EP2591401A1

EP2591401A1 - Timepiece comprising a chime mechanism

Info

Publication number: EP2591401A1
Application number: EP11729120.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Robert Greubel; Stephen Forsey; Amel Kapetanovic
Original assignee: Complitime SA
Current assignee: Complitime SA
Priority date: 2010-07-08
Filing date: 2011-07-04
Publication date: 2013-05-15
Anticipated expiration: 2031-07-04
Also published as: JP2013530403A; WO2012004224A1; US20130121120A1; CH703406A1; US9098068B2; JP5968311B2; EP2591401B1; CH703406B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a timepiece comprising a chime mechanism (1) comprising an hours component (2), a quarters component (4) and a minutes component (6), said hours (2), quarters (4) and minutes (6) components being pivot-mounted about one and the same spindle (3), the quarters component (4) and the minutes component (6) being kinematically linked by a first driving member collaborating with a first driving toothset (34). According to the invention, out of the hours component (2) and the quarters component (4) one comprises a second driving toothset (21) and the other comprises a second driving member designed to be capable of collaborating with said second driving toothset (21) and of kinematically linking the hours component (2) and the quarters component (4), thereby eliminating the dead time between the chimes for the hours and those for the quarters, or between those for the hours and those for the minutes when there isn't a quarter to chime.

Description

Timepiece comprising a ringing mechanism Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking. It relates, more particularly, to a timepiece, in particular a timepiece comprising a striking mechanism comprising a striking gear, at least two striking hammers arranged to produce different tone sounds, a lifting of the hours and a first lift of the quarters to actuate one of the hammers, a lift of the minutes and a second lift of the quarters to actuate the other hammer, a part of the hours comprising a toothed sector arranged to cooperate with the ring gear, a rake of the hours arranged to actuate the lifting of the hours and a feeler hours arranged to cooperate with a cam hours, a quarter part comprising a quarter rake having a first set of teeth arranged to actuate the first lift quarters and a second set of teeth to actuate the second quarter lift, and a quarter feeler arranged to cooperate with a quarter cam, and a quarter piece Nutes comprising a minute rake arranged to actuate the lifting of the minutes and a minute feeler arranged to cooperate with a minute cam, said parts of the hours, quarters and minutes being pivotally mounted about a same axis, the quarter piece and the minute piece being kinematically connected by means of a first driving member cooperating with a first toothing.

State of the art

[0002] Such timepieces have been known for a long time, particularly in the field of so-called complicated watches such as repeating watches or big-bell watches. These watches have more or less complex mechanisms of ringing intended to ring on demand or automatically at regular intervals of time.

Such a part is for example described in the application EP 1760553. In this document, the timepiece comprises a room hours, a quarter room and a minute room respectively comprising a rake and a feeler interdependent between them. Said parts are pivotally mounted around the same axis. The training of the quarter room by the hour room is done by means of an ankle provided on the hour room, engaged with an opening provided on the quarter room.

During operation of the ring, the respective initial positions of the ankle and the opening vary according to the position of the room hours and room quarters, respectively, depending on the current time. As a result, the time required for the peg of the hour coin to come into contact with the opening of the quarter piece varies. This is why there may be a dead time of varying duration between the hour and the quarter bell, or between the hours and the minutes when there is no quarter to ring.

Another type of traditional striking mechanism, including a ratchet hours is described in the patent CH 9700. There is provided an additional piece called "ladder" placed between the quarter and the room minutes, and having a internal toothing meshing with the toothed sector of the axis of the rocket. This piece makes it possible to regularize the interval between the hours and minutes striking, the tooth sector of the axis of the rocket meshing with its first tooth with the appropriate tooth of the toothing of said scale. However, such a mechanism requires an additional piece, in an already complex mechanism. In addition, this construction results in a meshing failure, which could cause a passage through critical cases such as over-arching causing a loss of efficiency.

Moreover, the ring drive mechanisms are generally complex and provide for a superposition of different elements for preparing the ring and then the ring in cooperation with the ring gear.

An object of the present invention is therefore to overcome these disadvantages, by proposing a timepiece bell to remove dead time between the hour and the hour of the quarter, or between hours and minutes when there is no quarter to ring. Another object is to provide a part to use a simplified ringing drive mechanism.

Disclosure of the invention

For this purpose, and in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a timepiece comprising a striking mechanism comprising a ring gear, at least two ring hammers arranged to produce sounds of different stamps, a lifting hours and a first lift of the quarters to actuate one of the hammers, a lifting of the minutes and a second lifting of the quarters to actuate the other hammer, a part of the hours comprising a toothed sector arranged to cooperate with the ring gear, a rake hours arranged to actuate the lifting hours and a feeler hours arranged to cooperate with a cam hours, a quarter part comprising a quarter rake having a first set of teeth arranged to actuate the first lift quarters and a second set of teeth arranged to actuate the second quarter lift, and a quarter feeler arranged to cooperate with a quarter cam, and a piece of minutes comprising a minute rake arranged to actuate the lifting of the minutes and a minute sensor arranged to cooperate with a minute cam, said hours, quarters and minutes parts being pivotally mounted about a same axis, the piece of minutes quarters and the minute piece being kinematically connected by means of a first drive member cooperating with a first drive gear. According to the invention, one of the hours part and the quarter part comprises a second drive gear and the other part of the hours part and quarter part comprises a second drive member arranged to be able to cooperate directly with said second drive gear and cinematically connect the workpiece hours and quarter part, eliminating the dead time between the hour and the quarter bell, or between that of the hours and that of the minutes when There is no quarter to ring.

Advantageously, the first drive member may comprise a first hook pivotally mounted on the part of the quarters, the first drive gear being provided on the minute piece opposite said first hook. Preferably, there is provided a first stop fixedly mounted on the frame of said part, the first hook being arranged to cooperate with said first stop so as to pivot to cooperate with one of the teeth of said first toothing according to the position of the minute room.

[001 1] Advantageously, there is provided a second fixed abutment mounted on the frame of said part, the second drive member being arranged to cooperate with said second abutment so as to cooperate with one of the teeth of said second toothing as a function of the position of said second drive teeth and to eliminate dead time. Preferably, the second drive member may comprise a second hook. Advantageously, said second hook is pivotally mounted on the hours part, the second drive teeth being provided on the quarter part facing said second hook.

Advantageously, the ring gear can comprise a ringing drive wheel comprising, coaxially arranged, a ringing wheel cooperating with a power source, a first gear cooperating with the hour piece, and a system clutch arrangement arranged to move between an engaged position according to which said ringing wheel is kinematically connected to said first pinion to enable the ringing and a disengaged position in which said first pinion is disconnected from said ringing wheel to enable the preparation for ringing.

Preferably, the clutch system comprises a ratchet integral with the ringing wheel and having a spout and a second pinion integral with the first pinion and arranged to cooperate with the pawl of the pawl, said pawl being arranged to move between the engaged position according to which the spout co-operates with said second pinion, said first and second pinions being rotated by the ringing wheel, and the disengaged position according to which the pawl nose is disengaged from said second pinion, said first and second pinions then being free to rotate relative to the ringing wheel.

According to a prennier embodiment, the clutch system may comprise a first integral plate of the ringing wheel, the pawl being carried by said first plate, said pawl comprising a first end pivotally mounted on said first plate and a second free end presenting the beak.

Preferably, the pawl may carry a pin cooperating with a detent ratchet freely rotatably mounted coaxially with the striking wheel and controlled by a control member, a part of the pawl between the pin and the nose being arranged so as to eccentric with respect to the axis of the ringing drive mobile.

Advantageously, to reach the disengaged position, said trigger ratchet is arranged to be driven by its control member, and to move the second end of the pawl by driving the pin so that the beak ratchet disengages from the second gear. To reach the engaged position, said trigger ratchet is arranged to be blocked by said control member, so as to retain the pin, and the ringing wheel is arranged to be rotated and take with it the first plate and the first end of the pawl so that said pawl tilts back its beak in cooperation with the second pinion.

According to another embodiment, the clutch system may comprise a second plate comprising a first toothed sector and pivotally mounted on the ringing wheel, the pawl being integral with said second plate. The clutch system may also comprise a central tube having a second toothed sector arranged to cooperate with the first tooth sector of the second plate and secured to a control ratchet controlled by a control member. Advantageously, to reach the disengaged position, said control ratchet is arranged to be driven by said control member, and to move the pawl by driving the first toothed sector of the second tray so that the beak of the pawl emerges from the second gear. To reach the engaged position, said control ratchet is arranged to be blocked by said control member, so as to retain the first tooth sector of the second plate, and the ringing wheel being arranged to be driven in rotation and to take the second plate and the pawl so that said pawl tilts back its beak in cooperation with the second pinion.

Brief description of the drawings

Other features of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view, on the bridge side, of the three parts of the hours, quarters and minutes according to the invention, ready to ring, FIG. 2 is a view, on the dial side, of the parts of the hours and quarters according to FIG. 3, is a bridge-side view of the hour and quarter parts according to the invention, in the position before and after the ring, FIG. 4 is a view, on the bridge side, of the quarter pieces. and minutes according to the invention, before and after ringing,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a ringing drive wheel according to the invention, the clutch system being in the engaged position, FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the FIG. 5 is a perspective view of part of the striking drive unit of FIG. 5, the clutch system being in the disengaged position,

FIGS. 8 to 10 are perspective views of a second embodiment of a ringing drive wheel according to the invention, and

- Figure 1 1 is a sectional view of Figure 8.

Embodiments of the invention The figures only show the parts of the striking mechanism essential to the understanding of the invention. For purposes of clarification, common elements known to those skilled in the art have not been included in the drawings.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a striking mechanism 1 used in a timepiece according to the invention.

The mechanism comprises a part of the hours 2, a quarter part 4 and a minute piece 6, which are, in known manner, intended to cooperate with a lifting of the hours 7a and a first lift of the quarters 7b, mounted on the same axis, to actuate a first hammer and with a lift of the minutes 8a and a second lift of the quarters 8b, mounted on the same axis, to actuate a second hammer arranged to produce different timbre sounds of the first hammer.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1 to 3, the room hours 2 has the general shape of a circular arc and is pivotally mounted about an axis 3 passing through the center of the circle. It comprises an open interior space, presenting along one of its flanges, a circular toothed sector 9, concentric with the hour part 2, and arranged to cooperate with a pinion 10 of the ringing drive mobile, as will be described below. The room hours 2 also comprises, on its outer edge, a rake hours 1 1 arranged to operate the lifting hours 7a, and the opposite side, a probe hours 12 arranged to cooperate with a cam hours 13, carried by a star 14, and conventionally driven by a not shown basic movement, to take information relative to the current time. The feeler hours 12 may be integral with the room hours 2 or be an insert integrally mounted to said room hours 2. These elements are known to those skilled in the art and do not require detailed description.

The quarter part 4 has the general shape of an arc of a circle, concentric with the arc of the room hours 2, and is pivotally mounted about the axis 3. It comprises a first interior space circular open, concentric, allowing the passage of the axis 15 of the mobile ringing drive. The quarter piece 4 comprises on its outer edge, in a known manner, a quarter rake having a first toothing 16a, of three teeth, arranged to actuate the first lift of the quarters 7b and a second toothing 16b, of three teeth , arranged to operate the second lift of the quarters 8b, to ring the quarter on two stamps. On the opposite side to the rake, the quarter part 4 comprises a quarter probe 17 arranged to cooperate with a cam of the quarters 5, conventionally driven by a not shown basic movement, to take information relative to the current time. The probe of quarters 17 may be in one piece with the quarter part 4 or be an insert integrally mounted to said quarter part 4. A not shown spring is arranged to exert on the quarter part 4 a force tending to bring the quarter feeler 17 into contact with the cam of quarters 5. These elements are known to those skilled in the art and do not require detailed description.

According to the invention, the room hours 2 and the quarter part 4 are kinematically connected by means of a drive member cooperating with a drive toothing, said drive member and said toothing of training are arranged to eliminate the dead time between the hour and the quarter bell, or between the hours and the minutes when there is no quarter to ring.

More specifically, the room hours 2 comprises, on the edge of its open inner space, opposite the flange carrying the toothed sector, a hook 18 pivotally mounted about an axis 19 and its return spring 20. The workpiece hours 2 includes at the hook 18, a recess forming a housing for said hook 18 for pivoting.

The quarter part 4 comprises, nearing its center, a second circular, concentric, open inner space arranged with respect to the hour part 2 so that the hook 18 of the hour part appears in said second part. 4. In addition, said second open interior space of the quarter part 4 has along its rim, facing the hook 18, a toothing 21, with three teeth trimmed so that the four flanks present correspond to the number of quarters to ring (flank 1 = 0 quarter to ring, flank 2 = 1 quarter to ring, flank 3 = 2 quarters to ring, flank 4 = 3 quarters to ring).

In addition, there is provided a second stop 22 fixedly mounted on the frame of said part, the second hook 18 being arranged to cooperate with said second stop 22 so as to pivot to cooperate with one of the teeth of the second 21 drive tooth according to the position of the quarter part 4 and remove the dead time.

More specifically, there is provided a stop 22, such as a pin, fixedly mounted on the frame of the timepiece, cooperating with the hook 18 which has a shape such that when the room hours 2 pivots around its axis 3 and falls by driving the hook 18, the latter meets the stop 22 and is raised to disengage the drive gear 21, and when the hour piece pivots about its axis 3 during the ringing leading the hook 18, said hook 18 is no longer retained by the stop 22 and pivots to cooperate with a tooth of the drive gear 21 of the quarter part 4, as will be described later.

With reference to FIG. 4, the minute piece 6 has the general shape of an arc of a circle, concentric with the arc of the room of the hours 2 and of the room of the quarters 4, and is mounted pivoting about the axis 3. Thus, the three parts of the hours 2, quarters 4 and minutes 6 are generally concentric and pivot about the same axis 3.

The minute piece 6 has an inner space circular, concentric, allowing the passage of the axis 15 of the ringing drive mobile. It comprises on its outer rim, in a known manner, a rake minutes arranged to actuate the lifting minutes 8a, and the opposite side, a minute sensor 26 arranged to cooperate with a minute cam 27 driven classically by the basic movement not shown, in order to take information relating to the current time.

In a known manner, the minute cam 27 and the quarter cam 5 are coaxial and include a surprise 29. The minute sensor 26 can be in one piece with the coin 6 nninutes or be an integral element mounted integrally to said minute piece 6. A not shown spring is arranged to exert on the minute piece 6 a force tending to bring the feeler minutes 26 in contact with the minute cam 27. These elements are known to those skilled in the art and do not require detailed description.

In a known manner, the quarter part 4 and the minute part 6 are kinematically connected by means of a drive member cooperating with a first toothing.

More specifically, the quarter part 4 also has, on its outer periphery, in the extension of the quarter sensor 17, a hook 30, pivotally mounted about an axis 31 and its return spring 32. These elements are not shown in Figures 2 and 3 so as not to weigh down the drawings. The minute piece 6 comprises, at the level of the hook 30, a concentric circular opening, arranged with respect to the quarter piece 4 so that the hook 30 of the quarter piece appears in said opening of the minute piece 6. By elsewhere, said opening of the minute piece 6 has along its rim, opposite the hook 30, a drive toothing 34, fourteen teeth cut so that the fifteen flanks present correspond to the number of minutes to ring (flank 1 = 0 minute to ring, flank 2 = 1 minute to ring, flank 15 = 14 minutes to ring).

In addition, there is provided a stop 36, such as a pin, fixedly mounted on the frame of the timepiece, cooperating with the hook 30 which has a shape such that when the quarter part 4 pivots around its axis 3 and falls by driving the hook 30, said hook 30 meets the stop 36 and is lifted to disengage the drive gear 34, and when the quarter part 4 pivots about its axis 3 during the ringing by driving the hook 30, said hook 30 is no longer retained by the stop 36, and pivots to cooperate with a tooth of the drive toothing 34 of the minute piece 6, as will be described later. To ring the timepiece according to the invention, the hour part 2 must be driven by the pinion 10, which can be kinematically connected to any suitable ringing drive mobile. A first embodiment of such a ringer drive unit is described more particularly with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. This ringer drive unit 40 comprises, arranged coaxially with respect to the axis 15, a rim wheel. ring 41 secured to the axis 15, the pinion 10 mounted free to rotate about said axis 15, and a clutch system 43 arranged to move between an engaged position according to which the ringing wheel 41 is kinematically connected to the pinion 10 to allow the ringing, and a disengaged position in which the pinion 10 is disconnected from the ringing wheel 41 to allow the preparation for ringing.

The ringing wheel 41 cooperates with the other elements of the ring gear, powered by a power source such as a ring barrel (not shown). As described above, the pinion 10 cooperates with the toothed sector 9 of the hours 2 part.

The clutch system 43 comprises a plate 44 secured to the ringing wheel 41, a pawl 45 carried by said plate 44 and arranged to move between the engaged position and the disengaged position, and a pinion 46 mounted free to rotate around the axis 15 and secured to the pinion 10. The pawl 45 comprises a first end 45a pivotally mounted on the plate 44 about an axis 47 fixed on said plate 44, and a second end 45b lying freely on the plate 44 and completed by a spout 49 arranged to cooperate with the pinion 46 in the engaged position as shown in Figure 5. Moreover, the pawl 45 carries a pin 50 mounted therethrough in a corresponding oblong hole provided on a trigger ratchet 52. Said ratchet The trigger 52 is mounted free to rotate about the axis 15, above the pawl 45, and is driven by a control member, such as a trip lever (not shown). The part of the pawl 45 between the pin 50 and the spout 49 is arranged eccentrically with respect to the axis 15 so that this part deviates from the axis 15 when the trigger ratchet 52 is actuated by the organ order to clear the nose 49 of the pinion 46, in order to disconnect said pinion 46 of the plate 44 and thus of the ringing wheel 41 to reach the disengaged position.

Another embodiment of a ringing drive mobile is described more particularly with reference to Figures 8 to 1 1. The parts identical to the previous embodiment are repeated with the same references.

This ringing drive mobile 60 comprises, arranged coaxially with the axis 15, a ringing wheel 61 mounted free to rotate about said axis 15, the pinion 10 integral with the axis 15, and a system of clutch 63 arranged to move between an engaged position according to which the ringing wheel 61 is kinematically connected to the pinion 10 to allow the ringing, and a disengaged position in which the pinion 10 is disconnected from the ringing wheel 61 to allow the preparation to the alarm.

The ringing wheel 61 cooperates with the other elements of the ring gear, powered by a power source such as a striking barrel (not shown). As described above, the pinion 10 cooperates with the toothed sector 9 of the hours 2 part.

In this variant, the clutch system 63 comprises a rake 64 coaxial with the axis 15, and having a toothing 65 arranged to cooperate with a control member such as a trip lever (not shown). The rake 64 comprises a control pawl 66 and a spring 67.

The clutch system also comprises a drive ratchet 68 secured to a central tube 69 mounted free to rotate about the axis 15. The drive ratchet 68 comprises a toothing arranged to cooperate with the ratchet of 66 of the rake 64. The central tube 69 comprises a toothed sector 70 whose role will be described below.

It is also provided a release ratchet 72 integral with the axis 15.

On the other hand, the clutch system 63 comprises a release pawl 74 integral with a plate 75 pivotally mounted on a support 76 about a pivot 77 fixed on said support 76. This support 76 is integral with the ringing wheel 61. The release pawl 74 and the support 76 are arranged around the disengagement ratchet 72, corresponding to the second pinion integral with the first pinion 10. The disengagement pawl 74 comprises a spout 78 arranged to cooperate with the toothing of the declutching ratchet 72

The plate 75 has a central inner opening 80 for the passage of the central tube 69 and its toothed sector 70.

In addition, there is provided on the periphery of the central opening 80 a toothed sector 82 arranged to cooperate with the toothed sector 70 of the central tube 69.

To improve the compactness of the ringing drive mobile 60, the drive ratchet 68 has an opening for the passage of the upper part of the support 76.

The operation of the elements presented above is as follows. At rest, the elements are in the position shown in Figures 3 and 4, the hooks 18 and 30 being engaged with the teeth 21 and 34 respectively so that the parts of hours, quarters and minutes are kinematically connected. These parts are positioned so that the pinion 10 of the ringing drive mobile meshes with the first teeth of the toothed sector 9 of the room hours 2 (right in Figures 3 and 4). The ringing drive mobile is in the engaged position. Referring to the driving wheel 40 shown in the engaged position in FIG. 5, when the striking control member is actuated, it drives the detent ratchet 52 counter-clockwise so that the second end 45b of the ratchet 45 is also moved counter-clockwise by means of the pin 50. On moving, the second end 45b departs from the pinion 46 so that the nose 49 disengages from said pinion 46. The drive wheel ring 40 is then in the disengaged position, as shown in FIG.

