FR2578335A1 - Watch with off-centred movement and external control - Google Patents

Abstract

Watch with off-centred movement and external control. Watch characterised in that the movement is off-centred through the construction of two kinematically interconnected overlaid concentric discs 1 and 2, at least one of which is transparent and one of which is driven in rotation by an off-centred movement engaging with the periphery of the disc. This invention is of interest to watch manufacturers.

Description

 The present invention relates to a watch with eccentric movement relative to the center of rotation of the hands and with external control.

The flat and especially extra-flat case is particularly in demand and confirms its commercial success due to its asserted aesthetic character corresponding to the general lines currently sought.
The classical mechanical drive starting from a spring or quartz movement hardly presents any aptitude and possibility of technical adaptation to miniaturization and to the reduction of thickness by surface development.

 This mainly results from the minimum thickness necessary for the various mechanical members to keep the resistance sufficient to withstand the driving forces and the shocks.

The present invention relates to a watch with eccentric movement allowing the production of an extra flat case and the creation of original optical effects impossible with a traditional watch with classic central movement
The minimum thickness of the housing is further reduced by transposing the control outside the housing.

 To this end, the watch according to the invention is characterized in that the movement is eccentric relative to the center of rotation of the hands, by the peripheral drive of two discs, at least one of which is transparent, kinematically connected, the control said movement being external to the case, preferably at the attachment or the clasp of the case.

 As indicated above, the main advantages of the invention relate to the gain in space inside the housing, but above all in reduction of thickness and the possibility of producing original optical effects thanks to the transparent disks.

The technical characteristics of the invention and other advantages are set out in the description which follows, given by way of non-limiting example on an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawing in which
- Figure 1 is a general perspective view
showing the extra flat case and its control
outdoor
- Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view
transverse illustrating the composition of the dispo
display and its internal training
to the case
- Figure 3 is a schematic view in pers
pective showing a possible technical form of
the record carrier;
- Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view
a ball bearing connection between the two
discs.

 The various means making up the invention will be examined more precisely below.

 The general inventive idea consists of offsetting the movement relative to the center of rotation of the hands of a watch and placing its control outside, so as to benefit from the additional possibilities of reduction in thickness by development on the surface.

 The particular means targeted by the invention for offsetting the drive movement relative to the center of rotation of the needles include two concentric display discs 1 and 2, upper and lower, slightly offset in height. The central pivot 3 is formed by two independent axes 4 and 5, the ends of which rest on their own spans.

 Needles 6 and 7 are materialized on the discs by engraving, serigraphy, collage, impregnation, photography or any other means.

 The upper disc will indicate the mintiten and the lower disc the hours or vice versa.

 Of course, only the upper disc can be at least transparent.

 The discs have on their periphery a drive toothing such as 8.

 The lower disc is engaged by its teeth with an eccentric movement 9 of the stepping motor type 10 controlled in accordance with the invention outside the housing.

 The discs 1 and 2 are kinematically connected to each other by a reduction gear II for example to one or more toothed wheels, ensuring the necessary reduction in gear meshing on the one hand on the periphery of the lower disc and on the other hand on the teeth of the upper disc 1.

By way of equivalent and alternative, the upper disc can be rotatably mounted on the lower disc by means of a rolling or sliding link carried by one of the discs, for example a ball bearing (12) . This bearing may consist of balls (13) trapped in an open housing provided in the thickness of the
& s ro lower disc.

 The optical effects result from the use of discs 1 and 2 transparent. These discs may be polarized locally or globally to darken globally. Or locally at given angular positions of the discs or present brand markings or advertising graphics which will appear or disappear with the rotation movement of the discs.

 It is also envisaged to use holograms to make the discs so as to obtain special effects.

 An exemplary embodiment of the plate carrying the axes of rotation and drive affects the particular shape represented in FIG. 3.

 We note the general shape in G which has the advantage of carrying the axes on only part of the housing and, consequently, of leaving a large amount of space free.

 Another important characteristic of the invention relates to the control 14 of the movement 10.

It is provided on the outside, integrated into the bracelet 15 preferably in a box forming a clasp 16.

According to a variant, the daily date group 17 can be integrated into this command.

 Its battery power supply is of course incorporated on the case 16 electrically connected to the watch case by a special link 17 or by the branches 18 of the bracelet.

 It is understood that the protection extends beyond the description of the particular means above and that, on the contrary, direct variants, substitutions by equivalent means, elements or materials, the addition of inoperative elements and other modifications without inventive contribution fall fully within its scope.

Claims (10)

 1. Perfect watch characterized in that the movement is eccentric relative to the center of rotation of the hands and in that the control is outside the focus.  2. Watch according to claim 1 characterized in that the movement control is housed in a housing (15) acting as a clasp.  3. Watch according to claim 2 characterized in that the housing (15) comprises a date group.  4. Watch according to claim 1 characterized in that it consists of two concentric discs (1) and (2) superimposed slightly offset in height on each of which is materialized a needle (6) or (7), the discs being connected kinematically between them and driven by an off-center movement.  5. Watch according to claim 4 characterized in that at least one of the discs is transparent.  6. Watch according to claim 4 characterized in that the peripheries of the discs are shaped toothing.  7. Watch according to claims 4 and 5 characterized in that the connection between the discs is a gear reducer.  8. Watch according to claim 4 characterized in that the discs are mounted on a central pivot (3) with two independent axes (4) and  (5).  9. Watch according to claim 4 characterized in that the upper disc rests on the lower disc by a rolling or sliding link carried by one of the discs.  10. Watch according to claim 9 characterized in that the link is carried by the lower disc and is ball bearing.