Watch case including a waterproof seal

Abstract

The invention relates to a watch case (1) comprising: – at least first (11), second (13) third (15) distinct dressing elements, each of these dressing elements (11, 13, 15) being adjacent to the other two; – at least one sealing gasket (17) arranged to ensure sealing between said dressing elements (11, 13, 15).

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking. More particularly, it concerns a waterproof watch case. State of the art

[0002] A conventional watch case consists of a plurality of casing elements (case middle, back, crystal, etc.) assembled together to form a case. Each interface between two of these elements presents a potential pathway for the infiltration of moisture or dust, and these junctions are typically sealed by means of simple gaskets, bonding, or welding. These gaskets are typically ring-shaped, but other shapes are suitable for non-circular watches.

[0003] A typical construction ensures that each interface exists exclusively between two elements, in order to simplify the task of ensuring the case's water resistance. For interfaces that must be removable during maintenance of the timepiece, the use of gaskets is preferred over welding or bonding, since it is difficult to detach or desolder such an interface without risking damage to the casing elements in question.

[0004] However, such a conventional construction poses problems when one wishes to give a more complex shape to a watch case.

[0005] For this purpose, the "Ferrari" piece from Hublot may be cited. A version of this piece is described in the design registered under number USD 742 255, and is reproduced in Fig. 1 of this application.

[0006] This part comprises a watch case 1 of complex shape, including several crystals 3, 5 located on several faces of the case 1. However, in order to make the case watertight by means of conventional seals, each crystal 3, 5 has only one interface with another component of the case, in particular the case middle 7. The front crystal 3 and the upper crystal 5 are therefore each surrounded by a unitary element of the case middle, an arch-shaped part 9 of which is common to both crystals 3, 5.

[0007] Therefore, a first simple seal surrounding the front glass 3 and a second simple seal surrounding the upper glass 5 can ensure the sealing of the box 1.

[0008] However, in the commercial version of this part, the arch-shaped element 9 is not molded from the case 7, but is an added piece used as a bonding support, the seal between the two glass panes being thus ensured by glue. Disassembly of the case is therefore very difficult and risks damaging the trim elements as mentioned above.

[0009] The construction of this part therefore illustrates how manufacturers have hitherto been forced to arrange the trim elements in pairs so that each interface is limited to two elements. The construction possibilities have thus been limited.

[0010] The object of the invention is therefore to propose a watch case in which the aforementioned defects are at least partially overcome. Disclosure of the invention

[0011] More specifically, the invention relates to a watch case as defined in the independent claim.

[0012] This watch case comprises at least three separate casing elements, each of these casing elements being adjacent to the other two, as well as a sealing gasket arranged to ensure sealing between said casing elements.

[0013] According to the invention, said sealing joint comprises a one-piece, three-dimensionally shaped gasket, said gasket being adapted to ensure sealing both between said first and second cladding elements, between said second and third cladding elements, and between said first and third cladding elements.

[0014] In doing so, complex and / or unusual box shapes can be created, these boxes being detachable since no glue is needed to ensure the seal of the assembly. This is all the more important when a junction between the first and second cladding elements is located in a plane making a non-zero angle with a junction between the first and third cladding elements.

[0015] Advantageously, said gasket comprises a first part arranged to ensure sealing between the first and second cladding elements, a second part arranged to ensure sealing between the first and third cladding elements, and a third part arranged to ensure sealing between the second and third cladding elements. Since each part of the gasket is dedicated to a particular junction between two elements, sealing is reliably ensured.

[0016] In so doing, said trim advantageously comprises at least two "T" or "Y" shaped junctions between at least three parts comprising said trim.

[0017] Advantageously, said first casing element is a first half-case, and said second casing element is a second half-case, said half-cases together forming a case.

[0018] Advantageously, said third trim element is a glass positioned on a side wall of the assembly formed by said first half-case and said second half-case. The use of the aforementioned trim thus enables such a construction, which until now could not be achieved in an easily removable form. In this way, said glass can present a watertight interface with each of said half-cases.

[0019] Alternatively, said third casing element may be a crown-stem assembly, said stem extending along an opening arranged at the interface between said half-cases. It is thus possible to position the stem at the junction between the half-cases, instead of having to drill a hole in one of them. The opening in question may be defined by grooves provided in each of said half-cases.

[0020] In another embodiment, said trim comprises first and second parts having respective portions that intersect almost tangentially in the region of their junction. This makes it possible to seal a case back to a case middle, as well as a side crystal extending to the case back, without having to provide separate and isolated grooves for two conventional trims. The grooves can therefore communicate with each other, which makes it possible to construct a compact watch case.

[0021] In this variant, said first dressing element may be a case back or a top glass (i.e. located on the dial side of the case), said second dressing element may be a case middle, and said third element may be a side glass.

[0022] The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a watch case as defined above. Brief description of the drawings

[0023] Other details of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: <tb>fig. 1 <sep>is an isometric view of a timepiece from the earlier art; <tb>fig. 2 <sep>is an exploded isometric view of a watch case according to the invention; <tb>fig. 3 <sep>is an isometric view of the watch case in Fig. 2, in its assembled state; <tb>fig. 4 <sep>is an isometric view of the trim shown in Fig. 2; <tb>fig. 5 <sep>is an isometric view of another trim that can be used in a watch case according to the invention; <tb>fig. 6 <sep>is an exploded isometric view of another variant of a watch case according to the invention; <tb>fig. 7 <sep>is an isometric view of the watch case in Fig. 6, in its assembled state; <tb>fig. 8 <sep>is an isometric view of the trim shown in Fig. 6; and <tb>fig. 9 <sep>is an exploded isometric view of an additional variant of a watch case according to the invention. Embodiments of the invention

[0024] Figures 2 and 3 schematically illustrate a watch case 1 according to the invention. The watch case 1 of this embodiment is formed of several casing elements, of which a first 11 is a lower half-case, a second 13 is an upper half-case, and a third 15 is a side crystal. In the figures, these casing elements 11, 13, 15 have been schematically represented as simple square shapes, but they can take any shape according to the manufacturer's preference.

[0025] In its assembled state (Fig. 2), the glass 15 is located on a lateral face of the case 1, and therefore has an interface with each of the half-cases 11, 13. Furthermore, the half-cases 11, 13 also have an interface with each other. More generally, each of the three casing elements 11, 13, 15 has a junction, and therefore an interface, with each of the other two elements. That being said, it would thus be impossible to ensure the sealing of all three casing elements 11, 13, 15 by means of conventional gaskets, since at the points where there is a junction common to all three elements 11, 13, 15, no known simple gasket can prevent moisture penetration.

[0026] The half-cases 11, 13 can be made of opaque or transparent material, such as metal, ceramic, glass, sapphire, polymer, resin-impregnated carbon fibers, or any other suitable material.

[0027] It is clear from the construction proposed in Figs. 2 and 3 that gluing the three casing elements 11, 13, 15 would be possible to ensure the sealing of the assembly, but is not desirable for the reasons already mentioned in the preamble. Therefore, the invention proposes the use of a three-dimensionally shaped gasket 17, which is shown in Fig. 4.

[0028] This trim comprises a first part 17a dedicated to sealing between the first and second 13 casing elements 11, 13, i.e. between the two half-cases 11, 13. A second part 17b seals the interface between the first and third casing elements 11, 15, and a third part 17c fulfills the same function between the second and third elements 13, 15. The section of the trim 17 illustrated is circular, but it could also be oval, square, rectangular, polygonal, or any other suitable shape.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the first part 17a of the trim 17 lies in a first plane defined by the interface between the first and second trim elements 11, 13, and said second and third parts 17b, 17c lie in a second plane forming a non-zero angle with said first plane, in particular an angle of 90° in this case. However, it is not necessary for the parts 17a, 17b, 17c of the trim to be planar; they may follow curves or other complex shapes as desired by the manufacturer, if it wishes to give a more complex shape to the watch case 1.

[0030] At the junction points 17d between the three parts 17a, 17b, 17c, the gasket forms a "T", which ensures the sealing of this critical point, without requiring glue.

[0031] In the service position, the seal 17 is located in corresponding grooves 19a, 19b provided for this purpose in each of the first 11 and second 13 cladding elements. An additional groove may also be provided on the third cladding element 15 if necessary, but it is not mandatory for each element 11, 13, 15 to have a groove, since a gasket housed in a groove so that it protrudes from it can cooperate with a flat surface to seal the joint between the elements in question.

[0032] In this embodiment, the half-cases 11, 13 are joined to each other by means of a plurality of screws 21, but it is also possible to join the half-cases 11, 13 to each other by other means. Examples include bayonet fastening systems, screwing one of the elements onto the other, or any other suitable means.

[0033] Furthermore, the glass 15 is also screwed onto each of the adjacent elements 11, 13 by means of screws 23. Again, other fastening systems are possible, such as notches or grooves forming part of the two half-frames 11, 13, and which are adapted to hold the glass 15 in position.

[0034] The second trim element 13, i.e., the upper half-frame, is provided with a recess 27 on one of its faces. A fourth trim element 25, which may be, for example, an additional glass pane, a decorative element, or something similar, is housed in this recess. The seal of the joint between the elements concerned is ensured by means of a conventional sealing gasket 29.

[0035] Once assembled, the watch case 1 defines a housing 31 intended to house a watch movement of any type (not illustrated).

[0036] Fig. 5 illustrates a variant of a trim 17 adapted to another shape of watch case 1. In this variant, the second and third parts 17b, 17c of the trim 17 form a non-zero angle with each other, and their junctions with the first part 17a are consequently Y-shaped. This trim shape 17 is therefore suitable for a situation in which the third cover element 15 has a V-shaped cross-section, the lateral faces of the first 11 and second 13 cover elements having a shape arranged to conform to the shape of the third cover element 15.

[0037] Figs. 6 to 8 illustrate another embodiment of a watch case 1 according to the invention.

[0038] In this embodiment, the first case element 11 is a conventionally shaped transparent or opaque case back, which is conventionally mounted on the second case element 13. The latter takes the form of a cylindrical case 13 that defines a housing 31 for a watch movement. The case can also be transparent or opaque. The third case element 15 is mounted on this case 13 by means of screws 23. This third case element is again a side crystal 15, and a corresponding opening 33 is provided in the side wall of the case 13 for mounting a dial, or for making the movement visible.

[0039] The seal 17 (see also Fig. 8) is formed of a first part 17a located in a groove 19c provided in the base, which ensures the seal between the base 11 and the case 13, and a second part 17b housed in a groove 19d provided in the case 13. This second part ensures the seal between the case 13 and the glass 15. The first part 17a and the second part 17b are thus located in two different planes making a non-zero angle with respect to each other, the parts 17a, 17b represent two loops which cross almost tangentially in the region of their junction 17d.The junction 17d between these two parts 17a, 17b lies on a tangent to circles defined by each part 17a, 17b (for example, circles following the midpoint of each part 17a, 17b or other circles encompassed by parts 17a, 17b and which allow the latter to merge), and effectively represents two distorted "Y" shapes (or a distorted "X" shape). It is the compression of this junction between said parts 17a, 17b that ensures the seal between the base 11, the case 13, and the side glass 15 simultaneously.

[0040] This arrangement allows the opening 33 to be positioned closer to the base 11 than is possible with the use of conventional gaskets. In the case of simple gaskets, one possibility would be to provide a closed-loop groove to house a gasket ensuring a seal between the glass 15 and the case 13. Alternatively, if a groove 19d open on the base side is to be used (as illustrated in Fig. 6), the groove 19c housing the gasket ensuring a seal between the base 11 and the case 13 must be positioned so that it does not communicate with the opening of the groove 19d. Each of these two possibilities ensures that each gasket cooperates with only two trim elements 11, 13, 15, and imposes limiting conditions on the positioning of at least one of the grooves 19c, 19d.The trim 17 according to the invention, on the other hand, can seal the three trim elements 11, 13, 15 at the same time, and allows the groove 19d of the case to communicate with that of the base 19c when the box 1 is in the assembled state.

[0041] Alternatively, the construction of Figs. 6 and 7 can be reversed, the trim element 11 being a top glass, intended to be located on the visible side of the part when worn by a user.

[0042] Fig. 9 schematically illustrates yet another variant of a watch case 1 according to the invention, of which only the three casing elements 11, 13, 15 and the trim 17 are shown. It should also be noted that the grooves necessary to house the trim 17 are not shown here, but those illustrated in Fig. 1 can be used, mutatis mutandis.

[0043] In this variant, the first 11 and second 13 case elements are half-cases, as in the variant of Fig. 1, and together form a case in the assembled state. However, the third case element is a crown-stem assembly 15 used for winding and / or controlling the movement functions (not shown), the assembly 15 comprising a crown 15a and a stem 15b. The stem 15a enters the case formed by the set of half-cases 11, 13 at the interface between them, and extends along an opening defined by corresponding grooves 35a, 35b provided in each half-case 11, 13. These grooves 35a, 35b have been schematically represented.

[0044] The first portion 17a of the gasket 17 serves to seal the interface between the two case halves 11, 13, and the second 17b and third 17c portions serve to ensure the seal between the stem 15b and the two case halves 11, 13. It should be noted that, for the sake of clarity in the figures, the opening formed between the second 17b and third 17c portions of the gasket has been exaggerated to make the passage for the stem visible. It goes without saying that these portions 17b, 17c are actually shaped so that they are in close contact with the stem 15b, in order to make the crown-stem 15 assembly sealable with respect to the case halves 11, 13. In this way, the three case elements 11, 13, 15 are sealed by means of a single gasket 17.

[0045] It is also possible to ensure the seal between the rod 15b and the housing 11, 13 indirectly, by arranging a tube (not illustrated) in the opening formed by the grooves 35a, 35b, the seal between the rod and the tube being ensured by means of an additional conventional seal.

[0046] From the foregoing, it is clear that it is thus possible to arrange a stem 15b at the interface of two case elements, instead of having to drill an opening in a case. This opens up construction possibilities not yet realized until now to the watchmaker.

[0047] Although the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to particular embodiments, other variants are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0048] In this respect, the embodiments described can be combined in any way that makes technical sense, by providing several additional parts of the trim 17 in order to make even more additional casing elements watertight. For example, several sets of second 17b and third 17c parts could be provided on the same trim, for example, to accommodate several side crystals on the same watch case, and / or for the passage of several stems 15b. Furthermore, the same trim 17 can include a structure of quasi-tangential rings as in the embodiment of Figs. 6 to 8, as well as a structure as in that of Figs. 1 to 4, to which a structure according to the variant of Fig. 9 may optionally be added.

[0049] It would also be possible to construct a watch case 1 of two, three or even more shells, the sealing of which between the shells is ensured by a single 3D gasket of the type mentioned above.

[0050] Even more possibilities and combinations of constructions are also conceivable.< / sep> < / tb> < / sep> < / tb> < / sep> < / tb> < / sep> < / tb> < / sep> < / tb> < / sep> < / tb> < / sep> < / tb> < / sep> < / tb> < / sep> < / tb>

Claims

1. Watch case (1) comprising: – at least first (11), second (13) and third (15) separate casing elements, each of these casing elements (11, 13, 15) being adjacent to the other two; – at least one sealing gasket (17) arranged to ensure sealing between said casing elements (11, 13, 15); characterized in that said sealing gasket (17) comprises a one-piece gasket (17) of three-dimensional shape, said gasket (17) being adapted to ensure sealing both between: – said first (11) and second (13) casing elements; – said second (13) and third (15) casing elements; and – said first (11) and third (15) casing elements.

2. Watch case (1) according to claim 1, in which said trim (17) comprises a first part (17a) arranged to ensure sealing between said first (11) and second (12) trim elements, a second part (17b) arranged to ensure sealing between said first (11) and third (15) trim elements, and a third part (17c) arranged to ensure sealing between said second (13) and third (15) trim elements.

3. Watch case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a junction between said first (11) and second (13) casing elements is in a plane having a non-zero angle with reference to a junction between said first (11) and third (15) casing elements.

4. Watch case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said trim (17) has at least two junctions (17d) in the shape of a "T" or a "Y" between at least three parts (17a, 17b, 17c) of said trim (17).

5. Watch case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first case element (11) is a first half-case, and said second case element (13) is a second half-case.

6. Watch case (1) according to claim 5, wherein said third dressing element (15) is a glass (15) positioned on a wall of the assembly formed by said first half-case (11) and said second half-case (13).

7. Watch case (1) according to claim 6, in which said crystal (15) has an interface with each of said half-cases (11, 13).

8. Watch case (1) according to claim 5, wherein said third case element (15) is a crown (15a) - stem (15b) assembly, of which said stem (15b) extends along an opening arranged at the interface between said half-cases.

9. Watch case (1) according to claim 8, in which said opening is defined by grooves (35a, 35b) each of which is provided in one of said half-cases (11, 13).

10. Watch case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which said trim (17) comprises a first part (17a) and a second part (17b) which have respective portions which intersect substantially tangentially in the region of their junction.

11. Watch case (1) according to claim 10, wherein said first dressing element (11) is a case back or top glass, said second dressing element (13) is a case middle, and said third element (15) is a side glass.

12. Timepiece comprising a watch case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.