EP3830649B1 - Elastic hand for timepieces - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a timepiece display mechanism comprising at least one elastic needle with variable geometry, which comprises a first drive barrel secured to a first end of a flexible blade, and a second drive barrel secured from another end of said flexible blade, and comprising a display index which, in a free unconstrained state of said elastic needle in which both said first barrel and said second barrel are not subject to any constraint and are spaced apart one from the other, is distant from said first barrel and said second barrel, the service position of said elastic needle being a constrained position where said first barrel and said second barrel are coaxial with each other around an output axis, said display mechanism comprising first means for driving said first barrel around said output axis, and second means for driving said second barrel around said output axis, said first drive means and second drive means being arranged to deform said flexible blade, by varying the angular position of said second barrel relative to the angular position of said first barrel around said output axis, and to vary the radial position of said display index relative to said output axis, said elastic needle comprising at least a first flexible segment between said first barrel and said index with a first core of substantially constant section, and a second flexible segment between said second barrel and said index with a second core of substantially constant section constant.

The invention also relates to a clock movement comprising at least one such display mechanism.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such clock movement, and/or comprising at least one such display mechanism.

The invention relates to the field of analog display mechanisms using mobile mechanical components, for timepieces or scientific devices.

Background of the invention

The documents EP2863274 And EP3159751 in the name of MONTRES BREGUET SA describe different arrangements of elastic hands, allowing the adaptation of a display on a timepiece to the shape of its case or its dial, thanks to a radial extension obtained by controlling such an elastic needle comprising flexible segments driven distinctly.

Summary of the invention

The invention aims to provide a reliable and highly robust solution to the problem of providing a variable radial extension indicator depending on its position and its control.

To this end, the invention relates to a timepiece display mechanism comprising at least one elastic needle, which comprises a first drive barrel secured to at least one flexible blade, according to claim 1.

The invention also relates to a clock movement comprising at least one such display mechanism.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such clock movement, and/or comprising at least one such display mechanism.

Summary description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée, en vue en plan, et avec en perspective un détail de son sommet, une aiguille élastique selon les enseignements des demandes EP2863274 et EP3159751 comportant deux lames flexibles lisses, chacune joignant le sommet commun et un canon respectif ;
• la figure 2 représente, de façon schématisée et en vue en plan, une aiguille selon l'invention qui comporte, sur chacune de ses deux branches, des éléments discontinus répartis le long d'une âme, laquelle a une section sensiblement constante ;

• la figure 3 représente, en perspective, un détail d'une branche de la figure 2, où les éléments discontinus sont des cylindres axés sur l'âme ;
• la figure 4 représente, de façon similaire à la figure 3, une autre variante où les éléments discontinus sont des plaques ou feuilles sensiblement planes, s'étendant sensiblement dans le plan de l'aiguille dans sa position de repos non précontrainte, chaque plaque étant rattachée à l'âme par une fine barrette de jonction ; sur cette figure 4 les plaques s'étendent des deux côtés de l'âme ;
• la figure 5 représente, de façon similaire à la figure 4, une autre variante avec des feuilles de hauteur inférieure à celle de l'âme, et d'un seul côté de l'âme ;
• la figure 6 représente, de façon similaire à la figure 5, une autre variante avec des feuilles d'un seul côté de l'âme, avec des contours sensiblement complémentaires les unes aux autres ;
• la figure 7 représente, de façon similaire à la figure 4, une autre variante avec des feuilles d'un seul côté de l'âme, ces feuilles, différentes entre elles, constituent ici des lettres ou des chiffres ;
• la figure 8 est un détail de la figure 7 au voisinage du sommet ;
• la figure 9 représente, de façon schématisée, en vue en plan, la coopération maximale entre une telle aiguille élastique, représentée déformée en trait interrompu par exemple lors d'un choc, avec une surface intérieure d'une boîte de montre ou d'un élément d'habillage, qui limite la course de la branche déformée la plus externe de l'aiguille ;
• la figure 10 est une autre illustration, en vue en plan, de la déformation d'une telle aiguille élastique, avec, cette fois, la limitation au niveau de l'axe commun des deux canons ;
• la figure 11 représente, de façon schématisée, en vue en plan, et avec en loupe un détail d'une de ses branches, une aiguille élastique dont l'âme se développe en serpentin de part et d'autre d'un profil moyen ;
• la figure 12 représente, de façon schématisée et en perspective, une aiguille flexible composite dont les branches flexibles sont raboutées sur un sommet rigide commun, et chacune sur un des canons ;
• la figure 13 représente, de façon schématisée et en perspective, une aiguille flexible composite dont les extrémités formant canon sont chacune à demi-hauteur de l'aiguille ;
• la figure 14 représente, de façon schématisée et coupe, deux variantes d'âme d'aiguille élastique ayant une section autre que rectangulaire : trapézoïdale à gauche, parallélogramme à droite ;
• les figures 15 à 17 illustrent de façon schématisée, en vue en plan, les variations de longueur d'une aiguille élastique selon l'invention, à l'état libre en figure 15, dans une première position relative des canons en figure 16 où l'aiguille a son développement radial maximal, et dans une deuxième position relative des canons en figure 17 où l'aiguille a son développement radial minimal ;
• les figures 18 à 20 représentent, de façon analogue aux figures 15 à 17, une aiguille avec des branches très différentiées, pour effectuer un affichage indicatif de jour en figure 19 et de nuit en figure 20 ;
• la figure 21 représente, de façon schématisée et en coupe, une pièce d'horlogerie, notamment une montre, comportant une telle aiguille élastique en superposition avec une aiguille traditionnelle, où, pour éviter toute interférence entre ces aiguilles, l'aiguille traditionnelle est logée dans un chambrage du cadran ou d'une platine, et où un plan décalé sert de surface d'appui de butée à l'aiguille élastique dans toute position de son développement ;
• la figure 22 est un schéma-blocs représentant une pièce d'horlogerie, notamment une montre, comportant un mécanisme d'affichage comportant une telle aiguille élastique.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, where:

• there figure 1 represents, schematically, in plan view, and with a detail of its top in perspective, an elastic needle according to the teachings of the applications EP2863274 And EP3159751 comprising two smooth flexible blades, each joining the common apex and a respective barrel;
• there figure 2 represents, schematically and in plan view, a needle according to the invention which comprises, on each of its two branches, elements discontinuous distributed along a core, which has a substantially constant section;

• there Figure 3 represents, in perspective, a detail of a branch of the figure 2 , where the discontinuous elements are cylinders centered on the core;
• there figure 4 represents, similarly to the Figure 3 , another variant where the discontinuous elements are substantially flat plates or sheets, extending substantially in the plane of the needle in its non-prestressed rest position, each plate being attached to the core by a thin connecting bar; on this figure 4 the plates extend on both sides of the core;
• there figure 5 represents, similarly to the figure 4 , another variant with leaves of height less than that of the core, and on only one side of the core;
• there Figure 6 represents, similarly to the figure 5 , another variant with leaves on only one side of the core, with contours substantially complementary to each other;
• there Figure 7 represents, similarly to the figure 4 , another variant with leaves on only one side of the core, these leaves, different from each other, here constitute letters or numbers;
• there figure 8 is a detail of the Figure 7 near the summit;
• there Figure 9 represents, schematically, in plan view, the maximum cooperation between such an elastic needle, shown deformed in broken lines for example during an impact, with an interior surface of a watch case or an element of covering, which limits the stroke of the most external deformed branch of the needle;
• there Figure 10 is another illustration, in plan view, of the deformation of such an elastic needle, with, this time, the limitation at the level of the common axis of the two barrels;
• there Figure 11 represents, schematically, in plan view, and with a magnifying glass a detail of one of its branches, an elastic needle whose core develops in a serpentine on either side of an average profile;
• there Figure 12 represents, schematically and in perspective, a flexible composite needle whose flexible branches are joined to a common rigid top, and each to one of the barrels;
• there Figure 13 represents, schematically and in perspective, a flexible composite needle whose barrel-forming ends are each half-height of the needle;
• there Figure 14 represents, schematically and in section, two variants of elastic needle core having a section other than rectangular: trapezoidal on the left, parallelogram on the right;
• THE figures 15 to 17 illustrate schematically, in plan view, the variations in length of an elastic needle according to the invention, in the free state in Figure 15 , in a first relative position of the cannons in Figure 16 where the needle has its maximum radial development, and in a second relative position of the barrels in Figure 17 where the needle has its minimum radial development;
• THE figures 18 to 20 represent, analogously to the figures 15 to 17 , a needle with very differentiated branches, to provide an indicative display from day to day Figure 19 and at night Figure 20 ;
• there Figure 21 represents, schematically and in section, a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising such an elastic needle superimposed with a traditional needle, where, to avoid any interference between these hands, the traditional needle is housed in a chamber of the dial or a plate, and where an offset plane serves as a stop support surface for the elastic needle in any position of its development;
• there Figure 22 is a block diagram representing a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising a display mechanism comprising such an elastic needle.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

Elastic needle technology offers many new display possibilities, which allow customizations that are still highly sought after, especially for watches.

However, it is necessary to ensure the best possible readability of the needle: a needle having arms with a thickness of 40 µm and a height of 200 µm is thus very thin, and it is advantageous to be able to increase its readability, and also to offer new functions linked to the particular arrangement of the needle arms.

There figure 1 illustrates such a fine elastic needle 1 comprising arms 3 which have a thickness of 40 µm and a height of 200 µm, which develop between their respective barrels 2 and 4, and a common vertex forming an index 99.

Here we call "height" any dimension measured in the direction of an output shaft D, which is the common axis of the two barrels 2 and 4. We call "thickness" a dimension measured in a plane perpendicular to this output axis D.

This elastic needle 1 comprises at least a first flexible segment 501 between the first barrel 2 and the index 99 with a first core 601 of substantially constant section, and a second flexible segment 502 between the second barrel 4 and the index 99 with a second core 602 of substantially constant section.

THE figures 2 and 3 illustrate a variant similar to a collar structure. The needle is always made in one level. Larger elements, here small discontinuous cylindrical elements 701, are distributed on the arms of the needle to make it more visible, as visible on a first flexible segment 501 of the arm 3. It is necessary to thin the links 801 between these elements 701 in order to keep the same flexibility of the needle 1. Of course, the mass of such small discontinuous cylindrical elements 701 must remain reasonable, to avoid excessive deformation in the event of impact from a too heavy needle, which becomes deforms more, especially since the links 801 between the elements 701 are more flexible than in the standard case of the figure 1 .

To minimize the stiffening of the needle 1 by large islands or balls, the rigid part can be reduced with sheet-shaped structures, in particular over the entire height, as visible on the variant of the figure 4 , whose inertia remains significant.

THE figures 5 to 8 illustrate sheet structures of lower inertia, where needle 1 is made in two levels. The needle has a main structure, for example with a thickness of 40 µm and a height of 200 µm as in the figure 1 . On this structure are grafted sheets 701, or other structures, such as the letters of the figures 7 and 8 , of a lower height, for example 40 μm in height, to make the needle 1 more visible.

There Figure 6 shows sheets or plates on only one side of the core, with contours substantially complementary to each other, arranged to allow flexion of the needle arm without these sheets 701 interfering with each other, while presenting to the user an almost continuous surface, quite wide, and with good contrast in relation to the surrounding background, dial or similar.

The example of figures 7 and 8 thus show, in a non-limiting manner, sheets consisting of letters 701 or numbers 702, 40 µm in height. The advantage is not to weigh down the needle 1, nor to stiffen it too much. It is important to understand that each letter set 30 includes a letter sheet 31 which is attached to the needle by a small rod 32 which does not stiffen the structure.

The protection of an elastic needle against shocks is important, because, in the event of shocks, the needle risks touching either a component of the structure of the watch such as an interior surface 15 of the bezel 14 in Figure 9 , either the central barrel 2 or 4 as visible in Figure 10 .

It is for this reason that the sheet structure variant is interesting. We can advantageously position the leaves, or the letters, or the like, on the internal side of the needle only in the vicinity of the tip, because the internal side does not come into contact with the bezel, and on the other hand the sheets do not are not likely to bend because it is the stem of the needle which stores the shock, and in particular in the vicinity of the barrels, where the needle preferably does not have a leaf.

There Figure 11 illustrates yet another variant, with the needle made, at least locally, in a serpentine shape.

There Figure 12 illustrates a variant where the needle is assembled. For this purpose, it is necessary to make the top and the needle barrels separately, and glue, crimp, weld, solder, screw or pin, or similar, the arms of the needle in these components. For example, the arms of the needle can be made from a noble polymer, for example carbon fiber, or from a super elastic alloy of the “Nitinol” type or similar. The advantage of these materials is to better resist shocks because they are capable of storing large deformations.

There Figure 13 illustrates a variant for reducing the axial bulk of the needle, by making the barrels in several levels, so that they complement the assembly.

There Figure 14 shows sections allowing three-dimensional deformation of the needle, which can prove advantageous for passing over an obstacle, or even for creating a particular optical effect. The section of the needle of the figure 1 is rectangular. It is possible to imagine a trapezoidal or parallelepiped needle section. When the needle is put under stress, it deforms out of plane and it can then pass over an obstacle such as a wall light, a window, a cage, or other, which amounts to designing a trajectory specific in order to avoid an element of the dial or the watch.

THE figures 15 to 17 illustrate the variations in length of an elastic needle which, in the long position, has a leaf shape and, in the short position, a drop shape. The fact of superimposing zones 901, 902, located in the vicinity of guns 2 and 4, makes it possible to display additional information, for example by the form of a closed sector at 120° in Fig 17, which can correspond to a time slot particular, or other.

THE figures 18 to 20 represent a needle with very differentiated branches, to provide an indicative display from day to day Figure 19 and at night Figure 20 . An indication is then made with the lateral movement of the needle, or the angle of the bases, and not necessarily with the top of the needle. Of course we can combine the displays resulting from the angular position and the radial position of the apex, with the indications given by the partial or total superposition of the branches of the needle. Here, for example, letters 5001 are made on the left arm 502 of the needle and a wider zone 5002 on the right arm 501. When the two arms of the needle overlap, the wider zone 5002 hides the text 5001 written on the left arm.

The invention makes it possible to couple two pieces of information, for example hours and minutes, on the same hand. For example, the angular indication of the hand represents the hour, the length of the hand indicates the minutes.

In a variant, the needle does not turn on itself but only changes length, to display information on a line. This can be used in particular for a function selector, a power reserve display, or other.

There Figure 21 shows a hand, in particular an hour hand 11, which is enclosed in a recess 12, because the elastic needle can always undergo significant deformation, in particular greater than a conventional needle, during shocks. To prevent, for example, an elastic minute hand from getting tangled with the hour hand, it is possible to make a lower hand sufficiently short so as not to get tangled, or, as illustrated, a needle buried in the dial so as not to be accessible by the elastic needle whose axial stroke is limited by an upper surface 16 of a dial 13, or the like.

Thus, the invention relates to a clock display mechanism comprising at least one elastic needle 1 with variable geometry, comprising a first drive barrel 2 secured to a first end of a flexible blade 3, and a second barrel 4 of drive integral with another end of the flexible blade 3, and comprising a display index 99. In a free, unconstrained state of the elastic needle 1 in which both the first barrel 2 and the second barrel 4 are not subject to any constraint and are distant from each other, this index 99 is distant from the first barrel 2 and the second barrel 4. The service position of the elastic needle 1 is a constrained position where the first barrel 2 and the second barrel 4 are coaxial with each other around an output axis D.

The display mechanism 10 comprises first means 101 for driving the first barrel 2 around the output axis D, and second means 102 for driving the second barrel 4 around the output axis D. The first drive means 101 and the second drive means 102 are arranged to deform the flexible blade 3, by varying the angular position of the second barrel 4 relative to the angular position of the first barrel 2 around the output axis D , and to vary the radial position of the display index 99 relative to the output axis D.

The elastic needle 1 comprises at least a first flexible segment 501 between the first barrel 2 and the index 99 with a first core 601 of substantially constant section, and a second flexible segment 502 between the second barrel and the index 99 with a second core 602 of substantially constant section.

According to the invention, the first flexible segment 501 comprises first discontinuous elements 701 projecting from the first core 601 and extending substantially parallel to a plane perpendicular to the outlet axis D and defining, along the first core 601, an alternation of sections whose rigidity per unit length is different from each other, and/or the second flexible segment 502 comprises second discontinuous elements 702 projecting from the second core 602 and extending substantially parallel to a plane perpendicular to the axis outlet D and defining, along the second core 602, an alternation of sections whose rigidity per unit of length is different between them, and/or the first core 601 and/or the second core 602 comprises a succession of zones of opposite concavities, projecting onto a plane perpendicular to the exit axis D.

