Abstract: A timepiece mechanism cassette includes at least one bearing surface for positioning the cassette in a movement, a plate and a bar, at least one of which is rigid, between or on which there are arranged functional components at least two of which are movable relative to each other. At least one functional component is pivotally movable and pivoted between the plate and the bar, and forms an inseparable single piece component with the plate and/or with the bar.

Abstract: A timepiece mechanism cassette including at least one bearing surface for positioning the cassette in a movement, a plate and a bar, at least one of which is rigid, and functional components arranged between or on the plate and the bar. At least two of the functional components are movable relative to each other. The plate and bar form an inseparable single piece component with at least one of the functional components and with at least one elastically deformable connecting element. The plate and bar are movable between a proximate position where they are separated by a minimum distance and a distal position where they are separated by a maximum distance. The plate and bar include a snap fit connection for holding them in the proximate position.

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: Timepiece movement including a main plate and a bar holding a wheel set in a reference position, and a means of adjusting the height of this bar in relation to the plate in the direction of the axis of rotation of the wheel set, at a first point remote from the reference position. This height adjustment means includes a screw or a worm rotatably movable about an oblique control axis in relation to the axis of rotation, and a cone or a curved surface for transforming motion between this screw or worm and a pusher movable in a parallel direction (D9) to the axis of rotation. Watch including a movement of this type.

Abstract: The invention relates to a clock movement including a frame (6) having a barrel (1) that contains a mainspring, a finishing gear train (2-4), an escapement mechanism (5, 7), and a spiral balance spring (8). The frame (6) comprises first clamp bodies (25, 24) for receiving respective pivotal movement members of the escapement wheel (5) and of the anchor (7), and second homologous clamp bodies (22, 26) alternating with the first clamp bodies (25, 24), the first and second clamp bodies (25, 22) of the escapement wheel being located on a circle centered on the axis of the mean wheel (3) of the finishing gear train and defining a plane that is orthogonal to said axis.

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 the bottom plate and a stop surface for abutting against the bottom plate. It includes a drive means fixed to the wheel set, arranged to slide relative to the spacer with an axial shake, determined between a first stop position between a collar of the wheel set and a front face of the spacer, and a second stop position between a stop surface of the drive means and a rear face of the spacer. The wheel set includes, opposite the collar, a machined portion arranged to cooperate with a complementary machined portion of a display element to fixedly secure the display element to the wheel set.

Abstract: Platform escapement assembly (1) comprising a balance (3) with a roller (4), a balance spring (5), and escape wheel (6) controlled by a pallet lever (7) cooperating with said roller (4). An escapement bridge (10) comprises, on both sides of a bottom surface (11), first (20) and second (21) spacers respectively comprising first (22) and second (23) bearing surfaces for receiving first (24) and second (25) complementary surfaces of a balance cock (30) on both sides of a top surface (11A), and said top surface (11A) is more flexible in bending than said bottom surface (11), so as to allow mobility, as a result of a perpendicular force applied to said top surface (11A), of said first complementary surface (24) relative to said first bearing surface (22) when said second complementary surface (25) is locked in position on said second bearing (23) surface.

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: A watch movement, includes a frame (10, 11, 20, 22, 24), defined by a first and a second parallel plane surface and defining reference planes (A, B), the second plane (B) being located alongside the movement for placing adjacent to the wrist of the wearer, at least one balance wheel (30), pivoting in bearings fixed in the frame, at least one escape mechanism (26, 28) providing support for the balance wheel, an energy source (12), clockwork finishing movements (14), connecting the energy source to the escape mechanism and motion work (42).The balance wheel turns about an axis (YY), inclined in relation to the reference planes and intersecting the same, the point of intersection (PA) of the axis (Y) with the first plane (A) being closer to the center of the movement than the point of intersection (PB) of the axis (Y) with the second plane (B).

Abstract: A timepiece includes a platen (10) and a barrel mounted on the platen, the barrel including: a drum (20) with a bottom and side walls; a shaft (14) extending through the drum at the center thereof and provided with pivoting elements (40, 54) on the platen; a leaf spring provided in the drum and co-operating with the shaft at one end and with the drum at the other end; and a lid (28) through which the shaft extends and closing the drum, a ratchet wheel (30) being kinematically connected to the shaft for winding the spring. According to the invention, the drum is pivoted via a first ball bearing (34) having a bushing (36) connected to the platen and another bushing (38) connected to the bottom of the drum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a timepiece which has a resin bearing section. Moreover, the invention relates to a wheel train apparatus which has a resin bearing section. The invention is constituted by the timepiece provided with a gear wheel and supporting members which support the gear wheel, the supporting members being formed from a filler containing resin. Alternatively the invention is constituted by the wheel train apparatus provided with a gear wheel and supporting members which support the gear wheel, the supporting members being formed from a filler containing resin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a timepiece which has a resin substrate, rotors, and wheel trains, and relates to a wheel train apparatus which has a resin substrate, bearing members, gear wheel, and the like. The invention is constituted by a timepiece comprising; a gear wheel, and a substrate which supports a shaft of a rotor and/or a shaft of the gear wheel, the substrate being formed from a filled resin. Alternatively the invention is constituted by a wheel train apparatus comprising: a gear wheel; a substrate which supports one shaft section of the gear wheel, and a bridge which rotatably supports an other shaft section of the gear wheel, the substrate and the bridge being formed from a filled resin.

Abstract: A one-piece molded plastic bridge for use in a timepiece module that itself comprises a frame assembly, at least two stepping motors each comprising at least a stator and rotor, and a plurality of gears assemblies, is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the bridge comprises sections separated by connecting members, with each of the connecting members being sufficiently flexible to accommodate for the needed spacing constraints on each section.

Abstract: A decorative clock comprising a ferrous (magnetic) base plate, a battery operated clock mechanism and decorative designs which may be in the form of a sheet containing a plurality of individual flexible permanent magnets is disclosed. Each individual flexible permanent magnet has an artistic design or feature thereon and can be magnetically attached to the front surface of the base plate so as to create an overall design. The number of overall designs that can be created by the selective placement of the individual permanent magnets on the base plate is virtually limitless. The individual permanent magnets can be readily changed and/or moved relative to one another so as to readily change the overall design on the base plate.

Abstract: To provide a portable watch enabling component exchange around a crown when the screw lock capability is reduced. To a case for screw locking a crown, fixed is a winding stem pipe body and a winding stem pipe including an exterior pipe. The winding stem pipe body includes an extracase end section to be arranged outside of the case, and is fixed by brazing to the case to be watertight after inserted into a pipe-attachment hole of the case. To the outer rim plane of the exterior pipe, provided is a male screw section to be screwed together with a female screw section of the crown in a removable manner. To the outer rim of the extracase end section, the exterior pipe is prevented from rotation and then fit thereinto in a removable manner. With such a structure, when the screw lock capability is reduced, characteristically, there is no more need to exchange a watch exterior assembly including the case, and the crown and the exterior pipe of the winding stem pipe for screw locking it can be separately exchanged.

Abstract: The invention concerns a clockwork movement comprising a lower plate (1) situated on the side of the dial (19), a bridge (2), an upper plate (3) and a rotary shaft (10) which passes through a guiding tube (15) mounted in the bridge (2) and the lower plate (1).The tube (15) has two opposite shoulders (21, 26) which abut respectively against the bridge and the plate to maintain a determined gap between the latter. Three tubes of this type are preferably provided, corresponding to three shafts (10) which may be shafts of chronograph counter hands. At least one of the tubes (15) has an external bearing surface (22) which assures the positioning of a printed circuit board (24).The invention applies to any type of watch, in particular to chronograph watches.

Abstract: The timepiece comprises a base part (1) of plastic material, at least one element (2) secured to said base part and securing means for said element onto said base part which comprise a stud (34) driven at one of its ends (40) into a through hole (32) in the base part (1). The other end (12) of the stud (34) is fitted into a hole (10) of the element (2) and is upset against the latter so as to form a rivet. Finally the base part (1) is fashioned in a manner to permit access to the driven end (40) of the stud with a tool (A) furnishing a rigid support under the stud during the riveting operation on the other end (12) of the latter.

Abstract: A timepiece includes a main plate and gear train bridge with a center wheel and pinion supported therebetween by one or more bearing members integrally formed in the main plate and gear train bridge. A plurality of springs integrally formed in said plate and bridge are used for positioning internal members of the timepiece relative to each other. Additional similar springs are used for fixing the frame structure to the casing of the timepiece. A pressing plate can be connected to the main plate and includes one or more leaf springs for fixing a back cover of the timepiece away from the frame structure. One or more of the plates or bridge can be electrically conductive for delivery of current to an internal member.

Abstract: A small-sized electronic instrument such as an electronic wrist watch and others in which a plurality of parts are stacked and firmly held together by tightening a screw. The electronic instrument includes a base plate and a screw housing portion, which are integrally molded of a hard plastic material. The screw housing portion includes a bore formed therethrough and adapted to receive a self-tapping screw. When the self-tapping screw is threadingly received in the bore of the screw housing portion, a plurality of parts stacked around the screw housing portion are firmly tightened and held together. The screw housing portion has a shoulder including a step formed therein at the middle portion between the opposite ends. On assembly, the step engages one of the stacked parts. Even if the screw housing portion is pulled upwardly by the tightened self-tapping screw, the part sandwiched between the self-tapping screw and the step limits the upward movement of the screw housing portion on tapping.

Abstract: The movement comprises a bottom-plate (1), a gear-train bridge (2), a center gear (14), an hour wheel (24) and a cell (25). The center gear (14) has a shaft (15) and a wheel (19) frictionally mounted on the shaft (15). Within the thickness of the movement, the frictionally mounted wheel (19) is adjacent the cell (25) to one side and the hours wheel (24) to the other side. The movement is so designed that the center gear (14) and the hours wheel (24) may be fitted into place at the very end of the assembly process.

Abstract: A circuit substrate mounting configuration for mounting an IC chip having a built in semiconductor sensor in an electronic timepiece is provided. The circuit substrate is fixed to a base plate at at least two points spaced as far as possible from the IC chip so that the substrate about the IC chip does not contact other elements of the timepiece.

Abstract: In an arrangement for limiting the axial play of gears of a watch time indicating mechanism with drive gears rotatably supported on a support plate with axis extending normal thereto and an adjustment shaft extending parallel to the support plate, a cover plate is mounted on the support plate so as to overlay the gears with arms engaging the gears and further is provided with an arm bent-over into engagement with the adjustment shaft to limit their axial play. The cover plate is U-shaped and has edge portions thereof resiliently received under projections of the support plate for firmly retaining the cover plate on the support plate.

Abstract: An electronic circuit board of very thin construction for a wristwatch employs a printed circuit board of insulating material with punched apertures for receiving and locating circuit components, such as capacitors, transistors and integrated circuits, which are of substantially the same thickness as the printed circuit board. A thin metallic conductive backplate is also provided with apertures and with bridging portions supporting the circuit components. Tabs on the backplate or on similar conductive clips for supporting circuit elements may be bent upward and extended through the circuit board apertures for making solder connections to discrete components or to conductive pads on the upper side of the printed circuit board. The backplate includes tabs for other purposes such as holding the backplate to the printed circuit board, making battery connections, providing switch terminals, and retaining the module under spring tension in the case.

Abstract: The components of a mechanical watch are mounted inside a supporting structure comprising a stack of transparent plates made of corundum, spinel or quartz. Some of the plates are formed with cut-outs which define in the assembled structure housings for accommodating said components.

Abstract: A case or housing for a clock, particularly for use in moist rooms, has a cup-shaped dome portion with an opening that is closed by a cover glass at the side of the observer and while a rear portion is closed by a back cover. A support plate which is provided in the dome portion divides the case into several inner spaces and bears a clock movement that can include a dial. In order for the case to be suitable for moist rooms, such as bathrooms, communicating with the case inner space which is adjacent the interior face of the cover glass are air circulation passages which communicate with the outside.

Abstract: The various pivoting members--setting-lever (3), rocker lever (14) and correction lever (16)--of a setting mechanism having a setting stem (2) are held in place and pivoted by means of a metal bridge (90) an arm (9) of which forms the setting-lever spring. The setting-lever, the rocker lever and the correction lever are interposed between the plate (1, 10, 11) of the movement and the bridge which not only provides for holding them in position but also provides for pivoting thereof. For that purpose, these three pivoting members each carry an arbor (4, 15, 17), which is fitted thereto and which has two end sections (4a, 15a, 17a; 21) projecting outside of said pivoting member. One of these end sections (21) engages without appreciable clearance into a corresponding hole (101) in the bridge and the other end (4a, 15a, 17a) is located with substantial clearance in a corresponding hole (20) in the plate and serves for the prepositioning of said pivoting element on said plate.

Abstract: The reduction gear of an electronic wristwatch comprises three concentric output shafts adapted to be rotated at different speeds and operatively connected with each other and with the shaft of a stepping motor through gear wheels. A shaft making one revolution per hour has mounted thereon a friction wheel and a bearing means made in the form of a supporting bush press fitted in a bore of the plate of the wristwatch. The bush is mounted so that a portion thereof projects from the plate toward the bridge of the wristwatch, coordinated with respect to the plate and attached thereto by threaded means. The shaft passes freely through a bore in the supporting bush and is restricted from an unlimited axial displacement in one direction by an end face of the supporting bush, and in the other direction by the end face of that pinion which is mounted on the shaft with interference fit.

Abstract: A timepiece module having a liquid crystal display cell, a housing for supporting the liquid crystal display cell, a printed circuit substrate carrying thereon an LSI chip and various electronic components, a battery cell and a cover plate in which said battery cell and LSI chip are disposed on the same side on said printed circuit board.

Abstract: In order to simplify the production of electronic watches, there is provided a family of standardized movements whose members can be housed within a variety of watch cases of different size and shape. All movements in the family are identical but for their mounting plates which differ in size, and in some instances also in shape, to render the movements receivable in differently-configured cases. The standardized movements in the family include batteries of different size which take advantage of the space made available by the plates of different size to afford optimum battery life.

Abstract: An electronic watch module and method of manufacturing the module. The module is formed from a flexible film by forming a set of appropriately located, sized and shaped component openings in the film, forming a second set of terminal lead bonding openings for the components, securing a metallic foil to said film, removing portions of said foil to form a pattern of interconnection leads for said components leaving portions over said bonding openings, locating the components in the respective openings with the component leads in registry with their respective interconnection leads, and bonding the foil leads to the component leads through the bonding openings.

Abstract: An assembly comprising an escapement timepiece pallet anchor and its frame is disclosed, wherein the pallet anchor is in the form of one piece of plastics material having three arms and is rotatably mounted on the frame. The assembly comprises means for limiting the angle of rotation of the pallet anchor, which means include at least one auxiliary portion on the piece forming the pallet anchor and at least one part rigid with the frame disposed to cooperate with said auxiliary portion.

Abstract: A connection terminal construction for connecting a driving coil terminal of an electro-mechanical converter such as a step motor or the like of electronic timepieces to an output terminal of a wiring circuit is disclosed. The construction comprises a terminal base formed of a flexible print substrate and provided at least one of upper and lower surfaces thereof with connection patterns. The terminal base is extended toward a circuit substrate substantially in alignment therewith and secured thereto by means of a screw.