EP1136011A1 - Articulated bracelet having limited flexibility - Google Patents

Abstract

Bracelet is made of hollow decorative elements (10) with a bottom (15) and a cover (13) linked by a central and two side ridges (16,18). The links (20,20a,20b) are made of two extending arms which can fit in between two adjacent ridges and have the axis bores (25,29,35,39) at the end of each extension. Around the axis bores are abutments (27,37) which cooperate between two links and stop them from rotating of more than a certain angle one relatively to the other.

Description

The present invention relates to a non-extendable articulated bracelet, in particular for a watch, comprising a plurality of sensitive annular decorative elements under compression or impact, said decorative elements being threaded on a core central formed by an internal chain of links connected to each other by pivot axes and designed to cooperate with each other and with the elements decorative to prevent accidental compression or impact from breaking them elements.

The invention relates more particularly to such a bracelet in which the decorative elements are made of a material having a very high resistance to abrasion but lower impact resistance, such as composite-based of ceramic.

Non-stretchable bracelets with a central core, in a base material essentially mechanical function, totally or partially masked by a decorative covering made of loose links in a more noble material, have already been disclosed in several prior art documents, some of which also target to prevent excessive folding which may damage the covering.

Document FR 2 502 916 discloses a watch strap composed of a interior chain on which freely thread decorative elements open on the wrist side. The inner chain is made up of massive links each comprising a tenon part and a mortise part to allow them to be nest into each other by holding them together with a pin. The face of the tenon opposite the mortise has a certain inclination in order to limit the travel of an internal chain link with respect to the next link to adapt it to the natural curvature of the wrist. Because of the game that has to necessarily exist between each decorative element, when folding the bracelet a decorative element may not perfectly cover the link correspondent of the internal chain and be damaged when folding the bracelet.

To remedy the above drawback, document EP 0 549 979 proposes a device in which the decorative elements are enveloping, releasing a central passage laterally provided with stops and are precisely positioned at the above each link by blocking bars. The facing faces of decorative elements have complementary rounded shapes but it is not provided, at the level of the interior chain, of means being able to limit the travel, which does not eliminate the risk of breakage by excessive folding.

The non-stretch bracelet described in document EP 0 736 480 includes a relatively complex articulation device between two successive links comprising two pins connected by connecting members also determining the authorized folding angle, each wraparound decorative element being maintained at the level of this articulation device by an insert passing through said element while being held in place by the pins.

The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of this art anterior by providing a hinged, non-stretchable bracelet, in which the links of an interior chain cooperate with each other and with the decorative elements threaded on these to avoid or limit the risks of compression of said decorative elements when folding the bracelet or during an accidental impact, for example by escaping on the ground a watch fitted with such a bracelet.

To this end, the present invention relates to a bracelet formed of elements decorative envelopes mounted on a non-extendable articulated interior chain composed of links whose particular shape allows, in cooperation with structures of the through passages of the decorative elements to limit to an angle α the angular movement of a link with respect to the next link in a plane vertical passing through the longitudinal line of symmetry X-X 'of the bracelet.

Each decorative element includes, over part of the depth of the through passage, on the one hand a central rib, on the other hand two lateral edges connecting the cap, that is to say the visible part, to the extra feet on the bottom, said feet forming two symmetrical grooves relative to the line XX '.

Each link has a central slit complementary to the rib of a decorative element and the bottom of which forms a bridge crossed by an axis hole. The bridge connects two symmetrical coupling elements, the main body of which has a width substantially less than the distance between the central rib and an edge lateral. Each coupling element has a lateral arm at one end, provided with an axis hole, extending beyond the main body for a distance corresponding to the thickness of an edge and forming with the bridge a recess complementary to an extension of the opposite end, also crossed by a axle hole. The edges of the axle holes or the edges of the recesses and extensions are provided with locking means limiting the bending angle of a link relative to to the next link.

According to a first embodiment, the blocking means are formed to each end of the axle hole of the bridge by two annular stops having spans vertical which cooperate with annular stops provided at opposite ends holes of the two extensions, said stops having bearing surfaces forming an angle less than 180 ° one being vertical on the cover side, the other being inclined at an angle α side background.

According to another embodiment, the blocking means are formed to the end of each extension by a tab curved at an angle α on the bottom side, said tab coming to cooperate with a clearance of complementary shape, provided on the side bottom in the thickness of each coupling element and joining an edge of the recess.

We will also observe that the presence of feet between the bottom and the edges and the rib allows to have a certain play allowing to absorb a bending slightly greater than the value α, without exerting stress on the decorative element.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective éclatée de l'assemblage de maillons avec deux éléments décoratifs,
• la figure 2 est une vue de dessus d'un maillon de la chaíne intérieure,
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne III-III de la figure 2,
• la figure 4 est une vue de dessus d'un autre mode de réalisation d'un maillon de la chaíne intérieure,
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne V-V de la figure 4,
• la figure 6 est une vue en coupe d'un élément décoratif, dans lequel un maillon est enfilé, au niveau de la ligne VI-VI de la figure 1,
• la figure 7A est une représentation en coupe, selon la ligne VII-VII de la figure 6, de quatre éléments de bracelet disposés à plat,
• la figure 7B représente les quatre éléments de bracelet de la figure 7A en position courbée,
• la figure 8A est une représentation en coupe, selon la ligne VIII-VIII de la figure 6, de quatre éléments de bracelet disposés à plat,
• la figure 8B représente les quatre éléments de bracelet de la figure 8A en position courbée,
• la figure 9A représente, selon une coupe identique à celle de la figure 8A, quatre éléments de bracelet ayant d'autres éléments décoratifs, et
• la figure 9B représente les quatre éléments de bracelet de la figure 9A en position courbée.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of embodiments given by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

• FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of links with two decorative elements,
• FIG. 2 is a top view of a link in the internal chain,
• FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line III-III of FIG. 2,
• FIG. 4 is a top view of another embodiment of a link in the internal chain,
• FIG. 5 is a sectional view along the line VV of FIG. 4,
• FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a decorative element, in which a link is threaded, at the level of line VI-VI of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 7A is a sectional representation, along the line VII-VII of FIG. 6, of four bracelet elements arranged flat,
• FIG. 7B represents the four bracelet elements of FIG. 7A in the curved position,
• FIG. 8A is a sectional representation, along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 6, of four bracelet elements arranged flat,
• FIG. 8B represents the four bracelet elements of FIG. 8A in the curved position,
• FIG. 9A represents, in a section identical to that of FIG. 8A, four bracelet elements having other decorative elements, and
• FIG. 9B represents the four bracelet elements of FIG. 9A in the curved position.

FIG. 1 shows in exploded perspective a portion of the bracelet formed of two decorative elements 10 and 10a and three links 20, 20a and 20b aligned according to a line of symmetry X-X ', intended to be assembled by pivot axes 4, 5. The first bracelet element 1 is shown with the link 20a in place in the direction X-X ', in the through passage 12 of the decorative element 10a. For mount the second bracelet element 3, engage the link 20 in the link 20a, we assemble them by means of axis 4, then we thread, always in the direction X-X ', the next decorative element 10. In the same way, we repeat the process previous by engaging the link 20b in the link 20 and assembling them to the pivot axis 5.

