Timepiece component, timepiece and method of manufacturing a timepiece component

Abstract

The invention relates to a timepiece assembly, a timepiece and a method for manufacturing a timepiece assembly. The timepiece assembly has a first part and a removable cover which can adopt a fastened configuration and a free configuration. The first part comprises at least one first locking member and a movable lock. The cover comprises at least one first assembly member designed to cooperate with the first locking member of the first part and a second assembly member designed to cooperate with the movable lock. In the fastened configuration, the first locking member of the first part and the first assembly member of the cover are engaged. The movable lock is engaged with the second assembly member of the cover. The cover is fastened in a locked manner to the first part. In the free configuration, the movable lock occupies an open position in which it releases the second assembly member of the cover and allows the cover to be separated from the first part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a watch assembly having at least one cover. The invention also relates to a watch including such a watch assembly. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing such a watch assembly. Background Technology

[0002] To improve scratch resistance and / or alter the appearance of watch components, particularly external watch components such as bracelet clasps, bracelet links, or the center of the watch case, it is known to fasten a cover to a vulnerable and / or visible part of the watch component. Such an ideal cover should meet the following requirements:

[0003] - It should allow for assembly with watch components in a simple manner with no risk of damage;

[0004] - It should be robust enough to withstand external loads such as impacts and scratches;

[0005] - It should be secured in a reliable manner to avoid accidental disassembly;

[0006] - It should have an attractive aesthetic appearance.

[0007] Due to their properties, particularly the materials of the cover and components, existing solutions such as brazing cannot satisfactorily meet all these requirements. Therefore, the overall objective of this invention is to propose a novel solution for a watch assembly with a cover that improves upon existing solutions by optimally satisfying the aforementioned requirements.

[0008] More specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide a solution for a clock assembly with a cover that is robust, reliable, easy to implement, and capable of having an attractive aesthetic appearance. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Therefore, the present invention relates to a watch assembly having a first component and a removable cover, the watch assembly being capable of employing a fastening configuration for fastening the cover to the first component and a free configuration for separating the cover from the first component, the first component including at least one first locking member and a movable lock, and the cover including at least one first assembly member for engaging with the first locking member of the first component and a second assembly member for engaging with the movable lock of the first component, such that in the fastening configuration of the watch assembly, the first locking member of the first component and the first assembly member of the cover engage and the movable lock occupies a closed position engaging with the second assembly member of the cover, thereby locking the cover to the first component, and in the free configuration, the movable lock occupies an open position releasing the second assembly member of the cover, thereby allowing the cover to be separated from the first component.

[0010] The movable lock is mounted on the first component, thereby enabling translational and / or rotational movement.

[0011] The first component includes at least one first opening, and the movable lock includes a lock opening, the at least one first opening and the lock opening being configured such that they substantially face each other when the movable lock is in the closed position, and the clock assembly includes a telescopic rod capable of engaging with the at least one first opening and the lock opening when the movable lock is in the closed position to lock the closed position of the movable lock and the fastening configuration of the clock assembly, and capable of releasing the at least one first opening and the lock opening by retracting the telescopic rod, thereby allowing the movable lock to move and transition from the fastening configuration to the free configuration of the clock assembly.

[0012] The axis of the at least one first opening and the axis of the lock opening are offset in the closed position of the movable lock, such that in the closed position of the movable lock, the engagement between the telescopic rod and the at least one first opening and the lock opening can apply a force to the movable lock against the first component of the watch assembly and / or against the second assembly member of the cover.

[0013] The watch assembly also includes a gap compensation element inserted between the movable lock and the cover, the gap compensation element being made of a flexible and / or deformable material and designed to be compressed between the cover and the movable lock when the movable lock is in its first closed position and / or the movable lock abutting against the material when it is in its first closed position.

[0014] The cover is in the form of a substantially planar and elongated element, wherein at least one first assembly member and a second assembly member are disposed at two opposite distal ends of the cover, and these assembly members are disposed on the side of the cover surface oriented toward the first component of the watch assembly.

[0015] The first locking member of the first component, the movable lock of the first component, the at least one first assembly member of the cover and / or the second assembly member of the cover are in the form of hooks and / or notches.

[0016] The watch assembly is a watch bracelet clasp cover, wherein: the cover is a substantially planar element that can extend, in whole or in part, over the upper surface of the watch bracelet clasp cover in the fastening configuration of the watch assembly; or the first component of the watch bracelet clasp cover includes a U-shaped cross-section formed by the upper surface, two opposing and substantially parallel side surfaces extending perpendicularly from the upper surface, the upper surface having a substantially rectangular planar orthogonal projection, the cover being designed to extend, in whole or in part, over the entire length and width of the upper surface of the watch bracelet clasp cover, and / or the first component includes an upper surface with a recessed portion such that the cover can cover the recessed portion of the upper surface in the fastening configuration of the watch assembly.

[0017] The cover is a one-piece component.

[0018] The cover is made of ceramic, cermet, glass, sapphire, mother-of-pearl, amber, or natural or artificial gemstones.

[0019] The translational motion is a circular translational motion.

[0020] The present invention also relates to a clock, wherein the clock includes the aforementioned clock components.

[0021] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a watch assembly, the watch assembly being the aforementioned watch assembly, the method comprising the steps of: fastening the cover to a first component of the watch assembly; assembling a first assembly member of the cover with a first locking member of the first component; positioning the cover in its final position provided by the fastening configuration of the watch assembly; and actuating the movable lock of the first component to enter a closed position engaging with a second assembly member of the cover; and the method further comprising the additional step of locking the closed position of the movable lock on the first component using a telescopic rod. Attached Figure Description

[0022] These objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be disclosed in detail in the following non-limiting description of specific embodiments given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 A perspective view of an open watch buckle including a cover with a lid, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is depicted.

[0024] Figure 2 A partial perspective cross-sectional view of a cover including a cover body and a buckle, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is depicted in a fastening configuration.

[0025] Figure 3 A partial perspective view depicts a cover including a cover body and a buckle in a fastening configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 4 An exploded partial perspective view of a cover including a cover body and a buckle, according to a variation of an embodiment of the present invention, is depicted.

[0027] Figure 5 A side view of a watch cover including a cover body and a buckle according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the assembly stage, is depicted, cut along a central vertical longitudinal plane.

[0028] Figure 6 Depicting and Figure 5 The same cross-sectional side view, but the cover including the cover body and the buckle according to an embodiment of the invention are in the middle construction.

[0029] Figure 7 Depicting and Figure 5 and Figure 6 The same cross-sectional side view, but the cover including the cover body and the buckle according to an embodiment of the invention is in a fastening configuration.

[0030] Figure 8 A top view of a watch clasp in a closed configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention is depicted, including a cover in a fastening configuration.

[0031] Figure 9 The bar of the watch clasp in the fastening mechanism is depicted. Figure 8 Detailed view.

[0032] Figure 10 Depicting the bar at the location of the freely constructed watch clasp Figure 8 Detailed view. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To simplify the description of the embodiments, by convention, this document uses the term "longitudinal direction" for the direction along the length of the clasp or strap of the watch bracelet, and particularly in consideration of the closed construction of the clasp, uses the term "lateral direction" for the direction perpendicular to the length of the clasp or strap in the plane of the clasp (more specifically, the plane of the clasp blades or cover). The vertical direction is the direction perpendicular to the first two directions, oriented perpendicular to the plane of the clasp (more specifically, the plane of the clasp blades or cover). The adjectives "up" and "down" will be used in relation to this vertical direction. By extension, these directions and definitions apply to the clasp cover, taking into account possible positions within the clasp.

[0034] Figure 1 A watch clasp for a watch bracelet according to an embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The clasp includes two blades 1 and 2 hinged about an axis at one end. The free end of blade 1 is integrally formed with a first hinge pin for hinged complementary covers 7 and 7c and a second hinge pin for hinged end of one of the straps of the watch bracelet. The free end of blade 2 is integrally formed with a movable structure 3 hinged to be rotatable. Therefore, the clasp can employ… Figure 1 The diagram shows the partially unfolded open position and the closed position where the second blade 2 and structure 3 are folded together and locked onto the first blade 1. The first watch chain strap is fastened to the second end of the first blade 1, and the end of the second watch chain strap is fastened to the free end of the movable structure 3.

[0035] More specifically, this invention relates to a cover for a watch clasp. The cover is primarily integrated into the structure 3 of the watch clasp. The cover includes a first component 13 with an inverted U-shaped vertical cross-section, having a user-visible upper surface and two sidewalls substantially perpendicular to the upper surface, which are used to laterally and integrally cover the watch clasp and its mechanism to conceal them in the closed position and ensure the aesthetic appearance of the solution. The cover also includes a removable cover body 13c (or covering). Thus, the cover body can be fastened to the first component 13 using a fastening configuration, and can also be detached from the first component 13 using a free configuration.

[0036] Additionally, the clasp includes complementary covers 7, 7c, which are disposed on the first leaf 1 and folded downwards to close the cover, positioned to be continuous with the cover disposed on the movable structure 3, and also cover the locking lever 12, thus forming a single cover for the clasp including a safety element. This complementary cover component has a structure similar to that described above, namely a first component 7 that mates with the removable cover 7c. It can be assembled according to the same concept as the present invention, or assembled differently. It will not be described in more detail below.

[0037] The upper surface of the first component 13 of the cover has a planar orthogonal projection that is substantially rectangular in shape. The cover body 13c takes the form of a substantially planar and elongated element that extends along the entire length of the upper surface of the cover and along a portion of the width of the upper surface of the cover, for example, between 20% and 100%, or even between 30% and 90%, or even between 45% and 55% of the width of the upper surface of the cover. It may or may not be centrally positioned on the cover. Preferably, in a fastening configuration, the cover body 13c is disposed in a portion of the thickness of the upper surface of the first component of the cover that is recessed from the first component 13, such that it covers the recessed portion and occupies the volume released by the recessed portion. Thus, for example, the upper surface of the cover is continuous with the upper surface of the first component, thereby forming a generally continuous upper surface of the cover. Alternatively, the upper surface of the cover body is recessed or protrudes from the upper surface of the first component.

[0038] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the cover along the vertical longitudinal mid-plane according to an embodiment is depicted. Figure 3 An exploded view without the locking lever 12 is depicted. These views can be used to visualize a device for fastening the cover 13c to the first part of the cover. The cover 13c includes at least one first assembly member 40 and a second assembly member 41, respectively disposed at their opposite distal ends, with the surface of the cover 13c oriented toward the first part 13 of the cover on this side, i.e., it serves as the lower surface of the cover according to a chosen convention. Additionally, the first part 13 of the cover includes at least one first locking member 50 and a movable lock 9. Figure 2 In the depicted fastening structure, the first assembly member 40 of the cover 13c engages with the first locking member 50 of the first component 13, and the second assembly member 41 of the cover 13c engages with the movable lock 9 of the first component 13, particularly with the second locking member 51 (second hook-shaped member) integrally formed with the lock 9. Therefore, in the fastening structure of the cover, the first locking member 50 of the first component 13 and the first assembly member 40 of the cover 13c are engaged. In the fastening structure of the cover, the second locking member 51 of the first component 13 and the second assembly member 41 of the cover 13c are also engaged.

[0039] Advantageously, the cover 13c is in the form of a one-piece component. It can also advantageously be made of a material different from that of the first component 13, particularly of a material with impact-resistant and scratch-resistant mechanical properties and / or an attractive aesthetic, such as ceramic, cermet, glass, sapphire, mother-of-pearl, amber, or natural or synthetic gemstones. As a variation, it can be made of metal and / or the same material as the first component 13.

[0040] Preferably, the first component 13 of the cover is made of a metal alloy, such as stainless steel, gold, platinum, bronze or titanium.

[0041] According to the operation described below, the movable lock 9 can occupy a closed position and an open position. It includes a locking member 51 designed to mate with a second assembly member 41 of the cover 13c. The first member 13 preferably includes a first opening 16 disposed in each of its side walls, which is in the form of a cutout in the inner surface of these side walls, and the movable lock 9 includes a lock opening 6, the first opening 16 and the lock opening 6 being arranged such that they substantially face each other when the lock 9 is in the closed position. Therefore, when the movable lock 9 is in the closed position, as... Figure 9 As shown, the telescopic rod 11 can cooperate with the first opening 16 and the lock opening 6 to lock the closed position of the movable lock 9, thereby locking the fastening structure of the cover.

[0042] The cover also includes a gap compensation element 22 inserted between the lock 9 and the cover body 13c, which is made of a flexible and / or deformable material and is designed to be compressed between the cover body 13c and the lock 9 when the lock 9 is in its first closed position and / or the movable lock 9 abuts against the material in its closed position. This gap compensation element can reduce the degrees of freedom of movement caused by manufacturing tolerances.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the two assembly members 40, 41 of the cover have hook-shaped cross sections that extend over the entire width of the cover and form a notch that matches the complementary shape of at least one locking member 50 of the first member 13 and at least one locking member 51 of the lock 9.

[0044] Figure 4 An exploded view of a variation of the embodiment is depicted. The geometry of the second locking member 51, which engages with the second assembly member 41 which is itself limited to a portion of the width of the cover 13c, is in the form of a notch in the lock 9.

[0045] Of course, the invention is not limited to the described examples and variations of embodiments. In particular, any other number of locking members (hook-like members) may be present on the first component and any other number of assembly members may be present on the cover. Furthermore, these members may be in another form and in a different position. For example, these members may take the form of hooks and / or notches and / or cutouts and / or grooves and / or lugs and / or beams. Similarly, the cover may take any other shape and any other position on the first component, not necessarily centered. It may take any other geometry.

[0046] Now refer to Figures 5 to 7 The assembly of the buckle according to the embodiment is explained in terms of the transition from a free structure to a fastened structure on the first part 13 of the cover 13c.

[0047] Figure 5 The first assembly stage is depicted, in which the first assembly member 40 of the cover 13c is connected to the locking member 50 of the first component 13. Then, the cover 13c is folded downwards onto the first component 13 by pivoting about the axis formed around the connection between members 40 and 50, until it reaches its final position. Figure 6 The depicted intermediate structure. The movable lock 9 is in the open position, which is achieved through a gap cutout provided in the cover. Figure 5 In the diagram, the lever 11, which can be used to lock the lock 9 in the secure position, is not shown to illustrate the offset between the first opening 16 and the lock opening 6 in the open position. In the open position, the pivot 11a of the lever 11 retracts, as... Figure 10 As shown.

[0048] In the intermediate configuration, the cover is in its final position but not locked, and therefore can be removed. In fact, the movable lock 9 is in its open position, in which it does not engage with the second assembly member 41 of the cover 13c. The rod 11, inserted into the lock opening 6, is not positioned facing the first opening 16; its pivot 11a is as follows... Figure 10 It retracts as shown.

[0049] Then, the lock 9 is moved to its closed position, in which its locking member 51 engages with the second assembly member 41 of the cover 13c. Thus, the cover reaches... Figure 7 The depicted fastening mechanism allows the cover 13c to no longer be released. As previously described, in this closed position of the lock 9, the lock opening 6 of the lock 9 is substantially aligned with the two corresponding first openings 16 of the first component 13. Therefore, the pivot 11a of the lever 11 can be fitted into these two first openings 16 and held in the locked position, as... Figure 9 As shown. Therefore, the cover 13c is locked onto the first part of the cover 13.

[0050] For example, lock 9 is thus mounted to be capable of translational movement within the cover. For this purpose, it can be mounted in slide rails provided in the sidewalls of the first component 13 of the cover, which guide its movement. Therefore, the translational movement is guided by these slide rails and can be substantially longitudinal, or slightly curved to follow the curvature of the cover. Thus, the aforementioned translation is not limited to linear translation: it can be curved or even circular. As a variation, lock 9 can have different constructions and be capable of movement in different ways, such as rotational movement. Lock 9 is mounted on the first component.

[0051] According to a variant embodiment, the axis of the lock opening 6 of the lock 9 and the axis of the opening 16 of the first component 13 are slightly offset in the closed position of the lock, such that the engagement between the removable lever 11 and the two openings in the closed position of the movable lock 9 allows a force to be applied to the lock 9 against the first component 13 of the cover and / or against the second assembly member 41 of the cover body 13c. Therefore, the lever 11 clamps the assembly member 51 of the lock 9 onto the cover 13, thereby applying tension to the cover body 13c through the slight bending of the lever 11, thereby ensuring that the cover body 13c is accurately and without gaps held in the proper position on the first component 13 of the cover.

[0052] Figure 8 A plan view of a closed watch buckle in a fastening configuration, as seen from the surface (lower surface) opposite the surface having the cover, according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 9 and Figure 10 yes Figure 8 A magnified view of the z-axis in the middle region.

[0053] It should be noted that, such as Figure 10 As shown, lever 11 advantageously includes lever pivot 11a, which retracts in the open position of lock 9 and is released during the latter's movement, as... Figure 9 As shown, this allows access into the first opening 16 of the first component 13 of the cover in the closed position. Therefore, the invention is applicable to any embodiment in which the first component 13 includes at least one first opening 16.

[0054] By taking the reverse steps described above, from Figure 7 The fastening mechanism is transformed into a free mechanism that allows the cover 13c to be removed from the cover. By using a tool to retract the pivot 11a of the lever 11, the lock can be moved from its closed position to its open position, and then the cover 13c can be removed.

[0055] The invention has already been described in relation to the cover used for watch clasps. However, as previously stated, the same concept can be implemented in any other watch component.

[0056] The present invention also relates to a clock, particularly a wristwatch, comprising at least one clock component as described above.

[0057] The present invention also relates to a watchband comprising a clasp as described above. The present invention further relates to a watch comprising such a watchband.

[0058] Finally, the present invention achieves its intended purpose and has the following advantages:

[0059] - It allows for the assembly of the cover onto the watch components in a simple manner without any risk of damage;

[0060] - It is compatible with the use of robust covers that can withstand external loads such as impacts and scratches;

[0061] - It allows for a reliable fastening of the cover, preventing accidental disassembly;

[0062] - The cover can be easily removed without any risk of damaging the watch components, meaning the cover can be replaced if necessary;

[0063] - This solution is compatible with the use of a variety of materials, including those commonly used to achieve an aesthetic appearance.

[0064] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a watch assembly, comprising the steps of: fastening a cover 13c to a first component 13 of the watch assembly; assembling a first assembly member 40 of the cover 13c with a first locking member 50 of the first component 13; positioning the cover 13c in its final position provided in the fastening configuration of the watch assembly; and then actuating a movable lock 9 of the first component 13 into a closed position that engages with a second assembly member 41 of the cover 13c. The method includes an additional step of locking the movable lock 9 in the closed position on the first component 13 using a lever 11.

Claims

1. A watch assembly having a first component (13) and a removable cover (13c), the watch assembly being capable of fastening the cover (13c) to the first component (13) and being free to separate the cover (13c) from the first component (13), the first component (13) including at least one first locking member (50) and a movable lock (9), and the cover (13c) including at least one first assembly member (40) for engaging with the first locking member (50) of the first component (13) and a second assembly member (41) for engaging with the movable lock (9) of the first component (13). The first locking member (50) of the first component (13) and the first assembly member (40) of the cover (13c) engage in the fastening configuration of the watch assembly, and the movable lock (9) occupies a closed position in which it engages with the second assembly member (41) of the cover (13c), thereby locking the cover (13c) to the first component (13) in a locked manner, and in the free configuration, the movable lock (9) occupies an open position in which it releases the second assembly member (41) of the cover (13c), thereby allowing the cover (13c) to separate from the first component (13).

2. The watch assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The movable lock (9) is mounted on the first component (13), thereby enabling translational and / or rotational movement.

3. The watch assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first component (13) includes at least one first opening (16) and wherein the movable lock (9) includes a lock opening (6), the at least one first opening (16) and the lock opening (6) being configured such that they substantially face each other when the movable lock (9) is in the closed position, and wherein the clock assembly includes a telescopic rod (11) which is capable of engaging with the at least one first opening (16) and the lock opening (6) when the movable lock (9) is in the closed position to lock the closed position of the movable lock (9) and to lock the fastening configuration of the clock assembly, and is capable of releasing the at least one first opening (16) and the lock opening (6) by retracting the telescopic rod, thereby allowing the movable lock (9) to move and transition from the fastening configuration of the clock assembly to the free configuration.

4. The watch assembly according to claim 3, wherein, The axis of the at least one first opening (16) and the axis of the lock opening (6) are offset in the closed position of the movable lock (9) such that in the closed position of the movable lock (9), the engagement between the telescopic rod (11) and the at least one first opening (16) and the lock opening (6) can apply a force to the movable lock (9) against the first component (13) of the watch assembly and / or against the second assembly member (41) of the cover (13c).

5. The watch assembly according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a gap compensation element (22) inserted between the movable lock (9) and the cover (13c), the gap compensation element being made of a flexible and / or deformable material and designed to be compressed between the cover (13c) and the movable lock (9) when the movable lock (9) is in its first closed position and / or the movable lock (9) abutting against the material when it is in its first closed position.

6. The watch assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The cover (13c) is in the form of a substantially planar and elongated element, wherein at least one first assembly member (40) and a second assembly member (41) are disposed at two opposite distal ends of the cover (13c), and these assembly members are disposed on the side of the surface of the cover (13c) oriented toward the first part (13) of the watch assembly.

7. The watch assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first locking member (50) of the first component (13), the movable lock (9) of the first component (13), the at least one first assembly member (40) of the cover (13c) and / or the second assembly member (41) of the cover (13c) are in the form of hooks and / or notches.

8. The watch assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein it is a watchband clasp cover, and wherein: - The cover (13c) is a substantially planar element that can extend over the entirety or part of the upper surface of the watch chain clasp cover in the fastening configuration of the watch assembly. or - The first component (13) of the watch strap clasp cover includes a U-shaped cross-section formed by an upper surface, two opposing and substantially parallel side surfaces extending perpendicularly from the upper surface, the upper surface having a substantially rectangular planar orthogonal projection, the cover body (13c) being designed to extend over the entire length of the upper surface of the watch strap clasp cover and over the entirety or part of the width of the upper surface of the watch strap clasp cover, and / or the first component (13) includes an upper surface with a recessed portion such that the cover body (13c) can cover the recessed portion of the upper surface in the fastening configuration of the watch assembly.

9. The watch assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The cover (13c) is a one-piece component.

10. The watch assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The cover (13c) is made of ceramic, cermet, glass, sapphire, mother-of-pearl, amber, or natural or artificial gemstones.

11. The watch assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The translational motion is a circular translational motion.

12. A clock, wherein, The clock includes a clock assembly according to any one of claims 1-11.

13. A method for manufacturing a watch component, said watch component being a watch component according to any one of claims 1 to 11, said method comprising the following steps: The cover (13c) is fastened to the first part (13) of the watch assembly, the first assembly member (40) of the cover (13c) is assembled with the first locking member (50) of the first part (13), the cover (13c) is positioned in the final position provided by the fastening structure of the watch assembly, and the movable lock (9) of the first part (13) is actuated to enter a closed position that engages with the second assembly member (41) of the cover (13c), and the method includes the additional step of locking the closed position of the movable lock (9) on the first part (13) using a telescopic rod (11).

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