EP0696767A1 - Watch with interchangeable case lid and bracelet - Google Patents

Watch with interchangeable case lid and bracelet Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0696767A1
EP0696767A1 EP95401888A EP95401888A EP0696767A1 EP 0696767 A1 EP0696767 A1 EP 0696767A1 EP 95401888 A EP95401888 A EP 95401888A EP 95401888 A EP95401888 A EP 95401888A EP 0696767 A1 EP0696767 A1 EP 0696767A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
housing
cover
watch according
pin
watch
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP95401888A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0696767B1 (en
Inventor
Yves Michel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Van Cleef & Arpels (societe Anonyme A Directoire)
Cleef & Arpels SA
Van Cleef and Arpels France SAS
Original Assignee
Van Cleef & Arpels (societe Anonyme A Directoire)
Cleef & Arpels SA
Van Cleef and Arpels France SAS
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Application filed by Van Cleef & Arpels (societe Anonyme A Directoire), Cleef & Arpels SA, Van Cleef and Arpels France SAS filed Critical Van Cleef & Arpels (societe Anonyme A Directoire)
Publication of EP0696767A1 publication Critical patent/EP0696767A1/en
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Publication of EP0696767B1 publication Critical patent/EP0696767B1/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
    • G04B37/0008—Cases for pocket watches and wrist watches
    • G04B37/0016—Cases for pocket watches and wrist watches with folding cover or folding bottom (hinge without spring)
    • 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
    • G04B47/00—Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece
    • G04B47/04—Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece with attached ornaments or amusement apparatus
    • G04B47/046—Changeable decorations and parts thereof, decorations for the case which change the external appearance of the clockwork

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a watch in which the case receives an interchangeable or removable cover, so that the user has, for the same case, at least two covers which he can adapt to the case as he wishes to create various decorative effects.
  • the invention applies mainly to wristwatches, but it also finds its application in other types of watches, namely watches which are worn as pendants and pocket watches.
  • EP-A-0.280.963 describes an arrangement similar to that proposed by US-A-5.206.841, similar arrangement which has exactly the same drawback, namely that, to remove the cover that the user wishes to replace by another cover, it is essential to separate beforehand the two ends of the bracelet relative to the case.
  • Patent FR-A-2,231,042 describes another arrangement allowing a change of the watch cover.
  • This other arrangement comprises two parallel rods which each pass through a hole drilled near a transverse edge of the cover and which each come to be housed by their two ends in holes drilled in the ears, respectively high and low, between which the two ends of the bracelet are fixed.
  • This arrangement is therefore exclusively reserved for wrist watches. It is not suitable for watches worn as a pendant or pocket watches.
  • this arrangement does not allow an easy and rapid change of the bracelet, independently or simultaneously with the change of cover.
  • the invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a removable mounting solution for the cover which requires from the user only simple and rapid operations and which, moreover, is adaptable to all types of watches, c that is, wrist watches, pocket watches and watches worn as a pendant.
  • the invention allows, according to the will of the user, to also change the bracelet, without it being then necessary to use any tool, therefore very easily and this whatever the practical skills of said user, so that the latter, if he has at least two covers and at least two bracelets, can, according to his wishes, give a new look to his wristwatch by changing either the cover or the bracelet or the cover and the bracelet simultaneously.
  • the invention provides a watch, in particular a wristwatch, which comprises a first element constituted by a case containing the clock system and a second element constituted by an interchangeable cover covering at least partially the case, the cover being carried by the housing by means of removable mounting means, and which is characterized in that the removable mounting means are provided on the two opposite so-called “lateral" sides of the housing and in that said mounting means comprise, at least on one side, at least one spindle carried by one of said two elements and penetrating into a bore of the other element.
  • the mounting and dismounting of the cover is done without any intervention on any other element of the watch, and in particular without any intervention on the means of mounting the strap on the case.
  • a pin is provided on one side of the watch and, on the other side, the mounting means comprise at least one ball, loaded by a spring, which is carried by one of said two elements and which is placed in a housing of the other element; alternatively, one could provide at least one such mounting pin on each side of the housing.
  • the spindle is fixed on the element which carries it, in general the housing, the cover, for its assembly and disassembly relative to the housing, being movable parallel to the spindle and by tilting around it.
  • the spindle is movable on the element which carries it, the assembly and disassembly of the cover relative to the housing being done by manual movement of the spindle relative to the element who wears it; in the latter case, either the spindle is removable, or else it cooperates with a spring which urges it towards its position taken out for receiving the other element.
  • the cover it can completely cover the visible face of the case, in which case the user must generally tilt it around the spindle to expose the visible face of the case, or else, and preferably, it discovers a part of the visible face of the housing through a window.
  • the cover has, in its spindle receiving area, a U-shaped cross section whose central branch at least partially covers the visible face of the housing and whose end branches cover the edges of the housing, along the two opposite "lateral" sides of said housing.
  • the cover can cover the two zones for mounting the bracelet on the case.
  • the watch according to the invention can also be remarkable in that, on each of its two opposite sides called “transverse", the rod provided at each end of the bracelet, for the attachment of that -this case, cooperates at at least one of its two ends with a groove for receiving said rod end which is arranged perpendicular to the upper face of the case and which extends from substantially the median plane of said case to said upper side.
  • the rod provided at each end of the bracelet for fixing the latter to the case, cooperates at each of its two ends with such a groove or , alternatively, cooperates at only one of its ends with such a groove and, at the other of its ends, with a conical hole.
  • FIGs 1 to 4 there is shown a watch established according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in the preferential but not exclusive application thereof to a wristwatch.
  • the watch comprises, in a manner known per se, a first element 1 which is constituted by a housing.
  • a housing Conventionally, this case contains the clockwork system or mechanism which actuates the hands 2 moving above a graduated dial 3 covered with a transparent protective glass 4.
  • the housing 1 On one side, called “lateral” side in the present description, the housing 1 has, over its thickness, a housing or cavity 5 for receiving a winder (not shown).
  • the housing 1 On each of the two sides, hereinafter referred to as "transverse" sides, adjacent to the lateral side on which the housing 5 is provided, the housing 1 has two projections or ears 6 for receiving and mounting a end 29 of the bracelet 27, for example by transverse orifices 7, 7 ′ receiving a transverse rod 28 provided at each end 29 of the bracelet.
  • the watch comprises a second element which is constituted by a cover 8 covering at least partially the housing 1 and carried by the latter in a removable manner, by means which will be described later.
  • the cover 8 can completely cover the visible face 22 of the housing 1, including the glass 4, but, in the embodiment shown, and preferably, it is arranged to uncover this visible face of the housing, in the region of the glass 4, by the intermediary of a window 9 whose contour corresponds, apart from play, to that of the glass 4.
  • the cover 8 is mounted on the housing 1 in an interchangeable or removable manner, so that the user, who has a set of covers with different aspects, can put the cover 8 of his choice on the housing 1 and thus obtain the aesthetic or decorative effects he wishes.
  • the cover 8 is mounted on the housing 1 by means of removable mounting means which, according to the invention, are provided on the two opposite sides called “lateral" of the housing and which comprise, at least d on one side, at least one pin 10 carried by one of said two elements constituted by the housing 1 and the cover 8 and penetrating into a bore 11 on the other of these two elements 1, 8.
  • a single pin 10 is provided on a lateral side of the watch, opposite the side receiving the winder 5.
  • the single pin 10 which extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bracelet 27, that is to say parallel to the "noon-6 o'clock" line of the watch, is fixedly carried by a profiled boss. 12 of the housing, while the cover 8 has a complementary boss 13 in which the bore 11 is formed and whose profile preferably corresponds, in its upper visible part, to that of the boss 12 of the housing.
  • bosses 12 and 13 are shown, the upper part of which is in an arc.
  • the boss 12 extends over the lower half-length of the housing 1 and the boss 13 extends over the upper half-length of the cover 8.
  • the pin 10 is located below the level of the upper face of the housing 1, so that the boss 13 projects downwards (see FIG. 4) relative to the flat central part 14 of the cover.
  • the cover 8 On its “lateral" side opposite to that which carries the boss 13, the cover 8 has a boss 15, over its entire length and external profile preferably identical to that of the bosses 12 and 13, that is to say semi-circular.
  • the boss 15 has an inner flat face 16, which is perpendicular to the plane of the central part 14 and turned towards the boss 13, and which is intended to come opposite the lateral side 17 of the housing 1 in which the housing 5 is formed. winder.
  • the cover 8 therefore has, in the area where it receives the pin 10, a U-shaped cross section whose central branch 14 partially covers the upper visible face of the housing 1 and whose end branches, formed by the bosses 13 and 15, cover the edges of the housing, along the two opposite lateral sides of the housing, totally as regards the boss 15 and partially as regards the boss 13.
  • the mounting pin 10 is only provided on one side of the watch.
  • the boss 15 carries on its inner face 16 at least one ball 18, elastically biased towards the outside by a spring 19, and the lateral side 17 of the housing has at least one complementary cavity 20 for receiving and immobilizing elastic of the ball 18, a ramp 21 terminating in the cavity 20 is preferably provided from the upper face 22 of the housing to facilitate retraction of the ball 18 in the boss 15, when the cover 8 is closed on the housing 1, before the ball 18 comes opposite the cavity 20 to partially lodge therein and thus ensure elastic locking of the cover on the housing.
  • the user For mounting the cover 8 on the housing 1, the user first slides the cover relative to the housing to allow the pin 10 to penetrate into the bore 11, until the bosses 12 and 13 come into abutment . It then flips the cover 8 around the spindle by folding it over the housing 1, which brings the boss 15 opposite the lateral side 17 of the housing, the ball 18 coming first to cooperate with the ramp 21 then with the locking cavity 20.
  • the rigidity of the spring 19 is chosen to achieve an acceptable compromise between correct and safe locking and the force necessary for the user to perform the unlocking. To achieve the latter, the user, by forcing the cover 8 with a finger at the housing 5, flips the cover 8 around the pin 10, in the opposite direction to the previous one, which releases the ball 18 of its cavity 20.
  • the advantageously circular profile of the boss 13, or at least the semi-circular profile of its lower half when the cover 8 is considered in its locking position on the housing 1, allows very freely the two tilting movements of said cover relative to the housing.
  • the cover could be put in place and separated from the housing by a simple sliding parallel to the spindle 10, in the manner of a drawer, the locking then being also effected by elastic means of the type, by example, ball (s) and cavity (s) as described above.
  • the elastic locking means 18, 19, 20 could be eliminated and replaced by the provision, on the lateral side 17, of a second pin 10 similar to the above pin and cooperating with a boss of the housing and a boss on the cover. In this case, if the pins are fixed, the cover can only move, again like a drawer, parallel to the pins 10.
  • FIG 5 there is shown a variant which differs from the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4 only in that the pin 10, instead of being fixedly carried by the boss 12 of the housing 1, is carried by it retractable or retractable inside the boss 12.
  • the pin 10 passes completely through the boss 12 and, at its end opposite to the boss 13 of the cover, it carries a screwed head 23 for maneuvering, a compression spring 24 being housed, around the pin 10, between a fixed ring 25, for example screwed at the end of the boss 12 opposite the boss 13, and a split ring 26 secured to the pin 10.
  • the screw mounting of the head 23 on pin 10 and ring 25 on boss 12 allow assembly of the system.
  • the spring 24 biases the pin 10 towards its position for locking the cover 8, that is to say with the pin 10 penetrating into the bore 11 of the boss 13.
  • the user wishes to separate the bosses 12 and 13 , that is to say the housing 1 and the cover 8, it manually pulls on the head 23 in the direction of the arrow A, to completely retract the spindle 10 inside the boss 12, against the action of the spring 24, which separates the bosses 12 and 13.
  • This assembly of Figure 5 can be provided both in the case where there is a single pin 10 disposed on one side of the watch as in the case where such a pin is provided on each side of the watch.
  • the two pins are preferably mounted head to tail, so that the cover cannot accidentally slide relative to the case when it has been put in place. .
  • the removal of the cover is only possible by the simultaneous retraction of the two pins, which has the effect of releasing the cover, which can then be removed by movement perpendicular to the plane of the pins.
  • FIG. 6 there is shown in Figure 6, in external plan view similar to Figure 3, an alternative embodiment which can be used in the same way as the variant of Figure 5.
  • the cover 8 has a central boss 13 which is housed between two extreme bosses 12 of the housing 1.
  • Each boss 12 of the housing is equipped, in a manner not shown, with a retractable pin 10 of the same type as that of FIG. 5, it that is to say that each pin has at its end opposite to the boss 13 a gripping head 23 which allows the user to retract it into the corresponding boss 12, in the direction of the arrows A, to release the central boss 13 of the cover.
  • the watch according to the invention comprises a housing 1 which has a central boss 12 and the cover 8 has two extreme bosses 13a and 13b between which is housed the central boss of the housing. These three bosses are each pierced with a bore, the bore of the upper boss 13a of the cover being smooth, as is the bore of the central boss 12 of the housing, while the bore of the lower boss 13b of the cover is tapped.
  • the watch is then fitted with a pin 10 with a head 25, a pin whose rod is threaded, at least near its end 30, according to a complementary pitch of the thread of the bore of the lower boss 13b.
  • the bores of the three bosses 12, 13a and 13b are smooth.
  • the rod of the spindle 10, which passes through these three bores, is then equipped, at one end, with a non-removable head 31, for example welded, and, at its other end, with a nut 32 which cooperates with a threaded part 33 provided at said end of the spindle, the shape of this nut 32, for aesthetic reasons, being identical to that of the head 31 of the spindle.
  • the pin (s) 10 could be simply removable, in the manner of a pin, to secure and separate the bosses of the housing and the cover, the user then having an operating rod allowing remove the pin (s).
  • the rods 28 placed at the ends 29 of the bracelet 27 are no longer telescopic.
  • the means for receiving the ends of these rods 28 by the housing are then formed by grooves 7, each formed in the inner face of an ear 6, and which, perpendicular to the upper face 22 of the housing 1, extend from substantially the median plane of the housing to said upper face 22 of said housing.
  • the distance separating the bottoms of two facing grooves 7 is equal, apart from the clearance, to the length of the rigid rods 28. It is thus easy to engage between these two facing grooves 7, and respectively to release from these two grooves, without the aid of any tool, the rod 28 at the end of the bracelet.
  • the user of the watch according to the invention can change his watch strap after he has pivoted or slid the cover 8 relative to the case 1, by any of the pivoting or sliding operations described above.
  • the user again locks the cover on its casing, locking which has the simultaneous effect of ensuring the blocking of the two rods 28 of the ends of the bracelet in their housings 7.
  • the housing may comprise, on each of its two transverse sides, a groove 7 and, opposite this groove, a hole such as 7 'but this time conical in shape.
  • Each rod 28 is released from its position by first removing the end housed in the groove 7 and, conversely, each rod 28 is replaced in its mounting position by first introducing one of its ends into the hole 7 'of shape conical and then engaging its other end in the groove 7.
  • the invention is not limited to the embodiments which have been described above; on the contrary, we could conceive of various variants without departing from its framework.
  • the lateral and transverse sides of the watch case could be other than rectilinear and, for example, they could be curvilinear or in broken lines.

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Abstract

The watch case (1) contg. the movement under the dial (3) and glass (4) has a pin (10) extending parallel to one edge in the direction of the length of the strap, for insertion into a bore (11) through a complementary moulding (13) on the corresp. edge of the cover (8). The opposite edge (15) of the cover carries on its internal face (16) two protruding spring-loaded balls (18) which enter into complementary cavities (20) in the case when the cover is fitted. The shorter edges of the cover overlap slots (7) in which the ends of the strap are secured.

Description

La présente invention est relative à une montre dont le boîtier reçoit un couvercle interchangeable ou amovible, de telle manière que l'utilisateur dispose, pour un même boîtier, d'au moins deux couvercles qu'il peut adapter au boîtier à son gré pour créer des effets décoratifs variés.The present invention relates to a watch in which the case receives an interchangeable or removable cover, so that the user has, for the same case, at least two covers which he can adapt to the case as he wishes to create various decorative effects.

L'invention s'applique principalement aux montres-bracelets, mais elle trouve également son application dans d'autres types de montres, à savoir les montres qui sont portées en pendentifs et les montres de gousset.The invention applies mainly to wristwatches, but it also finds its application in other types of watches, namely watches which are worn as pendants and pocket watches.

On a déjà proposé divers agencements permettant de monter un couvercle de manière amovible sur un boîtier de montre. L'une des solutions proposées (par exemple par le brevet US-A-5.206.841) s'applique à une montre-bracelet dont le couvercle amovible présente deux languettes métalliques élastiques qui s'étendent sensiblement perpendiculairement au plan du couvercle, depuis la face inférieure dudit cnuvercle, et qui pénètrent dans des échancrures du boîtier pour venir coopérer chacune avec l'élément de renfort et de montage du bracelet, cet élément de renfort étant introduit dans une sorte de manchon, disposé le long d'un côté transversal du boîtier, et venant verrouiller la languette associée, et par conséquent le couvercle par rapport au boîtier. Cette solution présente l'inconvénient qui réside en ce que, pour enlever le couvercle, il est nécessaire de désolidariser au préalable les deux extrémités du bracelet par rapport au boîtier; au surplus, lorsque le nouveau couvercle a été mis en place, il est nécessaire de remonter les mêmes deux extrémités du bracelet sur le boîtier. Cette solution nécessite donc de l'utilisateur des opérations minutieuses, complexes et nombreuses.Various arrangements have already been proposed for removably mounting a cover on a watch case. One of the solutions proposed (for example by US-A-5,206,841) applies to a wristwatch whose removable cover has two elastic metal tabs which extend substantially perpendicular to the plane of the cover, from the underside of said cnuvercle, and which penetrate into indentations in the case to cooperate each with the reinforcement and bracelet mounting element, this reinforcement element being introduced into a sort of sleeve, disposed along a transverse side of the casing, and coming to lock the associated tongue, and consequently the cover with respect to the casing. This solution has the disadvantage that in order to remove the cover, it is necessary to separate the two ends of the strap beforehand from the case; moreover, when the new cover has been put in place, it is necessary to reassemble the same two ends of the bracelet on the case. This solution therefore requires meticulous, complex and numerous operations from the user.

Le brevet EP-A-0.280.963 décrit un agencement similaire à celui proposé par le brevet US-A-5.206.841, agencement similaire qui présente exactement le même inconvénient, à savoir que, pour enlever le couvercle que l'utilisateur souhaite remplacer par un autre couvercle, il est indispensable de désolidariser au préalable les deux extrémités du bracelet par rapport au boîtier.EP-A-0.280.963 describes an arrangement similar to that proposed by US-A-5.206.841, similar arrangement which has exactly the same drawback, namely that, to remove the cover that the user wishes to replace by another cover, it is essential to separate beforehand the two ends of the bracelet relative to the case.

Le brevet FR-A-2.231.042 décrit un autre agencement permettant un changement du couvercle de la montre. Cet autre agencement comprend deux tiges parallèles qui traversent chacune un trou percé près d'un bord transversal du couvercle et qui viennent chacune se loger par leurs deux extrémités dans des orifices percés dans les oreilles, respectivement haute et basse, entre lesquelles les deux extrémités du bracelet viennent se fixer. Cet agencement est donc exclusivement réservé aux montres à bracelet. Il n'est pas adapté aux montres portées en pendentif ni aux montres à gousset. En outre, cet agencement ne permet pas un changement aisé et rapide du bracelet, indépendamment ou simultanément au changement de couvercle.Patent FR-A-2,231,042 describes another arrangement allowing a change of the watch cover. This other arrangement comprises two parallel rods which each pass through a hole drilled near a transverse edge of the cover and which each come to be housed by their two ends in holes drilled in the ears, respectively high and low, between which the two ends of the bracelet are fixed. This arrangement is therefore exclusively reserved for wrist watches. It is not suitable for watches worn as a pendant or pocket watches. In addition, this arrangement does not allow an easy and rapid change of the bracelet, independently or simultaneously with the change of cover.

L'invention a pour but de remédier à ces inconvénients en proposant une solution de montage amovible du couvercle qui ne nécessite de la part de l'utilisateur que des opérations simples et rapides et qui au surplus est adaptable à tous les types de montres, c'est-à-dire aux montres-bracelet, aux montres à gousset et aux montres portées en pendentif.The invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a removable mounting solution for the cover which requires from the user only simple and rapid operations and which, moreover, is adaptable to all types of watches, c that is, wrist watches, pocket watches and watches worn as a pendant.

En outre, dans son application aux montres-bracelets, l'invention permet, selon la volonté de l'utilisateur, de changer aussi le bracelet, sans qu'il soit alors nécessaire de faire appel à un quelconque outil, donc très aisément et ce quelles que soient les compétences pratiques dudit utilisateur, en sorte que ce dernier, s'il dispose d'au moins deux couvercles et d'au moins deux bracelets, peut, selon ses désirs, donner un aspect nouveau à sa montre-bracelet en changeant soit le couvercle, soit le bracelet, soit le couvercle et le bracelet simultanément.In addition, in its application to wristwatches, the invention allows, according to the will of the user, to also change the bracelet, without it being then necessary to use any tool, therefore very easily and this whatever the practical skills of said user, so that the latter, if he has at least two covers and at least two bracelets, can, according to his wishes, give a new look to his wristwatch by changing either the cover or the bracelet or the cover and the bracelet simultaneously.

A cet effet, l'invention propose une montre, notamment une montre-bracelet, qui comporte un premier élément constitué par un boîtier contenant le système d'horlogerie et un second élément constitué par un couvercle interchangeable recouvrant au moins partiellement le boîtier, le couvercle étant porté par le boîtier par l'intermédiaire de moyens de montage amovible, et qui est caractérisée en ce que les moyens de montage amovible sont prévus sur les deux côtés opposés dits "latéraux" du boîtier et en ce que lesdits moyens de montage comportent, au moins d'un côté, au moins une broche portée par l'un desdits deux éléments et pénétrant dans un alésage de l'autre élément.To this end, the invention provides a watch, in particular a wristwatch, which comprises a first element constituted by a case containing the clock system and a second element constituted by an interchangeable cover covering at least partially the case, the cover being carried by the housing by means of removable mounting means, and which is characterized in that the removable mounting means are provided on the two opposite so-called "lateral" sides of the housing and in that said mounting means comprise, at least on one side, at least one spindle carried by one of said two elements and penetrating into a bore of the other element.

Ainsi, avec la montre selon l'invention, le montage et le démontage du couvercle se font sans aucune intervention sur aucun autre élément de la montre, et notamment sans aucune intervention sur les moyens de montage du bracelet sur le boîtier.Thus, with the watch according to the invention, the mounting and dismounting of the cover is done without any intervention on any other element of the watch, and in particular without any intervention on the means of mounting the strap on the case.

Suivant un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention, on prévoit une broche d'un seul côté de la montre et, de l'autre côté, les moyens de montage comportent au moins une bille, chargée par un ressort, qui est portée par l'un desdits deux éléments et qui vient se placer dans un logement de l'autre élément ; en variante, on pourrait prévoir au moins une telle broche de montage de chaque côté du boîtier.According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a pin is provided on one side of the watch and, on the other side, the mounting means comprise at least one ball, loaded by a spring, which is carried by one of said two elements and which is placed in a housing of the other element; alternatively, one could provide at least one such mounting pin on each side of the housing.

Suivant un premier mode de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, la broche est fixe sur l'élément qui la porte, en général le boîtier, le couvercle, pour son montage et son démontage par rapport au boîtier, étant déplaçable parallèlement à la broche et par basculement autour de celle-ci.According to a first embodiment of the invention, the spindle is fixed on the element which carries it, in general the housing, the cover, for its assembly and disassembly relative to the housing, being movable parallel to the spindle and by tilting around it.

Suivant un second mode de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, la broche est mobile sur l'élément qui la porte, le montage et le démontage du couvercle par rapport au boîtier se faisant par déplacement manuel de la broche par rapport à l'élément qui la porte ; dans ce dernier cas, ou bien la broche est amovible, ou bien elle coopère avec un ressort qui la sollicite vers sa position sortie de réception de l'autre élément.According to a second embodiment of the invention, the spindle is movable on the element which carries it, the assembly and disassembly of the cover relative to the housing being done by manual movement of the spindle relative to the element who wears it; in the latter case, either the spindle is removable, or else it cooperates with a spring which urges it towards its position taken out for receiving the other element.

Quant au couvercle, il peut recouvrir totalement la face apparente du boîtier, auquel cas l'utilisateur doit en général le basculer autour de la broche pour dégager à la vue la face apparente du boîtier, ou bien, et de manière préférentielle, il découvre une partie de la face apparente du boîtier à travers une fenêtre.As for the cover, it can completely cover the visible face of the case, in which case the user must generally tilt it around the spindle to expose the visible face of the case, or else, and preferably, it discovers a part of the visible face of the housing through a window.

Avantageusement, le couvercle présente, dans sa zone de réception de la broche, une section droite transversale en forme de U dont la branche centrale recouvre au moins partiellement la face apparente du boîtier et dont les branches terminales recouvrent les chants du boîtier, le long des deux côtés opposés "latéraux" dudit boîtier.Advantageously, the cover has, in its spindle receiving area, a U-shaped cross section whose central branch at least partially covers the visible face of the housing and whose end branches cover the edges of the housing, along the two opposite "lateral" sides of said housing.

Dans le cas d'une montre-bracelet, le couvercle peut recouvrir les deux zones de montage du bracelet sur le boîtier.In the case of a wristwatch, the cover can cover the two zones for mounting the bracelet on the case.

Toujours dans son application à une montre-bracelet, la montre selon l'invention peut également être remarquable en ce que, sur chacun de ses deux côtés opposés dits "transversaux", la tige prévue à chaque extrémité du bracelet, pour la fixation de celui-ci au boîtier, coopère à au moins une de ses deux extrémités avec une rainure de réception de ladite extrémité de tige qui est disposée perpendiculairement à la face supérieure du boîtier et qui s'étend depuis sensiblement le plan médian dudit boîtier jusqu'à ladite face supérieure.Still in its application to a wristwatch, the watch according to the invention can also be remarkable in that, on each of its two opposite sides called "transverse", the rod provided at each end of the bracelet, for the attachment of that -this case, cooperates at at least one of its two ends with a groove for receiving said rod end which is arranged perpendicular to the upper face of the case and which extends from substantially the median plane of said case to said upper side.

Sur chacun des deux bords opposés dit "transversaux" de la montre-bracelet du type précité, la tige prévue à chaque extrémité du bracelet, pour la fixation de celui-ci au boîtier, coopère à chacune de ses deux extrémités avec une telle rainure ou, en variante, coopère à l'une seulement de ses extrémités avec une telle rainure et, à l'autre de ses extrémités, avec un trou de forme conique.On each of the two opposite edges called "transverse" of the wristwatch of the aforementioned type, the rod provided at each end of the bracelet, for fixing the latter to the case, cooperates at each of its two ends with such a groove or , alternatively, cooperates at only one of its ends with such a groove and, at the other of its ends, with a conical hole.

On comprendra bien l'invention à la lecture du complément de description qui va suivre et en référence aux dessins annexés qui font partie de la description et dans lesquels :

  • la Figure 1 est une vue schématique éclatée en perspective plongeante d'un côté d'une montre établie selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, qui permet un changement aisé et rapide du couvercle,
  • la Figure 2 est une vue analogue à la Figure 1, en perspective plongeante de l'autre côté, d'une montre établie selon un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention et qui permet un changemement aisé et rapide du couvercle et/ou du bracelet,
  • la Figure 3 est une vue en plan de la montre des Figures 1 et 2, le couvercle étant monté sur le boîtier,
  • la Figure 4 est une vue en coupe transversale suivant la ligne IV-IV de la montre de la Figure 3,
  • la Figure 5 est une vue en coupe horizontale d'une partie d'une montre établie suivant une variante,
  • la Figure 6 est une vue en plan d'une partie d'une montre établie suivant encore une autre variante,
  • les Figures 7 et 8 sont des vues en perspective, respectivement avant et après assemblage, d'une montre construite selon une troisième variante, et
  • les Figures 9 et 10 sont des vues en perspective, respectivement avant et après assemblage, d'une montre construite selon une quatrième variante.
The invention will be clearly understood on reading the additional description which follows and with reference to the accompanying drawings which are part of the description and in which:
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded view in plunging perspective on one side of a watch established according to an embodiment of the invention, which allows an easy and rapid change of the cover,
  • Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, in plunging perspective on the other side, of a watch established according to another embodiment of the invention and which allows easy and rapid change of the cover and / or bracelet,
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view of the watch of FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover being mounted on the housing,
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV of the watch in FIG. 3,
  • FIG. 5 is a view in horizontal section of part of a watch established according to a variant,
  • FIG. 6 is a plan view of part of a watch established according to yet another variant,
  • Figures 7 and 8 are perspective views, respectively before and after assembly, of a watch constructed according to a third variant, and
  • Figures 9 and 10 are perspective views, respectively before and after assembly, of a watch constructed according to a fourth variant.

Les dessins annexés, comme indiqué ci-dessus, sont établis sous forme schématique, car ils n'ont pour but que d'illustrer les moyens techniques mis en oeuvre pour réaliser l'invention, et non pas de représenter une montre sous sa forme esthétique.The accompanying drawings, as indicated above, are drawn up in diagrammatic form, since their purpose is only to illustrate the technical means employed to carry out the invention, and not to represent a watch in its aesthetic form .

Sur les Figures 1 à 4, on a représenté une montre établie suivant un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention, dans l'application préférentielle mais non exclusive de celle-ci à une montre-bracelet.In Figures 1 to 4, there is shown a watch established according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in the preferential but not exclusive application thereof to a wristwatch.

La montre comporte, de façon connue en soi, un premier élément 1 qui est constitué par un boîtier. De manière conventionnelle, ce boîtier contient le système ou mécanisme d'horlogerie qui actionne des aiguilles 2 se déplaçant au dessus d'un cadran gradué 3 recouvert d'un verre transparent de protection 4. Sur un côté, dénommé côté "latéral" dans la présente description, le boîtier 1 présente, sur son épaisseur, un logement ou cavité 5 de réception d'un remontoir (non représenté). Sur chacun des deux côtés, dénommés ci-après côtés "transversaux", adjacents au côté latéral sur lequel est prévu le logement 5, le boîtier 1 comporte deux saillies ou oreilles 6 de réception et de montage d'une extrémité 29 du bracelet 27, par exemple par des orifices transversaux 7, 7' recevant une tige transversale 28 prévue à chaque extrémité 29 du bracelet.The watch comprises, in a manner known per se, a first element 1 which is constituted by a housing. Conventionally, this case contains the clockwork system or mechanism which actuates the hands 2 moving above a graduated dial 3 covered with a transparent protective glass 4. On one side, called "lateral" side in the present description, the housing 1 has, over its thickness, a housing or cavity 5 for receiving a winder (not shown). On each of the two sides, hereinafter referred to as "transverse" sides, adjacent to the lateral side on which the housing 5 is provided, the housing 1 has two projections or ears 6 for receiving and mounting a end 29 of the bracelet 27, for example by transverse orifices 7, 7 ′ receiving a transverse rod 28 provided at each end 29 of the bracelet.

La montre comporte un second élément qui est constitué par un couvercle 8 recouvrant au moins partiellement le boîtier 1 et porté par celui-ci de manière amovible, par des moyens qui seront décrits ultérieurement. Le couvercle 8 peut recouvrir totalement la face apparente 22 du boîtier 1, y compris le verre 4, mais, dans le mode de réalisation représenté, et de façon préférentielle, il est agencé pour découvrir cette face apparente du boîtier, dans la zone du verre 4, par l'intermédiaire d'une fenêtre 9 dont le contour correspond, au jeu près, à celui du verre 4.The watch comprises a second element which is constituted by a cover 8 covering at least partially the housing 1 and carried by the latter in a removable manner, by means which will be described later. The cover 8 can completely cover the visible face 22 of the housing 1, including the glass 4, but, in the embodiment shown, and preferably, it is arranged to uncover this visible face of the housing, in the region of the glass 4, by the intermediary of a window 9 whose contour corresponds, apart from play, to that of the glass 4.

Le couvercle 8 est monté sur le boîtier 1 de manière interchangeable ou amovible, de façon que l'utilisateur, qui dispose d'un jeu de couvercles d'aspects différents, puisse mettre en place sur le boîtier 1 le couvercle 8 de son choix et obtenir ainsi les effets esthétiques ou décoratifs qu'il souhaite.The cover 8 is mounted on the housing 1 in an interchangeable or removable manner, so that the user, who has a set of covers with different aspects, can put the cover 8 of his choice on the housing 1 and thus obtain the aesthetic or decorative effects he wishes.

A cet effet, le couvercle 8 est monté sur le boîtier 1 par l'intermédiaire de moyens de montage amovible qui, conformément à l'invention, sont prévus sur les deux côtés opposés dits "latéraux" du boitier et qui comportent, au moins d'un côté, au moins une broche 10 portée par l'un desdits deux éléments constitués par le boîtier 1 et le couvercle 8 et pénétrant dans un alésage 11 de l'autre de ces deux éléments 1, 8.For this purpose, the cover 8 is mounted on the housing 1 by means of removable mounting means which, according to the invention, are provided on the two opposite sides called "lateral" of the housing and which comprise, at least d on one side, at least one pin 10 carried by one of said two elements constituted by the housing 1 and the cover 8 and penetrating into a bore 11 on the other of these two elements 1, 8.

Dans le mode de réalisation représenté aux Figures 1 à 4, on prévoit une seule broche 10 sur un côté latéral de la montre, à l'opposé du côté recevant le remontoir 5.In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a single pin 10 is provided on a lateral side of the watch, opposite the side receiving the winder 5.

Dans cette réalisation, la broche unique 10, qui s'étend parallèlement à la direction longitudinale du bracelet 27, c'est-à-dire parallèlement à la ligne "midi-6 heures" de la montre, est portée fixement par un bossage profilé 12 du boîtier, tandis que le couvercle 8 présente un bossage complémentaire 13 dans lequel est ménagé l'alésage 11 et dont le profil correspond préférentiellement, dans sa partie apparente supérieure, à celui du bossage 12 du boîtier. A titre d'exemple non limitatif, on a représenté des bossages 12 et 13 dont la partie supérieure est en arc de cercle. Par exemple également, le bossage 12 s'étend sur la demi-longueur inférieure du boîtier 1 et le bossage 13 s'étend sur la demi-longueur supérieure du couvercle 8. La broche 10 est située au dessous du niveau de la face supérieure du boîtier 1, de sorte que le bossage 13 est en saillie vers le bas (voir la Figure 4) par rapport à la partie centrale plane 14 du couvercle.In this embodiment, the single pin 10, which extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bracelet 27, that is to say parallel to the "noon-6 o'clock" line of the watch, is fixedly carried by a profiled boss. 12 of the housing, while the cover 8 has a complementary boss 13 in which the bore 11 is formed and whose profile preferably corresponds, in its upper visible part, to that of the boss 12 of the housing. By way of nonlimiting example, bosses 12 and 13 are shown, the upper part of which is in an arc. Also for example, the boss 12 extends over the lower half-length of the housing 1 and the boss 13 extends over the upper half-length of the cover 8. The pin 10 is located below the level of the upper face of the housing 1, so that the boss 13 projects downwards (see FIG. 4) relative to the flat central part 14 of the cover.

Sur son côté "latéral" opposé à celui qui porte le bossage 13, le couvercle 8 présente un bossage 15, sur toute sa longueur et de profil extérieur de préférence identique à celui des bossages 12 et 13, c'est-à-dire demi-circulaire. Le bossage 15 présente une face plane intérieure 16, qui est perpendiculaire au plan de la partie centrale 14 et tournée vers le bossage 13, et qui est destinée à venir en regard du côté latéral 17 du boîtier 1 dans lequel est ménagé le logement 5 de remontoir.On its "lateral" side opposite to that which carries the boss 13, the cover 8 has a boss 15, over its entire length and external profile preferably identical to that of the bosses 12 and 13, that is to say semi-circular. The boss 15 has an inner flat face 16, which is perpendicular to the plane of the central part 14 and turned towards the boss 13, and which is intended to come opposite the lateral side 17 of the housing 1 in which the housing 5 is formed. winder.

Le couvercle 8 présente donc, dans la zone où il reçoit la broche 10, une section droite transversale en forme de U dont la branche centrale 14 recouvre partiellement la face apparente supérieure du boîtier 1 et dont les branches terminales, constituées par les bossages 13 et 15, recouvrent les chants du boîtier, le long des deux côtés latéraux opposés du boîtier, totalement pour ce qui est du bossage 15 et partiellement pour ce qui est du bossage 13.The cover 8 therefore has, in the area where it receives the pin 10, a U-shaped cross section whose central branch 14 partially covers the upper visible face of the housing 1 and whose end branches, formed by the bosses 13 and 15, cover the edges of the housing, along the two opposite lateral sides of the housing, totally as regards the boss 15 and partially as regards the boss 13.

Comme on l'a indiqué précédemment, la broche de montage 10 n'est prévue que d'un seul côté de la montre. De l'autre côté, c'est-à-dire dans la zone du bossage 15 et du côté latéral 17, on prévoit des moyens complémentaires de montage amovible qui, dans l'exemple représenté, sont du type élastique. A cet effet, le bossage 15 porte sur sa face intérieure 16 au moins une bille 18, rappelée élastiquement vers l'extérieur par un ressort 19, et le côté latéral 17 du boîtier présente au moins une cavité complémentaire 20 de réception et d'immobilisation élastique de la bille 18, une rampe 21 aboutissant à la cavité 20 étant de préférence prévue à partir de la face supérieure 22 du boîtier pour faciliter l'escamotage de la bille 18 dans le bossage 15, lors de la fermeture du couvercle 8 sur le boîtier 1, avant que la bille 18 ne vienne en regard de la cavité 20 pour s'y loger partiellement et assurer ainsi un verrouillage élastique du couvercle sur le boîtier.As indicated above, the mounting pin 10 is only provided on one side of the watch. On the other side, that is to say in the region of the boss 15 and on the lateral side 17, there are additional removable mounting means which, in the example shown, are of the elastic type. To this end, the boss 15 carries on its inner face 16 at least one ball 18, elastically biased towards the outside by a spring 19, and the lateral side 17 of the housing has at least one complementary cavity 20 for receiving and immobilizing elastic of the ball 18, a ramp 21 terminating in the cavity 20 is preferably provided from the upper face 22 of the housing to facilitate retraction of the ball 18 in the boss 15, when the cover 8 is closed on the housing 1, before the ball 18 comes opposite the cavity 20 to partially lodge therein and thus ensure elastic locking of the cover on the housing.

Pour le montage du couvercle 8 sur le boîtier 1, l'utilisateur fait d'abord coulisser le couvercle par rapport au boîtier pour faire pénétrer la broche 10 dans l'alésage 11, jusqu'à ce que les bossages 12 et 13 viennent en butée. Il bascule ensuite le couvercle 8 autour de la broche en rabattant celui-ci sur le boîtier 1, ce qui amène le bossage 15 en regard du côté latéral 17 du boîtier, la bille 18 venant d'abord coopérer avec la rampe 21 puis avec la cavité de blocage 20. La rigidité du ressort 19 est choisie pour réaliser un compromis acceptable entre un verrouillage correct et sûr et la force nécessaire à l'utilisateur pour réaliser le déverrouillage. Pour réaliser ce dernier, l'utilisateur, en forçant le couvercle 8 à l'aide d'un doigt au niveau du logement 5, fait basculer le couvercle 8 autour de la broche 10, dans le sens contraire au précédent, ce qui dégage la bille 18 de sa cavité 20. Le profil avantageusement circulaire du bossage 13, ou du moins le profil demi-circulaire de sa moitié inférieure lorsque le couvercle 8 est considéré dans sa position de verrouillage sur le boîtier 1, permet très librement les deux mouvements de basculement dudit couvercle relativement au boîtier.For mounting the cover 8 on the housing 1, the user first slides the cover relative to the housing to allow the pin 10 to penetrate into the bore 11, until the bosses 12 and 13 come into abutment . It then flips the cover 8 around the spindle by folding it over the housing 1, which brings the boss 15 opposite the lateral side 17 of the housing, the ball 18 coming first to cooperate with the ramp 21 then with the locking cavity 20. The rigidity of the spring 19 is chosen to achieve an acceptable compromise between correct and safe locking and the force necessary for the user to perform the unlocking. To achieve the latter, the user, by forcing the cover 8 with a finger at the housing 5, flips the cover 8 around the pin 10, in the opposite direction to the previous one, which releases the ball 18 of its cavity 20. The advantageously circular profile of the boss 13, or at least the semi-circular profile of its lower half when the cover 8 is considered in its locking position on the housing 1, allows very freely the two tilting movements of said cover relative to the housing.

Dans l'exemple représenté, on a supposé qu'il existait deux billes 18, et par conséquent deux cavités 20. Bien entendu, il est possible de prévoir un nombre différent de tels ensembles de verrouillage.In the example shown, it was assumed that there were two balls 18, and therefore two cavities 20. Of course, it is possible to provide a different number of such locking assemblies.

Suivant une autre variante, le couvercle pourrait être mis en place et séparé par rapport au boîtier par un simple coulissement parallèlement à la broche 10, à la manière d'un tiroir, le verrouillage se faisant alors également par des moyens élastiques du type, par exemple, à bille(s) et à cavité(s) tel que décrit ci-dessus.According to another variant, the cover could be put in place and separated from the housing by a simple sliding parallel to the spindle 10, in the manner of a drawer, the locking then being also effected by elastic means of the type, by example, ball (s) and cavity (s) as described above.

Suivant une autre variante, on pourrait supprimer les moyens élastiques de verrouillage 18, 19, 20 et les remplacer par la prévision, sur le côté latéral 17, d'une seconde broche 10 analogue à la broche ci-dessus et coopérant avec un bossage du boîtier et un bossage du couvercle. Dans ce cas, si les broches sont fixes, le couvercle ne peut se déplacer, encore à la manière d'un tiroir, que parallèlement aux broches 10.According to another variant, the elastic locking means 18, 19, 20 could be eliminated and replaced by the provision, on the lateral side 17, of a second pin 10 similar to the above pin and cooperating with a boss of the housing and a boss on the cover. In this case, if the pins are fixed, the cover can only move, again like a drawer, parallel to the pins 10.

Dans ce qui précède, on a supposé que la ou les broches 10 étaient fixes mais, bien entendu, il est possible en variante de prévoir cette broche ou ces broches sous forme mobile, c'est-à-dire soit amovible, soit escamotable.In the foregoing, it has been assumed that the pin or pins 10 are fixed but, of course, it is possible as a variant to provide this pin or these pins in mobile form, that is to say either removable or retractable.

Ainsi, sur la Figure 5, on a représenté une variante qui ne diffère du mode de réalisation des Figures 1 à 4 que par le fait que la broche 10, au lieu d'être portée fixement par le bossage 12 du boîtier 1, est portée par celui-ci de manière rétractable ou escamotable à l'intérieur du bossage 12. Pour cela, la broche 10 traverse totalement le bossage 12 et, à son extrémité opposée au bossage 13 du couvercle, elle porte une tête vissée 23 de manoeuvre, un ressort de compression 24 étant logé, autour de la broche 10, entre une bague fixe 25, par exemple vissée à l'extrémité du bossage 12 opposée au bossage 13, et un anneau fendu 26 solidaire de la broche 10. Le montage vissé de la tête 23 sur la broche 10 et de la bague 25 sur le bossage 12 permettent l'assemblage du système. Le ressort 24 sollicite la broche 10 vers sa position sortie de verrouillage du couvercle 8, c'est-à-dire avec pénétration de la broche 10 dans l'alésage 11 du bossage 13. Lorsque l'utilisateur désire désolidariser les bossages 12 et 13, c'est-à-dire le boîtier 1 et le couvercle 8, il tire manuellement sur la tête 23 dans le sens de la flèche A, pour escamoter totalement la broche 10 à l'intérieur du bossage 12, à l'encontre de l'action du ressort 24, ce qui désolidarise les bossages 12 et 13. Ce montage de la Figure 5 peut être prévu aussi bien dans le cas où il existe une unique broche 10 disposée d'un seul côté de la montre que dans le cas où une telle broche est prévue de chaque côté de la montre. Dans le cas où il existe une broche 10 de chaque côté de la montre, les deux broches sont de préférence montées tête-bêche, de telle manière que le couvercle ne puisse pas coulisser accidentellement par rapport au boîtier lorsqu'il a été mis en place. Au contraire, l'enlèvement du couvercle n'est possible que par l'escamotage simultané des deux broches, ce qui a pour effet de libérer le couvercle, lequel peut alors être enlevé par déplacement perpendiculairement au plan des broches.Thus, in Figure 5, there is shown a variant which differs from the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4 only in that the pin 10, instead of being fixedly carried by the boss 12 of the housing 1, is carried by it retractable or retractable inside the boss 12. For this, the pin 10 passes completely through the boss 12 and, at its end opposite to the boss 13 of the cover, it carries a screwed head 23 for maneuvering, a compression spring 24 being housed, around the pin 10, between a fixed ring 25, for example screwed at the end of the boss 12 opposite the boss 13, and a split ring 26 secured to the pin 10. The screw mounting of the head 23 on pin 10 and ring 25 on boss 12 allow assembly of the system. The spring 24 biases the pin 10 towards its position for locking the cover 8, that is to say with the pin 10 penetrating into the bore 11 of the boss 13. When the user wishes to separate the bosses 12 and 13 , that is to say the housing 1 and the cover 8, it manually pulls on the head 23 in the direction of the arrow A, to completely retract the spindle 10 inside the boss 12, against the action of the spring 24, which separates the bosses 12 and 13. This assembly of Figure 5 can be provided both in the case where there is a single pin 10 disposed on one side of the watch as in the case where such a pin is provided on each side of the watch. In the case where there is a pin 10 on each side of the watch, the two pins are preferably mounted head to tail, so that the cover cannot accidentally slide relative to the case when it has been put in place. . On the contrary, the removal of the cover is only possible by the simultaneous retraction of the two pins, which has the effect of releasing the cover, which can then be removed by movement perpendicular to the plane of the pins.

On a représenté sur la Figure 6, en vue extérieure en plan analogue à la Figure 3, une variante de réalisation qui peut être utilisée de la même façon que la variante de la Figure 5. Dans cette variante représentée sur la Figure 6, le couvercle 8 présente un bossage central 13 qui vient se loger entre deux bossages extrêmes 12 du boîtier 1. Chaque bossage 12 du boîtier est équipé, de manière non représentée, d'une broche escamotable 10 du même type que celle de la Figure 5, c'est-à-dire que chaque broche comporte à son extrémité opposée au bossage 13 une tête de préhension 23 qui permet à l'utilisateur de l'escamoter dans le bossage correspondant 12, suivant le sens des flèches A, pour libérer le bossage central 13 du couvercle.There is shown in Figure 6, in external plan view similar to Figure 3, an alternative embodiment which can be used in the same way as the variant of Figure 5. In this variant shown in Figure 6, the cover 8 has a central boss 13 which is housed between two extreme bosses 12 of the housing 1. Each boss 12 of the housing is equipped, in a manner not shown, with a retractable pin 10 of the same type as that of FIG. 5, it that is to say that each pin has at its end opposite to the boss 13 a gripping head 23 which allows the user to retract it into the corresponding boss 12, in the direction of the arrows A, to release the central boss 13 of the cover.

Suivant une autre variante de réalisation représentée sur les Figures 7 et 8, la montre selon l'invention comprend un boîtier 1 qui présente un bossage central 12 et le couvercle 8 présente deux bossages extrêmes 13a et 13 b entre lesquels vient se loger le bossage central du boîtier. Ces trois bossages sont percés chacun d'un alésage, l'alésage du bossage supérieur 13a du couvercle étant lisse, de même que l'alésage du bossage central 12 du boîtier, tandis que l'alésage du bossage inférieur 13b du couvercle est taraudé. La montre est alors équipée d'une broche 10 à tête 25, broche dont la tige est filetée, au moins à proximité de son extrémité 30, selon un pas complémentaire du filet de l'alésage du bossage inférieur 13b. Pour libérer le couvercle 8 de la montre relativement au boîtier 1, il suffit de dévisser la broche 10, en tournant la tête 25, jusqu'à la libérer de sa fixation au niveau du bossage inférieur 13b du couvercle 8.According to another alternative embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8, the watch according to the invention comprises a housing 1 which has a central boss 12 and the cover 8 has two extreme bosses 13a and 13b between which is housed the central boss of the housing. These three bosses are each pierced with a bore, the bore of the upper boss 13a of the cover being smooth, as is the bore of the central boss 12 of the housing, while the bore of the lower boss 13b of the cover is tapped. The watch is then fitted with a pin 10 with a head 25, a pin whose rod is threaded, at least near its end 30, according to a complementary pitch of the thread of the bore of the lower boss 13b. To release the cover 8 of the watch relative to the case 1, it suffices to unscrew the spindle 10, by turning the head 25, until it is released from its fixing at the lower boss 13b of the cover 8.

Suivant encore une autre variante représentée aux Figures 9 et 10, voisine de celle précitée, les alésages des trois bossages 12, 13a et 13b sont lisses. La tige de la broche 10, qui traverse ces trois alésages, est alors équipée, à une extrémité, d'une tête inamovible 31, par exemple soudée, et, à son autre extrémité, d'un écrou 32 qui coopère avec une partie filetée 33 prévue à ladite extrémité de la broche, la forme de cet écrou 32, pour des raisons esthétiques, étant identique à celle de la tête 31 de la broche. Dans ce cas, pour libérer le couvercle 8 de la montre relativement au boîtier 1, il suffit de dévisser l'écrou de la broche, en maintenant fixe de l'autre côté la tête de ladite broche, et de dégager la broche de ses trois alésages lorsque ce dévissage est terminé. Après changement du couvercle de la montre, le remontage du nouveau couvercle s'obtient par l'opération rigoureusement inverse.According to yet another variant shown in Figures 9 and 10, close to that mentioned above, the bores of the three bosses 12, 13a and 13b are smooth. The rod of the spindle 10, which passes through these three bores, is then equipped, at one end, with a non-removable head 31, for example welded, and, at its other end, with a nut 32 which cooperates with a threaded part 33 provided at said end of the spindle, the shape of this nut 32, for aesthetic reasons, being identical to that of the head 31 of the spindle. In this case, to release the cover 8 of the watch relative to the case 1, it suffices to unscrew the nut of the spindle, keeping the head of said spindle fixed on the other side, and to release the spindle from its three bores when this unscrewing is finished. After changing the cover of the watch, the reassembly of the new cover is obtained by the strictly reverse operation.

Suivant une autre variante, non représentée, la ou les broches 10 pourraient être simplement amovibles, à la manière d'une goupille, pour solidariser et désolidariser les bossages du boîtier et du couvercle, l'utilisateur disposant alors d'une tige de manoeuvre permettant d'enlever la ou les broches.According to another variant, not shown, the pin (s) 10 could be simply removable, in the manner of a pin, to secure and separate the bosses of the housing and the cover, the user then having an operating rod allowing remove the pin (s).

Comme on peut le voir sur la Figure 3, on a décrit ci-dessus un couvercle qui recouvre par son contour extérieur l'intégralité du contour extérieur du boîtier 1, y compris les oreilles 6 de montage et de support du bracelet 27. En substitution du dispositif traditionnel dans lequel il est prévu à chaque extrémité du bracelet une tige à pompe dont chaque extrémité pénètre un orifice cylindrique 7' (visible à la Figure 1) percé dans l'épaisseur de l'oreille 6, depuis la face intérieure de cette dernière, l'invention permet d'intégrer un dispositif original qui autorise un changement aisé du bracelet de la montre lorsque son utilisateur le souhaite. Ce changement de bracelet peut alors s'obtenir soit en même temps que le changement de couvercle, soit seul et alors indépendamment du changement de couvercle.As can be seen in Figure 3, there has been described above a cover which covers by its outer contour the entire outer contour of the case 1, including the ears 6 for mounting and supporting the strap 27. As a substitute of the traditional device in which there is provided at each end of the bracelet a pump rod, each end of which penetrates a cylindrical orifice 7 ′ (visible in FIG. 1) pierced in the thickness of the ear 6, from the inner face of this last, the invention makes it possible to integrate an original device which allows an easy change of the strap of the watch when its user wishes it. This change of bracelet can then be obtained either at the same time as the change of cover, or alone and then independently of the change of cover.

Selon cet autre dispositif, visible en particulier à la Figure 2, les tiges 28 placées aux extrémités 29 du bracelet 27 ne sont plus téléscopiques. Les moyens de réception des extrémités de ces tiges 28 par le boîtier sont alors formés par des rainures 7, pratiquées chacune dans la face intérieure d'une oreille 6, et qui, perpendiculairement à la face supérieure 22 du boîtier 1, s'étendent depuis sensiblement le plan médian du boîtier jusqu'à ladite face supérieure 22 dudit boîtier. La distance séparant les fonds de deux rainures 7 en vis-à-vis est égale, au jeu près, à la longueur des tiges rigides 28. Il est ainsi aisé d'engager entre ces deux rainures 7 en vis-à-vis, et respectivement de dégager de ces deux rainures, sans l'aide d'aucun outil, la tige 28 d'extrémité du bracelet. Aussi, l'utilisateur de la montre selon l'invention peut changer son bracelet de montre après qu'il a fait pivoter ou coulisser le couvercle 8 relativement au boîtier 1, par l'une quelconque des opérations de pivotement ou de coulissement décrites précédemment. Lorsque le nouveau bracelet est posé, l'utilisateur verrouille à nouveau le couvercle sur son boîtier, verrouillage qui a pour effet simultané d'assurer le blocage des deux tiges 28 d'extrémités du bracelet dans leurs logements 7. En variante de cet autre dispositif, le boîtier peut comporter, sur chacun de ses deux côtés transversaux, une rainure 7 et, en vis-à-vis de cette rainure, un trou tel que 7' mais cette fois de forme conique. Chaque tige 28 est dégagée de sa position en retirant d'abord l'extrémité logée dans la rainure 7 et, à l'inverse, chaque tige 28 est replacée dans sa position de montage en introduisant d'abord une de ses extrémités dans le trou 7' de forme conique et en engageant ensuite son autre extrémité dans la rainure 7.According to this other device, visible in particular in Figure 2, the rods 28 placed at the ends 29 of the bracelet 27 are no longer telescopic. The means for receiving the ends of these rods 28 by the housing are then formed by grooves 7, each formed in the inner face of an ear 6, and which, perpendicular to the upper face 22 of the housing 1, extend from substantially the median plane of the housing to said upper face 22 of said housing. The distance separating the bottoms of two facing grooves 7 is equal, apart from the clearance, to the length of the rigid rods 28. It is thus easy to engage between these two facing grooves 7, and respectively to release from these two grooves, without the aid of any tool, the rod 28 at the end of the bracelet. Also, the user of the watch according to the invention can change his watch strap after he has pivoted or slid the cover 8 relative to the case 1, by any of the pivoting or sliding operations described above. When the new bracelet is placed, the user again locks the cover on its casing, locking which has the simultaneous effect of ensuring the blocking of the two rods 28 of the ends of the bracelet in their housings 7. As a variant of this other device , the housing may comprise, on each of its two transverse sides, a groove 7 and, opposite this groove, a hole such as 7 'but this time conical in shape. Each rod 28 is released from its position by first removing the end housed in the groove 7 and, conversely, each rod 28 is replaced in its mounting position by first introducing one of its ends into the hole 7 'of shape conical and then engaging its other end in the groove 7.

Naturellement, l'invention n'est pas limitée aux modes de réalisation qui ont été décrits ci-dessus ; on pourrait au contraire concevoir diverses variantes sans sortir pour autant de son cadre. Ainsi, les côtés latéraux et transversaux du boîtier de la montre pourraient être autres que rectilignes et, pour exemples, ils pourraient être curvilignes ou en lignes brisées.Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments which have been described above; on the contrary, we could conceive of various variants without departing from its framework. Thus, the lateral and transverse sides of the watch case could be other than rectilinear and, for example, they could be curvilinear or in broken lines.

Claims (14)

