EP0683993B1 - Connection device for a wrist-watch strap - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for fixing and interchangeability of a first element to a second element, according to the preamble of claim 1, a preferred application of this device being the attachment of a bracelet to a watch case .

Devices of the aforementioned kind exist today in a quantity of executions and variants as numerous as they are diverse. However, if they can generally meet one or the other of the characters or objectives such as versatility of application, speed of fixing or attachment and release, reliability of the closure and, finally, simplicity of manufacture , none of them succeeds in synthesizing them, the true union of all these characteristics in the same device being very delicate and quite other than obvious.

GB-2,129,280 describes a hook device articulated around a spring bar whose ends are supported by horns secured to a watch case. The hook comprises on one side two wings allowing the attachment of a bracelet strand and, on the other side, a pair of narrow lateral heels situated on either side of a relatively long central heel. To ensure the attachment of the bracelet strand to the middle of the watch, the oscillating movement around the spring bar is limited in both the positive and negative directions. This limitation results from the fact that the heels can themselves evolve only in a limited way in two recesses formed on either side of a longitudinal protuberance, that is to say extending parallel to the bar- spring. The ends of the heels abutting against the middle (the long central heel against the upper part of the middle with respect to said protuberance, the pair of narrow heels against the lower part). The hook comprises, opposite the central heel, a curved portion in the shape of a hook making it possible to connect it to the spring bar. The connecting hook somehow fulfills a hinge function. But the device does not really improve the speed of attachment of the bracelet strand to the watch case, nor the speed of release.

This drawback seems to be eliminated with the device disclosed by DE-U-92 03 248.6. This includes a spring bar inserted into the end loop of a bracelet strand and the ends of which engage in the recesses of the horns of the watch middle under the action of a spring arranged in the body of the bar. The bracelet strand is released by the action of piston plungers (arranged on either side of the horns) on said end against the action of said spring. But this manufacturing is quite expensive and also seems questionable in terms of operating reliability.

US-2,009,484 and GB-2,198,028 A are, for their part, based on the principle of deformation of the retaining elements themselves. In US Pat. No. 2,009,484, the attachment device comprises a U-shaped claw with elastic branches, with lugs with an inclined plane so as to allow clipping onto a watch horn. GB-2,198,028 A describes a fastener in which the end of the bracelet has two tubular shapes separated by a recess, these tubes being able to be separated, so as to allow two pins emerging on either side of a cylinder intended to take place in said recess, to enter it. Again, apart from the sacrifice of aesthetics, the reliability of closure, over time, is not guaranteed.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a device achieving the alliance of the objectives set out above, supplemented by a pleasant aesthetic optimized, moreover, by the possibility of interchangeability of the elements with respect to each other. This object is achieved thanks to the means defined in independent claim 1, the dependent claims defining particular and preferential means of construction of the device.

• les Figures 1A et 1B sont des vues en perspective respectivement d'une boîte de montre et d'un bracelet, plus précisément de l'extrémité de ce bracelet, ces deux éléments étant séparés et présentant chacun une partie du dispositif de fixation,
• la Figure 1C est une coupe de la boîte de montre selon le plan I C,
• la figure 1D montre, en perspective, l'extrémité d'un bracelet comportant une variante d'un élément de fixation du dispositif,
• La figure 1E est une coupe identique à celle de la figure 1C, montrant en outre une vue de bout (selon la flèche F) de la partie du bracelet destinée à être fixée à la boîte de montre, partie placée en regard d'un logement pratiqué dans ladite boîte,
• les figures 1F, 1G et 1H représentent une autre forme d'exécution du dispositif de fixation/libération de la montre et du bracelet,
• la Figure 2 montre, en perspective, le mode de fixation du bracelet à la montre et la position initiale de ce dernier lors de cette fixation,
• la Figure 3 représente ces deux éléments, boîte de montre et bracelet, fixés l'un à l'autre, dans leur position d'utilisation,
• les Figures 4A, 4B, 5 et 6 sont des vues en perspective représentant une variante d'exécution du dispositif de fixation et sont en tout point analogues aux figures 1A, 1B, 2 et 3.

By way of example, an embodiment of the device according to the invention will be described below, as well as a variant thereof, based on the appended drawing in which:

• FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views respectively of a watch case and a bracelet, more precisely of the end of this bracelet, these two elements being separate and each having a part of the fixing device,
• FIG. 1C is a section of the watch case according to the plan IC,
• FIG. 1D shows, in perspective, the end of a bracelet comprising a variant of a fastening element of the device,
• Figure 1E is a section identical to that of Figure 1C, further showing an end view (along arrow F) of the part of the strap intended to be fixed to the watch case, part placed opposite a housing practiced in said box,
• FIGS. 1F, 1G and 1H represent another embodiment of the device for fixing / releasing the watch and the bracelet,
• FIG. 2 shows, in perspective, the method of fixing the bracelet to the watch and the initial position of the latter during this fixing,
• FIG. 3 represents these two elements, watch case and bracelet, fixed to each other, in their position of use,
• FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5 and 6 are perspective views showing an alternative embodiment of the fixing device and are completely similar to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2 and 3.

In FIG. 1B, a first element can be seen, namely, either the end of a bracelet 20, or the end link of a bracelet 20, provided with a protuberance 21. The latter comprises, on either side , two pins 22,23, formed, for example, by the visible parts of a pin 27 mounted tight in a bore formed in said protuberance (the bore itself not being referenced). In order to obtain a more secure fixing, this axis can advantageously be a bar 27 ′, known as such from those skilled in the art (see FIGS. 1D and 1E), the visible ends 28, 29 of the bar 27 'revealing pushers or pivots 22', 23 'on springs (housed in the axis 27'). Finally, the lower face (not referenced) of the protuberance has a retaining groove or groove 24.

FIG. 1A shows a second element, in this case a watch box 10. In place of horns, this box has two housings or recesses 11, 11A, located opposite one another and identical to each other (also we will only refer later to the housing 11). The general forms of the housing 11 of the box 10 and of the protrusion 21 of the bracelet 20 are complementary, the latter being intended to be housed therein. According to the example described, protuberance 21 and housing 11 show rounded parts, respectively 25 and 15, of equivalent shape. The housing 11 is rewound, so as to form, according to the example, a shoulder (see FIG. 1C), the face 13 of this shoulder being, in one embodiment, parallel to the face 12 of the housing 11. At its lower part, the housing 11 leaves a retaining strip 14. Of course, the distance between the ends of the pins 22 and 23 is slightly less than that separating the left face and the right face of the shoulder 13 (FIG. 1C). In addition, the dimensions of the housing are defined so that the fixing operation (and the reverse operation, that is to say of release) as set out below are possible.

FIG. 2 shows the two elements 10 and 20 in the phase of attachment to each other, the operations of this phase being symbolized by the arrows 30 and 31. When the operations of this phase are completed, these two elements appearing as shown in Figure 3.

By simply reading Figures 2 and 3, it is easy to understand the method of attachment. Firstly, the protuberance 21 of the bracelet 20 is introduced into the housing 11, in the position shown in FIG. 2, almost perpendicular to the case 10, along the arrow 30 (the plane (not reference) of the extreme part of the bracelet provided with the protrusion merging very roughly with the plane of symmetry of the watch case, that is to say of the housing 11), the ankle 22 (or part 28 and pusher 22 'according to the embodiment of Figure 1D) coming to be placed in the shoulder 13, so that the other pin 23 (or part 29 and pusher 23 '), while printing, in a second step, a rotational movement of the bracelet (arrow 31) , can also take place in the shoulder 13. Thirdly, once the pins 22,23 (or parts 28,29, pushers 22 ′, 23 ′) are in the shoulder 13 and that the pivoting is finished, the median or symmetry planes (not referenced) of potuberation 21 and of housing 11 gradually merging again, the bracelet is folded down, according to arrow 32 (Figure 3). During the terminal phase of this folding operation, the groove 24 is positioned on the strip 14, and the faces 16 and 26, respectively of the case 10 and the bracelet 20, are located opposite one another. The two elements, bracelet 20 and watch case 10 according to the example, are thus made integral with one another thanks to this device whose means allow, as will have been noticed, a type of bayonet fitting . The separation of the two elements is obtained very quickly, by performing the opposite movements to those described above, which appreciably facilitates the interchangeability of the straps, like that of watch cases.

We have seen that the fixing operation is of course similar to that just described, when the protrusion 21 is provided with the bar 27 '. For clarification, there is shown in FIG. 1E (section made at the location of the housing 11 of the watch case, identical to that shown in FIG. 1C), opposite said housing, the protuberance 21 seen according to arrow F (FIG. 1D), so to put in appearance the approximate positioning (dotted lines) of the parts 28, 29 of the bar as well as of the pushers 22 ', 23', with respect to the faces 12, 13 of the housing 11. When the protuberance is engaged in the housing 11 for be attached thereto, each of the pushers 22 ′, 23 ′ bears on the shoulder 13 against the action of the force of the respective spring, which gives the device better fixing security.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5 and 6 show a variant of the embodiment which has just been described. According to this variant, the means of the device allowing the bayonet fitting are here reversed: the watch case 30 has, in place of the horns, two protuberances 31 and 31A, each comprising an axis 37 and pins 32.33 ( elements similar to elements 27, 22, 23) and a groove or groove 34, while the end of the bracelet 40 has a recess or housing 41 of shape complementary to the protuberance 31 and connected, at its lower part, by a strip 44 Like the housing 11, in FIGS. 1A, 1C, the housing 41 has a shoulder 43. The fixing is obtained by applying the same process as that described above and illustrated, in FIGS. 5 and 6, by the arrows 50 (introduction of the protuberance 31 into the housing 41, that is to say pegs in the recessed part 43 of the notch 41, the two elements being placed almost perpendicularly to each other and the orientation of their plans As, as shown in Figure 5, almost orthogonal) and 51 (pivot) and finally 52 (drawdown). Here too, the opposite process leads to the liberalization of the two elements, when one wishes, for example, to change the strap or watch case.

Like the variant described in support of Figure 1D (bar 27 'provided with pushers 22', 23 '), it goes without saying that one can advantageously provide, instead of the axis 37, a bar 37 '(Figure 4A), comprising pushers 32', 33 ').

The fixing security can be further improved significantly, thanks to a particularly advantageous conformation of the housing 11 of FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C or of the housing 41 of FIGS. 4A, 4B, depending on the variant chosen.

For the description of this feature, reference is made to FIGS. 1F, 1G and 1H. In these figures, the references 10, 11, 12 and 13 have been retained, despite the changes in form. Figure 1G is a sectional view of the watch 10 according to the line 6 ⁰⁰ -12 ^00, Figure 1F is a section similar to that shown in Figure 1C, and Figure 1H is a perspective view from below of the watch 10 .

We see that the shoulder 13 is circular - which can also be the case for the shoulder 13 of Figures 1A, 1C-. But the essential feature here consists of an additional rewinding 13A, in which takes place an elastic member 13B, which member can be either of metal or of synthetic material. By way of example, the elastic element, fulfilling a spring function, is an unclosed and corrugated steel ring as can be seen in FIG. 1H. It is understood that the connection and separation of the elements 20, 10 between them (cf. also FIGS. 1A and 1B) or of the elements 40, 30 between them (cf. also FIGS. 4A and 4B) are practiced in the same way as that described above (bayonet method). The spring member 13B ensuring excellent connection safety thanks to the action it exerts on the tracks 22, 23; 32, 33, the pushers 22 ', 23' (Figures 1D, 1E) prove to be useless here.

It is understood that the application of the device is not limited to the connection of a watch case to a bracelet, but can extend, in particular, to the entire field of jewelry.

Claims (12)

1. Device for the interchangeable connection of a first element (20; 40) to a second element (10; 30), especially of a watchband to a watchcase, the two elements comprising complementary and associated attaching means allowing to connect them or to disconnect them from each other, characterised in that these means allow a bayonet engagement which is followed by a pivoting movement bringing the first element into the plane of the second element essentially.
2. Device for an interchangeable connection according to claim 1, characterised in that one of the elements comprises a projection (21; 31) having a pin (22, 23; 32, 33) on either side, and the other element comprises a seat (11; 41) having a recess (13; 43), the projection and the seat having complementary shapes, and the pins co-operating with the recessed portion in the connection and the disconnection of the first and the second element.
3. Device for an interchangeable connection according to claim 2, characterised in that the pins (22, 23; 32, 33) are formed by the apparent portions of an axle going through the projection (21; 31) from side to side.
4. Device for an interchangeable connection according to claim 1, characterised in that one of the elements comprises a projection (21; 31) having a push pin (22', 23'; 32', 33') on either side, and the other element comprises a seat (11; 41) having a recess (13; 43), the projection and the seat having complementary shapes, and the push pins co-operating with the recessed portion in the connection and the disconnection of the first and the second element.
5. Device for an interchangeable connection according to claim 4, characterised in that the push pins (22', 23'; 32', 33') are the end portions of a bar (27'; 37') going through the projection (21; 31) from side to side, the push pins cooperating with springs which are disposed in the bar.
6. Device for an interchangeable connection according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the seat (11; 41) comprises a retaining strip (14; 44) and the projection (21; 31) comprises a retaining groove (24; 34), and in that the strip engages in the groove when the two elements are connected.
7. Device for an interchangeable connection according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterised in that the end (25; 35) of the projection (21; 31) is rounded and the end (15; 45) of the seat (11; 41) has a correspondingly rounded shape.
8. Device for an interchangeable connection according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterised in that the recessed portion (13; 43) of the seat (11; 41) is a shoulder.
9. Device for an interchangeable connection according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterised in that the seat (11; 41) comprises an additional recess (13A).
10. Device for an interchangeable connection according to claim 9, characterised in that the recess (13A) holds an elastic member (13B).
11. Device for an interchangeable connection according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterised in that the element comprising the projection (21) is a watchband, whereas the element comprising the seat (11) is a watchcase (10).
12. Device for an interchangeable connection according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterised in that the element comprising the projection (31) is a watchcase (30), whereas the element comprising the seat (41) is a watchband (40).