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US4261049A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Wristwatch with solar cells

Assignee: Citizen Watch Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1978-12-13
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Granted: 1981-04-07
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Expires: 1998-12-13
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A wristwatch includes a module, and a display section overlying the module. The module has a recess which surrounds the display section and which accommodates a solar cell unit having a window therein for accommodating the display section. The unit is located by the co-operation of the edge of the window with projecting portions on the module. The upper surfaces of the display section and the solar cell unit are substantially flush. Support members for supporting the display section are electrically connected with a battery of the watch and have spring portions which are electrically connected to the solar cell unit.

Inventors

  • 👤 Katsuhiko Komiyama
  • 👤 Toshio Hiruta

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 21:12
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04G; G04G17/00; G04G17/02; G04C; G04C10/00; G04C10/02

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim 134 words
A wristwatch powered by a battery and having a case, a face plate fixedly secured to said case, a module mounted in said case, and a display section disposed on said module and operatively associated with said module to display the time, the improvement comprising: said case having a shoulder portion formed in a predetermined part thereof and extending in a radial direction of said case; said module having a recessed part formed at an area between said display section and an inner periphery of said case; a solar cell circuit board carrying solar cells for providing power for said watch and disposed in said recessed part of said module, and securely mounted to said shoulder portion of said case; and means defining a window in said circuit board for accommodating said display section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 134 words
A wristwatch powered by a battery and having a case, a face plate fixedly secured to said case, a module mounted in said case, and a display section disposed on said module and operatively associated with said module to display the time, the improvement comprising: said case having a shoulder portion formed in a predetermined part thereof and extending in a radial direction of said case; said module having a recessed part formed at an area between said display section and an inner periphery of said case; a solar cell circuit board carrying solar cells for providing power for said watch and disposed in said recessed part of said module, and securely mounted to said shoulder portion of said case; and means defining a window in said circuit board for accommodating said display section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 35 words
A wristwatch as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a packing, and wherein said circuit board is securely mounted by said face plate to said shoulder portion of said case by means of said packing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 28 words
A wristwatch as claimed in claim 1, wherein said circuit board is located by the co-operation of edges of said window defining means with those of said module.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 28 words
A wristwatch as claimed in claim 1, wherein said circuit board and said display section each have an upper surface, said upper surfaces substantially lying in same plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 26 words
A wristwatch as claimed in claim 1, wherein said module includes upstanding lugs disposed around said display section for co-operation with said edges of said window.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 20 words
A wristwatch as claimed in claim 5, wherein said display section is located by the co-operation thereof with said lugs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 24 words
A wristwatch as claimed in claim 1, wherein said solar cell circuit board carries an overcharge preventing resistor and a reverse current preventing diode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 19 words
A wristwatch as claimed in claim 7, wherein said module includes notches for accommodating said diode and said resistor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 37 words
A wristwatch as claimed in claim 1, further comprising electrically conductive support members for supporting said display section, said support members being electrically connected with said battery and having spring portions electrically connected to said circuit board.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 165 words
A wristwatch powered by a battery, comprising: a case having a shoulder portion extending in a radial direction in a predetermined portion thereof; a face plate fixedly secured to said shoulder portion of said case; a module section mounted in said case and having a recessed part; a display section disposed on said module section and operatively associated with said module section to display the time; and a solar cell circuit board disposed in said recessed part of said module section and securely mounted to said shoulder portion of said case; said circuit board carrying solar cells for providing power for said watch and having a window to accommodate said display section such that an upper surface of said display section lies in same plane with said circuit board; said recessed part being formed between said display section and an inner periphery of said case; said face plate having a colored layer forming a boundary for said display section and windows for said solar cells.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 165 words
A wristwatch powered by a battery, comprising: a case having a shoulder portion extending in a radial direction in a predetermined portion thereof; a face plate fixedly secured to said shoulder portion of said case; a module section mounted in said case and having a recessed part; a display section disposed on said module section and operatively associated with said module section to display the time; and a solar cell circuit board disposed in said recessed part of said module section and securely mounted to said shoulder portion of said case; said circuit board carrying solar cells for providing power for said watch and having a window to accommodate said display section such that an upper surface of said display section lies in same plane with said circuit board; said recessed part being formed between said display section and an inner periphery of said case; said face plate having a colored layer forming a boundary for said display section and windows for said solar cells.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 37 words
A wristwatch as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a resilient packing, and wherein said circuit board is securely mounted by said face plate to said shoulder portion of said case by means of said resilient packing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 22 words
A wristwatch as claimed in claim 10, wherein said module section includes lugs around said display section to position said display section.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 24 words
A wristwatch as claimed in claim 12, wherein said module includes notches for accommodating an overcharge preventing resistor and a reverse current preventing diode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 37 words
A wristwatch as claimed in claim 10, further comprising electrically conductive support members for supporting said display section, said support members being electrically connected with said battery, and having spring portions electrically connected to said circuit boad.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 153 words
In a wristwatch powered by a battery and having a case, a face plate fixedly secured to said case, a module mounted in said case, and a display section disposed on said module, said module being operatively associated with said display section for causing said display section to display the time, the improvement comprising: said module having a recessed portion formed around an outer periphery of said display section; a circuit board having one side carrying solar cells for providing power for said wristwatch and the other side carrying an overcharge preventing resistor and a reverse current preventing diode, said circuit board being disposed in said recessed portion of said module; means defining a window in said circuit board for accommodating therein said display section; said module including upstanding lugs formed around said display section; and said circuit board being located by the co-operation of said window defining means with said upstanding lugs.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 153 words
In a wristwatch powered by a battery and having a case, a face plate fixedly secured to said case, a module mounted in said case, and a display section disposed on said module, said module being operatively associated with said display section for causing said display section to display the time, the improvement comprising: said module having a recessed portion formed around an outer periphery of said display section; a circuit board having one side carrying solar cells for providing power for said wristwatch and the other side carrying an overcharge preventing resistor and a reverse current preventing diode, said circuit board being disposed in said recessed portion of said module; means defining a window in said circuit board for accommodating therein said display section; said module including upstanding lugs formed around said display section; and said circuit board being located by the co-operation of said window defining means with said upstanding lugs.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 28 words
A wristwatch as claimed in claim 15, wherein said circuit board and said display section each have an upper surface, said upper surfaces substantially lying in same plane.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 20 words
A wristwatch as claimed in claim 15, wherein said display section is located by the co-operation thereof with said lugs.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 22 words
A wristwatch as claimed in claim 15, further including means defining notches in said module for accommodating said diode and said resistor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 37 words
A wristwatch as claimed in claim 15, further comprising electrically conductive support members for supporting said display section, said support members being electrically connected with said battery, and having spring portions electrically connected to said circuit board.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 27 words
A wristwatch as claimed in claim 15, wherein said lugs have their inner surfaces engaging said display section and their outer peripheries engaging edges of the window.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 37 words
A wristwatch as claimed in claim 15, wherein said circuit board has a couple of terminals formed on the other side of said circuit board for electrically connecting said circuit board with said battery in said module.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 38 words
A wristwatch as claimed in claim 21, wherein said wristwatch further comprises a couple of coil springs being electrically connected with said coupled of terminals, said couple of coil springs being partly received in bores of said module.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 28 words
A wristwatch as claimed in claim 22, wherein each of said coil springs has an extension by which said coil spring is positioned stably within said corresponding bore.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3921049A Cited
US4019313A Cited
US4038104A Cited
US4165604A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1984-04-06 1984-10-06 1985-04-07 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1988-04-06 1988-10-06 1989-04-07 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1992-04-06 1992-10-06 1993-04-07 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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