FR2777364A1 - Watch unit with interchangeable jeweled ornamentation, useful for adapting watch to varying jewelry styles - Google Patents

Abstract

The watch block (1) has a cavity (3) which just allows the entry of an ornament (2). The ornament consists of a precious stone (6) mounted by claws on a bezel (7) which is welded to a first magnetic element (5). A second magnetic element (4) is welded to the base of the cavity (3) and grips the first thus securing the ornament (2) until it is released by a pin shaped tool

Description

Watch having a watch block provided with at least one

  interchangeable jewelery set.

  The invention relates to both the field of jewelry and that of watchmaking. More specifically, the invention relates to the design and production of watches whose watch block has a jewel-like set. We

  note that in the context of this description, the term "jewel" will be used

  both to design fancy ornaments and precious ornaments.

  The conventional means of fixing jewelry, and in particular precious jewelry, to metal supports are irreversible. Thus, watches presenting a jewel-like adornment conventionally have a watch block

  integrating this set irreversibly.

  Fashion trends, however, frequently imply the need for women to harmonize their toilets, as well as possibly

  other ornaments such as necklaces, earrings, etc., with their watch.

  To meet this need, it is therefore generally necessary to have several watches, each of which is intended to be coordinated with a

certain type of clothing.

  As specified above, the jewelery adornments of the watches are fixed in a way that is irreversible to the watch block thereof. The fixing means used are conventionally crimping in full material, in kitten, "up to date" and on claws or in thread. The main objective of the present invention is to propose means making it possible to modify the appearance of a watch by providing thereon

  reversible means of fixing ornaments forming interchangeable jewels.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide such a watch which

  can thus be easily coordinated with a plurality of outfits.

  Another object of the present invention is to disclose such a watch whose reversible fixing means are sufficiently secure to allow the use of precious elements, such as precious stones, for the

making such adornments.

  Also, an objective of the present invention is to describe such a watch whose jewelry-like adornment can be interchanged with another, without complicated handling. These various objectives are achieved thanks to the invention which relates to a watch having a watch block provided with at least one adornment forming a jewel and means of reversible fixing of said adornment forming a jewel on said watch block, characterized in that said means of reversible fixing are at least in

ferromagnetic part.

  Thus, the invention proposes in an original way to provide on the watch block of a watch, a jewelery set adorning by magnetization with the watch block thereof and which can therefore be replaced by another jewelry set. It will be noted that it had already been proposed in the prior art to provide the watch block with a watch of latching means designed to cooperate with fancy ornaments, such as plastic rings of different colors, said interchangeable rings. However, such snap-fastening means have the drawback of involving mechanical forces capable of reducing their effectiveness over time. It is therefore not possible to envisage the use of such snap-fastening means to provide the watch with ornaments integrating precious elements, such as in particular precious stones. This is also the reason why this technique is limited to ornaments

  fantasy, that is to say, ornaments of little value.

  According to a preferred variant of the invention, the said watch block has at least one cavity and the jewelery set is designed to be inserted at least partially into this cavity. The purpose of using such a cavity is, on the one hand, to better integrate the adornment in the body of the watch block and, on the other hand, to isolate the zone of magnetic cooperation between the adornment forming the jewel and the block. watch in order to

  reduce the risk of involuntary separation of these two elements.

  It will be noted in this regard that the ferromagnetic parts used in the context of the present invention will obviously be chosen so that the magnetic cohesion force between the jewelery set and the watch block is sufficiently high to minimize the risks of accidental detachment as much as possible. of these two elements. It will be noted with interest that the present invention goes against a prejudice of a person skilled in the art working in the field of watchmaking, whether mechanical or electronic, according to which any ferromagnetic element is undesirable to proximity to a watch, since this phenomenon is likely to disturb its operation. As will be explained below in more detail, the invention proposes means allowing its implementation even in the

  cases where the watches are not specially protected against magnetism.

  According to a preferred variant of the invention, the cavity of the watch-block cited above has at least a first metallic element and the jewel-set set is mounted on a second metallic element, said first and second metallic elements being capable of cooperating with each other by magnetization. We

  note that in this description is meant the terms "elements

  metallic "as targeting elements made up of one or more ferromagnetic metals (pure or alloy) as well as those made up of one or more ferromagnetic materials (pure or alloyed) and integrating one or more

other non-metallic materials.

  According to one variant, said first metallic element will be made of ferromagnetic material with induced magnetization (soft iron for example) and the second metallic element will be made of ferromagnetic material with permanent magnetization, while, according to another variant, the first metallic element will be made of ferromagnetic material with permanent magnetization and the second metallic element in ferromagnetic material with induced magnetization. We can thus ensure a

  cooperation by magnetization between the jewelry set and the watch block.

  With regard to the production of the jewel-forming set incorporating the second metallic element mentioned above, it may be envisaged to weld this element

  metallic to the kitten welcoming one or more precious stones of the set.

