US3535869A - Water-tight winding stem for a timepiece - Google Patents

Water-tight winding stem for a timepiece Download PDF

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Publication number
US3535869A
US3535869A US752945A US3535869DA US3535869A US 3535869 A US3535869 A US 3535869A US 752945 A US752945 A US 752945A US 3535869D A US3535869D A US 3535869DA US 3535869 A US3535869 A US 3535869A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
crown
tube
water
seal
recess
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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
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US752945A
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English (en)
Inventor
Conrad J J Zellweger
Jules Strigini
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Nationale SA
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Nationale SA
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nationale SA filed Critical Nationale SA
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Publication of US3535869A publication Critical patent/US3535869A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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    • 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
    • G04B37/103—Hermetic sealing of openings, joints, passages or slits of winding stems by screwing the crown onto the case

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a water-tight stem for a timepiece.
  • the seals of waterproof watches should desirably have a pressure resistance greater than 10 kg./cm.
  • water-tight winding stems for timepieces having a water-tight tube with a crown embodying a cylindrical shell-like recess housing a flexible and elastic annular seal, means for tightening the crown to a neutral position, and two surfaces between which the seal is positioned, the two surfaces approaching each other axially to compress the crown when the latter is tightened on the stem.
  • the degree to which the crown can be tightened onto the stem is limited by the extent to which the seal can be squeezed between the two said surfaces.
  • the pressure ex erted on the seal can be very high; and in the case where the crown is tightened by screwing it, the user frequently unintentionally exerts so great a stress on the seal, while screwing on the crown, that it is excessively strained and deteriorates.
  • the purpose of the invention is to provide a watertight stem that avoids this drawback.
  • An object of the invention is a water-tight stem having stop means for determining when the crown has been completely tightened to its neutral position and preventing further tightening thereof, thereby to avoid excessively straining the seal.
  • FIG. 1 is a side-view in cross-section of a first embodiment of the invention, the left half of the figure showing the crown tightened down on the stem to the neutral position, and the right half the crown unscrewed for rewinding;
  • FIGS. 2 to 8 are views similar to that of FIG. 1, each figure being devoted to a further embodiment of the invention.
  • the winding button, or crown, 1 incorporates an interior cylindrical shell-like recess 2, located between the circumference of the crown, which is milled at 3, and an interior barrel 4, which embodies a threaded hole 5 to permit the crown to be fixed to a winding stem, not shown.
  • the timepiece which will usually be a wrist watch, is enclosed in a case having an exteriorly projecting tube 6 that surrounds the stem.
  • the tube incorporates a threaded flange 7.
  • the seal 8 in the form of a flat washer, is set in the roof of the crown recess 2 and cooperates with an inner conical surface 10 on the upper end of the tube 6.
  • the seal 9 is positioned in the crown, and held in place by a free washer 11 which, when rewinding or setting the hands, presses against a collar 12 that is forced and crimped into the crown.
  • the inner wall of the collar 12 is threaded, so that the crown can be screwed onto the threaded flange 7 of the tube 6.
  • the outer surface of the collar is knurled, the grooves or flutes advantageously extending parallel to the crown axis, so as to prevent any movement of the collar 12 with respect to the crown 1.
  • the main radial width of the seal 9 is the same as, or slightly greater than, the clearance between the respective outer cylindrical surfaces of the recess 2 and the tube 6, whereby the seal remains water-tight even when the crown is in position to rewind or to reset the hands.
  • the watch should not be rewound or the hands reset when it is deeply submerged, since the seal 9 presses only moderately against the tube 6, in the two aforesaid positions of the crown.
  • the washer 11 When the crown is screwed on, the washer 11 is supported against downward movement by the shoulder of the tube flange 7, whereby the seal 9 is squeezed between this washer and a flange 13 of the crown.
  • the radial extents of the surfaces of the flange 13 and washer 11 contacting the seal 9 are smaller than the radially extending upper surface of the seal, so that the axial pressure exerted by the washer and the flange causes the seal 9 to expand radially, whereby the latter is tightly pressed against the outer wall surface of the tube 6.
  • the seal 8 is squeezed between the conical surface 10 and the roof of the recess 2, thus ensuring an excellent watertightness.
  • the seal 8 at first presses on the surface 10 along the entire length of the sharp seal edge 14, thereby immediately obtaining a relatively high pressure that ensures a first-class seal.
