Abstract: In a multipoint scale for weighing a load applied to a placement section by a plurality of weight sensor units, the weight sensor unit includes a weight sensor having a strain-sensitive part; a first flexible elastic member for receiving the load applied to the placement section; a load transmission part for transmitting the load from the first flexible elastic member to a power point of the weight sensor; a load support part for supporting a fulcrum of the weight sensor; and a second flexible elastic member for receiving the load applied to the load support part and for maintaining a direction of the load applied to the strain-sensitive part of the weight sensor to be vertical in accordance with a deflection of the first flexible elastic member. Torsion of the weight sensor is avoided by reducing the effect of deflection of the placement section on transmission of the load to the weight sensor.

Abstract: This mechanism comprises a date runner, a months satellite with five teeth on a pitch for twelve, secured to the date runner, a fixed planetary toothset and a drive member for driving the date runner comprising two drive fingers, the first intersecting the path of the toothset of the date runner, the second intersecting the path of the toothset of the months satellite. The latter is connected to the planetary toothset by a second satellite secured to it and the number of teeth of which is equal to a multiple of twelve, the number of teeth of the planetary toothset being chosen so that one of the five teeth of the months satellite is aligned with the axes of the satellites, of the drive member and of the date runner on the 30th of each month comprising less than 31 days.

Abstract: An oscillating system for a mechanical timepiece includes an annular balance wheel arranged in a fixed manner coaxially in relation to a rotatably mounted balance staff. A helical spring encloses the balance staff and has its inner end fastened on the balance staff and its outer end fastened on a fastening device. The fastening device has a helical-spring connector with an inner clamping jaw and an outer clamping jaw, the inner clamping jaw being radially inside of the outer clamping jaw in relation to the axis of rotation of the balance staff. The outer end of the helical spring may be clamped firmly between a clamping surface of the inner clamping jaw and a clamping surface of the outer clamping jaw.

Abstract: A teaching clock for teaching the concept of elapsed time includes a clock face having a minute hand and an hour hand pivotally mounted to the clock face and an elapsed time indicator having an hour hand and a minute hand that move synchronously with the movement of the clock hands. The hour hand is connected to the minute hand such that pivotal movement of the minute hand about the clock face causes the hour hand to pivot synchronously therewith to designate a progression of hours of the day. The minute hand and hour hand are selectively positionable to display a time of day. The elapsed time display may include a releasable connection connected to the minute hand such that the elapsed time display resets to an initial or zero position upon release of the releasable connection whereby an elapsed time is shown by the elapsed time display between any two selected times of day shown by the minute hand and hour hand on the clock face.

Abstract: A pendulum box for a clock pendulum box includes a tumbler seat, a pendulum mover pivotally mounted on the tumbler seat, and a pendulum rod mounted on the pendulum mover and having a portion secured in the pendulum mover to move therewith. Thus, the pendulum rod is combined with the pendulum mover closely, so that the pendulum rod is moved with the pendulum mover synchronously. In addition, the pendulum rod is combined with the pendulum mover rigidly and stably, thereby preventing the pendulum rod from producing vibration or sway during movement.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for adjusting a clock time setting in a vehicle. The system includes a global positioning system that is in communication with a vehicle control module and has a memory that stores geographical data corresponding to time settings for regional time zones. The method includes the steps of determining in which of the regional time zones the vehicle is located, detecting a difference between the vehicle clock time setting and the time setting for the regional time zone in which the vehicle is located, adjusting the vehicle clock time setting if the control module is configured to automatically adjust the vehicle clock time setting, and sending a clock adjustment prompt to a vehicle operator interface if the control module is not configured to automatically adjust the vehicle clock time setting.

Abstract: A device housing with a generally semicircular clip assembly for attaching the device housing to a cylindrical object, for example tubing, is disclosed. The clip assembly includes a helical coil spring for biasing the generally semicircular clip against the device housing. In the preferred embodiment, a timekeeping device is incorporated within the device housing. The device housing with timekeeping device may be securely clipped to stethoscope tubing. Also disclosed in the present invention is an inexpensive method of placing multicolor advertising upon a device housing.

Abstract: An oscillating weight for an automatic watch is arranged to carry a bearing defining an axis of rotation (A—A) and is intended to be mounted on the frame of the watch. The mass member of the weight has a center of gravity (G) shifted with respect to the axis of rotation. In this weight, this mass member includes two parts that can be moved one (10, 18) in relation to the other (24), and arranged such that their relative movement causes a radial movement of the center of gravity (G) of the mass member. The mass member also has a securing device (13, 14, 16b) cooperating with the first and second parts, capable of occupying a first state in which the parts can be moved with reference to each other, and a second state in which the parts are rigidly secured to each other.

Abstract: The method of synchronizing the analogue display (41) of a timepiece (40), including an electronic time base (64), is achieved using proximity sensors (60, 62) respectively associated with wheels (46, 48) each having an aperture (54, 56) for defining the angular position of the latter. Determination of the angular position of a wheel requires an angular distance of around 60° to 90° to be travelled with this type of proximity sensor. Dependency of the measurement results upon the temperature generates a problem of precision in determining the angular position of the wheels, in particular a wheel secured to the hour indicator, given that an angle of 60° to 90° corresponds to a time interval of 2 to 3 hours.

Abstract: A wristworn device comprising a radio communication device for receiving from and/or transmitting signals to a radio communication device external to the wristworn device. In at least one embodiment, the casing comprises a metallic watchcase having a slot, and wherein the watchcase is electrically coupled to the radio communication device to function as the antenna. In another embodiment, a metallic loop is provided in the casing proximate the watchcase, wherein the metallic loop is electrically coupled to the radio communication device to function as the antenna and the watchcase comprises a slot and functions as an element for the reception and/or transmission of electromagnetic radiation. In a third embodiment, the metallic watchcase does not have a slot and the watchcase is electrically coupled to the radio communication device to function as the antenna.

Abstract: The collet is formed by a metal band (10) whose inner contour (11) delimits the recesses (11a, 11b, 11c) for driving the collet onto a balance staff (2) and whose outer contour (12) includes a function point (4) between the collet and the balance spring (9) located at the end of an arm (14) at a distance R from the centre 0 of the staff (2) greater than that of any other point (6, 8, 13, 15, 17) of the outer contour (12). It is characterised in that the inner contour (11) includes a discrete number of points of contact (1, 3, 5, 7) with the staff (2) distributed along identical or different angular apertures ? and in that width “I” of the band (10) varies such that the compression forces of the contact points (1, 3, 5, 7) on the staff (2) do not substantially alter the distance R after driving in, leading to a friction torque allowing angular orientation of the collet on the staff (2) and not introducing any unbalance.

Abstract: A timing device includes a time display section and a drive unit. The time display section has a dial with a measurement indicator from a zero time position to a maximum measurable time position, and pointers capable of rotating above the dial in a fan-shaped trajectory. The drive unit drives the pointers above the dial from the zero time position to the maximum measurable time position, and stops the pointers above an extra display section in a position past the maximum measurable time after the maximum measurable time has passed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for automatically detecting and selecting a time correction protocol and a time base, from among many possible protocols, in a master/slave clock system. A “self-teaching” feature is also disclosed, which includes a table stored at the slave clock containing data representative of characteristics, such as the relative frequency and spacing, of each one of numerous different time correction pulses that can be received by the slave clock from the master clock. Then, at a time of time correction, the slave clock selects the protocol most likely being used by the master clock, based on historical data. The time displayed by the slave clock is the then updated to match the time displayed by the master clock.

Abstract: There is disclosed a portable electronic instrument (1) including a case (2), at least one electronic unit (72, 74) housed inside the case, and at least a first input and/or output terminal (A; B) accessible from the exterior of the case and including an electrically conductive element (100) which is mounted so as to be mobile with respect to the case. The input and/or output terminal is adapted to be electrically connected to an input and/or output terminal (72A, 74A; 72B, 74B) of said electronic unit via a transmission line (I/OA; I/OB) and for allowing transmission of electric signals on the transmission line through the connecting element. The connecting element can occupy a first or second position in which the input and/or output terminal is respectively uncoupled from or coupled to the input and/or output terminal of the electronic unit.

Abstract: An interval timer that is constructed of a polygonal shaped housing which has a time display screen and a pressure activating button within one surface of the housing and another surface of the housing includes a mode selection switch, time increment button and second time increment button. With the mode selection switch in the set position the first time increment button and second time increment button can be operated to produce a selected time value such as in minutes and in seconds to be displayed within the time display screen. Movement of the mode selection switch to a usage position and pressing of the pressable activating button will result in the selected preset time interval to count down a second at a time (or other minimum time increment) to eventually reach zero.

Abstract: A wrist watch that also has a pager function incorporated into it. The wrist watch comprises a flexible band and with a watch unit attached to the flexible band. The watch unit displays the time manually, while a LCD readout located on the flexible band displays the time electronically. The wrist watch also includes an incorporated receiver which can receive pages from pager units, with any message, numerical or otherwise, being viewable on the LCD readout. A mode button allows an individual to choose between viewing the time and viewing a received paged message on the LCD readout. The wrist watch also includes an incorporated LED indicator light that indicates if a page has been received.

Abstract: A watch winder can automatically wind numerous kind/brand of self-winding watch and maintains the main-spring in ideal tension range. The watch in winding can always be positioned in its favorable showing orientation. The watch in winding can be mounted or dismounted easily. The noise produced by the winder is reduced significantly to a low level. The winder comprises a rotary bowl with central rectangular recess for receiving a cushion holder inserted on the bowl. An electrical noise-proof motor-gear system drives the rotary bowl. An IC circuitry installed under the panel controls the rotation mode of the motor-gear system. A length-wise retractile cushion holder is inserted in the recess with its width tightly fitted for carrying the watch in place. A switch means is installed on the panel with an indicating means for selecting a respective mode to drive the rotary base.

Abstract: In order to display images true to the real appearance of the moon during a lunation, particularly in a watch, there is provided a rotating indicator disc (8) arranged behind a circular aperture of a dial and comprising an annular region (20) subdivided into alternatively light (21–25) and dark (26–30) fields by lines of separation (31–40) having different shapes, which can appear in succession in the aperture. The drive means impart primary movements on the indicator disc (8), each of which is large enough to replace one of the lines of separation by another in the aperture, and smaller secondary movements, to produce small movements of the line of separation inside the aperture. This allows a new image of the moon to be given every day, true to reality, with a restricted number of light and dark fields on the indicator disc and a particularly large aperture in relation to the size of the dial. A version with electric driving is disclosed and a version driven by a mechanical watch movement.

Abstract: A clock assembly (10) having a removable central clock mechanism (12) with time indicating hands (18, 20, 21) is adapted to be mounted on a flat vertical surface (26) with and separate removable hour disks (14) having numerals (34) connected to hanger elements (36) adapted to be mounted on the vertical surface around the central clock mechanism in correct positions to tell time. Doll clothes (40) are selectively hung on or removed from the hanger elements behind the numerals.

Abstract: A portable timepiece has a pipe extending from a case and a winding stem for transmitting a rotational force to a timepiece movement in the case. A crown is connected to the winding stem for rotational movement therewith and for detachable engagement with an outer periphery of a male threaded section of the pipe to prevent unintentional rotation of the crown. The crown has a crown shaft for rotating the winding stem, a crown head having a female threaded section for threaded engagement with the male threaded section and mounted for undergoing rotation to rotate the crown shaft in a state in which the engagement between the male and female screw sections is released.