EP0770939B1 - Timepiece comprising a case with a clockwork movement therein - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a part horological, in particular a wristwatch, comprising a case in which a watch movement is housed.

For obvious reasons, the watch movement must be kept inside the case in a fixed position relative to this housing. To do this, several arrangements have been developed by men of the job. However, these arrangements are relatively complex and expensive.

The object of the present invention is to provide a timepiece including a system for fixing the movement in the case which is simple and inexpensive.

To this end, the invention relates to a part timepiece comprising a case and a movement comprising on at least part of its periphery a rim, the case comprising a middle part having a movement introduction opening and a wall internal, this internal wall defining a direction of movement introduction and housing for this movement (FR-A-2 254 251). This timepiece is characterized in that that the middle part is elastically deformable and that the internal wall has a first projecting part and a second projecting part between which is placed at least partially the edge of the movement, these first and second projecting parts positioning the movement in said direction of introduction. The first protruding part a, in a first region superimposed on said edge and located on the side of said opening relative to a culminating region of this first protruding part, a profile, in a plane of section parallel to said direction of introduction, the tangent at any point has an angular deviation relative to the direction of introduction which is less than 90 degrees.

Thanks to the aforementioned characteristics of the room of watchmaking according to the invention, it is possible to introduce the movement through said opening provided in the middle and put it in place by a simple pressure on it. Indeed, the ability to elastic deformation of the middle part together with particular profile of the first projecting part allows the introduction of the movement by exerting pressure sufficient until the edge of this movement has past the first protruding part. The movement is then positioned by the first and second parts protruding.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first protruding part is not planned for the whole periphery of said internal wall. This allows to use the deformation capacity of the entire middle part to locally defeat the first protruding part during of the introduction of the movement in the case. Various prototypes produced by the Applicant have demonstrated that, in this preferred embodiment, it is possible to keep a sufficiently solid material for the middle part and hard locally presenting only a low elasticity without however damaging neither the movement nor the build, during the introduction of this movement.

It will be noted that according to various variants, the movement can be introduced either through the side opening back, either through the opening on the bezel side.

In addition, it should be noted that it is possible to provide a profile of the first protruding part or the second protruding part allowing the movement of the housing by also exerting pressure on this movement.

• La figure 1 est une vue de dessous d'une carrure appartenant à un premier mode de réalisation d'une montre selon l'invention;
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe montrant une section transversale de la carrure selon la ligne II-II de la figure 1;
• la figure 3 (3a,3b,3c) montre schématiquement un premier mode d'introduction d'un mouvement horloger dans la carrure représentée aux figures 1 et 2;
• la figure 4 (4a,4b,4c) montre schématiquement un deuxième mode d'introduction d'un mouvement horloger dans la carrure représentée aux figures 1 et 2;
• la figure 5 montre une première variante de réalisation de la carrure des figures 1 et 2 dans une vue en coupe similaire à la figure 2;
• la figure 6 montre une deuxième variante de réalisation de la carrure des figures 1 et 2 dans une vue en coupe similaire à la figure 2;
• la figure 7 est une vue schématique de dessus de la montre représentée partiellement aux figures 1 et 2;
• la figure 8 est une coupe transversale partielle de la montre représentée à la figure 7;
• la figure 9 est une vue de dessous d'une carrure appartenant à un deuxième mode de réalisation d'une montre selon l'invention.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will also appear on reading the following description made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a bottom view of a middle part belonging to a first embodiment of a watch according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a sectional view showing a cross section of the middle along the line II-II of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 (3a, 3b, 3c) schematically shows a first mode of introduction of a timepiece movement in the middle shown in Figures 1 and 2;
• Figure 4 (4a, 4b, 4c) schematically shows a second mode of introduction of a timepiece movement in the middle shown in Figures 1 and 2;
• Figure 5 shows a first alternative embodiment of the middle of Figures 1 and 2 in a sectional view similar to Figure 2;
• Figure 6 shows a second alternative embodiment of the middle of Figures 1 and 2 in a sectional view similar to Figure 2;
• Figure 7 is a schematic top view of the watch shown partially in Figures 1 and 2;
• Figure 8 is a partial cross section of the watch shown in Figure 7;
• Figure 9 is a bottom view of a middle part belonging to a second embodiment of a watch according to the invention.

Using FIGS. 1 and 2, a description will be given below. middle part belonging to a first embodiment of a watch according to the invention.

The middle 2 is essentially geometric in shape rectangular comprising four rectilinear portions, in particular two longitudinal portions 4 and 6 aligned in the same longitudinal direction of the middle part 2. From classic way, this middle is designed to be associated with a removable bottom by means of screws inserted in the screw holes 8. This middle part 2 includes a groove lower 10 intended to receive a seal and a hole 12 for the passage of a rod associated with the watch movement introduced into this middle. Then, the middle part 2 also includes four holes 14 for the passage of screws associated with the strap attachment means the middle, which will be briefly described by after.

Then, as shown in Figure 2, the middle 2 also includes an upper groove 16 intended for receive a seal in contact with the glass (not shown) of the watch, this crystal pressing against the surface 18 of the middle part 2.

In addition, the middle part 2 comprises on its internal wall 20 preferably four projections 22, 23, 24 and 25 forming together a first projecting part of this middle part 2. The internal wall 20 also has a second part protruding 28. In the present embodiment, the projection 28 forms a watch face and serves stop for a watch movement and its dial introduced into the middle as will be described more precisely thereafter.

The internal wall 20 of the middle part 2 defines a opening 30 for movement inside of it. In addition, this internal wall 20 defines a direction of introduction 32 of said movement in this middle part, this internal wall also defining a housing 34 for said movement and said dial associated with this latest.

The first projecting part, in particular the projection 24 in Figure 2, shows three separate regions. The first region, between the construction lines L3 and L4, has a profile defining a line segment oblique 38 which has an angular offset α relative to the direction of introduction 32. As for example, the value of the angle α is equal to 15 °.

The second region of the first protruding part is located between the construction lines L1 and L2. The profile of the first protruding part in this second region defines an oblique line segment 40 offset angularly by an angle β relative to the direction introduction 32.

Finally, the first projecting part includes a third region between the construction lines L2 and L3 which defines a culminating region of this first salient part. In Figure 2, the profile of the first protruding part in the highest region defines a line segment 42 parallel to the direction 32. However, it should be noted that the culminating region may, in other variants, have a almost zero height, which amounts to almost superimposing the construction lines L2 and L3. In this case, the profile of the first protruding part in this region culminating is brought back to a culminating point separating the first and second regions of this first part prominent.

Note that there is a recess 44 in the second protruding part 28, this recess being provided in the lower part of this second part protruding 28 and set back from the surface 46 defining the visible surface of the flange through the glass (not shown) of the timepiece. In addition, this recess 44 is located opposite the first part protruding 22, 23, 24 and 25.

Using Figure 3 (3a, 3b and 3c), we will describe hereinafter a first mode of introducing a movement 50 associated with a dial 52 inside the housing 34 of the middle 2 by the introduction opening 30 of this movement 50.

Note that the schematic representation of the middle 2, movement 50 and dial 52 is torn in its central part. Note also that the portion 4 of the middle part 2, defining the lateral part right of it, is symmetrical to portion 6 of this middle 2, defining the left side part thereof, relative to the median plane 54 defined in FIG. 1. This median plan 54 corresponds to the 6 o'clock-12 o'clock plan of the middle part 2. Thus, the projection 23 has a profile symmetrical to the profile of the projection 24 relative to the insertion direction 32 in the section plane of the figure 3.

The movement 50 includes a flange 56, provided at least partially in the peripheral region of this movement 50, superimposed on the first protruding part once the movement 50 fixedly housed inside the housing 34 defined by middle part 2.

According to this first mode of introduction of the movement 50 in case 2, it is firstly planned to position the movement 50 surmounted by the dial 52 at an angle in the middle 2 so that the lower part of the rim 56 is in abutment against the surface 40 of the projections 22 and 23 constituting the first projecting part of the left side of the middle part 2. Then, a pressure 58 is exerted on the movement 50 to introduce the right part of this movement 50 in the housing 34.

According to an essential characteristic of the invention, the middle part 2 is elastically deformable. So the rim 56 or the peripheral region of the dial 52 superimposed on the rim 56 exerts on the projections 24 and 25, constituting the first projecting part of the part right of middle part 2, a spacing force used to increase the distance between portion 4 and portion 6 middle part 2. It will be mentioned that, depending on the material chosen for case 2, increasing the spacing interior, i.e. the distance between the projections 23 and 24, may be greater than the increase in the spacing between the respective external surfaces 60 and 62 of portions 4 and 6 or, on the contrary, be substantially equal.

It will be noted that the deformation generated by the introduction of movement 50 into the housing 34 provided for this movement in the middle part 2 generates a spacing room of this middle part 2 in the region of projections 24 and 25. However, the entire middle part is stressed by this deformation, so that it is possible to provide a relatively strong and rigid material for the middle 2, but with a deformation capacity elastic along the circumference of the middle 2 sufficient to allow the edge 56 of movement 50 to pass the culminating region defined above from projections 24 and 25. In other words, increasing the spacing between the portions 4 and 6 of the middle part 2 can be absorbed on the entire periphery of this middle part 2. This demonstrates an additional advantage of the invention in the case where the first protruding part is not provided on the entire circumference of the internal wall 20.

The position of the second protruding part 28 relative to the first protruding part 22, 23, 24 and 25 is provided so that when movement 50 and the dial 52 are arranged in their configuration definitive within the middle 2, the dial 52 is in support against the surface 64 of the second projecting part 28 forming a stop and the lower part of the rim 56 is pressing against the surface of the second defined region above of the first salient part. Therefore, the movement 50 and the dial 52 associated with it are perfectly fixed inside the middle 2, without that other fixing means are provided, in particular fixing screws or a hoop or else other means usually known to those skilled in the art used to hold the movement fixedly at inside the case of a watch.

We will also mention that the second part protruding 28 forming a stop is obviously located side opposite to the opening 30 for the movement 50 relative to the first protruding part 22, 23, 24 and 25. It will also be mentioned that the dial 52 has dimensions less than or equal to the plate forming the upper part of movement 50 and comprising at its upper periphery edge 56, and this in the region or the edge 56 is superimposed on the first part prominent.

Regarding the usefulness of recess 44, it was found that, depending on the material used for the middle 2, the forced passage of the dial 52 and of the movement 50 to placing them inside the middle part 2 can cause material to be torn off from the inner wall 20 which then forms a deposit on the peripheral surface of the dial 52 superimposed on the first projecting part. This material deposit is located opposite the recess 44 a times movement 50 and dial 52 set up in the middle 2. As a result, the surface 64 of the flange 28 bears correctly on the upper surface of the dial 52 without that the deposit of material torn from the internal wall 20 causes a defect in plating the dial 52 against the surface 64 of flange 28.

In Figure 4 (4a, 4b, 4c) is shown schematically a second mode of introduction of a movement 50 associated with a dial 52 in the cavity 34 provided for this movement 50 and this dial 52 inside middle 2.

The references already described above will not be again described in detail here. This second mode of introduction differs from the first mode of introduction aforementioned in that movement 50 and dial 52 extend substantially parallel to a general plane of middle 2 throughout the introduction into the middle 2. To do this, pressure is exerted equivalent way on the left edge and on the edge right of movement 50. Note however that this second mode of introduction requires deformation capacity elasticity of the middle part 2 greater than that necessary for the first mode of introduction described above.

On the other hand, in the case where the dimensions of the dial 52 are smaller than the dimensions of the movement 50 in the region superimposed on the first protruding part, this second mode of introduction allows to save mechanical pressures and stresses on the dial 52 and This avoids damaging the edge.

In a variant of the first embodiment of the timepiece according to the invention, it is intended that the dimensions of the movement 50 and of the dial 52 according to the direction 6 am to 12 pm are less than corresponding dimensions of the housing 34 defined by the middle 2. The positioning of the movement according to this direction is ensured by the introduction of a rod in the rod hole 12 (Figure 1). This has the advantage of allow the transverse portions located between the portions 4 and 6 of the middle part 2 to deform elastically relatively freely. In particular, this configuration allows said portions transverse to curve slightly against the center of the middle 2 when increasing the spacing between the lateral portions 4 and 6, which is more marked in the central part of these portions 4 and 6. This is all the more true in the case of the first mode of the movement described above where the projections 24 and 25 having to pass through the edge of the movement are located in the region of the rod hole 12. Indeed, this hole generates less resistance to deformation of the middle in the region where it is located. Thus, the portion 4 tends to curve against the outside of the middle part 2 during the introduction of the movement, which naturally results in a slight bending of the aforementioned transverse portions against the inside of the middle part 2. However, it will be noted that the invention is not limited to this particular case and that it is also possible to provide for an adjustment of the movement 50 and / or dial 52 along the axis 6 o'clock-12 hours of build 2.

The references of Figures 5 and 6 described previously will not be described again in detail here.

In Figure 5 is shown a first variant of the middle part 2. This first variant is essentially distinguishes by the fact that the recess 44 has been deleted since the dimensions of the dial 52 are smaller than the dimensions of the top of the movement 50 including the edge 56 in the region where this rim 56 is superimposed on the first protruding part 24. Therefore, a space 68 is defined by the lateral edge of the dial 52, the upper peripheral surface of the movement 50 and the middle part 2. Thus, a deposit of material torn off at the inner wall of the middle part 2 during the introduction of the movement 50 will be housed in space 68 and will not disturb not the precise positioning of the movement in the middle, especially with the support surfaces 64 and 40 against which are respectively supported the dial 52 and the lower part of the rim 56.

It will also be noted in FIG. 5 that the part upper 57 of rim 56 has been rounded in order to facilitate the introduction of movement 50 and also for decrease the amount of material torn from the wall internal 20 when the movement is introduced.

In Figure 6 is shown a second variant of the middle part 2 according to the present invention. In this second variant, the dimensions of the dial 52 are also provided below dimensions of the upper part of the movement 50 including the rim 56. In addition, it is expected that the second protruding part 28 form abutted by its surface lower 65 on top of movement 50. It is so possible to avoid exerting pressure on the surface of the dial 52, which can be advantageous when this dial risk of being damaged by pressure from the flange when the movement 50 and dial 52 suddenly stopped at the end of introduction of these in the middle 2. It will be noted that in this second variant, the flange 29 can be formed by a separate piece from the middle part 2 or from material with this middle part 2. It will also be noted that preferably an obviously 44 is again provided for same reasons as explained above.

With the aid of FIGS. 7 and 8, the following will be described briefly the ice fixing system 70 of the first embodiment of a timepiece according to the invention.

In FIG. 7, the dial 52 includes a display analog 72 of the hour and a digital display 74 complementary. A bracelet 76 is attached to the middle part 2 at means of a bar 78 and associated fixing means to this bar 78 comprising an upper plate 80 and two fixing screws 82. As can be seen on the Figure 8, the wafer 80 has a dual function, namely that of holding bar 78 in place and of maintaining also in place the glass 70. The screws 82 make it possible to securely attach the plate 80 to the middle part 2.

Thus, it is without other possibility to assemble the glass 70 after the introduction of movement 50 associated with dial 52. Therefore, in the case of a brittle glass in particular, the introduction of movement 50 in the middle 2 will not damage the glass 70. In the figure 8 are still shown the bottom 84 and two seals 86 and 88 respectively arranged in the corresponding grooves 10 and 16, described in Figure 2.

However, it will be noted that it is possible in a other embodiment of the invention to introduce the movement 50 associated with dial 52 after the crystal watch be set up. However, this solution presents risks in particular in the case of ice formed by a glass. So, this other embodiment will be more particularly suitable for glass in material plastic susceptible to certain constraints mechanical and elastic deformation.

In Figure 9 is shown a bottom view a middle part belonging to a second mode of production of a watch according to the invention. We will notice as the middle part 3, although not completely circular, nevertheless defines a circular housing 34 for a also circular movement. The inner wall 20 presents a profile similar to that of the first mode of realization with three offset 90, 92 and 94 projections angularly at an angle of 120 °. These three projections define a first protruding part while the second protruding part 28 is provided, as in the first embodiment, on the entire periphery of the internal wall 20.

Four screw holes 8 are also provided for the fixing a bottom and a circular groove 96 is intended to receive a seal. The middle 3 includes also means 98 for attaching a bracelet to this middle 3.

The crystal associated with the middle case 3 is a plastic glass, heat-sealed, glued, or still hunted.

The arrangement of the three projections 90, 92 and 94 allows to introduce the circular watch movement at an angle, to analogous to the method of introduction described above at using Figure 3.

Claims (10)

1. Timepiece comprising a case and a movement (50) comprising a rim (56) on at least a portion of its periphery, the case comprising a caseband (2;3) having an opening (30) for inserting said movement and an internal wall (20), this internal wall defining a direction (32) for inserting said movement and a housing (34) for this movement, this timepiece being characterized in that the caseband is able to be deformed elastically and in that said internal wall has a first protruding part (22, 23, 24, 25; 90, 92, 94) and a second protruding part (28) between which at least partially said rim of said movement is placed, these first and second protruding parts positioning said movement in said insertion direction, said first protruding part having, in a first region (L3-L4) superposed onto said rim and situated on the side of the opening with respect to a raised region (L2-L3) of this first protruding part, a profile (38), in a cross-section plane parallel to said insertion direction, the tangent of which at any point has an angular deflection (α) in relation to the insertion direction which is less than 90 degrees.
2. Timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that said second protruding part (28) is provided on the side opposite said opening (30) in relation to said first protruding part (22, 23, 24, 25; 90, 92, 94), and in that said second protruding part forms a stop limiting the possible travel of the movement (50) in said insertion direction (32) in said case.
3. Timepiece according to claim 2, characterized in that said second protruding part (28) forms a flange, and in that a dial (52) is provided on said movement (50), said dial having dimensions less than or equal to those of said movement in the region where said rim (56) is superposed onto said first protruding part (22, 23, 24, 25; 90, 92, 94), said dial abutting against a lower surface (64) of said flange whereas said rim (56) abuts against a surface of a second region (L1-L2) of said first protruding part situated on the second protruding part (28) side in relation to said raised region (L2-L3) of said first protruding part.
4. Timepiece according to claims 2 or 3, characterized in that a recess (44) is provided in said second protruding part (28) said recess being situated opposite said first protruding part (22, 23, 24, 25; 90, 92, 94) and superposed onto the external edge of said rim (56) of said movement (50).
5. Timepiece according to claims 3 or 4, comprising a back cover (84) arranged so as to be detachable, characterized in that said insertion opening (30) is situated on the side of the back cover.
6. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said caseband (2) comprises two rectilinear parts (4, 6) situated facing each other, said internal wall (20) being defined by straight surfaces along those two rectilinear parts, said first protruding part (22, 23, 24, 25) being provided only along said two rectilinear parts.
7. Timepiece according to claim 6, characterized in that said first protruding part (22, 23, 24, 25) is comprised of four distinct protrusions regularly distributed on the internal walls respectively of said two rectilinear parts (4,6) of the caseband (2), the dimensions of said movement (50) along an axis parallel to said straight surfaces being less than the corresponding dimensions of said case (34).
8. Timepiece according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said internal wall (20) of the caseband (3) is circular, said rim of said movement being also circular.
9. Timepiece according to claim 8, characterized in that said first protruding part (90, 92, 94) is comprised of three distinct protrusions staggered at an angle of 120 degrees.
10. Timepiece according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said caseband (2) is integral with a bezel.

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