US3706197A

US3706197A - Date correcting device for wrist watches

Info

Publication number: US3706197A
Application number: US152834A
Authority: US
Inventors: Eiichi Matsura
Original assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc
Current assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc
Priority date: 1970-06-20
Filing date: 1971-06-14
Publication date: 1972-12-19
Anticipated expiration: 1989-12-19
Also published as: GB1321134A

Abstract

A wrist watch comprising a date correcting device wherein the first corrector and the second corrector are rotated by the turning of a setting lever in response to the pulling out of a winding stem so as to drive a date dial and change dates, and said first corrector and second corrector are returned by the force of a date corrector spring when said winding stem is released.

Description

United States Patent Matsura [54] DATE CORRECTING DEVIICE FOR WRIST WATCHES [72] Inventor: Eiichi Matsura, Chiba-shi, Chiba,

Japan [73] Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha,

Tokyo,Japan [22] Filed: June 14, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 152,834

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 20, 1970 [52] US. Cl ..58/58 [51] Int. Cl. ..G04b 19/24 [58] Field 01' Search ..58/4, 5, 58, 85.5

[56] References'Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,581,268 1/1952 Marchand ..58/58 Japan ..45/60760 3,465,513 9/1969 Gugar et al ..58/58 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 254,307 12/1948 Switzerland ..58/58 351,221 2/1961 Switzerland ..58/58 Primary ExaminerGeorge H. Miller, Jr. Attorney-Blum, Moscovitz, Friedman & Kaplan [57] ABSTRACT A wrist watch comprising a date correcting device wherein the first corrector and the second corrector are rotated by the turning of a setting lever in response to the pulling out of a winding stem so as to drive a date dial and change dates, and said first corrector and second corrector are returned by the force of a date corrector spring when said winding stem is released.

5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures DATE CORRECTING DEVICE FOR WRIST WATCHES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention relates generally to a date correcting device for a wrist watch, and more particularly to a device comprising a date dial driven and corrected rapidly and surely by the pulling and the releasing of a winding stem.

The conventional date correction of a wrist watch having a calendar mechanism has been carried out by a date correcting wheel connected with an hour wheel. Consequently one had to correct dates by pulling out a winding stem and turning both anhour hand and a minute hand in the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. Accordingly, the conventional watch incorporating such a date correcting device had as a fault that one could not correct dates immediately and rapidly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, a wrist watch including a date correcting device is provided wherein the first and second correctors are rotated by the turning of a setting lever in response to the pulling out of a winding stem as so to drive a date dial and change dates. Said first and second correctors are returned by the force of a date corrector spring when said winding stem is released.

An object of, the present invention is to provide a watch wherein the date indication is corrected immediately and rapidly by the, pulling and the releasing of a winding stem.

Another object is to drive a date dial by one tooth in one direction, and to correct dates by the repetition of the pulling and the releasing of the winding stem BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the date correcting device according to the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the date correcting device of FIG. 1 showing the action thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the winding stem 1 has a circumferential groove la and a square portion 1b. A setting lever pin 2b rides in groove 1a and is mounted on a setting lever 2 which rotates freely about a setting lever axle 2a. Winding stem 1 is also provided with a winding pinion 3 which rotates freely, and aclutch wheel 4 which is longitudinally displaceable along the square portion lb of winding stem 1 and rotatable thereby.

Clutch wheel 4 has a circumferential groove 4a in which the end 5b of a clutch lever 5 rides. Said clutch lever rotates freely centering around a clutch lever axle 5a. The rotation of clutch lever 5 is caused by the rotation of setting lever 2, the rotation of a clutch lever 5 causing clutch wheel 4 to move longitudinally along the square portion lb of the winding stem 1. The clutch wheel 4 can be engaged with the winding pinion 3 on the one hand, and can be engaged with a setting wheel 6 on the other.

A dowel 2c is mounted on setting lever 2 and engages a notch 6a'of a setting lever spring 6 when the winding stem 1 is pushed completely to the winding position. In

said position, the lower pressing end 2d of the setting lever 2, which rotates the clutch lever 5, is located within the notchSe of the clutch lever 5, and said end 2d does not cause the clutch lever to move.

The first corrector 7 is mounted in a freely rotatable state centering around the axle 7a as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and has arms 7b, 7b and 717 Said arm 7b has a projection 7c extending therefrom into an oblong aperture 8a of the second corrector 8. The second corrector 8 is pivotably mounted on the axle 8b. A date corrector spring 9 is always pressing the arm 7b of the first corrector 7 so that the first corrector is biased in the clockwise direction centering around the axle 7a. When the winding stem is in the winding position, the projection 7c of the first corrector 7 strikes against the banking wall of a stopper 11 which is recessed upon the plate of the watch. Consequently the first corrector is prevented from turning clockwise over said wall. Moreover the arm 7b of the first corrector maintains a certain distance from the end 2e of the setting lever 2, and is located nearer to the periphery of the watch movement than the setting lever.

