EP0807872B1 - Ensemble comprenant une boíte de montre en plastique dur et au moins un poussoir, et procédé de fabrication d'un tel ensemble - Google Patents

Ensemble comprenant une boíte de montre en plastique dur et au moins un poussoir, et procédé de fabrication d'un tel ensemble Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0807872B1
EP0807872B1 EP97107770A EP97107770A EP0807872B1 EP 0807872 B1 EP0807872 B1 EP 0807872B1 EP 97107770 A EP97107770 A EP 97107770A EP 97107770 A EP97107770 A EP 97107770A EP 0807872 B1 EP0807872 B1 EP 0807872B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
case
stem
head
flexible
push button
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP97107770A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0807872A1 (fr
Inventor
Jacques Müller
Rolf Widmer
Clément Meyrat
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.)
Swatch Group Management Services AG
Original Assignee
Swatch Group Management Services AG
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
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Application filed by Swatch Group Management Services AG filed Critical Swatch Group Management Services AG
Publication of EP0807872A1 publication Critical patent/EP0807872A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
    • G04C3/001—Electromechanical switches for setting or display
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B37/00—Cases
    • G04B37/08—Hermetic sealing of openings, joints, passages or slits
    • G04B37/10—Hermetic sealing of openings, joints, passages or slits of winding stems
    • G04B37/106—Hermetic sealing of openings, joints, passages or slits of winding stems of push buttons

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an assembly comprising a watch case and at least one pusher having a rod and a head integral with the rod and projecting at the outside of the box, the rod extending from the head through a side opening of the box, the pusher comprising an elastomeric element ensuring by its elasticity a restoring force of the pusher and sealingly closing said opening by being tightly fixed on a surface outside of the box around the opening.
  • the invention also relates to a method of manufacture of such an assembly.
  • Pushers of this kind generally have a low race, which primarily means that they order a electrical contact in an electronic watch, by example a chronograph or a watch with functions multiple, but we can also consider their application to a watch with mechanical movement.
  • Patent publication GB 2,077,506 describes a watch case having pushers of this kind, except that the rod does not cross completely or not at all the opening of the box.
  • the rod and the outer head of the pusher are made of a single piece molded in material hard plastic.
  • the head has a wall thin enough to be slightly flexible, thus allowing low longitudinal stroke of the rod and serve as a spring reminder.
  • the free end of the rod carries a plate conductive rubber which, when pressed push button, applies to two fixed contacts for electrically connect.
  • the periphery of the flexible head is in the form of a cylindrical skirt which, in a first embodiment of the pusher, is glued so tight against the wall of the opening of the box.
  • the molded part is made in one piece with the box, the skirt connecting directly to the box around the opening.
  • Such a pusher head must have a large enough diameter so that the head is flexible. This is possible in the case of the cited document because the pushers are found on an upper face of the box. On the other hand they could not be on the side wall a wristwatch (the part called the middle part), because the height of this wall is generally very limited. In addition, the repeated flexions of the head flexible hard plastic may eventually peel off or crack the skirt, thereby affecting the tightness and functioning of the pusher.
  • the patent application FR 2 030 093 shows, in particular in its figure 7, a set which corresponds in the preamble of claim 1 and which includes a pusher body made of rigid material comprising a rod and a head.
  • An elastomeric ring seal placed under the head of the pusher and on the middle of the box, adheres to them and also ensures the recall of the pusher when it has been compressed by pressing the pusher.
  • a pusher is provided watch subdivided into two parts: a membrane elastomer blocks a lateral opening of the box, while a rigid pusher body is resiliently supported inside the box for be able to be moved when the membrane is pushed up him.
  • This two-part system requires particular support inside the box.
  • the present invention aims to avoid the drawbacks above, thanks to an achievable pusher economically by a molding process and in such a way that the pusher can be on the middle of a wristwatch.
  • the invention relates to a set of the kind indicated above, characterized in that the box is made of hard plastic and in that said pusher head is flexible and is formed by said elastomeric element.
  • the flexible head elastomer material due that it is very elastically deformable and fixed on a outer surface of the box and not in the opening, makes it possible to produce a relatively pusher narrow in the direction of the thickness of the watch, so on the outside of the middle as in chronograph watches traditional metal pushers.
  • the elastomer head can advantageously be hot molded on the box, as we will describe more away, which ensures a strong and lasting bond between the elastomeric material and plastic material of the box.
  • the elastomer head also has the advantage of absorbing shocks accidental on the pusher, thus avoiding causing damage to the inside of the watch.
  • the rod can be made of hard plastic and in particular of the same plastic as the box, this which allows to mold it at the same time as the box.
  • the rod can be in one piece with the box, being linked on one side by a flexible part, or on the contrary be separated from the box by being connected to it only by the elastomer head.
  • the rod can be made of elastomeric material and be made in one piece with flexible head.
  • the stem of the pusher is made of the same plastic as the box and is molded during step (I).
  • the push rod is made of the same elastomeric material as the head flexible and is molded during step (III).
  • FIGS 1 and 2 schematically show a box wristwatch 2 made of hard thermoplastic material such than ABS or the like.
  • the box 2 includes a bottom 3 and a middle part 4 on which are provided in the present case two side pushers 5. One or more others pushers can be provided on the opposite side of the box.
  • the box 2 defines a circular central cavity 6 in which will take place, in a conventional manner, a clock movement, display means and possibly other organs, especially electronic modules.
  • a control rod (not shown) can be provided through the middle part 4, in particular between the two pushers 5 shown. Of preferably, these are the same or symmetrical one of the other and act along respective axes 7 directed towards the center 8 of the box.
  • Each pusher 5 according to Figures 1 and 2 is composed mainly of an elongated rod 10, preferably having a cylindrical, slightly conical or prismatic shape oriented along axis 7 in a lateral opening 11 of the middle part 4, and a flexible head 12 projecting from the outside of the box 2.
  • the head 12 here has a surface outer 13 in the shape of an elongated bell, which is connected smoothly to the adjacent exterior surface of the box 2.
  • the head 12 is made of an elastomeric material relatively soft, hot injection molded so to bind at one time to a first end 14 of the rod 10 and an outer surface portion 15 of the box 2 which surrounds the opening 11.
  • the surface portion 15 is preferably hollow to provide a thickness sufficient elastomeric material around the edge of the head 12.
  • the elastomer head 12 and the connection between the two materials on the surface portion 15 guarantee the tightness of the box in the area of the opening 11.
  • the end 14 of the rod 10 may have parts protruding embedded in the elastomeric material in order to strengthen its connection with the head 12.
  • the rod 10 is linked to the box 2 by a flexible part 16 in the form of a strip extending into opening 11 and serving as a spring for push button recall, in cooperation with the recall elastic provided by the flexible head 12.
  • a thin lateral clearance 17 is provided around the outer end 14 of the rod 10, except on the side of the flexible part 16, against which the head can rest.
  • the second end of rod 10 has a front surface support 18 which may have any suitable form for cooperate with the element of movement that it must push, for example an electrical contact element or a part mobile mechanics.
  • a metal strip flexible (not shown) fixed to the box 2 can be interposed between the front surface 18 and the movement to protect the plastic material of the rod 10.
  • the deformation of the flexible head 12 and the flexible part 16 causes a stroke C of the rod 10 to an active position shown in phantom.
  • Her front surface 18 can advantageously be then near a peripheral inner surface 20 of the cavity 6, which facilitates the mounting of the movement.
  • the construction described above has the advantage of be able to be manufactured by a process of molding by "bi-material" injection, that is to say that we use a single mold into which two are successively injected different materials.
  • the mold has a part which takes the place of the head flexible 12 and the hard plastic is injected into it forming the box 2 with the rod 10 and the flexible part 16.
  • replacing said part of the mold in order to mold the flexible head 12 and inject into this region the elastomeric material, which binds hot to the rod 10 and on the surface 15 of the box 2.
  • a finished box having the desired number of pushers along its middle, this number included for example between one and four.
  • the process of manufacturing is inexpensive, one can easily manufacture thus boxes having different numbers of pushers, or also use a box having for example four pushers with movement needing only three pushers, if justified for economic reasons or aesthetic.
  • Figure 3 shows a variant of the construction of Figures 1 and 2, the difference being that the rod 10 is separated from the box 2, to which it is only linked by the flexible elastomer head 12.
  • the opening 11 of the box simply has a shape cylindrical, completely surrounds the rod 10 and is extended by the clearance 17 of annular shape.
  • the rod 10 is made of the same hard plastic as the box 2, this construction can be manufactured by the same procedure as in the previous example.
  • the rod 10 is made of another material, either by prefabrication or by injection into the same mold. The push-button recall is ensured only by the elasticity of the elastomeric material of the head 12.
  • the rod 10 of the pusher 5 is made of the same elastomeric material as flexible head 12, with which it is connected by its first end 14, the pusher being thus made in one piece.
  • the rod 10 may have any suitable cross section, including a cross-shaped section in the case present.
  • the process can be used "bi-material" injection system described above, by injecting in the same mold successively the plastic hard of box 2, then the elastomeric material of the pusher 5.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Injection Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Manufacture Of Switches (AREA)
EP97107770A 1996-05-17 1997-05-13 Ensemble comprenant une boíte de montre en plastique dur et au moins un poussoir, et procédé de fabrication d'un tel ensemble Expired - Lifetime EP0807872B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9606155A FR2748828B1 (fr) 1996-05-17 1996-05-17 Ensemble comprenant une boite de montre en plastique dur et au moins un poussoir, et procede de fabrication d'un tel ensemble
FR9606155 1996-05-17

