Electric timepiece

Claim 2

An electric timepiece comprising a plurality of indication means for displaying time digitally, each of said indication means exhibiting a group of characters, the characters of each group representing time lengths of magnitudes different from the magnitudes of characters in the other groups, motor means operating intermittently in response to pulse signals to be applied at given intervals, a plurality of clutch relay means each associated with a different one of the time units and each being responsive to the operation of said motor means, indicator moving means for intermittently and instantaneously moving selected ones of said indication means a predetermined distance in response to cooperative operation of said motor means and the ones of said relay means associated with the same time lengths as the selected ones of said indication means, figure-advance means responding to said indicator moving means for actuating said clutch relay means on the basis of the operation of said indicator moving means, whereby said indication means may indicate a time in openings provided on a casing about the timepiece.

Claim 3

An electric timepiece comprising a motor operating according to pulse signals to be applied at given intervals, a plurality of clutch relays each responsive to operation of said motor and each associated with one of a plurality of reSpective time lengths of different magnitudes, a figure-advance mechanism, a time indicator mechanism, a plurality of indication means each having a series of characters thereon to indicate units respective time lengths, said indicator mechanism having moving means for moving selected ones of said indication means intermittently and instantaneously a predetermined distance in response to operation of said motor and clutch relays in cooperative relation with each other, said figure-advance mechanism having actuating means responding to said moving means for actuating selected ones of said clutch relays on the basis of the operation of said moving means, clutch plates in said clutch relays each including a bent-shaped cutout portion with pins extending inwardly thereof and pivoting means for permitting a swingeable motion of the first part thereof, a driven shaft responsive to said motor, a plurality of disc cams each having a circumferential slot and an offset pin at one side surface thereof, said cams each being mounted on said shaft to rotate with said shaft and to permit sliding motion in an axial direction, said disc cams being arranged in alignment with respective ones of said clutch plates, each of said clutch plates engaging their pins with the circumferential slot of each disc cam to effect axial movement of said disc cams during rotation of said disc cams, driven wheels each having radial slots arranged to be freely rotatable adjacent to said disc cams, each of said driven wheels being intermittently revolved by one of said offset pins when said offset pin is brought into engagement with one of said radial slots as said disc cams effect an axially sliding motion, a plurality of drums responsive to said driven wheels and moved intermittently, said indication means engaging said drums for responding thereto.

Claim 4

An electric timepiece comprising a motor operating according to pulse signals to be applied at given intervals, a plurality of clutch relays each responsive to operation of said motor and each associated with one of a plurality of reSpective time lengths of different magnitudes, a figure-advance mechanism, a time indicator mechanism, a plurality of indication means each having a series of characters thereon to indicate units respective time lengths, said indicator mechanism having moving means for moving selected ones of said indication means intermittently and instantaneously a predetermined distance in response to operation of said motor and clutch relays in cooperative relation with each other, said figure-advance mechanism having actuating means responding to said moving means for actuating selected ones of said clutch relays on the basis of the operation of said moving means, clutch plates in said clutch relays each including a bent-shaped cutout portion with pins extending inwardly thereof and pivoting means for permitting a swingeable motion of the first part thereof, a driven shaft responsive to said motor, a plurality of disc cams each having a circumferential slot and an offset pin at one side surface thereof, said cams each being mounted on said shaft to rotate with said shaft and to permit sliding motion in an axial direction, said disc cams being arranged in alignment with respective ones of said clutch plates, each of said clutch plates engaging their pins with the circumferential slot of each disc cam to effect axial movement of said disc cams during rotation of said disc cams, driven wheels each having radial slots arranged to be freely rotatable adjacent to said disc cams, each of said driven wheels being intermittently revolved by one of said offset pins when said offset pin is brought into engagement with one of said radial slots as said disc cams effect an axially sliding motion, a plurality of drums responsive to said driven wheels and moved intermittently, said indication means engaging said drums for responding thereto.

Claim 5

An electric timepiece as claimed in claim 1, wherein said clutch relay means each comprise a relay coil for actuating respective time elements, said coils being arranged in a row at a substantially equal spacing, a frame member supporting said relay means, and clutch plates corresponding to said relay coils arranged in a row at unequal spacings, each of said clutch plates having a front and rear portion and being pivoted at its rear portion relative to the frame member for permitting the front portion to swing in a direction transverse to the axis of the pivot, said relay means having movable contacts responsive to said coils, said clutch plates being moved by action of movable contacts, said relay coils being actuated by the motor, said clutch plates being arranged for transmitting the driving force to the time indication mechanism.

Claim 6

An electric timepiece, comprising a motor operating according to pulse signals to be applied at given intervals, a plurality of clutch relays each responsive to the operation of said motor and each associated with one of a plurality of respective time elements, a time indicator mechanism, a plurality of indication means each having a series of numerals impressed thereon to indicate respective units of time, said indicator mechanism having moving means for moving selected ones of said indication means intermittently and instantaneously over a predetermined distance in response to operation of said motor and clutch relays in cooperative relation with each other, a figure-advance mechanism, said figure-advance mechanism having actuating means responding to said moving means for actuating means selected ones of said clutch relays on the basis of the operation of said moving means, said indicator mechanism including a plurality of endless tapes each exhibiting a series of characters representing respective units of time and having pin holes, said indicator mechanism further including a plurality of drums for carrying said endless tapes and having pins engageable with said pin holes of respective endless tapes.

Claim 7

An electric timepiece, comprising a motor operating according to pulse signals to be applied at given intervals, a plurality of clutch relays each responsive to the operation of said motor and each associated with one of a plurality of respective time elements, a time indicator mechanism, a plurality of indication means each having a series of numerals impressed thereon to indicate respective units of time, said indicator mechanism having moving means for moving selected ones of said indication means intermittently and instantaneously over a predetermined distance in response to operation of said motor and clutch relays in cooperative relation with each other, a figure-advance mechanism, said figure-advance mechanism having actuating means responding to said moving means for actuating means selected ones of said clutch relays on the basis of the operation of said moving means, said indicator mechanism including a plurality of endless tapes each exhibiting a series of characters representing respective units of time and having pin holes, said indicator mechanism further including a plurality of drums for carrying said endless tapes and having pins engageable with said pin holes of respective endless tapes.

Claim 8

An electric timepiece, comprising a motor operating according to pulse signals to be applied at given intervals, a plurality of clutch relays each responsive to operation of said motor and each associated with one of a plurality of respective time lengths, a figure-advance mechanism, time indicator mechanism, a plurality of indication means each having a series of characters thereon to indicate units of respective time lengths, said indicator mechanism having moving means for moving selected ones of said indication means intermittently and instantaneously a predetermined distance in response to operation of said motor and clutch relays in cooperative relation with each other, said figure-advance mechanism having actuating means responding to said moving means for actuating selected ones of said clutch relays on the basis of the operation of said moving means, switch means responding to the motor, a main electric circuit responsive to said switch means for energizing the relays, said switch means responding to rotation of the motor to open immediately after on e cyclical operation of said motor, and second switch means responsive to the rotation of the motor for cutting off the pulse signals applied to the motor after a predetermined motor rotation and including relay means for keeping the motor cut off from the signals to the end of each signal.

Claim 9

An electric timepiece, comprising a motor operating according to pulse signals to be applied at given intervals, a plurality of clutch relays each responsive to operation of said motor and each associated with one of a plurality of respective time lengths, a figure-advance mechanism, time indicator mechanism, a plurality of indication means each having a series of characters thereon to indicate units of respective time lengths, said indicator mechanism having moving means for moving selected ones of said indication means intermittently and instantaneously a predetermined distance in response to operation of said motor and clutch relays in cooperative relation with each other, said figure-advance mechanism having actuating means responding to said moving means for actuating selected ones of said clutch relays on the basis of the operation of said moving means, switch means responding to the motor, a main electric circuit responsive to said switch means for energizing the relays, said switch means responding to rotation of the motor to open immediately after on e cyclical operation of said motor, and second switch means responsive to the rotation of the motor for cutting off the pulse signals applied to the motor after a predetermined motor rotation and including relay means for keeping the motor cut off from the signals to the end of each signal.

Claim 10

An electric timepiece as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second switch means comprises a relay switch and a disc cam operating said switch, said switch being connected to the motor in parallel relation to the main electric circuit, said second switch means including a motor relay connected in series with said relay switch and a plurality of control switches connected in series with the motor and magnetically actuated by said motor relay, said relay switch being closed instantaneously every predetermined rotation of the disc cam to actuate the motor relay, said control switches being set to be turned by the motor relay into the off position to cut off the electric circuit to the potential source of the motor, and circuit means in said second switch means to maintain the motor relay in actuation.

Claim 11

An electric timepiece as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second switch means includes a relay switch and a disc cam operating said relay switch, said relay switch being connected in parallel relation to the electric circuit to the signal source for the motor, said second switch means including a motor relay connected in series with said relay switch and a plurality of control switches each connected in series with a positive side and negative side of the signal source of the motor so as to actuate said motor relay, said relay switch being closed instantaneously every predetermined rotation of the disc cam to actuate the motor relay, said control switches being set to be turned by the motor relay into the off position to cut off the potential source to the motor, thereby restraining electrical rotation of the motor, and said second circuit means including holding circuit responsive to said control switches for holding said relay until the end of each of the signals.

Claim 12

An electric timepiece, as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second switch means comprises a relay switch and a disc cam operating said relay switch and connected in parallel in relation to the main electric circuit to the signal source to the motor, said second switch means further including a motor relay connected in series with said switch and control switches connected in series with the motor and operated by said motor relay, said relay switch being closed instantaneously every predetermined rotation of disc cam to actuate the motor relay, said control switches being turned by said motor relay to cut off the signal source to the motor, said circuit means forming with said control switches a holding circuit for said relay, said first switch means including a synchronous switch associated with said disc cam for operating the indicator mechanism during rotation of the motor.

Claim 13

An electric timepiece comprising a motor operating according to pulse signals to be applied at Given intervals, a plurality of clutch relays each responsive to operation of said motor and each associated with one of a plurality of respective time elements of ascending order, a figure-advance mechanism, a time indicator mechanism, a plurality of indication means each having series of N numerals thereon to indicate units of respective time elements, said indicator mechanism having moving means for moving selected ones of said indication means intermittently and instantaneously a predetermined distance in response to operation of said motor and clutch relays in cooperative relation with each other, said figure-advance mechanism having actuating means responding to said moving means for actuating selected ones of said clutch relays on the basis of the operation of said moving means, in moving selected ones of said indication means, a main electric circuit, said relays for respective time elements being connected in parallel in the main electric circuit, said actuating means having a plurality of advancing switches responsive to said moving means and serving for actuating a clutch relay of a higher tune element in response to said moving means moving the indication means that exhibits units of the next lower time element and being connected in series in relation to a plurality of said relays for respective time elements, said relay for the lowest element of time being connected directly into the main electric circuit, said switches being closed by said moving means only when the numeral N-1 lesser than the highest numeral N of a lower element of time is advanced into the higher numeral, said figure-advance means having additional switches responsive to said clutch relays and closed only at the time of energization of the relays for lower time elements, said additional switches being connected in series to the relays for time elements higher than the lowest two.

Claim 14

An electric timepiece comprising a motor operating according to pulse signals to be applied at Given intervals, a plurality of clutch relays each responsive to operation of said motor and each associated with one of a plurality of respective time elements of ascending order, a figure-advance mechanism, a time indicator mechanism, a plurality of indication means each having series of N numerals thereon to indicate units of respective time elements, said indicator mechanism having moving means for moving selected ones of said indication means intermittently and instantaneously a predetermined distance in response to operation of said motor and clutch relays in cooperative relation with each other, said figure-advance mechanism having actuating means responding to said moving means for actuating selected ones of said clutch relays on the basis of the operation of said moving means, in moving selected ones of said indication means, a main electric circuit, said relays for respective time elements being connected in parallel in the main electric circuit, said actuating means having a plurality of advancing switches responsive to said moving means and serving for actuating a clutch relay of a higher tune element in response to said moving means moving the indication means that exhibits units of the next lower time element and being connected in series in relation to a plurality of said relays for respective time elements, said relay for the lowest element of time being connected directly into the main electric circuit, said switches being closed by said moving means only when the numeral N-1 lesser than the highest numeral N of a lower element of time is advanced into the higher numeral, said figure-advance means having additional switches responsive to said clutch relays and closed only at the time of energization of the relays for lower time elements, said additional switches being connected in series to the relays for time elements higher than the lowest two.

Claim 15

An electric timepiece comprising a motor operating according to pulse signals to be applied at given intervals, a plurality of clutch relays each responsive to operation of said motor and each associated with one of a plurality of respective time elements of ascending order, a figure-advance mechanism, a time indicator mechanism, a plurality of indication means each having a series of numerals impressed thereon to indicate respective units of time, said indicator mechanism having moving means for moving selected ones of said indication means intermittently and instantaneously by a predetermined distance in response to operation of said motor and clutch relays in cooperative relation with each other, said figure-advance mechanism having actuating means responding to said moving means for actuating selected ones of said clutch relays on the basis of the operation of said moving means in moving selected ones of said indication means, a main electric circuit for connection to a potential source, said electric circuit being operable under control of a plurality of first switches in association with rotation of the motor, said moving means including a plurality of pawl wheels each associated with one of the time elements and advance means responsive to operation of said clutch relays for advancing each of said pawl wheels for each operation of said clutch relay associated with the same time element, said figure-advance means including a plurality of pawl switches, a conductive member on each of said pawl wheels for actuating said pawl switches in response to a predetermined rotation of each of said pawl wheels; said figure-advance mechanism forming with said pawl switches control circuit means for actuating, in response to operation of one of said pawl switches of one time element, the clutch relay associated with the time element of the next higher order, whereby for each closing of a pawl switch of one time element the pawl of the next higher time element is advanced; said figure-advancing means including a feed mechanism attached to respective ones of said pawl wheels for advancing said indicator Mechanism.

