Patent Publication Number: US-2021191333-A1

Title: Timepiece component for a timepiece case or for a timepiece

Description:
This application claims priority of European Patent Application No. EP19218605.4, filed on Dec. 20, 2019, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     The invention relates to a timepiece component for a timepiece case or for a timepiece. The invention also relates to a timepiece case comprising such a component. The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a component or such a case. Lastly, the invention relates to a method for mounting a timepiece or such a component or such a case. 
     The prior art mentions a large number of bezels for watch cases. These bezels may, for example, comprise a bezel ring onto which is driven at least one decorative element such as a decorative and/or display disk made, for example, of a ceramic. Such a bezel design is entirely satisfactory. However, it has the drawback of requiring a driving operation for each decorative element in the case of a bezel provided with a plurality of decorative elements. The operation of assembling such a bezel may thus be particularly time-consuming. Furthermore, the hold with respect to driving of the decorative element, and therefore the quality of assembly of the bezel, depends on the size of said decorative element and in particular on the area of contact between said decorative element and the bezel ring. Thus, the size and/or the number of decorative elements is at least partially dictated by the design of the bezel. 
     A bezel design is known from patent application EP2624076 in which a display disk is driven into a bezel ring, and rests on a disassembly ring. 
     Patent application EP2615507 relates to a design allowing the hold of a decorative element made of ceramic within, in particular, a bezel ring to be maximized. To do this, an intercalary element taking the form of a seal is arranged at the interface of the bezel ring and of the decorative element, the surface of said decorative element that is intended to cooperate with the intercalary element being textured so as to increase its roughness. More particularly, the intercalary element is arranged radially between the bezel ring and the decorative element. 
     Patent application WO2019158499, for its part, relates to a solution for assembling a decorative element within, in particular, a bezel ring, which constitutes an alternative to the traditional driving. To do this, it proposes the use of a resin so as to hold the decorative element in a cavity formed, for example, in a bezel ring. 
     The aim of the invention is to provide a timepiece component for a timepiece case or for a timepiece that makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above and to improve the timepiece components known from the prior art. In particular, the invention proposes a timepiece component that is simpler to implement. 
     A component for a timepiece case according to the invention is defined by claim  1 . 
     Various component embodiments are defined by claims  2  to  11 . 
     A timepiece case according to the invention is defined by claim  12 . 
     A timepiece according to the invention is defined by claim  13 . 
     Methods for mounting a timepiece component or a timepiece case or a timepiece are defined by claims  14  and  15 . 
    
    
     
       The appended drawings show, by way of examples, three embodiments of a timepiece according to the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a timepiece. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view along a first plane I-I of a component of the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view along a second plane II-II of this component. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged partial sectional view of this component along the second plane II-II. 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view of one variant of the first embodiment of a timepiece. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a component of a second embodiment of a timepiece. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a component of a third embodiment of a timepiece. 
     
    
    
     A first embodiment of a timepiece  200  is described below with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 5 . 
     The timepiece is for example a watch, in particular a wristwatch. 
     The timepiece preferably comprises a timepiece case  100 . The timepiece further comprises a timepiece movement. The timepiece movement is intended to be mounted in the watch case in order to protect it from the external environment. 
     The timepiece movement may be an electronic movement or a mechanical movement, in particular an automatic movement. 
     The watch case  100  preferably comprises a case middle  6  and a component  10  of bezel type. The watch case  100  also preferably comprises a case back attached to the case middle and a glass fitted to the case middle. 
     The bezel may be fixedly mounted on the case middle. Alternatively, the bezel may be a rotating bezel, that is to say one that is mounted movably so as to rotate on the case middle  6  about an axis A 1 . The axis A 1  may be an axis of the bezel. The axis A 1  may be an axis of revolution of the bezel or substantially an axis of revolution of the bezel. The axis A 1  may also be an axis of rotation of the bezel. Preferably, the axis A 1  is an axis common to the bezel and to the case middle  6 . 
     The bezel  10  comprises:
         a first ring  1 ,   at least one decorative and/or display element  4 ,  5 ,   a second ring  2 ,   an elastically deformable intercalary means  3  mounted so as to bear on the first ring  1  and to urge the at least one decorative and/or display element  4 ,  5  toward the second ring  2 .       

     In other words, the bezel comprises at least one decorative and/or display element  4 ,  5  arranged at the interface of the first ring  1  and of the second ring  2 . The elastically deformable intercalary means  3  or elastic element  3  allows the at least one decorative and/or display element  4 ,  5  to be held with minimal play between the first and second rings  1  and  2 . 
     In the assembled state of the bezel, the elastic element is elastically deformed by compression in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the axis A 1 . The elastic element consequently exerts, on the first and second rings, antagonistic forces that are parallel or substantially parallel to the axis A 1 . These forces tend to separate the rings or to move them apart. One of these forces is exerted indirectly by the elastically deformable element on one of the first and second rings, via the at least one decorative and/or display element  4 ,  5 . As a result, the decorative and/or display element  4 ,  5  is pressed or urged against this ring. This ring is the second ring in the first embodiment. Thus, the decorative and/or display element  4 ,  5  is mounted with minimal play between the first and second rings. 
     The first ring is, for example, a lower bezel ring. 
     The second ring is, for example, an upper bezel ring. 
     The upper bezel ring is oriented, for example, toward the outside of the watch case, while at least a portion of the lower bezel ring is, for example, oriented towards the inside of the watch case. The lower bezel ring is in particular closer to the annular seat of the case middle than the upper bezel ring is. 
     The at least one decorative and/or display element  4 ,  5  may comprise at least a first element of a first type  4  and/or at least a second element of a second type  5 . The first and second elements are distinguished from each other, for example, by their geometries and/or by their materials and/or by their colors and/or by their surface treatments. By way of example,  FIG. 1  illustrates a bezel  10  comprising twelve same elements  4  and twelve same elements  5 . The first elements  4  are, for example, in the shape of a portion of a disk or of a frustum of a cone that is fluted. The second elements  5  are, for example, in the shape of a portion of a disk that is smooth or of a frustum of a cone. 
     These elements may or may not be distributed evenly about the axis A 1  of revolution and/or of rotation of the bezel  10 . These decorative and/or display elements may be arranged so as to constitute a device for displaying an indication of the time or so as to be derived from the time of a timepiece. They then constitute display elements. Alternatively or in addition, these elements may be distributed so as to constitute decorative elements of a timepiece. They then constitute decorative elements. 
     Optionally, a first angular positioning element, for example a pin, may be provided on either of the first and the second rings so as to angularly position the at least one decorative and/or display element with respect to the axis A 1 . This angular positioning element may advantageously cooperate with a second angular positioning element, for example a hole provided in the at least one decorative and/or display element. For example, the pin is intended to be housed in the hole. These elements thus cooperate so as to angularly position the one or more decorative and/or display elements about the axis A 1  relative to the first ring and/or to the second ring. 
       FIG. 2  is a partial sectional view of the bezel  10  of  FIG. 1 , along a first plane I-I passing through the axis A 1  and intersecting a first decorative and/or display element  4  of the first type. The first ring has an L-shaped or substantially L-shaped section (along this plane I-I). A surface  4   a  of the decorative and/or display element  4  bears against a bearing surface  1   a  of a first portion  11  of the first ring  1 . The first portion is oriented in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the axis A 1 . This first portion is globally tubular in shape. These surfaces  1   a  and  4   a  are advantageously perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the axis A 1  of the bezel  10 . Advantageously, the surface  4   a  is arranged at a first end  41  of the element  4 , in particular a first end in a radial direction relative to the axis A 1 . Again advantageously, the surface  1   a  constitutes a wall of a first receiving groove  110  formed in the first ring and in which the end  41  of the element  4  is housed. A second surface  4   h  is then intended to bear against the elastic element  3  which was previously arranged within a housing  120 , in particular a shoulder or a second groove, for receiving the elastic element  3 . This housing is formed within a second portion  12  of the first ring  1 . This second portion is oriented in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the axis A 1 . This second portion  12  is planar or globally planar in shape. 
     The elastic element  3  may, for example, take the form of a seal, in particular of an O-ring, for example made of an elastomeric material. Advantageously, the surface  4   b  is arranged at a second end  42  of the element  4 , in particular a second end in a radial direction relative to the axis A 1 . This surface  4   b  is advantageously perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the axis A 1  of the bezel  10 . 
       FIG. 3  is a partial sectional view of the bezel  10  of  FIG. 1 , along a second plane II-II passing through the axis A 1  and intersecting a second decorative and/or display element  5  of the second type. This second element  5  is arranged within the first ring  1  in the same way as the first element  4 . Thus, a surface  5   a  of the decorative and/or display element  5  bears against the bearing surface  1   a  of the first portion  11  of the first ring  1 . This surface  5   a  is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the axis A 1  of the bezel  10 . Advantageously, the surface  5   a  is arranged at a first end  51  of the element  5 , in particular a first end in a radial direction relative to the axis A 1 . Again advantageously, the end  51  of the element  5  is intended to be housed in the first groove  110 . The geometry of the first groove  110  may be different at the location intended for the end of the element  5  with respect to the geometry intended to house the end of the element  4 , so as in particular to allow indexing of the elements. A second surface  5   b  is then provided so as to bear against the elastic element  3 . Advantageously, the surface  5   b  is arranged at a second end  52  of the element  5 , in particular a second end in a radial direction relative to the axis A 1 . This surface  5   b  is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the axis A 1  of the bezel  10 . 
     The first and second elements  4 ,  5  are both held within the first ring  1  by the second ring  2 . 
     This second ring is annular or substantially annular in shape. It comprises a bearing surface  2   a  intended to cooperate with one of the surfaces  4   c ,  5   c  of the elements  4 ,  5  so as to hold the elements  4 ,  5 . Preferably, these surfaces  2   a ,  4   c ,  5   c  are frustoconical in shape or are portions of a frustum of a cone forming an angle α or substantially forming an angle α with the axis A 1 . The angle α is the half-angle at the apex of the cone. The angle α is between 15° and 45°, in particular the angle α is of the order of 30°. 
     The second ring  2  comprises a surface  2   b  shaped so as to be clipped or driven against a peripheral surface  1   b  of the first ring  1 . To do this, the second ring  2  comprises a surface  2   b  comprising a first boss  21   b  intended to cooperate with a hollow  11   b  of the peripheral surface  1   b  of the ring  1 . 
     This surface  2   b  is for example borne by a portion  21  of ring  2  which is intended to deform elastically and radially along the axis A 1  during the operation of driving or clipping the ring  2  against the ring  1 . Specifically, during this operation performed by moving at least one ring in translation along the axis A 1  relative to the other ring, the first boss  21   b  tends to deform the portion  21  under the effect of its cooperation with a second boss  12   b  of the first ring  1 . Once the boss  21   b  has passed the boss  12   b , the ring  2  is held axially under the effect of the cooperation of the hollow  11   b  and the boss  21   b  which are pressed one against the other by the action of the elastic element  3  which acts as an elastic return means or an elastic urging means. 
     The elastic element  3  also has the advantage of avoiding any risk of static indeterminacy of the second ring  2 , in particular when the latter is driven so as to abut against the first ring  1 . This is the case of the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , within which a surface  2   c  of the second ring  2  abuts against a surface  1   c  of the first ring  1  once the operation of driving or clipping the second ring against the first ring has been completed. 
     Alternatively, the surface  1   b  may be threaded, for example externally threaded, and the surface  2   b  may be threaded, for example internally threaded. Thus, the second ring  2  may be screwed onto the first ring  1  about the axis A 1 . 
     The role of the element  3  is twofold, namely to allow reliable and lasting assembly of the ring  2  against the ring  1  while avoiding the risks of static indeterminacy with respect to the elements  4 ,  5 . 
     Depending in particular on the shaping of the surfaces  1   b  and  2   b , the second ring  2  may or may not be dismountable from the first ring  1 , Additionally or alternatively, an operation of bonding, soldering or brazing the second ring against the first ring may also take place. More particularly, an operation of bonding, soldering or brazing the surfaces  1   b  and  2   b  may take place. 
     The bezel  10  may be fixed relative to the case middle  6  of the watch case  100 . For example, an internal surface  1   d  of the portion  11  of the first ring  1  may be driven against the case middle  6 , in particular against a seal of the case middle, not shown. 
     As an alternative, as in the variant of the first embodiment of a timepiece shown partially in  FIG. 5 , the bezel  10  may be able to rotate about the case middle  6 , relative to the axis A 1 . To do this, the portion  11  may comprise a third groove  130  intended to accept an axial retaining seal  7  which is intended to press the portion  12  of the ring  1  against an annular seat of the case middle. Optionally, the portion  12  may comprise means for angular indexing and/or notching  140 , which are intended to cooperate with means for angular indexing and/or notching  8  of the case middle  6 . 
     The first and/or the second ring  1 ,  2  may be made of:
         a metal alloy such as an aluminum alloy, a titanium alloy, a palladium alloy, a steel or a precious gold- or platinum-based alloy,   a ceramic mainly or primarily composed of zirconia,   a ceramic mainly or primarily composed of alumina,   a ceramic mainly or primarily composed of silicon nitride,   a ceramic mainly or primarily composed of boron carbide or aluminum nitride,   a composite, in particular an alumina-zirconia composite (ZTA/ATZ) or a cermet.       

     At least one decorative and/or display element  4 ,  5  or some decorative and/or display elements  4 ,  5  or all of the decorative and/or display elements  4 ,  5  may each be made of:
         a metal alloy such as an aluminum alloy, a titanium alloy, a palladium alloy, a steel or a precious gold- or platinum-based alloy,   a ceramic mainly or primarily composed of zirconia,   a ceramic mainly or primarily composed of alumina,   a ceramic mainly or primarily composed of silicon nitride,   a ceramic mainly or primarily composed of boron carbide or aluminum nitride,   a composite, in particular an alumina-zirconia composite (ZTA/ATZ) or a cermet,   a stone, in particular a precious or semi-precious stone,   a glass.       

     The at least one decorative and/or display element  4 ,  5  may take at least substantially a disk-ring shape or a frustoconical shape. 
     Thus, a first  4  decorative and/or display element and/or a second decorative and/or display element  5  may take the shape of a disk ring portion or of a frustoconical portion. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the elements  4 ,  5  each take the shape of a portion of a frustum of a cone extending along an angle of 15° or substantially 15° about the axis A 1 . Of course, the elements  4 ,  5  may take the shape of portions of a disk ring or of a frustum of a cone extending along another angle about the axis A 1 . 
     A second embodiment of a timepiece is described below with reference to  FIG. 6  in which only the bezel  10  is shown. In this second embodiment, the timepiece differs from the first embodiment, for example, only in that the bezel comprises two decorative and/or display elements  4 ,  5  each extending along an angle of 180° about the axis A 1 . 
     A third embodiment of a timepiece is described below with reference to  FIG. 7  in which only the bezel  10  is shown. In this third embodiment, the timepiece differs in particular from the first embodiment in that the bezel comprises a single decorative and/or display element  4  in the shape of a disk ring or of a frustum of a cone. Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous in the case of a bezel  10  the second ring  2  of which can be dismounted from the first ring  1 , since it allows easy dismounting of the disk ring  4  or of the frustum of a cone without risk of cracking the disk ring  4  or of the frustum of a cone in the case where the latter is made of a fragile material such as ceramic. 
     In the embodiments described and shown, the component is a bezel  10 . However, the invention also applies to any external element such as a flange, a crown, a dial or a portion of a dial. 
     In the embodiments described and shown, the elastic element is mounted between the first ring (lower ring) and the at least one decorative and/or display element. However, as a variant, the elastic element may be mounted between the second ring (upper ring) and the at least one decorative and/or display element. 
     One embodiment of a method for mounting a component  10  or a case  100  of a timepiece  200  or a timepiece  200  is described below. 
     In a first variant, the method comprises the following steps:
         arranging the elastic element  3  on the first ring  1 ,   arranging the at least one decorative and/or display element  4 ,  5  on the elastic element  3  and on the first ring  1 ,   mounting the second ring  2  on the first ring  1 , in particular by clipping or by driving or by screwing.       

     In a second variant, the method comprises the following steps:
         arranging the at least one decorative and/or display element  4 ,  5  on the first ring  1 ,   arranging the elastic element  3  on the at least one decorative and/or display element  4 ,  5  or on the second ring  2 ,   mounting the second ring  2  on the first ring  1 , in particular by clipping or by driving or by screwing.       

     The invention also relates to a component  10  or a case  100  of a timepiece  200  or a timepiece  200  obtained by implementing the mounting methods described above. 
     The bezel solution described above makes it possible to increase the number of decorative and/or display elements without negatively affecting their hold within the bezel, or requiring adhesive for the attachment of each of the decorative and/or display elements. Such a design makes it possible, in addition, to provide a method for assembling a bezel that is particularly advantageous with regard to its simplicity of implementation and its execution time, in particular in the case of a bezel comprising at least two decorative and/or display elements. Such a design also makes it possible to provide new esthetic bezel variations combining, for example, stones and portions of disks made of metal or of ceramic.