Abstract A linear time display clock in the form of a column having a translucent face behind which is a vertical stack of 11 cells. Electric bulbs in the cells are selectively activated by an electrical control circuit operated by a timer, whereby the cells are sequentially illuminated to provide a colored panel on the face of the column whose position is indexed linearly to indicate the passage of time. The hours one to 11 are indicated by illumination of cells one to 11, respectively, going from top to bottom, whereas the 12th hour (noon and midnight) is indicated by again illuminating the sixth or midpoint cell, the distinction between the sixth and 12th hour being established by a difference in panel color. Five-minute increments, which are 11 in number, running from five minutes to 55 minutes, are indicated by sequentially illuminating cells one to 11, but in a color distinct from the hour indications.
Inventors
👤 George T Ladas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-10-26 15:00
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04G; G04G9/00; G04G9/02; G04G9/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A clock having a linear time display, said clock comprising: A. a column having a translucent, indicia-free face which is dark in the absence of illumination from behind said face; B. a stack of 11 equal cells disposed behind said face, each having a colored light bulb, except for the sixth cell which is in the exact middle of the column and has two light bulbs of different color, said bulbs when activated providing illuminated light panels along said face; and C. timing means cyclically to activate said bulbs in a sequence wherein the hours 1 to 11 are indicated by the cells 1 to 11 from top to bottom and the 12th hour is indicated by activating the second bulb in the sixth cell.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A clock having a linear time display, said clock comprising: A. a column having a translucent, indicia-free face which is dark in the absence of illumination from behind said face; B. a stack of 11 equal cells disposed behind said face, each having a colored light bulb, except for the sixth cell which is in the exact middle of the column and has two light bulbs of different color, said bulbs when activated providing illuminated light panels along said face; and C. timing means cyclically to activate said bulbs in a sequence wherein the hours 1 to 11 are indicated by the cells 1 to 11 from top to bottom and the 12th hour is indicated by activating the second bulb in the sixth cell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A clock as set forth in claim 1, further including a second set of colored light bulbs in said cells and timing means to operate said light bulbs sequentially from top to bottom to indicate 5-minute increments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A clock as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bulbs for the third, sixth and ninth hours are differently colored from the other bulbs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A clock as set forth in claim 2, whereIn said cells are partitioned to separate the hour from the minute bulbs to provide distinct sectors of light on said panels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A clock as set forth in claim 2 wherein said second set of light bulbs are disposed in cells in a separate column parallel to the main column.