US3783539A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digital clock display
Assignee: Everbrite Electric Signs Inc
•
Filing: 1972-06-14
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Granted: 1974-01-08
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Expires: 1992-06-14
Abstract
Abstract An opaque face plate has openings arranged in rectangular arrays, with each array representing one digit of a multi-digit number. A light source is mounted behind the face plate and an opaque, orbitally movable plate is mounted between each rectangular array of openings and the light source. Each orbitally movable plate has sets of orbitally arranged openings so that each opening, when moved into alignment with a corresponding opening in the array of openings, will transmit light through that opening in the faceplate. The geometrical pattern of light transmission through each orbitally movable plate is arranged to produce a time sequence of digits in each of the rectangular arrays of openings so that the invention may function as an illuminated digital clock. Drive means is coupled to the orbitally movable plates to drive the plates in predetermined correlation around their respective orbits. A transparent light-diffusing element may be wound over each opening in the face plate to spread the light transmitted through the openings and make the openings appear larger than they actually are.
Inventors
- 👤 C Trame
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:16
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F11/00; G04; G04C; G04C17/00; G04C17/02; G04G; G04G9/00; G04G9/08; G04G9/12; G04G9/128; G09F13/00; G09F13/04; G09F13/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
A display device comprising a light source, an opaque face plate mounted in front of said light source, at least two arrays of openings formed in said face plate, each of said arrays of openings being arranged to represent characters when light is transmitted through a predetermined grouping of said openings, a plurality of movable opaque plates arranged edgewise of one another in row formation and each positioned behind a cooperative array of openings in the face plate, means mounting each of said movable plates for orbital movement between said light source and said cooperative array of openings of the face plate, each of said orbitally movable plates having a plurality of differently arranged sets of orbitally arranged openings therethrough, each opening of a set of orbitally arranged openings being alignable with one opening of the cooperative array of openings in said face plate and being positioned at a predetermined orbital position to admit light to an aligned opening in said face plate depending upon the position of the movable plate, whereby the aligned openings of the sets produce a different character for each of said orbital positions, and means for orbitally moving said orbitally movable plates at different rates of speed but in correlation with each other to produce a predetermined sequence of characters in each array of openings in said face plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
A display device comprising a light source, an opaque face plate mounted in front of said light source, at least two arrays of openings formed in said face plate, each of said arrays of openings being arranged to represent characters when light is transmitted through a predetermined grouping of said openings, a plurality of movable opaque plates arranged edgewise of one another in row formation and each positioned behind a cooperative array of openings in the face plate, means mounting each of said movable plates for orbital movement between said light source and said cooperative array of openings of the face plate, each of said orbitally movable plates having a plurality of differently arranged sets of orbitally arranged openings therethrough, each opening of a set of orbitally arranged openings being alignable with one opening of the cooperative array of openings in said face plate and being positioned at a predetermined orbital position to admit light to an aligned opening in said face plate depending upon the position of the movable plate, whereby the aligned openings of the sets produce a different character for each of said orbital positions, and means for orbitally moving said orbitally movable plates at different rates of speed but in correlation with each other to produce a predetermined sequence of characters in each array of openings in said face plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
114 words
A display device as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for orbitally moving said orbitally movable plates comprises the following: a bevel gear for each movable plate positioned in parallelism therewith, means including an eccentric pin projecting from each bevel gear for causing the orbital movement of its plate, a second bevel gear at right angles to and engaged with the first bevel gear for each plate, means for driving one of said second bevel gears at a predetermined rate of speed, and means for transmitting movement from said last-mentioned bevel gear to the second bevel gear for another orbitally movable plate for driving the latter at a different rate of speed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A display device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the movable plates are disposed in vertical planes and wherein there is spring means connected with each movable plate in a position to aid the drive means when a plate is being moved in a direction against the force of gravity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1977-01-07 | 1977-07-09 | 1978-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-07 | 1981-07-09 | 1982-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-07 | 1985-07-09 | 1986-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |