US3499281A - Watch crown - Google Patents

Watch crown Download PDF

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Publication number
US3499281A
US3499281A US709262A US3499281DA US3499281A US 3499281 A US3499281 A US 3499281A US 709262 A US709262 A US 709262A US 3499281D A US3499281D A US 3499281DA US 3499281 A US3499281 A US 3499281A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
crown
watch
pendant
gasket
washer
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US709262A
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English (en)
Inventor
Robert W Denley
Raymond J Grohoski
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.)
United States Time Corp
US TIME CORP
Original Assignee
US TIME CORP
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 US TIME CORP filed Critical US TIME CORP
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3499281A publication Critical patent/US3499281A/en
Assigned to CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A., THE reassignment CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A., THE SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FREDERIKSPLEIN HOLDING 1970 B.V., TIMEX CLOCK COMPANY, A DE CORP., TIMEX COMPUTERS LTD., A DE CORP., TIMEX CORPORATION, A DE CORP., TIMEX ENTERPRISES, INC., A BERMUDA CORP., TIMEX GROUP LTD., A BERMUDA CORP., TIMEX MEDICAL PRODUCTS LTD., A BERMUDA CORP., TIMEX N.V.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • G04B37/00—Cases
    • G04B37/08—Hermetic sealing of openings, joints, passages or slits
    • G04B37/10—Hermetic sealing of openings, joints, passages or slits of winding stems

Definitions

  • a watch is wound or set, or both, by a crown having external teeth.
  • the crown is constructed with a cavity that fits-over a tubular case pendant.
  • the crown is waterproof in that it prevents leakage between the crown body and the pendant.
  • the crown construction includes a gasket positioned between the internal Wall of the cavity of the crown and the case pendant.
  • the crown also includes a washer which rotates 0n the base pendant.
  • the washer which is fastened to the bottom of the crown, closing its cavity, also retains the gasket in position.
  • the inside diameter of the washer is accurately made to a specified formula to prevent sidewise motion of the crown relative to the pendant.
  • the present invention relates to horology and more particularly to a waterproof watch crown.
  • the crown must also meet the general requirements for a quality watch crown, namely, that it does not wear out the case pendant (tubular neck) when it is turned; that it is relatively easy to turn so that the watch may be wound or the hands set; that the crown itself is not readily worn out by its turning on its pendant; and that the crown may be readily replaceable on its stern without requiring the use of special tools.
  • the crown should be relatively inexpensive.
  • An inexpensive watch crown construction requires that the materials of its parts should not be costly, that the parts should be simple to manufacture, that its parts be adapted for high-speed production without sacrificing the accuracy of its parts, and that the parts may be readily assembled.
  • a crown having an internal cavity which fits over its case pendant (the tubular neck portion of the case).
  • the crown has an internal central portion which attaches the crown to the winding stem of the watch.
  • the winding stern rotates within the case pendant when the crown is turned.
  • An elastic gasket preferably of rubber, is tightly wedged between the crown and the pendant to provide sealing.
  • the gasket may be, for example, round (an O ring), square or D shaped, or tube shaped.
  • a metal Washer is fastened on the bottom of the crown to retain the gasket and the ring in postion and to prevent sidewise motion of the crown.
  • FIG. 1 is a side vertical sectional view of a first embodiment of the present invention in which the crown is in place on the case pendant;
  • FIG. 2 is a portion, in a side vertical sectional view, of the embodiment of FIG. 1 prior to assembly of the is in place on the case pendant;
  • FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a second embodiment of the present invention with the crown assembled on the case pendant;
  • FIG. 4 is a portion, in a side sectional vertical view, of the crown of the embodiment of FIG. 3 prior to assembly of the crown onto the case pendant;
  • FIGS. 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a and 7b are side vertical sectional views of other embodiments of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 5a, 6a and 7a are partial sectional views before the crown is assembled on the case pendant
  • FIGS. 5b, 6b and 7b are full sectional views with the crown assembled on the case pendant.
  • the waterproof crown construction shown in FIG. 1 includes a crown body 1.
  • the crown body preferably constructed of brass or stainless steel, has external teeth 2 to enable the fingers to grip the crown for turning.
  • the crown is turned when the hands of the watch are set in either a mechanical or electric watch, and when the watch is wound in a mechanical watch.
  • the crown body has a tubular cavity 3 forming a center tubular pedestal (center body) 4.
  • the tubular pedestal 4 may have internal screw threads which are screwed onto the external screw threads of the winding stem 5, or it may be held onto the winding stem by an interference fit or by other means.
  • the winding stem 5 is connected to gears which in a mechanical watch in one osition, usually toward the case body, winds the mainspring. In its other position, usually pulled out from the case body, the crown sets the hands. In an electric watch the crown usually is pulled out from the case body to set the hands.
  • the cavity 3 of the crown body 1 fits over the case pendant 8.
  • the case pendant 8 is a tubular-neck which is integral with a portion of the Watch case, usually the bezel.
  • the winding stem 5 is rotatable within the fixed tubular case pendant 8.
  • the cavity 3 has an enlarged lower portion 9. Lower portion 9 is adapted for the insertion of the crown members utilized to prevent leakage of water. Without such leakage-preventive members, water would leak from outside of the crown, between the crown body and the case pendant, over the top of the pendant, through the internal opening of the case pendant, and into the watch.
  • a gasket 6 is positioned in cavity 3 within lower portion 9 of the crown.
  • This gasket 6, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, is originally an O ring which is circular in crosssection prior to the insertion of the case pendant within the cavity 3 of the crown body 1.
  • the O ring is made of rubber.
  • the rubber preferably is of the type which is resistant to salt water and may be artificial rubber.
  • the O ring is sufficiently large so that it is compressed and distorted when the crown is positioned over the case pendant. The O ring, as long as it retains its seal with the case pendant and the crown body, prevents water from seeping between the crown body and the case pendant.
  • a metal washer 7 is staked or otherwise fastened, for example, by adhesive, within a ledge portion 11 of the crown body 1.
  • the staking may produce the holding lip 12 of the crown body 1.
  • the metal washer 7 has sufficient compressive strength to prevent sidewise motion of the crown body 1 under sidewise thrusts, such as is shown by arrow A. In addition, it prevents sidewise motion of the crown body 1 under those thrusts having sidewise components similar to the motion in the direction of arrow A.
  • the metal washer 7 is also used to retain the 0 ring gasket 6 within the crown body.
  • the metal washer 7, at its internal diameter, is extended as far as the case pendant in accordance 'with the below-specified formula.
  • the washer 7 is utilized to prevent sidewise thrust. It has been found that, although there may be some wear due to the turning and axial thrust movements of the washer 7 on the pendant, there is not sufficient wear to injure the case pendant.
  • the clearance between the metal washer 7 ID. (inner diameter) and the case pendant 8 OD. (outer diameter) to prevent unsealing of the gasket when the crown is subjected to sidewise travel due to side thrusts is defined by the following terms:
  • POD GID 2 It has been determined by testing that unsealing of the gasket will not occur when the clearance, C limits the sidewise travel of the crown to a value equal to 50% of I or values less than 50% of I Consequently, the critical dimension of the washer ID. is given by the following Formula 1:
  • FIG. 3 is similar in most of its parts to the embodiment of FIG. 1, and the parts labeled with the same numerals perform the same function in the described embodiment.
  • the rubber gasket 13 is in the form of a flat annular ring, i.e., it is shaped like a flat washer, prior to insertion of the case pendant within its hole.
  • the hole 14 within the basket 13 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the case pendant 8. When the case pendant is forced up through this hole, it bends the inside portion of gasket 13 upward.
  • the gasket 13 may be held firmly, or be loose, between the inside wall of the cavity and the case pendant.
  • the Formula II is:
  • the gasket 13 of FIGS. 3 and 4 is flat and may be molded or stamped in the form of a flat washer.
  • FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 differ from the previous embodiments in the shape of their gaskets.
  • the gasket 20 of FIGS. 5a and 5b is formed, preferably molded, so that its upper annular free portion 21 is rounded, i.e., has a round cross-section. Its lower annular flat ring portion 22 is held clamped between the washer and the crown body (see FIG. 5a).
  • the gasket 23 of FIGS. 6a and 6b is formed, also molded, so that its upper portion is of suificient thickness so that its one side touches the pendant and its other side touches the inner wall S of the upper section of the crown cavity.
  • the gasket 24 of the embodiment of FIGS. 7a and 7b is formed similarly to the gasket 21 of FIG. 6 except that its inner portion 25 is curved, presenting a rounded gasket portion to the pendant.
  • FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 possess certain advantages compared to other types of watch crown constructions.
  • a good seal is obtained between the washer, which may readily be produced with a smooth highly finished surface, and the gasket.
  • a good seal is also obtained between the pendant and the crown body as each gasket may be molded so that the molding flash does not occur on the surface of the gasket touching the pendant.
  • the crowns of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 provide a firm holding of the gasket in the crown body as the metal washer clamps the outer lower portion of the gasket.
  • the curved surfaces, in the gaskets of the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 7, provide an O ring type of seal having comparatively low torque.
  • the gaskets in the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 7 are firmly gripped between the washer and the crown body, unlike an O ring gasket.
  • the sealing and low torque is particularly effective in the embodiment of FIGS. 5a, 5b; which uses a top annular portion having a round cross-section, because its cross-section is similar to an O ring gasket.
  • FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 use the critical relationships of Formula 1, above, as to their washers, which Formula I also applies to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • crowns were constructed according to FIG. 3 and Formula II and having an internal diameter of 0.100 inch at its upper cavity section (surface S).
  • the flat gasket had a thickness of 0.009 inch and an internal diameter of 0.061 inch (all dimensions prior to insertion into the cavity), the gasket being inserted into the crowns cavity.
  • the case pendant had an external diameter of 0.080 and the washer had an internal diameter of 0.082.
  • a waterproof watch crown comprising a crown body having an internal cavity, said crown body being adapted to fit over a watch case tubular pendant, said crown body having a portion within said cavity adapted to fit within the said case pendant and to be attached to the winding stem of a watch; an annular elastic gasket within said cavity adapted to be compressed between said crown and said pendant; and an annular hard washer having an inner round hole attached at the bottom of said crown to partly cover said cavity and retain said gasket within said cavity; wherein said washer has the wall of its internal hole close to the wall of said pendant to prevent sidewise motion of said crown, and wherein where C is the clearance (calculated over radii) between the washer inner diameter and the pendant outer diameter and I is the interference (calculated over radii) between the pendant outer diameter and the gasket inner diameter when the gasket is assembled in the crown body.
  • a watch crown as in claim 1 wherein the gasket is an O ring which is substantially circular in crosssection prior to its compression.
  • a waterproof watch crown comprising a crown body having an internal cavity, said crown body being adapted to fit over a watch case tubular pendant, said crown body having a portion within said cavity adapted to fit within the said case pendant and to be attached to the winding stem of a watch; an annular elastic gasket within said cavity adapted to be clamped between said washer and said crown body and compressed between said crown and said pendant; and an annular hard washer attached at the bottom of said crown to partly cover said cavity and retain said gasket within said cavity; wherein said washer has the wall of its internal hole close to the wall of said pendant to prevent sidewise motion of said crown, and wherein C C where C is the clearance (calculated over radii) between the washer inner diameter and the pendant outer diameter and C is the clearance (calculated over radii) between the crown inner diameter and the thickness of the gasket.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Bolts, Nuts, And Washers (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Gasket Seals (AREA)
  • Prostheses (AREA)
US709262A 1968-02-29 1968-02-29 Watch crown Expired - Lifetime US3499281A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US70926268A 1968-02-29 1968-02-29

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3499281A true US3499281A (en) 1970-03-10

Family

ID=24849116

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US709262A Expired - Lifetime US3499281A (en) 1968-02-29 1968-02-29 Watch crown

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3499281A (de)
CH (1) CH260569A4 (de)
DE (2) DE6905748U (de)
FR (1) FR2002866A1 (de)
GB (1) GB1203192A (de)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3863438A (en) * 1973-06-29 1975-02-04 Rene Soguel Device for insuring the tightness of a timepiece casing
US5383166A (en) * 1992-02-12 1995-01-17 Montres Rolex S.A. Watertight control device for watches
USD380977S (en) * 1995-07-07 1997-07-15 Fossil, Inc. Watch crown
US20140363608A1 (en) * 2013-06-09 2014-12-11 Apple Inc. Laser-formed features
US20180059620A1 (en) * 2016-08-26 2018-03-01 Meco S.A. Setting crown for timepieces
US11200386B2 (en) 2018-09-27 2021-12-14 Apple Inc. Electronic card having an electronic interface
US11299421B2 (en) 2019-05-13 2022-04-12 Apple Inc. Electronic device enclosure with a glass member having an internal encoded marking
US11571766B2 (en) 2018-12-10 2023-02-07 Apple Inc. Laser marking of an electronic device through a cover

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3618312A (en) * 1969-04-29 1971-11-09 Timex Corp Watch crown
DE3740983A1 (de) * 1987-12-03 1989-06-22 Wagener Gmbh Fritz Rad eines modellfahrzeuges
DE9200326U1 (de) * 1992-01-14 1993-05-13 Paul's Model Art GmbH, 5100 Aachen Rad eines Modellfahrzeugs

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH331280A (fr) * 1955-12-21 1958-07-15 Morf Ernest Couronne étanche pour appareil de mesure, notamment pour montre
CH344026A (fr) * 1958-01-15 1960-01-15 Morf Ernest Dispositif de remontage et de mise à l'heure pour montre étanche
CA597868A (en) * 1960-05-10 J. Waldman Jack Waterproof watch crown
CH352968A (fr) * 1959-03-06 1961-03-15 Certina Kurth Freres S A Remontoir étanche
FR1364504A (fr) * 1963-07-26 1964-06-19 Perfectionnements aux montres étanches
DE1195235B (de) * 1954-07-24 1965-06-16 Rene Soguel Wasserdichte Uhraufzugkrone

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH343322A (fr) * 1957-07-19 1959-12-15 Joseph Waldman & Sons Dispositif d'étanchéité d'une couronne de montre
CH375292A (fr) * 1960-06-16 1964-03-31 Soguel Rene Dispositif pour assurer l'étanchéité d'un boîtier de pièce d'horlogerie au passage d'une tige de commande
FR1528519A (fr) * 1967-06-23 1968-06-07 United States Time Corp Remontoir de montre

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA597868A (en) * 1960-05-10 J. Waldman Jack Waterproof watch crown
DE1195235B (de) * 1954-07-24 1965-06-16 Rene Soguel Wasserdichte Uhraufzugkrone
CH331280A (fr) * 1955-12-21 1958-07-15 Morf Ernest Couronne étanche pour appareil de mesure, notamment pour montre
CH344026A (fr) * 1958-01-15 1960-01-15 Morf Ernest Dispositif de remontage et de mise à l'heure pour montre étanche
CH352968A (fr) * 1959-03-06 1961-03-15 Certina Kurth Freres S A Remontoir étanche
FR1364504A (fr) * 1963-07-26 1964-06-19 Perfectionnements aux montres étanches

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3863438A (en) * 1973-06-29 1975-02-04 Rene Soguel Device for insuring the tightness of a timepiece casing
US5383166A (en) * 1992-02-12 1995-01-17 Montres Rolex S.A. Watertight control device for watches
USD380977S (en) * 1995-07-07 1997-07-15 Fossil, Inc. Watch crown
US10328527B2 (en) * 2013-06-09 2019-06-25 Apple Inc. Laser-formed features
US20140363608A1 (en) * 2013-06-09 2014-12-11 Apple Inc. Laser-formed features
US11033984B2 (en) 2013-06-09 2021-06-15 Apple Inc. Laser-formed features
US12083623B2 (en) 2013-06-09 2024-09-10 Apple Inc. Laser-formed features
US20180059620A1 (en) * 2016-08-26 2018-03-01 Meco S.A. Setting crown for timepieces
US10152024B2 (en) * 2016-08-26 2018-12-11 Meco S.A. Setting crown for timepieces
US11200386B2 (en) 2018-09-27 2021-12-14 Apple Inc. Electronic card having an electronic interface
US11200385B2 (en) 2018-09-27 2021-12-14 Apple Inc. Electronic card having an electronic interface
US11571766B2 (en) 2018-12-10 2023-02-07 Apple Inc. Laser marking of an electronic device through a cover
US11299421B2 (en) 2019-05-13 2022-04-12 Apple Inc. Electronic device enclosure with a glass member having an internal encoded marking

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1203192A (en) 1970-08-26
DE1907351A1 (de) 1969-09-25
DE6905748U (de) 1972-07-13
FR2002866B1 (de) 1973-12-21
CH260569A4 (de) 1970-12-31
FR2002866A1 (fr) 1969-10-31

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A., THE

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:TIMEX CORPORATION, A DE CORP.;TIMEX COMPUTERS LTD., A DE CORP.;TIMEX CLOCK COMPANY, A DE CORP.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:004181/0596

Effective date: 19830331