Timepiece such as a wristwatch including an alarm mechanism

#This application claims priority from European Patent Application No. 02078522.6, filed Aug. 27, 2002, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

#The present invention concerns a timepiece, particularly a wristwatch, including an alarm mechanism able to produce an alarm signal at a predetermined moment.

#Timepieces fitted with a device providing the user with visual information indicating whether the alarm is switched on or off, and simultaneously locking or releasing the strike-hammers of the alarm mechanism are already known. By way of example, British Patent No. GB 309 306, in the name of Schatz can be cited, which relates to such a type of timepiece. More precisely, the Schatz Patent discloses a timepiece of the alarm type including a lever of substantially triangular shape bearing, at its base, two inscriptions respectively indicating that the alarm of the timepiece is switched on or off. Depending on the position occupied by the lever, one or other of these inscriptions appears through an aperture arranged in the dial of the alarm clock. At its tip, the lever is pivotably mounted and includes a control button which projects outside the alarm clock case. By moving this button alternately in one direction or the other, the user can switch the striking-mechanism on and off as he wishes. Simultaneously, the lever locks or releases the strike-hammers of the alarm mechanism via a stopping member. Thus, depending upon the position into which the control button is moved, the alarm clock will provide the user with visual information indicating whether the alarm is switched on or not, and the strike-hammers of the alarm mechanism will be simultaneously locked or released.

#Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description of an embodiment of the timepiece according to the invention, this example being given solely by way of non-limiting illustration in conjunction with the annexed drawing, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a plan view of the alarm mechanism in its unlocked position;

#FIG. 2 is a similar view to that of FIG. 1, the alarm mechanism being shown in its locked position, and

#The present invention proceeds from the general idea that consists in providing a simple device for alternately locking and unlocking an alarm mechanism in a reliable manner. The present invention thus teaches to activate a control device which simultaneously provides a visual indication as to the on or off state of the alarm mechanism and at the same time lock or release the alarm generator member by means of a push-button. As a result of this feature, the alarm mechanism is not liable to be unexpectedly activated, such that the user will always be able to trust the settings he has carried out on said alarm mechanism.

#The present invention will be described in conjunction with a wristwatch. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such a watch and that it can be applied to any type of timepiece.

#The alarm mechanism partially shown in FIG. 1, is, in its general construction, of a conventional type and includes the usual elements of mechanisms of this kind, namely, in particular, a striking-mechanism barrel which meshes with a striking-mechanism wheel and pinion set driving a hammer, this hammer striking a bell or a pin. An explanation of the operation of such a mechanism can be found, for example in the collective work entitled “Théorie de l'horlogerie” edited by the Federation of Technical Schools (Fédération des Ecoles Techniques) (Switzerland).