1) Montre, notamment montre-bracelet, comportant un premier élément (1) constitué par un boîtier contenant le système d'horlogerie et un second élément (8) constitué par un couvercle interchangeable recouvrant au moins partiellement le boîtier, le couvercle étant porté par le boîtier par l'intermédiaire de moyens (10, 11, 18, 19, 20) de montage amovible, caractérisée en ce que les moyens de montage amovible sont prévus sur les deux côtés opposés dits "latéraux" du boîtier (1) et en ce que lesdits moyens de montage comportent, au moins d'un côté, au moins une broche (10) portée par l'un desdits deux éléments (1, 8) et pénétrant dans un alésage (11) de l'autre élément. 1) Watch, in particular wristwatch, comprising a first element (1) constituted by a case containing the clock system and a second element (8) constituted by an interchangeable cover covering at least partially the case, the cover being carried by the housing by means of removable mounting means (10, 11, 18, 19, 20), characterized in that the removable mounting means are provided on the two opposite sides known as "sides" of the housing (1) and in that said mounting means comprise, at least on one side, at least one pin (10) carried by one of said two elements (1, 8) and penetrating into a bore (11) of the other element. 2) Montre selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que ladite broche (10) est prévue d'un seul côté du boîtier et en ce que, de l'autre côté, les moyens de montage comportent au moins une bille (18), chargée par un ressort (19), portée par l'un desdits deux éléments (1, 8) et venant se placer dans un logement (20) de l'autre élément. 2) Watch according to claim 1, characterized in that said pin (10) is provided on one side of the housing and in that, on the other side, the mounting means comprise at least one ball (18), loaded by a spring (19), carried by one of said two elements (1, 8) and coming to be placed in a housing (20) of the other element. 3) Montre selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce qu'au moins une broche de montage (10) est prévue de chaque côté du boîtier. 3) Watch according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one mounting pin (10) is provided on each side of the housing. 4) Montre selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisée en ce que la broche (10) est fixe sur l'élément qui la porte, le couvercle (8), pour son montage et son démontage par rapport au boîtier (1), étant déplaçable parallèlement à la broche et par basculement autour de celle-ci. 4) Watch according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pin (10) is fixed on the element which carries it, the cover (8), for its assembly and disassembly relative to the housing (1 ), being movable parallel to the spindle and by tilting around the latter. 5) Montre selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisée en ce que la broche (10) est mobile sur l'élément qui la porte, le montage et le démontage du couvercle par rapport au boîtier (1) se faisant par déplacement manuel de la broche par rapport à l'élément qui la porte. 5) Watch according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pin (10) is movable on the element which carries it, the assembly and disassembly of the cover relative to the housing (1) being done by displacement manual of the spindle in relation to the element carrying it. 6) Montre selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce que la broche (10) est amovible. 6) Watch according to claim 5, characterized in that the pin (10) is removable. 7) Montre selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce que la broche (10) coopère avec un ressort (24) la sollicitant vers sa position sortie de réception de l'autre élément. 7) Watch according to claim 5, characterized in that the pin (10) cooperates with a spring (24) urging it towards its position for receiving the other element. 8) Montre selon l'une des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisée en ce que le couvercle (8) découvre une partie de la face apparente (22) du boîtier à travers une fenêtre (9). 8) Watch according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cover (8) uncovers part of the visible face (22) of the housing through a window (9). 9) Montre selon l'une des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisée en ce que le couvercle (8) recouvre totalement la face apparente (22) du boîtier (1). 9) Watch according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cover (8) completely covers the visible face (22) of the housing (1). 10) Montre selon l'une des revendications 1 à 9, caractérisée en ce que le couvercle (8) présente, dans sa zone de réception de la broche (10), une section droite transversale en forme de U dont la branche centrale (14) recouvre au moins partiellement la face apparente (22) du boîtier (1) et dont les branches terminales (13, 15) recouvrent les chants du boîtier, le long des deux côtés opposés "latéraux" dudit boîtier. 10) Watch according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the cover (8) has, in its reception area of the spindle (10), a U-shaped cross section whose central branch (14 ) at least partially covers the visible face (22) of the housing (1) and whose end branches (13, 15) cover the edges of the housing, along the two opposite "lateral" sides of said housing. 11) Montre selon l'une des revendications 1 à 10, dans son application à une montre-bracelet, caractérisée en ce que le couvercle (8) recouvre totalement les deux zones de montage du bracelet sur le boîtier (1). 11) Watch according to one of claims 1 to 10, in its application to a wristwatch, characterized in that the cover (8) completely covers the two areas for mounting the bracelet on the housing (1). 12) Montre selon la revendication 11, caractérisée en ce que, sur chacun de ses deux côtés opposés dits "transversaux", la tige (28) prévue à chaque extrémité (29) du bracelet (27), pour la fixation de celui-ci au boîtier (1), coopère à au moins une de ses deux extrémités avec une rainure (7) de réception de ladite extrémité de tige qui est disposée perpendiculairement à la face supérieure (22) du boîtier et qui s'étend depuis sensiblement le plan médian dudit boîtier jusqu'à ladite face supérieure (22). 12) Watch according to claim 11, characterized in that, on each of its two opposite sides called "transverse", the rod (28) provided at each end (29) of the bracelet (27), for fixing it to the housing (1), cooperates at at least one of its two ends with a groove (7) for receiving said rod end which is arranged perpendicular to the upper face (22) of the housing and which extends from substantially the plane median of said housing to said upper face (22). 13) Montre selon la revendication 12, caractérisée en ce que, sur chacun de ses deux bords opposés dits "transversaux", la tige (28) prévue à chaque extrémité (29) du bracelet (27), pour la fixation de celui-ci au boîtier (1), coopère à l'une de ses extrémités avec une rainure (7) et à l'autre de ses extrémités avec un trou (7') de forme conique. 13) Watch according to claim 12, characterized in that, on each of its two opposite edges called "transverse", the rod (28) provided at each end (29) of the bracelet (27), for fixing it to the housing (1), cooperates at one of its ends with a groove (7) and at the other of its ends with a hole (7 ') of conical shape. 14) Montre selon la revendication 12, caractérisée en ce que, sur chacun de ses deux bords opposés dits "transversaux", la tige (28) prévue à chaque extrémité (29) du bracelet (27), pour la fixation de celui-ci au boîtier (1), coopère à chacune de ses deux extrémités avec une rainure (7). 14) Watch according to claim 12, characterized in that , on each of its two opposite edges called "transverse", the rod (28) provided at each end (29) of the bracelet (27), for fixing it to the housing (1), cooperates at each of its two ends with a groove (7).
EP19950401888 1994-08-12 1995-08-11 Watch with interchangeable case lid and bracelet Expired - Lifetime EP0696767B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9409991A FR2726664B1 (en) 1994-08-12 1994-08-12 WATCH WITH COVER AND INTERCHANGEABLE STRAP
FR9409991 1994-08-12

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0696767A1 true EP0696767A1 (en) 1996-02-14
EP0696767B1 EP0696767B1 (en) 1997-12-17

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19950401888 Expired - Lifetime EP0696767B1 (en) 1994-08-12 1995-08-11 Watch with interchangeable case lid and bracelet

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EP (1) EP0696767B1 (en)
DE (1) DE69501235T2 (en)
FR (1) FR2726664B1 (en)
SG (1) SG42765A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2776785A1 (en) 1998-03-30 1999-10-01 Olivier Loeb Casing for watch face with outward appearance that can be modified
WO2011163173A1 (en) 2010-06-21 2011-12-29 Crown International Properties Establishment System and method for easy change jewelry case cover

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH158580A (en) * 1931-12-01 1932-11-30 Fresard Leon Case with a pivoting cover, more particularly for a wristwatch.
US2636338A (en) * 1951-02-15 1953-04-28 I D Watch Case Co Inc Watchcase with cover
CH304792A (en) * 1954-04-03 1955-01-31 J A Thommet S A Watch-soap box.
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
EP0280963A1 (en) 1987-02-25 1988-09-07 Eta SA Fabriques d'Ebauches Watch fitted with a cover, and method for producing the same
US5206841A (en) 1990-08-01 1993-04-27 Boucheron Wristwatch with case having an interchangeable cover

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH158580A (en) * 1931-12-01 1932-11-30 Fresard Leon Case with a pivoting cover, more particularly for a wristwatch.
US2636338A (en) * 1951-02-15 1953-04-28 I D Watch Case Co Inc Watchcase with cover
CH304792A (en) * 1954-04-03 1955-01-31 J A Thommet S A Watch-soap box.
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
EP0280963A1 (en) 1987-02-25 1988-09-07 Eta SA Fabriques d'Ebauches Watch fitted with a cover, and method for producing the same
US5206841A (en) 1990-08-01 1993-04-27 Boucheron Wristwatch with case having an interchangeable cover

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2776785A1 (en) 1998-03-30 1999-10-01 Olivier Loeb Casing for watch face with outward appearance that can be modified
WO2011163173A1 (en) 2010-06-21 2011-12-29 Crown International Properties Establishment System and method for easy change jewelry case cover
EP2521942A1 (en) * 2010-06-21 2012-11-14 Crown International Properties Establishment System and method for easy change jewelry case cover
EP2521942A4 (en) * 2010-06-21 2013-07-31 Crown Internat Properties Establishment System and method for easy change jewelry case cover

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SG42765A1 (en) 1997-10-17
FR2726664B1 (en) 1996-12-13
DE69501235D1 (en) 1998-01-29
DE69501235T2 (en) 1998-06-25
EP0696767B1 (en) 1997-12-17
FR2726664A1 (en) 1996-05-10

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