With Crown Or Stem Details Patents (Class 368/308)
  • Patent number: 11886148
    Abstract: A timepiece component (1) for a watch case, notably a bezel, comprising an axis (A), a first ring (10), a second ring (11) and a connecting element (12) for connecting the first and second rings, the connecting element being elastic and positioned between the first and second rings, the first ring and/or the second ring comprising an element (31) for retention on the rest of a watch case (200), particularly on a watch middle (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: ROLEX SA
    Inventors: Nicolas Boaron, Julien Caillol, Benjamin Celant, Laurent Mincone, Michael Nguyen
  • 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: 11685469
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur comprises a circuit board, an electrical user interface, a motor housing, and a motor unit. The electrical user interface includes a user accessing portion configured to receive a user input. The motor housing includes a motor accommodating space. The motor unit is provided in the motor accommodating space and configured to generate rotational force and configured to be electrically connected to the circuit board. A first direction is defined from the circuit board toward the electrical user interface or from the electrical user interface toward the circuit board. The plurality of second directions is defined to be perpendicular to the first direction. The motor unit is at least partly provided between the user accessing portion of the electrical user interface and the circuit board when viewed in at least one of the plurality of second directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Yamamoto, Akihiro Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 11644800
    Abstract: An electronic watch includes a housing, a user-operable watch crown mounted to the housing, an electromagnetic radiation source emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation toward a watch crown surface, and a sensor. The beam of electromagnetic radiation depends on a coherent mixing of electromagnetic radiation within a resonant cavity of the electromagnetic radiation source. The coherent mixing includes a mixing of a first amount of electromagnetic radiation generated by the electromagnetic radiation source and a second amount of electromagnetic radiation redirected into the resonant cavity by the watch crown surface. The sensor measures a first parameter of the beam of electromagnetic radiation and determines, using the measurement of the first parameter, a value of a second parameter characterizing movement of the watch crown. The second parameter may include a direction of rotation or speed of rotation of the watch crown, or other parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Prashanth S. Holenarsipur, Mark T. Winkler, Mehmet Mutlu, David D. Dashevsky
  • Patent number: 11561515
    Abstract: An electronic watch includes a housing defining a side surface of the electronic watch, a transparent cover coupled to the housing and defining a front surface of the electronic watch, an image-sensing element, and a crown extending from the side of the housing and defining an imaging surface. The crown may include a light-directing feature configured to direct, onto the image-sensing element, an image of an object in contact with the imaging surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Beyhs
  • Patent number: 11513474
    Abstract: A switch device including a base member provided with a stem insertion hole, an operation member which has an engaging groove provided in an outer circumferential surface thereof, and is slidably and rotatably inserted into the stem insertion hole of the base member, a stopper member having an engaging portion which is arranged in the engaging groove of the operation member and moved along with sliding of the operation member, and a release member which releases the engaging portion from the engaging groove, in which the release member includes a pressing portion which is operated from one surface side of the base member so as to release the engaging portion from the engaging groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hosobuchi
  • Patent number: 11194292
    Abstract: A screw-down orientable crown (200) for watch case (100), including a tube (11) that can be axially inserted into a case housing (90), and a handling body (1) including a pattern (19) and a relief (15) extending axially and, in the coupled position, cooperating for indexing the pattern (19) relative to the case (100) with a complementary relief (55) that a fixed pipe (5) includes which is pushed back from the body (1) by a spring (12), and including an axial stop (3) fixed to the body (1) to axially trap the fixed pipe (5) with a stroke corresponding to the deformation of the spring (12) to enable the disconnection, by a compression of the body (1), between the relief (15) and the complementary relief (55), which relief (15) is carried by a trunnion (4) integral with the body (1) and which is inside the fixed pipe (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: MECO SA
    Inventors: Rémy Thiry, Ricardo Marcos
  • Patent number: 11042122
    Abstract: A timepiece which provides a tactile feel in a simple structure and which can suppress inadvertent rotation of a driving crown is to be provided. A wristwatch includes an elastic material winding stem pipe protruding on the outer side of a case and a distal end portion of which is capable of elastic deformation in a radial direction; a shaft member of a driving crown rotatably inserted into the elastic material winding stem pipe; protrusions formed on the peripheral surface of the driving crown; and trough portions formed in the peripheral surface of the elastic material winding stem pipe and configured to be engaged with the protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventor: Katsunobu Iguchi
  • Patent number: 10534318
    Abstract: Push-in watch crown mechanisms and methods are described. The push-in watch crown mechanisms include a locking mechanism for latching the watch crown inside the watch body such that the top of the watch crown is substantially flush to the edge of the watch body. Further, the push-in watch crown mechanisms include a release mechanism for unlatching the watch crown so that it is released outside of the watch body and accessible for use. Additionally, methods of using push-in watch crown mechanisms are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Inventor: Kevin Joseph Masone
  • Patent number: 9110444
    Abstract: An orientable screwdown crown includes a cover and a device for adjusting the angular orientation of the cover in relation to a watch centerpart. The device for adjusting the angular orientation includes a coupling member and an indexing unit between the cover and the coupling member as well as a restoring unit, which endeavor to rotationally fix the cover and the coupling member. The indexing unit includes a first tooth arrangement arranged on the coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Omega SA
    Inventors: Daniel Knuchel, Sebastien Briswalter
  • Patent number: 9003660
    Abstract: Device for securing a first element of a watch 1 having a first threaded portion 11 to a second watch element 2 including a second threaded portion 22, including an intermediate element 3 for the angular orientation of the first element 1 relative to the second element 2. The intermediate element 3 includes a third threaded portion 31, arranged for cooperating with the first threaded portion 11 of the first element 1, and a fourth threaded portion 32, arranged to cooperate with the second threaded portion 22 of the second element 2. The thread pitches of the third threaded portion 31 and fourth threaded portion 32 are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Omega SA
    Inventor: Daniel Knuchel
  • Patent number: 8971156
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for controlling a time function or a non-time related function including at least two push-buttons (28A, 28B) each provided with a stem (30A, 30B) and a head (32A, 32B), said push-buttons (28A, 28B) being able to move axially between a first inactive rest position and a second position in which they control the function, characterized in that the stems (30A, 30B) of the two push-buttons (28A, 28b) extend side by side and parallel to each other. The invention also concerns a timepiece fitted with this control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Meco S.A.
    Inventor: Hakim El Kadiri
  • Publication number: 20150043314
    Abstract: Provision of a portable apparatus which is of a simple construction and which can prevent a lock member arranged at a lock position where a pushbutton is locked from being erroneously rotated to an excessive degree. A pipe inserted into a through-hole of an apparatus exterior body is fixed to the apparatus exterior body. The pipe consists of a single component, and has a male screw portion and a stopper portion on an external arrangement tube portion thereof. A lock member is provided with a female screw portion, a lock part, and a lock portion configured to move toward and away from the stopper portion. The two screw portions and are threadedly engaged with each other, and the lock member is mounted so as to be movable in the axial direction of the pipe. A shaft portion of a pushbutton is passed through the pipe, and the pushbutton is urged toward the exterior of the apparatus exterior body by a spring. A head with which the pushbutton is equipped has an opposing portion facing the lock part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Haruki HIRANUMA, Masahiro ISHIDA
  • Patent number: 8911143
    Abstract: A switch device of the present invention includes a cylindrical member attached to a through hole of a wristwatch case, an operation member having an operation shaft section inserted into the cylindrical member and an operation head section provided at the outer end of the operation member, a cushioning member attached to the operation head section of the operation member to cover the operation head section, and an exterior member fixed to the operation head section to cover the cushioning member and from which a plurality of portions of the cushioning member project outwardly. Therefore, when the exterior member receives an external impact, the impact can be mitigated by the cushioning member projecting outwardly from the exterior member. As a result, the operation member and the cylindrical member can be prevented from being damaged by the external impact, whereby the impact resistance can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Kitahara, Naohiko Sakurazawa
  • Patent number: 8905631
    Abstract: A switch device of the present invention includes a cylindrical member fitted into a through hole of a wristwatch case, an operating member having an operation shaft section to be inserted into the cylindrical member and an operation head section, and a lock member fixed inside the operation head section. The cylindrical member includes engaging projections, and the lock member includes resilient support sections which have a space with respect to the inner circumferential surface of the operation head section and are resiliently deformed in a radial direction, and lock sections with which the engaging projections are resiliently engaged. Accordingly, when the operating member is pushed inward and rotated, the engaging projections resiliently deform the resilient support sections and are engaged with the lock sections. Also, only by the operating member being rotated against the regulating force of the lock section, the lock sections are disengaged from the engaging projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naohiko Sakurazawa, Hiroki Imai
  • Patent number: 8882342
    Abstract: This watch case comprises a middle (1), a tube (3, 23), which is secured to the middle (1) and is provided with a thread, a control crown (C) which is provided with a thread screwed onto the tube (3, 23), the control crown (C) having an external part (10, 20) that has a distinctive mark (S) that is visible from the outside and an internal part (2, 24) housed inside the external part (10, 20) and clamping means (11) for axially holding said external part (10, 20) and said internal part (2, 24) in an angular position determined with respect to the longitudinal axis of said tube. The internal part (2, 24) has first angular indexing means (2a, 24a), the external part (10, 20) having second angular indexing means (10a, 20a), these indexing means being shaped so as to engage axially in one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Rolex S.A.
    Inventors: Julien Cattaneo, Daniel Moille
  • Publication number: 20140301169
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment of a timepiece of the present disclosure, the timepiece comprises a case, a crown extending from the case, a first pusher extending from the case and positioned relative to the crown, a first crown tab positioned between the crown and the first pusher, the first crown tab configured to at least partially surround the crown, a first pusher element extending from the case, the first pusher element configured to at least partially house a first end of the first pusher, a second pusher extending from the case and positioned relative to the crown, a second crown tab positioned between the crown and the second pusher, the second crown tab configured to at least partially surround the crown, and a second pusher element extending from the case, the second pusher element configured to at least partially house a first end of the second pusher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Prophyta Biologischer Pflanzenschutz GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Johansson
  • Publication number: 20140286146
    Abstract: A switch device of the present invention includes a cylindrical member fitted into a through hole of a wristwatch case, an operating member having an operation shaft section to be inserted into the cylindrical member and an operation head section, and a lock member fixed inside the operation head section. The cylindrical member includes engaging projections, and the lock member includes resilient support sections which have a space with respect to the inner circumferential surface of the operation head section and are resiliently deformed in a radial direction, and lock sections with which the engaging projections are resiliently engaged. Accordingly, when the operating member is pushed inward and rotated, the engaging projections resiliently deform the resilient support sections and are engaged with the lock sections. Also, only by the operating member being rotated against the regulating force of the lock section, the lock sections are disengaged from the engaging projections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naohiko SAKURAZAWA, Hiroki IMAI
  • Patent number: 8783944
    Abstract: A switch device includes a rotating operation member in which a through-hole is formed in an axial direction; a pressing operation member which is movable within the through-hole of the rotating operation member and press-operable from one opening of the through-hole. The pressing operation member is provided so as to rotate integrally with the rotating operation member, when the rotating operation member rotates. A first coil spring is arranged within the through-hole of the rotating operation member and biases the pressing operation member outwardly in the axial direction. A second coil spring is arranged within the through-hole of the rotating operation member and biases the rotating operation member outwardly in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuji Doi
  • Patent number: 8764284
    Abstract: Push button for a timepiece for correcting the time display associated with a decompression valve within a single control device. It essentially includes a first push button return spring (10) followed by a second spring (13) arranged to bend and act as a valve spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Omega SA
    Inventors: Sebastien Briswalter, Eric Vuilleme, Gregory Kissling
  • Patent number: 8740451
    Abstract: A watch case comprising: a middle (3), a first tube (1) provided with first indexing elements (1a), a control crown (C) including: a cap (4) having a distinctive sign (S) on a front face (4?), and a bushing (5) intended to be connected to the movement of the watch, a second tube (2) adapted to be fastened to the middle (3) and to receive the bushing (5), the control crown (C) and the first tube (1) including respective screwing elements (1b,4b) for screwing them together. Second indexing elements (3a,3a?,3a?) fastened to the middle (3) are provided to cooperate with the first indexing elements (1a) of the first tube (1). The first tube (1) and the second tube (2) are conformed so that fastening the second tube (2) to the middle (3) ensures axial immobilization of the first tube (1) relative to the middle (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Rolex S.A.
    Inventor: Vincent Gourdin
  • Patent number: 8714814
    Abstract: A timepiece including a case including a middle part, which is closed on the top portion thereof by a bezel and on the bottom portion by a back cover, and a timepiece movement mounted against the middle part by a casing ring. The timepiece also includes a locking device for pressing the assembly including the timepiece movement and casing ring against the middle part when the case of the timepiece is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Thierry Altenhoven, Carlo Albisetti
  • Patent number: 8608372
    Abstract: A wristwatch has a casing containing a movement. An insertion cylindrical portion of a pipe is inserted into a through-hole in a body of the casing, and the pipe is fixed to the body. A push-button has a button shaft engageable with a contact member of the movement through the pipe, and a push operation head connected to the button shaft and disposed outside the body. The button shaft has a first portion integrated with the head and a second portion screwed onto the first portion. The second portion has a diameter greater than that of the first portion and an engagement surface capable of approaching and being separated from a tip of the insertion cylindrical portion. The push-button is biased toward the outside of the body by a spring so the engagement surface is held in contact with the tip of the insertion cylindrical portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Hideaki Koshoji, Kinshuro Itoh, Shuichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8602639
    Abstract: Winding crown for a timepiece, said crown (40) including a bottom (42) and a skirt (44), which delimits an inner volume housing at least one elastically deformable element, the crown (40) being characterized in that a stop member is inserted between the elastically deformable element (50) and the bottom (42) of the crown (40) to prevent any surface contact between said elastically deformable element (50) and said bottom (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Meco S.A.
    Inventors: Georges Zimmermann, Pierre-Jean Bonnet
  • Publication number: 20130155821
    Abstract: A switch device of the present invention includes a case having a through hole; a cylindrical member attached to the through hole of the case; and an operating member having a shaft section inserted into the cylindrical member and an operating section provided in an outer end portion of the shaft section, wherein the operating member is provided with an engaging projected section, and has a spring member, wherein the cylindrical member is provided with, in an end portion in an outer direction of the case, a release groove where the engaging projected section is movable in an axial direction, and a restricting projected section which restricts movement to the outer direction of the engaging projected section, wherein the cylindrical member is provided with a lock groove which locks the spring member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8454227
    Abstract: In a watchcase of a time-piece an internal blocking device for simultaneously blocking the push-buttons (10, 20) of the timepiece comprises an internal collar (11, 21) for each push-button pressing a gasket (12, 22) thereof against the watchcase (30) and at least one sliding element (40) providing blocking members (41, 42) for blocking the movement of the push buttons (10, 20). The sliding elements (40) are operated from outside the timepiece through the wind/set crown (50), a specific screw down button, the bezel (60) or other external members of the timepiece. The internal push buttons blocking device of the invention improves watertightness of the timepiece by a simple and reliable mechanism which is very easy and rapid to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Michele Romano
  • Patent number: 8439559
    Abstract: An analog timepiece includes a casing, a time displaying device, an electronic device received in the casing, a main control unit (MCU) communicated with the time displaying device and the electronic device for selectively controlling an operation of the time displaying device and sad electronic device and a multi-functional actuator. The multi-function actuator includes an actuator button movably provided on the casing to selectively move between an idle position, a time adjustment position and a triggering position, wherein in the idle position, the actuator button disengages with the MCU to allow normal operation of the electronic device, wherein in the time adjustment position, the actuator button is moved from the idle position to allow adjustment of the time displaying device, and wherein in the triggering position, the actuator is moved to engage with the MCU for triggering an operation of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Bright Aggregation Technology Limited
    Inventors: Tai Wai Luk, Quang Yin Zeng
  • Publication number: 20130114383
    Abstract: A watch case comprising: a middle (3), a first tube (1) provided with first indexing elements (1a), a control crown (C) including: a cap (4) having a distinctive sign (S) on a front face (4?), and a bush (5) intended to be connected to the movement of the watch, a second tube (2) adapted to be fastened to the middle (3) and to receive the bush (5), the control crown (C) and the first tube (1) including respective screwing elements (1b,4b) for screwing them together. Second indexing elements (3a,3a?,3a?) fastened to the middle (3) are provided to cooperate with the first indexing elements (1a) of the first tube (1). The first tube (1) and the second tube (2) are conformed so that fastening the second tube (2) to the middle (3) ensures axial immobilization of the first tube (1) relative to the middle (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: ROLEX S.A.
    Inventor: ROLEX S.A.
  • Publication number: 20130100782
    Abstract: This watch case comprises a middle (1), a tube (3, 23), which is secured to the middle (1) and is provided with a thread, a control crown (C) which is provided with a thread screwed onto the tube (3, 23), the control crown (C) having an external part (10, 20) that has a distinctive mark (S) that is visible from the outside and an internal part (2, 24) housed inside the external part (10, 20) and clamping means (11) for axially holding said external part (10, 20) and said internal part (2, 24) in an angular position determined with respect to the longitudinal axis of said tube. The internal part (2, 24) has first angular indexing means (2a, 24a), the external part (10, 20) having second angular indexing means (10a, 20a), these indexing means being shaped so as to engage axially in one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: ROLEX S.A.
    Inventors: Julien Cattaneo, Daniel Moille
  • Patent number: 8371745
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a double-acting control element for a wrist-top computer, comprising a crown, which can be moved in axially and radially, a reaction bar, connected to the and parallel to a crown's rotational axis. The reaction bar is arranged to transmit the movements of the crown from outside to the inside of a case. Switches are permanently fitted to the inside of the case. An axial switch is arranged to switch on from the axial movement of the crown. A radial switch is arranged to switch on from the radial movement of the crown. A slide, at least partly inside the case, is arranged to transmit the axial movement of the reaction bar to the axial switch and a gearwheel. The gearwheel is arranged to link the reaction bar to the slide to transmit the radial movement to the radial switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Suunto Oy
    Inventor: Jukka Manni
  • Patent number: 8366314
    Abstract: Manual device for adjusting and/or controlling a function of a timepiece comprising a case 2 housing a horological movement, said manual device comprising a rod 3 and a retractable crown 4 mounted in said case, and such that the crown comprises a cylindrical body 16 having a blind cylindrical hollow 5 surrounding a tubular passage 6 designed to surround said rod 3 and connect it kinematically in rotation to the crown 4, at least one elastically deformable means 8 pushing the crown outwards relative to the case 2, the device comprising a base 10 in the shape of a cylindrical cover designed to be fixed into the watch case and traversed by said rod 3, and an indexing structure 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 attached to said base and making it possible to index an indexing ring 15 coupled translationally, but free in rotation, to the end of said tubular passage 6 of the crown, and making it possible, via successive applications of pressure to the crown, to move from a retracted or rest position to a working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: G. & F. Châtelain SA
    Inventor: Philippe Marti
  • Patent number: 8356931
    Abstract: A crown setting device for a timepiece comprising: a case; a bezel attached to the case; a setting stem in axially slideable communication with the case; a crown shaft, the crown shaft comprising: a first end; a second end; a first portion of the crown shaft abutting the first end; a second portion of the crown shaft abutting the second end; and wherein the first end is in fixed communication with the setting stem; a crown in fixed communication with the second end; and wherein the second portion is at an angle ? with respect to the first portion, and wherein the angle ? is between about 90° and about 175°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Bulltoro Watch Company, LLC
    Inventors: Muhammad Saleh, John Houlihan, Mario Sabatini, Paul Myott
  • Publication number: 20120263023
    Abstract: A wristwatch has a casing containing a movement. An insertion cylindrical portion of a pipe is inserted into a through-hole in a body of the casing, and the pipe is fixed to the body. A push-button has a button shaft engageable with a contact member of the movement through the pipe, and a push operation head connected to the button shaft and disposed outside the body. The button shaft has a first portion integrated with the head and a second portion screwed onto the first portion. The second portion has a diameter greater than that of the first portion and an engagement surface capable of approaching and being separated from a tip of the insertion cylindrical portion. The push-button is biased toward the outside of the body by a spring so the engagement surface is held in contact with the tip of the insertion cylindrical portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Hideaki Koshoji, Kinshuro Itoh, Shuichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8282271
    Abstract: This timepiece has a case (8) enclosing a horological movement (10), and a transmission mechanism for transmitting constant-velocity rotary movements between two stems (1a, 1b) on parallel axes, connecting the outside of the case (8) to the horological movement (10) through a hole in the case (8). The adjacent ends of the two stems (1a, 1b) are connected to two respective sliding elements (3, 6) having defined cross sections engaged with two respective slide-ways (4, 7) having cross sections complementary to those of the sliding elements, having sliding planes perpendicular to said axes, the two slide-ways (4, 7) being connected to a common linking member (5) and being oriented at an angle of 90° to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Rolex S.A.
    Inventors: Flavien Kressmann, Ludovic Zbylut
  • Publication number: 20120092970
    Abstract: A crown setting device for a timepiece comprising: a case; a bezel attached to the case; a setting stem in axially slideable communication with the case; a crown shaft, the crown shaft comprising: a first end; a second end; a first portion of the crown shaft abutting the first end; a second portion of the crown shaft abutting the second end; and wherein the first end is in fixed communication with the setting stem; a crown in fixed communication with the second end; and wherein the second portion is at an angle ? with respect to the first portion, and wherein the angle ? is between about 90° and about 175°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Muhammad Saleh, John Houlihan, Mario Sabatini, Paul Myott
  • Patent number: 8142070
    Abstract: Winding crown for a timepiece, said crown (32) including an uncoupling mechanism (1) comprising a rigid drive ring (4, 400) secured to the crown (32) and cooperating with at least one elastically deformable element (2; 200) secured to a pipe (12) to one end of which a winding stem is secured, the rigid ring (4; 400) driving the deformable elastic element (2; 200) in at least one rotational direction until the resistant torque opposed by said elastic element (2; 200) exceeds a threshold value beyond which said elastic element (2; 200) is deformed so as to interrupt the drive connection thereof with the rigid ring (4; 400), the elastically deformable element (2; 200) therefore having means for temporary coupling said element to said rigid drive ring (4; 400), the crown (32)) being characterized in that the elastically deformable element (2; 200) includes means for centering said element relative to the rigid drive ring (4; 400).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Meco S.A.
    Inventors: Pierre-Jean Bonnet, Georges Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 8092077
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanism for the positioning of wristwatch control elements, whereas such control element may be implemented as a crown intended for the adjustment of the watch—as well as winding up the energy storage spring, for mechanical watches—or a pushbutton, and it is embedded in a hole in the watch case in an axially movable manner. The position mechanism contains a seat for the control element, as well as an actuating element linked to the control element from the side through at least one drive element designed to move the control element in its normal position countersunk in the seat, or one or more elevated operating positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Laszlo Hobor
  • Patent number: 7967504
    Abstract: The push-button control device for a watch includes a push-button stem (28) inserted via a bottom end into an orifice (22, 23) of a watchcase and a button (29) mounted on a top part (28a) of the stem (28) outside the watchcase. The stem can slide axially between a rest position and an active position against a return member (35) to control at least one function of the watch. The control device is characterized in that the top part (28a) of the stem includes an annular groove delimited by two parallel shoulders (44, 46) perpendicular to the axis of the stem, and in that the button (29) includes an annular base (27) that is engaged in the groove so as to be held between the two shoulders (44, 46) in the axial direction and centred with some play by the bottom of the groove such that the button (29) is free to move off-centre relative to the axis of the stem (28) while remaining secured thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Montres Rado S.A.
    Inventors: Philipp Tschumi, Sébastien Briswalter, Vincent Brunner
  • Patent number: 7959352
    Abstract: Winding crown for a timepiece, said crown (32) including an uncoupling mechanism (1) comprising a rigid drive ring (4, 400) secured to the crown (32) and cooperating with at least one elastically deformable element (2; 200) secured to a pipe (12) to one end of which a winding stem is secured, the rigid ring (4; 400) driving the deformable elastic element (2; 200) in at least one rotational direction until the resistant torque opposed by said elastic element (2; 200) exceeds a threshold value beyond which said elastic element (2; 200) is deformed so as to interrupt the drive connection thereof with the rigid ring (4; 400), the elastically deformable element (2; 200) therefore having means for temporary coupling said element to said rigid drive ring (4; 400), the crown (32)) being characterized in that the elastically deformable element (2; 200) includes means for centring said element relative to the rigid drive ring (4; 400).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Meco S.A.
    Inventors: Pierre-Jean Bonnet, Georges Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 7942574
    Abstract: A portable watch is equipped with a watch exterior member, a crown, a crown lock button, and an urging member. In a case band with which the exterior member is equipped, there are formed a crown mounting hole and a member mounting portion communicating with this hole and vertically perpendicular thereto. The crown is arranged in the hole. The crown has a crown shaft portion passed through the hole and a crown head portion continuous therewith. The crown shaft is provided with a lock groove continuous in the peripheral direction. The lock button accommodated in the mounting portion has a button head portion (operation end portion) protruding from the mounting portion. The button is movable between a lock position where it is engaged with the groove to constrain the crown and a lock canceling position where it is detached from the groove to cancel the constraint of the crown, and is arranged at the lock canceling position through a one-touch operation of the button head portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshio Hozumi, Kinshuro Itoh
  • Publication number: 20110085424
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for operating a horological or other time-related function comprising at least two push-buttons (28A, 28B), each having a stem (30A, 30B) and a head (32A, 32B), these push-buttons (28A, 28B) being movable axially between a first or inactive rest position and a second position in which they operate the function, said device being characterized in that the stems (30A, 30B) of the two push-buttons (28A, 28B) extend side by side, parallel to each other. The invention also relates to a timepiece with such an operating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: MECO S.A.
    Inventor: Hakim El Kadiri
  • Patent number: 7909503
    Abstract: A portable timepiece has a timepiece movement disposed in a case band. A pipe extends through and is attached to the case band and has a male screw portion on a part of the pipe that extends outside the case band. A crown has a crown head and a crown shaft, and the crown head has a female screw portion threadedly engaged with the male screw portion and disengageable therefrom in response to rotation of the crown head in a loosening direction accompanied by axial movement of the crown head in a direction away from the case band. The crown shaft has one end portion that extends into the pipe and is connected to a hand setting stem of the timepiece movement and another end portion that extends outside the case band beyond the pipe and slidably contacts an inner peripheral surface of the crown head to support the crown head and guide the axial movement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Haruki Hiranuma
  • Publication number: 20110013496
    Abstract: This timepiece comprises a case (8) enclosing a horological movement (10), and a transmission mechanism for transmitting constant-velocity rotary movements between two stems (1a, 1b) on parallel axes, connecting the outside of the case (8) to the horological movement (10) through a hole in the case (8). The adjacent ends of these two stems (1a, 1b) are connected to two respective sliding elements (3, 6) having defined cross sections engaged with two respective slide-ways (4, 7) having cross sections complementary to those of said sliding elements, having sliding planes perpendicular to said axes, the two slide-ways (4, 7) being connected to a common linking member (5) and being oriented at an angle of 90° to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: ROLEX S.A.
    Inventors: Flavien Kressmann, Ludovic Zbylut
  • Patent number: 7815365
    Abstract: A diver's watch includes a timepiece exterior assembly including a movement, a hand setting stem pipe, a crown for operating the movement, and a cover pipe. A locking face is formed at an outer peripheral portion of a case body provided to the timepiece exterior assembly. The hand setting stem pipe is fixed to the case body and includes a pipe side screw portion. The crown includes a crown cylinder inserted to inside of the hand setting stem pipe, and a crown head integral with the crown cylinder. The crown head is formed with a crown side screw portion attachably and detachably screwed to the pipe side screw portion, and an engaging end face brought into contact with and separated from the locking face. The cover pipe is arranged to be more proximate to the crown cylinder than the engaging end face. Thereby, the hand setting stem pipe is covered by the cover pipe and the covered state is maintained regardless of a movement in an axial direction of the crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Kazutaka Imai
  • Patent number: 7794138
    Abstract: An operating mechanism of a multifunctional device which can be worn on the wrist and has a housing with integrated electronics. The operating mechanism is integrated into the housing and has an operating element which is a one-piece or multi-piece setting stem. The setting stem partly crosses the housing, and the setting stem is arranged parallel to a planar enlargement of the housing and is rotatably and linearly moveably mounted. The setting stem can be moved linearly parallel to the longitudinal axis and rotatively about the rotational axis/longitudinal axis by a first operating watch button and optionally with a second operating watch button. The movement of the setting stem triggers various contacts on a contact plate, from which contacts electronic signals are sent to the electronics, as a result of which the electronic control of the multifunctional device is effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventor: Beppo Hilfiker
  • Publication number: 20100220562
    Abstract: A portable watch is equipped with a watch exterior member, a crown, a crown lock button, and an urging member. In a case band with which the exterior member is equipped, there are formed a crown mounting hole and a member mounting portion communicating with this hole and vertically perpendicular thereto. The crown is arranged in the hole. The crown has a crown shaft portion passed through the hole and a crown head portion continuous therewith. The crown shaft is provided with a lock groove continuous in the peripheral direction. The lock button accommodated in the mounting portion has a button head portion (operation end portion) protruding from the mounting portion. The button is movable between a lock position where it is engaged with the groove to constrain the crown and a lock canceling position where it is detached from the groove to cancel the constraint of the crown, and is arranged at the lock canceling position through a one-touch operation of the button head portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshio Hozumi, Kinshuro Itoh
  • Patent number: 7744272
    Abstract: A portable apparatus has a push button mounted on a casing for operating a contact inside the casing. The push button is axially slidable in a pipe fixed in a through-hole extending through the casing. A coil spring encircles the pipe and is interposed between a flange of the pipe and a head of the push button to urge the push button outwardly. A packing ring for sealing the space between the pipe and push button is attached to either the pipe or the push button in the region where the coil spring encircles the pipe. Since the coil spring overlaps the packing ring, the axial length of the pipe and push button can be shortened to reduce the size of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshio Hozumi, Kazutaka Imai
  • Publication number: 20100128575
    Abstract: In a wristwatch (portable device), a push button (push-pull operating member) includes an engaging portion, and the push button is mounted on a watch sheath (device sheath). A stopper is arranged on the watch sheath. The stopper is movable between a locked position in which the push button is held at a predetermined position by engagement with the engaging portion and an unlocked position in which the operation of the push button is allowed. A circular operating ring surrounding an hour plate (display portion) mounted on the watch sheath is rotatably mounted on the watch sheath from the front side thereof. The movement of the stopper between the locked position and the unlocked position is interlocked with the rotating operation of the operating ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventor: Hideki Okuda
  • Patent number: 7648266
    Abstract: The device includes a cover for concealing or revealing a crown, via a relative rotation of the crown and an external casing element. In a preferred embodiment, the cover is secured to a ring slide friction mounted in an annular groove at the base of the middle part and held in place by a washer provided with lugs in order to be screwed into the horns of the middle part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Tissot S.A.
    Inventor: André Saunier
  • Patent number: 7604397
    Abstract: A sealing device (1) for a watch crown that includes a cover (2) possessing an annular part (3) that fits and rests on the periphery of a cabochon (4) of a watch crown (5) against a seal (6). Said cover (2), which is articulated on one of the shoulders (7) protecting the crown (5) of a watchcase (8) has, at its end, a closure lug (9). The latter is designed to receive a buckle (10) integral with a fastening arm (12). This fastening arm (12) makes it possible for the cover (2) to exert sufficient pressure on said seal (6) by means of a simple lever effect when the end of the fastening arm (12) is inserted into a receptacle (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Inventor: Raphaël Cohen