CH714303B1 - Decorative system for timepiece or jewelry. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a decorative system for a timepiece or jewelry piece comprising: a plurality of concentric rings (5, 5a, 5b) of which at least a part are movable rings (5, 5b) mounted to be movable in rotation on a support (3) and of which at least one surface of said rings (5, 5b) is intended to be visible to a user, a control system (11) arranged to angularly move at least one of said rings (5, 5b) under the effect of a driving force. According to the invention, each movable ring (5, 5b) is kinematically linked to at least one other movable ring (5, 5b) by means of an elastic element (7) arranged to allow relative rotation between said movable rings. (5, 5b).

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking and jewelry. It relates more particularly to a decorative system provided with a plurality of movable concentric rings visible to the user.

State of the art

[0002] Document CH670186 describes a timepiece which comprises two movable concentric rings, arranged between the dial and the crystal, and bearing stones, patterns, textures or the like. These rings are mounted mobile in rotation by means of ball bearings. They each include an unbalance, which sets them in rotary motion under the effect of accelerations induced by the gestures of the wearer, making it possible to create an aesthetic effect, which is however limited.

[0003] The aim of the invention is therefore to provide a piece offering original animation, making it possible to improve the attractiveness and interest in such a piece.

Disclosure of the invention

More specifically, a first aspect of the invention relates to a decorative system for a timepiece or for a piece of jewelry. This system comprises a plurality of concentric rings of which at least a part are movable rings mounted in rotation on a support and of which at least one surface of said rings is intended to be visible to a user. The support may be dedicated to the decorative system or may form part of a frame or of the case that the timepiece comprises.

A control system is arranged to angularly move at least one of said rings under the effect of a driving force. This driven ring can be, for example, the inner ring, the outer ring or an intermediate ring. The driven ring can be driven by means of an oscillating weight, a watch movement, a control member such as a pusher or a bolt, a dedicated mainspring or any other suitable means. It is also possible to combine these workouts in combinations that make technical sense.

According to the invention, each movable ring is kinematically linked to at least one other movable ring by means of an elastic element arranged to allow relative rotation between said rings. Furthermore, the inertia of all the mobile elements of the system is increased compared to those of the aforementioned document.

By these means, the movable rings are forced to move together, but at different rotational speeds. The increased inertia also dampens these movements, which are thus made less abrupt and therefore smoother than in the production of the aforementioned document. The rotations are therefore regular and pleasant to watch.

[0008] Advantageously, said elastic element is a spiral spring comprising a plurality of attachment points, at least a part, preferably each, attachment point, being attached to one of said movable rings. A simple construction is thus proposed. In addition, the latter minimizes the number of parts to be manufactured and facilitates the assembly of the system.

Advantageously, an outer ring is provided, which is mounted fixed relative to said support.

Advantageously, at least part of said rings comprises a plurality of rollers arranged to cooperate with a groove that the adjacent ring has. The rollers and the grooves support each other perpendicular to the plane of the rings and the set of rings is thus made self-supporting. Therefore, only a rigid connection between a fixed ring (such as the outer or inner ring) and the bracket is required, which frees up space below the rings for other components such as the aforementioned elastic element.

Advantageously, every other ring is of a first type comprising a plurality of rollers, each roll extending in the plane of its ring on either side of the latter so as to be able to cooperate with grooves provided in each of the two adjacent rings, which are therefore of a second type. The two types of rings are arranged alternately in the plane of the rings. This configuration minimizes the number of rollers since each roll interacts with the two rings located on either side of the ring which carries it, and therefore simplifies the construction of the rings of the second type.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a decorative system for a timepiece or piece of jewelry comprising a plurality of concentric rings, at least part of which are movable rings mounted to be movable in rotation on a support and of which at least one surface of said rings is intended to be visible to a user. The decorative system also comprises a control system arranged to angularly move at least one of said rings. It can be noted that it is not excluded that the system further comprises stationary rings located between mobile rings.

According to this aspect of the invention, each movable ring is kinematically linked to at least one other movable ring, and said control system comprises an oscillating mass distinct from all of said rings. This oscillating mass is in kinematic connection with one of said rings, either directly or by means of any connection.

Again, the kinematic connection between the movable rings imposes on them a relative angular displacement free from sudden movements, which is particularly interesting in the context of a training by means of an oscillating weight since the rings can perform full turns without limitation. The increased inertia with respect to the arrangement of the aforementioned prior art dampens the movements and makes them smoother.

Advantageously, the movable rings are kinematically linked by means of gears, in particular by means of gears forming a plurality of differential gears arranged in cascade. A simple solution, which allows easy determination of the angular speed ratios between the mobile rings, is thus proposed. In order to construct this set of differential gears, each movable ring may include a toothed ring as well as a plurality of references pivoted on the ring, in particular on said ring. The crown or crowns of a ring cooperate with the references of an adjacent ring and vice versa, which links the rings kinematically to each other.

Advantageously, every other ring comprises a plurality of supports arranged to support an element of the adjacent ring sandwiched. The set of rings is thus self-supporting, which does not require any structure below said set and therefore provides space for other components and / or makes it possible to make the device compact.

Advantageously, the system further comprises an outer ring integral with said support.

[0018] The system can be integrated into a timepiece or piece of jewelry, in particular behind the glass of a case.

Brief description of the drawings

Other details of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following description, made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a decorative system according to the invention; Figure 2 is a cutaway isometric view of the system of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an isometric view of the elastic member of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side sectional view of the system of Figure 1; Figure 5 is an enlarged view of part of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a partial sectional view of a variant of the system of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a partial sectional view illustrating the attachment of the elastic member to the rings in the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 8 is a cutaway isometric view of a second embodiment of a decorative system according to the invention; Figure 9 is a cutaway isometric view of the system of Figure 8, shown bottom side; Figure 10 is an enlarged view of part of Figure 9; and Figure 11 is an exploded view of part of Figure 9.

Embodiments of the invention

Figures 1 to 5 and 7 illustrate a first embodiment of a decorative system 1, intended to be integrated into a timepiece such as a watch or a piece of jewelry. This system 1 can be constructed as a module or can be integrated into a timepiece or jewelry piece, by being assembled at the level of a watch movement or of a case. In the case of a timepiece, the system 1 may be arranged concentrically with the watch movement or, particularly with a modular construction, may be offset with respect to the latter.

This system 1 comprises a support 3, which is intended to be mounted on the frame of a movement or on an element of the case of the timepiece or jewelry, so that one face of the system 1 is visible, especially behind the mirror. Alternatively, the support 3 can be an element of the frame or of the case itself. Note that it is not mandatory that the system be protected by a glass. It can therefore be provided on an exterior surface of the case, if necessary.

On the visible face of the system 1 are arranged a plurality of concentric rings 5, 5a, 5b, which carry decorative elements such as brilliants 6, patterns, designs, enamels or any other decoration.

With the exception of the outer ring 5a, which is fixed in the construction shown, these rings 5, 5b are pivotally mounted on the support 3 and each ring 5 is kinematically linked to the neighboring ring 5. In this embodiment, this kinematic connection is obtained by means of a single spiral spring 7 which is located below (that is to say on the invisible side) of the set of rings 5. Each turn of this spring 7 has an attachment point 9 which makes it possible to fix the spring to each ring 5 by means of a screw, a pin or the like, as illustrated in FIG. 7. For this purpose, the pitch of the spiral corresponds to the difference in radius between two adjacent rings 5, this difference possibly being identical or variable, preferably regularly, between two adjacent rings. Alternatively, each coil of the spring 7 can have several attachment points for the same or different rings 5, or a plurality of individual springs can link the adjacent rings 5. Other similar arrangements are also possible.

The inner ring 5b is intended to surround the axes of the hands of the timepiece. It is designed to be driven in rotation by means of an oscillating mass 11 exhibiting an unbalance, similar to the oscillating masses commonly used for winding automatic watches. The mass 11 is mounted movably with reference to the support 3 by a ball bearing 13 to minimize friction. At its geometric center of rotation, the mass 11 is integral with the inner ring 5b, which enables it to be provided with support and mechanical support.

Alternatively, the oscillating weight 11 can also be connected to the inner ring 5b by a reference, a unidirectional drive system or any other suitable system.

It is also possible to provide means arranged to manually set the mass 11 in motion, for example by means of a pusher, a bolt or the like which acts directly or indirectly on the mass 11. Furthermore , the setting in motion can be made at the level of the inner ring 5b or directly by means of a bolt or a crown, a rotating caseback, a rotating bezel, a pusher or the like . Again alternatively, the inner ring 5b can be driven continuously or intermittently by movement in one or both directions of rotation, or by a dedicated motor spring, provided for this purpose.

As mentioned above, the outer ring is fixedly mounted on the support 3, but can also be pivotally mounted.

In principle, the rings 5 can be supported in any suitable manner, but the illustrated embodiment has a suspension arrangement which avoids any contact of all of the movable intermediate rings with a fixed element. Only the outer ring 5a is mounted on the support 3, the inner ring 5b being supported by the oscillating weight 11 and each of the other rings 5 being mounted to pivot relative to the neighboring rings by means of bearings of any type.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate these bearings in more detail.

In the illustrated embodiment, a ring 5 out of two is of a first type and comprises a plurality of rollers 15 distributed around the latter so that each roll 15 supports the adjacent ring 5, which is d 'a second type.

The rollers 15 are mounted movably on the circle of median radius of their respective ring 5, in bearings 17, and extend radially in the direction of the two neighboring rings 5 of the second type. The latter each comprise grooves 19 arranged to cooperate with adjacent rollers 15. The ends of the roller 15 take place in the grooves 19 provided in each of the adjacent rings to form a roller bearing. The ends of the roller 15 are housed in the grooves, the dimensions of which allow them to be held axially in place.

The number of rollers 15 that comprises each ring 5 of the first type can be chosen according to the needs of the manufacturer but, in practice, a minimum of three is preferable in order to minimize the frolic of each ring 5 with respect to its neighbors.

Instead of rollers, it is also possible to use ball bearings or sliding bearings such as studs, shoulders or bearing blocks made of a material with a low coefficient of friction, such as polished hard steel , of ruby or other stone, of corundum, of a material coated with a layer of adamantine carbon or the like. These studs or rolling blocks can cooperate with grooves or the like provided on the adjacent movable rings 5.

Furthermore, it is not necessary for each roller 15 to cooperate with two adjacent rings 5; it is also possible to provide rollers of smaller diameter which are mounted closer to the inner or outer periphery of the rings 5, so that they each cooperate with a single neighboring ring 5. In doing so, several configurations are possible. FIG. 6 illustrates a first possible configuration. Each movable ring 5 carries a set of rollers 15 on its outer periphery as well as a groove 19 on its inner periphery, the rollers 15 of a ring 5 cooperating with the groove 19 of the next ring 5. Alternatively, the rollers 15 can be provided on the inner periphery of each ring and the grooves 19 on the outer periphery. Again alternatively, every other ring may comprise a first set of rollers 15 on its outer periphery as well as a second set of rollers 15 on its inner periphery, the other rings 5 each comprising two grooves 19 as in the example illustrated in the figures. figures 1 to 5.

This arrangement of rollers makes it possible to free up space between the rings 5 and the oscillating weight 11, which allows the turns of the spring 7 to move freely.

Thanks to this construction, a rotation of the mass 11 therefore causes a rotation of the inner ring 5b. If it is assumed that the spring 7 is at rest, this rotation forces the spring 7, then also drives the adjacent ring 5 by means of the spring 7. The latter ring 5 is thus driven in rotation but at an angular speed less than that of the inner ring 5b, and subsequently drives the next ring 5 at a further reduced angular speed. This reduction in angular speed continues up to the ring 5 adjacent to the fixed outer ring 5a.

For a set of eleven rings 5, 5a, 5b and in the case where the stiffness of the spring 7 is constant, an angular displacement at a rate of 100 ° of the inner ring 5b will cause an angular displacement of 90 ° of the next ring, 80 ° of the next ring, differences of 10 ° continuing up to the fixed outer ring 5a, which of course remains stationary.

On the other hand, the manufacturer can adapt the stiffness of the spring 7 in order to optimize the relative angular displacements according to its needs, by providing sections of spring 7 between the attachment points 9 which are stiffer or more flexible.

When the system 1 is laid flat, the action of the spring 7 drives the rings 5, 5b backwards so that they again adopt their rest positions following a succession of damped oscillations.

If the outer ring 5a is not fixed and on the other hand is movable in rotation, for example against an appropriate friction and / or by means of a ball bearing or the like, it is also driven, which also influences the angular displacements of the intermediate rings. In such a case, the inertia of the outer ring 5b contributes to the damping of its displacements and can optionally be increased for this purpose.

The use of the spring 7 in the embodiment described above eliminates the friction which is typically associated with kinematic gear links, the only friction present being due to the bearings. These frictions dampen the movement of the rings 5. However, the extent of the rotations of the movable rings 5 is limited by the fixing of the end of the spring 7 to the fixed outer ring 5a. On the other hand, if the outer ring 5a is movable in rotation, the set of rings 5 will pivot at the same angular speed once the spring 7 is fully tensioned.

Figures 8 to 11 illustrate an alternative arrangement of rings 5, offering more possibilities in terms of rotations between the rings 5, despite less efficient friction optimization. In this arrangement, the angular displacements of the rings 5 are not limited by springs 7, and the rings 5 can therefore perform full turns without stopping.

In this embodiment, each ring 5, 5a 5b comprises a toothed ring 24, and each ring 5, 5b other than the outer ring 5a further carries a plurality of references 21 pivoted on the ring 24 in question. The outer ring 5a as well as the inner ring 5b each comprise a ring 24 with single teeth, respectively inner and outer, while all of the other rings 24 are double-toothed (inner and outer), these teeth being respectively in look at the set of references 21 of each of the adjacent rings 5. The crown (s) 24 of each ring 5, 5a, 5b therefore mesh with the references 21 of the adjacent ring (s) 5, 5a, 5b and vice versa, and each ring 5, 5a, 5b is thus kinematically linked to his or her rings 5 neighbor (s).

Furthermore, every second ring is of a first type in which the corresponding ring 24 is on the bottom side and the references 21 are on the dial side, and the other rings are of a second type in which the corresponding ring 24 is on the dial side and the references 21 are on the back side. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner ring 5b is of said first type, but may alternatively be of said second type.

The other components of module 1 have not been shown here, but are unchanged from those of Figures 1 to 7.

The outer ring 5a is again fixed relative to the support 3 (not shown) and also comprises an internal toothing which meshes with the references 21 of the adjacent movable ring. The set of rings 5, 5a, 5b thus form a plurality of differential gears arranged in cascade between the inner ring 5b and the outer ring 5a. In doing so, each ring represents both the output of a differential gear, the planet carrier of the next differential gear, as well as the input of the subsequent differential gear. However, the use of toothed gears is not compulsory, and it would also be possible to replace the various toothings with friction surfaces. In such a case, the rings are driven by friction between these surfaces. It should also be noted that the outer ring 5a can be mobile and subjected to an ad hoc mechanical resistance.

It is also noted that this embodiment is also compatible with means arranged to manually set the mass 11 in motion, for example by means of a pusher, a bolt or the like which acts directly or indirectly on ground 11.

So that all the rings are self-supporting as in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 6 and that of Figure 7, each ring 5 carries a decorated plate 23 located on its visible face. In the variant shown, these plates include engravings forming patterns, but these plates can also include other decorations such as jewelry or the like. This plate 23 serves as a support which sandwiches a support carried or formed by element of the adjacent ring.

Looking at one of the rings 5 of the second type, a support formed by the plate 23 cooperates with another support formed by the crown 24 of this ring 5 to sandwich a shoulder 23a that comprises the plate 23 of the adjacent ring 5, 5a, 5b. By these means, the set of rings 5, 5a, 5b is made self-supporting.

In order to assemble the rings 5, the studs 25 carried by the plate 23 of each ring 5 of any type, are driven into corresponding openings provided in the corresponding crown 24, the depth of this driving being arranged to provide enough clearance so that the rings can slide over each other. The bearings can be provided with an anti-friction layer such as PTFE, adamantine diamond or the like. Instead of punching out, gluing, welding or the like can be used.

The pins 25, 25a can also form stops to contribute to the axial positioning of the rings in the case where a structural element or an oscillating weight is present (e) immediately underlying the rings 5, 5a, 5b. This particularly applies to the pins 25a of the inner ring, which are longer than the others.

Of course, other variants are also possible, based on ball bearings, other arrangements of shoulders, etc.

In view of the friction generated by the arrangement of this embodiment, it is preferable that the rings 5 are driven by an oscillating mass 11 as mentioned above in the context of the spring embodiment, the oscillating mass 11 being kinematically linked, directly or indirectly to the inner ring 5b.

In a variant not shown, one could consider that the rings 5 of the first type do not include references 21, and that those of the second type do not include a crown 24. In doing so, a ring 5 out of two only has 'a crown 24, the others comprising only references 21. In such a case, the rings 5 of the second type are preferably fixed relative to the support, so that one in two rings is pivotally mounted. Similarly, if the inner ring 5b as well as the outer ring 5a each have references, the rings 5 of the second type may comprise fixed toothed rings 24 and the others may be movable. In such cases, the oscillating weight 11 may not be placed immediately below the rings 5.

Other variants which apply the principles of the invention mentioned above are also possible.

For example, it is possible that the inner ring 5b is fixed relative to the support 3, and that the outer ring 5a is kinematically linked to the oscillating weight 11 or to another driving source. The inner ring 5b as well as the outer ring 5a can be fixed relative to the support, and the oscillating weight 11 (or any other driving source) can be kinematically linked to an intermediate ring 5.

Again alternatively, each of the inner 5b and outer 5a rings can be mounted to pivot relative to the support 4, for example by means of ad hoc ball bearings, and two separate oscillating masses 11 can be provided, one for each of these rings 5a, 5b. It is also possible to arrange a single oscillating weight which is kinematically linked to each of the inner 5b and outer 5a rings by means of any gear which ensures that these two rings 5a, 5b pivot in two opposite directions or in the same direction but at a different angular speed.

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

Claims (14)

1. Decorative system (1) for timepiece or jewelry including: - a plurality of concentric rings (5, 5a, 5b), at least part of which are movable rings (5, 5b) mounted movably in rotation on a support (3) and of which at least one surface of said rings (5, 5a , 5b) is intended to be visible to a user, - a control system (11) arranged to angularly move at least one of said rings (5, 5b) under the effect of a driving force; characterized in that each movable ring (5, 5b) is kinematically linked to at least one other movable ring (5, 5b) by means of an elastic element (7) arranged to allow relative rotation between said movable rings ( 5, 5b). 2. Decorative system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said elastic element (7) is a spiral spring comprising a plurality of attachment points (9), at least part of said attachment point (9) being attached to one of said movable rings (5, 5b). 3. Decorative system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an outer ring (5a) which is fixed relative to said support. 4. Decorative system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said control system comprises at least one of: - an oscillating mass (11) in kinematic connection with one of said movable rings (5, 5b); and - a control member such as a push button or a bolt. 5. Decorative system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said control system comprises at least one of: - a watch movement; and - a dedicated mainspring. 6. Decorative system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least part of said rings (5, 5b) comprises a plurality of rollers (15) arranged to cooperate with a groove (19) that the ring comprises. (5, 5a) 5b) adjacent. 7. Decorative system (1) according to claim 6, wherein every second movable ring (5, 5b) is of a first type comprising a plurality of rollers (15), each roll (15) extending in the plane. of its ring (5, 5b) on either side of the latter so as to be able to cooperate with grooves (19) provided in each of the two adjacent rings (5, 5a, 5b), which are of a second type, the rings (5) of said first type alternating with the rings (5, 5a, 5b) of said second type. 8. Decorative system (1) for timepiece or jewelry including: - a plurality of concentric rings (5, 5a, 5b) of which at least a part are movable rings (5, 5b) mounted movably in rotation on a support (3) and of which at least one surface of said rings (5, 5b ) is intended to be visible to a user; - a control system (11) arranged to angularly move at least one of said rings (5, 5b); characterized in that: - each mobile ring (5, 5b) is kinematically linked to at least one other mobile ring (5, 5b); and in that - said control system (11) comprises an oscillating mass (11) separate from all of said movable rings (5, 5b), said oscillating mass (11) being in kinematic connection with one of said rings (5, 5b) . 9. Decorative system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said movable rings (5, 5b) are kinematically linked by means of gears (21, 24). 10. Decorative system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said gears (21, 24) form a plurality of differential gears arranged in cascade. 11. Decorative system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein each movable ring (5, 5b) comprises a toothed ring (24) as well as a plurality of references (21) pivoted on said ring (5, 5b), the references (21) of each of said rings (5, 5b) meshing with the ring gear (s) (s) (24) of the adjacent ring (s). 12. Decorative system (1) according to one of claims 8 to 11, wherein every other ring (5, 5a, 5b) comprises a plurality of supports arranged to support an element of the ring (5, 5a, 5b) adjacent in sandwich. 13. Decorative system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an outer ring (5a) which is fixed relative to said support (3). 14. Timepiece or jewelry comprising a decorative system (1) according to one of the preceding claims.