Ebauches S.a.

Rolex Sa

Schunk Automation A.g.

Daniel Rochat

Laurent Grosjean

Fernand Chetelat

Elio Mariotto

Maurice Jeanmairet

Jean-Luc Monnier

Paul Sallaz

Jean-Jacques Fleuty

An escapement for a mechanical watch comprising: an escapement wheel () kinematically connected to a power source, a roller () mounted on a balance () including, on two different levels, a pin () and an impulse pallet () co-operating with said wheel (); a limiting member () performing a periodic movement during which it co-operates with the pin () to limit the travel of said roller (); a control member () provided with a rest lift () performing, from a stable position wherein said wheel () is pressed on the rest lift (), a periodic movement during which the wheel is released and provides an impulse to the impulse pallet (). The periods of the limiting member () and of the control member () correspond, respectively, to an alternation and an oscillation of the balance.

Watch escapement

Heating device for a robot

A fabrication procedure for crystal resonators in which belted component holders are used, each accomodating the constituent elements of a resonator. When the above-mentioned elements are assembled, the component holders serve the purpose of assembly fixtures. The assembled resonators are retained in the component holders which thus also provide a packaging function for the final products. The component holders have elastically deformable clamps which accomodate the constituent elements of the resonators to be assembled and have support sections which receive the crystal element of each resonator.

Device and method for the assembly of crystal resonators

An electric switch for connecting one or more of a plurality of leads on one side of an insulating substrate to a lead on the other side of the substrate. The switch includes a conductive contact member having a pin rotatably engaged in a hole in the substrate. The pin having a first end extending out of the first side of the substrate and having a head eccentrically connected thereto. The pin of the contact member is electrically connected to a lead on a second side of the substrate. Means are provided on the contact member for rotating the contact member head between the plurality of leads selectively to contact one or more of the leads on the first substrate side with the head to electrically connect the selected lead through the pin with the lead on the second substrate side.

Electric switch

An internal correction circuit is provided to correct the timepiece error caused by the crystal oscillator frequency changes. The timepiece operates by frequency dividing the oscillator frequency to obtain a predetermined operating frequency. The correction circuit is operated by the user on any initialization point, such as the start of any minute from a reference time source to generate a first input signal. The user at any following minute of the reference time source generates a second input signal. The correction circuit counts a first and second number of time units of different lengths between the first and second input signals. The circuit then forms a division ratio from the first and second numbers. That ratio is used to change the frequency divider division ratio to adjust the watch for the crystal frequency error just calculated.

Electronic timepiece having an adjustable rate of division and method

An electro-mechanic calendar timepiece includes a braking device for generating torque to prevent drifting or floating of the movement gearing when the intermittent calendar driving mechanism is not rotating. When the calendar driving mechanism is rotating the braking device is not operating and the calendar driving mechanism cooperates with a lever arm and spring to generate torque to prevent the floating of the movement gearing.

Electro-mechanic calendar timepiece

A date correcting mechanism for a watch or other timepiece having a crown-ring indicator for the date, in which the indicator is moved once a day by a rotatable driving disc which carries pins meshing with slots in the crown-ring. The correcting mechanism includes means for connecting the watch stem to the driving disc for manually setting the crown-ring indicator. A cam-plate which is driven by the watch movement is mounted for movement out of its operative position in which it cooperates with the pins on the driving disc to rotate the disc step-by-step and also to prevent it from rotating between steps in order to avoid inadvertent movement of the indicator. By mounting the cam-plate in this manner, it can be moved to an inoperative position, so that the pins on the driving disc can pass when the driving disc is actuated by the watch stem.

Growing community of inventors

Saint-Blaise, Switzerland

Daniel Rochat