Dial plate structure and watch

A dial plate structure includes first and second dial plates, a rotary indicator and a cover member. The first dial plate has a cutout portion. The second dial plate is arranged under the first dial plate and has a plurality of function display portions exposed through the cutout portion. The rotary indicator is arranged between the first and second dial plates and has a function indicator to selectively indicate one of the function display portions by rotation. A part of the rotary indicator is exposed through the cutout portion. The cover member is arranged on the second dial plate. The plurality of function display sections are arranged radially outward than the rotary indicator. The cover member is arranged to face the outer periphery of the rotary indicator and to prevent the outer periphery of the rotary indicator from visually contacted through the cutout portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a dial plate structure and a watch.

2. Description of Related Art

Heretofore, there is known a structure disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-281961 as a dial plate structure of an analog watch. Concretely, there is known a dial plate structure provided with an upper dial plate having a cutout portion at one part thereof, a sub needle rotatably arranged between the upper dial plate, and a lower dial plate. The lower dial plate has a plurality of function display sections configured to be exposed through the cutout portion, and the sub needle indicates, by a needle tip thereof, one of the plurality of function display sections.

Moreover, there is known a dial plate structure that includes a discoid needle having a function indicator such as an arrow exposed through the cutout portion of the upper dial plate.

By the way, the sub needle or the discoid needle is formed by punching out thin metal plate made of aluminum, or the like.

Therefore, it cannot be helped that the outer periphery of the sub needle or the discoid needle is roughly finished. Thus, there is a problem that it doesn't look very good if the outer periphery of the sub needle or the discoid needle is exposed.

On the other hand, there is a problem that the surface treatment of the outer periphery of the sub needle or the discoid needle is difficult because the thickness of the sub needle or the discoid needle is low.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is made, in view of the above mentioned problems, to provide a dial structure and a watch which can improve a visual quality around the rotary indicator with a simple structure.

In order to solve at least one of the above-mentioned problems, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dial plate structure, comprising: a first dial plate having a cutout portion at a predetermined portion thereof; a second dial plate arranged under the first dial plate and having a plurality of function display portions that are exposed through the cutout portion; a rotary indicator arranged between the first and second dial plates, having a function indicator to selectively indicate one of the plurality of function display portions by rotating over the second dial plate, and partially exposed through the cutout portion; and a cover member arranged on the second dial plate, wherein the plurality of function display sections are arranged radially outward than the rotary indicator, and wherein the cover member is arranged to face the outer periphery of the rotary indicator and to prevent the outer periphery of the rotary indicator from visually contacted through the cutout portion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a watch according to the present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A watch100according to the embodiment is an analog watch having, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, a watchcase1that constitutes a main body of the watch100.

A bezel2is attached to an upper portion of an outer periphery of the watchcase1. A watch glass3is attached to an upper periphery of an upper end opening of the watchcase1through a gasket3a. A bottom cover4is attached to the bottom of the watchcase1through a water-resistant ring4a. A stem SR and a plurality of push-button switches S1, S2, S3and the like are provided at a periphery of the watchcase1.

The watchcase1further includes two fittings31,31for connecting wristbands30,30in directions of twelve o'clock and six o'clock, respectively.

Further, at an inside of the watchcase1, there are provided a housing6provided with a watch movement6a, a lower dial plate7shown inFIG. 3, a discoid rotary indicator8, a dial cover9and an upper dial plate10.

Here, the upper dial plate10will be explained.

The upper dial plate10is composed of transparent or translucent synthetic resin, such as a polycarbonate (PC) or an acrylic (e.g. PMMA). As shown inFIGS. 3 to 5, the upper dial plate10has a hole10athrough which a shaft is to be inserted. Moreover, the upper dial plate10has a cutout portion11(first cutout portion) formed in the range from around six o'clock to around ten o'clock of the watch100.

The cutout portion11is formed to be compartmentalized to include a side11aformed in a direction from six o'clock to a center of the upper dial plate10, a side11bformed in a direction from ten o'clock to the center of the upper dial plate10, and a side11cformed to be parallel with a diametrical direction between the sides11aand11b.

Moreover, a function indicator (information display section)12formed as a triangle-shaped projection is formed at a midportion of the side11cto protrude toward the cutout portion11.

Moreover, the upper dial plate10has a circular window13or an aperture at a midportion between the center of the upper dial plate10and an hour character representing three o'clock. A periphery of the window13constitutes an annular frame14raised from the surface of the upper dial plate10. The frame14is formed of a metal such as, for example, a copper alloy such as a brass (Bs), aluminum (Al), and the like.

Moreover, the upper dial plate10has a cutout portion15(second cutout portion) formed in a range from around two o'clock to around four o'clock of the watch100. The cutout portion15is formed to be compartmentalized to include a side15aformed in a direction from around two o'clock to the center of the upper dial plate10, a side15bformed in a direction from around four o'clock to the center of the upper dial plate10, and an outer edge of the frame14extending between the sides15aand15b.

Incidentally, the frame14has a cutout portion14aformed to be concave toward three o'clock direction of the watch. An upper dial cover42is provided over the upper dial plate10. The upper dial cover42has hour characters and world time display section (not shown) for displaying cities in the world, around the hour characters.

Next, the lower dial cover9will be described.

The lower dial cover9is annularly-shaped and is formed of a metal such as, for example, a copper alloy such as a brass (Bs), aluminum (Al), and the like. The upper dial plate10is mounted on the lower dial cover9, and the lower dial plate7is arranged under the lower dial cover9. The lower dial cover9is sandwiched between the upper dial plate10and the lower dial plate7, and the plates10and7are fixed to the lower dial cover9with screws40on the upper dial plate inserted into female screw portions41on the lower dial plate7. As a result, the lower dial cover9functions as a spacer that forms a predetermined gap between the upper dial plate10and the lower dial plate7.

The discoid rotary indicator8is arranged between the upper and lower dial plates10,7that are attached to the lower dial cover9.

Next, the lower dial plate7will be explained.

The lower dial plate7is formed almost in a circular form and is composed of a transparent or translucent synthetic resin, such as a polycarbonate (PC) or an acrylic (e.g. PMMA). The lower dial plate7has a hole7athrough which the shaft is to be inserted.

The lower dial plate7has cover members16and17that are formed of a metal such as, for example, a copper alloy such as a brass (Bs), aluminum (Al), and the like.

The cover member16is formed in the shape of an arc that is concave toward the center of the lower dial plate7. The cover member16is formed in an area corresponding to the cutout portion11of the upper dial plate10, i.e., from the side11ato the side11b. The curvature radius of an inner periphery of the cover member16is barely larger than a curvature radius of the discoid rotary indicator8. As shown inFIG. 6, the cover member16is formed at such position that the inner periphery thereof faces the outer periphery of the discoid rotary indicator8. The cover member16functions to prevent the outer periphery of the discoid rotary indicator8or the gap between the dial plates7and10from visually contacted from a direction of the watch glass3.

On the other hand, the cover member17is formed in the shape of a crescent moon that is concave toward the center of the lower dial plate7. The cover member17is formed in an area under the frame14. The curvature radius of an inner periphery of the cover member17is barely larger than a curvature radius of the discoid rotary indicator8. The cover member17is formed at such position that the inner periphery thereof faces the outer periphery of the discoid rotary indicator8and that a part of the frame14is seated thereon. The cover member17has a cutout portion for exposing a day display window in a three o'clock direction. The cover member17functions to prevent the outer periphery of the discoid rotary indicator8or the gap between the dial plates7and10from visually contacted from a direction of the watch glass3.

Moreover, on the surface of the lower dial plate7, there provided a plurality of function display sections (information display sections) “SPL”43a, “STP”43band “RUN”43cfor displaying detailed functions of a stopwatch function, on a position radially outward than the cover member16. The plurality of function display sections are arranged at a predetermined space in a circumferential direction of the lower dial plate7. Here, the indication “SPL” indicates a split display function, the indication “STP” indicates a stop function, and the indication “RUN” indicates an integrated timer function.

Incidentally, inFIGS. 1 and 3, a reference numeral43indicates a function display area (information display area) in which the plurality of function display sections SPL43a, STP43band a RUN43care formed.

The discoid rotary indicator8is formed of aluminum (Al), for example. The discoid rotary indicator8has a hole8athrough which the shaft is to be inserted. The discoid rotary indicator8has four fan-shaped apertures8b, which are arranged centering on the center of the discoid rotary indicator8, on immediately outside the hole8a. These fan-shaped apertures8bare formed in order to increase the light quantity that reaches to a solar panel20. Moreover, on an outer periphery of an upper surface of the discoid rotary indicator8, there provided a plurality of function display sections (information display sections) “TM”, “ST”, “TR”, “AL” and “WT”, an arrow-shaped function indicator (information indicator)18and a plurality of fun-shaped indicators (information sections)19a,19band19c.

Here, the indication “TM” indicates a basic watch function, “ST” indicates the stopwatch function, “TR” indicates a timer function, “AL” indicates an alarm function, and “WT” indicates a world time function.

The indicator19ais black and is formed at such position as to be exposed through the window13of the upper dial plate10when the arrow-shaped function indicator18provided on the discoid rotary indicator8indicates the character “RUN” of the lower dial plate7.

Moreover, the indicator19bis red and is formed at such position as to be exposed through the window13of the upper dial plate10when the arrow-shaped function indicator18provided on the discoid rotary indicator8indicates the character “STP” of the lower dial plate7.

Further, the indicator19cis blue and is formed at such position as to be exposed through the window13of the upper dial plate10when the arrow-shaped function indicator18provided on the discoid rotary indicator8indicates the character “SPL” of the lower dial plate7.

Incidentally, the indicators19a,19band19care not necessarily configured to have colors, but may be formed to have pictures or marks, for example.

As shown inFIG. 2, the solar panel20is arranged under the lower dial plate7at the inside of the watchcase1. The solar panel20is to generate electromotive force in response to reception of an outside light from the watch glass3, and the generated electromotive force is used, for example, to charge a secondary battery.

The solar panel20has a hole20athrough which the shaft is to be inserted.

A drive shaft50that is used for the indicator and is connected to the watch movement6ais being inserted through the hole20aof the solar panel20, the hole7aof the lower dial plate7, the hole8aof the discoid rotary indicator8, and the hole10aof the upper dial plate10, from below. A second hand21, a minute hand22and an hour hand23are attached to the drive shaft50at an upper portion upwardly protruding from the upper dial plate10. A drive shaft50d, including the drive shaft50, connected to the watch movement6a, and used for the indicator, is being inserted through the hole20aof the solar panel20and the hole7aof the lower dial plate7, from below. The discoid rotary indicator8is attached to the shaft50d.

The drive shaft50is, as shown inFIG. 6, composed of a second hand shaft50a, a minute hand shaft50b, an hour hand shaft50cand the shaft50dfor the function indicator. These shafts50a,50b,50cand50dare arranged to form a nested structure. The second hand21, the minute hand22, the hour hand23and the discoid rotary indicator8are attached to the upper end portion of the second hand shaft50a, the upper end portion of the minute hand shaft50b, the upper end portion of the hour hand shaft50cand the upper end portion of the shaft50dfor the function indicator, respectively.

As a result, the second hand21, the minute hand22, the hour hand23and the discoid rotary indicator8rotate centering on the drive shaft50which is concentric therewith.

Next, an operation at the time of switching the function modes in the watch100will be explained with reference toFIG. 7.

Prior to switching the function modes, when the stem SR shown inFIG. 1is pushed in a condition where the watch is in the basic watch function mode for displaying the time, the discoid rotary indicator8shown inFIG. 3rotates by a predetermined angle every time the user pushes the stem SR, and the function indicator12of the upper dial plate10indicates the plurality of function display sections ST, TR, AL, WT or TM, one by one. Accordingly, the function mode is switched to the mode represented by any one of the plurality of (for example, five in this embodiment) function display sections ST, TR, AL, WT and TM, and thereby one of the function modes which the user is going to use is set.

Next, referring to a stopwatch function mode as an example among thus set function modes, a detailed function mode of the stopwatch function mode will be explained according toFIG. 7.

When the stopwatch function mode is set, the discoid rotary indicator8automatically rotates in response to the setting, the function indicator18provided on the rotary indicator8points out STP of the lower dial plate7, and then the red function display section19bis exposed through the window13of the upper dial plate10. Further, the hour hand23, the minute hand22and the second hand21point to exactly twelve o'clock (0 h 0 m 0 s). This condition indicates “INITIAL (RESET)” state of the stopwatch function mode.

When the push-button switch S2shown inFIG. 1is pushed under this condition, the push-button switch S2functions as a START switch, the discoid rotary indicator8rotates, the function indicator18points out “RUN”43con the lower dial plate7, and the black function display section19ais exposed through the window13. Moreover, at the same time, the hour hand23, the minute hand22and the second hand21start handling of needles.

When the push-button switch S2shown inFIG. 1is pushed again from this “RUN (START)” condition, the push-button switch S2functions as a STOP switch, the discoid rotary indicator8rotates, the function indicator18points out “STP”43bon the lower dial plate7, and the red function display section19bis exposed through the window13of the upper dial plate10. Moreover, at the same time, the hour hand23, the minute hand22and the second hand21that are in the handling of needle condition stop the handling of needle. The hour hand23, the minute hand22and the second hand21correspond to a minute hand, a second hand, and a needle to indicate one-twentieth second, respectively, in the stopwatch function mode. Therefore, an elapsed time (accumulated period) since the push-button switch S2is firstly pushed is indicated by the handling of needles of the hour hand23, the minute hand22and the secondhand21, over time. This condition indicates “STOP” state in the stopwatch function mode.

Next, when the push-button switch S1is pushed in the STP condition, the push-button switch51functions as a RESET switch, thereby the function indicator18of the discoid rotary indicator8maintain pointing the “STP”43b, and the hour hand23, the minute hand22and the second hand21moves to point twelve o'clock (0 h 0 m 0 s) with the red function display section19bbeing exposed through the window13of the upper dial plate10. The watch100thus becomes the RESET state.

On the other hand, when the push-button switch S1shown inFIG. 1is pushed under the “RUN (START)” state after firstly having pushed the push-button switch S2shown inFIG. 1, the push-button switch S1functions as a SPLIT switch, thereby the function indicator18of the discoid rotary indicator8points out the “SPL”43aof the lower dial plate7and the blue function display section19cis exposed through the window13of the upper dial plate10. Moreover, at the same time, because the hour hand23, the minute hand22and the second hand21constitutes needles respectively corresponding to the minute hand, the second hand and the needle to indicate one-twentieth second in the stopwatch function mode, a split time (elapsed time from the start to an any time) is indicated by the handling of needles of the hour hand23, the minute hand22and the second hand21. This condition indicates “SPLIT” state in the stopwatch function mode.

Thereafter, if the watch100has been left five or more seconds under the condition, the SPL function is automatically canceled and the watch100returns back to the RUN function (START function). Then, the function indicator18of the discoid rotary indicator8points out RUN43cin the lower dial plate7and the black function display section19ais exposed through the window13of the upper dial plate10. Moreover, at the same time, the hour hand23, the minute hand22and the second hand21correspond to a minute hand, a second hand, and a needle to indicate one-twentieth second, respectively, in the stopwatch function mode. Therefore, the total elapsed time (accumulated period) since the push-button switch S2is firstly pushed is indicated by the handling of needles of the hour hand23, the minute hand22and the second hand21, over time.

According to the analog watch100of this embodiment, the following advantageous effect can be obtained.

That is, when the function indicator18of the discoid rotary indicator8points out one of the plurality of function display sections43a,43bor43c(SPL, STP or RUN), one of the indicator19a,19bor19cthat corresponds to the pointed one function display section43a,43bor43c(SPL, STP or RUN) is exposed through the window13. Thereby, the user can easily look and see one of the function display sections43a,43bor43c(SPL, STP or RUN) pointed out by the function indicator18by visually contacting the indicator19a,19bor19cexposed through the window13. Moreover, at the same time, it is possible to prevent the user from falsely recognizing the currently selected function when reading the function.

Further, because the indicators19a,19band19care formed in such styles (colors) different from those of the function display sections, it is easy to confirm the set function and is possible to prevent the false recognition, to the utmost extent.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-187323 filed on Aug. 30, 2011 including description, claims, drawings, and abstract are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.