When the second corrector 8 rotates, the toothed portion 12a of the date dial 12 is engaged with the end 8c of the second corrector 8 and the date dial 12 is turned in the clockwise direction.

The turning of the date dial is stopped because the projecting end 14b of the date jumper 14, which rotates freely centering around the axle 14a, is driven into the root of said toothed portion 12a of the date dial 12 due to the pressure of the date jumper spring 13. In short said toothed portion 12a of the date dial 12 is advanced only one step because of the reciprocating motion of the second corrector 8.

The setting wheel 20, the minute wheel 15 and the hour wheel 16 are the means for transmitting the turning of the winding stem to the hands when the winding stem is pulled out by one step, to effect hand setting. The clutch lever spring 17 is fixed on the plate 10 of the watch 15 by means of screw 17a, and presses the clutch lever 5. The clutch lever spring 17, when the winding stem 1 is in the winding position, forcibly presses the clutch wheel 4 connected with the end 5b of the clutch lever 5, and connects the clutch wheel 4 with the winding pinion 3 so that the clutch wheel may transmit the turning of the winding stem to the winding pinion 3.

The action of the present invention relating to the date correcting device is explained as follows. When pressure of the clutch lever spring 17 so as to connect with the winding pinion 3. When the winding stem 1 is turned in the state above mentioned, the turning of the winding stem 1 is transmitted to the well-known cro'wn wheel, ratchet wheel and barrel drum (not shown) through the clutch wheel 4 and the winding pinion 3, so that the mainspring is wound up.

At this time the first corrector 7 is pressed by the date corrector spring 9 and the projection 70 contacts with the stopper 11.The toothed portion 120 of the. date dial 12 is maintained a certain distance from the projecting end 8c of thesecond corrector.

' When pulling out the winding stem by one step for hand setting, as shown in FIG. 2, the setting lever 2 rotates clockwise centering around theaxle 2a by means of the setting lever pin 2b engaged with'the groove'la of the winding stem'l, so that the dowel 2c of the setting lever '2, freed from the notch 6a of the setting lever jumper 6, stops at the position 6b. At the the turning of the winding stem is transmitted to the hour wheel l6, through the clutch wheel 4,.the setting wheel 20 and the minute wheel 15, so that one can set the hands. At this time the end 2e of the setting lever 2 engages the lower end of the arm 7b of the first corrector 7. Whenpulling out the winding stem further, by a second step, as shown in phantom lines of FIG. 2, the setting lever 2 rotates clockwise centering around the setting lever axle 2a so that the lower end 2d strikes against the projecting end d of the clutch lever 5. At the same time the end 2e of the setting lever presses upward the arm 7b of the first corrector 7, against the force of the date corrector spring 9, to rotate said first corrector counter clockwise centering around the axle 70, as shown in FIG. 2, from the state shown in full lines to the state shown in phantom lines. 0n the other hand, as the oblong aperture 8a of the second corrector 8 is engaged with the projection 7c of the first corrector 7, the second corrector 8 rotates clockwise centering around the axle 8b. The end 8c is then engaged with the toothed portion 12a of the date dial l2 and makes the date dial turn so as to change the date printed on the dial to the next date. At this time one of the teeth of the date dial 12 has already moved beyond the projecting end 14b of the date jumper.

Whenthe winding'stem 1 is released, the first corrector 7 returns to the position shown in full lines of FIG. 2 by means of the force of the date corrector spring. The second corrector 8 and the setting lever 2 likewise return to their respective positions shown in full lines of FIG. 2. After the date dial has been driven by one tooth, the date dialis stopped by the actingsurface of the date jumper 14 by means of the force of the date jumper-spring 13. Date correction can be made by the repetition of the above-mentioned operation. The device in accordance with the present invention canbe 'sumarized as follows. The setting lever 2 and the first corrector 7 .are mounted separately. on the same level; the end 2e of the setting lever 2 is connected with the arm 7b of the first corrector; the first corrector is enlarged; the second corrector 8 which is connected with the first corrector is located at a position far from the axle 7a, and is made smaller than the first corrector.

Consequently the device in accordance with the present invention results in the following advantages:

' a. A thinner watch'can be made and the operation of said watch can be simplified.

b. The engagement between clutch wheel 4 and the setting wheel 20 can be kept and held because f clutch lever 5 does not move further even if a setting lever 2 changes from the second position to the third position when correcting dates.-

c. Consequently the abrasion ofsaid clutch wheel andsaid setting wheel caused by datecorrection can be lessened, and incorrect movement of the hands is avoided. j

. The construction of this device permits simplification of watches. The present invention permits a reduction in the number of parts, to simplify the assembling procedures and to reduce costs. The

I arrangement is also applicable to other calendar indications such-as day and month indications.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certainchanges may be made in the above construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpretedas illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features'of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed is:

1. A calendar correcting device for a wrist watch comprising a date dial; a winding stem longitudinally displaceable between a plurality of positions; a rotatably mounted setting lever; means coupling said setting lever and winding stem for the rotation of said setting lever in response to the longitudinal displacement of said winding stem; calendar correcting means interconnecting said date dial and setting lever for incrementally advancing said date dial in response to the rotation of said setting lever during the longitudinal displacement of said winding stem from a first of said plurality of positions to a second of said plurality of positions; and date corrector spring means biased to return said winding stem to said first position when said wind ing stem is released, said calendar correcting means including a first rotatably mounted corrector positioned for engagement by and rotation in response to said setting leverduring displacement of said winding stem between said first and second positions, and a second corrector mounted rotatably around an axle fixed to a frame plate and positioned for engagement by said first corrector and with said date dial for rotation .in response to the rotation of said first corrector and for incrementally driving said date dial during said displacement of said winding stem between said first and second positions.

2. A calendar correcting device as recited in claim 1, wherein said date dial is formed with teeth through which said date dial is normally driven, said second rotatably mounted corrector being positioned for engagement with said date dial teeth in response to rotation of said first corrector to incrementally drive said date dial.

3. A calendar correcting device for a wrist watch comprising a date dial; a winding stem longitudinally displaceable between a plurality of positions; a

rotatably mounted setting lever; means coupling said setting lever and winding stem for the rotation of said setting lever in response to the longitudinal displacement of said winding stem; calendar correcting means interconnecting said date dial and setting lever for incrementally advancing said date dial in response to the rotation of said setting lever during the longitudinal displacement of said winding stem from a first of said plurality of positions to a second of said plurality of positions; and date corrector spring means biased to return said winding stem to said first position when said winding stem is released, said calendar correcting means including a first rotatably mounted corrector positioned for engagement by and rotation in response to ,said

a setting lever during displacement of said winding stem between said first and second positions, and a second rotatably mounted corrector positioned for engagement by said first corrector and with said date dial for rotation in response to the rotation of said first corrector and for incrementally driving said date dial during said displacement of said winding stem between said first and second positions, said winding stem being displaceable at least between a third winding position, said first hand setting position, and said second position, said first corrector being out of engagement with said setting lever when said winding stem is in said third winding position, said first and second correctors being displaced only when said winding stem is displaced between said first and second positions.

4. A calendar correcting device as recited in claim 3, including means for limiting the displacement of said setting lever, thereby limiting the displacement of said first and second correctors in response to the longitudinal displacement of said winding stem.

5. A calendar correcting device as recited in claim 3, wherein said second corrector is formed with an oblong opening therethrough, said first corrector being provided with a pin projecting therefrom and riding in said oblong opening for rotatably displacing said second corrector in response to the rotation of said first corrector.

Claims

1. A calendar correcting device for a wrist watch comprising a date dial; a winding stem longitudinally displaceable between a plurality of positions; a rotatably mounted setting lever; means coupling said setting lever and winding stem for the rotation of said setting lever in response to the longitudinal displacement of said winding stem; calendar correcting means interconnecting said date dial and setting lever for incrementally advancing said date dial in response to the rotation of said setting lever during the longitudinal displacement of said winding stem from a first of said plurality of positions to a second of said plurality of positions; and date corrector spring means biased to return said winding stem to said first position when said winding stem is released, said calendar correcting means including a first rotatably mounted corrector positioned for engagement by and rotation in response to said setting lever during displacement of said winding stem between said first and second positions, and a second corrector mounted rotatably around an axle fixed to a frame plate and positioned for engagement by said first corrector and with said date dial for rotation in response to the rotation of said first corrector and for incrementally driving said date dial during said displacement of said winding stem between said first and second positions.

3. A calendar correcting device for a wrist watch comprising a date dial; a winding stem longitudinally displaceable between a plurality of positions; a rotatably mounted setting lever; means coupling said setting lever and winding stem for the rotation of said setting lever in response to the longitudinal displacement of said winding stem; calendar correcting means interconnecting said date dial and setting lever for incrementally advancing said date dial in response to the rotation of said setting lever during the longitudinal displacement of said winding stem from a first of said plurality of positions to a second of said plurality of positions; and date corrector spring means biased to return said winding stem to said first position when said winding stem is released, said calendar corrEcting means including a first rotatably mounted corrector positioned for engagement by and rotation in response to said setting lever during displacement of said winding stem between said first and second positions, and a second rotatably mounted corrector positioned for engagement by said first corrector and with said date dial for rotation in response to the rotation of said first corrector and for incrementally driving said date dial during said displacement of said winding stem between said first and second positions, said winding stem being displaceable at least between a third winding position, said first hand setting position, and said second position, said first corrector being out of engagement with said setting lever when said winding stem is in said third winding position, said first and second correctors being displaced only when said winding stem is displaced between said first and second positions.