Regulator key

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11226592-B2
Application number	US-201716316285-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 13, 2017
Priority date	Jul 20, 2016
Publication date	Jan 18, 2022
Grant date	Jan 18, 2022

Abstract

A regulator key whose arms ensure clearance of a balance spring even in event of shocks.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A regulator key for a timepiece movement comprising:
a base configured to be attached to a regulator and carrying two arms configured to limit clearance of a balance spring,
wherein the two arms project from the base parallel to each other, leaving an interstice configured to receive the balance spring,
wherein the two arms each include a projecting surface which decreases in width along a length of the arm away from the base to limit dimensions of an end of the regulator key and the two arms each include a partially hollow central portion so that a free end of each arm forms a hook extending mainly parallel to the longitudinal direction of the interstice and running alongside the interstice configured to receive the balance spring, and
wherein a portion of the projecting surface which decreases away from the base is located at a same position along a longitudinal axis of the regulator key as the partially hollow central portions.

2. A regulator key according to claim 1 , wherein the two hooks extend in opposite directions.

3. A regulator key according to claim 1 , wherein the regulator key has an axis of symmetry passing through the center of the base.

4. A regulator key according to claim 1 , wherein the sides of the two arms running alongside the interstice are substantially C-shaped.

5. A regulator key according to claim 1 , wherein the sides of the two arms running alongside the interstice are flat.

6. A regulator key according to claim 1 , wherein the sides of the two arms running alongside the interstice are parallel.

7. A regulator key according to claim 1 , wherein surfaces of the sides of the two arms running alongside the interstice, which face each other, are substantially I-shaped.

8. A timepiece movement comprising:
a resonator including a balance and balance spring; and
a regulator system adjusting an active length of the balance spring;
wherein the regulator system includes a regulator key including a base configured to be attached to a regulator and carrying two arms configured to limit clearance of a balance spring, wherein the two arms project from the base parallel to each other, leaving an interstice configured to receive the balance spring;
wherein the two arms each include a projecting surface which decreases in width along a length of the arm away from the base to limit dimensions of an end of the regulator key and the two arms each include a partially hollow central portion so that a free end of each arm firms a hook extending mainly parallel to the longitudinal direction of the interstice and running alongside the interstice configured to receive the balance spring, and
wherein a portion of the projecting surface which decreases away from the base is located at a same position along a longitudinal axis of the regulator key as the partially hollow central portions.

Assignees

• Eta Sa Mft Horlogere Suisse

Inventors

• Kaelin Laurent
• Schlup Fabien

Classifications

• G04B18/026 Primary

  Locking the hair spring in the indexing device, e.g. goupille of the raquette (hairsprings G04B17/066; locking the mainspring on the axle G04B1/18) · CPC title

• G04B17/325

  for fastening the hairspring in a fixed position, e.g. using a block · CPC title