NL2033404B1

NL2033404B1 - An anti-theft assembly for a wristwatch, a rigid sleeve, a method for forming the same, and a metal casting mold

Info

Publication number: NL2033404B1
Application number: NL2033404A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Oomen Davey
Original assignee: Oomen Davey
Priority date: 2022-10-27
Filing date: 2022-10-27
Publication date: 2023-08-04
Also published as: NL2033404A; WO2024091118A1

Abstract

An anti—theft assembly (1000) comprising: a wristwatch (100) comprising a bracelet (20) provided with a folding clasp (10), wherein said folding clasp (10) comprises a first blade (11); and a second blade (12), wherein the first and second blades are hinged to each other around an axis (X) for allowing the first and second blade to fold over or into each other for closing said clasp (10), characterized in that the assembly further comprises: a rigid sleeve (1) comprising two openings (2.1, 2.2) on opposite faces together forming a through hole (2) dimensioned. so that the sleeve slidably fits onto the folding clasp such that the first and second blades extend through the through hole, and wherein the through hole is further dimensioned such that the first and second clasp are prevented from moving apart for opening said clasp.

Description

An anti-theft assembly for a wristwatch, a rigid sleeve, a method for forming the same, and a metal casting mold

The present invention pertains to metal sleeve for a folding clasp of a wristwatch.

In particular the invention pertains to metal sleeves for the so called a deployment clasp, also called the deployant. A rigid sleeve is a rigid band, such as a metal band, optionally forming a closed loop.

The deployant was invented by Louis Cartier (the grandson of the founder) in 1910. The name comes from the French word déployant, which means to unfold, extend, or unfurl. The deployant extends the life of straps because once it is fitted to the correct length, the strap need not be fiddled around with every time the watch is put on and taken off. One advantage of a deployant clasp is that it makes the watch much harder to drop even when unbuckled, as the watch remains an unbroken loop around the wrist, so even if the watch head should slip from your hand, the watch is unlikely to leave your wrist. The deployant is for the above reason commonly adopted in high end wrist watches, such as the popular brand ‘Rolex’. A deployant usually comprises a first blade and a second blade designed to fold over or into one, wherein the first and second blades are hinged to each other around an axis and can reversibly lock to each other.

While the deployant has evolved over time the basic features of the deployant remain the same. More recent versions of the deployant may include a link adjusting element for the bracelet

EP3329796B1 or locking element provided to the bracelet links

EP2644050B1. A butterfly deployment clasp is also popular.

The near universal nature of, and the broad adoption of, the deployant in high-end wrist watches has come at a cost. Over many decades both friendly tricksters and fiendish thieves have,

through practice with the clasp type, developed techniques of diversion and manipulation by which means the deployant can be opened and the watch can be taken in a manner that is largely unnoticed.

It is an aim of this invention to secure high-end watches provided with a folding clasp in the bracelet of a watch against theft, or at least to delay any attempt at the illicit acquisition thereof.

To this end the invention provides, according to a first aspect thereof: An anti-theft assembly of comprising a rigid sleeve; and a wristwatch comprising a wrist bracelet provided. The bracelet being provided with a folding clasp. Said folding clasp comprises a first blade; and a second blade. The first and second blades are hinged to each other around an axis for allowing the first and second blade to fold over or into each other for closing said clasp. The sleeve itself comprises two openings on opposite faces together forming a through hole dimensioned such that the sleeve slidably fits onto and over the folding clasp so that the first and second blades extend through the through hole when, in use, the clasp is closed. The through hole is further dimensioned such that the first and second clasp are prevented from moving apart for opening said clasp. That is to say, the height of the through hole is chosen such that the first and second blades cannot move apart, so that the clasp assumes an open position, in which the first and second blades are unfolded.

In one example, the sleeve comprises two first lateral walls wherein a distance between the outer surface of each of these two first lateral walls is substantially equal to the width of the bracelet. In such case, each wall of the two first lateral walls is provided with a protrusion extending from the outer surface of said lateral wall in an outward direction for allowing

- 3 = a user to manually reversibly remove the sleeve from the clasp by sliding the sleeve in a direction along the wristband. That is to say, in practice a user will be able to manually engage, such as with thumb and index finger, the sleeve by these protrusions so as to reversibly slide the sleeve onto the closed clasp between the users skin and a portion of the bracelet. This feature beneficially allows the security assembly to be disassembled easily by a wearer while under duress, whereas it simultaneously provides for an unexpected obstacle for those instances of thieving that merely consist of a slight of hand.

Preferably, the sleeve is formed as a singular piece of metal, that is to say that all features of the sleeve are integrally formed. This allows for ease of manufacturing. Most preferably the bracelet comprises metal links, wherein the metal of the sleeve is substantially identical to the metal of links of the bracelet. This choice of material largely prevents that movement of the sleeve with respect to the clasp and vice versa will cause scratches. This is particularly beneficial for instances in which softer metals or alloys are used, such as the ones comprising gold. Some examples are Gold-silver-copper alloys, gold-silver alloys, gold-copper alloys, and pure gold. By providing the sleeve of the same material the sleeve is furthermore less noticeable, at least to uninitiated thieves, as same material camouflages the sleeve against the bracelet of the watch. The benefit of camouflage would also apply for stainless steel bands and stainless steel bracelet links.

In order to prevent the accidental loss of the sleeve the sleeve may comprise two second lateral walls that together with the two first lateral walls define the through hole. One of the second lateral walls comprises a protrusion extending from an inner surface of said second lateral into the through hole for engaging with the a first blade or second blade of the clasp when, in use, the clasp is closed. This protrusion causes additional resistance against the sliding motion that would allow the sleeve to become disassembled from the clasp/wristwatch.

Separately from the above the sleeve and clasp can be either of substantially the same material, or the clasp can be of a material having a higher hardness than the sleeve. This also prevents scratching of the clasp and ensures the durability of the wristwatch. It is noted that various methods of determining the hardness of metals have been developed, most of which involve the measurement of the size of an indentation on the surface of the material in relation to the force used to make the indent.

The first widely used system was proposed by the Swedish engineer

Johan Brinell in 1900, involving a spherical indenter. The large size of the resulting indentation and possible damage to the test piece limits the usefulness of the Brinell method. An alternative method was developed by two engineers at the British company, Vickers, in 1921. The Vickers test has a number of advantages. It produces an accurate number by measuring microscopically the diagonals of a diamond-shaped impression.

It can be used for all metals and covers a wide range of hardness. The unit of hardness given by the test is known as the

Vickers Pyramid Number or Vickers Hardness (HV) with units of kgf/mm?. For SI purists, this unit (kgf/mm?) can be converted into MPa (megapascals) by multiplying by the gravitational acceleration of 9.807. Comparison with some commonly used and related metals is shown herein below.

Metal HV (kg/mm2)

Aluminum 16

Copper 35

Gold 25

Iridium 200

Iron 62

Palladium 50

Platinum 48

Silver 26

In one example the sleeve can comprises two second lateral walls that together with the two first lateral walls define the through hole. One of the second lateral walls may then comprises a protrusion extending from an inner surface of said second lateral into the through hole for engaging with the a first blade or second blade of the clasp. Such protrusion may be obtained by striking an indentation into an outer surface of the preformed sleeve, such as with a sharp pointed object. This example reliably increases the static friction of the sleeve on the clasp, while no additional material needs to be provided, often gold, to form a friction element. This is of great benefit to both cost and ease of manufacture. In this case the protrusion of the one second lateral walls corresponds to an indentation on an outer surface of said one second lateral wall.

It was also found that a wearer will present no discomfort if the distance between the outer surfaces of the two second lateral walls is substantially equal to a thickness of at least one link of the links of the bracelet. That is to say the distance may vary between 50-150%, preferably 80-120% of the thickness of a link.

Usually, a clasp, that is to say its first and second blades, will be curved along its length to (comfortably) follow the curvature of a human wrist when the clasp is closed. It was however found that, by making having no inner surface portion of said sleeve corresponds to said clasp curvature, the assembly is more resistant against automatic disassembly. More in general, the sleeve is uncurved, that is to say substantially entirely straight, along its length. It is assumed that this prevents accidental sliding of the sleeve as a result of the skin’s elastic deformation.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provide a rigid sleeve of the assembly according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a metal casting mold for casting the rigid sleeve.

Finally, according to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of forming a rigid sleeve comprising the step of: — casting the sleeve in a mold; and optionally - indenting an outer surface of the sleeve such that an internal protrusion is formed on the opposite inner surface of said outer surface.

The invention will hereinafter be elucidated by reference to a set of drawings:

Fig. 1 clasp and sleeve;

Fig. 2 first cross section sleeve;

Fig. 3 second cross section sleeve;

Fig. 4 third cross section sleeve; and

Fig. 5 assembly on wrist,

Figure 1 shows the components of an anti-theft assembly 1000 according to the invention. The assembly is one of a wristwatch 100 and a sleeve 1. Said wristwatch comprises a bracelet 201 which is interrupted by a folding clasp 10 that itself forms part of the bracelet. This clasp here assumes the form of a deployant. That between an open and closed position the bracelet changes in length, but remains uninterrupted. The clasp has a first blade 11 and a second blade 12. These first and second blades are hinged to each other around an axis X for allowing the first and second blade to fold over each other to close the clasp 10. It is noted that Figure 1 shows the clasp as open.

The sleeve is rigid and integral entirely made of an 18kt gold alloy of gold, silver and copper. The sleeve comprises two openings on opposite faces together forming a through hole 2.

This is best seen in Figure 3 which represent a ‘horizontal’

cross-sectional view B-B of the link which is perpendicular to the ‘vertical’ «cross-sectional view A-A, which is itself represented in Figure 2. The through hole 2, as defined by the inner surface of the sleeve, is dimensioned so that the sleeve slidably fits onto the folding clasp such that the first and second blades extend through the through hole 2 and are prevented from moving apart for opening said clasp. This is best seen in

Figure 4 which shows a third cross-sectional view C-C in which the clasp 10 extends through the through hole 2. Figure 4 shows that the blades of the clasp are prevented from moving apart while the sleeve 1 is assembled with the watch 100.

Figure 2, as mentioned before, shows ‘vertical’ cross-sectional view A-A. In this Figure the sleeve is shown to comprise two first lateral walls 3.1, 3.2 wherein the distance W between the outer surface of each of these two first lateral walls is substantially equal to the width of the bracelet. Substantially equal is between 95-105% of the width of the bracelet. This also prevents that pulling or twisting of the wristwatch, while on a wrist, will cause the sleeve to jab into the skin of the user with its outer edges. In Figure 2 it can clearly be seen that each wall of the two first lateral walls is provided with a protrusion 4 extending from the outer surface of said lateral wall in an outward direction for allowing a user to manually reversibly remove the sleeve 1 from the clasp 10 by sliding the sleeve in a direction along the wristband. The reversible sliding motion is shown by arrow S, wherein in use such sliding of the sleeve occurs between the skin of the user U and the bracelet 20.

Figure 2 also shows that the sleeve has two second lateral walls 3.3, 3.4 that together with the two first lateral walls 3.1, 3.2 define the through hole 2. One of the second lateral walls, here the top wall 3.3, comprises a protrusion 5 extending from an inner surface of said second lateral 3.3 into the through hole

2 for engaging with the a first blade or second blade of the clasp. Figure 4 shows that the clasp is curved to follow the curvature of the wrist. In this example the sleeve 2 and watch are assembled such that the «claps 10 curves towards the protrusion 5. In this manner of assembly the protrusion may be smaller than it ordinarily would have to be. A protrusion provided by manner of indentation will have angles that are less sharp, thus further reducing scratching. It is noted that in

Figures 2 and 4 the protrusion 5 is formed through indentation of second lateral wall 3.3. This protrusion 5 is however entirely optional.

Figure 2 further shows a distance H between the outer surfaces of the two second lateral walls 3.3, 3.4. Figure 5 shows that this distance H is at least equal to half the thickness of at least one link of the links of the bracelet, and no larger than one and a half times said thickness. This improves comfort of wear.

Accordingly, there is described herein that the rigid sleeve 2 of the invention is a metal band, preferably of gold or a gold alloy, that forms a closed loop with a width W and a length L each being greater than a height H of said band. W, H and L are for reference shown in Figures 2-4. The closed loop, that is to say an uninterrupted loop, is substantially rectangular in shape. Furthermore, the two first and second walls each form a substantially flat outer and inner surface with the exception of a plurality of surface protrusions, of which two protrusions project outwardly from the sleeve, each from one of the two first walls for enabling manual engagement, and optionally one protrusion projecting from an inner surface of the sleeve.

The term rigid may further be understood to mean that the sleeve material and wall thickness is chosen such that plastic deformation of said sleeve under the outward pressure of an

- Gg - opening folding clasp, such as a deployant, is prevented and, wherein the material is non-elastic. Rubber would for example be a particularly unsuitable material for the purpose of the invention.

Finally, for completeness sake, all points of the invention are reiterated hereinbelow: 1. A wristwatch anti-theft assembly (1000) comprising: a wristwatch (100) comprising a bracelet (20) provided with a folding clasp (10), wherein said folding clasp (10) comprises a first blade (11); and a second blade (12), wherein the first and second blades are hinged to each other around an axis (X) for allowing the first and second blade to fold over or into each other for closing said clasp (10), characterized in that the assembly further comprises: a rigid sleeve (1) comprising two openings (2.1, 2.2) on opposite faces together forming a through hole (2) dimensioned so that the sleeve slidably fits onto the folding clasp such that the first and second blades extend through the through hole in a length direction of said sleeve, and wherein the through hole is further dimensioned such that the first and second clasp are prevented from moving apart for opening said clasp. 2. The assembly according to point 1, wherein the sleeve comprises two first lateral walls (3.1, 3.2) wherein a distance (W) between the outer surface of each of these two first lateral walls is substantially equal to the width of the bracelet, and wherein each wall of the two first lateral walls is provided with a protrusion (4) extending from the outer surface of said lateral wall in an outward direction for allowing a user to manually reversibly remove the sleeve from the clasp (10) by sliding the sleeve in a direction along the wristband.

3. The assembly according to point 1 or 2, wherein the sleeve is an integral metal sleeve. 4. The assembly according to point 3, wherein the metal is one of stainless steel, gold and gold alloy,

5. The assembly according to point 4, wherein the bracelet comprises metal links, and wherein the metal of the sleeve is substantially the same metal as the metal of the links.

6. The assembly according to any one of points 1-5, wherein the sleeve comprises two second lateral walls (3.3, 3.4)

that together with the two first lateral walls (3.1, 3.2) define the through hole (2), and wherein one of the second lateral walls comprises a protrusion (5) extending from an inner surface of said second lateral into the through hole (2) for engaging with the a first blade (11) or second blade (12) of the clasp

(10).

7. The assembly according to point 7, wherein the clasp is curved in its length direction, and wherein the sleeve (2) and watch are assembled such that, in use, the claps (10) curves towards the protrusion (5).

8. The assembly according to point 6 or 7, wherein the protrusion of the one second lateral walls corresponds to an indentation on an outer surface of said one second lateral wall.

9. The assembly according to point 5 and any one of points 6-8, wherein the distance (H) between the outer surfaces of the two second lateral walls (3.3, 3.4) is at least equal to half the thickness of at least one link of the links of the bracelet, and no larger than one and a half times said thickness.

10. The assembly according to any one of points 1-9, wherein the clasp (10) is curved along its length in a closed position, and wherein the sleeve (1) is substantially entirely straight along its length (L).

11. A rigid sleeve of the assembly according to any one of points 1-10. 12. A rigid integral sleeve for slidably and snugly fitting onto a closed deployment clasp of a wristwatch, wherein the sleeve is made of a gold or gold-alloy, and comprises a through hole and lateral protrusion for allowing manual slidable manipulation of said sleeve along the clasp.

13. The sleeve according to point 12, wherein the sleeve is indented to form a protrusion that extends into the through hole.

14. A metal casting mold for casting the rigid sleeve according to any one of claims 8-13 such that the sleeve is formed of one integral metal piece.

15. A method of forming a rigid sleeve according to point 12, comprising the step of: — casting the sleeve in a mold; and optionally - indenting an outer surface of the sleeve such that an internal protrusion is formed on the opposite inner surface of said outer surface.

Claims

CONCLUSIONS

A wrist watch anti-theft assembly (1000) comprising: a wrist watch (100) comprising a bracelet (20) provided with a folding clasp (10), the folding clasp (10) comprising: a first leaf (11); and a second leaf (12), the first and second leafs hinged together about an axis (X) to cause the first and second leaf to fold over or into each other to close the closure (10), characterized in that the assembly further comprises: a rigid sleeve (1) provided with two openings (2.1, 2.2) on opposite sides which together form a through hole (2) and dimensioned such that the sleeve fits slidably on the folding clasp so that the first and second leaves fit through the hole in a longitudinal direction of the sleeve, and wherein the hole is further dimensioned to prevent the first and second closure from moving apart to open the closure.

The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises two first side walls (3.1, 3.2) wherein a distance (W) between the outer surface of each of these two first side walls is substantially equal to the width of the bracelet, and wherein each wall of the two first side walls is provided with a protrusion (4) extending from the outer surface of said side wall in an outward direction to enable a user to manually reversibly remove the sleeve from the closure (10) by pulling the sleeve in a direction (S) along the wristband.

The assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the sleeve is an integral metal sleeve.

The assembly of claim 3, wherein the metal is one of stainless steel, gold or gold alloy,

The assembly of claim 4, wherein the bracelet comprises metal links, and wherein the metal of the sleeve is substantially the same metal as a metal of the links,

The assembly according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the sleeve comprises two second side walls (3.3, 3.4) which together with the two first side walls (3.1, 3.2) define the through hole (2), and wherein one of the second side walls includes a protrusion (5) extending from an inner surface of the second side wall into the through hole (2) to engage the first leaf (11) or second leaf (12) of the closure (10).

The assembly according to claim 7, wherein the clasp is curved along its length, and wherein the sleeve (2) and watch are arranged such that, in use, the clasp (10) curves towards the protrusion (5).

The assembly according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the protrusion of the one second side wall corresponds to a recess in an outer surface of the one second side wall.

The assembly according to claim 5 and any one of claims 6-8, wherein the distance (H) between the outer surfaces of the two second side walls (3.3, 3.4) is at least equal to half the thickness of at least one link of the links of the bracelet, and does not exceed one and a half times the said thickness.

An assembly according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the closure (10) in a closed position is curved along its length, and wherein the sleeve (1) is substantially straight throughout its length (L).

11. Rigid sleeve of the assembly according to any of claims 1-10.

12. A rigid integral sleeve slidably and snugly fitted to a closed deployant clasp of a wristwatch, where the sleeve is made of gold or gold alloy, and includes a through hole and a lateral projection for manual sliding manipulation of the sleeve along the closure.

The sleeve of claim 12, wherein the sleeve is indented to form a protrusion that extends into the through hole.

A metal mold for casting the rigid sleeve according to any one of claims 8-13, so that the sleeve is formed from one integral metal part.

A method for forming a rigid sleeve according to claim 12, comprising the step of: - casting the sleeve in a mould; and optionally - denting an outer surface of the sleeve so that an inner protrusion is formed on the opposite inner surface of the outer surface.