Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the technical field of horology. The invention more particularly relates to the removal and replacement of accessories on a timepiece. Such a timepiece may be equipped with a locking system to secure at least one accessory to said timepiece. Such a system also makes it possible to separate an interchangeable accessory from the timepiece and replace that accessory for repair or aesthetic purposes. 
         [0002]    A timepiece including a locking system according to the invention must be understood broadly and relates to various objects or devices such as a bracelet watch, a miniature clock, a clock, a jewel, a pendant, a brooch, a bracelet or any other assembly of an aesthetic and functional nature related to horology. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Timepieces are generally chosen or assessed based on their aesthetic quality. It is therefore natural to wish to improve their aesthetic appearance when possible. To that end, it is possible to consider using removable and interchangeable accessories. 
         [0004]    Typically, the term “accessory” defines external elements of the timepiece, contributing to the general appearance of that timepiece but without being involved in the specific horology function. This may thus be part of the box, such as a bezel or a cap. It may also be a fastening element, such as a bracelet or a chain for a watch or pendant, or a base or support for a miniature clock. 
         [0005]    It is known, for example from document CH 698652, to produce a bracelet fastening device for watches, including a rotating ring. The latter is provided with a tongue engaging in the end of the bracelet so as to lock said bracelet on part of the watch middle having a counter-form of said bracelet end. 
         [0006]    Such a system requires a certain skill to be manipulated, since it is necessary to hold the watch and the bracelet and actuate the rotating ring simultaneously. Furthermore, once the unlocking is done, the bracelet is free to separate from the watch. There is therefore a risk of the bracelet detaching in an untimely manner. 
         [0007]    Also known from document CH 697144 is a watch provided with a locking system for fastening a cap and a bracelet on a case. The locking system comprises a locking arm actuated when the watch is positioned in an ad hoc bed of a presentation case. The locking arm is mounted on the case pivotably and passing through a cutout formed in the end of the bracelet. This locking arm next snaps onto a peripheral edge of the cap to secure the bracelet and the cap to the case simultaneously. 
         [0008]    Such an embodiment simplifies handling during the separating operation of the bracelet and the bezel, since the watch is placed in its presentation-case. However, the removal is difficult without that presentation-case, which is not very practical. Furthermore, once the locking system is placed in the unlocked position, both the bracelet and the cap are freed at the same time, which is not optimal in terms of the operating or handling safety. 
         [0009]    These different embodiments of the state of the art have the drawback that the bracelets and/or the cap may separate from the case very easily and involuntarily or accidentally during unlocking. This is very disadvantageous, in particular when the locking makes it possible to retain several accessories. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention aims to offset the aforementioned drawbacks and propose a new method for removing removable accessories from a timepiece. 
         [0011]    The present invention also aims to provide a timepiece including a new locking system ensuring locking of several removable accessories on said timepiece. 
         [0012]    The invention also aims to provide a timepiece including a system for locking removable accessories having increased operating safety in particular during removal of said accessories. 
         [0013]    The aims sought by the invention are achieved owing to a method for removing removable accessories from a timepiece equipped with a locking organ, as defined in the claims. 
         [0014]    The invention also relates to a timepiece as defined in the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Other features of the present invention will appear more clearly upon reading the following description, done in reference to the appended drawing, provided as an non-limiting example, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  shows an example embodiment in top view of a timepiece according to the invention, 
           [0017]      FIGS. 2 and 3  show a partial cross-sectional view of one example embodiment of a timepiece according to the invention including a locking system, in a locked state and an unlocked state, respectively, 
           [0018]      FIGS. 2 to 7  show partial cross-sectional views of an example embodiment of a timepiece according to the invention, similar to  FIG. 1 , said views showing successive states and positions of the method according to the invention, 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  shows a half cross-sectional view OA of the example of the timepiece of  FIG. 1 , 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  illustrates a half cross-sectional view OB of the example of the timepiece of  FIG. 1 , 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  illustrates a top external view of another example embodiment of a timepiece according to the invention, 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  illustrates a partial cross-sectional view along the axis of rotation of a locking system control crown of the timepiece of  FIG. 10 , 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  shows a partial cross-sectional view OD of the timepiece of  FIG. 10 , and 
           [0024]      FIGS. 13 to 19  show different cross-sectional top views of embodiments of a locking organ for a timepiece according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    Structurally and functionally identical elements present in several figures are assigned a same numeric or alphanumeric reference. 
         [0026]    The present description refers more particularly to a timepiece formed by a watch, but is in no way limited to this particular example application. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  shows a timepiece  1  including a movement  16 , not shown in this figure, and housed in a case  2 . This movement  16  includes a control arbor  30  provided for setting the time and, optionally, for winding if the movement  16  is mechanical. 
         [0028]    The timepiece  1  is equipped with a first accessory  3 , typically assuming the form of a bezel. It is also equipped with second and third accessories  4 , in the proposed example, each assuming the form of a bracelet strand, assembled on the case  2 . As will be understood hereafter, the accessories  3  and  4  are removably mounted on the timepiece  1 . The latter further comprises a locking system activated to secure the accessories  3 ,  4  on the timepiece  1  and deactivated to allow the removal of said accessories  3 ,  4  from the timepiece  1 . 
         [0029]    As shown more particularly in  FIGS. 2 to 7 , the first accessory  3  includes a functional part arranged to cooperate with the second accessory  4  to secure it and lock it to the timepiece  1 . More particularly, the bezel comprises an arbor  6  extending orthogonally relative to the extension plane of the bezel. Furthermore, each bracelet strand is dimensioned so as to be able to be adjusted in a bed  10  of the case  2 , provided to that end. Each bracelet strand also includes an opening  9 , positioned such that the arbor  6  passes through it when the accessories are in the functional position. Preferably, the opening  9  is dimensioned such that the second accessory  4  is maintained without play when the arbor  6  passes through it. The sections of the arbor  6  and the opening  9  therefore have similar dimensions. 
         [0030]    The functional part of the first accessory  3 , i.e., in the proposed example, the arbor  6  of the bezel, is arranged to cooperate with a locking organ, which is part of the locking system. To that end, the arbor  6  includes a collar  8 , the section of which has a dimension larger than the arbor  6  and which thus defines a rim. 
         [0031]    The locking organ advantageously assumes the form of a rigid and annular clamp  5   a , completely visible in  FIG. 1 . In this example, the clamp  5   a  is translatably mounted in a locking bed  12 , which extends substantially on the periphery of the timepiece  1 , around the movement  16 . The locking organ is movable between an active position and an inactive position to respectively lock and unlock the first accessory  3 . A complementary elastic organ  5   b  is arranged to exert a return force on the clamp  5   a , tending to keep it in the active position. As will be described hereafter, a manual control device is arranged on the case  2  to move the locking organ. The locking system is thus made up of the locking organ, the complementary elastic organ  5   b  and the manual control device. 
         [0032]    The clamp  5   a  is provided with at least one window  11  for the passage of the functional part. Preferably, for better stability and better guiding of the first accessory  3 , the latter includes several functional parts and the locking organ cooperates with each of them through an equal number of windows  11 . 
         [0033]    Each window  11  is dimensioned so as to define a banking with which the collar  8  can cooperate when the locking system is activated, so as to allow the free passage of the collar  8  when the locking system is deactivated. 
         [0034]    Preferably, the windows  11  each have two areas with different dimensions and able to position themselves across from the corresponding collar  8 , during the movement of the clamp  5   a  from one position to the other. One of the areas having the smallest dimensions is dimensioned so as to block the passage of the collar  8  when the locking organ is in the active position, whereas the other area, having larger dimensions, allows the passage of the collar  8  when the locking organ is in the inactive position. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 2 to 7  additionally show that the timepiece  1  has automatic expulsion means arranged so as to exert a force on the first accessory  3  tending to remove it from said timepiece  1 . 
         [0036]    The automatic expulsion means comprise at least one elastic organ  13  such as a spring, pre-stressed to exert a force on the first accessory  3  in its removal direction. Such a spring is advantageously associated with a piston  14 , thus forming a subassembly mounted in an additional bed  15  of the case  2 . As long as the first accessory  3  is locked on the timepiece, the elastic organ  13  is not effective. Once the locking system is deactivated, the elastic organ  13  pushes the first accessory  3  in a removal direction tending to separate it from the timepiece  1 . 
         [0037]    The additional bed  15  includes a banking that forms an organ limiting the travel of the automatic expulsion means, which thus defines an intermediate removal position, shown in  FIG. 5 , in which:
       the position of the first accessory  3  is stabilized by safety means,   the first accessory  3  may be grasped manually to be completely removed,   the second accessory  4  is kept secured to the timepiece  1  by the first accessory  3 .       
 
         [0041]    Indeed, in this position, the locking organ, in this case the clamp  5   a , exerts friction on the functional part, in this case the arbor  6 , under the action of the complementary elastic organ  5   b , which exerts a braking force opposing the complete removal of the first accessory  3 . The clamp  5   a  is pressed below the collar  8 , in reference to the removal direction. In other words, the collar  8  no longer abuts against the clamp  5   a . It will be understood that the securing means begin to work and the braking is exerted automatically once the user has released the manual control device. Thus, the complementary elastic organ  5   b  participates both in the locking of the first accessory  3  and the safety means. 
         [0042]    When the first accessory  3  is in the intermediate removal position, it is positioned protruding relative to the timepiece  1 . A user may therefore grasp it. Given that, in this position, the locking organ only produces braking, but no longer any blocking, the user may grasp the first accessory  3  and remove it completely by exerting a pulling force greater than the braking forces. 
         [0043]    It will be noted that advantageously, the arbor  6  is always engaged in the opening  9  when the first accessory  3  is in the intermediate removal position. Thus, owing to the braking exerted by the locking organ, both the first and second accessories  4  are always secured to the timepiece  1 , even if they are no longer locked. The risk of losing the accessories during accidental actuating of the manual control device is therefore limited. Furthermore, during deliberate actuation of said device, the passage through the intermediate removal position ensures complete oversight of the operations and prevents loss of any of the accessories. 
         [0044]    It will be noted that although in this example, the braking and locking are exerted on the arbors  6 , it is possible to consider having the locking organ cooperate with different functional parts, to perform the locking and braking functions, respectively. 
         [0045]    Thus, in  FIG. 2 , the locking system and the locking organ are in the active position. The bezel is mounted on the timepiece  1  and the locking organ locks the bezel by cooperating with the collar  8 . Through this locking and the engagement of the arbor  6  in the opening  9 , the bracelet is also secured and locked to the timepiece  1 . 
         [0046]    The complementary elastic organ  5   b  exerts a return force on the clamp  5   a , tending to keep it in the active position and maintaining the locking. 
         [0047]    In  FIG. 3 , the locking system is deactivated. A user has actuated the manual control device to move the locking organ by stressing the complementary elastic organ. The position shown in this  FIG. 3  is very fleeting, since the automatic expulsion means promptly exert their action to bring the first accessory  3  into its intermediate removal position. 
         [0048]    When the user has not yet released the manual control device, the locking system is as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , i.e., the clamp  5   a  does not yet exert a braking force on the arbor. 
         [0049]    When the user has released the manual control device, the locking system is then only subjected to the force from the complementary elastic organ  5   b . This then creates the situation of  FIG. 5 , and the first accessory  3  is in its intermediate removed position. 
         [0050]    The user can then grasp the first accessory  3  and remove it completely, i.e., separate it from the timepiece  1  ( FIG. 6 ). The clamp  5   a  is then placed abutting in its locking bed  12 . The second accessory  4  and the other additional accessories, in this case the two strands of the bracelet, are then separated from the timepiece  1  ( FIG. 7 ). 
         [0051]      FIGS. 8 and 9  are detailed views of the timepiece  1  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 8  is a half cross-sectional view along axis OA. The manual control device is a pushbutton  32 . It makes it possible to move the locking organ by translation in the plane of the case  2 , along a radial direction. The pushbutton  32  cooperates with a leaf of the clamp  5   a , situated in the travel of the pushbutton. 
         [0052]    These figures in particular show the movement  16 , which is topped by a dial  17 . Conventionally, a glass  18   a  is fixed to the middle and protects the dial  17  and the hands. Thus, even when the bezel is removed, the dial, the hands and the movement  16  remain protected. Nevertheless, in order for the bezel not to appear raised relative to the glass, which is not esthetically desirable, the bezel  4  is secured to a second glass  18   b , which closes the timepiece  1 , substantially in its middle, or an optional flange. 
         [0053]      FIG. 9  is a half cross-sectional view OB of the timepiece  1  of  FIG. 1 . This figure more particularly illustrates the complementary elastic organ  5   b , in this case formed by a spring, and its action on the locking organ. 
         [0054]      FIG. 10  proposes another embodiment of the invention, in which the locking organ is rotatably mounted in the locking bed  12 . It is actuated by a manual control device assuming the form of a crown  19  capable of being rotated. 
         [0055]      FIG. 11  is a partial cross-sectional view OC along the axis of rotation of the crown  19  of the locking system of the timepiece  1  of  FIG. 10 . The crown  19  may be moved axially to engage a meshing pinion  20  with a toothing  21  forming a rack section of the locking organ. The meshing pinion  20  is secured to the crown  19  by a cylindrical arbor  19   a , so as to rotate the locking organ for example to go from an active position illustrated in  FIG. 12  to an inactive position.  FIG. 11  shows the control crown  19  in a neutral position inasmuch as the meshing pinion  20  is in a non-meshed position. Accidentally actuating the control crown  19  therefore has no effect on the locking organ, as long as said control crown  19  is not moved axially to mesh the meshing pinion  20  with the toothing  21 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 12  is a partial cross-sectional view OD along an axis passing through a functional part, in this case an arbor  6 , of a first accessory  3  and through a second accessory  4  of the timepiece  1  of  FIG. 10 . It illustrates the activated locking system. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 13 ,  14  and  15  also show alternatives for implementing the invention in a shaped, i.e., non-circular, case. In  FIG. 13 , the manual control device is a crown and the locking organ is a rectangular clamp  5   a  that can be translated by rotating the crown  19 . In  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the manual control device is a crown and the locking organ is rotatable. The locking organ is in the active position in  FIG. 14  and the inactive position in  FIG. 15 . The kinematic link between the crown  19  and the clamp  5   a  is similar to that previously described. 
         [0058]      FIGS. 16 and 17  illustrate example embodiments of the invention, in which the clamp  5   a  is driven by the sliding of a bolt  22 . In  FIG. 16 , the clamp  5   a  is annular and rotatable. In  FIG. 16 , the clamp  5   a  is rectangular and translatable. The bolt  22  can be mounted secured to the clamp. 
         [0059]      FIGS. 18 and 19  illustrate example embodiments of the invention, in which the clamp  5   a  is driven by actuating a push-piece, like the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 18 , the clamp  5   a  is annular and rotatable. In  FIG. 19 , the clamp  5   a  is rectangular and translatable. The push-piece  24  is arranged to cooperate with an inclined plane  5   c  comprised by the clamp  5   a.    
         [0060]    The present invention also relates to a method for removing removable accessories  3 ,  4  from a timepiece  1 , equipped with a locking organ manually movable between an active position and an inactive position to separate said accessories  3 ,  4  from the timepiece  1 . 
         [0061]    According to a first step, the method consists of manually moving the locking organ into its inactive position to unlock the first accessory  3  mounted on the timepiece  1 . 
         [0062]    According to a second step, the method consists of automatically moving the first accessory  3  in a removal direction from timepiece  1 , over an initial removal travel to reach an intermediate removal position. In this intermediate position:
       the position of the first accessory  3  is stabilized by safety means,   the first accessory  3  may be manually grasped to be completely removed,   the second accessory  4  is kept secured to the timepiece  1  by the first accessory  3 .       
 
         [0066]    In a third step, the first accessory  3  is moved manually so as to completely remove it and free the second accessory from the timepiece  1 . 
         [0067]    The present invention also relates to a method for replacing accessories of the timepiece  1 . The accessory replacement method according to the invention consists, after carrying out the aforementioned steps, of securing the accessories  3  and  4  of the timepiece  1  by:
       manually positioning the locking organ in its inactive position,   engaging at least one second accessory  4  in the timepiece  1 ,   engaging the first accessory  3  in the timepiece  1  in the direction opposite the removal direction, by blocking the second accessory  4  in the timepiece  1 , and   automatically moving the locking organ into its active position.       
 
         [0072]    The locking is therefore done automatically once the first accessory  3  is engaged in the timepiece  1  and the user releases the control of the locking organ. 
         [0073]    It appears advantageous to give a conical shape to the collar  8  as well as the positioning hole  11 , so as to facilitate the passage of the collar  8  through the locking organ and consequently facilitate the engagement of the arbor  6  in the case  2 . 
         [0074]    In one additional alternative that is not shown, the securing means are automatically activated, independently of the fact that the user has released the manual control device. This may in particular be useful if the control device is actuated in an untimely manner. 
         [0075]    Such a system may for example be done with a manual control organ in the form of a bolt, by adapting a so-called “all or nothing” system, similar to what is found in the manual release systems of repeater watches. In this case, the bolt is not secured to the locking organ, but it comprises a hook pivotably mounted on the bolt, kept engaged on a post fixed on the clamp  5   a  by a spring. The hook and the spring are arranged such that the hook disengages from the post when the locking organ has reached an extreme position, beyond the inactive position. It is possible to provide a small notch in the movement of the control organ, to mark the inactive position. The locking organ may then automatically, under the action of the complementary elastic organ  5   b , perform the braking function. Owing to the pivoting of the hook, it may return to its initial position. An independent return spring is positioned on the manual control device. To engage the second accessory  4 , the user may bring the locking organ into the inactive position, given that the hook only disengages beyond that position. 
         [0076]    The present description is of course not limited to the examples explicitly described, but also comprises other embodiments and/or implementations. Thus, a described technical feature or implementation step may be replaced by an equivalent technical feature or equivalent step, respectively, without going beyond the scope of the present invention.

Technology Category: y