CH704810A1 - Flexible strap section for use with fixing bar of strap of watch case, has button engaged with lock to move lock toward release position against spring force when button is moved under lower face along direction parallel to axis of section - Google Patents

Abstract

The section has a fastener (1) including a closure plate (13) engaged with a body (10) to close a lower face of the body by defining a hollow volume (102) between the body and the plate. A bolt (112) engages with a lock (11) in the volume to respectively maintain and release the plate when the lock is in closed and open positions. A button (12) is engaged with the lock to move the lock toward the release position against force of a spring (14) when the button is moved under the face along direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the section. A flexible portion (3) is fixed to the fastener.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a flexible bracelet strand, in particular a strand of flexible bracelet that can be hooked or unhooked easily from a watch case.

State of the art

[0002] Flexible or flexible wristwatches most often comprise two strands hooked to the watch case by means of a bar passing through a hole of the bracelet to bind it to the horns of the box. Strand is called a bracelet segment of which at least one end is linked to the watch case, sometimes through an intermediate piece. The other end of each strand may be free, or linked for example to a bracelet clasp. Bracelets formed of a single strand also exist.

To disassemble or replace a strand, it is necessary to remove the bar that links this strand to the box. This manipulation is difficult for a user without tools or unaccustomed, and requires removable strips that are fragile and complex to produce. As a result, most watch wearers replace their wristbands only when worn, but not or very rarely for aesthetic reasons.

[0004] There is also in the prior art an abundance of solutions describing removable fastening systems for a watch strap. For example, WO 0133245 describes a detachable fastening system for a watch strap, which requires a particular link between the watch case and the actual bracelet. This system does not make a leather strap that comes to the horns of the watch case.

[0005] FR 2 694 484 discloses a device for fixing an elongated flat body adapted to a watch band. This device comprises a latch which slides directly against the skin of the wearer, which is uncomfortable and may pinch the wearer's hair.

[0006] CH 690 519 describes a device for attaching a bracelet to the horns by means of a sleeve placed free to rotate in a hole of the horn and in which is inserted and blocked the barrette of the bracelet by pivoting the sleeve. A flat spring holds the socket in a locked angular position. The rotational movement needed to open the socket is not intuitive and difficult to exercise for example for people with big fingers.

[0007] EP 1 785 784 describes a device for fixing a bracelet between horns of a watch case. It comprises an axis intended to be mounted between the horns and having arrangements capable of temporarily reducing its diameter. An intermediate link is attached to the end of the bracelet. The intermediate link has arrangements for its engagement on the axis. A removable or articulated plate makes it possible to protect the fastening system of the intermediate link from external aggressions (dust ...). The locking of the rod is ensured by its return springs. This mechanism is complex.

EP1 635 232 describes a watch case provided with an attachment system having latches at least partially covering the bars and held in the locking position by leaf springs. The locks can be moved to unlock the fastening system with a protruding button on their underside. The locking system requires a modified watch case. The bars must be disengaged from the horns to release the bracelet.

[0009] EP 1 128 237 discloses a watch case provided with an interchangeable fastening system having a pivotable locking nose. The locking system is located on an intermediate link that is attached to one end of a bracelet. The locking spout can be held in the closed position by means of a spring.

[0010] EP 862 097 discloses a bar for fixing a watch strap slidably engaged in a watch case passage and having a lock subjected to elastic means actuated by a control device. This bar is complex to produce, and fragile.

EP 1 563 754 discloses a watch case provided with an interchangeable fastening system having a locking system on the vertical axis of the fastener by rotation or sliding of an element placed on the box. This system requires a particular watch case.

[0012] EP 1 219 198 discloses a device for attaching a bracelet to a watch case having a control button acting radially on the strap of the bracelet. A pusher used to unlock the fastening system is disposed on the housing which must be modified.

[0013] FR 2 766 587 describes a watch case for a bracelet. A spring bar placed at the end of the leather strap has a radial finger. This finger can shift the bar on one side to extract it from the watch case. This system requires a particular form of groove on the housing for the release of the bar.

EP 1 800 559 discloses a watch strap link for fixing the bracelet to the housing including a plate and a counter plate for securing the attachment.

GB 470 209 relates to a fastening system in which the end of a bracelet is housed in a recess covered with a pivoting plate.

[0016] FR 2 686 713 describes another removable locking device of a bracelet on the case of a watch.

Brief summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a new system of hooked bracelet strand to the watch case, and a bracelet strand that can be hooked and unhooked from a watch case without difficulty and without requiring tools.

An object of the present invention is also to provide a bracelet strand system that can be attached to virtually any watch case conventional bars without requiring changes to the watch case.

An object of the present invention is also to provide a bracelet strand system that can be attached to virtually any watch case conventional bars without requiring complex bars or removable bars. This avoids a weakness of conventional fastening systems in which the removable strips are fragile, and often lost or damaged during the replacement of the bracelet.

An object of the present invention is also to provide a fastening system for flexible bracelet strand. In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a fastening system for flexible bracelet strand that is virtually invisible when the watch is worn on the wrist.

More generally, an object of the present invention is to provide a strand of removable bracelet free of limitations of known solutions.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved in particular by means of a strap strand having the characteristics of the independent claim.

This solution has the advantage over the prior art to be well suited to flexible wristbands and can be adapted to virtually any conventional watch case. In addition, the strength is not compromised by fragile bars.

Brief description of the figures

Examples of implementation of the invention are indicated in the description illustrated by the appended figures in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional view of a strand bracelet in the open position, a portion of the watch case being illustrated in perspective.

Fig. 3 2 illustrates a sectional view of a wristband strand in the locked position, a portion of the watch case being illustrated in perspective.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the underside of a bracelet strand according to the invention.

Fig. 4 illustrates a perspective view from above the fastener of the bracelet strand according to the invention.

Example (s) of embodiment of the invention

1 illustrates a sectional view of the end of a flexible bracelet strand 3 in the open position near a watch case 2 provided with a fixed bar 20, for example a bar fixed irremovably or driven into the horns of the watch case.

The bracelet strand has a flexible portion 3 and a rigid fastener 1. The flexible portion 3 may for example be made of leather, shagreen, rubber, plastic or any other flexible material. The fastener 1 consists of different parts 10-14, at least some of which are made of metal or of hard plastic, or of a rigid composite material. The flexible portion 3 covers at least partly the upper face of the fastener 1, and preferably at least one side face, or two or four side faces of the fastener 1 which is virtually invisible when the wrist strap is worn on the wrist . In an advantageous embodiment, the flexible portion 3 is overmolded on the fastener 1. The flexible portion could also be glued over the fastener 1, or permanently attached to this fastener.

The fastener 1 comprises a body 10, which may be for example steel or any other metal or suitable material, for example in a precious metal or not, a composite material, etc. The body 1 comprises a handle 15 intended to surround the bar 20 on three sides, to maintain the bracelet strand on the bar 20 of the box. In the example illustrated, the upper face of the body 10 has a projection or rib 101 on its upper face, to facilitate overmolding of the flexible portion 3. The body 10 is preferably completely invisible when the watch is worn; it is however possible to reveal the side faces of the handle 15, as in the figures, or to cover these faces. It is also possible to leave all or part of the handle visible, or completely cover this handle with leather or a flexible material. Similarly, it is possible to reveal portions of the upper face of the body 10.

A closure plate 13 closes the lower face of the body 10, that is to say the face facing the wrist of the wearer. This closure plate can be made of gold, silver, nickel-free steel, antiallergic material compatible with the skin, or any other metal or suitable material. It is for example screwed into the body 10 by means of screws that can be seen in FIG. 3. Alternatively, it could also be clipped.

The underside of the closure plate 13 is for example flush with the underside of the flexible portion 3, to improve comfort. In the general case shown in the figure, it is also possible that a threshold remains between the closure plate and the level of the lower face of the flexible portion of the bracelet strand.

The lateral faces of this closure plate 13 may be visible when the watch is worn on the wrist, which can create an aesthetic effect and improves the rigidity of the system.

A hollow volume 102 remains between the body 10 and the closure plate 13, wherein a latch 11 can slide between the closed position illustrated in FIG. 2 and the open position of FIG. 1. This lock can be made for example of steel, brass or in any material deemed appropriate. In the closed position illustrated in FIG. 2, a bolt 112 attached or part of the latch 11 closes the handle 15 on the wrist side, thereby preventing a bar 20 in this handle out. In the figure, the bolt 112 is constituted by a less thick portion of the latch 11 and in its extension. It would also be possible to have a bolt 112 of the same thickness as the bolt, so that the limit between these two components could no longer be clearly determined; the bolt is then simply the end of the lock.

In order to clear the bracelet strand 1, 3 of the bar 20, it is necessary to move the lock in the open position of FIG. 1, by actuating it by means of the button 12.

A spring or equivalent function member 14 compressed between the latch 11 and a lug 131 of the bottom pushes the latch in the closed position. The opening of the lock must be done against the force exerted by this spring. In a variant, the spring could also be compressed between the lock and a position of the body 10. In a variant, two springs are arranged parallel to each other and in a plane parallel to the bracelet, which makes it possible to ensure a movement of the lock in a direction perfectly parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bracelet strand.

The end of the spring 14 bolt side is housed in a housing 110 in the latch. The opposite end is housed in a blind hole 132 in a lug 132 which extends perpendicularly to the closure plate 13. In a variant, this end could also be housed in a blind hole of the housing 10.

The button 12 comprises a foot 121 mounted, for example screwed on a pin 111 which extends perpendicularly under the surface of the latch 11. The button foot 121 slides in an oblong opening in the base plate 13 which guides the movement of the button between the open position and the closed position of the fastener on the watch case.

The underside of the button 12, intended to be manipulated by the user to open the fastener, is in direct contact with the wearer's skin when the watch is worn. This button is preferably non-allergic material, for example gold, and free of sharp angles or asperities that could hurt or annoy the wearer.

For assembly, the body 10 of the fastener 1 with the flexible portion 3 already glued or overmolded is prepared. The spring 14 is inserted in the housing 110 of the latch 11, then in the blind hole 132 of the closure plate 13, while simultaneously passing the lug 111 in the hole 130 of the closure plate 13. The latch is maintained in screwing the button 12 on the lug 121, which keeps the latch 11 and the closing plate integral with the spring 14 trapped between these two elements. The closure plate 13 is then fixed, for example screwed on the body 10.

Reference numbers used in the figures

[0042] <tb> 1 <sep> Wrist strap <tb> 10 <sep> Body of the fastener <tb> 100 <sep> Opening for the bar <tb> 101 <sep> Overlap projection <tb> 102 <sep> Housing (hollow volume) <tb> 11 <sep> Slide lock <tb> 110 <sep> Spring housing <Tb> 111 <September> Ergot <Tb> 112 <September> Bolt <Tb> 12 <September> Button <tb> 120 <sep> One-eyed hole <tb> 121 <sep> Foot of the button <tb> 13 <sep> Closing plate <tb> 130 <sep> Opening for the button <Tb> 131 <September> Ergot <tb> 132 <sep> Blind hole for spring housing <Tb> 14 <September> Springs <Tb> 15 <September> Anse <tb> 2 <sep> Watchcase Horn <Tb> 20 <September> Clips <tb> 3 <sep> Flexible portion of the bracelet

Claims (11)

A flexible bracelet strand for detachably bonding to a watchcase strap of a watch case, said strap strand having a flexible portion (3) and a clip, said clip comprising: a body (10) having a lower face of the bottom side and an outer face of the dial side; a closure plate (13) arranged to cooperate with said body to close the lower face of the body, defining a recessed volume (102) between said body (10) and said closure plate (13); a latch (11) housed in said recessed space (102), said latch being arranged to slide in the longitudinal direction of the strand between a closed position of said fastener and an open position of the fastener; a bolt (112) cooperating with said latch (11) for holding said fixing bar between the bolt and a portion of said body when the latch is in the closed position, and to allow the release of said latch when the latch is in position d 'opening; a spring (14) arranged to urge said latch into the closed position when no external force is exerted on said fastener; a button (12) cooperating with said latch (13) to allow said latch to move to said release position against the force of said spring (14) when said button is moved under the underside of said closure plate ( 13) in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the strand, said flexible portion being fixed permanently to said fastener. 2. The bracelet strand of claim 1, said flexible portion covering at least in part said fastener. 3. The bracelet strand of claim 1, said flexible portion being overmoulded or glued to the upper face of said body so as to permanently cover said upper face. 4. The bracelet strand of one of claims 1 to 3, said closure plate (13) having a through opening (130), said button (1) being connected to said latch (11) through a foot of button (121) passing through said opening and moving longitudinally between the closed position and the open position. 5. The bracelet strand of one of claims 1 to 4, said latch (10) having a housing (110) for housing at least a portion of said spring (14), said spring being compressed between the bottom of said housing and a portion of said body or closure plate. 6. The strand of claim 5, comprising two spiral springs side by side and parallel to each other to push said latch in the closed position. 7. The strand of one of claims 5 or 6, said closure plate (13) having a lug (131) perpendicular to the plane of the bracelet, said lug having a blind hole (132), said spring (14) being compressed between the bottom of said housing and the bottom of said blind hole (132). 8. The strand of one of claims 1 to 7, said body (10) forming a loop (15) intended to partially surround said bar (20), said flexible portion partially or completely covering the upper face of said handle, said bolt (112) being arranged to close said handle (15) around said bar (20) when the latch is in the closed position. 9. The strand of one of claims 1 to 8, said button (12) being in contact with the wrist of the wearer when the watch is worn. 10. The strand of one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said closure plate (13) is made of precious metal, and wherein said body (10) is made of precious metal or not. 11. The strand of one of claims 1 to 10, said body (10) having a projection (101) on its upper face and / or on one of its lateral faces, said projection being intended to facilitate and reinforce overmolding. said flexible portion (3) on said fastener.