EP1495692A1 - Strap fastener, in particular bracelet for a wrist-watch which can be shortened by cutting - Google Patents

Abstract

The strap (1) with a buckle (3) and prong (4), also includes transverse holes (25a-f) over a limited part of its length, with a last hole (13) at the end. Each hole has an associated slot (26a-f) cut through the thickness of the strap, to accommodate the prong. The strap can be shortened by cutting along a transverse section (27a, 27b). The transverse pivot bar and prong of the buckle are then held in the last hole in line.

Description

Background of the invention

The present invention relates to a band-shaped link, in particular watch strap, having at one end a first strand provided with a buckle and at a second end a second strand crossed in its thickness through holes and adapted to be releasably attached to the first strand by engagement in the loop, each strand being formed of a flexible strip continuous, the loop having two lateral branches each provided with a hole, a removable transverse bar whose ends are arranged to engage in the holes of the branches, and a barb having an eyelet portion engaged with rotary manner on said bar, the first strand having a terminal orifice disposed transversely near a free end of the strand, to receive said bar of the loop, and a terminal notch extending from said free end to beyond the terminal orifice to receive the eyelet part of the barb.

Apart from bracelets, this invention can be applied to any type of link comprising a band whose one end is provided with a pin buckle, such as belts, luggage straps and similar ties.

The term "strand" is used here in a general sense to refer to both flexible end parts of such a link, which must relate to each other average of the loop mounted on the first strand. Like the rest of the link does not play in the present invention, it may have a structure different from that of terminal strands and in particular be made of other materials. Moreover, the two strands may be separate elements and connected to each other indirectly, for example, by the watch box if the link is a watch band.

The preamble above corresponds in particular to a watch bracelet which each strand is made of a continuous band of a flexible material such that leather, a synthetic material or a textile material. Such a bracelet can adapt to wrists of different sizes, but only to a limited limited. Indeed, if the bracelet had to be adaptable as well to wrists particularly big at small wrists such as those of children, the second strand should be very long and have a very long row of holes. If one attach a bracelet as long around a wrist of medium or small size, the end of the second strand, going beyond the loop, will be particularly long and will disturb the wearer. Another disadvantage lies in the fact that the first strand, by its fixed length, will determine a position of the loop that will not be necessarily located opposite the watch, but will depend on the size of the wrist. These disadvantages lead manufacturers to usually offer bracelets without links in two or three different sizes, which complicates not only the manufacturing, but also inventory management, distribution and sales. When the strands of the bracelet are molded parts made of synthetic material, the realization of several molds of different sizes significantly increases the manufacturing.

Patent CH 604 597 describes a method of fixing the loop to the first strand of the bracelet, which allows to shorten this strand to an adequate length before there fix the loop through an intermediate metal piece forming a handle in which the bar of the loop (which is not of the pin type in that case). The first strand of the bracelet has a series of transverse grooves in its lower face, while the intermediate piece in the form of a clip comprises two ribs capable of engaging in two of these grooves. We can cut the strand to the desired length, then set up the intermediate piece in engaging it in the two grooves closest to the cut end of the strand. We put a sleeve around the middle piece to hold it in place, and then can mount the loop on the aforementioned handle. Such a construction is relatively complicated and, in fact, it is intended for a metal bracelet with a clasp who does not use a pin buckle.

The patent application FR 2,532,826 (= GB 2,126,449) relates to a modification of a classic buckle type bracelet, consisting of provide only one hole in the second strand of the bracelet and adjust the length of the bracelet by moving the position of the pin buckle on the first strand. For this purpose, the barb is not articulated on a removable bar, but on a crossbar center of the loop, which carries in its middle an inverted U-shaped support on which the barb is articulated. The first strand of the bracelet has a row of holes in which the user can selectively insert the barb and its support in U to determine the desired position of the loop along this strand.

Of course, with such an arrangement the user must have several center holes on the first strand if he wants to be able to adjust the length at any time of the bracelet. Therefore, the first strand generally runs the full length of the loop, as does the second strand once it is engaged in the loop. This strong thickness of the bracelet throughout the region of the buckle represents a disadvantage. Another disadvantage is that any length adjustment of the bracelet requires to move the loop by a manipulation that is not particularly convenient.

Summary of the invention

The initial idea of the present invention is to use the system traditional closure with pin buckle on the first strand of the link and a row of holes in the second strand, because this system is the easiest to manipulate to fine-tune the length of the link for each use, but initially to make a rough adjustment if necessary, by shortening the first strand depending on the size of the element to be surrounded. It becomes so possible to make links such as bracelets in one size, the most large, and to shorten the first strand by simple manipulations, which can be made by the seller or the user himself.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a link of the type indicated in the preamble, characterized in that the first strand has a plurality of transverse orifices additional, spread over a certain length of the strand from the terminal orifice and each associated with an elongated hole traversing the thickness of the strand and intersecting the associated transverse orifice, so that the first strand can be shortened by cutting along a cross section passing through any one of said elongated holes, the transverse orifice associated with this hole becoming a new orifice terminal for receiving said bar of the loop. At the same time, as cutting through said elongated hole, it transforms this hole into an open slot, able to receive the eyelet part of the barb.

Said associated cross-section may advantageously be marked by a groove on at least one face of the first strand and preferably on both faces. This makes it possible to obtain a clean cut bordered by a chamfer along each side of the band-shaped link.

The invention has not only the advantage of being able to offer links in a single size for a wide range of sizes of elements to be surrounded by a such a link, for example for all conceivable sizes of the wrist in the case of a bracelet, but also the operation of rough adjustment by cutting the first strand is achievable by any person and at any time, as one will see it later.

Other features and benefits will appear in the description following of a preferred embodiment of a watchband according to the invention, presented by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows in perspective the two strands of the bracelet, seen from above.

FIG. 2 shows in perspective the two strands of the bracelet, seen from below.

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the end of the first strand.

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the bottom of the loop.

The watch strap shown in the drawings comprises a first strand 1, a second strand 2, a buckle 3 with pin 4 mounted at one end 5 of the first strand, and a mobile passer 6 strung on the first strand.

Detailed description of the invention

The first strand 1, the second strand 2 and the passer 6 of the bracelet are preferably relatively soft plastic moldings, for example example polyurethane. The rear end 11, 12 of each strand 1, 2 is arranged to be attached to a watch case by means of a hinge pin, but any other method of attachment may be envisaged, including an execution in which the two strands 1 and 2 form a single piece which is threaded for example in two handles of the watch box. In such a case, the term "strand" means each of the two end parts of the bracelet.

As can be seen in particular in FIG. 3, the free end 5 of the first strand 1 comprises, for the mounting of the loop 3, a terminal orifice 13 substantially cylindrical, which crosses the entire width of the strand 1 to receive a central bar 14 (Figure 4) of the loop 3, and a central notch 15 for receiving a part eyelet 16 of the pin 4. The configuration of the orifice 13 and the notch 15 is all conventional fact, that is to say that the notch 15 has a sufficient depth from the end 5 of the strand 1 to extend beyond the orifice 13, the end of the strand being thus divided into two branches 5a and 5b both traversed by the orifice 13. Of course, if the strand 1 was particularly wide, the loop could include example two barbs 4 and the end of the strand 1 would also include two notches 15, which would then be no longer central.

With reference to FIG. 4, the loop 3 used in this example is made of quite classic way and includes a frame 18 approximately rectangular comprising two flat and parallel lateral branches 19 and 20, connected at their ends by a front cross member 21 and a rear cross member 22. The face upper cross member 21 preferably has a recess in which the point of the pin 4. The eyelet part 16 of the pin is engaged by rotatively on the bar 14, which is a conventional spring bar of the type used to attach bracelets to a watch case, the retractable spikes of this bar being each engaged in a hole 23 of the corresponding branch 19 or 20, so you can easily mount and disassemble the bar 14 and the barb 4 of the loop.

Thus, to mount the buckle 3 on the end 5 of the first strand 1, the eyelet part 16 of the pin 4 in the notch 15, the bar 14 is inserted through the terminal orifice 13 and the eyelet of the barb, then the frame 18 of the buckle way that its side branches 19 and 20 push the spring points of the 14 until they engage themselves in the holes 23. disassemble the buckle, just engage a sharp tool in one of the holes 23 for push the tip of the bar 14 and clear the frame 18, then we can remove the bar and the barb.

To allow a rough adjustment of the length of the bracelet and particular of the first strand 1, it has several transverse orifices 25a to 25f, similar to the orifice 13, and a row of several holes 26a to 26f which cross the thickness of the strand 1, each of these holes intersecting the transverse orifice which is associated with it in the same way as the notch 15 intersects the end orifice 13. Each central hole 26a to 26f has an elongated shape, preferably rectangular, substantially the same size as the notch 15, and it is aligned with this notch to be able to serve in turn terminal notch if one cut the bracelet as will be described below.

A transverse cutting section is associated with each of the orifices transverse 25a to 25f and through the corresponding central hole 26a to 26f. In the FIG. 3 shows by lines 27a and 27b two of these sections transversals intended for cutting. The position of these sections is indicated in the user by a small groove 28a, 28b V profile on the upper face 29 of the strand 1 and a wider transverse groove 30a, 30b on the underside 31 of the strand.

Preferably, the transverse orifices 25a to 25f and the cross sections associated cutting are regularly spaced along the strand 1 on a length L from the end 5, for example in a pitch of about 1 cm, which is more than enough for a rough adjustment of the length of the strand. So, if the first strand 1 as it is offered for sale is too long for the user, especially because the loop 3 is not opposite to the watch box on the wrist of the user, the latter can easily dismantle the loop 3 how it was described above, cut an adequate length of the end of the strand 1 by means of a knife, for example on the cross section 27b shown in Figure 3, thus forming a new end of the strand in which the central hole 26b is open and constitutes a new notch, similar to the terminal notch 15, for receive the eyelet portion 16 of the pin 4. All that remains is to insert the bar 14 of the loop in the new terminal orifice 25b and to set up the frame 18 of the loop as described above.

In a conventional manner, the second strand 2 of the bracelet comprises a portion terminal 32 provided with a longitudinal row of holes 33 and intended to be engaged in the loop 3 to attach one strand to the other removably. As with a traditional watch bracelet, the user can choose in which hole 33 it will engage the pin 4, which allows a fine adjustment of the length of the bracelet relative to the perimeter of the wrist. Thanks to the coarse adjustment allowed by the possibility of shortening the first strand 1, the row of holes 33 can be more short than in a traditional bracelet. This not only represents a gain on the aesthetic plan but also leaves a longer length devoid of holes in the zone 34 located between the rear end 12 of the second strand and the row of holes 33. It is then easier to install in this zone 34 certain additional decorative or functional elements, eg electrical circuits cooperating with those of an electronic watch.

The means for adjusting the length of the first strand 1, that is to say the orifices 25a to 25f, the holes 26a to 26f and the grooves 28a, 28b, 30a and 30b are particularly easy to make by molding when the strand of the bracelet is a molded part made of synthetic material. However, similar means may also be realized, in particular by cutting, in links having a structure different, for example with a core of synthetic material or other, covered with leather or textile on both sides.

It will also be noted that the strands made according to the present invention could form only the end parts of a bracelet the rest of which would have another structure, for example a metal structure or leather or textile materials.

Claims (5)

Band-like link, in particular a watch band, comprising at a first end a first strand (1) provided with a buckle (3) with a pin (4) and at a second end a second strand (2) crossed in its thickness through holes (33) and adapted to be removably attached to the first strand by engagement in the loop, each strand being formed of a continuous flexible band, the loop (3) having two side branches (19, 20) provided with each of a hole (23), a removable transverse bar (14) whose ends are arranged to engage in the holes of the branches, and a pin (4) having an eyelet portion (16) rotatably engaged on said bar (14), the first strand (1) having a terminal orifice (13) arranged transversely near a free end (5) of the strand, for receiving said bar of the loop, and a terminal notch (15) s' extending from said free end to beyond the terminal orifice (1 3) to receive the eyelet portion of the barb,
characterized in that the first strand (1) has a plurality of additional transverse orifices (25a-25f) distributed over a certain length of the strand from the terminal orifice (13) and each associated with an elongated hole (26- 26f) traversing the thickness of the strand and intersecting the associated transverse orifice (25a-25f), so that the first strand can be shortened by cutting along a cross section (27a, 27b) passing through any one said elongate holes, the transverse orifice (25a-25f) associated with this hole becoming a new terminal orifice for receiving said bar of the loop. Link according to claim 1, characterized in that said cross section associated with each elongated hole (26a-26f) is marked by a groove (28a, 28b, 30a, 30b) on at least one face (29, 31) of the first strand . Link according to claim 1, characterized in that each elongated hole (26a-26f) extends from said associated cross section to beyond the associated transverse orifice (25a-25f). Link according to claim 1, characterized in that the strands (1, 2) are made of synthetic material, in particular polyurethane. Link according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first strand (1) is a molded part.

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