EP3412168B1 - Clasp for bracelet - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a bracelet clasp with a comfortable setting, and in particular for watch straps.

Invention background

It is known from the document EP 1 464 245 a folding clasp comprising two curved arms, one lower, the other upper, each provided with a concave face and a convex face, the concave face of the upper arm being adjacent to the convex face of the lower arm in closed position of the clasp, the upper arm being elastically deformable in bending, locking means, comprising two parts, each associated with one of the arms, the first part comprising at least two cutouts and the second part a head arranged so as to engage notch in one or the other cut, by elastic deformation of the upper arm, connecting means connecting the arms to each other in an articulated manner at one of their ends, around an axis substantially parallel to the faces of the arms, and allowing the upper arm to occupy at least two positions in which the head can be engaged in one or the other of the cutouts, and means for fixing the strands of a n bracelet arranged at the other end of the arms. We also know documents WO 2006/092723 and CH 667 979 clasps with a similar mechanism.

The manipulation of such a mechanism is not easy for a user because the axle is movable with the arm, which means that the axle can be cantilevered depending on the play and lock the arm in a unwanted position. In addition, the position lock is not completely reliable, there has a risk that in the short position the clasp when it opens will go into the long position against the will of the user.

Summary of the invention

The invention particularly aims to overcome the various drawbacks of these known techniques.

More specifically, an objective of the invention is to provide a clasp allowing a simple, quick and reliable adjustment of the setting of a clasp for a watch strap.

Another object of the invention is to provide an easily removable clasp for cleaning and replacing parts if necessary.

The invention also aims, at least in one particular embodiment, to provide a clasp which is simple to implement and inexpensive.

These objectives, as well as others which will appear more clearly below, are achieved according to the invention using a bracelet clasp comprising at least first and second blades, the first blade being articulated to the second blade. by a first end, between a closed position, called the wearing position, in which the second blade is folded over the first blade, and an open position in which the second blade is released from the first blade, the first blade being articulated to a second end to a member for fixing a first bracelet strand, a second bracelet strand being connected at least indirectly to the second blade, the clasp comprising first locking means in the closed position of the first blade on the second blade.

The clasp comprises adjustment means arranged to adjust the position of the second blade relative to the first blade in the open position, the adjustment means comprising a groove machined in the second blade, an axis integral with the first blade and passing through throat, the throat having at least two clearances to define a short position and a long position. According to the invention the axis receives a pusher so as to release it and / or lock it in order to be able to move the second blade from one clearance to another.

• l'axe est de forme cylindrique de diamètre D1, ledit axe présentant une portion réduite ayant un diamètre D2 inférieur au diamètre D1 sur une partie de sa longueur ;
• la gorge présente une hauteur H similaire au diamètre D2 de la portion réduite et les dégagements présentent un diamètre D3 similaire au diamètre D1 de l'axe, la hauteur H étant inférieure au diamètre D3 des dégagements ;
• le poussoir comprend un ressort de manière à le maintenir dans sa position de repos dans l'un des dégagements, la portion réduite de diamètre D2 étant décalée longitudinalement par rapport à la gorge dans la position de repos ;
• le poussoir est logé dans la première lame, à proximité de l'articulation à sa première extrémité ;
• l'axe et le poussoir forment un élément d'un seul tenant.
• la gorge comprend au moins un troisième dégagement, dit dégagement intermédiaire, disposé entre les premier et deuxième dégagements de manière à définir une position intermédiaire entre la position longue et la position courte ;
• les premiers moyens de verrouillage en position fermée de la première lame sur la deuxième lame comprennent d'une part au moins un cliquet à bille solidaire de la deuxième lame, et d'autre part un orifice formé sur la première lame et agencé pour coopérer avec le cliquet à bille ;
• le fermoir comprend une troisième lame articulée à la deuxième extrémité de la première lame, une plaque de base articulée en pivotement à la troisième lame, et un capot articulé en pivotement à la plaque de base, le premier brin étant maintenu par le biais de moyens de maintien, le capot comprenant des seconds moyens de verrouillage en position fermée du capot sur la première lame ;
• les seconds moyens de verrouillage en position fermée du capot comprennent un trou traversant la plaque de base et agencé pour coopérer avec un téton solidaire de la première lame, le capot comprenant au moins un poussoir agencé pour être déplacé suivant une direction perpendiculaire au fermoir, en réponse à une action de l'utilisateur, entre une première position de repos dans laquelle le capot est verrouillé en position fermée sur la première lame , et une seconde position poussée dans laquelle le capot est dégagé de la première lame ;
• le capot recouvre en partie la deuxième lame en position fermée.

In accordance with other advantageous variants of the invention:

• the axis is of cylindrical shape of diameter D1, said axis having a reduced portion having a diameter D2 less than the diameter D1 over part of its length;
• the groove has a height H similar to the diameter D2 of the reduced portion and the clearances have a diameter D3 similar to the diameter D1 of the axis, the height H being less than the diameter D3 of the clearances;
• the pusher comprises a spring so as to maintain it in its rest position in one of the openings, the reduced portion of diameter D2 being offset longitudinally relative to the groove in the rest position;
• the pusher is housed in the first blade, near the joint at its first end;
• the pin and the pusher form a single piece.
• the groove comprises at least a third clearance, said intermediate clearance, disposed between the first and second clearances so as to define an intermediate position between the long position and the short position;
• the first locking means in the closed position of the first blade on the second blade comprise on the one hand at least one ball pawl secured to the second blade, and on the other hand an orifice formed on the first blade and arranged to cooperate with the ball ratchet;
• the clasp comprises a third blade articulated at the second end of the first blade, a base plate articulated in pivoting to the third blade, and a cover articulated in pivoting to the base plate, the first strand being maintained by means holding, the cover comprising second locking means in the closed position of the cover on the first blade;
• the second locking means in the closed position of the cover comprise a hole passing through the base plate and arranged to cooperate with a stud secured to the first blade, the cover comprising at least one pusher arranged to be moved in a direction perpendicular to the clasp, response to an action by the user, between a first rest position in which the cover is locked in the closed position on the first blade, and a second pushed position in which the cover is released from the first blade;
• the cover partially covers the second blade in the closed position.

The invention also relates to a wristwatch comprising a bracelet provided with a clasp in accordance with the invention.

Thus, the object of the present invention, by its various functional and structural aspects described above, makes it possible to obtain a clasp whose adjustment of the length of a strand is particularly easy and rapid.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un fermoir conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2a est une vue éclatée d'un fermoir conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2b est une vue en perspective du fermoir conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2c est une vue détaillée de la deuxième lame d'un fermoir conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2d est une vue détaillée des moyens de réglage, notamment de la gorge, d'un fermoir conforme à l'invention ;
• les figures 3a et 3b illustrent respectivement une vue de dessus et une vue en coupe selon la ligne G-G d'un fermoir conforme à l'invention en position courte ;
• les figures 4a et 4b illustrent respectivement une vue de dessus et une vue en coupe selon la ligne M-M d'un fermoir conforme à l'invention en position longue ;
• les figures 5a, 5b et 5c illustrent respectivement une vue en coupe d'un fermoir conforme à l'invention, une vue en coupe des moyens de réglage en position déverrouillée, et une vue en coupe des moyens de réglage en position verrouillée.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given by way of simple illustrative and nonlimiting example, and of the appended figures, among which :

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of a clasp according to the invention;
• the figure 2a is an exploded view of a clasp according to the invention;
• the figure 2b is a perspective view of the clasp according to the invention;
• the figure 2c is a detailed view of the second blade of a clasp according to the invention;
• the figure 2d is a detailed view of the adjustment means, in particular of the groove, of a clasp according to the invention;
• the Figures 3a and 3b respectively illustrate a top view and a sectional view along line GG of a clasp according to the invention in the short position;
• the Figures 4a and 4b respectively illustrate a top view and a sectional view along line MM of a clasp according to the invention in the long position;
• the Figures 5a, 5b and 5c respectively illustrate a sectional view of a clasp according to the invention, a sectional view of the adjustment means in the unlocked position, and a sectional view of the adjustment means in the locked position.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

A clasp for an adjustable strand bracelet according to a first exemplary embodiment will now be described in the following, referring jointly to figures 1 , 2a , 2b, 2c, 2d , 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b , and 5a, 5b and 5c .

The invention relates to a clasp 1 for a bracelet, of the folding clasp type, comprising at least first and second blades, the first blade 2 being articulated to the second blade 3 by a first end, between a closed position, called the wearing position. , in which the second blade 3 is folded back in the first blade 2, and an open position in which the second blade 3 is released from the first blade 2.

The first blade 2 carries at a second end means for fixing a first strand of bracelet, a second strand of bracelet being connected at least indirectly to the second blade 3 by means of an attachment link 5 for example, the second blade 3 comprising first locking means capable of holding the second blade 3 in its closed position. The means for fixing the first bracelet strand or the first link can be in the form of a third blade 4 as illustrated in the figures, or one could also imagine that the strand or the link is directly fixed to the first blade 2 , or indirectly fixed to the first blade 2 via an articulated intermediate element.

The strands can be made of materials such as leather, fabric, canvas, or any other material known to those skilled in the art for making bracelets or belts.

Bracelet links can also be attached to them, whether they are made of metal, ceramic, composite material or any other material known to those skilled in the art for the manufacture of links.

The first blade 2 may, for example, have a hole passing through its center, called the central hole 10, the central hole being configured to receive a stud 11 so that the stud cooperates with pushers or any other means of locking the clasp well known to those skilled in the art in the context of the present invention. One could also set up on the first blade 2 fixed hooks configured to cooperate with other hooks arranged on pushers for example.

The clasp comprises means for adjusting the position of the second blade 3 relative to the first blade 2 in the open position. The adjustment means comprise on the one hand a groove 30 machined in the second blade 3, visible at the figure 2d , and on the other hand, an axis 20 integral with the first blade 2 arranged to pass through the groove 30.

As can be seen from the figure 2d , the groove 30 having at least two clearances 31, 32 to define a short position and a long position, and a portion of height H reduced relative to the two clearances 31 and 32, the reduced portion being able to be produced by means of two ramps 300 placed symmetrically in the center and at the level of the upper and lower parts of the groove 30.

The axis 20 receives a pusher 21 at one of its ends so as to release it and / or lock it in order to be able to move the second blade 3 from one clearance 31, 32 to another, the other end of the axis being secured to the first blade two via a screw 28 for example.

In order to limit the size of the adjustment means, the pusher 21 is partially housed in the first blade 2, near the articulation at its first end. To this end, the first blade 2 has a housing 23 of shape complementary to the shape of the pusher 21, the housing 23 comprising the first through hole 24 to allow the axis 20 to pass through the first blade 2.

As illustrated in the figures, the pusher 21 is in the form of a body having an oblong section and partly rests in the housing 23 so that the pusher 21 is slightly protruding and thus allows easier actuation. Other shapes can obviously be envisaged for the pusher, such as a circular or rectangular section. Those skilled in the art could also consider setting up a push button 21 flush with the first blade 2 for the sake of design, but this would make actuation of the push button less easy.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the axis 20 and the pusher 21 form an element in one piece. They can obviously also be two separate elements, the pusher 21 can be screwed or driven on the axis 20 for example.

As illustrated in figure 2 , 5b and 5c , the axis 20 is of cylindrical shape and comprises three portions, first and third portions of diameter D1, and a second portion positioned between first and third portions, said reduced portion, having a diameter D2 less than the diameter D1. Axis 20 successively crosses the first blade 2 through a first through hole 24, then the second blade through the groove 30 and again the first blade through a second through hole 26, the axis 20 being held in place by the pusher at its first end and by the screw 28 at its other end, the screw 28 resting in the hole 26.

The axis 20 is arranged to cross the groove 30 which has a height H similar to the diameter D2 of the reduced portion of the axis 20. The clearances 31 and 32 have a diameter D3 similar to the diameter D1 of the axis, the height H being less than the diameter D3 of the clearances to avoid inadvertent adjustment of the clasp.

Advantageously, the pusher 21 comprises at least one spring 27 so as to maintain it in its rest position in one of the recesses 31 or 32, the reduced portion of diameter D2 being offset longitudinally relative to the groove 30 in its position rest. To have a simple structure, the spring 22 can be placed in the housing 23, between the pusher 21 and the first blade 2.

As illustrated in Figures 2b and 2c , the housing 23 comprises two springs 27, each of the springs 27 partially resting in a machining 270 to hold them in place. The springs 27 are arranged on each side of the through hole 24 through which the axis 20 passes so as to better distribute the forces and have the most rectilinear movement possible when the wearer presses the plunger 21.

According to the needs of the wearer, the groove 30 can comprise at least a third clearance, said intermediate clearance, arranged between the first and second clearances 31, 32 so as to define an intermediate position between the long position and the short position. Those skilled in the art will be able to add the number of clearances required, however it is not desirable to have too many possible adjustments for the sake of simplicity of implementation and ease of handling of the clasp 1 by the user.

Advantageously, the first blade 2 is provided slightly longer so that there is no day between the first blade 2 and the second blade 3, at the end of the two blades 2 and 3 near the 'joint, when the latter is positioned in the long position.

The first locking means can be formed, for example, by at least one ball pawl 25 configured to cooperate with an orifice formed in the first blade 2, so as to maintain the first blade 2 in its closed position against the second blade 3 and thus prevent any misalignment of the second blade 3 once the latter has been folded over the first blade 2.

Thus, to adjust the clasp, the user first unfolds the second blade 3 of the first blade 2. Then, the user presses the plunger 21 so as to offset the axis 20 from its rest position as on the figure 5c towards its retracted position as on the figure 5b , and the reduced portion of the axis 20 is placed in front of the groove 30 and the wearer can then move the second blade 3 of the clearance 31 to the clearance 32 or vice versa. Finally, once the second blade 3 positioned in the desired clearance, the wearer releases the plunger 21 which returns to its rest position under the effect of the spring, the first portion then being located opposite the groove 30 and preventing any translation of the second blade 3. The wearer only has to close the clasp 1 to wear the watch.

According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the clasp comprises a third blade 4 articulated at the second end of the first blade 2, a base plate 41 is pivotally articulated to the third blade 4, and a cover 42 is mounted on the base plate 41, the first strand or link being held by means of holding means 44.

The second blade 3 and the third blade 4 can pass from a closed position, called the wear position, in which the second blade 3 and the third blade 4 are folded over the first blade 2, and an open position in which the second blade 3 and the third blade 4 are released from the second blade 2.

As can be seen on the figures 1 and 2 , the first blade 2 comprises two longitudinal recesses 12 and 13 arranged symmetrically on either side of the central orifice 10. Advantageously, the longitudinal recesses 12 and 13 are respectively of complementary shape to the second blade 3 and the third blade 4 .

Thus, the second blade 3 and the third blade 4 rest at least partially in the longitudinal housings 12 and 13, so that the second end of the second blade 3 and the third blade 4 rest in the immediate vicinity of the central orifice 10 .

As illustrated in figure 2 , the base plate 41 is inserted at one end of the cover 42, the cover 42 having a recess 420 to receive the base plate 41.

The cover 42 comprises second locking means in the closed position of the cover on the first blade 2, the second locking means comprising a hole passing through the base of the cover 42 and arranged to cooperate with the stud 11 secured to the first blade 2, and two pushers 43 arranged to be moved in a direction perpendicular to the clasp 1, in response to pressure from the user, between a first rest position in which the cover 42 is locked in the closed position on the first blade 2, and a second pushed position in which the cover 42 is released from the first blade 2.

The pushers 43 are formed by a body, of length greater than the width of the cover 42, so as to be projecting on either side of the cover. The pushers 43 are slidably mounted within guide slots formed in the side edges of the cover 42 and cooperate in support with a spring to keep them apart. As can be seen in the figures, each pusher has a passage and a hook to let the stud 11 pass and hold it when the plungers 43 are constrained by the spring.

The invention also relates to a wristwatch comprising a bracelet provided with a clasp as described above.

Thanks to these various aspects of the invention, there is a clasp of simple design making it possible to adjust the length of a strand of bracelet or belt for example.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the example illustrated and is susceptible to various variants and modifications which will appear to those skilled in the art.

Claims (12)

1. Clasp (1) for a wristband or bracelet including at least first and second blades (2; 3), the first blade (2) being articulated to the second blade (3) by a first end, between a closed position, called the wearing position, in which the second blade (3) is folded onto the first blade (2), and an open position, in which the second blade (3) is released from the first blade (2), the first blade (2) being articulated at a second end to a member (5) for attaching a first wristband portion, a second wristband portion being at least indirectly connected to the second blade (4) the clasp including first means for locking the first blade in a closed position on the second blade, the clasp (1) including means for adjusting the position of the second blade (3) with respect to the first blade (2) in an open position, the adjustment means including a groove (30) machined in the second blade (3), an arbor (20) integral with the first blade (2) and passing through the groove (30), the groove (30) having at least two recesses (31, 32) to define a short position and a long position, characterized in that the arbor (20) receives a pusher (21) for releasing and/or locking the arbor in order to move the second blade (3) from one recess (31, 32) to another.
2. Wristband clasp according to claim 1, wherein the arbor (20) is of cylindrical shape with a diameter D1, said arbor having a reduced portion with a diameter D2 that is smaller than diameter D1 over part of its length.
3. Clasp according to claim 2, wherein the groove (30) has a height H similar to the diameter D2 of the reduced portion and the recesses have a diameter D3 similar to the diameter D1 of the arbor (20), height H being less than diameter D3 of the recesses (31, 32).
4. Clasp according to claims 2 or 3, wherein the pusher (21) includes at least one spring (27) to hold it in its rest position inside one of the recesses (31, 32), the reduced portion of diameter D2 being offset longitudinally with respect to the groove (30) in the rest position.
5. Clasp according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pusher (21) is at least partially housed inside the first blade (2), in proximity to the articulation at the first end thereof.
6. Clasp according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the arbor (20) and the pusher (21) form a one-piece element.
7. Clasp according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the groove (30) includes at least a third recess, called the intermediate recess, disposed between the first and second recesses (31, 32) so as to define an intermediate position between the long position and the short position.
8. Clasp according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first means for locking the first blade (2) in a closed position on the second blade (3) include, on the one hand, at least one ball ratchet (25) integral with the second blade (3), and on the other hand, an orifice formed on the first blade (2) and arranged to cooperate with the ball ratchet (25).
9. Clasp according to any of claims 1 to 8, comprising a third blade (4) articulated to the second end of the first blade (2), a base plate (42) pivotably articulated to the third blade (4), and a cover (42) being pivotably articulated to the base plate (41), the first wristband portion being held by means of holding means, the cover (42) comprising second means for locking the cover (42) in a closed position on the first blade (2).
10. Clasp according to claim 9, wherein the second means for locking the cover (42) in a closed position comprise a hole through the base of the cover (42) arranged to cooperate with a post (11) integral with the first blade, the cover comprising at least one pusher (43) arranged to be moved in a direction perpendicular to the clasp, in response to an action of the user, between a first, rest position in which the cover (42) is locked in a closed position on the first blade (2), and a second, pushed-in position in which the cover (42) is released from the first blade (2).
11. Clasp according to claims 9 or 10, wherein the cover (42) at least partly covers the second blade (3) in the closed position.
12. Wristwatch including a wristband or bracelet provided with a clasp according to any of the preceding claims.

Images