US3798892A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clock mechanism
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-12-29
•
Granted: 1974-03-26
•
Expires: 1991-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A clock mechanism in which the hour, minute and second hands are replaced by rotating differently-colored circles. Three transparent discs, each having a differently-colored circular filter at a circumferential position thereof, are rotated within the mechanism at the respective speeds of hour, minute and second hands. A light source within the mechanism projects light through the discs against the housing. The face of the clock is thus illuminated with ''''white'''' light except in three differentlycolored circular areas which rotate around the circumference of the clock face. The positions of the three circular areas represent the time of day and as a result of continuously changing overlapping of filters, a dramatically shifting color pattern is expected.
Inventors
- 👤 V Lukens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:56
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04B; G04B19/00; G04B19/34; G04B19/04; G04B19/046; G04B19/20; G04B19/202; G04B45/00; G04B45/0007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A clock mechanism comprising a housing having a clock face, a motor having three shafts for rotating respectively at the speeds of hour, minute and second hands, means for mounting said motor within said housing, three differently colored filter, connecting means connecting said filter means respectively to said three shafts for rotating the filter means respectively at minute, hour and second speeds, each of said differently-colored filter means representing a hand of a clock, said connecting means spacing said filter means axially from said shafts so that said filter means appear to be floating and lighting means mounted within said housing for transmitting light through said three differently colored filter means to effect a dynamic interaction of colors and an indication relative to said clock faCe of the time of day, said filter means having respective spots positioned to orbit along aligned paths of at least substantially equal diameters.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A clock mechanism comprising a housing having a clock face, a motor having three shafts for rotating respectively at the speeds of hour, minute and second hands, means for mounting said motor within said housing, three differently colored filter, connecting means connecting said filter means respectively to said three shafts for rotating the filter means respectively at minute, hour and second speeds, each of said differently-colored filter means representing a hand of a clock, said connecting means spacing said filter means axially from said shafts so that said filter means appear to be floating and lighting means mounted within said housing for transmitting light through said three differently colored filter means to effect a dynamic interaction of colors and an indication relative to said clock faCe of the time of day, said filter means having respective spots positioned to orbit along aligned paths of at least substantially equal diameters.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
A clock mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said filter means and an associated one of said connecting means constitutes a respective cylindrical means secured at one end to a respective one of said shafts, said three cylindrical means being nested within each other and serving to allow the transmission therethrough of light from said lighting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A clock mechanism in accordance with claim 2 wherein each of said filter means includes a disc of clear, light-transmitting material with the spot thereof being constituted by a respectively colored light-transmitting filter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A clock mechanism in accordance with claim 3 wherein each of said spot is circular in shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A clock mechanism in accordance with claim 2 wherein each of said filter means is a disc of respectively colored light-transmitting filter material with the spot thereof being a cut-out.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A clock mechanism in accordance with claim 5 wherein each of said cut-outs is circular in shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A clock mechanism in accordance with claim 2 wherein said housing is a truncated cylinder supporting said filter means in parallel and at an angle to the horizontal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A clock mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said filter means is a disc.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A clock mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein the filter means corresponding to the second speed is located between the filter means corresponding to the hour and minute speeds and said shafts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A clock mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises a frosted plate between the lighting means and filter means to diffuse said light.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
CH321954A
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CH346167A
Cited
US3439492A
Cited
US3525209A
Cited
US3616640A
Cited
US3595009A
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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) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-09-24 | 1978-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-25 | 1981-09-24 | 1982-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-25 | 1985-09-24 | 1986-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |