Watch comprising impact resistant dial

Abstract

A watch includes an impact resistant dial. One aspect of the invention relates to a watch (100) comprising an intermediate part (10), a removable bottom cover (12) mounted on the intermediate part (10), and a movement (20) housed in an internal volume (15) of the intermediate part (10), characterized in that the watch comprises a dial (40) having a thickness (e3), the dial (40) comprising an upper face (41) visible to a user, the dial (40) being attached to a reinforcement (30) positioned below the dial (40), the reinforcement (30) comprises a peripheral annular shoulder (36) engaging with an annular shoulder (16) formed in the intermediate part (10), said reinforcement (30) being attached to the intermediate part (10) so as to be pressed against the annular shoulder (16) of the intermediate part (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a watch including a shock-resistant dial. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, a watch consists of a central section, a crystal, and a removable case back. The watch movement is held in the central section by a set of components.

[0003] The dial, visible through the crystal, is securely fastened to the watch movement.

[0004] As is well known, an accidental impact to a watch can damage or break certain parts of the watch movement, or even cause some parts to fall off.

[0005] Several solutions have been developed to minimize the impact of shocks on watch movements, particularly by inserting shock absorbers between intermediate components and the watch movement.

[0006] However, the watch movement is not the only part that can be damaged by accidental impacts to the watch.

[0007] In fact, the dial that is fastened to the watch movement can also be damaged or deformed by impacts to the watch.

[0008] Therefore, the dial needs to be improved to address at least one of the aforementioned issues. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present invention primarily aims to provide a watch with an improved shock resistance, including an impact-resistant dial.

[0010] For this purpose, the present invention aims to provide a watch comprising a central component, a removable case back mounted on the central component, and a movement housed within the internal volume of the central component.

[0011] According to the present invention, the watch includes a dial having a thickness e3, the dial including a user-visible upper surface, the dial being attached to a reinforcement positioned below the dial, the reinforcement including a peripheral annular shoulder engaging with an annular shoulder formed in an intermediate member, the reinforcement being attached to the intermediate member and pressing against the annular shoulder of the intermediate member.

[0012] If the watch is subjected to an impact, this reinforcement helps minimize the bending of the dial. Therefore, for the same dial (i.e., made of the same material and having the same thickness), if the watch is dropped from a height of 1 meter, the impact-resistant dial according to the invention significantly reduces the bending of the dial by at least two times.

[0013] Therefore, the shock-resistant dial according to the invention provides a simple and cost-effective solution without the need to use other expensive and more complex materials to manufacture the dial.

[0014] The shock-resistant dial according to the invention allows for reinforced support to be provided across the entire surface of the dial, and the dial to be directly attached to the intermediate component to minimize strain and deformation of the dial.

[0015] In addition to the features mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the watch according to the invention may also have one or more complementary features derived from the following, which are adopted individually or in any technically possible combination: - The dial is rigidly pressed against the upper surface of the reinforcement; preferably, the dial is integrally and rigidly pressed against the upper surface of the reinforcement. - The dial has a central portion and a peripheral portion, wherein the central portion and the peripheral portion are rigidly pressed against the upper surface of the reinforcing member; - The reinforcing member has a central portion and a peripheral portion having a peripheral annular shoulder formed thereon. The central portion has a thickness e1, and the peripheral portion has a thickness e2. The thickness e2 of the peripheral portion is greater than the thickness e1 of the central portion and is greater than the thickness e3 of the dial. - The thickness e2 of the peripheral portion is at least twice the thickness e1 of the central portion 31 and / or greater than the thickness e3 of the dial; -The reinforcing member is screwed onto the intermediate component; - The reinforcement is attached to the intermediate component by screwing it onto the annular shoulder of the intermediate component; - The watch includes a clamping ring that is separate from the removable case back, screwed onto the intermediate component, and arranged to axially press the reinforcement against the annular shoulder of the intermediate component; - The clamping ring includes threads on its outer circumference that engage with taps formed in the intermediate component; - The tapping in the intermediate component for clamping the clamping ring is configured such that the removable bottom cover (12) can be screwed onto it; - The dial and reinforcement components are made as a single piece; - The dial is glued to the upper surface of the reinforcement using adhesive components; - The dial is screwed onto the upper surface of the reinforcing member by a screwing device; - The dial is attached to the upper surface of the reinforcement by brazing or soldering; - The movement uses a reinforcing component set in the middle part. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the following drawings: - Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a watch according to the present invention, including a shock-resistant dial; - Figure 2 This is a partial illustration. Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of the watch illustrated herein; - Figure 3 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the shock-resistant dial according to the present invention; - Figure 4 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of a watch according to the present invention.

[0017] In all figures, unless otherwise specified, common elements have the same reference numerals. Detailed Implementation

[0018] In this application, the axial direction is the direction that extends perpendicularly to the plane (denoted here as P1) formed by the dial of the watch movement. On the other hand, the radial direction is parallel to the plane P1 formed by the dial.

[0019] The terms “inner” and “outer” are taken into consideration with respect to the center of the timepiece, such that the inner face is closer to the center than the outer face, which is opposite to the center of the timepiece.

[0020] The terms "upper part" and "lower part" are referenced as follows: Figure 2 Consider the watch shown placed on its bottom cover.

[0021] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a watch 100 according to the present invention, having a central axis B and including an intermediate part 10 configured to be closed on both sides by a removable back cover 12 and a watch crystal (not shown).

[0022] Figure 2 This is a partial illustration. Figure 1 The figure shows a cross-sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of the watch 100. Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the shock-resistant dial according to the invention, shown in more detail.

[0023] For example, the intermediate component 10 is made of metal, ceramic, polymer or a combination of different materials.

[0024] The watch 100 includes a movement 20, which is housed in an internal volume 15 defined by an intermediate component 10 and held in place within the intermediate component 10 by a fitting device (not shown).

[0025] The movement 20 can be mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic.

[0026] The movement 20 has a central axis A perpendicular to the overall plane P1. The central axis A of the movement 20 is parallel to or corresponds to the rotation axis of the movement's pointer.

[0027] The central axis A of the movement 20 is parallel to or corresponds to the central axis B of the intermediate component 110.

[0028] The dial 40 is typically positioned above the movement 20 and is visible through the crystal.

[0029] The dial 40 has a user-visible upper surface 41 with indicators and / or openings for displaying time-related information. The dial 40 may also have decorations on its upper surface 41.

[0030] For example, the dial may be made of brass, aluminum, steel, metal alloys, synthetic materials, composite materials, or blends of these materials.

[0031] The dial has a thickness of e3. Normally, the dial is 0.4 mm thick. Depending on the materials used and the dimensions of the dial, such thickness may cause stiffness issues and lead to deformation when the watch is subjected to impact.

[0032] To compensate for this deficiency, the dial 40 is attached to a reinforcement 30 positioned below the dial 40, the assembly forming an impact-resistant dial according to the invention.

[0033] The dial 40 has a central portion and a peripheral portion. According to the present invention, the central portion and the peripheral portion of the dial 40 are pressed against the reinforcing member 30.

[0034] For example, the reinforcing member 30 is disc-shaped, having a central portion 31 and a peripheral portion 32.

[0035] Preferably, the radial dimension of the reinforcing member 30 is larger than that of the dial 40, so that the dial 40 is integrally pressed against the reinforcing member 30.

[0036] The reinforcing member 30 has an upper surface 33, which forms a support surface on which the dial 40 is pressed and attached.

[0037] The reinforcement 30 includes an annular shoulder 36 formed in the peripheral portion 32, the annular shoulder 36 being configured to press against an annular shoulder 16 formed in the inner portion of the intermediate member 10.

[0038] Preferably, the peripheral portion 32 has a thickness e2 at the annular shoulder 36 that is greater than the thickness e1 of the central portion 31, and has a thickness e3 of the dial 40. For example, the thickness of the peripheral portion 32 is at least twice that of the central portion 31, thereby ensuring the rigidity of the thinner dial 40.

[0039] The reinforcing member 30 is attached to the intermediate member 10 and presses against the annular shoulder 16 at the peripheral annular shoulder 36.

[0040] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2In the first exemplary embodiment illustrated herein, the reinforcing member 30 is attached to the intermediate component by a screwing device such as a screw.

[0041] For example, the reinforcing member 30 is attached to the intermediate member 10 by means of a screw that engages with the tapped portion of the annular shoulder 16. This screwing mechanism ensures that the reinforcing member 30 is rigidly held on the annular shoulder 16 of the intermediate member 10.

[0042] exist Figure 4 In the second exemplary embodiment illustrated herein, the reinforcement 30 is rigidly attached to the intermediate member 10 by means of a clamping ring 50 separate from the removable bottom cover 12. The clamping ring 50 is screwed into the intermediate member 10 and is configured to clamp and axially press the reinforcement 30 against the annular shoulder 16 of the intermediate member 10.

[0043] The clamping ring 50 includes threads on its outer circumference that are configured to engage with a tap 17 formed on the axial inner surface of the intermediate member 10.

[0044] The clamping ring 50 may include a cavity on its lower surface, thereby enabling the insertion of a tool to make it easier to clamp the clamping ring 50 in the intermediate part 10.

[0045] Preferably, the tap 17 used to clamp the clamping ring 50 is the same as the tap used to install and tighten the removable bottom cover 12.