Claim 16

An electric timepiece comprising a motor operating according to pulse signals to be applied at given intervals, a plurality of clutch relays each responsive to operation of said motor and each associated with one of a plurality of respective time elements of ascending order, a figure-advance mechanism, a time indicator mechanism, a plurality of indication means each having a series of numerals impressed thereon to indicate respective units of time, said indicator mechanism having moving means for moving selected ones of said indication means intermittently and instantaneously by a predetermined distance in response to operation of said motor and clutch relays in cooperative relation with each other, said figure-advance mechanism having actuating means responding to said moving means for actuating selected ones of said clutch relays on the basis of the operation of said moving means in moving selected ones of said indication means, a main electric circuit for connection to a potential source, said electric circuit being operable under control of a plurality of first switches in association with rotation of the motor, said moving means including a plurality of pawl wheels each associated with one of the time elements and advance means responsive to operation of said clutch relays for advancing each of said pawl wheels for each operation of said clutch relay associated with the same time element, said figure-advance means including a plurality of pawl switches, a conductive member on each of said pawl wheels for actuating said pawl switches in response to a predetermined rotation of each of said pawl wheels; said figure-advance mechanism forming with said pawl switches control circuit means for actuating, in response to operation of one of said pawl switches of one time element, the clutch relay associated with the time element of the next higher order, whereby for each closing of a pawl switch of one time element the pawl of the next higher time element is advanced; said figure-advancing means including a feed mechanism attached to respective ones of said pawl wheels for advancing said indicator Mechanism.

Claim 17

An electric timepiece as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of said pawl wheel has a plurality of teeth and a series of cavities including a cavity lined with a conductive material, said pawl switches each including two resilient plates having projections which are brought into contact with said conductive material as said pawl wheels are rotated.

Claim 18

An electric timepiece comprising a motor operating according to a pulse signal to be applied at a given interval, a plurality of clutch relays each responsive to operation of said motor and each associated with one of a plurality of respective time elements, said time elements being minutes, 10-minute units, hours and days, a figure-advance mechanism, a time indicator mechanism, a plurality of indication means each having series of numerals thereon to indicate respective units of time, said indicator mechanism having moving means for moving selected ones of said indication means intermittently and instantaneously a predetermined distance in response to operation of said motor and said clutch relays in cooperative relation with each other, said figure-advance mechanism having actuating means responding to said moving means for actuating selected ones of said clutch relays on the basis of the operation of said moving means in moving selected ones of said indication means, said figure-advance mechanism including a plurality of switch means each corresponding to one of said time elements and each connected to one of said clutch relays for actuating the one of said clutch relays corresponding to the next higher time element and said time indicator means, said figure-advance mechanism including advancing means responsive to said moving means for actuating each of said switch means once each time the moving means for actuating each of said switch means once each time the moving means senses that the clutch relay corresponding to the same time element has operated a number of times equal to the next higher time element, the highest numeral for the hour indication being 12, said figure-advance mechanism including a shift relay for shifting between indications of morning and afternoon being connected in parallel with said relay for days, said relay for days being actuated through said switch means corresponding to the hours, said figure-advance mechanism including shift switch means in series with said relay for days, said shift switch means being held alternately its on and off position in association with said relay for morning or afternoon indications.

Claim 19

An electric timepiece comprising a motor operating according to a pulse signal to be applied at a given interval, a plurality of clutch relays each responsive to operation of said motor and each associated with one of a plurality of respective time elements, said time elements being minutes, 10-minute units, hours and days, a figure-advance mechanism, a time indicator mechanism, a plurality of indication means each having series of numerals thereon to indicate respective units of time, said indicator mechanism having moving means for moving selected ones of said indication means intermittently and instantaneously a predetermined distance in response to operation of said motor and said clutch relays in cooperative relation with each other, said figure-advance mechanism having actuating means responding to said moving means for actuating selected ones of said clutch relays on the basis of the operation of said moving means in moving selected ones of said indication means, said figure-advance mechanism including a plurality of switch means each corresponding to one of said time elements and each connected to one of said clutch relays for actuating the one of said clutch relays corresponding to the next higher time element and said time indicator means, said figure-advance mechanism including advancing means responsive to said moving means for actuating each of said switch means once each time the moving means for actuating each of said switch means once each time the moving means senses that the clutch relay corresponding to the same time element has operated a number of times equal to the next higher time element, the highest numeral for the hour indication being 12, said figure-advance mechanism including a shift relay for shifting between indications of morning and afternoon being connected in parallel with said relay for days, said relay for days being actuated through said switch means corresponding to the hours, said figure-advance mechanism including shift switch means in series with said relay for days, said shift switch means being held alternately its on and off position in association with said relay for morning or afternoon indications.

