FR2652425A1 - DEVICE FOR DETERMINING TIME IN ANY PLACE OF THE WORLD. - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for determining the time at any location on the globe relating to a selected area, said device comprises: a frame; a circular world map rotatable with respect to the frame around a central point corresponding to the south pole and divided into 24 geographical time zones, according to local time, having different colors; a first annular time zone concentric with said card on the frame, and also divided into 24 segments marked with time indications; and a second circumferential time zone on and around said map and also divided into 24 segments distinguished by colors and each associated with a nearby geographic time zone having the same color; where by aligning a segment of the second time zone with a segment of the first time zone, we can identify the local time anywhere on the globe.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for determining the time

  in any place of the world compared to the time of any chosen place. The device can be combined with a 24-hour clock mechanism designed for

automated operation.

  Numerous computing devices and means have been used in the past to determine the

  time in different time zones of the world.

  However, all prior means of this type required some form of computation or complex operation on the part of the user, or a high degree of knowledge and familiarity.

  with the subject of world geography.

  US Patent No. 594,410 to Margolis describes a device of this type comprising two overlapping cards which rotate together by the operation of a 24-hour clock mechanism, one card representing the southern hemisphere and the other the northern hemisphere. However, the use of these overlapping maps causes a high degree of visual confusion and it is difficult to identify the position of the selected cities, or even of the countries, on such a combination of maps. Furthermore, the Margolis patent does not provide a means of visual coding making it possible to easily distinguish the zones

  terrestrial in different time zones.

  In addition, the Margolis reference does not lend itself easily to the marking of the names of cities and countries on the maps themselves, since these are two maps that overlap, and therefore we have to mark several areas comprising too many names associated on the limited area

provided.

  The invention claimed here provides a device for determining the time of day anywhere in the world, and this device is not associated with the drawbacks of the prior art identified above. The device can operate manually or can also be automated in the form of a clock. Essentially, the device comprises a frame, on which is positioned a card capable of rotating, a first time zone attached to the frame is defined by an annular band which is concentric outside the card and also distributed in 24 segments. , and a second time zone defined by a circumferential ring located around the perimeter of the card and distributed evenly in 24 segments. The map is a projection of the world at the south pole and can be rotated by hand or with a clock mechanism around it.

  from the central point corresponding to the south pole. Preferably

  For the manual embodiment, an hour hand is also provided. For both manual and automated embodiments, the hour hand rotates clockwise with the card. Each of the first time zone segments on the frame corresponds to a

  separate time from a 24-hour period consecu-

  tives. The respective time is printed in the middle of the sector. Preferably, when using a

  12-number scale, the abbreviations a.m. and p.m.

  ("ante meridiem" and post meridiem "- morning and evening) are recommended to distinguish the hours of the day from the hours of the night. All the second time zone segments on the periphery of the map are visually distinct. Preferably ,

  they are tinted according to a color code. are seg-

  are centered on the lines of longitude and

  separated by 15 (corresponding to one hour).

  Geographic time zones consist of land with a longitude character having the same local time. For practical reasons, they are typically valued in relation to the land around them by conventions (e.g. territorial, state or economic). The land areas of the map are also visually coded to correspond to a second proximal time zone sector. So a time zone

  out of two has an associated geographic time zone

  ciée. The map must be rotated to align the second time zone sector with the first time zone sector in order to fix the local (known) time for the chosen geographic area. Thus, by associating the second and first time zone sectors, one can determine the time of all

  geographic areas using visual coding.

  In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the operation of the device is automated by means of a 24-hour clock mechanism, the hour hand of the clock mechanism advancing with the card (i.e. - say that the card

turns with the hour hand).

  To fix / reattach the zone (i.e. when installing / reinstalling the device in a chosen geographical zone) the hour hand must be positioned in the middle of the second time zone sector which has a color coding as the selected geographic area (i.e. the positioning / repositioning area). A stop mechanism allows the hour hand to turn counterclockwise to position / reposition it. Card does not rotate counterclockwise

with the hour hand.

  To set the time, the hour, minute and second hands must be positioned at will as for any known clock, according to local time. The card rotates with the hour hand clockwise

of a watch.

  Another preferred embodiment refers to a manual device. In this case, only an hour hand rotates. To fix / reattach the zone, the hour hand is rotated anti-clockwise as described above. We then rotate the card with the hour hand clockwise to the position indicating

local time.

  For the embodiment described above, after fixing / re-fixing the zone and the time, it is possible to continuously read the local time of any geographical zone relative to the first annular strip of time zone, in

using visual coding.

  In addition, the possibility of creating a computer database containing the projection at the south pole of the world map in the form of a clock face, the first and second time zones (using adequate visual coding) hour, minute and second hands is also considered. The clock image can be found in the computer memory and displayed under the direction of a program also capable of fixing / fixing the area

  and the time, as it says above.

  The manual embodiment can be used as an example in schools for educational purposes (for example to explain to students

  date and time changes around the world).

  The automatic embodiment can be used by air and sea lines, in forces

armies and businesses.

  Preferably, the device, whether they operate by hand or in the form of a clock, comprises an additional visual coding means associated with areas of the ground of the card which are in

semi-time zones.

  Figure 1 shows a world time clock device embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the stop mechanism for fixing / re-fixing the hour hand card (of the area); Figure 3 is a side view showing the stop mechanism for fixing / reattachment

of the card hour hand.

  The invention is described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Each element of the device is used to designate by the same number

  for reference in all drawings. The reaction mode

  The invention of Figures 1 to 3 is chosen for clarity only; the reader should understand that other embodiments could be chosen in its place, if desired, for example an embodiment which can operate by hand. Referring to FIG. 1, a world time clock device 10 is presented with a frame 11, a card 50 which can rotate positioned above it and a first annular band of time zone 85. The annular band 85 is also distributed in the first 24 time zone sectors, 20, 45,

  and fixed to the frame 15 and arranged partially at-

  beyond the outer limit of the card 50. A second circumferential time zone ring 40, defined on and around the perimeter of the card 50, is divided into 24 second time zone sectors spaced apart

equally, 30, 35.

  Map 50 is a projection to the South Pole of the world, and, in a preferred embodiment, rotates clockwise around

  from the central point 150 which corresponds to the south pole.

  A conventional 24-hour clock mechanism is installed below the card 50 and in the frame 15. The clock mechanism comprises an hour hand 60, a minute hand 70 and a second hand 80. The hand of the hours 60 is fixed on a time tree 55 with the card being able to rotate 130 so that they rotate together under the action of the conventional 24-hour clock mechanism (for example operating on batteries). An entire circular rotation of the hour hand 60, and therefore of the card 50, occurs once every 24 hours (a projection card on the north pole is not suitable because the device could not then use a mechanism d classic clock that works clockwise; the map would need to be rotated counterclockwise. Another drawback associated with a north pole projection map would be a concentration

  of land around the center of the map).

  The first 24 time zone sectors are marked to identify each hour with a duration of 24 hours from 12 am to 11 pm For clarity and to improve reading, these time markings may also include the mark "NOON" ("noon ") in association with the first time zone sector marked 12 pm, and" MIDNIGHT "(" midnight ") in association with 12 am, first time zone sector. 60 hour hand crosses

  a first time zone sector 20 in one hour.

  The minute hand 70 rotates once an hour (as with conventional 12-hour clocks) and therefore crosses each first time zone sector 20 in 2 minutes. As with the operation of the minute hand 70, the second hand crosses each first time zone sector in 2 seconds. Therefore, the time of day indicated by the clock hands 60, 70, 80, shown

  in figure 1 for all the corresponding land areas

  laying in the second time zone sector is about

  ron 4:26: 58.5 p.m. This is time, for example,

  in Vancouver, Seattle, and Los Angeles.

  All the terrestrial zones of the globe are represented on the map 50, in a single plan compared to the south pole. The time zones, corresponding to the geographic time zones of the map 50, are

  distinguish visually by means of a color code.

  For example, if we refer to Figure 1, the color code chosen for the geographic time zone, including the Canadian province of Manitoba, the state of Minnesota in the United States to Louisiana, Mexico and in Central America, is red (shown in Figure 1 by a dark shade) and, as seen from Map 50, this area crosses longitudinal lines 175 and 185. The second time zone sector 35a also a color code, the color being red so that all the geographic time zones 180, to which the color red is assigned in the color code, correspond to the second time zone sector coded in red color 35. The center of the second sector time zone 35 indicates approximately 6:26: 58.5 p. m., being positioned between the first time zone sector 45 indicating, in FIG. 1, 6 p.m. and a first time zone sector indicating 7 p.m. For any given geographical area, the time can be read in a similar manner. In any quadrant of map 50, the color chosen for the visual coding of land areas within a geographic time area is not duplicated, in order to avoid any confusion in the identification of the different areas of Earth. Colors can be duplicated in opposite quadrants without risk of confusion. Thus, in the embodiments of FIG. 1, we have chosen to also use the color red for a second time zone and its associated terrestrial zones diametrically opposite to the second time zone 35 and to the time zones 180. The time for this time zone

  geographic is approximately 6:26:58 a.m.

  To install the device 10 for use in the particular geographic area in which the user is located, two types

adjustments are required.

  A first step is to adjust the area. To do this, the hour hand must be rotated counterclockwise while the card is held stationary, towards a position where the hour hand is in the middle of a second. interesting time zone (i.e. having the same color as the geographical zone of the new location). The hour hand must be aligned with the respective longitudinal line. This is achieved using a mechanism

  as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

  An hour indication tree 55 has a length such that it receives the disc with the card 50 and the hour hand 60. On the rear face of the card, a disc 65 is attached. Its diameter is less than the diameter of the card. The assembly consisting of the card 50 and the disc 65 is mounted in such a way that it can slide on the hour shaft. The disc 65 has a flexible tongue 75. The disc is rotated with the card 50 and with the hour hand 60 by the hour indicator shaft 55 of the clock mechanism 25 clockwise. At the base of the frame, along the circumference of a central lower concavity 200, is arranged a circular row of ratchet teeth 95. When the card moves with the hour indicator 55 clockwise shows, the tongue 75 slides on the pawl teeth of the circular row of pawl teeth 95. When it is necessary to adjust / re-adjust the zone, it is necessary to rotate

  gently turn the 60 hour hand

  milk from the clockwise direction to the new desired position in the middle of the second sector of the respective time zone aligned with the central longitudinal line of the new zone. The tongue 75 would oppose the rotation of the card

  because it is blocked between two pawl teeth.

  The second step is to set the time and this is done after the first step has been completed. To this end, the use of a classic 24-hour clock mechanism allows the hour and minute hands to be rotated in

  clockwise and position them-

  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, minutes and seconds of this zone (keeping in mind the causes each first time zone position to be only 2.5 minutes, or

seconds, respectively).

  Referring to Figure 1, the device is set for use in the preselected geographic land area including Los Angeles in the United States, and the 60 hour hand moves to the first time zone position marked "5 pm ". The device identifies the time in Los Angeles, USA, as 4:26:58 pm The same time applies to all other terrestrial areas having the same code color as the second time zone sector 30 , for example Seattle, USA, or Vancouver, Canada. To determine

  time in any geographic land area

  phique chosen at this particular moment, we identify the color associated with this terrestrial zone, the second time zone sector closest to this zone which corresponds to this color and we read the time on the first annular strip of time zone corresponding to that of a second time zone sector. For example, if we refer to Figure 1, we see that when the time in Alberta, Canada, indicated by the second time zone sector is 5:26: 58.5 pm, the time at Los Angeles, in the United States, is one hour earlier, that is to say 4:26: 58.5 p. m. At the same time, the time can be determined in all other terrestrial areas of

  the card according to the above method.

  To account for the land areas which are located in the half time zone, an additional different visual coding means is used to identify these areas. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, vertical lines are used to indicate an area for which the time is hour before that of the areas

  neighboring terrestrials with the same color code.

  India is therefore given a color code which is the same as that of Pakistan, and is also coded in vertical lines to identify the fact that the time in India is half an hour ahead of that of Pakistan. It can be assumed that the embodiments in which the base color of the half-time zones is chosen so that their time is read by adding half an hour to the time of the neighboring terrestrial zones having the

  same color are also conceivable.

  The international change line of

  date 90 marks the date applicable to geographic areas

  from map 50. To clarify this with reference to Figure 1, we see that one of the second time zone sectors in Alaska indicates on the first time zone 3:26:58.5 pm and that Eastern State of Australia's second time zone

  indicates in the first time zone 10: 26: 58.5 a.m.

  If the date is January 1 in Ottawa, Canada, the date in Alaska is also January 1, but January 2 in New Zealand. As New Zealand's AM time falls on the opposite side of the international date change line from Alaska, the time in this geographic area refers to the following day

that of Ottawa in Canada.

  In addition, on the front face of the frame, three circular concentric concavities can be included; in other words, a lower concavity,

  a medium concavity and a higher concavity.

  As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the lower concavity 200, the circular row of pawl wheel 95 is fixed along the circumference,

  as stated above for the stop mechanism.

  The middle concavity 210 includes the circular card so that it can rotate freely

  (i.e. without touching the walls of the concavity).

  The upper concavity 220 is created to fix

  the first annular time zone band 85.

  The annular band 85 preferably partially closes the second circumferential time ring on the card 50, in order to create a vacuum for the card in the frame 15. For the automated embodiments of the device, the clock mechanism is placed under the face of the frame 15. The hours, minutes and seconds shafts cross the front face of the frame to engage the hour hand of the card, the minute hand and the second hand respectively. A cover can be provided as the back and front of the frame to protect

the clock mechanism.

  Although the specific description which

  precedes the embodiment presented in FIG. 1, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described. There are many variations of the specific characters described above

  always falling within the scope of the invention.

  For example, as mentioned above, it is not necessary for the clock mechanism to be included if, for example, a pocket device which can be operated by hand is desired instead. ,

  according to the invention. In the case of a functional device

  By hand, the user may prefer to rotate the frame counterclockwise relative to the map to set the time zone sectors for a pre-selected land area, rather than rotating the card, the two operating modes

being equivalent.

  In addition, the conventional incorporation of a particular geographic area into a

  time zone may vary, for political reasons

  economic and without changing the scope of

  the invention as claimed in the claims

following statements.

Claims (12)

  1. Device for determining the time anywhere in the world relative to a selected geographical area, said device comprising: a frame; a circular world map positioned on said frame and able to rotate relative to said frame, o said world map, representing a modified projection of the globe on the south pole, rotates around the central point of said map corresponding to the south pole and is divided into 24 geographic time zones, according to local time, o said geographic time zones receive a color code so that adjacent zones have a different color; a first time zone defined by an annular band located on said frame concentric with said card, said first time zone also being divided into 24 segments marked with time indications as for a calibrated 24-hour clock scale; and a second time zone defined by a   circumferential ring located on and around the peri   meter of said circular map that can rotate, said second time zone also being divided into 24 segments distinguished by a different adjacent color, o each segment of the second time zone   schedule is associated with a geo time zone   close graph having the same color; o by aligning a segment of the second time zone associated with said selected geographic area with a segment of the first time zone according to the known local time of said selected geographic area, one can identify the local time of any of said locations on the globe by reading the time indication on the first time zone which is adjacent to a sector of the second time zone associated with said location any of the globe.   2. Device according to claim 1, comprising a 24-hour clock mechanism including hands for the hours, minutes, and seconds to read the time indicated on said first time zone, where said hour hand is fixed on said card so that said card is rotated by and with said hour hand.   3. Device according to claim 1, in which said card further comprises a coding means for geographical zones located in half time zones, said coding means including hatched zones, where said time in half time zones is discarded. half an hour from the time identified on said first time zone.   4. Device according to claim 2, in which said card further comprises a coding means for the geographical areas located in the half time zones, said coding means including additional hatched lines, where said time in half time zone is half an hour away from the time identified on the said first time zone.   5. Device according to claim 1 further comprising a central hour hand and a stop mechanism, o said stop mechanism comprises: a retention means, fixed on the rear face of said circular world map and thus able to rotate said retention means being positioned to cooperate with a circular row of pawl teeth; and said circular row of pawl teeth attached to the clock frame to cooperate with said retaining means; o when the hour hand is rotated by hand anticlockwise to re-adjust / adjust the device, the circular movement of the world map is retained by said retaining means which is intercepted between two pawls of said circular row of pawls and when the hour hand is rotated by hand clockwise, the circular map of the world rotates with the hour hand , said retaining means   sliding on said row of pawl teeth.   6. Device according to claim 2, further comprising a stop mechanism, o said stop mechanism comprises; a retaining means, fixed on the rear face of said circular world map and thus rotating, said retaining means being positioned to cooperate with a circular row of pawl teeth; and said circular row of pawl teeth attached to the clock frame to cooperate with said retaining means; o when the hour hand is rotated anti-clockwise to re-adjust / adjust the device, the circular movement of the world map is retained by said retaining means which is intercepted   between two pawl teeth of said circular row   ratchet teeth and when the hour hand is rotated clockwise by the clock mechanism, the circular world map rotates with the hour hand, said retaining means sliding on said row ratchet teeth.   7. Device according to claim 5 or 6 wherein said retaining means comprises a disc fixed concentrically on the rear face of said circular world map, said disc being traversed in its center by an hour tree of a mechanism on 24 hours and having   a flexible tab positioned on an ex-   posed, so that when you rotate the   hour after counterclockwise to re-adjust / adjust the device, the movement of the circular world map is retained by said flexible tab which is gripped between two pawl teeth of said circular row of teeth pawls and when the hour hand is rotated clockwise by means of the clock mechanism, the circular world map rotates with the shaft of the hour hand, said retaining means sliding on said row of pawl teeth. 8. Stop mechanism, suitable for use with the device of claim 1, comprising: a retaining means, fixed on the rear face of said circular world map and thus rotating, said retaining means being positioned to cooperate with a circular row of pawl teeth; and said circular row of pawl teeth attached to the clock frame to cooperate with said retaining means; when a central hour hand attached to the circular world map is rotated counterclockwise, to re-adjust / adjust the device, the circular movement of the world map is retained by said a retaining means which is intercepted between two of the pawls of said circular row of pawls and when said hour hand is rotated by hand clockwise, the circular world map rotates with the hour hand, said retaining means sliding on said row ratchet wheel.   9. A stop mechanism suitable for use with the device of claim 2, comprising: a retaining means, fixed on the rear face of said circular world map and thus rotating, said retaining means being positioned to cooperate with a row pawl teeth circular; and said circular row of pawl teeth and fixed to the clock frame to cooperate with said retaining means; o when the hour hand is rotated anti-clockwise to re-adjust / adjust the device, the movement of the circular map of the world is retained by said retaining means which is intercepted between two ratchet teeth of said circular row of ratchet teeth and when the hour hand is rotated clockwise with the clock mechanism, the circular world map rotates with the hours, said retaining means sliding on said row ratchet teeth.   10. Stop mechanism as claimed   cations 8 and 9, wherein said retaining means comprises a disc concentrically fixed on the rear face of said circular map of the world, said disc being traversed in its center by an hour tree of a 24-hour mechanism and having a flexible tongue positioned on an exposed face, so that when you rotate the hour hand counterclockwise to re-adjust / adjust the device, the movement of the circular world map is retained by said flexible tab which is gripped between two pawl teeth of said circular row of pawl teeth and when the hour hand is rotated clockwise with the clock mechanism the card of the circular world rotates with the shaft of the hour hand, said retaining means   sliding on said row of pawl teeth.   11. Device according to claim 5, in which said frame is made with concentric central concavities to include in a spatial relationship said circular row of pawl teeth in a lower concavity, said circular world map in a medium concavity and said first strip. time zone annular in an upper concavity; o said first annular time zone band is disposed in said upper concavity, so as to partially close said second circumferential time zone ring   in order to create a guide for the circulating world map laire in said frame.   The arrangement of claim 6, wherein said frame is fabricated with central concentric concavities to include said   circular row of pawl teeth in a conca-   lower vity, said circular world map in a median concavity and said first annular time zone band in an upper concavity; o said first annular time zone strip is arranged in said upper concavity so as to partially close said second circumferential time zone ring to create a guide for the circular world map in said frame; and o said clock mechanism is attached to the frame so that its hour trees,   minutes and second shafts arranged concentrically-   ment cross said center of the frame to respectively engage the hour hand with the circular world map, the minute hand and the second needle.