Patents by Inventor Alain Zaugg

Alain Zaugg has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12124217
    Abstract: A natural escapement for a horological movement performing operating cycles each including a first and a second alternation of a balance (12) which comprises a balance wheel (14) on an axis (16) of which is adjusted a balance plate (18). The escapement (1) includes a first escapement wheel (8) driven by a second mobile (2), and driving a second escapement wheel (10) arranged in the same plane as the first escapement wheel (8). The escapement wheels form a kinematic chain after which is disposed an anchor (26) pivotable around an anchor rod (28) located outside an angle (?) less than 180° and delimited by two straight lines passing through axis (16) of balance wheel (14) and through a pivot axis of the first escapement wheel (8), and through the axis (16) of the balance wheel (14) and through a pivot axis of the second escapement wheel for the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventor: Alain Zaugg
  • Patent number: 12117771
    Abstract: A natural escapement for a horological movement performing a succession of operating cycles each composed of a first and a second alternation of a balance which includes a balance wheel on an axis of which is adjusted a balance plate, this natural escapement including a first escapement wheel arranged to be driven by a second wheel, this first escapement wheel in turn driving a second escapement wheel, the balance plate carrying a balance pin wherein this balance plate causes the pivoting of an anchor at each of the first and second alternations, a first lever, pivoted about a pivot axis, being connected to a first arm of the anchor via at least one pivot joint, the anchor including a second arm extended by a second lever, these levers being arranged to respectively lock the first and second escapement wheels temporarily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Jérôme Macé, Alain Zaugg, Quentin Theurillat-Bonjour
  • Patent number: 12055894
    Abstract: A natural escapement (1) for a horological movement, including a first escapement wheel (8) driven by a second mobile (2), the first escapement wheel (8) in turn driving a second escapement wheel (12) arranged in the same plane as the first escapement wheel (8), an anchor (30) capable of pivoting around an anchor rod (32), the anchor (30) being arranged to temporarily locking the first escapement wheel (8) during a first alternation, and to temporarily locking the second escapement wheel (12) during a second alternation, the anchor rod (32) being located outside an angle (?) less than 180° and delimited by two straight lines which pass through the axis (20) of the balance wheel (18) and through a pivot axis (6) of the first escapement wheel (8), and through the axis (20) of the balance wheel (18) and through a pivot axis (14) of the second escapement wheel (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventor: Alain Zaugg
  • Patent number: 12045012
    Abstract: A watch has a mechanical movement with a force control mechanism arranged in a going train of the mechanical movement between an energy source and an escape wheel set connected to an oscillating oscillator to drive the escape wheel set always in the same direction of rotation. The escape wheel set meshes with a seconds wheel. A rotating locking element is arranged to cooperate with a stop member connected to this seconds wheel in order to lock this going train in a stop mode or to release this going train in a jump mode depending on the angular position of this seconds wheel. A flexure bearing with elastic strips is attached on the one hand to the seconds wheel and on the other hand to the movement support. The pre-wound flexure bearing is arranged to drive in rotation the seconds wheel and the escapement mechanism connected to the oscillator at each half-oscillation of the oscillator in the stop mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventor: Alain Zaugg
  • Patent number: 12013666
    Abstract: A sympathetic timepiece assembly (1000), which includes a clock (100) and at least one watch (200) arranged to be deposited in a receptacle 150 included in the clock, in a single transfer position, this sympathetic assembly (1000) including a connection mechanism between the clock (100) and each watch (200) when the watch (200) is deposited in the receptacle 150 in the transfer position, this connection mechanism includes at least two separate transmission lines, one for transferring power or movement, and the other for selecting a function to be performed or a display variable to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventor: Alain Zaugg
  • Patent number: 11994828
    Abstract: A watch (1) with a mechanical movement with force control mechanism, and of the jumping seconds type. The mechanism is disposed in a finishing train of the mechanical movement between an energy source and an escape wheel set (11) linked to an oscillator (14) in oscillation to drive the escape wheel set in the same direction of rotation. The escape wheel set meshes with a seconds wheel (2). A rotary locking element (7) is arranged to cooperate with a stop member (3) mechanically linked to the accumulation seconds wheel to lock in a stop mode or release in a jump mode the finishing train according to the angular position of the seconds wheel. A stop member spring (4) rotates the accumulation fixed seconds wheel and the escapement mechanism linked to the oscillator at each half oscillation of the oscillator in stop mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventor: Alain Zaugg
  • Patent number: 11906929
    Abstract: A detent escapement includes an escape wheel with teeth regularly spaced along a perimeter and a balance having an impulse pallet and receiving driving impulses via the teeth, the balance performing an alternation during which it receives a driving impulse and an alternation without a driving impulse, the detent escapement also including a hook pivotally mounted on the balance and held bearing by an elastic member against an abutment, the detent escapement including a pivotable detent which includes a first arm which collaborates with the escape wheel to block the latter before the start of the driving impulse, as well as a second arm to allow the escape wheel to disengage from its engagement with the first arm at the start of the driving impulse, and which limits the pivoting of this detent to only part of the oscillation of the balance, the detent being configured to again block the escape wheel after the latter has finished providing the driving impulse to the impulse pallet of the balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Alain Zaugg, Jérôme Macé, Benoît Légeret
  • Patent number: 11899402
    Abstract: A system adjusts the angular position of a first toothed wheel set relative to a support on which the first toothed wheel set is mounted such that it can pivot. The adjusting system includes an adjusting member allowing an action to be applied to an angular position of the first toothed wheel set to adjust the angular position of the first toothed wheel set relative to the support. The invention adjusting system can be incorporated into a timepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Alain Zaugg, Daniel Matteazzi
  • Patent number: 11868090
    Abstract: On-demand horological display mechanism, including a plurality of primary mechanisms each capable of determining the value of a variable, and at least one actuator that can be maneuvered by a user for the selection of the display of the instantaneous values of a specific variable determined by one of the primary mechanisms, each display being performed by the cooperation of a moveable display including a hand or a disc, with a complementary display including at least one graduated index, where the display and/or the complementary display is common to all of the displays that the display mechanism may produce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventor: Alain Zaugg
  • Patent number: 11835925
    Abstract: A timepiece rotating regulator mechanism for regulating the rotational speed of a mechanism subjected to the action of a motor device through a transmission device, including an oscillator mechanism indirectly connected to the transmission device by a movement transformation device including a connecting-rod-crank-handle system, with a crank-handle rotated about a crank-handle axis by the transmission device, and a connecting-rod angularly moveable on the one hand in relation to the crank-handle, and on the other hand in relation to an inertial mass that this oscillator mechanism includes, to ensure the maintenance of the oscillator mechanism by the energy supplied by the motor device, and to ensure the speed regulation of a train that the transmission device include in relation to the frequency of the oscillator mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Alain Zaugg, Christophe Riedo
  • Publication number: 20230315023
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for step-by-step time setting of a sympathetic watch (200) by a sympathetic clock (100), forming together a sympathetic assembly, where a predetermined time-setting step and a reference position of the displays (3; 4; 5) of the watch (200) are determined, and where the clock (100) performs the time setting of the watch (200) by positioning a transmission line in a position corresponding to the time setting, and by actuating, in successive steps, each of the value of the predetermined step, a transmission line capable of imparting to a time-setting mechanism internal to the watch (200) any movement necessary to precisely achieve the display of the current time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Daniel MATTEAZZI, Alain ZAUGG
  • Publication number: 20230315020
    Abstract: A method for reference time setting of the displays (4; 5) of a sympathetic watch (200) by a sympathetic clock (100) forming a sympathetic assembly (1000) with the watch (200) which includes a coupling mechanism (706) between its display and finishing gear trains, and a hammer (701) movable between a coiled position where it is retained by a pawl, and an active position where it rests on an hour heart cam (702) carried by an hour wheel (708) of said watch (200), to constrain it in rotation to its smallest radius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Daniel MATTEAZZI, Alain ZAUGG
  • Publication number: 20230305496
    Abstract: Method for relative time setting of a sympathetic watch (200) by a sympathetic clock (100) with which the watch (200) forms a sympathetic assembly (1000), the watch (200) including at least one hour display (4) and one minute display (5), a reference position of which will be defined, and the time-setting is executed, only at request by action of a user on a control means (300) included in the clock (100) or the watch (200), or automatically periodically controlled by the clock (100), and, to perform the relative time setting, the clock (100) drives said displays (4; 5) of the watch backwards, in the counter-clockwise direction, with a sufficiently long stroke to ensure that the displays (4; 5) pass through the reference position, before a return in the clockwise direction to the instantaneous time, and method for winding the watch by this relative time setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Jérôme MACÉ, Alain ZAUGG
  • Publication number: 20230288874
    Abstract: A method for reference time setting of the displays of a sympathetic watch by a sympathetic clock forming a sympathetic assembly with the watch. At any time, the reference time setting of the watch is performed by a first phase during which the placement in the reference position is triggered, by a first displacement of an interface between the clock and the watch, the reference time setting of the displays, and the coupling mechanism is uncoupled to allow the rack to drive the display gear train of the watch in the counter-clockwise direction, over as many revolutions as necessary, until the pawl meets the ratchet tooth opening of the hour cam, then the time-setting mechanism controlled by the clock sets the time of the displays of the watch in the clockwise direction to the exact time by recoiling the rack, then the coupling mechanism is recoupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Jérôme MACÉ, Alain ZAUGG, Daniel MATTEAZZI
  • Publication number: 20230288876
    Abstract: A method for acquiring data on a sympathetic clock (100) for setting the time of a sympathetic watch (200) at request. The sympathetic watch forms with the clock (100) a sympathetic assembly (1000). The watch includes an hour display (4) and a minute display (5), a reference position of which will be defined at a reference time, and the clock (100) performs the time setting of the watch (200), either when the watch (200) is placed on the clock (100), or alternatively at a predetermined time on the clock (100), or at request by action of a user on a control means (300) included in the clock (100) or the watch (200), or upon control of a horological movement (900) included in the clock (100).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Daniel MATTEAZZI, Alain ZAUGG, Jerome MACE
  • Publication number: 20230280696
    Abstract: A sympathetic timepiece assembly (1000), including a sympathetic watch (200), and a sympathetic clock (100) with a receptacle (150) for receiving the watch, for the power recharging and/or the display adjustment and/or the rate adjustment controlled by the clock (100) or by the watch, through a connection mechanism including at least two distinct transmission lines between the clock and the watch in the transfer position, the watch including a resonator (10), and a display gear train and a finishing gear train, and, or else a stop mechanism (20) arranged to stop the operation of said resonator, or else a coupling mechanism allowing to separate the display from the finishing gear train, or else both such a stop mechanism and such a coupling mechanism, and the watch including at least one hour display (4) and one minute display (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Alain ZAUGG, Daniel MATTEAZZI, Jérôme MACÉ
  • Publication number: 20230280697
    Abstract: A method for permanent time setting of a sympathetic watch (200) by a sympathetic clock (100) forming a sympathetic assembly (1000) with the watch (200) which includes an hour display (4) and a minute display (5), a reference position of which will be defined, and the time-setting is executed only at request by action of a user on a control means (300) included in the clock (100) or the watch (200), or automatically periodically controlled by the clock (100), and, to perform the time setting, the clock (100) drives the displays (4; 5) of the watch backwards, in the counter-clockwise direction, with a sufficiently long stroke to ensure that the displays (4; 5) pass through the reference position; or the clock controls means of the watch (200) which are disposed so as to ensure the displacement of the displays to the reference position by means of heart-pieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventor: Alain ZAUGG
  • Publication number: 20230205144
    Abstract: A sympathique watch (10) including a horological movement including a going train (20), a display train (30) connected to at least one display of a time value, a sympathique hand-setting mechanism and a crown (13) operated hand-setting mechanism. The sympathique hand-setting mechanism includes a coupling device (40) interposed between the going (20) and display (30) trains, the coupling device (40) being configured to adopt an uncoupled state in which it disengages the going train (20) from the display train (30) so as to allow the hands to be set on the display by means of the sympathique hand-setting mechanism, and a coupled state in which it establishes a kinematic link between the gear trains, the link allowing for sliding enabling the hands to be set on the display by means of the crown (13) operated hand-setting mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventor: Alain ZAUGG
  • Publication number: 20230205140
    Abstract: A sympatique watch (30), including a horological movement to which are connected a watch hour (31) and minute display (32), including a barrel (33), a resonator (34), a time-setting mechanism, a coupling mechanism (38) to separate a display train (35) and a finishing train (36), a stop mechanism (37) of a resonator (34), and a reset mechanism to move each hour (31) and minute display (32) in a predetermined reference position. The watch includes a first and a second actuator (310, 320) cooperating with a first and a second actuator (210, 220) of the clock (20). The first actuator can occupy three successive distinct positions to act on the coupling mechanism (38), the stop mechanism (37) and the reset mechanism. The second actuator can occupy two end positions alternately to act on the time-setting mechanism, only when the first actuator (310) occupies one of its successive distinct positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventor: Alain ZAUGG
  • Publication number: 20230205138
    Abstract: A horological movement including a seconds wheel set, a power source, and a regulator (13) to regulate the motion of the seconds wheel set. The movement includes a control mechanism (20) to take an active state wherein it cooperates with the regulator (13) to immobilise it and with the seconds wheel set for driving it such that it rotates into a predefined position. The control mechanism (20) is adapted to take an inactive state wherein it releases the regulator (13) such that the latter is able to regulate the motion of the seconds wheel set, and the seconds wheel set so as to authorise the displacement thereof. The mechanism (20) includes two motion transmitting modules, each to be connected to a specific actuating member, and each being driving the control mechanism (20) between the inactive state and active state upon operation of the actuating member to which it is connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventor: Alain ZAUGG