This is a National phase Application in the United States of International Patent Application PCT/EP2013/073996 filed on Nov. 15, 2013 which claims priority of the Swiss patent application No:02423/12 filed on Nov. 16, 2012. The entire disclosure of the above patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference.
The present invention relates to mechanical timepieces. It more particularly concerns a mechanism for the display of several mutually different pieces of time information including several information carriers on each of which appears one of said pieces of time information. The present invention also concerns a timepiece including such a display mechanism.
Such a mechanism for the display of several mutually different pieces of time information including several information carriers, on each of which appears one of said pieces of time information, is conventionally used in mechanical timepieces to display, on the dial, various pieces of time information, such as the date, the time in different time zones, phases of the moon, etc. . . .
This information is displayed by means of different apertures or symbols distributed over the timepiece dial. Once the timepiece is assembled, the position of the various pieces of information displayed on the dial is immutable, so that it is impossible to modify the appearance of the dial.
Further, all of the pieces of time information consistently appear although the user does not necessarily desire the display thereof.
Further, each information carrier and its actuation mechanism occupy a considerable amount of space underneath the dial, so that the dial and movement are very cluttered, leaving no room for other displays or other mechanisms.
One solution for overcoming this problem was proposed in EP Patent No 1922591, which discloses the use of one or two rotating indicators kinematically connected to cams to “update” the indicators when the associated cams are selected according to the selected type of information to be displayed. The cam is selected by means of a finger-piece which moves in translation to read the information on the cam and transmit it to the associated indicator to “update” it. However, in this display mechanism, the indicators are fixed behind an aperture so that the appearance of the dial cannot be changed. Further, the indicators used are the same regardless of the type of information to be displayed. This means that the information to be displayed must be of the same type.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a display mechanism which makes it possible to select the time information to be displayed.
It is another object of the present invention to propose a display mechanism that makes it possible to display different pieces of time information in the same place on the dial, leaving space available for other displays or mechanisms.
To this end, and according to the present invention, there is proposed a mechanism for the display of several mutually different pieces of time information including several information carriers on each of which appears one of said pieces of time information.
According to the invention, the display device further includes a magazine? in which said information carriers are stored in an inactive storage position, a platform arranged to receive, in a movable manner according to the time information to be displayed, the selected information carrier in an active operating position, first means for moving the selected information carrier between said inactive storage position in the magazine and said active operating position on the platform, said first movement means being mounted between the magazine and the platform, and means for controlling said first movement means.
Advantageously, the magazine can include different superposed housings respectively arranged to receive one information carrier. Further, said magazine is mounted to be movable in translation so as to present the selected information carrier level with the first movement means.
Preferably, the display magazine includes first actuation means arranged to move the magazine so as to present the selected information carrier level with the first movement means.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the information carrier includes a disc bearing time information and including first means for positioning said disc on the platform, and a ring in which the disc is mounted for free rotation and including second means for positioning the information carrier in the magazine. The ring may also include housings arranged to receive the selected information carrier movement means.
Advantageously, the means for moving the selected information carrier include an arm mounted to pivot between the magazine and the platform and having means for gripping the selected information carrier.
Advantageously, the platform includes as many crowns as there are pieces of time information to be displayed on the platform, each of said crowns being arranged to receive an associated information carrier and being movable in rotation at a speed selected according to the piece of time information displayed on the associated information carrier.
Preferably, each crown includes third positioning means arranged to cooperate with the first means for positioning the time information bearing disc, the first and third positioning means being arranged such that the time information bearing disc is positioned on the associated crown to correctly display the associated piece of time information.
Preferably, the third positioning means arranged on the crown are movable in translation between a low position for setting the selected information carrier in place on the platform, and a high position permitting cooperation between the selected information carrier and its associated crown. Advantageously, the platform includes second movement means arranged to move the third positioning means arranged on the crown in translation between their low position and high position.
Advantageously, the mechanism according to the invention further includes coupling means arranged to pivot the selected information carrier positioned on the platform until said selected information carrier cooperates with the associated crown.
Advantageously the mechanism includes second means for actuating the coupling means.
Preferably, the control means for said first selected information carrier movement means include a centralised control unit also arranged to control the second means for moving the third positioning means provided on the crown and the second means for actuating the coupling means.
The present invention also concerns a timepiece including a display mechanism as defined above.
This display mechanism makes it possible to select a piece of time information to be displayed, this information may be of a different nature from the other pieces of time information that can be displayed, and to change the appearance of the dial by selecting an information carrier that is different from the other information carriers.
The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description of one embodiment, given by way of example and made with reference to the drawings, in which:
With reference to
According to the invention, the display mechanism includes a frame on which are arranged a magazine 6, in which said information carriers 8 are stored in an inactive storage position, a platform 10 arranged to receive, in a movable manner according to the piece of time information to be displayed, the selected information carrier 8 in an active operating position, first means 12 for moving the selected information carrier 8 between said inactive storage position in magazine 6 and said active operating position on platform 10, said first movement means 12 being mounted between magazine 6 and platform 10, and means 14 for controlling said first movement means.
More specifically, with reference to
The time information bearing disc is integral with a base 17 including on the bottom thereof, facing outwards, first means for positioning said time information bearing disc 16 on platform 10. Said first means for positioning said time information bearing disc 16 on platform 10 are advantageously formed by an oblong aperture and by a circular orifice respectively able to receive a drive pin and an indicator? pin arranged on platform 10 as will be seen below. Base 17 also includes a circular groove 18 arranged to permit free motion of the drive and indicator pins corresponding to another information carrier.
Base 17 also includes an external peripheral toothing 20 whose function will be described below.
Information carrier 8 also includes a ring 22 inside which time information bearing disc 16 and its base 17 are arranged. The assembly is closed by means of a glass 24 on which are shown symbols 26 for identifying the piece of time information to be displayed.
Time information bearing disc 16 and its base 17 are mounted for free rotation inside ring 22 about an arbor 28 integral with glass 24 by means of a ball bearing 25.
Ring 22 includes housings forming second means 30 for positioning information carrier 8 in magazine 6.
Ring 22 further includes housings 32 arranged to receive the first means 12 for moving the selected information carrier 8.
Corresponding cut-outs portions are provided in glass 24.
Ring 22 also includes a cut-out portion 34 arranged to allow the passage of the means for coupling disc 16 as will be described below.
With reference to
The movement includes a fixed frame 42 inside which said magazine 6 is mounted to move in translation perpendicular to the general plane of the movement, so as to be capable of moving and presenting the selected information carrier 8 level with the first movement means. It is clear that the magazine may be arranged to be movable in an inclined plane with respect to the general plane of the movement.
More specifically, fixed frame 42 includes a lower bridge 44, an intermediate bridge (not shown) and an upper bridge 46 integral with the frame.
Fixed frame 42 also includes a first set of pins 48 mounted between lower bridge 44 and the intermediate bridge, along which slides plate 36 of magazine 6 perpendicularly to the general plane of the movement. Fixed frame 42 also includes a second set of pins 50 mounted between lower bridge 44 and upper bridge 46. Plate 36 of magazine 6 and information carriers 8 are arranged to slide perpendicularly to the general plane of the movement along said second set of pins 50, said pins 50 being inserted, in particular, into housings 30 provided on ring 22 of information carrier 8. Further, each pin 50 is discontinuous in order to form a passage and permit the extraction of selected information carrier 8 from magazine 6 as shown more specifically in
At the top of magazine 6 there is an information carrier 52 mounted to move in rotation about an arbor 54 mounted in the upper housing of magazine 6. This information carrier 52 is, for example, a disc including graduations for displaying the local time by means of a symbol provided on the glass protecting said disc. Said information carrier 52 moves in translation with the other informations carriers 8 stored in magazine 6, but remains in its housing.
Said information carrier 52 is integral with a crown 56 having an external toothing 58. There is also provided on fixed frame 42 an arbor 59 (visible in
With reference to
Thus, an angular motion of selection arm 62 causes an angular motion of pinion 64 which, cooperating with toothing 66 pivots on its axis, driving in rotation toothed wheel 70, which in turn drives in rotation toothed wheel 72 and nut 74. The rotation of nut 74 causes the translational motion of screw 76 and thus of plate 36 and of magazine 6.
With reference to
Arm 80 is driven by means of an independent barrel 234 (cf.
Arm 80 is integrally mounted on a toothed actuating wheel 84, the assembly being mounted for free rotation about an arbor 86 mounted on the frame, said arbor 86 being the arbor about which a centralised control unit 88 pivots. This centralised control unit 88 includes, integrally connected, in particular a wheel for controlling the arm in the clockwise direction 90, a wheel for controlling the arm in the counter-clockwise direction 92, and a power wheel 94 kinematically connected to the independent barrel driving arm 80 via a pinion 95 visible in
The wheels controlling the arm in the clockwise direction 90 and in the counter-clockwise direction 92 respectively include a 60° toothed sector arranged such that the motion of arm 80 corresponds to a 60° rotation of said control wheels.
There is also provided a set of reverser pinions for rotating actuating wheel 84 of arm 80 in the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. This set includes a set of two integral pinions mounted for free rotation on the frame, namely a pinion 96 arranged to cooperate with the toothed sector of the wheel controlling the arm clockwise 90 and a pinion 98 arranged to cooperate with actuating wheel 84 of arm 80. There is also provided a pinion 100 mounted for free rotation on the frame and arranged to cooperate, on the one hand with a toothed sector of the wheel controlling the arm counter-clockwise 92, and on the other hand with another pinion 102 mounted for free rotation on the frame and arranged to cooperate with actuating wheel 84 of arm 80. The toothed sectors of the wheels controlling the arm clockwise 90 and counter-clockwise 92 are arranged so that when one of the toothed sectors arrives in front of the corresponding pinion of the reverser assembly, the other toothed sector does not cooperate with the corresponding pinion of the reverser assembly.
There is provided, on the arbor of pinions 96-98 and on the arbor of pinion 100, a flat portion 97 arranged to cooperate respectively with a positioning lever 101 (visible in
The centralised control unit 88 is regulated by means of a regulating mechanism 104 of the escapement regulator type (visible in
Centralised control unit 88 also includes a safety wheel 108 including two teeth acting like a cam to actuate a jumper spring (not shown) to release all pressure on arm 80 during its movement and to reposition it pressing on arm 80 so as to ensure the proper positioning of arm 80 when information carrier 8 is in an active or inactive position.
According to another variant embodiment shown in
The means for activating safety lever 200 include an activating pinion 210 provided with a toothed sector pivotally mounted on bridge 202 on the opposite side to safety lever 202, and two pinions 212, 214 pivotally mounted on the bridge on the same side as the safety lever, the first pinion 212 being integral with activating pinion 210 and the second pinion 214 cooperating, on the one hand with first pinion 212, and on the other hand with the rack of the additional branch 200c of safety lever 200. As shown in
With reference to
Further, as shown in
The operation of the safety device is as follows: with reference to
The other elements of centralised control unit 88 will be described below.
With reference to
Further, each crown 112 includes third positioning means arranged to cooperate with the first means for positioning the time information bearing disc, the first and third positioning means being arranged such that the time information bearing disc 16 is positioned on the associated crown 112 to correctly display the associated piece of time information.
As seen above, said third positioning means provided on crowns 112a, 112b are advantageously formed by a drive pin 115a, 115b arranged to cooperate with the oblong aperture provided on base 17 of disc 16 and by an indicator pin 117a, 117b arranged to cooperate with the circular orifice provided on base 17 of disc 16.
The third positioning means arranged on crowns 112a, 112b are movable in translation between a low position for setting the selected information carrier 8 in place on platform 10, and a high position permitting cooperation between the selected information carrier 8 and its associated crown 112a, 112b.
More specifically, between each crown 112a, 112b and its associated annular plate 114a, 114b, there is provided an intermediate ring 119a, 119b rotatably integral with crown 112a, 112b and the associated plate 114a, 114b, but free to move in translation perpendicularly to the general plane of the movement between said crown 112a, 112b and said associated annular plate 114a, 114b.
Likewise, drive pins 115a, 115b and indicator pins 117a, 117b are free to move in translation perpendicularly to the general plane of the movement between said crown 112a, 112b and said associated annular plate 114a, 114b between said low position and said high position.
Drive pins 115a, 115b and indicator pins 117a, 117b are mounted to traverse their respective intermediate ring 119a, 119b and include an annular rim to make them integral with the associated intermediate ring 119a, 119b.
These various crowns and the associated annular plates and intermediate rings are rotatably mounted about an arbor 122 integral with the frame and with a coaxial arbor 124, which is in turn movable in translation perpendicularly to the general plane of the movement.
Arbor 124 carries an integral central plate 128 which includes an upper shoulder 139 on which is positioned arbor 28 of disc 16, its ball bearing 25 being positioned around said upper shoulder 139. Drive pins 115a, 115b and indicator pins 117a, 117b are either engaged in the oblong aperture and the circular orifice arranged on base 17 of the associated disc 16, or in the circular groove 18 of the disc which is not associated therewith, in which said drive pins 115a, 115b and indicator pins 117a, 117b can move freely.
Central plate 138 extends above the inner periphery of intermediate ring 119b. The external periphery of intermediate ring 119b extends above a shoulder arranged on the inner periphery of intermediate ring 119a. Plates 119a, 119b and 138 are free in relation to each other. Thus, when arbor 124 moves in translation downwards, central plate 138 bears on intermediate ring 119b which bears on ring 119a so that drive pins 15a, 115b and indicator pins 117a, 117b descend into the low position.
A strip spring 121 is respectively provided for raising each of intermediate rings 119a, 119b when central plate 138 is no longer exerting pressure, so that drive pins 115a, 115b and indicator pins 117a, 117b rise again into the high position.
The translational motion, perpendicular to the general plane of the movement, of drive pins 115a, 115b and indicator pins 117a 117b between their low position and high position is achieved by means of second movement means provided on platform 10.
Said second movement means 126 include intermediate rings 119a, 199b, arbor 124 and its central plate 138 and a toothed crown 128 arranged to cooperate, via necessary intermediate wheels, with a control wheel 130 of platform 10 integral with the other control wheels of centralised control unit 88. Control wheel 130 of platform 10 includes four 30° toothed sectors distributed over said control wheel 130 of platform 10 so that a 30° rotation of control wheel 130 of platform 10 causes drive pins 115a, 115b and indicator pins 117a, 117b to rise to the high position or descend to the low position when toothed crown 128 is kinematically connected to the toothed sectors of control wheel 130 of platform 10.
Toothed crown 128 is integral with a tube 132 rotatably mounted about an arbor 134 fixed to the frame and coaxial with arbor 122 and with arbor 124 about which it is mounted. Tube 132 includes on its inner periphery a helical cam 136 arranged to cooperate with a helical cam provided on the external periphery of arbor 124. Thus, a rotation of toothed crown 128 causes a translational motion, perpendicularly to the general plane of the movement, both upwards and downwards, of arbor 124 which is slidably mounted on arbor 134 and thus a translational motion, perpendicular to the general plane of the movement, of central plate 138.
To aid the positioning of the selected information carrier 8 on platform 10, the mechanism according to the invention further includes coupling means arranged to pivot the selected information carrier 8 positioned on platform 10 until said selected information carrier 8 cooperates with the associated crown 112a, 112b.
With reference to
A jumper spring 160 provided on coupling structure 150 cooperates with a pin 162 provided on lever element 152 to ensure the positioning of coupling pinion 156.
The intermediate wheel train also includes wheel 164 mounted on coupling structure 150 and kinematically connected to the second means of actuating the coupling means. Said second means for actuating the coupling means are advantageously formed by a coupling control wheel 166 integral with the other control wheels of the centralised control unit 88. Coupling control wheel 166 includes a 120° toothed sector so that a 120° rotation of coupling control wheel 166 causes at most a 400° rotation of disc 16, until drive pins 115a, 115b and indicator pins 117a, 117b are correctly positioned in the associated disc so that the latter cooperates with its associated crown 112a, 112b.
According to a variant that is not shown, the disc can include, on its lower face, pins representing a melody and the platform can include a comb arranged to cooperate with the pins to form a melody, in a similar manner to a music box. Different discs may be provided in order to propose different melodies. In such case, the platform is adapted so that the disc is driven only by the coupling means.
The different toothed sectors of the control wheels are arranged in relation to each other according to the evolution of the exit and return cycle of the selected information carrier 8 from the magazine.
This cycle occurs as follows: the user actuates selection arm 62 to move in translation magazine 6 and to bring the selected information carrier 8 level with arm 80 so that its protruding portions 81 engage in housings 32 provided on ring 22 of the information carrier. If the cycle reserve is sufficient, the cycle starts when the user actuates means for starting the mechanism such as push-piece 248 which starts the unwinding of barrel 234 and thus the powering of centralised control unit 88 by power wheel 94.
According to a preferred embodiment of the means for starting the display mechanism shown in
The display mechanism start means are also arranged to cooperate with a power reserve 269. To this end, the arm of lever element 260 includes a second beak 270 to cooperate with a pin 271 provided at the end of an arm of a power reserve lever element 272. Another arm 274 of said power reserve lever element 272 cooperates with a power reserve cam 276. When the power reserve is exhausted, power reserve cam 276 is positioned such that power reserve lever element 272 pivots to position its pin 271 on the travel of second beak 270. Thus, when the user presses push-piece 248, second beak 270 enters into contact with pin 271 which prevents first beak 262 moving as far as locking lever 264 and thus uncouples the mechanism start means.
Further, power reserve lever 272 is integral with a second pin 254 whose function will be described below.
With reference to
The arrangement of the various toothed sectors of the control wheels of centralised control unit 88 is such that the second movement means 126 and particularly toothed crown 128 are first of all actuated to lower arbor 124 and thus drive pins 115a, 115b and indicator pins 117a, 117b to the low position.
The arrangement of the various toothed sectors of the control wheels of centralised control unit 88 is such that arm 80 is then actuated clockwise, by means of wheel 90 controlling the arm clockwise cooperating with pinion 96, to bring the selected information carrier 8 above platform 10, drive pins 115a, 115b and indicator pins 117a, 117b being returned to the low position.
In another variant embodiment of the invention, there may be provided a third safety device arranged to prevent motion of magazine 6 in the case where the selection arm is actuated when arm 80 is no longer positioned in front of magazine 6. In this variant, with reference to
Said safety device includes a lever 280 pivotally mounted on the frame and having two integral branches 280a, 280b, and a cam 281 pivotally mounted on plate 240. Lever 280 is positioned such that its branch 280b can cooperate with a pin 207 (cf.
The arrangement of the various toothed sectors of the control wheels of centralised control unit 88 is such that the second movement means 126, and in particular toothed crown 128 are then actuated again, so as to raise arbor 124 and thus drive pins 115a, 115b and indicator pins 117a, 117b to the high position.
The arrangement of the various toothed sectors of the control wheels of centralised control unit 88 is such that coupling pinion 156 meshing with disc 16 is then actuated until the associated drive pin 115a, 115b and the associated indicator pin 117a, 117b are correctly positioned in base 17 of disc 16, which causes the uncoupling of coupling pinion 156. The cycle is then stopped, stopping the rotation of centralised control unit 88.
Disc 16 is henceforth made integral with its associated crown 112a, 112b, and rotates on the platform at the appropriate speed according to the displayed information. Ring 22 held by arm 80 positioned in front of platform 10, remains stationary, as does glass 24, which allows the information to be read by means of symbols 26 arranged on glass 24. Because crowns 112a, 112b rotate permanently, even when their associated disc 16 is not positioned on platform 10, the memory of the information is retained and the associated disc 16 is automatically updated when it is placed on platform 10.
When the user again wishes to modify the information carrier in place on platform 10, he actuates the push-piece to restart the barrel and the rotation of centralised control unit 88.
The arrangement of the various toothed sectors of the control wheels of centralised control unit 88 is such that the second movement means 126, and in particular toothed crown 128, are actuated again so as to lower arbor 124 and thus drive pins 115a, 115b and indicator pins 117a, 177b to the low position.
The arrangement of the various toothed sectors of the control wheels of centralised control unit 88 is such that arm 80 is then actuated counter-clockwise, by means of wheel 92 controlling the arm counter-clockwise cooperating with pinion 100, to bring the selected information carrier 8 into magazine 6.
The arrangement of the various toothed sectors of the control wheels of centralised control unit 88 is such that the second movement means 126, and in particular toothed crown 128 are then actuated again, so as to raise arbor 124 and thus drive pins 115a, 115b and indicator pins 117a, 117b to the high position. Then the cycle stops. As shown in
Thus, the user can modify as he wishes the information carrier 8 positioned on the platform in order to display, in the same place, different pieces of time information.
It is evident that the present invention is not limited to the described embodiment. In particular, the number of crowns may vary.
Further, the various safety devices and the other devices, such as the platform or the control unit may be used independently in mechanisms other than the display mechanism of the invention. For example, the first safety device can be used to secure the position of a chronograph arm. The second safety device can be used in a striking mechanism to prevent the strike being released if the mechanism is in its time-set position. The third safety device can be used in a striking mechanism to prevent time-setting if the user has already released the striking mechanism.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2423/12 | Nov 2012 | CH | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2013/073996 | 11/15/2013 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2014/076262 | 5/22/2014 | WO | A |
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Entry |
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International Search Report Issued Mar. 28, 2014 in PCT/EP2013/073996 Filed Nov. 15, 2013. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20160282815 A1 | Sep 2016 | US |