Abstract: A piezo electric resonator member is cut from a quartz crystal in a rotated -orientation and arranged for vibration in a thickness shear mode, the member being in the form of a bar elongated along either the X-axis or the Z'-axis having rectangular cross sections in planes parallel respectively to the XZ'- and Y'Z'-planes or XZ'- and XY'-planes. It is provided with metallized layers to serve as electrodes confined to a central zone of the surfaces running in the same direction as the XZ'-plane. The ends of the bar serve as support points.

Abstract: A touch pad as used in swimming pools for timing competitions has instead an integrally formed striker plate or one comprising independently mounted panels, a plurality of hollow extruded plastic panels each with a hook portion on one edge and a hook receiving portion on the other edge whereby said panels may be readily assembled to form the striker plate.

Abstract: A watch case is made from an electrically conductive hard material compoud from aluminum oxide and titanium carbide by forming a blank by sintering the material, subjecting the blank to a heat treatment, spark machining the blank to its final form, and fine grinding and polishing the blank to a desired finish.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic timepiece display arrangement in which certain rroelectric monocrystals having two stable optical states may be switched from one state to another by voltage pulses applied through electrodes. A polarizing filter is located past one face of the crystal and a reflecting surface is located past the opposite face. A second crystal and a second polarizer are employed in certain embodiments.

Abstract: The inversion temperature of a quartz piezoelectric resonator is determined y exciting the resonator at its resonant frequency, bringing the resonator to a first temperature T.sub.h, obtaining the resonance frequency f.sub.o at the temperature T.sub.h as a standard of comparison for the subsequent measurement of resonator frequency variations, bringing the resonator to a second temperature T.sub.f and measuring the relative frequency spread (f-f.sub.o /f.sub.o) while the temperature is varying from T.sub.h to T.sub.f, detecting the maximum value of the frequency spread, and deducing the temperature at which the maximum value occurs. One of the first and second temperatures is greater and the other is less than the inversion temperature.

Abstract: A multiple resonator or filter is described in the form of a rectangular of piezoelectric material having dimensional ratios selected so as to assure vibration in a thickness shear mode strongly coupled with a flexural mode. At least two energy trapping zones are provided extending over the entire width of the bar. The arrangement enables achievement of a high quality factor combined with extremely small dimensions.

Abstract: This specification describes a rectangular quartz crystal which has been igned with specific length-width-thickness ratios whereby vibration takes place in the thickness shear mode strongly coupled with flexural vibrations. The choice of the specific ratios permits an improved performance insofar as dynamic capacitance range, temperature dependent variations of frequency and finally quality factor are concerned. The dimensions and proportions make the crystal suitable for use as a high frequency time piece resonator.

Abstract: Two frequencies to be compared are applied to two inputs of a flip-flop. output of the flip-flop is fed to a low pass filter and the output of the filter is a saw tooth voltage proportional to the phase difference between the two frequencies. Differentiation of the saw tooth voltage yields a voltage proportional to the difference between the two frequencies. A threshold circuit is provided for sensing the output voltage of the filter to control a flip-flop which in turn reverses the phase of one of the frequency signals and disconnects the output of the differentiator from a capacitive storage circuit.

Abstract: A keyboard having a matrix of keys or pushbuttons arranged in a matrix is ovided with a plurality of stationary electrical contacts arranged in a similar matrix. Movable contacts operated by the pushbuttons are provided by a plurality of ladder-shaped flexible conductive members. Each ladder-shaped member extends along one row of pushbuttons and has a "rung" of the ladder extending through the space between a pushbutton and its associated stationary contact. The body of the keyboard is provided with grooves for inserting the ladder-shaped members and the spacing between these grooves is such that the rung portions of the member are flexed upwardly against the pushbutton and out of contact with the stationary contact when the pushbutton is in the normal position. Each flexed rung exhibits a bistable characteristic so that as a pushbutton is depressed, a point is reached at which less force is required to further depress the pushbutton.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically adjusting the frequency of a piezoelectric reator in the form of a bar or plate includes circuitry for applying a voltage to the resonator to cause it to resonate, measuring the frequency of the resonator continuously during a frequency adjusting cycle, continuously comparing the measured frequency with a desired frequency to obtain a difference frequency value, storing the difference frequency value at the beginning of the adjusting cycle, deriving from the difference frequency value a threshold value equal to one-half of the difference frequency value, comparing the threshold value with the frequency difference value, removing material by a sand blast from a first extremity of the resonator as long as the difference frequency value is greater than the threshold value and thereafter removing material from the other extremity of the resonator until the difference frequency value is nil.

Abstract: A process for automatically adjusting the frequency of a piezoelectric reator in the form of a bar or plate includes the steps of applying a voltage to the resonator to cause it to resonate, measuring the frequency of the resonator continuously during a frequency adjusting cycle, continuously comparing the measured frequency with a desired frequency to obtain a difference frequency value, storing the difference frequency value at the beginning of the adjusting cycle, deriving from the difference frequency value a threshold value equal to one-half of the difference frequency value, comparing the threshold value with the frequency difference value, removing material by a sand blast from a first extremity of the resonator as long as the difference frequency value is greater than the threshold value and thereafter removing material from the other extremity of the resonator until the difference frequency value is nil.

Abstract: In an electrically energized timepiece, an anisotropically conductive elamer is fixed to the timepiece casing to provide a mechanical seal between the movement compartment and power cell. With slight pressure of the elastomer between the power cell and timepiece contacts, an electrical connection is made between the power cell and contacts, but the elastomer acts as an insulator along its surface between timepiece contacts.

Abstract: Pickups for the measurement of the accuracy of electronic timepieces are closed. The pickups each include an induction-winding detector and an integrated-circuit frequency divider which is the same as the integrated-circuit frequency divider of timepieces to be measured therewith. The pickups are useful as accessories for chrono-comparators which are normally used to measure the accuracy of mechanical, or sonic, frequency timepieces. Individual ones of these pickups are used to test timepieces of different frequencies by a simple substitution of pickups.

Abstract: An electrically driven timepiece is provided with a single user-actuated h button for controlling a modulo-three counter, the counter being utilized to control display advancing pulses derived from an oscillator and frequency divider. In a first state, the counter controls the display advancing pulses to advance the display at a normal rate. In a second state, the counter controls the display advancing pulses to advance the display at a rapid rate to effect a time correction. In a third state, the counter blocks all advancing pulses whereby the display remains constant. This enables the user to restart the advancement of the display at a precise desired instant. In an alternative embodiment, means are provided within the timepiece for automatically advancing the counter from the second to the third state when the display is advanced to a reference position such as the zero seconds position.

Abstract: This invention provides a support arrangement for suspending a piezo-elecc resonator which by providing a frame with cut out portions in its interior enables a resonator provided with suspension conductors to be placed in position by simple translation or rotation without in any way distorting the suspending conductors. Accordingly, the invention is well adapted to modern mass production methods.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed are image forming devices and the like with a solid electrolyte laminated between electrodes with the electrodes insulated by transparent, insulating layers in a selected pattern to form the image.

Abstract: A battery powered electronic timepiece of the type comprising an oscillat adapted to generate high frequency electric pulses, a frequency divider arranged to receive said high frequency electric pulses and to deliver low frequency electric pulses, a stepping motor adapted to be controlled by said low frequency electric pulses and to drive display means and a battery arranged to energize the oscillator, frequency divider and stepping motor, a condensor is coupled to the oscillator and frequency divider and a switch, which receives control signals from the frequency divider, is arranged to provide a low resistance path from the battery to the condensor in the intervals between motor stepping pulses, and a high resistance pass from the battery to the condensor during motor stepping pulses, whereby during motor stepping pulses the oscillator and frequency divider are energized substantially entirely from the condensor.

Abstract: A plurality of contacts, each comprising two electrodes, are arranged beh a plate to be used as a touch pad in a swimming competition timing device. Closing of a contact results in a signal being transmitted from a transistor to control electronic chronometric equipment. The contacts are connected in parallel and are coupled between the emitter and base of the transistor. The voltage across the contact is thereby held to the base-emitter voltage of the transistor, which is below the decomposition voltage of the electrodes. In a second embodiment, contacts are connected to either of two transistors which are in series to act as an "OR" circuit.

Abstract: A control mechanism for setting a watch or the like includes a rotatable gger piece, a stem actuatable from the exterior of the timepiece, linkage between the stem and the trigger piece, and a setting lever which cooperates with the trigger piece for moving setting linkage into a proper position upon actuation of the stem. The resilient setting lever is biased from its pivot through its resilient length to urge its opposite end against the trigger piece and thereby hold the trigger piece in set positions. The resilient setting lever is part of a V-shaped resilient element which straddles the trigger piece.

Abstract: An electrically powered time-piece includes at least a minute hand and an ur hand, a high precision time standard and a motor controlled by the time standard. A positive kinematic mechanism connects the motor to the minute hand arbor and a non-positive kinematic mechanism connects the minute hand arbor to the hour hand pipe, thereby permitting the user to set the hour hand only.