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

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an extensible device for a watch strap of the closed type and predefined length. More specifically, the present extensible device is intended to be integrated in such a bracelet to allow to increase the length, in particular to allow the establishment of a portable device to the wrist, such as a watch, over a diving suit.
• a portable device to the wrist, such as a watch, over a diving suit.
• patent application EP 0 819 391 A1 filed in the name of the Rolex S.A. Watches, describes a device for adjusting the length of a metal bracelet provided with a clasp with folding blades.
• the clasp has a hood in which is housed the folding blade mechanism when the clasp is closed.
• a first end of the bracelet is integral with the hood while the second end of the bracelet is integral with the adjustment device, itself secured to the hood.
• the adjustment device comprises two adjacent links pivotally interconnected to allow their relative movement between two configurations, a short and a long. In the short configuration, one of the links is housed in a space adapted to the other link, the respective surfaces of the one and the other links being arranged in support against each other to fulfill a function of lock the short configuration.
• the folding clasp of the blades When the folding clasp of the blades are folded under the hood, they cover the adjustment device to hide it. Consequently, to pass from the short configuration to the long configuration, and vice versa, the clasp must necessarily be open to allow the movements of the two adjustment links.
• Another object of the extensible device according to the present invention is to provide a structure that can be implemented on any type of bracelet without harming the appearance of the latter.
• the invention relates to an extensible device for a watch strap comprising a first and a second link, adjacent, respectively comprising first and second extremal parts. These are intended to be secured respectively to a first and a second ends of the bracelet, the device being arranged to be able to have at least two configurations, a short and a long.
• This device further comprises locking means having at least one open state and a closed state in which the stability of said short configuration is ensured.
• the extensible device is characterized in that it comprises at least one control member locking means capable of being moved between two positions in a direction substantially parallel to said general plane.
• the device comprises elastic means arranged to exert a restoring force on the control member tending to maintain the latter in its close position.
• the extensible device according to the invention has a high handling reliability, particularly preventing untimely openings that would cause an undesirable extension of the bracelet.
• the locking means comprise at least one lug mounted in translation in a first end piece of the device and intended to cooperate with a fitted hole formed in the second end piece, when the device is in its short configuration.
• the lug is mounted integral with a control member arranged on one side of the device, being substantially perpendicular to the direction of the bracelet in which the device is integrated.
• two similar pins associated with two corresponding control members are arranged on either side of the extensible device to enhance the reliability of operation.
• the extensible device may have a structure similar to that of a clasp with folding blades for the structural part relating to the variation of its length.
• FIG. 1 represents a simplified side view of an extensible watchband device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the extensible device being represented in a first configuration;
• FIG. 2 is a top view of the extensible device of Figure 1 in the first configuration
• FIG. 3 is a view of the extensible device of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a second configuration
• FIG. 4 is a view of the extensible device on the opposite side to that of FIG. is assembled on a watch band. Mode (s) of realization of the invention
• An extensible device 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is visible in Figure 1.
• This extensible device is likely to have a first short configuration and a second long configuration, to allow a variation of the length of a watch bracelet to which it can be integrated.
• the expandable device 1 is shown in its short configuration.
• the device 1 comprises a first and a second extremal parts 2 and 3, each intended to be connected to a free end of a bracelet.
• each of the extremal parts has means adapted to its mechanical connection with a given type of bracelet. A particular example of such connection means will be described later, in connection with the detailed description of Figures 2 and 4.
• a curved tab 4 is mounted rigidly, by a first end
• the second end 7 of the curved tab 4 has a hole in which is housed a second bar 6 connecting it with a first blade 8 in an articulated manner.
• a second blade 9 is secured to the first blade 8 by means of a third bar 6, the second blade 9 being itself secured to the second end piece 3 by means of a fourth bar 6, the latter also allowing a relative pivoting of the blades 8 and 9 and the part 3.
• a first control member 11 of the locking means of the device is arranged on a first side of the first extremal piece 2.
• Figure 2 shows, in top view, the first configuration, short of the extensible device 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• the extremal parts 2 and 3 each comprise a central element 20, 30, disposed between two lateral elements 21, 31.
• the central and lateral elements 20 of the first extremal part 2 are formed together in one piece in the mode. embodiment shown.
• the elements 30 and 31 of the second extremal piece 3 are distinct and made integral with each other by means of a bar 32, driven into the lateral elements, allowing their relative pivoting with respect to the central element.
• the locking means of the extensible device 1 are visible in transparency in Figure 2, the device having two control members 11, arranged on either side of the first end piece 2.
• Each control member 11, arranged on the outer side of a respective lateral element 21, has the shape of a ring comprising a threaded hole in its face facing the corresponding lateral element.
• a rod 22 is engaged in a hole 25 adapted from each of the lateral elements 21. This has a first threaded end 23, screwed into the corresponding control member, and a second end 24 which opens out from the opposite side of the corresponding side element to form a lug.
• the locking means comprise a disc 26, rigidly attached to the rod 22, to define a first bearing surface of a coil spring 27.
• a ring 28 is housed, in a fixed position, to the the entrance of the hole 25, on the side of the control member, to define a second bearing surface of the spring 27. Due to this structure, the spring acts simultaneously on the disc 26 and the ring 28 to maintain the control member 1 1 and the rod 22 in the depressed position, shown in Figure 2.
• the second end piece 3 has two blind holes 32 formed in its side faces so that they are aligned with each other and both with respect to the rods 22 when the extensible device is in its short configuration.
• the second end piece 3 has a bead 33 (visible in Figure 1), projecting on its underside and, having a hole (visible in Figure 3) to accommodate the bar 6 allowing connect it to the second blade 9.
• the dimensions of the bead 33 are such that it has a shape substantially complementary to that of the recess 10 of the bent tab 4 of the first end piece 2.
• the dimensions of the various elements constituting the locking means are preferably adapted so that the lugs of the free ends 24 of the rods 22 retract completely inside the lateral elements 21 of the first end piece 2, thus releasing the second extremal piece 3, in response to a pull exerted by a user on the two control members 1 1 by simultaneously spacing the extremal parts.
• This unlocking operation makes it possible to pass the extensible device according to the present invention from its short configuration to a long configuration, represented in FIG. 3.
• the fact of retracting the lugs of the locking means makes it possible to release the second extremal piece 3 with respect to the first extremal piece 2.
• the blades 8 and 9 are then free to pivot relative to each other. to the other, around the bar 6 ensuring their connection.
• the maximum length of the extensible device 1 is obtained when the two blades 8 and 9 are arranged substantially in the extension of one another.
• the blades 8 and 9 must be brought back to one another by a reverse pivoting movement around the bar 6 connecting them. This movement is carried out in such a way that the bead 33 of the second end piece 3 is inserted into the recess 10 of the curved lug 4.
• the rods 22 are pushed back inside the lateral elements 21 under the pressure of the central element 30.
• the free ends 24 of the rods each have a chamfer (not visible) of straight or curved slope.
• the central element 30 has grooves (not shown), in its lateral faces, in the form of ramps, to allow the exercise of an axial force on the ends 24 of the rods 22 during operation. insertion of the central element 30 between the lateral elements 21. It is well understood that such ramps should preferably extend from the underside of the central element 30 to open into the holes 32.
• each of the ramps coincides ideally with the position of the ends 24 when the springs 27 are extended to the maximum.
• FIGS. 1 to 3 show the presence of holes 29, 34 intended to house bars for connecting links or bracelet strands in a known manner.
• Figure 4 shows a side view of the extensible device 1 previously described when assembled with a particular bracelet, as an example.
• the bracelet 40 shown is of the metal link type comprising two strands 41 and 42. Each strand comprises an end link 43 intended to be connected to a watch case (not shown). Moreover, the two strands 41 and 42 are connected to each other by means of a clasp folding blades 44 of conventional type. Those skilled in the art may in particular implement a clasp such as that described in patent application WO 2004/086895 A1, filed in the name of the
• the extensible device 1 is integrated into the bracelet.
• the bracelet 40 in the manner of an ordinary link, between the clasp 44 and a strand 42 of the bracelet.
• the bracelet 40 has a predefined length, adjusted to the size of the wrist of the wearer, the clasp with folding blades allowing the latter to slip on or remove the watch from his wrist, the opening of the clasp leading the enlargement of the length of the bracelet for this purpose.
• the actuation of the extensible device 1 according to the present invention makes it possible to increase the length of the bracelet 40, so that it preferably has an intermediate length between those corresponding, on the one hand, to the closed configuration of the clasp and on the other hand, to the open configuration of the clasp. Thanks to these characteristics, a watch provided with a bracelet such as that shown in FIG. advantageously be worn over a diving suit, when the extensible device 1 is in its long configuration.
• the structure of the locking means according to the present invention ensures a high level of security to the wearer. Indeed, it follows from the foregoing description that it is necessary to exert traction to neutralize the locking means according to the present invention, before the length of the extensible device can be modified, while the locking means generally work in the field of bracelets require movements of the type by pressure.
• the structure of the extensible device according to the present invention ensures great discretion in that, instead of being concealed under a clasp cover as in some devices known in the state of the art, it presents a form very close to that of the ordinary links of the bracelet on which it is mounted.

Landscapes

• Buckles (AREA)
• Adornments (AREA)
• Purses, Travelling Bags, Baskets, Or Suitcases (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=36649055

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

Families Citing this family (3)

Family Cites Families (10)

• 2005
  • 2005-12-22 CN CN2005800525352A patent/CN101370406B/zh active Active
  • 2005-12-22 DE DE602005014574T patent/DE602005014574D1/de active Active
  • 2005-12-22 WO PCT/IB2005/003942 patent/WO2007072108A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2005-12-22 AT AT05857351T patent/ATE431710T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2005-12-22 EP EP05857351A patent/EP1971236B1/de active Active
  • 2005-12-22 ES ES05857351T patent/ES2327259T3/es active Active
• 2008
  • 2008-12-17 HK HK08113653.3A patent/HK1122477A1/xx unknown

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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