US5589731A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Internal support structure for flat panel device
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1993-02-01
•
Granted: 1996-12-31
•
Expires: 2013-02-01
Abstract
Abstract A flat panel device contains a faceplate, a backplate, a light-emitting mechanism, and a spacer. The faceplate is connected to the backplate to form a sealed enclosure. The spacer is situated within the enclosure and supports the two plates against forces acting towards the enclosure. The spacer can take various forms and can be constituted with various materials. In one embodiment, the spacer includes a spacer wall formed with multiple sheets of laminated material consisting of ceramic, glass-ceramic, ceramic reinforced glass, devitrifying glass, or metal coated with electrical insulation. In another embodiment, the spacer includes a spacer wall having a surface that follows a non-straight path adjacent the faceplate. In yet another embodiment, the spacer is a spacer structure through which a plurality of holes extends. The light-emitting mechanism is typically implemented with an electron-emitting cathode and light-emissive material situated over the faceplate. The cathode may be a thermionic cathode or a field emitter cathode.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore S. Fahlen
- 👤 Robert M. Duboc, Jr.
- 👤 Paul A. Lovoi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:17
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J61/00; H01J61/02; H01J61/30; H01J17/00; H01J17/38; H01J17/48; H01J17/49; H01J29/00; H01J29/02; H01J29/028; H01J29/08; H01J29/085; H01J29/46; H01J29/467; H01J3/00; H01J3/02; H01J3/021; H01J3/022; H01J31/00; H01J31/08; H01J31/10; H01J31/12; H01J31/123; H01J31/125; H01J31/126; H01J31/127; H01J9/00; H01J9/02; H01J9/14; H01J9/18; H01J9/185; H01J2329/00; H01J2329/86; H01J2329/8625; H01J2329/863; H01J2329/864; H01J2329/8645; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S264/00; Y10S264/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 81
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A flat panel device comprising: a faceplate; a backplate connected to the faceplate to form a sealed enclosure; means for emitting light from the flat panel device; and a spacer situated within the enclosure and supporting the backplate and the faceplate against forces acting in a direction toward the enclosure, wherein the spacer is made of ceramic reinforced glass or metal coated with an electrically insulating layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
A flat panel device comprising: a faceplate; a backplate connected to the faceplate to form a sealed enclosure; means for emitting light from the flat panel device; and a spacer situated within the enclosure and supporting the backplate and the faceplate against forces acting in a direction toward the enclosure, wherein the spacer is made of ceramic reinforced glass or metal coated with an electrically insulating layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A flat panel device as in claim 1, wherein the spacer comprises a spacer wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A flat panel device as in claim 2, further comprising at least one additional spacer wall situated within the enclosure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A flat panel device as in claim 2, further comprising an addressing grid through which a plurality of addressing grid holes extend and wherein a surface of the spacer wall is located adjacent the addressing grid such that the surface lies between the addressing grid holes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A flat panel device as in claim 4, further comprising a plurality of additional spacer walls situated within the enclosure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
A flat panel device as in claim 5, wherein: the addressing grid holes or groups of the addressing grid holes are formed in rows; and two or more of the rows of the addressing grid holes or groups of the addressing grid holes lie between each pair of the spacer walls.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A flat panel device as in claim 1, wherein the means for emitting light comprises: a thermionic cathode; and light-emissive material situated over the faceplate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A flat panel device as in claim 1, wherein the means for emitting light comprises: a field emitter cathode; and light-emissive material situated over the faceplate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A flat panel device as in claim 1, wherein the faceplate and the backplate are curved.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
A flat panel device, comprising: a faceplate; a backplate connected to the faceplate to form a sealed enclosure; means for emitting light from the flat panel device; and a spacer structure situated within the enclosure and supporting the backplate and the faceplate against forces acting in a direction toward the enclosure, a plurality of spacer structure holes extending through the spacer structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
A flat panel device, comprising: a faceplate; a backplate connected to the faceplate to form a sealed enclosure; means for emitting light from the flat panel device; and a spacer structure situated within the enclosure and supporting the backplate and the faceplate against forces acting in a direction toward the enclosure, a plurality of spacer structure holes extending through the spacer structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
A flat panel device as in claim 10, further comprising an addressing grid through which a plurality of addressing grid holes extend and wherein each of the spacer structure holes is aligned with at least one of the addressing grid holes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A flat panel device as in claim 11, further comprising a spacer wall situated within the enclosure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A flat panel device as in claim 11, wherein the spacer structure is located between the addressing grid and the faceplate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A flat panel device as in claim 11, wherein the spacer structure is located between the addressing grid and the backplate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
A flat panel device as in claim 11, wherein the cross-sectional area of each of the spacer structure holes is greater than the cross-sectional area of each of the addressing grid holes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A flat panel device as in claim 11, wherein the cross-sectional area of each of the spacer structure holes is greater than the area enclosing a group of the addressing grid holes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A flat panel device as in claim 11, wherein the cross-sectional area of each spacer structure hole is substantially constant throughout that hole.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
A flat panel device as in claim 11, wherein the cross-sectional area of each spacer structure hole is not substantially constant throughout that hole.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A flat panel device as in claim 17, wherein the cross-sectional area of each spacer structure hole increases gradually from a location adjacent the addressing grid to a location adjacent the faceplate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
A flat panel device as in claim 10, wherein the means for emitting light comprises: a thermionic cathode; and light-emissive material situated over the faceplate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
A flat panel device as in claim 10, wherein the means for emitting light comprises: a field emitter cathode; and light-emissive material situated over the faceplate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
A flat panel device as in claim 10, wherein the faceplate and the backplate are curved.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
64 words
A flat panel device comprising: a first faceplate; a second faceplate connected to the first faceplate to form a sealed enclosure; first light-emissive material situated over the first faceplate; second light-emissive material situated over the second faceplate; a cathode; and a spacer situated within the enclosure and supporting the first faceplate and the second faceplate against forces acting in a direction toward the enclosure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
64 words
A flat panel device comprising: a first faceplate; a second faceplate connected to the first faceplate to form a sealed enclosure; first light-emissive material situated over the first faceplate; second light-emissive material situated over the second faceplate; a cathode; and a spacer situated within the enclosure and supporting the first faceplate and the second faceplate against forces acting in a direction toward the enclosure.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
A flat panel device as in claim 23, further comprising: a first addressing grid through which a plurality of holes extend; and a second addressing grid through which a plurality of holes extend.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
62 words
A flat panel device as in claim 24, wherein the spacer comprises: a first plurality of spacer walls located between the first addressing grid and the first faceplate; a second plurality of spacer walls located between the second addressing grid and the second faceplate; and a third plurality of spacer walls located between the first addressing grid and the second addressing grid.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
48 words
A flat panel device as in claim 25, wherein the first plurality of spacer walls comprises matched spacer walls, each located generally opposite one of the third plurality of spacer walls, and unmatched spacer walls, each not located generally opposite any of the third plurality of spacer walls.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
48 words
A flat panel device as in claim 25, wherein the second plurality of spacer walls comprises matched spacer walls, each located generally opposite one of the third plurality of spacer walls, and unmatched spacer walls, each not located generally opposite any of the third plurality of spacer walls.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
54 words
A flat panel device as in claim 25, wherein the third plurality of spacer walls comprises matched spacer walls, each located generally opposite at least one of the first and second pluralities of spacer walls, and unmatched spacer walls, each not located generally opposite any of the first and second pluralities of spacer walls.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
41 words
A flat panel device as in claim 24, wherein the spacer comprises: a first spacer structure located between the first addressing grid and the first faceplate; and a second spacer structure located between the second addressing grid and the second faceplate.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
A flat panel device as in claim 29, wherein the spacer further comprises a plurality of spacer walls located between the first addressing grid and the second addressing grid.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
A flat panel device as in claim 24, wherein the cathode is a thermionic cathode.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
A flat panel device as in claim 24, wherein the cathode is a field emitter cathode.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
A flat panel device as in claim 23, wherein the spacer is made of ceramic, glass-ceramic, ceramic reinforced glass, devitrifying glass, or metal coated with an electrically insulating layer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
A flat panel device as in claim 23, further comprising side walls through which the second faceplate is connected to the first faceplate.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
101 words
A flat panel device comprising: a faceplate; a backplate connected to the faceplate to form a sealed enclosure; means for emitting light from the flat panel device; an addressing grid situated between the faceplate and the backplate, a plurality of addressing grid holes extending through the addressing grid; a first plurality of cathode spacer walls situated within the enclosure between the addressing grid and the backplate, each cathode spacer wall having a greater thickness adjacent the backplate than adjacent the addressing grid; and a second plurality of anode spacer walls situated within the enclosure between the addressing grid and the faceplate.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
101 words
A flat panel device comprising: a faceplate; a backplate connected to the faceplate to form a sealed enclosure; means for emitting light from the flat panel device; an addressing grid situated between the faceplate and the backplate, a plurality of addressing grid holes extending through the addressing grid; a first plurality of cathode spacer walls situated within the enclosure between the addressing grid and the backplate, each cathode spacer wall having a greater thickness adjacent the backplate than adjacent the addressing grid; and a second plurality of anode spacer walls situated within the enclosure between the addressing grid and the faceplate.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
44 words
A flat panel device as in claim 35, wherein the cathode spacer walls comprise matched cathode spacer walls, each located generally opposite one of the anode spacer walls, and unmatched cathode spacer walls, each not located generally opposite any of the anode spacer walls.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
44 words
A flat panel device as in claim 35, wherein the anode spacer walls comprise matched anode spacer walls, each located generally opposite one of the cathode spacer walls, and unmatched anode spacer walls, each not located generally opposite any of the cathode spacer walls.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
A flat panel device as in claim 35, wherein each cathode spacer wall includes an alignment plate adjacent the addressing grid.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
25 words
A flat panel device as in claim 35, wherein the means for emitting light comprises: a thermionic cathode; and light-emissive material situated over the faceplate.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
25 words
A flat panel device as in claim 35, wherein at least one of the cathode and anode spacer walls comprises multiple sheets of laminated material.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
37 words
A flat panel device as in claim 35, wherein at least one of the cathode and anode spacer walls is made of ceramic, glass-ceramic, ceramic reinforced glass, devitrifying glass, or metal coated with an electrically insulating layer.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
A flat panel device as in claim 35, further including side walls through which the faceplate is connected to the backplate.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
86 words
A flat panel device comprising: a faceplate; a backplate connected to the faceplate to form a sealed enclosure; means for emitting light from the flat panel device; an addressing grid situated between the faceplate and the backplate, a plurality of addressing grid holes extending through the addressing grid; and a spacer wall situated within the enclosure between the addressing grid and a selected one of the faceplate and the backplate, the spacer wall having a surface that follows a non-straight path between the addressing grid holes.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
86 words
A flat panel device comprising: a faceplate; a backplate connected to the faceplate to form a sealed enclosure; means for emitting light from the flat panel device; an addressing grid situated between the faceplate and the backplate, a plurality of addressing grid holes extending through the addressing grid; and a spacer wall situated within the enclosure between the addressing grid and a selected one of the faceplate and the backplate, the spacer wall having a surface that follows a non-straight path between the addressing grid holes.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
27 words
A flat panel device as in claim 43, wherein the surface of the spacer wall zig-zags diagonally between at least two rows of the addressing grid holes.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
27 words
A flat panel device as in claim 43, wherein the surface of the spacer wall zig-zags rectangularly between at least two rows of the addressing grid holes.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
25 words
A flat panel device as in claim 43, wherein the surface of the spacer wall crosses at least one row of the addressing grid holes.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
29 words
A flat panel device as in claim 43, wherein the surface of the spacer wall follows a serpentine path between at least two rows of the addressing grid holes.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
25 words
A flat panel device as in claim 43, wherein the surface of the spacer wall does not cross any rows of the addressing grid holes.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
48 words
A flat panel device as in claim 43, further comprising at least one additional spacer wall situated between the addressing grid and the selected one of the faceplate and the backplate, each additional spacer wall having a surface that follows a non-straight path between the addressing grid holes.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
21 words
A flat panel device as in claim 43, wherein the selected one of the faceplate and the backplate is the faceplate.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
25 words
A flat panel device as in claim 43, wherein the means for emitting light comprises: a thermionic cathode; and light-emissive material situated over the faceplate.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
26 words
A flat panel device as in claim 43, wherein the means for emitting light comprises: a field emitter cathode; and light-emissive material situated over the faceplate.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
30 words
A flat panel device as in claim 43, wherein the spacer wall is made of ceramic, glass-ceramic, ceramic reinforced glass, devitrifying glass, or metal coated with an electrically insulating layer.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
17 words
A flat panel device as in claim 43, wherein the spacer wall comprises-multiple sheets of laminated material.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
21 words
A flat panel device as in claim 43, further including side walls through which the faceplate is connected to the backplate.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
65 words
A flat panel device comprising: a faceplate; a backplate connected to the faceplate to form a sealed enclosure; means for emitting light from the flat panel device; and a spacer wall situated within the enclosure and supporting the backplate and the faceplate against forces acting in a direction toward the enclosure, the spacer wall having a surface that follows a non-straight path adjacent the faceplate.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
65 words
A flat panel device comprising: a faceplate; a backplate connected to the faceplate to form a sealed enclosure; means for emitting light from the flat panel device; and a spacer wall situated within the enclosure and supporting the backplate and the faceplate against forces acting in a direction toward the enclosure, the spacer wall having a surface that follows a non-straight path adjacent the faceplate.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
22 words
A flat panel device as in claim 56, wherein the surface of the spacer Wall follows a serpentine path adjacent the faceplate.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
23 words
A flat panel device as in claim 56, wherein the surface of the spacer wall follows a diagonal zig-zag path adjacent the faceplate.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
23 words
A flat panel device as in claim 56, wherein the surface of the spacer wall follows a rectangular zig-zag path adjacent the faceplate.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
25 words
A flat panel device as in claim 56, wherein the means for emitting light comprises: a thermionic cathode; and light-emissive material situated over the faceplate.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
26 words
A flat panel device as in claim 56, wherein the means for emitting light comprises: a field emitter cathode; and light-emissive material situated over the faceplate.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
52 words
A flat panel device as in claim 56, further comprising at least one additional spacer wall situated within the enclosure and supporting the backplate and the faceplate against forces acting in a direction acting toward the enclosure, each additional spacer wall having a surface that follows a non-straight path adjacent the faceplate.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
30 words
A flat panel device as in claim 56, wherein the spacer wall is made of ceramic, glass-ceramic, ceramic reinforced glass, devitrifying glass, or metal coated with an electrically insulating layer.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
18 words
A flat panel device as in claim 56, wherein the spacer wall comprises multiple sheets of laminated material.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
21 words
A flat panel device as in claim 56, further including side walls through which the faceplate is connected to the backplate.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
82 words
A flat panel device comprising: a faceplate; a backplate connected to the faceplate to form a sealed enclosure; means for emitting light from the flat panel device; and a spacer wall situated within the enclosure and supporting the backplate and the faceplate against forces acting in a direction toward the enclosure, wherein the spacer wall is made of ceramic, glass-ceramic, ceramic reinforced glass, devitrifying glass, or metal coated with an electrically insulating layer, the spacer wall comprising multiple sheets of laminated material.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
82 words
A flat panel device comprising: a faceplate; a backplate connected to the faceplate to form a sealed enclosure; means for emitting light from the flat panel device; and a spacer wall situated within the enclosure and supporting the backplate and the faceplate against forces acting in a direction toward the enclosure, wherein the spacer wall is made of ceramic, glass-ceramic, ceramic reinforced glass, devitrifying glass, or metal coated with an electrically insulating layer, the spacer wall comprising multiple sheets of laminated material.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
30 words
A flat panel device as in claim 66, further comprising at least one additional spacer wall situated within the enclosure, each additional spacer wall comprising multiple sheets of laminated material.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
25 words
A flat panel device as in claim 66, wherein the means for emitting light comprises: a thermionic cathode; and light-emissive material situated over the faceplate.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
26 words
A flat panel device as in claim 66 wherein the means for emitting light comprises: a field emitter cathode; and light-emissive material situated over the faceplate.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
23 words
A flat panel device as in claim 66, wherein the spacer wall has a surface that follows a non-straight path adjacent the faceplate.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
22 words
A flat panel device as in claim 66, wherein the surface of the spacer wall follows a serpentine path adjacent the faceplate.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
31 words
A flat panel device as in claim 66, further including an addressing grid situated between the faceplate and the backplate, a plurality of addressing grid holes extending through the addressing grid.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
16 words
A flat panel device as in claim 66 wherein the faceplate and the backplate are curved.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
21 words
A flat panel device as in claim 66 further including side walls through which the faceplate is connected to the backplate.
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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) | 1999-12-31 | 2000-07-01 | 2000-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-31 | 2004-07-01 | 2004-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-31 | 2008-07-01 | 2008-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |