EP2002311B1 - Device for the control of a horological function or a function not linked to time, and timepiece comprising such a device - Google Patents

Device for the control of a horological function or a function not linked to time, and timepiece comprising such a device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2002311B1
EP2002311B1 EP07701922.2A EP07701922A EP2002311B1 EP 2002311 B1 EP2002311 B1 EP 2002311B1 EP 07701922 A EP07701922 A EP 07701922A EP 2002311 B1 EP2002311 B1 EP 2002311B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tube
control device
push
buttons
timepiece
Prior art date
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Application number
EP07701922.2A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2002311A1 (en
Inventor
Hakim El Kadiri
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Meco SA
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Meco SA
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Publication date
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Priority to EP07701922.2A priority Critical patent/EP2002311B1/en
Publication of EP2002311A1 publication Critical patent/EP2002311A1/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B37/00—Cases
    • G04B37/08—Hermetic sealing of openings, joints, passages or slits
    • G04B37/10—Hermetic sealing of openings, joints, passages or slits of winding stems
    • G04B37/106—Hermetic sealing of openings, joints, passages or slits of winding stems of push buttons
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B3/00—Normal winding of clockworks by hand or mechanically; Winding up several mainsprings or driving weights simultaneously
    • G04B3/04—Rigidly-mounted keys, knobs or crowns
    • G04B3/043—Locking of the operating element, also by mounting in a concealed place
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B3/00—Normal winding of clockworks by hand or mechanically; Winding up several mainsprings or driving weights simultaneously
    • G04B3/04—Rigidly-mounted keys, knobs or crowns
    • G04B3/048—Operation exclusively by axial movement of a push-button, e.g. for chronographs

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a control device for a watch function or a non-time-related function as well as a timepiece comprising such a control device.
  • the number of horological or non-time-related functions that can be provided with a timepiece of the mechanical or electromechanical wristwatch type is most often limited by the space available on the sides of the middle part of the watch to install the watches. buttons for controlling these functions. The problem is even more sensitive when dealing with a smaller watch such as a female model.
  • the document EP1553468 discloses a timepiece with two parallel pushers.
  • FIG. 1 attached to this patent application is a top view of a mechanical watch case comprising a chronograph mechanism.
  • this watch case conventionally comprises a winding stem 2 arranged at three o'clock as well as a push-button 4 for starting the chronograph function and a push-button 6 for stopping and resetting the same chronograph function.
  • the push button 4 for starting the chronograph function is angularly offset in the counterclockwise direction relative to the winding stem 2, disposed substantially at two o'clock
  • the pushbutton 6 for stopping and resetting the chronograph function is angularly offset in the clockwise direction relative to the winding stem 2 and is disposed substantially at four o'clock. It is understood that with such an arrangement of the winding stem 2 and push buttons 4 and 6, it is difficult to consider adding an additional controller on the half of mid-six hours of the middle 8 or want to protect the push buttons 4, 6 by means of plugs.
  • the present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks as well as others by providing a control device of a watch or non-time-related function allowing in particular to achieve substantial space savings.
  • the present invention relates to a timepiece according to claim 1.
  • the present invention provides a control device comprising a double push button whose two rods are arranged parallel to each other, so that the size of such a push button double is reduced to a minimum. Space is thus made room to be able to add another controller or to more easily install such a double push button on a small watch.
  • the two push rods slide inside a same tube engaged in a through opening made in the middle part of the watch.
  • the heads of the two push buttons have shapes complementary to one another so that, when these two heads are in their unpressed rest state, they form an outer perimeter. circular.
  • the present invention also relates to a timepiece provided with a push-button of the aforementioned kind, characterized in that the double push-button is disposed in the dial from three o'clock to six o'clock in the watch.
  • the timepiece further comprises an additional control member disposed in the twelve o'clock-three o'clock watch face.
  • the present invention proceeds from the general inventive idea of providing a control device for horological or non-time related functions which consists of two push rods arranged parallel to each other so as to release place on the middle of a watch to allow the addition of an additional button or to be able to install more easily such a double push button on a smaller watch such as a model for women.
  • the watch according to the invention is shown schematically in plan view at the figure 2 .
  • the middle part 16 is extended at noon and at six o'clock by two pairs of horns 18 for fixing a bracelet not shown.
  • the watch 10 is a mechanical watch comprising a winding stem 20 (see FIG. figure 3A ) extended at its end outside the circular housing 22 of the watch 10 by a winding crown 24.
  • This winding rod 20 is conventionally used for winding the barrel spring (not shown) of the watch 10.
  • the winding stem 20 is disposed along a radius of the circular housing 22 of the watch 10, in the twelve o'clock-three o'clock dial of said watch 10. More precisely, the axis of symmetry AA of the winding stem 20 forms with the axis three hours-nine hours of the watch 10 an angle ⁇ of 15 ° in the counterclockwise direction.
  • the watch 10 is equipped with a second control device 26 formed (see figure 3 ) two pushers 28A and 28B each comprising a push rod 30A and 30B extended at its free end by a pusher head 32A and 32B respectively.
  • the control device 26 is disposed along a radius of the circular housing 22 of the watch 10, in the dial three hours-six hours of said watch 10. More precisely, the axis of symmetry BB of the control device 26 according to the invention forms with the axis three hours-nine hours of the watch 10 an angle ⁇ of 15 ° clockwise.
  • the winding crown 24 and the control device 26 are each capped by a cap 34 and 36 respectively, these caps 34, 36 being connected to the middle 16 of the watch 10 by means of two hinges articulated 34A and 36A respectively.
  • the caps 34 and 36 are rotatably mounted at the free ends of the hinges 34A and 36B to be screwed and unscrewed.
  • This control device 26 essentially comprises a tube 38 inside which the pushers 28A and 28B are capable of sliding axially.
  • This tube 38 is engaged in a through hole 73 made in the middle part 16 of the watch 10 and is secured to this middle part 16, for example by driving or screwing.
  • the tube 38 is a stepped tube comprising a first portion 38A whose internal diameter D1 is greater than the internal diameter D2 of the second portion 38B of this tube 38.
  • the heads 32A and 32B of the pushers 28A and 28B have shapes complementary to each other so that, when these two heads are in their unincreased state, they form an outer perimeter D circular (see figure 4 ). It will be understood that the inner diameter D1 of the first portion 38A of the tube 38 is equal to or slightly greater than the outer perimeter D so as to allow the heads 32A and 32B of the pushers 28A and 28B to slide inside said first portion 38A of the tube 38 while being guided axially.
  • the second portion 38B of the tube 38 has in its center a partition wall 40 which delimits two cylindrical passages 42 and 44 whose Inner diameters are adapted to the diameters of the rods 30A and 30B of the pushers 28A and 28B.
  • a seal 46 is housed at the bottom of the second portion 38B of the tube 38 with the interposition of a spring 48 between the seal 46 and the lower face 50A, 50B of the thrust heads 32A, 32B.
  • the two pushers 28A, 28B are held axially by two keys 52A, 52B mounted at the end of the push rods 30A, 30B outside the tube 38.
  • the two pushers 28A and 28B are free in translation between a first rest position. in which they are held by the keys 52A, 52B against the resilient return force of the spring 48, and a second activated position in which they are pressed by their lower faces 50A, 50B against an inner shoulder 54 of the tube 38 .
  • the pusher 28B acts on a control member 56B of a watch function or not linked to time by means of a lever 58B pivotally articulated i .
  • the pusher 28A acts on a control member 56A of a time-dependent or non-time-related function by means of a first lever 58A 1 pivotally articulated at ii and which is itself pivotally mounted on a second lever 58A 2 allowed to pivot and to translate around a pivot 60 housed in an oblong hole 62 formed in the second lever 58A 2 .
  • the first part 38A of the tube 38 has on its outer periphery a thread 64 intended to cooperate with an internal thread 66 provided in the cap 36.
  • This cap 36 also has a circular groove 68 in which is housed a seal 70.
  • the winding stem 20 is rotatably mounted in a tube 72 integral with the middle part 16, for example by driving or screwing. It is supported by the lower face 74 of its winding crown 24 against a shoulder 76 of the tube 72.
  • the winding stem 20 has a circular groove 78 in which is housed a seal 80.
  • the cap 34 has an inner circular groove 82 in which is housed a seal 84.
  • the tube 72 has on its outer circumference a thread 86 intended to cooperate with a thread 88 provided on the inner periphery of the cap 34.
  • the double push-button according to the invention can be used to control any type of watch function or not related to time.
  • the two pushbuttons can be used to control a chronograph mechanism, a pushbutton for starting this mechanism, while the other pushbutton is used to stop and resetting said chronograph mechanism.
  • the described control device can be applied to any type of portable object such as, without limitation, a mobile phone, an organizer, a camera or other. These examples are not part of the claimed invention.
  • the present invention will apply to a timepiece of the wristwatch type which may be indifferently purely mechanical, electromechanical or purely electronic.

Description

La présente invention concerne un dispositif de commande d'une fonction horlogère ou d'une fonction non liée au temps de même qu'une pièce d'horlogerie comprenant un tel dispositif de commande.The present invention relates to a control device for a watch function or a non-time-related function as well as a timepiece comprising such a control device.

Le nombre de fonctions horlogères ou non liées au temps dont on peut doter une pièce d'horlogerie du type montre-bracelet mécanique ou électromécanique est le plus souvent limité par la place dont on dispose sur les côtés de la carrure de la montre pour installer les boutons destinés à commander ces fonctions. Le problème est d'autant plus sensible lorsqu'on a affaire à une montre de plus petites dimensions telle qu'un modèle féminin.The number of horological or non-time-related functions that can be provided with a timepiece of the mechanical or electromechanical wristwatch type is most often limited by the space available on the sides of the middle part of the watch to install the watches. buttons for controlling these functions. The problem is even more sensitive when dealing with a smaller watch such as a female model.

Le problème lié au manque de place se fait particulièrement ressentir lorsqu'on souhaite protéger les boutons de commande au moyen de bouchons qui viennent classiquement coiffer ces boutons. Ces bouchons ont, par la force des choses, un diamètre extérieur supérieur à celui des boutons de commande qu'ils coiffent et il est donc nécessaire de prévoir, pour ces bouchons, un espace suffisant entre deux boutons successifs.The problem of lack of space is especially felt when you want to protect the control buttons by means of plugs that come to conventionally style these buttons. These plugs have, by the force of things, an outside diameter greater than that of the control buttons that they cap and it is therefore necessary to provide, for these plugs, sufficient space between two successive buttons.

Enfin, quand bien même on adjoint à une montre des fonctions supplémentaires, on cherche à pouvoir utiliser, par souci d'économie, un mouvement d'horlogerie classique. Des mesures doivent donc être prises pour que les boutons de commande des fonctions supplémentaires puissent agir de la façon souhaitée sur le mouvement d'horlogerie.Finally, even if one adds additional functions to a watch, one seeks to be able to use, for the sake of economy, a classic clockwork movement. Measures must therefore be taken so that the control buttons of the additional functions can act as desired on the watch movement.

Le document EP1553468 divulgue une pièce d'horlogerie avec deux poussoirs parallèles.The document EP1553468 discloses a timepiece with two parallel pushers.

La figure 1 annexée à la présente demande de brevet est une vue de dessus d'une boîte de montre mécanique comprenant un mécanisme de chronographe. Désignée dans son ensemble par la référence numérique générale 1, cette boîte de montre comprend classiquement une tige de remontoir 2 disposée à trois heures ainsi qu'un bouton-poussoir 4 pour la mise en marche de la fonction chronographe et un bouton-poussoir 6 pour l'arrêt et la remise à zéro de cette même fonction chronographe. Comme on peut le constater à l'examen du dessin, le bouton poussoir 4 de mise en marche de la fonction chronographe est décalé angulairement dans le sens anti-horaire par rapport à la tige de remontoir 2, disposé sensiblement à deux heures, tandis que le bouton-poussoir 6 pour l'arrêt et la remise à zéro de la fonction chronographe est décalé angulairement dans le sens horaire par rapport à la tige de remontoir 2 et est disposé sensiblement à quatre heures. On comprend bien qu'avec une telle disposition de la tige de remontoir 2 et des boutons-poussoirs 4 et 6, il est difficile d'envisager d'ajouter un organe de commande supplémentaire sur la moitié midi-six heures de la carrure 8 ou de vouloir protéger les boutons-poussoirs 4, 6 au moyen de bouchons.The figure 1 attached to this patent application is a top view of a mechanical watch case comprising a chronograph mechanism. Designated as a whole by the general numerical reference 1, this watch case conventionally comprises a winding stem 2 arranged at three o'clock as well as a push-button 4 for starting the chronograph function and a push-button 6 for stopping and resetting the same chronograph function. As can be seen from the drawing, the push button 4 for starting the chronograph function is angularly offset in the counterclockwise direction relative to the winding stem 2, disposed substantially at two o'clock, while the pushbutton 6 for stopping and resetting the chronograph function is angularly offset in the clockwise direction relative to the winding stem 2 and is disposed substantially at four o'clock. It is understood that with such an arrangement of the winding stem 2 and push buttons 4 and 6, it is difficult to consider adding an additional controller on the half of mid-six hours of the middle 8 or want to protect the push buttons 4, 6 by means of plugs.

La présente invention a pour but de remédier aux inconvénients susmentionnés ainsi qu'à d'autres encore en procurant un dispositif de commande d'une fonction horlogère ou non liée au temps permettant notamment de réaliser des gains de place substantiels.The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks as well as others by providing a control device of a watch or non-time-related function allowing in particular to achieve substantial space savings.

A cet effet, la présente invention concerne une pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 1.For this purpose, the present invention relates to a timepiece according to claim 1.

Grâce à ces caractéristiques, la présente invention procure un dispositif de commande comprenant un bouton-poussoir double dont les deux tiges sont disposées parallèlement l'une à côté de l'autre, de telle sorte que l'encombrement d'un tel bouton-poussoir double est réduit à son minimum. On ménage ainsi de la place pour pouvoir rajouter un autre organe de commande ou pour pouvoir plus aisément installer un tel bouton-poussoir double sur une montre de petites dimensions.Thanks to these features, the present invention provides a control device comprising a double push button whose two rods are arranged parallel to each other, so that the size of such a push button double is reduced to a minimum. Space is thus made room to be able to add another controller or to more easily install such a double push button on a small watch.

Selon la présente invention, les deux tiges de poussoirs coulissent à l'intérieur d'un même tube engagé dans une ouverture traversante pratiquée dans la carrure de la montre.According to the present invention, the two push rods slide inside a same tube engaged in a through opening made in the middle part of the watch.

Grâce à cette autre caractéristique, on limite le nombre d'usinages à pratiquer sur la carrure de même qu'on limite le nombre de pièces à employer pour la réalisation du bouton-poussoir double, ce qui permet de réaliser des économies substantielles.With this other characteristic, it limits the number of machining to practice on the middle as well as limiting the number of parts to be used for the realization of the double push button, which allows for substantial savings.

Selon encore une autre caractéristique de l'invention, les têtes des deux boutons-poussoirs présentent des formes complémentaires l'une de l'autre de sorte que, lorsque ces deux têtes sont dans leur état de repos non enfoncé, elles forment un périmètre extérieur circulaire.According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the heads of the two push buttons have shapes complementary to one another so that, when these two heads are in their unpressed rest state, they form an outer perimeter. circular.

La présente invention concerne également une pièce d'horlogerie munie d'un bouton-poussoir du gent susdécrit, caractérisée en ce que le bouton-poussoir double est disposé dans le cadran trois heures-six heures de la montre.The present invention also relates to a timepiece provided with a push-button of the aforementioned kind, characterized in that the double push-button is disposed in the dial from three o'clock to six o'clock in the watch.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, la pièce d'horlogerie comprend en outre un organe de commande supplémentaire disposé dans le cadran douze heures-trois heures de la montre.According to another characteristic of the invention, the timepiece further comprises an additional control member disposed in the twelve o'clock-three o'clock watch face.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention ressortiront plus clairement de la description détaillée qui suit d'un mode de réalisation du dispositif de commande selon l'invention, cet exemple étant donné à titre purement illustratif et non limitatif seulement en liaison avec le dessin annexé sur lequel:

  • la figure 1, déjà mentionnée, est une vue de dessus d'une boîte de montre mécanique comprenant un mécanisme de chronographe;
  • la figure 2 est une vue de dessus d'une boîte de montre équipée d'un dispositif de commande selon l'invention;
  • la figure 3A est une vue en coupe horizontale de la boîte de montre représentée à la figure 2, la coupe passant à travers le dispositif de commande selon l'invention;
  • la figure 3B est une vue de détail à plus grande échelle de la région entourée d'un cercle sur la figure 3A, et
  • la figure 4 est une vue de face du dispositif de commande selon l'invention.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment of the present invention. control device according to the invention, this example being given for purely illustrative and nonlimiting purposes only in connection with the appended drawing in which:
  • the figure 1 , already mentioned, is a top view of a mechanical watch case including a chronograph mechanism;
  • the figure 2 is a top view of a watch case equipped with a control device according to the invention;
  • the figure 3A is a horizontal sectional view of the watch case shown in FIG. figure 2 , the section passing through the control device according to the invention;
  • the figure 3B is a larger-scale detail view of the region surrounded by a circle on the figure 3A , and
  • the figure 4 is a front view of the control device according to the invention.

La présente invention procède de l'idée générale inventive qui consiste à procurer un dispositif de commande pour des fonctions horlogères ou non liées au temps qui se compose de deux tiges de poussoir disposées parallèlement l'une à côté de l'autre de façon à libérer de la place sur la carrure d'une montre pour permettre l'ajout d'un bouton de commande supplémentaire ou pour pouvoir installer plus facilement un tel bouton-poussoir double sur une montre de plus petites dimensions telle qu'un modèle pour femme.The present invention proceeds from the general inventive idea of providing a control device for horological or non-time related functions which consists of two push rods arranged parallel to each other so as to release place on the middle of a watch to allow the addition of an additional button or to be able to install more easily such a double push button on a smaller watch such as a model for women.

La montre selon l'invention est représentée schématiquement en vue de dessus à la figure 2. Désignée dans son ensemble par la référence numérique générale 10, elle comprend classiquement et non limitativement une glace 12 maintenue fixement en position par une lunette 14 elle-même solidaire d'une carrure 16. La carrure 16 est prolongée à midi et à six heures par deux paires de cornes 18 destinées à la fixation d'un bracelet non représenté.The watch according to the invention is shown schematically in plan view at the figure 2 . Designated as a whole by the general reference numeral 10, it comprises classically and non-limitatively a crystal 12 fixedly held in position by a telescope 14 itself secured to a middle part 16. The middle part 16 is extended at noon and at six o'clock by two pairs of horns 18 for fixing a bracelet not shown.

Dans l'exemple représenté, on suppose que la montre 10 est une montre mécanique comprenant une tige de remontoir 20 (voir figure 3A) prolongée à son extrémité située hors du boîtier circulaire 22 de la montre 10 par une couronne de remontoir 24. Cette tige de remontoir 20 sert classiquement à l'armage du ressort de barillet (non représenté) de la montre 10. Comme cela est visible à la figure 2 et mieux encore à la figure 3A, la tige de remontoir 20 est disposée selon un rayon du boîtier circulaire 22 de la montre 10, dans le cadran douze heures-trois heures de ladite montre 10. Plus précisément, l'axe de symétrie A-A de la tige de remontoir 20 forme avec l'axe trois heures-neuf heures de la montre 10 un angle α de 15° dans le sens anti-horaire. Dans le cas où l'on souhaite utiliser un mouvement standard M du commerce, il faut donc pivoter ce mouvement M de l'angle voulu dans le boîtier 22 de la montre 10 de façon que la tige de remontoir puisse entraîner le train d'engrenages qui la relie cinématiquement au ressort de barillet. Bien entendu, l'exemple de la tige de remontoir 20 a été donné à titre purement illustratif seulement et on pourrait envisager tout autre type de dispositif de commande du genre bouton-poussoir pour le cas où la montre 10 serait par exemple du type électromécanique, c'est-à-dire dont le mouvement serait alimenté par une batterie.In the example shown, it is assumed that the watch 10 is a mechanical watch comprising a winding stem 20 (see FIG. figure 3A ) extended at its end outside the circular housing 22 of the watch 10 by a winding crown 24. This winding rod 20 is conventionally used for winding the barrel spring (not shown) of the watch 10. As can be seen to the figure 2 and even better at the figure 3A , the winding stem 20 is disposed along a radius of the circular housing 22 of the watch 10, in the twelve o'clock-three o'clock dial of said watch 10. More precisely, the axis of symmetry AA of the winding stem 20 forms with the axis three hours-nine hours of the watch 10 an angle α of 15 ° in the counterclockwise direction. In the case where it is desired to use a standard movement M of trade, it is necessary to rotate this movement M of the desired angle in the housing 22 of the watch 10 so that the winding stem can drive the gear train which connects it kinematically to the mainspring. Of course, the example of the winding stem 20 has been given for purely illustrative purposes only and any other type of control device of the push-button type could be envisaged for the case where the watch 10 is for example of the electromechanical type, that is to say whose movement would be powered by a battery.

Selon l'invention, la montre 10 est équipée d'un second dispositif de commande 26 formé (voir figure 3) de deux poussoirs 28A et 28B comprenant chacun une tige de poussoir 30A et 30B prolongée à son extrémité libre par une tête de poussoir 32A et 32B respectivement. Comme on peut le voir à l'examen de la figure 2 et mieux encore sur la figure 3, le dispositif de commande 26 est disposé selon un rayon du boîtier circulaire 22 de la montre 10, dans le cadran trois heures-six heures de ladite montre 10. Plus précisément, l'axe de symétrie B-B du dispositif de commande 26 selon l'invention forme avec l'axe trois heures-neuf heures de la montre 10 un angle β de 15° dans le sens horaire.According to the invention, the watch 10 is equipped with a second control device 26 formed (see figure 3 ) two pushers 28A and 28B each comprising a push rod 30A and 30B extended at its free end by a pusher head 32A and 32B respectively. As can be seen from the examination of the figure 2 and even better on the figure 3 , the control device 26 is disposed along a radius of the circular housing 22 of the watch 10, in the dial three hours-six hours of said watch 10. More precisely, the axis of symmetry BB of the control device 26 according to the invention forms with the axis three hours-nine hours of the watch 10 an angle β of 15 ° clockwise.

Comme on peut le voir sur la figure 2, la couronne de remontoir 24 et le dispositif de commande 26 sont coiffés chacun par un capuchon 34 et 36 respectivement, ces capuchons 34, 36 étant reliés à la carrure 16 de la montre 10 par le biais de deux charnières articulées 34A et 36A respectivement. Comme on le verra ci-après plus en détail, les capuchons 34 et 36 sont montés libres en rotation aux extrémités libres des charnières 34A et 36B pour pouvoir être vissés et dévissés.As can be seen on the figure 2 , the winding crown 24 and the control device 26 are each capped by a cap 34 and 36 respectively, these caps 34, 36 being connected to the middle 16 of the watch 10 by means of two hinges articulated 34A and 36A respectively. As will be seen below in more detail, the caps 34 and 36 are rotatably mounted at the free ends of the hinges 34A and 36B to be screwed and unscrewed.

On examine maintenant en détail la structure du dispositif de commande 26 selon l'invention en liaison avec les figures 3A et 3B. Ce dispositif de commande 26 comprend pour l'essentiel un tube 38 à l'intérieur duquel les poussoirs 28A et 28B sont capables de coulisser axialement. Ce tube 38 est engagé dans un trou traversant 73 pratiqué dans la carrure 16 de la montre 10 et est rendu solidaire de cette carrure 16 par exemple par chassage ou vissage. Plus précisément, le tube 38 est un tube étagé comprenant une première partie 38A dont le diamètre intérieur D1 est supérieur au diamètre intérieur D2 de la seconde partie 38B de ce tube 38. Selon une caractéristique de l'invention, les têtes 32A et 32B des poussoirs 28A et 28B présentent des formes complémentaires l'une de l'autre de sorte que, lorsque ces deux têtes sont dans leur état non enfoncé, elles forment un périmètre extérieur D circulaire (voir figure 4). On comprendra que le diamètre intérieur D1 de la première partie 38A du tube 38 est égal ou légèrement supérieur au périmètre extérieur D de façon à permettre aux têtes 32A et 32B des poussoirs 28A et 28B de coulisser à l'intérieur de ladite première partie 38A du tube 38 tout en étant guidées axialement.We now examine in detail the structure of the control device 26 according to the invention in connection with the Figures 3A and 3B . This control device 26 essentially comprises a tube 38 inside which the pushers 28A and 28B are capable of sliding axially. This tube 38 is engaged in a through hole 73 made in the middle part 16 of the watch 10 and is secured to this middle part 16, for example by driving or screwing. More specifically, the tube 38 is a stepped tube comprising a first portion 38A whose internal diameter D1 is greater than the internal diameter D2 of the second portion 38B of this tube 38. According to one characteristic of the invention, the heads 32A and 32B of the pushers 28A and 28B have shapes complementary to each other so that, when these two heads are in their unincreased state, they form an outer perimeter D circular (see figure 4 ). It will be understood that the inner diameter D1 of the first portion 38A of the tube 38 is equal to or slightly greater than the outer perimeter D so as to allow the heads 32A and 32B of the pushers 28A and 28B to slide inside said first portion 38A of the tube 38 while being guided axially.

La seconde partie 38B du tube 38 présente quant à elle en son centre une cloison de séparation 40 qui délimite deux passages cylindriques 42 et 44 dont les diamètres intérieurs sont adaptés aux diamètres des tiges 30A et 30B des poussoirs 28A et 28B. Un joint d'étanchéité 46 est logé en fond de la seconde partie 38B du tube 38 avec interposition d'un ressort 48 entre ce joint 46 et la face inférieure 50A, 50B des têtes de poussoirs 32A, 32B. Les deux poussoirs 28A, 28B sont retenus axialement par deux clavettes 52A, 52B montées en bout des tiges de poussoir 30A, 30B à l'extérieur du tube 38. Les deux poussoirs 28A et 28B sont donc libres en translation entre une première position de repos dans laquelle ils sont maintenus par les clavettes 52A, 52B à l'encontre de la force élastique de rappel du ressort 48, et une seconde position activée dans laquelle ils sont pressés par leurs faces inférieures 50A, 50B contre un épaulement intérieur 54 du tube 38.The second portion 38B of the tube 38 has in its center a partition wall 40 which delimits two cylindrical passages 42 and 44 whose Inner diameters are adapted to the diameters of the rods 30A and 30B of the pushers 28A and 28B. A seal 46 is housed at the bottom of the second portion 38B of the tube 38 with the interposition of a spring 48 between the seal 46 and the lower face 50A, 50B of the thrust heads 32A, 32B. The two pushers 28A, 28B are held axially by two keys 52A, 52B mounted at the end of the push rods 30A, 30B outside the tube 38. The two pushers 28A and 28B are free in translation between a first rest position. in which they are held by the keys 52A, 52B against the resilient return force of the spring 48, and a second activated position in which they are pressed by their lower faces 50A, 50B against an inner shoulder 54 of the tube 38 .

Le poussoir 28B agit sur un organe de commande 56B d'une fonction horlogère ou non liée au temps par l'intermédiaire d'un levier 58B articulé à pivotement en i.The pusher 28B acts on a control member 56B of a watch function or not linked to time by means of a lever 58B pivotally articulated i .

Le poussoir 28A agit quant à lui sur un organe de commande 56A d'une fonction horlogère ou non liée au temps par le biais d'un premier levier 58A1 articulé à pivotement en ii et qui est lui-même monté pivotant sur un second levier 58A2 autorisé à pivoter et à se translater autour d'un pivot 60 logé dans un trou oblong 62 pratiqué dans le second levier 58A2.The pusher 28A acts on a control member 56A of a time-dependent or non-time-related function by means of a first lever 58A 1 pivotally articulated at ii and which is itself pivotally mounted on a second lever 58A 2 allowed to pivot and to translate around a pivot 60 housed in an oblong hole 62 formed in the second lever 58A 2 .

La première partie 38A du tube 38 présente sur son pourtour extérieur un filetage 64 destiné à coopérer avec un filetage intérieur 66 prévu dans le capuchon 36. Ce capuchon 36 présente également une gorge circulaire 68 dans laquelle est logé un joint d'étanchéité 70.The first part 38A of the tube 38 has on its outer periphery a thread 64 intended to cooperate with an internal thread 66 provided in the cap 36. This cap 36 also has a circular groove 68 in which is housed a seal 70.

La tige de remontoir 20 est montée libre en rotation dans un tube 72 solidaire de la carrure 16 par exemple par chassage ou vissage. Elle vient en appui par la face inférieure 74 de sa couronne de remontoir 24 contre un épaulement 76 du tube 72. La tige de remontoir 20 présente une gorge circulaire 78 dans laquelle est logé un joint d'étanchéité 80. De même, le capuchon 34 présente une gorge circulaire intérieure 82 dans laquelle est logé un joint d'étanchéité 84. Enfin, le tube 72 présente sur son pourtour extérieur un filetage 86 destiné à coopérer avec un filetage 88 prévu sur le pourtour intérieur du capuchon 34.The winding stem 20 is rotatably mounted in a tube 72 integral with the middle part 16, for example by driving or screwing. It is supported by the lower face 74 of its winding crown 24 against a shoulder 76 of the tube 72. The winding stem 20 has a circular groove 78 in which is housed a seal 80. Similarly, the cap 34 has an inner circular groove 82 in which is housed a seal 84. Finally, the tube 72 has on its outer circumference a thread 86 intended to cooperate with a thread 88 provided on the inner periphery of the cap 34.

Ainsi, grâce à la présente invention, en regroupant deux boutons-poussoirs en un même endroit, on libère suffisamment de place sur la carrure d'une montre pour pouvoir prévoir, par exemple, un bouton-poussoir supplémentaire ou bien, comme décrit ci-dessus, prévoir des capuchons pour coiffer l'organe de commande selon l'invention et, par exemple, une couronne de remontoir.Thus, by virtue of the present invention, by grouping two push-buttons in one and the same place, sufficient space is left on the middle of a watch to be able to provide, for example, an additional push-button or, as described hereinabove, above, provide caps for capping the control member according to the invention and, for example, a winding crown.

Il va de soi que la présente invention n'est pas limitée au mode de réalisation qui vient d'être décrit et que diverses modifications et variantes simples peuvent être envisagées par l'homme de métier sans sortir du cadre de l'invention tel que défini par les revendications annexées. En particulier, le bouton-poussoir double selon l'invention peut être utilisé pour commander tout type de fonction horlogère ou non liée au temps. A titre d'exemple préféré mais non limitatif, on peut utiliser les deux boutons-poussoirs pour commander un mécanisme de chronographe, un bouton-poussoir servant à mettre en marche ce mécanisme, tandis que l'autre bouton-poussoir sert à l'arrêt et à la remise à zéro dudit mécanisme de chronographe. Le dispositif de commande décrit peut s'appliquer à tout type d'objet portable tel que, non limitativement, un téléphone portable, un agenda électronique, un appareil photographique ou autre. Ces exemples ne font pas partie de l'invention revendiquée. De manière préférée, la présente invention s'appliquera à une pièce d'horlogerie du type montre-bracelet qui peut être indifféremment purement mécanique, électromécanique ou bien purement électronique.It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment which has just been described and that various modifications and simple variants can be envisaged by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In particular, the double push-button according to the invention can be used to control any type of watch function or not related to time. As a preferred but nonlimiting example, the two pushbuttons can be used to control a chronograph mechanism, a pushbutton for starting this mechanism, while the other pushbutton is used to stop and resetting said chronograph mechanism. The described control device can be applied to any type of portable object such as, without limitation, a mobile phone, an organizer, a camera or other. These examples are not part of the claimed invention. Preferably, the present invention will apply to a timepiece of the wristwatch type which may be indifferently purely mechanical, electromechanical or purely electronic.

Claims (8)

  1. Timepiece comprising a device for controlling a time function or non-time related function, the timepiece including a lateral wall called the middle part (16), said control device (26) including at least two push-buttons (28A, 28B) each provided with a stem (30A, 30B) and a head (32A, 32B), said push-buttons (28A, 28B) being able to be moved axially between a first inactive rest position and a second position in which said push-buttons control the function, the stems (30A, 30B) of the two push-buttons (28A, 28B) extending side by side, parallel to each other, characterized in that the two pusher stems (30A, 30B) slide inside a same tube (38) engaged in a through hole (73) arranged in the middle part (16).
  2. Control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tube (38) is a staged tube including a first part (38A) whose inner diameter (D1) is greater than the inner diameter (D2) of a second part (38B) of the tube (38), the heads (32A, 32B) of the pushers (28A, 28B) being able to slide inside the first part (38A) of said tube (38) while being guided axially, whereas the stems (30A, 30B) slide while being guided axially in the second part (38B) of the tube (38) that has a reduced diameter.
  3. Control device according to claim 2, characterized in that the centre of the second part (38B) of the tube (38) has a separating wall (40), which delimits two cylindrical passages (42, 44) in which the stems (30A, 30B) of the push-buttons (28A, 28B) slide.
  4. Control device according to claim 3, characterized in that a sealing gasket (46) is housed at the bottom of the second part (38B) of the tube (38) with a spring (48) inserted between said gasket (46) and a bottom face (50A, 50B) of the pusher heads (32A, 32B).
  5. Control device according to claim 4, characterized in that the pushers (28A, 28B) act on control members (56A, 56B) for a time function or non-time related function via at least one lever (58A1, 58A2; 58B).
  6. Control device according to any of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the external periphery of the tube (38) has a thread (64) for cooperating with an inner thread (66) provided in a cover (36) which covers the heads (32A, 32B) of the push-buttons (28A, 28b) in a removable manner.
  7. Control device according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the heads (32A, 32B) of the pushers (28A, 28B) have complementary shapes such that, when said pushers (28A, 28B) are in an inactive position, the heads form a circular external periphery (D).
  8. Timepiece according to any of claims 1 to 7, further including an additional control member (20) arranged in the twelve o'clock-three o'clock dial quarter of the timepiece, whereas the control device (26) is arranged in the three o'clock-six o'clock dial quarter of said timepiece, characterized in that the control member (20) and the control device (26) are both covered in a removable manner by a cover (34, 36).
EP07701922.2A 2006-03-28 2007-03-08 Device for the control of a horological function or a function not linked to time, and timepiece comprising such a device Active EP2002311B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP07701922.2A EP2002311B1 (en) 2006-03-28 2007-03-08 Device for the control of a horological function or a function not linked to time, and timepiece comprising such a device

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06006330A EP1840675A1 (en) 2006-03-28 2006-03-28 Device for the control of a horological function or a function not linked to time, and timepiece comprising such a device
PCT/CH2007/000123 WO2007109912A1 (en) 2006-03-28 2007-03-08 Device for operating a horological or other time-related function and timepiece comprising such a device
EP07701922.2A EP2002311B1 (en) 2006-03-28 2007-03-08 Device for the control of a horological function or a function not linked to time, and timepiece comprising such a device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2002311A1 EP2002311A1 (en) 2008-12-17
EP2002311B1 true EP2002311B1 (en) 2016-06-01

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EP06006330A Withdrawn EP1840675A1 (en) 2006-03-28 2006-03-28 Device for the control of a horological function or a function not linked to time, and timepiece comprising such a device
EP07701922.2A Active EP2002311B1 (en) 2006-03-28 2007-03-08 Device for the control of a horological function or a function not linked to time, and timepiece comprising such a device

Family Applications Before (1)

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EP06006330A Withdrawn EP1840675A1 (en) 2006-03-28 2006-03-28 Device for the control of a horological function or a function not linked to time, and timepiece comprising such a device

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US (1) US8971156B2 (en)
EP (2) EP1840675A1 (en)
JP (1) JP5227305B2 (en)
CN (1) CN101416125B (en)
CH (1) CH698846B1 (en)
HK (1) HK1128051A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2007109912A1 (en)

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USD830217S1 (en) * 2016-07-18 2018-10-09 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Portable electronic device
EP3339966B1 (en) * 2016-12-23 2020-06-24 Rolex Sa Push-button for a timepiece
EP3825778B1 (en) 2019-11-21 2023-07-12 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd Control crown for a timepiece
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN101416125B (en) 2013-03-13
US8971156B2 (en) 2015-03-03
JP2009531669A (en) 2009-09-03
EP2002311A1 (en) 2008-12-17
CN101416125A (en) 2009-04-22
JP5227305B2 (en) 2013-07-03
HK1128051A1 (en) 2009-10-16
US20110085424A1 (en) 2011-04-14
CH698846B1 (en) 2009-11-13
EP1840675A1 (en) 2007-10-03
WO2007109912A1 (en) 2007-10-04

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