Patent US3877217A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3877217A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Digital watch switch detent device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-09-19
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1994-09-19
Abstract
Abstract A switch detent device for digital watches comprises a detent retaining ring which is snapped onto the watch stem and a detent spring which is mounted on the stem between the detent ring and the watch bezel. The detent retaining ring comprises a member having a plurality of slotted portions on the periphery thereof with one of said slotted portions opening inwardly to a peculiarly shaped gripping configuration for snap mounting on the watch stem. The detent spring comprises a downwardly extending portion having an aperture therein which is engaged by the watch stem and an upper elongated spring portion having a pair of outwardly extending arms and a central protruding member which coacts the grooves in the ring to create a tactile position when the switch is operated. The device provides a simple and economic switch detent mechanism wherein the various switch positions are readily apparent upon indexing of the watch crown.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul E Hochstrate
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:24
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04C; G04C3/00; G04C3/001; G04C3/005; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20636; Y10T74/2066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A switch detent device for digital watches having a stem extending into the watch case comprising: a detent retaining ring having a plurality of spaced slots about the periphery thereof and a central gripping portion which is mounted about the stem, and, a detent spring member including a body portion having an aperture therethrough which encircles the stem and a pair of outwardly extending spring arms which contact the watch case, said spring member having a protruding nose portion which engages the slots in the ring during indexing of the stem to establish various tactile positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A switch detent device for digital watches having a stem extending into the watch case comprising: a detent retaining ring having a plurality of spaced slots about the periphery thereof and a central gripping portion which is mounted about the stem, and, a detent spring member including a body portion having an aperture therethrough which encircles the stem and a pair of outwardly extending spring arms which contact the watch case, said spring member having a protruding nose portion which engages the slots in the ring during indexing of the stem to establish various tactile positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A switch detent device in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the central gripping portion of the ring comprises a narrow entrance portion at the base of one of said slots leading to intermediate outwardly tapered wall portions and a narrow end portion to engage a reduced section of the stem.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A switch detent device in accordance with claim 2 wherein: the reduced stem section engaging said spring includes a pair of straight side walls and curved upper and lower portions, the upper portion engaging the narrow end portion of the ring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A switch detent device in accordance with claim 2 further including: a pair of circular apertures and a connecting slot leading to each aperture on opposite sides of the gripping aperture, thereby providing resiliency in the ring to open and close about the stem.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A switch detent device in accordance with claim 2 wherein: the spring arms each curve outwardly from said nose portion on opposite sides of the spring and include curved end portions which contact the watch case.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
A switch detent device in accordance with claim 2 wherein: each of the slots include a curved base portion of the same radius and the slot leading to the gripping portion is arranged to accomodate insertion of the stem as well as to cooperate with said nose portion in one of said tactile positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
A switch detent device in accordance with claim 2 wherein: the nose portion of the ring comprises a protruding nose extending ouTwardly from the ring and sloped toward its greatest protrusion at the upper surface of the spring member, the sloped walls of said nose portion acting as cam surface to facilitate engagement with the slots.
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) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |