Modular solid state wristwatch

Claim 2

A timepiece of sufficiently small size for use as a wristwatch comprising a case, a one-piece frame of electrical insulating material mounted in said case, a frequency standard and an electro-optical display in said case, a frequency converter and a display actuator coupling said frequency standard to said display, said frequency standard, frequency converter, display actuator and electro-optical display all being mounted in said case on said one-piece frame, a battery removably mounted on said frame, said battery being mounted on one side of said frame and said electro-optical display being mounted on the other said of said frame, said battery being electrically coupled to said display through apertures in said frame, said frequency standard comprising an oscillator including a trimmer capacitor, said capacitor being mounted on the same side of said frame as said battery.

Claim 3

A timepiece according to claim 1 wherein said case includes a removable back plate for easy access to said battery and said trimmer capacitor.

Claim 4

A timepiece according to claim 2 wherein said oscillator includes a crystal mounted on said other side of said frame.

Claim 5

A timepiece according to claim 3 including a substrate mounted on said other side of said frame, the remainder of said oscillator, said frequency converter, said display actuator and said display all being mounted on said substrate.

Claim 6

A timepiece according to claim 4 wherein said substrate carries printed circuit leads for interconnecting the components of said oscillator, frequency converter, display actuator and display.

Claim 7

A timepiece according to claim 4 wherein said frequency converter is formed by part of a single integrated circuit chip mounted on said substrate.

Claim 8

A timepiece according to claim 4 including a pair of pins passing through said frame for making electrical contact with the terminals of said battery, and positive and negative lead frames between respective ones of said pins and said substrate for establishing electrical connection from said battery to said components of said oscillator, frequency converter, display actuator and display.

Claim 9

A timepiece according to claim 7 wherein said lead frames each include at least one end turned over the edge of said substrate and connected to the side of said substrate remote from said pins.

Claim 10

A timepiece of sufficiently small size for use as a wristwatch comprising a one-piece circuLar frame of electrical insulating material, said frame including cavities on one side, a trimmer capacitor in one of said cavities, the other of said cavities being adapted to removably receive a battery, said frame including a cavity on its other side receiving a crystal, means passing through said frame electrically coupling said trimmer capacitor and said crystal, said trimmer capacitor and said crystal forming part of a crystal oscillator, a substrate mounted on said other side of said frame, said substrate carrying the remainder of said crystal oscillator, a divider on said substrate coupled to the output of said oscillator, a display actuator on said substrate coupled to the output of said divider, and an electro-optical display on said substrate coupled to the output of said display actuator.

Claim 11

A timepiece of sufficiently small size for use as a wristwatch comprising a one-piece circuLar frame of electrical insulating material, said frame including cavities on one side, a trimmer capacitor in one of said cavities, the other of said cavities being adapted to removably receive a battery, said frame including a cavity on its other side receiving a crystal, means passing through said frame electrically coupling said trimmer capacitor and said crystal, said trimmer capacitor and said crystal forming part of a crystal oscillator, a substrate mounted on said other side of said frame, said substrate carrying the remainder of said crystal oscillator, a divider on said substrate coupled to the output of said oscillator, a display actuator on said substrate coupled to the output of said divider, and an electro-optical display on said substrate coupled to the output of said display actuator.

Claim 12

A timepiece according to claim 9 wherein said display comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes.

Claim 13

A timepiece according to claim 9 wherein said trimmer capacitor, said crystal and said substrate are secured to said frame by silicone rubber adhesive to absorb shock.

Claim 14

A timepiece according to claim 9 wherein said other side of said frame is provided with additional cavities, and a magnetic switch mounted in each of said additional cavities.

Claim 15

A timepiece according to claim 12 wherein said magnetic switches comprise a pair of setting switches and a demand switch.

Claim 16

A timepiece according to claim 13 wherein said switches are reed switches and are secured to said frame by silicone rubber adhesive potting material.

Claim 17

A timepiece according to claim 9 wherein said frame is provided with a pair of diametrically opposite mounting apertures for securing said frame to a watch case.

Claim 18

A wristwatch comprising a casing, a wristband attached to said casing, timekeeping means in said casing including at least one magnetic setting switch, a permanent magnet for actuating said setting switch, and means on said wristwatch for mounting said permenant magnet when not in use.

Claim 19

A wristwatch comprising a casing, a wristband attached to said casing, timekeeping means in said casing including at least one magnetic setting switch, a permanent magnet for actuating said setting switch, and means on said wristwatch for mounting said permenant magnet when not in use.

Claim 20

A wristwatch according to claim 16 wherein said wristband comprises a bracelet, said mounting means being provided on said bracelet.

Claim 21

A wristwatch according to claim 17 wherein said mounting means comprises a plate with turned-over edges adapted to retain said magnet, said plate being pivoted to said bracelet.

Claim 22

A wristwatch according to claim 18 wherein said bracelet includes a buckle, said plate being attached to said buckle for pivotal movement of one end away from said buckle inwardly of said bracelet toward the wearer''s wrist.

Claim 23

A wristwatch according to claim 19 including cooperating snap means on said buckle and plate for retaining said plate in its closed position substantially parallel with said wristband.