Patents Assigned to ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
  • Patent number: 11868093
    Abstract: A method that is for manufacturing a timepiece provided with a personalized decoration, visible in particular when the timepiece is worn, includes constructing the timepiece and producing the personalized decoration on all or part of a body of the timepiece. Producing the personalized decoration includes selecting from a human-machine interface of an electronic device a single portion of a reference digital graphical representation, in particular of an ephemeral reference digital graphic representation, and applying a coating of decorative material on all or part of the body of the timepiece as a function of the descriptive characteristics of the selected single portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventor: Stefan Stark
  • Patent number: 11860578
    Abstract: An indicator anti-correction system for a timepiece, the system including a correction mechanism of the indicator and a correction gear configured to mesh with the indicator, the correction mechanism being configured to be connected to a manual correction actuation system and to mesh with the correction gear in a first correction position, the correction mechanism being movably mounted between the first correction position and a second non-correction position, wherein the system further includes a component mounted movable in rotation about an axis, the component having a first end configured to cooperate with at least one protuberance provided on the date indicator or the hour wheel, the component having a second end configured to cooperate with the correction mechanism so as to block the mechanism in an anti-correction position when the first end of the component cooperates with the at least one protuberance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventor: Stéphane Bachmann
  • Publication number: 20230416473
    Abstract: An article made from a material having a density between 2 and 7 g/cm3, the material comprising by weight for a total of 100%: a filler (2) made from a metal and/or ceramic material; at least one polymer (4); optionally at least one coupling agent (3) present in a percentage greater than or equal to 0% and less than 10%; optionally at least one reinforcement present in a percentage between 0 and 10%; optionally at least one pigment present in a percentage between 0 and 5%; optionally at least one diluent and/or a plasticiser present in a percentage between 0 and 5%. The polymer (4) is bonded to the filler (2) and the coupling agent (3) is respectively bonded to the polymer (4) and to the filler (2) by one or more bonds chosen from a hydrogen bond, a coordinate bond and an ionic bond.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGÈRE SUISSE
    Inventors: Julien DAHAN, Benoît SCHNELL
  • Publication number: 20230418235
    Abstract: A combined device applies an axial force to a timepiece component, and simultaneously measures the axial distance between a reference and a surface of the component. The device includes a support carrying a measuring body which includes a measuring unit for carrying out an axial measurement of the position of this surface, and a controller operated by a user or by an automated manipulator, for applying to this surface, a characterised axial force transmitted to the bearing and measuring point by a calibrated axial resilient return device. The device is used by having a stack of flat, specific resilient elements, which are characterised by the combined force characteristic thereof as a function of the applied axial stroke, impart to the controller the rotational or axial stroke which corresponds to the specific axial force to be applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Fabrice GANGUIN, Erich WELZ
  • Patent number: 11853012
    Abstract: A winding machine includes motorization means arranged to move a support, carrying at least one watch or one horological movement, along a path in a plane. The motorization means are arranged to move each support parallel to a starting position corresponding to the loading or unloading of a watch or of a movement on the support, the axes of a three-dimensional frame of reference specific to the support always remaining parallel to the oriented directions that the axes occupy in the starting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Helfer, Cédric Decosterd, Nicolas Loetscher, Philipp Schneider
  • Publication number: 20230408979
    Abstract: A balance-spring stud holder includes a clamping part defining three contact zones intended to press against a lateral wall of a projecting part of the balance bridge, a first contact zone being connected to a second contact zone by a first part and to the third contact zone by a second part of the clamping part. The first part has a first stiffness at a second median point of the second contact zone, relative to a first median point of the first contact zone, which is greater than three times a second stiffness that the second part has at a third median point of the third contact zone relative to the first median point of the first contact zone. The first stiffness can be seven times greater than the second stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Olivier MERTENAT, Jean-Luc HELFER
  • Publication number: 20230408981
    Abstract: A gripper (100) with radial clamping, provided for a timepiece component, including a plurality of jaws (1) distributed about an axis (D), which defines a direction of insertion and/or of extraction for the timepiece component, and connected to a support (2) of the gripper, each jaw including a bearing surface (10) arranged to ensure a radial contact, relative to the axis, with a counter surface of the component and to be able to apply on this counter surface a radial clamping force, at least one the jaw being radially movable, in relation to the axis, and having an essentially radial travel in relation to the axis (D). Each mobile jaw is connected to the support by a radial elastic return means (3) that extends in a general plane (P) perpendicular to the axis and that is preferably arranged between the mobile jaw and the axis (D).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGÈRE SUISSE
    Inventor: Basile GIGON
  • Patent number: 11841687
    Abstract: An electromechanical watch including an electromechanical motor (4) mechanically coupled to an analogue display (AD) and formed by two coils (B1, B2) through which the magnetic circuit (10) of the stator passes. A first of the two coils is connected to a voltage detection circuit (CD1, CD2) arranged to be able to detect any voltage induced in this first coil during intervals of time occurring, in a stepping functioning mode of the motor, between drive pulses to detect whether an unwanted step is made by the rotor (18) during these intervals of time. The electromechanical watch includes at least one switch (T1, T2, T3) that is controlled by an electronic control circuit (CEC) to short-circuit the second coil during each of said intervals of time, in order to passively hold the rotor in the idle position in which it is situated momentarily between the drive pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGÈRE SUISSE
    Inventor: Romain Besuchet
  • Publication number: 20230393526
    Abstract: A regulating member for a horological movement including an inertial mass, for example a balance, a balance spring, and an index-assembly system for adjusting the rate of the balance spring, the index-assembly system including a stud-holder including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being movable relative to the second portion, wherein the regulating member includes locking device configured to block the second portion of the stud-holder in one position with respect to a plate of the movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventor: Julien CHRISTAN
  • Publication number: 20230393528
    Abstract: A regulating member for a horological movement including an inertial mass, for example an annular balance, a balance spring, and an index-assembly system for adjusting the rate of the balance spring, the balance spring including a coiled strip and a device for adjusting the stiffness of the balance spring, which are provided with a resilient element arranged in series with the coiled strip, the index-assembly system including a stud-holder including a first stud and a second stud, wherein the resilient element is arranged between the first stud and the second stud, the first stud being capable of moving relative to the second stud, the movement of the first stud changing the stiffness of the balance spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Jean-Luc HELFER, Olivier MERTENAT, Ivan VILLAR, Dominique LECHOT
  • Publication number: 20230384736
    Abstract: A device for displaying a succession of periodic events, such as zodiac periods, which form an annual cycle, this display device including a periodic event indicator organ; a mechanism for managing a duration for displaying periodic events by the periodic event indicator organ, this management mechanism including a cam for managing a periodic event display duration arranged to control the change from the indication of a periodic event to the indication of a next periodic event by the periodic event indicator organ; a date indicator mechanism driven by a horological movement; a month finger controlled by the date indicator mechanism so as to advance the management cam by one pitch per month, and a periodic event finger disposed between the management cam and the periodic event indicator organ and arranged to drive the periodic event indicator organ during a change of periodic event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventor: Stephane BACHMANN
  • Patent number: 11829109
    Abstract: A device (10) for fastening an external or display element (20) onto a horological structure (100), including a retaining key (1) including a post (2) fastened to the structure (100) and a head (9) with a truncated flange (3) having a first lip (31) cooperating by bearing, in a blocking manner, with a face (41) of a fastening element (4) integral with this display element (20), which first lip (31) is delimited by non-coplanar edges (51, 52), this retaining key (1) includes, joined to each edge (51, 52) and radially retracted relative to the periphery (30) of the first lip (31), a second lip (6) having an upper surface (68) which is, at each edge (51, 52), tapered relative to the upper surface (38) of the first lip (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGÈRE SUISSE
    Inventor: Laurent Kaelin
  • Publication number: 20230375979
    Abstract: A stop pawl for a horological movement, including a body provided on the periphery with a lug for latching with the toothing of a ratchet; a hub intended to cooperate freely in rotation with a fixed rod according to an angular displacement between an active position meshing the lug with the toothing of the ratchet and an inactive position, via intermediate positions; wherein the pawl includes at least one device for returning the pawl during its angular displacement, from the inactive position to the active position; and wherein the return device and the body are made in one piece. A horological movement and timepiece can include such a pawl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventor: Julien CHRISTAN
  • Publication number: 20230365779
    Abstract: An item made of a material including by weight: a metallic and/or ceramic filler present in a percentage greater than or equal to 50% and less than or equal to 85%, at least one polymer present in a percentage greater than or equal to 15% and less than or equal to 50%, the polymer being bonded to the filler. The polymer can include a hydrogen bond donor which is a group NHx adjacent to a hydrogen bond acceptor which is a group C?O; so as to form a unit —[(C?O)NH]—; and the unit —[(C?O)NH]— representing at least 1% molar of the polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Julien DAHAN, Benoît SCHNELL
  • Patent number: 11809138
    Abstract: A fixing device for adjusting the clearance of a balance. At least one fixing device including at least one stud holder, at least one bearing body, at least one support member and at least one holding member. At least one bearing body is configured to move relative to at least one stud holder so as to fix the adjustment of the clearance of the balance and at least one support member is configured to press at least one bearing body against at least one stud holder before being held by at least one holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Julien Saglini, Raphaël Courvoisier
  • Patent number: 11796962
    Abstract: An escapement mechanism of a timepiece, including: a first escapement wheel, a second escapement wheel called an impulse pinion and a drive pinion; the impulse pinion, the drive pinion and the first escapement wheel being mounted on the same axis; an intermediate wheel meshing with the drive pinion; a balance plate carrying a plate peg and a direct impulse pallet stone arranged to cooperate with the first escapement wheel; pallets including a pallet entry cooperating with the plate peg, an impulse pallet stone arranged to cooperate with the impulse pinion, and first and second support pallet stones arranged to cooperate with the first escapement wheel. The first escapement wheel, the drive pinion and the impulse pinion are mounted in this order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGÈRE SUISSE
    Inventor: Ivan Villar
  • Patent number: 11789406
    Abstract: A stop pawl for a horological movement, including a body provided on the periphery with a lug for latching with the toothing of a ratchet; a hub intended to cooperate freely in rotation with a fixed rod according to an angular displacement between an active position meshing the lug with the toothing of the ratchet and an inactive position, via intermediate positions; wherein the pawl includes at least one device for returning the pawl during its angular displacement, from the inactive position to the active position; and wherein the return device and the body are made in one piece. A horological movement and timepiece can include such a pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventor: Julien Christan
  • Patent number: 11782386
    Abstract: A twisted arbour barrel (1), including a barrel drum (2) provided with a housing, a spring arranged in the housing of the barrel drum (2), an arbour (4) at least partially passing through the housing, the spring being compressed by rotation of the arbour in a first direction of rotation (12), the arbour (4) being provided with a protruding end (9) of the drum (2), a ratchet (3) arranged on the drum (2), the ratchet (3) being configured to allow the rotation of the arbour (4) in the first direction of rotation (12), the protruding end (9) passing through the ratchet (3) through an opening (14) cooperating by interlocking with the protruding end (9), the protruding end (9) of the arbour (4) having a twisted shape around its axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGÈRE SUISSE
    Inventors: Julien Christan, Laurent Kaelin
  • Publication number: 20230315021
    Abstract: A method for assembling a glass (26) to a case (4) by bonding provides for a flange (18) that is separate from the case and sized so as to be able to be forcibly inserted into an opening in the case, this opening bounding an annular surface (13) on the inside. The flange is partially inserted into the opening and the adhesive (20a) is applied to the annular surface, then the glass is correctly placed on the flange and pressure is exerted on the glass such that the insertion of the flange into said opening continues until the adhesive covers a peripheral lower surface (25) of the inner face (27) of the glass facing the annular surface. Finally, the adhesive hardens and thus forms a tight joint between the glass and the watch case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventor: Frédéric Barman
  • Patent number: 11774911
    Abstract: A timepiece indexing element cooperating coaxially with a component including an indexing relief element defining indexing positions, including a first bearing surface cooperating in abutment with the component, elastic return device exerting a radial thrust on this component to press it onto this first bearing surface, and indexing device cooperating with the indexing relief element, these elastic return devices include at least a first elastic arm including a first indexing surface comprised in this indexing device and arranged to exert a radial thrust force on the component and, at least a second elastic arm arranged to exert a radial thrust force on the first elastic arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventor: Julien Saglini