The decorative element 10, which has the general shape of a flattened ring, is shown in partially cutaway view to show more clearly the particular structure of the through passage 12 from its front face 6 to its face rear 8. It is delimited at its upper part, that is to say the visible part, by a cap 13, at its lower part in contact with the wrist of a user via a back 15, these two parts being joined by rounded edges 14. Substantially from the half its depth and up to its rear face 8, the through passage 12 has on the one hand a central rib 16 joining the internal wall of the cap 13 and a foot 17 in excess thickness on the internal wall of the bottom 15, on the other hand on each edge an edge 18 similarly joining the cap 13 and a foot 19 in extra thickness on the bottom 15. The foot 17 of the rib 16 delimits with the feet 19 edges 18 two grooves 11 symmetrical with respect to the axis XX '. This structure symmetrical appears even more clearly in the sectional view shown in the Figure 6. Figure 6 also shows that the rib 16, the edges 18 and the feet 17, 19 strongly contribute to reinforcing the decorative element 10 at the level of the zones supporting the coupling elements 21, 31, while having the possibility of keeping a sufficient clearance on the one hand between the internal surface of the bottom 15 and the surface facing the main body 21, 31 of a link, on the other hand between each edge 18 and the edges of the main body, while having excellent alignment of the bracelet elements according to the axis XX ′ thanks to the cooperation of the rib 16 and the slot 2.

In the example shown, the decorative element 10 has been given the form simplest geometric, but it is obvious that we can give it an aspect different aesthetics, for example by making the cap in a domed fashion. Likewise, the front 6 and rear 8 faces may have enveloping shapes complementary, as appears for example in the sections of Figures 7A and 7B. This decorative element can be made in one piece with any type of materials, but one of the objects of the invention is to be able to use materials having a beautiful aesthetic appearance, good resistance to abrasion and scratches, but in in return less resistance to compression and impact. A material of this type is for example a ceramic which makes it easy to obtain the shape desired by molding and sintering.

Referring now also to FIGS. 2 and 3, a description is given below of a link 20 of the inner chain. As we can see, each link presents a symmetrical structure on either side of a central slot 2 having the width the thickness of the central rib 16 of a decorative element 10. The bottom of this slot 2 forms a bridge 7 which connects two coupling elements 21, 31 and which is crossed by an axle hole 9. Each coupling element 21, 31 is composed of a body main 22, 32 having a width substantially less than the spacing between the central rib 16 and a side edge 18 of a decorative element 10. Each coupling element 21, 31 has at one end a lateral arm 28, 38 extending transversely beyond the main body 22, 32 over a length substantially equal to the thickness of an edge 18 of a decorative element 10, so that the vertical surface 28a, 28a turned towards the other end of the main body 22, 32 comes to bear on an edge 18 when a decorative element 10 is threaded on the link 20. The arms 28, 38 are crossed by pin holes 29, 39 aligned with the axle hole 9 of bridge 7 and define with said bridge 7 a recess 23, 33 substantially rectangular and of complementary shape to an extension 24, 34 of the opposite end of the main body 22, 32. The two extensions 24 and 34 are provided with axis holes 25 and 35 in alignment.

In the example shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 7A to 8B, the means of blocking to limit the folding of a link to an angle α next link are formed on the one hand at each end of the axle hole 9 of the bridge 7 and at the ends opposite the axis holes 25, 35 of the extensions 24, 34 on the other end of the main body 21, 31. These locking means consist, at the level of the bridge 7 into an annular abutment 37 (respectively 27) having vertical spans 37a, 37b at 180 °, and at the extensions 24, 34 in an annular stop 36 (respectively 26) having a vertical bearing 36a on the cover side 13 and a bearing inclined 36b by an angle α on the bottom side 15, the angular difference between these two bearing surfaces 36a, 36b being less than 180 °. The value of the angle α obviously depends on the width elements of the bracelet and the wrist circumference to which it should be put, but we can indicate by way of example that an average value of 18 ° is entirely suitable. So, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 8A, when the bracelet is placed flat, the bearing surface 36a of a link 20 is in contact with bearing surface 37b of the link following 20 ', while the spans 36b and 37b form an angle α. Conversely when the bracelet is folded, the spans 36b and 37b are in contact and the spans 36a and 37a form a angle α. Equivalently, this blocking device can be provided at the ends other axle holes.

As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the front 6 and rear faces 8 of the decorative elements 10 have complementary rounded shapes extending beyond the links that they cover, so that the parts forming the cap still cover the inner chain during folding. To allow travel from the bottom when the bracelet is folded, the main body 22, 32 has a part in hollow 41 after the axis hole 25, 35. As can be seen in FIGS. 9A and 9B which correspond, according to the same section as FIGS. 8A and 8B, to a mode of simpler construction in which the caps do not overlap each other others, it may still be necessary to keep the recesses 41.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, a variant of production of a link in the internal chain which differs from the one just described at the level of the blocking means which are no longer formed by stops at the level axle holes. In this variant, the blocking means are formed, to each coupling element 21, 22, by a tab 30 curved at an angle α towards the bottom 15 and located in the extension of each extension 23, 34. This tab 30 is provided to have a displacement of amplitude α in a clearance 40, of shape complementary to the tab 30 and formed in the thickness of the main body at edge of the recesses 23, 33.

The links which have just been described can be obtained by known techniques such as machining a metal blank or standard bending "sandwich" of a stamp made from a thin sheet of metal.

It goes without saying that various variations and simple modifications within the scope of those skilled in the art also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (5)

Bracelet formed of enveloping decorative elements (10) provided with through passages (12) delimited on one side by a cap (13) and on the other side by a bottom (15), said elements being mounted on an articulated internal chain non-extensible, extending longitudinally along a line of symmetry X-X ', composed of links (20) housed one after the other in the through passages (12) and assembled by hinges in which pivot axes are engaged ( 4, 5) after each installation of a decorative element (10), characterized in that each decorative element (10) comprises, on a part of the depth of the through passage (12), on the one hand a central rib (16), on the other hand two lateral edges (18) connecting the cover (13) to feet (17, 19) in excess thickness on the bottom (15), said feet (17, 19) forming two symmetrical grooves (11 ) with respect to the line X-X ', and in that each link (20) includes nd a central slot (2), complementary to the rib (16) of a decorative element (10), and the bottom of which forms a bridge (7), crossed by a pin hole (9), said bridge (7 ) connecting two symmetrical coupling elements (21, 31) whose main body (22, 32) has a width substantially less than the distance between the central rib (16) and an edge (18), each coupling element ( 21, 31) having at one end a lateral arm (28, 38), provided with an axis hole (29, 39), extending beyond the body (22, 32) over a length corresponding to l thickness of an edge (18), and forming with the bridge (7) a recess (23, 33) complementary to an extension (24, 34) of the opposite end, provided with an axis hole ( 25, 35), the edges of said pin holes (9, 25, 28, 35, 38) or the edges of the recesses (23, 33) and the extensions (24, 34) being provided with locking means making it possible to limit at an angle α the angular displacement in the vertical plane pa ssant by the line XX 'of a link with respect to the next link. Bracelet according to claim 1, characterized in that the blocking means are formed, at each end of the axle hole (9) of the bridge (7) by two annular stops (27, 37) having vertical bearings at 180 ° and cooperating with annular stops (26, 36), provided at the ends opposite the axis holes (25, 35) of the two extensions (24, 34), said stops forming an angle less than 180 °, a bearing being vertical on the side cap (13) and the other bearing being inclined at an angle α to the bottom side (15). Bracelet according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking means are formed at the end of each extension (24, 34) by a curved tab (30) on the bottom side (15) of an angle α, said tab (30 ) coming to cooperate with a recess (40) of complementary shape provided on the bottom side (15) in the thickness of each coupling element (21, 31) and joining an edge of the recess (23, 33). Bracelet according to claim 1, characterized in that the feet (17, 19) of a decorative element (10) allow a certain clearance to be created between the bottom of the through passage (12) and the hinges of the pivot axes (4, 5). Bracelet according to claim 1, characterized in that the decorative elements are made in one piece from a hard material such as ceramic.

Images