EP0901052B1 - Electrical chronometer bench and controlbox for such bench - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electric timing bench comprising at least one chronograph provided with at least two order, in particular a wristwatch chronograph watch with pushers ordered. The invention also relates to a control box usable in such a bench.

Currently, electronic chronographs of this kind are very widespread and are able to measure and display timed times with precision on the order of a hundredth of a second. However, this precision is greatly reduced by the fact that a trained user, observing the events to be timed, cannot hardly operate the pushers manually with a precision better than the tenth of a second.

This is why, in order to ensure better accuracy, especially in the sports timing, manual chronographs are increasingly being replaced by timing benches controlled remotely by electrical timing comprising optical sensors, pressure or other similar devices. However, these timing benches are complex devices, provided with recording and processing means data, quite bulky and expensive. An amateur sportsman cannot therefore generally not have it for private use or for training daily and must be content to use his wrist chronograph.

In the past, it has already been proposed to operate chronographs mechanical from electrical signals from detection cells, thanks to electromagnetic means acting on push buttons of a classic chronograph. For example, Swiss Patent No. 49005 describes a box of control unit provided with a support for a pocket chronograph and a device for electric battery, electromagnets and levers to press one or two pushers chronograph on receipt of the corresponding electrical signals. However, he it is a rudimentary installation which offers few functionalities and does not allow, for example, to measure several successive times or times of several competitors as in a current timing bench.

US Patent 3,596,103 describes a multiple timing installation comprising a row of detection cells which are each associated with a hallway of an athletics track and a respective chronograph controlled by electromechanical means. It is a fixed and heavy installation which is not at the scope of an amateur sportsman. The same goes for the complex installation described schematically in patent DE 317 995.

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by creating a bench precise, versatile, space-saving and inexpensive electrical timing to be usable without difficulty by any amateur, especially in the outdoor or indoor sports, and capable of performing measurements time according to different modes or from different signals. A basic idea of the invention consists in designing a simple and inexpensive control box, offering the possibility of creating a timing bench as mentioned above, containing any number of chronographs that can work simultaneously in different modes.

More specifically, according to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a automatic electric timing bench as defined in claim 1.

The housing of the or each control box can advantageously be designed to receive a wrist chronograph of a common type, the organs of which controls are side lifters. Thus, a user can use his chronograph watch usual, which he simply places in the control box connected to one or more electrical timing cells. Once the device is switched on, timing can be done automatically without manual intervention.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a control box as defined in claim 9.

Just place in this box a standard chronograph-bracelet and to connect the box to at least one electrical timing cell for constitute an automatic timing bench, if necessary with several these boxes connected to each other and containing several chronographs. Else hand, such a box can constitute a packaging for the chronograph.

• la figure 1 est une vue générale en perspective d'une boíte de commande selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue de dessus d'un banc de chronométrage électrique selon l'invention, comportant au moins une boíte de commande telle que représentée à la figure 1, dans laquelle est placé un chronographe-bracelet de type courant à deux poussoirs,
• la figure 3 est une vue simplifiée en coupe longitudinale du banc de chronométrage de la figure 2,
• la figure 4 est une vue d'une extrémité de la boíte de commande, suivant la flèche IV de la figure 2,
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe transversale suivant la ligne V-V de la figure 2, à une échelle agrandie, et
• la figure 6 est une vue en coupe transversale suivant la ligne VI-VI de la figure 2, à une échelle agrandie.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear in the following description of a preferred embodiment, presented by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of a control box according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a top view of an electric timing bench according to the invention, comprising at least one control box as shown in FIG. 1, in which is placed a current type wrist chronograph with two pushers,
• FIG. 3 is a simplified view in longitudinal section of the timing bench of FIG. 2,
• FIG. 4 is a view of one end of the control box, along arrow IV of FIG. 2,
• FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along the line VV of FIG. 2, on an enlarged scale, and
• Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along line VI-VI of Figure 2, on an enlarged scale.

Referring to Figures 1 to 6, the control box 1 is intended for contain and activate a wrist chronograph 2 of a common type, comprising a watch case 3 and a flexible bracelet with two strands 4 and 5. Chronograph 2 is preferably quartz; it includes display elements 6 which are analog in in this case, a time setting crown 7 and two pushers 8 and 9 for the timing. Conventionally, a first press on the pusher 8 puts start timing (START function), press the button again push-button 8 stops timing (STOP function), a first press on the push-button 9 when the timing is running stops the display elements for allow the reading of a time intermediate (LAP function), a subsequent press on pusher 9 produces an adjustment of the display for continue to indicate the timed time, and press on push-button 9 after stopping the timing resets to zero counters and display devices chronograph correspondents. If applicable, the chronograph 2 may also include one or more other buttons to control special functions, in a known manner.

The control box 1 comprises a body 11 in molded synthetic material having, in its face upper, a housing 12 arranged to receive the chronograph 2. The housing 12 includes a part enlarged 13, in which the case 3 of the chronograph 2 is laterally wedged by means of a pad 14, and two narrower parts 15 and 16 in which are housed strands 4 and 5 of the bracelet. Housing 12 is closed on the top by a cover 17 articulated by hinges 18 on the body 11 of the box 1, this cover leaving see at least the display members 6 of the chronograph 2. In this case, the cover 17 is made of a transparent synthetic material and it has, above display elements 6, a magnifying glass part 19 making it easier to read the times displayed. The cover 17 protects chronograph 2 and keeps it in its housing 12 as well when using the bench timing only for packaging, storage, sale and transport of the whole.

On the other hand, the body 11 of the box 1 defines a cavity 21 intended to contain electrical components. This cavity is closed by a removable bottom 22 fixed by screws to pillars 23 which also support a circuit printed 24 in the cavity 21.

As seen in Figure 2, the box of control 1 has a side face 26, the part of which central 27 is convex, while its lateral face opposite 28 to a concave central part 29 of shape complementary to the convex part 27. This makes it possible to juxtapose several identical control boxes 1, as indicated by a second control box 1 ' in Figure 2, in order to constitute a bench multiple timing containing several chronographs 2 which can operate independently or in combination, as will be described later. Control boxes 1 and 1 'may include attachment means such as Velcro straps, to fix them together to others.

As seen particularly in Figures 2 and 4, an end face 30 of the control box 1 is equipped with five inlet or outlet fittings, in the occurrence five electrical outlets 31 to 35 which are connected to the printed circuit 24. The socket 31 is a power input, intended to receive a connector bipolar 36 of a low voltage power cable 37. The two sockets 34 and 35 are inputs intended for receive, by cables 38 and 39 fitted with connectors 40 and 41, electrical input signals from two separate timing cells, for example one starting cell connected to socket 34 and a cell intermediate or arrival, connected to socket 35. The two sockets 32 and 33 are each intended to receive a multipolar connector 42, for example with four poles, of a cable 43 connecting in cascade the control box 1 to another identical box 1 'to transmit the input signals received on sockets 34 and 35. The respective chronographs of the boxes thus coupled can work in combination, for example in using the same signals in different ways.

The cavity 21 also contains two electromagnets 51 and 52 acting in the direction of their axes respective longitudinal 53 and 54 to press the pushbuttons 8 and 9 of chronograph 2. As seen in Figure 5, the movable axial rod 55 of each electromagnet is provided with a protective cap 56 capable of lean against the pusher without damaging it. Both electromagnets are fixed by screws 57 to a plate of support 58 mounted in the cavity 21. Their supply is controlled by elements of the printed circuit 24 in function of the input signals received by one of the sockets 32 to 35 and depending on an operating mode selected from the timing bench.

The upper face of the control box 1 has in addition, next to the cover 17, an acoustic generator 60, a display time selector button 61, a button mode selector 62 and a reset push button zero 63.

The acoustic generator 60, for example of the type piezoelectric, emits sound signals giving receipt of manual actuation of buttons 61 to 63.

• Dans le mode OFF, les signaux d'entrée sont verrouillés. Cependant ils peuvent être transmis entre les prises 32 à 35 pour passer d'une boíte de commande à une autre.
• Dans le mode normal NORM, un signal d'entrée sur la prise 34 produit la fonction START, par action de l'électro-aimant 51 sur le poussoir 8, et un signal d'entrée sur la prise 35 produit la fonction STOP, par action sur le même poussoir.
• Le mode LAP sert à mesurer et afficher des temps intermédiaires lorsque le chronographe est en marche. Un premier signal d'entrée sur la prise 34 produit la fonction START en pressant sur le poussoir 8, puis un deuxième signal d'entrée sur la prise 35 produit l'affichage d'un temps intermédiaire par pression sur l'autre poussoir 9 par l'électo-aimant 52. Ce temps reste affiché pendant une durée définie par l'utilisateur au moyen du sélecteur 61 (4 s, 8 s ou 16 s dans l'exemple représenté), puis l'appareil effectue automatiquement une deuxième pression sur le poussoir 9 pour continuer l'affichage du temps chronométré. Dans ce mode, la fonction STOP ne peut pas être effectuée; l'utilisateur doit d'abord sélectionner le mode normal.

The mode selector 62 has three positions corresponding to the following modes:

• In OFF mode, the input signals are locked. However they can be transmitted between sockets 32 to 35 to go from one control box to another.
• In the normal NORM mode, an input signal on the socket 34 produces the START function, by action of the electromagnet 51 on the pusher 8, and an input signal on the socket 35 produces the STOP function, by action on the same button.
• LAP mode is used to measure and display split times when the chronograph is running. A first input signal on socket 34 produces the START function by pressing push-button 8, then a second input signal on socket 35 produces the display of an intermediate time by pressing on the other push-button 9 by the electromagnet 52. This time remains displayed for a duration defined by the user by means of the selector 61 (4 s, 8 s or 16 s in the example shown), then the device automatically performs a second press on push-button 9 to continue displaying the timed time. In this mode, the STOP function cannot be performed; the user must first select the normal mode.

Resetting the chronograph (RESET) is locked in NORM and LAP modes. It takes place manually by pressing button 63 when the device is in OFF mode. The electromagnet 52 presses then push button 9.

It is thus understood that the timing bench according to the invention can comprise a single control box 1 containing a chronograph 2, or more of these boxes of order, containing any number of chronographs, and that these chronographs can work simultaneously in different modes and depending on signals input from different cells in timing. For example, a first control box 1 can be coupled to a starting cell and a arrival cell and operate in normal mode. A second control box 1 'can be coupled to the first and operate either in normal mode, as security, either in LAP mode to display times intermediaries on each pass in front of the cell arrival. A third control box can be connected to the second, to receive the start signal, and to a third cell to measure either another intermediate time (in LAP mode), i.e. another time final.

In any configuration of the bench timing, comprising one or more chronographs, the bench works automatically as soon as we have selected the operating mode (s). It is therefore can be used reliably and precisely by anyone which person, even if the user is alone and times his own performances.

On the other hand, the control box 1 is an object of small dimensions, determined above all by those of the chronograph 2. It is therefore light, compact and can be carried in a garment pocket. This box constitutes an excellent protective packaging for the chronograph and can be used advantageously for the packaging and sale thereof. The description the above also shows that this control box, composed of simple and inexpensive elements, can be produced at low cost and acquired by any amateur. This can be used with a wrist chronograph that he already has and that he wears on his wrist in life common.

Although the example described above uses a ordinary bracelet chronograph, actuated by pressing its pushers, the present invention may extend to other modes of chronograph activation by the box command, if these two elements are constructed of appropriately. For example, the pushers could constitute electrical contacts cooperating with control box contacts for receiving actuation pulses. In other variants, the transmission of such pulses between the order and the chronograph could be done by infrared radiation, radio waves or a electromagnetic system. Modes of transmission similar are usable between the cells of timing and the control unit (s).

Claims (10)

1. Automatic electric timing bench including at least one chronograph (2) provided with at least two control elements (8, 9), and at least one control box (1) provided with a housing (12) in which the chronograph is removably placed, the control box including input ports (34, 35), for receiving electric input signals originating from cells for detecting the events to be timed, and actuating means (51, 52) acting on the chronograph control elements as a function of said input signals,
      characterized in that the control box (1) includes a manual mode selector (62), allowing at least two different modes for actuating the chronograph control elements to be selected, and further includes auxiliary input and output electric ports (32, 33) arranged for connecting it to at least one other identical control box (1'), for transmitting said input signals between said control boxes.
2. Timing bench according to claim 1, characterized in that the chronograph is a chronograph wristwatch whose said control elements are lateral push buttons (8, 9) and in that said actuating means include electromagnets (51, 52) acting on said push buttons.
3. Timing bench according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control box (1) includes a manual reset control element (063), arranged for generating resetting of the chronograph by said actuating means.
4. Timing bench according to claim 1, characterized in that the control box (1) includes, on two opposite lateral faces, mutually complementary shapes (27, 29) allowing it to be joined to other identical control boxes, to form a timing bench containing several chronographs.
5. Timing bench according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said housing (12) of the control box is closed by a cover (17) having at least one transparent portion facing display elements (6) of the chronograph.
6. Timing bench according to claim 5, characterized in that the cover (17) includes a magnifying glass (19) facing said display elements.
7. Timing bench according to claim 2, characterized in that said housing (12) includes an enlarged portion (13), formed for accommodating the chronograph case (3) and positioning the latter with respect to the actuating elements (51, 52), and at least one narrower portion (15, 16) formed for accommodating the wristlet.
8. Control box (1) for an electric timing bench, said box including an upper face provided with a housing (12) arranged for removably accommodating a chronograph wristwatch (2) having push button controls (8, 9), said control box including input ports (34, 35), for receiving electric input signals originating from cells for detecting the events to be timed, and electromagnets (51, 52) acting on the chronograph push buttons as a function of said input signals,
      characterized in that the control box (1) includes a manual mode selector (62), allowing at least two different modes for actuating the chronograph control elements to be selected, and further includes auxiliary input and output electric ports (32, 33) arranged for connecting it to at least one other identical control box (1'), for transmitting said input signals between said control boxes.
9. Control box according to claim 8, characterized in that said housing (12) is closed by a cover (17) having at least one transparent portion (19) facing display elements (6) of the chronograph.
10. Control box according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it constitutes a packaging for the chronograph.

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