CH711548A2

CH711548A2 - Clasp deploying.

Info

Publication number: CH711548A2
Application number: CH01352/15A
Authority: CH
Inventors: Come Joël; Zak Vincent
Original assignee: Boucledor Sa
Priority date: 2015-09-18
Filing date: 2015-09-18
Publication date: 2017-03-31
Also published as: CH711548B1; FR3041217A1; FR3041217B1

Abstract

The invention concerns a deploying clasp comprising a first fixed blade (1) and a second movable blade (2), the first and second blades (1, 2) being connected to one another at their first ends (1a, 2a ) By a first joint (3). The first blade (1) comprises elastic means (5, 6) for cooperating with an extension (4) of the second blade (2) extending beyond the first articulation 2) to be folded back onto the first blade (1) when the clasp is in an extended position and to hold the second blade (2) folded over the first blade (1) when the clasp is in a closed position. The elastic means comprise two elastic zones (5, 6) intended to cooperate with the second blade (2) and its extension (4). A first elastic zone is integral with the first end (1a) of the first blade (1) carrying the first articulation (3). The two elastic zones (5, 6) are deformable in opposite directions under the action of the second blade (2).

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a clasp deploying, in particular, a watch bracelet.

There are deployed clasps for a bracelet comprising at least two blades hinged to one another and foldable one on the other and in which the closure of the clasp is guaranteed by a resilient force of the leaf spring type. This type of deploying clasp generally comprises a fixed blade and at least one movable blade which are connected at one of their ends by a joint while their other ends are intended to be connected to a bracelet. The fixed blade comprises a leaf spring and the movable blade comprises an extension extending beyond the articulation and arranged to cooperate with the leaf spring. Thus, in an open position of the clasp, the two blades being deployed, the leaf spring urges the extension of the movable blade to prevent it from being folded over the movable blade,

The force or torque necessary to ensure the holding of the clasp in its closed position is quite large and imposes constraints as regards the dimensions of the leaf spring and the materials chosen. In particular, an important boom is required, which limits the possibilities of reducing the length and / or the thickness of the clasp. The solutions known hitherto have proposed a spring-blade fitted to the fixed blade and made of a rigid material such as spring steel. The use of soft materials such as precious metal alloys is not possible. However, in the case of a clasp intended to equip a precious metal luxury product, the use of a common metal such as steel for one of the components of the clasp may lead to a decrease in the perceived value of the clasp .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide an unfolding clasp which remedies the aforementioned disadvantage, in particular that can be entirely realized in a wide variety of materials and in particular precious metals, without any other constraints On the dimensions (length / thickness) of the clasp and while ensuring a safe and perennial operation, in particular as regards keeping the clasp in its closed position.

In that a first one of the two elastic zones is integral with the first end of the first blade carrying the first articulation; And in that the two elastic zones are deformable in opposite directions under the action of the second blade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The appended figures illustrate schematically and by way of example only several embodiments of an unfolding clasp according to the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a clasp deploying according to a first embodiment in a deployed position.

Figs. 2 to 4 illustrate the closing of the clasp illustrated in FIG. 1, the clasp being in its closed position in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 illustrates a clasp deploying according to a second embodiment of the invention in its deployed position.

[0007] The deploying clasp according to the first embodiment of the invention and as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 comprises a first blade, called fixed blade 1 and a second blade, called movable blade 2.

At one of its ends 2a, the movable blade 2 is articulated at a first end 1a of the fixed blade 1 by, for example, a pin 3 passing through the said first ends 2a, 1a. It is evident that any other suitable means of articulation could be used to articulate the fixed blade 1 to the movable blade 2.

The second end 1b of the fixed blade 1 and the second end 2b of the movable blade 2 are intended to be connected by any appropriate means to a bracelet, such as a watch bracelet or a jewelery bracelet (not shown) ). Obviously for the person skilled in the art, this bracelet may be elastic or not, made of leather or metal or have any other suitable shape.

The movable blade 2 has, on the side of its first end 2a articulated to the fixed blade 1, an extension 4 lying beyond the axis of articulation 3 between the two fixed and movable blades 1, 2. The extension 4 consists of a sleeve fixed to the movable blade 2. The extension 4 is intended to cooperate with elastic means of the fixed blade 1 for opening and closing the clasp.

According to the invention, the elastic means are constituted by two elastic zones of the fixed blade 1, the first elastic zone being deformable in a first direction and the second elastic zone being deformable in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Preferably and as illustrated, these elastic zones have come in one piece with the fixed blade 1, the assembly therefore being one-piece and can be made of a single material.

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first elastic zone comprises an elastic blade 5 extending in the longitudinal axis of the fixed blade 1 and while the second elastic zone comprises two elastic arms 6. One end 5a of the elastic blade 5 is integral with the second end 1b of the fixed blade 1 while the other end 5b of the resilient blade 5 is free. This elastic blade 5 therefore functions as a leaf spring. As to the elastic arms 6, they extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fixed blade 1 on either side of the elastic blade 5 and are each integral with each of the ends 1a, 1b of the fixed blade 1 .

The extension 4 of the movable blade 2 is designed to cooperate with the elastic means of the fixed blade 1 and in the illustrated embodiment, the extension 4 cooperates more particularly with the elastic blade 5.

Preferably, the movable blade 2 is constituted by two longitudinal arms 2c extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the movable blade 2 between its two ends 2a and 2b. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the fixed blade 1 and the movable blade 2 are preferably arranged so that the longitudinal arms 2c of the movable blade 2 each come to be inserted in the space between the resilient arms 6 and the resilient blade 5 of the fixed blade 1 When the movable blade 2 is folded over the fixed blade 1.

The operation and, in particular, the closure of the deploying clasp according to the invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0016] From the deployed position of the clasp illustrated in FIG. 1, the movable blade 2 is folded over the fixed blade 1. During this first phase, the extension 4 of the movable blade 2 comes into contact with the elastic blade 5 forming the first elastic zone of the fixed blade 1 and deforms the latter In a first direction (against the wrist of the user). At the same time, the elastic arms 6 forming the second elastic zone of the fixed blade 1 also deform under the effect of the extension 4 of the movable blade 2 pressing against the elastic blade 5, but said elastic arms 6 deform in a Second direction opposite the first (away from the wrist of the user). The force on the fixed blade 1 is thus distributed between the two elastic zones which deform in opposite directions.

The first phase continues and the movable blade 2 is folded over the fixed blade until it reaches an equilibrium point illustrated in FIG. 2. This equilibrium point is characterized in that the force exerted by the extension 4 of the movable blade 2 on the elastic blade 5 of the fixed blade 1 passes through the articulation axis 3. At the equilibrium point , The fixed blade 1 and its elastic zones 5, 6 exert no force on the movable blade 2.

After passing this equilibrium point, a third phase begins when the movable blade 2 is folded further in the direction of the fixed blade 1. In this third phase illustrated in FIG. 3, the force exerted by the fixed blade 1 on the movable blade 2 and in particular by the resilient blade 5 of the fixed blade 1 on the extension 4 of the movable blade 2 tends to bring the movable blade 2 against the fixed blade 1 in The closed position of the clasp. This closed position of the clasp is illustrated in FIG. 4: the movable blade 2 is fully folded over the fixed blade 1 and said fixed blade 1 and in particular the resilient blade 5 and the resilient arms 6 which are always under stress exert a force on the movable blade 2 and its extension 4 which tends To maintain said movable blade 2 in this closed position.

To open the clasp, it suffices to exert a force on the movable blade 2 which goes in the opposite direction to the force exerted by the fixed blade 1 and its elastic zones 5, 6. After the equilibrium point described (FIG. 2), the fixed blade 1 and its elastic zones 5, 6 will exert a force on the movable blade 2 which will tend to keep it deployed with respect to the fixed blade 1 and the clasp is again in Its deployed position illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a variant of the embodiment described above. In this variant, the clasp comprises a second movable blade 7 articulated to the second end 1b of the fixed blade 1. At one of its ends 7a, the second movable blade 7 is articulated to the second end 1b of the fixed blade 1 at For example a second axis 8 passing through said ends 7a, 1b. It is evident that any other suitable means of articulation could be used to articulate the fixed blade 1 to the second mobile blade 7.

Like the first movable blade 2, the second movable blade 7 has, on the side of its first end 7a articulated to the fixed blade 1, an extension 9 lying beyond the second articulation axis 8. In the embodiment of FIG. The extension 9 consists of a sleeve fixed to the second movable blade 7. The extension 9 is intended to cooperate with the elastic means of the fixed blade 1, and in particular with the first and second elastic zones, for the opening And closing the clasp.

In this variant, the first elastic zone of the fixed blade 1 comprises, in addition to the first elastic blade 5, a second elastic blade 10, while the second elastic zone comprises second elastic arms 11 in addition to the first resilient arms 6 The fixed blade 1 comprises a central portion 1c of which each of the first and second resilient blades 5, 10 and each of the first and second resilient arms 6, 11 are integral. The second resilient blade 10 has a free end, while the second arms Elastic members 11 are also integral with the second end 1b of the fixed blade 1. The second elastic blade 10 is arranged to deform in the same

Claims

As the first elastic blade 5, while the second elastic arms 11 are arranged to deform in an opposite direction (which is therefore the same direction as the first resilient arms 6). The second elastic blade 10 and the second elastic arms 11 are designed to cooperate with the second movable blade 7 and its extension 9 in a manner similar to that described above for the first movable blade 2. In particular, The closing and opening sequence of the second movable blade 7 on the first fixed blade is similar to that described above for the first movable blade 2. The present embodiment and its variant have been described at By way of example only, variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. [0025] Alternatively, for example, The fixed blade may not be one piece. At least one of the elastic zones, such as the elastic blade (s) 5, 7, for example, could be in the form of an insert fixed by any appropriate means to the fixed blade. Thus, in the clasp according to the invention, the forces exerted by the movable blade or blades on the fixed blade are distributed between two elastic zones. This makes it possible to use for this fixed blade materials that are more varied than previously and in particular precious metals since the two elastic zones can be adapted to have the rigidity necessary for the correct and safe operation of the clasp. The clasp according to the invention therefore allows a homogeneous construction in terms of material: all the components can be made of a common material. The dimensions of the clasp can also be adapted by adapting the two elastic zones of the fixed blade. Moreover, in the particular case of the illustrated embodiment, the fixed, one-piece blade makes it possible to reduce the overall bulk of the clasp since there is no need to fix a leaf spring on the fixed blade. claims

In that a first one of the two elastic zones is integral with the first end (1a) of the first blade (I) carrying the first articulation (3); And in that the two elastic zones (5, 6) are deformable in opposite directions by the action of the second blade (2).
2. The deployment clasp according to claim 1, wherein the first elastic zone comprises two resilient arms, one of their ends being integral with the first end of the first blade carrying the first articulation, (3).
3. A deployment clasp according to claim 1, wherein the second of the two elastic zones comprises a first elastic blade, a first end of which is integral with the first blade and a second end, ) Is free, the first elastic blade (5) extending between the first elastic arms (6).
4. The deployment clasp according to claim 1, further comprising a third blade articulated at a second end of the first blade by a second articulation, ; In that the two elastic zones (10, 11) are further arranged to cooperate with an extension (9) of the third blade (7) extending beyond the second articulation (8) to prevent the third blade (7) to be folded over the first blade (1) when the clasp is in an extended position and to hold the third blade (7) folded over the first blade (1) when the clasp is in a closed position; And in that the first elastic zone (II) is also integral with the second end (1b) of the first blade (1) carrying the second articulation (8).
5. A deployment clasp according to claim 4, characterized in that the first elastic zone comprises two secondary elastic arms (11), one end of said secondary elastic arms (11) being integral with the end (1 b) of the first strip 1) carrying the second joint (8).
6. A deployment clasp according to claim 5, wherein the second elastic zone comprises a second elastic blade, a first end of which is integral with the first blade and a second end is free, (10) extending between the second elastic arms (11).
7. A deployment clasp according to claim 1, wherein the first blade and the resilient means come from a single piece.
8. The deployment clasp according to claim 1, wherein said clasp and its components are made of a precious metal alloy.
9. The deployment clasp according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the second blade and the second end of the first blade is the second end, 7b) of the third blade (7) are intended to be connected a bracelet, in particular a watch bracelet.
10. A strap comprising the clasp according to one of claims 1 to 9.