Shadow-mask color cathode ray tube with improved mask suspension system

Claim 2

For use in a color cathode ray tube having an envelope which includes an approximately rectangular, flangeless, curved faceplate supporting on a concave inner surface thereof in a central region a phosphor screen comprising a pattern of red-emissive, blue-emissive and green-emissive phosphor triads, said faceplate being subject, due to its flangeless rectangular configuration, to twist-wise deformations in its configuration which may occur with respect to its diagonals, the combination comprising: an approximately rectangular non-self-rigid shadow mask having a curved central portion containing a pattern of electron-transmissive apertures registerable with said pattern of phosphor triads and a stiffening portion circumscribing said central portion, said stiffening portion permitting said mask to flex with respect to its diagonals; and a mask suspension system for supporting said shadow mask at a predetermined spacing from said inner surface of said faceplate portion, comprising four suspension devices, one at each corner of the faceplate portion, for mechanically coupling said mask to said envelope such that said mask can flex about a diagonal, if necessary, to conform to the contour of said faceplate, at least three of said suspension devices including a metal stud on said faceplate in a corner region thereof on an area of said concave inner surface which extends outwardly beyond said phosphor screen, and a mask-mounted component on the outside of said stiffening portion of said mask, said mask-mounted component including spring means having provision for retentively engaging said stud.

Claim 3

The apparatus defined by claim 1 wherein said mask-mounted component includes an edge-bonded bimetallic component which deflects when heated to cause said mask to be displaced toward said faceplate.

Claim 4

The apparatus defined by claim 1 wherein said mask-mounted component includes a bracket secured to said stiffening portion of said mask so as to extend around a corner on the outside thereof, said spring means comprising a leaf spring attached at one end to said bracket and having at its distal end said provision for engaging said stud.

Claim 5

For use in a color cathode ray tube having an envelope which includes an approximately rectangular, flangeless, curved faceplate supporting on a concave inner surface thereof in a central region a phosphor screen comprising a pattern of red-emissive, blue-emissive and green-emissive phosphor triads, said faceplate being subject, due to its flangeless rectangular configuration, to twist-wise deformations in its configuration which may occur with respect to its diagonals, the combination comprising: a rectangular, non-self-rigid shadow mask having a central portion of curvature related to that of the faceplate and containing a pattern of electron-transmissive apertures, said shadow mask also having a stiffening portion circumscribing said central portion causing said mask to be relatively stiff with respect to its major and minor axes, yet relatively torsionally flexible with respect to its diagonals; and a mask suspension system for detachably supporting said shadow mask at a predetermined spacing from said inner surface of said faceplate, comprising four suspension devices, one at each corner of the faceplate, for mechanically coupling said shadow mask to said faceplate such that said mask can flex about a diagonal, if necesary, to conform to the contour of said faceplate, at least three of said suspension devices including a faceplate-mounted component on a diagonal of said faceplate on an area of said concave inner surface of said faceplate which extends outwardly beyond said phosphor screen, and including a mask-mounted component on the outside of said stiffening portion of said mask, one of said mask-mounted and faceplate-mounted components including leaf spring means having provision for detachably engaging coupling means on the other of said mask-mounted and faceplate-mounted components substantially along a mask diagonal, said provision moving when said leaf spring means is deflected substantially in a plane which includes said diagonal and the mask axis in order to suppress the generation of tangential force components on the mask in the plane thereof which might tend to rotate, mislocate, twist or distort the mask.

Claim 6

For use in a color cathode ray tube having an envelope which includes an approximately rectangular, flangeless, curved faceplate supporting on a concave inner surface thereof in a central region a phosphor screen comprising a pattern of red-emissive, blue-emissive and green-emissive phosphor triads, said faceplate being subject, due to its flangeless rectangular configuration, to twist-wise deformations in its configuration which may occur with respect to its diagonals, the combination comprising: a rectangular, non-self-rigid shadow mask having a central portion of curvature related to that of the faceplate and containing a pattern of electron-transmissive apertures, said shadow mask also having a stiffening portion circumscribing said central portion causing said mask to be relatively stiff with respect to its major and minor axes, yet relatively torsionally flexible with respect to its diagonals; and a mask suspension system for detachably supporting said shadow mask at a predetermined spacing from said inner surface of said faceplate, comprising four suspension devices, one at each corner of the faceplate, for mechanically coupling said shadow mask to said faceplate such that said mask can flex about a diagonal, if necesary, to conform to the contour of said faceplate, at least three of said suspension devices including a faceplate-mounted component on a diagonal of said faceplate on an area of said concave inner surface of said faceplate which extends outwardly beyond said phosphor screen, and including a mask-mounted component on the outside of said stiffening portion of said mask, one of said mask-mounted and faceplate-mounted components including leaf spring means having provision for detachably engaging coupling means on the other of said mask-mounted and faceplate-mounted components substantially along a mask diagonal, said provision moving when said leaf spring means is deflected substantially in a plane which includes said diagonal and the mask axis in order to suppress the generation of tangential force components on the mask in the plane thereof which might tend to rotate, mislocate, twist or distort the mask.

Claim 7

The apparatus defined by claim 4 wherein said mask-mounted component includes a bracelet secured to said stiffening portion of said mask so as to extend around a corner on the outside thereof, said leaf spring means being attached at one end to said bracket and having at its distal end said provision for detachably engaging said faceplate-mounted component.

Claim 8

The apparatus defined by claim 5 wherein said faceplate-mounted component comprises a metal stud affixed to said faceplate and having an aperture oriented on said diagonal, and wherein said leaf spring means carries a lug for making engagement in said aperture in said stud along said diagonal.

Claim 9

For use in a color cathode ray tube having an envelope which includes a curved faceplate portion supporting on an inner surface thereof, in a central region, a phosphor screen comprising a pattern of red-emissive, blue-emissive and green-emissive phosphor element triads, the combination comprising: a rectangular, non-self-rigid shadow mask having a central portion of curvature related to that of the faceplate portion and containing a pattern of electron-transmissive apertures, said shadow mask also having a stiffening portion circumscribing said central portion causing said mask to be relatively stiff with respect to its major and minor axes, yet relatively torsionally flexible with respect to its diagonals; and a mask suspension system for detachably supporting said shadow mask at a predetermined spacing from said inner surface of said faceplate portion, comprising four suspension devices, one at each corner of the faceplate portion, for mechanically coupling said shadow mask to said envelope, each of said suspension devices including an envelope-mounted component affixed to said envelope on a diagonal of said faceplate portion and a mask-mounted component secured to the outside of said stiffening portion of said mask, said mask-mounted component including bracket means mounted on the outside of said stiffening portion of said mask and a leaf spring connected at one end to said bracket means, the distal end of said spring having provision for detachable engaging coupling means on said envelope-mounted component substantially along a mask diagonal, said leaf spring means deflecting, when stressed, substantially in a plane which includes said diagonal and the mask axis in order to suppress the generation of tangential force components on the mask in the plane thereof which might tend to rotate, mislocate, twist or distort the mask.

Claim 10

For use in a color cathode ray tube having an envelope which includes a curved faceplate portion supporting on an inner surface thereof, in a central region, a phosphor screen comprising a pattern of red-emissive, blue-emissive and green-emissive phosphor element triads, the combination comprising: a rectangular, non-self-rigid shadow mask having a central portion of curvature related to that of the faceplate portion and containing a pattern of electron-transmissive apertures, said shadow mask also having a stiffening portion circumscribing said central portion causing said mask to be relatively stiff with respect to its major and minor axes, yet relatively torsionally flexible with respect to its diagonals; and a mask suspension system for detachably supporting said shadow mask at a predetermined spacing from said inner surface of said faceplate portion, comprising four suspension devices, one at each corner of the faceplate portion, for mechanically coupling said shadow mask to said envelope, each of said suspension devices including an envelope-mounted component affixed to said envelope on a diagonal of said faceplate portion and a mask-mounted component secured to the outside of said stiffening portion of said mask, said mask-mounted component including bracket means mounted on the outside of said stiffening portion of said mask and a leaf spring connected at one end to said bracket means, the distal end of said spring having provision for detachable engaging coupling means on said envelope-mounted component substantially along a mask diagonal, said leaf spring means deflecting, when stressed, substantially in a plane which includes said diagonal and the mask axis in order to suppress the generation of tangential force components on the mask in the plane thereof which might tend to rotate, mislocate, twist or distort the mask.

Claim 11

For use in a color cathode ray tube having an envelope which includes a curved faceplate portion supporting on an inner surface thereof, in a central region, a phosphor screen comprising a pattern of red-emissive, blue-emissive and green-emissive phosphor element triads, the combination comprising: a rectangular, non-self-rigid shadow mask having a central portion curvature related to that of the faceplate portion and containing a pattern of electron-transmissive apertures, said shadow mask also having a stiffening portion circumscribing said central portion causing said mask to be relatively stiff with respect to its major and minor axes, yet relatively torsionally flexible with respect to its diagonals; and a mask suspension system for detachably supporting said shadow mask at a predetermined spacing from said inner surface of said faceplate portion, comprising four suspension devices, one at each corner of the faceplate portion, for mechanically coupling said shadow mask to said envelope, each of said suspension devices including an envelope-mounted component affixed to said envelope on a diagonal of said faceplate portion and a mask-mounted component secured to the outside of said stiffening portion of said mask, said mask-mounted component including leaf spring means having provision for detachably engaging coupling means on said envelope-mounted component substantially along a mask diagonal, said provision moving when said leaf spring means is deflected substantially in a plane which includes said diagonal and the mask axis in order to suppress the generation of tangential force components on the mask in the plane thereof which might tend to rotate, mislocate, twist or distort the mask, three of said suspension devices fixing in the plane of the mask the spatial position of the mask relative to said inner surface of said faceplate portion and a redundant fourth suspension device having provision for permitting the fourth corner of the mask to seek an equilibrium position in said plane of the mask.

Claim 12

For use in a color cathode ray tube having an envelope which includes a curved faceplate portion supporting on an inner surface thereof, in a central region, a phosphor screen comprising a pattern of red-emissive, blue-emissive and green-emissive phosphor element triads, the combination comprising: a rectangular, non-self-rigid shadow mask having a central portion curvature related to that of the faceplate portion and containing a pattern of electron-transmissive apertures, said shadow mask also having a stiffening portion circumscribing said central portion causing said mask to be relatively stiff with respect to its major and minor axes, yet relatively torsionally flexible with respect to its diagonals; and a mask suspension system for detachably supporting said shadow mask at a predetermined spacing from said inner surface of said faceplate portion, comprising four suspension devices, one at each corner of the faceplate portion, for mechanically coupling said shadow mask to said envelope, each of said suspension devices including an envelope-mounted component affixed to said envelope on a diagonal of said faceplate portion and a mask-mounted component secured to the outside of said stiffening portion of said mask, said mask-mounted component including leaf spring means having provision for detachably engaging coupling means on said envelope-mounted component substantially along a mask diagonal, said provision moving when said leaf spring means is deflected substantially in a plane which includes said diagonal and the mask axis in order to suppress the generation of tangential force components on the mask in the plane thereof which might tend to rotate, mislocate, twist or distort the mask, three of said suspension devices fixing in the plane of the mask the spatial position of the mask relative to said inner surface of said faceplate portion and a redundant fourth suspension device having provision for permitting the fourth corner of the mask to seek an equilibrium position in said plane of the mask.

Claim 13

The apparatus defined by claim 8 wherein said mask-mounted component includes a bracket secured to said stiffening portion of said mask so as to extend around a corner on the outside thereof, said leaf spring means being attached at one end of said bracket and having at its distal end said provision for detachably engaging said envelope-mounted conponent.

Claim 14

The apparatus defined by claim 9 wherein said envelope-mounted component comprises a metal stud affixed to said faceplate portion and having an aperture oriented on said diagonal, and wherein said leaf spring means carries a lug for making engagement in said aperture in said stud along said diagonal.

Claim 15

The apparatus defined by claim 10 wherein said redundant fourth suspension device is like the other three devices except that the aperture in said stud is a slot elongated in a direction transverse to said diagonal but parallel to said faceplate portion.

Claim 16

In a color cathode ray tube, the combination comprising: a rectangular, rigid, flangeless, three-dimensionally curved glass faceplate having a concave inner surface supporting in a central region thereof a phosphor screen comprising a pattern of red-emissive, blue-emissive and green-emissive phosphor triads; a lightweight, rectangular, non-self-rigid shadow mask having a central portion of curvature related to that of the faceplate and containing a pattern of electron-transmissive apertures, said shadow mask also having a stiffening portion circumscribing said central portion causing said mask to be relatively stiff with respect to its major and minor axes, yet relatively torsionally flexible with respect to its diagonals; a mask suspension system for detachably supporting said shadow mask at a predetermined spacing from said inner surface of said faceplate and for coupling said mask and said faceplate such that said faceplate provides rigidity for said mask while permitting said mask to be repeatably removed from and precisely remounted in the tube, said suspension system comprising four suspension devices, one located at each corner of the mask on a diagonal thereof so as to permit the mask to flex about a diagonal, if necessary, to conform to the contour of the inner surface of the faceplate, and yet so as to accurately fix the spatial position thereof relative to the faceplate, each of said suspension devices including a faceplate-mounted component affixed to said faceplate on a diagonal thereof, and a mask-mounted component secured to the outside of said stiffening portion of said mask, said mask-mounted component including bracket means and leaf spring means on said bracket means having provision for detachably engaging coupling means on said faceplate-mounted component substantially along a mask diagonal, said provision moving when said leaf spring means is deflected, substantially in a plane which includes said diagonal and the mask axis in order to suppress the generation of tangential force components on the mask in the plane thereof which might tend to rotate, mislocate, twist or distort the mask.

Claim 17

In a color cathode ray tube, the combination comprising: a rectangular, rigid, flangeless, three-dimensionally curved glass faceplate having a concave inner surface supporting in a central region thereof a phosphor screen comprising a pattern of red-emissive, blue-emissive and green-emissive phosphor triads; a lightweight, rectangular, non-self-rigid shadow mask having a central portion of curvature related to that of the faceplate and containing a pattern of electron-transmissive apertures, said shadow mask also having a stiffening portion circumscribing said central portion causing said mask to be relatively stiff with respect to its major and minor axes, yet relatively torsionally flexible with respect to its diagonals; a mask suspension system for detachably supporting said shadow mask at a predetermined spacing from said inner surface of said faceplate and for coupling said mask and said faceplate such that said faceplate provides rigidity for said mask while permitting said mask to be repeatably removed from and precisely remounted in the tube, said suspension system comprising four suspension devices, one located at each corner of the mask on a diagonal thereof so as to permit the mask to flex about a diagonal, if necessary, to conform to the contour of the inner surface of the faceplate, and yet so as to accurately fix the spatial position thereof relative to the faceplate, each of said suspension devices including a faceplate-mounted component affixed to said faceplate on a diagonal thereof, and a mask-mounted component secured to the outside of said stiffening portion of said mask, said mask-mounted component including bracket means and leaf spring means on said bracket means having provision for detachably engaging coupling means on said faceplate-mounted component substantially along a mask diagonal, said provision moving when said leaf spring means is deflected, substantially in a plane which includes said diagonal and the mask axis in order to suppress the generation of tangential force components on the mask in the plane thereof which might tend to rotate, mislocate, twist or distort the mask.

Claim 18

The apparatus defined by claim 12 wherein said faceplate-mounted component comprises a metal stud affixed to said faceplate and having an aperture oriented on said diagonal, and wherein said leaf spring means carries a lug for making engagement in said aperture in said stud.

Claim 19

The apparatus defined by claim 13 wherein three of said suspension devices fix in the plane of the mask the spatial position of the mask relative to said inner surface of said faceplate and a redundant fourth suspension device has provision for permitting the fourth corner of the mask to seek an equilibrium position in the said plane of the mask.

Claim 20

The apparatus defined by claim 14 wherein said redundant fourth suspension device is like the other three devices except that the aperture in said stud is a slot elongated in a direction transverse to said diagonal but parallel to said faceplate.

Claim 21

For use in a color cathode ray tube, a mask suspension system for supporting a shadow mask on the envelope of the tube including a plurality of mask suspension devices spaced around the mask, each comprising: envelope-mounted means for supporting said mask secured in a precise location upon the inside of the envelope; and mask-mounted means for retentively but detachably engaging said envelope-mounted means to cause said mask to assume a fixed position in space relative to said envelope, said envelope-mounted means and said mask-mounted means mating with a snap-in, self-guiding and self-locating engagement such that said mask is quickly and precisely mountable in the tube by a push-click insertion operation.

Claim 22

For use in a color cathode ray tube, a mask suspension system for supporting a shadow mask on the envelope of the tube including a plurality of mask suspension devices spaced around the mask, each comprising: envelope-mounted means for supporting said mask secured in a precise location upon the inside of the envelope; and mask-mounted means for retentively but detachably engaging said envelope-mounted means to cause said mask to assume a fixed position in space relative to said envelope, said envelope-mounted means and said mask-mounted means mating with a snap-in, self-guiding and self-locating engagement such that said mask is quickly and precisely mountable in the tube by a push-click insertion operation.

Claim 23

The system defined by claim 16 wherein one of said mask-mounted means and said envelope-mounted means includes convergent lug means, and the other of said mask-mounted means and said envelope-mounted means includes a seat for receiving and precisely locating said convergent lug means in a predetermined position.

Claim 24

The system defined by claim 17 wherein other of said mask-mounted means and said envelope-mounted means includes means defining a tapered guide channel for receiving said convergent lug means and for guiding it into said seat.

Claim 25

The system defined by claim 18 wherein said mask-mounted means includes spring means carrying said convergent lug means and wherein said envelope-mounted means includes a stud which has an opening constituting said seat for receiving said lug means and which defines said guide channel for guiding said lug means against the restorative force of said spring into snap-in engagement in said opening.

Claim 26

The system defined by claim 18 wherein said one of said mask-mounted means and said envelope-mounted means includes spring means supporting said convergent lug means.

Claim 27

The system defined by claim 20 wherein said guide chennel and said lug means are oriented such that upon mounting of the mask on the envelope, said spring means is biased so as to place the mask in tension.

Claim 28

The system defined by claim 21 wherein said mask-mounted means includes said spring means and wherein said envelope-mounted means includes a stud which has an opening constituting said seat for receiving said lug means and which defines said guide channel for guiding said lug means against the restorative force of said spring means and into snap-in engagement in said opening.

Claim 29

The system defined by claim 20 wherein said guide channel and said lug means are oriented such that upon mounting of the mask on the envelope, said spring means is biased so as to place the mask in compression.

Claim 30

The system defined by claim 23 wherein said mask-mounted means includes said spring means and wherein said envelope-mounted means includes a stud which has an opening constituting said seat for receiving said lug means and which defines said guide channel for guiding said lug means against the restorative force of said spring means and into snap-in engagement in said opening.

Claim 31

In a color cathode ray tube, the combination comprising: an envelope including a funnel and a substantially rectangular, skirtless faceplate sealed therewith; a substantially rectangular shadow mask formed from a sheet of electrically conductive material and having therein a pattern of electron-transmissive apertures; and a mask suspension system for supporting said shadow mask on said faceplate including four mask suspension devices, one at each corner of the mask, at least three of said devices comprising: faceplate-mounted means for supporting said mask secured in a precise location upon the inside of the faceplate, and mask-mounted means for retentively but detachably engaging said faceplate-mounted means to cause said mask to assume a fixed position in space relative to said faceplate, said faceplate-mounted means and said mask-mounted means mating with a snap-in self-guiding and self-locating engagement such that said mask is quickly and precisely mountable in the tube by a push-click insertion operation.

Claim 32

In a color cathode ray tube, the combination comprising: an envelope including a funnel and a substantially rectangular, skirtless faceplate sealed therewith; a substantially rectangular shadow mask formed from a sheet of electrically conductive material and having therein a pattern of electron-transmissive apertures; and a mask suspension system for supporting said shadow mask on said faceplate including four mask suspension devices, one at each corner of the mask, at least three of said devices comprising: faceplate-mounted means for supporting said mask secured in a precise location upon the inside of the faceplate, and mask-mounted means for retentively but detachably engaging said faceplate-mounted means to cause said mask to assume a fixed position in space relative to said faceplate, said faceplate-mounted means and said mask-mounted means mating with a snap-in self-guiding and self-locating engagement such that said mask is quickly and precisely mountable in the tube by a push-click insertion operation.

Claim 33

The combination defined by claim 25 wherein one of said mask-mounted means and said faceplate-mounted means includes convergent lug means and the other of said mask-mounted means and said faceplate-mounted means includes a seat for receiving and precisely locating said convergent lug means in a predetermined position.

Claim 34

The combination defined by claim 26 wherein other of said mask-mounted means and said faceplate-mounted means includes means defining a tapered guide channel for receiving said convergent lug means and for guiding it into said seat.

Claim 35

The combination defined by claim 27 wherein said mask-mounted means includes leaf spring means carrying said convergent lug means and wherein said faceplate-mounted means includes a stud which has an opening constituting said seat for receiving said lug means and which defines said guide channel for guiding said lug means against the restorative force of said spring into snap-in engagement in said opening.

Claim 36

The combination defined by claim 27 wherein said one of said mask-mounted means and said faceplate-mounted means includes resilient leaf spring means supporting said convergent lug means.

Claim 37

The combination defined by claim 29 wherein said guide channel and said lug means are oriented such that upon mounting the mask upon the faceplate, said leaf spring means is biased so as to place the mask in tension.

Claim 38

The combination defined by claim 30 wherein said mask-mounted means includes said leaf spring means and wherein said faceplate-mounted means includes a stud which has an opening constituting said seat for receiving said lug means and which defines said guide channel for guiding said lug means against the restorative force of said spring means into snap-in engagement in said opening.

Claim 39

The combination defined by claim 29 wherein said guide channel aand said lug means are oriented such that upon mounting of the mask upon the faceplate, said leaf spring means is biases so as to place the mask in compression.

Claim 40

The combination defined by claim 28 wherein in said system, in three of said suspension devices said seat in said stud has a circular seating area and wherein the fourth device is similar to said three devices but comprises a faceplate-mounted stud having a seating area elongated in a direction parallel to said faceplate such that said fourth device fixes the spacing of the mask from the faceplate while permitting the mask freedom of movement parallel to the faceplate.

Claim 41

The combination defined by claim 25 wherein said mask is frameless and includes a forwardly directed, outwardly flared skirt and wherein said mask-mounted means is secured to said flared skirt.

Claim 42

In a color cathode ray tube, the combination comprising: an envelope including a funnel and a substantially rectangular, skirtless faceplate sealed therewith; a substantially rectangular shadow mask formed from a sheet of electrically conductive material and having therein a pattern of electron-transmissive apertures; and a mask suspension system for supporting said shadow mask on said faceplate of the tube including four mask suspension devices, one at each corner of the mask, at least three of said devices comprising: a stud for supporting the mask, secured in a precise location upon the inside of the faceplate, said stud defining a seat and a guide channel leading to said seat, and mask-mounted means including spring means supporting convergent lug means adapted to be received in said guide channel during a mask mounting operation and to follow said guide channel into a snap-in, self-locating engagement with said seat to thereby cause said mask to assume a predetermined fixed position in space relative to said stud and to said faceplate, said mask being quickly and precisely mountable in the tube by a push-click insertion operation.

Claim 43

In a color cathode ray tube, the combination comprising: an envelope including a funnel and a substantially rectangular, skirtless faceplate sealed therewith; a substantially rectangular shadow mask formed from a sheet of electrically conductive material and having therein a pattern of electron-transmissive apertures; and a mask suspension system for supporting said shadow mask on said faceplate of the tube including four mask suspension devices, one at each corner of the mask, at least three of said devices comprising: a stud for supporting the mask, secured in a precise location upon the inside of the faceplate, said stud defining a seat and a guide channel leading to said seat, and mask-mounted means including spring means supporting convergent lug means adapted to be received in said guide channel during a mask mounting operation and to follow said guide channel into a snap-in, self-locating engagement with said seat to thereby cause said mask to assume a predetermined fixed position in space relative to said stud and to said faceplate, said mask being quickly and precisely mountable in the tube by a push-click insertion operation.

Claim 44

The combination defined by claim 35 wherein said spring means supports said lug means facing inwardly toward said mask and wherein said channel is oriented such that, upon mounting of the mask in the tube, said spring means is biased outwardly so as to place the mask in tension.

Claim 45

The combination defined by claim 35 wherein said spring means supports said lug means facing outwardly away from the mask and wherein said channel is oriented such that, upon mounting of the mask in the tube, said spring means is biased inwardly so as to place the mask in compression.

Claim 46

The combination defined by claim 35 wherein in said three suspension devices said seat in said stud has a circular seating area and wherein the fourth device is similar to said three devices, but comprises a faceplate-mounted stud having a seating area elongated parallel to said faceplate so that said fourth device fixes the spacing of the mask from the faceplate while permitting the mask freedom of movement parallel to the faceplate.

Claim 47

The combination defined by claim 35 wherein said mask is frameless and flexible and includes a forwardly directed, outwardly flared skirt, and wherein said mask-mounted means is secured to said flared skirt.

Claim 48

For use in a color cathode ray tube a mask suspension system for supporting a shadow mask on a faceplate of the tube including a plurality of mask suspension devices spaced around the mask comprising: faceplate-mounted means for supporting said mask secured in a precise location upon the inside of the faceplate; and mask-mounted means for retentively but detachably engaging said faceplate-mounted means to cause said mask to assume a fixed position in space relative to said faceplate, one of said mask-mounted means and said faceplate-mounted means including spring means supporting a convergent lug means and the other of said mask-mounted means and said faceplate-mounted means including a seat for receiving and precisely locating said covergent lug means in a predetermined position, said faceplate-mounted means and said mask-mounted means mating such that said spring means places said mask under tension.

Claim 49

For use in a color cathode ray tube a mask suspension system for supporting a shadow mask on a faceplate of the tube including a plurality of mask suspension devices spaced around the mask comprising: faceplate-mounted means for supporting said mask secured in a precise location upon the inside of the faceplate; and mask-mounted means for retentively but detachably engaging said faceplate-mounted means to cause said mask to assume a fixed position in space relative to said faceplate, one of said mask-mounted means and said faceplate-mounted means including spring means supporting a convergent lug means and the other of said mask-mounted means and said faceplate-mounted means including a seat for receiving and precisely locating said covergent lug means in a predetermined position, said faceplate-mounted means and said mask-mounted means mating such that said spring means places said mask under tension.

Claim 50

In a color cathode ray tube, the combination comprising: an envelope including a funnel and a substantially rectangular, skirtless faceplate sealed therewith; a substantially rectangular shadow mask formed from a sheet of electrically conductive material and having therein a pattern of electron-transmissive apertures; and a mask suspension system for supporting said shadow mask on said faceplate of the tube including four mask suspension devices, one at each corner of the mask, at least three of said devices comprising: a stud for supporting the mask secured in a precise location upon the inside of the faceplate, said stud defining a seat facing outwardly from said mask, and mask-mounted means including spring means supporting convergent lug means facing inwardly toward said mask and adapted to be received in self-locating engagement with said seat to cause said mask to be placed in tension and to assume a predetermined fixed position in space relative to said stud and to said faceplate.

Claim 51

In a color cathode ray tube, the combination comprising: an envelope including a funnel and a substantially rectangular, skirtless faceplate sealed therewith; a substantially rectangular shadow mask formed from a sheet of electrically conductive material and having therein a pattern of electron-transmissive apertures; and a mask suspension system for supporting said shadow mask on said faceplate of the tube including four mask suspension devices, one at each corner of the mask, at least three of said devices comprising: a stud for supporting the mask secured in a precise location upon the inside of the faceplate, said stud defining a seat facing outwardly from said mask, and mask-mounted means including spring means supporting convergent lug means facing inwardly toward said mask and adapted to be received in self-locating engagement with said seat to cause said mask to be placed in tension and to assume a predetermined fixed position in space relative to said stud and to said faceplate.

Claim 52

In a color cathode ray tube, the combination comprising: an envelope including a funnel and sealed therewith a substantially rectangular front panel having a faceplate portion and a rearwardly directed skirt portion; a substantially rectangular shadow mask formed from a sheet of electrically conductive material and having therein a pattern of electron-transmissive apertures; and a mask suspension system for supporting said shadow mask on said skirt portion of said front panel which includes four mask suspension devices, one at each corner of the mask, at least three of said devices comprising: panel-mounted means for supporting said mask secured in a precise location upon the inside of the skirt portion of said front panel, and mask-mounted means for retentively but detachably engaging said panel-mounted means to cause said mask to assume a fixed position in space relative to said faceplate portion of said front panel, said panel-mounted means and said mask-mounted means mating with a snap-in, self-guiding and self-locating engagement such that said mask is quickly and precisely mountable in the tube by a push-click insertion operation.

Claim 53

In a color cathode ray tube, the combination comprising: an envelope including a funnel and sealed therewith a substantially rectangular front panel having a faceplate portion and a rearwardly directed skirt portion; a substantially rectangular shadow mask formed from a sheet of electrically conductive material and having therein a pattern of electron-transmissive apertures; and a mask suspension system for supporting said shadow mask on said skirt portion of said front panel which includes four mask suspension devices, one at each corner of the mask, at least three of said devices comprising: panel-mounted means for supporting said mask secured in a precise location upon the inside of the skirt portion of said front panel, and mask-mounted means for retentively but detachably engaging said panel-mounted means to cause said mask to assume a fixed position in space relative to said faceplate portion of said front panel, said panel-mounted means and said mask-mounted means mating with a snap-in, self-guiding and self-locating engagement such that said mask is quickly and precisely mountable in the tube by a push-click insertion operation.

Claim 54

The combination defined by claim 42 wherein said panel-mounted means includes convergent lug means and said mask-mounted means includes a leaf spring having formed therein an aperture and a lug guide channel leading to said aperture for receiving and guiding said lug means into snap-in engagement with said aperture.