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US3879931A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Electronic watch with an electronically operated sound producer

Assignee: Citizen Watch Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1973-12-27
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Granted: 1975-04-29
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Expires: 1993-12-27
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Abstract

Abstract An electronically powered watch is disclosed which has an audible signal producing alarm system incorporated into the watch structure. The audible signal is produced by a vibrating membrane located laterally adjacent to the watch battery within the watch case. The audible signal emanates from the case by radial sound discharging openings provided through the watch case. The structure minimizes the overall height of the watch structure. Access to the battery is provided by a removable battery cover over an opening in the rear cover of the watch. The battery may be removed and a new battery installed by merely removing the battery cover without disturbing the vibrating membrane or removing the entire rear cover of the watch.

Inventors

  • 👤 Tetuya Yasuda
  • 👤 Haruo Suda
  • 👤 Noriyuki Kasama

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 08:10
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04C; G04C3/00; G04C3/008; G04G; G04G13/00; G04G13/02; G04G13/021

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 277 words
In an electronically powered watch having a watch casing, a dial attached to one side of said casing, an electronically powered watch movement located within said casing and connected to indicating means on the external side of said dial to indicate the time, an electronic alarm oscillator circuit located within said housing, an alarm switch coupled to said oscillator circuit and controlled by said indicating means, means actuable from externally of the watch casing to adjust the time of closing of said alarm switch, and a battery electrically connected to the watch movement and the alarm oscillator circuit, the improvements comprising: a. a middle frame attached to a side of said casing opposite said dial, said middle frame having a plurality of openings therethrough, one of said openings surrounding said battery, b. an irregular shape vibratory membrane attached to said middle frame so as to cover the unoccupied opening in said frame, said irregular shape vibratory membrane being located laterally adjacent to said battery; c. means attached to said vibratory membrane and electrically connected to said electronic alarm oscillator circuit so as to cause said membrane to vibrate and emit an audible sound upon an electric input from said alarm oscillator circuit; d. a rear cover attached to said case adjacent to said vibratory membrane and spaced therefrom, said rear cover having an opening therethrough coaxially with said battery to enable the removal of said battery therethrough, the junction of said case and said rear cover defining at least one radial discharge opening to allow passage of the audible sound therethrough; and e. a battery cover removably attached to said rear cover to close said opening therethrough.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 277 words
In an electronically powered watch having a watch casing, a dial attached to one side of said casing, an electronically powered watch movement located within said casing and connected to indicating means on the external side of said dial to indicate the time, an electronic alarm oscillator circuit located within said housing, an alarm switch coupled to said oscillator circuit and controlled by said indicating means, means actuable from externally of the watch casing to adjust the time of closing of said alarm switch, and a battery electrically connected to the watch movement and the alarm oscillator circuit, the improvements comprising: a. a middle frame attached to a side of said casing opposite said dial, said middle frame having a plurality of openings therethrough, one of said openings surrounding said battery, b. an irregular shape vibratory membrane attached to said middle frame so as to cover the unoccupied opening in said frame, said irregular shape vibratory membrane being located laterally adjacent to said battery; c. means attached to said vibratory membrane and electrically connected to said electronic alarm oscillator circuit so as to cause said membrane to vibrate and emit an audible sound upon an electric input from said alarm oscillator circuit; d. a rear cover attached to said case adjacent to said vibratory membrane and spaced therefrom, said rear cover having an opening therethrough coaxially with said battery to enable the removal of said battery therethrough, the junction of said case and said rear cover defining at least one radial discharge opening to allow passage of the audible sound therethrough; and e. a battery cover removably attached to said rear cover to close said opening therethrough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 22 words
The improved electronically powered watch of claim 1 wherein said means to oscillate said irregular shape vibratory membrane comprises a piezoelectric oscillator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 22 words
The improved electronically powered watch of claim 1 wherein said means to oscillate said irregular shape vibratory membrane comprises an electrostrictive oscillator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 32 words
The improved electronically powered watch of claim 1 wherein said irregular shape vibratory membrane is sealingly attached to said middle frame to prevent the passage of dust and moisture into said case.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3577876A Cited
US3760583A Cited
US3777472A Cited
US3760584A Cited
US3780522A Cited
US3733804A Cited
US3788060A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1978-04-28 1978-10-28 1979-04-29 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1982-04-28 1982-10-28 1983-04-29 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1986-04-28 1986-10-28 1987-04-29 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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