CH713211B1 - Interchangeable strap strand for wristwatch. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an interchangeable strap strand, for a wristwatch comprising a body (16) provided with a housing (26) for a rod movable between positions withdrawn and retracted and carrying an actuating member arranged to pass the rod from its extracted position to its retracted position in response to a user action, as well as a return member (30) arranged to exert a force on the rod and position it in its extracted position. The actuator comprises a drawer (42) arranged on the body (16) for sliding in the longitudinal direction of the strand and carrying an inclined actuation surface (50), arranged in abutment against a bearing surface (52 ) of the rod, so that when the drawer (42) is moved from its rest position to its unlocking position, the actuating surface (50) acts on the rod to move it from its extracted position to its retracted position.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the technical field of bracelets for timepieces.

More specifically, the invention relates to a bracelet strand for a wristwatch and a bracelet comprising at least one strand of this type and a wristwatch comprising such a bracelet.

In particular, the invention relates to an interchangeable strap strand, for a wristwatch, comprising a first end intended to be made integral with a wristwatch case and carrying a body provided with at least one first housing for at least a first rod arranged in the first housing while being movable in translation between extracted and retracted positions, a portion of the first rod being arranged projecting from the body in the extracted position to cooperate with a suitable hole made in the box, the bearing body <tb> <SEP> an actuating member arranged to move the first rod from its extracted position to its retracted position in response to an action by a user, <tb> <SEP> as well as an elastic return member arranged to exert a force on the first rod tending to position it in its extracted position.

State of the art

Generally changing the bracelet is a delicate operation which requires removing a used bracelet to replace it with a new bracelet.

However, a person with a timepiece of the wristwatch type may have to change the strap frequently, for various reasons, in particular aesthetic. In this case, the removed bracelet is not necessarily intended for scrap and must remain in good condition to be able to be re-attached to the case of the timepiece later.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device for fixing a watch strap, which allows a strap to be attached to a watch case and to be removed therefrom, these two operations being able to be easily carried out by the the user himself, without the need to call in a specialist or specific tools, and without risk of damaging the removed bracelet, the attached bracelet or the watch case.

Mechanisms in particular for changing a bracelet without having to resort to the use of a tool and meeting the characteristics mentioned above are already known.

An example of a fastening device of this type is disclosed in patent application EP 0089166 A1. However, this device has a protruding element, intended to act on the rod and move it into its retracted position, which can cause discomfort for the person wearing the bracelet, or even injure him.

The patent application published under the number WO 93/10486 A1 presents another example of a mechanism for fixing a strand of a bracelet to a watch case, more discreet and without risk for the wearer of the corresponding watch. However, on the one hand, this mechanism is ill-suited or even not at all suitable for implementation in connection with a rigid bracelet, in particular of metallic or ceramic type, and, on the other hand, the actuation of this mechanism induces a deformation of the covering of the strand likely to cause premature aging of the latter.

Disclosure of invention

A main object of the present invention is to provide an interchangeable bracelet strand of alternative construction to those just mentioned, which is particularly simple to handle, without risk of injury to the wearer of the corresponding wristwatch. and which is not likely to show premature wear following repeated handling.

To this end, the present invention relates more particularly to a bracelet strand meeting the above characteristics, characterized <tb> <SEP> by the fact that the actuating member comprises a drawer arranged on the body so as to be able to slide with reference to the latter in the longitudinal direction of the strand, between a rest position and an unlocking position , and by the fact that the drawer carries an actuating surface inclined with reference to the longitudinal direction of the strand and arranged to bear against a bearing surface of the first rod, so that when the drawer is moved from its position rest towards its unlocking position, the actuating surface acts on the first rod to move it from its extracted position to its retracted position.

Thanks to these characteristics, the drawer can be discreetly integrated into the thickness of the corresponding bracelet, discreetly, and without risk of injuring the wearer of the corresponding timepiece. In addition, the mode of actuation of the drawer on the first rod is such that the dressing of a flexible bracelet does not risk any damage when handling bracelet change.

Note that the construction according to the present invention is suitable both for the production of flexible bracelet strands, of the type having a covering including textile, leather, elastomer or other suitable flexible material, as the realization strands of rigid bracelets, in particular of the metal or ceramic link type.

In addition, this construction is also suitable for producing bracelet strands, the first end of which is curved, when it is intended to be positioned opposite a watch case, the portion of the middle of which is located between horns. is not flat, that is to say in particular a round box, cushion or barrel.

Advantageously, it can be provided that the first rod comprises <tb> <SEP> a first substantially cylindrical portion and engaged in the first housing of the body, and <tb> <SEP> a second portion arranged inside the body and on which the bearing surface is provided.

In addition, in this case, the second portion of the first rod may advantageously have transverse dimensions greater than the diameter of the first housing so that it defines a stop for the first rod by cooperating with the body in the position extracted from the first stem.

According to a preferred embodiment, the actuating surface can be made in the form of a wall of a recess formed in the drawer, in particular in its face arranged opposite the body.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bracelet strand is further characterized <tb> <SEP> by the fact that the body comprises a second housing for a second rod, arranged in the second housing while being movable in translation between the extracted and retracted positions and associated with a second elastic return member, arranged to exercise a force on the second rod tending to position it in its extracted position, the second rod being arranged in a substantially symmetrical manner relative to the first rod with reference to a plane (P) perpendicular to the middle of the bracelet strand in its longitudinal direction, and <tb> <SEP> by the fact that the drawer carries an additional actuating surface inclined with reference to the longitudinal direction of the strand and arranged to bear against a bearing surface of the second rod, in such a way that when the drawer is moved from its rest position to its unlocking position, the additional actuation surface acts on the second rod to move it from its extracted position to its retracted position.

In this case, the additional actuation surface can advantageously be a wall of a recess in the drawer, in particular in its face arranged opposite the body. The recess can indifferently be the same as that of the first actuating surface or, alternatively, an additional recess without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In general, we can also provide that the body carries at least two guide pins substantially aligned with one another and oriented in a transverse direction, preferably perpendicular, to the longitudinal direction of the bracelet strand and each of which is engaged in a corresponding elongated lateral recess of the drawer to guide the latter according to its translational movement between its rest and unlocking positions.

We can also provide that the strand comprises an additional elastic member arranged between the body and the drawer so that it exerts a force on the drawer tending to position it in its rest position.

According to an additional preferred embodiment, provision may be made for the bracelet strand to be further characterized. <tb> <SEP> by the fact that it comprises a flexible covering, preferably made of textile, leather or elastomer, arranged so as to partially cover the body, a tear-resistant core being integral with the body and being glued or sewn to the '' flexible cover, and <tb> <SEP> by the fact that it further comprises a cover integral with the drawer and having a handling surface intended to facilitate an action of a user aiming to move it in translation in the longitudinal direction of the bracelet strand, the cover being arranged and dimensioned in such a way <tb><SEP> <SEP> that it partially covers the flexible covering, and <tb><SEP> <SEP> that it covers the portion of the body not covered by the flexible covering.

In general, the bracelet strand according to the present invention can also be characterized <tb> <SEP> by the fact that the face of the body intended to be positioned opposite the watch case is curved in such a way that it is capable of marrying the shape of the case when the latter is round, in cushion or barrel, and <tb> <SEP> by the fact that the first rod or the first and second rods are curved, as well as the first housing or the first and second housing of the body.

The present invention also relates to a bracelet comprising at least one strand according to the characteristics which have just been stated.

Preferably, the bracelet has two strands, each of which meets the above characteristics.

The invention also relates to a wristwatch provided with such a bracelet.

Brief description of the drawings

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

- Figure 1 shows a partial and simplified general view from below of a wristwatch comprising a bracelet strand according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2a represents a simplified view and in partial transparency of part of the elements illustrated in FIG. 1, in a first configuration, and

- Figure 2b shows a simplified view and partially transparent of a part of the elements illustrated in Figure 1, in a second configuration.

Mode (s) of Carrying Out the Invention

Figure 1 shows a simplified general view from below of a wristwatch 1 comprising a bracelet strand according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The box 2 of the wristwatch 1 is round here, but it could be of any other shape without departing from the scope of the invention, even if the latter is particularly well suited for implementation in connection with watch boxes round, cushioned, barrel shaped or any other shape other than square or rectangular.

The bracelet here consists of two strands 4 of bracelet of which only one has been shown. The strand 4 is assembled to the box 2 by a first of its ends 6 and is intended to carry a conventional pin buckle (not shown), at its other end 8.

The box 2 comprises two pairs of conventional horns 10 (only one of which is visible in FIG. 1) arranged to cooperate with the strands 4 of the bracelet, as will emerge more clearly from the description which follows. To this end, the first end 6 of the strand 4 is arranged between two horns 10 of the same pair, while each horn 10 has at least one hole (not visible) near its free end, in known manner.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures by way of illustration and not limitation, the strand 4 is here of flexible type, that is to say that it comprises a flexible covering 14 made of textile, leather or an elastomer, for example rubber. Alternatively, it is possible to implement the present invention in relation to a rigid bracelet, that is to say of metallic or ceramic type in particular, without departing from the scope of the invention.

The first end 6 of the bracelet strand has a special mechanism, hidden under a cover 12, to ensure the assembly of the strand 4 to the box 2 and whose operation will now be described in more detail with reference in Figures 2a and 2b.

Figures 2a and 2b show a part of the components visible in Figure 1, in two respective configurations, either a locked configuration and an unlocking configuration.

According to this preferred embodiment, the mechanism here comprises an insert defining a body 16 intended to be integrated in the flexible covering 14 but giving the strand 4 the rigidity and the tensile strength necessary for it to fill its function correctly.

The body 16 has a transverse opening 18 in which is engaged a tear-resistant core 20 intended to be sewn or glued to the flexible covering 14. This tear-resistant core 20, preferably made of a textile having a high tensile strength or even more preferably in glass fibers, ensures the necessary cohesion between the flexible covering 14 and the body 16 of the strand 4.

Note that the body 16 here also includes two series of three holes 22 on its side portions, intended to make the body 16 integral with a seam when the flexible covering 14 has one on its edges.

The body 16 is partially hollow, in its central region, and can be obtained, for example, by folding a metal sheet or by machining a metal block, or even by 3D printing.

In front view, as illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b, the body 16 has a general shape of rectangle, its face 24 intended to be positioned opposite the box 2 being curved to limit the empty space between box 2 and the bracelet, mainly for aesthetic reasons.

The mechanism for fixing the strand 4 to the box 2 advantageously has symmetry with respect to a plane P passing through the middle of the bracelet, in its longitudinal direction. Of course, those skilled in the art will be able to arrange the components of this mechanism differently according to their own needs without going beyond the ambit of the invention.

The body 16 comprises first and second housings 26 in each of which is arranged a rod 28 for fixing to the box 2. These housings 26 have a generally curved cylindrical shape with the same radius of curvature as the wall 24. A member elastic return 30 is interposed between each rod 28 and a bearing surface 32 formed in the body 16, so that it pushes the corresponding rod 28 towards the outside of the body 16.

The elastic return members 30 here have the form of torsion springs threaded on cylindrical feet formed directly in the body 16, by way of nonlimiting illustration. Those skilled in the art can implement any other type of spring adapted to their own needs without going beyond the ambit of the invention.

Therefore, each rod 28 is movable, in a direction approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strand 4, between an extracted position and a retracted position.

The extracted position is illustrated in Figure 2a. In this configuration, each rod 28 can be engaged in the hole of the corresponding horn 10 to ensure the locking of the bracelet strand on the case 2.

The retracted position is illustrated in Figure 2b. In this configuration, the rods 28 are retracted into the body 16 and the bracelet strand 4 can be positioned between the horns 10 of the box 2 or be extracted therefrom.

More specifically, the housings 26 are open in the hollow central region of the body 16. The rods 28 each have a first substantially curved cylindrical portion 34 with the same radius of curvature as the housings 26 and a second portion 36 disposed in the central region of the body 16. The second portion 36 has a general prismatic shape with transverse dimensions greater than the diameter of the housings 26 so that it defines a stop for the rod 28 by cooperating with the body 16 in the position extracted from the rod 28. Furthermore, a slot 38 is provided in each of the second portions to allow the insertion of one end of the corresponding elastic return member 30 and ensure better contact stability between the elastic member 30 and the rod. 28.

A single actuator 40 (referenced in Figure 1) is associated with the two rods 28, to allow a user to act on them and make them pass simultaneously from their extracted position to their retracted position, in case of need.

The actuator 40 comprises a slide 42 mounted in longitudinal translation on the body 16, between a rest position and an unlocking position, by means of two lateral guide pins 44 secured to the body 16, whose free ends are engaged in elongated recesses 46 formed in the drawer 42.

The drawer 42 includes first and second additional recesses 48 (symmetrical here) each of which is associated with one of the rods 28.

Each recess 48 has an inclined wall with reference to the longitudinal direction of the strand 4 defining an actuating surface 50, or cam, disposed against a bearing surface 52 of the corresponding rod 28.

It appears from a comparative view of Figures 2a and 2b that, when the drawer 42 is remote from the box 2, each of its actuating surfaces 50 acts on the corresponding rod 28 to move it from its extracted position in its retracted or retracted position, opposing the action of the corresponding elastic return member 30.

Note that, preferably, an additional elastic return member 54 has been illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b. This is interposed between the body 16 and the drawer 42, being disposed in a suitable housing of the latter, so that it can act on the drawer 42 to tend to position it in its rest position.

Thus, when starting from the unlocked configuration illustrated in Figure 2b, the drawer 42 is released by the user, it is pushed back towards the box 2 by its additional elastic return member 54 while, in the same time, each rod 28 is pushed back towards its extracted position by its own elastic return member 30.

From the point of view of the construction of this mechanism, the first portions 34 of the rods 28 are inserted into the housings 26 from inside the body 16 and the other components housed in the central region of the body 16 are put in place . The drawer 42 can then be made integral with the body 16 (with its degree of freedom in translation) by being placed in the service position and then by inserting the lateral guide pins 44 in the corresponding holes in the body 16 then in the elongated recesses 46 of the drawer 42. The flexible covering 14 can then be affixed by implementing any suitable method, the central region of the body 16 being at least partially left free to allow movement of the drawer 42. Finally, the cover 12 can be made integral drawer 42, the assembly thus constituting the actuating member 40, by clipping, gluing, screwing or any other suitable method, to conceal the mechanism.

Note that the cover 12 is here provided with grooves (reference numeral 56 in Figure 1) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strand 4 to facilitate handling by a user to move the drawer 42 away from the box 2 and thus free the strand 4. Of course, other means facilitating the handling of the cover 12 can be provided without departing from the scope of the invention such as knurling, or even simply a rough surface finish.

Thus, the construction and the mode of operation of the bracelet strand fixing mechanism according to the present invention allow a user to carry out himself a strap change on his wristwatch, without having to resort to a specialist or even special tools.

The above description attempts to describe a particular embodiment by way of nonlimiting illustration and, the invention is not limited to the implementation of certain particular characteristics which have just been described, such as, for example, the shape of the various components of the fixing mechanism, in particular of its body, of the rods or of the actuating member.

Those skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in adapting the content of the present disclosure to their own needs and implementing a bracelet strand which only partially meets the characteristics which have just been described, without however going out. of the scope of the present invention. By way of example, the strand 4 may also be produced to be made integral with another strand by means of a clasp of the type with deploying buckle without departing from the scope of the invention. It is even conceivable to produce a bracelet which would have only one strand, elastic, each end of which would have a mechanism for fixing to a box according to the present invention.

Claims (12)

1. Strand (4) of interchangeable bracelet, for wristwatch (1), comprising a first end (6) intended to be made integral with a box (2) of wristwatch (1) and carrying a body (16 ) provided with at least a first housing (26) for at least a first rod (28) arranged in said first housing (26) being movable in translation between extracted and retracted positions, a portion (34) of said first rod being arranged projecting from said body (16) in said extracted position to cooperate with a suitable hole made in the box (2), said body (16) bearing an actuating member (40) arranged to move said first rod (28) from its extracted position to its retracted position in response to an action by a user, as well as an elastic return member (30) arranged to exert a force on said first rod (28) tending to position it in its extracted position, characterized in that said actuating member (40) comprises a drawer (42) arranged on said body (16) so as to be able to slide with reference to the latter in the longitudinal direction of the strand (4), between a rest position and an unlocking position, and in that said drawer (42) carries an actuating surface (50) inclined with reference to said longitudinal direction of the strand (4) and arranged to bear against a bearing surface (52) of said first rod (28), such that when said drawer (42) is moved from its rest position to its unlocked position, said actuating surface (50) acts on said first rod (28) to move it from its extracted position to its position retracted. 2. Bracelet strand (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first rod (28) comprises a first portion (34) substantially cylindrical and engaged in said first housing (26) of said body (16), and a second portion (36) arranged inside said body (16) and on which said bearing surface (52) is provided. 3. Strand (4) of bracelet according to claim 2, characterized in that said second portion (36) of said first rod (28) has transverse dimensions greater than the diameter of said first housing (26) so that it defines a stop for said first rod (28) cooperating with said body (16) in said position extracted from said first rod (28). 4. Bracelet strand (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuating surface (50) is a wall of a recess (48) formed in said drawer (42), in particular in its face arranged opposite said body (16). 5. Bracelet strand (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said body (16) comprises a second housing (26) for a second rod (28), arranged in said second housing (26) being movable in translation between extracted and retracted positions and associated with a second elastic return member (30 ), arranged to exert a force on said second rod (28) tending to position it in its extracted position, said second rod (28) being arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to said first rod (28) with reference to a plane ( P) perpendicular to the middle of the bracelet strand (4) in its longitudinal direction, and in that said drawer (42) carries an additional actuation surface (50) inclined with reference to said longitudinal direction of the strand (4) and arranged to bear against a bearing surface (52) of said second rod (28) , so that when said drawer (42) is moved from its rest position to its unlocked position, said additional actuation surface (50) acts on said second rod (28) to move it from its extracted position towards its retracted position. 6. Bracelet strand (4) according to claim 5, characterized in that said additional actuation surface (50) is a wall of a recess (48) formed in said drawer (42), in particular in its arranged face opposite said body (16). 7. Bracelet strand (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said body (16) carries at least two guide pins (44) substantially aligned with one another and oriented in a transverse direction, preferably perpendicular, to said longitudinal direction of the bracelet strand (4) and each of which is engaged in an elongated lateral recess (46) corresponding to said drawer (42) to guide the latter according to its translational movement between its rest and unlocking positions. 8. Strand (4) of bracelet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an additional elastic member (54) arranged between said body (16) and said drawer (42) so that it exerts a force on said drawer (42) tending to position it in its rest position. 9. Bracelet strand (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a flexible covering (14), preferably made of textile, leather or elastomer, arranged so as to partially cover said body (16), a tear-resistant core (20) being integral with said body (16) and being glued or sewn to said flexible covering (14), and in that it further comprises a cover (12) integral with said drawer (42) and having a handling surface (56) intended to facilitate an action of a user aiming to move it in translation in said longitudinal direction of the strand ( 4) bracelet, said cover (12) being arranged and dimensioned in such a way that it partially covers said flexible covering (14), and that it covers the portion of said body (16) not covered by said flexible covering (14). 10. Strand (4) of bracelet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the face (24) of said body (16) intended to be positioned opposite the watch case (2) is curved so that '' it is capable of marrying the shape of the box (2) when the latter is round, cushion or barrel, and in that said first rod (28) or said first and second rods (28) are curved, same as said first housing (26) or said first and second housing (26) of said body (16). 11. Bracelet for wristwatch (1) comprising at least one strand (4) according to one of claims 1 to 10. 12. Wrist watch (1) comprising a bracelet according to claim 11.