EP3172981B1 - Wristwatch comprising a clasp bonded to the case - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a wristwatch having a watch case, a bracelet and a clasp related to the watch case.

State of the art

The wristwatch bracelets generally include a clasp to expand the bracelet or open it to put on or take off the watch. The clasp is generally provided opposite the watch case and is thus intended to be worn against the inner face of the wrist. These clasps are uncomfortable, especially for sports or when the wrist rests on a table or desk.

To avoid this problem, it is also known in the state of the art of wristwatches comprising a bracelet clasp integrated or integral with the watch case. An example of such a construction is described for example in WO05089584 .

CH 156174 describes a wristwatch whose box is combined with a folding clasp that allows to vary the length of the bracelet.

A similar solution is described in US4748604 and in DE4303173 .

In all these solutions, the watch case includes a folding clasp that allows to expand the bracelet but not to open it completely. It is therefore difficult to put on or take off these watches, especially for people with reduced mobility of the hand. Moreover, these watches can not be presented flat in a showcase for example.

The clasp unfolding under the bottom also makes access to the bottom more difficult, for example when it comes to opening the bottom to access the movement or replace a battery for example.

In addition, the organs for manipulating the clasp to open or close are generally near the bottom of the watch, in a plane below the plane of the dial. They are therefore difficult to handle.

FR767942 discloses a wristwatch clasp having a frame that closes over the case in the closed position, while leaving visible the watch face. In the open position, the frame is raised and opens the bracelet completely. The manipulation and donning of the bracelet are thus facilitated. However, the frame is only held in the closed position by retractable pins pushed by springs in the housing or in the inner surface of the frame. There is no lock and the bracelet may open when it is hooked or even be stolen by a skilled robber.

A similar solution is described in FR912561 .

EP0545229 proposes an improvement to this type of clasp through a locking member consisting of a push button at 12 o'clock and to maintain or release a frame over the housing. The manipulation of this push button is difficult, especially since it passes over one of the strands of the bracelet and is therefore difficult to grasp.

Brief summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a wristwatch with a case linked to the clasp but which is free from the limitations of wristwatches of this type known.

• une boîte de montre ;
• un fermoir comportant un cadre et permettant de refermer le bracelet en fixant le cadre par-dessus la boîte de montre ou de l'ouvrir complètement en décrochant le cadre de la boîte de montre ;
• un bracelet comportant un seul brin, le brin ayant deux extrémités, la première extrémité étant liée à ladite boîte de montre et la deuxième extrémité étant liée au fermoir;
• un organe de verrouillage lié à la boîte de montre, l'organe de verrouillage pouvant être pivoté entre une position permettant de l'insérer dans l'ouverture du cadre lors de la fermeture ou de l'ouverture du fermoir, et une position de verrouillage permettant de bloquer l'ouverture ou la fermeture du fermoir.

According to the invention, these aims are achieved in particular by means of a wristwatch comprising:

• a watch case;
• a clasp having a frame and to close the bracelet by fixing the frame over the watch case or to open completely by unhooking the frame of the watch case;
• a bracelet having a single strand, the strand having two ends, the first end being connected to said watch case and the second end being connected to the clasp;
• a locking member connected to the watch case, the locking member being pivotable between a position to insert it into the opening of the frame when closing or opening the clasp, and a locking position to block the opening or closing of the clasp.

The bracelet is considered completely open when it no longer forms a closed ring, that is to say when the clasp is only bound to the box by the bracelet, without being fixed directly to this box.

This solution has the advantage of being able to put or remove the watch without requiring a clasp on the inner face of the wrist.

The use of a single strand clasp opens the bracelet completely and facilitates the installation or removal of the watch, especially for persons with reduced mobility of the hand.

The clasp closes over the watch case and can be handled easily.

The clasp may include manipulation members, for example lugs or push buttons, which are above the dial plane when the clasp is locked on the watch case.

The frame can for example be clipped over the watch case in the closed position. The dial and the hands of the watch are visible through an opening of this frame when the clasp is closed.

In one embodiment, the watch comprises at least one dial, the frame having a central opening, at least one dial being visible through said central opening.

The clasp thus forms a watchcase bezel, that is to say, an organ above the middle part that completely surrounds the ice and covers the upper face of the middle part of the watch case.

The locking member is connected to the watch case and can be pivoted between a position to insert it into the opening of the clasp when closing or opening the clasp, and a locking position to lock the opening or closing of the clasp.

In the open position, at least a portion of the locking member may be longitudinal, that is to say parallel to the bracelet. In the locking position, at least a portion of the locking member may be transverse, that is to say perpendicular to the bracelet.

The manipulable portion of the locking member is advantageously above the watch glass.

The locking member may have a shape of "T" with a pivoting axis linked to the watch case, and a head may be oriented in a first direction allowing the insertion of the clasp or in a second direction bearing against the says cadre.

In one embodiment, the axis of the locking member can be raised above the dial to pivot it.

The watch case may comprise spring-loaded balls adapted to cooperate with notches in the clasp to keep said clasp closed.

It is possible to provide balls only on the distal side of the clasp. It is possible to provide beads at both the distal and proximal ends of the clasp.

In one embodiment, the wristwatch comprises two dials and a separation between the two dials, the axis of the locking member being mounted on this separation.

The wristwatch may comprise a first movement to display temporal indications on a first dial. A second movement may be provided to display temporal indications on the second dial.

To improve safety and reduce the risk of inadvertent opening, the clasp may include a push button with a return spring. This return spring pushes the pushbutton to the locking position when the pushbutton is not pressed, the opening of the clasp being locked in this locking position.

For this purpose, the push button can be provided on the lateral faces of the clasp, so as to move in a plane above the bracelet. The push button does not hurt the wrist.

It is also possible to provide two push buttons on both longitudinal sides of the clasp, which must be operated simultaneously to open the clasp.

The push button can be guided by means of rods engaged in through holes through the clasp, each rod collaborating with a pivot or other member engaged in the watch case to lock or unlock the clasp. The rods may for example push this element into the box in the unlocking position.

Brief description of the figures

• La figure 1 illustre une vue en perspective d'un premier mode de réalisation d'une montre-bracelet selon l'invention, le fermoir étant fermé et verrouillé.
• La figure 2 est une vue en coupe transversale A-A de la montre de la figure 1.
• La figure 3 illustre une vue en perspective du premier mode de réalisation d'une montre-bracelet selon l'invention, sans le bracelet, le fermoir étant fermé mais déverrouillé.
• La figure 4 est une vue en coupe transversale B-B de la montre de la figure 2.
• La figure 5 illustre une vue en perspective du premier mode de réalisation d'une montre-bracelet selon l'invention, sans le bracelet, le fermoir étant ouvert au-dessus de la boîte de montre.
• La figure 6 illustre une vue de dessus d'un mode de réalisation d'une montre-bracelet selon l'invention, sans le bracelet, le fermoir étant fermé mais déverrouillé.
• La figure 7 est une vue en coupe longitudinale C-C de la montre de la figure 6, sans le bracelet.
• La figure 8 est une vue en coupe longitudinale D-D de la montre de la figure 6, sans le bracelet.
• La figure 9 est un agrandissement d'une portion de la figure 8.
• La figure 10 illustre une vue en perspective d'un deuxième mode de réalisation d'une montre-bracelet selon l'invention, sans le bracelet, le fermoir étant verrouillé.
• La figure 11 est une vue en coupe longitudinale de la montre de la figure 10.
• La figure 12 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne F-F (Figure 12A) de la montre de la figure 10.

Examples of implementation of the invention are indicated in the description illustrated by the appended figures in which:

• The figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of a wristwatch according to the invention, the clasp being closed and locked.
• The figure 2 is a cross-sectional AA view of the watch from the figure 1 .
• The figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the first embodiment of a wristwatch according to the invention, without the bracelet, the clasp being closed but unlocked.
• The figure 4 is a cross-sectional view BB of the watch of the figure 2 .
• The figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of the first embodiment of a wristwatch according to the invention, without the bracelet, the clasp being open above the watch case.
• The figure 6 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a wristwatch according to the invention, without the bracelet, the clasp being closed but unlocked.
• The figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view CC of the watch of the figure 6 , without the bracelet.
• The figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view DD of the watch of the figure 6 , without the bracelet.
• The figure 9 is an enlargement of a portion of the figure 8 .
• The figure 10 illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of a wristwatch according to the invention, without the bracelet, the clasp being locked.
• The figure 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of the watch of the figure 10 .
• The figure 12 is a sectional view along the line FF ( Figure 12A ) of the watch of the figure 10 .

Example (s) of embodiment of the invention

An embodiment of a wristwatch 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example on the Figures 1-9 .

The wristwatch 1 comprises on the one hand a watch case 2 and on the other hand a clasp 3 can be locked above the watch case, or unlocked for opening. A first end 120 of the single-strand bracelet 12 is bonded to one side of the clasp (for example at 12 o'clock) while the second end 121 of the bracelet is tied to the other side of the watch case 2 (at 6 o'clock). . In the unlocked position, the bracelet can be completely opened and the watch placed flat with the watch case 2 and the clasp at each end of the bracelet.

The clasp 3 comprises a base 6 which can snap on the box 2, around the ice or ice, in the manner of a telescope. A frame 4 on this base defines an opening 40 making it possible to see the dial or dials of the watch when the clasp is closed on the watch case 2.

The watch case 2 has a middle 8 around which the frame 4 can snap. Elastic elements, for example two spring balls 80, are provided on the outer face of the middle part, at 6 o'clock, to retain the frame 4 in the closed position. Notches or slots may be provided at 6 o'clock in the inner face of the frame 4 to house the head of these balls when the clasp is closed. Spring-loaded balls may also be provided at 12 o'clock on the outer face of the middle part, as well as corresponding notches at 12 o'clock in the internal face of the frame 4.

The watch case 2 further comprises, in this example, two windows separated from each other by the base 51 of the locking member 5. The two dials 7, 9 are visible behind these windows through the window. opening 40 of the frame 4 when the clasp 3 is closed. A dial can be visible behind each dial. In one embodiment, the middle part 8 houses two movements 10, 11; the movement 10 makes it possible to display a first time indication in front of the dial 7 while the movement 11 makes it possible to display another time indication in front of the dial 9. The two indications may for example correspond to the time of two time zones, or at one o'clock and a timed duration. It is also possible to display indications not related to the time behind one of the windows, for example data from temperature sensors, altitude, location, heart rate, message announcements, calendar, etc. It is also possible to display time indications behind one of the ice and scenery or non-hourly indications behind the other ice. In the case of a skeleton watch, the dial may be constituted by the plate or by a bridge. In the case of a watch with an electronic display, the dial may be constituted by a display.

The base 6 of the clasp 3 is positioned above the watch case 2 by means of forms 81 of the middle part housed in notches 60 of the base 6 in the closed position. In one embodiment, one or more shapes are provided at 12 o'clock and one or more shapes at 6 o'clock.

In the closed position, the clasp 3 can be locked above the box 2 thanks to the locking member 5. The locking member 5 comprises a rod-shaped axis 50 passing through the base 51 in the center of the box. shows 2, and a head that can be pivoted by lifting the axis between the longitudinal position of the figures 3 and 5 and the transverse position of the figure 1 . In the longitudinal position, as shown in figure 5 , the head of the locking member 5 can be slid into the opening 40 of the clasp 4 to close or open the clasp. The locking member can then be lifted and then pivoted into the transverse position of the figure 3 , so as to rest on the upper face of the frame 4 and thus prevent the withdrawal of the clasp 4.

The clasp described above is locked only through the locking member 5; if this locking member is not closed, for example following an oversight or a hanging, the closing of the bracelet is only ensured by the spring balls 80 on one or both sides of the middle part 8.

The second embodiment described in relation to the Figures 10 to 12A (Without bracelet to lighten the representation) provides additional security with a push button 52 on one of the longitudinal faces of the clasp 3, for example at 6 o'clock as illustrated, or at 12 o'clock. This push button must be activated to unhook the clasp. This embodiment thus offers a double security, thanks to the locking member 5 above the upper face of the box, and the push button 52 on one of the longitudinal faces of the clasp. These two elements must be operated consecutively to open the clasp. Locking of the locking member 5 is manual, by turning. On the other hand, the locking of the push-button 52 can be automatic thanks to the springs 84 and 521 which push it back into the locking position. As in the previous embodiment, spring-loaded balls may also be provided on the longitudinal face of the clasp 3 opposite the push-button 52, and / or on the same face, in order to offer additional security and to produce a auditory and tactile reaction when opening the clasp.

The position of the push button 52 on one of the longitudinal faces of the clasp 3 avoids the disadvantages of the push buttons protruding on the side faces, which may injure the wrist. The push-button 52 moves in a plane above the wristband and can not come into contact with the wrist. This solution is advantageous for all clasps, including clasps with folding clasp not linked to the watch case.

Referring to figures 11 and 12 , the push-button 52 comprises two rods 522 engaged in longitudinal through holes through the clasp 3. A number of different rods, for example three rods, may be provided. A return spring 521 around each rod pushes the push button 52 outwards, in the locked position. The stroke of the button is limited to the outside by means of a screw 85 engaged in an additional hole between the two rods 522; this screw also serves as a guide element. Inwardly, the depth of penetration of the push-button 52 is limited by the recess 520 of the rods 522 which bears against the bearing portion 61 of the clasp 3.

The end of the rods 522 rests against pins or pins 83 engaged in blind holes 82 through the watch case 2. A spring 84 pushes each pivot outwards, while preventing it from completely leaving the blind hole. In the illustrated locking position, the pivots 83 protrude from the lateral face of the watch case 2 and penetrate into the through holes of the clasp 3; they thus oppose the opening of the clasp 3 which can not be raised. By pressing the push-button 52, the rods 522 push the pivots 83 flush with the watch case 2, thus releasing the clasp 3.

Reference numbers used in the figures

1

Wristwatch

2

Watch box

3

Clasp

4

Clasp frame

40

Opening as part of the clasp

5

Locking member

50

Axis of the locking member

51

Base of the locking member

52

Pushbutton

520

Drop on the rods 52

521

Pushbutton return springs

522

Push button rods

6

Base of the clasp

60

Positioning notch

61

Support portion of the clasp

7

First dial

8

shoulders

80

Ball on spring

81

Positioning form

82

One-eyed hole on a longitudinal side of the middle part

83

Pivot

84

Return spring and pivot retainer

85

Retaining screw and push button guide

9

Second dial

10

First movement

11

Second

12

Bracelet

120

First end of the bracelet

121

Second end of the bracelet

Claims (11)

1. A wristwatch, comprising:

   a watch case (2);

   a clasp (3) comprising a frame (4) and allowing the bracelet (12) to be fastened by fixing the frame above the watch-case (2), or to open it completely by unfastening the frame of the watch-case (2);

   a bracelet (12) comprising a single strand, the strand having two ends, the first end (120) being connected to said watch-case (2) and the second end (121) being connected to the clasp (3);

   characterized in that a locking member (5) is connected to the watch-case, the locking member being able to be pivoted between a position allowing it to be inserted into the opening (40) of the frame (4) when the clasp (3) is being closed or opened, and a locking position that allows the blocking of opening or closure of the clasp (3).
2. The wristwatch according to claim 1, the watch comprising at least one dial (7, 9), the frame (4) comprising an opening (40), at least one said dial (7) being visible through this opening.
3. The wristwatch according to one of the claims 1 or 2, the locking member (5) having a T-shape with a pivoting shaft (50) connected to the watch case (2), and a head that can be oriented either in a first direction that allows insertion of the clasp or in a second direction pressing against the frame (4) of the clasp (3).
4. The wristwatch according to one of the claims 1 to 3, the watch-case (2) comprising spring-loaded balls (80) able to collaborate with notches (60) in the frame of the clasp (3) in order to keep the clasp closed.
5. The watch according to claims 2 to 4, the shaft of the locking member (5) being able to be lifted above the dial (7, 9) in order to pivot it.
6. The wristwatch according to one of the claims 2 to 5, comprising two dials (7, 8) and a separation between these two dials (51), the shaft (50) of the locking member (5) being mounted on this separation.
7. The wristwatch according to claim 6, comprising a first movement (10) for displaying time information on a first of said dials (7).
8. The wristwatch according to claim 7, comprising a second movement (11) for displaying time information on the second of said dials (9).
9. The wristwatch according to one of the claims 1 to 8, the clasp (3) comprising a push-button (52) with a return spring (521), the return spring pushing the push-button back into the locking position when the push-button is not being pressed, the opening of the clasp being blocked in this locking position.
10. The wristwatch according to claim 9, said push-button (52) being provided on lateral faces of the clasp (3), so as to move in a plane above the bracelet (12).
11. The wristwatch according to one of the claims 9 or 10, said push-button (52) comprising at least two rods (522) engaged in through-holes through the clasp, each rod (522) collaborating with a pivot engaged in the watch-case (2) so as to lock or unlock the clasp.

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