Movable Ring Or Disk Patents (Class 368/37)
  • Publication number: 20140160897
    Abstract: A mechanism for driving an indicator for a timepiece includes: a mobile for driving the indicator; a first lever mounted about a first pivot and including a beak to cooperate with a toothing of the mobile; a first cam arranged to rotate the first lever about the first pivot; a second lever mounted about a second pivot and to which the first pivot is rigidly connected; a second cam arranged to rotate the second lever about the second pivot; and elastic elements for maintaining the cooperation between the levers and cams; the levers and the cams being arranged so that the beak of the first lever cyclically describes a closed curve, each cycle including a first motion during which the beak leaves the toothing of the mobile without changing the angular position thereof and a second motion during which the beak re-enters the toothing to move the mobile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: BREITLING AG
    Inventors: Jacques Gabathuler, Trung Thanh Nguyen, Serge Nicollin, Florent Zufferey
  • Patent number: 8750080
    Abstract: An instantaneous driving mechanism for a timepiece movement is disclosed. The driving mechanism may include a mobile comprising a first wheel driven by a driving member of the timepiece movement and configured to drive rotation of a first cam of the mobile. The driving mechanism may also include a lever mounted pivotally on at least one frame element of the timepiece movement, the lever being configured to cooperate with the mobile in order to be moved and to cooperate with a counter of the timepiece movement to increment the counter by instantaneous pulses. The first cam may be coaxial with the first wheel and have a periphery of varying radius. In addition, the first cam may be configured to cooperate with a nose carried by a first arm of the lever and to move the first arm progressively away from the center of the mobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Pequignet S.A.
    Inventors: Huy Van Tran, Ludovic Perez
  • Patent number: 8743663
    Abstract: A high-speed rotating wheel rotates at high speed by a third stepper motor which meshes with a portion of teeth of a ratchet wheel. A transmission projection of the ratchet wheel moves within an elongated hole of a transmission wheel which rotates with the movement of the hour hand. The ratchet wheel rotates at high speed, and a display wheel rotates at high speed by the high speed rotation of the ratchet wheel via a feed wheel. When normally moving the hour hand, the ratchet wheel rotates with the transmitting wheel and the portion of teeth of the ratchet wheel is made to approach the high-speed rotating wheel. When the display of the display wheel changes, the high-speed rotating wheel meshes with the portion of teeth of the ratchet wheel and rotates the ratchet wheel at high-speed. Accordingly, the date display of the display wheel can be quickly changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hosobuchi
  • Publication number: 20140146645
    Abstract: The mechanism (1) drives the hands (8, 9) of an electromechanical watch. It includes an electric motor (2), a set of gear wheels (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) connected to the electric motor to move the hands forward or backward on each actuation of the electric motor, and a locking device (20). The locking device (20) includes a piezoelectric actuator (21) for locking, in a rest mode, directly or via a bolt (22), one wheel of the set between each actuation of the electric motor. The piezoelectric actuator (21) releases the wheel of the set of gear wheels (3, 4, 5, 6, 7), when it is actuated by an electrical signal at the moment of each actuation of the electric motor (2) to move the hands forward or backward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Pascal LAGORGETTE, Joerg Berthoud
  • Patent number: 8730767
    Abstract: The timepiece includes first (1) and second (2) rings to which indications (3, 4) are affixed for displaying, in combination with each other, a time-related magnitude (5), which appears in a large aperture (6). The rings (1, 2) have equal dimensions, are arranged one on top of the other and off-center in relation to each other such that, at the vertical of the large aperture, the outer edge (7) of the first ring (1) substantially borders the inner edge (8) of the second ring (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Raphael Balmer, Stephane Claude
  • Patent number: 8711658
    Abstract: Date mechanism for a timepiece including a movement which daily pivots a lever, comprising a perpetual twelve cam with sectors whose depth depends on the duration of the successive months, completing one revolution per year. The mechanism has a single click and includes a single click finger, hinged to said lever and arranged to cooperate with a thirty-one ratchet wheel which pivots integrally with a first thirty-one snail cam arranged to control a date display means, and a second cam including a radial finger; a countdown mechanism whose position is determined by said second cam, adjusting the number of teeth of said wheel to be activated by said click finger according to the current day and current month; and a means of driving said cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventor: Eric Goeller
  • Publication number: 20140104992
    Abstract: A watch of the present invention includes a calendar date finder in the form of two interacting disks rotatable relative to the other thereby providing calendar date information. A first disk has a circular periphery with a numeric indicia printed thereon. The numeric indicia is further defined by segments representing months of the year with each segment presenting sequential numbers representing the thirty-one or thirty days of the calendar month. A second disk has week day indicia printed thereon uniformly spaced along the periphery thereof, in a sequential pattern and a marker printed thereon. The position of the marker next to any given day indicia on the first disc as both disks are rotatable next to one another will indicate a day of a future event indicated on the first disk within the segment as the user will identify number of weeks counted from the marker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: Gilbert Villareal
  • Patent number: 8675453
    Abstract: A backlash-compensating mechanism includes a cam, an actuating member bearing against the cam and a wheel coaxial to the cam and intended to be driven by a gear train of the movement. The cam and the wheel are connected to each other such that one revolution of the wheel includes a sequence of a first phase in which the wheel drives the cam whilst the co-operation between the cam and the actuating member cocks the latter, a second phase in which the actuating member uncocks and causes the cam to effect an instantaneous jump, and a third phase in which the cam is immobilized and the wheel continues to advance until it catches up with the cam to once again drive it during the first phase of the following revolution. This mechanism includes a resilient element acting between the cam and the wheel and applying a return torque to the wheel during the third phase to compensate the backlash in the gear train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Breitling AG
    Inventors: Jacques Gabathuler, Serge Nicollin
  • Publication number: 20140036640
    Abstract: An information display device includes a dial plate having a display window; a rotatable date display plate provided under the dial plate and having dates to be selectively displayed through the window; an information display plate provided between the dial plate and the date display plate and including a display portion having an information item on a top surface thereof; an information display plate driver capable of moving the information display plate to any one of first and second positions. When the information display plate is in the first position, the display portion does not lie just under the window and a date in a position corresponding to the window is displayed through the window. When the information display plate is in the second position, the display portion is in a position corresponding to the window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventor: Hideo TAKENAWA
  • Patent number: 8644116
    Abstract: Calendar mechanism for a timepiece, includes: at least one mobile (22; 23) for driving an indicator, a wheel (1) which, during normal operation of the timepiece, is driven in a first direction (S1), a lever (16) for actuating the mobile (22; 23), and first and second cams (2, 3) driven by the wheel (1) and controlling the movements of the actuating lever (16), these first and second cams (2, 3) being arranged so that their relative angular position differs depending on the direction of rotation of the wheel (1) so that the movements of the actuating lever (16) cause the mobile (22; 23) to advance periodically during normal operation of the timepiece and do not permit the mobile to advance during backwards time setting of the timepiece causing the wheel to rotate in a second direction (S2) opposite to the first direction (S1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Breitling AG
    Inventors: Jacques Gabathuler, Trung Thanh Nguyen, Serge Nicollin, Florent Zufferey
  • Publication number: 20140029387
    Abstract: An analog electronic timepiece comprising: a plurality of rotating display bodies; a gear train mechanism; a drive control unit; a detection unit; and a delay cycle counting unit, wherein the delay cycle counting unit adds 1 to the number of delay cycles in a case where it is determined, for each detection cycle of a predetermined reference display mode, that the first rotating display body is stopped during a rotation cycle of the first rotating display body based on detection results by the detection unit at a first timing and at a second timing, and the drive control unit rotationally moves the first rotating display body for a number of times, the number corresponding to the number of delay cycles, in a case where the first rotating display body is capable of operating at the first timing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventor: Mitsuaki MATSUO
  • Publication number: 20140022872
    Abstract: An actuating mechanism for a timepiece movement is disclosed. The actuating mechanism may include a first mobile driven by a driving mobile of the timepiece movement, and a second mobile mounted to rotate on a frame element of the timepiece movement and control a displacement of at least one driven mobile of the timepiece movement to actuate at least one additional mechanism. In addition, an elastic member may be provided to act on the second mobile and define a rest position thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: PEQUIGNET S.A.
    Inventors: Huy Van Tran, Ludovic Perez
  • Publication number: 20130329531
    Abstract: A wall clock with a perpetual calendar mechanism comprising an outer case, a quartz movement, a day of the week disc, a tens disc, and a units disc, a gear train for driving the discs, another gear train for driving a month indicator hand, a battery set for a clock movement, another battery set for a drive motor, a calendar cam with forty-eight interstices, the depths of the interstices are various, depending on the lengths of months spanning four years, including a leap year, and a three step cam formed on the rear surface of the units disc and a switch control assembly having a control arm which has one end thereof contacts a bottom of the interstice of the control arm, where the three step cam initiates an end-of-the-month day-correction mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventor: Thanh Van Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8526272
    Abstract: A day clock has day, hour, and minute hands revolving continuously around a common center. It has a time adjustment knob and a day adjustment knob. When the day adjustment knob is pulled out, a set of gears are disengaged, allowing the day hand to be adjusted with that knob without affecting the other hands. Then, when the set of gears are reengaged, the time adjustment knob can be utilized to set the time of day. In order to set the day and time accurately, the user may first set the time to midnight with the time adjustment knob, pull out the day adjustment knob, set the day to a clock face line between days with that knob, push that knob back in, and then set the time to the correct time with the time adjustment knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: DayClocks, Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Kallestad
  • Patent number: 8509035
    Abstract: A calendar display device for a mechanical watch piece including a first disk, the disk of days, carrying multiple series of inscriptions symbolizing the seven days of the week, a second disk, the disk of dates, carrying inscriptions symbolizing the date of the month, a third disk, the disk of months, carrying 12 inscriptions symbolizing the months of the year. One of the disk of days and the disk of dates acts as a dial by being fixed, whereas the other acts as a rotary disk by being arranged concentrically and rotatably in relation to the dial. The dial includes an aperture making it possible to see the inscription of the current month on the disk of months. A hand indicates simultaneously the date and the day of the week. The device includes a correction mechanism cooperating at least with a gear train bidirectionally driving the disk of months.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Societe Anonyme de la Manufacture d'horlogerie Audemars Piguet & Cie
    Inventor: Thibaut Philippine
  • Patent number: 8503267
    Abstract: A calendar display device for a mechanical watch piece, including a first disk, the disk of days, carrying multiple series of inscriptions symbolizing the seven days of the week, a second disk, the disk of dates, carrying inscriptions symbolizing the date of the month, a third disk, the disk of months, carrying 12 inscriptions symbolizing the months of the year. One of the disk of days and the disk of dates acts as a dial by being fixed, whereas the other acts as a rotary disk by being arranged concentrically and rotatably in relation to the dial. The dial includes an aperture making it possible to see the inscription of the current month. A hand indicates simultaneously the date and the day of the week; and a direct kinematic link between the disk of months and the rotary disk provides automatic indexing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Societe anonyme de la Manufacture d'horlogerie Audemars Piguet & Cie
    Inventor: Thibaut Philippine
  • Publication number: 20130170325
    Abstract: A calendar mechanism of a timepiece includes a month cam having a cam surface distinguishing between a long month (31 days) and a short month (30 days or less) and makes one rotation a year. A date indicator driving wheel has a date finger that makes one rotation every 24 hours and engages with a date wheel of a date indicator to rotate the date indicator. An operating lever structure has a proximal portion friction-engaged with an offset shaft to rotate around the offset shaft offset with respect to the rotation center of the date indicator driving wheel. The operating lever structure has a first distal end portion engaged with the month cam and a second distal end portion engaged with a month end tooth of the date indicator to effect additional date feeding by one day with respect to the date indicator at the end of a short month.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventor: Seiko Instruments Inc.
  • Patent number: 8477564
    Abstract: A timepiece with a calendar mechanism has a first date indicator provided with numbers for indicating the ones place of a date, and a second date indicator provided with numbers for solely indicating the tens place of the date and numbers for singly indicating the one-digit date. The first date indicator has 12 calendar feeding teeth formed as inner teeth. The calendar feeding teeth comprise first to tenth calendar feeding teeth spaced apart angularly in a first direction, an eleventh calendar feeding tooth arranged at an angular interval in a second direction opposite to the first direction relative to the first calendar feeding tooth, and a twelfth calendar feeding tooth arranged at an angular interval in the first direction relative to the eleventh calendar feeding tooth. The second date indicator has at least one window portion for displaying the ones place using the numbers of the first date indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: Shigeo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8467271
    Abstract: A date displaying apparatus includes: a rotating plate including an upper surface on which a plurality of numerals respectively indicating a plurality of dates are inscribed in a circular pattern; and a fix plate provided above the rotating plate, the fix plate having an aperture portion to expose numerals of a predetermined number, the numerals respectively indicating successive dates of a predetermined number (integer of two or more), among the plurality of numerals, wherein the numerals of the predetermined number respectively indicating the successive dates of the predetermined number are simultaneously displayed by the rotating plate and the fix plate, and the plurality of numerals respectively indicating the plurality of dates include all arrangements of the numerals of the predetermined number respectively indicating the successive dates of the predetermined number which can appear on a calendar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Jyunichi Hirokawa
  • Patent number: 8454225
    Abstract: Device for electromechanical watch (1) allowing an electronic control circuit of the watch (1) movement to determine the moment at which and the direction in which an indication showing a magnitude of time has to be corrected, said device including a wheel (68), which is driven by the watch (1) movement and carries means (70, 72) for actuating first and second detection means (46a, 46b) connected to the electronic control circuit, said electronic control circuit deducing, from the moment at which and the order in which the first and second detection means (46a, 46b) are actuated by the means actuating the wheel (68) driven by the watch (1) movement, the direction in which the wheel (68) is being driven by the movement at the moment when the magnitude of time has to be respectively incremented or decremented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacturing Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Christian Salzmann, Laurent Kaelin
  • Publication number: 20120314544
    Abstract: A calendar mechanism of a timepiece includes a date indicator having a date wheel portion provided with a notched portion. An operation lever attached to the date indicator is pivotable between a pre-feed allowing position, where a tooth-shaped engaged portion thereof is inserted into the notched portion whereby excess feeding of the date indicator is possible, and a normal feed allowing position, where the tooth-shaped engaged portion retreats from the notched portion whereby normal feeding is possible. The date indicator is rotated by a day earlier than the normal feeding when set to the pre-feed allowing position. A driving lever structure includes a cam follower engaged with a month cam and is driven in response to rotation of the month cam to allow the operation lever to be pivoted between the normal feed allowing position and the pre-feed allowing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Shigeo Suzuki, Mamoru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8284632
    Abstract: To provide a calendar mechanism equipped timepiece which, being small and thin, includes two date indicators configuring date characters which are large and easy to see. A calendar mechanism equipped timepiece of the invention includes a first date indicator which displays the ones column of the date, a second date indicator which displays the tenths column of the date, and a program wheel which enables each of the first date indicator and second date indicator to rotate intermittently. The program wheel includes program wheel teeth, first date indicator advance teeth, second date indicator advance teeth having provided at the leading ends thereof second date indicator advance fingers, and correction teeth. A configuration is such that the height of the second date indicator advance teeth is greater than the height of the first date indicator advance teeth, and the height of the first date indicator advance teeth is greater than the height of the correction teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Mamoru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8279718
    Abstract: To provide a calendar mechanism wherein the building-in property of a second date indicator is improved, and an analog timepiece equipped therewith. A calendar mechanism of an analog timepiece includes a first date indicator which includes a first date character indication portion, a first date indicator gear portion, and an endless ring-shaped drive cam portion; a drive cam lever which includes an operating lever portion including a first fan-shaped gear portion, wherein a driven lever portion is spring loaded in order to become a cam follower, and the operating lever portion is pivoted in accordance with the driven lever portion abutting against the drive cam portion; a second date indicator which, being rotatable, includes a second date character indication portion and a second fan-shaped gear portion meshing with the first fan-shaped gear portion; and a positioning/locking portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Kei Hirano
  • Patent number: 8279717
    Abstract: To provide a calendar mechanism which can easily and reliably cause first and second date indicators to coincide in rotation phase, and an analog timepiece equipped therewith. A calendar mechanism of an analog timepiece includes a first date indicator including a first date character indication portion which indicates the ones column of the date, a first date indicator gear portion, and a drive cam portion which defines an endless ring-shaped cam face; a drive cam lever which includes a driven lever portion whose one end portion abuts against the drive cam portion, and an operating lever portion which includes a first fan-shaped gear portion at the leading end portion, the operating lever portion being pivoted in accordance with the driven lever portion; and a second date indicator which, being rotatable, includes a second date character indication portion which indicates the tens column of the date, and a second fan-shaped gear portion meshing with the first fan-shaped gear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Kei Hirano
  • Patent number: 8266831
    Abstract: There is a felt need on the part of business people to have an affordable individualized promotional piece similar to and about the size of a standard business card that will have some inherent practical value to the recipient of the piece that induces the recipient to keep and to use the practical feature of the piece. The present invention provides a multi-year calendar not much bigger than a standard business card which encourages the recipient to keep and use the invention as a calendar for possibly several years, with the business person's name and contact information pre-printed on the invention. The calendar uses a coded wheel and the edge of the table area to get the correct code which then acts as a key to reveal the days and dates for the entire month on the inner semi-circles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Inventor: Chee Wing Louie
  • Patent number: 8264912
    Abstract: A watch with a calendar mechanism has a rotatable first date indicator for displaying a ones place of a date, a rotatable second date indicator for displaying a tens place of the date, and a second date indicator feeding lever for rotating the second date indicator. The first date indicator has calendar shift teeth and first date indicator tooth portions. The calendar shift teeth include a first calendar shift tooth, a second calendar shift tooth arranged relative to the first calendar shift tooth at a first interval, a third calendar shift tooth arranged relative to the second calendar shift tooth at a second interval greater than the first interval, and a fourth calendar shift tooth arranged relative to the first calendar shift tooth at a third interval greater than each of the first and second intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Mamoru Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20120213038
    Abstract: Calendar mechanism comprising a day program wheel 13 that is driven by a clock movement and actuates a wheel train for display of the days of the month (16-24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: Glashuetter Uhrenbetrieb GmbH
    Inventor: Peter SCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20120213037
    Abstract: Calendar mechanism comprising a program wheel device 100 for a calendar mechanism, wherein the program wheel 100 comprises: a day program wheel 13 that performs a complete turn each month, is driven by a clock movement and actuates a wheel train for display of the days of the month 16-24, and a month program gear 43 that performs a complete turn each year, which are mounted coaxially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: Glashuetter Uhrenbetrieb GmbH
    Inventor: Peter SCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20120195169
    Abstract: A timepiece includes a timepiece movement. The timepiece movement includes a time measuring system for displaying the time and a date system connected to the time measuring system for displaying the date. The date system includes a display of the continuously moving type and a correction device which can correct the date display at any time, by a predetermined step, while maintaining the relationship of the continuous movement relative to that of the time during the correction operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventor: Raphael Courvoisier
  • Publication number: 20120188852
    Abstract: The annual calendar device carries a date ring (1) and a drive wheel (5) for said ring. The drive wheel (5) carries a mechanism (10) including a first finger (6) driving the ring (1) through one step each day and a second finger (7) which is inserted, at the end of the months of less than thirty-one days, into the trajectory of the teeth (4) of the ring (1) to move said ring forward one additional step. The second finger (7) is inserted into said trajectory by a kinematic chain (9) controlled by a toothing (8) carried by the ring (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGÈRE SUISSE
    Inventors: Julien CHAIGNAT, Stefan ROMBACH
  • Patent number: 8213267
    Abstract: A day clock has day, hour, and minute hands revolving continuously around a common center. It has a time adjustment knob and a day adjustment knob. When the day adjustment knob is pulled out, a set of gears are disengaged, allowing the day hand to be adjusted with that knob without affecting the other hands. Then, when the set of gears are reengaged, the time adjustment knob can be utilized to set the time of day. In order to set the day and time accurately, the user may first set the time to midnight with the time adjustment knob, pull out the day adjustment knob, set the day to a clock face line between days with that knob, push that knob back in, and then set the time to the correct time with the time adjustment knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: DayClocks, Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Kallestad
  • Publication number: 20120127835
    Abstract: This timepiece comprises an indicator dial (40), a days-of-the-month mechanism (1) comprising a days-of-the-month mobile (10) and a stepper drive member (13) for driving the days-of-the-month mobile (10), a months mobile (30) coaxial with the days-of-the-month mobile placed beneath said dial (40) and connected to the days-of-the-month mobile (10) by stepper drive means (12, 20) formed so that the months mobile (30) turns through an angle of 30° each month. The dial (40) has twelve windows (41) that are angularly equidistant and the months mobile (30) supports a distinctive zone (32) of which the trajectory passes through said windows (41) and of which the maximum angular extent is 30° and the minimum angular extent corresponds to that of said windows (41).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: ROLEX S.A.
    Inventors: Dominique Dubugnon, Adrien Farron, Christian Fleury
  • Publication number: 20120106302
    Abstract: A calendar display device for a mechanical watch piece including a first disk, the disk of days, carrying multiple series of inscriptions symbolizing the seven days of the week, a second disk, the disk of dates, carrying inscriptions symbolizing the date of the month, a third disk, the disk of months, carrying 12 inscriptions symbolizing the months of the year. One of the disk of days and the disk of dates acts as a dial by being fixed, whereas the other acts as a rotary disk by being arranged concentrically and rotatably in relation to the dial. The dial includes an aperture making it possible to see the inscription of the current month on the disk of months. A hand indicates simultaneously the date and the day of the week. The device includes a correction mechanism cooperating at least with a gear train bidirectionally driving the disk of months.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Thibaut Philippine
  • Publication number: 20120106301
    Abstract: A calendar display device for a mechanical watch piece, including a first disk, the disk of days, carrying multiple series of inscriptions symbolizing the seven days of the week, a second disk, the disk of dates, carrying inscriptions symbolizing the date of the month, a third disk, the disk of months, carrying 12 inscriptions symbolizing the months of the year. One of the disk of days and the disk of dates acts as a dial by being fixed, whereas the other acts as a rotary disk by being arranged concentrically and rotatably in relation to the dial. The dial includes an aperture making it possible to see the inscription of the current month. A hand indicates simultaneously the date and the day of the week; and a direct kinematic link between the disk of months and the rotary disk provides automatic indexing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Thibaut Philippine
  • Publication number: 20120075961
    Abstract: The timepiece includes first (1) and second (2) rings to which indications (3, 4) are affixed for displaying, in combination with each other, a time-related magnitude (5), which appears in a large aperture (6). The rings (1, 2) have equal dimensions, are arranged one on top of the other and off-centre in relation to each other such that, at the vertical of the large aperture, the outer edge (7) of the first ring (1) substantially borders the inner edge (8) of the second ring (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGERE SUISSE
    Inventors: Raphaël BALMER, Stéphane CLAUDE
  • Patent number: 8111587
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a watch with a calendar mechanism which allows a reduction in the thickness of a date feeding mechanism and a month feeding mechanism. In a watch with a calendar mechanism according to the present invention, a date indicator includes a month end tooth for driving a month feeding lever at the end of a month and feeding the date indicator at the end of a shorter month. A month indicator includes a month cam for operating a shorter month end feeding lever at the end of a shorter month. The shorter month end feeding lever can feed the date indicator by one day based on the rotation of a date indicator driving wheel and the rotation of the month cam. The month feeding lever moves toward the month indicator at the end of a month based on the rotation of the date indicator, and can feed the month indicator by one month.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Mamoru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8059492
    Abstract: To provide a calendar mechanism-attached timepiece having a thin date feeding mechanism and month feeding mechanism. A calendar mechanism-attached timepiece of the invention includes a date indicator, a month indicator, a date indicator driving wheel, a date feed finger, and a small month end feed lever. The date indicator includes a month feed tooth for rotating an intermediate month wheel and a small month end feed tooth for feeding the date indicator at a month end of a small month. The month indicator includes a month cam for operating a small month end feed lever at a month end of a small month. The small month end feed lever is constituted to be able to feed the date indicator by an amount of 1 day based on rotation of the date indicator driving wheel and rotation of the month cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Mamoru Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20110134726
    Abstract: A date displaying apparatus includes: a rotating plate including an upper surface on which a plurality of numerals respectively indicating a plurality of dates are inscribed in a circular pattern; and a fix plate provided above the rotating plate, the fix plate having an aperture portion to expose numerals of a predetermined number, the numerals respectively indicating successive dates of a predetermined number (integer of two or more), among the plurality of numerals, wherein the numerals of the predetermined number respectively indicating the successive dates of the predetermined number are simultaneously displayed by the rotating plate and the fix plate, and the plurality of numerals respectively indicating the plurality of dates include all arrangements of the numerals of the predetermined number respectively indicating the successive dates of the predetermined number which can appear on a calendar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jyunichi Hirokawa
  • Patent number: 7957226
    Abstract: A correction device for a timepiece display mechanism, which includes a display member fitted with a toothing of pitch P, includes a pinion provided with a toothing of pitch p, mounted on a winding stem so as to occupy at least one display correcting position A, and a correction wheel mounted between the pinion and the display member. The correction wheel includes a first toothing defined by pitch P, a head diameter D, and a foot diameter d1, formed of teeth including a tip extending substantially angularly, and the tip is cut so as to form a second discontinuous toothing that is coplanar and concentric to the first toothing, defined by pitch p less than the pitch P of the first toothing, a head diameter D equal to the head diameter of the first toothing, and a foot diameter d2 greater than the foot diameter d1 of the first toothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Julien Chaignat, Marco Bettelini
  • Publication number: 20110090766
    Abstract: To provide a calendar mechanism which can easily and reliably cause first and second date indicators to coincide in rotation phase, and an analog timepiece equipped therewith. A calendar mechanism of an analog timepiece includes a first date indicator including a first date character indication portion which indicates the ones column of the date, a first date indicator gear portion, and a drive cam portion which defines an endless ring-shaped cam face; a drive cam lever which includes a driven lever portion whose one end portion abuts against the drive cam portion, and an operating lever portion which includes a first fan-shaped gear portion at the leading end portion, the operating lever portion being pivoted in accordance with the driven lever portion; and a second date indicator which, being rotatable, includes a second date character indication portion which indicates the tens column of the date, and a second fan-shaped gear portion meshing with the first fan-shaped gear portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Kei Hirano
  • Publication number: 20110090767
    Abstract: To provide a calendar mechanism wherein the building-in property of a second date indicator is improved, and an analog timepiece equipped therewith. A calendar mechanism of an analog timepiece includes a first date indicator which includes a first date character indication portion, a first date indicator gear portion, and an endless ring-shaped drive cam portion; a drive cam lever which includes an operating lever portion including a first fan-shaped gear portion, wherein a driven lever portion is spring loaded in order to become a cam follower, and the operating lever portion is pivoted in accordance with the driven lever portion abutting against the drive cam portion; a second date indicator which, being rotatable, includes a second date character indication portion and a second fan-shaped gear portion meshing with the first fan-shaped gear portion; and a positioning/locking portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Kei Hirano
  • Patent number: 7889602
    Abstract: Watch provided with a multifunctional aperture display capable of displaying symbols corresponding to one or several special functions and to the date. The movement of the display discs is ensure by bidirectional motors and the display discs or mobiles have several series of digits of different colour for differentiating the display of the different functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: LVMH Swiss Manufactures SA
    Inventors: Christoph Behling, Gregoire Renoux, Thomas Houlon
  • Patent number: 7864634
    Abstract: A timepiece with calendar function including a dial having a tens digit display aperture for displaying the tens digit of the date and a ones digit display aperture for displaying the ones digit of the date, and a calendar mechanism that displays the date by presenting specific numerals through the dial. The calendar mechanism includes a ones display wheel having ones markers whereby the ones digit is displayed through the ones digit display aperture, a tens display wheel having tens markers whereby the tens digit is displayed through the tens digit display aperture, a ones drive mechanism that drives the ones display wheel, and a tens drive mechanism that drives the tens display wheel. The tens markers include normal tens markers that display only the tens digit in the tens digit display aperture, and a two-digit display marker that displays a tens digit in the tens digit display aperture and a ones digit in the ones digit display aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Eiichi Hiraya
  • Patent number: 7859949
    Abstract: A timepiece includes a dial having a tens date display window for displaying the tens digit of the date, and a ones date display window for displaying the ones digit of the date; and a calendar mechanism having a tens indicator wheel to which a plurality of tens digit markers are disposed and a ones indicator wheel to which a plurality of ones digit markers are disposed, and which displays one of the plural tens digit markers disposed to the tens indicator wheel from the tens date display window, and displays one of the plural ones digit markers disposed to the ones indicator wheel from the ones date display window. The ones indicator wheel has a ones indicator plate on which the ones digit markers are disposed, and a ones indicator pinion affixed to the ones indicator plate. The tens indicator wheel has a tens indicator plate on which the tens digit markers are disposed, and a tens indicator pinion affixed to the tens indicator plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Joji Kitahara, Shoichi Nagao
  • Patent number: 7859950
    Abstract: The large date mechanism comprises three superposed indicator discs (1, 2, 3). The lower disc (3) bears eleven numerals (8) and the upper (1) and intermediate (2) discs each bear ten numerals (4, 6) and a window (5, 7). Each of the discs is integral to a star wheel (12, 13, 14) with cannon pinions (9, 10, 11). The cannon pinion star wheels are selectively driven by a control movement (15) comprising three toothed sectors (19, 18, 17) integral to a calendar day wheel (16) that advances one step per day. The mechanism can be supplemented by a safety device ensuring blocking of the star wheels when they should be stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: BlancPain S.A.
    Inventor: Vincent Calabrese
  • Patent number: 7839724
    Abstract: A calendar date display comprises a ten-day indicator (2) and a unit indicator (1) driven by a program drive (8), which is provided with a calendar date display (9) whose toothing is engaged with the beak (15) of a lever (16) in such a way that a wheel is moved one step forward by one date number change. Between each calendar number change, the beak (15) is engaged between the first and second teeth (11, 12) of the wheel (9). At the time of the calendar number change, the beak (15) is disengaged from said first and second teeth (11, 12) in such a way that it is engaged between the second and third (12, 13) teeth of the wheel (9), thereby moving said wheel one step forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Glashütter Uhrenbetrieb GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Schmiedchen, Jürgen Franke
  • Patent number: 7835229
    Abstract: Date mechanism (1) for a timepiece, including: at least first (2) and second (3) date rings, rotatably mounted relative to each other, said rings having one surface provided with successive date markings (24, 34), the first date ring (2) having a display window (21), arranged between two successive markings, the first date ring (2) being superposed on the second date ring (3), each of said two date rings (2, 3) having teeth (22, 32) distributed on the periphery thereof, each tooth being associated with a respective marking (24, 34) or with the display window (21); a control wheel (4) for the first and second date rings (2, 3); characterized in that the control wheel (4) is provided with first (41) and second (42) superposed tiers of toothings, each toothing tier including one portion provided with adjacent teeth and one tooth-free portion, the tooth-free portion of one tier being arranged vertical to the toothed portion of the other tier, one tooth of the first tier (41) being superposed on one tooth of th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventor: Julien Chaignat
  • Patent number: 7791983
    Abstract: The invention concerns a timepiece movement of the type including a fixed support (23), fitted with a display module (24) including a central bridge (26) secured to said support (22) and an annular display member (28) with an axis AA, mounted to rotate freely substantially around the bridge (26), abutting on the support (22). The display member (28) includes a contact surface (37) and the bridge (26) includes at least one positioning surface (40) cooperating with the contact surface (37) so as to position the display member (28) axially on the support (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventor: Loïc Pellaton
  • Patent number: 7782715
    Abstract: Timepiece with a perpetual calendar number mechanism, including: a time switch, a display device including a mobile (18b) whose position is determined by the calendar month number, a correction device (18a, 18d) cooperating with the display device and guaranteeing its drive at the end of months having less than thirty-one days. This mechanism includes, in addition: a month mechanism (24) with a period of one year and including a cam advancing by steps, one step per month, a programming mechanism (28) driven by the time switch and cooperating with the month mechanism (24) and having a mobile (28a) cooperating with the correction mechanism (18a) to make it advance, during the month, by as many steps as the month counts days in less than thirty-one days. This mechanism enables the energy required to perform the correction to be withdrawn during the month, and restored at the time of the automatic correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier S.A.
    Inventor: Frederic Crettex
  • Publication number: 20100188937
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a watch with a calendar mechanism which has a first date indicator and a second date indicator and which is of a satisfactory operability. The watch with a calendar mechanism of the present invention is equipped with a second date indicator feeding lever adapted to move based on the rotation of the first date indicator and to rotate the second date indicator. The first date indicator includes first date indicator tooth portions, and calendar shift teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: Mamoru Watanabe