US3841082A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Binary clock
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-01-13
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Granted: 1974-10-15
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Expires: 1992-01-13
Abstract
Abstract A binary clock including a housing mounting a first ordered array of light sources for indicating the hour of the day according to a binary numbering system; a second ordered array of light sources for indicating the 5 minute interval of the hour of the first array according to the binary numbering system; a third ordered array of light sources for indicating the minute within the 5 minute interval of the second array; and control means for selectively illuminating the first, second, and third arrays to indicate the time of day. The housing includes a mounting board on which the light sources of the first, second and third arrays are carried; a translucent masking member in front of the light sources to prevent viewing thereof until they are illuminated; side members carrying the mounting board and masking member and serving in conjunction with the mounting board and masking member to enclose the light sources; and a light absorbing covering within the enclosure except on the masking member.
Inventors
- 👤 J Cuevas
- 👤 H Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:51
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04B; G04B19/00; G04C; G04C17/00; G04C17/02; G04G; G04G9/00; G04G9/02; G04G9/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
A clock comprising: an open front enclosure; a translucent masking member closing the open front of said enclosure which is dark in the absence of illumination therebehind; a first ordered array of four light sources mounted in said enclosure behind said masking member corresponding to the binary number of 1, 2, 4 and 8; a second ordered array of four light sources mounted in said enclosure behind said masking member corresponding to the binary numbers of 1, 2, 4, and 8, said first and second arrays separated from each other and located along a common circular path; a third ordered array of four light sources mounted in said enclosure behind said masking member corresponding to the conventional arabic numbers of 1, 2, 3 and 4, said third array arranged in a square about said first and second arrays; and, timing means for selectively illuminating said light sources of said first array to indicate the hour by binary numbers in each 12 hour interval of the day, illuminating said light sources of said second array to indicate the 5 minute interval by binary numbers within the hour, and illuminating said light sources of said third array to indicate the minute by arabic numbers within the 5 minute interval.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
A clock comprising: an open front enclosure; a translucent masking member closing the open front of said enclosure which is dark in the absence of illumination therebehind; a first ordered array of four light sources mounted in said enclosure behind said masking member corresponding to the binary number of 1, 2, 4 and 8; a second ordered array of four light sources mounted in said enclosure behind said masking member corresponding to the binary numbers of 1, 2, 4, and 8, said first and second arrays separated from each other and located along a common circular path; a third ordered array of four light sources mounted in said enclosure behind said masking member corresponding to the conventional arabic numbers of 1, 2, 3 and 4, said third array arranged in a square about said first and second arrays; and, timing means for selectively illuminating said light sources of said first array to indicate the hour by binary numbers in each 12 hour interval of the day, illuminating said light sources of said second array to indicate the 5 minute interval by binary numbers within the hour, and illuminating said light sources of said third array to indicate the minute by arabic numbers within the 5 minute interval.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The clock of claim 1 further including set means for selectively setting said timing means to start illuminating said light sources at a prescribed time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
120 words
The clock of claim 2 wherein said timing means includes a first stepping relay operatively associated with said light sources of said third array, a second stepping relay operatively associated with said light sources of said second array, a third stepping relay operatively associated with said light sources to said first array, and a timer; said third relay operated by said second relay, said second relay operated by said first relay and said first relay operated by said timer to illuminate said light sources; said set means including first switch means for selectively disconnecting said relays from each other and from said timer; and second switch means for independently and manually operating each of said relays to set the clock.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of indicating time comprising the steps of: a. selectively illuminating a four light source array corresponding to the binary numbers of 1, 2, 4 and 8 to indicate the hour of the day; b. selectively illuminating a second four light source array corresponding to the binary numbers 1, 2, 4 and 8 to indicate the particular five minute interval within the hour of the day; and, c. selectively illuminating a third four light source array arranged according to the arabic numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 to indicate the particular minute within the five minute interval indicated on said second array.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of indicating time comprising the steps of: a. selectively illuminating a four light source array corresponding to the binary numbers of 1, 2, 4 and 8 to indicate the hour of the day; b. selectively illuminating a second four light source array corresponding to the binary numbers 1, 2, 4 and 8 to indicate the particular five minute interval within the hour of the day; and, c. selectively illuminating a third four light source array arranged according to the arabic numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 to indicate the particular minute within the five minute interval indicated on said second array.
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) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |