Patents by Inventor Jean-Claude Martin

Jean-Claude Martin has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11971686
    Abstract: A dial, and timepiece including the dial, including a mother-of-pearl wafer partially covering a support member, and a decorative element arranged on a reverse of the wafer, the decorative element being visible on an obverse of the wafer when subjected to a stimulus and invisible on the obverse of the wafer in the absence of the stimulus. The decorative element has a first empty area on a reverse of the wafer, and a second empty area on the obverse of the wafer, facing the first empty area. A colour compensation layer is deposited on the first empty area or the second empty area, the colour being selected such that the difference in colour ?E in the CIE Lab colour space between the colour compensation layer and the decorative element in the absence of said stimulus, perceived by a user observing the obverse of the wafer, is less than 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Agnès Marlot Doerr, Nicolas François, Alexandros Mouskeftaras, Michel Willemin, Jean-Claude Martin, Carole Govaerts
  • Patent number: 11927922
    Abstract: A coiling limitation device for a timepiece barrel includes at least one non-return notch arranged to cooperate with a sliding flange of the spring of the barrel, which is integrated in a watch including a resonator cooperating with an escapement mechanism. This device includes an acoustic device for the acoustic monitoring of the coiling of the barrel of a watch positioned on a receptacle included by the device, which acoustic devices are arranged to identify a click noise during each start of cooperation between the sliding flange and a notch. The device includes piloting devices arranged to stop the coiling of the barrel at the instant of the perception of the click noise or the repetition of the click noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jérôme Favre, Jean-Jacques Born, Nakis P. Karapatis, Michel Willemin, Jean-Claude Martin
  • Patent number: 11860579
    Abstract: A device is for fastening a back on a middle of a watch. The back includes a cover arranged to form a bearing surface with the middle and a body arranged to rest in the middle. The device includes a ring disposed between the back and the middle, the ring being arranged to ensure the water resistance and indexing of the back. The ring includes an upper part ensuring the water resistance and a median part including positioning to ensure precise placement of the back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Joël Allimann, Jean-Claude Martin, Simon Garcin
  • Patent number: 11809137
    Abstract: A balance for timepieces includes a rim, a hub, and at least one arm connecting the hub to the rim. At least one portion of the balance is made of an at least partially amorphous metal alloy. The at least partially amorphous metal alloy is based on an element chosen from the group consisting of platinum, zirconium and titanium, and has a coefficient of thermal expansion comprised between 7 ppm/° C. and 12 ppm/° C. The balance can be manufactured by moulding. A resonator can include such a balance and a monocrystalline quartz balance spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Alexandre Haemmerli, Francois Gueissaz, Jean-Claude Martin, Lionel Paratte, Yves Winkler, Gianni Di Domenico, Pascal Winkler, Jean-Luc Helfer, Lionel Tombez, Baptiste Hinaux, Donald William Corson, Michel Willemin
  • Patent number: 11644797
    Abstract: Inertia mobile component (1) for a horological resonator (100), oscillating about an axis of oscillation (D1), and including at least one magnetic area (10), the total resultant magnetic moment of all of the magnetic areas (10), included in the inertia mobile component (1), is aligned in the direction of the axis of oscillation (D1), this inertia mobile component (1) bearing at least one magnetic compensating element (4), the magnetisation component thereof in a direction perpendicular to the axis of oscillation (D1) can be adjusted in order to obtain a total resultant magnetic moment that is aligned in the direction of the axis of oscillation (D1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Develonment Ltd
    Inventors: Gianni Di Domenico, Jérôme Favre, Olivier Matthey, Dominique Lechot, Baptiste Hinaux, Laurent Nagy, Jean-Claude Martin
  • Patent number: 11640140
    Abstract: A process for producing a metal alloy balance wheel by molding includes a) making a mold in the negative shape of the balance wheel; b) obtaining a metal alloy that has a thermal expansion coefficient of less than 25 ppm/° C. and is able to be in an at least partly amorphous state when it is heated to a temperature between its glass transition temperature and its crystallization temperature; c) putting the metal alloy into the mold, the metal alloy being heated to a temperature between its glass transition temperature and its crystallization temperature so as to be hot-molded and to form a balance wheel; d) cooling the metal alloy to obtain a balance wheel made of the metal alloy; and e) releasing the balance wheel obtained in step d) from its mold. The process also includes a step for over-molding flexible centering components in the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Alexandre Haemmerli, Francois Gueissaz, Jean-Claude Martin, Lionel Paratte, Yves Winkler, Gianni Di Domenico, Pascal Winkler, Jean-Luc Helfer, Lionel Tombez, Baptiste Hinaux, Donald William Corson, Michel Willemin
  • Patent number: 11599064
    Abstract: Horological resonator (100) including an inertia mobile component (1) oscillating about an axis of oscillation (D1) and including at least one magnetic area (10), the total resultant magnetic moment of all of the magnetic areas (10), included in the inertia mobile component (1), is aligned in the direction of the axis of oscillation (D1), this inertia mobile component (1) bearing at least one balancing magnet (6), the direction of the magnetic moment thereof crosses the axis of oscillation (D1) to obtain magnetic balancing of the inertia mobile component (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Gianni Di Domenico, Jérôme Favre, Olivier Matthey, Dominique Lechot, Baptiste Hinaux, Laurent Nagy, Jean-Claude Martin
  • Publication number: 20220163923
    Abstract: A process for producing a metal alloy balance wheel by molding includes a) making a mold in the negative shape of the balance wheel; b) obtaining a metal alloy that has a thermal expansion coefficient of less than 25 ppm/° C. and is able to be in an at least partly amorphous state when it is heated to a temperature between its glass transition temperature and its crystallization temperature; c) putting the metal alloy into the mold, the metal alloy being heated to a temperature between its glass transition temperature and its crystallization temperature so as to be hot-molded and to form a balance wheel; d) cooling the metal alloy to obtain a balance wheel made of the metal alloy; and e) releasing the balance wheel obtained in step d) from its mold. The process also includes a step for over-molding flexible centering components in the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Alexandre HAEMMERLI, Francois GUEISSAZ, Jean-Claude MARTIN, Lionel PARATTE, Yves WINKLER, Gianni DI DOMENICO, Pascal WINKLER, Jean-Luc HELFER, Lionel TOMBEZ, Baptiste HINAUX, Donald William CORSON, Michel WILLEMIN
  • Patent number: 11307535
    Abstract: A process for producing a metal alloy balance wheel by molding, the process including the following steps: a) making a mold in the negative shape of the balance wheel, b) getting hold of a metal alloy that has a thermal expansion coefficient of less than 25 ppm/° C. and is able to be in an at least partly amorphous state when it is heated to a temperature between its glass transition temperature and its crystallization temperature, c) putting the metal alloy into the mold, the metal alloy being heated to a temperature between its glass transition temperature and its crystallization temperature so as to be hot-molded and to form a balance wheel, d) cooling the metal alloy to obtain a balance wheel made of the metal alloy, e) releasing the balance wheel obtained in step d) from its mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Alexandre Haemmerli, Francois Gueissaz, Jean-Claude Martin, Lionel Paratte, Yves Winkler, Gianni Di Domenico, Pascal Winkler, Jean-Luc Helfer, Lionel Tombez, Baptiste Hinaux, Donald William Corson, Michel Willemin
  • Publication number: 20220107607
    Abstract: A coiling limitation device for a timepiece barrel includes at least one non-return notch arranged to cooperate with a sliding flange of the spring of the barrel, which is integrated in a watch including a resonator cooperating with an escapement mechanism. This device includes an acoustic device for the acoustic monitoring of the coiling of the barrel of a watch positioned on a receptacle included by the device, which acoustic devices are arranged to identify a click noise during each start of cooperation between the sliding flange and a notch. The device includes piloting devices arranged to stop the coiling of the barrel at the instant of the perception of the click noise or the repetition of the click noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jérôme FAVRE, Jean-Jacques BORN, Nakis P. KARAPATIS, Michel WILLEMIN, Jean-Claude MARTIN
  • Publication number: 20220050423
    Abstract: A device is for fastening a back on a middle of a watch. The back includes a cover arranged to form a bearing surface with the middle and a body arranged to rest in the middle. The device includes a ring disposed between the back and the middle, the ring being arranged to ensure the water resistance and indexing of the back. The ring includes an upper part ensuring the water resistance and a median part including positioning to ensure precise placement of the back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Joël ALLIMANN, Jean-Claude MARTIN, Simon GARCIN
  • Patent number: 11058191
    Abstract: A bracelet including two strands provided with a fastening system which includes at least one longitudinal groove on one of the two strands and at least one longitudinal protuberance on the other strand. The material and the shape of the groove and of the protuberance are configured such that these two elements interlock under pressure exerted by the bracelet user, over two overlapping portions of the bracelet strands. The connection between the strands can easily be separated, preferably by peeling the upper strand away from the lower strand. The bracelet is continuously adjustable in length, without requiring heavy or complex elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Martin, Cedric Nicolas
  • Publication number: 20210181679
    Abstract: A balance for timepieces includes a rim, a hub, and at least one arm connecting the hub to the rim. At least one portion of the balance is made of an at least partially amorphous metal alloy. The at least partially amorphous metal alloy is based on an element chosen from the group consisting of platinum, zirconium and titanium, and has a coefficient of thermal expansion comprised between 7 ppm/° C. and 12 ppm/° C. The balance can be manufactured by moulding. A resonator can include such a balance and a monocrystalline quartz balance spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Alexandre HAEMMERLI, Francois GUEISSAZ, Jean-Claude MARTIN, Lionel PARATTE, Yves WINKLER, Gianni DI DOMENICO, Pascal WINKLER, Jean-Luc HELFER, Lionel TOMBEZ, Bapitste HINAUX, Donald Willan CORSON, Michel WILLEMIN
  • Patent number: 10991530
    Abstract: A portable object including a near-field communication device. The communication device includes an antenna, the ends of which are configured to be connected electrically to an electronic chip, forming, together with the chip, an electrical circuit. In an original manner, the portable object includes a control element which is able to be displaced between two predefined positions, i.e. an active position wherein the communication device is activated and a passive position wherein the communication device is deactivated. The portable object includes, furthermore, a mechanical switch which is able to switch between an open state and a closed state in response to a displacement of the control element from one to the other of its predefined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Pierry Vuille, Jean-Claude Martin, Michel Willemin, Thierry Scordilis
  • Patent number: 10901370
    Abstract: A safety valve for a watch including a head that is movably mounted on a tube and able to move between an open position and a closed position, the tube including in its internal volume a first spring and wherein the tube is provided on an external face with a cam surface allowing a manual movement and an automatic movement of the head into its open position, after the first spring, the tube includes a second spring having a higher stiffness than that of the first spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Pierry Vuille, Michel Willemin, Jean-Claude Martin
  • Publication number: 20200409310
    Abstract: Inertia mobile component (1) for a horological resonator (100), oscillating about an axis of oscillation (D1), and including at least one magnetic area (10), the total resultant magnetic moment of all of the magnetic areas (10), included in the inertia mobile component (1), is aligned in the direction of the axis of oscillation (D1), this inertia mobile component (1) bearing at least one magnetic compensating element (4), the magnetisation component thereof in a direction perpendicular to the axis of oscillation (D1) can be adjusted in order to obtain a total resultant magnetic moment that is aligned in the direction of the axis of oscillation (D1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Gianni DI DOMENICO, Jérôme FAVRE, Olivier MATTHEY, Dominique LECHOT, Baptiste HINAUX, Laurent NAGY, Jean-Claude MARTIN
  • Publication number: 20200409311
    Abstract: Horological resonator (100) including an inertia mobile component (1) oscillating about an axis of oscillation (D1) and including at least one magnetic area (10), the total resultant magnetic moment of all of the magnetic areas (10), included in the inertia mobile component (1), is aligned in the direction of the axis of oscillation (D1), this inertia mobile component (1) bearing at least one balancing magnet (6), the direction of the magnetic moment thereof crosses the axis of oscillation (D1) to obtain magnetic balancing of the inertia mobile component (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Gianni DI DOMENICO, Jérôme FAVRE, Olivier MATTHEY, Dominique LECHOT, Baptiste HINAUX, Laurent NAGY, Jean-Claude MARTIN
  • Patent number: 10796300
    Abstract: An assembly includes a main terminal equipped with a communication module using at least a first communications protocol capable of connecting the main terminal to a communication network, which enables the use of at least one function, the main terminal being arranged to use at least one configuration program, and the configuration program enables at least one preferred function to be selected and a code representing the selected preferred function to be generated, and a second communications protocol. The assembly additionally comprises at least one secondary terminal equipped with a passive communication module using the second communications protocol to communicate with the main terminal in order to protect the code representing the selected preferred function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: EM Microelectronic-Marin S.A.
    Inventors: Georges Nicolas Hayek, Michel Willemin, Jean-Claude Martin, Thomas Gyger
  • Patent number: 10777780
    Abstract: A battery or an accumulator including an anode case, an anode situated inside the anode case, a cathode case joined to the anode case, a seal sealing the cathode case to the anode case, a cathode situated inside the cathode case between the anode and the cathode case, and a membrane between the anode and the cathode. An outer surface of the battery includes at least one marking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: THE SWATCH GROUP RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LTD
    Inventors: Yves Burri, Michael Stalder, Jean-Claude Martin
  • Patent number: 10743625
    Abstract: A method for assembling a stone on a setting support, the stone being cut to exhibit a table, a crown, a girdle and a pavilion. A substrate with a recess for the stone, the recess forming, between the substrate and the stone, a peripheral free space in the vicinity of the girdle and of the zones of the crown and of the pavilion contiguous to the girdle, the peripheral free space including a bottom having a conductive surface. Electroplating, in the peripheral free space, a metal layer in the vicinity of the girdle and of the zones of the crown and of the pavilion contiguous to the girdle, so as to confine the girdle in the metal layer to form, around the girdle, the setting support. The stone and its setting support are released from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Stewes Bourban, Pascal Grossenbacher, Jean-Claude Martin, Vladislav Spassov, Cecile Barron, Lionel Blaser, Yann Caloz, Cyrille Gernez, Stephane Lauper, Ahmad Odeh, Simon Springer