US5228012A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wristwatch radiotelephone
Assignee: Timex Group USA Inc
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Filing: 1992-10-16
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Granted: 1993-07-13
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Expires: 2012-10-16
Abstract
Abstract A wristwatch radiotelephone has a plurality of arcuate members connected to one another in a series by rotatable connection mechanisms connected between adjacent members in the series. The connection mechanisms allow the arcuate members to be rotated relative to one another so that they either all curve in the same direction (thereby providing a nearly closed C-shaped structure suitable for being worn on the wrist as a wristwatch), or so that alternate members curve in opposite directions (thereby converting the apparatus to a more elongated form suitable for use as a hand-held radiotelephone).
Inventors
- 👤 Richard H. Seager
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 03:33
CPC Classifications
A; A44; A44C; A44C5/00; A44C5/0007; G; G04; G04B; G04B47/00; G04B47/02; G04B47/025; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S224/00; Y10S224/929; Y10S224/93; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/47; Y10T24/4782
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
Apparatus which is convertible between a curved shape adapted for wearing around the wrist as a wristwatch and an elongated shape in which said apparatus is suitable for use as a hand-held radiotelephone with a microphone and a speaker adjacent respective opposite ends of said elongated shape comprising: first, second, third, fourth, and fifth arcuate members disposed end to end in a series; and a plurality of connection mechanisms, each of which connects the adjacent ends of a respective one of adjacent pairs of said arcuate members in said series, each of said connection mechanisms allowing the arcuate members connected by the connection mechanism to rotate relative to one another about an associated axis which passes through the connection mechanism and adjacent portions of the arcuate members connected by the connection mechanism parallel to a plane intercepted by all of said arcuate members when said apparatus has said curved shape, the rotation about each of said axes being between a first relative rotational position in which the associated arcuate members curve in the same direction and a second relative rotational position in which the associated arcuate members curve in opposite directions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
Apparatus which is convertible between a curved shape adapted for wearing around the wrist as a wristwatch and an elongated shape in which said apparatus is suitable for use as a hand-held radiotelephone with a microphone and a speaker adjacent respective opposite ends of said elongated shape comprising: first, second, third, fourth, and fifth arcuate members disposed end to end in a series; and a plurality of connection mechanisms, each of which connects the adjacent ends of a respective one of adjacent pairs of said arcuate members in said series, each of said connection mechanisms allowing the arcuate members connected by the connection mechanism to rotate relative to one another about an associated axis which passes through the connection mechanism and adjacent portions of the arcuate members connected by the connection mechanism parallel to a plane intercepted by all of said arcuate members when said apparatus has said curved shape, the rotation about each of said axes being between a first relative rotational position in which the associated arcuate members curve in the same direction and a second relative rotational position in which the associated arcuate members curve in opposite directions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the adjacent ends of said arcuate members which are connected by each of said connection mechanisms are substantially radial to the wrist when said apparatus is worn on the wrist in the curved wristwatch shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said axis associated with each of said connection mechanisms is substantially perpendicular to the adjacent ends of said arcuate members which are connected by said connection mechanism.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus defined in claim 3 wherein the adjacent ends of said arcuate members which are connected by each of said connection mechanisms have perimeters of substantially the same shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus defined in claim 4 wherein said axis associated with each of said connection mechanisms is centrally located within the perimeters of the adjacent ends of said arcuate members which are connected by said connection mechanism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus defined in claim 5 wherein the perimeters of the adjacent ends of said arcuate members which are connected by each of said connection mechanisms are substantially symmetrical about said axis associated with said connection mechanism.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein each of said connection mechanisms allows the arcuate members which are connected by said connection mechanism to rotate approximately 180° relative to one another about said axis associated with said connection mechanism.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus defined in claim 7 wherein each of said connection mechanisms allows the arcuate members which are connected by said connection mechanism to rotate no more than approximately 180° relative to one another about said axis associated with said connection mechanism.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said microphone is disposed in said first arcuate segment and said speaker is disposed in said fifth arcuate segment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 further comprising: a radiotelephone dialing keypad disposed in said third arcuate member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 further comprising: a wristwatch display element disposed in said third arcuate member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 further comprising: wristwatch control buttons disposed in said third arcuate member.
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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) | 1996-07-12 | 1997-01-11 | 1997-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-12 | 2001-01-11 | 2001-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-12 | 2005-01-11 | 2005-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |