Patents by Inventor Alphonse Bron

Alphonse Bron 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: 9778621
    Abstract: Timepiece displaying the current time and including at least first and second display devices for a time-related quantity, the first and second display devices each being driven by a drive mechanism including a drive wheel (2; 2a), which is itself driven by the movement of the timepiece (3), at least the drive wheel (2; 2a) of one of the drive mechanisms carrying a finger (4; 4a) via which the wheel drives the corresponding display device, the timepiece (3) being characterized in that the finger (4; 4a) is friction fitted onto the drive wheel (2; 2a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Compagnie des Montres Longines, Francillon S.A.
    Inventors: Olivier Mahler, Alphonse Bron
  • Publication number: 20150138936
    Abstract: Timepiece displaying the current time and including at least first and second display devices for a time-related quantity, the first and second display devices each being driven by a drive mechanism including a drive wheel (2; 2a), which is itself driven by the movement of the timepiece (3), at least the drive wheel (2; 2a) of one of the drive mechanisms carrying a finger (4; 4a) via which the wheel drives the corresponding display device, the timepiece (3) being characterized in that the finger (4; 4a) is friction fitted onto the drive wheel (2; 2a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Olivier Mahler, Alphonse Bron
  • Patent number: 8937850
    Abstract: Timepiece displaying the current time and including at least first and second display devices for a time-related quantity, the first and second display devices each being driven by a drive mechanism including a drive wheel (2; 2a), which is itself driven by the movement of the timepiece (3), at least the drive wheel (2; 2a) of one of the drive mechanisms carrying a finger (4; 4a) via which the wheel drives the corresponding display device, the timepiece (3) being characterized in that the finger (4; 4a) is friction fitted onto the drive wheel (2; 2a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Compagnie des Montres Longines, Francillon S.A.
    Inventors: Olivier Mahler, Alphonse Bron
  • Patent number: 8506157
    Abstract: A vertical type uncoupling device, in particular in an automatic watch winding mechanism that includes an oscillating mass and a gear train connecting the oscillating mass to a barrel (9), wherein a gear train includes a direction reverser device (11, 12), a reduction gear (13, 14, 15, 16) and the uncoupling device (20). The uncoupling device includes two coaxial wheels (17, 7) that can be coupled in rotation in one direction owing to respective Breguet toothings (21, 22) arranged on the opposite flanks of the wheels. The coaxial wheel (17), which is mobile in the axial direction, is secured to a sliding arbour (18), which is mounted so as to rotate and slide in fixed bearings (24, 25). A return spring (26) includes an elastic strip that abuts against one end of the sliding arbour (18) to tend to engage and keep meshed the Breguet toothings. This design reduces friction and saves space. Other applications of this type of uncoupling device in a watch movement are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Monet Jaquet Droz S A
    Inventors: Raphaël Courvoisier, Alphonse Bron
  • Patent number: 7946756
    Abstract: The oscillating weight (2) is for automatically winding a timepiece movement; it pivots off-center relative to the center of the movement and is made of a single heavy material. The weight (2) is carried by a shock absorber (1) that takes the form of a plate (4), one end of which is secured to the weight and the other end of which is secured to a tube (5) arranged to rotate about an arbour (6) forming the axis of rotation of the weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Montres Jaquet Droz SA
    Inventors: Raphaël Courvoisier, Alphonse Bron
  • Publication number: 20100226216
    Abstract: The invention concerns a vertical type uncoupling device, in particular in an automatic watch winding mechanism that includes an oscillating mass and a gear train connecting the oscillating mass to a barrel (9), wherein said gear train includes a direction reverser device (11, 12), a reduction gear (13, 14, 15, 16) and the uncoupling device (20). The uncoupling device includes two coaxial wheels (17, 7) that can be coupled in rotation in one direction owing to respective Breguet toothings (21, 22) arranged on the opposite flanks of said wheels. The coaxial wheel (17), which is mobile in the axial direction, is secured to a sliding arbour (18), which is mounted so as to rotate and slide in fixed bearings (24, 25). A return spring (26) includes an elastic strip that abuts against one end of the sliding arbour (18) to tend to engage and keep meshed the Breguet toothings. This design reduces friction and saves space. Other applications of this type of uncoupling device in a watch movement are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Montres Jaquet Droz S A
    Inventors: Raphaël COURVOISIER, Alphonse BRON
  • Patent number: 7731416
    Abstract: During normal use, the time indicator (2) is driven by a mechanism (3) controlled by the gear train (4) of the timepiece. This mechanism is arranged for uncoupling the gear train from the indicator when the time-setting member (1) is actuated, this action causing the indicator to move forward through a step of one hour. The time-setting member includes a push-button (5) which actuates a device (6) that in turn acts on said mechanism (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Compagnie des Montres Longines, Francillon S.A.
    Inventors: Olivier Mahler, Alphonse Bron
  • Patent number: 7717616
    Abstract: Time zone timepiece including an hour hand (6) capable of being moved forward or backward in one hour steps by means of a manually actuated time setting stem (28) without affecting the minute display, said hand (6) being fitted onto an hour pipe (4) about which an hour hand (2) is adjusted to pivot freely, driven by a motion work (10), an additional wheel (12) secured to the pipe (4) driving an additional device, the hour wheel (2) being coupled to the additional wheel (12) by a limited torque mechanism (16), the timepiece being characterised in that, outside the periods in which the time zone time is being corrected, the hour wheel (2) and the additional wheel (12) are further rigidly coupled by a second coupling mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Omega SA
    Inventor: Alphonse Bron
  • Publication number: 20100027381
    Abstract: Timepiece displaying the current time and including at least first and second display devices for a time-related quantity, the first and second display devices each being driven by a drive mechanism including a drive wheel (2; 2a), which is itself driven by the movement of the timepiece (3), at least the drive wheel (2; 2a) of one of the drive mechanisms carrying a finger (4; 4a) via which the wheel drives the corresponding display device, the timepiece (3) being characterized in that the finger (4; 4a) is friction fitted onto the drive wheel (2; 2a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: COMPAGNIE DES MONTRES LONGINES, FRANCILLON S.A.
    Inventors: Olivier Mahler, Alphonse Bron
  • Patent number: 7645068
    Abstract: Watch comprising a mechanism (50) for driving a device (1) that displays a time-dependent value, this drive mechanism (50) itself being driven by the movement of the watch, this watch also having at least one first correction element (42) acting on the display device (50) via a clockwork mechanism (2) of the drive mechanism (50), and at least one second correction element (48) acting directly on the device (1) that displays the time-dependent value, the watch being characterised in that the drive mechanism (50) is arranged so as to drive the device (1) that displays a time-dependent value in both directions when the first correction element (42) is operated, and so as to be overridden when the second correction element (48) is operated, acting directly on the device (1) that displays a time-dependent value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Compagnie des Montres Longines, Francillon S.A.
    Inventors: Olivier Mahler, Alphonse Bron
  • Patent number: 7625116
    Abstract: Timepiece including a two-directional correction mechanism for a device displaying a time related quantity, the display device being actuated by a control lever (14) itself controlled by a cam (10), on which the control lever (14) abuts, the timepiece being characterized in that it includes a correction device (36) activated by a control stem (42) which, in the display device correction phase, via a return lever (24), moves the control lever (14) out of the path of the cam (10) on which said control lever (14) normally abuts in the normal operating phase of the timepiece (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Compagnie des Montres Longines, Francillon SA
    Inventors: Alphonse Bron, Olivier Mahler, Andrés Cabezas Jurin
  • Publication number: 20090257322
    Abstract: The oscillating weight (2) is for automatically winding a timepiece movement; it pivots off-centre relative to the centre of the movement and is made of a single heavy material. The weight (2) is carried by a shock absorber (1) that takes the form of a plate (4), one end of which is secured to the weight and the other end of which is secured to a tube (5) arranged to rotate about an arbour (6) forming the axis of rotation of the weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: Montres Jacquet-Droz S.A.
    Inventors: Raphael Courvoisier, Alphonse Bron
  • Publication number: 20080181060
    Abstract: Watch comprising a mechanism (50) for driving a device (1) that displays a time-dependent value, this drive mechanism (50) itself being driven by the movement of the watch, this watch also having at least one first correction element (42) acting on the display device (50) via a clockwork mechanism (2) of the drive mechanism (50), and at least one second correction element (48) acting directly on the device (1) that displays the time-dependent value, the watch being characterised in that the drive mechanism (50) is arranged so as to drive the device (1) that displays a time-dependent value in both directions when the first correction element (42) is operated, and so as to be overridden when the second correction element (48) is operated, acting directly on the device (1) that displays a time-dependent value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: COMPAGNIE DES MONTRES LONGINES, FRANCILLON S.A.
    Inventors: Olivier Mahler, Alphonse Bron
  • Publication number: 20080144444
    Abstract: During normal use, the time indicator (2) is driven by a mechanism (3) controlled by the gear train (4) of the timepiece. This mechanism is arranged for uncoupling the gear train from the indicator when the time-setting member (1) is actuated, this action causing the indicator to move forward through a step of one hour. The time-setting member includes a push-button (5) which actuates a device (6) that in turn acts on said mechanism (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: COMPAGNIE DES MONTRES LONGINES, FRANCILLON S.A.
    Inventors: Olivier Mahler, Alphonse Bron
  • Publication number: 20080106979
    Abstract: Timepiece including a two-directional correction mechanism for a device displaying a time related quantity, the display device being actuated by a control lever (14) itself controlled by a cam (10), on which the control lever (14) abuts, the timepiece being characterized in that it includes a correction device (36) activated by a control stem (42) which, in the display device correction phase, via a return lever (24), moves the control lever (14) out of the path of the cam (10) on which said control lever (14) normally abuts in the normal operating phase of the timepiece (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGERE SUISSE
    Inventors: Alphonse Bron, Olivier Mahler, Andres Cabezas Jurin
  • Publication number: 20070109916
    Abstract: The invention concerns an annual calendar mechanism for a timepiece including a date disc (16) to which are thirty one figures are affixed each corresponding to an indication of a day of the month provided with a first inner toothing (20) including thirty one teeth (20a), a date drive wheel set (32), said wheel set (32) including a finger (34) driving the date disc (16) through one step per day via one of the teeth (20a) of the first inner toothing (20) in order to control the date display, said date disc (16) including a second toothing (24), a correction drive wheel set (42) able to cooperate with the second toothing (24) to drive the date disc (16) through an additional step at the end of the months of less than thirty one days, and a month star wheel (54) arranged to be actuated at the end of each month and to complete one revolution per year, characterized in that in includes a month drive wheel set (52) provided for driving the month star wheel (54) at the end of each month, said drive wheel set (52) be
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventor: Alphonse Bron
  • Patent number: 7218576
    Abstract: The invention concerns an annual calendar mechanism for a timepiece including a date disc (16) to which are thirty one figures are affixed each corresponding to an indication of a day of the month provided with a first inner toothing (20) including thirty one teeth (20a), a date drive wheel set (32), said wheel set (32) including a finger (34) driving the date disc (16) through one step per day via one of the teeth (20a) of the first inner toothing (20) in order to control the date display, said date disc (16) including a second toothing (24), a correction drive wheel set (42) able to cooperate with the second toothing (24) to drive the date disc (16) through an additional step at the end of the months of less than thirty one days, and a month star wheel (54) arranged to be actuated at the end of each month and to complete one revolution per year, characterized in that in includes a month drive wheel set (52) provided for driving the month star wheel (54) at the end of each month, said drive wheel set (52) be
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogére Suisse
    Inventor: Alphonse Bron
  • Patent number: 7021818
    Abstract: The coupling wheel (17) is brought into friction with an intermediate second wheel (19), or, conversely, to moved away therefrom by a fork (16) formed in the large arm (22) of an L-shaped coupling spring (20), articulated at the joining portion of the two arms (22, 24) on an adjustment plate (30), the small arm (24) of said coupling spring (20) having its end stressed by the end of a control lever (10). Means for guiding (32a, 32b) and positioning by a cam screw (38) allow the distance between the small arm (24) of the coupling spring (20) and the end of the control lever (10) to be modified, which thus allows manufacturing tolerances to be compensated for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Pierre Haefeli, Alphonse Bron
  • Publication number: 20050128875
    Abstract: Time zone timepiece including an hour hand (6) capable of being moved forward or backward in one hour steps by means of a manually actuated time setting stem (28) without affecting the minute display, said hand (6) being fitted onto an hour pipe (4) about which an hour hand (2) is adjusted to pivot freely, driven by a motion work (10), an additional wheel (12) secured to the pipe (4) driving an additional device, the hour wheel (2) being coupled to the additional wheel (12) by a limited torque mechanism (16), the timepiece being characterised in that, outside the periods in which the time zone time is being corrected, the hour wheel (2) and the additional wheel (12) are further rigidly coupled by a second coupling mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventor: Alphonse Bron
  • Publication number: 20050020115
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting a plurality of coaxial cables to a printed circuit board in a compact connector. The apparatus is generally comprised of a flexible carrier, means for attaching the cable to the flexible carrier, a conductive base plate and a rigid beam providing pressure such that the electrical contact between the coaxial cable and the printed circuit board is maintained. The method generally comprises the steps of stripping the coaxial cables, bonding the coaxial cable to a flexible carrier, positioning the coaxial cables over traces of a printed circuit board providing pressure such that electrical contact is maintained between the cables and the printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Applicant: GE Medical Systems Global Company, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Edwardsen, Alphonse Bron, Jon Ronander, Dag Jordfald