EP0198279B1 - Fancy article - Google Patents

Description

The subject of the present invention is a novelty article comprising at least one strand of generally elongated shape.

Such an article can be, for example, a watch strap, a belt, a handbag strap, etc.

The object of the present invention is to provide a novelty item of the kind defined above having a pleasant appearance, easy to modify to adapt it to fashion trends, and the cost price of which is low.

This object is achieved by the claimed novelty item.

• - la figure 1 est une vue schématique en plan d'une montre munie d'un bracelet selon l'invention;
• - les figures 2 à 4 sont des coupes longitudinales partielles et schématiques de diverses variantes du bracelet de la figure 1;
• - la figure 5 est une vue schématique en plan du bracelet de la figure 4;
• - les figures 6 et 7 sont des coupes longitudinales partielles et schématiques d'autres variantes du bracelet de la figure 1;
• - la figure 8 est une vue schématique en plan du bracelet de la figure 7;
• - les figures 9 et 10 sont des vues en coupe longitudinale et en plan, partielles et schématiques, d'une autre variante du bracelet de la figure 1;
• - la figure 11 est une vue en coupe longitudinale partielle et schématique d'une autre variante du bracelet de la figure 1;
• - la figure 12 est une vue en plan d'un fermoir qui peut être associé au bracelet de la figure 1 ; et
• - les figures 13 et 14 sont des coupes selon les axes A-A, respectivement B-B, du fermoir de la figure 12.

The invention will now be described by taking a non-limiting example of a novelty article according to the invention a watch strap. The description will be made with reference to the drawing in which:

• - Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a watch provided with a bracelet according to the invention;
• - Figures 2 to 4 are partial and schematic longitudinal sections of various variants of the bracelet of Figure 1;
• - Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of the bracelet of Figure 4;
• - Figures 6 and 7 are partial and schematic longitudinal sections of other variants of the bracelet of Figure 1;
• - Figure 8 is a schematic plan view of the bracelet of Figure 7;
• - Figures 9 and 10 are views in longitudinal section and in plan, partial and schematic, of another variant of the bracelet of Figure 1;
• - Figure 11 is a partial and schematic longitudinal sectional view of another variant of the bracelet of Figure 1;
• - Figure 12 is a plan view of a clasp which can be associated with the bracelet of Figure 1; and
• FIGS. 13 and 14 are sections along the axes AA, respectively BB, of the clasp in FIG. 12.

The strap 1 of the watch 2 shown schematically in Figure 1 is formed of two strands 3 and 4 whose constitution is very similar. This watch 2 will not be described here, because it can be of any kind.

FIG. 2 represents a partial longitudinal section of the strand 3 of the bracelet 1, in a first variant form of the latter.

In this first variant, the strand 3 comprises a core 5 having the general shape of a strap. In the example of FIG. 2, this core 5 has a substantially rectangular cross section, but it can also have a cross section of different shape.

The strand 3 further comprises decorative elements 6 which have the general shape of rings closely surrounding the core 5 over part of the length. These elements 6 are spaced from each other, so that the core 5 is visible between them. They are also integral with this core 5 and therefore cannot move relative thereto.

Blade. 5 of the strand 3 is produced, in a manner which will be described later, in a first thermoplastic plastic material, which preferably has the property of being flexible at the usual temperatures of use. Such a material can belong, for example, to the class of thermoplastic elastomers. Good results have been obtained with the material sold under the trade name of PEBAX (registered trademark) by the house ATOCHEM in Serquigny (France).

The decorative elements 6 are produced, in a manner which will also be described later, in a second hot-melt plastic material, which may be the same as that of the core 5, or else be different from it, and the melting point is equal to or higher than the melting point of the first plastic. This second plastic material can be, for example, a polyamide resin of the kind which is sold under the trade name of RILSAN (registered trademark) by the company ATOCHEM mentioned above.

In the variant of Figures 1 and 2, the strand 3 of the bracelet 1 is connected to the watch case 2 in a completely conventional manner. It has a loop formed by one of its ends folded back on itself and held in place by a clip 7. This loop passes around a bar 8 whose ends are engaged in holes, not shown, drilled in horns 9a and 9b forming part of the watch case 2.

The basic structure of the strand 4 of the bracelet 1 and the fixing of this strand 4 to the watch case are identical to those of the strand 3. Their constituents will not be described again and will be designated by the same references as the components strand correspondents 3.

The closure means of the bracelet 1 are also entirely conventional in this first variant. They consist, on the one hand, of a loop 10 fixed to the strand 3 by a bar 11 and provided with a barb 12 and, on the other hand, by holes 13 drilled in the strand 4 and in which the barb 12 can be introduced. The bar 11 is arranged in a loop formed by the second end of the strand 3 folded back on itself and held in place by a clip 14.

Strands 3 and 4 can be made, together or separately, in a very simple manner.

This production consists, in a first step, of injecting the plastic material chosen to constitute the core 5 in a mold of suitable shape, at a temperature equal to or higher than its melting temperature.

In a second step, the plastic material chosen to constitute the decorative elements 6 is molded on the core 5 obtained in the first step. This overmolding is carried out by injection of this plastic material into a second mold of suitable shape into which the core 5 has been previously introduced, at a temperature equal to or greater than its melting temperature.

The injection of the second plastic material around the core 5 brings the material of the latter, at least superficially, to an equal temperature or higher than its melting point, at the location of the decorative elements 6. At these locations, the first plastic material melts and forms with the second plastic material which is in contact with it a layer of an intimate mixture, or even of a sort of alloy, of these two plastics. After cooling, this layer provides a mechanical connection between the core 5 and the decorative elements 6 which thus become integral.

The connection between the decorative elements 6 and the core 5 is further improved when this core 5 is placed immediately after its injection, while it is not yet completely cooled, in the mold used for the injection of the decorative elements 6 .

Variants of bracelet 1 are illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 10.

In FIG. 3, which is a longitudinal section of a part of the strand 3 of the bracelet 1 of one of these variants, the core 5 has protuberances 5a, located in the parts of this core 5 which are surrounded by the elements decorative 6. These protrusions are engaged in housings 6a formed in these elements 6.

These protrusions 5a can have any shape, for example the shape of transverse ribs shown in Figure 3. In addition, these protrusions 5a can be arranged on both sides of the core 5 or be provided on only one of these faces.

The housings 6a formed in the decorative elements 6 have of course each time a shape and an arrangement corresponding to those of the protrusions 5a.

These protrusions 5a can have a thickness less than that of the decorative elements 6, as in the case of FIG. 3. They can also have a thickness substantially equal to or greater than that of these decorative elements 6, on one of the faces of the core. 5 at least, and therefore be visible. This arrangement is illustrated in Figure 4.

In this variant, the shape of the visible part of the protrusions 5a can be any. FIG. 5 illustrates two forms of these visible parts, by way of nonlimiting example.

In another variant of the bracelet 1, illustrated by FIG. 6, the decorative elements 6 include protuberances 6b, which are engaged in housings 5b formed in the core 5.

In another variant of the bracelet 1, which is illustrated by FIGS. 7 and 8, the core 5 of the bracelet 1 is provided with protrusions 5c arranged on either side of the decorative elements 6. As in the other variants described below- above, these protrusions 5c can have any shape and completely or partially surround the core 5.

In another variant of the bracelet 1, which is illustrated by FIGS. 9 and 10, the core 5 has protrusions 5c similar to those of FIGS. 7 and 8, as well as protrusions 5d, also in the form of a rib, arranged between the protrusions 5c.

The presence of the protrusions 5a, 5b and 5c and the corresponding housings 6a and 6b improves and strengthens the connection between the core 5 and the decorative elements 6. In addition, it widens the choice of materials which can be used to make the bracelet 1, because these materials should no longer adhere to each other as in the case of Figure 2.

In addition to their effect of improving the connection between the core 5 and the decorative elements 6, the protrusions such as the protrusions 5a, when they are visible as in the case of FIGS. 4 and 5, or 5c, have a significant aesthetic effect, which can be easily modified by modifying their shapes. The same is true of the protrusions 5d which obviously have no effect on the connection of the core 5 with the decorative elements 6.

These probabilities 5d can also be present in any of the variants described above.

The core 5, the protrusions 5a, 5c and 5d and the decorative elements 6 described above have faces which are flat and smooth, and which intersect at right angles, It is obvious that these faces can be non-planar, c '' ie hollowed out or curved, and / or not to cut at right angles. In addition, these surfaces can be rough, ridged, etc. Nor is it necessary that the decorative elements 6 all have the same shape. In the case of FIGS. 7 to 10, it is also not necessary for the probabilities 5c and the lateral edges of the decorative elements 6 to be in contact over their entire length.

These variants are not shown, their number being practically unlimited.

It is obvious that the bracelets described above and all their possible variants can be manufactured in the same manner as that of FIGS. 1 and 2. The various protrusions and / or housings with which the core 5 is provided in these various variants are obtained by giving an adequate shape to the mold used for the injection of the first plastic material. The housings and / or protrusions of the decorative elements 6 are automatically produced during the injection of the second plastic material.

FIG. 11 illustrates another variant of the bracelet of FIGS. 1 and 2 which can be combined with any of the variants illustrated by FIGS. 3 to 10. In this variant, the loop formed by the end of the core 5 of the bracelet of Figure 2 and intended to surround the bar 8 is replaced by a fixing part 15, made of the same material and during the same injection operation as the decorative elements 6. The end of the core 5 is surrounded by a part of this part 15 and it is integral with this part. The part 15 is pierced with an opening 16 in which the bar 8 is arranged.

In this variant, the part of the core 5 surrounded by the fixing piece 15 can also include one or more protrusions similar to the protrusions 5a of FIG. 3 or one or more housings similar to the housings 5b of FIG. 6. The part of attachment 15 then comprises the housing or housings, respectively the corresponding protuberance (s).

It is obvious that, in this variant of the bracelet 1, the strand 4 thereof preferably comprises: also a fixing part to the watch case 2 identical to the part 15. Similarly, the loop 10 for closing the bracelet 1 is preferably fixed to the strand 3 by another fixing part similar to the part 15, however comprising a slot in which the barb 12 can move.

The considerations made above with regard to the shape and the condition of the external surfaces of the decorative elements 6 also apply to the fixing part 15.

It is also obvious that if the novelty item according to the invention is not a watch strap and that it has to be fixed to another object, it may include a fixing piece similar to the piece described above. above. The shape of this piece and the way it is connected to this object can be very diverse.

Figures 12 to 14 illustrate another variant of the bracelet of Figures 1 and 2 which can be combined with any of the variants illustrated in Figures 3 to 11. In this variant, one of the strands of the bracelet, for example strand 3 , comprises a clasp 17 intended to cooperate with the end of the other strand, the strand 4 in the present example, to ensure the closure of the bracelet 1.

The clasp 17 comprises a fixed element 18 which tightly surrounds the end of the strand 3 and which is integral therewith, and a mobile element 19. The fixed elements 18 and mobile 19 are pivotally joined by a shaft 20 and thus form a sort hinge.

The elements 18 and 19 also have recesses 21 and, respectively, 22 located opposite the shaft 20 and having shapes such that the element 19 remains firmly attached to the element 18 when the clasp 17 is in its closed state. These forms are also such that the recesses 21 and 22 can be separated to allow the opening of this clasp 17 and again hooked to one another when this clasp 17 must be closed.

The shape of these recesses 21 and 22 will not be described here because it can be chosen quite freely. It should however be noted that, in order for this attachment and this separation of the elements 18 and 19 to be possible, it is necessary that at least one of them has a certain elasticity, in the area of the recesses 21 and 22 while at least. This elasticity can be obtained by a judicious choice of the material used to produce the element concerned and of the shape of this element in the area of these recesses.

When the clasp 17 is in its closed state, there remains in its central part a cavity 23 which is open at the end of the clasp 17 opposite the strand 3.

The walls of the elements 18 and 19 which delimit this cavity 23 have housings 24, respectively 25, which face each other and which, in this example, have the form of parallel grooves.

The end of the strand 4 has protrusions 26 having a shape adapted to the shape of the housings 24 and 25, that is to say, in this example, the shape of parallel ribs, and intended to cooperate with the housings 24 and 25 to retain the end of the strand 4 in the clasp 17 when the latter is closed.

The use of the clasp 17 is very simple and clearly follows from the drawing and the explanations above. It will therefore not be described in detail here.

In this embodiment of the novelty article according to the invention, the part of the core 5 which is surrounded by a part of the element 18 of the clasp 17 may include one or more protuberances similar to the protuberances 5a of the figures 3 and 4, or one or more housings similar to the housings 5b in FIG. 6.

In these cases, the element 18 obviously includes the housing (s), respectively the corresponding protuberance (s).

These protuberances and these housings also naturally have the effect of strengthening the connection of the clasp 17 with the core 5 of the strand 3.

The elements 18 and 19 of the clasp 17 can be manufactured at the same time and in the same material as the decorative elements 6. It suffices for this to give the molds used the desired shape.

The considerations made above with regard to the shape and condition of the exterior surfaces of the decorative elements 6 also apply to the exterior surfaces of the clasp 17.

It should be noted that the shaft 20 connecting the elements 18 and 19 and the parts of these elements which cooperate with this shaft can be removed and replaced by a thin blade of the same plastic material as that of these elements. This thin blade is of course produced at the same time as these elements 18 and 19 and forms only one piece with them. The thickness of this blade must also be chosen to be sufficiently small so that it is flexible and allows the relative displacement of the elements 18 and 19.

The various variants of the clasp 17 mentioned above have not been shown.

It is obvious that, depending on the nature of the novelty article according to the invention, it may have only one strand, and not two, as in the examples described above.

Such a novelty article according to the invention can for example be a belt. The clasp 17 is then of course fixed to one end of this belt, and it is the other end thereof which has protuberances similar to the protuberances 26 of FIGS. 12 and 14.

A novelty article according to the invention comprising only one strand can also be, for example, a strap for supporting an object such as a handbag. In this case, one of the ends of the single strand can be fixed to the object in any way, for example by a fixing piece similar to the piece 15 of FIG. 11. The clasp 17 can then be fixed either to the object itself, in which case it is the second end of the single strand which has the protrusions similar to the protrusions 26 of Figures 12 and 14, or at this second end of the single strand, the object then comprising, for example, a tongue carrying such protuberances and intended to cooperate with the clasp 17.

Various other modifications can be made to the novelty article according to the invention, an example of which has been described above.

In particular, its appearance can be easily changed trusted by choosing other thermoplastic plastics for its manufacture, or by simply changing the color of one or both of these materials.

This aspect can also be modified by changing the shape of the molds used for the injection of plastics.

In addition, the novelty article according to the invention lends itself well to mass production and its cost price can therefore be quite low.

Claims (13)

1. A fancy artefact including at least one band of generally elongated shape, characterized by the fact that said band (3, 4) comprises a core portion (5) made of a first thermoplastic plastic material and a decorative element (6) surrounding said core portion (5) over part of its length, solid with said core portion (5) and made of a second thermoplastic plastic material.

2. A fancy artefact as in claim 1, characterized by the fact that said element (6) is solid with said core portion (5) through adherence of said first and second plastic materials.

3. A fancy artefact as in claim 1, characterized by the fact that said core portion (5) comprises a protuberance (5a) disposed on said part surrounded by said element (6) and engaged in a recess (6a) provided in said element (6).

4. A fancy artefact as in claim 1, characterized by the fact that said element (6) comprises a protuberance (6b) engaged in a recess (5b) provided in said core portion (5).

5. A fancy artefact as in claim 1, characterized by the fact that said core portion (5) comprises two protuberances (5c) disposed on opposite sides of said element (6).

6. A fancy artefact as in claim 1, characterized by the fact that it further comprises a securing piece (15) solid with said core portion (5) having at least a part thereof surrounding one end of said core portion (5) and made of said second plastic material.

7. A fancy artefact as in claim 6, characterized by the fact that said part of said securing piece (15) is solid with said core portion (5) through adherence of said first and second plastic materials.

8. A fancy artefact as in claim 6, characterized by the fact that said core portion (5) comprises a protuberance disposed on said end and engaged in a recess provided in said securing part (15).

9. A fancy artefact as in claim 6, characterized by the fact that said securing piece (15) comprises a protuberance engaged in a recess provided in said end.

10. A fancy artefact as in anyone of claims 1 to 9, characterized by the fact that said band (3, 4) further comprises a clasp (17) having at least a part surrounding one end of said core portion (5) and solid with said core portion (5), said clasp (17) being made of said second plastic material and comprising means (17, 18) for retaining the other end of said core portion (5), or one end of another band (4).

11. A fancy artefact as in claim 10, characterized by the fact that said clasp (17) is solid with said core portion (5) through adherence of said first and second plastic materials.

12. A fancy artefact as in claim 10, characterized by the fact that said core portion comprises a protuberance disposed on said end surrounded by said part of said clasp (17) and engaged in a recess provided in said clasp (17).

13. A fancy artefact as in claim 10, characterized by the fact that said clasp (17) comprises a protuberance engaged in a recess provided in said end of said core portion (5) surrounded by said part of said clasp (17).

Images