Patents Examined by Daniel P Wicklund
  • Patent number: 11906938
    Abstract: A method for permutation of a time display mode of an electronic watch with an analogue display, including, after manipulation of a control member of the watch, a permutation of the position of main time indicating means of the watch, such that the device changes from indicating a first time to indicating a second time, the position of secondary time indicating device of the watch, such that the device changes from indicating the second time to indicating the first time, the position of an analogue time display mode indicator of the watch, such that the indicator changes from a first position characteristic of the first mode to a second position characteristic of the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventor: Francois Klopfenstein
  • Patent number: 11782387
    Abstract: A pendulum device is provided including at least one oscillating mass, at least one proximal arm, and at least one first distal arm, The at least one proximal arm is fixed to the oscillating mass at one end and is rotatably connected to the distal arm at the other end, so that the oscillating mass can oscillate with respect to said distal arm. The distal arm is rotatably fixed to a support element fixed through a fulcrum point. Furthermore, transmission means are included between the distal arm and the proximal arm. The transmission means is configured so that oscillation of the mass causes the rotation of the distal arm around the fulcrum point and so that at least one point of said proximal arm performs at least a linear translation, the mass performing a cycloidal trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Inventor: Andrea Bracco
  • Patent number: 11774916
    Abstract: An electronic device includes first and second processors, and first and second display units. While the first and second processors cooperate with each other and perform a display operation including a time display, the first processor can be set to a normal mode, a low power mode in which a power consumption is lower than a power consumption in the normal mode, or a pause mode in which a power consumption is lower than the power consumption in the low power mode, and the first processor is stopped. In the normal or low power modes, the first processor controls such that the first display unit displays a time, and the second processor controls such that the second display unit does not display a time. In the pause mode, the first display unit is turned off, and the second processor controls such that the second display unit displays a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Minami, Kimiyasu Mizuno, Hideo Suzuki, Takashi Suenaga, Keiichi Nomura, Shuhei Uchida, Munetaka Seo
  • Patent number: 11768469
    Abstract: A water-resistant watch case of a diving watch, includes at least one back mounted on a lower side of a middle part, and a crystal mounted on an upper side of the middle part. The crystal includes an annular peripheral surface to be fastened with an amorphous metal gasket on an inner annular surface that is complementary in shape, on the upper side of the middle part. The annular peripheral surface of the crystal is inclined towards the inside of the watch case at a determined angle less than 90° relative to a central axis perpendicular to a plane of the watch case to distribute stresses between the crystal and the middle part due to the water pressure during a dive. The annular peripheral surface and the inner annular surface are conical in shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Omega SA
    Inventors: Cedric Kaltenrieder, Gregory Kissling, Yves Winkler
  • Patent number: 11768464
    Abstract: A horological torque limiting mechanism, including a first wheel with a first elastic arm projecting from a first felloe, a second wheel including a second surface to engage in frictional pressure with the first wheel for the relative actuation thereof, a travel limiter fastened to a structure to hold the first and second wheels in frictional pressure in certain angular positions, the second wheel and/or the travel limiter and/or the structure including a relief forming a ramp, to, in certain angular positions relative to the first wheel, engage in frictional pressure with the first elastic arm, and, in further positions, allow a frictionless travel between the first wheel and the component bearing the relief, the second wheel includes a second arm forming a ramp projecting from a second felloe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventor: Julien Christan
  • Patent number: 11733652
    Abstract: A system (100) for displaying time or time derivative information, in particular a measured time, the system including a limb (10) comprising at least one modifiable graphic element (20a-f) forming time or time derivative reference information, a member (1) for indicating the time or time derivative information in cooperation with the limb, a device (2, 8, 22, 71) for modifying the graphic element, and a device (3, 4, 34) for resetting, by action of a user, to a predetermined configuration, in particular for resetting to zero, the time or time derivative information displayed by cooperation of the indication member and of the limb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: ROLEX SA
    Inventor: Ludovic Zbylut
  • Patent number: 11733654
    Abstract: A timepiece mechanism (100) for disengaging a gear train. The timepiece mechanism (100) includes a gear set (110), a disengagement member (120), a holding member (121) and a control member (130). The gear set (110) includes a first wheel (111), a second wheel (112) and an intermediate wheel (113) configured to be driven by or for driving the first wheel (111) and/or for driving the second wheel (112). The holding member (121) holds the first wheel (111) and/or the second wheel (112) when the disengagement member (120), controlled by the control member (130), moves the intermediate wheel (113) between an engaged position (101) and a disengaged position (102). Hence the timepiece mechanism (100) is held in position while disengaging the watch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: OMEGA SA
    Inventors: Timothee Jeanrenaud, Bernat Monferrer
  • Patent number: 11698607
    Abstract: A back (1) for a watch case (50), the back (1) including a first element (10) arranged so as to be screwed onto the watch case (50), and a second element (20) including an end face bearing a pattern (M), the second element (20) being mounted such that it can move in rotation about an axis (C) passing through the centre of the case (50), wherein the second element (20) has a brake arranged so as to hold same relative to the first element (10) in different angular positions about the rotational axis (C), the brake being disposed between the first and second elements (10, 20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: BLANCPAIN S.A.
    Inventors: Yann Haering, Sebastien Jobez, Nicolas Debaud
  • Patent number: 11656580
    Abstract: An electronic watch includes a power generating mechanism; a battery that is charged with power generated by the power generating mechanism; hands that include a second hand; a driving source that rotates the hands; a driving circuit that drives the driving source with power supplied by the battery; and a control circuit that controls the driving circuit. The control circuit executes a first stopping operation for stopping the driving circuit and the control circuit in a power saving mode for suppressing power consumption and when a first determination time elapses without any power being generated by the power generating mechanism. The control circuit executes a second stopping operation for stopping the driving circuit and the control circuit in the power saving mode and when a second determination time elapses while a voltage of the battery is at a level equal to or lower than a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shogo Kimura, Akinari Takada
  • Patent number: 11644796
    Abstract: A dial for a timepiece, such as a watch, includes at least one three-dimensional decoration offset away from a base plate which forms part of the dial. The decoration is mounted on the base plate by an assembly of elements including a fixing screw, a support bar including a proximal end secured to the base plate by the fixing screw and a distal end attached to a first point of the lower surface of the decoration, a support foot including a proximal end held in a fixed position in the plate of the base plate and a distal end attached to a second point of the lower surface of the decoration, and a spacer which forms a lateral connection between the fixing screw and the support foot, the spacer being secured with the support bar to the base plate by the fixing screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Montres Jaquet Droz SA
    Inventor: David Hurni
  • Patent number: 11625006
    Abstract: A case for a timepiece having a middle, a rotating bezel, and a device for blocking the rotating bezel, the device including an end-link, mounted mobile relative to the middle between a first position capable of preventing the rotation of the rotating bezel and a second position capable of allowing the rotation of the rotating bezel, the end-link including an action and/or gripping portion arranged so as to allow the wearer of the timepiece to move the end-link relative to the middle, while wearing the timepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: MONTRES TUDOR SA
    Inventors: Gilles Garcin, Sacha Maffioli, Ludovic Zbylut
  • Patent number: 11609538
    Abstract: A watch spring (1) for a first component (2), more particularly for a bezel or for a case middle or for a case back, intended for the detent of the first component (2) relative to a second component (3), the spring (1) comprising at least one first connecting element (10a) intended to interact with at least one second connecting element (20b) provided on a component (2b) of the first component so as to connect the spring and the component, the at least one first connecting element comprising at least one elastic connecting arm (10a) extending in a first direction (D1), the at least one first connecting element being intended to receive a force (F) for driving the first component relative to the second component in the first direction or substantially in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: ROLEX SA
    Inventors: Philippe Di Piazza, Jean-Baptiste Robin, Alain Ruck
  • Patent number: 11543778
    Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for a timepiece display including an input wheel driving a control wheel controlling the position of a first display member, and including a differential mechanism which includes a drive wheel set retained by a jumper and pivotable via the first input wheel, to drive a planetary wheel meshing with the control wheel and pivoting off-centre with respect to a planetary wheel holder friction-mounted on a frame, the differential mechanism multiplying by a particular factor the rotation between one of the inputs and the output of the differential mechanism when the other input is stationary, and the planetary wheel holder includes manipulating device allowing a watch technician to release the friction to change the angular position of the planetary wheel and thus of the control wheel for correct indexing thereof with respect to another display member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Alain Zaugg, Christophe Riedo
  • Patent number: 11531306
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device includes an enclosure having a sidewall with a button aperture defined therethrough, a display connected to the enclosure, and a processing element in communication with the display. The device also includes a sensing element in communication with the processing element and an input button at least partially received within the button aperture and in communication with the sensing element, the input button configured to receive two types of user inputs. During operation, the sensing element tracks movement of the input button to determine the two types of user inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Colin M. Ely, Fletcher Rothkopf, Christopher Matthew Werner, John B. Morrell, Camille Moussette, Duncan Kerr, Anna-Katrina Shedletsky
  • Patent number: 11454935
    Abstract: A mechanical or electromechanical timepiece including a watch case delimiting an internal volume, the watch case including a back delimiting the watch case at the bottom; a crystal closing the watch case at the top, the crystal defining a useful display aperture; a middle part connecting the back and the crystal to one another; a horological movement housed in the internal volume of the watch case; at least one hand for displaying information visible via a useful display aperture and rotated with respect to the watch case by the horological movement with at least one driving belt extending at least partially in the useful display aperture, the timepiece includes the internal volume of the watch case filled with a fluid wherein at least one driving belt is submerged, and wherein the driving belt is made of a material wherein the optical refractive index is equal or substantially equal to that of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Pierpasquale Tortora
  • Patent number: 11454931
    Abstract: A chronograph mechanism includes an energy accumulator, a regulating system, and a gear train connecting the energy accumulator to the regulating system. The energy accumulator is formed by a strip-spring and includes a device for driving the gear train arranged to regulate the torque delivered by the strip-spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Alain Zaugg, Stefan Rombach, Dominique Lechot, Jean-Philippe Rochat
  • Patent number: 11435699
    Abstract: A movement includes a tourbillion block, a tourbillion unit, and a zero reset mechanism. The tourbillion unit includes a carriage, a balance wheel, and an escape wheel. The balance wheel and the escape wheel are rotationally arranged on the carriage. The carriage is rotationally supported on the tourbillion block. The zero reset mechanism includes a first wheel in engagement with the escape wheel. The movement is switchable between a driving mode and a reset mode. When in the driving mode, the zero reset mechanism is rotationally locked to the tourbillion block. When in the reset mode, the zero reset mechanism is rotatable relative to the tourbillion block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Glashuetter Uhrenbetrieb GmbH
    Inventor: Tony Braun
  • Patent number: 11429066
    Abstract: An instantaneous date control device for a timepiece, in particular for a mechanical wristwatch, including: a date disc, a gear train forming a kinematic linkage between the control device and a horological movement of said timepiece, a first mobile including a first toothed wheel driven at a speed of one turn per day and a cam mounted freely rotatably, over a limited angular range and/or in a single direction of rotation, as well as temporarily coupled in rotation to said first toothed wheel, a second mobile including a second toothed wheel driven at a speed of one turn per day, an unlocking and driving yoke carrying a feeler bearing on said cam and a driving finger which can mesh with teeth located on the date disc, an unlocking and driving spring, and a retaining means allowing to secure the angular position of the date disc between two instantaneous jumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Sociéte anonyme de la manufacture d'horlogerie Audemars Piquet & Cie
    Inventors: Gilles Rey-Mermet, Nicolas Goy
  • Patent number: 11422510
    Abstract: A timepiece includes a mechanical movement with a mechanical oscillator and an electronic device for regulating the medium frequency of this mechanical oscillator. It includes an electromagnetic transducer and an electric converter which includes a primary storage unit for powering the regulation circuit. The electromagnetic transducer is arranged to supply a voltage signal exhibiting first voltage lobes in first half-alternations and second voltage lobes in second half-alternations of the oscillations of the mechanical oscillator. The regulating device includes a load pump arranged to transfer electric loads from the primary storage unit into a secondary storage unit, these electric loads being extracted selectively in different time zones according to a time drift detected in the functioning of the mechanical oscillator relative to an auxiliary oscillator, particularly quartz-based.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Lionel Tombez
  • Patent number: 11397410
    Abstract: A device for autonomous adjustment of the active length of a balance spring includes a regulator mounted on a plate with a cock, a balance spring stud holder being pivotally mounted on the cock, the regulator being pivotally mounted on the stud holder and including a pivot arm and device for changing the active length of the balance spring by pivoting the regulator. The device includes an elastic stress device to exert an elastic, return-to-position action on the regulator, and an inertia block, mounted for free rotation on the cock and connected to the pivot arm of the regulator, arranged to move the pivot arm of the regulator between a rest position and a correction position of the device, and simultaneously act on the device for changing the active length of the balance spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Paulo Bravo