[0001] The present invention relates to a timepiece in which a calendar or time indication
can be corrected.
[0002] A timepiece is known which employs a setting lever interlocked with a stem of the
timepiece which may be moved manually from the exterior of the timepiece, and there
is a yoke which engages with the setting lever. As a result of moving the stem, a
sliding pinion is moved into mesh with gear train members such as a setting wheel
and a minute wheel during time correction and is moved into mesh with a calendar corrector
operating wheel during calendar correction, e.g. date and day correction.
[0003] In the known construction, however, the sliding pinion is movable by the yoke between
a position in which one side of the sliding pinion can drive the gear train members
to perform time correction and another position in whcih the opposite side of the
sliding pinion can engage the calendar corrector operating wheel to perform date and
day correction. Therefore, the construction of the sliding pinion is extremely complicated
and its manufacturing cost is therefore high. Further, since the sliding pinion has
to be moved, some parts such as the yoke cannot be dispensed with so that adequate
cost reduction cannot be achieved.
[0004] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive timepiece
wherein parts such as a yoke can be dispensed with and the construction can be simplified.
[0005] According to the present invention, there is therefore provided a timepiece having
a stem and an indication corrector member such that the stem may be moved manually
from a non correction to a correction position, in which a calendar or time indication
of the timepiece can be corrected by the indication corrector member by effecting
rotation of the stem, characterised in that the stem has a corrector member driving
portion, the indication corrector member being drivingly disconnected from the stem
and being drivingly connected thereto by way of the driving portion when in the non-correction
and correction positions respectively.
[0006] Preferably the said driving portion is constituted by a projection of the stem.
[0007] The indication corrector member is preferably slidably mounted on the stem.
[0008] There are preferably first and second indication correction members which are respectively
arranged to effect time and calendar correction.
[0009] If desired, the stem may be movable in opposite axial directions to effect driving
connection between the projection and the first and second indication correction members
respectively.
[0010] Preferably, however, there are two said projections, the stem being movable in a
predetermined axial direction so as to bring one only of said projections into driving
engagement with the first indication correction member and being movable further in
the said predetermined axial direction to cause driving engagement only between the
other projection and the second indication correction member.
[0011] The first indication correction member preferably comprises a pinion which is in
constant mesh with a setting gear, the setting gear meshing with a minute gear which
is driven from a drive source.
[0012] The invention is illustrated, merely by way of example, in the accompanying drawings,
in which:-
Figure 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a timepiece according to the present
invention, the parts being shown in their normal or inoperative condition;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Figure 1 during date and day
correction;
Figure 3 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Figure 1 during time correction;
and
Figures 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views of the structure shown in Figure 1.
[0013] Terms such as "clockwise" and "counter-clockwise", as used in the description below,
are to be understood to refer to directions as seen in the accompanying drawings.
[0014] In Figures 1, 4 and 5 there is shown a timepiece according to the present invention,
the parts of the timepiece being shown in their normal or inoperative condition, i.e.
in the condition in which neither the calendar nor the time is being adjusted. The
timepiece is provided with a plate 1 which acts as the main frame of the timepiece
and with a stem 2 which acts as an outside operation member, i.e. is operable from
the exterior of the timepiece. A sliding pinion 3 is made of plastics material and
is a loose or non-driving fit on the stem 2 in the normal or inoperative condition.
Although the pinion 3 is referred to herein as a "sliding pinion" it should be understood
that the "sliding¨ referred to is relative movement between the pinion 3 and the stem
2 on which it is mounted. A first calendar corrector operating wheel 4 is also made
of plastics material and is a loose fit on the stem 2 in the normal or inoperative
condition. A setting lever 5 is formed integrally with a rotatably mounted stub shaft
5
a. The stem 2 has relatively smaller diameter portions 2
a, 2
b, 2
e and relatively larger diameter portions, or projections,2
c, 2
d. In the normal or inoperative condition, the sliding pinion 3 is a loose fit on the
smaller diameter portion 2
a, while the first calendar corrector operating wheel 4 is a loose fit on the smaller
diameter portion 2
b. The smaller diameter portions 2
a, 2
b are disposed on opposite sides of the larger diameter portion 2
c. In the normal condition shown in Figure 1, no drive can be imparted from the stem
2 either to the sliding pinion 3 or to the first calendar correction operating wheel
4. The larger diameter portion 2
c frictionally engages the first calendar corrector operating wheel 4 during date and
day correction, while the larger diameter portion 2
d frictionally engages the sliding pinion 3 during time correction. The smaller diameter
portion 2
e is positioned by the setting lever 5.
[0015] A clutch plate 6 is rotatably mounted on a shaft or dowel 1
a provided on the plate 1. The clutch plate 6 is rotatably mounted on a shaft or dowel
1
a provided on the plate 1. The clutch plate 6 is provided with a "click" or detent
portion 6
a which abuts against the setting lever 5, the latter constituting a member for changing
the time and calendar indications (not shown). In accordance with the shape of the
click portion 6
a of the clutch plate 6. the stem 2 is maintained in its pulled-out or pushed-in condition
by the setting lever 5. Thus the clutch plate 6 positions the stem 2 and determines
the operation force of the latter in accordance with the shape of the click portion
6
a. The clutch plate 6 is also provided with a resilient portion 6
b which, in operation, produces the force to cause the clutch plate 6 to rotate counter-clockwise
about the shaft 1
a. The clutch plate 6 is provided with a hole 6
c in which is rotatably mounted a lower pivot 7
c of a third wheel and pinion 7 which is made of plastics material and which is integrally
formed with a wheel 7
a (Figure 4) and a pinion 7
b. The abutment plate 6 has an abutment portion 6
d which (as best seen in Figure 4) abuts a plate dowel 1
b of the plate 1 in the vicinity of the hole 6
c to determine the distance between the axis of a centre wheel and pinion 13 and that
of the third wheel and pinion 7 to enable them to mesh with each other smoothly.
[0016] A gear train bridge 8 (Figure 4) which is integrally made of plastics material holds
the third wheel and pinion 7, a fourth wheel and pinion 14 and a minute wheel or gear
12 in position. A setting wheel or gear 9 is integrally made of plastics material
and is rotatably mounted on a shaft portion 8
a (Figure 4) forming part of the gear train bridge 8. The setting wheel 9 is in mesh
with a gear portion 3
a of the sliding pinion 3 at all times. That is to say, the sliding pinion 3 is driven
by the setting wheel 9 even in the normal or inoperative condition so as to rotate
about the stem 2. The gear train bridge 8 is provided with a bearing portion 8
b which is disposed beneath the shaft portion 8
a, the bearing portion 8
a and a bearing portion 1
c of the plate 1 serving to position a tip portion 2
f of the stem 2 so that there is a space H between the tip portion 2
f and the plate 1 within which the clutch plate 6 is loosely mounted. The degree of
looseness of the setting wheel 9 is determined by a supporting plate 10 which presses
down the upper surface of the shaft portion 8
a of the gear train bridge 8. The supporting plate 10 is provided with a setting lever
spring portion 10
a (Figure 5) for pressing down the setting lever 5.
[0017] The construction shown in the drawings also comprises a circuit substrate 11; the
minute wheel 12 which meshes with the setting wheel 9; the centre wheel and pinion
13; and the fourth wheel and pinion 14. The centre wheel and pinion 13 and the fourth
wheel and pinion 14 are gears to which a minute hand (not shown) and a seconds hand
(not shown) are respectively attached. The construction additionally comprises a tubular
centre member 15; an hour wheel 16; a second calendar corrector operating wheel 17;
and a stator 18 which determines the degreee of looseness of the clutch plate 6 in
the vicinity of the lower pinion 7
c of the third wheel and pinion 7, the stator 18 being one of the members of a known
motor for a timepiece.
[0018] When the timepiece is in normal use, i.e. when neither the time nor the calendar
is being corrected. as shown in FIgure 1, the sliding pinion 3 and the first calendar
corrector operating wheel 4 are positioned by the plate 1 and the wall of the gear
train bridge 8 respectively with a predetermined degree of looseness, and are a loose
or non-driving fit on the stem 2. The click portion 6
a of the clutch plate 6 is engaged with the setting lever 5, thereby causing the plate
dowel 1
b and the abutment portion 6
d to abut each other securely. Hence, a centre wheel 13
a of the centre wheel and pinion 13 and the third wheel pinion 7
b are in mesh with each other with an appropriate centre distance therebetween. The
other members of the construction shown such as the gear train portions perform their
known movements.
[0019] The state of the parts during date and day correction will now be described mainly
with reference to Figure 2. When the stem 2 is pulled radially outwardly from its
normal position shown in Figure 1, the smaller diameter portion 2
e of the stem 2 causes the lever 5 to rotate. Hence, the setting lever 5 and the stem
2 are positioned at the next location by reason of the shifting of the setting lever
to the next recess of the click portion 6
a of the clutch plate 6 whereby to establish a first changing step position. At this
moment, the abutment portion 6
d of the clutch plate 6 remains in abutment with the plate dowel 1
b, and the centre wheel 13
a is in mesh with the third wheel pinion 7
b with an appropriate centre distance therebetween. Further, when the stem 2 is positioned
at the first changing step position, the larger diameter portion 2
c of the stem 2 is frictionally or drivingly engaged with the first calendar corrector
operating wheel 4 which has previously been loosely mounted on the smaller diameter
portion 2
b. Then, the rotational force of the stem 2 which is produced by manually rotating
it from the exterior of the timepiece is transmitted to the first calendar corrector
operating wheel 4 and to the second calendar corrector operating wheel 17, thereby
carrying out a date and day correction by a known date and day mechanism. Furthermore,
the sliding pinion 3 at this time fits loosely on the smaller diameter portion 2
a of the stem 2 in the same way as in the normal condition of the parts so that rotation
of the stem 2 does not cause rotation of the sliding pinion 3 at this time.
[0020] When the time shown by the timepiece is to be corrected, the stem 2 is further pulled
radially outwardly from the first changing step position shown in Figure 2 to a second
changing step position shown in Figure 3, such movement of the stem 2 causing further
rotation of the setting lever 5. Hence, the setting lever 5 and the stem 2 are positioned
at the next location by the shifting of the setting lever 5 to another recess of the
click portion 6
a of the clutch plate 6. At this time, as the click spring portion 6
a of the clutch plate 6 is moved by the setting lever 5, the clutch plate 6 rotates
clockwise upon the plate dowel 1
a as a result of the reaction force of the resilient portion 6
b. Accordingly, the abutment portion 6
d, which maintains the appropriate centre distance between the centre wheel and pinion
13 and the third wheel and pinion 7 in the first changing step, moves out of engagement
with the plate dowel 1
b in order to move the third wheel lower pivot hole portion 6
c and thereby move the centre wheel 13
a out of engagement with the third wheel pinion 7
b. Further, when the stem 2 is positioned at the second changing step, the sliding
pinion 3, which has previously been loosely fitted on the smaller diameter portion
2
a of the stem 2, frictionally or drivingly engages the larger diameter portion 2
d thereof. As a result, the rotational force of the stem 2 which is produced by manually
rotating it from the exterior of the timepiece is transmitted to the sliding pinion
3 so as to effect time correction by rotating the setting wheel 9 and minute wheel
12. Accordingly, rotation is effected of the centre wheel and pinion 13 and the hour
wheel 16 to which a minute hand (not shown) and an hour hand (not shown) are attached
respectively. On the other hand, the first calendar corrector operating wheel 4 is
so constructed that, at this time, it is moved out of engagement with the larger diameter
portion 2
c of the stem 2 which it frictionally engages when in the first changing step position,
the wheel 4 being moved to a position in which it loosely fits on the smaller diameter
portion 2
a and thus becomes free. Therefore, date and day correction cannot be carried out at
this time even though the stem 2 is being rotated. Further, due to engagement between
a dowel 5
c provided on the setting lever 5 and a reset pattern 11
a, resetting is effected.
[0021] In the embodiment described above, in contrast to the prior art, a sliding mechanism
on the gear train portion of the timepiece is not required in order to move the centre
wheel 13 out of engagement with the third wheel 7, so that there is no rotational
torque load during time correction. Therefore, although in the past it has been necessary
to make the gear train portion, and especially the gear train member of the time correcting
mechanism of metallic material, in the case of the embodiment described above, all
of the gear train members can be made of plastics material so as to simplify the manufacturing
process and to reduce the cost of the parts.
[0022] Further, in the embodiment described above, the click portion 6
a is integrally formed with the clutch plate 6, thereby achieving a smooth changing
mechanism.
[0023] The setting lever 5 can be moved out of engagement with the click portion 6
a of the clutch plate 6 and then becomes free. Consequently, attachment and detachment
of the stem 2 can be achieved without affecting the other parts by depressing a recess
5
b provided at the tail portion of the setting lever 5.
[0024] Additionally, the clutch plate 6 engages with the setting lever 5 at the click portion
6
a, and the resilient portion 6
b produces a force on the stem and holds and provides a mounting for the third wheel
and pinion 7 and thus for a portion of the gear train. Hence, time correction with
a stable operation force acting on the stem 2 can be carried out under a no-load condition
of attachment and detachment of a part of the gear train during time correction. As
a result, all of the gear train members can be made of plastics, thereby achieving
an inexpensive timepiece body.
[0025] The embodiment described above employs frictional engagement to impart drive to the
sliding pinion 3 and the first calendar corrector operating wheel 4 for correcting
purposes. However, correction can also be effected by engagement of a sliding pinion
3 having a rectangular hole or a first calendar corrector operating wheel 4 with an
angular portion of a stem 2.
[0026] The axis of the setting wheel 9 is constituted by a gear train bearing in the embodiment
described above, but a member such as a sweep seconds portion of the gear train can
also be employed.
[0027] Further, a construction for attaching and detaching the third wheel lower pivot 7
c by the clutch plate 6 and the setting lever 9 is shown in the illustrated embodiment,
but time and calendar correction by means of a sliding mechanism can also be used.
[0028] Furthermore, a gear train portion can be attached or detached by operating the third
wheel lower pivot 7
c in the illustrated embodiment, but this can be achieved by operating both the upper
and lower pivots simultaneously or only the upper pivot.
[0029] Although the illustrated embodiment employs both a calendar corrector operating wheel
4 and a sliding pinion 3, it is possible to arrange that an axially extending projection
of the stem 2 resiliently engages only with the calendar corrector operating wheel
4.
[0030] In the illsutrated embodiment, the sliding pinion 3 and the first calendar corrector
operating wheel 4 are a loose fit on the projecting portions of the stem 2 in the
normal condition. Therefore, date and day correction and time correction can be effected
with fewer parts and the members of the gear train employed including the sliding
pinion 3 and the first calendar correcting operating wheel 4 can be made of plastics
with a simple configuration. Consequently an inexpensive timepiece can be produced.
1. A timepiece having a stem (2) and an indication corrector member (3,4) such that
the stem (2) may be moved manually from a non-correction to a correction position
in which a calendar or time indication of the timepiece can be corrected by the indication
corrector member (3,4) by effecting rotation of the stem (2) characterised in that
the stem (2) has a corrector member driving portion (2c,2d), the indication corrector member (3,4) being drivingly disconnected from the stem
(2) and being drivingly connected thereto by way of the driving portion (2c,2d) when in the non-correction and correction positions respectively.
2. A timepiece as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the said driving portion
(2c,2d) is constituted by a projection of the stem (2).
3. A timepiece as claimed in claim 2 characterised in that the indication corrector
member (3,4) is slidably mounted on the stem (2).
4. A timepiece as claimed in claim 3 characterised in that there are first and second
indication correction members (3,4) which are respectively arranged to effect time
and calendar correction.
5. A timepiece as claimed in claim 4 characterised in that the stem (2) is movable
in opposite axial directions to effect driving connection between the projection (2c,2d) and the first and second indication correction members respectively.
6. A timepiece as claimed in claim 4 characterised in that there are two said projections
(2c,2d), the stem (2) being movable in a predetermined axial direction so as to bring one
only (2c) of said projections (2c,2d) into driving engagement with the first indication correction member (3) and being
movable further in the said predetermined axial direction to cause driving engagement
only between the other projection (2d) and the second indication correction member (4).
7. A timepiece as cliamed in any of claims 4 to 6 characterised in that the first
indication correction member (3) comprises a pinion which is in constant mesh with
a setting gear (9), the setting gear (9) meshing with a minute gear (12) which is
driven from a drive source (18).
8. A timepiece as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the or each
indication correction member (3,4) is made of plastics material.
9. A changing mechanism of a timepiece comprising:
an outside operation member (2);
a sliding pinion (3) guided by said outside operation member (2) as a shaft; and
a first calendar corrector operating wheel, wherein both said sliding pinion (3) and
said first calendar correcting operating wheel (4) loose fit with said outside operation
member (2) while being normally carried, and a convex portion (2c) of said outside operation member (2) engages only with said first calendar corrector
operating wheel (4) to be rotatable, being interlocked with the outside operation
member (2) while date and day correcting.