EP2188676B1 - Wrist watch including a reversibility device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking, more particularly to a reversibility mechanism of the watch case with respect to a bracelet.

Countless devices allowing the reversibility of a watch case with respect to a bracelet are already part of the state of the art. The majority of these devices are complex and distort the aesthetics of the watch.

Nevertheless, there are certain watches including a reversibility device whose constituent elements of the mechanism do not alter the sobriety of the watch. Such a mechanism is disclosed for example in the publication CH659167 . It reveals a wristwatch having two different displays on each of its faces and which has a reversibility device comprising two removable elements on which are arranged the horns of the watch. These removable elements are arranged on either side of the watch case and can be actuated to rotate 180 ° in their center around a trunnion along an axis perpendicular to the central axis of the watch case. to orient one or other of the faces of the watch according to the type of poster that the wearer of the watch wishes to display.

The lock of the watch case with respect to one end of the bracelet is provided by a first is a second ball arranged respectively in a first and a second housing located on either side of a rectangular portion of the watch case . These balls are subjected to the action of a return spring tending to engage in a recess arranged on the end of a rectangular loop in correspondence with the balls.

This type of locking nevertheless causes a limitation in the geometric shape of the watch case since it must imperatively include a rectangular portion adjacent to each end of the wristband of the watch.

The publication CH138929 discloses, in turn, a wristwatch having two diametrically opposed pins fixed projecting outside the watch case and on which pivot the fasteners of the bracelet. These fasteners have a curvature in order to fit a portion of the circumference of the watch case. However, this device has the disadvantage of not having a locking system, the watch case being retained only by the wrist of the wearer.

US4597138 discloses a reversible watch case according to the pre-characterizing part of claim 1. In this document, connecting elements for fixing the watch straps have at least two parts joined pivotally. The mutually pivoting portions have surfaces in contact with each other under the pressure of a spring.

Requirement EP1902641, published on March 26, 2006 constitutes prior art within the meaning of Article 54 (3) EPC. This document describes a watch case having the features of claim 1, except that the pin 32 described in this document cooperates with an opening having an oblong shape.

The object of the present invention is to provide a wristwatch having an improved device of reversibility of the watch case with respect to the bracelet which is discreet and in perfect harmony with the aesthetics of the watch.

According to the invention, this object is achieved through a reversible watch case according to claim 1 against which is arranged on either side a removable element having the horns of said box. Each removable element is secured to the watch case by fixing means arranged so that said element can be locked to the watch case in a first and a second stable position respectively. The removable element is furthermore capable of being actuated to pivot at its center 180 ° along an axis perpendicular to the central axis of the watch case in order to move from one of the stable positions to the other. Each removable element comprises a support side, this support side being held against a portion located on the contour of the watch case by means of an elastic member arranged inside the middle of said box and connected to the removable element through an opening on the contour of the watch case. The opening is arranged in correspondence with the axis of rotation of the removable element, the removable element being able to be released from one or other of its stable positions to allow its rotation of 180 ° along the axis perpendicular to the central axis of the watch case, the elastic member acting on the removable element to return it in one or other of its stable positions.

• La Figure 1 représente une vue en perspective éclatée de la boîte de montre et du dispositif de réversibilité selon un premier mode d'exécution,
• La Figure 2 représente une vue partielle en coupe d'un des éléments amovibles solidaire, par l'intermédiaire du dispositif de réversibilité, de la boîte de montre, lorsque ledit dispositif est verrouillé,
• La Figure 3 représente une vue partielle en coupe de l'élément amovible de la Figure 2 lorsque celui-ci est en position dégagée pour pouvoir débuter une rotation par rapport à la boîte de montre,
• La Figure 4 représente une vue de côté de la boîte de montre en l'absence de l'élément amovible,
• La Figure 5 représente une vue détaillée de la Figure 4,
• La Figure 6 représente une vue partielle en coupe d'un des éléments amovibles, selon un second mode d'exécution, lorsque le dispositif de réversibilité est verrouillé,
• La Figure 7 représente une vue partielle en coupe de l'élément amovible de la Figure 6, lorsque celui-ci est en position dégagée pour pouvoir débuter une rotation par rapport à la boîte de montre.

The characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading a description of several embodiments given solely by way of example, in no way limiting with reference to the schematic figures, in which:

• The Figure 1 represents an exploded perspective view of the watch case and the reversibility device according to a first embodiment,
• The Figure 2 represents a partial sectional view of one of the removable elements integral, via the reversibility device, of the watch case, when said device is locked,
• The Figure 3 represents a partial sectional view of the removable element of the Figure 2 when it is in the open position to start a rotation relative to the watch case,
• The Figure 4 represents a side view of the watch case in the absence of the removable element,
• The Figure 5 represents a detailed view of the Figure 4 ,
• The Figure 6 represents a partial sectional view of one of the removable elements, according to a second embodiment, when the reversibility device is locked,
• The Figure 7 represents a partial sectional view of the removable element of the Figure 6 when it is in the open position to start a rotation relative to the watch case.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention ( Figure 1 ), the wristwatch comprises a watch case (1) and two removable elements (2, 2 ') on which are arranged the horns (3) of the watch.

Each removable element (2, 2 ') is secured to the watch case (1) by fixing means, the technical characteristics of which will be described. subsequently, arranged so that said element (2, 2 ') can be locked to the watch case (1) in a first and a second stable position respectively. The removable element (2, 2 ') is also capable of being actuated to pivot in its center of 180 ° along an axis perpendicular to the central axis of the watch case (1) in order to pass from the stable positions to each other.

The watch case (1) has on its outer circumference two portions (5) diametrically opposed and rectified so that the radius of curvature of each portion (5) is slightly less than the radius of curvature of the outer circumference of the watch case ( 1). Each removable element (2, 2 ') has a concave side (4) identical to the radius of curvature of each ground part (5) in order to be able to fit perfectly the contour of said part (5). The thickness of the removable element (2, 2 ') is determined so that the latter can merge with the outer circumference of the watch case (1) when these removable elements (2, 2') are locked. in stable positions.

Locking of the removable element (2, 2 ') against the ground part (5) of the watch case (1) is ensured by means of a flexible blade (6) arranged inside the middle part of said box (1) ( Figure 2 and 3 ). The ends of this blade (6) bear against the inner circumference of the watch case (1).

Two oblong openings (7) ( Figures 4 and 5 ) are arranged in the center of each rectified portion (5) in correspondence with the axis of rotation of the removable element (2, 2 '). Each of the openings (7) is intended to receive a lug (8) of oblong shape integral with the removable element (2, 2 '), this lug (8) being located at the center of the concave side (4) of each removable element ( 2, 2 ') and having a thread (9) at its center in which is screwed a cylindrical pivoting stud (10). The flexible blade (6) has a bore (11) in its middle inside which is arranged and then fixed by means of a key (12) the pivot pin (10).

The ends of the blade (6) exert a certain stress on the inner circumference of the watch case (1) at their bearing points when the lug (8) is arranged inside the opening (7) so that the removable element (2, 2 ') is held firmly against the part (5) of the watch case (1).

The reversibility of the watch case (1) is obtained by pivoting the removable element (2, 2 ') by 180 ° along the axis perpendicular to the central axis of said box (1). This is made possible by pulling on the end of the bracelet connected to the removable element (2, 2 ') in order to bend the spring blade (6) to disengage the lug (8) from the opening (7). ). A rotation of the removable element (2, 2 ') can then be performed along an axis perpendicular to the central axis of the watch case (1). During this rotation, the surface of the lug (8) of the removable element (2, 2 ') is in permanent contact with a flattened flat (13) around the opening (7). After a rotation of 180 °, the lug (8) is found in correspondence with the opening (7) and, under the action of the leaf spring (6), is housed again in the opening (7) . The removable element (2, 2 ') is thus locked to the watch case (1).

According to a second embodiment, the spring blade (6) is replaced by a helical compression spring (6) ( Figures 6 and 7 ). This spring (6) is arranged around the circumference of the median portion of the pivot pin (10 '). In this second embodiment, one of the ends of this stud (10 ') comprises a circular base (15) on which the compression spring (6) bears, the other end of the stud (10'). being ground and threaded so as to be screwed into the tapping (9) of the lug (8) of the removable element (2, 2 '). The helical compression spring (6) is held by a holding plate (14) arranged against a portion of the inner periphery of the watch case (1).

The functionality of the reversibility system is identical to the first execution mode. The coil spring (6) is compressed by the circular base (15) when pulling on the end of the bracelet connected to the removable element (2, 2 ') in order to disengage the pin (8) from the opening (7). The rotation of the element removable (2, 2 ') over 180 ° to move from the first to the second stable position is performed identically to the first embodiment.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above as examples but embraces, on the contrary, all variants of execution without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims. For example, the shape of the reversible watch case (1) may be oval or rectangular.

Claims (7)

1. A reversible watch case (1) against which is arranged on both sides a removable element (2, 2') possessing the lugs (3) of said case (1), each element (2, 2') being solid with the watch case (1) via fixing means arranged in such a way that said element (2, 2') can be locked to the watch case (1) in a first and a second stable position respectively, the removable element (2, 2') also being actuable to pivot at its centre through 180° about an axis perpendicular to the central axis of the watch case (1) in order to pass from one of the stable positions to the other, each removable element (2, 2') comprising a contact side (4) and an elongated nub (8), this contact side (4) being held against a part (5) situated on the perimeter of the watch case (1) by an elastic member (6), the removable element (2,2') being disengageable from either of its stable positions in order to allow its rotation through 180° about the axis perpendicular to the central axis of the watch case (1), the elastic member (6) acting on the removable element (2, 2') in order to return it to either of its stable positions, characterised in that said elastic member (6) is located inside the structure of said case (1) and connected to the removable element (2, 2') through an elongated opening (7) corresponding to the shape of the nub (8), and situated on the perimeter of the watch case (1), the opening (7) being arranged to correspond to the axis of rotation of the removable element (2, 2').
2. Reversible watch case (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that on the one hand the perimeter of the watch case (1) is circular, and on the other hand the contact side (4) of the removable element (2, 2') and the part (5) situated on the perimeter of the watch case (1) are respectively concave and convex.
3. Reversible watch case (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the radius of curvature of the convex part (5) of the reversible watch case (1) is on the one hand substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the concave contact side (4) of the removable element (2, 2'), and on the other hand smaller than the radius of curvature of the external circumference of the watch case (1) in order to compensate for the thickness of the removable element (2, 2') so as to obtain an exactly circular watch case (1) when the removable elements (2, 2') are arranged in either of the stable positions against the two convex parts (5) of the watch case (1).
4. Reversible watch case (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the nub (8) is arranged in the centre of the concave side (4) of each removable element (2, 2'), the nub (8) being held in the opening (7) which acts as a housing by the elastic member (6) in order to lock the removable element (2, 2') in either of the stable positions.
5. Reversible watch case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the elastic member (6) is a flexible leaf, the ends of said leaf (6) being in contact with the inside edge of the watch case (1).
6. Reversible watch case (1) according to claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the elastic member (6) is a helical compression spring.
7. Watch-strap comprising the reversible watch case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ends of the strap are attached to the removable elements (2, 2').

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