US3708971A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tide indicating timepiece
Assignee: HIGHLAND LABOR
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Filing: 1970-07-20
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Granted: 1973-01-09
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Expires: 1990-07-20
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a timepiece that indicates both current solar time and the periods of time that will elapse before the next high and low tides. Relative rotational movement between tide indicators and a tide scale is produced by a coupling assembly driven by the hour shaft of a conventional clockworks. The coupling assembly converts the hour shaft''s velocity into a 0.0805 revolutions per hour velocity that corresponds to the average time cycle between high and low tides.
Inventors
- 👤 E Wlodyka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 02:30
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04B; G04B19/00; G04B19/26; G04B19/266
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A timepiece comprising: a. clockworks including a clock drive means; b. rotary hour means that complete 1/M revolutions during each 12 hour period in response to continuous operation of said drive means where M represents an integer; c. tide scale means including distributed indicia representing predetermined time periods; d. tide time indicator means disposed adjacent said scale means so as to identify the indicia at a particular position on said scale means; and e. coupling means responsive to said rotary hour means for producing relative movement between said scale means and said tide time indicator means, said coupling comprising a rotary drive means for producing relative rotational movement at a velocity of substantially 0.0805/N revolutions per hour between said tide scale means and said tide time indicator means where N represents an integer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A timepiece comprising: a. clockworks including a clock drive means; b. rotary hour means that complete 1/M revolutions during each 12 hour period in response to continuous operation of said drive means where M represents an integer; c. tide scale means including distributed indicia representing predetermined time periods; d. tide time indicator means disposed adjacent said scale means so as to identify the indicia at a particular position on said scale means; and e. coupling means responsive to said rotary hour means for producing relative movement between said scale means and said tide time indicator means, said coupling comprising a rotary drive means for producing relative rotational movement at a velocity of substantially 0.0805/N revolutions per hour between said tide scale means and said tide time indicator means where N represents an integer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
A timepiece according to claim 1 wherein said indicia are annularly distributed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A timepiece according to claim 2 wherein all of said indicia on said tide scale represent a total time period of 12.425 N hours.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A timepiece according to claim 2 wherein said rotary drive means is operatively coupled between said rotary hour means and said tide scale means so as to produce rotation thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A timepiece according to claim 2 wherein said rotary drive means is operatively coupled between said rotary hour means and said tide time indicator means so as to produce rotation thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
A timepiece according to claim 2 wherein said indicia comprise a plurality of numerals with values that decrease in a given direction around said tide scale means, and said relative rotational movement is of a sense that moves said tide indicator means in said given direction relative to said tide scale means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
A timepiece according to claim 2 wherein said rotary drive means comprises an annular gear with an internal periphery, and an internal gear with an outer periphery operatively engaging said internal periphery, and wherein the length of said outer periphery is 1.035 times the length of said internal periphery.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A timepiece according to claim 7 wherein said internal gear is synchronously driven by said rotary hour means, said tide scale means is fixed for movement with said internal gear, and said tide indicator means is stationary.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A timepiece according to claim 7 wherein said internal gear is synchronously driven by rotary hour means, said tide indicator means is fixed for movement with said annular gear, and said tide scale means is stationary.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A timepiece according to claim 7 wherein said annular and internal gear are vertically disposed and said annular gear is directly supported only by said internal gear.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A timepiece according to claim 10 wherein said internal and outer peripheries are substantially smooth surfaces operatively coupled only by frictional forces therebetween.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A timepiece according to claim 11 wherein said annular gear comprises an inwardly projecting race that accommodates said internal gear.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
A timepiece according to claim 12 wherein said internal gear is synchronously driven by said rotary hour means, saId tide scale means is fixed for movement with said internal gear, and said tide indicator means is stationary.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A timepiece according to claim 11 wherein said internal gear comprises an outwardly projecting race that accommodates said annular gear.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A timepiece according to claim 14 wherein said internal gear is synchronously driven by rotary hour means, said tide indicator means is fixed for movement with said annular gear, and said tide scale means is stationary.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
A timepiece according to claim 11 including a clock face with an annular hour scale representing a period of 12 N hours, and an hour indicator rotated around said hour scale by said rotary hour means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A timepiece according to claim 16 wherein said annular gear and said internal gear are mounted adjacent said clock face substantially concentric with said annular hour scale.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
70 words
A timepiece according to claim 17 wherein said tide indicia comprise a plurality of numerals distributed about a peripheral margin of said internal gear, said numerals increasing in value in a clockwise direction, said tide time indicator means comprise a pair of stationary pointers located on said clock face adjacent diametrically opposed positions on said tide scale means, and said internal gear is synchronously driven by said rotary hour means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
68 words
A timepiece according to claim 17 wherein said tide indicia comprise a plurality of stationary numerals annularly distributed on said clock face, said numerals decreasing in value in a clockwise direction, said tide time indicator means comprise a pair of pointers attached for synchronized movement with said annular gear and disposed on diametrically opposite positions thereon, and said internal gear is synchronously driven by said rotary hour means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2677928A
Cited
US3524313A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |