[0001] The present invention relates to a shadow mask type color cathode ray tube.
[0002] Generally, a color cathode ray tube comprises an envelope including a substantially
rectangular panel in which a skirt portion is provided on a periphery of an effective
portion thereof, and a funnel connected to the skirt portion. On the inner surface
of the effective portion of the panel is formed a phosphor screen comprising three-color
phosphor layers. A shadow mask is disposed inside of the phosphor screen so as to
oppose it. An electron gun for emitting three electron beams is disposed in a neck
of the funnel. Then, the three electron beams emitted from the electron gun are deflected
by a magnetic field generated from a deflection apparatus provided outside of the
funnel, and vertically and horizontally scan the phosphor screen through the shadow
mask, thereby displaying color image on the phosphor screen.
[0003] The shadow mask is used for selecting three electron beams and comprises a substantially
rectangular mask body in which a number of electron beam passage apertures are formed
on a region opposing the phosphor screen and a substantially rectangular mask frame
having side walls fixed to the periphery of the mask body. As a shadow mask supporting
method, according to some type thereof, substantially wedge shaped elastic supports
are provided at corners of the mask frame and these elastic supports are engaged with
stud pins provided at the skirt portion of the panel, so that the shadow mask is detachably
supported thereby.
[0004] Generally, in order to display color picture images having no deviation in color
on the phosphor screen of the color cathode ray tube, three electron beams which pass
the electron beam passage apertures in the mask body must be landed properly on the
corresponding three color phosphor layers. For this purpose, it is necessary to keep
the shadow mask at a proper position relative to the panel.
[0005] To meet recent trend of multi-media, there is provided a color cathode ray tubes
in which the size of three color phosphor layers and their arrangement pitch are reduced
to increase its resolution. In such a color cathode ray tube, allowance to deviation
of beam landing relative to the three color phosphor layers has dropped so that more
accurate beam landing than ordinary color cathode ray tubes is demanded.
[0006] However, in conventional color cathode ray tubes, the shadow mask is so constructed
that almost entire periphery of the mask body is in contact with the side walls of
the mask frame. Thus, there sometimes occurs a case in which the shadow mask may be
deviated from its proper position because a undesired force is applied to the mask
body due to disparity in quality of the mask frame resulting from production. Particularly
in recent color cathode ray tubes having aspect ratio of 16:9, the side wall on the
long side of the mask frame is much longer than the side wall on the short side as
compared to ordinary color cathode ray tubes. Thus, the mask body is likely to be
deformed because of insufficient strength and a disparity in distance between the
opposing side walls on the long side (distance in the direction of the short axis).
[0007] In manufacturing process for the color cathode ray tubes, fitting and removal of
the shadow mask are carried out repeatedly. Due to a force applied to the shadow mask
during this fitting and removal operation, a distortion may occur in the mask frame
so that the mask body may be deformed. If such a phenomenon occurs, a deviation in
beam landing to the three color phosphor layers is produced.
[0008] On the other hand, in color cathode ray tubes for the multi-media, which have a small
allowance in beam landing to the three color phosphor layers, it is necessary to reduce
a load on the elastic supports by reducing the weight of the mask frame occupying
most part of the weight of the shadow mask so as to relax the deviation of the shadow
mask due to external shock. However, if the weight of the mask frame is reduced, it
is likely that the mask frame is deformed due to an external shock or a force applied
when the shadow mask is fitted or removed so that the shadow mask is deviated relative
to the panel.
[0009] Further, although such a procedure has been taken as to reduce the thickness of the
mask body thereby equalizing the size and shape of the electron beam passage apertures
which are a prominent reason for generation of unevenness of the phosphor screen,
reducing the thickness of the mask body likely induces a reduction of the strength
thereby producing a deformation of the mask body itself.
[0010] There have bee provided a color cathode ray tube employing a low thermal expansion
type shadow mask which is made of amber material having a high effect of suppressing
a transition of electron beams due to so-called doming that the shadow mask is expanded
in a direction of the phosphor screen due to thermal expansion of the shadow mask.
As a measure for preventing a deformation of such a low thermal expansion type shadow
mask, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI No. 5-121009 has disclosed a shadow mask in which a plurality
of protruding portions which Protrude outwardly are provided on side walls of the
mask frame. However, even in the case in which such protruding portions are provided,
since the mask body and the mask frame are in contact with each other through planes,
a deformation of the mask body is generated due to disparity in production of the
mask frame or deformation of the mask frame in a manufacturing process of color cathode
ray tubes.
[0011] As described above, design of the mask frame is important in order to display picture
images having no deviation in color on the phosphor screen. However, conventional
shadow masks have such a problem that the mask body or mask frame is deformed and
it is difficult to display high quality images.
[0012] The present invention has been contrived in consideration of the above circumstances
and its object is to provide a color cathode ray tube which is capable of suppressing
effectively a deformation of the mask body or the mask frame and displaying high quality
images.
[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a color cathode
ray tube comprising: an envelope including a panel having a substantially rectangular
effective portion in which a phosphor screen is formed on an inner surface thereof,
a skirt portion provided on a periphery of the panel, and a funnel fixed to the skirt
portion; a shadow mask arranged in the envelope so as to oppose the phosphor screen;
and an elastic support elastically supporting the shadow mask relative to the skirt
portion.
[0014] The shadow mask comprises a substantially rectangular mask body in which a number
of electron beam passage apertures are formed, and a substantially rectangular mask
frame having four side walls supporting the periphery of the mask body. At least two
side walls opposing each other include connecting portions which are provided at their
central portions in a lengthwise direction and connected to the mask body, and a pair
of protruding portions which are provided on both sides of the connecting portion
and protrude in a direction apart from the mask body. Each of the protruding portions
defines a gap between the side wall and the mask body and the gap includes that portion
whose width gradually increases as it goes far from the connecting portion.
[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a color cathode
ray tube wherein the shadow mask comprises a substantially rectangular mask body in
which a number of electron beam passage apertures are formed, and a substantially
rectangular mask frame having four side walls supporting the periphery of the mask
body. Each of a pair of the side walls on a long side of the side walls has connecting
portions, which are fixed to the mask body, only at its central portion in the lengthwise
direction and its both end portions in the lengthwise direction, and those portions
of each side wall on the long side other which are other than the connecting portions
oppose the mask body with a gap.
[0016] According to the color cathode ray tube having such a construction, since the mask
frame of the shadow mask has protruding portions formed on the side walls, the mechanical
strength of the side walls and the entire mask frame are improved thereby reducing
a deformation of the mask frame and a deformation of the mask body resulting therefrom.
Consequently, deviation of the position of the shadow mask relative to the phosphor
screen is suppressed so that high quality images can be displayed.
[0017] Further, by defining a gap between the side wall of the mask frame and the mask body,
a contact area therebetween is reduced so that influence upon the mask body of the
disparity in size of the mask frame or deformation of the mask frame can be reduced.
[0018] By optimizing the shape of the mask frame and fixing of the mask body relative to
the mask frame as described above, it is possible to reduce deviation of beam landing
which may occurs due to deviation of the mask body relative to the mask frame and
deformation of the mask body resulting from a deformation of the mask frame.
[0019] The invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGS. 1 to 4 show a color cathode ray tube according to a first embodiment of the
present invention, in which:
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the color cathode ray tube,
FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing an electron gun, a shadow mask
and a phosphor screen of the color cathode ray tube,
FIG. 3A is a plan view of the shadow mask,
FIG. 3B is a sectional view taken along the lines IIIB-IIIB in FIG. 3A, and
FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a side wall of the shadow mask;
FIGS. 5A to 5C are plan views respectively showing different modifications of the
side walls of the shadow mask;
FIG. 6A is a plan view of the shadow mask according to a second embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along the lines VIB-VIB in FIG. 6A;
FIG. 7A is a plan view of the shadow mask according to a third embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 7B is a sectional view taken along the lines VIIB-VIIB in FIG. 7A;
FIG. 8A is a plan view of the shadow mask according to a fourth embodiment of the
present invention; and
FIG. 8B is a sectional view taken along the lines VIIIB-VIIIB in FIG. 8A.
[0020] Hereinafter, a color cathode ray tube according to an embodiment of the present invention
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the color cathode ray tube comprises a vacuum envelope
10 formed of glass. The vacuum envelope 10 comprises a panel 3 including a substantially
rectangular effective portion 1 and a skirt portion 2 provided on the periphery of
the effective portion, and a funnel 4 attached to the skirt portion 2. On an inner
surface of the effective portion 1 of the panel 3 is formed a phosphor screen 5 including
stripe shaped three color phosphor layers 20B, 20G, 20R emitting blue, green and red
colors, and stripe shaped light shielding layer 23 formed between the phosphor layers.
A shadow mask 21 which will be described later is disposed in the envelope 10 to oppose
the phosphor screen 5.
[0022] An electron gun 9 for emitting three electron beams 8 is disposed within a neck 7
of the funnel 4. The three electron beams 8 emitted from the electron gun 9 are deflected
by a magnetic field generated from a deflection apparatus 11 provided outside of the
funnel 4, and horizontally and vertically scan the phosphor screen 5 through the shadow
mask 21, thereby displaying color images on the phosphor screen.
[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3B, the shadow mask 21 comprises a substantially rectangular
mask body 27 and a mask frame 30 supporting the mask body 27. The mask body 27 includes
a substantially rectangular effective portion 27a which is opposed to the phosphor
screen 5 and has a number of electron beam passage apertures 25, and a skirt portion
26 formed on the periphery of the effective portion 27a. The mask frame 30 is formed
in a substantially rectangular and has a pair of side walls 28L on its long side and
a pair of side walls 28S on its short side. The mask body 27 is supported by welding
the skirt portion 26 thereof to the mask frame 30.
[0024] Among the side walls of the mask frame 30, the pair of the side walls 28L on the
long side are fixed to the mask body 27 while only a central portion thereof in the
lengthwise direction and its both ends in the lengthwise direction are in contact
with the skirt portion 26 of the mask body 27, and each side wall 28L has those portions
which are not in contact with the skirt portion 26 of the mask body 27.
[0025] If speaking in detail, as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4, the respective side walls
28L are bent symmetrically with respect to a short axis V of the mask frame 30 such
that a central connecting portion 32a and a pair of end connecting portions 32b which
are in contact with the skirt portion 26 of the mask body 27 are formed in the center
portion in the lengthwise direction and both ends in the lengthwise direction. On
both sides of the central connecting portion 32a are wedge-shaped protruding portions
34 which protrude in a direction to be apart from the mask body 27. A distance d between
the pair of the side walls 28L at the positions of the protruding portions 34 is larger
than a distance dv between the side walls 28L on the short axis V and a distance ds
between the side walls 28L in the vicinity of the side walls 28S on the short side.
[0026] Each long side portion of the skirt portion 26 of the mask body 27 is located inside
the mask frame 30 and is in contact with the central connecting portion 32a and the
end connecting portions 32b of the corresponding side walls 28L and welded to the
central connecting portion 32a and the end connecting portions 32b. A pair of gaps
36 are defined between each of the side walls 28L and the mask body 27 by the protruding
portions 34 and located on both sides of the central connecting portions 32a. The
respective gaps 36 are formed in a wedge shape whose width gradually expands from
the central connecting portion 32a toward the end connecting portion 32b.
[0027] The maximum width w of each gap 36 is set in about 1 to 3 mm and assuming that a
distance between the short axis V and the side wall 28S is L, the length L1 of the
gap 36 in the longitudinal direction of the side wall 28L is L1 = 0.7 to 0.9L.
[0028] On the other hand, the skirt portion 26 on the short side of the mask body 27 is
in contact with the inside of the entire length of the side wall 28S on the short
side of the frame 30 and welded to the side wall 28S at several appropriate points.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the shadow mask 21 having the above structure is detachably supported
by the panel 3 by engaging wedge shaped elastic supports 15 fixed to corner portions
of the mask frame 30 with stud pins 16 protruding from the skirt portion 2 of the
panel 3, respectively. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 22 denotes an internal magnetic
field shielding body attached to the shadow mask 21.
[0030] According to the color cathode ray tube having the above-mentioned arrangement, by
forming the protruding portions 34 on the side walls 28L of the mask frame 30, the
mechanical strength of the mask frame 30 is improved. Thus, it is possible to prevent
the shadow mask 21 from being deformed by an external force applied thereto and effectively
reduce a deviation of the shadow mask with respect to the panel 3. Particularly in
a color cathode ray tube having an aspect ratio of 16:9, the side walls on the long
side of the mask frame is much longer than ordinary cathode ray tubes, and therefore
the mask body is likely to be deformed due to a shortage of strength and disparity
of the distance between opposing side walls on the long side. However, by forming
the shadow mask 21 in the structure described above, it is possible to effectively
prevent the shadow mask from being deformed.
[0031] Further, the gap 36 is defined between the mask body 27 and the side wall 28L by
forming the protruding portions 34 on the side walls 28L of the mask frame 30. Thus,
each side wall 28L is in contact with the mask body 27 only through the central connecting
portion 32a and the end connecting portions 32b so that a contacting area between
the mask frame 30 and the mask body 27 can be reduced largely as compared to conventional
examples. As a result, it is possible to reduce undesired forces applied to the mask
body 27 due to disparity of the mask frame 30 upon manufacturing. Particularly, by
accurately controlling the distance between the mask frame 30 and the mask body 27,
that is, only distances dv and ds, it is possible to reduce deformation of the mask
body 27 thereby preventing a deviation of the shadow mask 21 with respect to the panel
3. As a result, it is possible to reduce deviation of beam landing relative to the
three color phosphor layers composing the phosphor screen, thereby displaying high
quality images.
[0032] Further, because of formation of the protruding portions 34, the mask frame 30 is
reinforced. Thus, the weight of the mask frame may be reduced so that burden on the
elastic supports can be reduced. Further, even if the thickness of the mask body 27
is reduced, the deformation thereof can be prevented.
[0033] In the embodiment described above, each side wall 28L of the mask frame 30 has the
wedge-shaped protruding portions 34 and the gaps 36 defined by these protruding portions
34. If the side wall 28L is so structured as to be in contact with the mask body 27
through only the central portion and both ends portions in the lengthwise directions,
the shapes of the protruding portions 34 and the gaps 36 may be changed in various
ways as required.
[0034] For example, according to a modification shown in FIG. 5A, the respective protruding
portions 34 are formed in substantially rectangular shape and each gap 36 is formed
such that only end portion 36a on the central connecting portion 32a side gradually
expand in terms of width from the central connecting portion 32a toward the end connecting
portion 32b and the remaining parts are formed with a constant width.
[0035] According to a modification shown in FIG. 5B, the respective protruding portions
34 are formed in rectangular shape and the gaps 36 are formed in a constant width
along the entire region in its lengthwise direction.
[0036] According to a modification shown in FIG. 5C, the respective protruding portions
34 and the gaps 36 are formed in wedge shape directed in a direction opposite to the
previously described embodiments. Specifically, the protruding portions 34 and the
gaps 36 are formed such that the sides of the central connecting portions 32a are
the widest and gradually narrow toward the end connecting portions 32b.
[0037] FIGS. 6A and 6B show a shadow mask 21 in the color cathode ray tube according to
a second embodiment of the present invention. According to the second embodiment,
in the mask frame 30, a pair of protruding portions 40 are formed on the side walls
28S on the short side as well as the side walls 28L on the long side. Each of the
side walls 28S is also connected to the mask body 27 such that only its central portion
42a and both end portions 42b in the lengthwise direction are in contact with the
skirt portion 26 of the mask body 27 and has some portions which are not in contact
with the skirt portion 26 of the mask body 27.
[0038] Namely, each side wall 28S is bent symmetrically with respect to a long axis H of
the mask frame 30 such that a central connecting portion 42a and a pair of end connecting
portions 42b which are in contact with the skirt portion 26 of the mask body 27 are
formed in the center portion in the lengthwise direction and both ends in the lengthwise
direction. Further, wedge-shaped protruding portions 40 which protrude in a direction
to be apart from the mask body 27 are formed on both sides of the central connecting
portions 42a. A distance at the protruding portions 40 between the pair of the side
walls 28S is larger than a distance on the long axis H between the side walls 28S
and further a distance in the vicinity of the long side between the side walls 28S.
[0039] The skirt portion 26 of the mask body 27 is located within the mask frame 30 such
that each short side portion thereof is in contact with the central connecting portion
42a and end connecting portions 42b of the corresponding side wall 28s and welded
to the central connecting portions 42a and the end connecting portions 42b. A pair
of gaps 44 are defined between the side wall 28s and the mask body 27 by the protruding
portions 40 and located on both sides of the central connecting portion 42a. Each
gap 44 is formed in wedge shape expanding gradually from the central connecting portion
42a toward the end connecting portions 42b.
[0040] Other constructions of the shadow mask are the same as the first embodiment.
[0041] According to the second embodiment having such a structure, the protruding portions
40 are also provided on the side walls 28s on the short side, so that the mechanical
strength of the mask frame 30 is further improved and a contact area between the mask
body 27 and the mask frame 30 is further reduced. Thus deformation of the mask body
27 can be further reduced thereby preventing effectively a deviation of the shadow
mask 21 with respect to the panel 3.
[0042] FIGS. 7A and 7B show the shadow mask 21 of the color cathode ray tube according to
a third embodiment of the present invention. According to the third embodiment, four
protruding portions 34 are formed on each of the side walls 28L, 28S of the mask frame
30. That is, two protruding portions 34 are formed each on one side symmetrically
with respect to the short axis V on each of the side walls 28L. Each side walls 28L
has middle connecting portions 32c located between the connecting portions 32a and
32b in addition to the central connecting portion 32a and the end connecting portions
32b, and the side wall 28L is welded to the skirt portion 26 of the mask body 27 through
these five connecting portions. Between the side wall 28L and the skirt portion 26
are defined four gaps 36 by the protruding portions 34 such that each of the gaps
36 is formed in wedge shape gradually expanding from the central connecting portion
32a toward the end connecting portions 32b.
[0043] Likewise two protruding portions 40 are formed on one side symmetrically on the side
wall 28S with respect to the long axis H. Each side wall 28S has middle connecting
portions 42c located between the connecting portions 42a and 42b in addition to the
central and end connecting portions 42a and 42b, and each side wall 28S is welded
to the skirt portion 26 of the mask body 27 through these five connecting portions.
Between the side wall 28S and the skirt portion 26 are defined four gaps 36 by the
protruding portions 40 such that each of the gaps is formed in wedge shape gradually
expanding from the central connecting portion 42a toward the end connecting portions
42b.
[0044] According to the third embodiment having such a structure, the mask frame 30 is reinforced
by forming the protruding portions 34, 40, so that for example if an external shock
is applied to the shadow mask 21, that shock can be dispersed depending on the number
of the protruding portions. In addition, the same operation and effect as in the first
and second embodiments can be obtained.
[0045] FIGS. 8A and 8B show the shadow mask of the color cathode ray tube according to a
fourth embodiment of the present invention. According to the fourth embodiment, one
protruding portion 34 is formed on each side wall 28L on the long side of the mask
frame 30, symmetrically with respect to the short axis V. Each of the protruding portions
34 is formed in a constant width along the entire length in its lengthwise direction.
Thus, a distance d between the pair of the side walls 28L at the position of the protruding
portions 34 is the same as a distance dv between the side walls 28L on the short axis
V. An inner surface of the protrude portion 34 is of linear shape having infinite
curvature.
[0046] Relative to the mask frame 30, the long side portion of the mask body 27 is formed
in circular shape protruding toward the side wall side of the mask frame 30. As a
result, the side walls 28L are in contact with the long side of the skirt portion
26 of the mask body 27 through only the central connecting portion 32a located in
the center in the lengthwise direction of the protruding portion 34 and a pair of
the end connecting portions 32b located on boundaries between the protruding portion
and the side wall, and welded to the skirt portion through these connecting portions.
On both sides of the central connecting portions 32a are defined wedge shaped gaps
36 the width of which is expanded gradually toward the end connecting portions 32b.
[0047] In the shadow mask 21, the short side of the skirt portion 26 of the mask body 27
is in contact with the almost entire length of the inner surface of the side wall
28S on the short side of the mask frame 30 and fixed at several appropriate welding
points.
[0048] In the shadow mask according to the fourth embodiment having such a construction,
the same operation and effects as in the first embodiment described previously can
be obtained.
1. A color cathode ray tube comprising:
an envelope (10) including a panel (3) having a substantially rectangular effective
portion (1) in which a phosphor screen (5) is formed on an inner surface thereof and
a skirt portion (2) provided on a periphery of the panel, and a funnel (4) attached
to the skirt portion;
a shadow mask (21) arranged in the envelope to oppose the phosphor screen; and
an elastic support (15) elastically supporting the shadow mask relative to the skirt
portion;
the shadow mask including a substantially rectangular mask body (27) having a number
of electron beam passage apertures (25), and a substantially rectangular mask frame
(30) having four side walls supporting the periphery of the mask body;
characterized in that:
each of at least two side walls (28L) opposing each other of the mask frame (30) has
a connecting portion (32a) which is provided at its central portion in a lengthwise
direction thereof and fixed to the mask body (27), and a pair of protruding portions
(34) which are provided on both sides of the connecting portion with respect to the
lengthwise direction of the side wall and protrude in a direction apart from the mask
body, each of the protruding portions defining a gap (36) between the side wall, and
each gap including a region whose width gradually increases as it goes far from the
connecting portion.
2. A color cathode ray tube according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said
at least two side walls (28L) opposing each other includes a central connecting portion
(32a) which is located at the central portion of the side wall in its lengthwise direction
and fixed to the mask body (27), and a pair of end connecting portions (32b) which
are located on both ends of the side wall in its lengthwise direction and fixed to
the mask body;
each of the protruding portions (34) is provided between the central connecting
portion (32a) and a corresponding end connecting portion (32b) and the gap (36) defined
by the protruding portion has a width continuously increasing from the central connecting
portion up to the end connecting portion.
3. A color cathode ray tube according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said
at least two side walls (28L) opposing each other includes a central connecting portion
(32a) which is located at a central portion of the side wall in the lengthwise direction
and fixed to the mask body (27); a pair of end connecting portions (32b) which are
located on both ends of the side wall in the lengthwise direction and fixed to the
mask body; a middle connecting portion (32c) which is located between the central
connecting portion and each end connecting portion and fixed to the mask body; a pair
of first protruding portions (34) each of which is formed between the central connecting
portion and the middle connecting portion and protrudes in a direction apart from
the mask body; and a pair of second protruding portions (34) each of which are formed
between the middle connecting portion and the end connected portion and protrudes
in a direction apart from the mask body;
each of the first protruding portions defining a gap (36) whose width continuously
increases from the central connecting portion up to the middle connecting portion,
and each of the second protruding portions (36) defining a gap whose width continuously
increases from the middle connecting portion up to the end connecting portion.
4. A color cathode ray tube comprising:
an envelope (10) including a panel (3) having a substantially rectangular effective
portion (1) in which a phosphor screen (5) is formed on an inner surface thereof,
a skirt portion (2) provided on a periphery of the panel, and a funnel (4) attached
to the skirt portion;
a shadow mask (21) arranged in the envelope to oppose the phosphor screen; and
an elastic support (15) elastically supporting the shadow mask relative to the skirt
portion;
the shadow mask (21) including a substantially rectangular mask body (27) having a
number of electron beam passage apertures, and a substantially rectangular mask frame
(30) having four side walls (28L, 28S) supporting the periphery of the mask body;
characterized in that:
each of a pair of the side walls (28L) on a long side of the mask frame (30) has a
central connecting portion (32a) which is located in the central portion of the side
wall in the lengthwise direction thereof and fixed to the mask body (27), and a pair
of end connecting portions (32b) which are located on both ends of the side wall in
the lengthwise direction and fixed to the mask body, those portions of the side wall
(28L) other than the central and end connecting portions opposing the mask body with
a gap (36).
5. A color cathode ray tube according to claim 4, characterized in that each of a pair
of the side walls (28S) on a short side of the mask frame (30) includes a central
connecting portion (42a) which is located in the central portion of the side wall
in the lengthwise direction thereof and fixed to the mask body (27), and a pair of
end connecting portions (42b) which are located on both ends of the side wall in the
lengthwise direction and fixed to the mask body, those portions of the side wall (28S)
other than the central and end connecting portions opposing the mask body with a gap
(44).
6. A color cathode ray tube according to claim 4, characterized in that the gap (36)
located between the central connecting portion (32a) and the end connecting portion
(32b) has a constant width in the lengthwise direction of the side wall (28L).
7. A color cathode ray tube according to claim 4, characterized in that the gap (36)
located between the central connecting portion (32a) and the end connecting portion
(32b) has a width gradually increasing from the central connecting portion up to the
end connecting portion.
8. A color cathode ray tube according to claim 4, characterized in that the gap (36)
located between the central connecting portion (32a) and the end connecting portion
(32b) has a width gradually decreasing from the central connecting portion up to the
end connecting portion.
9. A color cathode ray tube according to claim 4, characterized in that a length of the
gap (36) defined between the central connecting portion (32a) and the end connecting
portion (32b) in the lengthwise direction of the side wall (28L) is set to 0.7-0.9L,
if a distance between the central connecting portion and the side wall (28S) on the
short side is assumed to be L.