CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a PCT application that claims the benefit of Indian Patent Application No. 201741038153, filed on October 27, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Present disclosure generally relates to a field of manufacturing engineering. Particularly but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a jig assembly. Further embodiments of the disclosure disclose a jig assembly for use in horology industry for fixing various hands of an analog timepiece.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Over the years, technologies in manufacturing and production process have made considerable progress. With the increase in demand, new machine tools and modern manufacturing processes have been evolved which enables to produce goods at a faster rate and with a better quality. Mass production methods, demands a faster and easy methods for positioning workpiece and operating tool to perform desired operation accurately and precisely. One such component used in mass production, which assists in positioning of tool and workpiece in the manufacturing process is a jig assembly.

The jig assembly plays a crucial role in many manufacturing and production industries. Jig is a production tool used to accurately manufacture or assemble various interchangeable parts. Jigs are specially designed so that large number of components may be machined or assembled identically, which leads to reduction in the lead time and cycle time. Generally, jigs are configured to support and hold both tool and workpiece in a single platform. Jigs are usually fitted with bushings/spring mechanism for guiding the tool to specific location which may contact the workpiece to perform desired operation. Further, the jigs may be specially designed to absorb or withstand the strains generated by the operating tools during operation and hence, maintaining accuracy and precision in the operation. The jig assembly aids in positioning the components accurately and rigidly, thus hindering the displacement of the workpiece and hence, imparting greater accuracy and precision in the operation. Various types of jigs are used in manufacturing and production sectors based on the operation to be carried out. As an example, the jig assembly finds its application in the field of horology. The jig may be used at various assembly points in the horological sector, and such assembly point may include fixing of jewels/bearings, fixing of hands, and fixing of gears and the like.

Advent of modern technologies and demand of the consumers, has shifted focus of the manufactures in horology sector to develop timepieces which not only display time, but also display features such as day, date, month, time in various formats, and other advanced features. In order to cater these features in a single timepiece, individual hands may be incorporated on a watch main plate at multiple locations, and independent drive may be provided to each hand to perform the intended function. Conventionally, individual jig assemblies are used to assemble subsidiary hands at different locations on a main plate of the analog time piece. In some other conventional arrangements, a single jig assembly may be used to fix the subsidiary hands, but such jig assemblies use different holders to position the main plate in different positions on the jig assembly. The number of individual jig assemblies or different holders depends on the number of subsidiary hands to be assembled on the main plate. Use of independent jig assembly or the different holders to assemble subsidiary hands requires pick and placing of the main plate each time for fixing the different hand, which makes the process cumbersome. Also, the conventional method for fixing hands makes the process tedious and time consuming, which leads to drastic increase in the cycle and lead time, which may not be desirable in the horological industry.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above and any other limitations associated with the prior arts. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of conventional assemblies are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of assembly as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure. In a non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a jig assembly is disclosed. The jig assembly comprises of a base, an actuator supported by a support frame extending from the base. The actuator is operable between an operating position and non-operating position. Further, the jig assembly comprises of a holder movably disposed on a platform defined on the base, wherein the holder is adapted to support a workpiece. Additionally, the jig assembly is configured with a plurality of slots provisioned on the platform of the base, wherein, the plurality of slots defines a path for movement and positioning of the holder in one or more locations on the platform of the base. In an embodiment, a plurality of slots are formed with progressive plus shaped configuration.

In an embodiment, the holder comprises a cavity for supporting the work piece and one or more legs extending from a bottom portion of the cavity. The one or more legs reside inside the plurality of slots such that, movement of holder is restricted within the path defined by the plurality of slots.

In an embodiment, the jig assembly comprises a step defined in each of the plurality of locations. The step is configured to accommodate at least one leg of the one or more legs of the holder for locking the holder. Further, each of the plurality of locations corresponds to at least one of the one or more positions of the holder on the base, and wherein each of the one or more positions of the holder on the base corresponds to at least one working region on the workpiece

In an embodiment, the actuator supports a tool, and is adapted to advance the tool onto the workpiece in operating position.

In an embodiment, the handle is pivoted to the support frame and is configured to operate from the non-operating position to the operating position. It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

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 ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. 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 drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a jig assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure. 2 illustrates perspective view of a platform on a base of the jig assembly of figure. 1.

Figure. 3 illustrates top perspective view of a holder of the jig assembly of figure. 1.

Figure. 4 illustrates bottom perspective view of the holder of figure. 3.

Figures. 5a-5d illustrates different positions of the holder on the base of the jig assembly for fixing various hands to a watch main plate, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods 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 constructions of the jig assembly which may be used in various applications. However, such modifications should be construed within the scope of the 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, system, assembly 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 device proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or device.

Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a jig assembly which may be used for assembling various hands at different locations on mainplate of the analog timepiece. Conventionally, independent jig assemblies were used to assemble various hands i.e. main hands and subsidiary hands in the analog timepiece. The number of jig assemblies or the holders used during assembly process depend on the number of subsidiary hands to be assembled. As an example, if three subsidiary hands are to be assembled, then three jig assemblies with three different holders are to be used. This process involves pick and placing of workpiece on different jig assembly or holder each time for assembling various subsidiary hands at different locations. Use of independent jig assemblies or holder is not only tedious and time-consuming process, but also leads to increase in the cycle time, lead time and moreover provides less flexibility. Hence, by eliminating the use of several jig assemblies for assembling various hands of an analog timepiece, results in optimizing the production rate. The present disclosure, aims at using single jig assembly and holder for assembling both main hands and other subsidiary hands of an analog timepiece.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure disclose, a jig assembly which may be used for assembling hands on main plate of the analog timepiece. The jig assembly comprises a base, holder, supporting frame, spring loaded actuator and a handle. The holder may be provided with a cavity to accommodate the workpiece. In an embodiment, the shape of the holder may be circular, rectangular and the like depending on the shape of workpiece to be accommodated. Further, the holder may include one or more legs extending outwardly from the bottom portion of the holder, which resides within a plurality of slots defined on a platform the base. The plurality of slots defines a path for movement and positioning of the holder in one or more positions on the platform of the base. Additionally, a plurality of steps may be provided at predetermined locations within the plurality of slots on the platform of the base to lock or firmly hold the holder at desired position during assembling of hands. During operation, the holder may be guided to move within the slots provided on the base and positioned at desired location, to facilitate assembling of hands. The configuration of the slots allows the holder to be positioned in different positions, and hence eliminate the need for pick and placing of the work piece after fixing each hand. Incorporation of this method in the production line for assembling hands of an analog timepiece may lead to decrease in cycle time. As an example, the cycle time may be reduced from 111 seconds to 35 seconds to fix main hands and three subsidiary hands on to a main plate of the analog time piece.

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

Figure. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, which illustrates a perspective view of the jig assembly (200) for assembling parts or carrying out operations at one or more positions on a workpiece (102). The jig assembly (200) broadly comprises of a base (100), a platform (100a), holder (101), supporting frame (105), an actuator (104) and a handle (106). The base (100) of the jig assembly (200) is configured as a support for all the components, and may be prone to receive strains generated during operation. Hence, the base (100) may be made of materials owning good stiffness properties. Further, the base (100) of the jig may be configured with a flat bottom surface which reside on the working surface, thus forming a support for the entire jig assembly (200). As an example, the base (100) may be formed of metallic alloys. The base (100) may support a platform (100a), which accommodates the holder (101), which in turn accommodates the workpiece (102) during operation. The supporting frame (105) of the jig assembly (200) may extend from the base (100). As shown in Figure. 1, the supporting frame (105) may be integrally formed with the base (100), and may extend upwardly in a substantially "V" shape from an end of the base (100). The supporting frame (105) includes a hollow cylindrical cavity (108) to accommodate the actuator (104) which guides or operates the tool (103) between operating and non-operating positions on the workpiece (102). In an embodiment, the actuator (104) may be spring loaded actuator with height adjusting mechanism to vary the clearance between the tool (103) and the work piece (102). Further, a lock screw (107) may be provided in the actuator (104) to lock the height adjusting mechanism in any required height, which prevents the chances of slipping of the tool (103) onto the workpiece (102) and also to maintain sufficient clearance between the operating and nonoperating positions during operation. Additionally, the jig assembly (200) comprises a handle (106) pivoted to the supporting frame (105). The handle (106) provides flexibility for operating the actuator (104). Now referring to Figure. 2 which is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating perspective view of a platform (100a) formed on the base (100) of the jig assembly (200). The platform (100a) on the base (100) acts as a support for accommodating a holder (101). In an embodiment, the platform (100a) may be integrally formed on the base (100) or may be temporarily attached to the base (100). The jig assembly (200) with temporarily configured platform (100a) provides flexibility for mounting a holder (101) with different shape and configuration depending upon the requirement. In an embodiment, the shape of the platform (100a) may be circular, rectangular and the like.

The platform (100a) on the base (100) is defined with a plurality of slots (109) for accommodating the holder (101). The plurality of slots (109) defines a path for movement of the holder (101) on the base (100), such that the holder (101) may be positioned in multiple positions for carrying out required operations on the work piece (102). In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of slots (109) may be formed in a progressive plus shape configuration on the platform (100a) to facilitate movement of the holder (101) within the plurality of slots (109) and can be positioned at desired or particular locations. As an example, the slots (109) shown in figure.2 may be adapted to position the holder (101) in at least six positions i.e. one at each corner of the slots (109), such that necessary operation may be conducted in at least six positions on the workpiece (102). In an embodiment, angular slots may be defined on the platform (100a) to facilitate assembling operation on the workpiece (102) at any angular positions. Further, a step (110) may be provided within the slots (109) at the corner positions to lock the holder (101), in order to provide correct positioning of holder (101) within the platform (100a) for accurate assembling. Here, the word step (110) refers to a depression or dimple formed in the slots (109) to accommodate the legs (112) of the holder (101). As an example of the step (110) may be a blind hole or a slot. It is to be noted that, one may provide the steps (110) in any desired shape and configuration to sever the purpose, and such variations are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the plurality of slots (109) on the base (100) or the platform (100a) on the base (100) may be formed integrally during manufacturing or may be defined using suitable manufacturing process, not limiting to milling operation.

Now referring to Figure. 3 and 4 which are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, illustrates top and bottom perspective view of the holder (101) respectively. The holder (101) comprises a cavity (111) to hold the workpiece (102). In an embodiment, the shape of the holder (100) may be circular, rectangular, square and the like depending on the shape of the workpiece (102) to be accommodated. Further, the holder (101) may be configured with one or more legs (112) which are protruding outwardly from the bottom portion of the holder (101). In an embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the legs (112) may be cylindrical, square, trapezoidal and the like. Further, the dimensions of the legs (112) may be slightly less than the dimensions of the slots (109), in order to maintain clearance for easy movement of the holder (101) within the path defined by the plurality of slots (109) on the base (100). The legs (112) of the holder (101) are configured to reside within the slots (109) and hence, the holder (101) is movable within the path defined by the slots (109). Additionally, the legs (112) may reside in the steps (110) defined at pre-defined locations for firmly locking the holder (101) positioning of holder (101) within the platform (100a) for accurate assembling.

Now referring to Figures.5a, to 5d which are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, illustrating different positions of the holder (101) carrying workpiece (102) on the base (100) of jig assembly (200). As an example, the jig assembly (200) may be used for assembling or fixing the hands such as hour hand, minute hand, second hand, and subsidiary hands to a main plate of the analog time piece. Accordingly, the Figures. 5a-5d illustrate positioning of the holder (101) at various locations to fix multiple hands to the main plate of the analog watch. In this example, the workpiece (102) is a movement of the analog time piece such as wrist watch. In the figure the analog time piece is not illustrated for the purpose of simplicity.

The jig assembly (200) for fixing the hands to the watch main plate may include a punching tool accommodated in the actuator (104). The actuator (104) may be advanced towards the holder (101) using handle (106), to reach operating position where the hand may be fixed to the main plate. When the handle (106) is released, then the actuator (104) may move the tool (103) to the non-operating position. In an embodiment, the actuator (104) may advance the tool in an axis (A-A), and the holder (101) need to position the watch main plate aligned to the axis (A-A) to perform fixing operation.

Figure. 5a depict the position of the holder (101) for assembling main hands i.e. hour, minute and second hands. For fixing the main hands, the holder (101) may be positioned substantially at the centre of the platform (100a), such that the axis (A-A) of the tool (103) aligns with a stud [not shown] provided in the main plate for accommodating the main hands. Once the holder (101) is fixed in position, the handle (106) may be operated to actuate the actuator (104). Further, the actuator (104) guides the tool (103) to advance on to the main plate, which fixes the hand on to the main plate. Now refereeing to Figure. 5b which depict position of the holder (101) on the platform (100a) for assembling one of the subsidiary hands. As an example, a subsidiary hand may be a hand to display date feature, and may be incorporated at the lower circumferential region of the watch movement (102). For assembling this hand, the holder (101) may be displaced or moved within the upper slots provisioned on the platform (101a) and locked at that position, such that the axis (A-A) of the tool (103) aligns with a stud provided at that location in the main plate for accommodating the subsidiary hand. Similarly, Figure. 5c depict one of the position of holder (101) on the platform (101a) during assembling one of the subsidiary hand. As an example, a subsidiary hand to display date feature may be incorporated in line with the central horizontal axis towards the left circumferential region of the watch movement (102). To assemble this hand, the holder (101) is offset towards right side from the centre of the base (100) i.e. away from the support frame (105) and locked at that position, such that the axis (A-A) of the tool (103) aligns with the stud provided at that location in the mainplate for accommodating the subsidiary hand. The Figure. 5d depict one of the position of holder (101) during assembling one of the subsidiary hand. As an example, a subsidiary hand to display month feature may be incorporated in line with the central horizontal axis towards left circumferential portion of the workpiece (102). To assemble this hand, the holder (101) may be offset towards left side from the centre of the base (100) i.e. towards the support frame (105) and locked at that position, such that the axis (A-A) of the tool (103) aligns with the stud provided at that location in the mainplate for accommodating the subsidiary hand.

It is to be noted that, the figures illustrate different positions of the holder (101) on the base (100) to assemble subsidiary hands which are placed at 90 degrees apart. However, the same should not be considered as limitation. One can provide the angular slots on the base (100) so that holder (101) may be placed in any other location such that, subsidiary hands which are angularly positioned may also be assembled. Additionally, one can use jig assembly (200) for assembling other components involved in a mechanism without deviating from scope of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the jig assembly defined with plurality of slots on the platform of the base aids in movement of the holder to different positions, such that all the hands i.e. main and subsidiary hands involved in the watch movement are assembled using a single jig assembly, thus eliminating pick and placing of the holder and workpiece each time during assembly of hands, which is tedious and time-consuming process. Use of single jig assembly for assembling all the hands in production lines leads to decrease in lead time and cycle time. As an example, the cycle time may be reduced from 111 seconds to 35 seconds to fix main hands and three subsidiary hands on to a main plate of the analog time piece.

It is to be noted that the use of Jig assembly in the horology industry for fixing the hands to the main plate of the watch is one of the applications, and one may use the same jig assembly to fix any other components such as bearings/jewels and gears in the watch. Also, the Jig assembly may be used in any other applications including but not limiting to Jewellery applications, and the like without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

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." 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:

Referral numeral Description

A-A Tool axis

200 Jig assembly

100 Base

100a Platform

101 Holder

102 Work piece

103 Tool

104 Actuator

105 Support frame

106 Handle

107 Lock screw

108 Hollow cylindrical cavity

109 Plurality of slots

110 Steps

111 Cavity

112 Legs