JPH03243885A - Push button device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To surely operate a control part by relatively moving a button head and operation rod in axis direction each other and locking at the furthest point from clock case and unlocking at the closest point. CONSTITUTION: At a point a push-button is not operated, the button head 1 is energized by a return spring 27 and the free end part 28 of a sleeve 5 is arranged with intervals against an inclined part 26. By pushing the head 1, a push spring 12 and a spring 27 are compressed and the head 1 is pushed inside the case until the end part 28 hits the part 26 in half-operation position. When the head 1 is further pushed in until the end part 28 hits the part 26, the end part 28 move along the part 26 and expands a spring arm 22 in the radius direction against the spring force. Then, a locking cam 23 comes out of annulus groove 24 and so an operation rod 10 goes in the case by receiving the force of a drawing spring 12 stress-released, and operates a control member of the clock. At final position an annular collar 8 hits an annulus body 17 and the head 1 is limited to an unmovable position.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention is a push button device for operating a control member of a timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, comprising a button head projecting radially from a watch case. , the button head is arranged to be movable in its own axial direction, and an operating rod is provided on the button head, the operating rod being moved by the button head through a notch in the watch case in the axial direction of the operating rod. the control member is movable into the watch case by the operating rod, and the control member is operated by the operating rod;
This invention relates to a type in which the button head and the operating rod are spring-biased toward the outside of the watch case.

[Conventional technology]

In this type of push button device, in order to reliably operate the control member of the watch, the operating rod must
It has a sufficiently long travel path and invades the inside of the watch case,
Therefore, the control member must be biased with a sufficiently large but not too large force. If this condition is not met, the control process may be canceled incompletely, or
The control member may be damaged.

[Problem of invention]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a push button device that allows reliable and accurate operation of a control member.

[Means to solve the problem]

According to the present invention that solves this problem, the button head and the operating rod are movable relative to each other in the axial direction against a spring force, and the button head is operated when the button head is at the farthest position from the watch case. The rod is locked by a locking member fixed to the watch case, and when the button head is at a position closest to the watch case, the locking member is moved by the button head to a position where the operating rod is unlocked. It has become.

[Action and effect]

According to the configuration of the present invention, even when the button head is pressed,
The operating rod remains in its starting position until the button head has been moved towards the interior of the watch case and has reached near the end of its travel movement. At the same time, a predetermined spring force is created by the telescoping movement of the push button and the actuating rod into one another. When the push button reaches near the end of its travel movement, the operating rod is unlocked. The operating rod is then biased toward the control member with a predetermined spring force. Since the push-button must be moved by a predetermined minimum amount in order to release the operating rod, the operating rod is also operated with the push-button by means of a spring force that moves inside the watch case to an extent that ensures operation of the control member. In order to limit the movement of the rods away from each other, the movement of the push button and the actuating rod axially away from each other is limited by a stop.

Further, the button head is configured in the shape of a bowl with an opening that opens toward the inside of the watch case, and the end of the operating rod that faces inside the case is inserted into the button head through the opening. A tension spring, supported at one end by the button head and by the operating rod at the other end, is formed between the cylindrical inner circumferential wall of the button head and the cylindrical outer circumferential wall of the operating rod. The overall structure can be made smaller by being arranged in a circular annular chamber. In this case, the operating rod has a radially projecting annular extension, on which one end of the tension spring is supported.

In order to limit the movement of the push button and the operating rod away from each other, the operating rod has a radially projecting annular appendage which projects radially inwardly of the button head. An annular stop locks in the area of the opening of the button head. This locking action and the support action of the tension spring are obtained by the same annular addition.

If the button head is surrounded in the area of a cylindrical jacket by a return spring, which is supported at one end on the watch case and at the other end on the button head, it is possible to fit into a small construction space. You can get a structure that fits.

A radially extending annular groove is formed in the end of the actuating rod, which is directed towards the interior of the watch case, in which a locking cam can be spring-loaded; The operating rod is locked. In this case, a locking cam is provided at one free end of the spring arm, the other end of which extends approximately radially relative to the watch case and is fixed to the watch case. , if the locking cam is biased movably with respect to the spring arm operating rod, a configuration with fewer components can be obtained.

In order to obtain a reliable and symmetrical locking, it is advantageous if a large number of spring arms are arranged evenly distributed around the operating rod.

In order to unlock the operating rod, the spring arm has an inclined portion which is inclined with respect to the axis of the operating rod towards the inside of the watch case and which is inclined relative to the operating rod. When the button head moves toward the inside of the watch case, the stopper of the button head is abutted, and the locking cam comes out of the annular groove against the spring force of the spring arm. In this case, without requiring additional costs, the stop of the button head is formed by the opening area of the bowl-shaped part of the button head.

In order to obtain a sufficiently high preload of the tension spring arranged between the button head and the operating rod, said stop is tilted in the second part of the stroke of the button head in the direction towards the interior of the watch case. It is designed so that it can be brought into contact with the part.

In order to prevent dirt from entering the inner area of the push-button device, the button head is provided with a sleeve-like annular collar which surrounds the bowl-shaped area of the button head at a distance and forms an annular chamber. , the annular chamber is closed on the watch case side, and on this watch case side, the annular collar fixed to the watch case telescopes into the annular chamber, or telescopes the button head's annular chamber. surrounded.

In order to prevent dirt from entering, one annular collar has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface facing the other annular boxwood side,
It has an annular groove extending in the circumferential direction, and a seal ring is fitted into the annular groove.

In order to determine the maximum displacement movement of the button head when the button head is operated, a stop is arranged on the button head which limits the axial movement towards the watch case, which stop means that the button head can move towards the watch case. When it is moved inward, it hits the watch case.

If the stop is adjustable and can be adjusted from one position, which allows operation of the control member, to another position, which prevents operation of the control part, the push-button device can be prevented from being actuated inadvertently. can be prevented from being done.

For this purpose, the stopper is arranged such that in the axial direction of the stopper,
In particular, it is provided with a coaxial screw, which screw is screwed into a non-rotatable button head or a screw formed in the watch case.

In order to reduce the structure and facilitate operation, the stopper is a crown nut, which is screwed into a thread formed on the cylindrical outer circumferential surface of the push button, and the stopper is screwed into a thread formed on the cylindrical outer circumference of the push button. The end face facing the watch case side forms a stopper face that abuts against the watch case.

The length of the push-button device that protrudes from the watch case makes it easy to operate, provided that the push-button is completely screwed into the threaded hole in the crown nut in a position that allows operation of the control member. limited to the length necessary to do so.

The end of the push button facing the watch case
If it extends further towards the watch case than the screw of the crown nut, this end defines the position that allows maximum adjustment of the operating rod and also holds the crown nut against the push button. .

In order to prevent the push button from rotating together with the crown nut when turning the crown nut, the push button has an additional part for preventing rotation, and the additional part for preventing rotation is formed on the watch case. the corresponding notch.

〔Example〕

The push-button device shown has a button head 1 with a mushroom-shaped push part 2, which has:
A sleeve 5 is screwed onto a shaft 4 with a screw 3. A sealing ring 7 is arranged between one end side of the sleeve 5 and the head part 6 of the pushing part 2 under prestress, which seals the inside of the sleeve 5 towards the outside.

At its end facing the pushing part, the sleeve 5 has a radially extending extension which transitions into an annular collar 8 which concentrically surrounds the sleeve 5 at a distance. The annular collar 8 has a shorter axial length than the sleeve 5.

A button head 1 is formed by the sleeve 5, the annular collar 8 and the push part 2. An operating rod 10 protrudes into the inner chamber of the sleeve 5, the diameter of the operating rod 10 is smaller than the inner diameter of the sleeve 5, and an annular chamber 11 is formed between the cylindrical inner chamber of the sleeve 5 and the operating rod 10. It is formed.

A pressure spring 12 is arranged in this annular chamber 11, which surrounds the operating rod 10 and is supported at one end on the push part 2 and at the other end on the operating rod 10. 10 radially projecting annular additions 13
, and loads the operating cry 10 in the direction of exiting from the sleeve 5.

The movement of the operating rod 10 coming out of the sleeve 5
is delimited by a radially inwardly projecting annular stop 14 formed in the end region opposite the pushing part 2 . In other words, the annular additional portion 13 of the operating rod 10 abuts against this annular support bar 14.

An annular body 16 is fitted into a notch 15 of a watch case 16. The annular body 17 is provided with an annular collar 18 that protrudes outside the case, and this annular collar 18 is attached to the button head ■
It cooperates with the annular collar 8 to form a telescope.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4, the annular collar 18 is radially surrounded by the annular collar 8, whereas in the embodiment of FIGS.
is surrounded by an annular collar 18. In both embodiments, the mutually facing cylindrical surfaces of the annular collars 8 and 18 slide against each other.

An annular collar 18 (FIGS. 1 to 4) or an annular collar 8 (FIGS. 5 to 10) directed toward the other annular collar 8 or 18 in the overlapping range of the annular collars 8 and 18. A radially extending annular groove is formed in the outer circumferential area of the ring, into which a seven-ring ring 20 is fitted.

The annular body 17 surrounds the sleeve 5 in an area close to the inside of its case and together with this part forms a guide ring 21 for the button head l.

A spring arm 22 extends from the guide ring 21 towards the interior of the case and has at its free end a locking cam 23 directed radially inward. This locking cam 23 locks in an annular groove 24 formed in the end 25 of the operating rod 10 that projects from the sleeve IO.

The end 25 operates a control member (not shown) provided inside the watch case. Starting from the guide ring 21 , the spring arm 22 extends approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the actuating rod 10 and forms an inclined section 26 in the area adjacent to the locking cam 23 . This inclined portion 26 is inclined towards the inside of the case with respect to the longitudinal axis of the operating rod 10.

In the inoperative position of the push-button device shown in FIGS. 1 or 5 and 6, the button head 1
is biased by a return spring 27 so that the free end 28 of the sleeve 5 is spaced apart from the inclined portion 26. When button head 1 is pressed, push spring 12
Then, the return spring 27 is compressed and the button head 1 is pushed into the case until the end 28 abuts the inclined portion 26 in the manual operating position (see FIG. 2 or FIG. 7).

The locking cam 23 is elastically biased by the spring arm 22 to fit into the annular groove 24, so the operating rod 10 does not enter further into the watch case. With further pushing, the end 28 abuts the ramped portion 26, causing the end 28 to move along the ramped portion 26, thereby forcing the spring arm 22 radially apart against its spring force. Then, the locking cam 23 comes out of the annular groove 24, so that the operating rod 10 receives the spring force of the tension spring 12 whose stress is released and enters into the case, thereby operating the control members of the watch.

In this final position, the annular collar 8 abuts the annular body 17 and the button head 1 is restricted from further movement.

The button head 1 is then pushed back by a return spring 27, which surrounds the sleeve 5 and rests at one end on the annular body 17 and at the other end on the button head l.
is returned to its starting position. At this time, the annular flange 14 of the button head l entrains the annular extension 13 of the operating rod 10. At the same time, the annular groove 24 reaches the area of the locking cam 23, so that the annular groove 24 snaps into it in a spring-elastic manner.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 5 to 10, the cylindrical outer circumferential surface of the annular collar 8 is additionally provided with a thread 29 onto which an annular crown nut 30 is screwed. The region of the crown nut 30 facing the watch case 16 is shaped like a bowl so that it can surround the annular flange 18.

At one end position shown in FIG.
This screws over button head 9.
When the crown nut 30, which is prevented from moving further toward the inside of the case, is turned and moved to the other end position, the button head 1 becomes freely movable.

In order to prevent the button from rotating together when the crown nut 30 is screwed, the button head l should be
It has two anti-rotation extensions 32 extending parallel to its longitudinal axis, which protrude into corresponding notches 33 formed in the annular body 17.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is a half-sectional view of a push-button device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a half-sectional view of the push-button device of FIG. 1 in a half-operated state, and FIG. 3 is a half-sectional view of the push-button device of FIG. Half sectional view showing the fully operated state of the push button device, No. 4
The figure is a perspective view of the spring arm of the push button device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a half sectional view showing the push button device according to the second embodiment of the present invention in a locked state when not operated.
FIG. 6 is a half-sectional view showing the push button device shown in FIG. 5 in an unoperated and unlocked state, and FIG. 7 shows the push button device shown in FIG. 5 in a half-operated state. 8 is a half sectional view showing the fully operated state of the push button device shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 9 is a half sectional view of the push button device shown in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the annular collar of the button head fixed to the case of the push button device shown in FIG. 5; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the annular collar of the push button device shown in FIG. 5; l... Button head, 2... Push part, 3... Screw 4... Shaft, 5... Sleeve, 6... Head part, 7... Seal ring, 8... Annular Brim, 1
0... Operating rod, 11... Annular chamber, 12... Tension spring, 13... Annular additional portion, 14... Annular stopper, 15... Notch, 16... Watch case, 17
... Annular body 18... Annular collar, 20... Seal ring, 21... Guide ring, 22... Spring arm, 23... Locking cam, 24... Annular groove, 25...・・・
End portion, 26... Inclined portion, 27... Return spring, 28
...End part, 29...Screw, 30...Crown nut, 31...End face, 32...Additional part for preventing rotation, 3
3...Notch Fig, 9 Fig. Fig, 8 1

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A push button device for operating a control member of a watch, comprising a button head (1) protruding radially from a watch case (16);
1) is arranged to be movable in its own axial direction, and this button head (1) is provided with an operating rod (10), which operates from said button head (1).
is movable into the watch case (16) through a notch (15) in the watch case (16) in the axial direction of an operating rod (10), and the control member is operated by the operating rod (10). and in which the button head (1) and the operating rod (10) are spring-biased toward the outside of the watch case (16), the button head (1)
and the operating rod (10) are movable relative to each other in the axial direction against a spring force, and when the button head (1) is at the farthest position from the watch case (16), the operating rod (10) is locked by a locking member fixed to the watch case (16), and the locking member is locked by the button head (1) when the button head (1) is in the position closest to the watch case (16). ) is moved to a position to release the lock. 2. Push button device according to claim 1, characterized in that the axial movement of the button head (1) and the operating rod (10) in the direction away from each other is limited by a stopper. 3. The button head (1) is configured in the shape of a bowl with an opening that opens toward the inside of the watch case, and the end of the operating rod (10) facing inside the case passes through the opening and presses the button. A tension spring (12) projects into the head (1) and is supported at one end by the button head (1) and at the other end by the operating rod (10). ) with the cylindrical inner peripheral wall of the operating rod (
An annular chamber (10) formed between the cylindrical outer peripheral wall of the
2. The push button device according to claim 1, wherein the push button device is located within 1). 4. The operating rod (10) has a radially projecting annular appendage (13) on which one end of the tension spring (12) is supported. 3. The push button device according to 3. 5. The operating rod (10) has an annular appendage (13) that protrudes in the radial direction, and the annular appendage (13) is provided with an annular stopper (14) that protrudes inwardly in the radial direction of the button head (1). 5. Push-button device according to claim 1, characterized in that the button head (1) rests in the area of the opening of the button head (1). 6. The button head (1) is surrounded in the area of the cylindrical peripheral wall by a return spring (27);
) is supported at one end by the watch case (16) and at the other end by the button head (1).
5. The push button device according to any one of 5 to 5. 7. The operating rod (
A radially extending annular groove (2) is provided at the end (25) of the
7. Push-button device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking cam (23) can be resiliently locked in the annular groove (24). 8. A locking cam (23) is provided at one free end of the spring arm (22), the other end of which extends substantially radially with respect to the watch case. 8. Push button device according to claim 7, which is fixed to the watch case, the spring arm (22) movably biasing the locking cam (23) relative to the operating rod. 9. Push-button device according to claim 7, characterized in that a plurality of spring arms (22) are arranged uniformly distributed around the operating rod (10). 10. The spring arm (22) has an inclined portion (26), the inclined portion (26) being inclined with respect to the axis of the operating rod (10) toward the inside of the watch case;
When the button head (1) moves toward the inside of the watch case with respect to the operating rod (10), the button head (
8. Push-button device 11 according to claim 7, wherein the stop of 1) is abutted and the locking cam (23) emerges from the annular groove (24) against the spring force of the spring arm (22). 11. Push-button device according to claim 10, wherein the stop of the button head (1) is formed by an opening area of a bowl-shaped part of the button head (1). 12. The push button according to claim 10, wherein the stopper is brought into contact with the inclined portion (26) in a second part of the movement of the button head (1) in the direction toward the inside of the case. Device. 13. Button head (1) is this button head (1)
It is provided with a sleeve-shaped annular collar (8) that surrounds the bowl-shaped area at intervals to form an annular chamber, the annular chamber is closed on the watch case side, and the case is fixed on the watch case side. an annular collar (18) telescopically extending into the annular chamber or surrounding the annular chamber (8) of the button head (1) in a telescopic manner;
Push button device according to any one of claims 1 to 12. 14. One annular collar (8 or 18) has an annular groove (19) extending in the circumferential direction on the cylindrical outer peripheral surface facing the other annular collar (18 or 8), and 14. Push button device according to claim 13, characterized in that a sealing ring (20) is fitted into the annular groove (19). 15. A stopper is arranged on the button head (1) to limit its axial movement towards the watch case, the stopper being arranged so that it abuts against the watch case when the button head is moved towards the inside of the watch case. 15. A push button device according to any one of claims 1 to 14. 16. The push button device of claim 15, wherein the stop is adjustable from one position permitting operation of the control member to another position preventing operation of the control member. 17. The stopper has a screw (2) in the axial direction of the stopper.
9), and the screw (29) is a non-rotatable button head (1) or a screw (29) formed on the watch case.
17. The push button device 18 according to claim 16, wherein the stopper is a crown nut (30), which is screwed into the push button (29).
A stopper surface that is screwed into a screw (29) formed on the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of 1), and the end surface of this screw (29) facing toward the watch case (16) abuts against the watch case (16). 18. The push button device according to claim 17, wherein the push button device forms (31). 19. Push-button device according to claim 18, characterized in that the push-button (1) is adapted to be completely screwed into a threaded hole in the crown nut (30) in a position allowing operation of the control member. 20. The push button (1) according to claim 18, wherein the end of the push button (1) facing toward the watch case (16) extends longer toward the watch case (16) than the thread of the crown nut (30). Push button device. 21. The push button (1) has an additional part for preventing rotation (32
), and the anti-rotation extension (32) engages in a corresponding recess (33) formed in the watch case (16).