[0046] The clamping ring 50 can be made of any rigid, non-elastic material, such as metal or synthetic material.

[0047] For example, the clamping ring 50 is made of a rigid, non-elastic material with a Young's modulus greater than 50 GPa.

[0048] Preferably, the reinforcing member 30 integrally covers the movement 20 and has the necessary openings for displaying information on the dial 40.

[0049] The reinforcing member 30 can be arranged to contact the movement 20, for example, to contact the upper surface of the movement 20. The reinforcing member 30 can also be positioned at a distance from the movement 20, thereby creating an axial clearance between the reinforcing member 30 and the movement 20.

[0050] The dial 40 may conventionally include fastening lugs 42 that engage with ports formed in the central portion 31 of the reinforcement 30. These fastening lugs 42 form a scale indexing device for correctly positioning the dial 40 on the reinforcement 30.

[0051] For example, dial 40 is bonded to reinforcement 30 using adhesive element 14 (e.g., adhesive film).

[0052] Therefore, the adhesive element 14 forms an interface layer between the dial 40 and the reinforcement 30.

[0053] For example, the dial 40 is screwed onto the reinforcement 30 by a screw that engages with a tapped screw formed on the upper surface 33 of the reinforcement 30.

[0054] For example, the dial 40 is brazed or copper-welded to the reinforcement 30.

[0055] For example, the dial 40 is made of brass and has a thickness of 0.4 mm e3. The reinforcing member 30 is made of steel and has a thickness of 0.4 mm e1 and a thickness of 0.9 mm e2.

[0056] In a variant embodiment, the dial 40 is made as a single piece, for example, with the reinforcement 30. In this variant embodiment, the decorative surface is applied directly to the reinforcement 30.

Claims

1. A watch (100) comprising an intermediate part (10), a removable back cover (12) mounted on the intermediate part (10) and a movement (20) housed in an internal volume (15) of the intermediate part (10), characterized in that, The watch comprises a dial (40) having a thickness (e3), the dial (40) comprising an upper face (41) visible to the user, the dial (40) being attached to a stiffener (30) positioned below the dial (40), the stiffener (30) comprising a peripheral annular shoulder (36) engaged with an annular shoulder (16) formed in the intermediate part (10), the stiffener (30) being attached to the intermediate part (10) and pressed against the annular shoulder (16) of the intermediate part (10).

2. The watch (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The dial (40) is rigidly pressed against the upper face (33) of the stiffener (30).

3. The watch (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The dial (40) has a central portion and a peripheral portion, and wherein the central portion and the peripheral portion are rigidly pressed against the upper face (33) of the stiffener (30).

4. The watch (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The stiffener (30) has a central portion (31) having a thickness (e1) and a peripheral portion (32) on which the peripheral annular shoulder (36) is formed, the peripheral portion having a thickness (e2), the thickness (e2) of the peripheral portion being greater than the thickness (e1) of the central portion (31) and greater than the thickness (e3) of the dial (40).

5. The watch (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The thickness (e2) of the peripheral portion (32) is at least twice the thickness (e1) of the central portion (31) and / or greater than the thickness (e3) of the dial (40).

6. The watch (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The stiffener (30) is attached to the intermediate part (10) by screwing.

7. The watch (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The stiffener (30) is attached to the intermediate part (10) by screwing it onto the annular shoulder (16) of the intermediate part (10).

8. The watch (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The watch (100) comprises a clamping ring (50) separate from the removable back cover (12), screwed into the intermediate part (10) and designed to axially clamp the stiffener (30) against the annular shoulder (16) of the intermediate part (10).

9. The watch (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The clamping ring (50) comprises, on the outer circumference, threads engaged with the tappings (17) formed in the intermediate part (10).

10. The watch (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The tappings (17) in the intermediate part (10) for clamping the clamping ring (33) are configured so that the removable back cover (12) can be screwed thereon.

11. The watch (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The dial (40) is made in one piece with the stiffener (30).

12. The watch (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that The dial (40) is glued to the upper face (33) of the stiffener (30) using an adhesive element (14).

13. The watch (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that, The dial (40) is screwed onto the upper face (33) of the stiffener (30) by screwing means.

14. The watch (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that, The dial (40) is attached to the upper face (33) of the stiffener (30) by brazing or soldering.

15. The watch (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that, The movement (20) is housed in the intermediate part (10) using the stiffener (30). The dial (40) is made in one piece with the stiffener (30). The dial (40) is glued to the upper face (33) of the stiffener (30) using an adhesive element (14). The dial (40) is screwed onto the upper face (33) of the stiffener (30) by screwing means. The dial (40) is attached to the upper face (33) of the stiffener (30) by brazing or soldering. The movement (20) is housed in the intermediate part (10) using the stiffener (30).

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