EP1646297B1 - Strap connection, especially watch strap, that can be shortened by cutting - Google Patents

Abstract

The strap (1) with a buckle (3) and prong (4), also includes transverse holes (25a-f) over a limited part of its length, with a last hole (13) at the end. Each hole has an associated slot (26a-f) cut through the thickness of the strap, to accommodate the prong. The strap can be shortened by cutting along a transverse section (27a, 27b). The transverse pivot bar and prong of the buckle are then held in the last hole in line.

Description

Background of the invention

The present invention relates to a tape-shaped linkage, in particular a watchband, comprising at a first end a first strand provided with a pin buckle and at a second end a second strand traversed in its thickness by holes and intended for to be removably attached to the first strand by engagement in the loop, each strand being formed of a continuous flexible band, the loop having two lateral branches each provided with a hole, a removable transverse bar whose ends are arranged to engage in the holes of the branches, and a barb having an eyelet portion rotatably engaged on said bar, the first strand having a terminal orifice disposed transversely near a free end of the strand, for receiving said bar of the loop, and an end notch extending from said free end to the end of the terminal port for receiving the eyelet portion of the illon (see GB-A2126649 ).

Apart from the bracelets, this invention can be applied to any type of link comprising a band whose end is provided with a pin buckle, including belts, luggage straps and similar links.

The term "strand" is used herein in a general sense to refer to the two flexible end portions of such a link, which are to be attached to each other by means of the loop mounted on the first strand. As the rest of the link does not play a role in the present invention, it may have a structure different from that of the terminal strands and in particular be made of other materials. Moreover, the two strands may be separate elements and connected to each other indirectly, for example, by the watch case if the link is a watch strap.

The preamble above corresponds in particular to a conventional wristwatch whose each strand is made of a continuous band of a flexible material such as leather, a synthetic material or a textile material. Such a bracelet can adapt to wrists of different sizes, but only to a limited extent. Indeed, if the bracelet had to be adaptable to wrists particularly large as small wrists such as children, the second strand should be very long and have a very long row of holes. If one attaches a bracelet as long around a wrist of medium or small size, the end portion of the second strand, beyond the loop, will be particularly long and hinder the wearer. Another disadvantage lies in the fact that the first strand, because of its fixed length, will determine a position of the loop which will not be necessarily located opposite the watch, but will depend on the size of the wrist. These disadvantages lead manufacturers to usually offer non-link bracelets in two or three different sizes, which complicates not only manufacturing, but also inventory management, distribution and sales. When the strands of the bracelet are molded parts of synthetic material, the production of several molds of different sizes significantly increases the manufacturing.

The patent CH 604 597 describes a method of fastening the buckle to the first strand of the bracelet, which makes it possible to shorten this strand to a suitable length before attaching the buckle by means of an intermediate metal piece forming a loop into which the strap engages. loop bar (which is not pin-type in this case). The first strand of the bracelet has a series of transverse grooves in its lower face, while the clamp-shaped intermediate piece has two ribs capable of engaging in two of these grooves. It is thus possible to cut the strand to the desired length, then set up the intermediate piece by engaging it in the two grooves closest to the cut end of the strand. We put a sleeve around the intermediate piece to hold it in place, then we can mount the loop on the aforementioned handle. Such a construction is relatively complicated and, in fact, it is provided for a metal bracelet with a clasp that does not use a buckle.

The patent application FR 2,532,826 (= GB 2 126 649 ) relates to a modification of a classic buckle-type bracelet, consisting of providing only one hole in the second strand of the bracelet and adjusting the length of the bracelet by moving the position of the buckle on the first strand . For this purpose, the barb is not articulated on a removable bar, but on a central cross member of the buckle, which carries in its middle an inverted U-shaped support on which the barb is hinged. The first strand of the bracelet has a row of central holes in which the user can selectively insert the barb and its support U to determine the desired position of the loop along this strand.

Of course, with such an arrangement the user must have several central holes on the first strand if he wants to adjust at any time the length of the bracelet. Therefore, the first strand generally traverses the entire length of the loop, as does the second strand once it is engaged in the loop. This strong thickness of the bracelet throughout the region of the buckle is a disadvantage. Another disadvantage is that any adjustment of the length of the bracelet requires moving the loop by a manipulation that is not particularly convenient.

Summary of the invention

The initial idea of the present invention is to use the traditional buckle closure system on the first strand of the link and a row of holes in the second strand, because this system is the easiest to manipulate to perform a fine adjustment of the length of the link at each use, but initially to make a rough adjustment if necessary, by shortening the first strand depending on the size of the element to be surrounded. It thus becomes possible to make links such as bracelets in one size, the largest, and to shorten the first strand by simple manipulations, which can be performed by the seller or the user himself.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a link of the type indicated in the preamble, characterized in that the first strand comprises a plurality of additional transverse orifices, distributed over a certain length of the strand from the terminal orifice and each associated with an elongated hole traversing the thickness of the strand and intersecting the associated transverse orifice, so that the first strand can be shortened by cutting along a cross section passing through any one of said elongated holes, the associated transverse orifice this hole becoming a new terminal orifice for receiving said bar of the loop. At the same time, as the cutting passes through said elongated hole, it transforms this hole into an open notch, adapted to receive the eyelet portion of the barb.

Said cross section associated may advantageously be marked by a groove on at least one face of the first strand and preferably on both sides. This makes it possible to obtain a clean cut bordered by a chamfer along each face of the band-shaped link.

The invention has not only the advantage of being able to offer links in one size for a wide range of sizes of the elements to be surrounded by such a link, for example for all possible sizes of the wrist in the case of a bracelet, but in addition the operation of rough adjustment by cutting the first strand is achievable by any person and at any time, as will be seen later.

Other advantages will appear in the following description of a preferred embodiment of a watch strap according to the invention, presented by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

• The figure 1 represents in perspective the two strands of the bracelet, seen from above.
• The figure 2 represents in perspective the two strands of the bracelet, seen from below.
• The figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the end of the first strand.
• The figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the bottom of the loop.

Detailed description of the invention

The watch strap shown in the drawings comprises a first strand 1, a second strand 2, a buckle 3 with pin 4 mounted at one end 5 of the first strand, and a movable loop 6 threaded on the first strand.

The first strand 1, the second strand 2 and the loop 6 of the strap are preferably relatively soft plastic moldings, for example polyurethane. The rear end 11, 12 of each strand 1, 2 is arranged to be attached to a watch case by means of a hinge pin, but any other method of attachment can be envisaged, including an embodiment in which the two strands 1 and 2 form a single piece which threaded for example in two handles of the watch case. In such a case, the term "strand" designates each of the two end portions of the bracelet.

As we see especially in the figure 3 , the free end 5 of the first strand 1 comprises, for mounting the loop 3, a substantially cylindrical terminal orifice 13, which crosses the entire width of the strand 1 to receive a central bar 14 ( figure 4 ) of the loop 3, and a central notch 15 for receiving an eyelet portion 16 of the pin 4. The configuration of the orifice 13 and the notch 15 is quite conventional, that is to say say that the notch 15 has a sufficient depth from the end 5 of the strand 1 to extend beyond the orifice 13, the end of the strand thus being divided into two branches 5a and 5b traversed all the two of the orifice 13. Of course, if the strand 1 was particularly wide, the loop could comprise for example two barbs 4 and the end of the strand 1 also comprise two notches 15, which would then no longer central.

With reference to the figure 4 , the loop 3 used in this example is made in a completely conventional manner and comprises an approximately rectangular frame 18 comprising two flat and parallel lateral branches 19 and 20, connected at their ends by a front cross member 21 and a rear cross member 22. The upper face of the front cross member 21 preferably has a recess in which is housed the tip of the pin 4. The eyelet portion 16 of the pin is rotatably engaged on the bar 14, which is a conventional bar spring of the type used to attach bracelets to a watch case, the retractable tips of this bar being each engaged in a hole 23 of the corresponding branch 19 or 20, so that we can easily mount and disassemble the bar 14 and the pin 4 of the loop.

Thus, to mount the loop 3 on the end 5 of the first strand 1, the eyelet portion 16 of the pin 4 is placed in the notch 15, the bar 14 is inserted through the terminal orifice 13 and the eyelet of the barb, then we place the frame 18 of the loop so that its lateral branches 19 and 20 push the spring points of the bar 14 until they engage themselves in the holes 23. To disassemble the loop, simply engage a sharp tool in one of the holes 23 to push the tip of the bar 14 and thus clear the frame 18, then we can remove the bar and the barb.

To allow a rough adjustment of the length of the bracelet and in particular of the first strand 1, it comprises several additional transverse orifices 25a to 25f, similar to the orifice 13, and a row of several central holes 26a to 26f which pass through the thickness of the strand 1, each of these holes intersecting the transverse orifice which is associated with it in the same way as the notch 15 intersects the terminal orifice 13. Each central hole 26a to 26f has an elongate shape, preferably rectangular, substantially the same size as the notch 15, and it is aligned with this notch to be used in turn terminal notch if we cut the bracelet as will be described below.

A transverse cutting section is associated with each of the transverse orifices 25a to 25f and passes through the corresponding central hole 26a to 26f. In the figure 3 lines 27a and 27b show two of these cross-sections provided for cutting. The position of these sections is indicated to the user by a small groove 28a, 28b V profile on the upper face 29 of the strand 1 and a wider transverse groove 30a, 30b on the underside 31 of the strand.

Preferably, the transverse holes 25a to 25f and the associated cutting cross sections are regularly spaced along the strand 1 over a length L from the end 5, for example in a pitch of about 1 cm, which is largely sufficient for a rough adjustment of the length of the strand. Thus, if the first strand 1 as it is put on sale proves too long for the user, in particular because the buckle 3 is not opposite to the watch case on the wrist of the user, the latter can easily dismount the loop 3 as described above, cut a suitable length of the end of the strand 1 by means of a knife, for example on the cross section 27b shown in FIG. figure 3 , thereby forming a new end of the strand in which the central hole 26b is open and constitutes a new notch, similar to the terminal notch 15, for receive the eyelet portion 16 of the pin 4. It remains only to insert the bar 14 of the loop in the new terminal orifice 25b and to set up the frame 18 of the loop as described more high.

Conventionally, the second strand 2 of the bracelet has an end portion 32 provided with a longitudinal row of holes 33 and intended to be engaged in the loop 3 to attach one strand to the other removably. As with a traditional watch strap, the user can choose which hole 33 he will engage the pin 4, which allows a fine adjustment of the length of the bracelet relative to the perimeter of the wrist. Thanks to the coarse adjustment allowed by the possibility of shortening the first strand 1, the row of holes 33 can be shorter than in a traditional bracelet. This not only represents a gain in terms of aesthetics, but also leaves a greater length without holes in the area 34 between the rear end 12 of the second strand and the row of holes 33. It is then easier to installing in this zone 34 some additional decorative or functional elements, for example electrical circuits cooperating with those of an electronic watch.

The means for adjusting the length of the first strand 1, that is to say the orifices 25a to 25f, the holes 26a to 26f and the grooves 28a, 28b, 30a and 30b, are particularly easy to make by molding when the strand of the bracelet is a molded piece of synthetic material. However, similar means can also be achieved, in particular by cutting, in links having a different structure, for example with a core of synthetic material or other, coated with leather or textile on both sides.

Note also that the strands made according to the present invention could form only the end portions of a bracelet the rest of which would have another structure, for example a metal structure or leather or textile materials.

Claims (5)

1. Band-shaped strap, in particular a watch strap, including at a first end a first strand (1) provided with a buckle (3) and tongue (4) and at a second end a second strand (2) through the thickness of which holes (33) pass, intended to be attached in a removable manner to the first strand by engaging in the buckle, each strand being formed of a continuous flexible band, the buckle (3) including two lateral branches (19, 20) each provided with a hole (23), a removable transverse bar (14) the ends of which are arranged for engaging in the holes of the branches, and a tongue (4) having an eyelet part (16) rotatably engaged on said bar (14), the first strand (1) having an end orifice (13) arranged transversely close to a free end (5) of the strand, for receiving said buckle bar, and an end notch (15) extending from said free end to beyond the end orifice (13) to receive the eyelet part of the tongue,
   characterised in that the first strand (1) includes a plurality of additional transverse orifices (25a-25f) distributed over a certain length of the strand from the end orifice (13) and each associated with an elongated hole (26a-26f) passing through the thickness of the strand and intersecting with the associated transverse orifice (25a-25f), such that the first strand can be shortened by cutting along a transverse section (27a-27b) passing through any one of said elongated holes, the transverse orifice (25a-25f) associated with the hole becoming a new end orifice for receiving said buckle bar.
2. Strap according to claim 1, characterised in that said transverse section associated with each elongated hole (26a-26f) is marked by a groove (28a, 28b, 30a, 30b) on at least one face (29, 31) of the first strand.
3. Strap according to claim 1, characterised in that each elongated hole (26a-26f) extends from said associated transverse section to beyond the associated transverse orifice (25a-25f).
4. Strap according to claim 1, characterised in that the strands (1, 2) are made of synthetic material, particularly of polyurethane.
5. Strap according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first strand (1) is a moulded part.

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