Holding device for moving part

Abstract

The invention relates to a holding device for axially holding a moving part (2) of a timepiece movement (100) around a shaft (3), said moving part (2) comprising a barrel (4) arranged to be coaxially mounted on said shaft (3), said holding device comprising a clip (1) for mounting on the barrel (4) of said moving part (2). According to the invention, the clip (1) comprises an elastic retaining structure (10, 11) arranged to cooperate with the barrel (4) and to clamp the barrel on a portion of its outer circumference; the clip (1) comprises a locking beak (12) passing through an opening (41) extending radially inward with respect to the barrel and arranged to cooperate with a slot (30) in the shaft (3) to axially hold the moving part (2) in position.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of timepieces, and more particularly to the field of watches. More specifically, the present invention relates to a holding device for holding and rotatably guiding a moving part of a timepiece movement. Background Art

[0002] The prior art includes a large number of documents related to holding devices for moving parts.

[0003] These documents disclose fastening the moving parts of the movement by means of screws, by pressing in arbors or by using snap rings. For example, a moon phase display disk is usually held at its center by a screw or an arbor, or even by a guide ring, which increases the thickness of the movement.

[0004] Another conventional way of guiding the moving parts of a timepiece is to pivot them between two bearings, each bearing being supported by a base (main plate, bridge, holding plate, etc.).

[0005] For functional reasons, especially due to wear and lubrication, the bearings are usually parts assembled to the base, and thus assembly operations are required. The bearings can be metallic or mineral, and it is known that the bearings are made of brass or bronze, etc., or made of ceramics or rubies, etc.

[0006] Therefore, this architecture requires manufacturing and assembling various parts, which is costly both in terms of economy and in terms of the space occupied by the movement.

[0007] An economically efficient way to solve this problem is to simply remove one of the bases. If the moving part involved is the hour wheel, the hour wheel is inserted onto the minute wheel shaft, and the minute wheel shaft serves as a radial guide and axial stop element only in one direction (towards the gear train side).

[0008] In the other direction (towards the dial side), the hour wheel is not held before the dial is installed. In this case, a movement without a dial, such as a so-called "skeleton" movement, cannot be provided, because if there is no axial stop on the dial side, the moving part will not be able to be held in place. It is also obvious that in the case of this type of moving part, it is not easy to transport such a movement for insertion into the watch case.

[0009] There are various solutions, but they all have their drawbacks:

[0010] - The moving parts have to be transported as spare parts. Therefore, very delicate lubrication work has to be done by the watch case assemblers (who have no experience in this area) instead of the movement assemblers;

[0011] - The movement must be transported in a protective container, and the lid of the protective container acts as a stop. If the moving part involved is the hour wheel, the moving part will have different lengths so as to be able to protrude in a manner suitable for different dial thicknesses to be installed on the movement. This solution solves the lubrication problem, but requires the use of a protective container lid suitable for the length of each moving part, which makes logistics more complex;

[0012] - The movement must be equipped with a retaining clip during transportation. The clip must be inserted when assembling the movement. This solution solves the lubrication problem and the logistics problem related to the protective container. However, the part must be manufactured and assembled before the movement can be delivered to the case assembler. Due to the small size of the part, it is difficult to clean and repair, so it is difficult to reuse. Finally, when it is removed, there is a high risk of damaging the movement, such as excessive force due to pulling out in the wrong direction, or the movement being scratched by the extraction pliers.

[0013] It should be noted that none of the proposed solutions solve the problem of the movement without a dial. This is because the proposed solutions only allow the movement to be delivered to the case assembler, but do not allow the movement to be maintained in a functional state after assembly.

[0014] The prior art does not provide an affordable and easy-to-implement solution, so an alternative to the existing solutions is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0015] The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing a device for axially holding two coaxial elements, at least one of the two coaxial elements being rotatable, which is achieved by means of a radially inserted clip that does not generate a frictional torque or only generates a very small frictional torque with the first element, even if it is integral with the second element.

[0016] Therefore, the present invention relates to a holding device for axially holding a moving part of a watch movement around an axis, the moving part including a cylindrical part arranged to be coaxially mounted on the axis, and the holding device including a clip for mounting on the cylindrical part of the moving part.

[0017] According to the present invention, the clip includes an elastic holding structure arranged to cooperate with and clamp a groove formed in the cylindrical part, and the elastic holding structure includes a locking beak that passes through an opening extending radially inwards relative to the cylindrical part and cooperates with a slot in the axis to axially hold the moving part in place.

[0018] According to other advantageous alternative embodiments of the present invention:

[0019] - The cylindrical part includes a groove formed around all or part of its outer circumference;

[0020] - The clip includes an annular body having two arms with open ends, at least one of the two arms being elastically deformable, and the two arms forming the elastic retaining structure;

[0021] - The inner radius of the clip is smaller than the radius of the cylindrical part or the groove in order to obtain elastic deformation of the elastic retaining structure and to ensure that the elastic retaining structure is held on the cylindrical part without play;

[0022] - The clip includes a manipulation structure;

[0023] - The locking beak is located at one of the open ends;

[0024] - Each arm of the annular body has two arcuate portions;

[0025] - The length of the locking beak is greater than the depth of the opening;

[0026] - The clip is made of wire;

[0027] - The clip has an elliptical shape so that only the ends of the two arms rest against the outer periphery of the cylindrical part and are seated in the groove, and the locking beak is located in the opening;

[0028] - The timepiece movement includes a foil disposed on a moving part, and the clip holds both the moving part and the foil.

[0029] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a timepiece movement including a retaining device according to the invention. Description of the Drawings

[0030] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description given by way of example and not limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] - Figure 1 is a perspective view of the retaining device according to the invention in the locked position;

[0032] - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the retaining device according to the invention in the unlocked position;

[0033] - Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the retaining device according to the invention;

[0034] - Figures 4a to 4d shows an alternative embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description

[0035] Reference will now be made to Figures 1 to 3The device for holding a time wheel on a tubular member according to the present invention is described by way of example. A person skilled in the art can adapt this device to any other type of moving part without difficulty, whether or not it pivots about a rotation axis.

[0036] According to the illustrated embodiment, the watch movement is intended for designing a watch that includes a moving part constituting an hour display, and thus includes means for driving this moving part, the structure of such a driving means being known and thus not described here again.

[0037] It goes without saying that the present invention is applicable to any type of moving part that pivots about an axis, such as moving parts for displaying the moon phase, minutes, date, as well as rods or even intermediate wheels.

[0038] The present invention relates to a holding device for holding a moving part 2 mounted on a shaft 3, said moving part 2 being, for example, a wheel of a watch movement 100. The device includes a clip 1 that is intended to be mounted on a tubular member 4 of the moving part 2 and that cooperates with the shaft 3 between a first position and a second position.

[0039] Advantageously, the clip 1 includes elastic holding structures 10, 11 that are in the form of two arms and that are intended to cooperate with the tubular member 4 or a groove 40 formed in this tubular member, and the clip 1 includes a locking beak 12 that is intended to cooperate successively with an opening 41 in the tubular member 4 and a slot 30 in the shaft 3 in order to axially hold the moving part 2 on the shaft 3 in a first position and to release this moving part 2 axially in a second position, the clip 1 being intended to be able to translate between a first position (referred to as the locked position) and a second position (referred to as the unlocked or free position), in which second position the clip 1 can be removed.

[0040] As Figure 1 shown, the clip 1 is in the form of an annular body that has two arms 10, 11 with open (or free) ends, and each arm can be elastically deformed to grip the groove 40 when the clip 1 is mounted on the tubular member 4, the groove 40 extending continuously (or partially) around the circumference of the tubular member 4.

[0041] As shown in the figure, the clip 1 also has a locking beak 12 that is in the same plane as the plane formed by the two arms 10, 11.

[0042] The clip 1 includes a locking beak 12 that passes through an opening 41 formed in the tubular member 4, and the end of this locking beak 12 rests in the slot 30 in the shaft 3 in order to axially hold the moving part 2 on the shaft 3, and the clip 1 thus prevents the moving part 2 from sliding along the shaft 3.

[0043] The length of the locking beak 12 is greater than the depth of the opening 41 and slightly less than the distance between the bottom of the slot 30 and the base of the beak 12 to prevent friction between the beak 12 and the shaft 3 and to ensure that the moving part 2 is firmly held on the shaft 3.

[0044] By the cooperation of the elastic retaining structures 10, 11 with the groove 40, the clip 1 can be guided and reliably held on the moving part 2. Thus, once the clip 1 is in place, the moving part 2 will not fall off the shaft 3 because the clip 1 prevents the moving part 2 from moving axially along the shaft 3. This arrangement is particularly useful for transporting the movement before it is installed in the watch case because the moving part can be mounted and held in place while the movement is being transported.

[0045] Advantageously, the clip 1 only clamps the cylindrical part 4, so that no clamping torque is transmitted to the shaft 3.

[0046] According to Figure 2 the illustrated embodiment, the inner radius of the arms 10, 11 of the clip 1 is smaller than the radius of the cylindrical part 4 or the groove 40 so that the arms 10, 11 of the clip 1 are elastically deformed and hold the clip 1 in place on the cylindrical part 4 without play.

[0047] It should also be noted that the clip 1 can also be used to axially hold elements other than the moving part 2, such as the foil 5 placed on the moving part 2. Thus, the clip 1 can be used to axially hold a plurality of elements simultaneously.

[0048] The clip 1 can be made of a material selected from elastically deformable plastic materials or metals.

[0049] According to Figure 4a the illustrated alternative embodiment, each arm 10, 11 of the annular body of the clip 1 has two arc portions. Such an arrangement makes it possible to form a stop notch and two positions that are easy for the operator to distinguish, while preventing the clip from falling off.

[0050] The clip 1 can also include a manipulation structure, such as a tab 15 optionally provided with an opening 16, to facilitate the manipulation of the clip 1, as Figure 4b illustrated. The arms 10, 11 can optionally have an elliptical shape so that only the ends of the arms 10, 11 rest against the outer periphery of the cylindrical part and are placed in the groove 40, thus becoming a manipulation structure optionally provided with an opening 17 to facilitate the manipulation of the clip 1, as Figure 4c illustrated.

[0051] According to Figure 4d another alternative embodiment illustrated, the clip 1 is also in the form of an annular body having two arms 10, 11 including open ends, one of which is bent towards the inside of the clip 1 to form a locking beak 12 which is arranged to cooperate with the opening 41 in the cylindrical part 4.

[0052] As Figure 4d shown, the clip 1 is positioned on the shaft 3 in the following manner: First, the bent end forming the locking beak is placed in the opening 41 of the tubular member 4, and then the other open end is wrapped around the tubular member such that the free arm extends along and engages in the groove 40 until the clip occupies its locking position.

[0053] In other alternative embodiments shown in the figure, the clip 1 is positioned on the shaft 3 in the following manner: First, the clip 1 is positioned on the tubular member 4 with the locking beak facing the opening 41, and the two arms are pre - engaged in the groove 40 to guide the clip 1 on the tubular member 4. Then, the operator pushes the clip 1 such that the clip 1 abuts against the tubular member 4 so that the locking beak 12 passes through the opening 41 until the locking beak 12 enters the slot 30 in the shaft 3 and the clip occupies its locking position.

[0054] The removal direction of the clip 1 is opposite to its insertion direction. In Figure 4c the specific case of the alternative embodiment shown, the inner radii of the two arms are not co - axial with the radius of the tubular member 4 or the groove 40. This allows a radial stress directed towards the center of the tubular member to be applied in order to expand the open ends of the arms 10, 11, thus facilitating the extraction of the clip. In this case, the opening 17 can be used to hold the end of a tool on the clip 1 without the risk of the tool slipping and damaging the movement.

[0055] Thanks to its various aspects, the present invention provides a device for holding the moving parts of a watch movement, which device is easy to install / dismount and can reliably hold the moving parts on their shafts during the transportation of the watch movement.

[0056] The above description corresponds to the preferred embodiments, which should in no case be considered restrictive. More specifically, the forms described for the different structural elements or their materials forming the assembly device should not be considered restrictive.

Claims

1. A retaining device for axially retaining a moving part (2) of a timepiece movement (100) around an axis (3), the moving part (2) comprising a cylindrical part (4) arranged to be coaxially mounted on the axis (3), the retaining device comprising a clip (1) for mounting on the cylindrical part (4) of the moving part (2), It is characterized in that The clamp (1) comprises an elastic retaining structure (10, 11) arranged to cooperate with the cylindrical member (4) and clamp the cylindrical member on a portion of its outer circumference; the clamp (1) comprises a locking beak (12) passing through an opening (41) extending radially inwardly relative to the cylindrical member, and the locking beak (12) is arranged to cooperate with a slot (30) in the shaft (3) to axially retain the moving part (2) in place.

2. The holding device according to claim 1, characterized in that The cylindrical member (4) includes a groove (40) formed around the entire or a portion of its outer circumference.

3. The holding device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The clip (1) comprises an annular body having two arms (10, 11) with open ends, at least one of the two arms being elastically deformable, the two arms (10, 11) forming the elastic retaining structure.

4. The holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The inner radius of the clip is smaller than the radius of the cylindrical member (4) or the groove (40) so as to obtain elastic deformation of the elastic retaining structure (10, 11) and ensure that the elastic retaining structure is retained on the cylindrical member (4) without play.

5. A holding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The clamp (1) comprises a manipulation structure (15, 16, 17).

6. The holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The locking beak (12) is located at one of the open ends.

7. The holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that Each arm of the annular body has two arc portions.

8. The holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The clip (1) is made of metal wire.

9. The holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The clip (1) has an oval shape so that only the ends of the two arms (10, 11) rest in the groove (40) against the periphery of the cylinder (4) and the locking beak (12) is located in the opening (41).

10. The holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The timepiece movement comprises a foil (5) arranged on the moving part (2), the clip (1) retaining both the moving part (2) and the foil (5).

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