Watch case provided with a rotating bezel

Abstract

The invention relates to a watch case (1) comprising a crystal (2) and a rotating bezel (3). Remarkably, one of the crystals and the rotating bezel has at least one elastic blade (4) arranged to cooperate with teeth (5) in the other of the crystal and the rotating bezel, in order to angularly index the position of the rotating bezel relative to the crystal and thus to the case. Preferably, said at least one elastic blade (4) extends from the crystal (2) and the teeth are defined by the rotating bezel (3) within this rotating bezel. In an advantageous embodiment, the rotating bezel (3) and the crystal (2) are arranged so that the rotating bezel can be clipped onto the crystal.

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of mechanical watchmaking. It concerns more particularly a watch case equipped with a rotating bezel. State of the art

[0002] Numerous examples exist of timepieces equipped with a rotating bezel. The rotating bezel is generally mounted on the watch case. These bezels typically feature minute markings and offer a simple way to measure time or indicate the time in a second time zone. To keep the rotating bezel in position, an indexing mechanism is used, allowing the bezel to be positioned at specific angles, including 60 different positions. This indexing mechanism uses flexible blades that act as a ratchet, bearing against a toothed mechanism. The toothed mechanism is integral to the rotating bezel, formed either directly on the bezel's inner, non-visible face or on a separate ring that is assembled with the bezel, thus forming part of the bezel itself.The flexible blades come from an annular ring, usually made of steel, which is assembled securely with the frame.

[0003] Application EP2672333 gives an example of a rotating bezel mounted pivoting on a case and its indexing device. This consists of added teeth and a ring carrying three flexible blades, defining pawls.

[0004] Application EP0573386 describes a particular embodiment in which the rotating bezel is clipped between the case and an upper annular projection of the crystal. As in other embodiments, the rotating bezel has teeth on its inner face. An annular ring, for example with four flexible blades, is placed between the case and the bezel.

[0005] These constructions present several drawbacks, particularly for timepieces with plastic cases. The use of added components increases the complexity and cost of the timepiece. In particular, the annular ring must be securely attached to the case to allow for indexing of the rotating bezel. Furthermore, the annular ring is usually made of metal. If the flexible blades are metallic, it is preferable that the teeth also be made of metal to prevent premature wear.

[0006] The objective of the invention is to remedy the various drawbacks of prior art devices and to offer a watch case with a rotating bezel that is made up of few separate elements and is relatively inexpensive. Summary of the invention

[0007] The main purpose of the invention is achieved by a watch case which includes a crystal and a rotating bezel, one of the crystal and the rotating bezel having at least one elastic blade arranged to cooperate with a toothing which includes the other of the crystal and the rotating bezel, in order to angularly index the position of the rotating bezel relative to the crystal.

[0008] The arrangement of the watch case according to the invention makes it possible to achieve simple and low-cost angular indexing of the bezel with reference to the crystal.

[0009] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said at least one elastic blade and the teeth are arranged to form a unidirectional system allowing the rotation of the rotating bezel in one direction only, preferably in the counterclockwise direction.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, said at least one elastic blade is formed from the glass and the teeth are defined by the rotating bezel inside this rotating bezel.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotating bezel is pivotally mounted on the glass. In particular, the rotating bezel and the glass are arranged so that the rotating bezel can be clipped onto the glass.

[0012] According to a first general embodiment of the invention, said at least one elastic blade is arranged to deform in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotating telescope, the teeth being arranged above said at least one elastic blade.

[0013] According to a second general embodiment of the invention, said at least one elastic blade is arranged to deform in a direction orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the rotating telescope, the teeth being arranged at the level of said at least one elastic blade. According to an advantageous variant, at least three elastic blades cooperating with the teeth are provided. Brief description of the drawings

[0014] The aims, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the reading of several embodiments given solely by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: There figure 1 represents in perspective a rotating bezel and a crystal, in a separate configuration before assembly, forming a watch case according to a first embodiment of the invention, the figure 2represents a detailed view of the ice in the region of an elastic layer that this ice contains, The figure 3 is a horizontal section of the crystal and rotating bezel, at the level of the teeth and the elastic blade, made in the watch case of the first embodiment, the figure 4 is a partial vertical cut of the crystal and the rotating bezel mounted on this crystal, made in the watch case of the first embodiment, the figure 5 represents, in perspective and exploded view, an assembly comprising a glass and a rotating bezel and forming a watch case according to a second embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0015] THE figures 1 to 4The figures represent an assembly consisting of a crystal 2 and a rotating bezel 3 forming a watch case 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. This assembly is intended to close the case of the timepiece. The crystal 2 is intended to be attached to the case by bonding, welding, or any other suitable means. Only the crystal and the rotating bezel are shown in the figures. The other parts of the watch case 1 are known to those skilled in the art.

[0016] The rotating bezel 3 is designed to be mounted, by pivoting, directly onto the crystal 2. To this end, the crystal has a lateral bezel 6 extending around its periphery, while the rotating bezel 3 has a continuous or segmented rim 7 on its inner face at the bottom. Beveled surfaces on the lateral bezel 6 and the rim 7 facilitate the press-fitting of the rotating bezel onto the crystal. Thus, pressure applied along the direction of the bezel's axis of rotation clips the rotating bezel onto the crystal.

[0017] A toothed section 5 is defined by the rotating bezel 3 within the rotating bezel. Originally, the bezel 2 includes at least one elastic blade 4, arranged to cooperate with the toothed section 5 formed in an internal lateral surface of the rotating bezel 3. In the first embodiment presented, there are four elastic blades 4, arranged to deform in a direction orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the rotating bezel, with the toothed section arranged at the level of the elastic blades. In the preferred variant shown, the elastic blades 4 originate from the bezel 2. In other words, the elastic blades are formed from the material of the bezel 2, which is preferably made of a plastic material. In this case, the toothed section 5 is arranged at the periphery of the elastic blades. Advantageously, the rotating bezel is also made of a plastic material.

[0018] There figure 3represents a detailed view of a flexible blade 4 and the teeth 5. The pressure exerted by the flexible blades against the teeth allows the rotating bezel to be indexed relative to the crystal, and therefore to the case, in predefined angular positions.

[0019] In the embodiment shown, the teeth 5 have a saw-tooth profile which, together with the elastic blades 4, forms a unidirectional system allowing the glass to rotate in only one direction. In this case, the rotating bezel 3 is capable of being rotated exclusively counterclockwise.

[0020] It is understood that the invention is not limited to this particular toothing and covers any other form of profile allowing angular indexing of the rotating bezel.

[0021] In a variant of the first embodiment not shown, it is possible to place the elastic blades at the same level as the lateral bead in order to reduce the thickness of the glass and the bezel.

[0022] Preferably, the glass 2 is made of injection-molded plastic. To simplify the mold making, the lateral bead 6 is interrupted at the elastic blades 4.

[0023] There figure 5 This presents a second embodiment of a rotating bezel and lens system according to the invention, in which the elastic blades 4 are arranged to deform parallel to the direction of the axis of rotation of the bezel. The teeth 5 are arranged above the elastic blades 4 and are shaped to cooperate with these elastic blades and allow for the angular indexing of the rotating bezel 3. The sawtooth profile of the teeth limits the rotation of the bezel to a counterclockwise direction.

[0024] The invention also relates to other embodiments not shown. For example, the elastic blades could be supported by the rotating bezel and the teeth formed by the glass. Preferably, the elastic blades originate from the rotating bezel and are located inside it. In other words, the elastic blades are formed from the material along with the rotating bezel. As in the embodiments shown, the elastic blade could deform in a direction parallel or perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotating bezel. The rotating bezel with the elastic blades can be produced by injection molding or by additive manufacturing processes. Preferably, the rotating bezel is made of plastic.

[0025] The invention makes it possible to produce an assembly comprising a glass and a rotating bezel with great economy of means, by eliminating the risks associated with the use of an additional metal ring and by simplifying the assembly operations of the timepiece.

Claims

1. Watch case (1) comprising a glass (2) and a rotating bezel (3); characterized in that one of the glass (2) and the rotating telescope (3) includes at least one elastic blade (4) arranged to cooperate with a toothing (5) which includes the other of the glass (2) and the rotating telescope (3), in order to angularly index the position of the rotating telescope (3) relative to the glass (2).

2. Watch case (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one elastic blade (4) and the teeth (5) are arranged to form a unidirectional device allowing the rotation of the rotating bezel (3) in only one direction, in particular in the counterclockwise direction.

3. Watch case (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said at least one elastic blade (4) is formed from the ice (2), and in that the toothing is defined by the rotating bezel (3) inside this rotating bezel.

4. Watch case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotating bezel (3) is mounted pivotally on the glass (2).

5. Watch case (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The rotating bezel (3) and the glass (2) are arranged so that the rotating bezel can be clipped onto the glass.

6. Watch case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one elastic blade (4) is arranged to deform in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotating telescope, and in that the teeth (5) are arranged above said at least one elastic blade.

7. Watch case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said at least one elastic blade (4) is arranged to deform in a direction orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the rotating telescope (2), and in that the teeth (5) are arranged at the level of said at least one elastic blade.

8. Watch case (1) according to claims 3 and 7, characterized in that the teeth (5) are arranged on the periphery of said at least one elastic blade (4).

9. Watch case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes at least three elastic blades (4) cooperating with the teeth (5).

10. Timepiece comprising a watch case according to one of the preceding claims.

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