Patents by Inventor David Apotheloz

David Apotheloz 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: 8142069
    Abstract: The invention includes a device for securing a back cover on a middle part of a watchcase, characterized in that it includes an intermediate element to which the back cover is connected, the intermediate element being screwed onto the middle part of the watch, an element arranged to allow the back cover to drive the intermediate element in rotation until the latter reaches a locked position on the middle part, the back cover also being pivotable relative to the intermediate element without the latter being unscrewed for alignment with the 12 o'clock-6 o'clock axis of the watch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Management Services AG
    Inventors: Jacques Müller, Clément Meyrat, David Apotheloz, Luciano Eleuterio, Bertrand Carrard, Rocco Catanese, Domenico Leo
  • Patent number: 7708457
    Abstract: A watch having a middle part including a top face arranged for receiving a polygonal bezel made of a first material. The corners of the bezel are truncated and the middle part is fitted with angular elements made of a second material, secured to the top face thereof, and arranged so as to be substituted for the truncated corners of the bezel when the latter is mounted on the middle part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Tissot S.A.
    Inventors: Marielle Girardin, David Apotheloz, Jean-Claude Gracia
  • Publication number: 20090147630
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a push-button control device for a timepiece, including a push-button head secured to a push-button stem that is fixed to a timepiece case, said stem being able to move axially between at least a rest position and an active position, against a return member, to control at least one function of said timepiece, and water-resistant sealing means, said device being characterized in that the water-resistant sealing means include a cap made of flexible, water-resistant material which covers the push-button head and which is secured to the timepiece case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: TISSOT S.A.
    Inventors: Nicolas Clerc, David Apotheloz
  • Patent number: 7472564
    Abstract: The links (1) are formed by a set of parts (3, 4, 6, 9, 15) including at least two caps (3, 4) including, on the one hand, means for assembling (13, 14, 15) their feet (3b, 4b) to hold, between their heads (3a, 4a) a decorative casing element (9), and on the other hand, locking means (6, 16) at the junction of their feet (3b, 4b) for immobilising each link (1) on the connecting member. The preferred embodiment includes a rigid tube (15) assembling the feet (3b, 4b) and holding a deformable insert locking the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Management Services AG
    Inventors: Sébastien Bolzt, Domenico Leo, David Apotheloz
  • Publication number: 20080225650
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for securing a back cover on a middle part of a watchcase, characterized in that it includes an intermediate element to which the back cover is connected, said intermediate element being screwed onto the middle part of the watch, means being provided to allow the back cover to drive the intermediate element in rotation until the latter reaches a locked position on the middle part, the back cover also being able to be pivoted relative to the intermediate element without the latter being unscrewed for alignment with the 12 o'clock-6 o'clock axis of the watch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2006
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: THE SWATCH GROUP RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LTD
    Inventors: Jacques Muller, Clement Meyrat, David Apotheloz, Luciano Eleuterio, Bertrand Carrard, Rocco Catanese, Domenico Leo
  • Publication number: 20080181061
    Abstract: The invention concerns a watch comprising a middle part (12) including a top face (32) arranged for receiving a polygonal bezel (16) made of a first material. The corners of the bezel (16) are truncated and the middle part (12) is fitted with angular elements (40a, b, c, d) made of a second material, secured to the top face (32) thereof, and arranged so as to be substituted for the truncated corners of the bezel (16) when the latter is mounted on the middle part (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: TISSOT S.A.
    Inventors: Marielle Girardin, David Apotheloz, Jean-Claude Gracia
  • Patent number: 7385874
    Abstract: The watch with a metallic case including an electronic module for storing data, which is mounted in an external cavity in the back cover of a case. The module can communicate via broadcast signals with a read and/or write apparatus for said data. The module includes a base on which are mounted an integrated circuit chip having at least two bumps and a coil acting as a transmission and/or reception antenna. The coil is formed by an electrically conductive wire having two ends respectively connected to said bumps of said integrated circuit chip. The coil surrounds a space in which said chip is placed. The dome-shaped base of the electronic module is a metallic element that conducts magnetic flux to insulate the module coil magnetically from the metallic case during data communication between a read/write apparatus and said module. The base of the module can be covered by a protective cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Management Services AG
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Vuilleumier, David Apotheloz, Jacques Mueller, Clement Meyrat
  • Publication number: 20070297294
    Abstract: The watch with a metallic case including an electronic module for storing data, which is mounted in an external cavity in the back cover of a case. The module can communicate via broadcast signals with a read and/or write apparatus for said data. The module includes a base on which are mounted an integrated circuit chip having at least two bumps and a coil acting as a transmission and/or reception antenna. The coil is formed by an electrically conductive wire having two ends respectively connected to said bumps of said integrated circuit chip. The coil surrounds a space in which said chip is placed. The dome-shaped base of the electronic module is a metallic element that conducts magnetic flux to insulate the module coil magnetically from the metallic case during data communication between a read/write apparatus and said module. The base of the module can be covered by a protective cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: THE SWATCH GROUP MANAGEMENT SERVICES AG
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Vuilleumier, David Apotheloz, Jacques Mueller, Clement Meyrat
  • Publication number: 20060277945
    Abstract: The links (1) are formed by a set of parts (3, 4, 6, 9, 15) including at least two caps (3, 4) including, on the one hand, means for assembling (13, 14, 15) their feet (3b, 4b) to hold, between their heads (3a, 4a) a decorative casing element (9), and on the other hand, locking means (6, 16) at the junction of their feet (3b, 4b) for immobilising each link (1) on the connecting member. The preferred embodiment includes a rigid tube (15) assembling the feet (3b, 4b) and holding a deformable insert locking the connecting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Applicant: THE SWATCH GROUP MANAGEMENT SERVICES AG
    Inventors: Sebastien Bolzt, Domenico Leo, David Apotheloz
  • Patent number: 7126550
    Abstract: There is disclosed a clasp for electrically connecting first (10) and second (10?) antenna elements respectively housed in first (50) and second (50?) strands of a wristband of a portable electronic instrument, this clasp including two parts (1, 2) able to be detached from each other, each electrically connected to one of the antenna elements, and able to be mechanically locked onto each other in order to establish an electric contact between the antenna elements. The first detachable part includes a first clasp element (60) including a first plate (62) extending into the extension of the first wristband strand. The second detachable part includes a second clasp element (70) including a second plate (72) extending into the extension of the second wristband strand and a holding device (73). The second detachable part further includes a third clasp element (75) rotatably mounted on the second clasp element (70) and arranged to lock onto the holding device of the second clasp element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Tissot S.A.
    Inventors: Nicolas Clerc, Nicolas Oian, David Apothéloz
  • Patent number: 7030823
    Abstract: There is disclosed a wristband for a portable electronic instrument including at least a first wristband strand (50) including outer and inner faces and one end (50A) of which is intended to be fixed to a case of said portable electronic instrument, this first wristband strand (50) including, housed between said outer and inner faces, an electric conductor including a conductive plate (10) of elongated shape arranged longitudinally in said first wristband strand (50). The conductive plate (10) includes at least one lug (20) cut into its thickness and bent along a longitudinal line in the direction of one of said outer and inner faces of the first wristband strand (50). The first wristband strand (50) further includes at least one orifice (51) arranged transversely between said outer and inner faces of the first wristband strand (50) and arranged for electrically accessing said at least one lug (20). There is also disclosed a method for manufacturing such a wristband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Management Services AG
    Inventors: David Apothéloz, Nicolas Oian, Nicolas Clerc
  • Patent number: 7027359
    Abstract: The invention relates to watches, generally wristwatches, whose cases incorporate electronic modules for storing information that comprise an integrated circuit connected to an antenna consisting of a coil and are able to communicate by radio signals with a reading and/or writing device adapted at least to read the information contained in a memory of the integrated circuit and often also adapted to delete or modify at least some of that information and to add other information. To eliminate the drawbacks of prior art watches in which the module is inside the case (complicated fabrication or new design of the watch, increased volume thereof) or to reduce the importance of those drawbacks (attenuation and/or distortion of the signals sent and received by the coil), in the watch of the invention the electronic module (14) is housed at least for the most part in a cavity (13) in the back (3) of the case (1) open towards the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Management Services AG
    Inventors: David Apothéloz, Jacques Müller, Clément Meyrat
  • Publication number: 20050249050
    Abstract: The invention relates to watches, generally wristwatches, whose cases incorporate electronic modules for storing information that comprise an integrated circuit connected to an antenna consisting of a coil and are able to communicate by radio signals with a reading and/or writing device adapted at least to read the information contained in a memory of the integrated circuit and often also adapted to delete or modify at least some of that information and to add other information. To eliminate the drawbacks of prior art watches in which the module is inside the case (complicated fabrication or new design of the watch, increased volume thereof) or to reduce the importance of those drawbacks (attenuation and/or distortion of the signals sent and received by the coil), in the watch of the invention the electronic module (14) is housed at least for the most part in a cavity (13) in the back (3) of the case (1) open towards the outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Management Services AG
    Inventors: David Apotheloz, Jacques Muller, Clement Meyrat
  • Patent number: 6960016
    Abstract: There is disclosed a wristband for a portable electronic instrument including at least a first wristband strand (50) including outer and inner faces and one end (50A) of which is intended to be fixed to a case of a portable electronic instrument, this first wristband strand (50) including, housed between said outer and inner faces, an electric conductor including a conductive plate (10) of elongated shape arranged longitudinally in said first wristband strand (50). The conductive plate (10) includes a plurality of electric contact zones (30) with the conductive plate (10) distributed longitudinally over the first wristband strand, the first wristband strand (50) being arranged to be cut with the conductive plate (10) along several transverse cutting lines arranged in each portion located between two adjacent electric contact zones (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Mangement Sevices AG
    Inventors: David Apothéloz, Nicolas Oian, Nicolas Clerc
  • Publication number: 20050014541
    Abstract: There is disclosed a clasp for electrically connecting first (10) and second (10?) antenna elements respectively housed in first (50) and second (50?) strands of a wristband of a portable electronic instrument, this clasp including two parts (1, 2) able to be detached from each other, each electrically connected to one of the antenna elements, and able to be mechanically locked onto each other in order to establish an electric contact between the antenna elements. The first detachable part includes a first clasp element (60) including a first plate (62) extending into the extension of the first wristband strand. The second detachable part includes a second clasp element (70) including a second plate (72) extending into the extension of the second wristband strand and a holding device (73). The second detachable part further includes a third clasp element (75) rotatably mounted on the second clasp element (70) and arranged to lock onto the holding device of the second clasp element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Inventors: Nicolas Clerc, Nicolas Oian, David Apotheloz
  • Publication number: 20050013086
    Abstract: There is disclosed a wristband for a portable electronic instrument including at least a first wristband strand (50) including outer and inner faces and one end (50A) of which is intended to be fixed to a case of said portable electronic instrument, this first wristband strand (50) including, housed between said outer and inner faces, an electric conductor including a conductive plate (10) of elongated shape arranged longitudinally in said first wristband strand (50). The conductive plate (10) includes at least one lug (20) cut into its thickness and bent along a longitudinal line in the direction of one of said outer and inner faces of the first wristband strand (50). The first wristband strand (50) further includes at least one orifice (51) arranged transversely between said outer and inner faces of the first wristband strand (50) and arranged for electrically accessing said at least one lug (20). There is also disclosed a method for manufacturing such a wristband.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Inventors: David Apotheloz, Nicolas Oian, Nicolas Clerc
  • Publication number: 20050011918
    Abstract: There is disclosed a wristband for a portable electronic instrument including at least a first wristband strand (50) including outer and inner faces and one end (50A) of which is intended to be fixed to a case of a portable electronic instrument, this first wristband strand (50) including, housed between said outer and inner faces, an electric conductor including a conductive plate (10) of elongated shape arranged longitudinally in said first wristband strand (50). The conductive plate (10) includes a plurality of electric contact zones (30) with the conductive plate (10) distributed longitudinally over the first wristband strand, the first wristband strand (50) being arranged to be cut with the conductive plate (10) along several transverse cutting lines arranged in each portion located between two adjacent electric contact zones (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Inventors: David Apotheloz, Nicolas Oian, Nicolas Clerc