Patents by Inventor Ivan Villar

Ivan Villar 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: 20230393528
    Abstract: A regulating member for a horological movement including an inertial mass, for example an annular balance, a balance spring, and an index-assembly system for adjusting the rate of the balance spring, the balance spring including a coiled strip and a device for adjusting the stiffness of the balance spring, which are provided with a resilient element arranged in series with the coiled strip, the index-assembly system including a stud-holder including a first stud and a second stud, wherein the resilient element is arranged between the first stud and the second stud, the first stud being capable of moving relative to the second stud, the movement of the first stud changing the stiffness of the balance spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Jean-Luc HELFER, Olivier MERTENAT, Ivan VILLAR, Dominique LECHOT
  • Patent number: 11796962
    Abstract: An escapement mechanism of a timepiece, including: a first escapement wheel, a second escapement wheel called an impulse pinion and a drive pinion; the impulse pinion, the drive pinion and the first escapement wheel being mounted on the same axis; an intermediate wheel meshing with the drive pinion; a balance plate carrying a plate peg and a direct impulse pallet stone arranged to cooperate with the first escapement wheel; pallets including a pallet entry cooperating with the plate peg, an impulse pallet stone arranged to cooperate with the impulse pinion, and first and second support pallet stones arranged to cooperate with the first escapement wheel. The first escapement wheel, the drive pinion and the impulse pinion are mounted in this order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGÈRE SUISSE
    Inventor: Ivan Villar
  • Patent number: 11703803
    Abstract: A braking device (100), separate and remote from its guide members, having resilient strips (3; 31; 32) borne by a braking mobile component (10) trapped between a structure (1) and a bolt (6) and movable perpendicularly to the axis of a horological mobile component arbor (30), on which the strips bear, and either all of the bearing forces on the arbor (30) of the strips (3) are exerted within a single angular sector having a centre angle (a) of less than 180°, or, opposite a first straight or convex strip (31) tangentially braking this arbor (30), a second strip (32) allows for relative mobility between the braking mobile component (10) and this arbor (30) in a direction of mobility (DM), the latter being: either parallel to the first resilient strip (31), or wavy and deformable perpendicularly to the direction of mobility (DM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGÈRE SUISSE
    Inventors: Ivan Villar, Anne Philipps
  • Patent number: 11687033
    Abstract: A self-winding mechanical horological movement including a pivotally oscillating weight, wherein the oscillating weight is provided with a decorative disc mounted on the oscillating weight and pivotally driven by the weight. The disc is fastened to a support that includes a stem inserted into a hole provided in the rotational shaft of the weight. The stem and the hole include non-circular section cylindrical portions corresponding with one another, so that the support and the disc are pivotally driven by the shaft. The disc forms a decoration that covers the entire surface of the movement, without requiring technical complexities. The disc can be free to undergo an axial movement in relation to the weight, so that the disc may be removed from the weight when the horological movement is dismantled from a watch case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Ivan Villar, Laurent Kaelin
  • Publication number: 20230057274
    Abstract: A timepiece display mechanism includes at least one display having a shaft, and having at least one plate and/or a bridge carrying at least one guide device for carrying and guiding this shaft around an axis, including, on a first side of said axis, a support surface comprising a V-shape or a pad, symmetrical with respect to a bisector plane passing through the axis, to centre the axis of the shaft on this bisector plane, and on a second opposite side, at least one holding element substantially diametrically opposite the support surface, all the holding elements exerting on this shaft a resultant elastic return force directed towards the axis, and preventing any radial exit of this shaft out of the guide bearing which is a platform with two parallel faces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Fabrice DELEVAUX, Ivan VILLAR, Julien CHRISTAN, Christophe CATTIN, Anne PHILIPPS
  • Publication number: 20220413443
    Abstract: A watch including a dial including a fixed portion superimposed on a portion movable in rotation including a surface on which are arranged areas with visual appearances different from each other, the fixed portion including at least one through opening emerging on at least one of the areas, the movable portion being kinematically connected to a control member so as to be rotated by actuating the control member and being configured so that when it is rotated, the areas of different visual appearance appear successively through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Julien CHRISTAN, Ivan VILLAR
  • Patent number: 11448278
    Abstract: A shock absorbing device including a spring ring able to adopt a mounting position and an attachment position respectively with respect to the support of the shock absorbing device. This spring ring includes, on the external periphery thereof, tabs which engage with a peripheral shoulder of the support of the shock absorbing device provided with recesses which outnumber the tabs. In the attachment position, only some of the tabs are disposed under the peripheral shoulder of the support, the remaining tabs, including locking tabs, respectively housed in locking recesses, of the support. In the attachment position, at least one locking tab housed in a locking recess is surrounded by tabs positioned under the peripheral shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventor: Ivan Villar
  • Patent number: 11169487
    Abstract: A shock-absorber device for a wheel arbor of a micromechanical device includes a support which includes a turning-arbor delimited by a rim defining a housing into which a pivot module is inserted. The pivot module includes a setting having a central orifice into which is inserted a bored stone. An endstone is placed on top of the bored stone. The shock-absorber device also includes a spring ring arranged between the support and the pivot module. The shock-absorber device is equipped with a bayonet system for mounting the spring ring. The bayonet system includes a peripheral shoulder under which is formed a circular groove which defines a holding area. The spring ring is equipped on an outer periphery with at least one catch. At least one first notch which leads to the circular groove is provided in the peripheral shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Antonio Merino, Thierry Conus, Ivan Villar
  • Publication number: 20210333758
    Abstract: An escapement mechanism of a timepiece, including: a first escapement wheel, a second escapement wheel called an impulse pinion and a drive pinion; the impulse pinion, the drive pinion and the first escapement wheel being mounted on the same axis; an intermediate wheel meshing with the drive pinion; a balance plate carrying a plate peg and a direct impulse pallet stone arranged to cooperate with the first escapement wheel; pallets including a pallet entry cooperating with the plate peg, an impulse pallet stone arranged to cooperate with the impulse pinion, and first and second support pallet stones arranged to cooperate with the first escapement wheel. The first escapement wheel, the drive pinion and the impulse pinion are mounted in this order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGÈRE SUISSE
    Inventor: Ivan Villar
  • Publication number: 20210190165
    Abstract: A shock absorbing device including a spring ring able to adopt a mounting position and an attachment position respectively with respect to the support of the shock absorbing device. This spring ring includes, on the external periphery thereof, tabs which engage with a peripheral shoulder of the support of the shock absorbing device provided with recesses which outnumber the tabs. In the attachment position, only some of the tabs are disposed under the peripheral shoulder of the support, the remaining tabs, including locking tabs, respectively housed in locking recesses, of the support. In the attachment position, at least one locking tab housed in a locking recess is surrounded by tabs positioned under the peripheral shoulder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventor: Ivan VILLAR
  • Publication number: 20210048780
    Abstract: A self-winding mechanical horological movement including a pivotally oscillating weight, wherein the oscillating weight is provided with a decorative disc mounted on the oscillating weight and pivotally driven by the weight. The disc is fastened to a support that includes a stem inserted into a hole provided in the rotational shaft of the weight. The stem and the hole include non-circular section cylindrical portions corresponding with one another, so that the support and the disc are pivotally driven by the shaft. The disc forms a decoration that covers the entire surface of the movement, without requiring technical complexities. The disc can be free to undergo an axial movement in relation to the weight, so that the disc may be removed from the weight when the horological movement is dismantled from a watch case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Ivan Villar, Laurent Kaelin
  • Patent number: 10816933
    Abstract: A timepiece mechanism includes a structure in which at least one arbor of a wheel set is pivoted about an axis of rotation and a braking device for the mechanical braking at constant torque of this arbor. The braking device includes a braking component which is removable with respect to the structure and includes, for attachment thereof to the structure, a solid felloe, which carries a plurality of resilient elements, regularly distributed around a common axis about which these resilient elements each have a contact area. The contact areas together defining an opening, arranged to engage, in a press fit with elastic gripping, with the arbor, to make the common axis coincide with the axis of rotation of the arbor, and to apply to the arbor a substantially constant tangential braking force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventor: Ivan Villar
  • Publication number: 20200319595
    Abstract: A braking device (100), separate and remote from its guide members, having resilient strips (3; 31; 32) borne by a braking mobile component (10) trapped between a structure (1) and a bolt (6) and movable perpendicularly to the axis of a horological mobile component arbor (30), on which the strips bear, and either all of the bearing forces on the arbor (30) of the strips (3) are exerted within a single angular sector having a centre angle (a) of less than 180°, or, opposite a first straight or convex strip (31) tangentially braking this arbor (30), a second strip (32) allows for relative mobility between the braking mobile component (10) and this arbor (30) in a direction of mobility (DM), the latter being: either parallel to the first resilient strip (31), or wavy and deformable perpendicularly to the direction of mobility (DM).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGERE SUISSE
    Inventors: Ivan Villar, Anne Philipps
  • Patent number: 10444705
    Abstract: The mechanical timepiece movement with power reserve indication includes a barrel system with a winding output connected to a chassis wheel of a differential gear, and with an unwinding output connected to a crown of the differential gear. The differential gear is connected to a power reserve indicator to display the power reserve. The timepiece movement includes at least one locking member disposed on the crown and at least one locking element disposed on the chassis wheel during the rotation of the crown relative to the chassis wheel. The locking member is intended to come into contact with the locking element when the power reserve is at zero, in order to stop the timepiece movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventor: Ivan Villar
  • Publication number: 20190107810
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a shock-absorber device for a wheel arbor of a micromechanical device comprising a support which includes a turning-arbor delimited by a rim defining a housing into which a pivot module is inserted, wherein this pivot module comprises a setting having a central orifice into which is inserted a bored stone, wherein an endstone (34) is placed on top of the bored stone, wherein the shock-absorber device also comprises a spring ring arranged between the support and the pivot module, wherein the shock-absorber device is equipped with a bayonet system for mounting the spring ring, wherein this bayonet system comprises a peripheral shoulder under which is formed a circular groove which defines a holding area, wherein the spring ring is equipped on an outer periphery with at least one catch, wherein at least one first notch which leads to the circular groove is provided in the peripheral shoulder, such that it is simply necessary to present the spring ring in such a way that the catch
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Antonio Merino, Thierry Conus, Ivan Villar
  • Patent number: 10241472
    Abstract: A mechanical timepiece movement in the form of a modular unit. The movement includes at least one modular unit for performing a particular timepiece function, which is irremovably pre-adjusted by irremovably securing adjustment and/or assembling components included in the functional module after the particular horological function has been adjusted and function checked on the test bench. The pre-adjusted functional module is irremovably secured to a plate included in the movement or included in another pre-adjusted functional module of the movement, or irremovably secured to another pre-adjusted functional module included in the movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Jean-Bernard Peters, Laurent Kaelin, Ivan Villar, Raphael Balmer
  • Patent number: 10126712
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an assembly for holding or supporting a timepiece balance spring, comprising a balance spring stud and a balance cock on which is fixed a balance spring stud-holder, wherein said stud-holder comprises a holding means provided with a housing for housing the balance spring stud therein and a gripping means, at least said gripping means being movable with respect to the holding means in order to lock the balance spring stud inside its housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Florent Strahm, Ivan Villar, Laurent Kaelin, Thierry Conus
  • Publication number: 20180307183
    Abstract: Timepiece mechanism comprising a structure in which at least one arbor of a wheel set is pivoted about an axis of rotation, and comprising a braking device for the mechanical braking at constant torque of this arbor, the braking device comprises a braking component which is removable with respect to the structure and comprises, for attachment thereof to the structure, a solid felloe, which carries a plurality of resilient elements, regularly distributed around a common axis about which these resilient elements each have a contact area. the contact areas together defining an opening, arranged to engage, in a press fit with elastic gripping, with the arbor, to make the common axis coincide with the axis of rotation of the arbor, and to apply to the arbor a substantially constant tangential braking force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventor: Ivan VILLAR
  • Publication number: 20180164743
    Abstract: The mechanical timepiece movement with power reserve indication includes a barrel system with a winding output connected to a chassis wheel of a differential gear, and with an unwinding output connected to a crown of the differential gear. The differential gear is connected to a power reserve indicator to display the power reserve. The timepiece movement includes at least one locking member disposed on the crown and at least one locking element disposed on the chassis wheel during the rotation of the crown relative to the chassis wheel. The locking member is intended to come into contact with the locking element when the power reserve is at zero, in order to stop the timepiece movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventor: Ivan VILLAR
  • Patent number: 9785118
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an assembly for holding or supporting a timepiece balance spring including a balance spring stud and a stud-holder, wherein said stud-holder includes: a base comprising an upper face and a lower face extending along a longitudinal axis; characterized in that the base includes a lug of non-constant shape protruding from one of the faces, said assembly further comprising a holding plate including a first opening and a second opening separated by a deformable arm, with the stud engaging in the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Julien Christan, Laurent Kaelin, Ivan Villar, Thierry Conus