Abstract: A tool for reporting a particular time using vibration is disclosed. The tool assigns a distinct vibration to separate hour regions and minute regions. The tool uses a short series of vibration pulses, one of which is the distinct vibration assigned to the hour region associated with the hour of the particular time, to indicate the hour. The tool produces the distinct vibration assigned to the minute region associated with the minute of the particular time, to indicate the minute to the nearest quarter hour. The total sequence of pulses consists of no more than five separate vibrations.

Abstract: A universal watch including a movement driving a main display means cooperating with a complementary main display means, a means for adjusting the main display means to set the time of a determined place, a secondary display means which is moveable relative to the complementary main display means, and comprises geographical reference points of different time zones. This movement drives synchronously with the main display means the secondary display means, and a structure carrying first screens, each superposed on a geographical reference point and, according to the time of day, changing position under the action of a drive torque from drive means which is greater than the resistant torque imparted thereon by friction means connected to the structure.

Abstract: A clock case comprising a first plurality of upstanding, spaced-apart fins formed from flat sheets of material, each of the first plurality of fins having a plurality of slots extending vertically upward from a bottom edge; and, a second plurality of upstanding, spaced-apart fins formed from flat sheets of material, each of the second plurality of fins having a plurality of slots extending vertically downwards from a top edge. Each upwardly extending slot is configured to mate with a respective downwardly extending slot, whereby each of the first plurality of fins is interlocked with each of the second plurality of fins to form an orthogonal array of laterally extending fins and longitudinally extending fins.

Abstract: The invention concerns a strap or bracelet (1) including a first strand (2) and a second strand (3). The second strand (3) is connected to a clasp (1a) that includes a fastening device (13). The fastening device (13) joins the strands (2, 3) to each other. The invention is characterized in that the clasp (1a) further includes a safety device (17) for better joining the first strand (2) to the clasp (1a) by pressing the former onto the latter.

Abstract: Method of fastening a glass to a watch bezel, wherein the glass has a plurality of studs or a plurality of holes or a plurality of studs and holes and the bezel has a plurality of studs or a plurality of holes or a plurality of studs and holes. The method is characterized in that it comprises a step of pressing the studs into the holes.

Abstract: Push button for a timepiece for correcting the time display associated with a decompression valve within a single control device. It essentially includes a first push button return spring (10) followed by a second spring (13) arranged to bend and act as a valve spring.

Abstract: An enhanced escapement mechanism provides improved isolation of energy and torque for an oscillation system, e.g. a pendulum. In an exemplary embodiment, during a first phase, a pendulum releases an impulse arm that is decoupled from a main wheel, which falls and impulses the pendulum, such as at or near the middle of the pendulum swing. In a second phase, the impulse arm continues to fall, becoming totally detached from the pendulum, wherein the falling impulse arm releases the main wheel, which restores the impulse arm to its initial position. The main wheel continues to rotate until it is no longer in contact with the impulse arm, and is captured, such that the process may be repeated. While the enhanced escapement mechanism typically provides an impulse to an oscillation system during each period, alternate embodiments provide an impulse for each of a plurality of periods, e.g. once every ten periods.

Abstract: This device for displaying time periods comprises a display element (A), an indicator component (1), a drive component (3) for driving the indicator component (1), an instantaneous-jump cam (6) engaged with the drive component (3), a drive mobile (5) for driving the cam (6) and correction means (4) for coming into direct engagement with the indicator component (1). A one-way connection device (3b, 11, 12) connects the drive mobile (5) to the cam (6). The drive component (3) is engaged with the cam (6) by elastic return means (3d) and guidance means (3b) defining a degree of freedom of the drive component (3) in order to allow the indicator component (1) to move the drive component (3) against the elastic return means (3d) when the latter occupies a position interfering with the movement of the indicator component (1) by the correction means (4).

Abstract: Timepiece display device (100) comprising a first display member (1) cooperating with first drive means (10) via a first transmission means (11), and a second display member (2), cooperating with a second drive means (20) via a second transmission means (21). First contactless coupling means (12) are carried by said first display member (1) or by said first transmission means (11), second contactless coupling means (22) are carried by said second display member (2), or by said second transmission means (21), said first coupling means (12) cooperate with said second coupling means (22) in a complementary, contactless, attraction coupling in order, when said coupling means are located in immediate proximity to each other, to unite the motion of said first display member (1) and said second display member (2). Said first coupling means (12) and said second coupling means (22) are magnetic or electrostatic.

Abstract: An instantaneous driving mechanism for a timepiece movement is disclosed. The driving mechanism may include a mobile comprising a first wheel driven by a driving member of the timepiece movement and configured to drive rotation of a first cam of the mobile. The driving mechanism may also include a lever mounted pivotally on at least one frame element of the timepiece movement, the lever being configured to cooperate with the mobile in order to be moved and to cooperate with a counter of the timepiece movement to increment the counter by instantaneous pulses. The first cam may be coaxial with the first wheel and have a periphery of varying radius. In addition, the first cam may be configured to cooperate with a nose carried by a first arm of the lever and to move the first arm progressively away from the center of the mobile.

Abstract: A high-speed rotating wheel rotates at high speed by a third stepper motor which meshes with a portion of teeth of a ratchet wheel. A transmission projection of the ratchet wheel moves within an elongated hole of a transmission wheel which rotates with the movement of the hour hand. The ratchet wheel rotates at high speed, and a display wheel rotates at high speed by the high speed rotation of the ratchet wheel via a feed wheel. When normally moving the hour hand, the ratchet wheel rotates with the transmitting wheel and the portion of teeth of the ratchet wheel is made to approach the high-speed rotating wheel. When the display of the display wheel changes, the high-speed rotating wheel meshes with the portion of teeth of the ratchet wheel and rotates the ratchet wheel at high-speed. Accordingly, the date display of the display wheel can be quickly changed.

Abstract: A disposable timing tag is provided, including a thin, flexible planar sheet member having first and second end sections, and a middle section. A printed radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit is disposed on the middle section thereof and includes an integrated circuit chip, and a dipole antenna electrically coupled thereto. The dipoles of antenna extend generally along the longitudinal axis of the sheet member toward the first and second respective end sections thereof. The first and second end sections of the flexible planar member are separated from the middle section by fold lines formed in the surface of the planar member extending across the horizontal axis thereof, and the planar sheet member is folded such that the first and second ends thereof are connected to one another and the planar member forms a substantially D-shaped closed loop.

Abstract: A watch case comprising: a middle (3), a first tube (1) provided with first indexing elements (1a), a control crown (C) including: a cap (4) having a distinctive sign (S) on a front face (4?), and a bushing (5) intended to be connected to the movement of the watch, a second tube (2) adapted to be fastened to the middle (3) and to receive the bushing (5), the control crown (C) and the first tube (1) including respective screwing elements (1b,4b) for screwing them together. Second indexing elements (3a,3a?,3a?) fastened to the middle (3) are provided to cooperate with the first indexing elements (1a) of the first tube (1). The first tube (1) and the second tube (2) are conformed so that fastening the second tube (2) to the middle (3) ensures axial immobilization of the first tube (1) relative to the middle (3).

Abstract: The timepiece includes first (1) and second (2) rings to which indications (3, 4) are affixed for displaying, in combination with each other, a time-related magnitude (5), which appears in a large aperture (6). The rings (1, 2) have equal dimensions, are arranged one on top of the other and off-center in relation to each other such that, at the vertical of the large aperture, the outer edge (7) of the first ring (1) substantially borders the inner edge (8) of the second ring (2).

Abstract: Controller for a clockwork mechanism, having the following components: a balance wheel; a piezoelectric helical spring (20); an electronic circuit for coordinating the stiffness of the piezoelectric helical spring (20); characterized in that the electronic circuit has a plurality of capacitors which can be switched individually (222, 224, 226, 228).

Abstract: A switch device of the present invention includes a case having a through hole; a cylindrical member attached to the through hole of the case; and an operating member having a shaft section inserted into the cylindrical member and an operating section provided in an outer end portion of the shaft section, wherein the operating member is provided with an engaging projected section, and has a spring member, wherein the cylindrical member is provided with, in an end portion in an outer direction of the case, a release groove where the engaging projected section is movable in an axial direction, and a restricting projected section which restricts movement to the outer direction of the engaging projected section, wherein the cylindrical member is provided with a lock groove which locks the spring member.

Abstract: Multi-sector mechanism (1) for displaying a physical quantity on a timepiece (100), on several partial displays (2), each representing the change in said physical quantity over a given partial range (3), the total range of variation in said quantity being covered by the set of said partial ranges (3), each partial display (2) including an indicator (4) that moves relative to a scale (5) representing the partial range (3) specific thereto. Each partial display (2) includes a continuous mechanism (11) for moving the moving indicator (4) thereof opposite a scale representing said total range, and includes eclipsing means arranged for only allowing said moving indicator (4) to be seen opposite said scale (5) representing the partial range (3) specific thereto, and for reducing or obscuring visibility of said moving indicator (4) opposite the scales representing any other partial ranges, and said continuous mechanisms (11) of said partial displays (2) are all synchronous with each other.

Abstract: A watch winder includes a housing, a power supply disposed in the housing, a transmitter coil mounted at one side of the housing and electrically connected with a circuit board of the power supply, and a receiver coil mounted at another side of the housing and electrically connected with a circuit board of the power supply. The fist coil can be actuated by the power supply to transmit a signal, and the receiver coil can be used to receive a signal and convert the signal into an electrical current that can be transmitted to the circuit board for charging the power supply. Therefore, the electrical energy of the watch winder can be wireless transmitted through a non-contact interface.

Abstract: A timing device comprises a sensing material and/or a component which is sensitive to the presence of an environmental attribute. The environmental attribute drives and speeds up or slows the timing device as the concentration of the attribute increases or decreases, respectively. Alternatively, the timing device is activated upon sensing the presence of the environmental attribute and indicates a total passage of time from exposure/activation of the timing device. Particularly, sensing materials of varying types are able to be used to indicate exposure to a variety of substances. For example, in some embodiments, the timing device comprises a sensing material which is sensitive to the presence of ultraviolet radiation. Alternatively, the sensing material is sensitive to other variables such as x-ray radiation and nuclear radiation. In further embodiments, the sensing material is sensitive to biological or physical contamination.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring motion parameters of an object are described in the present disclosure. In an embodiment, a sensor, coupled to a housing, senses motion associated with the housing and provides a sensor output based on the sensed motion. A processing device receives the sensor output, accumulates counts associated with the sensor output, and provides an output once a threshold associated with the accumulated counts is reached. A vibrotactile device, that receives the output from the processing device, provides a haptic output in response to the output from the processing device.