EP0579093A1 - Universal watch - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a watch including: - a watch movement (M) including a minute gear (8, 46), - at least one hour hand (4) mounted on an hour pipe (4a) driven by the minute gear, - a rotary ring (48) driven by the hour pipe (4a) in order to make one revolution every twenty-four hours, - a first display means (3) including a twenty-four-hour hour circle, and - a second display means (5) including geographical indications respectively indicating various time zones, one (3) of the display means being accommodated on the rotary ring (48) so as to move opposite the other (15) and provide with the latter the universal time display, characterised in that it includes a correction mechanism (MC) capable of acting on the hour hand (4) independently of the driving of the rotary ring (48). <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a timepiece providing a universal display of the time, that is to say capable of giving the current time of the different time zones, in particular in combination with the local time instead of the wearer.

The parts of this type, such as for example that described in the document CH-A-662 234, generally comprise, inside a box housing a classic horometric movement, a rotating crown or ring which performs a complete rotation in twenty-four hours and which is kinematically linked to an hour wheel driven by the movement. This rotary ring comprises, in a particular embodiment, a twenty-four hour hour turn, while a bezel, on which are registered geographical indications corresponding to the various time zones and which in this example is controlled by the rod , is mounted externally in rotation on the box.

This piece has many drawbacks.

In fact, when the wearer is required to travel and has to change the time displayed when passing through a time zone, the correction of the time which is conventionally carried out on the hour wheel, causes a subsequent rotation of the rotating ring and the twenty-four hour hour circle worn by the latter. The time information attached to the various time zones marked on the bezel is then false, so that the latter must be turned, in particular by an action on the rod, to again place the geographical indications next to the appropriate figures on the rotating ring, to provide accurate "world time" information.

It is understood that this maneuver can cause a false display of the universal time, if, by turning the bezel the user is mistaken in the angular positioning of the geographical indications.

What is more, it is understood that this arrangement necessarily involves the provision of a telescope having a rotating structure, which complicates the structure of the part and significantly increases its cost.

We also note that with this structure, the geographical indication indicating the time zone under which the user is located cannot be placed, on the workpiece, in a fixed angular position, because the bezel by turning is necessarily forced to be placed in any angular position on the workpiece.

Thus, the present invention aims to provide a timepiece with universal time display which is of simple design and in which the current displayed time can be changed without influence on the universal time.

The present invention also aims to provide a timepiece of the aforementioned type, provided with a date display.

• un mouvement horométrique comportant au moins minuterie,
• au moins une aiguille des heures qui est montée sur un canon des heures entraîné par la dite minuterie,
• une bague rotative entraînée par le canon des heures pour effectuer un tour par vingt-quatre heures,
• un premiers moyen d'affichage comportant un tour d'heures vingt-quatre heures,et
• un second moyen d'affichage comportant des indications géographiques indiquant respectivement divers fuseaux horaires, l'un desdits moyens d'affichage étant ménagé sur la bague rotative pour se déplacer en regard de l'autre et pour fournir avec celui-ci ledit affichage universel de l'heure, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte un mécanisme de correction susceptible d'agir sur ladite aiguille des heures indépendamment de l'entraînement de ladite bague rotative.

To this end, the invention relates to a timepiece comprising:

• a horometric movement comprising at least a timer,
• at least one hour hand which is mounted on an hour cannon driven by said timer,
• a rotating ring driven by the hour cannon to make a revolution every twenty-four hours,
• a first display means comprising a twenty-four hour hour tour, and
• a second display means comprising geographical indications respectively indicating various time zones, one of said display means being arranged on the rotary ring to move opposite the other and to provide therewith said display universal time, characterized in that it includes a correction mechanism capable of acting on said hour hand independently of the drive of said rotary ring.

• la figure 1 est une vue de dessus d'une pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention,
• la figure 2, qui est une vue faite selon la ligne II-II des figures 3 et 5, représente en coupe longitudinale un mécanisme de correction équipant la pièce selon l'invention ;
• la figure 3, qui est une vue de dessus faite selon la ligne III-III de la figure 2, représente partiellement en coupe et dans une première position le mécanisme de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue similaire à la figure 3, mais représentant le mécanisme de la pièce selon l'invention dans une deuxième position, lors du passage sur un autre fuseau horaire,
• la figure 5 est une vue de dessus très schématique de différents mobiles d'entraînement de la pièce selon l'invention, et
• les figures 6, 7 et 8 sont des vues schématiques en coupe de la pièce selon l'invention, faites respectivement selon les lignes VI-VI, VII-VII et VIII-VIII de la figure 5, et dans lesquelles le mécanisme de correction des figures 1 à 3, bien que vu selon différents plans de coupe, a été représenté d'une façon identique dans un but de simplification des dessins.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings which are given solely by way of example, and in which:

• FIG. 1 is a top view of a timepiece according to the invention,
• Figure 2, which is a view taken along the line II-II of Figures 3 and 5, shows in longitudinal section a correction mechanism fitted to the part according to the invention;
• Figure 3, which is a top view taken along line III-III of Figure 2, partially shows in section and in a first position the mechanism of Figure 2;
• FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the mechanism of the part according to the invention in a second position, when passing over another time zone,
• FIG. 5 is a very schematic top view of various mobile drives for the part according to the invention, and
• Figures 6, 7 and 8 are schematic sectional views of the part according to the invention, taken respectively along lines VI-VI, VII-VII and VIII-VIII of Figure 5, and in which the mechanism for correcting Figures 1 to 3, although seen according to different cutting planes, has been shown in an identical manner for the purpose of simplifying the drawings.

Referring first to Figure 1, there will be described below a timepiece according to the invention which is designated by the general reference P.
the timepiece P comprises a box B on which are conventionally provided CN horns (a only being referenced) allowing the subjugation of a conventional bracelet (not referenced).

The part P comprises, in this example, two display hands, namely a 2 minute hand and a 4 hour hand, both evolving opposite a dial CA to provide analog time information, generally corresponding to the local time of the location of the bearer of the piece P.

The part P includes a first display means 3, called the twenty-four hour display means, comprising a twenty-four hour clock (same reference) represented here conventionally by a group of Arabic numerals 1 to 24. The room P also comprises a second display means 5 which includes geographical indications (here names of cities) relating respectively to the various time zones.

The minute hand 2, the hour hand 4 and, in the embodiment shown, the first display means 3 are kinematically linked to a conventional horometric movement M (FIGS. 2 and 6 to 8) housed in the box B. The hour hand 4 performs, in this example and in a conventional manner, one revolution in twelve hours, while the display means 3 makes one revolution every twenty-four hours, counterclockwise.

As will be understood from the following description, the display means 5 comprising the geographical indications are, in this embodiment, advantageously arranged on the part P, preferably fixedly, for example on the box B or on a glass, not shown. The display means 3 and 5 provide, in combination and in a conventional manner, the time in different places of the globe on the twenty-four time zones, this time being called universal time.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 4, a correction mechanism MC will be described below making it possible to correct the position of the hour hand 4, without disrupt the time information provided by the display means 3 and 5.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the correction mechanism MC comprises a first barrel 4a, called the inner barrel, intended to be conventionally mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation X, on a carriageway C controlled by the horometric movement M , both shown schematically in broken lines broken in Figure 2. The inner barrel 4a carries the hour hand 4 which is driven outwardly on a free end of this barrel, projecting above the dial CA.

The inner barrel 4a therefore forms an hour barrel, and it supports a first externally toothed wheel 6, called the lower wheel, comprising a plate 7. It will be specified here that advantageously this lower wheel 6 forms an hour wheel, and it meshes with a timer pinion 8 (Figures 5 and 7) here partially shown, forming part of a timer of the movement M.

In normal operation, this hour wheel 6 receives time information delivered by the timer pinion 8, information which it transmits, as will be understood below, indirectly to the inner hours barrel 4a and to the corresponding indicator hand 4 .

Indeed, the lower hour wheel 6 is mounted to rotate freely on the hour barrel 4a. For this, the hours cannon 4a comprises at its end opposite its free end carrying the hand 4, a collar 10 forming a shoulder freely supporting a star 12 on which the wheel 6 is fixedly held. The star 12 comprises a board 13, an external toothing 14 and a circular collar 16 formed on the edge adjacent to the toothing 14, behind and coaxially with it, under the board 13.

The hour wheel 6 is fixedly held on the star 12 on the side, against its teeth 14. In fact, the hour wheel 6 by means of the part center of its board 7 which has a through bore, is force engaged externally on the collar 16, by driving and / or by riveting.

The star 12 and the hour wheel 6 are therefore directly integral in rotation and, in this example, they only form, thanks to their mounting, a single piece attached to the hours cannon 4a.

The star 12 and the hour wheel 6 can therefore move together concomitantly under the effect of the timer pinion 8.

The part according to the invention further comprises two drive rollers 20 which are stepped and which each have a cylindrical base 22 from which a stud 24 extends in a normal manner. The rollers are both engaged at rest, by their base 22, in the toothing 14 of the star 12 and they rest freely and laterally by this base against the sidewall, not referenced, of the plate 7 of the hour wheel 6. This rest position is likewise shown in view from above in Figure 3.

The rollers 20 are moreover maintained in this rest position, in the teeth 14, elastically by elastic return means 26 which are formed here by a closed annular spring, mounted coaxial with the star 12 and acting radially on the outer periphery bases 22 of the rollers 20. It will be noted here that the spring 26 is mounted freely against the drive rollers 20, without any fixed attachment on the mechanism MC. The spring 26 rests more freely against, and more particularly on the board 7 of the hour wheel 6. This spring is therefore self-supporting and self-centered

The correction mechanism MC according to the invention further comprises a second barrel 30, called the outer barrel, which has a guide bore 31 and which is mounted externally, by this bore 31, on the first barrel 4a. This second barrel 30 supports a second externally toothed wheel 32 disposed above the wheel lower of 6 hours and said upper wheel. It will be specified here that the upper and lower positions of the wheels 6 and 32 are taken with reference to the drawing in FIG. 2 which represents the part according to the invention in its position of use when worn, that is to say with the upward facing switch.

The upper wheel 32 comprises a board 33 and it meshes by its external toothing with a corrective wheel 34 (Figures 5 and 8) which can be conventionally driven by a rod T (shown schematically in Figure 5), associated with a crown CO time setting (Figure 1).

The upper wheel 32 therefore forms a correction wheel making it possible, as will be understood, to directly correct the position of the hour barrel 4a and that of the indicator hand 4, without acting on the timer and therefore without disturbing the other time information, such as for example the minute and the second, but also without disturbing the time information provided by the means 3 and 5 for displaying the universal time.

Advantageously, the outer barrel 30 is forcibly mounted by driving outwardly on the inner hour barrel 4a and they are therefore fixed thereto.

These two guns are therefore integral in rotation and they can move together concomitantly.

The correction of the hours, via the corrective wheel 34, is therefore done on the inner hours barrel 4a via the outer barrel 30.

It will be noted that the hours cannon 4a is moreover driven in normal operation by the timer of the movement M, and in particular by the timer pinion 8, also thanks to the outer barrel 30.

This is why in the plate 33 of the correction wheel 32 are formed radial grooves 36 in which are freely engaged the pins 24 which can translate radially therein.

The rollers 20 can therefore rotate the correction wheel 32, and the two barrels 4a and 30, when the star 12 is itself driven by the hour wheel 6.

It will be noted that the radial grooves 36 extend from the external toothing of the correction wheel 32 as far as the body of the external barrel 30 and open internally therein, more particularly in its bore 31.

The grooves 36 can therefore be produced at the same time, using a milling cutter, not shown, which is plunged into the plate 33 of the wheel 32 and into the barrel 30.

It will also be noted that the star 12 is held axially between the outer barrel 30 and the collar 10 of the hour barrel 4a. These two guns which are driven one into the other therefore form a groove 38 allowing the guiding in rotation and the axial maintenance of the attached assembly constituted by the star 12 and the hour wheel 6.

As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 8, the correction mechanism MC can be controlled directly by the ring gear CO / rod T which conventionally controls a sliding pinion 40 slidably mounted in a plate PT of the movement M. When the ring CO is rotated in a first direction of rotation to effect a rapid correction of the hours, the sliding pinion 40 meshes with a reference 42 engaged with an intermediate wheel 44 linked to the corrective wheel 34. The wheels 34 and 44 form a corrective mobile which , with the reference 42, are supported free in rotation on an auxiliary plate PTA (visible in Figure 6) attached to the plate PT.

Furthermore, with reference now to FIGS. 5 and 7, it will be noted that, when the crown CO is turned in a second direction of rotation, the sliding pinion 40 meshes with a timer wheel 46 which is linked to the timer pinion 8 and that is engaged so classic with pavement C (not shown). Thus, during the conventional setting of the hours and minutes, the rotation of the crown CO causes the sliding pinion 40, but also the timer mobile 8,46 to rotate; which causes the entire MC correction mechanism to move in rotation (wheels 6 and 32).

The timepiece is shown in Figure 3 (without the elements C, M, 8 and 34) in a display position corresponding to one of the time zones.

FIG. 4 represents the part according to the invention in an intermediate position when passing over another time zone. It is therefore noted that during the rotation of the corrective wheel 34, the rollers 20 are angularly displaced and (while the star 12 and the hour wheel 6 remain stationary because of their drive by the timer) these rollers 20 jump in the toothing 14 of the star 12 by ovalizing the spring 26.

The rollers 20 then return to the teeth 14 of the star 12, in the rest position, but offset from their initial position (Figure 3). Hand 4 then indicates another time zone. It will be noted that although the toothing of the star 12 has 12 teeth in the figures (to position the hand 4 over the 12 hours), this toothing could have 24 for application to a timepiece with display of the type 24 hours.

It is understood that the structure which has just been described forms a disengageable coupling mechanism interposed between the hour wheel 6 and the inner hours barrel 4a, which allows the step-by-step correction of the hours display according to indexed positions corresponding to an integer fraction of the number of hours, without modifying the relative position of the means 3 and 5 for displaying the universal time.

It will also be noted that this structure, of which the hours wheel 6 and the hours cannon 4a are part, forms a unit which can be easily removed from the timepiece and which can be easily transportable without the risk of inadvertent dissociation of its components.

Indeed, the rollers 20 are kept trapped between the correction wheel 32 and the hour wheel 6 which is itself held by the two guns 4a and 30.

The rollers 20 are moreover held in place radially by the spring 26 which is also trapped between the two upper 32 and lower 6 wheels.

The disassembly of this unitary structure can be carried out simply (after it has been removed from the part P), by pressing on the face at the end of the collar 16 and by releasing the inner barrel 4a by an action according to arrow D , on its end face projecting from the side of the switch.

In this case, the rollers 20 remain supported by the plate 7 of the hour wheel 6 and the hours barrel 4a can be replaced without the other components having been dissociated.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6 will be described below the structure of the display means 3 and 5 (Figure 1) and their connection with the other components of the timepiece P according to the invention.

In the example shown, the display means 3 is formed on a rotary ring 48 (partially shown in FIG. 5) which is mounted and guided in rotation on the auxiliary plate PTA by guide means 51 comprising bearings 52. The rotary ring 48 which is arranged coaxially with the dial CA, around the latter, has at its periphery an external radial groove 50 in which the bearings 52 are engaged (only one being shown here) constituted in particular by a ruby. The guide bearing 52 is mounted to rotate freely on a stud 54 driven into the auxiliary plate PTA and in which is fixedly engaged a retaining screw 56 retaining the bearing 52 which here has the shape of a perforated disc.

The part according to the invention preferably comprises three bearings of the type of that mentioned above, capable of guiding and maintaining the rotary ring 48, both axially and radially.

This rotary ring 48 meshes with a drive train 58 (Figure 5) which controls its rotation.

The drive train 58 is constituted by a driving mobile 60 essentially carried by the auxiliary plate PTA. The mobile 60 comprises a wheel 62 which is engaged with the rotary ring 48 and which is linked in rotation with a pinion 64 by means of an axis 66 driven on this pinion and on this wheel. The wheel 62 is housed inside the auxiliary plate PTA, in an unreferenced recess formed therein, and it is disposed directly under the dial CA which completely covers it.

It will be noted that this wheel 62 is reported in FIG. 6 in the section view of the ring 48 for a better understanding of the drawing.

The pinion 64, for its part, is housed under the auxiliary plate PTA and it meshes with a wheel 68 mounted freely on an axis 70 driven into the plate PT.

It will be noted here that the wheel 68 is part of a mobile 72, known as the date mobile, moreover comprising a driving wheel 74 shaped to be able to drive in the conventional manner, a date disk 76, shown partially in FIG. 1, through a window 78 provided in the dial CA. The date driving wheel 74 rotates freely around the axis 70, while a spacer 80 driven on the axis 70 and supporting the wheel 68 rests thereon.

The drive train 58 also includes a reference 82 which comprises, as will be understood, two independent groups of mobiles, nested one in the other and mounted free in rotation relative to each other.

One of the above-mentioned mobiles, referenced 84, comprises a first wheel 88 - pinion 86 assembly.

The wheel 88 which is fixedly linked to the pinion 86 and which is arranged directly under the latter, meshes with the hour wheel 6 of the correction mechanism MC, while the pinion 86 meshes, with regard to the rotary ring 48, by being engaged directly with the wheel 68. It will be specified here that the pinion 86 and the wheel 88 form a mobile mounted idly on an axis 90 driven into the plate PT.

The other mobile of the reference 82, referenced 94, comprises a second wheel 98 - pinion 96 assembly.

The wheel 98 which is driven on the common axis 90, directly above the pinion 86, meshes directly with the correction wheel 32 of the correction mechanism MC, while the pinion 96, which is also driven on the axis common 90, but which is arranged under the wheel 88 of the mobile 84, meshes directly with the date trainer 74.

Thus, the first mobile 84 formed by the wheel 88 - pinion 86 assembly is mounted idly on the axis 90 mechanically connecting the pinion 96 and the wheel 98 of the second mobile 94.

It will be noted here that the first mobile 84 is mounted between the pinion 96 and the wheel 98 of the second mobile 94, these two mobile 84 and 94 being able to pivot independently.

It can also be seen that the first and second wheels of the correction mechanism MC, respectively 6 and 32, are linked respectively to the rotary ring 48 and to the date display formed by the disc 76, via the common reference 82. It can also be seen that the display of the dates formed by the disc 76 is controlled by the correction wheel or second wheel 32 of the correction mechanism MC. We will further specify that the first wheel or hour wheel 6 of this correction mechanism MC which is mounted to rotate freely on the hour barrel 4a, is shaped to drive the rotary ring 48 at the rate of one revolution in twenty-four hours, counterclockwise. More particularly, the correction mechanism MC is interposed between the timer wheel 34 (FIG. 5) and the drive train 58 which controls the rotation of the rotary ring 48. Thanks to this arrangement, it can be seen that the correction mechanism MC is likely to act on the hour hand 4 independently of the drive of the rotary ring 48.

It is observed in fact that when the correction wheel 32 is driven by the crown CO, as explained above, the angular displacement of the hour hand 4 occurs without causing subsequent driving of the wheel of the hours 6 since this correction wheel 32 is not part of the drive train 58, since it only meshes with the wheel 98 which indirectly drives the date trainer 74.

It will also be specified here that, thanks to this arrangement, when switching to another time zone, and in particular when switching to midnight, the date disc 76 is rotated, which allows the passage to the next day. We also note that during normal drive the wheels 6 and 32 of the MC correction mechanism rotating at the same speed, the two mobiles 94 and 84 are also driven at the same speed and therefore move concomitantly with the axis 90, without causing friction thereon. In this arrangement, it will also be specified that the wheels 6 and 32 have the same number of teeth, which is also the case for the two wheels 88 and 98 and for the two pinions 86 and 96.

Figure 6 also shows the mounting of the display means 5 on a bezel 92 mounted on the box B in a conventional manner, at the periphery and on the upper part thereof.

It will also be specified that, although in the embodiment which has just been described, the display means 3 comprising the twenty-four hour hour turn are provided on the rotary ring 48, while the display means 5 comprising the geographical indications are provided on the outer screen 92 and are in this example fixed, a reverse arrangement (not shown) can be provided, in which the display means 3 are provided on the outer screen 92 and the means of display 5 on the inner rotating ring 48.

Claims (7)

Timepiece with universal time display comprising: - a horometric movement (M) comprising at least one timer (8,46), - at least one hour hand (4) which is mounted on an hour cannon (4a) driven by said timer (8,46), - a rotating ring (48) driven by the hour cannon (4a) to make one revolution per twenty-four hours, - a first display means (3) comprising a twenty-four hour clock, and - a second display means (5) comprising geographical indications respectively indicating various time zones, one (3) of said display means being arranged on the rotary ring (48) to move opposite the other ( 15) and to provide therewith said universal time display, characterized in that it comprises a correction mechanism (MC) capable of acting on said hour hand (4) independently of the training of said rotating ring (48). Timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that said correction mechanism (MC) is interposed between the timer (8,46) and a drive train (58) controlling the rotation of said rotary ring Timepiece according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said mechanism (MC) comprises two externally toothed wheels (6,32) mounted coaxially, the first (6) which is engaged with the timer (8, 46) being mounted free in rotation on the hour barrel (4a), while it is shaped to drive said rotary ring (48). Timepiece according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a date display (76), this display being controlled by a correction wheel (32) of said correction mechanism, called the second wheel. Timepiece according to claim 4, characterized in that the first and second wheels (6,32) of the correction mechanism are respectively linked to the rotary ring (48) and to the date display (76), via a common reference (82). Timepiece according to claim 5, characterized in that said common reference (82) comprises two mobiles (84, 94) nested one inside the other and mounted movable in rotation relative to one another. Timepiece according to claim 6, characterized in that one of the mobiles (84) comprises a first wheel (88)-pinion (86) assembly meshing with the hour wheel (6) of the correction mechanism (MC) and with the rotary ring (48), while the other mobile (94) comprises a second wheel (98)-pinion (96) assembly meshing with the correction wheel (32) of said mechanism (MC) and with the display dates (76), the first assembly (86,88) being mounted idly on an axis (90) of the second assembly (96,98), between the pinion (96) and the wheel (98) thereof.

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