HK1042022B - Bracelet clasp - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a bracelet fastener comprising two branches articulated to each other by one of their respective ends to allow the first of these branches to be folded over and/or into the second of these branches and to unfold it to place it substantially in the extension of this second branch, while their respective second ends are intended to be connected to two ends of a bracelet, in particular a watch-bracelet bracelet, these two branches having means of mutual attachment to hold them in the folded position.

The zipper is a well-known type of fastener, and exists in many variations. In some fasteners, one end of the bracelet is connected to the fastener branch that folds over or into the other branch by a lid, with the parallel side faces, coming from either side of the fastener in the closing position, having several pairs of longitudinally spaced, transversely aligned holes, designed to accommodate the joint axis of the end of the bracelet. These pairs of holes allow adjustment of the length of the bracelet.

In some bracelets, the branches are joined together by a sheet of embossed metal and overlap in a folded position. These branches are arched to match the shape of the wrist. The attachment of these branches to each other is dependent on the radius of curvature of the belting. Since these blades are made of sheet metal, it is possible to change the radius of curvature of the belting in one direction or the other to adjust the force of attachment between these blades.

A bracelet of this type has already been proposed, in particular in EP 0865742, in which the clasp branches are machined in a thicker and therefore more rigid material which no longer allows adjustment of the grip force by changing the tilt of these branches. With such a clasp, the grip force of the branches is no longer adjustable by the simple means mentioned above, it is then necessary to design precise and durable means of grip.

This arrangement has several disadvantages, one being that the zipper is necessarily a zipper with a lid, since it is the one used to receive the fasteners. Another disadvantage is that all the force needed to release the fasteners is directly provided by the user, so that it is not possible to exceed a certain limit, to the detriment of the safety of the closure. Another disadvantage is that, as with most such zippers, the opening is achieved directly by pulling on the lid while the lid provides a large area of grip, which increases the risk of opening the zipper. Another similar closure is described in WO-A128/30-93.

The purpose of the present invention is to improve the safety of closing this type of fastener against untimely opening by either clinging or pulling effort due to swelling of the wrist or violent shocks, such as when the user applauds or when he hits his fist on a table, for example. The purpose of this invention is also to facilitate opening the bracelet while simultaneously increasing the force required to detach the fasteners. Another purpose of this invention is to allow the branches of the fastener and the bracelet connected to these branches to rotate 180° to obtain maximum opening of the fastener and to facilitate the passage of the hand through the fastener when the other arm is not yet equipped with an identical opening.

For this purpose, the present invention is concerned with a bracelet fastener of the above type, as defined by claim 1.

One of the advantages of the proposed solution, in addition to those deriving from the above purposes, is its simplicity and the small number of parts required. In fact, despite the various improvements of the zipper according to the invention, it can be seen that these are not obtained at the expense of the simplicity and therefore reliability of the proposed solution.

The attached drawing shows, schematically and by way of example, one embodiment and several variants of the zipper covered by the present invention. Figure 1 is a split perspective view of this form of execution;Figure 2 is a split perspective view of the clasp in Figure 1 with the branches folded;Figures 3, 4 and 5 are three views according to three different longitudinal sections of Figure 2;Figure 6 is a similar view to Figure 3 in the position of detachment of the anchorages;Figure 7 is a split perspective view similar to Figure 5 in the position of detachment of the articulated branches;Figure 8 is a split perspective view of a variant of the clasp in Figures 1-7;Figure 9 is a longitudinal perspective view of the clasp in Figure 8 in the position of detachment of the anchorages;Figure 10 is a variant view of Figures 8 and 9,in the unfolded position of the articulated branches;Figure 11 is a longitudinal cut-off view of a variant with additional safety means and the means of adjusting the zipper according to the invention;Figure 12 is a longitudinal cut-off view of another variant with additional safety means and the means of adjusting;Figure 13 is a longitudinal cut-off view of another variant with additional safety means;Figures 14 and 15 are longitudinal cut-off views of a variant of this zipper, in the last detachable position, respectively, of attachment of additional safety means;Figure 16 is an upper view of Figure 15.

The clasp shown in Figures 1 to 7 has two arched branches 1, 2 articulated to each other by one of their respective ends around a rod 3. These arched branches 1, 2 are preferably machined parts rather than embossed sheet metal, so as to make them relatively rigid.

The bottom 2b of gap 2a has a hook plot 4, whose hook face forms an angle α with the tangent to the circle centered on the axis of junction 3 of the arched branches 1, 2 and whose radius corresponds to the distance between this axis and the furthest point of the hook plot 4. To accommodate the hook organs between the arched branches 1, 2, the radius of curvature of the bottom 2b of the branch 2 decreases slightly and then the curvature reverses, thus saving a portion of gap 2a slightly higher at the end of this branch 2 opposite the articulated end to the other branch 1.

A rectangular 1a rail (Fig. 1) is laid at the end of branch 1 opposite to that articulated to branch 2, forming two parallel arms 1b, 1c on either side of this 1a rail. Each arm has two 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, respectively, two by two, and is designed to receive two pivot rods 7, 8 driven into these 5a, 6a, 5b, 6b, respectively. Pivot rod 7 passes through an opening 9a of a connecting and articulating organ 9, while pivot rod 8 passes freely through the cylindrical opening of a 10a, forming the inclination plot of tube 1 to close the tube 4 against the coming inclination plot of branch 2 (Fig. 5).

The connecting and joining organ 9 has a main part 9c of general semi-cylindrical shape oriented transversely to the branches 1, 2 of the clasp.

The main part 9c of the connecting organ 9 is crossed by two openings 9d, 9th parallel to the longitudinal axis of this semi-cylindrical part 9c, and also at the opening 9a of Appendix 9b. The opening 9e is intended for the connection and articulation of one end of the bracelet (not shown) by a stud 11 through a cross-oriented semi-cylindrical assembly element 12 and aligned with the connecting organ 9.

The assembly element 12 carries a joint 14 rod parallel to the stud 11, which is cast into a borehole of that element 12 and the other end of which is intended to be fixed into a borehole corresponding to the second assembly element 13. This joint 14 rod passes through the opening 9d of the connecting organ 9, thus making that connecting organ and the two assembly elements solidary with each other.

This joint 14 rod also passes freely through an actuating organ 15 of the clasp opening, i.e. separating the coupling organs 4 and 10, which is articulated around the second joint axis of the connecting organ 9, which is the axis of the opening 9d.

This actuating organ 15 has two levers of aperture 16, 17, each comprising a semi-cylindrical element 16a and 17a respectively, each crossed by an aperture of which only the aperture 17b is visible in Figure 1, for the passage of the joint rod 14. The transverse distance separating the respective outer side faces of the two semi-cylindrical elements 16a and 17a is very much branch 2 of the zipper at the other end of the bracelet (not shown).

As can be seen by examining Figure 5 in particular, the engagement of tube 10 pivoted on rod 8 of branch 1, on the inclined side of the angle α with respect to the tangent to a circle centred on the axis of rod 3 pivot between the two branches 1, 2 of the clasp, is obtained by subjecting the blade 1 to a tensile force, while the blade 2 is subjected to a compression force. As the two blades are slightly angled to suit the wrist shape, these forces can result in elastic deformation of these blades 1, 2 and these blades being machined in the blade and not in sheet metal, the way to tighten the blade 10 on the plot 4 can be made very easy, which allows the presence of a good deformation and ensures that the pressure on the tube 1 is not too high.

This force for the grip can be all the greater since the opening of the clasp is facilitated by the mechanism of levers 16, 17 actuated by the grip 18 which reduces the effort required when lifting the branch 1 to release the tube 10 from the grip plot 4. As can be seen in particular in Figure 6, when the levers 16, 17 are rotated around the joint rod 14 by lifting the grip 18 the elements 16c, 17c of these levers are supported on the upper surface of the clasp branch 2 on both sides of the split 2a in which the branch 1 is sunk in a closing position and the arm is closed, thus increasing the force exerted on the joint rod 14 and the force exerted on the joint 9 on the arm 1 of the clasp.

Once the two branches 1, 2 of the clasp are unfastened, the semi-cylindrical appendix 9b of the connecting organ 9 allows the clasp to rotate around the coupling tube 10 so that it passes from a position to the left of the coupling tube 10 (Figure 5) to a position to the right of the same coupling tube 10 (Figure 7), allowing an optimal opening of the clasp by a pivot of at least 180° of the branch 1 relative to the clasp branch 2 and a free rotation of the bracket links relative to the clasp branches.This is important because with this type of clasp the ends of the bracelet are never separated from each other and it is only by increasing the length of the bracelet as a result of the rotation of the blades 1, 2 that the hand can pass through the bracelet. It is therefore important that the bracelet can rotate freely when opening the branches 1, 2 and that the end links between the bracelet and the branches 1, 2 of the clasp are also free to rotate relative to these branches. This is made possible in the case of the clasp according to the invention by the linking organ 9 which connects the end of the bracelet (not represented) to the 1 11th knob itself and which can rotate freely less than 180° of the rotation of the branch 7.

It should also be noted that in the zipper opening position, as shown in Figure 7, no part of the zipper mechanism protrudes from the lower side, so that the user cannot be injured by moving his hand through the open bracelet or by hanging clothing parts and risking damage to them.

