EP4176757B1 - Clasp with extensible loop - Google Patents

Clasp with extensible loop Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4176757B1
EP4176757B1 EP21206908.2A EP21206908A EP4176757B1 EP 4176757 B1 EP4176757 B1 EP 4176757B1 EP 21206908 A EP21206908 A EP 21206908A EP 4176757 B1 EP4176757 B1 EP 4176757B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
clasp
housing
cover
leaflet
bolt
Prior art date
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Active
Application number
EP21206908.2A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP4176757A1 (en
Inventor
Elio Granito
Jeremy SCHUEPBACH
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Dexel SA
Original Assignee
Dexel SA
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Publication date
Application filed by Dexel SA filed Critical Dexel SA
Priority to EP21206908.2A priority Critical patent/EP4176757B1/en
Priority to EP22205832.3A priority patent/EP4238447A1/en
Publication of EP4176757A1 publication Critical patent/EP4176757A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP4176757B1 publication Critical patent/EP4176757B1/en
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    • 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
    • A44C5/18—Fasteners for straps, chains or the like
    • A44C5/22—Fasteners for straps, chains or the like for closed straps
    • A44C5/24—Fasteners for straps, chains or the like for closed straps with folding devices

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a clasp with a folding clasp as well as a timepiece and/or a wristwatch provided with the clasp.
  • the clasp comprises one or more dedicated activation members, generally a pusher or a pair of pushers, which form part of a locking mechanism.
  • the wearer activates the activation members and thus generates an unlocking which allows the spacing of a leaflet relative to a body of the clasp, the leaflet being articulated to the body in a clasp with a folding clasp.
  • a simpler solution is some sort of click or snap connection, generally based on cooperating parts of the body and leaflet having dimensions or orientations intended to hold the clasp in the closed position due to the pressures which result in frictional forces between rooms. These pressures or friction forces hold the leaflet in its closed position relative to the body.
  • the cooperating parts are generally arranged towards the end of the leaflet which is opposite the end of its articulation to the body.
  • the wearer acts directly on the leaflet, or on the bracelet strand connected to this leaflet, in the direction of the opening of the clasp, in order to force the parts of the click connection to overcome the pressure between the parts and to allow pivoting of the leaflet relative to the body towards the open clasp position.
  • this is the standard closing mechanism for folding clasps.
  • a major disadvantage of these clasps is linked to wear of the parts of the click mechanism during the repeated opening and re-closing of the clasp during the usual use of a wristwatch. Over time, the effectiveness of parts maintaining the closed position cooperating decreases and the clasp can open involuntarily, for example in the presence of a slight pressure accidentally exerted, without the desire of the wearer to open the clasp.
  • the document EP 2 233 026 A1 discloses a clasp of the folding clasp type, this clasp comprising a folding flap, which can be pivoted by a user, and a two-ball bar to form a locking system in which the folding flap, when folded, completely prevents opening the clasp.
  • WO 2020/187907 discloses a double folding clasp type clasp, provided with a central blade and two U-shaped leaflets, the leaflets surrounding the central blade when the clasp is closed.
  • the body houses two pairs of twin ball pawls, each twin pawl having a tubular body and two balls seated in the body.
  • the balls cooperate with recesses arranged in the leaflets, to stabilize the closed position.
  • the clasp can be opened by applying traction to a leaflet or to a strand of bracelet attached to the leaflet, which causes the corresponding balls to move inside their housing and allows the clasp to be opened.
  • the use of ball ratchets has design drawbacks in that it is not possible to easily adjust the force required to open the clasp.
  • a single ball pawl does not hold the clasp in the closed position, which is why two twin ball pawls are used for each leaflet. It is an objective of the present invention to implement a solution allowing better stabilization of the closed position by ideally using fewer components, while allowing improved assembly and maintenance.
  • the present invention relates to a folding clasp comprising a body and at least one leaflet, the clasp being provided with a closing mechanism for holding said body and said leaflet in the closed position, said closing mechanism comprising a part mobile provided with a bolt and a spring, the spring being arranged to urge the bolt in the direction of an opening of the leaflet and to cooperate with a recess or a niche arranged in the body to receive a free end of the bolt.
  • the present invention relates to a folding clasp for a bracelet comprising: a clasp body and a leaflet, hinged relative to each other, a first fastener connected to the leaflet and intended to be connected to a first free end of the bracelet; a closing mechanism for maintaining said body and said leaflet in the closed position when the leaflet is folded, said closing mechanism comprising: a housing provided in the leaflet, said housing comprising at least one opening disposed on a side face of said leaflet; at least one movable part arranged in the housing, said movable part comprising a bolt, and, a spring arranged in the housing so as to bias said movable part in the direction of said opening so that the bolt passes through said lateral opening to project through relation to the lateral face; a recess provided in the body to receive a free end of said bolt when the leaflet is folded over the body in the closed position.
  • said movable part is arranged to be forced to move towards the inside of its housing when the leaflet is moved relative to the body and when the bolt is forced into contact with an interior side face of the body.
  • said movable part is arranged to be forced to move in a transverse direction when the leaflet passes from an open position of the clasp to a closed position of the clasp, and vice versa, and/or when the leaflet is moved relative to the body so that a side face of the leaflet passes from a position where it is aligned with an interior side face of the body to a position where the side face of the leaflet is no longer aligned with the side face interior of the body.
  • the flyer is preferably aligned with one or both body rails.
  • said moving part is made of ceramic.
  • said movable part comprises said bolt and a base arranged to receive one end of the spring, said base preferably having a U shape.
  • the spring is arranged to bias the bolt of said second movable part through the second lateral opening.
  • said movable part comprises a base forming a shoulder, the bolt emerging as a distinctive structure with respect to said shoulder, said shoulder serving as a movable stop horn which, in cooperation with the walls of the housing limits the movement of the movable part outwards in transverse direction.
  • said bolt has rounded and/or oblique faces in cross section of the clasp.
  • said clasp body comprises two side rails and a transverse spacer secured to said side housings, the leaflet being arranged to be positioned between the two side rails when the clasp is closed.
  • said leaflet comprises a cover arranged to close said housing, preferably on a lower face of the leaflet facing the wearer of the clasp when the clasp is in the closed position.
  • the cover is detachable and resealable.
  • the cover is arranged to be able to slide, preferably in a transverse direction, in said leaflet.
  • the leaflet comprises two rails for housing said cover, preferably in a sliding manner.
  • said guide rail is machined into the leaflet.
  • the clasp includes a locking device for blocking or locking the cover in the closed position of the housing.
  • the locking device of the preceding embodiment comprises a recess, preferably in the form of a blind hole, arranged in the leaflet, a spring housed in the recess, and a pin arranged to be biased by the spring in the direction of a hole in the cover when the cover closes the housing, the hole receiving the pin to allow the cover to be locked.
  • the housing of the closing mechanism passes through the leaflet in the transverse direction.
  • the housing of the closing mechanism is machined into the leaflet.
  • said opening is a first opening and said movable part is a first movable part
  • said housing comprising a second opening and said closing mechanism comprising a second movable part, said second opening being arranged on an opposite side face of the leaflet, and a bolt of said second movable part being arranged to be able to pass through said second side opening.
  • the housing comprises a cavity arranged to house and/or guide said moving part, preferably a pair of cavities arranged to house and/or guide said first and second moving parts.
  • the housing comprises two cavities arranged respectively to house and guide the first and second moving parts, the housing further comprising a channel arranged to be crossed by said spring, said channel preferably connecting said cavities, each of the ends of the spring resting on one of the two moving parts in order to move said moving parts transversely from each other.
  • said leaflet is a first leaflet
  • said fastening member is a first fastening member
  • said closing mechanism is a first closing mechanism
  • the clasp comprising a second leaflet and a second connected fastening member to the second leaflet
  • the second leaflet comprising a second closing mechanism comprising the characteristics of the invention and/or any of the embodiments of the invention.
  • the present invention relates to a wristwatch comprising the clasp of the invention.
  • the clasp illustrated without limitation in the figures corresponds to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the clasp shown is of the double folding clasp type and is intended in particular to be fitted to watch straps.
  • the bracelets can be of any type, for example made of flexible plastic, leather, or made up of an assembly of metal links.
  • THE figures 1 to 3 show the clasp in the closed position ( figure 1 ) and in the open position ( figures 2 and 3 ).
  • the clasp comprises a body 1 and two leaflets 2, 2', arranged to pivot relative to the body.
  • the body and leaflet(s) are sometimes referred to as "the blades" of the clasp (e.g. in document WO 2020/187907 Cited above).
  • the body is generally longitudinal and slightly curved to better adapt to the wrist of a user wearing a wristwatch fitted with the clasp.
  • Each leaflet has first and second ends 43, 43' and 44, 44', respectively.
  • the first end 43 of the first leaflet 2 is hinged to a first end of the body, and the first end 43' of the second leaflet 2' is hinged to a second end of the body.
  • each of the leaflets comprises a fixing member, 11, 11', arranged to be connected to the free end of a bracelet strand of a wristwatch, for example.
  • the fixing members 11, 11' are illustrated in a simplified manner by a transverse hole arranged towards the second end of each of the leaflets.
  • the leaflets Towards this end, the leaflets have a bulge which extends beyond the general exterior surface 32, 42 of the clasp when the clasp is closed. This bulge thus makes it possible to arrange the holes above this general surface.
  • An axis can be housed in each of the holes, used to connect the free end of the bracelet strand, for example the last link of a bracelet with metal links, as illustrated in the document WO 2020/187907 .
  • the body of the clasp comprises two side rails 41 which extend essentially in parallel, as well as a transverse spacer 34, secured to the side rails.
  • the transverse spacer is preferably arranged centrally, halfway between the two ends of the body.
  • the clasp is closed.
  • the leaflets are folded down and are located in the space 35 provided between the side rails. In this position, the free ends of the leaflets, and thus the fixing members 11, 11', are brought together.
  • the leaflets were lifted and rotated upward relative to the body, showing an open position of the clasp.
  • the free ends of the leaflets are in a position of maximum distance from each other, and the lower faces 31 of the leaflets are visible.
  • the position of the Figure 3 also illustrates an opening position in which the circumference of the wristwatch-clasp assembly is maximum and the wristwatch can thus be easily removed from the wrist of a wearer, or conversely, be slipped on to put it on at wrist.
  • a recess 16 arranged in the inner side face 29 of the body 1.
  • the recess is arranged to receive a bolt 14 of the closing mechanism when the clasp is in the closed position, a bolt emerging from each of the faces side 18 of each of the leaflets, as will be described in more detail with reference to the following figures.
  • a recess it would also be possible to create a niche in the body.
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B show enlargements of the free end (the second end) 44 of the first leaflet 2.
  • the second leaflet 2' is constituted identically in this embodiment.
  • the cover 8 of the leaflet closing mechanism has been removed in order to show the arrangement of the parts of the mechanism in their housing.
  • FIG. 4B these parts, including the cover and the locking parts of the latter are shown exploded.
  • FIG. 4B allows you to see the housing 3 arranged in the leaflet, in particular near the free end of the leaflet.
  • the housing 3 extends in the transverse direction and crosses the entire width of the leaflet in order to discharge into the two openings 7, 9, in the opposite side faces 18, 19 of the leaflet.
  • the side face 19 is not visible, but it is indicated in Figure 6B .
  • the housing comprises two cavities 36, 37, by which the housing 3 is widened in the longitudinal direction. These cavities are arranged to accommodate the moving parts 4, 5, as visible in the figures 4A And 5 .
  • the moving parts 4, 5 each include a base 17 and a bolt 14, which emerges from the base.
  • One function of the base is to accommodate one end of the cylindrical compression spring 6, in order to be able to bias the movable part in the direction of the respective lateral opening 7 and 9.
  • the base 17 has a shape of U, the base of the U constituting the bearing surface of the spring and the wings of the U serving to frame and thus stabilize the spring.
  • moving parts Due to their constituents, moving parts have only one or two planes of symmetry. Thanks to the bolt and base, the moving parts are not spherical, unlike the balls of a ball ratchet.
  • a narrowing 27 of the extent of the housing between the cavities 36, 37, makes it possible to further stabilize the spring, the latter urging the moving parts to move away in the transverse direction.
  • the narrowing 27 of the housing leaves a channel wide enough in the longitudinal direction to accommodate the central part of the spring 6.
  • the leaflet 2 further comprises shapes intended to accommodate the cover 8.
  • two rails 51, 52 extend in parallel in the transverse direction on either side of the housing 3.
  • these rails and as well as the space to receive the cover are machined directly in the leaflet, in particular in the lower side 31, preferably near the second end of the leaflet.
  • the cover has side edges 53, 54 arranged so that the cover can be put on using the rails to be able to slide in the transverse direction.
  • the rails 51, 52 and the side edges 53, 54 preferably have complementary shapes allowing the cover to be guided as described.
  • the rails and the edges have complementary inclined faces, making it possible to prevent the cover from being lifted when it is threaded into the rails. Due to these inclined faces, the side face of the cover (or its longitudinal section) has the outline of a trapezoid.
  • the housing of the cover is worked in the lower face 31 of the leaflet, so that, when the cover is placed in its housing, the lower face 31 of the leaflet remains homogeneous and/or continuous, the cover being integrated into the overall dimensions of the leaflet .
  • the leaflet 2 further comprises a locking device 21-25 for locking the cover in position, once it has reached its intended location.
  • this locking device and the cover is to be able to mount the parts of the closing mechanism in the leaflet before closing the cover, and/or to remove the cover to change parts of the closing mechanism, for example due to repair and/or maintenance.
  • the locking device is preferably arranged to be able to be activated by a user or, preferably, by a maintenance person or repairer.
  • the closing mechanism comprises a detachable and resealable cover. Opening the cover allows access to the parts of the closing mechanism and/or to exchange these parts.
  • the locking device comprises a housing 21 formed essentially by a blind bore 21 which is arranged on a plate 55 which forms part of the housing of the cover.
  • the plate 55 preferably extends parallel to the underside of the cover and faces the latter when the cover is placed on the leaflet.
  • the plate 55 is preferably planar, and is on a lower level relative to the lower surface 31 of the leaflet next to the rail, due to the machining of the plate in the leaflet as a lid housing.
  • the locking device further comprises a spring 22 and a pin 23, housed in the housing 21 so that the spring biases the pin in the direction of the opening of the housing.
  • the pin has an annular rim 25 arranged to hold the pin on the end of the spring when the pin is threaded into the hollow cylinder of the spring 22.
  • the cover 8 has a continuous hole 24 which can align with the housing 21 when the cover slides guided by the rails 51, 52. During such alignment, thanks to the spring 22 urging the pin upwards of the Figures 4A and 4B , the pin 23 is inserted into the hole 24 of the cover in order to lock the sliding movement of the latter. It is in particular a tenon of the pin which emerges beyond the annular rim 25 and which is inserted into the hole 24.
  • the moving parts 4, 5 and the spring 6 of the closing device are placed in the housing 3 as shown in fig. 4A .
  • the spring 22 and the pin 25 are also placed in the housing 21.
  • the cover 8 is slipped between the rails and slid to cover the mechanism. So that the cover 8 can pass over the tenon of the pin 23, it is necessary to push it against the force of the spring 22 into the housing 21, for example using a nail or an object or pointed such as a pen or screwdriver.
  • Pin 25 and hole 24 are aligned when the cover reaches its intended location, shown in Figure 3 , and the pin fits into hole 24 to lock the sliding movement of the cover. The lid is thus locked.
  • the arrangement of the lid locking device is such that it can be reopened.
  • it is thanks to the piercing hole 24 that a maintenance person can push the pin 23 against the force of the spring 22 through the hole 24, again using a pointed object such as than a pen.
  • the release of the pin from the hole 24 allows the sliding and thus the removal of the cover 8.
  • the assembly of the cover 8 of the housing 3 and the locking device 21-25 makes it possible to implement a closing mechanism which can be maintained easily. For example, individual parts 4, 5, 6, 22, 23 can be replaced and the quality and life of the clasp is thus extended.
  • the closing mechanism will be illustrated with reference to the figures 6A and 6B .
  • the clasp is closed.
  • the leaflet 2 is folded down and inserted into the space 35 between the side members 41 of the body.
  • the side faces 18, 19 of the leaflet are aligned with the interior side faces 28, 29 of the longitudinal members.
  • the upper surface 32 of the leaflet is also aligned with the upper surface 42 of the spars, so that the appearance and the surface (visible from the outside) of the clasp are homogeneous, continuous and, where appropriate, rounded.
  • the free end 44 of the leaflet 2, and in particular the fixing member 11 emerges from the common surface 42, 32 of the leaflet and the longitudinal members, as can be seen in the figure 1 .
  • These fixing members form a sort of swelling or protuberance relative to said common surface.
  • the fixing member is the only structure of the clasp to emerge from said common upper surface 42, 32 of the side members and of the leaflet. In the case where the clasp comprises two leaflets 2, 2', these are the two fixing members 11, 11' which emerge from the upper surface.
  • the bolts 14 of the moving parts 4, 5 are biased through the side openings 7, 9 provided in the side faces of the leaflet, to place them in the niches or recesses 15, 16, arranged in the interior side faces of the body spars, as visible in the Figure 6A .
  • the recesses are in particular likely to be able to accommodate the free ends of the bolts, these ends passing through the side openings 7, 9.
  • the placement of the bolts in these recesses stabilizes the closed position of the clasp.
  • the pivoting movement of the leaflet relative to the body is hampered by the cooperation between moving parts and in particular their bolts, and the recesses present in the body.
  • each moving part has a base 17 and also the bolt 14 emerging from the base.
  • One function of the base is to create a shoulder and/or a movable stop, which is retained by the arrangement of the housing 3 when the movable part is urged in the direction of the respective opening 7, 9.
  • the extent of the base in the longitudinal direction is greater than the extent of the bolt in the same direction.
  • the extent of the bolt in the transverse direction is long enough for it to pass through the respective side opening 7, 9 and be inserted into the recess.
  • the opening is sized such that the bolt can pass through it and the base abuts against the walls of housing 3 to limit the movement of the moving part in the transverse direction towards the openings.
  • the bolts 14 have rounded or inclined faces in cross section.
  • the movement of the bolts in the transverse direction is not completely locked, and they can move towards the inside of their housing 3 under the action of an appropriate force.
  • a user can pull on a bracelet strand or directly grasp a leaflet to lift it and rotate it relative to the body in view of an opening of the clasp.
  • the force applied by the user transforms into a force of friction or sliding between the rounded surface of the bolt and an upper surface of the corresponding recess 15, 16.
  • the cooperating shapes of the surfaces of the bolt and the recess which enter in contact, as well as the housing 3 allow the transformation of the vertical direction force of the user acting on the leaflet into a force having a component in the transverse direction, this transverse force component pushing the bolt and thus the entire moving part towards the inside of housing 3, against the force of spring 6.
  • the clasp according to the invention does not show wear on the surfaces which exert pressure, arranged in the clasps of the state of the art to keep the clasp closed.
  • the clasp of the invention provides a mechanism comprising parts 4, 5 which can move when a user opens the clasp. Consequently, the problems of the state of the art due to permanent displacement, abrasion or even flattening of the contact or latching faces of a standard clip mechanism do not occur in the clasp according to the 'invention.
  • one of the parts of the invention were to be damaged, it could be easily replaced thanks to the openable and/or detachable cover by activating the locking device giving access to the parts of the closing mechanism, in particular to the moving parts 4, 5 and the spring 6.

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Description

Domaine techniqueTechnical area

La présente invention concerne un fermoir à boucle déployante ainsi qu'une pièce d'horlogerie et/ou une montre bracelet munie du fermoir.The present invention relates to a clasp with a folding clasp as well as a timepiece and/or a wristwatch provided with the clasp.

Etat de la technique et problèmes à l'origine de l'inventionState of the art and problems at the origin of the invention

Dans les fermoirs pour montre bracelet, en particulier les fermoirs à boucle déployante, on peut distinguer deux types de mécanismes de fermeture, prévus pour maintenir le fermoir dans une position fermée en l'absence d'une force exercée par le porteur avec l'intention d'ouvrir le fermoir.In wristwatch clasps, in particular folding clasp clasps, two types of closing mechanisms can be distinguished, designed to maintain the clasp in a closed position in the absence of a force exerted by the wearer with the intention to open the clasp.

Le document DE102008039843A1 divulgue un fermoir selon le préambule de la revendication 1.The document DE102008039843A1 discloses a clasp according to the preamble of claim 1.

Dans un premier type, le fermoir comporte un ou plusieurs organes d'activation dédiés, généralement un poussoir ou une paire de poussoirs, qui font partie d'un mécanisme de verrouillage. Pour ouvrir le fermoir, le porteur active les organes d'activation et engendre ainsi un déverrouillage qui permet l'écartement d'un dépliant par rapport à un corps du fermoir, le dépliant étant articulé au corps dans un fermoir à boucle déployante.In a first type, the clasp comprises one or more dedicated activation members, generally a pusher or a pair of pushers, which form part of a locking mechanism. To open the clasp, the wearer activates the activation members and thus generates an unlocking which allows the spacing of a leaflet relative to a body of the clasp, the leaflet being articulated to the body in a clasp with a folding clasp.

Une solution plus simple est une sorte de connexion clic ou d'encliquetage, généralement basée sur des pièces coopérantes du corps et du dépliant présentant des dimension ou orientations prévus pour maintenir le fermoir en position fermée en raison des pressions qui résultent en forces de friction entre les pièces. Ces pressions ou forces de friction tiennent le dépliant dans sa position fermée par rapport au corps. Les pièces coopérantes sont généralement agencées vers l'extrémité du dépliant qui est opposée à l'extrémité de son articulation au corps. Pour ouvrir le fermoir, le porteur agit directement sur le dépliant, ou sur le brin de bracelet relié à ce dépliant, en direction de l'ouverture du fermoir, afin de forcer les pièces de la connexion de clic de surmonter la pression entre les pièces et pour permettre le pivotement du dépliant par rapport au corps vers la position de fermoir ouverte. Il s'agit dans ce cas du mécanisme de fermeture standard pour les fermoirs à boucle déployante. Un inconvénient majeur de ces fermoirs est lié à l'usure des pièces du mécanisme de clic lors de l'ouverture et la re-fermeture répétées du fermoir dans le cadre de l'utilisation habituelle d'une montre bracelet. Avec le temps, l'efficacité du maintien de la position fermée par les pièces coopérantes diminue et le fermoir peut s'ouvrir de manière involontaire, par exemple en présence d'une légère pression exercée accidentellement, sans la volonté du porteur d'ouvrir le fermoir.A simpler solution is some sort of click or snap connection, generally based on cooperating parts of the body and leaflet having dimensions or orientations intended to hold the clasp in the closed position due to the pressures which result in frictional forces between rooms. These pressures or friction forces hold the leaflet in its closed position relative to the body. The cooperating parts are generally arranged towards the end of the leaflet which is opposite the end of its articulation to the body. To open the clasp, the wearer acts directly on the leaflet, or on the bracelet strand connected to this leaflet, in the direction of the opening of the clasp, in order to force the parts of the click connection to overcome the pressure between the parts and to allow pivoting of the leaflet relative to the body towards the open clasp position. In this case, this is the standard closing mechanism for folding clasps. A major disadvantage of these clasps is linked to wear of the parts of the click mechanism during the repeated opening and re-closing of the clasp during the usual use of a wristwatch. Over time, the effectiveness of parts maintaining the closed position cooperating decreases and the clasp can open involuntarily, for example in the presence of a slight pressure accidentally exerted, without the desire of the wearer to open the clasp.

Il existe ainsi un besoin de mettre en oeuvre un fermoir pour montre bracelet qui peut être réalisé sans un organe d'activation dédié nécessitant l'activation de l'utilisateur pour ouvrir le fermoir. En même temps, il existe un besoin d'un fermoir qui ne souffre pas des inconvénients, par exemple liés à l'usure, des fermoirs de l'état de la technique, notamment les fermoirs basés sur une connexion d'encliquetage.There is thus a need to implement a clasp for a wristwatch which can be produced without a dedicated activation member requiring activation of the user to open the clasp. At the same time, there is a need for a clasp which does not suffer from the disadvantages, for example linked to wear, of clasps of the state of the art, in particular clasps based on a snap connection.

Le document EP 2 233 026 A1 divulgue un fermoir du type à boucle déployante, ce fermoir comportant un volet rabattable, qui peut être pivoté par un utilisateur, et une barrette à deux billes pour former un système de verrouillage dans lequel le volet rabattable, lorsqu'il est rabattu, empêche complètement l'ouverture du fermoir.The document EP 2 233 026 A1 discloses a clasp of the folding clasp type, this clasp comprising a folding flap, which can be pivoted by a user, and a two-ball bar to form a locking system in which the folding flap, when folded, completely prevents opening the clasp.

WO 2020/187907 divulgue un fermoir du type à boucle déployante double, muni d'une lame centrale et deux dépliants en forme de U, les dépliants entourant la lame centrale lorsque le fermoir est fermé. Le corps loge deux paires à cliquets à billes jumelés, chaque cliquet jumelé comportant un corps tubulaire et deux billes logées dans le corps. Lorsque le fermoir est fermé, les billes coopèrent avec des évidements agencés dans les dépliants, pour stabiliser la position fermée. Le fermoir peut être ouvert par l'application d'une traction sur un dépliant ou sur un brin de bracelet attaché au dépliant, ce qui engendre le déplacement des billes correspondantes à l'intérieur de leur logement et permet d'ouvrir le fermoir. L'utilisation des cliquets à billes présente des inconvénients au niveau de leur conception, en ce qu'il n'est pas possible d'ajuster facilement la force requise pour ouvrir le fermoir. En général, un seul cliquet à bille ne permet pas de maintenir le fermoir en position fermée, raison pour laquelle deux cliquets à bille jumelés sont utilisé pour chaque dépliant. Il est un objectif de la présente invention de mettre en oeuvre une solution permettant une meilleure stabilisation de la position fermée en utilisant idéalement moins de composants, tout en permettant un assemblage ainsi qu'une maintenance améliorés. WO 2020/187907 discloses a double folding clasp type clasp, provided with a central blade and two U-shaped leaflets, the leaflets surrounding the central blade when the clasp is closed. The body houses two pairs of twin ball pawls, each twin pawl having a tubular body and two balls seated in the body. When the clasp is closed, the balls cooperate with recesses arranged in the leaflets, to stabilize the closed position. The clasp can be opened by applying traction to a leaflet or to a strand of bracelet attached to the leaflet, which causes the corresponding balls to move inside their housing and allows the clasp to be opened. The use of ball ratchets has design drawbacks in that it is not possible to easily adjust the force required to open the clasp. In general, a single ball pawl does not hold the clasp in the closed position, which is why two twin ball pawls are used for each leaflet. It is an objective of the present invention to implement a solution allowing better stabilization of the closed position by ideally using fewer components, while allowing improved assembly and maintenance.

Il est également un objectif de l'invention de mettre en oeuvre un fermoir ayant un aspect extérieur harmonique et esthétique, présentant, par exemple, des faces extérieures homogènes et arrondies.It is also an objective of the invention to implement a clasp having a harmonic and aesthetic exterior appearance, presenting, for example, homogeneous and rounded exterior faces.

Résumé de l'inventionSummary of the invention

Dans un aspect, la présente invention concerne un fermoir à boucle déployante comportant un corps et au moins un dépliant, le fermoir étant muni d'un mécanisme de fermeture pour maintenir ledit corps et ledit dépliant en position fermée, ledit mécanisme de fermeture comportant une pièce mobile munie d'un pêne et un ressort, le ressort étant agencé pour solliciter le pêne en direction d'une ouverture du dépliant et de coopérer avec un évidement ou une niche agencé dans le corps pour recevoir une extrémité libre du pêne.In one aspect, the present invention relates to a folding clasp comprising a body and at least one leaflet, the clasp being provided with a closing mechanism for holding said body and said leaflet in the closed position, said closing mechanism comprising a part mobile provided with a bolt and a spring, the spring being arranged to urge the bolt in the direction of an opening of the leaflet and to cooperate with a recess or a niche arranged in the body to receive a free end of the bolt.

Dans un aspect, la présente invention concerne un fermoir à boucle déployante pour bracelet comportant: un corps de fermoir et un dépliant, articulés l'un par rapport à l'autre, un premier organe de fixation relié au dépliant et destiné à être connecté à une première extrémité libre du bracelet; un mécanisme de fermeture pour maintenir ledit corps et ledit dépliant en position fermée lorsque le dépliant est rabattu, ledit mécanisme de fermeture comportant: un logement aménagé dans le dépliant, ledit logement comportant au moins une ouverture disposée sur une face latérale dudit dépliant; au moins une pièce mobile aménagée dans le logement, ladite pièce mobile comportant un pêne, et, un ressort disposé dans le logement de manière à solliciter ladite pièce mobile en direction de ladite ouverture de sorte que le pêne traverse ladite ouverture latérale pour faire saillie par rapport à la face latérale; un évidement aménagé dans le corps pour recevoir une extrémité libre dudit pêne lorsque le dépliant est rabattu sur le corps en position fermée.In one aspect, the present invention relates to a folding clasp for a bracelet comprising: a clasp body and a leaflet, hinged relative to each other, a first fastener connected to the leaflet and intended to be connected to a first free end of the bracelet; a closing mechanism for maintaining said body and said leaflet in the closed position when the leaflet is folded, said closing mechanism comprising: a housing provided in the leaflet, said housing comprising at least one opening disposed on a side face of said leaflet; at least one movable part arranged in the housing, said movable part comprising a bolt, and, a spring arranged in the housing so as to bias said movable part in the direction of said opening so that the bolt passes through said lateral opening to project through relation to the lateral face; a recess provided in the body to receive a free end of said bolt when the leaflet is folded over the body in the closed position.

Dans un mode de réalisation, ladite pièce mobile est agencée pour être forcée à se déplacer vers l'intérieur de son logement lorsque le dépliant est déplacé par rapport au corps de et lorsque le pêne est forcé en contact avec une face latérale intérieure du corps.In one embodiment, said movable part is arranged to be forced to move towards the inside of its housing when the leaflet is moved relative to the body and when the bolt is forced into contact with an interior side face of the body.

Dans un mode de réalisation, ladite pièce mobile est agencée pour être forcée à se déplacer dans une direction transversale lorsque le dépliant passe d'une position ouverte du fermoir à une position fermée du fermoir, et vice versa, et/ou lorsque le dépliant est déplacé par rapport au corps de manière à ce qu'une face latérale du dépliant passe d'une position ou elle est alignée avec une face latérale intérieure du corps vers une position où la face latérale du dépliant n'est plus alignée avec la face latérale intérieure du corps. Lors de l'alignement, le dépliant est de préférence aligné avec un ou les deux longerons du corps.In one embodiment, said movable part is arranged to be forced to move in a transverse direction when the leaflet passes from an open position of the clasp to a closed position of the clasp, and vice versa, and/or when the leaflet is moved relative to the body so that a side face of the leaflet passes from a position where it is aligned with an interior side face of the body to a position where the side face of the leaflet is no longer aligned with the side face interior of the body. When aligning, the flyer is preferably aligned with one or both body rails.

Dans un mode de réalisation, ladite pièce mobile est fabriquée en céramique.In one embodiment, said moving part is made of ceramic.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, ladite pièce mobile comporte ledit pêne et une base agencée pour recevoir une extrémité du ressort, ladite base présentant de préférence une forme en U.In a preferred embodiment, said movable part comprises said bolt and a base arranged to receive one end of the spring, said base preferably having a U shape.

Dans un mode de réalisation, le ressort est agencé pour solliciter le pêne de ladite deuxième pièce mobile à travers la deuxième ouverture latérale.In one embodiment, the spring is arranged to bias the bolt of said second movable part through the second lateral opening.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, ladite pièce mobile comporte une base formant un épaulement, le pêne émergeant en tant que structure distinctive par rapport audit épaulement, ledit épaulement servant corne butée mobile qui, en coopération avec les parois du logement limite le déplacement de la pièce mobile vers l'extérieur en direction transversale.In a preferred embodiment, said movable part comprises a base forming a shoulder, the bolt emerging as a distinctive structure with respect to said shoulder, said shoulder serving as a movable stop horn which, in cooperation with the walls of the housing limits the movement of the movable part outwards in transverse direction.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, ledit pêne présente des faces arrondies et/ou obliques en coupe transversale du fermoir.In a preferred embodiment, said bolt has rounded and/or oblique faces in cross section of the clasp.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, ledit corps de fermoir comporte deux longerons latéraux et une entretoise transversale solidaire desdits logerons latéraux, le dépliant étant agencé pour être positionné entre les deux longerons latéraux lorsque le fermoir est fermé.In a preferred embodiment, said clasp body comprises two side rails and a transverse spacer secured to said side housings, the leaflet being arranged to be positioned between the two side rails when the clasp is closed.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, ledit dépliant comporte un couvercle agencé pour fermer ledit logement, de préférence sur une face inférieure du dépliant faisant face au porteur du fermoir lorsque le fermoir est en position fermée.In a preferred embodiment, said leaflet comprises a cover arranged to close said housing, preferably on a lower face of the leaflet facing the wearer of the clasp when the clasp is in the closed position.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, le couvercle est détachable et refermable.In a preferred embodiment, the cover is detachable and resealable.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, le couvercle est agencé pour pouvoir coulisser, de préférence en direction transversale, dans ledit dépliant.In a preferred embodiment, the cover is arranged to be able to slide, preferably in a transverse direction, in said leaflet.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, le dépliant comporte deux rails pour loger ledit couvercle, de préférence de manière coulissante. Dans un mode de réalisation, ledit rail de guidage est usiné dans le dépliant.In a preferred embodiment, the leaflet comprises two rails for housing said cover, preferably in a sliding manner. In one embodiment, said guide rail is machined into the leaflet.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, le fermoir comporte un dispositif de verrouillage pour bloquer ou verrouiller le couvercle en position fermée du logement.In a preferred embodiment, the clasp includes a locking device for blocking or locking the cover in the closed position of the housing.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, le dispositif de verrouillage du mode de réalisation précédent comporte un évidement, de préférence sous forme d'un trou borgne, aménagé dans dépliant, un ressort logé dans l'évidement, et une goupille agencée pour être sollicité par le ressort en direction d'un perçage du couvercle lorsque le couvercle ferme le logement, le perçage recevant la goupille pour permettre le verrouillage du couvercle.In a preferred embodiment, the locking device of the preceding embodiment comprises a recess, preferably in the form of a blind hole, arranged in the leaflet, a spring housed in the recess, and a pin arranged to be biased by the spring in the direction of a hole in the cover when the cover closes the housing, the hole receiving the pin to allow the cover to be locked.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, le logement du mécanisme de fermeture traverse le dépliant en direction transversale.In a preferred embodiment, the housing of the closing mechanism passes through the leaflet in the transverse direction.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, le logement du mécanisme de fermeture est usiné dans le dépliant.In a preferred embodiment, the housing of the closing mechanism is machined into the leaflet.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention, ladite ouverture est une première ouverture et ladite pièce mobile est une première pièce mobile, ledit logement comportant une deuxième ouverture et ledit mécanisme de fermeture comportant une deuxième pièce mobile, ladite deuxième ouverture étant agencée sur une face latérale opposée du dépliant, et un pêne de ladite deuxième pièce mobile étant agencé pour pouvoir traverser ladite deuxième ouverture latérale.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said opening is a first opening and said movable part is a first movable part, said housing comprising a second opening and said closing mechanism comprising a second movable part, said second opening being arranged on an opposite side face of the leaflet, and a bolt of said second movable part being arranged to be able to pass through said second side opening.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, le logement comporte une cavité agencée pour loger et/ou guider ladite pièce mobile, de préférence une paire de cavités agencée pour loger et/ou guider lesdits première et deuxième pièces mobiles.In a preferred embodiment, the housing comprises a cavity arranged to house and/or guide said moving part, preferably a pair of cavities arranged to house and/or guide said first and second moving parts.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, le logement comporte deux cavités agencées respectivement pour loger et guider les première et deuxième pièces mobiles, le logement comportant en outre un canal agencé pour être traversé par ledit ressort, ledit canal reliant de préférence lesdites cavités, chacune des extrémités du ressort s'appuyant sur l'une des deux pièces mobiles afin d'éloigner transversalement l'une de l'autre lesdites pièces mobiles.In a preferred embodiment, the housing comprises two cavities arranged respectively to house and guide the first and second moving parts, the housing further comprising a channel arranged to be crossed by said spring, said channel preferably connecting said cavities, each of the ends of the spring resting on one of the two moving parts in order to move said moving parts transversely from each other.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, ledit dépliant est un premier dépliant, ledit organe de fixation est un premier organe de fixation, et ledit mécanisme de fermeture est un premier mécanisme de fermeture, le fermoir comportant un deuxième dépliant et un deuxième organe de fixation relié au deuxième dépliant, le deuxième dépliant comportant un deuxième mécanisme de fermeture comportant les caractéristiques de l'invention et/ou de l'une quelconque des modes de réalisations de l'invention.In a preferred embodiment, said leaflet is a first leaflet, said fastening member is a first fastening member, and said closing mechanism is a first closing mechanism, the clasp comprising a second leaflet and a second connected fastening member to the second leaflet, the second leaflet comprising a second closing mechanism comprising the characteristics of the invention and/or any of the embodiments of the invention.

Dans un aspect, la présente invention concerne une montre bracelet comportant le fermoir de l'invention.In one aspect, the present invention relates to a wristwatch comprising the clasp of the invention.

D'autres aspects de l'invention et des modes de réalisation préférés sont définis dans les revendications et dans la description ci-après.Other aspects of the invention and preferred embodiments are defined in the claims and in the description below.

Description des dessinsDescription of the designs

Les caractéristiques et les avantages de l'invention apparaîtront plus clairement à la lecture d'une description d'une forme d'exécution préférentielle, nullement limitative, donnée uniquement à titre d'exemple, et faite en se référant aux figures schématiques dans lesquelles :

  • Les figures 1 à 3 sont des vues en perspective d'un fermoir selon un mode de réalisation de la présente invention, illustré en position fermée, ouverte, et ouverte avec les dépliants en position d'écartement maximal, respectivement.
  • La figure 4A est une vue en perspective d'un agrandi montrant une extrémité libre d'un dépliant dans lequel le couvercle du logement du mécanisme de fermeture du dépliant a été enlevé afin de montrer l'agencement des pièces du mécanisme dans le logement.
  • La figure 4B est une vue en perspective éclatée du mécanisme de fermeture agencé dans le dépliant.
  • La figure 5 est une vue semi-transparente en plan de dessus du fermoir de la figure 1 en position fermée, montrant la position de la coupe A-A de la figure 6A.
  • Les figures 6A à 6C sont des vues en coupe transversale selon A-A de la figure 5, dans lesquels le fermoir est respectivement en position fermée (fig. 6A), partiellement ouverte (fig. 6B) et ouverte (fig. 6C).
The characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading a description of a preferred embodiment, in no way limiting, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the schematic figures in which:
  • THE figures 1 to 3 are perspective views of a clasp according to one embodiment of the present invention, shown in the closed, open, and open positions with the leaflets in the maximum spread position, respectively.
  • There figure 4A is an enlarged perspective view showing a free end of a leaflet in which the cover of the housing of the leaflet closing mechanism has been removed to show the arrangement of the parts of the mechanism in the housing.
  • There Figure 4B is an exploded perspective view of the closing mechanism arranged in the leaflet.
  • There Figure 5 is a semi-transparent top plan view of the clasp of the figure 1 in the closed position, showing the position of the AA cup of the Figure 6A .
  • THE Figures 6A to 6C are cross-sectional views along AA of the Figure 5 , in which the clasp is respectively in the closed position ( fig. 6A ), partially open ( fig. 6B ) and open ( fig. 6C ).

Description détaillée des modes de réalisations préférésDetailed description of the preferred embodiments

Le fermoir illustré à titre non limitatif sur les figures correspond à un mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention. En particulier, le fermoir montré est du type à boucle déployante double et est notamment destiné à équiper des bracelets de montre. Les bracelets peuvent être de tout type, comme par exemple en matière plastique souple, en cuir, ou être constitués d'un assemblage de maillons métalliques.The clasp illustrated without limitation in the figures corresponds to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the clasp shown is of the double folding clasp type and is intended in particular to be fitted to watch straps. The bracelets can be of any type, for example made of flexible plastic, leather, or made up of an assembly of metal links.

Les figures 1 à 3 montrent le fermoir en position fermée (figure 1) et en position ouverte (figures 2 et 3). Le fermoir comporte un corps 1 et deux dépliants 2, 2', agencés pivotants par rapport au corps. Dans les fermoirs à boucle déployante, le corps et le ou les dépliants (selon s'il a un seul ou deux) sont parfois nommés "les lames" du fermoir (par exemple dans le document WO 2020/187907 cité ci-dessus). Le corps est généralement longitudinal est légèrement incurvé pour mieux s'adapter au poignet d'un utilisateur portant une montre bracelet muni du fermoir.THE figures 1 to 3 show the clasp in the closed position ( figure 1 ) and in the open position ( figures 2 and 3 ). The clasp comprises a body 1 and two leaflets 2, 2', arranged to pivot relative to the body. In folding clasp clasps, the body and leaflet(s) (depending on whether it has one or two) are sometimes referred to as "the blades" of the clasp (e.g. in document WO 2020/187907 Cited above). The body is generally longitudinal and slightly curved to better adapt to the wrist of a user wearing a wristwatch fitted with the clasp.

Les indications des directions ou orientations (généralement d'un axe ou d'un plan) "longitudinal", "transversal" et "radial" sont utilisées dans ce descriptif selon les usages de l'homme du métier. Des définitions plus détaillées peuvent être trouvées, par exemple, dans le document WO2019166671A1 , pages 9 et 10.Indications of directions or orientations (generally of an axis or a plane) "longitudinal", "transverse" and "radial" are used in this description according to the usage of those skilled in the art. More detailed definitions can be found, for example, in the document WO2019166671A1 , pages 9 and 10.

Chaque dépliant comporte des première et deuxième extrémités 43, 43' et 44, 44', respectivement. La première extrémité 43 du premier dépliant 2 est articulé à une première extrémité du corps, et la première extrémité 43' du deuxième dépliant 2' est articulé à une deuxième extrémité du corps. Vers leurs deuxièmes extrémités ou extrémités libres 44, 44', chacun des dépliants comporte un organe de fixation, 11, 11', agencé pour être relié à l'extrémité libre d'un brin de bracelet d'une montre bracelet, par exemple.Each leaflet has first and second ends 43, 43' and 44, 44', respectively. The first end 43 of the first leaflet 2 is hinged to a first end of the body, and the first end 43' of the second leaflet 2' is hinged to a second end of the body. Towards their second ends or free ends 44, 44', each of the leaflets comprises a fixing member, 11, 11', arranged to be connected to the free end of a bracelet strand of a wristwatch, for example.

Dans le mode de réalisation montré, les organes de fixation 11, 11' sont illustrés de manière simplifiée par un trou transversal agencé vers la deuxième extrémité de chacun des dépliants.In the embodiment shown, the fixing members 11, 11' are illustrated in a simplified manner by a transverse hole arranged towards the second end of each of the leaflets.

Vers cette extrémité, les dépliants comportent un renflement qui dépasse la surface extérieure générale 32, 42 du fermoir lorsque le fermoir est fermé. Ce renflement permet ainsi d'agencer les trous au-dessus de cette surface générale. Un axe peut être logé dans chacun des trous, servant à connecter l'extrémité libre du brin de bracelet, par exemple le dernier maillon d'un bracelet à maillons métalliques, comme illustré dans le document WO 2020/187907 .Towards this end, the leaflets have a bulge which extends beyond the general exterior surface 32, 42 of the clasp when the clasp is closed. This bulge thus makes it possible to arrange the holes above this general surface. An axis can be housed in each of the holes, used to connect the free end of the bracelet strand, for example the last link of a bracelet with metal links, as illustrated in the document WO 2020/187907 .

Le corps du fermoir comporte deux longerons latéraux 41 qui s'étendent essentiellement en parallèle, ainsi qu'une entretoise transversale 34, solidaire des longerons latéraux. L'entretoise transversale est de préférence agencée de manière centrée, à mi-chemin entre les deux extrémités du corps.The body of the clasp comprises two side rails 41 which extend essentially in parallel, as well as a transverse spacer 34, secured to the side rails. The transverse spacer is preferably arranged centrally, halfway between the two ends of the body.

A la figure 1, le fermoir est fermé. Les dépliants sont rabattus et sont situés dans l'espace 35 aménagé entre les longerons latéraux. Dans cette position, les extrémités libres des dépliants, et ainsi les organes de fixation 11, 11', sont rapprochés. A la figure 2, les dépliants ont été soulevés et pivotés vers le haut par rapport au corps, montrant une position ouverte du fermoir. Enfin, à la Figure 3, les extrémités libres des dépliants se trouvent dans une position d'éloignement maximal l'une par rapport à l'autre, et les faces inférieures 31 des dépliants sont visibles. Lorsque le fermoir est fermé, ces faces font face au poignet d'un porteur d'une montre bracelet muni du fermoir. La position de la figure 3 illustre également une position d'ouverture dans laquelle la circonférence de l'ensemble montre-bracelet-fermoir et maximale et la montre-bracelet peut ainsi être aisément enlevée du poignet d'un porteur, ou à l'inverse, être enfilée pour la mettre au poignet.To the figure 1 , the clasp is closed. The leaflets are folded down and are located in the space 35 provided between the side rails. In this position, the free ends of the leaflets, and thus the fixing members 11, 11', are brought together. To the figure 2 , the leaflets were lifted and rotated upward relative to the body, showing an open position of the clasp. Finally, at the Figure 3 , the free ends of the leaflets are in a position of maximum distance from each other, and the lower faces 31 of the leaflets are visible. When the clasp is closed, these faces face the wrist of a wearer of a wristwatch fitted with the clasp. The position of the Figure 3 also illustrates an opening position in which the circumference of the wristwatch-clasp assembly is maximum and the wristwatch can thus be easily removed from the wrist of a wearer, or conversely, be slipped on to put it on at wrist.

A la figure 3, l'on peut voir un évidement 16, agencé dans la face latérale intérieure 29 du corps 1. L'évidement est agencé pour recevoir un pêne 14 du mécanisme de fermeture lorsque le fermoir est en position fermée, un pêne émergeant de chacune des faces latérales 18 de chacun des dépliants, comme sera décrit de manière plus détaillée en référence aux figures suivantes. Au lieu d'un évidement, il serait aussi possible d'aménager une niche dans le corps.To the Figure 3 , we can see a recess 16, arranged in the inner side face 29 of the body 1. The recess is arranged to receive a bolt 14 of the closing mechanism when the clasp is in the closed position, a bolt emerging from each of the faces side 18 of each of the leaflets, as will be described in more detail with reference to the following figures. Instead of a recess, it would also be possible to create a niche in the body.

Les figures 4A et 4B montrent des agrandis de l'extrémité libre (la deuxième extrémité) 44 du premier dépliant 2. Le deuxième dépliant 2' est constitué de manière identique dans ce mode de réalisation. A la figure 4A, le couvercle 8 du mécanisme de fermeture du dépliant a été enlevé afin de montrer l'aménagement les pièces du mécanisme dans leur logement. A la figure 4B, ces pièces, y compris le couvercle et les pièces du verrouillage de ce dernier sont montrés en éclaté.THE Figures 4A and 4B show enlargements of the free end (the second end) 44 of the first leaflet 2. The second leaflet 2' is constituted identically in this embodiment. To the figure 4A , the cover 8 of the leaflet closing mechanism has been removed in order to show the arrangement of the parts of the mechanism in their housing. To the Figure 4B , these parts, including the cover and the locking parts of the latter are shown exploded.

La figure 4B permet de voir le logement 3 aménagé dans le dépliant, en particulier à proximité de l'extrémité libre du dépliant. Le logement 3 s'étend en direction transversale et traverse l'ensemble de la largeur du dépliant afin de se dégorger dans les deux ouvertures 7, 9, dans les faces latérales opposées 18, 19 du dépliant. Dans la vue des figures 4A et 4B, la face latérale 19 n'est pas visible, mais elle est indiquée à la figure 6B.There Figure 4B allows you to see the housing 3 arranged in the leaflet, in particular near the free end of the leaflet. The housing 3 extends in the transverse direction and crosses the entire width of the leaflet in order to discharge into the two openings 7, 9, in the opposite side faces 18, 19 of the leaflet. In the view of Figures 4A and 4B , the side face 19 is not visible, but it is indicated in Figure 6B .

Le logement comporte deux cavités 36, 37, par lesquelles le logement 3 est élargie en direction longitudinale. Ces cavités sont agencés pour permettre d'accueillir les pièces mobiles 4, 5, comme visible aux figures 4A et 5.The housing comprises two cavities 36, 37, by which the housing 3 is widened in the longitudinal direction. These cavities are arranged to accommodate the moving parts 4, 5, as visible in the figures 4A And 5 .

Les pièces mobiles 4, 5 comportent chacune une base 17 et un pêne 14, qui émerge de la base. Une fonction de la base est de loger une extrémité du ressort de compression cylindrique 6, afin de pouvoir solliciter la pièce mobile en direction de l'ouverture latérale respective 7 et 9. Dans le mode de réalisation montré, la base 17 présente une forme de U, la base de l'U constituant la surface d'appui du ressort et les ailes de l'U servant à cadrer et ainsi stabiliser et le ressort.The moving parts 4, 5 each include a base 17 and a bolt 14, which emerges from the base. One function of the base is to accommodate one end of the cylindrical compression spring 6, in order to be able to bias the movable part in the direction of the respective lateral opening 7 and 9. In the embodiment shown, the base 17 has a shape of U, the base of the U constituting the bearing surface of the spring and the wings of the U serving to frame and thus stabilize the spring.

En raison de leur constituants, les pièces mobiles ont un ou deux plans de symétrie uniquement. Grâce au pêne et à la base, les pièces mobiles ne sont pas sphériques, contrairement au billes d'un cliquet à billes.Due to their constituents, moving parts have only one or two planes of symmetry. Thanks to the bolt and base, the moving parts are not spherical, unlike the balls of a ball ratchet.

Un rétrécissement 27 de l'étendue du logement entre les cavités 36, 37, permet de davantage stabiliser le ressort, ce dernier sollicitant les pièces mobiles à s'éloigner en direction transversale. Le rétrécissement 27 du logement laisse un canal suffisamment large en direction longitudinale pour loger la partie centrale du ressort 6.A narrowing 27 of the extent of the housing between the cavities 36, 37, makes it possible to further stabilize the spring, the latter urging the moving parts to move away in the transverse direction. The narrowing 27 of the housing leaves a channel wide enough in the longitudinal direction to accommodate the central part of the spring 6.

Le dépliant 2 comporte en outre des formes prévues pour accommoder le couvercle 8. Dans le mode de réalisation montré, deux rails 51, 52 s'étendent en parallèle en direction transversale de part et d'autre du logement 3. Dans le mode de réalisation montré, ces rails et ainsi que l'espace pour recevoir le couvercle sont usinés directement dans le dépliant, notamment dans le coté inférieur 31, de préférence à proximité de la deuxième extrémité du dépliant.The leaflet 2 further comprises shapes intended to accommodate the cover 8. In the embodiment shown, two rails 51, 52 extend in parallel in the transverse direction on either side of the housing 3. In the embodiment shown, these rails and as well as the space to receive the cover are machined directly in the leaflet, in particular in the lower side 31, preferably near the second end of the leaflet.

Le couvercle comporte des bords latéraux 53, 54 agencés pour que le couvercle puisse être enfilé à l'aide des rails pour pouvoir glisser en direction transversale. Les rails 51, 52 et les bords latéraux 53, 54 présentent de préférence les formes complémentaires permettant le guidage du couvercle comme décrit. Dans le mode de réalisation montré, les rails et les bords comportent des faces inclinées complémentaires, permettant d'empêcher le couvercle d'être soulevé lorsqu'il est enfilé dans les rails. En raison de ces faces inclinées, la face latérale du couvercle (ou sa section longitudinale) présente le contour d'un trapèze.The cover has side edges 53, 54 arranged so that the cover can be put on using the rails to be able to slide in the transverse direction. The rails 51, 52 and the side edges 53, 54 preferably have complementary shapes allowing the cover to be guided as described. In the embodiment shown, the rails and the edges have complementary inclined faces, making it possible to prevent the cover from being lifted when it is threaded into the rails. Due to these inclined faces, the side face of the cover (or its longitudinal section) has the outline of a trapezoid.

Le logement du couvercle est travaillé dans la face inférieure 31 du dépliant, de façon que, lorsque le couvercle est placé dans son logement, la face inférieure 31 du dépliant reste homogène et/ou continue, le couvercle étant intégré dans l'encombrement du dépliant.The housing of the cover is worked in the lower face 31 of the leaflet, so that, when the cover is placed in its housing, the lower face 31 of the leaflet remains homogeneous and/or continuous, the cover being integrated into the overall dimensions of the leaflet .

[Rev. 10] Le dépliant 2 comporte en outre un dispositif de verrouillage 21-25 pour verrouiller le couvercle en position, une fois qu'il a atteint son emplacement prévu. [Rev. 10] The leaflet 2 further comprises a locking device 21-25 for locking the cover in position, once it has reached its intended location.

Le but de ce dispositif de verrouillage et du couvercle est de pouvoir monter les pièces du mécanisme de fermeture dans le dépliant avant de fermer le couvercle, et/ou d'enlever le couvercle pour changer des pièces du mécanisme de fermeture, par exemple en raison d'une réparation et/ou de la maintenance. Le dispositif de verrouillage est de préférence agencé pour pouvoir être activé par un utilisateur ou, de préférence, par une personne de maintenance ou un réparateur.The purpose of this locking device and the cover is to be able to mount the parts of the closing mechanism in the leaflet before closing the cover, and/or to remove the cover to change parts of the closing mechanism, for example due to repair and/or maintenance. The locking device is preferably arranged to be able to be activated by a user or, preferably, by a maintenance person or repairer.

[Rev. 7] Dans un mode de réalisation de l'invention, le mécanisme de fermeture comporte un couvercle détachable et refermable. L'ouverture du couvercle permet l'accès aux pièces du mécanisme de fermeture et/ou d'échanger ces pièces.[ Rev. 7] In one embodiment of the invention, the closing mechanism comprises a detachable and resealable cover. Opening the cover allows access to the parts of the closing mechanism and/or to exchange these parts.

Dans le mode de réalisation montré, le dispositif de verrouillage comporte un logement 21 formé dans l'essentiel par un perçage borgne 21 qui est agencé sur un plateau 55 qui fait partie du logement du couvercle. Le plateau 55 s'étend de préférence en parallèle de la face inférieure du couvercle et fait face à cette dernière lorsque le couvercle est placé sur le dépliant. Le plateau 55 est de préférence plan, et se trouve sur un niveau inférieur par rapport à la surface inférieure 31 du dépliant à côté du rail, en raison de l'usinage du plateau dans le dépliant en tant que logement du couvercle.In the embodiment shown, the locking device comprises a housing 21 formed essentially by a blind bore 21 which is arranged on a plate 55 which forms part of the housing of the cover. The plate 55 preferably extends parallel to the underside of the cover and faces the latter when the cover is placed on the leaflet. The plate 55 is preferably planar, and is on a lower level relative to the lower surface 31 of the leaflet next to the rail, due to the machining of the plate in the leaflet as a lid housing.

Le dispositif de verrouillage comporte en outre un ressort 22 et une goupille 23, logés dans le logement 21 de manière à ce que le ressort sollicite la goupille en direction de l'ouverture du logement. La goupille comporte un rebord annulaire 25 agencé pour tenir la goupille sur l'extrémité du ressort lorsque la goupille est enfilée dans le cylindre creux du ressort 22.The locking device further comprises a spring 22 and a pin 23, housed in the housing 21 so that the spring biases the pin in the direction of the opening of the housing. The pin has an annular rim 25 arranged to hold the pin on the end of the spring when the pin is threaded into the hollow cylinder of the spring 22.

Le couvercle 8 comporte un trou continu 24 qui peut s'aligner avec le logement 21 lorsque le couvercle coulisse guidé par les rails 51, 52. Lors d'un tel alignement, grâce au ressort 22 sollicitant la goupille vers le haut des figures 4A et 4B, la goupille 23 s'insère dans le trou 24 du couvercle afin de verrouiller le déplacement coulissant de ce dernier. C'est en particulier un tenon de la goupille qui émerge au-delà du rebord annulaire 25 et qui s'insère dans le trou 24.The cover 8 has a continuous hole 24 which can align with the housing 21 when the cover slides guided by the rails 51, 52. During such alignment, thanks to the spring 22 urging the pin upwards of the Figures 4A and 4B , the pin 23 is inserted into the hole 24 of the cover in order to lock the sliding movement of the latter. It is in particular a tenon of the pin which emerges beyond the annular rim 25 and which is inserted into the hole 24.

Lors de l'assemblage du mécanisme de fermeture, les pièces mobiles 4, 5 et le ressort 6 du dispositif de fermeture sont placés dans le logement 3 comme montré à la fig. 4A. Le ressort 22 et la goupille 25 sont aussi placés dans le logement 21. Ensuite, le couvercle 8 est enfilé entre les rails et coulissé pour couvrir le mécanisme. Pour que le couvercle 8 puisse passer par-dessus le tenon de la goupille 23, il est nécessaire de l'enfoncer contre la force du ressort 22 dans le logement 21, par exemple à l'aide d'un ongle ou d'un objet ou pointu tel qu'un stylo ou un tournevis. La goupille 25 et le trou 24 sont alignés lorsque le couvercle atteint son emplacement prévu, montré à la figure 3, et la goupille s'insère dans le trou 24 pour verrouiller le déplacement coulissant du couvercle. Le couvercle est ainsi verrouillé.When assembling the closing mechanism, the moving parts 4, 5 and the spring 6 of the closing device are placed in the housing 3 as shown in fig. 4A . The spring 22 and the pin 25 are also placed in the housing 21. Then, the cover 8 is slipped between the rails and slid to cover the mechanism. So that the cover 8 can pass over the tenon of the pin 23, it is necessary to push it against the force of the spring 22 into the housing 21, for example using a nail or an object or pointed such as a pen or screwdriver. Pin 25 and hole 24 are aligned when the cover reaches its intended location, shown in Figure 3 , and the pin fits into hole 24 to lock the sliding movement of the cover. The lid is thus locked.

L'agencement du dispositif de verrouillage du couvercle est tel qu'il puisse être rouvert. Dans le mode de réalisation montré, c'est grâce au trou perçant 24 qu'une personne de maintenance peut enfoncer la goupille 23 contre la force du ressort 22 à travers le trou 24, de nouveau à l'aide d'un objet pointu tel qu'un stylo. Le dégagement de la goupille du trou 24 permet le coulissement et ainsi l'enlèvement du couvercle 8.The arrangement of the lid locking device is such that it can be reopened. In the embodiment shown, it is thanks to the piercing hole 24 that a maintenance person can push the pin 23 against the force of the spring 22 through the hole 24, again using a pointed object such as than a pen. The release of the pin from the hole 24 allows the sliding and thus the removal of the cover 8.

L'ensemble du couvercle 8 du logement 3 et du dispositif de verrouillage 21-25 permet de mettre en ouvre un mécanisme de fermeture qui peut être maintenu de manière aisée. Par exemple, les pièces individuelles 4, 5, 6, 22, 23 peuvent être remplacées et la qualité ainsi que la durée de vue du fermoir est ainsi rallongée.The assembly of the cover 8 of the housing 3 and the locking device 21-25 makes it possible to implement a closing mechanism which can be maintained easily. For example, individual parts 4, 5, 6, 22, 23 can be replaced and the quality and life of the clasp is thus extended.

Le fonctionnement du mécanisme de fermeture sera illustré en référence avec les figures 6A et 6B. Dans la coupe montrée à la figure 6A, le fermoir est fermé. Dans cette position, le dépliant 2 est rabattu et inséré dans l'espace 35 entre les longerons 41 du corps. Comme on peut le comprendre, les faces latérales 18, 19 du dépliant sont alignées avec les faces latérales intérieures 28, 29 des longerons. La surface supérieure 32 du dépliant est également alignée avec la surface supérieure 42 des longerons, de manière à ce que l'aspect et la surface (visible de l'extérieur) du fermoir sont homogènes, continus et, le cas échéant, arrondis.The operation of the closing mechanism will be illustrated with reference to the figures 6A and 6B . In the section shown in Figure 6A , the clasp is closed. In this position, the leaflet 2 is folded down and inserted into the space 35 between the side members 41 of the body. As can be understood, the side faces 18, 19 of the leaflet are aligned with the interior side faces 28, 29 of the longitudinal members. The upper surface 32 of the leaflet is also aligned with the upper surface 42 of the spars, so that the appearance and the surface (visible from the outside) of the clasp are homogeneous, continuous and, where appropriate, rounded.

L'extrémité libre 44 du dépliant 2, et en particulier l'organe de fixation 11 émerge de la surface commune 42, 32 du dépliant et des longerons, comme on peut le voir à la figure 1. Ces organes de fixation forment une sorte d'enflement ou de protubérance par rapport à ladite surface commune. Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, l'organe de fixation est la seule structure du fermoir à émerger de ladite surface supérieure commune 42, 32 des longerons et du dépliant. Dans le cas où le fermoir comporte deux dépliants 2, 2', ce sont les deux organes de fixation 11, 11' qui émergent de la surface supérieure.The free end 44 of the leaflet 2, and in particular the fixing member 11 emerges from the common surface 42, 32 of the leaflet and the longitudinal members, as can be seen in the figure 1 . These fixing members form a sort of swelling or protuberance relative to said common surface. In a preferred embodiment, the fixing member is the only structure of the clasp to emerge from said common upper surface 42, 32 of the side members and of the leaflet. In the case where the clasp comprises two leaflets 2, 2', these are the two fixing members 11, 11' which emerge from the upper surface.

Dans la position fermée, les pênes 14 des pièces mobiles 4, 5 sont sollicités à travers les ouvertures latérales 7, 9 prévues dans les faces latérales du dépliant, pour les placer dans les niches ou évidements 15, 16, agencés dans les faces latérales intérieures des longerons du corps, comme visible à la figure 6A. Les évidements sont en particulier susceptibles de pouvoir loger les extrémités libres des pênes, ces extrémités traversant les ouvertures latérales 7, 9. Le placement des pênes dans ces évidements stabilise la position fermée du fermoir. Le mouvement de pivotement du dépliant par rapport au corps est entravé par la coopération entre pièces mobiles et en particulier de leurs pênes, et les évidements présents dans le corps.In the closed position, the bolts 14 of the moving parts 4, 5 are biased through the side openings 7, 9 provided in the side faces of the leaflet, to place them in the niches or recesses 15, 16, arranged in the interior side faces of the body spars, as visible in the Figure 6A . The recesses are in particular likely to be able to accommodate the free ends of the bolts, these ends passing through the side openings 7, 9. The placement of the bolts in these recesses stabilizes the closed position of the clasp. The pivoting movement of the leaflet relative to the body is hampered by the cooperation between moving parts and in particular their bolts, and the recesses present in the body.

Comme mentionné, chaque pièce mobile comporte une base 17 et également le pêne 14 émergent de la base. Une fonction de la base est de créer un épaulement et/ou une butée mobile, qui est retenue par l'agencement du logement 3 lorsque la pièce mobile est sollicitée en direction de l'ouverture respective 7, 9.As mentioned, each moving part has a base 17 and also the bolt 14 emerging from the base. One function of the base is to create a shoulder and/or a movable stop, which is retained by the arrangement of the housing 3 when the movable part is urged in the direction of the respective opening 7, 9.

Lorsque les pièces mobiles 4, 5 sont placés dans leur logement, l'étendue de la base en direction longitudinale est plus grande que l'étendue du pêne dans la même direction. En revanche, l'étendue du pêne en direction transversale est assez longue pour qu'il puisse traverser l'ouverture latérale respective 7, 9 et s'insérer dans l'évidement. L'ouverture est dimensionnée de telle manière que le pêne puisse la traverser et que la base bute contre les parois du logement 3 pour limiter le déplacement de la pièce mobile dans la direction transversale vers les ouvertures.When the moving parts 4, 5 are placed in their housing, the extent of the base in the longitudinal direction is greater than the extent of the bolt in the same direction. On the other hand, the extent of the bolt in the transverse direction is long enough for it to pass through the respective side opening 7, 9 and be inserted into the recess. The opening is sized such that the bolt can pass through it and the base abuts against the walls of housing 3 to limit the movement of the moving part in the transverse direction towards the openings.

Comme visible dans les figures 6A et 6B, les pênes 14 présentent des faces arrondies ou inclinées en coupe transversale. D'autre part, le déplacement des pênes en direction transversale n'est pas verrouillé complètement, et ils peuvent se déplacer vers l'intérieur de leur logement 3 sous l'action d'une force appropriée.As visible in the Figures 6A and 6B , the bolts 14 have rounded or inclined faces in cross section. On the other hand, the movement of the bolts in the transverse direction is not completely locked, and they can move towards the inside of their housing 3 under the action of an appropriate force.

Dans le mode de réalisation montré, un utilisateur peut tirer sur un brin de bracelet ou directement saisir un dépliant pour le soulever et le faire pivoter par rapport au corps au vu d'une ouverture du fermoir. Dans ce cas, illustré à la figure 6B, la force appliquée par l'utilisateur se transforme en une force de frottement ou glissement entre la surface arrondie du pêne et une surface supérieure de l'évidemment correspondant 15, 16. Les formes coopérantes des surfaces du pêne et de l'évidement qui entrent en contact, ainsi que le logement 3 permettent la transformation de la force de direction verticale de l'utilisateur agissant sur le dépliant en une force ayant une composante en direction transversale, cette composante de force transversale poussant le pêne et ainsi l'ensemble de la pièce mobile vers l'intérieur du logement 3, contre la force du ressort 6.In the embodiment shown, a user can pull on a bracelet strand or directly grasp a leaflet to lift it and rotate it relative to the body in view of an opening of the clasp. In this case, illustrated in Figure 6B , the force applied by the user transforms into a force of friction or sliding between the rounded surface of the bolt and an upper surface of the corresponding recess 15, 16. The cooperating shapes of the surfaces of the bolt and the recess which enter in contact, as well as the housing 3 allow the transformation of the vertical direction force of the user acting on the leaflet into a force having a component in the transverse direction, this transverse force component pushing the bolt and thus the entire moving part towards the inside of housing 3, against the force of spring 6.

De cette manière, la force de traction effectuée par un utilisateur engendre le dégagement du pêne 14 de l'évidement dans le corps 1 comme montré à la figure 4B. A partir de la situation de la figure 6B l'utilisateur peut facilement passer à la situation montrée à la figure 6C, dans laquelle les pièces mobiles et le corps 1 ne sont plus en contact et le dépliant peut maintenant pivoter librement par rapport au corps dans le but d'ouvrir davantage le fermoir, par exemple comme montré aux figures 2 et 3.In this way, the traction force exerted by a user causes the bolt 14 to disengage from the recess in the body 1 as shown in Fig. Figure 4B . From the situation of the Figure 6B the user can easily switch to the situation shown at the Figure 6C , in which the moving parts and the body 1 are no longer in contact and the leaflet can now pivot freely relative to the body in order to further open the clasp, for example as shown in figures 2 and 3 .

On peut noter que, dans la situation montrée à la figure 6B, il y a toujours des forces de frottement entre les pênes 14 et les face latérales intérieures 28, 29 du corps, mais comme les pênes sont dégagés de leur évidements, il ne s'agit que d'une force de frottement relativement mineure qui ne présente plus un obstacle significatif à l'ouverture du fermoir. En revanche, lorsque les pênes 14 sont placés dans les évidements 15, 16, la force nécessaire pour dégager le pêne en le poussant vers l'intérieur de son logement est plus importante et est notamment suffisamment grande pour empêcher une ouverture accidentelle du fermoir dans la grande majorité des cas. Comme le mécanisme de fermeture sur la base des pièces mobiles 4, 5 et des évidements 15, 16 ne comprend pas un verrouillage complet, le risque d'une ouverture accidentelle n'est pas totalement exclu, mais fortement diminué.It can be noted that, in the situation shown in Figure 6B , there are always frictional forces between the bolts 14 and the interior side faces 28, 29 of the body, but as the bolts are released from their recesses, this is only a relatively minor friction force which does not no longer presents a significant obstacle to opening the clasp. On the other hand, when the bolts 14 are placed in the recesses 15, 16, the force necessary to release the bolt by pushing it towards the inside of its housing is greater and is in particular large enough to prevent accidental opening of the clasp in the vast majority of cases. Like the closing mechanism on the basis of moving parts 4, 5 and recesses 15, 16 do not include complete locking, the risk of accidental opening is not completely excluded, but greatly reduced.

Grâce au mécanisme de fermeture, le fermoir selon l'invention ne présente pas une usure des surfaces qui effectuent des pressions, agencées dans les fermoirs de l'état de la technique pour garder le fermoir fermé. Le fermoir de l'invention prévoit un mécanisme comportant des pièces 4, 5 pouvant se déplacer lorsqu'un utilisateur ouvre le fermoir. Par conséquent, les problèmes de l'état de la technique dus à un déplacement permanent, l'abrasion ou encore l'aplatissement des faces de contact ou d'encliquetage d'un mécanisme de clip standard ne se présentent pas dans le fermoir selon l'invention. D'autre part, si tout de même une des pièces de l'invention devait être endommagée, elle pourrait être facilement remplacée grâce au couvercle ouvrable et/ou détachable par l'activation du dispositif de verrouillage donnant accès aux pièces du mécanisme de fermeture, notamment aux pièces mobiles 4, 5 et au ressort 6.Thanks to the closing mechanism, the clasp according to the invention does not show wear on the surfaces which exert pressure, arranged in the clasps of the state of the art to keep the clasp closed. The clasp of the invention provides a mechanism comprising parts 4, 5 which can move when a user opens the clasp. Consequently, the problems of the state of the art due to permanent displacement, abrasion or even flattening of the contact or latching faces of a standard clip mechanism do not occur in the clasp according to the 'invention. On the other hand, if one of the parts of the invention were to be damaged, it could be easily replaced thanks to the openable and/or detachable cover by activating the locking device giving access to the parts of the closing mechanism, in particular to the moving parts 4, 5 and the spring 6.

L'homme du métier ne rencontrera pas de difficulté particulière pour adapter le contenu de la présente divulgation à ses propres besoins et mettre en oeuvre un mouvement et/ou une montre bracelet, sans sortir du cadre de la présente invention. Par exemple, l'homme du métier pourrait adapter l'enseignement de l'invention pour mettre en oeuvre un fermoir comportant un corps est un seul dépliant articulé au corps, par exemple dans le cadre d'un fermoir à deux lames seulement au lieu de trois lames, notamment un fermoir à boucle déployante simple.Those skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in adapting the content of the present disclosure to their own needs and implementing a movement and/or a wristwatch, without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, those skilled in the art could adapt the teaching of the invention to implement a clasp comprising a body and a single leaflet articulated to the body, for example in the context of a clasp with only two blades instead of three blades, including a simple folding clasp.

Dans une autre variante, qui peut être réalisée dans un fermoir de deux ou trois lames, il est aussi possible de réaliser le fermoir avec une seule pièce mobile par dépliant, au lieu des deux pièces mobiles dans le mode de réalisation montré dans les dessins. Dans ce cas, une des deux ouvertures latérales 7 ou 9 serait normalement condamnée ou absente. Dans ce cas il est également suffisant de prévoir un seul évidement 15 ou 16 par dépliant pour coopérer avec un pêne correspondant agencé dans le dépliant.In another variant, which can be made in a clasp of two or three blades, it is also possible to make the clasp with a single moving part per leaflet, instead of the two moving parts in the embodiment shown in the drawings. In this case, one of the two side openings 7 or 9 would normally be blocked or absent. In this case it is also sufficient to provide a single recess 15 or 16 per leaflet to cooperate with a corresponding bolt arranged in the leaflet.

Claims (15)

  1. A folding clasp (10) for a bracelet comprising:
    - a clasp body (1) and a unfolding element (2), hinged together,
    - a first fastening member (11) connected to the unfolding element (2) and intended to be connected to a first free end of the bracelet;
    - a closing mechanism for holding said body and said unfolding element in the closed position when the unfolding element (2) is folded down, wherein said closing mechanism comprises:
    - a housing (3) arranged in the unfolding element (2), wherein said housing comprises at least one opening (7) arranged on a lateral face (18) of said unfolding element;
    at least one moving part (4, 5) arranged in the housing (3), wherein said moving part comprises a bolt (14), and,
    a spring (6) arranged in the housing, wherein said clasp is characterised in that said spring is arranged so as to bias a said moving part towards said opening (7) so that the bolt (14) passes through said lateral opening so as to project relative to the lateral face (18); and in that
    a recess (16) is formed in the body (1) to receive a free end of said bolt (14) when the unfolding element (2) is folded down on to the body (1) in the closed position.
  2. The clasp (10) according to claim 1, wherein the moving part (4, 5) comprises the bolt (14) and a base (17) arranged to receive one end of the spring (6), said base being U-shaped.
  3. The clasp according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the moving part (4, 5) comprises a base (17) forming a shoulder, the bolt (14) emerging as a distinctive structure in relation to said shoulder, said shoulder serving as a movable stop which, in cooperation with the walls of the housing (3), limits the outward transverse displacement of the moving part.
  4. The clasp according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bolt (14) has rounded and/or oblique faces in cross-section.
  5. The clasp according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clasp body comprises two lateral stringers (41) and a transverse spacer (34) integral with said lateral stringers, the unfolding element (2) being arranged to be positioned between the two lateral stringers when the clasp is closed.
  6. The clasp according to any one of the preceding claims, said unfolding element (2) comprising a cover (8) arranged to close the housing (3), preferably on a lower face (31) of the unfolding element facing the clasp wearer when the clasp is in the closed position.
  7. The clasp according to claim 6, wherein the cover (8) is detachable and reclosable.
  8. The clasp according to any one of claims 6 and 7, wherein the cover (8) is arranged to slide in said unfolding element, preferably to slide in the transverse direction.
  9. The clasp according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the unfolding element comprises two rails (51, 52) for housing said cover, preferably in a sliding manner.
  10. The clasp according to any one of claims 6 to 9, comprising a locking device (21-25) for blocking the cover in the closed position.
  11. The clasp according to claim 10, wherein said locking device (21-25) comprises a recess (21) arranged in the unfolding element (2), a spring (22) housed in the recess (21), and a pin (23) arranged to be biased by the spring towards a drill hole (24) in the cover when the cover closes the housing, wherein the drill hole receives the pin to allow locking of the cover.
  12. The clasp according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (3) passes through the unfolding element in the transverse direction.
  13. The clasp according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (3) is machined in the unfolding element.
  14. The clasp according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said opening is a first opening (5) and said moving part is a first moving part (4), said housing comprising a second opening (9) and said closing mechanism comprising a second moving part (5), said second opening being arranged on an opposite lateral face (19) of the unfolding element, and a bolt of said second moving part being arranged to be able to pass through said second lateral opening.
  15. The clasp according to claim 14, wherein the housing (3) comprises two cavities (25, 26) arranged to house and guide the first and second moving parts (4, 5) and a channel (12) arranged to be passed through by said spring (6), wherein each of the ends of the spring (6) rest on one of the moving parts (4, 5) in order to move said moving parts transversely away from each other.
EP21206908.2A 2021-11-08 2021-11-08 Clasp with extensible loop Active EP4176757B1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21206908.2A EP4176757B1 (en) 2021-11-08 2021-11-08 Clasp with extensible loop
EP22205832.3A EP4238447A1 (en) 2021-11-08 2022-11-07 Folding buckle clasp

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21206908.2A EP4176757B1 (en) 2021-11-08 2021-11-08 Clasp with extensible loop

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4176757A1 EP4176757A1 (en) 2023-05-10
EP4176757B1 true EP4176757B1 (en) 2024-05-08

Family

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP21206908.2A Active EP4176757B1 (en) 2021-11-08 2021-11-08 Clasp with extensible loop
EP22205832.3A Pending EP4238447A1 (en) 2021-11-08 2022-11-07 Folding buckle clasp

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22205832.3A Pending EP4238447A1 (en) 2021-11-08 2022-11-07 Folding buckle clasp

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Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1647108A (en) * 1927-02-11 1927-10-25 Hadley Company Wrist-watch bracelet
DE3362646D1 (en) * 1983-02-02 1986-04-30 Cornu & Cie Sa Foldable fastener for a bracelet
JP3569034B2 (en) * 1995-06-23 2004-09-22 シチズン時計株式会社 Double door push clasp structure
JPH11318522A (en) * 1998-05-14 1999-11-24 Zanon:Kk Fastener for band member
EP1920673A1 (en) * 2006-11-09 2008-05-14 Cornu & Cie Sa Bracelet fastener with folding clasp
DE102008039843A1 (en) * 2008-08-27 2010-03-04 Momoplus Gmbh Snap connection for wristband, has locking element arranged at pivoting handle and engaged into locking recess of base part and prestressed with locking force against release direction, where locking force is adjusted
EP2233026B1 (en) 2009-03-25 2012-06-20 Rolex S.A. Device and method for linking and locking two parts and ball bar
US8773068B2 (en) 2011-01-20 2014-07-08 Valence Technology, Inc. Rechargeable battery systems and rechargeable battery system operational methods
WO2019166671A1 (en) 2018-03-02 2019-09-06 Dexel S.A. Band clasp comprising a device for adjusting band length
CH715988B1 (en) 2019-03-21 2022-05-31 Bulgari Horlogerie Sa Bracelet clasp.

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Publication number Publication date
EP4176757A1 (en) 2023-05-10
EP4238447A1 (en) 2023-09-06

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