  • the crown is tightened to its neutral position, in which the timepiece cannot be wound or its hands set, when the roof of the recess 2 contacts the upper face of the tube 6.
  • the seals 8 and 9 do not occupy all of the space in which they are located. They are thus elastically strained, but are not subjected to excessive forces as would be the case were they to fill the entire volume of their respective spaces, and therefore to act as stops limiting the downward axial movement of the crown.
  • FIG. 2 is a particularly simple form of the invention, the crown 1 having but a single seal 15 which is strained by a bevelled edge or conical surface 16 embodied on the outer edge of the tube 6.
  • the crown is stopped in its downward axial movement by the cooperation between the roof of the recess 2 and the upper face of the tube 6.
  • the crown is similar to that shown in FIG. 2, except that it has a second seal 19, a torous positioned between the outer cylindrical surface 20 of the tube 6 and the outer cylindrical surface 21 of the recess 2.
  • the seal 19 is held axially by the threaded collar 12 from below, and by a collar 22, from above.
  • the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 differs from that of the preceding figure in that the metal-on-metal axial stop for the crown is obtained between the lower rim or face 23 of the crown 1 and a flange 24 of the tube 6.
  • FIG. 5 differs from the form shown in FIG. 4 in that the axial stop com prises the lower face of the interior barrel 4 and a shoulder 25 in the inner wall of the tube 6.
  • the recess 2 contains two toric seals 17 and 18, which press, on the one hand, against the outer cylindrical surface of the recess 2 and, on the other hand, against the outer surface of the tube 6. These two seals are held in place in the recess by a washer 11 supported by the collar 12 crimped into the base of the crown.
  • the collar 12 is not threaded as in the previous embodiments, but instead incorporates an inwardly extending projection 26 having two vertical slots 27 that accept respective pins 28 carried by a flange 29 of the tube 6, so as to constitute a bayonet coupling.
  • the flange 29 supports the free washer 11 against further downward movement, the resulting axial pressure on the seals 17 and 18 expanding them axially to ensure a perfect water-tightness.
  • the stop arrangement for determining the screwed on position of the crown is composed of the pins 28 and the projection 26 in combination with the elasticity of the seals 17 and 18, which tends to push the crown axially away from the watch case and therefore to press the projection 26 against the pins 28.
  • FIG. 7 is related by its simplicity to that illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • the seal cooperates with a conical surface 30 located, not at the upper end of the tube 6 (as in the form shown in FIG. 2), but on the outer surface of the tube 6, slightly above the flange 7.
  • the seal 15 presses relatively slightly against the outer cylindrical surface 31 of the tube 6, thus ensuring that the crown is watertight when it is in position for winding or in position for setting the hands. In these latter two positions of the crown, it is apparent that the sealing will not be effective against the same high pressures as when the crown is screwed down tight, as shown in the left half of FIG. 7.
  • the crown 1 houses two seals 32 and 33 separated by a collar or free washer 34 acting as the seat for the seal 3-2.
  • An annular flange 35 of hte washer 34 having a radially extending surface bearing on the seal 33 much smaller than that of the seal, cooperates with the seal 33.
  • the latter rests on the free washer 11, which, when the crown is tightened by threading the collar 12 onto the flange 7, squeezes the seal 33, which consequently expands radially.
  • the upper outer edge 36' of the seal 32 is squeezed by an inclined surface 37 formed by part of the crown recess 2.
  • This embodiment also provides an acceptable water-tightness when the crown is in position for rewinding or for resetting of the hands, and a perfect water-tightness, without excessively straining the seals, when the crown is fully screwed on.
  • a water-tight winding stem for a timepiece having a water-tight tube projecting from the timepiece case in surrounding relation to the stem and defining a longitudinal axis
  • the stem having a crown, a cylindrical shelllike internal blind recess embodied in said crown, means for tightening said crown to a neutral position in which the timepiece cannot be Wound or the hand set, a flexible and elastic annular sealing member located within said crown recess, and two surfaces between which said sealing member is positioned, at least one of said two surfaces being a surface of said recess and approaching the other of said two surfaces in a direction substantially parallel to said tube axis to compress said sealing member between said two surfaces when said crown is tightened to said neutral position, and wherein the improvement comprises rigid stop means apart from said sealing member for determining when said crown has been completely tightened to its neutral position and for preventing further tightening thereof and further compression of said sealing member, said means for tightening said crown acts between the latter and said tube, and said two surfaces cooperate with said sealing member and said stop

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Gasket Seals (AREA)
  • Bolts, Nuts, And Washers (AREA)
US752945A 1967-08-22 1968-08-15 Water-tight winding stem for a timepiece Expired - Lifetime US3535869A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH1179667A CH513452A (fr) 1967-08-22 1967-08-22 Remontoir étanche pour pièce d'horlogerie comprenant une couronne à serrage

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3535869A true US3535869A (en) 1970-10-27

Family

ID=4376950

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US752945A Expired - Lifetime US3535869A (en) 1967-08-22 1968-08-15 Water-tight winding stem for a timepiece

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3535869A (en, 2012)
CH (2) CH1179667A4 (en, 2012)
FR (1) FR1576834A (en, 2012)
GB (1) GB1240297A (en, 2012)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3977178A (en) * 1974-08-20 1976-08-31 Boninchi S.A. Watch winding crown assembly
US4292682A (en) * 1979-03-29 1981-09-29 Boninchi, S.A. Water-tight winder for a diver's watch
US4324108A (en) * 1980-05-05 1982-04-13 Fmc Corporation Apparatus for freezing confection material
US20030030230A1 (en) * 2001-07-28 2003-02-13 Manufacture Jaeger-Lecoultre Sa Sealed crown for watch casing
US20040257917A1 (en) * 2003-03-10 2004-12-23 Hisamitsu Yoshikawa Portable watch
US20110235476A1 (en) * 2010-03-26 2011-09-29 Haruki Hiranuma Portable timepiece
US20110235477A1 (en) * 2010-03-26 2011-09-29 Haruki Hiranuma Portable timepiece
US20160070233A1 (en) * 2014-09-09 2016-03-10 Seiko Instruments Inc. Timepiece
US10328527B2 (en) * 2013-06-09 2019-06-25 Apple Inc. Laser-formed features
US11200386B2 (en) 2018-09-27 2021-12-14 Apple Inc. Electronic card having an electronic interface
US20220066393A1 (en) * 2020-07-10 2022-03-03 Rolex Sa Threaded timepiece member
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
DE10109881C1 (de) * 2001-02-22 2002-06-20 Ralf Lehr Uhr, insbesondere Armbanduhr
FR2898694B1 (fr) * 2006-03-14 2008-05-30 Cheval Freres Sas Soc Par Acti Couronne de remontoir de montre
FR2919078B1 (fr) * 2007-07-19 2010-02-19 Cheval Freres Couronne a baionnette pour remontoir de montre

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH190466A (fr) * 1936-08-07 1937-04-30 Colomb Henri Remontoir de montre.
CH274300A (fr) * 1948-10-28 1951-03-31 Ag Oliva Remontoir étanche pour montre.
US2579340A (en) * 1944-11-28 1951-12-18 Schmitz Werner Winding stem with removable crown
GB740124A (en) * 1953-04-18 1955-11-09 Rolex Montres Fluid-tight winding means for a timepiece
US2779153A (en) * 1951-07-13 1957-01-29 Soguel Rene Crown for waterproof watches
CH331280A (fr) * 1955-12-21 1958-07-15 Morf Ernest Couronne étanche pour appareil de mesure, notamment pour montre
FR1460648A (fr) * 1965-08-31 1966-03-04 Poussoir pour chronographe et appareils similaires
CH418233A (fr) * 1960-11-07 1966-04-15 Simon John Remontoir étanche de pièce d'horlogerie
US3357173A (en) * 1966-06-14 1967-12-12 Couronnes Boninchi S A Fab De Control device for a timepiece in a case
US3362153A (en) * 1966-02-01 1968-01-09 Couronnes Boninchi S A Fab De Water resistant push piece for diver's watch

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH190466A (fr) * 1936-08-07 1937-04-30 Colomb Henri Remontoir de montre.
US2579340A (en) * 1944-11-28 1951-12-18 Schmitz Werner Winding stem with removable crown
CH274300A (fr) * 1948-10-28 1951-03-31 Ag Oliva Remontoir étanche pour montre.
US2779153A (en) * 1951-07-13 1957-01-29 Soguel Rene Crown for waterproof watches
GB740124A (en) * 1953-04-18 1955-11-09 Rolex Montres Fluid-tight winding means for a timepiece
CH331280A (fr) * 1955-12-21 1958-07-15 Morf Ernest Couronne étanche pour appareil de mesure, notamment pour montre
CH418233A (fr) * 1960-11-07 1966-04-15 Simon John Remontoir étanche de pièce d'horlogerie
FR1460648A (fr) * 1965-08-31 1966-03-04 Poussoir pour chronographe et appareils similaires
US3362153A (en) * 1966-02-01 1968-01-09 Couronnes Boninchi S A Fab De Water resistant push piece for diver's watch
US3357173A (en) * 1966-06-14 1967-12-12 Couronnes Boninchi S A Fab De Control device for a timepiece in a case
US3389551A (en) * 1966-06-14 1968-06-25 Couronnes Boninchi S A Fab De Hermetic control device for a watchmaker's movement in a casing

Cited By (25)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3977178A (en) * 1974-08-20 1976-08-31 Boninchi S.A. Watch winding crown assembly
US4292682A (en) * 1979-03-29 1981-09-29 Boninchi, S.A. Water-tight winder for a diver's watch
US4324108A (en) * 1980-05-05 1982-04-13 Fmc Corporation Apparatus for freezing confection material
US6902169B2 (en) * 2001-07-28 2005-06-07 Richemont International Sa Sealed crown for watch casing
US20030030230A1 (en) * 2001-07-28 2003-02-13 Manufacture Jaeger-Lecoultre Sa Sealed crown for watch casing
US20040257917A1 (en) * 2003-03-10 2004-12-23 Hisamitsu Yoshikawa Portable watch
US7357569B2 (en) * 2003-03-10 2008-04-15 Seiko Instruments Inc. Crown lock structure and timepiece having crown lock structure
US20110235476A1 (en) * 2010-03-26 2011-09-29 Haruki Hiranuma Portable timepiece
US20110235477A1 (en) * 2010-03-26 2011-09-29 Haruki Hiranuma Portable timepiece
US8408785B2 (en) * 2010-03-26 2013-04-02 Seiko Instruments Inc. Portable timepiece
US8419269B2 (en) * 2010-03-26 2013-04-16 Seiko Instruments Inc. Portable timepiece
US12083623B2 (en) 2013-06-09 2024-09-10 Apple Inc. Laser-formed features
CN110989319B (zh) * 2013-06-09 2021-10-08 苹果公司 电子手表
US10328527B2 (en) * 2013-06-09 2019-06-25 Apple Inc. Laser-formed features
CN110989319A (zh) * 2013-06-09 2020-04-10 苹果公司 电子手表
US11033984B2 (en) 2013-06-09 2021-06-15 Apple Inc. Laser-formed features
US9513603B2 (en) * 2014-09-09 2016-12-06 Seiko Instruments Inc. Timepiece
US20160070233A1 (en) * 2014-09-09 2016-03-10 Seiko Instruments Inc. Timepiece
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
US12190192B2 (en) 2018-09-27 2025-01-07 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
US20220066393A1 (en) * 2020-07-10 2022-03-03 Rolex Sa Threaded timepiece member
US11880169B2 (en) * 2020-07-10 2024-01-23 Rolex Sa Threaded timepiece member

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CH1179667A4 (en, 2012) 1971-06-15
DE1773980B2 (de) 1976-11-04
CH513452A (fr) 1971-06-15
DE1773980A1 (de) 1971-11-04
GB1240297A (en) 1971-07-21
FR1576834A (en, 2012) 1969-08-01

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