EP1024416A2 - Chronograph - Google Patents

Abstract

The device includes blocking elements isolating and locking the display during reading of detailed timings. The chronograph comprises a secondary display (16,17) which shows fractions of a section. This co-operates with an operating mechanism (20) comprising a 'snail' gear (21) driven by a chronograph mechanism (4). A push rod (19) acts on the activating elements (40,46) to release a main pivoting element (30) which changes fraction of a second measuring on the snail gear, by means of a drive train (33). A first blocking device (58) allows the isolation of the striker (54) of the chronograph to prevent a return to zero during the reading of a fraction of a second. A second blocking device (59) inhibits a re-start of the chronograph during this reading, and prevents a re-starting of the activating mechanism (20) during the operation of the chronograph. A third element (66) blocks the snail gear during the reading of the fraction of a second.

Description

The present invention relates to a chronograph comprising a device time display cooperating with a dial and a chronograph mechanism analog display mounted on a chronograph frame.

We know such chronographs with a mechanism chronograph with analog display of hours, minutes and with a chronograph second hand, associated with a time display conventional. The object of the present invention is to create a chronograph which also allows to display timed fractions of a second and this from very reliable and clearly legible, once the chronograph has been stopped.

To this end, the chronograph according to the invention is characterized by the fact that it includes a movable display member intended to indicate fractions seconds 1 / n timed and cooperating with an actuating mechanism capable of moving said movable display member of a displacement predetermined corresponding to the timed fraction of a second, when the chronograph mechanism is stopped and the actuation mechanism moved from a rest position to an active position.

By these characteristics, we obtain a chronograph with a display very reliable secondary of fractions of a second timed by a reading after the chronograph mechanism has been stopped.

Preferably, said actuation mechanism is controlled by a actuator capable of being moved from outside the chronograph, and by the fact that the actuation mechanism is arranged so that the mobile display unit can only be moved when the chronograph mechanism is stopped.

Reading of the timed fraction of a second is done at user request after stopping the chronograph mechanism.

According to a preferred embodiment, the actuation mechanism includes a main scale pivotally mounted on the frame and comprising a first part intended to cooperate with a snail driven by the mechanism chronograph and a second part arranged to move the organ mobile display of a displacement determined by the position recorded by the first part on the snail.

These characteristics ensure high reliability and precision of the actuation mechanism and display of the fraction of a second timed.

Advantageously, the chronograph includes an intermediate scale movable in action against the action of a first elastic element, arranged to lock the main rocker against the action of a second elastic element in a rest position in which its first part is away from the snail and so as to release the rocker in an active position main for the latter to raise the fraction of second timed on the snail under the effect of the second elastic element.

Is thus obtained insulation of the pusher or actuation member of the rest of the actuation mechanism, which ensures a long service life and solidity of the mechanism combined with particularly precise operation and regular.

Preferably, the actuation mechanism comprises first means for locking mechanism reset members chronograph when the actuation mechanism is actuated to perform an increase in the timed fraction of a second.

These first means advantageously include at least one element blocking provided on said intermediate rocker or the main rocker likely to cooperate with the reset hammer (s) of the mechanism chronograph so as to lock the hammer (s) in the rest position when the intermediate rocker or the main rocker is moved from the position of rest to the active position.

These characteristics make it possible to prevent the actuation mechanism and / or the chronograph mechanism are damaged or blocked by a reset command simultaneously with reading the fraction of a second and therefore constitutes a useful and important advantage.

The chronograph also favorably includes second means intended on the one hand to block the actuation mechanism in the inactive position, when the chronograph mechanism is in motion and releasing the mechanism actuation, when the chronograph mechanism is stopped and, on the other hand, prevent the chronograph mechanism from operating, when the actuation mechanism is activated.

Preferably, the second means comprise a blocking piece provided on the main scale and intended to cooperate with columns integral with a column wheel of the chronograph mechanism, the columns being arranged, on the one hand, so that said blocking piece can be introduced between the columns so that the first part of the main toggle is likely to cooperate with the snail and to block the column wheel and the chronograph mechanism in the stopped position and, on the other hand, so that the blocking piece abuts against one of the columns to retain the main rocker in an inactive position when the chronograph mechanism is engaged.

These isolation and blocking measures ensure use particularly secure chronograph for pressing the pusher start-stop when a fractional second reading is performed and conversely, without risk of breaking or blocking parts of the chronograph.

A preferred embodiment comprises third means comprising a stop lever cooperating with the main rocker and having one end intended to cooperate with a stop star secured to the snail, when the main rocker is moved to its active position.

These characteristics guarantee a very precise stop position of the snail, therefore a measure and a display of great reliability.

Other advantages emerge from the characteristics expressed in the dependent claims and the following description of the invention further in detail using drawings which represent schematically and as example of an execution mode.

Figure 1 is a front view of this embodiment of the chronograph.

FIG. 2 represents a front view with partial section showing the actuation mechanism for displaying fractions of seconds.

Figure 3 is a detail view of this actuation mechanism in rest position, the chronograph mechanism stopped.

Figures 4 and 5 are detailed views of the actuation mechanism when raising 0.8 and 0.4 seconds.

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are detailed views illustrating means intended to block the chronograph reset members in different positions.

Figures 7A, 7B and 7C are detail views showing in particular means for blocking either the display actuation mechanism of the fractions of a second, the chronograph mechanism.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of the chronograph includes a case 1, a dial 2, a time display device 3 with a small seconds 7 and a chronograph mechanism 4 with an analog display 5 comprising a minute counter 6 and a chronograph hand 8. The chronograph also has a winder 9, a start and stop button chronograph 10 and a chronograph reset button 11.

In accordance with the invention, the chronograph is further equipped with a display of fifths of a second 15 comprising, as an organ mobile display, an additional needle 16, known as the fifth of second. This needle 16 is located opposite an additional dial 17 divided into n + 1 = 6 zones 18, n being the number of fractions contained in a second, here 5. These zones 18 include a neutral zone, corresponding to the rest position of the display member and five numbered zones 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 corresponding to 0/10, 2/10, 4/10, 6/10 and 8/10 of seconds.

The drive of the additional needle 16 is obtained thanks to a actuation mechanism 20 mounted on a frame 26 and described in more detail below. This actuation mechanism 20 is engaged by pressing on a pusher 19, as an actuating member, disposed in the rod of the winder 9. The actuating mechanism 20 is arranged so that the needle additional 16 can only be rotated when the mechanism chronograph 4 is stopped. So this is a reading of the fifths of a second at the request of the user.

The actuation mechanism 20 illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 7 comprises a snail 21 with I = 10 arms 22, l being the number of arms and each arm comprising n = 5 steps 23. A multiplier pinion 24 is integral with the snail and meshes with an additional 25 chronograph wheel. This last turns at the speed of one revolution per minute when the mechanism chronograph 4 is engaged. The multiplier pinion 24 and the snail 21 then rotate at speed v of 6 revolutions per minute, or one revolution in ten seconds. An arm 22 then corresponds to an angular offset traversed in one second and that of a rung 23 at 1/5 second.

The actuation mechanism 20 further comprises a rocker main 30 mounted on a reach 31 screw. This main scale has a toothed sector 32 meshing with a gear train 33 engaged with a wheel 34 secured to the additional needle 16 of fifths of a second. To his other end, the main lever 30 is provided with a lug 35 intended to cooperate with the rungs 23 of the snail 21 to stop the rotation of the rocker in a predetermined angular position corresponding to a measurement of fifth of a second. The main rocker 30 rotates in the direction senestre in Figure 3 under the action of a spring 36 bearing on a pin fixed 37 secured to the frame 26.

An intermediate rocker 40 for actuation is mounted on a screw serving as a pivot 41 and provided with a pin 42 intended to cooperate with the main rocker 30 to hold the latter in a rest position or inactive (Figure 3) against the effect of spring 36. In this rest position the tenon 35 of the main lever 30 is distant from the snail 21.

When the intermediate lever 40 performs a dextral rotation, it releases the main flip-flop 30 which rotates in a direction of sinister rotation for be supported by its tenon 35 on one of the rungs 23 of the snail 21. Simultaneously, the additional needle 16 is rotated and stops in the relevant zone 18 of the additional dial to allow easy reading of the fifth of a second.

The intermediate lever 40 is rotated by pressing on the pusher 19 which acts on a lug 45 of a control lever 46. This the latter is mounted on a pin serving as a pivot 47 and cooperates with a tenon 48 with a prominent portion 49 of the intermediate lever 40. When the pusher 19 is depressed, the control lever 46 rotates in a direction of sinister rotation to drive the intermediate seesaw 40 in a direction of dextral rotation against the action of a spring 50 mounted on a bridge of the frame 26 and bearing on the prominent portion 49 of the intermediate lever 40.

When the pressure on the plunger 19 is released, the spring 50 brings the control lever 46 and intermediate lever 40 towards the rest position. The intermediate lever 40 simultaneously pushes the main lever 30 into dextral rotation to reach the rest position illustrated in Figure 3, in which the main lever 30 is biased against a fixed pin 51 and in which the additional hand 16 is in the neutral zone of the dial additional.

In order to avoid any breakage of parts, it is necessary to provide means safety device to isolate or block certain functions of the mechanism actuation and chronograph mechanism.

First means 58 are intended to block delivery members. zero of the chronograph mechanism when the actuation mechanism 20 is activated. Indeed, when the chronograph mechanism is stopped and we make a reading the fifth of a second, you must avoid performing a reset, this in order not to break the lug 35 of the main lever.

With reference to FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C, the intermediate lever 40 is provided, for this purpose, with a pin 52 which is inserted into a slot 53 provided on a hammer 54 of the chronograph reset mechanism. This hammer 54 can rotate around a pin serving as a pivot 55 under the effect of a spring 56 to cooperate in a known manner with reset hearts 57 (FIGS. 6A, 6B).

On the contrary, when a reading of the fifth of a second is requested (FIG. 6C), the intermediate lever 40 pivots in the direction of dextral rotation and its pin 52 is inserted into the slot 53 to block the hammer 54. The function reset is therefore inhibited. It is therefore possible to read the fifth of second and simultaneously press the reset button 11 without risk of breaking or blocking the chronograph mechanism.

Second means 59 are intended, on the one hand, to lock in position inactivates the actuation mechanism 20, when the chronograph mechanism is engaged, and to release this actuation mechanism 20, when the chronograph mechanism 4 is stopped and, on the other hand, to prevent a setting action of the chronograph mechanism 4, when the actuation mechanism 20 is activated. Avoid stopping the chronograph by reading the fifth of a second, when the chronograph is running and, on the other hand, prevent any risk of damage to parts by leaving the chronograph when a fifth of a second reading is performed.

With reference to FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C, the second means comprise, at this effect, a blocking part 60 secured to the main rocker 30. This blocking part 60 has a projecting portion 61 intended to cooperate with a column wheel cap 62 fixed to a column wheel 63 of the mechanism chronograph.

In certain angular positions of the column wheel 63, including the rotation is controlled by pressing the pusher 10, the projecting portion 61 abuts against one of the columns 64 (FIG. 7B). The main scale 30 is therefore blocked and inactivated in these positions in which the mechanism chronograph is engaged.

In other angular positions of the column wheel 63 (FIG. 7C) offset by 22.5 °, the projecting portion 61 can penetrate the space between two columns 64 for reading the fifth of a second. The seesaw main 30 can thus pivot by a predetermined angle until its tenon 35 comes into contact with the snail 21. In these angular positions of the wheel column 63, the chronograph mechanism 4 is stopped and its engagement is inhibited because rotation of the column wheel 63 is prevented by the introduction of the projecting portion 61 between two columns 64.

We thus obtain by these very simple constructive means a double safety to press the push-button 10 start-stop of the mechanism chronograph when a fifth of a second reading is performed and conversely to press the push-button 19 for reading the fifth of a second when the chronograph mechanism is engaged, without any risk of breaking or block the chronograph.

In order to guarantee a precise position of the snail 21 and to avoid any inaccuracy due to gear play, the chronograph includes third means 66 intended to block in a stopped position the snail 21, when the actuation mechanism 20 is engaged. With reference to the figures 7A, 7B and 7C, a stop lever 67 is pivotally mounted on the main rocker 30. It comprises a first arm 68 whose end 73 is capable of cooperating with a stop star 69 secured to the snail 21 and a second arm 70 subjected to the action of a spring 71 which forms with spring 36 a fixed double leaf spring on the main rocker 30. This spring 71 biases the stop lever 67 according to a direction of sinister rotation so that its arm 68 rests in the rest position (Figure 7B) on a pin 72 fixed on the main rocker 30. When a reading of the fifth of a second is engaged and the main rocker 30 turns in a direction of sinister rotation (figure 7C), the end 73 engages between two teeth of the star 69. This gives a good stop position defined, indexed of the snail 21 allowing a reliable reading of the fifth of second by the lug 35. On returning from the main lever 30, the pin 72 moves the stop lever 67 away from the stop star 69.

Figure 4 illustrates the position of the different parts, when reading the fifth of a second corresponding to 8/10 of a second. The tenon 35 touches the deepest rung 23 of the snail 21. The main rocker 30 therefore has rotated by the maximum angle and the additional needle 16 stops on the area bearing the number 8. The hammer 54 is blocked by the first means 58, the chronograph mechanism is inhibited by the second means 59 and the snail 21 is blocked by the third means 66. When the pressure is released on the pusher 19, all the parts are brought back to the rest position illustrated in the Figure 3 under the effect of spring 50.

The position shown in Figure 5 corresponds to a reading of the fifth from second to 4/10 second. Tenon 35 is placed on the third rung and the additional hand 16 therefore indicates the number 4 in the dial additional 17. The first, second and third pleas 58, 59 and 66 are are in their active position so as to prevent a reset, a start of the chronograph 4 and a rotation of the snail 21.

It is understood that the embodiment described above is in no way limiting and that it can receive any desirable modifications inside the frame as defined by claim 1. In particular, the number I of arms of the limaçon 21, as well as the number n of rungs 23 of the latter, therefore the display precision a, could be chosen differently taking into account the frequency f of the regulating organ, in particular of the pendulum, of the movement of the chronograph. The speed of rotation v of the snail 21 must be adjusted accordingly. Some examples are presented in the table below. Example dried up] f [Hz] not I v [revolutions / minutes] 1 1/5 2.5 5 20 3 2 1/5 2.5 5 10 6 3 1/5 2.5 5 6 10 4 1/10 5 10 5 12 5 1/10 5 10 4 15 6 1/10 5 10 3 20 7 1/20 10 20 2 30 8 1/100 50 100 1 60

Thus, the display precision a is given by the number n of steps 23 an arm of the snail which must be chosen according to the frequency f of the pendulum. The number I of arms will determine the speed of rotation v of the snail 21, which will be one turn in I seconds. In general, I will advantageously be between 1 and 20 and n between 2 and 100, preferably 5 or 10.

Reading the umpteenth of a second and the actuation mechanism 20 can also be arranged, not for reading on demand, but for an automatic reading which starts immediately after stopping the chronograph mechanism 4, for example thanks to a connected control element to the column wheel 63.

The first means 58 to block the reset can be differently arranged, for example thanks to a blocking element provided on the main scale 30.

It would also be possible to provide second means 59 differently arranged, for example by interaction of the intermediate lever 40 with column wheel 63.

The third means 66 may have other blocking elements of the snail 21, such as a lever controlled by the intermediate lever 40.

In a simplified version, the control lever 46 and / or the lever intermediate 40 can be deleted or combined into one room.

Displaying the umpteenth of a second could be done differently for example by means of a disc or a rotating ring bearing the inscriptions fractions of a second next to a fixed marker or a magnifying glass enlarging.

Claims (15)

Chronograph comprising a time display device (3) cooperating with a dial (2) and a chronograph mechanism (4) with analog display (5) mounted on a frame (26) of the chronograph, characterized in that it comprises a mobile display member (16) for indicating fractions of a second 1 / n timed and cooperating with an actuating mechanism (20) capable of moving said movable display member (16) by a displacement predetermined corresponding to the timed fraction of a second, when the chronograph mechanism (4) is stopped and the actuation mechanism (20) moved from a rest position to an active position. Chronograph according to claim 1, characterized in that the said actuation mechanism (20) is controlled by a setting member action (19) capable of being moved from outside the chronograph, and by the the actuation mechanism (20) is arranged so that the member mobile display (16) can only be moved when the mechanism chronograph (4) is stopped. Chronograph according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuation mechanism (20) comprises a main rocker (30) pivotally mounted on the frame (26) and comprising a first part (35) intended to cooperate with a snail (21) driven by the mechanism chronograph (4) and a second part (32) arranged to move the movable display member (16) of a displacement determined by the position noted by the first part (35) on the snail (21). Chronograph according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises an intermediate action rocker (40) movable against the action a first elastic element (50) and arranged so as to block the rocker main (30) against the action of a second elastic element (36) in a rest position in which its first part (35) is distant from the snail (21) and so as to release the rocker in an active position main (30) for the latter to raise the fraction of second timed on the snail (21) under the effect of the second element elastic (36). Chronograph according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the actuation mechanism comprises first means (58) intended to block reset members (54) of the chronograph mechanism (4) when the actuating mechanism (20) is actuated to effect a raising the timed fraction of a second. Chronograph according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that said first means (58) comprise at least one blocking element (52) provided on said intermediate scale (40) or the main scale (30) capable of cooperating with the hammer or hammers (54) for resetting the chronograph mechanism (4) so as to lock the position or the hammers (54) when the intermediate rocker (40) or the rocker main (30) is moved from the rest position to the active position. Chronograph according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises second means (59) intended, on the one hand, to block in the inactive position the actuation mechanism (20), when the chronograph mechanism (4) is in motion and releasing the actuating mechanism (20), when the chronograph mechanism (4) is stopped and, on the other hand, to prevent a setting in action of the chronograph mechanism (4), when the mechanism actuation (20) is activated. Chronograph according to claims 3 and 7, characterized in that the second means (59) comprise a blocking part (60) provided on the main rocker (30) and intended to cooperate with columns (64) integral with a column wheel (63) of the chronograph mechanism (4), the columns (64) being arranged, on the one hand, so that said piece of blocking (60) can be introduced between the columns (64) so that the first part (35) of the main rocker (30) is capable of cooperating with the snail (21) and to block the column wheel (63) and the mechanism chronograph (4) in the stopped position and, on the other hand, so that the piece of blocking (60) abuts against one of the columns (64) to retain the rocker main (30) in an inactive position when the chronograph mechanism (4) is engaged. Chronograph according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises third means (66) intended to block the snail in the stopped position (21) when the actuating mechanism (20) is moved to its position active to display the timed fraction of a second. Chronograph according to claim 9, characterized in that the third means (66) comprise a stop lever (67) cooperating with the main rocker (30) and having one end (73) intended to cooperate with a stop star (69) integral with the snail (21), when the rocker main (30) is moved to its active position. Chronograph according to claim 1, characterized in that the organ mobile display consists of a needle (16) capable of being put in rotation by means of a gear train (33) by the mechanism actuator (20) and cooperating with an additional dial (17) on which at least n fractions of seconds are displayed. Chronograph according to claims 3 and 11, characterized in that said second part (32) of the main rocker (30) is in engagement with the gear train (33) and by the fact that the additional dial (17) includes a neutral zone opposite which the needle (16) is positioned when the actuating mechanism (20) is in its rest position. Chronograph according to claim 1, characterized in that the organ display (16) and the actuating mechanism (20) are arranged so as to display n fractions of seconds 1 / n, n being between 2 and 100, advantageously between 4 and 10 and preferably 5 or 10. Chronograph according to claims 3 and 13, characterized in that the imaçon (21) includes I arms (22), l being between 1 and 20, and advantageously 10, by the fact that the snail (21) is driven so as to perform a revolution in I seconds, and by the fact that each arm has n steps. Chronograph according to Claims 2 and 4, characterized in that the said actuating member is constituted by a pusher (19) arranged in a winding stem (9) of the chronograph and by the fact that this pusher (19) is arranged to act on the intermediate lever (40) against the action of a elastic element (50) by means of a control lever (46).

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