EP0691595B1 - Plastic wrist watch with a metallic stiffening armature used as plate - Google Patents

Plastic wrist watch with a metallic stiffening armature used as plate Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0691595B1
EP0691595B1 EP95109596A EP95109596A EP0691595B1 EP 0691595 B1 EP0691595 B1 EP 0691595B1 EP 95109596 A EP95109596 A EP 95109596A EP 95109596 A EP95109596 A EP 95109596A EP 0691595 B1 EP0691595 B1 EP 0691595B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fact
dial
crystal
metallic
caseband
Prior art date
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
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EP95109596A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0691595A1 (en
Inventor
Ronald Flury
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ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
Ebauchesfabrik ETA AG
Original Assignee
Ebauchesfabrik ETA AG
Eta SA Fabriques dEbauches
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Publication of EP0691595A1 publication Critical patent/EP0691595A1/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
    • G04B37/14—Suspending devices, supports or stands for time-pieces insofar as they form part of the case
    • G04B37/1486—Arrangements for fixing to a bracelet
    • 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
    • G04B29/00—Frameworks
    • G04B29/02—Plates; Bridges; Cocks
    • G04B29/027—Materials and manufacturing
    • 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
    • G04B37/22—Materials or processes of manufacturing pocket watch or wrist watch cases
    • G04B37/225—Non-metallic cases
    • 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
    • G04B39/00—Watch crystals; Fastening or sealing of crystals; Clock glasses
    • G04B39/02—Sealing crystals or glasses
    • G04B39/025—Sealing crystals or glasses without special sealing parts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an ultra-thin wristwatch comprising a case-back and a crystal made of plastic, a movement, hands surmounting a dial and a reinforcing metal frame embedded in the case-back and serving among other things as points of attachment to a bracelet.
  • Document CH-B-675 339 already proposes a wristwatch, the middle of which can be made of any non-metallic, natural or synthetic material.
  • This middle part has a cylindrical housing in which is fixed a housing housing a movement by means of an elastic O-ring engaged, on the one hand, in an annular groove of the cylindrical housing and, on the other hand, in a peripheral groove of the housing .
  • the middle part is fitted with a metal frame to which a bracelet is attached.
  • the present invention original in that the metallic reinforcing frame serves in addition to a plate on which is fixed at least one central tenon around which pivots a carriageway carrying the minute hand, a barrel wheel carrying the hour hand in turn pivoting on said carriageway.
  • the ultra-thin wristwatch has a case-back 7 and a crystal 8 produced in plastic material.
  • the watch also includes a movement 9 and hands 10, 11 surmounting a dial 12.
  • the watch especially comprises a metal reinforcing frame 13 embedded in the backband 7, this frame serving inter alia as attachment points 14, 15 to a bracelet not shown.
  • the present invention is remarkable in that the reinforcing metal frame 13 also serves as a plate on which is fixed at least one central stud 16 whose axis bears the reference 1.
  • FIG. 2 shows this frame 13, represented by perspective, before it is molded into the backband 7.
  • FIG. 3 shows a carriageway 17 which carries the minute hand 10.
  • FIG. 3 shows a wheel 19 with a barrel 20 which carries the hour hand 11.
  • the frame 13 in addition to serving to strengthen the case and to attach the bracelet as was known in the prior art, is also used as a plate carrying at least the set of hands indicating the time. This use is new and is not known from previous timepieces.
  • the frame or plate 13 carries horns 14 and 15 located at 6 and 12 o'clock arranged to receive in holes 14 'and 15' bars not shown around which will link the strands of a bracelet.
  • Figure 2 also shows that the frame 13 has raised edges 21, here diametrically opposite edges. These raised edges pursue two goals, that of first stiffening the frame 13, that then of serving as a support, at least partially, to the dial 12. If we refer to Figures 3, 4 and 6, we see indeed an outer edge 22 of the dial 12 rests on the raised edge 21 of the frame 13.
  • the edges 21 and 22 are fixed one to the other. the other, on the one hand to allow the angular positioning of the dial and on the other hand to stiffen the box into a very compact assembly. This edge-to-edge fixing can be carried out for example by means of laser welds.
  • the wheel 31 and the pinion 33 form the mobile 2 which is driven by the pinion 34 of a mobile 6 which further comprises a wheel 35 itself driven by the pinion 36 of a motor mobile 5 comprising a magnetized rotor 37.
  • the mobiles 5 and 6 comprise pivots rotating in bearings made on the one hand in the plastic material of the bottom 7 and on the other hand in a bridge 38.
  • the lower bearing is constituted by a bore 39 made in a plug 40 filling an opening 41 of the frame 13.
  • the plug 40 is obtained during injecting the bottom 7.
  • the movable motor 5 is pivoted in the same way as the movable 6 by means of a plug 51.
  • the magnet 37 is surrounded by a stator 42 linked to a core 43 on which a coil 44 is wound.
  • Two other pins are fixed to the frame 13 as seen in Figures 2 and 6. This is the pin 45 on which rotates the mobile 4 composed of a pinion 46 and a wheel 47.
  • the pinion 46 is driven by the sliding pinion 48 when the rod 49 is pulled for setting the time of the watch. It is also a tenon 50 on which the mobile 3 turns which drives the wheel 31 already mentioned.
  • These two studs are directly fixed to the frame, in the same way as are the studs 30 and 50 already described.
  • the frame or plate 13 is used, in the embodiment taken as an example, to support not only the central mobile 1, but other mobile either by means of tenons 30, 45, 50, or by means of bearings made in plugs 40 and 51 molded in holes in the plate 13.
  • the backband 7 and the crystal 8 are made of heat-sealable thermoplastic materials.
  • the middle part 7 is made of a material chosen from the group comprising acryl butadiene styrene (ABS) and the crystal is made of a transparent acrylic resin (PMMA).
  • Means are provided for assembling the crystal 8 and the middle part 7, these means comprising a localized zone 23 constituted by a mixture of said heat-sealable materials together (see FIGS. 4, 5 and 6).
  • the interested reader will profitably read a description of this technique in document EP-B-0 101 663 (US-A-4 558 957). It is therefore not necessary to expand here further on this process.
  • the bowl-shaped dial pursues two goals: firstly to make it more rigid and secondly to provide thick components of the watch under its peripheral zone, namely the motor elements ( Figures 4 and 5) , the time-setting mechanism (FIG. 6) and the battery, the location of which can be seen in FIG. 2.
  • the motor elements Figures 4 and 5
  • the time-setting mechanism FIG. 6
  • the battery the location of which can be seen in FIG. 2.
  • a dial in the form of a bowl has been described in the document CH-B-620 081.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne une montre-bracelet ultra-mince comportant un fond-carrure et une glace réalisés en matière plastique, un mouvement, des aiguilles surmontant un cadran et une armature métallique de renforcement noyée dans le fond-carrure et servant entre autres de points d'attache à un bracelet.The present invention relates to an ultra-thin wristwatch comprising a case-back and a crystal made of plastic, a movement, hands surmounting a dial and a reinforcing metal frame embedded in the case-back and serving among other things as points of attachment to a bracelet.

Le document CH-B-675 339 propose déjà une montre-bracelet dont la carrure peut être constituée de tout matériau non métallique, naturel ou synthétique. Cette carrure présente un logement cylindrique dans lequel est fixé un boîtier abritant un mouvement au moyen d'une garniture torique élastique engagée, d'une part, dans une gorge annulaire du logement cylindrique et, d'autre part, dans une gorge périphérique du boîtier. La carrure est munie d'une armature métallique à laquelle vient se fixer un bracelet.Document CH-B-675 339 already proposes a wristwatch, the middle of which can be made of any non-metallic, natural or synthetic material. This middle part has a cylindrical housing in which is fixed a housing housing a movement by means of an elastic O-ring engaged, on the one hand, in an annular groove of the cylindrical housing and, on the other hand, in a peripheral groove of the housing . The middle part is fitted with a metal frame to which a bracelet is attached.

La construction sommairement décrite ci-dessus ne convient pas à une montre ultra-mince, c'est-à-dire à une montre dont l'épaisseur ne dépasse pas environ quatre millimètres. On comprendra en effet que le recours à un boîtier indépendant abritant tout le mouvement, fond et glace compris, ce boîtier devant, de surcroît, être fixé à la carrure par une garniture torique élastique, conduit à une pièce nécessairement épaisse. D'autre part, l'armature métallique proposée n'a pour but ici que de supporter les efforts importants exercés sur la montre par les diverses tractions exercées par le bracelet et ne joue nullement, en même temps, le rôle de platine comme cela est le cas dans la présente invention qui va être décrite plus bas.The construction briefly described above is not suitable for an ultra-thin watch, that is to say a watch whose thickness does not exceed about four millimeters. It will be understood in fact that the use of an independent case housing all the movement, including the back and the glass, this case having, in addition, to be fixed to the middle part by an elastic O-ring, leads to a necessarily thick piece. On the other hand, the proposed metal frame here is only intended to withstand the significant forces exerted on the watch by the various pulls exerted by the bracelet and in no way plays, at the same time, the role of platinum as is the case in the present invention which will be described below.

Il n'est pas indiqué, dans le document cité ci-dessus, si la disposition décrite convient à une boîte réalisée en matière plastique dans laquelle l'armature métallique serait noyée par surmoulage de ladite matière. On peut cependant le penser si l'on se réfère par exemple aux documents CH-B-580 294 et FR-A-1 363 424 qui décrivent tous deux un insert métallique de renforcement noyé dans une boîte injectée en matière plastique. Dans ces documents cependant, l'insert en question n'est pas utilisé pour retenir un bracelet, pas plus qu'il n'est utilisé pour servir de platine à un mouvement.It is not indicated, in the document cited above, whether the arrangement described is suitable for a box made of plastic material in which the metal frame is submerged by overmolding of said material. One can however think so if one refers for example to documents CH-B-580 294 and FR-A-1 363 424 which both describe a metal reinforcement insert embedded in a plastic injected box. In these documents, however, the insert in question is not used to retain a bracelet, any more than it is used to serve as a platinum for a movement.

Ainsi dans le but de proposer une montre-bracelet ultra-mince tout en s'inspirant de certaines techniques faisant partie de l'état de l'art, la présente invention est-elle originale par le fait que l'armature métallique de renforcement sert en outre de platine sur laquelle est fixé au moins un tenon central autour duquel pivote une chaussée portant l'aiguille des minutes, une roue à canon portant l'aiguille des heures pivotant à son tour sur ladite chaussée.Thus, with the aim of proposing an ultra-thin wristwatch while being inspired by certain techniques which are part of the state of the art, is the present invention original in that the metallic reinforcing frame serves in addition to a plate on which is fixed at least one central tenon around which pivots a carriageway carrying the minute hand, a barrel wheel carrying the hour hand in turn pivoting on said carriageway.

L'invention sera comprise maintenant à la lecture de la description qui suit, illustrée par le dessin donnant un exemple de mode de réalisation, dessin dans lequel :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en plan, de dessus, de la montre selon l'invention, vue dans laquelle le cadran a été enlevé,
  • la figure 2 est une vue en perspective de l'armature métallique de renforcement noyée dans le boîtier de la montre de la figure 1,
  • la figure 3 est une coupe selon la ligne III-III de la figure 1,
  • la figure 4 est une coupe selon la ligne IV-IV de la figure 1,
  • la figure 5 est une coupe selon la ligne V-V de la figure 1, et
  • la figure 6 est une coupe selon la ligne VI-VI de la figure 1.
The invention will now be understood on reading the description which follows, illustrated by the drawing giving an example of embodiment, drawing in which:
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view, from above, of the watch according to the invention, in which the dial has been removed,
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the metal reinforcement frame embedded in the watch case of FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 3 is a section along line III-III in FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 4 is a section along the line IV-IV of FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 5 is a section along the line VV of FIG. 1, and
  • Figure 6 is a section along line VI-VI of Figure 1.

Si l'on se réfère plus particulièrement aux figure 1 et figure 3, cette dernière étant une coupe selon la ligne III-III de la figure 1, la montre-bracelet ultra-mince comporte un fond-carrure 7 et une glace 8 réalisés en matière plastique. La montre comporte aussi un mouvement 9 et des aiguilles 10, 11 surmontant un cadran 12. La montre comprend surtout une armature métallique de renforcement 13 noyée dans le fond-carrure 7, cette armature servant entre autres de points d'attache 14, 15 à un bracelet non représenté. La présente invention est remarquable en ce sens que l'armature métallique de renforcement 13 sert en outre de platine sur laquelle est fixé au moins un tenon central 16 dont l'axe porte la référence 1. La figure 2 montre cette armature 13, représentée en perspective, avant qu'elle ne soit moulée dans le fond-carrure 7. Comme on le voit bien sur la figure 3, autour du tenon central 16 pivote une chaussée 17 qui porte l'aiguille des minutes 10. Pivotant à son tour sur la chaussée 17, la figure 3 montre une roue 19 à canon 20 qui porte l'aiguille des heures 11.If one refers more particularly to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the latter being a section along line III-III of FIG. 1, the ultra-thin wristwatch has a case-back 7 and a crystal 8 produced in plastic material. The watch also includes a movement 9 and hands 10, 11 surmounting a dial 12. The watch especially comprises a metal reinforcing frame 13 embedded in the backband 7, this frame serving inter alia as attachment points 14, 15 to a bracelet not shown. The present invention is remarkable in that the reinforcing metal frame 13 also serves as a plate on which is fixed at least one central stud 16 whose axis bears the reference 1. FIG. 2 shows this frame 13, represented by perspective, before it is molded into the backband 7. As can be seen in FIG. 3, around the central tenon 16 pivots a carriageway 17 which carries the minute hand 10. Rotating in turn on the pavement 17, FIG. 3 shows a wheel 19 with a barrel 20 which carries the hour hand 11.

Ainsi a-t-on compris que l'armature 13, en plus de servir au renforcement de la boîte et à l'attache du bracelet comme cela était connu de l'art antérieur, est utilisée de surcroît comme platine portant au moins l'ensemble des aiguilles indiquant l'heure. Cette utilisation est nouvelle et n'est pas connue des pièces d'horlogerie antérieures.Thus it has been understood that the frame 13, in addition to serving to strengthen the case and to attach the bracelet as was known in the prior art, is also used as a plate carrying at least the set of hands indicating the time. This use is new and is not known from previous timepieces.

Si l'on se reporte à nouveau à la figure 2, on constate que l'armature ou platine 13 porte des cornes 14 et 15 situées à 6 et 12 heures arrangées pour recevoir dans des perçages 14' et 15' des barrettes non représentées autour desquelles vont s'articuler des brins d'un bracelet. La figure 2 montre également que l'armature 13 comporte des bords relevés 21, ici des bords diamétralement opposés. Ces bords relevés poursuivent deux buts, celui d'abord de rigidifier l'armature 13, celui ensuite de servir d'appui, au moins partiellement, au cadran 12. Si l'on se reporte aux figures 3, 4 et 6, on voit en effet qu'un bord extérieur 22 du cadran 12 repose sur le bord relevé 21 de l'armature 13. En variante, il est prévu que les bords 21 et 22 soient fixés l'un à l'autre, d'une part pour permettre le positionnement angulaire du cadran et d'autre part pour rigidifier la boîte en un ensemble très compact. Cette fixation bords sur bords peut être réalisée par exemple au moyen de soudures au laser.If we refer again to Figure 2, we see that the frame or plate 13 carries horns 14 and 15 located at 6 and 12 o'clock arranged to receive in holes 14 'and 15' bars not shown around which will link the strands of a bracelet. Figure 2 also shows that the frame 13 has raised edges 21, here diametrically opposite edges. These raised edges pursue two goals, that of first stiffening the frame 13, that then of serving as a support, at least partially, to the dial 12. If we refer to Figures 3, 4 and 6, we see indeed an outer edge 22 of the dial 12 rests on the raised edge 21 of the frame 13. As a variant, it is provided that the edges 21 and 22 are fixed one to the other. the other, on the one hand to allow the angular positioning of the dial and on the other hand to stiffen the box into a very compact assembly. This edge-to-edge fixing can be carried out for example by means of laser welds.

On va décrire maintenant un exemple de réalisation non limitatif de la montre-bracelet exécutée selon l'invention. On se référera pour cela à la vue en plan de la figure 1 ainsi qu'aux coupes réalisées dans cette figure et explicitées aux figures 3, 4, 5 et 6.We will now describe a non-limiting embodiment of the wristwatch executed according to the invention. For this, reference is made to the plan view of FIG. 1 as well as to the sections made in this figure and explained in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6.

A part le mobile central 1 monté en rotation sur le tenon 16 lui-même fixé sur l'armature 13, on trouve aussi, supportés par la même armature, d'autres mobiles composant le mouvement 9, ces mobiles étant montés rotativement sur des tenons. Montée rotativement sur un tenon 30, on trouve une roue 31 entraînant la roue 32 solidaire de la chaussée 17, elle-même entraînant l'aiguille des minutes 10. Solidaire de la roue 31, un pignon 33 entraîne la roue 19 du canon 20 sur lequel est emmanchée l'aiguille des heures 11. Le tenon 30 est fixé sur l'armature 13, comme l'est le tenon central 16, par exemple par rivetage, vissage ou soudage. On peut imaginer que le tenon 16, comme les autres d'ailleurs, soit venu de matière en moulant le fond-carrure 7 avec l'armature 13. Le tenon est alors en matière plastique autour duquel sont montés à rotation les divers mobiles.Apart from the central mobile 1 rotatably mounted on the tenon 16 itself fixed on the frame 13, there are also, supported by the same frame, other mobiles composing the movement 9, these mobiles being rotatably mounted on tenons . Rotatively mounted on a tenon 30, there is a wheel 31 driving the wheel 32 secured to the roadway 17, itself driving the minute hand 10. Attached to the wheel 31, a pinion 33 drives the wheel 19 of the barrel 20 on which is fitted the hour hand 11. The pin 30 is fixed to the frame 13, as is the central pin 16, for example by riveting, screwing or welding. One can imagine that the post 16, like the others, came from one piece by molding the backband 7 with the frame 13. The post is then made of plastic around which the various mobiles are rotatably mounted.

La roue 31 et le pignon 33 forment le mobile 2 qui est entraîné par le pignon 34 d'un mobile 6 qui comporte en outre une roue 35 elle-même entraînée par le pignon 36 d'un mobile moteur 5 comprenant un rotor aimanté 37. Comme le montre bien la figure 4, les mobiles 5 et 6 comportent des pivots tournant dans des paliers pratiqués d'une part dans la matière plastique du fond 7 et d'autre part dans un pont 38. Par exemple, pour ce qui concerne le mobile 6, le palier inférieur est constitué par une forure 39 pratiquée dans un bouchon 40 remplissant une ouverture 41 de l'armature 13. Le bouchon 40 est obtenu lors de l'injection du fond 7. Le mobile moteur 5 est pivoté de la même manière que le mobile 6 au moyen d'un bouchon 51. Comme le montre la figure 5, l'aimant 37 est entouré par un stator 42 lié à un noyau 43 sur lequel une bobine 44 est enroulée.The wheel 31 and the pinion 33 form the mobile 2 which is driven by the pinion 34 of a mobile 6 which further comprises a wheel 35 itself driven by the pinion 36 of a motor mobile 5 comprising a magnetized rotor 37. As FIG. 4 clearly shows, the mobiles 5 and 6 comprise pivots rotating in bearings made on the one hand in the plastic material of the bottom 7 and on the other hand in a bridge 38. For example, as regards the mobile 6, the lower bearing is constituted by a bore 39 made in a plug 40 filling an opening 41 of the frame 13. The plug 40 is obtained during injecting the bottom 7. The movable motor 5 is pivoted in the same way as the movable 6 by means of a plug 51. As shown in FIG. 5, the magnet 37 is surrounded by a stator 42 linked to a core 43 on which a coil 44 is wound.

Deux autres tenons sont fixés sur l'armature 13 comme on le voit sur les figures 2 et 6. Il s'agit du tenon 45 sur lequel tourne le mobile 4 composé d'un pignon 46 et d'une roue 47. Le pignon 46 est entraîné par le pignon coulant 48 quand la tige 49 est tirée pour la mise à l'heure de la montre. Il s'agit également du tenon 50 sur lequel tourne le mobile 3 qui entraîne la roue 31 déjà citée. Ces deux tenons sont directement fixés sur l'armature, de la même façon que le sont les tenons 30 et 50 déjà décrits.Two other pins are fixed to the frame 13 as seen in Figures 2 and 6. This is the pin 45 on which rotates the mobile 4 composed of a pinion 46 and a wheel 47. The pinion 46 is driven by the sliding pinion 48 when the rod 49 is pulled for setting the time of the watch. It is also a tenon 50 on which the mobile 3 turns which drives the wheel 31 already mentioned. These two studs are directly fixed to the frame, in the same way as are the studs 30 and 50 already described.

Ainsi, pour résumer ce qui a été dit plus haut, l'armature ou platine 13 est utilisée, dans l'exécution prise en exemple, à supporter non seulement le mobile central 1, mais d'autres mobiles soit au moyen de tenons 30, 45, 50, soit au moyen de paliers pratiqués dans des bouchons 40 et 51 moulés dans des forures de la platine 13.Thus, to summarize what has been said above, the frame or plate 13 is used, in the embodiment taken as an example, to support not only the central mobile 1, but other mobile either by means of tenons 30, 45, 50, or by means of bearings made in plugs 40 and 51 molded in holes in the plate 13.

Dans la montre-bracelet prise en exemple, le fond-carrure 7 et la glace 8 sont réalisés en matériaux thermoplastiques thermosoudables. Par exemple, la carrure 7 est réalisée dans un matériau choisi dans le groupe comprenant l'acryl butadiène styrène (ABS) et la glace est réalisée en une résine transparente acrylique (PMMA). Des moyens sont prévus pour assembler la glace 8 et la carrure 7, ces moyens comprenant une zone localisée 23 constituée par un mélange desdits matériaux thermosoudables entre eux (voir figures 4, 5 et 6). Le lecteur intéressé lira avec profit une description de cette technique dans le document EP-B-0 101 663 (US-A-4 558 957). Il n'est donc pas nécessaire de s'étendre ici plus avant sur ce procédé.In the wristwatch taken as an example, the backband 7 and the crystal 8 are made of heat-sealable thermoplastic materials. For example, the middle part 7 is made of a material chosen from the group comprising acryl butadiene styrene (ABS) and the crystal is made of a transparent acrylic resin (PMMA). Means are provided for assembling the crystal 8 and the middle part 7, these means comprising a localized zone 23 constituted by a mixture of said heat-sealable materials together (see FIGS. 4, 5 and 6). The interested reader will profitably read a description of this technique in document EP-B-0 101 663 (US-A-4 558 957). It is therefore not necessary to expand here further on this process.

Cependant, comme la montre que l'on cherche à produire ici est ultra-mince, soit d'une épaisseur totale inférieure à 4 mm environ, il s'agira d'utiliser une glace très mince aussi, au moins dans la zone centrale 25 couvrant les aiguilles 10 et 11, la zone périphérique 24 étant plus épaisse. Pour rigidifier la glace 8, il est prévu de l'équiper d'une nervure annulaire 26 de renforcement comme on le voit sur les coupes des figures 3, 4, 5 et 6. Comme le montrent ces figures, il est prévu que cette nervure 26 appuie sur le cadran 12 formé en cuvette. On évite ainsi le contact entre la glace et le cadran dans la partie épaisse 24 de cette glace, ce qui évite la rayure du cadran. On observera aussi que pour éviter que la glace 8 ne s'enfonce, le tenon 16 est en contact avec la face inférieure de ladite glace selon un mode d'exécution déjà décrit dans le document CH-B-639 812.However, as the watch that we are trying to produce here is ultra-thin, i.e. of total thickness less than about 4 mm, it will be a question of using a very thin lens also, at least in the central zone 25 covering the needles 10 and 11, the peripheral zone 24 being thicker. To stiffen the glass 8, it is provided to equip it with an annular reinforcement rib 26 as seen in the sections of Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6. As these figures show, it is provided that this rib 26 presses on the dial 12 formed in a bowl. This avoids contact between the crystal and the dial in the thick part 24 of this crystal, which prevents scratching of the dial. It will also be observed that to prevent the glass 8 from sinking, the lug 16 is in contact with the underside of said glass according to an embodiment already described in document CH-B-639 812.

On notera pour terminer que le cadran en forme de cuvette poursuit deux buts : celui d'abord de le rendre plus rigide et celui ensuite de ménager sous sa zone périphérique des composants épais de la montre à savoir les éléments moteurs (figures 4 et 5), le mécanisme de mise à l'heure (figure 6) et la pile dont on voit l'emplacement 60 en figure 2. A remarquer qu'un cadran en forme de cuvette a été décrit dans le document CH-B-620 081.Finally, it should be noted that the bowl-shaped dial pursues two goals: firstly to make it more rigid and secondly to provide thick components of the watch under its peripheral zone, namely the motor elements (Figures 4 and 5) , the time-setting mechanism (FIG. 6) and the battery, the location of which can be seen in FIG. 2. Note that a dial in the form of a bowl has been described in the document CH-B-620 081.

Ainsi la construction qui vient d'être décrite permet-elle de proposer une montre-bracelet ultra-mince en matière plastique dont la rigidité est tout aussi bonne que si la boîte avait été faite en métal.Thus, the construction which has just been described makes it possible to propose an ultra-thin plastic wristwatch whose rigidity is just as good as if the box had been made of metal.

Claims (6)

  1. Ultra-thin wristwatch including a back cover-caseband (7) and a crystal (8) formed in plastic material, a movement (9), hands (10, 11) surmounting a dial (12) and a metallic reinforcing armature (13) sunk into the back cover-caseband (7) and serving, inter alia, as attachment points (14, 15) for a bracelet, characterized by the fact that said metallic reinforcing armature (13) additionally serves as base plate on which is secured at least one central stud (1, 16) around which pivots a cannon pinion (17) carrying the minutes hand (10), a cannon wheel (19, 20) carrying the hours hand (11) in turn pivoting on said cannon pinion (17).
  2. Wristwatch according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the metallic armature (13) bears horns (14, 15) located at 6 o'clock and 12 o'clock arranged to receive bars around which bracelet strands are linked and edges (21) raised at a right angle at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock on which the outer edge (22) of the dial (12) rests partially.
  3. Wristwatch according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the outer edge (22) of the dial (12) and the raised edges (21) of the metallic armature (13) are fastened to one another.
  4. Wristwatch according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the metallic armature (13) additionally bears the various wheel sets (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) composing the movement (9),
  5. Wristwatch according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the back cover-caseband (7) and the crystal (8) are formed of heat weldable plastic materials and that means are provided for assembling the crystal and the back cover-caseband, such means comprising a localized zone (23) constituted by a mixture of the heat weldable materials among themselves.
  6. Wristwatch according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the crystal (8) exhibits a peripheral zone (24) thicker than the central zone (25) covering the hands (10, 11) and that at the origin of the peripheral zone (24) is found an annular reinforcing rib (26) arranged to come to bear on the dial (12).
EP95109596A 1994-06-30 1995-06-21 Plastic wrist watch with a metallic stiffening armature used as plate Expired - Lifetime EP0691595B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH2082/94 1994-06-30
CH02082/94A CH686597B5 (en) 1994-06-30 1994-06-30 plastic wristwatch comprising a metallic reinforcing armature used as platinum.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0691595A1 EP0691595A1 (en) 1996-01-10
EP0691595B1 true EP0691595B1 (en) 1997-09-03

Family

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95109596A Expired - Lifetime EP0691595B1 (en) 1994-06-30 1995-06-21 Plastic wrist watch with a metallic stiffening armature used as plate

Country Status (8)

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US (1) US5500837A (en)
EP (1) EP0691595B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3754107B2 (en)
CN (1) CN1088857C (en)
CH (1) CH686597B5 (en)
DE (1) DE69500649T2 (en)
HK (1) HK1001740A1 (en)
SG (1) SG49552A1 (en)

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EP1470453B8 (en) * 2001-12-14 2008-01-02 Mbbs Sa Watch case
JP2007292461A (en) * 2004-05-28 2007-11-08 Murata Mfg Co Ltd Pyroelectric element and pyroelectric infrared sensor
US8511890B2 (en) * 2006-08-27 2013-08-20 Nike, Inc. Rocking bezel control
US7874722B2 (en) * 2006-08-27 2011-01-25 Nike, Inc. Watch casing integrally formed with watch band
CN102795036B (en) * 2011-05-27 2015-12-16 杨振华 A kind of stamp wrist-watch processing method
EP2584413B1 (en) * 2011-10-21 2014-08-13 ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse Method for attaching a glass to a middle of a watch case
TW201341093A (en) * 2012-04-06 2013-10-16 Askey Technology Jiangsu Ltd Ultrasonic welding structure and ultrasonic welding method
JP6074313B2 (en) * 2013-04-22 2017-02-01 シチズン時計株式会社 clock
JP5967451B2 (en) * 2014-04-28 2016-08-10 カシオ計算機株式会社 Band mounting structure and watch
TWI697289B (en) 2014-05-21 2020-07-01 瑞士商菲利浦莫里斯製品股份有限公司 Aerosol-forming article, electrically heated aerosol-generating device and system and method of operating said system
EP3106929A1 (en) * 2015-06-16 2016-12-21 Nivarox-FAR S.A. Part with improved welding surface
CN107450298A (en) * 2016-05-30 2017-12-08 深圳市雷诺表业有限公司 A kind of stereo decoration wrist-watch
CN105938319A (en) * 2016-06-27 2016-09-14 无锡迪奥机械有限公司 Long-leg hook type timekeeper

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GB1345345A (en) 1970-12-03 1974-01-30 Suwa Seikosha Kk Watch case
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CH675517B5 (en) * 1989-01-13 1991-04-15 Ebauchesfabrik Eta Ag

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69500649D1 (en) 1997-10-09
EP0691595A1 (en) 1996-01-10
JPH0843552A (en) 1996-02-16
HK1001740A1 (en) 1998-07-03
JP3754107B2 (en) 2006-03-08
SG49552A1 (en) 1998-06-15
CN1122462A (en) 1996-05-15
CN1088857C (en) 2002-08-07
DE69500649T2 (en) 1998-04-02
CH686597GA3 (en) 1996-05-15
US5500837A (en) 1996-03-19
CH686597B5 (en) 1996-11-15

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