US3877216A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digital downcount timer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-06-21
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1994-06-21
Abstract
Abstract A digital downcount timer for timing warning periods occuring before the ''''START'''' of an event, such as a sailboat race, where the warning period is commenced by a first warning signal such as a gun or flag and where there may be a second warning signal to mark a fixed intermediate instant in the warning period, the timer including a count-down clock and a programmed controller having a first step condition in which the clock shows all zeros at the display, and having a second-step condition manually initiated wherein the clock is preset to display an initial negative reading and is enabled to count down toward zero, one of these step conditions being a stable at ''''REST'''' condition, and the controller having a third step condition which can be optionally selected by manual action to correct the count to display a preset intermediate corrective negative reading from which the clock continues downcounting. When the display reads all zeros, the controller is automatically returned to the ''''REST'''' condition.
Inventors
- 👤 George Ralph Mounce
- 👤 John Douglas Sainsbury
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 19:28
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04F; G04F1/00; G04F1/005; G04G; G04G9/00; G04G9/08; G04G9/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A digital countdown timer for timing warning periods occurring before the START of an event where the warning period is marked by an initial warning signal commencing an interval of fixed duration preceeding said START, the timer comprising: a. digital clock means including a chain of downcounters driving digital display means and driven by a clock pulse source; b. a programmed controller operative to control the downcounters according to a cyclic program of multiple steps, the controller having manual actuator means for stepping it through said steps and the steps including a first step in which said downcounters all read zero count, and a second step with the downcounters all preset to read an initial count from which they are counted toward zero by said pulse source; and, c. sensing means coupled to said downcounters and operative to sense a reading of the count in the downcounters corresponding with one of said steps, and said sensing means being responsive to the sensed count to stop said controller in a rest condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A digital countdown timer for timing warning periods occurring before the START of an event where the warning period is marked by an initial warning signal commencing an interval of fixed duration preceeding said START, the timer comprising: a. digital clock means including a chain of downcounters driving digital display means and driven by a clock pulse source; b. a programmed controller operative to control the downcounters according to a cyclic program of multiple steps, the controller having manual actuator means for stepping it through said steps and the steps including a first step in which said downcounters all read zero count, and a second step with the downcounters all preset to read an initial count from which they are counted toward zero by said pulse source; and, c. sensing means coupled to said downcounters and operative to sense a reading of the count in the downcounters corresponding with one of said steps, and said sensing means being responsive to the sensed count to stop said controller in a rest condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
The digital timer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said warning period is further marked by a second warning signal marking an intermediate time in the warning period occurring at a lesser interval before said START, and said controller including a third step selected by actuation of said manual means and operative to force a second preset count into said downcounters from which they continue counting toward zero.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The digital timer as set forth in claim 2, wherein said controller is programmed and coupled to said downcounters to preset an initial count thereinto of minus 10 minutes during said second step, and is further programmed and coupled to said downcounters to force an intermediate preset count thereinto of minus 5 minutes during said third step.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
The digital timer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said controller comprises two flipflops having stable states corresponding with said steps, said second step being selectible only by actuation of said manual means, and the controller being returnable to said first step and stopped at rest in response to said sensing means detecting zero count or in response to another actuation of said manual means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
124 words
The digital timer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said warning period is further marked by a second warning signal marking an intermediate time in the warning period occurring at a lesser interval before said START, and said controller including a third step selected by actuation of said manual means and operative to force a second preset count into said downcounters from which they continue counting toward zero, and said controller further comprising two flipflops having three stable states corresponding with said steps, said second and third steps being selectible only by separate actuations of said manual means, and the controller being returnable to and stopped at rest by said sensing means detecting zero count or by another actuation of said manual means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
The digital timer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said downcounters have multiple binary outputs connected to drive said display means, and said sensing means comprising gating means coupled to said binary outputs to detect a zero count and operative to deliver a signal to reset said controller to said first step when all of said binary outputs comprise binary zeros.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |