EP1201149B1 - Bracelet clasp - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a bracelet clasp comprising two branches articulated to each other by a first of their respective ends to allow to fold a first of these branches on and / or in the second of the said branches and unfold it to place it substantially in the extension of this second branch, while their respective second ends are destined to be connected to two ends of a bracelet, in particular of a bracelet for a wristwatch, these two branches having mutual attachment means to maintain them in the folded position.

This type of clasp is well known and exists under many variants. In some of these clasps, one end the bracelet is connected to the branch of the clasp that folds on or in the other branch by a cover of which the parallel side faces, which come from the clasp in the closed position, have several pairs of holes aligned transversely and spaced longitudinally, intended to receive the axis of articulation from the end of the bracelet. These pairs of holes allow to adjust the length of the bracelet. In other clasps this type, the end of the bracelet is directly articulated to the second end of this first branch, so that in the closed position, the bracelet conceals the clasp.

In some bracelets of this type, the articulated branches one to the other are made of pressed sheet and overlap each other in the folded position. These branches are bent for marry the shape of the wrist. The hanging of these branches one to the other depends on the bending radius of curvature. Since these blades are made of sheet metal, it is possible to modify the radius of curvature of the bending in one direction or in the other to adjust the snapping force between these blades.

We have already proposed a bracelet of this type, especially in EP 0865742, in which the branches of the clasp are machined in a thicker and therefore more rigid material allowing more adjustment of the snap force by modification bending of these branches. With such a clasp, the attachment force of the branches is no longer adjustable by the simple means mentioned above, it is then necessary to to design precise and durable fastening means. It is the reason this clasp has elements which are attached to the lid of the clasp and positioned inside it, on the one hand, by their shape that marries a portion of the inside of the lid and on the other hand, by a rod crossing these elements snap and attaching at both ends to the side faces of the clasp cover arranged on the else of the clasp.

This provision has various disadvantages, including one comes from the fact that this clasp is necessarily a clasp with cover, since it is he who serves to receive the fastening elements. Another disadvantage comes from the fact that all the force needed to unhook the elements is directly provided by the user, from so that it is not possible to exceed a certain limit, at the expense of the security of the closure. Another disadvantage is that, as in most clasps of this type, the opening is directly obtained by a pull on the lid while it offers a large catch area, which increases the risk of opening untimely clasp. Another similar clasp is disclosed in WO-A-98/30123.

The purpose of the present invention is to improve safety closing this type of clasp against an opening Inopportune as well by hooking as by effort traction caused by swelling of the wrist or violent shocks, such as may occur when the user applauds or when he hits his fist on a table for example. The purpose of this invention is also to facilitate the opening of the bracelet while allowing to simultaneously increase the force required to drop out fastening elements. Another object of this invention is to allow the branches of the clasp and the connected bracelet these branches, rotate at least 180 ° to obtain a maximum opening of the clasp and thus facilitate the passage of the hand through the bracelet. Another goal yet of the invention is to allow to have a basic clasp substantially identical when the clasp has a lid only when it does not include

For this purpose, the subject of the present invention is a bracelet clasp of the type mentioned above, as defined by claim 1.

One of the advantages of the proposed solution, besides those arising from the above aims is its simplicity and the small number of parts needed. Indeed, despite the various improvements of the clasp according to the invention, it can be seen that these are not obtained at the expense of the simplicity and therefore the reliability of the solution proposed. For the user, the handling of such a clasp results in a very great ease, giving it a sensation high security, which is reinforced by the aspect of clasp which is a real small mechanism of precision.

La figure 1 est une vue en perspective éclatée de cette forme d'exécution;

la figure 2 est une vue en perspective du fermoir de la figure 1 avec les branches repliées;

les figures 3, 4 et 5 sont trois vues selon trois coupes longitudinales différentes de la figure 2;

la figure 6 est une vue semblable à la figure 3 en position de décrochage des éléments d'accrochage;

la figure 7 est une vue en coupe semblable à la figure 5 en position dépliée des branches articulées;

la figure 8 est une vue en perspective éclatée d'une variante du fermoir des figures 1-7;

la figure 9 est une vue en coupe longitudinale assemblée du fermoir de la figure 8 en position de décrochage des éléments d'accrochage;

la figure 10 est une vue en perspective de la variante des figures 8 et 9, en position dépliée des branches articulées;

la figure 11 est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'une variante avec des moyens de sécurité supplémentaires et des moyens de réglage du fermoir selon l'invention;

la figure 12 est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'une autre variante de fermoir avec des moyens de sécurité supplémentaires et des moyens de réglage;

la figure 13 est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'une autre variante encore avec des moyens de sécurité supplémentaires;

les figures 14 et 15 sont des vues en coupe longitudinales d'une dernière variante de ce fermoir, en position de décrochage, respectivement d'accrochage de moyens de sécurité supplémentaires;

la figure 16 est une vue de dessus de la figure 15.

The accompanying drawing illustrates, schematically and by way of example, an embodiment and several variants of the clasp object of the present invention.

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of this embodiment;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the clasp of Figure 1 with the branches folded;

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are three views in three different longitudinal sections of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3 in the stall position of the attachment elements;

Figure 7 is a sectional view similar to Figure 5 in the unfolded position of the articulated branches;

Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of a variant of the clasp of Figures 1-7;

Figure 9 is an assembled longitudinal sectional view of the clasp of Figure 8 in the stall position of the fastening elements;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the variant of Figures 8 and 9, in the unfolded position of the articulated branches;

Figure 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of a variant with additional security means and means for adjusting the clasp according to the invention;

Figure 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of another clasp variant with additional security means and adjusting means;

Figure 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of yet another variant with additional security means;

Figures 14 and 15 are longitudinal sectional views of a last variant of this clasp, in the stall position, respectively hooking additional security means;

Figure 16 is a top view of Figure 15.

The clasp illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 comprises two bent branches 1, 2 hinged to each other by one of their respective ends around a rod 3. These branches curved 1, 2 are preferably machined parts rather than stamped sheet metal, so as to make them relatively rigid. So that the clasp does not become excessively thick, as shown in Figure 2, the thickness of the branch 1 in folded position is completely housed in a central recess 2a in the center of the branch 2.

The bottom 2b of the recess 2a has a hooking stud 4, whose attachment face forms an angle α with the tangent to the circle centered on the hinge axis 3 of curved branches 1, 2 and whose radius corresponds to the distance between this axis and the furthest point of the plot 4. To accommodate the fasteners between the bent branches 1, 2, the radius of curvature of the bottom 2b of branch 2 decreases slightly then the curvature reverses, thus providing a recess portion 2a slightly higher at the end of this branch 2 opposite the end articulated to the other branch 1.

A rectangular recess 1a (Figure 1) is provided to the end of the branch 1 opposite to that articulated to the branch 2, forming two parallel arms 1b, 1c of part and other of this recess 1a. Each arm has two holes 5a, 5b, respectively 6a, 6b aligned in pairs and intended to receive two pivot rods 7, 8 driven out in these bores 5a, 6a, respectively 5b, 6b. The stem of pivoting 7 passes through an opening 9a of an organ of linkage and articulation 9, while the pivot rod 8 passes freely through the cylindrical opening of a tube 10 constituting the attachment element of the branch 1 of the clasp, intended to hang on the face inclined attachment stud 4 of the branch 2 (Figure 5).

The link and articulation member 9 has a main part 9c of semi-cylindrical general shape oriented transversely to the branches 1, 2 of the clasp. The opening 9a for the pivot rod 7 is provided in a semi-cylindrical appendix 9b off-center with respect to the main part 9c, protruding under this part main 9c.

The main part 9c of the connecting member 9 is crossed by two openings 9d, 9e parallel to the axis longitudinal axis of this semi-cylindrical part 9c, as well as aperture 9a of Appendix 9b. The 9th aperture is intended the connection and the articulation of one end of the bracelet (not shown) by a stud 11 passing through an element transversely oriented semi-cylindrical assembly and aligned with the connecting member 9. The stud 11 is screwed into a second counterpart assembly element 13 of the element 12.

The connecting member 12 carries a hinge pin 14 parallel to stud 11, chased into a blind hole of this element 12 and whose other end is intended to be fixed in a corresponding blind hole of the second element assembly 13. This hinge pin 14 passes through the opening 9d of the connecting member 9, thus making this connecting member and the two integral fasteners one another.

This articulation rod 14 also passes freely through an actuating member 15 of the opening of the clasp, that is to say separation of the fastening members 4 and 10, which is articulated around the second axis of articulation of the connecting member 9, constituted by the axis of the opening 9d.

This actuating member 15 comprises two levers 16,17, each comprising a semi-cylindrical element 16a, respectively 17a, each traversed by an opening of which only the opening 17b is visible in the figure 1, for the passage of the articulation rod 14. The distance transverse separating the respective external lateral faces of the two semi-cylindrical elements 16a, 17a is very branch 2 of the clasp at the other end of the bracelet (no represent) .

As can be seen by examining Figure 5 in particular, the engagement of the tube 10 pivoted on the rod 8 of branch 1, on the inclined face of the angle α with respect to at the tangent to a circle centered on the axis of the stem of pivoting 3 between the two branches 1, 2 of the clasp, is obtained by subjecting the blade 1 to a traction force, while the blade 2 is subjected to a compressive force. As both blades are slightly arched to marry the shape of the wrist, these efforts may result in a elastic deformation of these blades 1, 2 and these blades being made by machining in the mass and not in single sheet, the force required to hook the tube 10 on the stud 4 can be relatively high, thus ensuring a good shock resistance. In addition the presence of the tube 10 facilitates the elastic deformation of the blade 1 and also makes the closure independent of the way in which one exercises pressure on this blade 1 when closing the clasp.

This force necessary for the hanging can be all the more higher than the opening of the clasp is facilitated by the mechanism of levers 16, 17 actuated by the gripping 18, reducing the effort required during the uprising of the branch 1 to clear the tube 10 of the hanging pad 4. Indeed, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 6, when the levers are pivoted 16, 17 around the hinge pin 14 by lifting the gripping member 18, the elements 16c, 17c of these levers take support on the upper surface of the branch 2 of the clasp, on both sides of the recess 2a in which the branch 1 is embedded in the closed position and form a lever arm increasing the force exerted on the rod 14 and thus on the connecting member 9 to which the end branch 1 is articulated.

Once the two branches 1, 2 of the clasp are unhooked, the semi-cylindrical appendage 9b of the organ of link 9 allows it to rotate around the shackle 10, so that he moves from a position where he stands located to the left of the attachment tube 10 (FIG. position where it passes to the right of this same tube 10 (figure 7), allowing optimal opening of the clasp, by a pivoting of at least 180 ° of the branch 1 relative to the branch 2 of the clasp, as well as a free pivoting of the links of the bracelet in relation to the branches of the clasp. This is important. Indeed, with this type of clasp, the ends of the bracelet are never separated from each other and only by increasing the length of the bracelet following the pivoting of the blades 1, 2 that the hand can pass through the bracelet. It is therefore important that the bracelet can rotate freely when opening branches 1, 2 and that the end links between the bracelet and the branches 1, 2 of the clasp, are also free to pivot relative to these branches. This is made possible in the case of the clasp according to the invention through the organ 9 connecting the end of the bracelet (no represented) at branch 1 by stud 11 and who can rotate freely at least 180 ° around the stem pivoting 7.

We can also mention the fact that in the open position of the clasp, illustrated in Figure 7, no element the mechanism of the clasp does not protrude from its underside, so that the user can not hurt himself in putting his hand through the open wristband hang parts of clothing and risk ruining them. Indeed, the attachment stud 4 protrudes on the face upper branch 2 of the clasp and the cylindrical tube 10 is lodged in the thickness of the branch 1.

This connecting member also allows pivoting independent of the opening mechanism, constituted by the levers 16, 17 and the gripping member 18 of the rest of the clasp and bracelet which reduces the risks of opening untimely, especially in the clasp variant with lid which will be described below.

The fact that the attachment tube 10 is pivotally mounted on the pivot rod 8 reduces the wear of this piece after multiple clashes and stalls to which it is destined to be submitted. In Moreover, in case of wear, it is easy to change this tube 10.

Another advantage of this clasp comes from the fact that the lower face of branch 2 which is intended to come against the wearer's wrist is closed and that the entire mechanism closure is located in the recess 2a of this branch 2 so the risk of pinching hair when Closing the clasp is reduced.

The variant illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10 is distinguished of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 7 essentially in that the connecting member 9 of this form execution consists of two separate connecting elements 23 and a cover 24 comprising a top wall 24a and two parallel side walls 24b, 24c. The element 23 is crossed by two parallel openings 23a, 23b (FIGS. 8 and 9) corresponding to the openings 9a, respectively 9d of the connecting member 9. As can be seen in particular in FIG. 9, a spring bar 25 through the opening 23b of the connecting element 23 of the organ link 23, 24 and its ends engage in blind holes (not visible) in the internal faces side walls 24b, 24c of the cover 24, forming the other connecting element. These blind holes are similar to the blind holes 24d that we see in Figure 9 and which used to connect the bracelet (not shown) to the body of 23, 24. As shown in FIG. connecting elements 23, 24 of the connecting member are assembled by the bar 25, the upper face 23c of the element 23 is applied against the inner face of the upper wall of the cover 24, immobilizing these two connecting elements 23, 24 with respect to each other, so that the organ resulting from this assembly has the same functions that the liaison 9 of the form of execution Figures 1 to 7. In addition, the presence of the cover 24 allows to adjust the length of the bracelet through the series of holes 24d, which does not allow to make the link 9.

Like the hinge rod 14 of FIGS. 1 to 7, the bar 25 also allows the pivoting of the opening levers 66, 67 arranged on either side of the element of 23 and which are supported on the upper face of branch 2 of the clasp. These levers work like levers 16 and 17 of FIGS. 1 to 7. In this variant, the gripping member 68 secured to the levers 66, 67 is another form but has a function identical to that of the organ 18 of the previous embodiment. The rest the clasp is quite comparable to the clasp of the figures 1 to 7, so there is no need to describe it further.

Figure 10 shows the clasp with its branches 1 and 2 in unfolded position and it can be seen that the lid 24 and the connecting element 23 can pivot jointly at least 180 ° at the end of branch 1 turning around the hanging tube 10. In this variant, the independence between the opening mechanism 66, 67, 68 and the cover 24 offers the advantage of avoiding inadvertent opening clasp by hooking the lid 24, since it, secured to the connecting element 23 pivots around of the articulation rod 7 which does not play a role in the unhooking of the attachment tube 10 of the attachment stud 4.

Clasps described so far do not include any means adjustment or safety device. Indeed, various tests performed on a series of prototypes corresponding to the clasp illustrated in Figures 1-7 have shown that it offers excellent security with respect to impact resistance and to traction efforts. The design of this clasp allows however, to resort to means to regulate the force necessary for its closure and may also be associated with safety devices.

FIG. 11 illustrates a clasp variant comprising two branches 26, 27 articulated to each other as in the forms of previous performances. The plot 4 of the lower limb is replaced here by a stud system adjustable 28 held on the branch 27 by a screw 29. This stud adjustable is intended to engage with the shackle 30 pivoted on a transverse pivoting rod 31 in solidarity with branch 26.

An adjusting member 32 having at its periphery 32a for example four circular recesses of the same radius as the external surface of the adjustable stud 28, but whose distances respective radial with the axis of the regulator 32 vary slightly from each other allows to adjust the penetration of this stud 28 in the trajectory of the attachment tube 30 and therefore the force closing clasp.

It also includes a security closure comprising a link link and attachment 33 crossed by two bores with parallel transverse axes, one receiving a hinge pin 34 integral with the branch 26, the other receiving a stud or a bar 35 for the joint of the first link 36 of the bracelet. This link binding and hooking 33 further comprises a recess transversal 37 forming a hooking finger 38 for to hook on a transverse hooking cylinder 39. This link link and hook 33 is still united of a gripping member 40 for rotating the link 33 in a clockwise direction for disengage the hooking finger 38 from the hooking cylinder 39. An inclined face 26a secured to the branch 26 limits the degree of pivoting of the link 33, so that continuing to exert traction on the grasping member 40, it is possible to unhook the hooking tube 30 from the stud 28 and separate the two branches 26, 27 of the clasp.

As in previous forms of execution, the link link 33 with its two pivot axes allows an opening of the clasp at least 180 ° without restriction rotation for the links 36 of the bracelet.

The variant of Figure 12 differs from the previous one that the setting of the latching stud 41 is attached to an adjusting member 42 rotatably mounted on the branch 27, eccentrically, so that turning the adjusting member 42, for example using a screwdriver or a similar tool, the penetration of the gripping stud with respect to the hooking tube 30.

The variant of Figure 13 differs essentially of the two previous ones by the fact that we find a connecting member 43 with three transverse axes of articulation, one around the pivot rod 44 at the end of the branch 45 of the clasp, another to receive a stud 46 of articulation of the bracelet and the third for the articulation of an opening member 47, integral with a gripping member 48. This opening member 47 comprises also a transverse rod 49 on which pivots freely a tube 50 for hooking into a housing 51 formed in a connecting element 52 with the other end of the bracelet and having, for this purpose, a bore 52a. This connecting element 52 is integral with the branch 53 of the clasp. As we can see, the base of the opening member 47 has an inclined portion 47a intended to limit its degree of pivoting. This face has exactly the same function as the inclined face 26a of the figure 11.

The main closure is always provided by a tube 54 pivoted on a transverse rod 55 secured to the branch 45 of the clasp. This tube hangs on a hanging pad 56 integral with the branch 53.

The variant of Figures 14 to 16 differs from previous first of all by the fact that the pivot axis of the hooking tube 58 merges with that of the link of binding and hooking 57, while the first link 59 one end of the bracelet is rotated around the second axis articulation 60 of this link and hooking link 57. The fastening element 57a of this link link and latch 57 clings to the end of a piston 61 subject to an elastic return member 62. As shown in FIG. FIG. 15, when the hooking element 57a comes to engage on the end of the piston 61, its other end is applied against the hooking tube 58 and prevents it from rotate around pivot rod 63.

To hold this swivel rod 63 two hinges 64 are attached to the end of branch 65 of the clasp (FIG. 16) on either side of the attachment stud 69 of FIG. hanging tube 58.

Claims (10)

1. Bracelet clasp comprising two branches (1, 2; 26, 27; 45, 53) articulated to one another by a respective first one of their ends in order to make it possible to fold a first one of these branches over and/or into the second of said branches and to unfold it in order to place it substantially in the extension of this second branch, while their respective second ends are intended to be connected to two ends of a bracelet, particularly a bracelet for a wrist watch, these two branches (1, 2; 26, 27; 45, 53) including mutual attaching members (4, 10; 28, 30) for holding them in the folded position, said second end of said first articulated branch (1; 26; 25) including a linking member (9; 23, 24; 33; 43; 57) having parallel axes of articulation, one for connecting this linking member to this first articulated branch (1; 26; 45) and at least a second one for connecting this linking member (9; 23, 24; 33; 43; 57) firstly to one end of the bracelet and secondly to an actuating member (18; 68; 40; 48) for opening the bracelet, characterized in that said actuating member (18; 68; 40; 48) is a separating member for said attaching members that includes a lever (16c, 17c; 66, 67), one end of which bears on said second articulated branch (2) and the other end of which forms a gripping means (18; 68), said linking member (9; 23, 24; 33; 43; 57) being arranged such that when said lever (16c, 17c; 66, 67) rocks the reaction force on its articulation pin (14) exerts a force on said attaching members (4, 10; 28, 30) that is capable of separating them.
2. Clasp according to Claim 1, characterized in that said linking means (9; 24; 43) have a third, parallel axis of articulation, one for connecting these linking means (9; 24; 43) to this first articulated branch (1; 45), another for connecting these linking means to one end of the bracelet, and the third for connecting these linking means to said actuating member (18; 68; 48) in order to exert a force capable of separating said mutual attaching means.
3. Clasp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said mutual attaching means (10) include a cylindrical element (8; 31; 55; 63) integral with one of said articulated branches (1).
4. Clasp according to Claim 4, characterized in that one of said attaching means consists of a tubular element (10; 30; 54; 58) pivoted freely about said cylindrical element (8; 31; 55; 63).
5. Clasp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a part (96) of said linking means (9; 24; 43), which is articulated to said first branch (1; 45), has a substantially semicylindrical surface to allow it to turn through 180° about its axis of articulation during the passage of this first articulated branch from its folded position to its unfolded position.
6. Clasp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said linking means include two elements (23, 24), one of which (24) consists of a cover comprising a surface at least partially covering over said articulated branches and two lateral surfaces (24b, 24c) extending on either side of these branches and having several pairs of fixing elements (24d) aligned transversely with the clasp and spaced longitudinally, for the selective fixing of one end of the bracelet to said cover (24), and the other of which (23) has means for positioning (23c) relative to said cover, assembly means (25) serving to link said two elements in the relative position defined by said positioning means (23c).
7. Clasp according to one of Claims 3 and 4, characterized in that said cylinder (8) on which said tubular attaching element (10) pivots is fixed removably to one of said articulated branches (1, 2).
8. Clasp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that adjustment means are associated with one (28; 41) of said mutual attaching means in order to vary the distance separating them from the other (30) in the attaching position.
9. Clasp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes second mutual attaching means (38, 39; 50, 51) for holding said actuating member (40, 48) in the rest position.
10. Clasp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes means (12a, 13a; 26a; 47a) for limiting the pivoting of said actuating member (18; 40; 48) relative to said first branch (1; 26; 45).

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