Patents by Inventor Jean-Jacques Born
Jean-Jacques Born 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).
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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
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Patent number: 9836027Abstract: A device for winding automatic watches, including an electrical energy source and a receptacle support including a surface configured to receive in abutment a back cover of a watch, the device configured to generate a magnetic and/or electrostatic field or eddy currents, in a fixed position underneath the bearing surface and generate, on a substantially annular angular sector, a magnetic and or electrostatic field that varies as a function of time and whose direction is orthogonal to the bearing surface, or generating eddy currents that vary as a function of time. The device can be provided for a watch including an automatic winding mechanism with an oscillating weight including a first ferromagnetic inner part and a second heavy metal peripheral part, and possibly with a paramagnetic conductive disc coaxial to the oscillating weight.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2014Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Michel Willemin, Jean-Jacques Born, Francois Klopfenstein, Patrick Ragot
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Patent number: 9804570Abstract: A mechanical clock movement includes a resonator, an escapement linked to the resonator, and a display of at least one item of time information. The display is driven by a mechanical drive device via a counter wheel train, the work rate of which is set by the escapement. At least the resonator is housed in a chamber, in which a reduced pressure in relation to atmospheric pressure prevails. The escapement is a magnetic escapement including an escape wheel coupled directly or indirectly to the resonator via a non-contact magnetic coupling system, wherein the magnetic coupling system is formed so that a non-magnetic wall of the chamber runs through the magnetic escapement so that a first part of the escapement is located inside the chamber whereas a second part of the escapement is located outside the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2014Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere SuisseInventors: Pascal Winkler, Jean-Luc Helfer, Thierry Conus, Gianni Di Domenico, Jean-Jacques Born
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Patent number: 9798291Abstract: Wristwatch comprising a mechanical device for executing a first mechanical function arranged to produce a first acoustic alarm signal, and an electronic device housed in a bracelet and arranged to produce a second acoustic alarm signal and/or a mechanical vibration, wherein the electronic device is arranged to produce the second acoustic alarm signal at the moment when the mechanical device for executing the first mechanical function produces the first acoustic alarm signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2016Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jean-Claude Martin, Jean-Jacques Born, Thierry Conus, Jean-Claude Eggen, Emmanuel Fleury, Michel Willemin
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Publication number: 20170300015Abstract: A device regulating motion of a mechanical horological movement includes: a frame; a resonator attached to the frame and including a first annular magnetic structure including N1 magnets arranged regularly in a circle and a resilient structure; a second annular magnetic structure including N2 magnets defining a central axis about which the structure rotates, N2 being different than N1. The resonator is configured so that a resonant mode in which the first magnetic structure is subject to curvilinear, or substantially circular, translation about the central axis may be excited by rotation of the second magnetic structure. The two magnetic structures define a magnetic cycloid gear such that the regulating device incorporates a reducer of frequency between the resonance frequency and the rotational frequency of the second magnetic structure which is rigidly connected to an escapement wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2015Publication date: October 19, 2017Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere SuisseInventors: Pascal WINKLER, Gianni DI DOMENICO, Jean-Jacques BORN
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Patent number: 9785116Abstract: A timepiece regulating mechanism including an escape wheel set subjected to a drive torque, and at least one resonator including a rigid structure connected to a plate by an elastic return and carrying at least one inertia arm cooperating with this escape wheel set via magnetically and/or electrically charged tracks comprised both in this inertia arm and in this escape wheel set, to form a synchronizing device between the escape wheel set and the resonator, and the synchronizing device is protected from loss of synchronization in the event of an accidental torque increase by a mechanical anti-desynchronization mechanism including mechanical escapement stops carried by the escape wheel set, and at least one mechanical inertia arm stop, carried by the inertia arm, and together arranged to maintain stopped in abutment in such event.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2016Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere SuisseInventors: Pascal Winkler, Jean-Jacques Born
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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
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Publication number: 20170241805Abstract: A position sensor and method for determining an axial and/or an angular position of a setting stem of a timepiece. A magnet is provided on the setting stem, and at least one magnetic field sensor is configured to detect changes in magnetic field strength along at least a first axis and a second axis as the rotatable element rotates; the second axis is not parallel to the first axis. The changing magnetic field sensed by the magnetic sensor is converted into a characteristic signature path which may then be mapped onto a circular signature path in two dimensions to derive the angular position of the setting stem.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2015Publication date: August 24, 2017Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Yvan FERRI, David HOOVER, Jean-Jacques BORN
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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
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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
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Publication number: 20170102672Abstract: Wristwatch comprising a mechanical device for executing a first mechanical function arranged to produce a first acoustic alarm signal, and an electronic device housed in a bracelet and arranged to produce a second acoustic alarm signal and/or a mechanical vibration, wherein the electronic device is arranged to produce the second acoustic alarm signal at the moment when the mechanical device for executing the first mechanical function produces the first acoustic alarm signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2016Publication date: April 13, 2017Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jean-Claude MARTIN, Jean-Jacques BORN, Thierry CONUS, Jean-Claude EGGEN, Emmanuel FLEURY, Michel WILLEMIN
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Patent number: 9581969Abstract: A timepiece assembly including a combined resonator with at least two degrees of freedom which includes a first linear or rotary oscillator with reduced amplitude in a first direction relative to which oscillates a second linear or rotary oscillator with reduced amplitude in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The rotary oscillator includes a second weight carrying a sliding-block. A wheel set is arranged for application of a torque to the resonator, the wheel set including a groove in which the sliding-block slides with minimal play. The sliding-block is arranged at least either to follow curvature of the groove when present, or to rub with friction in the groove, or to repel the inner lateral surfaces of the groove by magnetically or electrically charged surfaces in the sliding-block.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Marc Stranczl, Jean-Jacques Born, Jerome Favre
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Publication number: 20170038730Abstract: A timepiece regulating mechanism including an escape wheel set subjected to a drive torque, and at least one resonator including a rigid structure connected to a plate by an elastic return and carrying at least one inertia arm cooperating with this escape wheel set via magnetically and/or electrically charged tracks comprised both in this inertia arm and in this escape wheel set, to form a synchronizing device between the escape wheel set and the resonator, and the synchronizing device is protected from loss of synchronization in the event of an accidental torque increase by a mechanical anti-desynchronization mechanism including mechanical escapement stops carried by the escape wheel set, and at least one mechanical inertia arm stop, carried by the inertia arm, and together arranged to maintain stopped in abutment in such event.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere SuisseInventors: Pascal WINKLER, Jean-Jacques Born
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Patent number: 9547280Abstract: A device for detecting and synchronizing a position of at least one first wheel of a timepiece mechanism for an electronic analog wristwatch, includes this first wheel extending in a plane. The detection and synchronization device includes at least one light source emitting a light beam and at least one light detection system. A first light-reflecting element projects from one of an upper or lower surfaces of the first wheel of the timepiece mechanism. The light source and the light detection system are arranged so that in a determined position of the first wheel of the timepiece mechanism, the light beam emitted by the light source is reflected by the first light-reflecting element in the direction of the light detection system. The detection and synchronization device is housed within a case of the wristwatch.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2014Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd.Inventors: Jean-Jacques Born, Pierpasquale Tortora, Nicolas Cedric, Pascal Lagorgette
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Publication number: 20160370766Abstract: A mechanical clock movement includes a resonator, an escapement linked to the resonator, and a display of at least one item of time information. The display is driven by a mechanical drive device via a counter wheel train, the work rate of which is set by the escapement. At least the resonator is housed in a chamber, in which a reduced pressure in relation to atmospheric pressure prevails. The escapement is a magnetic escapement including an escape wheel coupled directly or indirectly to the resonator via a non-contact magnetic coupling system, wherein the magnetic coupling system is formed so that a non-magnetic wall of the chamber runs through the magnetic escapement so that a first part of the escapement is located inside the chamber whereas a second part of the escapement is located outside the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2014Publication date: December 22, 2016Applicant: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGERE SUISSEInventors: Pascal WINKLER, Jean-Luc HELFER, Thierry CONUS, Gianni DI DOMENICO, Jean-Jacques BORN
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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
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Publication number: 20160306326Abstract: A shock absorber bearing for an arbor of a timepiece wheel. The arbor includes a pivot-shank, the bearing includes a support including a housing arranged to receive a suspended pivot mechanism, and the pivot mechanism is arranged to absorb, at least in part, any shocks experienced by the timepiece wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2014Publication date: October 20, 2016Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jean-Jacques BORN, Jean-Claude MARTIN
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Patent number: 9465363Abstract: A timepiece oscillator comprising a structure and distinct, temporally and geometrically offset, primary resonators, each comprising a mass returned to the structure by an elastic return means, this timepiece oscillator comprises coupling means for the interaction of the primary resonators, comprising a wheel set subjected to a torque or drive force, this wheel set comprising drive and guide means arranged to drive and guide a control means articulated with transmission means, each articulated, remote from the control means, with a mass of a primary resonator, and the primary resonators and the wheel set are arranged such that the axes of articulation of any two of the primary resonators and the axis of articulation of the control means are never coplanar.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2016Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere SuisseInventors: Pascal Winkler, Jean-Luc Helfer, Gianni Di Domenico, Thierry Conus, Jean-Jacques Born
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Patent number: 9429916Abstract: A timepiece resonator including one weight connected by flexible strips to fixed attachment points of a fixed structure, this weight being subjected to a torque and/or a stress, and oscillating with at least two degrees of freedom in translation, and these flexible strips maintain the oscillations of this weight about a virtual pivot.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2015Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere SuisseInventors: Jean-Jacques Born, Jean-Luc Helfer
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Publication number: 20160246258Abstract: A timepiece assembly including a combined resonator with at least two degrees of freedom which includes a first linear or rotary oscillator with reduced amplitude in a first direction relative to which oscillates a second linear or rotary oscillator with reduced amplitude in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The rotary oscillator includes a second weight carrying a sliding-block. A wheel set is arranged for application of a torque to the resonator, the wheel set including a groove in which the sliding-block slides with minimal play. The sliding-block is arranged at least either to follow curvature of the groove when present, or to rub with friction in the groove, or to repel the inner lateral surfaces of the groove by magnetically or electrically charged surfaces in the sliding-block.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2015Publication date: August 25, 2016Applicant: THE SWATCH GROUP RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LTDInventors: Marc STRANCZL, Jean-Jacques BORN, Jerome FAVRE