US3868490A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and device for fixing a watch balance spring to a collet
Assignee: Omega Louis Brandt and Frere SA
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Filing: 1973-06-19
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Granted: 1975-02-25
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Expires: 1993-06-19
Abstract
Abstract A method and device for fixing a watch-balance spring to its collet, comprising positioning a balance spring around a collet and pressing the coiled spring in radial direction against a part of the collet for uniformly engaging a part of the inner coil of the balance-spring against a surface of the collet, and, while radial pressure is still maintained, welding by laser the balance spring and collet together.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Philippe Aeschlimann
- 👤 Pierre Moniier
- 👤 Jean Zaech
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:11
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04B; G04B17/00; G04B17/32; G04B17/34; G04D; G04D1/00; G04D1/04; G04D1/042; G04D1/045; G04D1/047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for fixing a watch-balance spring to its collet, comprising the steps of positioning the balance spring on the collet, partly pressing the coils of the balance spring in radial direction against a part of the collet for substantially uniformly engaging the area of a part of the end of a coil of the balance spring with a surface of the collet, welding by laser said part of the end of a coil to said collet with at least one welding spot, and releasing the balance spring from said radial pressure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for fixing a watch-balance spring to its collet, comprising the steps of positioning the balance spring on the collet, partly pressing the coils of the balance spring in radial direction against a part of the collet for substantially uniformly engaging the area of a part of the end of a coil of the balance spring with a surface of the collet, welding by laser said part of the end of a coil to said collet with at least one welding spot, and releasing the balance spring from said radial pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising positioning the balance spring on a positioning table concentrically around the collet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising laser welding the spring and collet, simultaneously at two spots.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said collet has a shoulder and said end part of said balance spring has a side face, and laser welding on said shoulder of the collet and on said side face of the balance spring.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
103 words
A device for fixing a watch-balance spring to its collet, comprising a positioning table to receive the balance spring for positioning it, means to place the collet in position with regard to the balance spring, a pressure mechanism constructed and arranged to act onto the outer coils of the balance spring placed on said positioning table to press the coils of the balance spring in radial direction against a portion of the collet, closing means for pressing the balance spring onto said positioning table in position for the final fixing of the balance spring, and laser welding means for executing said final fixing.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
103 words
A device for fixing a watch-balance spring to its collet, comprising a positioning table to receive the balance spring for positioning it, means to place the collet in position with regard to the balance spring, a pressure mechanism constructed and arranged to act onto the outer coils of the balance spring placed on said positioning table to press the coils of the balance spring in radial direction against a portion of the collet, closing means for pressing the balance spring onto said positioning table in position for the final fixing of the balance spring, and laser welding means for executing said final fixing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as claimed in claim 5, said pressure mechanism comprising a shiftable rod having a spring engaging concave face to exert radial pressure against the coils of the balance spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said closing means comprises a plate having a positioning part for bearing laterally against the inner coils of the balance spring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as claimed in claim 5, including an axle to receive the collet, and a pin axially shiftable in said axle and positioning the collet in radial direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as claimed in claim 8, including surfaces on said axle for the orientation of the collet.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3071365A
Cited
US3673376A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-24 | 1978-08-26 | 1979-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-24 | 1982-08-26 | 1983-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-24 | 1986-08-26 | 1987-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |