Watch case with dual-function bezel

Abstract

We provide a watch case with a dual-function bezel. [Solution] One aspect of the present invention relates to a watch case (100), the watch case (100) comprising a first bezel (1) and a second bezel (2) which are coaxial around the same axis (D), the watch case (100) comprising a mechanism for locking the rotation of the second bezel (2) which is in a fixed axial position in the direction of the axis (D), the second bezel (2) being released by axial pressure applied by the user to the first bezel (1) in the direction of the axis (D), and the second bezel (2) being rotated under the influence of rotational motion applied to the first bezel (1) by the user, the locking mechanism comprising an annular spring (5), the annular spring (5) being substantially circular around the axis (D) and in permanent contact with one first bezel (1) and the other second bezel (2). The present invention also relates to a clock (1000) having such a case (100).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a watch case provided with a multi-functional bezel, the watch case comprising a first bezel and a second bezel arranged concentrically around the same bezel axis.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a timepiece provided with such a watch case, particularly a watch.

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of display mechanisms for timepieces.

Background Art

[0004] The display mechanism of a timepiece requires some operation on the part of the user, particularly in the case of divers' watches, multi-time zone watches, etc. Such operations are not always easy in a professional environment where the user is wearing protective equipment such as gloves or is exposed to certain thermal stresses.

[0005] In such cases, it is preferable to limit or, even better, avoid any operation of the watch's bezel.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The present invention proposes to equip a timepiece component, particularly a watch provided with several display functions, with simple display setting means that require little operation and enable such operation to be carried out on a contact surface of sufficient dimensions.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] This proposal consists of equipping a timepiece with a multi-functional bezel, the timepiece comprising a first bezel and a second bezel, the first bezel being directly operable by the user with operations restricted to axial pressure and rotation, and the second bezel being controlled by such user operations.

[0008] For this purpose, the present invention relates to the watch case described in claim 1. The term “watch case” is interpreted herein in its broadest sense to mean any case that houses at least one timekeeping movement.

[0009] The present invention also relates to a timekeeping device, particularly a clock, that includes such a clock case.

[0010] The purpose, advantages, and characteristics will be better understood by reading the following detailed description while referring to the attached drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic partially exploded perspective view of a watch case according to the present invention, the watch having a dual-function bezel. The bezel comprises a first bezel, in this case an outer bezel, which is rotatable around its axis under the influence of compressive stress and is also movable axially in the direction of this axis. This compressive stress is applied by the user, represented by an arrow, to a first spring that rotates within the case body. The bezel comprises a second bezel, which is rotatable only and has no axial freedom. An annular spring also rotates inside the first spring within the case body, and this annular spring is supported and engaged both on the underside of the first bezel and on the underside of the second bezel, in this case the inner bezel, which has locking teeth. The annular spring comprises both a leaf spring with a locking function and another leaf spring with a rotational function. Details illustrate a specific embodiment in which the first and second bezels are equipped with complementary drive means, which can engage when the first bezel is fully pressed in. [Figure 2] This is a schematic cross-sectional view through the axis of rotation of the bezel, showing the engagement between the first bezel, the first spring, the second bezel, and the annular spring when the first bezel is in its stationary position. In the stationary position, the first spring is in its fully extended position, and the rotation of the second bezel is locked. [Figure 3]This diagram, similar to Figure 2, shows the same components in the fully depressed position of the first bezel, with the first spring fully compressed. In this case, the second bezel can be rotated by the rotation applied to the first bezel by the user. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of the first modified form of the annular spring, which allows the second bezel to rotate in only one direction and is suitable for use in diver's watches. [Figure 5] This figure, similar to Figure 4, shows a second modified form of the annular spring, which allows the second bezel to rotate in both directions, for use, for example, in a multi-time zone watch. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the positions of the components in Figure 2 in a simplified form, and the leaf spring on the annular spring is not shown. [Figure 7] This diagram shows the positions of the components in Figure 3 in a simplified form, and the leaf spring on the annular spring is not shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The present invention relates to a watch case 100 equipped with a multi-functional bezel, the watch case 100 comprising a first bezel 1 and a second bezel 2 arranged concentrically around the same bezel axis D.

[0013] According to the present invention, the case 100 includes a mechanism for rotatably locking the second bezel 2 in a fixed axial position in the direction of the bezel axis D.

[0014] To release the second bezel 2, the second bezel 2 can be released by the user by axially pressing the first bezel 1 in the direction of the bezel axis D, and the second bezel 2 can be rotationally driven under the rotational motion applied to the first bezel 1 by the user.

[0015] The locking mechanism also includes an annular spring 5, which is substantially circular around the bezel axis D, and is in permanent contact with the first bezel 1 on one end and with the second bezel 2 on the other.

[0016] The invention is shown in particular in the non - limiting case where the first bezel 1 is an outer bezel and the second bezel 2 is an inner bezel.

[0017] More specifically, the first bezel 1 and the second bezel 2 are fitted onto the body 10, pivot about the bezel axis D, and rotate independently of each other. The second bezel 2 cannot move axially with respect to the body 10 in the direction of the bezel axis D.

[0018] The first bezel 1 is axially movable with respect to the first spring 3, and the first spring 3 rotates within the body 10 between a stable rest position where the first spring 3 is relaxed and a transient operating position where the first spring 3 is compressed under the action of an axial stress applied by the user to the first bezel 1 in the direction of the bezel axis D.

[0019] The second bezel 2 is movable between a locked rest position via a release transient position.

[0020] The annular spring 5 extends around the bezel axis D between one body 10 and the lower side of the other first bezel 1 and second bezel 2, locks the angular position of the second bezel 2 when the first bezel 1 is in its locked position, and enables the second bezel 2 to rotate at least in a first rotational direction when the first bezel 1 receives a rotational movement applied by the user when the first bezel 1 is in an operating position where the first bezel 1 applies a release pressure to the annular spring 5 to disengage the second bezel 2.

[0021] The spring 5 is substantially flat and comprises a catch 59 that angles and feeds at a fixed position within the body 10. The spring 5 comprises a locking drive plate spring that can be produced by molding and / or punching and / or bending.

[0022] More specifically, the first bezel 1 includes first driving means 18 which, when the first bezel 1 is in its operating position, engages with complementary second driving means 28 contained within the second bezel 2 and is configured to rotationally drive the second bezel 2 in at least a first rotational direction while the first bezel 1 is being rotated by the user.

[0023] More specifically, the annular spring 5 includes a first annular surface 56 and a second annular surface 57 which are connected to each other. The first annular surface 56 is configured to engage with a first lower support surface 16 contained within the first bezel 1, and the second annular surface 57 is configured to engage with a locking tooth portion 29 contained within the second bezel 2. The annular spring 5 also includes locking plate springs 500, 52, 53 which extend over a part of the first annular surface 56 and the second annular surface 57 and are configured to lock the second bezel 2 by acting on the locking tooth portion 29 when the first bezel 1 is in its locking position.

[0024] More specifically, when compressive stress is applied to the first bezel 1 in its operating position, the first bezel 1 is configured to compress the locking plate springs 500, 52, 53 contained within the first annular surface 56 of the annular spring 5 and smoothly release the locking plate springs 500, 52, 53, thereby making the second bezel 2 rotatable.

[0025] More specifically, the first annular surface 56 of the annular spring 5 includes a locking plate spring 500 which is configured to lock the second bezel 2 in only one direction. Even more specifically, the first annular surface 56 of the annular spring 5 includes a locking plate spring 500 which is configured to lock the second bezel 2 in only the clockwise direction.

[0026] More specifically, the first annular surface 56 of the annular spring 5 includes a first locking plate spring 52 which is configured to lock the second bezel 2 in a first direction and a second locking plate spring 53 which is configured to lock the second bezel 2 in a second direction.

[0027] More specifically, the first clockwise locking spring 52 is configured to lock the second bezel 2 in a first clockwise direction, and the second counterclockwise locking spring 53 is configured to lock the second bezel 2 in a second counterclockwise direction.

[0028] More specifically, the second annular surface 57 is equipped with leaf springs having rotational functions 50, 51 that enable the rotation of the second bezel 2.

[0029] More specifically, the second annular surface 57 includes a leaf spring having a rotation function 50 that allows the second bezel 2 to rotate in a single rotational direction.

[0030] More specifically, the locking leaf spring 500 on the first annular surface 56 is located opposite the leaf spring 50 on the second annular surface 57, which has a single rotation function.

[0031] More specifically, the second bezel 2 is a unidirectional rotating scale designed for use in diver's watches.

[0032] In particular, the second bezel 2 features a 360° 60-minute display.

[0033] More specifically, the second annular surface 57 is equipped with a leaf spring having a dual rotation function 51 that allows the second bezel 2 to rotate in both directions.

[0034] More specifically, the second bezel 2 features a bidirectional rotating scale for GMT use, displaying the time in various time zones, and includes a 360° 24-hour display.

[0035] Advantageously, the first bezel 1 can rotate freely in both directions when the second bezel 2 is in the locked position, while it is in its stable resting position.

[0036] More specifically, the second bezel 2 is provided with a circular groove 26 around the bezel axis D, the circular groove 26 is configured to engage with a substantially annular elastic element 6, the elastic element 6 is also rotated within a barrel groove 60 contained within the barrel 10.

[0037] In particular, the first bezel 1 indicates the basic directions.

[0038] More specifically, the first bezel 1 is the outer bezel, and the second bezel 2 is the inner bezel.

[0039] More specifically, the first annular surface 56 is the outer annular surface, and the second annular surface 57 is the inner annular surface 57.

[0040] The present invention also relates to a timekeeping device, particularly a clock 1000, that includes such a clock case 100. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1. First bezel 2. Second bezel 3. First spring 5. Annular spring 10 Torso 18 First driving means 28 Second driving means 56 First annular surface 57 Second ring surface 100 watch cases

Claims

1. A watch case (100) having a multi-function bezel, wherein the watch case (100) comprises a first bezel (1) and a second bezel (2) arranged concentrically around the same bezel axis (D), wherein the watch case (100) comprises a locking mechanism for locking the rotation of the second bezel (2) which is in a fixed axial position in the direction of the bezel axis (D), and in order to release the second bezel (2), the second bezel (2) is the bezel A watch case (100) characterized in that the locking mechanism is released by axial pressure applied by the user to the first bezel (1) in the direction of axis (D), and the second bezel (2) is rotated by a rotational motion applied to the first bezel (1) by the user, the locking mechanism comprising an annular spring (5), the annular spring (5) being substantially circular about the bezel axis (D), and in permanent contact with one of the first bezels (1) and the other of the second bezels (2).

2. The first bezel (1) and the second bezel (2) are fitted onto the case (10), pivot around the bezel axis (D), and rotate independently of each other, the second bezel (2) cannot move axially relative to the case (10) in the direction of the bezel axis (D), the first bezel (1) is movable axially relative to the first spring (3), the first spring (3) rotates within the case (10) between a stable stationary position in which the first spring (3) is relaxed and a transient operating position in which the first spring (3) is compressed under the action of axial stress applied to the first bezel (1) by the user in the direction of the bezel axis (D), and the second bezel (2) is locked via a released transient position. The watch case (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is movable between stationary positions, and the annular spring (5) extends around the bezel axis (D) between one of the body (10) and the other underside of the first bezel (1) and the second bezel (2), locking the angular position of the second bezel (2) when the first bezel (1) is in the stationary position, and the first bezel (1) is configured to allow the second bezel (2) to rotate in at least a first rotational direction when the first bezel (1) receives rotational motion applied by the user when the first bezel (1) is in the operating position in which the first bezel (1) applies release pressure to the annular spring (5) to release the second bezel (2).

3. The watch case (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first bezel (1) comprises a first driving means (18), the first driving means (18) is configured to engage with a complementary second driving means (28) contained within the second bezel (2) when the first bezel (1) is in the operating position, and to rotate the second bezel (2) in at least a first rotational direction while the first bezel (1) is rotated by the user.

4. The annular spring (5) comprises a first annular surface (56) and a second annular surface (57) connected to each other, wherein the first annular surface (56) is configured to engage with a first lower support surface (16) contained within the first bezel (1), and the second annular surface (57) is configured to engage with a locking tooth portion (29) contained within the second bezel (2), and the annular spring (5) comprises locking leaf springs (500, 52, 53), wherein the locking leaf springs (500, 52, 53) extend over a portion of the first annular surface (56) and the second annular surface (57), and are configured to lock the second bezel (2) by acting on the locking tooth portion (29) when the first bezel (1) is in the locked position, as described in claim 1.

5. The watch case (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that the first support surface (16) is configured such that when compressive stress is applied to the first bezel (1) at the operating position, the first bezel (1) compresses the locking plate springs (500, 52, 53) contained within the first annular surface (56) of the annular spring (5), smoothly disengaging the locking plate springs (500, 52, 53) and making the second bezel (2) rotatable.

6. The watch case (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first annular surface (56) of the annular spring (5) is provided with a locking plate spring (500) which is configured to lock the second bezel (2) in only one direction.

7. The watch case (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the first annular surface (56) of the annular spring (6) comprises a locking plate spring (500) configured to lock the second bezel (2) only in a clockwise direction.

8. The watch case (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first annular surface (56) of the annular spring (5) comprises a first locking plate spring (52) configured to lock the second bezel (2) in a first direction, and a second locking plate spring (53) configured to lock the second bezel (2) in a second direction.

9. The watch case (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that the first so-called clockwise locking spring (52) is configured to lock the second bezel (2) in a first clockwise direction, and the second counterclockwise locking spring (53) is configured to lock the second bezel (2) in a second counterclockwise direction.

10. The watch case (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the second annular surface (57) is provided with a leaf spring having a rotation function (50, 51) that enables the rotation of the second bezel (2).

11. The watch case (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that the second annular surface (57) is provided with a leaf spring having a single rotation function (50) that allows the second bezel (2) to rotate in a single rotation direction.

12. The watch case (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that the locking leaf spring (500) on the first annular surface (56) is on the opposite side of the leaf spring (50) on the second annular surface (57) having a single rotation function.

13. The watch case (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that the second bezel (2) has a unidirectional rotating scale for use in a diver's watch.

14. The watch case (100) according to claim 13, characterized in that the second bezel (2) has a 360° 60-minute display.

15. The watch case (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that the second annular surface (57) is provided with a leaf spring having a dual rotation function (51) that enables the rotation of the second bezel (2) in both rotational directions.

16. The watch case (100) according to claim 15, characterized in that the second bezel (2) has a bidirectional rotating scale for GMT use, which displays the time in various time zones, and has a 360° 24-hour display.

17. The watch case (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first bezel (1) can rotate freely in both rotational directions when the second bezel (2) is in the locked position, while the first bezel (1) is in the stable locking position.

18. The watch case (100) according to claim 1, wherein the second bezel (2) is provided with a circular groove (26) around the bezel axis (D), the circular groove (26) is configured to engage with a substantially annular elastic element (6), and the elastic element (6) is also rotated within a barrel groove (60) contained within the barrel (10).

19. The watch case (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first bezel (1) indicates the basic directions.

20. The watch case (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first bezel (1) is an outer bezel and the second bezel (2) is an inner bezel.

21. The watch case (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that the first bezel (1) is an outer bezel, the second bezel (2) is an inner bezel, the first annular surface (56) is an outer annular surface, and the second annular surface (57) is an inner annular surface (57).

22. A watch (1000) comprising the watch case (100) described in claim 1.

Images