CH711437B1 - Clasp of bracelet. - Google Patents

Abstract

Clasp (1) bracelet comprising: a base member (3) arranged to be connected at a first end to a first strand (71) of a bracelet; an intermediate member (8) hinged to the base member (3) at a second end thereof; a terminal element (12) articulated on the intermediate element (8) at one end of the latter, the terminal element (12) being arranged to receive a second strand (7b) of a bracelet and to allow adjustment of the length of this second strand (7b); a locking system arranged to lock the clasp (1) in a folded position and comprising actuating members (29) arranged to unlock the locking system to allow the clasp (1) to move to an unfolded position; characterized in that the base member (3) comprises a convex section and a concave section, the concave section being adapted to receive at least a portion of the end member (12) when the clasp (1) is in its position folded.

Description

Description Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking and jewelry. It relates, more particularly, unfoldable clasps for bracelets, in particular for watch straps.

State of the art A large number of types and types of unfoldable bracelet clasps are known from the prior art, which are capable of changing between a state folded around the wrist of the wearer, and an unfolded state, for increase the diameter of the bracelet to allow the wearer's wrist to pass easily. These clasps typically comprise two or three elements articulated one on the other and a locking device to keep the clasp in the folded state, and they exist not only for rigid bracelets made up of rigid links, for example made of metal, but also for traditional so-called flexible bracelets in leather, fabric or plastic. Several types of clasps are suitable for both types at the same time, namely rigid bracelets and flexible bracelets.

EP 0 648 444 and BE 494 180 disclose clasps for traditional leather bracelets, in which the length of the bracelet is adjusted by inserting a barb in a hole chosen from among several holes provided along a strands. These clasps are not ideal for the comfort of the wearer.

For bracelets with strands of fixed length, the length of the bracelet is typically adjusted at the clasp, by providing several possible attachment points (see for example document CH 497 151), or by providing a system for adjusting the length of a part of the clasp, as is the case in documents CH 669 501 and EP 0 467 120.

Furthermore, all these kinds of bracelet have the disadvantage that it is difficult to adjust the length of the bracelet if it becomes tight around the wrist of the wearer, for example because of exercise or a temperature. high ambient.

To remedy this problem, elastic devices provided inside the clasp have been proposed, among others, in documents US 2 408 279, GB 936 697 and US 1 827 243. Nevertheless, these arrangements are not very compact, and are relatively difficult to implement.

All the clasps mentioned above are optimized for relatively inexpensive manufacturing, using as much stamped sheet as possible, which is not suitable for a high-end application.

The object of the invention is, therefore, to provide a modular timepiece in which the above-mentioned defects are at least partially overcome.

Disclosure of the invention More specifically, firstly the invention relates to a bracelet clasp comprising a basic element arranged to be connected at a first end to a first strand of a bracelet, an articulated intermediate element on the base element at a second end of the latter, and a hinged end element on the intermediate element at one end of the latter, the end element being arranged to receive a second bracelet strand and to allow adjustment of the length of this second strand, in order to constitute a loop element.

The clasp further comprises a locking system arranged to block the clasp in a folded position and comprising actuating members arranged to unlock the locking system to allow the clasp to move to an unfolded position.

According to the invention, the basic element comprises a convex section and a concave section, the concave section being adapted to receive at least part of the terminal element when the clasp is in its folded position.

This arrangement of convex and concave sections gives the clasp good comfort, good compactness and solid construction, which is suitable for high-end use.

Advantageously, the intermediate element has a convex section corresponding to that of the base element and a concave section corresponding to that of the base element, so that, in the folded position of the clasp, the base element and the intermediate element are nested inside each other. The compactness is therefore improved.

Advantageously, the locking system comprises a fixed part, such as a notch, and a retractable part, such as a movable hook, one of these parts being located on the base element, the other on the terminal element. Preferably, said fixed part is located on the base element and said retractable part as well as the actuating members are located on the terminal element. A minimum thickness of the base element and the intermediate element is therefore possible.

Advantageously, the terminal part comprises a fixed barb extending from a bridge and a pair of wings of a loop located on either side of the barb so that said second strand can pass between the wings and bridge, the barb cooperating with a hole provided in the strand. The strand is thus well guided and supported in the terminal part.

CH 711 437 B1

Still advantageously, said wings are linked to the bridge by lateral connecting elements, which also assist in positioning and supporting the strand.

The invention relates to a bracelet clasp comprising a base element arranged to be connected at a first end to a first strand of a bracelet and a terminal element articulated directly or indirectly (that is to say with or without intermediate element) on the base element at one end of the latter, the terminal element being arranged to be connected to one end of a second bracelet strand.

The clasp also includes a locking system arranged to block the clasp in a folded position and comprising actuating members, such as pushers, arranged to unlock the locking system to allow the clasp to evolve towards a unfolded position.

The locking system comprises, located in one of the base element or of the terminal element, a groove, at least one slide housed in said groove and being arranged to slide along a sliding axis, and a pusher integral with said slide.

According to the invention, the pusher comprises an elongated support zone in a direction perpendicular to the sliding axis, said pusher being secured to said slide by clipping. In doing so, no screws, rivets or the like are necessary to secure the support area to the slide; this results in a particularly clean appearance. Furthermore, since the support area is elongated, it can be used as a cover for, for example, a possible screw or the like provided in the element underlying the support area.

Advantageously, the other of the base element or of the terminal element comprises a locking element, such as a groove, arranged to cooperate with a complementary locking element, such as a lug, provided on said slide.

Advantageously, the pusher comprises at least one tongue extending parallel to said sliding axis, the tongue comprising a hook cooperating with a complementary notch provided in said slide.

Advantageously, said slide is provided in a bridge extending between side elements of said base element or terminal element, if necessary, said bridge being secured to said side elements by fastening members, said bodies d 'fastener being hidden by said pusher, in order to provide a very clean appearance to the clasp.

Advantageously, the slide and the pushers are integrated into said terminal element of the clasp.

Brief description of the drawings [0024] Other details of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, made with reference to the attached drawing in which:

Fig. 1a is a schematic sectional view of a bracelet clasp associated with a bracelet and a watch, according to a first embodiment of the invention in the unfolded position;

Fig. 1b is a plan view of the clasp of FIG. 1a, also in the unfolded position;

Fig. 1c is a view in longitudinal section and a side view of the clasp of FIG. 1a, also in the unfolded position;

Fig. 2a is a schematic sectional view of the clasp of FIG. 1a associated with a bracelet and a watch, in the folded position;

Fig. 2b is a plan view of the clasp of FIG. 1a, also in the folded position;

Fig. 2c is a side view of the clasp of FIG. 1a, also in the folded position;

Fig. 2d is a perspective view of the clasp of FIG. 1a, also in the folded position;

Fig. 3a is a side sectional view of the locking system of the clasp of FIG. 1a;

Fig. 3b is a perspective view of the basic element of the clasp of FIG. 1a;

Fig. 3c is a torn side view of part of the base element of the clasp of FIG. 1a;

Fig. 3d is an enlarged view of the part of fig. 3a located in the circle X;

Fig. 3rd is a perspective view of a pusher of the locking system;

Fig. 3f is a perspective view of part of the terminal element of the bracelet in FIG. 1a;

CH 711 437 B1 fig. 4a is a perspective view of a bracelet clasp according to an embodiment of the invention not covered by the claims, in the folded position;

Fig. 4b is a view in longitudinal section of the clasp of FIG. 4a, also in the folded position;

Fig. 4c and 4d are views in longitudinal and lateral section respectively of the cover of the clasp of FIG. 4a;

Fig. 5a is a plan view of the clasp of FIG. 4a in the unfolded position;

Fig. 5b is a view in longitudinal section of the clasp of FIG. 4a in the unfolded position;

Fig. 6a is a perspective view of a fastening element in the rest position;

Fig. 6b is a view in longitudinal section of the attachment element of FIG. 6a;

Fig. 6c is a horizontal sectional view of the attachment element of FIG. 6a;

Fig. 6d is an exploded view of the attachment element of FIG. 6a;

Fig. 7a is a perspective view of the attachment element of FIG. 6a in the extended position;

Fig. 7b is a view in longitudinal section of the attachment element of FIG. 6a in the extended position;

Fig. 7c is a horizontal sectional view of the attachment element of FIG. 6a in the extended position;

Fig. 8a is an exploded view of the terminal part of the clasp of FIGS. 1a to 3f;

Fig. 8b is a cross-sectional view and a plan view of the clasp of FIGS. 1a to 3f; and fig. 9 is an exploded view of the terminal part of the clasp of FIGS. 4a-7c.

Embodiments of the Invention Figs. 1a-1c illustrates a first clasp 1 according to the invention in its unfolded position, and FIGS. 2a-2d shows it in its folded position.

The clasp 1 comprises an elongated base element 3, which is intended to take place against the wrist 2 of the wearer. The basic element 3 comprises, at a first end, an attachment point 5 for attaching a first bracelet strand 7a, and at its second end it is articulated to an intermediate element 8 by means of a hinge 9. In the example illustrated, the basic element 3 comprises two parallel arms between which at least partially overlaps the intermediate element 8 in the folded position, but a reverse configuration is also possible. The shape of the intermediate element 8 is thus complementary to that of the basic element 3 so that it fits into the latter. Furthermore, the base element 3 comprises a base plate 3b connecting the arms 9 on the wrist side over at least part of their length.

The intermediate element 8 is articulated at a first end at the articulation 9, and is articulated at a terminal element 12 at a second end by means of another articulation 11. This terminal element 12 forms an element loop, and as such comprises a barb 15 integral with a barb portion 13b of a bridge 13 of the terminal member 12 and extending from said bridge 13. The barb portion 13a is formed by as long as the rail which engages in the other part of the bridge 13, as is better visible in FIG. 8a, which shows the terminal element 12 in exploded view. The terminal element 12 further comprises a pair of wings 17 each linked to the bridge 13 of the terminal element 12 by lateral connecting elements 19 in a general V shape, said wings 17 extending at the ends of the connecting elements lateral 19 above the deck 13. The deck 13 is secured to the lateral connecting elements 19 by screws 20 or by any other suitable fastening member (rivet, pin or the like, or even welding, soldering or the like), as visible in fig. 1a and 2a in which the pushers 29 (see below) have been removed in order to reveal the screws 20. The wings 17 and the lateral connection elements 19 are arranged in order to support a second strand of bracelet 7b which takes place in the terminal element with the barb 15 passing through a hole formed in said second bracelet strand 7b. As clearly visible in Figs. 1a and 2a, the second strand 7b passes under the wings 17 and above the bridge 13 of the terminal element 12, between the lateral connecting elements 19.

In order to give the clasp 1 a compact structure and comfortable to wear, the basic element and the intermediate element each comprise a concave part 3a, 8a, so that the terminal element 12 has a lowest profile possible in the folded position of the clasp 1. These concave parts 3a, 8a are therefore concave, even hollow, considered from the point of view of the terminal element 12 in the folded position of the clasp 1. Between each of the concave parts 3a, 8a and the hinge 9, the base element 3 and the intermediate element 8 are convex in the folded position, seen from the outside, so as to be concave on the wrist side.

In this construction, the free end of the second strand 7b remains outside, which increases comfort for the wearer.

CH 711 437 B1 In order to keep the clasp 1 in the folded position, a locking system is provided, which is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 3a-3f as well as figs. 8a and 8b. This system comprises fixed grooves 21 provided in each of the interior walls of the arms of the base element 3. The terminal element 12 comprises, in its bridge 13, a pair of slides 23 which slide inside a groove 13a provided in the bridge 13. A spring exerts a force tending to push the slides 23 outwards.

Each of the slides 23 comprises a movable lug 27 extending perpendicular to the axis of movement of the slides 23, that is to say in the direction of the base element in the folded position, and have shapes complementary to the grooves 21 provided in the base element in order to cooperate with the pins 27. The positions of the pins 27 and grooves 21 can be reversed.

So that the intermediate part 8 does not block the pins 27, it includes a thinned part 8b so that the pins 27 can pass beside it and can reach the grooves 21.

In order to actuate the slides 23, pushers 29 constituting actuating members are provided extending towards the outside of the terminal element 12.

The pushers 29 have a support zone 29a of elongated shape and a pair of elastic tabs 29d each ending in a hook 29c extending outwards. The invisible surface of the pusher 29 includes cutouts 29b to allow the heads of the screws 20 to enter the pusher 29 when the user presses the latter. The tabs 29d penetrate into an opening provided in the slides 23 and the hooks 29c cooperate with complementary grooves 23a provided at the bottom of these openings. In this way, the pushers 29 are clipped into the slides 23 and are not removable. Furthermore, the elongated shape of the support zones serve as a cover for the screws 20, and therefore, seen from the outside, no means of assembly is visible. This aspect is clearly visible on the section along the axis A-A of fig. 8b, which clearly shows the interrelationship between the screws 20 and the pusher 29.

The pushers 29 take place in a housing 31 provided on the outer face in the middle of the lateral connection elements 19, and therefore have an improved aesthetics.

This locking system generally applies, not only to the clasp 1 of Figs. 1 to 3, even to a simpler clasp with two articulated elements, or to a clasp with three symmetrical elements. Furthermore, it is possible to reverse the arrangement by arranging the slides, pushers, etc. in the base element and the grooves in the terminal element.

A great advantage of this kind of locking system is that no screws, slots or other elements that are not aesthetically desirable are visible from the outside of the clasp. The appearance of the clasp is therefore very clean to the eye.

Figs. 4a and 4b illustrate a bracelet clasp 1 not covered by the claims in the folded position, and FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate this same clasp in the unfolded position. Furthermore, fig. 9 illustrates the terminal part 12 of this clasp in exploded view.

Similarly to the clasp 1 of Figs. 1 to 3, it comprises an elongated base element 3, which is intended to take place against the wrist 2 of the wearer. The basic element 3 comprises, at a first end, an attachment point 5 for attaching a first bracelet strand, and, at its second end, it is articulated to an intermediate element 8 by means of a hinge 9.

In the example illustrated, the base element 3 comprises two parallel arms, between which the intermediate element 8 is nested in the folded position, but a reverse configuration is also possible. The shape of the intermediate element 8 is thus complementary to that of the basic element 3 so that it fits into the latter. Furthermore, the base element 3 comprises a base plate 3b connecting the arms 9 on the wrist side over at least part of their length.

The intermediate element 8 is articulated at a first end at the articulation 9, and is articulated at a bridge 13 of a terminal element 12 at a second end by means of another articulation 11.

The terminal element 12 also includes a cover 40, which is shown in more detail in FIGS. 4c, 4d and 9. The cover 40 consists of a hollow body comprising a curved outer part 40a, two side walls 40b and two rails 40c extending inwards and formed from the side walls 40b whose ends are folded inwardly, along at least a portion of these side walls 40b and so as to be parallel to said outer portion 40a. In the example illustrated, the rails 40c are independent of each other, but it is also possible that they are joined to each other by means of bridges, while leaving access to the screws. 42, 46 (see below).

The bridge 13 of the end portion 12 enters the hollow space between the outer portion 40a and the rails 40c of the cover 40, and is locked in position by means of a locking screw 42 whose end takes place in a corresponding notch 40d provided in the interior surface of the curved exterior element 40a. Alternatively, the locking screw 42 can be replaced by a rivet, an axis driven into the cover, or the like.

A locking system which is substantially identical to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 is also provided, the main difference being the absence of lateral attachment members connecting the bridge to the lateral portions of the terminal portion 12. Since the blocking screw 42 blocks the deck 13 in the cover 40, such members are superfluous. So that

CH 711 437 B1 the pushers 29 can penetrate through the side walls of the cover 40, corresponding slots 40e are provided. Otherwise, the locking system is identical to that described above, and need not be described again here. In order to attach the terminal part to the other strand of the bracelet, an attachment element 44 comprising an attachment point 48 for the strand of the bracelet is provided inside the cover 40. This element fastener 44 takes place, in the same way as the bridge 13, in the hollow space between the external element 40a and the rails 40c of the cover 40. The fastening element is also locked in position by means of a screw locking 46, which interacts with one of a plurality of notches 40f provided in the inner surface of the outer part 40a of the cover 40. The length of the bracelet can therefore be adjusted by unscrewing the locking screw 46 to allow the 'fastener sliding inside the cover 40, then tightening the locking screw 46 in the notch 40f corresponding to the desired length.

It goes without saying that the fastening element also applies to any other clasp comprising a hollow cover, and is independent of the other characteristics of the clasps described here (number of elements constituting the clasp, exact shape of the elements etc.) The attachment element 44 also incorporates an elastic system in order to allow the bracelet to lengthen in response to a pull, in order to prevent the bracelet from becoming too tight if the wrist of the user expands in response to high temperature, physical activity, or the like. Figs. 6a-c illustrate the fastening element 44 in its rest position, FIG. 6d illustrates it in exploded view, and FIGS. 7a-c illustrates it in its lying position.

The attachment element 44 is constructed of two sub-elements 44a, 44b, in the form of opposite stirrups, nested spade heads one inside the other, each comprising a transverse part connecting a pair of longitudinal legs , which has a thickness e1 of about half that of the corresponding transverse part e2. It goes without saying that it is possible that the legs of each sub-element may have different thicknesses, the sum of which ideally corresponds to substantially the thickness of the transverse parts. Each leg ends with a lug-shaped foot which is substantially the same thickness as the transverse part. Variations in thickness ratios are also possible.

The first sub-element 44a comprises in the transverse part a threaded hole 46a for the passage of the locking screw 46 mentioned above. This sub-element 44a is therefore anchored to the cover 40.

The second sub-element 44b comprises, integrated into the lugs forming the feet, the second attachment point 48 of a strand of the bracelet.

In order to tender to separate the sub-elements 44a, 44b and to maintain them in their rest position, a pair of elastic elements 50, in particular helical springs guided by tubes 52 each comprising a closed end in contact with the transverse element of the second sub-element 44a and corresponding holes 50a provided in the transverse element of the first sub-element 44a, are provided. The tubes 52 have a sufficient length so that they penetrate into the corresponding holes 50a, in order to serve as a spring guide. Naturally, other arrangements of one or more elastic elements are possible. The elastic elements 50 therefore serve to separate the transverse elements and to keep the fastening element in a retracted state.

In response to a force F exerted by the bracelet, the sub-elements 44a, 44b slide one over the other thus compressing the elastic elements 50, until the transverse part of the second sub-element 44b comes into contact with that of the first sub-element 44a (Fig. 7a-7c). The attachment element is then in an elongated state, and the length of the bracelet is therefore at its maximum.

Once the force F no longer exerts enough to overcome the force exerted by the elastic elements, the attachment element returns to its initial state, shortened.

It goes without saying that the way in which the fastening element 44 is locked in the cover 40 in order to adjust the length of the bracelet is independent of the elastic system. Indeed, a fastening element 44 without elastic system is also possible. Such a fastening element 44 could be very simple, for example by being constituted by a parallelepipedic element provided with a threaded hole 46a to receive the locking screw 46. Furthermore, a fastening element 44 comprising an elastic system which is not adjustable is also possible.

Furthermore, these kinds of arrangements of the fastening element and the elastic element do not require any screw, slot or other unwanted element which is visible from the outside of the clasp. The appearance of the clasp is therefore very clean to the eye.

All the embodiments mentioned above are particularly suitable for a solid machined construction, which gives them a solidity and robustness which is particularly applicable for high-end clasps.

Claims (11)

claims 1. Bracelet clasp (1) comprising: - a basic element (3) arranged to be connected at a first end to a first strand (71) of a bracelet; - an intermediate element (8) articulated on the base element (3) at a second end of the latter; CH 711 437 B1 - a terminal element (12) articulated on the intermediate element (8) at one end of the latter, the terminal element (12) being arranged to receive a second strand (7b) of a bracelet and to allow adjustment of the length of this second strand (7b); - a locking system arranged to lock the clasp (1) in a folded position and comprising actuating members (29) arranged to unlock the locking system so as to allow the clasp (1) to move to an unfolded position; characterized in that the base element (3) comprises a convex section and a concave section, the concave section being adapted to receive at least part of the terminal element (12) when the clasp (1) is in its position folded. 2. Clasp (1) according to claim 1, in which the intermediate element (8) has a convex section corresponding to that of the base element (3) and a concave section corresponding to that of the base element ( 3), so that, in the folded position of the clasp (1), the base element (3) and the intermediate element (8) overlap one inside the other. 3. Clasp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the locking system comprises a fixed part (21) and a retractable part (27), one of these parts being located on the base element ( 3), the other on the terminal element (12). 4. Clasp (1) according to claim 4, wherein said fixed part (21) is located on the base element (3) and said retractable part (27) as well as the actuating members (29) are located on the terminal element (12). 5. Clasp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the terminal element (12) comprises a fixed pin (15) extending from a bridge (13) and a pair of wings (17) of a loop located on either side of the barb so that said second strand (7b) can pass between the wings (17) and the bridge (13), the barb (15) cooperating with a hole provided in said strand (7b). 6. Clasp (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said wings (17) are connected to the bridge (13) by lateral connecting elements (19). 7. Clasp (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the locking system comprises, located in one of the base element (3) or of the terminal element (12): - a groove (13a); - at least one slide (23) taking place in said groove (13a) and being arranged to slide along a sliding axis; - At least one of the actuating members comprising a pusher (29) integral with said slide (23), characterized in that the pusher (29) comprises a support zone (29a) of elongated shape in a direction perpendicular to the sliding axis, said pusher (29) being secured to said slide (23) by clipping. 8. Clasp (1) according to claim 7, wherein the other of the base element (3) or the terminal element (12) comprises grooves (21) arranged to cooperate with a lug (27) provided on said slide (23). 9. Clasp (1) according to one of claims 7 and 8, wherein the pusher (29) comprises at least one tongue (29d) extending parallel to said sliding axis, said tongue (29d) comprising a hook (29c ) cooperating with a complementary groove (23a) provided in said slide (23). 10. Clasp (1) according to claim 6 and one of claims 7 to 9, wherein said groove (13a) is provided in the bridge (13) extending between the lateral connecting elements (19) of said element base (3) or of said terminal element (12), where appropriate, said bridge (13) being secured to said lateral connection elements (19) by fastening members (20), said fastening members (20) being hidden by said support zone (29a) of the pusher (29). 11. Clasp (1) according to one of claims 7 to 10, in which the groove (13a), the slide (23), and the pushers (29) are integrated into said terminal element (12) of the clasp (1). CH 711 437 B1 CH 711 437 B1 CH 711 437 B1 CH 711 437 B1 CH 711 437 B1