Abstract: A visual time clock comprises a set of vertically stacked or adjacent chambers, each of the at least two chambers having interior-located, connected LED strips which are electronically controlled and selectively powered by being turned on or off or dimmed or brightened as time passes. Each chamber is meant to visually show an amount of elapsed time, e.g., seconds, minutes, hours and days (and years and century, if desired). When one chamber visually fills with the timed illumination of the LEDs, it will void and reset its LEDs and simultaneously illuminate one or more of the LEDs of the adjacent chamber.

Abstract: A watch having gears for observation, including: a watch body; a hand assembly having a second hand, a minute hand or an hour hand to be rotated at a surface of the watch body so as to display a time; gears for observation independently and rotatably provided at one end of the had assembly and to be rotated in a rotation process of the hand assembly; and a driving gear assembly provided at one side of the outside or the inside of the watch body and engaged with the gears for observation. The present invention can utilize the watch as a studying material through the gears for observation which are independently rotated according to the rotation of the hand assembly such as the second hand and the like.

Abstract: The timepiece movement is provided with an analog device for displaying information whose value varies periodically or intermittently, this analog display device including, on the one hand, an indicator provided with a first toothing, and on the other hand, a mechanism for the periodic or intermittent driving of the indicator. The drive mechanism is formed by an irreversible transmission system which ensures a shock resistant function for the indicator. The display device further includes a positioning jumper for the indicator generating a positioning force on the first toothing, which is sufficient to precisely position the indicator in a plurality of discrete display positions, but considerably insufficient to ensure a shock resistant function for the indicator. Thus, the indicator can be driven with a relatively low torque; which therefore requires less energy and makes it possible to provide a drive mechanism with a lower gear reduction for the drive torque transmission ratio.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a resin-impregnated decorative paper, which method comprises the following steps: i) providing a paper, ii) impregnating the paper obtained in step i) with a first, actinic radiation-curable resin, iii) subjecting the paper obtained after step ii) to a drying step, iv) applying a second, actinic radiation-curable resin to the dried paper obtained after step iii), and v) curing the paper obtained after step iv) to obtain the resin-impregnated decorative paper.

Abstract: The invention concerns a timepiece display module intended to display a series of alphanumerical characters and/or pictures at different moments. The display module includes a platform (3) arranged to be actuated in rotation about an axis and several wheel sets (5) arranged on the platform (3) so that each wheel set (5) turns on itself while orbiting about the axis of rotation of said platform (3) when the latter is actuated in rotation. The display module further includes several wings (1) which are arranged on each wheel set so (5) as to be positioned in turn at the center of the display module. Each wing (1) of each wheel set (5) is actuated such that the wings are oriented in a identical plane at the center of the display module and are adjacent to each other so as to form a central display unit (2).

Abstract: A display apparatus which includes: a first display wheel that has a first display section; a second display wheel that has a second display section; a driving section that rotates in a forward direction and a reverse direction, and rotates the first display wheel in the forward direction and the reverse direction; and a rotating section that rotates only the first display wheel in the forward direction when the first display wheel is rotated in the forward direction, and rotates the second display wheel in the reverse direction together with the first display wheel when the first display wheel is rotated in the reverse direction.

Abstract: Apparatuses (250) for the display of time with distinctive aesthetic character that include rigid rotating members (220) which are driven by movements (251) and held in place by the force of gravity. The movement (251) rotates drive wheels (256, 257) so that the rigid rotating members (220) indicate the current time and the time is interpreted using traditional clock interpretation methods. The movement (251) may include a support bushing (260) to provide support for output shafts (252, 253) of the movement (251). A cover (262) may also provide support for output shafts (252, 253).

Abstract: The timepiece includes first (1) and second (2) rings to which indications (3, 4) are affixed for displaying, in combination with each other, a time-related magnitude (5), which appears in a large aperture (6). The rings (1, 2) have equal dimensions, are arranged one on top of the other and off-center in relation to each other such that, at the vertical of the large aperture, the outer edge (7) of the first ring (1) substantially borders the inner edge (8) of the second ring (2).

Abstract: A backlash-compensating mechanism includes a cam, an actuating member bearing against the cam and a wheel coaxial to the cam and intended to be driven by a gear train of the movement. The cam and the wheel are connected to each other such that one revolution of the wheel includes a sequence of a first phase in which the wheel drives the cam whilst the co-operation between the cam and the actuating member cocks the latter, a second phase in which the actuating member uncocks and causes the cam to effect an instantaneous jump, and a third phase in which the cam is immobilized and the wheel continues to advance until it catches up with the cam to once again drive it during the first phase of the following revolution. This mechanism includes a resilient element acting between the cam and the wheel and applying a return torque to the wheel during the third phase to compensate the backlash in the gear train.

Abstract: A display apparatus which includes: a first display wheel that has a first display section; a second display wheel that has a second display section; a driving section that rotates in a forward direction and a reverse direction, and rotates the first display wheel in the forward direction and the reverse direction; and a rotating section that rotates only the first display wheel in the forward direction when the first display wheel is rotated in the forward direction, and rotates the second display wheel in the reverse direction together with the first display wheel when the first display wheel is rotated in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A watch with a drive by which a gear train of a digital display having one or more number disks driven in rotation in cyclical steps and a manually actuatable disk adjusting mechanism. A drive wheel is advanced rotationally in steps by the drive of the watch and rotationally blocked between the steps. A unit wheel of a unit number disk can be rotationally advanced at ten steps per revolution. A stepping device, driven by the unit wheel drives a tens number disk rotationally at six steps per revolution. An hours number disk, is rotationally advanced directly or indirectly by the tens number disk at twelve steps per revolution during one revolution of the tens number disk.

Abstract: A clock comprising concentric rings of slots slits for indicating time by fully illuminating an appropriate one of the slots. Full illumination is propagated from one slot to an adjacent slot by causing all of the slots in a ring of slots to briefly light up sequentially, thus causing a flash of light to propagate around the ring of slots, thus more clearly showing passage of a second, a minute etc as the illumination was switched from the one slot to the adjacent slot.

Abstract: A watch with a drive by which a gear train of a digital display having one or more number disks driven in rotation in cyclical steps and a manually actuatable disk adjusting mechanism. A drive wheel is advanced rotationally in steps by the drive of the watch and rotationally blocked between the steps. A unit wheel of a unit number disk can be rotationally advanced at ten steps per revolution. A stepping device, driven by the unit wheel drives a tens number disk rotationally at six steps per revolution. An hours number disk, is rotationally advanced directly or indirectly by the tens number disk at twelve steps per revolution during one revolution of the tens number disk.

Abstract: A mechanism for setting a clock hand indicates for example a date in defined positions of a scale. The mechanism includes a cam disc and a first rake which is connected to the cam disc in a force-transmitting manner and has teeth which engage into the teeth of a pinion and transmit a force. A second rake has teeth that engage into the teeth of the pinion. The second rake exerts a force on the teeth of the pinion that is opposite to the force exerted by the first rake exerts on the pinion. The first rake and the second rake are arranged so as to overlap, and the second rake can be borne pivotally around the first axle. The embodiment has the advantage that it is space-saving and the rakes stabilize one another mutually.

Abstract: Apparatus for the display of time with a distinctive aesthetic character that includes clear, rigid rings rotating about a common axis which hang on wheels driven by a clockwork. The rigid rings each have demarcations that indicate the time of day. The time of day is interpreted using traditional clock interpretation means. A demarcation ring is added to assist in the interpretation of the indicated time.

Abstract: A display device and a timepiece calendar device capable of large display of letters and numbers is provided, which can be simplified and reduced in size. The display device comprises a first display wheel having a denotation portion for showing information about a part of a period and a toothed portion including a plurality of teeth to be driven. The device also has a second display wheel having a denotation portion for showing a part of the period other than the part of the period shown by the first display wheel, an opening via which the first display wheel is exposed, and a toothed portion including a plurality of teeth to be driven, and placed overlapping the first display wheel. The device also has a driving finger for driving the first display wheel and the second display wheel to rotate.

Abstract: A display device and a timepiece calendar device capable of large display of letters and numbers is provided, which can be simplified and reduced in size. The display device comprises a first display wheel having a denotation portion for showing information about a part of a period and a toothed portion including a plurality of teeth to be driven. The device also has a second display wheel having a denotation portion for showing a part of the period other than the part of the period shown by the first display wheel, an opening via which the first display wheel is exposed, and a toothed portion including a plurality of teeth to be driven, and placed overlapping the first display wheel. The device also has a driving finger for driving the first display wheel and the second display wheel to rotate.

Abstract: A drive wheel for integration into a clock movement, in particular into the clock movement of wristwatches, with at least a dented section by whose teeth a downstream wheel is rotatably drivable and at least a non-dented section which has a diameter chosen in such a manner that the part-circular circumference of the drive wheel in the non-dented section blocks the downstream wheel against rotation while the teeth of the downstream wheel face this section. The non-dented section of the drive wheel includes at least a flexible element that is arranged, seen in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the drive wheel, immediately after the dented section and that includes an elasticity essentially directed in radial direction of the drive wheel for the change of the diameter of the non-dented section of the drive wheel in the range of the flexible element.

Abstract: A display device is provided for a watch movement provided with a final gear train intended to drive, at least in a mediated way, means of displaying the time and an energy source driving the final gear train. In one implementation, the display device comprises a display disk for an additional function, and a display gearing of which one moving part carries the display disk. The display device also comprises a second energy source connected mechanically to the display gearing and operating means for the display gearing, designed so as to cause the gearing to be driven by the second energy source when the information for display has to be changed.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for setting a clock hand, which indicates for example a date in defined positions of a scale. The mechanism comprises a cam disc and a first rake which is connected to the cam disc in a force-transmitting manner and has teeth which engage into the teeth of a pinion and transmit a force. A second rake likewise has teeth that engage into the teeth of the pinion, wherein the second rake exerts a force on the teeth of the pinion that is opposite to the force exerted by the first rake exerts on the pinion. According to the invention, the first rake and the second rake are arranged so as to overlap, and the second rake can likewise be borne pivotally around the first axle. The embodiment has the advantage that it is space-saving and the rakes stabilize one another mutually.

Abstract: A timepiece movement is disclosed which may comprise a going train, and a mechanism having a first cinematic connection with the going train and arranged to drive an indicator member in a stealthy rotational movement, the latter being activated periodically with a predefined period. The mechanism may also comprise a first wheel-and-pinion unit comprising a first wheel at least indirectly in engagement with the going train, a second wheel-and-pinion unit, mounted coaxially with the first wheel-and-pinion unit and, having at least one stop region and a second wheel, these being integral in rotation. A second cinematic connection connects the second wheel to the indicator member, an elastic member connecting the first wheel-and-pinion unit to the second wheel-and-pinion unit in such a way that its degree of tension is a function of respective angular positions of the first and second wheel-and-pinion units.

Abstract: The annual calendar mechanism comprises a drive wheel set (1) fitted with a first finger (2) driving a date disc (4) through one step once a day and a second finger (5) driving a plate (6) secured to an annual wheel (7) arranged coaxially to the date ring at the end of the months of less than thirty one days. An intermediate wheel (8) connects the annual wheel (7) to the date ring (4) at the end of each month. The annual wheel (7) comprises twice as many teeth (30) as there are months in a year and the intermediate wheel (8) comprises a first wheel (40) meshed with the annual wheel (7) and a second wheel (50) fixed to the first wheel, said second wheel being meshed, at the end of each month, with a snug (60) arranged inside the date ring (4).

Abstract: This mechanism comprises a date runner, a months satellite with five teeth on a pitch for twelve, secured to the date runner, a fixed planetary toothset and a drive member for driving the date runner comprising two drive fingers, the first intersecting the path of the toothset of the date runner, the second intersecting the path of the toothset of the months satellite. The latter is connected to the planetary toothset by a second satellite secured to it and the number of teeth of which is equal to a multiple of twelve, the number of teeth of the planetary toothset being chosen so that one of the five teeth of the months satellite is aligned with the axes of the satellites, of the drive member and of the date runner on the 30th of each month comprising less than 31 days.

Abstract: This hour and minute display device comprises four disks, two for displaying, respectively, the tens and units of hours, two for displaying, respectively, the tens and units of minutes, each disk being fixedly connected to a toothed wheel linked to a jumper, said toothed wheels, fixedly connected to the two disks for displaying, respectively, the units of hours and of minutes, being linked to respective yoke mechanisms pressed by elastic members against respective instantaneous-jump cam elements, and further comprises, between said cam elements and the toothed wheels fixedly connected, respectively, to said tens of minutes and of hours disks, mechanisms for connecting these latter toothed wheels to said respective instantaneous-jump cam elements with each change of tens.

Abstract: A date display assembly for a timepiece, wherein the timepiece comprises a casing, an hour wheel that is rotationally engaged with a meshing wheel, and a display window for displaying a date, the date display assembly comprising an outer date ring having a plurality of digits thereon and aligned in the casing such that each of the plurality of digits is appearable in the display window; an inner date ring having a plurality of digits thereon and also aligned in the casing such that each of the plurality of digits is appearable in the display window; a date wheel, rotatably engageable with the meshing wheel, for driving the outer date ring in a first direction; and an inner date ring driving wheel, rotatably engageable with the outer date ring, for driving the inner date ring in a direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A system for managing delivery of pharmaceutical drugs is formed of a blister package that includes a plurality of cells arranged in a grid. Each of the cells is sealed by a breakable wall and holds a unit-dose of medication. A user gains access to the medication in a given cell by puncturing the breakable wall associated with the given cell. A severable conductor is positioned proximate to each breakable wall. The severable conductor associated with a given cell ruptures upon puncturing of the breakable wall associated with the given cell. A computer chip is electrically connected to the severable conductors. The computer chip senses the puncturing of each cell in the grid by monitoring the rupturing of each of the severable conductors. An RF transmitter is coupled to the computer chip. The RF transmitter sends information corresponding to usage of each of medications stored in the blister package to a remote information transceiver.

Abstract: A method for storing n bytes in multi-level non-volatile memory cells, including writing and reading of said n bytes. Writing includes the following steps: (a) decomposing each one of such n bytes into eight bits, (b) storing each one of such eight bits into a respective one of such multi-level non-volatile memory cells by utilizing a multi-level technology. Reading includes the following steps: (c) reading contemporaneously each one of such eight bits which belong to each one of said n bytes by sense amplifiers each connected to each one of such multi-level non-volatile memory cells, (d) assembling such eight bits previously read to form each one of such initial n bytes.

Abstract: Digital-analog display device for timepiece comprising a cannon pinion (1), consisting of an analog disk (2) mounted on the cannon pinion and having a window (3) through which there appears a digit carried by a digital disk (5) mounted coaxially to the analog disk (2). The digital disk is driven in rotation by the cannon pinion by jumping means and its rotation relative to the analog disk is ensured by an eccentric moveable element (12) provided with a finger (13) which drives, on each revolution, a toothed wheel (6) integral with the digital disk (5).

Abstract: Timepiece of the analog type, in which the hour hands are replaced by two coaxial disks which are split radially and bent helically and which are arranged in such a way that each passes between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the other in the direction of rotation. One disk makes one revolution in twelve hours, the other disk being retained by a stop, then three is an exchange of the disks, and a second thereafter makes one resolution in twelve hours, the first being retained. One edge of each disk thus performs, each in its turn, the function of the hour hand. The mechanism comprises a driver, which is carried by a barrel coaxial relative to the disks and which is axially movable relative to this barrel, and a retaining stop which is preferably movable axially, but without being rotatable.

Abstract: A clock having a housing which contains two internal disks and a motor for rotation of those disks on a shaft is disclosed. An hour disk is provided having a shaded region representing night and an unshaded region representing day. The hour disk is positioned to appear through a opening in the clock face. The face of the clock may have one or more openings to expose the minute and hour disks. One of the openings has a numerical representation of hours provided on the clock face there around. The clock is arranged so that the line separating the dark and light regions of the hour disk indicates the hour of day by pointing to a number on the face, and also graphically represents the amount of time from and to the previous and next sunrise or sunset.

Abstract: A wrist watch with hour and minute hands in the form of rotatable circular films, having an electrostatic shielding device which grounds a glass of the watch through a back cover of the watch, to eliminate static electricity produced in the glass. Also, because of the use of thin rotatable circular films for the minute and hour hands, the thickness of the watch can be considerably reduced.

Abstract: A toroidal time piece for indicating the time of day. The toroidal time piece comprises a body having opposed faces with there being a relatively large window formed through the body. Each of the opposed faces has a boundary which extends about and defines the configuration of the window and the configuration of a peripheral edge of the body. The body and the window take on various different configurations to impart different artistic appearances into the time piece.

Abstract: Movement for a wrist watch, having at least one rotatable minute disc, a drive connection between the toothed disc edge and a drive pinion, being reliably and positively maintained in that the disc is mounted with clearance and capable of tilting, in that simple guide pins for the disc edge are provided on both sides of the disc in the region of the drive connection between the pinion and the disc. For example, one guide pin may be provided on each side of the minute disc. Alternatively, one pin is provided on one side of the disc and two additional guide pins lie opposite to this first pin on the other side of the disc.

Abstract: An improvement in a date indexing device for an analog watch using manual indexing of a date ring with a push button. The indexing member indexes the date ring with a pawl guided onto the toothed rim of the date while one of the driving gear elements for the date ring is disengaged by moving an elastically yieldable support for the gear element.

Abstract: A clock mechanism including a fixed ring defining an inner annular surface and an outer annular surface. An hours disc is disposed to roll against one of the surfaces so as to traverse the full annular extent thereof once every twelve hours. A minute disc is disposed to roll against the other of the annular surfaces so as to traverse the full annular extent thereof once every hour. In the illustrated embodiment, the discs define planet gears, with the hours planet gear being driven by an hours sun gear so as to roll against the inner ring gear of the fixed ring. The minutes disc defines a planet gear driven by an outer ring gear to roll against the outer minute sun gear defined by the outer annular surface of the fixed ring. The fixed ring may be provided with suitable indicia to define a chapter ring.

Abstract: An electronic wrist-watch of greatly reduced thickness has extremely thin me indicating discs for which a special driving and guiding system is employed. Further, a single-phase motor is provided with at least two stator windings for reducing the watch's thickness. A watch case comprises an integral case band in order to assure greater rigidity of this thin watch structure.

Abstract: A quartz analog watch has a disc with a minute hand thereon driven directly at its periphery by the rotor of a stepping motor. A single intermediate gear and pinion assembly performs a gear reduction to drive a conventional hour hand rotatably mounted on a center spindle which also supports the minute disc. The stepping motor watch internal components, including battery, stepping motor, intermediate gear assembly and integrated circuit are all partially hidden beneath the minute disc. A special watch crystal functions also as a top frame member controlling "endshake" of the movement members in conjunction with the caseback. A special metal clip provides a push button contact for electrically setting the watch and also holds the intermediate gear assembly in place.

Abstract: An instantaneous calendar device is disclosed.The instantaneous calendar device comprises a stationary part, for example, a bridge, a date ring, a day disk, a rotary shifter, and an actuator. The rotary shifter operates the date ring and the day disk. The actuator is composed of a spring, a tappet, and a calendar wheel coaxial with a cam. The cam of the actuator is rigidly secured to the stationary part of the device, whereas the tappet and the spring are mounted on the rotary shifter.

Abstract: The invention provides a very thin electronic watch having a casing with a front wall provided with a glass, a rear wall and a side wall connecting the front and rear walls. In the casing there is a spindle substantially perpendicular to the front and rear walls and mounted pivotally with respect to the casing, a toothed transmission wheel secured to the spindle, a "minutes" disc perpendicularly secured to the spindle and provided with a tooth arrangement on its periphery, and an "hours" disc pivotally mounted on the spindle, substantially parallel to the "minutes" disc and provided with a tooth arrangement on its periphery, the "minutes" and "hours" discs being disposed between the glass and the toothed transmission wheel. The casing further has an electric motor, a supply source, a first gear train engaging the rotor of the electric motor and the "minutes" disc and a second gear train engaging the "hours" disc and the transmission wheel.

Abstract: An electronic analog calendar timepiece includes a mechanism for automatically correcting the date indication at the ends of months having less than 31 days. A second motor activates the month correction-mechanism in short months to advance the date dial by additional indicated days. Such irregular advancements occur in accordance with the condition of switches associated with the 29th, 30th, and 31st day positions of the date dial, and in accordance with data stored in memory to correlate with the displayed month of the year. A conventional driving mechanism associates with conventional time keeping circuitry to advance the hands and the day, date, and month indicators for all days occurring in the month. The month-end correcting mechanism is linked to the conventional driving mechanism by actuation of the second motor.

Abstract: A day disk cooperates with a storage of mechanical energy via a seven-position Maltese mechanism. A Maltese cross of said mechanism is rigidly coupled to and coaxial with the day disk. A transfer pin of the Maltese cross is set on an intermediate gear of the storage. A driven disk includes a projection for the transfer of a toothed date ring. The locking surfaces of the Maltese cross lock on the driven disk. Provision is made of a free unloaded lever with one arm locking in position the date ring and the other arm of said lever resting against the projections of the Maltese cross, thereby relieving the moment of load of the calendar device on the gear train and improving the reliability of the timepiece.

Abstract: A calender mechanism comprising a cannon wheel having a gear wheel portion and a cylindrical portion extending axially from the gear wheel portion, a day star wheel mounted for rotation on a cylindrical portion of the cannon wheel, and a positioning plate. The day star wheel has an outer diameter less than that of the gear wheel portion of the cannon wheel, and the positioning plate is positioned to partially overlie the outer peripheral portion of the gear wheel portion for preventing the cannon wheel from traveling axially toward the day star wheel. The portion of the positioning plate overlying the outer peripheral portion of the cannon wheel does not extend between the day star wheel and the gear wheel portion of the cannon wheel.