US3445913A

US3445913A - Apparatus for extracting watch glasses

Info

Publication number: US3445913A
Application number: US550388A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ervin Piquerez
Original assignee: Ervin Piquerez SA
Current assignee: Ervin Piquerez SA
Priority date: 1965-05-18
Filing date: 1966-05-16
Publication date: 1969-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 1986-05-27
Also published as: DE1548101B2; DE1548101A1; GB1102432A

Description

May 27, 1969 E. PIQUEREZ 3,445,913

APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING WATCH GLASSES Filed May 16, 1966 Sheet of s May 27, 1969 A PIQUEREZ' 3,445,913

APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING WATCH GLASSES Filed May is, 1966 sheet 2 of e May 27, 19 9 Filed May 16, 1966 E. PIQUEREZ 3,445,913

APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING WATCH GLASSES 1 Sheet 3 of8 FIGS l lmlllllllllhll I t 3 6 it: I l

*lDEfEi-QUI May 27, 1969 i Filed May 16, 1966 E. PIQUEREZ APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING WATCH GLASSES Sheet 4 of 8 May 27, 1969 E. PIQUEREZ APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING WATCH GLASSES Filed May 16, 1966 Sheet FIG? May 27, 1969 E. PIQUEREZ 3,445,913

APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING WATCH GLASSES Filed May 16, 1966 Sheet 6 of s May 27, 1969 E. PIQUEREZ APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING WATCH GLASSES Sheet Filed May 16, 1966 PIC-3.9

May 27, 1969 E. PIQUEREZ 3,445,913

APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING WATCH GLASSES Filed May 16, 1966 Sheet 8 of 8 FIGJZ United States Patent ice U.S. Cl. 29-210 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure concerns appartus for extracting from a watch case a watch glass which has gripping means distributed along itsperiphery, such as a groove or projections, which includes grasping means such as a sleeve having a central opening of a diameter greater than the diameter of the glass and adapted to engage the gripping means on the glass, with means for exerting an axial force distributed about the periphery of the glass in a direction perpendicular to the force for extracting the glass by bearing against the watch case. 1

This invention relates to a process for removing the watch glass of a watch, tools for carrying out the process and watch glasses which can be used therewith.

Up till now the removal of a Watch glass is efiected generally mechanically or pneumatically by radial or axial deformation of the glass. This deformation is made possible by the elasticity of the material forming the watch glass.

Already known are tools which grip the glass on its periphery and permit to exert thereon a radial pressure such that the glass is deformed by compression and bending and can thus be taken out of the watch case. However, the use of such tools has certain drawbacks. In effect, the deformation of the glass is diflicult to control so that it often happens that by applying too strong a force the glass is damaged. In particular, in the case of ring glasses the resistance to deformation of the ring being greater than that of the glass, the latter breaks or is sectioned off during the extraction to the level of the ring which often stays in the case.

Also known are pneumatic systems wherein a suction cup is applied on the glass to be extracted. The glass is then stressed axially by the creation of a depression of the cup and is deformed by bending. Here again the stresses put on the glass often cause cracks on the surface thereof rendering it useles. Additionally, such systems can hardly be used for water-resistant watches, and especially ringed glasses where the radial pressure is relatively great. In effect the depression created in a suction cup would in that case be increased in such a way that the installation thereof would be substantially complicated and expensive.

Finally it is known that glasses having an annular groove on their edge exist. It has been proposed to use this groove for the introduction of a key, of the kind known in the watchmaking art as case-opener. In this case, however, it is possible to act on only one point of the periphery of the glass by making the blade of the tool rest on the bezel or on the middle of the watch case. This localised stress on the glass causes on assymmetric deformation thereof which not only is unsuitable for a ready extraction but additionally damages often the glass.

The present invention which obviates these drawbacks has for object an apparatus for removing glass from a watch having a grasping means distributed along the periphery of the glass.

A first preferred embodimentof the invention com- 3,445,913 Patented May 27, 1969 prises a frame having on one side a cylindrical sleeve inside which is placed a plier and on the other side of which a member controlling the axial movement of said plier. This tool is characterised by the fact that the jaws of this plier have a cylindrical part coaxial with the sleeve of the frame which, cooperating with the latter by means of an annular outer projection having a diameter superior to the inner diameter of said sleeve, provokes the entry of the grasping means of the jaws of said plier in a peripheral groove of the glass, the relative movement of the plier and of the sleeve bringing the flange against the part of the watch case and causing the removal of the glass.

A second preferred embodiment of the tools comprises a plier, mounted in a fixed plane and the jaws of which cooperate with grasping means in the glass, by a removable plate parallel to the plier having a central opening having a diameter greater than that of glass and lesser than that of the bezel of the watch and by control means capable of simultaneously assuring the closing of the plier and the separation of the plate to permit the extraction of the glass from the watch.

A third preferred embodiment of these tools comprises a sleeve bearing on its upper part, a control device characterised by the fact that said sleve is flared out towards the bottom in the form of a truncated cone and has a cavity of revolution the lower cylindrical part of which bears helical grasping means intended to cooperate with corresponding grasping means borne by the periphery of the glass, by the rotation of said tool, the glass introducing itself progressively in said cavity until the base of the tool bearing against the periphery of the watch case provokes the removal of the glass.

The invention will be better understood by referring to the following description made by Way of non-limiting example and to the annexed drawing wherein:

FIGURES 1 and 2 show in axial cross-section, the tool according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention shown in two extreme positions of operation;

FIGURES 3, 4, 5 and 6 show a second preferred embodiment of the invention taken from the side, in crosssection along line IVIV of FIGURE 3, in cross-section taken along VI-VI of FIGURE 3 and in detailed view of FIGURE 5 respectively on which is mounted an accessory;

FIGURES 7 and 8 show in axial cross-section a preferred embodiment of the invention in two extreme phases of operation;

FIGURE 9 shows in axial cross-section a variant of the tool shown on FIGURES 7 and 8;

FIGURES 10, 11 and 12 shown in cross-section, three possible embodiments of watch glasses permitting their use with the claimed apparatus.

The tool shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 comprises a frame 1 having on one side a cylindrical sleeve 2 inside of which is placed a plier 3 and on the other side of which is mounted a control organ 4 for the axial movement of plier 3.

This latter has a cylindrical part 5 coaxial with sleeve '2. On the outer face of a cylindrical part 5 is formed an annular projection 6 the diameter of which is greater than the inner diameter of sleeve 2. The base of the inner surface of the cylindrical part 5 is bent back toward the inside to form an annular flange 7. For its part, glass 8 mounted in watch-case 9 has an annular groove 10 intended to cooperate with flange 7 of the pliers.

In pliers 3 are provided three equidistant slots 3a only one of which is shown in the drawing, which extend in planes passing by the axis of the tool. These slots define on the pliers three jaws having a certain radial elasticity. For its part, sleeve 2 is covered by a cylindrical socket 11 the base of which forms a slightly conical annular shoulder 12. In the upper part 13 of the pliers is provided an inner tapping 14 in which is introduced the threaded rod 15 integral with control member 4. Spring 16 bears on one side against shoulder 17 of pliers 3 and on the other side against the shoulder 13 of housing 1.

FIGURE 1 shows the pliers in open position, the tool being simply placed above the watch-case. The inner diameter of annular flange 7 is greater, when the pliers are open, than the diameter of the Watch glass and the annular projection 6 is free from the cylindrical parts of sleeve 2. It is in this position that the pliers are disposed around the glass in such a way that the annular flange 7 of the jaws of the pliers come to face the annular groove of the glass.

In FIGURE 2 member 4 has been rotatedin order to provoke the insertion of pliers 3 in housing 1 against the action of spring 16. Projection 6 of the jaws of the pliers bears against the cylindrical wall of sleeve 2 in such a way that the jaws are gripped elastically towards the inside and the annular flange 7 engages in the corresponding groove of the glass.

Simultaneously, by the insertion of the pliers in the sleeve and while flange 7 bears in groove 10, the annular shoulder 12 of socket 11 surrounding the sleeve comes to bear against the bezel of watch case 9.

It is then by continuing the rotation of cylinder 4, that the jaws of the pliers axially extract the watch glass from the case, the shoulder 12 of the tool bearing against the watch case. The watch glass is thus subjected only to the axial stress of the pliers which distributes along its entire periphery the forces of traction. It does not risk to be damaged by compression or bending effects.

The annular shoulder 12 of the sleeve can be provided with a thin elastic material to avoid damaging the corresponding part of the case.

In the embodiment described, the pliers comprises three slots defining three jaws. While this arrangement ensures a suitable distribution of forces around the glass, the number of the jaws can be two or more than three. Besides, the manual control of the tool can be replaced by a pneumatic or electrical control for example, the operating principle of the tool remaining however the same.

It should be noted that the above described tool can also be put into operation manually as well as mechanically, for example, by means of a device provoking the axial movement of pincers 3 in cylindrical sleeve 2.

Referring now to FIGURES 3, 4, 5 and 6 which show the second preferred embodiment of the invention, 19 represents a frame.

Plate 20 and pincers 21 are mounted on

columns

22a, 22b, 22c and 22d. On frame 19 is secured a pillar 23 on which pivots and slides a socket 24 hearing a plate 25. To the end of the pillar 23 is pivoted a lever 26.

Referring more particularly to FIGURE 4, there can be seen that the pincers 21 comprises two

arms

27 and 28. While the extremities of these arms are pivoted around columns 220 and 22d while the other extremities of these arms can move on one side and the other on

columns

22a and 22b, elongated openings not visible on FIGURE 5 being provided for this purpose in the extremities of these arms. Thus the pincers are secured in a horizontal plane parallel to that of plate 25 and the arms of the pincers can come together. Normally, these arms are spaced apart by spring 29. They can have on their opposite faces

semi-circular openings

30 and 31 forming jaws and which when the pincers are closed come together to form a circular window. Additionally

openings

32 and 33 are provided in the thin part of the arm. These openings are conical in their upper part and communicate in their lower part with plate 20.

Plate 21 itself is freely mounted on columns 22a-22d and bears constantly against the pincers by spring 34a-34d wound around columns 22. Tray 20 has a central window concentric with that of the closed pincers and in which is driven a protective socket 35.

The end 36 of plate 25 is secured a support 37 having two

parallel parts

38 and 39 the spacing of which corresponds to the distance of the axes of opening space 33 of

arms

27 and 28 of the pincers, when the same is closed. Member 40 mounted on the other face of the extremity 36 of plate 25 has flanges 41 and 42 between which is mounted the roller 43.

The insertion of lever 26 between flanges 41 and 42 positions the

parallel rods

38 and 39. When pressure is exerted on lever 26 which bears then on the roller 43,

rods

38 and 39 rigid with the socket 24 come to meet pincers 21 against the action of spring 41 mounted on pillar 23 between socket 24 and frame 19.

The tool is used as follows:

There is introduced in socket 35 of tray 20 a watch the glass of which must be taken out, the socket being so dimensioned that it covers by its periphery the bezel of the watch while the glass emerges from between the jaws of the pincers. When lever 26 is actuated,

rods

38 and 39 introduce themselves in the conical part of

openings

32 and 33 of the arms of the pincers and afterwards engage in the cylindrical part of these openings by bringing the arms closer against the separating force of spring 29. Thus the pliers close and its jaws imprison the gripping means of the glass, that is they introduce themselves for example in a groove of the latter. By continuing to actuate lever 26,

rods

38 and 39, the length of which is greater than the thickness of the arms of the pincers, exert a pressure against tray 21 which against the return force of spring 34 is separated from the pincers toward the bottom. Since the socket 35 of the tray covers the bezel of the watch case, the latter is driven toward the bottom and dissociated from the glass, which remains between the jaws of the pincers. The extraction operation is finished when the lever 26 is freed.

The described tool can be used as such, or on the contrary can be advantageously completed by a device for inserting watch glasses. There is provided for this purpose on the other end 45 of plate 25 a body 46 having on its lower surface the impression of the glass. Furthermore as shown on FIGURE 5, there is positioned on the pincers 21 an accessory 47, the two tenons of which come to engage in the

openings

32 and 33 of the spread out arms of the pincers. This accessory 47 is formed in such a way as to take the shape of the watch case.

When it is desired to fit a glass on a watch case, it suffices to pivot plate 25 by lever 26 being brought up, and to then lower the lever on the roller 48 mounted symmetrically at the extremity 45 of this plate. The watch case is placed on accessory 47 and the glass is mounted on the bezel. By exerting a pressure on the lever, body 46 then comes to bear on the glass and positions it perfectly with respect to the watch case and introduces it in the opening of the bezel.

Referring now to FIGURES 7 and 8 which show a third preferred embodiment, the tool represented comprises a sleeve 49 bearing in its upper part a knurled control knob 52. This sleeve 49 is elongated toward the bottom by means of a flare 60 in the form of a truncated cone which has a cavity 50 the lower part of which 61, cylindrical, bears a helical slot 51 having a profile 62 and a thread permitting it to cooperate with the helical rib corresponding to the shoulder 58 borne by the periphery of glass 56.

The periphery of the watch case has an annular thin section 63 which limits towards the bottom the advance of the tool.

Arrows

54 and 55 will indicate the direction of rotation of the tool during functioning. While arrow 54 is directed toward the observer, arrow 55 points away therefrom.

The watch being immobilised by suitable means, not shown, for example held tightly in the hand of the user, the base of the tool is first positioned in front of the helical rib as shown on FIGURE 7.

By turning the tool in the direction of

arrows

54 and 55, controlled by the knurled knob, the glass introduces itself progressively in the portion 61 of cavity 50 without disengaging itself from case 59 until base 53 of the tool comes to bear against the flat annular member 63 of the case.

The turning of the tool then forces the glass to insert itself further into portion 61 of cavity 50 while separating itself from watch case 59, held by means of its annular flat member 63 against the base 53 of the tool, which results in the disengagement of the glass from the case and causes its withdrawal thereof as shown on FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 9 shows a modification of the tool which has just been described and which the gripping means borne by the flange are reduced to four single and identical helical ramps 64, regularly disposed on the lower cylindrical part 55 of cavity 66 and intended to engage by the axial movement of the tool between the projecting helical ramps 67 complementarily borne by the periphery of the glass.

The tool thus in position, its turning brings progressively the helical ramps 64 under the projecting ramps 67 of the glass and provokes the removal of the glass in the manner previously described, as shown on FIGURES 7 and 8.

It has already been noted that ramps 64 which are shown to be four in the drawings can be of any given number.

Finally, referring successively to FIGURES 10, 11 and 12 which show three possible shapes for the glass with which the apparatus can operate, glass 68, which has a reinforcing ring 69, is maintained pressed in housing 70 of the bezel or of the middle of the watch. The extraction tool 71 is shown schematically by way of example.

Glass 68 has an extracting groove 72 which is angular and provided in a hollow in its periphery above the upper level of the middle. The form of this groove 72 is that of a right-angled trapezium the upper non parallel side of which 72a is horizontal and the side opposite the latter forms an inclined plane 72b. This latter permits the engagement of flange 73 in the groove. This flange bears radially and is guided axially by its conical surface 72c of the groove.

Surface 72a of the latter permits the tool to bear axially during removal of the glass.

Glass 74 (FIGURE 11) has a groove 75 the shape of which is that of a right-angled triangle the small side of which 7512 has only for role to maintain the large side 75a withdrawn with respect to the outer periphery of the glass.

Although the extracting tool is not here shown it will be understood that this inclined surface 75a of conical shape, serves the tool both as a surface for radial support and as an axial supporting surface during removal of the glass.

The groove thus provided is more esthetic than shown on FIGURE 10.

According to a modification of the groove shown on FIGURE 11, periphery of the glass shown on FIGURE 12 has this time a groove formed uniquely by means of a truncated inclined surface 76 overflowing the cylindrical edge 77 of the glass.

This variant corresponds to the groove shown on FIG- URE 11 in which surface 75b has been removed.

The grooves of the glass of which have just been described permit the rapid removal of the same without subjecting the periphery to any sort of damage.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for extracting a watch glass having gripping means distributed along its periphery from a watch case comprising:

(i) a support adapted to surround said periphery of said watch glass, said support comprising a plurality of jaws adapted to surround the glass, each jaw being provided with engaging means on its inner surface in the form of an inwardly projecting flange,

that

the jaws being elastically movable radially of the glass;

(ii) grasping means mounted in said support for engaging said gripping means on said glass when said support surrounds the glass;

(iii) axially movable operable means associated with said support for causing said grasping means to engage with said gripping means on the periphery of the glass, operable means comprising a sleeve surrounding said jaws and axially movable with respect to said jaws, said sleeve being adapted to engage, during axial movement towards the watch, a projection provided on the outer surface of each jaw to push the jaws elastically inward so that the flange engages with said engaging means on the glass;

(iv) said sleeve being further adapted to engage said watch case, during further axial movement towards the watch, whereby still further axially movement of the sleeve in the same direction extracts the glass from the case. 1

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said grasping means simultaneously constitute said operable means.

3. Apparatus for extracting a round watch glass having gripping means from a watch case according to claim 1 in which a plate is provided adapted to receive the watch case,

(i) and wherein said support comprises a pair of jaws adapted to surround the watch glass;

each jaw being provided with engaging means on its inner surface in the form of an inwardly projecting flange,

each jaw being pivotable at one end about an axis parallel to the axis of the watch,

the ends of the jaws containing the pivoting axes being located adjacent to each other,

the other two adjacent ends being biased apart by a spring,

each jaw having an opening parallel to the axis of the watch,

the upper part of said opening having a conical surface and increasing in diameter towards the p and the bottom part of said opening communicating with said plate,

(ii) said operable means comprises a member having two downwardly projecting pins, rigidly spaced apart, a lever for moving said member, each pin being adapted to cooperate with said conical surface of one of said openings;

whereby during downward movement of said member, said pins engage said conical surfaces of said openings and urge the jaws together against the action of said spring to enage said gripping means on said glass,

(iii) said pins being long enuogh to pass through said openings and engage said plate whereby further movement of the member in the same direction moves the plate away from the jaws, whereby said glass is extracted from the case.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2, for extracting a round watch glass having gripping means along the periphery thereof in the form of a helical shoulder, wherein:

said support comprises a sleeve having in the upper part thereof a knurled control knob, said sleeve having a flared bottom in the shape of an open truncated cone, having an opening adapted to receive said watch glass, the lower part of said cone having grasping means therein in the form of a helical slot for engaging said shoulder on said glass; said cone having a lower extremity whereby upon engagement between said shoulder and said slot and rotation of said apparatus by means of said knob said glass is 7 8 progressively introduced in said cone until said lower References Cited extremity of said cone comes to bear upon said Watch UNITED STATES PATENTS case whereupon further rotation of said knob causes said glass to become disengaged from said case. 2,338,343 1/1944 Mime 29210 X 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, for removing a 5 2,994,949 8/1961 Gefber 29-410 round watch glass having gripping means along its pe- 3,052,906 9/1962 Shlfiman 29 210 riphery in the form of discrete inclined flanges wherein THOMAS H, EAGER, Primary Examiner. said grasping means in said sleeve consist of a plurality of discrete inclined flanges for engaging said flanges on the US. Cl. X.R. periphery of said glass. 10 29-177, 427