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
  • G04B37/00—Cases
  • G04B37/08—Hermetic sealing of openings, joints, passages or slits
  • G04B37/10—Hermetic sealing of openings, joints, passages or slits of winding stems

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a device for controlling the axial position of the crown of a timepiece facilitating the passage of this ring from its neutral position (for example a locking position and / or reassembly) to d ' other axial positions such as winding, date setting and time setting etc.
• the invention is particularly well suited for use in timepieces which are provided with a locking lever of the winding crown in its neutral or locking position for which increased sealing of the box of the piece is obtained .
• FIGS. 1 and 2 Such a timepiece is partially illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
• the winding crown 1 is connected to the winding stem 2 so as to be secured to this rod 2 in rotation but to be able to perform an axial stroke with respect thereto.
• the stem of the crown 3 slides on the winding stem 2, a spring 4 tending to move the crown 1 away from the winding stem 2.
• the rod 3 of the ring 1 slides in a tube 5 mounted in the middle part 9 of a box.
• a first seal 6 is disposed between the rod 3 of the ring 1 and the tube 5 while a second seal
• the purpose of the device for controlling the axial position of the crown of a timepiece is to obviate the aforementioned drawbacks and to facilitate for the user the precise positioning of the winding crown in the desired position.
• the present invention relates to a device for controlling the axial position of the winding crown of a timepiece which is distinguished by the features set forth in claim 1.
• the invention also relates to a timepiece equipped with such a device.
• FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a first embodiment illustrating the middle part of a watch case, the crown, the crown bridge and its control lever, and a pull tab ensuring the kinematic connection between the lever of control and the crown object of the invention.
• Figure 4 is a sectional view of the control device of Figure 3 in the locking position of the ring.
• Figure 5 is a sectional view of the control device of Figure 3 in the winding position.
• Figure 6 is a sectional view of the control device of Figure 3 in the date setting position.
• Figure 7 is a sectional view of the control device of Figure 3 in the setting position.
• Figure 8 illustrates in section a first variant of the kinematic connection connecting the crown to the control lever.
• Figure 9 illustrates in section a second variant of the kinematic connection connecting the crown to the control lever.
• Figure 10 illustrates in section a third variant of the kinematic connection connecting the crown to the control lever.
• Figure 11 illustrates in section a second embodiment of the device for controlling the axial positions of the ring, the control lever being in the closed position corresponding to the lock position of the ring.
• Figure 12 illustrates in section the device of Figure 11 the control lever being in the open position corresponding to the time setting position of the crown.
• Figure 13 illustrates in section the device of Figure 11 the control lever being in an intermediate position corresponding to the position of winding or setting the calendar of the crown.
• the device for controlling the axial position of the crown of a watch which is the subject of the invention preferably relates to watches of the illustrated type.
• 1 to 3 comprises a crown bridge 20 and a control lever 21, but has the original characteristic that the control lever is not only used to lock and unlock the ring gear 23 but, by virtue of its angular displacement, controls the axial positioning of the ring 23 in its different locking positions, reassembly, date setting or time setting.
• the lever can be used only for axial positioning of the ring in the winding and adjusting positions.
• control device comprises a crown bridge 20 and a control lever 21 articulated on this crown bridge 20, one end 21a serving to maneuver the lever and the other 21b serving cam for actuating the crown 23 of the watch.
• the lever 21 can pivot as shown in Figures 1 and 2 or as shown in Figures 4-7.
• the direction of rotation of the lever in Figure 3 is reversed with respect to the direction of rotation in Figures 4-7, but this has no effect on the operation of the device.
• FIG. 3 shows the middle part 24 of the watch comprising the tube 25 forming the passage for the winding stem 26 to which the ring 23 is fixed.
• This figure also indicates the crown bridge 20 fixed by screws 20a on the middle part 24 and the control lever 21 articulated at 22 on the crown bridge 20.
• the control device further comprises a pull tab 27, a central portion 28 of which surrounds the tube 25 and is guided thereon.
• This pull tab comprises a base 29 located between the ring 23 and the middle part 24.
• This pull-tab further comprises an arm 30 extending laterally beyond the ring 23 and terminating in an inclined plane 31 radially recessed above the crown. 23.
• an angular displacement of determined amplitude of the control lever 21 allows the axial positioning of the ring 23 in its four distinct positions, locking, reassembly, date setting and time setting. At each of these axial positions of the ring 23 corresponds a determined angular position of the control lever 21.
• An angular displacement in the opposite direction of the lever 21 makes it possible to move the ring gear 23 axially in the direction of the middle through its various operating positions , the portion 21b of the lever 21 pushing the face of the ring 23.
• One of the main advantages of such a solution lies in the amplification of the movement.
• the ring 23 once positioned in the desired axial position by the control lever 21 can be manually rotated to perform the corresponding function.
• Another advantage of this device lies in the fact of mechanically limiting the axial displacement of the ring by the coming into contact of the stop 32 of the pull tab 27 against the crown bridge 20, which prevents any deterioration of the winding mechanism, of its stem and crown. It is common in fact in the case where the crown is actuated directly manually that excessive axial tensile force is tearing the crown or damaging the winding mechanism and setting time.
• the crown may not have an axial blocking position reinforcing the tightness of the box.
• the telescopic spring coupling between the crown and the winding stem is removed and when the control lever 21 is in the closed rest position, its end 21b comes into contact with the ring 23 without applying axial force just to maintain it in this position which is the winding position of the movement.
• the control lever 21 by its angular displacement locks the ring in locked or reassembly position and actuates the axial displacements of the crown for the l bring in its different axial positions of function.
• Figures 8, 9 and 10 illustrate three variants of the kinematic link connecting the control lever 21 to the pull tab 27.
• the ring 23 is connected to the control lever 21 by a connecting piece consisting of a pin 40 journalled in the ring and connected to the lever 21 by a pin 41 passing through a slot 42 of the end 21b of the lever 21.
• a connecting piece consisting of a pin 40 journalled in the ring and connected to the lever 21 by a pin 41 passing through a slot 42 of the end 21b of the lever 21.
• an angular displacement of the lever 21 causes an axial displacement of the ring 23 and allows to bring it into its different positions of function.
• the crown can be manually rotated since it can pivot relative to the connecting piece 40.
• the connecting piece 40 journalled on the ring is connected to the lever 21 by a pin 41 moving through a slot 43 formed in a central portion of the control lever 21 on the same side as its free end 21a with respect to its pivot point 22 on the crown bridge 20.
• FIGS. 11 to 13 describe a second embodiment of FIG. control device of the axial position of a crown.
• the ring 23 is mounted in the tube 25 driven into the middle part 24. This ring is rigidly connected to the winding stem (not shown).
• the ring 23 is subjected to an elastic action, here a spring 44 tending to move it axially away from the middle part 24. The force of the spring 44 is sufficient to move the ring 23 to its outermost position corresponding generally to setting the time.
• This axial displacement of the ring 23 under the action of the spring 44 can however only be done under the control of the control lever 21 whose end 21b is in contact with the ring 23.
• the spring 44 applies the ring 23 against the end 21b of the lever 21 and the lever is open plus the crown will move axially away from the middle part 24. Holding the lever in an angular position determined the user can choose the desired axial position of the crown.
• the ring 23 abuts, under the action of the spring 44, against the crown bridge 20 (FIG 10).
• FIG. 12 illustrates the ring gear 23 in an intermediate position, for example for setting the date, held in this position by the partially open lever 21.
• Figure 13 illustrates the ring 23 in an ultimate open position, for example for setting the time, maintained in this position by the lever 21 fully open.
• the same advantages as described above are realized, greater ease and precision in the axial positioning of the crown and any excessive pull on the winding stem is avoided.
• the angular positions of the control lever 21 corresponding to the different axial positions of the winding could be defined by a snap, a ball stop or other mechanical arrangement. Such an arrangement may further facilitate the use of the control device by the user.
• the lever used to determine the axial position of the crown according to the invention can have any shape and / or conformation to condition that it comprises a portion which pivots on a fixed point relative to the middle part 24, a part accessible to / and manipulable by a user, and a part which is mechanically linked - directly or indirectly - to the crown (or its stem).
• the lever can be articulated on a part of the middle part 24 or on a pendant of the crown and not on a bridge fixed to the housing. In this case, the bridge could be removed and means of connection between the lever and the stem of the crown 26 could be installed in the housing itself.
• the invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a box, a winding stem and a winding crown connected to this winding stem and a crown bridge on which is pivoted a lever, a timepiece that stands out in that the angular position of the lever defines the axial position of the crown, this lever thus allowing the user to place easily and accurately, without subjecting the crown or the winding stem to excessive forces, the crown in the one of its axial positions.
• the control lever can be pivoted on the watch case without it having a crown bridge.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Electric Clocks (AREA)
• Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

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ID=36011145

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (5)

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• 2005
  • 2005-05-12 EP EP05010393A patent/EP1722282B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2005-05-12 AT AT05010393T patent/ATE463768T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2005-05-12 DE DE602005020426T patent/DE602005020426D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 2006
  • 2006-05-09 WO PCT/IB2006/001182 patent/WO2006120536A2/fr not_active Ceased

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