Watchcase and clock comprising same

Abstract

The invention relates to a watch case (1) and a timepiece comprising such a watch case (1), the watch case (1) comprising a watch mirror (2) and a rotating bezel (3). It is notably characterized in that one of the watch mirror and the rotating bezel comprises at least one elastic sheet (4) arranged to engage with a tooth (5) comprised by the other of the watch mirror and the rotating bezel to angularly index the position of the rotating bezel relative to the watch mirror and thus relative to the intermediate part. Preferably, the at least one elastic sheet (4) extends from the watch mirror (2), and the teeth are defined by the rotating bezel (3) and located on the inner side of the rotating bezel. In one advantageous variant, the rotating bezel (3) and the watch mirror (2) are arranged such that the rotating bezel can be snapped onto the watch mirror.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of mechanical watches. More specifically, this invention relates to a watch case fitted with a rotating bezel. Background Technology

[0002] There are many exemplary embodiments of watches with rotating bezels. The rotating bezel is typically rotatably mounted to the central part of the watch case. These rotating bezels usually have minute markings, providing a simple means of telling time or indicating a second time zone. To hold the rotating bezel in place, a graduated mechanism is provided, which allows the bezel to be positioned at predetermined angular positions, particularly 60 positions. This graduated mechanism is made of a flexible sheet that acts as a pawl abutting against teeth. The teeth are secured to the rotating bezel either directly formed on the invisible inner surface of the bezel or formed on an attachment ring assembled with and thus forming part of the bezel. The flexible sheet extends from a ring, typically made of steel, and is secured to the central part.

[0003] Application EP2672333 provides an example of a rotating bezel that is pivotally mounted on a central component and its indexing mechanism. It consists of added teeth and a ring with three flexible plate-like parts forming pawls.

[0004] Application EP0573386 describes a specific embodiment in which a rotating bezel is sandwiched between a central component and an upper annular protrusion of the watch crystal. As in other embodiments, the inner surface of the rotating bezel includes teeth. An annular member comprising four flexible sheet-like elements is disposed between the central component and the bezel.

[0005] These designs have many drawbacks, especially for watches with plastic cases. The use of additional components increases the complexity and cost of the watch. In particular, the ring-shaped component must be securely fastened to the central part so that the rotating bezel can be indexed. Furthermore, the ring-shaped component is generally made of metal. If the flexible sheet-like component is metal, the teeth should also be made of metal to avoid premature wear.

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the various defects of existing technology devices and to provide a watch case with a rotating bezel that is made of a small number of specific components and is relatively inexpensive. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The main objective of the present invention is achieved by a watch case comprising a crystal and a rotating bezel, one of which includes at least one resilient sheet arranged to engage with teeth included in the other of the crystal and the rotating bezel to angularly grade the position of the rotating bezel relative to the crystal.

[0008] The case design according to the present invention makes it easy and cost-effective to achieve the angular division of the bezel relative to the crystal.

[0009] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the at least one elastic sheet and the teeth are arranged to form a unidirectional system, such that the rotating bezel can rotate in a single direction, preferably counterclockwise.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one resilient sheet extends from the watch crystal, and the teeth are defined by a rotating bezel and located inside the rotating bezel.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotating bezel is pivotally mounted on the watch crystal. In particular, the rotating bezel and the watch crystal are arranged such that the rotating bezel can be snapped onto the watch crystal.

[0012] According to a first general embodiment of the present invention, the at least one elastic sheet is arranged to deform in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotating bezel, and the teeth are arranged above the at least one elastic sheet.

[0013] According to a second general embodiment of the invention, the at least one elastic sheet is arranged to deform in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the rotating bezel, and the teeth are arranged at corresponding positions on the at least one elastic sheet and located on the outer periphery of the at least one elastic sheet.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the case includes at least three resilient sheet-like members that engage with the teeth.

[0015] The present invention also relates to a clock that includes the aforementioned case. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Certain objects, advantages, and features of the invention can be clearly discovered by reading the various embodiments provided by way of non-limiting example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 A perspective view of the rotating bezel and watch crystal in a separate configuration prior to assembly, forming a watch case assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention, is shown.

[0018] Figure 2 An enlarged view of the watch crystal near the elastic sheet included in the watch crystal is shown;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the watch crystal and rotating bezel assembled in the watch case in the first embodiment at the location of the teeth and the elastic sheet;

[0020] Figure 4This is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the watch crystal in the watch case and the rotating bezel mounted on the watch crystal in the first embodiment;

[0021] Figure 5 An exploded perspective view of an assembly comprising a watch crystal and a rotating bezel forming a watch case, according to a second embodiment of the present invention, is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Figures 1 to 4 An assembly comprising a watch crystal 2 forming a watch case 1 and a rotating bezel 3, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, is shown. This assembly is designed to enclose the central part of the watch. The watch crystal 2 will be fixed to the central part by adhesive, welding, or any other suitable means. Only the watch crystal and the rotating bezel are shown in the figure. The other components of the watch case 1 are known to those skilled in the art.

[0023] The rotating bezel 3 is designed to be directly mounted to the watch crystal 2 in a pivotable manner. For this purpose, the watch crystal includes lateral protrusions 6 extending around its outer periphery, while the inner surface of the rotating bezel 3 includes a continuous or multi-segment lower flange 7. The bevels on the lateral protrusions 6 and the lower flange 7 facilitate press-fitting of the rotating bezel onto the watch crystal. Therefore, pressing along the axis of rotation of the bezel will snap the rotating bezel into place on the watch crystal.

[0024] The rotating bezel 3 has teeth 5 formed on its inner side. The innovation lies in the fact that the crystal 2 includes at least one resilient sheet 4 arranged to engage with the teeth 5 formed on the inner surface of the rotating bezel 3. In the first embodiment shown, four resilient sheets 4 are provided, arranged to deform in a direction orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the rotating bezel, the teeth being arranged at corresponding positions / heights of the resilient sheets and located on their outer periphery. In the preferred variant shown, the resilient sheets 4 extend from the crystal 2. In other words, the resilient sheets 4 are integrally formed with the crystal 2, which is preferably made of plastic. Advantageously, the rotating bezel is also made of plastic.

[0025] Figure 3 An enlarged view of the elastic sheet 4 and the teeth 5 is shown. The pressure applied by the elastic sheet to the teeth enables the rotating bezel to be indexed relative to the watch crystal at a preset angular position, thereby indexing relative to the intermediate component.

[0026] In the illustrated variant, the toothed portion 5 has a serrated profile and, together with the elastic sheet 4, forms a unidirectional system, allowing the watch crystal to rotate only in one direction. In this example, the rotating bezel 3 can only rotate counterclockwise.

[0027] Of course, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to this particular tooth, but covers any other type of profile capable of achieving angular graduations on a rotating bezel.

[0028] In a variation of the first embodiment (not shown), the elastic sheet may be positioned at the same height as the lateral protrusion to reduce the thickness of the watch crystal and bezel.

[0029] Preferably, the watch face 2 is injection molded from plastic. To facilitate mold production, the lateral protrusion 6 is broken at the elastic sheet 4.

[0030] Figure 5 A second embodiment of the rotating bezel and crystal system according to the invention is shown, wherein the elastic sheet 4 is arranged to deform in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the bezel. Teeth 5 are correspondingly formed to engage with the elastic sheet 4 and realize the angular division of the rotating bezel 3. Figure 5 In the second embodiment shown, the teeth are arranged above the elastic sheet. The serrated profile of the teeth allows the rotation of the bezel to be restricted to a counter-clockwise direction.

[0031] The invention also relates to other embodiments not shown. Thus, the elastic sheet can be carried by the rotating bezel, and the watch crystal is toothed. Preferably, the elastic sheet extends from and is located inside the rotating bezel. In other words, the elastic sheet is made of the same material as the rotating bezel. As in the illustrated embodiment, the elastic sheet can deform in a direction parallel or perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotating bezel. The rotating bezel with the elastic sheet can be produced by injection molding or additive manufacturing methods. The rotating bezel is preferably made of plastic.

[0032] This invention enables the production of components including the watch crystal and rotating bezel with relatively few resources, eliminates the risks associated with using additional metal rings, and simplifies the operations involved in assembling watches.

Claims

1. A watch case (1) comprising a crystal (2) and a rotating bezel (3), characterized in that, One of the watch crystal (2) and the rotating bezel (3) includes at least one elastic sheet (4), which is arranged to engage with a tooth (5) included in the other of the watch crystal (2) and the rotating bezel (3) to angularly divide the position of the rotating bezel (3) relative to the watch crystal (2).

2. The watch case (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one elastic sheet (4) and the teeth (5) are arranged to form a unidirectional device, such that the rotating bezel (3) can rotate in a single direction, particularly counterclockwise.

3. The watch case (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The at least one elastic sheet (4) extends from the watch crystal (2), and the teeth are defined by the rotating bezel (3) and located inside the rotating bezel.

4. The watch case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The rotating bezel (3) is pivotally mounted on the watch crystal (2).

5. The watch case (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The rotating bezel (3) and the watch crystal (2) are arranged such that the rotating bezel can be snapped onto the watch crystal.

6. The watch case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The at least one elastic sheet (4) is arranged to deform in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotating bezel, and the teeth (5) are arranged above the at least one elastic sheet.

7. The watch case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The at least one elastic sheet (4) is arranged to deform in a direction orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the rotating bezel (2), and the teeth (5) are arranged at corresponding positions of the at least one elastic sheet and located on the outer periphery of the at least one elastic sheet.

8. The watch case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The case includes at least three resilient sheet-like elements (4) that engage with the teeth (5).

9. A clock, characterized in that, The watch includes a case according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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