CH712656B1 - Watch or jewel strap end link - Google Patents

Abstract

Bracelet end link (10), for the removable fitting out of a watch or jewel case (1) comprising a main notch (2), this link (10) comprising a tip (56) comprising tenons ( 30) arranged to cooperate in a complementary manner with secondary notches (3) of the box (1), this link (10) comprising a lock with a stop slide (51) arranged to cooperate in a complementary manner and with minimal play with the main notch (2) in a locking position towards which the stop slide (51) is returned by elastic return means (52) of the lock, which comprises intrinsic unlocking means directly operable by a finger of a user, to move this stopper (51) away from the main notch (2) of the box (1), a watch comprising such a box (1) being able to be fitted with different and interchangeable bracelets, each provided with such end links (10).

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to an end link of a watch strap or jewelry, for the removable equipment of a watch case which comprises, for the reception of a said link, at least one transverse secondary notch, said box comprising at least one main longitudinal notch delimited by two main bearing surfaces parallel to a main plane, said link comprising an end piece which itself comprises, for its attachment to said box, at least one complementary tenon arranged to cooperate with each other. complementary manner and minimal clearance with a said secondary notch, and said link comprising at least one lock.

[0002] The invention also relates to a bracelet comprising at least one such end link.

[0003] The invention also relates to a watch comprising a watch case which comprises, for the reception of at least one such link, at least one transverse secondary notch, said case comprising at least one main longitudinal notch delimited by two surfaces of 'main support parallel to a main plane, and comprising at least one such end link.

[0004] The invention also relates to a piece of jewelry comprising a piece of jewelry which comprises, for the reception of at least one such link, at least one transverse secondary notch, said box comprising at least one main longitudinal notch delimited by two surfaces d 'main support parallel to a main plane, and comprising at least one such end link.

[0005] The invention relates to the fields of watchmaking and jewelry, and more particularly bracelets for watches and jewelry.

Background of the invention

[0006] Watches and jewelry are objects of elegance, fashion, prestige or luxury, personalized for their users in terms of their bracelets. This customization concerns both the length and the comfort of the bracelets, their opening-closing mechanism, their constitution, their material, their appearance, their color, their shine, their dressing. The exchange of bracelets is generally entrusted to professionals, which often means that a watch or a piece of jewelry is often paired with its bracelet.

[0007] However, there are interchangeable strap systems. The safest ones, comprising a mechanical locking, require the use of a tool to carry out a manipulation on the watch or the jewel and / or the bracelet: this manipulation is not always easy to carry out for a simple user, who does not not always have the right tool at the right time. Many other systems include clipped components, the bracelet is simply plugged into the watch or jewelry case, and the risk of accidental separation, and therefore loss of the object, is high.

Summary of the invention

[0008] The invention proposes to develop a simple and secure system of interchangeable bracelet for watch or jewel, requiring neither tool nor special know-how, and accessible to any user, with a moderate cost of processing watch cases. or jewelry, and also a moderate cost of assembly and locking mechanisms.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a bracelet end link according to claim 1.

[0010] The invention also relates to a bracelet comprising at least one such link.

The invention also relates to a watch comprising a watch case which comprises, for the reception of at least one such link, at least one transverse secondary notch, said case comprising at least one longitudinal main notch delimited by two surfaces d 'main support parallel to a main plane, and comprising at least one such end link.

The invention also relates to a jewel comprising a jewel box which comprises, for the reception of at least one such link, at least one transverse secondary notch, said box comprising at least one longitudinal main notch delimited by two surfaces of 'main support parallel to a main plane, and comprising at least one such end link.

Brief description of the drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where: <tb> <SEP> - Figure 1 shows, schematically, and in perspective seen from below, a case of a watch according to the invention, arranged to receive, on two opposite sides and here between the horns that this comprises box, end links according to the invention, such a link being shown in the inserted and locked position in the watch case; <tb> <SEP> - Figure 2 shows, schematically, and exploded view from above, the box and the link of Figure 1, without the case back; <tb> <SEP> - Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 of the same assembly, seen from the side of the end link; <tb> <SEP> - figure 4 represents, schematically, and in plan in bottom view, the same assembly, equipped with a case bottom, in a locked stop position, with indication of the cutting zones of the following figures; <tb> <SEP> - Figure 5 is a partial section of the same assembly, along a plane perpendicular to the bottom of the box, and along section A-A of Figure 4; <tb> <SEP> - figure 6 is similar to figure 5, according to section B-B of figure 4; <tb> <SEP> - Figure 7 is similar to Figure 5, on the C-C section of Figure 4; <tb> <SEP> - figure 8 is similar to figure 5, according to section D-D of figure 4; <tb> <SEP> - Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 4 of the same assembly, in an unlocked stop position, with indication of the cutting areas of the following figures; <tb> <SEP> - Figure 10 is a partial section of the same assembly, along a plane perpendicular to the bottom of the box, and along section E-E of Figure 9; <tb> <SEP> - figure 11 is similar to figure 10, according to section F-F of figure 9; <tb> <SEP> - figure 12 is similar to figure 10, according to section G-G of figure 9; <tb> <SEP> - figure 13 is similar to figure 10, according to the H-H section of figure 9; <tb> <SEP> - Figure 14 shows, schematically, and in perspective, a watch according to the invention, comprising a bracelet according to the invention equipped with two end links according to the invention; <tb> <SEP> - Figure 15 shows, schematically, and in perspective, a piece of jewelry according to the invention, comprising a bracelet according to the invention equipped with two end links according to the invention.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

The invention proposes to offer the user the possibility of easily and securely changing the strap fitted to his watch, and this with the least possible alteration of the watch case. 'a collection considered, in order to maintain the aesthetics of the front face and the song of the watch, and also to offer a watch with an interchangeable strap for the lowest possible incremental production cost.

The strap change must be able to be done without tools, and without delicate handling, while allowing a transformation as radical as fast between a leather strap and an articulated metal strap, for example, or an adaptation of the strap to clothing and / or jewelry worn by the user, or the user's skin tone, depending on the circumstances of use of the watch. The interchangeable bracelet allows, again, to instantly exchange bracelets of different length, which allows retailers and resellers to immediately offer their customers perfectly adapted watches.

[0016] The invention also consists in implementing an interface connection between, on the one hand, the watch case, in particular but not limited to the middle part, and on the other hand the ends of the bracelet. The invention is described here more precisely in the preferred case of bracelet end links, which can be produced in series at a controllable cost, which it suffices to integrate into a bracelet body, but it is also possible to choose an embodiment of 'a one-piece bracelet with no attached end, and including the interchangeability and locking functions necessary for correct operation, but naturally at a higher cost price. Those skilled in the art will know how to transpose the arrangement, described below for an end link, to an entire bracelet without the slightest problem.

[0017] The invention thus preferably relates to an end link 10 of a watch strap, for a strap 90, for the removable equipment of a case 1 of a watch 100.

This box 1 comprises, for the reception of such a link 10, at least one secondary notch 3 called transverse, each arranged for the introduction of a tenon 30, or a journal, or the like, that comprises the link 10. This secondary notch 3 is preferably blind, so as to limit the travel of the tenon 30 in this groove, in a stop position.

In a particular, non-limiting case as illustrated by the figures, this secondary notch 3 is straight: this is in particular the case when the link 10 carries one or more parallelepipedal tenons 30, as visible on the Figures 2, 3, and 13. The secondary notch 3 can, in another variant not shown, be curved if the pin 30 or equivalent is cylindrical or similar.

In this particular case of secondary notch 3 right, it is more particularly delimited by two secondary bearing surfaces 31, 32, which are parallel to a secondary plane PS defining a direction of insertion of the link 10.

Each secondary notch 3 is preferably carried by a reinforced zone of the box 1, in particular a horn 11. In fact, it is the couple formed by the secondary notch 3 and the corresponding tenon 30 which must be quite widely dimensioned to withstand the forces, in particular traction, torsion, and accelerations, undergone by the bracelet and the box 1. The easy insertion of the link 10 in this secondary notch 3, or preferably in these secondary notches 3, preferably symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry, ensures the interchangeability of the bracelets 90 with respect to the box 1. Likewise, the extraction must be designed so as not to encounter any obstacle.

To ensure the safety function, and the implementation of a locking mechanism of the link 10 when its tenon 30 or its tenons 30 is or are in the abutment position at the bottom of the secondary slot 3, the mechanism comprises a locking-unlocking system.

To this end, the box 1, either comprises a particular machining as visible for the particular and non-limiting variant illustrated by the figures, or else carries an insert comprising such a particular machining.

Preferably, this particular machining comprises at least one main longitudinal notch 2, which is delimited by two main bearing surfaces 21, 22 parallel to a main plane PP. More particularly, when each secondary notch 3 is straight along a secondary plane PS, the main plane PP is secant or orthogonal with this secondary plane PS.

Such a main notch 2 having two parallel faces is very easy to produce, by turning or by milling. It is preferably located between the horns 11 of the box 1, as visible in the figures, and is almost invisible when the link 10 or the bracelet 90 is in place. For the implementation of the invention, it is therefore sufficient that the box 1 comprises the main notch 2, and the secondary notch (s) 3. No other component is necessary at the level of the box 1, which can thus preserve all its purity of form, and its usual uses.

The link 10 comprises a tip 56, which constitutes the most massive part thereof, and which itself comprises, for its insertion and its fixing to the box 1, at least one such complementary tenon 30 arranged to cooperate so complementary and minimal clearance with a secondary notch 3.

To ensure the locking function, the link 10 comprises at least one lock 50.

According to the invention, this lock 50 comprises a stop drawer 51, which is arranged to cooperate in a complementary manner and with minimal play with the main notch 2, in a locking position towards which the stop drawer 51 is brought back by elastic return means 52 which the lock 50 comprises. This lock 50 also comprises intrinsic unlocking means, which are arranged to be directly operated by a finger of a user, to move the stop drawer 51 away. of the main notch 2 of the box 1. Thus no tool is necessary, neither to unlock or lock, nor to insert or extract the link 10 with respect to the box 1.

In this regard, if the invention is described in its preferred form where the link 10 comprises a male part cooperating with a female part of the box 1, the reverse configuration is possible, without departing from the invention.

More particularly, as illustrated, the stop slide 51 comprises two parallel flat surfaces, which are arranged to cooperate in abutment with the main bearing surfaces 21, 22, a notch 2 of a box 1, in which notch 2 the stop slide 51 preferably circulates with minimal play.

More particularly, and as illustrated by the figures, the end piece 56 is symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry orthogonal to a plane along which the stop slide 51 extends.

[0032] More particularly, the lock 50 comprises a cover 53 for an anterior guidance of the stop drawer 51, near a main notch 2 forming a keeper, which comprises a box 1 receiving the link 10. In the figures, the stop drawer 51 is guided in a first guide 530 which the cover 53 comprises. This cover 53 protects the end piece 56; barely visible from the outside, it can be made of a less noble material and more resistant to wear, such as steel or the like, than the material constituting the end piece 56, which is a part of appearance, design harmonized with that of box 1, and often in the same material and the same finish, this tip 56 may for example be made of a gold alloy or the like.

And the end piece 56, or the lock 50, comprises a chamber 11 for the rear guide of the stop slide 51, this chamber 11 still preferably ensuring the reception of the elastic return means 52, illustrated in a nonlimiting manner by a leaf spring.

More particularly, the cover 53 is fixed to the end piece 56 by at least one screw 58.

For its operation, the lock 50 preferably comprises a push button 54, which is arranged to be operated by a finger of a user, to control an unlocking of the lock 50 by retraction of the stop drawer 51 under a push printed at this pushbutton 54.

In an advantageous embodiment, the push button 54 comprises at least one cam or an oblique bevel 542, which is arranged to cooperate with a complementary cam or a complementary oblique bevel 512, which comprises the stop slide 51, such as visible in Figures 6 and 11.

More particularly, the stroke of the push button 54 is orthogonal to that of the stop slide 51.

Preferably, the push button 54 is guided in a second guide 55, in particular a slot 531, which the cover 53 comprises, and / or this push button 54 is guided in a third guide 57 which the end piece 56 comprises.

The invention also relates to a watch 100, comprising a watch or jewel case 1 which comprises, for the reception of at least one such link 10, at least one transverse secondary notch 3, this case 1 comprising at least a main longitudinal notch 2 delimited by two main bearing surfaces 21, 22, parallel to a main plane PP. And this watch 100 comprises at least one such end link 10 of the bracelet, arranged for the insertion and locking cooperation with its case 1.

More particularly, the box 1 comprises, for the reception of at least one link 10, at least one transverse secondary notch 3, which delimits two secondary bearing surfaces 31, 32, parallel to a secondary plane PS defining a direction of insertion of link 10, this secondary plane PS being secant or orthogonal to the main plane PP.

More particularly, in a preferred embodiment and in projection on the main plane PP, the secondary bearing surfaces 31, 32 are distant from the main bearing surfaces 21, 22.

More particularly, in a preferred embodiment and in projection on the main plane PP, the secondary bearing surfaces 31, 32 are not aligned with the main bearing surfaces 21, 22.

In a particular, non-limiting embodiment, illustrated by the figures, the main plane PP is orthogonal to the secondary plane PS.

More particularly, the box 1 has a bottom 6 parallel to the main plane PP.

In a particular embodiment and as shown in the figures, the box 1 comprises a shoulder surface 9 parallel to the main plane PP, and a link 10, and preferably each link 10 arranged to cooperate with this box 1, comprises an end piece 56 which comprises an clamping surface 59 arranged to cooperate in locking support with this shoulder surface 9.

More particularly, the watch 100 comprises at least one removable bracelet 90, comprising at each of its two ends such a removable end link 10, the links 10 being arranged on either side of the watch case 1 or jewelry.

More particularly, the watch 100 comprises a plurality of such removable bracelets 90 interchangeable with one another.

The invention also relates to a piece of jewelry 200 comprising a jewelry box 1 which comprises, for the reception of at least one such link 10, at least one transverse secondary notch 3, this box 1 comprising at least one main notch 2 longitudinal delimited by two main bearing surfaces 21, 22, parallel to a main plane PP, where this jewel 200 comprises at least one such end link 10 of the bracelet, arranged for the insertion and locking cooperation with the case 1. All the characteristics described above for a watch case, and for a watch strap, are of course applicable to such a piece of jewelry 200 and to a piece of jewelry.

Claims (22)

1. End link (10) of watch or jewel bracelet, for the removable fitting out of a watch or jewel case (1) which comprises, for receiving said link (10), at least one notch secondary transverse (3), said box (1) comprising at least one main longitudinal notch (2) delimited by two main bearing surfaces (21, 22) parallel to a main plane (PP), said link (10) comprising a solid part called end piece (56), which end piece (56) comprises, for fixing said link (10) to said box (1), at least one complementary tenon (30) arranged to cooperate in a complementary manner and with minimal play with said at least one secondary notch (3), and said link (10) comprising at least one latch (50) carried by said end piece (56), characterized in that said latch (50) comprises a stop slide (51) arranged to cooperate in a complementary manner and with minimal play with said main notch (2) in a locking position towards which said stop slide (51) is returned by elastic return means (52) that comprises said lock (50), which comprises intrinsic unlocking means arranged to be directly operated by a finger of a user, to moving said stopper drawer (51) away from said main notch (2) of said box (1). 2. End link (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said stop slide (51) comprises two parallel flat surfaces arranged to cooperate in abutment with said main bearing surfaces (21, 22) of said at least one main notch (2) of a said box (1). 3. End link (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said end piece (56) is symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry orthogonal to a plane along which extends said stop slide (51 ). 4. End link (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said latch (50) comprises a cover (53) for anterior guidance of said stop slide (51) close to a said main notch (2) forming a keeper, which comprises a said box (1) receiving said link (10), and in that said end piece (56) or said latch (50) comprises a chamber (11) for rear guiding said stop slide (51) and for receiving said elastic return means (52). 5. End link (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that said cover (53) is fixed to said end piece (56) by at least one screw (58). 6. End link (10) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said stop slide (51) is guided in a first guide (530) which comprises said cover (53). 7. End link (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said lock (50) comprises a push button (54) arranged to be operated by a finger of a user, to control a unlocking of said lock (50) by retraction of said stop drawer (51) under a pressure imparted to said push button (54). 8. End link (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that said push button (54) comprises at least one cam or an oblique bevel (542) arranged to cooperate with a complementary cam or a complementary oblique bevel (512 ) that comprises said stop slide (51). 9. End link (10) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the stroke of said push button (54) is orthogonal to that of said stop slide (51). 10. End link (10) according to claim 4 and one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that said push button (54) is guided in a second guide (55, 531) that comprises said cover (53 ). 11. End link (10) according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that said push button (54) is guided in a third guide (57) which comprises said end piece (56). 12. Bracelet (90) comprising at least one end link (10) according to one of claims 1 to 11. 13. Watch (100) comprising a watch case (1) which comprises, for receiving at least one link (10) at the end of the bracelet according to one of claims 1 to 11, which said watch (100) comprises, at least one secondary transverse notch (3), said box (1) comprising at least one main longitudinal notch (2) delimited by two main bearing surfaces (21, 22) parallel to a main plane (PP), characterized in that that at least one said end link (10) is arranged for the insertion and locking cooperation with said box (1). 14. Watch (100) according to claim 13, characterized in that said box (1) comprises, for receiving at least one said link (10), at least one secondary notch (3) transverse, which delimit two surfaces. secondary bearings (31, 32) parallel to a secondary plane (PS) defining a direction of insertion of said link (10), said secondary plane (PS) being secant or orthogonal with respect to said main plane (PP). 15. Watch (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that, in projection on said main plane (PP), said secondary bearing surfaces (31, 32) are spaced from said main bearing surfaces (21, 22). . 16. Watch (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that, in projection on said main plane (PP), said secondary bearing surfaces (31, 32) are not aligned with said main bearing surfaces (21 , 22). 17. Watch (100) according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that said main plane (PP) is orthogonal to said secondary plane (PS). 18. Watch (100) according to one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that said case (1) has a bottom (6) parallel to said main plane (PP). 19. Watch (100) according to one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that said box (1) has a shoulder surface (9) parallel to said main plane (PP), and in that a said link (10) comprises a said end piece (56) which comprises a clamping surface (59) arranged to cooperate in locking support with said shoulder surface (9). 20. Watch (100) according to one of claims 13 to 19, comprising at least one removable bracelet (90) comprising at each of its two ends a said removable end link (10), said links (10) being arranged. on either side of said watch case (1). 21. Watch (100) according to claim 20, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of said removable bracelets (90) interchangeable with one another. 22. Jewel (200) comprising a jewel box (1) which comprises, for receiving at least one link (10) at the end of the bracelet according to one of claims 1 to 11, and which comprises said jewel (200) , at least one secondary transverse notch (3), said box (1) comprising at least one main longitudinal notch (2) delimited by two main bearing surfaces (21, 22) parallel to a main plane (PP), characterized in that at least one said end link (10) is arranged for the insertion and locking cooperation with said box (1).