US3846612A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for securing a horological balance spring or hair spring and a collet together by welding
Assignee: ERFINOR AG
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Filing: 1973-11-15
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Granted: 1974-11-05
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Expires: 1993-11-15
Abstract
Abstract When a watch spring is to be welded to a collet, difficulties arise from the small size and weight of the parts concerned. There are overcome by locating the spring on a rotatable plate, placing the collet on an arbour concentric with the spring, connecting an electric potential between the collet and spring, rotating the spring till its inner end touches a nose on the collet, producing a slight locating weld by a spark passing between the parts, and then applying a welding laser beam to the joint.
Inventors
- 👤 J Augsburger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:18
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04D; G04D3/00; G04D3/0069
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A process for fixing the inner end of a horological balance spring on a collet and then welding the two parts together including the steps of preliminarily positioning said balance spring on a conducting rotatable support, locating said collet on an arbour insulated from said support, applying an electric potential between said arbour and said rotating support and spring, bringing the inner end of said spring into contact with said collet so that an electric spark preliminarily bonds said spring and collet together in the required position, and then applying a laser beam to weld said spring and collet together.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A process for fixing the inner end of a horological balance spring on a collet and then welding the two parts together including the steps of preliminarily positioning said balance spring on a conducting rotatable support, locating said collet on an arbour insulated from said support, applying an electric potential between said arbour and said rotating support and spring, bringing the inner end of said spring into contact with said collet so that an electric spark preliminarily bonds said spring and collet together in the required position, and then applying a laser beam to weld said spring and collet together.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said spark produces a signal, which initiates application of said laser beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 including the steps of initially bending said inner end of said balance spring radially inward and providing a nose on said collet with which said bent end is brought into contact.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process in accordance with claim 1, including the steps of connecting said balance spring to one terminal of a discharge circuit including a capacitor and a resistor and connecting said collet to another terminal of said discharge circuit.
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) | 1977-11-04 | 1978-05-06 | 1978-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-04 | 1982-05-06 | 1982-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-04 | 1986-05-06 | 1986-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |