Patent US3974638A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3974638A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hourglass watch
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-09-04
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Granted: 1976-08-17
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Expires: 1995-09-04
Abstract
Abstract A quartz-operated digital watch is provided with a casing defining a shallow cavity within which a chamber of hourglass configuration is disposed. This hourglass chamber includes gold dust or particles which, when caused to flow from one chamber portion to another, bridge two electrodes to complete a circuit and render the digital display visible.
Inventors
- 👤 Terry M. Haber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 15:42
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04C; G04C3/00; G04C3/001; G04C3/002; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S200/00; Y10S200/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
An hourglass watch including, in combination: a. a watch casing incorporating battery means and defining a shallow cavity in its top exterior surface; b. display means in said cavity for providing a digital indication of the time; c. illuminating means in said casing for rendering visible said display means when actuated; d. a closed chamber of hourglass configuration disposed in said cavity and incorporating electrically conducting granules; and, e. electrodes connected to said battery means and to said illuminating means to actuate said illuminating means when electrically bridged, said electrodes being in opposed relationship in the constricted central portion of said hourglass in positions to be electrically bridged together by the flow of said granules under gravity from one portion of the closed chamber to the other portion, whereby said illuminating means may be actuated by holding said watch casing in a position to cause the granules to flow past said constricted portion of the hourglass under the influence of gravity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
An hourglass watch including, in combination: a. a watch casing incorporating battery means and defining a shallow cavity in its top exterior surface; b. display means in said cavity for providing a digital indication of the time; c. illuminating means in said casing for rendering visible said display means when actuated; d. a closed chamber of hourglass configuration disposed in said cavity and incorporating electrically conducting granules; and, e. electrodes connected to said battery means and to said illuminating means to actuate said illuminating means when electrically bridged, said electrodes being in opposed relationship in the constricted central portion of said hourglass in positions to be electrically bridged together by the flow of said granules under gravity from one portion of the closed chamber to the other portion, whereby said illuminating means may be actuated by holding said watch casing in a position to cause the granules to flow past said constricted portion of the hourglass under the influence of gravity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
113 words
An hourglass watch according to claim 1, in which said digital display is located on either side of the constricted central portion of said hourglass and is in a right side up position when said watch casing is brought into a viewing position from a normal storing position in which the display is upside down, whereby when the watch casing is normally stored, the granules in the hourglass migrate to that portion of the hourglass which will be physically above the other portion when the watch is inverted for viewing so that a flow of granules through said constricted portion to bridge said electrodes is assured when the watch is to be viewed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An hourglass watch according to claim 1, in which said conducting granules constitute gold dust.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An hourglass watch according to claim 1, in which said conducting particles are provided in the form of micro-spheroids.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
An hourglass watch according to claim 1, in which side portions of said watch casing adjacent the sides of said cavity include medallion ornamentations in relief depicting historical scenes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
84 words
An hourglass watch according to claim 1, in which said watch casing includes an eye portion for connection to a chain or necklace at its central bottom end when the watch is held in a position to read the display in a right side up position such that when the watch is hung from a chain or necklace by said eye, it will assume an upside down position causing said conductive granules in said hourglass to migrate towards one end portion of said chamber.
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) | 1979-08-17 | 1980-02-16 | 1980-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-17 | 1984-02-16 | 1984-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-17 | 1988-02-16 | 1988-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |