinion (17) meshes with a wheel (18) which is connected so as to make a revolution on itself in 365 days under normal conditions This wheel (18) is integral with an interior shaft (19) which is driven inside the tounllon (6) and guided by these bearings (20). This arore (19) ends slightly below in the center of the globe (1) and carries at its end an eccentric (21) The tounllon (6) also supports. a semi-circular cradle (22) whose plane is oriented perpendicular to the plane shown in Figure 1, and whose two branches extend along the menαiens of 6n00 and this I 8h00 inside the globe. The ends of the two branches of this cradle (22) are at the height of the equator, that is to say that they define an axis perpendicular to the plane of the plane in Figure 1 and passing through the center of the globe . Said ends of the two cradle branenes (22) serve this bearing to nipples which project from a circular plate (23) made of an opaque material, which is thus suspended inside the globe (1) along the honzontal axis defined above. This plate is cut in the region which is at the height of the eccentric ( 21) and has a folded tab (24) with a slot (25) in which the spout of the eccentric (21) is engaged. Thus, the plate (23) performs a double oscillating movement during each annual penode and the arrangement of the tongue (24) and of the eccentnque (21) are such that the amplitude of the oscillating movement is exactly .r__ 23.5 ° of pan and auue of the plane perpendicular to the drawing, and containing the axis of giooe In the posiuon represented in figure 1, this circular plate, which plays the role of screen, is vertically arranged and it is understood that this particular arrangement corresponds to the date of the summer soil. On the date of the winter soil, the position of the screen (23) is symmetrical with respect to the axis of the poles of that which corresponds to the summer solstice, while at the time of the equinoxes, the screen ( 23) is in the plane perpendicular to the drawing and containing the axis of the poles

The material of the spherical shell (1) being semi-transparent, Λ may be sufficient for the face of the screen (23) turned to the left in FIG. 1 sou of white color, while the other face is black , to create the impression on the spherical shell (1) of the twilight line sharing the lighted areas or giobe, of cεiles which are in the dark. However, it is also possible to complete the arrangement of the screen by placing, on the side facing the left, a bulb, such as the bulb (26), permanently lit or capable of being lit at will.

In addition to the auxiliary indicator means (23) (26) decnt above, the clock in FIG. 1 also includes display devices of the digital type sketched at (27) on the base (S), indicating for example the quan th, month and year The corresponding counting devices can be fitted with an auto-corrector automatically showing up every four years on 29 February at leap years.

However, with regard to the date display, the date change will naturally have to be synchronized with the local time 24h00 / 0h00 of one of the time zones, for example the time zone of Central Europe, but this indicauon nsque d'eue, in cεrtams case, insufficient if the user plans for example a plane trip in direction of Australia, or a country of the Far Oπent To remedy this difficulty, the clock shown at Figure 1 also includes a device for changing αate. Thus, inside the body (1 1) of the time marker (10) is mounted a row oe 24 light emitting diodes designated by (28) and placed tacon to be cneval, cnacune, with one of the hour signs (13) . On the other hand, on the shaft (2) which supports the globe (1) is mounted a contact element (29) which cooperates with a sέπe of corresponding contacts (30 ⁾ , also placed on the body (1 1), for example on the reverse side of the upper flat surface of this body. These simple means make it possible to identify at any time which areas of the giooe have the same quanueme as, for example, central Europe, and which are those who still have a date corresponding to the day or prεcεeent cui have die _d to a date corresponding to the following day. It is known that when the méndien date cnangement whose trace is a ^p proximauvement to oppose the menαien of Greenwicn. changes to local time 24h00 / 0h00, the entire surface of the giooe is at the same quanuème, but that immediately after this time, the local time west of the menoien of date change reaches a date on which the quanuème is 'a unit superior to the old quanuème. In synchronism with this movement, the contact (29-30) will cause the excitation of that of the diodes (28) which corresponds to the position of the arrangement mendian at this date Thus, as the rotauon of the globe progresses towards the east the diodes poπées by the base (10), shifted towards the east compared to the 24 hour time sign and to the right oesduelles the mendian of change of date passes, will be excited and will remain lit, indicating that in the corresponding regions of the giobe, the quanuème is the new quanuème. This progressive movement will take place until the indicating organ (1) has made a complete rotation on itself, the date setting menusal being found in the position of 2400/00 hrs, at which time all the diodes will go out, only to reset the first diode (28) when the zone of the arrangement mendian at this date reaches the new date.

This date setting indicator device could also be supplemented by a double display of the date in the field (27), so that users have constantly before them the indications of the two dates in question.

The date change indicator device can also be mechanical. For this, we have the choice between several different constructions. Thus, for example, the various cells (28) can be replaced by a series of circular circular housings in an annular plate which surrounds the arore carrying the shell (1). A second plate placed under the first annular plate has an upper surface of a certain color which appears in all the counters at the time which corresponds to the operation of all the diodes in the case of the electronic device. When, in the rotauon movement of the globe, the menaien of date change passes over the hour sign 24, a catching finger, integral with the arore of the giooe, hooks a piece in the form of a split ring, which is placed under the second fixed plate, but overflows on it at the right of the 24-hour sign through a slot This split ring will be retained by a spring. During the penetration of 24 hours, which begins with the hanging of the fenou ring, this last, so the surface can be colored in a light color, will be gradually drawn under the windows so that, as and when of its advance, the color visible through these will pass for example or dark in the light At the end in turn a ratchet will release the split ring which, recalled by its spring, will instantly resume its original position and the cycle can start again It is also possible to have, on the periphery of the time reference, a sene of rockers rotating around axes distributed along the device for changing the date. These latches cooperate with the resilient arms of a ressoπ annular plate so as to have two stable posmons in ^one of which a light portion of the bascute appears in the corresponding guicnet, whereas in the auue posiuon, that is the Another appeared, dark, of the seesaw that is visible through the window. The desired operation is ensured by the simple fact that the drive shaft of the globe drives a finger capable of successively actuating all the rockers and causing, when it completes its complete rotauon, a displacement of an articulated and hooked lever to a reminder ring. The latter, freed from an rεssoπ, brings all the rockers back to their initial position at the same time.

Thus, the time clock can be designed enuèrεment mechanically, without any external energy source.

In a variant of this first embodiment, already indicated previously, the drive means can be simplified while improving the quality oe simulauon of the actual displacements. Returning to FIG. 1, this extension consists in replacing the drive mechanism (18), (19), (21), (24) of the screen (23) by a simple suspension provided with a counterweight, so that the screen is naturally placed in an equilibrium position in which it is vertical or possibly under a determined inclination. On the other hand, the base (8) will be separated from the base (9) and pivotally mounted relative to it around an axis parallel to the axis of suspension of the screen (23). The motor (5) can remain integral or base, instead of the output pinion (17) it will include an axis output parallel to the two aforementioned axes. The base will include a fixed crown, or even a toothed sector in which the pinion replacing the pinion (17) will mesh. This axis of exit of the engine will be controlled this way to make oscillate the base and the whole of the mechanisms which it carries with an amplitude of 47 degrees and a penode of 365 times 24 hours, being able to be modified to 366 times 24 hours once every 4 years. The control of stepping motors makes it possible to achieve schemes of this kind without difficulty.

It will be noted that with this vanity, the quality of the simulation of the movements is better than with the construction of figure 1. Indeed, if the inclination of the axis of the poles was 23.5 degrees in the example chosen, this value was arbitrary and the values of the apparent inclination of the axis of the poles were not simulated, whereas it is with the vanante comprising two parallel axes of oscillation which has just been applied

It is important to underline again that the use of a circular screen, the edge of which follows the inner surface of the substrate and of a lamp placed on one side of this screen, is not the only possible solution for making appear on the geographical representation, the twilight line. By using one or more lamps of another type than incandescent filament lamps, it is possible to produce beams or layers of light which do not require the presence of material screens. It is known that the use of such screens in fact forces the spherical shape to be chosen as the substrate shape, while shapes of cylinders or ellipsoids may, where appropriate, be advantageous.

The form of execution represented in figure 2, which we now consider, differs from the first as for the pnncφe of the transposiuon in concrete model starting from the astronomical reality. However, it has the same advantages of synoptic time reading in different time zones. Here, the elements of the clock are enclosed within a cabinet (40) which has been given a cyhndnque shape with a superior appearance rounded in a hemisphere. Apart from the base (41), this cabinet includes a cylindrical-hemispherical envelope entirely made of a transparent material. It is obvious, however, that any other form of cabinet can be provided in this second execution of the clock αécntε. The functional organs are clearly visible and the positions they occupy in FIG. 2 correspond to those they occupy at the time of an equinox. The direction from which the sunlight comes is therefore located along a line perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The sun can be supposed as well in front, as in bitter, compared to this plan.

Inside the cabinet (40), is fixed a screen (42) consisting of a transparent flat plate in an arc or a circle, having a different coloring on its two faces, that is to say a clear coloring on the side where the source of sunlight is, and dark on the other side. It is possible to also provide an external lamp illuminating the terrestrial globe, in order to mark, on its surface, the twilight line. However, the screen (42) with the different colors αe its two faces, may suffice to represent, at least approximately, this marking. The mobile parts of the clock move in a complex movement, which will be decnt below, inside the outline of the screen (42).

The upper face of the base (41) carries a guide member (43), such as a slide, rail, track of rollers, etc. , whose outline is circular, horizontal and centered on the vertical axis of the clock. This guide means allows the base (44), whose general shape is recognized, similar to that of the base (8) of the first form of execution, to perform rotauon movements around said axis. This mobile base comprises, on a circular base plate (45) an eccentric cylindrical housing (46), the upper face (47) of which is inclined. While the circular edge of the plate (45) cooperates with the guide means (43), the upper face (47) is integral with a hollow shaft (48) fitted internally and externally with bearings (49 &. 50) As oans the first form of execution, the axis of the tounllon (48) is inciiné of 23.5 ° by rappoπ vertically, and it will be noted that the relief dimensions of the elements are such, that the axis of the tounllon (48) constantly intersects the vertical axis of symmetry of the clock at a point which is fixed, and which corresponds to the cenue of the hemispherical cap of the caoïnet. A moceur (51), the nozzle of which is fixed in the casing (46) of the base (44) has an output arore provided with a pinion (52) which meshes, in a fixed circular rack (53), integral with the base (41). This circular rack is also centered on the cenual vertical axis of the clock, so that the rotauon with the pinion (52) in the cremai.lèrε (53), causes a movement this rotauon of the base (44) on the means ce guide (43), that is to say a movement of rotauon around the vertical central axis of the clock. It is understood that the speed of this rotauon movement will normally be 1 complete revolution in 365 times 24 hours, so that the axis having a hollow tounllon (48) functions during this period as the generatπce of a double surface conical, the apex of which is located at the central point of the clock where the vertical axis and the oblique axis of the hollow shaft intersect, and whose opening angle is 47 °.

In FIG. 2, the reference number (54) designates a spherical shell made of a rigid material, which may be opaque or transparent, and which has, on its outer surface, a representation of the surface of the globe. The cenue αe this shell naturally coincides with the central point of the clock previously designated. This shell is poπée by an arore (55) engaged inside the hollow tounllon (-S) and guided by the two bearings (49) arranged inside this trunnion. At its iπféπeure end, the shaft (55) poπe an αentéε wheel (56) which meshes with a pinion (57), constituting a second arorε of so ue of the motor (51). The rotauon speed of the drive members (57 &. 56) will be such that the sphere (54) performs a complete rotauon on itself in 24 hours. As in the first form of execution, the sphere (54) functions as a synoptic indicating member, in cooperation with an hour mark which is carried by the base (44) and which is coaxial with the hollow pin (48). This time marker comprises a body of this frustoconical shape (58), the lateral surface of which carries hour signs from 1 to 24 designated by (59). In addition, a certain number of transparent plates (60) are fixed on the upper planar face of the body (58) in these oπentauons corresponding to the direction from 6:00 / 18:00, 12:00 / 24:00, 03:00 / 15:00, etc. In the drawing, we see the plate (60) corresponding to the divisions 6hOO / l 8hOO of the day and we notice that this plate forms a complete ring In the posiuon represented in figure 2, it is coplanar with the screen (42), the edge ex content of this plate following the inner edge of the screen, while the inner edge of the plate extends a short distance from a large circle of the giooe (54), passing through the norα and south poles However, this posiuon is transient. It only reproduces on the dates of the einoxes. The body (58) is guided on the outer bearings (50) of the fixed tounllon (4g) so that the fi remains in all circumstances coaxial with this tounllon.

To ensure the functions that the time mark must fill, we have provided a last αisposiuoπ which consists in that those portions of arc of the external geor the organ (60], designated by (61 & 62), are provided in their edges of a groove to which corresponds a ngide point (63), respectively (64), embedded in the plate on the screen (42), extending hoπzontal horizontally at the height of the cεπual point of the clock. of these ngid uges penetrate into the grooves (61 & 62). Thus, while perme _t tan _t to the reference hourly dε toumεr around the journal (48), in foncuon of mouvemen _t this ro _t Annual the base auon ⁽⁴⁴⁾ around the axis verucal cenual dε clock, the Uges ( 63 &. 64) maintain the time mark in a fixed onentauon, so that, for example, a perpendicular to the plane of the plate (60) will remain compensated throughout the rotauon of the base ( ⁴ 4) in a perpendicular plane on the screen. Then, the plate (60), to take this example, will execute an oscillating movement around the honzontai axis defined by the uges (63 & 6 ⁴ ), while combining this oscillating movement with a rotauon around the central axis perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.

In fact, the operation which has just taken place can also be obtained by imposing on the time mark (58, 59, 60) a rotational movement around its axis, relative to the base (46), the speed of this movement being equal and opposite to the movement of the base around the crown (53).

It will also be noted, in cε which relates to the directions of rotation, that being the arrangement shown in FIG. 2, if the sun is supposed to be in front of the drawing, then the relative position of these elements corresponds to the equinox of pnntεmps. The direction αe rotauon or globe around its axis being the direction from west to east, that is to say the opposite direction to that of the hands of the watch seen from the north pole towards the south pole, the rotauon of the base ( 44) sz will also do it anticlockwise as seen from top to bottom, so that, from the position shown in the drawing, a quarter-turn rotation of the base (44) brings the upper edge boiuer (46) up the drawing plane, and the north pole is in front of the screen ( ⁴ 2), which corresponds well to the position of the summer solstice.

The additional mounting of the base on a console, mentioned above, will compoπera here an axis of vertical rotation. This could be parallel and not confused with the axis of the crown (53), and thus restore the oroital movement of the giooe tεrrεstre.

The devices for caienαπer and for changing ae date decnts about the first form of execution, are not represented in FIG. 2. It is understood that the clock can also include all cε≤ devices, and this αan≤ l one or 1 other have various forms of execution which have been menuonned.

The arrangement of FIG. 2 has an advantageous particularity: the posiucπs rεlauves of the two points which represent the center of the terrestrial globe on the one hand, and the silk on the other hand, are fixed. In G 'other words, the twilight line is a fixed circle on the spherical shell which represents the terrestrial globe, so that the αεux muted of this giooe, which respecuvement the zone of day and the zone of night, sε are constantly to the same eπαroit≤ by rappor. at the base and the clock cabinet. These two areas are separated by the screen (42). We could also mark the line αe separauoπ enue the zone cε day and the night zone, other than by this screen, αui could therefore, in cε cases, be suppπmé. We could, for example, tint differently the front and back sides of the hemispherical cap and partially cyhndnque αui forms the walls _{of the} cabinet (40) We recall that in the form of exεcuuon αecntε, the line of separauon is found, according to Figure 2, in the plane of the drawing. We could also combine this difference between the zones with an embodiment of the spnene shell in a material which reflects or diffuses light differently according to the wavelength. In this way, one can make light-up the area which is illuminated globe and represents our area _j. This arrangement can be combined with the representation of the geography of the globe, in particular with the outline of the conunents and the islands, the emerged lands being treated so as to have luminescent, yellow, ocher or day color, oceans and seas being blue luminescent at night.

To solve these problems of prauque realization and esthetics, one will have recourse to the techniques of lighting design, in particular to the use of emitters of monochromatic light, diodes, liquid cnstaux, optical conductors in the form of fibers or amorphous bodies, etc. . In several of the embodied forms, the substrate does not contain any mechanism connected to the extender, so that it is possible to pass these electrical or optical conductors through the shaft.

Finally, we will come back briefly to the embodiments already mentioned and comprising a flat arrangement of the indicator member and the time reference. In such forms of execution, the terrestrial globe will be represented in the form of a planisphere, for example in projection not Mercator, so that the mendians are then these straight lines parallel to each other and perpendicular to the line that Ecuador .

In accordance with the rules defined above, to achieve the goal in an execution of this kind, the hour mark will be a fixed member superimposed on the geographic representation and having hour markers in the form of lines parallel to the mendians. For example, the time mark will be a transparent plate in which the time elements will be lines engraved or otherwise impnmated.

For the geographic representation we can provide different arrangements. A particularly simple arrangement consists in mounting under the standard coordinate system an endless strip suppoπe between two drums and carrying twice the geographic representation of the terrestrial globe in Mercator projection A αes tamoours. coupled to a motor, impnme the desired movement to the belt. As for the annual movement visualized by the movements of the twilight line, it can be produced by means of a network of diodes or minilamps placed between the ends of the strip and controlled according to a program, so as to effect the displacement North-South or South-North already mentioned. The same network can also ensure the visualization of the route nodes when not finding routes between two distant points. However, the geographical representation of the terrestrial globe can also be produced by means of electronic means, in which case the substrate takes the form of a screen, on which the duck of the world appears and scrolls past a recording. The superposition of the h ^σ ne oe twilight to the cane in the world presents no difficulty. The use of the Mercator pro _j ecuon to represent the earth's surface has the advantage that the mendians are parallel lines onentéεε North-Sud so that the hourly elements of the reference frame are also such lines. However, we can also design the uulisauon other pro _j ecuons by exemplε déπvées a méndienne projecuon. In this case, the shape of the mendians must change during the course or course West-East, cε that the projection on a screen allows.

The devices decπts above, date change and viewing of schedules, can be adapted to a flat realization without any difficulty.

Claims

Horometric device comprising on a base

a substrate with a visible surface carrying a geographical representation of the terrestrial globe and the trace of mendians,

• a time mark graduated in hours, placed in juxtaposition with the said visible surface,

A visualization means capable of making a twilight trace on said visible surface representing the limits of the lighted and dark areas of the globe,

• and a motor assembly controlled by a time base and producing real or simulated lazy movements on the one hand between the geographic representation and the time reference with a peπoαe of the order of 24 hours, and on the other hand the map ficuf, of the twilight plane in which the twilight trace is mscnt and the geographical representation, with a penetration of the order of one year, this set simulating the movements of the earth relative to the sun,

character

In that the geographic representation shows the time zones of the globe, and poπe indicator signs each located on a mendian determining the local time of one of said time zones,

^• in that the time mark zst a ngide yes organ has elongated time elements, covering said visiole surface and extending in the direction of the mendians over a length sufficient to cooperate visually with the indicator signs, one of the time elements being placed on 12 o'clock and determining with the line representing the axis of the poles at the glope a plane called the solar plane,

• and in that the engine assembly is arranged in such a way that the geographic representation performs a common and regular movement with respect to the time reference with a period of exactly 24 hours,

and that said relauf displacement at a period of one year comprises an oscillauon with an amplitude of - / - 23.5 degrees, in which a straight line perpendicular to the crepuscular plane through the point _t cen ral ae the polar axis remains in the solar plane, it is fixed relative to the base, and oscillauon occurs between this straight line and the axis of poles,

or, the twilight plane being fixed relative to the base and the perpendicular to cε pian by the central point being contained in the solar plane, the latter oscillates around this straight line and the axis of the poles rotates around a straight line or twilight plan

Arrangement according to claim 1, caxacténsé in that the first displacement relauf enue the geographical representauon and the twilight tracing is normally regular with a penode of 365 times 24 hours, and that this penode could have had modified to 366 times 24 hours every αurere years

Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the substrate is a rigid body having a shape with axial symmetry, integral with an arore of entrainment along the axis of the poles of the geographic representauon,

The time reference is another ngide body, coaxial with the suostrate, mounted on said shaft so as to be able to rotate relative to it,

Said arore is guided by a base mounted on the base and supporting the time marker,

• and the means of visualizing the twilight trace as well as a means of visualizing said indicator signs, both operating by emission of light, are mounted inside the substrate.

Device according to claim 3, caxacténsé en cε

• the hour mark is secured to the base,

the latter is mounted to pivot relative to the base about an axis perpendicular to said solar plane, with said one year penode.

• and the means of visualizing the twilight line is a light source provided on one side with a screen, freely supported inside the suostrate around an axis also perpendicular to the solar plane, and provided with a counterweight which now this crew in a fixed position with respect to the emoase when the base oscillates around its own axis

_).

Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the substrate is a rigid body having a shape with an axial symmetry, integral with a drive shaft notched along the axis of the poles of the geographical representation,

The standard coordinate system is another rigid body, coaxial with the substrate, mounted on said shaft so as to be able to rotate relative to it,

Said shaft is guided by a base mounted on the base and supporting the time marker,

• the base is rotated relative to the base around a vertical axis, and guides the arore of the substrate at an angle of 23.5 degrees from said vertical, the axis of rotation of the base cutting the axis of the tree at the central point in the substrate,

• the means of visualizing the twilight trace is fixed relative to the base, and the time reference is guided in such a way that the honzontal line perpendicular to the twilight plane and passing through the center of the globe is permanently contained in the solar plane.

Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface visible on the suostrate is flat or curved, the geographical representation is such that the meridians are aes parallel straight lines, the time reference is fixed and includes time elements backwards, parallel and superimposed on meridians, the means of visualizing the twilight trace is consumed by a network of cells capable of assuming an excited state and an unexcited state, these cells being embedded in the geographic representation and ordered by program.

Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the substrate is a rigid body having a shape with an axial symmetry, integral with a drive ring oriented along the axis of the poles of the geographical representation, and the time mark is formed by '' a collar surrounding said shaft and a determined number of transparent plates placed on edge and radially on the collar, oriented in regularly chosen directions around αe the shaft, the edges of said plates situated in the rεgard exténeure surface SUBSTRA _t consutuant said time elements and the collar having a graduauon times over 24 hours with which said time elements are in correspondence

Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the substrate is a rigid body having a shape with axial symmetry, integral with a drive shaft notched along the axis of the poles of the geographical representation, and the time reference is another ngid body comprising a transparent mauere shell having the shape of an appearance with said axial body with axial symmetry, engaged on this body so as to be able to rotate around said shaft, and a collar coaxial with the shell, the latter having visible lines which form said time elements and the flange having a 24-hour hourly graduation with which said time elements are in correspondence.

9.

Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the display assembly further comprises a date change indicator means differentiating, with regard to the indicator signs, the time zones which have passed to the new date compared to those which are still at the old date.

10.

Device according to claims 9, characterized in that the date change indicating means comprises a senate of differentiating organs, each of which makes a visible change of state at the moment when the local time of a determined time zone passes the element . 24/0 hour schedule, all of the differentiating organs performing the reverse state change at the time when the time zone containing the date change menu passes the 24/0 hour time element.

11.

Device according to claim 10, characterized in that said differentiating members are distributed on the time mark, on a base supporting the time mark, or on said visible surface of the substrate.

12.

Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means of visualization associated with the substrate comprise means of acuvauon selecuve responding to an order, capable of exciting predetermined points on said geographic representauon thus making appear a mneraire

13.

Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an additional displacement means making it possible to rotate the base and the components mounted on it in an overall movement around a vertical axis by comparison with a foot which is fixed, this movement can be controlled by hand or by a motor and its amplitude being vanable at will