Dec. 30, 1941. A. M. BRAATEN 2,268,239 INTERNATIONAL CHRONOMETER Filed Feb. 23, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l

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ATTORNEY. Dec. 30, 1941. A. M. BRAATEN 2,268,239 INTERNATIONAL CHRONOMETER Filed Feb. 23, 1938 2. Sheets-Sheet 2

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INVENTOR. BY )f-g ARHURM,2. BRAATEN ATTORNEY. Patented Dec. 30, 1941 2,268,239

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,268,239 NTERNATIONAL CBRONOMETER, Arthur M. Braaten, Riverhead, N.Y., assignor to Radio Corporaticn of America, a corporation of Delaware Application February 23, 1938, Serial No. 191,864 9 Claims. (C. 58-43) This invention relates to the art of reckoning curate and useful means of determining the time time and deals more specifically with a chronome in any part of the world. ter or international time clock which gives the The present invention may best be described standard time in any part of the world. The by reference to the accompanying drawings, dial and the mechanism of the clock are so ar which shows one specific embodiment of the ranged as to show directly standard time and Sae. Greenwich mean time in any part of the world, Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a front and also the local time of the place at which elevation showing the chronometer face; the clock is located. Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; An object of this invention is to simplify and O Fig. 3 is a partial front elevation showing an improve chronometers, so that in addition to the other embodiment; local time, a direct reading of standard time and Fig. 4 is a partial section of Fig. 3; Greenwich mean time in any part of the world Fig. 5 is a partial section of a further embodi may be readily obtained. ment; . Another object of this invention is to provide 5 Fig. 6 is a detail section showing a modifica an improved chronometer with a twenty-four tion of Figs. 4 and 5; and hour movement and to associate therewith a ro Fig. 7 is a detail section showing another mod tating geographical scale and a rotatable scale ification of Figs, 4 and 5. indicating Greenwich mean time. Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2 of the draw Because of the rotation of the earth on its ings, is a stationary, twenty-four hour time dial axis fron West to east, sunrise takes place at any and is to be used in connection with a timepiece given point earlier than at a place to the west having a twenty-four hour movement. This dial of that point. This means that all places east is suitably marked to indicate the hours 1 to of a given meridian are ahead in time, while 12 a.m. and also 1 to 12 p.m. Extending over those west are behind. Since the earth makes 25 to the face of dial are hour hand 4 and minute One complete rotation in twenty-four hours, it hand 5. The latter hand extends slightly beyond takes exactly one hour for the sun to make a the hour hand. Both hands are operated by any transit across the space between the meridians suitable time clock mechanism 6. Hands 4 and of two places separated by fifteen degrees in 5 are arranged to indicate on dial the local time longitude. By international agreement, the world 30 at any place at which the timepiece is to be used. has been divided into time zones, each fifteen Located within dial f is a ring-like disc or annu degrees of longitude in width. The time in each lus 2 which may be rotated about an axis pass zone is the same as that of the meridian passing ing through its center, by any suitable manual through its center, and the times in adjacent means, such as for example, a finger engaging zones differ by one hour. All time is reckoned 35 depressed portion 7. Ring 2 is marked to show from the prime meridian of Greenwich, the time Greenwich mean time and is arranged so that on that meridian being termed Greenwich mean it can be manually set to show the G. M. T. cor time, or C. M. T. Most of the countries of the responding to the local time at any given place. world follow the international time system, but Within the center of the chronometer there is a few use the local time of some important city. 40 located a movable disc 3 which normally travels Heretofore, in order to determine the time at with hour hand 4 and is equipped with a disc like clamp or friction clutch 8 which, by means any place in relation to the time at any other of a plurality of spring members 9, applies place, it has been necessary to consult tables or through a plurality of fingers O friction, so as make use of conversion charts. This procedure to engage the underside of dial 3. The lower end is both inconvenient and unsatisfactory, because of fingers ?o are retained in place by means of of the time required in making the conversions nuts f. A depressed finger engaging portion and the great possibility of making errors. Since 7a is provided preferably on the outside of dial it is desirable to be able to determine accurately 3, so as to allow its being set manually in any the time in any part of the world with the least desired position with respect to hour hand 4. amount of effort, the present invention was The face of dial is laid out in sections corre brought forth to give this time directly from the sponding to the international time zones, each dial, thus doing away with the necessity of using Section covering fifteen degrees of longitude. In tables and conversion charts. It is therefore an the center of the disc 3, sections are marked in

object of this invention to provide a more ac- the degrees longitude, east and west of Green 2 2,268,289 wich, of the meridians of the time zones. In being the same all over the world. At the same each section are indicated the principal country, time it is 1:00 a. m. in Alaska, noon in middle or countries, of the corresponding time zone. Europe, 4:30 p.m. in India, 8:00 p.m. in Japan, Since some countries use a time which differs 8:30 p.m. in central Australia, and 10:30 p.m. from standard time by one-half hour, these coun in New Zealand. While it is 11:30 p.m. of a cer tries are indicated on the movable disc 3 as be tain day in British Samoa, it is 10:30 p.m. of ing small sections formed from an equal portion the new day in New Zealand as the international of each of two adjacent standard time hour Sec. date line is situated between these two countries. tions. For protection against dust, moisture, etc., This is because Samoa lies between the 180th the entire mechanism is preferably enclosed with 10 meridian and midnight on the clock dial. In in a suitable casing 2 with a glass face 3. CrOSsing the 180th meridian, the international The embodiment shown by Figs. 3 and 4 is in date line, from east longitude to west longitude, general similar to Figs. 1 and 2, except that dial a day is lost; in crossing from the opposite di 3 is positively secured to the hour hand. 4 by rection, a day is gained. When the midnight means of a threaded pin 4 and washer. 5, the line is passed by the pointer on the dial, there dial 3 having located on its surface twenty-four is, of course, also a change in the date. In going holes equally spaced in the center of each hour around the dial clockwise, it is one date from the section to receive pin 4. This arrangement does 180th meridian to midnight, and another date, away with the friction drive or clutch 8 and its. or the following day, for the rest of the way associated elements 9, 10, t. Ring 2 is sup 20 around the dial. ported by means of a plurality of equally spaced Furthermore, in Fig. 1 of the drawings, only posts f6 which support a track fl. The under one-hour divisions are shown on disc . It side of ring 2 has spring clips 8 that grip in should be understood, however, that divisions of frictional engagement track 7, ring being fixed . . one minute could be used on the dial. Of course, to the casing .2b by any suitable means. 25 on a larger disc 3, more countries could be indi The other embodiment shown by Fig. 5 is sim cated in the various zones. Countries differing ilar to Fig. 4, except that the rings and 2 are from standard time could be indicated thus "Al reversed in position, that is, ring 2a is outside geria, -9 minutes.” If it were desired to indi and ring fa inside, a plurality of spacers 20 and cate only the more important countries in the 2 securing ring a to case 2a, by means of various zones, the clock could be arranged to screws 22 and 23. Post 6a is supported by a indicate the time in all countries as follows. The strip 24. Hydrographic Office of the United States Navy The modifications to the dials shown by Figs. publishes a map showing the time zones in col 6 and 7 comprise a one piece disc 25 pivoted to ors. All countries in the same zone using stand the hub of clock mechanism 6 to which a ring-33 ard time are uniform in color. Those countries like dial 2b is secured for rotation and retained s using local time are colored differently and the by any suitable means, such as a lip 26, cut and amount of departure from standard time is indi bent over from the metal of disc 25. The Cuter: cated with the name of the country. The var rim portion of disc 25 and dial 2b is marked and ious sections on disc 3 of the present invention functions similar to members and 2, respec- 40 could be colored to correspond to the time zones tively, of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 shows a ring-like dial 2c on the map which they represent. It can be located at the outside rim portion of a member seen that this would make an exceedingly useful 25a and secured thereto by a screw 27. The dial 25a is provided with twenty-four holes located arrangement...... " in the center of each hour section for securing While only one embodiment of this invention dial 2c and member 25a in a desired position. has been described; it is to be distinctly under Just within the inside diameter of ring-like dial stood that it will not be limited to the type shown, 2c, disc 25a has a step-like raised portion to but should only be limited to such limitations as provide a dial Surface which will lie in the same are clearly imposed in the appended claims, plane as the surface of dial 2c. The raised por 50 What is claimed is: . . . . . tion c of member 25a and ring-like dial 2c is 1. A chronometer adapted to indicate the marked and functions similar to members and standard time and Greenwich mean time of dif 2, respectively, of Fig. 1. ferent locations on the earth, comprising a sta The operation of the device is as follows: tionary dial, said stationary dial having a scale The clock is first set so as to indicate on dial thereon with numerals representative of local the local time of the place at which it is to be time, a minute hand, an hour hand, a twenty used. Then disc 2 is turned until the hands also four-hour time-piece mechanism having means indicate the G. M. T., of said place, at which to rotate said minute hand and said hour hand, setting it is allowed to remain. Now, disc 3 is a movable dial having a scale which is divided rotated until the time zone corresponding to the 60 in sections of fifteen degrees: and having located location of the clock is opposite the local time within said, sections the principal geographical reading. It is then maintained at this setting : location, or locations, to which the said section . and travels with the hour hand. The clock will. is corresponds, means coupled to said mechanism now correctly indicate the following: local time. . . to rotate said movable dial, and a third dial hav of the place at which it is located, the G. M.T. ing indications corresponding to Greenwich mean corresponding to this local time (which is, of . time located thereon, a casing for said chronom course, the same for the whole world), and the eter, a track secured within said. casing with standard time of any country using standard means to move said third dial, said third dial ar time. The extreme usefulness of such a device ranged to move on said track so as to be rotated will be readily apparent. with respect to said stationary dial, said hour and The drawing, as shown by Fig. 1, has been laid minute hands extending over said rotatable and out to show how the clock dial would be set for third dials to indicate a desired time on said any location using Eastern Standard Time. stationary dial. When it is 6:00 a.m. in New York, the corre 2. A chronometer adapted to indicate the sponding G. M.T. is 11:00, the G. M. T. of course standard and Greenwich mean time of different

2,268,239 3 i locations: on the earth comprising a stationary. . minute hand, twenty-four hour indicating mech dial having a scale thereon with numerals repre anism having means to rotate said hour and sentative of local time, a movable dial concentric minute hands, and said third dial, a friction with said stationary dial, said movable dial have clutch located between said hour hand and said ing a scale thereon with numerals representative . third dial to normally simultaneously rotate said of the Greenwich mean time, said movable dial . . . . . having means whereby it may be manually set to third dial with said hour hand, said hour and . . . . show the Greenwich mean time corresponding to minute hands extending over said movable and ... the local time on said stationary dial, a third. tionarythird dials dial. to indicate a desired time on said sta is dial concentric with said stationary and movable 0. 6. A chronometer adapted to indicate the ... dials, said third dial having a scale thereon with standard and Greenwich mean time of different names representative of different geographical locations on the earth comprising a stationary locations, a plurality of pointers, and a rotating dial having a twenty-four hour scale thereon ; : mechanism having means to rotate said plurality with numerals representative of local time, a of pointers and said third dial, said pointers ex 5 movable dial concentric with said stationary dial, tending Over said movable and third dials to in said movable dial having a scale thereon with dicate a desired time on said stationary dial. numerals representative of the Greenwich mean 3. A chronometer adapted to indicate the time, said movable dial having means whereby standard and Greenwich mean time of different it may be manually set to show the Greenwich locations on the earth comprising a stationary 20 mean time corresponding to the local time on dial having a scale thereon with numerals rep said stationary dial, a third dial concentric with resentative of local time, a movable dial con said stationary and movable dials, said third centric with said stationary dial, said movable dial having a scale thereon dividing it into sec dial having a scale thereon with numerals rep tions of fifteen degrees, each section having lo resentative of the Greenwich mean time, said cated therein a name representative of a differ movable dial having means whereby it may be ent geographical location, a plurality of point manually set to show the Greenwich mean time ers, and a rotating mechanism having means to corresponding to local time on said stationary rotate said plurality of pointers and said third dial, a third dial concentric with said stationary dial, said pointers extending over said movable and movable dials, said third dial having a scale 30 and third dials to indicate a desired time on said thereon with names representative of different stationary dial. geographical locations, an hour hand, a minute 7. A chronometer adapted to indicate the hand, indicating mechanism having means to ro standard and Greenwich mean time of different tate said hour and minute hands and said third locations on the earth comprising a stationary dial, said hour and minute hands extending over 33 dial having a scale thereon with numerals said movable and third dials to indicate a desired representative of local time, a movable dial con time On said stationary dial. centric with said stationary dial, said movable 4. A chronometer adapted to indicate the dial having a scale thereon with numerals rep standard and Greenwich mean time of different resentative of the Greenwich mean time, said locations on the earth comprising a stationary O movable dial having means whereby it may be dial having a scale thereon with numerals rep manually set to show the Greenwich mean time resentative of local time, a movable dial concen corresponding to the local time on said stationary tric with said stationary dial, said movable dial dial, a third dial concentric with said stationary having a scale thereon with numerals represent and movable dials, said third dial having a de ative of the Greenwich mean time, said movable 5 pressed finger portion so that it may be manu dial having means whereby it may be manually ally moved with respect to said stationary dial, set to show the Greenwich, mean time corre said third dial having a scale thereon with names sponding to the local time on said stationary dial, representative of different geographical locations, a third dial concentric with said stationary and a plurality of pointers, and a rotating mech movable dials, said third dial having a scale 50 anism having means to rotate said plurality of thereon with names representative of different pointers and said third dial, said pointers extend geographical locations, an hour hand, a minute ing over said novable and third dials to indicate hand, indicating mechanism having means to a desired time on said stationary dial. rotate said hour and minute hands and said third 8. A chronometer adapted to indicate the dial, a friction clutch located between said hour hand and said third dial to normally simultane standard and Greenwich mean time of different ously rotate said third dial with said hour hand, locations on the earth comprising a stationary said hour and minute hands extending over said dial having a scale thereon with numerals rep movable and third dials to indicate a desired time resentative of local time, a movable dial concen on said stationary dial. tric with said stationary dial, said movable dial 5. A chronometer adapted to indicate the having a scale thereon with numerals representa standard and Greenwich mean time of different tive of the Greenwich mean time, said movable locations on the earth comprising a stationary dial having means whereby it may be manually dial having... a twenty-four hour scale thereon set to show the Greenwich mean time corre with numerals representative of local time, a sponding to the local time on said stationary dial, movable dial concentric with said stationary dial, a third dial concentric with said stationary and said movable dial having a scale thereon with novable dials, said third dial having a scale there numerals representative of Greenwich mean time, on with names representative of different geo said movable dial having means whereby it may graphical locations, an hour hand, a minute hand, be manually set to show the Greenwich mean U indicating mechanism having means to rotate time corresponding to the local time on said sta Said hour and minute hands and said third dial, tionary dial, a third dial concentric with said a friction clutch having a plurality of Spring stationary and movable dials, said third dial haW members, Said Spring members located between ing a scale thereon with names representative of said hour hand and said third dial to normally different geographical locations, an hour hand, a s simultaneously rotate said third dial with said W 4. 2,268,289 hour hand, said hour and minute hands extend concentric with said stationary and novable dials, ing over said movable and third dials to indicate said third dial having a plurality of apertures a desired time on said stationary dial. therein and a scale thereon with names repre 9. A chronometer adapted to indicate the Sentative of different geographical locations, an standard and Greenwich mean time of different hour hand, a minute hand, indicating mechanism locations on the earth comprising a stationary having means to rotate said hour and minute dial having a scale thereon with numerals repre hands and said third dial, a pin member engag sentative of local time, a movable dial concentric ing One of Said apertures and said hour hand to with said stationary dial, said movable dial hav simultaneously rotate said third dial with said ing a scale thereon with numerals representative 10 hour hand, said hour and minute hands extend of the Greenwich mean time, said movable dial ing over said movable and third dials to indicate a having means whereby it may be manually set desired time on said stationary dial. to show the Greenwich mean time corresponding to local time on said stationary dial, a third dial ARTHUR. M. BRAATEN,