US3785142A

US3785142A - Watchcase comprising at least a two-piece casing assembly

Info

Publication number: US3785142A
Application number: US00341055A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Soguel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-03-16
Filing date: 1973-03-14
Publication date: 1974-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-15
Also published as: CH388072A4; CH586418B5; DE2312294A1; GB1405361A; FR2176153A1; FR2176153B1

Abstract

A watchcase comprising generally at least a two-piece casing assembly is described. The assembly may comprise external and internal casing members. These two members are assembled with a ring of elastic material retained for the most part therebetween. Aligned grooves are formed in each of the members, and that portion of the ring projecting from the groove in the inner member penetrates a groove in the outer member. Watchcases, particularly when they are shaped and/or fluid-tight, are relatively complicated article. Furthermore, the assembly of the different component parts is relatively intricate and expensive especially to obtain a good quality watchcase presenting good fluid-tightness characteristics.

Description

United States Patent [191 Soguel [451 Jan. 15, 1974 WATCHCASE COMPRISING AT LEAST A TWO-PIECE CASING ASSEMBLY [21] Appl. No.: 341,055

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 16, 1972 Switzerland 3880/72 [52] US. Cl. 58/90 R, 277/169 [51] Int. Cl G041) 37/08, B65Cl 53/00, Fl6j 9/00 [58] Field of Search 58/90 R, 91; 277/169 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 668,50! 2/l90l Davis 277/169 X 3,667,785 6/1972 Kapeker 277/169 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,152,298 5/1969 Great Britain 58/90 R 245,430 ll/l946 Switzerland 58/90 R Primary Examiner-George H. Miller, Jr. Att0rneyRobert E. Le Blanc et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A watchcase comprising generally at least a two-piece casing assembly is described. The assembly may comprise external and internal casing members. These two members are assembled with a ring of elastic material retained for the most part therebetween. Aligned grooves are formed in each of the members, and that portion of the ring projecting from the groove in the inner member penetrates a groove in the outer member. Watchcases, particularly when they are shaped and/0r fluid-tight, are relatively complicated article. Furthermore, the assembly of the different component parts is relatively intricate and expensive especially to obtain a good quality watchcase presenting good fluidtightness characteristics.

23 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures WATCHCASE COMPRISING AT LEAST A TWO-PIECE CASING ASSEMBLY The present invention relates to a watch case which is comparatively easy and inexpensive to assemble. The watchcase of this invention utilizes components shaped for easy and inexpensive manufacture, while at the same time assuring a good fluid tightness when assembled, whether the assembly is round or shaped.

In the watchcase according to the invention, the external or internal components, respectively, are assembled with an elastic ring therebetween. The said ring is housed for the most part in a groove in one of these components. That portion projecting from said groove penetrates a smaller groove in the other of these components. One groove is located on the inner surface of the outer component, and the other groove is located on the outside surface of the inner component. Further, at least one of these components comprises several of said grooves superposed, and arranged to permit at least one of the two alternate structures which are: a structure in which an inner component piece is held, by an assembly, in several different positions relative to an outer component; and a structure in which several inner components are mounted, by at least one assembly, in an outer component.

In one embodiment, a round or shaped watchcase of this invention is characterized in that the inner component is a closed capsule adapted to house a watch movement with no external means of attachment for a wristband, suspension or placement in a place of use except as will be described, and the outer component functions in the assembly as a component provided with such means. At least one of said components has several small superposed grooves, and the other of said components has at least one groove which receives a portion of a ring so that the two pieces may be mounted in several different axial positions relative to each other.

.In another embodiment, the watchcase is characterized in that it comprises a back or domeback, a bushing glass, and a middle forming two of said assemblies. A first assembly is formed by the middle and back or dome-back, with the latter being the inner component of this first assembly and the middle being the outer component. A second assembly is formed by the bushing glass and middle with the bushing glass being the inner component of this second assembly whose outer component is also the middle.

When the periphery of said inner component and the opening of said outer component are circular, means may be provided to prevent relative rotation at least between the outer and inner components forming the back or dome-back.

Advantageously, the inner components .have peripheries of the same shape and same dimensions so that they may be introduced into the middle from the lower end and thereof and removed therefrom from above under the action of a pressure exerted axially against the back.

Advantageously again, the watchcase of this invention is fluid-tight, and is characterized in that at least the ring of one of said assemblies, and preferably the ring of each of two said assemblies, forms at the same time a fluid-tight fitting for the fluid-tight joining of the two components of the assembly.

These and other advantages of this invention will become apparent with reference to the drawings and following description wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view, partially in section, of a watchcase in which an outside middle is assembled with an inside capsule intended to receive the movement, this assembly being achieved by means of elastic rings housed in a groove in the outside middle and in one of the grooves in the capsule;

FIG. 2 is a partial view in section of a watchcase wherein a middle is assembled, on the one hand, with a bushing glass and, on the other hand, with a domeback, these assemblies being secured, in a fluid-tight manner, by elastic rings housed in the grooves of both the middle and, respectively, of the glass and domeback;

FIG. 3 shows, in a view similar to that of FIG. 2, another embodiment of the watchcase, provided in addition with a rotating bezel-ring;

FIG. 4 shows, in a view similar to those of FIGS. 2 and 3, another embodiment of the watchcase, circular in shape, in which pin means are used to prevent a relative rotation of the assembled pieces;

FIG. 5 shows in a view similar to FIG. 4 an alternate embodiment thereof;

FIG. 6 is a view in horizontal section along line Vl-VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 represents, in a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 5, another embodiment of a watchcase, in which the means to prevent a relative rotation of the assembled pieces is a retractable pin;

FIG. 8 is a horizontal view along line VlII-Vlll of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 represents, in a view similar to those of FIGS. 2 and 5, still another embodiment of a watchcase, without a pin to prevent a relative rotation of the assembled pieces, this embodiment being either a watchcase that is not round, or one that is round;

FIG. 10 shows, in a view in section similar to those of FIGS. 2 and 5 an embodiment of a fluid-tight watchcase in which the fluid tightness is assured by an assembly ring engaging circular grooves, and by standard fluid tightness joints;

FIG. 11 shows a part of the ring of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a partial view in perspective showing a rising for the embodiments according to FIGS. 2 to 10, showing features whereby this rising may be disengaged from the inside of a projection on the back or from the frame with which it is engaged.

With reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a watchcase made up of an outside middle I in a circular opening in which is mounted a closed capsule 2, preferably fluid-tight, and adapted to receive a watch movement. The surface turned toward the inside of middle 1 is hollowed out with a groove 3 in which a rubbery ring 4 is housed. The height of groove 3 corresponds to the diameter of the ring section, the depth of groove 3 being less than the diameter of ring 4 but greater than two-thirds thereof. Two

small grooves

5 and 6 are hollowed out in lateral surface of capsule 2. The profile of

grooves

5 and 6 corresponds to an arc of a circle less than which would be traced with a radius less than half the height of groove 3. As is shown in FIG. 1 ring 4 penetrates groove 6, and in this way retains capsule 2 in middle 1.

It will be noted that it is possible, by an axial pressure applied to capsule 2, to cause capsule 2 to descend into middle 1. Ring 4 would be compressed therefore during the relative movement of the two components until it engages small upper groove 5. In this situation, the height of capsule 2 would then correspond to the upper level of middle 1, as contrasted to the position shown wherein capsule 2 clearly projects upwardly from middle 1.

In FIG. 1 the inside surface of middle 1 also has a second groove 7 similar to groove 3 and located therebelow. The distance between the middle of groove 3 and the middle of groove 7 corresponds to the distance between the middle of groove 5 and the middle of groove 6. This second groove 7 is not essential to the construction of FIG. 1, but if provided, it could also mount a ring (not shown) similar to ring 4. When middle 1 thus houses two elastic rubbery rings, capsule 2 is held by only one ring in the position shown in FIG. 1, but would be held by both rings in the aforementioned situation where it is recessed in middle 1.

The movement housed in capsule 2 is of the axial winding stem type, and winding and setting the watch therefore is performed by a very flat crown (not shown) received in a corresponding recess (not shown) in the back of the capsule 2. Since capsule 2 is circular, there is a danger that it will rotatein middle 1. However, when capsule 2 is held in the middle 1 by two rings, such relative rotation movement is much less likely to occur because the friction forces therebetween are doubled.

Thus, when the watch is worn the capsule 2 would be recessed in the middle 1 and there would be practically no danger of it rotating in the latter (which, if permitted, could, for example, bring the FIG. 12 on the dial to the place where the FIG. 2 should be). When, for example, it is desired to perform a timing, the watch is placed on a table so that its dial is quite visible, and pressure is applied to the bottom of the capsule to bring it to the position shown in FIG. 1.

A radial vertical slot (not shown) may alternatively be provided in middle 1, to accommodate a capsule with a standard radial winding stem. However, the winding stem must not provide the sole obstacle to mutual rotational movement of capsule 2 in middle 1 because the stem could easily be damaged. If the periphery of capsule 2, and the corresponding shape of the inside opening of middle 1, are not circular, but shaped, (for example, rectangular with curved sides and rounded angles), such a risk of mutual rotation would not exist, and it could even be considered superfluous to have more than one groove housing a ring in middle 1. The embodiment of FIG. 1, with a radial winding stem, would therefore be more suitable when the capsule is not circular.

Middle 1 naturally is also provided with means (not shown) to attach a wristband, which capsule 2 certainly will not have. This embodiment has the advantage of permitting different aesthetic associations of a middle and a capsule, and the retail watchmaker could, for example, have an assortment of capsules of the same shape but provided with a movement with different dials, and also an assortment of middles of different appearance. He could then offer his customers a wide variety of watches corresponding to different possible combinations between the different middles and different dials. It is also possible to envisage the case of a standard exchange of only one of the two parts, for example, the standard exchange of the capsule only when the movement it contains is damaged, whereas the middle, made, for example, of a precious metal, would be retained. In the alternative, the middle only, provided with a wristband, could be exchanged when the wristband is damaged, if the capsule contains a costly, high quality movement.

In the embodiment of the watchcase shown in FIG. 2, instead of a closed independent capsule, an embodiment is shown in which the middle serves to maintain a dome-back and a glass, as two assemblies retained with elastic rubbery rings.

This embodiment comprises a middle 8, a dome-back 9 comprising a back part 10 and a frame 11, and a bushing glass 12 comprising a dome-back part 13 and a bushing 14. The inside surface of middle 8 presents two

grooves

15 and 16 the first of which houses an elastic rubbery ring 20 intended to hold the dome-back 9, and the second houses an elastic rubbery ring 19 intended to hold the bushing glass 12. The lateral surface of dome-back 9 presents a small groove 17 in which ring 20 penetrates. The assembly thus realized is similar to that of the middle 1 and capsule 2 with ring 4, in the embodiment of FIG. 1. The large groove 15 in the middle 8 has a height equal to the diameter of the section of ring 20 and a depth slightly less than this diameter, and the small groove 17 has a profile of an arc of a circle less than with a radius slighter than the half height of the large groove 15. Ring 19, housed in large groove 16 of middle 8, penetrates into a small groove 18 made in the lateral surface of bushing 14 of glass 12. The relations of dimensions of this assembly are the same as for the large groove 15, small groove 17, and ring 20.

Axially, the lower surface 21 of the bushing 12 rests on a shoulder 22 of the dome-back 9 and rests also on a shoulder 23 presented by the inside of middle 8 below groove 16. The dome-back 9 comprises a second shoulder 24 which rests against a second shoulder 25 presented by middle 8 above groove 15. The unit is arranged so that the dome 9 enters into the middle 8 from below while the bushing glass 12 enters into the middle 8 from above. To remove the dome 9, notches 32 are provided under the latter to permit the introduction of a tool (not shown) with which the dome can be pulled downward.

Assembly is preferably performed in the following way: the two elastic rubber rings 19 and 20 are first introduced into their

respective grooves

16 and 15; then, the bushing glass 12 is slipped from above into middle 8, until the lower surface 21 of the bushing 12 rests against shoulder 23 of the middle, while ring 19 goes into groove 18. A certain amount of pressure must be exerted on the glass, but, with an organic type glass being used, the bushing presents a certain elasticity which facilitates the introduction of the glass without too great a pressure.

Then, dome-back 9, into which movement 31 of the watch has been previously placed, is in turn introduced into the middle 8, from below, until its shoulder 24 rests against shoulder 25 of the middle. Shoulder 22 comes to rest against the lower surface 21 of the bushing 12 of the glass, and ring 15 penetrates somewhat into small groove 17 thereby completing assembly of the watchcase. It will be noted that frame part 11 of dome-back 9 presents at its upper part a projection 28 which engages behind bushing 14 of the glass 12. A rise 29 resting on watch dial 30, attached to movement 31,

also fastened in the dome-back 9 also engages projection 28 so that the movement and dial will be held axially against possible upward movement. The combination of projection 28 and rise 29 is sufficiently rigid to support bushing 14 and improves the resistance of this bushing to radial pressure exerted by elastic ring 19 penetrating into groove 18. The means for solid mounting of rise 29 in projection 28, and for removal of this rise 29 to remove movement 31 from projection 28, will be explained in detail below.

It will be noted that in the watchcase according to the embodiment of FIG. 2, a broken stem winding and setting device should be used. If the contour of the dome-back 9 and the shape of the corresponding opening in the middle 8 are circular, a relative rotation of the dome-back and middle could occur accidentally, which would tend to damage the winding stem (not shown). It is therefore highly advisable to provide means to avoid this rotation. FIG. 2 shows means consisting of a vertical groove 26 in the middle 8 between the two shoulders 23 and 25. A pin 27 extends laterally into part 11 of the dome-back 9 and engages groove 26. Naturally, there could be one or more of such pins and grooves identical with groove 26, but a single pin 27 has been found to be sufficient. If the outside contour of the dome-back 9 and corresponding shape of the opening of the middle 8 were not circular (for example, oval), naturally, locking means 26 and 27 would not be needed.

\ The embodiment of FIG. 3 presents a structure similar to that of FIG. 2. Some elements of this latter, as for example, bushing glass 12 with its bushing 14 are identical. On the other hand, dome-back 33 of the embodiment according to FIG. 3, does not serve to hold the movement directly. A frame 37 in member 36 forms the frame of the dome-back 33, and serves the watch movement in the standard way. In addition, the relative placement of'the device for looking the components against rotation is reversed. As shown in FIG. 3 vertical groove 43 is formed in the outside lateral surface of the dome-back 33, and pin 44 is driven into a blind hole of the inside surface of the middle 38.

This middle 38 holds dome-back 33 and glass 12 by 7 means of two elastic

ring assembly fittings

38 and 40, respectively, similar to the

assembly fittings

15, 17, 20 and 16, 18, 19 of the embodiment of FIG. 2. A similar third assembly fitting 41 mounts a rotatable bezel-ring 42 on member of middle 38. Bezel-ring 42 extends inwardly, above the upper surface of member 45 on middle 38 toward glass 12. Ring 42, which may have different calibrations (for example, that of the hours in another time zone) should be rotatable and, for this reason, the small groove for assembly fitting 41 is cut with slightly greater dimensions in relation to the section of the ring 41 to reduce rotation friction. It should be noted that the

assembly fittings

39 and 40, like the assembly fittings l5, 17, 20 and l6, l8, 19 of the embodiment of FIG. 2, are intended to assure the fluid tightness of the assembly. The

assembly fittings

39 and 40 should be relatively tight, while the assembly fitting 41, which does not have to assure any fluid tightness can be much looser.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the outside contour of dome-back 33 and the outside contour of bushing 14 of glass 12 which participate in the

assembly fittings

39 and 40 respectively, have exactly the same shape, which corresponds also the opening made on both sides of middle 38. This feature offers particular advantages for mounting and dismounting the watchcase in addition to the fact that it simplifies manufacture of the middle.

Actually, glass 12 can, if desired, be mounted in middle 38 from the bottom rather than the top. Pin 44 first is removed, however, to allow completion of the passage of the glass to bushing 14. This method has the advantage of avoiding any pressure exerted on the upper part of the glass which, depending on the type of glass, could cause damage. Subsequently, pin 44 is replaced, and frame 37 is slid under the glass 12 with its projection 28 engaging on the inside of bushing 14.

The movement can then be mounted in the frame 37 (it could also be mounted in frame 37 before the introduction of the latter under the glass 12), and finally back 33 is put in place engaging frame 37 to hold it firmly in position, and engaging middle 38, by means of assembly ring fitting 39. As a variant, it would, of course, be possible first to mount the frame 37 and movement in the dome-back 33, and then slide the unit into the middle 38, as in the embodiment of FIG. 2. Finally, independently of the mounting of the watchcase, ring 42 is mounted and retained on middle 38 of assembly fitting 41.

The advantage of the embodiment of FIG. 3 is seen particularly in dismounting thewatch. Whereas most other fluid-tight watchcases require use of a special tool of disassembly, the watchcase of FIG. 3 can be taken apart with a simple staking tool. To do this, with a staking tool provided with a suitable size plug, pressure is exerted from underneath dome-back 33. Since vertical groove 43 extends still farther below pin 44, dome-back 33 may enter more deeply into the middle 38 thereby pushing glass 12 upwardly and out of middle 38. The two

assembly fittings

39 and 40 are then loosened, and the elastic ring 39 will slide out of the small groove. The dome-back 33 is urged upwardly until glass 12 is separated from middle 38 through the top thereof. The glass may be removed by grasping bushing 14. without risk of damaging its upper surface. Once this glass 12 is removed, the dome-back 33 is removed by urging it in the opposite direction. Pressure is exerted, for example again with a staking tool, on the upper surface of the frame part 36 of dome-back 34 to push the dome-back from the middle 38. It should be noted that it is not necessary to disengage the domeback from the middle to remove the movement. As soon as the glass 12 is removed, the frame 37 carrying the movement may in turn be removed from above. It

should also be noted that in the embodiment of FIG. 3,

the movement should have a broken stem because the winding stem must be removed before the case can be taken apart.

In reassembling the watchcase, it is possible to introduce the glass 12 from above, or to begin by removing pin 44 and introducing the glass 12 from below. As

shown in FIG. 3 this pin 44 is angled slightly in a radial vertical plane. This angled inclination facilitates the drilling of the blind hole to receive pin 44, the introduction of pin 44 into the blind hole and also the removal of the pin 44 therefrom.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the frame 37 rather than the dome-back 33 presents projection 28 which engages bushing 14-of glass 12. Projection 28' also carries a rise 29 which contacts the dial. In the embodiment shown, rise 29 does not retain the movement axially in the upward direction alone. The movement is also fastened with a screw in the frame 37, and is therefore firmly retained relative to frame 37.

FIGS. 4, and 6 present still another embodiment which differs from the embodiment of FIG. 3 in the absence of ring 42 (although such a ring could be provided). Also the means whereby mutual rotation between the dome-back 50 and middle 46 in this embodiment does not prevent the complete passage of the glass 47 and dome-back 50 through the middle 46.

Essentially, the structure of the embodiment of FIG. 4 is similar to that of FIG. 3. A back 50 and a frame 51 which cooperate to hold a watch movement in place is provided, and middle 46 also holds the back 50 and glass 47 with two ring assembly fittings, 39 and 40, respectively. However, they differ in that the movement is retained against downward axial movement but by a suitable spring 55 placed between back 50 and the bottom of the movement rather than by a screw, as in the embodiment of FIG. 3.

Glass 47 also has a particular configuration. In addition to a dome and bushing 48, it carries tongues 49 under bushing 48, in at least one place (and preferably in three place) around its periphery. Tongues 49 are integral with glass 47 and have therefore a certain elasticity due to the construction material which is somewhat flexible. Frame 51, back 50, and middle 46 form

vertical grooves

52, 53, and 54, respectively, to receive tongue 49. Each vertical tongue 49 can bend inward penetrating only in two

grooves

52 and 53, so that it does not extend beyond the periphery of the unit formed by back 50, glass 47, and the elements they contain, when it is introduced inside the middle 46. Then, by its own elasticity, each tongue 49 tends to protrude as shown in FIG. 4, thus also penetrating groove 54 formed in middle 46. Tongue 49 therefore acts as a pin in preventing any relative rotating movement between back 50, middle 46, and frame 51, and, of course, glass 47 integral therewith. This blocking pin effect is also shown in FIG. 4, and specifically to the modified version shown in FIG. 5.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the glass is again a simple bushing glass 12, identical with those of embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3. The function of tongues 49 of the embodiment of FIG. 4 is supplied by one or more tongues 61 projecting from beneath an intermediate piece 59, preferably constructed of plastic. Piece 59 comprises a crown 60 on whose periphery are mounted, integrally, one or more tongues 61. FIG. 5 shows a mounting without a frame, and dome-back 56 serves as both the frame and as the mounting for the movement as in the embodiment of FIG. 2. Concerning the frame, it will be obvious that the versions of FIGS. 3 and 4 could alternatively be applied to the embodiment of FIG. 5. The embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 5 in contrast to that of FIG. 4, do not require a specially the unit consisting of the dome-back 56, glass 12 and I intermediate piece 59 slides through the middle 57, re-

silient tongues 61 bend and are received in vertical groove 62.

The embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 advantageously permit mounting and dismounting of the watchcase by applying pressure to the back of the watchcase (for example, by means of a staking tool) from below. It is possible to first assemble the back containing the movement, the frame, the glass, and, if necessary, the intermediate piece 59. Then this preassembly may be introduced into the middle, so that the case is automatically mounted as soon as the

assembly fittings

39 and 40, the respective elastic rings are seated each in a large groove in the middle, penetrating into small grooves respectively in the back and glass.

It will be noted that the assembly thus realized is fluid-tight as long as the edges of the inside piece at the intersections of the small grooves and the lateral surface are free of notches. The edges of the small grooves penetrate very slightly into the soft material of the rings to assure a fluid-tight joint with the glass bushing and back. Furthermore, the rings compressed in large grooves in the middle assures a fluid-tight joint with the middle.

It will also be noted that in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, there is, at the site of vertical grooves 54 (FIG. 4) or 63 (FIG. 5), a break in continuity in the fluidtight joint between the lower edge of the upper small grooves and the corresponding elastic ring, and between the upper edge of the lower small groove and the corresponding elastic ring. These breaks in continuity, however, do not eliminate good fluid tightness. Fluid tightness remains established by the fluid-tight joint between the ring and the opposing edge of these small grooves.

FIG. 5 additionally has a third ring assembly fitting 58, located intermediate between

ring assembly fittings

39 and 40. This assembly fitting 58, in contrast with

assembly fittings

39 and 40, does not extend around the circumference of the watchcase but is necessarily broken where it must pass the winding stem (broken stem). This additional ring assembly fitting serves simply to provide greater stability to the assembly between back 56 and middle 57. The force required to dismount the watch by driving out back 56 is through middle 57 increased by the presence of ring assembly fitting 58. Tests showed that, although removal of the back with a staking tool is relatively easy, removal of the back by hand is almost impossible. Therefore the danger that the watchcase might be taken apart by a person other than a watchmaker with a staking tool is eliminated.

With two ring assembly fittings between the middle and dome-back, even if one does not completely surround the dome-back, a firm assembly that will permit no relative rotation between the components is provided. Therefore, it may not be absolutely necessary to provide an additional assembly fitting 26, 27, FIG. 2; 43, 44, FIG. 3; 49, 54, FIG. 4; and 61, 63, FIG. 5, between the middle and dome-back to block rotation. However, this fitting still provides greater security, in that it assures that rotation cannot occur but also assures assembly with incorrect mutual positioning is impossible.

The extra ring assembly fitting 58 provides greater resistance to a relative axial movement than to relative rotational movement because relative rotational movement does not imply a deformation of the elastic rubbery ring, while axial movement requires deformation of the entire part of the ring which normally penetrates the small groove in the space between it and the walls of the large groove in the vicinity of the surface adjacent this groove, i.e., on the rectilinear portions of the profile of the latter. The difference between resistance to axial movement and resistance to rotational movement indicate the desirability of additional locking means against rotational movement. Another means of locking the relative rotation movement would, of course, consist in providing an unrounded shape, for example, arched square, with rounded corners, to the periphery of the inside pieces (back and glass) and to the opening corresponding to the outside piece (middle).

FIG. 7 shows still another embodiment of this invention similar to that of FIG. 3 with regard to mounting of the dome-back and the glass in the middle and to that of FIG. 2 with regard to the mounting of the movement and its attachment in the axial direction. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, glass 12, with its bushing 14, and dome-back 65 with back member 66 and frame member 67 are assembled in middle 64 by means of two

ring assembly fittings

39 and 40. The pin 68 for blocking possible axial rotation is, however, mounted in a retractible manner. Pin 68 is introduced into a blind hole to urge pin 68 outwardly. This embodiment permits mounting and dismounting the entire unit made up of dome-back 65, glass 12 and all the elements they contain, which can pass through middle 64. Mounting and dismounting are accomplished in a manner similar to that for the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5. Retractible pin 68 penetrates vertical groove 70 in the outside surface of the dome-back 65, when the watchcase is assembled, and pin 68 retracts, against the action of spring 69, when the dome-back 65 is urged upwardly, from the assembled position of FIG. 7. Vertical groove 70 provides a downwardly angledcam surface which forces pin 68 into the hole in middle 64 as the dome-back 65 moves upwardly. Pin 68 emerges again as the small groove for assembly fitting 40 passes in front of it, but, because this groove has angled sides, the pin 68 is again retracted to permit passage of the bottom of the dome-back. When the glass is introduced from below, pin 68 functions in a similar manner. Pin 68 may also be removed when glass 12 is placed in mid dle 64 and returned to its hole after the glass is seated.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, movement 30 with its dial 31 is secured in a manner identical to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, except that the mounting includes a frame 71; Again rise 29, engaging projection 28, is itself engaged behind flange 14 of the glass 12, and axially secures dial 3] and movement 30 against upward movement.

As in all the previous embodiments of FIGS. 2 to 5, the rubbery elastic rings which secure the assembly, on the one hand, of the glass 12 and, on the other hand, of the back 65 in the middle 64, also provides fluidtight joints for the watchcase. FIG. 7 is drawn on a larger scale and representing a relatively flat watchcase. Particularly, the slight penetration into the rubbery ring of the edges (or lips) of the small groove made in the inside piece (dome-back 65 or glass 12) is well visible. Ring assembly fitting 40 also has a larger diameter than that of assembly fitting 39. An effort has been made with this embodiment, to obtain the best possible joint between the middle 64 and dome-back 65, and the dome-back 65 should thereby be prevented VIII-VIII of FIG. 7 showing retractible pin 68 penetrating vertical groove 70 under the action of spring 69 to thereby prevent rotation of middle 64 and dome-back 65.

FIG. 9 represents the case of FIG. 5 with the same general structure as the embodiments of FIGS. 2 to 7. The assembly of FIG. 9, however, does not comprise means specifically intended to prevent a relative rotation between back 73 and middle 72. In this embodiment, however, a third ring assembly fitting 58, similar to that of FIG. 5 is provided. The third ring assembly fitting 58 cut on a predetermined arc to allow passage of the winding stem (broken stem), achieves axial sta bility between dome-back 73 and middle 72. Ring 58 also provides a guarantee against rotation of the domeback 73 within middle 72 adequte for watchcases of standard qualtiy. This embodiment is also useful for shaped watches with shaped glass, wherein bushing 14 of the glass 12 and dome-back 73 are, for example, oval or quadrilateral and arched without sharp angles. In this instance there will be no relative rotation between the dome-back 73 and middle 72, or between the glass 12 and middle 72. However, it should be noted that in order to retain

rings

39, 58 and 40 in their respective grooves in middle 72 the contour of the glass 12 and dome-back 73 must not present sharp angles or extended linear portions. Embodiments with a contour presenting linear portions could be provided by reversing the grooves and by providing large grooves housing the rings in the inner members (middle). The rings then should be selected with a diameter slightly less than the periphery of the pieces in question and stretched to be seated in the large grooves.

In FIG. 9 broken lines A and B illustrate alternate possible structures separating the dome-back, whose frame-forming portion is very thick, into a dome-back and a frame; lineA represents the separation in the case wherein the frame includes projection 28 inserted behind bushing 14 of the glass, and line B represents the inner case configuration when projection 28 is formed integrally with the dome-back, and the frame supports only movement 30 with its dial 31.

In the embodiment of FIG. 10, a first ring assembly fitting is used to establish both the fastenings and a fluid tightness, while two other ring assembly fittings are used only to secure standard fluid tightness means and complete the fluid tightness of the watchcase.

In FIG. 10 it can be seen that a bushing glass 12, like that of the embodiments of FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 7, is mounted in a middle 74 by means of ring assembly fitting 39 which at the same time assures fluid tightness between middle 74 and bushing 14 of the glass 12. A two piece frame 75 and 76 is assembled within middle 74 with a ring assembly fitting 78 which does not have a fluid tightness function. Composite frame 75, 76 holds a watch movement 30 provided with a dial 31, and a part of frame 75 presenting a projection 28' which engages behind bushing 14 of glass 12. A rise 29 is mounted within projection 28 and rests against the edge of the upper surface of dial 31. Movement 30 and dial 31 are held by units 75, 76, 28' and 29, and to disengage movement 30, it is necessary to remove piece 76 from piece 75, or to remove rise 29.

The watchcase of FIG. comprises a back 79 configured to include a part 80 forming the back, a bushing part 81 rising vertically, and a raised horizontal flange part 82. The upper surface of flange 82 rests against a flat fluid-tight joint 83, which in turn rests against a shoulder 85 of frame piece 75. A ring 84, shown alone in FIG. 11, engages the lower surface of flange 82 around bushing 81. Ring 84 comprises a small outside groove 86 and is mounted, by means of a ring assembly fitting 85, in the bottom of middle 74. The ring assembly fitting 85 serves only to mount ring 84 in the middle 74 and has no fluid tightness function. The fluid tightness between the back 79 and middle 74 and between the back 79 and frame piece 75, is provided by a flat fluid tightness fitting 83 which, being compressed between the back 79 and frame piece 75, tends to stretch toward the outside and assure a fluid tight contact against the inside surface of middle 74. The fluid-tight watchcase represented in FIG. 10 can be round or shaped; however, if it is round, means, similar to those described above, should be provided to prevent a rotation between back 79, with the pieces that it supports, and middle 74. The embodiment of FIG. 10 illustrates the numerous possibilities for using rubbery elastic ring assembly fittings, on the one hand, to achieve simple mountings, and, on the other hand, to achieve fluid tightness means.

FIG. 12 illustrates the mounting of rise 29 within projection 28 integral with a dome-back or within a projection 28 integral with a frame. In certain embodiments previously described, particularly those of FIGS. 2, 5, 7, 9, and 10, the rise serves to secure the dial axially against the movement, and therefore it should, on the one hand, be firmly attached to projection 28 or 28' which surrounds it, and, on the other hand, except perhaps in the case of FIG. 10, it should be removable when the glass of the watchcase has also been removed, to permit separation of the movement and dial from the dome-back or frame. Rise 29 is preferably force fitted within projection 28 or 28' for a firm mounting. Auxiliary means such as screws or hooks could also be pro-' vided, if desired.

To facilitate removal of the rise from the projection, a circular notch 86 around the outside lateral wall of the rise 29 has been provided. Notch 86 is shown in FlG. l2 and in FIG. 7. Jointly, projection 28 or 28' comprises (see FIG. 12) angled slots 87, in

projection

28 or 28, which permit the insertion of a tool point into groove 86. It is thereby possible to urge rise 29 upwardly by imparting a lever movement to this tool. It is necessary to have at least two slots 87, diametrically opposite, to remove the rise, and preferably three or four slots 87 will be distributed regularly about the circumference of

projection

28 or 28.

The aforementioned embodiments illustrate the numerous possible applications of the assembly of an inner and an outer component with a rubbery elastic ring housed in a large groove made in one component and penetrating into a small groove which faces it in the other component. This assembly fitting is fluid-tight and can therefore assure the fluid tightness between two components of a watchcase. It can also be used as a simple means of assembly or it can be used jointly with other means of assembly or fluid tightness.

Further, the axial mounting of a watch movcment with its dial in a dome-back or a frame with a rise such as rise 29 engaged in a projection of the dome-back or frame has just been described, including one or more ring assembly fittings. This feature obviously is also applicable to other types of watchcases.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

l. Watchcase comprising:

at least one casing assembly, said assembly including at least one outer member having a passage therethrough, the surface of said passage defining at least one circumferential groove therein; at least one inner member disposed in the passage through said outer member, the outer surface of said inner member defining at least one circumferential groove therein, at least one of the grooves in said inner member registering on at leastone groove in said outer member, one groove of each pair of registering grooves having a smaller cross-sectional area than the other groove; at least one elastic retaining ring housed, for the greatest part of its cross-section, in the larger of the pair of registering grooves with the projecting portion thereof penetrating the smaller groove and engaging the edges thereof, so that when several superposed grooves are defined in one of said members said inner member may be disposed in one of a plurality of axial positions relative to the outer member, or a plurality of inner members may be retained in the passage through said outer member with a plurality of said rings.

2. Watchcase comprising at least one casing assembly, said assembly including at least one outer middle having a passage therethrough, the surface of said passage defining at least one circumferential groove therein; at least one inner closed capsule adapted to contain a watch movement, said capsule disposed in the passage through said outer member, the outer surface of said capsule defining at least one circumferential groove therein, at least one of the grooves in said capsule registering on at least one groove in the passage through said middle, one groove of each pair of registering grooves having a smaller cross-sectional area than the other groove; at least one elastic retaining ring housed, for the greatest part of its cross-section, in the 7 larger of the pair of registering grooves with the progrooves, each of said pairs of registering grooves having a retaining ring housed therein.

4. The watchcase of claim 2 wherein the periphery of the inner capsule and the surface of the passage through the middle define an identical unrounded contour, free of sharp angles.

5. The watchcase of claim 2 further comprising a second assembly, said assembly including a bezel ring, the inner surface thereof defining a circumferential groove, said bezel ring disposed on a portion of the outer surface of said middle; the outer surface of said middle receiving said bezel ring having a groove therein corresponding to the circumferential groove of said bezel ring and registering thereon; an elastic retaining ring housed, for the greatest part of its cross-section, in one of said registering grooves with the projecting portion thereof penetrating the other of said grooves to retain said bezel ring on said middle; friction means carried by said watchcase for permitting rotation of said bezel ring relative to said middle only after a predetermined amount of pressure has been exerted thereon in an angular direction.

6. Watchcase comprising at least one casing assembly, said assembly including an outer middle having a passage therethrough, the inside surface of said passage defining a plurality of spaced circumferential grooves; a dome-back disposed in the passage through said middle at an end thereof, the outer surface of said back defining at least one circumferential groove therein, at least one of the grooves in said dome-back registering on at least one groove in said outer member, one groove of each pair of registering grooves having a smaller cross-sectional area than the other groove; a bushing glass member disposed in the passage through said middle at an end thereof opposite the end receiving said dome-back, the outer surface of said bushing defining at least one circumferential groove therein, at least one of the grooves in said bushing registering on at least one groove in said middle, one groove of each pair of registering grooves having a smaller crosssectional area thanthe other groove; at least one elastic retaining ring housed, for the greatest part of its crosssection in the larger of each pair of registering grooves with the projecting portion thereof penetrating the smaller groove and engaging the edges thereof so that said rings retain said bushing and said dome-back in said middle.

7. The watchcase of claim 6 wherein the periphery of' the bushing and of the dome-back, and the periphery of the passageway through the middle are of an identical unrounded contour free of sharp angles.

8. The watchcase of claim 6 further comprising a stop means coupled between said dome-back and said middle for limiting the displacement of said dome'back into the passage through said middle farther than a predetermined assembly position; grasping notches in the dome-back to permit the removal of said dome-back from the passage through said middle.

9. The watchcase according to claim 6 further comprising a second assembly, said assembly including a bezel ring, the inner surface thereof defining a circumferential groove, said bezel ring disposed on a portion of the outer surface of said middle; the outer surface of said middle receiving said bezel ring having a groove therein corresponding to the circumferential groove of said bezel ring and registering thereon; an elastic retaining ring housed for the greatest part of its crosssection in one of said registering grooves with the projecting portion thereof penetrating the other of said grooves to retain said bezel ring on said middle; friction means carried by said watchcase for permitting rotation of said bezel ring relative to said middle only after a predetermined amount of pressure has been exerted thereon in an angular direction.

10. The watchcase of claim 6 wherein at least one ring forms a fluid-tight fitting for the fluid-tight joining of the middle and one of said members disposed in the passage therethrough.

11. The watchcase of claim 10 wherein at least two rings provide a fluid-tight fitting between said glass bushing and said middle, and between said dome-back and said middle, respectively.

12. The watchcaseof claim 6 wherein the periphery of said glass bushing and said dome-back are contoured in the identical shape so that said glass bushing and said dome-back may be introduced into the passage through said middle from a lower end thereof and removed therefrom from above by pressure exerted axially against said dome-back.

13. The watchcase of claim 12 wherein at least one of said rings forms a fluid-tight fitting for a fluid-tight joint between said middle and at least one of said members retained in said passageway therethrough.

14. The watchcase of claim 13 wherein at least two rings form a fluid-tight fitting between said glass bushing and said middle, and between said dome-back and said middle, respectively.

15. The watchcase of claim 6 wherein said domeback further comprises frame means projecting upwardly along the passageway through said middle, said projection engaging the inside of said glass bushing.

16. The watchcase of claim 15 further comprising a circumferential rise having a triangular cross-sectional configuration engaging the internal surface of said projection, said rise adapted to provide a peripheral support for the upper face 0 a watch dial.

17. The watchcase of claim 16 wherein the domeback further comprises supporting means adapted to prevent downward movement of a watch movement when said movement is disposed in said dome-back, said circumferential rise providing means for preventing upward movement of said watch movement by pressing said rise against the dial of said watch movement.

18. The watchcase of claim 16 wherein said rise is force-fitted against said projection with the lateral surface thereof contacting said projection, the lateral surface defining a circumferential groove; said projection further including vertical notches adapted to receive a tool for engaging a portion of the groove in said rise whereby said rise may be pried from engagement with said projection after the latter has been disengaged from the inside of the glass bushing.

19. The watchcase of claim 6 wherein the periphery of the bushing and of the dome-back, and the inner surface of the passage through said middle are circular, said watchcase further comprising means carried by said watchcase for preventing relative rotation between the middle and the dome-back.

20. The watchcase of claim 19 further comprising at least one vertical groove defined in the surface of the passage through said middle, and a second vertical groove defined in the lateral wall of said dome-back, said grooves disposed in registration; at least one flexible tongue carried by said watchcase and disposed in said grooves to prevent relative rotation between said middle and said dome-back.

21. The watchcase of claim 19 wherein said means comprises at least one radial pin carried by said watchcase and disposed in said passage, said pin engaging said middle and said dome-back against relative rotation, said pin being disposed perpendicular or at a slant to the tangential direction of rotation, to be prevented at least one end thereof being rounded; means carried by said watchcase for selectively disengaging said pin.

22. The watchcase of claim 19 wherein said means comprises at least one pin carried by said watchcase said bushing outwardly from said middle.

Claims

1. Watchcase comprising: at least one casing assembly, said assembly including at least one outer member having a passage therethrough, the surface of said passage defining at least one circumferential groove therein; at least one inner member disposed in the passage through said outer member, the outer surface of said inner member defining at least one circumferential groove therein, at least one of the grooves in said inner member registering on at least one groove in said outer member, one groove of each pair of registering grooves having a smaller cross-sectional area than the other groove; at least one elastic retaining ring housed, for the greatest part of its cross-section, in the larger of the pair of registering grooves with the projecting portion thereof penetrating the smaller groove and engaging the edges thereof, so that when several superposed grooves are defined in one of said members said inner member may be disposed in one of a plurality of axial positions relative to the outer member, or a plurality of inner members may be retained in the passage through said outer member with a plurality of said rings.

2. Watchcase comprising at least one casing assembly, said assembly including at least one outer middle having a passage therethrough, the surface of said passage defining at least one circumferential groove therein; at least one inner closed capsule adapted to contain a watch movement, said capsule disposed in the passage through said outer member, the outer surface of said capsule defining at least one circumferential groove therein, at least one of the grooves in said capsule registering on at least one groove in the passage through said middle, one groove of each pair of registering grooves having a smaller cross-sectional area than the other groove; at least one elastic retaining ring housed, for the greatest part of its cross-section, in the larger of the pair of registering grooves with the projecting portion thereof penetrating the smaller groove and engaging the edges thereof so that when at least two small superposed grooves are provided said capsule may be retained in the passage through said middle in at least two different axial positions relative thereto.

3. The watchcase of claim 2 wherein two small superposed grooves are provided on the outside surface of said capsule, and two larger superposed grooves are provided on the surface of the passage through said middle in registration with the two small superposed grooves, each of said pairs of registering grooves having a retaining ring housed therein.

6. Watchcase comprising at least one casing assembly, said assembly including an outer middle having a passage therethrough, the inside surface of said passage defining a plurality of spaced circumferential grooves; a dome-back disposed in the passage through said middle at an end thereof, the outer surfaCe of said back defining at least one circumferential groove therein, at least one of the grooves in said dome-back registering on at least one groove in said outer member, one groove of each pair of registering grooves having a smaller cross-sectional area than the other groove; a bushing glass member disposed in the passage through said middle at an end thereof opposite the end receiving said dome-back, the outer surface of said bushing defining at least one circumferential groove therein, at least one of the grooves in said bushing registering on at least one groove in said middle, one groove of each pair of registering grooves having a smaller cross-sectional area than the other groove; at least one elastic retaining ring housed, for the greatest part of its cross-section in the larger of each pair of registering grooves with the projecting portion thereof penetrating the smaller groove and engaging the edges thereof so that said rings retain said bushing and said dome-back in said middle.

7. The watchcase of claim 6 wherein the periphery of the bushing and of the dome-back, and the periphery of the passageway through the middle are of an identical unrounded contour free of sharp angles.

8. The watchcase of claim 6 further comprising a stop means coupled between said dome-back and said middle for limiting the displacement of said dome-back into the passage through said middle farther than a predetermined assembly position; grasping notches in the dome-back to permit the removal of said dome-back from the passage through said middle.

9. The watchcase according to claim 6 further comprising a second assembly, said assembly including a bezel ring, the inner surface thereof defining a circumferential groove, said bezel ring disposed on a portion of the outer surface of said middle; the outer surface of said middle receiving said bezel ring having a groove therein corresponding to the circumferential groove of said bezel ring and registering thereon; an elastic retaining ring housed for the greatest part of its cross-section in one of said registering grooves with the projecting portion thereof penetrating the other of said grooves to retain said bezel ring on said middle; friction means carried by said watchcase for permitting rotation of said bezel ring relative to said middle only after a predetermined amount of pressure has been exerted thereon in an angular direction.

12. The watchcase of claim 6 wherein the periphery of said glass bushing and said dome-back are contoured in the identical shape so that said glass bushing and said dome-back may be introduced into the passage through said middle from a lower end thereof and removed therefrom from above by pressure exerted axially against said dome-back.

15. The watchcase of claim 6 wherein said dome-back further comprises frame means projecting upwardly along the passageway through said middle, said projection engaging the inside of said glass bushing.

16. The watchcase of claim 15 further comprising a circumferential rise having a triangular cross-sectional configuration engaging the internal surface of said projection, said rise adapted to provide a peripheral support for the upper face o a watch dial.

17. The watchcase of claim 16 wherein the dome-back further comprises supporting means adapted to prevent downward movement of a watch movement when said movement is disposed in said dome-back, said circumferential rise providing means for preventing upward movement of said watch movement by pressing said rise against the dial of said watch movement.

22. The watchcase of claim 19 wherein said means comprises at least one pin carried by said watchcase and disposed in said passage, said pin engaging said dome-back and said middle against relative rotation.

23. The watchcase of claim 22 wherein a end of said pin penetrates a groove disposed approximately perpendicular to the tangential direction of rotation of said dome-back relative to said middle, said groove extending downwardly below said pin for a predetermined distance so that when said dome-back is pushed into the passageway through said middle said pin will permit said dome-back to encounter said bushing and push said bushing outwardly from said middle.