US3886725A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digital timepiece
Assignee: AGATSUMA SEIKI KK
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Filing: 1973-11-20
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Granted: 1975-06-03
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Expires: 1993-11-20
Abstract
Abstract A digital timepiece is disclosed in which characters to indicate the minutes of the first digit and of the second digit and of the hour are formed by light transmitting film in drums; a plurality of drums are disposed in parallel and driven intermittently by a synchronous motor and a source of light in each drum directly irradiates the characters.
Inventors
- 👤 Masao Izawa
- 👤 Kiyoto Ohlawa
- 👤 Yookichi Yuasa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:44
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04B; G04B19/00; G04B19/30; G04B19/20; G04B19/21; G04C; G04C17/00; G04C17/0075
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A digital timepiece comprising an intermediate gear rotated continuously by a synchronous motor, an engaging protrusion integral with said intermediate gear, a series of intermittently rotative members arranged on a first plate and actuated in successive order and intermittently by said engaging protrusion, at least three rotary drums mounted on said intermittently rotative members, a plurality of light sources arranged on a second plate and positioned in each said rotary drum, and a cover enclosing and holding said motor, intermittently rotative members, rotary drums and light sources, said rotary drums being adapted to display characters for single digit of minute indications, two digits of minute indications and hour indications, said characters being formed of light-transmitting material, said covering being provided with a plurality of opening for displaying an indication unit of each of said rotary drums, and the light rays emitted from said light sources being emitted directly toward the outside through the characters of said light-transmitting construction and the openings of the covering.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A digital timepiece comprising an intermediate gear rotated continuously by a synchronous motor, an engaging protrusion integral with said intermediate gear, a series of intermittently rotative members arranged on a first plate and actuated in successive order and intermittently by said engaging protrusion, at least three rotary drums mounted on said intermittently rotative members, a plurality of light sources arranged on a second plate and positioned in each said rotary drum, and a cover enclosing and holding said motor, intermittently rotative members, rotary drums and light sources, said rotary drums being adapted to display characters for single digit of minute indications, two digits of minute indications and hour indications, said characters being formed of light-transmitting material, said covering being provided with a plurality of opening for displaying an indication unit of each of said rotary drums, and the light rays emitted from said light sources being emitted directly toward the outside through the characters of said light-transmitting construction and the openings of the covering.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
164 words
A digital timepiece comprising an intermediate gear rotated continuously by a synchronous motor, an engaging protrusion integral with said intermediate gear, a series of intermittently rotative members arranged on a first plate and actuated in successive order and intermittently by said engaging protrusion, at least three rotary drums mounted on said intermittently rotative members, a plurality of light sources arranged on a second plate and positioned in each said rotary drum, and a cover enclosing and holding said motor, intermittently rotative members, rotary drums and light sources, said rotary drums being adapted to display characters for single digit of minute indications, two digits of minute indications and hour indications, said characters being formed of light-transmitting material, said covering being provided with a plurality of opening for displaying an indication unit of each of said rotary drums, and the light rays emitted from said light sources being emitted directly toward the outside through the characters of said light-transmitting construction and the openings of the covering.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
164 words
A digital timepiece comprising an intermediate gear rotated continuously by a synchronous motor, an engaging protrusion integral with said intermediate gear, a series of intermittently rotative members arranged on a first plate and actuated in successive order and intermittently by said engaging protrusion, at least three rotary drums mounted on said intermittently rotative members, a plurality of light sources arranged on a second plate and positioned in each said rotary drum, and a cover enclosing and holding said motor, intermittently rotative members, rotary drums and light sources, said rotary drums being adapted to display characters for single digit of minute indications, two digits of minute indications and hour indications, said characters being formed of light-transmitting material, said covering being provided with a plurality of opening for displaying an indication unit of each of said rotary drums, and the light rays emitted from said light sources being emitted directly toward the outside through the characters of said light-transmitting construction and the openings of the covering.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A digital timepiece according to claim 1 wherein a reflector is provided at the back of each light source, and the light ray from said light source is concentrated onto the characters and the openings of the covering.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A digital timepiece according to claim 1 wherein said rotary drums are polygonally shaped, each face of said rotary drums being formed with said characters of light-transmitting material, and the openings of the covering being provided with a lens.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A digital timepiece, according to claim 1, wherein each of said rotary drums has characters with holes covered at the inside by semi-transparent film.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A digital timepiece according to claim 1, wherein each of said rotary drums has characters on which are arrayed small holes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
77 words
A digital timepiece according to claim 1, wherein each rotary drum is interlocked with an intermediate gear rotating continuously, a light-transmitting member formed in pyramidal recess shape being attached to the opening of the covering positioned in front of said rotary drum, and a source of light being inserted in said rotary drum to indicate the movement of the mechanism in continuous rotation, and the optical change produced through said pyramidal recess indicating passage of one second.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
103 words
A digital timepiece according to claim 1, wherein a ratchet wheel formed with engaging portions in the radial direction and aslant portions having a large slope at the back is disposed to correspond to the face of the rotary drum indicating the single digit of minute, and said rotary drum is attached to the engaging plate that will be actuated by intermittent engagement with the engaging protrusion formed on the intermediate gear, in order that even where said rotary drum is stopped without normally facing the opening of the covering, the stopped position may be corrected by the rotation of said intermediate gear.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
A digital timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the engaging parts, to prevent random engagement with each other during periods outside the determined period of intermittent movement, are formed between the driving rotary member and the driven rotary member with a series of intermittently rotative members consisting of at least three rotary drums.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
100 words
A digital timepiece according to claim 1, wherein an engaging protrusion formed at the protruding part of the intermediate gear is allowed to intermittently engage with the teeth of the engaging plate attached to the rotary drum which displays a single digit of minute indication, and an adjustment wheel part of which protrudes out of the covering is engaged via an intermediate gear with the gear formed on said engaging plate, and another adjustment wheel is engaged with the gear mounted on the rotary drum which displays hour indication, so that minute indication and hour indication can be adjusted separately.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3179003A
Cited
US3673787A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-02 | 1978-12-02 | 1979-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-02 | 1982-12-02 | 1983-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-02 | 1986-12-02 | 1987-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |