STOP MECHANISM FOR CLOCK

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a timepiece mechanism comprising, fixed to a structure, control means arranged to be operated by a user or by a mechanism or by a circuit of a timepiece and to control the stopping or release of a mobile, which comprises said mechanism, which comprises at least one stop lever guided on said structure at the level of a guide, which stop lever comprises a first arm carrying, at a distance from said guide, a control finger arranged to be operated by said control means, and a second arm carrying, at a distance from said guide, a stop finger arranged to bear on said mobile or to release it.

[0002] The invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising at least one such timepiece mechanism.

[0003] The invention relates to the field of clock control mechanisms. Technological background

[0004] Various watchmaking functions require the use of stopping means, in particular stop levers, to stop the movement of a particular wheel and pinion. Such stopping means can be very cumbersome due to the distance between the control member and the wheel and pinion to be stopped. Furthermore, their operation can be complicated by the number of positions that the control member can occupy. Document JP S 55 140184A discloses a stopping mechanism for controlling the stopping or release of a wheel and pinion. Said mechanism comprises a stop lever having an arm carrying a stopping surface. The stopping mechanism further comprises a control opening arranged to be operated by control means. Summary of the invention

[0005] The invention proposes to develop a simple and space-saving stopping mechanism, comprising a stopping lever movable between only two positions, inactive and active.

[0006] For this purpose, the invention relates to a clockwork mechanism according to claim 1.

[0007] The invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising at least one such timepiece mechanism. Brief description of the figures

[0008] The aims, advantages and characteristics of the invention will be better understood upon reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the figures: there Figure 1represents, in a schematic, partial and perspective view from above, a mechanism according to the invention, with on the left side a pull-tab belonging to control means, which cooperates, here in an inactive position, with a pivoting stop lever, the opposite end of which comprises a stop finger which is here at a distance from the rim of a mobile to be stopped, here a balance; the stop lever comprises three arms, two of which respectively carry a control finger arranged to cooperate with the pull-tab in certain relative positions, and this stop finger; the third arm is a flexible arm, specific to the invention, resting on a first fixed stop; the Figure 2represents the same mechanism, in the same position, in perspective seen from below; we see that the pull tab has an opening in which the control finger of the stop lever is movable, the travel of which is limited, in this particular non-limiting embodiment, on the one hand by a straight finger forming a first support surface, and on the other hand by a first and a second fixed stop; this control finger of the stop lever is movable in a recess delimited by a curved surface constituting a second travel limiting surface beyond the fixed stops, and not used in normal operation; naturally the opening and the finger can be reversed, without departing from the invention; Figure 3 represents the same mechanism, in the same position, in top view; the Figure 4 represents the same mechanism, in the same position, in side view from the side of the pull and the stop finger of the Figure 3 ; there Figure 5represents the same mechanism, in the same position, seen from below; the Figure 6 represents the same mechanism, in a section along the section line AA of the Figure 5 ; there Figure 7 represents, in a schematic, partial and perspective view from above, another variant of a mechanism according to the invention, where the flexible arm is between the two other arms of the stop lever; figure 8 represents, schematically, and in perspective view from above, the stop lever of the Figure 7 ; THE figures 9 and 10 represent, in a schematic, partial way, in a view from below, and in transparency of the components, the detail of the cooperation between the pull tab and the control finger of the variant of the Figure 7 , in two positions of the control rod corresponding to the same inactive position of the stop lever; on the Figure 9 the control finger is close to the second travel limiting surface but without contact with it; on the Figure 10 the control finger is close to the first support surface but without contact with it; Figure 11 illustrates, in the same way as the Figure 7 , the same mechanism, but this time in an active position of the stop lever where its stop finger is resting on the mobile to be stopped; the Figure 12 illustrates, in the same way as the figures 9 and 10 , the same mechanism in the position of the Figure 11 , the control finger and the first support surface are then in contact to drive the stop lever; Figure 13 represents, in a schematic manner, and in perspective view from above, the detail of the cooperation between the stop finger and the mobile to be stopped; Figure 14 is a block diagram representing a timepiece, here a watch, comprising a mechanism according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0009] The invention relates to a clockwork mechanism 100 which comprises, fixed to a structure 400, control means 300.

[0010] These control means 300 are arranged to be operated by a user, for example by means of a control stem, a pusher, a bolt, or other, or by a mechanism of a timepiece 1000, for example a power reserve control mechanism, or other, or even by a circuit of a timepiece 1000, in particular electromechanical. These control means 300 are arranged to control the stopping or the release of a mobile 200, which the mechanism 100 comprises. The figures illustrate, without limitation, the case of a mobile 200 of a regulating organ, such as a balance 201; many other applications are possible, in particular within a chronograph mechanism, or a striking mechanism, or other.

[0011] The mechanism 100 comprises at least one stop lever 10, which is guided on the structure 400 at a guide, in particular in a non-limiting embodiment illustrated by the figures, pivoted about a stop axis D10 on the structure 400, in particular at a centering 11. This stop lever 10 comprises a first arm 16 which carries, in particular at a distance from said guide, in particular from the stop axis D10 in the illustrated variant, a control finger 12, which is arranged to be maneuvered by the control means 300. The stop lever 10 also comprises a second arm 17 which carries, at a distance from the stop axis D10, a stop surface 13, in particular a stop finger, which is arranged to bear on the mobile 200 and stop it, or to release it.

[0012] According to the invention, the stop lever 10 also comprises a flexible arm 15, which is more flexible than the first arm 16, and which is arranged to bear on a first fixed stop 42 which the structure 400 comprises, and which allows the pivoting of the stop lever 10 around the stop axis D10, in a single configuration of driving the control finger 12 by the control means 300 pushing the control finger 12, to move, and in particular to pivot in the illustrated variant, the second arm 17 and stop the movement of the mobile 200.

[0013] More particularly, the travel of the stop lever 10, in particular the angular pivot travel of the stop lever 10 in the embodiment illustrated by the figures, is limited, on the one hand by the first fixed stop 42, and on the other hand by a second fixed stop 41 carried by the structure 400.

[0014] More particularly, the second arm 17 is also a flexible arm, which is more flexible than the first arm 16.

[0015] More particularly, the flexible arm 15 is more flexible than the second arm 17.

[0016] In a particular and non-limiting application illustrated by the figures, the control means 300 comprise a pull tab 30, an opening 33 of which is arranged to receive the control finger 12 between a first bearing surface 31 and a second surface 32, which is not functional in normal service, and which can constitute an ultimate travel limiting surface for example during an impact. And only a movement of the pull tab 30 generating a drive of the control finger 12 by pushing the first bearing surface 31 can control the passage from an inactive position of the stop lever 10, in which the stop finger 13 is at a distance from the mobile 200, to an active position in which the stop finger 13 stops the movement of the mobile 200. The reverse movement, by detachment between the control finger 12 and the first bearing surface 31, causes the stop lever 10 to return to the inactive position.

[0017] More particularly, in the inactive positions, the stop lever 10 bears both on the first fixed stop 42 and on the second fixed stop 41.

[0018] More particularly, in this particular pull-rod variant, the control means 300 comprise a rod 310, which controls the pull-rod 30, which itself controls a sliding pinion. Depending on the execution of the control means, the rod can also conventionally control the pull-rod, which controls the rocker, which itself controls the sliding pinion.

[0019] More particularly still, this rod 310 is axially movable, and is arranged to occupy three axial adjustment positions, two of which correspond to the inactive position of the stop lever 10 due to the absence of driving contact between the pull rod 30 and the control finger 12, and the third of which corresponds to the active position of the stop lever by contact and driving cooperation between the pull rod 30 and the control finger 12.

[0020] More particularly, the mobile 200 is a balance of a regulating organ which pivots around an axis D200, and which comprises a balance spring 202 and a rim 201, with which the stop finger 13 is arranged to cooperate.

[0021] In another variant, the mobile 200 comprises a periphery with a relief such as grooves, notches, cutting, or other, with which the stop finger 13 can cooperate to immobilize the mobile 200 in an indexed position.

[0022] The invention also relates to a timepiece 1000 which comprises at least one such timepiece mechanism 100. More particularly, this timepiece 1000 is a watch.

[0023] In the particular application illustrated by the figures, concerning a clockwork movement with adjustment by action on a stem axially movable in three positions, the invention makes it possible to use the stop lever, usually also called a stop lever, in only two positions, whereas three positions would have to be managed in a conventional construction with a stop lever traditionally operated by the sliding pinion.

[0024] The invention also makes it possible to maintain a reduced size, especially if the mobile to be stopped, in particular a balance wheel, is very far from the control member, in particular a rod.

[0025] In short, the stop lever is guided to bear against a first fixed stop in the movement, and it is pressed against this support using its flexible arm 15. In the two axial rod positions where there is no contact between the control finger 12 and the first bearing surface 31, the stop lever 10 does not move. It is only in the third position that the pull rod 30 pushes the stop lever 10, when the control finger 12 is pushed by the first bearing surface 31, the stop lever 10 then blocks the mobile 200.

Claims

1. A horology mechanism (100) comprising, fastened to a structure (400), control means (300) arranged to be operated by a user or by a mechanism or by a circuit of a timepiece (1000) and to control the stopping or release of a mobile (200) comprised in said mechanism (100), which comprises at least one stop lever (10) guided on said structure (400) on a guide, said stop lever (10) comprising a first arm (16) carrying, at a distance from said guide, a control finger (12) arranged to be operated by said control means (300), and a second arm (17) carrying, at a distance from said guide, a stop finger (13) arranged to bear against said mobile (200) or to release it, said stop lever (10) further comprising a flexible arm (15), which is more flexible than said first arm (16) and which is arranged to bear against a first fixed stop (42) comprised in said structure (400), and which allows the movement of said stop lever (10) in relation to said guide, in a single configuration for driving said control finger (12) by said control means (300) pushing said control finger (12), to move said second arm (17) and stop the movement of said mobile (200) and in which the first arm, the second arm and the flexible arm extend on one same side of said guide.

2. A horology mechanism (100) comprising, fastened to a structure (400), control means (300) arranged to be operated by a user or by a mechanism or by a circuit of a timepiece (1000) and to control the stopping or release of a felloe on a regulating organ (200) comprised in said mechanism (100), which comprises at least one stop lever (10) guided on said structure (400) on a guide, said stop lever (10) comprising a first arm (16) carrying, at a distance from said guide, a control finger (12) arranged to be operated by said control means (300), and a second arm (17) carrying, at a distance from said guide, a stop surface (13) arranged to bear against said felloe (200) or to release it, said stop lever (10) further comprising a flexible arm (15), which is more flexible than said first arm (16) and which is arranged to bear against a first fixed stop (42) comprised in said structure (400), and which allows the movement of said stop lever (10) in relation to said guide, in a single configuration for driving said control finger (12) by said control means (300) pushing said control finger (12), to move said second arm (17) and stop the movement of said felloe (200) and in which the first arm, the second arm and the flexible arm extend on one same side of said guide.

3. The horology mechanism (100) according to claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the travel of said stop lever (10) is limited, on one hand by said first fixed stop (42), and on the other by a second fixed stop (41) carried by said structure (400).

4. The horology mechanism (100) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that said second arm (17) is also a flexible arm, which is more flexible than said first arm (16).

5. The horology mechanism (100) according to claim 4, characterised in that said flexible arm (15) is more flexible than said second arm (17).

6. The horology mechanism (100) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said stop lever (10) can be pivoted about a stop axis (D10) defining said guide.

7. The horology mechanism (100) according to claim 1, and any of claims 3 to 6, characterised in that said control means (300) comprise a pull-out piece (30) in which an opening (33) is arranged to receive said control finger (12) between a first support surface (31) and a second travel-limiting surface (32), and in that only a movement of said pull-out piece (30) generating a drive of said control finger (12) by pushing said first support surface (31) controls the switch from an inactive position of said stop lever (10), in which said stop finger (13) is at a distance from said mobile (200), to an active position in which said stop finger (13) stops the movement of said mobile (200).

8. The horology mechanism (100) according to claims 3 and 7, characterised in that, in said inactive position, said stop lever (10) bears both on said first fixed stop (42) and on said second fixed stop (41).

9. The horology mechanism (100) according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that said control means (300) comprise an arbor (310) arranged to drive said pull-out piece (30), which in turn controls a sliding pinion.

10. The horology mechanism (100) according to claim 9, characterised in that said arbor (310) is axially mobile and arranged to occupy three axial regulating positions, two of which correspond to said inactive position of said stop lever (10) due to the lack of drive contact between said pull-out piece (30) and said control finger (12), and the third of which corresponds to said active position of said stop lever by drive contact and cooperation between said pull-out piece (30) and said control finger (12).

11. The horology mechanism (100) according to claim 1 and any of claims 3 to 10, characterised in that said mobile (200) is a felloe (201) on a regulating organ, with which the stop finger (13) is arranged to cooperate.

12. A timepiece (1000) comprising at least one horology mechanism (100) according to any of claims 1 to 11.

13. A timepiece (1000) according to claim 12, characterised in that said timepiece (1000) is a watch.