This connecting organ also allows the independent rotation of the opening mechanism, consisting of the levers 16, 17 and the grip organ 18 of the rest of the zipper and the bracelet, which reduces the risk of untimely opening, especially in the zipper-covered variant described below.

The fact that the coupling tube 10 is mounted pivoting on the pivot rod 8 reduces wear on this part due to the multiple clamps and stalling to which it is intended to be subjected.

Another advantage of this clasp is that the lower side of the branch 2 which is intended to come against the wearer's wrist is closed and that the whole closing mechanism is located in the gap 2a of this branch 2 so that the risk of hair being pinched when the clasp is closed is reduced.

The variant shown in Figures 8 to 10 differs from the form of the connecting organ in Figures 1 to 7 mainly in that the connecting organ 9 of this form consists of two separate connecting elements 23 and a lid 24 comprising an upper wall 24a and two parallel side walls 24b, 24c. The connecting element 23 is crossed by two parallel openings 23a, 23b (Figures 8 and 9) corresponding to the openings 9a, 9d respectively of the connecting organ 9.24 and its ends engage in (invisible) burgundy holes in the inner faces of the side walls 24b, 24c of the lid 24 forming the other connecting element. These burgundy holes are similar to the burgundy holes 24d seen in Figure 9 and which are used to connect the bracelet (not shown) to the connecting organ 23, 24. As shown in Figure 9, when the connecting elements 23, 24 of the connecting organ are assembled by the bar 25, the upper face 23c of the connecting element 23 is applied against the inner face of the upper wall of the lid 24,The device is designed to be mounted on a tripod, which is attached to the wristband, and the device is mounted on a tripod, which is attached to the wristband, and the device is attached to the wristband, which is attached to the wristband.

Like the joint rod 14 in Figures 1 to 7, the bar 25 also allows the pivot of the opening levers 66, 67 on either side of the linking element 23 which rest on the upper side of the clasp branch 2 and which work like the levers 16 and 17 in Figures 1 to 7. In this variant the jointing grip 68 of the levers 66, 67 has a different shape but has the same function as the organ 18 of the previous execution shape.

Figure 10 shows the clasp with its branches 1 and 2 in the unfolded position and it can be seen that the lid 24 and the connecting element 23 can rotate jointly at least 180° at the end of the branch 1 by rotating around the coupling tube 10. In this variant, the independence between the opening mechanism 66, 67, 68 and the lid 24 offers the advantage of avoiding an untimely opening of the clasp by clamping the lid 24, since the latter, a supporter of the coupling 23 rotates around the rod of the joint 7 which does not play a role in the collapse of the coupling tube 10 of the coupling plot 4.

The fasteners described so far do not have any adjustment or safety device, as tests on a series of prototypes of the fastener shown in Figures 1 to 7 have shown that it offers excellent safety in terms of shock resistance and tensile stresses, but the design of the fastener allows the use of means to adjust the force required to close it and can also be combined with safety devices.

Figure 11 illustrates a zipper variant comprising two branches 26, 27 articulated to each other as in the previous forms of execution. Plot 4 of the lower branch is replaced here by an adjustable plot system 28 held on branch 27 by a screw 29.

A control 32 having at its periphery 32a, for example, four circular openings of the same radius as the outer surface of the control plot 28, but whose respective radial distances to the axis of the control 32 vary slightly from one another, allows the penetration of this plot 28 into the trajectory of the coupling tube 30 and consequently the closing force of the zipper to be adjusted.

The watch has a safety closure consisting of a link and a grip 33 through two parallel cross-axis hinges, one receiving a joint 34 joint rod from the 26th branch and the other receiving a stud or bar 35 for the first 36th link of the bracelet. This link and a grip 33 also has a cross-cutting handle 37 with a grip finger 38 to be attached to a transverse grip cylinder 39. The link and a grip 33 are also attached to a pre-tensioning element 40 to rotate the handle 33 in the direction of the wrist, which is removed from the two hands of the watch to attach the handle 40, and a continuous tension tube 26 can be attached to the handle 26 of the watch.

As in the previous forms of execution, the 33 link with its two pivot axes allows the zipper to open at least 180° without any rotational restriction for the 36 links of the bracelet.

The only difference between the variant in Figure 12 and the previous one is that the adjustment of the coupling 41 is fixed to a adjustment 42 rotatively mounted on the branch 27 in an eccentric manner, so that by rotating the adjustment 42 e.g. with a screwdriver or similar tool, the penetration of the coupling plot in relation to the coupling tube 30 can be changed.

