US3668442A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Resonators for driving timepiece gear trains
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-04-26
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Granted: 1972-06-06
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Expires: 1991-04-26
Abstract
Abstract A timepiece resonator comprises mechanically connected first and second oscillating crystals connected respectively in the collector-emitter and collector-base circuits of a transistor. At least the first crystal is secured to a blade adjacent to a clamping point of the blade, and a free end of the blade, carrying driving means for cooperation with a pinion, oscillates at a sub-harmonic of the resonant frequency of the crystals.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerhard Vosseler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:17
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04F; G04F5/00; G04F5/04; G04F5/08; G04C; G04C3/00; G04C3/08; G04C3/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
An electric resonator, in particular for driving timepieces, comprising a resonator circuit comprising a transistor having an emitter-collector circuit and a base-emitter circuit, a first crystal oscillator in the emitter-collector circuit, and a second crystal oscillator in the base-emitter circuit, means mechanically coupling the first and second crystals for the transmission of mechanical oscillations of one or the other, and a flexible blade having a free end and being clamped to a holder, in which at least said first crystal is secured to said blade adjacent the point of clamping the blade to the holder, and the length of the blade is greater than the largest dimension of said first crystal such that said free end oscillates at a subharmonic frequency of the resonant frequency of said resonator circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
An electric resonator, in particular for driving timepieces, comprising a resonator circuit comprising a transistor having an emitter-collector circuit and a base-emitter circuit, a first crystal oscillator in the emitter-collector circuit, and a second crystal oscillator in the base-emitter circuit, means mechanically coupling the first and second crystals for the transmission of mechanical oscillations of one or the other, and a flexible blade having a free end and being clamped to a holder, in which at least said first crystal is secured to said blade adjacent the point of clamping the blade to the holder, and the length of the blade is greater than the largest dimension of said first crystal such that said free end oscillates at a subharmonic frequency of the resonant frequency of said resonator circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A resonator as claimed in claim 1, in which said first and second crystals are secured to opposite sides of said flexible blade.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A resonator as claimed in claim 1, in which the first and second crystals are secured to first and second flexible blades clamped at a point to a common holder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A resonator as claimed in claim 1, in which the free end of said blades or one of said blades carries a transmission member driving a gear wheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A resonator as claimed in claim 1, in which a further flexible blade is secured to said holder, said holder forming means for mechanically coupling said flexible blades for the transmission of mechanical oscillations of one to the other, said further flexible blade having a free end carrying a transmission member driving a gear wheel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A resonator as claimed in claim 1, in which the free end of a crystal-carrying blade has at least one longitudinal slit terminating away from the point at which the crystal is secured thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
102 words
A resonator as claimed in claim 1, in which the dimensions of each crystal-carrying blade and crystal are such that the free end of the blade oscillates at a frequency of below 1,000 Hz and with an amplitude of at least 0.1 mm, the length of the blade being comprised between 12 and 25 mm, the largest dimension of the crystal being comprised between 20 and 25 percent of the length of the blade, and the length from the free end of the blade to the point where the crystal is secured is at least 50 percent the length of the blade.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A resonator as claimed in claim 1, in which the blade is made of a material having a low temperature coefficient.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A resonator as claimed in claim 1, in which each blade is secured to the holder by means of screws.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A resonator as claimed in claim 1, in which a coil, and optionally a diode electrically connected in series to the coil, is connected in said collector-emitter circuit in parallel to the first crystal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-06 | 1975-12-06 | 1976-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-06 | 1979-12-06 | 1980-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-06 | 1983-12-06 | 1984-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |