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: There is disclosed a wireless sound equipment including a body which is wearable on a user's body, a first hole formed in an upper portion of the body, a second hole formed in a lower portion of the body toward the user's body when the user wears the wireless sound equipment, a first speaker configured to output sound via the first hole, and a second speaker configured to output sound via the second hole.

Abstract: A pointer hand for a watchmaking part including a body and a cannon configured to be driven onto a cylindrical arbor, the cannon having an internal diameter that is greater than the diameter of the cylindrical arbor. The cannon includes a flat on its internal diameter that is configured to cooperate with the cylindrical arbor, to elastically deform the cannon on both sides of the flat to fix the hand onto the cylindrical arbor.

Abstract: A self-lubricating solid composite coating configured for an application to timepiece mechanisms, including particles of graphene and/or graphene oxide distributed in a metal matrix.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system including a pinion (5) and a toothed wheel (7) coaxially mounted relative to a pivoting arbor (3). According to the invention, the gear system (1) includes a securing device (21) between the pinion and the wheel so as to prevent any relative movement of one with respect to the other. The invention also relates to methods of manufacturing the toothed wheel (7) and the final assembly of the gear system (1). The invention concerns the field of timepieces.

Abstract: A balance wheel for timepiece movement, which obeys the following condition: D5·f/I?20·10?2m3kg?1s?1 where D is the diameter of the balance wheel, f is the frequency and I is the moment of inertia.

Abstract: Timepiece wheel (1) overmoulded onto an arbour (2). The wheel is plastic injection overmoulded onto a washer (3) fitted onto said arbour (2). Said washer (3) is of lower density than that of said arbour (2). Said washer (3) includes at least one plane surface (4) forming a bearing and sealing surface (40) for cooperating in a sealed manner with an injection mould for the overmoulding operation. A particular version is an escape wheel whose teeth are formed during overmoulding onto said arbour (2) and said washer (3), and it includes an escape pinion (5) mounted in abutment on said washer (3) or integral with said washer (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (9) for securing a part (7) made of a material with no usable plastic domain, including a securing device (11) on an arbour (3) passing through a hole (8) in said part. According to the invention, the securing device (11) includes a recess (4) that communicates with the hole (8) in said part and securing means (6) attached to the arbour (3) and at least partially matching the shape of the recess (4), so as to make the movement of the part (7) integral with that of the arbour (3). The invention concerns the field of timepiece manufacture.

Abstract: A timepiece component, such as a balance, an oscillating mass or a wheel, having a structure made according to a micro-manufacturing technique, such as the DRIE technique. The component has at least one member formed in or at the periphery of the structure and made 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: The invention relates to a timepiece component (1) that has an aperture (7) for receiving a support element (3) and includes a clamping system (13) for exerting radial force, enabling said timepiece component to be secured to said support element. According to the invention, the clamping system (13) includes a radial clamping device (15) that has a crown (6) for exerting said radial force and a concentric, blind recess (8) spaced apart from said aperture, to allow a travel for the crown. Moreover, the clamping system (13) further includes a device allowing a travel (17) that has a second, concentric, blind recess (10), spaced apart from said first blind recess (8), and located on the opposite surface to said first recess, to allow said crown a greater degree of freedom relative to said support element. The invention concerns the field of timepieces.

Abstract: An audio control device for use by one or two individuals lying in bed. The device includes a flat outer housing with two display surfaces aligned in opposite directions to face the two individuals when placed between them. Located inside the outer housing are two audio control units. Each audio control unit is connected to at least one input port, and an audio output port. An earphone, pillow speaker or a speaker wing component may be attached to each output port. An external audio source may be connected to each input port. Each control unit may include an illuminated display is mounted on each display surface. A volume switch is provided that enables the user to adjust the volume of sound heard. Mounted inside the outer housing is an optional internal audio source and an optional recording/playback unit and one or more mute buttons.

Abstract: The center wheel and pinion has a center shaft provided with a center pinion that is formed from a crystalline metal, and a center tooth part composed of a metallic glass alloy that is integrally formed with the center shaft. The center shaft has a center pinion and other external peripheral regions that are formed by cutting the external periphery of a cylindrical member provided with a support hole. The external periphery of the coupling part to which the center tooth part is coupled is formed in a quadrangular shape. The center tooth part composed of a metallic glass alloy has a tooth continuously formed at the disc-shaped external periphery, and a center position that is integrally formed surrounding the entire external periphery of the quadrangular-shaped coupling part of the center shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a backlash-compensating toothed moving part, for a precision gear assembly, particularly in clock-making, in which the backlash-compensating teeth each have a section extending symmetrically to both sides of the radius of said mobile passing the tip of said teeth with an elastic connection to said mobile to give said teeth a freedom of movement in the plane of the mobile, at least one tooth in two being a backlash-compensating tooth comprising stop means arranged to limit the freedom of movement as a function of the backlash in the gear assembly to be compensated for.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system including a pinion (5) and a toothed wheel (7) coaxially mounted relative to a pivoting arbour (3). According to the invention, the gear system (1) includes a securing device (21) between the pinion and the wheel so as to prevent any relative movement of one with respect to the other. The invention also relates to methods of manufacturing the toothed wheel (7) and the final assembly of the gear system (1). The invention concerns the field of timepieces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (9) for securing a part (7) made of a material with no usable plastic domain, including a securing device (11) on an arbour (3) passing through a hole (8) in said part. According to the invention, the securing device (11) includes a recess (4) that communicates with the hole (8) in said part and securing means (6) attached to the arbour (3) and at least partially matching the shape of the recess (4), so as to make the movement of the part (7) integral with that of the arbour (3). The invention concerns the field of timepiece manufacture.

Abstract: To provide a timepiece bearing, a movement, and a portable timepiece helping to achieve an improvement in terms of time indication accuracy. A timepiece bearing 180 includes: a bearing member 181 provided at at least one end portion 145 of a shaft member 143 rotating around an axis C and regulating movement of the shaft member in axial and radial directions; an elastic member 182 having an force facing in axial direction to the bearing member; and a frame member 166 containing the bearing member, wherein the elastic member is provided so as to establish connection between the bearing member and the frame member; the frame member is supported by and fixed to a support member 167; and the shaft member is rotatable around the axis, with the shaft member and the bearing member being held in contact with each other by the elastic member.

Abstract: The center wheel and pinion has a center shaft provided with a center pinion that is formed from a crystalline metal, and a center tooth part composed of a metallic glass alloy that is integrally formed with the center shaft. The center shaft has a center pinion and other external peripheral regions that are formed by cutting the external periphery of a cylindrical member provided with a support hole. The external periphery of the coupling part to which the center tooth part is coupled is formed in a quadrangular shape. The center tooth part composed of a metallic glass alloy has a tooth continuously formed at the disc-shaped external periphery, and a center position that is integrally formed surrounding the entire external periphery of the quadrangular-shaped coupling part of the center shaft.

Abstract: The center wheel and pinion has a center shaft provided with a center pinion that is formed from a crystalline metal, and a center tooth part composed of a metallic glass alloy that is integrally formed with the center shaft. The center shaft has a center pinion and other external peripheral regions that are formed by cutting the external periphery of a cylindrical member provided with a support hole. The external periphery of the coupling part to which the center tooth part is coupled is formed in a quadrangular shape. The center tooth part composed of a metallic glass alloy has a tooth continuously formed at the disc-shaped external periphery, and a center position that is integrally formed surrounding the entire external periphery of the quadrangular-shaped coupling part of the center shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a timepiece component (1) that has an aperture (7) for receiving a support element (3) and includes a clamping system (13) for exerting radial force, enabling said timepiece component to be secured to said support element. According to the invention, the clamping system (13) includes a radial clamping device (15) that has a crown (6) for exerting said radial force and a concentric, blind recess (8) spaced apart from said aperture, to allow a travel for the crown. Moreover, the clamping system (13) further includes a device allowing a travel (17) that has a second, concentric, blind recess (10), spaced apart from said first blind recess (8), and located on the opposite surface to said first recess, to allow said crown a greater degree of freedom relative to said support element. The invention concerns the field of timepieces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a backlash-compensating toothed moving part, for a precision gear assembly, particularly in clock-making, in which the backlash-compensating teeth each have a section extending symmetrically to both sides of the radius of said mobile passing the tip of said teeth with an elastic connection to said mobile to give said teeth a freedom of movement in the plane of the mobile, at least one tooth in two being a backlash-compensating tooth comprising stop means (6, 7; 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b; 14; 17a; 18a; 29; 31a, 34; 31b, 35; 40) arranged to limit the freedom of movement as a function of the backlash in the gear assembly to be compensated for.

Abstract: The invention proposes an analogue display member (10) fitted to a timepiece, of the type including a main body in which an arbor hole is arranged, characterized in that the main body is made of silicon based crystalline material. The invention also proposes a timepiece provided with such a display member (10). The invention also proposes a method of fabricating analogue display members (10) to be fitted to timepieces, each analogue display member (10) including a main body, characterized in that it includes at least one step of micro-machining a wafer of silicon based crystalline material to form at least one main body in said material.

Abstract: Assembly element (18) made in a plate of brittle material, including an aperture (32) provided for the axial insertion of an arbour (26). The inner wall (33) of the aperture (32) includes elastic structures (34), which are etched into the plate and which each include at least one support surface (36) for gripping the arbour (26) radially in order to secure the assembly element (18) relative to the arbour (26). The assembly element (18) includes a first series (S1) of elastic structures (34) etched in a top layer (39) of the plate and a second series (S2) of elastic structures (34) etched in a bottom layer (41) of the plate. A timepiece may be fitted with this assembly element.

Abstract: Assembly element made in a plate of brittle material, such as silicon, in particular for a timepiece, including an aperture provided for the axial insertion of an arbour, the inner wall of the aperture including elastic structures which are etched into the plate and which each include at least one support surface for gripping the arbour radially in order to secure the assembly element relative to the arbour. Each elastic structure is formed by a fork which is connected to the inner wall of the aperture by a bridge of material and which includes two branches extending, on either side of the bridge of material, generally towards the arbour. Each branch includes a support surface in proximity to the free end thereof. The invention also proposes a timepiece fitted with an assembly element of this type.

Abstract: The center wheel and pinion has a center shaft provided with a center pinion that is formed from a crystalline metal, and a center tooth part composed of a metallic glass alloy that is integrally formed with the center shaft. The center shaft has a center pinion and other external peripheral regions that are formed by cutting the external periphery of a cylindrical member provided with a support hole. The external periphery of the coupling part to which the center tooth part is coupled is formed in a quadrangular shape. The center tooth part composed of a metallic glass alloy has a tooth continuously formed at the disc-shaped external periphery, and a center position that is integrally formed surrounding the entire external periphery of the quadrangular-shaped coupling part of the center shaft.

Abstract: The part is made from a plate (1) made of a brittle material, such as glass, quartz or silicon and includes at least one aperture (2, 4, 6) for driving in a shaft (5). This aperture is characterized in that it includes alternately rigidifying and positioning zones (8) and resilient deformation zones (10). Application to securing a shaft onto the moving parts of a timepiece movement.

Abstract: Assembly element (18) made in a plate of brittle material, including an aperture (32) provided for the axial insertion of an arbour (26), the inner wall (33) of the aperture (32) including elastic structures (34), which are etched into the plate to grip the arbour (26) radially. Each elastic structure (34) includes a first rectilinear elastic strip (L1) which extends along a tangential direction relative to the arbour (26). According to the invention, each elastic structure (34) is formed by a radial stack of several parallel elastic strips.

Abstract: In a timepiece component that has a sliding friction part that slides in contact with another timepiece component, or a switching part that changes the contact state with another timepiece component in response to an operation operating the timepiece, the contact surface of the sliding friction part or switching part is coated with a composite plating having graphite mixed with a metal plating, and the composite plating is formed by an electroplating process.

Abstract: A timepiece component having a sliding friction part that slides in contact with another timepiece component, or a switching part that changes the contact state with another timepiece component in response to an operation operating the timepiece, wherein the contact surface of the sliding friction part or switching part is coated with a composite plating containing carbon nanotubes in a metal plating.

Abstract: Assembly element (18) made in a plate of brittle material, including an aperture (32) provided for the axial insertion of an arbour (26). The inner wall (33) of the aperture (32) includes elastic structures (34), which are etched into the plate and which each include at least one support surface (36) for gripping the arbour (26) radially in order to secure the assembly element (18) relative to the arbour (26). The assembly element (18) includes a first series (S1) of elastic structures (34) etched in a top layer (39) of the plate and a second series (S2) of elastic structures (34) etched in a bottom layer (41) of the plate. A timepiece may be fitted with this assembly element.

Abstract: An analog electronic timepiece has a rotor mounted to undergo rotation. A first indicator wheel has a first cylindrical portion and undergoes rotation in accordance with rotation of the rotor. A second indicator wheel is coaxial with the first indicator wheel and undergoes rotation in accordance with rotation of the first indicator wheel. The second indicator wheel has a second cylindrical portion extending through the first cylindrical portion of the first indicator wheel. A third indicator wheel is coaxial with the first and second indicator wheels and undergoes rotation in accordance with rotation of the second indicator wheel. The third indicator wheel having a shaft portion extending through the second cylindrical portion the second indicator wheel.

Abstract: Watch movement in which the rotor of a generator (10, 11, 13) is driven by a spring over a plurality of wheels (51, 61, 71) and pinions (50, 60, 70), the operation of the generator being regulated by an electronic regulating circuit (81). Said wheels and pinions are all electrically grounded to avoid spark discharges which can be produced by the charging of voltages through frictional electricity.

Abstract: An alarm electronic timepiece has a base member, an alarm indicator wheel supported on the base member for rotation, an an indicating member integrally connected to the alarm indicator wheel for rotation therewith to indicate alarm time. A spring member supports the alarm indicator wheel on the base member and regulates a rotation direction of the alarm indicator wheel. The spring member is integrally connected to the base member.

Abstract: In an analog electronic timepiece in which the rotation of a rotor (1a) step motor (1) is decelerated through train wheels before it is transmitted an hour hand (17) and a minute hand (15), the gravity center of a center wheel composed of a center wheel gear (9), a center wheel pinion (10), and a center wheel shaft (11) to which the minute hand (15) is mounted is displaced from the axis of the center wheel shaft (11) to within an angle range of less than ±90° with respect to the opposite direction to a direction in which a time indicating part (15a) of the minute hand (15) extends so as to reduce a moment on the center wheel shaft (11) caused by a combination of the minute hand (15) and the center wheel. This makes it possible to prevent a hand-skip due to disturbance even if the value of holding energy of the step motor (1) is reduced.

Abstract: A clutch wheel for a timepiece is formed by a metal. This comprises a cylindrical portion in which a hand setting stem penetrates slidably and relatively non-rotatable, a flange portion integrally formed with a base end of this cylindrical portion, and a plurality of teeth integrally formed on a side surface of this flange portion and radially formed in a manner surrounding the cylindrical portion from an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion.

Abstract: In an electronic watch including a so-called automatic winding dynamo, structures of parts themselves and layout of the parts are improved to achieve a reduction in thickness of the electronic watch. Bearing portions for a rotational shaft (211) of a dynamo rotor (21) are made up of hole jewels (212, 214) and ring-shaped caps (213, 215). The cap (215) covers, from the outer side, one end surface (216) of the hole jewel (214) which locates on the side facing a dynamo rotor (21), and defines a lubricant holding annular slot (G3) between the cap and an outer circumferential surface of the rotational shaft (211). Accordingly, even with the dynamo rotor (21) rotating at a high speed, a lubricant is prevented from scattering to the surroundings from the annular slot (G3). Spacings between adjacent parts can be narrowed and the thickness of the electronic watch can be reduced.

Abstract: In an electronic watch including a so-called automatic winding dynamo, structures of parts themselves and layout of the parts are improved to achieve a reduction in thickness of the electronic watch. Bearing portions for a rotational shaft (211) of a dynamo rotor (21) are made up of hole jewels (212, 214) and ring-shaped caps (213, 215). The cap (215) covers, from the outer side, one end surface (216) of the hole jewel (214) which locates on the side facing a dynamo rotor (21), and defines a lubricant holding annular slot (G3) between the cap and an outer circumferential surface of the rotational shaft (211). Accordingly, even with the dynamo rotor (21) rotating at a high speed, a lubricant is prevented from scattering to the surroundings from the annular slot (G3). Spacings between adjacent parts can be narrowed and the thickness of the electronic watch can be reduced.

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: A gear train structure of an electronic watch which is high in hand indication accuracy and which eliminates the occurrence of stopping of the watch due to dust, nap or the like. The electronic watch gear train structure includes a second wheel 13 having a minute hand attached thereto, and a braking wheel 15 for applying to the second wheel 13 a rotary torque of a reverse direction to a direction of rotation of the second wheel 13. The braking Wheel 15 includes a gear adapted to mesh with the second wheel 13, a spring 21 having one end thereof fastened to a shaft of the gear, and a balance spring frame 23 having a circumferential wall surface for contacting with the free end side of the spring 21.

Abstract: This invention concerns a braking arrangement for a gear wheel. The purpose of the invention is to brake the last wheel in a gear train in order to avoid the latter rotating through unequal angular steps. Such purpose is achieved with the help of an element forming a brake (1) fixed onto a first wheel set (2) of a gear train in a manner to be driven in rotation by the latter, such element (1) exhibiting a friction surface (39) at its periphery brought to bear elastically onto a second wheel set (6) meshing with the first so as to brake such second wheel set (6). The invention is more especially applied to horological and chronograph gearing.

Abstract: An improved reduction gear assembly with friction drive/slip coupling for a timepiece movement, comprising a metal pinion member having a toothed pinion and a coaxial stem extending from an abutment surface on said pinion, including (1) a cylindrical portion, (2) a frustum portion tapering from a smaller diameter to a larger diameter (3) a terminating tapered end portion; and a plastic wheel member having a toothed wheel and first and second coaxial journals extending from opposite sides of the. A central passage in the journals has a constricted section therein with a diameter slightly less than that of said larger diameter of said frustum portion on said metal pinion member with the frustum disposed in said constricted passage with a snap fit, whereby a friction drive/slip coupling is provided between the metal frustum portion of the metal pinion member and the constricted passage of the plastic wheel member.

Abstract: A timepiece including a decorative pattern (30) rotating with the arbor (8) for one of the hands under a first crystal (1). In order to avoid permanent deformation of the arbor brought about by shocks, the decorative pattern is surrounded by a protective wall (11) which may be in the form of a bore in a second crystal (2) located between the first crystal and the dial (5) of the watch.

Abstract: A rotational transmission reducer having plane waving gear mechanism comprises at least a reducer unit of an input member, an output member, and a plane flexible member which lays between the input member and the output member. The reducer unit may be coaxially piled to be a multistage reducer. A typical example is a transmission of a clock or a watch, which can simplify a conventional mechanism and lower the manufacturing cost. The reducer unit functions by some salient portions on the input member pushing the flexible member, to engage a part of a ring gear furnished on the flexible member with another ring gear furnished on the output member. The output member is rotated by differential pitches of aforesaid two ring gears. For a clock or watch transmission, the ring gear on the output member is an independent member joined frictionally with a substance of the output member so that they can be slid relatively for time adjustment.

Abstract: In a drive coupling for the coupling of an adjustment shaft with the ratchet adjusting knob of a wristwatch, a slide bushing which is axially movably disposed on the adjustment shaft has a collar with sections circumferentially punched therefrom and bent axially out of the collar plane so as to form an annular cam and detent structure.

Abstract: In a drive gear structure for an electronically controller watch which includes a stepping motor having a drive pinion in engagement with an intermediate gear disc and a center gear in engagement with an intermediate gear pinion associated with the intermediate gear disc, a reducing gear structure is provided which has a reducing gear disc which is also in engagement with the same center gear disc and a reducing gear pinion which is in engagement with the minute gear of the watch. The single center gear disc is somewhat larger in width than the corresponding second gear disc of a corresponding watch with second hand indicator but not as wide as a second gear disc and second gear pinion used for a corresponding watch with second hand. The intermediate gear pinion and the reducing gear disc which are both in engagement with the second gear disc have the same pitch.

Abstract: A digital clock construction, a pinion gear therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the clock construction comprising a frame, first and second time indicating drums each being rotatably carried by the frame, and a pinion gear rotatably carried by the frame and having driving gear teeth disposed in meshing relation with an annular internal gear of the second drum whereby rotation of the pinion gear causes rotation of the second drum, the pinion gear having locking teeth extending from certain of the driving teeth thereof, the first drum having an annular internal locking surface that is adapted to slide against a pair of locking teeth to hold the pinion gear from rotation thereof while the first drum is being rotated through certain timed increments of movement thereof, the first drum having a pair of kicker teeth for meshing with the driving teeth of the pinion gear to rotate the pinion gear when the first drum is being rotated through a particular one of the timed increments of movement thereo

Abstract: An hour gear structure of a watch operating mechanism which comprises a sleeve shaft carrying an hour gear disc and serving as a bearing for the shaft of a minute gear structure, the hour gear is mounted on the sleeve shaft off its axial center so that, when mounted on the base plate of a watch's operating mechanism, its projection length from the base plate may be made different for different applications depending on whether the longer or shorter sleeve shaft section is inserted through the support opening in the base plate.

Abstract: A magnetic brake for a timepiece including a seconds wheel and a fixed magnet. The wheel is fashioned from magnetic steel. The magnet is located in vicinity of the wheel periphery and radially offset with respect to the teeth thereon.

Abstract: A digital clock construction, a pinion gear therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the clock construction comprising a frame, first and second time indicating drums each being rotatably carried by the frame, and a pinion gear rotatably carried by the frame and having driving gear teeth disposed in meshing relation with an annular internal gear of the second drum whereby rotation of the pinion gear causes rotation of the second drum, the pinion gear having locking teeth extending from certain of the driving teeth thereof, the first drum having an annular internal locking surface that is adapted to slide against a pair of locking teeth to hold the pinion gear from rotation thereof while the first drum is being rotated through certain timed increments of movement thereof, the first drum having a pair of kicker teeth for meshing with the driving teeth of the pinion gear to rotate the pinion gear when the first drum is being rotated through a particular one of the timed increments of movement thereo

Abstract: In a drive shaft arrangement for a timepiece provided with a minute shaft for carrying a minute hand and an hour sleeve disposed on the minute shaft for carrying an hour hand, the minute shaft is provided with a collar and carries on one side of the collar a minute gear and a pinion gear for rotation with the minute shaft and on the other side the hour sleeve which is provided with an hour gear. The hour gear has a pan-shaped cavity formed in its face adjacent the collar and a Belleville spring is disposed in the pan-shaped cavity so as to abut with its outer circumference the cavity wall and with its radially inner end the collar.

Abstract: A precision, reliable, analog timepiece uses plastic frame elements reinforced with metal, and plastic wheel and pinions pivoting in holes formed in the plastic of the frame elements. The plastic frame elements are separated into portions corresponding to the functional timepiece portions. Exposed areas of the reinforcing metal provide reference locations in molding the frame elements and for component mounting. The entire timepiece is assembled from one side of a base frame element.