Patents by Inventor Eli Liechty

Eli Liechty 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).

  • Method for producing a watch case middle of reduced weight
    Patent number: 8689446
    Abstract: A method for producing a watch case middle having reduced weight is disclosed. A 3-D data set is generated for the case middle, the model comprising at least one internal cavity within the case middle. The 3-D data set is converted into a plurality of layers, each layer representing a cross-sectional layer of the middle, and then the case middle is formed layer-by-layer from powdered material using an additive manufacturing process such as DMLS in order to provide the case middle with a unitary construction. Loose powder is removed from each cavity via one or more powder evacuation holes formed between the cavity and an external surface of the case middle, and a through hole formed through the middle is machined to a desired finish and/or precision, the through hole being designed to receive a control member stem when a watch movement is mounted inside the middle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Richemont International S.A.
    Inventors: Laurent Cataldo, Greg M. Morris, Eli Liechty
  • METHOD FOR PRODUCING A WATCH CASE MIDDLE OF REDUCED WEIGHT
    Publication number: 20120192424
    Abstract: A method for producing a watch case middle having reduced weight is disclosed. A 3-D data set is generated for the case middle, the model comprising at least one internal cavity within the case middle. The 3-D data set is converted into a plurality of layers, each layer representing a cross-sectional layer of the middle, and then the case middle is formed layer-by-layer from powdered material using an additive manufacturing process such as DMLS in order to provide the case middle with a unitary construction. Loose powder is removed from each cavity via one or more powder evacuation holes formed between the cavity and an external surface of the case middle, and a through hole formed through the middle is machined to a desired finish and/or precision, the through hole being designed to receive a control member stem when a watch movement is mounted inside the middle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: RICHEMONT INTERNATIONAL SA
    Inventors: Laurent CATALDO, Greg M. Morris, Eli Liechty