Claim 20

An electric timepiece as claimed in claim 12, wherein said shift relay for a morning and afternoon indication comprises a shifting pawl wheel arranged to operate rotatably and a shift cam secured to said pawl wheel, said shift switch being engaged to said shift cam to be held alternately an open and closed position.

Claim 21

An electric timepiece as claimed in claim 1, wherein said indication means includes indication plates, indication tapes with the numerals, and illumination means having an electroluminescent material provided at a reverse side of said indication plates; a transparent portion on each of said indication tapes, said plates, tapes and illumination means being aligned one behind the other.

Claim 22

An electric timepiece comprising a motor operating according to pulse signals to be applied at given intervals, a plurality of clutch relays each responsive to operation of said motor and each associated with one of a plurality of respective unit time elements, a figure-advance mechanism, a time indicator mechanism, a plurality of indication means having a series of characters thereon to indicate respective units of time said indicator mechanism having moving means for moving selected ones of said indication means intermittently and instantaneously a predetermined distance in response to operation of said motor and clutch relays in cooperative relation with each other, said figure-advance mechanism having actuating means responding to said moVing means for actuating selected ones of said clutch relays on the basis of the operation of said moving means in moving selected ones of said indication means, said time indication means including endless tapes each having the numerals thereon in a series, said indication means having means for illuminating said endless tapes at their reverse sides.

Claim 23

An electric timepiece comprising a motor operating according to pulse signals to be applied at given intervals, a plurality of clutch relays each responsive to operation of said motor and each associated with one of a plurality of respective unit time elements, a figure-advance mechanism, a time indicator mechanism, a plurality of indication means having a series of characters thereon to indicate respective units of time said indicator mechanism having moving means for moving selected ones of said indication means intermittently and instantaneously a predetermined distance in response to operation of said motor and clutch relays in cooperative relation with each other, said figure-advance mechanism having actuating means responding to said moVing means for actuating selected ones of said clutch relays on the basis of the operation of said moving means in moving selected ones of said indication means, said time indication means including endless tapes each having the numerals thereon in a series, said indication means having means for illuminating said endless tapes at their reverse sides.

Claim 24

An electric timepiece comprising a motor operating according to pulse signals to be applied at given intervals, a plurality of clutch relays each responsive to operation of said motor and each associated with one of a plurality of respective time elements, said time elements being minutes, 10-minute units, hours and days, a figure-advance mechanism, a time indicator mechanism, a plurality of indication means having a series of numerals impressed thereon to indicate means respective units of time, said indicator mechanism having means for selecting and moving said indication means intermittently and instantaneously a predetermined distance in response to operation by said motor and clutch relays in cooperative relation with said each other, said figure-advance mechanism having actuating means responding to said moving means for actuating selected ones of said clutch relays on the basis of the operation of said moving means in moving selected ones of said indication means, a plurality of corrector switches in series with said clutch relays for advancing said clutch relays and thereby correcting erroneous indication of corresponding time.

Claim 25

An electric timepiece comprising a motor operating according to pulse signals to be applied at given intervals, a plurality of clutch relays each responsive to operation of said motor and each associated with one of a plurality of respective time elements, said time elements being minutes, 10-minute units, hours and days, a figure-advance mechanism, a time indicator mechanism, a plurality of indication means having a series of numerals impressed thereon to indicate means respective units of time, said indicator mechanism having means for selecting and moving said indication means intermittently and instantaneously a predetermined distance in response to operation by said motor and clutch relays in cooperative relation with said each other, said figure-advance mechanism having actuating means responding to said moving means for actuating selected ones of said clutch relays on the basis of the operation of said moving means in moving selected ones of said indication means, a plurality of corrector switches in series with said clutch relays for advancing said clutch relays and thereby correcting erroneous indication of corresponding time.

Claim 26

A timepiece as claimed in claim 1, wherein said figure-advance means enables the clutch relay means associated with time length magnitude greater than the lowest magnitude in response to said moving means advancing said indication means of the next lower magnitude to a predetermined character.

Claim 27

A timepiece as claimed in claim 17, wherein said predetermined character is the highest of the time units of that magnitude.