Watch case with a removable rotating bezel

Abstract

To provide a removable rotating bezel having a design composed of a small number of components as much as possible.SOLUTION: A watch case 10 includes a middle section 11, a bezel 12, and a connection ring 13 disposed rotatably relative to the middle section 11, the bezel 12 can be clamped to the middle section 11 in a position in which the bezel 12 is forcibly brought into contact with the connection ring 13 by elastic restoring force generated by an elastic member 121 by the connection ring 13, the connection ring 13 and the bezel 12 have at least one connection member that mutually cooperates when the bezel 12 is clamped to the middle section 11 so as to exclude relative movement between the connection ring 13 and the bezel 12, and the connection ring 13 and the bezel 12 are configured such that the connection members stop cooperating mutually when the bezel 12 receives force against elastic restoring force and freedom of rotation and parallel movement between the connection ring 13 and the bezel 12 is permitted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking, in particular to watch cases.

[0002] More particularly, the present invention relates to a watch case with a removable rotating bezel. [Background technology]

[0003] Some timepieces have a case that is designed so that the bezel can be separated without tools from a middle part to which it is fastened, i.e. a case with a bezel fastened in a removable manner to a middle part.

[0004] In particular, this type of bezel makes it possible to customise the watch case, for example by replacing one bezel with another featuring a different decoration, and facilitates maintenance operations.

[0005] One of the drawbacks of existing watch cases with removable bezels is the complexity of their manufacture and / or their use, and in the case of rotating bezels these drawbacks are even greater. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] There is therefore a need to provide a removable rotating bezel having a simple design, i.e. a design consisting of as few parts as possible, so that it can be removed from and fastened to the intermediate part in the most convenient way while being as simple as possible to manufacture. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and for this purpose relates to a watch case comprising an intermediate part, a bezel and a connecting ring arranged rotatably relative to the intermediate part, the connecting ring enabling the bezel to be fastened to the intermediate part in a position where said bezel is forced into abutment against said ring by an elastic restoring force generated by an elastic member, the connecting ring and the bezel each comprising at least one coupling member which cooperates with each other when the bezel is fastened to the intermediate part in order to eliminate any relative movement between said connecting ring and said bezel.

[0008] The connecting ring and the bezel are configured such that when the bezel is subjected to a force opposing an elastic restoring force, the interlocking members do not cooperate with each other to allow rotational freedom between said connecting ring and said bezel. The connecting ring and the bezel are further configured such that they can be separated when they are disposed in a predetermined angular position relative to each other.

[0009] In particular embodiments, the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, alone or in any combination technically possible:

[0010] In a particular embodiment, the connecting ring comprises a peripheral shoulder, the connecting ring being disposed by the peripheral shoulder against an axial shoulder of the intermediate portion formed by the radial lip.

[0011] In a particular embodiment, the connecting members of the bezel and the connecting ring each comprise a coupling element having a complementary shape, which cooperate with each other when the bezel is fastened to the middle part and which separate from each other when the bezel is subjected to a force opposing the elastic restoring force.

[0012] In certain embodiments, the coupling element is configured to prevent rotation of the bezel relative to the connecting ring in a first rotational direction and allow rotation in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction when the bezel is subjected to a force that opposes the elastic restoring force.

[0013] In a particular embodiment, the connecting ring comprises teeth that cooperate with a resilient indexing element fastened to the middle portion.

[0014] In certain embodiments, the teeth are shaped to allow rotation of the connecting ring only in a first rotational direction.

[0015] In a particular embodiment, the connecting members of the bezel and the connecting ring each have a translation stop element that cooperates with one another when the bezel is fastened to the middle part and that disengages from one another when the coupling elements are separated from one another and the bezel and the connecting ring are positioned in a predetermined angular position.

[0016] In a particular embodiment, the translation stop elements of the bezel and the connecting ring are each formed by a radial tongue, the tongues extending in opposite directions and each having an interface surface, the tongues abutting each other via the interface surface when the bezel is fastened to the middle part.

[0017] In a particular embodiment, the coupling element of the connecting ring is formed by a recess defined between two radially inclined portions, one of which is formed by a lateral end of the translation stop element of the connecting ring, called the "inclined end", and the coupling element of the bezel is formed by a radial protrusion intended to engage in said recess.

