WATCH CASE COMPRISING REMOVABLE HORNS

Abstract

Watch case including: a middle; at least one pair of horns intended to retain a wristwatch strap portion; the middle including a first lock member; and a second lock member mounted on the pair of horns and complementary to the first member to lock the pair of horns to the middle. The case also includes a manipulation member that can be manipulated by a user in order to move the second member between a locking position in which the members co-operate to maintain the pair of horns on the middle and a release position in which the pair of horns can be detached from the middle.

Claims

1. A watch case including: a middle; at least one pair of horns intended to retain a wristwatch strap portion and retained on the middle thanks to a lock that can be switched between a position locking the horns and a position releasing the horns; the lock including a first member connected to the middle, and a second member complementary to the first member and mounted on the pair of horns; characterized by a manipulation member mounted on the pair of horns and enabling movement of the second member to switch the lock between the position locking the horns and the position releasing the horns.

2. Watch case as claimed in claim 1, including an elastic return element mounted on the pair of horns in order to push the manipulation member back into the locking position.

3. Watch case as claimed in claim 1, the manipulation member being provided on the pair of horns on the back side.

4. Watch case as claimed in claim 1, in which the second member of the lock and the manipulation member form two parts of a same piece.

5. Watch case as claimed in claim 1 the watch case including a bottom defining a horizontal plane, the direction of movement of the manipulation member between the locking position and the release position being substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

6. Watch case as claimed in claim 5, the first member of the lock consisting of a bolt fixedly connected to the middle, the second member of the lock consisting of a keeper movable relative to the pair of horns.

7. Watch case as claimed in claim 5, the first member -of the lock extending radially on a lateral face of the middle, the second member of the lock including a window through which the first member of the lock passes in the locking position, the window including a widened portion enabling the insertion and the extraction of the first member of the lock, and a narrow portion preventing the insertion and the extraction of the first member of the lock, the first member of the lock passing through the narrow portion of the window when the elastic return member mounted on the pair of horns pushes the second member of the lock back into the locking position.

8. Watch case as claimed in claim 5, the elastic return member consisting of two leaf springs bearing on the second member of the lock.

9. Watch case as claimed in claim 1, the watch case including a back defining a horizontal plane, the direction of movement of the manipulation member between the locking position and the release position being substantially parallel to the horizontal plane.

10. Watch case as claimed in claim 9, the second member of the lock being adapted to pivot about an axis perpendicular to the horizontal plane between the locking position and the manipulation position.

11. Watch case as claimed in claim 10, the first member of the lock consisting of a groove in a lateral face of the middle, the second member of the lock being engaged in said groove in the locking position, and outside of said groove in the release position.

12. Watch case as claimed in claim 9, the manipulation member consisting of a mobile button that can be actuated by the user and acting on the second member of the lock in the release position in order to unlock it.

13. Watch case as claimed in claim 9, the second member of the lock being adapted to move radially in translation in the horizontal plane between the locking position and the release position.

14. Watch case as claimed in claim 13, the first member of the lock consisting of a groove in a lateral face of the middle, the second member of the lock being engaged in said groove in the locking position, and outside of said groove in the release position.

15. Watch case as claimed in claim 1, the pair of horns and the middle having complementary shapes to guide the pair of horns during its insertion in an axial direction on the middle, the lock acting radially to prevent this axial movement in the locking position.

16. Watch case as claimed in claim 1, a portion of the wristwatch strap being sandwiched between the pair of horns and part of the middle.

17. Watch case as claimed in claim 1, including a spring ball for positioning the wristwatch strap relative to the pair of horns.

18. Watch case as claimed in claim 1, the first member of the lock consisting of a groove at the periphery of the middle preventing the extraction of the pair of horns by an axial movement, the second member of the lock consisting of a bolt that is moved radially in this groove, being guided in this movement by an opening on the internal face of the pair of horns, the second member being pushed back to the bottom of the groove by two return springs connected to the pair of horns, the manipulation member consisting of a pushbutton under the internal face of the pair of horns cooperating with the second member to move it radially in the direction of the exterior of the watch, against the action of the return springs, when said pushbutton is actuated.

19. A method of assembling a wristwatch strap to a watch case as claimed in claim 1, including the following steps: insertion of the wristwatch strap in a pair of horns; insertion of the assembly formed of the wristwatch strap and of the pair of horns on an exterior face of the watch case; locking of the assembly by manipulating a manipulation member mounted on the pair of horns.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0055] Embodiments of the invention are indicated in the description illustrated by the appended figures in which:

[0056] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a watch case and of a pair of horns with a wristwatch strap section, before assembly, according to a first embodiment.

[0057] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a watch case and of a pair of horns with a wristwatch strap section, after assembly, according to a first embodiment.

[0058] FIG. 3 illustrates a back view of a watch case and of a pair of horns with a wristwatch strap section, before assembly, according to a first embodiment.

[0059] FIG. 4 illustrates a view in radial section of a watch case portion and a pair of horns with a wristwatch strip section, after assembly, according to a first embodiment.

[0060] FIG. 5 illustrates a view in horizontal section of a watch case portion and a pair of horns with a wristwatch strap section, after assembly, according to a first embodiment.

[0061] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a pair of horns and of a second member of the lock, according to a first embodiment.

[0062] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a pair of horns and a wristwatch strap section before assembly, according to a first embodiment.

[0063] FIG. 8 illustrates a view in radial section of a watch case portion and of a pair of horns with a wristwatch strap section, during assembly of and before locking of the pair of horns according to a first embodiment.

[0064] FIG. 9 illustrates a view in radial section of a watch case portion and a pair of horns with a wristwatch strap section, during assembly of and after locking of the pair of horns according to a first embodiment.

[0065] FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of a watch case and a pair of horns with a wristwatch strap portion, before assembly, according to a second embodiment.

[0066] FIG. 11 illustrates a back view of a watch case and of a pair of horns with a wristwatch strap portion, before assembly, according to a second embodiment.

[0067] FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a pair of horns and of a second member of the lock, according to a second embodiment.

[0068] FIG. 13 illustrates a view in radial section of a watch case portion and of a pair of horns with a wristwatch strap portion, during assembly of and after locking of the pair of horns according to a second embodiment.

[0069] FIG. 14 illustrates a wristwatch strap portion and a pair of horns, before assembly thereof.

[0070] FIG. 15 illustrates a back view of a watch case and of a pair of horns with a wristwatch strap portion, before assembly, according to a third embodiment.

[0071] FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of a pair of horns and of a second member of the lock, according to a third embodiment, the manipulation member being in a locking position.

[0072] FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of a pair of horns and of a second member of the lock, according to a third embodiment, the manipulation member being in a release position.

[0073] FIG. 18 illustrates a view in horizontal section of a watch case portion and of a pair of horns with a wristwatch strap portion, after assembly, according to a third embodiment.

[0074] FIG. 19 illustrates a wristwatch strap portion and a pair of horns according to the third embodiment before assembly thereof.

[0075] FIG. 20 illustrates a view in radial section of a watch case portion and of a pair of horns (without the wristwatch strap) according to a fourth embodiment after locking thereof

[0076] FIG. 21 illustrates a back view of a watch case and of a pair of horns with a wristwatch strap portion, before assembly, according to a fourth embodiment.

[0077] FIG. 22 illustrates a view in vertical section of a watch case portion and of a pair of horns (without the wristwatch strap), showing the complementary shapes used for the assembly thereof.

[0078] FIG. 23 illustrates a view in perspective and from below of a pair of horns without the wristwatch strap, according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

[0079] FIG. 24 illustrates a perspective view of the pair of horns from FIG. 23, the manipulation member being depressed in the release position.

[0080] FIG. 25 illustrates an exploded view of a pair of horns without the wristwatch strap, according to the fifth embodiment of the invention.

[0081] FIG. 26 illustrates another exploded view of a pair of horns without the wristwatch strap, according to the fifth embodiment of the invention.

[0082] FIG. 27 illustrates a view in radial section of a pair of horns without the wristwatch strap, according to the fifth embodiment of the invention, the manipulation member being in the locking position.

[0083] FIG. 28 illustrates a view in radial section of a pair of horns without the wristwatch strap, according to the fifth embodiment of the invention, the manipulation member being in the release position.

[0084] FIG. 29 illustrates a view in radial perspective of a pair of horns according to the fifth embodiment of the invention, illustrating in particular the complementary shapes for guidance on the middle.

EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

[0085] A first embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9.

[0086] FIG. 1 illustrates a watch case including a middle 1A and a removable pair of horns 3A, on which is mounted a wristwatch strap portion 5. Another removable pair of horns and another wristwatch strap portion not shown can be mounted on the opposite side of the middle. FIG. 3 is a back view of these elements.

[0087] The wristwatch strap portion 5 is inserted temporarily in the pair of horns 3 (here 3A) by moving it vertically (that is to say in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the back of the watch). The assembly formed of the horns and of the wristwatch strap is then assembled to the middle 1 (here 1A-FIG. 2). This assembly of the pair of horns 3 on the middle 1 also enables retention of the wristwatch strap portion by preventing axial extraction thereof as in the other embodiments.

[0088] A lock including a fixed first member 10A connected to the watch case and a second member 31A (FIG. 4) enables locking of the assembly between the pair of horns 3A and the middle 1A. The pair of horns 3A, and therefore the wristwatch strap portion 5, can be released from the middle only by manipulating the second member of the lock to move it from the locking position to a release position, as described hereinafter.

[0089] FIG. 6 illustrates one of the two pairs of horns 3A and the second locking member 31A. This member 31A can slide vertically in two slots 37 formed in the pair of horns 3A. An elastic return element, formed here of two leaf springs 34A (FIG. 7), exerts a return force on the second member of the lock in order to push it back into the locking position, that is to say toward the bottom of the figure.

[0090] The second locking member 31A constitutes one part of a component that also includes a manipulation member 30A. The manipulation member can be seen under the internal face of the pair of horns, as seen for example in FIG. 3. The user can manipulate it, without any tools, in order to push the second locking member toward the top of the figure, that is to say into the release position of the lock.

[0091] The second locking member 31A includes a window 310 constituting a keeper in which the first member 10A can be inserted. In this embodiment, the locking of the pair of horns 3A to the middle 1A is therefore effected with a lock mechanism with a fixed bolt connected to the middle and a sliding keeper connected to the pair of horns. The first member 10A of the lock has the shape of an anchor with a verge and two stocks extending one from each side at the end of the verge. The window 310 has an inverted T shape with a widened portion 312 enabling the insertion or the extraction of the first member 10A, and a narrower portion 311 preventing the passage of this first member 10A.

[0092] The wristwatch strap is temporarily inserted between the two horns of the pair 3A, before the mounting of this pair on the middle 1A. Complementary shapes 53 at the end of the wristwatch strap and in the between horns space enable nesting. The end of the wristwatch strap 5 is moreover retained in position by means of a ball 50 on a spring 51 that are positioned in a housing 35 (FIG. 8) formed between the two horns of the pair 3A.

[0093] In the same manner, the pair of horns 3A is positioned on the external face of the middle 1A thanks to the nesting of the complementary shapes 38 on the pair of horns 3A and 13 on the lateral faces of the middle 1A.

[0094] FIGS. 4, 5 and 8, 9 illustrate different views in section of the pair of horns 3A assembled to the middle 1A. FIG. 8 illustrates the position of the various elements before locking. In this figure, the second member 31A is pushed downward, in the locking position, by the return spring 34A.

[0095] By pushing the pair of horns 3A and the wristwatch strap portion 5 radially against the middle 1A, the pressure of an inclined portion at the end of the first member 10A against the second member 31A causes the latter to rise into the release position, which enables the first member 10A to pass through the window 310. The second member 31A is then moved downward again by the action of the return spring 34A, which has the effect of locking the first member 10A and therefore of retaining the assembly comprising the middle and the pair of horns in the position illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 9.

[0096] The pair of horns 3A can be released only by manipulating the manipulation member 30A to move the window 310 downward again into the release position, enabling extraction of the first member 10A.

[0097] The wristwatch strap portion 5 is retained between the pair of horns 3 (here 3A) and the middle 1 (here 1A), and therefore cannot be removed without unlocking and then removing the pair of horns 3. To be more precise, as seen in FIG. 4 in particular, a portion 52 at the longitudinal end of the wristwatch strap portion 5 is sandwiched between a portion 12 of the middle 1A and the pair of horns 3A. In the horizontal plane, the movement of the wristwatch strap portion 5 is limited by the two horns of the pair 3A.

[0098] A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 14. As seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, it again includes a watch case with a middle 1B, removable pairs of horns 3B, and a wristwatch strap 5 retained between these horns 3B and the middle 1B. Complementary shapes 13 on the middle and 38 on the pair of horns can be nested to assemble these elements before locking thereof. As in the other embodiments, complementary shapes also enable nesting of the end of the wristwatch strap portion 5 against the external face of the pair of horns 3B, before the retention thereof by assembling the pair of horns to the middle 1B.

[0099] In this embodiment, as in the embodiments 3, 4 and 5 described hereinafter, the pairs of horns 3B are mounted on the middle 1B by an axial, that is to say vertical, movement. The complementary shapes 13 on the middle 1B constitute slideways and enable axial guidance of this relative movement of the pairs of horns 3B relative to the middle 1B.

[0100] The lock enabling locking of this assembly once the horns are in position consists in this embodiment of a groove 10B on the lateral face of the middle 1B (first member), and a second member 31B that is mobile in rotation and mounted on the pair of horns 3B, in order to prevent axial movement thereof. The second member 31B can pivot about a vertical axis 39 under the lower face of the pair of horns, between a locking position engaged in the groove 10B (FIG. 13), and a release position enabling mounting or demounting of the pair of horns 3B. To this end, the second member 31B is connected to a manipulation member 30B which enables the extraction thereof in the release position, by causing it to pivot about the axis 39. A return spring 34B, for example a wire spring, exerts a bearing pressure of the second member 31B at the bottom of the groove 10B. The other aspects of this second embodiment may be identical or equivalent to those of the first embodiment.

[0101] A third embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 19. As in the second embodiment, the pair of horns 3 is unlocked on the middle 1C by moving a second member 31C of the lock with a movement of rotation about an axis 39 connected to the pair of horns 3C, in such a manner as to disengage it from the first member 10C consisting of a groove on the periphery of the middle 1C. A return spring 34c pushes this second member to the bottom of the groove in the locking position, in such a manner as to prevent axial movement of the pair of horns 3C relative to the middle. The lock therefore prevents the separation of the pair of horns 3C relative to the middle 1C.

[0102] However, in this embodiment, the manipulation member 30C consists of a component separate from the second member 31C of the lock. In this example, the manipulation member consists of a button sliding in a horizontal plane between the locking and release positions. The manipulation member 30C and the second member 31B are connected to one another by a pin passing through an oblong opening under the lower face of the pair of horns.

[0103] FIGS. 20 to 22 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the invention. In this example, the first member of the lock consists of a groove 10D forming a keeper at the periphery of the middle 1D. The second member of the lock consists of a bolt 31D at the end of a sliding bolt including a manipulation member 30D under the lower face of the pair of horns 3D. A return spring 34D housed in a blind hole 32 on the face of the pair of horns 3D pushes back the sliding bolt in such a manner as to engage the second member 31D (bolt) in the groove 10D (keeper). In this locked position, the lock prevents axial movement of the pair of horns relative to the middle 1D. The manipulation member 30D can be pulled outward in order to disengage the two members of the lock and to insert or to extract the pair of horns by moving it axially relative to the middle 1D.

[0104] FIGS. 23 to 28 illustrate a fifth embodiment of the invention. In this example, the first member of the lock again consists of a groove 10E (FIG. 27) forming a keeper at the periphery of the middle 1E and preventing the extraction of the pair of horns 3E by a vertical (axial) movement. The second member of the lock consists of a bolt 31E that moves radially in this groove, being guided in this movement by an opening 310 on the internal face of the pair of horns 3E.

[0105] In the locking position, the second member 31E is pushed to the bottom of the groove 10E by two return springs 34E connected to the pair of horns 3E, here coil springs visible in particular in FIGS. 25 and 26.

[0106] In the release position, the second member 31E is moved radially in the direction of the exterior of the watch, against the action of the return springs 34E. This movement is produced by the manipulation member 30E consisting of a pushbutton under the internal face of the pair of horns. The button 30E includes a rod 301 the end of which forms a bevel 303. This bevel 303 is pressed against a complementary bevel 311 under the second member 31E, in such a manner as to move this second member 31E between the locking position illustrated in FIG. 28 and the release position illustrated in FIG. 28. In this release position, the end of the second member 31E has entered completely inside the horns and no longer projects beyond the window 310.

[0107] The manipulation member 30E is guided in its vertical movement by a cover 300 through which the rod 301 passes. Spring balls 304 exert a force to push this member back when it is not depressed. Pins 302 on either side of the rod 301 moreover enable vertical movement of the manipulation member 30E.

[0108] The whole of the device is hidden by a cap 322 screwed to the between-horns space by means of screws 320.

[0109] The end of the second member 31E is provided with a beveled slant to enable withdrawal thereof on insertion of the pair of horns onto the middle 1E.

[0110] As already mentioned, each pair of horns is nested on the middle 1 of the embodiments 2 to 5 by an axial relative movement, along the vertical axis; the lock enables the nested position to be maintained.

[0111] This vertical movement is guided thanks to the fitting together of complementary shapes 38 on the pair of horns 3 and 13 on the middle 1. In the embodiment from FIG. 22, these complementary shapes include pins 33 engaged in blind holes in the middle and in the pair of horns 3. In the embodiment of FIGS. 23 to 29, the complementary shapes 38 on the pair of horns 3E include two end mills (blind grooves). This guide element 38 necessitates only a shallow depth and is entirely concealed when the pair of horns is mounted.

REFERENCE NUMBERS EMPLOYED IN THE FIGURES

[0112] 1 Middle [0113] 3 Pair of horns [0114] 5 Wristwatch strap portion [0115] 10 First member of the lock, connected to the middle [0116] 11 Lateral face of the middle [0117] 12 Portion of the middle sandwiching the wristwatch strap [0118] 13 Complementary shape [0119] 30 Manipulation member [0120] 300 Guide cover of the manipulation member 30 [0121] 301 Rod of the manipulation element 30 [0122] 302 Guide pins of the manipulation element 30 [0123] 303 Beveled end of the rod 302 [0124] 304 Spring ball [0125] 31 Second member of the lock [0126] 310 Window for passage of the second lock [0127] 32 Blind hole housing the return spring [0128] 322 Cap [0129] 33 Pins for positioning the horns on the middle [0130] 34 Elastic return element [0131] 35 Housing in the pair of horns for the ball 50 [0132] 36 Housing in the pair of horns for the end of the first member [0133] 37 Vertical slots [0134] 38 Complementary shape [0135] 39 Axis of the first member [0136] 50 Spring ball [0137] 51 Spring [0138] 52 Portion of the wristwatch strap sandwiched between the pair of horns and a portion of the middle [0139] 53 Complementary shape