Abstract: A watch case and metal bracelet assembly in which the tail ends of the bracelet components are attachable to the complementary ends of the case in a manner simulating a "soldered look," yet these components may readily be detached to replace the bracelet. The case which is adapted to accommodate the watch movement has straight ends each provided with a longitudinal groove, the case having at its midpoint adjacent each end a threaded bore to receive a holding screw which when turned in penetrates the related groove. Each bracelet component terminates in a split tail pin which is slidable into the groove at the complementary end of the case and is locked therein by the holding screw which when turned in extends into the mid space between the half pieces of the pin; hence to detach the component from the case, one has merely to turn out the screw.

Abstract: A wrist watch case and metal bracelet assembly in which the complementary components of the bracelet are attached to the ends of the case in a manner simulating a "soldered look," yet the components may be detached to replace the bracelet. The case, which is adapted to accommodate the watch movement, has a generally rectangular shape. The ends at the rear face of the case each have a notch therein to define a broad ledge bordered by fingers. Bridging the fingers on each end is a retractable cross bar having axially-extending pins which are socketed in cavities formed in the fingers, the bar being raised slightly above the ledge. Received within each ledge is the tail of a respective bracelet component, the tail having a transverse groove therein to admit the cross bar which acts to link the component to the case. The ledge overlaps the front face of the tail so that the linked component appears to be integrated with the case.

Abstract: A miniature electronic timepiece whose analog-display time-indicating hands are driven by the rotor of a stepping motor actuated by low-frequency periodic timing pulses derived by frequency division from a high-frequency crystal-controlled time base. This motor, in addition to a stator coil wound on a core, includes an auxiliary coil wound on the same core to define a transformer whose primary is the auxiliary coil and whose secondary is the stator coil. To power the electronic watch, a voltage at a predetermined level is required, this being supplied by a converter formed by an electronic chopper interposed between the primary of the transformer and a d-c source whose output is at a different voltage level. The d-c voltage applied to the primary is periodically interrupted, the resultant a-c voltage yielded by the secondary being rectified to provide the desired power voltage.

Abstract: A solid-state electronic timepiece in which the output of a high-frequency time base is divided down to produce low-frequency timing pulses that are applied to a display actuator adapted to selectively control a multi-digit electro-optic display to present the "time-of-day" and "seconds" as well as other aspects of time information such as calendar date and month. The actuator also serves to supply roll-over pulses to advance the display at a rapid rate for setting purposes. In order to selectively render the display effective in any one of the several aspects or in the setting mode therefor by means of a singlmdmanually-operated coding key, a mode selector is provided which is responsive to the key and operates in conjunction with the display actuator. Code signals produced by the key are decoded by the logic system to produce command signals that are fed to the actuator to cause the display to operate in the aspect mode to present the desired aspect or to operate in the setting mode.

Abstract: An electronic or mechanical timepiece of the analog display type provided with a gear train for driving timekeeping hands. The gear train includes a center pipe affixed to an intermediate bridge secured to the base plate, a free cannon pinion being rotatably supported on the pipe and having a center wheel mounted thereon which is disposed in the space between the bridge and a section of the base plate, thereby providing a dependable support for the cannon pinion without the need for enlarging the diameter of the center wheel or of the drive pinion intermeshing therewith.

Abstract: In order to simplify the production of electronic watches, there is provided a family of standardized movements whose members can be housed within a variety of watch cases of different size and shape. All movements in the family are identical but for their mounting plates which differ in size, and in some instances also in shape, to render the movements receivable in differently-configured cases. The standardized movements in the family include batteries of different size which take advantage of the space made available by the plates of different size to afford optimum battery life.

Abstract: A miniature electronic timepiece whose analog-display time-indicating hands are driven by the rotor of a stepping motor actuated by low-frequency periodic timing pulses derived by frequency division from a high-frequency crystal-controlled time base. The motor, in addition to a stator coil wound on a core, includes an auxiliary coil wound on the same core to define a transformer whose primary is the auxiliary coil and whose secondary is the stator coil. To power the electronic watch, a voltage at a predetermined level is required, this being supplied by a converter formed by an electronic chopper interposed between the primary of the transformer and a d-c source whose output is at a different voltage level. Thus the d-c voltage applied to the primary is periodically interrupted, the resultant a-c voltage yielded by the secondary being rectified to provide the desired power voltage.

Abstract: A thermoelectrically-powered wrist watch in which thermal energy picked up by the metal back of the watch casing is transferred to the hot pole of an electrothermal generator housed within the casing. To avoid thermal shunts which cause heat losses and reduce the efficiency of the generator, the metal carrier for the watch movement is thermally insulated from the upper component of the casing which, in turn, is thermally insulated from the back thereof. In addition or alternatively, the casing back is partially constituted by thermal insulation material.

Abstract: An anti-backlash twin gear formed by a pair of identical half-gears, each fabricated by stamping a metal sheet to create a toothed wheel provided with a diametrical spoke having a central mounting bore. The arched area between one side of the spoke and one half section of the wheel is fully excised to form an open region, whereas the arched area between the opposite side of the spoke and the other half section of the wheel is contour-cut to define a C-shaped flat spring whose foot is integral with the spoke. The spring is offset from the plane of the wheel whereby when the pair of half-gears are juxtaposed, the untensioned spring of each half gear is received within the open region of the other and the free end of the spring abuts the edge of the spoke flanking this region to effect a slight angular displacement of the half-gear.

Abstract: A casing ring adapted to encircle a watch movement having an external diameter that is smaller than the internal diameter of the case into which it is to be fitted, the ring serving to effectively magnify the movement diameter so that it substantially matches that of the case. The case is provided with an actuating member intended to cooperate with an operating element, such as an electrical switch, incorporated in the movement to carry out a setting or other operating function. The portion of the casing ring interposed between the actuating member and the operating element is swingable to function as an intermediate link therebetween for transmitting the motion of the member to the element.

Abstract: An electronic watch wherein pulses from a high-frequency standard are converted by a frequency divider into low-frequency timing pulses which are supplied to a stepping motor to advance the hands of the time display. In order to automatically effect a rapid correction of the seconds hand display when it deviates from precise time, a system is provided that includes an actuating element accessible to the user of the watch and operatively coupled to a switch connected through a reset line to several of the last stages of the frequency divider to effect a reset thereof upon activation of the switch. Also reset when the switch is activated is a reference counter supplied with pulses by the frequency divider. The divider feeds pulses by way of a logic circuit to the stepping motor and to a synchronous counter which is maintained in synchronism with the time display.

Abstract: A micro-miniature stepping motor suitable for driving the gear works of an electronic watch wherein low-frequency timing impulses derived from a high-frequency time base are applied to the stator coil of the motor to cause the rotor therof to index ninety degrees in response to each impulse. The rotor includes a square rotor plate and a stator plate parallel thereto, a shaft secured to the center of the rotor plate extending through a central opening in the stator plate. Mounted on the underside of the rotor plate at the corners thereof are four permanent magnet blocks with their poles in mutual opposition to form a magnetic circuit between the rotor and stator plates whose lines of flux bridge the air gap therebetween. The stator plate has a generally square formation whereby the magnet blocks on the rotor, in the absence of a torque-producing force, seek to orient themselves to a stable position of minimum reluctance.

Abstract: A timepiece calendar mechanism which includes a monthly date ring having a circular set of internal teeth and a day-of-the-week disc disposed within the interior space of the date ring and concentric therewith, the day disc having a circular set of external gear teeth. Pivotally mounted between the two sets of gear teeth is a twin jumper having oppositely-directed arms whose free ends are provided with detents which respectively engage the sets of teeth.

Abstract: A solid-state electronic watch having a battery-operated multi-digit display of the light-emitting diode type. In the Normal-mode of the watch, the display is quiescent to conserve power and prolong the life of the battery. A depressible Time-button switch is provided which, in the Time-mode, causes the display to present different functions of time, such as Hours-Minutes and Month-Date, depending on how the button is actuated by the user. A depressible Set-button switch is also provided. This switch, when repeatedly depressed and released by the user presents in sequence the individual readings to be set, such as Hours, Minutes and Date. The particular reading presented on the display by operation of the Set-button is advanced by actuating the Time-button.

Abstract: An electro-optical scanning unit adapted to sense a bar-code pattern and to generate digital signals corresponding thereto. In the unit, an incandescent light source acts to illuminate a narrow slit, and a reduced image thereof is optically projected to produce a luminous scanning line in a focal plane. An oscillating scanning mechanism interposed in the projection path causes the luminous line to sweep back and forth. The focal plane lies within a window formed in a channel dimensioned to receive an item bearing a bar-code pattern and to locate this pattern so that the bars lie in parallel relation to the luminous line, whereby when the line is swept across the pattern and is reflected thereby, the resultant light pulses are directed toward a photo-detector and converted to corresponding digital signals.

Abstract: A solid-state electronic timepiece movement receivable within a watch case having an end window therein. The movement includes a plastic block provided at its forward end with a ledge on which is seated a module. Mounted on the obverse face of the module and viewable through the window of the watch case are electro-optical stations of a time display. The operating elements of the stations are connected through the body of the module to integrated circuit chips mounted on the back face of the module. These chips provide the circuits of an electronic timekeeping system operating in conjunction with discrete elements housed in the block and constituted by a quartz-crystal unit, a frequency-adjusting capacitor and a pair of power cells as well as time demand and setting switches.

Abstract: A solid-state electronic timekeeping assembly receivable within a watch case and including an electro-optical time display module provided with edge terminals, an integrated circuit module of the same form and provided with corresponding edge terminals, the two modules being positioned in back-to-back relation whereby the edge terminals lie in parallel planes. The modules are interlinked by a flexible printed circuit board, extensions of which are adapted to interconnect the parallel edge terminals of the two modules, the circuit board also functioning to connect the integrated circuit to a quartz-crystal element, power cells and all other discrete elements of the assembly.

Abstract: A mechanical oscillator for swinging an optical or other load element back and forth with a substantially constant amplitude. The oscillator is constituted by an erect torsion rod sustained in torsional vibration at its natural frequency by a drive motor energized by drive signals supplied by an external drive generator. The load element is secured to the free end of the rod, and in order to maintain the desired swing amplitude, a fixed pick-up coil is associated with an armature attached to the rod adjacent the free end thereof. Induced in the coil is a control signal whose frequency corresponds to the swing frequency and whose amplitude is proportional to the amplitude thereof. This control signal is applied to a controller adapted to so vary the output of said generator as to maintain a substantially constant swing amplitude.