Timepiece with striking mechanism and release-prevention device

A timepiece with a striking mechanism having a detent ratchet cooperating with a passing strike actuation click controlled by a movement or a repeater click operable by a user, including an uncoupling lever preventing access of the click to the ratchet under the action of a reversing lever operable by a hand-setting stem, or by a main strike function or tune selection control member, or by a stopping mechanism, and including a safety device for preventing release during a strike mode or tune selection, arranged to prevent the release of any strike function by the movement or by a user, and which includes a release-prevention lever, the pivoting of which, under action on the main control member, moves any click away from the detent ratchet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to European Patent Application No. 18174636.3 filed on May 28, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a timepiece including a movement and a striking mechanism, which includes a strike drive wheel set carrying a detent ratchet which is arranged to cooperate with at least one passing strike actuation click controlled by said movement or a repeater click controlled by a user-operated, on-demand release lever, said striking mechanism including a strike-uncoupling lever able to prevent access of a said click to said detent ratchet under the action of a strike reversing lever which is operable, either by a hand-setting stem comprised in said movement, or by a main strike or tune selection control member comprised in said striking mechanism, or, in case of insufficient energy resource, by a stopping mechanism comprised in said striking mechanism.

The invention concerns the field of acoustic display mechanisms for horology, and in particular striking mechanisms and/or music boxes, for performing strike functions, or playing chimes or tunes, automatically or on demand. More particularly, the invention concerns the field of musical watches having a mechanical movement with a striking and/or tune playing mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Timepiece striking mechanisms are large complications, which are complex as regards not only the number and complexity of the kinematics of their components, but also their possible operating modes. For watches that have additional complications, such as minute repeaters, managing the safety features is very complex, and it is difficult to stop the passing strike function to allow a minute repeater to play, or conversely, to stop a minute repeater being released as a passing strike approaches, to prevent a minute repeater being released again when a repeater cycle has just started, to prevent an adjustment to the motion work during a striking function, etc., as these safety means generally employ quite a large number of isolators, which further complicates the mechanism and the risk of interference.

The problem is even more complicated for a timepiece capable of operating in different strike modes, with distinct tunes, notably chimes, or with different sets of gongs, when this timepiece includes means for selecting the strike mode, tune or gongs. It is a question of ensuring complete safety, not only of the components of the striking mechanism or musical mechanism, but also of this equally complex selection mechanism. It is especially necessary to prevent accumulations of stress in the mechanism, in particular in the gathering pallets, and especially to prevent any collision between the quarter racks and the gathering pallets.

European Patent Applications EP2947523B1, EP3096189B1, EP3136188B1, and Swiss Patent Applications CH01718/16, CH00964/17, CH00965/17, CH00966/17, by the same Applicant, already address various aspects of this difficult issue, since it is a question, on the one hand, of preventing the user from starting an action to select or release a strike function or tune at an inopportune moment, and on the other hand, of preventing the timepiece mechanism from starting a strike or tune cycle when the user is performing an action on any of the manual control means of the timepiece. In particular, Swiss Patent Application CH01422/17 by the same Applicant discloses a safety mechanism for the hand-setting function, for a striking mechanism with a governor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention more particularly proposes to prevent any release of the striking mechanism or playing of a tune, when the user is operating the manual selection means. To this end, the invention concerns a timepiece according to claim1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention concerns a timepiece1000, more particularly a watch, including a movement500, and a striking mechanism100. This timepiece1000may also be a music box or include a music box.

The work by Francois LECOULTRE entitled ‘Les montres compliquées’ (A Guide to Complicated Watches)1985, ISBN 2-88175-000-1, explains, in detail, the basic mechanisms forming striking mechanisms, at pages97to205, in different chapters:repeating watches,old repeating watches,modern quarter-repeater,simplified repeater,half-quarter repeater,Breguet half-quarter repeater,five minute-repeater,minute-repeatersclock watches
Unless necessary, these basic mechanisms will not be discussed here in detail, since striking mechanism specialists will know how to find the composition of such mechanisms in this universal reference work, in particular in the aforementioned last two chapters.

Striking mechanism100includes, in a conventional manner, at least one reference wheel set, and preferably a plurality of reference wheel sets, including time reference snails and/or stars, and particularly a minute snail, a quarter snail and an hour snail.

This striking mechanism100also includes at least one strike drive wheel set1, as explained in particular in the chapter on ‘Clock Watches’ in ‘Les montres compliquées’ and visible, in particular, inFIG. 40of this book. This strike drive wheel set1conventionally includes a release ratchet2and a rack pinion.

Striking mechanism100cooperates with movement500, which drives the reference wheel set(s) and a particular output of which is illustrated inFIG. 28, in the non-limiting form of a star for releasing the striking mechanism by the movement, fitted onto a cannon-pinion, and including four teeth, in order to lift, at each quarter hour, an intermediate lever for release by the movement, referred to hereinafter as a gathering pallet.

Strike drive wheel set1thus carries a detent ratchet2, which is arranged to cooperate with at least one passing strike actuation click3controlled by movement500, particularly through cooperation between the star ofFIG. 28and the engagement yoke73ofFIG. 32, and as explained in Swiss Patent Application No. CH00964/17 by the same Applicant, or a repeater click4controlled by an on-demand release lever5, seen inFIG. 29, operable by a user, for example to control a minute repeater or suchlike, and as explained in the same Swiss Patent Application No. CH00964/17 by the same Applicant.

Striking mechanism100includes a strike-uncoupling lever6able to prevent access of such a click3,4to detent ratchet2, under the action of a strike reversing lever7, as described in Swiss Patent Applications CH00964/17, CH00965/17, CH00966/17 by the same Applicant. This strike reversing lever7is operable, either by a hand-setting stem8comprised in movement500, or by a main control member10for selecting the strike function or tune, comprised in striking mechanism100, or by a stopping mechanism in case of insufficient energy resource comprised in striking mechanism100. Such a stopping mechanism, arranged to prevent any strike function being started when the striking power reserve, notably in a striking barrel or similar, is depleted or insufficient, is not illustrated in detail here, and forms the subject of Swiss Patent Application CH00964/17 by the same Applicant.

According to the invention, the striking mechanism includes a device to prevent release during selection of a strike function or tune, which is arranged to prevent the release of any strike function, either by movement500or by a user. This release-prevention device includes a release-prevention lever20, the pivoting of which, when a strike function or tune selection is made on main control member10by a user, moves every click3,4away from detent ratchet2. Striking mechanism100includes elastic return means, which are arranged to return main control member10to a unique rest position in the absence of action by a user.

More particularly, main control member10includes a pivoting main operating lever11, which carries a control pin12. This control pin12is arranged to abuttingly engage, under the action of a main operating spring9, with a first surface23of release-prevention lever20in a first angular travel allowing release operations, and with a second surface24of release-prevention lever20in a second angular disengagement travel of release-prevention lever20preventing any operations to release the striking mechanism. Release-prevention lever20is pushed towards control pin12by the return force of a release-prevention lever spring29. Movement500includes a fixed pin28which serves as a support position for release-prevention lever20when the latter is in the rest position.

In the rest position of main control member10, control pin12faces first surface23, from which it is separated by a first, non-zero, safety distance51, as seen inFIG. 3.

During the first angular travel, control pin12rests on first surface23, as seen inFIG. 7, where release-prevention lever20rests on a fixed pin28of movement500, at the start of action on the pusher of main control member10, whereas, inFIG. 11, control pin12is still resting on first surface23, but release-prevention lever20is no longer resting on fixed pin28.

During the second angular travel, control pin12rests on second surface24, while a force is exerted on main control member10by a user, as seen inFIGS. 15 and 19, where release-prevention lever20is remote from fixed pin28.

More particularly, the second surface24of release-prevention lever20is adjacent to first surface23, from which it is separated by an edge or by an intermediate flat portion, the crossing of which, during action on main control member10corresponds to the end of the first angular travel, and to the engagement of the safety device preventing the release of any strike function.

In the non-limiting variant illustrated by the Figures, first surface23is substantially flat, and is separated from second, substantially cylindrical surface24, by an edge. Second surface24is coaxial with the axis of pivoting of main operating lever11when the safety device is activated.

In another, non-illustrated variant, first surface23and second surface24are two substantially cylindrical surfaces, which are substantially centred on the axis of pivoting of main operating lever11, one of which is further away than the other, and which are separated by an intermediate flat portion. Likewise, second surface24is coaxial with the axis of pivoting of main operating lever11when the safety device is activated.

Other arrangements are naturally possible, and depend, in particular, on the space available in proximity to main control member10, which includes, in the variant illustrated by the Figures, a main operating lever1on which a user-operated pusher (not represented) acts.

Advantageously, strike reversing lever7includes an eccentric71, which is arranged to move into abutment on a bearing surface22comprised in release-prevention lever20, for fine adjustment of the pivoting travel of strike reversing lever7, and to ensure disengagement of each click3,4with respect to detent ratchet2.

When control pin12comes into contact with first surface23of release-prevention lever20, the latter comes into contact with eccentric71via its bearing surface22.

This safety device is activated during the idle travel of main operating lever11: while control pin12moves over first surface23, the safety distance gradually changes from the value of second safety distance S2to the value zero, and strike reversing lever7starts its travel to drive strike-uncoupling lever6which disconnects the two clicks3,4, holding them at a distance from detent ratchet2.

When the user makes a tune selection by action on main operating lever11, control pin12moves from first surface23to second surface24of release-prevention lever20. Consequently, main operating lever11comes into contact, via its bearing surface22, with eccentric71of strike reversing lever7, which then disconnects clicks3,4, by the connection with strike-uncoupling lever6.

In another non-illustrated variant, strike reversing lever7carries a simple pin arranged to cooperate with bearing surface22. In yet another non-illustrated variant, strike reversing lever7has an aperture arranged to cooperate with a pin of release-prevention lever20, or with a pin fixed to the plate of movement500.

More particularly, in the rest position of main control member10, eccentric71faces bearing surface22from which it is separated by a second, non-zero distance S2, as seen inFIG. 4.

During a first part of the first angular travel, this eccentric71faces bearing surface71from which it is still separated by a second, non-zero distance S2, as seen inFIG. 8, at the same instant as inFIG. 7, at the start of action on the pusher of main control member10, whereas control pin12is resting on first surface23, and release-prevention lever20is resting on fixed pin28.

During a second part of the first angular travel, consecutive to the first part, as seen inFIG. 12, at the same instant as inFIG. 11, eccentric71rests on bearing surface22.

During the second angular travel, eccentric71rests on bearing surface22, while a force is exerted on main control member10by a user, as seen inFIG. 16, at the same instant as inFIG. 15, which correspond to the end of the idle travel and to the end of the safety device engagement phase, and inFIG. 20, at the same instant as inFIG. 19, and which corresponds to the end of the pusher travel, the selection then being made, for example in the form of a change of tune or strike mode, or gong selection, or otherwise. This arrangement prevents any breakage of the mechanism.

In the non-limiting version illustrated by the Figures, main strike or tune selection control member10includes a column wheel30. Main operating lever11is, in this case, a main column wheel operating lever, which includes a hook13, which is arranged to pull teeth31of column wheel30, which is held in position by a column wheel jumper32. Main operating spring9is then a main column wheel operating spring, which includes at least one pin93,94for the positioning thereof. European Patent Nos. EP3096189B1 and EP3136188B1 by the same Applicant explain the operation of such a column wheel, in combination with such an operating lever.

The first angular travel, during which control pin12rests on first surface23of release-prevention lever20, corresponds to the idle travel of main column wheel operating lever11, i.e. this main column wheel operating lever11has not yet come into contact with column wheel30.

It is only first surface23that engages the safety device according to the invention. Second surface24of release-prevention lever20allows this safety device to remain active during the continuing travel of control pin12of main column wheel operating lever11.

Other, non-illustrated variants may include alternative types of selectors to a column wheel, the hook is in that case replaced by a control member suitable for such use. It is, in particular, possible to implement a cam selector, or a sliding piece selector as in a chronograph. European Patent No. EP2947523B1 by the same Applicant thus illustrates tune selection means. Swiss Patent Application Nos. CH00964/17, CH00965/17, CH00966/17 by the same Applicant disclose a strike mode selector which includes a cam selector.

In the illustrated variant with a column wheel, the first part of the first angular travel corresponds to an idle travel of the main column wheel operating lever11, between the rest position and the first contact between hook13and column wheel30.

In a particular variant, release-prevention lever20has a support radius26, which is a mechanical safety stop.

In a particular variant, strike reversing lever7is arranged to control a display, visible to a user, of the operating or inoperative strike mode, according to its angular position. This display can, in particular, be controlled by a disengagement yoke78, articulated on strike reversing lever7and in indirect connection with control stem8of the movement, whose operation is explained in Swiss Patent Application No. CH00964/17 by the same Applicant, relating to a stopping mechanism for a striking mechanism, and said disengagement yoke78carries a shutter seen through an aperture, or a hand, or otherwise, to inform the user as to the availability or non-availability of the strike functions.

The mechanism is also advantageously devised to prevent action on the selection mechanism when a passing strike function or a minute repeater is operating. To this end, more particularly, striking mechanism100includes, in a conventional manner, at least one control rack, which is a quarter rack or a minute rack for striking the time automatically or on demand and includes at least one cam, which is associated with the control rack, and which is arranged to prevent main control member10pivoting to select a strike mode or tune when a strike function or tune is in progress, as explained in European Patent EP3096189B1 by the same Applicant, wherein, for each level of a striking mechanism which has several levels, such a cam cooperates with the respective quarter rack to prevent any action on the control pusher when said quarter rack is moving to perform a strike function or play a tune. In particular, such a cam is advantageously arranged here to cooperate with a minute rack, and to pivot and lock main operating lever11when a strike function or tune is being performed.

FIGS. 42 to 49illustrate the advantageous case where this complementary safety mechanism cooperates with minute rack90, which is the last to play during performance of a strike function, and which has the function of stopping the strike regulator at the end of the cycle. This complementary safety mechanism is intended to prevent a selection being made when a passing strike or strike function started by a minute repeater or similar is operating, and includes a tune selection-prevention lever95, which is arranged to move into abutment on minute rack90, by a beak97comprised therein.

FIGS. 42 and 44show the striking mechanism at rest, this beak97is resting on a path910of minute rack90, concentric to its axis of pivoting. Tune selection-prevention lever95includes a fork96for articulation with a post980comprised in a tune selection bolt98mounted to pivot on a bridge. This bolt98is a cam, and includes a finger99capable of occupying, depending on the angular position of bolt98, either a position inside a notch150in main operating lever11, delimited by a threshold piece15, or a position facing threshold piece15, in a position where the safety device is engaged. A tune selection-prevention lever spring951pushes, via an arm952, tune selection-prevention lever95towards minute rack90.

When the strike function is being performed, inFIGS. 43 and 45, minute rack90pivots, in the anticlockwise direction in these Figures, beak97leaves path910and escapes along a release ramp920, finger99moves opposite threshold piece15and at the same time, tune selection-prevention lever95and bolt28pivot, the latter in a clockwise direction in the Figure.

A pin999of the bridge obstructs a bearing face981of bolt98. The safety device is engaged and will only be disengaged again when minute rack90returns to its rest position, after the strike function is completed. European Patent EP3096189B1 illustrates alternative variants of this complementary safety mechanism.

Striking mechanism100more particularly includes a minute repeater or another on-demand acoustic display, which includes an on-demand release lever5operable by a user to cause a repeater click4to cooperate with detent ratchet2.

In a variant, the invention concerns only striking mechanism100, which is arranged as an additional mechanism on a bridge of the striking mechanism that can be added to movement500.

The invention makes it possible, independently of the other safety devices mentioned in the aforecited other patent applications and patents by the same Applicant, and in particular, independently of the stopping mechanism of Swiss Patent Application No. CH00964/17, to ensure total safety of the strike mode and/or tune selection function.