EP1977658B1 - Bracelet made up of articulated links - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to articulated link bracelets, in particular watch bracelets. In other words, the invention relates to bracelets whose links are assembled using pins defining pivot axes for the links. The pins each pass through at least two partially interlocked links (see EP-A-0 738 480 ).

The pins of the bracelet are introduced into cylindrical channels arranged in the links. To ensure the assembly of the links, it is necessary to ensure the holding in place of the various pins, that is to say, to avoid that they move transversely to the bracelet once the bracelet links assembled. Various techniques are known to those skilled in the art for fixedly holding the pins in the respective channels of a bracelet. On the other hand, especially to allow to adjust the length of the bracelet depending on the diameter of the wrist of a wearer, it is desirable to remove or add at least one link without damaging the bracelet and effectively, if possible by the the user himself.

The present invention proposes in particular to provide a reversible link assembly system of an articulated link bracelet, assembly provided to allow to easily add or remove at least one link of the bracelet to vary its length.

It is known from the document EP 0 738 480 a hinge device for reversibly connecting two links of a bracelet. Each link comprises, on both sides of it, two ears pierced transversely for the passage of a pin. The assembly reversible of the two links is carried out by means of: - two pins respectively associated with the two links, - two connecting elements each having two transverse holes for respectively the two pins, - a cap which is placed, by sliding along one of the two links, around the two connecting elements and the two pins, - a cover with two circular holes inserted into a lower opening of the cap, and - two locking elements inserted into the two holes of the cover and between the two pins. Fixing the cap is obtained by rotation of these two locking elements which have two lateral cells in which take place the two pins, which are thus held transversely in place by the two side walls of the cap. Such a reversible assembly device of two links is very complex. In addition, it requires several intermediate elements, including a cap that covers the joint between the two links; which is expensive.

It is known from the document GB 2,227,155 a watch strap formed of several links articulated by means of long pins and short pins arranged alternately. Each long pin is permanently attached at its first end to a first link. This pin is reversibly attached at its second end to a second link. The reversible fixing device is formed by a screw which partially passes through the channel provided in the second link for the passage of the second end of the pin. The pin has at its second end a groove or a circular groove into which the fixing screw. Thus, using a screwdriver it is possible to assemble the links of the bracelet by targeting small screws that come to block the pins long.

The device for assembling the links of a bracelet proposed in the document GB 2,227,155 is advantageous in that the assembly system is relatively simple and allows to add or remove links by unscrewing the fastening screws provided at the second ends of the long pins. However, this solution has certain disadvantages. Firstly the fixing screws are very small. A watchmaker is trained to screw and unscrew such small screws, but this is relatively difficult for a single user. Because of their small size, the fixing screws are easily lost as soon as they come out of the threaded holes in the second links. In addition, these screws may, when wearing the bracelet, partially unscrew with the risk that one of the long pins is released and the bracelet is then partially disassembled. For a wristwatch, such a situation presents a case to avoid.

The purpose of the present invention is therefore to provide a link bracelet articulated and assembled in a simple and effective manner while ensuring that no part of the bracelet can be lost especially when changing the length of the bracelet by an addition or the removal of certain links. Next, another object of the invention is to provide a reversible link assembly device in which the fastening element can not be loosened by the stresses exerted on the bracelet when worn on the wrist.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a bracelet according to claim 1. The bracelet is formed of a plurality of links assembled so that at least one first link of this plurality of links can be separated from the others, this first link being assembled with at least one second link by means of a transverse pin, which is associated with locking means of its transverse position in the bracelet. These locking means are reversibly arranged to release the pin and separate the first and second links. Said locking means comprise a locking element which ensures the transverse position of the pin in a first angular position of this locking element and releases this pin in its longitudinal direction in a second angular position, the locking element being arranged in a first and second link so as to be rotatable about its axis of rotation, and in that the locking element has a non-cylindrical portion, relative to said axis of rotation, an outer portion is located at least partially in a recess arranged at the cylindrical surface of the pin when said locking element is in said first angular position, this non-cylindrical portion remaining opposite said pin without penetrating into said recess when said locking element is in said second angular position.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the non-cylindrical portion of the blocking element is formed by a truncated cylinder portion at least in a plane parallel to the axis of rotation of the element. blocking.

Preferably, the recess provided in the pin is formed by a groove or groove in the surface of the pin, centered on the longitudinal axis of this pin.

In a preferred embodiment, the first position of the locking element is provided by locking means of its angular position, these locking means being operable by a user to enable it to rotate the locking element from its first position to its second position in which the pin is released.

The first position of the blocking element therefore corresponds to a closed position or a locking position of the pin while its second position corresponds to an open position or separation of the pin and the link in which the blocking element is agency.

According to a preferred variant, the locking element is held in a cavity of the link in which it is arranged by a structure forming a stop on the side of the outer surface of this link.

Thanks to the invention, the locking element forms a kind of latch or cam which remains associated with the link in which it is arranged. This blocking element can not be lost because it can not be separated from the link in question.

• la figure 1 est une vue partielle de dessous d'un bracelet formé de maillons articulés selon la présente invention;
• la figure 2 est un agrandissement partiel de la figure 1;
• les figures 3a et 3b sont des coupes de la figure 2, respectivement selon deux plans orthogonaux, montrant le dispositif de blocage réversible d'une goupille d'assemblage de maillons dans sa position ouverte;
• les figures 4a et 4b sont des coupes respectivement selon deux plans orthogonaux montrant le dispositif de blocage réversible, représenté aux figures 3a et 3b, dans sa position fermée;
• les figures 5a et 5b sont respectivement des vues de côté et de dessus d'une bague externe du dispositif de blocage représenté aux figures 3 et 4;
• les figures 6a, 6b et 6c montrent un élément de blocage selon diverses vues; et
• la figure 7 montre une goupille associée au dispositif de blocage selon l'invention.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will also emerge from the following detailed description, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting example, in which:

• the figure 1 is a partial bottom view of a bracelet formed of articulated links according to the present invention;
• the figure 2 is a partial enlargement of the figure 1 ;
• the Figures 3a and 3b are cuts of the figure 2 , respectively in two orthogonal planes, showing the reversible locking device of a link pin assembly in its open position;
• the Figures 4a and 4b are sections respectively in two orthogonal planes showing the reversible blocking device, shown in FIGS. Figures 3a and 3b in its closed position;
• the Figures 5a and 5b are respectively side and top views of an outer ring of the blocking device shown in FIGS. figures 3 and 4 ;
• the Figures 6a, 6b and 6c show a locking element according to various views; and
• the figure 7 shows a pin associated with the locking device according to the invention.

With the help of Figures 1 to 7 a preferred embodiment of a bracelet according to the present invention will be described below. The bracelet 2 is formed of several links 3 to 6 nested one inside the other. An assembly pin 8 passes through the nested portions of two adjacent links. During assembly of the links, the pins 8 are introduced into cylindrical channels arranged in the nested parts of the various links. In order to allow easy assembly of the links of the bracelet 2 and also its partial disassembly, in particular to vary its length, it is expected that the pins slide relatively freely in the transverse channels provided in the links. To ensure the transverse position of each pin capable of moving transversely to the bracelet, that is to say along the longitudinal axis of this pin, reversible locking means 10 of this pin are provided.

In the variant shown in Figures 1 and 2 each pin serves for an articulated joint of two links. However, in other versions of link bracelet, it is possible, as in the prior art mentioned above, a pin serves for the assembly of more than two links. Depending on how the links are nested, it is possible that a pin must be associated with two locking devices of the transverse position of the pin to keep the links assembled. Alternatively, one end of the pin can be permanently attached to one of the links. The variant represents Figures 1 and 2 is therefore not limiting, but can accurately describe the locking means of the transverse position of an assembly pin relative to at least one link in which these locking elements are arranged.

The locking device 10 essentially comprises three elements, one of which is associated with a hollow made in the pin 8. Before explaining the operation of the reversible locking device, each of the constituent elements of this device will be described.

First, the pin 8 comprises a recess 22 defined by a groove or a circular groove made in the cylindrical surface of this pin and centered on its longitudinal axis 20.

The locking device 10 comprises three elements 12, 14 and 16 arranged in a cavity 18 provided in particular in the link 4 to reversibly block the transverse position of the pin 8 ensuring an articulated connection between the link 4 and the adjacent link 5.

The blocking element 12 comprises a circular head 24, visible and accessible from the rear face of the link 4. This head comprises a central groove 26 for rotating the locking element with the help of a screwdriver. . Then, the element 12 comprises a central body formed by a non-cylindrical portion. This non-cylindrical portion 28 is formed by a truncated cylinder portion at least in a plane parallel to the axis of rotation 30 of this element 12. In this case, the cylinder is machined in two parallel planes defining two flat surfaces 33 and 34 diametrically opposed. These surfaces 33 and 34 are set back relative to the axis of rotation 30 and relative to the two cylindrical surfaces 35 and 36 remaining between these two flat surfaces. The side wall of the non-cylindrical portion is thus formed of four distinct surfaces, namely two recessed flat surfaces and two cylindrical surfaces defining two outer portions 35 and 36 of the locking element. Finally, this element 12 comprises an end portion 40. This end portion is circular with a lateral surface whose center radius corresponds to that of the outer portions 35 and 36. A recess 42 is made in the element 12 from the end portion 40 to accommodate a spring 16 used to press this element against the structure 14 partially closing the cavity 18.

It will be noted firstly that in the context of the present invention, a single surface 34 set back from another lateral surface 36 relative to the axis of rotation 30 suffices for the operation of the locking device described here. However, the presence of two diametrically opposed flat surfaces 33 and 34 facilitates manipulation of the device for a user. To ensure the operation of the locking element 12 in association with the groove 22 made in the pin 8, it suffices that the non-cylindrical portion of the locking element has a side wall which has a maximum distance relative to a first plane geometric XX, comprising the axis of rotation 30, which is less than the maximum distance of this side wall relative to a second geometric plane YY also comprising the axis of rotation 30 (see FIG. Figure 6c ). Thus, as will be understood later in the description of the operation of the locking device with reference to figures 3 and 4 , the locking element in its open position has an angular position substantially corresponding to a position of said first geometric plane parallel to the longitudinal axis 20 of the pin 8, while the closed position of this locking element for releasing the pin corresponds to another angular position in which said second geometric plane is substantially parallel to this longitudinal axis of the pin.

The structure 14 serves to partially close the opening 18 in the link 4 so as to maintain in this cavity the locking element 12. It thus forms a stop for two shoulders 37 and 38 of the locking element defined by the parts 35 and 36 whose radius in the center is greater than the radius of the head 24. The structure 14 forms a ring of which the central opening has a radius adjusted to the radius of the head 24 of the element 12. The structure 14 is formed of an annular base 44 surmounted by two projecting parts 45 and 46 diametrically opposite relative to the central axis of this structure which is coincident with the axis of rotation 30 of the locking element. The structure 14 defines two lower steps 47 and 48 and two upper steps 49 and 50. For the shoulders 37 and 38 of the locking element, the structure 14 thus defines four different angular positions, offset by 90 °. Note that it would be sufficient for the structure, axially forming a stop for the locking element, has two steps at the periphery of the locking element and located at two different levels along the axis of rotation of the locking element. These two steps must be arranged so as to allow a shoulder of the locking element to be pressed by the spring 16 against the lower step when it is in its closed position, while it is intended that it be pressed against the upper step when the locking element is in its open position, so that a user must exert pressure on the locking element to bring it from the closed position where the pin is locked in the open position where this pin is released.

With the help of figures 3 and 4 Finally, the operation of the locking device according to the preferred embodiment of the invention will be described below. It will be noted that Figures 3a and 3b shows the locking element in an open position, the figure 3b being a section perpendicular to that of the figure 3a . On the other hand, Figures 4a and 4b are also orthogonal cuts similar to Figures 3a and 3b but with the locking element in a closed position.

The cavity 18 is open on the lower surface of the link in which it is machined. This cavity 18 thus defines a blind hole in which the locking element 12 is arranged with the spring 16 placed in its central hole 42. The spring 16 thus pushes the element 12 towards the outer opening of the cavity 18. To prevent the element 12 from coming out of it, the annular structure 14 is arranged on the side of the opening of the cavity 18 at the periphery of the locking element, so that its head 24 is located in the central opening of this structure 14 and at least one outer shoulder of this element 12 is in abutment against a horizontal surface of the structure 14, regardless of the angular position of the locking element. More specifically, in the situation where the locking element has an angular position corresponding to the open position of the locking device, as shown in FIGS. Figures 3a and 3b , the locking element has its two shoulders 37 and 38 resting against the two upper steps 49 and 50 of the structure 14. It will be noted that all the steps of the structure 14 and all of the lateral surfaces of the element 12 have not been referenced in all figures so as not to overload the drawings. In the open position, the blocking element is slightly sunk into the cavity 18, its flat lateral surface 34 being situated facing the pin 8. In this open position, the blocking element 12 does not penetrate the groove 22 of this pin 8. Thus this pin can freely be moved transversely, that is to say along its longitudinal axis 20. In this position, the non-cylindrical portion 28 of the element 12 is located opposite the pin 8 without however, enter the hollow 22 thereof. In other words, the open position of the locking element corresponds to an orientation of the flat surfaces 33 and 34 parallel to the longitudinal axis 20 of the pin 8. These surfaces 33 and 34 are provided sufficiently indented for that they do not intercept the section of the pin 8 over its entire length, in projection in the cutting plane of the figure 3a .

To move from the open position of the figure 3 at the closed position of the figure 4 it is necessary to turn the locking element 12 by an angle of 90 °, in particular by means of a screwdriver inserted in the groove of the head 24. During this rotation, on the one hand, the part external 35 of the element 12 at least partially penetrates into the groove 22 of the pin 8, which has the effect of blocking it. On the other hand, Shoulders 37 and 38 of the element 12 are angularly offset relative to the upper steps 49 and 50 of the structure 14 until finally down one level under the action of the spring 16 to bear against the two lower steps 47 and 48 of this structure 14. In this closed position, the head 24 of the element 12 is substantially flush with the outer wall of the link 4. In addition, the element 12 is locked in its locking position of the pin 8 by the structure 14 and the spring 16 which presses the element 12 against this structure. The structure 14 and the spring 16 thus form locking means for the closed position of the element 12. These locking means of the element 12 are arranged to allow a user to release the element 12 in rotation. exerting pressure on its head 24 to allow the shoulders of this element 12 to pass from a lower level, corresponding to the lower steps of the structure 14, to a higher level corresponding to the upper steps of this structure 14. Then, by a movement of rotation of the element 12, the user can bring the locking element into its open position in which the pin is then released. By cons, without the voluntary intervention of a user, the action of the spring 16 on the element 12 ensures that it remains in the locking position after mounting the links of the bracelet.

In general, the means for locking the locking element of the pin are formed by the arrangement of a structure in the cavity 18 defining at least two steps on the periphery of the locking element, which are situated at two points. different levels according to the axis of rotation 30 of the locking element, and by a spring 16 for pressing a shoulder of the locking element against the lower step when the locking element has an angular position corresponding to the position closed, that is to say in a position preventing the pin from moving along its longitudinal axis.

It will also be noted that the term "link" used must be taken in a broad sense including any intermediate element between other links and elements of the bracelet not visible on the top of it.

In another embodiment a single locking device placed between two adjacent channels serves to lock or release two neighboring pins arranged respectively in these two channels. Thus the invention is not limited to the single embodiment shown in the figures.

Claims (6)

1. Bracelet formed of a plurality of links (3 to 6) assembled such that at least a first link (4) of said plurality of links can be separated from the others, said first link being assembled with at least a second link (5) by means of a transverse pin (8), which is associated with first means (10) for locking its transverse position in said bracelet, said first locking means being arranged reversibly in order to release said pin and to separate said first and second links, said first locking means comprising a locking element (12) which ensures said transverse position of the pin in a first angular position of said locking element and releases said pin in its longitudinal direction in a second angular position, said locking element being arranged in one of said first and second links to be capable of being rotated about its axis of rotation (30), said locking element having a non-cylindrical portion (28), relative to said axis of rotation, of which an external part (35, 36) at least partially penetrates a hollow (22) arranged at the cylindrical surface of said pin when said locking element is in said first angular position, said non-cylindrical portion remaining opposite said pin without penetrating said hollow when said locking element is in said second angular position.
2. Bracelet according to claim 1, characterized in that said non-cylindrical portion (28) of said locking element has a lateral wall which exhibits a maximum distance relative to a first geometric plane (X-X), comprising said axis of rotation (30), which is smaller than the maximum distance of said lateral wall relative to a second geometric plane (Y-Y) also comprising said axis of rotation, said second angular position substantially corresponding to a position of said first geometric plane parallel to the longitudinal axis (20) of said pin and said first angular position substantially corresponding to a position of said second geometric plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of said pin.
3. Bracelet according to claim 1, characterized in that said non-cylindrical portion is formed by a truncated cylinder portion at least in a plane parallel to said axis of rotation.
4. Bracelet according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hollow is formed by a groove or slot (22), in the cylindrical surface of the pin, centred on the longitudinal axis (20) of said pin.
5. Bracelet according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first position of said locking element (12) is ensured by second means (14, 16) for locking the angular position thereof, said second locking means being able to be released by a user to enable said locking element to then rotate from the first position to the second position thereof in which said pin is released.
6. Bracelet according to claim 5, characterized in that said locking element (12) is arranged in a cavity (18) of the link in which said locking element is arranged, and in that said second locking means are formed by the arrangement of a structure (14) in said cavity defining at least two steps (47, 50), at the periphery of said locking element, which are located on two different levels on the axis of rotation (30) of said locking element, and by a spring (16) used to press a shoulder (37) of said locking element against the lower step in said first position, such that said user has to exert pressure on said locking element to bring it into its second position in which said shoulder is then against the upper step of said structure.

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