Instantaneous feed mechanism for a day-date timepiece

Abstract

A quick acting calendar feed mechanism for a timepiece having a day and date calendar display means is disclosed in which a resilient member is provided for preventing any double calendar feed.

Description

This invention relates in general to a quick acting calendar feed mechanism for a timepiece having a day and date calendar display means.

There are two types of calendar feed mechanisms for feeding the day and date calendar display means. In the first type of calendar feed mechanisms, the next succeeding calendar displays appear gradually at the respective viewing windows over a period of several hours. Because of the limited viewing areas at these windows, it is rather difficult to determine the correct calendar displays during the transient period of 2 -3 hours. This therefore represents a substantial drawback in this conventional timepiece.

On the other hand, in the second type of calendar feed mechanism, the next succeeding calendar displays appear instantaneously at the respective windows at 24 o'clock or 12 p.m. In this type of feed mechanism, a disadvantageous double feed may frequently be encountered. This therefore represents a grave drawback in the conventional timepiece.

In the timepiece having a quick calendar correction mechanism, care must be taken in the timepiece design so that at any desired time, a quick calendar correction can be made in a smooth way without hindering the instantaneous calendar feed mechanism.

The main object of the present invention therefore is to provide an improved instantaneous calendar feed mechanism adapted to prevent double calendar feeding and to allow a quick calendar correction at any time during 24 hours of a complete day.

These and further objects, and features of the invention will become more apparent when the following detailed description of the invention is read by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment showing several main working elements of the invention in their disassembled state;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the first embodiment in its assembled state shown directly before the operation of an instantaneous calendar feed operation.

FIG. 3 is a similar view to FIG. 2, wherein, however, the constituent parts are seen directly after the execution of the instantaneous calendar feed;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along a section line A--A in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of several preferred constituent parts shown during the operation of data calendar quick correcting operation in the foregoing embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of essential working parts of the foregoing embodiment shown during the day calendar quick correcting operation.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of several working parts of a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the essential parts of the second embodiment shown directly after the operation of the instantaneous calendar correcting mechanism.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view of several preferred working parts of the second embodiment, shown during the operation of the data calendar quick correcting operation.

FIGS. 10 - 12 are plan views of the second embodiment, shown during its several working stages.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken substantially along a section line B--B shown in FIG. 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 - 6, illustrative of the first embodiment of the invention, numeral 1 represents a stationary pin which is studded on a pillar plate, (not shown,) of a timepiece movement, and carries rotatably thereon a date gear 2, the latter being centrally perforated at 2b for this purpose and further formed with a curved slot 2a, as shown, positioned in relative proximity to the central bore 2b. As will be easily seen from FIG. 4, the slot 2a loosely receives a pin 3a which integrally depends from the back or lower surface of a control cam 3 having a spiral disc configuration, as most clearly seen from FIG. 1. The spiral-shaped control edge of the cam 3 is represented at 3b, cooperating with a concavely curved follower edge 4c of a calendar feed lever 4 pivotably mounted at 4a and having a motionreceiving projection 4d which is kept in permanent pressure contact with an elongated urging spring 5 (only partially shown for convenience). The cam 3 is centrally perforated at 3c for rotatable mounting on the pin 1.

An irregular-shaped intermediate motion-transmitting disc 6 is also centrally bored at 6g for rotatable mounting on the pin 1, and formed with an elongated recess 6a which permanently receives a drive pin 4b fixedly attached to the tip end of a curved elongated arm 4d of the feed lever 4. Thus, movement of the feed lever 4 will be transmitted to the intermediate disc 6.

Numerals 7 and 8 represent a data drive pawl and a day drive pawl, respectively, which are rotatably mounted on the disc 6 by means of respective mounting pins 9 and 10. For this purpose, these pawls 7 and 8 are formed with perforations 7a and 8a for snugly receiving respective mounting pins 9 and 10 which are adapted for snugly passing through respective perforations 6b and 6c of the disc 6. An urging spring assembly 11 is mounted on the disc 6 in a relatively stationary way. For this purpose, the assembly 11 is formed with a perforation 11a and a curved arm 11d, said perforation being kept in engagement with a pin 6d which projects integrally from the disc 6. The curved arm 11d defines a substantially semi-circular recess 11e for snugly embracing a circular flange 6h formed around the perforation 6g on the disc 6. The spring assembly 11 is provided with a pair of spring arms 11b and 11c to cooperate with motion-receiving convex portions 7c and 8d formed on the pawls 7 and 8, respectively.

Pawl 7 has a stationary pin 7b extending upwards and downwards in the body of said pawl, as seen from FIG. 1. The disc 6 is formed with a concaved curved portion 6e designed and arranged to cooperate with the pin 7b for limiting the rotational range of the pawl 7. Similarly, the disc 6 is also formed with a concaved curved portion 6f which is designed and arranged to cooperate with a thickened tip end portion 8c of the pawl 8 to limit the rotational range of the latter. Pawl 8 is formed with an actuating or feeding portion 8b adapted for cooperation with a day feed intermediate gear 23, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

In FIG. 2, the calendar feed mechanism comprising the previously described and other operating parts is shown in a schematic plan view showing its non-operating position, in direct advance of operation of the instant calendar feeding operation.

In FIG. 2, numeral 21 schematically represents a cannon wheel which is rotatably mounted in a conventional manner through a cannon pinion, (not shown), on the pillar plate. The cannon wheel 21 has its integral shaft 21a on which a day star wheel 24 is rotatably mounted. A stepped or composite gear 22 comprises a larger gear element 22a and a small gear element 22b made integral therewith and is rotatably mounted through a stud pin 22c on the pillar plate, (not shown). As seen, the larger gear element 22a meshes with said cannon wheel 21, while the smaller gear 22b meshes with date gear 2, shown only schematically in FIG. 2. Thus, the composite gear 22 serves as an intermediate date feed element.

Numeral 23 represents schematically a day feed gear which is rotatably mounted on a pin 27 studded on a supporting bridge 26 (which is only partially shown), although it is in practice fixedly mounted on the pillar plate.

A conventional day jumper spring 25 having its root portion fixedly attached to the pillar plate (not shown), is so designed and arranged to cooperate with the day star wheel 24.

Numeral 29 represents a conventional date dial ring, only partially shown, having thirty one integral teeth 29a, 29b . . . , said dial ring being mounted rotatably on the pillar plate, as is commonly known to those skilled in the art.

Numeral 28 represents a conventional calendar plate, although it is shown only partially in schematic for the purpose of convenience because it is well known. This calendar plate 28 may take the shape of a concentric disc, ring or certain modifications thereof, as is commonly known, and is fixedly attached to the pillar plate, thus constituting a stationary member of the timepiece movement. The calendar plate 28 is formed with at least several outer concentric arcshaped guide portions, (not shown), which are adapted for sliding contact with the feed teeth on the date dial ring 29 for preventing the slipping out of the latter from position. As a most important feature of the invention, an overfeed prevention means, preferably in the form of an elongated resilient arm 28a, is fixedly attached to or made integral with the calendar plate 28, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The operation of the apparatus so far shown and described is as follows.

Date gear 2 receives motion from cannon wheel 21 through composite gear 22, so as to perform a complete revolution every 24 hours. During this motion, the pin 3a will engage the wall of the slot 2a, thus cam 3 performs the same rotation. The feed lever 4 will thus rise along the peripheral cam rise surface, thereby the spring 5 is gradually flexed.

Numeral 34 represents a day calendar quick correction lever which is rotatably mounted on a pin 35 studded on the plate.

Numeral 36 represents a date calendar correction lever spring which is fixedly mounted on the pillar plate by means of positioning pin 37 and screw 38. The former lever 34 is urged to rotate in clockwise direction under the influence of the spring 36, but this rotational movement is controlled by a stationary stop pin 39. Numeral 40 represents an operating member for a quick correction of the day calendar and is arranged to be manipulated by an operator from outside.

The operating member 40 is so designed and arranged that when it is pushed-in for the execution of day calendar quick correction, the wheel 23 is rotated without hindrance to perform the required quick correction.

With further rotation of the wheel 2 in FIG. 3 and when the feed lever 4 rides over the top cam rise on cam 3, the lever 4 will rotate in clockwise direction about a studded pin 30 on the plate, until the rotation is checked by a stationary stop pin 31 studded thereon. Thus, the disc 6 will rotate instantly in a clockwise direction about pin 1. By this movement, pawl 7 will feed the date dial until a tooth 29b occupies the position shown at 29d, for example. At this point, jumper 32 will act under the influence of its spring 33 upon the date dial until the tooth 29b occupies a further advanced position shown at 29c. By virtue of the inertia caused by the date dial 29, the latter is further fed until the tooth 29b engages the tip end 7c of the pawl 7, as shown. By this motion, the pawl 7 is urged to rotate clockwise around its pivot pin 9. But, in fact, the pin 7b on the pawl 7 can not flex the resilient arm 28a on dial 28 and thus, the date dial is definitely positioned, with its tooth 29b occupying position 29e, the position 29b under the action of the jumper 32 fitted with its spring 33. In this way, the disadvantageous over, or double feed operation can be positively prevented.

On the other hand, the day calendar is also fed in a corresponding manner by means of the pawl 8 through the wheel 23. In this way, day star wheel 24 is fed a day calendar division. At this point, the tip end 8b of the pawl 8 will be positioned between resilient part 26a of the bridge 26 and a tooth 23a of the wheel 23.

By virtue of the inertia of day star wheel 24, the wheel 23 will be urged to rotate and the tooth 23a will try to turn the pawl 8 about its pivot 10 in a clockwise direction. But, this turning movement is not strong enough to flex the resilient part 26a and thus, a disadvantageous over, or double feed is again positively prevented. The resilient part 26a may be, when necessary, designated and arranged to project from a proper part of the bridge 26.

During the rise-up movement of the tip of feed lever 4 along the cam surface on the cam 3 and the pawls 7 and 8 engage the teeth 29b and 23b, respectively, the spring 11 is caused to flex and the operation can be effected without hindrance.

In FIG. 5, when the date calendar is subjected to a correction by means of a quick calendar correction means, not shown, directly upon a date feed operation, date dial tooth 29b will be brought into pressure contact with the pawl tip end 7c. In this case, however, the date drive pawl 7 is forcibly caused to rotate, so as to flex the resilient part 28a which is thus shifted to its position shown by a dotted line. Thus, the tooth 29b will ride over pawl tip end 7c, so as to occupy the position 29c which is positively maintained by the action of a conventional jumper, not shown. It will be thus seen that the quick calendar correction job can be performed at any desired opportunity.

When, in FIG. 3, the calendars have been fed, it is now assumed that directly thereupon, the operating member is pushed in. In this case, the lever 34 is rotated correspondingly around its pivot pin 35, so as to feed the day calendar dial tooth 24a in clockwise direction. In this case, the wheel 23 is urged to rotate counter clockwise. In FIG. 6, the relationship between the wheel 23 and pawl 8 at this stage is shown. By performing a day calendar quick correction operation, the tooth 23a is rotatingly shifted and the pawl 8 is rotated around its pivot 10 and thus, the resilient part 26a is flexed to occupy its dotted line position. In this way, the tooth 23a will ride over the tip end 8b of pawl 8 without hindrance. In this way, the quick correction can be made.

FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, calendar feed lever 4 is a turned-up projection 4c for prevention of date over- or double feed. Other constituents are same as those shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 shows a plan view of essential parts of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, and indeed, directly upon the execution of a date instantaneous feeding operation. In this case, the resilient part 28b adapted for day over- or double feed operation is made integral with the date calendar dial supporting bridge. But, it should be mentioned that its operation is the same as before.

Now, it is assumed that the tooth occupying the position at 29b is fed instantly by the action of the feed pawl 7 to that shown at 29d. At this stage, the tooth is advanced by the jumper 32 having spring 33 to the position shown at 29c. The date calendar dial 29 has a tendency to advance further, and indeed, by its own inertia. But, in this case, the projection 4c on feed lever 4 will be brought into contact with the tooth at 29g, thereby further rotation of the date calendar dial being positively prevented. In this way, the tooth 29g is definitely positioned at 29f under the action of the jumper 32. Thus, a disadvantageous over- or double calendar feed can be effectively prevented.

In FIG. 9, the relationship among the several constituent parts is shown, when performing a quick calendar correcting operation directly upon the completion of a date calendar dial feed, wherein, however, the quick correction mechanism has been omitted from the drawing.

When the quick correction operation is executed, the date calendar dial 29 is rotated clockwise and the tooth 29f, by way of example, is brought into contact with the projection 4c on lever 4. During this quick correcting job, a positive and substantial force is applied to the feed lever 4 which is thus caused to rotate counter clockwise around its pivot pin 30 until it occupies its new position shown by a dotted line. On the other hand, during the above operation, the calendar dial tooth will also contact with the pawl 7. But, the dial tooth can still advance by flexing the spring 11. In this way, the quick calendar correcting operation can be performed without hindrance and at any desired chance.

In the mechanism shown in FIG. 10, the day and date double feed preventing member constitutes a rigid one. FIG. 10 represents the related parts directly after the execution of the feed. In the similar way described above, the day calendar dial will exert its effort to excessively turn the wheel 23 by virtue of the inertia caused by said dial. In fact, in this case, an excess rotation of the wheel 23 is prevented by the fact that the tooth 23a is checked by the tip end 41a of double feed prevention member 41 through the intermediary of the bent-up end 8b of pawl 8.

When a quick calendar correction operation is initiated under these conditions, the member 41 is rotated counter clockwise around its pivot 42 by contact with pin 41b and kept in slidable engagement with recess 34 formed on the related forked end of quick correction lever 34 to a new position shown by chain-dotted lines. Thus, in the case of the quick calendar correction, pawl 8 is capable of rotation about its pivot 10, thus allowing the quick correction.

As a modification, (not shown) applied to such a timepiece, in which the conventional winding stem is pulled to its calendar correcting position, it is easily conceivable by any person skilled in the art to design and arrange to release the over- or double feed prevention means so that it is released from position, when the stem has been pulled out to said operational position.

In FIG. 11, the over- or double feed prevention means is separately provided.

The prevention pawl shown at 43 is rotatably mounted on a pin 44 studded on the pillar plate, (not shown). There are provided two stationary stop pins 45, 46 for the control of the rotational range of the pawl 43 which is caused to rotate by the disc 6, the latter being in turn rotated by the feed lever 4. By the rotation of the disc 6, day feed wheel 23 is fed correspondingly. Upon the changing of the day calendar representation by one step, the feed pawl 8 is caused to move into the idle space between two neighboring teeth of day feed wheel 23, by being urged by the lever tip end 4d, to prevent a double feed.

Directly upon execution of this feed, the quick correction may be made by the action of lever 34, so as to rotate the wheels 24 and 23. During this movement, the tooth 23b will exert a pressure upon the bent-up portion at 43a of the prevention pawl 43 which is thus rotated around the pivot 44 and the feed lever 4 is rotated correspondingly around its pivot 30. Thus, the spring 5 is flexed. The dotted lines represent such position of the related parts that the pawl 43 is properly rotated by contact with tooth 23b and the wheel 23 is about to be moved one step. Therefore, the quick calendar correction can be executed at any time.

In FIGS. 12 and 13, the double feed prevention member is made rigid.

Numeral 47 represents a slot formed through the pillar plate, (not shown), and numeral 48 shows the shaft of the day feed wheel. In FIG. 12, the wheel 23 is positioned by a positioning member 49 the root end of which is fixedly mounted on the pillar plate by a set screw 50 and a positioning pin 51. The member 49 has an elongated resilient arm 49 which is so dimensioned that it can not be flexed when subjected to a weak force applied during the regular calendar feed. It is however flexed by a stronger force produced during operation of the quick calendar correction, when the wheel is turned.

Thus, in this case also, an undesirable double calendar feed can not occur. When day star wheel 24 is rotated by the quick calendar correction lever 34, the day feed wheel 23 is urged to rotate about its shaft 47. But, in this case, the tip end 8b of pawl 8 occupies a position between a projection 23a of the bridge 28 and the tooth 23a of the wheel 23, the wheel 23 can not be rotated. Thus, the star wheel 24 causes the elastic arm 49a of the member 49 to flex so that the day feed wheel 23 is released. Therefore, a quick calendar operation can be executed without hindrance.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are as follows:

1. In a calendar timepiece having a pillar plate, a time keeping gear train, a data calendar, a day calendar, and a day calendar quick correction means, an instantaneous calendar feed mechanism comprising the combination of:

a date gear rotatably mounted on said pillar plate and driven by the time-keeping gear train of said timepiece to make one complete revolution every twenty-four hours;

a generally spiral shaped control cam mounted concentrically to said date gear and rotatable in unison with said date gear;

a calendar feed lever pivotally mounted on said pillar plate for cooperation with said control cam to rotate quickly through a predetermined angle every twenty-four hours;

a spring attached to the pillar plate and connected for biasing said calendar feed lever towards its cam-cooperating position;

an intermediate disc pivotably mounted on the pillar plate and adapted to be driven by said calendar feed lever through a predetermined angle upon the rotation of said calendar feed lever;

a spring-biased date drive pawl pivotably mounted on said intermediate disc and operatively connected to said disc to move quickly upon the angular movement of said disc and thereby advance said date calendar one unit;

a spring-biased day drive pawl pivotably mounted on said intermediate disc and operatively connected to said disc to move quickly upon the angular movement of said disc and thereby advance said day calendar one unit; and

a calendar over feed prevention means comprising respectively a first and a second spring arm mounted on said pillar plate and connected with said first and second spring arms opposing the rotational inertia of both said date and day calendars by pressure contact against said date drive pawl and said day drive pawl, respectively, upon completion of the instantaneous feed of both said calendars, said second spring arm adapted to permit a resilient escapement movement upon receiving a quick correction reverse movement from said day calendar quick correction means.

2. A calendar timepiece as recited in claim 1, wherein said first and second spring arms cooperate respectively with convex portions of said date drive pawl and said day drive pawl, respectively.

3. A calendar timepiece as recited in claim 1, wherein said calendar over feed prevention means is mounted on said intermediate disc.

4. A calendar timepiece as recited in claim 1, wherein said second spring arm receives a quick correction reverse movement from said day calendar quick correction means through a day star wheel, and an intermediate gear.