Abstract: An electroluminescent dial for an analog timepiece comprising a flexible transparent substrate, an inner layer comprising electrically conductive material adhered to the substrate, an EL layer comprising a mixture of electroluminescent material in a binder adhered to the inner layer, and an outer layer covering the electroluminescent layer comprising electrically conductive material, the substrate and the layers comprising a single flexible laminated assembly and having a hole therethrough for accommodating the rotatable stem, and includes a tab portion comprising the substrate and the inner layer extending beyond the EL and outer layers. A dial support member comprising a rigid plate substantially the size and shape of the electroluminescent dial supports the dial on one side of the frame.

Abstract: A fountain attachment for a faucet, comprising a tubular body of rigid plastic material, a closure member of rigid plastic material hinged to the short rear wall of the tubular body and adapted to be pivoted to cover its inclined outlet end, a fountain spout formed in the long front wall of the tubular body with an inclined passage terminating at its upper end in an upwardly directed spout opening and terminating at its lower end within the tubular body, and a tubular insert of yieldable plastic material disposed inside the tubular body, with its top end disposed within the top end of the tubular body and spaced therefrom by an annular gap and adapted for frictional fit with a faucet, the tubular insert further having a mid section supported within the tubular body and a bottom end comprising a sealing flange extending beyond the bottom end of the tubular body, the sealing flange providing a seal with the closure member when the closure member is pivoted to cover the outlet end of the tubular body.

Abstract: A multimode electronic timepiece has a display, a case, a plurality of manually actuated actuators disposed about said case, and an integrated circuit programmed to keep time and to provide a plurality of modes for performing a plurality of timepiece functions, including a first and second modes. The integrated circuit is further programmed to permit an operator to sequentially cycle a timepiece through the plurality of modes by selectively and repetitively actuating a first actuator. The improved timepiece includes a program for the integrated circuit adapted to dispose the timepiece out of a first and second of the plurality of modes into a first and second operating instruction subroutine in response to actuation of a second actuator. The first and second operating instruction subroutine respectively comprise a first and second set of operating instructions which describe the operation of the actuators when the timepiece is respectively disposed in the first and second modes.

Abstract: Improvement in a multimode electronic timepiece having a display, a plurality of manually actuated actuators, including first and second actuators, and an integrated circuit programmed to keep time and to provide a current sequence of a plurality of modes for performing a plurality of timepiece functions, including at least first and second modes, said integrated circuit being programmed to permit an operator to sequentially cycle said timepiece through said plurality of modes, by selectively and repetitively actuating a first of said plurality of actuators, wherein said improvement comprises: first automatic mode selection means, including a program for said integrated circuit adapted to calculate at least first and second values respectively comprising the number of times the respective timepiece functions of said first and a second modes are performed by a timepiece operator in said current sequence, and to provide a next sequence of said plurality of modes, including said first and second modes of said cu

Abstract: A pressure transducer apparatus for use with low voltage supply source. A semiconductor piezoresistive strain gauge bridge provides an analog output of pressure variations which includes errors introduced by variations in the ambient temperature. A non-temperature-sensitive resistor across the bridge input is used to decrease the temperature dependent voltage change necessary for temperature compensation of the strain gauge bridge circuit output. Analog temperature adjustment means, provide as an output a current whose value changes concurrently and in direct proportion to the change occurring in the strain gauge bridge circuit current. An analog to digital converter has as its analog input the voltage output of the strain gauge bridge circuit, which is integrated over a first time period, and has as its reference input the temperature-adjusted output current from the analog temperature adjustment means which is integrated over a second time period.

Abstract: A strap attachment for a wristwatch has first and second ends adapted to encircle the wrist of a wearer having a first strap end with a wide strap section and a connecting narrow strap section, and a number of adjustment holes along the wide strap section, and a second strap end terminating in an integral buckle frame with a rectangular frame opening and having a short inclined tang for cooperating with a selected adjustment hole, the strap section with the buckle end having a transverse slot spaced from the buckle frame for receiving the narrow strap section. The buckle frame includes a hard high strength plastic insert overmolded by soft flexible plastic strap material. In a modification, the strap attachment to the watch case comprises an integral central strap section in which an overmolded soft plastic material partially encases a rigid plastic watch case, the latter then being assembled with the movement and sealed from the front side.

Abstract: A dart case comprising a base member, a hinged cover member, and a latch. Both of the base and cover have recesses formed in their facing inner surfaces. Some of the recesses are used to hold dart accessories and a sharpening stone. Selected pairs of base and cover recesses are sized and located to be substantially coterminous so as to define flight compartments. Each flight compartment includes flight support members projecting toward one another from the cover and the base which support and protect the dart flights. The flight support members include inclined orthogonal surfaces so that the cover member may be pivoted and closed upon the base member without damaging the flights. Further features include a rotatable sector attached to the cover in order to hold accessories in the cover member when the cover is open. Lastly, the exterior of the case cover includes dart support pockets holding the darts accessible for display and use.

Abstract: In accordance with the present improvement of the present invention, in a multimode electronic timepiece, actuation of a first actuator while the timepiece is disposed in a "home" mode will cause to be displayed an alternate mode for a first predetermined period of time. If said first actuator is released prior to the elapse of said first predetermined period of time, the timepiece will be returned to said "home" mode. However, if the operator continues to actuate said first actuator beyond this first predetermined period of time, the program is adapted upon elapse of said first predetermined period of time, to immediately display on said timepiece display for a second predetermined period of time, a message indicating to the timepiece operator that continued actuation of said first actuator will cause the timepiece to be disposed into a predetermined alternate mode.

Abstract: Analog timepiece movement adapted for a large diameter, thin energy cell, the movement comprising a molded frame of insulating material having a top central wall, and having depending peripheral side wall portions. A flat bridge of insulating material divides the movement into an inner cavity. A stepping motor and gear train are disposed in the inner cavity and a quartz crystal is disposed outside of the cavity. One of the wheel assemblies is of non-magnetic material and extends through a hole in by the stepping motor stator. The peripheral wall portions and the bridge together define a circular envelope in the outer cavity adapted to locate and contain said energy cell. The movement is substantially elliptical in shape, the ellipse having a minor axis slightly greater than that of the energy cell, and the quartz crystal is disposed on one end of the elliptical frame alongside the energy cell.

Abstract: A single antenna, dual frequency transponder is provided. The transponder includes the antenna, first and second capacitors, a microprocessor/coder for generating a first and second control signals, and a logic circuit which uses the two control signals as inputs and depending on the state of the second control signal either provides an open circuit or a frequency signal at its output node. When the second control signal is a dormant (inhibit) signal, an open circuit is provided. As a result, the capacitors and the antenna provide a first tuned LC circuit which will receive an incoming signal at a desired first frequency. The incoming signal thereby resonates the LC circuit which provides a wake-up signal to the microprocessor/coder. In turn, the microprocessor/coder generates the first control signal of a desired second frequency. In turn, the logic circuit provides a related signal of the same second frequency as an output.

Abstract: An improved bookholder for use with a pole lamp comprising a book support having a back rest and pivotable ledges adapted to hold the book in a selectable orientation, an attachment at one end thereof to the bookholder, the arm being sufficiently flexible to be bent to a desired shape and sufficiently rigid to maintain the shape after it is bent, and a shade attached to the other end of the adjustable arm, whereby the shade may be adjusted with respect to the light source and a book on the book support. Preferably, the shade comprises light-attenuating vanes which may be folded up like a fan when not in use, or opened to any desired extent to change the size of the shade. The adjustable arm holding the shade may be bent or moved in a variety of directions to adjust the position of the shade with respect to the light source.

Abstract: A bookholder with a base member having a longitudinally extending base portion forward from a U-shaped rod defining a first planar surface; a support member having a longitudinally extending support portion formed from another U-shaped rod defining a second planar surface; a book carrier mounted on the support member having book-supporting ledges; and a transverse coupling member with pairs of holes arranged to receive and hold both the base portion rod and the support portion rod so the first and second planar surfaces intersect at a preselected included angle. The book carrier is movable along the support member to adjust the height of the book carrier with respect to the coupling member. The base member rod is movable with respect to the coupling member between a first "suspending mode" position when the selected included angle is approximately between 90.degree. and 130.degree., into a second "table supporting mode" position when the selected included angle is between 90.degree. and 50.degree..

Abstract: A movement subassembly adapted for use in either a two hand timepiece or a three hand timepiece, the subassembly having a first set of elements common to both timepieces adapted to cooperate with a second set of components, including at least one intermediate wheel assembly to make up a three hand timepiece movement, the first set also adapted to cooperate with a third set of components, using a different wheel assembly to make a two hand timepiece. The second set components includes a seconds wheel assembly, an intermediate wheel assembly, a third wheel assembly and a once-per-second pulsing integrated circuit. The subassembly frame includes bearings for journaling all of said aforementioned wheel assemblies using a common subassembly.

Abstract: An improved reduction gear assembly with friction drive/slip coupling for a timepiece movement, comprising a metal pinion member having a toothed pinion and a coaxial stem extending from an abutment surface on said pinion, including (1) a cylindrical portion, (2) a frustum portion tapering from a smaller diameter to a larger diameter (3) a terminating tapered end portion; and a plastic wheel member having a toothed wheel and first and second coaxial journals extending from opposite sides of the. A central passage in the journals has a constricted section therein with a diameter slightly less than that of said larger diameter of said frustum portion on said metal pinion member with the frustum disposed in said constricted passage with a snap fit, whereby a friction drive/slip coupling is provided between the metal frustum portion of the metal pinion member and the constricted passage of the plastic wheel member.

Abstract: The operating program of a microcomputer is adapted such that once the operator initially selects a submode, the timepiece is disposed into the first operating state of that selected submode, and actuation of any actuator other than that actuator which cycles the timepiece through its plurality of modes, will dispose the timepiece only into other operating states of the chosen submode. The selected submode's operating states are completely independent of other submode operating states and thus the operator cannot dispose the timepiece into the operating states of another submode from any of the operating states of the initially selected submode. In fact the operator cannot exit the initially selected submode unless he actuates the actuator which cycles the timepiece through its plurality of modes, which will dispose the timepiece completely out of the chronograph/countdown timer mode into its next mode.