EP3821300B1 - Watch provided with a rotating bezel with system for locking the bezel provided with an integrated helium valve - Google Patents

Watch provided with a rotating bezel with system for locking the bezel provided with an integrated helium valve Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3821300B1
EP3821300B1 EP19732353.8A EP19732353A EP3821300B1 EP 3821300 B1 EP3821300 B1 EP 3821300B1 EP 19732353 A EP19732353 A EP 19732353A EP 3821300 B1 EP3821300 B1 EP 3821300B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bezel
tube
hole
crown
pin
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EP19732353.8A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3821300A1 (en
Inventor
Nicolas Ehrsam
Laurie Saunders
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Tissot SA
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Tissot SA
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Publication of EP3821300A1 publication Critical patent/EP3821300A1/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
    • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
    • G04B19/28—Adjustable guide marks or pointers for indicating determined points of time
    • G04B19/283—Adjustable guide marks or pointers for indicating determined points of time on rotatable rings, i.e. bezel
    • G04B19/286—Adjustable guide marks or pointers for indicating determined points of time on rotatable rings, i.e. bezel with locking means to prevent undesired rotations in both directions

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to watches provided with a rotating bezel.
  • the rotating bezel of a watch mainly used in sports watches, allows you to mark a point in time which serves as a reference point for the duration of a sporting or other activity.
  • a point in time which serves as a reference point for the duration of a sporting or other activity.
  • Different locking systems have been developed, which are usually complex and expensive to manufacture, or which do not guarantee secure locking of the scope.
  • the present invention aims to provide a locking system for the bezel of a watch, which is simple and which guarantees locking in all circumstances.
  • a watch case equipped with said system is described in the appended claims.
  • the invention relates to a watch whose case comprises a middle part and a rotating bezel, provided with a bezel locking system.
  • the system comprises a rotating crown which is integral with an axis, the latter being fitted in a radial hole provided in the middle part.
  • the user can screw or unscrew the axis in relation to the hole.
  • the axis comprises a frustoconical section which interacts with a pin mounted perpendicular to the axis, and returned towards the axis by a spring.
  • the frustoconical section will push the pin into a receiving space provided on the lower surface of the bezel, which will lock the bezel. Unscrewing the axle automatically releases the pin from the receiving space thanks to the return force exerted by the spring.
  • the indications 'lower' and 'upper' describe the position of elements of a watch case when it is held horizontally, with the means for indicating the time oriented upwards.
  • FIG. 1 represents a middle part 2 of a watch case according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • a rotating bezel 3 is mounted on the upper surface of the middle part 2.
  • the internal components such as a needle dial, a digital index as well as the internal mechanism do not are not represented. These components do not form the subject of the invention and they can be produced by known methods and technologies.
  • the middle part 2 is provided with horns 4 for fixing the strands of a bracelet. On the plan view at figure 2 , we see the classic crown 5 for adjusting the watch hands.
  • the middle part 2 is provided with an additional crown 6 which is part of the locking system of the rotating bezel 3 according to the invention.
  • the locking crown 6 is shown in section, in the unlocked position of the system.
  • the bezel 3 is rotatably retained on the middle part 2 by a polygonal spring 30 housed in a pair of lateral grooves provided respectively in the bezel and in the middle part.
  • a first element of the locking system is formed by a radial hole 7 in the middle part 2, in which a tube 8 is fixedly mounted.
  • the tube 8 can for example be driven, glued or screwed into the middle part 2.
  • a part of the tube 8 protrudes from the outer side wall of the middle part 2.
  • the tube 8 is provided with an internal thread, the thread extending to the less over the length of the part which protrudes from the middle part 2 and is intended to cooperate with a corresponding thread of the locking crown 6.
  • the locking crown 6 is secured to an axis 9, the different portions of which are visible at figures 3 and 4 , as well as the Figure 5 which represents a 3D view of the axis.
  • the axis 9 comprises a threaded section 10, the external thread of said section corresponding to the internal thread provided in the tube 8.
  • the threaded section 10 is located inside the crown 6, on the internal surface of a circular groove 19 which extends in the body of the crown 6.
  • the threaded section 10 is followed by a first cylindrical section 11 (non-threaded), a frustoconical section 12 and a second cylindrical section 13 which is terminated by a flange 14.
  • the frustoconical section 12 causes the diameter of the axis to decrease continuously between the diameters of the first and the second cylindrical section 11 and 13.
  • the diameter of the flange 14 corresponds to the internal diameter of the tube 8, so that the collar 14 can slide relative to the tube 8.
  • the lower face of the bezel 3 comprises a plurality of axial holes 15 distributed regularly around the periphery of the bezel.
  • the middle part 2 is provided with a hole 20 which is oriented perpendicular to the axis 9, and in which a pin 21 is mounted, so that said pin 21 slides relative to the hole 20 and interacts with the axis 9.
  • the central axes of the pin 21 and the locking axis 9 are perpendicular to each other and intersect at a point.
  • the pin 21 is returned towards the axis 9 by a spring 22, so as to maintain physical contact between the lower end of the pin 21 and the surface of the axis 9.
  • the crown 6 is unscrewed completely ( Figure 3 )
  • the pin 21 is in contact with the section with a minimum diameter 13 and with the collar 14. In this position, the upper end of the pin 21 is not housed in any of the axial holes 15 of the bezel 3.
  • the bezel 3 is then free and can be rotated by the user.
  • the user can then insert the axis 9 into the tube 8 by screwing the threaded section 10 into the tube.
  • the movement of the axis 9 will gradually push the pin 21 into one of the axial holes 15 of the bezel, by the interaction between the pin 21 and the slope of the frustoconical section 12, and this against the prestressing force exerted by spring 22.
  • the lower end of the pin 21 is in contact with the first cylindrical section 11 and the upper end of the pin 21 is housed in the hole 15, which makes it possible to obtain a secure locking of the bezel which cannot be accidentally released.
  • the part of the tube which protrudes from the wall of the middle part has entered the circular groove 19.
  • the user unscrews the crown 6 towards the configuration of the Figure 3 .
  • Spring 22 lowers pin 21 until the pin is completely out of hole 15, resulting in the release of the bezel.
  • the pin 21 is fitted in a sliding manner in a block 23 mounted in the hole 20 and comprising seals 24.
  • the tube 8 may comprise a portion 25 having a diameter greater than that of the rest of the tube, said portion 25 being mounted abutting against the exterior side wall of the middle part 2.
  • the crown 6 of its side is provided with a seal 26 between the body of the crown and the exterior surface of the tube 8. The seal 26 will be pushed against the portion of greater diameter 25 when the crown 6 arrives at its locking position.
  • the seal 26 will not only have a sealing effect but it will also ensure a fixed closure thanks to its compression between the crown 6 and the portion with a greater diameter 25.
  • a helium valve 29 is integrated into the crown and more precisely inside the axis 9.
  • the valve is arranged coaxially with the axis 9. It includes a body 30 prestressed by a spring 31.
  • the body 30 comprises at its inner end a surface 32 which is subjected to the pressure prevailing inside the middle part 2. From a predefined threshold, the pressure will overcome the force of preload exerted by the spring 31, resulting in the depressurization of the interior of the middle part 2.
  • One or more seals 34 and 35 are mounted between the body of the valve 30 and the internal surface of the axis 9.
  • valves in diving watches is known per se and the invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in the figures, but it also includes embodiments which do not include a valve. inside the axis 9, or which include a valve mounted elsewhere on the middle part 2.
  • the function of the valve is to release gases infiltrated into the watch during a saturation dive. As it rises, the pressure created by these gases, generally Helium, can damage the watch.
  • the groove 19 between the body of the crown 6 and the axis 9 in cooperation with the part of the tube 8 which protrudes from the middle part 2 results in a robust structure having good sealing properties.
  • other forms of crowns attached to an axis are imaginable.
  • said first and second cylindrical sections are not essential: the extreme positions of the pin 21 relative to the section frustoconical section 12 can be found on said frustoconical section itself.
  • the axis 9 can be fitted directly in a threaded hole in the middle part 2 rather than in a tube 8 mounted in the middle part.
  • the holes 15 are only examples of receiving spaces capable of receiving the end of the pin 21.
  • the bezel 3 could comprise axial teeth on its lower surface, with the hollows between two teeth forming a receiving space for the pin 21.
  • the end of the pin 21 is preferably machined so that the shape of said end corresponds to the shape of the recesses.

Description

Domaine techniqueTechnical area

La présente invention se rapporte aux montres pourvues d'une lunette tournante.The present invention relates to watches provided with a rotating bezel.

État de la techniqueState of the art

La lunette tournante d'une montre, principalement utilisée dans les montres de sport, permet de marquer un point dans le temps qui sert de point de référence pour la durée d'une activité sportive ou autre. Pour certains types de montre, tels que les montres de plongée, il est important de pouvoir verrouiller la lunette afin d'éviter des actionnements intempestifs de celle-ci et une perte de repère temporel en lien avec la durée de l'activité. Différents systèmes de verrouillage ont été développés, qui sont généralement complexes et chers à fabriquer, ou qui ne garantissent pas un verrouillage sûr de la lunette.The rotating bezel of a watch, mainly used in sports watches, allows you to mark a point in time which serves as a reference point for the duration of a sporting or other activity. For certain types of watch, such as diving watches, it is important to be able to lock the bezel in order to avoid accidental actuation of the bezel and loss of time reference linked to the duration of the activity. Different locking systems have been developed, which are usually complex and expensive to manufacture, or which do not guarantee secure locking of the scope.

La revendication 1 annexée montre les caractéristiques distinctives suivantes par rapport au document US 2008/117723 A1 :

  1. i) La couronne (contrairement au bouton poussoir du document cité ici), est rotative, ce qui implique un filetage intérieur sur un premier trou, et un filetage extérieur sur un tronçon de l'axe de la couronne, et le fait que la couronne puisse être vissée ou dévissée.
  2. ii) La position dévissée (ou tirée) de la couronne provoque le déverrouillage de la lunette, (dans le document cité ici, c'est la position poussée, correspondant à la position vissée, qui permet le déverrouillage, et inversement pour le verrouillage.
  3. iii) la goupille est munie d'un ressort qui est précontraint de façon à maintenir un contact physique entre une première extrémité de la goupille et la surface extérieure de l'axe.
The appended claim 1 shows the following distinctive features with respect to the document US 2008/117723 A1 :
  1. i) The crown (unlike the push button in the document cited here), is rotatable, which implies an internal thread on a first hole, and an external thread on a section of the axis of the crown, and the fact that the crown can be screwed or unscrewed.
  2. ii) The unscrewed (or pulled) position of the crown causes the unlocking of the bezel, (in the document cited here, it is the pushed position, corresponding to the screwed position, which allows unlocking, and vice versa for locking.
  3. iii) the pin is provided with a spring which is preloaded so as to maintain physical contact between a first end of the pin and the exterior surface of the axle.

Résumé de l'inventionSummary of the invention

La présente invention vise à fournir un système de verrouillage de la lunette d'une montre, qui est simple et qui garantit le verrouillage en toutes circonstances. Une boîte de montre munie dudit système est décrite dans les revendications annexées.The present invention aims to provide a locking system for the bezel of a watch, which is simple and which guarantees locking in all circumstances. A watch case equipped with said system is described in the appended claims.

L'invention concerne une montre dont la boîte comprend une carrure et une lunette tournante, pourvue d'un système de verrouillage de la lunette. Le système comprend une couronne rotative qui est solidaire d'un axe, ce dernier étant aménagé dans un trou radial ménagé dans la carrure. En tournant la couronne, l'utilisateur peut visser ou dévisser l'axe par rapport au trou. L'axe comprend un tronçon tronconique qui interagit avec une goupille montée perpendiculairement à l'axe, et rappelée vers l'axe par un ressort. En vissant l'axe dans le trou, le tronçon tronconique va pousser la goupille dans un espace récepteur pourvu sur la surface inférieure de la lunette, ce qui va verrouiller la lunette. Le dévissage de l'axe dégage automatiquement la goupille hors de l'espace récepteur grâce à la force de rappel exercée par le ressort.The invention relates to a watch whose case comprises a middle part and a rotating bezel, provided with a bezel locking system. The system comprises a rotating crown which is integral with an axis, the latter being fitted in a radial hole provided in the middle part. In turning the crown, the user can screw or unscrew the axis in relation to the hole. The axis comprises a frustoconical section which interacts with a pin mounted perpendicular to the axis, and returned towards the axis by a spring. By screwing the axis into the hole, the frustoconical section will push the pin into a receiving space provided on the lower surface of the bezel, which will lock the bezel. Unscrewing the axle automatically releases the pin from the receiving space thanks to the return force exerted by the spring.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront dans la description suivante de modes de réalisation préférés, présentés à titre d'exemple non limitatif en référence aux dessins annexés.Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear in the following description of preferred embodiments, presented by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings.

Brève description des figuresBrief description of the figures

  • La figure 1 représente une image en 3D de la structure externe d'une boîte de montre selon une forme d'exécution de l'invention.There figure 1 represents a 3D image of the external structure of a watch case according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • La figure 2 représente une vue en plan de la structure de la figure 1.There figure 2 represents a plan view of the structure of the figure 1 .
  • La figure 3 représente une vue en coupe du système de verrouillage selon l'invention, en position déverrouillée.There Figure 3 represents a sectional view of the locking system according to the invention, in the unlocked position.
  • La figure 4 représente une vue en coupe du système de verrouillage selon l'invention, en position verrouillée.There figure 4 represents a sectional view of the locking system according to the invention, in the locked position.
  • La figure 5 représente une vue en 3D du système de verrouillage coopérant avec la lunette de montre.There figure 5 represents a 3D view of the locking system cooperating with the watch bezel.
Description détaillée de formes d'exécution de l'inventionDetailed description of embodiments of the invention

Dans le texte suivant, les indications 'inférieur' et 'supérieur' décrivent la position d'éléments d'une boîte de montre quand celle-ci est tenue horizontalement, avec les moyens pour indiquer l'heure orientés vers le haut.In the following text, the indications 'lower' and 'upper' describe the position of elements of a watch case when it is held horizontally, with the means for indicating the time oriented upwards.

La figure 1 représente une carrure 2 d'une boîte de montre selon une forme d'exécution de l'invention. Une lunette tournante 3 est montée sur la surface supérieure de la carrure 2. Les composants internes tels qu'un cadran à aiguilles, un index numérique ainsi que le mécanisme interne ne sont pas représentés. Ces composants ne forment pas le sujet de l'invention et ils peuvent être réalisés par des méthodes et selon des technologies connues. La carrure 2 est pourvue de cornes 4 pour la fixation des brins d'un bracelet. Sur la vue en plan à la figure 2, on voit la couronne classique 5 d'ajustement des aiguilles de la montre. La carrure 2 est munie d'une couronne additionnelle 6 qui fait partie du système de verrouillage de la lunette tournante 3 selon l'invention.There figure 1 represents a middle part 2 of a watch case according to one embodiment of the invention. A rotating bezel 3 is mounted on the upper surface of the middle part 2. The internal components such as a needle dial, a digital index as well as the internal mechanism do not are not represented. These components do not form the subject of the invention and they can be produced by known methods and technologies. The middle part 2 is provided with horns 4 for fixing the strands of a bracelet. On the plan view at figure 2 , we see the classic crown 5 for adjusting the watch hands. The middle part 2 is provided with an additional crown 6 which is part of the locking system of the rotating bezel 3 according to the invention.

A la figure 3, la couronne de verrouillage 6 est montrée en section, dans la position déverrouillée du système. De manière connue, la lunette 3 est retenue de manière rotative sur la carrure 2 par un ressort polygonal 30 logé dans une paire de gorges latérales pourvues respectivement dans la lunette et dans la carrure. Un premier élément du système de verrouillage est formé par un trou radial 7 dans la carrure 2, dans lequel un tube 8 est monté de manière fixe. Le tube 8 peut par exemple être chassé, collé ou vissé dans la carrure 2. Une partie du tube 8 dépasse de la paroi latérale extérieure de la carrure 2. Le tube 8 est pourvu d'un filetage intérieur, le filetage s'étendant au moins sur la longueur de la partie qui dépasse de la carrure 2 et est destiné à coopérer avec un filetage correspondant de la couronne de verrouillage 6.To the Figure 3 , the locking crown 6 is shown in section, in the unlocked position of the system. In known manner, the bezel 3 is rotatably retained on the middle part 2 by a polygonal spring 30 housed in a pair of lateral grooves provided respectively in the bezel and in the middle part. A first element of the locking system is formed by a radial hole 7 in the middle part 2, in which a tube 8 is fixedly mounted. The tube 8 can for example be driven, glued or screwed into the middle part 2. A part of the tube 8 protrudes from the outer side wall of the middle part 2. The tube 8 is provided with an internal thread, the thread extending to the less over the length of the part which protrudes from the middle part 2 and is intended to cooperate with a corresponding thread of the locking crown 6.

La couronne de verrouillage 6 est solidaire d'un axe 9 dont les différentes portions sont visibles aux figures 3 et 4, ainsi qu'à la figure 5 qui représente une vue en 3D de l'axe. Venant de l'extérieur de la carrure 2 vers l'intérieur, l'axe 9 comprend un tronçon fileté 10, le filetage extérieur dudit tronçon correspondant au filetage intérieur pourvu dans le tube 8. Le tronçon fileté 10 se trouve à l'intérieur de la couronne 6, sur la surface interne d'une gorge circulaire 19 qui s'étend dans le corps de la couronne 6. Le tronçon à filetage 10 est suivi par un premier tronçon cylindrique 11 (non-fileté), un tronçon tronconique 12 et un deuxième tronçon cylindrique 13 qui est terminée par une collerette 14. Le tronçon tronconique 12 fait diminuer le diamètre de l'axe de manière continue entre les diamètres du premier et du deuxième tronçon cylindrique 11 et 13. Le diamètre de la collerette 14 correspond au diamètre interne du tube 8, de manière à ce que la collerette 14 puisse coulisser par rapport au tube 8.The locking crown 6 is secured to an axis 9, the different portions of which are visible at figures 3 and 4 , as well as the Figure 5 which represents a 3D view of the axis. Coming from the outside of the middle part 2 towards the inside, the axis 9 comprises a threaded section 10, the external thread of said section corresponding to the internal thread provided in the tube 8. The threaded section 10 is located inside the crown 6, on the internal surface of a circular groove 19 which extends in the body of the crown 6. The threaded section 10 is followed by a first cylindrical section 11 (non-threaded), a frustoconical section 12 and a second cylindrical section 13 which is terminated by a flange 14. The frustoconical section 12 causes the diameter of the axis to decrease continuously between the diameters of the first and the second cylindrical section 11 and 13. The diameter of the flange 14 corresponds to the internal diameter of the tube 8, so that the collar 14 can slide relative to the tube 8.

A la figure 5, on voit que la face inférieure de la lunette 3 comprend une pluralité de trous axiaux 15 distribués de manière régulière sur le pourtour de la lunette.To the figure 5 , we see that the lower face of the bezel 3 comprises a plurality of axial holes 15 distributed regularly around the periphery of the bezel.

De plus, comme montré aux figures 3 et 4, la carrure 2 est pourvue d'un trou 20 qui est orienté perpendiculairement à l'axe 9, et dans lequel une goupille 21 est montée, de manière à ce que ladite goupille 21 coulisse par rapport au trou 20 et interagisse avec l'axe 9. De préférence, les axes centraux de la goupille 21 et de l'axe de verrouillage 9 sont perpendiculaires l'un par rapport à l'autre et se croisent en un point. La goupille 21 est rappelée en direction de l'axe 9 par un ressort 22, de manière à maintenir un contact physique entre l'extrémité inférieure de la goupille 21 et la surface de l'axe 9. Quand la couronne 6 est dévissée complètement (figure 3), la goupille 21 est en contact avec le tronçon à diamètre minimal 13 et avec la collerette 14. Dans cette position, l'extrémité supérieure de la goupille 21 n'est logée dans aucun des trous axiaux 15 de la lunette 3. La lunette 3 est alors libre et peut être mise en rotation par l'utilisateur.Furthermore, as shown in figures 3 and 4 , the middle part 2 is provided with a hole 20 which is oriented perpendicular to the axis 9, and in which a pin 21 is mounted, so that said pin 21 slides relative to the hole 20 and interacts with the axis 9. Preferably, the central axes of the pin 21 and the locking axis 9 are perpendicular to each other and intersect at a point. The pin 21 is returned towards the axis 9 by a spring 22, so as to maintain physical contact between the lower end of the pin 21 and the surface of the axis 9. When the crown 6 is unscrewed completely ( Figure 3 ), the pin 21 is in contact with the section with a minimum diameter 13 and with the collar 14. In this position, the upper end of the pin 21 is not housed in any of the axial holes 15 of the bezel 3. The bezel 3 is then free and can be rotated by the user.

En tournant la couronne 6, l'utilisateur peut ensuite faire entrer l'axe 9 dans le tube 8 par vissage du tronçon à filetage 10 dans le tube. Le mouvement de l'axe 9 va progressivement pousser la goupille 21 dans un des trous axiaux 15 de la lunette, par l'interaction entre la goupille 21 et la pente du tronçon tronconique 12, et ce à l'encontre de la force de précontrainte exercée par le ressort 22. Dans la position de verrouillage montrée à la figure 4, l'extrémité inférieure de la goupille 21 est en contact avec le premier tronçon cylindrique 11 et l'extrémité supérieure de la goupille 21 est logée dans le trou 15, ce qui permet d'obtenir un verrouillage sûr de la lunette qui ne peut être dégagée accidentellement. Dans la position de verrouillage, la partie du tube qui dépasse de la paroi de la carrure est entrée dans la gorge 19 circulaire.By turning the crown 6, the user can then insert the axis 9 into the tube 8 by screwing the threaded section 10 into the tube. The movement of the axis 9 will gradually push the pin 21 into one of the axial holes 15 of the bezel, by the interaction between the pin 21 and the slope of the frustoconical section 12, and this against the prestressing force exerted by spring 22. In the locking position shown in Figure 4 , the lower end of the pin 21 is in contact with the first cylindrical section 11 and the upper end of the pin 21 is housed in the hole 15, which makes it possible to obtain a secure locking of the bezel which cannot be accidentally released. In the locking position, the part of the tube which protrudes from the wall of the middle part has entered the circular groove 19.

Pour déverrouiller le système, l'utilisateur dévisse la couronne 6 vers la configuration de la figure 3. Le ressort 22 fait descendre la goupille 21 jusqu'à ce la goupille soit complètement sortie du trou 15, résultant en la libération de la lunette. De préférence, la goupille 21 est aménagée de manière coulissante dans un bloc 23 monté dans le trou 20 et comprenant des joints d'étanchéité 24.To unlock the system, the user unscrews the crown 6 towards the configuration of the Figure 3 . Spring 22 lowers pin 21 until the pin is completely out of hole 15, resulting in the release of the bezel. Preferably, the pin 21 is fitted in a sliding manner in a block 23 mounted in the hole 20 and comprising seals 24.

La friction entre les filetages sur l'axe 9 et sur le tube 8 permet de garantir un verrouillage sûr du système que seul un dévissage délibéré de la couronne 6 par l'utilisateur permet de libérer. De plus, comme illustré dans les figures, le tube 8 peut comporter une portion 25 ayant un diamètre supérieur à celui du reste du tube, ladite portion 25 étant montée à butée contre la paroi latérale extérieure de la carrure 2. La couronne 6 de son côté est pourvu d'un joint d'étanchéité 26 entre le corps de la couronne et la surface extérieure du tube 8. Le joint 26 sera poussé contre la portion de diamètre supérieur 25 quand la couronne 6 arrive à sa position de verrouillage. Le joint 26 aura non seulement un effet d'étanchéité mais il va également assurer une fermeture fixe grâce à sa compression entre la couronne 6 et la portion à diamètre supérieur 25.The friction between the threads on the axis 9 and on the tube 8 guarantees safe locking of the system which can only be released by deliberate unscrewing of the crown 6 by the user. Furthermore, as illustrated in the figures, the tube 8 may comprise a portion 25 having a diameter greater than that of the rest of the tube, said portion 25 being mounted abutting against the exterior side wall of the middle part 2. The crown 6 of its side is provided with a seal 26 between the body of the crown and the exterior surface of the tube 8. The seal 26 will be pushed against the portion of greater diameter 25 when the crown 6 arrives at its locking position. The seal 26 will not only have a sealing effect but it will also ensure a fixed closure thanks to its compression between the crown 6 and the portion with a greater diameter 25.

Selon la forme d'exécution représentée dans les figures, une soupape à hélium 29 est intégrée à la couronne et plus précisément à l'intérieur de l'axe 9. La soupape est disposée de manière coaxiale avec l'axe 9. Elle comporte un corps 30 précontraint par un ressort 31. Le corps 30 comprend à son extrémité intérieure une surface 32 qui est soumise à la pression régnant à l'intérieur de la carrure 2. A partir d'un seuil prédéfini, la pression va surmonter la force de précontrainte exercée par le ressort 31, résultant en la dépressurisation de l'intérieur de la carrure 2. Un ou plusieurs joints d'étanchéité 34 et 35 sont montés entre le corps de la soupape 30 et la surface interne de l'axe 9. L'inclusion de soupapes dans les montres de plongée est connue en soi et l'invention n'est pas limitée à la forme d'exécution représentée dans les figures, mais elle inclut également les formes d'exécution qui ne comprennent pas de soupape à l'intérieur de l'axe 9, ou qui comprennent une soupape montée à un autre endroit sur la carrure 2. La fonction de la soupape est de libérer les gaz infiltrés dans la montre lors d'une plongée à saturation. En remontant, la pression créée par ces gaz, généralement l'Hélium, peut endommager la montre.According to the embodiment shown in the figures, a helium valve 29 is integrated into the crown and more precisely inside the axis 9. The valve is arranged coaxially with the axis 9. It includes a body 30 prestressed by a spring 31. The body 30 comprises at its inner end a surface 32 which is subjected to the pressure prevailing inside the middle part 2. From a predefined threshold, the pressure will overcome the force of preload exerted by the spring 31, resulting in the depressurization of the interior of the middle part 2. One or more seals 34 and 35 are mounted between the body of the valve 30 and the internal surface of the axis 9. L The inclusion of valves in diving watches is known per se and the invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in the figures, but it also includes embodiments which do not include a valve. inside the axis 9, or which include a valve mounted elsewhere on the middle part 2. The function of the valve is to release gases infiltrated into the watch during a saturation dive. As it rises, the pressure created by these gases, generally Helium, can damage the watch.

Des variantes de la forme d'exécution représentée dans les figures sont envisageables par l'homme du métier, sans sortir de la portée de l'invention telle que définie par les revendications. Par exemple, la gorge 19 entre le corps de la couronne 6 et l'axe 9 en coopération avec la partie du tube 8 qui dépasse de la carrure 2 résulte en une structure robuste ayant de bonnes propriétés d'étanchéité. Néanmoins, d'autres formes de couronnes solidaires à un axe sont imaginables. Par exemple, il est envisageable de réaliser une couronne sans gorge 19, avec un filetage pourvu sur le premier tronçon cylindrique 11. Par ailleurs, lesdits premier et deuxième tronçons cylindriques ne sont pas indispensables : les positions extrêmes de la goupille 21 par rapport au tronçon tronconique 12 peuvent se trouver sur ledit tronçon tronconique lui-même. L'axe 9 peut être aménagé directement dans un trou fileté dans la carrure 2 plutôt que dans un tube 8 monté dans la carrure. En outre, les trous 15 ne sont que des exemples d'espaces récepteurs aptes à recevoir l'extrémité de la goupille 21. Dans une autre forme d'exécution, la lunette 3 pourrait comprendre une denture axiale sur sa surface inférieure, avec les creux entre deux dents formant un espace récepteur pour la goupille 21. Dans ce cas, l'extrémité de la goupille 21 est de préférence usinée de manière à ce que la forme de ladite extrémité corresponde à la forme des creux.Variants of the embodiment shown in the figures are possible for those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For example, the groove 19 between the body of the crown 6 and the axis 9 in cooperation with the part of the tube 8 which protrudes from the middle part 2 results in a robust structure having good sealing properties. However, other forms of crowns attached to an axis are imaginable. For example, it is possible to produce a crown without groove 19, with a thread provided on the first cylindrical section 11. Furthermore, said first and second cylindrical sections are not essential: the extreme positions of the pin 21 relative to the section frustoconical section 12 can be found on said frustoconical section itself. The axis 9 can be fitted directly in a threaded hole in the middle part 2 rather than in a tube 8 mounted in the middle part. Furthermore, the holes 15 are only examples of receiving spaces capable of receiving the end of the pin 21. In another embodiment, the bezel 3 could comprise axial teeth on its lower surface, with the hollows between two teeth forming a receiving space for the pin 21. In this case, the end of the pin 21 is preferably machined so that the shape of said end corresponds to the shape of the recesses.

Claims (8)

