US20240049842A1

US20240049842A1 - Strap

Info

Publication number: US20240049842A1
Application number: US18/259,030
Authority: US
Inventors: Outman MAJID; Julien BREUILLOT
Original assignee: Manufacture dHorlogerie Audemars Piguet SA
Current assignee: Manufacture dHorlogerie Audemars Piguet SA
Priority date: 2020-12-22
Filing date: 2021-12-21
Publication date: 2024-02-15
Also published as: WO2022137096A1; JP2024500800A; EP4266942A1; CN116963636A; EP4018875A1

Abstract

Strap (1) comprising: a strand or a plurality of links (31b) of a first type; at least one connecting element (7b) connected inseparably to a strand or link of the first type; at least one adjusting link (32) which is intended to be connected to a watch case (2) or to a clasp and which can be connected separably to a connecting element; the at least one adjusting link including a button (6B) for locking and/or unlocking the connection to a connecting element.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a bracelet strap, for example a bracelet strap for a wristwatch.

PRIOR ART

Numerous bracelet straps have been conceived of in the field of horology and of jewelry in particular. Bracelet straps comprising two strap portions intended to surround the wrist of the wearer and a clasp for fastening the strap portions are notably known. The clasp is often fixed permanently or semi-permanently to one of the strap portions or to both strap portions. The strap portions in turn may be fixed to a case of the watch.
The strap portions may be made from a material that is flexible so as to be able to conform to the wrist, for example of leather, rubber, elastomer, textile, etc. Strap portions formed from a plurality of rigid links that are articulated to one another, for example metal or ceramic links, are also known. Certain bracelet straps combine rigid links with flexible portions.
An example of a wristwatch equipped with a conventional articulated-links bracelet strap 1 is depicted in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b . For the sake of simplicity, only one of the two strap portions of the bracelet strap has been illustrated. The bracelet strap in this example is a bracelet strap of articulated links comprising rows of metal links of a first type 31 which are connected to one another by rows of links of a second type 30, in this example consisting of studs. Each of the two strap portions is connected to the watch case 2 by means of a bar connection 4 which can be removed by means of a pin driver so that the bracelet strap can be replaced. In this example, the bar passes through the studs 30 of the first row of links and two housings formed in the case middle for these studs. A similar bar connection may be provided to connect the end of each bracelet strap portion to the bracelet strap clasp, not depicted.
Other means of connection between the bracelet strap and the case or the clasp have been conceived of, for example the use of screws.
Users sometimes wish to replace their watch strap themselves, for example if it is worn away or in order to match a bracelet strap to an outfit or to an activity. It is, for example, desirable to have a number of easily interchangeable bracelet straps so that the bracelet strap best suited to a particular activity can be chosen for each outing.
Changing a bracelet strap or a clasp does, however, prove to be somewhat impractical and generally requires appropriate tools, for example screwdrivers, pin drivers or tweezers.
The inept use of tools on a quality watch may cause scratching and other damage. Removal and refitting often involve handling very small-sized screws and pins that are easy to lose. For these reasons, these removal and refitting operations are generally reserved for the professionals.
The prior art already contains toolless systems for fitting bracelet straps. These systems generally have visible components, for example pushbuttons, that can be manipulated in order to lock or unlock the bracelet strap. However, the presence of these components detracts from the esthetic look of the watch or of the bracelet strap. Furthermore, these components may be manipulated inadvertently or with malicious intent, such that there is a risk of the watch becoming lost or stolen.
Toolless bracelet strap fixing systems are generally intended for watch cases or clasps that have been specially designed for this purpose. When a watch, or some other product, is designed to have a traditional connecting device, the transition to a toolless system is generally not possible. Conversely, watch cases or clasps provided with a toolless fixing system are generally not intended to be fitted to conventional bracelet straps.
Finally, such systems are difficult or impossible to adapt to suit existing ranges of watches and bracelet straps without modifying both the appearance of the bracelet strap and that of the case or clasp. It is desirable to offer removable bracelet straps that can be used without modifying the appearance of ranges of watch case, ranges of clasp and, so far as possible, ranges of bracelet straps that already exist.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome at least some of the abovementioned problems of the prior art.
In particular, it is an object of the present invention to propose a bracelet strap equipped with a removable connection that can be fitted to a conventional or existing esthetic element, notably a watch case and/or a clasp.
One objective is also to design an interchangeable bracelet strap that can be connected to an esthetic element, notably a watch case or a clasp, which was not designed to be connected to interchangeable bracelet straps.
According to the invention, these objectives are achieved notably by means of a bracelet strap comprising: a strap portion; at least one adaptation link intended to be connected to an esthetic element, at least one connecting element connected, on the one hand, inseparably to the strap portion and, on the other hand, detachably to said at least one adaptation link so as to allow the bracelet strap to be opened up without tools. Said at least one adaptation link includes a locking and/or unlocking button for locking and/or unlocking the connection with said at least one connecting element. This locking and/or unlocking button is intended, when actuated, to bring the adaptation link from a locked position, in which said at least one connecting element is locked to the adaptation link, into an unlocked position, in which said at least one connecting element can be disconnected from the adaptation link. The locking and/or unlocking button is hidden when the bracelet strap is being worn.
Thus, according to one aspect of the invention, the esthetic element such as a watch case or a clasp, which was not designed to be connected to an interchangeable bracelet strap, is rendered compatible with such a bracelet strap thanks to at least one adaptation link.
The interchangeability of the bracelet strap is achieved by virtue of a removable connection between two links of the bracelet strap or between one link and a strap portion, rather than between a bracelet strap portion and the esthetic element. It is thus possible to produce a bracelet strap of which all of the components, with the exception of at least one adaptation link, can be separated notably from a watch case or from a conventional clasp.
In other words, the bracelet strap can be opened up using an adaptation link which remains connected to the case or to the clasp and a link or strap portion of a first type.
The links of the first type preferably have an appearance, for example a shape, a dimension, an orientation and/or a color that is similar or uniform in relation to each other.
The bracelet strap may comprise links of a second type, distinct from the links of the first type. The links of the second type preferably have an appearance, for example a shape, a dimension, an orientation and/or a color that is similar or uniform in relation to each other. It is thus possible to immediately determine whether a link is a link of the first type or a link of the second type, even if there may be differences among links of the one same type.
A bracelet strap may comprise at least one adaptation link and at least one link of the second type having the same appearance when the bracelet strap is being worn.
The connection employs a connecting element connecting the adaptation link and the strap portion. This connecting element allows the strap portion to be secured to the associated adaptation link in the closed position, and disconnected in the open position.
The connection between the adaptation link and the connecting element is lockable, which is to say can be opened only by acting on the locking or unlocking button.
The locking or unlocking button is incorporated into the adaptation link and thus remains secured to the esthetic element, for example a watch case or a clasp. It is thus possible to replace the majority of the bracelet strap without replacing the locking and/or unlocking button, which is a member that is potentially complex.
The locking button constitutes a haptic member, which is to say a member intended to be manipulated directly by the user using a digit, for example by pushing or twisting it.
The adaptation link may be for example connected to a watch case or respectively to a clasp by means of a conventional disconnectable connection, for example a connection that can be disconnected using a tool, for example a bar or screws. Thus, the adaptation link may be fitted to a watch case and/or to a clasp that is equipped with conventional bracelet strap connecting means.
The adaptation link is thus designed to be associated, on the one hand, with a watch case or a clasp by means of a semi-permanent fixing, for example a bar, and on the other hand in a disconnectable manner to a connecting piece secured to a strap portion or a link of a first type.
The connecting element may be connected to a link of the first type or to a bracelet strap portion by means of an inseparable connection. It may for example be driven into the strap portion or welded, bonded or overmolded onto same. In one embodiment, the connecting element may constitute an integral portion of a link of the second type or of a strap portion.
In one embodiment, the locking and/or unlocking button may consist of a pushbutton under the underside of the bracelet strap, which is to say the face that faces toward the wrist when the bracelet strap is being worn.
In one embodiment, the locking and/or unlocking button may comprise a rotary link.
The adaptation link may comprise a female opening. The connecting element may comprise a male portion that can be inserted into said female opening. This arrangement may be reversed.
The locking and/or unlocking button makes it possible to prevent the male portion from being extracted from said opening in the locked position, and allows this extraction when it is manipulated into the unlocked position.
A bracelet strap may comprise at least one row equipped with several adaptation links.
A bracelet strap may comprise at least one row equipped with at least one link of the second type and with at least one adaptation link.
The appearance of a link of the second type and of an adaptation link in the same row may be identical when the bracelet strap is being worn.
At least one adaptation link may be intended to be connected securely to a bracelet strap clasp.
At least one adaptation link may be intended to be connected securely to a watch case.
The connecting element may be hidden when secured to an adaptation link.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are indicated in the description which is illustrated by the attached figures in which:

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b depict a bracelet strap according to the prior art, notably a bracelet strap for a wristwatch, in the open and closed positions respectively.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b depict perspective views of a bracelet strap portion according to a first embodiment, connected to a clasp, and in the open and, respectively, closed and locked, positions.

FIG. 3 a depicts a side view of a bracelet strap portion according to the first embodiment, connected to a clasp, in the closed but not locked position.

FIG. 3 b depicts a side view of a bracelet strap portion according to the first embodiment, connected to a clasp, in the closed and locked position, the strap portion being connected to a second bracelet strap portion by means of a clasp.

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b depict perspective views of a strap portion according to the first embodiment, connected to a deployment clasp, in the open and respectively closed and locked positions.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a bracelet strap link of the second type according to a second embodiment of the invention, intended to be connected to a watch case.

FIGS. 6 a to 6 c depict perspective views of a bracelet strap portion according to the second embodiment, in the open position (6 a), in the closed and locked position (6 b), and in the closed but unlocked position (6 c).

FIGS. 7 a to 7 c depict views in lateral section, from above and, respectively, from the side, of a watch case connected to a bracelet strap portion according to the second embodiment.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b depict a timepiece according to the prior art. A bracelet strap comprising two strap portions, of which just one strap portion 1, particularly a first strap portion 1, is visible and connected to a watch case 2 via links of the second type 30 configured in this example as studs. The links of the second type 30 are engaged in housings in the watch case and held in place by means of a screw bar 4.
FIGS. 2 a to 3 b depict a first embodiment of the invention in which the bracelet strap 1 is connected removably to a clasp 5 a. The figures proposed for illustrating this embodiment show a bracelet strap made of a flexible material, for example a bracelet strap made of rubber, elastomer, leather, textile, etc. The embodiment may, however, also be adapted to suit removable connection between an articulated-links bracelet strap and a clasp.
The clasp 5 a is connected by a pin or some other type of bar, not depicted, to a row of adaptation links comprising, for preference, a fixed adaptation link 32 a and a mobile adaptation link 32 a′. The strap portion 3 a is connected to a connecting element 7 a which may be connected and locked to this row of links. In one embodiment, the strap portion 3 a is overmoulded over the connecting element 7 a. The strap portion 3 a may also be connected by a pin to the connecting element 7 a.
The connection between the row of adaptation links 32 a, 32 a′ and the clasp 5 a may be semi-permanent, which is to say not intended to be opened each time the bracelet strap is replaced, although it can be if necessary, for example using a tool. The connection between the connecting element 7 a and the strap portion 3 a may be inseparable.
In the embodiment illustrated, the connecting piece 7 a comprises a male portion, for example a post 9, that can be engaged in an opening 10 a, for example a groove, formed in one of the adaptation links connected to the clasp, in this instance a central link that differs from the two lateral adaptation links 32 a, 32 a′. The groove extends in a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in which the bracelet strap extends. The groove 10 a is open at one lateral end to allow the post 9 to enter and exit the groove so as to reversibly connect the two components.
The mobile adaptation link 32 a′ of the first row connected to the clasp 5 a forms a locking and unlocking button 6 a. To this end, this link may be pivoted by the user about an axis essentially parallel to the direction of the groove 10 a, so as to be able to be moved between a locked position as depicted in FIGS. 2 b and 3 b , in which this adaptation link 32 a′ obstructs the open end of the groove, thus preventing the post 9 from exiting the groove, and an unlocked position depicted in FIGS. 2 a and 3 a , in which the post can be introduced into the groove 10 a or removed therefrom.
Advantageously, the mobile adaptation link 32 a′ is designed so that it cannot flip into the unlocked position when the bracelet strap is fixed around the wrist of the wearer, so as to offer security against accidental opening of the bracelet strap. To this end, the second strap portion of the bracelet strap introduced into the clasp 5 a and into the keeper loop 19 prevents the adaptation link 32 a′ from rotating toward the unlocked position, as may be seen in FIG. 3 b . The opening of the connection between the first row of links and the connecting piece 7 a thus in this example requires the bracelet strap to be opened at the clasp 5 a beforehand, in order to be able to remove the second strap portion of the bracelet strap.
FIGS. 4 a and 4 b illustrate a connection similar to that of FIGS. 2 a to 3 b but interposed between a bracelet strap portion and a deployment clasp 5 b by way of clasp.
FIGS. 5 to 7 c illustrate another embodiment in which the bracelet strap can be opened without a tool thanks to a connection between one strap portion of the bracelet strap and a row of adaptation links 32 b which are connected directly to a watch case.
FIGS. 6 a to 6 c illustrate an example with a flexible bracelet strap portion comprising a row of adaptation links 32 b and a flexible strap portion 3 a.
FIGS. 7 a to 7 c illustrate an example with an articulated-links bracelet strap portion comprising several rows of links of a first type 30 a and several rows of links of a second type 30 b, the various rows of links being articulated to one another.
In both of these examples, the watch case comprises housings for links of the second type 30 b, for example in the form of studs. These housings may accommodate either the links of the second type 30 b of a conventional bracelet strap, or the adaptation links 32 b of a bracelet strap according to the invention. The adaptation links 32 b are mounted in these housings and held there semi-permanently, for example using a bar passing through a transverse hole 23 through these links. What is meant in this context by semi-permanent is that the adaptation links 32 b are not intended to be disconnected from the watch case 2 each time the bracelet strap is replaced, but that they may nevertheless be separated from the watch case, for example using a tool or at a workshop, to be replaced with the links of the second type from a conventional bracelet strap.
Each adaptation link 32 b incorporates a locking and/or unlocking button 6 b to lock and/or unlock the connection with a strap portion or link of the second type. The locking and/or unlocking button is preferably hidden and practically invisible when the bracelet strap is being worn; to this end, the locking button is preferably visible only on those faces of the adaptation links that are hidden when the bracelet strap is being worn.
An example of an adaptation link 32 b comprising a locking and/or unlocking button is illustrated in FIG. 5 . The only face of this link that is visible when the bracelet strap is being worn is the upper face, which is substantially identical to the corresponding face of the links of the second type 30 b. The lower face, which is to say the one that faces toward the wrist when the bracelet strap is being worn, on the other hand comprises a locking and/or unlocking button in the form of a pushbutton 6 b.
The operation of this pushbutton will be better understood in the light of FIGS. 6 a to 6 c . As can be seen, the adaptation link 32 b comprises a housing 14 inside which the pushbutton 6 b is arranged. This pushbutton has a mobile body 9 designed to collaborate with a spring, for example a compression spring 13, positioned in the bottom of the housing 14. The mobile body 9 is designed to move, preferably in a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the plane of the bracelet strap 1, when the pushbutton 6 b is actuated. The adaptation link 32 comprises, on one side, a passage 16 communicating with the housing 14. The mobile body 9 comprises an opening 10 b as well as a tooth 15 arranged facing the passage 16. The bracelet strap 1 comprises two connecting elements 7 b connected to the bracelet strap portion 3 a and designed to be clipped inside the corresponding adaptation link. Because the locking mechanism is the same for each adaptation link 32 b, the description that follows refers to just one of the adaptation links. The strap portion may for example be overmolded over the connecting element 7 b, or secured by other permanent or semi-permanent means.
