US4363553A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Watch mechanism incorporating two barrels
Assignee: Nouvelle Lemania SA
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Filing: 1979-10-24
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Granted: 1982-12-14
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Expires: 1999-10-24
Abstract
Abstract A watch mechanism incorporating two barrels each containing a spring. The springs contained in each barrel are positively connected in series to each other via a gear mechanism or a common arbor. The considerable energy available makes it possible to maintain the movement of a high frequency spring balance oscillator. The barrel rotates rapidly to drive the first pinion of the train of gears with an angular velocity approximately double relative to the normal angular velocities; the torque is approximately half (600 gr.mm) that of conventional-sized watch mechanism of comparable performance. The barrels may be mounted coaxially or in the same plane and the mechanism can be arranged to be wound manually or automatically.
Inventors
- 👤 Michel Thomi
- 👤 Raymond Studer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:55
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04B; G04B1/00; G04B1/10; G04B1/12; G04B7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A watch mechanism having a running time of less than 72 hours comprising a first and second driving barrel, a first and second spring respectively contained in said first and second driving barrel, said springs being connected in series, one of the ends of said first spring being positively connected to one of the ends of said second spring, the other end of one of the springs being secured to a toothed wheel which maintains, by means of a gear-train, the movement of a spring balance oscillator, the transmission ratio of the gear-train and the springs being chosen so that the angular velocity of the barrel containing the second spring is higher than 0.3 turns per hour.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A watch mechanism having a running time of less than 72 hours comprising a first and second driving barrel, a first and second spring respectively contained in said first and second driving barrel, said springs being connected in series, one of the ends of said first spring being positively connected to one of the ends of said second spring, the other end of one of the springs being secured to a toothed wheel which maintains, by means of a gear-train, the movement of a spring balance oscillator, the transmission ratio of the gear-train and the springs being chosen so that the angular velocity of the barrel containing the second spring is higher than 0.3 turns per hour.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A watch mechanism according to claim 1, in which said positive connection between the springs is achieved by a gear mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A watch mechanism according to claim 2, in which the transmission ratio of the said gear mechanism is greater than 1, so that the angular speed of the said toothed wheel is greater than the sum, in absolute values, of the angular unwinding speeds of the said first and second springs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A watch mechanism according to claim 2, in which the transmission ratio of the said gear mechanism is smaller than 1, so that the angular speed of the said toothed wheel is smaller than the sum, in absolute values, of the angular unwinding speeds of the said first and second springs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A watch mechanism according to claim 2, in which the transmission ratio of the said toothed wheel is equal to the sum, in absolute values, of the angular unwinding speeds of the said first and second springs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A watch mechanism according to claim 1, in which the said spring balance oscillator has a frequency greater than 3.4 Hz.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A watch mechanism according to claim 4, in which the number of development turns of each of the said spring is approximately 9.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A watch mechanism according to claim 1, in which the said first and second barrels are disposed coaxially.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A watch mechanism according to claim 1, in which the said barrels are disposed in the same plane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A watch mechanism according to claim 3 or 5 in which the watch mechanism is manually wound.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A watch mechanism according to claim 4 or 5 in which the watch mechanism is automatically wound.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
89 words
A watch mechanism according to claim 8, in which the first spring is secured at its outer end to the first barrel, and a ratchet wheel is provided associated with said first barrel, whilst the first and the second spring are connected at their inner ends to arbors of said first and second barrels, which arbors are connected to each other, the second spring being connected to the second barrel at its outer end, which second barrel is provided with teeth engaging a first member of the gear train.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
91 words
A watch mechanism according to claim 3 or 4, in which the first and second barrels are disposed coaxially and the said springs are connected by means of a gear member which engages, on the one hand, with teeth of the first barrel, containing the first spring and, on the other hand, with a wheel connected to the inner end of the second spring, the outer end of which second spring is engaged on the second barrel which is provided with teeth engaging a first gear member of the gear train.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
A watch mechanism according to claim 3 or 4 in which the barrels are disposed in the same plane and the toothed wheel is connected to the inner turn of the said second spring.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
A watch mechanism according to claim 5, in which the barrels are disposed in the same plane and the toothed wheel is connected to the inner turn of the said second spring.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
A watch mechanism according to claim 3 or 4, in which the barrels are disposed in the same plane and the toothed wheel is connected to the barrel containing the second spring.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
A watch mechanism according to claim 5, in which the barrels are disposed in the same plane and the toothed wheel is connected to the barrel containing the second spring.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
157 words
A watch mechanism having a running time of less than 72 hours comprising a first driving barrel; a second driving barrel; a first spring contained in said first driving barrel; a second spring contained in said second driving barrel; means for connecting said first and second springs in series such that one of the ends of said first spring is positively connected to one of the ends of said second spring; a spring balance oscillator; a gear train connected between said spring balance oscillator and one of said barrels such that said one barrel can maintain the movement of said spring balance oscillator, said gear train comprised of a plurality of interconnected wheels and pinions that are free from any connection to a minute wheel and having a transmission ratio which in combination with said springs is chosen so that the sum of the angular velocities of said driving barrels is at least 0.3 turns per hour.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
157 words
A watch mechanism having a running time of less than 72 hours comprising a first driving barrel; a second driving barrel; a first spring contained in said first driving barrel; a second spring contained in said second driving barrel; means for connecting said first and second springs in series such that one of the ends of said first spring is positively connected to one of the ends of said second spring; a spring balance oscillator; a gear train connected between said spring balance oscillator and one of said barrels such that said one barrel can maintain the movement of said spring balance oscillator, said gear train comprised of a plurality of interconnected wheels and pinions that are free from any connection to a minute wheel and having a transmission ratio which in combination with said springs is chosen so that the sum of the angular velocities of said driving barrels is at least 0.3 turns per hour.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
112 words
A watch mechanism as claimed in claim 18 and further comprising an escapement mechanism; and wherein said spring balance oscillator has a high regulating power and is coupled to said escapement mechanism; and said gear train mechanically couples said second driving barrel to said escapement mechanism so as to provide a running time less than 72 hours and such that the sum of the angular velocity of said first and second driving barrels is higher and the resulting torque of said first and second springs is lower than the values of the angular velocity and torque of a watch barrel having an angular velocity of from 0.1 to 0.2 turns per hour.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
A watch mechanism as claimed in claim 19 wherein said gear train has a multiplication ratio less than 1.7, whereby the specific pressures on the pivots and teeth of said gear train mechanism is less than for such watch movement resulting in reduced frictional forces, wear, and fatigue of said gear train mechanism.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
82 words
A watch mechanism according to claim 20 wherein said first and second springs are connected in series, one of the ends of said first spring being positively connected to one of the ends of said second spring, the other end of one of the springs being connected to said gear train, and wherein the transmission ratio of said gear train and said springs being chosen so that the angular velocity of said second driving barrel is at least 0.3 turns per hour.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
77 words
A watch mechanism as claimed in claim 19 wherein said gear train provides a angular velocity sum of said first and second driving barrels that is at least twice the angular velocity in such watch movement that has a driving barrel with an angular velocity of from 0.1 to 0.2 turns per hour and said gear train has a torque that is no more than one-half the torque of the gear train in said such watch movement.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-12-13 | 1986-06-14 | 1986-12-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-13 | 1990-06-14 | 1990-12-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-13 | 1994-06-14 | 1994-12-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |