Classifications

• • 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
  • A44C5/02—Link constructions
  • A44C5/10—Link constructions not extensible
  • A44C5/107—Link constructions not extensible with links made of more than two elements including connecting elements

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a flexible bracelet with articulated links.
• the currently known metal watch bands consist of links generally articulated to each other by transverse pins. If it allows to obtain satisfactory results concerning the mechanical resistance for example, this mode of articulation has however the disadvantage of requiring a minimum thickness for the links, greater than the diameter of the pins.
• the object of the invention is to propose a flexible bracelet whose articulation between links would be designed so as to be able to produce a bracelet of much smaller thickness, without however adversely affecting the solidity of the assembly and with all the resulting aesthetic benefits.
• each link is articulated to an adjacent link by at least one first ball immobilized between two retaining means provided respectively on a first flange of said link and on a second flange of said adjacent link, and by at least one second ball immobilized between two retaining means provided respectively on a second flange of said link and on a first flange of said adjacent link, the first and second flanges of the same link being maintained in a parallel configuration by assembly means.
• said retaining means are circular cutouts against which said balls come to bear.
• said circular cuts have a chamfer outside the links.
• one of said links comprises flanges between which a watch case is inserted, at least one of said flanges being pierced with an opening.
• said assembly means consist of at least one spacer placed between the flanges of the links, and by a fixing screw passing through said spacer.
• said beads are made of one of the following materials: gold, silver, platinum, steel, fine stone, hard stone, synthetic stone, transparent or opaque and the links are made of one of the following materials: gold, silver, platinum, steel , brass.
• the first and second flanges of the same link are maintained in an inverted or head-to-tail configuration by defining respectively a front face and a back face.
• first and second flanges of the same link define lateral faces between which is disposed a central flange provided with retaining means in which said balls are supported.
• the thickness of the flexible bracelet with articulated links according to the invention is essentially determined by the diameter of the balls ensuring the articulation between the links. This thickness can therefore be made as small as desired, only considerations of mechanical strength limiting its reduction.
• one of said links to include flanges between which a watch case is inserted, at least one of said flanges being pierced with an opening.
• FIG. 3 is a top view of a first alternative embodiment of the bracelet of Figures la and lb;
• FIG. 4 is a top view in partial section of a second alternative embodiment of the bracelet of the invention.
• Figures la, lb and show, in top view, side and perspective, a flexible bracelet with articulated links in which a link 10 is constituted by a first flange 100 and a second flange 200, said flanges being held in a antiparallel configuration, or head to tail, by assembly means.
• said assembly means are formed by two spacers 301 placed between the flanges 100, 200 of the link 10 and by two fixing screws 302 passing respectively through the spacers 301.
• the flanges 100, 200 are flat and all identical. They are nested one inside the other in two series respectively defining a front face and a parallel back face.
• Each flange 100, 200 consists of two lateral tabs 100b, 100c delimiting between them a U-shaped housing.
• the lateral tabs 100b, 100c extend along the longitudinal axis of the flange 100 by a central tab 100a intended to engage in the U-shaped housing of the adjacent flange 101 of the same series.
• 301, 302 assembly can be made of a precious metal: gold, silver, platinum or even steel or brass.
• the link 10 is articulated to the adjacent link 12 by two first balls 122 immobilized respectively between two circular cutouts 120 formed in the first flange 100 of the link 10 and two equivalent circular cutouts made on second flange 202 of the adjacent link 12, and by a second ball 212 immobilized between a circular cut 220 formed on the second flange 200 of the link 10 and an equivalent circular cut formed on the first flange 102 of the adjacent link 12.
• transverse connecting lines are thus defined between the contiguous links and between the two faces of the bracelet.
• These connecting lines constitute as many axes of articulation which confer on the bracelet, longitudinal flexibility allowing it to take a sufficient curvature to adapt to various and varied morphologies.
• connecting lines comprising more than three balls by modifying the shape of the flanges.
• the invention has been described with three articulation balls between two adjacent links. It could just as easily be implemented with any number of balls greater than or equal to 2.
• most of the thickness of the bracelet of the invention is determined by the diameter of the articulation balls. Consequently, very flat and flexible bracelets can be obtained by using small diameter beads.
• Said articulation balls can be made of precious metal: gold, silver, platinum, or steel, as well as fine stone, hard stone, synthetic stone, transparent or opaque.
• FIG. 3 represents a possible variant of the flexible bracelet of FIGS. 1a and 1b.
• This variant more specifically intended for jewelry, is obtained by substantially reducing on each flange the metal connecting parts between the circular cutouts receiving the articulation balls.
• the bracelet thus produced has the advantage of highlighting the beads, especially when they are made of stone.
• the circular cutouts 110, 210 and 120, 220 have chamfers 113, 213 and
• the bracelet includes a particular link 10 ′, the two flanges 100 ′, 200 ′ of which are the dimensions of a watch case, so that said case can be inserted between the two flanges.
• One of said flanges 100 ′ is pierced with an opening 400 for viewing the dial of the housing.
• each link 10 consists of two flanges 100, 200 facing each other, defining lateral faces which are held parallel by assembly means 301, 302.
• Each link 10 is articulated to an adjacent link 11 by at least two sets of two balls 121, 211 and 122, 212.
• Each ball such as for example ball 121, is immobilized between two retaining means such as cavities or circular cutouts formed respectively on one of the lateral flanges 100 of the link 10 and on a central flange 500 disposed offset between two adjacent links 10, 11.
• the central flange 500 is therefore held in place only by the support of the balls in their respective accommodation.
• the alignment of the two balls 121, 211 of the same set in a link 10 creates an articulation of diametrical axis which gives longitudinal flexibility to the bracelet.

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Family

ID=9466642

Family Applications (1)

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Citations (4)

• 1994
  • 1994-08-30 FR FR9410536A patent/FR2723823A1/fr active Granted
• 1995
  • 1995-08-30 WO PCT/FR1995/001132 patent/WO1996006542A1/fr active IP Right Grant
  • 1995-08-30 EP EP95929146A patent/EP0778740B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1995-08-30 DE DE69509395T patent/DE69509395D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime

Patent Citations (4)

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