EP0959708B1 - Unfolding bracelet clasp - Google Patents

Unfolding bracelet clasp Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0959708B1
EP0959708B1 EP97918872A EP97918872A EP0959708B1 EP 0959708 B1 EP0959708 B1 EP 0959708B1 EP 97918872 A EP97918872 A EP 97918872A EP 97918872 A EP97918872 A EP 97918872A EP 0959708 B1 EP0959708 B1 EP 0959708B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bracelet
strand
lever
clasp
blade
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP97918872A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0959708A1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Pierre Hagmann
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Rolex SA
Original Assignee
Montres Rolex SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Montres Rolex SA filed Critical Montres Rolex SA
Publication of EP0959708A1 publication Critical patent/EP0959708A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0959708B1 publication Critical patent/EP0959708B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
    • A44C—PERSONAL ADORNMENTS, e.g. JEWELLERY; COINS
    • A44C5/00—Bracelets; Wrist-watch straps; Fastenings for bracelets or wrist-watch straps
    • A44C5/18—Fasteners for straps, chains or the like
    • A44C5/22—Fasteners for straps, chains or the like for closed straps
    • A44C5/24—Fasteners for straps, chains or the like for closed straps with folding devices
    • A44C5/246—Fasteners for straps, chains or the like for closed straps with folding devices having size adjusting means
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T24/00—Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
    • Y10T24/21—Strap tighteners
    • Y10T24/2143—Strap-attached folding lever
    • Y10T24/2155—Jewelry-watch straps
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T24/00—Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
    • Y10T24/47—Strap-end-attaching devices
    • Y10T24/4782—Watch strap

Definitions

  • the subject of the present invention is a folding clasp for bracelet, in particular for watch strap.
  • clasps of this type which include two rigid or flexible blades hinged together by one of their ends, the second end of one of the blades being provided with a transverse bar arranged for be attached to one of the free ends of one strand of the bracelet, while the second end of the other blade comprises means for fixing it to the free end the second strand of the bracelet, the two blades coming to be fixed one on the other in the closed position of the bracelet.
  • the lower blade is, in the closed position of the bracelet, constantly and directly in contact with the skin.
  • this contact is not always pleasant because it can cause a feeling of cold, cause skin irritation, etc.
  • the folding clasp according to the present invention eliminates these disadvantages in that it only has one blade in the closed position clasp, only the bracelet is in contact with the skin. This results in a optimum comfort, at the wrist, for wearers bracelets fitted with such clasps.
  • Figure 1 is a plan view, in the closed position.
  • Figure 2 is an elevational view corresponding to the figure 1.
  • Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the open and partially unfolded clasp.
  • the clasp shown is mounted on a watch strap formed of two strands A and B.
  • This clasp comprises a metal blade 10, having a longitudinal opening 10 ', one end of which is connected by a joint 11 at the free end of the strand A of the bracelet and a lever 12 whose axis 13 is mounted to the other blade end 10.
  • This lever 12 comprises a bent, U-shaped piece, of which the width corresponds to that of the bracelet.
  • His arm 14 is consisting of the base 15 and part of the two legs 16 of this room. Its arm 17 is formed by the ends, in the form of hooks 18, of these legs 16.
  • the base 15 comprises a mushroom-shaped stud 19 (fig. 2 and 3).
  • the clasp also comprises a bar 20 fixed transversely in the strand A of the bracelet at a distance from the joint 11 substantially equal to the length of the blade 10. The ends of this bar protrude laterally from the bracelet and have a diameter equal to the inside diameter of the hooks 18.
  • the axis 13 and the arm 14 form a loop through which the end passes free from strand B of the bracelet.
  • the length of the bracelet can be adjusted by entering by pressing the nipple 19 into an appropriate hole in the of the strand B of the bracelet (fig. 3). During this operation, the head of nipple 19 elastically spreads the walls of the hole and in spring, on the side of the blade 10, in the space defined by opening 10 '. The lever 12 is thus made integral with the strand B.
  • closure of the clasp could be obtained by other means than the hooks 18.

Landscapes

  • Buckles (AREA)
  • Adornments (AREA)

Abstract

The invention concerns an unfolding bracelet clasp, in particular a watch bracelet, formed of two strands (A) and (B), comprising a metal plate (10) whereof one end is coupled with an articulation (11) at the bracelet strand (A) free end and a lever (12) whereof the pin (13) is mounted at the plate (10) other end. Said lever (12) comprises a U-shaped part whereof the legs extend on each side of the bracelet forming at their ends hooks (18) designed to be urged in engagement, when the bracelet is closed, with the ends of a spring box axle (20) transversely housed in the bracelet strand (A) at some distance from the articulation (11) substantially equal to the plate (10) length. The length of the bracelet is adjusted by a dog point (19) engaged in a suitable hole of the bracelet strand (B).

Description

La présente invention a pour objet un fermoir dépliant pour bracelet, notamment pour bracelet de montre.The subject of the present invention is a folding clasp for bracelet, in particular for watch strap.

On connait de nombreux fermoirs de ce type qui comprennent deux lames rigides ou flexibles articulées entre elles par une de leurs extrémités, la seconde extrémité de l'une des lames étant munie d'une barrette transversale agencée pour être fixée à l'une des extrémités libres d'un brin du bracelet, tandis que la seconde extrémité de l'autre lame comprend des moyens permettant de la fixer à l'extrémité libre du second brin du bracelet, les deux lames venant se fixer l'une sur l'autre en position de fermeture du bracelet.We know many clasps of this type which include two rigid or flexible blades hinged together by one of their ends, the second end of one of the blades being provided with a transverse bar arranged for be attached to one of the free ends of one strand of the bracelet, while the second end of the other blade comprises means for fixing it to the free end the second strand of the bracelet, the two blades coming to be fixed one on the other in the closed position of the bracelet.

Dans les bracelets munis de tels fermoirs, la lame inférieure est, en position de fermeture du bracelet, constamment et directement en contact avec la peau.In bracelets fitted with such clasps, the lower blade is, in the closed position of the bracelet, constantly and directly in contact with the skin.

Si les deux lames de ces fermoir sont metalliques et le bracelet en matériau souple, en cuir par exemple, ce contact n'est pas toujours agréable car il peut provoquer une sensation de froid, être à l'origine d'irritations de la peau, etc.If the two blades of these clasps are metallic and the bracelet in flexible material, leather for example, this contact is not always pleasant because it can cause a feeling of cold, cause skin irritation, etc.

Le fermoir dépliant selon la présente invention élimine ces inconvenients par le fait qu'il ne comprend qu'une lame qu'en position de fermeture de fermoir, seul le bracelet est en contact avec la peau. Il en résulte un confort optimum, au niveau du poignet, pour les porteurs de bracelets munis de tels fermoirs.The folding clasp according to the present invention eliminates these disadvantages in that it only has one blade in the closed position clasp, only the bracelet is in contact with the skin. This results in a optimum comfort, at the wrist, for wearers bracelets fitted with such clasps.

Ce fermoir présente les caractéres mis en évidence dans la revendication 1. This clasp has the highlighted characters in claim 1.

Le dessin ci-annexé représente, schématiquement et à titre d'exemple, une forme d'exécution de l'objet de l'invention.The attached drawing represents, schematically and by way of example, an embodiment of the object of the invention.

La figure 1 en est une vue en plan, en position fermée.Figure 1 is a plan view, in the closed position.

La figure 2 en est une vue en élévation correspondant à la figure 1.Figure 2 is an elevational view corresponding to the figure 1.

La figure 3 est une vue analogue à la figure 2 montrant le fermoir ouvert et partiellement déplié.Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the open and partially unfolded clasp.

Le fermoir représenté est monté sur un bracelet de montre formé de deux brins A et B.The clasp shown is mounted on a watch strap formed of two strands A and B.

Ce fermoir comprend une lame métallique 10, présentant une ouverture longitudinale 10', dont une extrémité est reliée par une articulation 11 à l'extrémité libre du brin A du bracelet et un levier 12 dont l'axe 13 est monte à l'autre extrémité de la lame 10.This clasp comprises a metal blade 10, having a longitudinal opening 10 ', one end of which is connected by a joint 11 at the free end of the strand A of the bracelet and a lever 12 whose axis 13 is mounted to the other blade end 10.

Ce levier 12 comprend une pièce coudée, en forme de U, dont la largeur correspond à celle du bracelet. Son bras 14 est constitué par la base 15 et une partie des deux jambes 16 de cette pièce. Son bras 17 est constitué par les extrémités, en forme de crochets 18, de ces jambes 16. La base 15 comporte un téton 19 en forme de champignon (fig. 2 et 3).This lever 12 comprises a bent, U-shaped piece, of which the width corresponds to that of the bracelet. His arm 14 is consisting of the base 15 and part of the two legs 16 of this room. Its arm 17 is formed by the ends, in the form of hooks 18, of these legs 16. The base 15 comprises a mushroom-shaped stud 19 (fig. 2 and 3).

Le fermoir comprend encore une barrette 20 fixée transversalement dans le brin A du bracelet à une distance de l'articulation 11 sensiblement égale à la longueur de la lame 10. Les extrémités de cette barrette dépassent latéralement du bracelet et ont un diamètre égal au diamètre intérieur des crochets 18.The clasp also comprises a bar 20 fixed transversely in the strand A of the bracelet at a distance from the joint 11 substantially equal to the length of the blade 10. The ends of this bar protrude laterally from the bracelet and have a diameter equal to the inside diameter of the hooks 18.

L'axe 13 et le bras 14 forment une boucle que traverse l'extrémité libre du brin B du bracelet.The axis 13 and the arm 14 form a loop through which the end passes free from strand B of the bracelet.

Le réglage de la longueur du bracelet s'effectue en introduisant par pression le téton 19 dans un trou approprié du du brin B du bracelet (fig. 3). Lors de cette opération, la tête du téton 19 écarte élastiquement les parois du trou et en ressort, du côté de la lame 10, dans l'espace défini par l'ouverture 10'. Le levier 12 est ainsi rendu solidaire du brin B. The length of the bracelet can be adjusted by entering by pressing the nipple 19 into an appropriate hole in the of the strand B of the bracelet (fig. 3). During this operation, the head of nipple 19 elastically spreads the walls of the hole and in spring, on the side of the blade 10, in the space defined by opening 10 '. The lever 12 is thus made integral with the strand B.

Pour fermer le bracelet, réglé en longueur, on rabat l'ensemble formé par la lame 10 et par l'extrémité libre du brin B du bracelet sur le brin A de celui-ci en exerçant au terme de ce mouvement une pression avec le pouce sur la base 15 de manière à déformer légèrement le brin A et permettre aux crochets 18 de s'engager sur les extrémités de la barrette 20. Simultanément on introduit l'extrémité libre du brin B dans le passant P.To close the bracelet, adjusted in length, we fold the whole formed by the blade 10 and by the free end of the strand B of the bracelet on the strand A thereof by exercising at the end of this movement a pressure with the thumb on the base 15 so as to slightly deform the strand A and allow the hooks 18 to engage on the ends of the bar 20. Simultaneously the free end of the strand B in loop P.

La pression sur la base 15 cessant, le brin A reprend sa forme naturelle et les crochets 18 restent en prise avec la barrette 20 en assurant la fermeture du bracelet (fig. 2).The pressure on the base 15 ceasing, the strand A resumes its shape natural and the hooks 18 remain in engagement with the bar 20 ensuring the closure of the bracelet (fig. 2).

Pour ouvrir le bracelet, on sort du passant P l'extrémité libre du brin B puis on la soulève ce qui provoque le désengagement des crochets 18 et de la barrette 20, et permet le dépliement du fermoir.To open the bracelet, exit the loop P at the end free of strand B then it is raised which causes disengagement hooks 18 and the bar 20, and allows the unfolding of the clasp.

L'invention n'est évidemment pas limitée à la forme d'exécution représentée et décrite ci-dessus.The invention is obviously not limited to the embodiment shown and described above.

En particulier la fermeture du fermoir pourrait être obtenue par d'autres moyens que les crochets 18. On pourrait, par exemple, donner aux extrémités libres des jambes 16 une forme telle qu'elles puissent être engagées et maintenues dans le passant P, en empêchant aux deux brins A et B de s'écarter l'un de l'autre.In particular the closure of the clasp could be obtained by other means than the hooks 18. One could, by example, give the free ends of legs 16 a shape such that they can be engaged and maintained in the passing P, preventing the two strands A and B from moving apart one of the other.

Dans une autre variante, on pourrait remplacer les crochets 18 par un ardillon.In another variant, we could replace the hooks 18 by a barb.

Claims (8)

  1. Folding clasp for bracelet, particularly for a watch bracelet, formed from two strands (A and B), characterized in that it comprises only one rigid or elastic blade (10), one end of which is connected by an articulation (11) to the free end of the strand (A) of the bracelet and a lever (12) of which the pin (13) is mounted at the other end of said blade (10), an arm (14) of this lever (12) having means (19) allowing said blade and the strand (B) of the bracelet to be secured together in an adjustable relative position, another arm (17) of said lever (12) having means (18) which make it possible to keep said blade (10) and the strand (A) folded down one on the other.
  2. Clasp according to Claim 1, characterized in that said pin (13) and said arm (14) form a buckle into which it is possible to pass the free end of the strand (B) of the bracelet.
  3. Clasp according to Claim 2, characterized in that said lever (12) consists of a curved U-shaped piece.
  4. Clasp according to Claim 3, characterized in that said arm (14) consists of the base (15) and a part of the two legs (16) of said piece and said arm (17) via the ends of these legs (16).
  5. Clasp according to Claim 4, characterized in that said means which make it possible for said blade (10) and the strand (B) to be secured together consist of a mushroom-shaped stud (19) possessed by said base (15), and in that it is possible to engage it elastically by pressure in any one of the holes of the bracelet.
  6. Clasp according to Claim 3, characterized in that said means which make it possible to keep said lever (12) and the strand (A) together consist of the hook-shaped ends (18) of the legs (16) of said piece and of a small bar (20) mounted transversely in this strand (A).
  7. Clasp according to Claim 3, characterized in that said means which make it possible to keep said lever (12) and the strand (A) together consist of the ends of the legs (16) of said piece and of a loop (P) of the bracelet.
  8. Clasp according to Claim 3, characterized in that said means which make it possible to hold said lever (12) and the strand (A) together consist of a tongue.
EP97918872A 1997-09-17 1997-09-17 Unfolding bracelet clasp Expired - Lifetime EP0959708B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/CH1997/000348 WO1999013747A1 (en) 1997-09-17 1997-09-17 Unfolding bracelet clasp

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0959708A1 EP0959708A1 (en) 1999-12-01
EP0959708B1 true EP0959708B1 (en) 2002-03-27

Family

ID=4550900

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97918872A Expired - Lifetime EP0959708B1 (en) 1997-09-17 1997-09-17 Unfolding bracelet clasp

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US (1) US6353977B1 (en)
EP (1) EP0959708B1 (en)
DE (1) DE69711445T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2175395T3 (en)
HK (1) HK1025888A1 (en)
WO (1) WO1999013747A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6902272B2 (en) * 2001-07-13 2005-06-07 Laura F. Woford Soft wrap frames with interchangeable lenses
US7143483B1 (en) * 2005-06-30 2006-12-05 Montana Silversmiths, Inc. Belt buckle with ornamental backing
US20070180666A1 (en) * 2005-07-22 2007-08-09 Frye Greg M Utility retainer
WO2012117326A2 (en) * 2011-02-28 2012-09-07 Roland Iten Mechanical lever buckle for belt and watch strap
US9615635B2 (en) * 2012-12-05 2017-04-11 Preziosi Point Sagl Watchstrap, fastening system for a watchstrap and corresponding watch
WO2014162258A1 (en) * 2013-04-04 2014-10-09 Roland Iten Mechanical Luxury Sa Buckle for a belt or strap such as a watch strap
US20150158615A1 (en) * 2013-12-11 2015-06-11 Ken Downs Bag Binder

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1243291A (en) * 1917-01-08 1917-10-16 Fred S Hazelton Fastener.
GB347968A (en) 1929-07-16 1931-05-07 Carl Spinnler Improvements in or relating to buckles for belts and the like
US1821329A (en) * 1929-07-16 1931-09-01 Spinnler Carl Belt buckle
US1778313A (en) * 1929-07-25 1930-10-14 John P Schultheiss Wrist-watch strap
US1861700A (en) 1930-12-17 1932-06-07 Albert E R Speidel Connecter for bracelets
US1861029A (en) * 1932-03-03 1932-05-31 Gemex Co Foldable extension device for a bracelet strap
JPS57104912U (en) * 1980-12-17 1982-06-28
JPS60236605A (en) 1984-04-26 1985-11-25 シチズン時計株式会社 Inner clasp metal fitting structure of band
JPH06327508A (en) * 1993-03-26 1994-11-29 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Middle holding structure for watch band

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US6353977B1 (en) 2002-03-12
DE69711445T2 (en) 2002-11-28
HK1025888A1 (en) 2000-12-01
EP0959708A1 (en) 1999-12-01
WO1999013747A1 (en) 1999-03-25
ES2175395T3 (en) 2002-11-16
DE69711445D1 (en) 2002-05-02

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