EP3883424A1

EP3883424A1 - End piece

Info

Publication number: EP3883424A1
Application number: EP19809633.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Laurent Taton
Original assignee: LVMH Swiss Manufactures SA
Current assignee: LVMH Swiss Manufactures SA
Priority date: 2018-11-22
Filing date: 2019-11-19
Publication date: 2021-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 2039-11-19
Also published as: CH715584A1; CN113260274B; US11957220B2; CN113260274A; US20210393003A1; JP2022508039A; JP7383020B2; EP3883424B1; WO2020104938A8; WO2020104938A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an end piece (200) arranged to be detachably fixed to a bar, the end piece (200) comprising: - a groove (22) intended to house said bar; - a rotating part (10) able to pivot about an axis (19) parallel to the bar between a locking position, in which the rotating part (10) prevents the bar from leaving said groove (22), and a release position, in which the rotating part (10) allows the bar to be respectively introduced into or extracted from the groove (22); - a locking mechanism (170, 16) arranged to block the rotation of the rotating part (10). This end piece (200) can be handled by the user, who can fix it to a bar and detach it from the bar without requiring any tooling.

Description

End cap

Technical area

The present invention relates to a tip, in particular a tip arranged to be removably attached to a bar.

State of the art

In this context, the term "tip" means an element disposed at the end of a part allowing assembly with another element, in particular with a bar.

The first link and the last link of a bracelet strand, for example of a bracelet for a wristwatch, constitute examples of end pieces. These links are generally formed differently from the other links of the bracelet, in order to allow assembly with the watch case and / or the clasp. Another example of a tip is an element at the end of a strand of leather goods. The element to

the end of a strap or handle, allowing its connection with a handbag, constitutes yet another example of a tip. These examples are not limiting, although in this context the term tip is preferably used in the field of watchmaking, jewelry and leather goods.

The tip can be fixed, sometimes removably, to a bar. In the case of a bracelet, this bar can be part of a clasp, the end piece thus being able to be fixed to the clasp.

In the case of a bracelet for a wristwatch, the bar can also be part of a watch case, the end piece thus being able to be fixed to the watch case. In this context, the term "bar" indicates a substantially linear element, for example an axis. A bar can be a separate element from a watch case and connected (for example removably) to the watch case. A bar can also be an element of a monobloc watch case, which cannot be detached from the watch case. The end piece is generally linked, for example removably, to a part. It therefore makes it possible to link the part to a bar.

Non-limiting examples of parts which can be linked or removably attached to a bar via a tip include: a bracelet strand, for example a strand of a wristwatch, or in general a strand of a leather goods; a bracelet link, generally formed differently from a ferrule, for example a link of a wristwatch or in general a link of an article of leather goods; a bracelet ; a necklace, etc.

This type of tip for the removable attachment of a part to a bar is in principle known, there have even been for many years a large number of devices for attaching a watch strap removably on a wrist watch .

Most of these tips require watchmaking tools to change the bracelet. In addition, these tips may cause inadvertent detachment of the bracelet, cannot be easily integrated into existing watch cases, or suffer from other disadvantages, such as an unattractive aspect which is nevertheless important in this area.

Document DE640024 describes a device intended to be removably attached to a bar. This device comprises a cylinder, each end of which surrounds a semi-cylinder, having a protuberance carrying a helical spring. This device also includes a gripping part arranged to be manipulated by a user for unlocking the device. This part is attached to a locking. The movement to lock and unlock the device is a rotational movement.

Document FR2634360 relates to means for attaching a watch strap to the case thereof. These means comprise a cylindrical body and a washer for locking this cylindrical body. This cylindrical body and this washer are coaxial and each mounted on a pivot shaft whose ends are housed in the housing by

through a coil spring. Maintaining the position of

Locking of the assembly is ensured by an axial projection of the washer, a radial surface of which is intended to come into abutment against a radial surface of an axial stop of the cylindrical body. The attachment of the bracelet to the cylindrical body is made possible by the presence on the surface of the cylindrical body of an axial groove delimited by a

projection directed tangentially to the cylinder and parallel to the groove. The latter is intended to receive a portion of a fixing bracket connected to the bracelet, while the projection is intended to be housed in the recess of the fixing bracket.

None of these solutions allows the user to understand that its attachment to a bar has been carried out successfully. There is therefore a need for a tip free of these

limitations of the prior art.

Brief summary of the invention

An object of the present invention to provide a tip allows the user to understand that its attachment to a bar has been carried out successfully. An object of the present invention is to provide a tip which can be removably attached to a bar by the user without requiring any tools.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tip which can be easily miniaturized and / or which can be adapted to elegant watches or for women.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tip compatible with existing watch cases, in particular watch cases having horns and a bar on each side, for fixing the bracelet strands.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tip compatible with existing bracelets.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tip whose locking mechanism is not visible to the user when the part (for example a bracelet) is worn.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved in particular by means of a nozzle according to claim 1, a system according to claim 12, and a removable fixing method according to claim 15.

The tip according to the invention is arranged to be removably attached to a bar and comprises:

- a groove intended to accommodate the bar;

- A rotary part able to pivot about an axis parallel to the bar between a locking position in which the rotary part prevents the bar from leaving the groove, and a release position in which the rotary part allows the introduction or 'extraction of the bar in or respectively out of the throat; - a locking mechanism arranged to block the rotation of the rotating part, in particular in the locking position.

The locking mechanism allows both the locking and unlocking of the rotation of the rotating part.

The tip is directly manipulated by the user, without requiring any tools. To attach it to the bar, it suffices that

the user advances the bar in the groove of the nozzle.

To detach the end of the bar, the user can actuate a locking element of the locking mechanism, for example via a gripping part, for example by moving it linearly outwards, this is ie by moving it away from the rotating part, in particular along an axis parallel to the bar. It thus allows the rotating part to rotate in a direction opposite to that which allowed the fixing, which makes it possible to detach the end piece from the bar.

Advantageously, the parts of the tip according to the invention can be easily miniaturized, so that the tip according to the invention can also be adapted to elegant watches or for women.

Advantageously, the tip according to the invention can be fixed to a bar. This bar can for example be the small metal rod already fixed between the horns of the box and on which the bracelet is adapted. If this bar is not present in an existing watch case, it can be added, for example by fixing it by welding or by any other removable or non-removable fixing means to the horns or in general to the watch case. The tip according to the invention is therefore compatible or can be made compatible with existing watch boxes, provided that these boxes include a bar or that this bar can be added. Advantageously, when the tip according to the invention is worn by the user, the locking mechanism is not visible to the user. This tip is therefore safe, because the risk of inadvertent detachment is very low or even zero, and improves the appearance of the part in which it is inserted, for example a bracelet of a wristwatch.

According to the invention, the rotary part comprises a first surface (for example comprising the groove), and the mechanism

lock includes:

- a first locking element on a second surface of the rotating part,

- a second locking element in the end piece.

According to the invention, during the rotation of the rotary part, the relative position between the second surface and the second locking element changes until the second locking element cooperates with the first locking element so to block the rotation of the rotating part in the locked position.

According to the invention, the first locking element is a hole in the second surface and the second locking element is a lever, one end of the lever being opposite the second surface. When the rotating part is rotated about the axis, the relative position between the second surface and the lever changes until the lever falls into the hole, thereby blocking the rotation of the rotating part in the position of locking. Advantageously, when the lever falls into the hole, it produces an audible click which allows the user to understand that the fixing has been carried out successfully.

Alternatively, the rotary part has an asymmetrical shape arranged to block or release the bar. In another variant, the rotary part comprises a groove developing in the direction of the axis, the groove comprising a first bottom. Alternatively, the nozzle comprises an inlet surface, this inlet surface comprising a housing and the groove, the groove comprising a second bottom and two lateral surfaces, the rotary part being engaged in the housing.

Alternatively, in the release position the first bottom is opposite the inlet surface or one of the two lateral surfaces of the nozzle, and in the locking position the first bottom is opposite of the second bottom, so that both the first bottom and the second bottom surround the bar, thereby fixing the end piece to the bar.

Advantageously, the actuation of the second locking element when the tip of the bar is detached from the bottom. In the case where the end piece is linked to a bracelet, for example a bracelet of a wristwatch, the expression “from below” indicates the part which is in contact with the user when the bracelet is worn.

Advantageously, the actuation of the second locking element during the detachment of the end piece from the bar takes place laterally, that is to say along an axis substantially parallel to the bar, or in other words perpendicular to the main direction of the part to which the end piece according to the invention can be fixed (for example the length of a bracelet of a wristwatch). In other words, in a variant the locking mechanism is arranged to act in a direction parallel to the bar, the second locking element allowing the unlocking of the end piece being movable parallel to the bar and being located under a face of the tip intended to be against the user when the tip is worn by the user.

Advantageously, when attaching the endpiece to the bar, the user can cause the bar to engage in the endpiece by approaching the endpiece to the bar from above (that is, that is, by the part which is not in contact with the user during the wearing of the part, for example a bracelet). The present invention also relates to a system

including

- the nozzle according to the invention,

- a bar. Alternatively, the bar is dimensioned so that when the bar advances in the groove, it comes into contact with the rotating part causing it to rotate about the axis.

In a variant, the system also includes a part linked to the tip according to the invention, for example a bracelet, in particular a bracelet for a wristwatch.

Advantageously, the locking mechanism is not visible to the user when the part is being worn.

The present invention also relates to a method for the removable attachment of a tip to a bar, the tip comprising

- a rotary part comprising a first surface and a second surface, the second surface comprising a first element

lock which is a hole in the second surface,

a second locking element which is a lever, one end of the lever facing said second surface,

the process comprising the following steps:

- housing the bar in a groove in the end piece;

- pivoting of a rotating part around an axis parallel to the bar between a locking position in which the rotating part prevents the bar from leaving the groove, and a release position in which the rotating part allows the introduction or extraction of the bar in or respectively out of the groove, in which during the pivoting of the rotary part, the relative position between the second surface and the lever changes;

- locking of the position of the rotating part by a mechanism locking when the lever falls into the hole, thus blocking the rotation of the rotating part.

Brief description of the figures

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

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective and exploded view of an embodiment of the nozzle according to the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates another perspective view of an embodiment of the nozzle according to the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the embodiment of the nozzle of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of the embodiment of the nozzle of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the embodiment of the nozzle of FIG. 2.

Figure 6 illustrates a side view of the embodiment of the tip of Figure 1, when the tip is not attached to a bar.

Figure 7 illustrates the side view of Figure 6, when the tip is attached to a bar (not shown).

Figure 8 illustrates the side view of Figure 6, when the tip is detached from a bar (not shown). Example (s) of embodiment (s) of the invention

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective and exploded view of an embodiment of the nozzle 200 according to the invention. It can be removably attached to a bar, for example a watch case bar (not shown). At least part of the bar is intended to engage in the groove 22 of the nozzle 200.

In the illustrated variant, the nozzle 200 comprises a rotary part 10, which has an essentially cylindrical shape, for example the shape of a roller. This rotary part 10 is arranged to rotate about an axis 19. In the illustrated variant, the axis is substantially parallel to the groove 22 of the nozzle 200 (and therefore to the bar). In the illustrated variant, the axis 19 is arranged to link the rotary part 10 to the end piece 200.

In the illustrated variant, the rotary part 10 comprises:

a first surface S1, comprising a groove 11 developing in the direction of the axis 19,

- a second surface S2, comprising a first locking element 170.

As we will see, the groove 11 allows to block or release the bar. It should however be understood that the presence of this groove 11 is not necessary to block or release the bar, and that the rotary part 10 could have a shape arranged to block or release the bar, for example an asymmetrical shape, without understanding

necessarily a groove.

In the example illustrated, the first locking element 170 is a hole, in particular a blind hole, in the surface S2. It can be obtained for example by drilling the surface S2. In the example illustrated, this hole 170 is located at the end of a guide groove 17 in the surface S2. In the example illustrated, a second locking element 16 is located opposite and / or in contact with the second surface S2. In the example illustrated, the second locking element is a lever 16, one end of which is in contact with the second surface S2 under the action of an elastic element (the spring 18 in the example illustrated).

The rotary part 10 has a non-constant diameter over its length. Indeed its diameter is larger at the ends, so as to have more room for cooperation between the first locking element and the second locking element.

In the example of Figure 1, the second surface S2 of the rotating part 10 is substantially perpendicular to the axis 19, however according to variants, the angle between the second surface S2 and the axis 19 can be different from 90 °.

The rotary part 10 is housed in a housing 21 provided in the tip 200. In the illustrated variant, the tip 200 includes holes 24 (only one of which is visible in Figure 1), which allow to receive the axis 19. The axis is therefore inserted into these holes 24 and then into a hole 14 passing through the rotary part 10, so as to allow the rotary part 10 to be fixed to the end piece 200. Other connection means can be provided to link (directly or indirectly) the rotating part 10 to the nozzle 200 via the axis 19.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the groove 22 of the endpiece 200 comprises a bottom 220. It can be obtained by recessing the endpiece 200, in particular from its inlet surface 23.

In the variant of Figure 1, the spring 18 (or any other elastic element) cooperates with the lever 16 so that at rest (that is to say in the release position) the lever either pushed by the spring 18 against the second surface S2 of the rotary part 10. In other words, the spring 18 at rest is compressed and stores elastic energy. In the variant of FIG. 1, a plug 13 receives both the lever 16 and the elastic element 18. In another variant, the plug 13 receives the lever 16 or the elastic element 18.

In the variant of FIG. 1, the end piece 200 comprises another housing 20 for receiving the lever 16 and possibly also the elastic element 18 and the plug 13.

In the variant of Figure 1, a gripping piece 12 is secured to the lever 16 (or in general to the second locking element). It is arranged to be manipulated by a user to unlock the endpiece 200. In the variant of FIG. 1, the gripping part 12 comprises a body 120, having a section substantially in the form of a semi-circumference, and a ring 122, allowing its connection with the lever 16. In particular, the lever 16 is inserted into the ring 122.

The gripping part 12 also has grooves 121, to further facilitate its gripping on the part of the user. The gripping part 12 is arranged to come into contact with the user. Its shape and dimensions allow both to be manipulated by the fingers of a user while allowing his contact with the user to be as pleasant as possible.

FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective view of an embodiment of the end piece 200 according to the invention, at rest.

As shown in Figure 3, which illustrates a side view of the embodiment of the nozzle 200 of Figure 2, the bottom 110 of the groove 11 of the rotating part 10 is not located opposite the bottom of the groove 22 of the end piece 200. As best seen in FIG. 3, the bottom 110 of the groove 11 is opposite a lateral surface 221 of the groove 22 of the end piece 200. In the variant of FIG. 6, which illustrates another side view of the embodiment of the end piece 200, the bottom 110 of the groove 11 of the rotary part is substantially opposite the inlet surface 23 of the endpiece 200.

Figure 4 illustrates a bottom view of the embodiment of the nozzle 200 of Figure 2, user side. Figure 5 illustrates a top view of the embodiment of the nozzle 200 of Figure 2. In Figure 5, a small part of the gripping piece 12 is visible to the user. However, this part of the gripping part 12 will be hidden by the part (for example a bracelet whose end piece represents the first link).

Figure 6 illustrates a side view of the embodiment of the tip 200 of Figure 1, when the tip 200 is not attached to the bar.

When the user inserts the bar into the groove 22 of the nozzle 200 (or approaches the nozzle 200 of the bar), the bar engages in the groove 22, the height of the bar being smaller than height h2 of the groove 22.

As the rotary part 10 is engaged in the housing 21 of the end piece 200 so that in the release position the first bottom 11 is opposite the inlet surface 23 or one of the two surfaces side 221 of the groove 22, the height available for advancing the bar in the groove 22 is not constant and varies between a maximum value (the height h2 of the groove 22 in correspondence with the entry surface 23) and a minimum value h1.

In a preferred variant, the height of the bar is between h2 and h1.

As the bar continues to advance in the groove 22 of the nozzle 200 under the action of the user who pushes it and as the part rotary 10 is free to rotate about its axis 19, at a given moment it comes into contact with the rotating part 10 by rotating it around its axis 19 in the direction of rotation indicated by the arrow F1 in FIG. 7. [ In the example illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, during this rotation, the relative position between the second surface S2 of the rotary part 10 and the second locking element (the lever 16) changes until the second locking element cooperates with the first locking element (the hole 170) so as to block the rotation of the rotary part 10 in the locking position.

In the locking position, the first bottom 110 is located opposite the second bottom 220, so that both the first bottom 110 and the second bottom 220 surround the bar, thereby fixing the bar to the tip 200 (or the tip 200 to the bar). In the variants of Figures 1, 6 and 7, the second surface S2 of the rotating part 10 comprises a guide groove 17 for guiding the relative movement between the second surface S2 of the rotating part 10 and the second locking element (lever 19). In these variants, the first locking element is a hole 170 corresponding to one end of this guide groove 17. The guide groove 17 can therefore also be used to limit the rotation of the rotary element 10.

When the lever 16 drops into the hole 17 thereby blocking the rotation of the rotary part 10 in the locked position, there may be an audible click, which allows the user to understand that the attachment has been successfully completed.

In correspondence of the release position (illustrated for example in Figures 2, 3 or 6), the rotary part 10 does not rotate if a bar is not engaged in the groove 22 of the nozzle. In variant, this is obtained by simple friction of the rotary part 10 against the endpiece 200.

To unlock the end piece 200, the second locking element (the lever 16 for example) is moved away from the rotating part 10 as illustrated by the arrow F2 parallel to the bar (FIG. 8), thus allowing the rotating part 10 to pivot when the second locking element is pulled. The rotation of the part 10 is done in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation during the engagement of the bar (that is to say in a direction opposite to that of the arrow F1 in FIG. 7).

Advantageously, the actuation of the second locking element when the end piece 200 is detached from the bar is carried out from below the piece (for example a bracelet of a wrist watch) to which the end piece 200 is linked.

Advantageously, the actuation of the second locking element during the detachment of the endpiece 200 from the bar is carried out laterally, that is to say parallel to the bar.

Alternatively, the housing 20 for receiving the lever 16 is arranged to allow the movement of the lever 16 against the elastic force of the elastic element 18 so as to cause it to come out of the hole 170, the movement being substantially linear in the direction of the bar.

As the gripping piece 12 undergoes a force during the unlocking of the nozzle 200, in a variant it is made of a material which is resistant to traction, for example metal. It can also be made of a material which avoids allergies (as it comes into contact with the user's skin) and which improves its grip, for example rubber. Reference numbers used in the figures

1 1 Groove of the rotating part (groove)

12 Gripping piece

13 Cap

14 Hole of the rotating part

16 Second locking element (lever)

17 Guide groove

18 Elastic element

19 Axis

21 First accommodation

20 Second accommodation

22 Throat

23 Entrance area

1 10 Bottom of the groove of the rotating part

120 Body of the gripping part

121 Gripping groove

122 Ring

170 Hole

200 end cap

220 Bottom of the throat

221 Side walls of the throat

S1 First surface of the rotating part

S2 Second surface of the rotating part

F1 Arrow

F2 Arrow

h1 Minimum value of the height available for advancing the bar in the groove

h2 Maximum value of the height available for advancing the bar in the groove (height of the groove)

Claims

1. End piece (200) arranged to be removably attached to a bar, said end piece (200) comprising:

- A groove (22) intended to accommodate said bar;

- a rotary part (10) able to pivot about an axis (19) parallel to said bar between a locking position in which the rotary part (10) prevents the bar from leaving said groove (22), and a position of release in which the rotating part (10) allows

inserting or removing the bar in or out of the groove (22), respectively;

- a locking mechanism (170, 60) arranged to block the rotation of the rotating part (10)

said rotary part (10) comprising a first surface (S 1),

the locking mechanism comprising

- a first locking element (170) on a second surface

(52) of the rotary part (10),

- a second locking element (16) in the end piece (200), during the rotation of said rotary part (10), the relative position between the second surface (S2) and said second locking element (16) changes up to 'in that said second locking element (16) cooperates with said first locking element (170) so as to block the rotation of said rotary part (10) in the locking position, characterized in that

said first locking element is a hole (170) in the second surface (52),

said second locking element is a lever (16), one end of said lever (16) facing said second surface (S2), and in that during the rotation of said rotary part (10), the relative position between the second surface (S2) and said lever (16) changes until said lever (16) falls into said hole (170), thereby blocking the rotation of said rotating part (10) in the locked position.

2. End piece (200) according to claim 1, wherein the rotating part (10) has an asymmetrical shape arranged to block or release the bar.

3. end piece (200) according to claim 1, comprising said axis (19), the rotary part (10) comprising a groove (11) developing in the direction of said axis (19), said groove (11) comprising a first bottom (110).

4. End piece (200) according to one of claims 1 to 3, comprising an inlet surface (23), said inlet surface comprising a housing (21) and said groove (22), said groove (22) comprising a second bottom (220) and two lateral surfaces (221), said rotary part (10) being engaged in said housing (21).

5. End piece (200) according to one of claims 3 to 4, in which:

- in said release position, the first bottom (110) faces said inlet surface (23) or one of the two lateral surfaces (221),

- in the locking position, the first bottom (110) is opposite the second bottom (220), so that both said first bottom (110) and said second bottom (220) surround the bar, thereby fixing the end piece (200) to the bar.

6. End piece (200) according to one of claims 1 to 5, comprising an elastic element (18) cooperating with said lever (16) so that at rest said lever (16) is pushed by said elastic element towards said second surface (S2) said rotary part (10).

7. End piece (200) according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a plug (13) comprising said lever (16) and / or said elastic element (18).

8. End piece (200) according to one of claims 1 to 7, said second surface (S2) comprising a guide groove (17), one end of said guide groove (17) comprising said hole (170).

9. End piece (200) according to one of claims 1 to 8, said locking mechanism being arranged to act in a direction parallel to the bar, said second locking element (12) allowing the end piece to be unlocked (200) , being movable parallel to the bar and being located under one face of the end piece (200) intended to be against the user when the end piece (200) is carried by the user.

10. End piece (200) according to one of claims 1 to 9, said locking mechanism comprising a gripping part (12) arranged to be manipulated by a user to unlock the end piece (200).

11. End piece (200) according to one of claims 1 to 10, said end piece (200) comprising another housing (20) for receiving said lever (16), arranged to allow movement of said lever (16) against of the elastic force of said elastic element (18) so as to cause it to exit from said hole (170), said displacement being substantially linear in the direction of said bar.

12. Removable fixing system comprising:

the end piece (200) according to one of claims 1 to 11,

- a bar.

13. The system of claim 12, said bar being dimensioned so that when the bar advances in the groove (22), it comes into contact with the rotating part (10) causing it to rotate about said axis (19).

14. System according to one of claims 12 or 13, comprising a part linked to the end piece (200), said part being for example a bracelet,

in particular a bracelet for a wristwatch.

15. Method for the removable fixing of a nozzle (200) to a bar, said nozzle (200) comprising

a rotary part (10) comprising a first surface (S 1) and a second surface (S2), the second surface (S2) comprising a first locking element which is a hole (170) in the second surface (S2),

- a second locking element which is a lever (16), one end of said lever (16) facing said second surface (S2), said method comprising the following steps:

- Housing of said bar a groove (22) of said tip;

pivoting of a rotary part (10) about an axis (19) parallel to said bar between a locking position in which the rotary part (10) prevents the bar from leaving said groove (22), and a position of release in which the rotating part (10) allows

the introduction or the extraction of the bar in respectively out of the groove (22), in which during the pivoting of said rotary part (10), the relative position between the second surface (52) and said lever (16) changes ;

- locking of the position of the rotating part (10) when said lever

(16) falls into said hole (170), thereby blocking the rotation of said rotating part (10).