More particularly, the first flexible segment 501 comprises first discontinuous elements 701 projecting from the first core 601 and extending substantially parallel to a plane perpendicular to the outlet axis D and defining, along the first core 601, an alternation of sections whose rigidity per unit length is different from each other, and/or the second flexible segment 502 comprises second discontinuous elements 702 projecting from the second core 602 and extending substantially parallel to a plane perpendicular to the exit axis D and defining, along the second core 602, an alternation of sections whose rigidity per unit of length is different from each other, and the first elements 701 and/or the second elements 702 are inertial elements each of greater inertia to the inertia of elastic sections 801, 802, of the first core 601, respectively second core 602, interposed between first elements 701 and/or respectively second successive elements 702.

More particularly, the first flexible segment 501 comprises first discontinuous elements 701 projecting from the first core 601 and extending substantially parallel to a plane perpendicular to the outlet axis D and defining, along the first core 601, an alternation of sections whose rigidity per unit length is different from each other, and/or the second flexible segment 502 comprises second discontinuous elements 702 projecting from the second core 602 and extending substantially parallel to a plane perpendicular to the exit axis D and defining, along the second core 602, an alternation of sections whose rigidity per unit length is different from each other. And, more particularly, according to the direction of the output axis D, the height of the first elements 701 and/or the second elements 702 is less than that of the respective core 601, 602.

More particularly, according to the direction of the output axis D, the first elements 701 are arranged at a first level sufficiently far from a second level at which the second elements 702 are arranged, to allow their superposition and their crossing at a distance during the elongation or contraction of the elastic needle 1.

More particularly, the first elements 701 and the second elements 702 extend only from an interior side of the elastic needle 1 delimited by the first core 601 and the second core 602, to ensure, in the event of an impact, direct support of the first core 601 or the second core 602 on an element of a timepiece into which the elastic needle 1 is incorporated.

More particularly, the first elements 701 and the second elements 702 are only present in the vicinity of the index 99, and, in the vicinity of the first barrel 2 and the barrel 4, the elastic needle 1 only comprises the first core 601 and the second core 602, over a curvilinear length sufficient to ensure, in the event of an impact, direct support of the first core 601 or the second core 602 on the first barrel 2 or the second barrel 4.

More particularly, at least part of the flexible blade 3 comprises a flat elastic blade wound into a serpentine.

More particularly, at least part of the flexible blade 3 is of trapezoidal or oblique parallelogram section, so as to allow out-of-plane deformation during at least part of the elongation or retraction of the elastic needle 1.

More particularly, the elastic needle 1 is in one piece and comprises at least part of the flexible blade 3 made of carbon fiber or super elastic alloy irreversibly secured to a massive top element 69 at the level of an index 99 on the one hand , and a first barrel 2 or second barrel 4 on the other hand.

More particularly, the elastic needle 1 is arranged to occupy a first long leaf-shaped configuration or a second short drop-shaped configuration.

More particularly, the elastic needle 1 comprises at least a first flexible segment 501 comprising a first decoration 5001, and a second flexible segment 502 comprising a second decoration 5002 which is arranged to cover in superposition, over part of the relative angular travel between the first canon 2 and the second canon 4, all or part of the first decoration 5001, or vice versa.

More particularly, the first decor 5001 or second decor 5002 includes a day/night or AM/PM indication arranged to be seen by the user, and the second decor 5002 or respectively the first decor 5001 is arranged to completely hide this indication. for an appropriate period of time.

More particularly, the first core 601 and/or the second core 602 comprises a strand 30 whose largest dimension of its section is substantially parallel to the output axis D, and the elastic needle 1 comprises, in at least one perpendicular plane to the output axis D, a plurality of inertial elements 31 each attached to the strand by a rod 32 of section smaller than that of the strand 30 and to the smallest section of the inertial element 31 which is constituted by a first element 701 or by a second element 702.

More particularly, the first barrel 2 or second barrel 4 secured to the flexible blade 3 comprises an end flange 249 of less height than that of the flexible blade 3 for its superposition with another second barrel 4 or first barrel 2.

More particularly, the flexible blade 3 is composed of a plurality of flexible segments 5 connected end to end at the level of vertices 99, including at least a first segment 501, which carries the first barrel 2 at a first end and is flexible between the first barrel 2 and a first of the vertices 99, the elastic needle 1 comprising a second segment 502, carrying the second barrel 4 at a second end.

