project at www.under-construction.cc

back to start

U

Umbrella Clocks

Concept and Considerations

Umbrella clocks are, as you will easily guess from their name, based on umbrellas. The basic mobile version is built from standard umbrellas – however, there is also a whole variety of advanced models, including small light foldable mini umbrella clocks for travel as well as big garden umbrella clocks.

Umbrella clocks are elegantly combining features otherwise found in [cloud clocks] (see ibid. – as a matter of fact they have been developed based on the latter. Thanks Mimi!) with those of water clocks (see: Elementaruhren) and, depending on the model, often also sundials.
While being rather precise time pieces, they can be also classified as hazy clocks, for they are quite perfect for clocking [hazy time].

To build a basic umbrella clock yourself, you will start with an umbrella of the mentioned standard type.

First step is to cut out a circular hole that will later become the cloud clock interface of your umbrella clock.
Make sure it is big enough to let you conveniently watch the sky from below – however, it should be not too big as well.

In case you really want to enjoy you umbrella clock in full function, you will now need a piece of clear, transparent, endurable plastic tissue (the quality does matter indeed, for you should be able to watch the sky and the clouds without lowering your sights). Cut out a circle slightly bigger than the hole already cut out from your umbrella.

Next you will have to fix the plastic tissue on your umbrella to cover the hole (depending on the materials of both the umbrella and the plastic you might either use water proof glue or tape, however best results are usually expected from professional outdoor cloth repair sets).

Afterwards, you will have to set the four marks for the cardinal directions needed later for calibrating the cloud clock interface of your umbrella clock (for more details on that pls. see the article on [cloud clocks]).

If you are done with this, you can proceed with the water clock interface of your umbrella clock.
Depending on your preferences you can either install a mechanical or an electronic, sensor based device.
As a matter of fact, to install the latter will probably be less complicated than to construct a mechanical one.

For a very simple mechanical water clock interface you will need to attach a circular eave to the umbrella's outward brim. You might like to use a semi-elastic material (which would still allow to fold and unfold your umbrella). However, the most simple solution is of course to use a plastic tube like those otherwise used to cover cables etc, lengthwise cut in half.
Then you will have to attach a measuring bottle to the brim and connect them to each other with a rubber hose.
You might like to rely on conventional rainwater measurement scales for the calibration of your water clock interface.
This installment has to be stable, yet flexible enough to empty the measuring bottle from time to time.

For an electrical, sensor driven water clock interface you will have to attach sensors on the inward side of your umbrella. Note: you might have to make sure that the sensor installment does not the water resistance of the umbrella cloth.
Afterwards, you can connect the sensors with an appropriate interface for collecting the data.

Last but not least, you can use the pinnacle of the umbrella for additionally installing a sundial interface on your umbrella clock.
This can be easily modeled on existing types of mobile sundials.
Of course the calibration should match with the calibration of the cloud clock interface.

Note: We hope to be able to add some more detailed instructions as well as illustrations as soon as possible.

Related entries:
[Alternate Clocks]
[Alternate Time Pieces]
[Cloud Clocks]
[Elementaruhren]
Hazy Clocks (work in progress)
[Hazy Time]

tags: clocks, clockworks, elements, time, wind

top