Watch component equipped with a cap

Description

Introduction

[0001] The present invention relates to a watch component equipped with at least one cap. It also relates to a timepiece comprising such a watch component. It also relates to a method for manufacturing such a watch component. Etat de l'Art

[0002] To enhance scratch resistance and / or alter the appearance of a watch component, particularly a decorative component such as a bracelet clasp, bracelet link, or case, it is common practice to affix a protective cap to a vulnerable and / or visible part of the component. An ideal protective cap should meet the following requirements: It must allow for simple assembly without risk of damage to a watch component; It must be robust to withstand external stresses such as shocks and scratches; It must be reliably fixed to prevent any unintentional disassembly; It must have an attractive aesthetic appearance.

[0003] Depending on the nature, particularly the material of the cap and the component, existing solutions such as brazing do not adequately meet all of these requirements. Therefore, a general object of the invention is to propose a new watch component solution equipped with a cap, which improves upon existing solutions by better meeting the aforementioned requirements.

[0004] More specifically, one object of the invention is to propose a watch component solution equipped with a robust, reliable, simple to implement cap, and which can have an attractive aesthetic appearance.

[0005] Document US3609962A discloses an ornamental cap that is clipped onto the upper walls of an inner link. Brève description de l'invention

[0006] To this end, the invention is based on a watch component having a first part and a removable cap, the watch component being able to occupy a fixed configuration in which the removable cap is fixed to the first part and a free configuration in which the cap is detached from the first part, the first part comprising at least a first attachment member and a movable lock and the cap comprising at least a first assembly member intended for cooperation with the first attachment member of the first part and a second assembly member intended for cooperation with the movable lock of the first part, so that in the fixed configuration of the watch component, the first attachment member of the first part and the first assembly member of the cap are engaged, and the movable lock occupies a closed position in which it is engaged with the second assembly member of the cap,such that the cap is fixed in a locked manner to the first part, and such that in the free configuration, the movable lock occupies an open position in which it releases the second assembly member of the cap, allowing the cap to separate from the first part of the watch component. The invention is precisely defined by the claims. Brève description des figures

[0007] These objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures, among which: There figure 1 represents a perspective view of an open clasp comprising a lid equipped with a cap according to an embodiment of the invention. figure 2 represents a partial perspective cross-sectional view of the clasp cover comprising a cap in its fastening configuration according to the embodiment of the invention. figure 3 represents a partial perspective view in a clasp cover fixing configuration comprising a cap according to the embodiment of the invention. figure 4 represents a partial exploded perspective view of the clasp cover comprising a cap according to a variant of the embodiment of the invention. figure 5 represents a side view in cross-section through a median vertical longitudinal plane of the clasp cover comprising a cap in the assembly phase according to the embodiment of the invention. figure 6 represents the same cross-sectional side view as that of the figure 5 but with the clasp cover comprising a cap in an intermediate configuration according to the embodiment of the invention. The figure 7 represents the same side view in cross-section as that of the figures 5 And 6 but with the clasp cover comprising a cap in a fastening configuration according to the embodiment of the invention. The figure 8 represents a top view of the clasp in its closed configuration, including a cap in its fastening configuration according to the embodiment of the invention. figure 9 represents a detailed view of the figure 8 at the level of a bar on the clasp in the fastening configuration. The figure 10 represents a detailed view of the figure 8 at the level of a bar of the clasp in free configuration.

[0008] To simplify the description of this embodiment, we will conventionally use the terms "longitudinal direction" for the direction along the length of a clasp or bracelet strand, and "transverse direction" for the direction perpendicular to the length of a clasp or bracelet strand, within the plane of the clasp (more precisely, the plane of a clasp blade or cover), particularly considering the closed configuration of the clasp. The vertical direction is the direction perpendicular to the first two directions, oriented perpendicular to the plane of the clasp (more precisely, a clasp blade or cover). The adjectives "upper" and "lower" will be used with respect to this vertical direction. By extension, these directions and definitions will apply to a clasp cover, considering its position within the clasp.

[0009] There figure 1 represents a bracelet clasp according to an embodiment of the invention. This clasp comprises two blades 1, 2 articulated at one of their ends around an axis. The free end of blade 1 is fixed to a first articulation axis serving to articulate a complementary cover 7, 7c and to a second articulation axis serving to articulate one end of one of the bracelet strands. The free end of blade 2 is fixed to a movable structure 3 articulated for rotation. The clasp can thus occupy an open position, as shown by the figure 1 in a partially deployed manner, and a closed position in which the second blade 2 and the structure 3 are folded and locked onto the first blade 1. The end of a first bracelet strand is fixed to the second end of the first blade 1 and the end of a second bracelet strand is fixed to the free end of the movable structure 3.

[0010] The invention relates more specifically to a clasp cover. This cover is primarily integrated into the clasp structure 3. The cover comprises a first portion 13 having a vertical cross-section in the shape of an inverted U, with an upper face visible to the user, and two lateral walls, substantially perpendicular to the upper face, designed to laterally cover the entire clasp and its mechanism, concealing it in the closed position and ensuring the aesthetic appearance of the solution. The cover further comprises a removable cap 13c. The cover can thus be in a fixed configuration in which the removable cap 13c is attached to the first portion 13 and in a free configuration in which the cap 13c is detached from the first portion 13.

[0011] In addition, the clasp includes a supplementary cover 7, 7c arranged on the first blade 1 and designed to fold down in the closed position of the cover to align with the cover arranged on the movable structure 3 and also cover a locking lever 12, thus forming a single clasp cover incorporating a safety mechanism. This supplementary cover portion has a structure similar to that described above, namely a first part 7 cooperating with a removable cap 7c. It may or may not be assembled according to the same concept as the invention. It will not be described in further detail hereafter.

[0012] The upper surface of the first part 13 of the cover has a planar orthogonal projection of substantially rectangular shape. The cap 13c is a substantially flat and elongated element extending along the entire length of the upper surface of the cover and over a portion of its width, for example, a portion of the width of the upper surface of the cover between 20% and 100%, or even between 30% and 90%, or between 45% and 55%. It may or may not be centered on the cover. Preferably, in the fastening configuration, the cap 13c is arranged in a recessed portion of the first part 13, within the thickness of the upper surface of the first part of the cover, so that it covers this second recessed portion and occupies the volume freed up by this recessed portion.For example, the upper surface of the cap is thus continuous with the upper surface of the first part, forming a generally continuous upper surface of the lid. Alternatively, the upper surface of the cap is recessed or protrudes from the upper surface of the first part.

[0013] There figure 2 represents a cross-sectional view through a vertical longitudinal median plane of the lid according to the embodiment. figure 3 Figure 12 represents an exploded view without the locking lever. These figures allow visualization of the fastening device for the cap 13c on the first part of the cover. The cap 13c comprises at least one first fastening member 40 and a second fastening member 41, which are arranged at the two opposite distal ends, on the side of the surface of the cap 13c intended for orientation towards the first part 13 of the cover, i.e., the lower surface of the cap according to the chosen convention. In addition, the first part 13 of the cover comprises at least one first latching member 50 and a movable lock 9. In the fastening configuration, represented by the figure 2 The first assembly member 40 of the cap 13c cooperates with the first latching member 50 of the first part 13, and the second assembly member 41 of the cap 13c cooperates with the movable latch 9 of the first part 13, specifically a second latching member 51 integral with the latch 9. Thus, in the lid fastening configuration, the first latching member 50 of the first part 13 and the first assembly member 40 of the cap 13c are engaged. In the lid fastening configuration, the second latching member 51 of the first part 13 and the second assembly member 41 of the cap 13c are also engaged.

[0014] Advantageously, the cap 13c is a single-piece unit. It can also advantageously be made of a material other than that of Part 13, in particular a material which has mechanical properties of resistance to impact and scratches and / or is likely to have a very attractive aesthetic appearance, for example, ceramic, cermet, glass, sapphire, mother-of-pearl, amber, or natural or reconstituted stone. Alternatively, it can be made of metal and / or the same material as Part 13.

[0015] Preferably, the first part 13 of the lid is made of a metal alloy, for example stainless steel, gold, platinum, bronze or titanium.

[0016] The movable lock 9 can occupy a closed position and an open position, according to an operation that will be detailed later. It includes a latching member 51 intended to cooperate with the second assembly member 41 of the cap 13c. The first part 13 preferably includes a first opening 16 arranged in each of its side walls, in the form of a cutout in the inner surface of these side walls, and the movable lock 9 includes a lock opening 6, said first opening 16 and lock opening 6 being arranged so that they are substantially opposite each other in the closed position of the lock 9. Thus, a retractable bar 11 is capable of cooperating with said first opening 16 and lock opening 6 in the closed position of the movable lock 9, as illustrated in figure 9 , so as to lock this closing position of the mobile lock 9 and thus lock the fixing configuration of the cover.

[0017] The cover also includes a play compensation element 22 inserted between the latch 9 and the cap 13c, made of a flexible and / or deformable material, designed to be compressed between the cap 13c and the latch 9 when the latch 9 is in its initial closed position and / or against which the movable latch 9 abuts in its closed position. This play compensation element compensates for movement caused by manufacturing tolerances.

[0018] In the preferred embodiment, the two assembly members 40, 41 of the cap have a hook-shaped section extending over the entire width of the cap and forming notches cooperating with complementary shapes of at least one hooking member 50 of the first part 13 and at least one hooking member 51 of the lock 9.

[0019] There figure 4 represents an exploded view of a variant of an embodiment. The geometry of the second hooking member 51 intended to cooperate with the second assembly member 41, itself limited to a portion of the width of the cap 13c, is in the form of a notch integrated into the lock 9.

[0020] Naturally, the invention is not limited to the examples and embodiments described. In particular, any other number of attachment elements for the first part and assembly elements for the cap is possible. These elements may also be in a different form and in a different position. For example, these elements may be in the form of a hook and / or a notch and / or a recess and / or a groove and / or a lug and / or a beam. Similarly, the cap could take any other form and any other position on the first part, not necessarily centered. It may have a different geometry.

[0021] The assembly of the clasp according to the method of implementation will now be explained, in relation to the figures 5 à 7 , as part of the transition from a free configuration to a configuration of fixing the cap 13c on the first part 13 of the cover.

[0022] There figure 5 represents a first assembly phase in which the first assembly member 40 of the cap 13c is associated with the attachment member 50 of the first part 13. The cap 13c is then folded down onto the first part 13, by pivoting around an axis formed by the connection between the members 40, 50, until it reaches the intermediate configuration shown in the figure 6 The movable lock 9 is in an open position, made possible by a clearance cutout in the cover. On the figure 5 The bar 11, which locks the bolt 9 in the fixed position, is not shown to allow visualization of the offset between the first opening 16 and the bolt opening 6 in the open position. In the open position, the pivots 11a of the bar 11 are retracted as illustrated in figure 10 .

[0023] In the intermediate configuration, the cap is in its final position but is not locked, allowing for its removal. The movable lock 9 is in its open position, in which it is not engaged with the second assembly member 41 of the cap 13c. The bar 11 inserted into the lock opening 6 is not positioned opposite the first openings 16; its pivots 11a are retracted as illustrated in figure 10 .

[0024] The latch 9 is then moved to its closed position, in which its hook 51 engages with the second assembly member 41 of the cover 13c. The cover thus reaches its fixing configuration shown in the figure 7 , in which the release of the cap 13c is no longer possible. As mentioned previously, in this closed position of the lock 9, the lock opening 6 of the lock 9 is substantially aligned with the first two corresponding openings 16 of the first part 13. The pivots 11a of the bar 11 can thus insert into these first two openings 16 and maintain the locked position as illustrated in figure 9 The 13c cover is thus locked onto the first part of the lid 13.

[0025] For example, the lock 9 is thus mounted to move in translation within the cover. To achieve this, it could be mounted in slides arranged in the side walls of the first part 13 of the cover, which guide its movement. The translational movement is therefore guided by these slides and can be substantially longitudinal, or even slightly curved to follow the curvature of the cover. The aforementioned translation is therefore not limited to a rectilinear motion; it could be curved, or even circular. Alternatively, the lock 9 could be arranged differently and move in another direction, such as rotation.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the locking opening 6 of the lock 9 and the opening 16 of the first part 13 are slightly offset in the closed position of the lock so that the interaction of the removable bar 11 with said two openings in the closed position of the movable lock 9 allows a force to be exerted on the lock 9 against the first part 13 of the cover and / or against the second assembly member 41 of the cap 13c. The bar 11 thus presses the assembly member 51 of the lock 9 against the cover 13, generating tension on the cap 13c through a slight flexing of the bar 11, thereby ensuring precise and play-free positioning of the cap 13c on the first part 13 of the cover.

[0027] There figure 8 represents a plan view of the closed clasp in its fastening configuration according to the embodiment of the invention, from the face opposite to that comprising the cap (lower face). figures 9 et 10 are enlargements of the z-zone of this figure 8 .

[0028] As a side note, as illustrated in the figure 10 The bar 11 advantageously includes bar pivots 11a which are retracted in the open position of the lock 9 and during its movement, and which are released, as illustrated in the figure 9 , to enter the first openings 16 of the first part 13 of the lid in the closed position of the lid. The invention therefore applies to any embodiment in which the first part 13 comprises at least one first opening 16.

[0029] The transition from the fixing configuration of the figure 7The free configuration in which the cap 13c can be removed from the cover is achieved by the reverse steps of those described above. Retracting the pivots 11a of the bar 11 by means of a tool allows the lock to move from its closed position to its open position, and then the cap 13c to be removed.

[0030] The invention has been described in the context of a clasp cover. However, as mentioned previously, the same concept can be implemented on any other watch component.

[0031] The invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, comprising at least one timekeeping component as described above.

[0032] The invention also relates to a bracelet, characterized in that it comprises a clasp as described above. The invention also relates to a wristwatch comprising such a bracelet.

[0033] Ultimately, the invention achieves its intended objectives and offers the following advantages: It allows for simple and risk-free assembly of a cap onto a watch component; it is compatible with the use of a robust cap, resistant to external stresses such as shocks and scratches; it allows for reliable attachment of the cap, preventing any unintentional disassembly; the cap is easily removable, without risk of damage to the watch component, allowing it to be changed if needed; the solution is compatible with the use of a multitude of materials, including those usually used for an attractive aesthetic appearance.

[0034] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a watch component, characterized in that it comprises a step of attaching a cap 13c to a first part 13 of the watch component, by assembling a first assembly member 40 of the cap 13c with a first attachment member 50 of the first part 13, then positioning the cap 13c in its final position as intended in the watch component's attachment configuration, and then actuating a movable latch 9 of the first part 13 to bring it into a closed position in cooperation with a second assembly member 41 of the cap 13c. This method comprises an additional step consisting of locking the closed position of the movable latch 9 on the first part 13 by means of a bar 11.

Claims

1. A timepiece component, having a first part (13) and a removable cap (13c), the timepiece component being able to adopt a fastening configuration in which the removable cap (13c) is fastened to the first part (13), and a free configuration in which the cap (13c) is separated from the first part (13), the timepiece component being characterized in that : the first part (13) comprising at least a first latching member (50) and a movable lock (9), and the cap (13c) comprising at least a first assembly member (40), intended to cooperate with the first latching member (50) of the first part (13), and a second assembly member (41), intended to cooperate with the movable lock (9) of the first part (13), such that, in the fastening configuration of the timepiece component, the first latching member (50) of the first part (13) and the first assembly member (40) of the cap (13c) are in engagement, and the movable lock (9) occupies a closed position in which it is in engagement with the second assembly member (41) of the cap (13c), in such a way that the cap (13c) is fastened in a locked manner on the first part (13), and such that, in the free configuration, the movable lock (9) occupies an open position in which it releases the second assembly member (41) of the cap (13c), allowing the cap (13c) to be separated from the first part (13).

2. The timepiece component as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that the movable lock (9) is mounted on the first part (13) so as to be able to move in translation, in particular in circular translation, and / or in rotation.

3. The timepiece component as claimed in either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first part (13) comprises at least one first opening (16) and in that the movable lock (9) comprises a lock opening (6), said at least one first opening (16) and lock opening (6) being arranged in such a way that they come substantially to face one another when the lock (9) is in the closed position, and in that the timepiece component comprises a retractable bar (11) that is able to cooperate with said at least one first opening (16) and lock opening (6) when the movable lock (9) is in the closed position, so as to lock this closed position of the movable lock (9) and lock the timepiece component fastening configuration, and so as to be able to release said at least one first opening (16) and lock opening (6) by withdrawing the bar in order to allow the movable lock (9) to move, and pass from the fastening configuration to the free configuration of the timepiece component.

4. The timepiece component as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that the axes of said at least one first opening (16) and lock opening (6) are offset in the closed position of the lock (9), such that the cooperation between the retractable bar (11) and said at least one first opening (16) and lock opening (6), in the closed position of the movable lock (9), makes it possible to exert a force on the movable lock (9) against the first part (13) of the component and / or against the second assembly member (41) of the cap (13c).

5. The timepiece component as claimed in one of the preceding claims, further comprising a play compensating element (22) interposed between the lock (9) and the cap (13c), this element being made of a flexible and / or deformable material that is designed to be compressed between the cap (13c) and the lock (9) when the lock (9) is in its first, closed position and / or against which the movable lock (9) comes to abut in its first, closed position.

6. The timepiece component as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cap (13c) is in the form of a substantially planar and elongate element, whose at least one first assembly member (40) and second assembly member (41) are arranged at the two opposite distal ends of the cap (13c), these assembly members being arranged on that side of the surface of the cap (13c) that is intended to be oriented towards the first part (13) of the timepiece component.

7. The timepiece component as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first latching member (50) of the first part (13), the movable lock (9) of the first part (13), the at least one first assembly member (40) of the cap (13c), and / or the second assembly member (41) of the cap (13c), is / are in the form of a hook and / or a notch.

8. The timepiece component as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a bracelet clasp cover, and in that : - the cap (13c) is a substantially planar element that is able to extend over all or part of the upper surface of the cover in the fastening configuration of the timepiece component; or - the first part (13) of the bracelet clasp cover comprises a U-shaped cross section formed by an upper surface from which there extend two opposite and substantially mutually parallel lateral surfaces, perpendicular to said upper surface, said upper surface having a planar orthogonal projection that is substantially rectangular in shape, the cap (13c) being designed to extend over the entire length of the upper surface of the cover and over all or part of the width of the upper surface of the cover and / or the first part (13) comprises an upper surface comprising a portion that is set back such that the cap (13c) is able to cover said set-back portion of said upper surface in the timepiece component fastening configuration.

9. The timepiece component as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cap (13c) is in the form of a one-piece element.

10. The timepiece component as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cap (13c) is made of ceramic, cermet, glass, sapphire, mother-of-pearl, amber or natural or reconstituted stone.

11. A timepiece, in particular a watch, characterized in that said timepiece comprises a timepiece component as claimed in one of the preceding claims.

12. A method for manufacturing a timepiece component as claimed in one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a step of fastening a cap (13c) to a first part (13) of the timepiece component, assembling the first assembly member (40) of the cap (13c) with the first latching member (50) of the first part (13), then positioning the cap (13c) in its final position provided in the fastening configuration of the timepiece component, then actuating the movable lock (9) of the first part (13) so as to bring it into its closed position in cooperation with the second assembly member (41) of the cap (13c), and which comprises an additional step consisting in locking the closed position of the movable lock (9) on the first part (13) using a bar (11).