CLOCK CASE

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking. It concerns, more particularly, a waterproof watch case. State of the art

[0002] A conventional watch case consists of a plurality of exterior elements (case middle, case back, crystal, etc.) assembled together to form a case. Each interface between two of these elements presents a potential pathway for moisture or dust infiltration, and these junctions are typically sealed by simple gaskets, bonding, or welding. These gaskets are typically ring-shaped, but other shapes are appropriate for non-circular watches.

[0003] A typical construction ensures that each interface exists between two elements exclusively, in order to simplify the task of ensuring the waterproofness of the case. For interfaces that must be removable during maintenance of the timepiece, the use of gaskets is preferred instead of welding or gluing, since it is difficult to detach or unsolder such an interface without risking damage to the casing elements in question.

[0004] However, such conventional construction poses problems when one wishes to give a more complex shape to a watch case.

[0005] An example of this is the "Ferrari" piece from Hublot. A version of this piece is described in the design registered under number USD742255, and is reproduced in the figure 1 of this application.

[0006] This part comprises a watch case 1 of complex shape, comprising several glasses 3, 5 located on several faces of the case 1. However, in order to be able to make the case watertight by means of conventional fittings, each glass 3, 5 has only one interface with another component of the exterior, in particular the caseband 7. The front glass 3 and the upper glass 5 are therefore each surrounded by a unitary element of the caseband, of which an arch-shaped part 9 is common to the two glasses 3, 5.

[0007] Therefore, a first simple seal surrounding the front glass 3 as well as a second simple seal surrounding the upper glass 5 can ensure the sealing of the box 1.

[0008] However, in the commercial version of this piece, the arch-shaped element 9 is not integral with the caseband 7, and is an added part serving as a bonding support, the sealing of the two crystals being thus ensured by glue. Disassembly of the case is thus made very difficult, and risks damaging the casing elements as mentioned above.

[0009] The construction of this part therefore illustrates how manufacturers have been forced until now to arrange the cladding elements in pairs in such a way that each interface is limited to two elements. The construction possibilities have thus been limited.

[0010] Document CH500530 illustrates a timepiece comprising a more complex gasket that has annular strips serving to ensure the seal between two elements of the timepiece. In addition, document US3706198 illustrates a gasket that not only ensures the seal between the caseback and the caseband, but also serves as a support for casing the movement in the latter.

[0011] Finally, document CH556567 illustrates a non-circular watch comprising a sealing gasket which is located in a peripheral groove which is included in a rim of the back, this gasket ensuring the sealing of the latter in relation to the caseband. Even if the figure 2of this figure seems to illustrate a back constructed in two parts, the internal part of the back is not a "dressing element" within the meaning of the invention since it does not contribute to giving the piece its definitive and utilitarian appearance independently of the rest of the back. Moreover, the only path of penetration of moisture towards the interior of the case on the back side is between the main part of the back and the caseband, and there is no path of penetration from the outside between the internal part and the main part of the back. Consequently, and regardless of whether the back as a whole or exclusively its main part is considered to constitute a "dressing element", the joint of this arrangement ensures sealing in a conventional manner between only two dressing elements.

[0012] The aim of the invention is therefore to provide a watch case in which the aforementioned defects are at least partially overcome. Disclosure of the invention

[0013] More specifically, the invention relates to a watch case as defined in the independent claim.

[0014] This watch case comprises at least three separate exterior elements, each of these exterior elements being adjacent to the other two, as well as a sealing gasket arranged to ensure sealing between said exterior elements.

[0015] According to the invention, said sealing gasket comprises a one-piece gasket of three-dimensional shape, said gasket being adapted to ensure sealing both between said first and second covering elements, between said second and third covering elements, and between said first and third covering elements.

[0016] In doing so, complex and / or unusual box shapes can be created, these boxes being removable since no glue is needed to ensure the sealing of the assembly. This is all the more important when a junction between the first and second cladding elements is in a plane making a non-zero angle with a junction between the first and third cladding elements.

[0017] Furthermore, said gasket comprises a first part arranged to ensure sealing between the first and second covering elements, a second part arranged to ensure sealing between the first and third covering elements, and a third part arranged to ensure sealing between the second and third covering elements. Since each part of the gasket is dedicated to a particular junction between two elements, sealing is reliably ensured.

[0018] In doing so, said trim comprises at least two “T” or “Y” shaped junctions between at least three parts that said trim comprises.

[0019] Advantageously, said first covering element is a first half-case, and said second covering element is a second half-case, said half-cases together forming a case.

[0020] Advantageously, said third covering element is a crystal positioned on a side wall of the assembly formed by said first half-case and said second half-case. The use of the aforementioned fitting thus allows such a construction, which it was not possible to achieve until now in an easily removable form. In doing so, said crystal can have a sealed interface with each of said half-cases.

[0021] Alternatively, said third covering element may be a crown-stem assembly, said stem of which extends along an opening arranged at the interface between said half-cases. It is thus possible to arrange the stem at the junction between the half-cases, instead of having to provide a hole in one of the latter. The opening in question may be defined by grooves provided in each of said half-cases.

[0022] In another variant, said gasket comprises first and second parts which have respective portions which intersect almost tangentially in the region of their junction. This makes it possible to seal a back to a caseband, as well as a side glass which extends to the back, without having to provide separate and isolated grooves for two conventional gaskets. The grooves can therefore communicate with each other, which makes it possible to construct a compact watch case.

[0023] In this variant, said first covering element may be a back or an upper glass (i.e. located on the dial side of the case), said second covering element may be a caseband, and said third element may be a side glass.

[0024] The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a watch case as defined above. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] Other details of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given with reference to the appended drawings in which: Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a timepiece of the prior art; Fig. 2 is an exploded isometric view of a watch case according to the invention; Fig. 3 is an isometric view of the watch case of the figure 2 , in assembled condition; Fig. 4 is an isometric view of the trim shown in the figure 2 ; Fig. 5 is an isometric view of another fitting which can be used in a watch case according to the invention; Fig. 6 is an exploded isometric view of another variant of a watch case according to the invention; Fig. 7 is an isometric view of the watch case of the figure 6 , in assembled condition; Fig. 8 is an isometric view of the trim shown in the figure 6 ; And Fig. 9 is an exploded isometric view of a further variant of a watch case according to the invention. Embodiments of the invention

[0026] THE figures 2 And 3schematically illustrate a watch case 1 according to the invention. The watch case 1 of this embodiment is formed of several exterior elements, a first 11 of which is a lower half-case, a second 13 of which is an upper half-case, and a third 15 of which is a side glass. In the figures, these exterior elements 11, 13, 15 have been schematically represented in simple square shapes, but they can take any shape according to the manufacturer's wishes.

[0027] In its assembled state ( figure 2), the crystal 15 is located on a lateral face of the case 1, and therefore has an interface with each of the half-cases 11, 13. Furthermore, the half-cases 11, 13 also have an interface between them. More generically, each of said three covering elements 11, 13, 15 has a junction, and therefore an interface, with each of the other two elements. That said, it would thus be impossible to ensure the sealing of all of these three covering elements 11, 13, 15 by means of conventional gaskets, since at the locations where there is a junction which is common to all three elements 11, 13, 15 at the same time, no known simple gasket makes it possible to prevent the penetration of moisture.

[0028] The half-cases 11, 13 may be made of opaque or transparent material, such as metal, ceramic, glass, sapphire, polymer, resin-impregnated carbon fibers, or any other suitable material.

[0029] It is clear from the proposed construction in the figures 2 And 3 that gluing the three covering elements 11, 13, 15 would be possible in order to ensure the sealing of the assembly, but is not desirable for the reasons already mentioned in the preamble. Consequently, the invention proposes the use of a three-dimensionally shaped gasket 17, which is shown in the figure 4 .

[0030] This gasket comprises a first part 17a dedicated to sealing between the first and second 13 covering elements 11, 13, that is to say between the two half-cases 11, 13. A second part 17b seals the interface between the first and third covering elements 11, 15, and a third part 17c fulfills the same function between the second and third elements 13, 15. The section of the gasket 17 illustrated is circular, but it could also be oval, square, rectangular, polygonal, or any other suitable shape.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, the first part 17a of the trim 17 is located in a first plane defined by the interface between the first and second trim elements 11, 13, and said second and third parts 17b, 17c are located in a second plane making a non-zero angle with said first plane, in particular an angle of 90° in this case. However, it is not necessary for the parts 17a, 17b, 17c of the trim to be planar; they can follow curves or other complex shapes according to the manufacturer's wishes, if he wishes to give a more complex shape to the watch case 1.

[0032] At the junction points 17d between the three parts 17a, 17b, 17c, the gasket forms a “T”, which ensures the sealing of this critical point, without requiring glue.

[0033] In the service position, the seal 17 is located in corresponding grooves 19a, 19b provided for this purpose in each of the first 11 and second 13 covering elements. An additional groove may also be provided on the third covering element 15 if necessary, but it is not obligatory for each element 11, 13, 15 to have a groove, since a gasket housed in a groove such that it projects from the latter can cooperate with a flat surface in order to seal the junction between the elements in question.

[0034] In this embodiment, the half-cases 11, 13 are assembled to each other by means of a plurality of screws 21, but it is also possible to secure the half-cases 11, 13 to each other by other means. For this purpose, bayonet attachment systems may be mentioned, by screwing one of the elements onto the other, or by any other appropriate means.

[0035] Furthermore, the crystal 15 is also screwed onto each of the adjacent elements 11, 13 by means of screws 23. Again, other attachment systems are possible, such as for example notches or grooves forming part of the two half-cases 11, 13, and which are adapted to hold the crystal 15 in position.

[0036] The second covering element 13, i.e. the upper half-case, is provided with a housing 27 on one of its faces. In this housing is housed a fourth covering element 25, which may be, for example, an additional glass, a decorative element, or the like. The sealing of the junction between the elements concerned is ensured by means of a conventional sealing gasket 29.

[0037] Once assembled, the watch case 1 defines a housing 31 intended to house a watch movement of any type (not shown).

[0038] There Figure 5illustrates a variant of a trim 17 adapted to another shape of watch case 1. In this variant, the second and third parts 17b, 17c of the trim 17 make a non-zero angle between them, and their junctions with the first part 17a are consequently “Y” shaped. This shape of trim 17 is therefore adapted for a situation in which the third covering element 15 has a “V” section, the lateral faces of the first 11 and second 13 covering elements having a shape arranged to match the shape of the third covering element 15.

[0039] THE figures 6 to 8 illustrate another embodiment of a watch case 1 according to the invention.

[0040] In this variant, the first covering element 11 is a transparent or opaque back of conventional shape, which is mounted in a conventional manner on the second covering element 13. The latter takes the form of a cylindrical case middle 13 which defines a housing 31 for a timepiece movement. The case middle can also be transparent or opaque. On this case middle 13 is mounted the third covering element 15 by means of screws 23. The latter is again a side glass 15, and a corresponding opening 33 is provided in the side wall of the case middle 13 in order to mount a dial, or to make the movement visible.

[0041] Trim 17 (see also the figure 8) is formed of a first part 17a located in a groove 19c provided in the back, which ensures the seal between the back 11 and the caseband 13, as well as a second part 17b housed in a groove 19d provided in the caseband 13. This second part ensures the seal between the caseband 13 and the crystal 15. The first part 17a and the second part 17b are thus located in two different planes making a non-zero angle with respect to each other, the parts 17a, 17b represent two loops which cross almost tangentially in the region of their junction 17d. The junction 17d between these two parts 17a, 17b lies on a tangent to circles defined by each part 17a, 17b (for example circles following the midway of each part 17a, 17b or other circles encompassed by the parts 17a, 17b and which allow the latter to merge), and in effect represents two deformed “Y”s (or a deformed “X”).It is the compression of this junction between said parts 17a, 17b which ensures the seal between the back 11, the caseband 13, and the side glass 15 at the same time.

[0042] This arrangement allows the opening 33 to be positioned closer to the back 11 than possible with the use of conventional gaskets. In the case of simple gaskets, one possibility would be to provide a closed-loop groove to accommodate a gasket providing a seal between the crystal 15 and the caseband 13. Alternatively, if an open groove 19d on the back side is to be used (as illustrated in the figure 6), the groove 19c housing the gasket ensuring the seal between the back 11 and the caseband 13 must be positioned so that it does not communicate with the opening of the groove 19d. Each of these two possibilities ensures that each gasket cooperates with only two covering elements 11, 13, 15, and imposes limiting conditions on the positioning of at least one of the grooves 19c, 19d. The gasket 17 according to the invention, on the other hand, can seal the three covering elements 11, 13, 15 at the same time, and allows the groove 19d of the caseband to communicate with that of the back 19c when the case 1 is in the assembled state.

[0043] Alternatively, the construction of the figures 6 And 7 can be reversed, the covering element 11 being an upper glass, intended to be located on the visible side of the part when it is worn by a user.

[0044] There figure 9schematically illustrates yet another variant of a watch case 1 according to the invention, of which exclusively the three covering elements 11, 13, 15 as well as the fitting 17 have been represented. It should also be noted that the grooves necessary to house the fitting 17 have not been represented here, but those illustrated on the figure 1 can be used, mutatis mutandis.

[0045] In this variant, the first 11 and second 13 trim elements are half-cases as in the variant of the figure 1, and together form a case in the assembled state. However, the third covering element is a crown-stem assembly 15 used for winding and / or controlling the functions of the movement (not shown), the assembly 15 comprising a crown 15a and a stem 15b. The stem 15a enters the case formed by the assembly of half-cases 11, 13 at the interface between the latter, and extends along an opening defined by corresponding grooves 35a, 35b provided in each half-case 11, 13. These grooves 35a, 35b have been shown schematically.

[0046] The first portion 17a of the gasket 17 serves to seal the interface between the two half-cases 11, 13, and the second 17b and third 17c portions serve to ensure the seal between the stem 15b and the two half-cases 11, 13. It should be noted that, in the interest of clarity of the figures, the opening formed between the second 17b and third 17c portions of the gasket has been exaggerated to make the passage for the stem visible. It goes without saying that these portions 17b, 17c are actually shaped so that they are in intimate contact with the stem 15b, in order to make the crown-stem assembly 15 sealed relative to the half-cases 11, 13. In doing so, the three trim elements 11, 13, 15 are sealed by means of a single gasket 17.

[0047] It is also possible to ensure the seal between the rod 15b and the housing 11, 13 indirectly, by arranging a tube (not shown) in the opening formed by the grooves 35a, 35b, the seal between the rod and the tube being ensured by means of an additional conventional seal.

[0048] From the above, it is clear that it is thus possible to arrange a stem 15b at the interface of two exterior elements, instead of having to drill an opening in a caseband. Construction possibilities not yet realized until now are thus open to the watchmaker.

[0049] Although the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to particular embodiments, other variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0050] As such, the described embodiments may be combined in any manner that makes technical sense, by providing several additional parts of the gasket 17 in order to seal even more additional trim elements. For example, several sets of second 17b and third 17c parts could be provided on the same gasket, for example in order to provide several side glasses on the same watch case, and / or for the passage of several stems 15b. Furthermore, the same gasket 17 may comprise a structure of quasi-tangential rings as in the embodiment of figures 6 to 8 , as well as a structure like that of the figures 1 to 4 , to which a structure may possibly be added according to the variant of the figure 9 .

[0051] One could also construct a watch case 1 of two, three or even more shells, the sealing between the shells being ensured by a single 3D gasket of the type mentioned above.

[0052] Even more possibilities and construction combinations are also possible.

Claims

1. Watch case (1) comprising: - at least first (11), second (13) and third (15) distinct trim elements, each of these trim elements (11, 13, 15) being adjacent to the other two; - at least one sealing joint (17) arranged to ensure sealing between said trim elements (11, 13, 15); characterized in that said sealing joint (17) comprises a one-piece gasket (17) of three-dimensional shape, said gasket (17) being adapted to ensure sealing simultaneously between: - said first (11) and second (13) trim elements; - said second (13) and third (15) trim elements; and - said first (11) and third (15) trim elements, said gasket (17) comprising a first part (17a) arranged to ensure sealing between said first (11) and second (13) trim elements, a second part (17b) arranged to ensure sealing between said first (11) and third (15) trim elements, and a third part (17c) arranged to ensure sealing between said second (13) and third (15) trim elements, a junction between said first (11) and second (13) trim elements lying in a plane having a non-zero angle with reference to a junction between said first (11) and third (15) trim elements, said gasket (17) comprising at least two junctions (17d) between the three parts (17a, 17b, 17c), said gasket (17) forming a "T" or a "Y" at said junctions (17d).

2. Watch case (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said first trim element (11) is a first half-middle, and said second trim element (13) is a second half-middle.

3. Watch case (1) according to claim 2, wherein said third trim element (15) is a crystal (15) positioned on a wall of the assembly formed by said first half-middle (11) and said second half-middle (13).

4. Watch case (1) according to claim 3, wherein said crystal (15) exhibits an interface with each of said half-middles (11, 13).

5. Watch case (1) according to claim 2, wherein said third trim element (15) is a crown (15a) - stem (15b) assembly, of which said stem (15b) extends along an opening arranged at the interface between said half-middles.

6. Watch case (1) according to claim 5, wherein said opening is defined by grooves (35a, 35b), each of which is provided in one of said half-middles (11, 13).

7. Watch case (1) according to claim 1, wherein said gasket (17) comprises a first part (17a) and a second part (17b) which have respective portions which cross substantially tangentially in the region of their junction.

8. Watch case (1) according to claim 7, wherein said first trim element (11) is a bottom or upper crystal, said second trim element (13) is a middle, and said third element (15) is a side crystal.

9. Timepiece comprising a watch case (1) according to one of the preceding claims.