Clock movement including countdown timing mechanism and striking mechanism

Abstract

The invention relates to a mechanical timepiece movement comprising a chronograph mechanism arranged to be able to perform at least one countdown of a predetermined time interval, the chronograph mechanism comprising a display device arranged to display at least the remaining time until the end of the countdown of the predetermined time interval, at least one control member for controlling the start of the countdown, and a striking mechanism arranged to start striking at a specified time before the end of the countdown and to stop striking at the end of the countdown of the predetermined time interval.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a mechanical timepiece movement comprising a chronograph mechanism arranged to be able to perform at least one countdown of a predetermined time interval, the chronograph mechanism comprising a display device, at least one member for controlling the start of the countdown, and a striking mechanism, the display device being arranged to display at least the time remaining until the end of the countdown of the time interval. Background Art

[0002] Such a movement is described, for example, in patent CH 704 705. A striking countdown mechanism is provided which enables a predetermined time period to be counted down which can be adjusted in five-minute intervals up to 11:55. A control actuated by a push pin enables the countdown to be started. The end of the countdown is indicated by a mechanical striking mechanism. The remaining time is given by two indicator discs for the hours and for the minutes. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical timepiece movement which is improved with respect to the known striking countdown mechanisms.

[0004] To this end, the invention relates to a mechanical timepiece movement comprising a chronograph mechanism arranged to be able to perform at least one countdown of a predetermined time interval, the chronograph mechanism comprising a display device, at least one control member for controlling the start of the countdown, and a striking mechanism, the display device being arranged to display at least the time remaining until the end of the countdown of the predetermined time interval.

[0005] According to the present invention, the striking mechanism is arranged to start striking at a specified time before the end of the countdown, and to stop striking when the countdown of the predetermined time interval ends.

[0006] Thus, the present invention enables triggering the striking mechanism before the end of the countdown of the predetermined time interval to warn the user that the current countdown of the predetermined time interval is about to end. Thus, the present invention enables countdown of a predetermined time with a pre-warning using a mechanical striking mechanism and synchronizing the end of the striking with the end of the countdown of the predetermined time interval.

[0007] Advantageously, the timing mechanism comprises at least one timer drive wheel and pinion arranged to be capable of performing a countdown (particularly a countdown of a predetermined time interval), the striking mechanism comprising: at least one first cam, the at least one first cam being movably connected to the timer drive wheel and pinion, and the specified time before the end of the countdown of the predetermined time interval being preset on the at least one first cam, the first cam being arranged to rotate one circle within a time greater than the specified time before the end of the countdown of the predetermined time interval; a striking gear train; a first striking rod, the first striking rod comprising a first striking feeler rod, the first striking feeler rod being arranged to be capable of cooperating with the first cam and the striking gear train to trigger a strike at the beginning of the specified time before the end of the countdown of the predetermined time interval; and a striking end mechanism, the striking end mechanism being arranged to be capable of cooperating with the first striking rod to control the stopping of the striking at the end of the specified time while the countdown of the predetermined time interval ends.

[0008] Preferably, the display device of the chronograph mechanism may include a first display member associated with the first cam and for displaying the countdown obtained by the chronograph driving wheel and the pinion.

[0009] According to a first embodiment of the invention, the first display member is arranged to display a countdown in minutes.

[0010] According to a second particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the first display member is arranged to display a countdown of seconds.

[0011] According to a second embodiment, the display device of the timing mechanism may include a second minute unit display component, which is arranged to display the minute unit countdown of the predetermined time interval, and the striking mechanism includes a second minute unit cam and a third minute unit feeler rod, the second minute unit cam is associated with the second minute unit display component, the third minute unit feeler rod is arranged to be able to cooperate with the second minute unit cam, the second minute unit cam is preset to indicate the end of the minute unit countdown to the third minute unit feeler rod, and the third minute unit feeler rod is arranged to cooperate with the first striking feeler rod, so that the first striking feeler rod cooperates with the first cam at the end of the minute unit countdown.

[0012] According to the second embodiment, the display device of the timing mechanism may include a third tens of minutes display component, which is arranged to display the countdown of tens of minutes for the predetermined time interval, and the striking mechanism includes a third tens of minutes cam and a fourth tens of minutes feeler rod, the third tens of minutes cam is associated with the third tens of minutes display component, the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod is arranged to be able to cooperate with the third tens of minutes cam, the third tens of minutes cam is preset to indicate the end of the countdown of tens of minutes to the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod, and the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod is arranged to cooperate with the third minute unit feeler rod, so that at the end of the countdown of tens of minutes, the third minute unit feeler rod cooperates with the second minute unit cam.

[0013] According to the first embodiment, the display device of the timing mechanism may include a third tens of minutes display component, which is arranged to display a countdown of tens of minutes for the predetermined time interval, and the striking mechanism includes a third tens of minutes cam and a fourth tens of minutes feeler rod, the third tens of minutes cam is associated with the third tens of minutes display component, the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod is arranged to be able to cooperate with the third tens of minutes cam, the third tens of minutes cam is preset to indicate the end of the countdown of tens of minutes to the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod, and the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod is arranged to cooperate with the first striking feeler rod, so that the first striking feeler rod cooperates with the first cam at the end of the countdown of tens of minutes.

[0014] Regardless of the embodiment, the display device of the timing mechanism may include a fourth hour display component, which is arranged to display the hour countdown of the predetermined time interval, and the striking mechanism includes a fourth hour cam and a fifth hour feeler rod, the fourth hour cam is associated with the fourth hour display component, the fifth hour feeler rod is arranged to be able to cooperate with the fourth hour cam, the fourth hour cam is preset to indicate the end of the hour countdown to the fifth hour feeler rod, and the fifth hour feeler rod is arranged to cooperate with the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod, so that the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod cooperates with the third tens of minutes cam at the end of the hour countdown.

[0015] Advantageously, the third minute unit feeler rod, the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod and the fifth hour feeler rod form a single rod, optionally, the third minute unit feeler rod, the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod and the fifth hour feeler rod also form a single rod together with the first strike feeler rod.

[0016] Preferably, the chronograph mechanism is configured to be movably connected to the basic movement via a lateral clutch or a vertical clutch.

[0017] Advantageously, according to one embodiment, the striking end mechanism includes a striking end rod, which includes a second striking end feeler rod, and the second striking end feeler rod is arranged to cooperate with the first cam to control the separation of the clutch device and the cessation of striking at the end of the countdown of the predetermined time interval.

[0018] According to this embodiment, the chronograph mechanism (particularly the chronograph second hand) stops automatically at the end of the countdown of a predetermined time interval.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the striking end mechanism includes a striking end rod and a striking stop cam, wherein the striking end rod is arranged to cooperate with the first striking rod, the striking stop cam is movably connected to the timer drive wheel and the pinion, and is arranged to control the striking end rod to stop striking at the end of the countdown of the predetermined time interval without disengaging the clutch device.

[0020] According to this embodiment, the chronograph mechanism (more specifically, the chronograph drive wheel and pinion of the chronograph mechanism) remains activated after the countdown of the predetermined time interval ends. Therefore, the first display component (more specifically, the chronograph second hand) continues to rotate without triggering the strike. The user needs to manually stop the chronograph mechanism. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following detailed description of different embodiments of the invention, provided by way of non-limiting examples, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] - Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of a movement according to the invention, with the chronograph mechanism in a stopped position;

[0023] - Figures 2 to 9 shows the different positions between the start of the countdown and the end of the countdown. Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the movement, with the controls ready for operation;

[0024] - Fig.10 A schematic diagram showing a second embodiment of a movement according to the invention;

[0025] - Fig.11 A schematic diagram showing a display member for hours, a display member for tens of minutes, and a display member for minute units;

[0026] - Fig.12 A schematic diagram showing another embodiment of a movement according to the invention, with the chronograph mechanism in a stopped position before the start of the countdown of a predetermined time interval;

[0027] - Figures 13 to 20The countdown at different positions between the end of one minute and the end of the countdown at a predetermined time interval is shown. Fig.12 A schematic diagram of the movement, and

[0028] - Fig.21 View of the movement showing the diagram in the stopped position during striking. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Reference Figure 1 The invention relates to a mechanical timepiece movement comprising a chronograph mechanism arranged to be able to perform at least one countdown of a predetermined time interval. In this description, the term "chronograph mechanism" should be considered in the broad sense of the term, that is to say, the chronograph mechanism comprises all the necessary elements or components arranged to generate a countdown of at least one time and time segment in order to perform at least one countdown.

