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US 8,995,237 B2Granted
Fluid indicator
AssigneePreciflex SA
InventorLucien Vouillamoz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A visual indicator display device includes a bracelet, a transparent capillary chamber, and a displacement member. The transparent capillary chamber is matched to an indicia and has a primary length and a width less than the primary length. The displacement member is functionally disposed at one end of the capillary chamber and is responsive to a measureable input for moving a fluid contained therein a defined amount.
Claims32
A visual indicator display device in a timepiece comprising:
- a transparent elongated capillary chamber for containing a first and a second fluid separated by a moveable, continuous fluid boundary which substantially spans the entire interior cross-section of the capillary chamber in an uninterrupted manner, the capillary chamber having an indicator portion having a primary length and a characteristic transverse cross-section which is much smaller than the primary length and wherein the capillary chamber, along the indicator portion, is adapted to be matched to a numbered indicia for measuring a position of the boundary, wherein the chamber has a first end adapted to contain the first fluid and a second end adapted to contain the second fluid;
- and
- a displacement member functionally disposed at one end of the capillary chamber which is responsive to a measureable input for moving the boundary of the fluid contained therein a defined amount.
A timekeeping device comprising:
- a transparent elongated capillary chamber for containing a first and a second fluid separated by a moveable continuous boundary which substantially spans the entire interior cross-section of the capillary chamber in an uninterrupted manner, the capillary chamber having an indicator portion having a primary length and a characteristic transverse cross-section which is much smaller than the primary length and wherein the capillary chamber, along the indicator portion, is adapted to be matched to a numbered indicia for measuring a position of the boundary, wherein the chamber has a first end adapted to contain the first fluid and a second end adapted to contain the second fluid;
- and
- a displacement member functionally disposed at one end of the capillary chamber which is responsive to a measureable input for moving the boundary a defined amount corresponding to the passing of time, thereby allowing the user to read time from the indicia.
A timekeeping device comprising:
- a transparent, elongated capillary having an indicator portion having a primary length and a characteristic transverse cross-section which is much smaller than the primary length and wherein the capillary chamber is associated with a numbered indicia, the capillary having a first end with a first flexible reservoir adapted to receive a first fluid and a second end with a second flexible reservoir adapted to contain a second fluid immiscible with the first fluid such that, when the capillary is filled with such fluids, a continuous meniscus which substantially spans the entire interior cross-section of the capillary chamber in an uninterrupted manner is formed between the fluids which meniscus is visible through the capillary;
- a watch movement,
- a first piston responsive to the watch movement for displacing the first flexible reservoir, a second piston biased with a spring against the second reservoir, the spring enabled to store energy created by the expansion of the second reservoir as the first piston displaces the first flexible reservoir causing the movement of the meniscus allowing the user to read time from the indicia.
A timekeeping device comprising:
- a piston with a front face and a rear face,
- the piston positioned within a transparent capillary having an indicator portion having a primary length and a characteristic transverse cross-section which is much smaller than the primary length and wherein the capillary chamber is associated with a numbered indicia, the capillary containing a first end in fluid communication with the front face of the piston and a second end in fluid communication with the rear face of the piston, the first end adapted for receiving a first fluid and the second adapted for receiving a second fluid immiscible with the first fluid with a continuous meniscus formed in between, wherein the meniscus substantially spans the entire interior cross-section of the capillary chamber in an uninterrupted manner;
- and, wherein movement of the piston displaces the meniscus allowing the user to read time from the indicia.
A visual indicator display device for a wristwatch, comprising:
- a bracelet adapted to be worn around an appendage of a wearer;
- a transparent capillary chamber for containing a first and a second fluid separated by a boundary, the capillary chamber adapted to be matched to a numbered indicia for measuring a position of the boundary, the chamber having an indicator portion having a primary length and a characteristic width less than the primary length, wherein the chamber has a first end adapted to contain the first fluid and a second end adapted to contain the second fluid, and wherein a continuous meniscus which substantially spans the entire interior cross-section of the capillary chamber in an uninterrupted manner is formed between the fluids, the meniscus being visible through the capillary chamber;
- and
- a displacement member functionally disposed at one end of the capillary chamber which is responsive to a measureable input for moving the boundary of the fluid contained therein a defined amount, wherein the bracelet is the capillary chamber and the capillary chamber is flexible.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.