EP1909148B1 - Turning bezel device for a timepiece - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a rotating bezel device for a timepiece, and in particular for watches.

Prior art

Many watches have a rotating bezel used to display or control various data or functions. This is particularly the case of diving watches, in which the rotating bezel carries indicator signs that can clearly display time intervals.

The fact that these glasses are rotating implies, according to the usual technique, that they are round. It is indeed not easy to give a shape other than circular to a telescope intended to rotate.

However, the current fashion is the so-called "form" watches, that is to say non-circular, and in particular oval. In order to solve the problem, some solutions have been proposed, in which the rotating bezel is an elastic ring which surrounds the watch glass and which is guided either by a rail that fits into the bezel (patents, JP 58 082181 A Citizen Tokei, EP 0 106 803 ETA SA), either by a groove which follows the shape of the dial and between the walls of which is inserted the rotating bezel (patent JP 08 015451 A Citizen Watch Co).

If the flexible bezel thus effectively follows the contour of the glass in its rotation, this rotation causes an error in the angular position of the indicator signs placed on the rotating bezel relative to the center of rotation of the hands. So, in the patent EP 0 106 803 , the figure 1 shows that if the indexes of the dial correspond to those of the rotating bezel at noon, three hours, six o'clock and nine o'clock, they are however offset for the other hours.

To correct this error, the PCT / CH2005 / 000038 WO 2005/071499 Storrer proposes a bezel comprising an elastic rotary ring provided with indicator signs inserted between two lateral guide walls, the distance between said walls varying so as to compress the ring to a greater or lesser extent in certain sectors and thus to cause a longer or shorter elongation. large of the interval separating the indicator signs from each other, so as to bring said indicator signs closer to their correct angular position relative to that of the needles all around the path. If this solution is practicable, it has some disadvantages. Thus, the strength of the elastic material, subjected to constant friction and compressive forces, must be very high, and it is difficult to find materials which have sufficient strength for a very long time. On the other hand, the deformation of the carrier ring of the indexes also causes a deformation of the indexes themselves, since these are drawn on the surface of the ring. These disadvantages make it practically impossible to apply such a solution in price watches, in which the appearance of the bezel must remain impeccable for a long time, and for which indexes that deform according to their position around the dial give an appearance. of inferior quality. In addition, the orientation of each index, which must always remain the same relative to the radius from the center of rotation of the needles and carrying said index, is not constant.

Presentation of the invention

The present invention aims to provide a non-circular rotating bezel device, which allows to equip "shape" boxes, including oval watches, avoiding the error of angular position of the indicator signs of the telescope with respect to the center of Needle rotation, without elastic materials. In other words, the present is to provide a shape rotating bezel device made of non-elastic material elements, such as brass, steel, or any other material not or very little deformable. In addition, the present invention aims to provide a rotating bezel device provided with indexes oriented as constant as possible with respect to the center of rotation of the needles. The invention also aims to provide a timepiece provided with such a device.

The rotating bezel device for a timepiece according to the invention comprises at least one rotary ring 1 provided with indicator signs 6, and at least two walls 4 and 5 capable of guiding the ring in its rotation, the shape of the path traveled. by the ring in its rotation not being circular. The device is indeed intended for non-round timepieces, and most often oval. The distance 7 between the two walls 4 and 5 guiding varies to reduce more or less strongly the width of the ring in some areas and thereby cause a greater or smaller elongation of the interval 12 separating the indicative signs 6 each other, to bring said indicator signs closer to their correct angular position relative to that of the needles all around the path. Since the ring consists of several rigid elements, this variation in the width of the groove 19 in which the ring circulates necessarily leads to a periodic approximation and removal of said elements from each other. The device uses these successive approximations and removals to cause successive elongations and shortenings of the interval 12.

In its most general form, the rotating bezel device for a timepiece according to the invention comprises at least one rotary ring provided with indicating signs, the shape of the path traveled by the ring in its rotation being not circular, and further comprises at least two walls adapted to guide the ring in its rotation, the distance between said walls varying so as to thereby cause a greater or lesser elongation or shortening of the interval separating the indicating signs from each other in order to bring said indicator signs closer to their correct angular position relative to that of the needles all around the path, and is characterized in that the rotary ring comprises several rigid elements (3, 20) juxtaposed or not, linked between they or not, and of which a series (3) is in contact with the first wall (4), and another series (20) with the second wall (5), at least some of said rigid elements in directly or indirectly one or more indicating signs (6), said rigid elements being arranged such that the approximation or removal of the rigid elements of one series from those of the other series as a function of the distance (7) between the walls causes an increase or a reduction of the distance between said rigid elements and consequently a variation of the interval (12) separating the indicator signs (6)

In a first particular embodiment of the invention, the device according to the most general embodiment is characterized in that at least some rigid elements each have at least one oblique side forming an angle with the plane containing the axis of rotation of the needle passing through the center of rotation and the radius starting from the center of rotation of the needles on which said element is placed, each oblique side of said rigid element of one series being in contact with at least one element of the other series, the movement of the rotating ring between the guide walls causing a reconciliation or removal of the elements of a series of those of the other series depending on the variations in the distance between the walls, so that the oblique side said element of a series slides against the element of the other series with which it is in contact and thus causes a lengthening or shortening of the interval according to its angular position relative to the center of rotation of the needles.

In a second particular embodiment of the invention, applicable to the previous one, the device is characterized in that each rigid element of the ring has two oblique sides, each oblique side being in contact with one of the oblique sides. of a rigid element of the series to which it does not belong.

In a third particular embodiment of the invention, applicable generally and to each of the aforementioned embodiments, the device is characterized in that each rigid element has a rounded side by which it is in contact with the wall of its series.
In a fourth particular embodiment of the invention, generally applicable to each of the aforementioned embodiments, the device is characterized in that the rigid elements are juxtaposed to one another without intermediate.

In a fifth particular embodiment of the invention, applicable to the previous ones, the device is characterized in that plates cover the rigid elements so as to conceal them, each plate being attached or coming from a part with the element rigid that it covers.

In a sixth particular embodiment of the invention, applicable to the previous one, the device is characterized in that at least some platelets bear indicating signs.

In a seventh particular embodiment of the invention, applicable to each of the aforementioned embodiments, the device is characterized in that at least some elements have gripping protrusions allowing the user to rotate the ring. .

In an eighth particular embodiment of the invention, applicable to each of the aforementioned embodiments, the device is characterized in that the inner edge and the outer edge of the ring are covered respectively by the rim of a inner ring and by the edge of an outer ring.

In a general application, a timepiece is provided with a device according to one of the aforementioned embodiments.

Brief description of the drawings

• La figure 1 est une vue de dessus d'une lunette pour une pièce d'horlogerie dans cette forme d'exécution de l'invention.
• La figure 2 est une vue identique à celle de la figure 1, mais dans laquelle les pièces constitutives sont montrées en transparence..
• La figure 3 est une vue de dessus de la base d'une lunette pour une pièce d'horlogerie dans la même forme d'exécution de l'invention, sans les pièces constitutives de l'anneau rotatif, ni les bagues destinées à le maintenir dans sa position.
• La figure 4 est une vue de dessous d'une bague intérieure destinée au maintien de l'anneau rotatif sur une base selon la figure 3.
• La figure 5 est une coupe verticale selon A-A d'une bague intérieure selon la figure 4.
• La figure 6 est une vue de dessous d'une bague extérieure destinée au maintien de l'anneau rotatif sur une base selon la figure 3.
• La figure 7 est une coupe verticale selon B-B d'une bague extérieure selon la figure 6.
• La figure 8 montre la première série d'éléments rigides constituant l'anneau rotatif, chaque élément étant percé d'un trou oblong qui permet de fixer un tenon, les éléments étant disposés selon la forme de la lunette.
• La figure 9 montre la seconde série d'éléments rigides constituant l'anneau rotatif, les éléments étant disposés selon la forme de la lunette.
• La figure 10 représente, vue de dessous, la série de tenons qui doivent être fixés sur les éléments rigides de la première série, cette série de tenons étant disposée selon la forme de la lunette.
• La figure 11 est une vue latérale d'un tenon.
• La figure 12 est une vue de dessus d'une plaquette destinée à être fixée sur un élément rigide de la première série au moyen d'un tenon.
• La figure 13 est une coupe verticale partielle selon C-C de la lunette selon l'invention, les éléments rigides, les plaquettes et les tenons étant assemblés pour former l'anneau rotatif, celui-ci étant maintenu verticalement par les rebords des deux bagues, qui dissimulent aussi les bords des plaquettes.
• La figure 14 montre un cadran agrandi de la lunette telle que représentée à la figure 2.

The drawings represent, by way of example, an embodiment of the invention.

• The figure 1 is a top view of a bezel for a timepiece in this embodiment of the invention.
• The figure 2 is a view identical to that of the figure 1 , but in which the constituent parts are shown in transparency.
• The figure 3 is a top view of the base of a bezel for a timepiece in the same embodiment of the invention, without the constituent parts of the rotary ring, nor the rings intended to maintain it in its position .
• The figure 4 is a bottom view of an inner ring for holding the rotating ring on a base according to the figure 3 .
• The figure 5 is a vertical section along AA of an inner ring according to the figure 4 .
• The figure 6 is a bottom view of an outer ring for holding the rotating ring on a base according to the figure 3 .
• The figure 7 is a vertical section along BB of an outer ring according to the figure 6 .
• The figure 8 shows the first series of rigid elements constituting the rotating ring, each element being pierced with an oblong hole which makes it possible to fix a tenon, the elements being arranged according to the shape of the telescope.
• The figure 9 shows the second series of rigid elements constituting the rotating ring, the elements being arranged according to the shape of the telescope.
• The figure 10 represents, seen from below, the series of tenons which must be fixed on the rigid elements of the first series, this series of tenons being arranged according to the shape of the telescope.
• The figure 11 is a side view of a post.
• The figure 12 is a top view of a wafer intended to be fixed on a rigid element of the first series by means of a tenon.
• The figure 13 is a partial vertical section along CC of the bezel according to the invention, the rigid elements, the plates and the tenons being assembled to form the rotary ring, the latter being held vertically by the edges of the two rings, which also hide the edges of platelets.
• The figure 14 shows an enlarged dial of the telescope as shown in figure 2 .

Best way to realize the invention

The rotating bezel device according to the invention has at least one ring 1 consisting of several rigid elements 3 and 20. These rigid elements are divided into two series.

The first series, represented at figure 8 , forms the inner part of the ring, that is to say the part of the ring which is closest to the center of rotation 10 needles. Each rigid element 3 of the first series is a plate whose periphery has the general shape of a drop of water, with a rounded portion 11 and, on the opposite side, a slightly rounded tip formed by two oblique sides 2. These elements 3 of the first series are pierced with a non-circular hole 16, here of oblong shape.

The second series, represented at figure 9 , and composed of rigid elements 20, forms the outer part of the ring 1, that is to say the part which is furthest from the center of rotation 10 of the needles. The rigid elements 20 of this outer portion also have a rounded portion 11 and a slightly rounded tip formed of two oblique sides 2. In the embodiment shown here, the radius of curvature of the rounded portion 11 of the elements 20 the second series is larger than the radius of curvature of the rounded portion of the elements 3 of the first series.

On each element 3 of the first series, a plate 13 is placed. Each plate has an oblong hole 18 which is superimposed on the hole 16 of the element 3 on which the plate is fixed. The plate 13 is fixed on the rigid element 3 by means of a pin 17. This pin, as shown in FIG. figure 13 , passes through the hole 18 of the wafer and is stuck in the hole 16 of the rigid element 3. It can be seen at figure 11 and in the cup of the figure 13 that the post 17 is surmounted by a wider part, which is a gripping protrusion 8 allowing the user to rotate the ring in one direction or the other. It should be noted that it is not essential for such growths, of a size as represented here, to be present on all the elements of the first series. The figure 1 shows an embodiment in which each rigid element 3 of the first series is surmounted by such a gripping protrusion. However, it is possible, depending on the case, to place one, for example, only all five elements. In such a case, four plates out of five may be uniformly flat, the post 17 being cut flush with the upper surface of the wafer, or only slightly above this surface.

The figure 13 shows that the plates are fixed on the elements of the first series at two different heights. Half of them are fixed directly against the elements which carry them, and the other half higher, this difference of height corresponding to the thickness of the contiguous plate. Each plate is surrounded by two plates placed at a different height. This difference in height allows the overlap of the wafers, each of them partially covering, by its two sides, the two adjacent wafers, or being partly covered by the sides of the two adjacent wafers. One wafer out of two thus sees its two sides partially covered by neighboring wafers.

Once the plates are fixed on the elements of a series, the elements of the two series are placed, in the position which they occupy in the figures 8 and 9 in a groove 19 made in the base of the telescope. This groove is delimited towards the inside of the watch by a first guide wall 4 and towards the outside of the watch by a second guide wall 5. The rigid elements 3 of the first set come to bear by their rounded part 11 on the first wall 4. The rigid elements 20 of the second series are supported by their rounded portion 11 on the second wall 5. Each element of a series is in contact with two elements of the other series. Each oblique side 2 of each element is pressed against an oblique side of an element of the other series. The pads 13 carry indicative signs 6.

The distance 7 between the two walls 4 and 5 is not constant. It diminishes as the path traveled by the ring moves away from the center of rotation of the needles, and increases as the path approaches. Thus, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, this distance 7 is maximum at the positions "12 o'clock", "3 o'clock", "6 o'clock" and "9 o'clock", while it is minimal in the positions exactly intermediate. Of course, these minima and maxima will be placed differently in glasses of different shapes. When the ring passes through a narrower passage, where the distance 7 is smaller, the elements of one series are pushed against those of the other series. Each element thus sinks between the two elements which face it. The oblique sides 2 slide against each other and the tip of each element separates the two elements with which it is in contact. The elements 3 of the first series, which carry the plates, therefore deviate from each other in these narrow passages. The wafers, carrying the indicator signs 6, therefore also move away from each other, so that the distance 12, which separates each indicator sign from the next, increases in these narrow passages. The width of the path followed by the ring 1 decreasing as a function of the distance from the center of rotation 10 of the hands, the distance 12 increases on the contrary, which corrects the error of angular position of the indicator signs 6 with respect to at the center of rotation. Conversely, the width of the path followed by the increasing ring as a function of the approximation with the center of rotation 10, the distance 12 between the indicia 6 decreases, and the angular position error is always corrected.

The variations in the distance 7 between the two guide walls 4 and 5, as well as the shape and the radius of curvature of the rounded portions 11 of the rigid elements 3 and 20 do not only determine the variations of the distance 12 which separates the indicating signs. 6, but also the orientation of these signs. We see in fact in figures 2 and 14 that the displacement of the ring also moves the contact points of the rounded portions 11 with the walls 4 and 5. Thus, while the contact point in question is placed on the axis of symmetry the rigid element when it passes through the positions "12 o'clock", "3 o'clock", "6 o'clock" and "9 o'clock", it departs from it as it moves away from these positions. In this way, the axis of symmetry of the rigid elements 3 and 20 always retains the same direction as the radius 9 which starts from the center of rotation 10 of the hands and carries it. Therefore, each wafer and each indicator sign carried by the wafers 13 also retains the same direction relative to the radius on which it is located, regardless of its position.

To keep the ring in place in the groove 19, an inner ring 14 and an outer ring 15 are mounted on the bezel. The inner bezel has a flange 21 and the outer bezel a flange 22, the first covering the inner edge and the outer edge of the pads 13, so as to hide the irregular outline that these edges present due to the shape of the bezel . The external appearance of the telescope is the one shown in figure 1 , where the visible contour of the ring is perfectly regular, thanks to this dissimulation of the inner and outer edges of the pads.

If the preferred embodiment described above and shown in the drawings retains the solution of two walls 4 and 5 arranged concentrically on the same horizontal plane, it is not excluded to envisage solutions in which these two walls of guidance are in different planes. Similarly, solutions can be adopted in which the angle α that the oblique sides of the rigid elements 3 and / or 20 have with the plane which contains the vertical axis of rotation passing through the center of rotation 10 of the hands and the radius 9 bearing the element 3 or 20 in question is inscribed in a plane not parallel to that of the dial. In other words, it is possible to conform the rigid elements so that the movement that brings or moves the elements of one series from those of the other series is in a non-horizontal direction, but for example vertical or inclined.

The grip growths shown in the drawings extend almost only vertically. However, it is possible, according to the practical or aesthetic requirements, to give them another shape, for example by extending them outwards, and even by passing them over the outer ring 15, so that the finger of the the user is able to grasp them around the outer circumference of the telescope.

In the preferred embodiment described herein, the rigid elements 3 and 20 are simply juxtaposed side by side, without being fixed to one another, and are held in the groove 19 by the walls 4 and 5, and only by the flanges 21 and 22 of the rings 14 and 15. However, it is obviously possible to design solutions in which rigid elements are connected to each other, for example by a zigzag chain whose angles flatten when the distance 7 between the walls narrows and accuse themselves when this distance increases; in this case, it is not necessary to provide rounded portions 11 and oblique sides 2 (but the construction is not necessarily simpler).

Possibilities of industrial application

The invention is mainly used on wristwatches.

Claims (10)

1. Turning Bezel device for a timepiece comprising hands, said device comprising at least one rotating ring (1) fitted with indicator marks (6), the shape of the path followed by the rotation of the ring is non-circular, and further comprising at least two walls (4, 5) able to guide the rotation of the ring, the distance (7) between said walls varies such as to cause a greater or lesser lengthening or shortening of the interval (12) separating the indicator marks (6) from each other such as to bring said indicator into their correct angular position in relation to the centre of rotation of the hands over the entire periphery of the path, characterised in that the rotating ring (1) comprises several rigid elements (3, 20), which may or may not be juxtaposed, may or may not be-linked together, and wherein one series (3) is in contact with the first wall (4), and another series (20) with the second wall (5), at least some of said rigid elements directly or indirectly bearing one or more indicator marks (6), such rigid elements being arranged such that the movement of one series of rigid elements nearer to or farther from those of another series depending on the distance (7) between the walls causes an increase or decrease in the distance between said rigid elements and consequently a variation in the interval (12) separating the indicator marks.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that at least some rigid elements each have at least one oblique side (2) forming an angle (α) with the plane containing the rotation axis of the hands passing through the centre of rotation (10) and the radius (9) running from the centre of rotation (10) of the hands on which said element is placed, each oblique side of said rigid element of one series is in contact with at least one element of the other series, the movement of the rotating ring between the walls (4, 5) causing a movement of the elements of one series nearer to or farther from those of the other series depending on the distance (7) between the walls, such that the oblique side of said element of one series slides against the element of the other series with which it is contact thereby causing a lengthening or shortening of the interval (12) according to its angular position in relation to the centre of rotation (10) of the hands.
3. Device according to Claim 2, characterised in that each rigid element of the ring (1) has two oblique sides (2), each oblique side being in contact with one of the oblique sides of a rigid element of the series to which it does not belong.
4. Device according to Claim 2 or 3, characterised in that each rigid element has a rounded side (11) through which it is in contact with the wall (4 5) of its series.
5. Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the rigid elements are juxtaposed to each other, with no intermediary.
6. Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that plates (13) cover the rigid elements in a manner such as to hide them, each plate being carried by or coming from a piece with the rigid element that it covers.
7. Device according to Claim 6, characterised in that at least some plates carry indicator marks (6).
8. Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that at least some elements have grip projections (8) enabling the user to turn the ring.
9. Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the internal edge and the external edge of the ring are covered respectively by the flange (21) of an internal ring (14) and the flange (22) of an external ring (15).
10. Watch part characterised in that it is fitted with a device according to one of the Claims 1 to 9.

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