EP3413142B1 - Timepiece - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking. It relates, more particularly, to a timepiece comprising a crown which is locked in rotation relative to the middle part when it is in its rest position.

State of the art

The document JPH0729494 U describes a timepiece of the type mentioned above. The crown of this part is elongated in a direction along the curvature of the outer wall of the middle part and can be pulled outwards in order to control the functions of the part. In the axial depressed position of the crown, the latter closely follows the wall of the middle part and is locked in rotation by means of a plurality of studs extending from the latter. These studs nest in corresponding housings provided in the crown in order to block the rotating crown.

By pulling the crown outwards, the studs are released from the housings and the crown can be pivoted in order to control the functions of the movement (winding, setting the time, correcting other displays, etc.) in a known manner. In order to be able to index the crown relative to the middle part before returning it to its rest position, the first axial position drawn may correspond, for example, to a neutral position of the rod in which it can pivot without acting on the functions of the movement. Alternatively, this first pulled position can control the winding of the motor member of the movement, in which case a system which prevents the motor member from being overly wound can be provided to ensure that the crown can always be pivoted in order to index in relation to the middle. In doing so, the user can still index the crown relative to to the middle before recessing it, without risking any disruption of the movement's functions.

However, the crown system described by this document requires that the crown be glued, welded or screwed onto the rod. In the case of bonding or welding, it is very difficult to disassemble the crown for maintenance of the part. Furthermore, if the crown is screwed onto the rod by means of an additional thread and thread, it is possible that the crown will untimely disengage.

In addition, the layout of the document JPH0729494 U does not lend itself well to a crown which is recessed in a housing in its rest position, since the maximum depth of the housing which can be provided in the middle depends exclusively on the movement control system, in particular on the distance between the pressed position and the first position taken from the rod. The depth of this housing is thus limited, which reduces the possibilities of designing the watch case and the crown.

The object of the invention is therefore to propose a timepiece in which the above-mentioned faults are at least partially overcome.

Disclosure of invention

More specifically, the invention relates to a timepiece comprising a watch case comprising a middle part provided with a passage passing through a side wall of said middle part as well as a movement housed in the interior of said box. A control rod takes place in said passage and is linked to said movement in the usual way. It is arranged to be movable in rotation and in translation, and can advantageously adopt a plurality of stable axial positions along its own axis.

The rod has a crown located outside of said watch case and mounted on said control rod. The crown may, for example, have an elongated shape in a direction substantially perpendicular to the stem, which gives it one or two angular positions. aligned with the middle. Furthermore, any other form of crown is also possible.

The crown and said middle part each comprise complementary blocking elements arranged to interlock with each other in order to block said crown in rotation in a depressed axial position of said rod and to release the rotation of the crown in at least one axial position drawn from said rod. These blocking elements may have come in one piece with the middle part or the crown or may alternatively be located on intermediate parts attached to one or more of the latter.

According to the invention, the crown comprises a cap mounted integral in rotation with said rod, to which it is fixed by means of a spring. This spring can be, for example, in the form of a blade, of wire, or in the form of a clip comprising two arms extending generally in the same direction, parallel or having an angle between them, the arms being linked together by a "U" connecting area. Furthermore, several such springs can be provided. The spring can allow limited sliding between the cap and the rod, or can alternatively be used to securely fix these parts to each other.

The use of such a spring makes it possible to fix the cap on the rod in an easily removable manner and avoids any use of glue, welding or the like in this role. The manufacturing and maintenance of the part are thus simplified.

Advantageously, the rod comprises at least one wing extending laterally from said rod, said spring cooperating with the sides of said wing. The drive of the rod by the cap and the fixing of the cap on the rod are thus ensured without requiring other components, the assembly therefore being simple, and the drive in positive rotation.

Advantageously, said rod comprises a flange extending laterally from said wing and arranged to cooperate with said spring in order to allow said rod to be drawn outwards. The spring therefore has a positive stop which allows the rod to be pulled outwards.

Advantageously, said cap is movable in translation relative to said rod. The crown is thus telescopic, which is useful in the case where the movement does not allow sufficient axial movement of the rod to release the complementary locking elements from each other before reaching an axial position which controls a function of the movement.

Advantageously, said rod comprises at least a first groove arranged to cooperate with said spring in order to constitute a first detent arranged to make said rod and said cap integral in translation when the cap is in a pulled position relative to the rod. The rod can thus be driven not only in rotation but also in translation in order to be able to adopt positions corresponding to the control of the functions of the movement without the cap being able to be moved axially relative to the rod inadvertently. To this end, the first trigger provides enough resistance to overcome that exerted by the movement when the axial position of the rod changes.

Advantageously, the rod comprises at least a second groove arranged to cooperate with said spring in order to constitute a second detent arranged to maintain the cap in a depressed position relative to said rod. In doing so, when the cap is pressed relative to the rod and is therefore not deployed, it is held in position relative to the middle part. The resistance of this second trigger is thus less than that exerted by the movement on the rod so that the cap can be deployed by pulling it outwards without moving the rod axially.

Advantageously, the complementary blocking elements comprise on the one hand a cover secured to said middle part and on the other hand a housing provided in said cover, said cover and said housing cooperating in the depressed position of the cover in order to block the latter in rotation by compared to said middle. A simple, compact and invisible solution in the depressed position of the cap is thus obtained in order to block the cap in rotation when the latter is at rest.

Advantageously, the middle part includes a housing arranged to serve as a seat for said cap when the latter is in its depressed position. The cap can thus be pulled relative to the middle and does not must not protrude from the latter when the part is worn. In the case of an ultra-thin watch, the crown therefore does not interfere with the wearer's skin.

Advantageously, the cap is formed in such a way that, when it is in its depressed position, it is integrated into the shape of said middle and its outer surfaces can be an extension of the shape of said middle. The cap can thus be made indistinguishable from the middle when pressed.

Brief description of the drawings

• Fig. 1 est une vue perspective d'une partie d'une pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention, dans laquelle les éléments associés à la tige et à la couronne sont illustrés sous forme éclatée ;
• Fig. 2a-d sont des vues perspectives de la pièce d'horlogerie de la figure 1, la couronne se trouvant dans diverses positions ;
• Fig. 3 est une vue perspective de la coiffe du système de couronne illustré dans les figures 1 et 2 ;
• Fig. 4 est une vue perspective en coupe latérale au travers de la couronne assemblée ;
• Fig. 5 est une vue en coupe le long de l'axe de la tige, la coiffe étant en position enfoncée ;
• Fig. 6 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 5, la coiffe étant en position tirée ; et
• Fig. 7 est une vue perspective du capot visible sur la figure 1.

Other details of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a part of a timepiece according to the invention, in which the elements associated with the stem and the crown are illustrated in exploded form;
• Fig. 2a-d are perspective views of the timepiece of the figure 1 , the crown being in various positions;
• Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the crown system cap illustrated in the Figures 1 and 2 ;
• Fig. 4 is a perspective view in side section through the assembled crown;
• Fig. 5 is a sectional view along the axis of the rod, the cap being in the depressed position;
• Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of the figure 5 , the cap being in the pulled position; and
• Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the hood visible on the figure 1 .

Mode of carrying out the invention

The figure 1 shows an exploded view of part of a timepiece according to the invention.

This timepiece includes a watch case 1, part of the middle 3 of which is visible in the figure and which houses a timepiece movement of any type (not illustrated) in a known manner.

The middle part 3 has a lateral opening 5 to receive a rod 7, the latter being in connection with said movement at a first of its ends in order to control one or more functions of the movement such as winding, setting the time, and correction of other displays (date, moon phase, etc.) according to its axial position. Usually, the rod 7 is movable in translation along its main axis as well as in rotation about the same axis, thanks to the usual control system that includes the movement.

In the illustrated embodiment, the other end of the rod 7, which is located outside the watch case, carries a crown 9 comprising a cap 11. The latter is of elongated shape in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rod 7, at least at the intersection of the axis of the rod with the cap in the case where the cap is curved. The cap is shaped so as to be able to take place in a housing 13 of complementary shape provided in the side wall of the middle part 3. This housing 13 serves as a seat for the cap 11 when it is in the depressed position (see the figure 2a ), which position corresponds to its rest position. By pulling the cover 11 outwards, it can adopt a first pulled position, which is represented by the figure 2b . In this position, the cap 11 has been moved in translation relative to the rod 7 but the latter has not yet been moved and therefore remains in its depressed position. By pulling the cover 11 even further outwards, the rod 7 is driven in translation towards a first stable pulled position (see figure 2c ), in which the cover 11 is free from the middle part 3 and can be pivoted (see the figure 2d ). Typically, this first position of the rod 7 is a neutral position or a winding position, so that the user can pivot the rod 7 to align the cover 11 with its housing 13 without disrupting a function of the movement. By pulling the rod even more outwards, the rod 7 can adopt one or more additional stable axial positions, each associated with the control of a function of the movement in a known manner.

The rod has two wings 15 extending on either side of the rod and perpendicular to the latter and forming a head for the rod. These wings 15 take place in a housing 17 which comprises the face of the cover 11 which is situated opposite the middle part 3 (see the figure 3 ). It is also possible to provide only one such wing, the shape of the housing 17 being adapted accordingly.

The wings 15 extend parallel to the cap 11, and cooperate with a spring 19 in the form of a clip inserted in openings 23 provided in the lateral faces of the cap 11. This type of spring comprises two arms extending generally in the same direction, these arms being parallel to each other or not. The two arms are linked together by a junction area in the form of a round or rectangular "U". Alternatively, one or two springs in the form of a blade, wire, or any other suitable form can be provided.

The two arms of the spring 19 therefore extend on either side of the wings 15 and embrace them on both sides. The rod 7 and the cap 11 are thus linked to each other in a removable manner. Since this connection is made by means of this spring 19, the cap 11 can be removed from the rod by bringing out the spring 19. This simple operation minimizes the risk of damage to the cap 11, which is particularly important in the case where the latter is made of precious metal, which is expensive and is relatively soft and therefore susceptible to scratching.

The same spring 19 also lends itself to another variant, not shown, in which the cap 11 and the rod 7 are permanently secured in translation. In this case, the arms of the spring 19 can simply pass through grooves provided in the rod 7 and / or in the flanks of the wings 15. Such an arrangement is possible in the case where the cap 11 can already pivot in its first position stable axial pull, for example in the case where the housing 13 is shallow or is not present. However, in the illustrated variant, the cover 11 must be moved away from its seat 13 in the middle part 3 before it can be pivoted without abutting against the walls of the housing 11, as shown by the figures 2a to 2d . Indeed, in this variant, the distance between the depressed axial position and the first stable position drawn from the rod (as defined by the movement control system) is less than the depth of the housing 13 and the difference is compensated for by the fact that the cap 11 is telescopic relative to the rod 7.

To this end, the outer end of the rod has a flange 21 of oblong shape extending laterally from the wings 15 and perpendicular to the latter. This flange 21 serves as an axial stop for the spring 19 in order to define an extreme axial position of the cap 11 relative to the rod 7.

In order to maintain the cap 11 in this extreme pulled position relative to the rod (see the figure 6 ), a pair of first grooves 7a are arranged adjacent to said flange 21. The arms of the spring 19 can enter these grooves when the cap 11 is pulled outwards in order to serve as the first trigger. It should be noted that the central part of the housing 17 is cleared so as to give enough space to allow the middle of the arms of the spring 19 to bend when they come out of said grooves 7a. In order to be able to drive the rod 7 in translation when the cap 11 is in its pulled position, the resistance to detachment of the spring 19 from the grooves 7a is greater than the force necessary to move the rod 7 axially relative to the movement.

By cons, a single second groove 7b, positioned to cooperate with the spring 19 so that the cap 11 can be held in its depressed position, is provided to form a second trigger having a resistance less than the force necessary to move the rod 7 axially relative to the movement. In doing so, when the cap 11 is in its depressed position (see the figures 2a and 5 ), a tensile force applied by the user to the cap 11 serves to pull the latter relative to the rod 7, without causing the rod 7 to translate.

When the cap 11 is in its pulled position (see the figures 2c and 6 ), it is integral in rotation and in traction with the rod 7, which can be driven in rotation and in translation in a known manner in order to control one or more functions of the movement.

By completely recessing the cap 11, the rod 7 stops in its extreme pressed position, and then the arms of the spring 19 come out of the first grooves 7a in order to be able to readjust the initial position of the cap 11 (see the figures 2a and 5 ).

When the rod is in its axial depressed position (see the figure 2a ), the outer surfaces of the cap 11 are an extension of those of the middle part 3, with the exception of a possible notch under the underside of the middle part to slide the wearer's nail in order to facilitate the movement of the cap 11 from its rest position. Consequently, no part of the cap exceeds the extension of the shape of the middle part and there is therefore no projecting part of the latter. However, it is also possible to arrange the cap 11 projecting from its housing 13 of the middle if desired or not to provide housing and thus to arrange it next to the latter.

That said, the illustrated arrangement has particular advantages in the context of an ultra-thin timepiece. A conventional crown of usual size can have a diameter which is greater than the thickness of the associated watch case, and can thus be inconvenient for the wearer. It is certainly possible to use a conventional crown of smaller size but this presents ergonomic difficulties, since such a crown can be difficult to handle by the user.

One of the advantages provided by the present invention is thus to allow the construction of a crown which, in the depressed position of the stem, is nowhere projecting from the extension of the shape of the middle part, but which is of sufficient in size to allow easy handling. The cap 11 is therefore almost invisible and cannot hinder the skin of the user when the part is worn.

In order to ensure the rotational locking of the cap 11 relative to the middle part 3 when the cap 11 is in its depressed position, a large number of possibilities can be envisaged. For example, the cap 11 and its housing 13 may each include complementary locking elements such as rails and grooves, openings and pins, or the like. These elements may have come in one piece with the middle part 3 and / or the cap 11, or may be located on elements added to the middle part 3 and / or on the cap 11.

In the illustrated embodiment, this blocking is effected by the cooperation between a cover 25, which projects from the bottom of the housing 13, and the housing 17 which comprises the cover 11. In order to fix the cover 25 to the wall of the middle part, the latter has a plurality of corresponding openings 27 located on either side of the lateral opening 5 provided for the passage of the rod 7. The cover 25 also includes a pair of studs 29 which take place in the openings 27 in order to index the cover 25 relative to the middle part.

The cover 25 can be retained in place by any suitable means, such as force insertion, gluing, welding, clipping, by means of one or more screws 31 (as in the illustrated embodiment) , or by any other appropriate means. In the illustrated version, the head of the screw bears against a shoulder 33 of one of the studs 29, but it is also possible to use screws which pass through the body of the cover 25 in a conventional manner. In doing so, the cover 25 is easily removable for maintenance.

The cover 25 also includes an opening 35 which is located opposite the lateral opening 5 in which the rod 7 also takes place. This opening 35 is of smaller diameter than that of the lateral passage 5 in the middle part in order to hold in place a gasket 37 housed therein and which seals between the middle part 3 and the rod 7.

The periphery of the cover 25 is shaped to nest in the housing 17 of the cover 11, as illustrated in figure 5 , when the latter is in its depressed position. The cover 11 is thus prevented from pivoting by blocking shapes between the cover 25 and the internal walls of the cover 11.

Although the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to particular embodiments, other variants are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims (10)

1. Timepiece comprising:

   - a watch case (1) comprising a middle (3) provided with an opening (5) through a sidewall of the latter;

   - a movement housed inside said case (1);

   - a control stem (7) that is placed in said opening (5) and is connected to said movement, said stem (7) being arranged such that it can be moved in rotation and in translation according to its principal axis;

   - a crown (9) located outside said case (1) and mounted on said stem (7);
   in which said crown (9) and said middle (3) each comprise complementary blocking elements (25, 17, 27, 29) that are arranged so as to nest one inside the other in order to block said crown (9) rotationally in a pushed-in axial position of said stem (7) and to free the crown (9) rotationally in at least one pulled-out axial position of said stem (7),
   characterized in that said crown (9) comprises a cap (11) mounted conjoined in rotation with said stem (7), said cap (11) being secured to said stem (7) by means of a spring (19).
2. Timepiece according to Claim 1, in which said stem (7) comprises at least one wing (15) extending laterally from said stem (7), said spring (19) cooperating with the flanks of said wing (15).
3. Timepiece according to Claim 2, in which said stem (7) comprises a flange (21) extending laterally from said wing (15) and arranged so as to cooperate with said spring (19) so as to permit said stem (7) to be pulled outwards.
4. Timepiece according to the preceding claim, in which said cap (11) is displaceable in translation relative to said stem (7).
5. Timepiece according to the preceding claim, in which said stem (7) comprises at least one first groove (7a) that is arranged so as to cooperate with said spring (19) so as to constitute a first detent arranged to render said stem (7) and said cap (11) conjoined in translation when the cap (11) is in a pulled-out position relative to the stem (7) .
6. Timepiece according to the preceding claim, in which said stem (7) comprises at least one second groove (7b) that is arranged so as to cooperate with said spring (19) so as to constitute a second detent arranged to hold the cap (11) in a pushed-in position relative to said stem (7).
7. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, in which said complementary blocking elements (25, 17) comprise on one hand a cover (25) secured to said middle (3) and on the other hand a housing (17) provided in said cap (11), said cover (25) and said housing (17) cooperating in the pushed-in position of the cap (11) so as to immobilize said cap (11) in rotation relative to said middle (3).
8. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, in which said middle (3) comprises a housing (13) arranged so as to serve as a seat for said cap (11) when the latter is in its pushed-in position.
9. Timepiece according to the preceding claim, in which said cap (11) is formed such that, when it is in its pushed-in position, it is integrated into the shape of said middle (3).
10. Timepiece according to the preceding claim, in which the outer surfaces of said cap (11) follow the extension of the shape of said middle (3).

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