WO2014184649A1

WO2014184649A1 - Quick connector for watch straps and bracelets

Info

Publication number: WO2014184649A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/000751
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luca Martini; Gian Carlo Martini
Original assignee: Project X Designs Ltd
Priority date: 2013-05-17
Filing date: 2014-05-19
Publication date: 2014-11-20
Also published as: ITPR20130042A1

Abstract

The device (1), or quick connector for watch bands and straps, designed to allow the interchangeability of bands and/or straps (2) of fixed bar (4), or spring bar watches (3). It includes a lower slider (5) and a corresponding upper slider (6). said parts (5, 6) allow two possible configurations for arranging the slider (6) in relation to the other slider (5); a first closed configuration, in which the slider (6) is in abutment against a matching part (5B) at the front that extends perpendicularly from the slider (5); this configuration, which is called a hole (12) between the slider and matching part; this hole (12) is large enough to allow the tightening of the bar (4) for attaching the connector to the watch; a second open configuration, in which the slider (6) is spaced away from said matching part (5B) gives an opening (11) that allows the insertion of the bar (4).

Description

DESCRIPTION

HEADING: QUICK CONNECTOR FOR WATCH STRAPS

AND BRACELETS

To (Name): MARTINI GIAN CARLO SNC

Appointed inventors:

Luca Martini

Born in Parma on 08/02/1982

Resident in Via Zanzucchi, 5 - 43100 Botteghino (province of Parma)

Tax Code: MRTLCU82B08G337C

Gian Carlo Martini

Born in Parma on 04/26/1955

Resident in Via Bartolomeo Parma, 12 - 43100 Vigheffio (province of Parma)

Tax Code: MRTGCR55D26G337W SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

This is an invention in the watchmaking field, and more specifically relates to a connector which allows the rapid replacement of bands and/or watch straps.

The purpose of this invention is to make a quick attachment technique available for the replacement of bands, as well as the fixed bar or spring bar watch straps, as explained and claimed below.

Thus, this invention enables the complete replacement of bands and/or watch straps, also for watches with a fixed bar, without having to resort to awkward handling.

This is also convenient for those who wish to replace a metal band with a plastic or leather one, but cannot do so if the watch they are wearing is of the bar type.

Said purposes and benefits are all achieved by the quick connector for watch straps, the subject of this invention, which has the features listed below as claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

This and other features will be more apparent from the following description of some of the configurations, illustrated purely by way of example in the accompanying drawings.

- Figure 1 shows the connector and strap detached from the watch,

- Figure 2 shows the connector and its strap attached to the watch,

- Figure 3 illustrates, to the side, the connector in the closed configuration, the engagement position with the watch's bar;

- Figure 4 illustrates, to the side, the open connector configuration, which is ready to be fitted to the watch's fixed or spring bar;

- Figure 5 shows the AA section of the quick connection device; - Figure 6: shows a view from the top.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With particular reference to the figures indicated above, the number 1 is used to indicate a quick connection device for watch straps as a complete unit The watch strap is shown in figure 2, while 3 shows the watch case and 4 shows the fixed or spring bar.

The bar can be of the fixed or spring type: a spring bar is a hinge with two ends that fall back. With the fixed type the hinge does not have a spring; therefore, once assembled, the hinge cannot be extracted without breaking it.

The invention conveniently solves the problem of interchangeability for watch straps fitted with fixed bars, but connector 1 (quick attachment) may also be used for spring bar watches.

In the case in question, the connector device 1 is composed of two mutually sliding parts, namely a lower slider 5 and a corresponding slider 6 at the top.

Slider 6 runs horizontally, according to the direction indicated by the arrow Fl, within the corresponding dovetail profile 7 of the slider.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the two possible configurations of the slider 6 in relation to the slider 5:

1. The CLOSED configuration, in which the slider 6 abuts against a front matching part 5B, and which extends perpendicularly from the slider 5; in this configuration, it is called a hole 12 between the slider and the matching part; said hole 12 is large enough to tighten the bar 4, so as to hook the connector onto the watch,

2. The OPEN configuration, in which the slider 6 moves back from the matching part 5B, thereby giving an opening 11 which allows the insertion of the bar 4; said opening of the slider can be done manually, as shown in figure 8; the presence of a small step between the slider 9 and the matching part facilitates the grip of one's nail 10 which may be moved in accordance with the direction indicated by the arrow F3.

Note also that the balls 14 with a spring 14 are housed in two opposite holes, indicated as A, which provide the force necessary to keep said balls against the housing 15 on the slider 6; the purpose of said balls is to keep the slider in the closed position as shown in figure 3.

Also note that there is a slot in the middle, indicated as B or 16, on the upper slider; the slot is a closed channel which forms an oval shape on the inner side of the slider; the body 5 slides. A threaded part 17 can be fitted into a corresponding central threaded hole (C). The part fits into said slot 16, and its function is to stop the end position of the slider 6.

On the opposite side, the body slides 5 into a position 5C with the hole D, within which a threaded bar 18 is inserted, which attaches the metal, leather or rubber watch strap 2 to the connector 1.

The hole D is arranged as indicated in 12 so that the two hinges 4 and 18 are parallel once they are attached to the connector 1.

Finally, in 19 you can see that the connector 1 in the bar attachment area has a curvature that is the same as the corresponding bar of case 3.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the connector attachment steps; when it is in the open configuration it is in contact (arrow F2) with the watch's case from the bottom, so that the bar 4 can be inserted into the cavity 11 . The subsequent closure engages the ball 13 in the housing 15, thereby allowing the quick attachment of the connector 1.

The connector 1 may be used with suitable straps to speed up their replacement on watches.

Claims

1. Device (1), or quick connector, for bands and watch straps, which allows the interchangeabllity of bands and/or straps (2) of fixed or spring (4) watch (3) bars, with a lower slider (5) and a corresponding upper slider (6). Since these parts (5, 6) both slide and fit together it is possible to have two configurations for positioning the slider (6) with respect to the other slider (5) :

a. The closed configuration, in which the slider (6) is in abutment against a matching part (5B) at the front that extends perpendicularly from the slider (5); in this configuration there is a so-called hole (12) between the slider and the matching part; said hole (12) is large enough to tighten the bar (4), thereby allowing the connector to be attached to the watch, b. The open configuration, in which the slider (6) is spaced away from said matching part (5B) creates an opening (11) that allows the insertion of the bar (4).

2. Device (1) in accordance with claim 1, where the body slides (5) into a position (5C) with a hole (D), within which a threaded bar (18) is inserted, which is attached to the watch band or strap (2) with the connector 1.

3. Device (1) in accordance with claim 1, where the slider is kept in a closed configuration by means of balls (13) with a spring (14), the latter giving the corresponding ball (13) the force to keep it in position against the slider's (6) relative housing (15).

4. Device (1), in accordance with claim 1, where the slider is in an open configuration by means of a slot (16), on the upper slider, which creates a closed channel; a corresponding threaded central hole (C) slides onto the body (5), with a grain (17) that engages said slot (16), with the function is to define the end position of the cursor (6) itself.

5. Device (1), in accordance with claims 1 and 2, where the hole (D) and the hole (12) are parallel.

6. Device (1), in accordance with claim 1, where the area where the bar is attached has the same curvature (19) of the watch's case (3).

7. Device (1), in accordance with claim 1, where the slider 6 slides horizontally (Fl) by means of a corresponding dovetail slider (6) profile.

8. Device (1), in accordance with claim 1, where there is a small step (9) between the slider and matching part (5B) to facilitate manual opening.