  When the jewel ornament will rather include faintaisie elements, we can simply stick this fancy element on the second metallic element. * Although the two methods of attaching the adornment to the second metal element mentioned above are preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it will also be possible to envisage other means of attaching the adornment to the second metal element without leaving the

part of the present invention.

  As mentioned above, the ferromagnetism used in the reversible fixing means according to the present invention makes it possible to avoid almost all the risks of accidental detachment of the adornment forming a jewel of the watch block. However, according to a variant of the invention, these reversible fixing means also include at least one pin making it possible to further secure

  the magnet connection between the jewelry set and the watch block.

  According to a variant, this pin could also be produced, in a completely original manner, from a ferromagnetic material with permanent magnetization. It can thus cooperate by magnetization with an element made of ferromagnetic material

  with induced magnetization (soft iron for example) of the jewelery set.

  According to another variant, this pin could also be made of ferromagnetic material with induced magnetization. It will then be able to cooperate by magnetization with a magnet integrated in the adornment forming a jewel. Note that we can

  also use another material in other embodiments.

  Those skilled in the art can easily determine the ferromagnetic materials that can be used in the context of the present invention, the objective of these materials being to involve ferromagnetism using: a high value of the maximum energy stored by the magnet so as to respond to the size constraints inherent in the size of the watches; - a sufficient attraction force to allow strong cohesion between the set and the watch block; - strong resistance to demagnetization; - good mechanical resistance; - good resistance to water and in particular to sea water;

- exacting tolerances.

  The Applicant has however selected a number of materials giving particularly good results. Thus, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the magnetized element or elements which it integrates are made of a material forming a composite magnet chosen from the group consisting of ferrite / anisotropic polymer, ferrite / isotropic polymer, neodymium composites -iron

  boron / isotropic polymer (the polymer used advantageously being a polyamide).

  These materials will be particularly recommended when the said element or elements

  Magnets used will be flat magnetically oriented in the thickness direction.

  It is also possible to use other materials, such as Alnico (cast steel based on aluminum, nickel and cobalt), in particular when the said element or elements

  the magnets used will be elongated, for example in the shape of a horseshoe.

  The invention can of course be implemented on watches whose mechanism is insensitive to magnetism and in particular watches chosen from the group consisting of digital quartz watches and mechanical watches whose parts are protected from magnetism by a cage antimagnetic surrounding their movement. These so-called "superantimagnetic" watches are in

  convenient protected up to 1000 oersteds.

  However, the invention may also be implemented in watches which were not originally protected against magnetism. In order to allow this implementation on this type of watch, the invention proposes to provide the watch block with antimagnetic shielding, for example in soft iron,

  disposed around at least a part of the cavity receiving the jewelry-like ornament.

  The invention, as well as the various advantages which it presents, will be more

  easily understood thanks to the following description of three embodiments

  non-limiting thereof with reference to the drawings, in which: - Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an ornament forming an interchangeable jewel; - Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the jewelry set shown in Figure 1 integrated in a watch block shown partially; - Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a jewelry set integrated in a watch block shown partially; - Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a jewelery set integrated into a watch, the watch block of which is fitted with a soft iron shielding intended to protect the watch mechanism from magnetism; FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of an ornament forming an interchangeable jewel. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first embodiment of the invention is described using a jewelery set 2 incorporating one or more precious stones 6 mounted on a kitten 7. According to a technical characteristic of the invention, the kitten 7 is welded to a ferromagnetic element with induced magnetization 5 (in the context of this embodiment, this element is made of soft iron but it is possible, in other embodiments, to use another

suitable material).

  The watch block 1, of which only part is shown in FIG. 2, has a cavity 3, the bottom of which is equipped with an element 4, also welded to the

  watch block 1, said element 4 constituting a permanent magnet.

  The dimension of the cavity 3 on the one hand, and of the assembly formed by the jewel set 2 and that of the soft iron element 5 on the other hand, are designed to allow the jewel set to be register in this cavity, while leaving the precious stones 6 protrude from the watch block 1 in order to fulfill their aesthetic function. The use on the one hand of the soft iron element 5 on the jewelry set and, on the other hand, of a magnet 4 fixed to the bottom of the cavity 3 makes it possible to cooperate by magnetization this set with the block - watch. Elements 4 and 5 thus constitute reversible fixing means which make it possible to secure and then separate a set of jewelry forming the watch block. The precious stones 6 only protruding very slightly outside the watch block 1, it will be understood that it will be almost impossible for the jewel-forming set 2 to inadvertently separate from the watch block 1. Obviously, the magnet 4 will

  chosen so as to allow strong cohesion of the jewel-like set 2.

  When the person wearing the watch wishes to change the adornment forming jewel 2, he can separate the adornment present on the watch, for example by means of a small tool, such as a needle, making it possible to remove the adornment from the cavity 3, and replace it by another adornment forming jewel 2 of different appearance capable of coordinating with another outfit. The watch can thus be declined with different more or less precious adornments. It will thus be noted that it will be possible to use adornments forming jewel 2 integrating precious stones but also other adornments integrating non-precious elements as shown for example in FIG. 5. In this figure, the element forming jewel does not include stones

  precious but a fancy element 8 which is glued to the soft iron element 5.

  Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 3.

  According to this figure, the watch has a watch block 1 also provided with a cavity 3, the bottom of which is equipped with a metallic element 4. In this embodiment, this metallic element 4 is not a permanent magnet but is a soft iron element. The jewelry set 2 is, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2, made up of precious stones 6 set on a kitten 7 itself welded to a metallic element 5 which, in this embodiment , is formed by a magnet. The mode of operation of this embodiment is therefore the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 except that it is the element 5 equipping the jewelery set which is a magnet while the element metal of cavity 3 is made of soft iron, while

  in the embodiment according to Figure 1 and according to Figure 2 it is the opposite.

  Another notable difference from this embodiment is constituted by the fact that the watch also includes a pin 9 which makes it possible to secure the

  positioning of the jewelery set 2 in the cavity 3 of the watch block 1.

  According to this embodiment, the pin 9 is made of soft iron. However, it will be noted that, in other embodiments, the pin may also be made from a permanent magnet. In this case, it will preferably cooperate with a soft iron element, such as for example the metallic element equipping the jewelery set. Note that when a pin made of a magnet material is used, it will not necessarily be useful to use an additional metal element provided in the bottom of the cavity as long as at least part of the jewelery set is made of soft iron and cooperates by magnetization with the pin. In a third embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the watch unit 1 is fitted with a soft iron shield 10 intended to protect the watch mechanism from the magnetism of the magnetized element (either element 4 or element 5 according to the embodiments) forming part of the reversible fixing means according to the present invention. The invention can therefore be implemented not only on watches which do not fear magnetism such as digital watches and mechanical watches in which the moving parts

  are protected from magnetism, but also on classic watches.

  The embodiments of the invention described here are not intended to reduce the scope thereof. Many modifications can therefore be made without departing from its scope. In particular, it will be noted that the shape and appearance of the jewelery sets may be different from those indicated. One or more cavities may also be used in the watch block having

a different shape.

Claims (13)

  1. Watch having a watch block (I) provided with at least one jewel set (2) and reversible fixing means of said jewel set on said watch block (1) characterized in that said fixing means reversible are at least partly ferromagnetic. 2. Watch according to claim 1 characterized in that said watch block (1) has at least one cavity (3) and in that said jewelery adornment is designed   to fit at least partially into said cavity (3).   3. Watch according to claim 2 characterized in that said cavity (3) of said watch block (1) has at least a first metallic element (4) and in that said jewelery set (2) is mounted on a second element metallic (5), said first and second metallic elements (4,5) being capable of cooperating between them by magnetization.   4. Watch according to claim 3 characterized in that said first metallic element (4) is made of ferromagnetic material with induced magnetization and in that said second metallic element (5) is made of ferromagnetic material with permanent magnetization. 5. Watch according to claim 3 characterized in that said first metallic element (4) is made of ferromagnetic material with permanent magnetization and in that said second metallic element (5) is made of ferromagnetic material with induced magnetization.   6. Watch according to any one of claims 3 to 5 characterized in that   that said jewelery set (2) comprises at least one precious stone (6) set in at least one kitten (7), said kitten being welded to said second element metallic (5).   7. Watch according to any one of claims 3 to 5 characterized in that   that said jewelry set (2) comprises at least one fancy element (8)   bonded to said second metallic element.   8. Watch according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that   that said reversible fixing means include at least one pin (9) making it possible to secure the connection by magnetization between said jewelry-forming set (2) and said watch block (1).   9. Watch according to claim 8 characterized in that said pin (9) is   made of permanently magnetized ferromagnetic material.   10. Watch according to claim 8 characterized in that said pin (9) is   made of ferromagnetic material with induced magnetization.   11. Watch according to any one of claims 1 to 10 characterized in that   that the magnetized element or elements that it integrates are made of a material forming a composite magnet chosen from the group consisting of ferrite / anisotropic polymer, ferrite / isotropic polymer, neodymium-iron-boron / polymer composites   isotropic (the polymer used advantageously being a polyamide), Alnico.   12. Watch according to any one of claims 1 to 11 characterized in that   that it is chosen from the group made up of digital quartz watches and mechanical watches whose moving parts are protected from magnetism.   13. Watch according to any one of claims 2 to 11 characterized in that   that said watch block (2) is provided with an antimagnetic shield (10) arranged   around at least part of said cavity (3).