CH719326A2 - Quick release system for watch strap. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a quick release system for an interchangeable watch strap on a clasp, the quick release system comprising: – an end link (1) for fixing the watch strap on the clasp, the end link comprising a body (10) and two lateral end pieces placed on each side of the body (10), a first lateral end piece (11) being integral with the body (10) and a mobile end piece (12) being able to slide moving away from the body (10); - a first bar (2) comprising a first end which is fixed to the first lateral end piece (11) and a second free end cooperating with a bore of the movable end piece (12); - a second bar (3) extending from the first end piece (11), comprising a first end able to slide inside the first end piece (11), and a second end articulated with the mobile end piece (12); – a retaining rod (4) arranged coaxially and fixed to the second bar (3), so that the movable end piece (12) is movable parallel to a longitudinal axis of said retaining rod (4); – a locking means for locking the movable endpiece (12) on the body (10).

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a quick release system for a watch strap on a watch case, in particular a metal watch strap, leather or rubber for example.

Background of the invention

[0002] Quick release systems for watch straps have become increasingly popular in recent years.

[0003] They allow the wearer of the watch to easily change the strap on a watch without tools. In addition to changing the strap on the watch head, tool-free changing of the strap on the clasp is also desirable. A quick-change system allows the customer to use different straps, for example in leather, rubber or textile, with the same clasp. This is particularly, but not exclusively, interesting in the field of „Haute Horlogerie“. In „Haute Horlogerie“ complex and expensive folding clasps are widely used, some of them being made of precious metal. The interchangeability of the strap on the clasp is therefore of particular importance in this field.

[0004] A common system for changing a strap on a folding clasp consists of a spring bar provided with a protruding pin. By pulling the pin with a fingernail, the spring bar pin is pulled out of the counterpiece, releasing the band. Nevertheless, this system can hardly meet the requirements of “Haute Horlogerie”. In addition, the use of a spring bar limits the implementation of a locking system.

[0005] In contrast, the present invention is aimed at a system that meets high requirements in terms of functionality and ease of use.

Summary of the invention

[0006] An object of the invention consists in overcoming these drawbacks by proposing a quick release system which is easy to use and in which the locking element is subjected to a low stress and ensures a high level of security. An invisible closure in the assembled state and a low height requirement are also made possible.

[0007] The invention therefore relates to a quick release system for an interchangeable watch strap comprising: – an end connection for fixing the watch strap to the watch case or the clasp, the end connection comprising a body and two side end pieces placed on each side of the body, a first side end piece being integral with the body and the second side end piece, called the movable end piece, being able to slide away from the body; - A first bar extending from the first endpiece, and comprising a first end which is fixed to the first lateral endpiece and a second free end cooperating with a bore of the movable endpiece; - A second bar extending from the first endpiece, comprising a first end slidable inside the first endpiece, and a second end articulated with the movable endpiece; – a retaining rod arranged coaxially and fixed to the second bar, so that the movable end piece is movable parallel to a longitudinal axis of said retaining rod, and such that the movable end piece can move from a locked position to which the movable end piece is held against the body, up to an unlocked position in which the movable end piece is free; – a locking means for locking the movable end piece on the body, said locking means comprising a sliding push-button inside the movable end connection, and a locking pin fixed to the body and cooperating with the button - pusher to allow said movable end piece to be locked to or to be unlocked from the body of the end link.

According to other features of the invention: - the locking pin comprises a head and a cylindrical body, the head being larger than the body and cooperating with an orifice formed in the push button; – the push button slides inside the movable end piece perpendicular to the plane of the body; – the movable end piece comprises at least one spring cooperating with the push-button to hold it in its locked position; – the movable end piece comprises a guide means for the push button; - The first end of the second bar comprises a head and a body, the head having a larger diameter than the diameter of the body; – the head of the first end of the second bar slides in a through hole of the first side end piece, the through hole comprising a first portion of a diameter and a second portion of a diameter, the diameter of the first portion being greater larger than the diameter of the second portion, and the diameter of the head being smaller than the diameter of the first portion and larger than the diameter of the second portion; – the locking pin is fixed to the body between the second free end of the first bar and the second end of the second bar; – the locking pin and the second free end of the first bar are integral; - The retaining rod is screwed onto the second end of the second bar, the retaining rod and the second bar, and implicitly the movable end piece, being able to rotate relative to the body.

[0009] The invention thus provides a high level of operating comfort and can meet the expectations of demanding customers. The presented system can be used with different folding clasps, and it is conceivable to replace the connecting element for the strap in an existing folding clasp by the present invention. An existing folding clasp can be converted into a folding clasp with a quick change system with little effort.

Another advantage of the invention is that no mechanism is necessary in the strap itself. Since straps, in particular made of leather, are wearing parts which must be changed at regular intervals for hygienic and aesthetic reasons, it is desirable to make them as simple as possible. This reduces the manufacturing effort as well as the price of the lanyard while increasing the flexibility.

Brief description of the drawings

[0011] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the non-limiting detailed description below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1a is a view from the top of a rapid release system according to the invention; - Figure 1b is a view from below of a quick release system according to the invention; - Figures 2a and 2b are cross-sectional views of a quick release system according to the invention; - Figure 2c is another cross-sectional view of a quick release system according to the invention; - Figure 2d is another cross-sectional view of a quick release system according to the invention; - Figures 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a and 6b are respectively views from above and cross-sectional views of the different steps for opening a quick release system according to the invention; - Figure 7 is a view from above of a strap provided with a quick release system according to the invention; - Figure 8 is a side view of a clasp provided with a quick release system according to the invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating, by way of example, an embodiment of the invention.

[0013] The invention proposes to give the user the possibility of easily and safely changing the bracelet of his watch while keeping the same clasp, with the least possible handling, and it also proposes a watch with an interchangeable bracelet. for the lowest possible incremental cost of production.

[0014] It must be possible to change the bracelet without any tools and without delicate manipulation while allowing a quick change between a leather bracelet and a metal bracelet, for example, or also allowing the bracelet to be matched with clothes. and/or jewelry worn by the user or the skin tone of the user, depending on the circumstances of use of the watch. The interchangeable strap also allows straps of different lengths to be instantly interchanged, allowing retailers and distributors to immediately supply the perfect watch for each customer.

The invention thus preferably relates to a quick release system for an interchangeable watch strap 100 on a clasp 1000.

[0016] According to the invention, the quick-release system comprises: - an end connection 1 for fixing the watch strap 100 to the clasp 1000, the end connection comprising a body 10 and two side ends placed on each side of the body 10, a first side end piece 11 being integral with the body 10 and the second side end piece, called the movable end piece 12, being able to slide away from the body 10; - A first bar 2 extending from the first endpiece 11, and comprising a first end 20 which is fixed to the first lateral endpiece 11 and a second free end 21 cooperating with a bore 13 of the movable endpiece 12; - A second bar 3 extending from the first end piece 11, comprising a first end 30 able to slide inside the first end piece 11, and a second end articulated with the mobile end piece 12; - a retaining rod 4 arranged coaxially and fixed to the second bar 3, so that the movable end piece 12 is movable parallel to a longitudinal axis of said retaining rod 4, and so that the movable end piece 12 can be moved from a locked position in which the movable end piece 12 is held against the body 10, to an unlocked position in which the movable end piece 12 is free; – a locking means for locking the movable end piece 12 on the body 10, said locking means comprising a push-button 6 sliding inside the movable end link 12, and a locking pin 7 fixed to the body 10 and cooperating with the push button 6 to allow said movable end piece 12 to be locked to or to be unlocked from the body 10 of the end link 1.

[0017] Advantageously, the first lateral end piece 11 comprises a milling contour which is complementary to the connection of the clasp 1000. Such an assembly limits the movement of the first lateral end piece 11 in the plane of the end connection. The plane of the end link is considered to be a plane extending longitudinally along end link 1.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first side end piece 11 comprises a first bar 2, which is arranged to be connected to the strap 100.

The movable end piece 12 comprises a complementary bore to receive the free end 21 of the first bar 2. The length of the first bar 2 is dimensioned so that the free end 20 is released when the movable end piece 12 is pulled away from the body 10 to its unlocked position, which allows the movable tip 12 to rotate and which allows the user to remove the strap. In the locked position, the free end 20 of the first bar 2 is fitted in the bore 13 and prevents the rotation of the movable end piece 12 around the retaining rod 4.

The first lateral end piece 11 is connected radially to the clasp 1000 by the second bar 3. This second bar 3, designed as a screw in the variant shown in the figures, can move in an axial direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of said second bar 3, inside the first side end piece 11.

The first end 30 of the second bar 3 comprises a head 32 and a body 33, the head 32 having a diameter D1 greater than the diameter D2 of the body 33 of the second bar 3.

As can be seen in Figure 2c, the first side end piece 11 comprises a stepped bore 34 which passes through it and provides a stop for the first end 30 of the second bar 3. The head 32 of the first end 30 of the second bar 3 slides in the stepped bore 34 of the first side end piece 11, the stepped bore 34 comprising a first portion with a diameter D3 and a second portion with a diameter D4. The diameter D3 of the first portion is larger than the diameter D4, and the diameter D1 of the head 32 is slightly smaller than the diameter D3 of the first portion of the stepped bore 34 and slightly larger than the diameter D4 of the second portion of the stepped bore 34, so that the second bar 3 can slide inside the stepped bore 34 and be stopped by the stepped bore 34.

Advantageously, the length of the stepped bore 34 determines the stroke of the first end of the second bar 3 inside the stepped bore 34.

According to the invention, the movable end piece 12 is firmly connected to the second bar 3 via its second end 31 to the retaining rod 4. In the variant shown, the retaining rod 4 is fixed to the second end 31 of the second bar 3 by means of a thread. Nevertheless, other types of connection are also conceivable, for example a pressure connection. Thanks to this arrangement, the retaining rod 4 and the second bar 3, and implicitly the movable end piece 12, can rotate relative to the body 10 around the axis of the second bar 3. Such an arrangement simplifies the operation of maintenance, which is carried out by simply unscrewing the movable end piece of the second bar 3.

[0025] Thanks to this arrangement, the movable end piece 12 is limited in an axial direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of said second bar 3 or of said retaining rod 4 (which is identical) by the first end piece 11, and it simultaneously limits the axial displacement of the second bar 3 in this direction. Consequently, the movable end piece 12 can only move in an axial direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of said second bar 3. The movable end piece 12 can also be rotated around the longitudinal axis of the second bar 3.

The quick release system also comprises a locking means formed by a locking pin 7 which is firmly connected thereto and to a push button 6. The locking pin 7 comprises a head 70 and a cylindrical body 71, the head 70 being larger than the body 71 and cooperating with an orifice 60 formed in the push button. As shown in the figures, the locking pin 7 is mushroom-shaped, the head 70 comprising a slope 72 and the body comprising a groove 73.

According to the invention, the locking pin 7 is fixed to the body 10 between the second free end 21 of the first bar 2 and the second end 31 of the second bar 3.

It is also possible to merge the locking pin 7 and the second free end 21 of the first bar 2 so that they constitute one and the same element. Such an arrangement represents a simple task for those skilled in the art and it is therefore not shown in the figures.

[0029] The push button 6 also includes a slope 66 located just before the orifice 60, the orifice 60 and the slope 66 being arranged to cooperate with the slope 72 of the locking pin 7 in order to facilitate the locking of the movable tip 12 on the body 10.

[0030] The movable end piece 12 comprises a milling 65 in which the push button 6 is located. The push button 6 can move in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the end connection 1 inside this milling 65. The movable end piece 12 comprises at least one spring 61, and preferably two springs 61, cooperating with the push button 6 to maintain it in its locked position. The two springs 6 are located on each side of the push button 6.

As shown in Figure 2a, the movable tip 12 also includes a guide means for the push button. The guide means is formed by through holes 64 in the movable endpiece 12, and in which two tenons 62 are inserted. In addition, the push button 6 has oblong orifices 63 which, in relation to the two tenons 62, limit the stroke of the push button 6 and keep it inside the milling of the movable end piece 12.

In the locked position, the push button 6 is locked in the groove 73 of the locking pin 7, as can be seen in Figure 2b or 3b, which prevents the movement of the push button 6 in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the second bar 3. Since the push button 6 is also limited by the milling 65 in the movable end piece 12 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the end connection 1, the movement of the Movable tip 12 in this direction is also prevented accordingly.

To unlock the movable end piece 12, the push button is pressed perpendicular to the plane of the end connection 1 to the bottom of the milling 65 in the movable end piece 12, the locking pin is released (Figure 4b ) and the movable end piece 12 can be pulled along the longitudinal axis of the second bar 3 according to its constraints (FIG. 5a).

[0034] When the movable end piece is fully extended, it can be pivoted around the longitudinal axis of the second bar 3. This releases the first bar 2 and allows the strap to be changed (FIGS. 6a-6b).

[0035] Then, to lock the movable end piece 12, the movable end piece is turned in the opposite direction until the first bar 2 is aligned with the orifice 13 in the movable end piece 12 again. After having carried out the alignment, the wearer pushes the movable end piece 12 in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the second bar 3. After a short distance, the slope 72 of the locking pin 7 comes into contact with the slope 66 of the push button 6 so that the slope 66 of the push button 6 slides on the slope 72 of the locking pin 7, which causes the push button to move perpendicular to the plane of the end link 1 at the interior of milling 65.

[0036] When the edge of the push button 6 finally slides on the edge of the locking pin 7, the push button 6 is pressed by the force of the springs 61 and thus engages in the groove 73 of the locking pin 7. The mechanism is now in its locked position again.

The invention also relates to a bracelet 1100 comprising at least one end connection 1 of a system according to the invention.

The invention also relates to a watch comprising at least one bracelet provided with an end connection 1 of the system according to the invention.

Claims (12)

1. Quick release system for an interchangeable watch strap on a clasp, the quick release system comprising: – an end connection (1) for fixing the watch strap (100) on the clasp (1000), the end connection comprising a body (10) and two side end pieces placed on each side of the body (10), a first lateral endpiece (11) being integral with the body (10) and the second lateral endpiece, called the movable endpiece (12), being capable of sliding away from the body (10); – a first bar (2) extending from the first end piece (11), and comprising a first end (20) which is fixed to the first lateral end piece (11) and a second free end (21) cooperating with a bore (13 ) of the movable endpiece (12); – a second bar (3) extending from the first end piece (11), comprising a first end (30) able to slide inside the first end piece (11), and a second end articulated with the mobile end piece ( 12); – a retaining rod (4) arranged coaxially and fixed to the second bar (3), so that the movable end piece (12) is movable parallel to a longitudinal axis of said retaining rod (4), and such that the movable endpiece (12) can be moved from a locked position in which the movable endpiece (12) is held against the body (10), to an unlocked position in which the movable endpiece (12) is free; – a locking means for locking the movable end piece (12) on the body (10), said locking means comprising a push-button (6) sliding inside the movable end link (12), and a locking pin (7) fixed to the body (10) and cooperating with the push button (6) to allow said movable end piece (12) to be locked to or to be unlocked from the body (10) of the connection of end (1). 2. Quick release system according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking pin (7) comprises a head (70) and a cylindrical body (71), the head (70) being larger than the body (71) and cooperating with an orifice formed in the push button. 3. Quick release system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the push button (6) slides inside the movable end piece perpendicular to the plane of the body. 4. Quick release system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the movable end piece comprises at least one spring cooperating with the push button (6) to hold it in its locked position. 5. Quick release system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the movable end piece comprises a guide means for the push button (6). 6. Quick release system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first end of the second bar comprises a head and a body, the head having a diameter (D1) greater than the diameter (D2 ) from the body. 7. Quick release system according to claim 6, characterized in that the head of the first end of the second bar slides in a stepped bore (34) of the first lateral endpiece (11), the stepped bore (34) comprising a first portion of a diameter (D3) and a second portion of a diameter (D4), the diameter (D3) being larger than the diameter (D4), and the diameter (D1) being smaller than the diameter (D3 ) of the first portion and larger than the diameter (D4) of the second portion. 8. Quick release system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the locking pin is fixed on the body (10) between the second free end of the first bar and the second end of the second bar . 9. Quick release system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the locking pin and the second free end of the first bar are integral. 10. Quick release system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the retaining rod is screwed onto the second end of the second bar, the retaining rod and the second bar, and implicitly the tip movable, being capable of rotating relative to the body. 11. Watch strap (100) comprising at least one end connection (10) of a device according to any one of claims 1 to 10. 12. Watch characterized in that said watch comprises at least one end connection (1) of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.