EP0784251B1 - Device for connecting a band to a watch case - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an arrangement for fixing a strap on a watch of the type comprising a case middle provided on its lateral sides of box sides constituting means for supporting the bracelet fixing pins comprising on each of its sides adjacent to the bracelet a bar on which the end is fixed corresponding bracelet configured to form a generally tubular loop surrounding the bar.

Fixing arrangements of this type are already known (CH-A-647,379). However, they have the major drawback of conventional bar systems that the two wristbands fixing axes are located at remains in support elements mounted on the case so that changing the bracelet requires the opening of the loop, which requires the use of a tool, knife or small screwdriver. This operation is quite delicate and long.

The object of the present invention is to provide a arrangement for attaching a bracelet to a watch which overcomes the disadvantage of known arrangements, which comes to be stated.

To achieve this object, the arrangement according to the invention is characterized in that the said flanks of the box of the said case middle are provided with axial engagement holes at the ends of the axes and in that at least one side is mounted movable by report to the box so you can run a movement to release the bars from their holes of engagement and a pivoting movement in a position in which the ends of the bars are distant from the flanks provided with their holes in order to allow the end of a bracelet to be removed from its fixing bar by a movement in translation of the bracelet in the direction of the bar.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a flank of side box carries the two bars while the two bar engagement holes are provided in the other side and the carrying side of the bars is mounted mobile on the lateral side of the box to be able make a movement of separation of the box for the release of the bars from their holes and movement pivot for removing the ends of the bracelet.

According to another embodiment of the invention, each side carries at one end a fixing bar and its other end the engagement hole of the axle carried by the other side and each side is mounted on its side side of the box so that you can accomplish a movement of separation of the box in view of the release from its axis of the hole provided in the other flank and a swivel movement for end removal matching bracelet.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, each flank carrying at least one bar is mounted pivoting about an axis of a link which is provided of two axes parallel to each other and at the edge of the housing, the first axis constituting the pivot axis flank and a second axis constituting the axis of pivoting of the rod on the box, and the two axes are spaced from each other so that the pivoting around the second axis constitutes the spreading movement above ensuring the disengagement of the axis of its hole of engagement and pivoting around the first axis constitutes the pivoting movement for the removal of the end of the bracelet.

The invention will be better understood and other aims, features, details and benefits of it will appear more clearly during the description explanatory which will follow made with reference to the drawings attached diagrams given only by way of example illustrating several embodiments of the invention and in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention.

Figures 3 to 5 are schematic sectional views on along line III-III of Figure 2 and show the arrangement according to the invention in three positions different characteristics.

Figure 1 shows in an exploded perspective view the essential elements which constitute the arrangement of attaching a strap to a watch of which only the case middle 1 is shown.

The fixing arrangement essentially comprises two box sides 2, 3 mounted respectively on the sides side 4, 5 of the case middle 1, through of a device 6. The two sides 2 and 3 extend parallel to edges 4 and 5 and protrude beyond upper and lower front surfaces 8 and 9 of the middle 1 so that the bars 11 and 12 extend respectively at the top and bottom of the middle at a certain distance from the front faces 8 and 9. As this is indicated schematically, each bar 11, 12 constitutes the means of fixing one end of a bracelet 14. Each end of the bracelet has a generally tubular configuration inside which engages a bar 11 or 12.

The two mounting devices 6 for the lateral flanks 2 and 3 on the middle 1 have the same structure. Thus, the device associated with sidewall 2 comprises a console-shaped element 16 which projects perpendicularly from the side face 5, a piece forming a rod 17 in the shape of a U which is articulated by its branches on the console 16, pivotally around a lower pin 18 which engages in aligned holes 19, 20, respectively of the rod 17 and of the console 16. The link 17 includes another hole 21 which runs parallel to hole 19 and is intended to receive an upper pin 23 allowing the articulation of a part 24 on the link 17. The part 24 has the shape of a U, the notch 25 being adapted to receive the link 17. The branches of the part 24 has upper holes 25 for the housing the ends of the pin 23. Part 24 still includes lower holes 26 below the holes 25, also made in the branches of the part 24, which allow the installation of a ratchet to ball 28 known in itself and which constitutes a means of security, as will be described later. Each ratchet ball engages by its spring body in the part outside of the lower hole 19 of the link 17, while the ball of the pawl is intended to engage in the opening of bore 28, located in the internal face of the appropriate branch of the part 24. The engagement of the ball in this bore opening under the effect of the pressure of the pawl spring ensures maintaining the part 24 on the link 17 until the application of a pivoting force which allows overcome the return force of the ball by pushing back this in the outer portion of the bore 19. The piece 24 constitutes the support of one of the two sides of box 2 or 3. The side will be fixed on the part for example using screws of which only the holes are shown 30 and 31 respectively.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each side of the box carries a bar 11 or 12. In the assembled position of the arrangement, in which the two sides 2 and 3 are applied against the faces side 4 and 5 of the case middle 1, the end of each bar 11, 12 engages in a hole respectively 33, 34 which is practiced in the part in protrusion from the other side of the box. This hole has a conical shape widening in the direction outwards. Hole 33, 34 could also have a oblong shape in the direction perpendicular to pivot pins 18, 23.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the two bars 11 and 12 could be worn by one of the two sides of box 2 or 3, the other then including two engagement holes 33 and 34. In this case, it suffices that the carrier side of the bars is mounted mobile on the middle 1, the other side can be mounted fixed.

In a third embodiment of the invention, of a simpler structure, the support piece 24 of a side of box 2 or 3 carrying bars 11 and 12 could be pivotally mounted on the console 16 by example using pin 18. In this case, the conical holes 33, 34 will be replaced by a groove which opens in the underside of the side so that during a pivoting of the part 24 with the side ends of bars 11 and 12 can be released from the flank in which they are engaged in the position assembly assembly.

Referring to Figures 3 to 5, the following will be described operation of the arrangement which has just been described and is shown in the figures.

Figure 3 shows the arrangement in its position assembly in which the two bars 11, 12 engage by their free ends in their holes engagement 33, 34. In this position the bracelet is blocked on bars 11 and 12. When you want replace the bracelet with another, we first do pivot the link 17 around the lower pin 18 in the direction of arrow F1 as shown in the figure 4. The penetration depth of the ends of the bars 11 and 12 in the conical holes 33 and 34 or oblong and the dimensions of the holes are chosen from in such a way that the ends have come out of their engagement holes at the end of this first movement of pivoting.

After the disengagement of the ends of the bars 11 and 12, the flank support part (s) is pivoted 24 (depending on whether the two bars 11 and 12 are worn by the same or both sides), towards the arrow F2 around the upper pin 23 in the position shown in figure 5. This pivoting allows away from the ends of the bars 11 and 12 enough on the other side, so that the bracelet can be released from the bars by a movement in translation. The bracelet could then be replaced by another and we will perform the operations that come to be described in reverse order until the arrangement is again in its position shown in Figure 3a.

To prevent the bracelet release process may happen accidentally, we size the ball pawls so that the force required to trigger the release pivoting of the their holes is greater than a predetermined threshold.

Regarding the third embodiment of the invention, providing only for the pivoting of the part 24 around the pin 18 engaged in the console 16, by removing the link 17, we could also provide ball pawls then placed in a pair of suitable facing holes in the two parts 24 and 16 in direct engagement, one with the other.

Of course, multiple modifications can be made to the arrangement which has just been described, without depart from the scope of the invention. So the shape of different pieces can be chosen differently to condition to keep their function. Of course, the security device could have any other form known.

Claims (6)

1. Arrangement for fixing a strap on a watch of the type including a case (1) of the watch provided on its lateral sides (4,5) of the case flanks (2, 3) constituting means for supporting fixing bars (11, 12) of the strap (14) comprising at one of its ends adjacent to the strap a bar (11, 12) to which the corresponding end of the strap (14) is secured and configured so as to form a generally tube-shaped loop surrounding the bar (11, 12), characterised in that said case flanks (2, 3) of said case (1) are provided with axial engagement holes (33, 34) of the free ends of the bars (11, 12) and in that one flank (2 or 3) bearing at least one bar is mounted mobile with respect to the case (1) so as to be able to carry out a clearance movement of the bar (11 or 12) from its engagement hole (33, 34) provided in the other flank and a pivoting movement in a position in which the end of the bar (11 or 12) is distanced from the flank (2, 3) provided with the hole so as to allow the end of a strap to be removed from its fixing bar via a translation movement of the strap in the axial direction of the bar.
2. Fixing arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that a case flank (2 or 3) bears the two bars (11, 12) whereas the two engagement holes (33, 34) are provided in the other flank (3 or 2) and the flank carrying the bars is mounted mobile on the lateral side of the case (1) so as to be able to carry out a spacing movement of the case (1) so as to free the bars (11, 12) from their holes and a pivoting movement for removing the ends of the strap (14).
3. Fixing arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that each case flank (2, 3) carries at one end a fixing bar (11, 12) and includes at its other end the engagement hole (33, 34) of the bar borne by the other flank (3 or 2) and each flank (2, 3) is mounted on its lateral side of the case (1) so as to be able to carry out a spacing movement of the case (1) so as to free its bar from the hole provided in the other flank and a pivoting movement for removing the corresponding end of the strap.
4. Fixing arrangement according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that each flank (2, 3) carrying at least one bar (11, 12) is mounted pivoting around a first pin of a bar (23) which is provided with a second pin (18) parallel to the first (23) and at the edge of the case and constituting a swivel pin of the bar on the case (1), and in that the two pins (18, 23) are spaced from each other so that the pivoting around the second pin (18) constitutes said spacing movement ensuring said disengaging and the pivoting around the first pin (23) constitutes the movement of pivoting for removing the end of the strap.
5. Fixing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the engagement holes of the bars have a conical or oblong shape outwardly widening so that when the bars are disengaged, the ends of the latter come out of the holes.
6. Fixing arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that a case flank (2, 3) carrying at least one bar (11, 12) is mounted pivoting on the case around a pin constituting the pin of the disengagement movement and the pin of the pivoting movement and in that the engagement hole (33, 34) is laterally open.

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