CLOCK CASE WITH A CAPSULE HELD IN A CENTER PART BY A BACK BOUNET

Description

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of watch cases, in particular for watches intended to be worn on the wrist or pocket watches.

[0002] Wristwatches generally have a flat case that is waterproof, most often generally circular in shape, with a body receiving a glass on the upper side covering the dial with its hands, and a back on the lower side.

[0003] The case has two arms on each side receiving between them a transverse needle, which is engaged in a loop of a part of the bracelet arranged on this side. One or more crowns arranged on the sides have a radial axis entering into the mechanism in order to carry out the settings and controls of the watch.

[0004] A known type of watch comprises a two-part case comprising a generally circular waterproof capsule having a main axis, containing the mechanism of the watch, comprising on its upper face the dial with its glass, and a case forming an external contour receiving the capsule, comprising on each side the arms for fixing the bracelet.

[0005] In addition, the case middle can include additional functions. In this way, it is possible to change the case middle while keeping the same capsule, in order to obtain watches with different aesthetics at a reduced cost.

[0006] According to a known embodiment of this type of watch, the capsule is introduced from the front into a housing in the case middle, an external circular rim of the capsule resting on the front face of this case middle.

[0007] A bezel forming a circular ring with an internal thread is then screwed onto a corresponding thread formed at the rear of the capsule, in order to achieve axial tightening of the case which is taken between the front external rim and the bezel.

[0008] This mounting system is simple and economical to implement, providing a solid attachment. However, it poses problems. In particular, the bezel screwed onto the capsule must be circular to allow screwing, which limits the creativity of different shapes. In addition, the bezel can unscrew and fall off without the user noticing. Furthermore, the bezel is a thin component that can easily warp or screw crooked onto the capsule thread, which distorts the thread of this capsule, which represents the most expensive element.

[0009] According to another known embodiment of this type of watch, the capsule comprising an external rim at the front is introduced from the front into the case which has a cover fixed to this case by a lateral pivot, forming a ring covering the outline of the capsule to hold it in place.

[0010] The cover is locked onto the case by pressing on the contour of the capsule, then done by a system of hooks pushed by a spring, which automatically hook when this cover is closed on the case.

[0011] The result is a case with a technical and inventive appearance, which can correspond to the image given by certain watch brands.

[0012] However, this mounting system is relatively fragile due to the number of parts required to lock the cover; its durability is uncertain. In particular, reliability in the case of sports use, which may involve significant mechanical constraints, may be limited.

[0013] According to another known embodiment of this type of watch, the capsule is inserted into the housing of the case from the front, and blocked by balls pushed by springs which fit into corresponding hollows formed on the contour of the capsule in order to ensure its axial support.

[0014] An additional crown, positioned laterally, passes through the caseband to screw into the capsule to ensure complete locking of this capsule.

[0015] This type of locking is simple to implement, but long-term reliability is not guaranteed. In particular, the springs pressing the balls can oxidize, which would limit the lifespan of the case. In addition, space must be provided to accommodate the ball locking mechanism, which imposes aesthetic constraints on the case.

[0016] Document EP2874022B1 discloses a watch case comprising a middle, the internal wall of which comprises lugs, as well as a back comprising tabs configured to cooperate with the lugs to create a bayonet connection.

[0017] The present invention aims in particular to avoid these drawbacks of the prior art.

[0018] For this purpose, it proposes a watch case as defined in the appended independent claim 1.

[0019] An advantage of this watch case is that after having introduced the capsule with the bezel placed on the rear face into the caseband, the tabs being inserted between the capsule and the housing of the caseband, it is possible in particular by rotating the bezel to move the tabs on slopes made on the external contour of the capsule, and in a simple manner to spread these tabs radially to introduce them into one or more grooves having a circular orientation of the housing of the caseband.

[0020] The tabs are axially locked in the circularly oriented groove(s) and cannot slide backwards, thus providing an economical and secure hold for the bezel and capsule in the caseband. Furthermore, the tabs inserted in the gap between the capsule and the caseband are not visible, which gives a neat aesthetic appearance.

[0021] The watch case according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, which may be combined with each other.

[0022] Advantageously, the watch case comprises, relative to the axis, an angular position for assembling the capsule and the bezel by axial sliding in the housing of the caseband, and a different angular position for locking the bezel in which the tabs are partly inserted into the circular groove(s).

[0023] Advantageously, the outer contour of the capsule includes grooves receiving the tabs, having a bottom sloping in the circumferential direction. The tabs are simply inserted into the groove(s) of the caseband by sliding them along the slope by rotating the bezel.

[0024] Advantageously, the bezel has markings on its contour indicating the angular assembly and locking positions. In this way, the correct locking position of the bezel can be ensured.

[0025] In particular, the tabs may have, starting from the circular contour of the bezel, an axial part, then a circumferential part intended to fit into a circular groove. In this way, radial elasticity is given to the circumferential part.

[0026] In particular, the bezel may have a circular contour towards the rear which is integrated into a step made around the rear face of the capsule. The circular contour is then integrated into the thickness of the capsule.

[0027] In this case, the circular outline of the bezel may have a conical shape that fits into a corresponding shape at the bottom of the step of the rear face of the capsule.

[0028] Advantageously, the bezel has raised shapes on its outline.

[0029] Advantageously, the caseband includes a form of rotation lock for the capsule. In this way, the bezel can be easily turned without risking the capsule rotating.

[0030] In this case, the rotational locking form is advantageously a radial slot receiving a tube surrounding the axis of a crown for adjusting the capsule.

[0031] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the following description, given solely by way of example, with reference to the following appended figures: there figure 1 presents a watch case according to a first embodiment of the invention, the capsule with its bezel being detached from the caseband; the figure 2 presents the contour part of the capsule according to this embodiment; the figure 3 presents the bezel according to this embodiment; the figures 4 And 5 show in perspective the mounting of the bezel on the capsule according to this embodiment, successively before and after its locking rotation; and the figures 6 et 7 present in partial section seen from the rear, along the transverse section plane passing through the axis of the crown, the assembly of the bezel according to this embodiment successively before and after its locking rotation, the figure 8 presents a watch case according to a second embodiment of the invention, the capsule with its bezel being detached from the caseband, the figure 9 presents the contour part of the capsule according to this second embodiment, the figure 10 presents the bezel according to this second embodiment, the figures 11 et 12 present in perspective the mounting of the bezel on the capsule according to this second embodiment, successively before and after its locking rotation, the figures 13 et 14 present in partial section seen from the rear, along the transverse section plane passing through the axis of the crown, the assembly of the bezel according to this second embodiment successively before and after its locking rotation.

[0032] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs throughout the figures.

[0033] THE figures 1 And 2present a watch case according to a first embodiment, and in particular a middle 2 comprising a cylindrical housing 4 open towards the rear side, indicated by the arrow “AR”, receiving in an adjusted manner the cylindrical external contour 22 of a capsule 20. This external contour 22 of the capsule 20 can alternatively take a shape other than the cylindrical one illustrated here.

[0034] The housing 4 of the middle 2 ends towards the front with a circular rim 6 projecting slightly towards the inside of this housing, forming a support for the front contour of the capsule 20.

[0035] The middle 2 has on each side two substantially parallel horns 8, each having a hole 10 opposite one another, receiving a needle not shown, also called a pump, which is housed in a buckle of a part of the bracelet.

[0036] One side of the case 2 has a radially oriented slot 12, which opens towards the rear, receiving in a fitted manner a tube 24 surrounding the stem of a crown 26 of the capsule 20, which is screwed or driven into this capsule. The assembly formed by the tube 24 and the crown 26 constitutes a wheel for adjusting the clockwork mechanism integrated in the capsule 20.

[0037] The middle 2 has on the contour of its housing 4 a continuous circular internal groove 14 offset from the rear end of this housing. Alternatively, the groove 14 may be discontinuous, having only distinct circular parts.

[0038] The capsule 20 has a flat rear face 28, comprising a slightly conical contour which is offset towards the front so as to form a small step around this flat rear face.

[0039] A bezel 30 has a slightly conical circular contour fitting over the conical contour of the capsule 20, so as to fit into the step around the flat rear face 28, fitting at the level of this rear face. The bezel 30 can be made from a cut sheet metal, or from any other material, such as a composite material for example.

[0040] The outline of the bezel 30 comprises a series of reliefs 32 arranged radially, distributed angularly, which constitute attachment means allowing this bezel to be rotated by hand.

[0041] The rear face of the case 2 has a radial mark 60 which can be arranged opposite a boss between two hollows 32 of the bezel 30, having a marking indicating the “OPEN” unlocking position 62 or “CLOSE” locking position 64. Of course, this marking can be different from this embodiment and is not limited to the engraving of the positions. For example, such an engraving can be replaced by one or more symbols or any other marking suitable for such use, namely to indicate the locking status.

[0042] There figure 3 presents the bezel 30 comprising on the outside of its contour several tongues 34 distributed angularly, facing forward, of generally cylindrical shape, comprising for each successively starting from this contour an axial part, and a circumferential part 38 comprising at its end a small boss 40 facing towards the axis. The tongues 34 are provided to fit into the cylindrical housing 4 of the caseband 2, by sliding axially from the rear side.

[0043] THE figures 4 And 5 present the capsule 20 comprising on its cylindrical outer contour 22 several outer grooves 50, three in number in this embodiment, distributed angularly, each comprising a first axial part 52 opening towards the rear. As a variant, a different number of outer grooves 50 and tabs 34 can be provided.

[0044] The first part 52 of each outer groove 50 can receive entirely in the thickness a tongue 34, which is in an assembly position as shown figures 4 And 6 .

[0045] For each groove 50, the first axial portion 52 is extended by a second circumferential portion 54 remote from the rear face of the capsule 20, which has a bottom gradually rising radially outwards, forming a slope. This bottom has a hollow 41, for example formed by grooves and / or ridges, in order to be able to house the boss 40 there in the assembled position of the bezel 30, after its locking rotation.In this way, such a boss 40 in combination with such a hollow 41 forms a rotation securing means making it possible to lock the assembled position of the bezel 30 relative to the capsule 20 so that, to carry out the reverse movement, namely an unlocking rotation of the bezel 30 relative to the capsule 20, it is necessary to pass a stop notch requiring a predetermined force, this as a safety measure to ensure that the bezel 30 cannot pivot by simple friction and / or vibrations, when the watch is held on a user's wrist.

[0046] The assembly of the watch case is carried out in the following manner. In a first step, the bezel 30 is put in place by adjusting it on the rear of the capsule 20, each tab 34 entering entirely into the first axial part 52 of a groove 50.

[0047] The capsule 20 with its bezel 30 is then inserted into the housing 4 of the case 2. The tube 24 of the crown 26 is placed opposite the slot 12 of the case 2, to fit into this slot. The “OPEN” marking 62 is located opposite the radial mark 60.

[0048] In a following step, a rotation of this bezel in the clockwise direction is carried out by hand using the reliefs 32 of the bezel 30 in order to place the “CLOSE” marking 64 opposite the radial mark 60, as shown figures 5 et 7 .

[0049] For each tab 34, an engagement of its circular part 38 in the second part 54 of the corresponding groove 50 is obtained, as well as an outward lifting of this circumferential part because of the boss 40 bearing on the slope of the bottom of this second part which rises. The boss 40 constitutes a support on the slope of the groove 50 having a reduced surface, which reduces friction during the rotation of the bezel 30.

[0050] The circumferential part 38 of each tab 34 enters the circular groove 14 of the housing 4 of the caseband 2 by a radial movement towards the outside, coming at the end of the rotation to lock at the bottom of this groove. The sufficient rotation of the bezel 30 is ensured by the marking “CLOSE” 64 coming opposite the radial line 60, guaranteeing the locking of the tabs 34 which are clamped between the bottom of the groove 50 and that of the circular groove 14.

[0051] During this rotational movement of the bezel 30, the capsule 20 is kept fixed relative to the middle 2, in particular thanks to the tube 24 of the crown 26 secured to the capsule 20, which is fitted in the slot 12 of this middle. This facilitates the pivoting of the bezel 30 relative to the capsule 20, and therefore the movement of the tongues 34 in the grooves 50.

[0052] The bezel 30 as well as the capsule 20 are in this way effectively blocked in the case 2, with little risk of disassembly, wear or failure over time.

[0053] Generally speaking, the locking of the capsule 20 in rotation around its axis relative to the caseband 2 is ensured by the tube 24 of the adjustment wheel integral with the capsule 20, engaged in a fitted manner in the slot 12 of this caseband. The locking in translation of the capsule 20 along the axis is ensured by the engagement of the tabs 34 in the circular groove 14 of the caseband 2. The bezel 30 is kept resting on the rear of the capsule 20, thus locking it in the housing 4 of the caseband 2.

[0054] THE figures 8 à 14illustrate a watch case according to a second embodiment. In particular, this second embodiment differs from the first essentially in that the rotation securing means is no longer formed by the boss 40 which is housed in the assembled position after its locking rotation in a corresponding hollow 41, but by a notch 40' arranged on the circumferential part 38 of each tongue 34 and in which is housed, in the assembled position after its locking rotation, a corresponding projection 41'.

[0055] Such a rotation securing device makes it possible to lock the assembled position of the bezel 30 relative to the capsule 20 so that, to carry out the reverse movement, namely the pivoting of the bezel 30 relative to the capsule 20 in the direction of unlocking to open the case, it is necessary to pass a stop notch ensuring the security of the assembly and avoiding any unexpected rotation of the bezel 30. It will be noted that in the case of the notch 40', the stop notch is arranged along an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the capsule 20 while in the case of the boss 40, this stop notch is substantially radial to said axis because the notch is oriented substantially axially relative to the main axis.

[0056] The invention is described in the foregoing by way of example. It is understood that a person skilled in the art is able to carry out different variant embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A watch case comprising a capsule (20) receiving the watch mechanism, arranged along a main axis comprising a front side presenting the watch dial, and comprising a middle (2) surrounding this capsule (20) having a generally cylindrical housing (4) open toward the rear receiving the capsule (20) on this side, the case also comprising a bezel (30) bearing on the rear of the capsule (20) and comprising tabs (34) arranged on the outer contour (22) of the capsule (20), the case comprising, with respect to the axis, an angular position for assembling the capsule (20) and the bezel (30) through an axial sliding into the housing (4) of the middle (2), and a different angular position for blocking the bezel (30) in which, after pivoting of the bezel (30) relative to the capsule (20), the tabs (34) are partially inserted into at least one groove (14) having a circular orientation, made in the cylindrical part of the housing (4) of the middle (2).

2. The watch case according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer contour of the capsule (22) comprises grooves (50) which receive the tabs (34), having a bottom sloping in the circumferential direction.

3. The watch case according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bezel (30) has markings (62, 64) on its contour which indicate the angular assembly and blocking positions.

4. The watch case according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tabs (34) have, starting from the circular contour of the bezel (30), an axial part (36), then a circumferential part (38) designed to be inserted into said circular groove (14).

5. The watch case according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bezel (30) comprises, on a back of the bezel, a circular contour which is integrated into a step made around the rear face (28) of the capsule (20).

6. The watch case according to claim 5, characterized in that the circular contour of the bezel (30) has a conical shape which fits on a matching shape at the bottom of the step of the rear face (28) of the capsule (20).

7. The watch case according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bezel (30) has raised shapes (32) on its contour.

8. The watch case according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the middle (2) comprises a shape (12) for blocking the rotation of the capsule (20).

9. The watch case according to claim 8, characterized in that the shape (12) for blocking the rotation is a radial slot receiving a tube (24) surrounding the axis of a crown (26) for adjusting the capsule (20).