Patent US4070668A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4070668A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Display device
Assignee: Citizen Watch Co Ltd
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Filing: 1976-06-21
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Granted: 1978-01-24
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Expires: 1996-06-21
Abstract
Abstract A segmental display device includes a window plate having a plurality of segmental openings for indicating selected characters. A plurality of closure members are supported on a rotatable shafts extending in parallel to the plurality of segmental openings, respectively, and adapted to close selected one of the plurality of segmental openings to indicate the selected characters. A plurality of actuating units are mounted on the window plate adjacent the segmental openings, respectively, and operatively connected to the rotatable shafts for selectively rotating the closure members. Light is provided from a source within a casing, so that the display contrast and visibility will effectively increase as the level of ambient lighting decreases.
Inventors
- 👤 Masaru Kawaharada
- 👤 Etsuso Yokoyama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:20
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F9/00; G09F9/30; G09F9/37; G09F9/375
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A segmental display device comprising: a casing; a window plate mounted at an open end of the casing and having a plurality of segmental openings to provide a display of selected characters; a light source mounted in said casing rearwardly of the window plate; a plurality of actuating units, mounted on the rearward side of the window plate at positions adjacent the segmental openings, respectively, for actuating rotatable shafts extending parallel to the plane of the window plate at the sides of the segmental openings, respectively; and a plurality of closure members supported on said rotatable shafts, respectively, to selectively permit light from the light source to pass through selected one of the segmental openings and block the passage of light through another selected one of the segmental openings for thereby providing the display of the selected characters.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A segmental display device comprising: a casing; a window plate mounted at an open end of the casing and having a plurality of segmental openings to provide a display of selected characters; a light source mounted in said casing rearwardly of the window plate; a plurality of actuating units, mounted on the rearward side of the window plate at positions adjacent the segmental openings, respectively, for actuating rotatable shafts extending parallel to the plane of the window plate at the sides of the segmental openings, respectively; and a plurality of closure members supported on said rotatable shafts, respectively, to selectively permit light from the light source to pass through selected one of the segmental openings and block the passage of light through another selected one of the segmental openings for thereby providing the display of the selected characters.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A segmental display device according to claim 1, further comprising a front plate mounted on said casing forwardly of said window plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A segmental display device according to claim 1, further comprising a color filter disposed in front of said window plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A segmental display device according to claim 1, in which said plurality of segmental openings are defined by rearwardly extending frames, and in which selected one of said frames has height greater than those of other frames to provide smooth rotation of said closure members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
A segmental display device according to claim 4, in which each of said closure members comprises a closure plate fixedly mounted on said rotatable shaft, and a flexible shutter sheet carried by said closure plate, said flexible shutter sheet being adapted to engage with the frame defining said segmental opening to effectively block out the passage of light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A segmental display device according to claim 5, in which each of said closure members further comprises a spacer disposed between said closure plate and said flexible shutter sheet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
110 words
A segmental display device according to claim 1, in which each of said actuating units comprises a base plate secured to said window plate and having a vertically extending flange portion carrying thereon said rotatable shaft, a magnetic element rotatably supported by said flange portion and rotatable on an axis parallel to an axis of said rotatable shaft, a linkage connected between said rotatable shaft and said magnetic element for rotating said closure member when said magnetic element is rotated, a magnetic core supported on said base plate and extending toward said magnetic element, and an electromagnetic coil mounted on said core for selectively energizing and rotating said magnetic element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
A segmental display device according to claim 7, in which said linkage comprises an actuating arm connected to and rotatable with said rotatable shaft and having formed therein an elongated slot, and an actuating lever connected to and rotatable with said magnetic element and carrying thereon an engaging pin slidable engaging with said elongated slot.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
A segmental display device according to claim 1, in which each of said actuating units comprises a pair of frames secured to said window plate and carrying thereon said rotatable shaft, a pair of magnetic elements disposed on both sides of a permanent magnet carried by said rotatable shaft, said magnetic elements having lobed portions of varying diameters, a pair of magnetic yokes partially surrounding said magnetic elements in spaced relationship, and a pair of electromagnetic coils mounted on said magnetic cores for selectively energizing said magnetic cores.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A segmental display device according to claim 9, in which each of said actuating units further comprises at least one balancing weight connected to said closure member, and a retaining spring for urging said closure member in a closed position.
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) | 1981-01-23 | 1981-07-25 | 1982-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-23 | 1985-07-25 | 1986-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-23 | 1989-07-25 | 1990-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |