Actuating mechanisms for wrist instruments
First Claim
1. In a timepiece adapted to be worn on the wrist and including a power source having first and second electrical terminals, a display, means for illuminating said display, and actuating means for connecting said power source to the illuminating means to energize same, the improVement wherein said actuating means comprises:
- inertia actuated switch means including a movable contact;
spring said movable contact being designed and mounted to be biased out of contact with said first terminal, said illuminating means being connected between said movable contact and said second terminal so that engagement of said first terminal by said movable contact completes a circuit from said power source through said illuminating means; and
movable hammer means, said movable contact being positioned between said movable hammer means and said first terminal, said hammer means being adapted to move said movable contact into engagement with said first terminal in the presence of a deliberate rapid acceleration and/or deceleration of said wrist having a predetermined minimum magnitude.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In an instrument adapted to be worn on the wrist including a power source, a display, means for illuminating or activating the display and actuating means for connecting the power source to the illuminating or activating means to energize the same, the improvement wherein the actuating means comprises either an inertia actuated switch means operative in the presence of a deliberate, rapid acceleration and/or deceleration of the wrist having a predetermined minimum magnitude and/or a pressure actuated switch means operative in the presence of pressure applied thereto by the wrist for momentarily connecting the power source to the illuminating or activating means.
17 Citations
3 Claims
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1. In a timepiece adapted to be worn on the wrist and including a power source having first and second electrical terminals, a display, means for illuminating said display, and actuating means for connecting said power source to the illuminating means to energize same, the improVement wherein said actuating means comprises:
- inertia actuated switch means including a movable contact;
spring said movable contact being designed and mounted to be biased out of contact with said first terminal, said illuminating means being connected between said movable contact and said second terminal so that engagement of said first terminal by said movable contact completes a circuit from said power source through said illuminating means; and
movable hammer means, said movable contact being positioned between said movable hammer means and said first terminal, said hammer means being adapted to move said movable contact into engagement with said first terminal in the presence of a deliberate rapid acceleration and/or deceleration of said wrist having a predetermined minimum magnitude.
- inertia actuated switch means including a movable contact;
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2. In a timepiece according to claim 1, the improvement wherein the weight of said hammer means is insufficient to move said movable contact into contact with said first terminal in the absence of an acceleration or deceleration thereof in the direction of movement thereof in excess of said predetermined minimum magnitude.
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3. In a timepiece according to claim 1, an On/Off switch connected between said power source and actuating means for breaking the connection between said movable contact and said second terminal when it is desired not to use said inertia actuated switch means.
Specification