US4376256A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Segment display system
Assignee: ALPHA-OMEGA A CORP OF FL
•
Filing: 1981-01-29
•
Granted: 1983-03-08
•
Expires: 2001-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A segment display system (10) whereby ultraviolet energy is generated and contacted with fluorescent material coatings (78) to create electromagnetic wave generation within the visible bandwidth of the electromagnetic spectrum through fluorescent excitation of the fluorescent material coatings (78). Ultraviolet energy is generated from the ionization of metallic atoms from a metallic coating (42) coated to through opening sidewalls (40) of slots (38) forming the cathode mechanism (26). The slot through openings (38) are in registration with the fluorescent material coatings (78) mounted on a display panel member (80). Below the cathode mechanism (26) is a common anode element (62). Each of the metallic coatings (42) formed within each of the slot through openings (38) is coupled to an external electrical source as is the anode element (62). The segment display system (10) is formed into a monolithic structure which includes the internal chamber (64) within which an inert or combination of inert gases is introduced. Electrical energization of the cathode elements and the anode element (62) results in ionization of metal atoms emitted from the metallic coating (42). The ionization process provides for ultraviolet radiation which is directed to the fluorescent material coating (78). The coatings (78) are generally linearly extended and are formed into a predetermined pattern in order to provide information output responsive to a predetermined cathode element being energized in combination with the energization of the common anode element (62).
Inventors
- 👤 Jacques M. Hanlet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:13
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J17/00; H01J17/38; H01J17/48; H01J17/49; H01J17/492; H01J17/497
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A segment display system comprising: (a) cathode means for producing energy in the ultraviolet bandwidth of the electromagnetic spectrum from the ionization of metal atoms, said cathode means defining a cathode plate member having a plurality of discrete slots formed therethrough, said cathode plate member having opposing first and second surfaces, each of said through slots defining a sidewall having a metallic coating formed thereon; (b) anode means fixedly secured to said cathode plate member and displaced from said cathode plate member second surface for forming an internal chamber therebetween; and, (c) display panel means secured to said cathode plate member first surface, said display panel means having formed thereon a plurality of fluorescent material coatings in registration with said cathode plate member through slots.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A segment display system comprising: (a) cathode means for producing energy in the ultraviolet bandwidth of the electromagnetic spectrum from the ionization of metal atoms, said cathode means defining a cathode plate member having a plurality of discrete slots formed therethrough, said cathode plate member having opposing first and second surfaces, each of said through slots defining a sidewall having a metallic coating formed thereon; (b) anode means fixedly secured to said cathode plate member and displaced from said cathode plate member second surface for forming an internal chamber therebetween; and, (c) display panel means secured to said cathode plate member first surface, said display panel means having formed thereon a plurality of fluorescent material coatings in registration with said cathode plate member through slots.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 1 where said display panel means includes a display panel member being substantially transparent to a bandwidth of the electromagnetic spectrum substantially comprising the ultraviolet spectrum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 2 where said display panel member includes opposing first and second surfaces, said first surface of said display panel member being bonded to said first surface of said cathode plate member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 3 where said fluorescent material is fixedly secured to said second surface of said display panel member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 4 where said display panel member includes a protective coating layer applied over said display panel member second surface and said fluorescent material for abrasive protection of said fluorescent material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 5 where said display panel member first surface is adhesively bonded to said first surface of said cathode plate member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 4 where said fluorescent material is formed of a Phosphor composition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 1 where said display panel means includes a display panel member substantially opaque to a bandwidth of the electromagnetic spectrum substantially comprising the ultraviolet bandwidth.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 8 where said display panel member includes opposing first and second surfaces, said first surface of said display panel member being bonded to said first surface of said cathode plate member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 9 where said fluorescent material is fixedly secured to said first surface of said display panel member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 10 where said display panel means includes an ionic protective coating layer applied over said display panel member first surface and said fluorescent material for protection of said fluorescent material responsive to ion impingement.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 11 where said ionic protective coating layer is formed of a Tantalum Pentoxide composition.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 10 where said display panel member first surface is adhesively bonded to said first surface of said cathode plate member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 10 where said display panel member is formed of a soda lime glass composition.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 10 where said fluorescent material is formed of a Phosphor composition.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
58 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 1 including a gaseous medium in proximity to said metallic coatings of said slot sidewalls, said gaseous medium being ionized by an electrical field applied to said anode and cathode means, said gaseous ions impinging on said metallic coatings for ionization of said metal atoms for producing said ultraviolet energy.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 16 where said gaseous medium is formed of a substantially inert gas composition.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 16 where said gaseous medium is formed from the group consisting of Argon, Neon, Krypton, Xenon, or Helium.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 1 where said cathode plate member is formed of a substantially electrically insulating material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 19 where said cathode plate member is formed of a ceramic composition.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 1 where each of said cathode plate member through slots are linearly extended, each of said through slots having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional contour.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 1 where said cathode means metallic coating includes an extension coating portion bonded to said cathode plate member second surface, said metallic coating extension portion surrounding each of said cathode plate member through slots.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 22 where said metallic sidewall coating and said extension coating portion are formed in continuous relation each to the other.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 23 where said coating extension portion is annular in contour with respect to a cross-sectional contour of said cathode plate member through slots.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 24 where said plurality of cathode plate member through slots are formed into a predetermined contour pattern on said cathode plate member for numeric visual representation of all numbers between zero and nine.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 24 where each of said metallic coatings of said cathode plate member through slots is electrically coupled to an external electrical source.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
38 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 26 including a metallic coating conductive member coupled on opposing ends thereof to one of said metallic coatings of one of said through slots and to said external electrical source.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
52 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 27 where said metallic coating conductive member is a metallic ink inserted within a recess formed within said cathode plate member second surface, said recess extending from said metallic coating of a predetermined through slot to an end surface of said cathode plate member.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
49 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 1 where said anode means includes an anode plate member secured to an outer periphery of said cathode plate member, said anode plate member being secured for forming a hermetic seal between said anode plate member and said cathode plate member.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 29 where said anode plate member is formed of an electrically conductive metal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 30 where said anode plate member is formed of Aluminum.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 29 where said anode means includes an anode electrical lead member coupled on opposing ends thereof to said anode plate member and an external electrical source.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
58 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 1 where said anode means includes a dielectric base member having a metallic coating applied to one surface thereof, said dielectric base member being secured to said cathode plate member in a manner for forming a hermetic seal between said metal coated dielectric base member and said cathode plate member.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 33 where said metallic coating is Aluminum.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
33 words
The segment display system as recited in claim 33 where said anode means includes an anode electrical lead member coupled on opposing ends thereof to said metallic coating and an external electrical source.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1830163A
Cited
US1991479A
Cited
US2595617A
Cited
US2971109A
Cited
US3042823A
Cited
US3089054A
Cited
US3249802A
Cited
US3334269A
Cited
US3559190A
Cited
US3476970A
Cited
US3662214A
Cited
US3743879A
Cited
US3986074A
Cited
US3899707A
Cited
US3952221A
Cited
US3983445A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-03-07 | 1986-09-06 | 1987-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-03-07 | 1990-09-06 | 1991-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-03-07 | 1994-09-06 | 1995-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |