EP0494584A1

EP0494584A1 - Coupling device for removably coupling a strapt to a wrist-watch

Info

Publication number: EP0494584A1
Application number: EP91830507A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Carlo Crespi
Original assignee: Scs & Co Srl
Current assignee: Scs & Co Srl
Priority date: 1990-11-20
Filing date: 1991-11-20
Publication date: 1992-07-15
Also published as: IT1246130B; IT9022106A0; IT9022106A1

Abstract

A device for removably coupling a strap to a wrist-watch comprises an elongated body (1) including an elonganted hollow therein thee are slidably housed engaging elements (10) each of which is provided with an end portion (11) projecting from the end portions of the elongated body, the engagement elements (10) further including notches (20) arranged at openings (21) of the elongated body for the removable engagement with gripping means and for the withdrawal, at least partial, of the end portions as counter-biassed by resilient means (17).

Description

BACKGROUD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a coupling device for removably coupling a strap to a wrist-watch and the like.
As is known a problem which is frequently encountered in coupling a strap to a wrist-watch, is that of properly engaging and removing the resi lient pin connecting the strap to the case of the wrist-watch.
Usually, this resilient pin member comprises a cylindrical body in the inside whereof there are arranged opposite pins projecting from the cylindrical body and urged by a central spring.
In order to disengage the strap from the wrist-watch case, it is necessary to remove a pin from a hole conventionally formed on ear-portions of the wrist-watch case.
More specifically, to properly carry out this removal operation, it is conventionally necessary to introduce a blade member between a side end portion of the strap and the case ear, so as to cause the blade to abut on an abutment usually provided on the resilient pin.
Such an operation is rather complex and requires a long time since, in many cases, the operator can not provide the proper force in the longitudinal direction of the pin, in order to cause the pin to be withdrawn into the cylindrical body and to cause it to disengage from the hole.
Thus, it frequently occurs that the operator damages the case of the wrist-watch, or scratches it which is very objectable especially as the wrist-watch has a high value.
Another drawback is that, as the resilient pin is engaged, it is necessary, after having threaded the cylindrical body through the strap eyelet, to preliminarly introduce a peg into the other hole of the ear of the case and then press the projecting pin or peg so as to cause it to be properly engaged between the case ears.
In this connection it should be pointed out that such operation is usually performed under a "blind" condition since the operator can not properly see the hole or pin to be engaged in the holes provided therefor.
Thus, because of the above indicated reasons, the simple operation of replacing the strap of a wrist-watch must be frequently performed exclusively by a skilled operator.
With the metal material straps, moreover, the disclosed operation is much more complex since it is very difficult to properly resiliently press the pin during the disengagement operation thereof, since the metal strap is rather rigid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a coupling device for removably coupling a strap to a wrist-watch and the like, affording the possibility of simply and quickly disengaging and engaging the pin members for coupling the strap to a wrist-watch case.
Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a coupling device which allow an unskilled person to quickly and easily connect and remove a wrist-watch strap.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a coupling device which allows the strap to be engaged to/disengaged from the case of the wrist-watch without damaging the case.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a coupling device which can be fitted to all of the commercially available types of wrist-watches.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a coupling device which can be easily made starting from easily available elements and materials and which, moreover, is very competitive from a mere economic stantpoint.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a coupling device for removably coupling a strap to a wrist-watch, characterized in that said coupling device comprises a substantially elongated body, defining in its inside an elongated cavity, therein there are slidably housed, as urged by counter-biassing resilient means, engagement elements each of which is provided with an end portion projecting from the opposite end portions of said body, said engagement elements being further provided with notches arranged at opened portions of said body for removably engaging outside gripping means and for causing said end portions to be at least partially withdrawn, as counterbiassed by said resilient means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment thereof, which is illustrated, by way an indicative but not limitative example, in the figures of the accompanying drawings where:

Figure 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view illustrating the coupling device according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a further perspective view illustrating the coupling device according to the present invention in its assembled condition;
Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the coupling device according to the inventtion; and
Figure 4 is a perspective schematic view showing the operation for coupling a strap to a wrist-watch case.

DECRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, the coupling device, specifically designed for removably coupling a strap to a wrist-watch and the like, according to the invention, comprises a substantially elongated body, indicated generally at the reference number 1, which, as shown in the drawings, includes a first half-body 1a and a second half-body 1b which are coupled to one another.
More specifically, a half-body, for example the half-body 1a, is provided with projecting side walls 2 engaging in recesses 3 in order to be force-coupled to provide an integral body 1.
If desired, the body 1 can comprise a cylindrical tubular element which is upset at the axial end portions thereof, after having engaged therein its inside component elements.
Other solutions can also be designed, provided that the body 1 has a substantially elongated configuration.
Inside the body 1 there is formed a cavity 4, having preferably a cylindrical shape, which, at its axial end portions, is provided with axial abutments 5 where an outlet hole 6 is formed.
Inside the cavity 4 there are housed,in an opposite relationship, two engaging or insertion elements, generally indicated at the reference number 10, which are provided with an end portion, comprising a peg 11 which is separated, by means of a circular abutment 12, from a pin 13 having a diameter substantially corresponding to the diameter of the hole 6, so as to be adapted to outwardly project.
Each engagement element is further provided with an enlarged body 15 which is slidably restrained within the cavity 4 and can abut against the abutments 5.
The enlarged portion 15 is provided with an inner tapered portion 16 where a spring 17 is restrained, said spring providing a resilient means which resiliently outwardly urges the end portion of the mentioned engagement elements.
On the enlarged portion 15 there are provided notches 20, having preferably an anular configuration, which are arranged at openings 21, having preferably an elongated configuration, which are correspondingly provided through the body 1.
The openings 21 operate to allow the notches 20 to be accessed from the outside, in order to provide engagement with gripping means, including for example a small gripper 30, the tip portions 31 whereof can be engaged in the opening 21 and in the notches 20 so as to provide a compression force causing the engagement elements to move towards one another, so as to cause in turn the end portions to be at least partially withdrawn inside the body 1, in order to disengage the pegs 11 from the seats 40 which are conventionally defined on the case 41 of a wrist watch.
The strap 50 is provided with small windows 51 which can be registered with the openings 21 so as to allow the gripper to pass therethrough.
With the disclosed arrangement, an user can, in a very quick and simple way, cause the useful length of the coupling device to be resiliently reduced, so as to disengage the pegs 11 from the seats or holes 40, in order to disassemble the strap, or so as to hold the coupling device in a pressed condition, as the strap is to be assembled, in order to provide an easy access to the seat 40, as the gripping means are released.
From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.
In particular, the fact is to be pointed out that the coupling device according to the present invention can be quickly and easily applied and removed without damaging the case of the wrist-watch, since a portion of the surface of the elongated body is made accessible, which allows to resiliently press, by a simple resilient gripper, the coupling device in order to reduce its length and easily disengage it from the wrist-watch case.
The invention as disclosed is susceptible to several modifications and variations all of which will come within the scope of the inventive idea.
Moreover, all of the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.
In practicing the invention, the used materials, as well as the contigent shape and size can be any according to requirements.

Claims

A coupling device for removably coupling a strap to a crist-watch, characterized in that said coupling device comprises a substantially elongated body, defining in its inside an elongated cavity, therein there are slidably housed, as urged by counterbiassing resilient means, engagement elements each of which is provided with an end portion projecting from the opposite end portions of said body, said engagement elements being further provided with notches arranged at opened portions of said body for removably engaging outside gripping means and for causing said end portions to,be at least partially withdrawn, as counter-biassed by said resilient means
A coupling device according to Claim 1, characterized in that said substantially elongated body comprises a first and second half-bodies which are mutually rigidly coupled.
A coupling device according to the pre-ceding claims, characterized in that one of said half-body is provided with side walls which can be superimposed and coupled, by a force coupling, to corresponding cut-outs defined on the other hald body.
A coupling device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elongated body comprises a cylindrical body the end portions of which can be upset after having introducing into said elongated body said engagement elements.
A coupling device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cavity is provided, at axial end portions thereof, with hole encompassing abutments.
A coupling device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said end portions of said engagement elements comprise a peg which can be engaged in seats formed on a case of a wrist-watch and the like, being separated by means of an anular abutment from a pin which is slidably housed in holes of said cavity.
A coupling device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said engagement elements are each provided with an enlarged portion to be engaged in said cavity and adapted to abut against said abutments.
A coupling device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said notches are formed at said enlarged portion.
A coupling device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said opening openings of said body have a shape which is elongated in the longitudinal direction of said body.
A coupling device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said resilient means comprise a spring operating in said cavity between said enlarged portions.
A coupling device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said gripping means for causing said end portions to be at least partially withdrawn, comprise a resilient gripper the tip portions of which can be engaged in said notches through said opening.
A coupling device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strap to the applied on said elongated body is provided with small windows to be registered with said openings.