IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,625,470
Granted Patent B2
US 12,625,470 · App. 17/994,148 · Granted May 12, 2026

Timepiece calendar system

Inventors: Christian Fleury (Geneva, CH); Frédéric Jolliet (Geneva, CH)
Assignee: ROLEX SA
G04B19/25353
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,625,470
App. No.
17/994,148
Granted
May 12, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The timepiece calendar system ( 200 ) includes a date mobile ( 4 ) displaceable step by step relative to a frame ( 199 ); a first drive finger ( 21 ) for driving the date mobile ( 4 ); a first tooth ( 51 ) for driving the date mobile ( 4 ), the first tooth ( 51 ) being mounted on the date mobile ( 4 ) so as to be displaceable between a deactivated, or retracted, position and an activated, or drive, position; an activation system ( 6, 7 ) for activating the first tooth ( 51 ); the first drive finger ( 21 ) and the first tooth ( 51 ) being arranged such that a single action of the first drive finger ( 21 ) on the first tooth ( 51 ) displaces the date mobile ( 4 ) through n steps, with n being an integer of any value between 1 and N, N being an integer with N>1, depending on the moment when the first tooth ( 51 ) is activated by the activation system ( 6, 7 ).

Claims (29)

1 . A timepiece calendar system, the system comprising:

a date mobile which is displaceable step by step relative to a frame;

a first drive finger for driving the date mobile;

a first tooth for driving the date mobile, the first tooth being mounted on the date mobile so as to be displaceable between a deactivated, or retracted, position and an activated, or drive, position;

an activation system for activating the first tooth;

the first drive finger and the first tooth being arranged so that a single action of the first drive finger on the first tooth displaces the date mobile through n step(s), wherein n is an integer of any value in a range of from 1 to N, N is an integer and N>1, wherein the single action is repeated so that, depending on a moment at which the first tooth is activated by the activation system, n takes each value in the range of from 1 to N.

2 . The timepiece calendar system according to claim 1 , wherein the activation system is a desmodromic system comprising a month cam and a cam follower, the desmodromic system being arranged so that at least a first position of the month cam defines a first position of the follower allowing retraction of the first tooth, and so that at least a second position of the month cam defines a second position of the follower preventing the retraction of the first tooth.

3 . The timepiece calendar system according to claim 2 , wherein the month cam and the date mobile are coaxial.

4 . The timepiece calendar system according to claim 1 , wherein it comprises a second drive finger for driving the date mobile.

5 . The timepiece calendar system according to claim 4 , wherein the second drive finger is arranged so as to interact with a toothset of the date mobile.

6 . The timepiece calendar system according to claim 4 , wherein the first drive finger forms part of a first drive mobile, and wherein the second drive finger forms part of a second drive mobile, the first drive mobile and the second drive mobile comprising a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation which are separate.

7 . The timepiece calendar system according to claim 6 , wherein the first drive finger has a first head radius and the second drive finger has a second head radius, the first and second head radii being different.

8 . The timepiece calendar system according to claim 7 , wherein the first head radius is greater than the second head radius.

9 . The timepiece calendar system according to claim 6 , wherein the first axis is disposed on a first circle centered on an axis of the date mobile and is at a first radius, and wherein the second axis is disposed on a second circle centered on the axis of the date mobile and is at a second radius.

10 . The timepiece calendar system according to claim 9 , wherein the first drive mobile and the second drive mobile are kinematically connected to one another by a third drive mobile.

11 . The timepiece calendar system according to claim 9 , wherein the first radius is less than the second radius, the toothset of the date mobile being an inner toothset and the first tooth being oriented inwards.

12 . The timepiece calendar system according to claim 1 , wherein the system comprises an instantaneous drive device comprising a spring-lever and a calendar cam.

13 . The timepiece calendar system according to claim 12 , wherein the calendar cam is arranged at a third drive mobile.

14 . The timepiece calendar system according to claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a device for holding the date mobile in position and a device for minimizing or cancelling the holding torque for holding the date mobile in position.

15 . The timepiece calendar system according to claim 14 , wherein the device for minimizing or cancelling the holding torque for holding the date mobile in position comprises a cam arranged at a second drive mobile.

16 . The timepiece calendar system according to claim 1 , wherein the first drive mobile comprises a third finger for driving a day mobile.

17 . A timepiece movement comprising the timepiece calendar system according to claim 1 .

18 . A timepiece comprising the timepiece movement according to claim 17 .

19 . A method for operating the timepiece calendar system according to claim 1 , the method comprising:

activating the first tooth,

wherein a single action of the first drive finger on the first tooth causes a displacement of the date mobile through n steps, depending on the moment at which the first tooth is activated by the activation system.

20 . The method according to claim 19 ,

wherein, when the first tooth is activated, the first finger subjects the first tooth to a mechanical action for driving the date mobile, and/or

wherein, when the first tooth is deactivated, the first finger subjects the first tooth to a mechanical action for retracting the first tooth without driving the date mobile.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 8, 2023
From: FLEURY, CHRISTIAN; JOLLIET, FRÉDÉRIC
To: ROLEX SA
Reel/Frame 062628/0009 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 21211473 · Nov 30, 2021 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230168630A1 · Jun 1, 2023
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