Patent US4502789A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4502789A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Clock
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-08-22
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Granted: 1985-03-05
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Expires: 2003-08-22
Abstract
Abstract A clock for indicating time for effectively all the countries and time zones of the world, the hour hand of the clock being in the form of a disc that rotates once every twenty-four hours against a twenty-four hour scale. The disc having projected thereon a map of the world centered on the South Pole with the majority of the time zones positioned in accurate longitude around the periphery of the disc. The clock also included indicators for each time zone to provide simple visual indication of the time in any zone or country of the world.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan L. Heath
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:46
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04B; G04B19/00; G04B19/22; G04B19/223
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
A clock for indicating time in effectively all countries and time zones of the world, the clock comprising a timing mechanism and a clock face having thereon an annular scale providing a visual indication of a twenty four hour clock, the timing mechanism being coupled to a rotatable hour indicator, the hour indicator comprising a disc, the front surface of which carries a special projection of the world showing the time zones of the world and indicator means for each zone, the projection of the world covering the front surface of the disc except a transparent central portion that reveals a minute indicator means, the special projection of the world being centred at the south pole and the countries and time zones of the world being geographically presented in accurate longitude but adjusted latitude to ensure geographical recognition of countries, each time zone of the world being visually differentiated by use of colours and the projection of the world being substantially free of geometric markings; whereby the disc is arranged to complete one revolution every twenty four hours to in use provide a visual indication of the time in any particular time zone of the world by reading the hour on the scale which is radially adjacent to the particular zone indicator means and determining the exact time from the minute indicator means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
A clock for indicating time in effectively all countries and time zones of the world, the clock comprising a timing mechanism and a clock face having thereon an annular scale providing a visual indication of a twenty four hour clock, the timing mechanism being coupled to a rotatable hour indicator, the hour indicator comprising a disc, the front surface of which carries a special projection of the world showing the time zones of the world and indicator means for each zone, the projection of the world covering the front surface of the disc except a transparent central portion that reveals a minute indicator means, the special projection of the world being centred at the south pole and the countries and time zones of the world being geographically presented in accurate longitude but adjusted latitude to ensure geographical recognition of countries, each time zone of the world being visually differentiated by use of colours and the projection of the world being substantially free of geometric markings; whereby the disc is arranged to complete one revolution every twenty four hours to in use provide a visual indication of the time in any particular time zone of the world by reading the hour on the scale which is radially adjacent to the particular zone indicator means and determining the exact time from the minute indicator means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The clock according to claim 1 wherein the minute indicator means comprises a stationery sixty minute scale positioned centre the transparent central portion of the disc and a minute hand coupled to the clock mechanism that sweeps the sixty minute scale.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The clock according to claim 1 wherein the minute indicator means comprises a digital indicator driven by the clock mechanism and positioned under the transparent central portion of the disc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The clock according to claim 2 wherein the minute hand is provided with pointers at opposite ends so that the pointers provide indication of time thirty minutes apart, the disc having mounted on its periphery indication means corresponding to one of the pointers to reflect half hour time zones.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The clock according to claim 1 wherein the zone indicator means are positioned exactly around the periphery of the disc so that where time zones are adjacent the periphery, each zone indicator is superimposed on the particular zone and where a time zone is radially inside the periphery, the indicator provides the same visual indication as that time zone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The clock according to claim 1 wherein one or more attachable pointers may be positioned radially of the disc adjacent its periphery to provide a visual indication of the time in a particular zone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The clock according to claim 1 wherein means is provided to indicate a day change adjacent the Date Line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The clock according to claim 1 wherein means is provided to rotate the 24 hour scale to provide a simple indication of what the time would be at one zone at a selected time at another zone.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-03-04 | 1988-09-03 | 1989-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-03-04 | 1992-09-03 | 1993-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-03-04 | 1996-09-03 | 1997-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |