EP2069870B1 - Watch case with a composite middle - Google Patents

Watch case with a composite middle Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2069870B1
EP2069870B1 EP07800630.1A EP07800630A EP2069870B1 EP 2069870 B1 EP2069870 B1 EP 2069870B1 EP 07800630 A EP07800630 A EP 07800630A EP 2069870 B1 EP2069870 B1 EP 2069870B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
watch case
case according
outer middle
ring
bottom ring
Prior art date
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EP07800630.1A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2069870A2 (en
Inventor
Pierre-Jean Bonnet
Jean-Claude Monachon
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Omega SA
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Omega SA
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Priority to EP07800630.1A priority Critical patent/EP2069870B1/en
Publication of EP2069870A2 publication Critical patent/EP2069870A2/en
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Publication of EP2069870B1 publication Critical patent/EP2069870B1/en
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    • 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
    • G04B37/081—Complete encasings for wrist or pocket watches also comprising means for hermetic sealing of the winding stem and 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
    • G04B37/223—Materials or processes of manufacturing pocket watch or wrist watch cases metallic cases coated with a nonmetallic layer

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a watch case of composite middle comprising an outer portion and an inner portion.
  • the outer part is made of a hard mineral material chosen both to provide protection against external aggressions such as corrosion, friction or scuffing, and to participate in the overall aesthetics of the watch.
  • the inner part is made of an easily machinable material and allows the assembly of all other components of the watch.
  • timepieces whose case comprises a case made of a natural or synthetic hard mineral material such as sapphire, ceramic or a natural stone or reconstituted. Such materials withstand the mechanical stresses very poorly so that it has been sought to reduce the machining as much as possible, or even to reduce them to a housing for watch movement and to through passages for the rods of the control members.
  • the document CH 517 963 describes, according to one embodiment, a bezel-middle case made of a metal carbide hardness close to that of the topaz, highlighting that there would be great difficulty in forming threads in a such material to assemble all the other components of the watch. The same difficulties would be encountered if the material used was topaz or any other natural or synthetic mineral material. To solve this problem of assembling components, it was then proposed to use a metal inner case on which it comes to fit the bezel-middle, compensating by gluing any dimensional variations and ensuring tightness.
  • the document US 4,620,798 also discloses a construction having an inner middle and an outer middle.
  • the metal inner case allows both to fix a bottom by screwing and a bezel by gluing which also includes an adhesive seal for fixing the ice.
  • the bottom and the bezel extend slightly radially beyond the inner middle and allow to maintain in place the outer middle made of a natural or synthetic mineral material.
  • gluing is, in one way or another, a step that seems inevitable to assemble an outer middle part of a mineral or synthetic material and a metal inner case.
  • the bonding technique nevertheless has well-known disadvantages.
  • the first is the proper choice of glue for two different materials, such as metal and ceramics.
  • the second is related to the aging of the adhesive which can lead to loss of adhesion, or cracking may over time reduce the sealing of the housing.
  • Such disadvantages are not acceptable for timepieces of medium or high range intended to have a long life.
  • EP0327829 A1 discloses a middle part composed of two parts held one in the other by friction.
  • the present invention therefore aims to overcome the disadvantages of the aforementioned prior art by providing a housing having an outer middle made of a natural or synthetic mineral material such as ceramic, assembled without undergoing mechanical stresses.
  • the invention relates to a watch case with a composite middle according to claim 1.
  • each ring has a radial peripheral extension whose bearing faces opposite allow the locking of the outer middle, for example by screwing the two rings one in the other.
  • the figure 1 represents by way of example a chronograph watch comprising in known manner a winding crown / time setting 3 and two pushers 5a, 5b whose rods controlling the watch movement 4 necessarily pass through the middle part 1, provided with horns 2 for fixing the bracelet strands.
  • the current time and the timing data by means of counters are conventionally displayed on a dial 9. It is obvious that the concept of an outer middle part of a natural or synthetic mineral material which will be described below also quite applicable to a watch having simply a crown, or to a timepiece having on the contrary a greater number of pushers.
  • the outer middle part 20 is somehow sandwiched by a metal inner caseband 10, for example steel or brass.
  • the inner caseband is made in two parts constituted by an upper ring 12 and a lower ring 14, the two rings 12, 14 intended to be mechanically assembled with each other.
  • this mechanical assembly is made by screwing the upper ring 12 into the inner wall of the lower ring 14. It is obvious that, in an equivalent manner, the screwing can be carried out in the outer wall of the ring lower 14.
  • the upper ring 12 has a radial peripheral extension 13 extending beyond the wall of the lower ring 14. It also comprises an axial annular extension 16 abutting on a corresponding shoulder 18 of the lower ring 14. ring formed by the shoulder 18, the upper ring 12 has a groove 22 allowing the establishment of a seal 23 between the two rings 12, 14.
  • the upper ring 12 is also arranged to allow the attachment of a bezel 7, which is made in two parts 7a, 7b in this example, an ice 8 and a dial 9.
  • the bezel 7 is fixed on the ring upper 12, the ring 7b for example to vary the aesthetics of a given model, or report inscriptions.
  • the lower ring 14 also has a peripheral extension 15 extending substantially at the same distance as the extension 13 of the upper ring 12.
  • the assembly of the outer middle part 20 is very simple: the outer middle 20 is threaded onto the lower ring 14, then the upper ring 12 is screwed until its axial extension 16 abuts on the shoulder 18 of the lower ring, the radial extensions 13, 15 of the rings 12, 14 then resting on the upper and lower edges of the outer middle part 20.
  • the distance between the seats facing the extensions 13, 15 must be slightly greater than the height of the outer middle part 20.
  • the outer wall of the lower ring 14 has an annular groove 19 in which is housed a sleeve 17 allowing a radial centering of the middle part ex 20.
  • the lower ring 14 is arranged for the assembly of other components of the watch, such as bottom 6 and the watch movement 4.
  • the lower ring 14 comprises at its base a obviously annular 24 for housing a seal 25 between said ring 14 and the bottom 6 clipped.
  • any other assembly means known to those skilled in the art for the bottom is possible, such as screwing.
  • a technique known in this field can be used by making a countersink 30 in the inner wall of the lower ring 14, in which is engaged a flange 31 fixed by a screw 32.
  • the lower ring 14 is provided with through passages 26, arranged opposite
  • the through-passages 28 have a semicircular shape that is open downwards and that the through-passages 26 each comprise a bead 27 that can engage with each other. the through passages 28 and allow unambiguous angular orientation of the outer middle 20.
  • the through passages 26 comprise a thread for screwing the sleeve 29 having a pusher mechanism which will not be described as being well known to those skilled in the art . It would be the same for the other pusher and for the winding rod.
  • the lower ring 14 is larger and plays a "dominant" role. It is obvious, without departing from the scope of the invention, that the roles could be reversed: the upper ring 12 could have the dominant role in making the necessary adaptations to the scope of the skilled person.
  • the example described relates to a circular housing, but the invention is not limited to this form.
  • the case could have an oval or rectangular shape.
  • the only adaptation to be made would be to modify the mechanical assembly of the rings 12, 14, for example by using a clipping-type device, which could have the advantage of making the housing completely indémontable.
  • the technique of "clipping" could obviously be used for a circular case.
  • rings 12, 14 could be assembled rings 12, 14 by a bayonet device.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Sliding-Contact Bearings (AREA)

Description

Domaine techniqueTechnical area

La présente invention concerne un boîtier de montre à carrure composite comprenant une partie extérieure et une partie intérieure. La partie extérieure est réalisée en un matériau minéral dur choisi à la fois pour procurer une protection contre les agressions extérieures telles que la corrosion, les frottements ou les éraflures, et pour participer à l'esthétique générale de la montre. La partie intérieure est réalisée en un matériau facilement usinable et permet l'assemblage de tous les autres composants de la montre.The present invention relates to a watch case of composite middle comprising an outer portion and an inner portion. The outer part is made of a hard mineral material chosen both to provide protection against external aggressions such as corrosion, friction or scuffing, and to participate in the overall aesthetics of the watch. The inner part is made of an easily machinable material and allows the assembly of all other components of the watch.

Arrière plan technologiqueTechnological background

On connaît déjà des pièces d'horlogerie dont le boîtier comporte une carrure réalisée en un matériau minéral dur naturel ou synthétique tel que le saphir, la céramique ou une pierre naturelle ou reconstituée. De tels matériaux supportent très mal les contraintes mécaniques de sorte qu'on a cherché à réduire le plus possible les usinages, voire à les réduire à un logement pour mouvement horloger et à des passages traversants pour les tiges des organes de commande.There are already known timepieces whose case comprises a case made of a natural or synthetic hard mineral material such as sapphire, ceramic or a natural stone or reconstituted. Such materials withstand the mechanical stresses very poorly so that it has been sought to reduce the machining as much as possible, or even to reduce them to a housing for watch movement and to through passages for the rods of the control members.

Le document CH 517 963 décrit, selon un mode de réalisation, un habillage de type lunette-carrure réalisé à base d'un carbure métallique d'une dureté voisine de celle de la topaze, en soulignant qu'il y aurait de grosses difficultés à former des filetages dans un tel matériau pour assembler tous les autres composants de la montre. On rencontrerait les mêmes difficultés si le matériau utilisé était la topaze ou tout autre matériau minéral naturel ou synthétique. Pour résoudre ce problème d'assemblage des composants, il a alors été proposé d'utiliser une carrure interne métallique sur laquelle on vient emboîter la lunette-carrure, en compensant par collage d'éventuelles variations de cotes et en assurant l'étanchéité.The document CH 517 963 describes, according to one embodiment, a bezel-middle case made of a metal carbide hardness close to that of the topaz, highlighting that there would be great difficulty in forming threads in a such material to assemble all the other components of the watch. The same difficulties would be encountered if the material used was topaz or any other natural or synthetic mineral material. To solve this problem of assembling components, it was then proposed to use a metal inner case on which it comes to fit the bezel-middle, compensating by gluing any dimensional variations and ensuring tightness.

Le document US 4 620 798 décrit également une construction comportant une carrure intérieure et une carrure extérieure. La carrure intérieure métallique permet à la fois de fixer un fond par vissage et une lunette par collage qui comporte également un joint de colle permettant la fixation de la glace. Le fond et la lunette s'étendent légèrement radialement au delà de la carrure intérieure et permettent de maintenir en place la carrure extérieure réalisée en un matériau minéral naturel ou synthétique.The document US 4,620,798 also discloses a construction having an inner middle and an outer middle. The metal inner case allows both to fix a bottom by screwing and a bezel by gluing which also includes an adhesive seal for fixing the ice. The bottom and the bezel extend slightly radially beyond the inner middle and allow to maintain in place the outer middle made of a natural or synthetic mineral material.

Une construction du type précédent est également décrite dans le document US 4 853 910 dans lequel une seule pièce formant à la fois cadran, lunette et carrure, réalisée en un matériau minéral dur, est assemblée sur une carrure interne métallique par collage.A construction of the above type is also described in the document US 4,853,910 wherein a single piece forming both dial, bezel and middle part, made of a hard mineral material, is assembled on a metal inner middle by gluing.

Comme on peut le voir d'après l'art antérieur précité, le collage constitue, d'une façon ou d'une autre, une étape qui semble incontournable pour assembler une carrure extérieure en un matériau minéral ou synthétique et une carrure intérieure métallique.As can be seen from the aforementioned prior art, gluing is, in one way or another, a step that seems inevitable to assemble an outer middle part of a mineral or synthetic material and a metal inner case.

La technique de collage comporte néanmoins des inconvénients bien connus. Le premier est le choix approprié d'une colle pour deux matériaux différents, tels qu'un métal et une céramique. Le second est lié au vieillissement de la colle pouvant conduire à des pertes d'adhérence, ou à des fissurations pouvant dans le temps amoindrir l'étanchéité du boîtier. De tels inconvénients ne sont pas acceptables pour des pièces d'horlogerie de moyenne ou haute gamme destinées à avoir une longue durée de vie.The bonding technique nevertheless has well-known disadvantages. The first is the proper choice of glue for two different materials, such as metal and ceramics. The second is related to the aging of the adhesive which can lead to loss of adhesion, or cracking may over time reduce the sealing of the housing. Such disadvantages are not acceptable for timepieces of medium or high range intended to have a long life.

Le document EP0327829 A1 divulgue une carrure composée de deux pièces maintenues l'une dans l'autre par friction.The document EP0327829 A1 discloses a middle part composed of two parts held one in the other by friction.

Résumé de l'inventionSummary of the invention

La présente invention vise donc à pallier les inconvénients de l'art antérieur précité en procurant un boîtier ayant une carrure extérieure en un matériau minéral naturel ou synthétique tel que la céramique, assemblée sans subir de contraintes mécaniques.The present invention therefore aims to overcome the disadvantages of the aforementioned prior art by providing a housing having an outer middle made of a natural or synthetic mineral material such as ceramic, assembled without undergoing mechanical stresses.

A cet effet l'invention concerne une boîte de montre à carrure composite selon la revendication 1.For this purpose the invention relates to a watch case with a composite middle according to claim 1.

En effet chaque bague comporte une extension périphérique radiale dont les portées en regard permettent le blocage de la carrure externe, par exemple par vissage des deux bagues l'une dans l'autre. Le seul usinage de la carrure externe, en un matériau minéral dur mais sensible aux contraintes mécaniques, concerne les passages traversants pour les organes de commandes. Ces passages traversants peuvent être réalisés avec un faible jeu étant donné que l'assemblage mécanique est reporté sur la carrure interne métallique.Indeed each ring has a radial peripheral extension whose bearing faces opposite allow the locking of the outer middle, for example by screwing the two rings one in the other. The only machining of the outer case, made of a hard mineral material but sensitive to mechanical stresses, concerns the through passages for the control members. These through passages can be made with a small clearance since the mechanical assembly is transferred to the inner metal case.

Brève description des dessinsBrief description of the drawings

D'autres avantages et caractéristiques de l'invention apparaîtront dans la description suivante d'un exemple de réalisation, donné à titre illustratif et non limitatif, en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels:

  • la figure 1 représente en vue de dessus une montre-chronographe logée dans un boîtier selon l'invention;
  • la figure 2 est une coupe partielle à 12h selon la ligne II-II de la figure 1;
  • la figure 3 est une coupe partielle au droit d'un poussoir selon la ligne III-III de la figure 1, et
  • la figure 4 est une vue en perspective éclatée du boîtier correspondant à la montre-chronographe de la figure 1.
Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment, given by way of nonlimiting illustration, with reference to the appended drawings in which:
  • the figure 1 represents a top view of a chronograph watch housed in a housing according to the invention;
  • the figure 2 is a partial section at 12 o'clock along line II-II of the figure 1 ;
  • the figure 3 is a partial section at the right of a pusher along line III-III of the figure 1 , and
  • the figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the housing corresponding to the chronograph watch of the figure 1 .

Description détaillée de l'inventionDetailed description of the invention

La figure 1 représente à titre d'exemple une montre-chronographe comportant de façon connue une couronne de remontage/mise à l'heure 3 et deux poussoirs 5a, 5b dont les tiges commandant le mouvement horloger 4 traversent nécessairement la carrure 1, pourvue de cornes 2 pour la fixation des brins de bracelet. L'heure courante et les données de chronométrage au moyen de compteurs s'affichent de façon classique sur un cadran 9. Il est bien évident que le concept d'une carrure extérieure en un matériau minéral naturel ou synthétique qui va être décrit ci-après s'applique également tout à fait à une montre ayant simplement une couronne, ou à une pièce d'horlogerie ayant au contraire un plus grand nombre de poussoirs.The figure 1 represents by way of example a chronograph watch comprising in known manner a winding crown / time setting 3 and two pushers 5a, 5b whose rods controlling the watch movement 4 necessarily pass through the middle part 1, provided with horns 2 for fixing the bracelet strands. The current time and the timing data by means of counters are conventionally displayed on a dial 9. It is obvious that the concept of an outer middle part of a natural or synthetic mineral material which will be described below also quite applicable to a watch having simply a crown, or to a timepiece having on the contrary a greater number of pushers.

En se référant maintenant aux figures 2, 3 et 4 on explique ci-après comment une construction selon l'invention permet d'avoir un boîtier avec une carrure extérieure 20, par exemple en céramique, sur laquelle ne s'exerce aucune contrainte mécanique et qui ne nécessite pas de joint de colle pour être assemblée.Referring now to Figures 2, 3 and 4 is explained below how a construction according to the invention allows to have a housing with an outer middle part 20, for example ceramic, on which is exerted no mechanical stress and which does not require a seal of glue to be assembled .

La carrure extérieure 20 est en quelque sorte prise en sandwich par une carrure intérieure métallique 10, par exemple en acier ou en laiton. La carrure intérieure est réalisée en deux parties constituées par une bague supérieure 12 et par une bague inférieure 14, les deux bagues 12, 14 destinées à être mécaniquement assemblées l'une avec l'autre. Dans l'exemple représenté cet assemblage mécanique s'effectue par vissage de la bague supérieure 12 dans la paroi interne de la bague inférieure 14. Il est bien évident que, de façon équivalente, le vissage peut être effectué dans la paroi externe de la bague inférieure 14.The outer middle part 20 is somehow sandwiched by a metal inner caseband 10, for example steel or brass. The inner caseband is made in two parts constituted by an upper ring 12 and a lower ring 14, the two rings 12, 14 intended to be mechanically assembled with each other. In the example shown, this mechanical assembly is made by screwing the upper ring 12 into the inner wall of the lower ring 14. It is obvious that, in an equivalent manner, the screwing can be carried out in the outer wall of the ring lower 14.

La bague supérieure 12 comporte une extension périphérique radiale 13 s'étendant au delà de la paroi de la bague inférieure 14. Elle comporte également une extension annulaire axiale 16 venant en butée sur un épaulement correspondant 18 de la bague inférieure 14. Au droit de l'anneau formé par l'épaulement 18, la bague supérieure 12 comporte une rainure 22 permettant la mise en place d'un joint d'étanchéité 23 entre les deux bagues 12, 14.The upper ring 12 has a radial peripheral extension 13 extending beyond the wall of the lower ring 14. It also comprises an axial annular extension 16 abutting on a corresponding shoulder 18 of the lower ring 14. ring formed by the shoulder 18, the upper ring 12 has a groove 22 allowing the establishment of a seal 23 between the two rings 12, 14.

La bague supérieure 12 est également agencée pour permettre la fixation d'une lunette 7, qui est réalisée en deux parties 7a, 7b dans cet exemple, d'une glace 8 et d'un cadran 9. La lunette 7 est fixée sur la bague supérieure 12, l'anneau 7b permettant par exemple de faire varier l'esthétique d'un modèle donné, ou de rapporter des inscriptions.The upper ring 12 is also arranged to allow the attachment of a bezel 7, which is made in two parts 7a, 7b in this example, an ice 8 and a dial 9. The bezel 7 is fixed on the ring upper 12, the ring 7b for example to vary the aesthetics of a given model, or report inscriptions.

La bague inférieure 14 comporte également une extension périphérique 15 s'étendant sensiblement à la même distance que l'extension 13 de la bague supérieure 12. Comme on le comprend facilement sur la vue en perspective éclatée de la figure 4, l'assemblage de la carrure extérieure 20 est très simple: on enfile la carrure extérieure 20 sur la bague inférieure 14, puis on visse la bague supérieure 12 jusqu'à ce que son extension axiale 16 vienne en butée sur l'épaulement 18 de la bague inférieure, les extensions radiales 13, 15 des bagues 12, 14 venant alors s'appuyer sur les bords supérieur et inférieur de la carrure extérieure 20. De façon à ce qu'il ne s'exerce aucune contrainte mécanique sur la céramique de la carrure extérieure 20, la distance entre les portées en regard des extensions 13, 15 doit être très légèrement supérieure à la hauteur de la carrure extérieure 20. Pour la même raison un certain jeu est également prévu entre la paroi externe de la carrure intérieure 10 et la paroi interne de la carrure extérieure 20. En outre la paroi externe de la bague inférieure 14 comporte une rainure annulaire 19 dans laquelle est logé un manchon 17 permettant un centrage radial de la carrure extérieure 20.The lower ring 14 also has a peripheral extension 15 extending substantially at the same distance as the extension 13 of the upper ring 12. As is easily understood in the exploded perspective view of the figure 4 , the assembly of the outer middle part 20 is very simple: the outer middle 20 is threaded onto the lower ring 14, then the upper ring 12 is screwed until its axial extension 16 abuts on the shoulder 18 of the lower ring, the radial extensions 13, 15 of the rings 12, 14 then resting on the upper and lower edges of the outer middle part 20. In such a way that there is no mechanical stress on the ceramic the outer caseband 20, the distance between the seats facing the extensions 13, 15 must be slightly greater than the height of the outer middle part 20. For the same reason a certain clearance is also provided between the outer wall of the inner caseband 10 and the inner wall of the outer middle part 20. In addition, the outer wall of the lower ring 14 has an annular groove 19 in which is housed a sleeve 17 allowing a radial centering of the middle part ex 20.

Comme pour la bague supérieure 12, la bague inférieure 14 est agencée pour l'assemblage d'autres composants de la montre, tels que fond 6 et le mouvement horloger 4. Dans l'exemple représenté, la bague inférieure 14 comporte à sa base un évidemment annulaire 24 permettant de loger un joint d'étanchéité 25 entre ladite bague 14 et le fond 6 clipsé. Il est bien évident que tout autre moyen d'assemblage connu de l'homme de l'art pour le fond est possible, tel qu'un vissage. Pour la fixation du mouvement 4, comme représenté à la figure 2, on peut utiliser une technique connue dans ce domaine en effectuant une fraisure 30 dans la paroi interne de la bague inférieure 14, dans laquelle est engagée une bride 31 fixée par une vis 32.As for the upper ring 12, the lower ring 14 is arranged for the assembly of other components of the watch, such as bottom 6 and the watch movement 4. In the example shown, the lower ring 14 comprises at its base a obviously annular 24 for housing a seal 25 between said ring 14 and the bottom 6 clipped. It is obvious that any other assembly means known to those skilled in the art for the bottom is possible, such as screwing. For fixing the movement 4, as shown in FIG. figure 2 a technique known in this field can be used by making a countersink 30 in the inner wall of the lower ring 14, in which is engaged a flange 31 fixed by a screw 32.

En se référant maintenant à la figure 3 représentant une coupe au niveau d'un poussoir 5b, ainsi qu'à la figure 4, on indique ci-après comment l'invention permet le passage des tiges des organes de commande 3, 5a, 5b sans exercer de contraintes mécaniques sur la carrure extérieure 20. La bague inférieure 14 est pourvue de passages traversants 26, disposés en regard de passages traversants 28 de la carrure extérieure 20. Dans le mode de réalisation préféré représenté, on voit que les passages traversants 28 ont une forme semi-circulaire ouverte vers le bas et que les passages traversants 26 comportent chacun un bourrelet 27 pouvant s'engager dans les passages traversant 28 et permettre une orientation angulaire univoque de la carrure extérieure 20. Les passages traversants 26 comportent un filetage permettant le vissage de la douille 29 comportant un mécanisme de poussoir qui ne sera pas décrit comme étant bien connu de l'homme du métier. Il en serait de même pour l'autre poussoir et pour la tige de remontage.Referring now to the figure 3 representing a section at a pusher 5b, and at the figure 4 , hereinafter shown how the invention allows the passage of the rods of the control members 3, 5a, 5b without exerting mechanical stresses on the outer middle part 20. The lower ring 14 is provided with through passages 26, arranged opposite In the preferred embodiment shown, it is seen that the through-passages 28 have a semicircular shape that is open downwards and that the through-passages 26 each comprise a bead 27 that can engage with each other. the through passages 28 and allow unambiguous angular orientation of the outer middle 20. The through passages 26 comprise a thread for screwing the sleeve 29 having a pusher mechanism which will not be described as being well known to those skilled in the art . It would be the same for the other pusher and for the winding rod.

Dans l'exemple qui vient d'être décrit, on peut remarquer que la bague inférieure 14 est plus importante et joue un rôle "dominant". Il est bien évident, sans sortir du cadre de l'invention, que les rôles pourraient être inversés: la bague supérieure 12 pourrait avoir le rôle dominant en faisant des adaptations nécessaires à la portée de l'homme du métier.In the example just described, it may be noted that the lower ring 14 is larger and plays a "dominant" role. It is obvious, without departing from the scope of the invention, that the roles could be reversed: the upper ring 12 could have the dominant role in making the necessary adaptations to the scope of the skilled person.

De même, l'exemple décrit concerne un boîtier circulaire, mais l'invention n'est pas limitée à cette forme. Le boîtier pourrait avoir une forme ovale ou rectangulaire. La seule adaptation à faire consisterait à modifier l'assemblage mécanique des bagues 12, 14, par exemple en utilisant un dispositif de type clipsage, ce qui pourrait avoir l'avantage de rendre le boîtier totalement indémontable. La technique de "clipsage" pourrait bien évidemment être utilisée pour un boîtier circulaire.Similarly, the example described relates to a circular housing, but the invention is not limited to this form. The case could have an oval or rectangular shape. The only adaptation to be made would be to modify the mechanical assembly of the rings 12, 14, for example by using a clipping-type device, which could have the advantage of making the housing completely indémontable. The technique of "clipping" could obviously be used for a circular case.

De même pour un boîtier circulaire on pourrait assembler les bagues 12, 14 par un dispositif à baïonnette.Similarly for a circular housing could be assembled rings 12, 14 by a bayonet device.

D'autres variantes et adaptations peuvent être envisagées par l'homme du métier sans sortir du cadre de la présente invention qui est définie par les revendications annexées.Other variations and adaptations may be envisaged by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims (9)

  1. Watch case including a composite middle part (1) through which pass the stems of the control members (3, 5a, 5b), a back cover (6) and a bezel (7) closed by a crystal (8) together delimiting a space which houses a timepiece movement (4) for displaying time data or non-time related data on a dial (9), said middle part (1) being formed of an inner metallic middle part (10) and an outer middle part (20) made of a natural or synthetic mineral material, the inner middle part (10) being formed of a top ring (12) assembled to a bottom ring (14), said top ring (12) including an axial extension (16) which abuts on a peripheral shoulder (18) of said bottom ring (14), and in that the two rings (12, 14) each have a radial extension (13, 15) oriented towards the exterior for blocking the outer middle part (20) with a slight play by mechanically assembling the two rings (12, 14) to each other, the bottom ring (14) being arranged to allow assembly of the back cover (6) and the timepiece movement (4), the back cover (6) being fixed removably to the bottom ring (14).
  2. Watch case according to claim 1, characterized in that the two rings (12, 14) are assembled by screwing.
  3. Watch case according to any of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that a sleeve (17) is housed in a recess (19) of one of the rings (12, 14) of the inner middle part (10) to provide a slight play between the inner and outer middle parts (10, 20) and to allow the outer middle part (20) to be centred radially.
  4. Watch case according to any of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the top ring (12) is arranged to allow assembly of the crystal (8), the bezel (7) and the dial (9).
  5. Watch case according to any of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the radial extension (13) of the top ring (12) is provided with a recess (22) for housing a sealing gasket (23) ensuring water-resistance between the top ring (12) and the bottom ring (14).
  6. Watch case according to any of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the base of the bottom ring (14) includes a recess (24) for housing a sealing gasket (25) between the back cover (6) and the bottom ring (14).
  7. Watch case according to any of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the inner middle part (10) and the outer middle part (20) include through passages (26, 28) opposite the stems of the control members (3, 5a, 5b).
  8. Watch case according to claim 2, characterized in that the through passage (28) of the outer middle part (20), has a semi-circular shape, open towards the bottom of the case and in that the through passage (26) of the inner middle part (10) includes a collar (27) that engages in the through passage (28) of the outer middle part (20).
  9. Watch case according to claim 1, characterized in that the material of the outer middle part (20) is selected from among ceramics, sapphire and natural or artificial jewels.
EP07800630.1A 2006-09-27 2007-09-05 Watch case with a composite middle Active EP2069870B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP07800630.1A EP2069870B1 (en) 2006-09-27 2007-09-05 Watch case with a composite middle

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06020199A EP1906268A1 (en) 2006-09-27 2006-09-27 Watch case with a composite middle
EP07800630.1A EP2069870B1 (en) 2006-09-27 2007-09-05 Watch case with a composite middle
PCT/CH2007/000439 WO2008037097A2 (en) 2006-09-27 2007-09-05 Timepiece housing with composite frame

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2069870A2 EP2069870A2 (en) 2009-06-17
EP2069870B1 true EP2069870B1 (en) 2018-11-21

Family

ID=38055321

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06020199A Withdrawn EP1906268A1 (en) 2006-09-27 2006-09-27 Watch case with a composite middle
EP07800630.1A Active EP2069870B1 (en) 2006-09-27 2007-09-05 Watch case with a composite middle

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06020199A Withdrawn EP1906268A1 (en) 2006-09-27 2006-09-27 Watch case with a composite middle

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US7988350B2 (en)
EP (2) EP1906268A1 (en)
JP (1) JP5086354B2 (en)
CN (2) CN104090479B (en)
WO (1) WO2008037097A2 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US7988350B2 (en) 2011-08-02
EP1906268A1 (en) 2008-04-02
WO2008037097A3 (en) 2008-05-22
US20090245032A1 (en) 2009-10-01
WO2008037097A2 (en) 2008-04-03
JP5086354B2 (en) 2012-11-28
CN101517494A (en) 2009-08-26
JP2010505091A (en) 2010-02-18
CN104090479B (en) 2017-03-22
EP2069870A2 (en) 2009-06-17
CN104090479A (en) 2014-10-08

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