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
  • G04B37/00—Cases
  • G04B37/14—Suspending devices, supports or stands for time-pieces insofar as they form part of the case
  • G04B37/1486—Arrangements for fixing to a bracelet
  • G04B37/1493—Arrangements for fixing to a bracelet by means of a feather spring (Barette á ressort)
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
  • G04B37/00—Cases
  • G04B37/14—Suspending devices, supports or stands for time-pieces insofar as they form part of the case
  • G04B37/1486—Arrangements for fixing to a bracelet
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04D—APPARATUS OR TOOLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAKING OR MAINTAINING CLOCKS OR WATCHES
  • G04D3/00—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials
  • G04D3/0002—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for mechanical working other than with a lathe
  • G04D3/0061—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for mechanical working other than with a lathe for components for protecting the mechanism against external influences
  • G04D3/0066—Watchmakers' or watch-repairers' machines or tools for working materials for mechanical working other than with a lathe for components for protecting the mechanism against external influences for the fastening means of the case or bracelet

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a device for mounting a flexible strand in particular a bracelet or a belt on an object such as a watch case or a buckle and more particularly such a device allowing semi-automatic mounting of a bit on the object.
• the invention also relates to a watch case suitable for such a device and a method of simultaneously mounting two flexible strands on a watch case using the mounting device of the invention.
• watch straps are fixed to watch cases provided with horns by means of fixing bars threaded into eyelets provided at one end of each strand of bracelet.
• the ends of the bars are inserted into holes provided in the horns of the box.
• the most commonly used bars are called spring bars.
• the latter comprise at their ends two pivots, generally mobile inside a central tube, and subjected to the action of a spring housed inside the tube and which pushes them towards the outside of the tube. of this type of bracelets on the boxes is commonly produced manually by an operator using a tool, for example tweezers or a specially adapted knife.
• This assembly operation is delicate and often difficult on the one hand because of the shape and the outline of the watch in the region of the strap fastening, and on the other hand because of the limited space available between the strap and the watch case. Furthermore, as the pivots are small, they are difficult to retract into the tube before being introduced into the holes of the horns without risking slipping the tool and injuring the watch case.
• This assembly operation therefore requires great dexterity and despite all the usual precautions, it is frequent that at this final stage of manufacture, the watch is scratched and must be sent back for "repair" to a polishing station. This naturally increases the cost price of the watch in question.
• this mounting system has the disadvantage of being completely manual, which also makes it relatively long and tedious.
• the main object of the present invention is to remedy the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art by providing a device for semi-automatic mounting of a flexible strand on an object, in particular a bracelet on a watch case which allows rapid assembly of said strands. on said objects.
• the invention also aims to provide such a mounting device which makes it possible to avoid any risk of injuring the object during mounting.
• the invention also aims to provide such a mounting device which is simple, easy to use and inexpensive to produce.
• the subject of the invention is a device for the semi-automatic mounting of a flexible strand in particular of a bracelet, or of a belt between the mutually opposite surfaces of a recess of an object, in particular of a watch case or a loop to be connected to the flexible strand, said strand comprising at one of its ends a fixing bar provided with two pivots of which at least one is retractable and intended to be engaged in holes provided in said surfaces of the recess, said device being characterized in that it comprises two support assemblies, respectively for the object and said flexible strand, movable relative to each other, said object support assembly comprising two surfaces of mutually opposite cams and extending substantially perpendicular to said bar, said cam surfaces acting on the pivots of the bar to at least partially retract them during the relative movement of the upper assembly wearing of the flexible strand and of the object support assembly, said movement bringing said pivots opposite said holes to ensure the mounting of said strand.
• the device of the invention is also characterized in that two flexible strands, in particular of bracelet can be fixed simultaneously on the object, in particular a watch case from below or above the object.
• the block support comprises two recesses arranged in correspondence with the spaces between the horns of the watch case, the cam surfaces being associated respectively with the mutually opposite side walls of each recess and being arranged in a direction parallel to the direction of the translational movement .
• the invention also relates to a watch case comprising at least one pair of lugs for fixing a strand of a bracelet provided with a bar, said lugs respectively having lateral faces facing each other in which fixing holes are provided for receiving the ends of the bar, the watch case being characterized in that said lateral faces each further comprise a groove which extends substantially in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the watch case from the base of the horns to said holes.
• the assembly of bracelet strands whose end face of the extreme link has a shape which is not complementary to the case, such as leather bracelet strands, is made possible with the above-mentioned mounting device.
• the end face of the end link cannot in this case be precisely wedged against the bottom of the recess of the box support block, so that the pivots of the bar are not mechanically positioned correctly for their mounting.
• the grooves therefore allow precise guidance of the pivots of the bar to their position of introduction into the holes provided in the horns when the strap is mounted on the mounting device of the invention.
• the invention also relates to a method of mounting the semi-automatic mounting of two flexible strands in particular of a bracelet between the mutually opposite surfaces of two recesses of an object in particular of a watch case connecting to the flexible strands, said bracelet strands comprising at one of its ends a fixing bar provided with two pivots, at least one of which is retractable and intended to be engaged in holes provided in said surfaces of the recess, characterized in that it comprises the steps of maintaining the ends strands at a distance from each other which corresponds to their final position once mounted on said object, mechanically retract at least one of said pivots of the bars, and put in relative movement the object and the bracelet strands for simultaneously bringing said strands into the recess of said object so that the pivots penetrate into said holes
• FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a watch case typical of the prior art
• FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a bracelet strand provided with a fixing bar of the prior art
• FIG. 3 is a partially cut away front view of a device for mounting a bracelet strand on a watch case according to the invention, the watch case and the strap being shown on the device before mounting;
• - Figure 4 is a top view of a device for mounting a bracelet strand on a watch case according to the invention, the watch case and the bracelet strands having been omitted;
• - Figure 5 is a view along arrow F of Figure 3 of a device for mounting a bracelet strand on a watch case according to the invention;
• FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of a watch case according to the invention particularly suitable for use with the device according to the invention illustrated in FIG. 6, and
• FIG. 8 is seen along arrow F of Figure 3 illustrating an alternative embodiment of the mounting device according to the invention.
• the invention will be described in the context of an application of the device to the semi-automatic mounting of bracelet strands on a watch case, of course this device is not limited to such an application and can be applied to the mounting of any flexible strand fixed with a spring bar between mutually opposite surfaces of a recess of an object.
• identical elements are designated by the same reference numerals
• the box 1 conventionally comprises a middle part 6 provided with two pairs of horns 8a, 8b used for fixing the bracelet 4. These two pairs of horns 8a, 8b are conventionally arranged on opposite sides of the middle part respectively at 12 o'clock and at 6 o'clock .
• horns it will be understood in the context of the invention any element of various shapes, defining between them a space intended to receive the end of a strand of bracelet provided with a fixing bar. These horns can match the shape of the middle but not necessarily. It will be noted that the attachment elements which are attached little or not to the middle part, or even attached to the case, are also included in this general definition of horns.
• a blind hole 10a, 10b is formed in each of the opposite faces 12a, 12b of the horns 8a, 8b.
• these holes 10a, 10b can be provided through if desired.
• the bars 2 comprise at each of their ends a pivot 2a movable inside a central tube 2b.
• each pivot 2a is subjected to the action of a spring (not shown) housed inside the tube 2b, which pushes them towards the outside of the tube.
• the length L of the bar 2 taken from one end of a pivot 2a to the other is substantially greater than the distance D separating the mutually opposite surfaces 12a, 2b d 'a pair of horns 8a, 8b.
• the pivots 2a must therefore be retracted at least partially inside the tube 2b so that the bar can, firstly, be inserted between the horns and secondly that the pivots can be brought opposite the holes 10a, 10b in which they are housed, it being understood that the tube 2b has a length less than the distance D. It will also be noted that the pivots 2a have an end portion 2c of smaller diameter which defines a shoulder 2d. The latter thus provides a bearing surface for a tool for the disassembly of the bracelet.
• the bar 2 is disposed in a housing or eyelet 14 provided at one end of the strap 4.
• the term strap in the context of the invention includes any type of strap that can be attached to a watch case using a bar to hold a watch in position on the wrist of a user, and includes not only flexible bracelets, for example leather or plastic, but also bracelets with metallic links or not.
• the assembly is said to be semi-automatic in so far as the operator must first introduce the bar 2 into the housing or eyelet 14 and position the bracelet strands on the mounting device 16.
• the device 16 is provided to simultaneously mount two strands of bracelet 4 on a watch case 1, but it is understood that in a simplified version of the device 16, provision could be made for semi-automatic mounting of one strand of bracelet after the other.
• the device 16 comprises two support assemblies 18, respectively 20, for the watch case 1 and for the bracelet strands 4, which are movable relative to one another.
• the box support assembly 18 comprises a support block 22 of generally prismatic shape having an upper part 24 whose shape is substantially complementary to the shape of the lower face 26 of the watch case 1 that it is intended to receive . More specifically, the upper part 24 comprises a central recess 28 surrounded by a peripheral support rim 30 on which the box 1 can rest.
• the rim 30 comprises positioning means 32 for the box 1, produced in this example in the form of a rib extending along the rim on the side of the central recess 28. The rib 32 thus makes it possible to center the box 1 on block 22.
• the block 22 is associated with polarizing means 34 making it possible to orient the case 1 angularly with respect to the block 22 or, in other words, to put the watch case in the desired position on the block 22.
• polarizing means 33 comprise in this case a notch intended to receive the crown (not shown) of the box 1.
• the central recess 28, the flange 30 and the rib 32 have a shape circular to receive and position the watch case 1 of generally circular shape and the underside of which is also circular. It goes without saying that the shape of the recess 28, the positioning means 32 and the peripheral rim 30 can vary and is essentially determined by the shape of the underside of the case 1 on which the bracelet is to be mounted.
• the block 22 further comprises two lateral recesses 34 formed respectively in two of its diametrically opposite lateral faces 36.
• the lateral recesses 34 have the form of a groove which extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the upper part 24 or even parallel to the direction of the relative movement of the assemblies 18 and 20.
• the lateral recesses or grooves 34 have lateral walls 38 arranged opposite one another and a bottom wall 40. Each wall 38 forms a cam surface (FIG. 5).
• the side walls 38 are intended to cooperate with the pivots 2a of the bars 2 to retract them at least partially inside the tube 2b as will be explained in more detail below.
• the cam surfaces 38 comprise two successive sections 38a, 38b, respectively a first section 38a in which the side walls diverge in the direction of the lower part of the block 22 to the base of the latter, and a second section 38b in which the side walls are substantially parallel.
• section 38b the side walls 38 are separated from each other by a distance substantially equal to the distance D separating the mutually opposite surfaces 12a, 12b of the horns 8a, 8b of the box 1.
• the walls lateral of section 38a form an angle at the apex between 25 and 40 °.
• the block 22 is fixed to a slide 42 sliding along a guide column 44 which extends perpendicular to a base 46 in which it is fixed.
• the assembly 18 forms a mobile assembly with respect to the assembly 20.
• the base 46 extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lateral recesses 34.
• the assembly 18 further comprises return means 48 of the latter in a so-called loading position which will be described in more detail below.
• the return means 48 are formed by a helical spring which extends around the guide column 44 between the base 46 and the base of the slide 42, the spring 48 acting on the latter to push it into the direction of arrow R (figure 3) towards the loading position.
• the slide 42 abuts on a stop element 50 secured to the guide column 44.
• This stop element 50 is for example made up of a simple nut.
• the support assembly 20 for the strands of bracelets comprises two brackets 52, one for each strand of the bracelet, respectively fixed on pillars 54 integral with the base 46 and arranged on either side of the guide column 44.
• These consoles 52 are for example made of nylon while the pillars 54 are made of steel.
• An end portion 56 of the brackets 52 extends up between the side walls 38 of the recesses 34.
• Each console 52 has a width adapted to the width of the strap strand that it supports, the portion 56 of the console 52 extending between the side walls 38 having a width Le substantially less than the distance D separating the walls of the section 38b.
• the end faces 58 of the end portions 56 respectively have a shape complementary to the bottom wall 40 of the recesses 34. The end faces 58 thus slide along the walls 40 during relative movement of block 22 and consoles 52.
• bottom walls 40 advantageously comprise sliding and guide surfaces 40a projecting from these walls 40. These surfaces 40a thus facilitate the relative movements of the brackets 52 and of the block 22 one on the other. .
• the upper surfaces 60 of the brackets 52 are inclined relative to the base 46, the inclination of these surfaces being adapted to the relative position of the watch case 1 and its strap 4 during assembly. This inclination therefore essentially depends on the geometry of the watch case and of the bracelet which must be assembled.
• the mounting device 16 further comprises actuating means 62 (FIG. 3) formed, in the example illustrated, of a pneumatic cylinder which acts by means of a cleat 64 on the glass 68 of the box. watch arranged on the block 22 to bring the latter into a low position called assembly.
• actuating means 62 In the drawing, for the actuating means 62, only the rod of the jack is shown.
• the operation of the mounting device according to the invention which has just been described is as follows.
• the block 22 is in the loading position, in other words, the slide 42 is in abutment against the stop nut 50 fixed to the end of the guide column 44.
• the block 22 is held in this position under the effect of the return spring 48.
• the operator sets up the watch case 1 on the block 22 so that it rests on the block 22 by its underside 26.
• the polarizing means 33 facilitate setting in place of the box 1.
• the operator then introduces the fixing bars 2 into the housing or eyelet 14 provided at the end of the bracelet strands 4.
• the bracelet strands 4 provided with their bars 2 are then placed on the consoles 52 so that they rest by their lower faces on the upper surfaces 60 thereof and that their ends provided with bars are maintained at a distance from each other which corresponds to the distance in their final position once mounted on the watch case.
• the bracelet 4 is a bracelet with articulated links, the two strands of which are connected together by a clasp 66. A portion of these strands in this case rests on the base 46 in a region located below the consoles 52 and of the block 22.
• the cleat 64 moves in the direction of the arrow M until it comes into contact with the top of the watch crystal 68.
• the means of actuation 62 then move the block 22 along the guide column 44 in the direction M.
• the cam surfaces of the section 38a approach, due to their inclination, the pivots 2c until entering in contact with these cam surfaces 38a.
• the surfaces 38a then progressively penetrate the pivots 2a inside the tubes 2b until they are at least partially retracted into the latter.
• the movement in direction M continues so that the pivots 2a then come into contact with the section 38b of the cam surfaces 38.
• the pivots 2a are thus kept retracted until the block 22 is moved enough so that the pivots are opposite the holes 10a, 10b formed in the horns 8a, 8b. At this instant, the pivots 2a pushed outwards by the spring housed in the tube 2b penetrate into the holes 10a, 10b. The bracelet 4 is then mounted on the case 1.
• the device 16 and its operation which have just been described are particularly suitable for mounting link bracelets in which the front face 70 of the end links is configured to match the shape of the space between the horns of the box 1. Under these conditions, the bottom 40 of the groove 34, and more particularly the sliding and guiding surfaces 38a form a stop against which the front face 70 of the end link bears when the bracelet strand is disposed on the surface. top of the console, which defines a determined position of the bracelet strand for mounting.
• an alternative embodiment particularly suitable for mounting link bracelets in which the front face 70 of the end link is not configured to conform to the shape of the space between the horns of the case .
• This is the case for an important part of leather bracelets in particular.
• FIG 6 there is illustrated in perspective part of the block 22 and a watch case 1 resting on the support flange 30 according to this variant.
• a guide groove 72 for the pivots 2a is arranged in sections 38a and 38b of each of the cam surfaces 38.
• the groove 72 generally has the shape of an "L", the part 74 forming the horizontal branch of the L being open towards the outside and towards the base, and the part 76 forming the vertical branch of the L extending parallel to the direction of movement of the block 22 and opening onto the support flange 30.
• the part 76 is flared in its lower region and that it narrows in its upper region until it reaches the diameter of the pivots 2a.
• This configuration of the groove 72 facilitates the correct positioning of the pivots 2a of the bar 2 during the positioning of the bracelet strands 4 on the brackets 52 and allows progressive guidance of the pivots 2a during the assembly movement of the block 22.
• the watch case 1 must be adapted to be able to be used with the device 16.
• the lateral surfaces 12a, 12b of the horns 8a, 8b in which holes are provided fixing 10a, 10b intended to receive the ends of the bar 2 each comprise a groove 78 which extends substantially in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the box 1.
• These grooves 78 extend from the base 80 (FIG. 7) horns 8a, 8b as far as the holes 10a, 10b.
• the grooves 78 have a depth less than the depth of said fixing holes 10a, 10b.
• These grooves 78 are intended to come opposite the guide grooves 72 when the watch case 1 is placed on the block 22.
• each block 22 and in particular the positioning means 32 must be adapted to the shape of a particular box so that once positioned on the block 22, the grooves 72 and 78 are in correspondence.
• Those skilled in the art could easily provide removable fixing means suitable for fixing the block 22 on the slide 42.
• FIG. 8 another variant of the mounting device according to the invention has been shown. This variant is more particularly suited to bracelet fixing systems, the nature of the bars of which does not allow the simultaneous introduction of the pivots 2a of the bar into the horn holes, for example when one of the pivots is not retractable. or when the length of the bar in its compressed state is greater than the distance between the mutually opposite surfaces of the horns.
• each console 52 of the mounting device 16 is associated with intermediate support means 82 for each strand of bracelet.
• These support means 82 make it possible to present the bracelet strands at an angle relative to the upper surface 60 of the brackets 52.
• These support means 82 comprise a base plate 84 on which is hinged a support plate 86 intended to receive a bracelet strand 4.
• Elastic return means 88 formed by a spring in the example illustrated, are arranged between the base plate 84 and the support plate 86. These return means 88 tend to separate the two plates 1 one of the other.
• the articulation axis 90 of the plates 84 and 86 one on the other is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bracelet strands.
• the base plate 84 is fixed to the upper face of the console, for example by screws 92, the axis lines of which have simply been shown.
• the bracelet strands 4 are positioned longitudinally on the support plate 86, for example using a stop (not shown), so that during movement, the pivots 2a are introduced and slide in the grooves 72.
• the support plate 86 being inclined, one of the two pivots 2a comes in a first phase to be housed and therefore to be blocked in a hole 10a of horn.
• the relative movement of the block 22 and the brackets 52 continues and the articulated support plate 86 compresses the spring 88 until the second pivot 2a comes to be housed in the hole 10a of horn which is associated with it.
• the bracelet is then mounted.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Buckles (AREA)
• Casings For Electric Apparatus (AREA)
• Electric Clocks (AREA)
• Telephone Set Structure (AREA)

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=8172512

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Families Citing this family (4)

Citations (3)

• 2000
  • 2000-12-22 EP EP00204731A patent/EP1220060A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2001
  • 2001-11-09 WO PCT/EP2001/013111 patent/WO2002052359A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2001-11-09 AT AT01271981T patent/ATE310977T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2001-11-09 EP EP01271981A patent/EP1346263B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-11-09 DE DE60115287T patent/DE60115287D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime

Patent Citations (3)

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