[0030] Here, the chronograph mechanism is schematically illustrated by a chronograph drive wheel and pinion 1, where a drive wheel 2 rotates once per minute, corresponding to the chronograph seconds wheel, said drive wheel 2 being arranged to cooperate with other components of the chronograph to enable countdown, in particular countdown of a predetermined time interval. The chronograph mechanism (more specifically, the chronograph drive wheel and pinion 1) is arranged to be movably connected to the seconds wheel 4 of the basic timepiece movement indicating the current time via a vertical clutch device 6. Said vertical clutch device 6 comprises a clutch control clamp 8 and a clutch clamp 10, which are arranged to move apart when the chronograph is activated, so as to start the countdown in a manner that engages the seconds wheel 4 with the chronograph drive wheel and pinion 1 (making it possible to transfer energy from the basic movement to the chronograph mechanism for the operation of the chronograph mechanism).

[0031] Obviously, the clutch device may be transverse, wherein a person skilled in the art adapts the structure of the movement to this type of clutch.

[0032] The chronograph mechanism further comprises a control member 11 for controlling the start of the countdown, the control member being arranged to control at least the triggering of the chronograph mechanism, in particular the opening of the clamps 8 and 10, by means of a control device 12, the control device comprising a column wheel 14. The control member 11 is, for example, a push pin. If necessary, the control member can also be arranged to control the stopping of the chronograph mechanism, in particular the closing of the clamps 8 and 10, during the countdown.

[0033] According to the present invention Figures 1 to 9 In a first embodiment of the invention, the chronograph mechanism is arranged to stop automatically when the striking mechanism stops.

[0034] To this end, advantageously, the control device 12 comprises a main control 13, which can be actuated by the control member 11, and a secondary control 15, which is pivotally mounted on the main control 13 and is linked to the main control 13 by elastic members (not shown). The main control 13 and the secondary control 15 terminate with hooks 13a, 15a, respectively. The column wheel 14 comprises a first drive wheel 14a, which is rigidly connected to the column 14b and is arranged to be actuated by the hook 15a of the secondary control 15, and a second drive wheel 14c, which is arranged to be actuated by the hook 13a of the main control 13. The control device 12 also comprises a locking mechanism, which rotates the secondary control 15 on the main control 13, and which is arranged to be manually controlled by the control member 11 and automatically controlled internally by an internal control member, here the hook 56 of the end-of-stroke lever 50 to be described below.

[0035] The locking mechanism and the secondary control part 15 are arranged to be in a locked state, in which the elastic member connecting the main control part 13 and the secondary control part 15 is wound, and the secondary control part 15 is constrained to rotate together with the main control part 13, so that the column wheel 14 can be actuated simultaneously by the main control part 13 and the secondary control part 15 during the actuation of the main control part 13 by the actuation member 11, and can enter an unlocked state when the locking mechanism is actuated by the hook 56, in which the secondary control part 15 is separated from the main control part 13 and actuates the column wheel 14 alone, the elastic member is unwound, and passes through the locked position by the actuation of the main control part 13, wherein only the main control part 13 actuates the column wheel 14, and the main control part 13 is arranged to rewind the elastic member and cooperate with the locking mechanism of the secondary control part 15 to return to the locked state.

[0036] When only the second drive wheel 14c is actuated by the hook 13a of the main control part 13, the second drive wheel 14c is connected to the first drive wheel 14a by an elastic coupling element (not shown), which is arranged to link the second drive wheel 14c to the first drive wheel 14a in a manner that constrains rotation. If the secondary control part 15 has entered the unlocked state, then when only the first drive wheel 14a is actuated by the secondary control part 15 after the secondary control part is separated from the main control part 13 (due to the energy provided by the unwound elastic member), during the next manual actuation, only the main control part 13 is actuated via the control member 11, thereby separating the second drive wheel 14c from the first drive wheel 14a.

[0037] More specifically, the locking mechanism comprises a control rod 19, which is arranged to be controlled by the hook 56 to enter the unlocked state and can cooperate with the pin 21 arranged on the main control part 13 to enter the locked position and then the locked state. The locking mechanism also comprises a locking hook 22, which is carried by the main control part 15 and is arranged to be controlled by the control rod 19 via the pin 23 to enter the unlocked state and can cooperate with the hook 15b arranged on the secondary control part 15 to enter the locked position and then the locked state.

[0038] This control device of the timing mechanism enables the timing mechanism to be actuated by the user and also by an internal control part connected to the striking mechanism, so that in addition to having manual control of the timing mechanism, there is also automatic control to stop the timing mechanism at the same time as stopping the striking mechanism.

[0039] Such a control device is described in more detail in the applicant's European application numbered EP 20171993.

[0040] Any other suitable control device known to those skilled in the art may also be used.

[0041] In particular, a standard control device with a column wheel controlled by a push-pin may be used in order to manually perform the start / stop control of the chronograph mechanism in a conventional manner, as will be described below in connection with another embodiment of the invention.

[0042] However, in an embodiment of the present invention, the timing mechanism further comprises a display device, the display device being arranged to display at least the remaining time until the countdown of the predetermined time interval ends. Figure 1 In the variant shown in , these display devices include: a first display component, the first display component is used to display the countdown of seconds, in particular the countdown of seconds of a predetermined time interval; a second display component, the second display component is used to display the countdown of minutes units of a predetermined time interval; a third display component, the third display component is used to display the countdown of tens of minutes of a predetermined time interval; and a fourth display component, the fourth display component is used to display the countdown of hours of a predetermined time interval.

[0043] These display devices may be discs, hands, rollers, or any other suitable display member for displaying the countdown of hours, tens of minutes and units of minutes, and seconds.

[0044] The first display member for seconds is preferably a pointer (not shown) (corresponding to the seconds hand).

[0045] Fig.11A preferred embodiment of a display member used in the form of a disk in the present invention is shown, which is used to display the countdown of hours, tens of minutes and minute units of a predetermined time interval, and the first display member for seconds is a pointer (not shown) corresponding to the second hand. More specifically, the second display member for counting down the minute units of the predetermined time interval is a disk 16, which carries numbers 0 to 9 regularly distributed on the outer circumference of the disk, and the disk 16 is arranged to rotate once in ten minutes. The third display member for counting down the tens of minutes of the predetermined time interval is a disk 18 arranged tangentially to the minute unit disk 16. The tens of minutes disk 18 carries two continuous series of numbers 0 to 5 regularly distributed on the outer circumference of the tens of minutes disk, and the disk 18 is arranged to rotate once in two hours. The fourth display member for counting down the hours of the predetermined time interval is a disk 20 concentrically arranged inside the tens of minutes disk 18. The hour disk 20 carries a series of numbers 0 to 6 regularly distributed on the outer circumference of the hour disk, and the disk 20 is arranged to rotate once in seven hours. The centers of the three disks 16, 18 and 20 are aligned so that a countdown of units of hours, tens of minutes and minutes of a predetermined time interval can be displayed in juxtaposed holes to make the countdown easy to read.

[0046] Obviously, the display members for the units of hours, tens of minutes, and minutes for the predetermined time interval may be arranged differently, and the striking mechanism adjusted accordingly, as will be described below.

[0047] The different display members may be arranged to be driven one after another, for example, from seconds to hours, starting from the drive wheel 2. In another variant, a first display member for displaying the countdown of seconds may be movably connected to the drive wheel 2, and an auxiliary energy source may be provided to provide energy to a display member for counting down units of minutes, which, for example, drives a display member for counting down tens of minutes by actuating fingers and stars, which in turn drives a display member for counting down hours, for example, by actuating fingers and stars, which cooperate to cause the display member to jump corresponding to changes in each tens of minutes or each hour.

[0048] An adjustment mechanism (not shown) is provided which enables the different display members 20, 18 and 16 for counting down hours, tens of minutes and minutes to be positioned to display the predetermined time interval to be counted down before triggering the countdown of the predetermined time interval, the time interval to be counted down being adjustable to, for example, 6:59.

[0049] Thus, when a countdown of a predetermined time interval is triggered, the different display members are arranged to display the remaining time in a very precise manner down to the second, which remaining time decreases as the countdown progresses, from the value of the predetermined time interval up to 0:00:00.

[0050] This configuration of a countdown timing mechanism cooperating with a basic movement via a clutch device is known to a person skilled in the art and does not need to be described in greater detail.

[0051] The mechanical movement according to the invention also comprises a striking mechanism made up of mechanical parts and in particular a striking gear train, here represented by an element 30 of the striking gear train carrying a stop star 32 of the striking gear train. These parts of the striking mechanism are known to those skilled in the art and do not need to be described in detail.

[0052] According to the present invention, the striking mechanism is arranged so that it starts striking at a specified time before the countdown of the predetermined time interval ends, and stops striking at the end of the countdown, that is, stops striking at the same time when the countdown of the predetermined time interval reaches 0:00:00.

[0053] To this end, the striking mechanism comprises at least one first cam 34, which is kinematically connected to the chronograph drive wheel and pinion 1 and on which the specified time before the end of the countdown of the predetermined time interval is preset, the first cam 34 being arranged to rotate once in a time greater than the specified time before the end of the countdown of the predetermined time interval. The first cam 34 is associated with a first display member, which is used to display at least the countdown of the predetermined time interval obtained by the chronograph drive wheel and pinion 1. In this example, the first cam 34 is the second cam associated with the first display member, i.e. the seconds hand, to display the countdown of the seconds. Here, the first cam 34 thus rotates once per minute.

[0054] More specifically, the first cam 34 has a generally circular profile and includes a notch 36, the circular length of which corresponds to a designated time of striking before the end of the countdown of a predetermined time interval, the start 36a of the notch 36 corresponding to the triggering of striking, and the end 36b of the notch 36 corresponding to the stopping of striking, while the countdown of the predetermined time interval is stopped, as will be described in detail below. For example, the length of the notch 36 between the start 36a and the end 36b of the notch 36 may correspond to a time of 20 seconds before the end of the countdown of the predetermined time interval.

[0055] The striking mechanism further comprises a first striking rod including a first striking feeler rod 38 arranged to cooperate with the first cam 34 and the striking gear train to trigger striking at the beginning of a specified time before the end of the countdown of the predetermined time interval.

[0056] The striking mechanism further includes a striking ending mechanism which is arranged to cooperate with the first striking rod to control the stopping of striking when the designated time ends while the countdown of the predetermined time interval ends.

[0057] According to the present invention Figures 1 to 9 In a first embodiment, in which the chronograph mechanism is arranged to stop automatically simultaneously with the striking mechanism, the first and second cams 34 are carried by a drive wheel 2 which meshes with a chronograph drive wheel and pinion 1 .

[0058] The first strike feeler bar 38 constitutes a first arm of a strike bar 41 pivotally mounted at A. The first strike feeler bar 38 has a beak 38a arranged to come into contact with the first second cam 34 upon striking and then engage in the recess 36 of the first second cam, as will be described in more detail below.

[0059] Said striking lever 41 comprises a second arm 42 arranged to control a striking stop lever 44 pivotally mounted at D, to which a pin 43 rigidly connected provides, through an oblong opening 45, the link to said lever 44, said striking stop lever 44 itself being arranged to be able to cooperate with the stop star 32 of the striking gear train. The striking lever 41 comprises a third arm 46 comprising a heel 46a arranged to be able to cooperate with a pin 48 carried by the clutch clamp 10.

[0060] The operation of the different elements of the striking rod 41 will be described below.

[0061] The striking end mechanism includes a striking end lever 50, which is pivotally mounted at B and is provided with a second striking end feeler lever 40, which is arranged to be able to cooperate with the first cam 34 to control the stopping of striking at the end of the specified time while the countdown of the predetermined time interval ends. Therefore, in this embodiment of the present invention, the first cam 34 provided with its notch 36 is also part of the striking end mechanism and constitutes a striking start cam and a striking stop cam.

[0062] The second end-of-strike feeler rod 40 constitutes a first arm of the end-of-strike rod 50 .

[0063] More specifically, the second strike end feeler rod 40 has a beak 40a, which is arranged to be able to contact the first second cam 34 when the first strike feeler rod 38 falls into the recess 36 of the first cam 34 to trigger the strike and engage in the recess 36 at the countdown and the end of the strike, as will be described in more detail below.

[0064] The end-of-strike lever 50 comprises a second arm 54 carrying a hook 56 at its free end, the hook being pivotally mounted at C and held in place by a pin 58 carried by the end of said second arm 54. The pivoting hook 56 is arranged to cooperate with the control device 12 as will be described below. In particular, the second end-of-strike feeler lever 40 is arranged to control the disengagement of the clutch device 6 and the stopping of the strike via said hook 56 when said second end-of-strike feeler lever 40 falls into the notch 36 at the end of the countdown.

[0065] The striking end lever 50 also includes a third arm 60 in the extension of the second striking end feeler lever 40. The third arm 60 includes a first beak 60a and a second beak 60b, the first beak being arranged to cooperate with the foot 46b of the third arm 46 of the striking lever 41, and the second beak being arranged to cooperate with the pin 48 of the clutch clamp 10.

[0066] The operation of the different elements of the shot end lever 50 will be described below.

[0067] In the variant shown here, the striking mechanism comprises a second minute unit cam 62 and a third minute unit feeler rod 64, the second minute unit cam being associated with the second minute unit display member 16 to rotate once, for example, in ten minutes, and the third minute unit feeler rod being arranged to be able to cooperate with the minute unit cam 62, the minute unit cam 62 being preset to indicate the end of the minute unit countdown to the third minute unit feeler rod 64. To this end, the minute unit cam 62 has a substantially circular profile and comprises a notch 66, the third minute unit feeler rod 64 being arranged to be positioned in the notch 66 when the display member for hours, the display member for tens of minutes and the display member for minute units all display 0 (i.e. at the moment when the countdown is less than one minute).

[0068] In addition, the third minute unit feeler rod 64 is arranged to cooperate with the first strike feeler rod 38 so that when the display component for hours, the display component for tens of minutes and the display component for minute units all display 0, the first strike feeler rod 38 contacts the first and second cams 34 at the end of the minute unit countdown.

[0069] More specifically, the third minute unit feeler rod 64 is the first arm of a detection rod 68, which is pivotally mounted at A, similar to the striking rod 41. The detection rod 68 and the striking rod 41 are arranged to cooperate with each other. To this end, the detection rod 68 includes a pin 70 on the third minute unit feeler rod 64, which is arranged to contact the striking rod 41, for example, the third arm 46 of the striking rod, so that the pivoting of one of the detection rod 68 and the striking rod 41 at A causes the pivoting of the other of the detection rod 68 and the striking rod 41 at A. In particular, the pivoting of the detection rod 68 at A in the counterclockwise direction moves the pin 70 away from the striking rod 41, so that the released striking rod 41 itself can pivot in the counterclockwise direction.

[0070] The striking mechanism also includes a third tens of minutes cam 72 and a fourth tens of minutes feeler rod 74, the third tens of minutes cam being associated with the third tens of minutes display member 18, the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod being arranged to be able to cooperate with the third tens of minutes cam 72, the third tens of minutes cam 72 being preset to indicate the end of the tens of minutes countdown to the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod 74. To this end, the tens of minutes cam 72 has a generally circular profile, and when the third tens of minutes display member 18 is arranged to rotate one circle in two hours with the tens of minutes cam 72, the tens of minutes cam may include, for example, two opposing notches 76. If the third tens of minutes display member is arranged to rotate one circle per hour, the tens of minutes cam 72 may include only one notch 76. The fourth tens of minutes feeler rod 74 is arranged to be positioned in one of the notches 76 when both the display member 20 for hours and the display member 18 for tens of minutes display 0 (i.e., at the moment when the countdown is less than ten minutes).

[0071] In addition, the fourth tens-minute feeler rod 74 is arranged to cooperate with the third minute unit feeler rod 64 so that when the hour display member 20 and the tens-minute display member 18 both display 0, the third minute unit feeler rod 64 cooperates with the second minute unit cam 62 at the end of the tens-minute countdown.

[0072] More specifically, the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod 74 is the second arm of the detection rod 68 relative to A and opposite to the third minute unit feeler rod 64, so that the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod 74 (the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod falls into one of the recesses 76 of the tens of minutes cam 72) pivots counterclockwise at A, causing the third minute unit feeler rod 64 to pivot counterclockwise at A to come into contact with the minute unit cam 62.

[0073] The striking mechanism also includes a fourth hour cam 78 and a fifth hour feeler rod 80, the fourth hour cam being associated with the fourth hour display member 20 and being superimposed on the third tens minute cam 72, the fifth hour feeler rod being superimposed on the fourth tens minute feeler rod 74 and being arranged to be able to cooperate with the fourth hour cam 78, the fourth hour cam 78 being preset to indicate the end of the hour countdown to the fifth hour feeler rod 80. To this end, the fourth hour cam 78 has a generally circular profile and includes a notch 82 (see Figure 4 and Figure 5 ), the fifth hour feeler rod 80 is arranged to be positioned in the recess 82 when the hour display member 20 displays 0 (ie, at a moment when the countdown is less than one hour).

[0074] The fourth hour display member 20 may be arranged to rotate with the fourth hour cam 78 so that six hours can be counted down per revolution. The number of hours counted down may be different depending on the arrangement of the hour display member 20.

