This application is related to a design patent application (Ser. No. 29/390,683) filed Apr. 28, 2011, now U.S. Design Pat. No. D646,588 and is incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to horology and especially to watches having stop/start and/or reset functions.
In particular, this invention concerns a trigger mechanism for mechanically actuating the chronograph functions of a watch.
2. Description of Related Art
Chronograph watches typically include one or more pushbuttons, pushers, depressors, pressure switches, or equivalent devices, mounted for movement relative to a watchcase within which is housed a watch movement including one or more elements that are adapted to be actuated by the operation of the one or more pushbuttons, for example, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,674 and U.S. published application no. US2006/0164922. This arrangement is generally found in both mechanical and electronic watches for operating the various functions, such as the stop/start systems in stopwatches and the time display systems in electronic watches.
The pushbuttons are typically actuated manually by finger manipulation. This procedure does not readily achieve precision timing as may be needed for sporting events and similar activities. In manually operated chronographs the flesh surrounding the finger-tip cushions the actuation of the pushbutton and may cause variations in timing precision. Also, gloves covering the finger tip, can create timing imprecision.
An attempt to enhance stopwatch precision is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,077, however, the device of that patent is not an integral part of the watchcase and is cumbersome to use.
Another timepiece, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,759,033, is intended to actuate a pushbutton by use of a pivotal key. That device however, does not apply mechanical linkage for transforming the movement of the key into a reciprocal movement for actuating the pushbutton for improved precision as in the present invention.
A further device for operating a chronograph is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,570,545. The rocker mechanism of that device lacks the precision control achievable with the present invention.
Briefly, this invention concerns a trigger mechanism for operating a chronograph watch having a watchcase with a switch member for controlling the chronograph functions comprising, a striker member for remotely actuating the switch, a lever having a pivotal connection to the watchcase for swingable movement about the pivotal connection, mechanical linkage for transforming said pivotal movement of the lever to reciprocal movement of the striker member between a rest position and a stroke position with said switch member being actuated when the striker member is in the stroke position.
Having thus summarized the invention, it will be seen that it is a preferred object thereof to provide a trigger mechanism for a chronograph watch of the general character described herein which is not subject to the previously mentioned limitations.
Another preferred object of this invention is to provide a trigger mechanism for a chronograph watch for remote actuation of the pushbutton.
Yet still another preferred object of this invention is to provide a trigger mechanism for a chronograph watch wherein a mechanical force is generated and selectively applied on the pushbutton for improved precision of operation.
A further preferred object of this invention is to provide a trigger mechanism for a chronograph watch wherein the pushbutton actuation is mechanically linked to a pivotal lever.
With these ends in view, the invention finds embodiment in certain combinations of elements and arrangements of parts by which the aforementioned preferred objects and certain other objects are hereinafter attained, all as more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings and the scope of which is more particularly pointed out hereinafter.
In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown an exemplary embodiment of the invention:
With specific reference now to the figures in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for the purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiment of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt has been made to show aspects of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings should make it apparent to those skilled in the art how the preferred form of the invention may be embodied in practice.
Referring now in detail to
As shown in
The trigger mechanism 10, as shown in this embodiment, is positioned on opposite sides of the crown 16. Since the component elements and operation of each trigger mechanism 10 shown is substantially identical, the invention will be described with regard to the trigger mechanism 10 located at the four o'clock position on the watch 12.
The sidewall 22 includes an upper aperture disc 24 extending from the front face 18 and a lower aperture disc 26 extending from the rear face 20. A lever 28, as shown in
The wall 32 further defines a cam surface 34. A complimentary rotary cam follower 36 has an axial bore 38, and is accommodatable within the cam member 30. A pivot pin 40 secures the cam follower 36 and cam member 30 to the discs 24, 26 for concentric rotation relative to each other about the pin 40. Further with regard to the cam follower 36, a follower tooth 42 is adapted for abutting contact with the cam surface 34. The cam follower 36 is also provided with a striker member 44 that is registrable with a push-switch, such as pushbutton 46, that controls the chronograph functions of the watch 12. It should be understood that equivalent switch devices are considered to be within the scope of this invention.
Referring now to
The operation of the trigger mechanism 10 will now be described with particular reference to
It should thus be apparent that the trigger mechanism 10 achieves the various preferred objects of this invention and is well adapted to meet conditions of practical use. Since other various possible embodiments might be made to the present invention or modification might be made to the exemplary embodiment set forth above, it is to be understood that all materials shown and described with reference to the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
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