  1. Watch case including a case middle (2) and a rotating bezel (3) mounted on the upper face of the case middle (2), the bezel (3) being provided with a plurality of receiving spaces (15) regularly distributed over its lower surface, the watch case being provided with a system for locking the bezel (3) comprising the following elements:
    • a first hole (7) machined in the case middle (2) and oriented radially with respect to the bezel (3),
    • an inner thread on at least one portion of the surface of said first hole (7), or on the inner surface of a tube (8) fixedly mounted inside the first hole (7),
    • a rotating crown (6), the crown (6) being secured to an arbor (9) arranged inside the first hole (7), the arbor (9) including the following elements arranged in an inward direction from the exterior of the case middle (2):
    ∘ a section (10) provided with an external thread corresponding to said inner thread,
    ∘ a frustoconical section (12) having a diameter that decreases in said direction,
    ∘ an end collar (14),
    • a pin (21) arranged inside a second hole (20) in the case middle (2), said second hole (20) being oriented transversely with respect to the first hole (7), the pin (21) being provided with a spring (22), which is prestressed in order to maintain physical contact between a first end of the pin (21) and the external surface of the arbor (9), the pin (21) being dimensioned such that its second end can be housed inside one of the receiving spaces (15) of the bezel (3),
    and wherein the elements are arranged such that:
    • screwing in the crown (6) towards the interior of the case middle (2) causes a movement of the pin (21) against the prestressing of the spring (22), through the interaction between the first end of the pin (21) and the frustoconical section (12), this movement pushing the pin (21) inside one of the receiving spaces (15) of the bezel (3), and thereby locking the bezel (3) at the end of the screwing operation,
    • unscrewing the crown (6) releases the pin (21) from said receiving space (15) under the action of the return force exerted by the spring (22), and thereby unlocks the bezel (3) at the end of the unscrewing operation.
  2. The case according to claim 1, wherein the arbor (9) also includes a first cylindrical section (11) and a second cylindrical section (13) located on either side of the frustoconical section (12), such that the diameter of the frustoconical section (12) gradually changes from the diameter of the first cylindrical section (11) towards the diameter of the section cylindrical section (13).
  3. The case according to any of claims 1 and 2, wherein a tube (8) is fixedly mounted inside the first hole (7), said tube (8) including a portion that projects from the external side wall of the case middle (2) and wherein at least the internal surface of the portion of tube projecting from said wall is provided with said internal thread.
  4. The case according to claim 3, wherein a circular groove (19) is present between the body of the crown (6) and the threaded section (10) of the arbor, such that the portion projecting from the tube (8) enters said groove (19) when the crown (6) is screwed into its locking position.
  5. The case according to claim 4, wherein the tube (8) is provided with a portion (25) having a larger diameter than that of the rest of the tube (8), said portion (25) being mounted to abut against the external side wall of the case middle (2), and wherein a sealing gasket (26) is mounted between the body of the crown (6) and the exterior of the portion of the tube (8) projecting from said wall, such that the gasket (26) is pushed against the portion of larger diameter (25) when the crown (6) and the arbor (9) reach their locking position.
  6. The case according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a depressurization valve (29) arranged inside the arbor (9).
  7. The case according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the diameter of the end collar (14) corresponds to the diameter of the first hole (7) or of a tube (8) fixedly mounted inside said first hole (7), such that the collar (14) can slide inside the first hole (7) or inside the tube (8).
  8. Watch provided with a watch case as described in any of the preceding claims.
EP19732353.8A 2018-07-09 2019-06-20 Watch provided with a rotating bezel with system for locking the bezel provided with an integrated helium valve Active EP3821300B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP18182381.6A EP3594758A1 (en) 2018-07-09 2018-07-09 Watch provided with a rotating bezel with system for locking the bezel provided with an integrated helium valve
PCT/EP2019/066357 WO2020011512A1 (en) 2018-07-09 2019-06-20 Watch having a rotating bezel with bezel locking system provided with an integrated helium valve

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3821300A1 EP3821300A1 (en) 2021-05-19
EP3821300B1 true EP3821300B1 (en) 2024-01-17

Family

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP18182381.6A Withdrawn EP3594758A1 (en) 2018-07-09 2018-07-09 Watch provided with a rotating bezel with system for locking the bezel provided with an integrated helium valve
EP19732353.8A Active EP3821300B1 (en) 2018-07-09 2019-06-20 Watch provided with a rotating bezel with system for locking the bezel provided with an integrated helium valve

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP18182381.6A Withdrawn EP3594758A1 (en) 2018-07-09 2018-07-09 Watch provided with a rotating bezel with system for locking the bezel provided with an integrated helium valve

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US (1) US20210116868A1 (en)
EP (2) EP3594758A1 (en)
JP (1) JP7082213B2 (en)
KR (1) KR20200139744A (en)
CN (1) CN112154380B (en)
TW (1) TWI701531B (en)
WO (1) WO2020011512A1 (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3650951B1 (en) * 2018-11-09 2021-06-16 Omega SA Timepiece comprising a device for locking a valve or a crown
CN113534642B (en) * 2021-07-13 2022-06-14 深圳市喜丽时钟表文化传播有限公司 Adjusting and locking structure of watch key
EP4206827A1 (en) 2021-12-30 2023-07-05 Meco S.A. Safety valve for a watch

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP7082213B2 (en) 2022-06-07
KR20200139744A (en) 2020-12-14
US20210116868A1 (en) 2021-04-22
EP3821300A1 (en) 2021-05-19
EP3594758A1 (en) 2020-01-15
JP2021519932A (en) 2021-08-12
TWI701531B (en) 2020-08-11
CN112154380A (en) 2020-12-29
CN112154380B (en) 2022-07-01
WO2020011512A1 (en) 2020-01-16
TW202014812A (en) 2020-04-16

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