EP1094372A1 - Control knob - Google Patents

Control knob Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1094372A1
EP1094372A1 EP99120679A EP99120679A EP1094372A1 EP 1094372 A1 EP1094372 A1 EP 1094372A1 EP 99120679 A EP99120679 A EP 99120679A EP 99120679 A EP99120679 A EP 99120679A EP 1094372 A1 EP1094372 A1 EP 1094372A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wall
blind hole
button
channels
ring
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP99120679A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1094372B1 (en
Inventor
Laurent Kaelin
Paolo Pesenti
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.)
ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
Original Assignee
Ebauchesfabrik ETA AG
Eta SA Fabriques dEbauches
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
Application filed by Ebauchesfabrik ETA AG, Eta SA Fabriques dEbauches filed Critical Ebauchesfabrik ETA AG
Priority to AT99120679T priority Critical patent/ATE273531T1/en
Priority to EP99120679A priority patent/EP1094372B1/en
Priority to DE69919357T priority patent/DE69919357T2/en
Publication of EP1094372A1 publication Critical patent/EP1094372A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1094372B1 publication Critical patent/EP1094372B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G1/00—Controlling members, e.g. knobs or handles; Assemblies or arrangements thereof; Indicating position of controlling members
    • G05G1/04—Controlling members for hand actuation by pivoting movement, e.g. levers
    • G05G1/06—Details of their grip parts
    • 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
    • G04B3/00—Normal winding of clockworks by hand or mechanically; Winding up several mainsprings or driving weights simultaneously
    • G04B3/04—Rigidly-mounted keys, knobs or crowns

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to rotary control buttons, of the type used for example in watches and commonly called time setting crown. It relates more particularly to a button comprising a metallic body, of generally cylindrical shape, and provided with a blind hole intended to receive a control rod.
  • buttons made of metal, are well known to those skilled in the art. They equip most watches with hands. They allow the time, or even reassembly for mechanical watches. The user must therefore ability to pull out knob to select function and turn it to change change the value.
  • the main object of the present invention is a bi-material button metal / synthetic material made in such a way that it does not have the disadvantages of the aforementioned prior art.
  • the invention relates to a control button having a metallic body 10, 52 provided along its axis A-A with a blind hole 16, 58 closed by a cap 18 extended by a wall 14 of revolution, said button comprising outside on all or part of its wall 14 a zone grip in a synthetic material, characterized in that the body 10, 52 of the button comprises an annular groove 20, 62 formed in the surface external of its wall 14, 56 near the opening of the blind hole 16, 58 and channels 26 connecting said external surface of the wall 14 and the bottom of the blind hole 16, 58, and in that a lining 12 made of synthetic material 12 is made in situ to form a ring 22, 64 housed in the groove 20, 62 and of which bosses 34 extend along the axis A-A on the external surface of the wall 14, 56 at least to the openings of the channels landing a structure radial with several branches 30 closing said channels 26 and a core 32 connecting said branches 30 to secure the various parts together trim 12.
  • the lining forms reliefs outside the body facilitating gripping, and inside the loops, each of them enclosing the metal body, which ensures the best possible hanging conditions.
  • the reliefs of the synthetic material lining define bosses connecting the ring to the branches, or an annular band provided with grooves.
  • the button according to the invention is used as the time-setting crown of a watch, it is subjected to tensile forces. If this effort is exerted frequently on the synthetic material, it can result in premature wear, which can cause it to be torn off. This is why it is advantageous that the effort necessary is applied to the metal body.
  • the latter has a ring defining the side of the groove near the opening from the blind hole.
  • the crown contributes to the water resistance of the watch.
  • the interior of the cylindrical wall has an O-ring cooperating with part of the case for sealingly closing the opening through which the means pass watch control. This seal is slid into a housing of the crowned.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a button control with a synthetic material handle in addition to a seal.
  • the button according to the invention is characterized in that its trim extending through additional channels inside the blind hole in a toric structure attached to the internal wall of the blind hole for form a seal.
  • the button represented in FIGS. 1 to 5 is a crown for setting the time for a watch, essentially comprising a metal body 10, and a lining 12 made of synthetic material.
  • the body 10 is made of stainless steel or brass coated with a protective metal layer. It has a wall 14, of general shape cylindrical, the inner surface of which defines a blind hole 16 and a cap 18 closing the hole 16 at one of its ends.
  • the hole 16 is arranged for receive a control rod not shown in the drawings.
  • the wall 14 is externally provided with an annular groove 20, of which one of the sides, disposed in the vicinity of the end comprising the opening of the hole 16, is formed of a ring 22 having two clearances 24 diametrically opposite, in a semicircle and practiced over the entire thickness of the ring 22.
  • the wall 14 is, moreover, pierced with six radial channels 26 evenly distributed, opening into hole 16, inclined by about 60 ° by relative to the axis A-A and defining a junction core 32 whose apex is found in the cap 18.
  • the lining 12 is made of a flexible synthetic material with a high coefficient of friction when in contact with the user's skin.
  • This synthetic material is for example polyurethane.
  • the lining is formed by a ring 28 housed in the groove 20, of a radial structure with six branches 30, closing the channels 26 and of which the inner ends are connected by the junction core 32, and six bosses 34 each connecting one of the branches 30 to the ring 28. It is well obvious that, if we want more or less than six bosses 34, we will realize a equal number of radial channels 26.
  • the manufacture of a button as described is done by molding, at by means of a mold formed of two removable shells comprising several identical fingerprints, fingerprints intended to receive the bodies 10 and shaped hollow to the final outer surface of the bi-material button. Each of them is connected on the one hand to an injection channel, on the other hand to a flow channel, the bodies 10 being arranged so that these channels, substantially oriented parallel to the axis A-A, open into the clearances 24.
  • each footprint defines a volume corresponding exactly to the final volume of the button.
  • the synthetic material is injected, it enters the groove 20, to form the ring 28, on sectors of the wall 14 to form the bosses 34, and inside the channels 26 to define the branches 30 and the core 32, the surplus flowing in the flow channel.
  • a terminal portion of the blind hole is closed by a plug, made of material with one of the shells, so as to prevent any penetration of the synthetic material in this space, except for the core 32.
  • the latter makes it possible to ensure a close link between the branches 30, so that the synthetic lining 12 forms a whole, comprising a set of closed loops, each enclosing a part of the body 10. In this way and although the polyurethane does not adhere to metal, the button thus produced forms a solid whole.
  • buttons are removed from the mold, being interconnected by a carrot formed of the material contained in the injection and flow channels, then separated from each other by cutting off unnecessary material.
  • the carrots are connected to the garnishes of each button in the zones comprising the clearances 24, there results that the cut is made at a masked point after its installation at the level of the middle of the watch.
  • the button which has just been described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 has bosses 34 facilitating its rotational training and it giving a certain aesthetic aspect in addition to its functional character.
  • the groove 20 can be widened to integrate the external openings of the channels 26. In this way, practically the entire outer part of the wall 14 would be covered with the material synthetic, with the exception of ring 22, which gives the watch a original appearance.
  • FIG. 6 represents, sectional view, a watch case 40 provided with control means 42 to ensure that the display is updated.
  • the box 40 comprises a middle part 44 carrying a cylindrical tube 46, axis B-B, inside which are housed the control means 42. These are formed by a crown 48 and a time-setting rod 50, fixed in the crown by known means, for example by gluing or by hunting.
  • the crown 48 comprises a body 52, made of metal, and a trim of grip 54, made of synthetic material.
  • the body 52 is formed, so identical to body 10, with a cylindrical wall 56 defining a blind hole 58, the latter being closed at one of its ends by a cap 60.
  • the wall 56 is provided, on its external face, with an annular groove 62, one of which side, adjacent to the opening of the hole 58, is defined by a ring 64 provided with two diametrically opposite clearances 66, in a semicircle and made throughout the thickness of the ring 64.
  • the wall 56 is pierced with channels 68 extending radially in all its thickness and consequently opening into the blind hole 58. It further comprises a flange 70 disposed at the entrance to the hole 58 and extending radially towards axis B-B.
  • the lining 54 comprises an annular band 72 housed in the groove 62 which then extends radially in the direction of the cap 18, elements junction 74 closing the channels 68 and an adjacent toric structure 76 at the rim 70.
  • This toric structure 76 extends inside the wall 56, beyond the channels 68 in the direction of the cap 60. In this portion, its internal diameter is slightly less than the external diameter of tube 46, so that the toric structure 76 is compressed, pressing against the tube 46 and the wall 56, thus ensuring the function of a seal. It is, from the so it is possible to have a time setting crown in a single operation waterproof and whose rotation drive is facilitated by the external part of the synthetic material trim.
  • the cohesion of the lining can still be increased by providing, as in the first embodiment of the radial channels 26 in which the lining forms branches 30 joining the annular band 72 and the core 32.
  • the need to form branches 30 and the core 32 depends essentially of the greater or lesser elasticity of the synthetic material used and the thickness imparted to the annular strip 72.
  • the two example embodiments of a control button according to the invention relates to a watch crown. It is obvious that this kind of button can be used in other applications requiring small, robust and handling control means easy, such as, for example, portable measuring devices, communication, etc.
  • the lining can, of course, be made of a material other than polyurethane. The choice will be made on a material pleasant to the touch, stable and wear resistant.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
  • Eye Examination Apparatus (AREA)
  • Spinning Or Twisting Of Yarns (AREA)

Abstract

The winding button has a metallic body (10) with a blind hole (16) for the movement spindle. The hole is closed by a cap (18) and the skirt of the body has a throat (20). A synthetic material (12) is extruded to form a ring (28) keyed to the throat (20), protuberances (34) and internal branches (30) which combine in a kernel (32) above the blind hole for mutual support

Description

La présente invention se rapporte aux boutons de commande rotatifs, du type utilisé par exemple dans les montres et appelés communément couronne de mise à l'heure. Elle concerne plus particulièrement un bouton comportant un corps métallique, de forme générale cylindrique, et muni d'un trou borgne destiné à recevoir une tige de commande.The present invention relates to rotary control buttons, of the type used for example in watches and commonly called time setting crown. It relates more particularly to a button comprising a metallic body, of generally cylindrical shape, and provided with a blind hole intended to receive a control rod.

De tels boutons, en métal, sont biens connus de l'homme du métier. Ils équipent la plupart des montres munies d'aiguilles. Ils permettent la mise à l'heure, voire le remontage pour les montres mécaniques. L'usager doit donc pouvoir tirer le bouton pour sélectionner une fonction et le tourner afin d'en modifier la valeur.Such buttons, made of metal, are well known to those skilled in the art. They equip most watches with hands. They allow the time, or even reassembly for mechanical watches. The user must therefore ability to pull out knob to select function and turn it to change change the value.

Pour faciliter la rotation du bouton, il arrive que ce dernier comporte le plus souvent des cannelures sur la portion cylindrique de sa surface externe. Malheureusement de telles cannelures sont abrasives, tendent à user les vêtements, et ne permettent pas toujours une bonne préhension en particulier au niveau de la traction.To facilitate the rotation of the button, it sometimes happens that the latter has the more often grooves on the cylindrical portion of its outer surface. Unfortunately such grooves are abrasive, tend to wear out clothes, and do not always allow a good grip in particular in terms of traction.

Il est bien connu que des matériaux organiques, tels que le caoutchouc, permettent une adhérence plus grande que le métal, sans pour autant provoquer d'usure. Ces matériaux sont, toutefois, trop peu rigides pour pouvoir être l'unique matériau constitutif d'un bouton de commande.It is well known that organic materials, such as rubber, allow greater adhesion than metal, without cause wear. These materials are, however, not very rigid for be able to be the only material constituting a control button.

Pour avoir un bouton de commande ayant à l'usage les avantages du métal et du caoutchouc, il semble naturel de revêtir les cannelures d'un matériau synthétique. Cette solution a de nombreux inconvénients. Un traitement préalable de la surface en métal est nécessaire pour permettre l'accrochage d'un matériau synthétique, ledit traitement devant être adapté à chaque type de matériau; une délimitation très précise des zones recouvertes est très difficile de sorte qu'il est très souvent nécessaire de faire une reprise d'usinage telle qu'un polissage; l'épaisseur de matériau synthétique déposé étant très faible le revêtement est sensible à l'usure et à un arrachage accidentel.To have a control button having in use the advantages of metal and rubber, it seems natural to coat the grooves with a synthetic material. This solution has many drawbacks. A pretreatment of the metal surface is necessary to allow the attachment of a synthetic material, said treatment having to be adapted to each type of material; very precise delimitation of the areas covered is very difficult so it is very often necessary to do a recovery machining such as polishing; the thickness of the synthetic material deposited being very weak the coating is sensitive to wear and tearing accidental.

La présente invention a pour but principal un bouton bi-matière métal/matériau synthétique réalisé de telle sorte qu'il ne présente pas les inconvénients de l'art antérieur précité.The main object of the present invention is a bi-material button metal / synthetic material made in such a way that it does not have the disadvantages of the aforementioned prior art.

A cet effet l'invention a pour objet un bouton de commande ayant un corps 10, 52 métallique pourvu selon son axe A-A d'un trou borgne 16, 58 fermé par un capuchon 18 prolongé par une paroi 14 de révolution, ledit bouton comportant à l'extérieur sur tout ou partie de sa paroi 14 une zone de préhension en un matériau synthétique, caractérisé en ce que le corps 10, 52 du bouton comprend une gorge annulaire 20, 62 pratiquée dans la surface externe de sa paroi 14, 56 à proximité de l'ouverture du trou borgne 16, 58 et des canaux 26 reliant ladite surface externe de la paroi 14 et le fond du trou borgne 16, 58, et en ce qu'une garniture 12 en matériau 12 synthétique est réalisée in situ pour former une bague 22, 64 logée dans la gorge 20, 62 et dont des bossages 34 s'étendent selon l'axe A-A sur la surface externe de la paroi 14, 56 au moins jusqu'aux ouvertures des canaux 26, une structure radiale à plusieurs branches 30 obturant lesdits canaux 26 et un noyau 32 reliant lesdites branches 30 pour solidariser entre elles les différentes parties de la garniture 12.For this purpose the invention relates to a control button having a metallic body 10, 52 provided along its axis A-A with a blind hole 16, 58 closed by a cap 18 extended by a wall 14 of revolution, said button comprising outside on all or part of its wall 14 a zone grip in a synthetic material, characterized in that the body 10, 52 of the button comprises an annular groove 20, 62 formed in the surface external of its wall 14, 56 near the opening of the blind hole 16, 58 and channels 26 connecting said external surface of the wall 14 and the bottom of the blind hole 16, 58, and in that a lining 12 made of synthetic material 12 is made in situ to form a ring 22, 64 housed in the groove 20, 62 and of which bosses 34 extend along the axis A-A on the external surface of the wall 14, 56 at least to the openings of the channels 26, a structure radial with several branches 30 closing said channels 26 and a core 32 connecting said branches 30 to secure the various parts together trim 12.

De la sorte, la garniture forme à l'extérieur du corps des reliefs facilitant la préhension, et à l'intérieur des boucles, chacune d'entre elles enserrant le corps métallique, ce qui permet d'assurer les meilleures conditions possibles d'accrochage.In this way, the lining forms reliefs outside the body facilitating gripping, and inside the loops, each of them enclosing the metal body, which ensures the best possible hanging conditions.

Afin de faciliter l'entraínement en rotation du bouton de commande, les reliefs de la garniture en matériau synthétique définissent des bossages reliant la bague aux branches, ou une bande annulaire pourvue de cannelures.To facilitate the rotation of the control button, the reliefs of the synthetic material lining define bosses connecting the ring to the branches, or an annular band provided with grooves.

Dans certaines applications, par exemple lorsque le bouton selon l'invention est utilisé comme couronne de mise à l'heure d'une montre, il est soumis à des efforts de traction. Si cet effort est exercé fréquemment sur le matériau synthétique, il peut en résulter une usure prématurée, pouvant provoquer son arrachement. C'est pourquoi il est avantageux que l'effort nécessaire soit appliqué sur le corps métallique. A cet effet, ce dernier présente un anneau définissant le côté de la gorge au voisinage de l'ouverture du trou borgne.In some applications, for example when the button according to the invention is used as the time-setting crown of a watch, it is subjected to tensile forces. If this effort is exerted frequently on the synthetic material, it can result in premature wear, which can cause it to be torn off. This is why it is advantageous that the effort necessary is applied to the metal body. For this purpose, the latter has a ring defining the side of the groove near the opening from the blind hole.

Pour l'application évoquée ci-dessus, il est souvent demandé que la couronne participe à l'étanchéité de la montre. Généralement, l'intérieur de la paroi cylindrique est doté d'un joint torique coopérant avec une partie du boítier pour fermer de manière étanche l'ouverture que traverse les moyens de commande de la montre. Ce joint est glissé dans un logement de la couronne.For the application mentioned above, it is often asked that the crown contributes to the water resistance of the watch. Generally, the interior of the cylindrical wall has an O-ring cooperating with part of the case for sealingly closing the opening through which the means pass watch control. This seal is slid into a housing of the crowned.

Un autre but de la présente invention est de réaliser un bouton de commande dont la garniture de préhension en matériau synthétique forme en outre un joint d'étanchéité. A cet effet, et dans un mode de réalisation particulier, le bouton selon l'invention est caractérisé en ce que sa garniture s'étendant à travers des canaux supplémentaires à l'intérieur du trou borgne en une structure torique accolée à la paroi interne du trou borgne pour former un joint d'étanchéité.Another object of the present invention is to provide a button control with a synthetic material handle in addition to a seal. To this end, and in one embodiment particular, the button according to the invention is characterized in that its trim extending through additional channels inside the blind hole in a toric structure attached to the internal wall of the blind hole for form a seal.

D'autres avantages et caractéristiques de l'invention ressortiront de la description qui va suivre, faite en regard des dessins annexés, dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue de côté d'un bouton selon un premier mode de réalisation,
  • la figure 2 est une vue de dessous du bouton de la figure 1,
  • la figure 3 est une vue de dessus du bouton de la figure 1,
  • la figure 4 est une vue en perspective du bouton de la figure 1,
  • la figure 5 est une représentation en coupe selon la ligne V-V de la figure 3, et
  • la figure 6 est une vue en coupe d'une partie de boíte de montre munie d'une couronne de mise à l'heure correspondant à un second mode de réalisation d'un bouton selon l'invention.
Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of a button according to a first embodiment,
  • FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the button in FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 3 is a top view of the button in FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the button in FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 5 is a representation in section along the line VV of FIG. 3, and
  • Figure 6 is a sectional view of a part of the watch case provided with a time-setting crown corresponding to a second embodiment of a button according to the invention.

Le bouton représenté aux figures 1 à 5 est une couronne de mise à l'heure pour montre, comportant essentiellement un corps 10, en métal, et une garniture 12 en matériau synthétique.The button represented in FIGS. 1 to 5 is a crown for setting the time for a watch, essentially comprising a metal body 10, and a lining 12 made of synthetic material.

Le corps 10 est réalisé en acier inoxydable ou en laiton revêtu d'une couche métallique de protection. Il comporte une paroi 14, de forme générale cylindrique, dont la surface intérieure définit un trou borgne 16 et un capuchon 18 obturant le trou 16 à l'une de ses extrémités. Le trou 16 est agencé pour recevoir une tige de commande non représentée sur les dessins.The body 10 is made of stainless steel or brass coated with a protective metal layer. It has a wall 14, of general shape cylindrical, the inner surface of which defines a blind hole 16 and a cap 18 closing the hole 16 at one of its ends. The hole 16 is arranged for receive a control rod not shown in the drawings.

La paroi 14 est extérieurement munie d'une gorge annulaire 20, dont l'un des côtés, disposé au voisinage de l'extrémité comportant l'ouverture du trou 16, est formé d'une bague 22 présentant deux dégagements 24 diamétralement opposés, en demi-cercle et pratiqués sur toute l'épaisseur de la bague 22. La paroi 14 est, en outre, percée de six canaux radiaux 26 répartis régulièrement, débouchant dans le trou 16, inclinés d'environ 60° par rapport à l'axe A-A et définissant un noyau de jonction 32 dont le sommet se trouve dans le capuchon 18.The wall 14 is externally provided with an annular groove 20, of which one of the sides, disposed in the vicinity of the end comprising the opening of the hole 16, is formed of a ring 22 having two clearances 24 diametrically opposite, in a semicircle and practiced over the entire thickness of the ring 22. The wall 14 is, moreover, pierced with six radial channels 26 evenly distributed, opening into hole 16, inclined by about 60 ° by relative to the axis A-A and defining a junction core 32 whose apex is found in the cap 18.

La garniture 12 est réalisée en un matériau synthétique souple présentant un coefficient de frottement élevé lorsqu'il est en contact avec la peau de l'utilisateur. Ce matériau synthétique est par exemple du polyuréthanne. La garniture est formée d'un anneau 28 logé dans la gorge 20, d'une structure radiale à six branches 30, obturant les canaux 26 et dont les extrémités intérieures sont reliées par le noyau de jonction 32, et de six bossages 34 reliant chacune l'une des branches 30 à l'anneau 28. Il est bien évident que, si on souhaite plus ou moins de six bossages 34, on réalisera un nombre égal de canaux radiaux 26.The lining 12 is made of a flexible synthetic material with a high coefficient of friction when in contact with the user's skin. This synthetic material is for example polyurethane. The lining is formed by a ring 28 housed in the groove 20, of a radial structure with six branches 30, closing the channels 26 and of which the inner ends are connected by the junction core 32, and six bosses 34 each connecting one of the branches 30 to the ring 28. It is well obvious that, if we want more or less than six bosses 34, we will realize a equal number of radial channels 26.

La fabrication d'un bouton tel que décrit se fait par surmoulage, au moyen d'un moule formé de deux coquilles amovibles comportant plusieurs empreintes identiques, empreintes destinées à recevoir les corps 10 et conformées en creux à la surface extérieure définitive du bouton bi-matière. Chacune d'entre elles est reliée d'une part à un canal d'injection, d'autre part à un canal d'écoulement, les corps 10 étant disposés de manière à ce que ces canaux, sensiblement orientés parallèlement à l'axe A-A, débouchent dans les dégagements 24. Lorsque les coquilles sont assemblées, chaque empreinte définit un volume correspondant exactement au volume final du bouton. Aussi, lorsque le matériau synthétique est injecté, il pénètre dans la gorge 20, pour former l'anneau 28, sur des secteurs de la paroi 14 pour former les bossages 34, et à l'intérieur des canaux 26 pour définir les branches 30 et le noyau 32, le surplus s'écoulant dans le canal d'écoulement.The manufacture of a button as described is done by molding, at by means of a mold formed of two removable shells comprising several identical fingerprints, fingerprints intended to receive the bodies 10 and shaped hollow to the final outer surface of the bi-material button. Each of them is connected on the one hand to an injection channel, on the other hand to a flow channel, the bodies 10 being arranged so that these channels, substantially oriented parallel to the axis A-A, open into the clearances 24. When the shells are assembled, each footprint defines a volume corresponding exactly to the final volume of the button. Also, when the synthetic material is injected, it enters the groove 20, to form the ring 28, on sectors of the wall 14 to form the bosses 34, and inside the channels 26 to define the branches 30 and the core 32, the surplus flowing in the flow channel.

Il est bien évident que, lors de cette opération, une portion terminale du trou borgne est obturée par un bouchon, venant de matière avec l'une des coquilles, de manière à empêcher toute pénétration du matériau synthétique dans cet espace, exception faite du noyau 32. Ce dernier permet d'assurer un lien étroit entre les branches 30, de manière à ce que la garniture synthétique 12 forme un tout, comportant un ensemble de boucles fermées, chacune enserrant une partie du corps 10. De la sorte et bien que le polyuréthanne n'adhère pas au métal, le bouton ainsi réalisé forme un tout solide.It is obvious that, during this operation, a terminal portion of the blind hole is closed by a plug, made of material with one of the shells, so as to prevent any penetration of the synthetic material in this space, except for the core 32. The latter makes it possible to ensure a close link between the branches 30, so that the synthetic lining 12 forms a whole, comprising a set of closed loops, each enclosing a part of the body 10. In this way and although the polyurethane does not adhere to metal, the button thus produced forms a solid whole.

Après l'opération d'injection, les boutons sont retirés du moule, étant reliés entre eux par une carotte formée de la matière contenue dans les canaux d'injection et d'écoulement, puis séparés les uns des autres en coupant la matière superflue. Comme les carottes sont reliées aux garnitures de chaque bouton dans les zones comportant les dégagements 24, il en résulte que la coupure se fait en un point masqué après sa mise en place au niveau de la carrure de la montre.After the injection operation, the buttons are removed from the mold, being interconnected by a carrot formed of the material contained in the injection and flow channels, then separated from each other by cutting off unnecessary material. As the carrots are connected to the garnishes of each button in the zones comprising the clearances 24, there results that the cut is made at a masked point after its installation at the level of the middle of the watch.

Pour corriger les informations de la montre équipée d'un bouton tel que décrit, il est généralement nécessaire de tirer ce dernier avant de le tourner. Pour effectuer la traction, l'utilisateur saisit le bouton dans sa partie opposée au capuchon 18, soit au niveau de la bague 22. Comme celle-ci est en métal, il n'y a aucun risque d'arracher ou de détériorer les parties apparentes de la garniture 12. To correct the information of the watch equipped with a button such as described, it is generally necessary to pull the latter before turning it. To pull, the user grasps the button in its opposite part to the cap 18, that is to say at the level of the ring 22. Since the latter is made of metal, it there is no risk of tearing off or damaging the visible parts of the trim 12.

Le bouton qui vient d'être décrit en référence aux figures 1 à 5 présente des bossages 34 facilitant son entraínement en rotation et lui conférant un certain aspect esthétique outre son caractère fonctionnel. Dans une variante, non représentée au dessin, la gorge 20 peut être élargie jusqu'à intégrer les ouvertures extérieures des canaux 26. De la sorte, pratiquement toute la partie extérieure de la paroi 14 serait recouverte du matériau synthétique, à l'exception de la bague 22, ce qui confère à la montre un aspect original.The button which has just been described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 has bosses 34 facilitating its rotational training and it giving a certain aesthetic aspect in addition to its functional character. In a variant, not shown in the drawing, the groove 20 can be widened to integrate the external openings of the channels 26. In this way, practically the entire outer part of the wall 14 would be covered with the material synthetic, with the exception of ring 22, which gives the watch a original appearance.

Selon un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention, la figure 6 représente, vue en coupe, une boíte de montre 40 munie de moyens de commande 42 pour assurer la mise à l'heure de l'affichage.According to another embodiment of the invention, FIG. 6 represents, sectional view, a watch case 40 provided with control means 42 to ensure that the display is updated.

La boíte 40 comprend une carrure 44 portant un tube cylindrique 46, d'axe B-B, à l'intérieur duquel sont logés les moyens de commande 42. Ceux-ci sont formés d'une couronne 48 et d'une tige de mise à l'heure 50, fixée dans la couronne par des moyens connus, par exemple par collage ou par chassage.The box 40 comprises a middle part 44 carrying a cylindrical tube 46, axis B-B, inside which are housed the control means 42. These are formed by a crown 48 and a time-setting rod 50, fixed in the crown by known means, for example by gluing or by hunting.

La couronne 48 comporte un corps 52, en métal, et une garniture de préhension 54, en matériau synthétique. Le corps 52 est formé, de manière identique au corps 10, d'une paroi cylindrique 56 définissant un trou borgne 58, ce dernier étant obturé, à l'une de ses extrémités, par un capuchon 60. La paroi 56 est munie, sur sa face externe, d'une gorge annulaire 62 dont un côté, adjacent à l'ouverture du trou 58, est défini par une bague 64 munie de deux dégagements 66 diamétralement opposés, en demi-cercle et pratiqués dans toute l'épaisseur de la bague 64.The crown 48 comprises a body 52, made of metal, and a trim of grip 54, made of synthetic material. The body 52 is formed, so identical to body 10, with a cylindrical wall 56 defining a blind hole 58, the latter being closed at one of its ends by a cap 60. The wall 56 is provided, on its external face, with an annular groove 62, one of which side, adjacent to the opening of the hole 58, is defined by a ring 64 provided with two diametrically opposite clearances 66, in a semicircle and made throughout the thickness of the ring 64.

La paroi 56 est percée de canaux 68 s'étendant radialement dans toute son épaisseur et débouchant en conséquence dans le trou borgne 58. Elle comporte, en outre, un rebord 70 disposé à l'entrée du trou 58 et s'étendant radialement vers l'axe B-B.The wall 56 is pierced with channels 68 extending radially in all its thickness and consequently opening into the blind hole 58. It further comprises a flange 70 disposed at the entrance to the hole 58 and extending radially towards axis B-B.

La garniture 54 comprend une bande annulaire 72 logée dans la gorge 62 qui s'étend alors radialement en direction du capuchon 18, des éléments de jonction 74 obturant les canaux 68 et une structure torique 76 adjacente au rebord 70. Cette structure torique 76 s'étend à l'intérieur de la paroi 56, au-delà des canaux 68 en direction du capuchon 60. Dans cette portion, son diamètre intérieur est légèrement inférieur au diamètre extérieur du tube 46, de sorte que la structure torique 76 est comprimée, en appui contre le tube 46 et la paroi 56, assurant ainsi la fonction de joint d'étanchéité. Il est, de la sorte, possible d'avoir en une seule opération une couronne de mise à l'heure étanche et dont l'entraínement en rotation est facilité par la partie extérieure de la garniture en matériau synthétique.The lining 54 comprises an annular band 72 housed in the groove 62 which then extends radially in the direction of the cap 18, elements junction 74 closing the channels 68 and an adjacent toric structure 76 at the rim 70. This toric structure 76 extends inside the wall 56, beyond the channels 68 in the direction of the cap 60. In this portion, its internal diameter is slightly less than the external diameter of tube 46, so that the toric structure 76 is compressed, pressing against the tube 46 and the wall 56, thus ensuring the function of a seal. It is, from the so it is possible to have a time setting crown in a single operation waterproof and whose rotation drive is facilitated by the external part of the synthetic material trim.

Comme représenté à la figure 6 la cohésion de la garniture peut encore être accrue en prévoyant, comme dans le premier mode de réalisation des canaux radiaux 26 dans lesquels la garniture forme des branches 30 rejoignant la bande annulaire 72 et le noyau 32. Comme on peut le comprendre, la nécessité de former des branches 30 et le noyau 32 dépend essentiellement de la plus ou moins grande élasticité du matériau synthétique utilisé et de l'épaisseur conférée à la bande annulaire 72.As shown in Figure 6 the cohesion of the lining can still be increased by providing, as in the first embodiment of the radial channels 26 in which the lining forms branches 30 joining the annular band 72 and the core 32. As can be understand, the need to form branches 30 and the core 32 depends essentially of the greater or lesser elasticity of the synthetic material used and the thickness imparted to the annular strip 72.

Les deux exemples de réalisation d'un bouton de commande selon l'invention se rapportent à une couronne de montre. Il est évident que ce genre de bouton peut être utilisé dans d'autres applications nécessitant des moyens de commande de petites dimensions, robustes et de manipulation facile, comme, par exemple, des appareils de mesure portatifs, des appareils de communication, etc.The two example embodiments of a control button according to the invention relates to a watch crown. It is obvious that this kind of button can be used in other applications requiring small, robust and handling control means easy, such as, for example, portable measuring devices, communication, etc.

La garniture peut, bien entendu, être réalisée en un autre matériau que le polyuréthanne. Le choix se portera sur une matière agréable au toucher, stable et résistante à l'usure.The lining can, of course, be made of a material other than polyurethane. The choice will be made on a material pleasant to the touch, stable and wear resistant.

Claims (5)

un bouton de commande ayant un corps (10, 52) métallique pourvu selon son axe A-A d'un trou borgne (16, 58) fermé par un capuchon (18, 60) prolongé par une paroi (14, 56) de révolution, ledit bouton comportant à l'extérieur sur tout ou partie de sa paroi (14, 56) une zone de préhension en un matériau synthétique, caractérisé en ce que le corps (10, 52) du bouton comprend une gorge annulaire (20, 62) pratiquée dans la surface externe de sa paroi (14, 56) à proximité de l'ouverture du trou borgne (16, 58) et des canaux (26, 68) reliant ladite surface externe de la paroi (14, 56) et le fond du trou borgne (16, 58) et en ce qu'une garniture (12, 54) en matériau synthétique est réalisée in situ pour former une bague (22, 64) logée dans la gorge (20, 62) et dont des bossages (34) s'étendent selon l'axe A-A sur la surface externe de la paroi (14, 56) au moins jusqu'aux ouvertures des canaux (26, 68), une structure radiale à plusieurs branches (30) obturant lesdits canaux (26, 68) et un noyau (32) reliant lesdites branches (30) pour solidariser entre elles les différentes parties de la garniture (12).a control button having a metal body (10, 52) provided along its axis A-A with a blind hole (16, 58) closed by a cap (18, 60) extended by a wall (14, 56) of revolution, said button comprising outside on all or part of its wall (14, 56) a zone of grip in a synthetic material, characterized in that the body (10, 52) of the button comprises an annular groove (20, 62) formed in the external surface of its wall (14, 56) near the opening of the hole blind (16, 58) and channels (26, 68) connecting said external surface of the wall (14, 56) and the bottom of the blind hole (16, 58) and in that a gasket (12, 54) made of synthetic material is produced in situ to form a ring (22, 64) housed in the groove (20, 62) and of which bosses (34) extend along the axis A-A on the external surface of the wall (14, 56) at least up to channel openings (26, 68), a radial structure with several branches (30) closing said channels (26, 68) and a core (32) connecting said channels branches (30) to secure the various parts of the trim (12). Bouton de commande selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit corps (10, 52) présente du côté de la gorge (20, 62) au voisinage de l'ouverture du trou borgne (16, 58) une bague (22, 64) permettant de faciliter la traction dudit bouton.Control button according to claim 1, characterized in that said body (10, 52) has on the side of the groove (20, 62) in the vicinity from the opening of the blind hole (16, 58) a ring (22, 64) allowing facilitate the pulling of said button. Bouton de commande selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit corps (10, 52) comprend à travers la paroi (14, 56) et au niveau de la gorge (20, 62) des passages (68) à travers lesquels passe la garniture (12) pour former à l'intérieur du trou borgne (16, 58) une structure torique (76) définissant un joint d'étanchéité.Control button according to claim 1, characterized in that said body (10, 52) comprises through the wall (14, 56) and at the level of the groove (20, 62) of the passages (68) through which the lining passes (12) to form a toric structure inside the blind hole (16, 58) (76) defining a seal. Bouton de commande selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que les bossages (34) de la garniture (12) sont jointifs pour former une bande annulaire (72) autour de la paroi (14).Control button according to claim 1, characterized in that the bosses (34) of the lining (12) are joined to form a annular band (72) around the wall (14). Procédé de fabrication d'un bouton de commande bi-matière à partir d'un corps métallique (10) dont la paroi (14) de révolution définit un trou borgne (16) fermé par un capuchon (18) caractérisé en ce qu'on effectue les étapes consistant à : former dans la surface extérieure de la paroi (14) du corps (10) une gorge annulaire (20) délimitant également une bague (22) à la base du trou borgne (16); former à travers la paroi (14) des canaux (26) rejoignant la gorge annulaire (20) et le fond du trou borgne (16); ménager dans la bague (22) au moins deux dégagement (24) rejoignant la gorge annulaire (20); placer une pluralité de corps (10) ainsi formés dans un moule d'injection ayant deux coquilles amovibles comportant une pluralité d'empreintes identiques conformées en creux pour correspondre à la surface extérieure définitive du bouton bi-matière, l'une des empreinte ayant un bouchon obturant le trou borgne sur une partie de sa longueur; injecter un matériau synthétique à travers un des dégagements (24) pour former un anneau (28) au droit de la gorge annulaire (20) et des bossages (34) au droit des ouvertures des canaux (26); et séparer chaque bouton bi-matière de moule d'injection. Method for manufacturing a bi-material control button from a metal body (10) whose wall (14) of revolution defines a blind hole (16) closed by a cap (18) characterized in that performs the steps of: forming in the outer surface of the wall (14) of the body (10) an annular groove (20) also delimiting a ring (22) at the base of the blind hole (16); forming through the wall (14) channels (26) joining the annular groove (20) and the bottom of the blind hole (16); providing in the ring (22) at least two clearance (24) joining the annular groove (20); placing a plurality of bodies (10) thus formed in an injection mold having two removable shells comprising a plurality of identical imprints hollow shaped to correspond to the final exterior surface of the bi-material button, one of the imprints having a plug closing the blind hole over part of its length; injecting a synthetic material through one of the recesses (24) to form a ring (28) in line with the annular groove (20) and bosses (34) in line with the openings in the channels (26); and separate each bi-material injection mold button.
EP99120679A 1999-10-19 1999-10-19 Control knob Expired - Lifetime EP1094372B1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT99120679T ATE273531T1 (en) 1999-10-19 1999-10-19 CONTROL BUTTON
EP99120679A EP1094372B1 (en) 1999-10-19 1999-10-19 Control knob
DE69919357T DE69919357T2 (en) 1999-10-19 1999-10-19 actuating button

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP99120679A EP1094372B1 (en) 1999-10-19 1999-10-19 Control knob

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1094372A1 true EP1094372A1 (en) 2001-04-25
EP1094372B1 EP1094372B1 (en) 2004-08-11

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ID=8239226

Family Applications (1)

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EP99120679A Expired - Lifetime EP1094372B1 (en) 1999-10-19 1999-10-19 Control knob

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EP (1) EP1094372B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE273531T1 (en)
DE (1) DE69919357T2 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003038540A1 (en) * 2001-10-23 2003-05-08 'durable' Hunke & Jochheim Gmbh & Co. Kg Hand wheel, especially for initiating a rotational movement in the holder of a roller file
JP2007280694A (en) * 2006-04-04 2007-10-25 Alps Electric Co Ltd Rotary knob

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102007051399B4 (en) * 2007-10-25 2010-09-09 Continental Automotive Gmbh operating element
DE102007051380A1 (en) * 2007-10-25 2009-05-14 Continental Automotive Gmbh operating element

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3887963A (en) * 1974-06-19 1975-06-10 Scm Corp Control knob assembly
EP0149970A1 (en) * 1983-10-24 1985-07-31 Tubular Holdings Limited Waterproof watch crown
US5469758A (en) * 1993-11-03 1995-11-28 The Grigoleit Company Knob with soft plastic cover

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3887963A (en) * 1974-06-19 1975-06-10 Scm Corp Control knob assembly
EP0149970A1 (en) * 1983-10-24 1985-07-31 Tubular Holdings Limited Waterproof watch crown
US5469758A (en) * 1993-11-03 1995-11-28 The Grigoleit Company Knob with soft plastic cover

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003038540A1 (en) * 2001-10-23 2003-05-08 'durable' Hunke & Jochheim Gmbh & Co. Kg Hand wheel, especially for initiating a rotational movement in the holder of a roller file
US7219577B2 (en) 2001-10-23 2007-05-22 “Durable” Hunke & Jochheim GmbH & Co. KG Hand wheel, especially for initiating a rotational movement in the holder of a roller file
JP2007280694A (en) * 2006-04-04 2007-10-25 Alps Electric Co Ltd Rotary knob
JP4652264B2 (en) * 2006-04-04 2011-03-16 アルプス電気株式会社 Rotary operation device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1094372B1 (en) 2004-08-11
ATE273531T1 (en) 2004-08-15
DE69919357D1 (en) 2004-09-16
DE69919357T2 (en) 2005-08-04

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