Timepiece movement

A clock movement for table or wall clocks, the movement including at least a synchronous motor section and analog display section, the synchronous motor section adapted to receive a fixed cycle pulse signal to rotatably drive analog indicating hands at a fixed speed. The synchronous motor section includes an elongated C-shaped stator disposed within a case and a rotor rotatably supported by the case and rotated between stator poles of the stator, the rotor having a rotor pinion engaged by a first reduction wheel, the rotation of the first reduction wheel being transmitted to the analog indicating hands through a time indicating gear train, both of the first reduction wheel and time indicating gear train being disposed within the case. The gear train from the rotor to the time indicating gear train is disposed on a straight or curved line extending from the central stator axis to provide an elongated configuration to the movement case.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention: 
The present invention relates to a timepiece movement and particularly to a 
small-sized movement driven by a synchronous motor in a clock such as wall 
clock, table clock and the like. 
2. Description of the Prior Art: 
Most of the clocks such as table clocks and wall clocks have been crystal 
clocks utilizing a crystal oscillator which provided a high accuracy 
oscillation. Such a crystal oscillator serves as a source of time 
reference oscillation to secure very well accuracy of time indication. 
In such crystal clocks, a movement includes a main mechanism for rotatably 
driving tim indicating hands by the use of electrical clock pulses. Such a 
mechanism is generally divided into a synchronous motor section and a gear 
train section. 
The synchronous motor section includes a stator coil to which high accuracy 
clock pulses obtained by dividing the frequency of crystal oscillation are 
applied, a stator having stator poles placed under the action of the 
magnetic flux in the stator coil, and a rotor rotated within the stator 
poles. On the other hand, the gear train section functions to gradually 
reduce the velocity of the rotating rotor and to transmit the rotation of 
the rotor to clock hands. 
The external form of the conventional clock movements is normally of 
substantially circular or square shape for such a purpose that all the 
parts of the movement should be located about the hour hand of a clock as 
possible. 
If a clock movement has a synchronous motor and a clock gear train arranged 
about the hour hand, the clock movement can freely be used for either of 
the wall or table clock. When one or more of external parts such as dial 
plate, indicating hands and decorative case are changed to other parts for 
a single type of clock, the latter can be converted into another type of 
clock. 
Since the conventional movements have parts arranged about the hour hand as 
described, however, the movements are necessarily increased in thickness. 
If the gear train includes two or three wheel layers, this makes the 
assembly of the clock difficult in addition to the increased thickness of 
the movement. 
The conventional movements have a further problem in that they cannot 
sufficiently deal with a certain design of clock. Such a design of clock 
includes, for example, a clock having a concealed movement. Such a clock 
has a mechanism for driving time indicator hands which mechanism cannot 
easily be viewed. This provides a unique design for the clock. Probably, 
such a unique design will make a new genre for clock design. However, it 
is extremely difficult to completely conceal all the parts arranged about 
the hour hand of the clock. 
There has been proposed a skeleton clock which is intended to conceal its 
movement as possible. However, this also could not provide a movement 
which was satisfactorily concealed. 
There is also a proposal to provide a small-sized movement suitable for use 
in a concealed movement type of clock. In such a case, the small-sized 
movement must provide a satisfactorily large driving torque. The concealed 
movement type clock requires time indicator hands which are sufficiently 
large in comparison with the small size of the movement. This intends to 
give a question to a user in that such large and long hands cannot be 
driven only by a mechanism assembled into any one strut or column. Such a 
question will make the user to recognize a new design for the clock. 
On the other hand, however, the synchronous motor must provide an increased 
torque for driving the large and long hands in the small-sized movement of 
the clock. In the prior art, such an increased torque was accomplished by 
increasing the magnetic flux in the rotor. The increase of the torque 
causes a magnetic connection between the rotor and any metallic part 
located near the rotor. Particularly, when the small-sized movement has a 
battery as a source of current supply arranged near the rotor, the latter 
is magnetically attracted toward the battery to create an unnecessary 
inclination in the rotor which will cause various malfunctions. 
With the small-sized clock movement suitable for use in concealed movement 
type clocks and capable of driving the large and long hands, therefore, 
the positional relationship between the rotor and the battery is a very 
important factor. 
Further, the clock movement may include an analog display section to be 
driven by the synchronous motor. The synchronous motor receives a given 
drive signal (normally, a fixed cycle pulse signal) from a drive section. 
The drive section includes a motor drive circuit and a battery. 
The analog display section is assembled with the drive section to form a 
unitary clock movement. However, such a unitary clock movement tends to 
increase the whole size of the movement and is particularly 
disadvantageous for the concealed movement type clocks as aforementioned. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and 
inconspicuous clock movement suitable for use in the concealed movement 
type clocks, which is of a reduced size and provides a higher driving 
force. 
To this end, the present invention provides a new clock movement having its 
whole elongated configuration and comprising a synchronous motor section 
and a clock gear train section, these sections being basically arranged in 
a line, the movement further comprising time indicator hands capable of 
being disposed at or near the distal end of the movement. 
Thus, the clock movement still further comprises a stator of longitudinally 
extending C-shaped configuration, the stator having a pair of parallel 
legs, one of which includes a stator coil wound therearound. The stator 
also includes a central axis extending between the legs, a rotor located 
on the central axis and a first reduction wheel (or fifth wheel) similarly 
located on the central axis. Such an arrangement can make the movement to 
be small-sized and to provide a sufficient driving force. 
In addition to the rotor and first reduction wheel, the clock movement 
includes time indicating gear train arranged in a straight line along the 
central stator axis or in a curved line contacting the central stator 
axis. This can provide a small-sized movement of an elongated 
configuration which extends from the stator to the gear train. 
In accordance with the present invention, therefore, the elongated movement 
can completely be concealed within a hollow strut for supporting the time 
indicator hands, in contrast with the conventional movements of circular 
or square configuration in which the parts are collected and mounted about 
the time indication shaft. Since the movement of the present invention is 
of a small-sized, but yet provides an increased drive force, the time 
indicator shaft on which the long and large hands are mounted cannot 
externally be viewed to have its driving mechanism located within the 
shaft itself. Thus, there can be provided a unique design as if its time 
indicator hands are rotated without any drive mechanism. 
In accordance with the present invention, the elongated movement can 
provide an unexpectedly increased degree of freedom in the actual design. 
The present invention also provides an elongated clock movement comprising 
a synchronous motor arranged in a line relative to a time indicating gear 
train and time indicating hands mounted on the distal end of the movement, 
thereby providing a sufficiently large space formed about the time 
indicating shaft. 
In accordance with the present invention, therefore, the elongated clock 
movement can provide a spatial region extending through a sufficiently 
increased angle, for example, 200 degrees about the time indicating shaft 
except a certain region. If such a spatial region is covered by a 
transparent dial plate or the like, the time indicating shaft on which the 
long indicator hands are mounted cannot externally be viewed to have their 
drive mechanism. This also provides a unique design as if the indicating 
hands rotate without any drive mechanism. 
The present invention further provides an elongated and thinned movement 
comprising a movement case divided into upper and lower elongated case 
sections, a stator disposed between the upper an lower case sections, a 
rotor driven by the stator, a first reduction wheel operatively engaged by 
the rotor and a time indicating gear train for rotatably driving time 
indicator hands, the whole gear train being supported between the upper 
and lower case sections in a line and located within the height of the 
rotor. 
In accordance with the present invention, further, the movement can easily 
be subjected to an automatic assembly since the stator, rotor and gear 
train are arranged in a line and completely disposed between the upper and 
lower case sections. 
The present invention further provides a clock movement comprising a 
synchronous motor section, a clock gear train section basically arranged 
relative to the synchronous motor section in a line, time indicator hands 
adapted to be mounted on the movement at or near the distal end thereof, 
and battery means arranged on the opposite side of the stator relative to 
the wheel train. 
The clock movement also comprises a stator of longitudinally extending 
C-shaped configuration and having a pair of parallel legs, a stator coil 
wound about one of the stator legs, a central stator axis extending 
between the parallel legs, a rotor disposed on the central stator axis, 
and a first reduction wheel located on the central stator axis. Thus, the 
clock movement can be small-sized and yet provide a sufficiently large 
drive power. 
The time gear train section includes a time indicating gear train arranged 
in a straight line extending along the central stator axis or a curved 
line contacting the central stator axis. The battery is disposed on the 
opposite side of the elongated stator relative to the gear train. 
In accordance with the present invention, therefore, the elongated movement 
can completely be concealed within a hollow strut for supporting the time 
indicator hands, in contrast with the conventional movements of circular 
or square configuration in which the parts are collected and mounted about 
the time indication shaft. Since the movement of the present invention is 
of a small-sized, but yet provides an increased drive force, the time 
indicator shaft on which the long and large hands are mounted cannot 
externally be viewed to have its driving mechanism located within the 
shaft itself. Thus, there can be provided a unique design as if its time 
indicator hands are rotated without any drive mechanism. 
Since the battery is arranged on the opposite side of the stator relative 
to the gear train, a rotor producing a strong magnetic force is farther 
separated from the battery through the elongated stator even in a 
small-sized clock movement, so that the aforementioned inclination can 
positively be prevented in the rotor. 
The present invention further provides a clock movement comprising an 
analog display section and a drive section which are separated from each 
other, the analog display section being reduced in size as possible and 
adapted to drive time indicator hands, the drive section including a 
battery and a motor drive circuit and electrically connected with the 
analog display section through a flexible wiring section such as lead 
wires or a flexible printed substrate. As a result, the drive and analog 
display sections may individually be mounted, for example, within separate 
clock struts. Thus, the analog display section for driving the time 
indicating hands can very be reduced in size. 
In accordance with the present invention, therefore, the analog display 
section is effectively separated from the drive section such that the 
respective sections can be mounted separately within two different parts 
of the clock. The analog display and drive sections are electrically 
connected with each other through the flexible wiring section. As a 
result, the clock can highly be reduced in size. In the analog display 
section of the present invention, the elongated movement can completely be 
concealed within a hollow strut for supporting the time indicator hands, 
in contrast with the conventional movements of circular or square 
configuration in which the parts are collected and mounted about the time 
indication shaft. Since the movement of the present invention is of a 
small-sized, but yet provides an increased drive force, the time indicator 
shaft on which the long and large hands are mounted cannot externally be 
viewed to have its driving mechanism located within the shaft itself. 
Thus, there can be provided a unique design as if its time indicator hands 
are rotated without any drive mechanism. 
The present invention further provides a clock movement comprising an 
analog display section and a drive section, these sections being 
separately formed and very simply locked against each other through 
pawl-groove type locking means in a releasable manner. When the analog 
display section is locked relative to the drive section, an electrical 
connection can automatically be established between the substrates of the 
display and drive sections. 
In such an arrangement, any one of various different types of analog 
display sections may selectively be combined with any one of various 
different types of drive sections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with 
reference to the accompanying drawings. 
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a first preferred embodiment 
of a clock movement according to the present invention, which comprises a 
synchronous motor section, a clock gear train and a case divided into 
lower and upper case portions 10 and 12 between which the synchronous 
motor and time wheel train sections are housed and disposed. 
As seen from FIG. 2, each of the lower and upper case portions 10, 12 is of 
an elongated configuration and has a longitudinal axis aligned with a 
central stator axis 100 which will be described. The clock gear train are 
arranged in a line on the extension of said central stator axis 100. 
Between the case portions 10 and 12 is located the synchronous motor 
section in the left-hand half of the case as viewed in FIG. 1. The 
synchronous motor section includes a stator 14 which is of a 
longitudinally extending C-shaped configuration and made of a material 
having high magnetic permeability. The stator 14 includes a pair of legs 
14a and 14b extending parallel to each other. The central stator axis 100 
extends between these legs 14a and 14b and is positioned to align with the 
longitudinal axis of the case portions 10 and 12. 
One of the legs 14a in the stator 14 includes a bobbin 16 fixedly fitted 
thereover and a stator coil 18 wound about the bobbin 16. As be well-known 
in the art, the stator coil 18 receives synchronous driving pulses of a 
frequency normally equal to one Hz from a clock drive circuit (not shown) 
to create a magnetic flux required to drive the motor. 
In the illustrated embodiment, each of the legs of the stator 14 has a 
sufficiently large length. Since the stator coil 18 is wound around the 
one leg 14a fully along the length thereof, the stator coil 18 has a 
sufficient number of windings. Thus, the stator 14 can produce a 
sufficient large magnitude of magnetic flux in comparison with the size of 
the clock movement according to the present invention. The stator 14 can 
provide a driving force sufficient to drive time indicating hands having 
their lengths longer than those of the conventional clocks. 
The bobbin 16 includes a pair of engagement pawls 20a and 20b molded 
integrally therein. When the engagement pawls 20a and 20b engage a 
terminal plate 22, the stator 14 and the stator coil 18 are firmly held 
against the terminal plate 22. The terminal plate 22 is in turn secured 
rigidly in place between the case portions 10 and 12 by the fact that the 
distal ends of the engagement pawls 20a and 20b and one end of the bobbin 
16 engage the inner walls of the case portions 10 and 12. 
As seen from FIG. 2, the terminal plate 22 includes at least two terminals 
22a and 22b formed therein at one end. On assembling, the terminals 22a 
and 22b are externally exposed through an opening 11 formed between the 
case portions 10 and 12. Thus, any other motor drive circuit or power 
supply can electrically be connected with the stator 14 easily by the use 
of any simple connector. 
Each of the legs 14a and 14b in the stator 14 includes a stator pole 14c or 
14d formed therein, which is in the form of a semi-circular recess as 
shown in FIG. 2. 
A rotor 24 is disposed between the stator poles 14c and 14d. The rotor 24 
includes a rotor pinion 26, a magnet receiver 28 formed integrally on the 
rotor pinion 26 and a rotor magnet 30 received in and fixed to the magnet 
receiver 28. The rotor pinion 26 and the magnet receiver 28 are rotatably 
supported between the case portions 10 and 12 in a manner which will be 
described. Thus, the rotor magnet 30 magnetized into any number of 
magnetic poles can be rotated between the stator poles 14c and 14d. In the 
illustrated embodiment, he rotor 24 is rotatably supported by a stub 25 
extending upwardly from the inner wall of the lower case portion 10 and a 
shaft-like bearing 27 extending downwardly from the inner wall of the 
upper case portion 12. When the stator coil 18 on the stator 14 receives a 
given pulse signal, a magnetic flux will be created in the stator poles 
14c and 14d to drive the rotor 24 electromagnetically. 
In the illustrated rotor 24, the rotor magnet 30 has a relatively large 
height to create an electromagnetic power effectively between the stator 
poles 14c and 14d. The rotor 24 with the rotor pinion 26 combined 
therewith provides an important factor limiting the thickness of the 
movement case which consists of the lower and upper case portions 10, 12. 
As will be described, the present invention is characterized by that the 
first reduction gear wheel engaging the rotor pinion 26 and the time 
indicating gear train are completely received within the height of the 
rotor 24 to minimize the thickness of the clock movement case. 
In such a manner, a synchronous motor section is formed between the case 
portions 10 and 12 so that the rotor 24 can be rotated in the normal 
intermittent feed manner or in the continuous feed manner if required. The 
rotation of the rotor 24 is transmitted to time indicating hands through 
the clock gear train. 
The clock gear train may be divided into the first reduction wheel engaging 
the rotor pinion 26 of the rotor 24 and a time indicating gear train for 
transmitting the rotation from the first reduction wheel to the time 
indicating hands. At least the first reduction wheel is positioned on the 
central stator axis 100. 
The first reduction wheel 32 is rotatably supported by a stub 34 extending 
upwardly from the inner wall of the lower case portion 10 and another stub 
36 extending downwardly from the inner wall of the upper case portion 12. 
The first reduction wheel 32 includes a reduction pinion 32a formed 
integrally thereon which in turn is operatively connected with the time 
indicating gear train which will be described in more details. 
As seen from FIG. 2, the first reduction wheel 32 is located on the central 
stator axis 100. In addition, the central stator axis is positioned in an 
opening formed between the legs 14a and 14b of the stator 14 while the 
reduction pinion 32a is disposed at a position facing the distal opened 
end formed between the stator poles 14c and 14d. Therefore, neither of the 
stator leg 14a or 14b will have a through bore for rotatably receiving the 
first reduction wheel 32. This can make the clock movement compact. 
The first reduction pinion 32a further engages a fourth wheel 38 including 
a fourth wheel pinion 38a which in turn engages a third wheel 40. The 
third wheel 40 has a third wheel pinion 40a engaging a center wheel 42. A 
center wheel pinion 44 is slidably fitted onto the center wheel 42 under 
the action of a given frictional force. A minute hand 46 is fixedly fitted 
over the center wheel pinion 44. 
The fourth wheel 38 is provided with a central bore through which a shaft 
48 extends from the upper case portion 12 to support the fourth wheel 38. 
The shaft 48 engages in a bearing 50 extending upwardly from the inner 
wall of the lower case portion 10. 
On the other hand, the third wheel 40 is rotatably supported by a minute 
wheel shaft 52 journalled by the case portions 10 and 12. The minute wheel 
shaft 52 rigidly supports a minute wheel 54 which will be described. 
The center wheel and pinion 42, 44 are rotatably supported by a center 
wheel pipe receiver 56 which is fixedly mounted in the upper case portion 
12. 
The center wheel pinion 44 engages the minute wheel 54 having a minute 
wheel pinion 58 which in turn engages a hour hand wheel 60 rotatably 
supported by the center wheel pinion 44. A hour hand shaft 62 is formed 
integrally on the hour hand wheel 60 and fixedly supports a hour hand 62. 
As described, the time indicating gear train includes the fourth wheel 38 
engaging the first reduction wheel 32, the third wheel 40, the center 
wheel 42, the minute wheel 54 and the hour hand wheel 60 which are 
subsequently connected with the preceding one. In the first illustrated 
embodiment, the time indicating gear train is completely disposed on the 
extension of the central stator axis 100. 
In such an arrangement, the rotational drive power can positively be 
transmitted from the rotor 24 through the first reduction wheel 32 via 
said time indicating gear train to the hour and minute hands 64, 46. 
In accordance with the present invention, the first reduction wheel 32 and 
the time indicating gear train associated therewith are operatively 
supported between the upper and lower case portions 12, 10 in a line, in 
contrast with the conventional design requiring an intermediate plate and 
others. It is therefore impossible to create any misalignment of wheel 
shaft on assembling. Thus, the assembling can easily be automated while 
maintainig the wheel shafts very stably. 
In addition, the gear train is completely positioned at a level lower than 
the height of the rotor, so that the thickness of the movement case can be 
minimized in compatibility with the height of the rotor. 
In the first embodiment, a time correction knob 66 is fixedly mounted on 
the minute wheel shaft 52 on the side of the upper case portion 12. When 
the knob 66 is rotated, the minute wheel and pinion 54, 58 are rotated to 
rotatably drive the center wheel pinion 44 and the hour hand wheel 60 into 
any desired correct position. At such a time, slippage is created between 
the center wheel pinion 44 and the center wheel 42 through any suitable 
slipping mechanism so that the synchronous motor section will not 
adversely be affected. 
In accordance with the present invention, thus, the synchronous motor 
section includes the longitudinally extending C-shaped stator, the latter 
including its central axis on which at least the rotor and first reduction 
wheel in the synchronous motor section are positioned, and the time 
indicating gear trains disposed in a line on the extension of the central 
stator axis. This results in an elongated movement having its whole 
reduced size. Longer time indicating hands can rotatably be driven by a 
larger drive power from the synchronous motor section. The elongated 
movement can contributes to the increased flexibility on designing the 
external appearance of clocks. Particularly, the elongated movement is 
very advantageous for concealed movement type clocks. 
The present invention is further characterized by that the minute and hour 
hands 46 and 64 are rigidly connected on the forwardmost end of the time 
indicating gear train, that is, the respective one of the center and 
hour-hand wheels 42, 60. By such a fact that the time indicating hands are 
fixedly connected with the time indicating gear train, no other gear train 
or movement part will be arranged about the time indicating shaft. There 
is thus a very available space through a segment shown by A in FIG. 2. In 
accordance with the present invention, such a space may extend through an 
angle more than 200.degree.. This can very increase the flexibility on 
clock design. 
FIG. 3 shows a table clock to which the present invention is applied. This 
table clock comprises a base 70, a support column 72 fixedly mounted on 
the base 70 and an indicator plate 74. In the illustrated construction, 
the indicator plate 74 is a transparent disc framed by a frame 76. 
The clock movement according to the present invention is completely housed 
within the strut 72, the top potion of which supports the hour and minute 
hands 64, 46. 
Such an arrangement provides a very unique appearance to the clock, which 
if one views this clock, he cannot find the clock movement since it 
appears to him that the time indicating hands are substantially surrounded 
by the transparent plate with only the strut 73 supporting the time 
indicating hands. 
FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention in which parts 
similar to those of FIG. 1 are denoted by similar reference numerals with 
a further description thereon being omitted. 
The second embodiment is characterized by that the clock gear train 
includes center and hour-hand wheels 42, 60 of the time indicating gear 
train and a minute wheel 54 arrange in a manner different from that of the 
first embodiment. Thus, hour and minute hands 64, 46 are positioned closer 
to a synchronous motor. 
In the second embodiment, a third wheel 40 is rotatably supported by a stub 
80 extending upwardly from the inner wall of a lower case portion 10 and a 
stub 82 extending downwardly from the inner wall of an upper case portion 
12. 
As described, the first embodiment of the present invention includes the 
time indicating shaft disposed at the outermost periphery of the clock 
movement such that the available space about the time indicating shaft 
will be increased as possible, as shown in FIG. 3. In the second 
embodiment, however, such an advantage is sacrificed to provide another 
advantage in that the time indicating shaft can be displaced toward the 
center of the length of the clock movement. 
Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown another embodiment of the present 
invention in which a clock movement includes a battery and a drive control 
circuit, all of which are completely housed within the interior of the 
clock movement. As shown in FIG. 5, a case 84 contains a battery and drive 
control circuit 86, 88 disposed on the extension of the central stator 
axis 100. Thus, all the parts required by the elongated movement can be 
assembled thereinto. As shown in FIG. 6, for example, a clock movement 
including said battery and circuit can be incorporated into the interior 
of a strut 72 which is fixedly mounted on a base 70. In such an 
arrangement, a decorative plate 74 made of a transparent sheet material 
can be used to provide a concealed movement type clock in which the whole 
drive mechanism is completely concealed by the strut 72. 
Although the aforementioned embodiments of the present invention have been 
described as to the time indicating gear train disposed on the extension 
of the central stator axis, the present invention may be embodied to 
provide a time indicating gear train arranged on a line curved or turned 
along the central stator axis. 
FIG. 7 shows still another embodiment of the present invention in which a 
time indicating gear train is disposed on a curved line. This embodiment 
is constructed of components substantially similar to those of FIG. 2. 
Therefore, similar parts are denoted by similar reference numerals and a 
further description thereon will be omitted. 
In FIG. 7, a first reduction wheel 32 and a time indicating gear train (38, 
40 and 42) engaging the wheel 32 are arranged along an arcuate or curved 
line 200 contacting the central stator axis 100. As a result, case 
portions 12 and 10 also are of a curved outline corresponding to said 
arcuate line 200. 
A clock movement of such a curved configuration can be applied to a clock 
having a unique design in which a curved strut supports time indicating 
hands at its forwardmost end. 
As will be apparent from the foregoing, the present invention provides a 
unique clock design which comprises an elongated clock movement including 
a synchronous motor section and a clock gear train, the elongated clock 
movement serving as a clock drive incorporated into the clock and 
concealed as possible. 
Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, there is shown a third preferred embodiment 
of a clock movement according to the present invention, which comprises a 
synchronous motor section, a clock gear train and a case divided into 
lower and upper case portions 210 and 212 between which the synchronous 
motor and time wheel train sections are housed and disposed. 
As seen from FIG. 9, each of the lower and upper case portions 210, 212 is 
of an elongated configuration and has a longitudinal axis aligned with a 
central stator axis 100 which will be described. The clock gear train are 
arranged in a line on the extension of said central stator axis 100. 
Between the case portions 210 and 212 is located the synchronous motor 
section in the left-hand half of the case as viewed in FIG. 8. The 
synchronous motor section includes a stator 214 which is of a 
longitudinally extending C-shaped configuration and made of a material 
having high magnetic permeability. The stator 14 includes a pair of legs 
214a and 214b extending parallel to each other. The central stator axis 
100 extends between these legs 214a and 214b and is positioned to align 
with the longitudinal axis of the case portions 210 and 212. 
One of the legs 214a in the stator 214 includes a bobbin 216 fixedly fitted 
thereover and a stator coil 218 wound about the bobbin 216. As be 
well-known in the art, the stator coil 218 receives synchronous driving 
pulses of a frequency normally equal to one Hz from a clock drive circuit 
(not shown) to create amagnetic flux required to drive the motor. 
In the illustrated embodiment, each of the legs of the stator 214 has a 
sufficiently large length. Since the stator coil 218 is wound around the 
one leg 214a fully along the length thereof, the stator coil 218 has a 
sufficient number of windings. Thus, the stator 214 can produce a 
sufficient large magnitude of magnetic flux in comparison with the size of 
the clock movement according to the present invention. The stator 214 can 
provide a driving force sufficient to drive time indicating hands having 
their lengths longer than those of the conventional clocks. 
The bobbin 216 includes a pair of engagement pawls 220a and 220b molded 
integrally therein. When the engagement pawls 220a and 220b engage a 
terminal plate 222, the stator 214 and the stator coil 218 are firmly held 
against the terminal plate 222. The terminal plate 222 is in turn secured 
rigidly in place between the case portions 210 and 212 by the fact that 
the distal ends of the engagement pawls 220a and 220b and one end of the 
bobbin 216 engage the inner walls of the case portions 210 and 212. 
As seen from FIG. 9, the terminal plate 222 includes at least two terminals 
222a and 222b formed therein at one end. On assembling, the terminals 222a 
and 222b are externally exposed through an opening 210a formed between the 
case portions 210 and 212. Thus, any other motor drive circuit or power 
supply can electrically be connected with the stator 14 easily by the use 
of any simple connector. 
Each of the legs 214a and 214b in the stator 214 includes a stator pole 
214c or 214d formed therein, which is in the form of a semi-circular 
recess as shown in FIG. 9. 
A rotor 224 is disposed between the stator poles 214c and 214d. The rotor 
224 includes a rotor pinion 226, a magnet receiver 228 formed integrally 
on the rotor pinion 226 and a rotor magnet 230 received in and fixed to 
the magnet receiver 228. The rotor pinion 226 and the magnet receiver 228 
are rotatably supported between the case portions 210 and 212 in a manner 
which will be described. Thus, the rotor magnet 230 magnetized into any 
number of magnetic poles can be rotated between the stator poles 214c and 
214d. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotor 224 is rotatably supported 
by a stub 225 extending upwardly from the inner wall of the lower case 
portion 210 and a shaft-like bearing 227 extending downwardly from the 
inner wall of the upper case portion 212. When the stator coil 218 on the 
stator 214 receives a given pulse signal, a magnetic flux will be created 
in the stator poles 214c and 214d to drive the rotor 224 
electromagnetically. 
In such a manner, a synchronous motor section is formed between the case 
portions 210 and 212 so that the rotor 224 can be rotated in the normal 
intermittent feed manner or in the continuous feed manner if required. The 
rotation of the rotor 224 is transmitted to time indicating hands through 
the clock gear train. 
The clock gear train may be divided into the first reduction wheel engaging 
the rotor pinion 226 of the rotor 224 and a time indicating gear train for 
transmitting the rotation from the first reduction wheel to the time 
indicating hands. At least the first reduction wheel is positioned on the 
central stator axis 100. 
The first reduction wheel 232 is rotatably supported by a stub 234 
extending upwardly from the inner wall of the lower case portion 210 and 
another stub 236 extending downwardly from the inner wall of the upper 
case portion 212. The first reduction wheel 232 includes a reduction 
pinion 232a formed integrally thereon which in turn is operatively 
connected with the time indicating gear train which will be described in 
more details. 
As seen from FIG. 9, the first reduction wheel 232 is located on the 
central stator axis 100. In addition, the central stator axis is 
positioned in an opening formed between the legs 214a and 214b of the 
stator 214 while the reduction pinion 232a is disposed at a position 
facing the distal opened end formed between the stator poles 214c and 
214d. Therefore, neither of the stator leg 214a or 214b will have a 
through bore for rotatably receiving the first reduction wheel 232. This 
can make the clock movement compact. 
The first reduction pinion 232a further engages a fourth wheel 238 
including a fourth wheel pinion 238a which in turn engages a third wheel 
240. The third wheel 240 has a third wheel pinion 240a engaging a center 
wheel 242. A center wheel pinion 244 is slidably fitted onto the center 
wheel 242 under the action of a given frictional force. A minute hand 246 
is fixedly fitted over the center wheel pinion 244. 
The fourth wheel 238 is provided with a central bore through which a shaft 
248 extends from the upper case portion 212 to support the fourth wheel 
238. The shaft 248 engages in a bearing 250 extending upwardly from the 
inner wall of the lower case portion 210. 
On the other hand, the third wheel 240 is rotatably supported by a minute 
wheel shaft 252 journalled by the case portions 210 and 212. The minute 
wheel shaft 252 rigidly supports a minute wheel 254 which will be 
described. 
The center wheel and pinion 242, 244 are rotatably supported by a center 
wheel pipe receiver 256 which is fixedly mounted in the upper case portion 
212. 
The center wheel pinion 244 engages the minute wheel 254 having a minute 
wheel pinion 258 which in turn engages a hour hand wheel 260 rotatably 
supported by the center wheel pinion 244. A hour hand shaft 262 is formed 
integrally on the hour hand wheel 260 and fixedly supports a hour hand 
262. 
As described, the time indicating gear train includes the fourth wheel 238 
engaging the first reduction wheel 232, the third wheel 240, the center 
wheel 242, the minute wheel 254 and the hour hand wheel 260 which are 
subsequently connected with the preceding one. In the first illustrated 
embodiment, the time indicating gear train is completely disposed on the 
extension of the central stator axis 100. 
In such an arrangement, the rotational drive power can positively be 
transmitted from the rotor 224 through the first reduction wheel 232 via 
said time indicating gear train to the hour and minute hands 264, 246. 
In the third embodiment, a time correction knob 266 is fixedly mounted on 
the minute wheel shaft 252 on the side of the upper case portion 212. When 
the knob 266 is rotated, the minute wheel and pinion 254, 258 are rotated 
to rotatably drive the center wheel pinion 244 and the hour hand wheel 260 
into any desired correct position. At such a time, slippage is created 
between the center wheel pinion 244 and the center wheel 242 through any 
suitable slipping mechanism so that the synchronous motor section will not 
adversely be affected. 
In accordance with the present invention, thus, the synchronous motor 
section includes the longitudinally extending C-shaped stator, the latter 
including its central axis on which at least the rotor and first reduction 
wheel in the synchronous motor section are positioned, and the time 
indicating gear trains disposed in a line on the extension of the central 
stator axis. This results in an elongated movement having its whole 
reduced size. Longer time indicating hands can rotatably be driven by a 
larger drive power from the synchronous motor section. The elongated 
movement can contributes to the increased flexibility on designing the 
external appearance of clocks. Particularly, the elongated movement is 
very advantageous for concealed movement type clocks. 
In accordance with the present invention, a removable battery lid 211 also 
is mounted in the lower case portion 210 at the left-hand half thereof as 
viewed in FIGS. 8 and 9. The battery lid 211 receives a battery 213 and a 
motor drive circuit 217 fixedly mounted on a circuit substrate 215. 
The battery 13 is thus arranged on the opposite side of the stator 214 
relative to the gear train and particularly the rotor 224 and in a 
direction perpendicular to the orientation of the gear train. The stator 
214 is of an elongated C-shape, one end of which receives the rotor 224. 
On the extension of the other end of the stator 214 is located the battery 
213 which is sufficiently separated from the rotor as seen from FIGS. 8 
and 9. Even when a magnetic flux in the rotor 224 is increased, any 
magnetic affection will positively be prevented from creating between the 
battery 213 and the rotor 224. 
In such a manner, the magnetic flux in the rotor 224 can be increased to 
provide a small-sized clock movement having an increased drive power 
without any inclination of the rotor 224 relative to the battery 213 and 
so on. 
FIGS. 10 and 11 show a further preferred embodiment of the present 
invention in which a drive section is formed separately from said analog 
display section. 
The drive section includes a lower case portion 370, an electromagnetic lid 
372 removably mounted on the lower case portion 370 and an upper case 
portion 374 detachably mounted on the lower case portion 370. The lower 
case portion 370 rigidly receives a drive circuit substrate 376. 
The lower case portion 370 has an elongated configuration similar to those 
of the lower and upper case portions 10, 12 in the analog display section. 
A battery 378 is mounted longitudinally within the interior of the lower 
case portion 370. 
In order to hold the battery 378, the drive circuit substrate 376 includes 
terminal tabs 380 and 382 rigidly mounted thereon. As be well-known in the 
art, the battery 378 is held between the terminal tabs 380 and 382. 
As shown, the drive circuit substrate 376 also includes a drive circuit 
printed thereon, the drive circuit including a motor drive IC 384. The 
drive circuit substrate 376 is formed at one end with terminals 376a and 
376b which can easily receive leads through an opening 370a formed between 
the case portions 370 and 374. 
By soldering the lead wires or FPC's to the exposed terminals, the drive 
section shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 can very easily be connected electrically 
with the analog display section shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 while maintaining 
the respective sections at any separated locations. 
FIG. 12 shows a further embodiment of the present invention in which a 
plurality of analog display sections as aforementioned can be driven by a 
single drive section. Three analog display sections 401, 402 and 403, 
which are identical with the analog display section shown in FIGS. 1 and 
2, are adapted to display times in a plurality of countries which have 
time differentials. 
In accordance with the present invention, each of these three analog 
display sections 401, 402 and 403 can very be miniaturized as described 
and easily be housed within the interior of an outer case 404. 
The analog display sections 401, 402 and 403 are simultaneously driven by a 
drive section 406 completely mounted within a base 405. The drive section 
406 has the same construction as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. 
In FIG. 12, the drive section 406 is electrically connected with the 
respective analog display sections through flexible wirings, for example, 
through lead lines 407, 408 and 409 in the illustrated embodiment. 
Therefore, the analog display sections 401, 402 and 403 can be arranged at 
any locations separated from one another and from the drive section 406. 
As will be apparent from the foregoing, the present invention can provide a 
concealed movement type clock having an increased flexibility of design, 
which comprises an analog display section including a synchronous motor 
section and a clock gear train and a drive section including a battery and 
a drive circuit, these sections being electrically connected with each 
other through flexible wiring and capable of being arranged at any 
separated locations, thereby being particularly able to decrease the size 
of the analog display section. 
Since the analog display section and the drive section are separated from 
each other according to the present invention, a plurality of analog 
display sections can be driven by a single drive section. Otherwise, a 
plurality of drive sections having different capacities may be used to 
drive a plurality of analog display sections having hands of different 
lengths, respectively. Furthermore, the present invention can provide a 
unique clock design in which the clock drive section can be concealed as 
possible by providing an elongated clock movement including a synchronous 
motor section and a clock gear train. 
Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, there is shown a fourth preferred 
embodiment of a clock movement according to the present invention, which 
comprises a synchronous motor section, a clock gear train and a case 
divided into lower and upper case portions 510 and 512 between which the 
synchronous motor and time wheel train sections are housed and disposed. 
As seen from FIG. 14, each of the lower and upper case portions 510, 512 is 
of an elongated configuration and has a longitudinal axis aligned with a 
central stator axis 100 which will be described. The clock gear train are 
arranged in a line on the extension of said central stator axis 100. 
The fourth embodiment is characterized by that the movement case of said 
analog display section is provided with pawl means for releasably and 
mechanically connecting the movement case with a drive section as will be 
described. The pawl means includes pawl portions 510a and 512a extending 
from the respective left-hand ends of the case portions 510 and 512. 
The case portions 510 and 512 are molded of a plastic material. As a 
result, the pawl portions 510a and 512a are flexible and can then be 
connected detachably with any drive section. 
Between the case portions 510 and 512 is located the synchronous motor 
section in the left-hand half of the case as viewed in FIG. 13. The 
synchronous motor section includes a stator 514 which is of a 
longitudinally extending C-shaped configuration and made of a material 
having high magnetic permeability. The stator 514 includes a pair of legs 
514a and 514b extending parallel to each other. The central stator axis 
100 extends between these legs 514a and 514b and is positioned to align 
with the longitudinal axis of the case portions 510 and 512. 
One of the legs 514a in the stator 514 includes a bobbin 516 fixedly fitted 
thereover and a stator coil 518 wound about the bobbin 516. As be 
well-known in the art, the stator coil 5-8 receives synchronous driving 
pulses of a frequency normally equal to one Hz from a clock drive circuit 
(not shown) to create a magnetic flux required to drive the motor. 
In the illustrated embodiment, each of the legs of the stator 514 has a 
sufficiently large length. Since the stator coil 518 is wound around the 
one leg 514a fully along the length thereof, the stator coil 518 has a 
sufficient number of windings. Thus, the stator 514 can produce a 
sufficient large magnitude of magnetic flux in comparison with the size of 
the clock movement according to the present invention. The stator 514 can 
provide a driving force sufficient to drive time indicating hands having 
their lengths longer than those of the conventional clocks. 
The bobbin 516 includes a pair of engagement pawls 520a and 520b molded 
integrally therein. When the engagement pawls 520a and 520b engage a 
terminal plate 522, the stator 514 and the stator coil 518 are firmly held 
against the terminal plate 522. The terminal plate 522 is in turn secured 
rigidly in place between the case portions 510 and 512 by the fact that 
the distal ends of the engagement pawls 520a and 520b and one end of the 
bobbin 516 engage the inner walls of the case portions 510 and 512. 
As seen from FIG. 14, the terminal plate 522 includes at least two 
terminals 522a and 522b formed therein at one end. On assembling, the 
terminals 522a and 522b are externally exposed through an opening 511 
formed between the case portions 510 and 512. Thus, any other motor drive 
circuit or power supply can electrically be connected with the stator 514 
easily by the use of any simple connector. 
Each of the legs 514a and 514b in the stator 514 includes a stator pole 
514c or 514d formed therein, which is in the form of a semi-circular 
recess as shown in FIG. 14. 
A rotor 524 is disposed between the stator poles 514c and 514d. The rotor 
524 includes a rotor pinion 526, a magnet receiver 528 formed integrally 
on the rotor pinion 526 and a rotor magnet 530 received in and fixed to 
the magnet receiver 528. The rotor pinion 526 and the magnet receiver 528 
are rotatably supported between the case portions 510 and 512 in a manner 
which will be described. Thus, the rotor magnet 530 magnetized into any 
number of magnetic poles can be rotated between the stator poles 514c and 
514d. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotor 524 is rotatably supported 
by a stub 525 extending upwardly from the inner wall of the lower case 
portion 510 and a shaft-like bearing 527 extending downwardly from the 
inner wall of the upper case portion 512. When the stator coil 518 on the 
stator 514 receives a given pulse signal, a magnetic flux will be created 
in the stator poles 514c and 514d to drive the rotor 524 
electromagnetically. 
In such a manner, a synchronous motor section is formed between the case 
portions 510 and 512 so that the rotor 524 can be rotated in the normal 
intermittent feed manner or in the continuous feed manner if required. The 
rotation of the rotor 524 is transmitted to time indicating hands through 
the clock gear train. 
The clock gear train may be divided into the first reduction wheel engaging 
the rotor pinion 526 of the rotor 524 and a time indicating gear train for 
transmitting the rotation from the first reduction wheel to the time 
indicating hands. At least the first reduction wheel is positioned on the 
central stator axis 100. 
The first reduction wheel 532 is rotatably supported by a stub 534 
extending upwardly from the inner wall of the lower case portion 510 and 
another stub 536 extending downwardly from the inner wall of the upper 
case portion 512. The first reduction wheel 532 includes a reduction 
pinion 532a formed integrally thereon which in turn is operatively 
connected with the time indicating gear train which will be described in 
more details. 
As seen from FIG. 14, the first reduction wheel 532 is located on the 
central stator axis 100. In addition, the central stator axis is 
positioned in an opening formed between the legs 514a and 514b of the 
stator 514 while the reduction pinion 532a is disposed at a position 
facing the distal opened end formed between the stator poles 514c and 
514d. Therefore, neither of the stator leg 514a or 514b will have a 
through bore for rotatably receiving the first reduction wheel 532. This 
can make the clock movement compact. 
The first reduction pinion 532a further engages a fourth wheel 538 
including a fourth wheel pinion 538a which in turn engages a third wheel 
540. The third wheel 540 has a third wheel pinion 540a engaging a center 
wheel 542. A center wheel pinion 544 is slidably fitted onto the center 
wheel 542 under the action of a given frictional force. A minute hand 546 
is fixedly fitted over the center wheel pinion 544. 
The fourth wheel 538 is provided with a central bore through which a shaft 
548 extends from the upper case portion 512 to support the fourth wheel 
538. The shaft 548 engages in a bearing 550 extending upwardly from the 
inner wall of the lower case portion 510. 
On the other hand, the third wheel 540 is rotatably supported by a minute 
wheel shaft 552 journalled by the case portions 510 and 512. The minute 
wheel shaft 552 rigidly supports a minute wheel 554 which will be 
described. 
The center wheel and pinion 542, 544 are rotatably supported by a center 
wheel pipe receiver 556 which is fixedly mounted in the upper case portion 
512. 
The center wheel pinion 544 engages the minute wheel 554 having a minute 
wheel pinion 558 which in turn engages a hour hand wheel 560 rotatably 
supported by the center wheel pinion 544. A hour hand shaft 562 is formed 
integrally on the hour hand wheel 560 and fixedly supports a hour hand 
562. 
As described, the time indicating gear train includes the fourth wheel 538 
engaging the first reduction wheel 532, the third wheel 540, the center 
wheel 542, the minute wheel 554 and the hour hand wheel 560 which are 
subsequently connected with the preceding one. In the first illustrated 
embodiment, the time indicating gear train is completely disposed on the 
extension of the central stator axis 100. 
In such an arrangement, the rotational drive power can positively be 
transmitted from the rotor 524 through the first reduction wheel 532 via 
said time indicating gear train to the hour and minute hands 564, 546. 
In the fourth embodiment, a time correction knob 566 is fixedly mounted on 
the minute wheel shaft 552 on the side of the upper case portion 512. When 
the knob 566 is rotated, the minute wheel and pinion 554, 558 are rotated 
to rotatably drive the center wheel pinion 544 and the hour hand wheel 560 
into any desired correct position. At such a time, slippage is created 
between the center wheel pinion 544 and the center wheel 542 through any 
suitable slipping mechanism so that the synchronous motor section will not 
adversely be affected. 
In accordance with the present invention, thus, the synchronous motor 
section includes the longitudinally extending C-shaped stator, the latter 
including its central axis on which at least the rotor and first reduction 
wheel in the synchronous motor section are positioned, and the time 
indicating gear trains disposed in a line on the extension of the central 
stator axis. This results in an elongated movement having its whole 
reduced size. Longer time indicating hands can rotatably be driven by a 
larger drive power from the synchronous motor section. The elongated 
movement can contributes to the increased flexibility on designing the 
external appearance of clocks. Particularly, the elongated movement is 
very advantageous for concealed movement type clocks. 
FIG. 15 shows another form of the drive section in the fourth embodiment of 
the present invention. The drive section includes a lower case portion 
570, a battery lid 572 and an upper case portion 574, the lower case 
portion 570 fixedly receiving a drive circuit substrate 576. 
The battery lid 572 can easily be mounted detachably on the lower case 
portion 570 in any well-known manner. A battery 578 can easily be mounted 
removably between battery holders 580 and 582 which are rigidly attached 
to the drive circuit substrate 576. 
The drive circuit substrate 576 includes a drive circuit including a drive 
IC 584, which circuit is printed on the substrate 576. The drive circuit 
is adapted to supply a given drive signal, for example, a drive pulse of 
one Hz to the synchronous motor section in the aforementioned analog 
display section. 
In the illustrated construction, the drive section has case portions 570 
and 574 which are provided with groove means for mechanically connecting 
the drive section with the analog display section. The groove means 
comprises grooves 570a and 574a formed respectively on the right-hand ends 
of the case portions 570 and 574. These grooves 570a and 574a respectively 
engage pawls 510a and 512a formed on the case portions 510 and 512 of the 
analog display section to connect the drive section with the analog 
display section mechanically and easily. 
The mechanical connection between the drive and display sections 
simultaneously causes an electrical connection therebetween. For such a 
purpose, the drive circuit substrate 576 has one end outwardly extending 
from its right-hand side as viewed in FIG. 15, as shown by 576a in FIG. 
15. The bottom face of the drive circuit substrate 576 includes terminals 
576b and 576c formed thereon in a pattern. 
In such a manner, the terminals 522a and 522b on the terminal plate 522 of 
the analog display section can be contacted, under pressure, by the 
terminals 576b and 576c on the drive circuit substrate 576 when the analog 
display section is mechanically connected with the drive section. This 
secures an electrical connection between the drive and display sections in 
positive and easy manner. 
Each of the terminal plate 522 and circuit substrate 576 is made of a 
resilient material such as plastics. When the terminals 522a and 522b 
contact the terminals 576b and 576c, these terminals can more effectively 
be urged toward each other to provide a very well contact pressure. Thus, 
the electrical connection can be obtained very well under such a contact 
pressure due to the resilient deformation of the terminal plate and 
substrate. 
FIG. 16 shows the assembled construction of the aforementioned clock 
movement in which an analog display section 601 can positively be 
connected with a drive section 602 by engaging the pawls 510a and 512a of 
the analog display section 601 with the grooves 574a (570a) of the drive 
section 602 in such a state that the drive and display sections are 
longitudinally aligned with each other. 
In the illustrated construction, such a mechanical connection between the 
drive and display sections can easily provide an electrical connection 
between the terminal plate 522 of the analog display section 601 and the 
circuit substrate 576 of the drive section 602 due to the resilient 
contact of the respective terminals under pressure. 
As seen from FIG. 16, the analog display section 601 is longitudinally 
aligned with the drive section 602 to form an elongated movement as a 
whole. The small-sized movement of such an elongated and thinned 
configuration can make the external design of the clock case more 
flexible. 
Although the construction shown in FIG. 15 has been described as to the 
mechanical connection accomplished by using the pawls on the analog 
display section and the grooves on the drive section, such an arrangement 
may be reversed optionally in accordance with the present invention. 
As will be apparent from the foregoing, the analog display and drive 
sections may be separated from each other and easily connected removably 
with each other by the use of a pawl and groove connection mechanism. 
Furthermore, the drive and display sections may easily be connected 
electrically with each other due to the resilient deformation of the 
terminals and circuit substrate. It is therefore possible to optionally 
combine one of different analog display sections with one of the different 
drive sections to form a new and unique movement.