CH653847GA3 - Apparatus for placing hands in series on watch movements - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus for placing hands comprises an arm (5) which transports an hour hand, a minute hand and a seconds hand from a loading position to a driving-in position in which these hands are installed on three watch movements, the first on a movement without hands, the second on a movement already equipped with an hour hand and the third on a movement provided with hour and minute hands. So that the straightforward rocking of the arm (5) should bring these hands to the exact requisite location and drive them into place without damaging them, the loading station for the arm (5) is equipped with three plugs (22, 23, 24) having central bores (31, 32, 33) respectively, the position of which is accurately marked with respect to the bearing regions of the runners of the movement of the watch on to which they are to be driven. The centring of each of these hands on the respective bores (31, 32, 33) is ensured by a pair of mutually perpendicular stops (25, 26; 27, 28; 29, 30) which are completely embedded in the arm (5), apart from a tab located in the vicinity of the hand. The end of one of these tabs is cut in a "V". It receives the end of the counterweight of the hand or else its hub, whilst the other tab serves as support for the side of the hand. <IMAGE>

Description

** ATTENTION ** start of the DESC field may contain end of CLMS **.

CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for placing the hands in series on watch movements, comprising an arm mounted on an elongated base so as to be able to tilt 180; above this base, around a transverse axis, between a loading position and a hunting position, the upper face of this arm, in the loading position, being equipped with adjustable stops, which allow the needles to be placed on the arm in a well-defined position, in which they are held by suction, the base of the apparatus being arranged to receive workpiece carriers corresponding to the movements to be fitted with needles so as to hold each of these movements in such a position that a needle placed on the arm is placed in the desired orientation on the watch movement for which it is intended, when the rocking arm is brought into the driving position, characterized in that the rocking arm (5) is equipped two stops (25, 26; 27, 28; 29, 30) perpendicular to each other for each needle to be positioned on it, each of these stops comprising an elongated body (36), entirely embedded in a groove (34) of the arm ( 5 ), in which it can slide longitudinally, and a tongue (38) integral with this body (36), which projects from the arm (5) and is located at the level of the needle placed on it, the axis of the one (25, 27, 29) of these stops coinciding with that according to which the needles must be aligned and the end of the tongue (38) of this stop having a V-notch, the flanks of which serve as support for the hub ( 57) of the needle or at the end of its counterweight (56), while the end of the tongue of the other (26, 28, 30) of these stops serves to support the side of the needle .

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the tilting arm (5) is integral with a shaft (9) pivoted in bearings (10, 11) mounted in supports (12, 13) fixed to the base (6 ) of the device in an adjustable manner and in that each needle resting against the pair of stops (25, 26; 27, 28; 29, 30) corresponding is sucked against the rocking arm (5) through channels (39, 40, 47, 48, 49) drilled in the rocking arm (5) and its shaft (9).

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each pair of stops (25, 26; 27, 28; 29, 30) maintains the bore (42, 63) of the barrel (52, 64) of the corresponding needle (41, 51) exactly coaxial with the central bore (31, 32, 33) of a plug (22, 23, 24) forced out in a bore (39) of the rocking arm (5), the position of this central bore being identified with respect to that of the axis around which the arm (5) rocks so that this central bore is exactly coaxial with the range of the movement of the watch movement on which the barrel of the corresponding needle must be driven out, when the rocking arm (5) arrives in the driving position and in that the suction immobilizing the needles in their centered position during the rocking of the arm (5) is exerted through the corresponding plugs.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that to ensure the suction of the needles, the rocking arm (5) of the apparatus has a longitudinal channel (40) communicating with the holes (39) in which the plugs are driven out (22, 23 24), in that the plugs (22, 23) intended to receive the hour and minute hands have holes (43) drilled on either side of their central bore (31, 32) and in that, in line with the holes (39), the tilting arm (5) is drilled right through, the parts of these holes which are situated on the side of the longitudinal channel (40) of the arm (5) opposite the plugs ( 22, 23, 24) are normally closed off by studs (45) screwed into the arm (5), the studs opposite the plugs (22, 23) intended to receive hour and minute hands having each come from manufacture with a needle (46) whose diameter is smaller than that of the longitudinal channel (40) of the arm (5).

and which seal the central bore (31, 32) of these plugs.

5. Apparatus according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that elastic flanges (60) screwed against the rocking arm (5) and fully embedded therein press the body (36) of the stops (25 -30) against the bottom of their groove (34) so as to immobilize the latter in the adjusted position.

The apparatus defined by claim 1 has means for holding the hands for hunting on a watch movement, which, while occupying a reduced space, are not likely to come into contact or with the watch face nor with the needles already in place, since the only parts of these means which project from the arm of the device - the tabs of the stops - are limited to the level of the needle to be driven out. In addition, the two sides of the V-notch of the first tongue and the end of the second tongue determine three support points on the needle, which ensures a unique positioning.

The embodiments defined by claim 2 allow firstly a fine adjustment of the position of the pivot axis of the rocking arm on the base of the device, so that the barrel of the needle positioned by the pair of stops of this arm is exactly coaxial with the range on which it must be driven, when the tilting arm of the device is brought into the driving position. In addition, The aspiration of the needle against the tilting arm of the device ensures that the needle remains in position during the tilting of the arm, without in any way hindering the loading of the needle on this arm. Finally, the channels provided in this arm can be drilled to a diameter which ensures sufficient suction to hold several needles on it at the same time.

The presence of the plugs defined by claim 3 facilitates the adjustment of the needle positioning stops.

The holes through the tilting arm of the device, which are defined by claim 4 greatly facilitate the adjustment of the position of the pivot axis of the tilting arm on the base of the device.

Finally, the flanges defined by claim 5 make it possible to immobilize in the adjusted position the stops ensuring the positioning of the needles as simply as quickly.

An embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is shown schematically and simply by way of non-limiting example in the drawing in which: Fig. 1 is an elevational view in a working position and with certain parts in section; Fig. 2 is a plan view in another working position and also with certain parts in section; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on a larger scale of a part of the apparatus in the position of FIG. 2, and Fig. 4 is a plan view of the part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

The device shown serves to simultaneously drive out an hour hand on the barrel of the hour wheel from a first watch movement held by a workpiece holder 1, a minute hand from the pavement of a second watch movement held by a workpiece holder 2 and already equipped with an hour hand, and a seconds hand in the center on the end of the shaft of a seconds wheel of a third watch movement 3, held by a holder -piece 4 and already equipped with hour and minute hands.

This device includes an arm 5 which can tilt

above a base 6, between the positions shown respectively in solid lines and in broken lines in FIG. 1.

The extreme positions of this arm are determined by stops 7, 8 fixed to the ends of the base 6.

The arm 5 is integral with a shaft 9 pivoted in two ball bearings 10, 11. The latter are mounted in cheeks 12, 13 fixed to a quadrangular base 14 by screws 15. A spring ring 16, which is supported against the cheek 12 and the pressure against the outer ring of the bearing 10 is transmitted by the balls of this bearing, its inner ring, the shaft 9, the inner ring of the bearing 1 1 and its balls to the outer ring of this bearing 11, presses the latter against the cheek 13. The offset of the rings, external and internal, of the bearings 10, 11, which results from this pressure, has the effect of wedging the balls of these bearings in their raceways and, consequently, to remove the play. A wear of the bearings 10, 11 working under these conditions, is not to be feared because the arm 5 is maneuvered by hand by means of the handle. 17, therefore at slow speed. In view of these conditions of pivoting of the arm 5, the latter will each time arrive in exactly the same driving position relative to the workpieces 1,2,4.

The base 14, which rests on the base 6, carries a threaded sleeve 18, which is engaged avecjeu in a bore 19 of the base 6 and by means of which it is rigidly fixed to the latter using a screw 20. Before tightening the latter, the sleeve 18 is however centered in the bore 19 by means of the screws 21, as described below.

The upper face of the arm 5, when the latter is in the loading position (Fig. 2), is equipped with three cylindrical plugs 22, 23, 24 and three pairs of stops 25, 26; 27, 28; 29, 30 respectively perpendicular to each other.

The stops 25, 26 ensure the centering of the barrel of an hour hand on the central bore 31 of the plug 22; the stops 27, 28, that of the barrel of a minute hand on the central bore 32 of the plug 23, and the stops 29, 30, that of a seconds hand in the center on the central bore 33 of the plug 24 By tilting the arm 5 with the three said needles from this loading position into its hunting position, these three needles are simultaneously driven into place opposite 12 o'clock on the watch movements held by the workpieces 1, 2, 4.

In Fig. 3 and 4 is shown in detail the arrangement of the arm 5 provided for the positioned loading of the minute and second hands. For each of the stops 27 to 30 (as well as for each of the stops 25, 26 not visible in these figures), a groove 34 is countersunk in the face 35 of the arm 5. Each of these stops comprises an elongated body 36, which is fully embedded in one of the grooves 34 in which it can slide freely, but without play. The groove 34 for the body 36 of each of the stops 25, 27, 29 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arm 5, while that the groove 34 for the bodies of the stops 26, 28, 30 is perpendicular to this axis. Each body 36 came from manufacture with a bent part 37 and a tongue 38 projecting from the face 35 of the arm 5.

While the base 6 and the arm 5 are preferably made of brass. the plugs 22, 23, 24 are made of harder material, for example hardened steel. The upper face of these stoppers is carefully polished so as not to imprint a mark on the needles when they are being chased. These plugs are forcibly engaged in holes 39 in the arm 5, which communicate with a longitudinal channel 40 drilled in the arm 5, all along the latter. The plug 24, on which a seconds hand at the center 41 is intended to be centered, simply has the central bore 33. As for the other two plugs 22, 23, they each have two holes 43 drilled on either side of their central bore 31, 32.

In line with the holes 39, the arm 5 is drilled right through and the parts of these holes extending below the channel 40 are tapped and normally closed by screwed studs 45. Those of the studs 45 located at the right of the plugs 22, 23 came from manufacturing each with a needle 46 whose diameter is less than that of the channel 40 and which closes the central bore 31, 32 of these plugs.

At the free end of the arm 5, the channel 40 is closed in any suitable way, while the other end of this channel opens into an annular groove 47 of the shaft 9. At least one radial hole 48, pierced in the bottom of the groove 47, puts the latter in communication with an axial bore 49 of the shaft 9. A tube (not shown), engaged on the projecting part 50 of this shaft, connects the described channels of the arm 5 and from its shaft 9 to a suction installation such as, for example, a suction pump.

The minute hand 51, as well as the hour hand, both centered on the respective plugs 23 and 22, are thus sucked against the arm 5 through the lateral holes 43. As for the second hand 41, given the small diameter of the bore 42 of its barrel 52, it is sucked against the arm 5 through the central bore 33 of the plug 24.

To adjust the position of the pivot axis of the arm 5 on the base 6, this arm, not furnished with needles, is tilted in the driving position and the studs 45 are removed therefrom. Through the holes in the arm 5, thus released, and the bores 31, 32, 33 of the plugs 22, 23, 24, the workpieces 1, 2, 4 or the movements they carry are visible. It is therefore easy to maneuver the screws 21 so that the bores 31, 32, 33 are perfectly coaxial with the bearing surfaces of the movements of the watch movements which must receive the corresponding hands or else at the central opening 53 of the workpiece carriers 1 , 2,4 or else to the bores 54 of the base 6 intended to receive the guide sleeves 55 of these workpiece carriers. In the latter case, plugs each having a central bore would advantageously be inserted in the bores 54 of the base 6 and the coaxiality of the holes in these plugs and the bores 31, 32, 33 could even be observed with magnification, for example in the binocular, by placing the device on a luminous screen. Whatever the means used, this setting is assumed by the manufacturer of the device.

The setting of the stops 25 to 30, which depends on the shape of the hands chosen from series to series of watch movements, is the responsibility of the user of the device.

To allow it to perform in the best conditions, the device is delivered with a set of gauges which are in the form of studs, the diameters of which are adjusted to the bores 31, 32, 33 of the three plugs 22, 23, 24 so as to be able to be introduced with greasy friction into these bores, and which carry central pivots of different diameters, corresponding to the diameters of the bore of the barrel of the different needles used. As these latter diameters are standardized for each caliber of watch movement, the number of gauge pads which the user of the device must have is limited by the number of different calibers of watch movements which he is called upon to process.

In the example shown, it was assumed that the hunting needles were in the form of sticks with parallel sides, that the hub of the minute hand 51 (as also that of the hour hand) was provided a counterweight 56 and that the hub 57 of the seconds hand 41 was devoid of it. Therefore, to adjust the stops 29, 30, The user inserts into the central bore 33 of the plug 24 a gauge stud whose diameter corresponds to that of this bore and whose pivot has a diameter corresponding to that of the bore 42 of the barrel 52 of the needle 41, then it engages one of these needles on this pivot by orienting it parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arm 5. This last operation can be facilitated for example by a mark engraved on the face 35 of the arm 5. It suffices then push the stopper 29 until the V-shaped end of its tongue 38 presses against the hub 57 of the needle 41, then push the stopper 30 until the end of its tongue 38 presses against the side of this needle, however without causing it to deviate from the alignment indicated above. The stops 29, 30 are then immobilized using the elastic flanges 60, by tightening the latter at the bottom of the grooves 61 using the screws 62. The flanges 60 then strongly press the body 36 of the stops 29, 30 against the bottom of the grooves 34, which prevents any untimely movement of these stops.

Like this body 36, the flanges 60 and their screws 62 are completely embedded in the arm 5, so that none of the positioning elements of the needle 41 protrudes from the arm 5, except for the tabs 38. Even if these elements , seen in plan, extend inside the perimeter of the dial of the watch movements, when the arm 5 is in the driving position, they are not likely to come into contact either with this dial or with the other hands already in place, when driving out the second hand, since, at this time, the tabs 38, located at the level of the needle 41, do not descend below the underside of this hand. The described arrangement of these positioning elements thus has the advantage of allowing them to be arranged in a space which, on the surface, practically does not exceed the dimensions of the movements of the treated watches. It allows, in particular, to juxtapose in a compact manner several groups of these elements, for the different hands of the watch movements.

The adjustment of the tongues 27, 28 is carried out in a similar way, by inserting into the central bore 32 of the plug 23 a gauge stud of the same diameter, provided with a pivot whose diameter is equal to that of the bore 63 of the barrel 64 of the minute hand 51. In this case, the V-notch of the tongue 38 of the stopper 27 is pushed against the end of the counterweight 56 of the needle 51. The stops 25, 26 for the 'hour hand are set in the same way as the stops 27, 28. The arrangement of the positioning elements of the latter two hands obviously has the same advantages as that of the positioning elements of the second hand.

Due to the shape of the needles shown, the ends of the tongues 38 of the stops 26, 28, 30 have been shown flat.

In order to be suitable for any shape of needle, the end of the tongues of these stops will however be cut in a point. The three points, through which the needles come into contact, on the one hand, with the sides of the V-notch of the tongues 38 of the stops 25, 27, 29, and, on the other hand, with the tip of the tongues 38 stops 26, 28, 30 determine, in fact, a unique position on the arm 5 of each of the three needles described.

By making each of these three needles bear against the tongues 38 of the two corresponding stops, the bores of their barrels will be rigorously coaxial with the central bores of the plugs 22, 23, 24. This loading of the arm 5 is carried out, of course, while the suction described is in service. However, this does not in any way hinder this operation. On the contrary, a needle, placed first in an approximate position on the arm 5, can be pushed without any effort against the tabs 38 of the two corresponding stops and it no longer risks deviating therefrom, for example by following the tool used, when it is removed. On the other hand, due to the described adjustment of the pivot axis of the arm 5 on the base 6, the bore of the barrel of each of these needles will also be strictly coaxial within reach of the moving part of the movement which is to receive it, when the arm 5 is brought into the hunting position.

A stud 65, planted in the guide sleeve 55 of these workpieces and engaging in an axial groove 66 formed in the wall of the bore 54 allows these workpieces to be mounted on the base 6 only in one orientation well determined. In addition, a U-shaped piece 67, inserted into a notch in the receptacle 68 of these workpiece carriers and the spacing of the branches of which is equal to the diameter of the control rod for the movements of treated watches, does not allow these movements to be arranged the receptacles 68 that in an orientation such that the 12 h radius is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base 6. Finally, a screw 69, the head of which rests on a shoulder 70 of the base 6, makes it possible to adjust the position in height of the watch movements housed in the receptacles 68, so that the barrels of the hands are at the desired height on the bearing surfaces of the corresponding mobiles of the watch movements at the end of the hunting operation, that is to say tell when the arm 5 rests on the stop 8. Fig. 1 also shows that the workpiece carrier 4 comprises a part 71, which bears against the movement 3 in order to prevent the force for driving the seconds hand from producing an axial displacement of the shaft intended for the to receive.

Each time the arm 5 is brought back from its hunting position to its loading position, during the processing of a series of watch movements, a movement furnished with its three hands can be withdrawn from the workpiece holder 4. The movements of the workpiece carriers 2 and 1 are then moved to workpiece carriers 4 and 2 respectively and a new movement of the series to be treated is placed on workpiece holder 1.

The apparatus according to the invention can naturally be used to garnish quartz watch movements as well as mechanical watch movements. A variant of the embodiment shown in the drawing could allow movements under the same conditions to include an eccentric seconds hand instead of a center seconds hand.

Claims (5)

1. Apparatus for placing the hands in series on watch movements, comprising an arm mounted on an elongated base so as to be able to tilt 180; above this base, around a transverse axis, between a loading position and a hunting position, the upper face of this arm, in the loading position, being equipped with adjustable stops, which allow the needles to be placed on the arm in a well-defined position, in which they are held by suction, the base of the apparatus being arranged to receive workpiece carriers corresponding to the movements to be fitted with needles so as to hold each of these movements in such a position that a needle placed on the arm is placed in the desired orientation on the watch movement for which it is intended, when the rocking arm is brought into the driving position, characterized in that the rocking arm (5) is equipped two stops (25, 26; 27, 28; 29, 30) perpendicular to each other for each needle to be positioned on it, each of these stops comprising an elongated body (36), entirely embedded in a groove (34) of the arm ( 5 ), in which it can slide longitudinally, and a tongue (38) integral with this body (36), which projects from the arm (5) and is located at the level of the needle placed on it, the axis of the one (25, 27, 29) of these stops coinciding with that according to which the needles must be aligned and the end of the tongue (38) of this stop having a V-notch, the flanks of which serve as support for the hub ( 57) of the needle or at the end of its counterweight (56), while the end of the tongue of the other (26, 28, 30) of these stops serves to support the side of the needle . 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the tilting arm (5) is integral with a shaft (9) pivoted in bearings (10, 11) mounted in supports (12, 13) fixed to the base (6 ) of the device in an adjustable manner and in that each needle resting against the pair of stops (25, 26; 27, 28; 29, 30) corresponding is sucked against the rocking arm (5) through channels (39, 40, 47, 48, 49) drilled in the rocking arm (5) and its shaft (9). 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each pair of stops (25, 26; 27, 28; 29, 30) maintains the bore (42, 63) of the barrel (52, 64) of the corresponding needle (41, 51) exactly coaxial with the central bore (31, 32, 33) of a plug (22, 23, 24) forced out in a bore (39) of the rocking arm (5), the position of this central bore being identified with respect to that of the axis around which the arm (5) rocks so that this central bore is exactly coaxial with the range of the movement of the watch movement on which the barrel of the corresponding needle must be driven out, when the rocking arm (5) arrives in the driving position and in that the suction immobilizing the needles in their centered position during the rocking of the arm (5) is exerted through the corresponding plugs. 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that to ensure the suction of the needles, the rocking arm (5) of the apparatus has a longitudinal channel (40) communicating with the holes (39) in which the plugs are driven out (22, 23 24), in that the plugs (22, 23) intended to receive the hour and minute hands have holes (43) drilled on either side of their central bore (31, 32) and in that, in line with the holes (39), the tilting arm (5) is drilled right through, the parts of these holes which are situated on the side of the longitudinal channel (40) of the arm (5) opposite the plugs ( 22, 23, 24) are normally closed off by studs (45) screwed into the arm (5), the studs opposite the plugs (22, 23) intended to receive hour and minute hands having each come from manufacture with a needle (46) whose diameter is smaller than that of the longitudinal channel (40) of the arm (5). and which seal the central bore (31, 32) of these plugs. 5. Apparatus according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that elastic flanges (60) screwed against the rocking arm (5) and fully embedded therein press the body (36) of the stops (25 -30) against the bottom of their groove (34) so as to immobilize the latter in the adjusted position. The apparatus defined by claim 1 has means for holding the hands for hunting on a watch movement, which, while occupying a reduced space, are not likely to come into contact or with the watch face nor with the needles already in place, since the only parts of these means which project from the arm of the device - the tabs of the stops - are limited to the level of the needle to be driven out. In addition, the two sides of the V-notch of the first tongue and the end of the second tongue determine three support points on the needle, which ensures a unique positioning. The embodiments defined by claim 2 allow firstly a fine adjustment of the position of the pivot axis of the rocking arm on the base of the device, so that the barrel of the needle positioned by the pair of stops of this arm is exactly coaxial with the range on which it must be driven, when the tilting arm of the device is brought into the driving position. In addition, The aspiration of the needle against the tilting arm of the device ensures that the needle remains in position during the tilting of the arm, without in any way hindering the loading of the needle on this arm. Finally, the channels provided in this arm can be drilled to a diameter which ensures sufficient suction to hold several needles on it at the same time. The presence of the plugs defined by claim 3 facilitates the adjustment of the needle positioning stops. The holes through the tilting arm of the device, which are defined by claim 4 greatly facilitate the adjustment of the position of the pivot axis of the tilting arm on the base of the device. Finally, the flanges defined by claim 5 make it possible to immobilize in the adjusted position the stops ensuring the positioning of the needles as simply as quickly. An embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is shown schematically and simply by way of non-limiting example in the drawing in which: Fig. 1 is an elevational view in a working position and with certain parts in section; Fig. 2 is a plan view in another working position and also with certain parts in section; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on a larger scale of a part of the apparatus in the position of FIG. 2, and Fig. 4 is a plan view of the part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3. The device shown serves to simultaneously drive out an hour hand on the barrel of the hour wheel from a first watch movement held by a workpiece holder 1, a minute hand from the pavement of a second watch movement held by a workpiece holder 2 and already equipped with an hour hand, and a seconds hand in the center on the end of the shaft of a seconds wheel of a third watch movement 3, held by a holder -piece 4 and already equipped with hour and minute hands. ** ATTENTION ** end of the CLMS field may contain start of DESC **.