HK1009072A - Unfolding buckle clasp - Google Patents

Description

Deployable buckle with buckle

The invention relates to an expandable buckle clasp for a strap or a wristband of a similar type, comprising a first and a second strap connected to each other by one of their ends by means of a first hinge, the other end of the first strap comprising means for attaching a first strand of the wristband and means for locking the first strap to the second strap when the clasp is in the closed position, the other end of the second strap being mounted so as to be able to pivot on a flap on which the second strand of the wristband is mounted by means of a second hinge.

A buckle corresponding to the above is disclosed in patent document CH-a-685095. The deployable buckle forming the clasp of this document comprises a first and a second strap hinged to each other by one of their ends and connected by their other end to a first and a second strand of the bracelet. In a particular embodiment, the above-mentioned patent document shows a buckle into which the first strand of the bracelet is inserted at the end of the first strap, and a flap hinged thereto at the other end of the second strap, this flap carrying a bar around which the second strand is folded over a fixed length. In this embodiment, the bottom of the buckle cover is provided with a protruding pin for puncturing to receive a pin on which the second strap is hinged. Thus, in this embodiment, the first strap is entirely on the underside of the buckle cover, thereby increasing the thickness of the buckle, since the buckle is entirely on the upper side of the second strap.

Furthermore, patent document GB 347968 discloses an expandable buckle clasp, in particular for a belt according to the preamble of claim 1. In this buckle, the second strand of the strap is not attached to the buckle cover but passes through a longitudinal channel provided in the buckle cover and is clamped in place on the buckle cover via the projection in the closed position of the buckle. This has the disadvantage, however, that on the one hand the end of the second strand is damaged by folding it over and squeezing it between the cover and the projection, and on the other hand the part of the second strand extending through the upper surface of the opening of the cover is exposed and worn.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks and to provide an expandable buckle clasp, which additionally comprises the features defined in the characterizing part of claim 1.

The invention is described below, which is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, which show examples of possible embodiments, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the buckle of the present invention shown in an open position;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the buckle of FIG. 1, showing the buckle in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the buckle of FIG. 1, showing the buckle in a locked position.

The clasp of the present invention, as clearly shown in the drawings, is of the type of an expandable buckle, also called file-holder. This type of buckle is known, for example, from the above-mentioned patent document CH-a-685095, and comprises a first strap 4 and a second strap 3. The two straps are connected to each other by one of their first ends by means of a first hinge 9. This hinge is constituted by a pin inserted into a hinge pin provided in both belts. The other end 12 of the first strap 4 comprises means for attaching the first strand of bracelet 1 and means for locking the first strap 4 to the second strap 3. The other end 25 of the second strap 3 supports a flap 19, which flap 19 is mounted so as to be pivotable on the strap 3 by means of a second hinge 10. The second strand 2 of the bracelet is attached to this clasp 19.

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, the present invention is characterized in that: the buckle cover 19 has an opening 21 into which the protruding portion 8 of the other end 25 of the second strap 3 can be inserted. As best shown in fig. 3, the upper end face 26 of the tab 8 of the second strap 3 is substantially at the same height as the upper surface 27 of the buckle cover 19 when the buckle is in the closed position. Thus, with the flap 19 open, the tab 8 of the second strap 3 can be inserted therein, which reduces the overall thickness of the buckle when the buckle is in the closed position.

Referring more particularly to figure 1, it can be seen that the first strap comprises two transversely connected side bars 5 and 6 which are provided at their ends with hinge receiving bars 9. A portion 7 of the second strip 3 is received in the space between the side bars when the clasp is in the closed position. The bars 5 and 6 of the first strip 4 form a portion 12 of the other end of the first strip. The first part 12 has a first loop 15 in which the first strand 1 of the bracelet is introduced. The strand 1 provided with perforations 16 is placed under the first belt after passing through the loop 15. For attaching the first strand 1 to the first strip 4, a first tongue 14 is arranged before the strand enters the first loop, so that the tongue is inserted into a perforation in the perforations 16 of the strand 1. It will be appreciated that the length of the bracelet can be adjusted by selecting suitable perforations.

The figure also shows that below the first strip 4 is a second loop 22 arranged behind the first loop 15. This second loop is not necessary but is useful for receiving and guiding the end of the first strand 1.

In the clasp shown in the example, the first strap 4 is locked to the second strap 3 in the following manner. As is clear from all the figures, the second tongue 17 is raised from the first strap 4. As can be seen with particular reference to figures 2 and 3, between the portion 7 of the second strap 3 and the projecting portion 8 of the same strap there is provided a curved portion 23 which locks or clasps on the second tongue 17 of the first strap 4 when the clasp is in its closed position. It can thus be said that the curved portion 23 has two functions: it can be used to lock the straps to each other and as a joint between the portions 7 and 8 of the second strap 3, the projecting portion 8 allowing the thickness of the buckle to be reduced as already explained.

Fig. 2 and 3 also show that the end 11 of the projecting portion 8 is rolled up to form a second hinge 10 for attaching the second strap 3 to the buckle closure 19. These figures also show that the second strand 2 is attached to the flap 19 by means of a third hinge 18. This hinge is made in a known manner by a rod fitted in a hole made on the side of the flap 19, so that this rod passes through the end of the second strand 2.

It is noted here that it is not necessary to make the two strands of the bracelet specifically to be able to fit the clasp of the invention. In fact, the action of fitting the clasp of the invention is somewhat analogous to that of a conventional clasp with a ring and tongue for receiving one strand of bracelet on the one hand and a rod for receiving the other strand of bracelet on the other hand. Thus, for example, the clasp of the present invention can replace a known conventional buckle on a Swatch watch (registered trademark) without requiring any modification to the band.

The figures also show that to facilitate opening of the clasp, the clasp cover 19 includes a raised portion 20 under which the fingernail can slide.

Finally, the upper surface 26 of the projecting portion 8 may have a mark, capital letter or any decorative symbol, here marked with M28, for appearance reasons.

Finally, it should be noted that the clasp of the invention can be advantageously used on watch straps made of leather or plastic.

Claims (8)

1. A deployable buckle clasp for a bracelet made of leather or similar material, comprising a first strap (4) and a second strap (3) attached to each other at one of their ends by means of a first hinge (9), the other end (12) of the first strap (4) comprising means (14) for attaching a first strand (1) of the bracelet and means (17) for locking the first strap (4) to the second strap (3) when the clasp is in its closed position, the other end (25) of the second strap (3) being mounted so as to be able to pivot on the clasp cover (19) by means of a second hinge (10), the clasp cover (19) having an opening (21) in which a projecting portion (8) of the other end (25) of the second strap (3) can be inserted, the upper surface (26) of said projecting portion (8) cooperating with the upper surface (19) of the clasp cover (19) when the clasp is in its closed position 27) Substantially in the same plane, said buckle being characterized by: the second strand (2) of the bracelet is attached to the flap (19) by means of a second hinge (18).

2. The buckle of claim 1, wherein: the projecting portion (8) extends between the second hinge (10) and the third hinge (18).

3. The buckle of claim 1, wherein: the other end (12) of the first strap (4) has an opening (15) forming a loop into which a first strand (1) of the bracelet can be introduced, this first strand being provided with perforations (16), the end of said first strand (1) being placed under the first strap (4), the means for attaching the first strand to the first strap comprising a first tongue (14) placed on the region of the strand before it enters the first loop (15), said first tongue being inserted into one of the perforations (16) of the first strand.

4. The buckle of claim 3, wherein: a second ring (22) is arranged below the first belt (4), behind the first ring (15), for receiving and guiding the end of the first strand (1).

5. The buckle of claim 1, wherein: between the second strap (3) and the projection (8) at the end of the strap, a bent portion (23) is provided which, in the closed position of the clasp, locks onto a second tongue (17) arranged on the first strap (4).

6. The buckle of claim 1, wherein: the end (11) of the projecting portion (8) is wound up to form the second hinge (10) for attaching the second strap (3) to the buckle cover (19).

7. The buckle of claim 1, wherein: the buckle cover (19) includes a raised portion (20) to facilitate opening of the buckle.

8. The buckle of claim 1, wherein: applying a marking (28) or decoration on the upper surface (26) of the projecting portion (8) of the second tape (3).