The connecting element 7 b comprises a hook 11 intended to be inserted into an opening 10 b in the adaptation link 32 b. The hook 11 and the opening 10 b may have a rectangular cross section with rounded corners, as may notably be seen in FIG. 5 .
The hook 11 may be clipped into the opening 10 b to secure the connecting piece to the adaptation link. FIGS. 6 a and 6 b show the adaptation link 32 b in configurations respectively separate from and attached to the connecting element 7 b. In the connected configuration of FIG. 6 b , the bracelet strap portion 3 a and the adaptation link 32 b are against one another and secured together.
The bracelet strap portion 3 a and the connecting element 7 b may be secured by simple clip fastening. To this end, the hook 11 of the connecting element 7 b is introduced into the passage 16 of the adaptation link 32 b, and an inclined surface of the hook 11 pushes against the back of the tooth 15, causing the mobile body 9 to move thus compressing the spring 13 and allowing the end of the hook 11 to enter the opening 10 b of the mobile body 9. The tooth 15 of the mobile body 9 of the pushbutton 6 b drops back automatically behind the inclined surface of the hook 11 under the action of the spring 13 so as to lock the two parts 7 b, 32 b in the configuration of FIG. 6 b , so as to block the extraction of the connecting piece 7 b out of the opening 10 b. The flank of the tooth 15 that bears against the hook 11 is preferably re-entrant so as to prevent the risk of the tooth slipping against this hook if the bracelet strap is pulled.
The bracelet strap portion 3 a and the connecting element 7 b may be disconnected, as shown in FIG. 6 c , by actuating the pushbutton 6 b. Pressing the pushbutton 6 b disengages the tooth 16 from the hook 11 thus allowing disassembly of the connecting element 7 b.
FIGS. 7 a, 7 b, and 7 c illustrate a watch with a bracelet strap that can be detached without the use of tools according to the invention. FIG. 7 a is an enlarged cross section on “C-C” of FIG. 7 b.
The watch case 2 is preferably equipped with two adaptation links for connection to a strap portion 3 b of the bracelet strap 1. The same layout is replicated symmetrically on the opposite side for connecting to the other bracelet strap portion, which is not visible. Advantageously, each strap portion of the bracelet strap 1 is connected to the watch case 2 by two distinct adaptation links 32 b. This configuration offers additional security in case one of the locking features on one of the adaptation links accidentally opens.
According to FIG. 7 b , the articulated-links strap portion 3 b comprises a plurality of links of a first type 30 a and a plurality of links of a second type 30 b. The two adaptation links 32 b are substantially indistinguishable from the links of the second type 30 b when the bracelet strap is being worn. In the example of FIG. 7 b , the articulated-links strap portion 3 b comprises two links of the second type 30 b per row. In a variant which has not been illustrated, the bracelet strap comprises just one adaptation link and just one link of the second type per row. According to another variant which has not been illustrated, the bracelet strap comprises three adaptation links and three links of the second type per row. The dimensions of the adaptation links and of the links of the second type are adapted according to the number of links of the second type per row.
The detailed description and the figures relate to an example consisting of a wristwatch with a clasp and a case, although this is not a limitation of the invention which could equally well be applied to an item of jewelry, a necklace, a belt, any chain to be fixed to part of the body, or else an object intended to be worn about the body using a chain.
Thus, the delicate operation of changing an element of a fixing chain, which element was not designed to be removed without the use of tools, is considerably simplified, becoming accessible to all, faster, without the need for special purpose tooling and without the risk of damaging a component through inept handling. The invention advantageously makes it possible to offer the function of interchangeability for new developments while reusing existing components not designed for that purpose. For example, it is possible to render a bracelet strap or a clasp easily interchangeable without the need to modify either the clasp or the bracelet strap. Finally, the invention offers the further advantage of achieving interchangeability without the need for tools and with a very limited if not to say zero esthetic impact so as not to detract from the style of a product.

Claims

1. A bracelet strap comprising:

a strap portion;

at least one connecting element connected inseparably to said strap portion;

at least one adaptation link, intended to be connected to an esthetic element and to be detachably connected to said at least one connecting element;

said at least one adaptation link including a locking and/or unlocking button intended, when actuated, to bring the adaptation link from a locked position, in which said at least one connecting element is locked to the adaptation link, into an unlocked position, in which said at least one connecting element can be disconnected from the adaptation link,

the locking and/or unlocking button being hidden when the bracelet strap is being worn.

2. The bracelet strap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the strap portion is either a strap portion formed completely or partly from a flexible material, or a strap portion made up of articulated links.

3. The bracelet strap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting element and the or each adaptation link are connected to one another removably by means of a male portion inserted into a female opening, said locking and/or unlocking button making it possible to prevent the male portion from being extracted from said female opening when said at least one adaptation is in the locked position, and allowing this extraction when said at least one adaptation link is in the unlocked position.

4. The bracelet strap as claimed in claim 3, wherein said female opening forms part of a clasp and forms a groove in a transverse direction relative to the length of the strap portion, the male portion being designed to slide in the groove as it is being inserted or extracted.

5. The bracelet strap as claimed in claim 4, comprising at least one row of links comprising a fixed adaptation link and a mobile adaptation link, the fixed and mobile adaptation links being intended to be connected to the clasp, the mobile adaptation link being intended to perform the function of the locking and/or unlocking button, said mobile adaptation link being designed for this reason to pivot about an axis parallel to the groove between the locked position and the unlocked position so as to allow or respectively to block the insertion or the extraction of the male portion relative to the groove, the male portion being, for example, a post.

6. The bracelet strap as claimed in claim 5, designed so that a second strap portion of the bracelet strap prevents said locking and/or unlocking button from being manipulated when the bracelet strap is fastened.

7. The bracelet strap as claimed in claim 3, comprising at least one adaptation link, preferably two adaptation links, connected to a watch case when a strap portion of the bracelet strap is connected to said watch case.

8. The bracelet strap as claimed in claim 7, wherein the or each adaptation link comprises a housing and wherein the locking and/or unlocking button is in the form of a pushbutton arranged inside the housing of the or of each adaptation link so that it can move therein when the or each adaptation link is brought from the locked position to the unlocked position.

9. The bracelet strap as claimed in claim 8, wherein the or each adaptation link comprises, on one side, a passage communicating with the housing, the or each pushbutton comprising a mobile body and an elastic member arranged in the housing to collaborate with the mobile body, said mobile body comprising the female opening, and wherein at least one connecting element, preferably two connecting elements, is or are connected inseparably to said strap portion and is or are designed to be introduced into the passage and the female opening of the or of each corresponding adaptation link so as to lock said strap portion to the watch case without the need to actuate the pushbutton or pushbuttons.

10. The bracelet strap as claimed in claim 9, wherein the mobile body has a tooth arranged facing the passage, the or each connecting element comprising a hook engaging with the tooth in the locked position, actuation of the pushbutton allowing the tooth to disengage from the hook so that said strap portion of the bracelet strap can be disconnected.

11. The bracelet strap as claimed in claim 7, wherein the articulated-links strap portion comprises a plurality of links of a first type and a plurality of links of a second type,

the or each adaptation link being substantially indistinguishable from said links of the second type when the bracelet strap is being worn.

12. The bracelet strap as claimed in claim 11, the links of the first type having an appearance, for example a shape, a dimension, an orientation and/or a color that are substantially identical to one another,

the links of the second type having an appearance, for example a shape, a dimension, an orientation and/or a color that are substantially uniform in relation to one another,

the or each adaptation link having an appearance, for example a shape, a dimension, an orientation and/or a color that is substantially identical to that of the links of the second type when the bracelet strap is being worn.

13. A wristwatch comprising a bracelet strap as claimed in claim 1.