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US3748845A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Electronic system module for crystal-controlled watch

Assignee: Bulova Watch Co Inc
•
Filing: 1971-12-02
•
Granted: 1973-07-31
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Expires: 1991-12-02
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Abstract

Abstract A replaceable module incorporating the electronic systems for a compact crystal-controlled watch wherein the high-frequency of a quartz crystal is scaled down to produce low-frequency pulses. These pulses actuate a time display by means of a tuning fork motor whose sole function is to turn the hands of the watch. The module is constituted by an oscillator circuit, the output of which is fed to a multi-stage frequency divider, the oscillator circuit and divider being embodied in a single package containing integrated circuitry. The module is joined to an incrementallyadjustable capacitor unit for tuning the oscillator circuit. Extending from the module are five terminal lugs and one connecting tab, the first two providing support for and connections to a quartz crystal assembly mounted below the tuning unit. The second and third lugs are connectable to a power cell, while the fifth lug which yields the system out-put pulses, is connectable to the tuning fork motor. The tab serves to connect the tuning unit to the oscillator circuit.

Inventors

  • 👤 W Mutter
  • 👤 G Gruner

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-26 06:24
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04C; G04C11/00; G04C3/00; G04C3/008

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 143 words
A miniature electronic system for a crystal-controlled timepiece, said system comprising: a. an oscillator circuit for a quartz crystal, said circuit generating a high-frequency carrier; b. a multi-stage frequency divider coupled to the output of the oscillator circuit, said divider and said oscillator being embodied in a single integrated-circuit module; c. an incrementally-adjustable capacitor unit for tuning said oscillator circuit and joined to one side of said module and extending laterally therefrom, and d. five terminals and one connecting tab extending from said module, the first two terminals serving to connect a quartz crystal to said oscillator circuit in series with said unit, the third and fourth terminals serving to connect a power source to said oscillator circuit and said divider, the fifth terminal yielding the output of the divider, the connecting tab serving to connect the tuning unit to the oscillator circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 143 words
A miniature electronic system for a crystal-controlled timepiece, said system comprising: a. an oscillator circuit for a quartz crystal, said circuit generating a high-frequency carrier; b. a multi-stage frequency divider coupled to the output of the oscillator circuit, said divider and said oscillator being embodied in a single integrated-circuit module; c. an incrementally-adjustable capacitor unit for tuning said oscillator circuit and joined to one side of said module and extending laterally therefrom, and d. five terminals and one connecting tab extending from said module, the first two terminals serving to connect a quartz crystal to said oscillator circuit in series with said unit, the third and fourth terminals serving to connect a power source to said oscillator circuit and said divider, the fifth terminal yielding the output of the divider, the connecting tab serving to connect the tuning unit to the oscillator circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 29 words
A module as set forth in claim 1, wherein said crystal is housed in an evacuated container having two terminal pins which are connectable to said first two terminals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 51 words
A crystal-controlled watch including an electronic system as set forth in claim 1, said watch having a tuning fork motor provided with a drive coil coupled to said fifth terminal whereby said fork is sustained in vibration by said pulses at a rate corresponding to the natural frequency of the fork.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 30 words
A crystal-controlled watch as set forth in claim 3, wherein said drive coil is mounted on a removable sub-assembly, and said module and said unit are seated on said assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 27 words
A watch as set forth in claim 4, wherein said sub-assembly has a first recess to accommodate said module and a second recess to accommodate said unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 43 words
A watch as set forth in claim 5, wherein said quartz crystal is contained in an evacuated container disposed below the second recess and having two terminal pins which project through openings in the sub-assembly for connection to said first and second terminals.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3282042A Cited
US3433009A Cited
US3469389A Cited
US3479812A Cited
US3534544A Cited
US3538704A Cited
US3540209A Cited
US3628323A Cited
US3585527A Cited
US3672153A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1976-07-30 1977-01-29 1977-07-31 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1980-07-30 1981-01-29 1981-07-31 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1984-07-30 1985-01-29 1985-07-31 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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