GB2294862A

GB2294862A - Clasp for watch strap

Info

Publication number: GB2294862A
Application number: GB9414324A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kato Kunio
Original assignee: BEAR LEATHER CREATIONS Co
Current assignee: BEAR LEATHER CREATIONS Co
Priority date: 1994-07-15
Filing date: 1994-07-15
Publication date: 1996-05-15
Anticipated expiration: 2014-07-15
Also published as: HK1007855A1; GB2294862B; GB9414324D0

Abstract

A folding clasp for a watch strap comprises two parts 1, 2 which are pivotally movable relative to one another. One part 2 can overlie the other part 1 and so provide a shortened, closed position, this position being lockable. An open position is also available in which the two parts extend away from each other, allowing the watch to be slipped over the hand. Connecting means are provided to connect the ends of a conventional watch strap to the parts 1, 2, one of these connecting means being one or more upstanding protuberance 5 by means of which a strap of the type with a series of holes therein may be adjustably connected to the clasp. <IMAGE>

Description

CLASP The present invention relates to a folding clasp for a watch strap.

Wrist watches are most commonly fitted by means of a strap of leather or imitation leather worn around the wrist and fastened by means of a buckle. One half of the strap has a series of holes into one of which the bar of the buckle locates, so that the strap can be adjusted and can fit wrists of different thicknesses.

It is also well known for two halves of a watch strap to be connected by means of a folding clasp, which in the unfolded position increases the length of the strap to such an extent that it can slip over the hand. Such clasps are generally used with metal straps formed of links. The disadvantage of such straps is that their length cannot easily be adjusted, the process of removing one or more links from the strap or adding links to the strap often being the work of a jeweller.

It is an object of the invention to provide a folding clasp which can be used with a conventional watch strap which allows the length of the strap to be adjusted in a simple and straightforward fashion.

Accordingly, the invention provides a folding clasp for a watch strap, comprising two parts pivotable relative to one another, one part being pivotable between a first position in which it overlies the second part to provide a shortened, closed position for the strap and a second position in which it extends away from the second part to provide a lengthened, open position for the strap, wherein locking means are provided to releasably lock the two parts together in the first position, wherein connecting means are provided to connect the ends of a watch strap to the parts of the clasp, the connecting means on one part comprising at least one upstanding protuberance, wherein a strap of the type with a series of holes therein can be connected to the clasp in an adjustable fashion.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in more detail, by example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a folding clasp according to the invention, in an opened position; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the clasp of Fig. 1, but from the other side; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing one end of a strap, partly connected to the clasp; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing the strap fully connected; and Fig. 5 is a side view of the clasp and strap shown in Fig. 4, but with the clasp the other way up.

As seen in Fig. 1, the clasp includes two parts which are pivotably movable relative to one another, a first part 1 and a second part 2. One part, here part 2, is movable between a first position in which it overlies the first part to provide a shortened, closed position for the watch strap and a second position in which it extends away from the first part to provide the lengthened, open position for the strap. This open position is shown in the Figures. Connecting means 3, 4 are provided to connect the ends of a watch strap to the parts 1, 2. The connecting means 3 on the first part comprise of at least one upstanding protuberance 5, 5', so that a strap of the type with a series of holes therein can be connected to the clasp.

The connecting means for the other part include a bar (not shown) which clips into the holes 6, 6' and around which the end of the strap A is looped. The first connecting means can also include a bar 7, clipped into holes 8, 8', under which the strap can be fed, before the holes in the strap are located on the or each protuberance 5,5'. This position is seen most clearly in Fig. 3.

As shown in Fig. 4, after the strap is fed in under the bar 7, the strap is pressed onto the protuberances 5,5' so that they fit into one or more of the holes. The strap can thus be connected in a number of different positions, so that it can fit wrists of different sizes, or so that a user can adjust the tightness of the strap.

As shown in Fig. 2, in this embodiment there are two protuberances, but there -may be one or possibly three or more. The protuberances are in the form of narrow cylindrical members with enlarged heads, so that the strap will not tend to slip off. The protuberances are thus similar to the heads of nails.

To close the strap, the second part 2 is folded on top of the first part 1 (on top of the opposite surface to that on which the end of the strap A is located). The two parts have complementary curved profiles, to approximately follow the shape of the wrist. At the end of the second part is arranged a clip section 10 which is pivotably connected to the second part 2 and to which the other half of the strap (not shown) is connected. The clip section folds back on top of the second part 2, in the closed position of the strap, to provide a substantially flat finish to the strap.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the first part 1 of the clasp includes a lug 11 and, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the clip section includes an aperture 12 into which the lug can clip, upon the two parts being pressed together (the lug 11 also passes through aperture 13 in the second part 2). For release of the two parts, button 14 on the side of the clip section is pressed, against the action of a spring (not shown) to release the lug 11. The button 14 moves a plate within the clip section 10 over which the lug catches.

The clasp described above thus enables a conventional leather strap to be used with a folding type clasp, without the need for any special adaptation of the strap and without the need for its length to be predetermined.

Claims

1. A folding clasp for a watch strap, comprising two parts pivotable relative to one another, one part being pivotable between a first position in which it overlies the second part to provide a shortened, closed position for the strap and a second position in which it extends away from the second part to provide a lengthened, open position for the strap, wherein locking means are provided to releasably lock the two parts together in the first position, wherein connecting means are provided to connect the ends of a watch strap to the parts of the clasp, the connecting means on one part comprising at least one upstanding protuberance, wherein a strap of the type with a series of holes therein can be connected to the clasp in an adjustable fashion.

2. A folding clasp as claimed in claim 1, wherein two upstanding protuberances are provided.

3. A watch strap which incorporates a folding clasp as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2.

4. A folding clasp substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawing.