US3910029A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid crystal timepiece with improved display panel
Assignee: Suwa Seikosha KK
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Filing: 1973-08-01
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Granted: 1975-10-07
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Expires: 1993-08-01
Abstract
Abstract A timepiece using a liquid crystal panel for display of the time has maximized display area while concealing the spacer and the filling hole. Assembly is facilitated by use of a case body having a notch with a sloping wall which guides electrical connectors into position so as to make contact between the electronic circuitry and electrical elements comprising the display portions of the display panel.
Inventors
- 👤 Satoshi Yamazaki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:27
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04G; G04G17/00; G04G17/02; G04G17/04; G04G17/045; G04C; G04C17/00; G04G9/00; G04G9/0023; G04G9/0029; G04G9/0035
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
An electronic timepiece comprising a liquid crystal display panel for displaying the time, said panel including an upper plate, a lower plate, a spacer between said plates and around the periphery of said lower plate, one of said plates having a passage therethrough proximate said spacer for introducing liquid crystal into the space defined by said plates and said spacer, and a stopper in said passage; a base; a frame having a recess therein for receiving said display panel, and an opening through which said panel may be viewed, said frame overlapping said spacer and said passage minimally, thereby providing maximum space on said display panel for display of time while hiding from view said spacer and said passage; electronic circuitry for timekeeping and driving said display panel; electrical connecting means connecting the output of said electronic circuitry to said display panel for actuating said display panel and displaying the time; and holding means for holding said circuitry and said frame to said base, wherein said base has a notch therein, the shape of said notch being such as to provide for transit therethrough of said connecting means between said electronic circuitry and said display panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
An electronic timepiece comprising a liquid crystal display panel for displaying the time, said panel including an upper plate, a lower plate, a spacer between said plates and around the periphery of said lower plate, one of said plates having a passage therethrough proximate said spacer for introducing liquid crystal into the space defined by said plates and said spacer, and a stopper in said passage; a base; a frame having a recess therein for receiving said display panel, and an opening through which said panel may be viewed, said frame overlapping said spacer and said passage minimally, thereby providing maximum space on said display panel for display of time while hiding from view said spacer and said passage; electronic circuitry for timekeeping and driving said display panel; electrical connecting means connecting the output of said electronic circuitry to said display panel for actuating said display panel and displaying the time; and holding means for holding said circuitry and said frame to said base, wherein said base has a notch therein, the shape of said notch being such as to provide for transit therethrough of said connecting means between said electronic circuitry and said display panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electronic timepiece as defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting means consists of resilient electrically conductive metal strips.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
90 words
The electronic timepiece as defined in claim 1 wherein said notch has an outer wall sloping inwardly in passing from the rear of said timepiece toward said panel and said metal strips are attached to said electronic circuitry so that said strips bear against said sloping wall and are forced inwardly with respect to same as said circuitry is brought into place in said base, said flexible strips being of length such that they made electrical contact mechanically with said display panel as said circuitry is seated in said base.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The electronic timepiece as defined in claim 3 wherein the outer wall of said notch in said base is electrically conductive and insulating means are provided between said outer wall and said strips which prevent electrical shorting between said strips.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electronic timepiece as defined in claim 4 wherein said insulating means is an insulating liner affixed to the outer wall of said notch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electronic timepiece as defined in claim 4 wherein said insulating means consists of insulating material affixed to said strips so positioned as to hold said strips away from said outer wall of said notch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electronic timepiece as defined in claim 1 wherein said liquid crystal display panel and said electronic circuitry sandwich said base.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electronic timepiece as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame has characters marked on the outer surface thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
163 words
An electronic timepiece comprising a liquid crystal crystal display panel including an upper plate and a lower plate, at least one of said plates having conductive leads on a surface thereof, said leads being accessible suiTably for connection to an exterior source of voltage; a base having a notch therein; a frame having a recess therein for receiving said display panel; electronic circuitry for timekeeping and driving said display panel; resilient, electrically-conductive metal strips for connecting said circuitry to said conductive leads and making mechanical contact with said leads, said strips traversing said notch in said base; holding means for holding together said frame, base and circuitry, said notch having an outer wall sloping inwardly in passing from the rear of said timepiece toward said panel and said metal strips being attached to said electronic circuitry so that said strips bear against said sloping wall and are forced inwardly with respect to same as said circuitry is brought into place in said base.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
163 words
An electronic timepiece comprising a liquid crystal crystal display panel including an upper plate and a lower plate, at least one of said plates having conductive leads on a surface thereof, said leads being accessible suiTably for connection to an exterior source of voltage; a base having a notch therein; a frame having a recess therein for receiving said display panel; electronic circuitry for timekeeping and driving said display panel; resilient, electrically-conductive metal strips for connecting said circuitry to said conductive leads and making mechanical contact with said leads, said strips traversing said notch in said base; holding means for holding together said frame, base and circuitry, said notch having an outer wall sloping inwardly in passing from the rear of said timepiece toward said panel and said metal strips being attached to said electronic circuitry so that said strips bear against said sloping wall and are forced inwardly with respect to same as said circuitry is brought into place in said base.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The electronic timepiece as defined in claim 9, wherein the outer wall of said notch in said base is electrically conductive and insulating means are provided between said outer wall and said strips which prevent electrical shorting between said strips.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electronic timepiece as defined in claim 10, wherein said insulating means is an insulating liner affixed to the outer wall of said notch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electronic timepiece as defined in claim 10, wherein said insulating means consists of insulating material affixed to said strips so positioned as to hold said strips away from said outer wall of said notch.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electronic timepiece as defined in claim 9, wherein said liquid crystal display panel and said electronic circuitry sandwich said base.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electronic timepiece as defined in claim 9, wherein said frame has characters marked on the outer surface thereof.
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) | 1978-10-06 | 1979-04-07 | 1979-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-06 | 1983-04-07 | 1983-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-06 | 1987-04-07 | 1987-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |