US3772096A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for the manufacture of an element of watch case and element of watch case obtained by this method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-01-07
•
Granted: 1973-11-13
•
Expires: 1992-01-07
Abstract
Abstract Method of making a watch case element by forming same of molybdenum and hardening by carburization producing a surface layer of molybdenum carbide, said carburization being carried out during the final manufacturing stage. A further treatment of the carburized element with hydrogen sulphide results in the formation of a dark coloured polishable surface which has fine brilliance.
Inventors
- 👤 C Maquelin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:19
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04D; G04D3/00; G04D3/0074; G04D3/0097; G04B; G04B37/00; G04B37/22; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/26; Y10T428/263; Y10T428/264; Y10T428/265
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
33 words
Method according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the hardening is carried out in a cement at a temperature of 1100* to 1300*C, for a duration of 10 to 15 hours.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
36 words
Method according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the hardening is carried out in a cement constituted by 60 percent of active carbon, 30 percent of graphite and 10 percent of powder of charcoal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Method according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the hardening is carried out during about 20 hours, at a temperature of about 1300*C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
Method according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the hardening is carried out under a controlled atmosphere contained 98 percent of hydrogenous and 2 percent of methanol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
Method according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that once the hardening is effected, the element is reheated at a temperature of about 1000*C, for a duration of about two hours, and then cooled very slowly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
Method according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the element, after the hardening, is further treated in an atmosphere of hydrogen sulphide in order to form on the surface thereof a compound of molybdenum-sulphide so as to give a darkened colour to the said element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
Method according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that the treatment in the hydrogen sulphide atmosphere is carried out at a temperature of approximately 850*C and for a duration of approximately 20 minutes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
Method accOrding to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the element is coloured either by changing the composition of the surrounding atmosphere, or by a galvanic treatment in a bath other than neutral.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A watch case element formed of molybdenum and having a surface layer of molybdenum carbide formed by hardening during the final manufacturing stage by carburization.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A watch case element as claimed in claim 10 in which said molybdenum carbide surface layer has an outer layer formed of a compound of molybdenum-sulfide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A watch case element as claimed in claim 10 in which said molybdenum carbide surface layer has a hardness in the range of the order of 1500 to 1700 Vickers measured by micro-hardness at a load of 500 grams.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A watch case element as claimed in claim 10 in which said molybdenum carbide surface layer has a thickness of the order of from 10 to 300 microns.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
A watch case element as claimed in claim 10 in which said molybdenum carbide surface layer has a hardness in the range of the order of 1500 to 1700 Vickers measured by micro-hardness at a load of 500 grams and a thickness of the order of from 10 to 300 microns.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A watch case element as claimed in claim 10 in which said surface layer has a colour which is the result of changing the chemical composition of the surrounding atmosphere in the course of heat-treating same.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A watch case element as claimed in claim 15 in which the colour is the result of changing the surrounding atmosphere following hardening thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A watch case element as claimed in claim 15 in which the colour is the result of galvanic oxidation above 500* centigrade.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
Method according to claim 3 characterized by the fact that the hardening is carried out for a duration of about 20 hours, at a temperature of about 1300*C.
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) | 1976-11-12 | 1977-05-14 | 1977-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-12 | 1981-05-14 | 1981-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-12 | 1985-05-14 | 1985-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |