Patent US3697789A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3697789A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Mechanical oscillator
Assignee: Citizen Watch Co Ltd
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Filing: 1971-06-21
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Granted: 1972-10-10
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Expires: 1991-06-21
Abstract
Abstract An improved vibrating element and a novel construction of an oscillator unit employing the vibrating element. The vibrating element is formed into a shape such that its vibrating part is divided into at least two prings with a slit therebetween. The width of the slit is uniform along the greater extent of said vibrating part from the open end thereof and is then gradually reduced substantially at a constant rate towards its closed end to thereby improve the shock resisting property of the vibrating element.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshiaki Kato
- 👤 Hideki Ohuye
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:56
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03H; H03H9/00; H03H9/15; H03H9/21; H03H9/215; G; G04; G04F; G04F5/00; G04F5/04; G04F5/06; G04F5/063; H03B; H03B5/00; H03B5/30; H03H9/02; H03H9/05; H03H9/10; H03H9/1007; H03H9/1014; H03H9/1021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A mechanical oscillator comprising a tuning fork type mechanical vibrating element having a plurality of prongs which are separated by at least one elongated slit, said slit being open at one end of its ends and closed at its other end, the width of said slit being uniform for more than half the length of said slit from the open end thereof and then gradually decreases in width at substantially a constant rate toward the closed end of said slit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A mechanical oscillator comprising a tuning fork type mechanical vibrating element having a plurality of prongs which are separated by at least one elongated slit, said slit being open at one end of its ends and closed at its other end, the width of said slit being uniform for more than half the length of said slit from the open end thereof and then gradually decreases in width at substantially a constant rate toward the closed end of said slit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A mechanical oscillator according to claim 1, in which the width of the gradually decreasing portion of said slit at the closed end of said slit is about one-third the width of the uniform portion of said slit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A mechanical oscillator according to claim 2, in which the apex of said gradually decreasing portion, at the closed end of said slit, is semicircular.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A mechanical oscillator according to claim 1, in which the length of said gradually decreasing slit portion is about two times the prong width adjacent the uniform portion of said slit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A mechanical oscillator according to claim 1, in which said prongs merge into a base portion of the vibrating element, constituting the node of vibration, the height of said base portion being greater than the total width of two adjacent prongs of the tuning fork.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A mechanical oscillator according to claim 1, comprising a hermetic enclosure for hermetically housing said vibrating element, and means for resiliently supporting said enclosure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A mechanical oscillator according to claim 3, comprising a hermetic enclosure for hermetically housing said vibrating element, and means for resiliently supporting said enclosure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
A mechanical oscillator according to claim 1, comprising a hermetic enclosure for hermetically housing said vibrating element, said prongs merging into a base portion of said vibrating element, means for making electrical connections to said base portion for exciting said vibrating element, the base portion of said vibrating element protruding from said enclosure into the space exterior of said enclosure to render said portion for electrical connection accessible from outside said enclosure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
A mechanical oscillator according to claim 6, in which said prongs merge into a base portion of said vibrating element, the base portion of said vibrating element, to which external electrical connection is made for exciting said vibrating element, extending to the exterior of said enclosure to render said portion for electrical connection accessible from outside said enclosure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
A mechanical oscillator according to claim 7, in which a base portion of said vibrating element, to which external electrical connection is made for exciting said vibrating element, extends to the exterior of said enclosure so that said portion for electrical connection is accessible from outside said enclosure.
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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) | 1975-10-10 | 1976-04-10 | 1976-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-10 | 1980-04-10 | 1980-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-10 | 1984-04-10 | 1984-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |