EP2102074B1 - Protective box for transporting or storing a part in the form of a plate pierced by an opening - Google Patents

Abstract

The protective case includes a back cover (2) and a cover (3), which are provided to fit together. The case further includes a flange (6), inserted in the back cover and held laterally by the edge (4), and an elastically deformable stake (7), which is for immobilizing a plate-shaped part pierced with an aperture (11). The stake is mounted on the top surface of the flange and it is inserted into the aperture of the plate-shaped part. The bottom surface of the cover (3) further carries a projecting portion (8) that presses against the stake when the case is closed, so as to increase the external diameter of the stake and jam it in the aperture of the plate-shaped part. Elastic means (9) are also provided for returning the flange (6) in the direction of the cover (3) so as to hold the stake (7) jammed in the aperture in the plate-shaped part.

Description

The present invention relates to a protective box for transporting or storing a workpiece in the form of a flat part, or plate, pierced with an opening; for example a watch dial. The present invention relates more particularly to such a box comprising a clamping device intended to extend into the opening of the plate so as to retain the plate. The present invention relates in particular to such a box designed to contain a watch face.

An object of the present invention is to provide a box whose design minimizes the harmful consequences that could have an awkward or wrong handling. In particular, an object is to provide a box designed so that the force with which one presses on the lid does not influence the holding force of the plate-shaped part.

Another goal is to provide a box designed to withstand accidental shocks of 5000 g (falling one meter on hardwood) without the content or the box experiencing anything as damage.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a box that can accommodate the widest possible range of pieces of different dimensions (diameter, thickness, diameter of the opening, etc.).

Another object of the present invention is to provide a range of boxes distinguished from each other only by the dimensions of the clamping device which can be adapted to the particular dimensions of a model parts.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a box with which the introduction and extraction of a part is easy.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a box whose unit cost is reduced.

The present invention achieves these objects by providing a box for transporting and storing a workpiece in the form of a plate pierced with an opening according to the appended claim 1.

The document DE 1,825,496 U discloses a box according to the preamble of claim 1.

According to the present invention, the cleat is fixedly mounted on the flange, and the flange is itself retained by resilient means provided to recall it towards the cover. Under these conditions, when the box is closed,! exerted by the projection on the cleat is always equal to the restoring force provided by the elastic means. Thus, the force with which one presses on the lid does not influence the force exerted on the cleat. An advantage of the present invention is therefore that the presence of elastic means makes it possible not to damage the cleat.

Another advantage of the present invention is to avoid that, under the effect of too much pressure, the cleat does not damage the dial.

Another advantage of the present invention is that only the flange and the cleat come into contact with the dial. The functional parts of the dial, which are located on its upper face, therefore never have to come into contact with the different parts of the box.

Another advantage is that the elastically retained flange allows the same box to be used with dials having different thicknesses.

According to the present invention, the elastic means must return the flange towards the cover with sufficient force to hold the cleat wedged in the opening of the plate-shaped part. That is to say that, to maintain the cleat wedged in the opening of the plate, it is necessary that it offers less resistance to deformation than the elastic means. Otherwise, the diameter of the cleat remains insufficient to immobilize the room.

Through the use of an elastically deformable cleat, the present invention further provides a box capable of receiving plate-shaped parts that differ in the diameter of their opening.

According to an advantageous variant of the present invention, the cleat comprises a longitudinally split tubular element, the slotted wall of the tubular element constituting at least two elastic arms. In addition, when closing the box, the projection formed under the cover is intended to be introduced into the split tubular element in the manner of a wedge, to separate said elastic arms.

According to yet another advantageous variant of the present invention, the flange is perforated. This feature has the particular advantage of allowing to condition dials already equipped with dial feet. On the other hand, if the characteristic of a perforated flange is combined with that of a transparent or translucent background, this combination has the advantage of allowing the identification of a reference or a bar code possibly carried by the underside of the plate or dial. Thus, it is not necessary to open the box to learn about its contents.

According to yet another advantageous variant, the resilient means for biasing the flange towards the cover are heftoidal springs.

According to yet another advantageous variant, the box bears a distinctive sign indicating the diameter of the cleat it contains.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'une boîte protectrice pour le transport et le stockage d'un cadran de montre correspondant à un mode particulier de réalisation de la présente invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe de la boîte protectrice de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe agrandie montrant le cône et les bras du tasseau constituant un exemple de moyens de serrage selon la présente invention ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en éclaté permettant de comprendre le mode d'assemblage des différents constituants de la boîte protectrice ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe agrandie montrant le petit épaulement intérieur que présente la partie supérieure du rebord cylindrique.

A particular embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of a protective box for transporting and storing a watch face corresponding to a particular embodiment of the present invention;
• the figure 2 is a sectional view of the protective box of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing the cone and arms of the cleat constituting an example of clamping means according to the present invention;
• the figure 4 is an exploded view to understand the method of assembly of the various constituents of the protective box;
• the figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing the small inner shoulder that presents the upper portion of the cylindrical rim.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 , it can be seen that the box 1 comprises firstly a set defined by the assembly of a bottom 2 with a transparent cover 3. These two parts have cylindrical rims (respectively referenced 4 and 5) which are provided for s 'suit. Inside the enclosure is housed a movable flange 6 which is provided to slide axially inside the cylindrical flange 4. This flange 6 carries a batten 7 which is fixedly mounted in the center of its upper face. As shown in more detail figure 3 , the cleat 7 is constituted by a tubular element which is split in four longitudinally, so as to form four arms. This tubular element is made of an elastic material such as Teflon for example. As will be seen in more detail below, the cleat 7 is provided to cooperate with a cone-shaped projection 8 formed in the center of the lower face of the lid 3. Finally, the flange 6 is suspended on four coil springs 9a, 9b , 9c and 9d which are compressed between the flange 6 and the bottom 2 (only two springs referenced 9a and 9c are visible in the sectional view of the figure 2 ). The four springs constitute elastic means provided to return the flange 6 towards the cover 3.

The operation of the box will now be described in reference to figures 2 and 3 . The box is first laid flat, and the lid 3 is removed. A dial 11 can then be inserted into the box and positioned flat on the flange 6, with the cleat extending through the center hole of the dial. The box can then be closed again.

As soon as the lowering of the lid causes the cone 8 and the cleat 7 (which together form the clamping device) to meet, the tip of the cone to introduce itself as a wedge between the four arms of the cleat. The cone will thus push the four arms radially so that they deviate sufficiently to abut against the inner edge of the center hole of the dial 11, thus immobilizing the dial.

As soon as the clamp formed by the four arms of the cleat press against the sides of the center hole, the cleat 7 can no longer be deformed. It is therefore the mobile flange 6 which lowers under the pressure of the lid 3 by compressing the springs 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d, until the box is completely closed. At this moment, the cylindrical flanges 4 and 5 are completely nested.

It will be understood that according to the operating principle which has just been described, the elasticity of the cleat 7 and that of the elastic means 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d ensuring the suspension of the flange 6 are, in a way, in competition with each other. the lowering of the cover 3 and the cone 8. It is therefore important that the elastic means are sufficiently resistant to deformation to allow the wedging of the arms of the cleat 7 in the center hole of the dial 11. This amounts to saying that It is necessary that the cleat is more flexible than the elastic means. Otherwise, the diameter of the cleat can not increase enough to immobilize the dial.

According to the embodiment of the invention which is the subject of this example, the same range of boxes and provided to accommodate all dial models of a manufacturer. In addition, in the present example, the different boxes of the range are distinguished only by the dimensions of their cleat. As the cleats are interchangeable, it will be understood that it is possible to package all the dials of a manufacturer with the same model box. As will be seen in more detail, according to the present example, the cleats themselves can be identical in every way, except for the diameter (outside and inside) of the clamp formed by the arms of the cleat.

• le premier modèle de tasseau pourra avoir une pince avec un diamètre extérieur de 1.05mm. Ce modèle pourra convenir pour des diamètres de trou de cadran compris entre environ 1.1 mm et 1.65mm.
• le deuxième modèle de tasseau pourra avoir une pince avec un diamètre de 1.45mm. Ce modèle pourra convenir pour des diamètres de trou de cadran compris entre environ 1.65mm et 1.9mm.
• le troisième modèle de tasseau pourra avoir une pince avec un diamètre de 1.65mm. Ce modèle pourra convenir pour des diamètres de trou de cadran compris entre environ 1.7mm et 2.3mm.
• le quatrième modèle de tasseau pourra avoir une pince avec un diamètre de 2.35mm. Ce modèle pourra convenir pour des diamètres de trou de cadran compris entre environ 2.4mm et 2.7mm.

Suppose for example that the different dial models that are desired to be packaged using boxes according to the present invention have thicknesses in the center of between 0.25 mm and 1 mm. Suposons more than the diameters of the dial holes of these dials are between 1.1 mm and 2.7mm. For example, we can choose to have four models of cleat with different clamp diameters. All these cleats will be able to have the same height of 1.1 mm so as to be able to receive all the dials:

• the first model of cleat can have a clamp with an outer diameter of 1.05mm. This model may be suitable for dial hole diameters of between 1.1 mm and 1.65 mm.
• the second model of cleat can have a clamp with a diameter of 1.45mm. This model may be suitable for dial hole diameters of between 1.65mm and 1.9mm.
• the third model of cleat can have a clamp with a diameter of 1.65mm. This model may be suitable for dial hole diameters between about 1.7mm and 2.3mm.
• the fourth model of cleat can have a clamp with a diameter of 2.35mm. This model may be suitable for dial hole diameters between approximately 2.4mm and 2.7mm.

If, as in the present example, the cleats are made of Teflon, the thickness of the wall of the tubular element of the cleat may be, for example, 0.3mm for the smallest cleat model. For the three larger models, the thickness of the wall may for example be 0.5mm.

On the other hand, the cone 8 is preferably sized to keep a certain distance between the top of a dial and the underside of the lid, regardless of the diameter of the center hole of the dial. This condition is met, for example, if the cone has an apex angle of 90 ° and its circular base has a diameter of 3mm.

We see more, on the figure 5 , that the cylindrical flange 4, within which the flange 6 moves, has a small inner shoulder 16 which is provided to limit the stroke of the flange 6 upwards. The presence of the shoulder 16 prevents the flange 6 from disengaging the cylindrical flange 4 when the box is open. On the other hand, when the box is closed, the shoulder 16 ensures that the top of the dial 11 can not come into contact with the underside of the lid 3.

The assembly of the box will now be described based on the figures 4 and 5 . The first mounting operation consists of placing the springs 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d in the housings 17a, 17b, 17c and 17d arranged for this purpose in the thickness of the bottom 2. The springs can for example simply be laid in housing without any means of fixation.

The second operation consists in mounting the flange 6 on the bottom. The outside diameter of the flange and the inside diameter of the flange 4 are adjusted so that the flange can slide while being held laterally. However, as already mentioned, the rim 4 has, in its upper part, a small inner shoulder 16 provided to limit the stroke of the flange 6 and prevent it from disengaging the cylindrical rim 4. The inner diameter of the shoulder 16 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the flange 6. Under these conditions, during assembly, to introduce the flange into the bottom 2, it is necessary to force the passage. This operation is made possible by the elasticity of the material of which the flange 4 and the bottom 2 are made. This material may for example be polystirene.

Four housings 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d, each intended to receive the upper end of one of the helical springs 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d, are further arranged in the lower part of the flange 6. During assembly, before to drive the flange 6 in the bottom 2, it is necessary to preposition the flange 6 above the bottom 2 with the four housings vertical springs. For this purpose, we see on the figure 4 that the rim 4 has two chamfers 13 intended to facilitate the correct orientation of the flange 6 relative to the bottom 2. In the next step of driving the flange in the bottom, the presence of the chamfers 13 also facilitates the introduction flask. The hunting itself is preferably done with a driving tool having a large bearing surface, so that the flange 6 downwards parallel to the bottom 2.

Once the flange 6 in place, the next step is mounting the cleat 7 on the flange. As we have seen, in this example, several models of cleats, with tubular elements of different diameters, are required to accommodate the entire range of existing dials. In the present example, all models of cleats have a base 14 of the same diameter. This characteristic ensures the interchangeability of the cleats.

The flange 6 has in the center of its upper face a housing constituted by a cylindrical recess 15 provided to receive the cleat 7. The inner diameter of the recess 15 corresponds to the outer diameter of the base 14, so that the cleat can be driven up to At the bottom of the recess and to be maintained therein. The insertion of the batten into the recess is preferably carried out with a tool designed so as to avoid damaging the clamp of the cleat. This tool may for example have the shape of a tube surrounding the cylindrical element of the cleat and bearing against the base 14.

It can be seen in FIG. 7 that the cylindrical recess 15 is extended on the lower side of the flange by a circular through hole 16. The bottom 2 of the box is also pierced with a through-hole 18 disposed in the extension of the axis of the recess 15. Thanks to the presence of these two aligned holes it is possible to remove the cleat 7 from the box without which it is necessary, beforehand, to extract the flange 6 from the bottom 2. In fact, by inserting a pin by the bottom in the holes 18 and 16, it is possible to eject the batten 7 from its housing 15. This possibility is useful for example when you want to replace the cleat in place by a cleat of different diameter.

It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the embodiment described in the description without departing from the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims.

It may be provided in other embodiments that the flange and flange are made in one piece, so as to reduce production costs. Under these conditions, for example, a box according to the invention can be adapted to another dial dimension simply by changing the flange. It may also be provided in other embodiments to make the cleat not on the flange but on the cover, in this case the cone cooperating with the cleat will be arranged on the flange.

In particular, it will be possible to use the box according to the invention for packaging other plate-shaped parts than watch dials. One thinks in particular of information carriers in the form of disks.

On the other hand, in the example of the detailed description, the cover is transparent. This feature has the advantage of allowing to read indications on the upper face of the dial without opening the box. In addition, in the example, the flange is perforated. This feature has the particular advantage of allowing to condition dials already equipped with dial feet. On the other hand, if the characteristic of a perforated flange is combined with that of a transparent or translucent background, this combination has the advantage of allowing the identification of a reference or a bar code possibly carried by the lower face of the dial.

In the example of the detailed description, the resilient means for biasing the flange towards the cover are helical springs. It will be understood, however, that any other form of return means known to those skilled in the art may be used in the present invention.

Finally, to facilitate the management of the boxes, it is possible to provide that they carry a distinctive sign indicating the diameter of the cleat they contain.

Claims (9)

1. Protective case (1) for transporting or storing a plate-shaped part pierced with an aperture (11), including a back cover (2) and a cover (3), the back cover and the cover each having an edge (4, 5), and said edges fitting into each other when the case is closed, the case further including a flange (6) inserted in the back cover (2) and held laterally by the edge (4) thereof, and clamping means (7, 8) for immobilising the plate-shaped part, characterized in that the clamping means include an elastically deformable stake (7) that is mounted on the top surface of the flange (6) and is arranged to be inserted in the aperture in the plate-shaped part (11), the clamping means further including projecting portion (8) formed under the bottom surface of the cover (3), the projecting portion being arranges to press against the stake (7) when the case is closed so as to increase the external diameter of the stake so as to jam said stake in the aperture of the plate-shaped part (11 elastic means (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) also being provided under the flange (6) to return the flange and the stake (7) that it carries in the direction of the cover (3) with sufficient force to hold the stake (7) jammed in the aperture of the plate-shaped part (11).
2. Case according to claim 1, characterized in that the stake (7) has a longitudinally slit tubular element, the slit wall of the tubular element forming at least two elastic arms, and in that the projecting portion (8) formed under the cover is introduced into the slit tubular element like a wedge to separate said elastic arms so as to increase the external diameter of the stake.
3. Case according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the stake (7) is integral with the flange (6).
4. Case according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the stake (7) is parc that is added to the flange (6) and in that the diameter of the stake is determined in accordance with the diameter of the aperture of the plate-shaped part (11).
5. Case according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flange (6) is cut away.
6. Case according to claim 5, characterized in that the back cover (2) is transparent.
7. Case according tn any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (3) is transparent.
8. Case according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic means that are provided for returning the flange in the direction of the cover are springs compressed between the back cover and the flange.
9. Case according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it bears a distinctive sign indicating the diameter of the stake that it contains.

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