Perpetual calendar with successive corrections, date using a ring

Abstract

The invention relates to a perpetual calendar displaying the date, beneath a window, without correction for 99 or 199 years, with a date ring which indirectly pivots a month wheel which is in the central position. The month wheel makes it possible to display the month and to correct one to three additional dates for the shorter months, thanks to a lever acting on the four inclined drops of a cam and on one of the four drops of a mini satellite cam (the two cams are mounted on the month wheel). The mini satellite cam also makes it possible to display the year of the four-year cycle.

Description

Perpetual calendar with successive corrections, date with a ring

[0001] The technical field of the invention is watchmaking, more specifically that of the perpetual calendar mechanism with successive corrections in a watch.

[0002] Watchmakers have invented many mechanisms, known as perpetual calendars or date mechanisms, which automatically correct the date display for a century or two.

[0003] Perpetual calendars can be either direct-corrected or successive-corrected. Direct-corrected perpetual calendars allow you to jump directly from the 28th, 29th, 30th, or 31st to the 1st. er , usually using two date display supports. Perpetual calendars with successive corrections, scroll through one, two, three or four dates during the night of the month change, independently of the date display.

[0004] Previous technique. For over two centuries, the most commonly used mechanism for a perpetual calendar with successive corrections has been the large seesaw. The principle relies on varying the stroke of the seesaw, which rotates the date star by 31 points to change the date and by 7 points to change the day. By lengthening the stroke of the large seesaw, it can correct the date from the 30th to the 1st of thirty-day months and the dates from February 28th or 29th to the 1st. erMarch. One month a year, the mechanism's drive must be able to fully wind the large lever to overcome the date star jump four times in succession, plus the month jump once, requiring high torque for the 24-hour wheel. The various parts of the large lever mechanism occupy a significant amount of surface space, which can be a hindrance to incorporating other complications. This mechanism is delicate to construct, particularly in balancing the different forces of the multiple jumpers. Its large lever struggles to remain in a horizontal plane to rotate the month star. Its energy balance is hardly conducive to year-round isochronism, because throughout February, the large lever will be fully wound every day so that this energy is only used one night to overcome the jump of the four successive dates of the 31 star and the month jump four times.Furthermore, changing four dates in the early evening takes several hours. The month and year can be set, but the push buttons pose a risk of moisture infiltration. However, as it is certainly the most economical mechanism in terms of parts, no other mechanism with a hand display has yet managed to supplant it, except for a fairly recent twelve-part mechanism invented by Mr. Ludwig Oeschslin and marketed in the Ochs und Junior Perpetual Calendar watch, based on the principle of rotating perpetual calendars, certainly derived from patent CH707014.

[0005] Most perpetual calendar mechanisms, other than those of the large balance wheel, are said to be rotary, meaning they primarily use wheels. without having to adjust the swing of the lever operating around midnight. These mechanisms usually require a large number of wheels, they take up space in the movement, and they are expensive to produce. They are recent and therefore still protected by patents EP2597537, CH705737, EP2811346, CH700007. Generally, their operation requires a high torque from a wheel that pivots more or less rapidly so that fingers or teeth engage one to three teeth on the month wheel, allowing the month wheel to correct one to three dates on the date star.

[0006] These mechanisms most often feature date displays via a hand. Very few perpetual calendar patents use a date display under an aperture with two superimposed rings, such as patent CH695225 for a large date, or a single ring, as in patent EP4033306. Patent EP4033306 uses a two-finger drive that operates around midnight: the first finger to change the date and the second to correct it. One drawback of this patent is that a quarter of the date ring supports the auxiliary correction mechanism, creating an imbalance that compromises the movement's reliability. The other drawback is similar to that of perpetual calendar mechanisms with a large rocker arm: the drive must perform up to four consecutive date changes.

[0007] The present invention uses as its basis a mechanism operating with a date ring, but it develops a new mechanism, different from that of patent EP4033306. Unlike patent EP4033306, which performs four successive date changes with the midnight mechanism, this new invention uses an independent means for the successive corrections (from one to three). This principle of an independent corrective means can also be used for displaying the date by hand or by holes.

[0008] Description of the invention.

[0009] The invention proposes a perpetual calendar of a new design that offers the advantage of displaying the date in an aperture while being energy-efficient and reducing the number of parts required, achieved by modifying an existing caliber equipped with a 31-date ring. Corrections to excess dates in short months are virtually instantaneous, and the energy required for these corrections is stored by the mechanism itself at the end of the month. Manual date setting is unidirectional. The month and the four-year cycle are displayed without being manually adjustable, except for an option allowing the month to be set using a crown.

[0010] This simplified perpetual calendar mechanism with a date display in a window includes, at a minimum: - the existing trainer, consisting of a 24-hour wheel with an elastic finger which operates around midnight on one of the 31 teeth of the date ring; - a new ring (replacing the existing ring), where the dates are inscribed, with at least two inner edges on different levels (an edge with 31 inner teeth, and a smooth, partially toothed edge); - an existing jumper, to cooperate with the edge of 31 inner teeth of the new ring; - a new bridge (replacing one of the existing bridges or the existing bridge), to support the reduction gear, to support the axis of the catch-up rocker, to support the hollow axis of the month wheel, and a smooth serge fitted with a pin or a tooth which locks and rotates a satellite Maltese cross or an 8-tooth pinion; - a reduction gear consisting of two pinions, one pinion cooperating with the partially toothed edge of the date ring and the other smaller pinion engaging with the central month wheel; - a small bridge to hold the reduction gear between the date ring and the central wheel; - a central wheel for the twelve months, with an integrated cam with four correction drops for months of thirty days; - a mini cam for February, mounted on a satellite Maltese cross or on a pinion; - a Maltese cross satellite or a pinion whose axis supports the mini cam; - a catch-up rocker equipped with a flexible return arm and a feeler arm cooperating with the edge of the cam and one side of the mini cam; - a retaining ring for the central wheel of the months; - a small disc (or a small needle) mounted on the axis of the satellite Maltese cross, to indicate the year; - a large disc mounted on the wheel of months, to indicate the month.

[0011] The invention of this perpetual calendar mechanism is characterized in that a catching lever extracts and accumulates a small amount of energy during the pivoting of the date ring, cooperating with a cam mounted on the month wheel, which is pivoted to a minimum at the end of the month by the date ring. This energy is used to instantly correct the dates of short months by pressing on the edges of the inclined drops of two cams. This is achieved thanks to the thirty-one date ring, which has two superimposed toothed inner edges: a 31-tooth edge for the driving finger and a partially toothed edge to pivot, during date display changes from the 28th to the 29th (or even earlier) until the display changes from the 31st to the 1st (or even later), a large pinion of a reduction gear, whose small pinion meshes with the centrally positioned month wheel. This central month wheel completes one revolution every twelve months.so that the four inclined drops of a cam integrated into, or attached to, the month wheel and one of the four sides of a mini cam mounted on a satellite Maltese cross (or an 8-tooth satellite pinion) installed on the month wheel, are pushed in turn by a feeler arm of the catching lever subjected to a restoring torque, to rotate the month wheel which drives, via the reduction gear, the date ring which advances one additional step after midnight when a short month of thirty days changes to the following month, thanks to the four drops of the cam, and to advance the date ring two or three additional steps depending on whether it is a leap year or a normal year, when the month of February changes to the following month, thanks to one of the four sides of the mini cam.

[0012] The large pinion of the reduction gear loses contact with the partially toothed smooth rim of the date ring by two teeth during the night of the 28th to the 29th, or even one of the previous nights, to be in contact with the teeth of the partially serrated serge and leaves the teeth of the partially serrated serge on the night of the 31st to the 1st, or even one of the following nights, to regain support with two of its teeth on the smooth partially serrated serge.

[0013] In one variant, for quick adjustment of the month-by-month mechanism, it is possible to make the reducing mobile independent of the non-toothed part of the partially toothed edge of the date ring, if the edge of the four-drop cam of the month wheel has notches to use the feeler arm of the catch-up rocker, like a jumper, resting on the edge of said cam to stabilize the month wheel.

[0014] The quarter turn pivoting of the satellite Maltese cross or the 8-tooth pinion under the month wheel is achieved by passing in front of a peg or a tooth of the smooth serge installed at the foot of the central hollow axis of the bridge (hollow axis which pivots the central month wheel).

[0015] The shape of the mini cam is close to a modified square, one side of which is slightly open as if it had pivoted on one of the corners, with the opening filled in such a way that this filled part delays the triggering of the push of the seesaw by one night in the night of February 28 to 29 of a leap year and that this push is limited to two date changes instead of three.

[0016] The month wheel has a large disc with a marker to indicate one of the months inscribed on the dial (the hour markers can be used to indicate the months) around the circular opening in the center of the dial.

[0017] The axis of the Maltese cross (or the 8-tooth satellite pinion) carries a small disc with a marker to indicate one of the four years of the leap year cycle, inscribed on the large disc which indicates the month.

[0018] The four years of the leap year cycle, inscribed on the large disc around the small disc indicating the year, are represented in a privileged way by signs (dots or lines) in number corresponding to the year 1, 2 and 3, which can be read in any direction and by a different sign or another color, for the fourth year, the leap year.

[0019] The invention is a clockwork mechanism that can be integrated into the movement of a timepiece such as a watch, pendulum, or clock.

[0020] This invention can also be adapted to different types of large date displays. The simplest is a display using the ring with the thirty-one date units, combined with a cross-shaped support housing the four tens. This support is attached to a Maltese cross that pivots at the edge of the ring with each change of ten. Alternatively, the thirty-one dates are distributed across two superimposed rings. In this case, the lower ring, which houses the last fifteen or sixteen dates, supports, at a reduced thickness, the partially toothed edge that stabilizes and pivots the reducing mechanism engaged with the large wheel of the month mechanism, at a minimum during the display changes from the 28th to the 29th until the display change from the 1st to the 2nd. The inner edge of the two date rings has sixteen teeth in seventeen increments for the midnight driver's finger. The outer edge of the upper ring for the first dates is shaped to cooperate with a Jumper. A protrusion in the thickness of the upper ring will push a protrusion on the edge of the lower ring for the restart of the lower ring and vice versa for the restart of the upper ring. The outer edge of the partially serrated inner edge installed under the lower ring of the later dates is shaped to cooperate with a jumper.

[0021] The principle of using the wheel of months to accumulate energy to ensure date corrections of this invention can also be adapted to displaying the date by a simple hand or by holes, without this going outside the scope of the present patent of the invention.

[0022] The principle of using the month wheel to accumulate energy to ensure date corrections, as described in this invention, can also be adapted, without departing from the scope of this patent, to a mechanism equipped with a 31 star wheel attached to a partially toothed wheel that rotates a first pinion of a reduction gear. The second pinion of this gear meshes with the month wheel, which can be centered or off-center in its movement. This month wheel supports the four-drop cam and the mini satellite cam, which operate as described in the claims, with a correction lever.

[0023] The embodiments will specify the operation and arrangement of the parts that constitute this mechanism, according to the invention.

[0024] Brief description of the figures.

[0025] The drawing in [Fig. 1a] represents an overall view of the dial, on December 1 of the third year of the four-year cycle.

[0026] The drawing in [Fig. 1b] represents an overall view of the dial, on January 25 of the leap year of the four-year cycle.

[0027] The drawing in [Fig. 2] represents an overall view from above of the mechanism, during a normal year on the date of the 1st er December of the third year of the four-year cycle.

[0028] The three drawings in [Fig. 3] represent part of level n-1 with the upper date ring plus the mini satellite cam, a cross-section and part of level n-2 with the month wheel engaging with the small pinion.

[0029] The three drawings in [Fig. 4] represent part of level n-3 with the intermediate date ring in relation to the large pinion, plus the central smooth serge in relation to the satellite pinion, a section identical to the previous one and part of level n-5 with the lower date ring.

[0030] The drawing in [Fig. 5] represents at level n-1, an enlargement of part of the four-fall ribbon-shaped cam and the mini February-March cam, in the position of late February of a leap year.

[0031] The drawing in [Fig. 6] represents the variant of the four-drop cam with its stabilizing notches for the rocker feeler arm.

[0032] The first method of implementation.

[0033] The embodiment begins with an existing caliber featuring a date ring that rotates counterclockwise and a one-piece central bridge that secures the ends of the ring's 31 teeth. A preparatory phase involves removing the central bridge and the date ring. These two components are no longer used; they are replaced by new parts with new functions and supplemented by other parts necessary for the perpetual calendar complication.

[0034] The drawing in [Fig. 1a] shows the stationary annular dial (10) with the hour markers (10i), and a date window (12g) wide open to display odd-numbered dates inscribed on the date ring around 12 o'clock (even-numbered dates are replaced by dashes). The date window (12g), positioned around 12 o'clock, is sufficiently wide to display at least two large even-numbered dates separated by a dash. The current date is positioned in the center of the window (12g). In this representation of the dial in [Fig. 1a], the current date is the 1st. er of December. A minute scale (10m) can be placed along the outer edge of the annular dial (10). A railway track for the graduations of the last four dates (12c) can be placed along the inner edge of the annular dial (10). In this embodiment, the graduations for the last four dates (12c) are only used between the 28th of a month and the 1st. erof the following month. The twelve initials (11) of the months can be inscribed around a large central disc flush with the dial, at the base of each hour marker (101). The central disc (13) pivots clockwise in the center to indicate one of the twelve months by means of its large line (13t) which points to one of the twelve initials (11) between the 1 er and on the 28th of the month, then this large line (13t) will move at the end of the month towards the initial of the following month, with its point opposite the graduation of the last four dates (12c).

[0035] The large disc has a small circular opening pierced by a small opening surrounding the four years (13a) of the leap year cycle. As the large disc rotates throughout the year, the orientation of the year markings changes each month. Therefore, the usual numerals 1, 2, 3, and 4 are replaced by symbols. The first three years (13a) are represented by one dot, two dots, and three dots; the fourth year, which is a leap year, is symbolized by a line occupying the equivalent of the space taken up by three dots. Thus, regardless of the orientation of the markings, they remain legible, like the dots on a die for games of chance. The small opening in the large disc contains a small disc (14) with a small line (14t) to indicate the year of the four-year cycle. The drawing in [Fig. 1a] shows the watch face a 1 erIn December, the small line (14t) of the small disc (14) still points towards the three points of the third year of the cycle. At the end of December, the large line (13t) of the large disc (13) will pivot 30°, the large line (13t) will move towards the index one of January, and the small disc (14) will move while making an eighth of a turn on itself, so that on the 1 er January, its small line (14t) points to the separation between two years. The drawing [Fig. 1b] shows the watch face on January 25, specifying that from 1 er On January 28, it appears in the same way. At the end of January, the small disc (14) will move and it will complete another eighth of a turn on itself- even, so that at 1 er February its small line (14t) will point towards the symbol of the leap year, while the large line (13t) of the large disc (13) points towards the index two of the month of February.

[0036] Thus, the date is visible in the center of the large window (12g), the month is indicated by the large line (13t) on the large disc (13), and the year of the four-year leap year cycle is indicated by the small line (14t) on the small disc (14). This is a simple and clear way to indicate the date, month, and year. This method eliminates the need for the two month and year hands that occupy one or two levels, as found in perpetual calendar mechanisms with large levers.

[0037] The general view of the mechanism in [Fig. 2] shows the upper part (33) of the date wheel (30) of level n-1. The upper ring (33), inscribed with odd dates, is partially shown in its upper and lower sections. The absence of the right and left parts of the upper ring (33) allows a partial view of the intermediate ring (32) of the date wheel (30) of level n-3. The intermediate ring (32) is partially toothed with 5 teeth (32d) and six tooth bases.

[0038] The outer edge (32b) of the intermediate ring (32) has three notches (32e) every 120°, two of which are visible in the drawing of [Fig. 2]. These notches (32e) allow the intermediate ring to be wedged against the cylinders (31c) of the lower ring (31).

[0039] The smooth inner edge (32b) of the intermediate ring (32) locks two of the 8 large teeth (61) of one of the two pinions of the reduction gear (60) located at approximately 4 o'clock. The drawing in [Fig. 2] represents the mechanism at 1 er December as the dial of [Fig. la], therefore the five teeth (32d) of the intermediate ring (32) of the date wheel (30), have finished rotating by 6 steps the 8 large teeth (61) of the reducing wheel (60).

[0040] Still in the general view of the mechanism in [Fig. 2], 8 small teeth (62) of the second pinion of the reduction gear (60) are visible above the 8 large teeth (61). The 8 small teeth (62) of the second pinion mesh with the 72 teeth of the central month wheel (70), which is at level n-2. At the end of each month, the central month wheel (70) pivots 6 steps, corresponding to 30°.

[0041] In the central part of the mechanism in [Fig. 2], appears the ribbon-shaped cam (72) with four drops, integral with the central month wheel (70). The edge of this ribbon cam (72), which has four inclined drops (72a to 72d), cooperates with the feeler arm (81) of the rocker (80). The drawing in [Fig. 2] represents the mechanism at 1 er December as the dial of the [Fig. la], The seesaw has finished pushing on the fourth fall (72d).

[0042] The ribbon cam (72) is interrupted to accommodate the mini satellite cam (73) of the four-year cycle. In this drawing of [Fig. 2], the mini satellite cam (73) is in the position of the last of the three normal years (73a to 73c). It will complete one-eighth of a turn at the end of December, to reach an intermediate position, and then it will complete another eighth of a turn at the end of January to present its broken fall (72d and 72e) of a leap year.

[0043] Level n-5 is not shown. At this level, the existing elastic finger acts conventionally on the internal teeth of 31 teeth (3 Id) identical to those of the date ring of the original caliber. The pivoting of the ring begins before midnight and ends Around midnight. The original jumper (40), not shown, completes the pivoting of the 31-tooth ring and stabilizes it. This normal date-changing mechanism (of the basic system) remains unchanged. This operating principle is well known to watchmakers, so there is no need to illustrate it.

[0044] The new date mobile (30) comprises three superimposed parts: an upper ring (33) [Fig. 3] of a width equivalent to that of the initial ring, a narrow intermediate ring (32) [Fig. 4] with an inner edge (32b) partially toothed (32d) and a lower middle ring (31) of 31 teeth (3d).

[0045] The upper ring (33) has three cylinders (33c) in a thin profile [Fig. 3]. The cylinders are hollow with a threaded section inside. The outer edge of the narrow intermediate ring (32) has three semicircular notches (32e) [Fig. 4] to fit against the three cylinders of the lower ring. The edge of the lower ring (31) [Fig. 4] has three extensions (31e) spaced every 120°. These extensions terminate in three hollow cylinders (31c).

[0046] The cylinders (31c) of the lower ring (31) of the 31 teeth (3 Id) are wider than the cylinders (33c) of the upper ring of the dates, to surround them, this allows the upper ring (33) to be positioned precisely by sandwiching the partially toothed intermediate ring (32), before screwing the whole thing together (see the cross-sections of [Fig. 3] and [Fig- 4]).

[0047] Three screws are passed through the hollows of the three hollow cylinders (31c) of the lower ring (31), to screw into the three cylinders (33c) below the thickness of the upper ring (33).

[0048] At level n-3, 2 of the 8 large teeth (61) of the large pinion of the reduction gear (60) bear against the smooth inner edge (32b) of the intermediate ring (32) of the date gear (30) [Fig. 4]. Part of the intermediate ring (32) is toothed with 5 inwardly directed teeth (32d). This smooth edge has 2 pitches per date, i.e., 62 pitches of module 0.28 for 5 teeth (32d) preceded, separated, and followed by tooth roots (6 in total). From 2 to 28, the smooth inner edge (32b) locks the 8-large-tooth pinion (61) of the reduction gear (60). The transition from 28 to 29 causes the intermediate ring to pivot by two pitches. (32), the first step of which will allow it to come into contact with one of the 8 large teeth (61) of the reducing gear (60) and the second step of which will allow the large pinion of 8 large teeth (61) of the reducing gear (60) to rotate by one step. The two passages from 29 to 30 and from 30 to 31 generate two sets of 2 steps on this same large pinion. The last transition from 31 to 01 generates one step on the large pinion; more precisely, the first step of the intermediate ring (32) will allow the large 8-tooth pinion (61) of the reduction gear (60) to pivot by one step. Then, the second step will allow one of the 8 large teeth (61) of the reduction gear (60) to disengage and position itself on the beginning of the smooth inner edge (32b) of the intermediate ring (32) so that two of the large teeth (61) of the pinion of the reduction gear (60) are locked by the smooth inner edge (32b). In total, with each change of month, the 8-tooth pinion (61) pi- vote of 6 steps. This is why the partially toothed edge of the intermediate ring (32) of the dates has 6 tooth bottoms for 5 teeth (32d).

[0049] This 8-tooth pinion (61) is machined on the same shaft as the small 8-tooth pinion (62) with a module of 0.196. These two pinions form the reduction gear. The lower end of the common shaft of these two pinions pivots in a recess formed at level n-4 in the new central bridge. The upper end of the common shaft of these two pinions pivots in a recess formed at level n-1 in a bridge (64). This bridge (64), visible in the drawings of [Fig. 3], is installed between the date wheel (30) and the central month wheel (70). This bridge (64) is fixed in the new central bridge (20).

[0050] The reduction mobile (60) composed of two coaxial pinions, is therefore constantly stabilized by the partially toothed edge (32) of the date mobile (30), itself stabilized by its jumper.

[0051] When the 8-tooth pinion (61) pivots 6 steps at each month change at level n-3, the 8-tooth pinion (62) also pivots 6 steps per month at level n-2. The small 8-tooth pinion (62) meshes with the large month wheel (70). The large month wheel (70) completes one revolution per year, therefore pivoting 6 steps per month, multiplied by twelve months, resulting in 72 steps per year. The large month wheel (70) thus has 72 teeth with a module of 0.189.

[0052] The month wheel (70) is installed at the center of the movement. It completes one revolution every twelve months at level n-2, with six steps at the end of each month until the next. The month wheel (70) pivots on a hollow cylindrical axis (21) surrounding the hour cannons [Fig. 3]. The hollow cylindrical axis is an integral part of the new central bridge (20) which replaces the original bridge.

[0053] The month wheel (70) is held in height at level n-1 by a ring (71) [Fig. 3]. This ring (71) is screwed onto the outer edge of the hollow axle (21) of the central bridge (20).

[0054] The month wheel pivots 1 step (5°) on the night of the 28th to the 29th, then 2 steps (10°) on the night of the 29th to the 30th, 2 steps (10°) on the night of the 30th to the 31st, and 1 step (5°) on the night of the 31st to the 1st. A large month indicator disc (13) is fixed to the month wheel to be at the same level n=0 as the annular dial. A line (13t) drawn on this disc points to one of the hour markers to indicate the current month. As a reminder, each marker is associated with the first letter of each month inscribed between the hour marker and the month indicator disc [Fig. 1a]. At the end of the month, starting on the night of the 28th to the 29th, the line begins to move to reach the next marker on the last night of the month, the 1st. er of the following month.

[0055] A four-drop cam (72) is integrated into or fixed to the month wheel at level n-1 [Fig. 2]. It is limited to a ribbon, as only its outer edge is useful. The ribbon is positioned in the inner circular space left free between the central axis and set back from the edge of the month wheel. The ribbon cam (72) crosses the arms of the month wheel, allowing it to be fixed with screws if it is not cut at the same time as the month wheel. The radius of the ribbon cam (72) increases over four angular sectors of 55° to form four drops (72a to 72d), each occupying an angular sector of 5°. Each of these drops corresponds to the four short month changes of thirty days to the following month. ribbon cam (72) is interrupted in an angular sector of 25°, to make way for the mini cam (73) which ensures the fifth drop, that of February to March.

[0056] The outer edge of the four-drop ribbon cam (72) cooperates with the end of a feeler arm (81) of a rocker (80) equipped with another flexible arm (82) that exerts a restoring torque of a certain force. The flexible arm (82) is under tension against a stop (83) fixed to the new central bridge (20) [Fig. 2]. The axis of the compensating rocker is installed on the new central bridge, between the month wheel (70) and the date ring (30). For each of the thirty-day months, the compensating rocker (80) is cocked for a minimum of seven days, starting from the 1st. erfrom the month preceding the thirty-day month until the change of month from the thirty-day month to the following month. The edges of the four drops (72a to 72d) are inclined between the high and low points, within an angular sector of 5°, to be pushed, in turn, by the end of the feeler arm (81) after the 31st of a thirty-day month is displayed. Thus, after midnight, under the push of the feeler arm (81) of the catch-up lever (80), the month wheel (70) will pivot by 1 step, without the intervention of the midnight driver.

[0057] The month wheel (70) rotates the reducing mechanism (60), which in turn rotates the partially toothed ring (32) of the date mechanism by one step, so that the incorrect date of the 31st is moved to the correct date of the 1st on the upper date ring (33). In this direction, from the month wheel to the date ring, the reducing mechanism (60) acts as a multiplying mechanism. The head of the jumper (40) on the lower ring (31) of the 31 inner teeth (31d) is lifted during the first step of the partially toothed intermediate ring (32), and once the tooth has passed, the head of the jumper presses on this tooth, forcing the partially toothed intermediate ring (32) to take the second step. Thus the 8-tooth pinion (61) will again have two of its teeth bearing on the smooth edge (32b) of the partially toothed intermediate ring (32).

[0058] The presence of the four overly steep drops prevents manual setting of the date in descending order; this is in perfect agreement with the manual setting by the crown of the basic mechanism which only works in ascending order of the dates.

[0059] This four-dropped ribbon cam (72) is interrupted over approximately 25° from a peak far from the center to a trough near the center. In addition to the four-dropped ribbon cam (72), the central month wheel (70) supports the shaft of a satellite pinion (74) in which a roughly square mini satellite cam (73) is mounted. The mini cam (73) is mounted at level n-1 [Fig. 3] on the shaft of the satellite pinion (74), which passes through one of the arms of the month wheel at level n-2 (see the cross-section in [Fig. 4]). This mini cam (73) is press-fitted into the shaft of the satellite pinion once the latter is mounted in one of the arms of the central month wheel (70) to prevent the satellite pinion (74) from sliding downwards (towards the caliber). A widening of the axis of the satellite pinion, under the month wheel, prevents the pinion from sliding upwards (towards the dial).

[0060] Two of the eight teeth of the satellite pinion (74) bear at level n-3, on the smooth edge (22b) of a flange (22) at the base of the central hollow axis of the new bridge [Fig. 4]. The smooth outer edge (22b) of this flange (22) is interrupted by a single tooth (22d) preceded and followed by a tooth root. This corresponds to one tooth in 30 steps with a module of 0.22. As it passes in front of this tooth (22d), the 8-tooth planetary gear (74) pivots two steps, or a quarter turn. Half of this pivoting occurs during the nights of December 29th to January 1st. er January and the other half takes place on the nights of January 28 to 30, so that this rotation serves to display the year of the four-year cycle.

[0061] The axis of the satellite pinion (74) with 8 teeth and a module of 0.22 pivots in a hole made in one of the arms of the month wheel at level n-2 [Fig. 3]. This axis comes out at level n-1 to fit the mini cam (73) and it continues at level 0 to receive a small disc (14) [Fig. la] which will be used to display the four-year cycle of the leap year.

[0062] In this embodiment, the shape of the mini-cam (73) is close to a square pivoting on itself. Three of the four sides (73a to 73c) of the square mini-cam are normally inclined, sufficiently to allow for a correction of three dates per side, while the last side (73d) of the mini-cam [Fig. 5] is different, for leap years. The fourth drop side (73d) is less inclined, which limits the correction to two dates, and it is preceded by a non-inclined portion (73e) that coincides with the circle traced by the displacement of the corners of the square. This arc of the circle is intended to delay the drop of the cam by one night.

[0063] On the night of February 28th of a normal year, the following day, the trainer's finger acts on the date ring, which displays the 29th and advances the month wheel by one step (a 5° pivot). The month wheel pivots and brings one of the three sides (73a to 73c) of the mini cam in front of the end of the feeler arm (81) of the catching lever. (80) which pushes the central wheel of the months (70) by 5 additional steps (two times 2 steps, plus 1 step) which pivots by 25° and via the reducing mobile (60), it rotates the ring mobile of the dates (30) which displays successively and very quickly the dates of the 30th, the 31st and the 1st.

