EP0985984A1 - Actuating device for a mechanism in a non-circular watch case - Google Patents

Abstract

Push buttons (4a,4b) provide on, off and reset control to a circular stopwatch mechanism (16) in a square watchcase (2). When the push buttons are pressed their movement parallel to the 3 hour/9 hour line is transmitted to mechanism pistons (18a,18b) acting along mechanism radii (D2,D3) through rigid levers (22a,22b) which are pivoted by flat headed screws (28a,28b).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for non-shaped watch case circular and more particularly such a device for actuation of a chronograph mechanism mounted in a box of square or rectangular shape.

There is currently a growing demand for wristwatches with square boxes, rectangular or barrel. Adaptation of movements classics of circular shape to this type of box does not pose no particular problem when you want to realize watches that do not require the use of push buttons. However, it is different when you produces watches with pushers, such as chronograph watches and that one wishes, for obvious reasons for cost, use movements circular. Indeed, it is difficult to adapt to this type of watch case classic push buttons acting directly and according to a radial component at movement on the mechanisms to be actuated.

The document CH 211 143O describes a device actuation of a chronograph mechanism for a square shaped watch case that attempts to remedy this problem.

According to this document, the device includes a circle casing for a square box, intended to receive a circular motion. The casing circle includes on part of its periphery two elastic lamellae attached respectively by one of their ends at 2 o'clock and at 4 hours. The slats extend tangentially to the opening intended to receive the movement and their free end includes an oriented actuating pin towards the center of the casing circle. Two push buttons independent of movement are adjusted in openings in one side of the box and allow respectively to operate the ends free of the lamellae which act in their turn on movement levers and / or rockers to control stopping, starting and resetting the chronograph.

However, such a mechanism presents many disadvantages.

The manipulation of the push buttons induces a deformation of the elastic lamellae, and therefore a stroke without the effect of these slats, before the levers or flip-flops are activated to trigger or engage the chronograph. This phenomenon leads to the appearance of a delay in triggering or activation of the chronograph and thus leads to a loss of precision in timing.

The elasticity of the slats also does not allow a precise and direct transmission of the push button movement and entails risks of blocking the device.

Another drawback of this device is that that it is necessary to adapt the shape of the ends interior of the push buttons to allow adequate sliding of these ends on the slats, this which results in the impossibility of using classic push buttons and make the device.

Another drawback of this device is that that the choice and treatment of the slats with a view to adjusting their restoring force are tricky to control, which leads to either a device that is difficult to operated by the user, either to a device which triggers unexpectedly.

It should also be noted in this connection that the mounting and the adjustment of the slats on the casing circle are complex and delicate operations, which increases the cost price of the device.

The main object of the present invention is therefore to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above, by providing an actuating device a mechanism, in particular a chronograph, allowing the easy adaptation of a circular movement in a square, rectangular or barrel-shaped box comprising push buttons and which is simple in design, reliable and economical.

The present invention also aims to provide such an actuating device which allows the use of conventional pushers.

To this end, the invention relates to a device actuating a mechanism of a timepiece, including a chronograph mechanism, this piece timepieces comprising a casing ring having a opening capable of receiving movement, a push button independent sliding in a first direction, a piston sliding in a second direction in the casing ring, said piston being intended to cooperate with a movement organ and a transmission organ push to transmit a push from said push button said piston, characterized in that the thrust transmission includes an actuating lever rigid articulated at a point on the casing circle and in the plan of the latter.

Thus, thanks to the rigidity of the actuation lever, each push action on the push button is transmitted in full and without delay to the body of the movement to be actuated, which gives a feeling of quality and reliability to the user.

Note also that the device actuator of the invention has no spring on the casing circle, but exploits advantageously the return springs of the push button respectively and of the movement organ to be actuated, which makes the simple and reliable device.

This actuation device also has the advantage of not requiring any adjustment operation other than standard push button setting operations and movement organs to activate.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the lever includes a first thrust surface cooperating with said piston, and a second surface of push cooperating with said push button.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the first and second surfaces are respectively at different distances from the point of articulation of the lever, the second surface being more distant from the point of articulation than the first surface. This arrangement reduces the force to be applied on the push-button to activate the organ of the movement, thereby increasing the comfort of use for the user.

• la figure 1 et une vue en plan d'une montre-chronographe équipée d'un dispositif d'actionnement de son mécanisme de chronographe selon l'invention;
• la figure 2 est une demi-vue en plan d'un cercle d'encageage montrant le dispositif d'actionnement selon l'invention la boíte étant partiellement représentée;
• la figure 3 est une coupe selon la ligne III-III de la figure 2,
• la figure 4 est une coupe selon la ligne IV-IV de la figure 2, et
• la figure 5 est une coupe selon la ligne V-V de la figure 2.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear in the following description of a preferred embodiment, presented by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 and a plan view of a chronograph watch equipped with an actuating device of its chronograph mechanism according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a half plan view of a casing circle showing the actuating device according to the invention the box being partially shown;
• FIG. 3 is a section along line III-III of FIG. 2,
• FIG. 4 is a section along the line IV-IV of FIG. 2, and
• FIG. 5 is a section along the line VV in FIG. 2.

The plan view of FIG. 1 illustrates a chronograph watch equipped with a sound actuator chronograph mechanism according to the invention. The watch includes a box 1 having in particular a middle part 2 of rectangular shape with two push buttons 4a and 4b independent of conventional type, arranged on a side of box 1, respectively at 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock, as well as a classic time setting crown 6 arranged on the same side at 3 o'clock.

Referring to Figure 2, we see that the push buttons 4a and 4b are screwed or driven out in 1a middle 2 in openings 8 provided for this purpose. Each push button 4a and 4b slides in the middle part 2 in a first direction D1 parallel to the axis 9 hours-3 hours. We also see in Figure 2 that the middle 2 has a central opening 10 in shape square in which a casing circle 12 is fitted having an outer contour of complementary shape, in the occurrence of square shape. The casing circle 12 includes an opening 14 in which is adjusted a clockwork movement 16 (shown so schematic) classic which can be mechanical or electronic. In the example described, it is a chronograph movement whose mechanism is activated by two pistons 18a and 18b sliding respectively freely in a second and third direction D2 and D3, different from the first direction D1 in bores 20a and 20b formed in the thickness of the circle 12. In this example, the second and third directions D2 and D3 are radial with respect to movement and extend respectively parallel to axis 10 am to 4 am and axis 8 am to 2 am. The piston 18a acts radially on the levers and rockers starting and stopping the chronograph, while the piston 18b acts radially on the levers and rockers reset.

It will be noted in this connection that the pistons 18a, 18b respectively comprise axial abutment surfaces 21a (FIG. 4) which stop the radial sliding of the pistons 18a, 18b towards the inside of the casing circle 12. These abutment surfaces 21a are of course provided to allow penetration of the end of the pistons 18a, 18b in the circumference of the casing circle 12 on a stroke sufficient to activate the organs of the movement to order.

The actuation device further comprises thrust transmission members 22a and 22b for transmit a pressure applied respectively on the push buttons 4a and 4b with pistons 18a and 18b. According to a feature of the invention, the members 22a and 22b have the shape of a rigid actuating lever which is respectively articulated at a point P in parts peripherals 24a and 24b of the casing circle 12.

The articulation of the levers 22a and 22b is carried out by so that said levers 22a, 22b are movable in the plan of the casing circle 12 and, more particularly, in recesses 26a, 26b formed in the face upper of said casing circle 12. In the example described, the joint is made using a screw flat head 28a, 28b fitted in a driven sleeve 29 from in the bottom of the hollow 26a, 26b (Figure 5).

Each lever 22a, 22b has a shape generally flat and includes on one side or side a first thrust surface 30a, 30b which cooperates with the end of the piston 18a, 18b directed towards outside the casing ring 12. Preferably, and as shown in the figures, the first surface 30a, 30b is substantially curved and the top of the rounded part of the surface is in contact with the center of piston 18a, 18b in rest position of lever 22a, 22b, i.e. when the push button 4a, 4b is not activated.

Each lever 22a, 22b further has on a second side or flank, opposite the first side, a second thrust surface 32a, 32b which cooperates with the actuating end 34a, 34b of the push button 4a, 4b. This second thrust surface 32a, 32b is perpendicular to the sliding direction of the push button 4a, 4b and is preferably formed by a straight portion of the lever 22a, 22b.

We also see in the figures that the first and second surfaces 30a, 30b, and 32a, 32b are respectively at different distances from the point of articulation P, the second surface 32a, 32b being more distant from the point of articulation P than the first surface 30a, 30b and that they extend on either side of the longitudinal axis L of the lever 22a, 22b.

When applying pressure to one of the push buttons 4a, 4b from the rest position of the device shown in solid lines in FIG. 2, the actuating end 34a, 34b of the push button 4a, 4b slides in a direction that is not radial to the movement and acts on the second thrust surface 32a, 32b. The actuating end 34a, 34b slides on the surface thrust 32a, 32b while causing the rotation of the lever 22a, 22b around the point of articulation P. Ce doing, the first thrust surface 30a, 30b slides on the end of the piston 18a, 18b while pushing this last to slide it in one direction radial to the movement 16 in the bore 20a, 20b. The end of the piston 18a, 18b directed towards the center of the movement 16 then acts on one of the start / stop or reset the chronograph. The push button 4a, 4b, the lever 22a, 22b and the piston 18a, 18b are then in their working position shown in dotted lines in Figure 2.

When you stop applying pressure to the push button 4a, 4b, this is recalled in its rest position by its own return means, while that the lever 22a, 22b returns to its rest position under the effect of the conventional return means of the mechanism which has just been activated.

Note that the embodiment shown of the actuating device according to the invention does not include no specific reminder, and that we use advantageously the means for recalling the push buttons 4a, 4b and of the mechanism to be actuated. In the event that wish to use simpler push buttons it it is of course possible to provide recall means on the actuating device according to the invention, by example a spring leaf mounted in the recess and acting on the first side of the lever.

According to an advantageous application, the device can allow the closing of an electrical contact movement, for example to control the illumination of a dial.

The description of the actuator has been made as part of an application to a box of square watch with two push buttons, but it is understood that this device can also apply to any watch case requiring the use of one or more push buttons to displacement not radial to the movement, for example at Watch cases in rectangular or barrel shape.

Claims (13)

Device for actuating a mechanism of a timepiece, in particular a mechanism for chronograph, this timepiece including a casing ring (12) having an opening (14) suitable for receive a movement (16), a push button (4a, 4b) independent sliding in a first direction (D1), a piston (18a, 18b) sliding along a second direction (D2, D3) in the casing circle (12), said piston (18a, 18b) being intended to cooperate with a member of movement and a thrust transmission member for transmitting a push from said push button (4a, 4b) to said piston (18a, 18b), characterized in that the member for thrust transmission includes an actuating lever rigid (22a, 22b) articulated at a point (P) on the circle casing (12) and in the plane of the latter. Actuation device according to claim 1, characterized in that said lever (22a, 22b) comprises a first thrust surface (30a, 30b) cooperating with said piston (18a, 18b) and a second thrust surface (32a, 32b) cooperating with said push button (4a, 4b). Actuation device according to claim 2, characterized in that the first and the second surfaces (30a, 30b, 32a, 32b) are respectively at different distances from the articulation point (P) of the lever (22a, 22b), the second surface (32a, 32b) being farther from the point of articulation (P) than the first surface (30a, 30b). Actuation device according to any one claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second surface (32a, 32b) is substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction of said push button (4a, 4b). Actuation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first surface (30a, 30b) is substantially curved. Actuation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said piston (18a, 18b) is independent of the lever (22a, 22b) and slides freely in a bore (20a, 20b) of the casing ring (12). Actuation device according to claim 6, characterized in that the piston (18a, 18b) comprises a axial stop (21a, 21b). Actuation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement (16) is circular, and in that the second direction (D2, D3) is radial to said movement (16). Actuation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer contour of the casing circle (12) has a square or rectangular shape. Actuation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has two push buttons (4a, 4b) located in the same side of the casing ring (12). Watch characterized in that it includes a device as defined by any of claims 1 to 10. Watch according to claim 11, characterized in what said actuator allows actuation of a mechanism arranged inside the movement (16). Watch according to claim 11, characterized in this said actuating device allows closing an electrical contact of the movement (16).

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