Patents by Inventor François Maire

François Maire 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).

  • Publication number: 20220357705
    Abstract: Provided is a watch case (10) that includes a middle (11) to which are attached a crystal (12) and a back (13) delimiting an internal volume in which is arranged a horological movement (14) intended to drive indicating members. The case (10) also includes a mechanism for actuating an indicator (16) capable of moving in rotation and housed inside the internal volume of the case (10), the actuation mechanism including a bezel (15) capable of moving in rotation and intended to be handled by a user, and a transmission pinion (17) arranged such that it meshes with the bezel (15) and the indicator (16), the respective axes of rotation of the bezel (15), the transmission pinion (17) and the indicator (16) being parallel to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: François MAIRE, Philipp TSCHUMI
  • Patent number: 10935934
    Abstract: A bar for securing a watch wristlet including a hollow inner tube arranged in the hollow body, and is configured to co-operate with the first pivot and the second pivot. The second pivot and the spring are inserted in the hollow inner tube. The hollow body and the hollow inner tube being configured such that a displacement of the lug along the longitudinal groove towards the second pivot gives rise to a displacement of the second pivot, in the hollow inner tube, towards the lug, the user can easily retract the two pivots by manual action on the lug, with the simple movement of a finger, and without a tool. In fact, since the lug is integral with the first pivot, this action by the user tends to bring the first and second pivots towards one another inside the hollow body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Francois Maire, Jean-Marc Von Allmen, Jonathan Vonlanthen
  • Patent number: 10506853
    Abstract: Watch comprising at least one case and a strap formed by a flexible blade with a first end fixed to the case and a second opposite end provided to cooperate with a device for attaching and adjusting the length of the strap. According to the invention, the adjustment device comprises a clasp formed by a cap and a lever between which the flexible blade slides, the clasp being hinged on the case by linking means which define an axis of rotation about which the lever can undergo a rotation in order to be able to move into an open position and into a closed position, the lever comprising an eccentric which is integral with the lever in the vicinity of the axis of rotation and is provided in order to clamp the free end of the blade against the cap and to retain the strap when the lever is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Bazin, Francois Maire, Jean-Claude Gracia
  • Publication number: 20190324403
    Abstract: A bar for securing a watch wristlet including a hollow inner tube arranged in the hollow body, and is configured to co-operate with the first pivot and the second pivot. The second pivot and the spring are inserted in the hollow inner tube. The hollow body and the hollow inner tube being configured such that a displacement of the lug along the longitudinal groove towards the second pivot gives rise to a displacement of the second pivot, in the hollow inner tube, towards the lug, the user can easily retract the two pivots by manual action on the lug, with the simple movement of a finger, and without a tool. In fact, since the lug is integral with the first pivot, this action by the user tends to bring the first and second pivots towards one another inside the hollow body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Francois MAIRE, Jean-Marc Von Allmen, Jonathan Vonlanthen
  • Publication number: 20180008017
    Abstract: Watch comprising at least one case and a strap formed by a flexible blade with a first end fixed to the case and a second opposite end provided to cooperate with a device for attaching and adjusting the length of the strap. According to the invention, the adjustment device comprises a clasp formed by a cap and a lever between which the flexible blade slides, the clasp being hinged on the case by linking means which define an axis of rotation about which the lever can undergo a rotation in order to be able to move into an open position and into a closed position, the lever comprising an eccentric which is integral with the lever in the vicinity of the axis of rotation and is provided in order to clamp the free end of the blade against the cap and to retain the strap when the lever is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jean-Luc BAZIN, Francois MAIRE, Jean-Claude GRACIA
  • Publication number: 20130229010
    Abstract: This assembly between a spigot and a socket comprises a sealing gasket provided with a locking insert which comprises a head and a foot. The head comprises a radial projection, designed to press against a bottom surface of an anchoring groove belonging to the socket and a first inclined projection, designed to press against an inclined surface of the anchoring groove. The head also comprises a frontal projection which is offset from the first inclined projection and designed to press against an annular frontal surface of the anchoring groove. Application to the connecting of cast iron pipes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Pam
    Inventors: Alain Percebois, Francois Maire, Patrick Joly, Christian Eugene
  • Patent number: 7883119
    Abstract: A composite gland sealing for the interlocking coupling of a housing end piece (8) including an anchoring groove (82), a plastic ring (14) and several locking inserts (20). Each locking insert (20) includes a radially external head (30) provided with a first front projection (50, 52) applicable against the annular front surface (90) of the anchoring groove (82). The head (30) comprises includes a second frontal projection (52, 50) radially shifted from the first front projection (50, 52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Pam
    Inventors: Alain Percebois, François Maire, André Schneider, Roland Martin
  • Patent number: 7350969
    Abstract: The watchcase includes a middle part (3) closed by a back cover (5) delimiting a housing (7) provided for receiving a watch movement (9) including at least one off-centre display (10, 12). The external surface is entirely covered by a cover-bezel (1) rotatably mounted in the plane of the case on an axis (15) located at the centre of the case and it includes at least one aperture (20) having the same contour as the display (10, 12) and able to occupy a first position in which said display (10, 12) is visible, and another position in which said display (10, 12) is concealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Management Services AG
    Inventor: François Maire
  • Publication number: 20070216112
    Abstract: The inventive composite gland sealing for the interlocking coupling of a housing end piece (8) comprising an anchoring groove (82), a plastic ring (14) and several locking inserts (20). Each locking insert (20) comprises a radially external head (30)provided with a first front projection (50, 52) applicable against the annular front surface (90) of the anchoring groove (82). The head (30) comprises a second frontal projection (52, 50) radially shifted from the first front projection (50, 52). Said invention is used for cast-iron pipe joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Alain Percebois, Francois Maire, Andre Schneider, Roland Martin
  • Publication number: 20060158966
    Abstract: The watchcase includes a middle part (3) closed by a back cover (5) delimiting a housing (7) provided for receiving a watch movement (9) including at least one off-centre display (10, 12). The external surface is entirely covered by a cover-bezel (1) rotatably mounted in the plane of the case on an axis (15) located at the centre of the case and it includes at least one aperture (20) having the same contour as the display (10, 12) and able to occupy a first position in which said display (10, 12) is visible, and another position in which said display (10, 12) is concealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Inventor: Francois Maire
  • Patent number: 6062611
    Abstract: A locked pipe joint between a socket (3) of a first pipe (4), and a smooth end (1) of a second pipe (2) inserted in the socket with the interposition of an annular sealing gasket (5). The joint includes a raised bead (6) integral with the smooth end, a split metal retaining ring (7), and a rear support surface (9) for the split ring. The split ring includes a series of indentations (19) on the circumference of at least one face (16), in which the indentations are configured to allow the necessary diametric contraction of the ring by the crossing of its ends, and the subsequent expansion of the ring to lock the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Pont-A-Mousson SA
    Inventors: Alain Percebois, Francois Maire, Roland Zacharie