Crown Or Stem Details Patents (Class 368/319)
  • Patent number: 11796963
    Abstract: An external watch control device (100) including a crown (1) carrying a first barrel (2) screwed onto a tube (4), coaxially guiding a second barrel (3) includes a driver (7), the first barrel (2) and the second barrel (3) including opposing unidirectional toothing (8; 9), the tube (4) containing a spring (11) tending to move the first barrel (2) away from the driver (7), the unidirectional toothing (8; 9) are at maximum distance when the crown (1) is completely screwed onto the tube (4), and in meshing position when the crown (1) is completely unscrewed, the cooperation between the unidirectional toothing (8; 9) allowing the rotation of the first barrel (3) in a first single direction of rotation of the crown (1), and preventing it in the opposite direction against the spring (11) in the manner of a pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: MECO SA
    Inventors: Valon Hoti, Rémy Thiry, Samuel Geiser
  • Patent number: 11774908
    Abstract: A control device (10) for a horological movement, including a first part including a sliding guide tube (11) intended to be fixed relative to the horological movement, and a second movable part (12) slidably guided by the guide tube in an axial direction, relative to the first part, between an active position wherein it is able to be integral, by means of an adjustment rod (120), with a component of the horological movement, and an inactive position wherein the adjustment rod is intended to release the component of the horological movement. The second part includes a head (140) covering a reversible elastic casing module (130) fixed to the adjustment rod and arranged so as to occupy a rest state when the second part occupies the active and inactive positions and being urged by the guide tube when the second part moves between these positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: MECO SA
    Inventors: Julien Bonenfant, Rémy Thiry, Samuel Geiser
  • Patent number: 11703802
    Abstract: A timepiece incudes a crown (4) housed in a cavity (10) provided in the case and open towards the outside, such as a cavity (10) in the side wall of the case (1) of a wristwatch, in the rest position of the crown (4). To bring the crown out of its rest position, the user rotates a rotary knurling-roller (5). The knurling-roller (5) is coupled to a tube (15) wherein is inserted a crown body (18) integral with the crown. The rotation of the knurling-roller actuates rotation as well as translation of the tube, which is linked only in translation to said cylinder (18). The tube displaces the crown in an axial direction without rotating the crown around its central axis (6). At least one control position of the crown and the rod can be reached, by rotating the knurling-roller (5) without having to manually pull the crown outwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: MECO SA
    Inventors: Hervé Avril, Gregory Kissling, Rémy Thiry, Valon Hoti, Samuel Geiser
  • Patent number: 11609642
    Abstract: A method of an optical sensor apparatus which is to be used with a controlling device arranged for controlling an object having a long shape and flexible form of a material, includes: using a light emitting circuit to generate and output a light ray to a surface of a portion of the object; sensing the light ray reflected from the surface for multiple times to generate multiple images; detecting at least one motion image in the generated multiple images; and, determining a motion, an offset, or a rotation angle of the object, which is controlled by the thread controlling device, according to the detected at least one motion image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Feng-Chi Liu, Ching-Lin Chung
  • Patent number: 11366428
    Abstract: A crown/pusher including a tube attached to a watch case, a recessed head integral with a stem which is movable with respect to the tube and defines an axis, the recessed head being mounted to move in rotation and in translation respectively around and along the axis of the stem, a return spring disposed around the stem, the crown/pusher includes a cage housing the spring, the cage being traversed by the stem and including an upper part integral with the recessed head and a lower part freely mounted with respect to the recessed head, the upper part cooperating with the lower part in order to drive the lower part in its rotational movement and in order to move in translation along the axis with respect to the lower part, the spring being compressed inside the cage in order to be driven in rotation with the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: MECO SA
    Inventor: Hervé Avril
  • Patent number: 11269376
    Abstract: An input component for an electronic device can include a dial that defines an exterior surface and a shaft affixed to the dial. The dial and the shaft can be rotatable about a central axis of the shaft and the shaft can include a protruding portion that defines a channel. A collar can surround a portion of the shaft and can be at least partially disposed in the channel. A bushing can be positioned between the collar and the protruding portion of the shaft, with the bushing defining a groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Daniela M. Deschamps, Sameer Pandya, Tyler S. Atura Bushnell, Christopher M. Werner, Steven C. Roach, Colin M. Ely
  • Patent number: 11243498
    Abstract: A control crown for a timepiece, capable of cooperating, in order to maneuver a control rod, with a middle including a recess along an axis receiving a tube included in the crown, which includes a crown body capable of rotating covering both the rod and the tube, which includes a hollow to allow the rod to pass and/or be guided in rotation, the crown includes a closing cap fastened to the tube in a fixed angular position relative to the middle by the cooperation between indexing device of the tube and complementary indexing device of the closing cap, to axially enclose the crown body between the middle and the closing cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Karol Kwiecinski, Gilles Vuilleumier
  • Patent number: 11181863
    Abstract: An electronic device, such as a watch, has a crown assembly having a shaft and a user-rotatable crown. The user-rotatable crown may include a conductive cap that is mechanically and electrically coupled to the shaft and functions as an electrode. The conductive cap may be coupled to the shaft using solder or another conductive attachment mechanism. The shaft may electrically couple the conductive cap to a processing unit of the electronic device. One or more additional electrodes may be positioned on the exterior surface of the electronic device. The conductive cap is operable to be contacted by a finger of a user of the electronic device while another electrode is positioned against skin of the user. The processing unit of the electronic device is operable to determine a biological parameter, such as an electrocardiogram, of the user based on voltages at the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Colin M. Ely, Sameer Pandya, Steven C. Roach
  • Patent number: 10937608
    Abstract: An operation panel includes a push key and a switch. The push key is depressed through an opening formed in a panel body. The switch is pushed by depressing of the push key. The push key includes a tapered part tapered toward the switch. The panel body includes an elastic piece inclined toward the tapered part from a circumference of the opening and elastically deformable to an opposite side to the tapered part. When the push key is depressed, the elastic piece is elastically deformed to the opposite side by the tapered part. When the depressing of the push key is released, the push key is pushed up by an elastic restoring force of the elastic piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Koji Murata
  • Patent number: 10838463
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a housing with an internal space and a hole comprising an opening through the housing; an actuator extending in a direction from a first end to a second end, and coupled to the hole to be movable in the direction, the first end exposed to the outside of the housing and the second end disposed to the internal space; at least one electronic component disposed the internal space, the electronic component generating an electric signal when the actuator is moved in the direction in response to application of an external force applied at the first end; and a stopper being configured to regulate a movement of the actuator in the direction in a specific state of the electronic device. Various other embodiments are possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sungeun Park, Jong-Chul Choi
  • Patent number: 10741341
    Abstract: A method for selectively restricting movement of an appliance position switch from a closed position to an open position includes positioning the pin within a channel of a body portion of a switch retention device and moving the body of the switch retention device in a first direction into an opening in a face of the appliance within which the pin is moveable from the open position to the closed position. Such movement is carried out to cause movement of the pin in the first direction toward the closed position. The method further includes continuing to move the switch retention device in the first direction such that a cap thereof contacts the face, and a tab extending outwardly from the body engages with the opening to retain the switch retention device in the opening and the pin in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: James Charles Johncock, David Wayne Mundy
  • Patent number: 10732571
    Abstract: An electronic watch may include a tactile switch and/or one or more sensors for detecting rotational and translational inputs. The watch may include a display configured to produce graphical outputs that may change in response to rotational inputs, translational inputs, and/or touch inputs received at the display. The watch include a crown positioned along an exterior of the watch enclosure and a shaft coupled to the crown and extending into the enclosure. The tactile switch and/or the one or more sensors may be used to detect rotational and/or translational inputs provided at the crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Colin M. Ely, John B. Morrell, Duncan Kerr, Camille Moussette
  • Patent number: 10289073
    Abstract: An information display device includes: a position changing unit that changes a position of an information indicator in accordance with a type of information to be displayed by the information indicator; and an operation unit that causes the position changing unit to change the position of the information indicator that represents one type of information to a new position that represents another type of information, the operation unit causing the position changing unit to perform a movement completion operation for indicating to a viewer that the type of information displayed has been changed, in accordance with the another type of the information to be displayed when the position changing unit finishes changing the position of the information indicator to the new position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Morohoshi
  • Patent number: 10018966
    Abstract: A watch crown assembly is disclosed. The watch crown assembly comprises a body configured to receive rotary input. The body defines a recess and a retention feature. The watch crown assembly further comprises a ceramic member positioned at least partially in the recess and a mounting arm attached to the ceramic member. The mounting arm is engaged with the retention feature of the body, thereby retaining the ceramic member to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Colin M. Ely, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Maegan K. Spencer
  • Patent number: 9841734
    Abstract: A display mechanism including a mechanism for fast correction of a position of a display wheel set, an intermediate wheel set ensuring synchronization with an automatic drive mechanism, and, inserted between the intermediate wheel set and the display wheel set, a safety lever driven by the display wheel set during periodic driving thereof, in a trajectory that interferes with a spatial volume of the intermediate wheel set, such that, when the intermediate wheel set is correctly synchronized, the trajectory of the lever does not interfere with the intermediate wheel set, and, when the intermediate wheel set is not correctly synchronized, the trajectory of the safety lever interferes with the intermediate wheel set, which the safety lever then drives in an opposite direction to a single direction of normal operation, to resynchronize the intermediate wheel set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Antonio Merino, Jean-Luc Helfer, Christian Ruefenacht, Giuseppe Cappadona
  • Patent number: 9618908
    Abstract: A display assembly includes a display selectively displaying human-readable indicia on a face thereof and a cover disposed over the display. The cover has a homogeneous surface over the entire face of the display. The display assembly is controllable between an inactive state and an active state. In the inactive state, the face of the display is not viewable through the cover, and in the active state, the indicia are viewable through the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad N. Clarkson, Bo Stefan Andren
  • 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8882338
    Abstract: The pusher device of the chronograph mechanism includes a pivoting control part (56) mounted on a first pivot (55) and carrying a click (52) and an intermediate lever (58) mounted on a second pivot (59). The intermediate lever is arranged to be actuated by the push button and includes a distal portion arranged to actuate the pivoting control part (56). The first pivot (55) and the second pivot (59) are arranged at the periphery of the movement on both sides of the push button (67, 69) and the pivoting control part and the intermediate lever extend from their respective pivot against each other. The click (52) is arranged to push in front of it one tooth of the toothing (42) of the column wheel (40) when the push button is actuated, then to return by sliding over the tip of a tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventor: Olivier Mertenat
  • Publication number: 20140301172
    Abstract: Actuators for a device are described. In one aspect, an actuator for a device includes a boss member adapted to engage the device, the boss member having a cylindrical body portion and a handle portion, the body portion including at least one channel engageable with a guiding plate connected with the device, wherein upon manipulation of the handle portion, the boss member is movable from an initial position to an actuating position whereby an actuating member is adapted to actuate the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Time Grand Limited
    Inventor: Alexander Meerovitsch
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140177404
    Abstract: Method for the modular assembly of a pusher to a watch case (100) including a preliminary step of assembling a sealed functional module (10), including a tube (7), a stem (8), at least one sealing gasket (5) and a return spring (3) arranged between a first fixed stop member and a second moveable stop member, and then a first step (E1) of assembling the sealed functional module (10) to the case (100), and finally a second step (E2) of assembling a pusher head (1) to the sealed functional module (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: MECO S.A.
    Inventors: Sebastien BRISWALTER, Simon Waeckerlin, Rico Walter
  • Publication number: 20140169144
    Abstract: Crown including a cap formed of a cover integral with a lateral skirt, wherein the crown includes a removable deck ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Meco S.A.
    Inventors: Sebastien BRISWALTER, Manuela ZINGG
  • 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: 8727606
    Abstract: Control mechanism (1) for loading an energy accumulator (20) for a timepiece (100) or a timepiece movement (10) via an intermediate winding mechanism (25), said mechanism (1) comprising a winding button (2) arranged to drive, at least in translation, a winding stem (3) which can occupy at least an initial longitudinal position (T0) for said energy loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Laurent Kaelin, Julien Moulin
  • Patent number: 8721171
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ayako Tsuji, Masato Ueno
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140071797
    Abstract: An orientable screwdown crown includes a cover and a device for adjusting the angular orientation of the cover in relation to a watch centrepart. 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 endeavour to rotationally fix the cover and the coupling member. The indexing unit includes a first tooth arrangement arranged on the coupling member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Omega SA
    Inventors: Daniel Knuchel, Sebastien Briswalter
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8579499
    Abstract: A device for winding watches, particularly manually-wound watches, comprising a containment structure which accommodates a motor, transmission means and a motor controller. The transmission means transfer the rotation of the motor, provided with power supply means, to a coupling which can be associated with the crown of the watch to be wound. The rotation is controlled by the controller. The device comprises a seat for stably accommodating the watch to be wound, the seat being defined on a surface of the containment structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: MCM Milano S.R.L.
    Inventors: Alberto Moroni, Mario Moroni, Fabrizio Ceraolo
  • Patent number: 8545093
    Abstract: A switch structure has an elastic switch lever portion and a rigid support lever. The elastic switch lever portion has an elastic contact portion and an arm portion provided with a pressing force receiving portion from which the elastic contact portion extends. The rigid support lever is mounted for undergoing movement relative to the pressing force receiving portion. The rigid support lever has a rigid substrate portion and a rigid support wall portion that is connected to the rigid substrate portion and that supports the pressing force receiving portion so as to receive a pressing force from the pressing force receiving portion and to guide displacement of the pressing force receiving portion when a pressing force is applied to the pressing force receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Masayuki Kawata
  • Publication number: 20130215724
    Abstract: A pushbutton of a portable apparatus is locked against inward axial movement by engagement with a locking member when the locking member is unthreaded a distance A from the apparatus body and brought into abutment with a fixed stopper member. The pushbutton is released from its locked state when the locking member is threaded into the apparatus body and brought out of abutment with the stopper member and into abutment with the apparatus body. In its unlocked state, a head portion of the pushbutton is axially spaced a distance B from an opposedly facing portion of the locking member, wherein A?B.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventor: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
  • 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: 8439558
    Abstract: A winding and time-setting control device for a timepiece movement including, connected in rotation, a movement stem secured in rotation to a sliding pinion driven in translation by a lever between winding and time-setting positions, and a control stem sliding between winding and time-setting control positions, actuating a pull-out mechanism. The mechanism includes a first pull-out piece including, about a first axis, an arm movable with the control stem, and a pivot cooperating with a complementary pivot of a second pull-out piece driving the lever and including an arm movable inside a housing in the movement stem. A timepiece incorporating a device of this type is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Montres Breguet SA
    Inventor: Jan Pittet
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 8235587
    Abstract: A portable device, such as a wristwatch, has a push-button that includes an engaging portion, and the push-button is mounted on a watch sheath. A locking member and a leaf spring are arranged on the watch sheath. The locking member 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 where operation of the push-button is allowed. The locking member is urged by the leaf spring toward the unlocked position. A circular operating ring surrounds an hour plate mounted on the watch sheath and the operating ring is rotatably mounted to the watch sheath from the front side. The movement of the locking member between the locked position and the unlocked position is interlocked with a rotating operation of the operating ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Kazutaka Imai
  • Patent number: 8220987
    Abstract: A rotation switch includes an operating member that is operable to rotate, a magnet member that rotates integrally with the operating member, a magnetic sensor that is placed opposite to the magnet member, and a frame-shaped magnetic shield plate that surrounds the periphery of the magnetic sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Casio Computer., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soh Kimura, Syuuichi Machida
  • Patent number: 8206028
    Abstract: A portable device, such as a wristwatch, has a push-button that includes an engaging portion, and the push-button is mounted on a watch 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 surrounds an hour plate mounted on the watch sheath and 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: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Hideki Okuda
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110310712
    Abstract: A timepiece, including: a power source; a control member (32) movable between a first and second position defined by a power reserve mechanism; an additional mechanism; a triggering nose (16), the movement of which triggers the additional mechanism; and a triggering member (10) to be actuated for interaction with the triggering nose (6) for triggering the additional mechanism. The triggering member is capable of assuming a first position in which it engages with the triggering nose (16), and a second position in which it cannot engage with the triggering nose (16). The control member (32) is arranged so as to engage with the triggering member (10) and to move into the first or second position depending on whether the control member (32) is in the first or second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicants: SOWIND S.A., VAUCHER MANUFACTURE FLEURIER S.A.
    Inventors: Alberto Papi, Pedro Nunes Marques
  • 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
  • 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