Patent Publication Number: US-8971156-B2

Title: Device for controlling a time function or non-time-related function and timepiece including the same

Description:
This is a National Phase Application in the United States of International Patent Application No. PCT/CH2007/000123 filed Mar. 8, 2007, which claims priority on European Patent Application No. 06006330.2, filed Mar. 28, 2006. The entire disclosures of the above patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention concerns a device for controlling a time function or non-time related function and a timepiece including the control device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The number of time functions with which a timepiece of the mechanical or electromechanical wristwatch type may be equipped is usually limited by the place available on the sides of the middle part of the watch for arranging the buttons used to control these functions. The problem is accentuated when the watch concerned is of small dimensions, such as a woman&#39;s model. 
     The problem linked to lack of space is particularly felt when one wishes to protect the control buttons by means of covers or caps which cover the buttons in a conventional manner. The external diameter of these covers is necessarily greater than that of the control buttons they cover and sufficient space must therefore be provided for the covers between two successive buttons. 
     Finally, although additional functions may be added to a watch, in order to save money, it is still sought to use a conventional timepiece movement. Measures must therefore be taken so that the control buttons for the additional functions can act on the timepiece movement in the desired manner. 
       FIG. 1  annexed to the present Patent Application is a top view of a mechanical watchcase including a chronograph mechanism. Designated as a whole by the general reference numeral  1 , this watch case includes in a conventional manner a winding stem  2 , arranged at three o&#39;clock and a push-button  4  for starting the chronograph function and a push-button  6  for stopping and resetting to zero the same chronograph function. As can be seen upon examining the drawing, push-button  4  for starting the chronograph function is offset at an angle anti-clockwise relative to winding stem  2 , arranged substantially at two o&#39;clock, whereas push-button  6  for stopping and resetting the chronograph function to zero is offset at an angle clockwise relative to winding stem  2  and is arranged substantially at four o&#39;clock. It is clear that with this arrangement of winding stem  2  and push-buttons  4  and  6 , it is difficult to envisage adding an additional control member in the midday-six o&#39;clock half of middle part  8  or protecting push-buttons  4 ,  6  by means of covers. 
     It is an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, in addition to others, by providing a device for controlling a time function or non-time-related function that allows substantial space saving to be achieved. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention therefore concerns a device for controlling a time function or non-time-related function for a timepiece, wherein the control device includes at least two push-buttons, each provided with a stem and a head, characterized in that the stems of the two push-buttons extend side by side, parallel to each other. 
     Owing to these features, the present invention provides a control device including a double push-buttons assembly, whose two stems are arranged in parallel, side by side, such that the space requirement of this double push-button is reduced to a minimum. Place is therefore available for adding another control member or for installing this double push-button more easily in a watch of small dimensions. 
     According to a complementary feature of the present invention, the two pusher stems slide inside the same tube engaged in a through aperture made in the middle part of the watch. 
     The effect of this other feature is to limit both the number of machining operations to be carried out on the middle part and the number of parts employed for making the double push-button, which achieves substantial savings. 
     According to yet another feature of the invention, the heads of the two push-buttons have complementary shapes such that, when the two heads are in their non-pushed-in rest state, they form a circular external perimeter. 
     The present invention also concerns a timepiece fitted with a push-button of the type described above, characterized in that the double push-button is arranged in the three o&#39;clock-six o&#39;clock dial quarter of the watch. 
     According to another feature of the invention, the timepiece further includes an additional control member arranged in the twelve o&#39;clock-six o&#39;clock dial quarter of the watch. 
     In view of the above, and in accordance with a non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a control device for controlling a time function or non-time related function for a portable object ( 10 ) is provided, wherein the portable object includes a lateral wall called the middle part ( 16 ), and the control device ( 26 ) includes at least two push-buttons ( 28 A,  28 B), wherein each push-button is provided with a stem ( 30 A,  30 B) and a head ( 32 A,  32 B), and the push-buttons ( 28 A,  28 B) are able to move axially between a first inactive rest position and a second position in which the push-buttons control the function, characterized in that the stems ( 30 A,  30 B) of the two push-buttons ( 28 A,  28 B) extend side by side, parallel to each other. In accordance with a second non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the first non-limiting embodiment is modified so that the two pusher stems ( 30 A,  30 B) slide inside the same tube ( 38 ) engaged in a through hole ( 73 ) arranged in the middle part ( 16 ). In accordance with a third non-limiting, illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the second non-limiting embodiment is further modified so that the tube ( 38 ) is a staged tube including a first part ( 38 A) whose inner diameter (D1) is greater than the inner diameter (D2) of a second part ( 38 B) of the tube ( 38 ), wherein the heads ( 32 A,  32 B) of the pushers ( 28 A,  28 B) are able to slide inside the first part ( 38 A) of the tube ( 38 ) while guided axially, whereas the stems ( 30 A,  30 B) slide while guided axially in the second part ( 38 B) of the tube ( 38 ) that has a reduced diameter. In accordance with a fourth non-limiting, illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the third non-limiting embodiment is further modified so that the centre of the second part ( 38 B) of the tube ( 38 ) has a separating wall ( 40 ), which delimits two cylindrical passages ( 42 ,  44 ) in which the stems ( 30 A,  30 B) of the push-buttons ( 28 A,  28 B) slide. In accordance with a fifth non-limiting, illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the fourth non-limiting embodiment is further modified so that a sealing gasket ( 46 ) is housed at the bottom of the second part ( 38 B) of the tube ( 38 ) with a spring ( 48 ) inserted between the gasket ( 46 ) and a bottom face ( 50 A,  50 B) of the pusher heads ( 32 A,  32 B). In accordance with a sixth non-limiting, illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the fifth non-limiting illustrative embodiment is further modified so that the pushers ( 28 A,  28 B) act on control members ( 56 A,  56 B) for a time function or non-time related function via at least one lever ( 58 A 1 ,  58 A 2 ;  58 B). 
     In accordance with a seventh non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth non-limiting embodiments are further modified so that the external periphery of the tube ( 38 ) has a thread ( 64 ) for cooperating with an inner thread ( 66 ) provided in a cover ( 36 ) that covers the heads ( 32 A,  32 B) of the push-buttons ( 28 A,  28   b ) in a removable manner. In accordance with an eighth non-limiting, illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh non-limiting embodiments are further modified so that the heads ( 32 A,  32 B) of the pushers ( 28 A,  28 B) have complementary shapes such that, when the pushers ( 28 A,  28 B) are in an inactive position, the heads form a circular external periphery (D). 
     In accordance with a ninth non-limiting, illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a timepiece is provided that includes a control device ( 26 ) according to any of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth non-limiting embodiments described above. In accordance with a tenth non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the ninth non-limiting embodiment is further modified so that it further includes an additional control member ( 20 ) arranged in the twelve o&#39;clock-three o&#39;clock dial quarter of the timepiece, whereas the control device ( 26 ) is arranged in the three o&#39;clock-six o&#39;clock dial quarter of the 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 ). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description of an embodiment of the control device according to the invention, this example being given purely by way of non-limiting illustration with reference to the annexed drawing, in which: 
         FIG. 1 , already mentioned, is a top view of a mechanical watch case including a chronograph mechanism, 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a watch case fitted with a control device according to the invention, 
         FIG. 3A  is a horizontal top view of the watch case shown in  FIG. 2 , the cross-section passing through the control device according to the invention, 
         FIG. 3B  is a larger scale detailed view of the region surrounded by a circle in  FIG. 3A , and 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the control device according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention proceeds from the general inventive idea that consists in providing a control device for time function or non-time-related functions, which is formed of two pusher stems arranged in parallel, side by side, so as to free space on the middle part of a watch for adding an additional control button or for installing this double push-button more easily in a watch of smaller dimensions, such as a woman&#39;s model. 
     The watch according to the invention is shown schematically in a top view in  FIG. 2 . Designated as a whole by the general reference numeral  10 , it includes, in a conventional and non-limiting manner, a crystal  12  held securely in position by a bezel  14 , which is itself secured to a middle part  16 . Middle part  16  is extended at midday and six o&#39;clock by two pairs of horns  18  for securing the middle part to a wristband or bracelet that is not shown. 
     In the example shown, it is assumed that watch  10  is a mechanical watch including a winding stem  20  (see  FIG. 3A ) extended, at the end thereof located outside circular case  22  of watch  10 , by a winding crown  24 . This winding stem  20  is used in a conventional manner for winding the mainspring (not shown) of watch  10 . As is visible in  FIG. 2  and better still in  FIG. 3A , winding stem  20  is arranged along a radius of circular case  22  of watch  10 , in the twelve o&#39;clock-three o&#39;clock dial of the watch  10 . More specifically, the axis of symmetry A-A of winding stem  20  forms an angle α of 15° with the three o&#39;clock-nine o&#39;clock axis of watch  10  in the anticlockwise direction. If one wishes to use a standard market movement M, this movement M must therefore be pivoted at the desired angle in case  22  of watch  10  such that the winding stem can drive the gear train, which kinematically connects the stem to the mainspring. Of course, the example of winding stem  20  has been given purely by way of illustration and one could envisage any other type of push-button type control device if watch  10  was, for example, of the electromechanical type, i.e. if the movement thereof was powered by a battery. 
     According to the invention, watch  10  is fitted with a second control device  26  formed (see  FIG. 3 ) of two push-buttons  28   a  and  28 B each including a pusher stem  30 A and  30 B extended at the free end thereof by a pusher head  32 A and  32 B respectively. As can be seen upon examining  FIG. 2  and better still in  FIG. 3 , control device  26  is arranged along a radius of circular case  22  of watch  10 , in the three o&#39;clock-six o&#39;clock dial quarter of the watch  10 . More specifically, the axis of symmetry B-B of control device  26  according to the invention forms and angle β of 15° with the three o&#39;clock-nine o&#39;clock axis of watch  10  in the clockwise direction. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the winding crown  24  and control device  26  are each covered by a cover or cap  34  and  36  respectively, these covers  34  and  36  being connected to middle part  16  of watch  10  via two articulated hinges  34 A and  36 A respectively. As will be seen in more detail below, covers  34 A and  36 A are mounted to rotate freely at the free ends of hinges  34 A and  36 A so that they can be screwed in and unscrewed. 
     We will now examine in detail the structure of control device  26  according to the invention with reference to  FIGS. 3A and 3B . This control device  26  essentially includes a tube  38  inside which pushers  28 A and  28 B are able to slide axially. This tube  38  is engaged in a through hole  73  made in middle part  16  of watch  10  and secured to the middle part  16  for example by being driven or screwed therein. More specifically, tube  38  is a staged tube including a first part  38 A whose inner diameter D1 is greater than the inner diameter D2 of the second part  38 B of tube  38 . According to a feature of the invention, heads  32 A and  32 B of pushers  28 A and  28 B have complementary shapes such that, when the two heads are not pushed in, they form a circular external perimeter D (see  FIG. 4 ). It will be clear that the inner diameter D1 of the first part  38 A of tube  38  is equal to or slightly greater than the external perimeter D so as to allow heads  32   a  and  32 B of pushers  28 A and  28 B to slide inside the first part  38 A of tube  38  while being guided axially. 
     At the centre of the second part  38 B of tube  38  there is a separating wall  40 , which delimits two cylindrical passages  42  and  44  whose inner diameters are adapted to the diameters of stems  30 A and  30 B of pushers  28 A and  28 B. A sealing gasket  46  is housed at the bottom of the second part  38 B of tube  38  with a spring  48  inserted between the gasket  46  and the lower face  50 A,  50 B of the pusher heads  32 A,  32 B. The two pushers  28 A,  28 B are retained axially by two key bolts  52 A,  52 B mounted at the end of pusher stems  30 A,  30 B outside tube  38 . The two pushers  28 A and  28   b  are thus free to move in translation between a first rest position in which they are held by key bolts  52 A,  52 B against the elastic return force of spring  48 , and a second activated position in which they are pressed, via the bottom faces  50 A,  50 B thereof, against an inner shoulder  54  of tube  38 . 
     Pusher  28 B acts on a control member  56 B for a time function or non-time related function via a lever  58 B hinged to pivot at i. 
     Pusher  28 A acts on a control member  56 A of a time function or non-time-related function via a first lever  58 A 1 , hinged to pivot at ii and which is itself mounted to pivot on a second lever  58 A 2  that can pivot and move in translation about a pivot  60  housed in an oblong hole  62  made in the second lever  58 A 2 . 
     The external periphery of first part  38 A of tube  38  has a thread  64  for cooperating with an inner thread  66  provided in cover  36 . Cover  36  also has a circular groove  68 , which houses a sealing gasket  70 . 
     Winding stem  20  is mounted to rotate freely in a tube  72  secured to middle part  16 , for example by being driven or screwed therein. The bottom face  74  of the winding stem  24  of the stem abuts against a shoulder  76  of tube  72 . Winding stem  20  has a circular groove  78  that houses a sealing gasket  80 . Likewise, cover  34  has a circular inner groove  82  that houses a sealing gasket  84 . Finally, the external periphery of tube  72  has a thread  86  for cooperating with a thread  88  provided on the inner periphery of cover  34 . 
     Thus, owing to the present invention, by grouping two push-buttons at the same place, sufficient space is freed on the middle part of a watch to provide, for example, an additional push-button, or as described above, to provide covers to cover the control member according to the invention and, for example, a winding crown. 
     Broadly, however, the invention concerns a device for controlling a time function or a non-time related function including at least two push-buttons ( 28 A,  28 B), wherein each push-button is provided with a stem ( 30 A,  30 B) and a head ( 32 A,  32 B), wherein the push-buttons ( 28 A,  28 B) are able to move axially between a first inactive rest position and a second position in which they control the function, characterized in that the stems ( 30 A,  30 B) of the two push-buttons ( 28 A,  28   b ) extend side by side and parallel to each other. The invention also concerns a timepiece fitted with this control device. 
     It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment that has just been described and that various simple modifications and variants could be envisaged by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the annexed claims. In particular, the double push-button according to the invention could be used to control any type of time function or non-time-related function. By way of preferred but non-limiting example, the two push-buttons could be used to control a chronograph mechanism, one push-button being used to start the mechanism, while the other push-button is used to stop and reset the chronograph mechanism to zero. The present invention could apply to any type of portable object such as, in a non-limiting manner, a portable telephone, an electronic diary, a camera or apparatus. Preferably, the present invention will be applied to a wristwatch type timepiece which may be either purely mechanical, electromechanical or purely electronic.