EP1801673B1 - Security device for control mechanism of a watch - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a safety device for a control mechanism of a watch, preferably for a crown winding and / or time setting, comprising a lever articulated on a bearing structure attached to the watch case said lever being operable via a first end of the lever so as to be able to occupy two stable positions, an open position in which the control mechanism is released and a closed position in which a second end of the lever exerts a closing force on said control mechanism adapted to lock the control mechanism, the latter being mounted axially displaceable through a tube in the watch case.

Currently, these devices are used in several types of watches, especially in diving watches, for example to lock the crown vis-à-vis unintentional actuation by the user as well as to strengthen the sealing of the mechanism control. We know in particular of the document WO97 / 46921 such a control device comprising a lever articulated on a watch case, said lever being operable via a first end so as to occupy two stable positions, ie an open position in which the control mechanism is released a closed position in which a second end of the lever exerts a closing force on said control mechanism blocking the control mechanism, the latter being mounted axially movable through a tube in the watch case.

Known devices of this kind have some disadvantages, however, resulting in several disadvantages for watches with such equipment. In particular, the closing force of the lever of these devices is only difficult to control during production, because it depends on the sum tolerances of different components, such as those of the middle part of the watch, the tube placed in the caseband, the crown, the bridge normally constituting said bearing structure and the lever, as well as the accuracy of the positioning of these parts during the manufacturing. Because of these same reasons, any intervention possibly necessary on the device during an after-sales service is quite complicated.

Moreover, the reliability of such a device is not optimal, because the friction between the lever and the crown during the operation of the lever will cause over time a removal of a layer of material and thus a modification the closing force of the lever. The locking of the crown respectively the strengthening of the seal of the watch is then no longer guaranteed at the same level as before.

It is desirable to have such a device whose closing force lever is adjustable, this preferably easily and throughout the product life.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of current systems and to allow the realization of such a device with a closing force of the adjustable lever.

The subject of the invention is a watch comprising a control mechanism such as a crown for winding and / or setting the time, and a safety device for this control mechanism, said control device comprising a lever articulated on a carrier structure fixed to the watch case, said lever being operable by means of a first end of the lever so as to be able to occupy two stable positions, ie an open position in which the control mechanism is released or a closed position in which a second end of the lever exerts a closing force on said control mechanism adapted to lock the control mechanism, the latter being mounted axially movable through a tube in the watch case, which is distinguished by the fact that the safety device comprises means for adjusting the free axial distance actually available for the axial displacement of the control mechanism between the outer end of the tube fixed in the watch case and the second end of the lever in its open position so as to allow adjustment of the closing force of the lever.

In particular, the device comprises means for adjusting the free axial distance actually available for the axial displacement of the control mechanism between the outer end of the tube fixed in the watch case and the second end of the lever in its open position, of to allow adjustment of the closing force of the lever. In other words, the free space available for the axial displacement of the ring which corresponds to the sum of the axial distance between an outer bearing surface of said tube and an inner intermediate bearing surface of the ring and the distance axial between an outer intermediate bearing surface of the ring and an inner bearing surface of the second end of said lever is adjustable and thus allows to adjust the bearing force of said lever on the ring.
Being able to adjust the closing force of the lever partially removes the high constraints on the manufacturing tolerances of the system components and facilitates their assembly by no longer requiring as accurate positioning as before. Thus, the production is facilitated and the rejects, for example during the production of the watch cases, are diminished. Indeed, the parameters mentioned above are partially absorbed by the adjustment of the closing force of the lever using the adjustment means of the free axial distance actually available for the axial displacement of the control mechanism. In addition, this adjustment can be made throughout the life of the product and thus facilitates the after sales service and the reliability of the watch by allowing readjustment of the closing force in case of wear of the parts due to the friction between they.

Other advantages emerge from the features expressed in the dependent claims and from the description which sets forth the invention in more detail with the aid of drawings.

The accompanying drawings represent, by way of example, an embodiment of the invention.

The figure 1 is a perspective view of a watch equipped with a safety device for its control mechanism.

The figure 2a is an exploded view schematically illustrating the important components of an embodiment of such a device; the figure 2b shows some of the figure 2a more in detail.

The figure 3 represents a section through this device along the axis of the control mechanism in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the watch, the device being in the locking position of the crown of the watch.

The invention will now be described in detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the figure 1 which shows a perspective view of a watch with a safety device for its control mechanism 1 as well as Figures 2a and 2b which show an exploded view of this device, the important components of such a device and their cooperation are easy to determine.

The safety device first comprises a carrier structure 3 which is fixed to the box 4 of the watch. A lever 2 is articulated on this carrier structure 3 via an axis 2.4. The carrier structure is most often made by a bridge extending over the control mechanism 1. The lever 2 can be actuated via a first end 2.1 so as to occupy two stable positions.

In an open position, in which the lever 2 is usually substantially perpendicular to the circumference of the box 4 of the watch in the area where the control mechanism 1 is located, the control mechanism 1 is released and can thus be used for example to reassemble the watch or set it to the time respectively for any other function attached to this mechanism 1. In a closed position, in which the lever 2 is substantially parallel to the circumference of the box 4 of the watch, a second end 2.2 of the lever 2 is applied by its inner bearing surface 2.3 against the outer surface 1.2 of the control mechanism 1 and exerts a closing force on said control mechanism 1 blocking the control mechanism 1 against any actuation.

The latter is mounted axially displaceable through a tube 5 in the box 4 of the watch. Indeed, the control mechanism is normally constituted by a crown 1 winding and / or setting time, depending on whether it is a mechanical watch or not, or any other function, the crown allowing according to its axial positions, to control the corresponding functions of the movement by means of rotary movements. The following description will use without distinction the terms "control mechanism" and "crown".

This ring 1 can have several service positions, depending on the type of movement with which it cooperates and the functions it controls. The axial displacement of the control mechanism 1 then serves, on the one hand, to allow its positioning to the desired service position as well as, on the other hand on the other hand, to make possible a slight axial displacement of the ring when the internal bearing surface 2.3 of the second end 2.2 of the lever 2 is applied against the outer surface 1.2 of the ring 1 and pushes it towards the center 4 of the watch while the lever 2 is returned to its closed position.

Indeed, as schematically shows the cut of the figure 3 , the safety device according to the present invention comprises, in a conventional manner, normally two annular seals 7, 8. First, a first annular seal 7 is placed radially between the tube 5 passing through the box 4 of the watch and a rod 1.3 of the ring 1, this rod 1.3 being axially displaceable in the tube 5. The first seal 7 ensures the sealing of the device respectively of the watch at the tube 5 and the rod 1.3 and is not intended to be influenced or compressed during the axial displacement of the rod 1.3 or crown 1. Then, a second annular seal 8 is located axially between the tube 5 and the crown 1. The second seal 8 is compressed during the axial displacement of the rod 1.3 respectively of the ring 1 following the pressure exerted by the closing of the lever 2 and thus ensures the locking of the ring 1 vis-à-vis its rotary actuation and a strengthening of the sealing of the disp ositif.

The figure 3 also shows that the closing force of the lever 2 is determined by the free axial distance actually available for the axial displacement of the control mechanism 1 under the pressure of the lever 2. This free axial distance is, in the open position of the lever 2, defined as being the sum, on the one hand, of a first axial distance between an external bearing surface on the outer end 5.2 of said tube 5 and an inner intermediate bearing surface 1.1 of the ring 1 and, on the other hand a second axial distance between an outer intermediate bearing surface 1.2 of the ring 1 and an inner bearing surface 2.3 of the second end 2.2 of said lever 2. Here, as in the rest of the text, the term "inner" means an orientation toward the center of the watch respectively towards the box of the watch and the term "outside" means the opposite direction towards the outside of the watch.

Obviously, the compression of the second annular seal 8 is in the aforementioned first axial distance until the inner intermediate bearing surface 1.1 of the ring 1 abuts against the external bearing surface on the outer end. 5.2 of said tube 5. The closing force is maximum when the lever 2, whose inner bearing surface 2.3 of the second end 2.2 is against the outer intermediate bearing surface 1.2 of the ring 1 while the lever 2 pushes the crown 1 inwards, is in its closed position. In this closed position, said free axial distance is then zero, as represented in FIG. figure 3 . If tolerances of the parts, incorrect positioning of the components or friction between the parts have caused either a game, or an axial distance too short for the free axial displacement of the ring 1 of one or the other of its side , the closing force is not optimal and must be adjusted because otherwise it could cause either a failure in the operation of the device or its damage.

It is the basic idea guiding the present invention which proposes for this purpose a device which comprises, in addition to the conventional devices, means for adjusting said free axial distance actually available for the axial displacement of the control mechanism 1 between the outer end 5.2 of the tube 5 fixed in the watch case 4 and the second end 2,2 of the lever 2 in its open position so as to allow adjustment of the closing force of the lever 2. With the aid of these means for adjusting said free axial distance is adjustable and thus makes it possible to adjust the bearing force of said lever 2 on the crown 1. As can be seen from the explanations above, the closing force of the lever 2 depends on this free axial distance , so that the greater this distance, the less the closing force will be important, and vice versa.

As shown by the above definition of the free axial distance, it is influenced mainly by the axial dimension of the parts forming the device. safety, which are in particular the tube 5, the ring 1, the carrier structure 3 and the lever 2. As a result, the adjustment means can be made by several alternatives influencing the axial dimension of one of these parts. This is why only one embodiment is illustrated by way of example in the figures, while the other alternatives will be clearly understandable to those skilled in the art from reading their description below.

In the embodiment of the device schematically illustrated in FIGS. Figures 1 to 3 said adjusting means comprise a threaded ring 6 screwed onto the tube 5 at its end facing the outside of the watch. This end of the tube 5 is threaded on its outer diameter, so that the ring 6 can be axially moved by screwing on the tube 5, thus changing its axial dimension. This makes it possible to adjust the distance between the outer surface 6.2 of the ring 6, which in this embodiment forms an external surface office of the outer end 5.2 of the tube 5, and the internal surface 1.1 of the control mechanism 1 and allows therefore to decrease or increase said free axial distance allowing simultaneously to adjust the closing force of the lever 2.

In another embodiment not illustrated, the tube 5 is not driven as usual in the box 4 of the watch but screwed therein. Thus, said adjustment means are constituted directly by the tube 5 and the end of the tube 5 facing the outside of the watch can be axially moved by screwing to adjust the distance between the outer surface 5.2 of the tube 5 and the inner surface 1.1 of the control mechanism 1. This configuration requires some adaptations at the crown, for example that the positioning of the ring 1 in the watch must obviously be provided by a part inside the watch regardless of the position of the tube 5, for which reason the first embodiment is preferred.

In another alternative, the adjustment means comprise a ring threaded on its inside diameter. This ring is intended to be screwed on the stem 1.3 of the control mechanism 1 passing through said tube 5, the ring being placed at the end of said control mechanism 1 facing the box 4 of the watch adjacent the internal surface 1.1 of the control mechanism 1. For this, said rod 1.3 must have a threaded portion on its outer diameter, so that the ring can be axially moved by screwing on the rod 1.3 to adjust the distance between the outer surface 5.2 of the tube 5 and the inner surface of the ring facing the the box of the watch, this surface taking the role of the inner surface 1.1 of the control mechanism 1. In this embodiment, the adjustment of the closing force is performed by adjusting the axial dimension of the ring 1 instead of modify the extension of the tube 5.

Following the same principle, that is to say to adjust the axial dimension of the ring 1, said adjusting means may also include a disk threaded on its outer diameter. This disk is intended to be screwed into the control mechanism 1 which must in this case comprise a compartment placed at the end of said control mechanism 1 facing the lever 2 and adjacent the outer surface 1.2 of the control mechanism 1. The compartment has a threaded portion on its inside diameter, so that said disk can be axially moved by screwing in this compartment to adjust the distance between the outer surface of said disk, which acts as the external intermediate support surface 1.2 of the 1, and the inner bearing surface 2.3 of the second end 2.2 of the lever 2. Similarly, this allows to adjust the closing force of the lever 2.

The adjustment can also be made by modifying the axial dimension of the lever 2. For this purpose, said adjustment means may for example comprise two eccentrics placed in the supporting structure 3 on which is articulated the lever 2. In this case, each of these eccentric hosts one end of the hinge axis 2.4 of the lever 2 and can be rotatably adjusted in the carrier structure 3, so that the axial distance between said hinge axis 2.4 of the lever 2 and the outer end 5.2 of the tube 5 fixed in the box 4 of the watch can be adjusted by displacement of the eccentrics in said carrier structure 3.

In another example, a single eccentric is placed in the second end 2.2 of the lever 2, this eccentric constituting said adjustment means. It is mounted in this end 2.2 of the lever 2 so that it can be first rotatably moved in this end and then fixed again, the portion of said eccentric oriented, depending on the position of the eccentric in the lever 2, to the control mechanism 1 in the closed position of the lever 2 then constituting the inner bearing surface 2.3 on the lever 2. In this way, the axial distance between the inner bearing surface 2.3 of the second end 2.2 the lever 2 and the outer surface 1.2 of the control mechanism 1 can be adjusted by rotary displacement of said eccentric in the second end 2.2 of the lever 2, which simultaneously adjusts the closing force of the lever 2.

Another alternative provides that said adjustment means comprise means for adjusting the distance between the carrier structure 3, on which is articulated the lever 2, and the box 4 of the watch. This also makes it possible to adjust the axial distance between the hinge axis 2.4 of the lever 2 and the outer end 5.2 of the tube 5 fixed in the watch case 4 simply by axial displacement of said carrier structure 3 relative to the watch box.

Said adjustment means may for example comprise wafers distance of different thicknesses placed between the box 4 of the watch and the carrier structure 3. In this case, the carrier structure or the bridge 3 has feet that are placed in recesses corresponding in box 4 of the watch. The distance pads can be placed in these compartments invisibly or removed from these compartments as needed and provide a desired distance between the hinge pin 2.4 of the lever 2 and the outer end 5.2 of the tube 5 fixed in the box 4 of the watch.

Alternatively, said adjustment means may consist of screws housed in the feet of the supporting structure 3. Again, depending on the more or less deep screwing in corresponding recesses in the box 4 of the watch, the screws provide a given distance between the hinge axis 2.4 of the lever 2 and the outer end 5.2 of the tube 5 fixed in the box 4 of the watch.

Obviously, the adjustment means could be made by a combination of several of the aforementioned mechanisms and / or other similar adjustment mechanisms.

In all these different embodiments, the free axial distance actually available for the axial displacement of the control mechanism 1 between the outer end 5.2 of the tube 5 fixed in the watch case 4 and the second end 2.2 of the lever 2 in its open position can be easily controlled and adjusted using a tool, this during the production of the device and then throughout the life of the product during an after-sales intervention. The closing force of the lever 2 is then always adjustable with precision.

This in part removes the high constraints on manufacturing tolerances of the device components and no longer requires their positioning as accurate as before, facilitating production and decreasing scrap. Since the setting of the closing force can be carried out throughout the life of the product, also the after-sales service is simplified. The operation of the device with an optimum closing force can be ensured under better circumstances from the production of the device and the reliability of the watch can be more easily preserved, for example in case of unavoidable wear parts due to friction between them by a simple subsequent re-adjustment.

Claims (10)

1. Watch comprising a control mechanism such as a winding crown and/or setting crown and a safety device für this control mechanism, said control mechanism comprising a lever (2) articulated on a supporting structure (3) attached to the watchcase (4), where said lever (2) can be actuated via a first end (2.1) of the lever (2) so that it may take up two stable positions, one open where the control mechanism (1) is set free, and another closed where a second end (2.2) of the lever (2) exerts a closing force on said control mechanism (1) that is adapted to block the control mechanism (1), this latter being mounted so as to be axially displaceable through a pipe (5) within the watchcase (4), characterised in that the safety device comprises adjusting means (6) for the free axial distance effectively available for the axial displacement of the control mechanism (1) between the outer end (5.2) of the pipe (2) that is fixed within the watchcase (4) and the second end (2.2) of the lever (2) in its open position, so as to allow the closing force of the lever (2) to be adjusted.
2. Device according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said adjusting means comprise a threaded ring (6) screwed onto the pipe (5) at its end directed toward the outside of the watch, this end of pipe (5) being threaded on its outer diameter, so that the ring (6) may be axially displaced on pipe (5) by screwing so as to adjust the distance between the outer surface (6.2) of the ring (6) and the inner surface (1.1) of the control mechanism (1).
3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said adjusting means are realised in part at least by the pipe (5) being screwed into the watchcase (4) in such a way that the end of the pipe (5) oriented toward the outside of the watch could be axially displaced by screwing in order to adjust the distance between the outer surface (5.2) of the pipe (5) and the inner surface (1.1) of the control mechanism (1).
4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said adjusting means comprise a ring threaded on its inner diameter that is screwed onto a rod (1.3) of the control mechanism (1) traversing said pipe (5), this ring being placed at the end of said control mechanism (1) that is oriented toward the watchcase (4) next to the inner surface (1.1) of the control mechanism (1) and onto a threaded part of the outer diameter of said rod (1.3) so that the ring could be axially displaced on the rod (1.3) by screwing in order to adjust the distance between the outer surface (5.2) of the pipe (2) and the ring's inner surface that is oriented toward the watchcase.
5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said adjusting means comprise a disc threaded on its outer diameter that is screwed into a compartment of the control mechanism (1), this compartment being placed at the end of said control mechanism (1) that is oriented toward the lever (2) next to the outer surface (1.2) of the control mechanism (1) and having a segment threaded on its inner diameter, so that the disc could be axially displaced within the compartment by screwing in order to adjust the distance between the outer surface of said disc and the inner supporting surface (2.3) of the second end (2.2) of the lever (2).
6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said adjusting means comprise two eccentrics placed into the supporting structure (3) on which the lever (2) is articulated, each of these eccentrics holding one end of the axis of articulation (2.4) of the lever (2) and being able to be adjusted by rotation within the supporting structure (3) in such a way that the axial distance between said axis of articulation (2.4) of the lever (2) and the outer end (5.2) of the pipe (5) that is fixed within the watchcase (4) could be adjusted by a displacement of the eccentrics within said supporting structure (3).
7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said adjusting means comprise an eccentric placed into the second end (2.2) of the lever (2) and able to be adjusted by rotation within this end, where one part of said eccentric that is oriented toward the control mechanism (1) in the closed position of the lever (2) constitutes an inner supporting surface (2.3) on the lever (2), so that the axial distance between this inner supporting surface (2.3) of the second end (2.2) of the lever (2) and the outer surface (1.2) of the control mechanism (1) could be adjusted by displacing said eccentric within the second end (2.2) of the lever (2).
8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said adjusting means comprise means for adjusting the distance between the supporting structure (3) on which the lever (2) is articulated, and the watchcase (4), in such a way that the axial distance between the axis of articulation (2.4) of the lever (2) and the outer end (5.2) of the pipe (5) that is fixed within the watchcase (4) could be adjusted by axial displacement of said supporting structure (3) on the watchcase.
9. Device according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said means for adjusting comprise spacers of different thicknesses placed between the watchcase (4) and the supporting structure (3), these spacers securing a given distance between the axis of articulation (2.4) of the lever (2) and the outer end (5.2) of the pipe (5) that is fixed within the watchcase (4).
10. Device according to claim 8, characterised in that said means for adjusting comprise screws housed within the feet of the supporting structure (3) and securing a given distance between the axis of articulation (2.4) of the lever (2) and the outer end (5.2) of the pipe (5) that is fixed within the watchcase (4).

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