US3683222A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Display panel having electrode registration support and connection means
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1970-08-24
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Granted: 1972-08-08
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Expires: 1990-08-24
Abstract
Abstract The illustrated display panel includes a matrix of communicating gas-filled display cells. A first layer includes an enlarged first plate having grooves in it, with first electrodes seated in the grooves, and second electrodes supported across them. A second layer includes an apertured plate seated on the second electrodes, with third electrodes positioned on the top surface of the second plate. The first electrodes residing in the grooves in one extension of the first plate are exposed and are accessed there by connector contacts. The third electrodes are fitted at one end into grooves in another extension of the first plate. The electrodes and plates forming the device may also be aligned with reference to the grooves in the base plate.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard Caras
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 09:47
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J17/00; H01J17/38; H01J17/48; H01J17/49; H01J17/492; H01J17/494
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A display panel comprising a first insulating plate having top and bottom surfaces and a plurality of first parallel grooves therein, a plurality of first elongated electrodes each disposed in one of said grooves, a plurality of second parallel electrodes spaced from said first electrodes and oriented at an angle to said first electrodes and crossing a plurality of them, a second plate having top and bottom surfaces and a plurality of apertures arrayed in a matrix proximate said electrodes, each aperture being aligned with a crossing of a second electrode and a first electrode and defining a gas cell, a third plate positioned parallel to the first and second plates, and at least one of the first and third plates being capable of transmitting light, a gaseous atmosphere in the region between the first and third plates and in the cells including an ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining cathode glow discharge, at least one end of said first plate extending beyond the corresponding ends of the other plates and supporting the ends of the first electrodes within the grooves in said plate for external connections to be made to them therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
A display panel comprising a first insulating plate having top and bottom surfaces and a plurality of first parallel grooves therein, a plurality of first elongated electrodes each disposed in one of said grooves, a plurality of second parallel electrodes spaced from said first electrodes and oriented at an angle to said first electrodes and crossing a plurality of them, a second plate having top and bottom surfaces and a plurality of apertures arrayed in a matrix proximate said electrodes, each aperture being aligned with a crossing of a second electrode and a first electrode and defining a gas cell, a third plate positioned parallel to the first and second plates, and at least one of the first and third plates being capable of transmitting light, a gaseous atmosphere in the region between the first and third plates and in the cells including an ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining cathode glow discharge, at least one end of said first plate extending beyond the corresponding ends of the other plates and supporting the ends of the first electrodes within the grooves in said plate for external connections to be made to them therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The display panel defined in Claim 1 wherein the second plate has registration means cooperating with a predetermined groove in the first plate for accurately positioning the second plate and the grooves in the first plate are v-shaped for aiding external connection of the first electrodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The display panel of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of third electrodes positioned on the top surface of the second plate, each being aligned with a group of said apertures whereby a portion of each third electrode is aligned with a portion of a second electrode and a portion of a first electrode at each said aperture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The display panel of claim 3 wherein the third electrodes are elongated and are oriented in the same direction as the first electrodes, the second electrodes being elongated and crossing at least some of them.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The display panel defined in claim 3 wherein the first and third electrodes comprise conductive wires and the second electrodes comprise elongated flat strips which cross between them on the top surface of the first plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The display panel of claim 3 wherein the second electrodes comprise elongated flat strips having apertures at the regions where the second electrodes cross the first electrodes and registration apertures aligned with a predetermined groove in the first plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The display panel of claim 3 wherein opposing ends of the first plate extend beyond the corresponding ends of the other plate, one end for supporting the ends of the first electrodes disposed within the grooves in the first plate and the opposite end for supporting the ends of the third electrodes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The display panel defined in claim 7 wherein one end of each of the third electrodes is fitted into at least a portion of a groove in the top surface of said opposite end of the first plate and means is provided for retaining them in said grooves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The display panel of claim 8 in which a cross groove intersects the grooves in the top surface of at least one end of the first plate and insulating means in the cross grooves retains the electrodes lying in that portion of the first plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The display panel of claim 8 in which the insulating means in the cross groove comprises a cylindrical glass member fixed in the cross groove.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
136 words
A display system comprising a light-transmitting panel having a plurality of discrete gas-filled display cells adapted to be energized singly or in groups to exhibit a character or message and including an insulating plate having an end which extends out from the body of the panel, electrode means associated with each cell for applying potential thereto suitable for ionizing the gas in a cell and thereby causing a cell to glow, said extending end of said plate having grooved means supporting at least one of said electrode means exposed for receiving external connection means, and gas communication paths in said panel between selected cells for permitting the flow of excited particles from one cell which is exhibiting glow to another cell, said particles assisting the other cell to ionize when operating potentials are applied to it.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
136 words
A display system comprising a light-transmitting panel having a plurality of discrete gas-filled display cells adapted to be energized singly or in groups to exhibit a character or message and including an insulating plate having an end which extends out from the body of the panel, electrode means associated with each cell for applying potential thereto suitable for ionizing the gas in a cell and thereby causing a cell to glow, said extending end of said plate having grooved means supporting at least one of said electrode means exposed for receiving external connection means, and gas communication paths in said panel between selected cells for permitting the flow of excited particles from one cell which is exhibiting glow to another cell, said particles assisting the other cell to ionize when operating potentials are applied to it.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The display system of claim 11 wherein said grooved means has v-shaped grooves in which connector means having a plurality of protruding conductive contacts removably engages said at least one electrode means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
168 words
A display panel comprising light-transmitting housing means having a plurality of discrete gas-filled display cells adapted to be energized singly or in groups to display a character or message and including an insulating plate having at least one end that protrudes from the body of the housing, first and second elongated electrodes associated with each cell for applying turn-on potential thereto and thereby cauSing the cell to glow, one of said electrodes extending along the length of said plate and being at least partially recessed and laterally exposed within said one end of said plate for receiving external connection means, a gaseous atmosphere in said cells including ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining cathode glow discharge, and gas communication paths serving, when operating potentials are applied to a selected one or more of the cells associated with said electrodes, to turn on preferentially the selected cells closest to a previously glowing cell due to the availability thereto of charged particles through the communication path between them.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
168 words
A display panel comprising light-transmitting housing means having a plurality of discrete gas-filled display cells adapted to be energized singly or in groups to display a character or message and including an insulating plate having at least one end that protrudes from the body of the housing, first and second elongated electrodes associated with each cell for applying turn-on potential thereto and thereby cauSing the cell to glow, one of said electrodes extending along the length of said plate and being at least partially recessed and laterally exposed within said one end of said plate for receiving external connection means, a gaseous atmosphere in said cells including ionizable gas at a pressure capable of sustaining cathode glow discharge, and gas communication paths serving, when operating potentials are applied to a selected one or more of the cells associated with said electrodes, to turn on preferentially the selected cells closest to a previously glowing cell due to the availability thereto of charged particles through the communication path between them.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The display panel of claim 13 wherein said one end of said plate includes raised insulating ribs between which are disposed said one of said electrodes in spaced-apart relationship for support and exposure to said external connection means in channels.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-08 | 1976-02-07 | 1976-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-08 | 1980-02-07 | 1980-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-08 | 1984-02-07 | 1984-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |