An electronic wristwatch in which time is displayed by means of a plurality of separately sealed, independently rotatable, coplanar concentric rings. Each ring carries a plurality of magnetic domains and is independently stepped by a set of electromagnets driven by a multiphase pulse train. Typically, each ring is stepped at a different rate so as to display a different unit of time, this being achieved by suitably scaling the frequencies of the multiphase pulse trains which drive the different sets of electromagnets.
In a clock comprising a clock casing (2), a dial, time indicator means (7a) associated with the dial, and means for controlling the indicator means, the latter are arranged to display a line (14a) on the dial, the ends of which point towards two separate zones on the periphery of the dial corresponding to the time to be indicated. According to a particular embodiment, the indicator means are also arranged to display two further lines (19, 20) joining the ends of the said lines (14a) to the center of the dial (3).
A clock mechanism including a fixed ring defining an inner annular surface and an outer annular surface. An hours disc is disposed to roll against one of the surfaces so as to traverse the full annular extent thereof once every twelve hours. A minute disc is disposed to roll against the other of the annular surfaces so as to traverse the full annular extent thereof once every hour. In the illustrated embodiment, the discs define planet gears, with the hours planet gear being driven by an hours sun gear so as to roll against the inner ring gear of the fixed ring. The minutes disc defines a planet gear driven by an outer ring gear to roll against the outer minute sun gear defined by the outer annular surface of the fixed ring. The fixed ring may be provided with suitable indicia to define a chapter ring.
A horological instrument includes a liquid crystal electro-optical display which simulates the movement of hands about a center by activating circumferentially spaced radial conductive segments. Generally, for the liquid crystal material between two corresponding segments to be activated an electrical potential must be applied between the segments which is, typically to achieve full brightness, substantially greater than the activation voltage of the liquid crystal material. The present invention effects activation of a selected segment-hand by applying an electrical potential, predetermined greater than the activation voltage, between the selected segment-hand and a corresponding segment or electrode. However, the deleterious effects of leakage currents and/or unwanted activation of a segment-hand not selected for activation is reduced by applying an electrical potential between all unselected segment-hands and their corresponding segment or electrode, which electrical potential is predetermined to be less than the activation voltage of the liquid crystal material.
A time piece such as a pocket or wrist watch having a large central opening formed therethrough which causes the watch to assume a toroidal configuration. Various inserts, made complimentary respective to the central opening, are supported within the central opening. The artistic design placed on either face of the insert admits a large selection of unique and personalized material to be readily available to the individual that wears the watch.
A toroidal time piece for indicating the time of day. The toroidal time piece comprises a body having opposed faces with there being a relatively large window formed through the body. Each of the opposed faces has a boundary which extends about and defines the configuration of the window and the configuration of a peripheral edge of the body. The body and the window take on various different configurations to impart different artistic appearances into the time piece.
