EP3650951B1 - Timepiece comprising a device for locking a valve or a crown - Google Patents

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking. It relates more particularly to a timepiece comprising a device for locking a control member such as a crown or more generally any member that can be actuated by a user such as a valve.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND AND STATE OF THE ART

It is known to produce timepieces comprising a locking device which makes it possible to make a control member inactive. The purpose of these devices is to prevent accidental actuation of the control member. Numerous documents are thus known describing such a locking device for push buttons or crowns, a device which could possibly be transposed for safety valves fitted to diving watches.

For example, from document JP 2005 337792 , a device for locking a crown is known. The locking device comprises a lug integral with the inner face of a rotating bezel. For a given angular position of the bezel, the lug is positioned in a groove made in the crown, which blocks its movement in translation. This construction has the disadvantage that the device can lock if the fit between the groove and the lug for the given angular position is not perfect.

Documents US 2008/068934 A1 , US 2010/142333 A1 and US 2010/128575 A1 devices for locking a crown are also known.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a timepiece comprising a device for locking a member which is reliable while being easy to handle by the user and aesthetic. Device means a control device, e.g. a crown, or even a valve.

To this end, the present invention provides a timepiece comprising a locking device provided with a locking element capable of moving in translation along the longitudinal axis of the member between a locking position and an unlocking position. . The locking element is arranged to lock the valve in its closed position and the crown in its depressed position. The translational movement of the locking element is controlled by a part mounted to be movable in rotation around the central axis of the housing. The mobile part is intended to be rotated by the user. It may be a rotating ring hidden under the bezel and secured to a gripping zone extending outside the perimeter delimited by a section of the case so as to be gripped by the user. It may also be a rotating ring partially concealed under the bezel with a visible portion framing the bezel or it may be the bezel as such. The angular displacement of the rotatably mounted part is linked to the translational displacement of the blocking element by drive means. The latter include a cam disposed on the movable part defining a guide surface for a follower disposed on the locking element. The guide surface is profiled so as to move away from the central axis of the housing in order to cause the locking element to move in translation outwardly of the housing from its locking position to its unlocking position.

Preferably, the cam is formed by a recess made within the part mounted mobile in rotation and the follower is a finger placed on the locking element. Preferably, the latter is formed of a sleeve surrounding a portion of the member placed under the head of said member, the sleeve comprising a housing intended to receive the finger rising towards the movable part. In addition, the sleeve comprises a re-entrant part forming a stop for a shoulder formed on said portion of the member when the locking element is translated into its locking position.

Whether in the locked or unlocked positions, the locking element remains hidden under the bezel without extending beyond the perimeter delimited by the edge of the case. The device for locking the member according to the invention is thus perfectly integrated into the design of the housing while being easy to use. Moreover, whatever the position adopted, the finger of the locking element is always engaged with the recess of the movable part, which guarantees the reliability of the locking device.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent on reading the detailed description below with reference to the following figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

• The figures 1A , 2A and 3A represent partial plan views of the timepiece according to the invention provided with a valve locking device. To the figure 1A , the valve is locked in the closed position. To the figures 2A and 3A , the valve is unlocked and respectively in the closed and open position. The figure 1B shows a sectional view along the AA axis of the figure 1A . The figures 1C and 1D respectively represent sectional views along the axes EE and CC of the figure 1B .
• The figures 2B and 2C respectively represent views similar to those of the figures 1B and 1D for the unlocked valve in the closed position and the figures 3B and 3C represent these same views for the unlocked valve in the open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a timepiece of the wristwatch type comprising a device for locking a member capable of moving in translation along its longitudinal axis and in rotation about this same axis. It may be a screw-on valve 3 as shown in figure 1A or a screw-down crown (not shown).

Referring to figures 1A and 1B , the timepiece conventionally comprises a case 1 provided with a middle part 2 and a valve 3 screwed onto a tube 7 fixed to the middle part 2. Screwing and unscrewing the valve 3 makes it possible to move in translation the valve along its longitudinal axis, which can also be described as a radial axis with respect to the housing, between a closed position and an open position which, as opposed to the closed position, allows the evacuation of a gas in the event of overpressure inside the watch case. The tube 7 is crossed by the rod 8 integral with the valve 3. The latter comprises a head 4 which surmounts a substantially cylindrical hollow body 5 terminated by a ring 6. The ring 6 has an outer diameter greater than that of the hollow body 5 of so as to form a shoulder 6a at the junction between the outer faces of the hollow body 5 and of the ring 6. Preferably, for reasons of ease of assembly, the head 4 with the hollow body 5 is a separate part from the ring 6 .

According to the invention, the timepiece comprises a locking device which makes it possible to block the valve in the closed position. The locking device comprises a locking element 9 movable in translation along the longitudinal axis of the valve between a position of lock and an unlock position. The locking element 9 surrounds the ring 6 and at least in part the hollow body 5 of the valve. It is formed by a cylindrical bush 10. This bush 10 has on its inner face a re-entrant part 10a defining a stop for the shoulder 6a of the ring 6 when the locking device is in its locking position. In other words, the sleeve has on its inner face a portion of internal diameter smaller than that of the rest of the sleeve, the junction between the parts of different diameters forming the stop for the shoulder. This re-entrant part 10a is disposed at the end of the sleeve 10 which is located opposite the head 4 of the valve. The locking element 9 also comprises a finger 11 with a base housed in a recess 10b formed in the socket 10 and a projecting portion protruding out of the latter towards the bezel 12 of the case ( fig.1B and fig.1C ). This finger rises in a direction parallel to the central axis 1a of the housing 1 which is an axis perpendicular to the general plane of the housing and to the longitudinal axis of the valve.

The locking device also comprises a part 13 mounted to be movable in rotation about the central axis 1a and intended to be set in rotation by a user. This part 13 movable in rotation controls the translational movement of the locking element 9 between the locking and unlocking positions. It thus has two angular positions corresponding respectively to the locking and unlocking positions. These two angular positions can for example be indicated by a marking on the bezel. In the example illustrated, the movable part 13 forms a rotating ring concealed under the bezel 12 with a projecting portion 13b, which will also be referred to as a gripping zone, extending outside the perimeter delimited by a section of the case 1 in order to to allow its gripping by the user. Advantageously, this gripping zone is textured to facilitate its input by the user. As a variant, it is also possible for the movable part to be a ring only partially concealed under the bezel, a portion of the ring extending on the perimeter of the bezel so as to be accessible by a user. According to another variant, the mobile part is the bezel as such. The movable part is kinematically linked to the locking element using drive means. The drive means comprise the finger 11 of the locking element 9 acting as a follower intended to cooperate with a cam arranged on the movable part 13. The cam is defined by at least one of the two side surfaces of an internal recess. 13a in the rotating ring 13 ( fig.1D ). The recess 13a has two sections a1 corresponding respectively to the locked and unlocked positions. The sections a1 are arranged so as to move away from the central axis of the housing in order to generate this axial displacement of the locking element between the locking position which is closest to the central axis of the housing and a more distant position corresponding to the unlocked position. In the example illustrated in the figures, the sections a1 are rectilinear and separated by a transition zone a2 allowing a fluid passage of the finger 11 between the positions ( fig.1D ). This transition zone can be substantially rectilinear, curved or have curved and rectilinear portions. It is also conceivable that the sections and the transition zone form a single section in an arc of a circle off-center with respect to the central axis of the housing. The protruding portion of the finger 11 protruding from the locking element may have a diameter substantially equal to the width of the recess 13a as shown in the figures. It is also possible for the finger to have a smaller diameter as long as it is still in contact with a lateral surface of the recess to ensure its guidance. To this end, return means such as a helical spring can be provided to keep the finger in contact with one of the two lateral surfaces of the recess in both directions of actuation of the movable part.

The locking device may also include means which make it possible to maintain the movable part in the desired position without the risk of inadvertent changes. To this end, the device locking device can be provided with ball pawls with the balls which are housed in cavities made in the moving part.

The operation of the valve locking device is as follows. To the figures 1A to 1D , the valve 3 is locked in the closed position, which corresponds in the example illustrated to the positioning of the gripping zone 13b of the movable part 13 at 9 o'clock. In this position, the finger 11 is engaged with the section a1 of the recess 13a which is closest to the axis 1a of the housing. It follows that the locking element 9 is in its axial position closest to the axis of the housing. In this position, the shoulder 6a of the ring 6 is in abutment against the re-entrant part 10a of the sleeve 10. Any axial displacement of the valve towards its open position further from the axis of the housing is thus prevented. To the figures 2A to 2C , the gripping zone 13b is rotated by an angle given by the user. In the example illustrated, the amplitude between the two positions is approximately 30 °. It is of course conceivable to lengthen or reduce this amplitude. Following this angular displacement of the gripping zone 13b and therefore of the movable part 13, the finger 11 of the locking element 9 is positioned in the section a1 of the recess 13a which is further from the axis of the housing. compared to the previous position. This results in an axial displacement of the locking element 9 in a direction opposite to the axis of the housing freeing a space D between the re-entrant part 10a of the sleeve 10 and the shoulder 6a of the ring 6 ( fig.2B ). The user can then freely unscrew the valve in order to move it axially over a maximum stroke D where the valve is in the open position as shown in figures 3A-3C .

The locking device and its operation have been described for a valve, but it can also be used for a crown which would be held in the depressed position by this same locking device. In a known manner, the crown can adopt this pushed-in position, an intermediate position and a pulled-out position respectively enabling the timepiece to be wound, a date to be changed and a time to be changed.

Finally, we will specify that, as an alternative to the variants presented on the figures 1A to 3C , it is conceivable that the cam is formed by a lateral surface delimiting a projecting portion formed on the movable part and that the follower is formed by a recess made in the locking element.

Legend

1. (1) Housing
   1. at. Central axis
2. (2) Case
3. (3) Valve or control device or device
4. (4) Valve head
5. (5) Hollow valve body
6. (6) Valve ring
   1. at. Shoulder
7. (7) Tube
8. (8) Stem
9. (9) Locking element
10. (10) Bushing of the locking device
    1. at. Re-entrant or worn part
    2. b. Recess or housing or opening
11. (11) Finger
12. (12) Bezel
13. (13) Mobile part
    1. at. Interior recess
       • a1. Section
       • a2. Transition zone
    2. b. Protruding portion or gripping area
14. (14) Seal

Claims (19)

1. Timepiece comprising:

   - a case (1) with a central axis (1a) substantially perpendicular to the general plane of the case (1),

   - a control member or a valve (3), generally referred to as a member, this member being mounted such that it can move in translation on a middle part (2) of the case (1) along a radial axis between at least a first position and a second position which is located further away from the central axis (1a) of the case (1) than the first position, the member being screwed on at least one end part of the path between the second position and the first position,

   - a locking device capable of blocking the translation of the member in the first position,

   the locking device comprising:

   - a blocking element (9) capable of undergoing translational displacement along the radial axis between a locking position and an unlocking position, where the member is respectively blocked or free to move in translation,

   - a part (13) mounted such that it can move in rotation about the central axis (1a) of the case (1) and intended to be set in rotation by a user,

   - drive means linking the angular displacement of the part (13) mounted such that it can move in rotation to the translational displacement along the radial axis of the blocking element (9) between the locking and unlocking positions.
2. Timepiece according to claim 1, characterised in that the drive means include a cam and a follower engaging with said cam, the cam and the follower being respectively made on the part (13) mounted such that it can move in rotation and on the blocking element (9).
3. Timepiece according to claim 2, characterised in that the cam is formed by a recess (13a) made within the part (13) mounted such that it can move in rotation, said recess being delimited by at least one side surface for guiding the follower, and in that the follower is a finger (11) disposed on the blocking element (9).
4. Timepiece according to claim 2, characterised in that the cam is formed by a protruding portion made on the part (13) mounted such that it can move in rotation, said protruding portion being delimited by at least one side surface for guiding the follower, and in that the follower is a recess hollowed out in the blocking element (9).
5. Timepiece according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the member includes a head (4) overlooking a hollow body (5) ending in a ring (6), this ring having an outer diameter that is greater than that of the hollow body so as to form a shoulder (6a).
6. Timepiece according to claim 5, characterised in that the blocking element (9) includes a cylindrical sleeve (10) surrounding the ring (6) and at least partially surrounding the hollow body (5).
7. Timepiece according to claim 6, characterised in that this sleeve (10) includes, on the inner face thereof, an inward part (10a) defining a banking for the shoulder (6a) of the ring (6) when the blocking element (9) is in the locking position.
8. Timepiece according to claim 7, characterised in that the inward part (10a) is disposed at the end of the sleeve (10), which is positioned facing the head (4) of the member.
9. Timepiece according to claim 3 and any of claims 6 to 8, characterised in that the finger (11) includes a base, and in that the sleeve (10) includes an opening (10b) in which the base of the finger is housed.
10. Timepiece according to any of claims 3 to 9, characterised in that said at least one guiding side surface gradually moves away from the central axis (1a) of the case (1).
11. Timepiece according to claim 10, characterised in that said at least one guiding side surface forms an arc of a circle.
12. Timepiece according to claim 10, characterised in that said at least one guiding side surface is formed by two segments (a1) respectively corresponding to the locking and unlocking positions separated by a transition zone (a2) allowing the follower to pass smoothly between the locking and unlocking positions.
13. Timepiece according to claim 12, characterised in that the segments (a1) are rectilinear and in that the transition zone (a2) is curved, rectilinear or partially curved and rectilinear.
14. Timepiece according to any of the preceding claims and whose case (1) includes or supports a bezel (12), characterised in that the part (13) mounted such that it can move in rotation is a ring concealed beneath the bezel with a grasping zone (13b) extending outside of the perimeter delimited by an edge of the case so as to be accessible to the user.
15. Timepiece according to any of claims 1 to 13 and whose case (1) includes or supports a bezel (12), characterised in that the part (13) mounted such that it can move in rotation is a ring that is partially concealed beneath the bezel, a visible portion of the ring extending over the circumference of the bezel so as to be accessible to the user.
16. Timepiece according to any of claims 1 to 13 and whose case (1) includes or supports a bezel (12), characterised in that the part (13) mounted such that it can move in rotation is formed by said bezel.
17. Timepiece according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the blocking element (9) is completely concealed beneath the movable part (13) in the locking and unlocking positions.
18. Timepiece according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the member is a winding button capable of adopting said first position, said second position and a third position, said first, second and third positions respectively enabling the timepiece to be wound, a date to be changed and a visible displayed time to be corrected.
19. Timepiece according to any of claims 1 to 17, characterised in that the member is the valve (3) capable of adopting said first position corresponding to the closed position of the valve and said second position corresponding to the open position of the valve (3).

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