EP0150527B1 - Water-resistant watch - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a waterproof watch with a sealing ring clamped between the watch glass and an inner shoulder of the housing.

In known small clocks of this type, the watch glass is generally held by a glass ring, which must press the edge of the watch glass against the inner case shoulder with a sufficiently strong force such that the sealing ring is compressed sufficiently and uniformly to achieve perfect water resistance. For this purpose, it has previously been necessary to attach precisely sized fitting elements to the parts of the small watch to be fastened together, one of which must be slightly elastic in the event of being blown in, so that the element to be fitted can be inserted with pressure into the corresponding recess. The narrow tolerances of the parts to be connected, which were previously required for the perfect closure of a small watch, complicate and increase the cost of manufacture and, under certain circumstances, assembly.

In particular, the problem of making a molded housing made of plastic, for example a rectangular housing, completely watertight, has not yet been satisfactorily solved, since the plastic housings generally produced as an injection molded part do not have the required narrow tolerances and would first have to be reworked, which is time-consuming and is expensive.

A known waterproof watch with the features specified in the preamble of claim 1 is described in EP-A-0 006 077. Thereafter, the clamping slides consist of two separate round pins which are inserted into the slots provided between the respective housing flange and the adjacent outer edge of the watch glass. The glass edges on the two opposite flange-free housing sides are exposed and in particular have facets that extend to the edge of the housing.

From CH-A-214 660 a small watch, also provided with clamping slides in the form of round pins, is known. In this case, however, the slots into which the pins can be inserted for the purpose of axially pressing the watch glass against the sealing ring are formed from mutually opposing grooves on the outer circumference of the middle part of the housing and the inner circumference of a bezel which surrounds the middle part of the housing and is directed radially inwards The flange rests on the edge of the watch glass. The one ends of the two pins are connected to one another by a part forming a band connection, which in the assembled state of the pins abuts the band connection side of the housing and can be fastened there with a screw. The two other pin ends protruding on the opposite band connection side of the housing are provided with screws to which the other band connection can be fastened.

The invention has for its object to simplify the manufacture and assembly of a watertight watch, in particular with a rectangular molded housing made of plastic, and to design it in such a way that reliable compression of the sealing ring and thus impeccable watertightness is achieved without special effort, whereby it exact tolerances of the interacting parts are not important.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features specified in the characterizing part of patent claim 1.

The measure according to the invention is advantageously used in a molded housing made of plastic, in particular a rectangular housing. By simply inserting the plastic or metal clamping slides, like a drawer, into the slots below the radially inward projecting housing flanges, the axial force required for perfect and uniform compression of the sealing ring is achieved in a simple manner, thus hermetically sealing the housing . To open the watch, all you have to do is pull out the side slides.

Furthermore, since the limbs of the clamping slides can easily be designed to be elastically flexible, the invention also relates in principle to oval small clocks and generally watch cases which have curved upper edge sections of some shape on opposite sides. When the clamping slide is inserted, the elastically flexible legs, which may already have a curvature corresponding approximately to the curved shape of the relevant edge sections, then adapt to the shape of the slots and thus the relevant edge sections.

Appropriate configurations of a small clock according to the invention result from the dependent claims.

• Figur 1 eine Draufsicht auf eine erste Ausführungsform einer Armbanduhr nach der Erfindung,
• Figur 1 a eine schematische Darstellung, welche das Einschieben der Klemmschieber und deren Lage in der fertig montierten Uhr, deren übrige Teile nur strichpunktiert angedeutet sind, veranschaulicht,
• Figur 2 einen Teilschnitt längs der Linie 11-11 nach Figur 1 in vergrösserter Darstellung,
• Figur 3 einen Teilschnitt längs der Linie 111-111 nach Figur 1 ebenfalls in vergrösserter Darstellung,
• Figur 4 eine Draufsicht auf einen Klemmschieber,
• Figur 5 eine Seitenansicht des Klemmschiebers nach Figur 4,
• Figur 6 einen der Darstellung nach Figur 2 entsprechenden Teilschnitt einer zweiten Ausführungsform einer Armbanduhr nach der Erfindung,
• Figur 7 eine Draufsicht auf eine dritte Ausführungsform,
• Figur 8 einen Teilschnitt längs der Linie VIII-Vlll nach Figur 7,
• Figur 9 eine Draufsicht auf den Klemmschieber der Uhr nach Figur 7 und
• Figur 10 eine Seitenansicht dieses Klemmschiebers.

The invention is explained in more detail with the aid of three exemplary embodiments. Show it:

• FIG. 1 shows a top view of a first embodiment of a wristwatch according to the invention,
• FIG. 1 a is a schematic illustration which illustrates the insertion of the clamping slides and their position in the fully assembled watch, the remaining parts of which are only indicated by dash-dotted lines,
• FIG. 2 shows a partial section along the line 11-11 according to FIG. 1 in an enlarged view,
• 3 shows a partial section along the line 111-111 according to FIG. 1, likewise in an enlarged view,
• FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a clamping slide,
• FIG. 5 shows a side view of the clamping slide according to FIG. 4,
• FIG. 6 shows a partial section corresponding to the representation according to FIG. 2, of a second embodiment of a wristwatch according to the invention,
• FIG. 7 shows a top view of a third embodiment,
• 8 shows a partial section along the line VIII-VIII according to FIG. 7,
• Figure 9 is a plan view of the clamp slide of the clock of Figure 7 and
• Figure 10 is a side view of this clamping slide.

