TIMEPIECE WITH A ROTATING CONTROL MEMBER

Abstract

The invention relates to a timepiece having a rotary control member, the rotary control member having a hollow cylindrical body coaxial with the axis of rotation of the rotary control member, the hollow cylindrical body defining a hollow inner housing having or supporting a coaxial rotary disc on which is arranged a rotatable mark or logo motif visible from the exterior of the timepiece. The rotary disc rotates freely about its axis in or on the hollow cylindrical body, the rotary disc cooperating with a displacement device comprising an asymmetrically distributed weight to create an imbalance tending to rotate said rotary disc about its axis when the timepiece is in motion or when the control member has been rotated, so that, seen from the outside, the motif maintains a substantially fixed orientation.

Claims

1. A timepiece comprising a rotary control member, the rotary control member comprising a hollow cylindrical body coaxial with the axis of rotation of the control member, the hollow cylindrical body delimiting a hollow inner housing comprising or supporting a coaxial rotary disc on which is arranged an orientable motif of the mark or logo type visible from outside the timepiece; characterized in that: said rotary disc rotates freely in a bidirectional manner about its axis in or on the hollow cylindrical body, the rotary disc cooperating with a displacement device comprising an asymmetrically distributed weight to create an imbalance tending to make said rotary disc rotate about its axis when the timepiece is in motion or when the control member is rotated, in such a manner that, seen from the outside, the motif maintains a substantially fixed orientation.

2. The timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the displacement device comprises a bearing belt and a ball bearing integrated in the hollow housing, the bearing belt and the ball bearing being arranged between the asymmetrically distributed weight and the rotatable disc.

3. Timepiece according to claim 1, wherein a sealing member is arranged in the hollow cylindrical body, said sealing member comprising a fixed disc, parallel to the rotary disc, interposed between the asymmetrically distributed weight and a tube, the fixed disc being driven-in, glued or welded.

4. The timepiece according to claim 3, wherein the tube is arranged to fit into a recess disposed in the fixed disc.

5. The timepiece according to claim 3, wherein a beveled washer is secured to the tube by driving-in, gluing or welding.

6. The timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the orientable motif is readable for any movement of the timepiece or the rotary control member or the timepiece.

7. The timepiece according to claim 1, wherein a transparent glass pane is arranged on the hollow cylindrical body, so as to make the rotatable disc visible.

8. The timepiece according to claim 1, in which the rotary disc is integral with an asymmetrically distributed weight extending over an arc comprised between 10% and 60% of the circumference of the hollow cylindrical body.

9. The timepiece according to claim 1, in which the control member is a winding crown.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] The features of the invention will become clearer upon reading the description of several embodiments given only by way of example, in no way limiting, with reference to the schematic figures, in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 represents an exploded view of a winding crown that can be arranged on a timepiece according to the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 2 represents a cross-sectional view of a winding crown that can be arranged on a timepiece according to the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a winding crown having a logo; and

[0016] FIG. 4 represents a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a winding crown that can be arranged on a timepiece according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a rotary control member 12 includes a hollow cylindrical body 9 coaxial with the axis of rotation of the rotary control member 12. The hollow cylindrical body 9 delimits a hollow inner housing comprising a coaxial rotary disc 6 on which is arranged an orientable logo type motif (see FIG. 3) visible from the exterior of the timepiece.

[0018] The rotary disc 6 rotates freely about its axis in the hollow cylindrical body, the rotary disc 6 cooperating with a displacement device comprising an asymmetrically distributed weight 3 to create an imbalance tending to cause the rotary disc 6 to rotate about its axis when the timepiece is in motion or when the control member is rotated, so that, seen from the outside, the logo maintains a substantially fixed orientation.

[0019] In this example, the displacement device comprises a bearing belt 7 and a ball bearing 1 integrated in the hollow housing, the bearing belt 7 and the ball bearing 1 being arranged between the asymmetrically distributed weight 3 and the rotary disc 6.

[0020] A sealing element in the form of a fixed disc 10 is arranged in the hollow cylindrical body 9, the fixed disc 10, parallel to the rotary disc 6, being interposed between the asymmetrically distributed weight 3 and a tube 2, the fixed disc 10 being driven in, glued or welded.

[0021] In this example, the tube 2 is arranged to fit into a recess disposed in the fixed disc 10. A beveled washer is attached to the tube 2 by driving-in, gluing or welding.

[0022] In the example shown in FIG. 3, a clear glass window is arranged on the hollow cylindrical body 9, so that the rotary disc 6 is visible. In this example, the winding crown rotates freely and can be decorated. This winding crown, configured to have an unbalanced centre of mass, thus creating an imbalance, is driven by gravitational or inertial effect. In this example, a ring 8 surrounds the hollow cylindrical body so as to provide a better grip for a user manipulating the crown.

[0023] In the example shown in FIG. 4, a rotary control member 12 includes a hollow cylindrical body 9 coaxial with the axis of rotation of the rotary control member 12. The hollow cylindrical body 9 delimits a hollow inner housing supporting a coaxial rotary disc 6 on which is arranged an orientable logo type motif (see FIG. 3) visible from the exterior of the timepiece. The rotary disc 6 rotates freely about its axis on the hollow cylindrical body, the rotary disc 6 cooperating with a displacement device comprising an asymmetrically distributed weight 3 to create an imbalance tending to make the rotary disc 6 rotate about its axis when the timepiece is in motion or when the control member is rotated, so that, seen from the outside, the logo maintains a substantially fixed orientation.

[0024] Thus, the rotary disc 6 rotates in a bidirectional manner thanks to the ball bearing allowing the rotary disc 6 to rotate freely with respect to the hollow cylindrical body 9 under the effect of gravitation or inertia.

[0025] In the illustrated examples, the rotary disc 6 is integral with an asymmetrically distributed weight 3 extending over an arc of approximately 50% of the circumference of the hollow cylindrical body 9.