EP0370356A1 - Watch-case with a sintered middle part - Google Patents

Watch-case with a sintered middle part Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0370356A1
EP0370356A1 EP89121006A EP89121006A EP0370356A1 EP 0370356 A1 EP0370356 A1 EP 0370356A1 EP 89121006 A EP89121006 A EP 89121006A EP 89121006 A EP89121006 A EP 89121006A EP 0370356 A1 EP0370356 A1 EP 0370356A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pin
holes
pins
watch case
case according
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP89121006A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0370356B1 (en
Inventor
Eric Loth
Gaston Gagnebin
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Tissot SA
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Tissot SA
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Publication of EP0370356A1 publication Critical patent/EP0370356A1/en
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    • 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
    • G04B37/11—Hermetic sealing of openings, joints, passages or slits of the back cover of pocket or wrist watches
    • 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
    • G04B37/14—Suspending devices, supports or stands for time-pieces insofar as they form part of the case
    • G04B37/1486—Arrangements for fixing to a bracelet

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a wristwatch case comprising a crystal, a middle serving as a housing for a movement equipped with time display hands, said middle being produced by means of powders agglomerated by sintering at more than 500 ° C, a base, fixing means for removably securing the base to the middle part and a gasket arranged between said middle part and said bottom.
  • a watch case meeting the generic definition given above has been described in document EP-A-0 264 875.
  • the case is preferably made of ceramic for its middle part and of steel for its back part.
  • the base is fixed to the middle by means of four screw fixing points.
  • the middle carries holes in which are driven plugs. Each plug is then drilled-tapped using the internal bore of the middle as a reference.
  • This technique is used here because it is unthinkable to directly screw screws into ceramic. It is understood, however, that this way of doing is expensive because it requires additional parts, plugs which, moreover, during hunting, risk of causing the ceramic to jump.
  • the operation of drilling plugs also requires care which must be paid for in manufacturing time and therefore in money.
  • the watch sold under the registered trademark "OMEGA ART” offers as a middle part the combination of a ceramic ring and a steel circle glued inside the ring. The back is then secured to the middle by means of screws screwed directly into the steel circle.
  • This solution avoids the plugs used in the document cited above, but requires the manufacture of a circle and the bonding of this circle inside the ceramic ring, which also is expensive.
  • the document CH-A-458 217 describes a watch case in which the back is hung on the middle part on the one hand by means of lugs engaging in housings made in a first pair of horns carried by the middle part and on the other hand by means of two pins crossing both the bottom and a second pair of horns.
  • the pins are not used to secure the strands of the bracelet to the box at the same time.
  • the present invention makes it possible to use a solid middle obtained by means of powders agglomerated by sintering at more than 500 ° C., that is to say a middle made, for example of ceramic or of metallic carbide. , without the resulting disadvantages cited inherent in the system for attaching the cover to the middle part.
  • the present invention is characterized in that the means for fixing the base to the middle part comprise at least two pins arranged on either side of the case and parallel to the bottom, each of said pins being housed in holes arranged in alignment and made both in said middle and said back, each of said pins serving jointly to attach to the box a strand of the bracelet that includes the watch.
  • Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention.
  • the section shown shows that the box has a crystal 1, a middle part 2 serving as a housing for a movement 8 equipped with hands 3, 4 for displaying the time.
  • the movement is centered in its housing by means of an enlarging circle 5 and its dial 6 is kept at a distance from the crystal by means of a flange 7.
  • the crystal 1 is glued or welded to the middle.
  • a metallization 30 can hide the flange and the middle part from the eye.
  • the middle part 2 is produced by means of powders agglomerated by sintering at more than 500 ° C. It is for example ceramic or metallic carbide obtained by sintering.
  • the minimum temperature of 500 ° C. indicates that the invention does not relate to the use of plastics, for example, for which other solutions can be used.
  • the box also has a bottom 10 and a seal 11 arranged between the middle part and the bottom.
  • the base is removably secured to the middle part by a pin device which is the main object of the present invention and which will be described in detail below.
  • FIG. 2 shows more particularly that the middle part 2 carries a passage 9 intended to receive, in a manner known in addition, the time-setting rod (not shown).
  • Figure 3 is a section along the line III-III shown in Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 shows more precisely how is fixed the bottom 10 on the middle 2.
  • the means for fixing the base to the middle part comprise at least two pins arranged on either side of the case and parallel to the bottom, only one of these pins bearing the reference 12 being shown in the drawing, since the box has diametrical symmetry.
  • each pin is housed in holes 13, 14, 15 arranged in alignment and made both in the middle part 2 and in the base 10.
  • the pins 10 are located one at 6 o'clock and the other at 12 o'clock in the watch case. As is very apparent in FIG. 3, the pin 10 passes through a first hole 14 made in a first projection 16 arranged in the middle part 2 and two second holes 13, 15 made respectively in two second projections 17 and 18 arranged in the bottom 10 , said two second projections being arranged respectively on either side of said first projection.
  • FIGS. 1 and 3 show in particular that the holes 13, 14 and 15 are circular and that the pin 12 is cylindrical.
  • the pin is retained axially in its housing by the elastic effect provided by the lining 11 disposed between the middle part 2 and the base 10.
  • the strand has a cutout 20 which embraces the three projections 16, 17 and 18.
  • FIG. 4 A variant of the embodiment presented in Figures 1 and 3 is shown in Figures 4 and 5.
  • the pin 12 has a groove 21 in the middle.
  • a tube 22 In the first hole 14 arranged in the projection 16 is housed a tube 22 provided with a constriction 23. It is arranged so that the internal diameter 24 of the tube and the diameter of the second holes 13 and 15 are slightly greater than the diameter of the pin 12 so that the pin freely enters these housings. Under these conditions, the pin is retained axially when the constriction 23 of the tube 22 enters the groove 21 of the pin 22, since the orifices of the tube abut against the projections 17 and 18, according to a known technique and exposed in the document CH-A-235 604.
  • two projections arranged in the bottom embrace on either side a projection arranged in the middle. It will be understood that there can be other ways of doing things without departing from the main object of the present invention. That in particular which would consist in having only one projection in the bottom, the latter penetrating into a corresponding housing in the middle. In this case, the middle part would not have a projection proper, but, in addition to the housing mentioned, a simple bore extending along a cord of the ring presented by the middle part.
  • FIG. 7 A second embodiment of the invention is sketched in FIG. 7.
  • the middle part 2 has two projections 26 and 27 at 6 o'clock and the bottom two projections 28 and 29 hidden by a cutout of a strand 19 of the bracelet.
  • the pin 12 serves as a means of fixing the base to the middle in the same way as that described above.
  • the watch case middle according to the invention is made of hard material, such as ceramic or hard metal obtained by sintering powders.
  • This material is chosen especially for its resistance to scratches and also for the beautiful aesthetic appearance it presents.
  • it is known that such a material is difficult to machine so that it is necessary to minimize the recovery operations. Thanks to the present invention, these operations are no longer necessary at least as regards the manner of fixing the base under the middle. It suffices to size the hole 14, which will receive the pin 12, in such a way that its internal diameter always remains larger than the diameter of the pin, whatever the dimensional modifications undergone by the material during the operation of sintering (removal, etc.).
  • FIG. 8 which is a diagram showing the pressure p (in N / m2) exerted on the lining as a function of its deformation ⁇ l (in meters) for three forms of lining: square (c), round of small diameter (r) and large diameter round (R).
  • the diagram clearly shows that a lining of square section (c) has a very limited deformation ⁇ l to quickly reach considerable pressures.
  • a gasket of round section of large diameter (R) has a very large deformation ⁇ l and may provide sufficient pressure even if the space between the base and the middle varies within wide limits.
  • a packing will be chosen whose diameter is greater than or equal to 0.8 mm.
  • the small diameter round section packing (r) presents an intermediate situation.
  • the diagram in FIG. 8 therefore shows that, in the box according to the invention, it is advantageous to choose a gasket having a round section of large diameter, while mentioning that an almost identical result can be achieved by using two small diameter round section fittings which will be superimposed.

Abstract

La boîte de montre comporte une carrure (2) faite en matériau fritté et un fond (10) fixé à la carrure au moyen d'au moins deux goupilles (12). Chaque goupille traverse un premier trou (14) pratiqué dans une première saillie (16) aménagée dans la carrure et deux seconds trous (13, 15) pratiqués respectivement dans deux secondes saillies (17, 18) aménagées dans le fond, lesdites secondes saillies étant disposées respectivement de part et d'autre de ladite première saillie.The watch case comprises a middle part (2) made of sintered material and a base (10) fixed to the middle part by means of at least two pins (12). Each pin passes through a first hole (14) made in a first projection (16) provided in the middle part and two second holes (13, 15) made respectively in two second projections (17, 18) provided in the bottom, said second projections being disposed respectively on either side of said first projection.

Description

La présente invention est relative à une boîte de montre-brace­let comportant une glace, une carrure servant de logement à un mouvement équipé d'aiguilles d'affichage de l'heure, ladite carrure étant réalisée au moyen de poudres agglomérées par frittage à plus de 500°C, un fond, des moyens de fixation pour assujettir amovible­ment le fond à la carrure et une garniture d'étanchéité disposée entre ladite carrure et ledit fond.The present invention relates to a wristwatch case comprising a crystal, a middle serving as a housing for a movement equipped with time display hands, said middle being produced by means of powders agglomerated by sintering at more than 500 ° C, a base, fixing means for removably securing the base to the middle part and a gasket arranged between said middle part and said bottom.

Une boîte de montre répondant à la définition générique donnée ci-dessus a été décrite dans le document EP-A-0 264 875. La boîte est réalisée de préférence en céramique pour sa partie carrure et en acier pour sa partie fond. Le fond est fixé à la carrure au moyen de quatre points de fixation à vis. A cet effet, la carrure porte des trous dans lesquels sont chassés des bouchons. Chaque bouchon est ensuite percé-taraudé en prenant pour référence l'alésage intérieur de la carrure. Cette technique est utilisée ici car il est impensa­ble de visser directement des vis dans de la céramique. On conçoit cependant que cette manière de faire est onéreuse car elle exige des pièces supplémentaires, des bouchons qui, de plus, lors du chassage, risquent de faire sauter la céramique. L'opération de perçage des bouchons demande également un soin qui doit se payer en temps de fabrication et donc en argent.A watch case meeting the generic definition given above has been described in document EP-A-0 264 875. The case is preferably made of ceramic for its middle part and of steel for its back part. The base is fixed to the middle by means of four screw fixing points. For this purpose, the middle carries holes in which are driven plugs. Each plug is then drilled-tapped using the internal bore of the middle as a reference. This technique is used here because it is unthinkable to directly screw screws into ceramic. It is understood, however, that this way of doing is expensive because it requires additional parts, plugs which, moreover, during hunting, risk of causing the ceramic to jump. The operation of drilling plugs also requires care which must be paid for in manufacturing time and therefore in money.

Pour remédier aux inconvénients cités ci-dessus, la montre commercialisée sous la marque déposée "OMEGA ART" propose comme carrure la combinaison d'un anneau en céramique et d'un cercle en acier collé à l'intérieur de l'anneau. Le fond est alors assujetti à la carrure au moyen de vis vissées directement dans le cercle en acier. Cette solution évite les bouchons utilisés dans le document cité plus haut, mais nécessite la fabrication d'un cercle et le collage de ce cercle à l'intérieur de l'anneau en céramique, ce qui également est onéreux.To remedy the drawbacks mentioned above, the watch sold under the registered trademark "OMEGA ART" offers as a middle part the combination of a ceramic ring and a steel circle glued inside the ring. The back is then secured to the middle by means of screws screwed directly into the steel circle. This solution avoids the plugs used in the document cited above, but requires the manufacture of a circle and the bonding of this circle inside the ceramic ring, which also is expensive.

Le document CH-A-458 217 décrit une boîte de montre dans laquel­le le fond est accroché à la carrure d'une part au moyen d'ergots s'engageant dans des logements pratiqués dans une première paire de cornes que porte la carrure et d'autre part au moyen de deux goupil­les traversant à la fois le fond et une seconde paire de cornes. Ici les goupilles ne servent nullement à assujettir en même temps les brins du bracelet à la boîte.The document CH-A-458 217 describes a watch case in which the back is hung on the middle part on the one hand by means of lugs engaging in housings made in a first pair of horns carried by the middle part and on the other hand by means of two pins crossing both the bottom and a second pair of horns. Here the pins are not used to secure the strands of the bracelet to the box at the same time.

Pour obvier aux désavantages cités, la présente invention permet d'utiliser une carrure massive obtenue au moyen de poudres agglomé­rées par frittage à plus de 500°C, c'est-à-dire une carrure faite, par exemple en céramique ou en carbure métallique, sans qu'il en résulte les inconvénients cités inhérents au système de fixation du couvercle à la carrure. Pour ce faire, la présente invention est caractérisée en ce que les moyens de fixation du fond à la carrure comportent au moins deux goupilles disposées de part et d'autre de la boîte et parallèlement au fond, chacune desdites goupilles étant logée dans des trous disposés en alignement et pratiqués à la fois dans ladite carrure et ledit fond, chacune desdites goupilles servant conjointement à attacher à la boîte un brin du bracelet que comporte la montre.To overcome the aforementioned disadvantages, the present invention makes it possible to use a solid middle obtained by means of powders agglomerated by sintering at more than 500 ° C., that is to say a middle made, for example of ceramic or of metallic carbide. , without the resulting disadvantages cited inherent in the system for attaching the cover to the middle part. To do this, the present invention is characterized in that the means for fixing the base to the middle part comprise at least two pins arranged on either side of the case and parallel to the bottom, each of said pins being housed in holes arranged in alignment and made both in said middle and said back, each of said pins serving jointly to attach to the box a strand of the bracelet that includes the watch.

L'invention sera mieux comprise maintenant à la lumière de la description qui suit et pour l'intelligence de laquelle on se référera, à titre d'exemple, au dessin dans lequel :

  • - la figure 1 est une vue en coupe partielle à 6 heures de la boîte de montre selon l'invention et selon un premier mode d'exécu­tion,
  • - la figure 2 est une coupe à 3 heures de la même boîte de montre,
  • - la figure 3 est une coupe selon la ligne III-III de la figure 1,
  • - la figure 4 est une vue en coupe partielle à 6 heures de la boîte de montre selon l'invention et selon une variante du premier mode d'exécution,
  • - la figure 5 est une coupe selon la ligne V-V de la figure 4,
  • - la figure 6 est une vue en coupe complète de la boîte selon la variante de la figure 4 illustrant la façon de faire pour échan­ger la pile de la montre,
  • - la figure 7 est une vue partielle en plan de la boîte de montre selon l'invention et selon un second mode d'exécution,
  • - la figure 8 est un diagramme montrant la pression exercée sur la garniture d'étanchéité en fonction de la déformation de garniture et pour différentes formes de garnitures.
The invention will now be better understood in the light of the following description and for the understanding of which reference will be made, by way of example, to the drawing in which:
  • FIG. 1 is a partial section view at 6 o'clock of the watch case according to the invention and according to a first embodiment,
  • - Figure 2 is a section at 3 o'clock of the same watch case,
  • FIG. 3 is a section along the line III-III in FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 4 is a partial section view at 6 o'clock of the watch case according to the invention and according to a variant of the first embodiment,
  • FIG. 5 is a section along the line VV in FIG. 4,
  • FIG. 6 is a complete sectional view of the case according to the variant of FIG. 4 illustrating the procedure for exchanging the battery of the watch,
  • FIG. 7 is a partial plan view of the watch case according to the invention and according to a second embodiment,
  • - Figure 8 is a diagram showing the pressure exerted on the packing as a function of the packing deformation and for different shapes of packing.

La figure 1 présente une première forme d'exécution de l'inven­tion. La coupe présentée montre que la boîte comporte une glace 1, une carrure 2 servant de logement à un mouvement 8 équipé d'aiguil­les 3, 4 d'affichage de l'heure. De manière connue le mouvement est centré dans son logement au moyen d'un cercle d'agrandissement 5 et son cadran 6 est maintenu à distance de la glace au moyen d'un réhaut 7. La glace 1 est collée ou soudée sur la carrure. Une métallisation 30 peut cacher au regard le réhaut et le dessus de carrure.Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention. The section shown shows that the box has a crystal 1, a middle part 2 serving as a housing for a movement 8 equipped with hands 3, 4 for displaying the time. In known manner, the movement is centered in its housing by means of an enlarging circle 5 and its dial 6 is kept at a distance from the crystal by means of a flange 7. The crystal 1 is glued or welded to the middle. A metallization 30 can hide the flange and the middle part from the eye.

Dans tous les modes d'exécutions ou variantes présentés ici, la carrure 2 est réalisée au moyen de poudres agglomérées par frittage à plus de 500°C. Il s'agit par exemple de céramique ou encore de carbure métallique obtenus par frittage. La température minimum de 500°C indique que l'invention ne concerne pas l'utilisation de matières plastiques par exemple, pour lesquelles d'autres solutions peuvent être mises en oeuvre.In all the embodiments or variants presented here, the middle part 2 is produced by means of powders agglomerated by sintering at more than 500 ° C. It is for example ceramic or metallic carbide obtained by sintering. The minimum temperature of 500 ° C. indicates that the invention does not relate to the use of plastics, for example, for which other solutions can be used.

La boîte comporte encore un fond 10 et une garniture d'étanchéi­té 11 disposée entre la carrure et le fond. Le fond est assujetti amoviblement à la carrure par un dispositif à goupilles qui fait l'objet principal de la présente invention et qui sera décrit en détail par la suite.The box also has a bottom 10 and a seal 11 arranged between the middle part and the bottom. The base is removably secured to the middle part by a pin device which is the main object of the present invention and which will be described in detail below.

La coupe de la figure 2 est pratiquée à 3 heures de la boîte de montre. On y reconnaît les mêmes composants que ceux exposés à propos de la figure 1, ces composants portant les mêmes références. La figure 2 montre plus particulièrement que la carrure 2 porte un passage 9 destiné à recevoir, de manière connue par ailleurs, la tige de mise à l'heure (non représentée).The cut of Figure 2 is made 3 hours from the watch case. We recognize the same components as those exposed in connection with FIG. 1, these components bearing the same references. FIG. 2 shows more particularly that the middle part 2 carries a passage 9 intended to receive, in a manner known in addition, the time-setting rod (not shown).

la figure 3 est une coupe selon la ligne III-III montrée en figure 1. Avec la figure 1, la figure 3 montre plus précisément comment est fixé le fond 10 sur la carrure 2. Tout à fait générale­ment et selon la caractéristique principale de l'invention les moyens de fixation du fond à la carrure comportent au moins deux goupilles disposées de part et d'autre de la boîte et parallèlement au fond, une seule de ces goupilles portant la référence 12 étant représentée au dessin, attendu que la boîte présente une symétrie diamétrale. Toujours selon l'acception la plus générale de l'inven­tion, chaque goupille est logée dans des trous 13, 14, 15 disposés en alignement et pratiqués à la fois dans la carrure 2 et dans le fond 10.Figure 3 is a section along the line III-III shown in Figure 1. With Figure 1, Figure 3 shows more precisely how is fixed the bottom 10 on the middle 2. Quite generally and according to the main characteristic of the invention the means for fixing the base to the middle part comprise at least two pins arranged on either side of the case and parallel to the bottom, only one of these pins bearing the reference 12 being shown in the drawing, since the box has diametrical symmetry. Still according to the most general meaning of the invention, each pin is housed in holes 13, 14, 15 arranged in alignment and made both in the middle part 2 and in the base 10.

Plus particulièrement et selon un premier mode d'exécution de l'invention présenté aux figures 1 et 3, les goupilles 10 sont situées l'une à 6 heures et l'autre à 12 heures de la boîte de montre. Comme cela est bien apparent à la figure 3, la goupille 10 traverse un premier trou 14 pratiqué dans une première saillie 16 aménagée dans la carrure 2 et deux seconds trous 13, 15 pratiqués respectivement dans deux secondes saillies 17 et 18 aménagées dans le fond 10, lesdites deux secondes saillies étant disposées respec­tivement de part et d'autre de ladite première saillie.More particularly and according to a first embodiment of the invention presented in Figures 1 and 3, the pins 10 are located one at 6 o'clock and the other at 12 o'clock in the watch case. As is very apparent in FIG. 3, the pin 10 passes through a first hole 14 made in a first projection 16 arranged in the middle part 2 and two second holes 13, 15 made respectively in two second projections 17 and 18 arranged in the bottom 10 , said two second projections being arranged respectively on either side of said first projection.

Dans le mode d'exécution qui vient d'être présenté, les figures 1 et 3 montrent en particulier que les trous 13, 14 et 15 sont circulaires et que la goupille 12 est cylindrique. On s'arrange en particulier de telle façon que la goupille pénètre librement dans les trous ce qui laisse supposer un certain jeu entre trous et goupille (voir figure 1). On comprendra que la goupille est retenue axialement dans son logement par l'effet élastique que procure la garniture 11 disposée entre la carrure 2 et le fond 10.In the embodiment which has just been presented, FIGS. 1 and 3 show in particular that the holes 13, 14 and 15 are circular and that the pin 12 is cylindrical. One arranges in particular in such a way that the pin penetrates freely in the holes what lets suppose a certain clearance between holes and pin (see figure 1). It will be understood that the pin is retained axially in its housing by the elastic effect provided by the lining 11 disposed between the middle part 2 and the base 10.

Comme on le voit encore au dessin, on profite de la présence de la goupille 10 pour attacher à la montre un brin 19 d'un bracelet. A cet effet, le brin comporte une découpure 20 qui embrasse les trois saillies 16, 17 et 18.As can still be seen in the drawing, we take advantage of the presence of the pin 10 to attach a strand 19 of a bracelet to the watch. To this end, the strand has a cutout 20 which embraces the three projections 16, 17 and 18.

Une variante du mode d'exécution présente aux figures 1 et 3 est montrée aux figures 4 et 5. Dans ce cas la goupille 12 comporte une gorge 21 en son milieu. Dans le premier trou 14 aménagé dans la saillie 16 est logé un tube 22 muni d'un étranglement 23. On s'ar­range pour que le diamètre intérieur 24 du tube et le diamètre des seconds trous 13 et 15 soient légèrement supérieurs au diamètre de la goupille 12 de façon à ce que la goupille pénètre librement dans ces logements. Dans ces conditions, la goupille est retenue axiale­ment quand l'étranglement 23 du tube 22 pénètre dans la gorge 21 de la goupille 22, puisque les orifices du tube viennent buter contre les saillies 17 et 18, selon une technique connue et exposée dans le document CH-A-235 604.A variant of the embodiment presented in Figures 1 and 3 is shown in Figures 4 and 5. In this case the pin 12 has a groove 21 in the middle. In the first hole 14 arranged in the projection 16 is housed a tube 22 provided with a constriction 23. It is arranged so that the internal diameter 24 of the tube and the diameter of the second holes 13 and 15 are slightly greater than the diameter of the pin 12 so that the pin freely enters these housings. Under these conditions, the pin is retained axially when the constriction 23 of the tube 22 enters the groove 21 of the pin 22, since the orifices of the tube abut against the projections 17 and 18, according to a known technique and exposed in the document CH-A-235 604.

La solution présentée ci-dessus permet un accès facile à la pile de la montre, si celle-ci en est équipée. Pour cela, il suffit de chasser hors de son logement une seule goupille. Le fond peut alors basculer autour de la goupille restante à la manière d'un couvercle de boîte. La pile, référencée 25, peut alors aisément être rempla­cée. Cette opération est montrée en figure 6.The solution presented above allows easy access to the watch battery, if it is equipped with one. For this, it suffices to drive out of its housing a single pin. The bottom can then tilt around the remaining pin like a box cover. The battery, referenced 25, can then easily be replaced. This operation is shown in figure 6.

Dans le premier mode d'exécution et sa variante qui viennent d'être présentés ci-dessus, deux saillies aménagées dans le fond embrassent de part et d'autre une saillie aménagée dans la carrure. On comprendra qu'il peut exister d'autres façons de faire sans s'écarter de l'objet principal de la présente invention. Celle notamment qui consisterait à n'avoir qu'une saillie dans le fond, cette dernière pénétrant dans un logement correspondant dans la carrure. Dans ce cas la carrure ne comporterait pas de saillie proprement dite mais, en plus du logement cité, un simple perçage s'étendant selon une corde de l'anneau présenté par la carrure.In the first embodiment and its variant which have just been presented above, two projections arranged in the bottom embrace on either side a projection arranged in the middle. It will be understood that there can be other ways of doing things without departing from the main object of the present invention. That in particular which would consist in having only one projection in the bottom, the latter penetrating into a corresponding housing in the middle. In this case, the middle part would not have a projection proper, but, in addition to the housing mentioned, a simple bore extending along a cord of the ring presented by the middle part.

Un second mode d'exécution de l'invention est esquissé en figure 7. Ici la carrure 2 présente à 6 heures deux saillies 26 et 27 et le fond deux saillies 28 et 29 cachées par une découpure d'un brin 19 du bracelet. La goupille 12 sert de moyen de fixation du fond à la carrure de la même façon que celle exposée ci-dessus.A second embodiment of the invention is sketched in FIG. 7. Here the middle part 2 has two projections 26 and 27 at 6 o'clock and the bottom two projections 28 and 29 hidden by a cutout of a strand 19 of the bracelet. The pin 12 serves as a means of fixing the base to the middle in the same way as that described above.

La carrure de boîte de montre selon l'invention est réalisée en matériau dur, comme de la céramique ou du métal dur obtenu par frittage de poudres. Ce matériau est choisi surtout pour sa résis­tance aux rayures et aussi pour le bel aspect esthétique qu'il présente. On sait cependant qu'un tel matériau est difficile à usiner de telle sorte qu'il faut réduire au minimum les opérations de reprise. Grâce à la présente invention, ces opérations ne sont plus nécessaires tout au moins en ce qui concerne la façon de fixer le fond sous la carrure. Il suffit en effet de dimensionner le trou 14, qui recevra la goupille 12, de telle manière que son diamètre interne reste toujours plus grand que le diamètre de la goupille, quelles que soient les modifications dimensionnelles subies par le matériau lors de l'opération de frittage (retrait, etc..). Il va résulter de cela un jeu plus ou moins important de la goupille dans son logement et donc un plaquage plus ou moins parfait du fond sous la carrure, un jeu variable amenant inévitablement un espace varia­ble entre fond et carrure. Or une montre utilisant un tel matériau est relativement chère. On peut donc s'attendre, en en faisant l'acquisition, qu'elle soit également étanche. Cette étanchéité est acquise, comme on l'a dit plus haut, au moyen de la garniture 11 disposée entre fond et carrure. Dans le cas particulier de l'inven­tion cependant et vu l'espace plus ou moins important qui peut exister entre fond et carrure, il faudra prendre soin de choisir une garniture assurant l'étanchéité quel que soit cet espace.The watch case middle according to the invention is made of hard material, such as ceramic or hard metal obtained by sintering powders. This material is chosen especially for its resistance to scratches and also for the beautiful aesthetic appearance it presents. However, it is known that such a material is difficult to machine so that it is necessary to minimize the recovery operations. Thanks to the present invention, these operations are no longer necessary at least as regards the manner of fixing the base under the middle. It suffices to size the hole 14, which will receive the pin 12, in such a way that its internal diameter always remains larger than the diameter of the pin, whatever the dimensional modifications undergone by the material during the operation of sintering (removal, etc.). It will result from this a more or less important play of the pin in its housing and therefore a more or less perfect plating of the back under the middle, a variable play inevitably bringing a variable space between back and middle. However, a watch using such a material is relatively expensive. We can therefore expect, by acquiring it, that it will also be waterproof. This tightness is acquired, as said above, by means of the lining 11 arranged between the back and the middle part. In the particular case of the invention, however, and given the more or less large space which may exist between the back and the middle, care should be taken to choose a gasket ensuring sealing whatever this space is.

La figure 8 qui est un diagramme montrant la pression p (en N/m2) exercée sur la garniture en fonction de sa déformation Δl (en mètres) pour trois formes de garniture : carrée (c), ronde de petit diamètre (r) et ronde de grand diamètre (R). Le diagramme montre à l'évidence qu'une garniture de section carrée (c) présente une déformation Δl très limitée pour atteindre rapidement des pressions considérables. Au contraire, une garniture de section ronde de grand diamètre (R) présente une déformation Δl très étendue et pourra assurer une pression suffisante même si l'espace entre le fond et la carrure varie dans de larges limites. Typiquement, on choisira une garniture dont le diamètre soit plus grand ou égal à 0,8 mm. La garniture de section ronde de petit diamètre (r) présente une situation intermédiaire. Le diagramme de la figure 8 montre donc que, dans la boîte selon l'invention, on a avantage à choisir une garniture présentant une section ronde de grand diamètre, tout en mentionnant qu'un résultat à peu près identique peut être atteint en utilisant deux garnitures de section ronde de petit diamètre qu'on superposera.FIG. 8 which is a diagram showing the pressure p (in N / m2) exerted on the lining as a function of its deformation Δl (in meters) for three forms of lining: square (c), round of small diameter (r) and large diameter round (R). The diagram clearly shows that a lining of square section (c) has a very limited deformation Δl to quickly reach considerable pressures. On the contrary, a gasket of round section of large diameter (R) has a very large deformation Δl and may provide sufficient pressure even if the space between the base and the middle varies within wide limits. Typically, a packing will be chosen whose diameter is greater than or equal to 0.8 mm. The small diameter round section packing (r) presents an intermediate situation. The diagram in FIG. 8 therefore shows that, in the box according to the invention, it is advantageous to choose a gasket having a round section of large diameter, while mentioning that an almost identical result can be achieved by using two small diameter round section fittings which will be superimposed.

Claims (7)

1. Boîte de montre-bracelet comportant une glace (1), une carrure (2) servant de logement à un mouvement (8) équipé d'ai­guilles d'affichage de l'heure (3, 4), ladite carrure étant réalisée au moyen de poudres agglomérées par frittage à plus de 500°C, un fond (10), des moyens de fixation pour assujettir amoviblement le fond à la carrure et une garniture (11) d'étanchéité disposée entre ladite carrure et ledit fond, caractérisée par le fait que lesdits moyens de fixation comportent au moins deux goupilles (12) disposées de part et d'autre de la boîte et parallèlement au fond, chacune desdites goupilles étant logée dans des trous (13, 14, 15) disposés en alignement et pratiqués à la fois dans ladite carrure et dans ledit fond, chacune desdites goupilles servant conjointement à attacher à la boîte un brin (19) du bracelet que comporte la montre.1. Wristwatch case comprising a crystal (1), a middle part (2) serving as a housing for a movement (8) fitted with time display hands (3, 4), said middle part being made at means of powders agglomerated by sintering at more than 500 ° C., a base (10), fixing means for removably securing the base to the middle part and a sealing gasket (11) disposed between said middle part and said base, characterized by the fact that said fixing means comprise at least two pins (12) arranged on either side of the box and parallel to the bottom, each of said pins being housed in holes (13, 14, 15) arranged in alignment and formed both in said middle part and in said bottom, each of said pins serving jointly to attach to the box a strand (19) of the bracelet that the watch comprises. 2. Boîte de montre selon la revendication 1, caractérisée par le fait que les moyens de fixation comportent deux goupilles (12) situées l'une à 6 heures et l'autre à 12 heures de la boîte de montre et que chaque goupille traverse un premier trou (14) pratiqué dans une première saillie (16) aménagée dans la carrure et deux seconds trous (13, 15) pratiqués respectivement dans deux secondes saillies (17, 18) aménagées dans le fond, lesdites deux secondes saillies étant disposées respectivement de part et d'autre de ladite première saillie.2. Watch case according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing means comprise two pins (12) located one at 6 o'clock and the other at 12 o'clock in the watch case and that each pin passes through a first hole (14) made in a first projection (16) arranged in the middle part and two second holes (13, 15) made respectively in two second projections (17, 18) arranged in the bottom, said two second projections being arranged respectively on either side of said first projection. 3. Boîte de montre selon la revendication 2, caractérisée par le fait que les premier et seconds trous sont circulaires, que la goupille est cylindrique et que les diamètres desdits premier et seconds trous sont arrangés pour que la goupille y pénètre libre­ment, ladite goupille étant retenue axialement dans son logement par l'effet élastique que procure la garniture disposée entre la carrure et le fond.3. Watch case according to claim 2, characterized in that the first and second holes are circular, that the pin is cylindrical and that the diameters of said first and second holes are arranged so that the pin enters there freely, said pin being retained axially in its housing by the elastic effect provided by the lining disposed between the middle part and the base. 4. Boîte de montre selon la revendication 2, caractérisée par le fait que les premier et seconds trous sont circulaires, que la goupille est cylindrique et comporte une gorge (21) en son milieu, que dans le premier trou est logé un tube (22) muni d'un étrangle­ment (23) et que le diamètre intérieur du tube et le diamètre des seconds trous sont arrangés pour que la goupille y pénètre librement, la goupille étant retenue axialement dans son logement lorsque l'étranglement dudit tube pénètre dans la gorge de ladite goupille.4. Watch case according to claim 2, characterized in that the first and second holes are circular, that the pin is cylindrical and has a groove (21) in the middle, that in the first hole is housed a tube (22 ) provided with a throttle (23) and that the inside diameter of the tube and the diameter of the second holes are arranged so that the pin enters it freely, the pin being retained axially in its housing when the constriction of said tube enters the groove of said pin. 5. Boîte de montre selon la revendication 1, caractérisée par le fait que ladite garniture d'étanchéité (11) présente à l'état non compressé une section ronde dont le diamètre est suffisant pour absorber le jeu qui peut se présenter entre ladite carrure (2) et ledit fond (10) quand lesdites goupilles sont logées dans lesdits trous.5. Watch case according to claim 1, characterized in that said seal (11) has in the uncompressed state a round section whose diameter is sufficient to absorb the play which may occur between said middle ( 2) and said bottom (10) when said pins are housed in said holes. 6. Boîte de montre selon la revendication 1, caractérisée par le fait que la section de ladite garniture présente un diamètre plus grand ou égal à 0,8 mm.6. Watch case according to claim 1, characterized in that the section of said trim has a diameter greater than or equal to 0.8 mm. 7. Boîte de montre selon la revendication 1, caractérisée par le fait que ladite garniture d'étanchéité (11) comporte deux joints superposés, chaque joint présentant une section ronde à l'état non compressé, pour absorber le jeu qui peut se présenter entre ladite carrure (2) et ledit fond (10) quand lesdites goupilles sont logées dans lesdits trous.7. Watch case according to claim 1, characterized in that said seal (11) comprises two superimposed seals, each seal having a round section in the uncompressed state, to absorb the play which may occur between said middle (2) and said bottom (10) when said pins are housed in said holes.
EP89121006A 1988-11-23 1989-11-13 Watch-case with a sintered middle part Expired - Lifetime EP0370356B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH4337/88 1988-11-23
CH4337/88A CH674692B5 (en) 1988-11-23 1988-11-23

Publications (2)

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EP0370356A1 true EP0370356A1 (en) 1990-05-30
EP0370356B1 EP0370356B1 (en) 1992-04-01

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ID=4274213

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EP89121006A Expired - Lifetime EP0370356B1 (en) 1988-11-23 1989-11-13 Watch-case with a sintered middle part

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US (1) US4974218A (en)
EP (1) EP0370356B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH02236487A (en)
CN (1) CN1017005B (en)
CH (1) CH674692B5 (en)
DE (1) DE68901132D1 (en)
HK (1) HK106696A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004055603A1 (en) 2002-12-17 2004-07-01 Namiki Seimitsu Houseki Kabushiki Kaisha Super hard wristtwatch case
EP3534224A1 (en) * 2018-03-02 2019-09-04 Patek Philippe SA Genève Watch case with concealed assembly means and watch comprising same

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2007171128A (en) * 2005-12-26 2007-07-05 Seiko Instruments Inc Timepiece
JP2007171129A (en) * 2005-12-26 2007-07-05 Seiko Instruments Inc Timepiece
DE102009058980B4 (en) * 2009-12-18 2019-08-14 Oechsler Ag Injection-molded ceramic element with a connecting part
EP2874022B1 (en) * 2013-11-15 2016-10-26 Chopard Technologies SA Watch case including a bayonet connection
EP3510888B1 (en) 2016-09-28 2022-06-01 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Wearable device and main body thereof

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FR976102A (en) * 1942-04-09 1951-03-14 Jaeger Ets Ed Wristwatch improvements
CH323054A (en) * 1955-08-10 1957-07-15 Boites De Montres Huguenin S A Shape watch box
CH458217A (en) * 1965-07-09 1968-08-15 Caprara Pierre Watch box
US3861990A (en) * 1972-03-27 1975-01-21 Suwa Seikosha Kk Exterior parts for a timepiece
FR2510776A1 (en) * 1981-08-03 1983-02-04 Textron Inc CASE FOR ELECTRONIC WATCH MODULE
DE3540737A1 (en) * 1985-11-16 1987-05-21 Peter Dipl Ing Grob Wristwatch with moulded-on link strap
EP0280963A1 (en) * 1987-02-25 1988-09-07 Eta SA Fabriques d'Ebauches Watch fitted with a cover, and method for producing the same

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FR2231042A1 (en) * 1973-05-23 1974-12-20 Chatenoud Gilles Wrist watch with interchangeable decorative surround - covers point where bracelet is secured to watch case
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US4825427A (en) * 1988-04-25 1989-04-25 Bulova Watch Co., Inc. Wrist watch case and bracelet assembly

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR976102A (en) * 1942-04-09 1951-03-14 Jaeger Ets Ed Wristwatch improvements
CH323054A (en) * 1955-08-10 1957-07-15 Boites De Montres Huguenin S A Shape watch box
CH458217A (en) * 1965-07-09 1968-08-15 Caprara Pierre Watch box
US3861990A (en) * 1972-03-27 1975-01-21 Suwa Seikosha Kk Exterior parts for a timepiece
FR2510776A1 (en) * 1981-08-03 1983-02-04 Textron Inc CASE FOR ELECTRONIC WATCH MODULE
DE3540737A1 (en) * 1985-11-16 1987-05-21 Peter Dipl Ing Grob Wristwatch with moulded-on link strap
EP0280963A1 (en) * 1987-02-25 1988-09-07 Eta SA Fabriques d'Ebauches Watch fitted with a cover, and method for producing the same

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004055603A1 (en) 2002-12-17 2004-07-01 Namiki Seimitsu Houseki Kabushiki Kaisha Super hard wristtwatch case
EP1577717A1 (en) * 2002-12-17 2005-09-21 Namiki Seimitsu Houseki Kabushiki Kaisha Super hard wristtwatch case
EP1577717A4 (en) * 2002-12-17 2008-03-05 Namiki Precision Jewel Co Ltd Super hard wristtwatch case
EP3534224A1 (en) * 2018-03-02 2019-09-04 Patek Philippe SA Genève Watch case with concealed assembly means and watch comprising same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CH674692B5 (en) 1991-01-15
US4974218A (en) 1990-11-27
CH674692GA3 (en) 1990-07-13
DE68901132D1 (en) 1992-05-07
CN1017005B (en) 1992-06-10
EP0370356B1 (en) 1992-04-01
JPH02236487A (en) 1990-09-19
HK106696A (en) 1996-06-28
CN1043008A (en) 1990-06-13

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