The invention relates to a timepiece, in particular to a watch or clock having a distinctive three dimensional face.

BACKGROUND ART

Various ornamental watches have been developed whereby the face of the watch has an artistic quality. Typical examples of such watches or watch faces can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 140,234 (clock dial) ; 151,204 (watch dial) and 282,723 (clock). With the exception of the last reference, al of these and many other ornamental watches rely on numerals or at least one other indicia to assist in time telling. None of these prior art timepieces exhibit the three dimensional qualities of the invention and are capable of clearly and accurately indicating time solely by the construction of their faces.

' SUMMARY OR THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for indicating time comprising a face having members arranged in a predetermined pattern around a central point thereby forming a continuous surface and means for determining elapsed time. Th members may be arranged to represent predetermined time intervals, preferably twelve members each representing a five minute interval. Hands which rotate around the face relative to the members may be used as the time determining means. Means for sequentially illuminating the members or a combination of hands and illumination means may similarly be used.

The face and time determining means may be protected fro external sources by use of a crystal which is configured to securely attach to said face. Also, the invention may be

supplied with means for attachment to a support member. Suc means may include a pair or posts for mounting a watchband o a hook or recess for securing the invention to a wall or oth surface. The interior pattern of the watch may vary such that t member of the face converge to the central point or terminat prior to intersection at the central point, to form a closed area. Similarly, the perimeter of the face may have several configurations. For example the perimeter may be substantia circular, rectangular, or rectangular with rounded edges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following description given with reference to the accompanying drawing figures which specify and show preferred embodiments of the invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is .perspective view of a watch having a face according to the invention with a circular perimeter; FIG. 2 is a front view of the watch of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a side view of the watch of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a front view of a clock having a face accord to the invention with a substantially rectangular perimeter; FIG. 5 is a front view of a clock having another face according to the invention this time having a circular perimeter and a serrated pattern;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a clock illustrating yet another embodiment of the invention featuring a face having stepped perimeter;

FIG. 7 is a front view of a clock demonstrating a furt embodiment of the invention featuring a face having perimete of a twelve pointed star;

FIG. 8 is a front view of a clock similar to that of 7 but having an internal flat circular shape.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a clock similar to that of F 8 but having a different internal shape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3 there is illustrated an apparatus for indicating time substantially in the form of a watch 10 comprising a circular face 15, matching crystal 20, hour hand 25, minute hand 30, second hand 35, central portio or stem 45 and pair of posts 40 for attaching a watchband. Although the invention is described with respect to a wristwatch, other forms of timepieces are included in this invention, such as pendants, clocks, timers, sundials, and th like.

The circular face 15 of the watch 10 includes a plural of members 28 (typical) , which are tilted at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane and which are joined around a central point in a cascading or stepped relationship to form continuous surface. In the most preferred embodiment, twelv members are arranged such that each member represents a five minute interval, however this is not critical to the design. For example, time intervals of numerical divisions of 60 (i. 2 to 60) are possible without departing from the invention. Generally, a lower even number of members, such as 2, 4, 6, 12, is preferred. The face 15 has a perimeter 33 which is comprised of t individual peripheries of the members and may vary greatly i terms of size and shape. The size of the perimeter will be determined by the intended use of the invention, for example, wristwatch will have a perimeter which is substantially smal than that of a wall clock. On the other hand, there is an endless assortment of shapes which can be constructed by varying the number of members and their respective peripheri the selection of which are generally a matter of artistic preference. As illustrated in the drawings, 12 members has been found to be the most advantageous at this time.

Each member of the face 15 includes a first plane 60 a a second plane 65 which are substantially perpendicular to o another and intersect to form a common edge 50. To form the surface of the face 15, the second plane of one member intersects the first plane of an adjoining member to form a common edge 55. These edges define the boundaries of the planes, which in turn comprise the stepped feature of the wa face. Each step defines the difference in height between th first plane of one member and the first plane of an adjoinin member at any point along the radial boundary therebetween. Subsequently, each step has a substantially triangular shape which is a function of the radial distance from the central portion or stem 45 along the boundaries, the angle of the fi plane of a member with respect to the horizontal, the angle the second plane with respect to the first and the number of time intervals represented. Accordingly, each of these parameters may be varied, within reason and with respect to intended use of the invention, to enhance the visual and aesthetic qualities of the steps formed thereby. 'in this respect, the angle which the first plane 60 fo may vary from ten to sixty degrees with respect to the horizontal, however, the preferred angle ranges from ten to thirty degrees. In addition, the angle which the second pla 65 forms with respect to the first may be varied either to maintain perpendicularity with it as it varies or independen thereof to approach the vertical plane. Depending upon the angle which the second plane forms with respect to the first the boundaries of the step formed thereby may either appear two angled lines converging toward the central point or, in case where the second plane is vertical, as one single line, when viewed from above. Once again, the angle between the t planes of a member and the subsequent formation of the steps thereby are not critical to the functional design but are a matter of artistic preference. However, the variation in th size of the perimeter of the face 15 and the number of time

intervals, which also determine the size and shape of the steps, are intrinsic to the functional purpose of the inventi and depend on its intended use. For example, a wristwatch ha a limit as to its size and, therefore, the number of time intervals which may reasonably be employed.

The steps formed by the intersection of the planes converge from the periphery of the respective members toward the central portion or stem 45. In this illustration, these steps converge to the central portion, however, this is not essential to the design. For example, these steps may terminate at predetermined distances from the central portion to define a closed area, such as a circle, a rectangle or any other shape to further enhance the aesthetic value of the watch. The enclosed area also may be used to include other functions, such as day, date, calendar, calculator or the lik The crystal 20, which may be made of transparent plasti or glass or other well known materials, is attached to the fa 15 of the watch 10 to protect the hands and the surface of th face from external sources. The perimeter of the crystal 20 corresponds to that of the face 15 in size and shape and the bottom or base of its periphery is provided with a saw-toothe design. This design is coordinated with the stepped configuration of the face, therefore comprising a mating surface for gluing. Press fitting or other means of fastenin the crystal may also be employed and, in some cases, for cloc design, for example, the crystal may be omitted.

Situated between the upper surface of the face 15 and t bottom surface of the crystal 20 are the hour 25, minute 30 a second 35 hands. These hands are securely attached to a stem 45 and are driven by any suitable clock mechanism such that they rotate around the face 15 relative to the members. The position of these hands, at any instant, relative to the members and the orientation of the face will indicate time.

While hands are shown on the drawing as the preferred method of indicating time, it may be seen that other time indicating means are available for example, the invention m be provided with at least one hand and a light for sequentia illuminating the members. In this embodiment, the illuminat member(s) would represent the present hour, while the hand would move relative to the members to indicate the minute. Other combinations of hands and illumination means may also used. For example, a portion of the member, such as a circ _or square ornament placed near the end, could be illuminate designate the hour.

In addition to hands or illuminating means, numerals other indicia may be incorporated on the face to assist in deciphering the time. Such indicia would include jewels, posts, circles, hemisphere, rectangles, triangles, etc., pl at a conspicuous location generally near the outer peripher each or most of the members 28. While such symbols may increase the ease of telling time, they may also detract fr the aesthetic simplicity of the current design. The invention also has a pair of posts 40 provided opposite to one another along the perimeter of the face to allow for the attachment of a watchband. Further, instead the posts or, in addition to them, the invention may be equipped with other means of support depending upon the intended use as a wall clock or pendant, for example.

It may also be seen that a wide variety of colors and materials are available for use in the manufacturing of the face 15 and hands. For example, the face may be manufactur out of a transparent material to allow the internal mechani of the watch to be viewed. A translucent material could be used where the members 28 are to be illuminated. Or, the hands, numbers, or portions thereof, may be coated with a luminous material allowing them to be read in the dark. Th selection of color and material is a matter of artistic preference and is not critical to the invention.

Another application of this invention is a specific embodiment for use by the blind or visually impaired. In su an embodiment, either the crystal 20 is omitted or it is attached to the face with a hinge so that it may be rotated away from the face 15. Either configuration will allow acce to the members which will be configured so that they are readily discernible by touch. Also, the watch will be provi with at least one raised indicia for orientation of the face e.g., to designate the "o'clock" position. To decipher time the sense of touch, the fingers will travel about the face 1 to locate the hands, the corresponding members and their position relative to the raised reference indicia.

FIGS. 4-8 illustrate the invention in the form of a clock. Although no cover or crystal is shown, it is clear t such can also be used, if desired.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment comprising a face 70 whose perimeter is substantially rectangular. The corners 8 of this rectangular may either be rounded, as shown, or squa Also, in this illustration, the.second plane 65 of each memb is substantially vertical in which case the edges 50 and 55 appear as one line when viewed from above. The angle of the second plane with respect to the first plane is not critical and can vary over a wide range.

FIG. 5 demonstrates an embodiment in which the boundar of the first plane of each member forms a shape which is substantially triangular 90 and in which the perimeter of th face 85 is circular. The radius of the circle is defined as the farthest point from the center along the boundary of the first plane. FIG. 6 illustrates an additional embodiment of a clock according to the invention, wherein the periphery of each member offers a slightly different variation on a common pattern which features a series of incremental steps. The perimeter of the face 100 formed by these members is substantially circular. In this embodiment, due to the

irregular perimeter, the crystal would either be omitted or employed to cover only a portion of the face without making attempt to duplicate the perimeter.

FIG. 7 depicts a series of rectangular members arrange in a stepped configuration about the center point. The resulting perimeter of the face 110 is a twelve pointed star shape. Again, it may be advantageous to omit the crystal 11 or to make use of a crystal which covers only a portion of t face. FIG. 8 exhibits an alternative embodiment to the clock FIG. 7. The edges 50 and 55 of the members 28 converge towa the central portion 45 but terminate at predetermined distan from said point thereby comprising a closed area 120 in the form of a circle. This alternative design may be applied to any of the previously mentioned embodiments and may take any form selected by the manufacturer.

While it is apparent that the invention herein disclos is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it w be appreciated that numerous modifications and embodiments m be devised by those skilled in the art, and it is intended t the appended claims cover all such modifications and embodiments as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.