WhyNot?

Setting the time

Category: Clocks
Responses: 4 (3 in support, 0 neutral, 1 in opposition)
Number of views: 413
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In the rear of battery operated electric clocks is a small wheel with radial striated grooves that can be manually spun to set the time. This works OK when it is a matter of minutes to be reset but when he clock is off by several hours the procedure of pressing a finger on the wheel and turning it a bit at a time until the proper time is reached is a nuisance. If a shallow pit were made towards the edge of the wheel that could accept the point of a ball point pen or other pointed object, it would be easier and quicker to spin the wheel to the correct time.

sand, Jun 26 2006

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How often do you actually need to change the time by many hours?
a) Twice a year +/- 1 hour (summer time).
b) Rarely when the battery goes flat.
Is it worth it?


To be useful your groove would need to occupy 90°+ of the circumference of the wheel, and may weaken the mounting.

ChrisF, Jul 03 2006

It is not a groove, it is a small pit or hole about 1 milimeter in diameter which can have no effect on the strength of the disk.

sand, Jul 03 2006

Do it yourself. Take a small, thin blade and twirl it in one place. Or if you really want take a drill to it, but it will make the hole or divot very quickly so be prepared to stop. When you buy a new clock this is a one time thing and you are time traveling quickly in no time.

bgorges, Jul 06 2006

As a generalized feature for knobs of similar type I think it is a good idea. People with arthritis have a hard time dealing with small things. An awl, ice pic, or large pen might be better to manipulate. The side thrust on the knob might be offset by beefing up the material around the shaft hole and placing a disc around the shaft on the outside of the housing. This way the large inward force and side thrust could be transfered to the case instead of the inside mechanism.