The main difference between the two variants in Figure 13 is that there is a connecting organ 43 with three transverse axes of articulation, one around the pivot rod 44 at the end of the 45th branch of the clasp, another to receive a jointing stud 46 of the bracelet and the third for the articulation of an opening organ 47, which is in conjunction with a gripper 48. This opening organ 47 also has a transverse rod 49 on which a tube 50 is rotated freely to be hooked into a housing 51 enclosed in a connection 52 with the other end of the bracelet and, for this purpose, a solid alignment. This connection 52a of the bracelet 52a is designed to be inclined exactly to the same angle.

The main closure is always provided by a tube 54 pivoted on a transverse rod 55 attached to the 45th branch of the clasp.

The variant in Figures 14 to 16 differs from the previous ones firstly in that the pivot axis of the coupling tube 58 merges with that of the coupling and coupling link 57, while the first link 59 of one end of the bracelet is pivoted around the second joint axis 60 of this coupling and coupling link 57. The coupling 57a of this coupling and coupling link 57 is attached to the end of a piston 61 by an elastic coupling organ 62. As shown in Figure 15, when the coupling 57a is engaged on the end of the piston 61, the other end is applied against the coupling 58 and its pivot is placed around the tip of the coupling tube 63.

To hold this pivot rod 63 two hinges 64 are fixed at the end of the zipper branch 65 (Figure 16) on either side of the coupling plot 69 of the coupling tube 58.

Claims (10)

1. Bracelet clasp comprising two branches (1, 2; 26, 27; 45, 53) articulated to one another by a respective first one of their ends in order to make it possible to fold a first one of these branches over and/or into the second of said branches and to unfold it in order to place it substantially in the extension of this second branch, while their respective second ends are intended to be connected to two ends of a bracelet, particularly a bracelet for a wrist watch, these two branches (1, 2; 26, 27; 45, 53) including mutual attaching members (4, 10; 28, 30) for holding them in the folded position, said second end of said first articulated branch (1; 26; 25) including a linking member (9; 23, 24; 33; 43; 57) having parallel axes of articulation, one for connecting this linking member to this first articulated branch (1; 26; 45) and at least a second one for connecting this linking member (9; 23, 24; 33; 43; 57) firstly to one end of the bracelet and secondly to an actuating member (18; 68; 40; 48) for opening the bracelet, characterized in that said actuating member (18; 68; 40; 48) is a separating member for said attaching members that includes a lever (16c, 17c; 66, 67), one end of which bears on said second articulated branch (2) and the other end of which forms a gripping means (18; 68), said linking member (9; 23, 24; 33; 43; 57) being arranged such that when said lever (16c, 17c; 66, 67) rocks the reaction force on its articulation pin (14) exerts a force on said attaching members (4, 10; 28, 30) that is capable of separating them.
2. Clasp according to Claim 1, characterized in that said linking means (9; 24; 43) have a third, parallel axis of articulation, one for connecting these linking means (9; 24; 43) to this first articulated branch (1; 45), another for connecting these linking means to one end of the bracelet, and the third for connecting these linking means to said actuating member (18; 68; 48) in order to exert a force capable of separating said mutual attaching means.
3. Clasp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said mutual attaching means (10) include a cylindrical element (8; 31; 55; 63) integral with one of said articulated branches (1).
4. Clasp according to Claim 4, characterized in that one of said attaching means consists of a tubular element (10; 30; 54; 58) pivoted freely about said cylindrical element (8; 31; 55; 63).
5. Clasp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a part (96) of said linking means (9; 24; 43), which is articulated to said first branch (1; 45), has a substantially semicylindrical surface to allow it to turn through 180° about its axis of articulation during the passage of this first articulated branch from its folded position to its unfolded position.
6. Clasp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said linking means include two elements (23, 24), one of which (24) consists of a cover comprising a surface at least partially covering over said articulated branches and two lateral surfaces (24b, 24c) extending on either side of these branches and having several pairs of fixing elements (24d) aligned transversely with the clasp and spaced longitudinally, for the selective fixing of one end of the bracelet to said cover (24), and the other of which (23) has means for positioning (23c) relative to said cover, assembly means (25) serving to link said two elements in the relative position defined by said positioning means (23c).
7. Clasp according to one of Claims 3 and 4, characterized in that said cylinder (8) on which said tubular attaching element (10) pivots is fixed removably to one of said articulated branches (1, 2).
8. Clasp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that adjustment means are associated with one (28; 41) of said mutual attaching means in order to vary the distance separating them from the other (30) in the attaching position.
9. Clasp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes second mutual attaching means (38, 39; 50, 51) for holding said actuating member (40, 48) in the rest position.
10. Clasp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes means (12a, 13a; 26a; 47a) for limiting the pivoting of said actuating member (18; 40; 48) relative to said first branch (1; 26; 45).