Timex Corporation

Anthony L Rinaldi, Jr

Harold Thorgersen

Bruce H Kamens

Lyman R Daigle

An electroluminescent lamp constructed by screen printing, in succession on a rigid metal plate in the shape of a watch dial, a first of barium titanate, a second layer of phosphor particles in a polymerizable binder, a light transmissive third layer of indium tin oxide, and a conductive peripheral ring of silver epoxy. A transparent dial overlay of Mylar.TM. film with timekeeping indicia fits within the conductive ring. The conductive ring and the substrate serve as the electrodes for the lamp, which illuminates the dial overlay.

Electroluminescent lamp and dial for a timepiece

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. A printed circuit board disposed on the opposite side of the frame includes an electrical circuit adapted to cause illumination of the EL layer disposed on the printed circuit board and has first and second terminals connected as outputs of the circuit. In a preferred form of the invention the tab portion is bent around the frame after first coating it with protective and electrically conductive ink, and connected to the first terminal. An elastomeric connector is used for the second connection. A modified form of the invention utilizes a shorter tab and elastomeric connectors for both first and second connectors.

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Watertown, CT, United States of America

Anthony L Rinaldi, Jr