It is understood that in this disengaged position, the pinions 10 and 46 integral with each other, are no longer kinematically connected to the ringing wheel 41, so that they are free to pivot about the axis 15.

In reference to the driving wheel 60, when the ringing control member is actuated, it drives the rake 64 by its teeth 65 in the counter clockwise on a given angle. The control pawl 66 then drives the drive ratchet 68, itself driving the central tube 69, which is integral therewith, and its toothed sector 70. All these parts rotating together, the central tube 69 constitutes a single and unique length bearing to the whole, which improves the quality of operation. By turning, the toothed sector 70 of the central tube 69 pushes the toothed sector 82 of the plate 75 thus rotating, counterclockwise, said plate 75 and the release pawl 74 which is secured thereto, about its pivot 77. Said pivot 77 being offset relative to the axis 15, the movement of the release pawl 74 is not concentric with the axis 15. Thus, the spout 78 of the release pawl

74 disengages its clutch release ratchet 72, to reach the disengaged position. It will be understood that in this disengaged position, the disengagement ratchet 72 being integral with the axis 15 and the pinion 10, and the disengagement pawl 74 being connected to the ringing wheel 61 via the plate 75 and its pivot 77, said pinion 10 is no longer kinematically connected to the ringing wheel 61, so that they are free to pivot about the axis 15.

The hour part 2 is therefore also free to rotate about its axis 3, its toothed sector 9 rotating the pinion 10 released. Under the action of its return spring, the hour part 2 then moves in rotation in the clockwise direction until the hour sensor 12 reaches the hour cam 13 positioned according to the current time. The pinion 10 is then positioned in correspondence with the toothed sector 9 (on the left in FIG. 1).

During the rotation of the workpiece hours 2, the hook 18 meets the stop 22 so that it pivots and disengages the toothing 21. The quarter part 4 is thus released. Under the thrust of its spring, the quarter part 4 rotates clockwise and falls on the quarter cam 5 positioned according to the current time. Similarly, during the rotation of the quarter part 4, the hook 30 meets the stop 36 so that it rotates and disengages the toothing 34. The minute piece 6 is thus released. Under the pressure of its spring, the minute piece 6 pivots clockwise and falls on the minute cam 27 positioned in function current time. The pieces thus placed, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, enter into action for the ring, powered by the energy source of the ring gear.

In reference to the ringing drive mobile 40, the control member driving the trigger ratchet 52 is returned to the rest position by a spring and blocks the trigger ratchet 52. During the ringing, it will then be used as a jumper for the relaxation ratchet 52.

The ringing wheel 41 is driven by the other elements of the ring gear in the counterclockwise direction so that the plate 44, the axis 47 and the first end 45a of the pawl 45 also advance counterclockwise. The pin 50 being engaged in the detent ratchet 52 locked in rotation by its control member, retains the pawl 45 so that said pawl 45 tilts about the axis 47 by bringing the spout 49 to the pinion 46 to the spout 49 cooperates with said pinion 46 to reach the engaged position shown in Figure 5. In this position, the pinions 46 and 10 are kinematically connected to the ringing wheel 41 via the pawl 45, so that the pinion 10 pivots in the counterclockwise direction.

In reference to the ringing drive mobile 60, the control member is returned to the rest position by a spring and locks the toothing 65 of the rake 64. Its control pawl 66 then retains the drive ratchet 68 by the force of the spring 67. The drive ratchet being retained, the central tube 69 and its sector gear 70 are also retained. The toothed sector 70 of the central tube 69 then retains the toothed sector 82 of the plate 75.

The ringing wheel 61 is driven by the other elements of the ring gear in the counterclockwise direction. The pivot 77 of the plate 75 being integral with the ringing wheel also advances in the counterclockwise direction. The combination of the movement of the pivot 77 of the plate 75 and the force of its toothed sector 82 causes a movement of the release pawl 74, its spout 78 swinging towards its disengaging ratchet 72. The spout 78 of the release pawl 74 reaches the declutching ratchet 72 and then starts push it to reach the engaged position. In this position, the declutching ratchet 72 being integral with the axis 15 and therefore the pinion 10, said pinion 10 is then kinematically connected to the ringing wheel 61 by means of the release pawl 74, so that the pinion 10 rotates counter-clockwise.

Once engaged, it is the release pawl 74 which, via the toothed sector 82 of the plate 75, drives the central tube 69 and thus the drive ratchet 68 which is secured thereto. The rake 64 being retained by its control member, it will not be able to move in this direction, its control pawl 66 then being arranged to let the drive ratchet 68 pass.

The pinion 10 pivoting in the counterclockwise direction, causes a rotational movement of the workpiece hours 2 in the counterclockwise direction. The rake hours 1 1 cooperates with the lifting hours 7a to lift the first hammer according to the current time. When the hours have come, the hour part 2 continues its rotation by driving with it the hook 18. The hook 18 is arranged so that it leaves the stop 22, pivots and comes into contact with one of the teeth of the drive gear 21 according to the position of the quarter part 4 depending on the current time.

Driving the quarter part by the hour part by means of a hook and a gear respectively provided on one or the other of these parts according to the invention allows to eliminate dead time . Indeed, the hook 18 and the drive gear 21 are dimensioned and positioned so that the hook 18 enters directly into the tooth of the drive toothing 21 which corresponds to the number of quarters to ring.

When the hours have finished ringing, the hook 18 is always found in the same place regardless of the number of hours struck. As a result, he falls on the tooth of the quarterpiece that is positioned next to the hook via the quarter probe according to the number of quarters to ring.

The quarter part 4 driven by the hour part 2 by means of the hook 18 pivots in the counterclockwise direction, its teeth 16a, 16b cooperating with the lifts of quarters 7b, 8b to lift the first hammer and the second hammer according to the current time.

When the quarters have rung, the quarter part 4 continues its rotation by driving with it the hook 30. The hook 30 is arranged so that it leaves the abutment 36, pivots and comes into contact with one of the teeth of the drive toothing 34 depending on the position of the minute part 6 depending on the current time.

The minute room 6 driven by the quarter part 4 by means of the hook 30 pivots in the counterclockwise direction, the minute rake 25 cooperating with the minutes lift 8a to lift the second hammer according to the current time .

In addition to eliminating the dead time, the training of the quarter part by the hour part by means of a hook and a gear respectively provided on one or the other of these parts according to the The invention makes it possible to simplify the ringing drive wheel in comparison with a traditional ringing drive wheel which comprises a ratchet of hours, a quarter gear and its drive mechanism, such as a finger cooperating with a pin. .

Claims

claims

1. Timepiece comprising a striking mechanism (1) comprising a ring gear, at least two ring hammers arranged to produce different tone sounds, a lifting hours (7a) and a first lift quarters (7b) ) for actuating one of the hammers, a lifting of the minutes (8a) and a second lifting of the quarters (8b) to actuate the other hammer, a part of the hours (2) comprising a toothed sector (9) arranged to cooperate with the ring gear, a rake hours (1 1) arranged to actuate the lifting hours (7a) and a feeler hours (12) arranged to cooperate with a cam hours (13), a quarter part (4) comprising a quarter rake having a first toothing (16a) arranged to actuate the first lift of quarters (7b) and a second toothing (16b) arranged to actuate the second lift of quarters (8b), and a quarter feeler (17) arranged to cooperate with a quarter cam (5), and a pi minute (6) comprising a minute rake (25) arranged to actuate the lifting of the minutes (8a) and a minute feeler (26) arranged to cooperate with a minute cam (27), said hour pieces (2). ), quarters (4) and minutes (6) being pivotally mounted about a same axis (3), the quarter part (4) and the minute part (6) being connected kinematically by means of a first driving member cooperating with a first driving gear (34), characterized in that one of the hours part (2) and the quarter part (4) comprises a second drive gear (21) and the other of the hour part (2) and the quarter piece (4) comprises a second drive member arranged to be able to cooperate with said second drive gear (21) and kinematically connect the workpiece. hours (2) and the quarter room (4), eliminating the time-outs between the hour bell and that of quarters, or between hours and minutes when there is no quarter to ring.

2. Timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that the first drive member comprises a first hook (30) pivotally mounted on the part of the quarters (4) and in that the first drive toothing (34). ) is provided on the minute piece (6) facing said first hook (30).

3. Timepiece according to claim 2, characterized in that there is provided a first stop (36) fixedly mounted on the frame of said piece, the first hook (30) being arranged to cooperate with said first stop (36). ) to pivot to cooperate with one of the teeth of said first toothing (34) depending on the position of the minute piece (6).

4. Timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there is provided a second stop (22) fixedly mounted on the frame of said workpiece, the second drive member being arranged to cooperate with said second stop (22) so as to cooperate with one of the teeth of said second drive toothing (21) as a function of the position of said second drive toothing (21) and eliminate dead time.

5. Timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second drive member comprises a second hook (18).

6. Timepiece according to claim 5, characterized in that said second hook (18) is pivotally mounted on the hour piece (2) and in that the second drive toothing (21) is provided on the piece quarters (4) facing said second hook (18).

7. Timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ring gear comprises a ringing driving wheel (40, 60) comprising, arranged in a coaxial manner, a ringing wheel (41, 61) cooperating with an energy source, a first pinion (10) cooperating with the hours part (2), and a clutch system (43, 63) arranged to move between an engaged position according to which said ringing wheel (41) is kinematically connected to said first pinion (10) for enabling the striking and a disengaged position in which said first pinion (10) is disconnected from said ringing wheel (41) to enable the bell pickup.

8. Timepiece according to claim 7, characterized in that the clutch system (43, 63) comprises a pawl (45, 74) integral with the wheel of ring (41, 61) and having a nose (49, 78) and a second pinion (46, 72) integral with the first pinion (10) and arranged to cooperate with the spout (49, 78) of the pawl (45, 74). ), said pawl (45, 74) being arranged to move between the engaged position in which the spout (49, 78) cooperates with said second pinion (46, 72), said first (10) and second (46, 72) pinions being rotated by the ringing wheel (41, 61), and the disengaged position in which the pawl (49, 78) of the pawl is disengaged from said second pinion (46, 72), said first (10) and second ( 46, 72) being then free to rotate relative to the ringing wheel (41, 61).

9. Timepiece according to claim 8, characterized in that the clutch system (43) comprises a first plate (44) integral with the ringing wheel (41), the pawl (45) being carried by said first plate (44), said pawl (45) comprising a first end (45a) pivotally mounted on said first plate (44) and a second end (45b) free having the nose (49).

10. Timepiece according to claim 9, characterized in that the pawl (45) carries a pin (50) cooperating with a trigger ratchet (52) mounted freely rotatable coaxially with the ringing wheel (41) and controlled by a control member, a portion of the pawl (45) between the pin (50) and the spout (49) being arranged eccentrically with respect to the axis of the ringing drive gear.

1 1. Timepiece according to claim 10, characterized in that, to reach the disengaged position, said trigger ratchet (52) is arranged to be driven by said control member, and to move the second end (45b) pawl (45) by driving the pin (50) so that the spout (49) of the pawl (45) is disengaged from the second pinion (46).

12. Timepiece according to any one of claims 10 and 1 1, characterized in that, to reach the engaged position, said trigger ratchet (52) is arranged to be blocked by said control member, so as to retain the pin (50), and in that the ringing wheel (41) is arranged to be rotated and carry the first plate (44) and the first end (45a) of the pawl (45) so that said pawl (45) tilts back its beak (49) in cooperation with the second pinion (46).

13. Timepiece according to claim 8, characterized in that the clutch system (63) comprises a second plate (75) comprising a first toothed sector (82) and pivotally mounted on the ringing wheel (61), the pawl (74) being integral with said second plate (75).

Timepiece according to claim 13, characterized in that the clutch system (63) comprises a central tube (69) having a second toothed sector (70) arranged to cooperate with the first tooth sector (82) of the second plate (75) and secured to a control ratchet (68) controlled by a control member.

15. Timepiece according to claim 14, characterized in that, to reach the disengaged position, said control ratchet (68) is arranged to be driven by said control member, and to move the pawl (74) by the driving the first toothed sector (82) of the second platen (75) so that the spout (78) of the pawl (74) is disengaged from the second gear (72).

16. Timepiece according to any one of claims 14 and 15, characterized in that, to reach the engaged position, said control ratchet (68) is arranged to be blocked by said control member, so as to retain the first toothed sector (82) of the second plate (75), and in that the ring gear (61) is arranged to be rotated and carry the second plate (75) and the pawl (74) so that said ratchet (74) tilts back its beak (78) in cooperation with the second pinion (72).