EP1664940B1 - Device for fixing a bracelet - Google Patents

Abstract

A securement device for a bracelet includes a first attachment ( 2 ) and a second attachment ( 3 ) adapted to receive a bracelet pin ( 8 ). At least one of the attachments ( 2, 3 ) includes an axle ( 22, 32 ) substantially parallel to the pin ( 8 ), this axle ( 22, 32 ) being adapted to be disposed slidably in a transverse bore ( 10 ) of a body ( 1 ) that receives bracelets. Moreover, the device includes a locking element ( 4 ) disposed in a hole ( 12 ) in the body ( 1 ) intersecting the transverse bore ( 10 ) so as to coact with at least one axle ( 22, 32 ) of the attachments ( 2, 3 ) in a way to permit the locking and unlocking of at least one of these attachments ( 2, 3 ) in their recess.

Description

The present invention relates to a fastening device for a bracelet comprising a first fastener and a second fastener adapted to receive a strap bar.

The invention relates in particular to the bracelet attachment mechanisms on a watchband, but it is generally useful for any application requiring the attachment of a bracelet, as for the various jewels.

In this context, it is known that users increasingly want to have the opportunity to change the bracelet, for example the watch, to adapt to clothes or change its appearance. For this purpose it is desirable that the replacement of the bracelet is as easy as possible and does not require specific tools or bracelets only usable with a specific fastening device. In addition, the fixing device and the manner in which the bracelet is attached to it must not adversely affect the comfort of the user when wearing the bracelet or the watch.

A number of devices are currently being tried to provide a solution to these problems, and in particular the document EN-A1-2.738.123 describing a fastening device for a bracelet comprising first and second fasteners adapted to receive a bracelet bar, at least one of the fasteners having an axis substantially parallel to the bar, this pin being slidably and pivotably housed in a bore transverse body. Despite this fact, the known devices are unsatisfactory at all levels, including requiring either special tools to remove an interchangeable strap and put another in its place, or specific bracelets are designed for a certain type of fixation only. Furthermore, these fasteners are not normally particularly suitable for wearing with optimum comfort. At the same time, many of the existing devices are complicated, not favorable to aesthetics or have a fairly high cost price.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device for attaching a bracelet tending to obviate the aforementioned drawbacks of current systems and in particular allowing the quick and easy change of a bracelet and at the same time improve the comfort of the bracelet. 'user.

The present invention thus relates to a fixing device comprising the features set forth in claim 1 and claim 8.

The device according to the present invention is distinguished in particular by the fact that at least one of the fasteners comprises an axis substantially parallel to the bar and in that this axis is adapted to be housed in a sliding manner in a transverse bore of a body normally constituted by the middle part of a watch. In addition, the device comprises a locking element for example a push button housed in a hole of the body intersecting said transverse bore in order to cooperate with at least one axis of the fasteners so as to allow the locking and unlocking of at least one of these fasteners in his dwelling.

In another embodiment, the device also comprises at least one attachment having an axis substantially parallel to the bar, but this axis is adapted to be pivotally housed in said transverse bore of the body. In this case, the device comprises at least one holding member called "horn stop" and constituted for example by a cylindrical pin. Each holding element is housed in a blind hole of the body intersecting said transverse bore in order to cooperate with the axis of the corresponding fastener so as to allow the axial retention in the operating position and at the same time the pivoting of at least one these fasteners in his housing.

The combination of these two embodiments of the device is possible and this combination is the preferred embodiment.

By these measures, the advantage is obtained of allowing a transverse rectilinear movement of a part of the fixing device, in particular of the horn mounted in a sliding manner, parallel to the axis of the barette thus releasing the bracelet and thereby allowing a quick, easy and tool-free change of it by the user, by simply pressing a pusher and without any separation of a part of the device. In addition, an articulation of the horns or fasteners on a pivot axis can be provided, allowing oscillation of the horn around its axis thus allowing the ends of the bracelet to better fit the shape of the wrist of the user. It should be noted that the fixing device does not require any measurement or specificity on the part of the bracelet with which it cooperates, and it can be maintained by a conventional single bar at each end. The bracelet can be leather, metal or any other suitable material. In the case of a watch, it also remains completely sealed because the mechanism does not affect the sealing characteristics of the housing. The aesthetics of the whole is not altered, the middle and horns remaining for example crimpable. The simplicity of the system, the cost price and the ease of machining are additional advantages of the device according to the present invention.

Other advantages emerge from the features expressed in the dependent claims and from the description which sets forth the invention in more detail with the aid of drawings.

The appended drawing represents, by way of example, an embodiment of the invention.

Figures 1a and 1b show exploded views of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

Figures 2a to 2d are views from below and side, partially in section, of the device once mounted.

Figures 3a to 3e show a perspective view, from above, side and sectional views of the first horn to be mounted slidably.

Figures 4a to 4d show a perspective view, from above, side and in section of the second horn.

Figures 5a to 5d are views in perspective, from above, side and in section of the pusher.

Figure 6 shows schematically the middle part of a watch, the housing of the horns being machined in this piece, and the bottom of the housing for holding the stops of horns.

Figures 7a to 7h illustrate the operation of the fastening device according to the present invention, in lateral section and in cross section.

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates by way of example an embodiment of the invention.

As mentioned above, the present invention relates in particular to the bracelet attachment mechanisms on a watchband, but it is generally useful for any application requiring the attachment of a bracelet, such as for the various jewels that have a body comparable to the case of the watch, in particular to house gems. As this application is obvious to those skilled in the art, only the case of a fastening device according to the present invention applied in a watch will be described hereinafter.

With reference to FIGS. 1a and 1b, the various parts of the device according to the present invention are clearly identifiable, FIGS. 2a to 2b show these parts once assembled. A middle 1 of a watch, this case 1 being intended to receive the movement and other parts of the watch which are not important in the context of the present invention and which will therefore not be described here, comprises formations or elements serving mainly as housing for the fixing device.

Firstly, the middle part 1 comprises, in parts of its circumference which are diametrically opposite and intended to receive wristbands, transverse bores 10a and 10b extending substantially parallel to the bars 8 of the bracelets, that is to say axis 3h-9h of the watch face in a plane parallel to the plane of the dial or the bottom of the watch. These bores 10 preferably pass through said parts of the circumference of the caseband 1, but there could be a blind bore 10 on each side of the caseband which does not presents only one opening, as will be more apparent in the following description.

In these parts of the circumference of the caseband 1 on either side of the movement, the caseband 1 also comprises blind holes 11a to 11d, four in number in the preferred embodiment and the locations of these holes. substantially forming a rectangle. These blind holes are perpendicular to the bottom of the box and intersect the corresponding transverse bores 10, as shown in Figures 1a to 2d.

In addition, the middle part 1 has holes 12a and 12b also extending orthogonally to the plane of the bottom of the watch. Preferably, these holes 12 are located substantially in the middle of said parts of the circumference of the middle part 1 on either side of the movement, where appropriate between the blind holes 11a and 11b respectively 11c and 11d, and also have their opening at the bottom of the middle part 1. The shape of the section of these holes 12 is, like that of the transverse bores 10a, 10b and the blind holes 11a to 11d, preferably round or circular, but could for example also be rectangular or have another shape.

In each of the transverse bores 10a and 10b is housed a first horn 2 and a second horn 3, at least one of which is mounted so as to be able to exert a longitudinal movement substantially parallel to the axis of the bars 8 of the bracelet, in the form preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings. These horns 2 and 3 are preferably mounted so as to be, in addition to the longitudinal movement of at least one of them, also angularly displaceable. The mechanism is identical on both sides of the middle part 1 mentioned above, the horn "at 5 o'clock" of the watch being the same as "11 o'clock", idem "1 o'clock" and "7 o'clock".

In order to be housed in the transverse bores 10a and 10b, the first horn 2 and the second horn 3, which are schematically illustrated in FIGS. 3a to 3e and 4a to 4d, each comprise a male cylindrical axis 22 and 32 which can be of different length. In the preferred case of a single longitudinally movable horn, which is illustrated in the accompanying figures, the mobile horn 2 is similar to the horn 3 but has a groove 25 in which can engage a push button 4 which locks the horn mobile 2 under the action of a return spring 7. In the case where the two horns are mounted sliding, the horn 3 also comprises such a groove. The sliding horn 2, which is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 3a to 3e, is thus movable in the sense of being able to exert a longitudinal movement substantially parallel to the axis of the bars 8 of the bracelet and is lockable and unlockable by means of the push button 4 which will be described in detail later in this description. It is obvious that, in the case of a longitudinal movement of the first horn 2 only, the second horn 3 could have come from a piece with the middle part 1, the transverse bores 10 having in this case, as indicated below. above that an opening. In the case of a longitudinal movement only, the shape of the section of these bores 10 is small and may for example be rectangular or round, the only condition being to match the shape and dimensions of axes 22 and, if the case 32, horns 2 and 3. As will become more apparent in the following, a round section of these transverse bores 10 is advantageous if the horns are mounted so as to be angularly displaceable. In addition to the pins 22 and 32 for fixing the horns 2 and 3 to the middle 1, the horns each have an arcuate portion 21, 31 forming, outside the middle 1, the horn in the traditional sense. On the inside, these arcuate portions 21 and 31 comprise a smooth hole 26 and 36 intended to receive the ends of the bars 8 which pass through each of the strands of the bracelet.

In the case where only one of the two horns 2 and 3 on each side of the middle 1 is sliding, the arrangement described so far is sufficient and allows, with the help of the pushbutton 4, to unlock and lock at less a mobile horn on each side of the caseband to easily exchange the bracelet of the watch without resorting to a tool.

It is desirable and favorable that the system described above is combined with an angular displacement of the horns 2 and 3. Alternatively, it is even conceivable that the horns of the fastener are only pivoting. The case of a combined movement, sliding and pivoting, remains nevertheless the preferred solution.

In order to achieve this angular displacement of the horns 2 and 3, and this so as to allow the combination of this angular displacement with the sliding described above, each horn 2 and 3 has a groove 23 and 33, as can be seen in FIGS. at 3rd and 4a to 4d. These grooves have a profile greater than 180 °, for example 200 ° as illustrated in section in Figure 3d or 4d, the two lines of inclination of the profile of the groove preferably having the same length. Thus, each horn 2,3 is held in place by the cooperation between its groove and a cylindrical pin 5 serving as a stop, these pins being placed in the blind holes 11 ad of the middle part 1 and held in position by the bottom 6, as this is visible in Figures 2d and 6. Each stop horn 5 has two functions; located in a groove of the horn, it prevents it from leaving its housing and thus ensures the maintenance of the horn in the transverse bore, especially in the case of a pivoting movement only does not require push button 4 and corresponding 25.35 groove for holding. Nevertheless, the horn abutment 5 allows the horn 2.3 to pivot from the predetermined maximum angle by its profile, for example 200 ° -180 ° = 20 ° in the case cited above or another angle that can be chosen as required. This stop 5 therefore limits the angular displacement of the horns 2,3. Regarding the shape of these horn stops 5, a cylindrical pin, as shown in Figure 2d in its housing in the middle part 1, could be replaced by any other part adapted to be inserted into the blind holes 11 and housed in the radial peripheral portion of the transverse bores 10 so to maintain the horns 2,3 with the 24,34 cuts performed in the axes 22,32. These parts and the blind holes 11 are not necessarily cylindrical. In order to allow the horns to pivot, the shafts 22, 32 of the horns 2, 3 and in particular the transverse bores 10a, 10b must have a circular cross section, the outer diameter of the shafts 22, 32 corresponding substantially to the inside diameter of these bores. Another form of their section, as mentioned above, can be considered only in the case of a sliding horn only and therefore non-pivoting.

The male axes 22,32 of the horns 2 and 3 terminate in the case of pivoting horns preferably by a flat 24/34, that is to say a half-round. The flats 24 and 34 of each horn 2 and 3 face each other so that the two horns are aligned with respect to each other at any moment during the pivoting of the two axes 22, 32 of the horns 2, 3, as it is visible in the partial section of Figures 2a or 2b. Thus, the oscillation of the two horns 2,3 is synchronized. It should be noted that the groove 23 of a sliding horn 2 must have a width greater than that of a pivoting horn 3 in order to allow the translation of the horn 2 on its axis after unlocking by a press the pushbutton 4.

The two push buttons 4 are housed vertically in the caseband 1 in the holes 12a and 12b provided for this purpose, as indicated above and illustrated in Figures 1a and 1b and 2a and 2b. They each have an oblong radial opening 41 in which the horns 2 and 3 mate, as shown in Figures 5a to 5d. On the side of an unlockable horn 2, the pusher 4 has a groove in the oblong opening 41 forming a projection 42 occupying part of the periphery of this opening, for example the quarter section of this periphery opposite to the bearing face 4. The width of this projection 42 corresponds to that of the groove 25 which is formed on almost the entire periphery of the sliding horn 2 so as not to hinder a possible pivoting of the horn. The cooperation between the projection 42 and the groove 25 thus makes it possible to realize a locking-unlocking mechanism in longitudinal translation, which is for example also visible in the section of Figure 2c. Also on the side of the sliding and unlocking horn 2, the opening 41 in the pusher 4 has a chamfer 43 which allows, in cooperation with a corresponding groove 27 on the axis 22 of the horn 2, the snap of the horn 2 by simply pressing it when attaching the new bracelet. Thus, the pusher retracts, against the action of a spring 7 provided for this purpose, its unlocked position before taking its locked position. Finally, the push button 4 has, at its end facing the opening of the hole 12, a portion 44 serving as a bearing surface against the bottom 6, the latter being provided with a corresponding opening to access the pusher 4, said spring 7 thereby applying, see Figure 2c, the pusher using the portion 44 against the bottom, this rest position of the push button 4 is the locking position of the corresponding sliding horn 2.

By these measures, the device allows a longitudinal movement of the horn 2 slidably mounted along the axis of the bracelet to release the latter and thus allow a quick, easy and tool-free change of the bracelet by the user, by simply pressing on a pusher 4, without any separation of any part of the fixing device. The fixing device also allows a pivoting of the horns 2,3 allowing the ends of the bracelet to better match the shape of the wrist of the user. A combination of these two movements of the horns 2 and 3 is of course possible. This is because the pushers 4 can be actuated in all the angular positions of the horns 2, 3 and the fact that the horns can pivot in all the longitudinal positions of a sliding horn 2. The present invention thus makes it possible to to have a device for fixing a very modular bracelet, including sliding, pivoting or, preferably, both.

In addition, the bars 8 of a watch strap, passed in each of the strands of the bracelet, can be constituted by one-piece pins, with or without worn at their ends. There is no need to mount spring loaded bars with this fixing device, the longitudinal movement necessary for the change of a bracelet being provided by the sliding of the horns.

The described invention can also benefit from other technical features such as two-position indexing of the moving horns by means of a spring or a ball system in a groove, this making it possible to visualize the open and locked position of the button. 4. In addition to the feeling of "notches" during handling, this event presents a double security. In the same vein, buttons 4 could be replaced by "pull" buttons to achieve the same function.

The horn stops 5 could also be replaced by four special bottom screws which would play the same role of pins or by any other holding device in position.

Finally, to further simplify the system, it is possible, for example for the case of sliding horns only and as already mentioned, to provide a housing with a middle part 1 monobloc already having two fixed horns, the two sliding and lockable horns to complete the together to allow the quick change of the bracelet.

By analogy, it is possible to delete the provisions relating to the pusher 4 or even the locking system in the case of a movement solely pivoting horns 2,3. In this case, it is also possible to provide only one axis attached to a horn and passing through the entire transverse bore 10. The second horn is in this case constituted only by the arcuate portion which will be screwed or fixed from any other way on the free end of this axis. In addition, a single horn abutment and a single corresponding groove on the axis are here sufficient to allow the holding and pivoting of the two horns.

In order to also describe the operation of the device, in its preferred embodiment, reference is made to FIGS. 7a to 7h.

Figures 7a and 7b show, in lateral sections and lateral cross section, the situation when the push button 4 is depressed by the user. The sliding horn 2 is in this case no longer maintained by the shape of the pusher in its groove 25 and is thus unlocked. Then, the user can slide the mobile horn 2 outward, by holding the push button 4 down. The bar 8 of the bracelet is thus released, this situation being illustrated in Figures 7c and 7d. To insert another bracelet, simply push the mobile horn 2 by aligning the pins of the bar 8 with the smooth holes 26,36 of the horns 2,3, as shown in Figures 7e and 7f. For this purpose, the shape of the mobile horn 2 and the push button 4 is, thanks to the aforementioned chamfers 27 and 43, such that the mobile horn 2 can overcome the force of the spring 7 exerted on the push button 4. End of the race, the sliding horn 2 clicks with the push button 4, the latter being pushed against the bottom 6 of the housing by the return spring 7. Thus, the assembly is again locked, as shown in FIGS. 7g and 7h.

The invention serves in particular to improve the ease and speed of change of a bracelet, this change can be performed without tools thanks to the longitudinal movement of the fastener and without any part disassociating the housing.

The possible articulation of the horns improves the comfort of the fact that the bracelet will follow all the better the shape of the wrist.

At the same time, the simplicity of the system and the ease of machining help to ensure a moderate cost price.

Thus, the assembly of standard bracelets, leather, synthetic or composed of metal links, easily becomes possible without harming the aesthetics of the whole, the middle and horns remaining for example crimpable.

Claims (16)

1. Device for fixing a bracelet comprising a first fastener (2) and a seecond fastener (3) apt to receive a barrette (8), characterized in that at least one of the fasteners (2, 3) has an arbor (22, 32) essentially parallel to the barrette (8); in that this arbor (22, 32) is journaled slidingly in a transverse bore (10) through a body (1); and in that the device has a locking element (4) housed in a hole (12) of body (1) intersecting with said transverse bore (10) so as to cooperate with at least one arbor (22, 32) of at least one of the fasteners (2, 3) in such a way that the locking and unlocking of at least one of said fasteners (2, 3) in the transverse bores (10) is made possible.
2. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fasteners are realized in the shape of horns, the fasteners having a segment (21, 31) provided with a smooth hole (26, 36) for receiving one end of the barrettes (8) of a bracelet.
3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said arbor (22) of a sliding fastener (2) comprises a groove (25) while said locking element (4) comprises a projection (42), said groove and said projection (25, 42) cooperating so as to axially lock and unlock the fastener (2) in its transverse bore (10).
4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (4) has an oblong opening (41) within which extend the arbors (22, 32) of the fasteners (2, 3).
5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said locking element (4) comprises a chamfer (43) adapted to cooperate with a corresponding chamfer (27) on the arbor (22) of a sliding fastener (2) so as to allow the two pieces to be snapped together by applying pressure to said fastener (2) in the direction of the arbor of transverse bore (10).
6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said locking element (4) is realized in the form of a pushpiece, with a return spring (7) providing the force required to maintain said pushpiece (4) in its locked position.
7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (1) consists of the middle of a watchcase.
8. Fixing device according to claim 1 or one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that said arbor (22, 32) is pivoting in transverse bore (10) of body (1); and in that the device comprises at least one retaining element (5) housed in at least one blind bore (11) of body (1) intersecting with said transverse bore (10) and cooperating with at least one arbor (22, 32) of the fasteners (2, 3) so as to allow these fasteners (2, 3) to be retained and at the same time to pivot in the transverse bores (10).
9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two fasteners (2, 3) of the device each have an arbor (22, 32) adapted to be pivotingly housed in said transverse bore (10) of body (1) and to each cooperate with said retaining elements (5).
10. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the arbors (22, 32) of the two fasteners (2, 3) couple within said transverse bore (10) by ending in a flattened segment (24, 34), so as to synchronize the pivoting of the two fasteners (2, 3).
11. Device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that said arbors (22, 32) each have a notch (23, 33) having a profile of more than 180°, this profile determining the maximum pivoting angle of the fasteners (2, 3).
12. Device according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that said retaining elements (5) consist of cylindrical pins held in said blind bores (11) by a bottom (6) adapted to be fixed to body (1).
13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises the characteristics of one or several of claims 8 to 12.
14. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the notch (23) of a first sliding fastener (2) is wider than that (33) of a second fastener (3) that is not sliding, so as to admit the longitudinal movement of said first fastener (2).
15. Device according to one of claims 13 to 14, characterized in that the blind bores (11) and the hole (12) orthogonally intersect with said transverse bore (10).
16. Watch, characterized in that it comprises a device for fixing the bracelet according to one of the preceding claims.

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