EP0659364B1 - Clasp frame - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a bar mount of the kind comprising a sole, and a tongue of hinged closure at one end to the sole and adapted to be hooked by its other end to a clasp formed on the sole, an opening spring allowing the tab to be ejected from the clasp.

The present invention relates more particularly to a clasp for this type of frame.

The most common clasps for this type of frame consist of two lateral operating lugs, made for example by folding from the sole, provided with arms with hooks, said arms extending in direction of each other by partially overlapping. The Patent FR 1,121,151 describes this type of clasp.

According to one possible embodiment, the hooks are spaced from each other and are opposite so as to define a hanging space for them longitudinal edges of a retaining tab provided at the end of the closing tab.

According to another embodiment, the hooks are directed opposite to each other and are capable to cooperate with the edges of a cut made at the end of the closing tab.

The locking tab is unlocked in both cases by acting on the side legs that the user squeezes towards each other between the thumb and the index finger by bending them towards the sole, this having either to remove the hooks or to tighten them according to the embodiment, until ejecting the part end of the tongue out of the clasp under the effect of opening spring.

We also realized that it would be practical to be able to open the bar using a means of rather located at the rear end of the clasp.

Various solutions have been proposed, in particular the patent FR 2 170 550 describes a rear operating member constituted by the extension of a leaf spring beyond its grip area with the sole. This operating device cooperates with inclined surfaces formed on the legs side so as to move the hooks of the clasp apart and eject the end part of the closing tab when the actuator is pressed towards the sole.

Another solution, completely designed is described in document FR 2 527 057. It consists of providing a pivoting clasp on brackets lateral and having a "Z" profile with a part upper forming a rear operating tab and, a intermediate part with a cooperating longitudinal slot both with a curved leaf spring end and with a flat end part of the tongue of closing. When the operating tab is pressed, causes the entire clasp to pivot and thereby the inclination of the slot authorizing the expulsion of the part end of the closing tab under the return effect of the leaf spring.

These two solutions have the drawback of require expensive manufacturing operations then assembly of several elements and intervention a spring leaf independent of the mount.

However, many bar mounts are now advantageously made in one piece and by folding operations only, or by injection.

In general, the object of the present invention is improve the opening of clasps with tabs lateral maneuvers, of the type particularly described in document FR 1 121 151, respecting the requirements of manufacturing profitability mentioned above.

It offers a barrette frame, of the kind comprising a closing tongue articulated on a sole and a clasp to allow the locking of said tongue on the sole, said clasp comprising, in protrusion on the sole, a pair of lateral legs maneuver each comprising a locking arm with a hook, said locking arms being directed one towards the other and partially overlapping, characterized in that a rear operating arm is also provided which extends from the rear edge of one of the legs lateral maneuver and which is directed towards the other leg lateral maneuver.

One of the side lugs for operating the clasp presents seen from above a profile generally in "U" with one branches formed by a locking arm carrying a hook of the clasp and the other branch constituted by the rear operating arm.

According to a preferred embodiment, the parts constituting the clasp, lateral operating lugs and rear operating arm, are an integral part of the sole and are thus advantageously produced only by folding operations as the clasps are made classics.

According to another characteristic of the invention, a rear operating tongue is preferably provided also by folding, from the upper edge of the rear maneuver extending generally parallel to the sole and towards the end of the latter.

When you press this rear tab of maneuver, the lateral operating leg is bent by through the rear operating arm. This implies jointly the movement of the locking arm and the hook it carries and thereby the release of the tongue closing.

This improves the opening of the clasp with the classic possibility of operating the clasp using side legs and the new possibility of operation by the back end of the clasp. Next another characteristic again, a rear operating arm is also provided from the rear edge of the other tab lateral maneuver to allow simultaneous movement of the two hooks. To this end, this second operating arm rear partially covers the first operating arm so that the rear operating tab can press on the upper edge of this second operating arm and thus cause the two to flex together lateral operating legs.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the longitudinal outer edges of said tongue of closure are adapted to further cooperate with two either inclined or rounded convex surfaces provided in said locking arms opposite said hooks forming expulsion ramps.

The development of expulsion ramps also allows improve the opening of the clasp.

According to a possible embodiment, the arms of lock have a generally "U" shape, one branches of the "U" being a latch finger bringing to its end a hook directed towards the other branch of the "U" which has an edge either inclined or convex rounded forming expulsion ramp.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'une monture de barrette en position ouverte selon un exemple de réalisation;
• la figure 2 est une vue de détail de la figure 1 avec une coupe longitudinale de la semelle en deux parties écartées pour mieux montrer les éléments constitutifs du fermoir ;
• les figures 3 et 4 sont des vues en élévation suivant la direction III de la figure 1 illustrant le fonctionnement du fermoir, et
• les figures 5 et 6 illustrent une variante de réalisation du fermoir.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly from the description which follows of an exemplary embodiment, made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bar mount in the open position according to an exemplary embodiment;
• Figure 2 is a detail view of Figure 1 with a longitudinal section of the sole in two parts apart to better show the components of the clasp;
• FIGS. 3 and 4 are elevation views in direction III of FIG. 1 illustrating the operation of the clasp, and
• Figures 5 and 6 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the clasp.

According to the embodiment chosen and represented on Figures 1 to 4, the bar mount has a sole 10 with a clasp 20 for attaching a hinged closing tab 50.

In a manner known per se, the sole 10 has a roughly planar general shape formed with a rib stiffening median 11 and includes in its parts terminals 14, 15 of punctures 16 and 17 provided on the side outside and used for fixing to the outside of the sole of any lining (not shown).

Two lateral articulation tabs 12A, 12B are formed by bending at right angles to the longitudinal edges of the sole 10 delimiting its terminal part 15. The side tabs 12A, 12B have at their end rounded a perforation, respectively 13A, 13B, forming bearing for nipples, respectively 51A, 51B, which constitute hinge pin for the closing tab 50.

This closing tab 50 consists of a strip of curved elastic material on the sole side to play the function in a conventional and known manner return spring. It has a terminal tab 52 said retaining which cooperates with the clasp 20, and which is connected by a shoulder 53 to the rest of the tongue and has a narrowed width.

For the following description of clasp 20, we arbitrarily defines the rear as the part terminal 14 of the sole.

The clasp 20 includes a pair of lateral tabs of operation 21A, 21B each performed by folding from a opposite edge of the sole 10, these lateral tabs are thus finding opposite each other.

The formation by folding of the legs 21A, 21B is facilitated by the presence of a bore respectively 22A, 22B, in the folding area.

Two fold lines 23A and 24A are thus provided for on either side of the hole 22A and likewise two lines of folding 23B (not visible in the figures) and 24B are provided on either side of the hole 22B (see Figure 2).

Furthermore, the holes 22A, 22B increase advantageously the flexibility of the lateral legs 21A, 21B and the operation of the clasp is thereby improved. In for the same purpose, notches 19A, 19B are provided in the sole 10 at the base of the rear edge of the legs 21A, 21B in a general direction perpendicular to the lines of folding 23A, 24A, 23B and 24B.

Bosses 26A, 26B, formed in the upper part of the legs side 21A, 21b, serve as operating buttons.

The part of the clasp which is intended to allow the locking the retaining tab 52 of the tongue 50 is here consisting of two locking arms 30A, 30B, directed towards each other and partially overlapping. These arms are connected by a right angle fold line 32A, 32B.

Each locking arm 30A, 30B, has a cut with a hook, respectively 36A, 36B, both hooks located opposite so as to form cooperation with each other a hanging housing for the retaining tab 52 (see Figure 3).

As best seen in Figure 2, this cut has a generally "U" shape with, at a certain distance from the fold line (32A, 32B), one inclined edge (33A, 33B), a central edge (37A, 37B) forming with the edge inclined (33A, 33B) an obtuse angle, and a locking finger (35A, 35B) which extends in a parallel general direction at the fold line (32A, 32B) with a hook head (36A, 36B) at the edge of the cutout.

The inclined edges 33A and 33B of the arms 30A, 30B form ramps facilitating the expulsion of the retaining tab 52.

According to the invention, an operating means for opening the clasp is formed at the back of it. It's made of two rear arms 38 and 39 said to maneuver which extend generally towards each other by overlapping partially.

The rear operating arm 38 is connected by a line folding 40 at the rear edge of the side tab 21A in the top half of it. The upper edge 42 of the arm of maneuver 38 has a curvature 45 moving towards the edge upper side tab 21B. At the end of the edge 42, is formed by folding at a right angle, a tongue 43 called maneuvering, rounded in shape and extending backwards of the frame parallel to the sole 10. A boss 44 is formed on the upper face of the tongue 43 at its rounded end.

The rear operating arm 39 is connected by a line folding 41 at the rear edge of the side tab 21A in the upper part of it. Its upper edge 47 has a curvature 48 evolving towards the upper edge of the tab lateral 21A. At the end of the operating arm 39 is draws up a rounded projection 46 which extends in the same plane that said arm. As seen in Figure 1, the projection rounded 46 is provided to be disposed under the operating tab 43.

It should be noted that the rear operating arms 38 and 39 should advantageously be arranged the most possible away from the rooting zone by folding corresponding side tabs 21B and 21A so that the effect leverage on the downturn of the latter be the most great possible.

The shape of the rear operating arms 38 and 39 with the curvature 45 and 48 of their upper edges 42 and 47 allows also to improve the flexing of the lateral legs.

The operation of the clasp is now described in reference more particularly to FIGS. 3 to 4.

Figure 3 shows the bar mount in position closed with the retaining tab 52 engaged with the hooks 36A, 36B of the clasp.

Figure 4 shows the two possible ways to open the clasp. The first, known per se, is to act directly on the lateral operating legs 21A, 21B following the arrows A: the hooks 36A and 36B move apart and open the passage to the tab 52 ejected under the action of the blade 50 acting as a return spring and guided by the inclined edges 33A, 33B forming arms expulsion ramps locking 30A, 30B.

The second way is to flex the legs lateral operating 21A, 21B via the operating tab 43 found at the rear of the clasp: when the operating tab 43 is pressed towards the sole 10, along arrow B (see FIG. 4 also), it automatically supports the projection 46 of the rear operating arm 39, causing jointly the flexing of the operating legs side 21A and 21B and therefore the displacement of the hooks 36A and 36B.

To amplify the action of the tongue 43, by limiting its flexion, an obtuse angle is formed between the tab 21A and the rear operating arm 39.

It can be noted that the flexing of the legs 21A, 21B is, in the embodiment which has just been described, facilitated by the notches 19A, 19B, practiced in the sole 10, also facilitated by holes 22A and 22B at the base of the lateral operating legs 21A, 21B and also again by the arrangement of the operating arm 38 in part high from the edge of the tab 21B.

Other ways to promote leg flexion lateral maneuvers are possible.

Thus, in Figures 5 and 6, there is shown a variant of the clasp with a different conformation lateral operating lugs 21A, 21B.

For similar elements of the frame we have used the same references as in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Here the lateral operating lugs 21A, 21B are connected to the sole 10 each by a fold line at right angle respectively 25A, 25B. To improve the flexibility around these fold lines 25A, 25B, the lateral operating lugs 21A, 21B are conformed with a substantially "L" shaped profile so that one of the terminal parts of the "L", respectively 27A, 27B, extends towards the front of the clasp while the other end part "L" constitutes an offset foot, respectively 28A, 28B, placed towards the back of the clasp (see figure 6). The edge front of feet 28A, 28B is slightly widened towards the sole 10 while the rear edge is straight. We find at the base of this rear edge the notches 19A, 19B formed in the sole 10.

It goes without saying that other variant embodiments are possible, in particular the articulation of the tongue of closure 50 could consist of a line of folding, the entire frame can then be manufactured advantageously in one piece. We can also have other means of hanging the decor of the frame than the flat 16 and 17.

Regarding the flexibility of the legs side 21A, 21B, it goes without saying that the holes 22A, 22B could be arranged above the folding area. We could also do without the notches 19A, 19B practiced in the sole.

Furthermore, the clasp could be of the type having hooks directed in opposite directions one by relation to each other and cooperating with the edges of a cutout practiced in the terminal part of the tongue of closing.

Furthermore, in the embodiment example described and its variant, ramps are provided thanks to the inclined edges 33A, 33B. This expulsion ramp function could also be filled with rounded edges convex.

Claims (15)

1. A hair slide fitting of the kind comprising a closure tongue portion (50) pivotably mounted on a base portion (10) and a clasp (20) to permit locking of the closure tongue portion (50) on to the base portion (10), said clasp comprising in projecting relationship on the base portion a pair of lateral actuating lugs (21A, 21B) each comprising a locking arm (30A, 30B) with a hook (36A, 36B), said locking arms (30A, 30B) being directed towards each other and partially overlapping each other, characterised in that there is also provided a rear actuating arm (38) extending from the rear edge of one of the lateral actuating lugs (21B) and directed towards the other lateral actuating lug (21A).
2. A fitting according to claim 1 characterised in that a rear actuating tongue portion (43) extends from the upper edge of said rear actuating arm (38) in the direction of the rear end (14) of the base portion (10) and in parallel relationship to the latter.
3. A fitting according to claim 2 characterised in that a rear actuating arm (39) is also provided from the rear edge of the other lateral actuating lug (21A), the two rear actuating arms (38, 39) at least partially overlapping.
4. A fitting according to claim 3 characterised in that the rear actuating arm (39) and the lateral lug (21A) to which it is attached form an angle greater than or equal to 90°.
5. A fitting according to either one of claims 3 and 4 characterised in that said rear actuating arm (39) comprises a projection (46) disposed beneath said rear actuating lug (43).
6. A fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that said hooks (36A, 36B) are disposed in mutually facing relationship so as to permit latching engagement between them of a terminal lug (52) disposed at the end of the closure tongue portion (50).
7. A fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that said hooks (36A, 36B) are directed in mutually opposite relationship and are capable of co-operating with a cut-out provided in the terminal part of the closure tongue portion (50).
8. A fitting according to claim 6 characterised in that said locking arms (30A, 30B) comprise a cut-out having an inclined edge (33A, 33B), a central edge (37A, 37B) and a lock finger (35A, 35B) which extends in a general direction parallel to the bent edge (32A, 32B) of the corresponding lateral lug with a head forming a hook (36A, 36B), said inclined edge (33A, 33B) forming a sloping expulsion surface.
9. A fitting according to claim 6 characterised in that said locking arms (30A, 30B) comprise a cut-out having a convex rounded edge, a substantially horizontal central edge and a lock finger which extends in a general direction parallel to the bent edge (32A, 32B) of the corresponding lateral lug with a head forming a hook, said convex rounded edge forming a sloping expulsion surface.
10. A fitting according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that said actuating arms (38, 39) are disposed as far away as possible from the zone in which the bottoms of the corresponding lateral actuating lugs (21A, 21B) are joined to the base portion (10).
11. A fitting according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that it is formed in one piece and produced solely by bending operations.
12. A fitting according to claim 6 characterised in that the external longitudinal edges of said closure tongue portion (50) are also adapted to co-operate with two surfaces (33A, 33B) which are either inclined or which are convex rounded and which are provided in said locking arms (30A, 30B) facing said hooks (36A, 36B), forming sloping expulsion surfaces.
13. A fitting according to claim 12 characterised in that the locking arms (30A, 30B) are of a generally U-shaped configuration, one of the limbs of the U-shape being a lock finger (35A, 35B) bearing at its end a hook (36A, 36B) which is directed towards the other limb of the U-shape which has facing the hook (36A, 36B) an edge (33A, 33B) which is either inclined or convex rounded forming said sloping expulsion surface (33A, 33B).
14. A fitting according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the lateral actuating lugs (21A, 21B) comprise an opening (22A, 22B) either in their zone of bending to the base portion (10) or thereabove.
15. A fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that the lateral actuating lugs (21A, 21B) are of a substantially L-shaped configuration so oriented that one of the terminal parts of the L-shape (27) extends towards the front of the clasp (20) while the other terminal part of the L-shape constitutes a displaced foot (28A, 28B) disposed towards the rear of the clasp.

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