[0075] Furthermore, the fifth hour feeler lever 80 is arranged to cooperate with the fourth tens minute feeler lever 74 so that when the hour display member 20 displays 0, the fourth tens minute feeler lever 74 cooperates with the third tens minute cam 72 at the end of the hour countdown.

[0076] More specifically, the fifth hour feeler rod 80 is the third arm of the detection rod 68, so that the fifth hour feeler rod 80 (the fifth hour feeler rod falls into the recess 82 of the hour cam 78) pivots counterclockwise at A, causing the fourth tens minute feeler rod 74 to pivot counterclockwise at A to come into contact with the tens minute cam 72.

[0077] This means that, in this particularly preferred variant of the invention, the third minute unit feeler rod 64, the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod 74 and the fifth hour feeler rod 80 form a single rod, namely the feeler rod 68. Obviously, other arrangements of these rods are possible, which are selected so that the rods pivot in the same direction. In particular, different feeler rods can be separated and arranged so that when one feeler rod pivots in one direction, the other feeler rods pivot in the same direction.

[0078] All elements (eg return bars, levers, controls, clamps, hooks of the different mechanisms described above) are constrained by their own return springs (not shown).

[0079] The movement operates as follows: Figure 1, the control device 12 is shown in its initial stop position ready for operation. The secondary control 15 and the locking mechanism are in a locked state, and the locking hook 22 is coupled to the hook 15b of the secondary control 15. Therefore, the secondary control 15 is locked in rotation with the main control 13, and the elastic member connecting the secondary control and the main control is wound. In this stop position, the countdown timing mechanism and the striking mechanism are in an inactive state. Different display members 20 for hours, display members 18 for tens of minutes, display members 16 for minute units, and display members for seconds have been positioned to display a predetermined time interval for countdown. Only the second wheel 4 of the basic watch movement rotates.

[0080] Reference Figure 2 , the control member 11 of the control device 12 is pressed by the user to trigger the start, so that the column wheel 14 rotates to open the clutch control clamp 8 and the clutch clamp 10, so that the second wheel 4 is engaged with the chronograph drive wheel and the pinion 1. The opening of the clutch clamp 10 releases the striking lever 41 and the striking end lever 50, and the arms 46 and 60 of the striking lever 41 and the striking end lever 50 are no longer held by the pin 48 of the clutch clamp 10. The striking lever 41 pivots in the counterclockwise direction about A, so that the feeler lever 68 can pivot in the counterclockwise direction, so that the first strike feeler lever 38, the third minute unit feeler lever 64 and the fourth tens minute feeler lever 74 (the first strike feeler lever, the third minute unit feeler lever and the fourth tens minute feeler lever are at a distance from their respective cams 34, 62, 72 so that the display members 16, 18 for countdown can be adjusted) pivot in the counterclockwise direction and slightly approach their respective cams 34, 62, 72. The fifth hour feeler lever 80 is also at a distance from the hour cam 78 of the fifth hour feeler lever to enable adjustment of the hour display member 20 for countdown, and the fifth hour feeler lever is pivoted in the counterclockwise direction until the fifth hour feeler lever comes into contact with the hour cam 78 of the fifth hour feeler lever.

[0081] Similarly, the released striking end lever 50 pivots counterclockwise about B so that the second striking end feeler lever 40 also approaches the second cam 34 slightly. The striking end lever 50 is held in place by the foot 46b of the third arm 46 of the striking lever 41, which rests on the first beak 60a of the third arm 60 of the striking end lever 50.

[0082] The chronograph driving wheel and pinion 1 engage with the second wheel 4 and drive the driving wheel 2 and the first and second cams 34 in the counterclockwise direction. Whenever the second hand carried by the driving wheel 2 moves to 0, the display member 20 for hours, the display member 18 for tens of minutes, and the display member 16 for minute units are also driven by the hour cam 78, the tens of minutes cam 72, and the minute unit cam 62, respectively.

[0083] Reference Figure 3 , the start phase is terminated by the control member 11 returning to its initial position due to the action of its return spring (not shown). The countdown is in progress. The drive wheel 2 and the second cam 34 rotate in the counterclockwise direction so that the display member 20 for the hours, the display member 18 for tens of minutes and the display member 16 for the minute units and their respective cams 62, 72, 78 are released and can rotate according to the countdown to be displayed each time the second hand moves to 0, as in the standard countdown. The fifth hour feeler rod 80 contacts the hour cam 78 of the fifth hour feeler rod, and the other feeler rods 38, 40, 64 and 74 are kept at a distance from the cams 34, 62, 72 of these feeler rods.

[0084] Reference Figure 4 , when the countdown is less than one hour, the hour display member 20 is positioned to display 0 so that the hour feeler lever 80 in contact with the hour cam 78 engages in the recess 82 of the hour cam 78 by pivoting in the counterclockwise direction at A. The pivoting of the hour feeler lever 80 means the pivoting of the feeler lever 68 and thus the tens-minute feeler lever 74 in the counterclockwise direction at A, and the pivoting of the striking lever 41 and thus the striking feeler lever 38 in the counterclockwise direction at A, the tens-minute feeler lever coming into contact with the tens-minute cam 72 and the minute unit feeler lever 64, the minute unit feeler lever approaching the cam 62 of the minute unit feeler lever, the striking feeler lever approaching the second cam 34. The countdown continues by the drive wheel 2 driven by the chronograph drive wheel and pinion 1.

[0085] Reference Figure 5 , when the countdown is less than ten minutes, the hour display member 20 still displays 0, and the tens of minutes display member 18 is positioned to display 0, so that the tens of minutes feeler rod 74 in contact with the tens of minutes cam 72 engages in the recess 76 of the tens of minutes cam 72 by pivoting in the counterclockwise direction at A. The pivoting of the tens of minutes feeler rod 74 means the pivoting of the detection rod 68 and therefore the minute unit feeler rod 64 in the counterclockwise direction at A, and the pivoting of the striking rod 41 and therefore the striking feeler rod 38 in the counterclockwise direction at A, the minute unit feeler rod comes into contact with the minute unit cam 62, and the striking feeler rod approaches the second cam 34. The hour display member 20 has been maintained in the position showing 0, and the hour feeler rod 80 remains engaged in the recess 82 of the hour cam 78. The countdown continues by the drive wheel 2, which is driven by the chronograph drive wheel and the pinion 1.

[0086] Reference Figure 6When the countdown is less than one minute, the display member 20 for hours and the display member 18 for tens of minutes still display 0, and the minute unit display member 16 is positioned to display 0, so that the minute unit feeler rod 64 in contact with the minute unit cam 62 engages in the recess 66 of the minute unit cam 62 by pivoting in the counterclockwise direction at A. The pivoting of the minute unit feeler rod 64 means the pivoting of the detection rod 68 in the counterclockwise direction at A, and therefore the pivoting of the striking rod 41 and the striking feeler rod 38 in the counterclockwise direction at A, and the striking feeler rod comes into contact with the second cam 34 connected to the drive wheel 2. The display member 20 for hours and the display member 18 for tens of minutes have been maintained in the position of displaying 0, the hour feeler rod 80 remains engaged in the recess 82 of the hour cam 78, and the tens of minutes feeler rod 74 remains engaged in the recess 76 of the tens of minutes cam 72. As the striking lever 41 and its arm 42 pivot, the striking stop lever 44 is arranged to begin to disengage the striking stop lever itself from the stop star 32 by pivoting in the clockwise direction about its pivot axis D, and the foot 46b of the third arm 46 of the striking lever 41 actually disengages from the first beak 60a of the third arm 60 of the striking end lever 50. The countdown continues via the drive wheel 2 driven by the chronograph drive wheel and pinion 1, so that the second display member continues to rotate in the counterclockwise direction together with the second cam 34.

[0087] Reference Figure 7 , the display member 20 for hours, the display member 18 for tens of minutes, and the display member 16 for minute units still display 0, and when the second display member displays a specified time (e.g. 20 seconds) before the end of the countdown, the second cam 34 is positioned so that the beak 38a of the striking feeler lever 38 in contact with the second cam 34 engages in the beginning 36a of the notch 36 of the second cam 34 by pivoting in the counterclockwise direction at A. The pivoting of the striking feeler lever 38 means the pivoting of the striking lever 41 in the counterclockwise direction at A, in particular the pivoting of the arm 42 of the striking lever in the counterclockwise direction at A, so that the striking stop lever 44 disengages the striking stop lever itself from the stop star 32 by pivoting in the clockwise direction around the pivot axis D of the striking stop lever. The element 30 of the striking gear train is released, and the striking mechanism starts striking at the specified time before the end of the countdown.

[0088] Therefore, the counterclockwise pivoting of the hour feeler rod 80, then the tens of minutes feeler rod 74, and then the minute unit feeler rod 64 when engaged in the recess of their corresponding cams means that the detection rod 68 and the striking rod 41 assembly pivots counterclockwise at A, so that the feeler rod gradually approaches the corresponding cam of the feeler rod until the feeler rod contacts the corresponding cam of the feeler rod, so that the feeler rod can engage in the relevant recess when the corresponding display component of the feeler rod displays zero, and the striking feeler rod 38 also gradually approaches the second cam 34 until the striking feeler rod contacts the second cam 34, so that when the countdown reaches a specified time before the end of the countdown, the striking feeler rod can fall into the recess 36 to trigger the strike.

[0089] At the same time, the third arm 46 of the striking rod 41 also pivots at A, so that the foot 46b of the third arm completely disengages itself from the first beak 60a of the third arm 60 of the striking end rod 50. The striking end rod 50 is then released and pivots about B in the counterclockwise direction, so that the beak 40a of the striking end feeler rod 40 comes into contact with the second cam 34.

[0090] The display member 20 for hours, the display member 18 for tens of minutes, and the display member 16 for the minute units have been kept in the position showing 0, the hour feeler lever 80 remains engaged in the notch 82 of the hour cam 78, the tens of minutes feeler lever 74 remains engaged in the notch 76 of the tens of minutes cam 72, and the minute unit feeler lever 64 remains engaged in the notch 66 of the minute unit cam 62. The countdown is continued by the drive wheel 2 driven by the chronograph drive wheel and pinion 1, so that the second display member continues to rotate in the counterclockwise direction together with the second cam 34.

[0091] Reference Figure 8 , when the countdown ends and reaches zero, the display member 20 for hours, the display member 18 for tens of minutes, and the display member 16 for minute units still display 0, the second display member is positioned together with the second cam 34 to display 0, and the striking is still in progress. The circular length of the notch 36 of the second cam 34 is such that when 0 is displayed at the end of the countdown, the beak 40a of the striking end feeler rod 40 that contacts the second cam 34 engages in the beginning 36a of the notch 36 of the second cam 34 by pivoting in the counterclockwise direction at B. The beak 38a of the striking feeler rod 38 has reached the end 36b of the notch 36.

[0092] At the end of the countdown, the strike end feeler rod has fallen into the recess 36 of the second cam 34. The pivoting of the strike end feeler rod 40 means that the strike end rod 50 pivots counterclockwise at B, especially the arm 54 of the strike end rod pivots counterclockwise at B, so that the hook 56 carried by the arm 54 releases the control rod 19 to act on the control device 12, thereby controlling the rotation of the column wheel 14 to disengage the clutch device 6.

[0093] Reference Fig. 9 , the released control lever 19 is pivoted sufficiently so that the pin 23 of the control lever cooperates with the locking hook 22 during the travel of the pin, so that the hook is pivoted in the counterclockwise direction. The locking hook 22, which has been separated from the hook 15b of the secondary control 15, then enters the unlocked state. Therefore, the secondary control 15 is also in the unlocked state, separated from the main control 13, so that the released secondary control 15 is pivoted in the clockwise direction only by the actuation of the first drive wheel 14a of the column wheel 14 in the counterclockwise direction by the hook 15a of the secondary control due to the energy provided by the unwinding elastic member. This corresponds to an automatic stop, during which the column wheel 14 is automatically actuated only by the secondary control 15, the main control 13 and the second drive wheel 14c have remained stationary, and the elastic coupling element between the two drive wheels 14a, 14c has been disengaged.

[0094] The rotation of the column wheel 14 controls the closing of the clutch clamps 8 and 10, disengaging the seconds wheel 4 from the chronograph driving wheel and pinion 1, which causes the driving wheel 2 and the second cam 34 to stop. During the closing of the clutch clamp 10, the pin 48 of the clutch clamp 10 returns to its initial position by resting on the heel 46a of the arm 46 of the striking lever 41 and the beak 60b of the arm 60 of the striking end lever 50, so that the striking lever 41 and the striking end lever 50 (more specifically, the striking feeler lever 38 and the striking end feeler lever 40) pivot in the clockwise direction at A and B, respectively, and disengage from the second cam 34. With the pivoting of the striking lever 41 and thus of its arm 42, the striking stop lever 44 pivots counterclockwise about its pivot axis D, while the chronograph mechanism is disengaged, to engage again with the stop star 32 and to stop the striking gear train element 30. Thus, striking stops at the end of the countdown.

[0095] For the next countdown, the display members 16, 18, 20 will be positioned again according to the predetermined time interval for the countdown, and the control device 12 is arranged to be positioned in a position ready for operation at the next start. More specifically, here, the automatic function of the secondary control 15 can be operated again at the next use of the timer, thanks to the locking mechanism entering its locked position when the next start is triggered, after the user presses the control member 11 again, before returning to the locked state. In fact, when the user triggers a new start, the secondary control 15 is in the unlocked state of the secondary control, and only the main control 13 is tilted to actuate the column wheel 14, the hook 13a of which actuates the second drive wheel 14c, which itself drives the first drive wheel 14a and therefore the column 14b through the coupling produced by the elastic coupling element as described above, to control the new opening of the clamps 8 and 10.

[0096] At the same time, by tilting, the main control 13 enables to rewind the elastic member that connects the main control to the secondary control 15. On the other hand, when the main control 13 tilts, the pin 21 of the main control cooperates with the control rod 19 during the travel of the pin, so that the control rod is pivoted to the locked position, thereby retracting the hook 56. When the control rod pivots, the control rod 19 is rewound. At the same time, the locking hook 22 embedded in the main control 13 contacts the hook 15b of the secondary control 15 again, causing the locking hook to be released in the counterclockwise direction to enter the locked position. At the end of the tilting of the main control 13, the locking hook 22 returns to engage in the hook 15b of the secondary control 15 to enter the locked state again. The elastic member between the main control 13 and the secondary control 15 is completely wound.

[0097] Of course it is possible to stop and start during the countdown.

[0098] If only a countdown of minutes and seconds is required, a similar mechanism can be provided by removing the hour display and elements associated with the hour countdown.

[0099] According to another embodiment, it is also possible not to count down the seconds and to have a first display member arranged to display a countdown in minutes, so that the first cam 34 connected to the first display member is arranged to rotate once in ten minutes, and the circular length of the notch of the first cam can be selected to trigger the strike a few minutes before the end of the countdown.

[0100] In this case, it is considered that the first display member and the second display member overlap, the first cam and the second cam overlap, and a third tens of minutes display member is provided, and the third tens of minutes display member is arranged to display the tens of minutes countdown as described above. Therefore, the striking mechanism includes a third tens of minutes cam and a fourth tens of minutes feeler rod, the third tens of minutes cam is associated with the third tens of minutes display member, the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod is arranged to be able to cooperate with the third tens of minutes cam, the third tens of minutes cam is preset to indicate the end of the tens of minutes countdown to the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod, the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod is arranged to directly cooperate with the first striking feeler rod and overlap with the minute unit feeler rod, so that the first striking feeler rod cooperates with the first cam at the end of the tens of minutes countdown. The rest of the mechanism is the same as described above.

[0101] Fig.10 A variant of the movement according to the invention is shown in which the first strike feeler lever 38 , the third unit-of-minute feeler lever 64 , the fourth tens-of-minute feeler lever 74 and the fifth hour feeler lever 80 form a single lever.

[0102] The first strike feeler rod 38 is also rigidly connected to two other arms (not shown) corresponding to the arms 42 and 46 of the first example, so that the entire assembly can form a single rod.

[0103] and Figure 1 Elements of the movement in FIG. 1 are shown with the same functional elements using the same reference numerals.

[0104] exist Fig.10 In the variation shown in FIG. 1 , a second cam 34 is provided which is linked to the second display member and the drive wheel 2. The second cam 34 includes a notch 36 which defines a specific striking time before the end of the countdown. Also provided are a minute unit display member 16 associated with a minute unit cam 62, a tens of minutes display member 18 associated with a tens of minutes cam 72, and an hour display member 20 associated with an hour cam 78, the minute unit cam including the notch 66 of the minute unit cam, the tens of minutes cam including two notches 76 of the tens of minutes cam, and the hour cam including the notch 82 of the hour cam.

[0105] The hour feeler rod 80 is arranged to cooperate with the hour cam 78 and can fall into the recess 82 when the hour display member 20 displays zero. The hour feeler rod 80 carries a tens minute feeler rod 74 on the arm of the hour feeler rod, which is arranged approximately perpendicular to the hour feeler rod 80. The tens minute feeler rod 74 carries a pin 75 at the end of the tens minute feeler rod, which is arranged to contact the tens minute cam 72 approximately tangentially and fall into one of the recesses 76 when the tens minute display member 18 displays zero. The minute unit feeler rod 64 is arranged to cooperate with the minute unit cam 62 and can fall into the recess 66 when the minute unit display member 16 displays zero. The strike feeler rod 38 is arranged to cooperate with the second cam 34 and can fall into the recess 36 when the countdown reaches a specified time before the end of the countdown to trigger the strike.

[0106] The strike feeler lever 38, the minute unit feeler lever 64 and the hour feeler lever 80 are rigidly connected to each other by their ends opposite to their feeler portions to form different arms of a single lever pivotally mounted at A. Thus, as described above, the anti-clockwise pivoting of the hour feeler lever 80, then the tens of minutes feeler lever 74 and then the minute unit feeler lever 64 while engaging in the notches of their respective cams means the anti-clockwise pivoting of the lever assembly so that the feeler levers gradually approach the respective cams of the feeler levers until they come into contact with the respective cams of the feeler levers, thereby being able to engage in the associated notches when the respective display members of the feeler levers display zero, and so that the strike feeler lever 38 also gradually approaches the second cam 34 until it comes into contact with the second cam 34, thereby being able to fall into the notch 36 when the countdown reaches a specified time before the end of the countdown, thereby triggering the strike.

[0107] The shot finishing lever (not shown) is the same as the lever 50 of the first example.

[0108] According to the present invention Figures 12 to 21 In another embodiment of the present invention, the chronograph mechanism is arranged so that the first and second display members (ie the chronograph second hand) continue to rotate after the striking automatically stops and after the countdown of the predetermined time interval ends.

[0109] Figures 1 to 9 Elements common to the embodiments of the present invention are shown with the same reference numerals.

[0110] The chronograph drive wheel and pinion 1 is arranged to be movably connected to the seconds wheel 4 of the basic timepiece movement indicating the current time by means of a vertical clutch device 6. The vertical clutch device 6 comprises a clutch control clamp 8 and a clutch clamp 10, which are arranged to move apart when the chronograph is activated, so as to start the countdown in a manner that engages the seconds wheel 4 with the chronograph drive wheel and pinion 1. The opening of the clamps 8 and 10 is controlled in a conventional manner by a standard control device with a column wheel 14, which is actuated, for example, by a push-button of the push-pin 11 type, to manually perform the start / stop control of the chronograph mechanism in a conventional manner.

[0111] The display means arranged to display units of hours, tens of minutes and minutes remaining until the end of the countdown of the predetermined time interval are similar to those previously described.

[0112] Only the minute unit cam 62 associated with the minute unit display component and having its notch 66, the minute unit feeler rod 64 pivotally mounted at G, the tens of minutes cam 72 associated with the tens of minutes display component and having its notch 76, the tens of minutes feeler rod 74, the hour cam 78 associated with the hour display component and superimposed on the tens of minutes cam and having its notch 82, and the hour feeler rod 80 superimposed on the tens of minutes feeler rod 74 are shown.

[0113] As in the case of the probe lever 68 of the first embodiment, the tens of minutes feeler lever 74 and the hour feeler lever 80 form arms of a probe lever 90 pivotally mounted at H. In this embodiment, the probe lever 90 includes a third arm opposite the tens of minutes feeler lever 74 relative to H, so that the pivoting of the tens of minutes feeler lever 74 (which falls into one of the recesses 76 of the tens of minutes cam 72) in the clockwise direction at H causes the third arm 92 of the probe lever 90 to pivot in the clockwise direction at H. A pin 94 is provided at the end of the third arm 92 of the probe lever 90, which is arranged to cooperate with the beak 96 of the minute unit feeler lever 64. Therefore, the pivoting of the probe lever 90 and the arm 92 of the probe lever in the clockwise direction at H causes the third minute unit feeler lever 64 to pivot in the counterclockwise direction at G to come into contact with the minute unit cam 62.

[0114] As in the first embodiment above, the minute unit feeler rod 64 is arranged to be positioned in the recess 66 of the minute unit cam 62 when the display components for hours, the display components for tens of minutes, and the display components for minute units all display 0 (i.e., when the countdown is less than one minute).

[0115] The striking mechanism comprises first and second cams 34. In this embodiment, the structure of the mechanism is realized so that first and second cams 34 and the first display member for displaying the seconds countdown (ie the chronograph seconds hand) are directly carried by the shaft of the chronograph driving wheel and pinion 1.

[0116] Reference Fig.12 The second cam 34 includes a notch 36, the circular length of which corresponds to the designated time of the strike before the countdown of the predetermined time interval ends, the start of the notch 36 corresponds to the triggering of the strike, and the end of the notch 36 corresponds to the stopping of the strike. For example, the length of the notch 36 may correspond to the time of 20 seconds before the countdown of the predetermined time interval ends.

[0117] The striking mechanism also includes a first striking rod 100, which is pivotally mounted at A and includes a first arm made of a first striking feeler rod 38, which is arranged to cooperate with the first cam 34 and the striking gear train to trigger the striking at the beginning of a specified time before the end of the countdown of the predetermined time interval.

[0118] More specifically, the first striking feeler rod 38 has a beak 38a arranged to be able to come into contact with the first second cam 34 and then engage in the notch 36 of the first second cam when striking. The striking rod 100 is controlled by a striking rod spring 101.

[0119] As in the first embodiment, the striking rod 100 comprises a second arm 42, which is arranged to control a striking stop rod 44 pivotally mounted at D, a pin 43 rigidly connected to the second arm 42 providing a connection with the rod 44 via an oblong opening 45, the striking stop rod 44 itself being arranged to be able to cooperate with the stop star 32 of the striking gear train.

[0120] The striking rod 100 comprises a third arm 102 carrying a pin 104 arranged to be able to cooperate with the clutch control clamp 8. More specifically, the clutch control clamp rests on the pin 104 when the clutch control clamp 8 is in the closed position.

[0121] In addition, the third minute unit feeler rod 64 is arranged to cooperate with the first striking feeler rod 38 through the third arm 102 of the striking rod 100, so that when the display component for hours, the display component for tens of minutes and the display component for minute units all display 0, the beak of the first striking feeler rod 38 contacts the first and second cams 34 at the end of the minute unit countdown.

[0122] More specifically, the minute feeler lever 64 comprises a foot 64a arranged to rest on the beak 106 of the third arm 102 of the striking lever 100 so as to keep the first striking feeler lever 38 at a distance from the second cam 34 until the minute countdown ends.

[0123] The striking bar 100 comprises a fourth arm 108 which is arranged to be able to cooperate with the striking end mechanism to control the automatic stopping of striking at the end of the designated time while the countdown of the predetermined time interval ends.

[0124] To this end, the end-of-beat mechanism comprises an end-of-beat lever 110, which is pivotally mounted at E and is arranged to cooperate with the first striking lever 100. More specifically, the end-of-beat lever 110 comprises a first arm 111, which terminates in a beak 112 and carries a pin 113, which is arranged to cooperate with an end 114 in the form of a hook of the fourth arm 108 of the first striking lever 100. The end-of-beat lever 110 comprises a second arm 115, which is arranged to cooperate with a pin 116 carried by the clutch clamp 10. The end-of-beat lever 110 is controlled by a spring 118 of the end-of-beat lever.

[0125] The striking end mechanism also includes a striking stop cam 120, which is movably connected to the timer drive wheel and pinion 1, and is arranged to control the striking end rod 110, thereby controlling the first striking rod 100 to automatically stop striking at the end of the countdown of the predetermined time interval, without the need to disengage the clutch device 6.

[0126] Advantageously, the strike stop cam 120 is coaxial with the second cam 34 and constrained to rotate together with the second cam. The strike stop cam comprises a beak 120a.

[0127] In order to be able to control the striking end lever 110 to automatically stop striking by the striking stop cam 120, the striking end mechanism includes a lever hook portion 122 pivotally mounted at F, and the pivot axis of the lever hook portion passes through the striking lever 100 through an opening provided therefor. The lever hook portion 122 includes a first arm 124 and a pin 126, the first arm being arranged to be able to cooperate with the beak portion 120a of the striking stop cam 120, and the pin being arranged to cooperate with the fourth arm 108 of the first striking lever 100, so that when the first striking lever 100 pivots in the counterclockwise direction at A, the lever hook portion 122 is caused to pivot at F to position the arm 124 of the lever hook portion within the rotation radius of the beak portion 120a of the striking stop cam 120, so that the beak portion 38a of the first striking feeler lever 38 contacts the first and second cams 34.

[0128] The rod hook portion 122 includes a second arm 128 in the form of a hook, which is arranged to cooperate with the beak 112 of the strike end lever 110 to lock the strike end lever 110, and the second arm can release the strike end lever when the rod hook portion 122 is actuated by the strike stop cam 120.

[0129] The lever hook portion 122 is controlled by a lever hook portion spring 130 .

[0130] The operation of the mechanism according to this embodiment is as follows: Fig.12 , in which the countdown mechanism and the striking mechanism are not activated. The different display members for hours, for tens of minutes, for units of minutes and for seconds have been positioned to display a predetermined time interval for the countdown. Only the seconds wheel 4 of the basic watch movement rotates.

[0131] The control member of the control device is pressed by the user to trigger the start, causing column wheel 14 to rotate to open clutch control clamp 8 and clutch clamp 10, thereby engaging second wheel 4 with chronograph driving wheel and pinion 1.

[0132] When the clutch clamp 10 is opened, the pin 116 of the clutch clamp rests on the second arm 115 of the striking end lever 110 , causing the striking end lever 110 to restore the initial position of the striking end lever, so that the striking end lever is locked in place by the lever hook 122 .

[0133] The opening of the clutch control clamp 8 releases the striking lever 100 , the third arm 102 of which is no longer held by the clamp 8 until the third arm subsequently comes to bear against the pin 104 .

[0134] As in the first embodiment, the striking lever 100 pivots in the counterclockwise direction about A, so that the first striking feeler lever 38 and the minute feeler lever 64 and the other feeler levers for the tens of minutes and hours (these feeler levers are at a distance from their respective cams to enable the display member for the countdown to be adjusted) pivot slightly closer to their respective cams. However, the striking lever 100 is kept away from the second cam 34 by the foot 64a of the minute feeler lever 64, which rests on the beak 106 of the third arm 102 of the striking lever 100.

[0135] The countdown is performed in the same manner as described above for the first embodiment, the chronograph drive wheel and pinion 1 engaged with the second wheel 4 drive the first and second cams 34 and the strike stop cam 120 so that they rotate in the counterclockwise direction. Whenever the second hand carried by the chronograph drive wheel and pinion 1 moves to 0, the display member for the hours, the display member for the tens of minutes, and the display member for the minute units are also driven by their corresponding cams. The clockwise pivoting of the sensing lever 90 and the arm 92 of the sensing lever at H causes the counterclockwise pivoting of the minute unit feeler lever 64 at G, and when the countdown is less than 10 minutes, the minute unit feeler lever 64 gradually approaches the minute unit cam 62 until the minute unit feeler lever comes into contact with the minute unit cam.

[0136] Reference Fig.13 When the countdown is less than one minute, the display member for hours and the display member for tens of minutes display 0, and the minute unit display member does not yet display 0, so that the minute unit feeler rod 64 in contact with the minute unit cam 62 is not yet engaged in the recess 66 of the minute unit cam 62. In this position, the striking feeler rod 38 is still not in contact with the second cam 34, and the beak 106 of the third arm 102 of the striking rod 100 is still held by the foot 64a of the minute unit feeler rod 64. In this position, the striking rod 100 keeps the striking gear train stopped by the second arm 42 of the striking rod, and the striking stop rod 44 is engaged in the stop star 32.

[0137] Furthermore, the rod hook portion 122 is at a distance from the striking stop cam 120 .

[0138] Reference Fig.14 When the countdown is less than one minute, the display component for hours and the display component for tens of minutes still display 0, and the minute unit display component is positioned to display 0, so that the minute unit feeler rod 64 in contact with the minute unit cam 62 engages in the recess 66 of the minute unit cam 62 by pivoting counterclockwise at G.

[0139] By pivoting, the foot 64a of the minute unit feeler lever 64 releases the third arm 102 and thereby releases the striking lever 100, causing the striking lever 100 to pivot counterclockwise at A due to the action of the striking lever's spring 101, and then the beak 38a of the striking feeler lever 38 comes into contact with the maximum radius of the second cam 34 carried by the chronograph drive wheel and pinion 1.

[0140] During the pivoting of the striking lever 100 and therefore of its second arm 42, the striking stop lever 44 is arranged to begin releasing the striking stop lever itself from the stop star 32 by pivoting in the clockwise direction about its pivot axis D. The countdown continues via the chronograph drive wheel and pinion 1, so that the second display member continues to rotate together with the second cam 34 in the counterclockwise direction.

[0141] Reference Fig.15 , the display member for hours, the display member for tens of minutes, and the display member for minute units still display 0, and when the second display member displays a specified time (e.g., 20 seconds) before the end of the countdown, the second cam 34 is positioned so that the beak 38a of the striking feeler rod 38 in contact with the second cam 34 engages in the notch 36 of the second cam 34. Once it falls into the notch 36, the striking feeler rod 38 pivots again in the counterclockwise direction at A. The pivoting of the striking feeler rod 38 at A means the pivoting of the striking rod 100 in the counterclockwise direction at A, in particular the pivoting of the second arm 42 of the striking rod in the counterclockwise direction at A, so that the striking stop rod 44 disengages the striking stop rod itself from the stop star 32 by pivoting in the clockwise direction around the pivot axis D of the striking stop rod. The striking gear train is released, and the striking mechanism starts striking at the specified time before the end of the countdown.

[0142] At the same time, the fourth arm 108 of the striking rod 100 also pivots in the counterclockwise direction, so that the fourth arm causes the rod hook portion 122 to tilt in the clockwise direction around the pivot F of the rod hook portion through the pin 126 of the fourth arm, so that the arm 124 of the rod hook portion enters the rotation radius of the beak 120a of the striking stop cam 120 carried by the timer driving wheel and pinion 1.

[0143] By pivoting in the clockwise direction at F, the arm 128 of the lever hook 122 has slightly disengaged itself from the beak 112 of the end-of-stroke lever 110 .

[0144] Reference Fig.16 When the countdown ends and almost reaches zero, for example, 5 seconds before the end of the countdown, the second display member is positioned together with the second cam 34 and the striking stop cam 120 to display, for example, 5, striking is still in progress. The beak 120a of the stop cam 120 is positioned so that the beak 120a contacts the arm 124 of the rod hook 122 to drive the arm to rotate in the clockwise direction at F.

[0145] The beak 38 a of the strike feeler rod 38 has reached the end of the notch 36 .

[0146] Reference Fig.17When the countdown ends and reaches zero, the display component for hours, the display component for tens of minutes, and the display component for minute units still display 0, and the second display component together with the second cam 34 and the striking stop cam 120 are positioned to display 0.

[0147] The rod hook portion 122 and the beak portion 120a of the strike stop cam 120 are constructed so that when 0 is displayed at the end of the countdown, the rod hook portion 122 controlled by the strike stop cam 120 has been sufficiently tilted in the clockwise direction at F so that the arm 128 of the rod hook portion releases the beak portion 112 of the strike stop rod 110.

[0148] The end-of-stroke lever 110 is then released and pivots in the counterclockwise direction at E due to the action of the end-of-stroke lever spring 118 .

[0149] The pivoting of the striking end lever 110 at the end of the countdown means the pivoting of the first arm 111 of the striking end lever in the counterclockwise direction, so that the pin 113 carried by the arm 111 drives the end of the fourth arm 108 of the striking lever 100 in the form of a hook 114, so that the striking lever 100 pivots in the clockwise direction at A. The pivoting of the striking lever 100 in the clockwise direction at A enables the striking feeler lever 38 to be disengaged from the second cam 34. At the same time, during the pivoting of the striking lever 100 and therefore the arm 42 of the striking lever in the clockwise direction at A, at the end of the countdown, the striking stop lever 44 is driven by the arm 42 to pivot in the counterclockwise direction about the pivot axis D of the striking stop lever, so as to cooperate again with the stop star 32 and stop the striking gear train. Therefore, striking stops at the end of the countdown.

[0150] Reference Fig.18 Once the striking has stopped, the second display member (i.e. the chronograph second hand) continues to advance in the counterclockwise direction together with the second cam 34 and the striking stop cam 120, so that the beak 120a of the striking stop cam 120 passes through the arm 124 of the lever hook 122 and releases the arm of the lever hook. Once released, the lever hook 122 pivots in the counterclockwise direction at F due to the action of the lever hook's spring 130 until the second arm 128 of the lever hook in the form of a hook rests on the arm 111 of the striking end lever 110. As a result, the lever hook 122 leaves the rotation radius of the striking stop cam 120, which makes it possible to avoid any unnecessary energy consumption when the second hand continues to advance while waiting for the manual stop of the chronograph mechanism.

[0151] Reference Fig.19 and Fig. 20, when the user manually stops the chronograph mechanism to stop the second hand, he presses the control member of the chronograph mechanism to trigger the stop, so that the column wheel 14 rotates to close the clutch control clamp 8 and the clutch clamp 10, thereby disengaging the clutch device 6 to disengage the second wheel 4 from the chronograph driving wheel and pinion 1. Fig.19 As shown in the figure, when the clutch clamp 10 in the open position is closed, the clutch clamp pivots in the clockwise direction, so that the pin 116 of the clutch clamp drives the second arm 115 of the striking end rod 110, so that the striking end rod 110 pivots in the clockwise direction at E, and the rod hook portion 122 also rests on the striking end rod 110.

[0152] As in Fig. 20 As shown in the figure, when the clamps 8 and 10 are closed, the striking end lever 110 has completed the travel of the striking end lever and is still held by the pin 116 of the clutch clamp 10. When the striking lever 100 (the striking lever is released by the opening of the clutch control clamp 8 during the start of the next countdown) pivots counterclockwise at A due to the action of the spring 101 of the striking lever, the striking end lever 110 will be locked by the arm 128 of the lever hook 122, and the arm of the lever hook restores the initial position of the arm of the lever hook by pivoting counterclockwise at F due to the action of the spring 130 of the arm of the lever hook.

[0153] Of course, it is possible to stop, for example, during the countdown and the strike, so the mechanism is similar to Fig.15 or Fig.16 In this configuration, since the clutch control clamp is in the open position and does not rest on the pin 104 of the third arm 102 of the striking rod 100, the clutch control clamp 8 does not contact the striking rod 100. Fig.21 , when the user stops the countdown, the clamps 8 and 10 controlled by the column wheel 14 are closed. The clutch control clamp 8 pivots in the counterclockwise direction to rest on the pin 104 of the third arm 102 of the striking rod 100, so that the striking rod 100 pivots in the clockwise direction at A. The clockwise pivoting of the striking rod 100 at A enables the striking feeler rod 38 to be disengaged from the second cam 34. At the same time, during the clockwise pivoting of the striking rod 100 and therefore the arm 42 of the striking rod at A, the striking stop lever 44 is driven by the arm 42 to pivot in the counterclockwise direction about the pivot axis D of the striking stop lever to cooperate again with the stop star 32 and to stop the striking gear train. Thus, the striking stops. During the start of the next countdown, without the display member being pre-adjusted to display the countdown, the different components will resume their positions before the next stop.

[0154] The invention makes it possible to have a countdown timing mechanism equipped with a striking mechanism that is triggered before the end of the countdown of a predetermined time interval, at a predetermined time before the end of the countdown, to warn the user that the ongoing countdown of said predetermined time interval is about to end. The invention thus makes it possible to have a countdown with a pre-warning using a mechanical striking mechanism, the end of the striking being synchronized with the end of the countdown of said predetermined time interval. According to a variant, the timing mechanism can be stopped at the end of the countdown of said predetermined time interval, or remain activated so that the chronograph second hand continues to rotate without triggering the striking.

Claims

1. A mechanical watch movement, comprising a timing mechanism, the timing mechanism being arranged to be able to perform at least one countdown of a predetermined time interval, the timing mechanism comprising a display device, at least one control member (11) for controlling the start of the countdown, and a striking mechanism, the display device being arranged to display at least the remaining time until the end of the countdown of the predetermined time interval, characterized in that The striking mechanism is arranged to start striking at a specified time before the end of the countdown and stop striking at the end of the countdown of the predetermined time interval, and the timing mechanism is configured to be movably connected to the basic movement through a lateral clutch device or a vertical clutch device (6).

2. The mechanical watch movement according to claim 1, characterized in that: The timing mechanism comprises at least one timer driving wheel and pinion (1) arranged to perform countdown, and the striking mechanism comprises: at least one first cam (34) movably connected to the timer driving wheel and pinion (1), and the specified time before the end of the countdown of the predetermined time interval is preset on the at least one first cam, the first cam (34) being arranged to rotate one circle within a time greater than the specified time before the end of the countdown of the predetermined time interval; a striking gear train; a first striking rod (41; 100), the first striking rod comprising a first striking feeler rod (38), the first striking feeler rod being arranged to cooperate with the first cam (34) and the striking gear train to trigger striking at the beginning of the specified time before the end of the countdown of the predetermined time interval; and a striking end mechanism, the striking end mechanism being arranged to cooperate with the first striking rod (41; 100) to control the stopping of striking at the end of the specified time while the countdown of the predetermined time interval ends.

3. The mechanical watch movement according to claim 2, characterized in that: The display device of the chronograph mechanism comprises a first display member associated with the first cam (34) and used to display the countdown obtained by the chronograph driving wheel and pinion (1).

4. The mechanical watch movement according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first display member is arranged to display a countdown in minutes.

5. The mechanical watch movement according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first display member is arranged to display a countdown of seconds.

6. The mechanical watch movement according to claim 5, characterized in that: The display device of the timing mechanism includes a second minute unit display component (16), the second minute unit display component is arranged to display the minute unit countdown of the predetermined time interval, and the striking mechanism includes a second minute unit cam (62) and a third minute unit feeler rod (64), the second minute unit cam is associated with the second minute unit display component (16), the third minute unit feeler rod is arranged to be able to cooperate with the second minute unit cam (62), the second minute unit cam (62) is preset to indicate the end of the minute unit countdown to the third minute unit feeler rod (64), and the third minute unit feeler rod (64) is arranged to cooperate with the first striking feeler rod (38), so that the first striking feeler rod (38) cooperates with the first cam (34) at the end of the minute unit countdown.

7. The mechanical watch movement according to claim 6, characterized in that: The display device of the timing mechanism comprises a third tens of minutes display component (18), the third tens of minutes display component is arranged to display the tens of minutes countdown of the predetermined time interval, the striking mechanism comprises a third tens of minutes cam (72) and a fourth tens of minutes feeler rod (74), the third tens of minutes cam is associated with the third tens of minutes display component (18), the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod is arranged to be able to cooperate with the third tens of minutes cam (72), the third tens of minutes cam (72) is preset to indicate the end of the tens of minutes countdown to the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod (74), the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod (74) is arranged to cooperate with the third minute unit feeler rod (64), so that the third minute unit feeler rod (64) cooperates with the second minute unit cam (62) when the tens of minutes countdown ends.

8. The mechanical watch movement according to claim 4, characterized in that: The display device of the timing mechanism includes a third tens of minutes display component, and the third tens of minutes display component is arranged to display the tens of minutes countdown of the predetermined time interval. The striking mechanism includes a third tens of minutes cam (72) and a fourth tens of minutes feeler rod (74). The third tens of minutes cam is associated with the third tens of minutes display component, and the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod is arranged to be able to cooperate with the third tens of minutes cam (72). The third tens of minutes cam (72) is preset to indicate the end of the tens of minutes countdown to the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod (74), and the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod (74) is arranged to cooperate with the first striking feeler rod (38), so that the first striking feeler rod (38) cooperates with the first cam (34) when the tens of minutes countdown ends.

9. The mechanical watch movement according to claim 7, characterized in that: The display device of the timing mechanism includes a fourth hour display component (20), the fourth hour display component is arranged to display the hour countdown of the predetermined time interval, and the striking mechanism includes a fourth hour cam (78) and a fifth hour feeler rod (80), the fourth hour cam is associated with the fourth hour display component (20), the fifth hour feeler rod is arranged to be able to cooperate with the fourth hour cam (78), the fourth hour cam (78) is preset to indicate the end of the hour countdown to the fifth hour feeler rod (80), and the fifth hour feeler rod (80) is arranged to cooperate with the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod (74), so that the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod (74) cooperates with the third tens of minutes cam (72) at the end of the hour countdown.

10. The mechanical watch movement according to claim 9, characterized in that: The third minute unit feeler rod (64), the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod (74), and the fifth hour feeler rod (80) form a single rod.

11. The mechanical watch movement according to claim 10, characterized in that: The first strike feeler rod (38), the third minute unit feeler rod (64), the fourth tens of minutes feeler rod (74), and the fifth hour feeler rod (80) form a single rod.

12. The mechanical watch movement according to claim 2, characterized in that: The striking end mechanism comprises a striking end rod (50), which comprises a second striking end feeler rod (40), and the second striking end feeler rod is arranged to cooperate with the first cam (34) to control the separation of the clutch device (6) and the stopping of striking when the countdown of the predetermined time interval ends.

13. The mechanical watch movement according to claim 2, characterized in that: The striking end mechanism comprises a striking end lever (110) and a striking stop cam (120), wherein the striking end lever is arranged to cooperate with the first striking lever (100), the striking stop cam is movably connected to the timer drive wheel and pinion (1), and is arranged to control the striking end lever (110) to stop striking at the end of the countdown of the predetermined time interval without disengaging the clutch device (6).

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