Display device for numeric characters

Claim 1

A display device for showing any numeric character from 0 to 9, comprising at least one set of six segments, each set consisting of an upper segment 11, and upper-left segment 12, an upper-right segment 13, a lower-left segment 14, a lower-central segment 15 and a lower-right segment 16, each segment being individually and selectively activatable by connection to an external voltage source, said segments 11, 12, 13, 14 and 16 when activated simultaneously forming the upper and lower loops of a figure 8 in which only segment 13 is straight over its entire length, said segment 11 having a straight portion forming the top of said figure 8 and having a downwardly-curving, tapered left end, said segment 12 being curved and forming the left and bottom portions of the upper loop of said figure 8, said segment 12 having a tapered upper end proximate said tapered end of said segment 11, said straight segment 13 joining the center of said figure 8 and the right hand end of said segment 11, thereby completing said upper loop of said figure 8, said segment 14 curving to form the lower-left and bottom portions of said figure 8, both ends of said segment 14 being tapered and the right-hand end of said segment curving slightly upward, said segment 16 being in the form and position of a reversed C, the bottom end of said segment 16 being tapered and lying proximate to and above said tapered right-hand end of said segment 14, said segments 14 and 16 forming the bottom loop of said figure 8, and straight segment 15 running from the center to the bottom of said figure 8 within said bottom loop, said segments 13 and 15 being essentially aligned with each other so that when both are activated the figure 1 is displayed, segments 12, 13, 15 and 16 being pointed at those ends proximate the center of said figure 8 so that said pointed ends fit together without overlap, said tapered upper end of said segment 14 lying proximate the upper end of said straight segment 15, said segments 13 and 15 being in positions rotated slightly clockwise from the vertical.