Clock movement components containing lockable joints

Abstract

To provide a component of a clock movement which can be dismantled as easily as possible for servicing operation.SOLUTION: A component 10 of a clock movement includes two arms 11 connected to each other by a pivot link. The component 10 can occupy an extended position and a folded position. In the folded position, the arms 11 forms a smaller angle than that when the component 10 occupies the extended position. The component 10 further includes a coupling mechanism comprising snap fitting elements. The coupling mechanism is configured to prevent any relative mobility between the two arms 11 when the component 10 occupies the extended position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking, and more particularly to components of watch movements.

[0002] More particularly, the present invention relates to components of a timepiece movement that include a joint that can be locked. [Background technology]

[0003] Clock movements for wristwatches, and in particular clock movements containing horological complications (i.e. mechanisms that allow for indications other than the time and its divisions), typically contain a large number of components, often hundreds, arranged in a volume of limited dimensions.

[0004] The design of a clock movement is therefore significantly limited by the available volume in which all components can be arranged.

[0005] The designer of a watch movement must also ensure that each component designed can withstand the mechanical stresses to which it is subjected over time, that it can be manufactured as simply and repeatedly as possible while respecting dimensional tolerances, and that it is possible to assemble the components within the movement and to disassemble them as easily as possible for maintenance work.

[0006] The present invention relates to a component that overcomes all of the above difficulties associated with designing components for timepiece movements. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To this end, the present invention relates to a component for a timepiece movement, comprising two arms connected to one another by a pivot link, the component being capable of assuming an extended position and a folded position, the arms forming a smaller angle in the folded position than when the component is in the extended position, the component further comprising a coupling mechanism including a snap-fit ​​element, the coupling mechanism being configured to prevent relative movement between the two arms when the component is in the extended position.

[0008] In particular embodiments, the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, which have to be considered individually or according to any technically possible combination:

[0009] In a particular embodiment, the snap-fit ​​element is formed by a catch arranged on one arm and a resilient tab arranged on the other arm, said resilient tab including a recess intended to receive the catch when the component is in the extended position, in order to secure the arms relative to one another.

[0010] In certain embodiments, the resilient tab is configured to exert a resilient return force against the catch.

[0011] In certain embodiments, the catch and recess are shaped such that the catch is released from the recess when the resilient tab is deflected to resist the resilient return force.

[0012] In a particular embodiment, the resilient tab is disposed between the catch and the arm that carries it, and has an angular range whose limits are defined by said catch and said arm.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the recess is arranged between the proximal and distal portions of the elastic tab, the distal portion being intended to extend along an arc concentric with the axis of rotation of both arms or along a tangential segment of the axis of rotation of both arms.

[0014] In a particular embodiment, the recess is shaped to form a stop that prevents relative movement of the arms in one rotational direction when the resilient tab is deflected to release the catch from said recess.

[0015] In certain embodiments, the proximal portion of the resilient tab includes a segment through which it contacts the catch when the component is in the extended position, the segment being shaped to extend tangent to the axis of rotation of the arms along an axis passing through the center of the catch when the catch is received in the recess. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the following drawings.

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 shows a perspective view of components of a timepiece movement including a lockable joint according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a detailed front view of the components shown in FIG. 1.

[0018] It should be noted that for reasons of clarity, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention relates to a component 10 for a timepiece movement, which in some application cases may form a motion transmitting member such as an oscillator, a lever, a shaft, or any other elongated member, i.e., any other member extending along a longitudinal axis. The component 10 extends along a longitudinal axis which may be straight, curved, or of any shape, as shown in FIG.

[0020] Component 10 includes a joint that connects two arms 11 together by a pivot link. This feature allows component 10 to be configured to assume an extended position and a folded position. In the folded position, arms 11 form a smaller angle than when component 10 occupies the extended position. This folded position advantageously allows a watchmaker to easily mount or remove component 10 within a watch movement.

[0021] The arms 11 are connected to one another via a pivot, which can be manufactured by any technical solution available to a person skilled in the art. In particular, in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the arms 11 each have a through hole at the interface end. A rod forming the pivot axis can be engaged in the through hole. This rod is stopped in translation, for example, by a head forming a stop. The stop faces a nut which cooperates with the rod via a threaded portion.

[0022] This pivot axis may optionally constitute the pivot axis for the component 10. In this case, the axis of rotation of both arms 11 relative to each other coincides with the axis of rotation of the component 10.

[0023] The coupling mechanism provided on component 10 advantageously eliminates rotational movement of arms 11 relative to one another, thereby allowing one arm 11 to transmit a force, e.g., torque, to the other arm 11. Specifically, arms 11 are fixed relative to one another when component 10 is in the extended position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0024] In detail, the coupling mechanism comprises a snap-fit ​​element. For example, a catch 12 is arranged on one arm 11 and a resilient tab 13 is arranged on the other arm 11. As shown in Fig. 2, the resilient tab 13 may comprise a proximal portion 130 and a distal portion 131. A recess 132 is arranged between them. The catch 12 is intended to be received in the recess 132 to establish a rigid connection between the two arms 11. As a result, relative mobility between said arms 11 is prevented.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the resilient tab 13 is configured to exert a resilient return force on the catch 12. This feature makes it possible to ensure permanent contact between the resilient tab 13 and the catch 12, so that on the one hand the catch 12 engages in the recess 132 when the component 10 moves from the folded position to the extended position, and on the other hand the catch 12 remains engaged in the recess 132 when the component 10 occupies the extended position. The direction of the resilient return force is preferably radial to the axis of rotation of both arms 11, passing through the centre of the catch 12 and coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the arm 11 that carries it.

[0026] The elastic tab 13 may also conceivably include a snap-fit ​​element such as a reduction in the cross section of the recess 132 at the opening that engages the catch 12 without exerting any force on the catch 12. This makes it possible to ensure that the catch 12 is held radially in the recess 132.

[0027] Advantageously, the catch 12 and the recess 132 are shaped such that their cooperation can only be released by the user deflecting the resilient tab 13 against the resilient return force. In particular, in the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, only deformation of the resilient tab 13 by deflecting the distal portion 131 towards the axis of rotation of the arms 11 allows the catch 12 to be disengaged from the recess 132, which then allows the arms 11 to pivot relative to each other.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the invention, the resilient tab 13 is arranged between the catch 12 and the arm 11 that carries it, and has an angular range the limits of which are defined by said catch 12 and said arm 11 .

[0029] When component 10 occupies the folded position, arms 11 pivot relative to each other and catch 12 is intended to slide against distal portion 131 of resilient tab 13. To allow arm 11 to move rotatably when catch 12 is not engaged in recess 132, distal portion 131 is intended to extend along an arc concentric with the axis of rotation of arms 11 or along a tangential segment of the axis of rotation of arms 11, as shown in the detailed view of FIG.

[0030] In short, when the component 10 is in the folded position, the arms 11 pivot relative to each other through a range of angles.

[0031] Advantageously, the recess 132 is shaped to form a stop that prevents the relative mobility of the arms 11 in one direction when the component 10 moves from the extended position to the folded position, i.e., when the resilient tab 13 is deflected to release the catch 12. In other words, the recess 132 is shaped to limit the rotation of the arms 11 relative to one another according to a predetermined angular range. To this end, the recess 132 has a protrusion 133 that forms a stop. Thanks to this feature, the catch 12 does not come into contact with the proximal portion 130 of the resilient tab 13.

[0032] The proximal portion 130 of the resilient tab 13 includes a segment 134 through which it contacts the catch 12 when the component 10 is in the extended position. The segment 134 is preferably shaped to extend tangentially to the axis of rotation of both arms 11 along an axis passing through the center of the catch 12 when the catch 12 is received in the recess 132. This feature ensures optimal distribution of mechanical stresses when forces are transmitted between the arms 11.

[0033] In general, it should be noted that the implementations and embodiments considered above are described as non-limiting examples, and therefore other alternatives are possible.

[0034] For example, a second recess may be arranged in the distal portion 131 of the elastic tab 13 that can receive and engage the catch 12 so as to create a stable position of both arms 11 relative to each other, i.e., a position with no mobility whatsoever, when the component 10 is in the folded position.

Claims

1. A component (10) of a clock movement, comprising: The component (10) comprises two arms (11) connected to each other by a pivot link, The component (10) is capable of assuming an extended position and a folded position; In the folded position, the two arms (11) form a smaller angle than when the component (10) is in the extended position; The two arms (11) include a coupling mechanism including a snap-fit ​​element; The component (10), wherein the coupling mechanism is configured to prevent relative movement between the two arms (11) when the component (10) occupies the extended position.

2. said snap-fit ​​element being formed by a catch (12) arranged on one of said two arms (11) and a resilient tab (13) arranged on the other arm (11); 2. The component (10) of claim 1, wherein the elastic tab (13) includes a recess (132) intended to receive the catch (12) when the component (10) is in the extended position to secure the two arms (11) relative to each other.

3. The component (10) of claim 2, wherein the resilient tab (13) is configured to exert a resilient return force on the catch (12).

4. 3. The component (10) of claim 2, wherein the catch (12) and the recess (132) are shaped such that the catch (12) is released from the recess (132) when the elastic tab (13) is deflected to resist an elastic return force.

5. 3. The component (10) according to claim 2, wherein the elastic tab (13) is arranged between the catch (12) and the arm (11) carrying the catch (12), and has an angular range the limits of which are defined by the catch (12) and the two arms (11).

6. 3. The component (10) according to claim 2, wherein the recess (132) is arranged between the proximal portion (130) and the distal portion (131) of the elastic tab (13), the distal portion (131) being intended to extend along an arc concentric with the axis of rotation of the two arms (11) or along a segment tangential to the axis of rotation of the two arms (11).

7. 3. A component (10) according to claim 2, wherein the recess (132) is shaped to form a stop that prevents relative movement of the two arms (11) in one rotational direction when the elastic tab (13) is deflected to release the catch (12) from the recess (132).

8. 7. The component (10) of claim 6, wherein the proximal portion (130) of the elastic tab (13) includes a segment (134) through which the proximal portion (130) contacts the catch (12) when the component (10) is in the extended position, and the segment (134) is shaped to extend tangentially to the axis of rotation of the two arms (11) along an axis passing through the center of the catch (12) when the catch (12) is accommodated in the recess (132).

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