EP1716776A2 - Device for adjusting the length of a bracelet provided with a foldable fastener - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a cover (1) for opening and closing a U-shaped transversal section and articulated at an end of a bracelet. An internal section of the cover allows sliding a fitting (2) articulated at another end of the bracelet. The fitting presents notches (2d1) cooperating with pins (6) and is mounted with a lateral displacement capacity to be retracted temporally for releasing the pins to adjust the length of the bracelet. Springs (7) are adjusted to create a transversal bearing pressure for engaging the pins with the notches.

Description

The invention relates to the technical field of clasps for bracelets, especially for watches.

More generally, the invention relates to rigid or link bracelets, where the ends are subject to an articulated folding leaf clasp, to vary the opening of the bracelet for its introduction, then its maintenance at the level of the wrist of the wearer generally .

Detachable links allow to adjust the length of the bracelet according to the size of the wrist. These operations of lengthening or shortening of the bracelet, are usually performed through a practitioner. After adjusting the length of the bracelet, it is no longer possible to adjust it again, except to repeat the aforementioned operations. Most often, this setting is done once.

The adjustment thus obtained does not take into account the differences in the circumference of the wrist which generally appear as a function of the ambient heat and / or according to the efforts made by the user.

Thus, in the case of a low ambient temperature or in the absence of effort, the periphery of the wrist is reduced, so that the bracelet tends to rotate. Conversely, when the ambient temperature is high or a major effort is exerted, the wrist circumference tends to increase, so that the bracelet tends to strongly tighten the wrist. This results, in both cases, a discomfort at the level of the user.

In an attempt to overcome these drawbacks, solutions have been proposed that allow the user to vary the length of the bracelet at will, in extension or in shortening.

A technical solution emerges, for example, from the teaching of the patent EP 0819391 which relates to a device for adjusting the length of a bracelet with a folding clasp. The adjustment is made by means of a link mounted with pivoting ability about an axis, to obtain two positions corresponding to two specific lengths of this bracelet. As a result, the adjustment possibilities are limited and are not precise. Moreover, it is necessary to undo the bracelet to proceed with the pivoting of the adjustment link.

Another solution emerges from the teaching of the patent CH 691159 which concerns a folding clasp for a bracelet allowing a continuous adjustment of the length of the bracelet. In this case, the adjustment in length is carried out by means of a sliding end blocked in adjustment position by means of a screw. Again, this solution can not be considered satisfactory, since not only is it necessary to remove the bracelet to adjust, but also to use a screwdriver.

In the patent US 5,927,577 , the length adjustment of the bracelet is effected by means of an articulated tip at one end of the bracelet and the other end of which is equipped with an axis that can be positioned in different holes that the internal section presents. a hinged lid at the other end of the bracelet.

According to the teaching of this patent US 5,927,577 , it is necessary to open the clasp to position the axis of the tip in another hole of the lid to change the length. In other words, according to the teaching of the US patent, it is not possible to adjust the length of the bracelet in a linear manner, without having to open the bracelet.

The object of the invention is to remedy these disadvantages in a simple, safe, effective and rational manner.

The problem to be solved by the invention is to be able to adjust and adjust, in a very precise manner, the length of the bracelet, directly by the user, without having to remove the bracelet, but keeping it on the wrist without being obliged to open it, that is to say to act on the clasp.

To solve such a problem, it has been designed and developed a device for adjusting the length of a bracelet with a foldable hinged clasp, the clasp being of the type having, in a known manner, an opening and closing lid of inverted U cross section and hinged at one end of the bracelet.

According to the invention, the problem of adjusting at will the length of the bracelet, without having to open it, that is to say allow adjustment to wear to obtain a shortening or lengthening, is solved by the features of claim 1.

To solve the problem of ensuring a continuous adjustment of the length of the bracelet, in elongation or shortening, the arrangements adapted to allow the guided sliding of the tip are constituted by lateral guides which delimit, a T-shaped groove in which slides a portion of the nozzle, of complementary cross-section. The guides are secured directly or in a reported manner internal faces of the side edges of the lid.

To solve the problem of ensuring the locking and adjustment of the desired length, the means of prepositioning and blocking of the tip are constituted by a series of notches formed in a recess that has one of the edges of the horizontal wing of the T-section of said tip, said notches being adapted to be successively engaged with a pin that has overflow at least one of the guides.

To solve the problem of being able to allow the sliding of the adjusting tip from the wrist, without having to open the bracelet, the cross section T of the tip is mounted with a side play inside of the recessed complementary section of the cover to allow transverse displacement of the tip in order to escape the notches of the pin to allow, concomitantly, the lateral displacement of said tip corresponding to the adjustment in length.

Advantageously, the transverse displacement of the endpiece is effected against return means, in the form of resilient members, integrated into the thickness of the endpiece and able to bear against the internal lateral face of one end. guides. The elastic members are, for example, constituted by at least two springs housed in chambers formed in the thickness of the tip and cooperating with support fingers.

According to another characteristic, the indexing stud or pins are screwed into the thickness of the guides from their underside to overflow their face from above.

