Clock dial
The dial plate and connecting ring assembly offers a simple, reliable, and adaptable solution for timepieces, particularly for brittle materials like ceramics, using a snap-fit mechanism that overcomes complex manufacturing issues and space constraints.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2020192233
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2019-11-26
- Filing Date
- 2020-11-19
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-01
- Estimated Expiration
- 2040-11-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing timepiece dial solutions require complex manufacturing processes, are incompatible with certain timepieces, and do not provide a reliable and firm fastening, especially for brittle materials like ceramics, and are unsuitable for watches with limited space.
A dial plate design with a connecting ring that allows for a simple assembly process using an elastically deformable connecting surface, enabling snap-fit mounting without tools, suitable for brittle materials, and adaptable to watches with limited space.
The solution provides a reliable, firm fastening of the dial to the timepiece frame, suitable for various materials including ceramics, with a simple manufacturing process and no need for welding or screws, allowing assembly in watches with limited space.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a dial plate, a connecting ring for this type of dial plate, and a dial including an assembly of the dial plate and the connecting ring. The present invention also relates to a timepiece incorporating this type of dial, such as a wristwatch.
Background Art
[0002] A timepiece dial according to a first prior art solution is described in Patent Document 1. This type of dial includes legs welded under the dial plate, and the legs are designed to fasten the dial plate to the timepiece frame using, for example, screws. This solution has the drawback of requiring a material compatible with welding to form the dial, while also requiring complex manufacturing and assembly operations, particularly the operation of screwing the frame after welding the legs. Furthermore, if the accuracy of the assembly is incomplete, there is a risk of forming a statically indeterminate situation. Finally, this solution is incompatible with certain timepieces, such as wristwatches provided with a plurality of mechanical functions, where the available capacity is very limited and the passage of the screws for fastening the dial is restricted.
[0003] Another solution, as described in Patent Document 2, requires welding or gluing two overlapping plates, which also includes the drawback of complex manufacturing and an increase in the thickness across the entire dial.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0004]
Patent Document 1
Patent Document 2
Patent Document 3
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0005] Existing solutions do not make it possible to obtain sufficient results, and the overall object of the present invention is to propose a timepiece solution that does not include the drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically, the present invention aims to achieve all or part of the following objectives.
[0006] The first object of the present invention is to propose a dial solution suitable for all kinds of materials, and more specifically for brittle materials such as ceramics.
[0007] The second object of the present invention is to propose a dial solution that combines simple manufacturing and an attractive incorporation into the timepiece, and is adaptable to all timepieces including wristwatches with a small usable capacity.
[0008] Finally, the third object of the present invention is to propose a dial solution that makes it possible to obtain a reliable and firm fastening of the dial to the blank or frame of the timepiece.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0009] For this purpose, the present invention is a timepiece dial plate designed to be mounted on a connecting ring, having a first lower surface designed to be located inside the timepiece and a second upper surface on the opposite side designed to be visible, and the timepiece dial plate includes a third surface connecting the first and second surfaces to form the peripheral contour of the dial, and the third surface of the peripheral contour includes a section passing through a plane perpendicular to the second surface and including a first portion extending in a direction non-perpendicular to the first lower surface from the first lower surface to the second upper surface of the dial plate. The direction is preferably directed towards the outside of the dial plate.
[0010] The present invention also relates to a connecting ring for a dial plate of this kind, the ring including a connecting portion having an elastically deformable connecting surface, the surface being designed to cooperate by contact with the third peripheral contour surface of the dial plate.
[0011] The present invention also relates to a clock face including an assembly of the above-described dial plate and the above-described connecting ring.
[0012] The present invention also relates to a clock including the above-described clock face. The clock may be a wristwatch.
[0013] The present invention is defined in more detail in the claims.
[0014] The objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be described in more detail in the following description of specific embodiments provided as non-limiting examples with respect to the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0015]
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
[0016] The present invention is based on the dial 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, obtained by mechanical assembly of two separate parts, namely the dial plate 1 and the connecting ring 2. The connecting ring 2 extends under the dial plate 1 on the circumferential part of the dial plate 1, and its purpose is to form a part for removably fastening the dial 10 onto the watch blank.
[0017] By convention, the horizontal direction is defined as any direction on a plane parallel to the surface of the dial plate 1, which may be flat or substantially flat, in the horizontal plane. By convention, the vertical direction z is defined as the direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane, towards the side designed to be visible to the wearer of the small watch that includes the dial plate from the dial plate. According to an embodiment where the dial plate 1 is not flat, the horizontal direction starts from a plane substantially in contact with the upper surface of the dial plate and is defined as perpendicular to the vertical direction z. According to this convention, the following description can be simplified. The adjectives "upper" and "lower" make it possible to characterize elements designed to be respectively oriented in the vertical direction on the visible side and the opposite side of the watch. For example, the upper surface of the dial plate refers to the surface visible to the wearer of the wristwatch, and the lower surface of the dial plate refers to the invisible surface directed towards the inside of the small watch, on the side of the wearer's wrist of the wristwatch. A person skilled in the art can understand that the terms thus defined can be used regardless of the shape of the dial plate that does not need to be circular. In addition, in this specification, "dial" means any indicator unit designed to be mounted in a fixed manner within the small watch case. For this reason, within the context of the present invention, a counter for time-based display (for example, a chronograph counter) can also correspond to the dial.
[0018] According to the illustrated embodiment, the dial plate 1 has a disk shape with a narrow thickness (also known as height since it is oriented according to the vertical direction by the selected convention) between a first flat lower surface 12 designed to face the inside of the small clock and a second flat upper surface 13 opposite and parallel to it and designed to be visible. The dial plate 1 has a vertical central axis A passing through its center. As a variant, the first lower surface 12 and / or the second upper surface 13 may not be flat, for example, they may be curved. The surface may have a vertex at its center. The surface may be convex or concave. In addition, the dial plate may have a shape that is not circular, as will be described below.
[0019] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dial plate 1 passing through the vertical mid-plane, that is, the vertical plane containing the axis A of the dial plate, or more generally, the vertical plane passing through the center of the dial plate 1. Figure 2 makes it possible to more specifically illustrate a section of the third surface 11 of the dial plate 1 that forms the peripheral contour surface of the dial plate 1. The third surface 11 forms a connection between the first lower surface 12 and / or the second upper surface 13. The third surface 11 forms the assembly surface of the dial plate 1, as will be described below. The section of the third surface 11 is characterized by not being oriented in the vertical direction z. In other words, the section is not perpendicular, or not substantially perpendicular, to the dial plate 1 and more specifically to one or the other of the first and second surfaces 12, 13.
[0020] More specifically, the section of the third surface 11 has a particularly advantageous shape and specifically includes the following. - A first portion 11a extending from the first lower surface 12 in a direction non-perpendicular to the first lower surface 12, that is, a direction not aligned with the vertical direction z. The first portion 11a advantageously extends over at least 1 / 4 of the thickness of the dial plate (in other words, 1 / 4 of the height as seen in the vertical direction z between the two surfaces of the first and second surfaces 12, 13), and - A second portion 11b extending from the second upper surface 13 in a direction non-perpendicular to the second upper surface 13, that is, a direction not aligned with the vertical direction z, and - A third portion 11c for connection between a first and a second part, forming a circumferential connection region of the dial plate 1, which is capable of cooperating with the dial connection ring 2 described below.
[0021] According to an embodiment, the first part 11a and the second part 11b of the third surface 11 are thus inclined outwardly of the dial plate 1, i.e., in a direction including a horizontal component away from the first and second surfaces 12, 13 of the dial plate 1.
[0022] According to this embodiment, the first part 11a of the section of the third surface 11 has an inclination of a first angle α1 with respect to the first surface 12 and / or with respect to the horizontal plane. The first angle α1 is preferably between 50° and 70°, or between 60° and 70°.
[0023] The second part 11b of the third surface 11 has an inclination of a second angle α2 with respect to the second upper surface 13 and / or with respect to the horizontal plane. The second angle α2 is preferably between 60° and 80°, or between 65° and 75°.
[0024] According to an embodiment, the first angle α1 is preferably smaller than the second angle α2.
[0025] The third portion 11c has a vertex, i.e., a region furthest from the upper second surface 13. The vertex is located substantially at the center of the thickness of the dial plate 1 or slightly below the horizontal median plane of the dial plate 1. The vertex is configured in terms of the embodiment.
[0026] Advantageously, the third portion 11c of the connection is a circular portion, particularly with a radius from 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. This makes it possible to connect the two parts 11a and 11b so as to form a continuous curvature. The circular curvature preferably has no roughness.
[0027] In the present embodiment, the first part 11a and the second part 11b are inclined straight portions, but as a variant, they may have other shapes that are not limited to straight lines.
[0028] Preferably, the third surface 11 of the peripheral contour extends around the entire perimeter of the dial plate 1. Alternatively, the third surface 11 may extend according to one or more sectors around the perimeter of the dial plate 1. In the described embodiment, the dial plate is a rotating surface having an axis A. All sections obtained by a vertical median plane, i.e., a plane perpendicular to the second upper surface 13 containing its own axis and / or its own center, preferably include the same shape. In other words, the dial plate preferably has a peripheral contour with horizontal sections showing a clearly defined shape, such as circular, rectangular, polygonal, etc., and in particular without discontinuities, and having no discontinuities around the entire perimeter.
[0029] As a variant, the dial plate does not have to be circular and may be, for example, polygonal, square, or rectangular. In all cases, it is advantageous for all or almost all sections via the vertical median plane to include the same shape.
[0030] The dial plate 1 may be based on ceramic, in particular zircon or alumina, fluorescent and / or phosphorescent ceramic, or composite ceramic based on yttria-stabilized zircon and Dy / Eu-doped strontium aluminate. The dial plate 1 may particularly preferably be made of "luminescent zircon" as disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 3. As a variant, the dial plate 1 may be based on a composite material. Also as a variant, the dial plate 1 may be based on stone, in particular onyx, opal, turquoise, or sapphire, or on nacre. The expression "based on a particular material" means the fact that the dial plate contains at least 50% by weight, or at least 80% by weight, of the said material.
[0031] The dial plate 1 may be coated with a varnish, for example a varnish layer containing fluorescent and / or phosphorescent properties, in order to modulate the appearance of the dial plate between day and night. As a variant, the dial 10 may include a second solid plate containing fluorescent and / or phosphorescent properties, fixed under the first lower surface 12 of the dial plate 1.
[0032] According to this embodiment, the dial 10 further includes a connecting ring 2, which is designed for assembly with the aforementioned dial plate 1 and is more specifically illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7. As will be described below, the connecting ring 2 is designed to function in assembling the dial 10 to a watch movement or a watch blank. The connecting ring 2 is preferably made of metal or metal alloy. The connecting ring 2 may be made of brass or steel, particularly Nivaflex (registered trademark).
[0033] The connecting ring 2 includes a connecting portion 21 having, at its upper part, a connecting surface 210 designed to cooperate with the third surface 11 of the peripheral contour of the dial plate 1. The connecting portion 21 is thus designed for fastening the dial plate 1. According to this embodiment, the connecting surface 210 has a frustum - of - cone shape and is elastically deformable. As a variant, the connecting portion 21 may have other elastically deformable shapes. Advantageously, the connecting portion includes at least one section passing through a vertical plane including an inclination with respect to the vertical direction such that its upper end moves in a direction towards the dial plate or towards the center of the connecting ring. For this reason, at least a part of the connecting portion has an inclination towards the center of the connecting ring with respect to a direction perpendicular to the plane of the connecting ring. As will be described in detail below, the connecting portion functions to hold the dial plate in its assembled configuration. For this reason, at least a part of its connecting surface 210 continues to be in direct or indirect contact with the dial plate in the assembled configuration so as to exert a holding force on the dial plate. Of course, the holding is preferably reversible, and the connecting portion participates in the reversible holding of the dial plate. In addition, the connecting portion is configured for supporting the peripheral contour of the dial plate. By such support, the connecting portion can exert a force including at least a component towards the center of the dial plate, particularly a radial component in the case of a circular dial plate.
[0034] In addition, the connecting portion 21 is horizontal or substantially horizontal and includes a support surface 211 designed to receive a side portion or a peripheral portion support of the first lower surface 12 of the dial plate 1.
[0035] In addition, the connecting ring 2 extends downward from the connecting portion 21 and includes a lower fastening portion that is designed to fasten the connecting ring 2 to the clock blank and is designed to fasten the dial inside the clock. According to this embodiment, the lower fastening portion is in the shape of a skirt 22 that extends substantially in a direction opposite to the connecting surface 210 with respect to the supporting surface 211. In other words, the connecting portion 21 and the lower fastening portion form a portion that is substantially arranged in the vertical direction and is distributed on both sides of the horizontal or substantially horizontal supporting surface 211.
[0036] The skirt 22 according to this embodiment extends in the vertical direction. The skirt includes at least one elastic element 220. Preferably, the elastic element 220 extends partially along the height h of the skirt 22. The elastic element 220 is advantageously in the shape of a tongue embedded in the wall of the skirt 22. The elastic element may be, for example, in the shape of a tongue embedded at its two ends. This kind of tongue may extend substantially in the horizontal direction. The tongue may extend on a horizontal plane and may be formed by at least one through slot 221 or notch formed in the wall of the skirt 22. Preferably, the skirt 22 includes a plurality of elastic elements. According to this embodiment, the skirt 22 includes three identical elastic elements 220, 220', 220". These three elements are advantageously distributed equidistantly around the connecting ring 2.
[0037] The fastening portion of the connecting ring, that is, the skirt 22 in this embodiment, has a shape designed to cooperate with the blank of the clock as will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 7. For this purpose, the blank includes the shape of the fastening portion of the connecting ring and elements that complement the fastening portion to enable the implementation of the fastening function. The fastening is removable. According to this embodiment, the fastening is carried out without tools. The fastening is of the snap-fit or elastic mounting type.
[0038] Figures 4 to 6 illustrate in more detail the assembly of the dial plate 1 with the connecting ring 2. According to this embodiment, the assembly is carried out by driving in or clip-fastening, i.e., elastic mounting. For this reason, the assembly is carried out without the need to use tools. Also, it does not require complicated operations such as welding or bonding. In addition, the assembly is reversible and removable.
[0039] Figure 4 shows the approaching stage of the dial plate 1 on the connecting portion 21 of the connecting ring 2. The first part 11a of the section of the third surface 11 of the dial plate 1 is supported on the upper end of the connecting surface 210 of the connecting ring 2. The dimensions of the frustum-shaped connecting surface 210 are determined such that the downward pressure exerted on the dial plate 1 causes progressive elastic deformation of the connecting portion 21 of the connecting ring 2 with which the third surface 11 cooperates. Throughout this assembly stage, the third surface 11 of the dial plate 1 cooperates with the connecting surface 210 by contact. According to this embodiment, the connecting portion 21 that is inclined towards the dial plate side with respect to the vertical direction in its rest position thus moves away in the vertical direction due to the contact of the connecting surface 210 with the dial plate 1.
[0040] The assembly movement continues until the first lower surface 12 of the dial plate 1 abuts against the supporting surface 211 of the connecting ring 2, as shown in Figure 5. In this final assembled configuration, only the third part 11c, which is a circular part of the section of the third surface 11, is in contact with the connecting surface 210 of the connecting ring 2. As a result of the deformation of the connecting portion 21, this portion exerts a holding force on the dial plate 1 that enables the dial plate to be held securely and firmly. In addition, the connecting surface 210 of the connecting portion 21 of the connecting ring 2 has the advantageous specific feature of exerting a force that directs the holding force downward, i.e., a force that tends to position the first lower surface 12 of the dial plate 1 against the supporting surface 211 of the connecting ring 2. For this reason, the force resists the pulling out of the dial plate 1 and aids in the stable holding of the dial plate. In the final assembled configuration, the connecting surface 210 maintains contact with the dial plate 1 in order to hold the dial plate 1. Furthermore, the connecting portion 21 is maintained in the deformed position in the final configuration in order to exert an elastic restoring force on the dial plate, thereby performing the holding function. Advantageously, the restoring force includes at least a component directed towards the center of the dial plate.
[0041] The stress applied by the holding force is concentrated on a part of the third portion 11c, and advantageously enables minimizing the stress within the material forming the dial plate, while it should be noted that an appropriate holding force of the dial plate on the ring is ensured. In the present embodiment, the contact area of the section of the third surface 11 is actually reduced to the point of the apex of the aforementioned third portion 11c. As a result, the contact between the third surface 11 and the connecting surface 210 is a linear or substantially linear contact.
[0042] FIG. 6 illustrates the separation stage of the dial plate 1 from the connecting ring 2. For this purpose, for example, by using a lever on the area of the dial plate 1, the dial plate 1 is pivoted. The linear or substantially linear contact between the third surface 11 of the dial plate 1 and the connecting surface 210 of the connecting ring 2 described above enables assisting the removal of the dial plate 1 by defining an advantageous pivoting area P of the dial plate 1 at the third portion 11c of the third surface 11, and the plate pivots with respect to the connecting surface 210 of the connecting portion 21 of the connecting ring 2. The ring elastically deforms during the operation. For this reason, the solution according to the present embodiment also permits the removal of the dial plate 1 from the connecting ring 2, which is particularly advantageous during any after-service operation, for example when the replacement of the connecting ring 2 or the dial plate 1 becomes necessary. Thus, the dial plate 1 and the connecting ring 2 always remain two separate parts that can be assembled in a removable manner according to the present embodiment. As a variant, without departing from the context of the present invention, it may also be preferable to create an assembly that is more difficult to remove, for example by changing the shapes of the surfaces 11 and 210.
[0043] Preferably, as described in the present embodiment, the third surface 11 of the dial plate 1 is the outer peripheral surface of the dial plate 1. In the specific case of a disc-shaped dial plate, the apex of the third portion 11c belongs to a circle centered on the axis A, and its radius R defines the maximum radius of the dial plate 1 as shown in FIG. 2.
[0044] As a result of this embodiment, the dial plate 1 has the advantage that it can be manufactured from a brittle material, particularly a material that does not have elastic deformation under stress, as described above.
[0045] Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, when the dial 10 formed by the assembly of the dial plate 1 and the connecting ring 2 is obtained, the dial 10 is in a state where it can be mounted inside the watch. FIG. 7 more specifically illustrates the fastening step of the dial 10 according to the present invention, more specifically the connecting ring 2, onto the watch blank 3. In the figure, the dial 10 is in a stage of approaching the blank. The blank 3 includes protruding protrusions 31 formed to cooperate with the elastic elements 220, 220', 220'' of the connecting ring 2. As the dial 10 continues its descent, each tongue 220 is spaced apart by the protrusion 31 and elastically deformed. This movement continues until the first lower surface 12 of the dial plate 1 abuts against the blank 3.
[0046] Optionally, the skirt 22 of the connecting ring 2 also includes a surface 222 designed to be oriented vertically or substantially vertically and to abut against the surface 33 of the blank 3, which is also oriented vertically or substantially vertically. These elements serve the purpose of ensuring the angular indexing of the dial on the blank. Alternatively or additionally, the connecting ring 2 may directly cooperate with the body 4 and / or any part of the watch so as to allow the angular positioning of the dial 10 within the watch.
[0047] As is clear from the above, the connecting ring 2 according to this embodiment also has the advantage of enabling the assembly of the dial 10 onto the watch movement without the need for assembly screws and legs that would require space within the watch movement. For this reason, the present invention can still accommodate the incorporation of the dial into a watch movement that has only a small free space for positioning the dial.
[0048] Figure 8 illustrates the final positioning of the dial into the clock according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this position, the connecting ring 2 is fastened to the blank 3 of the clock movement 30 as described above. The first lower surface 12 of the dial plate 1 is supported by the support surface 211 of the connecting ring 2 in its peripheral portion and by the upper surface 32 of the blank 3 at the center of the surface. As a variant, the surface may be positioned relative to any other stop designed to stop the vertical displacement of the dial 10 towards the inside of the watch parts.
[0049] In addition, in the present embodiment, the connecting ring 2 appears to include one or more specific surfaces designed to cooperate with the center 4 of the small watch case 40 of the clock in order to define the range of the axial clearance of the dial 10 and, more specifically, to be able to attenuate the effects of any shock. For this purpose, the connecting ring 2 may include a surface 212 arranged at the upper end of the connecting portion 21 which is horizontal or substantially horizontal, and which is positioned so as to abut against the horizontal or substantially horizontal surface 410 of the barrel 4. It is noted that the stop or support may be intentionally spaced. According to the present embodiment, the horizontal surface 212 of the connecting ring 2 is hidden by the flange 41 of the barrel 4 and its corresponding horizontal surface 410 is formed at the lower part of the flange 41. In addition, the connecting ring 2 includes a surface 213 which is vertical or substantially vertical and which cooperates with the vertical or substantially vertical surface 411 of the barrel 4. The cooperation between the two vertical surfaces 213, 411 allows the dial 10 to be guided into the small watch case 40. The cooperation is carried out by contact. The cooperation may include a spacing. By this means, the mounting of the dial can be carried out directly between the dial 10 and the case 40 independently of the clock movement 30 including the blank 3 on which the dial 10 is mounted. This type of solution is particularly advantageous in terms of the accuracy of the assembly of the dial in the small watch case and makes it possible to reduce the chain of dimensions involved in the assembly.
[0050] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is understood that the dial according to the embodiments of the present invention is not limited to the specific arrangement illustrated as an example in FIG. 8, and can continue to be applicable to mounting on any clock.
Explanation of Signs
[0051] 1 Dial plate 2 Connecting ring 3 Blank 4 Body 11 Third surface 11a First part 11b Second part 11c Third part 12 First lower surface 13 Second upper surface 21 Connecting part 22 Skirt 30 Clock movement 210 Connecting surface 211 Support surface 212 Horizontal surface
Claims
1. A dial plate (1) for a clock designed to be mounted on a connecting ring (2), comprising a first lower surface (12) designed to be located inside the clock, a second upper surface (13) on the opposite side designed to be visible, and a third surface (11) connecting the first lower surface and the second upper surface to form the peripheral contour of the dial plate, wherein the third surface (11) includes a first portion (11a) extending from the first lower surface (12) of the dial plate (1) towards the second upper surface (13) in a direction inclined outwardly of the dial plate (1) in a direction non-perpendicular to the first lower surface (12), a second portion (11b) extending from the second upper surface (13) of the dial plate (1) towards the first lower surface (12) in a direction inclined outwardly of the dial plate (1) in a direction non-perpendicular to the second upper surface (13), and a third portion (11c) connecting the first portion and the second portion to form a peripheral connection region of the dial plate (1) that can cooperate with the connecting ring (2). The dial plate (1) for a clock.
2. The first portion (11a) of the third surface (11) extends over a height corresponding to at least 1 / 4 of the thickness of the dial plate (1). The dial plate (1) for a clock according to Claim 1.
3. The first portion (11a) of the third surface (11) has an inclination at a first angle α1 with respect to the first lower surface (12), the second portion (11b) of the third surface (11) has an inclination at a second angle α2 with respect to the second upper surface (13), the first angle α1 is between 50° and 70°, and the second angle α2 is between 60° and 80°. The dial plate (1) for a clock according to Claim 1 or 2.
4. The third portion (11c) has a vertex farthest from the second upper surface (13), and the vertex is substantially located at the center of the thickness of the dial plate (1). The dial plate (1) for a clock according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.
5. The third portion (11c) is a circular portion when viewed from a cross-section of a vertical plane passing through the center of the dial plate. The dial plate (1) for a clock according to any one of Claims 1 to 4. **Claim 6**: The dial plate (1) is based on ceramic, or composite ceramic based on yttria-stabilized zirconia and Dy / Eu-doped strontium aluminate, or the dial plate (1) is based on a composite material, or the dial plate (1) is based on stone, or the dial plate (1) is based on nacre. The dial plate (1) for a timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 5. **Claim 7**: A connecting ring (2) for a dial plate (1) for a timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the connecting ring including a connecting portion (21) having an elastically deformable connecting surface (210), the surface being designed to cooperate by contact with a third surface (11) of the peripheral contour of the dial plate (1) in order to ensure retention of the dial plate (1) in the assembled configuration with the connecting ring. **Claim 8**: The connecting portion (21) has a connecting surface (210) having a frustoconical shape, and / or the connecting portion (21) has a part of the connecting portion having an inclination towards the center of the connecting ring with respect to the direction of the vertical central axis (A) of the connecting ring. The connecting ring (2) for a dial plate (1) according to claim 7. **Claim 9** The connecting ring includes a skirt (22) including at least one elastic element (220) in which at least one through slot or notch is formed, the skirt (22) extending substantially in a direction opposite to the connecting surface (210) with respect to a support surface (211) supporting the first lower surface of the dial plate. The connecting ring (2) for a dial plate (1) according to claim 7 or 8. **Claim 10**: A timepiece dial, including an assembly of the dial plate (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and the connecting ring (2) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, the assembly being carried out by driving which causes elastic deformation of the connecting portion (21) of the connecting ring (2) which cooperates with the third surface (11) of the dial plate (1). A timepiece dial. **Claim 11**: The third surface (11) of the dial plate has a linear or substantially linear contact with the connecting surface (210) of the connecting portion (21). The timepiece dial according to claim 10. **Claim 12**: A timepiece including the dial according to claim 10 or 11.
13. The connecting ring (2) of the dial is fastened to the blank (3) of the timepiece movement (30). The timepiece according to claim 12.
14. The timepiece includes a case (4), the connecting ring (2) includes a horizontal or substantially horizontal surface (212) and / or a vertical or substantially vertical surface (213), the case (4) includes a horizontal or substantially horizontal surface (410) that can be supported by the horizontal surface (212) of the connecting ring (2), and / or the case (4) includes a vertical or substantially vertical surface (411) that can be in contact with the vertical surface (213) of the connecting ring (2). The timepiece according to claim 12 or 13.
Citation Information
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