Chronograph

A chronograph having a second wheel with an entraining spring, a pulse-receiving wheel, wherein the entraining spring is constructed to engage with the pulse-receiving wheel, a pulse-transferring wheel, a minute wheel, wherein the minute wheel is in constant engagement with the pulse-transferring wheel, a second shaft, wherein the second wheel is rigidly connected to the second shaft, a multifunction shaft is orientated parallel to the second shaft, wherein the pulse-receiving wheel and the pulse-transferring wheel is rigidly connected to the multifunction shaft, and, a two-part constructed zeroing lever having a zeroing lever arm and a zeroing lever interlock, wherein the zeroing lever arm is supported in a rotatable manner around a pivotal point of a zeroing lever arm and the zeroing lever interlock is supported in a rotatable manner around a pivotal point of zeroing lever interlock.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a chronograph.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A mechanic clockwork has as central components a mainspring barrel, a gear train, an escapement and an oscillator (balance wheel). Thereby the barrel with the mainspring provides the drive of the clockwork. Transferring the force occurs beginning at the mainspring barrel, via the movement to the escape wheel, which constitutes a component of the escapement. The movement drives the hands of the clock and transmits the spring force, which is stored in the mainspring, into rotations with different velocities, by what seconds, minutes, hours and so on are indicated.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,903,686 reveals a chronograph with a second hand, a minute hand and an hour hand, wherein these hands are combined with a minute- and second counter and possess the characteristic, that the second hand, the minute counter and the hour counter can be positioned to zero.

The German translation DE 698 30 930 T2 of the European patent EP 1 046 970 B1 reveals an intermittent feeding mechanism, by which a feeding latch is mounted on a first counting wheel with a part of a spring. The feeding latch rotates together with a first counting wheel, so that each turnaround of the feeding latch catches a gear of a second counting wheel or a second intermediate counting wheel, whereby the second counting wheel or the second intermediate counting wheel is pushed forward in an intermittent manner. This intermittent feeding mechanism has a protruding part mounted on the feeding latch, whereby a positioning hole is provided in a component of the first counting wheel. When the protruding part is inserted into the positioning hole and the protruding part is drifted through a part of the spring of the feeding latch, a positioning of the feeding latch occurs.

The escapement wheel represents the connection between the gear train and balance wheel of the clockwork. The balance wheel comprises an oscillating body, which is mounted in a rotatable manner around an axis of rotation by means of a balance wheel shaft. In addition a spiral spring is provided, which forms the oscillatory and clocking system together with the mass of the oscillating body. Finally the balance wheel comprises a device for regulating gears as for example a jiggler, with which the characteristics of the oscillation of the spiral spring can be changed and therefore the desired correct rate of the watch can be set. The proper rate of the watch is based on a preferably steady bidirectional oscillation of the balance wheel. Without delivering energy permanently, the balance wheel would however stop its movement. That is why the force, coming from the mainspring barrel, is transmitted continuously via the gear train to the balance wheel. The escapement transfers the force via escapement wheel and tie bar to the balance wheel. Thereby the tie bar engages alternately in a retardant and released manner into the escaping wheel that the movement always pulses in the same tempo.

Thereby, depending on the oscillation frequency of the balance wheel, an exact basic time unit is determined, on which the remaining arithmetic of the transferring wheels and therefore the accuracy of the clock is based. The exactness of the measurements of a mechanic chronograph also depends completely directly on this unit, since the chronograph is usually driven by the movement of the clock.

A chronograph, as for example the clockwork of type ETA Valjoux 7750, has at least a second hand and a minute hand, which can be stopped, reset to zero and started again on demand. The display of the measured time interval by means of a chronograph, can occur thereby by separate second- and minute dials or by a second hand and a minute hand, disposed coaxially with the original hands of the clock. In case of coaxially disposed hands, it is called a center second hand and a center minute hand.

The drive of the chronograph, which is shown inFIG. 1and known from the prior art, occurs via a swiveling drive (not shown), which forces the gear train of the clock to engage with the second wheel3. The pulse-receiving wheel6and the drive wheel7, which is coaxially disposed above and rigidly connected to the pulse-receiving wheel6, are suspended and are rigidly connected to a shaft (not shown), which is in turn is rotatable mounted in a plate disposed above the drive wheel7.

The entraining spring5is rigidly connected to the second wheel3with its section averted from the pulse-receiving wheel6. The section of the entraining spring5, which is turned towards the pulse-receiving wheel6, is developed resilient and provided for engagement into the pulse-receiving wheel6.

The zeroing shaft11is rigidly connected to the zeroing wheel8. The zeroing shaft11bears at its end, averted to the zeroing wheel8, the intermediate wheel15, which is in constant engagement with the pulse-transmitting wheel9, which is in turn in constant engagement with the minute wheel10. After a complete rotation of the second wheel3, so after 60 seconds, the pulse-receiving wheel6is rotated for 6° by the entraining spring5. The zeroing wheel8, the intermediate wheel15, the pulse-transmitting wheel9and the minute wheel10are moved further by means of the drive wheel7, by what the center minute hand2, which is rigidly connected to the minute wheel10, finally advances for one unit.

The center second hand1is rigidly connected to the second shaft4, which is in turn rigidly connected to the second wheel3. The second shaft4penetrates the center of the minute wheel10. The slewing drive (not shown) provides a direct drive of the second hand3, whereby the center second hand1is moved via the second shaft4.

A further component of the chronograph is the two-part developed zeroing lever12, comprising a zeroing lever arm12aand a zeroing interlock12b(not visible inFIG. 1), wherein the zeroing lever12is stored in a rotatable manner around the pivotal point of the zeroing lever arm19. The zeroing lever interlock12b(seeFIG. 3) is in turn connected in a rotatable manner around the pivotal point of the zeroing lever interlock to the zeroing lever arm12a. The zeroing lever arm12bis located in one plane with the zeroing heart for minutes17and the zeroing heart for seconds16. The zeroing heart for minutes17is rigidly connected to the zeroing wheel8via the zeroing shaft11, whereas the zeroing heart for seconds16is rigidly connected to the second wheel3via the second shaft4.

For stopping the chronograph, the slewing drive (not shown) is forced to release its engagement with the second wheel3with the help of a pusher (not shown). In addition, operating the pusher occurs in forcing an appropriate holding means (not shown), as for example a blocking interlock, to engage with the second wheel3. Operating the pusher therefore results in a halt of center second hand1and center minute hand2.

For bringing the chronograph into its zero position for a further measurement of time, the blocking interlock (not shown) is forced to release its engagement with the second wheel3by means of a further pusher. Simultaneously, by operating the pusher, the zeroing lever arm12aand therefore the zeroing lever interlock12b, as well, are pivoted for a small value in their corresponding plane, whereby the zeroing lever interlock12bcontacts with its front the zeroing heart for minutes17as well as the zeroing heart for seconds16. Therefore the zeroing heart for minutes17and the zeroing wheel8, which is rigidly connected to the zeroing heart17via the zeroing shaft11, as well as the zeroing heart for seconds16and the second wheel3, which is rigidly connected to the zeroing heart16via the second shaft4, are rotated so far until they are located in their zero position. This is the case, if the first angled end13of the zeroing lever interlock12btouches the flattened end17′ of the zeroing heart for minutes17and the second angled end14of the zero lever interlock12btouches the flattened end16′ of the zeroing heart for seconds16.

Due to the movement of the zeroing wheel8in its zero position, the intermediate wheel15, the pulse-transmitting wheel9, the minute wheel10and the center minute hand2are moved to their particular zero position, as well. Analogous to that due to the movement of the second wheel3to its zero position, the center second hand1is moved to its zero position, as well.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a chronograph having a second wheel having an entraining spring, a pulse-receiving wheel, wherein the entraining spring is configured to engage with the pulse-receiving wheel, a pulse-transferring wheel, a minute wheel, wherein the minute wheel is in constant engagement with the pulse-transferring wheel, a second shaft, wherein the second wheel is rigidly connected to the second shaft, and, a multifunction shaft orientated parallel to the second shaft, wherein the pulse-receiving wheel and the pulse-transferring wheel is rigidly connected to the multifunction shaft.

The present invention also comprises a chronograph having a second wheel with an entraining spring, a pulse-receiving wheel, wherein the entraining spring is constructed to engage with the pulse-receiving wheel, a pulse-transferring wheel, a minute wheel, wherein the minute wheel is in constant engagement with the pulse-transferring wheel, a second shaft, wherein the second wheel is rigidly connected to the second shaft, a multifunction shaft is orientated parallel to the second shaft, wherein the pulse-receiving wheel and the pulse-transferring wheel is rigidly connected to the multifunction shaft, and, a two-part constructed zeroing lever having a zeroing lever arm and a zeroing lever interlock, wherein the zeroing lever arm is supported in a rotatable manner around a pivotal point of a zeroing lever arm and the zeroing lever interlock is supported in a rotatable manner around a pivotal point of zeroing lever interlock.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a chronograph with a preferably frictionless drive of the center second hand and center minute hand. Additionally an optimal force transmission should be achieved in the field of mechanic chronographs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a chronograph with a preferably frictionless drive of the center second hand and center minute hand. Additionally, a zeroing of the center second hand and center minute hand is eased in the field of mechanic chronographs.

The inventive chronograph has a center second hand and a center minute hand. The chronograph has a second wheel with an entraining spring and a pulse-receiving wheel, wherein the entraining spring is constructed to engage with the pulse-receiving wheel. In addition a drive wheel and a zeroing wheel are provided, wherein the zeroing wheel is in constant engagement with the drive wheel. Furthermore a drive wheel and a zeroing wheel are provided, wherein the zeroing wheel is in constant engagement with the drive wheel. The chronograph further comprises a pulse-transmitting wheel and a minute wheel, wherein the minute wheel is in constant engagement with the pulse-transmitting wheel and the center minute hand is rigidly connected to the minute wheel. Finally a second shaft is provided, wherein the second wheel and the center second hand are rigidly connected to the second shaft. The chronograph, according to the invention, has a multifunction shaft, which is parallel orientated to the second shaft, wherein the pulse-receiving wheel, the drive wheel and the pulse-transmitting wheel are connected coaxially rigidly to the multifunction shaft.

Due to the inventive use of a multifunction shaft, which is parallel orientated to the second shaft, a drive of the center minute hand is achieved, wherein the drive is associated with reduced friction, compared to the solutions, known from the prior art. In contrast to the four transmissions for transferring the pulse of the entraining spring to the minute wheel, so from the entraining spring to the pulse-receiving wheel, from the drive wheel to the zeroing wheel, from the intermediate wheel to the pulse-transmitting wheel and from the pulse-transmitting wheel to the minute wheel, the solution, according to the invention only requires two transmission, so from the entraining spring to the pulse-receiving wheel and from the pulse-transmitting wheel to the minute wheel. A short, direct way from the entraining spring of the second wheel to the minute wheel is achieved by the multifunction shaft. A reduced frictional loss and an optimal pulse transmission is associated with the reduced number of transmission for transmitting the pulse. This finally results in an increased accuracy of the chronograph.

Additionally, the chronograph has a two-parts designed zeroing lever, which comprises a zeroing lever arm and a zeroing lever interlock, wherein the zeroing lever interlock has a first angled end and a second angled end. Besides, according to this embodiment, a zeroing heart for minutes and a zeroing heart for seconds are provided, wherein the zeroing heart for minutes has a flattened end and the zeroing heart for seconds has a flattened end. In zero position of the chronograph, the first angled end of the zeroing lever head is in contact with the flattened end of the zeroing heart for minutes and the second angled end of the zeroing lever head is in contact with the flattened end of the zeroing heart for seconds. An exact zero position of the chronograph is reached by these additional provided elements before executing a time measurement.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be better appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art in view of the following detailed description of the invention in view of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred aspects, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspect. The present invention is intended to include various modifications and equivalent arrangements within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

A chronograph, according to the invention, is schematically shown in the perspective view ofFIG. 2. The drive of the chronograph is effected by a slewing drive (not shown), which forces the gear train of the clock to engage with the second wheel3. According to the invention, the pulse-receiving wheel6and the drive wheel7, which is coaxially disposed above the pulse-receiving wheel6, are rigidly connected to a multifunction shaft18, which is supported in the ruby bearing jewel21in a plate (not shown), which is disposed above the drive wheel7. Besides, the pulse-transferring wheel9, which is in constant engagement with the minute wheel10, is rigidly connected to the multifunction shaft18.

The entraining spring5is rigidly connected to the second wheel3with its section being averted to the pulse-receiving wheel6. The section of the entraining spring5, which is turned towards the pulse-receiving wheel6, is constructed spring-loaded and is provided for engagement with the pulse-receiving wheel6. The zeroing wheel8, which is rigidly connected to the zeroing shaft11, is in constant engagement with the drive wheel7. The zeroing shaft11is supported in a plate (not shown).

After a whole rotation of the second wheel3, the pulse-receiving wheel6is continued to rotate for a subunit by the entraining spring5. The zeroing wheel8, the pulse-transferring wheel9and the minute wheel10are continued to move by the drive wheel7, by what the center minute hand2finally advances for one unit.

The center second hand1is rigidly connected to the second shaft4, wherein the second shaft4is in contrast rigidly connected to the second wheel3. The second shaft4penetrates the center of the minute wheel10. The slewing drive (not shown) provides a direct drive of the second wheel3, wherein the center second hand1is moved via the second shaft4, as well.

A further component of the chronograph is the two-piece constructed and rotatable stored zeroing lever12, whose functions are to be explained with the help ofFIG. 3. The zeroing lever12consists of a zeroing lever arm12aand a zeroing lever interlock12b, wherein the zeroing lever arm12ais supported in a rotatable manner around the pivotal point of the zeroing lever arm19and the zeroing lever interlock12bis connected in a rotatable manner around the pivotal point of the zeroing lever interlock20to the zeroing lever arm12a. The zeroing interlock12bis located in a plane with the zeroing heart for minutes17and the zeroing heart for seconds16. The zeroing heart for minutes17is rigidly connected to the zeroing wheel8via the zeroing shaft11, whereas the zeroing heart for seconds16is rigidly connected to the second wheel3via the second shaft4.

For stopping the chronograph, the slewing drive (not shown) is forced to release the engagement with the second wheel3with the help of a pusher (not shown). Additionally, operating the pusher causes, that an appropriate holding means (not shown), as for example a blocking interlock, is forced to engage with the second wheel3. Pressing the pusher therefore results in a halt of center second hand5and center minute hand2.

For delivering the chronograph in its zero position for a further time measurement, the blocking interlock (not shown) is forced to release the engagement with the second wheel3with the help of a further pusher (not shown). Simultaneously, the zeroing lever arm12aand therefore the zeroing lever interlock12b, as well, are pivoted for a small value in their particular plane by operating the pusher, by what the zeroing lever interlock12bcontacts with its front the zeroing heart for minutes17as well as the zeroing heart for seconds16. Therefore the zeroing heart for minutes17and the zeroing wheel8, which is rigidly connected to the zeroing heart for minutes17via the zeroing shaft11, as well as the zeroing heart for seconds16and the second wheel3, which is rigidly connected to the zeroing heart for seconds16via the second shaft4, are rotated so far, until they are in their zero position. This is the case, if the first angled end13of the zeroing lever interlock12btouches the flattened end17′ of the zeroing heart for minutes17and the second angled end14of the zeroing lever interlock12btouches the flattened end16′ of the zeroing heart for seconds16.

Due to this movement of the zeroing wheel8in its zero position, the drive wheel7, the pulse-transmitting wheel9, the minute wheel10and the center minute hand2are moved in their particular zero position, as well. Analogous to this, the center second hand1is delivered to its zero position due to the movement of the second wheel3.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

1Center second hand2Center minute hand3Second wheel4Second shaft5Entraining spring6Pulse-receiving wheel7Drive wheel8Zeroing wheel9Pulse-transmitting wheel10Minute wheel11Zeroing shaft12Zeroing lever12aZeroing lever arm12bZeroing lever interlock13First angled end of the zeroing lever interlock14Second angled end of the zeroing lever interlock15Intermediate wheel16Zeroing heart for seconds16′ Flattened end of the zeroing heart for seconds17Zeroing heart for minutes17′ Flattened end of the zeroing heart for minutes18Multifunction shaft19Pivotal point of the zeroing lever arm20Pivotal point of the zeroing lever interlock21Ruby bearing jewel