Patents by Inventor Dominique Lechot
Dominique Lechot 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: 9958831Abstract: A watch or movement including a timepiece resonator movement including two RCC flexural pivots mounted in series about an intermediate rotary support and having the same virtual pivot axis, each including two straight flexible strips of the same length, whose clamping points opposite to this pivot axis are at the same distance with respect to this axis, and which define linear directions, forming angles, in pairs, with this virtual pivot axis, whose value expressed in degrees is comprised between: 109.5+5/[(D/L)?(2/3)] and 114.5+5/[(D/L)?(2/3)], or more particularly between 107+5/((D/L)?(2/3)) and 112+5/((D/L)?(2/3)).Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2017Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Gianni Di Domenico, Dominique Lechot, Jean-Luc Helfer, Pascal Winkler
-
Publication number: 20180113423Abstract: Timepiece movement including a flexible strip resonator cooperating with a magnetic escapement mechanism, wherein an escape wheel set includes tangential magnetized areas repelling first magnetized areas of an inertial element of the resonator, this movement includes isochronism correction means combining the first magnetized areas and compensating magnets on the escape wheel set, each arranged in proximity to a tangential magnetized area and producing a leakage field in a different direction from that of the field of the tangential magnetized area, the leakage field intensity being low compared to that of the field of the second tangential magnetized area, and this leakage field interacting with one of the first magnetized areas to produce a low variation in the operation of the resonator mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2017Publication date: April 26, 2018Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Gianni DI DOMENICO, Jerome FAVRE, Dominique LECHOT, Baptiste HINAUX, Olivier MATTHEY, Jean-Jacques BORN
-
Patent number: 9869972Abstract: A watch includes a pedometer mechanism for estimating a physical activity level. The watch includes at least one moving or pivoting weight arranged to drive a ratchet, an elastic or friction holder for holding the ratchet in position between two movements of the moving or pivoting weight, the ratchet driving a gear train displaying, on a display, a value corresponding, to within a multiplicative factor, to the number of pivoting motions of the ratchet, and/or to the value of the cumulative angular rotation of the ratchet, and the pedometer mechanism includes a limiter only allowing the pivoting of the ratchet from a minimum threshold corresponding to a minimum travel of the weight if the weight is movable or to a minimum angular rotation value of the weight if the weight pivots.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2016Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jean-Jacques Born, Yvan Ferri, Dominique Lechot, Cedric Nicolas
-
Publication number: 20170351218Abstract: Watch comprising a movement, with a balance comprising a ring distinct from the balance rim, elastically fixed to a flange with respect to which this ring is movable in rotation to modify the position of inertia blocks elastically carried by the flange, each able to be indexed in different stable angular positions corresponding to a different inertia of the balance, the movement including an operating member movable between coupled and uncoupled positions which includes a stop means for immobilising the rim in a coupled position, and a control means for rotating the ring to modify the position of the inertia blocks in the coupled position, the watch including a crown controlling the control means, a rotating coupling ring controlling the coupling/uncoupling of the operating member through contactless interaction with an external adjustment tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2017Publication date: December 7, 2017Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Lionel PARATTE, Donald William CORSON, Dominique LECHOT
-
Publication number: 20170351219Abstract: Watch comprising a movement, with a timepiece balance wheel comprising a ring distinct from the balance rim, carried by a flange with respect to which this ring is movable in rotation to modify the position of inertia blocks elastically carried by the flange, each able to be indexed in different stable angular positions corresponding to a different inertia of the timepiece balance wheel, the movement further including an operating member movable between coupled and uncoupled positions which includes a stop means for immobilising the rim in a coupled position, and a control means for rotating the ring to modify the position of the inertia blocks in the coupled position, the watch including a crown controlling the control means, a rotating coupling ring controlling the coupling/uncoupling of the operating member through contactless interaction with an external adjustment tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2017Publication date: December 7, 2017Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Lionel PARATTE, Donald William CORSON, Dominique LECHOT
-
Publication number: 20170261933Abstract: Timepiece regulating mechanism including an energy storage means delivering an output torque (CS), via a train (3), to a wheel set (4) forming a magnetic escapement mechanism (10) with a resonator wheel set (5) subjected to the torque from a return means (6) and cooperating therewith, either directly or via a magnetic stop member (7), this magnetic escapement mechanism (10) being arranged to operate when the wheel set (4) receives a torque higher than or equal to a maintenance torque (CE), and the train (3) includes a torque regulating means (30) arranged to deliver to the wheel set (4) a constant torque comprised between 1.0 and 2.0 times the maintenance torque (CE), the torque regulating means (30) including a fusee (8) of continuously variable cross-section, from which unwinds a chain (9), wound by a drum (21), directly or indirectly driven by the energy storage means (2).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jerome FAVRE, Gianni DI DOMENICO, Dominique LECHOT, Jean-Jacques BORN, Baptiste HINAUX
-
Publication number: 20170242403Abstract: Watch with a timepiece movement, a resonator mechanism, including a magnetic escapement mechanism including an escape wheel set including a magnetized track, with a succession of areas according to a scrolling period in which its magnetic features are repeated, each area including an increasing magnetic field ramp followed by a magnetic field barrier with an increasing field and of higher field gradient that that of the ramp, the track includes a continuous, closed magnetic layer over the entire periphery of the escape wheel set, of constant thickness and variable width, whose geometry defines these magnetic field ramps and barriers, this escape wheel set cooperating with a sprung balance via a pivoting magnetic stop member comprising a pole piece arranged to cooperate alternately with an internal track and an external track of the magnetic layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2017Publication date: August 24, 2017Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Gianni DI DOMENICO, Dominique LECHOT, Jerome FAVRE, Benoit LEGERET, Davide SARCHI
-
Patent number: 9733621Abstract: A shock absorber device for an arbor of a timepiece element including: a support including a base cup surmounted by a peripheral rim, which is delimited, opposite the cup, by an upper surface, the cup and the rim together defining a housing; a pivot system extending along an arbor, the pivot system being arranged in the housing and including a base including an elastic return mechanism at the periphery thereof, formed by at least one curved arm, including an opening in which is inserted a pivot element configured to cooperate with the arbor. The at least one curved arm is used for locking the pivot system in a bayonet fitting.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2014Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Dominique Lechot, Alain Zaugg
-
Publication number: 20170227930Abstract: Watch or movement including a timepiece resonator movement including two RCC flexural pivots mounted in series about an intermediate rotary support and having the same virtual pivot axis, each comprising two straight flexible strips of the same length, whose clamping points opposite to this pivot axis are at the same distance with respect to this axis, and which define linear directions, forming angles, in pairs, with this virtual pivot axis, whose value expressed in degrees is comprised between: 109.5+5/[(D/L)?(2/3)] and 114.5+5/[(D/L)?(213)], or more particularly between 107+5/((D/L)?(2/3)) and 112+5/((D/L)?(2/3)), this timepiece resonator mechanism is in an advantageous variant a one-piece temperature-compensated silicon resonator.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2017Publication date: August 10, 2017Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Gianni DI DOMENICO, Dominique LECHOT, Jean-Luc HELFER, Pascal WINKLER
-
Publication number: 20170115635Abstract: A watch includes a pedometer mechanism for estimating a physical activity level. The watch includes at least one moving or pivoting weight arranged to drive a ratchet, an elastic or friction holder for holding the ratchet in position between two movements of the moving or pivoting weight, the ratchet driving a gear train displaying, on a display, a value corresponding, to within a multiplicative factor, to the number of pivoting motions of the ratchet, and/or to the value of the cumulative angular rotation of the ratchet, and the pedometer mechanism includes a limiter only allowing the pivoting of the ratchet from a minimum threshold corresponding to a minimum travel of the weight if the weight is movable or to a minimum angular rotation value of the weight if the weight pivots.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2016Publication date: April 27, 2017Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jean-Jacques BORN, Yvan Ferri, Dominique Lechot, Cedric Nicolas
-
Publication number: 20170115634Abstract: A watch includes a pedometer mechanism for estimating a physical activity level The watch includes at least one moving or pivoting weight arranged to drive a ratchet, an elastic or friction holder for holding the ratchet in position between two movements of the moving or pivoting weight, the ratchet driving a gear train displaying, on a display, a value corresponding, to within a multiplicative factor, to the number of pivoting motions of the ratchet, and/or to the value of the cumulative angular rotation of the ratchet, and the pedometer mechanism includes a limiter only allowing the pivoting of the ratchet from a minimum threshold corresponding to a minimum travel of the weight if the weight is movable or to a minimum angular rotation value of the weight if the weight pivots.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2016Publication date: April 27, 2017Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jean-Jacques BORN, Yvan FERRI, Dominique LECHOT, Cedric NICOLAS
-
Patent number: 9535405Abstract: A chronograph mechanism including an energy accumulator, a regulating system, a chronograph counter train including a minute-counter having a minute wheel set and at least one minute indicator member, and a seconds-counter having a seconds wheel set and a seconds indicator member, a chronograph zero-reset mechanism including a minute zero-reset mechanism. The minute zero-reset mechanism is arranged to cooperate with the minute wheel set, the minute indicator member being permanently integral with the minute wheel set, and the chronograph counter train includes an uncoupling device between the minute-counter and the seconds-counter, arranged to kinematically connect the minute wheel set and the seconds wheel set during the counting and to uncouple the seconds wheel set from the minute wheel set when the chronograph mechanism is reset to zero.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2016Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.Inventors: Alain Zaugg, Stefan Rombach, Dominique Lechot, Jean-Philippe Rochat
-
Patent number: 9535402Abstract: A timepiece indicates the sunrise and sunset taking into account seasonal variations. The timepiece includes a sphere representing the Earth, a shell arranged concentrically to the sphere and arranged to delimit a part of the globe where it is night time from another part where it is daytime by indicating the position of the Earth's terminator. The shell can pivot around the globe along two perpendicular axes. The shell is driven by the movement in order to revolve at the rate of one revolution every 24 hours around the polar axis. A differential mechanism is controlled by a year cam that has a profile representing the inclination of the sun in relation to the equatorial plane. The differential mechanism controls the inclination of the shell around the axis by a drive shaft concentric to the polar axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2015Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Beat Gilomen, Michel Willemin, Dominique Lechot
-
Patent number: 9483026Abstract: The invention concerns a device for regulating the relative angular speed between a magnetic structure and a resonator magnetically coupled to each other and forming an oscillator which defines a magnetic escapement. The magnetic structure includes at least one annular magnetic path at least partially formed of a magnetic material of which one physical parameter is correlated to the magnetic potential energy of the oscillator, the magnetic material being arranged along the annular path so that the physical parameter varies angularly in a periodic manner. The annular path includes, in each angular period, an area of accumulation of magnetic potential energy in the oscillator, radially adjacent to an impulse area. The magnetic material, in each accumulation area, is arranged so that the physical parameter of said magnetic material gradually increases angularly or gradually decreases angularly.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2014Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd.Inventors: Gianni Di Domenico, Pascal Winkler, Jerome Favre, Jean-Luc Helfer, Baptiste Hinaux, Dominique Lechot, Patrick Ragot, Fanel Piccini
-
Patent number: 9477205Abstract: A timepiece oscillator including a resonator formed by a tuning fork which includes at least two mobile oscillating parts, fixed to a connection element by flexible elements whose geometry determines a virtual pivot axis having a determined position with respect to this connection element and around which the respective mobile part oscillates, and the center of mass of the mobile part coincides in the rest position with the respective virtual pivot axis, and, for at least one of the two mobile parts the flexible elements are formed of intersecting resilient strips extending at a distance from each other in two parallel planes, and whose directions, in projection on one of the parallel planes, intersect at the virtual pivot axis of the mobile part.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jean-Jacques Born, Gianni Di Domenico, Baptiste Hinaux, Jerome Favre, Dominique Lechot
-
Patent number: 9465366Abstract: The invention concerns a device for regulating the relative angular speed between a magnetic structure and a resonator magnetically coupled to each other and forming an oscillator which defines a magnetic escapement. The magnetic structure includes at least one annular magnetic path at least partially formed of a magnetic material and the resonator includes at least one element for magnetic coupling to the annular magnetic path, this coupling element being formed of a magnetic material having a physical parameter correlated to the magnetic potential energy of the oscillator. The radial dimension of the annular magnetic path is smaller than a corresponding dimension of the coupling element, and the magnetic material is arranged so that the physical parameter of said magnetic material gradually increases angularly or gradually decreases angularly in order to obtain an angularly extended magnetic potential energy area in each angular period of the annular magnetic path.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2014Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Gianni Di Domenico, Pascal Winkler, Jerome Favre, Jean-Luc Helfer, Baptiste Hinaux, Dominique Lechot, Patrick Ragot, Fanel Piccini
-
Publication number: 20160246256Abstract: A chronograph mechanism including its own energy accumulator, its own regulating system, and a gear train connecting the energy accumulator to the regulating system. The energy accumulator is formed by a strip-spring and includes a device for driving the gear train arranged to regulate the torque delivered by the strip-spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2016Publication date: August 25, 2016Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.Inventors: Alain ZAUGG, Stefan Rombach, Dominique Lechot, Jean-Philippe Rochat
-
Publication number: 20160246261Abstract: A chronograph mechanism including an energy accumulator, a regulating system, a chronograph counter train comprising including a minute-counter having a minute wheel set and at least one minute indicator member, and a seconds-counter having a seconds wheel set and a seconds indicator member, a chronograph zero-reset mechanism including a minute zero-reset mechanism. The minute zero-reset mechanism is arranged to cooperate with the minute wheel set, the minute indicator member being permanently integral with the minute wheel set, and the chronograph counter train includes an uncoupling device between the minute-counter and the seconds-counter, arranged to kinematically connect the minute wheel set and the seconds wheel set during the counting and to uncouple the seconds wheel set from the minute wheel set when the chronograph mechanism is reset to zero.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2016Publication date: August 25, 2016Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.Inventors: Alain ZAUGG, Stefan Rombach, Dominique Lechot, Jean-Philippe Rochat
-
Patent number: 9389591Abstract: The invention concerns a magnetic device for regulating the relative angular velocity of a wheel and of at least one magnetic dipole integral with an oscillating device. The wheel or the dipole is driven by a driving torque. The wheel includes a periodic, ferromagnetic pole path which alternates according to a center angle and the at least one dipole is arranged to permit magnetic coupling with the ferromagnetic path and oscillation of the dipole at the natural frequency of the oscillating element during the relative motion of the wheel and of the magnetic dipole to regulate the relative angular velocity. The wheel further includes an assembly to dissipate the kinetic energy of the at least one dipole when it moves away from the ferromagnetic path.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2014Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jean-Jacques Born, Gianni Di Domenico, Jerome Favre, Baptiste Hinaux, Dominique Lechot, Patrick Ragot
-
Publication number: 20160179058Abstract: A timepiece oscillator including a resonator formed by a tuning fork which includes at least two mobile oscillating parts, fixed to a connection element by flexible elements whose geometry determines a virtual pivot axis having a determined position with respect to this connection element and around which the respective mobile part oscillates, and the centre of masse of the mobile part coincides in the rest position with the respective virtual pivot axis, and, for at least one of the two mobile parts the flexible elements are formed of intersecting resilient strips extending at a distance from each other in two parallel planes, and whose directions, in projection on one of the parallel planes, intersect at the virtual pivot axis of the mobile part.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2015Publication date: June 23, 2016Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jean-Jacques BORN, Gianni DI DOMENICO, Baptiste HINAUX, Jerome FAVRE, Dominique LECHOT