EP3867706A1 - Hand for indicating seconds or fractions of a second for a timepiece - Google Patents

Hand for indicating seconds or fractions of a second for a timepiece

Info

Publication number
EP3867706A1
EP3867706A1 EP19790083.0A EP19790083A EP3867706A1 EP 3867706 A1 EP3867706 A1 EP 3867706A1 EP 19790083 A EP19790083 A EP 19790083A EP 3867706 A1 EP3867706 A1 EP 3867706A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
strip
rod
needle according
indicator needle
timepiece
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP19790083.0A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Stéphane OES
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Patek Philippe SA Geneve
Original Assignee
Patek Philippe SA Geneve
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Patek Philippe SA Geneve filed Critical Patek Philippe SA Geneve
Publication of EP3867706A1 publication Critical patent/EP3867706A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • G04B19/04—Hands; Discs with a single mark or the like
    • G04B19/042—Construction and manufacture of the hands; arrangements for increasing reading accuracy

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a second or fractional seconds indicator hand for a timepiece and a timepiece, in particular a mechanical timepiece, provided with such a hand.
  • the indicator needles are generally made of brass, steel, gold, aluminum or alloy. Most of these materials have a high density which translates, for the needle, by a large mass therefore a great inertia. A high inertia needle consumes more energy from its drive mechanism. This is problematic in the case of second hands or fractions of a second because of their high speed of rotation. In particular, when a chronograph is triggered, the rotation of the chronograph second hand and any fractional second hands contributes to creating a peak in energy consumption which causes a loss of amplitude at the level of the oscillator and consequently a reduction in the power reserve and chronometry. It is therefore important that these needles are light.
  • patent application WO 2006/122873 proposes to produce them in a crystalline material based on silicon and to use for this purpose etching techniques from the field of microelectronics.
  • the forms obtainable by such techniques are however limited so that it is difficult to optimize the lightness of the needle without penalizing the aesthetics.
  • Transparent plastic or glass needles are described in documents FR 2867285, DE 29604580 U and DE 822293 but the objective sought in these documents is quite different from that of reducing the inertia of the needles.
  • the present invention aims to solve, at least in part, the abovementioned problems and proposes for this purpose a second or fractional seconds indicator hand for a timepiece comprising a fixing part intended to be mounted on an axis and a rod made of glass or sapphire extending from the fixing part, characterized in that on at least one section of the strip the upper surface of the strip is faceted or has, in cross section, a domed or semi-oblong shape.
  • FIG. 1 is a top view of a seconds hand or fractions of a second for a timepiece according to a particular embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the needle, taken along the line A-A of Figure 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the rod of the needle, taken along line B-B of Figure 1;
  • FIG. 4 to 7 are cross-sectional views of needle rods according to other embodiments of the invention.
  • FIG. 8 to 12 show the shape of the cross section of needle rods according to yet other embodiments of the invention.
  • Figures 1 and 2 show an indicator hand 1 for a timepiece, in particular for a wristwatch, pocket watch or pendulum clock, according to a particular embodiment of the invention.
  • Hand 1 is a hand indicating seconds or fractions of a second. In the case of a second hand, it can be that of an ordinary watch or a chronograph. It can also be a split-second needle.
  • the timepiece is typically mechanical.
  • the needle 1 comprises a fixing part 10 pierced with a hole 11 allowing the assembly of the needle by driving out, gluing, brazing or the like on an axis. From the fixing part 10 extends radially a rod 12 intended to point towards the numbers and / or index of a graduation of the dial of the timepiece.
  • the needle 1 may further comprise a counterweight 15 extending from the fixing part 10 in the opposite direction to the rod 12.
  • the rod 12 and preferably the entire needle 1 is made of mineral or organic glass, preferably of tempered mineral glass, or of sapphire. These materials have a low density, allowing the needle to be light and therefore to have low inertia, and also have sufficient rigidity to prevent the needle from deforming under the effect of its weight.
  • the upper surface 17 of the rod 12 that is to say the surface seen by the user when he looks at the dial from above (or from the front), is faceted by two longitudinal chamfers opposite 17a, 17b (see Figure 3) or has, in cross section, a curved shape therefore without edge (see Figure 4) or a semi-oblong shape (straight segment with curved ends; see Figure 5).
  • the interior of the rod 12 is hollowed out. More specifically, a groove 20 is formed in the lower surface 18 of the rod 12 over a depth which typically exceeds the half the height h of the strip 12 and over a length which is at least 50%, preferably at least 75% of the length L of the strip 12. This gives minimal inertia for the needle 1 without deviating from the usual aesthetics of a needle.
  • the bottom 20a of the groove 20 is preferably rounded, as shown, to increase the rigidity.
  • the groove 20 is replaced by a recess 21 formed inside the rod 12 and which does not open either on the lower surface 18 or on the others outer surfaces of the rod 12, this over all or almost the entire length of the recess 21, or over at least 50% or even at least 75% of the length of the recess 21.
  • This recess 21 can on another part of its length communicate with the outside of the strip 12 through one or more holes left during manufacture.
  • the cross section of the strip 12 can have different shapes from the semi-octagonal, semi-circular or oblong shapes illustrated in Figures 3 to 5 respectively.
  • Figures 8 to 11 show additional examples of cross-sectional shapes for the strip 12 where the upper surface is faceted ( Figures 8 and 9: semi-hexagonal shape; Figure 10: triangular shape; Figure 11: hexagonal shape).
  • Figure 12 shows a circular cross section giving the upper surface a domed shape.
  • the needle according to the invention is typically manufactured by 3D printing or by the technique known under the name of FEMTOPRINT (registered trademark) which consists in locally changing the properties of a transparent material such as glass or sapphire by means of a femtosecond laser and then subjecting the transparent material to a chemical etching operation aimed at eliminating the parts treated by the laser.
  • FEMTOPRINT registered trademark
  • the FEMTOPRINT process makes it possible to obtain one-piece parts of complex shapes, including interior recesses, chamfers, rounding, etc., with great manufacturing precision.
  • the freedom in the choice of shapes is much greater than with an anisotropic etching process like deep reactive ion etching called DRIE.
  • the outer surface of the needle according to the invention can be treated and / or wear one or more coatings.
  • at least a first section of the transparent strip 12 can carry an anti-reflective coating 16 over its entire surface or at least on its upper and / or lower surface and a second section of the strip 12, typically a part of distal end, constituting the indicator portion of the needle, can be made opaque or less transparent than the first section at least for a user looking at the needle from above.
  • the first section can thus facilitate the reading of information on the dial above which the hand moves.
  • the second section can be made opaque or less transparent by the deposition of a layer 19 such as a layer of paint or a metallic layer or by a treatment such as texturing or frosting.
  • all of the rod 12 or all of the needle 1 can be treated, for example textured, frosted or painted, to be clearly visible.
  • an intermediate piece for example made of brass, can be brazed or fixed elastically in the hole 11 and then driven out on the axis.
  • the width e of the strip 12 can be variable, as shown in FIG. 1 where the strip 12 is tapered, in order to better distribute the stresses and in particular increase its stiffness where the forces are the highest, namely near the part fixing 10.
  • the height h of the strip 12 can be variable and can for example decrease from its end joined to the fixing part 10 at its free end, for a better distribution of the stresses.
  • the needle according to the invention can also have a non-rectilinear profile, of curved shape or with recesses, for example to follow a curvature of the dial or pass over the barrel of another needle or another three-dimensional member while keeping the indicator portion of the needle close to the dial.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)

Abstract

The hand for a timepiece comprises a fastening part (10) intended to be mounted on a pin and a glass or sapphire rod (12) extending from the fastening part (10). Over at least a portion of the rod (12), the upper surface (17) of the rod (12) is faceted or has, in cross section, a domed or semi-oblong shape, giving the hand low inertia.

Description

Aiguille indicatrice de secondes ou de fractions de seconde pour pièce d’horlogerie  Seconds or fractions of a second indicator hand for a timepiece
La présente invention concerne une aiguille indicatrice de secondes ou de fractions de seconde pour pièce d’horlogerie et une pièce d’horlogerie, notamment une pièce d’horlogerie mécanique, munie d’une telle aiguille. The present invention relates to a second or fractional seconds indicator hand for a timepiece and a timepiece, in particular a mechanical timepiece, provided with such a hand.
Les aiguilles indicatrices sont généralement fabriquées en laiton, acier, or, aluminium ou alliage. La plupart de ces matériaux ont une densité élevée qui se traduit, pour l’aiguille, par une grande masse donc une grande inertie. Une aiguille de grande inertie fait consommer plus d’énergie à son mécanisme d’entraînement. Ceci est problématique dans le cas des aiguilles de secondes ou de fractions de seconde à cause de leur grande vitesse de rotation. En particulier, lors du déclenchement d’un chronographe, la mise en rotation de l’aiguille de seconde de chronographe et des éventuelles aiguilles de fractions de seconde contribue à créer un pic de consommation d’énergie qui provoque une perte d’amplitude au niveau de l’oscillateur et par voie de conséquence une diminution de la réserve de marche et de la chronométrie. Il est dès lors important que ces aiguilles soient légères.  The indicator needles are generally made of brass, steel, gold, aluminum or alloy. Most of these materials have a high density which translates, for the needle, by a large mass therefore a great inertia. A high inertia needle consumes more energy from its drive mechanism. This is problematic in the case of second hands or fractions of a second because of their high speed of rotation. In particular, when a chronograph is triggered, the rotation of the chronograph second hand and any fractional second hands contributes to creating a peak in energy consumption which causes a loss of amplitude at the level of the oscillator and consequently a reduction in the power reserve and chronometry. It is therefore important that these needles are light.
Parmi les matériaux classiquement employés pour la fabrication d’aiguilles indicatrices, l’aluminium présente certes une faible densité mais sa rigidité n’est pas suffisante pour des aiguilles de grande longueur.  Among the materials conventionally used for the manufacture of indicator needles, aluminum certainly has a low density but its rigidity is not sufficient for very long needles.
Un autre inconvénient des matériaux précités est que les techniques de fabrication qui leur sont associées, à savoir l’usinage et l’estampage, manquent de précision, ce qui nécessite des opérations supplémentaires de finition du type ébavure, polissage, etc.  Another drawback of the aforementioned materials is that the manufacturing techniques associated with them, namely machining and stamping, lack precision, which requires additional finishing operations such as deburring, polishing, etc.
Pour faciliter la fabrication des aiguilles et réduire leur masse, la demande de brevet WO 2006/122873 propose de les réaliser dans un matériau cristallin à base de silicium et d’utiliser pour cela des techniques de gravure issues du domaine de la microélectronique. Les formes pouvant être obtenues par de telles techniques sont toutefois limitées en sorte qu’il est difficile d’optimiser la légèreté de l’aiguille sans pénaliser l’esthétique. To facilitate the manufacture of needles and reduce their mass, patent application WO 2006/122873 proposes to produce them in a crystalline material based on silicon and to use for this purpose etching techniques from the field of microelectronics. The forms obtainable by such techniques are however limited so that it is difficult to optimize the lightness of the needle without penalizing the aesthetics.
Des aiguilles en plastique transparent ou verre sont décrites dans les documents FR 2867285, DE 29604580 U et DE 822293 mais l’objectif recherché dans ces documents est tout autre que celui de la réduction de l’inertie des aiguilles.  Transparent plastic or glass needles are described in documents FR 2867285, DE 29604580 U and DE 822293 but the objective sought in these documents is quite different from that of reducing the inertia of the needles.
La présente invention vise à résoudre, en partie au moins, les problèmes susmentionnés et propose à cette fin une aiguille indicatrice de secondes ou de fractions de seconde pour pièce d’horlogerie comprenant une partie de fixation destinée à être montée sur un axe et une baguette en verre ou en saphir s’étendant depuis la partie de fixation, caractérisée en ce que sur au moins un tronçon de la baguette la surface supérieure de la baguette est facettée ou présente, en section transversale, une forme bombée ou semi-oblongue.  The present invention aims to solve, at least in part, the abovementioned problems and proposes for this purpose a second or fractional seconds indicator hand for a timepiece comprising a fixing part intended to be mounted on an axis and a rod made of glass or sapphire extending from the fixing part, characterized in that on at least one section of the strip the upper surface of the strip is faceted or has, in cross section, a domed or semi-oblong shape.
Des modes de réalisation particuliers de l’invention sont définis dans les revendications dépendantes annexées.  Particular embodiments of the invention are defined in the appended dependent claims.
D’autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description détaillée suivante faite en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :  Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
- la figure 1 est une vue de dessus d’une aiguille de secondes ou de fractions de seconde pour pièce d’horlogerie selon un mode de réalisation particulier de l’invention ;  - Figure 1 is a top view of a seconds hand or fractions of a second for a timepiece according to a particular embodiment of the invention;
- la figure 2 est une vue en coupe longitudinale partielle de l’aiguille, prise suivant la ligne A-A de la figure 1 ;  - Figure 2 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the needle, taken along the line A-A of Figure 1;
- la figure 3 est une vue en coupe transversale de la baguette de l’aiguille, prise suivant la ligne B-B de la figure 1 ;  - Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the rod of the needle, taken along line B-B of Figure 1;
- les figures 4 à 7 sont des vues en section transversale de baguettes d’aiguille selon d’autres modes de réalisation de l’invention ; - les figures 8 à 12 montrent la forme de la section transversale de baguettes d’aiguille selon encore d’autres modes de réalisation de l’invention. - Figures 4 to 7 are cross-sectional views of needle rods according to other embodiments of the invention; - Figures 8 to 12 show the shape of the cross section of needle rods according to yet other embodiments of the invention.
Les figures 1 et 2 montrent une aiguille indicatrice 1 pour pièce d’horlogerie, notamment pour montre-bracelet, montre de poche ou pendulette, selon un mode de réalisation particulier de l’invention. L’aiguille 1 est une aiguille indicatrice des secondes ou des fractions de seconde. Dans le cas d’une aiguille des secondes, elle peut être celle d’une montre ordinaire ou d’un chronographe. Elle peut être aussi une aiguille de rattrapante. La pièce d’horlogerie est typiquement mécanique.  Figures 1 and 2 show an indicator hand 1 for a timepiece, in particular for a wristwatch, pocket watch or pendulum clock, according to a particular embodiment of the invention. Hand 1 is a hand indicating seconds or fractions of a second. In the case of a second hand, it can be that of an ordinary watch or a chronograph. It can also be a split-second needle. The timepiece is typically mechanical.
L’aiguille 1 comprend une partie de fixation 10 percée d’un trou 11 permettant le montage de l’aiguille par chassage, collage, brasage ou autre sur un axe. Depuis la partie de fixation 10 s’étend radialement une baguette 12 destinée à pointer vers des chiffres et/ou index d’une graduation du cadran de la pièce d’horlogerie. L’aiguille 1 peut comprendre en outre un contrepoids 15 s’étendant depuis la partie de fixation 10 dans le sens opposé à la baguette 12.  The needle 1 comprises a fixing part 10 pierced with a hole 11 allowing the assembly of the needle by driving out, gluing, brazing or the like on an axis. From the fixing part 10 extends radially a rod 12 intended to point towards the numbers and / or index of a graduation of the dial of the timepiece. The needle 1 may further comprise a counterweight 15 extending from the fixing part 10 in the opposite direction to the rod 12.
La baguette 12 et de préférence toute l’aiguille 1 est en verre minéral ou organique, de préférence en verre minéral trempé, ou en saphir. Ces matériaux ont une faible densité, permettant à l’aiguille d’être légère et donc de présenter une faible inertie, et ont en outre une rigidité suffisante pour éviter à l’aiguille de se déformer sous l’effet de son poids.  The rod 12 and preferably the entire needle 1 is made of mineral or organic glass, preferably of tempered mineral glass, or of sapphire. These materials have a low density, allowing the needle to be light and therefore to have low inertia, and also have sufficient rigidity to prevent the needle from deforming under the effect of its weight.
Pour diminuer encore l’inertie, la surface supérieure 17 de la baguette 12, c’est-à-dire la surface vue par l’utilisateur lorsqu’il regarde le cadran de dessus (ou de face), est facettée par deux chanfreins longitudinaux opposés 17a, 17b (cf. figure 3) ou présente, en section transversale, une forme bombée donc sans arête (cf. figure 4) ou une forme semi-oblongue (segment droit avec extrémités courbes ; cf. figure 5). De plus, de préférence, l’intérieur de la baguette 12 est évidé. Plus précisément, une cannelure 20 est formée dans la surface inférieure 18 de la baguette 12 sur une profondeur qui typiquement dépasse la moitié de la hauteur h de la baguette 12 et sur une longueur qui est d’au moins 50%, de préférence d’au moins 75% de la longueur L de la baguette 12. On obtient ainsi pour l’aiguille 1 une inertie minimale sans s’écarter de l’esthétique habituelle d’une aiguille. Le fond 20a de la cannelure 20 est de préférence arrondi, comme représenté, pour augmenter la rigidité. To further reduce the inertia, the upper surface 17 of the rod 12, that is to say the surface seen by the user when he looks at the dial from above (or from the front), is faceted by two longitudinal chamfers opposite 17a, 17b (see Figure 3) or has, in cross section, a curved shape therefore without edge (see Figure 4) or a semi-oblong shape (straight segment with curved ends; see Figure 5). In addition, preferably, the interior of the rod 12 is hollowed out. More specifically, a groove 20 is formed in the lower surface 18 of the rod 12 over a depth which typically exceeds the half the height h of the strip 12 and over a length which is at least 50%, preferably at least 75% of the length L of the strip 12. This gives minimal inertia for the needle 1 without deviating from the usual aesthetics of a needle. The bottom 20a of the groove 20 is preferably rounded, as shown, to increase the rigidity.
Dans d’autres modes de réalisation de l’invention représentés aux figures 6 et 7, la cannelure 20 est remplacée par un évidement 21 formé à l’intérieur de la baguette 12 et qui ne débouche ni sur la surface inférieure 18 ni sur les autres surfaces extérieures de la baguette 12, ceci sur toute ou presque toute la longueur de l’évidement 21 , ou sur au moins 50% voire au moins 75% de la longueur de l’évidement 21. Cet évidement 21 peut sur une autre partie de sa longueur communiquer avec l’extérieur de la baguette 12 par un ou des trous laissés lors de la fabrication. Ces modes de réalisation permettent de supprimer ou réduire le risque que des saletés ou autres éléments indésirables pénètrent dans l’aiguille.  In other embodiments of the invention shown in Figures 6 and 7, the groove 20 is replaced by a recess 21 formed inside the rod 12 and which does not open either on the lower surface 18 or on the others outer surfaces of the rod 12, this over all or almost the entire length of the recess 21, or over at least 50% or even at least 75% of the length of the recess 21. This recess 21 can on another part of its length communicate with the outside of the strip 12 through one or more holes left during manufacture. These embodiments eliminate or reduce the risk of dirt or other unwanted elements from entering the needle.
La section transversale de la baguette 12 peut avoir des formes différentes des formes semi-octogonale, semi-circulaire ou oblongue illustrées aux figures 3 à 5 respectivement. Les figures 8 à 11 montrent des exemples supplémentaires de formes de section transversale pour la baguette 12 où la surface supérieure est facettée (figures 8 et 9 : forme semi-hexagonale ; figure 10 : forme triangulaire ; figure 11 : forme hexagonale). La figure 12 montre une section transversale circulaire conférant à la surface supérieure une forme bombée.  The cross section of the strip 12 can have different shapes from the semi-octagonal, semi-circular or oblong shapes illustrated in Figures 3 to 5 respectively. Figures 8 to 11 show additional examples of cross-sectional shapes for the strip 12 where the upper surface is faceted (Figures 8 and 9: semi-hexagonal shape; Figure 10: triangular shape; Figure 11: hexagonal shape). Figure 12 shows a circular cross section giving the upper surface a domed shape.
L’aiguille selon l’invention est typiquement fabriquée par impression 3D ou par la technique connue sous le nom de FEMTOPRINT (marque déposée) qui consiste à changer localement les propriétés d’un matériau transparent tel que le verre ou le saphir au moyen d’un laser femtoseconde et à ensuite soumettre le matériau transparent à une opération de gravure chimique visant à éliminer les parties traitées par le laser. Le procédé FEMTOPRINT permet l’obtention de pièces monobloc de formes complexes, comprenant des évidements intérieurs, des chanfreins, des arrondis, etc., avec une grande précision de fabrication. La liberté dans le choix des formes est bien plus grande qu’avec un procédé de gravure anisotrope comme la gravure ionique réactive profonde dite DRIE. The needle according to the invention is typically manufactured by 3D printing or by the technique known under the name of FEMTOPRINT (registered trademark) which consists in locally changing the properties of a transparent material such as glass or sapphire by means of a femtosecond laser and then subjecting the transparent material to a chemical etching operation aimed at eliminating the parts treated by the laser. The FEMTOPRINT process makes it possible to obtain one-piece parts of complex shapes, including interior recesses, chamfers, rounding, etc., with great manufacturing precision. The freedom in the choice of shapes is much greater than with an anisotropic etching process like deep reactive ion etching called DRIE.
La surface extérieure de l’aiguille selon l’invention peut être traitée et/ou porter un ou des revêtements. Par exemple, au moins un premier tronçon de la baguette 12, transparent, peut porter un revêtement antireflet 16 sur toute sa surface ou au moins sur sa surface supérieure et/ou inférieure et un deuxième tronçon de la baguette 12, typiquement une partie d’extrémité distale, constituant la partie indicatrice de l’aiguille, peut être rendu opaque ou moins transparent que le premier tronçon au moins pour un utilisateur regardant l’aiguille de dessus. Le premier tronçon peut ainsi faciliter la lecture d’informations sur le cadran au- dessus desquelles se déplace l’aiguille. Le deuxième tronçon peut être rendu opaque ou moins transparent par le dépôt d’une couche 19 telle qu’une couche de peinture ou une couche métallique ou par un traitement tel qu’une texturation ou un dépoli. Inversement, toute la baguette 12 ou toute l’aiguille 1 peut être traitée, par exemple texturée, dépolie ou peinte, pour être bien visible.  The outer surface of the needle according to the invention can be treated and / or wear one or more coatings. For example, at least a first section of the transparent strip 12 can carry an anti-reflective coating 16 over its entire surface or at least on its upper and / or lower surface and a second section of the strip 12, typically a part of distal end, constituting the indicator portion of the needle, can be made opaque or less transparent than the first section at least for a user looking at the needle from above. The first section can thus facilitate the reading of information on the dial above which the hand moves. The second section can be made opaque or less transparent by the deposition of a layer 19 such as a layer of paint or a metallic layer or by a treatment such as texturing or frosting. Conversely, all of the rod 12 or all of the needle 1 can be treated, for example textured, frosted or painted, to be clearly visible.
Pour le montage de l’aiguille 1 sur son axe, une pièce intermédiaire, par exemple en laiton, peut être brasée ou fixée élastiquement dans le trou 11 puis chassée sur l’axe.  For mounting the needle 1 on its axis, an intermediate piece, for example made of brass, can be brazed or fixed elastically in the hole 11 and then driven out on the axis.
La largeur e de la baguette 12 peut être variable, comme représenté à la figure 1 où la baguette 12 est effilée, afin de mieux répartir les contraintes et notamment augmenter sa raideur là où les forces sont les plus élevées, à savoir près de la partie de fixation 10. Au lieu d’une largeur e variable comme dans l’exemple de la figure 1 , ou en plus d’une telle variation de largeur, la hauteur h de la baguette 12 peut être variable et peut par exemple aller en décroissant de son extrémité jointe à la partie de fixation 10 à son extrémité libre, pour une meilleure répartition des contraintes.  The width e of the strip 12 can be variable, as shown in FIG. 1 where the strip 12 is tapered, in order to better distribute the stresses and in particular increase its stiffness where the forces are the highest, namely near the part fixing 10. Instead of a variable width e as in the example in FIG. 1, or in addition to such a variation in width, the height h of the strip 12 can be variable and can for example decrease from its end joined to the fixing part 10 at its free end, for a better distribution of the stresses.
L’aiguille selon l’invention peut aussi avoir un profil non rectiligne, de forme courbe ou avec des décrochements, pour par exemple suivre une courbure du cadran ou passer au-dessus du canon d’une autre aiguille ou d’un autre organe tridimensionnel tout en gardant la partie indicatrice de l’aiguille proche du cadran. The needle according to the invention can also have a non-rectilinear profile, of curved shape or with recesses, for example to follow a curvature of the dial or pass over the barrel of another needle or another three-dimensional member while keeping the indicator portion of the needle close to the dial.
Toutes ces particularités géométriques de l’aiguille sont rendues possibles par le matériau utilisé, verre ou saphir, et les techniques de fabrication y associées.  All these geometric peculiarities of the needle are made possible by the material used, glass or sapphire, and the manufacturing techniques associated with it.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Aiguille indicatrice de secondes ou de fractions de seconde pour pièce d’horlogerie comprenant une partie de fixation (10) destinée à être montée sur un axe et une baguette (12) en verre ou en saphir s’étendant depuis la partie de fixation (10), caractérisée en ce que sur au moins un tronçon de la baguette (12) la surface supérieure (17) de la baguette (12) est facettée ou présente, en section transversale, une forme bombée ou semi-oblongue. 1. Hand indicating seconds or fractions of a second for a timepiece comprising a fixing part (10) intended to be mounted on an axis and a rod (12) of glass or sapphire extending from the fixing part (10), characterized in that on at least one section of the strip (12) the upper surface (17) of the strip (12) is faceted or has, in cross section, a domed or semi-oblong shape.
2. Aiguille indicatrice selon la revendication 1 , caractérisée en ce que ledit tronçon représente au moins 50% de la longueur (L) de la baguette (12). 2. Indicator needle according to claim 1, characterized in that said section represents at least 50% of the length (L) of the rod (12).
3. Aiguille indicatrice selon la revendication 1 , caractérisée en ce que ledit tronçon représente au moins 75% de la longueur (L) de la baguette (12). 3. Indicator needle according to claim 1, characterized in that said section represents at least 75% of the length (L) of the rod (12).
4. Aiguille indicatrice selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisée en ce qu’elle est en une seule pièce. 4. Indicator needle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is in one piece.
5. Aiguille indicatrice selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisée en ce que la baguette (12) est creuse au moins sur ledit tronçon. 5. Indicator needle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the rod (12) is hollow at least on said section.
6. Aiguille indicatrice selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce que la baguette (12) est rendue creuse par une cannelure (20) formée dans la surface inférieure (18) de la baguette (12). 6. Indicator needle according to claim 5, characterized in that the strip (12) is made hollow by a groove (20) formed in the lower surface (18) of the strip (12).
7. Aiguille indicatrice selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que le fond (20a) de la cannelure est arrondi. 7. Indicator needle according to claim 6, characterized in that the bottom (20a) of the groove is rounded.
8. Aiguille indicatrice selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce que la baguette (12) est rendue creuse par un évidement (21 ) formé à l’intérieur de la baguette (12) et qui, sur au moins 50% de sa longueur, ne débouche sur aucune surface extérieure de la baguette (12). 8. Indicator needle according to claim 5, characterized in that the rod (12) is made hollow by a recess (21) formed inside the rod (12) and which, over at least 50% of its length, does not lead to any external surface of the strip (12).
9. Aiguille indicatrice selon la revendication 8, caractérisée en ce que l’évidement (21 ) ne débouche sur aucune surface extérieure de la baguette (12) sur au moins 75% de sa longueur. 9. Indicating needle according to claim 8, characterized in that the recess (21) does not open on any external surface of the rod (12) over at least 75% of its length.
10. Aiguille indicatrice selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, caractérisée en ce que la largeur (e) de la baguette (12) varie le long de la baguette (12). 10. Indicator needle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the width (e) of the strip (12) varies along the strip (12).
11. Aiguille indicatrice selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, caractérisée en ce que la largeur (e) de la baguette (12) va en décroissant de son extrémité jointe à la partie de fixation (10) à son extrémité libre. 11. Indicator needle according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the width (e) of the strip (12) decreases from its end joined to the fixing part (10) at its free end.
12. Aiguille indicatrice selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1 à 11 , caractérisée en ce que la hauteur (h) de la baguette (12) varie le long de la baguette (12). 12. Indicator needle according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the height (h) of the strip (12) varies along the strip (12).
13. Aiguille indicatrice selon la revendication 12, caractérisée en ce que la hauteur (h) de la baguette (12) va en décroissant de son extrémité jointe à la partie de fixation (10) à son extrémité libre. 13. Indicator needle according to claim 12, characterized in that the height (h) of the rod (12) decreases from its end joined to the fixing part (10) at its free end.
14. Pièce d’horlogerie, en particulier pièce d’horlogerie mécanique, comprenant une aiguille indicatrice selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1 à 13. 14. Timepiece, in particular mechanical timepiece, comprising an indicator hand according to any one of claims 1 to 13.
EP19790083.0A 2018-10-18 2019-10-17 Hand for indicating seconds or fractions of a second for a timepiece Pending EP3867706A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP18201140.3A EP3640745B1 (en) 2018-10-18 2018-10-18 Indicator hand for a timepiece
PCT/IB2019/058857 WO2020079633A1 (en) 2018-10-18 2019-10-17 Hand for indicating seconds or fractions of a second for a timepiece

