APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE BIDIRECTIONAL ACTUATION IN THE AXIAL AND ROTATIONAL DIRECTION OF A CROWN OF A MECHANICAL WATCH OR SIMILAR

Description

DESCRIPTION TEXT The present invention relates to an apparatus for the bidirectional axial and rotational actuation of a crown of a mechanical watch or the like. The invention also relates to a method for the bidirectional axial and rotational actuation of a crown of a mechanical watch or the like. Documents EP0646256, CN209946639, and GB1269874 describe a mechanical watch crown for transferring rotary motion from the outside to the inside of a watch case. Documents EP0443086 and US20130279305 describe solutions for transferring mechanical energy from the outside to the inside of a watch case through a translational motion. However, none of the cited documents describes a solution for converting a translational movement into a rotary one, whose components are, for example, all installed externally to the watch case itself, so that rotary motion can be transferred to the inside of a mechanical watch case through the translation of a component external to the watch case itself. An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for the bidirectional actuation in the axial and rotational directions of a crown of a mechanical watch or the like, which is capable of transforming a movement from translational to rotational, so as to make the realization of the water seal simpler and more robust and the operations of loading and adjusting the various functions easier. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for the bidirectional axial and rotational actuation of a crown of a mechanical watch or the like, which is capable of being installed in conjunction with the crown. DES_INV_2_MATTEI_06.2024 itself, without the need to modify the internal mechanism of the watch to which the crown is connected. A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for the bidirectional actuation in the axial and rotational direction of a crown of a mechanical watch or the like, which allows both the function of the crown itself to be selected and its rotation, in a simple and safe manner. In view of these purposes, the present invention provides an apparatus for the bidirectional actuation in the axial and rotational direction of a crown of a mechanical watch or the like, the essential characteristic of which forms the object of claim 1. In particular, the present invention provides an apparatus for the bidirectional actuation in the axial and rotational direction of a crown of a mechanical watch or the like, having a case, in which said crown is provided with rotation around an axis and movable in an axial direction with respect to said case, for winding and adjusting for example the time, and in which said crown is arranged in proximity to an area of ​​said case, characterized in that said apparatus is arranged in said area of ​​the case outside the case, respectively inside the case, in that said apparatus comprises: - of the first sliding surfaces, fixed with respect to the case in said area of ​​said case; - a cage slidable with respect to said first sliding surfaces, wherein said cage is configured to be arranged, by sliding with respect to said first sliding surfaces, respectively, in one of two working positions or in a rest position; - at least one button, configured to slide with respect to said case both in an orthogonal direction, integral with said cage, and in a direction parallel to the axis of said crown, assuming by means of axial sliding, respectively, at least one working position, when said at least one button is pressed in said parallel direction, and a rest position, when said at least one button is not pressed in said parallel direction, wherein said at least one button comprises: DES_INV_2_MATTEI_06.2024 - at least one protrusion at least partially external to said case; - second sliding surfaces, extending in a direction parallel to the axis of said crown; - a recall mechanism, configured to return said at least one button from said at least one working position to the rest position, when said at least one button is not pressed in said parallel direction; - a first shaped surface, configured to engage and move in a first axial direction said crown, when said cage is arranged in one of said two working positions and said at least one button is moved in a first direction orthogonal to the axis of said crown, wherein said crown is arranged towards the outside of the case, distal, if said apparatus is external to said case, or proximal, if said apparatus is internal to said case, with respect to said area of ​​said case; - a second shaped surface, configured to engage and move in a second axial direction, opposite to said first axial direction, said crown, when said cage is arranged in the other of said two working positions and said at least one button is moved in a second direction orthogonal to the axis of said crown, opposite to said first orthogonal direction, wherein said crown is arranged towards the inside of the case, proximal, if said apparatus is external to said case, or distal, if said apparatus is internal to said case, with respect to said area of ​​said case, - first means for translation by linear sliding with respect to said crown, extended in a direction orthogonal to the axis of said crown and configured to slideably engage said crown, causing said crown to rotate about its own axis, when said crown is in said distal, respectively proximal, arrangement, and said at least one button is pressed in said direction parallel to the axis of said crown; DES_INV_2_MATTEI_06.2024 - second means for translation by linear sliding with respect to said crown, extended in a direction orthogonal to the axis of said crown and configured to slidably engage said crown, causing said crown to rotate about its own axis when said crown is in said proximal, respectively distal, arrangement, and said at least one button is pressed in said direction parallel to the axis of said crown; and from the fact that said cage includes at least in part said at least one button and comprises: - a hole, configured to at least partially accommodate said at least one protrusion of said at least one button; - third sliding surfaces extending in a direction parallel to the axis of said crown and configured to guide said second sliding surfaces of said at least one button; - fourth sliding surfaces extending in a direction orthogonal to the axis of said crown and configured to slide relative to said first sliding surfaces fixed with respect to said case, so as to allow the selective sliding of said cage, in conjunction with said at least one button, into one of said two working positions, starting from said rest position, respectively the selective sliding of said cage, in conjunction with said at least one button, into said rest position, starting from one of said two working positions, and in which means for maintaining said cage together with said at least one button, with respect to said case, are provided in said area of ​​said case and / or in said cage and / or in said at least one button and are configured to maintain said cage with said at least one button in said rest position, when said cage is not slid into one of said two working positions. It should be noted that: DES_INV_2_MATTEI_06.2024 - said first and second translation means are for example configured as a rack cooperating with said crown, when the latter is for example externally toothed; - said holding means are for example configured as pressure ball means integral with at least one of said case and / or said cage and / or said at least one button, wherein said pressure ball means cooperate with corresponding cavity means provided in at least one other of said case and / or said cage and / or said at least one button. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for the bidirectional actuation in the axial and rotational sense of a crown of a mechanical watch or the like, the essential feature of which is the subject of claim 2. In particular, the present invention provides a method for the bidirectional actuation in the axial and rotational direction of a crown of a mechanical watch or the like, having a case, in which said crown is provided to rotate about an axis and movable in an axial direction with respect to said case, for winding and setting the time, and in which said crown is arranged in proximity to an area of ​​said case, characterized in that it comprises the steps consisting of: - provide an apparatus in said area of ​​the case outside the case, respectively inside the case and provide in said apparatus: - of the first sliding surfaces, fixed with respect to the case in said area of ​​said case; - a cage slidable with respect to said first sliding surfaces, wherein said cage is configured to be arranged, by sliding with respect to said first sliding surfaces, respectively, in one of two working positions or in a rest position; - at least one button, configured to slide with respect to said case both in an orthogonal direction, integral with said cage, and in a direction parallel to the axis of said crown, assuming by means of axial sliding, respectively, at least one working position, when said at least one button is pressed in said parallel direction, and a rest position, DES_INV_2_MATTEI_06.2024 when said at least one button is not pressed in said parallel direction, wherein said at least one button is provided with: - at least one protrusion at least partially external to said case; - second sliding surfaces, extending in a direction parallel to the axis of said crown; - a recall mechanism, configured to return said at least one button from said at least one working position to the rest position, when said at least one button is not pressed in said parallel direction; - a first shaped surface, configured to engage and move in a first axial direction said crown, when said cage is arranged in one of said two working positions and said at least one button is moved in a first direction orthogonal to the axis of said crown, wherein said crown is arranged towards the outside of the case, distal, if said apparatus is external to said case, or proximal, if said apparatus is internal to said case, with respect to said area of ​​said case; - a second shaped surface, configured to engage and move in a second axial direction, opposite to said first axial direction, said crown, when said cage is arranged in the other of said two working positions and said at least one button is moved in a second direction orthogonal to the axis of said crown, opposite to said first orthogonal direction, wherein said crown is arranged towards the inside of the case, proximal, if said apparatus is external to said case, or distal, if said apparatus is internal to said case, with respect to said area of ​​said case; - first means for translation by linear sliding with respect to said crown, extended in a direction orthogonal to the axis of said crown and configured to engage said crown in a sliding manner, causing said crown to rotate about its own axis, when said crown is in said distal, respectively proximal, arrangement, and DES_INV_2_MATTEI_06.2024 said at least one button is pressed in said direction parallel to the axis of said crown; - second means for translation by linear sliding with respect to said crown, extended in a direction orthogonal to the axis of said crown and configured to slidably engage said crown, causing said crown to rotate about its own axis when said crown is in said proximal, respectively distal, arrangement, and said at least one button is pressed in said direction parallel to the axis of said crown; - wherein said cage is configured to at least partially include said at least one button and is provided with: - a hole, configured to at least partially accommodate said at least one protrusion of said at least one button; - third sliding surfaces extending in a direction parallel to the axis of said crown and configured to guide said second sliding surfaces of said at least one button; - fourth sliding surfaces extending in a direction orthogonal to the axis of said crown and configured to slide relative to said first sliding surfaces fixed with respect to said case, so as to allow the selective sliding of said cage, in conjunction with said at least one button, into one of said two working positions, starting from said rest position, respectively the selective sliding of said cage, in conjunction with said at least one button, into said rest position, starting from one of said two working positions, and in which means for maintaining said cage together with said at least one button, with respect to said case, are provided in said area of ​​said case and / or in said cage and / or in said at least one button and are configured to maintain said cage with said at least one button in said working position DES_INV_2_MATTEI_06.2024 rest, when said cage is not slid into one of said two working positions. Please refer to the following detailed description of an embodiment of said apparatus, with reference to the attached drawing, which shows details important to the invention, as well as to the claims. The various features can be realized individually or in any combination with each other, as variations of the invention. Specifically, this device, hereinafter referred to as the actuator, is mechanically coupled to the standard winding and setting crowns of mechanical watches, without requiring modifications to the internal mechanics of the watch itself, for example, by being installed externally to the watch case. Furthermore, while this actuator allows the crown to be rotated in both directions, it does not use ratchets, but uses a linear mechanism to engage the crown only in the chosen direction of rotation. This actuator also allows the user to select which function the crown will perform during rotation, through an axial movement mechanism of the crown itself, which is also bidirectional. This actuator includes two distinct movement mechanisms, which allow both axial movement and rotation, in both directions, of the crown itself. In particular, the invention concerns an actuator positioned, for example, externally to the case of a mechanical watch, corresponding to or mechanically coupled to the winding crown, capable of sliding along the external part of the watch case thanks to a system that binds it to the watch case itself, while still allowing its translation. This sliding system may include, for example, one or more rails, or one or more sliding seats, allowing the actuator to slide in both directions, along a linear axis, a circular arc, or a predetermined path, depending on the shape of the watch case. This actuator is equipped with at least one button that controls the crown actuation mechanisms and serves as a housing for the mechanisms themselves. The button may also, but not necessarily, be housed inside a cage that DES_INV_2_MATTEI_06.2024 acts as a containment for the push-button itself. The cage or push-button is anchored to the watch case and slides externally from the case transversely to the crown's rotation axis. The push-button also slides longitudinally with respect to the crown's rotation axis. The push-button may be equipped with a protrusion that reaches the outside of the cage, through a hole in the cage itself. This protrusion allows the user to press the push-button without having to press on the cage. The push-button is also equipped with a spring system that allows it to return to its rest position when not pressed. Inside the actuator are one or more linear racks, which copy the profile of the watch crown and are able to mechanically couple with it. When the push-button is in the rest position, the crown and racks are not coupled.When the button is pressed, one of the linear racks inside the actuator engages with the crown. By moving the button, the crown rotates thanks to this movement. This allows, for example, to wind the watch's power reserve spring or set the time. At its ends, the pusher features two contoured surfaces. One of them corresponds to the area between the crown and the watch case, while the other is located outside the crown. These contoured surfaces can act both as a limit stop and as a longitudinal movement, to multiple positions, of the crown itself. By moving the pusher until it reaches the limit stop, the crown can be moved longitudinally in either direction, depending on which of the two limit stops is used. This allows you to select which function the crown will perform during rotation. If the crown has been moved longitudinally to select a second function, pressing the pusher will couple the crown with a second linear rack inside the actuator, allowing the crown to be rotated in the desired direction, depending on how the pusher is moved. The button and the sliding cage can be equipped with an automatic return system to the rest position. DES_INV_2_MATTEI_06.2024 The features illustrated here are not necessarily to scale and are depicted in such a way that the features of the invention are clearly highlighted. In the drawing: - figure 1 is a three-quarter perspective view from above of the apparatus according to the invention, which illustrates a possible embodiment of the apparatus itself comprising a button and a containment cage, both sliding, placed externally to the case of a mechanical watch; - Figure 2 is a three-quarter perspective view from above and an exploded view of the apparatus according to the invention; - Figure 3 is a three-quarter perspective view from above of the slide button of said apparatus; - Figure 4 is a three-quarter perspective view from above of the sliding cage of said apparatus; - figure 5 illustrates, by means of two schematic vignettes (5A, 5B respectively), two different configurations of the apparatus and corresponding method steps for the selective actuation of the mechanical watch crown depending on the position of the button; - Figure 6 illustrates, by means of two schematic vignettes (6A, 6B respectively), two different configurations of the apparatus and corresponding method phases for the selective actuation of the mechanical watch crown depending on the position of the button but in a different position of the crown along its axis, highlighting a different function compared to Figure 5. With reference to the figures in the attached drawing, 1 indicates the apparatus for the bidirectional actuation in the axial and rotational directions of a crown of a mechanical watch or the like, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In Figure 1, said apparatus 1 is shown in the rest position. The apparatus 1 comprises a button 4 and a cage 5. The said apparatus slides along sliding seats 6 obtained in the watch case 2, suitably shaped to accommodate sliding surfaces 7 shaped to couple with the sliding seats 6 present on the case 2. DES_INV_2_MATTEI_06.2024 In particular, the said button 4 includes: - sliding surfaces 8 longitudinal to the axis of the watch crown 3; - a protrusion 16 to facilitate pressing the button by the operator; - a spring mechanism 9 that allows it to return to its rest position when not pressed; - a shaped surface 10 configured to provide for longitudinal movement of the crown towards the outside of the watch case; - a shaped surface 11 configured to provide for the longitudinal movement 10 of the crown towards the inside of the watch case; - a linear rack 12 configured to interact with the crown when the crown is positioned in its outermost configuration and the button is pressed; - a linear rack 13 configured to interact with the crown when the crown is positioned in its innermost configuration and the button is pressed; In particular, said cage 5 includes: - a hole 14 configured to accommodate the protrusion 16 of the button 4; - sliding seats or surfaces 15 longitudinal to the rotation axis of the watch crown 3 configured to accommodate the sliding surfaces or seats 8 of the button 4; - seats or sliding surfaces 7 orthogonal to the rotation axis of the crown 3 configured to accommodate the seats or sliding surfaces 6 of the watch case 2; - a device for automatically returning to the rest position. As can be seen from the above, the present invention achieves in a simple and effective way the aims set out in the introductory part of this report.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Apparatus (1) for the bidirectional actuation in the axial and rotational direction of a crown (3) of a mechanical watch or the like, having a case (2), in which said crown (3) is provided with a rotating mechanism around an axis and movable in an axial direction with respect to said case (2), for winding and adjusting the time, and in which said crown (3) is arranged in proximity to an area of ​​said case (2), characterised in that said apparatus (1) is arranged in said area of ​​the case (2) outside the case (2), respectively inside the case (2), in that said apparatus (1) comprises: - first sliding surfaces (6), fixed with respect to the case (2) in said area of ​​said case (2); - a cage (5) slidable with respect to said first sliding surfaces (6), in which said cage (5) is configured to be arranged, by sliding with respect to said first sliding surfaces (6), respectively,in one of two working positions or in a rest position; - at least one button (4), configured to slide with respect to said case (2) either in an orthogonal direction, integrally with said cage (5), or in a direction parallel to the axis of said crown (3), assuming by means of axial sliding, respectively, at least one working position, when said at least one button (4) is pressed in said parallel direction, and a rest position, when said at least one button (4) is not pressed in said parallel direction, wherein said at least one button (4) comprises: - at least one protrusion (16) at least partly external to said case (2); - second sliding surfaces (8), extended in a direction parallel to the axis of said crown (3); - a recall mechanism (9), configured to make said at least one button (4) return from said at least one working position to the rest position,when said at least one button (4) is not pressed in said parallel direction; - a first shaped surface (10), configured to engage and move in a first axial direction said crown (3), when said cage (5) is arranged in one of said two working positions and said at least one button (4) is moved RIV_INV_2_MATTEI_06.2024 in a first direction orthogonal to the axis of said crown (3), where said crown (3) is arranged towards the outside of the case (2), distal, if said apparatus (1) is external to said case (2), or proximal, if said apparatus (1) is internal to said case (2), with respect to said area of ​​said case (2); - a second shaped surface (11), configured to engage and move in a second axial direction, opposite to said first axial direction, said crown (3),when said cage (5) is arranged in the other of said two working positions and said at least one button (4) is moved in a second direction orthogonal to the axis of said crown (3), opposite to said first orthogonal direction, in which said crown (3) is arranged towards the inside of the case (2), proximal, if said apparatus (1) is external to said case (2), or distal, if said apparatus (1) is internal to said case (2), with respect to said area of ​​said case (2), - of the first translation means (12) by linear sliding with respect to said crown (3), extended in a direction orthogonal to the axis of said crown (3) and configured to engage in a sliding manner said crown (3), causing said crown (3) to rotate around its own axis, when said crown is in said distal, respectively proximal, arrangement,and said at least one button (4) is pressed in said direction parallel to the axis of said crown (3); - second translation means (13) by linear sliding with respect to said crown (3), extended in a direction orthogonal to the axis of said crown (3) and configured to slideably engage said crown (3), causing said crown (3) to rotate around its own axis when said crown is in said proximal, respectively distal, arrangement, and said at least one button (4) is pressed in said direction parallel to the axis of said crown (3); and by the fact that said cage (5) includes at least in part said at least one button (4) and comprises: - a hole (14),configured to accommodate at least in part said at least one protrusion (16) of said at least one button (4); RIV_INV_2_MATTEI_06.2024 - third sliding surfaces (15) extended in a direction parallel to the axis of said crown (3) and configured to guide said second sliding surfaces (8) of said at least one button (4); - fourth sliding surfaces (7) extended in a direction orthogonal to the axis of said crown (3) and configured to slide with respect to said first sliding surfaces (6) fixed with respect to said case (2), so as to allow the selective sliding of said cage (5), in solidarity with said at least one button (4), in one of said two working positions, starting from said rest position, respectively the selective sliding of said cage (5), in solidarity with said at least one button (4), in said rest position, starting from one of said two working positions,and wherein means for maintaining said cage (5) together with said at least one button (4), with respect to said case (2), are provided in said area of ​​said case (2) and / or in said cage (5) and / or in said at least one button (4) and are configured to maintain said cage (5) with said at least one button (4) in said rest position, when said cage (5) is not slid into one of said two working positions.

2. A method for the bidirectional actuation in the axial and rotational direction of a crown (3) of a mechanical watch or the like, having a case (2), wherein said crown (3) is provided to rotate about an axis and to be displaced in an axial direction with respect to said case (2), for winding and adjusting the time, and wherein said crown (3) is arranged in proximity to an area of ​​said case (2), characterised in that it comprises the steps consisting in: - providing an apparatus (1) in said area of ​​the case (2) on the outside of the case (2), respectively on the inside of the case (2) and providing in said apparatus (1): - first sliding surfaces (6), fixed with respect to the case (2) in said area of ​​said case (2); - a cage (5) sliding with respect to said first sliding surfaces (6), wherein said cage (5) is configured to be arranged, by sliding with respect to said first sliding surfaces (6), respectively,in one of two working positions or in a rest position; RIV_INV_2_MATTEI_06.2024 - at least one button (4), configured to slide with respect to said case (2) either in an orthogonal direction, integrally with said cage (5), or in a direction parallel to the axis of said crown (3), assuming by means of axial sliding, respectively, at least one working position, when said at least one button (4) is pressed in said parallel direction, and a rest position, when said at least one button (4) is not pressed in said parallel direction, wherein said at least one button (4) is provided with: - at least one protrusion (16) at least partly external to said case (2); - second sliding surfaces (8), extended in a direction parallel to the axis of said crown (3); - a recall mechanism (9), configured to make said at least one button (4) return from said at least one working position to the rest position,when said at least one button (4) is not pressed in said parallel direction; - a first shaped surface (10), configured to engage and move in a first axial direction said crown (3), when said cage (5) is arranged in one of said two working positions and said at least one button (4) is moved in a first direction orthogonal to the axis of said crown (3), where said crown (3) is arranged towards the outside of the case (2), distal, if said apparatus (1) is external to said case (2), or proximal, if said apparatus (1) is internal to said case (2), with respect to said area of ​​said case (2); - a second shaped surface (11), configured to engage and move in a second axial direction, opposite to said first axial direction, said crown (3), when said cage (5) is arranged in the other of said two working positions and said at least one button (4) is moved in a second direction orthogonal to the axis of said crown (3),opposite to said first orthogonal direction, where said crown (3) is arranged towards the inside of the case (2), proximal, if said apparatus (1) is external to said case (2), or distal, if said apparatus (1) is internal to said case (2), with respect to said area of ​​said case (2), - of the first translation means (12) by linear sliding with respect to said crown (3), extended in a direction orthogonal to the axis of said crown (3) and RIV_INV_2_MATTEI_06.2024 configured to engage in a sliding manner said crown (3), causing said crown (3) to rotate around its own axis, when said crown is in said distal, respectively proximal, arrangement, and said at least one button (4) is pressed in said direction parallel to the axis of said crown (3); - of the second translation means (13) by linear sliding with respect to said crown (3),extended in a direction orthogonal to the axis of said crown (3) and configured to slidably engage said crown (3), causing said crown (3) to rotate about its own axis when said crown is in said proximal, respectively distal, arrangement and said at least one button (4) is pressed in said direction parallel to the axis of said crown (3); - wherein said cage (5) is configured to at least partially include said at least one button (4) and is provided with: - a hole (14),configured to accommodate at least in part said at least one protrusion (16) of said at least one button (4); - third sliding surfaces (15) extended in a direction parallel to the axis of said crown (3) and configured to guide said second sliding surfaces (8) of said at least one button (4); - fourth sliding surfaces (7) extended in a direction orthogonal to the axis of said crown (3) and configured to slide with respect to said first sliding surfaces (6) fixed with respect to said case (2), so as to allow the selective sliding of said cage (5), in solidarity with said at least one button (4), in one of said two working positions, starting from said rest position, respectively the selective sliding of said cage (5), in solidarity with said at least one button (4), in said rest position, starting from one of said two working positions,and wherein means for maintaining said cage (5) together with said at least one button (4), with respect to said case (2), are provided in said area of ​​said case (2) and / or in said cage (5) and / or in said at least one button (4) and are configured to maintain said cage (5) with said at least one button (4) in said rest position, when said cage (5) is not slid into one of said two working positions.