EP0167799B1 - Articulated bracelet - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to bracelets with articulated links, in particular for watches. Such bracelets, generally made of metal, are appreciated for their solidity (CH-A-558153). Unfortunately, their cost is high, because of their complexity.

The object of the present invention is to produce a link bracelet requiring few constituent parts, while being easy to manufacture and to assemble.

This object is achieved thanks to the fact that the connection between two neighboring links is ensured by an element which comprises two parts respectively integral with the two links and each comprising a male member and a female member, the male member of each piece cooperating with the female organ in the other room. In addition, one of the male members of each connecting element has a cylindrical shape, while the other male member of the element is of parallelepiped shape. The two pieces are partially covered each by the two neighboring links and the parallelepiped male member is released in its part contiguous to the link secured to the piece comprising the cylindrical male member.

• la figure 1 représente, en perspective, une partie d'un bracelet selon une première forme de réalisation de l'invention;
• les figures 2a et 2b représentent, en coupe, la partie de bracelet de la figure 1, à plat en a, incurvé en b;
• la figure 3 est une vue en plan d'un élément de liaison du bracelet de la figure 1;
• la figure 4 représente, en perspective, une partie d'un bracelet selon une deuxième forme de réalisation de l'invention;
• la figure 5 est une vue en plan d'un élément de liaison d'un bracelet selon une troisième forme de réalisation de l'invention; et
• les figures 6a et 6b représentent en coupe et en plan une pièce constitutive d'un élément de liaison d'un bracelet selon une quatrième forme de réalisation de l'invention.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows made with reference to the appended drawings. In these drawings:

• Figure 1 shows, in perspective, part of a bracelet according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• Figures 2a and 2b show, in section, the bracelet part of Figure 1, flat at a, curved at b;
• Figure 3 is a plan view of a connecting element of the bracelet of Figure 1;
• Figure 4 shows, in perspective, part of a bracelet according to a second embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 5 is a plan view of a connecting element of a bracelet according to a third embodiment of the invention; and
• Figures 6a and 6b show in section and in plan a component part of a connecting element of a bracelet according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

In these figures, the similar parts have the same references.

The bracelet shown in FIGS. 1, 2a and 2b comprises a succession of links 10 made up of parallelepiped plates and connecting elements 12 connecting the links together and allowing them to pivot around articulation axes 14. Each element 12 is formed by two parts 16 and 18, respectively fixed, advantageously by welding, to the lower faces of two neighboring links.

As can be seen more clearly from FIG. 3, the part 16 has a body 19 and a T-shaped central part 20 which is inserted into an opening of complementary shape made in the part 18. More precisely, the T-shaped part 20 has two arms 22 and 24 constituting two male members, and defines spaces 26 and 28, comprised between these arms and the body 19 of part 16, which constitute two female members. The opening of complementary shape of the part 18 has two spaces 30 and 32 constituting two female organs with which the male organs 22 and 24 of the part 16 cooperate, while two fingers bordering the spaces 30 and 32 and constituting two male organs 34 and 36 cooperate with the female members 26 and 28 of the part 16.

The male members 22 and 24 of the part 16 have a cylindrical shape whose axis, perpendicular to the direction of alignment of the links, constitutes the articulation axis 14 of the connection between two contiguous links. The adjustment of these members 22 and 24 in the female members 30 and 32 of the part 18 is made without play but does not however prevent them from pivoting. Furthermore, the play between the ends of the male members 34 and 36 and the bottoms of the corresponding female members 26 and 28 is very small, in order to ensure the alignment of the links.

The notion of cylindrical shape is to be taken in a broad sense, because only the parts of the male members 22 and 24 cooperating respectively with the surfaces of the female members 30 and 32 parallel to the axes 14 and with the underside of the links 10 must be rounded, to guarantee the proper functioning of the joints.

Unlike the male members 22 and 24, the male members 34 and 36 of the part 18 have a parallelepiped shape. As it appears in FIG. 2b, their play inside the female members 26 and 28 must be sufficient so as not to hinder the pivoting.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2a, 2b and 3, the position of the links 10 relative to the parts 16 and 18 is such that the border between two neighboring links is situated substantially at the level of the contact zone between the male members 22 and 34 on the one hand, 24 and 36 on the other. Thus, the part 16 secured to a link has its male members 22 and 24 covered by the neighboring link. Similarly, the part 18 secured to a link has its male members 34 and 36 covered by the neighboring link. Such an arrangement ensures the permanent assembly of the two parts 16 and 18 of a connecting element 12 of two links 10.

Figures 2a, 2b and 3 show that the male members 34 and 36 of the part 18 have a bevel 40 (shaded in Figure 3) in their portion covered by the link carrying the part 16. Such a bevel is necessary to allow the pivoting of a connecting element 12, the amplitude being greater the greater the bevel.

The notion of parallelepiped shape of the male organs 34 and 36 is also to be taken in the broad sense of the term, since only two of the faces of each of the male organs 34 and 36 play an essential role in the functioning of the joint, namely the cooperating faces. respectively with the male members 22 and 24 to perform the function of the joint and the faces which constitute the bevel 40 and whose shape defines the amplitude of the joint.

In the embodiment which has just been described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, the parts 16 and 18 fixed to a link 10 are separate. It goes without saying, however, as shown in Figure 4, that these two parts can be combined in a single plate 41 welded to the underside of the link.

In the variant shown in FIG. 5, the bracelet likewise comprises a succession of links 10 and connecting elements 12. In this variant, a connecting element 12 comprises two identical parts 42 and 42 ′, articulated around a axis 44 and respectively fixed by welding to the lower faces of neighboring links.

The part 42 comprises a body 45 and first and second L-shaped extensions attached to the body 45 and each comprising two arms 46 and 48 respectively 52 and 54. These two extensions are located on one side, the other on the other side of a median line 50 extending in the plane of the drawing, in a direction perpendicular to the axis 44. More precisely, the edge of the arm 46 opposite the arm 48 is adjacent to the line 50, while that the edge of the arm 52 opposite the arm 54 extends the side of the body 45, in the part of the body located on the other side of the center line 50. The arm 48 is cylindrical in shape, with an axis coincident with the axis 44. The arm 54 is of parallelepiped shape. They each constitute a male organ. The two extensions define with the body 45 spaces 56 respectively 58 which each constitute a female organ.

The part 42 'is strictly identical to the part 42. The elements which constitute it have been given the same reference as the corresponding elements of the part 42, marked with the sign

The male organs 48 and 54 of the part 42 take place in the female organs 58 'and 56' respectively of the part 42 ', while the male organs 48' and 54 'of the part 42' take place in the female organs 58 and 56 respectively from Exhibit 42.

The cylindrical male members 48 and 48 'are adjusted without play in the female members 58' and 58 respectively. On the other hand, the play of the parallelepipedal male organs 54 and 54 'in the female organs 56' and 56 respectively must be sufficient so as not to hinder the articulation. The play between the ends of the male members 54 and 54 'and the bottoms of the corresponding female members 56' and 56 is very small, in order to ensure the alignment of the links.

Finally, the parallelepiped male members 54 and 54 'each have a bevel 60 respectively 60' (shaded in FIG. 5) whose role is identical to that of the bevel 40 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the positioning of the links 10 relative to the parts 42 and 42 ′ is such that the border between two neighboring links is situated substantially at the level of the articulation axis 44. Thus, the part 42 fixed to a link has its parallelepipedic male organ 54 covered by the neighboring link.

It goes without saying that, in the variant of FIG. 5 also, the two parts 42 and 42 ′ integral with the same link 10 can be combined in a single plate, as has been described with reference to FIG. 4.

In all the variants described so far, the bracelet is non-removable, the parts 16 and 18 being welded to their respective link 10. Figures 6a and 6b show a part 18 allowing the disassembly of the connecting element, which makes it possible to modify the length of a bracelet strand, insofar as it comprises several pieces of this type.

To do this, the part 18 comprises two components 62 and 64, which are removable with respect to one another. The male member 36 and the female member 32 are formed on the component 62, the male member 34 on the component 64, while the female member 30 is partly defined by the component 62, for the other by component 64.

More precisely, and as can be seen in FIG. 6b, the component 62 comprises a first zone, in the shape of a U, consisting of three arms 66, 68 and 70, the arms 66 and 68 being parallel to each other and connected to each other by the arm 70, oriented perpendicular to the two arms 66 and 68. The arm 66 forms the male member 36, while the interior space of the U forms the female member 32.

Component 62 has a second L-shaped zone, consisting of two arms 72 and 74, oriented perpendicular to each other. The arm 72 is attached to the arm 68. They together form a shoulder 76, the arm 72 being narrower than the arm 68. The arm 74 is parallel to the arm 70 and of the same width. As can be seen in FIG. 6a, the arm 74 is thinner in its outer part 74 'than in its inner part 74 ", so as to leave a space between the link 10 and the part 74' when the link 10 is attached to part 16.

Component 64 is U-shaped and has two arms 78 and 80 parallel and an arm 82 which connects them. The arm 78 is adjacent to the arm 72 and as wide as its outer side is in the extension of the outer side of the arm 68.

The arm 80 forms the male member 34. It is an extension of the arm 66. The arm 82 is oriented perpendicular to the arms 78 and 80 and connects them. In thickness, it is interposed between the link 10 and the part 74 'and entirely occupies the space between them (Figure 6a). The arm 82 also comprises a boss 84 in its face adjacent to the part 74 ′, while the latter has a recess 86 in its face adjacent to the arm 82, intended to receive the boss 84.

The female member 30 is defined by the internal faces of the L-shaped zone and by the distal part of the internal face of the arm 80.

The part 18 is fixed to the link 10 by welding of the component 62, the component 64 being held by clamping between the part 74 ′ and the link 10.

As can be seen by comparing FIGS. 3 and 6b, the part 18 with two components (FIG. 6b) has the same configuration as the monolithic part 18 in FIG. 3. Consequently, the way in which the organs of the parts 16 and 18 remains the same.

To disassemble a connecting element comprising a part 18 as shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b, in order to shorten or lengthen the bracelet, it suffices to separate component 64 from component 62, for example by sliding a screwdriver between the arm 78 and the arm 68, which brings the boss 84 out of the recess 86, and allows the component 64 to move in a direction parallel to the axis of articulation 14, until the arm 82 is completely released. When the component 64 is removed, the assembly formed of the part 16, engaged in the dismantled part 18, and of the link 10 to which it is integral, can rotate about an axis parallel to the direction of alignment of the links, l 'male member 34 no longer retaining the link 10. The male member 22 then leaves the female member 30, which allows to separate the parts 16 and 18 of this connecting element.

The operation is reversed to reassemble parts 16 and 18.

In the variants described, each of the parts 16, 18 or 42, 42 ′ of an element 12 comprises two male members and two female members. It is obvious, however, that each part could have only one male organ and only one female organ. Thus, in the case of FIG. 3, the male member 24 and the female member 32 could be omitted. The central part 20 would be L-shaped. In addition, the part 18 would include, in place of the male member 36, a stop bearing against the central part 20.

The bracelet according to the invention is advantageously made of stainless steel. This material gives the assembly excellent resistance to chemical agents, as well as to wear, while allowing itself to be machined by stamping, and assembled by welding.

Obviously, other materials could also be used. Thus, for the production of the links, it would be possible to use hard materials such as corundum, nitride or titanium or tungsten carbide for example. These materials are even more resistant to wear, but more difficult to machine.

To manufacture a bracelet according to the variant described with reference to FIG. 4, one starts with a stainless steel strip which is cut by means of a progressive stamp, to obtain the plates 41. Each time that one of the platelets is taken out of the strip, it is made integral with the previously manufactured wafer, by inserting the male organs of one into the female organs of the other. An articulated band is thus obtained, the connection between the various plates being sufficient for it not to be disassembled under the effect of the slightest shock due to the backlash-free adjustment of the male organs 22 and 24 in the female organs 30 and 32 respectively. Furthermore, the links 10 are also manufactured, by stamping, and then the upper surface of these links is treated to give them a state which defines the aesthetic appearance of the bracelet. These links are then fixed to the plates 41, by electrical welding, while positioning them as described above. This mode of operation allows a very high level of automation, which makes it possible to reduce costs considerably.

As we have just seen, the different variants which have been discussed allow the production of bracelets that are simple to manufacture and assemble, using rapid and inexpensive manufacturing processes. It is thus possible to produce particularly advantageous metal bracelets.

Claims (7)

1. A wristlet comprising a succession of links (10) and of hinged connection elements (12) for hingedly connecting the links to each other, wherein:

a connection element (12) has two parts (16,18) which are respectively secured to two adjacent links and which each have a male member (22; 34) and a female member (26; 30), the male member of each part cooperating with the female member of the other part,

one of the male members (22) of each element being generally cylindrical with an axis providing a hinge axis (14), the other male member (34) being generally parallelepipedic,

the two parts (16,18) are each partly covered by the two adjacent links (10); and

the parallelepipedic male member (34) is relieved in the region thereof contiguous to the link secured to the part (16) provided with the cylindrical male member (22).

2. A wristlet as in claim 1, characterized in that each part (16,18) has a second male member (24; 36) of like shape to that of the first (22; 34) and a second female member (28; 32), said members (22, 24; 26, 28; 30, 32; 34, 36) being aligned in pairs in a direction parallel to the hinge axis.

3. A wristlet as in claim 1, characterized in that each part of a connection element has a generally cylindrical male member (48, 48'), a generally parallelepipedic male member (54, 54') and two female members (56, 58, 56', 58'), the inside of the generally parallelepipedic male member (54, 54') is in alignment with the outside of the generally cylindrical male member (48, 48'), and the two generally cylindrical male members (48, 48') of a connection element are contiguous and coaxial.

4. A wristlet as in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the parts (16, 18) and the links (10) are of stainless steel.

5. A wristlet as in claim 4, characterized in that the parts (16, 18) are welded to the links (10).

6. A wristlet as in claim 5, characterized in that the two parts (16,18) that are secured to a link (10) are formed by a plate (41), one end of which is provided with cut-outs defining the male and female members of one of the parts (16) and the other end of which is provided with cut-outs defining the male and female members of the other part (18).

7. A wristlet as in claim 2, characterized in that the part (18) having the generally parallelepipedic male members (34, 36) has two components (62, 64) of which one (62) forms with said link (10) an undismantlable unit and includes assembly means (74', 84) cooperating with the other component (64) to position the latter and enable it to be removed, each one of said components (62, 64) having one of said generally parallelepipedic male members (36; 34).

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