In one embodiment, the foldable blades are hinged between a portion of the lid and a portion of the tip.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective, avant montage, des principaux éléments du dispositif selon l'invention ;
• les figures 2 et 3 sont des vues en perspective de l'embout de réglage ;
• la figure 4 est une vue de côté du couvercle d'un fermoir de bracelet équipé du dispositif de réglage ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe transversale du couvercle équipé des éléments de guidage, et avant engagement de l'embout de réglage ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en coupe transversale du couvercle après engagement de l'embout de réglage en position de blocage à une longueur souhaitée ;
• la figure 7 est une vue semblable à la figure 6 montrant le déplacement transversal de l'embout en vue de son coulissement pour permettre un réglage à la longueur souhaitée ;
• les figures 8 et 9 sont des vues en coupe considérées respectivement selon les lignes 8-8 de la figure 6 et 9-9 de la figure 7 ;
• la figure 10 est une vue partielle en perspective au niveau du fermoir, dont le couvercle n'est pas totalement représenté afin de montrer le dispositif de réglage,
• les figures 11 et 12 sont des vues partielles en perspective au niveau du fermoir d'un bracelet montrant deux positions de réglage en longueur ;
• les figures 13 et 14 montrent une variante de réalisation avec fermoir double déployant et un couvercle décalé par rapport au fermoir.

The invention is described below in more detail with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view, before assembly, of the main elements of the device according to the invention;
• Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of the adjusting tip;
• Figure 4 is a side view of the lid of a bracelet clasp equipped with the adjusting device;
• Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cover fitted with the guide elements, and before engagement of the adjusting tip;
• Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cover after engagement of the adjusting tip in the locking position to a desired length;
• Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing the transverse displacement of the tip to slide to allow adjustment to the desired length;
• Figures 8 and 9 are sectional views respectively taken along lines 8-8 of Figure 6 and 9-9 of Figure 7;
• FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view at the clasp, the lid of which is not completely shown in order to show the adjustment device,
• Figures 11 and 12 are partial perspective views at the clasp of a bracelet showing two adjustment positions in length;
• Figures 13 and 14 show an alternative embodiment with double folding clasp and a cover offset from the clasp.

The appended drawings show the application of the device to a bracelet made from a plurality of articulated links. As indicated, the invention applies to all types of bracelet equipped with a clasp (F) foldable articulated blades (L). More particularly, the clasp (F) is of the type having an opening and closing lid (1) of inverted U cross section and articulated at one end (B1) of the bracelet (B). In a known manner, opposite to its articulation, the cover (1) has snap-fastening arrangements in particular adapted to cooperate with complementary arrangements that has the other end (B2) of the bracelet (B).

According to a feature underlying the invention, the inner section of the cover (1) has arrangements adapted to allow free guided sliding of a tip (2). This tip (2) is articulated at the end (B2) of the bracelet (B).

As will be indicated in the following description, the tip (2) has prepositioning and locking means in position cooperating with complementary means that has the internal section cover (1) to allow, on the one hand, the free sliding of the nozzle corresponding to a precise adjustment of the length of the bracelet and, secondly, its locking in the desired adjustment position.

Importantly, the handling of the adjusting tip (2) is made to wear using, for example, the thumb and forefinger, without having to open the bracelet. In other words, this adjustment is effected in the closed position of the lid (1).

The arrangements of the cover (1) adapted to allow the sliding and guiding of the tip (2) are constituted by lateral guides (3) and (4). These guides (3) and (4) are profiled in length correspondingly to the bending of the lid (1). Advantageously, the guides (3) and (4) are secured, directly or in a reported manner, the internal faces of the lateral edges (1a) and (1b) of the cover (1). Different technical solutions can be used to secure the guides (3) and (4). For example, this attachment can be performed by means of an adhesive in combination with lugs (5) cooperating with circular impressions (1c).

After mounting the guides (3) and (4) in the internal section of the cover (1), the latter delimit a T-shaped groove (1d) (FIG. 5) in which a portion of the end piece (2) slides. complementary transverse.

The tip (2) has, at one of its ends, a hinge yoke (2a) for mounting at the level, for example, of the end (B2) of the bracelet. Beyond the portion (2a) acting as a screed, the end piece (2) has a cross-section (2b) T-shaped, in a complementary manner, to the groove (1d) of the cover (1) delimited by the guides (3) and (4). Referring to Figures 6 and 7 which show the introduction of the sliding tip in the inner section of the lid (1).

The lateral edges of the tip (2) have, from their free end opposite to the hinge clevis (2a) and at the level of the horizontal flange of the T-section, at least one, and preferably two , indentations (2c) and (2d).

According to an important characteristic, one of the notches (2d) has a series of notches (2d1) established at regular intervals between two stop zones (2e) and (2f). After placing the tip (2) at the cover (1), as indicated above, the notches (2d1) are adapted to cooperate successively with at least one pin (6) that has overflow, at least l one of the guides (4).

In order to position successively the various notches (2d1) relative to the pin (6) corresponding to the adjustment to the desired length of the bracelet, the tip (2) is mounted with limited lateral displacement capacity to be retracted temporarily in order to to escape the notches (2d1) of the pin (6) thus allowing said lateral displacement.

As shown in particular in Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9, the cross section T (2b) of the nozzle (2) is mounted with a transverse clearance inside the recessed complementary section (1d) of cover (1). This transverse displacement of the tip (2) is against the means in the form of resilient members (7), such as springs for example, integrated into the thickness of the end piece (2). For example, the springs (7), two in number, are engaged in chambers (2g) formed in the thickness of the tip (2) at its T-shaped cross-section (2b), in particular of its wing. vertical. The springs (7) cooperate with movable support fingers (8) retained by bits or bush of flexible material for example (9). The springs (7) are suitably calibrated to create a transverse support force which tends to constantly engage the notches (2d1) with the pin (6). The fingers (8) bear against the inner face of the guide (3) for example.

Referring to Figures 6 and 8 which show the notches engaged with the pin (6), while Figures 7 and 9 show the transverse displacement of the tip (2) resulting from a digital force exerted on the latter according to the arrow (F), so as to escape the notches (2d1) of the pin (6), the springs (7) being compressed.

In an embodiment that can not be considered as limiting, the peg (s) (6) are screwed into the thickness of the guides (3) and (4) from their underside to overflow their face from above. In the case where there are two pins (6), the lateral notch (2c) of the tip (2) allows the sliding of said tip.

Advantageously, the indexing peg or pins (6) are prepositioned along the axis of symmetry MM of the guides (3) and (4). This results in the possibility of adjusting in both directions, lengthening or shortening, the bracelet during the first initial adjustment with the wrist circumference.

All the elements of the adjustment device as described above, is protected by the folding and articulated blades (L).

• la possibilité de régler la longueur du bracelet d'une manière linéaire, sans être obligé d'ouvrir le bracelet, le réglage s'effectuant au porter, à l'aide du pouce et de l'index par exemple ;
• l'esthétique obtenue, étant donné qu'aucune pièce n'est apparente ;
• l'absence de contrainte ;
• l'absence de risque de soulèvement du couvercle pendant l'opération de réglage, ledit couvercle étant toujours maintenu par le brin bracelet 12 heures.

The advantages stand out well from the description, in particular one underlines and recalls:

• the possibility of adjusting the length of the bracelet in a linear manner, without having to open the bracelet, the adjustment being carried out with the help of the thumb and the index for example;
• the aesthetics obtained, since no room is apparent;
• the absence of constraint;
• the absence of risk of lifting the cover during the adjustment operation, said cover being always maintained by the strap strand 12 hours.

By way of non-limiting example, given the basic characteristics of the invention, it is possible, for example, to lengthen or shorten the length of the bracelet from approximately 7 to 8 millimeters, in steps of 1.5 millimeters. .

Claims (9)

Device for adjusting the length of a bracelet with a foldable hinged clasp, said clasp having a lid (1) for opening and closing with an inverted U-shaped cross section and articulated at one end (B1 ) of the bracelet,
characterized in that the internal section of the lid (1) has arrangements adapted to allow the guided sliding of a tip (2) hinged to the other end (B2) of the bracelet, said tip (2) having means of prepositioning and locking in position (2d1) cooperating with complementary means (6) that has the inner section of the cover (1), the tip (2) being mounted with limited lateral displacement capacity to be retracted temporarily to escape the complementary means, in order to adjust the length of the bracelet in a linear manner without having to open said bracelet, said tip (2) being subject to means (7) for return to the locking position and adjustment. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the arrangements adapted to allow the guided sliding of the end piece (2) consist of lateral guides (3) and (4) which delimit, a profiled groove T (1d) in which slides a portion of the tip (2) of complementary cross section. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the guides (3) and (4) are secured directly or in an attached manner to the internal faces of the lateral edges of the cover (1). Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means for prepositioning and blocking the nozzle are constituted by a series of notches (2d1) formed in an indentation (2d) that presents one of the edges of the horizontal flange of the T-section (2b) of said tip (2), said notches (2d1) being adapted to be engaged successively with a pin (6) that has overflow at least one of the guides (4). Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cross section T (2b) of the nozzle (2) is mounted with a lateral play inside the recessed complementary section of the cover ( 1) to allow a transverse displacement of the tip (2) to escape the notches (2d1) of the pin (6) to allow, concomitantly, the lateral displacement of said tip corresponding to the adjustment in length. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the transverse displacement of the end piece (2) is effected against the return means (7) in the form of elastic members integrated into the thickness of the tip (2) and able to bear against the internal lateral face of one of the guides. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the elastic members (7) consist of at least two springs housed in recesses formed in the thickness of the end piece (2) and cooperating with bearing fingers (8) . Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the indexing stud or pins (6) are screwed into the thickness of the guides (3) and (4) from their underside to overflow. from their face from above. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the indexing pin (s) (6) are prepositioned according to the axis of symmetry of the guides (3) and (4) for adjusting in both directions , lengthening or shortening, the bracelet during the first initial adjustment with the circumference of the wrist.

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