EP1102136B1 - Device for assembling a cap made of hard material to the middle part of a watch - Google Patents

Device for assembling a cap made of hard material to the middle part of a watch Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1102136B1
EP1102136B1 EP99122881A EP99122881A EP1102136B1 EP 1102136 B1 EP1102136 B1 EP 1102136B1 EP 99122881 A EP99122881 A EP 99122881A EP 99122881 A EP99122881 A EP 99122881A EP 1102136 B1 EP1102136 B1 EP 1102136B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cover
centre
cap
screws
clamps
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP99122881A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1102136A1 (en
Inventor
Denis Lüscher
Michael Bach
Fernand Vuillaume
Eloi Vuillaume
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.)
Rado Uhren AG
Original Assignee
Rado Uhren AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rado Uhren AG filed Critical Rado Uhren AG
Priority to DE69940381T priority Critical patent/DE69940381D1/en
Priority to EP99122881A priority patent/EP1102136B1/en
Publication of EP1102136A1 publication Critical patent/EP1102136A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1102136B1 publication Critical patent/EP1102136B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • 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
    • G04B47/00—Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece
    • G04B47/04—Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece with attached ornaments or amusement apparatus
    • G04B47/046—Changeable decorations and parts thereof, decorations for the case which change the external appearance of the clockwork
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B37/00—Cases
    • G04B37/0008—Cases for pocket watches and wrist watches
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B37/00—Cases
    • G04B37/08—Hermetic sealing of openings, joints, passages or slits
    • G04B37/084—Complete encasings for wrist or pocket watches without means for hermetic sealing of winding stem or crown
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B37/00—Cases
    • G04B37/22—Materials or processes of manufacturing pocket watch or wrist watch cases

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for assembling a hard material cap on the upper edge of the middle part of a watch case.
  • the exposed parts that is to say the ice, the middle part and the cap are the parts most exposed to external aggressions, such as scratches, shocks, oxidation, etc.
  • external aggressions such as scratches, shocks, oxidation, etc.
  • it eliminates or reduces the unsightly consequences of these attacks on the ice using a sapphire crystal whose manufacture is certainly delicate, but whose simple geometric shape does not involve complicated machining.
  • a very hard material such as a ceramic.
  • Such a material has a remarkable resistance to external attack, but has the drawbacks of being still sensitive to shocks and very poorly suited to overly complex machining. For this reason, this hard material is most often used as a cladding for an underlying structure that is easier to machine and generally much cheaper.
  • the document CH 508 925 proposes to removably attach the cap to an element of the housing by providing two facing grooves between which is interposed a resilient closed ring which will be compressed during assembly. If the section of this ring is too strong, we risk breaking the cap by forcing it to the assembly; if on the contrary the section is too low the cap may turn around the middle part which can be inconvenient for the passage of the time setting rod, or unsightly if the cap is not perfectly circular.
  • the document CH 568 040 proposes to radially arrange blind holes in the flat underside of the cap, to fill these holes with a readily tapable material and to screw said cap on an element of the middle part.
  • the proposed solution allows to consider, if necessary, a replacement of said cap and provides a better relative positioning of the two assembled elements, but such a construction is relatively complex and the blind holes undoubtedly embrittle said cap.
  • the present invention therefore aims to overcome the drawbacks of this prior art by providing a device for assembling a hard material cap on the upper edge of the middle part of a watch case or on a part integral with it. ci, said cap can be obtained with a reduced number of machining operations and can be easily replaced in case of breakage.
  • the invention relates to a removable assembly device of a hard material cap on the upper edge of the middle part of a watch case closed by an ice and a bottom delimiting with a casing ring, a space for accommodating at least one movement, characterized in that it comprises a metal center whose external wall has a staircase structure complementary to the internal structure of the cap secured to said center by means of at least two screws passing through it through holes for clamping flanges housed in radial recesses formed in a vertical wall of the cap, compressing an elastomeric seal disposed between two horizontal surfaces of the stair structures, and whose thickness is sufficient to provide at least one clearance between surfaces respectively facing the bottom and the base of the cap, and the vertical wall of the center and the wall of the cap joining the base.
  • the case 1 of a wristwatch is shown, the visible parts of which consist essentially of a cap 20 forming a middle part 4, in which a recess 5 is formed for the housing of the time-setting ring 7.
  • the recess 5 comprises in its center a channel 26, visible on the figure 4 , which joins the inner surface of the cap 20 to allow the passage of the stem of the setting ring 7.
  • the central portion of the cap 20 comprises, above a dial 11 provided with hour hands / minutes / seconds 13a, 13b, 13c, a sapphire crystal 3, whose fixing will be explained later.
  • the cap 20 leaves, at the positions 12h-6h, below the middle part 4, an extension 8 of the bottom 2, curved outwards substantially according to the curvature of a wrist and provided with horns 10 serving fixing a bracelet (not shown). It is obvious that after fixing a bracelet this extension 8 will not be visible at all.
  • the bottom 2 and the dial 11 delimit, with the casing ring 6, a housing 9 for a watch movement 29 held by two fixing screws 18 (also visible on the figure 3 ).
  • the cap 20 has an oblong shape and covers, from the perimeter of the ice 3, the entire surface of the watch forming two lugs 28 extending above the extensions 8, being, like said extensions 8 curved towards the outside to form a dome.
  • the figure 4 is a representation in exploded perspective of the. assembly device, the different parts having the orientation in view from below represented at the figure 3 .
  • the device comprises a metal center 30, an elastomer washer 12, two screws 14, 16 and two flanges 15, 17 which will allow the assembly of the cap 20.
  • the inner wall of the cap has an annular stair structure formed from the base 21 by orthogonal flat surfaces 21a, 22, 22a, 23a.
  • the base 21 is extended at the ears 28 by oblique extensions 24 having the same inclination as the extensions 8 of the bottom 2.
  • the vertical portion 21a, joining the base 21 and parallel to the middle part 4 comprises at the ears 28 two recesses 25, 27 diametrically opposed and intended to receive the flanges 15, 17.
  • these recesses are the only parts of the cap 20 which require special machining. They can for example be obtained by means of a diamond grinding, or by providing, during the manufacture of the cap of the drawers in the mold at the locations of the recesses 25, 27.
  • the metal center 30 is formed of a ring whose outer surface has a stair shape, complementary to that of the cap 20, formed from the base 31, by flat surfaces 31a, 32, 32a, 33.
  • the inner wall 46 of metal center 30 comprises at its base and at its upper part two annular grooves 45, 47 for receiving seals 45a, 47a respectively compressed axially against the bottom 2 and radially against the vertical edge 3a of the ice 3.
  • bottom of the annular groove 47 is extended towards the inside of the casing 1 by a ring 40 which will form a flange between the spout 3b of the glass 3 and the dial 11. It is obvious that this ring 40 has only one optional character and that it could be replaced by an independent enhancement.
  • the surface 33 of the metal center 30 comprises two open recesses 35, 37 which are diametrically opposed and intended to receive the flanges 15, 17.
  • the recesses 35, 37 comprise in their substantially median part the axial bores 34, 36 in which will be engaged. the screws 14, 16 for fixing the flanges 15, 17.
  • These clearances 35, 37 make it possible to reduce the height of the assembly device and facilitate the positioning of the center 30 above the flanges. According to a simpler embodiment, it is also possible to provide no clearance.
  • the metal center 30 finally has, distributed around its periphery, four tapped holes 39 for fixing the bottom 2 by means of four screws 19, and a radial bore 38 for the passage of the crown rod 7.
  • a first step from the central element formed by the metal center 30, it is possible to preassemble in a known manner all the constituent elements of the watch, ice 3, hands 13a, 13b, 13c, dial 11, circle d casing 6, movement 29 and crown 7, with the exception of the cap 20 and the bottom 2. It will also be observed, in the case where the ring 40 is replaced by an independent flange, that the metal center 30 and the circle of casing 6 can be made in one piece.
  • the elastomer washer 12 is then placed on the annular surface 22 of the staircase structure of the cap 20, then the two flanges 15, 17 are engaged in the recesses 25, 27.
  • the metal center 30 is then placed by positioning the clearance 35, 37 above the flanges 15, 17, and then screwed together by means of the screws 14, 16 so as to compress the washer 12 between the facing annular surfaces 22, 32 of the cap 20 and the metal center 30, and finally the bottom is screwed by means of the four screws 19.
  • the dimensions of the assembled elements and the thickness of the elastomer washer 12 are designed so that there are very small gaps between the internal surfaces of the cap 20 and the surfaces of the facing elements, with the exception of the surfaces 22, 32 between which is compressed the elastomeric washer 12.
  • the clearance between the oblique extension 24 and the extension 8 of the bottom 2 is designated by the reference 44, that between the base 21 and the bottom 2 by the reference 41, that between the wall 21a and the corresponding wall 31a of the center 30 by the reference 41a, that between the wall 23 and the outer edge 33 of the center 20 by the reference 43, and that between the wall 23a and the edge 3a of the ice 3 by the reference 43a .
  • the fixing means of the cap are two in number and are positioned under the bottom 2 positions 12h-6h, at the cap where there is the most material. Comparing the cuts of Figures 5 and 6 it will be observed that the point of the recesses 25, 27 closest to the surface of the cap 20 remains the same all around said cap, so that it is possible, according to an alternative embodiment, to consider putting more than two fixing means occupying different angular positions with respect to the axis 12h-6h. In the embodiment taken by way of example, it will be observed that the two axial bores 34, 36 and the four tapped holes 39 have an angular offset, that is to say that they are distinct and that only are apparent the screws 19 for fixing the bottom 2.
  • the center 30 comprises only two tapped holes 39 for two screws 19 for fixing the bottom, the two other screws being merged with the screws 14, 16 of flange fixing 15, 17 having longer rods.
  • this embodiment has the advantage of being able to replace the cap 20 without removing the bottom 2, and therefore without risk of damaging the seal 45a.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)

Description

La présente invention a pour objet un dispositif d'assemblage d'une coiffe en matériau dur sur le bord supérieur de la carrure d'une boîte de montre.The present invention relates to a device for assembling a hard material cap on the upper edge of the middle part of a watch case.

Dans une boîte de montre-bracelet les parties apparentes, c'est-à-dire la glace, la carrure et la coiffe sont les parties les plus exposées aux agressions extérieures, telles que les rayures, les chocs, l'oxydation, etc. Dans les produits de qualité, on élimine ou réduit les conséquences inesthétiques de ces agressions au niveau de la glace en utilisant un verre saphir dont la fabrication est certes délicate, mais dont la forme géométrique simple n'implique pas un usinage compliqué. Pour les autres parties extérieures, on a proposé depuis longtemps d'utiliser un matériau très dur, tel qu'une céramique. Un tel matériau a une résistance remarquable aux agressions extérieures, mais a comme inconvénients d'être encore sensible aux chocs et de très mal se prêter à des usinages trop complexes. Pour cette raison, ce matériau dur est le plus souvent utilisé comme habillage d'une structure sous-jacente plus facilement usinable et généralement bien meilleur marché.In a wristwatch box, the exposed parts, that is to say the ice, the middle part and the cap are the parts most exposed to external aggressions, such as scratches, shocks, oxidation, etc. In quality products, it eliminates or reduces the unsightly consequences of these attacks on the ice using a sapphire crystal whose manufacture is certainly delicate, but whose simple geometric shape does not involve complicated machining. For other external parts, it has long been proposed to use a very hard material, such as a ceramic. Such a material has a remarkable resistance to external attack, but has the drawbacks of being still sensitive to shocks and very poorly suited to overly complex machining. For this reason, this hard material is most often used as a cladding for an underlying structure that is easier to machine and generally much cheaper.

Pour rendre solidaire la structure et l'habillage, la solution la plus évidente est le collage, comme décrit par exemple dans le brevet CH 517 963 publié le 29.02.1972. Ce document prévoit, pour une coiffe massive faiblement usinée, ou pour un revêtement mince, d'interposer un joint de colle entre les surfaces en regard. Pour avoir une cohésion optimale, il est nécessaire que les surfaces soient suffisamment grandes et présentent une excellente planéité, de l'ordre de 3/100 ce qui nécessite des opérations de rectifiage minutieuses. Il est bien évident qu'un tel assemblage par collage ne permet plus de remplacer la pièce en matériau dur dans le cas où un choc en aurait enlevé un éclat. On retrouve ce même inconvénient dans une variante du procédé proposé dans le document CH 506 826 consistant à ménager un espace entre la coiffe et un élément de boîte, puis à le remplir avec un produit formant ciment.In order to make the structure and the cladding integral, the most obvious solution is gluing, as described for example in the patent CH 517 963 published on 29.02.1972. This document provides, for a heavily machined heavy cap, or for a thin coating, to interpose an adhesive seal between the facing surfaces. To have optimal cohesion, it is necessary that the surfaces are sufficiently large and have excellent flatness, of the order of 3/100 which requires careful grinding operations. It is obvious that such a bonding assembly no longer makes it possible to replace the piece of hard material in the case where a shock has removed a sparkle. This same disadvantage is found in a variant of the process proposed in the document CH 506 826 comprising providing a space between the cap and a box member, and then filling it with a cementitious product.

Pour permettre le démontage et le remplacement d'une telle coiffe en matériau dur, le document CH 508 925 propose de fixer de façon amovible la coiffe à un élément du boîtier en prévoyant deux rainures en regard entre lesquelles on interpose un anneau fermé élastique qui sera comprimé lors du montage. Si la section de cet anneau est trop forte, on risque de briser la coiffe en la forçant au montage; si au contraire la section est trop faible la coiffe risque de tourner autour de la carrure ce qui peut être gênant pour le passage de la tige de mise à l'heure, ou inesthétique si la coiffe n'est pas parfaitement circulaire.To allow disassembly and replacement of such a hard material cap, the document CH 508 925 proposes to removably attach the cap to an element of the housing by providing two facing grooves between which is interposed a resilient closed ring which will be compressed during assembly. If the section of this ring is too strong, we risk breaking the cap by forcing it to the assembly; if on the contrary the section is too low the cap may turn around the middle part which can be inconvenient for the passage of the time setting rod, or unsightly if the cap is not perfectly circular.

Pour remédier à l'inconvénient ci-dessus, le document CH 568 040 propose de ménager radialement des trous borgnes dans la face inférieure plane de la coiffe, de remplir ces trous avec un matériau facilement taraudable et de visser ladite coiffe sur un élément de la carrure. La solution proposée permet d'envisager, si nécessaire, un remplacement de ladite coiffe et procure un meilleur positionnement relatif des deux éléments assemblés, mais une telle construction est relativement complexes et les trous borgnes fragilisent incontestablement ladite coiffe.To remedy the disadvantage above, the document CH 568 040 proposes to radially arrange blind holes in the flat underside of the cap, to fill these holes with a readily tapable material and to screw said cap on an element of the middle part. The proposed solution allows to consider, if necessary, a replacement of said cap and provides a better relative positioning of the two assembled elements, but such a construction is relatively complex and the blind holes undoubtedly embrittle said cap.

D'autres constructions se rattachent plus ou moins à celles évoquées ci-dessus, et en présentent les mêmes inconvénients.Other constructions are more or less related to those mentioned above, and have the same disadvantages.

La présente invention a donc pour objet de remédier aux inconvénients de cet art antérieur en procurant un dispositif d'assemblage d'une coiffe en matériau dur sur le bord supérieur de la carrure d'une boîte de montre ou sur une pièce solidaire de celle-ci, ladite coiffe pouvant être obtenue avec un nombre réduit d'opérations d'usinage et pouvant être facilement remplacée en cas de bris.The present invention therefore aims to overcome the drawbacks of this prior art by providing a device for assembling a hard material cap on the upper edge of the middle part of a watch case or on a part integral with it. ci, said cap can be obtained with a reduced number of machining operations and can be easily replaced in case of breakage.

A cet effet l'invention a pour objet un dispositif d'assemblage amovible d'une coiffe en matériau dur sur le bord supérieur de la carrure d'une boîte de montre fermée par une glace et un fond délimitant avec un cercle d'emboîtage, un espace pour loger au moins un mouvement, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un centre métallique dont la paroi externe a une structure en escaliers complémentaire de la structure interne de la coiffe rendue solidaire dudit centre au moyen d'au moins deux vis le traversant à travers des perçages pour serrer des brides logées dans des creusures radiales formées dans une paroi verticale de la coiffe, en comprimant un joint élastomère disposé entre deux surfaces horizontales des structures en escalier, et dont l'épaisseur est suffisante pour ménager des jeux au moins entre des surfaces en regard respectivement du fond et de la base de la coiffe, et de la paroi verticale du centre et la paroi de la coiffe rejoignant la base.For this purpose the invention relates to a removable assembly device of a hard material cap on the upper edge of the middle part of a watch case closed by an ice and a bottom delimiting with a casing ring, a space for accommodating at least one movement, characterized in that it comprises a metal center whose external wall has a staircase structure complementary to the internal structure of the cap secured to said center by means of at least two screws passing through it through holes for clamping flanges housed in radial recesses formed in a vertical wall of the cap, compressing an elastomeric seal disposed between two horizontal surfaces of the stair structures, and whose thickness is sufficient to provide at least one clearance between surfaces respectively facing the bottom and the base of the cap, and the vertical wall of the center and the wall of the cap joining the base.

L'invention sera mieux comprise en prenant comme exemple illustratif et non limitatif un dispositif d'assemblage d'une coiffe en céramique sur une montre bracelet de forme oblongue, en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels

  • la figure 1 est une représentation en perspective;
  • la figure 2 est une représentation en coupe selon la ligne brisée II-II de la figure 1 passant par les positions horaires 3h et 6h;
  • la figure 3 est une vue de dessous de la montre-bracelet représentée à la figure 1, le fond étant partiellement arraché au niveau d'une bride;
  • la figure 4 est une représentation éclatée du dispositif d'assemblage;
  • la figure 5 est une vue agrandie de la coupe II-II à la position 6h;
  • la figure 6 est une représentation éclatée de la coupe selon la ligne VI-VI de la figure 1;
The invention will be better understood by taking as an illustrative and nonlimiting example a device for assembling a ceramic cap on an oblong wristwatch, with reference to the appended drawings in which
  • the figure 1 is a perspective representation;
  • the figure 2 is a sectional representation along the broken line II-II of the figure 1 passing through the 3 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions;
  • the figure 3 is a bottom view of the wristwatch shown in the figure 1 , the bottom being partially torn off at a flange;
  • the figure 4 is an exploded representation of the assembly device;
  • the figure 5 is an enlarged view of section II-II at position 6h;
  • the figure 6 is an exploded representation of the section along the line VI-VI of the figure 1 ;

En se référant aux figures 1 et 2, on a représenté le boîtier 1 d'une montre-bracelet dont les parties visibles sont essentiellement constituées par une coiffe 20 formant une carrure 4, dans laquelle est formé un évidement 5 pour le logement de la couronne de mise à l'heure 7. L'évidement 5 comprend en son centre une gouttière 26, visible sur la figure 4, qui rejoint la surface intérieure de la coiffe 20 pour permettre le passage de la tige de la couronne de mise à l'heure 7. La partie centrale de la coiffe 20 comprend, au-dessus d'un cadran 11 pourvu d'aiguilles heures/minutes/secondes 13a, 13b, 13c, une glace saphir 3, dont la fixation sera expliquée plus loin. Comme on le voit, la coiffe 20 laisse apparent, aux positions 12h-6h, en dessous de la carrure 4, un prolongement 8 du fond 2, incurvé vers l'extérieur sensiblement selon la courbure d'un poignet et pourvu de cornes 10 servant à la fixation d'un bracelet (non représenté). Il est bien évident qu'après la fixation d'un bracelet ce prolongement 8 ne sera plus du tout visible.Referring to figures 1 and 2 the case 1 of a wristwatch is shown, the visible parts of which consist essentially of a cap 20 forming a middle part 4, in which a recess 5 is formed for the housing of the time-setting ring 7. The recess 5 comprises in its center a channel 26, visible on the figure 4 , which joins the inner surface of the cap 20 to allow the passage of the stem of the setting ring 7. The central portion of the cap 20 comprises, above a dial 11 provided with hour hands / minutes / seconds 13a, 13b, 13c, a sapphire crystal 3, whose fixing will be explained later. As can be seen, the cap 20 leaves, at the positions 12h-6h, below the middle part 4, an extension 8 of the bottom 2, curved outwards substantially according to the curvature of a wrist and provided with horns 10 serving fixing a bracelet (not shown). It is obvious that after fixing a bracelet this extension 8 will not be visible at all.

Le fond 2 et le cadran 11 délimitent, avec le cercle d'emboîtage 6, un logement 9 pour un mouvement horloger 29 maintenu par deux vis de fixation 18 (visibles également sur la figure 3). La coiffe 20 a une forme oblongue et recouvre, à partir du périmètre de la glace 3, toute la surface de la montre en formant deux oreilles 28 s'étendant au-dessus des prolongements 8, en étant, comme lesdits prolongements 8 incurvées vers l'extérieur pour former une coupole.The bottom 2 and the dial 11 delimit, with the casing ring 6, a housing 9 for a watch movement 29 held by two fixing screws 18 (also visible on the figure 3 ). The cap 20 has an oblong shape and covers, from the perimeter of the ice 3, the entire surface of the watch forming two lugs 28 extending above the extensions 8, being, like said extensions 8 curved towards the outside to form a dome.

La figure 4 est une représentation en perpective éclatée du. dispositif d'assemblage, les différentes pièces ayant l'orientation en vue de dessous représentées à la figure 3. On voit que le dispositif comprend un centre métallique 30, une rondelle élastomère 12, deux vis 14, 16 et deux brides 15, 17 qui vont permettre l'assemblage de la coiffe 20.The figure 4 is a representation in exploded perspective of the. assembly device, the different parts having the orientation in view from below represented at the figure 3 . We see that the device comprises a metal center 30, an elastomer washer 12, two screws 14, 16 and two flanges 15, 17 which will allow the assembly of the cap 20.

Comme représentée à plus grande échelle à la figure 6, la paroi intérieure de la coiffe présente une structure annulaire en escaliers constituée, depuis la base 21, par des surfaces planes orthogonales 21a, 22, 22a, 23a.As represented on a larger scale at the figure 6 , the inner wall of the cap has an annular stair structure formed from the base 21 by orthogonal flat surfaces 21a, 22, 22a, 23a.

Comme on le voit à la figure 5, la base 21 est prolongée au niveau des oreilles 28 par des extensions obliques 24 ayant la même inclinaison que les prolongements 8 du fond 2. La partie verticale 21a, rejoignant la base 21 et parallèle à la carrure 4, comporte au niveau des oreilles 28 deux creusures 25, 27 diamétralement opposées et destinées à recevoir les brides 15, 17. Si on excepte les opérations de polissage des surfaces extérieures, ces creusures sont les seules parties de la coiffe 20 qui nécessitent un usinage particulier. Elles peuvent par exemple être obtenues au moyen d'un meulage diamanté, ou en prévoyant, lors de la fabrication de la coiffe des tiroirs dans le moule aux emplacements des creusures 25, 27.As we see in figure 5 , the base 21 is extended at the ears 28 by oblique extensions 24 having the same inclination as the extensions 8 of the bottom 2. The vertical portion 21a, joining the base 21 and parallel to the middle part 4, comprises at the ears 28 two recesses 25, 27 diametrically opposed and intended to receive the flanges 15, 17. Except for the polishing operations of the outer surfaces, these recesses are the only parts of the cap 20 which require special machining. They can for example be obtained by means of a diamond grinding, or by providing, during the manufacture of the cap of the drawers in the mold at the locations of the recesses 25, 27.

Le centre métallique 30 est formé d'un anneau dont la surface extérieure a une forme en escaliers, complémentaire de celle de la coiffe 20, constituée, depuis la base 31, par des surfaces planes 31a, 32, 32a, 33. La paroi interne 46 de centre métallique 30 comprend à sa base et à sa partie supérieure deux rainures annulaires 45, 47 pour recevoir des joints d'étanchéité 45a, 47a comprimés respectivement axialement contre le fond 2 et radialement contre le bord vertical 3a de la glace 3. Le fond de la rainure annulaire 47 est prolongé vers l'intérieur du boîtier 1 par une bague 40 qui va former rehaut entre le bec 3b de la glace 3 et le cadran 11. Il est bien évident que cette bague 40 n'a qu'un caractère optionnel et qu'elle pourrait être remplacée par un rehaut indépendant.The metal center 30 is formed of a ring whose outer surface has a stair shape, complementary to that of the cap 20, formed from the base 31, by flat surfaces 31a, 32, 32a, 33. The inner wall 46 of metal center 30 comprises at its base and at its upper part two annular grooves 45, 47 for receiving seals 45a, 47a respectively compressed axially against the bottom 2 and radially against the vertical edge 3a of the ice 3. bottom of the annular groove 47 is extended towards the inside of the casing 1 by a ring 40 which will form a flange between the spout 3b of the glass 3 and the dial 11. It is obvious that this ring 40 has only one optional character and that it could be replaced by an independent enhancement.

En se référant plus particulièrement aux figures 4 et 5 on voit que la surface 33 du centre métallique 30 comprend deux dégagements ouverts 35, 37 diamétralement opposés et destinés à recevoir les brides 15, 17. Les dégagements 35,37 comprennent dans leur partie sensiblement médiane les perçages axiaux 34, 36 dans lesquels seront engagées les vis 14, 16 de fixation des brides 15, 17. Ces dégagements 35, 37 permettent de réduire la hauteur du dispositif d'assemblage et facilitent le positionnement du centre 30 au-dessus des brides. Selon un mode de réalisation plus simple, il est également possible de ne prévoir aucun dégagement. Le centre métallique 30 comporte enfin, répartis sur son pourtour, quatre trous taraudés 39 pour la fixation du fond 2 au moyen de quatre vis 19, ainsi qu'un perçage radial 38 pour le passage de la tige de la couronne 7.With particular reference to figures 4 and 5 it can be seen that the surface 33 of the metal center 30 comprises two open recesses 35, 37 which are diametrically opposed and intended to receive the flanges 15, 17. The recesses 35, 37 comprise in their substantially median part the axial bores 34, 36 in which will be engaged. the screws 14, 16 for fixing the flanges 15, 17. These clearances 35, 37 make it possible to reduce the height of the assembly device and facilitate the positioning of the center 30 above the flanges. According to a simpler embodiment, it is also possible to provide no clearance. The metal center 30 finally has, distributed around its periphery, four tapped holes 39 for fixing the bottom 2 by means of four screws 19, and a radial bore 38 for the passage of the crown rod 7.

Comme on le voit, toutes les opérations d'usinage, qui seraient difficiles, voire impossibles à réaliser sur un matériau extra dur sont facilement réalisables sur un anneau de section initiale rectangulaire par exemple en acier ou en laiton.As can be seen, all the machining operations, which would be difficult if not impossible to perform on an extra hard material, can easily be performed on a ring of rectangular initial section, for example made of steel or brass.

En se référant maintenant plus particulièrement aux figures 4 à 6 on indique ci-après comment le dispositif selon l'invention rend très faciles les opérations de montage ou démontage de la coiffe 20.Referring now more specifically to Figures 4 to 6 the following is shown below how the device according to the invention makes the operations of mounting or dismounting of the cap 20 very easy.

Dans une première étape, à partir de l'élément central formé par le centre métallique 30, il est possible de préassembler de façon connue tous les éléments constitutifs de la montre, glace 3 , aiguilles 13a, 13b, 13c, cadran 11, cercle d'emboîtage 6 , mouvement 29 et couronne 7 , à l'exception de la coiffe 20 et du fond 2. On observera également, dans le cas où la bague 40 est remplacée par un rehaut indépendant, que le centre métallique 30 et le cercle d'emboîtage 6 peuvent être réalisés en une seule pièce.In a first step, from the central element formed by the metal center 30, it is possible to preassemble in a known manner all the constituent elements of the watch, ice 3, hands 13a, 13b, 13c, dial 11, circle d casing 6, movement 29 and crown 7, with the exception of the cap 20 and the bottom 2. It will also be observed, in the case where the ring 40 is replaced by an independent flange, that the metal center 30 and the circle of casing 6 can be made in one piece.

On met ensuite en place la rondelle élastomère 12 sur la surface annulaire 22 de la structure en escaliers de la coiffe 20, puis on engage les deux brides 15, 17 dans les creusures 25, 27. On pose ensuite le centre métallique 30 en positionnant les dégagements 35, 37 au-dessus des brides 15, 17, puis on visse l'ensemble au moyen des vis 14, 16 de façon à comprimer la rondelle 12 entre les surfaces annulaires en regard 22, 32 de la coiffe 20 et du centre métallique 30, et finalement on visse le fond au moyen des quatre vis 19.The elastomer washer 12 is then placed on the annular surface 22 of the staircase structure of the cap 20, then the two flanges 15, 17 are engaged in the recesses 25, 27. The metal center 30 is then placed by positioning the clearance 35, 37 above the flanges 15, 17, and then screwed together by means of the screws 14, 16 so as to compress the washer 12 between the facing annular surfaces 22, 32 of the cap 20 and the metal center 30, and finally the bottom is screwed by means of the four screws 19.

Comme on le voit sur la figure 5, les cotes des éléments assemblés et l'épaisseur de la rondelle élastomère 12 sont prévues pour qu'il existe de très faibles jeux entre les surfaces internes de la coiffe 20 et les surfaces des éléments en regard, à l'exception des surfaces 22, 32 entre lesquelles est comprimée la rondelle élastomère 12. Le jeu entre l'extension oblique 24 et le prolongement 8 du fond 2 est désigné par la référence 44, celui entre la base 21 et le fond 2 par la référence 41, celui entre la paroi 21a et la paroi correspondante 31a du centre 30 par la référence 41a, celui entre la paroi 23 et le bord externe 33 du centre 20 par la référence 43, et celui entre la paroi 23a et le bord 3a de la glace 3 par la référence 43a. Le jeu entre la paroi 22a et la surface correspondante 32a du centre est pratiquement inexistant de sorte qu'il est plus exact de dire qu'à cet endroit on a un ajustage gras. Ces jeux ont volontairement été prévus pour permettre un faible basculement de la coiffe 20 en cas de choc léger et éviter ainsi de la briser. Si le choc est trop important, et provoque un dommage irréversible de la coiffe 20, il sera très facile de la remplacer en déposant le fond 2 et en dévissant les deux vis 14, 16.As we see on the figure 5 the dimensions of the assembled elements and the thickness of the elastomer washer 12 are designed so that there are very small gaps between the internal surfaces of the cap 20 and the surfaces of the facing elements, with the exception of the surfaces 22, 32 between which is compressed the elastomeric washer 12. The clearance between the oblique extension 24 and the extension 8 of the bottom 2 is designated by the reference 44, that between the base 21 and the bottom 2 by the reference 41, that between the wall 21a and the corresponding wall 31a of the center 30 by the reference 41a, that between the wall 23 and the outer edge 33 of the center 20 by the reference 43, and that between the wall 23a and the edge 3a of the ice 3 by the reference 43a . The clearance between the wall 22a and the corresponding center surface 32a is practically non-existent so that it is more accurate to say that at this point there is a fat adjustment. These games have been intentionally provided to allow a small tilting of the cap 20 in case of light impact and thus avoid breaking it. If the shock is too great, and causes irreversible damage to the cap 20, it will be very easy to replace it by depositing the bottom 2 and unscrewing the two screws 14, 16.

Dans l'exemple représenté, les moyens de fixation de la coiffe sont au nombre de deux et sont positionnés sous le fond 2 aux positions 12h-6h, au niveau de la coiffe où il existe le plus de matière. En comparant les coupes des figures 5 et 6 on observera que le point des creusures 25, 27 les plus rapproché de la surface de la coiffe 20 reste le même sur tout le pourtour de ladite coiffe, de sorte qu'on peut, selon une variante d'exécution, envisager de mettre plus de deux moyens de fixation occupant des positions angulaires différentes par rapport à l'axe 12h-6h. Dans le mode de réalisation pris à titre d'exemple, on observera que les deux perçages axiaux 34, 36 et les quatre trous taraudés 39 présentent un décalage angulaire, c'est-à-dire qu'ils sont distincts et que seules sont apparentes les vis 19 de fixation du fond 2. Selon une variante d'exécution non représentée, le centre 30 ne comprend que deux trous taraudés 39 pour deux vis 19 de fixation du fond, les deux autres vis étant confondues avec les vis 14, 16 de fixation de bride 15, 17 en ayant des tiges plus longues. Par rapport au processus de montage/démontage décrit précédemment, ce mode de réalisation présente l'avantage de pouvoir remplacer la coiffe 20 sans déposer le fond 2, et donc sans risque d'endommager le joint d'étanchéité 45a.In the example shown, the fixing means of the cap are two in number and are positioned under the bottom 2 positions 12h-6h, at the cap where there is the most material. Comparing the cuts of Figures 5 and 6 it will be observed that the point of the recesses 25, 27 closest to the surface of the cap 20 remains the same all around said cap, so that it is possible, according to an alternative embodiment, to consider putting more than two fixing means occupying different angular positions with respect to the axis 12h-6h. In the embodiment taken by way of example, it will be observed that the two axial bores 34, 36 and the four tapped holes 39 have an angular offset, that is to say that they are distinct and that only are apparent the screws 19 for fixing the bottom 2. According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the center 30 comprises only two tapped holes 39 for two screws 19 for fixing the bottom, the two other screws being merged with the screws 14, 16 of flange fixing 15, 17 having longer rods. Compared to the assembly / disassembly process described above, this embodiment has the advantage of being able to replace the cap 20 without removing the bottom 2, and therefore without risk of damaging the seal 45a.

L'exemple qui vient d'être décrit concerne un cadran de forme circulaire avec une coiffe oblongue, mais il est bien évident que l'homme de métier peut, sans sortir du cadre de la présente invention, adapter ce dispositif de fixation à tout type de coiffe et à tout type de cadran.The example that has just been described concerns a dial of circular shape with an oblong cap, but it is obvious that the skilled person can, without departing from the scope of the present invention, adapt this fixing device to any type headdress and any type of dial.

Claims (8)

  1. Removable device for assembling a cover (20) made of hard material onto the upper portion of the middle part (4) of a watch case (1) closed by a crystal (3) and a back cover (2) delimiting with a casing ring (6), a space (9) for housing at least a movement (29), characterised in that it includes a metal centre (30) whose outer wall has a stair structure (31, 31a, 32, 32a, 33) complementary to the inner structure (21, 21 a, 22, 22a, 23, 23a) of the cover (20) secured to said centre (30) by means of at least two screws (14, 16) passing through it via holes (34, 36) to tighten clamps (15, 17) housed in radial hollows (25, 27) formed in a vertical wall (21 a) of the cover (20), by compressing an elastomeric gasket (12) arranged between two horizontal surfaces (22, 32) of the stair structures, and whose thickness is sufficient to arrange clearances (41, 41 a) at least between opposite surfaces respectively of the back cover (2) and the base (21) of the cover (20), and the vertical wall (31 a) of the centre (30) and the wall (21 a) of the cover (20) joining the base (21).
  2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the centre (30) further includes recesses (35, 37) open towards the cover (20) at the locations of the clamps (15, 17) and having as depth substantially the thickness of said clamps (15, 17).
  3. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the centre (30) further includes threaded holes (39) offset angularly with respect to the holes for the clamps (15, 17) screws (14, 16) and allowing the back cover (2) to be secured by means of screws (19).
  4. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that two screws (14, 16) for securing the clamps (15, 17) also allow the back cover (2) to be secured.
  5. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the cover (20) has an oblong shape and includes two hollows (25, 27) positioned at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock.
  6. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the inner edges of the centre (30) further include two grooves (45, 47) intended to accommodate two gaskets (45a, 47a) assuring sealing with the back cover (2) and the crystal (3).
  7. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the top portion of the inner wall of the centre (30) includes an annular extension (40) forming a flange.
  8. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the centre (30) and the casing ring (6) are made in a single piece.
EP99122881A 1999-11-17 1999-11-17 Device for assembling a cap made of hard material to the middle part of a watch Expired - Lifetime EP1102136B1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE69940381T DE69940381D1 (en) 1999-11-17 1999-11-17 Device for placing a protective cap made of hard material on the middle part of a clock
EP99122881A EP1102136B1 (en) 1999-11-17 1999-11-17 Device for assembling a cap made of hard material to the middle part of a watch

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP99122881A EP1102136B1 (en) 1999-11-17 1999-11-17 Device for assembling a cap made of hard material to the middle part of a watch

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1102136A1 EP1102136A1 (en) 2001-05-23
EP1102136B1 true EP1102136B1 (en) 2009-02-04

Family

ID=8239417

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99122881A Expired - Lifetime EP1102136B1 (en) 1999-11-17 1999-11-17 Device for assembling a cap made of hard material to the middle part of a watch

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1102136B1 (en)
DE (1) DE69940381D1 (en)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ATE514978T1 (en) 2008-04-01 2011-07-15 Rado Montres Sa CONTROL DEVICE WITH PUSH PUSHER FOR WATCH
CN103343765B (en) * 2013-05-21 2015-11-11 张宝喜 For the Split type metal entity connection set of wrist-watch, pocket-watch and jewellery
CN104317181A (en) * 2014-08-26 2015-01-28 上海稻房投资有限公司 Ceramic-backboard-contained waterproof watch
CN107193200A (en) * 2017-07-19 2017-09-22 深圳市雷诺表业有限公司 The wrist-watch combining structure and wrist-watch of a kind of rotatable fast quick-detach
CN109375490A (en) * 2018-11-16 2019-02-22 深圳市稳达时钟表有限公司 A kind of assemble method of combined type DIY wrist-watch and combined type DIY wrist-watch
CN110824883B (en) * 2019-12-18 2024-07-09 东莞市天铭钟表有限公司 Multi-layer structure tourbillon mechanical watch

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH311861A (en) * 1953-09-28 1955-12-15 Derobert Jean Watch.
CH517963A (en) 1960-10-05 1972-02-29 Schlup & Cie S A Watch box
CH508925A (en) 1968-09-27 1971-02-15 Piquerez Sa Ervin Wristwatch with protective screen
CH1766468A4 (en) 1968-11-25 1970-10-30
US3643423A (en) * 1969-09-30 1972-02-22 Piquerez Sa Ervin Protective screen for a timepiece casing
FR2231042A1 (en) * 1973-05-23 1974-12-20 Chatenoud Gilles Wrist watch with interchangeable decorative surround - covers point where bracelet is secured to watch case
CH568040A5 (en) 1973-09-14 1975-12-15 Weill Ernst Tooth brush with rotatable head - enables vertical cleaning movements to be made more easily and efficiently
CH667966GA3 (en) * 1987-02-18 1988-11-30 Sealed wrist watch casing - has plastic body and precious metal surround with e.g. gold restricted to part of watch thickness
CH684297B5 (en) * 1993-04-20 1995-02-28 Blancpain Sa watch case with a removable bezel.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1102136A1 (en) 2001-05-23
DE69940381D1 (en) 2009-03-19

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2859412B1 (en) Rotating bezel system
EP3736642B1 (en) Watertight watch case
EP3540523B1 (en) Watch comprising a watch case having two dials
EP1102136B1 (en) Device for assembling a cap made of hard material to the middle part of a watch
CH678254B5 (en)
EP1680715B1 (en) Timepiece with reversible watch case
EP0327829A1 (en) Water-proof watch case
EP1065576B1 (en) Chronograph watch made of precious metal and with a hollow bezel middle
EP1975747B1 (en) watch case
EP0168010A1 (en) Watch case
EP0370356B1 (en) Watch-case with a sintered middle part
FR2519779A1 (en) SEALED BOX STRUCTURE FOR WATCH BRACELET
EP0770937B1 (en) Timepiece provided with a rotatable bezel
EP1241541B1 (en) Watch-case assembled by the bezel
EP3736641A1 (en) Stem-crown of a sealed watch case, and watch case including same
EP3756904B1 (en) Writing instrument comprising a capsule arranged for receiving a clock movement
EP3236321A1 (en) Asymmetrical watch case
EP1291739B1 (en) Watertight watch case and assembling method
CH709079B1 (en) Watch case comprising means for fixing the ice to the middle part.
EP3321749A1 (en) Seal for timepieces
EP0082840B1 (en) Fluid-tight watchcase
CH714749A2 (en) Watch comprising a watch case with two dials.
EP1135714A1 (en) Sealing joint and sealed control device for a timepiece component
CH710582B1 (en) Waterproof watch box.
EP4250020A1 (en) Watch case with rotating bezel

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): CH DE FR GB IT LI

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20011123

AKX Designation fees paid

Free format text: CH DE FR GB IT LI

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20071008

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): CH DE FR GB IT LI

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: ICB INGENIEURS CONSEILS EN BREVETS SA

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69940381

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20090319

Kind code of ref document: P

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20091105

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 17

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 18

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20161024

Year of fee payment: 18

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20161020

Year of fee payment: 18

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20161025

Year of fee payment: 18

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 69940381

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20180731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20171117

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20180602

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20171130

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20181030

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20181024

Year of fee payment: 20

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: PE20

Expiry date: 20191116

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 20191116