US4031341A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dual function pusher and rotate switch for solid state digital watches having detent spring
Assignee: Timex Group USA Inc
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Filing: 1976-01-14
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Granted: 1977-06-21
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Expires: 1996-01-14
Abstract
Abstract A dual function pusher and rotate switch assembly for actuating, for example, a display light and/or time correction which includes a crown portion on the outside of the watch case and a shaft portion extending through the wall of the case. The shaft portion includes an intermediate section on the inside of the case which cooperates with a spring to provide a two position rotary detent action. In addition to permitting detent holding of the stem in the proper contact position, the spring arrangement also enables biased axial movement of the stem. The internal end of the shaft includes an eccentric tab which contacts a precisely positioned first switch blade when the stem being in a first detent position is pushed-in or contacts a second switch blade if the crown is rotated to a second detent position. If the crown is pushed-in while in the second detent position, both switch blades are engaged causing actuation of two functions such as causing simultaneous illumination and updating of the display.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Wuthrich
- 👤 Frank P. Mascia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 00:01
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04C; G04C3/00; G04C3/001; G04C3/005; H; H01; H01H; H01H2300/00; H01H2300/016; H01H25/00; H01H25/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A dual function rotate and pusher device and switch assembly for an electronic watch having a case with an opening for access to the interior thereof which comprises: a shaft mountable in said opening for axial and rotational movement and having an eccentric tab at the interior end thereof, and a detent retainer section, and an actuating end portion; a plurality of switch blade means mounted for selective engagement with the eccentric tab; and biasing means engaging the detent retainer section and the shaft for providing longitudinal and detented rotational movement of the shaft to enable engagement with a selected switch blade by the eccentric tab with longitudinal and/or rotational movement of the shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A dual function rotate and pusher device and switch assembly for an electronic watch having a case with an opening for access to the interior thereof which comprises: a shaft mountable in said opening for axial and rotational movement and having an eccentric tab at the interior end thereof, and a detent retainer section, and an actuating end portion; a plurality of switch blade means mounted for selective engagement with the eccentric tab; and biasing means engaging the detent retainer section and the shaft for providing longitudinal and detented rotational movement of the shaft to enable engagement with a selected switch blade by the eccentric tab with longitudinal and/or rotational movement of the shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A dual function rotate and pusher device and switch assembly as in claim 1, wherein: the plurality of switch blade means comprise a pair of spaced apart cantilevered blades.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A dual function rotate and pusher device and switch assembly as in claim 1, wherein: the eccentric tab and a first switch blade are contoured for engagement with rotational movement of the shaft to a first detent position and to maintain a sliding engagement between said eccentric tab and said first switch blade while in said first detent position with longitudinal movement of said shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
A dual function rotate and pusher device and switch assembly as in claim 1, wherein: the plurality of switch blade means comprise a first switch blade mounted for engagement with the eccentric tab with the stem being pushed-in in a first detent position, and a second switch blade mounted for engagement with the eccentric tab with the stem being pushed-in in a second detent position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
A dual function rotate and pusher device and switch assembly as in claim 1, wherein: the plurality of switch blade means comprise a first switch blade mounted for engagement with the eccentric tab with the stem being pushed-in in a first detent position, and a second switch blade mounted for engagement with the eccentric tab with the stem being rotated to a second detent position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
98 words
A dual function rotate and pusher device and switch assembly as in claim 1, wherein: the plurality of switch blade means comprise a first switch blade mounted for engagement with the eccentric tab with the stem being pushed-in in a first detent position and a second switch blade mounted for engagement with the eccentric tab with the stem being rotated to a second detent position, the first and second switch blades being also mounted so that the eccentric tab engages both the first and second switch blades when the stem is pushed-in when in the second detent position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
A dual function rotate and pusher device and switch assembly as in claim 1, wherein: the detent retainer section of the shaft comprises flat portions on the shaft which reduces the diameter of the shaft in this section to provide a shoulder for engagement by the biasing means to bias the stem to permit axial movement thereof regardless of its rotational position during detenting.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A dual function rotate and pusher device and switch assembly as in claim 7, wherein: the flat portions cooperate with the biasing means to provide a two position rotary detent action.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
191 words
A dual function rotate and pusher stem device and switch assembly for a digital watch having a case with an opening for access to the interior thereof which comprises: a shaft mountable in said opening for axial and rotational movement and having an eccentric tab at the interior end thereof, and an intermediate section having a detent retainer section, and an end portion projecting outwardly from the case; a first switch blade mounted for selective engagement with the eccentric tab with the shaft being in a first detent position and pushed-in longitudinally; a second switch blade mounted for selective engagement with the eccentric tab with the shaft being rotated to a second detent position; biasing means engaging the detent retainer section to provide a detent action and for engaging the shaft to urge the shaft into a longitudinal position to disengage the eccentric tab from the first switch blade, said shaft being pushed-in longitudinally against the bias of the biasing means to a longitudinal position to engage the eccentric tab with the first switch blade, said biasing means returning said shaft to the disengaged longitudinal position upon release of the shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
191 words
A dual function rotate and pusher stem device and switch assembly for a digital watch having a case with an opening for access to the interior thereof which comprises: a shaft mountable in said opening for axial and rotational movement and having an eccentric tab at the interior end thereof, and an intermediate section having a detent retainer section, and an end portion projecting outwardly from the case; a first switch blade mounted for selective engagement with the eccentric tab with the shaft being in a first detent position and pushed-in longitudinally; a second switch blade mounted for selective engagement with the eccentric tab with the shaft being rotated to a second detent position; biasing means engaging the detent retainer section to provide a detent action and for engaging the shaft to urge the shaft into a longitudinal position to disengage the eccentric tab from the first switch blade, said shaft being pushed-in longitudinally against the bias of the biasing means to a longitudinal position to engage the eccentric tab with the first switch blade, said biasing means returning said shaft to the disengaged longitudinal position upon release of the shaft.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-06-20 | 1980-12-20 | 1981-06-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-20 | 1984-12-20 | 1985-06-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-20 | 1988-12-20 | 1989-06-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |