US3972179A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Changeable display device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-03-28
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Granted: 1976-08-03
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Expires: 1995-03-28
Abstract
Abstract Automatic indicia changer, such as a clock-calendar for displaying months, days of the month, days of the week, hours and minutes, comprises a plurality of series of plates bearing the various indicia, each series being rotatable about its axis under the influence of a ratchet wheel that is moved stepwise by a dog, each step changing the indicia one increment. The dog is swung by a lever which in turn is swung by a rotary cam. The first series of indicia is driven by a motor; while the first series drives the second and the second drives the third, and so on. Thanks to the ratchet wheel and pawl drive, each series of indicia can be manually adjusted without interrupting the automatic drive. Manual adjustment may be effected either rapidly, by turning the ratchet wheel with an external knob, or stepwise by pressing with the finger on a protrusion on the associated swingable lever.
Inventors
- 👤 Pierre Bodet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:06
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04B; G04B19/00; G04B19/20; G04B19/205; G04B19/24; G04B19/243; G04B19/24386; G04B19/24393; G09; G09F; G09F11/00; G09F11/02; G09F11/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A horological instrument that displays a plurality of time units of different lengths, comprising a plurality of modules each adapted to display a different one of said time intervals, motor means for automatically driving a first of said modules, means for driving the other said modules each from another module, each said module comprising a drive shaft individual to said module, a plurality of said drive shafts of different said modules being spaced apart and parallel to each other, a chassis supporting said modules, and a knob on each of said plurality of shafts of said other modules, said knobs being disposed outside said chassis and being rotatable by the fingers of an operator thereby manually selectively to adjust the display of each of said other modules associated with one of said plurality of shafts without interrupting said automatic drive and without changing the display of the other said modules.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A horological instrument that displays a plurality of time units of different lengths, comprising a plurality of modules each adapted to display a different one of said time intervals, motor means for automatically driving a first of said modules, means for driving the other said modules each from another module, each said module comprising a drive shaft individual to said module, a plurality of said drive shafts of different said modules being spaced apart and parallel to each other, a chassis supporting said modules, and a knob on each of said plurality of shafts of said other modules, said knobs being disposed outside said chassis and being rotatable by the fingers of an operator thereby manually selectively to adjust the display of each of said other modules associated with one of said plurality of shafts without interrupting said automatic drive and without changing the display of the other said modules.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 1, each said module comprising a ratchet wheel on its associated said shaft, a dog for stepwise rotating said ratchet wheel, a lever for swinging said dog to operate said ratchet wheel, and means for manually swinging said lever, whereby each of said plurality of shafts may be rotated stepwise by manipulation of said manual swinging means, or more rapidly by rotation of the associated said knob.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 1, said driving means comprising a cam driven by said motor and having a step thereon, said cam swinging a lever that swings a dog that rotates a ratchet wheel stepwise, said cam step having a radially outer portion that is disposed in a plane parallel to but spaced from the axis of rotation of the cam and that subtends a small angle about the axis of the cam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 3, two of said time intervals being minutes and hours, said cam being associated with the hour display and said cam step coming into contact with the detent on said lever at the time of the change of the display of the hour.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 1, three of said time intervals being days of the week, days of the month, and hours, the hour change mechanism comprising an oscillable lever that simultaneously moves two shafts, one of said shafts being connected to the day of the week change mechanism and the other of said shafts being connected to the day of the month change mechanism.
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) | 1979-08-03 | 1980-02-02 | 1980-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-03 | 1984-02-02 | 1984-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-03 | 1988-02-02 | 1988-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |