CH710481A2 - Bracelet or connected to conventional watches. - Google Patents

Abstract

Bracelet (1) for watches comprising at least two strands (2, 4) each having a first connector (12, 14), suitable for fixing the two strands (2, 4) on either side of a same first watch (60), characterized in that the bracelet (1) comprises two second connectors (23, 24; 24) adapted to fasten the bracelet (1) with a second watch (70), and in that comprises at least two length adjustment devices to allow adjustment of the length of each of the two portions of the bracelet arranged between the two watches (60, 70), to allow positioning of the second watch (70) on the bracelet (1 ) substantially 180 degrees from the first watch (60). A wristwatch comprising such a bracelet is also part of the invention.

Description

Introduction

The present invention relates to a bracelet adapted for fixing two watches, conventional or connected. It also relates to a wristwatch as such, comprising two watches attached to such a bracelet.

State of the art

[0002] Connected watches are more and more present today. They are equipped with a wireless communication device, for example according to Bluetooth technology, enabling them to exchange data remotely with a mobile device such as a telephone, and possibly offering them direct access to a communication network such as the Internet. From this remote communication, a connected watch can offer any kind of service. For this, it is usually equipped with a screen forming a man-machine interface for its carrier and a power supply from a battery.

For their part, mechanical watches, manual or automatic, traditional are equipped with complex mechanical movements that occupy a large volume, depending on the complications implemented. On the other hand, they generally include a case and an elaborate dial whose aesthetic is particularly attractive, including noble materials and attractive shapes. They include hands to indicate the time.

In practice, a user must generally choose between wearing a traditional mechanical watch and a connected watch, or must wear both watches simultaneously, for example one on each wrist. This situation is not satisfactory and the object of the invention is to find a solution for combining in a user-friendly and comfortable manner the complementary advantages of a mechanical watch and a connected watch.

Brief description of the invention

For this purpose, the invention is based on a wristband for watches comprising at least two strands each having a first connector, suitable for fixing the two strands on either side of the same first watch, characterized in that the bracelet comprises two second connectors adapted to fasten the bracelet with a second watch, and in that it comprises at least two length adjustment devices to allow adjustment of the length of each of the two portions of the bracelet arranged between the two watches, to allow the positioning of the second watch on the bracelet substantially 180 degrees with respect to the first watch.

The bracelet may comprise a device for adjusting the length: formed by the very structure of the bracelet which consists of removable links; and or formed by a component independent of the strands of the bracelet, associated with a bracelet connector or with an opening / closing or independent device.

The bracelet may comprise a length adjustment device comprising a lever that can occupy a position in which it slips a bracelet strand to adjust its length and a second position in which it keeps locked the bracelet strand.

The watch strap may include a length adjustment device which includes a buckle / barb.

The wristband for watches may include an opening / closing device, clasp-type folding or pin buckle.

The bracelet may comprise two strands, a strand comprising a first connector for attachment with a first watch, two second connectors, movable relative to said strand to allow adjustment of the length of the strap, for its attachment with a second watch , and one end connected to an opening / closing device cooperating with another strand.

The bracelet may comprise three strands, a first strand cooperating with a second strand by an opening / closing device of the bracelet on the same side portion between the two watches, and a third strand connecting the two watches on the other side portion between the two watches.

The bracelet may comprise a device for adjusting the length of the first strand and / or the second strand at respectively a first connector with the first watch and / or a second connector with the second watch, and may comprise a device for adjusting the length of the third strand at a connector of the third strand.

The bracelet may comprise first different connectors of the second connectors.

The bracelet may comprise at least one adapter attached to a connector of a strand of the bracelet by a first connecting portion and comprising a second connecting portion adapted to a fixing with a watch.

The invention also relates to a wristwatch, characterized in that it comprises a bracelet as described above, a first watch attached to the first connectors of the bracelet and a second watch attached to the second connectors, the two watches are finding disposed substantially 180 degrees.

The wristwatch may comprise adapters between the first connectors of the bracelet and the first watch and / or between the second connectors of the bracelet and the second watch, each adapter comprising on the one hand a first connection part with a strand. of the bracelet and secondly a second link part with a watch.

The first watch may be a mechanical watch and the second watch may be a connected watch comprising a remote communication means.

The first watch may be provided for positioning on the top of the wrist, the second watch may be provided for positioning on the opposite lapel of the wrist, and may include at least one opening / closing device of the wristband on the side of the wrist.

The invention is precisely defined by the claims.

Brief description of the figures

These objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in detail in the following description of particular embodiments made in a non-limiting manner in relation to the appended figures among which: <tb> Fig. 1 <SEP> represents a perspective view from above of a wristwatch according to one embodiment of the invention. <tb> Figs. 2a and 2b <SEP> represent schematic views respectively from above and from the side of the device for attaching a bracelet strand to a watch according to the embodiment of the invention. <tb> Fig. 3 <SEP> represents a side view of a wristwatch according to one embodiment of the invention. <tb> Fig. 4 <SEP> represents a side view of a wristwatch according to another embodiment of the invention. <tb> Fig. 5 <SEP> schematically shows a top view of a bracelet strand according to one embodiment of the invention. <tb> Fig. 6 <SEP> represents a side view of a wristwatch according to another embodiment of the invention. <tb> Fig. 7 <SEP> represents a side view of a wristwatch according to another embodiment of the invention. <tb> Fig. FIG. 8 shows schematically in side view a strap length adjustment device according to one embodiment of the invention. <tb> Fig. 9 <SEP> represents a side view of a wristwatch according to another embodiment of the invention. <tb> Fig. <SEP> represents a side view of a wristwatch according to another embodiment of the invention. <tb> Fig. 11 <SEP> represents a top view of an adapter for fixing a bracelet and a watch according to one embodiment of the invention. <tb> Figs. 12a and 12b <SEP> show schematic top and side views, respectively, of the device for attaching a bracelet strand to a watch with the aid of an adapter according to the embodiment of the invention. <tb> Fig. 13 <SEP> represents a side view of a wristwatch according to another embodiment of the invention.

For ease of understanding, the same or similar elements of the different embodiments will bear the same references in the various figures.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the invention is based on a bracelet 1 which allows the attachment of two watches 60, 70. The first watch 60 is a mechanical watch, arranged in the upper part of the bracelet so to come on the top of the wearer's wrist in the usual way, to be visible and highlighted. The second watch 70 is a connected watch, disposed substantially on the opposite portion of the bracelet, 180 degrees from the first watch 60. This second watch is thus housed on the wrist cuff, on the less visible portion of the wrist. With the bracelet 1, a user can thus simultaneously enjoy the benefits of the two complementary watches in a convenient and comfortable manner.

The bracelet 1 comprises at least two strands equipped with connectors suitable for fixing the two watches 60, 70. According to an advantageous embodiment, it is designed to allow its compatibility with existing watches. Thus, the mechanical watch 60 is for example fixed to the ends of two strands of the bracelet by means of two first connectors. This attachment may comprise a connecting bar 61, in a known and conventional manner, which passes through a closed loop forming a connector 14 arranged at the ends of the bracelet strands, and whose ends are housed in holes arranged in lateral surfaces. horns 62 arranged on either side of the watch case. Similarly, the second watch 70 is connected to the bracelet by second connectors, which may or may not be identical to the first connectors.

On the other hand, the bracelet is equipped with an opening / closing device 5, as shown in FIG. 3, to allow the insertion and removal of the wristwatch from the wearer's wrist. This device can be of any known type, such as a folding clasp with two or three blades, which allows to lengthen the length of the bracelet without separating the bracelet strands, to avoid the fall of the wristwatch, or a pin buckle like shown in the variant of FIG. 13, which separates two strands of the bracelet. As the two watches 60, 70 occupy the opposed surfaces substantially flat upper and lower wrist, this opening / closing device 5 is arranged laterally on one of the two portions of the bracelet joining the two watches.

On the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the bracelet 1 therefore consists of three strands. A first strand 2 comprises a first end attached to the first watch 60 and a second end attached to the opening / closing device 5. A second strand 3 comprises a first end attached to the opening / closing device 5 and a second fixed end. at the second watch 70. A third strand 4 comprises a first end attached to the first watch 60 and a second end attached to the second watch 70.

The wearing comfort of a wristwatch with two watches as described above requires to ensure the proper positioning of the two watches 60, 70 on both upper and lower surfaces of the wrist. For this, the embodiment provides at least two length adjustment devices, respectively distributed on the two separate bracelet portions disposed between the two watches on the two opposite lateral sides of the bracelet. By this means, it is possible to guarantee an equal length of these two bracelet portions, keeping the two watches distributed at 180 degrees around the circumference of the wristwatch. The bracelet according to the embodiment thus allows the adjustment of the wristwatch to the size of the wrist of its wearer, while ensuring the positioning desired by the wearer of the two watches around his wrist, preferably on both sides from his wrist, 180 degrees.

As mentioned above, the bracelet includes connectors for its attachment with two watches. Thus, FIG. 4 more particularly represents such connectors in a wristwatch as described above with reference to FIG. 3. The first strand 2 comprises a connector 12 for its attachment with the first watch 60. The second strand 3 comprises a connector 23 for attachment with the second watch 70. The third strand 4 comprises a first connector 14 for attachment with the first watch 60 and a second connector 24 for attachment with the second watch 70. As is apparent from FIG. 4, the first connectors 12, 14 for attaching the bracelet 1 to the first watch 60 differ from the second connectors 23, 24 for its attachment to the second watch 70. These connectors are preferably adapted to the different standards or to the different solutions provided for on the mechanical watch 60 and on the connected watch 70, which makes the bracelet suitable for these two types of existing watches.

Fig. 5 illustrates by way of example a strand 4 of a bracelet comprising a first connector 14 on a first end, adapted for attachment with a mechanical watch, by means of a bar device 61 as represented by FIGS. 2a and 2b, and a second connector 24 on a second end, of different shape, adapted for attachment with a connected watch.

Fig. 6 illustrates an embodiment in which the three bracelet strands 2, 3, 4 are composed of articulated links. They comprise on their ends specific links forming in particular the connectors 12, 14, 23, 24 for fastening with a watch, and allowing attachment to the opening / closing device 5 of the two strands 2, 3. This architecture of the strands 2 , 3, 4 of bracelet intrinsically form a device for adjusting their length in that the links are removable and it is possible to reduce or increase the length of each strand by removing or adding links. As a remark, these links can be connected to each other by means of a simple screw that a user can operate himself independently or using more complex systems that require the intervention of a watchmaker, according to the state of the art.

FIG. 7 represents another variant embodiment of a bracelet, in which the device for adjusting the length of the three strands 2, 3, 4 of the bracelet is made using identical devices integrated in the connectors 12, 23, 14 strands of the bracelet. For this, a connector can fulfill both the function of connector and length adjustment of the bracelet, or can comprise two separate elements juxtaposed each fulfilling one of these two functions. The use of two adjustment devices at the first connector 12 and the second connector 23 makes it possible to adjust the total length of the bracelet between the watches 60, 70 on the portion considered, while allowing the desired positioning of the opening device. closing 5 on this portion, in particular its maintenance in substantially centered position during adjustment. In a simplified variant, only one of these two length adjustments could suffice. On the other hand, the use of the adjustment device at the second connector 24 on the other portion joining the two watches 60, 70 could be replaced by a length adjustment device at the first connector 14.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a device for adjusting the length of a bracelet strand which can be arranged on one end of a bracelet strand or on an intermediate portion of a bracelet strand, and which can be possibly associated with a connector. This device comprises an opening 33 through which the end of a bracelet strand is inserted and can be housed within a housing 32, until the bracelet strand out of the length adjustment device 30 reaches the desired length. This device further comprises a lever 31, which can occupy a first retracted position in which it does not interfere with the mobility of the bracelet strand and allows adjustment, and a second position in which it comes into contact with the bracelet strand and ensures its maintenance. Note, if the length of the bracelet strand to reduce is too important for the housing 32, a portion of the bracelet strand can be cut. This length adjustment device 30 is particularly suitable for a leather strap or plastic material.

Figures 9 and 10 show a wristwatch according to two other embodiments in which the bracelet 1 comprises only two strands 2, 4 and no longer three, each strand comprising a first connector 12, 14 adapted for fixing it with the first watch 60.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 9 comprises a device for adjusting the length of the bracelet strands which comprises a box disposed substantially under the second watch 70, in which the two ends 32, 34 of the two strands 2, 4 are inserted and housed, by two opposed inputs arranged at the second respective connectors 22, 24 for fixing this box with the second watch 70. The entrance to this box is equipped with a lever which operates in a manner similar to that of the device illustrated with reference to FIG. 8, which can occupy a first position in which it leaves free the opening in which the bracelet strand can slide, to implement the adjustment of its length, and a second position in which it locks the bracelet strand, the now fixed to the chosen length. The box of the device makes it possible to secure the bracelet strands to the watch.

As a remark, in this embodiment, at least one of the devices for adjusting the length of a bracelet strand can fulfill the function of opening / closing device 5 of the bracelet, since in the first position of the lever , an end 32, 34 of a strand 2, 4 of the bracelet can escape completely from the box and open the bracelet.

The embodiment of FIG. 10 comprises a strand 4 of a bracelet passing through passages arranged in the second connectors 22, 24 for fixing the second watch 70. This strand 4 of the bracelet extends beyond the second watch 70 and carries a pin buckle on its end for forming the opening / closing device 5 of the bracelet, in cooperation with the other strand 2 of the bracelet. In this embodiment, the device for adjusting the length of the bracelet is thus obtained by the possible sliding of the connectors 22, 24 relative to the strand 4 of the bracelet: these two connectors thus each fulfill two functions: a first function of fixing the second watch 70 to the bracelet 1, and a second function of adjusting the length of the two portions of the bracelet respectively disposed between the two watches 60, 70. In note, the opening / closing device 5 with pin buckle here allows the adjustment of the total length of the entire bracelet, is complementary to the connectors 22, 24 in the adjustment of the length. These complementary components finally make it possible to form two length adjustment devices. The first length adjustment device is formed by the connector 24, which adjusts the length of the portion of the bracelet between the two watches on the left of the figure. The second adjustment device is formed by the combination of the connector 22 and the pin buckle, which adjust the length of the portion of the bracelet between the two watches on the right of the figure.

As has been seen previously, the bracelet 1 according to the embodiments of the invention is particularly suitable for fixing two watches of different types, including a mechanical watch and a connected watch. Naturally, this bracelet remains suitable for fixing any two watches, or any two electronic devices any size similar to a watch and adapted to wear around the wrist. On the other hand, the bracelet is also particularly suitable for compatibility with existing watches, by providing connectors adapted to the strands of the bracelet, as mentioned above.

To make the same universal bracelet, another embodiment relies on the use of an adapter to attach the bracelet to one or both watches. Such an adapter is interposed between a bracelet connector and the fastener on a watch. Figs. 11 and 12a, 12b illustrate by way of example such a solution, in which an adapter 40 comprises a first connecting portion 41 intended for attachment with a bracelet 1 and a second connecting portion 42 intended for attachment with a watch 70 In this example, the attachment between the bracelet 1 and the adapter 40 is of the bar type, as described with reference to FIGS. 2a, 2b. With such an approach, a series of adapters 40 comprising the different types of second connecting part 42 in accordance with the various existing watches, makes it easy to fix the same strap 1 with all these existing watches by means of the appropriate adapter.

The embodiments described above are examples presented without limitation, and there is naturally a multitude of other possible embodiments, for example by combining these embodiments.

[0039] <tb> In all cases, the bracelet is equipped with at least two length adjustment devices to be able to adjust the length of the two portions of bracelet arranged between the two watches, in order to allow to maintain a substantially equal length of these two portions. As has been illustrated, these length adjustment devices can in particular be in the following various forms: <tb> - <SEP> They are formed by the very structure of the bracelet, as in the example shown in FIG. 6 wherein the bracelet is formed of removable portions, the removal or addition allows to change the length of the strands; <tb> - <SEP> They can be in the form of separate components of the bracelet strands, and attached to the bracelet by any means. This is for example the case of the length adjustment device 30 shown in several figures, particularly in FIG. 8; <tb> <SEP> • <SEP> In this second case, the length adjustment device of the bracelet may be associated with a connector of the bracelet, and arranged at the fastening of the bracelet on a watch, as illustrated by FIGS. . 7, 9 and 10; <tb> <SEP> • <SEP> Alternatively, this length adjustment device may be associated with an opening / closing device 5 of the bracelet, as illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10 and 13. For example, this length adjustment device may comprise a strap strand with several openings cooperating with a pin buckle; <tb> <SEP> • <SEP> According to another variant not shown, this length adjustment device could be independent of the other components mentioned above.

As a remark, the same bracelet may include several different length adjustment devices. A bracelet preferably comprises two length adjustment devices, to adjust the length of the two portions mentioned. However, it may alternatively comprise three length adjustment devices, as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 7, to also allow the optimized positioning of the opening / closing device 5 on the lateral portion of the bracelet, in particular substantially centrally, in addition to the relative positioning of the two watches 60, 70. On the other hand, this device length adjustment can be arranged on ends of the bracelet strand, or on intermediate portions: in the latter case, it is sliding relative to the bracelet strand. The length adjustment function can also be implemented via several separate and remote complementary devices, as in the example of FIG. 10.

The illustrated bracelet advantageously comprises three strands, as shown by the embodiments of FIGS. 3, 4 and 6. As a variant, it may comprise only two strands, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. According to another variant not shown, it could comprise 4 strands, for example by arranging a pin buckle on each side portion of the bracelet, between the two watches 60, 70, to form the two length adjustment devices.

Claims (14)

1. Bracelet (1) for watches comprising at least two strands (2, 4) each having a first connector (12, 14), capable of fixing the two strands (2, 4) on either side of a same first watch (60), characterized in that the bracelet (1) comprises two second connectors (23, 24; 22, 24) suitable for fixing the bracelet (1) with a second watch (70), and it comprises at least two length adjustment devices to allow adjustment of the length of each of the two portions of the bracelet arranged between the two watches (60, 70), to allow the positioning of the second watch (70) on the bracelet (1) substantially 180 degrees relative to the first watch (60). 2. Bracelet (1) for watches according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a device for adjusting the length: - formed by the same structure of the bracelet (1) which consists of removable links; and or - formed by a component independent strands of the bracelet, associated with a connector (12, 14, 22, 23, 24) of the bracelet or an opening / closing device (5) or independent. 3. Wristband (1) for watches according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a length adjustment device comprising a lever (31) which can occupy a position in which it slides a bracelet strand to adjust its length and a second position in which it keeps locked the bracelet strand. 4. Bracelet (1) for watches according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a length adjustment device which comprises a loop / barb. 5. Wristband (1) for watches according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an opening / closing device (5), clasp type deployant or pin buckle. 6. Bracelet (1) for watches according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two strands (2, 4), a strand (4) comprising a first connector (14) for attachment with a first watch (60), two second connectors (24, 22), movable relative to said strand (4) to allow adjustment of the length of the bracelet, for attachment with a second watch (70), and an end connected to a device opening / closing (5) cooperating with another strand (2). 7. Bracelet (1) for watches according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises three strands (2, 3, 4), a first strand (2) cooperating with a second strand (3) by a device opening / closing (5) of the bracelet on the same lateral portion between the two watches (60, 70), and a third strand (4) connecting the two watches (60, 70) on the other lateral portion between the two watches (60, 70). 8. Bracelet (1) for watches according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a device for adjusting the length of the first strand (2) and / or the second strand (3) respectively at a first connector ( 12) with the first watch (60) and / or a second connector (23) with the second watch (70), and in that it comprises a device for adjusting the length of the third strand (4) at the level of a connector (14; 24) of the third strand (4). 9. Wristband (1) for watches according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises first connectors (12, 14) different from the second connectors (23, 24; 22, 24). 10. Bracelet (1) for watches according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one adapter (40) attached to a connector of a strand of the bracelet by a first connecting portion (41) and comprising a second connecting portion (42) adapted for attachment with a watch. 11. Wristwatch, characterized in that it comprises a bracelet (1) according to one of the preceding claims, a first watch (60) attached to the first connectors (12, 14) of the bracelet and a second watch (70). attached to the second connectors (23, 24; 22, 24), the two watches (60, 70) being disposed substantially 180 degrees. 12. Wristwatch according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises adapters (40) between the first connectors (12, 14) of the bracelet (1) and the first watch (60) and / or between the second connectors (23, 24; 22, 24) of the bracelet (1) and the second watch (70), each adapter (40) comprising firstly a first connecting portion (41) with a strand of the bracelet (1) and d secondly a second connecting portion (42) with a watch. 13. Wristwatch according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the first watch (60) is a mechanical watch and in that the second watch (70) is a connected watch comprising a remote communication means. 14. Wristwatch according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the first watch (60) is provided for positioning on the top of the wrist, in that the second watch (70) is provided for positioning on the opposite lapel of the wrist, and in that it comprises at least one opening / closing device (5) of the wristband (1) on the side of the wrist.