EP3599930B1 - Folding buckle clasp - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a clasp with a folding clasp for a timepiece bracelet as well as to the bracelet comprising such a clasp.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a bracelet.

In the state of the art, a folding clasp for a bracelet of a timepiece is generally placed between two strands of this bracelet so as to always remain secured to the ends of these two strands. Such a clasp occupies two positions: a closed position, intended for the wearing of the timepiece, in which the bracelet and the clasp extend around the periphery of the wrist, having a total length allowing the piece to be held in place. watchmaking, and an open position which makes it possible to increase the length of the bracelet and of the clasp, by separating the two ends of the two strands of the bracelet, without detaching them from the clasp, to allow the passage of the hand and the withdrawal of the watch. In this open configuration of the clasp, the two strands of the bracelet are not separated, which minimizes the risk of the watch falling.

In this context, such a clasp conventionally comprises two blades mounted movable in rotation respectively at the two ends of a central blade, and foldable on this central blade, as well as a push button device making it possible to unlock the clasp for passage of the latter. from closed to open position

The document GB405452 discloses an example of a clasp.

However, one of the drawbacks of such a clasp lies in the large size that it presents as a result of assembly. complex of parts of which it is made comprising in particular the push-button device and the associated mechanism. Such a bulk has the consequence of considerably altering the comfort associated with wearing the timepiece. In addition, this bulk has in addition a significant and negative impact on the aesthetic appearance of the clasp and therefore of the timepiece.

The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks associated with the state of the art.

With this in mind, the invention relates to a clasp with a folding clasp for a timepiece bracelet which can occupy a closed position suitable for maintaining the bracelet around the wrist of its wearer and an open position suitable for removing the bracelet from the hand of its wearer, the clasp being provided with a flexible locking member comprising ends mounted movable in pivoting with first and second folding blades attached in an articulated manner respectively to the first and second strands of the bracelet, said flexible member being defined to maintain the first and second blades folded in a locked manner in the closed position of the clasp by comprising two components connected to each other by an elastic link.

• l'organe flexible de verrouillage est une lame élastique comprenant lesdites deux composantes ;
• lesdites deux composantes correspondent chacune à une lame ;
• la liaison élastique comprend un bras de liaison défini dans un corps de chacune des deux composantes notamment dans une extrémité dudit corps ;
• la liaison élastique comprend un élément de connexion reliant des bras de liaison des deux composantes entre eux ;
• le bras de liaison est relié à une partie principale du corps de chaque composante en une extrémité et à un élément de connexion en une autre extrémité opposée dudit bras ;
• chaque composante comprend un corps dont une extrémité est pourvue de fentes notamment de deux fentes, séparant une partie d'un bras de liaison d'une partie principale de ce corps ;
• le fermoir comprend une face extérieure comprenant une face externe sensiblement convexe ou convexe de l'organe flexible de verrouillage et des faces externes sensiblement concaves ou concaves des première et deuxième lames ;
• les première et deuxième lames sont des lames rigides ;
• les première et deuxième lames comprennent chacune un bâti comprenant des longerons notamment deux longerons ;
• les longerons sont parallèles entre eux, et
• le bâti comprend un espace défini entre les longerons prévu pour accueillir un corps de la composante montée mobile en pivotement avec la lame comprenant ledit bâti.

In other embodiments:

• the flexible locking member is an elastic blade comprising said two components;
• said two components each correspond to a blade;
• the elastic link comprises a link arm defined in a body of each of the two components, in particular in one end of said body;
• the elastic link comprises a connection element connecting link arm of the two components together;
• the link arm is connected to a main part of the body of each component at one end and to a connection member at another opposite end of said arm;
• each component comprises a body, one end of which is provided with slots, in particular with two slots, separating a part of a connecting arm from a main part of this body;
• the clasp comprises an outer face comprising a substantially convex or convex outer face of the flexible locking member and substantially concave or concave outer faces of the first and second blades;
• the first and second blades are rigid blades;
• the first and second blades each comprise a frame comprising side members, in particular two side members;
• the spars are parallel to each other, and
• the frame comprises a space defined between the side members provided to accommodate a body of the component mounted to be movable in pivoting with the blade comprising said frame.

The invention also relates to a bracelet for a timepiece comprising such a folding clasp.

Advantageously, first and second strands of said bracelet each comprise at their free end a housing defined in an inner face of each of these strands.

Advantageously also, the housing is defined to receive one of the first and second blades comprising a body of a component mounted movably in pivoting with said blade arranged in a space defined in a frame of this blade when the clasp is in a closed position. .

In particular, the housings defined in the first and second strands are suitable for receiving first and second blades and a flexible locking member in a closed position of the clasp so that the outer faces of these first and second blades and one face internal of this flexible locking member as well as the internal faces of the free ends of the first and second strands are comprised substantially in the same plane.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a bracelet.

• la figure 1 représente une vue schématique d'un fermoir pour un bracelet d'une pièce d'horlogerie configuré dans une position ouverte, selon le mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective d'une face intérieure d'un brin du bracelet relié au fermoir, selon le mode de réalisation de l'invention, et
• les figures 3 à 5 représentent différentes vues du bracelet comprenant le fermoir configuré dans une position fermée, selon le mode de réalisation de l'invention.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear better on reading the description of a preferred embodiment which will follow, with reference to the figures, produced by way of indicative and non-limiting example:

• the figure 1 shows a schematic view of a clasp for a bracelet of a timepiece configured in an open position, according to the embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 2 is a perspective view of an inner face of a strand of the bracelet connected to the clasp, according to the embodiment of the invention, and
• the figures 3 to 5 show different views of the bracelet comprising the clasp configured in a closed position, according to the embodiment of the invention.

In the description which follows, identical reference numerals denote identical parts or having similar functions.

A particular embodiment of a folding clasp will now be described in detail without limitation. As shown on figures 1 to 5 , the folding clasp 1 can correspond to a “ triple folding clasp” or even to a "Double folding clasp" which is defined in particular to be associated with a timepiece 3. However, in a variant, this clasp 1 can be associated with any other bracelet 2, for any object to be attached to a wrist or any other part. This object can be a scuba diving accessory such as a depth gauge or a scuba diving computer for example, or else a jewelry component. The bracelet 2 can be of any type, such as for example of flexible plastic material, of leather, or produced by an assembly of metal links.

In general, bracelet 2 of timepiece 3 consists of two longitudinal portions of bracelet 2, of the first and second strands 7a, 7b of bracelet 2, and each of the strands 7a, 7b is such that one of the strands ends is connected to a case of the timepiece 3 while the other end which is free is intended to cooperate with the clasp 1 so that the bracelet 2 is in a closed or open configuration.

The free end of each of these strands 7a, 7b comprises a housing 21 defined in an inner face 22a of each of these strands 7a, 7b. This housing 21 comprises a bottom and three walls bordering this bottom: two side walls 23 and a rear wall 24. It will be noted that the side walls 23 are preferably substantially parallel to each other, and perpendicular to the rear wall 24. In this configuration, the housing 21 has an opening in a front edge 25 of the end of each of these strands 7a, 7b.

The first and second strands 7a, 7b also each include, at this free end, through orifices opening into the side walls 23 of the housing 21 as well as into the side walls 26 of each of these two strands 7a, 7b.

This clasp 1 is able to occupy a closed position suitable for maintaining the bracelet 2 around the wrist of its wearer and a second open position suitable for removing the bracelet 2 from the hand of its wearer.

Such a clasp 1 comprises three elements 4, 6a, 6b: first and second foldable, preferably rigid blades 6a, 6b and a flexible locking member 4. These elements 4, 6a, 6b of the clasp are preferably made of a material similar especially a metallic material. In addition, these elements 4, 6a, 6b can form a one-piece assembly, under these conditions the clasp 1 can then be a one-piece or monolithic part.

In addition, this clasp 1 also has outer and inner faces 15a, 15b. The outer face 15a visible on the figure 1 , comprises the outer face 16a of the flexible member 4 and the outer faces 17a of the first and second blades 6a, 6b. Likewise, the inner face 15b comprises the inner face 16b of the flexible member 4 and the inner faces 17b of the first and second blades 6a, 6b.

In this clasp 1, the flexible locking member 4 comprises ends 5 mounted so as to be able to pivot with the first and second blades 6a, 6b which can be folded into the housings 21 defined in the lower faces 22a of the ends of the first and second strands 7a, 7b. . In other words, these first and second blades 6a, 6b are mounted so as to be able to pivot at the level of the two ends 5 of the flexible member 4 about respectively a first connecting axis A1 and a second connecting axis A2.

These first and second blades 6a, 6b each comprise a frame 18. This frame 18 comprises longitudinal members 19a, 19b, in particular two spars, and a base 19c. These side members 19a, 19b are substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the base 19c. Under these conditions, the frame 18 has the shape substantially of a “U”. These longitudinal members 19a, 19b comprise first ends connecting the first second blades 6a, 6b to the ends 5 of the flexible member 4 from the first and second connecting pins A1, A2 respectively. In this frame 18, the base 19c is arranged by connecting second ends of the side members 19a, 19b to each other. This base 19c comprises a through opening opening into the outer side faces of the side members 19a, 19b and therefore of the frame 18.

• un premier axe d'attache articulé A3 entre l'extrémité libre du premier brin 7a et la première lame 6a, et
• un deuxième axe d'attache articulée A4 entre l'extrémité libre du deuxième brin 7b et la deuxième lame 6b.

In this configuration, for each of these strands 7a, 7b, this through opening and the corresponding through orifices are defined to be traversed by a fixing bar or even a fixing rod so as to produce:

• a first articulated attachment axis A3 between the free end of the first strand 7a and the first blade 6a, and
• a second hinged attachment pin A4 between the free end of the second strand 7b and the second blade 6b.

• l'organe flexible 4, et
• les extrémités libres des premier et deuxième brins 7a, 7b du bracelet 2.

In this clasp 1, and in particular in the frames 18 of the first and second blades 6a, 6b, the first and second connecting axes A1, A2 are respectively opposed to the first and second attachment axes A3, A4. It will be noted that these first and second connecting axes A1, A2 and these first and second attachment axes A3, A4 can be produced using any appropriate articulation means making it possible to articulate the first and second blades 6a, 6b with :

• flexible member 4, and
• the free ends of the first and second strands 7a, 7b of the bracelet 2.

The frame 18 of each of these first and second blades 6a, 6b comprises a space 20 defined between the side members 19a, 19b. In particular, this space 20 is defined in the frame 18 of the first blade 6a, between these longitudinal members 19a, 19b, the first connecting axis A1 and the first attachment axis A3. In the frame 18 of the second blade 6b, this space 20 is defined between the side members 19a, 19b, the second connecting axis A2 and the second attachment axis A4. In these two blades 6a, 6b, these spaces 20 are provided to accommodate the flexible member 4 of the clasp 1. In other words, this space 20 can correspond to an opening defined in each first and second blade 6a, 6b connecting the outer faces and internal 17a, 17b of each of these blades 6a, 6b and therefore of their frame 18. It will be noted that the external face 17a of each first and second blade 6a, 6b is preferably substantially concave or concave.

In addition, such a space 20 defined in the frame 18 of one of the two blades 6a, 6b is designed to accommodate in particular a body of one of the components 8a, 8b of the flexible member 4 described below, mounted so as to be able to pivot. with said frame 18 of the blade 6a, 6b. In this context, this space 20 has a shape which is complementary to that of the body of one of the components 8a, 8b of the flexible member 4. In addition, it will be noted that this body has a thickness which is less than or equal to one. thickness of the frame 18 of each of the first and second blades 6a, 6b.

This flexible member 4 is in particular defined to hold the first and second blades 6a, 6b folded back in the housings 21 defined in the inner faces 22a of the strands 7a, 7b of the bracelet 2, in a locked manner in the closed position of the clasp 1. This member flexible 4 comprises the two components 8a, 8b connected to each other by an elastic connection 9. The flexible member 4 and in particular this elastic connection 9 participates in ensuring the kinematics of the clasp 1 more precisely it participates in the realization of its locking and unlocking and / or its configuration in a closed or open position.

In this flexible member 4, these two components 8a, 8b preferably each correspond to a blade. In a variant, the flexible member 4 is an elastic blade or a flexible blade. In other words, in such a variant, these two components 8a, 8b form this single elastic blade. This flexible member 4 also comprises the outer and inner faces 16a, 16b. The outer face 16a is preferably substantially convex or convex. In another variant, this flexible member 4 is an elastic connecting element different from a blade, in particular at the structural and / or shape level, and which is able to connect the first and second blades 6a, 6b to one another. In this last variant, the clasp 1 then comprises two blades 6a, 6b, the first and second blades 6a, 6b, and the flexible member 4. It is therefore understood that in this embodiment of the invention, the clasp 1 comprises at least two blades.

Such a flexible member 4 therefore comprises these two components 8a, 8b as well as a connection element 11 participating in the elastic connection 9 between these two components 8a, 8b. This connection element 11 is arranged in a central part of this member 4.

This elastic connection 9 between the two components 8a, 8b therefore comprises the connection element 11 and connection arms 10a, 10b defined in the body of each of the components 8a, 8b in particular in one end of this body. Indeed, the body of each component 8a, 8b comprises a main part 12a, 12b and the link arm 10a, 10b. This connecting arm 10a, 10b comprises side walls 27 which are separated from the main part 12a, 12b of the body of each component 8a, 8b by slots 14 formed in this body. In other words, the end of the body of each component 8a, 8b is provided with these slots 14 in particular with two slots 14 which aim to separate a part of the connecting arm 10a, 10b from the main part 12a, 12b of this body. In this flexible member 4, each link arm 10a, 10b is connected to the main part 12a, 12b of the body of each component 8a, 8b at one end 13a and to the connection element 11 at another end 13b opposite said arm. 10a, 10b.

Thus in this configuration, such a connection 9 participates in giving the flexible member 4 elastic characteristics. Indeed, the link arms 10a, 10b and the connection element 11 can be moved in a direction substantially perpendicular or perpendicular to the outer and inner faces 16a, 16b of the flexible member 4 in particular relative to the main parts 12a, 12b of the body of components 8a, 8b, when locking or unlocking the clasp 1.

The locking of the clasp 1 according to the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the figures 1 to 5 . From the open position and therefore unfolded of the clasp 1 illustrated on the figures 1 and 2 , the flexible member 4 is manipulated so as to drive the first and second folding blades 6a, 6b in a pivoting movement around the first and second axes A1, A2 in the direction of the housings 21 defined in the free ends of the strands 7a, 7b of the bracelet 2. During this operation, the bodies of the components 8a, 8b of the flexible member 4 are positioned progressively and as the first and second blades 6a, 6b move towards the housings 21, in the spaces 20 defined in the frames 18 of these blades 6a, 6b.

The flexible member 4 during this operation gradually bandages under the tension force until it exceeds a critical point, constituting an unstable point of equilibrium, beyond which the flexible member 4 tends to relax. Indeed, when this critical point is reached, the voltage of the flexible member 4 is maximum and once this critical point has been passed, the flexible member 4 seeks to relax and then drives the connection element 11 into a housing which is defined between the first and second blades 6a, 6b and in in particular between the bases 19c of the frames 18 of these first and second blades 6a, 6b. The clasp 1 is then in the closed position visible on the figures 3 to 5 . In this closed position, the bodies of the components 8a, 8b of the flexible member 4 are arranged in the spaces 20 of the first and second blades 6a, 6b and the latter are folded into the housings 21 and this, so that the outer faces 17a of these blades 6a, 6b and the inner face 16b of the body of the components 8a, 8b of the flexible member 4 as well as the inner faces 22a of the free ends of the first and second strands 7a, 7b are comprised substantially in one and the same plan.

In this closed position, the maintenance of the first and second blades 6a, 6b by the flexible member 4 in the housings 21 and of the connection element 11 in the housing defined between these first and second blades 6a, 6b, is ensured by the tension of this flexible member 4. The flexible member 4 maintains a pre-stressing tension which cancels out any residual play. In this closed position, a tensile force exerted on the first and second blades 6a, 6b by means of the first and second strands 7a, 7b of the bracelet 2 to which they are connected and directed essentially parallel to their respective longitudinal axis A5 has for effect not only of not tending towards the opening of the clasp 1 but on the contrary increases the locking force of the latter.

Unlocking the clasp will now be described in detail. From the closed position shown on the figures 3 to 5 , the wearer exerts a force on the first and / or the second blade 6a, 6b via the first and / or the second strand 7a, 7b (in particular the end of the first and / or the second strand 7a, 7b ), directed mainly perpendicularly to an outer face 22b of the ends of these strands 7a, 7b, to move the first and / or the second blades 6a, 6b relative to the flexible member 4. This operation must be continued until the critical point where the tension of the flexible member 4 is maximum. Once this critical point has been passed, the flexible member 4 relaxes causing its deployment and also that of the first and second blades 6a, 6b. The clasp 1 is therefore in its open position illustrated on figure 1 in which the flexible member 4 is in an unconstrained state and is completely free to pivot about the first and second connecting axes A1, A2, just like the first and second blades 6a, 6b with this flexible member 4 and also with the first and second strands 7a, 7b around the first and second attachment axes A3, A4.

It will be understood that the force necessary for locking and unlocking the clasp 1 according to the invention depends in particular on the elastic properties of the flexible member 4 and in particular on the characteristics of the elastic connection 9 made between the components 8a, 8b of this member. 4. The configuration of this elastic connection 9 can be made so that the tensile force necessary for unlocking the clasp 1 is high, making the clasp 1 even more secure.

The clasp 1 according to the present invention offers many advantages, including that of integrating such a clasp 1 in a thickness of the ends of the first and second strands 7a, 7b of the bracelet 2 by an arrangement of the flexible member 4 and of the first and second blades 6a, 6b in housings 21 defined in these strands 7a, 7b when the clasp 1 is in the closed position. Thus, in this closed position, the clasp 1 is not visible from the outside and therefore it does not harm the overall aesthetics of the bracelet 2 and / or of the timepiece 3, thus leaving the possibility of to personalize this bracelet 2 and / or the timepiece 3 without adversely affecting the operation of the clasp 1. In addition, in this context, this clasp 1 makes it possible to improve the comfort associated with wearing the timepiece 3 in comparison the discomfort provided by the extra thickness resulting from the folding clasps of the state of the art.

In addition, it will be noted that the arrangement in series of the first and second blades 6a, 6b with the flexible member 4 and the few parts that this clasp 1 comprises, gives the latter an optimized size since it is compact and proportionate. in the closed position and allows sufficient deployment in the open position.

Claims (17)

1. A folding buckle clasp (1) for a bracelet (2) of a timepiece (3), which can take up a closed position for keeping the bracelet (2) around the wearer's wrist and an open position for removing the bracelet (2) from the wearer's hand, characterized in that:
   the clasp (1) being provided with a flexible locking member (4) comprising ends (5) that are mounted in a pivotable manner with first and second foldable blades (6a, 6b) attached in a hinged manner to first and second strands (7a, 7b), respectively, of the bracelet (2), said flexible member (4) being defined to keep the first and second blades (6a, 6b) folded in a locked manner in the closed position of the clasp (1) by having two components (8a, 8b) connected together by an elastic link (9).
2. The clasp (1) as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that the flexible locking member (4) is an elastic blade comprising said two components (8a, 8b).
3. The clasp (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said two components (8a, 8b) each correspond to a blade.
4. The clasp (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic link (9) comprises a linking arm (10a, 10b) defined in a body of each of the two components (8a, 8b), in particular in one end of said body.
5. The clasp (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic link (9) comprises a connecting element (11) connecting the linking arms (10a, 10b) of the two components (8a, 8b) together.
6. The clasp (1) as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that the linking arm (10a, 10b) is connected to a main part (12a, 12b) of the body of each component (8a, 8b) at one end (13a) and to a connecting element (11) at another, opposite end (13b) of said arm (10a, 10b).
7. The clasp (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each component (8a, 8b) comprises a body, one end of which is provided with slots (14), in particular two slots (14), separating a part of a linking arm (10a, 10b) from a main part (12a, 12b) of this body.
8. The clasp (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an outer face (15a) comprising a substantially convex or convex external face (16a) of the flexible locking member (4) and substantially concave or concave external faces (17a) of the first and second blades (6a, 6b).
9. The clasp (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second blades (6a, 6b) are rigid blades.
10. The clasp (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second blades (6a, 6b) each comprise a frame (18) comprising side members (19a, 19b), in particular two side members (19a, 19b).
11. The clasp (1) as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that the side members (19a, 19b) are parallel to one another.
12. The clasp (1) as claimed in either one of claims 10 and 11, characterized in that the frame (18) comprises a space (20) defined between the side members (19a, 19b) and intended to accommodate a body of the component (8a, 8b) mounted in a pivotable manner with the blade (6a, 6b) comprising said frame (18).
13. A bracelet (2) for a timepiece (3), having a folding buckle clasp (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
14. The bracelet (2) as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that first and second strands (7a, 7b) of said bracelet (2) each comprise, at their free end, a housing (21) defined in an inner face (22a) of each of these strands (7a, 7b).
15. The bracelet (2) as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that the housing (21) is defined to receive one of the first and second blades (6a, 6b) comprising a body of a component (8a, 8b) mounted in a pivotable manner with said blade (6a, 6b) arranged in a space (20) defined in a frame (18) of this blade (6a, 6b) when the clasp (1) is in a closed position.
16. The bracelet (2) as claimed in either one of claims 14 and 15, characterized in that the housings (21) defined in the first and second strands (7a, 7b) are able to receive first and second blades (6a, 6b) and a flexible locking member (4) in a closed position of the clasp (1) such that the external faces (17a) of these first and second blades (6a, 6b) and an internal face (15b) of this flexible locking member (4) and also inner faces (22a) of the free ends of the first and second strands (7a, 7b) are contained substantially in a single plane.
17. A timepiece (3) having a bracelet (2) as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 16.

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