Patent US3963885A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3963885A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Gravity actuated miniature switch for watch having switch actuator magnetic retaining structure
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-02-04
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Granted: 1976-06-15
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Expires: 1995-02-04
Abstract
Abstract A switch device for use in a wristwatch. The device comprises a switch housing and a cavity defined within the switch housing. The cavity has a side wall with at least a portion thereof being arcuately extending, a top wall and a bottom wall. A spherical displaceable element, of magnetically attractable material, is located for movement within the cavity. The side wall, top wall and bottom wall are spaced apart a distance sufficient to permit free displacement of the displaceable element therebetween. At least one magnetic element is associated with the cavity and located in a portion of the side wall whereby to retain the spherical displacement element thereto by magnetic attraction when the spherical element is displaced thereagainst in the cavity. The spherical element, when retained by the magnetic element, is dislodged therefrom by an external force created by a predetermined movement of a wearer's arm to release the spherical element in the cavity by gravity. Switch contact means is provided in the arcuately extending portion of the side wall and actuable by the spherical displaceable element when in contact therewith and when the wristwatch is in a particular position.
Inventors
- 👤 Andre Guy Brien
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:20
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H35/00; H01H35/02; G; G04; G04C; G04C3/00; G04C3/001; G04C3/002; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S200/00; Y10S200/18; Y10S200/29
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A switch device for use in a wristwatch, said device comprising a switch housing; a cavity defined within said switch housing; said cavity having a top wall, a bottom wall and a side wall with at least a portion thereof being arcuately extending; a spherical displaceable element, of magnetically attractable material located for movement within said cavity; said side wall, top wall and bottom wall being spaced apart a distance sufficient to permit free displacement of said displaceable element therebetween; at least one magnetic element associated with said cavity and located in a portion of said side wall whereby to retain said spherical displacement element thereto by magnetic attraction when said spherical element is displaced thereagainst in said cavity, said spherical element, when retained by said magnetic element, being dislodged therefrom by an external force created by a predetermined movement of a wearer's arm to release said spherical element in said cavity by gravity, and switch contact means in said arcuately extending portion of said side wall and actuable by said spherical displaceable element when in contact therewith and when said wristwatch is in a particular position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
A switch device for use in a wristwatch, said device comprising a switch housing; a cavity defined within said switch housing; said cavity having a top wall, a bottom wall and a side wall with at least a portion thereof being arcuately extending; a spherical displaceable element, of magnetically attractable material located for movement within said cavity; said side wall, top wall and bottom wall being spaced apart a distance sufficient to permit free displacement of said displaceable element therebetween; at least one magnetic element associated with said cavity and located in a portion of said side wall whereby to retain said spherical displacement element thereto by magnetic attraction when said spherical element is displaced thereagainst in said cavity, said spherical element, when retained by said magnetic element, being dislodged therefrom by an external force created by a predetermined movement of a wearer's arm to release said spherical element in said cavity by gravity, and switch contact means in said arcuately extending portion of said side wall and actuable by said spherical displaceable element when in contact therewith and when said wristwatch is in a particular position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
A switch device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cavity is a channel defined within the switch housing and extending at least in a portion thereof along an arcuate axis, said channel also having an inner side wall and an outer side wall defined by said cavity side wall, said magnetic element being located at an end of said channel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A switch device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spherical element is a ferrous metal ball.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A switch device as claimed in claim 2 wherein a plurality of spaced apart cavities are formed in at least said bottom wall in said channel whereby to retain said spherical element when positioned therein or to retard displacement of said spherical element when in movement in said channel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
A switch device as claimed in claim 2 wherein there are two magnetic elements, each said magnetic elements having a magnet secured to a support member which is connected to an adjustable cylinder whereby said magnet may be adjustably positioned within said channel to adjust the arcuate length of the channel between each said two magnetic elements and said switch contact means to adjust the sensitivity of said switch device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
A switch device as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is provided a hole in said outer side wall of said channel, said switch contact means being located across said hole and constituted by a pair of switch contact arms held in spaced apart relationship, said contact arms being brought in electrical contact with each other when said spherical element rests on one of said contact arms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
A switch device as claimed in claim 2 wherein there is provided a hole in said outer side wall of said channel, said switch contact means being located across said hole and constituted by a pair of switch contact arms held in spaced apart relationship, said contact arms being brought in electrical contact with each other when said spherical element rests on one of said contact arms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
A switch device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said hole is a cylindrical chute having one end defined by said hole in said outer side wall and a further end remote thereof, said further end having a threaded shank therein, one of said contacts being positioned above said threaded shank whereby said spacing between said contacts can be adjusted by displacing said shank.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
A switch device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said switch housing is secured within a wristwatch casing with said hole in said outer side wall located along or parallel to the vertical axis of said casing and positioned towards the six o'clock designated position of a standard type watch dial having hour designations about the periphery of the dial.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A switch device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said switch housing is secured at angle with respect to the plane of said watch casing with said hole in said outer side wall lying closer to the rear of said watch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
A switch device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said magnetic element is a plate-like element loosely retained in a portion of said side wall whereby said magnetic element is movable in a horizontal and vertical plane in order to provide predetermined shock absorption with said spherical element magnetically retained thereto.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
A switch device as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is provided a further magnetic element positioned adjacent said switch contact means on a side thereof opposite the side that said spherical displaceable element contacts whereby to attract said spherical element against said contact means.
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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) | 1979-06-15 | 1979-12-15 | 1980-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-15 | 1983-12-15 | 1984-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-15 | 1987-12-15 | 1988-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |