Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
  • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
  • G04B19/06—Dials
  • G04B19/065—Dials with several parts
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
  • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
  • G04B19/06—Dials
  • G04B19/16—Shiftable dials, e.g. indicating alternately from 1 to 12 and from 13 to 24
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
  • G04B21/00—Indicating the time by acoustic means
  • G04B21/02—Regular striking mechanisms giving the full hour, half hour or quarter hour
  • G04B21/04—Hour wheels; Racks or rakes; Snails or similar control mechanisms
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
  • G04B21/00—Indicating the time by acoustic means
  • G04B21/02—Regular striking mechanisms giving the full hour, half hour or quarter hour
  • G04B21/12—Reiterating watches or clocks
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
  • G04B45/00—Time pieces of which the indicating means or cases provoke special effects, e.g. aesthetic effects
  • G04B45/02—Time pieces of which the clockwork is visible partly or wholly

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of watchmaking. It relates, more particularly, a timepiece whose dial includes an opening that can be closed or left free to reveal part of the movement.
• the present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a dial which at least a portion retracts to reveal the movement or a particular mechanism.
• the invention relates to a watch with a movement comprising a striking mechanism whose triggering is controlled from outside the watch by means of a control member.
• the watch comprises a dial provided with an opening, a shutter flap capable of moving between a first position in which it covers this opening, and a second position in which it leaves it free.
• the control member is arranged to move the flap from its first to its second position when triggering the striking mechanism.
• the shutter comprises a plurality of sectors alternately distributed in two levels and forming a diaphragm of the type used in photographic cameras.
• the movement comprises a minute repeater mechanism with its own control and the control member of the shutter is connected to the control of the minute repeater mechanism.
• the control member being connected to the flap via a connecting piece connected to a piston, the delay system comprises:
• a fastening member that can occupy a first position in which it leaves this connecting piece free and a second position in which it cooperates with the connecting piece
• a triggering member actuated during the return of the control member to its rest position, to oppose the force exerted by said spring and to allow the passage of the attachment member from its second position to its first position;
• FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the mechanism according to the invention
• FIGS. 3 to 7 illustrate different positions of the mechanism
• a watch with a movement and a dial This one has an opening through which the movement can be seen.
• the watch is provided with a mechanism for closing the opening. It comprises: - a flap 10 capable of evolving between a first position in which it covers the opening, and a second position in which it leaves it free, and - a control member 12 actuating the opening of the flap 10.
• the mechanism is coupled to a minute repeater system well known to those skilled in the art and which will not be described in detail. This combination offers additional benefits that will appear below, but it is not essential.
• the shutter mechanism forms an independent module, capable of being coupled to a basic movement. It is inserted between the display and the movement.
• the module is mounted in a frame 14 consisting of two rings, one 16 is intended to form the edge of the dial and the other 18 the bottom of the module.
• a frame 14 consisting of two rings, one 16 is intended to form the edge of the dial and the other 18 the bottom of the module.
• the first "dial” 16 and the second "bottom” 18. They are rigidly connected to each other by a plurality of pillars 20.
• Two ring-shaped cams one lower 22 and the other upper 24, are arranged on stones 26, between the dial 16 and the bottom 18 and concentrically to them. They are secured to one another by pillars 27 and are rotatably mounted around the center of the module. As will be understood later, these cams provide the force transmission function of the control member 12 to the shutter flap 10.
• the flap 10 is located between the two cams 22 and 24. It is formed of a plurality of sectors 28, alternately distributed in two levels and forming a diaphragm of the type used in the cameras. Each sector has a thin end and a wide end. In the first position of the flap 10 ( Figure 1), the thin ends form, in the center of the module, a circular opening 30 for passing the barrel carrying the display needles. The wide end has, at one of its corners, a pivot point 32 and, at the other corner, a translation pin 34, as explained below.
• each sector 28 rotates around it and retracts between the two cams 22 and 24, under the dial 16.
• the side of the sectors 28 connecting the thin end to the pivot point 32 has a radius of curvature similar to that of the inner edge of the dial. In the open position, the center of the module, in fact the entire surface of the module except the edge occupied by the dial, is completely clear. Reverse rotation of the cams 22 and 24 to close the diaphragm.
• the two levels of sectors 28 are intended to slide on each other. They are therefore preferably made of a material having a low coefficient of friction, a ceramic for example.
• the shutter mechanism is coupled to a movement comprising a minute repeater controlled by a latch not shown and a rack 42 connected to the latch by an arm 42a.
• the rotation of the cams 22 and 24 is via a control lever 40 actuated, at least mediately, from outside the box of the watch.
• the lever 40 is connected to the rack 42. More specifically, the lever 40 is mounted on a bridge 44 and pivots at a point 46 offset from the pivot point 48 of the rack. With a pin 50 fixed on the bridge and sliding in an oblong 52 formed in the lever 40, the stroke of the latter is increased relative to that of the lock.
• the free end of the lever 40 ends in a finger 54. It carries, under it, a pawl 56 pivotally mounted and adapted to cooperate with the portion 38a of the ankle for rotating the cams 22 and 24.
• This pawl 56 is provided with a lug 58 resting on the side of the finger to block the pawl when it pushes the pin 38 during the opening of the diaphragm.
• the end of the pin 38 is fixed to a piston 60. It is formed of a curved rod 62, with the same radius of curvature as the dial. It slides in two guides 64 secured to the bottom and passes into a coil spring 66. This is fixed to the rod 62 by its end located on the side of the pin 38 and is supported by its other end on the One of the guides 64. As will be better understood below, the spring 66 ensures the return of the pin 38 to its rest position and therefore the closure of the diaphragm.
• the control member 12 further comprises a delay system of the return of the shutter 10 at its first position. This one includes first flip-flop 68 as a triggering member for returning the flap 10 to its first position.
• the lever 40 is supported on a first 68a of the ends of the latch 68 when in its rest position.
• the other end 68b carries a pin 70 cooperating with a hook 72a formed by the first end of a second latch 72.
• the other end of this rocker is provided on the outside of the box, a boss 72b and, on the movement side, a housing 72c to ensure the anointing member of attachment of the connecting piece.
• a spring member 74 presses on the boss 72b and exerts a pressure tending to push the housing 72c towards the center of the movement.
• the spring 74 holds the housing 72c on the path of the pin 38 and thus allows the latching member to be held in a position in which it cooperates with the connecting piece.
• the force of the spring 74 is less than that of the mainspring barrel spring.
• the mechanism is at rest and the diaphragm is closed. Under the effect of the striking barrel (not shown) to which it is connected via the rack 42, the lever 40 pushes on the first flip-flop 68 and, by the pin 70 which presses on the rocker 72, slightly raises the leaf spring 74 .
• the minute repetition is in the process of arming.
• the latch of the minute repeater is actuated by the wearer of the watch, which pivots the rack 42 and therefore, the lever 40.
• the latter leaves its support on the latch 68.
• the spring 74 then pushes the housing 72c, in direction of the center of the movement, to a position in which the hook 72a is in abutment with the pin 70.
• the lever 40 presses the portion 38a of the pin 38, pushes the piston 60 by forcing the spring 66 and puts the cams 22 and 24 in rotation, which has the effect of opening the diaphragm, as explained below. above.
• the pin 38 When the pin 38 arrives near the housing 72c, it raises the second latch 72.
• the mechanism is dimensioned so that when the lever 40 reaches the end of its active race, that is to say say that it will leave the contact with the pin 38, the diaphragm is in its open position and the pin 38 has just exceeded, in its race, the latching member and more particularly the housing 72c.
• the spring 74 presses the latch 72 and the pin 38 is placed in the housing 72c.
• the coil spring 66 can not relax, the diaphragm therefore remains in the open position. For example, the diaphragm opens fully for an ankle stroke of about 25 °.
• the rack 42 returns to its rest position during the ringing of the minute repeater and brings, with it, the lever 40.
• the pin 38 is blocked by the housing 72c, which keeps the diaphragm open during the ring, leaving the mechanism visible.
• the ratchet 56 crosses, on return, the pin 38, it pivots freely, allowing a smooth crossing.
• the lever 40 Towards the end of the ring, the lever 40 returns to cooperate with the trigger member of the return of the flap 10 at its first position by relying on the first end 68a of the flip-flop 68.
• the spring of the barrel of ringing being stronger than the spring 74, the rocker 68 pivots and also drives the second rocker 72, which pushes the spring 74 and releases the pin 38.
• the piston 60 and the pin 38 quickly return to their rest position, which closes the diaphragm just as quickly.
• the mechanism according to the invention comprises only one lower cam 22, always mounted between the stones 26 and guided in rotation by studs 78 arranged concentrically around the bottom 18 of the module.
• the pivot points of the sectors 28 are always alternated between the dial 16 visible in FIG. 2, and the bottom 18.
• One of the main differences of this embodiment with that which has been described above is that all the grooves 36 are formed in the only lower cam 22, the length of the translation pins 34 of all sectors 28 being sufficient to cooperate with them.
• the grooves 36 each comprise a first active portion 36a and a second passive portion 36b.
• Active portion 36a is oriented in a substantially radial direction. More specifically, it is arranged so that, during a rotation of the cam 22, the resultant forces exerted by the walls of this portion on the pin 34 with which they cooperate, causes the displacement of this pin 34 d a first end to the other of the first portion, which causes the full opening of the diaphragm.
• the length of this first portion 36a is substantially equal to the stroke traveled by a pin 34 under the effect of the actuation of the rack 42 to ring one (1) hour.
• the second portion 36b is oriented concentrically to the movement, so that when the pins 34 are engaged in this second portion, that is to say, as soon as the race performed by the rack
• the rotation of the cam 22 has no effect on the pins 34.
• the sectors 28 are stationary as the pins 34 evolve in this second portion.
• Another particular aspect of this embodiment lies in the transmission of energy between the rack 42 and the pin 38 which is integral with the lower cam 22. More specifically, the pin 38 is integrated into the room link 80 secured to the rod 62 of the piston 60. To reduce friction, the part 80 comprises in particular a roller on which the arm 42a of the rack 42 acts directly. The transmission of energy to open the sectors 28 of the diaphragm is thus favored because of the absence of intermediate lever.
• the system for retarding the return of the shutter flap 10 at its first position comprises a flip-flop 82.
• a spring member 84 whose function is similar to the spring 74 of the first embodiment, maintains the latch 82 bearing against the connecting piece 80.
• the fastening member is formed of a housing 86 similar to the housing 72c located on the latch 82. It is intended to cooperate with a not visible pin to the drawing, located on the connecting piece 80.
• the trigger member of the return of the flap 10 in its first position takes the form of a pin 88 serving as support for the rack 42 when the latter is at rest, is disposed on the rocker 82 so that the pressure applied by the rack 42 under the effect of the spring of the striking barrel, generates a moment of rotation which opposes the spring 84. The force of the latter is lower than that of the spring of the barrel of ringtone.
• the rack 42 is pressed on the post 88.
• the pins 34 are positioned at the first end of the portion 36a, the opposite side to the second portion and the diaphragm is closed.
• the rack 42 leaves its support on the lug 88 and pushes the connecting piece 80, which compresses the piston 60 and causes the rotation of the cam 22.
• the spring 84 rests on the connecting piece 80, while at the closure mechanism, the pins 34 move towards the second end of the first portion grooves, causing the opening of the diaphragm.
• the rack 42 further pushes the pin 38.
• the pins 34 move in the second portion 36b of the grooves, the movement of the rack 42 has no effect on the diaphragm.
• the elbow formed by the portions 36a and 36b is dimensioned so that the passage of the pins 34 of the first to the second portion is without blocking.
• the ring is triggered in a conventional manner and the rack 42 returns to its initial position as the spring of the barrel ring disarms.
• the pins 34 are always in the second portion 36b of the grooves and the diaphragm is open.
• the pin When the connecting piece 80 arrives at the housing 86, the pin is positioned there and is held under the action of the spring 84. Only the rack 42 continues its course while the ringing ends. At the closure mechanism, since the maintenance of the piece 80 causes the immobility of the cam 22, the pins 34 remain at the end of the second portion 36b located on the side of the first portion 36a, that is to say that the diaphragm is kept fully open during the end of the ring.
• the shape of the grooves 36 is particularly adapted to the mode of transmission of energy between the rack 42 and the pin 38, because it allows to take advantage of the fact that the rotation of the cam 22 and that of the rack 42 are not concentric.
• This form of groove could be reproduced with a system comprising two cams, as described in the first embodiment.
• FIG. 10 An example is illustrated in FIG. 10.
• Flip-flop 82 comprises a toothed sector 82a designed to cooperate with the connecting piece 80 or with the roll it involves.
• Another possible embodiment for the spring 84 is shown.
• the speed of the ring is then essentially regulated by the spring of the ringer barrel and by the normal device for regulating the ringer which can be an exhaust or a centrifugal system.

Landscapes

• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Electric Clocks (AREA)
• Toys (AREA)
• Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
• Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
• Telephone Function (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=35124619

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Cited By (2)

Families Citing this family (16)

Family Cites Families (12)

• 2005
  • 2005-01-24 CH CH00099/05A patent/CH698500B1/fr not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2006
  • 2006-01-19 EP EP06707771A patent/EP1842112B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2006-01-19 DE DE602006018419T patent/DE602006018419D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2006-01-19 US US11/814,135 patent/US7420885B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2006-01-19 AT AT06707771T patent/ATE489661T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2006-01-19 WO PCT/EP2006/050322 patent/WO2006077240A2/fr not_active Ceased

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events