The invention therefore relates to a clock display mechanism 10, with variable geometry, comprising at least one such elastic needle 1, and first drive means 101 of the first barrel 2 and second drive means 102 of the second barrel 4. More particularly, the display mechanism 10 is arranged to display a first quantity by the angular position of the elastic needle 1, and to display a second quantity by the elongation, relative to the output axis D , elastic needle 1.

More particularly, the first drive means 101 and the second drive means 102 are arranged to maintain the angular position in a fixed position, and to provide a linear display given by the sole elongation of the elastic needle 1.

More particularly, the first drive means 101 or the second drive means 102 are kept stationary.

More particularly, the display mechanism 10 comprises at least one other display needle 11 moving in a counterbore 12 of a dial 13 or of a structure, and the external diameter of the counterbore 12 is smaller than the smallest elongation of the elastic needle 1 which is arranged above a surface upper 16 of the dial 13 or of the structure, located above the other needle 11.

More particularly, the display mechanism 10 comprises means for controlling the first drive means 101 and the second drive means 102, which are arranged to control an out-of-plane retraction or twisting of the elastic needle 1 in the vicinity of an obstacle interfering with its trajectory.

The invention also relates to a timepiece 1000, in particular a watch, comprising at least one such display mechanism 10, and/or at least one such elastic needle 1.

Claims (21)

1. Timepiece display mechanism comprising at least one variable-geometry resilient hand (1) which comprises a first drive pipe (2) integral with a first end of a flexible strip (3), and a second drive pipe (4) integral with another end of said flexible strip (3), and comprising a display index (99) which, in an unstressed free state of said resilient hand (1) wherein both said first pipe (2) and said second pipe (4) are not subjected to any stress and are remote from one another, is remote from said first pipe (2) and from said second pipe (4), the operating position of said resilient hand (1) being a stressed position where said first pipe (2) and said second pipe (4) are coaxial to one another about an output axis (D), said display mechanism (10) comprising first means (11) for driving said first pipe (2) about said output axis (D), and second means (13) for driving said second pipe (4) about said output axis (D), said first drive means (11) and second drive means (13) being arranged so as to deform said flexible strip (3), by varying the angular position of said second pipe (4) relative to the angular position of said first pipe (2) about said output axis (D), and so as to vary the radial position of said display index (99) relative to said output axis (D), said resilient hand (1) comprising at least one first flexible segment (501) between said first pipe (2) and said index (99) with a first web (601) having a substantially constant section, and a second flexible segment (502) between said second pipe and said index (99) with a second web (602) having a substantially constant section, characterised in that said first flexible segment (501) comprises first discontinuous elements (701) projecting from said first web (601) and extending substantially parallel to a plane perpendicular to said output axis (D) and defining, along said first web (601), an alternation of sections, the stiffnesses whereof per unit of length are different from one another, and/or said second flexible segment (502) comprises second discontinuous elements (702) projecting from said second web (602) and extending substantially parallel to a plane perpendicular to said output axis (D) and defining, along said second web (602), an alternation of sections, the stiffnesses whereof per unit of length are different from one another, and/or in that said first web (601) and/or said second web (602) comprises a succession of areas of opposite concavities, projecting on a plane perpendicular to said output axis (D).
2. Display mechanism according to claim 1, characterised in that said first elements (701) and/or said second elements (702) are inertial elements, each having an inertia that is greater than the inertia of resilient sections (801; 802) of said first web (601), respectively of said second web (602), inserted between said first successive elements (701) and/or respectively said second successive elements (702).
3. Display mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that in the direction of said output axis (D), the height of said first elements (701) and/or of said second elements (702) is less than that of said respective web (601; 602).
4. Display mechanism according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that in the direction of said output axis (D), said first elements (701) are arranged at a first level that is far enough away from a second level at which said second elements (702) are arranged, so as to allow the superimposition thereof and the remote crossover thereof during the elongation or contraction of said resilient hand (1).
5. Display mechanism according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that said first elements (701) and said second elements (702) extend only on one internal side of said resilient hand (1) delimited by said first web (601) and said second web (602) so as to ensure, in the event of an impact, direct bearing of said first web (601) or said second web (602) on an element of a timepiece into which said resilient hand (1) is incorporated.
6. Display mechanism according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that said first elements (701) and said second elements (702) are only present in the vicinity of said index (99), and in that, in the vicinity of said first pipe (2) and of said pipe (4), said resilient hand (1) only comprises said first web (601) and said second web (602), over a curvilinear length that is sufficient for ensuring, in the event of an impact, direct bearing of said first web (601) or said second web (602) on said first pipe (2) or said second pipe (4).
7. Display mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that at least one part of said flexible strip (3) comprises a flat resilient strip wound into a serpentine.
8. Display mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the section of at least one part of said flexible strip (3) is an oblique parallelogram or trapezoid so as to allow for deformation outside of the plane during at least one part of the elongation or of the retraction of said resilient hand (1).
9. Display mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that said resilient hand (1) is made in one piece and comprises at least one part of said flexible strip (3) made of carbon fibre or a superelastic alloy that is irreversibly made integral with a solid tip element (69) at a said index (99) on the one hand, and a said first pipe (2) or second pipe (4) on the other hand.
10. Display mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that said resilient hand (1) is designed to occupy a first long configuration taking on a leaf shape or a second short configuration taking on a droplet shape.
11. Display mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that said resilient hand (1) comprises at least one first flexible segment (501) comprising a first decoration (5001) and a second flexible segment (502) comprising a second decoration (5002) which is designed to cover, by superimposition, over a part of the relative angular travel between said first pipe (2) and said second pipe (4), all or part of said first decoration (5001), or vice-versa.
12. Display mechanism according to claim 11, characterised in that said first decoration (5001) or second decoration (5002) comprises a daytime/night-time indication or AM/PM indication designed to be seen by the user, and in that said second decoration (5002) or respectively said first decoration (5001) is designed to completely conceal said indication for an appropriate period of time.
13. Display mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that said first web (601) and/or said second web (602) comprises a strand (30), the largest dimension of the section whereof is substantially parallel to said output axis (D), and in that said resilient hand (1) comprises, in at least one plane perpendicular to said output axis (D), a plurality of inertial elements (31), each attached to said strand by a rod (32), the section whereof is less than that of said strand (30) and than the smallest section of said inertial element (31) which is formed by a said first element (701) or by a said second element (702).
14. Display mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that said first pipe (2) or second pipe (4) integral with said flexible strip (3) comprises an end flange (249), the height whereof is less than that of said flexible strip (3) for the superimposition thereof with another said second pipe (4) or first pipe (2).
15. Display mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that said flexible strip (3) is formed by a plurality of flexible segments (5) connected end-to-end at tips (99), including at least one first segment (501), which bears said first pipe (2) at a first end and is flexible between said first pipe (2) and a first of said tips (99), said resilient hand (1) comprising a second said segment (502), bearing said second pipe (4) at a second end.
16. Display mechanism (10) according to one of claims 1 to 15, comprising first means (101) for driving said first pipe (2) and second means (102) for driving said second pipe (4), characterised in that said display mechanism (10) is designed to display a first magnitude by way of the angular position of said resilient hand (1), and to display a second magnitude by way of the elongation, relative to said output axis (D), of said resilient hand (1).
17. Timepiece display mechanism (10) according to claim 16, characterised in that said first drive means (101) and said second drive means (102) are designed to hold said angular position in a fixed position, and to provide a linear display given solely by the elongation of said resilient hand (1).
18. Timepiece display mechanism (10) according to claim 16, characterised in that said first drive means (101) or said second drive means (102) are held at a standstill.
19. Timepiece display mechanism (10) according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterised in that said display mechanism (10) comprises at least one other display hand (11) moving in a counterbore (12) of a dial (13) or of a structure, and the outer diameter of said counterbore (12) is smaller than the smallest elongation of said resilient hand (1) which is arranged above a top surface (16) of said dial (13) or of said structure, situated above said other hand (11).
20. Timepiece display mechanism (10) according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterised in that said display mechanism (10) comprises means for controlling said first drive means (101) and said second drive means (102), which are designed to cause an out-of-plane twisting or retraction of said resilient hand (1) in the vicinity of an obstacle interfering with the trajectory thereof.
21. Timepiece (1000) comprising at least one display mechanism (10) according to one of claims 1 to 20.

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