A method for fastening a dial to a watch and a watch plate.

Abstract

We offer watches that provide better protection for the dial from impacts. [Solution] A watch comprising a movement having a plate 1 and a dial 2 attached to the front surface of the plate 1, wherein the dial 2 has a dial foot 3 fastened to the rear surface of the dial 2, the foot 3 is inserted into an opening 4 that penetrates the plate from the front surface 5 to the rear surface 6 of the plate 1, the opening 4 is provided with a peripheral stopper 7 preferably located away from the rear surface 6 of the plate 1, so that the end 11 of the foot 3 moves away from the stopper 7, a fastening element 13 such as a nut fits into the foot 3 on the side with the end 11, and an additional axial damping element 14 is arranged between the fastening element 13 and the stopper 7 on the opening 4. The damping element 14 is made of a flexible material so as to dampen the effect of a forward impact on the plate 1 and the dial 2 as a whole, and these elements are partially compressed between the fastening element 13 and the stopper 7.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of watches. More particularly, the present invention relates to fastening a watch dial to a plate on a watch movement.

Background Art

[0002] In the watch industry, dials are often fastened by bolts or keys that attach the dial to a plate on a watch movement. Due to the rigidity of this type of fastening system, the dial is susceptible to deformation caused by impacts. In particular, almost all of the energy resulting from a frontal impact is transmitted to the dial, which may crack.

[0003] Therefore, it is desirable to have a solution that better protects the dial from impacts on the watch.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a solution to the problems described above. This objective is achieved by a watch and a method according to the claims appended hereto.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The watch according to the present invention comprises a movement comprising a plate. The watch dial is attached to the plate. The dial comprises a dial foot fastened to the rear surface of the dial. The foot is inserted into an opening that penetrates the plate from the front surface to the rear surface of the plate. The opening is preferably equipped with a peripheral stopper located on the rear side of the plate, so that the end of the foot extends away from the stopper. A fastening element, such as a nut, fits into the foot on the side with the end, and additional axial damping elements are arranged between the fastening element and the opening stopper. The damping elements are made of a flexible material so as to dampen the effect of a forward impact on the plate and the dial as a whole, and these elements are partially compressed between the fastening element and the stopper.

[0006] According to a specific embodiment, the watch also includes lateral damping elements arranged between the dial feet and the walls of the opening to further reduce the impact of lateral impacts.

[0007] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are shown as examples and are not limiting. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] The rear view of the watch plate according to the present invention is shown, and the watch dial is attached to the front of the plate. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly shown. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating one position of an axial damping element configured to absorb frontal impact to the dial. [Figure 4] An embodiment of the present invention is shown, further comprising lateral damping elements arranged between the dial base and the plate. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Figure 1 shows a plan view of the rear surface of the watch plate 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The watch dial 2 is attached to the front surface of the plate. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view along the II-II plane shown in Figure 1. The II-II plane of the cross-section extends through the central axis of the two dial feet 3.

[0010] Figure 3 illustrates in detail how one foot of the dial 2 is attached to the plate 1, and the other foot is attached in the same manner. For example, the foot 3 is fastened to the rear surface of the dial 2 by soldering, pressing, or equivalent means. The foot 3 is inserted into an opening 4 that penetrates the plate 1 from the front surface 5 to the rear surface 6 of the plate. The penetrating opening 4 comprises a first portion 4a of the opening that extends between the front surface 5 of the plate 1 and the peripheral stopper 7, and a second portion 4b of the opening that extends between the peripheral stopper 7 and the rear surface 6 of the plate 1, with the peripheral stopper 7 arranged between them. In a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the central axis 10 of the opening 4, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first portion 4a of the opening is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second portion 4b of the opening. However, the stopper 7 is visible and reachable from the rear surface 6 of the plate 1 when the opening 4 is not closed. Figure 1 shows that the opening 4 is located near the outer edge of plate 1, resulting in a second portion 4b of the opening being partially laterally open near the outer edge, while the first portion 4a is completely enclosed by the plate material. In other embodiments, the opening 4 may be further away from the edge of the plate, resulting in the second portion 4b also being completely enclosed by the plate material.

[0011] Figure 3 shows that when the foot 3 is inserted into the opening 4 until the dial 2 is fitted into the front surface 5 of the plate 1, the end 11 of the foot of the dial 2 moves away from the stopper 7. The portion of the foot 3 that extends beyond the opening stopper 7 is provided with an outer threaded portion 12. A nut 13 with threads corresponding to the outer threads of the foot is screwed to the foot. An axial damping element 14 in the form of an O-ring made of a flexible material is positioned between the nut 13 and the opening stopper 7. The ring 14 is partially compressed between the nut 13 and the stopper 7 on the opening 4. Due to the elasticity of the damping element 14, the mounting between the dial 2 and the plate 1 is less susceptible to the effects of front impact transmission. This reduces the risk of the dial cracking as a result of such impact.

[0012] To describe this, partial compression is defined as compression that keeps the damping element flexible enough to absorb frontal impacts while holding the dial on the plate. The degree of compression depends on the dimensions of the assembly and the material selection for the damping element. An example of a material that can be used in this invention is Hytrel® 7246, available from the manufacturer Celanese. The following are examples of dimensions that can be applied to, but are not limited to, the O-ring 14 in embodiments of this invention, with an inner diameter between 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm. The ring diameter (diameter of "O") in cross-section is approximately 0.3 mm. Both the foot 3 and the nut 13 can be made from steel or any other equivalent material that enables the functionality described above.

[0013] In the illustrated embodiment, the foot 3 also comprises a peripheral stopper 15 positioned between the threaded portion 12 of the foot and the remaining portion of the foot, which consists of a cylindrical portion 16. The nut 13 is screwed to the foot 3 until it is in contact with the foot stopper 15 and does not move. At this point, the nut 13 is in direct contact with the stopper 15. Direct contact can be achieved by adding a solid element, such as a washer, between the nut 13 and the stopper 15. For the purpose of describing this, this type of contact will be defined as indirect contact.

[0014] When the foot portion 3 is fully inserted into the opening 4, the position of the foot stopper 15 relative to the opening stopper 7 is designed such that the ring 14 is partially compressed between the fastened nut 13 and the opening stopper 7. This configuration ensures that the nut 13 can be screwed in contact with the stopper 15 with a predetermined fastening force necessary to securely mount the dial 2. At the same time, this force causes a predetermined compression of the O-ring 14. This configuration is advantageous because it allows for clear damping to be applied according to the elasticity of the ring material.

[0015] The positions of the feet 3 and the openings 4 determine the orientation of the dial 2 relative to the plate 1. Preferably, in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, one of the openings 4 is circular (in cross-section) and configured to receive one of the dial feet 3 with virtually no gap between the cylindrical portion 16 of the foot and the wall 21 of the opening, while the other opening is oval. This configuration allows for slight adjustment of the dial orientation and ensures that the dial is fastened to the plate 1 without introducing stress that could damage the dial 2.

[0016] According to one embodiment, in addition to the axial damping described above, lateral damping is provided. An example of such an embodiment is shown in Figure 4.

[0017] Figure 4 shows a plan view of the foot 3 on the dial 2, with one central axis 10. As in the previous embodiment, an axial damping ring 14 is positioned between the nut 13 and the stopper 7 on the opening 4. Furthermore, a second ring 20 is positioned between the cylindrical portion 16 of the foot 3 and the inner wall 21 of the opening 4. The ring 20 acts as a lateral damping element that can absorb lateral shocks to the watch.

[0018] In the illustrated embodiment, the foot 3 has a head 17 having a larger diameter than the portion 16, and the head 17 is attached to the dial 2. Furthermore, the opening 4 comprises a radial bed 18 for holding the second O-ring 20. The dimensions and position of the bed 18 are configured so that the ring 20 can be arranged within the bed 18 without being compressed axially by the foot 3, while in the lateral direction the ring 20 is partially compressed between the portion 16 of the foot 3 and the wall 21 of the opening 4. According to the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the back surface 18a of the bed 18, as viewed from the front surface 5 of the plate 1, protrudes in a conical shape. This arrangement makes it easier to maintain the ring 20 axially between the back surface 18a of the bed 18 and the head 17 of the foot 3.

[0019] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, both openings 4 are preferably circular (cross-sectional view). The lateral damping element 20 automatically centers the dial foot 3 without any risk of stress.

[0020] Certain characteristics of the embodiments described above do not limit the scope of the present invention as defined solely by the appended claims. For example, other fastening elements may also be used, such as rivets or fasteners attached to the foot portion 3 by snap-in or press-in, instead of the nut 13.

[0021] The drawing shows that for each of the four openings, the opening stopper 7 is positioned towards the rear of the plate 1's rear surface 6, and that when the nut 13 is fastened to the dial foot 3, the outer surface of the nut 13 is coplanar with the rear surface 6. This means that the position of the stopper 7 and the dimensions of the nut 13 are chosen to achieve the positioning that is coplanar with the rear surface 6.

[0022] However, having a nut (or equivalent) with an outer surface that is not in the same plane as the rear face 6 of the plate does not go beyond the scope of the present invention. This may apply, for example, when the distance between the stop 7 and the rear face 6 is shorter than the height of the nut 13. Also, in an extreme case that is still within the scope of the present invention, the aperture stop coincides with the rear face 6 of the plate, and when the dial is attached, the nut (or equivalent) will be above the rear face 6 of the plate.

[0023] Preferably, there are two dial feet, but attaching three or more dial feet to the plate as described above or equivalents does not go beyond the scope of the present invention.

[0024] The watch according to the present invention is made by a manufacturing process comprising a method for attaching a dial 2 to a plate 1 of a watch movement. The method for assembling the dial 2 and the plate 1 according to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 or their equivalents is - a step of positioning the plate 1 on a preferably horizontal support surface while hiding the rear face 6, - then fitting the dial 2 onto the front face 5 of the plate by inserting the dial feet 3 into the openings 4 in the plate, thus obtaining a non-fixed assembly, - a step of inverting the non-fixed assembly on the support surface, - then a step of fitting an axially damping element onto the dial feet, where in FIGS. 1 to 3, the O-ring 14 is fitted around the feet 3 until it contacts the stop 7 on the opening 4, - then a step of fastening a fastening element to the end of the feet until the axially damping element is partially compressed, where in FIGS. 1 to 3, the nut 13 is screwed against the stop 15 on the dial feet, and this operation automatically applies a predetermined compression to the O-ring 14 and comprises.

[0025] The method for assembling the dial 2 and the plate according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is - The step of concealing the rear surface and positioning the plate on a preferably horizontal support surface, -The next step is to fit the lateral damping element onto the dial base, and in the example shown in Figure 4, the O-ring 20 is fitted around the dial base 3 until it contacts the head 17 on the base, -Next, the dial 2 is fitted onto the front surface 5 of the plate by inserting the dial base 3 into the opening 4 in the plate, thereby obtaining a non-fixed assembly. - The step of inverting the non-fixed assembly on the support surface, -Next, the step of fitting the axial damping element 14 onto the dial base, -The next step is to fasten the fastening element 13 to the end of the foot until the axial damping element is partially compressed. It is equipped with. [Explanation of symbols]

[0026] 1 plate 2 Dial 3. Dial base 4 openings 4a First part of the opening 4b Second part of the opening 5. Front of the plate 6. Rear of the plate 7. Peripheral stopper, opening stopper 10. Central axis of the opening 11. The end of the foot 12 Threaded portion 13. Nuts, fastening elements 14. Axial damping element, axial damping ring, O-ring 15 Peripheral stopping devices, foot stopping devices 16 Cylindrical section 17 Head 18 Radial beds 18a Back of the bed 20. Second ring, second O-ring, lateral damping element 21 Walls of openings, interior walls of openings

Claims

1. A watch comprising a movement having a plate (1) having a front surface (5) and a rear surface (6), and a dial (2) attached to the front surface of the plate, The aforementioned dial is - At least two feet (3) fastened to the dial, the feet being inserted into openings (4) extending through the plate (1), each of the openings (4) comprising a peripheral stopper (7), the feet being inserted such that the ends (11) of the feet extend away from the stopper (7), - Fastening elements (13) are fitted onto the foot portion (3) on the side of the foot portion with the end portion (11) so as to attach the dial (2) to the plate (1), - An axial damping element (14) made of a flexible material, arranged between the fastening element (13) and the peripheral stopper (7) on the opening (4), and partially compressed between the fastening element (13) and the stopper (7) A watch characterized by being attached to the plate using [a specific method / tool].

2. - Each of the foot portions (3) is also equipped with a peripheral stopper (15), - The fastening element (13) is in direct or indirect physical contact with the stopper (15) of the foot. The watch according to claim 1.

3. The watch according to claim 1, wherein the foot portion (3) on the dial (2) has a threaded portion (12) on the side with the end portion (11), and the fastening element (13) is a nut screwed onto the threaded portion (12) of the foot portion.

4. The watch according to claim 1, wherein the axial damping element is an O-ring (14) arranged around the foot portion (3) on the dial (2).

5. The watch according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral stopper (7) on the opening (4) is positioned inward from the rear surface (6) of the plate (1).

6. The watch according to claim 5, wherein the fastening element (13) has an outer surface that is coplanar with the rear surface (6) of the plate (1).

7. The watch according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of lateral damping elements (20) arranged laterally between the base (3) of the dial and the wall (21) of the opening (4), wherein the lateral damping elements are partially compressed between the base (3) and the wall (21).

8. The watch according to claim 7, wherein the lateral damping element is an O-ring (20) arranged around the foot portion (3) on the dial (2).

9. The watch according to claim 7, wherein each of the openings (4) comprises a radial bed (18) configured to hold the lateral damping elements (20) arranged around the foot portion (3) inserted into the opening.

10. The watch according to claim 9, wherein each of the foot portions (3) is provided with a head (17) having a larger diameter than the cylindrical portion (16) of the foot portion, and the lateral damping element (20) is arranged between the head (17) of the foot portion and the back surface (18a) of the bed (18).

11. The watch according to claim 10, wherein the back surface (18a) of the bed (18) is conical in shape.

12. The watch according to claim 7, wherein the opening (4) has a circular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the foot portion (3) of the dial.

13. A method for assembling the dial (2) and plate (1) of the watch according to claim 1, - The step of concealing the rear surface (6) and positioning the plate (1) on the support surface, - Next, the step of inserting the feet (3) of the dial into the opening (4) in the plate to fit the dial (2) onto the front surface (5) of the plate, thereby obtaining a non-fixed assembly, - The step of inverting the non-fixed assembly on the support surface, - Next, the step of fitting the axial damping element (14) onto the base (3) of the dial, - Next, the fastening element (13) is fastened to the end of the foot portion (3) until the axial damping element (14) is partially compressed. A method for providing this.

14. A method for assembling the dial and plate (1) of the watch according to claim 7, - The step of concealing the rear surface (6) and positioning the plate (1) on the support surface, - The step of fitting the lateral damping element (20) onto the base (3) of the dial, - Next, the leg portion (3) of the dial is inserted into the opening (4) in the plate, thereby fitting the dial (2) onto the front surface (5) of the plate, and thus obtaining a non-fixed assembly, - The step of inverting the non-fixed assembly on the support surface, - Next, the step of fitting the axial damping element (14) onto the base (3) of the dial, - Next, the fastening element (13) is fastened to the end of the foot portion (3) until the axial damping element (14) is partially compressed. A method for providing this.

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