Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. An apparatus (100) for fixing jewels (A) on to a watch component (1), the apparatus (100) comprising:
a base plate (2);
a key way (3) defined in the base plate (2), wherein the key way (3) comprises at least one injection hole (4);
a cover plate (5) configured over the base plate (2), the cover plate (5) comprises a supply port (6) to supply the jewels (A), and an injection port (7) defined in-line to the at least one injection hole (4) to receive a needle (11);
a tray member (8) slidably disposed within the key way (3) receives the jewels (A) from the supply port (6); and
an actuator unit (9) coupled to the tray member (8), the actuator unit (9) operates the tray member (8) within the key way (3) to a receiving position (RP) and a disposing position (DP),
wherein, at the receiving position (RP), the tray member (8) receives the jewels (A) from the supply port (6) and at the disposing position (DP), the tray member (8) disposes the jewels (A) in to the at least one injection hole (4) to inject the jewels (A) on to the watch component.

2. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a housing member (10) provisioned over the injection port (7) wherein, the housing member (10) houses the needle (11).

3. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tray member (8) is configured with a flap member (12) to receive the jewels (A).

4. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flap member (12) comprises a solid part (SP) at one end to receive the jewels (A) and a slot (13) at other end to accommodate at least a portion of the needle (11) during displacement of the tray member (8) from the receiving portion (RP) to the disposing position (DP).

5. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a holder member (14) to arrest movement of the housing member (10) over the injection port (7).

6. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the needle (11) is connected to an injector body (15) for actuating the needle (11) axially through the at least one injection hole (4) and the injection port (7).

7. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator unit (9) is configured with a ram (16) for displacing the tray member (8) within the key way (3).

8. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a power source (17) fixed to the injector body (15) thereby operating the needle (11) for injecting jewels (A) on to the watch component (1).

9. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises an anvil (20) for placement of the watch component (1) under the at least one injection hole (4).

10. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the anvil (20) comprises a guide pin (23) actuated by a spring actuator (24 ) for aligning the jewels (A) within the at least one injection hole (4) before injecting on to the watch component (1).

11. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator unit (9) comprises a cylinder (21) for accommodating the ram (16) such that, the ram (16) displaces within the cylinder (21).
, Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure relates to a manufacturing process. Particularly, but not exclusively, the disclosure relates to an apparatus for inserting one or more components onto a base member of a watch. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure discloses the apparatus for fixing jewel components on to the base member of the watch.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Timepieces or commonly known as watches are in existence from time immemorial. History showcases existence of watches as early as the 12th Century and some sources procures existence of watches in the form of sun dials, shadow clocks and other primitive timekeeping devices dated back to the Egyptian and Babylonian era.

Few centuries back, an evolution of erupted, wherein an array of watch technologies such as spring powered watches, mechanical powered watches and to the present day modernized lithium-ion powered smart watches came into existence. Nowadays, watches are an integral part of human life. Different styles of watches, right from pocket sized watches to high mount digital watches and to the more modern compact wrist watches are used by variety of people to keep up with time and their busy schedules. However, there are a few watch styles which are contemporary and are specific to certain styles and likings of people. One such watch style is the mechanical movement watches, which have not undergone a major change over time but still are viewed by certain people as contemporary design or in other words unique design.

However, mechanical movement watches in its conventional form had umpteen number of limitations. Some of the limitations of conventional mechanical movements may include accuracy or precision of hand movement, battery consumption and breakdown of watches due to mechanical failure. Certain watches employing mechanical movement underwent challenges in maintaining precision hand movement co-ordination with the dials or indications present on the watch. The movement of hands had unacceptable hand movement deviation which was a set-back for many watch manufacturers. Due to such, imprecise hand movements the power source employed to run such mechanical movements underwent battery drainage a lot faster in comparison with other watch movements such as a digital clock or a smart watch.

In several other scenarios, mechanically operated watches were considered delicate or fragile as the mechanical gearing and other transmission means used within the watches failed often due various factors. Some of these factors were incorrect gear assembly, usage of bent or damages machined parts often leading to imprecise watch movements or failure due to shock when the watch was dropped.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above.

The information disclosed in this background of the disclosure section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of the prior arts and conventional systems are overcome by incorporating the jewels within the watch for precise mechanical movement. Such particular apparatus for inserting jewels on to a watch component.
In one non limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for fixing jewels on to a watch component is disclosed. The apparatus comprising a base plate provisioned with a key way defined centrally on the base plate, wherein the key way comprises at least one injection hole. A cover plate configured over the base plate, the cover plate comprises a supply port to supply the jewels and an injection port defined in-line to the at least one injection hole to receive a needle. A tray member slidably disposed within the key way receives the jewels from the supply port and an actuator unit coupled to the tray member wherein, the actuator unit operates the tray member within the key way to a receiving position and a disposing position. At the receiving position, the tray member receives the jewels from the supply port and at the disposing position, the tray member disposes the jewels in to the at least one injection hole to inject the jewels on to the watch component.

In one embodiment, a housing member is provisioned over the injection port wherein, the housing member houses the needle.

In one embodiment, the tray member is configured with a flap member to receive the jewels.
In one embodiment, the flap member comprises a solid part at one end to receive the jewels and a slot at other end to accommodate at least a portion of the needle during displacement of the tray member from the receiving portion to the disposing position.
In one embodiment, a holder member is provided to arrest movement the housing member over the injection port.
In one embodiment, the needle is connected to an injector body for actuating the needle axially through the at least one injection hole and the injection port.
In one embodiment, the actuation unit is configured with a ram for displacing the tray member within the key way.
In one embodiment, a power source fixed to the injector body thereby operating the needle for injecting jewels on to the watch component..
In an embodiment, an anvil is provided for placement of the watch component under the at least one injection hole.
In an embodiment, a guide pin is actuated by a spring actuator for aligning the jewels within the at least one injection hole before injection on to the watch component.
In one embodiment, the actuator unit comprises a cylinder for accommodating the ram such that, the ram displaces within the cylinder.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the detailed disclosure. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure 1 illustrates exploded view of an apparatus for fixing jewels on to a watch component according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 illustrates housing member and the injector assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 3 illustrates assembled view of the apparatus of Figure. 1.

Figure 4 illustrates sectional view of the of Figure. 3.

Figure 5 illustrates sectional perspective view of the apparatus of Figure.3.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following detailed description that alternative embodiments of the device or the apparatus, and the mechanism illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art would be motivated from the present disclosure and modify various compositions, shapes, profiles and configurations of an apparatus for fixing jewels on to a watch component according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. However, such modifications should be construed within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to understand the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, an apparatus and a mechanism that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or an apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or mechanism.

Embodiments of the disclosure illustrates an apparatus for fixing jewels or bearings on to a watch component. The watch component such as watch movement may comprise a plurality of moving parts and non-moving parts. Hence, the watch movement may have plurality of bearings to facilitate the connection. In some analog watches, jewels may be used as bearings owing to their reduced friction and good wear resistance property. Conventionally, the bearings or jewels were fixed manually which was a tedious task, and many a times the jewels were susceptible to getting jammed/damaged during the assembly.

Accordingly, the present disclosure discloses the apparatus for automatically fixing the jewels on to the watch component. The apparatus comprises of a base plate with a key way, wherein the key way comprises at least one injection hole. A cover plate configured over the base plate such that, the cover plate comprises a supply port to supply the jewels. An injection port is defined in-line to the at least one injection hole which receives a needle for injection of the jewels. A tray member is slidably disposed within the key way and receives the jewels from the supply port. An actuator unit coupled to the tray member operates the tray member within the key way to a receiving position and a disposing position. At the receiving position, the tray member receives the jewels from the supply port and at the disposing position, the tray member disposes the jewels in to the at least one injection hole to inject the jewels on to the watch component.

In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying figures that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

It should be construed that the various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims.

The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figures 1 to 5. In the Figures, the same element or elements which have similar functions are indicated by the same reference signs.

Figure 1 in one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure that illustrates an exploded view of an apparatus (100) for fixing jewels (A) on to a watch component (1). The apparatus (100) is configured with a base plate (2) provided at a bottom portion of the apparatus (100). The base plate (2) is configured with a key way (3) at a substantially central portion of the base plate (2) such that, at least one injection hole (4) is provided within the key way (3). Further, the key way (3) houses a tray member (8) wherein the tray member (8) is slidably inserted into the key way (3). The tray member (8) further comprises a flap member (12) provided on the tray member (8). The flap member (12) is provided such that, one end of the flap member (12) is configured with a slot (13) and the and other end of the flap member (12) is a solid part. Additionally, the flap member (12) comprises of a central hole (CH) located in-between the slot (13) and the solid part. The central hole (CH) of the flap member (12) aligns over the at least one injection hole (4) when the tray member (8) is slided into the key way (3) of the base plate (2). In an embodiment, the key way (3) is carved on the base plate (2) such that, the key way (3) extends end to end on the base plate (2). In an embodiment, the cover plate (5) is configured over the base plate (2) such that the cover plate (5) sandwiches the tray member (8).

The cover member (5) further consists of an injection port (7) and a supply port (6). The injection port (7) is further defined by a through hole (TH) wherein the through hole (TH) aligns in-line with the central hole (CH) and the at least one injection hole (4). The supply port (6) is further defined with a supply hole (SH) wherein, upon aligning the cover plate (5) over the base plate (2) the supply hole (SH) aligns over the solid part (SP) of the flap member (12). In an embodiment, the supply port (6) and the injection port (7) are located adjacent to each other.

Further, an actuator unit (9) is fixed to the tray member (8) such that the actuator unit (9) displaces the tray member (8) within the key way (3). In an embodiment, the tray member (8) at its initial position, is positioned such that, the central hole (CH) of the flap member (12) aligns with the at least one injection hole (4) and the through hole (TH). During actuation of the tray member (8) by the actuator unit (9) from initial position to a displaced position, the central hole (CH) on the flap member (12) aligns with the supply hole (SH) of the supply port (6) to receive jewels (A).

In an embodiment, the supply port (6) is connected with the jewels (A) reservoir [not shown in figures]. During operation of the apparatus (100), the jewels (A) are deposited at the supply port (6). When the tray member (8) is displaced from initial position to the displaced position the jewels (A) are collected on the solid part (SP) of the flap member (12). When the tray member (8) returns to the initial position from the displaced position, the jewels (A) are displaced from the solid part (SP) of the flap member (12) and into the slot (13). Finally, when the tray member (8) displaces again from the initial position to the displaced position, the jewels (A) drops in to the at least one injection hole (4). Simultaneously, the solid part (SP) collects another jewels (A) from the supply port (6) to drop it into the at least one injection hole (4) through the slot (13). In an embodiment, the jewels (A) is transferred into the at least one injection hole (4) by the displacement of the tray member (8) reciprocatively.

Figure 2 illustrates the housing member (10) and an injector assembly (101). The housing member (10) is configured over the injection port (7) of the cover plate (5). The housing member (10) is designed to include a passage (19) [shown in figure 4] for receiving the injector assembly (101). The injector assembly (101) is inserted into the passage (19) of the housing member (10) such that, a needle (11) is aligned over the at least one injection hole (4) of the injection port (7). The injector assembly (101) may further comprise of an injector body (15), wherein one end of the injector body (15) is connected to a power source (17) for actuating the needle (11). In an embodiment, when the jewels (A) are in the at least one injection hole (4), the needle (11) is displaced over the jewels (A) to inject the jewels (A) on to the watch component (1).

Figure 3 illustrates assembled view of the apparatus (100) for fixing jewels (A). The apparatus (100) may be located in close proximity with an anvil (20) such that, during injection, the jewels (A) may be positioned accurately underneath the at least one injection hole (4). When the jewels (A) are in line with the at least one injection hole (4), the needle (11) inserts the jewels (A) on to the watch component (1). In an embodiment, the apparatus (100) may be provided with a holder member (14) wherein the holder member (14) is fixed to the housing member (10) in order to hold the housing member (10) over the injection port (7).

In an embodiment, the housing member (10) is fixed over the injection port (7) on the cover plate (5) by a plurality of fasteners (18).

Figures 4 and 5 illustrates sectional views of the apparatus (100) for fixing jewels (A). The injector assembly (101) is inserted in to the housing member (10) such that the needle (11) fixed to the injector assembly (101) is received through the passage (19) of the housing member (10).

In an embodiment, the actuator unit (9) that is fixed to the tray member (8) comprises of a ram (16) provisioned within the actuator unit (9). The ram (16) may be located within a cylinder (21) resembling a piston-cylinder arrangement. During operation of the actuator unit (9), the ram (16) is actuated in order to displace the tray member (8) within the key way (3) of the base plate (2). The anvil (20) is provided proximal to the base plate (2) such that, a gap is set in order to allow passage of the watch component (1). In an embodiment, the anvil (20) comprises of a guide pin (23) fixed to a spring actuator (24) such that, the guide pin (23) is in contact with the jewels (A) within the at least one injection hole (4).

In an embodiment, the guide pin (23) protrudes within the at least one injection hole (4) in order to support the jewels (A). The guide pin (23) may pass through the watch component (1) in order to align under the at least one injection hole (4). During injection of the jewels (A) on the watch component (1) the needle (11) presses over the jewels (A) and inserts on to the watch component (1).

In an embodiment, the actuator unit (9) may be at least one of a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, an electric actuator or any other actuator that serves the purpose.

In an embodiment, the cover plate (5) is fixed over the base plate (2) by plurality of fasteners (22) in order to firmly grip the cover plate (5) over the base plate (2).

In an embodiment, the power source (17) utilized to actuate the needle (11) may be at least one of a mechanical cam member, an electronic actuator, a hydraulic actuator or any other power source (17) that aids in actuation of the needle (11).

In an embodiment, the watch component (1) placed on the anvil (20) is manually placed underneath the at least one injection hole (4). Additionally, the watch component (1) placed on the anvil (20) may be configured with several markings [not shown in figures] in order achieve accurate alignment with the at least one injection hole (4).

In an embodiment, the watch component (1) placed on the anvil (20) may be automatically adjusted by usage of plurality of sensors [not shown in figures] in order to achieve accurate alignment with the at least one injection hole (4).

EQUIVALENTS
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

REFERRAL NUMERALS:

Part Name Referral numeral
Apparatus 100
Injector assembly 101
Jewels A
Watch component 1
Base plate 2
Key way 3
At least one injection hole 4
Cover plate 5
Supply port 6
Injection port 7
Tray member 8
Actuator unit 9
Housing member 10
Needle 11
Flap member 12
Slot 13
Holder member 14
Injector body 15
Ram member 16
Power source 17
Fasteners 18, 22
Passage 19
Anvil 20
Cylinder 21
Guide pin 23
Spring Actuator 24
Central hole CH
Through hole TH
Supply hole SH
Solid part SP