HK1113511B - Device for fixing an interchangeable wrist-watch strap to a watch - Google Patents

Description

Device for fixing interchangeable watchband on watch

Technical Field

[01] The present invention relates to a device for fixing a bracelet to a wristwatch, and to a corresponding wristwatch and bracelet, said device being particularly suitable for the convenient and rapid replacement of the bracelet. More generally, the device of the invention relates to any valuable item of the watch, jewellery, compass or similar type, which needs to be secured reliably, comfortably and aesthetically by a strap, collar or any other component, hereinafter called "strap" for the sake of clarity.

Background

[02] Document CH662033 describes a first method of connecting a wristband to a watch, based on: a connecting hasp, the connecting hasp is positioned at each side of the watch; and a wristband, each of the two portions of the wristband having a clasp at one end. The clasp is inserted into the clasp of the watch. The advantage of this method is that it is simple and quick to use. The first drawback is that it requires the attachment of the two fixing buckles to the watch, which significantly changes the aesthetic appearance of the watch and does not adapt to any type of watch. A second drawback of this method consists in that the bracelet cannot be completely fixed to the watch. This method does not guarantee that the watch does not accidentally fall off the wristband.

[03] Document FR2732786 describes another method for fixing a bracelet to a watch, consisting in such a bracelet: the strap has a clasp at one end thereof intended to be crossed by a cylindrical rod housed in a position provided at the end of the watch. A drawback of this method and of many variants of the prior art is that a bar is required between the bracelet and the watch, which bar risks being lost when the bracelet is mounted and dismounted. In addition, in the method described in this patent, the rod is simply arranged in a housing by fitting, and therefore there is a risk of accidental detachment. To overcome this drawback, other variants are based on a similar rod, threaded, which is fixed to the watch by screwing. However, these variants have the disadvantage of being complex, since they require tools and no longer allow the watchband to be replaced easily and comfortably.

[04] Finally, document WO0057250 describes a third method of the prior art, which describes a watch with interchangeable parts, so as to bring together, by means of an intermediate part, the case, the bezel (lunette) and the wristband. This element is not intended to be used solely for fixing the strap to the watch. It also occupies a large size on the periphery of the watch and does not adapt to all watches, nor to all appearances. In addition, its integral closure member is complex and unreliable as it requires the parts to slide in the grooves, but this has the risk of jamming and wearing.

[05] There is therefore a need for other methods of fixing the wristband on the watch, which do not have the above-mentioned drawbacks.

Disclosure of Invention

[06] A first object of the present invention is therefore a device for fixing a bracelet to a watch that is reliable and convenient, allowing the bracelet to be replaced due to its simplicity of operation.

[07] A second object of the invention is a device for fixing a strap to a wristwatch, which is small in size, aesthetically pleasing and compatible with all types of watches.

[08] A third object of the invention is a low-cost device for fixing a bracelet to a wristwatch.

[09] According to the design of the invention, the fixing means are based on a door element comprising a housing for the bracelet, which is actuated simply by a concealed and easy-to-implement control means and an intermediate trigger (bascule) which can take up a stable position called closed, which corresponds to the closed position of the door element (port).

[10] The invention is more precisely defined by the claims.

Drawings

[11] These objects, features and advantages of the invention will be illustrated in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment, given as a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[12] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a wristwatch and its band in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[13] FIG. 2a shows a cross-sectional view of the watch and bracelet;

[14] FIG. 2b shows an enlarged view of the section at the fixing between the bracelet and the watch;

[15] FIGS. 3a and 3b show top and bottom perspective views of a watch according to an embodiment of the invention;

[16] FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of a watch according to an embodiment of the invention;

[17] fig. 5 shows a first cross-section of a watch according to an embodiment of the invention;

[18] fig. 6 shows a second cross-section of a wristwatch according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

[19] According to one embodiment of the invention, the wristwatch 1 is connected to a strap 3 by a fixing device 2. The fixing device 2 is based on a door 4 hinged around an axis 5, defining a housing 6, in which a rod 7, arranged in a fixed manner at the end of the bracelet 3, is housed. The door 4 is in contact with a trigger 8, the trigger 8 being substantially triangular with rounded corners, wherein one corner has a portion 9 in the form of a hook which engages a slot 10 in the door 4 and prevents rotation and opening of the door. The trigger 8 comprises an upper fillet 11 in contact with a watch part 12, the door 4 being rotatably mounted on said watch part 12 about the axis 5, said upper fillet 11 acting as a pivot for the trigger. Finally, the trigger comprises a third rear fillet at a rear end 13 in contact with a trigger control 14. The detailed operation of the mechanism will be described below.

[20] As shown in fig. 3a and 3b, the fixing means are located at the end of the watch 1, the door 4 extending slightly in the longitudinal direction corresponding to the long sides of the rectangular frame of the watch. The gate 4 and its control means, in the form of a button elongated in the transverse direction, are also present on the lower face of the watch. Such an arrangement can preferentially ensure the aesthetic appearance of the upper surface of the watch and allow the components of the mechanism to be distributed concealingly on the lower surface. Such an arrangement also avoids inadvertent actuation of the mechanism.

[21] As shown in particular in fig. 4, the watch 1 has on the base 30 a conventional stack of dial, glass, gasket, bezel. The upper bushing ring (carrure)31 comprises on each side a support extension 12 for mounting the door-shaped element 4 on the spindle 5 of the watchband fixing device, and the base 30 comprises side zones in which the other parts of the device are superposed.

[22] Such a stack of parts therefore comprises the following parts in sequence:

[23] a control device 14 comprising two oblong openings 17 extending vertically, allowing the control device to be articulated to the base 30 by means of two screws 19, wherein said two screws 19 pass through these openings 17 and are housed in two threaded portions 18 of the base 30. The control device 14 further comprises a central opening 20, in which central opening 20 the rear projecting portion of the rear end 13 of the trigger 8 is located;

[24] a trigger 8 rotatably mounted around an axis 15, the axis 15 substantially corresponding to the upper rounded corner 11 of the above-mentioned trigger and being located in a housing 16 of the watch base 30;

[25] two small flexible rods 21 housed in the two openings in front of the trigger, above the hook portion 9 of the trigger. The hook portion 9 engages with a cleft or groove 10 in the edge (tranche) of the door 4 and the stem 21 engages with the upper surface of the door 4.

[26] The operation of the interchangeable fixing device 2 for fixing the bracelet 3 to the watch 1 will now be described with reference to figures 5 and 6.

[27] Fig. 5 shows a longitudinal section of the watch, i.e. a section formed by the following planes, in the direction of the long sides of the bracelet and of the rectangular frame: this plane passes through the watch in the centre of the screw 19 of each side fixing means for fixing the control device 14. Fig. 6 shows a longitudinal section formed by another plane parallel to the above-mentioned plane, which passes through the middle of the trigger 8 on each side of the watch. In both figures, the left fastening device 2a is in the open position, while the right fastening device 2b is shown in the closed position.

[28] Thus, the substantially triangular-shaped trigger 8 comprises: an upper rounded corner 11, corresponding to the axis of rotation 15 of the trigger with respect to the watch; a rear lower end portion 13 fitted with the control knob 14; and a front lower end 9 cooperating with the door 4.

[29] In the closed position, the upper end of the shaft 15 of the trigger 8 rests on the support portion 12 of the watch, the rear end 13 of the trigger being in its lowermost position, the control device 14 connected to this end also being in its lowermost position, and the end 9 of said trigger being in its uppermost position, so that the door 4 is held in its closed position by the hook of the trigger being received in the groove 10 of the edge of the door. The control device 14 is thus in its lowest position, the screw 19 resting on the upper surface of the vertical oblong opening 17 of the control device. The closed position is a stable position. In fact, in this position, the moment exerted by the weight of the door 4 on the trigger at the hook 9 is almost zero, since it is too close to the axis of rotation 15, and the shape of the trigger 8, in particular its rounded upper part 11 and its mass distribution, determines a stable closed position of the trigger, and a certain force must be applied to achieve rotation of the trigger.

[30] The movement towards the open position is achieved by actuating the control knob 14 upwards, which is moved by the upward movement of the control knob due to the vertical extension of the oblong opening 17 of the control knob 14 and the space 22 provided in the base 30. The upward movement of the control device 14 may be continued until the lower surface of its oblong opening 17 comes into contact with the screw 19. This movement transmits a force to the rear end 13 of the trigger 8 which causes the trigger to rotate about its axis 15, thereby rotating the hook 9 downwardly. The trigger is shaped such that: the high position of the control device 14 allows the hook 9 of the trigger 8 to leave the groove 10 of the door 4 and release it. At the same time, the lever 21 resting on the upper surface of the door 4 causes the door 4 to rotate downwards and open, allowing the manual grasping of the door to continue its opening movement, so as to be able to reach the housing 6 to extract the stem 7 of the bracelet and/or to put the stem 7 in place.

[31] The closing of the door 4 is achieved by manually actuating the door and pressing the door upwards. This pressure causes the door 4 to bear against the rod 21, which causes the trigger 8 to rotate in the closing direction, which simultaneously causes the control device 14 to move downwards. The shape of the upper circular portion 11 of the trigger 8 is such that: the force required for closing the door 4 is relatively small. However, in order to close it completely, the end of the movement of the door requires a greater force which causes the trigger to rotate suddenly towards its closing equilibrium position, accompanied by a slight click which indicates to the user that the door is well closed.

[32] The device has been exemplified by means of a device based on a door mounted on the extension 12 of the watch 1. However, a similar device can be completely integrated in the volume of the watch, the shaft 5 thus being placed near one end of the watch. Therefore, the method is applicable to watches of various shapes such as a circular shape, and the method can be applied to various appearances as desired.

[33] The control device is already placed on the lower face of the watch and hardly protrudes beyond this face, which has the advantage that it is not visible and does not detract from the usual appearance of the watch, while avoiding accidental actuation of the control device. However, this design of the invention can also be used to place the device on an upper surface.

[34] Also, the gate may open in a different direction than that shown by way of example, and the trigger may have a different shape that performs the same function.

[35] Finally, the fixing means relate to the fixing of the strap to the watch. In the described embodiment, the device is entirely located on the watch, the wristband having only one bar for implementing the fixing according to the invention. Alternatively, however, all or part of the implemented fixing function may be located at the end of the bracelet, and not on the watch.

Claims (13)

1. Device for fixing a bracelet (3) to a watch (1), comprising a door-shaped element (4), said door-shaped element (4) being connected to said watch (1) by means of a connecting element (12, 5) and forming a housing (6) for said bracelet (3),

characterized in that the device comprises: a trigger (8) mounted rotatably about an axis (15); and a control device (14) which allows to actuate the trigger (8) to operate it from a stable closed position, in which the trigger (8) keeps the door (4) closed, to an open position, in which the door (4) is released and access to the housing (6) is allowed.

2. Device for fixing a wristband (3) on a wristwatch (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said trigger (8) comprises a rear end (13) cooperating with said control means (14) and a front end (9, 21) cooperating with said door (4) so that, when said control means (14) are actuated, said door is driven to open by the rotation of said trigger (8) about its axis (15).

3. Device for fixing a bracelet (3) to a wristwatch (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the front end of said trigger comprises: a hook portion (9) cooperating with a cleft (10) of the edge of said door-shaped element (4); and a flexible portion (21) which cooperates with a surface of the door (4), when the trigger (8) is rotated towards the open position, the hook portion (9) releases the door (4) and the flexible portion (21) causes the door to open.

4. Device for fixing a wristband (3) according to any one of the preceding claims on a wristwatch (1), characterised in that said control means (14) comprise at least one oblong opening (17) in order to be articulated to a base (30) of said wristwatch (1) by means of a screw passing through said opening (17), and in that it comprises a cavity (20) cooperating with the rear end (13) of said trigger (8) which is articulated around a shaft (15), said shaft (15) being located in a housing (16) of said wristwatch base (30).

5. Device for fixing a bracelet (3) to a wristwatch (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that said door (4) is mounted in rotation about an axis (5) on a support element (12) of the wristwatch (1) located at the periphery of said wristwatch (1); and the shaft (15) of the trigger (8) forms a circular upper portion (11) of the trigger (8) resting on the lower face of the support element (12) of the watch.

6. Device for fixing a bracelet (3) to a wristwatch (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that the ends of said control means (14) are visible and actuatable in a window in the lower face of said wristwatch and are vertically movable in a space (22) in the base (30) of said wristwatch.

7. Device for fixing a bracelet (3) to a wristwatch (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that said trigger (8) is able to assume a stable closed position when said door (4) is closed.

8. Device for fixing a bracelet (3) to a wristwatch (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said wristwatch is rectangular in shape; the support element (12) forms an extension of the watch and is connected to the upper bushing ring (31).

9. Device for fixing a bracelet (3) to a wristwatch (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the housing (6) is able to receive a stem (7) of the bracelet (3).

10. Watch comprising a device for fixing a bracelet according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

11. Bracelet comprising a stem (7) fixed at one end to cooperate with the fixing means according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

12. Watch comprising a device for fixing a wristband according to claim 4.

13. Bracelet comprising a stem (7) fixed at one end to cooperate with the fixing means of claim 4.