US3866407A - Stem locking mechanism for electric calendar watches - Google Patents

Stem locking mechanism for electric calendar watches Download PDF

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Publication number
US3866407A
US3866407A US463947A US46394774A US3866407A US 3866407 A US3866407 A US 3866407A US 463947 A US463947 A US 463947A US 46394774 A US46394774 A US 46394774A US 3866407 A US3866407 A US 3866407A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
stem
date
axial position
time setting
ring
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US463947A
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English (en)
Inventor
Paul Wuthrich
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Timex Group USA Inc
Original Assignee
Timex Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Timex Corp filed Critical Timex Corp
Priority to US463947A priority Critical patent/US3866407A/en
Priority to CA216,426A priority patent/CA1008255A/en
Priority to AU76811/74A priority patent/AU477545B2/en
Priority to GB308075A priority patent/GB1453549A/en
Priority to CH116575A priority patent/CH604232B5/xx
Priority to DE19752504084 priority patent/DE2504084A1/de
Priority to CH116575D priority patent/CH116575A4/xx
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3866407A publication Critical patent/US3866407A/en
Priority to FR7506457A priority patent/FR2269127B1/fr
Priority to JP50050595A priority patent/JPS50150464A/ja
Priority to HK202/77A priority patent/HK20277A/xx
Assigned to CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A., THE reassignment CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A., THE SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FREDERIKSPLEIN HOLDING 1970 B.V., TIMEX CLOCK COMPANY, A DE CORP., TIMEX COMPUTERS LTD., A DE CORP., TIMEX CORPORATION, A DE CORP., TIMEX ENTERPRISES, INC., A BERMUDA CORP., TIMEX GROUP LTD., A BERMUDA CORP., TIMEX MEDICAL PRODUCTS LTD., A BERMUDA CORP., TIMEX N.V.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
    • G04B19/24—Clocks or watches with date or week-day indicators, i.e. calendar clocks or watches; Clockwork calendars
    • G04B19/243—Clocks or watches with date or week-day indicators, i.e. calendar clocks or watches; Clockwork calendars characterised by the shape of the date indicator
    • G04B19/247—Clocks or watches with date or week-day indicators, i.e. calendar clocks or watches; Clockwork calendars characterised by the shape of the date indicator disc-shaped
    • G04B19/25—Devices for setting the date indicators manually

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT 22 Filed: P 25, 1974 A stem mechanism for an electric calendar watch with Appl. No.: 463,947
  • This invention relates generally to electric horological devices including calendar indicating rings for the day and/or date. More particularly, it relates to electric calendar watches with provision for rapid advancement of the calendar indicating ring and is especially directed to a stem locking mechanism for preventing inadvertent actuation of the rapid advancing mechanism.
  • Watches are known where the day and/or date are indicated on rings which are automatically advanced from one position to the next. Watches are also known with provisions for rapid advancement of the calendar ring, and also for rapid advancement of a date ring with respect to a day ring to account for months having less than 31 days, without disturbing the timekeeping of the hands.
  • Exemplary of the prior art are US. Pat. No. 3,360,922-Rogers issued Jan. 2, 1968; US. Pat. No. 3,421,311-Bennett, et al., issued Jan. 14, 1969; US. Pat. No. 3,439,493Mutter, et al., issued Apr. 22, 1969', US. Pat. No. 3,75l,90lMeitinger, et al., issued Aug. 14, 1973; and US. Pat. No. 3,775,965-Besson, et al., issued Dec. 4, 1973.
  • the stem does not provide the usual winding function as in a mechanical watch, and it is convenient to employ a stem which can be rotated in one axial position for setting the hands to the correct time and in another axial position to cause rapid advancement of the calendar ring.
  • a problem has been experienced in the prior art whereby inadvertent rotation of the stem in the latter position can cause undesired rapid advancement ofthe calendar ring.
  • the aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,360,922 to Rogers seeks to solve this problem by a stem mechanism with three selectable axial positions, the rapid advancing or intermediate position serving to disengage a combination detent and calendar ring drive so that a separate rapid advancing drive mechanism can be actuated.
  • the mechanism is fairly complicated and the operator must choose between three axial operating positions of the stem.
  • US. Pat. No. 3,775,966-Matsuura issued Dec. 4, 1973.
  • the invention comprises a stem mechanism for a horological device, especially an electric watch, with a calendar ring having provision for normal advancement and for rapid advancement via the stem mechanism.
  • the stem is rotatable in a first axial position to set the time and is locked in a second axial position by means of a key lock in a stern bracket with means for spring loading the stem into this position.
  • a cam cooperating with the key lock forces movement to an intermediate axial position for rapid advancement of the calendar, the stem being forced back to the locked position after rotation of the calendar ring by one increment.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a stern mechanism for an electric. calendar watch which locks the stem against the inadvertent actuation of the rapid advance mechanism and which is economical to manufacture.
  • FIG. 1 is a partial plan view illustrating the stem locking mechanism for a day/date electric watch, showing the stem in its locked position
  • FIG. 2 is an elevation drawing, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 in an intermediate or calendar advancing position
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the stem bracket showing the lock
  • FIG. 4 is a corresponding enlarged elevation similar to FIG. 3,
  • FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate the action of the cam
  • FIG. 6 is an end view of the key lock and date change disk.
  • An electric calendar watch I includes a stem 2 which is rotatable and which is also moveable in an axial direction, both by means of a conventional crown 3.
  • the watch includes conventional time indicating hands driven by means of a suitable battery-powered indexing mechanism and synchronized or regulated by conventional means.
  • the hands are interconnected with a ring gear, a portion of which is shown at 4, which, when rotated will rotate the hands for setting the time.
  • the watch also includes a rotatable date ring 5 and, if desired, may also include a separately rotatable day ring 6.
  • the date ring 5 includes indexing teeth 5a on its outer periphery. Index teeth 5a are used for normal advancement of the date ring by a conventional advancing mechanism (not shown) and held in place when not being rotated by a spring detent (not shown).
  • a conventional advancing mechanism not shown
  • a spring detent not shown
  • the type of advancing mechanism and detenting mechanism used during normal time advancement of the date ring 5 is immaterial to the present invention and a large number of types are known in the art.
  • Rapid advancement of the date ring 5 in accordance with the present invention is provided for by means of a date setting member 7 connected to stem 2.
  • Member 7 is a sheet metal washer with arms terminating in diametrically opposed tabs 8. Rotation of member 7 onehalf revolution causes tabs 8 to engage teeth 5a to advance date ring by one day to the next detenting position.
  • FIG. 2 of the drawing shows further details of the stem mechanism, in this case, when the stem has been rotated into the rapid advancing position and also shifted axially from its locking position as will be amplified later in greater detail.
  • the watch includes conventional casing back 9, bezel 10, crystal 11, movement assembly 12, and dial 13 with windows 13a, 13b for viewing the day and date respectively.
  • a bushing 14 is connected to the inner periphery of member 7 and permits axial sliding ofa cylindrical section 15 on the stem.
  • Protrusions 16 on the stem cooperate with tabs 17 on the member 7 so that the stem can slide in the bushing.
  • Protrusions 16 and tabs 17 together act as a coupling which causes member 7, bushing 14 and stem 2 all to rotate together when the stem is in the axial position B shown in FIG. 2.
  • withdrawal of the stem to an outer axial position C causes protrusions 16 to slip past tabs 17 so that when the stem is rotated to set the time, the bushing 14 and date setting member 7 are not rotated.
  • the bushing 14 includes diametrically opposed detenting cams 18 which are oriented to cooperate with a spring (not shown) so that the tabs 8 on the date setting member 7 normally are oriented as shown in FIG. 1 rather than as shown in FIG. 2, so that they will not interfere with the normal calendar advancing mechanism.
  • the stem includes opposed sloping faces 20, 21 which cooperate with a fixed stem bracket 22.
  • the latter has opposed flexible spring arms 23 which act on sloping face to normally hold the stem in a position indicated herein as A which is a normal run position for the watch and which also corresponds to locked position hereinafter to be described.
  • the stem also includes a time setting pinion 24 which, when the stem is withdrawn axially to another axial position C cooperates with the crown teeth 4 on the minute wheel so that the hands can be set. Movement to position C is enabled by the flexibility of arms 23 on the stem bracket.
  • the end of the stem may also engage the end of a lever 25 for the purpose of arresting the balance wheel when the stem is pulled into position C.
  • the stem also includes a key lock 26 and the stem bracket includes a cooperating lock and cam aperture 27.
  • Elements 26, 27 cooperate to lock the stem against rotation in one direction and to force it to move axially against stem bracket arms 23 to an intermediate position B, so as to enable the stem to rotate 180 to advance the date ring 5 by one number and then to return back to the locked position A.
  • the means by which this is accomplished will be made more clear by reference to the enlarged views FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 of the drawing.
  • FIG. 3 shows that the stem cross section is made to include a key lock section 30.
  • the flat base 34 of stem bracket 22 is correspondingly formed with an irregular aperture 31 in the shape of a key hole, which locks the key against rotation.
  • tabs 32 are struck down in opposite directions to provide inclined cam surfaces on an angle of around 45. These cam surfaces 32 cause the key portion 30 when rotated in one direction to ride up out of the key hole slot 31 so that the stem moves axially (as indicated by the change of position of pinion 24) from an axial position A to an intermediate axial position B.
  • Reference to FIG. 2 of the drawing will also indicate the stem when it is in intermediate position B.
  • FIGS.' 5a and 5b further illustrate the operation.
  • the stem When the stem is turned in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5a, it is forced out of the key hole slot to the in termediate axial position shown in FIG. 5b.
  • the stem cannot be turned in the other direction unless it is actually pulled in an axial direction out of the key hole slot.
  • FIG. 6 shows the relative position of the key lock and the tabs 8 on the date setting member 7. Normally the latter is inactive and in the horizontal position shown, so as not to interfere with the normal advancement of the date ring 5. However in the intermediate stem position B the member 7 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow for one-half revolution to advance the date ring.
  • crown 3 When it is desired to advance the date ring by one calendar date number, crown 3 is rotated in the proper direction.
  • the key 30 in the stem slides on cam surfaces 32 on the stem bracket causing the stem to shift slightly to a third or intermediate axial position B.
  • the bushing 14 and disk 7 are still coupled to the stem via projections 16 and tabs 17, but the stem pinion 24 is disengaged from minute wheel teeth 4.
  • the flexible spring arms 23 of the stern bracket urge the key 30 back into slot 31 to again lock the stem.
  • the member 7, therefore, is only actuatable when the stem is in the intermediate position.
  • a watch of the type having a calendar ring with means for circumferentially advancing the ring from one position to the next during normal timekeeping and further having a time setting wheel with teeth and further having a rotatably mounted and axially slidable stem carrying a time setting pinion mounted for engagement with said time setting wheel in a first axial stem position, and also having a fixed stem bracket receiving one end of the stem and having means cooperating with the stem to hold it either in said first axial position or to urge it toward a second axial position where the time setting pinion is disengaged from the time setting wheel, the aforesaid elements being known in the art, the improvement comprising:
  • a date setting member adapted to be coupled to the stem and having at least one tab means thereon engageable with said calendar ring to advance it to a new circumferential position, said member further being disengageable from the stem when it is moved to said first axial position,
  • said stern having locking key means thereon and said stem-receiving portion of said stem bracket having an irregular aperture therein for receiving said locking key and preventing rotation when the stem is in said second axial position, and
  • cam means formed by the wall of said aperture to cause the stem to move to a third intermediate axial position without engaging the time setting wheel or disengaging the date setting member, whereby the date may be rapidly advanced by rotacam surfaces are provided by the walls of the aperture.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
US463947A 1974-04-25 1974-04-25 Stem locking mechanism for electric calendar watches Expired - Lifetime US3866407A (en)

Priority Applications (10)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US463947A US3866407A (en) 1974-04-25 1974-04-25 Stem locking mechanism for electric calendar watches
CA216,426A CA1008255A (en) 1974-04-25 1974-12-19 Stem locking mechanism for electric calendar watches
AU76811/74A AU477545B2 (en) 1974-12-24 Stem locking mechanism for electric calendar watches
GB308075A GB1453549A (en) 1974-04-25 1975-01-23 Stem locking mechanism for electric calendar watches
DE19752504084 DE2504084A1 (de) 1974-04-25 1975-01-31 Uhr mit einem kalenderring
CH116575D CH116575A4 (de) 1974-04-25 1975-01-31
CH116575A CH604232B5 (de) 1974-04-25 1975-01-31
FR7506457A FR2269127B1 (de) 1974-04-25 1975-02-28
JP50050595A JPS50150464A (de) 1974-04-25 1975-04-25
HK202/77A HK20277A (en) 1974-04-25 1977-04-28 Stem locking mechanism for electric calendar watches

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US463947A US3866407A (en) 1974-04-25 1974-04-25 Stem locking mechanism for electric calendar watches

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3866407A true US3866407A (en) 1975-02-18

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US463947A Expired - Lifetime US3866407A (en) 1974-04-25 1974-04-25 Stem locking mechanism for electric calendar watches

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US3866407A (de)
JP (1) JPS50150464A (de)
CA (1) CA1008255A (de)
CH (2) CH604232B5 (de)
DE (1) DE2504084A1 (de)
FR (1) FR2269127B1 (de)
GB (1) GB1453549A (de)
HK (1) HK20277A (de)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3972177A (en) * 1974-04-08 1976-08-03 Societe Suisse Pour L'industrie Horlogere Management Services S.A. Control mechanism for time setting and similar functions
US4055945A (en) * 1975-12-15 1977-11-01 Timex Corporation Frequency adjustment means for an electronic timepiece
US4078373A (en) * 1974-09-03 1978-03-14 Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha Marking display assembly in a watch movement
US4744068A (en) * 1986-05-26 1988-05-10 Eta Sa Fabriques D'ebauches Timepiece setting arrangement including a safety lock
US5083300A (en) * 1991-07-10 1992-01-21 Timex Corporation Setting mechanism for a timepiece
US20070147177A1 (en) * 2005-12-22 2007-06-28 Montres Breguet Sa Calendar watch provided with locking means
CH710626A1 (fr) * 2015-01-14 2016-07-15 Cartier Int Ag Boîte de montre équipée d'un organe de commande et d'un dispositif d'indexage de l'organe de commande.
US20180259906A1 (en) * 2017-03-13 2018-09-13 Seiko Instruments Inc. Crown lock mechanism-installed timepiece

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS588479B2 (ja) * 1977-05-20 1983-02-16 セイコーインスツルメンツ株式会社 電子時計
GB2253285A (en) * 1991-02-26 1992-09-02 Simon Joseph Greenock Timepiece
CN103092052B (zh) * 2011-10-27 2015-02-18 天津海鸥表业集团有限公司 一种机械手表的双向快拨月相机构

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3360922A (en) * 1966-03-11 1968-01-02 Hamilton Watch Co Electric watch calendar setting and detenting mechanism
US3762153A (en) * 1971-07-12 1973-10-02 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Time-setting device for an electronic timepiece

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3360922A (en) * 1966-03-11 1968-01-02 Hamilton Watch Co Electric watch calendar setting and detenting mechanism
US3762153A (en) * 1971-07-12 1973-10-02 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Time-setting device for an electronic timepiece

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3972177A (en) * 1974-04-08 1976-08-03 Societe Suisse Pour L'industrie Horlogere Management Services S.A. Control mechanism for time setting and similar functions
US4078373A (en) * 1974-09-03 1978-03-14 Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha Marking display assembly in a watch movement
US4055945A (en) * 1975-12-15 1977-11-01 Timex Corporation Frequency adjustment means for an electronic timepiece
US4744068A (en) * 1986-05-26 1988-05-10 Eta Sa Fabriques D'ebauches Timepiece setting arrangement including a safety lock
US5083300A (en) * 1991-07-10 1992-01-21 Timex Corporation Setting mechanism for a timepiece
US20070147177A1 (en) * 2005-12-22 2007-06-28 Montres Breguet Sa Calendar watch provided with locking means
US7408844B2 (en) * 2005-12-22 2008-08-05 Montres Breguet S.A. Calendar watch provided with locking means
CH710626A1 (fr) * 2015-01-14 2016-07-15 Cartier Int Ag Boîte de montre équipée d'un organe de commande et d'un dispositif d'indexage de l'organe de commande.
WO2016113675A1 (fr) * 2015-01-14 2016-07-21 Cartier International Ag Boite de montre
US20180259906A1 (en) * 2017-03-13 2018-09-13 Seiko Instruments Inc. Crown lock mechanism-installed timepiece
US10613481B2 (en) * 2017-03-13 2020-04-07 Seiko Instruments Inc. Crown lock mechanism-installed timepiece

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS50150464A (de) 1975-12-02
HK20277A (en) 1977-05-06
CH604232B5 (de) 1978-08-31
GB1453549A (en) 1976-10-27
DE2504084A1 (de) 1975-11-13
FR2269127A1 (de) 1975-11-21
CA1008255A (en) 1977-04-12
AU7681174A (en) 1976-06-24
CH116575A4 (de) 1977-08-31
FR2269127B1 (de) 1979-07-27

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

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

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

Effective date: 19830331