Device for controlling a time function or non-time-related function and timepiece including the same

• US 8,971,156 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2007
• Issued: 03/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meco SA (The Swatch Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Meco SA (The Swatch Group AG)
• Inventors: El Kadiri, Hakim
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska, Vit W
• Application Number:
  US12/294,657
• Publication Number:
  US 20110085424A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,917 Days
• Field of Search: 368/69, 368/70, 368/224, 368/308, 368319-321, 368288-290, 200 5 A- 5 E, 200/341, 200/520, 200/537
• US Class Current: 368/69
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 3/043 Locking of the operating element, also by mounting in a concealed place
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 3/048 Operation exclusively by axial movement of a push-button, e.g. for chronographs winding up by push button G04B3/001; hermetically sealed push button G04B37/106
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 37/106 of push buttons winding up by push button G04B3/001; crown in the form of push button G04B3/046; construction of push buttons G04B3/048

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for controlling a time function or a non-time related function including at least two push-buttons (28A, 28B) each provided with a stem (30A, 30B) and a head (32A, 32B), said push-buttons (28A, 28B) being able to move axially between a first inactive rest position and a second position in which they control the function, characterized in that the stems (30A, 30B) of the two push-buttons (28A, 28b) extend side by side and parallel to each other. The invention also concerns a timepiece fitted with this control device.

Claims

1. A control device for controlling a time function or non-time related function of a portable object that includes the control device and a lateral wall defining a middle part, wherein the control device includes:

(a) at least two push-buttons, wherein each push-button is provided with a stem and a head, wherein the at least two push-buttons are moveable axially between a first inactive rest position and a second position in which the at least two push-buttons control the time function or non-time related function of the portable object, wherein the stems of the at least two push-buttons extend side by side, parallel to each other, and wherein the at least two push-buttons are immediately adjacent to one another, wherein the two stems are pusher stems that slide inside a same tube engaged in a through hole arranged in the middle part of the portable object, and wherein the tube is a staged tube that includes a first part whose inner diameter is greater than an inner diameter of a second part of the tube, and the heads of the push-buttons are slideably disposed inside the first part of the tube while guided axially, whereas the stems of the push-buttons slide while guided axially in the second part of the tube that has a reduced diameter.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the centre of the second part of the tube has a separating wall that delimits two cylindrical passages in which the stems of the push-buttons slide.

3. The control device according to claim 2, wherein a sealing gasket is housed at a bottom of the second part of the tube with a spring inserted between the sealing gasket and a bottom face of the heads of the at least two push-buttons.

4. The control device according to claim 3, wherein the at least two push-buttons act on control members for the time function or non-time related function via at least one lever.

5. The control device according to claim 1, wherein an external periphery of the tube has a thread for cooperating with an inner thread provided in a cover that covers the heads of the push-buttons in a removable manner.

6. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the heads of the at least two push-buttons have complementary shapes so that, when that at least two push-buttons are in the first inactive position, the heads of the at least two push-buttons form a circular external periphery.

7. A timepiece that is the portable object so the timepiece includes the control device according to claim 1.

8. The timepiece according to claim 7, further including an additional control member arranged in a twelve o'"'"'clock-three o'"'"'clock dial quarter of the timepiece, whereas the control device is arranged in a three o'"'"'clock-six o'"'"'clock dial quarter of the timepiece, and wherein the additional control member and the control device are both covered in a removable manner by a cover.

9. A timepiece that is a portable object having a time function or non-time related function, wherein the timepiece includes:

(a) a lateral wall defining a middle part;

(b) a control device that controls the time function or non-time related function of the timepiece, wherein the control device includes

(i) at least two push-buttons, wherein each push-button is provided with a stem and a head, wherein the at least two push-buttons are moveable axially between a first inactive rest position and a second position in which the at least two push-buttons control the time function or non-time related function of the timepiece, wherein the stems of the at least two push-buttons extend side by side, parallel to each other; and

(c) an additional control member arranged in a twelve o'"'"'clock-three o'"'"'clock dial quarter of the timepiece, whereas the control device is arranged in a three o'"'"'clock-six o'"'"'clock dial quarter of the timepiece, and wherein the additional control member and the control device are both covered in a removable manner by a cover.

10. A control device for controlling a time function or non-time related function of a portable object that includes the control device and a lateral wall defining a middle part, wherein the control device includes:

(a) at least two push-buttons, wherein each push-button is provided with a stem and a head, wherein the at least two push-buttons are moveable axially between a first inactive rest position and a second position in which the at least two push-buttons control the time function or non-time related function of the portable object, wherein the stems of the at least two push-buttons extend side by side, parallel to each other, and wherein the two stems are pusher stems that slide inside a same tube engaged in a through hole arranged in the middle part of the portable object, wherein the tube is a staged tube that includes a first part whose inner diameter is greater than an inner diameter of a second part of the tube, and the heads of the push-buttons are slideably disposed inside the first part of the tube while guided axially, whereas the stems of the push-buttons slide while guided axially in the second part of the tube that has a reduced diameter.

11. The control device according to claim 10, wherein the centre of the second part of the tube has a separating wall that delimits two cylindrical passages in which the stems of the push-buttons slide.

12. The control device according to claim 11, wherein a sealing gasket is housed at a bottom of the second part of the tube with a spring inserted between the sealing gasket and a bottom face of the heads of the at least two push-buttons.

13. The control device according to claim 12, wherein the at least two push-buttons act on control members for the time function or non-time related function via at least one lever.

14. The control device according to claim 10, wherein an external periphery of the tube has a thread for cooperating with an inner thread provided in a cover that covers the heads of the push-buttons in a removable manner.

15. A control device for controlling a time function or non-time related function of a portable object that includes the control device and a lateral wall defining a middle part, wherein the control device includes:

at least two push-buttons, wherein each push-button is provided with a stem and a head, wherein the at least two push-buttons are moveable axially between a first inactive rest position and a second position in which the at least two push-buttons control the time function or non-time related function of the portable object, wherein the stems of the at least two push-buttons extend side by side, parallel to each other, and wherein the at least two push-buttons are immediately adjacent to one another, wherein the two stems are pusher stems that slide inside a same tube engaged in a through hole arranged in the middle part of the portable object, and wherein a sealing gasket is housed at a bottom of the tube,

wherein a spring is inserted between the sealing gasket housed at the bottom of the tube and a bottom face of the heads of the at least two push-buttons.