US4038814A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wristwatch structure
Assignee: Citizen Watch Co Ltd
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Filing: 1976-02-18
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Granted: 1977-08-02
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Expires: 1996-02-18
Abstract
Abstract An electronic watch in a watch case comprising a crystal oscillator, an integrated circuit chip having at least an oscillator circuit and display device, a battery, at least two magnetically operated switches for controlling the watch functions, and one or more magnets movably coupled to the watch case for operating the switches. The magnets and the switches are arranged such that the switches are operated by manually moving the magnet to magnetize any of the switches, thereby increasing the water-proof competency with easier handling.
Inventors
- 👤 Yutaka Niida
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 04:49
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04C; G04C3/00; G04C3/001; G04C3/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
An electronic watch comprising: a crystal vibrator which generates electric pulses; an electronic circuit which includes an oscillator circuit with said vibrator and a divider which converts said pulses into signals suited for being displayed; a display device which makes said signals visible; a battery for powering said crystal vibrator, electronic circuit and display device; at least two magnetic-sensitive switch means for controlling said electronic circuit and said display device; and a magnet arranged in a rotatable shaft which has a crown such that when said crown is rotated, said magnetic-sensitive switch means are selectively operated by said magnet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
An electronic watch comprising: a crystal vibrator which generates electric pulses; an electronic circuit which includes an oscillator circuit with said vibrator and a divider which converts said pulses into signals suited for being displayed; a display device which makes said signals visible; a battery for powering said crystal vibrator, electronic circuit and display device; at least two magnetic-sensitive switch means for controlling said electronic circuit and said display device; and a magnet arranged in a rotatable shaft which has a crown such that when said crown is rotated, said magnetic-sensitive switch means are selectively operated by said magnet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
117 words
An electronic watch comprising: a crystal vibrator which generates electric pulses; an electronic circuit which includes an oscillator circuit with said vibrator and a divider which converts said pulses into signals suited for being displayed; a display device which makes said signals visible; a battery for powering said crystal vibrator, electronic circuit and said display; at least two magnetic sensitive switch means for controlling said electronic circuit and said display device; and at least one magnet contained in at least one slider which is slideably installed along an external side of a watch case such that said switch means are selectively activated by said magnet by sliding said magnet along said external side of said watch case.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
117 words
An electronic watch comprising: a crystal vibrator which generates electric pulses; an electronic circuit which includes an oscillator circuit with said vibrator and a divider which converts said pulses into signals suited for being displayed; a display device which makes said signals visible; a battery for powering said crystal vibrator, electronic circuit and said display; at least two magnetic sensitive switch means for controlling said electronic circuit and said display device; and at least one magnet contained in at least one slider which is slideably installed along an external side of a watch case such that said switch means are selectively activated by said magnet by sliding said magnet along said external side of said watch case.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
139 words
An electronic watch comprising: a crystal vibrator which generates electric pulses; an electronic circuit which includes an oscillator circuit with said vibrator and a divider which converts said pulses into signals suited for being displayed; a display device which makes the signal visible; a battery for powering said electronic circuit, display device and crystal vibrator; at least two switch means for controlling said electronic circuit and said display device; wherein at least two of said switch means are magnetic-sensitive elements, and movable magnet is so arranged that said magnet is inseparable from a watch case and is movable along an orbit outside said watch case and said magnetic-sensitive elements are arranged along an orbit inside said watch case such that said magnetic-sensitive elements can be selectively operated by said movable magnet by moving said orbit outside said watch case.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
139 words
An electronic watch comprising: a crystal vibrator which generates electric pulses; an electronic circuit which includes an oscillator circuit with said vibrator and a divider which converts said pulses into signals suited for being displayed; a display device which makes the signal visible; a battery for powering said electronic circuit, display device and crystal vibrator; at least two switch means for controlling said electronic circuit and said display device; wherein at least two of said switch means are magnetic-sensitive elements, and movable magnet is so arranged that said magnet is inseparable from a watch case and is movable along an orbit outside said watch case and said magnetic-sensitive elements are arranged along an orbit inside said watch case such that said magnetic-sensitive elements can be selectively operated by said movable magnet by moving said orbit outside said watch case.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electronic watch according to claim 3, wherein one or more magnetic shields are inserted between said elements thereby increasing the magnetic selectivity of said elements by diminishing undesirable side effect to any neighboring elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The electronic watch according to claim 3, wherein yoke plates are mounted on said magnet in such a manner that said yoke plates form a part of magnetic circuit with said magnets and are movable with said magnet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electronic watch according to claim 3, wherein said magnetic-sensitive elements constitute reed switches.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The electronic watch according to claim 3, wherein said magnet is arranged in a rotatable switch ring which is installed in an external periphery of the watch case.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electronic watch according to claim 3, wherein said display device comprises a group of light emitting diodes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The electronic watch according to claim 3, wherein a watch body is made of an integral plastic unit in such a manner that the battery and a battery cover may be removable and changeable.
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) | 1980-08-01 | 1981-01-31 | 1981-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-01 | 1985-01-31 | 1985-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-01 | 1989-01-31 | 1989-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |