Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
  • A44C—PERSONAL ADORNMENTS, e.g. JEWELLERY; COINS
  • A44C5/00—Bracelets; Wrist-watch straps; Fastenings for bracelets or wrist-watch straps
  • A44C5/02—Link constructions
  • A44C5/10—Link constructions not extensible
  • A44C5/107—Link constructions not extensible with links made of more than two elements including connecting elements
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
  • A44C—PERSONAL ADORNMENTS, e.g. JEWELLERY; COINS
  • A44C5/00—Bracelets; Wrist-watch straps; Fastenings for bracelets or wrist-watch straps
  • A44C5/02—Link constructions
  • A44C5/10—Link constructions not extensible
  • A44C5/105—Link constructions not extensible with links made of one piece and linked together by one connecting element

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of watchmaking. It relates more particularly to a bracelet link capable of composing a bracelet, the main direction of which defines a longitudinal axis.
• the link comprises a body traversed by a channel disposed in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.
• the channel is interrupted by a connecting portion formed in the body of the link, in which can engage a second link.
• a bar is housed in the channel. The bar is able to move in translation in the channel with reference to the body, between an assembly position in which the bar passes through the connecting portion and a free position in which it leaves free the connecting portion.
• the links of link bracelets are most often assembled by transverse bars or pins, which ensure the connection and the relative mobility of the links relative to each other.
• various solutions have been proposed to secure the bars to at least one of the links with which they cooperate. These solutions also make it possible to extract the bar for disassembly of a link, for replacement or adjustment of the length.
• the bar must be unscrewed or at best unscrewed, which requires adequate tools and dexterity.
• a simple adjustment of the length of the bracelet must be done at a professional, to avoid the risk of damaging the bracelet by mishandling.
• the publication JP 2007-82597 A describes and illustrates an example of a bar of the type mentioned above implemented in relation to a locking member housed in the link.
• This locking member is arranged to act on the bar in the longitudinal direction of the bracelet and hold it in its housing.
• the bar has an annular groove in the middle in which one end of the locking member can be inserted, under the effect of the action of an elastic member, to ensure the locking of the bar.
• the locking member is also likely to be compressed to retract and release the bar.
• the extraction of the bar requires the insertion of a tool into the housing of the link to exert pressure on the bar and force the locking member to retract, in a manner similar to the necessary handling in relation to the bars conventional devices not retained by a locking device.
• the document EP1977658 proposes a reversible locking system, wherein a locking member is pivotally mounted along an axis perpendicular to the axis of the bar.
• the locking member is positioned so as to be able to take place in a groove on the surface of the bar.
• the locking member comprises a non-cylindrical portion which, depending on its angular position, takes place in the groove or is cleared.
• the axial support induces a change in level of the locking member, which makes rotation possible. It is only the rotation of the locking member that makes it possible to lock or release the bar.
• the present invention aims to provide an improved solution for easier use and without tools. Disclosure of the invention
• the invention relates to a bracelet link capable of composing a bracelet, the main direction of which defines a longitudinal axis.
• the link includes:
• a body traversed by a channel disposed in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, said channel being at least partially interrupted by a connecting portion formed in said body, into which a second link can be engaged,
• a bar housed in the channel said bar being adapted to be displaced in translation in the channel with reference to the body, between an assembly position in which the bar passes through the connecting portion and a free position in which it leaves free the link portion,
• a locking member arranged to be movable in translation in the body between a first position, in which it locks the longitudinal position of the bar to hold it in its assembly position, and a second position, in which the bar is movable; in translation, and
• the locking member is a pusher or is connected to a pusher so that it is likely to be moved to its second position in response to a pressure exerted by a user directly on the button.
• the invention also relates to a bracelet comprising at least two links according to the invention, and a method of extending or shortening such a bracelet.
• FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a link according to a preferred embodiment of the invention
• FIGS. 2a and 2b are views in longitudinal section of the link of FIG. 1, in the free position and in the depressed position respectively, and
• FIG. 1 There is shown in Figure 1, a bracelet link according to the invention, the various components are shown exploded. This link is likely to be connected to other compatible links, to compose a bracelet. In the rest of the application, it is defined as being the longitudinal axis, the main direction of the bracelet to which the link participates.
• the link comprises a body 10 of substantially parallelepiped shape, but without this being limiting.
• the body 10 is traversed by a channel 20 disposed in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.
• At least one, if necessary, several depending on the construction of the bracelet, connecting portion 12 is formed in the body 10. This connecting portion
• the body 10 of the link also comprises a male portion 14 intended to cooperate with a connecting portion 12 of another link, or with a watch case.
• the channel 20 is interrupted or intersected, at least partially, by the connecting portion 12.
• the channel 20 comprises a first portion 22, opening at both ends, on one side in the connecting portion 12 and on the other side, outside the link.
• This first portion 22 of the channel 20 has a guide zone 220, located on the outside of the link, of diameter d1, and a second zone 222, located on the side of the connecting portion 12, of diameter d2> d1. Between these two zones, the diameter change forms a flange 224 whose role will appear later.
• the channel 20 also comprises a second portion 24, opening on the side of the connecting portion 12, but closed on the other side by a plug 26.
• This second portion 24 of the channel 20 also has a guide zone 240, located on the side of the link portion 12 of the link, of diameter d3, and a second zone 242, located on the outside of the link, of diameter d4> d3.
• d3 may be substantially equal to d2. Between these two zones, the change of diameter forms a rim 244.
• a spring 28 is housed in the second portion 24 of the channel 20, held between the plug 26 and the flange 244 formed by the change in diameter between the zones of diameter d4 and d3.
• the link further comprises a bar 30 housed in the channel 20.
• the bar 30 is adapted to move in translation in the channel 20 with reference to the body 10, between an assembly position in which the bar 30 passes through the portion link 12 and a free position in which it leaves free or can leave free the connecting portion 12.
• the bar 30 in the assembly position, can cooperate with a second link to connect together.
• a second link that would have been connected to the first link can be detached.
• the bar 30 comprises parts of different diameters.
• the bar 30 Over most of its length, the bar 30 has a diameter D1, slightly smaller than the smallest diameter d1 of the channel 20, so that the guide zone 220 of the channel 20 of diameter d1 can guide the bar 30 in its translation. .
• the bar 30 At its end intended to be positioned, when the bar is in the locked position, in the second portion 24 of the channel 20, the bar 30 comprises a portion 32 of diameter D2> D1.
• D2 is slightly smaller than d3, so that the guide zone 240 of the channel 20 of diameter d3 can guide this portion 32 in its translation.
• the bar 30 is in direct contact with the channel 20 only in the guide zones 220 and 240 in order to reduce the friction induced by the translation of the bar 30.
• D2 is no longer large than d1 and smaller than d2, so that the bar 30 can slide in the first portion 22 of the channel 20, until the end of the end of the bar 30 of diameter D2, against the flange 224.
• the bar 30 further comprises a groove 34, annular, formed on its cylindrical surface.
• the groove has a diameter D3 ⁇ D1, and is intended to cooperate with a locking member 40, described below.
• the link according to the invention further comprises said locking member 40 arranged to move between a first position in which it locks the longitudinal position of the bar 30 to maintain it in its assembly position, and a second position in which the bar 30 is movable in translation.
• the locking member In this first position, the locking member cooperates with the groove 34, particularly with its side walls, at least the side wall located on the side of the connecting portion, under the action of the spring 28.
• the locking member In the second position, the locking member no longer cooperates with the groove 34, allowing the passage of the bar.
• the locking member 40 is movable in translation with reference to the body 10 of the link and moves from its first position to its second position by a displacement in translation.
• the locking member 40 is a pusher arranged in a cavity formed on the surface of said body 10, preferably on its face intended to be in contact with the wearer of the bracelet.
• a separate pusher is arranged in the link being directly or indirectly connected to the locking member 40 so as to cooperate with the latter, in particular for can move from its first position to its second position in response to a pressure exerted by a user on the pusher.
• the pressure is exerted directly on an actuating surface of the pusher, by a finger of the user or by any other suitable means.
• the pressure exerted by the user on the pusher may have a direction substantially oriented in the direction of translation that presents the body of lock 40 when moving between its first position and its second position.
• the pusher is associated with a bolt 42, sized to be engaged in the groove 34 of the bar 30.
• the bolt 42 and the pusher are made in one piece, but it could be formed of separate pieces assembled.
• the bolt 42 has an opening 420 allowing the passage of the bar 30 during a movement in translation along the axis of the bar 30, if the latter is substantially centered with reference to the opening 420.
• the opening 420 has a circular portion whose diameter is larger than D1.
• the pusher further comprises a housing 44 for arranging a resilient member 46 exerting on the locking member 40 a force tending to maintain it in its first position, the bolt being located in the groove 34.
• This elastic member 46 can take the form of a spring interposed between the body
• the pusher further comprises a guide opening 48, in which takes place a guide axis 100 integral with the body 10 of the link.
• the opening is oblong to guide the translation of the pusher.
• the cooperation between the guide opening 48 and the guide axis 100 ensures that the pusher is correctly positioned, particularly when in its first position.
• the pusher is then supported on the guide axis 100 and the bar 30, and is thus perfectly positioned, flush with the link, and stable.
• the pusher is flush with the link in the first position of the locking member, that is to say located substantially in alignment with an outer surface of the link, provides a high quality impression of the link to the link. wearer of the bracelet.
• the invention can be implemented in a satisfactory manner when the pusher has an actuating surface located near the outer surface concerned of the link, so that a user can exert pressure on it without need to use a tool for this purpose, although of course the use of a tool remains possible.
• the portion of the bar 30 of diameter D2 can not enter the region of the channel 20 of diameter d1. Therefore, the bar 30 is mounted on the side of the second portion of the channel 20, the pusher already being mounted in its cavity. The bar 30 is arranged so that it takes position in the opening 420 of the bolt 42. Then, the spring 28 is disposed in the second portion 24 of the channel 20, before closing it by means of the plug 26 which is then embedded on the surface of the body 10 and made invisible on the surface of the link. The cap could be screwed to obtain an easily removable solution.
• the pusher Under the action of the elastic member 46, the pusher is pressed into its first position, wherein the bolt 42 is supported in the bottom of the groove 34 of the bar 30 of diameter D3.
• the bar 30 is then housed in the body 10 and passes through the connecting portion 12, allowing an assembly with another link.
• the bar 30 is then in the assembly position, and its position is secured transversely.

Landscapes

• Buckles (AREA)
• Adornments (AREA)
• Slide Fasteners, Snap Fasteners, And Hook Fasteners (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=58644748

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Families Citing this family (5)

Family Cites Families (12)

• 2017
  • 2017-04-11 CH CH00487/17A patent/CH713709A1/fr unknown
• 2018
  • 2018-04-11 JP JP2019554978A patent/JP7100661B2/ja active Active
  • 2018-04-11 EP EP18715049.5A patent/EP3609362B1/de active Active
  • 2018-04-11 CN CN201880023746.0A patent/CN110494060A/zh active Pending
  • 2018-04-11 WO PCT/EP2018/059234 patent/WO2018189219A1/fr unknown
  • 2018-04-11 US US16/603,664 patent/US11896092B2/en active Active

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events