According to FIGS. 1 to 3, the wristwatch has a rectangular housing 1 made of plastic, preferably in the form of an injection molded part, in which the middle part of the housing and the base are made in one piece. At the upper edge of the rectangular housing 1, on the opposite longitudinal sides, shoulders 2 with radially inwardly projecting flanges 3 are formed, each of which delimits an inner housing groove 4 which extends over the entire length of the housing side in question. On the two flange-free housing sides, which are the narrow sides provided with band connections 12, the upper housing edge 5 lies at the level of the inner housing wall section forming the bottom of the groove 4.

In the example considered, the wristwatch has a pot-shaped watch glass 6 with a rim 6a projecting radially outwards. Between the underside of this watch glass rim 6a and an inner shoulder 9 provided on the housing 1, a sealing ring 7 is inserted, the radially inner area of which is somewhat thinner than the rest of the ring area and overlaps the edge of the dial 10, which is arranged above the clockwork 11.

To close the housing 1 and to press the watch glass 6 against the sealing ring 7, two bow-shaped clamping slides 8, 8a are provided which, in the plan view according to FIG. 4, have approximately the shape of a square U and have two legs 8a formed on a base part 8. The dimensions of these clamping slides are selected so that their legs 8a can be inserted into the slots from the flange-free narrow sides of the housing, which are located between each of the flanges 3 and the watch glass rim 6a and include part of the housing grooves 4. FIG. 1 a illustrates the clamping slides 8, 8 a to be inserted in the direction of the arrows and their position, shown in solid lines, in the finished assembled wristwatch, the remaining parts of which are only shown in broken lines. The arrangement is such that, in the case of not yet attached clamping slides and watch glass 6 placed loosely on the sealing ring 7, the distance between the underside of the flanges 3 and the top of the watch glass rim 6a is so much smaller than the thickness of the legs 8a of the clamping slides that when inserting the same the watch glass 6 is pressed downwards with sufficient compression of the sealing ring 7. The legs 8a of the two clamping slides are each about half as long as a longitudinal side of the housing, so that in the assembled state the slots mentioned are practically completely filled by the legs 8a and therefore the relevant glass edges are pressed over their entire length by the legs 8a.

As can be seen in the illustrations according to FIGS. 3 and 5, the base part 8 of each clamping slide is stepped on its underside in such a way that the inwardly offset surface section 8b facing the legs 8a lies in the same plane as the underside of the legs 8a and therefore, in the fully inserted state, the watch glass rim 6a overlaps the flange-free housing sides (FIG. 3), while the other surface section 8c rests on the upper housing edge 5. The thickness of the base part 8 is also so much greater than the thickness of the legs 8a that the exposed upper side of the base part 8 of each clamping slide lies in the same plane as the outside of the watch glass 6 in the assembled state. In the example considered, the ends 8d of the legs 8a are tapered in a wedge shape to facilitate insertion, and in addition the base part 8 has the ends 8e laterally slightly projecting from the outside of the legs 8a.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the example under consideration, the flanges 3 do not protrude from the edge of the watch glass 6a, so that when the watch is put together, the watch glass 6 can be easily inserted into the housing 1 from the top and placed on the sealing ring 7. To complete the assembly, only the two clamping slides are then inserted, in the manner of drawers, under the flanges 3 into the slots mentioned, until the base part 8 of the clamping slides engages over the edge of the watch glass 6 a and lies against the side wall of the watch glass 6. The legs 8a of the clamping slides on the one hand and their base parts 8 on the other hand then have the function of a glass ring holding and pressing the watch glass. Due to the gap between the inner ends of the flanges 3 and the side wall of the watch glass 6, the legs 8a of the clamping slide are partially visible.

The clamping slides can be made of metal or plastic and contribute to the decorative exterior of the small watch, whereby they can differ from the housing 1 in appearance, in particular in material and / or color.

The second exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6 has the same parts provided with the same reference numerals as the first exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 5 and differs only in that the radially inwardly projecting flanges 3 of the housing 1 overlap the watch glass rim 6a, so that the slots enclosing the inner housing grooves 4, into which the legs 8a of the clamping slides are inserted, are practically closed. In this case, when assembling the watch, the watch glass 6 on one flange-free narrow side of the housing 1, inserted in the manner of a drawer, the watch glass rim 6a engaging under the flanges 3. Then, as in the first exemplary embodiment, the two clamping slides are then pushed in with compression of the sealing ring 7.

The invention also relates to small clocks, the edge of which delimits the opening for the watch glass, in particular small clocks of oval shape. The clamping slides to be used then have elastically flexible legs, which preferably already have a curvature corresponding approximately to the curved edge shape and adapt to the curved slots between the flange and the edge of the watch glass when inserted. The base part of the clamping slide is then adapted in its shape to the curved shape of the flange-free housing sides.

Such an exemplary embodiment, namely a wristwatch with an oval housing 21, is shown in FIGS. The housing 21 has on its opposite, slightly curved sides radially inwardly projecting flanges 13. The oval watch glass 16 is again pot-shaped and has a radially outwardly projecting edge 16a which lies on an inner housing shoulder with the interposition of a sealing ring 17. The sealing ring 17 overlaps the dial 20 arranged on the clockwork 11. The flanges 13 and the clock glass rim 16a delimit correspondingly curved inner slots. The clamping slides 18, 18a, which are made of an elastically bendable material, have a base part 18, the curved shape of which is adapted to the curvature of the housing 21 on its sides having the band connections 22, and slightly curved legs 18a, the shape of which roughly corresponds to the curvature of the flanges 13 Corresponds to the sides of the housing. When the clamping slides are inserted, the legs 18a adapt to the course of the slots between the flanges 13 and the watch glass rim 16a. The watch glass 16 is pressed down accordingly by compressing the sealing ring 17. In this way, a reliable surface seal is created, which guarantees the perfect tightness of the wristwatch. The base parts 18 of the clamping slides resting on the upper edge of the watch glass on the strap connection sides, which in the example considered have a bevel in the outer area, in turn have the function of frosted glass sections and, through their decorative design, also decisively determine the outer appearance of the watch.

The arrangement can also be such that the upper flanges of the housing delimiting the slots mentioned extend along the band connecting sides of the housing and accordingly the clamping slides are inserted from the other two sides of the housing.

Although the clamping slides are generally clamped so strongly by the compressed sealing ring in the assembled state that no additional fastening is required, an additional fixing can be provided if necessary. For example, the base parts 8 or 18 can be screwed onto the housing 1 or locked in some other way. It is also possible to additionally fix base parts or legs by means of latching or latching elements.

Claims (11)

1. A water-tight watch with a packing (7, 17) gripped between the watch glass (6,16) and a inner shoulder of the case (1, 21), with flanges (3, 13) which project radially inwards at the upper edge of the case (1,21) on opposite sides and the underside of which is at a distance from the watch-glass edge (6a, 16a), and with clamping slide (8a, 18a) which can be pushed from one of the flange-free case sides into the slits located between each of the flanges (3, 13) and the watch-glass edge (6a, 16a), the packing (7, 17) being compressed at the same time, characterised by the fact that there are two shackleshaped clamping slides, each consisting of a base part (8, 18) and two legs (8a, 18a), which can be pushed into the slits on opposite sides of the case and, in the assembled state, extend at least approximately over the entire length of the slits, and that the base parts (8, 18) of the two clamping sides engage over the watch-glass edge (6a, 16a) on the flange-free case sides.

2. A water-tight watch as claimed in claim 1, characterized by the fact that the legs (18a) of the clamping slides (18, 18a), preferably consisting of plastic or metal, are elastically flexible and can therefore match a possible curvature of the slits and consequently of the respective watch-glass edges, and that the base part (18) of the clamping slide matches the possible curvature of the case or watch-glass edge portions on which it rests.

3. A water-tight watch as claimed in one of claims 1 and 2, characterized by the fact that the base part (8) of each clamping slide, the said base part connecting the two legs (8a), is stepped on its underside, the inwardly offset surface portion (8b) facing the legs (8a) lying in the same plane as the underside of the legs (8a) and the other surface portion (8c) resting on the upper case edge (5) of the respective flange-free side of the case.

4. A water-tight watch as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that the watch glass (6) is pot-shaped and has an edge (6a) projecting radially outwards, the base part (8) of the clamping slides preferably being so thick that its topside lies in the same plane as the outside of the watch glass (6).

5. A water-tight watch as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that the flanges (3) of the case (1), which project radially inwards, do not overlap the watch-glass edge (6a), and consequently, as regards a pot-shaped watch glass (6) with a watch-glass edge (6a) projecting radially outwards, there remains between the flanges (3) and side wall of the watch glass (6) a gap in which the legs (8a) of the clamping slide are partially visible.

6. A water-tight watch as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that the inward-projecting flanges of the case overlap the watch-glass edge.

7. A water-tight watch as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that the ends (8d) of the legs (8a) of the clamping slides taper in the form of a wedge.

8. A water-tight watch as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fact that the base part (8) of the clamping slides has ends which project laterally beyond the outsides of the legs (8a).

9. A water-tight watch as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by the fact that the clamping slides (8, 8a) can be fixed additionally in the assembled state.

10. A water-tight watch as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by the fact that the clamping slides (8, 8a) differ in terms of material and/or from the case (1 ).

11. A water-tight watch as claimed in one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by the fact that the case (1) is a preferably rectangular molded case consisting of plastic, the flanges (3) preferably extending along the sides not possessing the wristlet lugs (12).

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