[0064] The drawing in [Fig. 5] represents the mini satellite cam in position on February 29th. During the night of February 28th of a leap year, the driver's finger acts on the date ring, which displays the 29th. The end of the rocker's feeler arm rests on the small flat (73e) on the modified fourth side. During the night of February 29th, the driver's finger acts on the date ring, which displays the 30th and advances the month wheel two steps (a 10° pivot). The month wheel pivots and brings the drop (73d) on the fourth side of the mini cam in front of the end of the feeler arm. (81) of the catch-up lever (80) which pushes by 3 additional steps (once 2 steps, plus 1 step) the central wheel of the months (70) which pivots by 15° and via the reducing mobile (60), rotates the annular mobile of the dates (30) which displays successively very quickly the dates of the 31 and the 1.

[0065] Reference numbers used in figures 1 to 5: 10 annular dial lOi hour index 10m minute graduation 11 initial month entries, 12g expanded date window c railway of the last four dates 3 large central disc 3t month indicator line 3a inscription of the years of the four-year cycle small satellite disc t year indicator line 0 new central bridge 1 new hollow axis of the central bridge new circular smooth serge with a tooth b edge of the circular smooth serge d single tooth of the circular smooth serge 0 new date ring 1 lower ring of the 31 teeth 1 d teeth of the lower ring 1e extensions of the lower ring 1c extension cylinders iv lower recesses of the cylinder,for the head, 1 w upper recess of the cylinder, partially toothed intermediate ring d inner teeth of the partially toothed intermediate ring b smooth inner edge of the partially toothed intermediate ring e three notches on the smooth outer edge of the intermediate ring 3 upper ring with date inscription 3c cylinders of the upper ring 3v lower recesses of the cylinders 0 existing jumper 0 existing elastic drive fingers 0 moving reducer 1 large teeth of the pinion small teeth of the pinion 3 pinion shaft bridge of the moving reducer 0 central month wheel 1 screwed ring to hold the month wheel four-drop ribbon cam a to 72d drops of the cam 3 mini satellite cam of the month wheel 3a to 73c sides of the mini cam for normal year drop 3d side of the mini cam for leap year drop 3e side of the mini cam to delay the leap year drop satellite pinion of the month wheel, 80 catch-up switch 81 finger feeler for the catch-up rocker 82 flexible rod of the catch lever 83 stop for the flexible rod on the wheel of the months

[0066] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the relationship between the ring and the month wheel. In the first embodiment, the pivoting and stabilization of the month wheel is entirely dependent on the pivoting of the date ring. Therefore, date setting is achieved solely through the date ring, which, in the worst-case scenario, can lead to rotating approximately 730 dates if the date falls in the middle of the four-year cycle, or nearly twice that number if the date is immediately after the current day. In this second embodiment, the month wheel can pivot freely, relative to the date ring, between the 2nd and 28th of each month, allowing for faster setting of the months over a forty-eight-month cycle. This necessitates an independent means of stabilizing the month wheel and provides a second gear train for setting the months over four years, in addition to the gear train for setting the dates.

[0067] Two parts of the second embodiment differ from those of the first embodiment: the partially toothed smooth band of the date ring and the four-drop correction cam. The inner radius of the smooth band of the upper date ring is larger, allowing the large pinion to pivot freely between the 2nd and 25th. On these dates, the teeth of the large pinion of the reduction gear are no longer in contact with the smooth edge (32b) of the partially toothed intermediate ring (32) of the date ring [Fig. 6]. Consequently, during this period, the month wheel is no longer stabilized. However, between the 27th and 31st, for six days, the large teeth (61) of the pinion are engaged with the teeth of the partially toothed inner edge of the date ring.

[0068] To stabilize the month wheel between the 27th and the 31st, the edge of the four-drop cam has notches [Fig. 6] which cooperate with the feeler arm (81) of the rocker resting on the edge of the cam; Thus, the rocker serves both to instantly correct the dates and to stabilize the month wheel (70) attached to the cam (72).

[0069] This type of notched cam can also be used in other embodiments to reinforce the stability of the central month and date wheel against shocks and to reduce friction of the smooth edge (32b) of the intermediate ring (32) against the tips of the large teeth (61) of the reducing wheel (60).

[0070] A pinion, linked to the month wheel, is added for quick adjustment. This pinion is fixed to another pinion and meshes with a gear train connected to either a second month setting crown or the date crown, with one-way rotation for the date and a opposite-way rotation for the month indicator disc. In both cases, the water resistance is maintained. The date ring and its month indicator disc always rotate clockwise during manual month setting.

Claims

Demands

1. Perpetual calendar mechanism with date display, comprising at least: - the trainer, consisting of a 24-hour wheel with an elastic finger which operates around midnight on one of the 31 teeth of the date ring; - a ring, in which the dates are inscribed, with at least two inner edges on different levels (an edge with 31 inner teeth, and a smooth edge partially toothed); - a jumper, to cooperate with the edge of the 31 inner teeth of the ring; - a bridge, to support the reduction mechanism, to support the axis of the catch-up rocker, to support the hollow axis of the month wheel, and a smooth serge fitted with a pin or a tooth which locks and rotates a satellite Maltese cross or an 8-tooth pinion; - a reduction gear consisting of two pinions, one pinion cooperating with the partially toothed edge of the date ring and the other smaller pinion engaging with the central month wheel; - a small bridge to hold the reduction gear between the date ring and the central wheel; - a central wheel for the twelve months, with an integrated cam with four correction drops for months of thirty days; - a mini cam for February, mounted on a satellite Maltese cross or on a pinion; - a Maltese cross satellite or a pinion whose axis supports the mini cam; - a catch-up rocker equipped with a flexible return arm and a feeler arm cooperating with the edge of the cam and one side of the mini cam; - a retaining ring for the central wheel of the months; - a small disc (or a small needle) mounted on the axis of the satellite Maltese cross, to indicate the year; - a large disc mounted on the wheel of the months, to indicate the month;characterized in that a catch-up rocker takes and accumulates a little energy during the pivoting of the date ring, cooperating with a cam mounted on the month wheel pivoted at least at the end of the month by the date ring, and this energy will serve to instantly correct the dates of short months by pressing on the edges of the inclined drops of two cams, this thanks to the thirty-one date ring which has two superimposed toothed inner edges, a 31-tooth edge for the driver finger and a partially toothed edge to pivot during date display changes at least from the 28th to the 29th, or even before, until the display change from the 31st to the 1st, or even after, a large pinion of a reduction wheel, whose small pinion is in contact with the month wheel positioned in the center, this central month wheel makes one revolution in twelve months, so that the four inclined drops of a cam integrated into; or attached to the month wheel and one of the four sides of a mini cam mounted on a satellite Maltese cross (or an 8-tooth satellite pinion) installed on the month wheel, are pushed in turn by a feeler arm of the catch-up rocker subjected to a return torque, to rotate the month wheel which drives via the reduction wheel, the date ring which advances one additional step after midnight when changing from a short month of thirty days to the following month, thanks to the four drops of the cam, and to advance two or three additional steps depending on the leap year or normal year, the date ring when changing from the month of February to the following month, thanks to one of the four sides of the mini cam.

2. Perpetual calendar mechanism with date under window, according to claim 1, characterized in that the large pinion of the reducing wheel leaves its support of two of its teeth on the partially toothed smooth rim of the date ring on the night of the 28th to the 29th, or even one of the previous nights, to engage with the teeth of the partially toothed rim and leaves the teeth of the partially toothed rim on the night of the 31st to the 1st, or even one of the following nights, to regain support with two of its teeth on the partially toothed smooth rim.

3. Perpetual calendar mechanism with date under window, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that in one variant, for quick adjustment of the mechanism month by month, it is possible to make the reducing mobile independent of the non-toothed part of the partially toothed edge of the date ring, if the edge of the four-drop cam of the month wheel has notches to use the feeler arm of the catching rocker, as a jumper, resting on the edge of said cam to stabilize the month wheel.

4. Perpetual calendar mechanism with date under window, according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivoting of a quarter turn of the satellite Maltese cross or the 8-tooth pinion under the month wheel, is achieved by its passing in front of a pin or a tooth of the smooth serge installed at the foot of the central hollow axis of the bridge (hollow axis which pivots the central month wheel).

5. Perpetual calendar mechanism with date under window, according to claim 1, characterized in that the shape of the mini cam is close to a modified square, one side of which is half-open as if it had pivoted on one of the corners, with the opening filled in such a way that this filled part delays by one night in the night of February 28 to 29 of a leap year the triggering of the rocker push and that this push is limited to two date changes instead of three.

6. Perpetual calendar mechanism with date under aperture, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the month wheel has a large disc with a marker to indicate one of the months inscribed on the dial around the circular opening provided in the center of the dial.

7. Perpetual calendar mechanism with date under window, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the axis of the Maltese cross (or the 8-tooth satellite pinion) carries a small disc with a marker to indicate one of the four years of the leap year cycle, inscribed on the large disc which indicates the month.

8. Perpetual calendar mechanism with date under window, according to claim 8, characterized in that the four years of the leap year cycle, inscribed on the large disc around the small disc indicating the year, are preferably represented by signs (dots or lines) in number corresponding to the year 1, 2 and 3, which can be read in any direction and by a different sign or another color, for the fourth year, the leap year.

9. Perpetual calendar mechanism with date under window, according to all the preceding claims, characterized in that the invention is a clockwork mechanism that is integrated into the movement of a timepiece of the type watch, pendulum, or clock.

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