US3790237A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Elastic pivot bearing
Assignee: Portescap SA
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Filing: 1972-12-26
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Granted: 1974-02-05
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Expires: 1992-12-26
Abstract
Abstract An anti-shock bearing assembly has a relatively rigid housing in which a one-piece elastic bearing element is positioned and held in a stressed condition due to the relative configurations of the housing and bearing element. The housing and bearing element also have centrally located complementary conical surfaces which cooperate to return the bearing element to its proper-centered position in the housing, after a shock, under the influence of the stress forces imposed on the bearing element by the housing configuration.
Inventors
- 👤 H Quaile
- 👤 P Piguet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:59
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04B; G04B31/00; G04B31/02; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49636; Y10T29/49643; Y10T29/4971
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
An anti-shock bearing assembly for watch movements and the like comprising a relatively rigid housing having first and second axially aligned bores formed therein, said second bore having a larger diameter than said first bore and being connected to and in communication with said first bore through a guide section having a truncated conical guide surface opening towards said second bore; a one-piece elastic bearing element mounted in said housing and including a central bearing portion seated on said guide surface, an intermediate web member extending laterally from said central bearing portion in said second bore, and a peripheral portion having a free edge located within said second bore, said central bearing portion having a recess therein for receiving the free end of a shaft inserted in said first bore and a truncated conical exterior surface formed to be substantially complementary to said guide surface and being seated thereon and said intermediate web member having a thickness which is less than the height of said second bore; and means in said housing for engaging the free edge of said peripheral portion of said bearing element to produce a stress in said element between said free edge portion and said guide surface whereby said elastic bearing element will absorb shocks applied to said bearing assembly to protect a shaft mounted therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
An anti-shock bearing assembly for watch movements and the like comprising a relatively rigid housing having first and second axially aligned bores formed therein, said second bore having a larger diameter than said first bore and being connected to and in communication with said first bore through a guide section having a truncated conical guide surface opening towards said second bore; a one-piece elastic bearing element mounted in said housing and including a central bearing portion seated on said guide surface, an intermediate web member extending laterally from said central bearing portion in said second bore, and a peripheral portion having a free edge located within said second bore, said central bearing portion having a recess therein for receiving the free end of a shaft inserted in said first bore and a truncated conical exterior surface formed to be substantially complementary to said guide surface and being seated thereon and said intermediate web member having a thickness which is less than the height of said second bore; and means in said housing for engaging the free edge of said peripheral portion of said bearing element to produce a stress in said element between said free edge portion and said guide surface whereby said elastic bearing element will absorb shocks applied to said bearing assembly to protect a shaft mounted therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The bearing assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said peripheral portiOn of said elastic bearing element has a generally annular configuration which extends upwardly and outwardly from said central web.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The bearing assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said intermediate web comprises a generally flat annular membrane coaxial with said central bearing portion and extending perpendicularly thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bearing assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said membrane has a plurality of apertures formed therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The bearing assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said intermediate web member comprises a plurality of integral independent arms extending radially outwardly of said central bearing portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The bearing assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said intermediate web extends from said central bearing portion at a location adjacent the large base portion of the truncated conical surface thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The bearing assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said second bore defines a shoulder portion in said housing between said guide surface and the periphery of said second bore and wherein said intermediate web portion is spaced from said shoulder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The bearing assembly is defined in claim 1 wherein said second bore defines an annular peripheral wall in said housing and said peripheral portion of said elastic member is spaced from said wall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The bearing assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said stress producing means comprises a flange formed integrally with said housing and extending inwardly of said second bore.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The bearing assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said stress producing means comprises a washer operatively connected to said housing coaxially of said second bore and having a portion thereof extending inwardly of said bore.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
207 words
The method of fabricating an anti-shock bearing assembly for watch movements and the like which comprises, the steps of forming first and second axially aligned bores in a housing interconnected by a guide section having a truncated conical guide surface opening towards the second bore and with said second bore having a larger diameter than said first bore, forming a one-piece elastic bearing element outside of said housing with a central bearing portion, an intermediate web member extending laterally from said central portion and having a thickness which is less than the height of said second bore, and a peripheral portion extending from said web and having a free end, forming a recess in said central bearing portion for receiving the free end of a shaft to be inserted in said first bore and a truncated conical exterior surface substantially complementary to said guide surface, elastically deforming the web member and peripheral portion of said elastic bearing element, inserting said element in said second bore with its conical surface seated on said guide surface, releasing said web and peripheral portion after insertion, and providing means in said housing for partially maintaining said deformation of said web and peripheral portion thereby to maintain tension in said bearing element.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
207 words
The method of fabricating an anti-shock bearing assembly for watch movements and the like which comprises, the steps of forming first and second axially aligned bores in a housing interconnected by a guide section having a truncated conical guide surface opening towards the second bore and with said second bore having a larger diameter than said first bore, forming a one-piece elastic bearing element outside of said housing with a central bearing portion, an intermediate web member extending laterally from said central portion and having a thickness which is less than the height of said second bore, and a peripheral portion extending from said web and having a free end, forming a recess in said central bearing portion for receiving the free end of a shaft to be inserted in said first bore and a truncated conical exterior surface substantially complementary to said guide surface, elastically deforming the web member and peripheral portion of said elastic bearing element, inserting said element in said second bore with its conical surface seated on said guide surface, releasing said web and peripheral portion after insertion, and providing means in said housing for partially maintaining said deformation of said web and peripheral portion thereby to maintain tension in said bearing element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method as defined in claim 11 wherein said step of providing means for partially maintaining said deformation of the web and peripheral portion comprises the step of securing an annular washer to said housing adjacent said second bore and in contact with the free edge of said peripheral portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE1148494B
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-04 | 1977-08-06 | 1978-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-04 | 1981-08-06 | 1982-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-04 | 1985-08-06 | 1986-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |