EP1188389B1 - Strap clasp - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a clasp for a bracelet, bracelet watch or jewelry bracelet.

Such clasps of the unfolding type with two or three blades are known, as that described in US 5,699,590, or any other type of clasps allowing to get closer and fix two strands of a bracelet in one position closed and separate these two strands of the bracelet in an open position.

These known clasps have the particular disadvantage of requiring the use of special tools for attaching strands of the bracelet to the parties corresponding to the clasp and especially not to be able to receive different types bracelets, for example flexible or metallic, that is to say rigid links articulated to each other. Indeed, the method of fixing the end of a bracelet on one end of the clasp is different whether it's a bracelet flexible or metal bracelet. Thus, the same clasp can not be used with different types of bracelets.

The present invention aims to provide a clasp that can be fixed to the strands of a bracelet without particular tools and especially to receive indifferently soft bracelets or bracelets formed of links articulated, in other words the realization of a universal clasp allowing the interchangeability without tools of bracelets of different types, leather, metal, etc.

The present invention relates to a clasp for a bracelet allowing bring closer and fix two strands of a bracelet in a closed position and separate these two strands of the bracelet in an open position and that stands out by the features set forth in claim 1 and the claims dependent.

La figure 1 est une vue en perspective du dessus du fermoir en position ouverte et reliée aux extrémités d'un bracelet souple.

La figure 2 est une vue en perspective de dessous du fermoir illustré à la figure 1.

La figure 3 est une vue en perspective de dessus du fermoir en position ouverte relié aux extrémités d'un bracelet métallique à maillons articulés.

La figure 4 est une vue en perspective de dessous du fermoir illustré à la figure 3.

La figure 5 est une vue à plus grande échelle et partiellement en coupe d'une pièce d'extrémité interchangeable du fermoir munie de son verrou en position bloquée.

La figure 6 est une vue semblable à la figure 5 le verrou étant en position libérée.

The accompanying drawing illustrates schematically and by way of example an embodiment of the clasp for a bracelet according to the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of the clasp in the open position and connected to the ends of a flexible bracelet.

Figure 2 is a perspective view from below of the clasp illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view from above of the clasp in the open position connected to the ends of a metal bracelet articulated links.

Figure 4 is a perspective view from below of the clasp illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a view to a larger scale and partially in section of an interchangeable end piece of the clasp with its latch in the locked position.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 the latch being in the released position.

The clasp according to the invention aims to be easily interchangeable between a flexible bracelet (leather, rubber, plastic, etc.) and a rigid bracelet or rigid links articulated to each other (metal bracelet, etc.).

The clasp illustrated as an example is a clasp unfolding in three parts, a central branch 1 articulated at each end on one end a 2.3 foldable blade around joints 4 in the plane of the branch Central. These blades 2,3 have at their ends not connected to the branch central 1 of trainings 5 intended to engage in training corresponding 6 carried by the center of the central branch 1 to maintain by clipping these blades 2,3 in the closed position of the clasp folded on the branch Central 1.

The original feature of this clasp lies in the presence of two pairs of interchangeable connecting pieces, respectively a first pair 7 and a second pair 8, which can be fixed and articulated on the free end of the 2.3 blades with a locking device that can be operated without tools.

The connecting pieces 7 are shaped so as to each receive a strand 9, 9 'of a flexible bracelet, these strands being able to be put length and fixed on these connecting pieces 7 in known manner, or by turning the strand on a axis, either by a barb or by pinching, etc.

The connecting pieces 8 can easily be attached to the blades 2,3 of the clasp by the locking device replacing the connecting pieces 7 are shaped so that they can be fixed and articulated on the links of ends 10, 10 'of a chain-bracelet 11 using an axis or pin hinge. The length of the link bracelet is done so Traditional.

The quick attachment of the connecting pieces 7 or 8 on the end of the blades 2,3 clasp is made using a hinge pin 12 through transversely said connecting pieces 7,8 and the free end of the blades 2,3 serving as a connecting and articulation axis. This axis 12 has an annular groove 13 in which is housed a latch 14 in the coupled position (FIG 5) of the connecting piece on the clasp. This latch 14 is secured to a pusher 15 subject to the action of a spring 16. This spring 16 and this pusher 15 are maintained prisoners in a blind hole 17 that includes the underside of the room link 7.8 by an insert 18 driven or screwed into said blind hole 17.

To separate the connecting piece 7,8 from the clasp when changing the bracelet for example, it is sufficient for the user to push on the pusher 15 using the tip of a pen and slide the shaft 12 (Figure 6).

The clasp thus comprises a basic body formed here of the central branch 1 and two folding blades 2,3 and two pairs of connecting pieces 7 and 8 interchangeable and can be fixed and articulated on the base body using of the locking device described and illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.

Each pair of connecting pieces 7 and 8 is specially shaped to receive a flexible bracelet or a rigid link bracelet articulated one to others.

This clasp is extremely simple for the user, in after-sales service and to the stock without alteration by manipulation. With a simple pen the user can change the bracelet immediately and as long as he wants, without posage or complicated tool.

This makes it possible to have only one clasp whatever the type and the the material of the bracelet whether rigid or flexible, of metal or leather or rubber or plastic or any other material.

The system of setting the length of the flexible bracelets is simple for the user and identical regardless of the type of material of the bracelets used.

This clasp allows the user to stop using a specialist for to change the bracelet. No specific tools are needed, a simple pen or pencil for example enough to release the clasp of the bracelet.

Of course in variants of the clasp, it might not be deploying. It is sufficient that the two parts of the coupling clasp are connected to a strand of the bracelet via a connecting piece interchangeable 7.8.

Claims (5)

1. Clasp for a bracelet which makes it possible to bring together and to fasten together two ends (9, 9'; 10, 10') of a bracelet in a closed position and to separate these two ends of the bracelet in an open position, characterised by the fact that it includes two pairs of interchangeable linkage members (7, 8) for connecting the ends (9, 9'; 10, 10') of the bracelet to the body (1-3) of the clasp, one (7) of said pairs of linkage members being specially designed for receiving the ends (9, 9') of a flexible strap and the other of said pairs the ends of a band comprising rigid links (11) and by the fact that each linkage member (7, 8) can be connected hingedly to the body (1-3) of the clasp through the use of a locking means (12-18) which can be operated without the need of tools.
2. Clasp according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the locking means includes a hinge pin (12) extending transversally through the linkage member (7, 8) and a free end of the body (1-3) of the clasp, this hinge pin (12) exhibiting a circular groove (13) co-operating in the locked position with a locking device (14) integral with a pusher (15) housed inside a blind bore (17) of the linkage member (7, 8) and subjected to the action of a spring (16).
3. Clasp according to claim 2, characterised by the fact that the pusher (15) is adapted to be actuated by the point of a ball-point pen.
4. Clasp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised by the fact that the body of the clasp comprises a central branch (1) and two foldable blades (2, 3) hinged each by one of their ends to a respective end of the central branch (1) and by the other end to one of the linkage members (7, 8).
5. Clasp according to claim 4, characterised by the fact that the end of each foldable blade (2, 3) hinged to a linkage member (7, 8) comprises a structure (5) intended to engage into a corresponding structure (6) carried by the centre of the central branch (1) to maintain by snapping these blades (2, 3) folded on the central branch (1) in closed position of the clasp.

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