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3867706A1 true EP3867706A1 (en) 2021-08-25

Family

ID=63914824

Family Applications (4)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22203199.9A Pending EP4145229A1 (en) 2018-10-18 2018-10-18 Indicating hand for timepiece
EP18201140.3A Active EP3640745B1 (en) 2018-10-18 2018-10-18 Indicator hand for a timepiece
EP19790085.5A Active EP3867707B1 (en) 2018-10-18 2019-10-17 Indicator hand for a timepiece
EP19790083.0A Pending EP3867706A1 (en) 2018-10-18 2019-10-17 Hand for indicating seconds or fractions of a second for a timepiece

Family Applications Before (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22203199.9A Pending EP4145229A1 (en) 2018-10-18 2018-10-18 Indicating hand for timepiece
EP18201140.3A Active EP3640745B1 (en) 2018-10-18 2018-10-18 Indicator hand for a timepiece
EP19790085.5A Active EP3867707B1 (en) 2018-10-18 2019-10-17 Indicator hand for a timepiece

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (4) EP4145229A1 (en)
WO (2) WO2020079633A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NO20211096A1 (en) * 2021-09-13 2023-03-14
WO2023036977A1 (en) * 2021-09-13 2023-03-16 Maturitas As An improved watch hand system providing improved readability of information displayed on different locations of a watch dial

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE822293C (en) * 1949-07-16 1951-11-26 Uhrenfabriken Gebrueder Jungha Hands for timepiece u. like
CH682966B5 (en) * 1992-02-10 1994-06-30 Gerald Genta Needle timepiece.
DE29604580U1 (en) * 1996-03-12 1997-05-15 Liauw, Ek Tjien, 60323 Frankfurt 3-hand calendar clock with 3 rings at the end showing the date, month and day; the dial is divided into 3 circles for day, month, date
JP4481564B2 (en) * 2001-12-13 2010-06-16 アスラブ・エス アー Particularly, a luminous hand of a clock and a display device having the same
FR2867285B1 (en) * 2004-03-03 2009-07-31 Benoit Espiau WATCH
CH696475A5 (en) * 2005-05-12 2007-06-29 Eta Sa Mft Horlogere Suisse Body analog display crystalline material, timepiece provided with such a display element and method for its manufacture.
CH707437B1 (en) * 2013-01-10 2017-12-29 Richemont Int Sa An optical method for making at least one component of a watch movement invisible.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2020079633A1 (en) 2020-04-23
WO2020079636A1 (en) 2020-04-23
EP4145229A1 (en) 2023-03-08
EP3867707B1 (en) 2022-11-02
EP3640745B1 (en) 2023-02-22
EP3867707A1 (en) 2021-08-25
EP3640745A1 (en) 2020-04-22

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