CH717498A1 - Watch strap and attachment device for such a strap. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a bracelet, in particular in one piece, arranged to be attached to a watch case (100) comprising two first attachment interfaces such as two first bars (101), the removable bracelet assembly comprising: - a flexible strand (200), - two attachment devices each comprising: - a first attachment portion (A) arranged to be removably attached to one of the first attachment interfaces of the watch case (100) , – a second attachment portion (B) comprising a passage opening such as a slot formed by a second bar (30), arranged to cooperate with the flexible strand (200), characterized in that each passage opening forms a loop in which the flexible strand (200) is arranged in a sliding manner.

Description

This disclosure relates generally to the field of watchmaking, and in particular the present disclosure relates to a flexible watch strap in one piece provided with attachment devices to a watch case. The present disclosure also relates to a removable attachment device with respect to a watch case.

[0002] Commonly, a watch strap, whether flexible or formed of metal links, comprises two strands, each connected by one end to the watch case. Their second end cooperates or is intended to cooperate with a clasp buckle, of the barb or folding clasp type.

[0003] It is also known in the prior art for flexible bracelets having only one strand, to slide between the case of a watch and the bars held by the horns of the case, otherwise called "NATO" bracelets. This type of bracelet has a predetermined width (generally 20 mm) and it is impossible to attach it to a watch whose distance between the lugs is insufficient.

[0004] Furthermore, it is known to provide strap attachment devices that are removable from a watch case, such as that disclosed by document CH704810A1. On the other hand, this system notably has the drawback of having a large number of parts, some of which are of complex shape.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to respond to the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above and in particular, to propose a bracelet to be attached to a watch case, which makes it possible to attach a single-strand flexible bracelet, called flexible strand afterwards, even if the watch case is not suitable for a flexible strand in one piece. Another object of the invention is to provide a device for attaching a bracelet to a watch case, which is simple to manufacture and to assemble.

[0006] For this, a first aspect of the invention relates to a watch strap arranged to be attached to a watch case comprising two first attachment interfaces such as two first bars, the removable strap comprising: - a flexible strand, - two attachment devices each comprising: - a first attachment portion arranged to be removably attached to one of the first attachment interfaces of the watch case, - a second attachment portion comprising a passage opening such as a slot formed by a second bar, arranged to cooperate with the flexible strand, characterized in that each passage opening forms a loop in which the flexible strand is arranged in a sliding manner.

[0007] The strap attachment devices according to the above implementation each comprise a passage opening or slot which forms a loop for the flexible strand. Thus, once the attachment devices have been fixed to the watch case via their first attachment portion, it is possible to attach the flexible strand, typically single-stranded, to the watch case via the second attachment portions, and this even if the watch case has, for example, a distance between the lugs that is too small or an incompatible attachment interface for passing a flexible strand. According to the implementation above and the usual terminology in watchmaking, it is considered that the bracelet comprises the flexible, single-strand or one-piece strand to be attached to itself to close the bracelet on the wrist of the watchmaker. user, and also the attachment devices on the case of the watch.

[0008] Advantageously, the passage opening is a slot, preferably closed, but it is also possible to provide an open U-shaped slot.

[0009] Advantageously, the flexible strand is a single-strand bracelet, or in one piece, comprising at least one pin buckle. In other words, the flexible strand is a bracelet of the "NATO" type, for example made of fiber, and typically has a width of 20 mm, and a length greater than or equal to 250 mm.

Advantageously, the passage opening of each attachment device has a length at least greater than 18 mm, and preferably at least greater than 20 mm.

[0011] Advantageously, a width of the passage opening is greater than or equal to 1.5 mm.

[0012] Advantageously, at least one passage opening is a slot formed by a second bar removably mounted on one of the fastening devices. It is thus possible to fix alternately a bracelet in two parts or two strands.

[0013] Advantageously, the first attachment portion is arranged to be attached to one of the first strips which has a free length of less than 12 mm.

[0014] Advantageously, the first attachment portion is arranged to be attached to one of the first strips which may have a particular diameter, or a particular shape, such as a curved shape for example.

[0015] Advantageously, the flexible strand is a fabric strap, preferably of the NATO type. The flexible strand can therefore be made of fibers, such as plastic fibers made of polymer such as polyamide, or with natural fibers of plant origin, such as cotton for example. We can also consider animal materials such as leather. Finally, it is possible to envisage making the flexible strand with an elastomer, such as natural or synthetic rubber.

Another aspect of the invention relates to an attachment device, for example for a bracelet according to the first aspect and arranged to be attached to a watch case comprising at least a first attachment interface such as a first bar, the fastening device comprising: a first attachment portion arranged to be removably attached to one of the first attachment interfaces of the watch case, a second attachment portion comprising a passage opening arranged to attach the bracelet, such as a slot defined by a second bar, characterized in that a length of the passage opening is arranged to form a loop for the strand soft

[0017] Advantageously, a length of the passage opening is at least greater than 18 mm, and preferably at least greater than 20 mm, to allow a NATO-type flexible strand to slide into the passage opening.

[0018] Advantageously, a width of the passage opening is greater than 1.5 mm.

[0019] Advantageously, the passage opening is a slot formed by a second strip removably mounted on the fastening device.

[0020] Advantageously, the first attachment portion is arranged to be attached to a first strip having a free length of less than 12 mm.

A final aspect of the invention relates to a wristwatch, comprising: a watch case, a bracelet according to the first aspect of the invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings, wherein : FIG. 1 represents a partial view of a watch strap comprising a flexible strand and a fastening device, in perspective; FIG. 2 represents in perspective an exploded view from above of the attachment device of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 represents in perspective an exploded bottom view of the fastening device of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 represents a cross section of the fastening device of FIG. 1, with a locking member in a locking position; Figure 5 shows the cross section of the attachment device of Figure 1, with the locking member in an open position; FIG. 6 represents a top view of the fastening device of FIG. 1; Figure 7 shows a section of the top view of Figure 6; FIG. 8 represents a cross section of a watch bracelet comprising a flexible strand and two attachment devices each attached to a watch case.

Figure 1 shows in perspective a flexible strand 200 equipped with a removable attachment device. In the following description of a bracelet according to the invention, a particular example of a bracelet interchangeability device on a watch case is illustrated, and is constituted by a first half-link 10 and by a second half-link 20. The flexible strand 200 is typically a single-strand fabric strap (in one piece) and of sufficient length to attach a watch to a user's wrist. Such a flexible strand can be called a NATO strap or a G10 strap and generally has a width of 20 mm, and a length of at least 250 mm, for example 280 mm. Such a flexible strand 200 therefore requires that the watch case has a distance between lugs compatible with the above dimensions, in particular because of the width of the flexible strand 200. As will be explained below, the attachment device makes it possible to removably attach the flexible strand 200 to a watch which is not initially intended for this function, with for example a distance between the lugs of less than 20 mm, or an insufficient width of the slot between the first strips of the watch and the case.

[0024] Figure 2 shows in perspective an exploded top view of the fastening device of Figure 1, which comprises the first half-link 10, the second half-link 20, a second bar 30, a closure plate 40 , and two springs 50.

The first half-link 10 supports the second bar 30 via horns 14 and includes a beak 11 opposite the second bar 30, and two first slide bearing surfaces 13 side. Beak 11 forms a groove, visible in a side view, arranged to receive a first bar 101 of a watch case 100 as will be shown in Figure 8.

Figure 3 which shows in perspective an exploded bottom view of the attachment device of Figure 1, shows that the first half-link 10 also includes a slot 12 which can receive the closure plate 40 visible in the figures 2 and 3.

The second half-link 20 also visible in Figures 2 and 3 comprises a clasp portion 21, an indentation 24 opposite the clasp portion 21, a support wall 22 and two second lateral slide surfaces 23 . The second sliding surfaces 23 are arranged to cooperate with the first sliding surfaces 13, so that the second half-link 20 is arranged to be mounted on the first half-link 10 according to a sliding connection in order to form a locking member . The term sliding connection should be understood in the broad sense, and other means of cooperation in translation of the two half-links are possible.

The closure plate 40 is a wall arranged to be housed in the slot 12 of the first half-link 10, so as to trap the springs 50 between the closure plate 40 and the support wall 22 of the second half- link 20 as shown in Figure 4. It is possible to provide that the closure plate 40, once mounted in the slot 12, remains in position due to a tight assembly provided, or thanks to an elastic locking element (clipping) , or blocking by a pin or a screw, or a point of glue, or even a weld.

The attachment device of Figure 1 allows the flexible strand 200 to be removably attached to a watch case 100 comprising two first attachment interfaces such as two first strips 101 (visible in Figure 8 only). To this end, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the attachment device comprises: a first attachment portion A designed to be removably attached to one of the first bars 101 of the watch case 100, and a second attachment portion B comprising a passage opening formed here by a slot 60 defined by the second strip 30, arranged to attach the flexible strand 200.

As seen above in the particular example of interchangeability device, the second half-link 20 is movable in translation relative to the first half-link 10 and can occupy a locking position (Figure 4) or a open position (figure 5).

As shown in Figure 4 which is a cross section of the attachment device of Figure 1, the second half-link 20 forming a locking member, is pushed by the springs 50 in a locking position. In this locking position, the clasp portion 21 of the second half-link 20 is opposite and above the beak 11 of the first half-link 10, so that the groove formed by the beak 11 is closed. The attachment device is thus locked on the watch case if a first bar 101 of the watch case is engaged in the groove formed by the beak 11.

Figure 5 shows the cross section of the attachment device of Figure 1, with the second half-link 20 forming the locking member in an open position. Indeed, under the action of a user, the second half-link 20 has been pushed to the left, compressing the springs 50, which allows the clasp portion 21 to clear the groove formed by the spout 11. Accordingly, the user can attach or detach the attachment device from the watch case.

The second half-link 20 is in one piece and/or in one piece, and can be controlled directly by the user. There is no need to provide an added control button, which provides a fastening device with few components, and few assembly operations. In other words, the second half-link 20 is intended to be actuated directly by the user, without intermediate parts, to unlock the fastening device.

[0034] Figure 6 shows a top view of the attachment device, where we see that the second attachment portion B comprises the slot 60 formed by the second bar 30 and the rest of the attachment device (in particular the horns 14 of the first half-link 10 and the notch 24 of the second half-link 20). The slot 60 (hatched to be clearly visible) forms a loop and its dimensions are designed to easily accommodate the flexible strand 200. The width of the slot 60 is typically greater than or equal to 20 mm, and its width is greater than or equal to 1.5 mm.

In this top view, it is noted that the width of the first attachment portion A is significantly less than the width of the slot 60, so that the attachment device shown makes it possible to attach a flexible strand 200 NATO type for example on a watch case which cannot itself form a loop for such a type of flexible strand, without deforming or bending the strand.

[0036] Figure 7 shows a section of the top view of Figure 6, where we see the springs 50 mounted between the closure plate 40 and the support wall 22. It is noted that the closure plate 40 and the support wall 22 both include blind holes 41 and 220 respectively, so that the overall size is reduced and assembly facilitated because the blind holes pre-position the springs 50.

It can also be noted that the first slide bearing surfaces 13 are completely nested with the second slide bearing surfaces 23 when the second half-link 20 is in the locking position.

Finally, the first half-link 10 has a first width L10 and the second half-link 20 has a similar second width L20, with for example: 0.8 x L10 < L20 < 1.2 x L10

The first half-link 10 and the second half-link 20 both have dimensions that allow them to be manufactured by traditional manufacturing technologies.

[0040] FIG. 8 represents a watch case 100 comprising two first strips 101, with an attachment device coupled to each of them via the first attachment portion A, and a flexible strand 200 (monostrand) is attached to the two attachment devices via their second attachment portion B. The second half-link 20 of each attachment device forms a locking member that is easy for the user to actuate, since it is accessible directly from above.

[0041] Moreover, as seen above, even if the watch case 100 has first bars and/or a distance between lugs incompatible with a flexible strand of standardized width, the two attachment devices provide the possibility of attach this type of single-strand bracelet to the watch case.

It will be understood that various modifications and/or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the various embodiments of the invention described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

[0043] In particular, reference is made to the first bars 101 of the watch case 100, but one can consider designing the first attachment portion A to be compatible with any other attachment interface of the watch case 100: a tenon, or a comb for example...

[0044] Furthermore, the particular example of interchangeability device on the watch case is not limiting, and other opening-closing systems can be provided for attaching-detaching the attachment devices on the watch case.

Claims (13)

1. Watch strap arranged to be attached to a watch case (100) comprising two first attachment interfaces such as two first strips (101), said watch strap comprising: – a flexible strand (200), – two attachment devices each comprising: – a first attachment portion (A) arranged to be removably attached to one of the first attachment interfaces of the watch case (100), – a second attachment portion (B) comprising a passage opening such as a slot (60) formed by a second bar (30), arranged to cooperate with the flexible strand, characterized in that each passage opening forms a loop in which the flexible strand (200) is arranged in a sliding manner. 2. Bracelet according to claim 1, wherein the flexible strand (200) is a single-strand bracelet, comprising at least one pin buckle closure. 3. Bracelet according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the passage opening of each attachment device has a length at least greater than 18 mm, and preferably at least greater than 20 mm. 4. Bracelet according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a width of the passage opening is greater than or equal to 1.5 mm. 5. Bracelet according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one passage opening is a slot (60) formed by a second strip (30) removably mounted on one of the fastening devices. 6. Bracelet according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first attachment portion (A) is arranged to attach to one of the first strips (101) which has a free length of less than 12 mm. 7. Strap according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the flexible strand (200) is a fabric strap, preferably of the NATO type. 8. Attachment device, for example for a bracelet according to one of the preceding claims and arranged to be attached to a watch case (100) comprising at least a first attachment interface such as a first bar (101) , the attachment device comprising: – a first attachment portion (A) arranged to be removably attached to one of the first attachment interfaces of the watch case (100), – a second attachment portion (B) comprising a passage opening (60) arranged to attach the bracelet, such as a slot (60) defined by a second bar (30), characterized in that a length of the passage opening is arranged to form a loop for the flexible strand (200). 9. Fastening device according to the preceding claim, in which a length of the passage opening is at least greater than 18 mm, and preferably at least greater than 20 mm, to allow sliding of a flexible strand (200) of NATO type in the passage opening. 10. Fastening device according to one of claims 8 or 9, wherein a width of the passage opening (60) is greater than or equal to 1.5 mm. 11. Fastening device according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the passage opening is a slot formed by a second strip (30) removably mounted on the fastening device. 12. Attachment device according to one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the first attachment portion (A) is arranged to be attached to a first strip (101) having a free length of less than 12 mm. 13. Wristwatch, including: – a watch case (100), – a bracelet according to one of claims 1 to 7.