Patents by Inventor Christophe Bifrare
Christophe Bifrare 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).
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Patent number: 11774909Abstract: A horological display mechanism with an elastic hand (1) for driving, about a shaft (D), pipes mounted at the ends of a flexible blade (3), arranged to deform the flexible blade (3), including a mechanism acting on the drive train of the first pipe (2) and of the second pipe (4) and which includes two planetary wheels (82; 84) for driving the pipes (2; 4), and an input planet-carrier chassis (180) for driving the hand (1), and rotatable with a regulation cam (801), the track (802) of which includes a rising edge and falling edge. An elastic arm (803) has a distal end which cooperates with the track and a rising edge of which raises the elastic arm (803) away from the axis of the cam to consume torque, and a falling edge which makes the elastic arm move back towards the axis to restore torque to the system.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2021Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.Inventor: Christophe Bifrare
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Patent number: 11537080Abstract: A timepiece display mechanism with a resilient hand including a first and second device for driving, about an output axis, a first and a second pipe mounted at the ends of a flexible strip, and including a display index distant from the pipes, these drive devices being arranged to deform the flexible strip, by varying the angular position of one pipe with respect to the other about the output axis, and to vary the radial position of the display index with respect to this axis, this mechanism includes a first differential on the drive train of the first pipe, one input of which is formed by a first cam, and a second differential on the drive train of the second pipe, one input of which is formed by a second cam.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2020Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.Inventors: Christophe Bifrare, Alain Zaugg, Patrice Golay, Marc Stranczl
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Patent number: 11275342Abstract: A repeater including an hours piece mounted to rotate between a rest position and a reading position; a device for regulating the angular speed of the hours piece, which includes a rotor and a system for braking the rotor; and a transmission gear train between the hours piece and the rotor, this gear train including a disengageable primary mobile able to adopt two configurations: a) an engaged configuration in which the primary mobile couples the hours piece to the rotor while the hours piece is moved from its reading position to its rest position; b) a disengaged configuration in which the primary mobile decouples the rotor from the hours piece as soon as the latter is stopped in the rest position.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2018Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Montres Breguet SA.Inventor: Christophe Bifrare
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Publication number: 20210373497Abstract: A horological display mechanism with an elastic hand (1) for driving, about a shaft (D), pipes mounted at the ends of a flexible blade (3), arranged to deform the flexible blade (3), including a mechanism acting on the drive train of the first pipe (2) and of the second pipe (4) and which includes two planetary wheels (82; 84) for driving the pipes (2; 4), and an input planet-carrier chassis (180) for driving the hand (1), and rotatable with a regulation cam (801), the track (802) of which includes a rising edge and falling edge. An elastic arm (803) has a distal end which cooperates with the track and a rising edge of which raises the elastic arm (803) away from the axis of the cam to consume torque, and a falling edge which makes the elastic arm move back towards the axis to restore torque to the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Applicant: Montres Breguet S. A.Inventor: Christophe BIFRARE
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Patent number: 11175628Abstract: A repeater mechanism includes an hour snail, an hour rack carrying an hour beak and rotatably mounted about an hour axis between a rest position and a read position, an hour spring, which returns the hour rack to its read position, a pulley rotatably mounted about a pulley axis and which forms a spiral-shaped peripheral cam path, a chain able to be wound on the pulley, the chain being hooked on the pulley and on the hour rack, and a return spring coupled to the pulley and via which the pulley pulls the hour rack, via the chain, into its rest position.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2018Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.Inventors: Christophe Bifrare, Alain Zaugg
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Patent number: 11073797Abstract: A repeater mechanism includes: an hour part, which is mobile between a resting position and a reading position; an hour spring that returns the hour part towards its reading position; a chain that is hooked to the hour part; a barrel that includes a shaft, a drum, a spring, a pulley that is mobile in rotation relative to the shaft and on which the chain is hooked, and also a ratchet that is integral in rotation with the barrel shaft and coupled to the pulley as long as the hour part exerts a traction force on the chain, and uncoupled from the pulley as soon as this traction force is cancelled out; and a pulley spring that is interposed between the ratchet and the pulley.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2018Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.Inventors: Christophe Bifrare, Daniel Matteazzi
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Publication number: 20210011433Abstract: A timepiece display mechanism with a resilient hand including a first and second device for driving, about an output axis, a first and a second pipe mounted at the ends of a flexible strip, and including a display index distant from the pipes, these drive devices being arranged to deform the flexible strip, by varying the angular position of one pipe with respect to the other about the output axis, and to vary the radial position of the display index with respect to this axis, this mechanism includes a first differential on the drive train of the first pipe, one input of which is formed by a first cam, and a second differential on the drive train of the second pipe, one input of which is formed by a second cam.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.Inventors: Christophe BIFRARE, Alain ZAUGG, Patrice GOLAY, Marc STRANCZL
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Publication number: 20190204785Abstract: A repeater including an hours piece mounted to rotate between a rest position and a reading position; a device for regulating the angular speed of the hours piece, which includes a rotor and a system for braking the rotor; and a transmission gear train between the hours piece and the rotor, this gear train including a disengageable primary mobile able to adopt two configurations: a) an engaged configuration in which the primary mobile couples the hours piece to the rotor while the hours piece is moved from its reading position to its rest position; b) a disengaged configuration in which the primary mobile decouples the rotor from the hours piece as soon as the latter is stopped in the rest position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2018Publication date: July 4, 2019Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.Inventor: Christophe BIFRARE
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Publication number: 20190196409Abstract: Repeater mechanism (5), comprising: An hour part (10), which is mobile between a resting position and a reading position; An hour spring (19) which returns the hour part (10) towards its reading position; A chain (40) which is hooked to the hour part (10); A barrel (32) which comprises a shaft (33), a drum (34), a spring (35), a pulley (38) which is mobile in rotation relative to the shaft (33) and on which the chain (40) is hooked, and also a ratchet which is integral in rotation with the barrel shaft (33) and: coupled to the pulley (38) as long as the hour part (10) exerts a traction force on the chain (40); uncoupled from the pulley (38) as soon as this traction force is cancelled out; A pulley spring (38) which is interposed between the ratchet and the pulley (38).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2018Publication date: June 27, 2019Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.Inventors: Christophe Bifrare, Daniel Matteazzi
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Publication number: 20190196410Abstract: A repeater mechanism includes an hour snail, an hour rack carrying an hour beak and rotatably mounted about an hour axis between a rest position and a read position, an hour spring, which returns the hour rack to its read position, a pulley rotatably mounted about a pulley axis and which forms a spiral-shaped peripheral cam path, a chain able to be wound on the pulley, the chain being hooked on the pulley and on the hour rack, and a return spring coupled to the pulley and via which the pulley pulls the hour rack, via the chain, into its rest position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2018Publication date: June 27, 2019Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.Inventors: Christophe BIFRARE, Alain Zaugg
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Patent number: 8425110Abstract: The invention relates to a silicon-based Breguet overcoil balance spring (1, 31) that includes a hairspring (3, 33) made integral coaxially with a collet (5, 35), a terminal curve (7, 37) and an elevation device (9, 39) between the outer coil (15, 45) of the hairspring and the terminal curve. According to the invention, the balance spring has two single parts secured to each other to increase the development precision of the balance spring. The invention also relates to the method of manufacturing the balance spring. The invention concerns the field of timepiece movements.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2009Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Montres Breguet SAInventors: Alain Zaugg, Christophe Bifrare, Sacha Vorpe, Jean-Philippe Thiebaud, Marc Lippuner
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Patent number: 8416645Abstract: The invention concerns a mechanism (100) for displaying, on demand, the time in a time zone, on the hands of a timepiece. It is characterized in that it includes: two memory wheels (30), each including a heart-piece (40) that pivots relative to a toothed wheel (31) between indexing positions (34) thereon, with which it cooperates via a finger-piece (41) radially returned to said positions by a spring (43), support means (50), which, between two actions by the user, connectably cooperates with a support surface (45) of a memory wheel (30) and is then disconnected from a support surface (45) of the other memory wheel (30), a differential gear (12) with a first input formed by a motion work wheel set, a second input formed by a crown (12A) of said differential gear (12) with which each memory wheel (30) meshes, and an output consisting of an hour hand (25). The invention concerns a timepiece incorporating a mechanism (100) of this type.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2011Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Montres Breguet SAInventors: Alain Zaugg, Olivier Karlen, Christophe Bifrare
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Patent number: 8382366Abstract: The invention concerns a programmable and reprogrammable mechanical memory wheel (30) for a timepiece, including a wheel (31) that is mobile about an axis of rotation (33). It is wherein it includes a mobile heart-piece (40) which pivots relative to said wheel (31), between indexing positions (34) of said wheel (31) with which said heart-piece (40) is arranged to cooperate via an indexing finger (41) included therein and towards which said heart-piece is returned radially by resilient return means (43), and which includes at least one support surface (45) arranged for cooperating with a timepiece mechanism. The invention also concerns a timepiece mechanism incorporating at least one memory wheel of this type (30), wherein, in proximity to each wheel (30), it includes support means arranged for cooperating with said support surface (45) of said memory wheel (30) in a disconnectable manner.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2011Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Montres Breguet SAInventors: Alain Zaugg, Olivier Karlen, Christophe Bifrare
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Patent number: 8322914Abstract: The invention relates to an overcoil balance spring (1) including a hairspring (3) formed in a single silicon part, coaxially with a collet (5), the balance spring including a silicon terminal curve (7) and a silicon elevation device (9) between the outer coil (15) of said hairspring and said terminal curve so as to form a Breguet® overcoil balance spring. According to the invention, the elevation device (9) has a cross-shaped mechanical fastener (17) including at least two opposite arms (12, 12?, 14, 14?), which cooperate with clamping means (23, 25) respectively secured to the terminal curve (7) and the outer coil (15) of said hairspring.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Montres Breguet SAInventors: Christophe Bifrare, Alain Zaugg, Pierre Cusin
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Patent number: 8215828Abstract: The invention relates to a Breguet overcoil balance spring (1) that includes a hairspring (3) mounted in a single part, made of micro-machinable material, and coaxially with a collet (5). According to the invention, the balance spring has a terminal curve (7) made of micro-machinable material and an elevation device (9) made of micro-machinable material between the outer coil (15) of the hairspring and the terminal curve to improve the concentric development of the balance spring. The invention also relates to the method of manufacturing the balance spring. The invention concerns the field of timepiece making.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2011Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.Inventors: Alain Zaugg, Christophe Bifrare
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Publication number: 20110310711Abstract: The invention relates to an overcoil balance spring (1) including a hairspring (3) formed in a single silicon part, coaxially with a collet (5), the balance spring including a silicon terminal curve (7) and a silicon elevation device (9) between the outer coil (15) of said hairspring and said terminal curve so as to form a Breguet® overcoil balance spring. According to the invention, the elevation device (9) has a cross-shaped mechanical fastener (17) including at least two opposite arms (12, 12?, 14, 14?), which cooperate with clamping means (23, 25) respectively secured to the terminal curve (7) and the outer coil (15) of said hairspring.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2010Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicant: MONTRES BREGUET SAInventors: Christophe Bifrare, Alain Zaugg, Pierre Cusin
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Publication number: 20110205852Abstract: The invention concerns a mechanism (100) for displaying, on demand, the time in a time zone, on the hands of a timepiece. It is characterized in that it includes: two memory wheels (30), each including a heart-piece (40) that pivots relative to a toothed wheel (31) between indexing positions (34) thereon, with which it cooperates via a finger-piece (41) radially returned to said positions by a spring (43), support means (50), which, between two actions by the user, connectably cooperates with a support surface (45) of a memory wheel (30) and is then disconnected from a support surface (45) of the other memory wheel (30), a differential gear (12) with a first input formed by a motion work wheel set, a second input formed by a crown (12A) of said differential gear (12) with which each memory wheel (30) meshes, and an output consisting of an hour hand (25). The invention concerns a timepiece incorporating a mechanism (100) of this type.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2011Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: MONTRES BREGUET SAInventors: Alain Zaugg, Olivier Karlen, Christophe Bifrare
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Publication number: 20110205856Abstract: The invention concerns a programmable and reprogrammable mechanical memory wheel (30) for a timepiece, including a wheel (31) that is mobile about an axis of rotation (33). It is wherein it includes a mobile heart-piece (40) which pivots relative to said wheel (31), between indexing positions (34) of said wheel (31) with which said heart-piece (40) is arranged to cooperate via an indexing finger (41) included therein and towards which said heart-piece is returned radially by resilient return means (43), and which includes at least one support surface (45) arranged for cooperating with a timepiece mechanism. The invention also concerns a timepiece mechanism incorporating at least one memory wheel of this type (30), wherein, in proximity to each wheel (30), it includes support means arranged for cooperating with said support surface (45) of said memory wheel (30) in a disconnectable manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2011Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: MONTRES BREGUET SAInventors: Alain Zaugg, Olivier Karlen, Christophe Bifrare
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Publication number: 20110199866Abstract: The invention relates to a Breguet overcoil balance spring (1) that includes a hairspring (3) mounted in a single part, made of micro-machinable material, and coaxially with a collet (5). According to the invention, the balance spring has a terminal curve (7) made of micro-machinable material and an elevation device (9) made of micro-machinable material between the outer coil (15) of the hairspring and the terminal curve to improve the concentric development of the balance spring. The invention also relates to the method of manufacturing the balance spring. The invention concerns the field of timepiece making.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2011Publication date: August 18, 2011Applicant: MONTRES BREGUET S.A.Inventors: Alain Zaugg, Christophe Bifrare
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Patent number: 7950847Abstract: The invention relates to a Breguet overcoil balance spring (1) that includes a hairspring (3) mounted in a single part, made of micro-machinable material, and coaxially with a collet (5). According to the invention, the balance spring has a terminal curve (7) made of micro-machinable material and an elevation device (9) made of micro-machinable material between the outer coil (15) of the hairspring and the terminal curve to improve the concentric development of the balance spring. The invention also relates to the method of manufacturing the balance spring. The invention concerns the field of timepiece making.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2009Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.Inventors: Alain Zaugg, Christophe Bifrare