EP1249741A1 - Watch-case provided with a removable decorative bezel - Google Patents

Abstract

Watch casing has a detachable decorative bezel which is secured to the casing by a number of bayonet attachments (6) and locking mechanisms (4). The locking mechanism comprise elastic means designed to exert a pressure on the bezel so that it is extended away from the casing (1) with the pressure exerted approximately equally around the bezel. Equally position elements are arranged to oppose positioning of the bezel until sufficient force is applied to cause locking of the bayonet mechanism.

Description

The present invention relates to a watch case fitted with a removable decorative lens, in which this decorative bezel is retained on the box by a plurality bayonet type fastening means associated with blocking means.

A removable decorative lens of this type has already been described in EP 0'621'518, in which this telescope is retained on the box in a determined angular position, by a locking member slidably mounted in the middle of the box and is biased by a spring which tends constantly making it protrude from the surface of the middle intended to receive the removable telescope when standing on horseback between the middle and the bezel. The lateral surfaces sides of the middle and the bezel each have an obviously, which once facing each other, provide a passage with a cross section corresponding to that of the locking member, so that it enters this passage as soon as these recesses are opposite one another and locks the bezel.

The locking member comes out under the box and its corresponding end is integral with a gripping element intended to allow the locking member to be retracted of the passage formed between the middle part and the bezel at against spring pressure, to allow removal the glasses.

This solution has different disadvantages among which we can cite the fact that the gripping member is relatively difficult for a person outside the horological field, which is generally the case. In addition, this gripping member must however be apparent, this which detracts from the aesthetic appearance of the watch. Now, a watch with an interchangeable decorative bezel has precisely a purpose aesthetic, so the means used to allow change of glasses by the user, go against of the general aim sought.

Another disadvantage is that the telescope being fixed by a bayonet fixing, a slight play must necessarily remain between the bezel and the box to allow the angular displacement of these two parts. Gold, since the locking member presses against the glasses in one place, a game will appear there, while it will decrease as we move away from this place to disappear at the place diametrically opposite, which contributes to detracting from the quality of the aesthetics.

This shows that there is not yet a system of interchangeable glasses meeting all requirements current relating to the luxury watch.

We have certainly proposed various other solutions, in particular solutions using hanging systems as described in FR 2'377'057 or in the EP 0'217'465 for example. However with such systems, either bezel is securely attached but cannot be removed without the help of a tool always likely to leave marks if not used by a professional, either the bezel is fixed less securely so that it can be changed by hand to a professional name, but risks then to come off accidentally. Gold such glasses are likely to wear more or less precious stones, even diamonds, hence the importance that interchangeability of the telescope does not result in the risk of loss of this scope.

We have also proposed in EP 0'461'069, a watch with interchangeable strap, in which the strap is caught between one or two horns and the bezel, which is rotating so as to allow it to be angularly displaced to release the bracelet, an angular locking system ball between this rotating bezel and the box shows. The bezel in this case is not removable, at least not without an appropriate tool, this being retained by a polygonal spring.

It appears from the above-mentioned state of the art that we have not yet proposed a watch with interchangeable bezel whose glasses can easily be removed by the user while allowing precise and secure fixing and totally invisible.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a solution capable of satisfying all of the above criteria, combining security, aesthetics, interchangeability reach of any user without any tools or effort or special skill.

To this end, the present invention relates to a box watch fitted with a removable decorative bezel according to claim 1.

La figure 1 est une vue de dessus de la boíte sans la lunette amovible, selon la première forme d'exécution ;

la figure 2 est une vue en coupe selon la coupe II-II de la figure 1 ;

la figure 3 est une vue en coupe selon la coupe III-III de la figure 1 ;

la figure 4 est une vue en coupe selon la coupe IV-IV de la figure 1 ;

la figure 5 est une vue de dessous de la lunette amovible destinée à la boíte de la figure 1;

la figure 6 est une vue selon la coupe VI-VI de la figure 5 ;

la figure 7 est une vue en coupe selon la figure VII-VII de la figure ;

la figure 8 est une vue de dessus d'une boíte sans la lunette amovible, selon la seconde forme d'exécution ;

la figure 9 est une vue en coupe selon la coupe IX-IX de la figure 8 ;

la figure 10 est une vue en coupe selon la coupe X-X de la figure 8 ;

la figure 11 est une vue en coupe selon la coupe XI-XI de la figure 8 ;

la figure 12 est une vue de dessous de la lunette amovible ;

la figure 13 est une vue en coupe selon la coupe XIII-XIII de la figure 12 ;

la figure 14 est une vue en coupe selon la coupe XIV-XIV de la figure 12.

The attached drawing illustrates, schematically and by way of example, two forms of execution of the watch case which is the subject of the present invention.

Figure 1 is a top view of the box without the removable window, according to the first embodiment;

Figure 2 is a sectional view along section II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view along section III-III of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view along section IV-IV of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a bottom view of the removable window for the box of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a view along section VI-VI of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a sectional view according to Figure VII-VII of the figure;

Figure 8 is a top view of a box without the removable window, according to the second embodiment;

Figure 9 is a sectional view along section IX-IX of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a sectional view along section XX of Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a sectional view along section XI-XI of Figure 8;

Figure 12 is a bottom view of the removable window;

Figure 13 is a sectional view along section XIII-XIII of Figure 12;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view along section XIV-XIV of FIG. 12.

The watch case illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 essentially comprises a middle part 1 whose upper face presents, in this example four diametrically housings 2 opposing two by two. One of these dwellings is illustrated by Figure 2. It contains a socket 3 in which a ball 4 is housed and retained by a flange 3a of the sleeve 3 and pressed against this rim 3a by a spring 5.

Two arcuate grooves 6 are provided in the upper face of the middle part 1. The profile of these grooves 6 corresponds to that illustrated in FIG. 3, that is to say that it has a wide part 6a forming the bottom of the groove and a narrower part 6b opening on the face upper part of the middle. These two grooves 6 are arranged each between two housings 2 with balls 4. At each end of these grooves 6, in two diametrically opposite positions, these grooves 6 each have an inlet opening 9 (Figure 4) whose diameter corresponds to the largest width of the groove 6, that of the part 6a.

As shown in Figure 5, a removable scope 7 has two diametrically opposite legs 8 which protrude from its underside. Each of these 8 feet has two parts, one 8a, of large diameter, the other 8b of smaller diameter, these feet substantially reproducing the profile of the grooves 6. The underside of the telescope 7 still has four hemispherical impressions 10, diametrically opposite two by two. Angular positions relative of these hemispherical footprints 10 and feet 8, correspond to the relative positions of the housings 2 and the entry openings 9 of middle part 1.

Thanks to this arrangement, the two feet 8 of the telescope 7 can be engaged in the respective grooves 6. Once these feet are engaged in these grooves 6, the underside of the telescope 7 presses the balls 4 into their respective sockets 3 against the pressure of springs 5. Then we turn the bezel 7 in the direction of watch hands (figure 1) until the feet 8 arrive at the other end of the grooves 6. At this time, the 10 hemispherical footprints arrive in front of the housing 2, so that the balls 4 are pushed into these indentations 10 used for the angular blocking of the telescope 7, which does not can then be released and removed only if an angular force sufficient and opposite direction is applied to this glasses 7.

As can be seen, the balls 4 are used not only at the positioning of the telescope 7, but their distribution applies pressure evenly distributed over the bezel tending to move it away from the middle, but like this pressure is evenly distributed. The little game that exists necessarily between these two parts is constant over the whole around the bezel 7. These balls 4 also serve as elements rolling during rotation of the telescope 7, making the placement and removal thereof more pleasant.

The second embodiment illustrated by the figures 8 to 1.4 differs from the first essentially in that that the box 11 is not round but polygonal, here square or rectangular, so that to fix the telescope removable 17, the movement will be rectilinear instead of being a angular movement.

Another difference is that the glasses 17 wears four feet 18 instead of two to ensure better stability of the bezel 18. As a result, the grooves 16 made in the middle each have two openings of inputs 19a, 19b. In this variant, the balls 14 in the housings 12 are arranged at the four corners of the box 1 and the hemispherical footprints 20 to the four bezel angles 17.

Preferably, since the watch glass must be fixed in the case middle 11, at the face upper part of this case 11, to allow the movement of the telescope 17, the latter will also carry an ice cream for aesthetic reasons.

Claims (5)

Watch case provided with a removable decorative bezel, in which this decorative bezel (7, 17) is retained on the case by a plurality of bayonet type fixing means (6, 16, 8, 18) associated with means of blocking (4, 10, 14, 20), characterized in that said blocking means comprise on the one hand elastic means (5, 15) designed to exert a pressure tending to separate this telescope (7, 17) from said box (1, 11), and arranged so that the pressures which they exert are distributed substantially equally over the entire periphery of said telescope (7, 17) and on the other hand positioning elements (10, 20) between said bezel (7, 17) and said box (1, 11) shaped to oppose the movement of this bezel positioned on the box as long as a determined force, in a direction opposite to that causing the engagement of the fixing means bayonet (6, 16, 8, 18), has not been applied to this lens e (7, 17). The box of claim 1, wherein said decorative bezel (7) is circular and that said displacements of this telescope (7) are displacements angular about an axis of revolution coaxial to the axis central of the box (1). The box of claim 1, wherein said decorative bezel (17) is polygonal in shape comprising two opposite sides parallel, said displacements of this glasses (17) are parallel to said opposite sides. Box according to one of the preceding claims, in which said elastic pressure between the box and the bezel is exerted via rolling surfaces (2, 12). Box according to one of claims 1 and 3, in which the box (11) carries an ice whose level does not exceed its upper surface receiving said telescope removable (17), which carries a second glass.

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