US3517547A - Method of and apparatus for checking the tightness of a watchcase - Google Patents

Method of and apparatus for checking the tightness of a watchcase Download PDF

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Publication number
US3517547A
US3517547A US725832A US3517547DA US3517547A US 3517547 A US3517547 A US 3517547A US 725832 A US725832 A US 725832A US 3517547D A US3517547D A US 3517547DA US 3517547 A US3517547 A US 3517547A
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United States
Prior art keywords
watchcase
watch
piston
tube
container
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Expired - Lifetime
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US725832A
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English (en)
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Ernest Morf
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Individual
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Individual
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04D—APPARATUS OR TOOLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAKING OR MAINTAINING CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04D7/00—Measuring, counting, calibrating, testing or regulating apparatus
    • G04D7/006—Testing apparatus for complete clockworks with regard to external influences or general good working
    • G04D7/007—Testing apparatus for complete clockworks with regard to external influences or general good working with regard to the sealing of the case

Definitions

  • the watchcase is then immersed into a liquid exposed to the atmospheric pressure and having a low viscosity. The immersion is carried out while maintaining the overpressure in the :watch. If the tightening means of the watch have some defect, air bubbles can immediately be observed in the liquid.
  • This invention relates to checking the tightness of watchcases, in particular to the methods and apparatus operating by immersing the watchcase into a liquid submitted to a pressure lower than that in their inner space.
  • the known methods and the apparatus used for performing the same have, however, several drawbacks.
  • the watchmaker who has to deliver a watch to a customer either on selling the same or after a repair or a service, can, for instance, not resort to these methods without exposing the watch to a great injury. Immersing a watch into a liquid would, indeed, cause great damages if the tightening means of its casing had a heavy failure, because the immersing liquid would then reach the watch movement even if the watch were removed from the liquid as soon as the failure had been noticed. In such an event the watch movement would have to be disassembled and each part thereof to be thoroughly cleaned. Some parts would perhaps even have to be replaced.
  • Another drawback of the known apparatus is due to the requirement of producing with them the pressure difference between the watchcase inner space and the immersing liquid by reducing the pressure of the latter below the atmospheric pressure.
  • the known apparatus must include a perfectly tight container having a volume large enough in order to receive a watch.
  • the volume of this container must even be so large as to comprise, on the one hand, a free portion, and, on the other hand, a portion filled with the immersing liquid, each portion being capable of receiving the watch.
  • Control means operable from outside the container have additionally to be provided for moving the Watch within the container from one portion to the other one thereof after having reduced the inner pressure of the container. 'Finally, the pressure within the container can only be reduced to the required extent with the help of important, cumbersome and expensive means.
  • a slightly different checking method has been imagined and apparatus have been constructed in order to carry out that method.
  • a failure of the tightening means is no longer revealed by observing a flow from the inner space of the watchcase toward the outside thereof, but by observing a flow in the reverse direction.
  • the Watch need no longer be immersed into a liquid; it is a. gaseous fluid which enters the watchcase if its tightening means are defective.
  • the checking operation accordingly comprises the step of increasing the pressure within a container of the checking apparatus above the atmopsheric pressure.
  • measuring the gas flow which enters the watchcase takes a relative long period of time so that the existing apparatus for carrying out the second known method are too expensive not only for the watchmakers being in direct contact with the customers, but even for the 'watch manufacturers, because of the very poor output of these known apparatus.
  • a more specific object of the invention consists in a method comprising the steps of first producing within the watchcase, while the same is exposed to the atmosphere, an air pressure which exceeds the atmospheric pressure through a continuously observable amount, and then immersing the watchcase into a liquid exposed to the atmosphere pressure, while retaining the overpressure previously produced within the watchcase.
  • Another object of the invention is to create a simple apparatus for checking the tightness of a watchcase.
  • a more particular object of the invention consists in an apparatus comprising a pump having a piston permanently standing under the action of spring means, and a nozzle provided with a bore, the diameter of which is exactly adjusted to the nominal diameter of the watchcase tube.
  • FIG. 1 is an elevational and part sectional view of the apparatus illustrating a first step of the method according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 illustrating a second step of the method according to the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-section on a larger scale of a part of the apparatus.
  • the apparatus represented in the drawing substantially comprises a flat and elongated container I intended for operating in two different work ing positions.
  • the container 1 In the first working position the container 1 is standing as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • the second working position is shown in FIG. 3 in which the container is lying.
  • An upper front section of the container is cutout thus constituting a pair of rectangular crossed cups 1a and 1b.
  • Container 1 is filled with a liquid 2 which can be water or preferably a liquid having less viscosity than water, such as, for instance, a mixture of water and alcohol comprising 30 to 50% of alcohol.
  • the liquid could even consist of pure alcohol.
  • a liquid 2 which can be water or preferably a liquid having less viscosity than water, such as, for instance, a mixture of water and alcohol comprising 30 to 50% of alcohol.
  • the liquid could even consist of pure alcohol.
  • the watch 4 which is to be checked, is located in cup 1b. It is held in place by a perforated spring blade 5 bearing on two pins 6 set in the backwall of container 1.
  • the length of blade 5 is chosen in such manner that, at rest, its two ends abut against the side walls of container 1.
  • a plurality of pairs of pins -6 can be provided so that blade 5 may hold watches of dilferent sizes ranging from the smallest ladies watches to the largest wristwatches for men.
  • the apparatus represented in the drawing still comprises a pump secured to the upper wall of container 1. That pump comprises a cylinder 7, a piston 8 which can be actuated by means of a control button 9, a pushing spring 10 and a conduit 11 entering cup 1b. As shown in detail in FIG. 4, a nozzle 12 is set on the end of conduit 11 which is provided with a side branch constituted by a bore 13 provided in its side wall.
  • Nozzle 12 is removable. It is preferably made out of a relatively hard plastic, such as nylon. Nozzle 12 is. moreover, provided with a bore 14 exactly adjusted to the nominal diameter of tube 15 of the casing of watch 4, which serves as passage for the winding and hand-setting stem (not shown). Bore 14 is adapted to tube 15 in such manner that if the latter is intact, nozzle 12 will match thereon under exactly the same conditions as the winding crown usually secured to the corresponding stem portion. If tube 15 has, on the contrary, been injured, nozzle 12 will no longer encompass tube 15 in a tight manner. In other words the adjustment of bore 14 is conceived so as to reveal any defect of tube 15 due to wear or to any undue deformation of its outer surface. Since the tubes 15 of the watches put on the market have standardized diameters, the watchmaker need only have a set of nozzles 12 corresponding to the existing tubes.
  • a tube 16 identical to tube 15 is removably set in bore 13 of conduit 11 So as to form a watertight seal between the outer surface of the part of tube 13 set in the wall of conduit 11 and this wall.
  • Tube 16 has an outer surface 17 which has a diameter equal to the nominal diameter of the corresponding surface of tube 15.
  • Tube 16 is provided for receiving the winding crown 18 of the watch. If the sealing gasket 19 of this crown is intact, it establishes a tight Seal around tube 16 exactly under the same conditions as if crown 18 were in its usual working position on tube 15. On the contrary, the seal between tube 16 and crown 18 will leak if gasket 19 is defective.
  • the apparatus represented is intended for checking the tightness of a watch having a winding and hand-setting stem in two pieces.
  • the stems of this type are well known to those skilled in the art. They comprise an inner part which is mounted in the watch movement and an outer part 20 which is secured to the crown 18. Part 20 is slit and it encompasses a male member of the inner part of the stem thus ensuring clutching of both stem parts.
  • These stern parts can be removed from each other by merely pulling crown 18 somewhat stronger than as required for shifting it from winding into setting position.
  • Tube 15 of the watchcase is then introduced into bore 14 of nozzle 12 and blade 5 is located on such a pair of pins 6 that it strongly presses watch 4 against nozzle 12.
  • Crown 18 together with part 20 of the winding stem is set on tube 16.
  • piston 8 is at rest in its lower position, in which it is held by spring 10' being already compressed in this position.
  • piston 8 After having set the watch and its crown in the described manner in the apparatus described piston 8 is pulled upwards as far as possible. This upward stroke of piston 8 does not reduce the pressure within the casing of watch 4.
  • the sealing gasket of piston 8 is soft enough to allow an air flow from the cylinder section situated above piston 8 toward the lower cylinder section.
  • Button 9 is immediately released after it has been pulled upwards.
  • Spring 10 thus moves piston 8 downwards.
  • the sealing gasket of the piston strongly bears against the inner surface of cylinder 7, thus producing a tight seal therewith.
  • spring 10 The strength of spring 10 is chosen so as to produce an overpressure ranging about 1 atmosphere within the casing of watch 4. If this casing and crown 18 are tight. piston 8 will stop before returning into its rest position. Piston 8 can thus, for instance, remain in the position represented in FIG. 1.
  • a small window 21 is provided in cover 22 of the pump.
  • piston 8 does not remain in the position represented in the drawing. It moves, on the contrary, downwards more or less quickly under the action of spring 10. This motion of piston 8 and button 9 rigidly connected therewith, will immediately reveal the presence of a strong tightness defect.
  • watch 4 If no bubble appears around the watch movement and the crown, watch 4 is perfectly tight.
  • the apparatus can be returned into its standing position and the remaining drops of liquid can be blown away from tube 15 and crown 18.
  • the watch and its crown can be removed from the apparatus and dried; finally, the crown can again be set in place on tube 15.
  • the overpressure produced within the casing of the watch could, of course, be generated by similar means and in the same way through another passage of the casing.
  • the open container 1 permits the tightness of a watch to be checked even if a wristband 23 is welded to its casing This wrist-band may indeed freely extend in front of container 1.
  • a method of testing the tightness of a watchcase comprising the steps:
  • An apparatus for checking the tightness of a watchcase comprising a support, resilient clamping means provided on said support, and a pump carried by said support and including a cylinder rigidly secured to said support, an outlet tube carried by said cylinder and having an inner end communicating with the cylinder inner space and an outer end arranged for providing a tight engagement of a passage across the wall of the watchcase, a reciprocable piston located within said cylinder, a gasket carried by said piston and engaging the cylinder, on the one hand, so as to allow air to pass by the piston when the latter is moved away of said outlet tube, and on the other hand, so as to prevent substantially any leakage between said cylinder and said piston when the latter is moved toward said outlet tube, and spring means acting on said piston and urging it toward said outlet tube, said clamping means being located at such a distance from the outer end of said outlet tube as to be able to press the watchcase thereagainst for safely holding it on said support.
  • said outlet tube being provided with a side bore extending across its wall, a tube having the same sizes as the watchcase tube provided for the winding stem being inserted in said bore and adapted for receiving the watch crown.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Examining Or Testing Airtightness (AREA)
US725832A 1967-05-31 1968-05-01 Method of and apparatus for checking the tightness of a watchcase Expired - Lifetime US3517547A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH769467A CH493881A (fr) 1967-05-31 1967-05-31 Procédé de contrôle de l'étanchéité du boîtier d'une montre et appareil pour la mise en oeuvre de ce procédé

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US3517547A true US3517547A (en) 1970-06-30

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US725832A Expired - Lifetime US3517547A (en) 1967-05-31 1968-05-01 Method of and apparatus for checking the tightness of a watchcase

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US (1) US3517547A (enExample)
CH (2) CH769467A4 (enExample)
DE (1) DE1773506A1 (enExample)
FR (1) FR1566043A (enExample)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3802251A (en) * 1971-10-28 1974-04-09 Becker Kg H Method and apparatus for testing a watch for tightness
US20140230526A1 (en) * 2013-02-21 2014-08-21 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Electronic device provided with automatic leak detection means
US20140230525A1 (en) * 2013-02-21 2014-08-21 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Electronic device provided with automatic leak detection means
US20170023916A1 (en) * 2015-07-22 2017-01-26 Rolex Sa Method for testing the water resistance of a timepiece

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1042558A (en) * 1912-04-02 1912-10-29 Passaic Metal Ware Company Machine for testing containers.
US2054204A (en) * 1936-01-15 1936-09-15 Willis V Mcdonald Glove testing device
US2316842A (en) * 1939-11-18 1943-04-20 Gen Motors Corp Leak testing bath and method of the testing
US2697935A (en) * 1950-08-30 1954-12-28 Price Electric Corp Apparatus for testing and hermetically sealing mechanical and electrical equipment
US2847851A (en) * 1955-01-14 1958-08-19 Milton J Enell Pressure testing devices
US3323351A (en) * 1965-10-15 1967-06-06 Country Engineering Inc Machine for testing can tops
US3355932A (en) * 1965-09-13 1967-12-05 Edward J Mulligan Method and apparatus for testing waterproof watches
US3418845A (en) * 1966-06-21 1968-12-31 Idex Corp Can body testing machine

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1042558A (en) * 1912-04-02 1912-10-29 Passaic Metal Ware Company Machine for testing containers.
US2054204A (en) * 1936-01-15 1936-09-15 Willis V Mcdonald Glove testing device
US2316842A (en) * 1939-11-18 1943-04-20 Gen Motors Corp Leak testing bath and method of the testing
US2697935A (en) * 1950-08-30 1954-12-28 Price Electric Corp Apparatus for testing and hermetically sealing mechanical and electrical equipment
US2847851A (en) * 1955-01-14 1958-08-19 Milton J Enell Pressure testing devices
US3355932A (en) * 1965-09-13 1967-12-05 Edward J Mulligan Method and apparatus for testing waterproof watches
US3323351A (en) * 1965-10-15 1967-06-06 Country Engineering Inc Machine for testing can tops
US3418845A (en) * 1966-06-21 1968-12-31 Idex Corp Can body testing machine

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3802251A (en) * 1971-10-28 1974-04-09 Becker Kg H Method and apparatus for testing a watch for tightness
US20140230526A1 (en) * 2013-02-21 2014-08-21 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Electronic device provided with automatic leak detection means
US20140230525A1 (en) * 2013-02-21 2014-08-21 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Electronic device provided with automatic leak detection means
US9310272B2 (en) * 2013-02-21 2016-04-12 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Electronic device provided with automatic leak detection means
US9488543B2 (en) * 2013-02-21 2016-11-08 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Electronic device provided with automatic leak detection means
US20170023916A1 (en) * 2015-07-22 2017-01-26 Rolex Sa Method for testing the water resistance of a timepiece
US9977404B2 (en) * 2015-07-22 2018-05-22 Rolex Sa Method for testing the water resistance of a timepiece

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CH769467A4 (enExample) 1970-03-31
CH493881A (fr) 1970-03-31
FR1566043A (enExample) 1969-05-02
DE1773506A1 (de) 1971-11-25

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