For Crown Or Stem Patents (Class 368/288)
  • Patent number: 11360436
    Abstract: A watch includes: a crown including a head portion and a shaft portion; a stem pipe including a first surface that includes an insertion hole through which the shaft portion is inserted and has a distance from a surface of the shaft portion as a first distance in cross-sectional view, and a second surface that is provided at a position closer to an end portion of the insertion hole than the first surface and has a distance from the surface of the shaft portion as a second distance larger than the first distance; a packing disposed between the surface of the shaft portion and the first surface; and a metal ring that is disposed between the surface of the shaft portion and the second surface and is in contact with the packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventors: Koki Hayashi, Yoshihiro Naito
  • Patent number: 11199815
    Abstract: A watch case, including an orientable screwed crown including axially movable, a subassembly including a setting body including a pattern, a tube suitable for being axially inserted into a hole of the case and including an axial indexing profile engaging complementarily with a complementary axial indexing profile of the hole, and the indexing profile is a cone of apex angle less than 15°, arranged to engage by friction with the complementary indexing profile of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: MECO SA
    Inventor: Philipp Tschumi
  • Patent number: 10681436
    Abstract: A protective case for an electronic device includes a main housing and a lid. The main housing and lid are removably joined to define an air and water tight volume receiving an electronic device. The electronic device includes a switch. The main housing includes a slot formed therein proximate the switch of the electronic device. The main housing includes a pair of separated raised walls formed thereon about the slot. A toggle is rotatively positioned within the slot and between the raised walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: CATALYST LIFESTYLE LIMITED
    Inventors: Joshua Wright, June Lai
  • Patent number: 10631784
    Abstract: A wrist apparatus includes a case, a solar battery that is provided in the case, and an optical sensor unit as a biological information measurement unit that is provided in the case, measures biological information, and is disposed at a position overlapping the solar battery in a plan view of a light reception surface of the solar battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Hiraide, Hironori Hasei, Noriaki Hiraide
  • Patent number: 10627781
    Abstract: A switch device including a case provided with a through hole, an operation member including a shaft section which is inserted into the through hole of the case and a head section which is provided on an outer end portion of the shaft section and arranged outside the case, an elastic body which is arranged between outer surface of the case and inner surface of the head section of the operation member opposing the outer surface of the case, and forces the head section outward from the case by an elastic force of a material of the elastic body, and a slipping section which provides slipperiness in a rotational direction to the elastic body and the head section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsumi Ichimura, Hajime Iguchi
  • Patent number: 10613581
    Abstract: A wrist apparatus includes a case, a solar battery that is provided in the case, and a biological information measurement unit (optical sensor) that is provided in the case and measures biological information, in which the solar battery is disposed outside an outer edge of the biological information measurement unit in a plan view of a light reception surface of the solar battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Hiraide, Hironori Hasei, Noriaki Hiraide
  • Patent number: 10345762
    Abstract: A timepiece including a case middle, a bezel, rotatably mounted on the case middle, and an actuation member including a cover capable of adopting a retracted position and a deployed position relative to the case middle, the cover being provided with a bearing surface actuatable by the user's finger, wherein the cover includes a shoulder distinct from the bearing surface, the shoulder being intended to cooperate with the bezel when the cover is in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Omega SA
    Inventors: Gregory Kissling, Jean Baebler, Olivier Silvant, Sebastien Briswalter
  • Patent number: 9709955
    Abstract: A switch device includes a case having a through hole, an operation member which is inserted into the through hole of the case and protrudes inside and outside the case, a waterproof member which is placed on at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the case and into which the operation member is slidably inserted, and a press member which presses the waterproof member against the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sen Hirayama
  • Patent number: 9336967
    Abstract: A switch device including a case having a through hole, a cylindrical member including a first cylindrical section having a small diameter arranged in the through hole of the case and a second cylindrical section having a large diameter arranged on an outer portion of the case, an operation member including a shaft section slidably inserted into the first cylindrical section and a head section slidably arranged in the second cylindrical section, a waterproof member provided between an inner peripheral surface of the second cylindrical section and an outer peripheral surface of the head section, and a vent passage that allows air inside the second cylindrical section and air outside the case to pass through a vent hole provided in the cylindrical member and a gap between an outer surface of the cylindrical member and an outer surface of the case for ventilation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naohiko Sakurazawa, Hajime Iguchi, Yukio Funabara
  • Patent number: 9265893
    Abstract: A push button connection for an injection device comprising a push button (10) and a driving part (20). The two parts of the push button connection are mounted to each other and is relatively rotatable to each other. In order to minimize the friction occurring between the push button and the driving part when relatively rotated forces are transmitted via a pivot bearing (18, 22). In order also to minimize the effect of forces appearing dislocated from the center line a number of radial bearings (13, 23; 14, 25) having a little friction diameter is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
    Inventors: Torben Stroem Hansen, Jakob Oest Wielandt, Lars Moerch Groth
  • Patent number: 9052696
    Abstract: A control device for a timepiece, the device including a primary crown adapted to be rotated and pulled, having at least two axial positions, and also including a secondary crown arranged coaxially with respect to the primary crown, the primary crown including a crown head and a control rod fixed rigidly to the crown head and adapted to be coupled to or decoupled from a winding rod of a movement of the timepiece in order to control functions of the timepiece, and the secondary crown including a crown body. The control device distinguishes in that the secondary crown is adapted be rotated and pulled, has at least two axial positions, and includes a kinematic link adapted to control at least one additional function of the timepiece, the primary crown and secondary crown being actuatable independently of one another. The invention also includes a timepiece having such a control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Societe anonyme de la Manufacture d'horlogerie Audemars Piguet & Cie
    Inventors: Julien Breuillot, Marc Hodebourg
  • Publication number: 20140362673
    Abstract: A watch for keeping time that comprises a watchcase for housing the movement, the stem, and the crown. The watchcase comprises a lid having a crystal and a body configured to mate with the lid, the body comprising a floor that supports the movement and a wall surrounding the floor, wherein the wall has a notch into which the crown protrudes and wherein the watchcase formed by mating the lid with the body encloses the movement, the stem, and the crown on all sides. A method for setting the time on a watch with an enclosed crown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: David EARL
  • Patent number: 8602639
    Abstract: Winding crown for a timepiece, said crown (40) including a bottom (42) and a skirt (44), which delimits an inner volume housing at least one elastically deformable element, the crown (40) being characterized in that a stop member is inserted between the elastically deformable element (50) and the bottom (42) of the crown (40) to prevent any surface contact between said elastically deformable element (50) and said bottom (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Meco S.A.
    Inventors: Georges Zimmermann, Pierre-Jean Bonnet
  • Patent number: 8434934
    Abstract: Timepiece (1) including a case (11) in which systems (3, 5, 7, 9) are mounted for operating the timepiece, controlled by control members (15, 21, 19) that project from the case, at least one of the control members (15, 19, 21) cooperating with an anti-shock device (33, 35) mounted in the case (11) and including a main component (91, 111), which is moveably mounted relative to the case (11), characterized in that the main component (91, 111) includes a permanent mechanical connection with the part (63, 41) of each system (25, 23) to which the at least one control member is attached, which enables the component to be reversibly uncoupled from the at least one control member (15, 19, 21) when a force greater than a predetermined threshold is exerted on the at least one control member and in that the mechanical connection is of the sliding type, and includes a jumper spring (95, 115) elastically mounted relative to a pin (96, 116).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Omega S.A.
    Inventor: Baptist Wyssbrod
  • Patent number: 8289815
    Abstract: The timepiece includes a stationary outer case (1) in which a pivoting inner case (10) is hinged in an inclined position via the action of a spring. The locking/unlocking mechanism is characterized in that it is formed by a mobile element of the external part that can be manipulated in the plane of the timepiece such as a rotating bezel (20) of the inner case (10) including a lug (22) that is engaged in a groove (2) of the outer case (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Management Services AG
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Gracia, Damien Goyet, Paulo Bravo
  • Publication number: 20110085424
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for operating a horological or other time-related function comprising at least two push-buttons (28A, 28B), each having a stem (30A, 30B) and a head (32A, 32B), these push-buttons (28A, 28B) being movable axially between a first or inactive rest position and a second position in which they operate the function, said device being characterized in that the stems (30A, 30B) of the two push-buttons (28A, 28B) extend side by side, parallel to each other. The invention also relates to a timepiece with such an operating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: MECO S.A.
    Inventor: Hakim El Kadiri
  • Patent number: 7815365
    Abstract: A diver's watch includes a timepiece exterior assembly including a movement, a hand setting stem pipe, a crown for operating the movement, and a cover pipe. A locking face is formed at an outer peripheral portion of a case body provided to the timepiece exterior assembly. The hand setting stem pipe is fixed to the case body and includes a pipe side screw portion. The crown includes a crown cylinder inserted to inside of the hand setting stem pipe, and a crown head integral with the crown cylinder. The crown head is formed with a crown side screw portion attachably and detachably screwed to the pipe side screw portion, and an engaging end face brought into contact with and separated from the locking face. The cover pipe is arranged to be more proximate to the crown cylinder than the engaging end face. Thereby, the hand setting stem pipe is covered by the cover pipe and the covered state is maintained regardless of a movement in an axial direction of the crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Kazutaka Imai
  • Patent number: 7604397
    Abstract: A sealing device (1) for a watch crown that includes a cover (2) possessing an annular part (3) that fits and rests on the periphery of a cabochon (4) of a watch crown (5) against a seal (6). Said cover (2), which is articulated on one of the shoulders (7) protecting the crown (5) of a watchcase (8) has, at its end, a closure lug (9). The latter is designed to receive a buckle (10) integral with a fastening arm (12). This fastening arm (12) makes it possible for the cover (2) to exert sufficient pressure on said seal (6) by means of a simple lever effect when the end of the fastening arm (12) is inserted into a receptacle (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Inventor: Raphaël Cohen
  • Patent number: 7517139
    Abstract: A portable timepiece has a timepiece movement and a movement interlock axle that undergoes linear movement and undergoes rotational movement to transmit a rotational force to the timepiece movement. An external operation body is operable to linearly move and rotate the movement interlock axle. A stopper member undergoes movement between a first position in which the stopper member is engaged with an engagement part of the movement interlock axle to prevent linear movement thereof and a second position in which the stopper member is not engaged with the engagement part to permit linear movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Koremoto Takeda
  • Publication number: 20090067297
    Abstract: A sealing device (1) for a watch crown that includes a cover (2) possessing an annular part (3) that fits and rests on the periphery of a cabochon (4) of a watch crown (5) against a seal (6). Said cover (2), which is articulated on one of the shoulders (7) protecting the crown (5) of a watchcase (8) has, at its end, a closure lug (9). The latter is designed to receive a buckle (10) integral with a fastening arm (12). This fastening arm (12) makes it possible for the cover (2) to exert sufficient pressure on said seal (6) by means of a simple lever effect when the end of the fastening arm (12) is inserted into a receptacle (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Raphael Cohen
  • Patent number: 7494270
    Abstract: Even if a lock member impeding a crown from being excessively pull-moved is carelessly moved, its recovery is easy, and a function for stopping a careless movement of the crown, by the lock member, is maintained for a long period. A wristwatch possesses a case band, a crown, a protector, and a lock mechanism. A winding stem pipe is attached to the case band. The crown has a crown head having non connection relation with the winding stem pipe. This crown is supported to the winding stem pipe so as to be movable in an axial direction of this pipe. The protector is attached to the case band while facing on an end face of the crown head so as to allow an operation of this crown head. The lock mechanism is provided operably in the protector. The lock mechanism has a screw body, and a lock member linearly moving in a direction contacted with and separated from the end face of the crown head by a rotation of the screw body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Koremoto Takeda
  • Publication number: 20090046542
    Abstract: The device includes a cover for concealing or revealing a crown, via a relative rotation of the crown and an external casing element. In a preferred embodiment, the cover is secured to a ring slide friction mounted in an annular groove at the base of the middle part and held in place by a washer provided with lugs in order to be screwed into the horns of the middle part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: TISSOT S.A.
    Inventor: Andre Saunier
  • Patent number: 7347620
    Abstract: A watch has a crown threadedly locked to a stem pipe mounted to a barrel. The barrel has a pipe installation hole and a threaded hole that extends perpendicular to and in communication with the pipe installation hole. The stem pipe has an insertion portion and a barrel outside protruding portion. The insertion portion is inserted in the pipe installation hole such that the insertion portion can be withdrawn from outside the barrel. The barrel outside protruding portion is disposed outside the barrel and has an external thread to which the crown is removably threaded. An engaging recessed portion is formed in the outer surface of the insertion portion. An annular waterproof packing is sandwiched between the pipe installation hole and the insertion portion. A mounting screw is threaded into the threaded hole so as to be removable back and forth. A front-end portion of the mounting screw is inserted in the engaging recessed portion to hold the stem pipe to the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Nobukazu Omori, Haruki Hiranuma
  • Publication number: 20080068934
    Abstract: Even if a lock member impeding a crown from being excessively pull-moved is carelessly moved, its recovery is easy, and a function for stopping a careless movement of the crown, by the lock member, is maintained for a long period. A wristwatch possesses a case band, a crown, a protector, and a lock mechanism. A winding stem pipe is attached to the case band. The crown has a crown head having non connection relation with the winding stem pipe. This crown is supported to the winding stem pipe so as to be movable in an axial direction of this pipe. The protector is attached to the case band while facing on an end face of the crown head so as to allow an operation of this crown head. The lock mechanism is provided operably in the protector. The lock mechanism has a screw body, and a lock member linearly moving in a direction contacted with and separated from the end face of the crown head by a rotation of the screw body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Koremoto Takeda
  • Patent number: 7255473
    Abstract: To provide a portable timepiece having high durability constructed by a constitution capable of promoting operability of attaching and detaching a crown and holding a crown in an unoperated state so as not to rotate the crown unpreparedly. In a winding stem pipe attached to a case body, a crown urged in a direction of separating from the case body by a coil spring (urging member) included in a crown cylinder portion of the pipe is removably provided to a case body outside projected portion of the winding stem pipe. An outer periphery of the case body outside projected portion is formed with a plurality of communicating grooves along a rotational direction of the crown, a plurality of attaching and detaching through grooves communicated to the communicating grooves and opened to an end face of the case body outside projected portion, and a plurality of holding grooves communicated with the communicating grooves and formed in a dead end state and contiguous to the through grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Nobukazu Omori
  • Patent number: 7201020
    Abstract: A band that may be utilized for a timepiece, such as a watch, is disclosed. The band may have a plurality of joined links, and each link includes a cover member, an extension element, a first springbar, and a second springbar. The extension element defines a first channel and a second channel, the first springbar extends through the first channel to secure the extension element to the cover member, and the second springbar extends through the second channel to join the extension element to an adjacent cover member. In addition, the cover member is configured to join with an adjacent extension element that is separate from the extension element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Andrew Frank
  • Patent number: 7192182
    Abstract: To provide a portable timepiece in which the maintenance of a winding stem pipe and its surroundings is facilitated. Basically provided is a portable timepiece comprising a winding stem pipe releasably screwed into a pipe attachment opening of a case band, in which portable timepiece an accidental rotation of a crown is avoided by bringing a crown head of the crown into screw-engagement with a pipe end of the winding stem pipe disposed outside of the case band such that the crown head caps the pipe end. A ring receiver is formed on one of the pipe attachment opening and an insert portion of the winding stem pipe screwed into the opening. A soft and resilient friction ring is supported on the other of the pipe attachment opening and the insert portion. The friction ring is resiliently brought into tight contact with the ring receiver to prevent a rotation of the winding stem pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Nobukazu Omori, Hisamitsu Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7118270
    Abstract: A portable watch comprises a case body having a noncircular pipe-attachment hole extending therethrough, and a winding stem pipe removably inserted from outside of the case body into the pipe-attachment hole and having a noncircular outer peripheral portion that cooperates with the noncircular pipe-attachment hole to prevent relative rotation between the case body and the winding stem pipe. An inner end portion of the winding stem pipe extends beyond the inside surface of the case body into the interior of the case body and an outer end portion of the winding stem pipe extends out from the exterior of the case body, the outer end portion having a male screw section and the inner end portion having an annular groove around the outer periphery thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Hisamitsu Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7111977
    Abstract: To provide a portable watch enabling components exchange around a crown while retaining the waterproof capability of a winding-stem-pipe attachment section when the screw lock capability is reduced. A winding stem pipe is screwed into a pipe-attachment hole of a case band for attachment in a removable manner. To an intracase-band end section of this winding stem pipe, provided is a screw section being a reverse screw to a first male screw section of the winding stem pipe screwed into the pipe-attachment hole. To this screw section, a clamp ring is screwed into in a removable manner. The case band is sandwiched by the ring and the extracase-band end section of the winding stem pipe screwed with the crown, and a waterproof gasket is sandwiched between the case band and the winding stem pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Hisamitsu Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7107790
    Abstract: A band that may be utilized for a timepiece, such as a watch, is disclosed. The band may have a plurality of joined links, and each link includes a cover member, an extension element, a first springbar, and a second springbar. The extension element defines a first channel and a second channel, the first springbar extends through the first channel to secure the extension element to the cover member, and the second springbar extends through the second channel to join the extension element to an adjacent cover member. In addition, the cover member is configured to join with an adjacent extension element that is separate from the extension element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Andrew Frank
  • Patent number: 6902169
    Abstract: The sealing device for a control member (17) is provided with a shaft (16) passing through a sealed casing and comprising a tube (1) driven into a bore (3) of the casing (4) . A shaft (16) of the control member (17) is engaged in the tube (1) and at least one joint (18, 19) ensures normal sealing between this tube and this shaft. It comprises a compression key (6) screwed on the tube (1) comprising an upper portion (8) overlying the tube (1) and surrounding the shaft (16) of the control member (17). A compression joint (15) is disposed in the space comprised between the upper portion (8) of the compression key, the tube (1) and the shaft (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Richemont international SA
    Inventor: Daniel Wild
  • Patent number: 6773157
    Abstract: A time adjustment assembly for a timepiece comprises a fast hour wheel that is movable between a first position where it is not rotationally engageable with the hour wheel and a second position where it is rotationally engageable with the hour wheel; a corrector wheel, mounted on the setting stem, for rotating the fast hour wheel; and a setting spring selectively engageable with the fast hour wheel to move the fast hour wheel between the fast hour wheel's first position and second position; wherein when the fast hour wheel is in rotational engagement with the hour wheel the setting stem is out of engagement with the setting wheel and an hour hand is movable independently of the minute hand via the rotation of the setting stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Timex Group B.V.
    Inventor: Siegfried Grau
  • Patent number: 6719455
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for assembling a screwed crown on a watch case, characterized in that it includes the following steps: providing a crown with an inner threading the position of which is set with respect to the logo arranged on the front face of the crown; providing an intermediate tube including two threaded sections; mounting said intermediate tube in a smooth through hole passing through the case and wedging it on an assembling jig to arrange the thread start of the tube intended to accommodate the internal screw thread of the crown in an angular position such that when the crown is screwed as far as possible onto the tube said logo or said mark is located in a determined position; providing a nut and immobilizing the tube in said angular position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: KS 22 SA
    Inventor: Roger Ecoffet
  • Patent number: 6679624
    Abstract: When using wristwatches for diving or action sports, it is desirable to be able to prevent the winding button from being pulled out inadvertently and the time unintentionally altered. To avoid this, the button (3) has the overall shape of an H and a lever (2) engages in the groove (10) in said button (3) to prevent this button from being pulled out in error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Promomark SA
    Inventor: Alain Mouawad
  • Patent number: 6453512
    Abstract: Control button having a metal body (10) provided along its axis with a blind hole (16) closed by a cap (18) and extended by a wall (14) of revolution. The body (10) includes a groove (20) made in the outer surface of the wall (14) and channels (26) connecting said surface to the inside of the blind hole (16). The button further includes a fitting (12) made of synthetic material, formed of a ring (28) closing the groove and extended radially by raised portions (34) as far as the openings of the channels (26) in the wall (14) of a radial structure with several branches (30) closing the channels (26), and a core (32) connecting the branches (30) to secure between them the different parts (28, 30, 32, 34) of the fitting (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Eta SA Fabriques d′Ebauches
    Inventors: Laurent Kaelin, Paolo Pesenti
  • Patent number: 6323783
    Abstract: A device such as a watch, pager or combination pager/watch that can iteratively display status information messages for set predetermined periods of time at a predetermined location on the display. In normal operation, the device is displaying a variety of standard information. Upon the detection of a status condition, the device will alternately display the standard information and status information messages corresponding to the status condition to more effectively alert the user to the existence of the status condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Timex Group B.V.
    Inventors: Ronald S. Lizzi, Edward Daly, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6315443
    Abstract: The invention concerns a chronograph watch made of precious metal including a case (1), closed by a crystal (12) and a back cover (13) resting on a rigid middle part-bezel (20) having a recess (19) opening towards the center of the case and wherein are provided through passages (3, 25) for a time-setting stem (4) and for guide sleeves (50) for at least two push buttons (2), and a chronograph movement (5) with its display device (6, 7, 8) positioned in said case by a casing ring (40) arranged between said movement (5) and said middle part-bezel (20), characterized in that the guide sleeves (50) include a tube (55) threaded on the outside and which ends in a collar (56) and in that at least two separated segments (30) shaped substantially like the recess (19) and pierced with a threaded hole (35) are arranged facing the push button (2) sleeves (50) to assure, by screwing from the exterior, both that said segments (30) are firmly positioned and that said sleeves (50) are sealed by crushing a metal ring (26) of t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Management Services AG
    Inventors: Clément Meyrat, Olivier Silvant
  • Patent number: 6200019
    Abstract: A device for locking the rotatable bezel of a watch and for rendering the winding button thereof watertight comprises a plastic washer connected to a flat surface of said button, coaxially thereto, so as to engage with circumferential knurling of the rotatable bezel, when the button is in a returned position, adjacent to the casing of the watch, in order to ensure the locking of the bezel. The device further comprises a seal which is carried by the button so as to be compressed between it and the casing when the button is in said returned position, in order to ensure watertightness of the button. Pressure means, movably supported by the casing, in a first position axially press the button holding it in said returned position and, in a second position, permits the outwards movement of the button to a rewinding and resetting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Cartier International B.V.
    Inventor: Bruno Latini
  • Patent number: 6077584
    Abstract: A composition suitable for forming an optical information recording layer for carrying out recording and readout with laser beams, which comprises at least one cyanine dye, and at least one leuco compound of formulae (VII) or (VIII); and optionally, at least one aminium compound of formulae (IV) or (V).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Media Chemical Corp.
    Inventor: Rodney J. Hurditch
  • Patent number: 5514440
    Abstract: An optical recording medium is disclosed, which comprises a substrate having thereon a recording layer which is capable of forming regions having an increased reflectivity by spinodal decomposition of the recording layer upon application thereto of energy of a threshold value or higher. Writing of information is achieved by irradiating the recording layer with no phase separation caused by spinodal decomposition with an energy beam having an intensity causing spinodal decomposition-induced phase separation in accordance with the information to be written. Reading of the information, on the other hand, is achieved by irradiating the recording layer with phase separation caused by spinodal decomposition with an energy beam having an intensity causing no spinodal decomposition-induced phase separation. The medium and the recording system using the same exhibit high sensitivity, high reflectivity, and high contract and conform to the CD or LD standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironori Gotoh, Kiichi Ueyanagi
  • Patent number: 5383166
    Abstract: A watch control device comprises a crown with a central cavity surrounded by an annular cavity in the bottom of which is formed a groove. The lateral external face of the annular cavity has a thread adapted to be screwed onto a thread formed on the lateral external face of an external part of a tube screwed into a watch casing. An injected thermoplastic elastomer seal is disposed in the annular cavity. This seal comprises two parts of the same external diameter, but of different internal diameter, the portion of greater diameter engaging in the groove and the portion of smaller diameter being that on which the tube acts in the screwed up position of the crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Montres Rolex S.A.
    Inventor: Jacques-Andre Gallay
  • Patent number: 5299179
    Abstract: This pushpiece (1) for a timepiece includes a movable head (3) slidingly mounted on a tube (4), said head partially enveloping such tube. The head exhibits a central cylindrical core (5) which penetrates into the tube, at least one O ring seal (6) being located between the tube and the core. A return spring (7) urges the head towards the exterior. The core (5) is extended by a stem (8), the diameter of which is greater than the diameter of the core, the spring being arranged between the stem and the tube. In this manner the spring is located in a sealed zone of the pushpiece and the mean diameter of the O ring seal is less than the mean diameter of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: SMH Management Services AG
    Inventors: Marc-Andre Miche, Gerard Palix
  • Patent number: 5077710
    Abstract: The caseband (1) of this invention is fashioned from a contoured strip (2) which includes a profile in relief elongated in the longitudinal direction of the strip. This profile may serve a purely decorative purpose but may also have functional applications for instance that of attaching a watch crystal to the caseband. In such case the profile in relief includes projections (3) which define facing slide channels (6) into which the crystal may be introduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Eta Sa Fabriques d'Ebauches
    Inventor: Paul Gogniat
  • Patent number: 4502791
    Abstract: This device comprises a groove (6) made in the internal wall of a through hole (2) of the case (1) giving passage to the stem (3) of the winding crown (4). A gasket (8) is placed in the groove (6). The internal diameter of the gasket (8) is less than the outside diameter of the stem (3) of the winding crown and is thus compacted between the stem (3) and the groove (6). The stem (3) is comprised by an internally screw-threaded pedestal (3') secured to the winding crown (4) and an externally screw-threaded winding stem (3") screwed into the pedestal (3'). As a result, the hole (2) can be made of relatively small diameter, which is an important advantage in an extra-thin watch whose case is of relatively soft precious metal, because the tendency to bend the case, that would be present in the case of a large hole, is overcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: Jean Lassale S.A.
    Inventor: Pierre Goy
  • Patent number: 4271498
    Abstract: A resilient member for connecting a crystal to a watch casing in which the crystal is used for generating acoustic signals. The member is of generally annular configuration with an inner portion rigidly connected to the circumference of the crystal, an outer peripheral portion connected to a supporting member of the watch casing, and a free portion extending between the inner portion and the outer peripheral portion. The free portion has a width and a thickness which permits flexing in a direction normal to the plane of the crystal so that the crystal can vibrate in a direction normal to its plane and act as an acoustical transmitting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1981
    Assignee: Ebauches S.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Zafferri, Ali Schneiter, Rene Besson