CH716554B1 - Detachable bezel watch box. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a watch case (1) comprising a caseband (3) and a bezel (7) mountable on a surface (5) carried by said caseband (3) such that said bezel (7) is movable relative to the said middle part (3) between a service position in which it is fixed to the said middle part (3) and a disengaged position in which it is capable of being removed from the said surface (5), characterized in that the said middle part (3 ) comprises at least two pins (15) projecting from said surface (5) in the direction of said bezel (7) and each comprising a rod (15a) as well as a head (15b) at the free end of said rod (15a), and in that said bezel (7) comprises at least two grooves (17) each arranged to receive and to block a corresponding pin (15), each groove (17) defining an elastic zone arranged to retain said pin (15) in a retention zone when said bezel (7) is in said service position this as well as at least two elastic axial positioning elements (19) arranged to be exerted against said surface (5) of said middle part (5) when said bezel (7) is in said service position.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking. It relates, more particularly, to a watch case provided with a removable bezel.

State of the art

[0002] Document EP 1 249 741 describes a timepiece whose watch case is fitted with a removable bezel, bayonet-mounted on the caseband. The upper face of the caseband comprises a plurality of arcuate grooves which each comprise a groove having a wide part forming the bottom of the groove, as well as a narrower part opening onto said upper face. One end of each groove is widened in order to define an entry opening, allowing the passage of a foot comprising a head which can pass through the entry opening, then pass along the groove when the bezel is moved angularly by relative to the build.

[0003] In order to ensure the positioning of the bezel in its service position, a plurality of ball detents carried by the caseband are exerted against the underside of the bezel, the balls fitting into corresponding notches provided in said face. lower. To this end, untimely rotation of the bezel is avoided, and the axial force exerted by the detents eliminates the play between the heads of the feet and the grooves, so that the bezel is positioned axially and does not rattle during movements of the wearer's arm.

[0004] However, the use of ball detents involves a large number of individual elements in the construction of this aspect of the watch case, which is not optimal in terms of manufacture, assembly and of the interview.

[0005] Document EP 0 621 518 also discloses a watch case provided with a removable bezel, having a locking system which prevents any rotation of the bezel. In order to remove it, it is necessary to manipulate gripping means located on the bottom side, which requires the removal of the part from the wearer's wrist. Furthermore, the blocking system is complex and comprises many elements.

[0006] Document EP 1 963 929 describes a timepiece with a rotating removable bezel, devoid of fixing screws. This system is relatively complex to implement and is relatively bulky.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a watch case in which the aforementioned defects are at least partially overcome.

Disclosure of Invention

More specifically, the invention relates to a watch case, for example for a wristwatch, comprising a middle part and a bezel mountable on a surface carried directly or indirectly by said middle part such that said bezel is movable relative to said caseband between a service position, in which it is fixed to said caseband, and a disengaged position, in which it is capable of being removed from said surface. Said displacement typically takes place in rotation, but can alternatively be in translation if the bezel is square or rectangular. In addition, the bezel is typically mounted on the dial side of the case middle and may or may not carry a crystal, but it may also be mounted on the back side, where it may or may not carry an opaque or transparent back.

[0009] According to a first variant of the invention, said caseband comprises at least two pins projecting from said surface in the direction of said bezel and each comprising a stem as well as a head at the free end of said stem. . Said bezel further comprises at least two grooves each arranged to receive and to block a corresponding pin, each groove defining an elastic zone arranged to retain said pin in a retention zone with or without play when said bezel is in said service position . At least two elastic axial positioning elements are also provided on said bezel, the latter being arranged to be exerted against said surface of said middle part, in particular in an axial direction (that is to say perpendicular to said surface), when said bezel is in said service position.

[0010] In a variant with the opposite construction, said bezel comprises at least two pins projecting in the direction of said surface and each comprising a stem as well as a head at the free end of said stem, said surface comprising at least two grooves each arranged to receive and to block a corresponding pin. Each groove defines an elastic zone arranged to retain, with or without play, said pin in a retention zone when said bezel is in said service position, as well as at least two elastic axial positioning elements arranged to exert against said bezel, in particular in an axial direction (that is to say perpendicular to said surface), when said bezel is in said service position.

[0011] By these means, the bezel can be mounted on the middle part in a removable manner and substantially without play, the construction of the middle part-bezel assembly comprising a minimum of components, which allows economical manufacture.

Advantageously, each of said grooves is defined by a cavity as well as a slot, said slot being arranged to define:

[0013] an entry zone arranged to allow the passage of a pawn head towards the inside of said cavity;

[0014] an intermediate zone connecting said inlet zone with said retention zone.

[0015] Advantageously, said retention zone is delimited on its side facing said entry zone by said elastic zone, the latter comprising at least one elastic wall and having a width less than the diameter of said rod of said pin. In doing so, the elastic zone prevents the pawn from passing untimely.

[0016] Advantageously, said elastic zone is arranged to grip said rod when it is in said retention zone, thus eliminating any play in rotation.

[0017] Advantageously, the element bearing said elastic axial positioning elements is in one piece and also comprises said slots.

[0018] Advantageously, said slots as well as said elastic axial positioning elements are carried by a blocking plate, forming part either of the bezel or of the middle part, depending on the variant under consideration. The blocking plate can in particular be an element fixed to another element of the bezel respectively of the middle part, which simplifies manufacture.

[0019] Advantageously, the bezel comprises a body intended to be visible to the user in the service position, as well as said blocking plate, said body being preferably arranged to hide the said blocking plate in the service position. In the opposite construction, the caseband carries said blocking plate.

[0020] The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a watch case as defined above.

Brief description of the drawings

Other details of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, made with reference to the appended drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded isometric view of part of a watch case according to the invention; Figure 2 is an isometric exploded view of part of the bezel, illustrating in detail one of the grooves; Figure 3 is an isometric view of the blocking plate, the pin being in the corresponding retention zone; Figure 4 is an isometric view of the underside of the bezel, illustrating one of the grooves as well as one of the axial elastic elements; and Figure 5 is an isometric view of one of the axial elastic elements, seen from the other side of the blocking plate.

Embodiments of the Invention

[0022] Figures 1 to 5 illustrate an embodiment of a watch case 1 according to the invention, of which only its bezel 7 and an upper part of its middle part 3 have been represented, the main part of the latter not having been drawn. The latter, which can be in one piece or comprise several parts integral with one another, has a surface 5, intended to receive a removable bezel 7, of annular shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the surface 5 is annular and surrounds a cylindrical bearing surface 9 of the middle part 3 serving as a support for a crystal 11, which can be made of polymer, sapphire, mineral glass or the like. Alternatively, the crystal 11 (or an additional crystal, a protective cover or the like) can be carried by the bezel 7. The same principle also applies to a removable back, in which case the bezel 7 is mounted on the back side of the caseband 3 and carries a transparent or opaque back. In each case, a seal can be provided in order to make the interface between the bezel 7 and the caseband 3 sealed, if necessary.

[0023] The bezel 7 has a lower surface 13, arranged to take place facing the surface 5 of the middle part 3, as generally known, and it is noted that, in the present text, "upper" and "lower" are defined relative to the orientation of the watch case 1 when it is placed on a horizontal surface, bezel 7 facing upwards.

In order to fix the bezel 7 on the middle part 3, the latter has a plurality of pins 15, distributed at regular intervals around the surface 5 and each comprising a cylindrical rod 15a terminated by an enlarged head 15b, which is extends radially projecting from the rod 15a. In doing so, the pins 15 each have the shape of a nail. The number and the distribution of the pieces 15 can be determined according to the needs of the constructor, the distribution possibly even being irregular. The pins 15 can be fixed to the caseband 3 by screwing, gluing, welding, driving in or by any other ad hoc means.

The bezel 7 has, on its lower surface 13, a plurality of grooves 17, intended to receive corresponding pins 15. These grooves 17 have a particular shape, which allows the head 15a of a pin 15 to retract, and, by pivoting the bezel 7 with respect to the middle part 3 towards its service position, to block it axially (i.e. that is to say parallel to the longitudinal axes of the pins 15 and to the axis of the middle part 3) and circumferentially. To this end, the bezel 7 consists of a body 7a, which is an aesthetic cap intended to be visible to the user in the service position, as well as a blocking plate 7b, located on the underside of the body 7a and fixed to the latter by ad hoc means (for example by gluing, driving in, welding, pinning or the like).

This assembly allows both to easily achieve the blocking plate 7b in a strong and easy to machine material, such as for example metal, and to keep a free choice of materials for the body 7a. The latter, which fulfills a rather aesthetic role, can thus be made not only of a resistant material (such as metal), but also of a brittle material (for example of sintered ceramic, glass or the like), soft (for example of elastomer ), or similar.

[0027] In order to hide said plate 7b when bezel 7 is mounted on middle part 3, it is mounted flush with or below relative to outer wall 7c of the body, its underside thus being at the same level or narrowed relative to to said wall 7c. The outer wall 7c thus forms a skirt, which serves as a cover plate when the bezel 7 is mounted on the middle part 3.

As shown in Figure 2, the groove 17 is defined in part by a cavity 17a arranged in the underside of the body 7a of the bezel 7, which extends in an arc of a circle arranged parallel to the outer wall 7c, and has a sufficient size to receive said head 15a with play. Even if the cavity 17a extends in an arc of a circle in the illustrated embodiment, it can also surround the whole of the body 7 and thus have an annular shape.

[0029] The locking plate 7b has a slot 17b which also contributes to defining the shape of the groove 17. To this end, it has an entry zone 17c of a size allowing the passage of said head 15a with play, as well as a retention zone 17d connected to said inlet zone 17c by an intermediate zone 17h. This last zone may have an ad hoc length, and may even be absent, if necessary. The zones 17d, 17h each have dimensions adapted so that the rod 15b can enter them, but the head 15a cannot pass axially so that the latter is blocked axially and cannot come out of its groove 17 except when it is aligned with the corresponding entry zone 17c.

[0030] The retention zone 17d is arranged to retain the pin 15 in the service position, and is delimited on its side facing the entry zone 17c by an elastic zone 17e comprising at least one elastic wall 17f, dimensioned such that the elastic zone 17e has a width which is less than the diameter of the rod 15a of the pin 15. The elasticity of the elastic walls 17f is created by providing an opening 17g in the plate 7b, behind the said elastic wall 17f, the latter therefore taking the form of a curved embedded beam. Other shapes of walls for the elastic zones 17e are of course possible, comprising for example pawls or other shapes having a free end, also integral with the plate 7b. In any case, the elastic zone is configured in such a way that the rod 15a can pass by deforming said walls 17f elastically, but is sufficiently resistant to the passage of the rod 15 to prevent the bezel 7 from being able to pivot inadvertently relative to the middle part 5 when the bezel 7 is in the service position, in which position it can be brought by inserting the pins 15 into their corresponding entry zones 17c, and by pivoting the bezel 7 with respect to the middle part in order to make the pins 15 retract in their corresponding retention zones 17d.

Even if the rod 15a of the pin 15 can take place in the retention zone 17d with play, it is advantageous if the elastic zone 17e is shaped to clamp said rod 15a against the end wall of the retention zone 17d when it is located in the retention zone 17d. For this purpose, the elastic walls 17f can be arranged to be constrained by the rod 15a when it is in the retention zone 17d, as shown in Figure 3.

In order to eliminate the axial play between the bezel 7 and the middle part 3 in the service position, the locking plate 7b also comprises a plurality of axial elastic elements 19 with axial prestress, which are arranged to exert a force on said surface 5 along a direction substantially perpendicular to the latter, and therefore along an axial direction with reference to bezel 7. extends projecting from the lower surface 7b of the bezel 7 in the direction of said surface 5. The lug 19a is connected to said plate 7b by elastic tongues 19b so that it is embedded and can be moved elastically to the against a restoring force supplied by said elastic tongues 19b. However, a single elastic tongue or blade can alternatively be provided, carrying the tab 19a at its free end.

[0033] Consequently, when the bezel 7 is in the service position, that is to say when the pins 15 are in their respective retention zones 17d, the tabs 19a exert a force on said surface 5 tending to separate the bezel 7 of said surface, thus pressing the head 15a of each pin 15 against said locking ring 7b. The axial play between the bezel 7 and the middle part 3 is thus eliminated, and the bezel cannot therefore rattle during movements of the wearer's wrist. The force provided by the lugs 19a is to be adapted according to the needs of the manufacturer, to avoid said rattling of the bezel, without causing too much friction and/or wear when the user wishes to pivot the bezel 7 to remove it.

[0034] In an alternative construction, the positions of the pins 15 and the slots 17 can be reversed, the pins 15 extending from the lower face of the bezel 7, the slots 17 being provided in the upper face 5 of the middle part 3 , the blocking plate 7b as well as the grooves 17a thus being located on the middle part 3. In such a case, the blocking plate 7b carries, of course, the surface 5. Furthermore, the elastic lugs 19a can be integrated either in the caseband 3, or in the bezel 7, and this independently of the position of the pins 15.

The same principle can also be applied to a square or rectangular bezel 7, which can be removed from the middle part by sliding it linearly, the pins thus being on surfaces arranged parallel to the sliding direction.

In view of the foregoing, the watch case 1 according to the invention is very simple, and comprises a minimum of elements in order to make the bezel 7 removable and without play in the service position.

[0037] The blocking plate 7b is particularly suitable for manufacture by modern techniques, such as for example CNC machining, or else masking and etching from a plate of material (in particular metal, but a wide range of materials ad hoc is open to builder, such as polymers, composites and the like) or by additive manufacturing (metal or polymer 3D printing) with minimal (or no) additional steps.

[0038] Furthermore, the blocking plate 7b may not be constructed as a separate part, and may therefore be integral with the body 7a of the bezel 7.

[0039] It is also possible to further provide an ad hoc locking system which makes the bezel 7 removable exclusively by means of a specific tool, for example a screwdriver having a special head, in order not to allow the removal of bezel 7 by any person.

[0040] Although the invention has been previously described in connection with specific embodiments, other additional variants are also possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims (11)

1. Watch case (1) comprising a middle part (3) and a bezel (7) mountable on a surface (5) carried by said middle part (3) so that said bezel (7) is movable relative to said middle part (3) between a service position in which it is fixed to said middle part (3) and a disengaged position in which it is capable of being removed from said surface (5), characterized in that said middle part (3) comprises at least two studs (15) projecting from said surface (5) in the direction of said bezel (7) and each comprising a stem (15a) as well as a head ( 15b) at the free end of said rod (15a), and in that said bezel (7) comprises at least two grooves (17) each arranged to receive and to block a corresponding pin (15), each groove (17) defining an elastic zone (17e) arranged to retain said pin (15 ) in a retention zone (17d) when said bezel (7) is in said service position as well as at least two elastic axial positioning elements (19) arranged to bear against said surface (5) of said middle part (3) when said bezel (7) is in said service position. 2. Watch case (1) comprising a middle part (3) and a bezel (7) mountable on a surface (5) carried by said middle part (3) so that said bezel (7) is movable relative to said middle part (3) between a service position in which it is fixed to said middle part (3) and a disengaged position in which it is capable of being removed from said surface (5), characterized in that said bezel (7) comprises at least two studs (15) projecting in the direction of said surface (5) and each comprising a rod (15a) as well as a head (15b) at the end free of said rod, and in that said surface (5) comprises at least two grooves (17) each arranged to receive and to block a corresponding pin (15), each groove (17) defining an elastic zone (17e) arranged to retain said pin (15 ) in a retention zone (17d) when said bezel (7) is in said service position, as well as at least two elastic axial positioning elements (19) arranged to be exerted against said bezel (7) when said bezel (7) is in said service position. 3. Watch case (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of said grooves (17) is defined by a cavity (17a) and a slot (17b), said slot (17b) defining: – an entry zone (17c) arranged to allow a pawn head to enter said cavity (17a); – an intermediate zone (17h) connecting said entry zone (17c) with said retention zone (17d). 4. Watch case (1) according to the preceding claim, in which said retention zone (17d) is delimited on its side facing said entry zone (17c) by said elastic zone (17e), the latter comprising at least one elastic wall (17f) and having a width less than the diameter of said rod (15a) of said pin (15). 5. Watch case (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said elastic zone (17e) is arranged to clamp said stem (15a) when it is in said retention zone (17d). 6. Watch case (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the element (7b) carrying said elastic axial positioning elements (19) is in one piece and also comprises said slots (17b). 7. Watch case (1) according to one of claims 3 to 6, wherein said slots (17b) and said elastic axial positioning elements (19) are carried by a locking plate (7b). 8. Watch case (1) according to claims 1 and 7, wherein said bezel (7) comprises a body (7a) intended to be visible to the user in the service position, as well as said blocking plate (7b) secured to said body (7a). 9. Watch case (1) according to claim 8, wherein said body (7a) is arranged to hide said locking plate (7b) in the service position. 10. Watch case (1) according to claims 2 and 7, wherein said caseband (3) comprises said locking plate. 11. Timepiece comprising a watch case (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10.