Reversible hand

Abstract

The present invention relates to a timepiece hand (1) comprising an attachment support (20) allowing the hand to rotate about a first axis of rotation (A1), a part (10) that is rotatably movable about a second axis of rotation (A2) which is orthogonal to the first axis of rotation, and a reversion device (30) which is suitable for rotating the movable part (10) about the second axis of rotation (A2). (Fig. 1)

Description

Reversible needle technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a watch hand, in this case, a watch hand, rotating about a first axis above a dial and reversible about a second axis of rotation orthogonal to the first axis. State of the art

[0002] Besides timekeeping, several other indications may be required by a watch or any other timepiece. Specifically, particular periods, such as day and night, may be indicated on such timepieces. These periods are generally displayed on the dial or in a dedicated display area. Such arrangements can increase the size of the watch. Therefore, there are alternative ways to display these indications. Brief summary of the invention

[0003] One object of the present invention is to provide a timepiece free from the limitations described above. In particular, another object of the present invention is to provide a time display system that also allows for the indication of specific periods, such as day and night.

[0004] According to the invention, these goals are achieved in particular by means of the subject matter of the independent claims, detailed in the claims which depend on it. STI K-3-PCT

[0005] This solution has the advantage, in particular, compared to previous art, of greater compactness and / or alternative aesthetic effects. Brief description of the figures

[0006] Examples of implementation of the invention are shown in the description illustrated by the following figures: • Figure 1: Perspective view of the moving part of the needle according to an embodiment of the present invention. • Figure 2: Perspective view of a needle according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising the fixing support and the moving part. • Figure 3: Perspective view of a needle according to another embodiment of the present invention, comprising the fixing support and the moving part. • Figure 4: Detailed cross-sectional view of the needle according to an embodiment of the present invention. • Figure 5: Detailed cross-sectional view of the needle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Example(s) of an embodiment of the invention

[0007] With reference to Figure 1, the hand 1 according to this description includes a mounting bracket 20 adapted to hold the hand 1 securely attached to a watch movement, so that it can rotate about a first axis of rotation A1. The hand 1, visible to a user of the timepiece, can thus assume several angular positions around the first axis of STI K-3-PCT Rotation A1. In particular, the hand 1 rotates continuously through 360° around the first rotation axis A1 so as to indicate the time to the user, according to its angular position or by pointing, for example, to suitable markers on an underlying dial. The angular space around the first rotation axis A1 can be subdivided into different angular sectors. The different angular sectors may be visible to the user on the dial of the timepiece. Alternatively, they may remain invisible to the user. The different angular sectors are preferably defined by a predetermined period, so that when the hand 1 moves from one angular sector to the adjacent angular sector, the hand 1 changes its appearance to the user.

[0008] According to a preferred mode, the rotation of the hand 1 around the first axis of rotation A1 defines a first angular sector corresponding to a daytime period, and a second angular sector corresponding to a nighttime period. The appearance of the hand changes as it rotates around the first axis of rotation A1. In particular, the appearance of the hand changes when passing from one angular sector to the other. The appearance of the hand 1 may remain unchanged as long as the hand remains within a given angular sector. Alternatively, the appearance of the hand 1 may gradually vary between two appearances, one corresponding to the daytime angular sector and the other to the nighttime angular sector.

[0009] The angular sectors can be of the same value or of different values. For example, they can each correspond to 180°. One angular sector can, however, be smaller than the other.

[0010] Although two angular sectors are mentioned here, this does not preclude defining more than two angular sectors.

[0011] The appearance of the needle 1 is changed by means of a movable part 10 of the needle 1. The movable part 10 comprises several surfaces 120a, 120b that can be alternately made visible to the user. As such, the surfaces can refer to surfaces STI K-3-PCT of indications, or indicator surfaces. The different surfaces 120a, 120b present distinct visual characteristics to the user. For example, they may be different colors. Alternatively or in addition, they may have different ornaments and / or a different texture. Alternatively or in addition, they may have different luminescent or phosphorescent properties. In one embodiment, the movable part 10 comprises two surfaces 120a, 120b, and the angular space around the first axis of rotation A1 comprises two angular sectors where one of the two surfaces 120a, 120b of the movable part 10 of the needle 1 is made alternately visible when the needle 1 passes from one of the angular sectors to the second. In this case, the two surfaces 120a, 120b can be opposite.

[0012] If more than two angular sectors are defined, the movable part 10 of the needle 1 can then have more than two indicating surfaces. For example, the movable part 10 of the needle can have a triangular shape, where each of the three faces forming its triangular part can be made visible to the user in three distinct angular sectors.

[0013] The moving part 10 of the needle 1 is free to rotate about a second axis of rotation A2. The second axis of rotation A2 is orthogonal to the first axis of rotation A1. It corresponds, for example, to the longitudinal axis of the needle 1. The moving part 10 of the needle 1 then includes a shaft 11 allowing it to rotate about this second axis of rotation A2. The shaft 11 is attached to a reversing device 30, designed to drive the moving part 10 of the needle in rotation around the second axis of rotation A2. The reversing device 30 can also refer to a rotation device, in that it allows the moving part 10 to rotate.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the reversing device 30 allows the angular position of the moving part 30 relative to the second axis of rotation A2 to be synchronized with the angular position of the needle 1 relative to the first axis of rotation A1. STI K-3-PCT

[0015] The reversing device 30 may, for example, include a wheel fixed to the shaft 11 so as to be able to drive it in rotation. The wheel is for this purpose equipped with a drive system or capable of cooperating with a drive system.

[0016] In one embodiment, the wheel fixed to the shaft 11 is a pinion 32, a gear, or any equivalent (Figures 1 and 2). It has teeth 320 meshing with the teeth 310 of a drive pinion 31. The teeth may be arranged obliquely on the edge of the pinion 32 and thus cooperate with the oblique teeth 310 of a drive pinion oriented at 90°. The drive pinion 31 can be driven in rotation about the first axis of rotation A1 by the clockwork mechanism, which, due to the arrangement of the oblique teeth, drives the moving part 10 of the hand in rotation about the second axis of rotation A2. Other types of gearing may nevertheless be considered as required.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the wheel 32' attached to the shaft 11 is provided with at least one lug 320' on its peripheral part (Figure 3). A fixed stop 321 is located near the hand 1, for example, on the dial below the hand 1. The fixed stop 321 and the wheel 32' with the lug 320' are positioned equidistant from the first axis of rotation A1, so that the lug 320' can bear against the fixed stop 321 when the hand 1 rotates about the first axis of rotation A1. The fixed stop 321 can be positioned at a specific angular location within the angular space defined by the first axis of rotation A1. For example, a fixed stop 320' can be positioned at each transition of angular sectors discussed above, such as the day and night sectors.The contact of the lug 320' with the fixed stop 320' causes the corresponding wheel 32' to rotate about the second axis of rotation A2, and thus pivots the moving part 10 of the point 1. The wheel 32' may, for example, have two lugs 320' arranged on its periphery so as to cooperate with each of the two fixed stops 321 delimiting the two angular sectors, day and night. The two lugs 320' may be diametrically opposed on the corresponding wheel 32' and the two fixed stops 321 may be diametrically opposed with respect to the first axis. STI K-3-PCT rotation A1, so that the moving part 10 of the needle pivots half a turn when the lug 320' contacts the corresponding fixed stop 321.

[0018] According to one embodiment, more than two lugs 320' and more than two fixed stops 321 may be used. For example, four lugs 320' and four fixed stops 321 may be arranged so that the movable part 10 pivots a quarter turn about the second axis of rotation A2 at each contact of the lugs with the corresponding fixed stops. The number of lugs and fixed stops is thus unlimited and can be adjusted as required.

[0019] The 320' lugs and the 321 fixed stops have a suitable geometry. They can, for example, both be triangular in shape.

[0020] According to one aspect, the movable part 10 of the needle 1 rotates progressively around the second axis of rotation A2, while the needle 1 rotates around the first axis of rotation A1. This arrangement can, for example, be implemented by means of a gear train such as that described above, having oblique teeth.

[0021] In another respect, the moving part 10 changes its angular position relative to the second axis of rotation A2 when the pointer 1 passes through predetermined angular positions relative to the first axis of rotation A1. The change in angular position of the moving part 10 can, for example, correspond to a 180° rotation, or a reversal of the moving part 10 if it has two opposite faces. This arrangement can, for example, be implemented using a pinwheel such as the one described above.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the needle 1 of this description may include a stabilization or locking device for maintaining the movable part 10 at a given angular position relative to the second axis of rotation A2, while the needle 1 rotates through a given angular range around the first axis of rotation A1. Such STI K-3-PCT The device may include a stabilizing wheel 33 fixed to the shaft 11, one of whose lateral faces has a toothed relief. The toothed relief may, in particular, act as a cam 330. The stabilizing or locking device may further include a spring blade 34, fixed to the needle 1 mounting support 20, and having a hook-shaped relief 340 cooperating with the cam-shaped relief 330. In this way, the hook 340 maintains the cam wheel 33 at a predetermined angular position as long as it is not actively rotated. Rotation may occur when a lug 320' comes into contact with a fixed stop 321, which forces the rotation of the movable part 10 by deforming the spring blade 34 until a new notch of the cam wheel 33 is positioned in front of the hook 340 of the spring blade 34.

[0023] In one embodiment, the cam wheel profile 33 comprises a stop surface 332 for stabilizing the moving part 10 at a given angular position by means of the hook 340 of the leaf spring 31, and a sliding surface 331 for accompanying or facilitating the rotation of the moving part 10 after the lug 320' has come into contact with the corresponding fixed stop 321. According to this arrangement, the hook 340 of the leaf spring 34 provides a rotational force by pressing on the sliding surface 331 until it abuts against the stop surface 332. Thus, the activation of rotation by the lug 320' and the fixed stop 321 can continue thanks to the pressure of the leaf spring on the sliding surface until the moving part 10 reaches the required angular position.

[0024] The cam wheel 33 can be positioned at a distance from the lug wheel 32'. Alternatively, it can be in contact with the lug wheel 32' or directly attached to it. The position of the stop surface 332 and the sliding surface 331 are preferably determined relative to the position of the lug 320' so that the rotational force of the leaf spring coincides with the end of the lug's passage against the fixed stop. Several sliding surfaces 331 and several stop surfaces 332 can, of course, be provided, depending on the number of angular positions that the moving part 10 is expected to assume. STI K-3-PCT

[0025] The movable part 10 of the hand 1 is held by means of a mounting bracket 20. The mounting bracket 20 is attached to a driving element, such as a gear train of a clockwork mechanism. The mounting bracket rotates about the first axis of rotation A1. The mounting bracket 20 may have a recess into which the shaft 11 of the movable part 10 is inserted, allowing it to rotate about the second axis of rotation A2. The movable part 10 is thus held by the mounting bracket while remaining free to rotate.

[0026] The mounting bracket 20 can take any required shape, including for aesthetic purposes. In one embodiment, the mounting bracket 20 can be extended in the shape of a needle, forming a needle frame 21 within which the movable part 10 of the needle 1 can rotate freely about the second axis of rotation A2.

[0027] The movable part 10 of the needle may include an indicator portion 12. Such an indicator portion 12 may, for example, be in the form of a planar triangle whose two faces 120a and 120b are opposite. Other geometries may nevertheless be considered, provided that different surfaces are made alternately visible as explained above. The indicator portion is preferably located at one of the two ends of the shaft 11 of the movable part 10.

[0028] In one embodiment, the movable part 10 may further comprise an end portion 13, located at the second end of its shaft 11, in other words, opposite the indicator portion 12. The end portion 13 may have a swollen appearance. It may act as a counterweight to the indicator portion 12 so as to optimally balance the movable part 10 within the mounting bracket 20. The end portion 13 may also have several different faces, alternately visible to the user. The end portion 13 may be contained within a recess in the mounting bracket 20 or may project beyond the mounting bracket 20, as required. STI K-3-PCT

[0029] The present invention also covers a timepiece comprising at least one hand 1 such as that described herein. In particular, the hour hand of such a timepiece is at least as described herein. A timepiece in the context of this description means, for example, a wristwatch, a pocket watch, a clock, or any equivalent horological construction.

[0030] In the context of the present invention, a user means any person who may wear, observe, or read a timepiece such as the one described herein. STI K-3-PCT Reference numbers used in the figures 1 Needle 10 Movable part along the second axis of rotation (A2) 11 Tree 12 Indicator portion 120a, 120b Faces of the indicator portion 13 Terminal portion 20 Mounting bracket 21 Needle frame 30 Reversing device 31 Drive pinion 310 Drive pinion teeth 32 Pinion 32' Lug wheel 320' Lug 320 Pinion teeth 321 Fixed stop 33 Cam wheel 330 Cam 331 Sliding surface 332 Stopping surface 34 Spring blade 340 Hook A1 First axis of rotation A2 Second axis of rotation STI K-3-PCT

Claims

Demands 1. Watch hand (1) comprising: - a mounting bracket (20) adapted to fix the hand (1) on a watch movement so as to rotate it around a first axis of rotation (A1), - a movable part (10) rotating about a second axis of rotation (A2), orthogonal to the first axis of rotation, and - a reversing device (30), adapted to rotate the moving part (10) around said second axis of rotation (A2).

2. Needle according to claim 1, said movable part (10) rotating about the second axis of rotation (A2) comprising a shaft (11) coaxial with said second axis of rotation (A2) and said reversing device (30) comprising a wheel (32, 32') integral with said shaft (11) and provided with a drive system (320, 320') adapted to drive said wheel (32, 32') in rotation.

3. Needle according to claim 2, said wheel designating a pinion or a toothed wheel (32) and said drive system designating a series of oblique teeth (320), adapted to mesh with a pinion (31) of a watch movement provided with complementary oblique teeth (310).

4. Needle according to claim 2, said wheel (32') being provided with at least one lug (320') on its peripheral part, adapted to butt against a fixed stop (321) disposed near the needle (1).

5. Needle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a locking device adapted to retain the movable part (10) according to the STI K-3-PCT second axis of rotation (A2) at a fixed angular position when the needle rotates around the first axis of rotation (A1).

6. Needle according to claim 5, said locking device comprising a cam wheel (33) comprising at least one cam (330) and integral with the shaft (11) and a spring blade (34) integral with the fixing support (20) and comprising a hook (340) cooperating with said at least one cam (330).

7. Needle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, said movable part (10) about the second axis of rotation (A2) comprising an indicator portion (12), disposed at a first end of its shaft (11).

8. A needle according to claim 7, said indicator portion (12) comprising two opposite faces (120a, 120b), each visible when the needle (1) is located in a predetermined angular sector during its rotation about the first axis of rotation (A1).

9. A needle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a terminal portion (13) disposed at the second end of its shaft (11).

10. Timepiece comprising at least one hand (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9. STI K-3-PCT

Images