Case for a watch

Abstract

The present invention provides a watch case (1) comprising at least one compartment (4) for receiving a watch (6) having on its periphery a latch (10) for actuating a function of said watch. The case includes a mechanical actuating device (22) for said latch (10) arranged to automatically actuate the latch (10) and perform said function when the watch (6) is in place in its compartment (4), and control means for said actuating device (22) of the latch (10) arranged to activate said actuating device (22) of the latch (10) on demand.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a watch case comprising at least one housing for receiving a watch comprising on its periphery a lock for actuating a function of said watch.

[0002] One such function is for example a chime, the lock being the chime lock and the watch being a repeater watch arranged to indicate on demand at least the hours by means of a chime by actuating said chime lock.

[0003] A watch equipped with a minute repeater mechanism chimes the hour, quarter, and minutes on demand, allowing the wearer to know the exact time, down to the minute, each time the striking mechanism is activated. Typically, the striking mechanism is positioned at 9 o'clock and is designed to slide around the watch case, pushed clockwise by the wearer's thumbnail. The movement of the mechanism winds the mainspring of the striking mechanism. When the wearer releases the mechanism and it returns to its resting position, the striking mechanism automatically chimes the hour, starting as soon as the mainspring is sufficiently wound.

[0004] Such a repeater watch is a high-end complication and is generally delivered to users in a case, which may be equipped with an automatic winding mechanism designed to wind the watch while it is in its case. Such a case is described, for example, in patent EP 392 980. Another case, described in application WO 2012 / 126978, also allows for automatic winding of the watch and keeps it accurate while it is in the case. For this purpose, it includes a winding mechanism and a setting mechanism that engages with the crown on the winding stem. The setting mechanism is designed to control the winding crown and set the time to the current time.Yet another case, described in patent CH 80, includes a mechanical actuation device for the lock of a repeating watch, allowing the user to manually operate the lock from outside the case when the watch is inside. This mechanical actuation device comprises a lever mounted in the lid of the case so as to protrude from the lid, this lever carrying a pin which, when the case is closed, is positioned opposite the lock.

[0005] However, none of the known cases allow for automatic activation of a lock provided on the perimeter of the watch case when it is placed in its case, so the function associated with the lock cannot be performed when the watch is positioned in its case.

[0006] The present invention aims to remedy this drawback by proposing a watch case that allows a function of the watch to be automatically triggered when the watch is in its case, this function can also be performed manually, via a user, by activating a lock provided on the periphery of the watch, when the watch is not in its case.

[0007] More specifically, when the watch is a minute repeater, the present invention aims to provide a watch case allowing automatic actuation of the striking lock in order to automatically trigger the striking mechanism, without manual intervention.

[0008] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a watch case comprising at least one housing intended to receive a watch comprising on its periphery a lock for actuating a function of said watch, the case being as defined in the attached claim 1.

[0009] In the invention, the case includes a mechanical locking actuating device arranged to automatically actuate the lock to perform said function when the watch is in place in its housing, and control means for said locking actuating device arranged to activate the locking actuating device on demand, and preferably automatically.

[0010] Advantageously, the case includes an internal clock managing the current time and including programming means for the control means of said lock actuation device arranged to program at least one activation time for the lock actuation device.

[0011] Thus, the case according to the invention allows programming of the times at which the function of the watch linked to the lock should be performed automatically.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the function of the watch is a chime, the lock being the chime lock and the watch being a repeater watch arranged to indicate on demand at least the hours by means of the chime by actuating said lock, and the internal clock includes means for programming at least one chime time, such that the control means activate the lock actuating device at the programmed time so as to be able to automatically actuate said lock and trigger a chime when the watch is in place in its housing.

[0013] Thus, the case according to the invention allows the time at which the repeater watch in its case should chime to be programmed, so that the repeater watch in its case can be used as an alarm clock.

[0014] Advantageously, the lock actuation device includes a carriage, an actuation finger pivotally mounted on the carriage and arranged to cooperate with the lock when the watch is in place in its housing in order to move said lock from a rest position to a maximum position so as to perform the function, said carriage being movable between an initial position in which the actuation finger is arranged to be in front of the lock in the rest position and a final position in which the actuation finger is arranged to cooperate with the lock moved to the maximum position, and means for returning said carriage to the initial position.

[0015] Preferably, the lock actuation device includes carriage drive means arranged to be activated by control means managed by the internal clock.

[0016] Advantageously, the case also includes an automatic watch winding device arranged to wind the watch when it is in place in its housing.

[0017] Preferably, the case includes a digital display arranged to show at least the current time of the internal clock, and in particular the activation time of the programmed lock actuation device.

[0018] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: there figure 1 is a top view of the base of a case according to the invention, the lid not being shown; the figure 2 represents a partial isometric top view of the interior of the base of the case according to the invention, the upper face of the base having been removed; the figure 3 represents a partial isometric view from below of the interior of the base of the case according to the invention, on the side of the locking actuation device; and the figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the inside of the base of the case according to the invention, on the side of the automatic winding device.

[0019] The present invention relates to a watch case comprising at least one housing for receiving a watch comprising on its periphery a lock for actuating a function of said watch.

[0020] The example described below applies more particularly to a case for a repeating watch, the function of the watch to be performed being a chime, the lock being the chime lock and the watch being a repeating watch arranged to indicate on demand at least the hours by means of the chime by actuation of said lock.

[0021] More specifically, the watch used in the example below is a watch equipped with a minute repeater mechanism, allowing it to chime the hour, quarter-hour, and minutes, so that the wearer knows the exact time, to the minute, on demand, that is, each time the striking mechanism is activated. Such a minute repeater mechanism is familiar to those skilled in the art and does not require a detailed description here.

[0022] With reference to figures 1 à 4 A case 1 is shown, which is in the form of a box comprising a base 2, traditionally closed by a lid attached to the back of the base 2 by a hinge (not shown). The base 2 includes various compartments, notably a compartment 4 designed to hold a repeater watch 6, which has a winding crown 8 at 3 o'clock and, approximately at 9 o'clock, an actuation mechanism 10, in this case a striking mechanism. The watch 6 is also fitted with its strap 12. The compartment 4 includes a support 14 with a cutout on its surface that complements the shape of the watch case 16 and the watch lugs 18, allowing for correct positioning and secure retention of the watch 6 on the support 14. Indexing means may be provided. The support 14 also includes lateral cutouts to allow free access to the winding crown 8 on one side and to the striking mechanism 10 on the other.The support 14 can be removed to be adapted according to the watch to be positioned in the case 1.

[0023] In a known manner, the actuation lock 10, here the striking lock, is arranged to slide and pivot clockwise around the circumference of the watch case 16 from its rest position at 9 o'clock, to a maximum winding position of the striking barrel, for example approximately at 10 o'clock, winding the spring of the striking mechanism's barrel, and then to return to the rest position counterclockwise, the striking mechanism, powered by the striking barrel, automatically triggering to strike the time.

[0024] When the watch 6 is not positioned in its case, the alarm lock 10 can be moved to its fully wound position by the user's thumb to manually trigger an alarm. For this purpose, the alarm lock 10 includes a beveled head 10a to facilitate gripping.

[0025] According to the present invention, the case 1 includes, in another housing 20 provided in the base 2, a mechanical actuation device 22 for the lock 10 arranged to be able to automatically actuate the lock 10 and perform the function when the watch 6 is in place in its housing 4. Control means for said actuation device 22 for the lock 10 are also provided, arranged to be able to automatically activate the actuation device 22 for the lock 10 on demand, in particular to automatically actuate said lock 10 and trigger an alarm when the watch 6 is in place in its housing 4.

[0026] Preferably, said control means for said actuation device 22 are programmable via programming means managed by an electronic control unit 23 comprising an internal clock managing the current time, said programming means being arranged to program at least one activation time for the actuation device 22 of the lock 10, i.e. here a ringing time, at which said control means will automatically activate the actuation device 22 to trigger here a ringing, while the watch 6 is in place in its housing 4.

[0027] The internal clock managing the current time can also be used to display the current time on a digital touchscreen 24 located in another compartment 26 provided in the base 2 of the housing 1. This screen 24 is configured to offer a control interface, which can also be used to display the activation time of the actuation device 22 of the lock 10, programmed by the programming means. In the case of a minute repeater, the screen 24 is used to display the programmed ringing time, which could be, for example, the wake-up time.

[0028] The electronic control unit 23 is supplied with electrical current by a power outlet intended to be connected to the electrical network.

[0029] With particular reference to figures 1 And 2The actuation device 22 of the lock 10 comprises a carriage 28 mounted to move in translation and sliding on axes 30 fixed to the housing 20 along an axis parallel to a line substantially tangent to the surface of the lock body. More specifically, the carriage 28 is movable in translation between the front and rear of the base 2, along an axis parallel to the 6 o'clock-12 o'clock axis of the watch 6 when it is correctly positioned on its support 14, the rear being defined as the direction indicated by the 12 o'clock direction of the watch and the front being defined as the direction indicated by the 6 o'clock direction of the watch 6 when it is correctly positioned on its support 14 in its housing 4.

[0030] The actuation device 22 of the lock 10 also includes an actuating finger 32 pivotally mounted at A on the carriage 28. Said actuating finger 32 includes a beak 32a arranged to cooperate with the head 10a of the lock 10 when the watch 6 is in place in its housing 4 in order to actuate said lock 10 by moving it from its rest position to its maximum winding position in order to wind the striking barrel and trigger the striking mechanism, said carriage 28 being arranged to be movable in translation between an initial forward position in which the actuating finger 32 is arranged to be located in front of the lock 10, which is then in its rest position as shown in the figure 1 and a final rear position in which the beak 32a of the actuating finger 32 is arranged to cooperate with the head 10a of the bolt 10 moved into its maximum cocking position, said head 10a of the bolt having been in the stroke of the beak 32a of the actuating finger 32 during the movement of the carriage 28 between its initial front position and its final rear position.

[0031] Furthermore, the actuation device 22 of the lock 10 includes return means 34 for the carriage 28, such as a spring attached to the carriage 28 on one side and to the housing 20 on the other, arranged to return said carriage 28 to its initial forward position. When the carriage 28 returns to its initial forward position, the tip 32a of the actuating finger 32 disengages from the lock 10, releasing it and allowing said lock 10 to return to its rest position, which will trigger the bell. The speed of the carriage 28 during its return to its initial forward position is determined so that the tip 32a of the actuating finger 32 is again positioned at the front of the lock 10 when the latter has returned to its rest position.

[0032] Furthermore, a spring 36 is mounted on the carriage 28 and arranged to press on a pin 38 integral with the actuating finger 32, so that said actuating finger 32, pivotally mounted on the carriage 28, presses reliably on the watch case 16 when the actuating finger 32 is in front of the lock 10 in the rest position, the carriage 28 being in its initial forward position, as well as on the head 10a of the lock when the actuating finger is moved in translation towards the rear carried by the carriage 28. The tilting of the actuating finger 32 is further limited by a stop 40 integral with the carriage 28.

[0033] The actuating finger 32 is integral with a balancing arm 42.

[0034] The actuation device 22 is protected by a cover 44 fixed to the base 2. The cover 44 includes a lateral opening 44a for the passage of the actuation finger 32 and a lateral opening 44b for the passage of the balancing arm 42.

[0035] With more specific reference to the figure 3 The actuation device 22 of the lock 10 includes drive means 46 for the carriage 28 arranged to be activated by control means managed by the internal clock. These drive means 46 are advantageously positioned below the electronic control unit 23, which manages the programming means for the control means of said drive means 46.

[0036] The drive means 46 of the carriage 28 include an electric motor 48 arranged to drive in rotation a shaft 50 fixed to a support arm 52 extending perpendicularly to the shaft 50. The free end 52a of the support arm 52 is arranged to press against a leaf spring 54 fixed to the underside of the carriage 28. The drive means 46 are arranged so that a clockwise rotation of the shaft 50 (i.e., from front to back) causes a clockwise rotation of the support arm 52, which in turn pushes on the leaf spring 54 of the carriage 28 so as to drive the carriage 28 in translation parallel to the axis 6h-12h, from its initial front position to its final rear position. When the carriage 28 has reached its final rear position, the support arm 52 continues its rotation, pushing the spring-blade 54 past it and returning to the initial position.At its free end 52a, the support arm 52 has a freely mounted wheel 56, facilitating the sliding of the support arm 52 on the leaf spring 54. The carriage 28, no longer being pushed by the support arm 52, is returned to its initial front position by its return spring 34, its leaf spring 54 returning to its position behind the support arm 52.

[0037] The electric motor 48 is arranged to be controlled by the control means of the actuation device 22, which are programmed by the programming means managed by the internal clock of the electronic control unit 23, so as to engage at the programmed ringing time. Once the motor 48 is engaged, the support arm 52 rotates, pushing the spring-loaded blade 54 to move the carriage 28 from its initial front position to its final rear position. During the rearward movement of the carriage, the beak 32a of the actuation finger 32 engages with the head 10a of the bolt 10 and actuates the bolt 10, moving it from its rest position to its maximum winding position, thus winding the spring of the ringing cylinder. Then the support arm 52 having passed the spring-blade 54, the carriage 28 returns to its initial front position, and brings back with it the actuating finger 32 so that its beak 32a disengages from the lock 10.Once the lock 10 is released, it returns to its rest position, triggering the alarm at the programmed alarm time. The various components then return to their initial positions, allowing the alarm to be triggered automatically again at a programmed alarm time, with the watch 6 in place in its housing 4.

[0038] Thus the case according to the invention allows the repeater watch to be used as an alarm clock, while it is positioned in its case.

[0039] With particular reference to figures 1 And 4 , base 2 also includes a housing 60 receiving an automatic winding device 62 for the watch 6 arranged to be able to wind the watch 6 when it is in place in its housing 4. The automatic winding device 62 is protected by a cover 63 fixed to base 2.

[0040] The automatic winding device 62 of the watch 6 comprises a winding carriage 64 mounted to move in translation and sliding on axes 66 fixed to the housing 60 along the longitudinal axis of the winding stem of the watch 6. More specifically, the winding carriage 64 is movable in translation along the 9 o'clock-3 o'clock axis of the watch 6 when it is correctly positioned on its support 14 in its housing 4 between a rest position, furthest from the winding crown 8, and a winding position closest to the winding crown 8. The winding carriage 64 is arranged to be driven in translation by an electromagnet 68 comprising a fixed part 68a and a movable part 68b fixedly connected to the winding carriage 64 by a connecting piece 69.The electromagnet 68 is arranged to be controlled by the internal clock of the electronic control unit 23 so as to move the moving part 68b, and therefore the winding carriage 64. Return means 70, such as a return spring, are provided to return the moving part 68b of the electromagnet 68, and therefore the winding carriage 64, to its rest position, after each winding, when the electromagnet 68 is deactivated.

[0041] The winding carriage 64 carries a rotating shaft 72 arranged to be driven in rotation by a motor 74 controlled by the electronic control unit 23, said shaft 72 carrying a linking member 76, such as a fluted bell, arranged to cooperate with the winding crown 8 when the winding carriage 64 is in its winding position.

[0042] When the electromagnet 68 is activated, its moving part 68b moves with the winding carriage 64 which comes to position itself as close as possible to the winding crown 8, the motor 74 being engaged at low speed so that the fluted bell 76 mounted on the shaft 72 comes to index itself with the flutes of the winding crown 8. Then the speed of the motor 74 is accelerated to wind the watch by rotating the winding crown 8 via the fluted bell 76 attached to the shaft 72 in one direction. Once the winding is complete, the fluted bell 76 can be turned slightly in the other direction to separate it from the winding crown 8, then the winding carriage 64 is brought back to its rest position by the moving part 68b of the electromagnet 67 returned by its spring 70, moving the fluted bell 76 away from the winding crown 8, awaiting the next winding.

[0043] The winding device 62, and more specifically the electromagnet 68, can be programmed via programming means for the internal clock of the electronic control unit 23 to program the winding frequency. The motor 74 can be programmed via programming means for the electronic control unit 23 to program the desired number of turns to wind the winding crown 8. A safety mechanism can be provided to stop the winding in case the winding torque becomes too high.

[0044] The control interface of screen 24 can also be used to program and display the programmed winding time.

[0045] The said automatic winding device 62 of the watch 6 can of course be used independently of the actuation device 22 of the lock 10.

[0046] When the watch 6 is a minute repeater, the case 1 according to the invention may advantageously include means for amplifying the sound of the chime. These amplification means include, for example, an acoustic enclosure 78 positioned under the watch 6 and fixed to the upper face of the base 2. The enclosure 78 has a shape and is made of a material that preserves the acoustics of the chime.

[0047] The amplification means also include a microphone 80 controlled by the electronic control unit 23 and arranged to engage when the buzzer is triggered after the lock 10 is activated. The microphone 80 can be fixed to the wall of the acoustic enclosure 78.

[0048] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described. The lock 10 can be used to perform a function other than a chime, the case according to the invention allowing this lock to be actuated automatically to perform this function while the watch is positioned on its support in its housing.

Claims

1. Case (1) for a watch, comprising at least one housing (4) intended to receive a watch (6) comprising on its edge a bolt (10) for actuating a function of said watch, and comprising a mechanical actuating device (22) for said bolt (10) arranged to enable said function to be performed when the watch (6) is in place in its housing (4), characterised in that the actuating device (22) is arranged to be able to actuate the bolt (10) automatically, in that the case (1) comprises means for controlling said actuating device (22) for the bolt (10), which are arranged to be able to activate said actuating device (22) for the bolt (10), and in that the actuating device (22) for the bolt (10) comprises a carriage (28), an actuating finger (32) mounted in a pivoting manner on the carriage (28) and arranged to be able to cooperate with the bolt (10) when the watch (6) is in place in its housing (4) in order to be able to move said bolt (10) from a rest position to a maximum position so as to be able to perform the function, said carriage (28) being movable between an initial position in which the actuating finger (32) is arranged to be able to be located in front of the bolt (10) in the rest position, and a final position in which the actuating finger (32) is arranged to cooperate with the bolt (10) moved into the maximum position, and return means (34) for the carriage (28) to return said carriage (28) to the initial position.

2. Case (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that it comprises an internal clock managing the current time and comprising means for programming the control means for said actuating device (22) for the bolt (10), which are arranged to program at least one activation time for the actuating device (22) for the bolt (10).

3. Case (1) as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the function of the watch (6) is striking, the bolt (10) being a striking bolt and the watch (6) being a repeater watch arranged to indicate upon demand at least the hours using the striking function by actuating said bolt (10), and in that the internal clock comprises means for programming at least one striking time, such that the control means activate the actuating device (22) for the bolt (10) at the programmed time in order to be able to actuate said bolt (20) automatically and to trigger striking when the watch (6) is in place in its housing (4).

4. Case (1) as claimed in any one of claims 2 or 3, characterised in that the actuating device (22) for the bolt (10) comprises drive means (46) for the carriage (28), which are arranged to be activated by the control means managed by the internal clock.

5. Case (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises an automatic winding device (62) for the watch (6) arranged to be able to wind the watch (6) when it is in place in its housing (4).

6. Case (1) as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the watch (6) comprises a winding crown (8), and in that the automatic winding device (62) for the watch (6) comprises a winding carriage (64) arranged to be movable in translation between a rest position, furthest away from the winding crown (8), and a winding position closest to the winding crown (8), said winding carriage (64) bearing a rotating shaft (72) having a linking member (76) arranged to be able to cooperate with the winding crown (8) when the winding carriage (64) is in its winding position, the watch (6) being in place in its housing (4) so as to be able to effect winding thereof.

7. Case (1) as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the automatic winding device (62) for the watch (6) comprises return means (70) for the winding carriage (64) to return said winding carriage (64) to its rest position.

8. Case (1) as claimed in any one of claims 6 and 7, characterised in that the automatic winding device (62) for the watch (6) comprises an electromagnet (68) arranged to drive the winding carriage (64) in translation.

9. Case (1) as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 and as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that it comprises an internal clock managing the current time and comprising means for programming the winding device (62), which are arranged to program the frequency of the winding.

10. Case (1) as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9, characterised in that it comprises programming means arranged to program the number of turns effected during winding of the watch (6).

11. Case (1) as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 10 and as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that it comprises a digital screen (24) arranged to display at least the current time of the internal clock.

12. Case (1) as claimed in claim 11, characterised in that the screen (24) is arranged to display the programmed activation time of the actuating device (22) for the bolt (10).

13. Case (1) as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 12, characterised in that it comprises means for amplifying the sound of the striking function.

14. Case (1) as claimed in claim 13, characterised in that said amplification means comprise a sound box (78) disposed beneath the watch (6).

15. Case (1) as claimed in any one of claims 13 and 14, characterised in that said amplification means comprise a microphone (80) arranged to be triggered when the striking function is triggered after actuation of the bolt (10).

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