Steven E Phillips

US Patent:

6457856, Oct 1, 2002

Filed:

Jun 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/894712

Inventors:

Steven Phillips - Mount Dora FL 32757

International Classification:

G04B 2502

US Classification:

368148, 368207

Abstract:

A temperature sensitive element within a timepiece which includes a casing, movement, mainspring and a bi-directional rotation to unidirectional rotation converting mechanism for winding the mainspring where the temperature sensitive element tends to angularly deflect with change in temperature and such tendency produces energy to wind the mainspring. More specifically, the invention in one form thereof utilizes a temperature sensitive bimetallic coil, which is restrained from radial deflection and the free end moves to rotate the shaft in the self-winding mechanism and effects self-winding of the timepiece. The free end of the coil will move with change in temperature. The coil is anchored at its inner end and the other end thereof, upon movement, will drive a driver member in the form of an orbit gear. In this embodiment, the orbit gear will drive a plurality of planet gears, which drive a sun gear mounted to a shaft. The shaft of the sun gear then produces rotation of a cam which drives the bi-directional to unidirectional conversion mechanism.