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0807872A1 EP0807872A1 (fr) 1997-11-19
EP0807872B1 true EP0807872B1 (fr) 2002-01-09

Family

ID=9492226

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97107770A Expired - Lifetime EP0807872B1 (fr) 1996-05-17 1997-05-13 Ensemble comprenant une boíte de montre en plastique dur et au moins un poussoir, et procédé de fabrication d'un tel ensemble

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (2) US6000842A (enExample)
EP (1) EP0807872B1 (enExample)
JP (1) JPH1048352A (enExample)
CN (1) CN1132070C (enExample)
AU (1) AU719683B2 (enExample)
DE (1) DE69709484T2 (enExample)
FR (1) FR2748828B1 (enExample)
SG (1) SG65649A1 (enExample)
TW (1) TW324796B (enExample)

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE60044711D1 (de) * 2000-05-11 2010-09-02 Swatch Group Man Serv Ag Mit einer Drucktaste versehene tragbare elektronische Vorrichtung, insbesondere eine Uhr
SG109448A1 (en) * 2000-05-11 2005-03-30 Swatch Group Man Serv Ag Portable electronic device such as, in particular, a timepiece, fitted with a push-button
US6950516B2 (en) * 2001-10-05 2005-09-27 Nokia Corporation User changeable electronic device/mobile phone covers and method
WO2007011656A2 (en) * 2005-07-15 2007-01-25 Dennis Brandon Medicine cap timing apparatus
DE102006010896A1 (de) * 2006-03-09 2007-09-13 Witte-Velbert Gmbh & Co. Kg Gehäuse eines Funkschlüssels
CN101473362B (zh) 2006-05-22 2013-09-11 耐克国际有限公司 具有半透明盖的带光源的表显示器
EP1933213A1 (en) * 2006-12-11 2008-06-18 Globalsat Technology Corporation A water-proof watch case with GPS and a method for manufacturing the same
EP2746873B1 (fr) * 2012-12-21 2017-11-15 Meco S.A. Assemblage modulaire d'un poussoir
US9720443B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2017-08-01 Nike, Inc. Wearable device assembly having athletic functionality
GB2558415B (en) 2015-05-22 2019-02-06 Dyson Technology Ltd A hand held appliance
CN111061140A (zh) * 2018-10-17 2020-04-24 精工爱普生株式会社 钟表壳体以及钟表

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH1885268A4 (fr) * 1968-12-18 1971-02-15 Omega Brandt & Freres Sa Louis Organe de commande étanche pour montre
US3973099A (en) * 1974-11-11 1976-08-03 American Micro-Systems, Inc. Push button switch for electronic watch
CH626773B (fr) * 1977-11-22 Ebauches Sa Dispositif d'actionnement a touche fixe du circuit electronique de commande des fonctions d'une piece d'horlogerie electronique.
JPS6035937Y2 (ja) * 1980-04-15 1985-10-25 シチズン時計株式会社 時計ケ−スの外部操作スイツチ
SE433675B (sv) * 1981-04-09 1984-06-04 Ericsson Telefon Ab L M Forfarande for tillverkning av en tryckknappsats
FR2530045A1 (fr) * 1982-07-06 1984-01-13 Pasquier Rene Montre a quartz perfectionnee
DE69110341D1 (de) * 1990-04-11 1995-07-20 Sonceboz Ebauches Fab Funktionssteuerungsvorrichtung im Boden eines Uhrengehäuses.
DE9415401U1 (de) * 1994-09-23 1996-01-25 Junghans Uhren Gmbh, 78713 Schramberg Uhr, insbesondere Armbanduhr, mit Tastschalter zur Betätigung einer elektrischen Kontaktstrecke
TW328924B (en) * 1995-06-09 1998-04-01 Daisei Plastic Kk A method for assembling a control panel of an electronic apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
TW324796B (en) 1998-01-11
HK1008248A1 (en) 1999-05-07
CN1132070C (zh) 2003-12-24
FR2748828A1 (fr) 1997-11-21
SG65649A1 (en) 1999-06-22
AU2082097A (en) 1997-11-20
US6000842A (en) 1999-12-14
DE69709484T2 (de) 2002-10-17
US6346208B1 (en) 2002-02-12
DE69709484D1 (de) 2002-02-14
EP0807872A1 (fr) 1997-11-19
AU719683B2 (en) 2000-05-18
FR2748828B1 (fr) 1998-07-10
CN1171571A (zh) 1998-01-28
JPH1048352A (ja) 1998-02-20

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