	US 12,011,796 B2
	Timepiece fitting
Patric Pham, Utzenstorf (CH); and Joël Röthlisberger, Grenchen (CH)
Assigned to ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGÈRE SUISSE, Grenchen (CH)
Filed by ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGÈRE SUISSE, Grenchen (CH)
Filed on Mar. 3, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/685,879.
Claims priority of application No. 21170438 (EP), filed on Apr. 26, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0339748 A1, Oct. 27, 2022
Int. Cl. B23Q 3/06 (2006.01); G04D 1/06 (2006.01)

CPC B23Q 3/062 (2013.01) [G04D 1/06 (2013.01); B23Q 2703/10 (2013.01)]

18 Claims

1. A fitting (20) for holding in a machining and/or assembly position a substantially flat component (1) with a thickness less than or equal to a predetermined maximum thickness (E) and extending on either side of a median plane (PM), comprising: stops (2; 3) defining at least two radial abutment support surfaces (S1; S2; S3) including generators which are substantially perpendicular to a reference plane (PR) of said fitting (20), relative to which reference plane (PR) said median plane (PM) of one said component (1) is parallel or coincident in said machining and/or assembly position, and which are arranged to cooperate in abutment support with peripheral edge support surfaces (11; 12; 13) of one said component (1); a chamber (40) which is bordered, on either side of said reference plane (PR), by jaws (21; 22) including clamping surfaces (310; 320) for holding one said component (1), said chamber (40) being open on at least one side by a recess (41; 42) capable of enabling the passage of a tool or another component or a machining and/or assembly means to perform an operation on one said component (1); and a single insertion orifice (30) configured to enable the insertion of one said component (1) into said chamber (40) towards said radial abutment support surfaces (S1; $2; 83) of said fitting (20); wherein said fitting (20) is deformable between an open position in which said insertion orifice (30) has a maximum opening of width equal to said predetermined maximum thickness (E), in the direction of the thickness of one said component (1) on either side of the said median plane (PM) thereof, and in which open position one said component (1) can be inserted into said chamber (40) to an abutment support position on said radial abutment support surfaces (S1; 22; S3), and a closed position around one said component (1) held supported on said radial abutment support surfaces (S1; S2; S3) and tightened by said jaws (21; 22) subjected to a closing force exerted by maneuvering means arranged to bring said jaws (21; 22) closer to each other and wherein said maneuvering means include flexible hinges (200) formed in said fitting (20), which are arranged to, by elastic deformation, generate a relative movement between said jaws (21, 22).