CH716624A2 - Casing subassembly for a timepiece, in particular a watch, or a piece of jewellery. - Google Patents

Abstract

The covering subassembly (100) according to the invention comprises, interposed between a first component (1) and a second component (2) compressing together a seal (9), a lock (3) securing them by axial locking of the first component (1), and which cooperates with the second component (2) to enclose a ball (6) occupying a well (261) of depth greater than its diameter, which comprises an orientation housing (260) in the second component (2) or the lock (3), framed by grooves of depth less than its diameter, limited by stops (270). The ball (6) can occupy, when it is subjected to the field of gravity and/or to a magnetic field, both an orientation housing (260) and a complementary housing of depth less than its diameter, which the lock comprises (3) or respectively the second component (2), for their relative drive by the ball (6) when it buttresses simultaneously on a groove and a complementary housing. The invention proposes to produce a sealed and secure assembly with easy-to-adjust angular indexing of the second component (2), for example a back, a bezel, a bezel or even a crown, relative to the first component (1), in particular a caseband or a tube.

Description

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a covering sub-assembly for a timepiece or watch or for jewellery, comprising coaxial with a first component and a second component compressing together a sealing and friction joint, and interposed between them, a lock securing them by axial locking of said first component, and of which a lower surface comes, in the assembled position, in the vicinity of an upper surface of said second component

[0002] The invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising such a covering sub-assembly.

[0003] The invention also relates to a jewel comprising such a covering sub-assembly.

The invention also relates to a method for assembling such a trim subassembly.

The invention relates to the field of dressing watches, and the field of jewelry and jewelry.

Background of the invention

[0006] The casing of watches and similar devices is subject to numerous constraints, in particular tightness, robustness, appearance, and must be carried out in such a way as to prevent any involuntary dismantling resulting irremediably in an intervention after - sale for exchange of seals, cleaning, lubrication, even repair.

[0007] Certain trim or control components must still be indexed angularly relative to each other, for reference position markings of origin, rest, or actuation, or even to facilitate reading. indications or graduations, or to ensure the continuity of uneven surfaces and/or decorations. This angular indexing is often tricky to do well, in combination with good tightening of the components and perfect sealing of the joints.

Summary of the invention

[0008] The invention proposes to produce a sealed and secure assembly of trim components with easy-to-adjust angular indexing.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a covering sub-assembly for a timepiece or for a jewel according to claim 1.

The invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising such a covering sub-assembly.

[0011] The invention also relates to a jewel comprising such a covering sub-assembly.

[0012] The invention also relates to a method for assembling such a trim subassembly

Brief description of the drawings

[0013] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, where:

- Figure 1 shows, schematically, in exploded perspective, a particular variant of a covering sub-assembly according to the invention, comprising a first component which is a middle part, under which is represented a second component which is a bottom , and a lock which is a split elastic ring, comprising an insert, which lock is intended to be inserted between the first component and the second component, the latter trapping between them a sealing and friction joint, the second component and the lock imprisoning together a ball which can rest in a well that comprises Tun of the two, and which, in an angular orientation adjustment phase between the first component and the second component, can be based on two complementary housings, doors Tun by the lock and the other by the second component, for their relative training;

- Figure 2 shows, in top view, the subassembly of Figure 1 in the assembled position;

- Figure 3 is a cross section along section plane AA of Figure 2;

- Figure 4 is a cross section along the section plane BB of Figure 2, passing through the ball resting in a

well of an orientation housing that comprises the second component, the lock being represented in a position

angular where it has a complementary housing above the ball;

- Figure 5 is a detail, in top view, of the orientation housing that includes the second component, in the form of an annular sector;

- Figure 6 is the development of a section of this same housing, along a cylindrical cutting surface surroude faxe common to the first component, the second component, and the lock;

- Figure 7 is a bottom view of the lock and the additional housings, in the form of an annular sector, which it comprises.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0014] The invention proposes to produce a sealed and secure assembly of trim components with easy-to-adjust angular indexing, and in a guaranteed position, and this with a minimum number of components, and moderate manufacturing costs.

[0015] The figures illustrate the non-limiting example of the angular indexing of a back relative to a watch case.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0016] The invention proposes to produce a sealed and secure assembly of trim components with easy-to-adjust angular indexing, and in a guaranteed position, and this with a minimum number of components, and moderate manufacturing costs.

[0017] The figures illustrate the non-limiting example of the angular indexing of a back with respect to a watch middle.

The invention relates to a covering subassembly 100 for a timepiece, and more particularly for a watch, or for a jewel.

This covering sub-assembly 100 for a timepiece or for a watch or for a piece of jewelery comprises a first component 1 and a second component 2 compressing together at least one seal and friction seal 9.

[0020] The covering sub-assembly 100 further comprises, coaxial with this first component 1 and this second component 2, and interposes between them, a lock 3 which secures them by axial locking of the first component 1. This lock 3 comprises a surface lower 38 which is, in the assembled position of the trim sub-assembly 100, in the vicinity of an upper surface 28 of the second component 2.

According to the invention, this lower surface 38 and this upper surface 28 cooperate with each other to enclose between them a ball 6. This ball 6 is arranged to occupy, in a static position of rest, a well 261, which includes an orientation housing 260 in the second component 2 or the lock 3. The depth of this well 261 is greater than the diameter of the ball 6. In this orientation housing 260, the well 261 is framed by grooves 262, the depth of which is less than the diameter of the ball 6, and which are limited by limiting edges 27. During an adjustment operation during which angular indexing is carried out between the first component 1 and the second component 2, it is possible to modify the position in space of the sub-assembly 100, to modify the position of the ball 6 with respect to the lower surface 38 and this upper surface 28, and/or subject the ball 6 to a ferro-magnetic material to a magnetic field. The ball 6 can then occupy, during such an adjustment where it is subjected to the gravitational field and/or to a magnetic field, both an orientation housing 260 and a complementary housing 26 of depth less than the diameter of the ball 6, which comprises the lock 3 or respectively the second component 2, for the relative training between the second component 2 and the lock 3 by the ball 6 when it is braced simultaneously on a groove 262 and a complementary housing 26.

More particularly, the first component 1 and the second component 2 are substantially of revolution around the same axis D, the first component 1 comprises a first surface 11 arranged to cooperate in a complementary fashion with a second surface 21 that comprises the second component 2 so as to be compressed together with this at least one seal and friction seal 9 interposed between the first surface 11 and the second surface 21. The lock 3 is preferably also substantially of revolution around axis D, and is arranged to secure the first component 1 with the second component 2 by screwing and / or elastic retention in an axial locking position in the direction of Tax D; To this end, in the non-limiting variant illustrated by the figures, the lock 3 comprises on the one hand first fixing means 31 which are arranged to cooperate with first complementary fixing means 13 that the first component 1 comprises, and comprises on the other hand, second fixing or support means 32 which are arranged to cooperate with second fixing or complementary support means 23 that comprises the second component 2. In the variant illustrated, the lock 3 cooperates by screwing with the first component 1, but it could also cooperate with it in the form of an elastic connection, bayonet, or the like.

[0023] Thus, the ball 6 is freely movable between the upper surface 28 and the lower surface 38, and is capable of occupying, in a static rest position, the covering sub-assembly 100 and under the effect of the field alone. gravity, a well 261, which well 261 is arranged to completely accommodate the ball 6 below the level of the upper surface 28 or respectively of the lower surface 38; this well 261 can, in a variant, contain a resilient element, such as foam or spring, to dampen any noise from the ball when the sub-assembly 100 is handled. adjustment during which the ball 6 is subjected to the gravitational field and/or to a magnetic field, both an orientation housing 260 and such a complementary housing 26, for the relative drive between the second component 2 and the lock 3 by the ball 6 in the manner of a freewheel when the ball 6 is buttressed both on a groove 262 and a complementary housing 26.

[0024] More particularly, the trim sub-assembly 100 comprises a plurality of additional housings 26.

[0025] More specifically, on each orientation housing 260, the grooves 262 are limited by limiting edges 270 arranged to prohibit the exit of the ball 6, and each additional housing 26 is limited by edges 27 agencies to prohibit, in the same way, the output of ball 6.

In the illustrated variant where the surfaces of cooperation between the first component 1, the second component 2, and the lock 3 are substantially of revolution around a common axis D, the orientation housing 260 and each additional housing 26 occupies a sector of revolution around the same axis. In another variant not illustrated, the component which carries the orientation housing 260, either the lock 3 or respectively the second component 2, carries several such orientation housings 260.

[0027] More particularly, the lock 3 comprises a ring 5, which is arranged to receive, on only part of its periphery, at least one removable insert 4 for tensioning the ring 5.

More particularly, this at least one removable insert 4 can be inserted and extracted in the direction of Tax D, in the ring 5 comprises, on either side of a slot which it comprises, a housing 35, or respectively a tenon, arranged to cooperate in a complementary way with a tenon 42, or respectively a housing, that comprises such a removable insert 4 for its radial maintenance with respect to Tax D.

More particularly, the ring 5 is an elastic split ring.

[0030] More particularly and not limitatively, and as visible in the Variant illustrated by the figures, the First fixing means 31 are constituted by a thread arranged to cooperate with a thread, which constitutes the First complementary fixing means 13. More in particular, the ring 5 has the thread 31, and the removable insert 4 has no thread to allow its axial insertion once the ring 5 is mounted.

[0031] More particularly, the second fixing or support means 32 are constituted by an upper surface which comprises a lower flange 34 which the lock 3 comprises, and the second fixing or complementary support means 23 are constituted by a lower surface that comprises an upper collar 24 that comprises the second component 4. More particularly, the lower collar 34 and/or the upper collar 24 is elastic.

[0032] More particularly, at least one seal and friction seal 9 is housed in a seal groove 29 that comprises the second component 2 or the first component 1.

[0033] In an advantageous variant, and as shown in the figures, the first component 1 is a middle part and the second component 2 is a back cover.

[0034] In another variant, the first component 1 is a middle part and the second component 2 is a flange or a bezel.

[0035] In yet another variant, the first component 1 is a middle part or a tube attached to a middle part, and the second component 2 is a crown or a crown stem or a pusher.

[0036] In a particular embodiment, the lock 3 comprises at least one elastic element, which is arranged to constitute radial repulsion means tending to press the first component 1 and the second component 2 against each other.

The invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a watch 1000, comprising such a covering sub-assembly 100.

The invention also relates to a piece of jewelery comprising such a covering sub-assembly 100.

The invention also relates to a method for assembling such a trim sub-assembly 100. According to the invention, the ball 6 is inserted into an orientation housing 260, the second component 2 is assembled with the lock 3, the at least one sealing and friction joint 9 is positioned between the second component 2 and the first component 1, and the ball 6 is brought into cooperation with a complementary housing 26 by subjecting it to a magnetic field and / or by reversing its position with respect to the field of gravity, for example by turning the assembly over, and the ball 6 is brought into abutment on a groove 262 by relative rotation between the lock 3 and the second component 2, so to be able to screw the lock 3 and the first component 1 together, the complete screwing is carried out at the recommended torque between the lock 3 and the first component 1, then the ball 6 is released, then the second component 2 is oriented angularly with respect to the first component 1 by driving it in the opposite direction to the direction of screwing to the desired position.

[0040] More specifically, to disassemble the covering subassembly 100, the ball 6 is subjected to a magnetic field and/or its position is reversed with respect to the gravitational field, the driving of the second component 2 is continued. in the opposite direction to the direction of screwing until the ball 6 is in a position of cooperation between a complementary housing 26 and the groove 262 opposite to that which was used for screwing, for driving the lock 3 for its unscrewing of the first component 1.

[0041] The invention is suitable for many applications in watchmaking, for example for a helium valve on a diver's watch, or even for trim components such as a bracelet, a buckle, a clasp, or the like. It is the same in jewelry, to close cufflinks, earrings, or to fix jewels or decorated elements designed in a removable manner.

The invention also relates to a timepiece or watch 1000 comprising such a sub-assembly of dressing100.

The invention also relates to a jewel comprising such a subset 100.

The invention makes it possible to ensure the perfect orientation of a component kept blocked in its Service position.

Claims (21)

[0045] The invention allows, again, the setting in Cooperation of antagonistic components made of materials of different natures, without friction, elasticity, or other expansion constraint, without requiring an external fixing element such as screws or similar, without no screws or machining that could weaken special materials such as ceramics, sapphire, and the like. It offers very good resistance to accidental or even voluntary unscrewing by vibration or of the Chapuis-shock type. The invention also makes it possible to ensure the interchangeability of the components, and, consequently, an increased personalization of the watches or the jewelery of the users. [0046] This invention is applicable both to watches or jewelry made of precious materials and to mass-produced productions comprising components of low unit cost, in particular made of plastic or the like. The invention lends itself well to cases where the sub-assembly 100 comprises components made of different materials, with different coefficients of expansion, or else fragile or hard materials (ceramic, sapphire, precious stones, gems, cams), which do not allow Standard fixing methods. Examples of classic configurations include the assembly of a gold caseband with a sapphire back, or a case entirely in ceramic, a metal-ceramic combination, or the like. The components can thus be made of all kinds of materials: metal alloys, in particular precious or fine, stainless steels, metal alloys at least partially amorphous, or "Liquidmetal©" or similar, ceramics, sapphire, minerals, hard stones, rubber, materials plastics and in particular thermoplastic elastomers called TPE, including in particular thermoplastic polyurethane called TPU, polycarbonates called PC, polyvinyl chlorides called PVC, polyacetals or polyoxymethylene called POM, silicone, "Nylon®", not to mention, without limitation, usual construction materials watchmaking and jewelry. Claims 1. Dressing sub-assembly (100) for a timepiece or for a watch or for a jewel comprising, coaxial with a first component (1) and a second component (2) compressing together at least one sealing and friction joint (9), and interposed between them, a lock (3) securing them by axial locking of said first component (1), and of which a lower surface (38) is, in the assembled position, in the vicinity of an upper surface (28) said second component (2), characterized in that said lower surface (38) is arranged to cooperate with said upper surface (28) to enclose a ball (6) arranged to occupy, in a static position of rest, a well (261 ) of greater depth than the diameter of said ball (6) that includes an orientation housing (260) in said second component (2) or said lock (3), and framed by grooves (262) of depth less than the diameter of said ball (6) and limited by limiting edges (270), which ball (6) can occupy, during an adjustment where it is subjected to the gravitational field and/or to a magnetic field, both a housing orientation (260) and a complementary housing (26) of depth less than the diameter of said ball (6), which comprises said lock (3) or respectively said second component (2), for the relative drive between said second component (2) and said lock (3) by said ball (6) when eile buttress simultaneously on said groove (262) and said complementary housing (26). 2. Trim sub-assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first component (1) and said second component (2) are substantially of revolution around the same axis (D), said first component ( 1) comprising a first surface (11) arranged to cooperate in a complementary manner with a second surface (21) that comprises said second component (2) so as to compress said at least one sealing and friction joint (9) together interposed between said first surface (11) and said second surface (21), said lock (3) also being substantially of revolution around said axis (D), and being arranged to secure said first component (1) with said second component (2 ) by screwing and / or elastic retention in an axial locking position in the direction of said axis (D), said lock (3) comprising on the one hand First fixing means (31) arranged to cooperate with First fixing means complementary (13) that comprises said first component (1), and on the other hand second fixing or support means (32) arranged to cooperate with second fixing or complementary support means (23) that comprises said second component (2). 3. Dressing subassembly (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said ball (6) is freely movable between said upper surface (28) and said lower surface (38), and is capable of occupying , in a static position of rest of said casing sub-assembly (100) and under the effect of the gravity field alone, a said well (261), which well (261) is arranged to completely house said ball (6) below the level of said upper surface (28) or respectively of said lower surface (38), and in that said ball (6) is able to occupy, during an adjustment operation during which said ball (6) is subject to the gravitational field and/or to a magnetic field, both a said orientation housing (260) and a complementary housing (26) which comprises said lock (3) or respectively said second component (2) and which is of depth less than the diameter of said ball (6), for the relative drive between said second component (2) and said lock (3) by said ball (6) in the manner of a freewheel when said ball (6) is buttressed both on a said groove (262) and a said complementary housing (26). 4. Trim sub-assembly (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said trim sub-assembly (100) comprises a plurality of said complementary housings (26). 5. cThabiIläge subassembly (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, on each said orientation housing (260), said grooves (262) are limited by said limiting edges (270) arranged to prevent the output of said ball (6), and in that each additional housing (26) is limited by edges (27) arranged to prevent the output of said ball (6). 6. habiIläge subassembly (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said lock (3) comprises a ring (5) arranged to receive, on only part of its periphery, at least one removable insert (4) for tensioning said ring (5). 7. Trim sub-assembly (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that said at least one removable insert (4) can be inserted and extracted in the direction of said axis (D), in that said ring (5 ) comprises, on either side of a slot that it comprises, a housing (35), or respectively a tenon, arranged to cooperate in a complementary fashion with a tenon (42), or respectively a housing, that comprises a said removable insert (4) for its radial retention relative to said axis (D). 8. Trim subassembly (100) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said ring (5) is an elastic split ring. 9. Trim subassembly (100) according to claim 2 and one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said first fixing means (31) are constituted by a thread arranged to cooperate with an internal thread constituting said first complementary fastening means (13). 10. Trim subassembly (100) according to claim 9, and according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said ring (5) comprises said thread (31), and in that said insert (removable (4) has no thread. 11. Trim sub-assembly (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said second fixing or support means (32) are constituted by an upper surface which includes a lower flange (34) that comprises said lock (3), and in that said second means of fixing or additional support (23) are constituted by a lower surface which comprises an upper collar (24) which comprises said second component (4). 12. Trim subassembly (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that said lower collar (34) and/or said upper collar (24) is elastic. 13. Trim sub-assembly (100) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least one said sealing and friction joint (9) is lodged in a joint groove (29) that comprises said second component (2) or said first component (1). 14. Trim sub-assembly (100) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said first component (1) is a middle part and said second component (2) is a back cover. 15. Trim sub-assembly (100) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said first component (1) is a middle part and said second component (2) is a flange or a bezel. 16. Trim sub-assembly (100) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said first component (1) is a middle part or a tube attached to a middle part, and said second component (2) is a crown or a crown stem or a pusher. 17. Trim subassembly (100) according to claims 1 to 16, characterized in that said latch (3) comprises at least one elastic element arranged to constitute radial repulsion means tending to press one against the other of said first component (1) and said second component (2). 18. Watch (1000) comprising a covering subassembly (100) according to one of claims 1 to 17. 19. Jewel comprising a covering subassembly (100) according to one of claims 1 to 17. 20. A method of assembling a trim sub-assembly (100) according to claim 9, and according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that said ball (6) is inserted into a said orientation housing (260), in that said second component (2) is assembled with said lock (3), in that said at least one sealing and friction joint (9) is positioned between said second component (2) and said first component (1), and that said ball (6) is brought into cooperation with said complementary housing (26) by subjecting it to a magnetic field and/or by inverting its position with respect to to the field of gravity, in that said ball (6) is brought into abutment on a said groove (262) by relative rotation between said bolt (3) and said second component (2), so as to be able to screw together said bolt (3) and said first component (1), in that complete screwing is carried out at the recommended torque between said bolt (3) and said first component (1), then in that said ball (6) is released , then in that said second component (2) is angularly oriented relative to said first component (1) by driving it in the opposite direction to the direction of screwing to the desired position. 21. Assembly method according to claim 20, characterized in that, in order to dismantle said covering sub-assembly (100), said ball (6) is subjected to a magnetic field and/or its position is reversed by relative to the field of gravity, the driving of said second component (2) is continued in the opposite direction to the direction of screwing until said ball (6) is in a position of cooperation between said complementary housing (26) and there groove (262) opposite to that which was used for screwing, for driving said lock (3) for unscrewing said first component (1).