Patent Publication Number: US-2023143106-A1

Title: Corrector button and method for assembling such a corrector button onto a watch case

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the invention relates to small-sized watch corrector-buttons, also known as correctors, embedded in the middle of a watch case, as well as the fitting of such a corrector button onto a watch case. 
     TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND 
     Some watches, in particular watches comprising several complications, offer their user such a high number of functions that it is not possible to correct them all using a single rewinding and correction crown. For this reason, such watches comprise additional correction means such as corrector buttons. 
     Corrector buttons are typically miniature push-buttons which are embedded in the watch middle and which are usually actuated using a small, generally pointed, instrument. 
     These corrector buttons, also known as correctors, conventionally comprise an outer socket driven, glued or screwed into an opening formed in the watch middle, and a cylindrical control rod capable of sliding freely in the socket to activate a control of a horological movement. 
     The correction operations, via these corrector buttons, are conventionally performed by pressing the control rod into the socket against a return force of a return element, and by means of a pointed instrument. 
     These corrector buttons have reduced dimensions, which makes it possible to save space and fit them more readily on the middle, particularly with respect to push-button type controls. Furthermore, these corrector buttons do not protrude from the surface of the middle so that they have the advantage of not being capable of being actuated involuntarily. 
     Although these corrector buttons have reduced dimensions, the multiplication thereof on the middle can pose fitting problems. Consequently, there is a need to miniaturise these corrector buttons further in order to be able to implement them more readily. 
     Furthermore, these small corrector buttons can be difficult to assemble onto the middle of a watch case. Consequently, the multiplication thereof on watches comprising numerous complications makes the assembly of the watch more complex. Consequently, there is also a need for simplification and improvement of the method for fitting these corrector buttons. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In this context, the invention provides a novel corrector button architecture making it possible to simplify the method for fitting/dismantling such a corrector button and make maintenance operations easier. 
     The novel corrector button architecture according to the invention enables a modular fitting of a corrector button supplied complete, the functional characteristics of which have been tested beforehand by the corrector button production shop prior to fitting onto the watch case middle. 
     The novel corrector button architecture according to the invention makes it possible to simplify the method for fitting such a corrector button and enable quick fitting onto the middle with a single operation. 
     The corrector button according to the invention also makes it possible to embed the corrector button in a middle of lesser thickness with respect to the solutions known from the prior art. 
     To this end, the invention relates to a watch case corrector button comprising:
         a socket of axis of revolution having a threading arranged on the outer rim of a portion intended to be fitted by screwing onto a watch case, and having a cavity extending between a first end of the socket and a second end of the socket;   a movable control rod engaged in the socket cavity and movable in translation along said axis of revolution, said movable control rod comprising a push-rod, having a rotation organ, and a push-button rigidly connected to said push-rod;
 
said corrector button being characterised in that said cavity has a portion of polygonal cross-section, and in that said push-rod of said movable control rod comprises a portion having a complementary polygonal cross-section in respect of said portion of polygonal cross-section of said cavity, such that the rotation of the push-rod via the rotation organ drives the rotation of said socket.
       

     Besides the features mentioned in the paragraph above, the corrector button according to the invention can have one or more of the following additional features, considered individually or according to any technically possible combinations:
         the push-rod comprises a push-rod head forming a first end of said push-rod, said push-rod head comprising an impression forming said rotation organ of said push-rod;   the impression is a slot capable of cooperating with a male part of a drive tool;   the push-rod is driven with said push-button;   the push-button comprises an annular groove configured to receive a sealing organ, said sealing organ ensuring the sealing between said push-button and said socket;   the push-button comprises, at the top surface thereof, an impression configured to promote the positioning of one end of a tool;   the impression of said push-button is of conical shape;   the corrector button comprises a return organ for repositioning said movable control rod into a rest position, said return organ being disposed between a first fixed banking and a second movable banking arranged at said push-button;   said fixed banking is formed by a bottom arranged at said socket cavity;   the portion of the socket comprising said threading arranged on the outer rim is a median portion positioned between said first end of the socket and said second end of the socket;   the threading arranged on the outer rim of the portion of the socket has a right-hand thread.       

     The invention also relates to a watch case comprising a bed, having a tapped portion, and a corrector button according to the invention, said corrector button being screwed into said bed of said middle. 
     Advantageously, said corrector button is embedded in said middle, such that it does not protrude from the middle. 
     The invention also relates to a method for assembling a corrector button according to the invention onto a watch case. The assembly method comprises a step of screwing said corrector button into a bed having a tapped portion and arranged at the middle of said watch case, the screwing step being performed by inserting a rotation tool inside the watch case, said rotation tool acting upon said push-rod by engaging said rotation tool into the rotation organ, the rotation of said push-rod driving the rotation of said socket and the screwing of said corrector button. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The aims, advantages and features of the present invention will emerge on reading the following detailed description with reference to the following figures: 
         FIG.  1    represents a perspective view of an embodiment example of a corrector button according to the invention; 
         FIG.  2    represents a top view of the embodiment example of the corrector button illustrated in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    represents a partial sagittal sectional view of the embodiment example illustrated in  FIG.  1   , in a rest position; 
         FIG.  4    represents a partial sagittal sectional view of the embodiment example illustrated in  FIG.  1   , in an activated position; 
         FIG.  5    represents a transverse cross-section along the axis A-A illustrated in  FIG.  3   , of the embodiment example of the corrector button illustrated in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  6    illustrates the fitting of the embodiment example of the corrector button illustrated in  FIG.  1    to a watch case. 
     
    
    
     In all the figures, common elements bear the same reference numbers unless specified otherwise. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG.  1    illustrates, in a perspective view, an embodiment example of a corrector button  100  according to the invention. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a top view of this corrector button  100 . 
       FIG.  3    represents a partial sagittal sectional view of the embodiment example illustrated in  FIG.  1   , in a rest position. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1  to  3   , the corrector button  100  comprises a socket  110  comprising a tubular part  12  and a head  13 , the head  13  forming a first end of the socket  110 . 
     The tubular part  12  has a threaded portion having a threading  11  with a view to the assembly thereof of a watch case  200  (represented in  FIG.  6   ), for example at a middle  210  of the watch case  200 . 
     To this end, the watch case  200  comprises assembly means configured to receive the socket  110  of the corrector button  100 , and more specifically the threaded portion of the socket  110 . The means for assembling the watch case are in the form of a tapped hole. 
     The threading  11  is arranged on a median portion  12   a  of the tubular part  12  of the socket  110 , such that the thread  11  is not produced along the entire length L of the tubular part  12  of the socket  110 . Thus, the distal portion  12   b  of the tubular part  12  opposite the head  13  has no threading. This distal portion  12   b  forms the second end of the socket  110 . 
     The head  13  has a diameter greater than the diameter of the tubular part  12 , such that a shoulder  14  separates the head  13  from the tubular part  12 . The shoulder  14  thus forms a support surface intended to come into contact with a relief of a bed  211  for fitting the middle  210  of a watch case  200  when fitting the corrector button  100 . 
     The tubular-shaped socket  110  comprises a cavity  70  extending between the first end of the socket  110  and the second end of the socket  110 , in other words between the head  13  and the distal portion  12   b  of the tubular part  12 . 
     The cavity  70  comprises:
         a first portion  15 , arranged in the top part of the socket  110 , opening at the first end of the socket  110 , i.e. at the head, and   a second portion  16 , arranged in the bottom part of the socket  110 , opening at the second end of the socket  110 , and particularly at a bottom surface  18  of the socket  110 .       

     The two portions  15  and  16  of the cavity  70  communicate with one another inside the socket  110 , and have a different cross-section such that the first portion  15  of the cavity  70  has a bottom  17 . 
     The first portion  15  of the cavity  70  has a circular cross-section and resembles a blind hole opening at the head  13  of the socket  110 . 
     The first portion  15  extends essentially at the head  13  of the socket  110  and the median portion  12   a  comprising the thread  11  of the tubular part  12 . 
     The second portion  16  of the cavity  70 , smaller in size than the first portion  15  has a non-circular cross-section. 
     The second portion  16  of the cavity  70  extends essentially at the distal portion  12   b  of the tubular part  12 , and more specifically between the bottom  17  and the bottom surface  18  of the socket  110 . 
     The corrector button  100  further comprises a movable control rod  120 , sliding in the socket  110 , i.e. movable in translation inside the socket  110 , along an axis X-X corresponding to the axis of revolution of the socket  110 . The movable control rod  120  comprises a push-button  30  and a push-rod  20 , rigidly connected to said push-button  30 . 
     The push-rod  20  is for example driven onto the push-button  30 . 
     The push-button  30  comprises an impression  32  arranged at the top face  33  of the push-button  30 , the top face  33  being the face that can be seen by the user when the corrector button  100  is fitted onto the watch case  200 . The impression  32  has a shape adapted to receive and promote the holding in position of a tool for operating the corrector button  100 . 
     For example, the impression  32  is of conical shape so as to enable a centring of the pointed tool and prevent any slippage of the tool when applying a force on the push-button  30 . 
     The push-button  30  comprises an annular groove  31  arranged on the rim of the push-button  30 . The annular groove  31  forms a bed for receiving a sealing organ  40 , for example an O-ring type seal. The sealing organ  40  ensures the sealing between the push-button  30  and inside the socket  110 . 
     The push-button  30  is intended to move longitudinally in the first portion  15  of circular cross-section of the cavity  70 , under a user&#39;s action. 
     The push-rod  20  is intended to actuate a control fitted inside the watch case  200  when the user presses in the movable control rod  120 . 
     The push-rod  20  comprises a push-rod body  24  and a push-rod head  22  capable of actuating a control, a lever or other of a horological mechanism. 
     The push-rod head  22  also comprises an organ for rotating the push-rod  20  but also the corrector button  100  as a whole. The push-rod head  22  has an equivalent shape to a shape of a screw head, such that the push-rod head  22  is slightly wider than the push-rod body  24  and than the second portion  16  of the cavity  70  of the socket  110 . 
     The push-rod head  22  comprises an impression  23 , forming the organ for rotating the push-rod  20 , wherein the male end  221  of a tool  220  can be inserted to rotate the push-rod  20 . Advantageously, the impression  23  is an impression corresponding to a common widely commercially available tool, that any horologist, repairer, DIY enthusiast may have. For example, the impression  23  is a slot adapted to receive a flat tip of a flat screwdriver. However, the impression  23  could also be a cross-shaped or six-ray star-shaped impression. 
     A return organ  50 , for example a return spring, is housed inside the socket  110  of the corrector button  100 , and more specifically at the first portion  16 , of circular cross-section, of the cavity  70  of the socket  110 . 
     The return organ  50  is positioned around the movable control rod  120 , more specifically around the push-rod body  24  and the bottom portion  35  of the push-button  30 . 
     The return organ  50  tends to extend between a first fixed banking formed by the bottom  17  of the first portion  15  of the cavity  70  of the socket  110  and a second movable banking formed by a collar  36  of the push-button  30 . 
     In the embodiment example, the collar  36  is advantageously formed by the bottom portion of the annular groove  31  receiving the sealing organ  40 . 
       FIG.  3    represents the rest position of the corrector button  100  wherein the return organ  50  is not compressed and the push-rod head  22  is returned to bear on the bottom surface  18  of the socket  110  by the return organ  50 . 
       FIG.  4    represents the activated position of the corrector button  100  wherein the return spring  50  is compressed between the bottom  17  arranged at the cavity  70  of the socket  110  and the collar  36  of the push button  30 . In this configuration, the push-rod  20  protrudes from the socket  110 , the distance between the push-rod head  22  and the bottom surface  18  of the socket  110  representing the travel d of the corrector button  100 . 
     As represented by  FIG.  5   , illustrating a section view along the axis A-A, the push-rod body  24  has at least one portion of polygonal cross-section, for example of square or hexagonal shape as represented in  FIG.  5   . Advantageously, the entire push-rod body  24  is of polygonal shape. 
     To this end, the second portion  16  of the cavity  70  of the socket  110  has a cross-section of complementary cross-section. The dimensions of the second portion  16  of the cavity  70  are determined so as to allow an axial movement of the push-rod  20  along the axis X-X, i.e. a minimum operating play is produced. 
     The portion of polygonal cross-section of the push-rod body  24  thus makes it possible to rotate the socket  110  when rotating the push-rod head  22  by means of a conventional tool. 
     The corrector button  100  according to the invention, as detailed above, thus makes it possible to simplify and facility the screw-fitting of the complete corrector button  100  at a middle  210  of a watch case  200 . 
     The fitting of the corrector button  100  is performed as follows: the socket  110  of the corrector button  100  is positioned at a bed  211  having a tapped portion of a watch case  200  via the outside of the middle  210 . The corrector button  100  is screwed to the middle  210  by means of the thread  11  arranged on the threaded median portion  12   a  of the tubular portion  12  of the socket  110 . The screwing of the corrector button  100  is performed via the inside of the watch case  200  by means of a convention tool  220 , for example a flat screwdriver. For this, the male end  221  of the tool  220  is engaged at the female impression  23  of the push-rod head  22 , here for example a slot, then the tool is turned in a first direction of rotation enabling the engagement of the thread  11  in the bed  211  having a tapped portion  211  of the middle  210 . Due to the polygonal shape of the push-rod body  24  and of the second portion  16  of the cavity  70  of the socket  110 , the rotation applied on the push-rod head  22  rotates the socket  110  thus enabling the fitting thereof by screwing and the gripping thereof on the middle  210  of a watch case  200 . 
     Advantageously, the bed  211  has a complementary shape to the corrector button  100 . More specifically, the bed  211  has a tapped portion for screwing the socket  110 , and more specifically the tubular part  12  of the socket  110  and a countersink to receive the head  13  of the socket  110 . The bottom of the countersink forms a shoulder forming a positioning banking for facilitating the correct positioning of the corrector button  100  in the middle  210  and ensuring the desired gripping. 
     In a specific embodiment of the invention, the thread of the threading  11  of the socket  110  can be chosen to be right-handed so that the direction of rotation of the tool  220  is the conventional screwing direction, i.e. in the clockwise direction, when screwing the corrector button  100 . However, a left-hand thread is also envisaged.