Abstract: A timepiece having basic timepiece pointers, chronograph information pointers, a mechanical energy storage section, a train wheel, a power generator, and a control section. The basic timepiece pointers are rotated to indicate the standard time. The chronograph information pointers are rotated to indicate chronograph information. The mechanical energy storage section includes a mainspring. The train wheel is disposed between the mechanical energy storage section and the pointers, and transmits energy from the mechanical energy storage section to the pointers. The power generator has a rotating rotor connected to the train wheel, and generates electric power upon receiving the energy from the mechanical energy storage section. The control section is energized by the electric power produced by the power generator, and controls the rotation cycle of the rotor.

Abstract: The invention concerns a timepiece component comprising a watch movement provided with a main barrel acting as power source for a timekeeping device of the watch movement and an auxiliary barrel designed to supply mechanical power to an additional device, and mechanical control means capable of being manually actuated to trigger said additional device, characterised in that said control means are arranged to simultaneously trigger the additional device and wind the auxiliary barrel.

Abstract: To provide a power reserve display mechanism having a mainspring remaining amount display showing a novel behavior and a mechanical timepiece having the same. A power reserve display mechanism of a mechanical timepiece includes a displacement conversion mechanism having a first rotation input portion coupled to a ratchet wheel and rotated in accordance with rotation of the ratchet wheel and a second rotation input portion coupled to a barrel wheel and rotated in accordance with rotation of the barrel wheel as well as an output portion moved linearly in one direction in accordance with rotation of the first rotation input portion and moved linearly in other direction in accordance with rotation of the second rotation input portion, and mainspring accumulating remaining amount display means provided at the output portion of the displacement conversion mechanism for displaying a mainspring accumulating remaining amount by a position along a linear line.

Abstract: A spiral spring for use in connection with horology instruments is disclosed which includes a spiral spring and a collet which are produced in one piece without molecular discontinuity.

Abstract: A mainspring used as a power source for a driving mechanism is made of an amorphous metal sheet, and has an S-shaped free-exploded shape. The curvature changing point, where the curving direction of the free-exploded shape changes is formed on the inner end side of a middle point between the inner end on the winding side and the outer end serving as the other end of the inner end. Because of the high tensile stress and a low Young's modulus, the amorphous metal permits increase in mechanical energy stored in the mainspring.

Abstract: A mainspring used as a power source for a driving mechanism is made of an amorphous metal sheet, and has an S-shaped free-exploded shape. The curvature changing point where the curving direction of the free-exploded shape changes is formed on the inner end side of a middle point between the inner end on the winding side and the outer end serving as the other end of the inner end. Because of the high tensile stress and a low Young's modulus, the amorphous metal permits increase in mechanical energy stored in the mainspring.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a timepiece including a barrel, a spring housed in the barrel, time display members mechanically coupled to said barrel, an electric energy generator also coupled to said barrel, and a regulator circuit for enslaving the frequency of said generator to a reference frequency. The regulator circuit includes for this purpose switching means arranged for electrically braking said generator during braking periods, when said regulator circuit detects that the frequency of said generator is higher than the reference frequency. The generator controls actuating means of an analogue power reserve member, via an electric quantity transmitted by electric coupling between the actuating means and the generator, during said braking periods.

Abstract: A mechanical timepiece movement has a mainspring serving as a power source, a wheel train rotated by a rotational force produced by the mainspring for driving a display, and an escapement and speed control apparatus for controlling rotation of the wheel train and having a balance with hairspring, an escape wheel and pinion and a pallet fork. A stud holder is rotatably mounted with respect to a central axis of the balance with hairspring and a hairspring holder is attached to the stud holder to undergo movement in a direction orthogonal to the central axis of the balance with hairspring. A hairspring has a central portion fixed to the balance with hairspring and an outer portion fixed to the hairspring holder. The hairspring is adjustable by pivoting the hairspring holder.

Abstract: The transmission device disclosed is inserted between a rotating oscillating weight and an electric micro-generator in order to drive the generator rotor from the oscillating weight by multiplying the rotational speed. Its intermediate wheel and pinion includes a barrel (27) whose central shaft (24) is coupled to the drum (41) of the barrel by a spiral spring (30). The inner end of the spring has a bent portion (34) which engages via resilience in any one of a number of hollows (51) in the shaft and can be released by sliding over a slanting side (52) when the shaft exerts too great a torque in the given rotational direction. This arrangement prevents damage resulting from shocks, in particular in the case of a watch, without using a friction system.

Abstract: A mechanical time piece has a mainspring for generating a rotational force and a front train wheel for undergoing rotation in accordance with a rotational force generated by the mainspring. An escapement and speed control apparatus controls rotation of the front train wheel and has a timed annular balance for undergoing reciprocal rotational movement, an escape wheel and pinion for undergoing rotation in accordance with rotation of the front train wheel, and a pallet fork for controlling rotation of the escape wheel and pinion in accordance with rotational movement of the timed annular balance. A switch mechanism outputs an ON signal when a rotational angle of the timed annular balance becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold angle and outputs an OFF signal when the rotational angle of the timed annular balance does not exceed the threshold angle.

Abstract: A mechanical timepiece has a mainspring for generating a rotational force and a front train wheel for undergoing rotation in accordance with a rotational force generated by the mainspring. An escapement/speed-control device for controlling rotation of the front train wheel has a balance with hairspring for undergoing reciprocal rotational movement, an escape wheel and pinion for undergoing rotation in accordance with rotation of the front train wheel, and a pallet fork for controlling rotation of the escape wheel and pinion in accordance with rotation of the balance with hairspring. A switch mechanism outputs an ON signal when a rotation angle of the balance with hairspring becomes a predetermined threshold angle or greater and outputs an OFF signal when the rotation angle of the balance with hairspring does not exceed the predetermined threshold angle. A position-detecting device detects a position of the mechanical timepiece.

Abstract: A barrel gear 1 as a driving mechanism of an electronic control mechanical timepiece has a mainspring 1A having a surface of elastic material coated with a film made of DLC thin film. The mainspring 1A has a superior anti-corrosion property and reduced slide resistance while sufficiently securing both of toughness and rigidity on account of the film, so that proportional limit thereof can be increased to increase energy accumulated in the mainspring 1A.

Abstract: A fourth wheel 8 disposed in a torque transmission path and to which a second hand is mounted includes a pinion 8a and a gear 8b. Therefore, when the gear 8b engages a fifth-wheel first intermediate wheel 9, the diametrical dimension from a center of rotation of the fourth wheel 8 to a portion where it engages the fifth-wheel first intermediate wheel 9 can be made large, so that, even when the fourth wheel 8 is decentered, the amount by which the second hand gets shifted can be made small by making the effects of the decentering at the center-of-rotation side small. In addition, since the fourth wheel 8 is disposed so as not to overlap a mainspring 1a, the width of the mainspring 1a can be made correspondingly small. Thus, the length of time a timepiece continues operating can be increased by increasing the torque of the mainspring 1a without increasing the thickness of the entire timepiece.

Abstract: A mainspring used as a power source for a driving mechanism is made of an amorphous metal sheet, and has an S-shaped free-exploded shape. The curvature changing point, where the curving direction of the free-exploded shape changes is formed on the inner end side of a middle point between the inner end on the winding side and the outer end serving as the other end of the inner end. Because of the high tensile stress and a low Young's modulus, the amorphous metal permits increase in mechanical energy stored in the mainspring.

Abstract: The electronic circuit allows the control or regulation of the speed of rotation of a microgenerator (1) in a watch movement. The electronic circuit includes two inputs (G−, G+) connected to said microgenerator, a quartz oscillator (3, 4), an energy-dissipation circuit (9) for braking said microgenerator, energy dissipation control means (5, 6, 7, 30, 31) for controlling the energy dissipation of the energy-dissipation circuit as a function of the frequency difference between the signal coming from the quartz oscillator and the signal coming from said microgenerator, and a rectifier and voltage-transformer (2) for rectifying and multiplying the signal coming from said microgenerator, with at least one capacitor (C1, C2, C3) charged by said microgenerator via at least one switch (17, 18, 19). The momentary energy dissipation of the braking circuit can further be reduced when the capacitors are charged.

Abstract: A timepiece movement proposed has a spring which drives, via gearing, a time display and a generator (1) supplying an a.c. voltage. The generator (1) powers, via a voltage-transformer circuit (2), a first capacitative component (10). The first capacitative component (10) powers an electronic reference circuit (3, 4, 5) with a stable oscillator (3, 4) and an electronic control circuit (6, 7, 8, 9). The first capacitative component (10) is charged immediately after the movement is started for the first time by one or more passive components. The one or more passive components are replaced, or supplemented in parallel, by one or more active units as soon as the voltage of the first capacitative component (10) is sufficient to operate the one or more active units, the one or more active units having a lower electrical resistance in the pass direction then the one or more passive components.

Abstract: The timepiece (1) includes a mainspring (2) driving the rotor (3a) of an electromechanical converter (3) and time display hands (6). A circuit (7) for enslaving the real angular position of the rotor (3a) to its desired angular position is supplied with electrical energy by the converter (3). In order to increase the autonomy of the timepiece (1), the enslaving circuit (7) includes means (28) which store a portion of the electrical energy generated by the converter (3) and means (21, 23 to 27) which use this stored electrical energy to apply driving pulses (IM) to the converter (3) when the rotor (3a) has a greater retardation than a determined retardation, with respect to its desired angular position.

Abstract: The timepiece movement proposed has a spring which drives, via gearing, a time display and a generator (1) supplying an a.c. voltage. The generator (1) powers, via a voltage-transformer circuit (2), a first capacitative component (10). The first capacitative component (10) powers an electronic reference circuit (3, 4, 5) with a stable oscillator (3, 4) and an electronic control circuit (6, 7, 8, 9). The first capacitative component (10) is charged immediately after the movement is started for the first time by one or more passive components. The one or more passive components are replaced, or supplemented in parallel, by one or more active units as soon as the voltage of the first capacitative component (10) is sufficient to operate the one or more active units, the one or more active units having a lower electrical resistance in the pass direction then the one or more passive components.

Abstract: Timepiece comprising a mechanical movement which includes a barrel (8) driving a mechanism formed by a gear train, said timepiece comprising a device for indicating the power reserve comprising a resilient element (6) rotatively coupling in a mechanical manner two coaxial wheels (2,4) of said gear train and a disk (4) and a hand (42) rotatively coupled to said two coaxial wheels respectively and arranged so as to indicate an angular displacement between said hand (42) and a reference mark associated to said disk (40) for indicating the moment of force exerted by said barrel on said gear train, said moment of force being representative of the power reserve of the timepiece.

Abstract: The integrated circuit (11) of this timepiece comprises means (16, 17, 18) for comparing the frequency of a time base (12, 13) to the frequency of the generator (1). The error signal thereby generated is examined by a wired logic (20) allowing verification of whether this signal passes distinct threshold values.Passing of two of these values allows an electric brake (22) of the generator to be controlled so that from a certain degree of depletion of the power reserve of the barrel (5), the second hand moves periodically right away over an angle of several seconds inviting the wearer of the timepiece to rewind the spring (6) of the barrel (5).

Abstract: This timepiece comprises a barrel (1), a spring (1a), hands (5) and an electric energy generator (2) intended to provide, by way of a rectifier (4) a continuous voltage to a regulating circuit (6). This regulating circuit controls the speed of the generator in such a way so as to impose to the hands a rotational speed which corresponds to a correct indication of the current time. The regulating circuit comprises a transistor (10) for short-circuiting the generator and for braking it when said regulating circuit observes that the generator is rotating at a speed which is too large to ensure a correct indication of the time.Means (13 to 17) are provided for counting the number of times that the generator is braked during periods of predetermined duration and means for providing, as a function of the result of this counting, a visual indication of the power reserve.

Abstract: The mainspring (3) is coiled inside a barrel at an angle .alpha.=n2.pi. radians. The spring has a rectangular section of a constant width. At least one first portion of the spring extending from the wall (2) of the barrel towards the core (5) has an increasing thickness e selected so that the coiling angle .alpha. times the cubed value of the thickness e has a constant value, namely .alpha..e.sup.3 =constant. One thus obtains, at least in the effective part, namely conventionally the first twenty four hours of operation, a constant force supplied by the barrel and consequently a constant amplitude of the balance.

Abstract: The hands of the timepiece are connected to a barrel spring which also drives the rotor of a generator at a speed greater than a desired speed Vc. The electric energy supplied by the generator energizes a slaving circuit that includes a transistor which short-circuits the coil of the generator and thus brakes the rotor down to a speed less than the desired speed Vc when a comparator indicates that this rotor is ahead with respect to its theoretical angular position. A limiting circuit limits the duration of the braking action of the rotor to a fraction of the period of the a.c. voltage supplied by the generator. This arrangement ensures that the slaving circuit is adequately energized even if the rotor is substantially ahead.

Abstract: The movement, of the conventional type with barrel (10) and spring balance, includes two time displays with hands, the hands (3m, 3h, 3s) of one of the displays, arranged opposite one of the principal faces (1) of the movement, being driven in rotation in a known manner by a gear train comprising a toothed center wheel (12) fixed onto an arbor (13) with a pinion (11) meshing with the barrel. Opposite the other principal face (2) is found another time display, the hands (5m, 5h) of which are driven by another gear train (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41), a toothed wheel (35) of which is fixed onto the arbor (13) of the center wheel (12). This arrangement permits reducing to a minimum the height of the other gear train and to guarantee the same small backlash for the hands of both displays. The barrel spring (10) is wound by an automatic winding arrangement comprising an oscillating mass (7) arranged opposite the other principal face (2) of the movement.

Abstract: A manually or automatically wound extra-thin watch movement, comprising at least one barrel (3) and in which all the wheel sets are assembled in cantilever on one sole base plate (1) with the help of one ball bearing only (15 to 21). The ratchet (25) is in the form of a drum surrounding the barrel. It is swivelled by its periphery with the help of at least three rollers, each pivoted on a ball bearing, and the barrel (3) is pivoted within the ratchet by means of a ball bearing (23). This design enables reducing to a minimum the energy losses due to friction.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved seat belt retractor rewind spring assembly. In accordance with this invention, a rewind spring assembly is provided having the "bridling" effect wherein the coiled flat strip spring is retained by a spring cap which exerts an outwardly directed bending load on the end of the spring which engages the cap. This bridling effect has been found to increase the efficiency of the coil spring. The rewind spring assembly according to this invention improves over prior art designs in that completely automated assembly is possible through the provision of a novel spring cap design, assembly fixture and assembly process.

Abstract: A downhole clock spring in the form of an elongate ribbon comprising means connecting one end to a mandrel for driving an escapement, means connecting the other end to a case, the ribbon spring being characterized in that the ribbon is split substantially along the length thereof.

Abstract: A windable clockwork for metronomes comprises a clockwork frame, a stem rotatably mounted in this frame, a spiral spring connected to this stem, a housing enclosing the spring, and a blocking mechanism which prevents the stem and the spring from reverse motion during the winding. The blocking mechanism comprises two coaxially arranged parts made from a plastic material, namely a locking disc and a spring disc. One of these parts is stationarily arranged on the frame and the other is connected to the stem. The locking disc comprises at its periphery at least one integrally formed stop and the spring disc carries at least one likewise intergrally formed, resilient tongue which in one rotational direction of the stem glides elastically past the stop, but in the opposite rotational direction abuts the stop and blocks the reverse motion of the stem and the spring.

Abstract: A watch mechanism incorporating two barrels each containing a spring. The springs contained in each barrel are positively connected in series to each other via a gear mechanism or a common arbor.The considerable energy available makes it possible to maintain the movement of a high frequency spring balance oscillator. The barrel rotates rapidly to drive the first pinion of the train of gears with an angular velocity approximately double relative to the normal angular velocities; the torque is approximately half (600 gr.mm) that of conventional-sized watch mechanism of comparable performance.The barrels may be mounted coaxially or in the same plane and the mechanism can be arranged to be wound manually or automatically.