Patent ID: 8879366
Filing Date: 2014-11-04
Classification: G04B

Abstract:
1. A clock comprising: (a) a clock movement comprising: a case; a battery compartment configured to interconnect to a battery; a motor disposed within said case; a gear train; a mounting bushing, wherein said mounting bushing is an elongated tubular member, wherein said mounting bushing comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said proximal end of said mounting bushing is fixed to said case; an inner output shaft, wherein said inner output shaft is driven at a first angular rate by said motor; an outer output shaft, wherein said outer output shaft is driven at a second angular rate by said motor, wherein said first angular rate is different than said second angular rate, wherein said inner shaft and said outer shaft are coaxial, wherein said inner shaft is at least partially disposed within said outer shaft, wherein said outer shaft and said mounting bushing are coaxial along an axis of rotation, wherein said outer shaft is at least partially disposed within said mounting bushing; and a support bushing, wherein said support bushing is fixed relative to said distal end of said mounting bushing, wherein a bearing portion of said support bushing is positioned distal to said mounting bushing, wherein said bearing portion of said support bushing includes an annular bearing surface surrounding a bearing portion of said outer output shaft, wherein no portion of said clock movement is disposed between said annular bearing surface and said bearing portion of said outer output shaft; (b) first and second drive wheels, said first drive wheel is fixed to said outer output shaft and said second drive wheel is fixed to said inner output shaft; (c) a first rigid ring comprising a first inner annular surface which is suspended by said first drive wheel, said first rigid ring comprising an hour demarcation to represent the hour, said first inner annular surface of said first rigid ring with hour demarcation in contact with said first drive wheel so as to rotate said first rigid ring with hour demarcation at a different angular rate than said first drive wheel so that said first rigid ring rotates through one complete revolution once every twelve hours allowing the hour of the day to be interpreted using traditional clock interpretation means, said first rigid ring being held in contact with said first drive wheel by the force of gravity, wherein said first rigid ring rotates about a rigid ring axis, wherein said rigid ring axis is not coaxial with said axis of rotation; (d) a second rigid ring comprising a second inner annular surface which is suspended by said second drive wheel, said second rigid ring comprising a minute demarcation to represent the minute of the hour, said second inner annular surface of said second rigid ring with minute demarcation in contact with said second drive wheel so as to rotate said second rigid ring with minute demarcation at a different angular rate than said second drive wheel so that said second rigid ring rotates through one complete revolution once every hour allowing the minute of the hour to be interpreted using traditional clock interpretation means, said second rigid ring being held in contact with said second drive wheel by the force of gravity, wherein said second rigid ring rotates substantially about said rigid ring axis; (e) a first plurality of protrusions, wherein said first drive wheel comprises said first plurality of protrusions and said first plurality of protrusions are disposed about a perimeter of said first drive wheel, wherein each protrusion of said first plurality of protrusions is disposed within a first plane, wherein said first plane is perpendicular to said axis of rotation; (f) a second plurality of protrusions, wherein said first drive wheel comprises said second plurality of protrusions and said second plurality of protrusions are disposed about said perimeter of said first drive wheel, wherein each protrusion of said second plurality of protrusions is disposed within a second plane, wherein said second plane is perpendicular to said axis of rotation, wherein said first plane is parallel to and offset from said second plane, wherein said first plurality of protrusions is circumferentially offset from said second plurality of protrusions such that as said first drive wheel rotates about said axis of rotation, individual protrusions from said first and second pluralities of protrusions alternately occupy a top dead center position; (g) a first plurality of indentations, wherein said first rigid ring comprises said first plurality of indentations and said first plurality of indentations are disposed along said first inner annular surface, wherein each indentation of said first plurality of indentations is disposed within said first plane when said first rigid ring is suspended by said first drive wheel, wherein said first plurality of indentations are configured to mesh with said first plurality of protrusions as said first drive wheel rotates; (h) a second plurality of indentations, wherein said first rigid ring comprises said second plurality of indentations and said second plurality of indentations are disposed along said first inner annular surface, wherein each indentation of said second plurality of indentations is disposed within said second plane when said first rigid ring is suspended by said first drive wheel, wherein said second plurality of indentations are configured to mesh with said second plurality of protrusions as said first drive wheel rotates; (i) a third plurality of protrusions, wherein said second drive wheel comprises said third plurality of protrusions and said third plurality of protrusions are disposed about a perimeter of said second drive wheel, wherein each protrusion of said third plurality of protrusions is disposed within a third plane, wherein said third plane is perpendicular to said axis of rotation; (j) a fourth plurality of protrusions, wherein said second drive wheel comprises said fourth plurality of protrusions and said fourth plurality of protrusions are disposed about said perimeter of said second drive wheel, wherein each protrusion of said fourth plurality of protrusions is disposed within a fourth plane, wherein said fourth plane is perpendicular to said axis of rotation, wherein said third plane is parallel to and offset from said fourth plane, wherein said third plurality of protrusions is circumferentially offset from said fourth plurality of protrusions such that as said second drive wheel rotates about said axis of rotation, individual protrusions from said third and fourth pluralities of protrusions alternately occupy a top dead center position; (k) a third plurality of indentations, wherein said second rigid ring comprises said third plurality of indentations and said third plurality of indentations are disposed along said second inner annular surface, wherein each indentation of said third plurality of indentations is disposed within said third plane when said second rigid ring is suspended by said second drive wheel, wherein said third plurality of indentations are configured to mesh with said third plurality of protrusions as said second drive wheel rotates; and (l) a fourth plurality of indentations, wherein said second rigid ring comprises said fourth plurality of indentations and said fourth plurality of indentations are disposed along said second inner annular surface, wherein each indentation of said fourth plurality of indentations is disposed within said fourth plane when said second rigid ring is suspended by said second drive wheel, wherein said fourth plurality of indentations are configured to mesh with said fourth plurality of protrusions as said second drive wheel rotates.