EP4332691A1 - Member for connecting a watch strap strand to a watch case - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fastening member (10) intended to be fixed between a pair of horns (72) of a watch case (70), comprising two pairs of horns, to connect the watch case (70) to an attachment termination (52) of a bracelet strand (50). The clip member (10) includes a coupling member (12) configured to cooperate with the clip termination (52) to assemble the coupling member (12) and the clip termination (52) by interlocking in a direction perpendicular or oblique to a plane defined by the two pairs of horns (72) of the watch case. The attachment member (10) further includes a lock (30) for locking and unlocking the assembly of the coupling member (12) to the attachment termination (52). The present invention also relates to a bracelet strand comprising an attachment termination (52) configured to be connected, by nesting, to the attachment member.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a fastening member intended to be fixed between a pair of horns of a watch case for connecting a bracelet strand to the watch case. The invention also relates to a bracelet strand comprising an attachment termination configured to be connected to the attachment member as well as a wristwatch comprising two attachment members attached to two pairs of horns, on both sides the other of the watch case, and two strands of a bracelet connected to the attachment parts.

State of the art

Numerous mechanisms have already been proposed to simplify the assembly/disassembly of a bracelet from a watch case in order to avoid the use of a specific tool. This allows the wearer of the watch to be able, for example, to change the style or color of the strap as they wish, without complicated handling and without the risk of damaging or scratching the watch case through the clumsy use of a tool.

These mechanisms often have the disadvantage of having to make modifications to the watch case so that it is adapted to cooperate with the attachment termination of each of the strands of the bracelet. Other mechanisms propose the integration of a pusher in the attachment termination in order to allow the attachment of the bracelet strand to the watch case, as well as its detachment. Replacement or adapting a bracelet to different watch cases in a collection necessarily generates significant costs.

Examples of such mechanisms are disclosed in particular in the publications CH712656B1 , EP2353428B1 , EP3213654A1 And CH698584B1 .

An aim of the present invention is to resolve, at least in part, the aforementioned drawbacks. This goal is achieved in particular by proposing an interchangeable attachment member intended to be attached to a watch case and allowing a removable connection of a bracelet to this attachment member. The interchangeable nature of the attachment member has the advantage of being able to be mounted on several watch cases without having to modify them. This allows in particular a modernization or renovation of already existing watches aimed at replacing old bracelets with new or more recent bracelets.

Another aim of the present invention is not to complicate the watch case in terms of the means it requires to carry out the assembly with a bracelet.

An additional aim of the present invention is to propose a bracelet strand comprising a simplified attachment part to allow replacement of the bracelet at lower cost.

Brief summary of the invention

These goals are achieved in particular by an attachment member intended to be fixed between a pair of horns of a watch case, comprising two pairs of horns, to connect the watch case to an attachment termination of a strand of bracelet. The attachment member comprises for this purpose a coupling element configured to cooperate with the attachment termination in order to assemble the coupling element and the attachment termination by interlocking in a direction perpendicular or oblique to a plane defined by the two pairs of horns of the watch case . The attachment member further comprises a lock for locking and unlocking the assembly of the coupling element of the attachment termination.

According to one embodiment, the lock is movably mounted in a housing of the fastening member, between a locking position and an unlocking position. The lock includes a hook or bolt configured to prevent separation between the clip termination and the coupling member when the lock is in the locking position.

According to one embodiment, the lock is limited in movement by a stop preventing the lock from leaving the housing.

According to one embodiment, the locking position of the lock is reached and maintained by the action of an elastic member on the lock.

According to one embodiment, the lock comprises a gripping part allowing it to move in at least one direction between the locking and unlocking positions.

According to one embodiment, the gripping part is arranged to be accessible from an invisible face of the attachment member when the latter is fixed between the pair of horns and the watch case is seen on the dial side.

According to one embodiment, the coupling element is formed of at least one female element configured to receive at least one male element complementary to the attachment termination.

According to one embodiment, the coupling element is formed of at least two elements, among female and/or male elements, arranged on either side of the lock.

According to one embodiment, the attachment member further comprises a support surface intended to come into contact with the watch case. The bearing surface is configured to substantially prevent any rotation of the fastening member when it is fixed between the horns of the watch case.

According to one embodiment, the bearing surface of the attachment member is of complementary shape to a portion of the watch case.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a bracelet strand comprising an attachment termination configured to be connected, by nesting, to the attachment member according to any of its embodiments.

According to one embodiment, the attachment termination comprises at least one male element configured to fit into the coupling element of the attachment member.

According to one embodiment, the attachment termination comprises a rim or a fixing window configured to cooperate with the lock of the attachment member in order to lock the assembly of the attachment termination and the securing element. coupling.

According to one embodiment, the rim or the fixing window is located between at least two elements complementary to the male and/or female elements which form the coupling element of the attachment member.

According to one embodiment, the attachment termination is concealed under a portion of the strand covering the attachment member when the attachment termination is assembled to the attachment member.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a wristwatch comprising a watch case comprising two pairs of horns, a fastening member, according to any one of its embodiments, mounted between the horns of each pair of horns , and a bracelet comprising a strand, according to any of its embodiments, fixed to each attachment member.

Brief description of the figures

• la figure 1 illustre une vue en perspective de dessus d'une partie de la boite de montre comportant l'organe d'attache et d'une terminaison d'attache d'un brin de bracelet, avant connexion de la terminaison d'attache, selon une forme de réalisation,
• la figure 2 illustre une vue en perspective de la terminaison d'attache d'un brin de bracelet adaptée pour réaliser une liaison amovible avec l'organe d'attache,
• la figure 3 illustre une vue de côté de la terminaison d'attache de la figure 2,
• la figure 4 illustre une vue en éclaté de l'organe d'attache selon une forme de réalisation ;
• la figure 5 illustre une vue similaire à la figure 4, lorsque le verrou est monté de manière opérationnelle sur l'organe d'attache ;
• la figure 6 illustre une vue en perspective de dessous de l'organe d'attache de la figure 4,
• la figure 7 illustre une vue en perspective côté fond d'une partie de la boite de montre lorsque celle-ci est connectée à la terminaison d'attache d'un brin de bracelet par l'intermédiaire de l'organe d'attache,
• la figure 8 illustre une vue en coupe de la terminaison d'attache d'un brin de bracelet, de l'organe d'attache et d'une portion de la boite de montre lorsque la terminaison d'attache du brin est verrouillée à l'organe d'attache, et
• la figure 9 illustre une vue similaire à la figure 8, lorsque le pêne du verrou est dégagé de la fenêtre de fixation de la terminaison d'attache du brin afin de permettre la désolidarisation du brin de la boite de montre.

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

• there figure 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a part of the watch case comprising the attachment member and an attachment termination of a bracelet strand, before connection of the attachment termination, in a form of realization,
• there figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the attachment termination of a bracelet strand adapted to produce a removable connection with the attachment member,
• there Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the attachment termination of the figure 2 ,
• there figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of the fastening member according to one embodiment;
• there figure 5 illustrates a view similar to figure 4 , when the lock is operationally mounted on the fastening member;
• there Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view from below of the attachment member of the figure 4 ,
• there Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view on the back side of a part of the watch case when the latter is connected to the attachment end of a bracelet strand via the attachment member,
• there figure 8 illustrates a sectional view of the attachment termination of a bracelet strand, of the attachment member and of a portion of the watch case when the attachment termination of the strand is locked to the member of 'attach, and
• there Figure 9 illustrates a view similar to figure 8 , when the bolt of the lock is released from the fixing window of the attachment end of the strand in order to allow the strand to be separated from the watch case.

Examples of embodiments of the invention

According to a preferential form and with reference in particular to the figures 1 to 3 , the wristwatch comprises a watch case 70 typically comprising two pairs of horns 72 and a fastening member 10 intended to be mounted between the horns 72 of each pair, in particular fixed to them by means of screws 74 for example. The wristwatch further comprises a bracelet of which at least one strand 50 has an attachment termination 52 intended to be locked to the attachment member 10 in order to secure the strand 50 to the watch case. The attachment member therefore constitutes an interchangeable intermediate member, thus acting as an interface between the watch case and the attachment termination 52 of the strand.

To this end, the attachment member 10 comprises a coupling element 12 configured to cooperate with the attachment termination 52 so as to be able to assemble them by interlocking in a particular direction. This direction is perpendicular or oblique to a plane defined by the two pairs of horns 72, for example a plane passing through the same parts of the horns, such as their ends. The attachment member 10 further comprises a lock 10 making it possible to lock and unlock the assembly of the coupling element 12 to the attachment termination 52.

Thanks to this assembly which is obtained by nesting in a direction located outside the extension of the strand of the bracelet, in particular when the latter is essentially parallel to the general plane defined by the watch case, the locking mechanism is advantageously relieved when traction forces are exerted on the strand of the bracelet. Consequently, the dimensioning of the lock or locking mechanism can advantageously be reduced due to the fact that it is no longer required to take up traction forces.

According to the preferred embodiment, the coupling element of the attachment member is formed of at least one female element 12 configured to receive at least one male element 56 which is of complementary shape to the female element and which is part of the attachment termination 52. Preferably, the coupling element 12 is formed of at least two elements arranged on either side of the lock 30. These elements are chosen from female elements 12 and/or male elements 56. According to the preferred embodiment, the coupling element comprises two female elements 12 in the form of two holes, for example of oblong shape, passing right through the fastening member 10. These two holes 12 could just as easily be two blind holes according to a variant of execution.

According to figure 2 , the attachment termination 52 of the strand 50 is hidden under a portion 58 of the strand at one of its ends intended to cover the attachment member 10 to make it invisible when the wristwatch is worn. The end of this portion 58 is in contact with the watch case 70 or close to it when the strand 50 of the bracelet is locked to the watch case 70, as illustrated in figure 8 .

According to the preferred embodiment, the attachment termination 52 also comprises at least one male element, preferably two male elements 56, for example of oblong shape, arranged to be introduced into the two holes 12 of the attachment member. attached. As already mentioned, the male 56 and female 12 elements are intended to be able to mate and, to do this, are preferably of complementary shapes. Furthermore, the male elements 56 are arranged on a first bearing surface 60 intended to bear against an upper surface 26 of the attachment member 10 ( Figure 6 ) when the attachment termination 52 is locked to the attachment member 10.

The attachment termination 52 further comprises a second bearing surface 53 which, preferably, is adjacent to the first bearing surface 60 and substantially perpendicular thereto. The second bearing surface 53 is intended to bear against a third bearing surface 19 located on a first longitudinal side 16a of the attachment member 10 illustrated in figures 4 to 5 . In order to lock the assembly of the element of coupling 12 and the attachment termination 52, the latter comprises a rim, a fixing cavity or a window 54 intended to cooperate with the lock 30 integrated into the attachment member 10. The window 54 is typically arranged on this second bearing surface 53. According to the preferred embodiment, the fixing window 54 is set back from the two male elements 56 and is preferably centered between the latter. More generally, it will be mentioned that the rim or the fixing window 54 is located between at least two elements complementary to the male elements 56 and/or female elements 12 forming the coupling element.

The first and second bearing surfaces of the attachment termination 52 advantageously make it possible to obtain better hold and/or rigidity of the assembly formed by the bracelet strand and the attachment member.

With reference to figures 4 to 5 , the fastening member 10 comprises a housing 14 located on a lower surface 24 opposite the upper surface 26. The housing 14 is preferably centered between the two holes 12 and is configured to receive the lock 30 there. This lock comprises a lock body 32 mounted movably, in particular sliding, in the housing 14 and a bolt 34 arranged to be positioned in the fixing window 54 of the attachment termination 52 of the strand when the lock 30 is in a locking configuration . Instead of the bolt 34, a hook could also be used to prevent any separation between the attachment termination 52 and the coupling element 12 when the lock is in the locking position. In this case, the mounting rim or window could be configured to allow the hook to grip onto it.

The lock 30 further comprises an elastic member 36 intended to force the lock into its locking position. This elastic return member is preferably in the form of two springs of compression 36. One end of each spring 36 rests against one side 15 of the housing 14 while the other end of each spring rests against the body 32 of the lock in order to force the bolt 34 to be housed in the window fixing 54. A single spring of larger size can be used according to a variant of execution.

According to variants not shown, the lock is pivotally mounted around an axis parallel to the lower 24 and upper 26 surfaces of the attachment member 10, or even around an axis perpendicular to these surfaces. In these two cases, the bolt or hook is placed on the lock body in order to engage the window or the fixing edge, by tilting or rotating the lock.

According to another embodiment not shown, the attachment part 12 has only one male element. The window or the fixing rim is located on this male element opposite the bolt or the hook of the lock for locking the attachment termination 52 of the bracelet strand to the attachment member.

With reference to the figures 5 And 8 , the lock 30 also comprises a trigger or gripping part 38 allowing the movement of the lock 30 in at least one direction between the locking and unlocking positions. Although the elastic member 36 makes it possible to automatically return the lock from its unlocked position to its locked position, a configuration could be provided in which the lock could be blocked in at least one of these positions. Thus, to be able to move from one position to another, the user should then first unlock the lock, by initiating movement applied to its gripping part 38. In the event that it is appropriate to move from the position unlocked in the locked position, the elastic member 36 would be in charge of automatically completing the movement of the lock. In the case of a reverse movement, it is the user himself who would complete the movement of the lock against the restoring force exerted by the elastic member 36.

Preferably, the gripping part 38 is arranged to be accessible from an invisible face of the attachment member 10 when the latter is fixed between the pair of horns 72 and the wristwatch is worn, or is dial side view.

Preferably, the lock 30 is limited in movement by a stop 40 preventing the exit of the lock from its housing 14. To do this, the body 32 of the lock can comprise, at its base, a blind groove 33 with an axis coincident with the axis of movement of the lock. This groove 33 is intended to receive a pin 40 housed through a hole 14a ( Figure 6 ) provided at the base of the housing 14. When the lock moves under the action of the elastic member 36, this pin makes it possible to limit its movement by abutting against the blind end of the groove 33.

In order to be able to fix the fastening member 10 between the horns 72 of one of the pairs of the watch case, this fastening member typically has two holes 22 located on its two lateral sides 20. The screws 74 are screwed into the horns 72 through tappings. The holes 22 accommodate the ends of the screws in order to fix the attachment member to the horns 72 of the watch case 70. According to a variant, each horn has only one non-tapped through hole while the two holes 22 of the attachment member 10 are tapped to screw in the screws 74. These therefore constitute points of attachment of the attachment member 10 to the horns 72 of the watch case.

Advantageously and as well illustrated in figures 4 to 6 , the attachment member 10 furthermore comprises on a second longitudinal side 16b, opposite the first longitudinal side 16a, a bearing surface 18 intended to come into contact with the watch case. Apart from its aesthetic function, this support surface is configured to substantially prevent any rotation of the attachment member when it is fixed between the horns 72. For this purpose, the support surface 18 preferably has a complementary shape to a portion of the watch case with which it may be in contact. In the aforementioned figures, this shape is curved in order to fit a complementary curved portion of the watch case. It will be noted that the combination of this support surface 18 and the interlocking assembly of the coupling element 12 with the attachment termination 52 advantageously makes it possible to fully prevent the rotation of the bracelet around the horns. It follows that the lateral sides of the attachment termination 52 thus match the profile of the horns of the watch case at all times, thus guaranteeing remarkable aesthetics.

According to figures 8 and 9 , the bolt 34 is arranged above a lower edge 55 of the attachment window 54 when the latch 30 is in the locked configuration in order to prevent or limit relative movement between the attachment termination 52 of a bracelet strand 50 and the attachment member 10 in a direction preferably substantially orthogonal to the plane of the watch case. Note that in this position, the pin 40 abuts against an edge of the groove 33 of the lock body 30.

When a force is exerted on the gripping part 38 of the lock, in the direction of the watch case, the lock body 32 is brought against the side 15 of the housing. This movement makes it possible to release the bolt 34 from the lower edge 55 of the fixing window 54 and allow relative movement between the attachment termination 52 and the attachment member 10. Operating in the present case in one direction orthogonal to the plane of the watch case, this relative movement makes it possible to separate the bracelet strand from the attachment member.

Through the figures 8 and 9 , we understand better that the fixing window 54 could be replaced by a simple rim in order to prevent the relative movement between the attachment termination and the attachment member when the bolt 34 of the lock is engaged at the height of this rim .

The attachment member which has just been described makes it possible to neither complicate the case nor the bracelet. Indeed, the most complex elements are advantageously constituted and contained in the attachment member 10. In the event of breakage or defect, only this attachment member could be replaced without having to replace the watch case for example. Also, given that the complexity of the fixing is not found on the bracelet either, in particular at the level of the attachment termination of each strand, the latter can be replaced at lower cost and more frequently, in particular when it This is a strand of leather bracelet for example. By benefiting from a more economical bracelet, it also becomes easier to offer a collection of bracelets that are easily interchangeable and whose colors could adapt, for example, to the wearer's clothes.

Various modifications can be made to the wristwatch which has just been described without departing from the invention as defined by the claims. For example, the attachment member may comprise, instead of holes, one or more male elements while the attachment termination may comprise one or more female elements of complementary shape.

Reference list

• Connection member 10
  • Coupling element 12
  • Housing 14
    • Hole 14a
    • Side 15
  • First longitudinal side 16a
    Support surface 19
  • Second longitudinal side 16b
    Coupling part 18 (eg curved portion)
  • Lateral sides 20
    Hole 22
  • Bottom surface 24
  • Top surface 26
  • Lock 30
    • Body 32
      Groove 33
    • Bolt 34
    • Elastic member 36 (eg compression springs)
    • Actionable part 38
    • Stop 40
• Bracelet strand 50
  Attachment termination 52
  • Support surface 53
  • Fixing window 54
    Bottom edge 55
  • May elements 56
  • Serving 58
    Support surface 60
• Watch box 70
  • Horns 72
  • Screw 74

Claims (15)

Attachment member (10) intended to be fixed between a pair of lugs (72) of a watch case (70), comprising two pairs of lugs, to connect the watch case (70) to a attachment termination (52) of a bracelet strand (50), the fastening member (10) comprising a coupling element (12) configured to cooperate with the fastening termination (52) in order to assemble the fastening element coupling (12) and the attachment termination (52) by interlocking in a direction perpendicular or oblique to a plane defined by the two pairs of horns (72) of the watch case, the attachment member (10) comprising furthermore a lock (30) for locking and unlocking the assembly of the coupling element (12) to the attachment termination (52). Attachment member (10) according to claim 1, in which the lock (30) is movably mounted in a housing (14) of the attachment member (10), between a locking position and an unlocking position, the lock (30) including a hook or bolt (34) configured to prevent separation between the clip termination (52) and the coupling member (12) when the lock is in the locking position. Fastening member (10) according to claim 2, in which the bolt (30) is limited in movement by a stop (40) preventing the bolt (30) from exiting the housing (14). Fastening member (10) according to claim 2 or 3, in which the locking position of the lock (30) is reached and maintained by the action of an elastic member (36) on the lock (30). Fastening member (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the lock (30) comprises a gripping part (38) allowing it to move in at least one direction between the locking and unlocking positions. Attachment member (10) according to claim 5, in which the gripping part (38) is arranged to be accessible from an invisible face of the attachment member (10) when the latter is fixed between the pair of horns (72) and the watch case (70) is seen on the dial side. Attachment member (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the coupling element (12) is formed of at least one female element (12) configured to receive at least one male element (56) complementary to the attachment termination (52). Attachment member (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the coupling element (12) is formed of at least two elements, among female (12) and/or male (56) elements. , arranged on either side of the lock (30). Attachment member (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a bearing surface (18) intended to come into contact with the watch case (30), the bearing surface (18) being configured to prevent substantially any rotation of the attachment member (10) when it is fixed between the horns of the watch case (70), said bearing surface (18) preferably being of complementary shape to a portion of the watch box (70). Bracelet strand (50) comprising an attachment termination (52) configured to be connected, by interlocking, to the attachment member (10) according to one of the preceding claims. Strand (50) of bracelet according to claim 10, in which the attachment termination (52) comprises at least one male element (56) configured to fit into the coupling element (12) of the member of clip (10). Bracelet strand (50) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the attachment termination (52) comprises a rim or fixing window (54) configured to cooperate with the lock (30) of the attachment member (10) to lock the assembly of the clip termination (52) and the coupling element (12). Strand (50) of bracelet according to claim 12, in which the rim or the fixing window (54) is located between at least two elements complementary to the male elements (56) and/or female elements (12) which form the element of coupling of the attachment member (10). Strand (50) of bracelet according to one of claims 10 to 13, in which the attachment termination (52) is concealed under a portion (58) of the strand covering the attachment member (10) when the termination of The clip (52) is assembled to the clip member (10). Wristwatch comprising a watch case (70) comprising two pairs of horns (72), a fastening member (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9 mounted between the horns (72) of each pair of horns and a bracelet comprising a strand (50) according to one of claims 11 to 15 fixed to each attachment member (10).

Images