US3795097A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stepping motor for timepieces
Assignee: Timex Group USA Inc
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Filing: 1972-01-19
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Granted: 1974-03-05
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Expires: 1992-01-19
Abstract
Abstract A stepping motor for timepieces comprising a movable coil means which is intermittently activated by electrical drive means to move between two extreme positions and an escapement member engaging the coil means to transmit the step-by-step movement to an escapement wheel. The coil means and escapement member are poised so that radial accelerations that may affect the rotation of the coil means are eliminated by the compensating movement of the escapement member. The resultant low moment of inertia for the coil results in low power consumption and a highly efficient motor.
Inventors
- 👤 H Meitinger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:09
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04C; G04C13/00; G04C13/08; G04C13/10; G04C3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
In a stepping motor for electrically driven timepieces including an escapement wheel the combination which comprises: a pivotal electrodynamically movable drive member comprising a coil pivotal between two extreme positions, an escapement member pivotably mounted about an axis parallel to the axis of the drive member and engaging the escapement wheel to step the timepiece, magnet means interacting with the coil so that the coil is more strongly attracted by the magnet means at the extreme positions than between said positions, and, said drive member and said escapement member being positively coupled and movable in opposite directions and wherein said drive member and escapement member have at least periodically substantially the same moments of inertia to prevent timekeeping errors due to rotary accelerations of the timepiece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a stepping motor for electrically driven timepieces including an escapement wheel the combination which comprises: a pivotal electrodynamically movable drive member comprising a coil pivotal between two extreme positions, an escapement member pivotably mounted about an axis parallel to the axis of the drive member and engaging the escapement wheel to step the timepiece, magnet means interacting with the coil so that the coil is more strongly attracted by the magnet means at the extreme positions than between said positions, and, said drive member and said escapement member being positively coupled and movable in opposite directions and wherein said drive member and escapement member have at least periodically substantially the same moments of inertia to prevent timekeeping errors due to rotary accelerations of the timepiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A stepping motor in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the drive member further includes a lever coupled to the coil, said lever engaging the escapement member to transmit motion thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A stepping motor in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the drive member includes a coil and a shaped lever coupled to each other and rotatable about the same axis, the lever including projecting means to engage the escapement member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A stepping motor in accordance with claim 3 wherein: the escapement member includes a slotted portion engaged by the lever projecting means to drive said member back and forth, and spaced projecting means to alternately engage the escapement wheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A stepping motor in accordance with claim 1 wherein: at least one of said members includes a soft iron component disposed in an unsymmetrical arrangement so that the particular member is more strongly attracted in one extreme position than the other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a stepping motor for electrically driven timepieces including an escapement wheel the combination which comprises: a pivotal electrodynamically movable drive member comprising an elongated discoid coil having a soft iron portion thereon for purposes of magnetic attraction, an escapement member pivotably mounted about an axis parallel to the axis of the drive member and engaging the escapement wheel to step the timepiece, and said drive member and said escapement member being positively coupled and movable in opposite directions and wherein said drive member and escapement member had at least periodically substantially the same moments of inertia to prevent timekeeping errors due to rotary aCcelerations of the timepiece.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a stepping motor for electrically driven timepieces including an escapement wheel the combination which comprises: a pivotal electrodynamically movable drive member comprising an elongated discoid coil having a soft iron portion thereon for purposes of magnetic attraction, an escapement member pivotably mounted about an axis parallel to the axis of the drive member and engaging the escapement wheel to step the timepiece, and said drive member and said escapement member being positively coupled and movable in opposite directions and wherein said drive member and escapement member had at least periodically substantially the same moments of inertia to prevent timekeeping errors due to rotary aCcelerations of the timepiece.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a stepping motor for electrically driven timepieces including an escapement wheel the combination which comprises: a pivotal electrodynamically movable drive member, an escapement member pivotably mounted about an axis parallel to the axis of the drive member and engaging the escapement wheel to step the timepiece, and said drive member and said escapement member being positively coupled and movable in opposite directions and wherein said drive member and escapement member have at least periodically substantially the same moments of inertia to prevent timekeeping errors due to rotary accelerations of the timepiece and wherein, the escapement member further includes a soft iron portion so that said escapement member is more strongly attracted by the magnet means at the extreme positions of said escapement member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a stepping motor for electrically driven timepieces including an escapement wheel the combination which comprises: a pivotal electrodynamically movable drive member, an escapement member pivotably mounted about an axis parallel to the axis of the drive member and engaging the escapement wheel to step the timepiece, and said drive member and said escapement member being positively coupled and movable in opposite directions and wherein said drive member and escapement member have at least periodically substantially the same moments of inertia to prevent timekeeping errors due to rotary accelerations of the timepiece and wherein, the escapement member further includes a soft iron portion so that said escapement member is more strongly attracted by the magnet means at the extreme positions of said escapement member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
136 words
In a stepping motor for electrically driven timepieces including an escapement wheel the combination which comprises: a pivotal electrodynamically movable drive member including a coil and a shaped lever coupled to each other and rotatable about the same axis, the lever having a plurality of teeth at one end thereof, and an escapement member pivotably mounted about an axis parallel to the axis of the drive member and engaging the escapement wheel to step the timepiece, said escapement member including a toothed portion engaged by the toothed portion of the lever, and said drive member and said escapement member being positively coupled and movable in opposite directions and wherein said drive member and escapement member have at least periodically substantially the same moments of inertia to prevent timekeeping errors due to rotary accelerations of the timepiece.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
136 words
In a stepping motor for electrically driven timepieces including an escapement wheel the combination which comprises: a pivotal electrodynamically movable drive member including a coil and a shaped lever coupled to each other and rotatable about the same axis, the lever having a plurality of teeth at one end thereof, and an escapement member pivotably mounted about an axis parallel to the axis of the drive member and engaging the escapement wheel to step the timepiece, said escapement member including a toothed portion engaged by the toothed portion of the lever, and said drive member and said escapement member being positively coupled and movable in opposite directions and wherein said drive member and escapement member have at least periodically substantially the same moments of inertia to prevent timekeeping errors due to rotary accelerations of the timepiece.
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) | 1977-03-04 | 1977-09-03 | 1978-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-04 | 1981-09-03 | 1982-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-04 | 1985-09-03 | 1986-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |