WO2007072108A1

WO2007072108A1 - Extensible device for watch strap

Info

Publication number: WO2007072108A1
Application number: PCT/IB2005/003942
Authority: WO
Inventors: Barbara Monti
Original assignee: Eberhard & Co. Sa
Priority date: 2005-12-22
Filing date: 2005-12-22
Publication date: 2007-06-28
Also published as: HK1122477A1; DE602005014574D1; EP1971236A1; CN101370406B; CN101370406A; ES2327259T3; EP1971236B1; ATE431710T1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an extensible device (1) for a watch strap (40) of predefined length, in particular for a diving watch strap. The extensible device can adopt two configurations, one short and one long, by a relative movement of two extreme parts (2, 3) between a mutually close position and a mutually distant position. Locking means (22, 24, 27, 32) are provided to keep the device in its short configuration, and the latter also has at least one control member (11). The latter can be used to operate the locking means in order to release the extreme parts from each other and allow the short configuration to be changed to the long configuration. The control member (11) is designed to be movable between two positions, a first position in which it is close to the extreme parts, and a second pulled position, in which it is remote from the extreme parts. The first position corresponds to a locked condition of the locking means, while the second position corresponds to their unlocked condition, which ensures a high degree of safety of the locking means and limits the risk of accidental manipulation of the extensible device.

Description

EXTENSIBLE DEVICE FOR WATCH BRACELET Technical Area

The present invention relates to an extensible device for a watch strap of the closed type and predefined length. More specifically, the present extensible device is intended to be integrated in such a bracelet to allow to increase the length, in particular to allow the establishment of a portable device to the wrist, such as a watch, over a diving suit. State of the art

Extensible devices of this type are known from the state of the art. By way of example, patent application EP 0 819 391 A1, filed in the name of the Rolex S.A. Watches, describes a device for adjusting the length of a metal bracelet provided with a clasp with folding blades. The clasp has a hood in which is housed the folding blade mechanism when the clasp is closed. A first end of the bracelet is integral with the hood while the second end of the bracelet is integral with the adjustment device, itself secured to the hood. The adjustment device comprises two adjacent links pivotally interconnected to allow their relative movement between two configurations, a short and a long. In the short configuration, one of the links is housed in a space adapted to the other link, the respective surfaces of the one and the other links being arranged in support against each other to fulfill a function of lock the short configuration.

When the folding clasp of the blades are folded under the hood, they cover the adjustment device to hide it. Consequently, to pass from the short configuration to the long configuration, and vice versa, the clasp must necessarily be open to allow the movements of the two adjustment links.

Moreover, a simple pull on the bracelet is enough to unlock the adjustment device when the clasp is open. This can lead to inadvertent opening of the adjustment device when the wearer of the watch opens the clasp to remove or put his watch. Moreover, this type of structure is not suitable for all forms of metal bracelet. In particular, some metal wristbands have clasps that do not have a hood and are therefore not suitable for the implementation of the adjustment device described above, since the latter could not be hidden under the wristband, being given its thickness. Disclosure of the invention The present invention is intended in particular to overcome the disadvantage of the above-mentioned prior art by providing an extensible device for a watch strap having specific means to guarantee its stability when in its configuration. short.

Another object of the extensible device according to the present invention is to provide a structure that can be implemented on any type of bracelet without harming the appearance of the latter.

For this purpose, the invention relates to an extensible device for a watch strap comprising a first and a second link, adjacent, respectively comprising first and second extremal parts. These are intended to be secured respectively to a first and a second ends of the bracelet, the device being arranged to be able to have at least two configurations, a short and a long. This device further comprises locking means having at least one open state and a closed state in which the stability of said short configuration is ensured.

More particularly, the extensible device according to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises at least one control member locking means capable of being moved between two positions in a direction substantially parallel to said general plane. A first position, close to the links, defines the closed state of the locking means, while the second position, remote from the links, defines the open state of the locking means. Preferably, the device comprises elastic means arranged to exert a restoring force on the control member tending to maintain the latter in its close position.

Thanks to its particular characteristics, the extensible device according to the invention has a high handling reliability, particularly preventing untimely openings that would cause an undesirable extension of the bracelet.

According to preferred embodiments, the locking means comprise at least one lug mounted in translation in a first end piece of the device and intended to cooperate with a fitted hole formed in the second end piece, when the device is in its short configuration. The lug is mounted integral with a control member arranged on one side of the device, being substantially perpendicular to the direction of the bracelet in which the device is integrated. In an advantageous variant of the present invention, two similar pins associated with two corresponding control members are arranged on either side of the extensible device to enhance the reliability of operation.

In general, the extensible device may have a structure similar to that of a clasp with folding blades for the structural part relating to the variation of its length.

Brief description of the drawings

Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description of the present invention which follows, made with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting examples and in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 represents a simplified side view of an extensible watchband device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the extensible device being represented in a first configuration;

[0018] - Figure 2 is a top view of the extensible device of Figure 1 in the first configuration; FIG. 3 is a view of the extensible device of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a second configuration, and FIG. 4 is a view of the extensible device on the opposite side to that of FIG. is assembled on a watch band. Mode (s) of realization of the invention

An extensible device 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is visible in Figure 1. This extensible device is likely to have a first short configuration and a second long configuration, to allow a variation of the length of a watch bracelet to which it can be integrated. On the face

1, the expandable device 1 is shown in its short configuration. The device 1 comprises a first and a second extremal parts 2 and 3, each intended to be connected to a free end of a bracelet. Thus, each of the extremal parts has means adapted to its mechanical connection with a given type of bracelet. A particular example of such connection means will be described later, in connection with the detailed description of Figures 2 and 4.

A curved tab 4 is mounted rigidly, by a first end

5, on the first extremal piece 2 by means of a bar 6, its curvature being directed towards the second extremal piece 3. The second end 7 of the curved tab 4 has a hole in which is housed a second bar 6 connecting it with a first blade 8 in an articulated manner. A second blade 9 is secured to the first blade 8 by means of a third bar 6, the second blade 9 being itself secured to the second end piece 3 by means of a fourth bar 6, the latter also allowing a relative pivoting of the blades 8 and 9 and the part 3.

In the short configuration of the extensible device 1 shown in Figure 1, the two blades 8 and 9 are folded against each other. We note, in this figure, that the bent tab 4 defines a recess

10, between it and the first extremal piece 2, for accommodating the end of the second blade 9 connected to the second extremal piece in this configuration, to limit the size of the device 1 in its thickness.

A first control member 11 of the locking means of the device is arranged on a first side of the first extremal piece 2.

The locking means of the device, as well as their operation, will now be described in detail, in connection with Figures 2 and 3. [0027] Figure 2 shows, in top view, the first configuration, short of the extensible device 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The extremal parts 2 and 3 each comprise a central element 20, 30, disposed between two lateral elements 21, 31. The central and lateral elements 20 of the first extremal part 2 are formed together in one piece in the mode. embodiment shown. The elements 30 and 31 of the second extremal piece 3 are distinct and made integral with each other by means of a bar 32, driven into the lateral elements, allowing their relative pivoting with respect to the central element.

30.

The locking means of the extensible device 1 are visible in transparency in Figure 2, the device having two control members 11, arranged on either side of the first end piece 2. Each control member 11, arranged on the outer side of a respective lateral element 21, has the shape of a ring comprising a threaded hole in its face facing the corresponding lateral element. A rod 22 is engaged in a hole 25 adapted from each of the lateral elements 21. This has a first threaded end 23, screwed into the corresponding control member, and a second end 24 which opens out from the opposite side of the corresponding side element to form a lug. In addition, the locking means comprise a disc 26, rigidly attached to the rod 22, to define a first bearing surface of a coil spring 27. A ring 28 is housed, in a fixed position, to the the entrance of the hole 25, on the side of the control member, to define a second bearing surface of the spring 27. Due to this structure, the spring acts simultaneously on the disc 26 and the ring 28 to maintain the control member 1 1 and the rod 22 in the depressed position, shown in Figure 2. The second end piece 3 has two blind holes 32 formed in its side faces so that they are aligned with each other and both with respect to the rods 22 when the extensible device is in its short configuration.

Thus, the cooperation of the two rods 22 with the holes 32, under the effect of the two springs 27, ensures the locking of the second end piece 3 with the first end piece 2 in the short configuration of the extensible device 1. The two extremal parts are thus integral through a pivot type connection.

Furthermore, the second end piece 3 has a bead 33 (visible in Figure 1), projecting on its underside and, having a hole (visible in Figure 3) to accommodate the bar 6 allowing connect it to the second blade 9. Preferably, the dimensions of the bead 33 are such that it has a shape substantially complementary to that of the recess 10 of the bent tab 4 of the first end piece 2.

The dimensions of the various elements constituting the locking means are preferably adapted so that the lugs of the free ends 24 of the rods 22 retract completely inside the lateral elements 21 of the first end piece 2, thus releasing the second extremal piece 3, in response to a pull exerted by a user on the two control members 1 1 by simultaneously spacing the extremal parts.

This unlocking operation makes it possible to pass the extensible device according to the present invention from its short configuration to a long configuration, represented in FIG. 3.

The fact of retracting the lugs of the locking means makes it possible to release the second extremal piece 3 with respect to the first extremal piece 2. The blades 8 and 9 are then free to pivot relative to each other. to the other, around the bar 6 ensuring their connection. The maximum length of the extensible device 1 is obtained when the two blades 8 and 9 are arranged substantially in the extension of one another. For the passage from the long configuration to the short configuration, the blades 8 and 9 must be brought back to one another by a reverse pivoting movement around the bar 6 connecting them. This movement is carried out in such a way that the bead 33 of the second end piece 3 is inserted into the recess 10 of the curved lug 4. At the same time, the rods 22 are pushed back inside the lateral elements 21 under the pressure of the central element 30. For this purpose, the free ends 24 of the rods each have a chamfer (not visible) of straight or curved slope. In addition, it can be provided that the central element 30 has grooves (not shown), in its lateral faces, in the form of ramps, to allow the exercise of an axial force on the ends 24 of the rods 22 during operation. insertion of the central element 30 between the lateral elements 21. It is well understood that such ramps should preferably extend from the underside of the central element 30 to open into the holes 32. In addition, the depth of each of the ramps, at the bottom surface of the second end piece, coincides ideally with the position of the ends 24 when the springs 27 are extended to the maximum. When the second end piece 3 is pressed towards the recess 10 until the holes 32 are positioned substantially in alignment with the rods 22, the latter are pushed towards the inside of the holes 32 under the effect of the force exerted by the springs 27 on the discs 26. The bottom of each of the holes 25 of the lateral elements

21 defines a stop for the displacement of the corresponding disk 26, during the translation of the rods 22 in the holes 32 of the central element 30.

It is noted, in particular with regard to the illustration of Figure 1, that the cooperation of the bead 33 with the recess 10 contributes to improving the tensile stability of the extensible device in its longitudinal direction in addition to defining a stop when from the long configuration to the short position. The arrangement of all the elements that have just been described thus contributes to locking together the two extremal parts 2 and 3. Moreover, the extremal parts have conventional means to allow their connection to a device. current type bracelet. In particular, FIGS. 1 to 3 show the presence of holes 29, 34 intended to house bars for connecting links or bracelet strands in a known manner. Figure 4 shows a side view of the extensible device 1 previously described when assembled with a particular bracelet, as an example.

The bracelet 40 shown is of the metal link type comprising two strands 41 and 42. Each strand comprises an end link 43 intended to be connected to a watch case (not shown). Moreover, the two strands 41 and 42 are connected to each other by means of a clasp folding blades 44 of conventional type. Those skilled in the art may in particular implement a clasp such as that described in patent application WO 2004/086895 A1, filed in the name of the

Applicant.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 4, the extensible device 1 is integrated into the bracelet.

40 in the manner of an ordinary link, between the clasp 44 and a strand 42 of the bracelet. The bracelet 40 has a predefined length, adjusted to the size of the wrist of the wearer, the clasp with folding blades allowing the latter to slip on or remove the watch from his wrist, the opening of the clasp leading the enlargement of the length of the bracelet for this purpose. The actuation of the extensible device 1 according to the present invention makes it possible to increase the length of the bracelet 40, so that it preferably has an intermediate length between those corresponding, on the one hand, to the closed configuration of the clasp and on the other hand, to the open configuration of the clasp. Thanks to these characteristics, a watch provided with a bracelet such as that shown in FIG. advantageously be worn over a diving suit, when the extensible device 1 is in its long configuration.

It may be noted, as mentioned above, that the structure of the locking means according to the present invention ensures a high level of security to the wearer. Indeed, it follows from the foregoing description that it is necessary to exert traction to neutralize the locking means according to the present invention, before the length of the extensible device can be modified, while the locking means generally work in the field of bracelets require movements of the type by pressure.

In addition, the structure of the extensible device according to the present invention ensures great discretion in that, instead of being concealed under a clasp cover as in some devices known in the state of the art, it presents a form very close to that of the ordinary links of the bracelet on which it is mounted.

Of course, the foregoing description of a preferred embodiment is presented by way of nonlimiting illustration and the person skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in implementing a large number of variant embodiments without departing from the of the present invention. In particular, it can be noted that it is possible to provide a single control member of the locking means without harming the qualities of the aforementioned device. Similarly, the structure of the locking means is described in a non-limiting manner. It may for example be provided alternatively, without departing from the scope of the present invention, that the ring 11 and the rod 22 are made in one piece. It is also possible to replace the pin-blind hole system with a plate system comprising a window cooperating with a hook of suitable shape. In this case, traction exerted on a control member causes a relative movement of translation between the window and the hook to align them and allow the latter to be extracted from the wafer.

Furthermore, the skilled person will not encounter any particular difficulty to produce the extremal parts 2 and 3 in any other suitable form. the implementation of the invention, in particular according to the appearance of the bracelet for integrating the expandable device. It will also be noted that the applications of the extensible device which has just been described are also not limited to bracelets of the type comprising a folding clasp.

Claims

claims

1. Expandable device (1) for wristwatch (40) comprising a first and a second adjacent links respectively bearing first and second end pieces (2, 3) intended to be secured respectively a first and a second respectively ends of the bracelet, the device being arranged so as to have at least two configurations, a first configuration, short, in which said end pieces (2, 3) are close together, and wherein the device defines a general plane, and, a second, long configuration, wherein said extremal pieces are distant from each other, the device further comprising locking means (22, 24, 27, 32) having at least one open state and one closed state in which the stability of said short configuration is ensured, characterized in that it comprises at least one control member (11) of said locking means capable of to be moved between two positions, in a direction substantially parallel to said general plane, a first position, close to said links, defining the closed state of said locking means, a second position, remote from said links, defining the open state of said locking means.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises elastic means (27) arranged to exert a force on said control member (11) tending to maintain the latter in its close position.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said direction of movement of said control member (11) is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of said end pieces (2, 3) to move from a configuration to the other of the device.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said locking means comprise at least one lug (24) mounted in translation in a first of said extremal parts (2) and intended to cooperate with a hole (32) formed in the other extremal piece (3) in said short configuration.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that said control member (11) is arranged projecting on a first side of said first end piece (2), in the extension of said pin (24) and being integral with this last in translation.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises additional locking means (22, 24, 27, 32) associated with an additional control member (11) arranged on a second side of said first end piece ( 2) opposite to said first side.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of said links comprises a blade (8, 9), the two blades being folded against each other in said short configuration of the device.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that each of said blades (8, 9) is connected to the corresponding end piece (2, 3) by means of a pivot axis (6).

9. Wristwatch having a first and second free ends (43) intended to be secured to a watch case, characterized in that it further comprises a third and a fourth ends connected on both sides an expandable device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.