Device with image guide for timepieces

• US 9,665,070 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2012
• Issued: 05/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richemont International SA (Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA)
• Original Assignee: Richemont International SA (Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA)
• Inventors: Dordor, Sbastien, Schelling, Debora
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Amy Cohen
• Assistant Examiner(s): COLLINS, JASON M
• Application Number:
  US14/343,679
• Publication Number:
  US 20140226445A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,705 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/06 the relative position of the fibres being the same at both ends, e.g. for transporting images
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 17/0058 with date indication
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 17/0091 Combined electro-optical and electro-mechanical displays see provisionally also G04G9/0082
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 17/02 Component assemblies

Abstract

A device which is suitable for integration into a timepiece, in particular in the form of a timepiece module, another type of watch module or a basic watch movement. The device includes at least one opening, in each of which an associated image guide is mounted, and for each of these image guides the device including means for fastening the image guide in the associated opening, such that the image guide allows display information displayed on a representation plane to be reproduced on a display plane.

Claims

1. A device for reproducing display information suitable for integration into a wristwatch which comprises a watch case, a watch glass mounted on the watch case, a dial situated underneath the watch glass, and a watch movement placed underneath the dial and inside the watch case, comprising:

a watch module defining an opening, the watch module positioned underneath the dial, and allowing for implementation of at least one additional function of the wristwatch;

an image guide mounted in the opening of the watch module; and

fasteners for fastening the image guide in the opening;

wherein, the image guide allows display information displayed on a representation plane to be reproduced on a display plane.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the watch module functions in cooperation with a basic watch movement of the watch to provide the at least one additional function of the wristwatch.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the opening in the watch module is continuous, such that the image guide allows display information displayed on the representation plane of the watch movement or of a module of the timepiece to be displayed on the display plane of the watch module.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the watch module is not in direct cooperation with a basic watch movement, such that the watch module functions independently to provide the at least one additional function of the watch.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the watch module is selected from the group consisting of a pressure gauge, altimeter, depth gauge, barometer, and compass.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the fasteners for fastening the image guide comprise fastening clamps mounted on a base plate of the watch module.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said fastening clamps are produced integrally with the base plate of the watch module.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the fasteners for fastening the image guide are implemented by a socket mounted on a base plate of the watch module.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein said socket is mounted on the base plate by crimping, screw fitting, or by the use of retaining elements.

10. The device according claim 8, wherein said socket has a cylindrical, rectangular, or polygonal outer shape, and/or a cylindrical, conical, angled, rectangular or polygonal inner shape.

11. The device according to claim 8, wherein the image guide is mounted in said socket by adhesive bonding.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein said socket has an adhesive joint extending on the inside thereof.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the image guide allows reproduction of display information which is displayed on the representation plane of the watch module using display disks or pointers on the display plane.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the display information reproduced on the display plane is chosen from a group of display information consisting of a date, day of the week, month, year, phases of the moon, timepiece power reserve, mode indicator, alarm indicator, world time indicator, altitude, depth, and pressure.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the image guide allows the display information reproduced on the display plane to be reproduced under displacement of the display axis, magnification, coloration, or under deformation of the display information.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein the image guide has a sheath.

17. A wristwatch, wherein the wristwatch comprises the device of claim 1.

18. A device for reproducing display information suitable for integration into a wristwatch that includes a dial and a watch case, comprising:

a basic watch movement defining an opening, the watch movement positioned underneath the dial and in the watch case, the watch movement allowing for implementation of at least one additional function of the wristwatch;

an image guide mounted in the opening of the basic watch module; and

fasteners for fastening the image guide in the opening;

wherein, the image guide allows display information displayed on a representation plane to be reproduced on a display plane.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein the fasteners for fastening the image guide comprise fastening clamps mounted on a bridge of the basic watch movement.

20. The device according to claim 19, wherein said fastening clamps are produced integrally with the bridge of the basic watch movement.

21. The device according to claim 19, wherein the representation plane of said display information is placed in or on the basic watch movement and the display plane is located at a position of the basic watch movement, or of a watch module that is remote from the representation plane.

22. The device according to claim 19, wherein the representation plane of said display information is located in or on a watch module that is not in cooperation with the basic watch movement and the display plane is located at a position of the basic watch movement or of a watch module that is remote from the representation plane.

23. The device according to claim 18, wherein the fasteners for fastening the image guide are implemented by a socket mounted on a bridge of the basic watch movement.

24. The device according to claim 23, wherein said socket is mounted on the bridge by crimping, screw fitting, or by the use of retaining elements.

25. The device according claim 23, wherein said socket has a cylindrical, rectangular, or polygonal outer shape, and/or a cylindrical, conical, angled, rectangular or polygonal inner shape.

26. The device according to claim 23, wherein the image guide is mounted in said socket by adhesive bonding.

27. The device according to claim 26, wherein said socket has an adhesive joint extending on the inside thereof.

28. The device according to claim 18, wherein the image guide allows reproduction of display information which is displayed on the representation plane of the basic watch movement, or of a watch module, using display disks or pointers on the display plane.

29. The device according to claim 18, wherein the display information reproduced on the display plane is chosen from a group of display information consisting of a date, day of the week, month, year, phases of the moon, timepiece power reserve, mode indicator, alarm indicator, world time indicator, altitude, depth, and pressure.

30. The device according to claim 18, wherein the image guide allows the display information reproduced on the display plane to be reproduced under displacement of the display axis, magnification, coloration, or under deformation of the display information.

31. The device according to claim 18, wherein the image guide has a sheath.

32. A wristwatch, wherein the wristwatch comprises the device of claim 18.