Abstract: An efficient method for producing spring strut forks for motor vehicles is presented. In each case two spring strut forks are produced from a metallic extruded profile as a starting product. The extruded profile has a central, middle main chamber and four longitudinal chambers which are arranged offset with respect to one another over the circumference of the main chamber. Wall portions of the main chamber which are situated between the longitudinal chambers are removed, and the extruded profile is severed into two semifinished parts. Each semifinished part has one cylinder portion and two oppositely situated arm portions which project relative to the cylinder portions. The semifinished parts are subsequently mechanically machined, and one spring strut fork is produced from each semifinished part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method which comprises the steps of providing a plate (2) made of a micromachinable material, forming the timepiece component (1) with at least one attachment (3) for keeping the component attached to the rest of the plate (2), by etching the plate (2); and creating, along a desired breakage line of the attachment, a pre-detachment area (4) comprising at least one gap (5) obtained by etching into the body of the plate (2).

Abstract: A method for producing a timepiece spring includes a step for producing, by casting, a metallic glass raw material constituted of a metallic glass; a step for heating the metallic glass raw material to achieve a superplastic state; and a step for rolling the metallic glass raw material in a superplastic state to produce a sheet material. A timepiece spring is characterized by being obtained by the method for producing a timepiece spring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a spring for a timepiece, including the following steps: (a) forming a body using first and second metallic materials secured to each other; (b) decreasing the section of the body; and winding the body to form the spring. The invention also relates to the spring obtained via the method. The invention concerns the field of regulating members for timepieces.

Abstract: A timepiece barrel includes: a drum (14) defining a first compartment (16a) and a second compartment (16b) which compartments are superposed; a first tubular hub (22a) secured to a first cover (24a) and housed at least partially in the first compartment; a second tubular hub (22b) secured to a second cover (24b) housed at least partially in the second compartment. Each compartment contains a spring (18a, 18b) wound into a spiral and an inner first end of which collaborates with the first and second hubs respectively and a second end of which collaborates with the drum (14). The compartments are open on the side of the covers and the first and second covers are free with reference to the drum (14) and are each provided with peripheral teeth, while the drum (14) has no teeth.

Abstract: A method for fabricating pallets for an escapement system concerns the field of escapement systems for timepieces. The method includes forming integrally, using a first material, a lever of pallets. A first end of the lever includes a dart. A second end of the lever includes two arms each for receiving a pallet stone. The method includes over-moulding a second material different from the first material on the first end of the lever in order to form a pallets fork. The method includes mounting the pallet stones and a staff to enable the pallets to be rotatably mounted.

Abstract: Lubricating apparatuses (10, 20, 30, 40) that support the axes of a stator guide (70) and a rotor (50) fit into an opening of a stator (60) are separate components and by fitting the stator guide (70) and lubricating apparatuses (10, 20, 30, 40) into the cylindrically shaped opening of a constant diameter disposed in a bottom plate (80), a bearing can be configured that aligns the central axis of the opening of the stator (60) and the rotational axis of the rotor (50) with high precision. Additionally, the structure of the lubricating apparatus (10, 20, 30, 40) is simplified and configures an electronic timepiece that can use the bearing-less stator (60).

Abstract: The oscillating weight for a self-winding watch mechanism is made by molding a plastic material charged with heavy metal particles. Moreover, the plastic material is also charged with fibers, wherein said fibers form between 1.5% and 7% of the total weight of the charged plastic material, and the density of the charged plastic material is greater than 8.

Abstract: Device for securing a first element of a watch 1 having a first threaded portion 11 to a second watch element 2 including a second threaded portion 22, including an intermediate element 3 for the angular orientation of the first element 1 relative to the second element 2. The intermediate element 3 includes a third threaded portion 31, arranged for cooperating with the first threaded portion 11 of the first element 1, and a fourth threaded portion 32, arranged to cooperate with the second threaded portion 22 of the second element 2. The thread pitches of the third threaded portion 31 and fourth threaded portion 32 are different.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly system including a member made of a first material including a staff and a shoulder, the staff of the member being received in an aperture of a part made of a second material having little or no plastic domain. According to the invention, the assembly system includes a locking element made of a third material arranged to elastically attach the part between the shoulder of the member and the locking element and the locking element is a conical washer including an internal wall which radially grips the staff of the member, and a peripheral portion of the locking element which exerts an elastic radial force vertical to the shoulder of the member in order to secure the assembly of the member—part—locking element.

Abstract: A method of producing unitary formed silicon balance spring having an overcoil portion for regulation of a mechanical timepiece, said method including the steps of providing a silicon balance spring having a main body portion, and an outer portion for formation as an overcoil portion, wherein the outer portion extends radially outward from an outermost turn of the main body portion, and wherein said main body portion and said outer portion are integrally formed from a silicon based material and are formed in a co-planar configuration; moving said outer portion in a direction relative to and out of the plane of said main body portion, and in a direction towards over said main body portion and towards the plane of the main body portion; and providing a stress relaxation process to the balance spring so as to relieve internal stresses induced within the balance spring from step (ii); wherein upon movement of said outer portion into the plane of said main body portion, the outer portion is located in an overcoil

Abstract: An integral assembly of a single or double hairspring and an unsplit collet including two portions opposite one another for receiving the balance staff, one portion including one of the bearing surfaces (2 or 3) for the balance staff and a point (10, 11) for attaching the hairspring, and the other portion including another bearing surface (4, 5 or 14) for the balance staff, the two portions being connected together by two linking portions that are less rigid than the receiving portions so as to be capable of elastically deforming during the fitting of a balance staff. According to another aspect, the invention also relates to an integral assembly of a hairspring and a collet, including at least two stages, as well as to a method for manufacturing such an assembly.

Abstract: A temperature compensation-type balance includes a balance staff, and a balance wheel that has a plurality of bimetal portions which are disposed in parallel to each other in a circumferential direction around a rotational axle O of the balance staff and connection members which connect the plurality of bimetal portions and the balance staff. The bimetal portion is a layered body in which a first member and a second member are radially overlapped, and one end portion in the circumferential direction is a fixed end connected to the connection member and the other end portion in the circumferential direction is a free end. The first member is formed of a ceramic material, and the second member is formed of a metal material having a thermal expansion coefficient different from that of the first member.

Abstract: Device for securing and locking a display element (1) mounted on a support (3) using at least one assembly element (2) in a direction of assembly (D). The device includes at least one locking element (4) for the assembly element (2) and the locking element (4) is accessible from the visible side (11) of the display element (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing an element comprising the following steps: a) forming a body made of oxide based ceramic; b) exposing at least one portion of the external surface of the body to a reduction reaction, to remove oxygen atoms to a predetermined depth in order to make the at least one portion electrically conductive; c) depositing a metallic material starting from the at least one electrically conductive portion; d) machining the body and/or the metallic material in order to provide the element with an aesthetic finish. The invention concerns the field of timepieces.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a timepiece component, such as a balance, an oscillating mass or a wheel, comprises a micro-manufacturing technique, such as the DRIE technique. The method may comprise forming at least one member in or at the periphery of the structure, of a material different from that of the structure. This member is typically metal and is formed by electro-forming using a cavity of the structure as a mold.

Abstract: A method for producing a timepiece spring includes a step for producing, by casting, a metallic glass raw material constituted of a metallic glass; a step for heating the metallic glass raw material to achieve a superplastic state; and a step for rolling the metallic glass raw material in a superplastic state to produce a sheet material. A timepiece spring is characterized by being obtained by the method for producing a timepiece spring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method (1) of fabricating a micro-mechanical component that includes the following step: b) forming (3) at least one plate that includes a frame connected by at least one bridge of material to a part of said component, wherein said part has a hole. According to the invention, the method (1) also includes the following steps: e) stacking (5) said at least one plate against a support; f) securing (7) a pin in the hole of said at least one stacked part so as to form the component; g) releasing (9) the component formed from each plate. The invention concerns the field of watchmaking.

Abstract: Lever (6) comprising at least a first element (61) for guiding in rotation of a first wheel (1), at least one friction element (62) which is designed to co-operate with an at least substantially cylindrical portion (10c) of the first wheel, and at least one resilient element (63), which is designed to return resiliently the at least one friction element to a state of co-operation with the said portion of the first wheel, notably in contact with the said portion of the first wheel.

Abstract: Anti-trip mechanism (1) for a timepiece regulating member (100) comprising a balance spring (2) with a strip (20) wound in coils (2), wherein an inner coil (4) is fixed to a collet (6) coaxial to this balance spring (2) relative to a pivot axis (D) and an outer coil (5) is fixed to a hooking element (7). At least one coil (3) of this balance spring (2) includes at least one finger (8) integrally mounted with this coil (3) and moveable without any contact, during the normal extension or contraction of the balance spring (2), in a travel limiting channel (10) comprised in a flange (11) of the anti-trip mechanism (1), and this channel (10) is configured to limit the travel of the finger (8) relative to the pivot axis (D) when the pivoting angle imparted to the collet (6) is greater than a determined nominal value.

Abstract: Method for forming an assembly of elementary timepiece components, each available in different coloured variants, wherein at least some of said different elementary components are the same colour as each other, characterized in that a random selection of each said elementary component is made until said complete assembly is obtained, so that at least two elementary components are of different colours.

Abstract: Method of securing a watch bezel 1 including a case 3 and a crystal 2, characterized in that it includes a step of snap fitting the bezel 1 onto the crystal 2, during which snap fit means 6 are guided by guide means 5 arranged on case 3.

Abstract: A watch case comprising: a middle (3), a first tube (1) provided with first indexing elements (1a), a control crown (C) including: a cap (4) having a distinctive sign (S) on a front face (4?), and a bush (5) intended to be connected to the movement of the watch, a second tube (2) adapted to be fastened to the middle (3) and to receive the bush (5), the control crown (C) and the first tube (1) including respective screwing elements (1b,4b) for screwing them together. Second indexing elements (3a,3a?,3a?) fastened to the middle (3) are provided to cooperate with the first indexing elements (1a) of the first tube (1). The first tube (1) and the second tube (2) are conformed so that fastening the second tube (2) to the middle (3) ensures axial immobilization of the first tube (1) relative to the middle (3).

Abstract: This invention includes a clock tree to which clock signals are distributed, and a phase comparison circuit configured to detect the phase difference between a plurality of feedback clock signals upon receiving the plurality of feedback clock signals output from different branching points of the clock tree. The invention includes a feedback clock signal generation circuit configured to generate a variation-corrected feedback clock signal for correcting a manufacture variation in the semiconductor integrated circuit based on the phase difference detected by the phase comparison circuit. The invention includes a phase regulation circuit configured to delay the clock signal so as to reduce the phase difference between a reference clock signal and the variation-corrected feedback clock signal generated by the feedback clock signal generation circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an immobilizing device for a toothed wheel suitable for the field of horology where it can be part of a direct- or indirect-impulse escapement, in particular in a wristwatch. This immobilizing device (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) comprises: —a base (7); —an immobilizer (9) comprising two arms (10, 11) each provided with a pallet (14, 15) intended to come into contact with a tooth of the toothed wheel (40); —a first and a second elastic element (12, 13) each having an end connected to the immobilizer (9) and another end connected to the base (7); —a third elastic element (16) connected to the immobilizer (9), and it has the particular feature that it is in one piece or in one piece apart from at least one of the pallets (14, 15). The invention also relates to a timepiece and to a method for assembling such a timepiece.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a mechanical part includes the steps of providing a micro-machinable substrate; etching a pattern which includes the part through the entire substrate using photolithography; mounting the etched substrate on a support so as to leave the top and bottom surfaces of said substrate accessible for coating; depositing a tribological quality improving coating of on the outer surface of the part; and releasing the part from the substrate.

Abstract: Timepiece sub-assembly including a spacer for guiding a pivoting wheel set on a bottom plate and including a shoulder for cooperating with a housing in said bottom plate and a stop surface for abutting against said bottom plate. It includes a drive means fixed to said wheel set, arranged to slide relative to said spacer with an axial shake, determined between a first stop position between a collar of said wheel set and a front face of said spacer, and a second stop position between a stop surface of said drive means and a rear face of said spacer. Said wheel set includes, opposite said collar, a machined portion arranged to cooperate with a complementary machined portion of a display element to fixedly secure said display element to said wheel set.

Abstract: To provide a timepiece dial that presents a rich stereoscopic effect, and to provide a timepiece comprising the timepiece dial, the timepiece dial of the invention comprises a microlens layer composed of a plurality of microlenses arranged in an orderly fashion as viewed in a planar view, and a decorative layer composed of a repeating design having a plurality of constituent units. As viewed in a planar view, the microlens layer and the decorative layer are superimposed, and the decorative layer has regions where pitches of the constituent units that are adjacent are different from each other.

Abstract: Device for securing a first element of a watch 1 having a first threaded portion 11 to a second watch element 2 including a second threaded portion 22, including an intermediate element 3 for the angular orientation of the first element 1 relative to the second element 2. The intermediate element 3 includes a third threaded portion 31, arranged for cooperating with the first threaded portion 11 of the first element 1, and a fourth threaded portion 32, arranged to cooperate with the second threaded portion 22 of the second element 2. The thread pitches of the third threaded portion 31 and fourth threaded portion 32 are different.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making a spring for a timepiece that comprises at least one monobloc ribbon of metal glass including at least one curvature. The method is characterized in that said method comprises the step of shaping by means of plastic-deformation said monobloc ribbon in order to obtain at least a portion of said curvature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a one-piece hairspring (21, 21?) including, a balance spring (25, 25?) coaxially mounted on a collet (27, 27?), made in the same layer of silicon-based material. According to the invention, the hairspring includes an elevation device (2, 2?) for the outer coil of the balance spring above the layer of silicon-based material so as to improve the concentric development of the hairspring. The invention also relates to a timepiece including a hairspring of this type and the method of manufacturing the same. The invention concerns the field of timepiece movements.

Abstract: The musical or striking watch includes a watch case, which is formed of a middle part and a back cover, provided with side apertures and removably secured in a sealed manner to the middle part. A crystal closes the case in a sealed manner. A timepiece movement is held inside the watch case and provided with a striking mechanism that can be actuated at determined times to produce notes or music. The watch further includes at least one removable acoustic radiating membrane, which is arranged in the watch case. The removable membrane includes, in a central position, a retaining member. This retaining member is arranged with play in a housing in an inner stop member of the back cover. Owing to the cooperation between the retaining member and the stop member, the bending of the membrane is limited following excess pressure or vacuum pressure according to environmental conditions.

Abstract: Positioning device (1) between a bridge (2) and a plate (3). Said plate (3) includes: for centring said bridge (2): a female arrangement (4) with faces (5) receiving a cylindrical smooth centring pin (6), fixed to said bridge (2) and abutting on said faces, or a smooth female arrangement (40) receiving a ribbed centring pin (60) with faces (50), for aligning said bridge (2) on said plate (3), an alignment housing (8) with parallel faces (9, 10) aligned on said female arrangement (4; 40), receiving an alignment pin (11), fixed to said bridge (2). The invention concerns a collet (15) arranged to be fixed to a plate and including said smooth female centring arrangement (4; 40). The invention concerns a timepiece including a device (1) or collet (15) of this type. The invention also concerns a method of assembling said bridge (2) on said plate (3) with said device (1).

Abstract: Method for orienting a timepiece component made of magnetic/electrostatic material. On both sends of this component, two magnetic/electrostatic fields each attract it onto a pole piece, with an unbalance in the intensity of said fields around said component, in order to create a differential in the forces thereon and to press one of said ends onto a contact surface of one of said pole pieces, and to hold the other end at a distance from the other pole piece. Magnetic/electrostatic pivot including such a component with two ends. It includes a guide device with surfaces of two pole pieces each attracted by a magnetic/electrostatic field transmitted by one of said ends, or generating a magnetic/electrostatic field attracting one of said ends, the magnetic/electrostatic forces exerted on said two ends are of different intensity, in order to attract only one end into contact with only one of said pole piece surfaces.

Abstract: An assembly including a member made of a first material, which is axially driven into a circular aperture of a part made of a second material, having no plastic domain, using an intermediate part made of a third material and mounted between the member and the part is disclosed. The intermediate part is a continuous cylinder including a hole for receiving the member so that the intermediate part absorbs radially and in a uniform manner, at least part of the axial driving force of the member. The part includes pierced holes forming elastic deformation units distributed around the circular aperture thereof for absorbing any of the radial force not absorbed by the intermediate part, so as to secure the assembly in a non-destructive manner for the part.

Abstract: A watch having a band formed from a bistable spring is described. The band automatically wraps to or coils around a wrist, arm, or other limb of an individual wearing the watch. The band is formed from the bistable spring, which includes an extended configuration and a coiled configuration. The band forms a first portion and a second portion. An outer layer covers at least a portion of the bistable spring. The watch includes a watch module to display time data. A housing receives the watch module. The housing is integral with the outer layer. The housing is positioned between the first portion and the second portion of the band.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for assembly of a crystal and a bezel for use of said crystal as vibrating and radiating element, according to which unconnected junction zones are determined and formed that together form the only mechanical link for the transmission of vibrations of said bezel to said crystal, on which zones said crystal is secured on said bezel in order to transmit to said crystal any vibration communicated to said bezel, and outside these zones said crystal is held without direct contact with said bezel. The invention also relates to a crystal-bezel assembly unit (1) for a timepiece comprising junction zones (4) that together form the only mechanical link for the transmission of vibrations from said bezel (3) to said crystal (2) to cause said crystal (2) to resonate under the action of the vibrations, and outside said junction zones (4) said crystal (2) has no direct contact with said bezel (3). The invention also relates to a timepiece (100) comprising such a unit (1).

Abstract: Method of securing a watch bezel 1 including a case 3 and a crystal 2, characterized in that it includes a step of snap fitting the bezel 1 onto the crystal 2, during which snap fit means 6 are guided by guide means 5 arranged on case 3.

Abstract: A method to construct a chip-scale atomic clock is provided. The method comprises providing a scaffolding for components in a chip-scale atomic clock. The components include a laser and at least one other component. The method also includes operationally positioning the components on the scaffolding so that an emitting surface of the laser is non-parallel to partially reflective surfaces of the at least one other component.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a decorative piece (1) including a first (2) and a second part (3). The second part (3) is secured in the first part (3) by inlay. The invention is characterized in that at least one of the parts (2, 3) is made of an at least partially amorphous material.

Abstract: The present application relates to the preferred and alternate embodiment of the graphic display programmable wristwatch and that will display an array of downloadable static and animated Images on an LCD or LED screen to be used to tell time More particularly, the present application relates to a programmable wristwatch that will serve as a platform for downloadable computer generated graphic images by the means of being placed on a docking station cradle at night to charge the battery along with being able to be connected to a computer The preferred and alternate embodiments of the graphic display programmable wristwatch and would have several distinct and innovative elements an LCD or LED screen, a USB port and a wireless sensor port, a time-keeping unit and a central processing unit.

Abstract: In illustrative implementations of this invention, a mechanical clock is produced in a manner such that, once its separate parts are made, the clock requires no further assembly. In one implementation of this invention, a mechanical clock is designed using standard CAD (computer-aided design) modeling tools and made with a rapid prototyping machine. The support material used in rapid prototyping is then removed. Once the support material is removed, the clock runs without any additional assembly. In this implementation, the clock contains all the components that are required and they are all constructed in the rapid prototyping process.

Abstract: A clock kit includes a clock mechanism having a plurality of clock hands and a sticker assembly having a plurality of stickers providing indicia corresponding to a plurality of positions for the plurality of clock hands and positioned between at least one liner sheet and at least one liner sheet. A first adhesive force between a first side of the stickers and the liner sheet is less than a second adhesive force between a second side opposing side of the stickers and the transfer sheet. A third adhesive force between the first side of the stickers and a surface on which the clock kit is to be mounted is greater than the second adhesive force.

Abstract: A radio-controlled timepiece in which its reception sensitivity is further enhanced. The radio-controlled timepiece includes: an antenna core 11 made of a magnetic material and formed as a single integrated body including a coiled portion (11a) wound with a coil 19 and extension portions 11b and 11c which are located respectively on the end-portion sides; additional cores 15 and 16 made of a magnetic material; magnetism-collection members 17 and 18 made of a magnetic material; a main plate 31 (timepiece substrate) made of a non-magnetic material; a guide member 33 made of a non-magnetic material; and a liquid-crystal-panel supporting frame 32 (magnetism-collection-member supporting members, pressing member) made of a non-magnetic material and having protrusions 32a and 32b (pressing members) formed thereon. When the main plate 31, the guide member 33, and the liquid-crystal-panel supporting frame 32 are assembled together, the protrusions 32a and 32b press the magnetism-collection members, respectively.

Abstract: The process comprises the following steps: a) a first element (3) or a plurality of said first elements (3) is/are machined in a first silicon wafer (1) keeping said elements (3) joined together via material bridges (5); b) step a) is repeated with a second silicon wafer (2) in order to machine a second element (4), differing in shape from that of the first element (3), or a plurality of said second elements (4); c) the first and second elements (3, 4) or the first and second wafers (1, 2) are applied, face to face, with the aid of positioning means (6, 7); d) the assembly formed in step c) undergoes oxidation; and e) the parts (10) are separated form the wafers (1, 2). Micromechanical timepiece parts obtained according to the process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing (1) a mechanical part (51) including the following steps: a) providing (3) a substrate (53) made of micro-machinable material; b) etching (5), with help of photolithography, a pattern (50) that includes said part through said entire substrate; According to the invention, the method further includes the following steps: c) assembling (13) a clip (91) on said part so that said part (51) is ready to be mounted without the portion made of micro-machinable material having to be touched; d) releasing (11) the part (51) from the substrate (53) so as to mount said part in a device such as a timepiece movement. The invention concerns the field of timepiece manufacture.

Abstract: A wrist-worn timepiece may have a case, a timing element, and a wristband. The case includes a body, a crystal, and a bezel. The body may define a depression and a channel. The timing element is positioned within the depression, and the channel is located to extend at least partially around the depression. The crystal is located within the depression and adjacent to the timing element, and the bezel is at least partially located within the channel. The body may be formed from a polymer material and the bezel may be formed from a metal material.

Abstract: A cooking facilitator which is preferably portable and well suited for use as both a timer and cooking process facilitator having particular usefulness with cooking objects which have a characteristic associated with establishing a cooking time such as the weight of a turkey in the case of deep frying a turkey or the thickness of a steak in deep frying the same. A gas flow timer for shutting off an overheated or unattended cooking system is also featured.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the indication of the seconds is in an inner portion of the face of the clock, the indication of the hours is on an outer portion of the face of the clock, and the indication of the minutes is between the hours and the seconds. In an embodiment, the indication of the seconds is performed by placing a leading time indicator of a group of time indicators in a current time state, followed by a tail of time indicators that may have a constant or have a range of mixed states that may range in appearance that is closest to the current time state to a an appearance that is closest to a non-current time state in an order such that the closer in appearance to the current time state the time indicator is, the closer the time indicator is to the current time state.

Abstract: A water-proof watch case and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. First, a design of a case and a bottom lid is decided, and a mold according to the design is fabricated accordingly. Next, a hard plastic material is injected into the mold to form the case and the bottom lid. Next, a soft plastic material is injected at an outer rim of the case to form at least one button, and a soft plastic material is injected at a conjunction between the case and the bottom lid to form a water-proof gasket. Finally, the hard and soft plastic materials are heated to adhere the button and the water-proof gasket to the outer rim of the case and the conjunction between the bottom lid and the case respectively.