US3604971A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Filament mounting structure for display device
Assignee: Singer Co
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Filing: 1969-07-30
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Granted: 1971-09-14
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Expires: 1989-07-30
Abstract
Abstract A filament display device which is suitable for use as a readout device for a wide variety of electronic devices, especially those utilizing integrated circuits, employs a plurality of incandescent filaments arranged to form a character array. In one embodiment, a character array is formed by bonding each character segment to different ends of a preformed lead assembly. In another embodiment, the array is constructed by building up the leads and filaments by the electroforming technique. After forming the character array, it is placed in an enclosure which is then evacuated and backfilled slightly with an inert atmosphere. A plurality of such arrays can be simultaneously constructed and then enclosed in a single package to form an entire display panel.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A Tracy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 01:46
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01K; H01K7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A sealed character display device of the incandescent filament type comprising: an electrically nonconductive base member having an upper portion with a substantially planar peripheral rim surface and a central surface portion; a top member having a peripheral flange extending in the direction of said rim surface, said top member having a translucent face portion; said peripheral rim surface and said peripheral flange being joined to form a sealed enclosure; a pluraliTy of electrically conductive leads disposed partially within said enclosure between said top and base portions and adapted to be coupled to a potential source; a plurality of serpentine incandescent-type filaments arranged in substantially a single plane and electrically connected to the ends of said leads located within said enclosure to define a character array, said filaments being solely supported by said leads and suspended above said control surface portion of said base member within said enclosure; the portions of said leads disposed within said enclosure being arranged in a plane substantially parallel to said single plane and extending through the junction formed by said peripheral rim surface and said peripheral flange in sealing relation therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
A sealed character display device of the incandescent filament type comprising: an electrically nonconductive base member having an upper portion with a substantially planar peripheral rim surface and a central surface portion; a top member having a peripheral flange extending in the direction of said rim surface, said top member having a translucent face portion; said peripheral rim surface and said peripheral flange being joined to form a sealed enclosure; a pluraliTy of electrically conductive leads disposed partially within said enclosure between said top and base portions and adapted to be coupled to a potential source; a plurality of serpentine incandescent-type filaments arranged in substantially a single plane and electrically connected to the ends of said leads located within said enclosure to define a character array, said filaments being solely supported by said leads and suspended above said control surface portion of said base member within said enclosure; the portions of said leads disposed within said enclosure being arranged in a plane substantially parallel to said single plane and extending through the junction formed by said peripheral rim surface and said peripheral flange in sealing relation therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said leads comprise a material selected from the group consisting of Kovar and nickel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said filaments comprise a substantially helically formed wire comprising a material selected from the group consisting of Nichrome, tantalum, and tungsten.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said peripheral portions of said base and top portions are constructed from materials having a matched coefficient of thermal expansion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including a plurality of sets of said leads and said filaments, said filaments being arranged in substantially a single plane with corresponding filaments from all sets aligned to form a plurality of character arrays, and the portions of said leads disposed within said enclosure being arranged in a plane substantially parallel to said single plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the externally extending portions of at least two of said leads are bent through a predetermined angle and clipped to substantially the same length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plurality of filaments comprises an electroformed serpentine ribbon comprising a material selected from the group consisting of nichrome and tungsten.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-13 | 1975-03-15 | 1975-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-13 | 1979-03-15 | 1979-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-13 | 1983-03-15 | 1983-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |