Horology: time measuring systems or devices – Crown or stem details – Switch or detent
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-12
2001-05-08
Roskoski, Bernard (Department: 2859)
Horology: time measuring systems or devices
Crown or stem details
Switch or detent
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227700
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns a push button device for a timepiece used, for example, to start a chronograph in the pushed in position, and allowing time data or a date to be corrected in a pulled out position.
A timesetting device for an electronic watch including a push button having a shape such that it allows the device to he actuated by a user is known from Swiss Patent No. 577 701. The push button comprises a pusher head which is driven onto a pusher stem and held thereon said stem allowing a timesetting device to be actuated. Inside the pusher head is arranged a recess of generally cylindrical shape in which is disposed a return spring which bias the pusher head axially towards an initial rest position. The pusher stem carries a crown which, when the user presses on the pusher head, engages in a recess of a timesetting element attached to the movement of the watch. This element allows high frequency pulses to be supplied to the hour and minute indicators driving means of the watch. The sole function of the push button device disclosed in this Patent is to allow timesetting. Further, it applies to an electronic watch.
Swiss Patent No. 506 115 also discloses a time correcting device for a watch whose pinion and timesetting stem have an axis of rotation perpendicular to the plane of the watch movement, which rules out a chronograph function since the user is obliged to act on the pinion via the back face of the watch case. Moreover, the indexing function of the timesetting stem is defined by a spring attached to the case and co-operating with said stem.
Further, Swiss Patent No. 3647 discloses a timesetting mechanism for a watch including a timesetting pinion, a winding pinion and a timesetting stem. The timesetting stem is provided with a square section via which it engages the winding pinion when it is in the pushed in position, and the timesetting pinion when it is in the pulled out position. This is not a push button device, but a simple timesetting stem with two coaxial pinions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a push button device for a timepiece allowing the control, from an initial rest position, for example of the start command of a chronograph in a first pushed in position of the push button, and the correction of time related data or a date in a second pulled out position of said push button.
The present invention thus concerns a push button device for a timepiece, in particular a chronograph, including a pusher head associated with a pusher stem arranged so as to slide in a recess inside which it moves axially from a rest position against the return force of a spring when the pusher head is pushed in, characterised in that the pusher stem is also able to move axially from its rest position to a pulled out position when the pusher head is pulled out.
Acccording to an additional feature of the invention, the push button device includes transmission means co-operating with correction means in the pulled out position of the pusher head.
As a result of these features, the present invention provides a push button device by means of which the user can, either, control the start command for example of a chronograph, or adjust the display of time related data (present time, alarm time, etc.) or a date.
According to another advantage of the invention, correction of the data can be performed in an identical manner in either of the left or right rotational directions of the pusher head, which allows one to avoid the risk of errors which affect conventional correction systems in which, depending on the direction in which the adjustment pinion is rotated, data of a first type (for example time data) or data of a second type (for example a date) is modified. Further, it should be noted that data correction can be performed while the chronograph is working. Finally, by proposing combining the chronograph and data correcting or setting functions by means of a single push button device, the invention provides a constructive assembly which is simpler to manufacture and thus less expensive.
According to another feature of the invention, the push button device includes holding means acting against the return force of the spring which tend to return the pusher stem into the pulled out position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1926243 (1933-09-01), Russo
patent: 3377796 (1968-04-01), Rogers
patent: 4536095 (1985-08-01), Wuthrich et al.
patent: 4932011 (1990-06-01), Schwartz
patent: 5043958 (1991-08-01), Kaelin
patent: 5521890 (1996-05-01), Miche et al.
patent: 470704 (1968-12-01), None
patent: 392 307 (1990-10-01), None
patent: 655664 (1995-05-01), None
Hunziker Yannick
Nussbaum Andre
Rebeaud Jean-Philippe
ETA SA Fabriques d'Ebauches
Roskoski Bernard
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
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