[0018] In a particular embodiment, the translation stop elements of the bezel and the connecting ring are each formed by a radial tongue, the tongues extending in opposite directions and each having an interface surface, the tongues cooperate by the interface surface, and the interface surface of the radial tongue of the connecting ring has an inclined portion arranged to create additional thickness at the inclined end, said additional thickness forming a second radial inclined portion. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, given by way of example and in no way limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1]1 illustrates a front view of a watch case according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 shows a cross-section of the watch case of FIG. 1 along section plane AA. [Diagram 3] 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the case of FIG. 1 taken along cutting plane BB. [Figure 4] 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the case of FIG. 1 taken along a cutting plane CC. [Diagram 5] 2 shows an exploded top view of the watch case of FIG. 1; [Figure 6] 2 shows an exploded perspective bottom view of the watch case shown in FIG. 1.

[0020] Please note that for clarity, the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] The invention relates to a watch case 10 comprising an intermediate part 11 to which a bezel 12 is fastened by means of a connecting ring 13, as shown in Figures 1 to 6.

[0022] In detail, the connecting ring 13 is arranged around a cylindrical portion 111 of said intermediate part 11 so as to rotate with respect to said intermediate part 11. As shown in the cross-sectional views of figures 2 to 4, the cylindrical portion 111 is connected to a radial lip 112 which forms an axial bearing surface, and the connecting ring 13, more precisely a peripheral shoulder of said connecting ring 13, is arranged against the axial bearing surface. This peripheral shoulder is formed by a cylindrical portion 131 extending from an annular base 132, said cylindrical portion 131 and cylindrical portion 111 being coaxial.

[0023] 2, when the bezel 12 is fastened to the intermediate part 11, the bezel is forced to abut against the connecting ring 13 by an elastic restoring force generated by at least one elastic member 121. This bearing allows coupling members respectively included in the connecting ring 13 and the bezel 12 to cooperate with each other to eliminate relative movement between the connecting ring 13 and the bezel 12.

[0024] It will now be appreciated that, thanks to the connecting ring 13, the bezel 12 benefits from a degree of rotational freedom relative to the intermediate part 11 when the bezel 12 is fastened to the intermediate part 11.

[0025] Advantageously, as can be seen in Figures 5 and 6, the connecting ring 13 is provided on its annular base 132 with teeth 133 which cooperate with elastic indexing elements 134 fastened to the intermediate part 11, as can be seen in Figure 3. Preferably, the teeth are shaped to allow rotation of the connecting ring 13 only in a specific rotational direction, called the "first rotational direction", so that the bezel 12 can be pivoted in a single rotational direction relative to the intermediate part 11.

[0026] Advantageously, the connecting ring 13 and the bezel 12, in particular their respective coupling members, are configured such that when the bezel 12 is subjected to a force against the elastic restoring force, the coupling members no longer cooperate with each other, thus releasing the bezel 12 to rotate relative to said connecting ring 13. It should be noted that when the bezel 12 is subjected to a force against the elastic restoring force, the bezel 12 is axially displaced only a distance necessary to allow disengagement of the coupling members, as will be explained in more detail below. This axial displacement is imperceptible or barely perceptible to the user.

[0027] The bezel 12 can only be removed from the case 11 after the bezel 12 has been rotated through a certain angle. In other words, when the bezel 12 is subjected to a force that counteracts the elastic restoring force, the bezel 12 and the connecting ring 13 can be separated by placing them in a predetermined angular position relative to each other.

[0028] The fact that bezel 12 must be subjected to a force opposing the elastic restoring force generated by one or more elastic members 121 in order to remove bezel 12 from intermediate portion 11 helps to prevent accidental separation of bezel 12 from intermediate portion 11 and thus ensures fastening of bezel 12.

[0029] The coupling members of the bezel 12 and the connecting ring 13 can be seen in exploded views in Figures 5 and 6, each comprising a coupling element. According to a definition accepted in the field of mechanics, a coupling allows the transmission of a rotational movement between two parts. Thus, when the coupling members cooperate with each other, the coupling element allows the bezel 12 and the connecting ring 13 to rotate together.

[0030] For this purpose, the coupling element of the connecting ring 13 is formed in a preferred exemplary embodiment by a recess 135 formed between two radial inclinations, which in this exemplary embodiment extend outward. The coupling element of the bezel 12 is formed by a radial protrusion 122, visible in FIG. 6, of a shape complementary to that of the recess 135, which engages in the recess 135 when the coupling members of the bezel 12 and the connecting ring 13 cooperate with one another. In particular, this radial protrusion 122 extends from the skirt 120 of the bezel 12.

[0031] Preferably, the coupling element is advantageously configured to prevent rotation of the bezel 12 relative to the connecting ring 13 in a first rotational direction when the bezel 12 is subjected to a force opposing the elastic restoring force.

[0032] The first rotation direction of the bezel 12 corresponds to a single rotation direction of the bezel 12 relative to the intermediate part 11 when the bezel 12 is fastened to the intermediate part 11. This eliminates the risk of the bezel 12 accidentally separating from the intermediate part 11 during rotation.

[0033] For this purpose, one of the radial inclinations, hereinafter referred to as the "first radial inclination" 136, extends axially over a distance so as to constitute a inclination for the radial protrusion 122 regardless of the axial position of the bezel 12, i.e., regardless of whether the bezel 12 is subjected to a force countering the elastic restoring force.

[0034] The coupling members of the bezel 12 and the connecting ring 13 each further include translation stop elements, as can be seen in Figures 2, 3, 5 and 6. The translation stop elements cooperate with each other when the bezel 12 is fastened to the intermediate part 11, and are released from each other when the coupling elements are separated and the bezel 12 and the connecting ring 13 are placed in a predetermined angular position relative to each other.

[0035] More specifically, the translation stop elements of the bezel 12 and the connecting ring 13 are formed by radial tongues 123, 138, respectively, with interface surfaces 1230, 1380, which abut each other via the interface surfaces 1230, 1380 when the bezel 12 is fastened to the intermediate part 11. In a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, the tongues 138 of the connecting ring 13 extend outwardly and the tongues of the bezel 12 extend inwardly.

[0036] Both tongues 123 and 138 extend between two lateral ends defining a sector large enough to distribute axial forces on interface surfaces 1230, 1380 in a manner adapted to maximize resistance to mechanical stress.

[0037] Preferably, one of the radial inclines, referred to as the "second radial incline" 137, is formed by a lateral end of a tongue 138 of the connecting ring 13, referred to below as the "inclined end".

[0038] When the bezel 12 is fastened to the intermediate part 11, the tongues 123 and 138 of the bezel 12 and the connecting ring 13 are arranged to abut against each other by their interface surfaces 1230, 1380, thereby preventing the bezel 12 from coming off the intermediate part 11 by translational movement, and as a result, the bezel 12 rotates relative to the intermediate part 11 until the radial protrusion 122 of the bezel 12 engages with the recess 135 under the action of an elastic restoring force and contacts the first radial inclined portion 136.

[0039] In a preferred exemplary embodiment, as shown in the detailed view of Fig. 5, the interface 1380 of the tongue 138 of the connecting ring 13 has an inclined portion 1381 arranged to create additional thickness at the inclined end. In detail, said interface 1380 comprises a first portion with which the interface 1230 of the tongue 123 of the bezel 12 abuts when the bezel 12 is fastened to the intermediate part 11, and a second portion constituted by the inclined portion 1381 and which forms with the first portion a non-flat angle α, for example between 145° and 175°. In summary, the additional thickness created by this second portion forms the second radial inclined portion 137.

[0040] This feature helps to simplify the design and manufacture of the connecting member.

[0041] Advantageously, to facilitate the assembly of the case 10, the intermediate part 11 can comprise a fastening ring 110 intended to fasten the connecting ring 13 to said intermediate part 11 while allowing a rotational degree of freedom of said connecting ring 13 relative to said intermediate part 11. More specifically, the fastening ring 110 comprises a cylindrical part 111 and a radial lip 112 and is fastened to the intermediate body 113, for example by screwing.

[0042] The intermediate body 113 may comprise a joining piece 1130 fastened, for example by screwing, to a central part 1131 of the intermediate body 113 and may comprise an annular groove 1132 intended to receive the fastening ring 110, the connecting ring 13 and the skirt 120 of the bezel 12. In detail, the annular groove 1132 is defined between an inner side and an outer side connected to each other by a base. In the example shown in the cross-sectional views of Figures 2 to 4, the fastening ring 110 is arranged facing the inner side and the bezel 12 is arranged facing the outer side.

[0043] The resilient indexing element 134 and the resilient member 121 are received in a central portion 1131 of the intermediate body 113 and extend through the bottom of the annular groove 1132 .

[0044] From the above, it can be seen that the bezel 12, when fastened to the intermediate body 11, is capable of translation with a gap defined between the inclined portion formed by the bottom of the annular groove 1132 and the interface surface 1380. This gap is only necessary to separate the coupling elements from each other, as described above.

[0045] The joining piece 1130 is preferably fastened in a removable manner to the central portion 1131 in order to simplify maintenance operations and to allow customization of parts of the intermediate portion 11 in addition to the possibility of customizing the bezel 12.

[0046] More generally, it should be noted that the exemplary embodiments described above are described as non-limiting examples, and thus other alternative embodiments are possible.

[0047] In particular, although in the exemplary embodiment described above, the radial lip 112 of the fastening ring 110, the first radial slope 136 and the tongue 138 of the connecting ring 13 extend outwardly and the annular base 132, the tongue 123 and the radial tab 122 of the connecting ring 13 extend inwardly, it is also contemplated that these elements may be arranged in the opposite direction. In other words, the radial lip 112, the first radial slope 136 and the tongue 138 of the connecting ring 13 may extend inwardly and the annular base 132, the tongue 123 and the radial protrusion 122 may extend outwardly.

[0048] Furthermore, the bezel 12 and the connecting ring 13 may each include several connecting members, for example three connecting members, as shown in the figures.

[0049] It is also possible to replace the inclined portion 1381 with a similar protruding portion, for example formed by a pin, an appropriately shaped additional thickness, etc., to form the second radial inclination 137. It is also possible to form a single inclined portion such that the interface 1380 forms the second radial inclination 137, so that the cross section of the tongue 138 increases towards the recess 135. It is also possible to axially offset the radial tab 122 with respect to the tongue 123 of the bezel 12, so that the radial tab 122 is received in the recess 125 when said tongue 123 abuts against the tab 138 of the connecting ring 13. This last example allows the tongue 138 of the connecting ring 13 to have any shape.

Claims

1. A watch case (10) comprising an intermediate part (11), a bezel (12) and a connecting ring (13) arranged rotatably with respect to the intermediate part (11), the connecting ring (13) allowing the bezel (12) to be fastened to the intermediate part (11) in a position where the bezel (12) is forced to abut against the ring by an elastic restoring force generated by an elastic member (121), the connecting ring (13) and the bezel (12) being arranged such that the bezel (12) is rotated forward in order to eliminate relative movement between the connecting ring (13) and the bezel (12). The watch case (10) comprises at least one connecting member which cooperates with each other when fastened to the intermediate part (11), the connecting ring (13) and the bezel (12) being configured such that when the bezel (12) is subjected to a force counter to the elastic restoring force, the connecting members no longer cooperate with each other, thus allowing rotational freedom between the connecting ring (13) and the bezel (12), the connecting ring (13) and the bezel (12) being further configured so that they can be separated when they are positioned in a predetermined angular position relative to each other.

2. 2. A watch case (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting ring (13) comprises a peripheral shoulder which is arranged in abutment with an axial bearing surface of the intermediate part (11) formed by a radial lip (112).

3. 3. The watch case (10) of claim 2, wherein the connecting members of the bezel (12) and the connecting ring (13) each comprise a coupling element having a shape complementary to each other, cooperating with each other when the bezel (12) is fastened to the intermediate part (11), and being separated from each other when the bezel (12) is subjected to a force opposing the elastic restoring force.

4. 4. The watch case (10) according to claim 3, wherein the coupling element is configured to prevent rotation of the bezel (12) relative to the connecting ring (13) in a first rotational direction and to allow its rotation in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction when the bezel (12) is subjected to a force opposing the elastic restoring force.

5. 2. Watch case (10) according to claim 1, wherein the connecting ring (13) is provided with teeth cooperating with a resilient indexing element (134) fastened to the intermediate part (11).

6. 5. The watch case (10) according to claim 4, wherein the connecting ring (13) is provided with teeth that cooperate with an elastic indexing element (134) fastened to the intermediate part (11), the teeth being shaped to allow rotation of the connecting ring (13) only in the first direction of rotation.

7. 5. A watch case (10) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the connecting members of the bezel (12) and the connecting ring (13) each have a translation stop element which cooperates with each other when the bezel (12) is fastened to the intermediate part (11) and which are released from each other when the coupling elements are separated from each other and the bezel (12) and the connecting ring (13) are positioned in a predetermined angular position.

8. 8. A watch case (10) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the translation stop elements of the bezel (12) and the connecting ring (13) are respectively formed by radial tongues (123, 138) extending in opposite directions and each having an interface surface (1230, 1380), which abut each other via said interface surfaces (1230, 1380) when the bezel (12) is fastened to the intermediate part (11).

9. A watch case (10) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the coupling element of the connecting ring (13) is formed by a recess (135) formed between two radial inclined portions (136, 137), one of which is formed by a lateral end of a translation stop element of the connecting ring (13), called the "inclined end", and the coupling element of the bezel (12) is formed by a radial protrusion (122) intended to engage in the recess (135).

10. 10. A watch case (10) according to claim 9, wherein the translation stop elements of the bezel (12) and the connecting ring (13) are respectively formed by radial tongues (123, 138) which extend in opposite directions and each have an interface surface (1230, 1380) which cooperate via the interface surfaces (1230, 1380), and wherein the interface surface of the tongue (138) of the connecting ring (13) has a sloped portion (1381) arranged to produce an additional thickness at its sloped end, said additional thickness forming the second radial sloped portion (137).

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