WATCHMAKER'S BENCH AND FOREARM SUPPORT FOR A WATCHMAKER'S BENCH

Abstract

Watchmaker's bench, comprising: a work table arranged to receive timepieces, a frame supporting the work table, defining at least one work face or a work station on the work table for an operator and arranged to rest on a workshop floor, characterized in that the watchmaker's bench comprises at least one mounting rail, particularly arranged below the working table and facing the work face or the work station, and arranged to receive at least one work module to be coupled to the watchmaker's bench in a position that is adjustable along said at least one mounting rail.

Claims

1. A watchmaker's bench, comprising: a work table, arranged to receive timepieces, a frame, supporting the work table, defining at least one work face or one work station on the work table for an operator, characterized in that the watchmaker's bench comprises at least one mounting rail, in particular arranged below the work table and facing the work face or the work station, and arranged to receive at least one work module to be coupled to the watchmaker's bench in a position that is adjustable along said at least one mounting rail.

2. The watchmaker's bench according to claim 1, comprising a forearm support, comprising: a coupling portion, arranged to be coupled to a watchmaker's bench a first arm linked to the coupling portion, a second arm, linked to the first arm, a forearm support pad, linked to the second arm and arranged to support a forearm of an operator, characterized in that the forearm support comprises an articulation system comprising at least: a first ball joint arranged between the coupling portion and the first arm and linking the coupling portion and the first arm, a second ball joint arranged between the first arm and the second arm and linking the first arm and the second arm and forming at least one work module to be coupled to said at least one mounting rail of the watchmaker's bench in a position that is adjustable along said at least one mounting rail.

3. The watchmaker's bench according to one of claim 1, comprising at least one work module to be coupled to said at least one mounting rail, forming: a table nosepiece, forming an overhang of the work table toward the operator, or a table edge or a raised shoulder, arranged protruding relative to a work plane defined by the work table, or an instrument support, particularly for an optical reader, arranged to support an instrument, in particular an optical reader, or a shock-absorbing cushion, or a tool holder, arranged to support work tools, or a drawer.

4. The watchmaker's bench according to one of claim 1, wherein said at least one working module to be coupled to said at least one mounting rail comprises a coupling portion on said at least one mounting rail comprising: a runner or a carriage, removable and lockable on said at least one mounting rail, or a runner or a carriage, with at least one elastic portion arranged to allow reversible elastic interlocking on said at least one mounting rail, or a runner or a carriage, arranged to be engaged on said at least one mounting rail in a rotation movement around an axial direction of said at least one mounting rail.

5. The watchmaker's bench according to one of claim 1, wherein said at least one mounting rail is flush or recessed with respect to a peripheral edge of the work table and/or a peripheral edge of the frame.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0072] Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly upon reading the detailed description which follows of one embodiment of the invention, given by way of an example, which is in no way limiting, and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

[0073] FIG. 1 shows a general perspective view of a watchmaker's bench according to the invention, comprising a frame, a work table and work modules coupled to a mounting rail arranged below the work table;

[0074] FIG. 2 shows a partial view of the work table of FIG. 1 with work modules coupled to the mounting rail arranged below the work table;

[0075] FIG. 3 shows a perspective bottom view a work module of FIG. 1 forming a forearm support;

[0076] FIG. 4 shows a detail view of a first arm of the forearm support of FIG. 3;

[0077] FIG. 5 shows a detail view of a second arm of the forearm support of FIG. 3;

[0078] FIG. 6 shows a perspective top view of a work module of FIG. 1 forming a table nosepiece;

[0079] FIG. 7 shows a perspective top view of a work module of FIG. 1 forming a raised shoulder;

[0080] FIG. 8 shows another perspective view of the raised shoulder of FIG. 7;

[0081] FIG. 9 shows a perspective top view of a work module of FIG. 1 forming a shock-absorbing cushion;

[0082] FIG. 10 shows a front view of the shock-absorbing cushion of FIG. 9;

[0083] FIG. 11 shows a perspective top view of a work module of FIG. 1 forming an optical reader support;

[0084] FIG. 12 shows a side view of the optical reader support of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)

[0085] FIG. 1 shows a general perspective view of a watchmaker's bench according to the invention, comprising: [0086] a frame 20, [0087] a work table 21 supported by the frame, [0088] storage drawers arranged below the work table 21, in two lateral columns, [0089] a mounting rail 22 arranged below the work table 21, [0090] two work modules formed by forearm supports 10 coupled to the mounting rail 22, [0091] a work module formed by a table nosepiece 30 also coupled to the mounting rail 33 and arranged between two forearm supports 10.

[0092] It can be noted in FIG. 1 that the mounting rail 22 is arranged below the work table 21, and mounted flush with the peripheral edge of the work table 21, so that the mounting rail does not obstruct and/or does not form an obstacle for an operator who may like to press on or to approach the work table 21. In fact, as is easily visible in FIG. 1, the mounting rail 22 is located entirely below the work table 21. The handling of timepieces of small dimensions on the work table 21 is neither hampered nor compromised.

[0093] FIG. 2 shows a partial view of the work table 21 of FIG. 1 with the following work modules coupled to the mounting rail 22. The following can be noted: [0094] a forearm support 10 [0095] a table nosepiece 30, [0096] a raised shoulder 40.

[0097] It can be noted that each work module coupled to the mounting rail can be moved along the mounting rail 22 to allow an operator to configure the watchmaker's bench of FIG. 1 according to his needs, to allow this or that work operation, such as assembling timepieces, carrying out rework, adjustments, or even decoration operations. Thus, the relative position between the work modules can easily be adjusted, such as for example the center distance between the two forearm supports 10 of FIG. 1.

[0098] As will be explained in detail below, each work module can be moved along the mounting rail 22, coupled reversibly to the mounting rail 22, locked/unlocked on the mounting rail 22, so as to offer great modularity and numerous possible uses, while guaranteeing reliable use and a robust structure.

[0099] FIG. 3 shows a perspective bottom view of a work module of FIG. 1 forming a forearm support 10, which comprises in particular: [0100] a coupling portion 11, coupled to the mounting rail 22, [0101] a first arm 12 linked to the coupling portion 11, [0102] a second arm 13 linked to the first arm 12, [0103] a forearm support pad 14, linked to the second arm 13, and arranged to support a forearm of an operator, [0104] a first ball joint 16, arranged between the coupling portion 11 and the first arm 12, [0105] a second ball joint 17, arranged between the first arm 12 and the second arm 13, [0106] a sliding armrest link 19, arranged between the second arm 13 and the forearm support pad 14.

[0107] In detail, the coupling portion 11 comprises in particular: [0108] a runner or a carriage 11.1 coupled to the mounting rail 22 to form a sliding link, [0109] a first intermediate support 11.2 mounted to the carriage 11.1 and supporting a first male ball joint element of the first ball joint 16, [0110] a control knob 11.3 for accomplishing a lockable and removable engagement of the carriage 11.1 on the mounting rail 22. The mounting rail 22 can be sufficiently recessed from the lateral edge of the work table 21 so that the coupling portion 11 is arranged at least partially below the work table 21 to avoid obstructing the operator.

[0111] The carriage 11.1 can be a carriage which can be asymmetrical or a clamp that is tiltable to be easily mounted on/removed from the mounting rail 22, with locking by screwing via a control knob 11.3, which can alternatively be a spring-loaded positioning index. Alternatively, the control knob 11.3 could also be a compressed-air or hydraulic clamping system to be controlled by the operator in case of need.

[0112] The first arm 12 comprises two female ball joint element housings of the first ball joint 16 and of the second ball joint 17, and supports a control board 15 which receives a man-machine interface 18 of a locking control device.

[0113] The second arm 13 comprises a second intermediate support 13.1, which receives on the one hand a connecting rod of a second male ball joint element of the second ball joint 17.2, and which supports on the other hand clamps for a guide shaft 13.3.

[0114] The forearm support pad 14, for its part, comprises a support cushion 14.1, which is arrange to receive or support a forearm of an operator, and guide shafts 14.2 which are engaged with the clamps for guide shaft 13.3 of the second arm 13 to form the sliding armrest link 19. It can be noted that the lower face of the support cushion 14.1 comprises free mounting holes 14.3 which can serve for mounting the guide shafts 14.2 in other positions than that shown in FIG. 3.

[0115] FIG. 4 shows the first arm 12 in top view, to clearly show its structure. The first arm 12 comprises a first female ball joint element housing 16.1 of the first ball joint 16, and a second female ball joint element housing 17.1 of the second ball joint 17. The first female ball joint element housing 16.1 and the second female ball joint element housing 17.1 are each formed by two half-shells, respectively 12.1a and 12.1b, 12.1c and 12.1d mounted to the first arm 12. It can be noted that the first ball joint 16 has a greater diameter than that of the second ball joint 17; the reasons will be explained below.

[0116] It can also be noted that the first arm 12 is perforated over its entire length to have a central recess 12.4 separating two walls 12.7 having central openings 12.5, with a central ring 12.6 mounted in the central recess 12.4 with clearance, and arranged facing the central openings 12.5. Mounting a clamping member 12.8 through the central openings 12.5 (a screw system, an actuator . . . ) can be considered, to bring the two walls 12.7 together in order to clamp the half-shells 12.1a and 12.1b, 12.1c and 12.1d, and thus lock or block the first ball joint 16 and the second ball joint 17. The central ring 12.6 then serves as a stop to avoid excessive deformations and/or stresses, and a hood 12.3 covers the central recess 12.4.

[0117] It can be noted that the first arm 12 is perforated over its length, which allows in particular the introduction of the ball joints 16 and 17 (in particular the half-shells 12.1a and 12.1b, 12.1c and 12.1d of the ball joints 16 and 17). A pair of half-shells, 12.1a-12.1b, for the ball joint 16 and 12.1c-12.1d for the ball joint 17, partly surround each of the balls and is introduced into each of the openings positioned at the longitudinal ends of the first arm 12. Mounting screws allow the retention of the half-shell/ball assembly on the first arm 12. By means of the clamping member 12.8 (for example at least one pneumatic actuator) present in the first arm 12, a force can be applied to the lateral walls of the first arm 12 to move them together, applying a locking force by pinching the half-shell/ball assembly.

[0118] Within the locking system of the balls, clamping the lateral walls of the first arm 12 applies an elastic force against the half-shell/ball assembly. This causes the locking of the balls. The half-shells must be resistant to wear, and the arm must be relatively elastic.

[0119] It can be noted that it may be appropriate to use the system of half-shells described above as replaceable elements rather than machining a ball housing directly in the first arm 12; this allows avoiding high machining costs and complex manufacturing. Moreover, in the event of wear, the replacement of each worn part of the half-shell system described above does not necessitate the complete disassembly of the device.

[0120] Finally, it can be noted that in the locked state, the torque on each ball joint 16, 17 can be greater at the first end of the first arm 12 (on the side of the coupling portion 11) than on the second end of the first arm 12 (on the side of the second arm 13), particularly in case of complete deployment of the system. To resist any slippage and guarantee locking both of the first ball joint 16 and of the second ball joint 17 with the same pinching force of the first arm 12, it may optionally be provided that the diameter of the female spherical housing and of the male ball joint element of the first ball joint 16 are greater than those of the second ball joint 17, which would lead to differences in geometry and of the contact surface of the half-shells on the balls.

[0121] FIG. 5 shows a detail view of the second arm 13 of the forearm support of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a transverse section view in the direction of the guide shaft clamps 13.3. Seen there is the first intermediate support 13.1 which receives, on the one hand, a connecting rod 13.2 of a second male ball joint element 17.2 of the second ball joint 17, and which supports on the other hand the guide shaft clamps 13.3. Also notable is the presence of a movable brake 13.4 (for example a friction brake runner) arranged between the guide shaft clamps 13.3. The movable brake 13.4 can be coupled for example to a rodless actuator to move vertically and come into contact with the lower wall of the support cushion 14.1, and thus offer the possibility of (reversibly) locking the sliding link formed by the guide shafts 14.2 received in the guide shaft clamps 13.3.

[0122] It can be noted that: [0123] the first ball joint, the second ball joint and the sliding armrest link 19 form an articulation device, articulation device which can comprise a carriage or a runner or a slide or a slideway, arranged on the coupling portion to allow sliding link coupling between the coupling portion and a watchmaker's bench, [0124] the perforated structure of the first arm, the clamping device 12.8 passing through the central openings 12.5, as well as the movable brake 13.4, form or at least form a part of a locking device of the articulation device.

[0125] The articulation device allows offering the operator multiple possibilities for adjusting the relative position between the mounting rail 22 (the frame 20) and the support cushion 14.1. In particular, the first ball joint 16 allows moving the first arm 12 relative to the coupling portion 11 in three degrees of freedom in rotation, and likewise between the second arm 13 and the first arm 12 with the second ball joint 17. The sliding armrest link 19 allows offering other adjustment positions, as well as the coupling portion 11 which can be moved in translation along the mounting rail 22.

[0126] The locking device can be controlled manually (for example with screw or spring members), but an electrical or pneumatic or even hydraulic control device can advantageously be provided as the locking control device, with, as here, a man machine interface 18 provided on the control board 15. One or more actuators can be provided to carry out these locking/unlocking operations individually, independently of one another. Alternatively, it is possible to provide for controlling the entire locking device to simultaneously lock or block all the articulations of the articulation device, or to un-block all of them together. In this case, this is a centralized locking device. It is possible to also provide an intermediate solution with certain locking/unlocking operations independent of one another, and other locking/unlocking operations carried out in a common or centralized manner.

[0127] It is also possible to provide for controlling the locking of the coupling portion 11 on the mounting rail 22 with the same locking device, and its locking control device in the case of a centralized locking device. To this end, it is possible to provide for adding an actuator to the control knob 11.3.

[0128] FIG. 6 shows a perspective top view of a work module of FIG. 1 forming a table nosepiece 30, which comprises in particular: [0129] a table extension 31, [0130] a carriage 32 supporting the table extension 31 and having in particular, in the example shown, an asymmetrical shape to be able to be rapidly assembled to/disassembled from the mounting rail 22 by lifting and/or rotation, [0131] a locking knob 33 able to pivot to move an index which, in the deployed position, locks the carriage 32 on the mounting rail 22, and which in the retracted position allows the disassembly of the carriage 32 from the mounting rail 22. The mounting rail 22 can be sufficiently recessed from the lateral edge of the work table 21 so that the carriage 32 and/or the locking knob 33 is arranged at least partially below the work table 21 so as not to obstruct the operator.

[0132] It can be noted that the table extension 31 is intended to be located in the same plane as that of the work table 21, so as to allow certain parts or tools to be placed on it.

[0133] FIGS. 7 and 8 show perspective views of a work module of FIG. 1 forming a raised shoulder 40, which comprises: [0134] an edge 41, arranged to extend beyond the work plane of the work table 21, [0135] a clipping carriage 42, with flexible tabs to allow rapid assembly to/disassembly from the mounting rail 22.

[0136] Thus, to prevent parts placed on the work table 21 from falling to the floor, the operator can rapidly position/couple-plug/move/disassemble the raised shoulder 40 along the mounting rail 22. The mounting rail 22 can be sufficiently set back from the side edge of the work table 21 so that the clipping carriage 42 is arranged at least partially under the work table 21 so as not to disturb the operator.

[0137] FIGS. 9 and 10 show respectively perspective and front views of a work module of FIG. 2 forming a shock-absorbing cushion 50, which comprises: [0138] a cushion portion 51 on which the operator can be supported, [0139] a carriage 32 supporting the cushion portion 51 and having, as for the table nosepiece 30 of FIG. 6, an asymmetrical shape in the example shown, to be able to be rapidly assembled to/disassembled from the mounting rail 22 by lifting and/or rotation, [0140] a locking knob 33 able to pivot to, as for the table nosepiece 30 of FIG. 6, move an index which, in the deployed position, locks the asymmetrical carriage 32 on the mounting rail 22, and which in the retracted position allows the disassembly of the asymmetrical carriage 32 from the mounting rail 22. The mounting rail 22 can be sufficiently recessed from the lateral wall of the work table 21 so that the carriage 32 and/or the locking knob 33 is arranged to least partially below the work table 21 so as not to obstruct the operator.

[0141] FIGS. 11 and 12 show respectively perspective and side views of a work module of FIG. 1 forming a support of an instrument, in particular an optical reader, which comprises: [0142] a support fork 61, intended to receive an instrument, in particular an optical reader (a bar-code reader for example), [0143] a clipping carriage 62, with one or more flexible tabs to allow rapid assembly to/disassembly from the mounting rail 22. The mounting rail 22 can be sufficiently recessed from the lateral edge of the work table 21 so that the clipping carriage 62 is arranged at least partially under the work table 21 so as not to obstruct the operator.

[0144] Thus it is understood that the watchmaker's bench described can easily, and reversibly receive multiple work modules, all adjustable in position along the mounting rail 22, the latter preferably not extending beyond the work table 21. Ergonomics is improved and modularity particularly increased.

[0145] As regards the forearm support 10, it can be noted that its use is simple, with a single control of the locking device according to one preferred embodiment, and its architecture offers a great variety of adjustments to adjust itself to the wishes of the operator, particularly regarding its morphology, and/or to the operations to be carried out.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

[0146] A watchmaker's bench, a forearm support and work modules according to the present invention, and their manufacture, are eligible for industrial application.

[0147] It will be understood that various modifications and/or improvements obvious to a person skilled in the art can be applied to the different embodiments of the invention described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0148] In particular, it can be noted that the work modules can be adapted to and/or provided for other functions suitable to watchmaking (lighting, cleaning, provisioning or storage of components, instruments or tools . . . ).

[0149] It can also be noted that it is possible to add other intermediate or additional articulations (the first arm and/or the second arm can be adjustable in length, a sliding pivot link can be provided in place of the sliding forearm link as illustrated by FIG. 3).

[0150] The locking device can be motorized or be provided with an assistance as in the example described, but manual clamping and/or locking systems can be provided, such as elastic toggle clamps, retractable indexes or screw systems, even if assisted systems are preferred to avoid musculoskeletal disorders in the long term.

[0151] It is possible to provide for motorizing the forearm support to automate or assist certain adjustments, such as for example the relative movement between the forearm support pad 14 and the second arm 13. It is possible for example to provide for pneumatic, electrical or hydraulic assistance.

[0152] A smooth mounting rail can be provided as shown in the figures, but it is also possible to provide a mounting rail that is notched or at least shaped to define the preferred positions of the work modules along the work table. In particular, it is possible to provide hollows or notches which will preferably receive indexes of the work modules to aid the operator in repositioning his work modules at preferred locations.