Button structure for a timepiece and a timepiece having this button structure

Abstract

A timepiece button structure has a base having a first cavity, a first button member, a second button member having a second cavity part, first and second urging members, and first and second movement-limiting members. The second button member is disposed to protrude from and recede into the first cavity part with the second urging member urging the second button member in the direction protruding from the first cavity part and the second movement-limiting member limiting movement in the protrusion direction. The first button member is disposed to protrude from and recede into the second cavity part with the first urging member urging the first button member in the direction protruding from the second cavity part and the first movement-limiting member limiting movement in the protrusion direction. The first button member moves alone in the receding direction until the first button member contacts the second button member when the first button member is pushed against the urging force of the first urging member in the direction receding into the second cavity part, and the first and second button members move together in the receding direction when the first button member is pushed further against the urging force of the first and second urging members in the direction receding into the first cavity part after the first button member contacts the second button member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a timepiece according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an oblique view of the button structure in this timepiece.

FIG. 3 is an exploded oblique view of the button structure.

FIG. 4 is a vertical section view of the button structure.

FIG. 5 is a vertical section view showing the button depressed to a first operating position.

FIG. 6 is a vertical section view showing the button depressed to a second operating position.

Claims

1. A timepiece button structure comprising a base having a first cavity part; a first button member; a second button member having a second cavity part; first and second urging members; and first and second movement-limiting members, wherein: the second button member is disposed to protrude from and recede into the first cavity part with the second urging member urging the second button member in the direction protruding from the first cavity part and the second movement-limiting member limiting movement in the protrusion direction;the first button member is disposed to protrude from and recede into the second cavity part with the first urging member urging the first button member in the direction protruding from the second cavity part and the first movement-limiting member limiting movement in the protrusion direction;the first button member moves alone in the receding direction until the first button member contacts the second button member when the first button member is pushed against the urging force of the first urging member in the direction receding into the second cavity part; andthe first and second button members move together in the receding direction when the first button member is pushed further against the urging force of the first and second urging members in the direction receding into the first cavity part after the first button member contacts the second button member.

2. The timepiece button structure described in claim 1, wherein: the urging force of the second urging member is less than the urging force of the first urging member.

3. The timepiece button structure described in claim 1, wherein: a portion of a side wall delimiting the first cavity part in the base is a guard portion that protrudes more than other parts of the side wall in the protrusion direction; andthe height from the top of the guard portion to the bottom of the first cavity part is less than or equal to the height from the top of the first button member to the bottom of the first cavity part when the first button member touches the second button member in the protruding state, and is greater than the height from the top of the first button member to the bottom of the first cavity part when both the first and second button members are fully recessed into the first cavity part.

4. The timepiece button structure described in claim 1, wherein the base is separate from the case member of the timepiece.

5. A timepiece comprising the timepiece button structure described in claim 1.