Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6266297?dq=5,838,906
Timestamp: 2015-03-02 04:32:40
Document Index: 529596988

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 32', 'art 32', 'art 32', 'art 32', 'arts 32', 'arts 32', 'arts 32', 'arts 32']

Patent US6266297 - Luminescent device and watch with luminescent device - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsAn analog hand mechanism having hands in a watch case, and a plate-like luminescent device in the watch case, to illuminate the analog hand mechanism. A metallic layer or a metallic ink layer, for giving a feeling of metallic gloss by receiving illumination of light emitted from the surface of the luminescent...http://www.google.com/patents/US6266297?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6266297 - Luminescent device and watch with luminescent deviceAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS6266297 B1Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 09/323,449Publication dateJul 24, 2001Filing dateJun 1, 1999Priority dateJul 12, 1996Fee statusPaidAlso published asCN1144108C, CN1172291A, US5838640, US5930204Publication number09323449, 323449, US 6266297 B1, US 6266297B1, US-B1-6266297, US6266297 B1, US6266297B1InventorsHiroyuki Sonoda, Shunji MinamiOriginal AssigneeCasio Computer Co., Ltd.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (7), Referenced by (5), Classifications (13), Legal Events (3) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetLuminescent device and watch with luminescent device
US 6266297 B1Abstract
An analog hand mechanism having hands in a watch case, and a plate-like luminescent device in the watch case, to illuminate the analog hand mechanism. A metallic layer or a metallic ink layer, for giving a feeling of metallic gloss by receiving illumination of light emitted from the surface of the luminescent device, is disposed on at least a side of the upper surface and the lower surface of the luminescent device.
a watch case comprising analog hand mechanism having hands, in the inside thereof; a plate-like luminescent device which is provided in the watch case for illuminating the analog hand mechanism in the watch case; a fixing member for fixing the plate-like luminescent device to the analog hand mechanism; and a layer made of one of a metallic layer and a metallic ink layer, which gives a feeling of metallic gloss by receiving illumination of light emitted from a surface of the plate-like luminescent device, disposed on at least one of an upper surface side and a lower surface side of the plate-like luminescent device wherein: the plate-like luminescent device comprises a plate-like EL luminescent member, a light transmissive member disposed at an upper position of the EL luminescent member, a light-transmissive color printed layer disposed at an upper position of the light-transmissive member, and a light transmissive film member disposed at an upper position of the color printed layer; and the layer comprises a metallic layer which is disposed between the light-transmissive color printed layer and the light-transmissive member. 2. A watch comprising:
a watch case comprising an analog hand mechanism having hands, in the inside thereof; a plate-like luminescent device which is provided in the watch case for illuminating the analog hand mechanism in the watch case; a fixing member for fixing the plate-like luminescent device to the analog hand mechanism; and a layer made of one of a metallic layer and a metallic ink layer, which gives a feeling of metallic gloss by receiving illumination of light emitted from a surface of the plate-like luminescent device, disposed on at least one of an upper surface side and a lower surface side of the plate-like luminescent device, wherein: the plate-like luminescent device comprises a plate-like EL luminescent member, a light-transmissive member disposed at an upper position of the EL luminescent member, a light-transmissive color member disposed at an upper position of the light-transmissive member, and a light-transmissive member having an unevenness at an upper surface thereof, which is formed on an upper surface of the light-transmissive color member; and the layer comprises a metallic layer which is disposed between the light-transmissive color member and the light-transmissive member. 3. A watch comprising:
a watch case comprising an analog hand mechanism having hands, in the inside thereof; a plate-like luminescent device which is provided in the watch case for illuminating the analog hand mechanism in the watch case; and a fixing member for fixing the plate-like luminescent device to the analog hand mechanism, wherein: the analog hand mechanism comprises a shaft to which the hands are fixed, and a body portion in which electronic parts including a circuit board and a battery are incorporated; a through hole for passing the shaft therethrough is formed in the plate-like luminescent device; a layer made of one of a metallic layer and a metallic ink layer, which gives a feeling of metallic gloss by receiving illumination of light emitted from a surface of the plate-like luminescent device, is disposed on an upper surface side of the plate-like luminescent device; the fixing member is disposed on peripheries of the body portion and the plate-like luminescent device, and comprises a first projection provided in an upper side thereof, for pressing down an upper surface of one of the metallic layer and the metallic ink layer and a third projection provided in a lower side thereof, for engaging with a second projection which is formed in the periphery of the body portion, the plate-like luminescent device comprises a plate-like EL luminescent member, a light-transmissive film member disposed at an upper position of the EL luminescent member, a light-transmissive color printed layer disposed at an upper position of the light-transmissive film member, and a light-transmissive member having an unevenness at an upper surface thereof, which is disposed at an upper position of the light-transmissive color printed layer; and the layer comprises a metallic layer which is disposed between the light-transmissive color printed layer and the light-transmissive member. 4. A luminescent device comprising:
a plate-like EL luminescent member; and a layer made of one of a metallic layer and a metallic ink layer, which gives a feeling of metallic gloss by receiving illumination of light emitted from a surface of the plate-like EL luminescent member, disposed on at least one of an upper surface side and a lower surface side of the plate-like EL luminescent member, wherein: the plate-like EL luminescent member comprises a light-transmissive member disposed at an upper position thereof, a color printed layer disposed at an upper position of the light-transmissive member, and a light-transmissive member disposed at an upper position of the color printed layer; and the layer comprises a metallic layer which is disposed between the light-transmissive color printed layer and the light-transmissive member. 5. A luminescent device comprising:
a plate-like EL luminescent member; and a layer made of one of a metallic layer and a metallic ink layer, which gives a feeling of metallic gloss by receiving illumination of light emitted from a surface of the plate-like EL luminescent member, disposed on at least one of an upper surface side and a lower surface side of the plate-like EL luminescent member, wherein: the plate-like EL luminescent member comprises a first light-transmissive member disposed at an upper position thereof, a light-transmissive color member disposed at an upper position of the first light-transmissive member, and a second light-transmissive member having an unevenness on an upper surface thereof, which is disposed on an upper surface of the light-transmissive color member; and the layer comprises a metallic layer which is disposed between the light-transmissive color member and the first light-transmissive member. 6. A luminescent device comprising:
a plate-like EL luminescent member; and a layer made of one of a metallic layer and a metallic ink layer, which gives a feeling of metallic gloss by receiving illumination of light emitted from a surface of the plate-like EL luminescent member, disposed on at least one of an upper surface side and a lower surface side of the plate-like EL luminescent member, wherein: the plate-like EL luminescent member comprises a first light-transmissive member disposed at an upper position thereof, a light transmissive color printed layer disposed at an upper position of the first light-transmissive member, and a second light-transmissive member having an unevenness on an upper surface thereof, which is disposed at an upper position of the light-transmissive color printed layer; and the layer comprises a metallic layer which is disposed between the light-transmissive color printed layer and the first light-transmissive member.
This is division of application Ser. No. 09/140,507 filed Aug. 26, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,430,204 which is a Division of application Ser. No. 08/889,430 filed Jul. 8, 1997 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,838,640).
The present invention relates to a luminescent device and a watch with the luminescent device.
An Electro Luminescence element (hereinafter, which may be called �luminescent member�) is a plate-like luminescent member, from the whole surface of which luminescence are emitted by an applied voltage.
FIGS 2A to 2E are cross sectional views showing examples of layered structures of the luminescent device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 6A and 6B are enlarged bottom views showing examples of the part �A� in FIG. 5;
The analog hand mechanism 4 comprises a circuit board, a body 5 in which a battery and other parts are incorporated, a shafts for hands 6 which extend from the center of the body 5 upwardly, and hands 7 which include a minute hand and an hour hand and the like and which are connected with the shafts for hands 6, respectively. The analog hand mechanism 4 also includes a projection 4 a formed in its periphery.
Through holes 8 a and 9 a are formed at each center of the EL luminescent member 8 and the film member 9, wherein the shaft of the hands 6 pass through the through holes 8 a and 9 a and extend upwardly. The pressing member 10 includes a projection 10 a provided on an upper side thereof, and a projection 10 b provided on a lower side thereof.
That is, in case of the structure of the luminescent device A2 shown in FIG. 4A, a transparent film 31 a having a light-transmissive property is used as the film member 31.
In case of the structure of the luminescent device A2 shown in FIG. 4B, a light-transmissive color film 31 b is used as the film member 31.
The metallic ink layer 32 is provided on the each lower surface of the transparent film 31 a and the color film 31 b. In FIG. 4B, an EL luminescent member which emits white light is used as the EL luminescent member 8.
FIG. 5 shows these film members 31 (31 a and 31 b).
As described above and shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the metallic ink layer 32 is provided on each lower surface of the transparent film 31 a and the color film 31 b as the film member 31, while time indices 33 are printed on each upper surface of the transparent 31 a and the color film 31 b at positions for indication of time.
FIGS. 6A and 6B show patterns of the metallic layer 19 formed on the film member 9 shown in FIGS. 2A to 2E, and of the metallic ink layer 32 formed on the lower surface of the film member 31 a or 31 b shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.
First, the pattern of the metallic ink layer 32 will be explained. FIG. 6A is an enlarged figure of the part �A� of the film member 31 shown in FIG. 5. In the metallic ink layer, each printed part 32 a (non-light-transmissive part) printed by metallic ink and each non-printed part 32 b (light-transmissive part) is formed in square, and each square of printed part 32 a and of non-printed part 32 b are repeated mutually lengthwise and crosswise to make a lattice pattern.
A pattern shown in FIG. 6B which is another enlarged figure of the part�A� of the film member 31 in FIG. 5 is a hatching pattern, wherein the printed parts 32 a and the non-printed parts 32 b are formed obliquely and repeated mutually.
In the state in which the pattern is provided as described above, when the EL luminescent member 8 emits light, although the printed parts 32 a does not transmit light, the non-printed parts 32 b transmit light. Therefore, the light parts through which light pass and the dark parts through which light does not pass can be observed from the outside with a clear contrast, thereby such a very interesting watch can be provided. In this case, the time indices 33 can be looked with a good contrast, thereby it is possible to improve the interesting visibility.
In case of the structure of a luminescent device A3 shown in FIG. 8A, a transparent film 42 is layered on a light-transmissive film 41 a which has a metallic layer 41 b formed by deposition on the upper surface thereof. A fine unevenness 42 a is formed on the upper surface of the transparent film 42. The unevenness 42 a is formed by an electric casting or the like, and light from the EL luminescent member 8 is scattered by the unevenness 42 a. Therefore, a metallic feeling of the film 41 a becomes tender, and the impression is softened.
In case of the structure of the luminescent device A3 shown in FIG. 8B, a transparent color film 43 is provided between the transparent film 41 a which has the metallic layer 41 b formed by deposition on the upper surface thereof, and the transparent film 42 which has the unevenness 42 a formed at the surface. A colored soft metallic feeling is given since the color film 43 is layered.
In case of the structure of the luminescent device A3 shown in FIG. 8C, a metal deposited layer 44 covers the lower surface of the light-transmissive color film 43. Because the transparent film 42 with the unevenness 42 a is layered on the color film 43, the same advantageous effects as the embodiment shown in FIG. 8B is given.
In case of the structure of the luminescent device A3 shown in FIG. 8D, a light-transmissive color ink layer 45 is provided on the lower surface of the transparent film 42 with the unevenness 42 a, and the transparent film 42 is layered on the light-transmissive film 41 a on which the metallic deposited layer 44 is provided.
In case of the structure of the luminescent device A3 shown in FIG. 9A, a fine unevenness 46 a is formed on an upper surface of a light-transmissive film 46 on which metal is deposited. The film 46 is layered on the EL luminescent member 8. Thereby, the film 46 shows the same advantageous effect as the transparent film 42 of the structure shown in FIG. 8A.
In case of the structure of the luminescent device A3 shown in FIG. 9B, a fine unevenness 47 a is formed on an upper surface of a light-transmissive color film 47, and the color film 47 is layered on the light-transmissive film 46 on which metal is deposited.
In case of the structure of the luminescent device A3 shown in FIG. 9C, a metal deposited layer 48 is formed on the lower surface of the light-transmissive color film 47 which has the unevenness 47 a formed on the upper surface thereof, and the color film 47 is layered on the EL luminescent member 8.
In case of the structure of the luminescent device A3 shown in FIG. 9D, a metallic ink layer 50 is formed on a lower surface of a transparent film 49 similar to the second embodiment, in addition to this, a fine unevenness 49 a is formed on an upper surface of the transparent film 49.
In case of the structure of the luminescent device A3 shown in FIG. 9E, the metallic ink layer 50 is formed on the lower surface of the light-transmissive color film 47 which has the unevenness 47 a formed on the upper surface thereof.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS4775964Jan 11, 1988Oct 4, 1988Timex CorporationElectroluminescent dial for an analog watch and process for making itUS5703837 *Feb 10, 1995Dec 30, 1997Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.Watch with light transmitting type display plateUS5714012 *Dec 14, 1994Feb 3, 1998Citizen Watch Co, Ltd.Diffuse transmission layer, opaque luminescent layer; brightness; watchesUS5734628 *Oct 27, 1994Mar 31, 1998Kabushiki Kaisha Hattori SeikoWatch dial plate structureUS5838644 *Oct 27, 1995Nov 17, 1998Seiko Precision Inc.Electroluminescent display and luminous timepiece dialUS6021099 *Oct 20, 1995Feb 1, 2000Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.Solar-cell watch dial and process for producing the sameJPH04291192A * Title not available* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS6512721 *Oct 30, 2000Jan 28, 2003Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Luminous Dial for timepieceUS6697303Jul 11, 2001Feb 24, 2004Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Dial for timepiece, manufacturing method thereof and timepieceUS7095463 *Aug 13, 2002Aug 22, 2006Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Ultraviolet ray emitting apparatus and electronic apparatus using ultraviolet ray emitting elementsWO2003042764A2 *Nov 4, 2002May 22, 2003Eterna Ag UhrenfabrikDisplay device for a wristwatchWO2014052546A1 *Sep 26, 2013Apr 3, 2014Luxel CorporationPersonal adornment* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification368/67, 368/226, 368/227, 368/228, 368/232International ClassificationG04G9/00, G04B19/30, G04B19/12, G04B19/32Cooperative ClassificationG04B19/12, G04B19/32European ClassificationG04B19/12, G04B19/32Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionDec 27, 2012FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 12Dec 24, 2008FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Dec 29, 2004FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services