US3955356A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Watch having positioned controlled display actuator
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1974-03-19
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Granted: 1976-05-11
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Expires: 1994-03-19
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a solid state watch having an electro optical display which is selectively actuated by a gravity switch contained in the watch casing and positioned such that upon a displacement from a horizontal of the watch the display is actuated. A preferred embodiment utilizes a triangular-shaped cavity having a ball-shaped conductor movably contained therein for engaging a pair of electrical contacts within the cavity for coupling power to the display. Furthermore, the displacement of the watch from horizontal must also be within a selected orientation range.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew D. LeCocq
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:55
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04C; G04C3/00; G04C3/001; G04C3/002; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S200/00; Y10S200/29
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A watch comprising: a. a watch housing having upper and lower major surfaces parallel to a central plane; b. an electro-optical time display selectively positioned within said housing for displaying time upon command; and c. a gravity actuated switch coupled to said display for selectively energizing said display, said switch comprising means having a cavity, electrical contact terminal means positioned at one end of said cavity, and a gravity responsive mass of electrical conductor movably contained within said cavity for making contact between said electrical contact terminal means only upon engagement therewith, said switch being positioned in said housing with said cavity displaced at a predetermined acute angle with respect to said central plane, said one end of said cavity being disposed in said housing closer to said upper major surface than the remainder of said cavity such that said switch actuates said display when the central plane of said watch housing is angularly displaced from the horizontal to at least an angle greater than said predetermined angle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A watch comprising: a. a watch housing having upper and lower major surfaces parallel to a central plane; b. an electro-optical time display selectively positioned within said housing for displaying time upon command; and c. a gravity actuated switch coupled to said display for selectively energizing said display, said switch comprising means having a cavity, electrical contact terminal means positioned at one end of said cavity, and a gravity responsive mass of electrical conductor movably contained within said cavity for making contact between said electrical contact terminal means only upon engagement therewith, said switch being positioned in said housing with said cavity displaced at a predetermined acute angle with respect to said central plane, said one end of said cavity being disposed in said housing closer to said upper major surface than the remainder of said cavity such that said switch actuates said display when the central plane of said watch housing is angularly displaced from the horizontal to at least an angle greater than said predetermined angle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The watch according to claim 1 wherein said cavity is configured substantially in a triangular shape with said contact terminal means being located at one apex of said triangle providing said one end and wherein said one apex is closer to said upper major surface than the second and third apices.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The watch according to claim 2 wherein said mass is essentially spherical in shape having a selected raidus and wherein said second and third triangle apices are rounded having radii at least slightly larger than said selected radius for accepting said mass.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The watch according to claim 3 wherein the sides of said triangular cavity adjacent said first apex each have a rounded opening of radius at least slightly larger than said selected radius for temporarily capturing said mass.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The watch according to claim 1 wherein said mass is essentially spherical and has an electrically conductive coating.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The watch according to claim 5 wherein said mass comprises nickel and said coating comprises gold and cobalt.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The watch according to claim 1 wherein said mass is essentially spherical and is uniformly comprised of electrically conductive material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The watch according to claim 6 wherein said mass is comprised of gold.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The watch according to claim 2 including a wrist band coupled to said casing at two points wherein said one apex is rotated between about ten and twenty-five degrees from the plane established by said points and said apex.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The watch according to claim 1 wherein said mass weighs between 1 and 10 milligrams.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The watch according to claim 3 wherein said selected radius dimension is approximately 0.0175 inches.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR648661A
Cited
US2997557A
Cited
US3161737A
Cited
US3508044A
Cited
US3729923A
Cited
US3748847A
Cited
US3742699A
Cited
US3812308A
Cited
US3855784A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-05-11 | 1979-11-10 | 1980-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-05-11 | 1983-11-10 | 1984-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-05-11 | 1987-11-10 | 1988-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |