Holding device

Abstract

The utility model relates to a retaining device which is used for axially retaining a moving part (2) of a clock movement (100) around a shaft (3), the moving part (2) comprises a cylindrical part (4) which is coaxially arranged on the shaft (3), and the retaining device comprises a clamp (1) which is arranged on the cylindrical part (4) of the moving part (2). According to the utility model, the clamp (1) comprises an elastic retaining structure, and the elastic retaining structure is arranged to be matched with the cylindrical piece (4) and clamp the cylindrical piece on a part of the periphery of the cylindrical piece; 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

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present utility model relates to the field of timepieces, in particular to the field of watches. The present utility model relates more particularly to a holding device for holding and rotatably guiding a movement component of a timepiece movement. BACKGROUND

[0002] The prior art includes a large number of documents relating to holding devices for movement components.

[0003] These documents disclose fastening the movement components of a movement by means of screws, by press-fitting a mandrel or by using a snap ring. For example, a moon phase disc is usually held in the centre thereof by a screw or a mandrel, or even by a guide ring, which increases the thickness of the movement.

[0004] Another conventional way of guiding a timepiece movement component is to pivot it between two bearings, each of which is supported by a base (movement plate, bridge, holding plate, etc.).

[0005] Due to functional reasons, in particular due to wear and lubrication, the bearings are usually components that are assembled to the base, thus requiring an assembly operation. The bearings can be metallic or mineral, and it is known for the bearings to be made of brass or bronze, or else of ceramic or ruby.

[0006] This architecture therefore requires the manufacture and assembly of various components, which is costly both in terms of economy and in terms of the space taken up by the movement.

[0007] One economical and effective solution to this problem is to simply remove one of the bases. If the movement component in question is a time wheel, the time wheel is inserted onto a pinion shaft, which acts as a radial guide and axial stop element in only one direction (towards the gear train side).

[0008] In the other direction (towards the dial side), the time wheel is not held before the dial is installed. In this case, it is not possible to provide a movement without a dial, for example a so-called “openworked” movement, because the movement component would not be held in place if there is no axial stop on the dial side. It is also obvious that, in the case of this type of movement component, it is not possible to easily transport such a movement in order to insert it into a watch case.

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

[0010] - the movement component must be transported as a spare part. Very delicate lubrication work must therefore be carried out by the watch case assembler, who has no experience in this area, rather than by the movement assembler;

[0011] - the movement must be shipped in a protective container, the lid of which acts as a stop. If the moving part concerned is the tourbillon, this moving part will have different lengths in order to be able to protrude in a manner adapted to the thicknesses of the different dials that will be mounted on this movement. This solution solves the lubrication problem, but requires the use of protective container lids adapted to the length of each moving part, which makes logistics more complex;

[0012] - the movement must be equipped with a retaining clip when it is shipped. Said clip must be inserted when the movement is assembled. This solution solves the lubrication problem and the logistics problem related to the protective container. However, the component must be manufactured and assembled in order for the movement to be delivered to the case assembler. It is difficult to reuse it because of its small size, which makes it difficult to clean and repair. Finally, there is a high risk of damaging the movement when it is removed, for example due to excessive force from the wrong direction, or because the movement is scratched by the pliers used to remove it.

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

[0014] The prior art does not provide an economically and easily implementable solution, and it is therefore necessary to provide an alternative to the existing solutions. SUMMARY

[0015] The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a device for axially retaining two coaxial elements, at least one of which is rotating, by means of a radial insertion clip which does not generate a friction torque with the first element or only a very small friction torque, even if it is integral with the second element.

[0016] The present invention therefore relates to a retaining device for axially retaining a moving part of a watch movement around a shaft, the moving part comprising a cylindrical element arranged in coaxial mounting on the shaft, the retaining device comprising a clip for mounting on the cylindrical element of the moving part.

[0017] According to the invention, the clip comprises a resilient retaining structure arranged to cooperate with and clip a groove formed in the cylindrical element, and comprising a locking beak which passes through an opening extending radially inwards relative to the cylindrical element and cooperates with a slot in the shaft to axially retain the moving part in place.

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

[0019] - the cylindrical element comprises a groove formed around all or part of its outer periphery;

[0020] - the clip comprises a ring body having two arms with open ends, at least one of the two arms being elastically deformable, the two arms forming the elastic retention structure;

[0021] - the inner radius of the clip is smaller than the radius of the cylindrical element or of the groove, so as to obtain elastic deformation of the elastic retention structure and to ensure that the elastic retention structure is held without play on the cylindrical element;

[0022] - the clip comprises a handling structure;

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

[0024] - each arm of the ring body has two circular arc portions;

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

[0026] - the clip is made of a wire;

[0027] - the clip has an oval shape so that only the ends of the two arms rest against the outer periphery of the cylindrical element in the groove and the locking beak is located in the opening;

[0028] - the watch movement comprises a foil arranged on a mobile element, the clip retaining both the mobile element and the foil.

[0029] According to another aspect, the application relates to a watch movement comprising a retention device according to the application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

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

[0031] - Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a retention device according to the application, the device being in the locked position;

[0032] - Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a retention device according to the application, the device being in the unlocked position;

[0033] - Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a retention device according to the application;

[0034] - Figures 4a to 4d show alternative embodiments of the application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Reference will now be made to Figs. 1 to 3The device for holding a time wheel on a cylindrical piece according to the application is described by way of example. The person skilled in the art can easily adapt the device to any other type of moving part, whether it pivots about a rotation axis or not.

[0036] According to the illustrated embodiment, the timepiece movement is intended to be used to design a timepiece comprising a moving part constituting an hour display, and thus comprising means for driving this moving part, the structure of such driving means being known and not described here again.

[0037] Needless to say, the application applies to any type of moving part pivoting about an axis, such as moving parts for displaying the phases of the moon, the minutes, the date, and also stems or even intermediate wheels.

[0038] The application relates to a holding device for holding a moving part 2 mounted on a shaft 3, such as a wheel of a timepiece movement 100. The device comprises a clip 1 intended to be mounted on a cylindrical piece 4 of the moving part 2 and to cooperate with the shaft 3 between a first position and a second position.

[0039] Advantageously, the clip 1 comprises a resilient holding structure in the form of two arms intended to cooperate with a groove 40 formed in the cylindrical piece 4 or in the cylindrical piece, and a locking beak 12 intended to cooperate successively with an opening 41 in the cylindrical piece 4 and with a slot 30 in the shaft 3, in order to hold the moving part 2 axially on the shaft 3 in the first position and to release it axially in the second position, the clip 1 being intended to be able to translate between the first position, called the locked position, and the second position, called the unlocked or free position, in which the clip 1 can be removed.

[0040] As Fig. 1 illustrated, the clip 1 takes the form of a ring body having two arms 10, 11 with open (or free) ends, each of which is elastically deformable to grip the groove 40 when the clip 1 is mounted on the cylindrical piece 4, the groove 40 extending continuously (or partially) around the circumference of the cylindrical piece 4.

[0041] As illustrated, the clip 1 also has a locking beak 12 which lies in the same plane as the plane formed by the two arms 10, 11.

[0042] The clip 1 comprises a locking beak 12 which passes through an opening 41 formed in the cylindrical piece 4, and the end of which rests in a slot 30 in the shaft 3, in order to hold the moving part 2 axially on the shaft 3, the clip 1 thus preventing 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, so as to prevent friction between the beak 12 and the shaft 3 and ensure that the moving part 2 is firmly held on the shaft 3.

[0044] The elastic retaining structure, in conjunction with the groove 40, guides the clip 1 and reliably holds it on the moving part 2. Therefore, once the clip 1 is in place, the moving part 2 will not detach from 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 into the watch case, as the moving part can be installed and held in place simultaneously with the movement.

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

[0046] according to Fig. 2 In the embodiment shown, the inner radius of the arms 10, 11 of the clamp 1 is smaller than the radius of the cylindrical member 4 or the groove 40, so that the arms 10, 11 of the clamp 1 can elastically deform and hold the clamp 1 in the proper position on the cylindrical member 4 without play.

[0047] It should also be noted that the clamp 1 can also be used to axially hold components other than the moving part 2, such as the foil 5 placed on the moving part 2. Therefore, the clamp 1 can be used to axially hold multiple components simultaneously.

[0048] Clip 1 may be made of a material selected from elastic deformable plastic or metal.

[0049] According to the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 4a, each arm 10, 11 of the ring-shaped body of the clip 1 has two arcuate portions. This arrangement allows for the formation of a stop notch and two easily distinguishable positions for the operator, while preventing the clip from falling off.

[0050] The clamp 1 may also include an actuating structure, such as a tab 15 optionally provided with an opening 16, to facilitate actuation of the clamp 1, as shown in FIG4b. The arms 10, 11 may optionally have an elliptical shape, such that only the ends of the arms 10, 11 rest against the outer periphery of the cylindrical member in the groove 40, thereby forming an actuating structure optionally provided with an opening 17 to facilitate actuation of the clamp 1, as shown in FIG4c.

[0051] according to Fig. 4d In another alternative embodiment shown, the clip 1 is also in the form of a ring, having two arms 10, 11 including open ends, one end of which is bent toward the inside of the clip 1 to form a locking beak 12, which is arranged to engage with the opening 41 in the cylindrical member 4.

[0052] like Fig. 4dThe clip 1 is positioned on the shaft 3 as shown in the following manner: first, the curved end forming the locking beak is placed in the opening 41 of the cylindrical piece 4, then the other open end is passed around the cylindrical piece so that the free arm extends along and engages in the groove 40 until the clip occupies its locking position.

[0053] In other alternative embodiments illustrated in the figures, the clip 1 is positioned on the shaft 3 in the following manner: first, the clip 1 is positioned on the cylindrical piece 4 with the locking beak facing the opening 41 and the two arms are pre-engaged in the groove 40 in order to guide the clip 1 on the cylindrical piece 4. Then, the operator pushes the clip 1 so that it rests on the cylindrical piece 4 in order to pass the locking beak 12 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 disassembly direction of the clip 1 is opposite to its insertion direction. In the particular case of the alternative embodiment illustrated in figure 4c, the inner radius of the two arms is not coaxial with the radius of the cylindrical piece 4 or of the groove 40. This allows a radial stress directed towards the center of the cylindrical piece 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 application provides a device for holding a moving component of a watch movement, which is easy to install / uninstall and which makes it possible to hold the moving component reliably on its shaft during transport of the watch movement.

[0056] The above description corresponds to preferred embodiments which should in no case be considered limiting, more particularly as regards the forms described for the different structural elements making up the assembly device or the materials thereof.

Claims

1. A retaining device for axially retaining a movement component (2) of a timepiece movement (100) around a shaft (3), said movement component (2) comprising a barrel (4) arranged coaxially mounted on said shaft (3), said retaining device comprising a clip (1) for mounting on said barrel (4) of said movement component (2), characterized in that said clip (1) comprising a resilient retaining structure arranged to cooperate with said barrel (4) and to grip said barrel on a portion of its outer periphery; said clip (1) comprising a locking beak (12) passing through an opening (41) extending radially inwards with respect to said barrel and arranged to cooperate with a slot (30) in said shaft (3) to axially retain said movement component (2) in place.

2. The holding device according to claim 1, characterized in that said barrel (4) comprising a groove (40) formed around all or part of its outer periphery.

3. The holding device according to claim 2, characterized in that said clip (1) comprising a ring-like body having two arms (10, 11) with open ends, at least one of said two arms being elastically deformable, said two arms (10, 11) forming said resilient retaining structure.

4. Retaining device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said clip has an inner radius smaller than the radius of said barrel (4) or of said groove (40) so as to obtain an elastic deformation of said resilient retaining structure and to ensure that said resilient retaining structure is held without play on said barrel (4).

5. The holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said clip (1) comprises a handling structure.

6. The holding device of claim 3, wherein said locking beak (12) is located at one of said open ends.

7. The holding device of claim 3, wherein each arm of said ring-like body has two circular arc portions.

8. The holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said clip (1) is made of a metal wire.

9. The holding device of claim 3, wherein said clip (1) has an elliptical shape so that only the ends of said two arms (10, 11) rest against the outer periphery of said barrel (4) in said groove (40) and said locking beak (12) is located in said opening (41).

10. The holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said timepiece movement comprises a foil (5) arranged on said movement component (2), said clip (1) retaining both said movement component (2) and said foil (5).

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