Watch case comprising a removable rotating bezel

Abstract

The invention relates to a watch case (10) comprising a case middle (11), a bezel (12) and a connecting ring (13) arranged to rotate movably relative to the case middle (11) and by means of which the bezel (12) is able to be fixed to the case middle (11) in a position in which said bezel (12) is constrained against said ring by an elastic restoring force generated by an elastic member (121), the connecting ring (13) and the bezel (12) each comprising at least one interlocking member cooperating together when the bezel (12) is fixed to the case middle (11) in order to eliminate any relative mobility between said connecting ring (13) and said bezel (12), the connecting ring (13) and the bezel (12) being configured such that when the bezel (12) is subjected to a force opposing the elastic restoring force,the interlocking parts no longer cooperate with each other so as to allow rotational and translational movement between said connecting ring (13) and said bezel (12).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention falls within the field of watchmaking, and in particular watch cases.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a watch case comprising a removable rotating bezel. Technological background

[0003] Some watches have a case designed so that the bezel can be detached from the case to which it is attached without tools, i.e., comprising a bezel attached to the case in a removable manner.

[0004] This type of bezel allows, in particular, for the customization of the watch case, for example by replacing a bezel with another including different decorations, or facilitates maintenance operations.

[0005] One of the disadvantages of state-of-the-art watch cases with removable bezels lies in the complexity of their manufacture and / or the complexity of their use, these disadvantages being further accentuated in the case of a rotating bezel.

[0006] There is therefore a need to offer a removable rotating bezel of simple design, i.e. comprising a minimum of elements, so that its manufacture is as easy as possible, while allowing its removal from the case or its attachment to the case in the most convenient way possible.

[0007] Such a removable rotating telescope is described for example by documents CH703400 and EP1801672. Summary of the invention

[0008] The invention resolves the aforementioned drawbacks and relates, for this purpose, to a watch case as defined in claim 1.

[0009] In particular embodiments, the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations.

[0010] In particular embodiments, the connecting ring has a peripheral shoulder by which it is arranged as a buttress against an axial bearing surface of the case formed by a radial lip.

[0011] In particular embodiments, the interlocking members of the bezel and the connecting ring respectively comprise a coupling element, said coupling elements having complementary shapes and cooperating with each other when the bezel is fixed to the case and being separated from each other when the bezel is subjected to a force opposing the elastic restoring force.

[0012] In particular embodiments, the coupling elements are configured, when the telescope is subjected to a force opposing the elastic restoring force, to prohibit rotation of the telescope relative to the connecting ring in a first direction of rotation and to permit its rotation in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation.

[0013] In particular embodiments, the teeth are shaped so as to permit the connecting ring to rotate only in the first direction of rotation.

[0014] In particular embodiments, the interlocking members of the bezel and the connecting ring each comprise a translational stop element, said translational stop elements cooperating with each other when the bezel is fixed to the case and being released from each other when the coupling elements are separated from each other and the bezel and the connecting ring are arranged according to the predefined angular position.

[0015] In particular embodiments, the translational stopping elements of the bezel and the connecting ring are formed respectively by a radial tab, the tabs extending in opposite directions and each comprising an interface face by which they rest against each other when the bezel is fixed to the case.

[0016] In particular embodiments, the coupling element of the connecting ring is formed by a housing defined between two radial stops, one of which is formed by a lateral end of the translational stop element of the connecting ring, called the "stop end", the coupling element of the telescope being formed by a radial tab intended to be engaged in said housing.

[0017] In particular embodiments, the translational stop elements of the bezel and the connecting ring are formed respectively by a radial tab, the tabs extending in opposite directions and each comprising an interface face through which they cooperate, the interface face of the radial tab of the connecting ring having an inclined portion arranged so as to generate an overthickness at the stop end, said overthickness forming the second radial stop. Brief description of the figures

[0018] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: there figure 1 represents a front view of a watch case according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; the figure 2 represents a cross-sectional view along the cutting axis AA of the watch case of the figure 1 ; there figure 3 represents a cross-sectional view along the cutting axis BB of the box of the figure 1 ; there figure 4 represents a cross-sectional view along the CC cutting axis of the box of the figure 1 ; there figure 5 represents an exploded perspective view from above of the watch case of the figure 1 ; there figure 6 represents an exploded perspective view of the underside of the watch case of the figure 1 .

[0019] Note that the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale for reasons of clarity. Detailed description of the invention

[0020] The invention relates to a watch case 10, as seen on the figures 1 to 6 comprising a case 11 to which a bezel 12 is fixed by means of a connecting ring 13.

[0021] In particular, the connecting ring 13 is arranged to rotate movably relative to the case 11, around a tubular portion 111 of said case 11. As shown in the cross-sectional views of figures 2 to 4 , the tubular part 111 is connected to a radial lip 112 forming an axial bearing surface against which the connecting ring 13 is arranged as a buttress and more specifically a peripheral shoulder of said connecting ring 13. This peripheral shoulder is formed by a tubular portion 131 extending from an annular base 132, said tubular portion 131 and the tubular part 111 being coaxial.

[0022] As shown in the cross-sectional view of the figure 2 , when the bezel 12 is fixed to the case 11, it is constrained against the connecting ring 13 by an elastic restoring force generated by at least one elastic member 121. This support allows the interlocking members which respectively comprise the connecting ring 13 and the bezel 12 to cooperate with each other in order to eliminate any relative mobility between said connecting ring 13 and said bezel 12.

[0023] It is understood here that, thanks to the connecting ring 13, the bezel 12 benefits from a degree of rotational freedom relative to the case 11 when it is fixed to the latter.

[0024] Advantageously, as can be seen on the Figures 5 And 6 The connecting ring 13 has, on its annular base 132, teeth 133 cooperating with an elastic indexing element 134 fixed to the case 11, as visible on the figure 3Preferably, the teeth are shaped so as to allow the connecting ring 13 to rotate only in a particular direction of rotation, called the "first direction of rotation". Consequently, the bezel 12 is able to pivot in a single direction of rotation relative to the case 11.

[0025] Advantageously, the connecting ring 13 and the bezel 12, and in particular their respective interlocking members, are configured so that when the bezel 12 is subjected to a force opposing the elastic restoring force, the interlocking members no longer cooperate with each other and thus allow the rotational mobility of the bezel 12 relative to said connecting ring 13 to be released. It should be noted that when the bezel 12 is subjected to a force opposing the elastic restoring force, it is displaced axially by a stroke only necessary to allow the disengagement of the interlocking members, as described in more detail below; this axial displacement being imperceptible or barely perceptible to the user.

[0026] The bezel 12 can only be removed from the case 11 after being rotated through a specific angle. In other words, when the bezel 12 is subjected to a force opposing the elastic restoring force, the bezel 12 and the connecting ring 13 can be separated by their arrangement at a predefined angular position relative to each other.

[0027] The fact that the bezel 12 must be subjected to a force that goes against the elastic restoring force generated by the elastic element(s) 121 to remove the bezel 12 from the case 11 helps to prevent any accidental separation of the bezel 12 and the case 11, and thus helps to secure the attachment of said bezel 12.

[0028] The interlocking parts of the telescope 12 and the connecting ring 13 are visible in the exploded views of the Figures 5 And 6and each comprise a coupling element. According to its accepted definition in the field of mechanics, a coupling allows the transmission of rotational motion between two parts. The coupling elements therefore allow, when the interlocking parts cooperate with each other, the bezel 12 and the connecting ring 13 to be rotationally locked together.

[0029] For this purpose, the coupling element of the connecting ring 13 is formed, in the preferred embodiment, by a housing 135 defined between two radial stops. In this embodiment, the radial stops extend outwards. The coupling element of the telescope 12 is formed by a radial lug 122, visible on the figure 6, of a shape complementary to that of the housing 135 and engaged in said housing 135 when the interlocking members of the bezel 12 and the connecting ring 13 cooperate together. In particular, this radial tab 122 extends from a skirt 120 of the bezel 12.

[0030] Preferably, the coupling elements are advantageously configured to prevent rotation of the telescope 12 relative to the connecting ring 13 in the first direction of rotation, when the telescope 12 is subjected to a force opposing the elastic restoring force.

[0031] The first direction of rotation of the bezel 12 corresponds to its single direction of rotation relative to the case 11 when it is fixed to the latter. Thus, the risk of accidentally detaching the bezel 12 from the case 11 during its rotation is eliminated.

[0032] For this purpose, one of the radial stops, called the "first radial stop" 136 below, extends axially over a distance such that it constitutes a stop for the radial leg 122 regardless of the axial position of the telescope 12, i.e. whether or not it is subjected to a force opposite to the elastic restoring force.

[0033] The interlocking members of the bezel 12 and the connecting ring 13 also include, respectively, a translational stop element, as visible on the figures 2 , 3 , 5 And 6 The translational stop elements cooperate with each other when the bezel 12 is fixed to the case 11 and are released from each other when the coupling elements are uncoupled and the bezel 12 and the connecting ring 13 are arranged according to the predefined angular position relative to each other.

[0034] More specifically, the translational stopping elements of the bezel 12 and the connecting ring 13 are formed respectively by a radial tab 123, 138 each comprising an interface face 1230, 1380 by which they rest against each other when the bezel 12 is fixed to the case 11. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the tab 138 of the connecting ring 13 extends outwards and that of the bezel 12 extends inwards.

[0035] The tabs 123 and 138 extend both between two lateral ends defining an angular sector large enough to distribute the axial forces on the interface faces 1230, 1380 in a way suitable to maximize resistance to mechanical stresses.

[0036] Preferably, one of the radial stops, called the "second radial stop" 137, is formed by a lateral end of the tongue 138 of the connecting ring 13, referred to in the rest of the text as the "stop end".

[0037] When fixing the bezel 12 to the case 11, the tabs 123 and 138 of the bezel 12 and the connecting ring 13 are arranged to bear against each other by means of their interface face 1230, 1380, which prevents any withdrawal of the bezel 12 from the case 11 by a translational movement, then the bezel 12 is pivoted relative to the case 11 until the radial tab 122 of the bezel 12 engages in the housing 135 under the stress of the elastic restoring force and comes into contact with the first radial stop 136.

[0038] In the preferred embodiment example, and as shown in the detail view of the figure 5The interface face 1380 of the tab 138 of the connecting ring 13 has an inclined portion 1381 arranged to generate a raised section at the end of the stop. In particular, said interface face 1380 comprises a first portion against which the interface face 1230 of the tab 123 of the bezel 12 rests when the bezel 12 is fixed to the case 11, and a second portion, consisting of the inclined portion 1381, forming with the first portion a non-flat angle α, for example between 145 and 175 degrees. In summary, the raised section generated by this second portion forms the second radial stop 137.

[0039] This feature helps to simplify the design and manufacture of interlocking components.

[0040] Advantageously, to facilitate the assembly of the case 10, the case 11 may include a fixing ring 110 intended to fix the connecting ring 13 to said case 11 while allowing a degree of rotational freedom of said connecting ring 13 relative to said case 11. More specifically, the fixing ring 110 includes the tubular part 111 and the radial lip 112, and is fixed to a case body 113 for example by screwing.

[0041] The case body 113 may include a connecting piece 1130 fixed to a central portion 1131 of the case body 113, for example by screwing, and comprising an annular groove 1132 for receiving the retaining ring 110, the connecting ring 13, and the bezel skirt 120 of the bezel 12. In particular, the annular groove 1132 is defined between an inner and an outer flank connected to each other by a base. In the example shown in the cross-sectional views of the figures 2 to 4, the fixing ring 110 is arranged opposite the inner side and the scope 12 is arranged opposite the outer side.

[0042] The elastic indexing element 134 and the elastic organ 121 are housed in the central part 1131 of the case body 113 and extend through the bottom of the annular groove 1132.

[0043] It is understood from the above that the bezel 12, when fixed to the case 11, is mobile in translation according to a defined range between stops formed by the bottom of the annular groove 1132 and by the interface face 1380. This range is only necessary, as indicated previously, to separate the coupling elements from each other.

[0044] The connecting piece 1130 is fixed to the central part 1131 in a preferentially removable manner, so as to simplify any maintenance operations and to allow customization of part of the case 11, in addition to the possibility of customizing the bezel 12.

[0045] More generally, it should be noted that the examples of implementation considered above have been described as non-limiting examples, and that other variants are therefore conceivable.

[0046] In particular, although in the embodiment described above, the radial lip 112 of the retaining ring 110, the first radial stop 136, and the tab 138 of the connecting ring 13 extend outwards, and the annular base 132 of the connecting ring 13, the tab 123, and the radial tab 122 extend inwards, an arrangement of these elements in the opposite direction could be envisaged. In other words, the radial lip 112, the first radial stop 136, and the tab 138 of the connecting ring 13 could extend inwards, and the annular base 132, the tab 123, and the radial tab 122 could extend outwards.

[0047] Furthermore, the telescope 12 and the connecting ring 13 can each include several interlocking elements, for example three, as shown in the figures.

[0048] It is also possible, to form the second radial stop 137, to replace the inclined portion 1381 with a similar projecting portion, for example, formed by a pin, a suitably shaped overhang, etc. It is also possible for the interface face 1380 to form a single inclined plane to constitute the second radial stop 137, the cross-section of the tab 138 then increasing towards the housing 135. It is further possible to provide an axial offset of the radial lug 122 relative to the tab 123 of the bezel 12, so that when said tab 123 bears against the tab 138 of the connecting ring 13, the radial lug 122 is housed in the housing 125. This last example allows the tab 138 of the connecting ring 13 to be shaped into any form.

Claims

1. Watch case (10), comprising a middle (11), a bezel (12) and a connecting ring (13) arranged so as to be able to rotate relative to the middle (11) and by means of which the bezel (12) is able to be fastened to the middle (11) in a position in which said bezel (12) is forced to bear against said ring by a resilient restoring force generated by a resilient member (121), the connecting ring (13) and the bezel (12) each comprising at least one interlocking member cooperating with each other when the bezel (12) is fastened to the middle (11), in order to eliminate any relative mobility between said connecting ring (13) and said bezel (12), the connecting ring (13) and the bezel (12) being configured so that when the bezel (12) is subjected to a force that goes against the resilient restoring force, the interlocking members no longer cooperate with each other and thus allow rotational freedom between said connecting ring (13) and said bezel (12), the connecting ring (13) and the bezel (12) being further configured so as to be able to be separated when they are arranged in a predefined angular position relative to each other, characterised in that the connecting ring (13) comprises a toothing cooperating with a resilient indexing element (134) fastened to the middle (11).

2. Watch case (10) according to claim 1, wherein the connecting ring (13) comprises a peripheral shoulder by means of which it is arranged in abutment against an axial bearing surface of the middle (11) formed by a radial lip (112).

3. Watch case (10) according to claim 2, wherein the interlocking members of the bezel (12) and of the connecting ring (13) respectively comprise a coupling element, said coupling elements having complementary shapes and cooperating with one another when the bezel (12) is fastened to the middle (11) and being separated from one another when the bezel (12) is subjected to a force that goes against the resilient restoring force.

4. Watch case (10) according to claim 3, wherein the coupling elements are configured, when the bezel (12) is subjected to a force that goes against the resilient restoring force, to prevent the rotation of the bezel (12) relative to the connecting ring (13) in a first direction of rotation and to allow its rotation in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation.

5. Watch case (10) according to claim 4, wherein the toothing is shaped so as to allow rotation of the connecting ring (13) only in the first direction of rotation.

6. Watch case (10) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the interlocking members of the bezel (12) and of the connecting ring (13) respectively comprise a translation-stopping element, said translation-stopping elements cooperating with each other when the bezel (12) is fastened to the middle (11) and being released from each other when the coupling elements are separated from each other and when the bezel (12) and the connecting ring (13) are arranged in the predefined angular position.

7. Watch case (10) according to claim 6, wherein the translation-stopping elements of the bezel (12) and of the connecting ring (13) are formed respectively by a radial tongue (123, 138), the tongues (123, 138) extending in opposite directions and each comprising an interface face (1230, 1380) via which they rest against one another when the bezel (12) is fastened to the middle (11).

8. Watch case (10) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the coupling element of the connecting ring (13) is formed by a recess (135) defined between two radial bankings (136, 137), one of which is formed by a lateral end of the translation-stopping element of the connecting ring (13), referred to as the " banking end", the coupling element of the bezel (12) being formed by a radial lug (122) intended to be engaged in said recess (135).

9. Watch case (10) according to claim 8, wherein the translation-stopping elements of the bezel (12) and of the connecting ring (13) are formed respectively by a radial tongue (123, 138), the tongues (123, 138) extending in opposite directions and each comprising an interface face (1230, 1380) via which they cooperate, the interface face of the tongue (138) of the connecting ring (13) having an inclined portion (1381) arranged so as to generate an extra thickness at the banking end, said extra thickness forming the second radial banking (137).

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