US3791133A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Crystal oscillator type small timepiece
Assignee: Citizen Watch Co Ltd
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Filing: 1972-06-22
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1992-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A small electronic timepiece is disclosed, especially a watch, comprising a piezo-electric crystal oscillator as a time base means thereof, a frequency divider for dividing the oscillation fed from the oscillator, and a balance wheel motor for conversion of the frequency divided electric signal fed from the divider into a corresponding mechanical oscillative movement for driving a time-keeping gear train of the timepiece. The improvement of the timepiece comprises the oscillator comprising a piezoelectric oscillation crystal bar which is suspended in the interior of a totally enclosed and evacuated cylindrical container by suspension means at a position along its length defining a nodal point near at least one of the ends of the bar. The suspension means comprises at least two wire mounts each of which is formed at its intermediate portion into a shock-absorbing coil and suspended between two of four rigid supporting pillars fixedly mounted in the container, on the one hand, and the crystal bar, on the other hand. The container is mounted through a resilient sleeve tightly covering substantially the whole length of the container, thereby providing a doubled shock-absorbing means.
Inventors
- 👤 T Hashimura
- 👤 H Ohuye
- 👤 A Nikaido
- 👤 H Wakabayashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 05:00
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04F; G04F5/00; G04F5/04; G04F5/06; G04F5/063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
In a small electronic timepiece, especially a watch, comprising a piezo-electric crystal oscillator as a time base means thereof, a frequency divider for dividing the oscillation frequency fed from said oscillator, and a balance wheel motor for conversion of the frequency divided electric signal fed from said divider into a corresponding mechanical oscillative movement for driving a time-keeping gear train of said timepiece, the improvement wherein said oscillator comprises a piezo-electric oscillation crystal bar which is suspended in the interior of a totally enclosed and evacuated cylindrical container by suspension means at a position along its length defining a nodal point near at least one of the ends of the bar, said suspension means comprising at least two wire mounts each of which is formed at its intermediate portion into a shock-absorbing coil and suspended between two of four rigid supporting pillars fixedly mounted in said container, on the one hand, and the crystal bar, on the other hand, and wherein said container is mounted through a resilient sleeve tightly covering substantially the whole length of said container, thereby providing a doubled shockabsorbing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
In a small electronic timepiece, especially a watch, comprising a piezo-electric crystal oscillator as a time base means thereof, a frequency divider for dividing the oscillation frequency fed from said oscillator, and a balance wheel motor for conversion of the frequency divided electric signal fed from said divider into a corresponding mechanical oscillative movement for driving a time-keeping gear train of said timepiece, the improvement wherein said oscillator comprises a piezo-electric oscillation crystal bar which is suspended in the interior of a totally enclosed and evacuated cylindrical container by suspension means at a position along its length defining a nodal point near at least one of the ends of the bar, said suspension means comprising at least two wire mounts each of which is formed at its intermediate portion into a shock-absorbing coil and suspended between two of four rigid supporting pillars fixedly mounted in said container, on the one hand, and the crystal bar, on the other hand, and wherein said container is mounted through a resilient sleeve tightly covering substantially the whole length of said container, thereby providing a doubled shockabsorbing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A small electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 1, wherein at a position in proximity to that of said shock-absorbing wire mount, a resilient stopper is provided for preventing excess amplitude oscillation of said crystal bar and is attached fixedly to at least one of said supporting pillars.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A small electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 2, wherein said resilient stopper comprising a bendable wire and a buffering pad attached fixedly at the inner ends of said supporting pillars positioned in close proximity of said crystal bar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
A small electronic timepiece, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said crystal bar has a rectangular cross-section and wherein two of the four piezo-electrode-bearing side surfaces of said crystal bar bear unipolar piezo-electrodes of opposite polarities and each of the remaining two side surfaces bears a pair of piezo-electrodes of opposite polarities.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A small electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 1, said resilient sleeve is made of silicone rubber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
A small electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 1, wherein a frequency adjusting means is provided at an electronic oscillator cOoperating with said piezo-electric oscillation crystal bar resiliently suspended, said adjusting means comprising a plurality of condenser elements having steppingly varying capacitance value for rough adjustment of said frequency, and a plurality of trimmer capacitance elements having continuously varying capacitance values for fine adjustment of said frequency.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
A small electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 1, wherein said piezo-electric crystal oscillator comprises an electronic oscillator circuit having a temperature compensating circuit inserted in a feedback line connected between the output side and the input side of said oscillator circuit, said compensating circuit comprising a thermistor and a capacitor connected in parallel to each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A small electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 7, further including means for adjustment of the input impedance of said electronic oscillator circuit, said means being preferably an adjustable resistor inserted in the base-collector passage of a first stage transistor included in said electronic oscillator circuit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |