Universal solid state time-keeping package
AssigneeAmerican Microsystems, Inc.
InventorsJohn R. Wood, James B. Morris, Sr., Arnold M. Massoletti
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An assembly of electronic components and a method of packaging such components to form a solid state time-keeping device capable of being housed in watch cases having different external configurations. The assembly includes a sub-assembly component which combines and interconnects an integrated semiconductor device with other discrete elements required to perform basic timing function in a compact package. This sub-assembly and the various other electronic components are readily removable and interchangeably replaceable with simple jeweler's hand tools.
Claims17
An electronic digital solid state watch assembly comprising:
- a. a watch frame having a front time display side thereof with a display opening therein and defining an interior cavity, and a backplate removably mounted on a back side thereof and closing said cavity;
- b. a nest member located entirely within and occupying said cavity and having a time display window visible through the display opening of said frame, said nest member including somewhat irregular interior portions contoured to form a plurality of recesses;
- c. digital display means for providing a visual time display, said display means packaged in a unit having two flat and generally parallel surfaces with means forming digital time display segments that are viewable on a front surface, and electrical connection points on a back surface, said display means being sized to fit closely within a display unit recess of said nest, said nest having means in said display unit recess for holding said display unit in place so that said time display segments may be viewed through the display window of the nest;
- d. a crystal unit mounted within said nest;
- e. power supply means retained within said nest;
- f. a printed circuit substrate containing electronic circuitry powered by said power supply means for generating time signals from said crystal unit and for driving said digital display means and substrate having two flat generally parallel surfaces with a front surface containing contact means for providing an electrical interconnection with said display means, and a back surface having electrical conductor paths with interconnection means for said quartz crystal unit and for said power supply means, said substrate overlying said display unit recess within said nest and secured therein, and
- g. means between said display unit and said substrate for electrically interconnecting said display means to said substrate and for simultaneously mechanically locking said display unit in place in said nest when said substrate is secured within said nest.
An electronic sub-assembly for use in combination with a power cell, means for fixing a standard frequency signal, a watch frame, and a digital display to provide a solid state watch, comprising:
- a nest member retained within said frame, said member having a display recess with a display window for holding said digital display in a predetermined position therein, and a substrate recess for holding a printed circuit substrate in a predetermined registration with said display;
- and,
- a printed circuit substrate removably secured within said member, said substrate containing electronic circuitry for generating time signals from said standard frequency signal and for driving said digital display, said substrate having two flat generally parallel surfaces with a front surface containing contact means for electrical interconnection with said display means when said substrate is secured in said predetermined registration with said display, and a back surface having electrical conductor paths with interconnection means extending to said power, cell;
- and
- means extending between said substrate and said display for electrically interconnecting said contact means and said display and for locking said display in place when said substrate is secured within said nest.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.