Patents Examined by Sean P Kayes
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Patent number: 10571866Abstract: A thin electronic timepiece can receive satellite signals and standard time signals. An electronic timepiece has a planar antenna for receiving satellite signals, a bar antenna for receiving standard time signals, a time display unit with a plurality of hands, a plurality of motors for driving the hands, a battery, and a timepiece case. In a plan view of the electronic timepiece, the planar antenna, bar antenna, and battery are disposed to positions not mutually superimposed; the plural motors are disposed inside the timepiece case at positions not superimposed in plan view with the planar antenna and bar antenna; and at least one of the plural motors is disposed superimposed in plan view with the battery inside the timepiece case.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2018Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa
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Patent number: 10564605Abstract: The invention relates to a one-piece balance spring comprising a single strip wound on itself between an inner coil and an outer coil, the strip having a geometry such that when the angle of contraction of the balance spring has a value of 360 degrees, there is a constant distance between each coil from the inner coil to the penultimate coil.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2016Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere SuisseInventors: Jean-Luc Helfer, Yves-Alain Cosandier
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Patent number: 10551796Abstract: Embodiments of a watch can include a watch having an analog watch face, a first watch band portion, and a second watch band portion, where the watch can include a digital clasp having a digital display and a circuit board associated with a controller.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2016Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: WEARATEC LLCInventor: Dilshan Thilina Modaragamage
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Patent number: 10551798Abstract: A compact crown for an electronic device such as an electronic watch, including a set of wipers capable of determining a rotation angle, rotation direction, or rotation speed, is disclosed. The set of wipers is in contact with at least one resistance member at different angular positions around a rotation axis. The crown may have a group of ground taps disposed along the resistance member and a measured signal may vary based on the position of each wiper as it contacts the at least one resistance member. A compact crown may also include capacitive members and capacitive sensors in order to similarly determine rotation angle, rotation direction, or rotation speed.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2017Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, Adam T. Clavelle, Christopher M. Werner, Colin M. Ely, Stephen N. Sweet, Sriram Moorthy, Huan Peng
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Patent number: 10545460Abstract: A motor group including motor modules, each including a motor device driving a display wheel set, with a centre pipe fixed on a plate, including a device for rotational guiding, about a main axis, of a display wheel set internal or external to the centre pipe, this module includes an axial stop arranged to limit to a predetermined value the axial play in the direction of the main axis between the centre pipe and the display wheel set, wherein a protruding surface of the centre pipe or of the display wheel set, or an added axial stop, captively mounted between the centre pipe and the display wheel set, or fixed to the display wheel set.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2017Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere SuisseInventors: Raphael Balmer, Pascal Lagorgette
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Patent number: 10539926Abstract: A balance spring for an oscillator of a timepiece, wherein it comprises a component part, in particular at least a coil or a portion of a coil, provided with heavily doped silicon having an ion density greater than or equal to 1018 at/cm3, in order to permit the thermo-compensation of the oscillator.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2016Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: ROLEX SAInventors: Richard Bossart, Olivier Hunziker
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Patent number: 10528005Abstract: A mechanism for a timepiece, comprising a an oscillating regulator mechanism, a rotary energy distribution toothed wheel, a blocking mechanism controlled by the regulator mechanism to alternatively hold and release the energy distribution wheel, and a monostable elastic member linked to the regulator mechanism and bearing on the teeth of the energy distribution wheel. The teeth of the energy distribution wheel are adapted to elastically deform the monostable elastic member by cam effect during rotation of the wheel, and the monostable elastic member is adapted to elastically return to its rest position, thus releasing mechanical energy to the regulator mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2015Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: LVMH SWISS MANUFACTURES SAInventors: Guy Semon, Wout Johannes Benjamin Ypma, Nima Tolou
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Patent number: 10528011Abstract: An oscillation device includes an oscillation circuit configured including an oscillation inverter, and adapted to oscillate a resonator, a frequency adjustment circuit adapted to perform frequency adjustment of the oscillation circuit, and a constant voltage circuit adapted to drive the oscillation circuit, in the oscillation circuit and the frequency adjustment circuit, a gate and a substrate of a field-effect transistor having a connection relationship with one of a gate and a drain of the oscillation inverter are driven with a constant voltage.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2017Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Yutaka Yamazaki
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Patent number: 10520890Abstract: A timepiece regulator comprising an inertial regulating member which is mounted on a support by an elastic suspension so as to be able to oscillate in translation, along a main direction of translation.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2015Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: LVMH SWISS MANUFACTURES SAInventors: Guy Semon, Wout Johannes Benjamin Yoma, Sybren Lennard Weeke, Nima Tolou
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Patent number: 10520896Abstract: Embodiments of a watch can include a watch having an analog watch face, a first watch band portion, a second watch band portion and an analog watch face. The watch can include a digital clasp having a digital display and a circuit board associated with a controller.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: WEARATEC LLCInventor: Dilshan Thilina Modaragamage
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Patent number: 10514660Abstract: Timepiece movement with a carillon striking mechanism, striking the hours and quarter-hours with different melodies, the striking mechanism including a quarter surprise-piece coaxial to and superposed on the quarter-snail, in a limited angular travel with respect to the quarter-snail, arranged to ensure the sequential playing of the melodies of the four quarter-hours on the full hour, in the first minute of the new hour, and further including, in the plane of the quarter surprise-piece, a quarter surprise-piece jumper, arranged to drive and/or to lock this quarter surprise-piece.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2017Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: Blancpain SAInventors: Julien Behra, Mehdi Denden, Julien Peter
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Patent number: 10509365Abstract: A display hand intended to equip a timepiece, including a body and a pipe, providing an arbor hole arranged for fitting the display hand onto a drive arbor. The body is made of a composite material, the pipe includes, over all or part of the outer periphery, a surface for connection to the hand body to ensure the adhesion of the composite material to the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2018Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere SuisseInventor: Olivier Mertenat
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Patent number: 10509367Abstract: An electronic tourbillion clock including a clock case having a plurality of high-resolution digital displays that extend around an outer circumference of the clock case as an indicator of hours. A seven segment display is located within the clock case as an indicator of minutes elapsed within an hour. A microcontroller determines the current time and other chronological indications depending on the output signals generated by a position of a tourbillon mechanism disposed in the clock case. A sub-circuit is disposed within the clock case and interconnected with the microcontroller for creating a plurality of distinctive sound patterns directed through one or more speakers in response to the output signals generated by the position of the tourbillon mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2018Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Inventor: Randy Alarcon
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Patent number: 10506853Abstract: Watch comprising at least one case and a strap formed by a flexible blade with a first end fixed to the case and a second opposite end provided to cooperate with a device for attaching and adjusting the length of the strap. According to the invention, the adjustment device comprises a clasp formed by a cap and a lever between which the flexible blade slides, the clasp being hinged on the case by linking means which define an axis of rotation about which the lever can undergo a rotation in order to be able to move into an open position and into a closed position, the lever comprising an eccentric which is integral with the lever in the vicinity of the axis of rotation and is provided in order to clamp the free end of the blade against the cap and to retain the strap when the lever is in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2017Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jean-Luc Bazin, Francois Maire, Jean-Claude Gracia
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Patent number: 10496039Abstract: A shock absorbing coupling device for a timepiece, includes a coupling wheel (2) able to take a coupled position and an uncoupled position, a coupling member (1) bearing the coupling wheel and a coupling cam (6) engaging with the coupling member (1) to define the coupled position and uncoupled position of the coupling wheel (2). The device also includes a locking member (12) rigidly attached to the coupling cam (6) and an intermediate member (9) controlled by the coupling member (1). The intermediate member (9) is intended to engage with the coupling member (1) and the locking member (12) to prevent or limit the movement of the coupling member (1) under the effect of a shock when the coupling wheel (2) is in the coupled position, to thus avoid the coupling wheel (2) leaving the coupled position.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2015Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: PATEK PHILIPPE SA GENEVEInventors: Anthony Kruttli, David Chabloz
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Patent number: 10481557Abstract: A tourbillon (1) with a rotation cage which is rotatably arranged about a tourbillon axis is provided. The rotation cage mounts a balance wheel (3) and an escapement with an escape wheel (8) and a lever. The tourbillon is characterised in that the rotation cage comprises a bearing wheel (22) which is mounted by bearing elements (13) which engage peripherally on a running surface (11) of the bearing wheel (22).Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Bucherer AGInventor: Joachim Mutrux
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Patent number: 10474104Abstract: A resonator of the inertia/elasticity type includes a balance-spring coupled to an inertia flywheel and a system for adjusting the frequency of the resonator including an index-assembly arranged to cooperate with one coil of the balance-spring in order to selectively choose the active length of the balance-spring. The portion of the coil of the balance-spring cooperating with the index-assembly includes at least one area of larger cross-section than the other balance-spring coils for finer adjustment of the frequency of the resonator.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2016Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGERE SUISSEInventors: Jean-Luc Helfer, Marc Stranczl, Laurent Jeanneret, Xavier Berdat
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Patent number: 10474111Abstract: Apparatus for an alarm clock with one or more alarms that are challenging to deactivate are provided. The alarm clock is fixedly attached to a wall or other surface, and contains a power source such that the alarm cannot be deactivated by unplugging the alarm clock or by easily removing batteries. The alarm(s) may be programmed to activate for a first length of time. To deactivate the alarm, a user must take some action to interact with the alarm clock, for a second length of time, which second length of time is sufficient for the user to become fully awake. Aspects of the alarm clock may be digital or analog, may have manual or electronic or remote controls, may have one or more alarms of different types, and may require different types of user interaction with alarm deactivation components in order to deactivate the one or more alarms.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2018Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Inventor: Andrew Larkin
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Patent number: 10474107Abstract: Sub-assembly for watches, including an arbor including a magnetized or electrically charged surface pivoting inside a housing, and a pole piece subjecting this surface to a magnetic or electrostatic field about an axis, one pole piece cooperating axially with this surface to absorb a shock and then return the arbor to an operating position, and creating, in proximity to this surface, a magnetic or electrostatic field, which radially attracts the arbor towards a wall of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2016Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.Inventors: Jean-Philippe Rochat, Benoit Legeret, Davide Sarchi, Polychronis Nakis Karapatis
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Patent number: 10468215Abstract: The timepiece includes a chronograph mechanism with a coupling device including an operating member and a switching member which can be switched alternately between two stable positions coupled state and uncoupled state. This timepiece includes a magnetic system formed of a first bipolar magnet fixed to the switching member, a second bipolar magnet fixed to the support of the switching device in order to continually offer a magnetic interaction with the first bipolar magnet, and at least one highly magnetically permeable element forming the operating member and able to undergo a reciprocating motion between two operating positions. The switching device is arranged so that, when the highly magnetically permeable element is in its first operating position, the two magnets generate between them a force of magnetic repulsion and so that, when the highly magnetically permeable element is in its second operating position, the two magnets generate between them a force of magnetic attraction.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.Inventors: Deirdre Lenoir, Davide Sarchi, Benoit Legeret, Stephane Beugin