EP2339414B1 - Chronograph with single push button - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking. More specifically, it relates to a single shuttle push chronograph for executing the functions 'start', 'stop' and 'reset' with the same push button.

Such chronographs are already known to those skilled in the art. One of them is described in the document WO 2008/075147 . It is a chronograph comprising a chronograph wheel, clutch means, reset means and a control device of the clutch and reset means. The control device comprises a pivotally mounted shuttle, of which a first angular sector is provided with three notches defining three stable angular positions respectively corresponding to the functions of 'reset', 'start', 'stop', and an elastic member cooperating with said notches for holding the shuttle in one of said positions. The control device further comprises a pusher provided with an articulated finger with two spouts, cooperating with a series of cutouts formed in a second angular sector of the shuttle, so as to pass the shuttle, by successive pressures, the position delivered to zero at the start position, from the start position to the stop position, then from the stop position to the reset position, and so on. The complex shape of the cutouts and the two spouts is studied so that depending on the initial angular position of the shuttle, a first spout causes it to pivot, in one direction or another, while the second spout blocks the movement of pivoting at the end of the race. The two spouts alternately exert the thrust and blocking function when the user exerts successive pressure on the pusher. The complete cycle of three-way operation time of the single-pusher chronograph thus described is performed in three pressures.

We also know documents FR 1 519 610 and WO 2009/098307 monopusher shuttle chronographs.

The present invention offers an alternative to the operating mode of the chronograph described in the documents of the prior art mentioned above, by proposing a single-pusher chronograph performing a complete cycle of operation in two pressures. More specifically, the invention relates to a chronograph defined by claim 1 of the patent. Thanks to the inclined face located between the notches defining the two stable positions of the shuttle, the third position is reached when the pusher is pressed a second time, and the first position is reached when the pusher is released after the second pressure. The chronograph operation cycle is typically a three-cycle cycle, but two pressures are enough to complete it.

• la figure 1 représente un chronographe mono-poussoir selon l'invention en première position, le poussoir étant relâché,
• les figures 2 à 6 illustrent le cycle de fonctionnement d'un chronographe mono-poussoir selon l'invention, et
• les figures 7 à 9 sont des vues de deux modes de réalisation des moyens de blocage d'un tel chronographe en troisième position instable, le poussoir étant enfoncé.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the detailed description which follows of an exemplary embodiment of a single-pusher chronograph according to the invention, this example being given for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes only, in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

• the figure 1 represents a single-pusher chronograph according to the invention in first position, the pusher being released,
• the Figures 2 to 6 illustrate the operating cycle of a single-pusher chronograph according to the invention, and
• the Figures 7 to 9 are views of two embodiments of the locking means of such a chronograph third unstable position, the pusher being depressed.

The single-pusher chronograph represented in figure 1 in the reset position, conventionally comprises a chronograph wheel 1, carrying a chronograph seconds hand and a chronograph minute hand not shown, and clutch means 2 of the chronograph train 1, intended to put said gear Chronograph 1 in cinematic link with a finishing gear. It further comprises reset means 3 seconds and minutes hands, and a control device 4 clutch means 2 and reset means 3.

The clutch means 2 are formed, in a known manner, of a clutch gear 5 mounted on a clutch rocker 6, which is movable between a 'departure' position, in which the pinion 5 is in contact with the chronograph 1 and finishing workings, and a 'stop' position, in which the pinion 5 is disengaged from the chronograph train. The resetting means 3 conventionally comprise a hammer 7 acting on hearts 8 and 9 in rotation with the seconds and minutes hands. These elements and their operation are known to those skilled in the art, and will not be described in more detail.

The control device 4 comprises a shuttle 10 pivotally mounted about an axis XX, a jumper 11 cooperating with said shuttle 10 to position it angularly, and a pusher 12 for actuating the shuttle 10 in pivoting. It further comprises a clutch cam 13 and a reset cam 14, pivotally mounted integrally with the shuttle 10, and cooperating respectively with the clutch rocker 6 and the hammer 7 to activate, in a manner that known, the 'start', 'stop' and 'reset' functions of the chronograph, depending on the angular position of the shuttle 10.

The shuttle 10 comprises a first angular sector 20 comprising two notches 20a and 20b respectively defining a stable first angular position A corresponding to the 'reset' function and a second stable angular position B corresponding to the 'departure' function. . The jumper 11 cooperates with the notches 20a and 20b to maintain the shuttle 10 in one or other of the stable angular positions A and B. According to the invention, the first angular sector 20 further comprises an inclined face 20c, located between the notches 20a and 20b, defining a third angular position C unstable, corresponding to the 'stop' function of the chronograph. By inclined face is meant a non-perpendicular face to the radius at the point considered. The inclination of the face 20c is fixed so that the jumper 11 causes the shuttle 10 to pivot towards the angular position A when it bears on said face 20c.

The shuttle 10 comprises a second angular sector 30 comprising cutouts of complex shapes. In a first embodiment shown in figure 1 to 6 , the angular sector 30 comprises, in the counterclockwise direction, a first L-shaped cutout 31, and then a small recess 32 comprising a substantially radial flank 32a. he then comprises a notch 33, and finally a second cut 34 in the shape of an L. In a second embodiment illustrated in FIG. figure 7 , the small setback 32 is more accentuated so as to form a third cutout 35 with an L-shaped profile. We will come back to the profile of this third cutout 35 and its function, with regard to the figure 7 . In a fourth embodiment shown in figure 9 , the small recess 32 is replaced by a notch 36, whose function will be explained in relation to the figure 9 .

The pusher 12 is formed of an arm 40, pivotally mounted, provided with a finger 41, mounted free to rotate at its end about an axis YY. The finger 41 is terminated by first and second spouts respectively 42, 43, cooperating with the L-shaped cutouts 31, 34, 35, the notches 33, 36 and the recess 32, to rotate the shuttle 10 or block it in the three angular positions A, B and C. An elastic member 44, mounted on the arm 40, bears on the rear face of the finger 41 to position it substantially radially relative to the axis XX of the shuttle 10. Finally, a stop 45 is mounted near the finger 41 so as to limit its amplitude of rotation, as will be described later.

The operating cycle of the single-pusher chronograph thus described is represented by the Figures 2 to 6 . To simplify the reading, the clutch 13 and reset cams 14, as well as the clutching means 2 and the resetting means 3, have been voluntarily deleted. The understanding of the invention is facilitated.

The single-push chronograph according to the invention is represented in the 'reset' position in figure 2 . In this position, the chronograph wheel 1 is at a standstill, and the chronograph hands point to the indication '0'. The shuttle 10 is positioned in first stable angular position A, by the jumper 11 which cooperates with the notch 20a of the sector angular 20. The pusher 12 is released, the first spout 42 being positioned in the first L-shaped cutout 31.

In figure 3 , the pusher 12 is depressed under the action of a first pressure of the user. The pusher 12 rotates the shuttle 10 in a clockwise direction, via the first spout 42 which pushes into the angle of the first L-shaped cutout 31. The pivoting of the shuttle 10, combined with that of the 12 and the finger 41, allows the second spout 43 to engage in the notch 33. Once fully inserted into said notch 33, the second spout 43 blocks the pivoting movement of the shuttle 10, which is then in position angular B corresponding to the 'start' function of the chronograph. In this position, the clutch cam 13 acts on the clutch rocker 6 to start the chronograph.

The pusher 12 is then released by the user and the shuttle 10 is held in the angular position B by the jumper 11 which cooperates with the notch 20b of the angular sector 20. In this position shown in FIG. figure 4 , the chronograph wheel 1 rotates, causing the chronograph hands to rotate. It will be noted that the first spout 42 is no longer positioned in the first L-shaped cutout 31, but that the second spout 43 is now positioned in the vicinity of the second L-shaped cutout 34.

In figure 5 , the pusher 12 is again pressed under the action of a second pressure of the user. The pusher 12 this time pivoting the shuttle 10 in the counterclockwise direction, through the second spout 43 which pushes into the corner of the second L-shaped cut 34. The shuttle 10 pivots until the finger 41 comes into contact with the abutment 45, the first spout 42 then being engaged in the recess 32. The radial flank 32a of the recess 32 then abuts on the first spout 42 of the finger 41, itself bearing against the stop 45. The pivoting movement of the shuttle is thus stopped in position angular C, corresponding to the 'stop' function of the chronograph. In this position, the jumper 11 bears on the face 20c of the angular sector 20 and its action tends to rotate the shuttle 10 beyond the angular position C, to the stable angular position A. However, as long as the pusher 12 is held down by the user, the action of the jumper 11 is countered by that of the abutment 45, which opposes the pivoting of the shuttle 10 beyond the angular position C, by Via the finger 41. In this position, the clutch cam 13 acts on the clutch rocker 6 to stop the chronograph. The chronograph wheel 1 is stopped, as well as the chronograph hands.

The pusher 12 is then released a second time as shown in FIG. figure 6 . In this position, the jumper 11, bearing on the face 20c of the angular sector 20, tends to rotate the shuttle 10 in the counterclockwise direction, and the stop 45 no longer opposes this movement, the finger 41 being cleared. The angular position C is then unstable, and the action of the jumper 11 rotates the shuttle 10 to the stable angular position A, in which the jumper 11 cooperates with the notch 20a. In this position, the reset cam 14 actuates the hammer 7 which acts on the hearts 8 and 9. The chronograph hands again point to the indication '0'. A cycle of operation of the chronograph is completed. It will be noted that the cycle of operation of the chronograph thus described is a conventional three-stroke cycle, namely 'start', 'stop' and 'reset', carried out in two pressures.

We now refer to the figure 7 which represents a second embodiment of the single-pusher chronograph according to the invention in the 'off' position. In this embodiment, the third cut 35 replaces the recess 32 and the stop 45 is absent. When the user presses the pusher 12 a second time, the second spout 43 is pushed into the corner of the second L-shaped cutout 34, which causes the shuttle 10 to pivot in the counterclockwise direction. This pivoting movement is stopped when the first nozzle 42 engages in the third L-shaped cutout 35 and is housed in the corner of this cut. In this position, the first nozzle 42 exerts on the shuttle 10, a moment directed in the clockwise direction, which opposes the moment exerted by the jumper 11 in the counterclockwise direction. The shuttle 10 is then locked in the unstable angular position C, and remains there as long as the user keeps the pusher 12 depressed. It will be noted that a geometric condition must be fulfilled so that the moments respectively of the first spout 42 and the jumper 11 are canceled. If we write P, the point of contact of the first spout 42 with the angle of the third cutout 35, the angle a, formed between the axis XX, the point P and the axis YY, must be less than 180 degrees. . In this condition, the respective moments of the first spout 42 and the jumper 11 are exerted in opposite directions. If, on the contrary, the angle α is greater than 180 degrees, the two moments are exerted in the counterclockwise direction, and the shuttle 10 is not locked in position C. The operation of this second embodiment of the mono chronograph push-button according to the invention is, moreover, identical to that described with regard to Figures 2 to 6 .

A third embodiment of the single-pusher chronograph according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. figure 8 , in the 'off' position. In this embodiment the abutment 45 is absent, and the elastic member 44 is dimensioned so as to exert on the finger 41, in angular position C, a moment greater than the moment exerted by the jumper 11, via the 10. When the user exerts pressure on the pusher 12, the second spout 43 causes, as previously, the shuttle 10 pivoting, until the first spout 42 engages in the recess 32. The shuttle 10 is then in angular position C unstable, and the jumper 11 tends to rotate beyond this position, to the angular position A. If the aforementioned condition is met, the elastic member 44 opposes the rotational movement the finger 41, which itself opposes the pivoting movement of the shuttle 10. As long as the user maintains his pressure on the pusher 12, the shuttle 10 is thus locked in angular position C. The operation of this third embodiment of the single-pusher chronograph according to the invention is, moreover, identical to that described with regard to Figures 2 to 6 . Note that the elastic member 44 may also be preformed, rather than sized, to exert on the finger 41, in the angular position C, a moment greater than the moment exerted by the jumper 11.

Finally, we refer to the figure 9 which represents a fourth embodiment of the single-pusher chronograph according to the invention in the 'off' position. In this embodiment, the notch 36 replaces the recess 32 and the stop 45 is absent. When the user presses the pusher 12 a second time, the second spout 43 is pushed into the corner of the second L-shaped cutout 34, which causes the shuttle 10 to pivot in the counterclockwise direction. The pivoting of the shuttle 10, combined with that of the pusher 12 and the finger 41, allows the first spout 42 to engage in the notch 36. Once fully inserted in this notch 36, the first spout 42 blocks the movement of pivoting of the shuttle 10, which is then in angular position C unstable corresponding to the 'stop' function of the chronograph. As before, the shuttle 10 remains in this unstable position C as long as the user keeps the pusher 12 pressed. The operation of this fourth embodiment of the single-pusher chronograph according to the invention is, for the rest, identical to that described with regard to the Figures 2 to 6 .

Thus has been described a single-pusher chronograph performing a complete cycle in two pressures. Of course, the single-pusher chronograph according to the invention is not limited to the embodiment which has just been described and various modifications and simple variants can be envisaged by the skilled person without departing from the scope of the invention such as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (8)

1. Chronograph including a chronograph train (1), means (2) for coupling said train (1) and a device (4) for controlling the coupling means (2), which includes:

   - a shuttle (10) pivotably mounted about an axis (XX), a first angular sector (20) of which is provided with two notches (20a, 20b) defining first and second stable angular positions (A, B), and a second angular sector (30) of which includes cut out portions (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36),

   - an elastic member (11) cooperating with said notches (20a, 20b) to keep the shuttle (10) in one of said stable positions (A, B), and

   - a push-piece (12) cooperating with said cut out portions (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36) to pivot the shuttle (10), as a result of a first application of pressure, from the first stable position (A) to the second stable position (B), and as a result of a second application of pressure, from the second stable position (B) to a third intermediate angular position (C),
   characterized in that said third intermediate position (C) is unstable and defined on said first angular sector (20) of the shuttle (10) by an inclined surface (20c) located between said notches (20a, 20b), said inclined surface (20c) being arranged such that the action of the elastic member (11) causes the shuttle (10) to pivot from said third position (C) to said first stable position (A) when the push-piece (12) is released, and in that the device (4) for controlling the coupling means (2) further includes means (32a, 35, 36, 41, 45, 44) for locking the shuttle (10) in the third unstable position (C) when the push-piece (12) is pushed in.
2. Chronograph according to claim 1, characterized in that the push-piece (12) is formed of a pivotably mounted arm (40), provided with a finger (41), mounted to rotate freely on said arm (40) about an axis YY, and ending in first and second beaks (42, 43) arranged to cooperate with said cut out portions (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36) to pivot said shuttle (10) or lock said shuttle in said three angular positions (A, B, C).
3. Chronograph according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking means includes a stop member (45) mounted in proximity to said finger (41) and a recess (32), formed in the second angular sector (30) including a second approximately radial flank (32a), said stop member (45) and the recess (32) being arranged such that said radial flank (32a) abuts against said first beak (42) when the shuttle (10) is in the third unstable position (C), the finger (41) then abutting against said stop member (45).
4. Chronograph according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking means includes an L-shaped cut out portion (35) arranged such that, when said elastic member (11) acts on said shuttle (10) to pivot said shuttle from the third angular position (C) to the first angular position (A), said first beak (42) cooperates with said L-shaped blanked portion (35) to counter the action of the elastic member (11) and lock the shuttle (10) in said third angular position (C).
5. Chronograph according to claim 4, characterized in that the angle α formed between the pivoting axis (XX) of said shuttle (10), the point of contact P of said first beak (42) with the corner of said L-shaped cut out portion (35) and the axis (YY) of rotation of said finger (41) is less than 180 degrees.
6. Chronograph according to claim 2, characterized in that said arm (40) further includes an elastic member (44) acting on said finger (41) and sized so as to exert on said finger (41), in the third angular position (C), a greater moment than the moment exerted by said elastic member (11) via the shuttle (10).
7. Chronograph according to claim 2, characterized in that said arm (40) further includes an elastic member (44) acting on said finger (41) and preshaped to exert on said finger (41), in the third angular position (C) a greater moment than the moment exerted by said elastic member (11), via the shuttle (10).
8. Chronograph according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking means includes a notch (36) formed in the second angular sector (30), in which said first beak (42) is inserted when said shuttle (10) is in the third unstable position (C) and said push-piece (12) is pushed in, said notch (36) being arranged to lock the pivoting of the shuttle (10), controlled by the action of the elastic member (11).

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