EP0744673B1 - Device for fastening a rotationally symmetrical piece, in particular a rotating ring, a back cover, and/or a watch crystal to a watch case - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for Attaching a rotationally symmetrical part, in particular a rotating ring, a case back and / or a watch glass on a watch case according to the preamble of claim 1.

In the watch industry, caseback or watch glasses are common pressed onto the watch case by notches. Known, especially for waterproof watches, there are also screw connections between the watch case and the case back as well as the watch case and the watch glass. Rotating rings, which are particularly used in diving watches can also be pressed into the watch case with a notch socket will. However, other types of closures such as tension rings are also known there or polygonal spring wires, which the latter two are mounted inside, grooves not visible from the outside. Closures of the above Types are for example in the European patent applications EP 0 216 420, EP 0 403 717 and EP 0 436 468.

To open the above closures are in all versions Tools required. However, the use of a tool harbors this the risk that opening or removing an assembled Watch part, such as a rotating ring, a caseback and / or a watch glass Damage or scratches on the watch case or on one of the mentioned parts arise. It is then necessary to replace this part. This disadvantage is very pronounced in watches with rotating rings that are in one of the known types of fastening mentioned above on the watch case attached to the surface. It is hardly possible to remove the rotating ring from the housing there to remove without this and / or the housing itself in To be affected. Expensive repairs are the result.

So that the rotating rings can be turned in the assembled state between the watch case to which they are attached and the rotating ring even a game exist. In the known types of attachment this game relatively large, which not only looks aesthetically ugly, but also the penetration of dirt into a between the watch case and the Rotating ring favored existing column.

It is the object of the present invention, a type of attachment propose for rotating rings, case back and / or watch glasses on watch cases, with which the aforementioned disadvantages can be eliminated.

According to the invention, this is done with a device for fastening a rotationally symmetrical part, in particular a rotating ring, one Reached the bottom of the case and / or a watch glass on a watch case, which disclosed in the characterizing part of claim 1 Features.

With the device according to the invention, the insertion can the projections of the part to be fastened to the watch case, such as the rotating ring, of the case back and / or the watch glass, in the on the watch case arranged grooves the attachment of the corresponding part in exactly axial direction. An oblique or tilted pressing is not possible. The mechanical dimensions of the matched Parts, watch case to watch case back, watch case to watch glass or watch case to rotating ring, can be very finely coordinated. Thereby it is possible that the gap undesirable in conventional designs between the watch case and a rotating ring mounted on it minimal becomes. The ingress of dirt is prevented at this point.

The assembly and disassembly of the parts mentioned can by Hand, without the aid of a tool. This particularly occurs no damage when dismantling one of the fastened parts on the part concerned or on other parts of the watch. It will also none of the named parts due to any use of force deformed.

Although claimed in claim 1, that the approach with the groove and the grooves are attached to the watch case and the projections, which are intended for insertion into the grooves or into the groove on the to be fastened Are provided, dual training with the same effect, as claimed by claim 12, also possible and included in the invention. The approach can just as well be attached to one Part and the projections can be made accordingly on the watch case be arranged. It is also conceivable that, for example, for fastening of a rotating ring the approach with the groove and the grooves on the watch case and the protrusions are arranged on the rotating ring while being fixed the base of the housing with the groove and the grooves on the housing base and the projections are arranged on the housing. Every imaginable combination and variation of the arrangement not particularly mentioned here the groove with the grooves and the projections is possible.

Due to the irregular angular distribution of the grooves and protrusions Exactly one insertion position for the one to be fastened is around the circumference Part reached.

The grooves that lead into the grooves can be exactly axial Extend direction. But you can also inclined in the circumferential direction be arranged.

If such locking means between the rotary ring and the housing are arranged so that the rotating ring can only be turned in one direction, what for example with sawtooth-shaped teeth and at least one spring tongue engaging therein, it is advantageous to have one Spring tongue to be arranged in the area of each groove, the spring tongues with respect to the groove in an opposite direction to the groove are directed. This can be achieved that the projections or Cams of the rotating ring, which once through the oblique grooves in the Groove have been introduced, no longer by themselves through the grooves out of the Groove can slide out. The rotating ring is disassembled in this Fall by overcoming the force that the spring tongue of the gearing opposed. The spring tongues can be damaged. It is but a light and not financially complex, the locking means with the spring tongues before replacing the rotating ring.

Instead of a spring tongue, which advantageously consists of a leaf spring other spring-loaded elements can also be provided be. For example, so-called locking cones can be used. This can be balls that are under the pressure of a spring, either from a Protrude housing surface or from a surface of the part to be fastened and snap into a recess of the opposite. Even with this well-known Device can inhibit or even make it impossible to rotate.

The surfaces, each on the watch case and on the or the attached Parts that are opposite each other and on which the locking means are arranged, can be either end faces or lateral surfaces.

Between the watch case and the part to be attached to it, For example, the case back or the watch glass can also Seals are attached, so that with this according to the invention Device waterproof watches can be produced. On the outside of the housing arranged rotating ring, sealing is not necessary because between the The rotating ring and the water entering the housing cannot interfere.

Fig. 1 einen Querschnitt durch ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Armbanduhr, bei der ein Drehring mit der erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung am Uhrengehäuse befestigt ist,

Fig. 2 eine Aufsicht auf die Armbanduhr gemäss der Fig. 1, wobei in der einen Hälfte der dargestellten Figur der Drehring vorhanden und in der anderen Hälfte nicht vorhanden ist,

Fig. 3A - 3C eine perspektivische, auseinandergezogene Darstellung eines Teiles der Armbanduhr gemäss der Fig. 1, wobei die Fig. 3A einen Sektor des Drehringes, Fig. 3B einen Sektor einer Feder und Fig. 3C einen Sektor des Gehäuses zeigt,

Fig. 4A, 4B Darstellungen zum Erklären der Funktionsweise des erfindungsgemäss befestigten Drehringes, wobei die Fig. 4B insbesondere die Situation beim Entfernen des Drehringes zeigt,

Fig. 5 ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel einer Armbanduhr, bei der sowohl der Drehring als auch ein Gehäuseboden mit der erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung befestigt sind,

Fig. 6 ein drittes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Armbanduhr, bei der der Drehring und der Gehäuseboden analog der Ausführung in der Fig. 5 befestigt sind, wobei aber eine andere Art von Rastmitteln vorhanden ist, und

Fig. 7 einen Querschnitt durch eine Armbanduhr, im wesentlichen gemäss der Fig. 1, wobei jedoch die Rastmittel unterschiedlich zum ersten Ausführungsbeispiel ausgeführt sind.

The present invention is described in more detail below with reference to figures using some exemplary embodiments. Show it

1 shows a cross section through a first exemplary embodiment of a wristwatch, in which a rotating ring is fastened to the watch case with the device according to the invention,

2 shows a top view of the wristwatch according to FIG. 1, the rotating ring being present in one half of the figure shown and not being present in the other half,

3A-3C show a perspective, exploded view of part of the wristwatch according to FIG. 1, FIG. 3A showing a sector of the rotating ring, FIG. 3B showing a sector of a spring and FIG. 3C showing a sector of the housing,

4A, 4B are illustrations for explaining the mode of operation of the rotary ring fastened according to the invention, FIG. 4B showing in particular the situation when the rotary ring is removed,

5 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a wristwatch in which both the rotating ring and a housing base are fastened with the device according to the invention,

Fig. 6 shows a third embodiment of a wristwatch in which the rotating ring and the case back are fastened analogously to the embodiment in Fig. 5, but with a different type of locking means, and

FIG. 7 shows a cross section through a wristwatch, essentially according to FIG. 1, but the latching means are designed differently from the first exemplary embodiment.

1, 2 and 3A to 3C, a first embodiment is one Wristwatch with a fastened with the device according to the invention Rotating ring shown. It can be seen from the cross-sectional drawing in FIG. 1 that the wristwatch essentially a watch case 1, in particular a Housing middle part 1, in which a clockwork 31 according to conventional Kind is built. The watch case 1 is screwed onto its underside Case bottom 2 closed and has on its top a watch glass 3, which is also attached in a known manner.

The watch also has a rotatable ring 4, as is particularly the case is known from diving watches. On the rotating ring 4, which holds the watch glass 3 includes on its peripheral circumference, any markings to be appropriate. To fasten the rotating ring 4, the watch case 1 a circumferential approach projecting in the axial direction 5 on the outer surface of the watch glass 3 in the exemplary embodiment shown like a wreath. The approach 5 has an outer circumferential surface 6 and an inner circumferential outer surface 7. On the the housing 1 facing away from the approach 5 is this by an end face 10 limited. In the embodiment shown is on the outer surface 6 of the approach 5 a circumferential groove 8 incorporated. Extend from this groove 2, three grooves 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 in the axial direction the aforementioned end face 10. The rotary ring 4 has radially inward, cone-shaped projections 11.1, 11.2 and 11.3. These ledges point among themselves with regard to their distribution on the circumference of an inner one The outer surface of the rotating ring 4 has the same angular position as the grooves on the outer surface 6 of the watch case 1. Also corresponds to Number of projections of the number of grooves. For fastening the rotating ring at least two grooves and at least two protrusions are required.

The grooves 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 can be parallel to the longitudinal axis 38 of the Extend clock or at right angles to the circumferential groove 8. This is in Figure 3C indicated by the dash-dotted line 13.

However, it is preferably provided that the grooves 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 in one oblique direction to the groove 8 are directed. This is visible in Figure 3C and is illustrated by the dash-dotted line with reference numeral 14. The smaller one is formed between the groove direction and the grooves In an advantageous embodiment, angle 15 is 45 °.

So that the rotating ring 4 with respect to the longitudinal axis 38 only in the cone-shaped are placed in a single angular position Projections 11.1., 11.2 and 11.3, which run from the rotary ring in the radial direction Longitudinal watch axis are directed and the grooves 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 in the above Approach 5 of the housing 1 distributed unevenly with respect to the clock size. Between two adjacent projections or grooves 11.1., 11.2, 9.1, 9.2; 11.2, 11.3, 9.2, 9.3; 11.3, 11.1, 9.3, 9.1 are each different angles 12.1., 12.2., 12.3 available. In any case, the angular distribution corresponds to Projections of the angular distribution of the grooves.

The projections 11.1., 11.2, 11.3 via the grooves 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 open towards the end face 10 of the projection 5 set and guided through the grooves into the groove 8. If the grooves are arranged obliquely, the insertion takes place under a simultaneous slightly turn the rotating ring in the direction of the groove inclination. The rotating ring can now, guided by the projections 11.1 sliding in the groove 8, 11.2, 11.3 turn around the longitudinal axis of the watch.

With such rotating rings, it is common that the direction of rotation is only in one sense, preferably counterclockwise. To do so According to a known embodiment of the rotating ring 4 on the watch case 1 facing surface 16, in this case a lower end face, first Latching means 18. On one of the surfaces of the rotating ring 4 facing Surface 21 of the watch case 1, second latching means 23 are arranged cooperate with the first locking means 18. In the in Figures 1 to 3C shown embodiment, the surface 21 is an annular end face on the watch case 1, which is designed here as a further circumferential groove. In this an annular leaf spring 23 is inserted, resilient along its circumference Tongues 26 bent and the first locking means 18 of the rotary ring 4th are facing. The first locking means 18 are designed as teeth. Teeth 25 are in a certain grid over the circumference of the lower one End face 16 of the rotary ring 4 distributed.

The spring tongues 26 engage as spring-loaded elements put on rotary ring 4 into the teeth 25. This is essentially sawtooth-shaped, such that those bent out of the leaf spring 23 Spring tongues 26 on the one running essentially in the axial direction The flank of the toothing is in contact and thus a turning of the rotating ring in the prevent one direction. In the other direction, usually counterclockwise (Arrow 32, Fig. 2), the rotating ring can be rotated. Here are the spring tongues by the advancing oblique flanks of the teeth 25 26 pressed down. They then rested in the next Tooth base.

At least one spring tongue is necessary to only achieve that the rotating ring 4 can only be rotated in one direction. The spring tongues 26 still have the task of turning the rotating ring in in the axial direction so that the protrusions 11.1., 11.2, 11.3 bear against the upper groove surface 8 and thus turn the rotating ring 4 enable essentially without axial play. It goes without saying that the angular position of the several spring tongues 26 and the grid of the teeth 25 are matched to each other, in such a way that in each rest position all spring tongues 26 are in contact with an axially directed tooth flank.

By means of a locking tab 28, which according to FIG. 3B from the leaf spring 23 is bent downward in the axial direction and a bore 29, that according to FIG. 3C on the face 21 of the further groove into the watch case 1 is incorporated, the leaf spring 23 is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the watch prevented.

So that the rotating ring can be easily adjusted, according to the Fig. 2 knurling 33 is provided on one of its outward sides be.

There would also be other embodiments, both of the teeth 25 and the spring-loaded elements 26 conceivable. The gearing could for example be trapezoidal or rounded and the spring-loaded elements 26 could be rounded and such that it is possible to turn the rotating ring in both directions. Many imaginable Design variants are conceivable. The leaf spring 23 would not have to necessarily circular, but there could be several of them separate segments may be provided.

It would then have to be provided for each segment that a predetermined one angular position with respect to the longitudinal axis of the clock is maintained. This could also be by other means than that shown for example only Lock tab 28 and bore 29 happen. The groove 8 would also be conceivable not to be arranged all around, but as separate grooves to provide. Only one groove 9 would then lead into each partial groove and for each partial groove would have a pin-shaped projection 11 on the rotating ring 4.

4A and 4B show how the rotary ring 4 in a device can be removed according to the example described above. From the 4A shows that the rasterization of the toothing 25 of the first Locking means 18, the spring tongues 26 of the leaf spring 23, the grooves 9 in the watch case 1 and the peg-shaped projections 11 of the rotary ring 4, which slide along the groove 8 in the watch case 1, are to be coordinated. This preferably so that the protrusions when they are in the range of are assigned to them, the groove openings extending into the groove 8 minimally overlap in the direction of rotation. If by some Force application of the rotating ring 4 is rotated in the opposite direction 4B, the spring tongues 26 are slightly bent and the projections 11 slide the grooves 9 upwards. It is the mutual game between Tooth flanks, spring tongues, projections and grooves, to be coordinated in such a way that using a certain amount of effort Turning the rotating ring 4 backwards is as far as possible until the projections 11 are located directly below the groove openings in the groove 8. By the spring force of the spring tongues, the projections 11 are then already very little pressed into the grooves 9. By stepping backwards more intensely then the projections 11 slide out of the grooves 9. It can happen that the spring tongues 26 are bent up and partially broken off will. A leaf spring 23 can, in contrast to the watch case 1 or for the rotating ring 4 can be replaced easily and inexpensively.

5 shows a second embodiment of a clock, in which the rotating ring 4 is attached essentially as described above. While previously the peg-shaped projections 11 in the rotary ring 4 as for example punched cams were formed, these are through here Pins 34 formed, which essentially by radially directed holes in the rotating ring 4 are used. The operation of the peg-shaped projections but is the same. Furthermore, the second embodiment shown that essentially not only a rotary ring 4 with the inventive Device can be attached to the watch case, but that this Device can equally well be used to attach the housing base 2 can. For this purpose, the watch case also has a bottom of the case bottom 2 facing approach 5, which is formed essentially the same is, like the approach described above, facing the watch glass 3 5. Pin-shaped projections 11 are also arranged on the housing base 2, which by grooves 9 in a further circumferential groove 8 on the other Approach 5 can be introduced. Between the case back 2 and the watch case 1, a seal 30 is arranged such that no water and also no dirt can get inside the housing. Such seals are known and need not be described further here.

The third exemplary embodiment in FIG. 6 shows in contrast to that in FIG. 5 only an embodiment with different locking means. Instead of the aforementioned leaf spring with the bent spring tongues and the teeth are here in the housing 1 of the watch one or more axially directed bores in which the second locking means 24 are arranged are. These each include a compression spring 35 and on both sides of the bore a ball 36 partially protruding from the bore. The bore is closed at their ends so that the balls 36 do not fall out can. Such training is known. The balls 36 can be axial Direction are compressed. On the front of the watch case 1, from which the balls 36 protrude, adjacent end faces Both the rotating ring 4 and the housing base 2 are second locking means 19 designed as at least one recess 19 for each of the balls 36 intended. After the protrusions 11 have been inserted into the circumferential groove 8 for the rotating ring 4 and the projections 11 in the circumferential groove 8 for the housing base 2, these two parts can be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the clock until the balls 36 snap into a recess 19. One more spin the corresponding part is then inhibited or depending on the spring force the compression spring 35 or the formation of the recess 19 almost impossible. It can be provided that a plurality of depressions 19 over one Circumferential circle are arranged in a certain grid.

Of course, it would be possible to implement according to the Fig. 6 with the housing base according to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3C to screw the watch case 1 and only the rotary ring 4 according to the invention to fix. The bore in which the compression spring 35 is arranged would then not be continuous but only open on one side. Instead of A rotating ring 4 could also be a watch with only one according to the invention attached housing base may be provided.

7 is a fourth embodiment of a wrist watch shown. The housing base 2 is, as in the first described embodiment, screwed to the watch case 1, the rotating ring 4 is according to the invention attached. The second locking means 24 and the first locking means 20 include a ball 36 loaded with a spring 35, which in a recess 20 engages, as has been described above. From this Embodiment should be shown that the locking means 20, 24 also on mutually facing lateral surfaces 17, 22 of the part to be fastened, here of the rotating ring 4, and the watch case 1 can act.

Any specialist can do without having to be inventive imagine that although this is not shown in any figure, the watch glass 3 can be attached according to the inventive device.

It is also possible to attach the groove and the grooves to the one to be fastened Form part, for example on the rotating ring or on the housing base and to arrange the peg-shaped projections on the watch case. Versions, where, for example, the groove and the grooves for attaching the Rotating rings are arranged on the watch case, while for fastening of the housing base, the groove and the grooves arranged on the housing base or vice versa are also conceivable. Also, the grooves and the Grooves on the inner surface of the extension formed on the housing be present and with radially outwardly directed cone-shaped projections interact of the part to be fastened. The tabs and the arrangement of the groove with the grooves can also with respect to those mentioned here The inside surface may be reversed. The invention is therefore intended to any dual exchanges of elements of the fastening device according to the invention extend if this produces a similar effect becomes.

Claims (12)

1. Device for fastening a rotationally symmetrical part, in particular a rotatable ring (4), a back cover (2) and/or a watch-glass (3) to a watchcase (1) with at least one encircling, rotationally symmetrical shoulder (5) protruding in axial direction with respect to the watchcase, characterised in that for each part to be fastened (2, 3, 4) to the shoulder an encircling groove (8) is provided on the shoulder, which groove runs along an exterior (6) and/or interior generated surface (7), in that from the groove (8) at least two notches (9.1, 9.2, 9.3), distributed over the circumference of the groove, extend in essentially axial direction to the face (10) of the shoulder (5) which protrudes up to the watchcase, and in that on the part (2, 3, 4) to be fastened essentially peg-shaped projections (11.1, 11.2, 11.3) are provided corresponding to the number of notches (9.1, 9.2, 9.3), which projections can be inserted through the notches into the groove and can be turned along the groove at least in a limited area.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the notches (9.1, 9.2, 9.3) of the shoulder (5) and the projections (11.1, 11.2, 11.3) of the part (2, 3, 4) to be fastened are distributed irregularly over the circumference of the shoulder, respectively of the part, and contain a plurality of angles (12.1, 12.2, 12.3), unequal to each other, whereby the angles (12.1, 12.2, 12.3) contained between each two adjacent notches and projections are equal.
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the notches (9.1, 9.2, 9.3) extend in axial direction at a right angle (13) to the associated groove (8).
4. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the notches (9.1, 9.2, 9.3) extend diagonally (14) to the associated groove (8), the smaller angle (15) contained between each one of the notches and the groove being preferably 45°.
5. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterised in that disposed on one of the surfaces (16, 17), turned toward the watchcase, of the part to be fastened (2, 3, 4) are first engagement means (18, 19, 20), and provided on one of the surfaces (21, 22) of the watchcase (1) turned toward the part (2, 3, 4) to be fastened are second engagement means (23, 24), a continuing rotational movement being impeded or prevented by means of the two engagement means (18, 19, 20; 23, 24) after mutual engagement following a certain turning movement of the part (2, 3, 4) relative to the watchcase (1), while during the movement the projections (11.1, 11.2, 11.3) slide into the groove (8).
6. Device according to claim 5, characterised in that the said surfaces (16, 17; 21, 22) are in each case front surfaces (16, 21) or generated surfaces (17, 22).
7. Device according to claim 5, characterised in that the first engagement means (18) comprise a toothing (25) and the second engagement means (23) at least one spring-impinged element (26) engaging with the toothing.
8. Device according to claim 7, characterised in that the spring-impinged element is a flexible tongue (26) of an annular leaf spring (23), the flexible tongue and the toothing (25) being directed against each other in such a way that the part (4) fastened to the watchcase (1) is rotatable in only one direction (32).
9. Device according to claim 8, characterised in that the leaf spring (23) is insertable in an annular depression (21) on a face (27) of the watchcase, a blocking tab (28) of the leaf spring (23) engaging in a bore (29) of the watchcase (1) preventing a turning of the leaf spring relative to the watch-case (1), and in that provided in the area of each notch (9.1, 9.2, 9.3) of the groove (8) is a flexible tongue (11.1, 11.2, 11.3), which, with respect to the groove, is directed in a diagonal direction opposed to the course of the notch.
10. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 9, characterised in that provided between the watchcase (1) and the part (2, 3) to be fastened thereon is a gasket (30), sealing the case interior.
11. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the encircling groove (8) is interrupted at least twice, at least two partially encircling partial grooves being created and in that one notch per partial groove is provided.
12. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the shoulder (5), the grooves (8) with the notches (9.1, 9.2, 9.3), and the projections (11.1, 11.2, 11.3) are interchanged with respect to the watchcase (1) and the part (2, 3, 4) to be fastened thereto.

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